Tamil Nadu Elections -2016

The Election commission has deferred polls to Arvakurichi constituency in Tamil Nadu on charges that the candidates and political parties have bribed the voters. This is the first time in the history of independent India; the EC has postponed election to a constituency on the grounds of bribery. It sounds funny that The EC has chosen to defer polls only in one constituency. If this yardstick is used, I feel the EC should postpone polls in all the constituencies of the state. I don't think it would be possible to name a single constituency in TN where money is not paid as a bribe to the voters by one party or the other. The two Dravidian parties have contributed to this downfall and degradation of electoral politics in Tamil Nadu. One party started this dangerous and cancerous trend and the other party mastered the craft with innovative techniques to hoodwink the EC in bribing the voters. EC deferring polls to Arvankurichi does not serve any purpose. After a week, poll will be held in this constituency with the same candidates in fray. Will the candidates become holy men in a week's time? EC should disqualify these candidates and order fresh nominations for this constituency and debar the two candidates who were responsible for deferring the poll in this constituency. It will also serve as an eye opener to the political parties, at least in future elections.

TN has the dubious distinction in many firsts in electoral politics. The freebie culture was first introduced in TN by one Dravidian party. The gullible voter was easily deceived by the freebie offers of the political party. Seeing the sway the freebies had on voters, the other Dravidian party offered more enticing freebie offers to stay in the contest. The poor voter has to choose a party that offers more freebies. How can political parties lavishly offer freebies from public exchequer? No one is bothered  about this. As usual this time also the two Dravidian parties have offered freebies .First time in the history of India, the EC has send show cause notices to two political party bosses to explain why their party should not be disqualified for "non-compliance of the guidelines of the Commission and also reflect the rationale for the promises made in your manifesto and broadly indicate the ways and means to meet the financial requirement for the same". The EC has also said that if they don't respond with in the stipulated time EC "would take appropriate further action" . I am sure nothing concrete is going to happen. These parties know how to make EC say "we are satisfied with the responses from these political parties" 

 At a time when EC reported the cash seized by the flying squads have exceeded 100 crore, comes the shocking news of 3 container loads of cash amounting to 570 crores being seized by the flying squad .Though reports say the cash belongs to SBI ,there are very many missing links and raises many questions and most of them remain unanswered . Is it a routine practice for SBI to transfer cash in containers to other branches? What is the official guidelines and checks for carrying out such huge cash transfer? Why they were not followed? When money taken to ATM is accompanied with armed guards, how come container loads of cash goes without any proper security? Do banks transfer cash without proper documents? Which bank has strong rooms to store container loads of cash? Why the lorry did chose a route that is not a highway? Why did they not stop and sped past the flying squad, despite they were asked to stop . All these questions become all the more important in the wake of complaints by political parties few weeks ago about container loads of money being stashed in safe locations for distribution on the polling day .Why should the cash be moved a day before the polls ? In the wake of flying squads of the EC making huge recovery of cash during their raids from the house of close friends of many political heavy weights it assumes mysterious proportions. Our politicians talk about schemes .But when it comes to implementation, they say we lack funds. This is called politicians economics .It has nothing to do with politics or economics. But is it not surprising to see that they get enough money, when it comes to defeating some body in elections? 

 How aware is the common man who casts his vote tomorrow? I feel there should be a bridle to curb and rein in political parties and political bosses from committing corrupt practices and indulge in unholy nexus with nefarious elements against the interests of the state and its people. We need a government to govern us. We get a government we deserve .If we vote for looters, we would be looted again and flooded with yet another freebie offer during the next elections. A political combine would serve as a bridle to one another and a watchdog .I know it is a wishful thinking. Because such combines in the past at the center were disastrous. Yet at the present moment the need of the hour is to try another viable alternative. 

A government that does not squander public money, a government that conserves our natural resources and strives hard to improve them, a government that GOVERNS in the literal sense, an open transparent government with no corruption at all levels, and a political leadership that is MODEST with a STRONG WILL to act decisively, when it comes to the question of the interests of the state and the nation,is the need of the hour. Let us hope for the best. Remember the political process does not end with the Election Day. Elect a leader who is accountable and answerable to all he and his government does for the next five years.

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.

PM under Lokpal bill's ambit

The Lokpal drafting committee meetings have come to a deadlock on the question of including the PM under the ambit of the proposed Lokpal bill.While the government is opposed to including the PM ,the civil society members insist on including the PM also under the ambit of the Lokpal bill. The civil society members are trying to make the bill fool proof, by plugging many possible loopholes.This is obviously a thorn in the flesh for the government side .Especially, they seek an amendment in the Prevention of Corruption Act to allow special judges to conduct trial of cases under the Lokpal on a day-to-day basis with no adjournments.They also insist on recording reasons for adjournments in writting, in case any adjournment is granted.They have also suggested constituting special benches to hear cases only under this Act and no other cases.While the civil society members are trying for stringent provisions in the Lokpal bill,the government is not serious in its intent for enacting a bill to stem the rot that is plaguing the nation.I agree with Mr.Shanthi Bhushan that the discussions at the Lokpal committe meeting should be aired,to enable the public to judge the conduct of both sides at the meeting in drafting such an important bill.If that happens,that would be a quantum leap towards transparency in governance.We often claim every body is equal before the eyes of law.But when it comes to the question of enacting a law to prevent corruption, we seek immunity for a sizeable population who are corrupt prone .This attitude form the government side is shocking to say the least.Most importantly government has not put forth convincing arguments to exclude MP's judiciary and PM from the purview of the act .When these people are left out who else will come under the purview of the act ?.Gone are the days when the judiciary was beyond reproach.The recent scams that have hit the nation makes it imperative that the provisions of the bill should be all pervasive .Strictly speaking any person getting government salary directly or indirectly should come under Lokpal purview.

