Spell Out Plans

Editorial:-

The scrutiny process has completed and elections are barely two weeks away now. By Saturday evening, even the time allotted to withdraw from the fray would have lapsed and everyone left in the list would be a candidate. Despite the countdown now very real and short, save perhaps the candidates in the fray, political excitement is surprisingly subdued in the State this time. There was much more activity and ‘action’ some months ago compared to what appears to be almost forced engagement at present. One hopes that the calm is a sign of some sobriety having tempered politics, and prays that the lull is not the calm before a storm. One needs to also accept here that the candidates and their parties seem to be abiding by the model code of conduct guidelines much more responsibly this time than in the past. The disturbing aggression of the pre-MCC days is welcomingly missing from the streets and even the battle for the flags seems to have toned down. The electorate must be reveling this tranquility because it allows them the chance to consider the options on offer in peace and attend meetings and receive candidates without worrying too much about ‘repercussions’. This fortnight is a period when the voter rules, can set the rules and be forthright in laying conditions and demanding explanations. However, just because they can do all this does not mean that they are actually setting the agenda for the campaign. But they should. They should demand that the two main leaders clearly outline their plans for Sikkim for the next five years and the candidates to spell out time-bound commitments for their respective constituencies. Unfortunately, this message is clearly not being conveyed strongly enough because despite barely 15 days left for the people to vote, there is only one election manifesto in the public domain. Policy commitments and plans and priorities for the next five years need to be spelled out and conveyed to the people, this is as necessary for ‘local’ political parties to do as for national and regional outfits [who should explain how they plan to adjust national and regional stands to local situations]. Not enough are doing so…