Unless the Omicron escalates, in less than two months Goa will have elected its 40 new MLAs. In recent years the political game has transformed into a business venture. Now for an assembly constituency you need to be spending at least twenty crores to have a reasonable chance of winning.
Candidates would have to start sending their voters on pilgrimages to Shirdi, Vailankanni or wherever they wish to go on a jaunt. While also having to organize all sorts of sports tournaments to keep the youth in good cheers. They may also have to start paying the electricity, water and telephone bills of their voters and not be surprised if medical and other bills are also stacked on top.From now to polling day candidates will have a hectic schedule attending baptisms, first holy communions, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, house inaugurations and funerals as they cannot afford to miss any.
Till polling day candidates should avoid any F.I.R being registered against them, while assigning all the work of distributing cash and goodies to their henchmen. They should not be caught on the wrong side of the law and must keep away from major and minor vices till the votes are cast. As for a candidate having a weakness for women, keeping a safe distance is a must. A case of molestation, outraging modesty or attempt to rape is something a candidate could do without at election time.
Today elections have become an investment gamble with everyone and everything having to be paid for. The voters also know that they will only be able to next squeeze their candidates in five years so they milk the cow as deeply as they can. This is the stark reality of elections and the scene can only get worse.
