It’s time to choose the right leader

The question foremost in the minds of voters this time around, as the D-day for the Bharatiya Janata Party in power for the last five years (nearly) approaches fast with the general elections nearing, is who would lead the nation. Rather it is also who should lead the nation? There could be a thousand other issues dotting the political firmament from Rafale to farmers’ plight to the erosion of the Constitutional rights and personal liberty. Yet, all these don't sum up the mood of the nation.

The question, as pre-poll surveys keep churning out various outcomes of the general elections, dominating the discourse is whether Narendra Modi should be allowed another term or not. The reason for this single question’s pre-eminence this time around is evident to all of us. Before one asks “who would lead the nation?”, another question precedes it. Are prevalent policies right or wrong? Does anyone feel safe in this country? If not, who are the ones who feel so and why is there such a feeling of all-pervading fear among Dalits, minorities and liberal voices?

All these things have to be decided by the ordinary voters every five years, as a part of their ordained duty, in the democratic system of our country. Such five-yearly elections are approaching ahead. In a way, through this right, citizens of this country, common citizens at that, become the adjudicators and controllers of our national scenario. But, we also know that the decision we make on that single day of the election makes us bear the brunt of good and bad effects in the short term as well as the long-lasting gains and losses for many years, sometimes throughout the lifetime.

As the head of the RSS, Mohan Bhagwat, himself contemplated sometime back, we are left with nothing else in our hands after that single day. If we have to get the verdict which will not lead to repentance, then the voters will have to rise above self, parochial feelings, petty egos of caste, language and provincial affiliations, keeping in mind that the national interest is supreme. The voters will have to ponder over dispassionately upon the sincerity and capability of the candidate, commitment of the party on the issues of national interest and for the integrity of the nation and experiences of past and present actions of both candidates and parties.

The characteristic of democratic politics is such that no one can be considered as completely right or wrong. In such a situation, non-voting or using the provision of None of the Above (NOTA) goes in favour of the one who is most ineffective. So, 100 per cent voting is essential keeping in mind national interest as supreme without getting swayed by the campaigns of all the sides. The Election Commission of India appeals for the hundred per cent voting and conscience voting. It is time we go all out and elect the right leader. This is the first time in post-Indian politics that we are contemplating on such a question rather seriously. Hope the outcome will be the right one.