Tamil Nadu polls: Karunanidhi's latest sop - Free laptops

 Rs.20 crore unaccounted cash seized in Tamil Nadu

 Freebies — another name for bribe

Mixer-grinders, mangalsutras, sheep, cows, rice, drinking water, these are just some of the things coming out of the poll-bound parties' Santa Claus sack. But would it not be more feasible to come out with long-term solutions to the problems voters face instead of trying to buy votes via promises of freebies?

Ahead of the elections in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK and DMK have been outdoing each other in buying the voters' affections. While the DMK hoped that it would come up with a winning masala combination by offering a mixer or grinder, the AIADMK has offered both and a fan. Bowing to demographics, the DMK has promised laptops for first-year college students in government colleges, the AIADMK has sweetened the deal by promising it to all students and also to Class 11 and 12 students. Every party worth its election symbol, is dipping into its coffers to come up with sweeteners like free power, free rice, quotas, liquor and money. While some are clearly promised in the poll manifestoes, others are made attractive in that they are hinted at.

While many argue in favour of freebies, this is a dangerous trend because it makes bribery and corruption acceptable norms. It also violates the Constitution that mandates fair play among all parties, big or small. So if there's a law and the parties are violating it, then why isn't the Election Commission pulling them up?

 Dance of democracy  or Balle Balle for peoples......GoK