Unless the Omicron escalates, in less than two months Goa will have elected its 40 new MLAs. In recent years the political game has transformed into a business venture. Now for an assembly constituency you need to be spending at least Rs 20 crores to have a reasonable chance of winning. Candidates would have to start sending their voters on pilgrimages to Shirdi, Vailankanni or wherever they wish to go on a jaunt. While also having to organize all sorts of sports tournaments to keep the youth in good cheers.
Till polling day candidates should avoid any FIR being registered against them, while assigning all the work of distributing cash and goodies to their henchmen. They must keep away from major and minor vices till the votes are cast. Today elections have become an investment gamble with everyone and everything having to be paid for. The voters also know that they will only be able to next squeeze their candidates in five years so they milk the cow as much as they can. This is the stark reality of elections and the scene can only get worse.
