India Election Effects: Time to change fundamentals

The parliamentary democracy reached a turn around in India in 2019 when those who fought for independence from the British rule, brought change in the socio-economic status of the nation are not in power. Rather hope for their revival seems very weak. India must move from the basics of food, cloth and shelter to technology, innovation and urbanisation. The people of India desire to have now prestige, power and money to bring revolutionary participation in the world economy and social order. The people now want to be removed from the shadow of government to a world full of opportunity. The vision for them is for a strong nation where cultural divisions and social identity must be removed with little concern about equality. The competitive social order is now caught in class divide more when economic growth outshines the social status. The new economy (led by market) has also arranged the citizens' expectations beyond the basic concerns about poverty. The governments over the periods have targetted the poor through hordes of programs resulting in massive removal of poverty leading to starvation. There is inequality which has increased and distribution of wealth is not as would have been desired by socialists. But in a liberal and secular nation, there now exists the acceptance of majority stake and respect for minority rights. 

Innovation in the technology sector should lead to enhanced participation of young citizens to claim their space in a highly competitive market. There is rising services sector and demand for the employment over the periods diminished however, there is a disparity in the potential for creating jobs various parts of the nation. The man-days may be available to some states in India whereas the opportunity for regular employment diminishes. The new governments should be empowered enough to focus on the opportunities for the youth in sectors outside the governments. There is a positive sign when youth has accepted the fact that governments are no more responsible for employment. It is now there own responsibilities to skill themselves to be worthy of economic earnings. The people themselves must pull others out of joblessness or poverty. The community networks would be strengthened to provide enough opportunities. 

The higher education seems to have reached its pinnacle and with job markets not showing opportunities, the young talents must spend more time on making their skills show some good results. The entrepreneurship must come out from the established families to those who can make a difference. The service sectors need support from higher education, though the highest number of educated youth need to contribute towards making their voice heard through participating in meaningful outcomes. There is a need to take India forward to be competitive.

The cultural recognition of the largest Hindu population is at stake in the multi-cultural world. It seems now there is identity requirement for the community and assertation of culture would bring a fundamental change in our democratic systems. The leadership needs to subsume the cultural dominance by removing the privileges of minorities such as in J&K state to be a more inclusive part of the nation. Nevertheless, there is a need to have a balanced approach in dealing with minorities, while claiming back the cultural symbols through constitutional mandate in the national parliament. There is doubt in fulfilling these desires due to institutions like our courts or justice system giving enough opportunities for such a move by the majority governments. There is dominance now of the majority community in India, not to take away the rights of minorities but giving justice to there own actions. 

The social divisions in India must also go with fewer chances of the reservation to survive these decades. The complexities of identities and historical justice may not prevail in the current century. More disturbance of the social order may not be due to the community where people would be born but how they would be treated by society. The demand for the community for social equality must be met with the justice system. The people might not tolerate such unjustified social behaviour when technology and social relations have moved beyond their identities. The fundamentals of constitutions must identify the rights of citizens more than equal and move towards gender justice and social equality leading to new social order. 

The traditional communities living in hard geographical areas need protection from cultural and economic onslaught. The tribals in India need change when mainstreaming of these communities are almost complete when very few could protect there tradition and culture. The cultural missions in these areas must stop and tribals must be allowed to take there own decisions through government and institutional support. The constitution protection must move towards ecological protection along with communities not only accepting their rights but abstain from removing them from there traditional homes. 

(Photo Courtesy: Author, 2017_18)

Scam India to Skill India: Shaming India Abroad

The recent visit of PM abroad highlighted the change in India during last ten months from its transition from being 'scam India' to 'skill India'. No matter nothing has been done to make India skilled in last 10 months yet may turnout to be rallying point of ruling party. The assumption of the political class in owning the government from being Government of India to be claimed as 'Modi Sarkar' we personalized the government officially. Though the term used by media as an adjective turned out to be big election campaign slogan. The ownership did not remain only with the present ruling parties but the GoI ownership for past 60 years were granted to Congress. The easy claim to governments by the political class does not take into account the constitutional provisions and idea of government into four constituent pillars namely, executive, judiciary, legislative and media or people. 

