And so, our state’s electorate has delivered a verdict that was most unexpected. After shaping the political discourse for six decades between them, the two Dravidian majors have been dealt a resounding blow by the latest entrant into the space except it was a result that no one, perhaps our new Chief Minister’s most die-hard fans and just one exit poll envisaged. Whatever may have been the reasons behind the stunning verdict, the common man has whistled loud and hard for change and so, here we are. Even as we wait to see the new government’s performance and how they tackle issues such as drug menace, economic policy, industrial growth, women’s safety, etc., here are some items from a simple wish-list of the common man.

First, it must be acknowledged that the party’s election manifesto contains some real good action-points, which if effectively implemented, can actually make life easier for the common man. Take for instance, the app-based delivery of services such as driving licenses, ration cards, etc., with promise of action against responsible officials in case of any delay in service delivery. It is no secret that user experiences across government departments are harrowing more often than not, with “something extra” required to even get basic services done. Attempts at reforms in these areas have more often than not remained largely on paper and ineffective. In today’s AI-led technology driven world, the possibilities to develop solutions that ensure efficient delivery of government schemes and make services more user friendly are endless, but it remains to be seen if there is a will to shake-up status quo.

Secondly, can the new government rehaul the functioning of the Right to Information Act portal on an urgent basis? At present, the portal primarily covers only Secretariat-level departments, with the homepage recording that “action is being taken to extend this facility to the Heads of Departments, District Offices and offices down below in a phased manner”. In this digital era, physical filing of RTI applications with departments or bodies not covered online does not seem a particularly efficient way of going about things. Enabling online filing will aid greater control and tracking with respect to the trail of communication, which is essential especially with respect to a service aimed at ensuring greater transparency.

Thirdly, can the new government make the state hoarding-free? Hoardings of all kinds have become an integral part of public consciousness, with political ones being most prominent. While the flowery language (with grammar and spellings being casualties) often used provide some comic relief from the humdrum of everyday life, it is undeniable that they end up inconveniencing the public and pose great danger. While the administering of these hoardings comes under the purview of the corporation or local body, as the case may be, the government can take a policy decision to rid our public spaces of these live dangers. It must be remembered that until recently, our city was free of outdoor hoardings for over fifteen years and surely, it cannot take much to revert to that position. It can also deal a blow to the culture of sycophancy that has become an inevitable marker of the progress of a political career.

Lastly, a point concerning civility in public discourse. This has been a unique election in our state in the sense that the victorious party made extensive use of social media, especially Instagram and WhatsApp over traditional modes of campaigning to get across their message. An inevitable side effect has been the abysmal fall in the standards of civility in public discourse, which has in any case not been in the pink of health for some time now. But for a party which has promised change, can it educate its die-hard supporters, especially the large chunk of young minds, on the need to maintain dignity while engaging in healthy debate? The leader, who acknowledged the support and role of school-going children in his victory, certainly owes this responsibility to them and their future.