Things people do during elections

Last evening, I sat with a friend over tea latte and indulged in politics. It made me think of a politician who once said, "whether you are interested in politics or not, politics is interested in you."
And well, somehow, pre- or post elections, we just end up talking about it. 
Also for some reason, everything changes during elections. You will see different colours of people. People you supposedly knew becoming strangers- turning into somebody with a totally different perspective and personality that you even start questioning- Do I really know this person? And you will also come across really weird things that people do during elections - enough to leave you dumbfounded. 

So I heard about a few women in a certain village, who faked carrying babies (and carried dolls) on their backs just to avoid the queue while casting their votes. The logic behind it, I was told, was to ensure that their votes for the candidate they were supporting, were ensured early in the day.
In another place, women seemingly took turns and carried in the same infant over and over again, to cast their votes. The poor baby! And such insanity!  I am truly disappointed that our women would do such a thing! 

On the other hand, this friend told me about a die hard supporter, who, prior to the assembly polls, donated a pig to the candidate he was even ready to give his life for. This, despite the fact that he was not so well to do - and also having to endure a bitter reproach from his wife for this act of generosity (obviously she must have put in so much effort to rear it as a source of income for the family). And to add to his woes, the particular candidate did not win. He now drowns his disappointment in alcohol the same way people drown their misery in it. 

This also reminds me of something that supposedly took place in a liquor joint, months before the elections were conducted - where a staunch supporter of another candidate, shed tears just overhearing few others speaking ill of - apparently the only leader he looks up to. Such loyalty! That it deeply hurt him just to hear people talking against the candidate he was wholeheartedly rooting for. 

Then there was this BJP campaigner, who thought it really wise to woo the support of some poor villagers by saying- "we - our forefathers- were never Christians and we will go back to believing our traditional religion." And that it's only right to support the political party- for whatever it stands for. 

And then again, I know of people who are willing to give their lives during elections. As though that's the only thing they live for. They would forget everything else- and do whatever they feel is in the interest of making the position of the candidate better. Even if it means they become inhuman in many different ways. So many people become different versions of themselves. And they would go on to do the most ridiculous things for the cause they, ignorantly, consciously or unconsciously but so strongly believe in would make a difference. Although "make a difference" here could mean several things most of us don't even want to associate ourselves with.
Meanwhile, I know there are more stories waiting to be heard and shared, which, hopefully would eventually pass off as powerful lessons for all of us to learn from.