The ownership of political class to government transferred all the ills of them to governments and in turn to the people of India. The notion of 'SCAM' India resides not only on the political parties those who have ruled but also people of India, who laboured hard to achieve the development goals. The professionals, government officials, academicians and citizens who all were part of various systems together brings out to what India is today. The alleged notion of India by present PM is faulty on the grounds of wild image created by the media. India is not scam prone its endevour to fight poverty and backwardness by increasing the agriculture production, industrial activities and technical knowledge is known world over. The efforts of people and tolerance of the all the government from central to state is legendary. Irrespective of shortage of resources, lack of infrastructure and basic amenities the people did not complained fully understanding the reasons of backwardness. This was not just scams which resulted in present state of affairs, its resource crunch, population growth and systems failure all due to various reasons.

There are times when the hard works of the individuals, state and national institutions have resulted in the change and enhanced India's competitiveness abroad. We have raised the glory of country in many economic sectors. We may be still middle income categories but the growth rate have risen in last two decades due to reforms. The scam allegations may be true since also marks the nature of awareness the media, state and people are into for their rights. 

The current government are at fault in raising the issue while showcasing the abilities of India and its people abroad. The party in power must respect the voice of nation, their dreams and refrain from damaging the image of India based on the data provided by the agencies who are out in open to protect the interest of developed world and their business. The trade imbalances are also result of poor image creation and campaign by the western nation to delink India's growth story from labour of its people. They are happy to project the poor image and disintegrated political class resulting in the damaging the ruling by the fellow political class and primarily the congress party. The parties in power must rule, but nation does not belong to a political party, its the people who have elected them to restore the image of India and enhance its potential. The blame game must stop and short term arrogance of the political parties must go away to give space to development works based on the reasonable policies not drawn by political class but by all the constituents of the Government of India and its states. 

Development has got new Engine and Multiple Drivers in India

With the election over in most of the state, the dominance of the new political order is reflected in the way we deal with the issues in our hand. The state were subject to distinct development philosophy than the central government has to align with new change. The sudden shift in the goal post and the drivers of the government from background also reflected in change in direction of development. Instead of chasing the development goals of food, shelter and employment the current national government in India is looking for culture, education and hindu nationalism. The essential ingredient to divert the attention from acute poverty and unemployment, the role of market is now enhanced with more private money (investment) and government wants to achieve the development targets. The babus in the governments would now feel like corporate having made to negotiate with private corporations for the basic needs of the citizens. In no time the civil services are looking to be privatized, with more local governments and state is opening doors for market driven economy. The end of planned era and more dominance of right wing ideology is now tutoring the governments to stand for make over and understand the change.

The correction or readjustment of the historical facts to suit the government in power is up for debate in development circle, the argument of development is on the surface with top most leader is promising for the sea change in the way state has been addressed in last 60 years. The systems of the governance is looking for the change, with initial rise of the market hopes there is downfall on the extreme other hand. The economy hoping for the revival must wait for these fundamental change inside the governance of the plans and schemes. Till than there is scope for the international agencies and corporation to invest and partner with the government for delivering the goods and services to the citizens. More investment is expected in the states but by whom, the international order has also been changing with revival of the US economy.

The cultural change and sudden assertions of majority politics have thrown necessary evil to disturb the harmony in society. The national concern towards the spaces whether its rural or urban is of constant flip flop with little policy consistency. The sense of the urgency as promised in the elections are now tend to reduce as the days passes by the ruling government. Now these are the national concerns which have been little addressed when the government is questions still refuses to acknowledge there role. The clean operations stands foremost important before they start reflecting there thought, hence more active third layers of political class.

The focus on the cultural assertions through the government is must and so is the celebrations changing the national identities with more focus on Gita, Ganga, Gaye (Cow) and other such hindutva symbolism. Of these even many so called Hindu's are shamed by accepting a certain ideology which is still germinating from the heads of Nagpur clan of Hindus. The emergence of identities are distinct and new political class in race of taking control of nation is unsettled with principles of Indian constitutions.

Though its difficult to pass the judgement, but whether the development politics of the past would survive the test of present time. Keep you finger crossed!!

Governments are the party's property?

After years of democratic efforts to form the government the political parties in power have realized that its party's owned government or personalities owned govt. Is this what has been enshrined in the constitution. Whether representatives of people in form of MLA's or MPs are nothing before the rule which now supersedes party and later personalities? The debate is important since the governments are now addressed as congress or BJP governments, and prime ministers becomes the proprietary of a particular party. During last months there has been several instances when spokes person of the party in power also defends the government. Any question raised to the government is defended or responded by the party in power. Is it an attempt to shy away from the constitutional clarity that government belong to everybody and its the government or its representative which are answerable to the people not the party in power. There has been opinion made to supersede the party structure and officials over the government. The party forgets that its representation of people act which allows them to functions at the tops, they represent a group of people who support similar ideologies.

