Let the Mock Parliamentary Elections 2023 commence!

It. Has. Started.

The Mock Parliamentary Elections 2023, conducted by Agora, the Political Science Association of Christ (Deemed to be University), Bannerghatta Road Campus have officially begun.

The room jampacked. The air condition, not doing its job. People waiting with bated breath. And enters the Chief Justice of India, Mr. Chaitanya Pradeep. Amidst a swirl of incessant cheering and ovation, Mr. Chaitanya Pradeep laid down the foundations of the elections and took us back to the etymology of the event when even starting it, was a big hurdle. Overcoming one obstacle after the another, the Mock Parliamentary Elections is a product of experiential learning that every participant, devoid of being a student, teacher, staff should look up to and engage with it, for one primary reason: to learn.

Out of the numerous statements put out by Sir, one felt close to home. It was, “Every challenge offers an opportunity to learn new things.” Putting the physical aura of the eminent person aside, this statement provided a sense of determination and a boost of confidence to the already hesitant and nervous participants, who were being ready to show their potential. The introduction was shortly followed by the introduction of the members of the various committees of the Election Commission namely: Overall Affairs, General Affairs, Discipline of Conduct, Media Affairs and Research, Grievances and Redressal, Election Management and Documentation, and Polling and Coordination.

The introduction of the Election Commission was followed by the introduction of the political parties.

First one on the dais, was the Humanist Progressive Party where the Prime Ministerial Candidate K.P. Manoranjan, gave the party introduction. He enlightened the audience about their party ideology - ''Holistic Humanism'' and further provided insights for choosing this specific school of thought. Among other important objectives, empowering individuals in achieving their potentials and the collaboration of “transparency and sustainability for a better future” reflected the core ideas of their political party.

The Independent People’s Party was next in line and their Party President Adarsh Mahawar introduced the members along with describing their designation as well. According to the core ideals of the Independent People’s Party, they stay united and act as an inspiration for the country as well in the context of incorporating the needs of the nation.

Indian Youth Democratic Front was made known by Divyam Prachetas, the Spokesperson for the political party where he established one of the essential goals their party is based on: ''ensuring the equality and justice for all''. Pratham Sonkar, the Prime Ministerial Candidate of the Reformist People’s Party alluded their mission statements in their arguments of “transforming our great nation” and also the identification of the “issue of unemployment to be a major loophole in the economic development in the country”. They further concluded that “India is a diverse country, and people should celebrate the diversity rather than letting it divide them.”

NDRP (National Democratic Reform Front) was introduced to the audience amidst the presence of the Election Commission, media houses, think tanks and fellow political parties by the Deputy Spokesperson, Aneesh Bhattacharjee. He promoted the parties’ ideas in empowering marginalized communities in all aspects of life and also concluded on one of the more famous quotes given by the Chief Justice of India, Mr. Chaitanya Pradeep: “If you don’t do politics, politics will do you.”

Indian United Republic Party were introduced by Vivek Sergy, the Party President where he laid down the core objectives behind the functioning of their party which ranged from representing the people’s choices to working along with the people irrespective of their differences.

The Party President of People Empowering Social Transformation (P.E.S.T) used analogies of pests and insects and compared them with the existent socio-economic evils in the country, which is hindering the growth of the country.

The reigning champions Bharatiya Awaaz Party defended their title for the ‘Best Political Party’ by displaying their name aside “the sweet spot that our nation deserves.” Prateek Mishra, the Prime Ministerial Candidate alluded to this point and provided the core establishments the party was built upon.

Jana Samveda Rakshaka Paksha were put on the platform by Pranav Manishankar, the Prime Ministerial Candidate who illuminated the audience with the 4 C’s: Congruence, Connection, Community and Consistency which makes up the crux of the principles the party is based upon.

Anish P, the Spokesperson of the Progressive Conservative Party who had their party ideals described in a statement ,”Progressive with purpose, Conservative by Nature.”

Inquilab were the last but not the least where Gaurav Nautiyal, the Party President explained their belief in the “power of revolution” and their inability to rest “until the oppressive system is brought down.”

Alas! There were none. Only the remaining media houses and think tanks.

The media houses and the think tanks were the next in order, to provide their introductions along with the individual reporters , providing a sense of salutation in the audience gathered in the seminar hall. Apart from the media houses, think tanks, individual reporters along with the introduction of the various political parties and then election commission themselves, Kushan Gurjar, Chief Election Commissioner provided the much-needed word of ‘gracias’ to the august gathering and thus, we reached the conclusion of the opening ceremony.

Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for Kushan Gurjar, the Chief Election Commissioner officially announced the Mock Parliamentary Elections, 2023 open!

With this, the first day saw its closing with all institutions pumped up knowing their competitors and compete to be the best amongst them all.