Decriminalization of Politics in India, Sonia's Call

Decriminalization of Politics in India­ Sonia’s Call It was heartening to listen to Sonia Gandhi, Congress President and UPA Chairperson, when she called on all political parties to evolve a consensus to decriminalize politics and eliminate the influence of money and muscle power. She was addressing the diamond jubilee celebrations of election commission of India attended by all the political parties.

Sushma Swaraj of BJP supported the idea. Understandably, not many parties have reacted to this proposal. The Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh expressed concerns about lack of interest amongst educated middle class who are indifferent to the process of elections or joining politics.

Both these issues are interlinked. In fact it is only due to the influence of money & muscle power that the educated middle class does not come forward to contest elections or even cast votes. Also the criminalization is so much deep rooted in Indian polity that a sensible person would rather not cast his vote than choose amongst bunch of criminals to vote for least acceptable goonda. A goonda of yesterday is whitewashed through judicial process and presented again as if public memory is short. All the political parties are responsible for such a state of affairs which has been degenerating for last 60 years every day.

So who bells the cat? Or why not set the cat amongst the pigeons? All parties by now would have conveniently, and by silent consensus, forgotten what was said in the speech of Sonia Gandhi. Nobody would say, “Yes, let us do it”. So, is it only for the sake of sounding right that the speech was written and read out? Or is the Congress party committed to make it happen? Is it on their agenda? Is any one ready to “walk the talk”?

Congress and BJP (in its old avatar) have been oldest of the political parties and have the political weight to change the system in the country. Except the communists, all other parties are born out of their lineage. So if Congress or BJP decide to own the above agenda others will fall in line helplessly. Congress has given the call and if Sonia Gandhi can walk the talk, she will have carved out a place for herself in the history of modern India of 21st Century and created profound impact on the nation’s future.

Indian polity has been reflecting an inclusive democracy. Inclusive of the criminals, corrupt leaders, self serving politicians, corrupt ex­bureaucrats, uneducated politicians, and wives & children of all these lots if they can not find a place for themselves. But as the Prime Minister expressed, to rephrase it but not twist, it is exclusive of the educated middle class which is fed up and defeated by all these lots.

My guess is that any political party which “walks the talk” on the lines stated by Sonia Gandhi, will benefit immensely by garnering the votes of this alienated middle class which is huge vote bank comprising all the castes and religions. Is it necessary for Congress to wait for a consensus? Did the Punjab & Haryana High Court judge K.

Kannan wait for the consensus to evolve amongst the members of the judiciary or for diktat of the Supreme Court to declare his assets? No, he had the conviction and so he went ahead challenging the whole established system around him forcing all to fall in line within a week. Even Supreme Court found it difficult to keep CJI out of it. So here is the lesson for the political parties.

Even any other large political party, like BJP or even communists, can steal the thunder under Sonia and declare their intentions not to give tickets to these undesirable elements in any elections from gram panchayats to parliament. They would be on the moral high ground. Others would meekly follow the leader setting a revolutionary change in Indian democratic system.

Another issue raised by Sonia Gandhi is about money power in politics. While it is wishful thinking that money power can be eliminated, the least can be done is to enhance the limits of expenditure to practical levels and transparency on declaration of assets by candidates. The system needs to be refined with follow up action on defaulters. Unless we are serious about tackling corruption, the talk of reducing role of money power would be mere waste of time. The stakes of business through political positions are so high that any limits or restrictions are likely to be thrown to winds. Our laws are made with provisions for escape routes even if the enforcement is strict. Any follow up actions also could be stretched to a decade in absence of fast track mechanism to deal with corruption in high places.

If political reforms are on anybody’s plate, some food for thought may be inviting enough. Present cabinet of UPA government is full of members of Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha should be reserved for non­political achievers with good records from different walks of life. Also it is supposed to be the house of “elders” or “wise” people. It is simply ridiculous to have young members of politicians’ families in mid thirties, with no or little experience of public life or governance, being nominated to Rajya Sabha, or for that matter a sportsman being nominated after retiring from the field in mid thirties. How about having 60 years as an age limit for retirement from Lok Sabha and also as minimum age for entry into Rajya Sabha? That way we will have wiser Rajya Sabha and more vibrant Lok Sabha. Asking for impossible?

However, since Sonia Gandhi meant what she said, Congress would do well to be the early bird to walk the talk and write a new chapter without waiting for consensus. But to me, a member of the defeated middle class, this all sounds like mere rhetoric and empty talk. Of course, unless some one pick up the gauntlet that is!

Vijay M. Deshpande Corporate Advisor, Strategic Management Initiative, Pune

January 29, 2010 Scroll down for my other blogs Or visit www.strami.com