The position of the highest chair in the government does not belong to a party he must be representing the government in all times till he is in the chair. In the mode of opposition the representatives from the public also started to blame the parties rather than the government. A government is not merely contributed from the representatives of the people, rather other two arms too contributes for the success and failures of the programs. The agenda of political parties are to voice the opinion in the forum where other two section has equal chance to participate in administration. In todays time there is notion of supremacy by the political class not among the citizens but also among the functionaries of the governments.

The operation difficulties and understanding of the sectors are limited within the political parties but the latest tradition of enforcing the decision to functionaries of the government is not healthy. The recent cases of health disaster where targets are given by the secretaries are often enforced to the health officers leading to negligence by the doctors while performing their duties. Whether the officials have power to say no? There is amount of fear and anxiety when the voice of the functionaries other than the political class is not heard.

There is total take over of the government by the political class which in many a times not bound to take decision for the interest of the citizens. Often the political class is bound by the ideologies which binds the thoughts, which may not be rationale for implementation of the schemes. The recent cancellation of the planning commission, low lying knowledge commission, and missions by earlier government also points out that there will not be now policy consistency when the government is changed and ruled by different parties.

Majority must prevail in action, but this must also bring the political uncertainity and paralysis more frequent in the country. How does the development planning and schemes going to suffer in such frequent change of governments run by the political parties?

Message to leader and nation

Power are in the hand of people, many assume power. Let true wisdom lie within you before you decide to take over the country. Politics apart, nation need true leader not a hungry politician for power. India would continue hero worship, and let the leader take them over with power to make change. Reality, you are one of the spoke of the wheel, and so where the others. If you can ask they did not do anything, what you can do, you do not have absolute power. That's goodness of constitution. Like every politician you also try but if you fail its neither yours or if you succeed its not you. All in the team. You cannot blame one or two, neither you can give credit to anyone. You know it, but this is politics. To gain power you need to tell lies again and again till its regarded as truth. Many pains for your desire to overthrow the political opponents, but do not disregard the nation which so develop to have many good post independent India. You can do many more, but respect the past as your own, do not disown the past leaders just as they belong to different political groups. Its mutual, response of politics of apartheid towards BJP and RSS in country has been harsh in your actions. Let there be no doubt the path ahead will not be easy, you win or loose thats not the end of road. Nation needs leaders for development, not a general to rein war on everybody. 

Carrying Development beyond elections too...

These are election time and people are discussing the development, and political parties are claiming to be one who can perform and deliver the development to the people. After the elections the parties interfere in the functioning of the police, judiciary, independent agencies and influence the reports to rake up their performance. The National Development Council (NDC), where all the CMs are the members are often used to bring the view point which are politically motivated and used to point finger at the Centre and State.

The people have the right to know about the functioning of the departments and their performance. India has yet to see a day when most of the department publishes their progress in tasks, money spent and results achieved. If we all can understand that, the system of governance is independent of the political class in its day to day activities it would be better. The people representatives were given enough rights to represent the people and head the departments to oversee the development works, even then the leaders fail to deliver in most of the cases.  The parties once win the election are not seriously bothered about the constituency they are elected to serve instead people who are not chosen as minister often show little interest in the works of various ministries. The absence of MPs and MLA from their respective assemblies during the functioning shows the real development works which can be carried out.

Out of the 365 days the Corporators, MLA and MPs have less than 90 days of contact hours with the policy making we all can assume the seriousness of the development agenda in the years to come. The system which does not have grievance redressal system has to depend upon the leaders to listen to the voice of the people. With the improvement in the system and service delivery (which is an ongoing process) the development would be more or less would be free from political interference. Most of the interaction of the executives with the departments needs to be accountable and transparent to have assured delivery mechanism, the need for the political class to serve the people would be more directional.

The poor monitoring and decision making system does not allow the development works to be planned, monitored and executed well by the concerned departments. The state does not have full idea of the projects in the districts, and district misses the consistency in the development projects in the habitations (both rural and urban). The central government is virtual entity which has except the union territories have little control over the functioning of the state. With devolution of the powers of the Centre and State it would have been wise all to understand that who are supposed to work on the development and which agency is responsible for facilitating. The central and state governments are more to be working as facilitators for the local bodies, the pitty issue of cleaning street, supply and managing the water supply, drainage and others are the task of local bodies. Where is the question of Prime Minister and Cheif Ministers to look for the such demands of the people. People do not attempt to raise complain on the day to day problems in the localities to respective ward or panchayat offices instead they try to use the powers of the ministers for the petty works.

