Mumbai edit: Last chance

When the state election commission first began considering a plan to set up polling booths in willing housing societies in the cities going to the polls this week, the move was received with cautious optimism. Last week, however, came a report that ought to have made big-talking Mumbai hang its head in shame.

Neighbouring Thane, which, with all due respect, has never been known for the activism of its citizens, saw a whopping 282 housing societies open up their premises to the election commission to set up polling stations. Mumbai, which in drawing-room conversations likes to style itself as the activism capital of India, came in with a mere 28 societies.

Activists and the municipal corporation can blame each other all they want, but the shameful number is clear proof that not only are our colonies gated, but our hearts and minds are also closed. The results are there for everyone to see. Already, in the run-up to voting day, one can see candidates assiduously wooing the lower classes and the poor, while systematically ignoring the middle and upper classes. Considering the abysmal voting record of Mumbai’s middle class in recent times, no one would fault the politician for reacting the way s/he is doing to the ground reality.

Not all is lost though. The middle class still has one last chance to make itself heard. That chance comes on Thursday, which is when you can vote for the new municipal corporation. Whatever pressing matter there may be on hand that day, let us all pledge to make the time to go and cast our votes. If we don’t do so, we will have only ourselves to blame thereafter if

nothing much changes in our crumbling city.