Election 2014 has witnessed an impressive increase in the voter turnout.
But we bumped into a disgruntled citizen, who explains why he is not impressed and why he will not vote this year.
Text: Nithya Ramani
Video: Afsar Daytar
Medha Patkar was the last person he expected to bump into in a crowded Mumbai local train.
But this commuter was not impressed with the well-known activist or the Aam Aadmi Party, which she represents.
However, the disgust for politicians that was evident on his face was replaced with a wide grin when the camera focused on him.
When asked about the candidates contesting from his constituency, he said, “Don’t know, don’t care. Whoever you vote for, they are all the same. They make false promises and never deliver what they’ve promised.”
He has decided he will not vote this year as has lost faith in democratic process. “Vote kare toh bhi wohi log jeetne waale hai. Vote na de toh bhi wohi log jeetne waale hai. Matlab nahi banta phir (Whether I vote or not, the same people will win. I don’t see the point in voting).”
He adds, “There is no employment. Even after graduation, you earn Rs 6,000-Rs 8,000. If someone spends Rs 4 lakh on an engineering course and doesn’t get employed, he is forced to spend another Rs 1 lakh do another course just to find a job that will pay him a meagre salary of Rs 10,000. It doesn’t make sense to me.”