The work towards the poor and down trodden is often forgotten since they seldom have access to the political masters after the election. They have to wait till eternity to get satisfactory demands of their development needs. Why does the political leaders assume supreme authority in clearing all the doubt of people that they only can deliver once it comes to the development needs of the people? The lack of public education and knowledge are creating a situation where even after corruption at local level the people are made to think about the national level mismanagement, They instantly forget about since corruption upto certain amount was proved to be tolerable in the election debates. Leaders are talking about corruption of Rs.500 rupees instead they should talk about Rs.500 crores.

Post elections lets not forget about the need for the 'development' discussion with all the stakeholders and try to bring the reform in the service delivery by the local bodies. The state and central government together should facilitate the local level functioning and make the 'development' fruits accessible and achievable for the people of India.

Minimum government, Maximum Governance

The concept of  'good governance' has reached to a political tone lead by a political party since last 5 years, after 2008 when they realized the importance of unnecessary expenditure by government. The smart governance does not mean doing away with conventional method of governance. The structure remain same, whereas the networks between the offices are improved in order to increase the efficiency. This may not limited to any one state in India, the e-governance change lead by the Government of India, with National Informatics Centre helping the state to have 'e' ready infrastructure in place to have minimum goverment, for the people. The setting up of information kiosks, information centres, service centers by the authorities for the citizens in an approach not limited to a state. There are many state who has pioneering the idea of minimum government including, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The learning from each other is done by the central departments, state departments and e ready organisations to provide the necessary service. There is nothing new in the ideas however the implementation in the smaller states have been better with quick outreach to the maximum citizens. The larger states where the internet penetration is low, the idea of minimum government and maximum governance has not yeilded the desired result.

The citizens needs to take the services with the new hope when the government reaches to them via their mobile phones, where e-services in at the door steps of the people. The governments through their efforts can reach to the citizens, and no state in India is left in these approach, only the time and money required to understake the project varies. The national agencies like NRSC, BSNL & DOT, revenue departments, NIC etc has done tremendous job to reach to the citizens, however the lack of interest at the grass roots have hamphered the programs. These might be due to lack of e-readiness of the people and often lack of trained manpower at the village levels. There are many changes required at the grass root level which are already covered under the national programs but poorly implemented at the state to make effective governance.

The lack of understanding of the concept by people who might tag themselves to an activity in a state is not always right, the national policy are in place since 2006, to workout a reform in the governments to improve the governance across the nation. Some states have lead the change in one sector, while others may have done better in another, but there is no doubt the people needs to be connected to the information segment and to be made available with required information. The technology penetration is weak in the governments decision making where the changes in information technologies are not treated well because of the politicians and persons loosing power to control the same. The easy access to information and rights would bring significant change at grassroots often bringing true era of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance'. 

'Development' in Political Debates: Beyond People Just Elections

Whatever had been our development philosophies the elections have covered a close agenda with parties after parties have not accepted that there is some requirements which can always grow. The needs are endless and thereby no one can satisfy the needs of people to a hundred percent centrality. Thats why we also see the 'development' now equated with 'roti, kapda aur makan' along swasth aur shiksha (Food, Cloth and Shelther along with Health and Education) as the basics of development.

For any development analysis this would be easy plan,

(a) Even America fails on this pretext because these are growing demands and government often do not reach to the target because of many of the people are out of reach to the governments. India too stands on similar line but more harsher, if you want to target any government you may find plenty of instances where they fail on these counts. There are people who are out these circle of development needs (as mentioned above) because they are wealthy and support themselves. In countries like India 80 percent are dependent on the government for these 'development' needs. Even countries like USA, UK and France more population is dependent on state lead mentioned 'development' doles.

(b) Nine out of the ten country would move along with the population growth, but high growth of population and lack of economic attainment do not allow the people to catch up with others. The cycle of poverty catches them since they seldom have resources to match up with the growing demands. What then a 'development politician' can do to serve the people? The promises to supply them enough finance and materials to fight with needs the governments does not reach to all the citizens groups. May be due to priority and difference among those who are authorized to supply. The different and specific approaches benefits only few but harms many for the want of 'development needs'.

