For the aspiring candidates of 2017

Free Thinker *

There are certain important things that I would like to share with all the aspiring candidates, particularly the new aspirants of the 2017 State Assembly election. I am not in politics but I have quite a good number of politician-friends across party lines.

Many of them do rightly think that they are wiser and smarter than me. Despite this fact I keep talking to them and giving my friendly advice to them, just like teaching the cats how to lick milk.

Quite often they pretend that they are listening, but actually they don't. When they are in trouble they tend to run from pillar to post, from lawyer to lawyer, from court to court and so on and so forth.

There is a maxim in English "a stitch in time saves nine" (meaning is, if we sort out a problem immediately in the beginning it will save extra effort/work later). The underlining meaning of this adage is, if we are careful today we may not be in trouble tomorrow. You know, a maxim is a short expression of a long experience or observance.

Young politicians with humongous money-power or with formidable backing or having both normally avoid listening to others. They tend to possess huge ego and they become overconfident.

Whereas the old guards listen to the views and opinions of all and sundry; they have tons of patience; they are the matured ones; they listen carefully and act accordingly.

The best listeners ultimately become top leaders. I am told that the present BJP president of the State is a great listener. Those who don't have forbearance to listen are gradually sidelined or withered away.

The first and foremost lesson is to listen to others, "just listen, listen and listen". Never try to impose your ideas because you are not supposed to be an intellectual or a scholar, you are supposed to be a representative of the people.

Just listen to them and apply your mind and act in favour of them. Believe me they will never fail you. The real problem starts when you stop listening to your well-wishers and the people in general.

Sorry, I have deviated from the main issue. I am trying to share an important aspect of an election process with the aspiring candidates (particularly the new ones); and it is basically about some basic things which they often neglect and outsource to the lawyers and their faithful supporters.

This is about filing the election nomination papers and the accompanying affidavit (now made mandatory by the Apex Court). It sounds very simple but it is very intricate and has far reaching consequences.

In good old days, the nomination papers are filed just like that in a very casual manner and the Returning Officer just ask them to do some corrections here and there; there ends the matter. Sometimes two/ three nominations were filed not to be rejected on flimsy grounds.

Today as per the Supreme Court judgment of Sept 2013 (Resurgence India vs Election Commission of India) it is mandatory for a candidate to furnish absolutely correct information about himself or herself. Along with the nomination paper an affidavit has to be filed. The ultimate purpose of filling such an affidavit is to make the citizens know their candidates.

The information to be furnished will be about the candidate's criminal background (if any); about the candidate's (spouse/dependents) properties and bank accounts; and about the candidate's educational qualifications.

The aspiring candidates must be very careful and truthful about these declarations. If any of the information is found incorrect the candidature may be rejected (even after winning).

Hence, furnishing the correct personal information is absolutely necessary. Otherwise it is almost impossible to rectify or suppress later. If you were convicted for more than 2 years you are already disqualified.

If you have some undisclosed foreign accounts, benami properties and a good number of gold-biscuits, you can still file the nomination but the risk of unearthing them later is not ruled out.

Again, if you have a spouse, no problem, just declare ( for spouses consult them or a lawyer) . However, you don't need to declare the names of your girlfriends / boyfriends etc.

For educational qualification, mention only the name of the degree for which you can produce a genuine certificate.

Finally, don't believe in EVM hackers, Godmen, Hypnotizers, Underworld/Underground elements, just have faith in Gandhiji (greenish or reddish). It still works wonder!