Preparations for the election of the sixteenth Loksabha of the Republic of India are in full swing as I write. The election commission of India will administer the electoral process in nine phases, across the length and breadth of the country, over a duration of thirty six days, with an electoral strength of 814 million Indian citizens.
Today the people of Assam and Tripura participated in this gigantic electoral process by universal adult suffrage. Incidentally, the state of Tripura is the third smallest state of the republic of India with an estimated population of 3 million, approximately 0.25% of the entire population of India.
Tripura has a majority of bengali people and a thirty percent minority of indigenous people. These indigenous people are recognized as scheduled tribes in the constitution of india. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 listed 744 tribes in India, these tribes have since been a part of affirmative action as per the general principles laid down by the constitution of India.
The scheduled tribes were known as depressed classes during the colonial rule. This community of India, 8.6% of the total population, belongs to poor and hence unsung regions, scattered across all states of India, which were yet to be touched by modern civilization significantly at the time of independence.
Incidentally, scheduled castes also share similar characteristics. Essentially, poor people comprise the majority of these castes and tribes and history stands proof that the poor are always the most exploited and marginalized class of all times. The Indian affair has been no different but it is heartening to know that Dr. B.R Ambedkar, Buddhist and a scheduled caste himself, was the architect of the constitution of India.
So with elections just around the bend there are few things that I would like to point out to any elector of India.
To begin with, the political parties of India are likely to spend 30,500 crore rupees on these elections. This translates to a marketing expense of 400 rupees per elector. This spending by the Indian political parties is next only to the $7 billion election spending on the United States presidential election of 2012. Without attracting controversy, the coffers of the political parties of India are impressive but there is little to no public records related to the source of these funds.
How are we to ascertain that the political ideology of a party is not influenced by the donations they receive? Another thought that haunts me is that if the political parties of India are so well funded then why aren't the party workers paid better. It could be possible that the party coffers have been supplied the funds just in time to be battle ready. To blow their trumpets and repeat the rhetoric.
Life has taught me that money is the best money breeder. Money investors always seek good returns. Those donating to the political parties may have an entirely altruistic agenda but what if these donations are investments? if the rich and mighty who fund these parties see the money as an investment then it is reasonable to assume that these few will also decide the direction of the country as per their needs and wishes.
My dear elector, if this election spend is an investment then beware a huge payback is due from your pocket and to the bank accounts of these investors, a payback which will be much greater than the 400 rupees marketing expense on each one of us by the political parties.
Elections often create larger than life personalities. One such personality that has resurfaced is that of Narendra Modi, a RSS cadre and current chief minister of Gujarat. Before being named BJP's prime ministerial candidate, He was in news due to the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat which claimed one thousand Gujarati lives.
He is a practiced orator and has no dearth of grand visions and schemes that he shares abundantly during his election rallies. Amongst his admirers are many who look up to him as India's answer to every problem. I believe, Mr. Modi too has dutifully taken up the challenge and is leaving no stone unturned during his election campaign to convince people about his prime ministerial claim. What itches me about Mr. Modi is he that claims a model which will cure the entire country of it ills and put it on a high growth trajectory within the next five years. It may be noted that India is 20 times bigger than Gujarat in population. While he has held the helm of Gujarat for 15 years there is still a lot of development left to be desired in his state. He claims a magic potion like nobody else does! He is the the mystery man of current times. Trust him at your own peril.
His larger than life personality is a construct. Party funds go a long way in maintaining this construct as do his oratory skills.
Indian National Congress's vote share has been on a steady decline. In 1951 general elections, 44% votes were polled in its favor. In 2009 general elections a mere 28% vote share of congress allowed its alliance to form government at the center. The congress has betrayed the mandate given to it by its electors on multiple occasions. The ideology stands defunct as its ranks and files have openly subscribed to nepotism & corruption. Rahul Gandhi, the face of congress and advocate of systemic reforms, is silent on congress fielding candidates with criminal/corrupt record. Those who want to reform the system have to make hard choices and not generous concessions.
The Communist ideology has failed to fascinate the entire country. Though communist have been successful in few states but they lack a pan-India appeal. It is time that they rethink their ideology and keep it abreast with modern times.
Once young and motivated leaders, Mulayam singh, Lalu Prasad, Mayawati amongst others, led a wave of second generation Indian political parties to the mainstream politics but they too succumbed to the systematic corruption of Indian politics. They must in their hearts rue the fact that they betrayed their own political agenda. Today, these parties too are a part of an aimless political drift and rhetoric that plagues Indian politics. AAP, the newest political startup and a product of the popular 2011 anti-corruption movement is headed in the same direction.
It appears that AAP is as autocratic as BJP or Congress party of today. With a handful controlling the party, its volunteers & followers are being blindfolded. It gives me shivers that many have pinned their hopes on AAP. AAP too has resorted to fielding popular candidates through a non-transparent process where merit is being overlooked in favor of popular candidates. I would like to ask its party workers- is AAP a transparent organization? All parties at their inception promise the moon. Beware AAP is no different! A party that wants to work towards weeding out corruption from the Indian system is finding it difficult to field non-corrupt candidates!
