The electioneering, the cacophony, the wealth and the people
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Israt Ferdousi
AT first it did seem to have its novelty value. But now it is beginning to become irritating, if not a little alarming. We are speaking about the canvassing for votes that goes on in different neighbourhoods. The cacophony when these mini processions pass by are deafening, because of the close confines of the streets and the noise reverberates into something awful. Residents gape from their doors or balconies and the candidates and their entourage wave at them. One has no choice but to wave back. You never know what will happen if you don't return the compliment.
The thing is, ever since the so-called 1/11 changeover, we have seen and heard a lot of unenviable things about politicians as they talked about their wrongdoings and that of their relatives, friends and fellow travellers. Now they tell us all that was nothing, as if it can all be wiped off with an eraser.
But life is not like that and many ordinary citizens we have spoken to say the same thing that they have no respect for most of their erstwhile leaders. But the scenario is different with others. These are the diehard supporters who were aggrieved that their leaders had been incarcerated wrongly and so on. What is going to happen to this country, many level-headed and non-partisan people ask, once the election is done and power is handed over?
As it is, some leaders were already seen airing their bile, calling their opposition thieves in not-so-veiled attacks. As if no one could guess how some such leaders got their millions (and in some cases, billions) and that people would believe that their wealth was the work of angels, or, they could always pretend they have nothing and you better believe it! In all frankness, their shamelessness has reached new heights.
AT first it did seem to have its novelty value. But now it is beginning to become irritating, if not a little alarming. We are speaking about the canvassing for votes that goes on in different neighbourhoods. The cacophony when these mini processions pass by are deafening, because of the close confines of the streets and the noise reverberates into something awful. Residents gape from their doors or balconies and the candidates and their entourage wave at them. One has no choice but to wave back. You never know what will happen if you don't return the compliment.
The thing is, ever since the so-called 1/11 changeover, we have seen and heard a lot of unenviable things about politicians as they talked about their wrongdoings and that of their relatives, friends and fellow travellers. Now they tell us all that was nothing, as if it can all be wiped off with an eraser.
But life is not like that and many ordinary citizens we have spoken to say the same thing that they have no respect for most of their erstwhile leaders. But the scenario is different with others. These are the diehard supporters who were aggrieved that their leaders had been incarcerated wrongly and so on. What is going to happen to this country, many level-headed and non-partisan people ask, once the election is done and power is handed over?
As it is, some leaders were already seen airing their bile, calling their opposition thieves in not-so-veiled attacks. As if no one could guess how some such leaders got their millions (and in some cases, billions) and that people would believe that their wealth was the work of angels, or, they could always pretend they have nothing and you better believe it! In all frankness, their shamelessness has reached new heights.