Political Diary
New Delhi, 15 November 2016
Religion of
Corruption
Any
wonder, this Kolaveri Di!
By Poonam I Kaushish
18th Century French Queen Marie Antoinette famously quipped,
“Give them cake if they don’t have bread.” Three centuries later, Prime
Minister Modi has turned this on its head: Eat banned notes if you don’t have
dal roti! As the three queues: one to exchange notes; one to deposit notes; one
to withdraw money totals a harrowing zero sum game!
True to style Modi stretches his 56 inch chest preening that
the demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes for rooting out black
money, ending corruption and counterfeit currency notes and stopping terror
funding is his “biggest Swachh Abhiyan. The Opposition yells blue murder. Annus
Horribilis and a political farce on corruption.
While Congress’s Rahul Gandhi gets his Kodak moment by
posing in front of a dysfunctional ATM, the three regional Ms’ Mulayam,
Mayawati and Mamata alongwith the other satraps whine that the currency ban is
timed to financially wipe them out prior to the five State Assembly polls.
Obviously, hinting of stashed cash. Queries of from where, whom and which deals
were met with stony silence.
Undeniably, the Prime Minister’s intentions and motive is
laudable. In one fell stroke the economy’s dynamics have changed. However, its
implementation is abysmal with poor cash flows which has brought life to a
standstill for the aam aadmi, labourer,
farmer, housewife, businessman, trader et al. Serpentine long queues are seen
at banks as millions scramble to exchange currency but only a few strike gold
that too after waiting for several hours resulting in chaotic situations across
the country and five deaths.
Alas, there are no signs of immediate relief as
cash-strapped people return penniless as bank servers at several branches
collapsed and Finance Minister Jaitley confessed that ATM would not function
for three weeks as the machines needed to be calibrated to accept the new Rs
2000 note. As tempers flew thick and fast the RBI asked people to be “patient”.
Sic.
It is all very well for the Government to take the scourge
of corruption by the horns but why not start at the top: Politicians, the
fountainhead of sleaze. Be it Congress, BJP, SP, BSP, AIADMK, RJD etc all are
tainted by the same brush whereby their dhanda
thrives, notwithstanding many being indicted by the Supreme Court in various
disproportionate assets cases.
Questionably, without working a day in their lives how has a
cowherd, sepoy, teacher, wrestler, farmer and actress amassed great wealth,
jewels and unaccountable luxurious goodies?
It is no rocket science to see where the monies come from.
The surfeit of scams gives the game away. From the chaara ghotala, 2G spectrum scam, Adarsh Housing Society scandal,
Coalgate to the infamous Nira Radia tapes encompassing industrialists, media,
netagan, babudom etc.
As to funding of Parties the source is an enigma wrapped in
mystery hard to unravel. Almost all Parties receive cash ‘donations’ read black
money from “unknown” sources. Primarily, an easy way to launder black money since
disclosure of sources is not made mandatory.
Undoubtedly, corruption along with crony capitalism will
continue to strive till Modi strikes at its three roots: Politician, funding of
Parties and electoral reforms. Arguably, how does one explain the phenomenon of
an over flowing donation cup whenever a Party is in power, at the Centre or in
States? Are these on the basis of simple
quid pro quo by corporates, fixers and wheeler-dealers?
Donations for 2003-04 show how the fortunes of the ruling Party
differs from the one out of power. While the Congress ‘officially’ received
just Rs 2.81 crore, the BJP managed over Rs 11.69 crore. Money was paid through
little-known trusts, or in some cases, directly by business groups.
Interestingly, a cursory glance of affidavits filed with the
Election Commission reveal the bizarre realities of politics. It showcases
significant contributions from several business houses that have directly
benefited from the Party in power. A metal and mineral baron who had funded the
BJP in 2000, became the proud owner of 51% of Balco, the PSU aluminum major.
This was sold for $121 million by the NDA Government sparking off protests for its
alleged undervaluation.
Perhaps taking a cue a steel magnate paid Rs 50 lakhs to the
Congress in 2003 and within months was inducted into the Party. However, in the 2004 Lok Sabha poll he was
one of the highest donors to the BJP even though he contested on Congress
ticket and won. Truly, playing both ends against the middle. Scandalously, the
BJP was also funded by a Delhi-based builder, who was rewarded with highway
construction contracts.
It is no secret that Parties spend huge amounts for elections.
But the economics of running an election campaign are a hush-hush affair
because they use elections to amass wealth for their Parties, themselves and future
elections. Like politics, elections have become a business --- like businessmen
the politicians in the election business balk at the idea of controls and
regulations. That is why no Party, however vocal about the matter while in
opposition, has made a sincere attempt at stanching the flow of black money
into the electoral arena.
Sadly, there is brazen hypocrisy and humbug in what
transpires under the framed rules. Today, a candidate spends over Rs.50 crores
per election instead of Rs 70 lakhs allowed by the Law. Hypothetically, the
minimum amount needed by each Party for the 545 Lok Sabha seats would be a
mind-boggling Rs 27,250 crores. Multiplied by 10 candidates per constituency,
it adds up to a mind-boggling Rs.2,72,500 crores. Are we expected to believe
that this amount will now be collected by cheques? What would happen to India’s
parallel economy?
True, over the years the Government has tried to bring
legislation to regulate Party funds -- distribution and spending during
non-elections and elections. Getting them to maintain regular accounts and make
audited accounts available for inspection. It even held out threats of
de-recognition if Parties filed false and incorrect election returns. But
nothing worked. Even as poll costs continue to increase.
Not a few economists assert that instead of fighting the
menace of black money Modi should concentrate on the country’s “black economy”
which entails terror funding, money
laundering, drug peddling and ‘round tripping’ – routing illegal funds through
foreign institutional or portfolio investors (FII/FPI) back into the country
for investing in shares, bonds or other instruments.
Thus, how does Modi intent sweeping clean the political
dirt? Demonitization can be a start but till our netas play ball things will continue c'est la vie. The way out?
One, State funding of elections, a proposal the Election Commission has been
crying hoarse for decades. Two, the fund to be apportioned on the basis of
votes secured by candidates in the election.
Three, amount be released to individual candidates, not
Parties. Four, 50% fund released as advance before election, on the basis of
previous performance. Five, Party donations should be evenly spread out, not
necessarily equally, but perhaps in some proportion to seats in Parliament.
In sum, given that our netas
and Parties function as private limited companies, each with its own secret war
chests, Modi has a long way to go before he can make Mera Bharat Mahan swachh.
True, a beginning has been made. But the licence for brazen corruption and
political ghooskhori is far from over. Any wonder, this Kolaveri Di! ---- INFA
(Copyright, India News and Feature
Alliance)
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