In India, the election fever is in full swing and 4 out of 7 voting phases are already over. Very soon, the whole world will eagerly await the outcome and find out as to who will rule New Delhi. In order to tempt the voters, political parties have once again fielded a number of film stars and other celebrities in this general election to the 17th Lok Sabha.
It is a common belief that film dignitaries have a big fan following that can be conveniently converted into votes. To some extent this has been confirmed also as at times these big names have won the elections by huge margins and occasionally more than once.
However, it is pertinent to ask that once elected, how many of them carry out their duties as active and effective elected representatives? Parliamentarians are expected to attend the sessions regularly, participate in deliberations, ask questions and raise fitting issues to represent their constituencies.But most dignitaries hardly find time from their busy routine and fail to justify their post of public office. Political parties must put them under considerable pressure so as to make them proactive in accomplishing their new avatar.
Bharat Shah
Rayners Lane, Harrow
