UNTIED ELECTION CONTEST

The ongoing Lok sabha election is  for 543 seats. Any party contesting in the election must secure a minimum seats of 272 to have simple majority. Parties who have fielded at least these number of candidates have a goal of ruling the country; subject to winning of all the candidates. There are parties who have made coalition with other parties may field lesser number of candidates; however, the parties together in the coalition group will field candidates above this magical figure. Surprisingly, there also parties who have no coalition arrangements with any parties have fielded small number of candidates much below the minimum majority number. What for they do it? There can be two reasons.

1. To have recognition as a national party

2. To do horse trading after the election, depending upon the seats of other major parties .

The conditions laid down by the Election Commission for recognition as a national party are:

1. Secure at least 6% of the valid votes in an Assembly or Lok Sabha General Election in any four or more states and won atleast 4 seats in a Look Sabha General Election from any state or states.

2. Win at least 2% of the total Lok Sabha seats in a Look Sabha General Election and these seats have to be won from at least 3 states.

3. The party is recognised as a State Party in at least 4 states.

It is evident that the untied parties contesting for few number of seats have the sole intention of retaining their recognition as a national party. They have  nothing to offer for the people as they cannot come into power at the existing situation.

Should the people sacrifice their 'would be participation' in the ruling of the nation for safeguarding the recognition of an unwanted party?  Should the people allow the parties and their candidates to have horse trade later? It should be a flat no for each one of us because these horse trading is the prime cause for black money and corruption in our country.

I think, therefore, the voters should make their own assessment before casting votes to a party who cannot do anything for the people.

KV George