What will be the electoral
mandate of 2019?
Everyone is interested to know what the electoral mandate of 2019 will
be. The forthcoming Lok Sabha elections are expected to redraw the nation’s
political landscape with implications for the future of Indian democracy.
The coming together of political leaders at Trinamool Congress leader and
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s rally in Kolkata on January 19, signalled
a common resolve to oust Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The
dominant mood of the nation is visible barely 100 days before the general
election. People are crying against rising unemployment, acute agrarian
distress, corruption in high places, rising social disparities, continuing
marginalisation of Dalits and Adivasis, insensitivity to the plight of
vulnerable sections and glaring inequities of wealth et al.
Sonia Gandhi’s message for the Kolkata rally said “pluralist fabric stands vitiated” and
declared that “this will be an election to restore the nation’s faith in
democracy, defend our secular ethos and our heritage, and defeat forces that
are trying to sabotage the Constitution of India”. There were statements to similar effect by Congress President Rahul
Gandhi, Ms. Banerjee and others.
We are entitled to expect that the outcome of the general election will
vindicate national conscience so that freedom prevails over fear, inclusion
over exclusion and secularism over communalism. The triumph of democracy is
anchored in the equality of citizens and is sustained through freedom and
assertion. A French philosopher
said, “A liberal, wise and energetic government” cannot “spring from the
suffrage of a subservient people”
What did we witness during six decades of omnipotent mandate of Congress?
Communal criterion for delivery of quota and representation of minorities
widened the gap between haves and have nots. A series of corruption charges,
excesses committed to humanity during emergency and pogrom unleashed against Sikhs,
Bofors, Agusta Westland national herald hdw submarines, 2g cwg coalgate etc
can't be forgiven. Indians can't substitute RAGA for NAMO. We prefer surgical
strike and no dynastic trends be allowed further. Economic criterion in
delivery of quota will turn votes further, which is a harbinger of creative
change in India. We don't want charisma and charm; we don't want to hear
flowery languages when stomach is in fire.
There should come a day when our politicians will have to qualify a
minimum aptitude test to contest election at various levels of democracy.
Some intelligent people do not find any reason for a change of
government. Too many politicians are there in India who just elude the gallows
only benefitting the slowly grinding wheels of judiciary. Seizing power only
can facilitate them to leave all investigations into cold storage and have a
good sleep. They have all influence to galvanize untruth, by prompting press to
publish fiction. Those who are
well immersed neck deep in scams emerging as apostles of morality make us laugh
and cry privately, thinking about the immorality of politics.
But thanks to information technology, myopic people are transforming to
long perspectives. Present Indian political system is headed by a dynasty or RSS Hinduvadi or
regional caste players. They are content with their success in an election and
go to sleep. Elections will not turn the tide.
None of the parties have exactly showered themselves in glory over a
number of elections. But the piece is not about which party to elect but the
future direction of political discourse we should have - one where liberty and
freedom of the individual is held inalienable and sacrosanct, and where no
party can compromise this foundational requirement regardless of their
ideology, whether in the name of development or security.
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