Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Not a bad proposal' that was published in Newsband

Not a bad proposal

Narendra Modi has proposed the holding of elections to Parliament, State legislatures and local bodies simultaneously. A group of ministers initiated a discussion with Election Commission officials on the proposal. The reasons cited are to check election expenditure and to impart stability to State governments.

Some feel that the sporadic advocacy of simultaneous elections by the BJP is informed by self-interest as well. But it’s very unfair to say that BJP is doing so for its self-interest, because neither today nor tomorrow but some day Congress/ other parties can hold the same position what BJP holds today. Our Democracy is so vibrant that anyone who is a citizen of India, can choose to vote any political parties by considering the overall Governance of ruling/ previous Govt. The mindset of the people is changing day by day (towards a positive thinking), they know which party to vote so we should not bother about that. If Simultaneous Election happens then there is nothing to change the very idea of our citizen, and the people of the country know the difference between a nation and a state, and by whom it will be run. So one should not be afraid of projected candidate. If any political party is confusing by projecting a candidate in multi purpose then one should think twice or thrice. It’s a very good proposal by centre to perform a systematic election in future and most importantly it is cost effective

There is no doubt that there is a compelling need for immediate electoral reforms if India is to develop and progress as a democratic nation. But we need to start with the quality of the persons standing for elections. Presently we have persons with criminal antecedents and cases pending against them and the promise of fast track courts to try such cases is just not forthcoming. Then comes the funding of political parties. In all areas we find that money power prevails and not the true will of the electorate. The nation needs a full, informed and open debate in the legislatures and media and not behind closed doors of any party.

The media involvement in all these matters is dismal leaving democracy to mobocracy. These days we are witnessing some election in one corner or other in the country causing concern on expenditure and bitter words spoken by leaders during electioneering. India as a nation must avoid unnecessary and infructuous expenditure when most of our population is still under BPL (Below Poverty Line). Political parties must be made to agree on certain basics like not switching parties on election but to resign the membership and re-contest if interested for a switch over. Source of Party funds must be declared.

We need better reforms and better debates in Assemblies and Parliament proceedings. No rest till we get rid of these basic problems. A national government is also good for some period if situation warrants in national interest. We should reduce the overhead of holding elections using technology and constant communication with electorate. Today most people get elected because of party and party gets elected because of leader. We should rather have a Presidential system of governance.