Karnataka is witnessing defection which is not in keeping with the true spirit of democracy
Democracy is one of the beautiful words in our narrative. Whether it be in India or elsewhere, the term arouses devotion and a sense of belonging among the citizens. It’s only those who have experienced the aesthetics of democracy can understand the joy of democracy. The feeling that my vote counts in electing the rulers expected to govern adds to the beauty of this socio-political phenomenon.
Myriad political parties and differing ideologies make democracy a carnival. The interesting aspect of this political system is that even the Communists, for whom democracy is alien, swear by democracy! Isn’t it a unique process? All political parties in India believe in democracy so long as it suits their convenience. Many times one is reminded of the words of Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company that a customer can have a car painted any colour he wants as long as it's black.
Those who are passionate about democracy describe legislature as the temple of democracy. That’s also a scintillating description. But in India, our politicians are adept at altering the meaning of the temple of democracy through shady deals and actions. In the 1960s, 1970s and till 1985, the phrase Aaya Raam, Gaya Raam was synonymous with popular democratic culture. Elected representatives had no qualms about jumping from one party to another in search of greener pastures. There were instances of a politician defecting from one party to another in the morning, coming back to the parent party by noon only to return to the party that had offered to make him a minister.
When the Rajiv Gandhi Government, which came to power in 1984, amended the Constitution with provisions to disqualify those who cross over from the political outfit to another party, there was a sense of relief among the citizens that the Aaya Ram Gaya Ram phenomenon has come to an end. But the treatment has turned out to be worse than the disease. What we see is mass defection from one party to another to subvert the democratically elected government. Karnataka which is going to polls is an ideal example of this wholesale defection.
Legislators are purchased en mass to bring down governments. Crisis managers hire aircraft or luxury buses to transport the MLAs owing allegiance to their party from one hill station to another beach resort to save them from poaching by the rivals.
The run-up to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections saw many BJP legislators jumping over to the safety and luxury offered by the rival parties. If you have leaders like D K Shivakumar, it is not at all difficult to pull down any government that survives because of the political alms seekers. A former chief minister and deputy chief minister who were denied tickets by their party rushed to the rival camp and start abusing their party leadership. Temples of Democracy have become exchanges where stocks are traded. They are share markets where kerb deals are the order of the day. Service to humanity was described as Service to God. (Manava Seva Madhava Seva). But these leaders would not be able to serve the people without being an MLA or MP or minister. All services in the country are taxed. Probably the membership in a legislature assembly or parliament or a minister’s post are taxes the public has to pay for the Manava Seva rendered by these leaders.
God save Democracy before it gets labelled as Mobocracy. Our leaders are so passionate about becoming ministers. Withdraw all pay and perks allocated to them and make the entire governing process transparent. They are likely to improve.
(The writer is a senior journalist with The Pioneer. The views expressed are personal)