It is believed that the government feels, if PM is brought under the purview of the Lokpal bill ,any one can undermine the office of the PM and it would be against national interests.This is true to some extent ,becuase most of our parties are politically expedient and for them the end justifies the means.But if one looks at it from another point of view, a PM with honesty,confirmed integrity and moral principles would come unscathed from the rigours of a stringent Lokpal bill. If we have a PM material with such exceptional calibre, no one would hesitate to include PM under the purview of the Lokpal bill.It must be remembered truth always triumphs.The hesitation to include PM under the purview of the bill would make the common man believe the PM could be vulnerable and susceptible to criticism, persuasion or temptation.Hence what I feel is that, the best legal brains in the country should find ways to strike a balance to protect the dignity of the PM's office as well as bring him under the purview of the Lokpal bill,in the event of some specific triggers or instances .One can also go to the extreme and pose a query what would happen if the Lokpal becomes corrupt and is influenced by the government of the day .It can not be ruled out in our nation. Anything can happen in our nation.But man lives on hopes.One sincerely hopes that would not happen and we would not ask foxes to guard the hens .

Fasting -Thus far the only non-violent potent weapon for protest .

Finaly the government has relented and has agreed for a joint committee to be constituted for drafting the Lokpal bill ,consisting of 50 % members from the civil society . The comittee will also have a co-chairman from the civil society members. Government is expected to make a notification to this effect today .Once the notification is made Annaji would call off his fast .It took 85 plus hours of fasting by a 73 year old Ghandhian to make the government relent .Fasting was used by Gandhiji for manifold purposes.First and foremost, it enabled him to connect with his countrymen.It also made others to percieve it, as a powerful statement about his causes .It helped Gandhiji to unite and rally his country men to his causes and ideas.Similarly Annaji's fast galvanised the country .The common man was so dejected with large scale corruption in all spheres of life .The revelation of huge scams in the year 2010 by politician and beureacrats made him an helpless mute spectator. Annaji ignited the spark and it spread like a wild fire.No one resorts to hunger strike unless the injustice faced is intolerable.Annaji did not waver for a minute and was steadfast in his demands.'Fasting' is thus is the only non violent potent weapon available to the common man against perpetrators of wrong doings.With ethics in short supply,even after six decades of independence, 'fasting' as a form of protest is still relevant.

The government realised, Annaji's fast has to end,for very many obvious reasons .The stir was catching up with more and more people across the country and also across the globe in countries with sizeable Indian population.Social networking sites and the visual media helped more people to express their solidarity with the movement.The initial stand of the government appeared it will not 'give in' to Annaji ,because the provisions of the Lokpal bill drafted by the civil society recommended stringent punishment including life imprisonment to the corrupt and also confiscate the misappropriated wealth. More importantly it would be an autonomous body with powers to accept suo moto complaints from any one.This would be a death blow to the corrupt politicians and beuracrats.Lokpal Bill, proposed by the civil society group seeks to include the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, bureaucracy and the judiciary within its ambit. With the number of protestors swelling day after day ,the writting on the wall was clear to the government.Prominent apolitical VIP's started lending their support to the movement .The government wanted this popular upsurge to subside as quickly as possible. Elections in the states of Tamilnadu,Kerala,West Bengal,Pondichery and Tripura are to take place on April 13th.It became obvious government wanted to  come to an agreement with the protestors before the elctions, fearing a backlash from the electorates on the Lokpal issue in the ensuing elections to the afore mentioned states.

It remains to be seen if the civil society members in the joint committee would be able to persuade the government representatives to agree , atleast ,to the most important provisions of the Jan Lokpal bill drafted by them. The representatives from the Civil society were announced by Annaji yesterday. They are Shanthi Bhushan,Santhosh Hegde,Arvind Kejriwal,Annaji and Prashant Bhushan.Shanthi bhushan would be the co-chairman from the civil society side.The government representatives are most likely to be Kabil Sibal,Pranab,Moily,Chidambaram and Salman Kurshid,with Pranab or Moily as co-chairman from government side.The committee will be notified formally by a government order, explaining its terms and references and conferring legislative authority ."Whatever is required to be done will be done by June 30 so that the draft legislation is introduced in parliament," said Sibal .

All said and done " it is a victory for the people of India " as said by Anna Hazare.Surely the Lokpal bill will instill fear among the corrupt and would serve as a deterrent for others.One hopes our politicians would not find ways to circumvent the provisions of the Lokpal bill.