[Assam] From TOI

[Ram Sarangapani]

 Hi C'da,
 >Does this report help you any in rethinking your recommendations >to the
voters of the other day?

"Could be. But its more than that - its a cultural mindset. The public
probably knows this but really don't care. In today's Assam, politicians
looting the public coffers is NOT a crime any more.
The voters have got themselves into the upai nai culture. Thats the truth."

Thats what I wrote the other day. It was meant for the 'educated,
all-knowing' urban voter. They know very well that the politicians are out
to bilk them, but don't seem to be much bothered as they may not be directly
affected.

As for the rural voter, who is enticed by Rs. 50 and a meal, and is willing
to listen to corrupt politicians speaking a strange language its a different
ballgame.

On the one hand, I cannot advice them NOT to accept even the Rs. 50. It must
be a formidiable amount - maybe even a month's wages.
They will take what comes their way.
Its a sad situation in the rural setting.  Well-meaning educated classes,
have the crucial role of educating the rural masses in politics and their
rights as citizens. The rural population could at election time make demands
of things they may need from ministers (electricity, punps, irrigations,
fertilizers etc).

--Ram

On 3/27/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
>  Ram:
>
>
> Does this report help you any in rethinking your recommendations to the
> voters of the other day?
>
>
>
>
> Not that we needed the ToI report to form our views. But I thought perhaps
> those of you who had been away for long, it could have come in handy.
>
>
> :-)
> c-da
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
> At 10:52 AM -0600 3/27/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
> That was an interesting piece Santanu. Several things come to mind (not
> surprising though).
>
>
>
> The voter is clueless. and can be easily duped
>
>
>
> *"Maybe she spoke something good about our village. So I clapped along
> with the rest," Makon replied with a smile when asked if she understood what
> Swaraj had spoken. She also admitted that she had no idea who the speaker
> was.*
>
> The politician knows this and takes full advantage of the situation.  They
> could have easily just waved their hands in the air and speak Greek to
> cajole the voters.
>
>
>
> and the voters can be bought (very cheaply at that):
>
>
>
> *"We were provided free lunch and Rs 50 for coming to the meeting," a
> Congress supporter said at one meeting.* "
>
> --Ram da
>
>
>
>
>
> On 3/27/06,* Roy, Santanu* <sroy at mail.smu.edu> wrote:
>
> "Body language matters in Assam polls"
> Its an instructive bit of news.
>
> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1465254,curpg-1.cms
>
>
>
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