There is something profoundly touching about the sight of elected representatives being escorted to a luxury resort, not for a holiday, not for reflection, but for safekeeping.
It is democracy wrapped in room service. The people voted. The results came in. And immediately thereafter, the Shiv Sena winners from Shinde’s party were herded away like precious livestock, protected from predators known politely as rival parties and less politely as higher bidders.
What confidence this shows. Not confidence in ideology, mind you, but confidence that temptation travels faster than conscience. The moment the votes were counted, the fear set in. These men and women might wander off. They might bump into someone carrying a suitcase. They might accidentally develop a sudden change of heart. Best to lock them up somewhere with swimming pools, buffet counters and no access to independent thought.
This act of herding is being described as strategy. Sadly, it is a confession. It says we do not trust our own people. It says our loyalty lasts exactly as long as the security guard is at the gate. It says that if given half a chance and a full offer, principles would be neatly folded and packed away.
Imagine how this sounds to the voter. ‘Dear citizen, thank you for standing in the sun, the rain, the queue. Thank you for pressing the button with hope in your heart. Now please understand that the person you elected cannot be trusted to remain who they were yesterday. So, we are placing them under protective custody, not from enemies of the nation, but from temptation.’
The corporators themselves deserve a special round of applause. Within hours of victory, they have managed to convince their own party that they are potential traitors. That takes talent. Most people take years to earn such distrust. These have done it before the victory garlands wilted. One wonders what the welcome speech at the resort sounds like? 'Congratulations on winning. Please hand over your phones. Dinner is at eight. Ideology is optional.’
And let us not pretend this is about one party alone. Every party that does this is singing the same tune. ‘We believe in you so deeply that we cannot let you out of our sight.’
‘We value your integrity so highly that we have booked the entire resort.’
Democracy, it turns out, is safest within locked doors.
Meanwhile the world watches, amused. Words like corruption and cynicism are attached to our name. Why do we respond with outrage, when the room bookings says it all?
This is how we protect our mandate. By assuming it will be sold.
So, thank you dear corporators. Thank you for revealing your intentions before the ink on the ballot dried.
Thank you for confirming that the voter was right to worry and wrong to hope.
And thank you dear resorts, for becoming the new parliament of the people, where decisions are safeguarded between breakfast buffets and guarded gates…!
The Author conducts an online, eight session Writers and Speakers Course. If you’d like to join, do send a thumbs-up to WhatsApp number 9892572883 or send a message to bobsbanter@gmail.com
