The Karnataka election is a sampler of the big national show coming up next year (or later this year, if some overexcited pundits are to be believed).
I have roots in Karnataka. So I get news about the elections that go somewhat deeper than what we get the daily gargles and the 24x7 vituperation of the Indian news media.
Well they are it again. Bigger, better and more shameless. So what one or two mining barons are in jail. So what most of the iron mining sector in Bellary is under lock down. There are always plenty of others who want to play the game and it does not stop at Indian money bags. No I am not talking about the Indian money in Swiss banks (or some such dank corners). India is now truly on the global map if the global military-industrial complex thinks it worth their while to raise stakes in a regional election.
And the goons? Well thank the demographic dividend there is no shortage of young, muscle-bound yes men.
Make no mistake. The political class in India loves elections. Think of it as the ritual that renews their lease. Their lease to untrammeled loot. Does not matter which individual or political party wins or loses, the political class wins.
I have been in the drawing rooms of drunk politicians with their guards down.
"These xxxxx,xxxxx jholawalas, judges, anchors, bureaucrats, policewallahs think they can tell us what to do or not to do? Can they ever fight an election let alone win? We will rule because we are elected to rule"
Democracy? Of the people, by the people for the people? Really? Raise 10 crores of black money,feed and tolerate hundreds of goons before you can be "of the people". Like this friend of mine rather pithily put it - "More like kleptocracy"
