March 16, 1998

Vox populi, vox dei: the voice of the people is the voice of God. It's a quaint Latin line but it's worth remembering as the curtain falls on Election '98. In many ways, the "voice" metaphor is apt for describing Indian democracy. There are the shrill campaign speeches, the bombast of promises, the contrived deference in the pleas for support. Not much of it seems to impress the electorate, the humble men and women who speak silently -- and through a small piece of paper slipped into their hands.

Democracy is more than just about victory and defeat. It is the most edifying contest of ideas evolved by human civilisation. It is about equality. It is about the citizenry reshaping its social contract with those chosen to rule. Nevertheless, if democracy is about one man, one vote, elections are also about that one winner. In the end, when the heat and dust of the campaign are forgotten, there is only one candidate who can bask in the more pleasant warmth of victory.

Baritone, soprano or falsetto, those who have won this election represent the voice of India. It would be churlish to discount their success as only another cog in that ever-revolving wheel called democracy. Equally, it would be pertinent to note that democracy is about fulfilling promises, about attending to popular aspirations. The people have spoken; their servants have five years to respond.

F I R S T    T I M E R S
From dreamers to opportunists, the Lok Sabha
has a new crop of novices

MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI, 38, BJP
Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
Electorate: 13.1 lakh
Margin of victory: 4,966
Main rival: Noor Bano (Congress)

He is one of the BJP's most potent weapons, a Muslim MP draped in saffron. Ever since he performed kar seva at Ayodhya, Naqvi has walked the path less travelled. Twice he lost assembly elections, but persistence has paid off. No longer is the BJP guilty of lacking Muslim representation.

Agenda: Reopening of the Raza Textile Mill to provide jobs to 5,000 workers.

RAMDAS ATHAVALE, 38, RPI
Mumbai North Central,
Maharashtra
Electorate: 11.2 lakh
Margin of victory: 25,232
Main rival: N. Athavale (Shiv Sena)

Ally with the Congress, this maverick of Dalit politics always said. When the alliance failed in the '90 and '95 assembly polls, others smirked, though Marathwada University's renaming after Ambedkar was seen as a result of his clout. Now, it's his turn to laugh.

Agenda: Work for the welfare of Dalits, resolve the tenancy issue.

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