Ballot box is mightier than a bullet: Venkaiah Naidu

Former Vice-President of India emphasizes the power of the ballot box over violence, advocating for Jamili elections and voter awareness.

Ballot box is mightier than a bullet, said M. Venkaiah Naidu, the former Vice-President of India, while addressing a group of intellectuals in a seminar on ‘One Nation – One Election’ in Tirupati on Saturday. Supporting Jamili elections, he advised the voters to check the character, calibre, capacity and conduct of the leaders, and not their caste, community, cash and criminal background.

The former Vice-President said, “The leaders must have patience, knowledge and the power to enlighten people to bring down the government. However, jumping from one political party to another is detrimental to democracy and also to the welfare of people. They must go to the people, enlighten them and let them know that vote is the most powerful weapon in the world.”

“Several great leaders, including Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers have been defeated in the democracy. Those who believe in violence can never come to power. Today, the Centre and States must work together. There must not be confrontation. The legislators must not oppose a Bill simply because it was proposed by another party leader. This will not help in the development of our nation,” he said.

“Without resorting to violence, the politicians should debate, discuss and decide. If someone says Jamili elections would benefit national parties alone, they are questioning the wisdom of voters. I urge the political parties not to underestimate the voters’ intelligence. All former Election Commissioners have supported Jamili elections,” Mr. Naidu added.

As per the data, the number of voters increased 11.5 per cent in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh during simultaneous elections in 1999.