In the last three days, wealth redistribution has become a hot electoral issue. It’s being said that the ‘big bad State’ will snatch the properties from everyone and, in Robin Hood style, be distributed to outsiders.
We must choose not the least bad option but the option that allows us to develop new thinking without such thought being labelled deviant and being crushed.
Democracy
Many tend to make their choice of political party in much the same manner as in which they decide which team to support in the World Cup.
The likes and dislikes of friends and family play a large role. The impression created by a particular leader at the local or the national level makes a difference. Claims and counterclaims of what governments run by the parties seeking their vote have achieved matter.
The media plays a big role in making such considerations available to the voter, modifying the considerations en route. Most of the media hinders, rather than helps.
If the attacks on Opposition parties and leaders continue on the pretext of correcting economic wrongs, the fig leaf covering the truth of India’s democracy would wither and drop off.
The punitive actions by India’s tax authorities and the Enforcement Directorate against Opposition political parties and leaders, especially after the general elections have been notified, amount to election interference. The statutory body charged with holding free and fair elections is the Election Commission of India. It has powers to issue directives to the executive to act in a manner conducive to the conduct of free elections. Failure to check the intimidation of Opposition parties and leaders by agencies of the central government amounts to abdication of its responsibility by the Commission. If the Commission does not realise this and make amends, the Supreme Court should, suo motu, direct the Commission to act.
India’s democratic model needs an overhaul so that elections are not an expensive affair. Only that can create a more just, transparent and efficient system, argues Prof. Arun Kumar.
Recorded contributions, whether via electoral bonds or plain contributions for which parties issue receipts, form only a part, probably a tiny part, of the total spending by political parties.
The UPA era witnessed the fastest rate of growth in India’s history but the government failed to tom-tom many of its achievements | File photo of former PM Manmohan Singh with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
The denial of information is increasing regularly and a fundamental right is being constricted illegally. It is hoped that citizens and the legal fraternity realise the gravity of the issue.