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Freebies destroy appetite for polls


Freebies and other benefits routinely promised by political parties to woo voters destroy the level playing field in a democracy. Such promises are solely meant to capture certain vote-banks and are tantamount to bribing impressionable voters. 

This unethical practice is just like giving bribes to the electorate at the cost of the exchequer to stay in power and must be avoided to preserve democratic principles and practices.  

Political parties should stop releasing manifestoes containing "unbelievable freebies". Can we allow politicians to make false promises before the elections and thereafter to amass wealth for themselves with impunity and without compunction, once the formality of elections are over? 

The candidates cannot keep up weird election promises that they made to woo voters during the time of campaigning. It's the voters who can hold them accountable and can teach them a lesson at the time of next hustings.


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Lata, a chronicler of India

VINAY DWIVEDI, Benaulim
Published Feb 7, 2022, 11:18 PM IST
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Since independence Lata Mangeshkar has been an inseparable part of the soundtrack of our lives. At public meetings, at corner shops, in homes, at village fairs, at school functions etc. her harmonious, democratising voice wafted into our ears, it was as omnipresent as the air we breathed. Like the Ganga and the Himalayas, she was always there, forever present. In antaksharis, college fests, kirtans, wedding sangeets, there was a song for every occasion, season and…

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