The Maoists, elections, boycotts and violence

  • 02/05/2009

  • Economic and Political Weekly

The Maoists want a provision in the electoral rules to arm the voter with the right to reject a candidate, but if the voters are granted such a provision, will they allow them to participate in the elections, or still insist on boycotting them? It is high time the Maoists recognise that the vast majority of the Indian electorate, despite their disillusionment with the present political leadership, are not going to boycott elections.