1 quest for a better democracy jashwant b. mehta (convener-forum for presidential democracy) part i...

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QUEST FOR A BETTER DEMOCRACYQUEST FOR A BETTER DEMOCRACY

Jashwant B. Mehta (Convener-Forum For Presidential Democracy)

Part I – Present Scenario

Part II – SolutionPart III – Action

Programme

Jashwant B. Mehta (Convener-Forum For Presidential Democracy)

Part I – Present Scenario

Part II – SolutionPart III – Action

ProgrammeForum for Presidential Democracy

2Forum for Presidential Democracy

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Part I – Present ScenarioPart I – Present Scenario

a. Ever-growing frustration and discontent against the present political system

b. Rampant Corruption among politicians and bureaucrats. Has now reached unprecedented heights. Scams gallore.Spectrum 2G, Adarsh, Commonwealth Games .....

c. “Democracy is of the people, for the people & by the people.” It is only a formal democracy where the word ‘People’ seems to have been replaced by the ‘politicians’

a. Ever-growing frustration and discontent against the present political system

b. Rampant Corruption among politicians and bureaucrats. Has now reached unprecedented heights. Scams gallore.Spectrum 2G, Adarsh, Commonwealth Games .....

c. “Democracy is of the people, for the people & by the people.” It is only a formal democracy where the word ‘People’ seems to have been replaced by the ‘politicians’

Forum for Presidential Democracy

Forum for Presidential Democracy 4

Stability – Central Govt.

Last 20 years - 8 Elections (3 mid-term) 10 Coalition Govts

6 governments collapsed prematurely

Stability – Central Govt.

Last 20 years - 8 Elections (3 mid-term) 10 Coalition Govts

6 governments collapsed prematurelyPrime Minister Year /Tenure Government

V.P. Singh 1989 / 11 months National Front a make strift coalition of Janata Dal (143 M.P.s) & Telugu

Desam, DMK & A.G.P. supported by B.J.P. & left front from outside (bothdiametrically opposite to each

other). Collapsed due to withdrawal of support by BJP.

Chandrashekhar 1990 / 5 months Break away Janata Dal with 64 M.Ps supported by Congress (197 M.Ps) from

outside. Collapsed due to withdrawal of support by Congress.

MID – TERM ELECTIONS 1991

Prime Minister Year /Tenure Government

V.P. Singh 1989 / 11 months National Front a make strift coalition of Janata Dal (143 M.P.s) & Telugu

Desam, DMK & A.G.P. supported by B.J.P. & left front from outside (bothdiametrically opposite to each

other). Collapsed due to withdrawal of support by BJP.

Chandrashekhar 1990 / 5 months Break away Janata Dal with 64 M.Ps supported by Congress (197 M.Ps) from

outside. Collapsed due to withdrawal of support by Congress.


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Narsimha Rao 1991 – 96 Congress with 232 seats & other regional 5 years parties. Open allegations of pay-offs to JMM

members to win vote on no confidence motion.

Vajpayee 1996 BJP (180 seats) could not rope in other parties 15 days

Deve Gowda 1996 – 97 Coalition of 14 parties led by Janata Dal 11 months supported from outside by Congress (127 seats).Collapsed when support withdrawn by Congress.

I. K. Gujral 1997 – 98 United Front Coalition of 16 parties supported10 months from outside by Congress (127 seats). Same fate

as Deve Gowda when Congress withdrew support.


Vajapayee 1998 NDA led by BJP (182 seats) & 21 other parties.

15 months Collapsed due to withdrawal of support by Jayalalitha. (AIADMK – 18 seats)


-do- 1999-2004 NDA coalition of 23 parties (296 seats) led by BJP (182 seats)


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Manmohan Singh 2004 – 2009 UPA consisting of Congress with 184 seats &

5 years 21 other parties. Also supported by CPM from outside. Managed to survive when CPM withdrew support as Indo-American Civil

Nuclear deal Mulayam Singh Yadav stepped in

to save the Govt. (Price extracted as withdrawal of disproportionate assets case initiated by CBI

in Supreme Court)

-do- 2009 UPA led by Congress with 206 seats and DMK

onwards - 18 seats, NCP-9, TC-19, TMM-2, NC-3,RJP-4, Others -5. Virtual spectator

Ministerships distributed as largesse as per coalition parties

choice. Allowed to siphon off money without any control. ‘Compromises have to be made in

coalition.’ (P.M.’s speech in press conference in Feb. 2011). At what cost? (Rs.1.76 Lakh crore

Telecom Scandal involving great Raja & his Colleagues!)


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STABILITY – State level Record even more dismal

Our largest State UP

Period : 1995 – 2002

8 Govts. with President’s rule in between on 2 occasions which included 3 spells of Mayawati besides Kalyan Singh, Rajnath Singh etc.

