This is election time. Everybody is busy fighting over crucial issues, mudslinging, digging out each other's past and showing to the rest of the country that such and such a person turned informer to Brits, such and such a person was involved in a drug case, or such and such a person picks his nose, etc. Well, I lied about the last one. The real ones aren't any better though.

I, of course, shamelessly follow these stories. I'm an active follower of the great grand circus called Indian Politics. And I only get a bit more busier when the elections arrive. It gives us a chance to see how small our politicians are and how low they are willing to stoop in order to conquer. Be it a seat in parliament or a local municipality counsil, they are ever willing lick your boots and call each other names.

Still, I'm a believer in Indian democracy. As I continue to observe, the electoral system is getting refined. So are our politicians.

Firstly, If I have to compare with what I saw in 80's, the current election is the quietest one. Our Election Commisions are active (though a bit hyper-active), our courts are alert and our politicians (helplessly?) behave.

Secondly, I seem to notice more. Suddenly, GDP growth, forex reserves, inflation rates, stock market performances, and consumer indexes are electoral issues. This transformation is absolutely amazing as this is a far cry from the days when empty rhetorics such as "Garibi Hatao" (Eradicate Poverty), or "Ram Mandir Banayen" (Let's build Ram Temple) or promises such as 1 kg rice for 1 rupee used to decorate the party meetings.

Thirdly, everywhere, the number of people who attend the party meetings are coming down. This clearly indicates two things: 1) People are constantly losing interest in what the leaders have to say 2) People have better things to do. The point (2) gives me confidence. The fact that there were few people turned up for the historic Atalji-Advaniji confluence when Advaniji's rath reached Lacknow or the so-called "effectively-stage-managed" Priyanka and Rahul's baptism into public life in Amethi, clearly shows that if not India shining, at least India is busy.

I don't know who's going to win this election. I won't say I don't care. I would be happy if BJP gets back to power. Like Rajini says, I'm going to vote for the BJP combine in this election. But whoever comes to power, may not be able to ignore basic issues. The issues such as economic performance, GDP and disinvestments are going to haunt them like Manjeet did in Bhoot. And they won't have any Rekha to help them exorcise these ghosts.

And that's good news for India.