Mumbai did not vote even after 26/11 Mumbai attack

Thursday 30 April saw very low turn out of the voters though out the country. No doubt one of the reason is the soaring temperature above 40 degree in many of the areas. Other reason was the apathy of the voters. Mumbai was target of all media attention because of recent terrorist attack in the city. For some strange reasons, exercising their franchise by the voters was linked to the terrorist attacks and patriotism.

It is difficult to understand why the common man should be more bothered about the election after the terrorist attacks? This attack was much highlighted and hyped in the media because it happened in the Taj hotel where some of the richest and famous people were staying. For a common people all these things are normal part of life. They have seen it time and again since Bombay blast in 1993. Today when a local train commuter goes for work then she is not sure of coming back safe. A large number of population (over 55%) is living in slums. (See slum map). They fight for drinking water and sanitation everyday. They have to struggle to commute and spend long hours outside their home for earning livelihood. They know how corrupt and inefficient their leaders are. They see the situation of road not improving and sewage lines not working properly. When there is rain, they also face flood like situation. City has been flood many times now. No one has taken any initiative to solve the problems. It does not matter which party is in power in city, state or the parliament, there situation does not get better. This is one of the biggest reason, people do not come out to vote for any candidate. They are indifferent to these things. They know they have to work and struggle to lead their lives.

There was too much media projection of the middle class youth. It was expected they will come out in large number to vote but this did not happened. These are the people who can talk about the problems in the system and make a group on the facebook or twitter and talk about politics but they will not care to stand for 3-4 hours in the 40 degree temperature for 2-3 hours to exercise their franchise. People who really care and can come out to vote are the people who live in slums or are so-called 'common man' and we ignored them this time. These are the people who have lost faith in this multi-party coalition government where parties join and leave government for some dubious reasons e.g. secular parties and national interest etc.

As I have argued at other place (How to choose Next Prime minister of India?) that it is time to rethink that we need Prime ministerial candidate directly chosen by the people of the country. This will revive the confidence in the system or individuals again and people will be ready to queue for hours because they know someone is personally responsible for promises made to them and the promises will not be lost in "Common Minimum Program" of the coalition.