Period : 1967 – 1974

8 Govts. with 2 spells of President’s rule in between which included 2 spells of CB Gupta and Charan Singh besides TN Singh, Bahuguna and Kamalapati Tripathi


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Second largest State Bihar

Period : 1967 – 1972

8 Govts. with 2 terms of President’s rule in between which included Bhola Paswan’s 3 terms as Chief Minister and others included Mandal (well known for Mandal Commission), Karpoorie Thakur, Harihar Singh etc.

1967 – 1969 85 members had changed the parties.

Smaller States, still worse

Meghalaya

Period : 1992 – 2007

12 Govts. in a 15 year period


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Goa

Period : 1990-2000

14 Govts. in a 10 year period. Pratap Singh Rane, Dr. Wilfred D’Souza, Ravi Naik rotated post of Chief Minister 7 times among themselves

Haryana

Period : 1967

During 8 months spell it provided us with a new word ‘Aayaram …… Gayaram’. In a 81 member assembly, 31 members had defected one way or the other and some as many as for 4 times

1980 record unsurpassed till now in Indian politics when entire ruling Janata Party defected to Congress!


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Enemies Zindabad !Enemies Zindabad !Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe

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Collapsible Support !Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe

This is becoming a nuisance, a code must be evolved so that no government can be toppled for at least a couple of

months!Courtesy : R.K. Laxman

Forum for Presidential Democracy 12

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Wiped out corruption, improved the lot of the common man, brought prosperity to plenty, when he governed as the chief minister between 17th March, 1997 and 24th March 1997

Courtesy : R.K. Laxman Forum for Presidential Democracy

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Hold it ! Don’t, don’t ! I received news that he is no longer the chief minister. The opposition has just toppled him!


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I had the majority support for full two days. If he had allowed me I would have formed a government by now!


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1. ‘Size’ determined by ‘Necessity for Survival’ (Either for Govt or for Chief Minister or Prime Minister as Individuals)

New records established

(i) Laloo prasad’s record of 67 member cabinet in Bihar broken by

(ii) Kalyan Singh’s cabinet of 93 members in UP

(iii) Haryana had 33 ministers out of 90 member house (Ruling Party had 51 members which means for every 3

members, 2 were ministers!)

Compare

British Cabinet – 20 members (Tradition – No written Constitution)

Japanese Cabinet – 20 members (Constitution)

Australian Cabinet – 30 members (Constitution)

American cabinet – only 14 members

1. ‘Size’ determined by ‘Necessity for Survival’ (Either for Govt or for Chief Minister or Prime Minister as Individuals)

New records established

(i) Laloo prasad’s record of 67 member cabinet in Bihar broken by

(ii) Kalyan Singh’s cabinet of 93 members in UP

(iii) Haryana had 33 ministers out of 90 member house (Ruling Party had 51 members which means for every 3

members, 2 were ministers!)

Compare

British Cabinet – 20 members (Tradition – No written Constitution)

Japanese Cabinet – 20 members (Constitution)

Australian Cabinet – 30 members (Constitution)

American cabinet – only 14 members

Our Jumbo CabinetsOur Jumbo Cabinets


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Recommendations of Venkatachalliah Commission on Constitutional Reforms (year 2000) to restrict our cabinet to 10% of total no. of legislators in Assembly watered down to 15%. This also means 81 member Jumbo cabinet for the Central Govt. (543 M.Ps in Lok Sabha). Smaller states such as Goa, Sikkim etc. where no. of legislators less than 40, cabinet not to exceed 12 nos. (this would also mean atleast 30% of the legislators would be eligible for ministership. In case ruling party has 60% majority, this would mean atleast 60% of ruling party MLAs would get an opportunity to get coveted ministers gaddi.


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Ministerships distributed as a Largesse

a. M.C. Chagla – ‘Ministership – A badge of disloyalty rather than a reward for merit’

b. Professionals play second fiddle

Our Ministers

a. Busy with the Party work

b. More concerned with Public Image

c. Large Majority Engrossed in personal gains for themselves / Party Bosses

Ministerships distributed as a Largesse

a. M.C. Chagla – ‘Ministership – A badge of disloyalty rather than a reward for merit’

b. Professionals play second fiddle

Our Ministers

a. Busy with the Party work

b. More concerned with Public Image

c. Large Majority Engrossed in personal gains for themselves / Party Bosses


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Secondary Largesse for left-out Legislators

Secondary Largesse for left-out Legislators

Chairmanship of Public Corporations (State Electricity Boards, Finance Corporation, Tourism Corporation etc.)

Constitution amended to facilitate this. M.P.s have quotas fixed for allotment of petrol pumps

or gas agencies etc. Allocation of Rs. 2 crores (now proposed to be raised

to Rs.5 crores!) to be spent annually in their constituency as per their choice under MPLAD scheme (widely misused & misappropriated).

For Rajya Sabha members also same quota which can be spent anywhere in the State by them.

