Canal and Water Games in State Polls
By: Amit Bhushan Date: 18th Mar. 2016
This article is in relation to a specific news item episode on idiot box. For a change, commercial news media seems to be getting ready to catch up with social media and bring forth some ‘"game" discussions to involve itself with common folks. There have been other attempts in the news media to highlight some of the other issues pertaining to bankruptcies, VIP culture etc. however the game related aspect (how political leaders combined brethren from commercial news media driving people towards certain specific objectives, brings forth more misery than betterment) have almost always been side-lined and therefore this assertion (from author).
The attempt is praiseworthy as it (the commercial news media) has attempted to involve old parties as well as new and brought forth points as to how political leaders are task-ing their ground workers to rally ordinary people and how political positions of party's' state units undermine national priorities and create some tough situations apart from unhealthy competition which only puts "common people" to greater difficulties. The so called ground workers are generally not getting a chance to question the leaders or have ability to judge people who may be having a genuine learned position on such issues (the rally happens in name of overall party or neta rather than ‘issues', and if the assertion in these articles are being doubted, then people joining the rallies may be questioned to satisfy oneself; this fact is of course not reported in commercial news media, which is in service of the netas).
However after going through the article, most readers will be able to conclude easily as to why the "Game" and Social media/Alternate politics still rules and is easily a decisive factor in "Polls". I have already said that the attempt is praiseworthy because if follows the tenets of "Game", i.e. raising argument from the perspective of ‘what may possibly be good for a greater number of masses' while analysing a particular issue because it the voting principle of one-man one-vote and so greater number of people behind an issue matters.
The arguments put forth by commercial news media tends to bring forth the overplay on the specific issue which has almost all parties in fray falling over each other to push themselves to be champions of the masses. The commercial media this time round inadvertently highlighted that the "reason" (as in Godfather), is not being explored while political leaders choose positions, especially not having a position is not being seen as an option (why? Is not known - political parties can have campaign on specific issues and decide not to respond to all provocations).
There can also be several counter positions which might rub with certain smaller sub-groups to build campaigns as well, but not considered.Has the proposed "Canal cancellation" (in discussions) been evaluated by leaders and parties regards whether it is worth pursuing the goal when there are several other issues; factors such as dependency of people on "tilling" having declined; the concerned canal if pursued, is also likely to benefit the farmers within state especially the villages on both sides and nearby the new canal area; greater land under water bed is likely to raise water table etc. etc. Also, while the ruling party may have an incentive to take an emotive position on an issue, however the other players joining in, to rake up the decibels only underplays other issues which may be of considerable importance but where performance may not have been delivered or perceived to be delivered.
Both, the leaders who consider themselves in fray (they may not be in race otherwise if some other issues are brought forth) as well as commercial news media falls prey to such emotive issues and neglecting other issues in the "rat race" (as in Tom & Jerry). So the battle to fight for, may itself not get chosen correctly by the political leaders and parties.Then there have been almost no reference to the project studies that would have given justification for the canal project. Was a scientific study of long term consequence not done? Also, about the management and operational control of such canal has the potential to regulate water under different water level conditions and what the political leaders are arguing is that such project with all its investment is a waste and there would be no managerial control.
While ruling party may put forth the argument in anticipation that they may not be in managerial control, but what stops the other parties in contention to reassure people that they would ensure proper science in water sharing proposals. While commercial news media seems to be coming up the curve, but in absence of the above mentioned aspect, it still needs to show progress to be able to prove itself worthy about its claims of public service especially in comparison to the social media. Watch the game evolve further…