There are many regional parties that contest elections on local issues and enjoy a good local support too. These parties are proof of a move towards localization and decentralization of politics. These parties must increase their linkages with their counterparts in other states of India working on similar issues. However, most regional parties choose to side with either of the major political alliances, namely UPA and NDA.
On the quality of our members of parliament, I shall only say there is a lot to be desired. Many of them have no qualms in undermining the constitution of India.
Coming back to the scheduled tribes & castes, or rather all the poor of the country. There are millions who are jobless & landless. Some sleep on pavements, some live in slums, some in villages- they all struggle for two square meals a day. They are the forsaken. Their families have little to hope for. Their lives haven't improved as desired. Most of their future generation is malnourished and illiterate. The modern civilization has no respectable place for them in its elaborate setup. Many of them are employed as garbage pickers, domestic helps, daily wage laborers, factory workers (and many other similar menial jobs) in modern cities,towns and villages of India. Their's is a life of struggle for existence.
The election expenditure of 30500 crores is more than the GDP of ten small states of India. What was the spend of all political parties to uplift the poor last year? nobody knows and nobody cares.
We are too busy with our own lives to care for others. Ignorance is a bliss, it is also a curse. We are the blind people of India who echo the rhetoric of political parties we support. This election we may again choose to be ignorant. On an average the election process witnesses a turnout of 60% eligible electors. We are blind to the fact that millions don't even subscribe to this democratic process.
A vote not being exercised should mean something in a democracy. What could be the reason for 40% of eligible electors abstaining from casting their vote? It is a testimony to the fact that election is a major hogwash. 40% electors see no value in casting their vote. Often, we are told that one vote can make all the difference. However, 15 general elections and millions of votes have failed to make a difference.
The election commission of India will spend 3500 crores to successfully organize this election. NOTA, A Supreme Court of India directive, will also be available in 2014 general election. NOTA can be exercised by electors against all candidates fielded by political parties as well as independent candidates. It essentially means that although the elector polled his vote- a fundamental right- the elector has decided against casting his vote for any candidate. It is an act of expressing disapproval of all candidates (party & independents) but the election commission will treat it as an invalid vote for all practical purposes. NOTA is a step in the right direction but a button with no teeth.
As a staunch supporter of democracy, I feel pained to inform you that election in India is a major sham. It is a vehicle of legitimizing a largely dysfunctional and undemocratic governance system. This election will be pushed down your throats too while you struggle to identify the right candidates.
But as we know Ignorance is a bliss and this too shall pass.
Today the people of Assam and Tripura participated in this gigantic electoral process by universal adult suffrage. Incidentally, the state of Tripura is the third smallest state of the republic of India with an estimated population of 3 million, approximately 0.25% of the entire population of India.
Tripura has a majority of bengali people and a thirty percent minority of indigenous people. These indigenous people are recognized as scheduled tribes in the constitution of india. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 listed 744 tribes in India, these tribes have since been a part of affirmative action as per the general principles laid down by the constitution of India.
The scheduled tribes were known as depressed classes during the colonial rule. This community of India, 8.6% of the total population, belongs to poor and hence unsung regions, scattered across all states of India, which were yet to be touched by modern civilization significantly at the time of independence.
Incidentally, scheduled castes also share similar characteristics. Essentially, poor people comprise the majority of these castes and tribes and history stands proof that the poor are always the most exploited and marginalized class of all times. The Indian affair has been no different but it is heartening to know that Dr. B.R Ambedkar, Buddhist and a scheduled caste himself, was the architect of the constitution of India.
So with elections just around the bend there are few things that I would like to point out to any elector of India.
To begin with, the political parties of India are likely to spend 30,500 crore rupees on these elections. This translates to a marketing expense of 400 rupees per elector. This spending by the Indian political parties is next only to the $7 billion election spending on the United States presidential election of 2012. Without attracting controversy, the coffers of the political parties of India are impressive but there is little to no public records related to the source of these funds.
How are we to ascertain that the political ideology of a party is not influenced by the donations they receive? Another thought that haunts me is that if the political parties of India are so well funded then why aren't the party workers paid better. It could be possible that the party coffers have been supplied the funds just in time to be battle ready. To blow their trumpets and repeat the rhetoric.
Life has taught me that money is the best money breeder. Money investors always seek good returns. Those donating to the political parties may have an entirely altruistic agenda but what if these donations are investments? if the rich and mighty who fund these parties see the money as an investment then it is reasonable to assume that these few will also decide the direction of the country as per their needs and wishes.
My dear elector, if this election spend is an investment then beware a huge payback is due from your pocket and to the bank accounts of these investors, a payback which will be much greater than the 400 rupees marketing expense on each one of us by the political parties.
Elections often create larger than life personalities. One such personality that has resurfaced is that of Narendra Modi, a RSS cadre and current chief minister of Gujarat. Before being named BJP's prime ministerial candidate, He was in news due to the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat which claimed one thousand Gujarati lives.
