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.