(c) Politicians often claim my development is better than yours, but they often forgets the coffers are same, the finance and ability to meet the requirements of the citizens can not be different during the various political regimes. Recent claims and counter claims of the political parties to become messiah of one or other citizen groups often fall flat due to inabilities of the leaders to understand the development sourcing which are same. No amount of work can satisfy the hundred percent population and opposition would always puncture the long lasting claims of ruling parties.

(d) The media houses across the globe is used by the political parties to fool the citizens in favour  of their idea of development, which revolves around the similar development wheel. The image maker overs to market the 'development' products, which are packaged to suit the party and their ideologies. In countries like India there seems to offers from the media managers to take the political leaderships to these development rides advertising the political campaign to sell the 'development products' offered to citizens. 

Election in democracy is chance for the political leaderships to claim the development efforts by the governments, forgetting that they are by chance the trustees of such works. Its the who system which functions to provide for the 'development needs' of the people. Why do the claims of the parties to correct the wrongs be accepted, which in a way justifies the role of political class to claim the development outcome. The scores of industrialists, academicians, scientists and others who toil hard to reach to there goal thereby contributing to the development requirements often feel neglected and fooled by the political class. The assumed power of the political class and their debates often circles around reducing the development to their party framework, forgetting the needs of the people. 

People who talk about rights are often termed leftist and Maoist...

The loosely used terms in the present 'capitalist' based societies, for the people engaged in struggle for the rights are 'leftist', 'maoist', 'anarchist' and so on. The political class who is currently holding the development of nation, has rights over the resources often target the leaders belonging to particular group engaged in the fight for peoples rights. Recently even for those who wants to restore the constitutional rights in India often termed as 'maoist'. The leaders of the leading political parties during the election time often see a disturbing elements in normal course of political affairs. The urban uprising of the groups engaged in anti corruption activities are not looking for the straight political answers, and rather do not expect the parties to understand their political agenda. The regular parties are unable to understand the political motive, instead they also want the new group to have political ideologies in many cases similar to what they are offering. In no case they intend to deviate from the current political affairs. From national to regional parties no body expects the rights based group to succeed politically otherwise detrimental to current politics-corporate nexus.

The nature of protest against the establishment lead by a political group (established as an outcome of street struggle) emerges as talking point of not offering any political ideology. The establishment of constitutional guarantee and run up to protest does not qualify them to be people who can claim that they can run the country. People by themselves has to follow a political group to expect them to be desirous of being a representative in parliament is often opposed unless they follow the conventional political wisdom. The parties born out of street struggle would seldom be engaged in the running of the government, the clash of political groups in such a situation would bring instability. The case of Nepal is before us where such group after forming the governments also failed to get the constitution running unless they modified it.

The ideologies in such a situation rejects the oppression based social structure and political system, the poor and disadvantage groups in current political system are suppressed to take over the resources. The poor sharing of resources and state controlled by such political class often results in situation in which street protests are fueled. We in the due course would oversee the new loksabha election in India, 2014 would be landmark in the political history of India, when the street based people movement would get the political identity. This is going to destabalise the governance for some time or would force the main stream political parties to have socialistic agenda in the their political discourse.

Political parties and personalities taking over the government today...

The constitution of India a document people of India gave to themselves to decide the future of India and manner in which the stakeholders should be behaving has done well during last six decades by inching towards the progress. The progress so made now also have credit takers as well as those who demonize the development also give credit to political class. The 'government' so defined constituted the four estates, executive, legislative and judiciary. In addition 'media' as forth estate constitute what government was supposed to be in democracy. Some may also cite 'people' community or mob as a part of the fourth estate. But during these last 60 years India's democracy is now fully taken over the political class by claiming government as their own, the government's are now titles as 'congress government' 'Janta Government' or BJP Government, and more brazenly as Manmohan's Government, Modi's Government, Mulayams Governments, Vasundhara's Government etc. It so feels now that we are returning backing to feudal system of governance. The lordships have divided the country among themselves and trying to get control of more territories by claiming victory over the opposition territory. The political class conveniently run the government (as they claim), and asks the people to go to long sleep and slumber till before the next election.

Such is the desire of the political class, that they create the political lobbies in the other estates like in executive, judiciary and media. They are often used to target the opposition, and often purchased by using ill gotten monies from the political slung matches. The furious fight is for the people to believe that they are enemies but as true to their class they do not mind to come together for their own self, or political benefits. The same opposition parties becomes a part of the common minimum program to run the ill mandated governance. The fate of nation though not really being planned by either of the political parties they use the other estates for their own political benefit. The system so builds takes care of the orientation of common citizens towards the political debates and the interest of them takes back seat. It takes few more people to join the political bandwagon to claim government of their own. Democracy in such conditions often fails to address the needs to people (who are not aligned to the ruling parties). The societies across are polarized between the political camps often prevails to feed their political masters and class.

