We, here in India, do not have direct elections. We elect a Member of Parliament, who belongs to a certain party, and if his or her party gets a majority, the party internally decides who the Prime Minister will be. You and I cannot (and should not) vote to elect a Prime Minister. Our democracy is structured in a way that prevents us from thinking that one person has the answer to all of our problems.

Why? Because it’s impossible for one person to have all the answers. Our country is a chaotic mess. Hundreds of languages, every kind of geography imaginable, the sheer number of cultures, the attendant plethora of cuisines, clothes and, of course, 33 crore Gods to worship. How can you even expect a single human to understand and solve the problems of this huge-ass, diverse, super-populated country? Your local leader, on the other hand, is someone from amongst you. She lives in your city. Probably two doors down from your house! She totally gets it.

To explain how ridiculous our understanding of democracy has become, allow me to recall a conversation I overheard in the metro when the results of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections had just been announced.

Dude: “So Modi won the elections! Again!” Lady: “Yes he did. But tell me, what did he do to deserve your vote?” Dude: “He’s great. He’s making sure India becomes the best country in the world in just a few years. Plus, he’s teaching traitors like Kejru a lesson!” Lady: *scrunched up face* “No, I mean what has Modi done here, in Delhi?” Dude: “He… well… he’ll do it now! Now he’s in power! He’ll make this city great! Just like Singapore!” Lady: “But BJP has been in power in MCD for the past ten years, right?” Dude: “That’s not true! Modi just won!” Lady: “Umm yes… Modi who is a part of BJP?” Dude: “Of course he’s from BJP but… You know, he… Uh… Hey, did I tell you how XYZ got drunk the other day and made out with her boss?” Lady: “Really? Tell me everything!”

As the couple exchanged office gossip, I stood flabbergasted at what I’d just heard.

I’m not blaming people for falling for candidates who promise rainbows and unicorns. Frankly, if I hadn't started working in Parliament, I would’ve continued believing in the Nayak model of governance and voted for mud-covered-Anil Kapoor-reincarnate Narendra Modi too. No, I didn’t pay attention to my civics teacher either.

But because realisation dawned rather quickly about how flawed the notion of “one man to rule them all” is, in the 2014 elections I voted for my local BJP candidate. Not Modi. Because that candidate had the credentials of working efficiently for the people of my city and I thought he would be a good representative for me in the house of the people. Parties hardly matter when you have good candidate options. People, they matter.