This helplessness among Parliamentarians and legislators, seems to have grown post-liberalisation. If one had to trace their journey from a hopeful candidate to Parliamentarian, it goes something like this: They seldom stick to their election manifestos. They make a zillion promises to reach the Parliament, and when it comes to fulfilling those promises, they are given a zillion reasons, excuses and technicalities as to why those promises cannot be fulfilled. The frustration grows. And finally when their core vote bank is hurt, then however helpless they might be in the Parliament, they try and take up the cause and put their views ‘on therecord’ in the Parliament. Sharad Yadav is probably the only exception, who is able to express himself despite this ‘helplessness’. The only grudge he has is that his voice never reaches the common man.