The middle class, peeved at the Annual budget presented by BJP not long ago, are the ones who are staunch defenders of the government giving it a free pass in the $2 billion and still counting PNB Bank Scam. It yet reinforces the notion - if you blindly support or your love is blind then mark my words and tighten your seat belts - you are taken for a ride.
The Indian middle class is known to be freaky. They whined and vented out their vociferous disapproval of the partisan budget, but come IPL (Indian Premier Leauge Cricket) or the next Bollywood blockbuster, they will get busy and forget easy.
History repeats itself. When the Ancient Roman Emperors and Senators faced challenges from a restless public, they organized chariot races and Gladiators fights to keep them busy and distracted -calming their nerves. India, a democracy has its own Bollywood and Cricket as the fiesta counterparts.
Our Middle class is least patriotic and filled with the most hypocrites. Come next election, they will vote for BJP being perceived as the lesser evil. Political parties, especially BJP is well aware of this and no wonder takes the middle class which forms it base for granted.
The majority of them don't vote. Some are both apathetic and cynical enough not to waste their time voting, which can be better used for better purpose. Some are reluctant to stand in line in hot, humid weather amidst voters stinking of sweat (exactly the reason disclosed to me by someone for not voting).
It explains why voting was a meagre 30% in the capital Bhubaneswar, a city of mostly middle class milieu. It comes with a mixed blessing for the parties - For BJP who can be banked upon, but not invaluable as they may not be sufficient to tilt the electoral outcome. For the rest, thankfully the tardy middle layer of the society is not powerful enough to be taken seriously, forget being feared.
The Vice President of the first company I worked for once told me "In life one has to be both fair and square. If you are goody goody all the time, you will be considered weak and will be taken advantage of". Quarter of a century since I have seen this being vindicated time and again - both in my private and public life.
I love my child, but I also reprimand him as and when needed. If I don't, tomorrow he will seat over my head (as they say in Odia MUNDARE BASIBA and in Hindi SAR PE BAITHEGA). Similarly, the middle class must make BJP accountable with its checks and balances, can't bank on them a la the PNB Bank. Else someday it might turn into a BHASMASURA (the legendary demon who targeted the person whose boon he benefited from).
The Indian middle class is known to be freaky. They whined and vented out their vociferous disapproval of the partisan budget, but come IPL (Indian Premier Leauge Cricket) or the next Bollywood blockbuster, they will get busy and forget easy.
History repeats itself. When the Ancient Roman Emperors and Senators faced challenges from a restless public, they organized chariot races and Gladiators fights to keep them busy and distracted -calming their nerves. India, a democracy has its own Bollywood and Cricket as the fiesta counterparts.
Our Middle class is least patriotic and filled with the most hypocrites. Come next election, they will vote for BJP being perceived as the lesser evil. Political parties, especially BJP is well aware of this and no wonder takes the middle class which forms it base for granted.
The majority of them don't vote. Some are both apathetic and cynical enough not to waste their time voting, which can be better used for better purpose. Some are reluctant to stand in line in hot, humid weather amidst voters stinking of sweat (exactly the reason disclosed to me by someone for not voting).
It explains why voting was a meagre 30% in the capital Bhubaneswar, a city of mostly middle class milieu. It comes with a mixed blessing for the parties - For BJP who can be banked upon, but not invaluable as they may not be sufficient to tilt the electoral outcome. For the rest, thankfully the tardy middle layer of the society is not powerful enough to be taken seriously, forget being feared.
The Vice President of the first company I worked for once told me "In life one has to be both fair and square. If you are goody goody all the time, you will be considered weak and will be taken advantage of". Quarter of a century since I have seen this being vindicated time and again - both in my private and public life.
I love my child, but I also reprimand him as and when needed. If I don't, tomorrow he will seat over my head (as they say in Odia MUNDARE BASIBA and in Hindi SAR PE BAITHEGA). Similarly, the middle class must make BJP accountable with its checks and balances, can't bank on them a la the PNB Bank. Else someday it might turn into a BHASMASURA (the legendary demon who targeted the person whose boon he benefited from).
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