AB KI BAAR KISKI SARKAAR…???
“Hey Vj I am an NRI, I don’t follow Indian Politics much, but I definitely do not want to see Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Minister of India. Therefore, you guys have no other option but to vote for Modi.”
This conversation with a friend of mine got me thinking that we have forgotten the basic Polity which we learnt in school in Civics subject. It has made me realize how much social media influences our day to day thinking and how the previous election and the recent propaganda of the ruling party which has made a mockery of Indias Multi-party system.
Therefore, this is my attempt to bring to notice, some facets of the wonder that is Indias Multi Party system democracy.
Indian Democracy is a social experiment in itself. Given the vastness of the country, the diverse demography, the vast history and culture of this country could survive for more than 70 years owing to the practice of Democracy as a form of government. It is the beauty of this democracy which seeks to achieve the Benthanian greatest good of greatest number while assimilating the good for its diverse minority as well.
India follows Parliamentary form of democracy and has given recognition to multi party system which has evolved over the years given the diversity of the nation. We borrowed the Parliamentary form of Government from our Colonial rulers which is completely different from the Presidential form of democracy followed in countries E.g. United States Of America (where majority of my peers are settled or have dreams to settle.) The Indian variety of Parliamentary democracy is different from its former Imperial Rulers in many aspects, one of which being that India follows Multi Party while her former rulers follow two-party system.
The propaganda in the last few years have been anti democratic since it has reduced the Multi Party Indian political set up as a battle between an individual leader v/s the oldest political party in the country. The common citizens do not necessarily have to make a choice between the worst two options!!
It became easy for our current Leader to create such a propaganda since all the political parties are autocratic and the constitutions of the political parties are presidential. They are characterized by Ad-hocism, have yet to evolve a reliable mechanism and workable solutions for managing their internal conflicts. All the political parties have over the years became a mechanism of centralized, autocratic, unaccountable instruments of power in the hands of unscrupulous self seeking categories.
One of the biggest paradox in the functioning of the political parties is that these parties characterized by undemocratic and authoritarian internal practices run our democratic system. The ordinary cadre or Karyakartas have no role in the decision making process of the party.
Political parties of the country are themselves yet to reach the stage of democratization. The Indian democracy suffers not because of lack of enthusiasm of common people, it fails because of failure of political parties to work harmoniously with a sense of history.
The mirage of one person running the entire political system is an attack on the roots of Indian Parliamentary setup. It is anti-thesis of the democratic value system.
The next government in power may be BJP, Congress, AAP or any other political party or party coalition, but it should definitely not be bound by high handedness of any one particular person.
Being in touch with the polit-bureau as much as we interact with the layman, I met a couple of people in Ahmedabad once who mentioned that "..probably Rahul Gandhi deserves a chance". I was aghast. What's going on! It occurred to me that not a lot of people understand politics as "different" from politicians. Giving democracy to a country of people in 1947 having 13% literacy had its shortcomings. Its my opinion that it'll be best for the nation if people can finally learn to make this difference between politics and politicians.. whoever may come in 2019, the important factor is that his policies should be favourable. It is still true though that India lacks "leadership".
ReplyDeleteVery well captured! We as a country and society have always believed in a Messiah who will make us get rid of all the problems we face with. It has led to idolization in not just in the sphere of religion but also in politics as well. Calling Mr. Gandhi as "Mahatama" or "Father of Nation", saying "India is Indira" was also indicative about it. The present ruling party has gone a step ahead of Congress and declared that they want "Congress-Mukt Bharat" which is a very serious concern. Even more alarming is the fact that we do not have a "Leader of opposition" in Lok-Sabha. The voices and identities of Indian Society cannot be politically represented by two party system (forget one party) as in US because of the vastness and variety of religious & regional identities. We have survived as an integral country for 70 years just because of our multi-party system which ensures that everyone has got a representation. In a country of 130 crore population, there are thousands of people much smarted than Mr. Modi & Mr. Gandhi. This country has survived even after untimely death of Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi, so one should not link country's future with his/her favourite leader being in power.
ReplyDeleteVijaya,
ReplyDeleteYour NRI friend's opinion is expected fruit of BJP's think tank n IT wing's efforts. As an independent citizen, everyone has a freedom to choose his leader. But in today's atmosphere, educated people are easily trapped (hypnotised) by 'the ideology' by using PROPAGANDA.So individual freedom is affected by PROPAGANDA. That's why, many scams didn't makes risky atmosphere for BJP government.
As far as your question is concern, it is totally depend upon before 2019 election atmosphere and result condition. Every major religion and caste's interest regarding leader of the nation will be the key point. Though, today Rahul Gandhi seems a strong option for Modi, it is big challenge for Congress and RG, to maintain the tempo and to encash the condition till 2019 voting. Because, every opposition leader has a right to dream to lead a nation. Every opposition leader will play their caste cards n special cards which are reserved for critical condition before and after 2019 election. So RG looks ready to challenge by all means mighty Modi, it will never easy for RG to overcome the challenge. Keep your eyes on Sharad Pawar, Nitish Kumar, Mayavati, Mamata Banarjee, Mulayam Singh Yadav, N Chandra babu Naidu, Nitin Gadkari, L K Adwani, Rajnath Singh, Sushama Swaraj, Shivraj Singh Chauhan along with RG. Watch these star players moves and enjoy the game, called POLITICS.
Current rulling party, through their managed and agresive propoganda has gained that confidence that they feel none can best their leader. They already have managed to present Rahul Gandhi as a stupid politician. But Common Indian voters have always shown that they can defeat anyone. This fight of indivisual faces wont last for a longG
ReplyDeleteIt is often observed, whenever a populist government leading with a face whose autocratic leadership dominates the entire political plethora of the country gets the 7 race course road once again. History has proven it. Pt Nehru, Indira Gandhi and some others. So the government is most probably will came back with Modi as the Prime Minister. However, he might not be very powerful this time. But we never know when the tables turn and there is statement from any of the opposition parties coincidently hitting right where the Majority party wants. Just like Mani Aiyer just before the GJ elections. Whoever forms the 'Sarkar' election will be fought on Hindustan-Pakistan, Shamshan-Kabristan, caste, Mandir, Masjid and many more. Just because it is BJP doesn't mean there will be development in the manifesto again. One can fool all people with a trick only once not all the time.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Indian Party system unlike its U.S and the U.K counterparts was never institutionalized. With no proper internal democratic mechanisms, transperant funding setups the party system has always remained weak and undemocratic thereby intrinsically nuturing autocratic tendencies, may it be in the Congress or BJP or any regional dispensations like NCP, S.S, BSP etc. This further has weakened the legislature which in return has enabled the courts to overreach.
ReplyDelete