Elections- Democratic Values

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Elections- Democratic Values

By Mannava Subbarao  As the elections are approaching in the country in a few days, all the political parties are preparing their weapons. Due to this, the political…

By Mannava Subbarao 

As the elections are approaching in the country in a few days, all the political parties are preparing their weapons. Due to this, the political atmosphere has heated up a lot. Almost all parties have become family systems and private properties. Democracy is in the hands of parties and thecparties are in the hands of individuals. From the selection of candidates to the elections, they have become a big farce and are challenging democracy itself. Previously, candidates were selected based on qualifications such as profession, education, social service, family background etc. Now caste and money have become the only qualifications. How many caste votes are there for the respective candidates, and how many crores they could spend. Due to this, the influence of money has increased and all the parties are under the illusion that no matter how much money they put in, they will get all the votes. Political parties have opened up to a new tradition of hiring strategists, similar to hiring consultancies for corporate companies. In the past, the leaders of the respective parties used to be the strategists.

Now the power is spending crores and appointing strategists. At what stage is this society at present? What messages are the representatives of political parties giving to the society? The more people talk, the better the society is enjoying it. People are enjoying it too. The media is also giving more importance to these. Criticisms and counter-criticisms are not up to par. No one is an exception to this. A dog biting a man is not news, but a man biting a dog is news. Self-praise is no more. In the past generation, the concept of politics as a platform for voluntary public service was prevalent. This generation has turned it into a profitable business. They forgot that this is a social responsibility. Feudal ideologies where positions of power are riding on the people making a mockery of democracy in today’s leadership.

Political parties built on the foundations of ideologies and lofty goals are gradually drifting away from them. Who is willing to ally with anyone with the aim of winning. There is no hesitation in unholy combinations. They are turning it into an agenda of opportunistic politics and cutting it bare. It costs almost the same to get a ticket as it costs to buy votes for the candidates. Rich candidates are paying crores of rupees in the form of party fund or otherwise. There is no place for the common man and the capable people in the election ring. Around Rs 50 crore is spent to get elected as a legislator in such a poor country. After spending so much, how can you not think about how to earn them back? Powers unrelated to the law are being given to elected representatives. As a result, they are emerging as uncrowned kings of their respective constituencies.

Parties and people have forgotten to consider the qualities of candidates in elections. Whether it is defecting parties, looting of crores or criminal record, people stop caring and send it to legislatures. Those who have been elected like this are hiding behind the caste mask. Votes are being bought, Sarah is being distributed, caste, religion and region are being used and they are all collectively polluting the election environment. Such traditions are not limited to the Lok Sabha and Legislature, but even in the Houses of Elders, people with criminal backgrounds and corruption are entering. These have become centers of political rehabilitation. As a result, constructive discussions are not taking place in any assembly. Assets declared while contesting elections double after five years.

There is no perfect democracy anywhere in the world. But some countries have politics based on values. Values are falling in our country and democracy is weakening. In all constitutional systems, the ruling parties are excessively interfering. Finally, as they did not even leave the judiciary, their independence became questionable. Even in the monarchy system there are some limitations and boundaries. In India, which is the largest democratic country, the features of dictatorship are clearly visible. A peaceful transfer of power with the consent of the people is only a part of democracy. It is undemocratic to flout the rule of law and commit arbitrary violations of the Constitution. Can we imagine winning any election without buying votes? Law exists in name only. No one can see it. Our country is at the 67th position in the list of countries that are effectively implementing democracy in the world.

In a parliamentary democracy, there should be transparency and accountability in the ruling parties. But they are not visible. Crores of rupees are being spent in the form of salaries, pensions and allowances to the people’s representatives in the legislatures. Even though the government is spending so much money, the interests of the people are not being fulfilled. Governments are not counting even though the opposition is protesting in the legislatures. Governments feel that discussing public issues is a waste of time. The duration of Parliament and Legislative Assembly meetings has also been shortened. The central and state governments are not willing to hold the meeting for more days. Meetings are being held regularly. As industrialists and businessmen were elected, there was no awareness of the problems inside and outside the House. In the name of poverty, they are spending extravagantly in the guise of free schemes. They are doing vote bank politics by spending only on welfare without considering development and welfare. For this, the future generations are being taken as hostages and they are bringing huge debts. With that money they are riding on them while lighting the mirror.

It can be said that our modern democratic system is strong when compared to our neighbouring countries, which have not gained independence from us. The conduct of elections and the transfer of power are going on properly. Economic progress and sources of income in the country are promising. In the background of Corona control and the Russia-Ukraine war, our foreign policy has increased our reputation at the international level. It has achieved great success in many fields. It has survived attempts to destabilise democracy. Inspite of different ethnicities and different cultures, Indian democracy is going on smoothly. The central government has been shrouded in disrepute due to the issue of bequeathing assets to prominent industrialists, over-interference in some states, disruption of the spirit of federalism, suppression of the opposition, cancellation of Rahul Gandhi’s membership in parliament, and inability to take criticism. The interference in the judicial system and the attempts to appoint the Election Commission arbitrarily have questioned the credibility of the government.

Voters are apathetic that no matter who wins, there is no benefit to them and their lives will not change. With this, more people are getting ready to sell their right to vote. Troubles started for democracy when the vote became a commodity. Democracy has yet to mature. Democracy will be strengthened by eliminating economic and social inequalities. Only the people can save democracy, not the courts and the Election Commission. Only when there is a change in the people will there be changes in the way of thinking about the political parties. Democracy is crucial for human progress. It is everyone’s responsibility to know its value and protect it. In order for democracy to survive, people must be conscious and show their wisdom in elections.

(the author is Former Chairman of Guntur Mirchi Yard)

Phone No:9949777727

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