Politics at the lowest ebb

We have been flooded with land grabbing charges against leading politicians of the country and those close to politically important people by social activist turned politician Arvind Kejriwal in the recent past.Politicians of all hues were trading charges against each other in the visual media.It is really   sickening and nauseating to note most of our politicians across the country  have an obsession towards owning government land by hook or crook.It appears all our politicians have only one agenda,to become a landed gentry.All of them are working busy to attain this goal and do not have time to think about the common man,nay the 'mango people'. In this country politics has become a dirty game.It is dirty in the real sense of the term.Politicians of most parties indulge in libel,slander,forgery and all other possible criminal activities to embarrass a political foe.

On one side television channels and social activists conduct invasive investigations and sting operations to bring out new revelations involving some politician or other almost as a daily routine.The opposition and ruling party indulge in this manipulative politics to incriminate their oponents.For the TV channels the dirt makes good stories.So new stories surface every now and then.From all indications,it is clear this can become an ongoing one.When one is defamed,forgetting his position and stature,the affected politician stoops to any level to defend himself and at times behaves like a thug.In this country even a renowned ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan was falsely implicated for selling secrets to foreign nationals by top police officials,print media,visual media and some unnamed politicians. The unfortunate scientist's career was ruined, suffered imprisonment, he and his family were humiliated.Later the charges were found false and the NHRC ordered Kerala government to  pay a compensation to him.But the damage already done to Nambi Narayanan is irreversible.The only solace for him could be that a belated apology was offered to the renowned scientist in a public function by the intelligentsia recently.

All charges needs to be probed and established beyond doubts.There can not be two opinions about investigating these irregularities and bringing to book the guilty.But the remedy does not lie there.This malady will remain as long as politics in this country is funded by corruption and kickbacks.Our political class has continued to loot the nation right from the days the nation became independent.It was reported in 1964 by Santhanam Committee that "integrity is not uncommon among ministers and that some ministers, who have held  office during the last sixteen years have enriched themselves illegitimately ”. politicians declaring assets at the time of  elections or assuming office is nothing but a ritual.The sharp rise in assets between successive declarations are not questioned .In fact Dr.Ambedkar was against the provisions of mere disclosure in the absence of any legal remedy.

Political power is inherited by the next generation as if one inherits their estate.Politics is a profession,these days.There is only one profession in this country  to acquire affluence the easiest way and that is politics.Politicians would not be interested to weed out corruption.That is why they oppose tooth and nail passing a bill like Jan lokpal.Unfortunatley police,civil service and judiciary are also affected by this malady.The middle class and the intellectual elite are also helpless.But this section of the society is rapidly becoming intolerant to the happenings in the country.

It is at this juncture people like Aravind Kejriwal started the apolitical organisation India against corruption (IAC).Bringing to light irregularities like this will educate the public and there could be a gradual change for the better.His exposes have flustered many politicians and political parties.Surely he has made all  politicians and political parties to do a rethinking.But I am worried  Kejriwal  has converted his movement as a political party.I apprehend,running a political outfit in this country is not that easy.A political party would need money to hold meetings,to run party office ,for campaigns and to contest elections.Politics has become so expensive that it requires a lot of money even to be defeated in an election .Politics is no more a game,it is an earnest business.

In this country  we don't vote for a candidate,but we vote against somebody.Currently it is about choosing the lesser evil.It would be a welcome change if we have a candidate for whom we can vote.We must cleanse the system.An activists job does not end with saying the river is dirty .He must get down to clean the river. But will he withstand the tough rigours of our political system ?.The problem that we face at the moment is immense and  endemic.Leaders with integrity at the national and local level are required.There should be a unified effort from all well meaning citizens of this country.The good thing about Kejriwal's movement is that the voice of  the civil society is now being heard.But to ensure that Kejriwal's new party also does not fail, we need a vigilant civil society.The decision to float a political party should not weaken the original movement started by Kejriwal.Honestly one does not know how Kejriwal's decision to enter electoral politics would turn out. I fervently hope Kejriwal and his new party proves to be of a different breed. I am reminded of what the former Russian premier said about politicians.'Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.' ~Nikita Khrushchev .I hope Kejriwal would prove Khrushchev wrong.