Politics & rowdies: The nexus grows

The shocking incident in which some leaders of the ruling party in the state were seen in the company of a notorious history-sheeter should be enough to remind us about the deep-rooted nexus between those who rule over our destinies and those who dominate the world of crime. And as the Assembly polls approach, the need for such mutually beneficial ‘tie-ups, seems to be increasing as electoral politics are still a lot about money and muscle power and not about the fair exercising of one’s franchise without fear or favour.

Clean politics for most Indians sadly remains a distant dream. And for getting elected to the civic bodies or Assemblies, politicians are forced to spend in crores to woo the electorate by means fair or foul. Politics is no longer the domain of the simple and straight-hearted, who are consumed by an intense desire to serve his fellow beings and bring about much needed change in society. In fact politics and business make a heady mix nowadays with many businessmen not averse to ‘funding’ the right kind of politician provided they do them a good turn once they assume office.

And with each passing election, most politicos are desperate for such funding with the costs of fighting polls increasing despite the EC’s diktats. And why so? Booth capturing, carting away of voting machines and intimidating voters to make sure they favour the ‘right’ candidate, have all become inevitable components of elections not to mention the freebies which arrive at one’s doorstep and such manipulations require money and muscle. There are few who can resist such temptations and forceful attempts to influence their electoral choice.

There have no doubt been attempts to clean up the electoral system in the past with state funding of elections being mooted as one solution. Limits have been imposed on the expenditure each candidate can incur but then by hook or by crook, most candidates make sure they spend much, much more than the prescribed limit to gain an edge over their rivals.

Though there have been instances when outstanding candidates by virtue of their stature in the public eye, have won polls hands down without resorting to unfair means, such cases have now become the exception rather than the rule. So how do we stem the rot? Can corrupt practices which have crept into the electoral system in the decades after Independence be excised with some magic formula?

Though poll panels are doing their bit keeping an eagle’s eye on the illegal means to influence voters such as cash and booze, they will obviously not suffice to keep the voting process fair and bereft of malpractices. The onus therefore falls on the voter to identify honest and committed politicians who are driven by the missionary zeal to improve the lot of the people they vow to serve more than the burning desire to fill their pockets and make sure they are many times richer at the end of their term.

There are many such politicians around and they are the ones who will not betray the popular mandate. As for political parties, they would be better off remembering that this is an age of social media where every act of each leader is under critical scrutiny all the time. This was also proved in the latest incident which had led to outrage on online platforms.

A firm commitment to serve the public cause is all that people are looking for from their leaders, backed up with actions dedicated to the common good; such implicit faith in their leaders takes a big hit when they are seen in the company of law-breakers and this is something every politician worth his salt would be better of keeping in mind.