The Supreme Court on January 25 issued notices to the Election Commission and the Government of India on the matter of rampant promises of freebies before elections. The SC observed that in States with huge debts, parties promise freebies money for which comes from the public itself. Many experts have warned of a Sri Lanka-type situation. In Goa, we saw the Fourth Estate dabbling in politics and directly canvassing for a new party highlighting these freebies. This is nothing but a ploy and as observed by the SC, created an unequal playing field, where a party offering more freebies could win. Since this TMC entered the fray at the eleventh hour, had no grassroot workers, and was only poaching candidates from other parties, this ploy was not at all democratic or moral. The Press must now explain their stand to the people. GUJ must take action or forever be labelled as a politically gratified entity and not an independent press. This kind of mentality is on the same level as the press in India inciting violence and hatred amongst various sections of society.
