Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely...

The adage is quite old but its relevance is ageless. The past week has clearly reflected how the politicians have become absolutely corrupt by virtue of the absolute power bestowed on them through constitution. Every effort to remove this absolutism has been thwarted with complete disdain. Lokpal has not been allowed for so many decades and all the political group has covertly disliked it and colluded to not allow it happen in spite of a free nation together asking for it. Every word is silenced and khemkas and Durgas  of this world get their wings clipped if they try to play with the absolute power. The reason is our political system has become close to monarchy in feigned way. The only difference from monarchy is that this system has group of monarchs. If one looks at the demography of politicians, all the new clans are the younger faces of the older generation. There are hardly a new family or individual joining the politics, rather new breeds are not allowed to prosper. Kejriwals are made to meet their own death by the use of this absolute power. The same media which was doing everything to highlight them and earn TRPs is now blocking every bit of news , why? they also have to survive in this absolutism. After all , this is also run by the people who have to survive and feed their family, so bonhomie has to be there with power. All the new generation of politician have the same genes, so how can one expect them to be different? be it congress or RJD or Shiv Sena or DMK or SAD or SP or any one , the replacements are not coming from any where other than the family? how this can be different from monarchy? Even those kins who had taken profession in films and sports, are coming back to politics. Just to keep the absolute power remaining absolute.

Even when Apex courts orders not to allow the convicts to come to parliament, they huddle to fight it out. How can some body be above them? It's not just the issue of ego, it is an effort to keep the flag flying and let all corruption going on profusely without any control. The biggest spade which these group is trying now to change the RTI act to keep themselves out of its clutches. If the political parties, use govt funds and property why should they remain private? If one gets the relief for political donation in Income Tax act, why this relief is not made public ? A political party is suppose to serve the people than what is issue in disclosing how they are getting the money and where they are spending? As a citizen of country, every one has right to see this balance sheet details. After all, we all are stake holders. But , no this entire club thinks differently. The histrionics they perform on various stages is just to keep people divided and making them away from the core issue. All have joined together to block this quietly and fourth pillor has also become silent. Political parties says if they come under the ambit of CIC, they would not be able to function? I do agree, they would nt be able to , otherwise they will have to explain the 41 minute episode. And if deeds of parrot is asked to be divulged, this could have serious consequences. So dear apex court, they will neither allow the parrot to be freed, nor the RTI to be enforced and over and above if by chance you have convicted one of them, then there should be provision to convert them to saints with unabated corruption.

We are monarchs and we believe in absolute power !!!!!!

Will social media play spoil sport or it will remain just a buzz?

Having developed the habit of looking at the twitter and FB every once in a while and by virtue of having a large of number of friends or those whom I follow, there are always some interesting one liners  or sarcastic cartoons freshly available in the plate. With political atmosphere hotting up ever since Namo been projected as PM candidate, the social media is abuzz with political satires. Every second it is throwing up some thing or other. does it really reflect the mood of nation ? will it have the same impact what potentially it could have ? There were days when elections were fought on rallies, posters, slogans and freebies. And people responded to these traditional election tools used by politicians and the political parties. But in last few elections, it is being perceived that traditional method is getting obscure and modern technology is replacing this traditional mode to woo voters. Even the surrogate method of advertising onTV & radio is also appearing outdated. 

A report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India and IRIS Knowledge Foundation suggest that there would be nearly 160 constituencies which will be highly impacted by social media , 67 medium impacted, 60 low impacted and 256 with no impact . Without getting into the details of methodology, this impacting  figure seems quite big and perhaps reason why the politicians who even cannot login to twitter are opening the twitter and FB accounts and getting on with hangout.  The "likes" and "followers" are becoming the barometer of their popularity. Social media seems to facilitate direct communication between unknown voters and creating heroes and villains in a matter of seconds.

As per a estimate there are close to 80 L FB users in India. Even if large no of them could be fake or in genuine people or sleeping users, the number is significant and represents a larger middle class. most importantly even if they don't go to polling stations, they have the power to create an opinion as they form the critical mass of society. Initially, everyone thought though social media has role to play,

but it doesn’t and it cannot guarantee transforming the same into turnout on polling day; same what used to be the case with election rallies. 

The caste factor will continue, the religion are here to stay, the free meal and loan waivers will continue to attract voters but all those who have been born after 80s and happen to be some how or other connected to social media will have impact on 2014. And ,back of their mind political trending topics on social media will have impact like the ads on the TVs have on children. No matter how much one ignores or keeps himself away, the brand developed through media makes us compulsive buyers. The impact might be felt less in rural areas which still has lesser smart phone penetrations but urban and middle class cannot be away from the # pappy vs # Feku debate. Most importantly, they are the perception creators to those who resides in rural areas if they happen to be connected to the roots. The branding is a chain reaction and works on word of mouth.

If nothing, the trend on social media sites for controversial statements, court verdicts on famous cases, scams, corruption will have major impact on voting patterns. However, it's not the number of likes or followers but impact of communication will determine the end result. A lot of people prefer to read , keep quite and form their opinion and don't press like button immediately or start writing comments....they are hidden opinion makers.