Dear Readers,
For those who do not understand the parlance BIMARU, let me explain. In India, up until recently, the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh were called Bimaru- meaning sickly, as these were the least economically developed states of India. UK politicians, academicians and media spare no efforts in establishing Britain as the oldest democracy. It is not exactly true. The longest running and consistent parliament is that of a large island state called Iceland. Its population is less than that of two London boroughs- at 400,000. If we want to talk about facts, Iceland has a longer-running parliament.
The advent of democracy as we know now began in Britain after the Magna Carta. Between then and now, time saw very many strong leaders. Some of their memories have frozen in time, like that of Oliver Cromwell. But it is the restored monarchy of modern Britain, especially in the reign of present Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I consider her to be the real custodian of democratic norms in this great country.
For the last 100 years, Britain is ruled mainly by a two-party system, which is distinct in ideologies and types of leadership. Elections are very important. Their results in a way harbinger necessary reforms predominantly in internal politics, economics, social welfare, taxation, etc.
Post-coalition government of 2010 gave us the EU referendum; an unnecessary, divisive, and self-harming move. It was supposedly expected to rectify the previous government's extravaganza and over-expenditure and put into place a so-called economic restraint and cost-cutting into effect. It has inadvertently resulted in severe hardships and dangers, especially in the maintenance of law and order and reduction in provisions of basic needs of the lower-income groups. Many of the present ills are the outcomes like knife crimes, social deprivations and divisions.
Then came Brexit, accompanied by added confusion and multiplied by contradictions and rife with uncertainties. Lets not talk too much about David Cameron or Theresa May's governments. But for the forthcoming general elections on December 12, about five weeks away, what are the choices for the electorates? On one hand, there is Boris Johnson who has used his limited set of skills to ward off dangers so far. He also made a deal of sorts with Brexit leader Nigel Farage, who announced on Monday that his Brexit party will not endorse any candidates in the 317 seats from 2017 polls. Many twists and turns are on the way.
Finally, the Labour Party. Sadly, it is going to face some more added difficulties. The Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has failed to exploit weaknesses of three Conservative governments in the last five years. Mr Corbyn and the Labour Party leadership has off late appeared to have made choice to depend upon the votebank of Muslims, fundamentalists, and anti-India groups of Pakistani Muslims and Khalistanis.
Their agenda is anti-Indian, anti-Hindu, and anti-Sikh. Their wish is to unashamedly divide the British-Asian community and secure votes of a certain group of people. Such a Britain would experience more economic downturns, international isolation, and will have trouble forging visually beneficial relationships with several countries and most importantly, promote dangers on the streets of London or all over Britain.
All the same, the Hindus, Sikhs, and other Indians are cultivated by Tories to garner more support from them. In a way, upwardly mobile citizens lean towards the Conservatives. At the same time, there are Indians and non-Indian members of the Labour Party within the House of Lords or House of Commons, London Assembly and local councils who deserve support of British-Indians for what they have done what they stand for and because of their genuine commitment to India. Leaders like Virendra Sharma and Seems Malhotra to name a few have dedicated their years of service in Parliament to campaign for the causes that concern the Indian community.
Let me put it on the table. It is important to vote, without fail. However, the correct choice is the lesser of two evils and it is not up to me to guide you which is which. Today, the Labour Party may seem like a burden to the British-Indian community and India, but who is to say it won't make a drastic U-turn and rotate 180 degrees in our favour? All I can say is, choose wisely, and make sure your vote counts. With the current state of chaos in the country, it is up to us to make the right call now.
