M A I L B A G

Discard apathy, vote with courage

As elections to the Punjab Assembly will be held on February 13, I would appeal to each and every voter to exercise his/her franchise in the ensuing elections without fear and favour. Let Punjab create a record in the country by making the poll percentage 100 per cent. The elections must be free and fair for the success of the democracy.

I do not understand why people don’t to turn up in the polling booths in large numbers and participate in the elections. Clearly, one reason for poor turn out is voters’ apathy. The candidates promise the moon to the electorate during electioneering, but forget about their promises after the elections. Consequently, people are bound to feel disappointed with the conduct and attitude of the representatives and political parties.

I appeal to the candidates to keep their promises. They must be committed to their election manifestoes, implement them in letter and spirit and prove worthy of people’s expectations.

M.L. SINHA, Banga (Nawanshahr)

II

The ruling Congress and the Opposition Akali-BJP combine are making tall claims that if voted to power, they will provide education, employment, healthcare, housing, potable drinking water, decent roads, electricity etc to the people.

Promises of this kind are common in the elections. But the candidates must stop indulging in unethical actions and avoid filling their own coffers through unfair means. The people should ask individual candidates to give an account of their performance.

The political parties should not use unfair means to win the elections. The candidates should promise the voters that, if elected, they will attend the State Assembly when in session, have no links with criminals, won’t go abroad for medical treatment at state expense, oppose discretionary quota and shun security except under compelling circumstances.

T.R. GOYAL, Chandigarh

III

Every vote cast in the elections will be valuable. I offer some do’s and don’ts for the electorate. Do’s: Vote for a person who is sincere and earnest in developing the constituency. Vote for one who lives in the constituency from where he is contesting. You can ruffle him with your problems easily. Vote for one who is contesting for the first time. A new broom sweeps better. Vote for a person who is vibrant, dynamic and down to earth.

Don’ts: Don’t vote for a defector. He should be a drift wood, good for nothing. Don’t vote for an excessive drinker. He shall have a clean slate next morning, washing off your problem. Vote for a good-natured person. One who is fond of money will devour the public funds, which is the taxpayers’ money.

Don’t vote for a tainted person. He will become a minister because of his clout and damage the system. We must weigh all the points and cast our vote without fear or favour.

MOHINDER BEHL, Gurdaspur

IV

In its election manifesto, the Congress has promised many things including the revival of the Legislative Council. If implemented, the promise on the Council revival alone will impose a very heavy burden on the state exchequer. Consider how much it would cost the government towards the MLCs’ salaries, perks and the local area development fund.

More important, those defeated in the February 13 election will also enter the Legislative Council, if revived by the Congress, through the back door.

Prof Y.R. HANDA, Bathinda