He is a practiced orator and has no dearth of grand visions and schemes that he shares abundantly during his election rallies. Amongst his admirers are many who look up to him as India's answer to every problem. I believe, Mr. Modi too has dutifully taken up the challenge and is leaving no stone unturned during his election campaign to convince people about his prime ministerial claim. What itches me about Mr. Modi is he that claims a model which will cure the entire country of it ills and put it on a high growth trajectory within the next five years. It may be noted that India is 20 times bigger than Gujarat in population. While he has held the helm of Gujarat for 15 years there is still a lot of development left to be desired in his state. He claims a magic potion like nobody else does! He is the the mystery man of current times. Trust him at your own peril.
His larger than life personality is a construct. Party funds go a long way in maintaining this construct as do his oratory skills.
Indian National Congress's vote share has been on a steady decline. In 1951 general elections, 44% votes were polled in its favor. In 2009 general elections a mere 28% vote share of congress allowed its alliance to form government at the center. The congress has betrayed the mandate given to it by its electors on multiple occasions. The ideology stands defunct as its ranks and files have openly subscribed to nepotism & corruption. Rahul Gandhi, the face of congress and advocate of systemic reforms, is silent on congress fielding candidates with criminal/corrupt record. Those who want to reform the system have to make hard choices and not generous concessions.
The Communist ideology has failed to fascinate the entire country. Though communist have been successful in few states but they lack a pan-India appeal. It is time that they rethink their ideology and keep it abreast with modern times.
Once young and motivated leaders, Mulayam singh, Lalu Prasad, Mayawati amongst others, led a wave of second generation Indian political parties to the mainstream politics but they too succumbed to the systematic corruption of Indian politics. They must in their hearts rue the fact that they betrayed their own political agenda. Today, these parties too are a part of an aimless political drift and rhetoric that plagues Indian politics. AAP, the newest political startup and a product of the popular 2011 anti-corruption movement is headed in the same direction.
It appears that AAP is as autocratic as BJP or Congress party of today. With a handful controlling the party, its volunteers & followers are being blindfolded. It gives me shivers that many have pinned their hopes on AAP. AAP too has resorted to fielding popular candidates through a non-transparent process where merit is being overlooked in favor of popular candidates. I would like to ask its party workers- is AAP a transparent organization? All parties at their inception promise the moon. Beware AAP is no different! A party that wants to work towards weeding out corruption from the Indian system is finding it difficult to field non-corrupt candidates!
There are many regional parties that contest elections on local issues and enjoy a good local support too. These parties are proof of a move towards localization and decentralization of politics. These parties must increase their linkages with their counterparts in other states of India working on similar issues. However, most regional parties choose to side with either of the major political alliances, namely UPA and NDA.
On the quality of our members of parliament, I shall only say there is a lot to be desired. Many of them have no qualms in undermining the constitution of India.
Coming back to the scheduled tribes & castes, or rather all the poor of the country. There are millions who are jobless & landless. Some sleep on pavements, some live in slums, some in villages- they all struggle for two square meals a day. They are the forsaken. Their families have little to hope for. Their lives haven't improved as desired. Most of their future generation is malnourished and illiterate. The modern civilization has no respectable place for them in its elaborate setup. Many of them are employed as garbage pickers, domestic helps, daily wage laborers, factory workers (and many other similar menial jobs) in modern cities,towns and villages of India. Their's is a life of struggle for existence.
The election expenditure of 30500 crores is more than the GDP of ten small states of India. What was the spend of all political parties to uplift the poor last year? nobody knows and nobody cares.
We are too busy with our own lives to care for others. Ignorance is a bliss, it is also a curse. We are the blind people of India who echo the rhetoric of political parties we support. This election we may again choose to be ignorant. On an average the election process witnesses a turnout of 60% eligible electors. We are blind to the fact that millions don't even subscribe to this democratic process.
A vote not being exercised should mean something in a democracy. What could be the reason for 40% of eligible electors abstaining from casting their vote? It is a testimony to the fact that election is a major hogwash. 40% electors see no value in casting their vote. Often, we are told that one vote can make all the difference. However, 15 general elections and millions of votes have failed to make a difference.
The election commission of India will spend 3500 crores to successfully organize this election. NOTA, A Supreme Court of India directive, will also be available in 2014 general election. NOTA can be exercised by electors against all candidates fielded by political parties as well as independent candidates. It essentially means that although the elector polled his vote- a fundamental right- the elector has decided against casting his vote for any candidate. It is an act of expressing disapproval of all candidates (party & independents) but the election commission will treat it as an invalid vote for all practical purposes. NOTA is a step in the right direction but a button with no teeth.
As a staunch supporter of democracy, I feel pained to inform you that election in India is a major sham. It is a vehicle of legitimizing a largely dysfunctional and undemocratic governance system. This election will be pushed down your throats too while you struggle to identify the right candidates.
But as we know Ignorance is a bliss and this too shall pass.
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