India – Ethics in Politics

May 25, 2014

By Padmini Arhant

Indian election is over and the winning political parties along with opposition are being sworn to various posts in the legislative assembly. 

Meanwhile the relevant data released by National Election Watch (NEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) confirm that every third newly elected MP has a criminal case.

According to the report the trend in the election of parliament members with criminal charges disclosed in their affidavits exponentially higher in the 16th Lok Sabha i.e. the recently ended election.

Similarly the surge in 2009 was no less considering the influx of domestic and foreign funds in election campaign combined with the absence of accountability invalidating electability criteria.

Among 541 from 543 elected members – 186 otherwise 34 percent are declared to have criminal cases against them in the current electoral outcome with a sharp 4 percent increase than earlier.

The statistics reveal that out of 186 winning members in the latest Lok Sabha election with criminal charges – 

112 or 21 percent of them acknowledged to have serious criminal cases notwithstanding murder, attempt to murder, responsible for communal clashes, abductions and crimes against women.

Furthermore, those with criminal background prevailing in the election evidently greater i.e. 13 percent compared with contestants in possession of clean record only having 5 percent winning chance.

Again 442 out of 543 i.e. 82 percent of winning candidates economic status is categorized as millionaires or crorepati.

Both major political parties – BJP 237 out of 281 – 84 percent and,

Congress 35 (80 percent) of 44 winners are millionaires / crorepatis not to mention the billionaires in the hierarchy.

As for the regional factions party wise – 29 (78 percent) of 37 winners in AIADMK and,

Trinamool Congress (TMC) 21 (62 percent) of 34 elected members admittedly have assets exceeding 1 crore / million or more.

The average asset for individual winner is Rs. 14.61 crore / million and each candidate including those losing elections is Rs. 3.16 crore. 

BJP 281 successful candidates average wealth is Rs. 11.59 crore whereas 44 Lok Sabha representative for Congress average asset net worth Rs. 16.71 crore.

In terms of literacy in the just concluded electionthe report highlights on one elected candidate as self-claimed illiterate. 

Moreover 125 (23 percent) winners have educational qualifications Class 12 or below.

Simultaneously 405 (75 percent) are graduates and above.

On the age group – 202 (37 percent) fall in the age group 25 – 50 years.

298 (55 percent) are between 51 -70 years. 

The remaining 41 elected are 71 and over. 

The gender ratio difference is still substantial with 61 (11 percent) women elected to parliament with 543 seats despite the representation relatively better than the number – 57 women in 2009 election result.

Obviously the political reform encompassing appropriate standards to perform the constitutional duty as diligent capable lawmakers with credibility and integrity urgently required for proper understanding and implementation of laws demonstrating effective governance. 

The disclosure is a reflection of the political system disconnect with mainstream reality.

The lack of transparency and political immunity facilitates tradition ignoring ethics and eligibility for the position in public office.

However, the new concept and framework will be provided in this context to improve efficiency and reliance on government role besides independence from hegemony dominance.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

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India – General Election 2014 Result Review

May 19, 2014

By Padmini Arhant

India’s 2014 national election concluded with massive victory for Prime Ministerial candidate Narender Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) gaining absolute majority without coalition requirement to form government. 

British Empire appointee Alan O. Hume founded Congress contemporarily headed by party chief Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and family experienced colossal defeat in the recent election.

Congress Party tallied 44 out of 543 seats in the Lower House aka Lok Sabha polls this year.

The party’s substantial decline attributed to numerous corruption scandals, black money in Swiss banks and tax havens, soaring inflation, high unemployment and violence against women besides terror attacks in Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore…in the past three years under Congress UPA2 governance. 

Notwithstanding government clamp down on anti-corruption rally resulting in casualty and youth peaceful protest related to assault on women infiltrated by politically instigated anti-social elements caused police personnel death and left several injured in the capital, New Delhi. 

Similarly the Congress party and regional allies nationwide suffered setbacks and failed to win any Lok Sabha seats from prominent states like Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and more.

The electoral mandate is for fundamental change in political system transcending exclusivity and partisanship on social as well as economic issues dominant in the previous and the outgoing administration.

On the economic front, the politics prioritized campaign financiers interests and pursued external forces globalization agenda with little or no concern towards impact on local community.

The taxpayers funded government in the last decade was preoccupied in battling corruption charges and opposing anti-corruption law enactment.

Furthermore, the representation in Parliament was not inclusive and instead shared among the affluent, famous and powerful in society.

Accordingly, the political backlash against once regarded main party Congress and allies witnessed in 2014 election.

Indian electorate response understandably aimed at political reform with adequate mainstream participation in Parliament encompassing the marginalized and disenfranchised demography that could subsequently lead to fair income distribution, economic growth and development in areas long neglected due to lack of investment. 

India’s progress confined to wealthy segments while the remaining citizens across the nation burdened with economic woes arguably influenced voter decision.

Additionally loss of national revenue from tax evasion and corruption contributed to large voter turnout rejecting those responsible for status quo.

Some states also set precedence in 2014 election expressing dissent on misuse of political capital denying those groups electability from the respective territory.

Nonetheless, the political structure is far from being perfected considering the reelection of some incumbents despite their involvement in high profile scams and investigations stifled to prevent exposure. 

The constituents enabling the return of these candidacies perhaps expect different performance even though such anticipation earlier delivered disappointment maintaining the trend in empty promises on campaign trail and continuation of business as usual. 

Indian election has provided unique possibility for real transformation in every frontier and Prime Minister-elect Narender Modi with BJP leaders and others support could realize goals for the entire nation leaving behind none in the process. 

Congratulations and Best Wishes! To Prime Minister-elect Narender Modi, BJP and NDA alliance and political factions on the success and impressive record.

The roadmap for India’s rebirth will be presented in due course following the landmark election. 

Jai Bharat!

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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