The situation in India suggests that it has some sort of a
unique type of government; an anti-people government. Any small suggestion made
to make governance transparent or politicians accountable finds all political
parties of all hues gathering together as one and ensuring that such
suggestions are nipped in the bud – with a speed that makes the UP Government’s
40-minute boast in the Durga Shakti Nagpal dismissal case a laggardly decision.
In recent times there have been four proposals that have been speedily squashed
by politicians.
- In July / August, the Supreme Court ruled that if any politician is taken into custody by the law, that person will be removed from their post. The ruling also stated that if any person is in custody when nominations are being filed, they are not eligible to contest the elections. This landmark ruling was based on an interpretation of the rules for electors (not candidates). As per stated rules, a person cannot vote if they are in prison. The Supreme Court expanded this rule and interpreted it to include candidates contesting elections. For a person to be eligible to contest an election, they must be an elector therefore if you are not eligible to vote, you are not eligible to contest. It is sad indeed that a rule as essential as this one has to find such a roundabout route.
Bad enough that the judiciary
trying to clean up politics had to go via such a ridiculous route – worse is
that all political parties screamed out together against this ruling. They put so much pressure, that the Supreme
Court has had to agree to relook at its ruling.
- The Law Commission proposed that high decibel media blitzkriegs by outgoing governments should be banned. This was proposed because outgoing governments notoriously use public funds for advertisements of their party. This is not allowed but as with all other misdemeanours by politicians, no one can do or does anything about it. This proposal has been completely overlooked and ignored plus the UPA Government has quickly launched its 630 crore pre-election advertising campaign.
- While filing their candidature, politicians contesting in an election are expected to declare their assets to the Election Commission. However, no matter how false or fraudulent the declarations are, the Election Commission can do zilch. Nada. A proposal to give some rights to the election Commission to at least start some proceedings against the cheats, liars and fraudsters has been totally quashed.
- The government has thumbed its nose at major movements to include politicians and their kin under the purview of RTI. It has been decreed that politicians can pretty much do what they please and not be accountable for their deeds and misdeeds. No one can ask, scrutinise, question or act on any information deemed to be “private” in the life of a public servant.
Sujata Garimella