We need to shun those leaders who have a price tag because they can compromise at any time and in any situation, provided the sum is right
Every person on this Earth is an independent political unit, because politics influences all walks of life and its impact can be felt everywhere. Theoretically, politics is pure because it is meant to bring prosperity and positivity. But it has become tainted as it is being influenced by caste, creed and religion. It is believed that voting is by and large fair and not manipulated. But the truth is that manipulation still continues. An electoral process gets influenced much before the voter enters the polling booth because caste and creed guide his/her voting decision rather than the welfare of society. This can best be summarised in the words of Deen Dayal Upadhyay who said, “Voting without principle leads to irrational politics.” This is true because unprincipled politics leads to exploitation of all values of life — social, economic and religious.
To prevent such an unfortunate situation, the foundation of politics has to be re-evaluated, reformed and reconstructed. This is possible only if transformation begins from the villages as they are where the soul of India lives. However, change is possible only if the politics of principle takes the place of opportunism, money power, muscle power and other trappings that lead to corruption.
We need to shun those leaders who have a price tag because they can compromise at any time and in any situation, provided the figure is right. Rejecting such leaders is the cornerstone of principled politics. This requires introspection because the problem is not outside, but within. There is a huge difference between our desires and what we practise. This distinction is the bulwark of a strong democracy. However, there is a dichotomy. We want our democracy to be flourishing, mature and progressive but our voting is influenced by hatred, vengeance, caste, religion, sect, relationship with a particular person, selfishness or profit. This duplicity is the root of political degeneration.
We need to keep in mind that the person, who is contesting the election, is not the only one who is political but every individual voting for him/her is a political unit, too. The statement of Greek philosopher Aristotle that “man is a political and social animal” is very relevant here. Therefore, every person has a role in spreading political purity. There is a need to discipline oneself. The spirit should be that we are making a choice not to rule, but to prevent and eliminate negative politics. This route is difficult because it can lead to both, defeat and victory. But in both cases there should be a sense of satisfaction. Because, if one wins and is able to transform politics then it is good for society. And if one fails, this should give one the satisfaction that s/he tried to bring change. This is no less than a victory. But the fact remains that politics should be principled and a small section of people does support this line of thinking. If one sticks to it, this number will swell and one day India will witness political change.
In India, as in other democracies, transparent voting forms the bulwark of democracy. But our voting is influenced by caste and religion. This is a negative way of voting and we end up electing a corrupt person with a criminal record as our representative. If s/he is corrupt, we have ourselves to blame because we elected that person. This can be best summed up through a Hindi proverb which says, “Boya ped babul ka, aam kahan se hoye (How can we expect a harvest of mangoes when we have planted an Acacia tree)?” Or, as the Biblical proverb says, “As you sow, so shall you reap.”
We elect a criminal to be our leader and then we expect him/her to do something good for society. It is just wishful thinking on our part to expect a corrupt MP/MLA to shed his/her personal greed and ambition and start working for the betterment of society.
In a democracy, the responsibility of nation-building lies with the people, too. If the Parliament is the temple of democracy, the gram panchayats are its power centres. It is the panchayat which is the root of our democracy because this is the place where India’s heart lives. But unfortunately we neglect these power centres. A beginning has to be made from these village units and for that we need to change the thinking process of our democracy and village empowerment. The politics of money should be replaced with politics of transparency. In Uttar Pradesh, the panchayat elections were usually contested on an individual basis. Money and local influence used to play an important role in the election of members and the village head. The time has come to boycott those who wish to become pradhans on the basis of muscle and money power. One way to cleanse the system is to give party symbols to those who are contesting panchayat elections. The beginning will be made by the BJP, which has decided to field candidates at the village-level elections. Other political parties can follow suit, too.
It is believed that India’s nationwide thinking cannot be “one” because this country is a nation with different beliefs and lifestyles. However, unity in diversity is a greater truth than India. In spite of different foods, religions, cultures and life philosophies, the entire nation is “one” because the desire to build a prosperous, capable and empowered India is one.
(The writer is vice-president of UP BJP and MLC)