Indra’s Drishtikona (Viewpoint)

A New Experience: I Lost An Election

Posted : April 30, 2006 at 8:15 pm [IST]

I had never contested an election for any public post in the whole of my life. I always thought that I was not built to do that. My uncle was and so he fought and won at least the election of Mukhia of our Panchayat. However, it doesn’t mean I was not ambitious. In my young days, I used to tell my friends jokingly that one day I would be living in number one Rajpath. I meant Rastrapati Bhawan. I thought in my wild daydreams, if one of my loyal subordinate would someday become PM, he would get me elected as President. Even as late as last year, the wife of one of my friends reminded me of what I used to say.

I had avoided participating in election of CJ Blocks in Salt Lake, though one of my well- wishers, Late Jhunjhunwala used to insist for it. I don’t know how but this year I got trapped here in Block A’s election for representatives for Resident Welfare Association of Sector 41 Noida. Perhaps it was on last Thursday, Khosla, a veteren of many elections came in with two persons and insisted me to sign on a nomination paper. I was to be one of the five of his group. The group of five that was elected last year was already in fray. So it meant 10 persons for 5 positions. My friends - Shirohi and Arora were already after me. So I thought it prudent to do that to gain some experience. And if elected I could have contributed something for the sector. I could have come in contact with some more people.

Yesterday evening, Khosla came in and requested my wife to talk to her friends to vote in our favour. She is pretty popular through her kitty and kirtan. I also nodded, though never liked her to do that. But Yamuna, my wife takes everything with a missionary zeal even with her physical limitations. She went out in evening and moved from door to door to many houses in the block. When she returned after covering some she was tired and retired to bed after taking some toast. She was not physically fit to prepare bread and I can’t. I went without my full dinner. After all, this much of sacrifice is necessary to get something substantial.

Today morning also Khosla came and asked me to accompany him, but I avoided and promised to get in the park at right time. I did talk to some people whom I knew on the phone. But now I realize I knew just few. Election started at 10.30AM. 64% of the effective voters participated. I could give a small speech too. I thought people would vote for me and I might win.

Alas! It was not to happen. All five of us lost. I could realize only late that I would not have gone in so late and half-heartedly. But I am sorry for Yamuna, as her effort went waste.

- Indra

Category: Indian politics |