Democracy works on votes. Votes means the wish of the people. So Food Security--if it gets you votes--is democratic. Right? So where is the dichotomy?
The real question is are we in for short term democracy or long term gain. It highlights a larger question--that brings to view what governance models are about? If they are about short term democracy then we have to follow short term models of governance and finally end up with elections every two years?
The Food Security Bill also throws up larger questions of good economics as Arun Shourie says " Where is the money coming from?"
But Mr Shouries people who don't fight elections have opinions that don't count. Its a sad state but this is what it is. So if you want your opnion to count you have to face the Arena. Armchair politicians can always only have half the picture. Sad but true, they can only make good copy.
Similarly chatterati don't count in an Election. Pundits don't count. Rajya Sabha MP's don't count. Newspaper editors don't count. They are not in the Arena of the Bull Fight.
The Shouries of teh world need to give an electoral answer, not just an academic one, because that is how Indian democracy has been played--by all parties so far--Otherwise change the Constitution.
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