Open Forum

New Delhi, 10 March 2021 

People’s Representatives

SCORNED AT, GROWING CYNICISM?  

By Dhurjati Mukherjee

Elections are round the corner in four States and one Union Territory. The voter will need to weigh the options seeking his endorsement, both the parties’ promises and of course the candidate, he would prefer as his perfect choice in the Assembly. While the manifestoes are normally seen as more talk than action, the voter has turned cynical about the politician too.  There can be no denying that there has been a perceptible change in the behaviour and outlook of this class, and sadly for the worse. Rarely do we see the highly educated class considering the polls as an opportunity to contest and serve the country as the people’s representative.

It is no secret, even to the politician that the common man sees politics having turned dirty, to say the least, as many a politician doesn’t have a clean record and end up being viewed as ‘corrupt and opportunists’. Though people are aware of the fact that there is big money in politics, this profession, considered noble, appears to have lost its sheen and credibility. Over the years, politicians are losing respectability with their actions and conduct as civil society organisations such as the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) have put sharp focus on grave anomalies.    

While there is no denying that there have been and are a number of politicians who command respect in the present scenario, there are others who are involved in corruption and criminal cases. Statistics have revealed cases with regard to corruption, criminal cases involving murder, rape and sexual abuse, smuggling etc. Another factor that is becoming apparent is that, except before elections, politicians do not have much interaction with the common people, who do not belong to their party. They are usually remembered when civic, Assembly or general Elections are announced.    

The dismal character of politicians is, come to think of it, is specially manifest before elections. The use of slang and abusive language not just by political leaders but also those enjoying constitutional posts, in attacking opponents, is a phenomenon that has attracted much attention in recent years. Murky campaigning makes headlines rather than common problems that political parties seek to address. For example, take the case of West Bengal, which boasts of a rich culture and tradition. Here the top leadership has been found using intemperate language not befitting their stature, in response to the other side, which too indulges in the same. Rarely are allegations countered by facts and figures and judicious arguments, debates do not appear convincing.

Looking at the issue in hand deeper, it is an accepted norm that politicians have now become extremely power hungry. As political primacy consolidates, the incumbent begins to believe that he or she can do no wrong. Arrogance rather than humility takes over. The earlier belief that the public knows best is replaced with the thinking that the elected representative knows best. This is due to centralization of power, not just in the ruling government but also in the major political parties of the country.

The extension of this facet is the erosion of inner part democracy. The party supremos place themselves above all, questioning members and cadres, who work tirelessly for their success or those who are unhappy with their conduct or proffer advice. The emergence of a sycophantic coterie and the absence of objectivity in the people’s interests is yet another manifestation of power. When a political leader hears only what he wishes to hear, he expects the people to be compliant. If this does not happen, his reaction is to treat dissenters as enemies. As is manifest in recent times, they are dubbed anti-nationals, traitors, seditionists, urban naxals, etc. and charged with false cases.

And remember also the emerging trait of burgeoning self-love. The powerful leader becomes increasingly conscious about his image and has a feeling that whatever he says is acceptable by the masses. From this narcissism, arises the desire for historical permanence. He wants to imprint his legacy on the pages of history. The last consequence is a determination to somehow clinging to power, a characteristic that was once present among dictators and monarchs, not those professing to be democrats.

From this arises, the quest to move towards accumulation of money power, to ensure that there are enough funds to contest the polls again. Ill-gotten wealth has over the years come into sharp focus, where the worth of the legislator and his assets have gone up manifold after coming to power an being in a set of power. There are no qualms about adopting unethical means. Worse, the desire for power is showing a dangerous trend wherein the politician and his political party seek to get votes by dividing society on basis of religion. This is in addition to the caste-divide that our country is already beleaguered with.

There is also a growing rural-urban divide and political parties are seen to be giving tickets to those who can fund their elections. The rural neglect is a broader manifestation of the pro urban leadership but the problem is that they do not believe in decentralisation and grass-root participation of the people in the decision making process.

Sadly, the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals that politicians must adhere to have changed, rather been distorted, over the years. The grass-root approach is missing and a politician is surrounded by sycophants who consider him a demi god. Even in political parties the top hierarchy takes major decisions and local leaders are rarely consulted. The political system works on a top down approach rather than having its ear to the ground.

Though politicians swear in the name of parliamentary democracy, the system today appears to have been reduced to a farce. Dissent in any form is not tolerated while internal criticism is also not welcome. This state of affairs was not evident in Indian politics even two decades back. How and why are questions that beg analysis and answers?

The other aspect of such centralisation and autocratic tendencies of politicians has been the sheer neglect of the poor and the impoverished. The big parties are financed by big business houses and thus policies are framed to serve their interests, thereby neglecting the lower echelons of society. The ideological moorings of the leading parties are pushed to the background by their leaders as morality or ethics take a backseat.     

The educated sections are perturbed about the deviations in ideological moorings. But want an honest, efficient and dedicated person as their leader. He or she should be patient and responsive and willing to listen to others, learn from them, and have the intellectual ability to understand ground reality and people’s aspirations. Also the politician is expected to be a good communicator and agreeable to face criticism. And finally, a good politician must rise above narrow, caste and religious considerations, which are raising their ugly head.  

Social analysts and civic society is rightly concerned at the deterioration and degenerations of politics. Introspection is the call of the hour to ensure that aspirations of the voter of good governance turns into a reality and not just spoken of. The realisation of adopting a grass-root approach, carrying out their duties with sincerity and honesty isn’t asking for much. There is need for serious introspection. Remember democracy is ‘Government of the people, by the people and for the people.’---INFA

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)