Ashwath Kumar - Gangolli

Udupi, Apr 17: Our politicians, irrespective of party, have finally played true politics in supplying free water for the needy around Udupi region.

Several places, especially villages around the district are facing water scarcity. While some of the businessmen have been supplying water for free through tankers without any noise or publicity, our politicians have padded-up to help people, but not without gaining political mileage, with eyes fixed on next year's assembly election.

If one party, immediately after winning the Lok Sabha bypoll, and sensing great chance to score in next year's assembly election, immediately got into the field to supply water in some region with tankers. The catch - the tankers looked more like propaganda vehicles with big banners and photographs of the donor politician.

The other party, which lost the by-election, stepped up to help the 'thirsty' people almost 15 days later, fearing that people might throw them out, if they do not approach the people to solve their 'water' problem at least for the time being. And there was also the question of 'competition' from the rival party!

We will leave it to the readers to decide who is right or wrong, but do we need big banners while donating water to the poor? At least this time, politicians could have spared the 'publicity stunts' and done some sincere social service, if not for the people, at least to please the almighty.