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Earlier this week we were invited to relish the delicious absurdity of a former deputy prime minister, a former vice-president of India, and the incumbent foreign minister, among others, being subjected to the Election Commission of India’s scrutiny. For weeks now, the WhatsApp groups in middle class and upper middle-class colonies have been sizzling with indignation and exasperation at being asked to prove one’s identity. What is more, this upper crust of the Modi constituency has raved and ranted at a constitutional authority being imperious to the hue and cry in the kingdom. And, now we are being told that there are serious professional differences among serious professional public servants at the Nirvachan Sadan on how to go about this business of compiling a voters’ list.

Rather than applauding the much-needed and much-delayed growth of spine in some corner of the Election Commission, experience and prudence should caution us to remember that nothing happens without a mischievous design in the new Naya Bharat. Perfect rulers, perfect control, and perfect results: keep the masses sufficiently distracted and on tenterhooks so that they are never able to catch their collective breath – and, start asking our new rulers a few uncomfortable questions.

Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty.

Nobody can be under any illusion that the chief minister........

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