[Assam] Fwd: Sovereignty--cropper again?

[UTTAM BORTHAKUR]

>>>>>>>    Yet, we continue to vote in the same people election after
election, and bemoan the lack of choice we have.


*********      This is the correct question. Why do 'we' do that? Do we have
a 'choice'? What has so far been happening shows that 'we' do not.
Theoretically, yes. Practically, no. That's why, some on the fringes,
experiment with other methods. The so called 'mass' usually lie supine. That
too is evident from history, as in any of the revolutions/ wars mentioned
earlier. They act only at the final stage; when there is no option for fence
sitting. But, their weight, whether through 'action' or 'inaction' is a must
for 'continued existence' or 'otherwise' of a political system.

Another reason is, you need 'corporate' money from those you had conferred
largess when in or out of power , money from extortion at 'check gates'/
'toll gates' through police and tax officials, and various such tainted
money to fund elections in India. And therefore, any one elected in India
must work for these interesst, and not for interest of the people at large.
They have to keep up an image of being people's representative; so they have
to do the least amount required.  Ambanis are now fighting over a basin full
of hydrocarbons; a look at certain income tax exemptions in that sector
would show that those were inserted almost immediately after these guys
declared their projects in respect of gas pipelines. So, things go like
that. I have to be simplistic here; it may be condoned on the grounds of
time and space.

I do not believe that the 'insurgents' in the NE or the 'Maoists' in Central
India, as they are now, have any prospect of bringing succor to India or for
that matter I do not see any prospect of their being successful, if history
is of any indicator. Both appear to be adventurist activities, and therefore
lacks popular support cutting across all cross-sections. Else you and I
would have supported those.   But the fact remains that they are there
because of system that is not alright; and I do not see that system
becoming any more participatory or responsive. I may rather wager on it
being more prone to McCarthyism in near future.