 The dance of democracy from the political claimant's continues till the upcoming election 2014 in India, the political rivalries on the street also tends to friendly affairs among the seasoned politicians. The country divided into the political views ultimately has to follow the constitution, its hard to believe how one can clean the system unless its changed often. 'Swaraj' or 'Self rule' by the people was the essence of the Indian democracy but political class or emerging political class stops short of addressing the people or they themselves have accepted the political masters. Let the parties divide the nations, societies and communities by polarizing the political lines and keep people divided to run their democratic governments. Whether the political class have taken over the governments? we need to be more cautious in understanding the manner in which India's democracy would mature.  

When Development is tagged to political parties...

Its good that development as a topic of discussion  takes a central stage in political discourses. But the most important thing which can be noted that the governments in its nomenclature is also termed out to be X parties government. When in democracy we adopted by naming a central and state govt. by parties. The political parties have a limited role to play in decision making exercise, which are supposed to be outcome of extensive research on the policy research, its impact and monitoring. 'Development' which till recently world over is thought about a serious exercise which does not mean going by party line (which often is not an outcome of well researched agenda) but by analysis of the data given through national or state level surveys. During the discourse we are into the position of easily projecting an development ideologies which stands on the political ideology and of course which totally differs from the theoretical bases. The schemes which can be objectively targeted at the development needs of the people emerges to be treating to the political needs of the parties.

The good research output suggestive of a policy which might be emerging from the burning of night oil by the numerous support staff (you may call them researches) often turning to be night mare to convince the political bosses. How on earth development issues can be limited to political parties without institutional backup. Are parties suppose to run a parallel institutional network? Or the institutions also become politicised to give feed accordingly to the political class. The individuals in the recent political arena tries to make the policies based on the their believes which in most of the cases are poorly analysed by themselves. The polarisation of the parties in the national issues is also resulting in the policy polarisaiton on the party lines. To some extent these are good to understand the good and bad outcome expected of the decisions taken by a political leaders. But do we essentially mean to say that the system is not in place to find the problems, discuss with people for verification and solutions. Development to wide spectrum of people means illusion created by the political masters. The populism of the policy depends more on the freebies which in long run may not be fruitful.

There is little doubt about the political parties in asserting their wish to the policy makers, when they themselves become the policy makers by not just discussing it among themselves also creating a no question mode for the people, the problem of acceptance arises. The serious development analysis in these scenarios take a back seat. The state governments now if seen from the political perspectives may stand in front of central governments in accepting the major political decisions or even rediculing the central decisions. Same in the case of the grass root democratic setup a situation of distress arises when the basic policy intentions and guidelines are violated. We are in a situation when more we look into the problems we try to find the quick answers which are of course short lived. Certain conflict in the policy approach or infighting between the political class has seen as loss of good opportunity in sharing the best of all. 

State Elections reduced to Personality Politics

Strange that Indian's democracy instead of getting more mature is getting more fizzled out with literates being herded by the power leaders to effect their decisions. The power politics have taken toll on the rationalism of the people. The recent concluded state elections have more to do with national leadership taking control of the state. The state issues hardly mattered rather the performance of the center is successfully evaluated and referendum asked for the contesting leaders. The issue of governance and decentralisation have failed to move the people on the issue on which the election could have been conducted. The election though tends to be more participatory with more participation, the sense of disorientation is clear within a political system. Its like one party, one person, one vote, whether you are in local, state or central election. This personality though lying low in southern India, transformed into the central and all India, is set to effect the electoral choice not of one candidate but a serious lobby and policy outcome of the ruling parties. The opposition would be happy to win game one by coming with sufficient majority in most of the states. What emerges is the lack of issues and implementation will by the ruling parties and opposition declaring hordes of populus schemes aimed to woo the voters. This is correct when the leaders often offer the cheapest food to get votes and its said that India is coming out of poverty.

This syndrome continues when others are lured with laptops, sarees, dowry (paid by govt) and other freebies to get the chance to vote for the parties. The value based judgement of the candidates are missing. What would be caricature of Indian politicians when they are supposed to 'give' in advance there share of booty till they achieve power.

Declaration of Prime Minister Candidate

Declaration of Prime Minister Candidate

Is it violation of Constitutional Provision?

