Will the Assembly elections truly Change citizens, daily lives?

The middle class, once seen as the backbone of democratic engagement, now finds itself disillusioned, questioning the efficacy of its vote

- SRINATH SRIDHARAN

As Mumbai approaches yet another round of lections, a nagging worry is the undercurrent of voter apathy that continues to plague the city's electorate, particularly among the middle class. Is this merely a reflection of disinterest, or worryingly the essence of a profound sense of frustration that stems from years of unmet promises and a perceived lack of agency in the political process ? In a democracy, the greatest threat is not merely the absence of change but the insidious perception of powerlessness; when citizens feel that their Voices are lost in the clamour of political rhetoric, they surrender their agency, resigning themselves to a narrative crafted by others rather than one they can shape themselves. while this upcoming state assembly elections are crucial, the electorate's sense of what to expect from their Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) is often poor, largely due to a lack of civic literacy and understanding of the roles and responsibilities associated with the position. In a city often heralded as the financial capital of India, the stark reality is that urban infrastructure seems to crumble under the weight of political rhetoric. Mumbai's citizens have become all too familiar with the grand proclamations of transformation visions of a city akin to Singapore promised by leaders who, time and again, fail to deliver. As election season rolls around, voters are inundated with extravagant promises of development and progress, yet they are left to navigate pothole-ridden roads, chronic traffic snarls, and pollution that assaults the senses at every turn. The blaring of loudspeakers and the unsightly posters, especially with grassroot political patronage, cluttering our walls serve as a daily reminder of the political machinations at play, further eroding trust in the very system that is meant to serve them.