“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedara asked, “who are you voting for at the election?”
“I am not sure, Bindu,” Bindu’s father Percy said.
“Why do you say that, thaaththa?” Bindu wanted to know.
“It is difficult to decide, Bindu,” Percy declared.
“How could you say that, thaaththa?” Bindu asked, “I thought both sides are falling over each other trying to convince the people…”
“They are certainly trying to do that,” Percy agreed, “but they haven’t succeeded in convincing me yet…”
“And why is that, thaaththa?” Bindu was puzzled, “after all, they have their own slogans, don’t they?”
“Yes, they do,” Percy agreed, “one says ‘suba anaagathayak’ and the other says ‘mata pera rata’…”
“Then, why is it so difficult to decide?” Bindu wondered.
“That is because I don’t believe either of them has clearly spelt out what they would want to do…” Percy declared.
“But I thought they have…” Bindu argued.
“Not really, Bindu…” Percy said.
“How can you say that, thaaththa?” Bindu asked, “aren’t they addressing so many meetings here, there and everywhere and saying what they will do if they come to power?”
“That is what they are supposed to do,” Percy said, “but I don’t think they are doing it effectively…”
“Why is that, thaaththa?” Bindu wanted to know, “I thought with all this electronic media at their disposal, they would do a good job in getting their message across…”
“They are certainly getting their message across,” Percy declared, “but I am not sure it is the message we want to hear…”
“Why, thaaththa,” Bindu asked, “what is the message that they are conveying, then?”
“Well,” Percy said, “you only have to switch on the television, listen to the radio or read the newspapers to get that message, Bindu…”
“And what does the message say?” Bindu inquired.
“All it says is why we shouldn’t vote for the other candidate…” Percy explained.
“And why do they say that?” Bindu asked.
“Well, one says that the other betrayed the country by letting out war secrets and going against his former Commander in Chief who did so much for him…” Percy recalled.
“And what does the other say?” Bindu wondered.
“The other says there is so much of corruption and nepotism going on, so we should not vote for his rival…” Percy observed.
“But what about what they plan to do if they come to power?” Bindu was curious.
“That is the big question, Bindu….” Percy complained.
“Why is that, thaaththa?” Bindu asked.
“One says that he will simply continue his Chinthanaya for the next six years…” Percy recalled.
“And does that mean we would be having over a hundred Ministers for the next six years?” Bindu wanted to know.
“That is a question we would all like an answer to,” Percy said, “because if that is so, it is a good enough reason to vote for the other side…”
“And would that also mean we would have the same people looking after health, education, trade and foreign affairs?” Bindu inquired.
“Again,” Percy said, “that too is a good enough reason to vote for the other side…”
“But what about the other candidate, thaaththa?” Bindu asked, “what does he say he would do if he wins?”
“That again is a mystery,” Percy said, “all he is saying is that he would abolish the presidency and eradicate corruption, but he wants to do everything else with the money he saves from eliminating corruption…”
“Why can’t he be more specific about what he plans to do?” Bindu was puzzled.
“I suppose,” Percy explained, “that is because he is being surrounded by the Greens on one side and the Reds on the other side…”
“But what is wrong with that?” Bindu countered.
“It must be difficult for him because the Greens and the Reds disagree on almost everything else except their decision to support him…” Percy argued.
“So, thaaththa” Bindu asked, “who would you vote for on election day?”
“That is what I am trying to figure out,” Percy said, “and the more I listen to one candidate or his supporters, the more I want to vote for the other candidate and I am sure a lot of people must be feeling the same way…”
Bindu knew he couldn’t disagree with that.