On 13^th September 2013, evening the Mr. Rajnath Singh, declared before media the Prime Minister candidate of BJP after party’s  parliamentary board meeting.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday announced Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections. The announcement came after a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board here this evening, which unanimously decided to project Modi as the prime ministerial candidate. “We have projected Narendra Modi as our PM candidate,” BJP President Rajnath Singh told media here after the parliamentary board meeting.”

It’s explained as trend set since 2009 by the BJP to declare its PM candidate the current announcement is made. But the question rises in mind about the constitutional validity of such announcement in current electoral system and parliamentary democracy. Following are some of them; 

(a) Whether a political party are not violating the rights of the Member
of Parliament who as per the constitutional provision chooses their leader. The
Prime Minister heads the council of the minister.

(b) India’s parliamentary democracy does not allow the Prime Minister
to be directly elected by the people. Whether political parties are allowed by
election commission of India or within their rights to declare candidate?

(c) Whether declaration of Prime Minister Candidate by a political
party violates the provisions of Representation of People’s Act 1950? The post
of Prime Minister does not represent people than by declaring the candidate the
concern political party has violated the rights of the citizens to elect member
of parliament and thereby allowing them to participate in election of Prime
Minister.

(d) Whether declaration of PM candidate also violates the internal
democratic setup within the party (vide its declared constitution), by not
granting fair chance to be elected as Prime Minister candidate? Question does
not arise since political parties are not authorized to declare candidate for
prime minister. The candidate can represent a political party, for due election
scheduled as Member of Parliament or Member of Legislative Assembly.

(e) What would be than role of citizens of India, how during elections
the votes would be accounted for the declared candidates? The current
declaration of Prime Ministerial candidates can be honored by whom, the
political party, the current parliament or election commission? Can there be
provision for the direct election of Prime Minister?

Whether
pre-emption of the election process by a party allows than to be unaccountable
for the purpose of election? Who bears the cost of the expenditure before the
announcement of election dates? The concern parties if this amounts to a
political rally are accountable to election commission (concerning with
constitutional post).

Assertion towards a Secular State

Electoral Politics has time and again have evoked the divisionary practice of claiming India desired to be a 'Hindu Nation'. The BJP though much improvised than its earlier party objectives today concentrates more on the development issues. This must prove that India even though has see communal politics remain extremly tied up with its secular credentials. Though the party in power such as in Gujarat state in all their activities symbolised and used representation by and large dipicting their desire to become a Hindu' centric state government. The use of Kalash (to mark Golden Jublee) and naming of government schemes all emerged from textbook referring to a particular culture. Even Ahmedabad for its projection as a city lost its traditional cultural land marks to the new to derecognise the its history.

Secularism to right wingers have been a hoax call by those who are non-worshippers remain still orthodox in their thinking about the religious paradox.  Ultimately its the secular politics which got wide acceptence in very rightly tilted political parties. The experiments so called with the right wing parties by the organisation claiming to representing the right wing ideologies failed to check the development politics and remodified version of 'Garbi Hatao' with 'Kalyan Melas' of present governments. 

Though the divisionary politics are still being played by all the political parties, the essence of India remains in accepting the people at its face value not from their background. This is good for young India who would be looking forward to see things from being Indian not belong to A, B or C group. Do we have any sureity in assigning the belief that the right wing parties may not start again with communal politics? I belive little their action in past years show that they would not follow shadow game of communal divisions, initiated by the Britishers against the Indian people post 1857. The policy of 'Divide and Rule' continues even with the political parties.

Markandey Katju, esteemed ex supreme court judge mentions following description of Secularism,
'Secularism does not mean that one cannot practise one’s religion. Secularism means that religion is a private affair unconnected with the state, which will have no religion.'
(Markandey Katju is a retired judge of the Supreme Court and Chairperson of the Press Council of India)

But we also know the Govts in Gujarat, MP and Chhattisgarh has different religion, which is Secular.

Shashikant

Pre-conditioning for Election: Early risers

Strange Indian Politics have been observed during last six months, national parties preparing seriously for elections schedule well two years from now! the confidence of the parties seems to be little on accepting the challenge at the right time. The spending on elections or related propaganda materials are on full swing. This is a shift from the politics of yesterdays in past when few months before election political parties would come and work for elections.

The state elections are here and so is the choice for National elections, there is chance for early risers to fatigue out once the national election approaches or Is our national schemes of development targets run election to election, (we might not have five years plan then!!). Let planners work under leadership of PM (elected) and party president in power to plan for country. The state level CMs can also have plan to fight elections from day one once they get elected, (since that seems to be reality) which would make really interesting to be very objective.

