Omkar Dattatray
Perhaps Abrahim Lincoln may have erred when he gave the famous definition of democracy. His golden words on democracy though good for theoretical study are far from reality particularly in Indian democratic scene. It may be apt for those good olden days and for successful democracies of the west but not for surviving democracies like India. “Democracy as the Government of the people, by the people and for the people” has degenerated into “Government off the people, buy the people and far the people”. In theory people are the supreme fountains of the power in a democracy and they can make or mar a government. The Indian voters should take pride that at least in elections they are considered the ultimate source of power and thus theoretically they, the plebeians are the real masters of their destiny. But once the elections are over and the Governments are formed, the average citizens have to be contended with their lot and they least matter for their representatives whom they have voted to power. In an electoral democracy (representative democracy) elections are the means to form the governments but not the ends therein. The end being human security, dignity, rights, services, development and welfare et al. The representative character of a Government is dependent on elections. Thus elections are the base of democracy and thus they can hardly be separated. Yes if we take elections of the democracy, it will lose much of its sanctity, sheen and value. All the electoral democracies rest on the principle of adult franchise and at the same time we can’t conclude that democracy is elections and electioneering only. Selfish and vested politics has reduced elections to ill actions. Ill timed and premature elections have lowered the credibility of our democratic dispensation. It is no sign of the strength of our democracy. However, we cannot escape from elections as we have adopted democracy as the way of our governance. Since there is no prescribed and constitutional qualification for contesting an election, the only condition being that the contesting candidate should be a citizen of India and should be above the age of 18 years. Thus every Tom, dick and Harry can contest an election and preside over our destiny no matter whether he is natural born citizen or a naturalized one. Coming to Indian election campaigns, these are free for all phenomena and today decency and discipline are the first causality. Baseless acquisitions, false allegations, mudslinging, counter allegations, and personal attacks have become a distinguishing feature of elections.
Unparliamentarily language and baseless criticism is leveled against the rival parties and candidates in the mad rush to attract and woo voters. Rosy pictures and utopian themes are projected which are far from reality. Emotive issues and sensitive ones are also raised to gain electoral dividends. Thank God today most political parties project developmental manifestos, which have nothing to do with the emotions of citizens. Development, security and good governance has got precedence over trivial issues and trifling matters. It is so good that instead of Mandir – Masjid, the main thrust of today’s elections is roti, rosi and progress. It is a matter of satisfaction that the mundane issues have eclipsed the emotional issues irrespective of the ideological thinking and past record of the political parties. However, at the same time the slogan, “Vote your right and rule over right” has got firm footing in Indian political landscape. The Indian voter should rejoice as he is approached in elections as during this period he is the most important for the candidates but once the elections are over he is useless, redundant and not worthy of care, concern and consideration. Hollow promises and shallow slogans are put before the electorate to woo them to their side. Every conceivable and non conceivable things are promised. We are promised the sun and the moon and in actual practice not even a straw or a pin is provided. Poll time promises, assurances and commitments vanish in the dust and din of elections and the poor and innocent voter is left high and dry only to repent in leisure. Illusory promises and unrealistic assurance are given in the sweetest possible language only to hoodwink the gullible masses. Indian election manifestos by and large are the bundle of lies and have become a laughing stock for all and sundry. It will be a great service for Indian electorate if the election manifestos are made enforceable in a court of law and those who give false assurance and promises are prosecuted and punished. The entry of sine stars, film producers, directors, dancers and singers will do no good to Indian politics. It is better for them to confine themselves to specialized field of their choice and not to invade the democratic field. These cine stars and singers should excel in their own field and leave the politics for the politicians, thinkers, academicians and the like. One wonders if the present day politics is an admixture of politics and the cinema. It has become the hotchpotch of everything.
Some opine that it is politics and cinema (tics) but no pure politics if at all there is anything which we can categorize as pure politics. Earlier it was the mixture of politics, religion, caste and criminality and now there is total interference of Bollywood and Hollywood. But the Indian voters cannot be taken for a ride always and it is time that the mature voters of the biggest democracy should make the choice of their candidates with reason, foresight and logic and they will be least misled by false promises and empty slogans. Wah! Elections come and go but the electorate continues to be deceived by politicians through false promises and assurances. In every new election new promises and assurances are given by the prospective legislators to lure voters. Indian democracy has been reduced to elections and elections only as throughout the year elections are continuously being held.
Most of the time of state and Central Governments is wasted in holding elections to the parliament and state assemblies. Thousands and thousands of crores of rupees are wasted in holding elections and the development and governance is the first causality. Therefore it will be a good step if the Parliament and state assembly elections are held side by side. It will save enough of the time and money of the Government. PM Modi is a strong votary of holding parliament and state assembly elections side by side. The political parties should arrive at a consensus for holding Parliament and state assembly elections at the same time. Long live, Indian democracy.
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