An Open Letter to all Politicians of all Poll Bound States from 12-year-old citizen of India

An Open Letter to all Politicians of all Poll Bound States

Our dear Political Leaders,

We all know that elections play a very important role in your lives. Elections are the harbingers of power and prestige for you. All of you go all out to woo the people to cast their electoral right in your favour. Since Independence, we have had free and fair elections and a decent culture of campaigning. But, since some years, a new culture has started in election campaigning- the freebie culture.

In the upcoming elections in 5 states which are jewels for you, this culture has seen a sharp spike, especially in the state of Punjab. It seems as if the electoral contest is not between the candidates of political parties but between the amounts of money distributed to the people. All of you have started announcing freebies for the people once you come to power. But, let me alarm all the political leaders of India that this culture is not good for the health of an economy as well as of a democracy.

Our freedom fighters dreamt of a fully developed India with the state-of-the-art infrastructure. But, this freebie culture cannot fulfil this dream of theirs. If they get to know of this sad state of affairs in election campaigning, they will surely cry. So, whenever it rains, understand that the raindrops are their tears and a signal to stop this freebie culture.

All of us, the citizens, without whom you cannot form a government, want a good quality of infrastructure in each state and union territory of our country. I can surely assert that all of you must have wanted development over money before you came into politics, though this balance has clearly overturned after that. And, this development is possible only when you stop scattering money on people in the form of freebies. By giving freebies, are you considering all of your citizens to be beggars? All of us have a dignity which you cannot violate just for soaking yourself in the golden water of luxury for the next 5 years.

If you continue this system, how will you develop resources? India is a resource-rich Republic but what have you all made of it? If you all utilise money in the right way, there is no one who can challenge the fact that India can be a superpower. With all our manpower, skill and resources, we can achieve the topmost positions but you need to give funds. Oh! But, I forgot that if you will use funds of education and sports, you won’t win the elections? If you plant trees and build school and colleges, how will you scatter freebies? Focus on development. It is high time that you stop such worthless use of money.

One more feature is caste politics. After practices like untouchability have been banned, why are you still fighting elections by wooing people based on their castes? Why are you not considering everyone as equal? Every voter is equal and you must stop your caste politics. Caste factors should be ignored and the leadership qualities of the candidates must be all that matter in the electoral festival of elections.

Another new feature in electoral canvassing is the use of foul language against each other. How can you set an example for our young generation by using such abusive language just for some votes? Previously, I talked about our dignity but you all don’t seem to have any self-respect or dignity for yourselves. You must abstain from such foul language.

As I conclude, I assert one major fact for all of you. Development leads to more votes than freebies do. Stop freebies, focus on development and the people will choose you as their leader.

Hoping for a positive response from all political leaders. I on behalf of all my fellow citizens hope that this freebie culture will come to an end. Abraham Lincoln defined Democracy as “Government of the People, By the people and for the people”. Please don’t make it “Government off the People, Buy the people and Far the people.

An open letter from a Faithful and Obedient 12 years old Citizen of India who has great expectations from this largest Democracy of the World.

*Views expressed are personsal.