DailyPost 2981
DEMOCRACY @ RS 1500, RS 3000 ET AL
Indian democracy has been taking twists and turns supposedly seamlessly since the time the constituent assembly adopted the ‘Blueprint’ of our democratic operations, called the Constitution, which came into effect on 26th of Jan 1950. How much of that blueprint has been into real operation both in word and spirit is left to anyone’s imagination? People have diametrically opposed opinions swearing by the same constitution. Quite an irony. Who can give an independent judgement is a billion dollar question! The highest courts in the land can at best adjudicate on the constitutional validity of one issue or the other.
Nearly all would agree that the nature and quality of elections have a telling impact on the quality of democracy in practice. It refers to the quality of legislations, policies, protocols, enforcement and above all how do you bring the welfare state on ground. The empowerment of the unempowered and disadvantaged groups are always high on their agenda of lip service. That most parties and the governments have barely been able to deliver enough to move the masses is a well known fact. Caste arithmetic, money and muscle powers and demagoguery have all played their role to move elections results in their favour.
Corruption as war cry has been raised over and over again and has delivered good electoral dividends. National security and majoritarianism have also been put to great electoral use. Now what newer formula had to be devised. Santa Claus Arvind Kejriwal showed the divine light and the welfare state transitioned to a new level. Freebies started coming in the democratic market. Free is one part, life would be fun for the voter if they get cash also on a regular basis. Cash benefit schemes became the flavour of the day and beneficiary voter category was created. What is important is to hit the right group, where a quid pro quo between the scheme and votes could be directly established.
Instant gratification by way of votes. A former MP, CM hit the electoral jackpot by the Ladli Behna scheme. The marketing of governmental schemes have also gone differently, so the electoral dividends are much higher. Women availing such schemes are voting in favour of the party concerned. The focus on women has yielded results state after state. All other failures are wiped out. The success of this model has been proved again in Maharashtra today with a recent similar scheme Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. A few thousand rupees of public money for free, for no reason to a particular class, presumably for their empowerment, is empowering flailing governments now.
A MEASLY AMOUNT OF CASH DOLE FOR WOMEN IS TURNING OUT TO BE A SURE SHOT WAY TO POWER.
Sanjay Sahay
Have a nice evening.