Disappointment, despondency and dejection loom on the faces of many people now-a-days because of the chaotic situation prevailing in the country. A cursory glance at media reports everyday provides multiple shocks. Most members of the political class are behaving in such a harum-scarum manner as if they are not accountable to anyone, neither to the people of India nor to the Parliament. Once the general elections are over and the Parliament is in place, many leaders assume all the autocratic powers to do whatever they may like to do with the people while keeping their responsibilities on the backburner.
Indulgence in malpractices like corruption, scams and scandals to siphon off money from the state exchequer and usurpation of land are some of the salient characteristics of our politicians of the day. Their whimsical ways sometimes prove instrumental in unleashing a spiraling inflation in the country which affects the common man to the hilt. This typical political class is least bothered about the democratic institutions and democratic norms.
Such a brand of politicians owes allegiance neither to the Constitution nor to the people. Once elected, they feel secure for next five years and indulge in their whims and fancies for self-aggrandizement. Despite volley of protests they remain glued to their seats. They have least regard for the plight of the people they represent and even ignore their constitutional obligations. They maintain a weird silence over questions of public interest.
There is a need for introducing the system of recall. Those MLAs and MPs who fail to come upto the expectations of the people should be recalled and fresh candidates should be elected to replace them. This will help in restoring order in the otherwise chaotic ambience and politicians will have to develop a sense of responsibility towards their electorate for fear of being recalled.
Another advantage of such a system will be that only those who are sincere and dedicated will join the politics because those who are recalled will be disqualified for re-election at least for two terms. This will prove instrumental in exploding the myth of ‘Once an MLA/MP, always an MLA/MP.’ For fear of being recalled on grounds of non-performance or not coming upto the expectations of people will keep the opportunists at bay and only talented candidates will dare enter the electoral fray.
The present dispensation at the helm of affairs has developed the bad tendency of fouting democratic norms and weakening of democratic institutions. This dispensation can be made to pay attention only under the threat of a no confidence motion in parliament. The leaders are genuinely afraid of losing their chairs and so if there is a real threat to their chairs they will turn around and listen to the people.
Undoubtedly, right to information (RTI) act is a potent weapon in the hands of the people to expose the misdeeds of the government of the day. Because of this act the Government is facing daily humiliation and so many senior ministers are being made unveiled in the media. This is also infuriating some leaders so much that they are threatening vengeance on the social activists and the media.
Such a sordid state of affairs makes one wonder the plight of a common man. Viewed in broad spectrum, mid-term poll or hastening the process of elections before 2014 is no permanent solution because it will simply change the present dispensation with new breed of politicians who will replicate what their predecessors have done. Aam Adami is not going to get relief from inflation, corruption and other malpractices.
What is required at this juncture enactment of some new constitutional amendments. As suggested supra. The system of recall should be introduced at panchayat, municipal, legislature and Lok Sabha levels. Elections to the state legislatures and Lok Sabha should be held every four year. This will ensure that our period and intensity of suffering is reduced and the elected people remain more sensitive to the feelings of the public. In USA the period is four years and the system is working well there.
Political parties need to introspect as to what they owe to the people. Merely being in power or sitting in opposition is not their assigned role. They are expected to safeguard the interests and aspirations of the people. Almost all political parties are riven with internecine rivalries and internal power struggle is preventing them to pay attention to national issues. India has to be brought out of this prevailing political morass by envisaging a healthy and sound new political order.
By Dr. Arvind Kumar, President, India Water Foundation
