The characters
1. Kunjan ( a jobless rubber tapper)
2. Ammini ( his wife)
Kunjan's small house at Paika,near Pala. Ammini is sweeping the yard. Enter Kunjan. He is carrying a painting brush.
AMMINI
Why so early today ?
KUNJAN
No more work. There's no space left to write the election
advts.
AMMINI
How's the campaign going on ?
KUNJAN
Actually, I have lost interest in the election campaign. This is too
long and boring. I wish all this was over quickly.The campaign
period is too long, and the people are losing interest. Furthermore,
the people's primary concern is how to escape the burning sun,and to find clean drinking water.
AMMINI
Your Front's election manifesto promises milk and honey!
KUNJAN
The UDF manifesto promises Manna from heaven. Actually,
the manifestos of both sides are boring and worthless like a telephone Directory, seldom read.
AMMINI
Anyway, what will be the outcome, according to your projections?
KUNJAN
On 19th May, there will be a Tsunami in Kerala, which will
change the face of the land. There will be landslides, groundswells,
cloudbursts, photofinishes, grumbling and tears. There will be total
upsets.
AMMINI
Don't be circumspect. Come straight to the point. LDF or UDF?
KUNJAN
It's unpredictable. It's nobody's guess. Anything is possible.
Whatever be the outcome, the plight of the common man will
continue unchanged, because no Front has a magic wand to put
things in order. The common people are suffering due to lack of
clean drinking water, fresh air, quality healthcare etc etc.
AMMINI
Who is to blame?
KUNJAN
No matter who wins, the blame game will continue. The animosity will continue. I think the election system is outdated
and counterproductive.
AMMINI
I don't find any fault in the system. It's free, fair and transparent.
KUNJAN
No it's not fair. " The winner takes it all' system is unfair and outdated. It excludes the people who vote for the loser or losers.
AMMINI
I don't understand. What do you mean?
KUNJAN
Let me explain it simply. For example, suppose here in Pala, Mani Sar
gets 65000 votes, and Mani Kappen gets 64500 votes. So Mani
Sar wins with a thin margin of 500 votes. So what about Kappen and the thousands of people who voted for him ? This situation creates enormous frustration and animosity.This is a
phenomenon throughout Kerala. This should change.
AMMINI
So, what's the solution?
KUNJAN
According to my humble opinion, the number 2 also must be accommodated.
AMMINI
Ha, ha, pure nonsense. How is it possible?
KUNJAN
Don't ridicule my idea. My opinion is that there should be an Upper House and Lower house of the Assembly, like the Lok Sabha
and Rajya Sabha.
AMMINI
That's not practicable.
KUNJAN
Don't jump the gun. Let me finish. The winners occupy the Assembly as usual. The Number 2s become members of the Lower House,but they won't have the voting rights. They can debate all the issues in a constructive manner.In this way, the millions of people who voted for the Number 2s can be included in the democratic process. The Number 2s are equally capable and talented. They should get due recognition for their potential.You saw the heartbreaks of those who didn't get party tickets.
AMMINI
I don't think anybody would endorse your absurd idea.
KUNJAN
You may ridicule me, OK. But in a democracy, there should be
ways and means to reduce the frustrations and disappointments of all the people. Deserving leaders should get a chance to display their capabilities. I am sure ,one day ,people will embrace my idea.I am going to publish my idea in the social media.You know that, in sports, there are Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. Why? The top three need to be appreciated, honoured and encouraged. The same example should be followed in politics. At least a Silver for position 2.
AMMINI
Good luck, Chetta.
KUNJAN
Will you support me ?
AMMINI
Definitely. It's a good idea. What we want is peace and harmony in Kerala.
KUNJAN
Thanks, dearest.
CURTAIN
1. Kunjan ( a jobless rubber tapper)
2. Ammini ( his wife)
Kunjan's small house at Paika,near Pala. Ammini is sweeping the yard. Enter Kunjan. He is carrying a painting brush.
AMMINI
Why so early today ?
KUNJAN
No more work. There's no space left to write the election
advts.
AMMINI
How's the campaign going on ?
KUNJAN
Actually, I have lost interest in the election campaign. This is too
long and boring. I wish all this was over quickly.The campaign
period is too long, and the people are losing interest. Furthermore,
the people's primary concern is how to escape the burning sun,and to find clean drinking water.
AMMINI
Your Front's election manifesto promises milk and honey!
KUNJAN
The UDF manifesto promises Manna from heaven. Actually,
the manifestos of both sides are boring and worthless like a telephone Directory, seldom read.
AMMINI
Anyway, what will be the outcome, according to your projections?
KUNJAN
On 19th May, there will be a Tsunami in Kerala, which will
change the face of the land. There will be landslides, groundswells,
cloudbursts, photofinishes, grumbling and tears. There will be total
upsets.
AMMINI
Don't be circumspect. Come straight to the point. LDF or UDF?
KUNJAN
It's unpredictable. It's nobody's guess. Anything is possible.
Whatever be the outcome, the plight of the common man will
continue unchanged, because no Front has a magic wand to put
things in order. The common people are suffering due to lack of
clean drinking water, fresh air, quality healthcare etc etc.
AMMINI
Who is to blame?
KUNJAN
No matter who wins, the blame game will continue. The animosity will continue. I think the election system is outdated
and counterproductive.
AMMINI
I don't find any fault in the system. It's free, fair and transparent.
KUNJAN
No it's not fair. " The winner takes it all' system is unfair and outdated. It excludes the people who vote for the loser or losers.
AMMINI
I don't understand. What do you mean?
KUNJAN
Let me explain it simply. For example, suppose here in Pala, Mani Sar
gets 65000 votes, and Mani Kappen gets 64500 votes. So Mani
Sar wins with a thin margin of 500 votes. So what about Kappen and the thousands of people who voted for him ? This situation creates enormous frustration and animosity.This is a
phenomenon throughout Kerala. This should change.
AMMINI
So, what's the solution?
KUNJAN
According to my humble opinion, the number 2 also must be accommodated.
AMMINI
Ha, ha, pure nonsense. How is it possible?
KUNJAN
Don't ridicule my idea. My opinion is that there should be an Upper House and Lower house of the Assembly, like the Lok Sabha
and Rajya Sabha.
AMMINI
That's not practicable.
KUNJAN
Don't jump the gun. Let me finish. The winners occupy the Assembly as usual. The Number 2s become members of the Lower House,but they won't have the voting rights. They can debate all the issues in a constructive manner.In this way, the millions of people who voted for the Number 2s can be included in the democratic process. The Number 2s are equally capable and talented. They should get due recognition for their potential.You saw the heartbreaks of those who didn't get party tickets.
AMMINI
I don't think anybody would endorse your absurd idea.
KUNJAN
You may ridicule me, OK. But in a democracy, there should be
ways and means to reduce the frustrations and disappointments of all the people. Deserving leaders should get a chance to display their capabilities. I am sure ,one day ,people will embrace my idea.I am going to publish my idea in the social media.You know that, in sports, there are Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. Why? The top three need to be appreciated, honoured and encouraged. The same example should be followed in politics. At least a Silver for position 2.
AMMINI
Good luck, Chetta.
KUNJAN
Will you support me ?
AMMINI
Definitely. It's a good idea. What we want is peace and harmony in Kerala.
KUNJAN
Thanks, dearest.
CURTAIN
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