The state elections such as in Gujarat is perceived to be mini elections or referendem on the personality or cult politics shaped by leading national parties. Development debates take back step against the managerial and operational issues. Fight along with media lobbies carries forward the warring parties to the people. Opinion makers are brought and sold via media to facilitates electors mind, though suitable marketing techniques are also used to bring home the points.

Public service or working for the larger masses goals of the politicians have transformed into the power - capturing strategies typically corporatization of Indian political system. A series of corporate efforts are made to achieve the targets set by the national committiees, do we need to confirm with democratic setup of parties. Democracy if taken for granted as conceived by early learders through our contitution has recieved its setback recently. Why do not we think to encourage or change the system (may be presidential form ) to accept the reality thrown by globalisation of Indian politics. We are aping the west (now extreme west, USA) for political behaviour.

Least the behaviour of politicians is coming up like fighting WWF sportsmen, with thumping of chest with war cry makes the politics helarious with one challenging others to take the ring and have fight (though political). Ideological differences are not accepted but abused and scolded openly against the political differences. The media is happy to receive 24 hours content and politicians at the national and state levels are eager to supply the bites required to hoodwink the governance over the political ideologies. The character of nation as enshrined in constitution suffers serious setback.

Politics of Decentralization and Center

The nature of citizenship offered by India is universal and sub-nationalism was in background when India  adopted new constitution and emerged as a nation state decades ago. The nationalism was fueled by the then freedom fighters and decision makers at the national and state level politics. What ever may be their party affiliation  the concern for nation for the priority, the states were not developed to have become an independent economic strength. The national priorities were together and distributed across the nation with clear mandate to provide boost to economy- including agriculture and industry dedicated to the nation. The national goals are set by the then leaders and obidiantly being followed till the rise of new India post 1991.

The decentralisation of power with centre leaving the development turf to the state, and state governments joining the free market economy to take charge of their development. It was so good to feel the new power of the state, but it also added downfall of the centre both economically and politically. As a nation state the control of centre is limited and state's are running for the money. But till this time all states were not ready for the freedom it has taken almost a decade for the poor states to rise from the ashes.

The states like UP, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan has increasingly being now prepared to join the league of developed states like Tamilnadu, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana etc. Much needs to be done in order to be attractive for the outsiders, instead the growth in these states would arrest the mass exodus of population to the developed state. In more cases, the developed state might loose some shine due to initial labour shocks.

The politics of nation is also allude the centre-state relationships with little over 10 states, leaders have no ambition to join national politics, its marred with difficulties, its now very tough to be raise a national party. Except, Congress and BJP to an extent has been successful in holding the turf, but badly challenged in their respective party ruled states.

Development policies of centre is more advisory then authentic show of nationalistic flavour, and states often do not offer centre favourable ground, central agencies across states find it difficult to work with state governments. Railways is best example to show the politics of decentralisation and hurdles both sets of government puts to one another.

A state leaders no matter how good they are in administrator or being popular in public finds very difficult to find acceptence at the national level. Its difficult to find national leaders acceptable at the state politics, take case of communist leaders (central and states) they are different roles and destinations.

Party politics for long has used the state has ground to work as national leaders, the nation logic has been used to promote the party ideologies, but in practice the state's across the nation had become laboratories of such ideologies such as Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Tamil Nadu. Most of the these ideologies ruled by different parties find it difficult to be adopted at the national level.

May be time has also come to review and research on the subject.

New Political Dharma of NDA

The NDA seems to have been wearing shoes of Communist Party of India (M), while the nation grapples with the price hike (though we thought the NDA agreed to decontrol the petrol prices by Government of India, the sector is still in the clutches of government. Given the decontrol regime the prices of the essentials are well within control, the petroleum sector now dominated by major corporates even NDA would not be able to live without pleasing its corporate funders. The comparative prices of the petroleum products under the free market economy is controlled by the corporates. The subsidy components offered to the citizens of India were to be phased out, but could not happens sans the political will of the parties in power and opposition.

Now after recent hike the NDA would be on the roads, and so would be our 'poor' middle class. The traditional congress bashing and credit of price rise would be going to core group of Government of India. From Corruption the country is diverted to petrol price hike..do you see politcal angle...let the new poster boy of BJP handle the situation, and leave the sulking grand old man of BJP aside.

Hail the champion of 'Party with Difference'