MLAs also entitled to such funding. Rs.2 crores alloted per member in State like Maharashtra.

In Britain Members of Parliament not allowed any office of profit

Chairmanship of Public Corporations (State Electricity Boards, Finance Corporation, Tourism Corporation etc.)

Constitution amended to facilitate this. M.P.s have quotas fixed for allotment of petrol pumps

or gas agencies etc. Allocation of Rs. 2 crores (now proposed to be raised

to Rs.5 crores!) to be spent annually in their constituency as per their choice under MPLAD scheme (widely misused & misappropriated).

For Rajya Sabha members also same quota which can be spent anywhere in the State by them.

MLAs also entitled to such funding. Rs.2 crores alloted per member in State like Maharashtra.

In Britain Members of Parliament not allowed any office of profit


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If You Have a Hold You Have a Post !

If You Have a Hold You Have a Post !

Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe

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Ministership, A Badge of Disloyalty !

Ministership, A Badge of Disloyalty !


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Whether at Home or in Office, Obsessed with Party Work !

Whether at Home or in Office, Obsessed with Party Work !


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Any Measures to Woo the Voters !Any Measures to Woo the Voters !Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe

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The rumour is he is looking for a couple of really new faces to include in the new

Cabinet! Courtesy : R.K. Laxman Forum for Presidential Democracy

Corruption at an Alarming Level

Scams galore !

Corruption at an Alarming Level

Scams galore ! 1991 Telgi scam Rs.41000 crores

1996 Hawala scandal – Jain Brothers Rs.810 crores. Many prominent politicians were named

1996 Fodder scam Rs.950 crores involving Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav and his team

Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) (Mulayam Singh Yadav’s tenure 2004-2007). Food grains meant for the poor – smuggled outside the state as well as to countries like South Africa, Nepal and Bangladesh. 7000 FIRs filed. Amt - ?

2009 Madhu Koda (Ex. Chief Minister of Jharkhand and its subordinates) scam - Rs.4000 crores

1991 Telgi scam Rs.41000 crores

1996 Hawala scandal – Jain Brothers Rs.810 crores. Many prominent politicians were named

1996 Fodder scam Rs.950 crores involving Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav and his team

Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) (Mulayam Singh Yadav’s tenure 2004-2007). Food grains meant for the poor – smuggled outside the state as well as to countries like South Africa, Nepal and Bangladesh. 7000 FIRs filed. Amt - ?

2009 Madhu Koda (Ex. Chief Minister of Jharkhand and its subordinates) scam - Rs.4000 crores 25Forum for Presidential Democracy

2010 Commonwealth games scandal. Original estimate in 2003 - Rs.1620 crores. In 2010 - the final cost Rs.30000 crores! (Two Ton A.C. costing Rs. 70827. Hired for Rs.1.87 lakh each. High

altitude Training Stimulators spent Rs.1.16 crore each at 20 times the market rate). Unbelievable!

Spectrum 2G – our great Raja (mind boggling Rs.1.76 lakh crores!)

Adarsh Housing Scam involving politicians, bureaucrats, defense and armed forces they have all made us forgot about the past scams such as Telgi etc.

The resources of the country mining leases or allotment of land etc. distributed like their personal ‘jagir’ by our politicians with the help of obliging babus.

With every passing year, we are scaling new heights.

Transparency International’s corruption perception Index – India ranked 85 in 2008 (from 72 in 2004)

Some of the African countries such as Malavi, Ghana & South Africa ranked better than India

2010 Commonwealth games scandal. Original estimate in 2003 - Rs.1620 crores. In 2010 - the final cost Rs.30000 crores! (Two Ton A.C. costing Rs. 70827. Hired for Rs.1.87 lakh each. High

altitude Training Stimulators spent Rs.1.16 crore each at 20 times the market rate). Unbelievable!

Spectrum 2G – our great Raja (mind boggling Rs.1.76 lakh crores!)

Adarsh Housing Scam involving politicians, bureaucrats, defense and armed forces they have all made us forgot about the past scams such as Telgi etc.

The resources of the country mining leases or allotment of land etc. distributed like their personal ‘jagir’ by our politicians with the help of obliging babus.

With every passing year, we are scaling new heights.

Transparency International’s corruption perception Index – India ranked 85 in 2008 (from 72 in 2004)

Some of the African countries such as Malavi, Ghana & South Africa ranked better than India 26Forum for Presidential Democracy

Global Financial Integrity (Corruption watchdog)Rs.20,80,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs Eighty ThousandCrores) (i.e. $4500 billion) money deposited by Indians in Swiss Bank. (Half of that could retire India of foreign debt and balance will leave Rs.14,000/- for every Indian).

Swiss Banking Association Report of 2008 reveals (Rs.8,50,950/- crores) (i.e. $1891 billion) in deposits by Indians.

‘I have no doubt that the bureaucracy is absolutely corrupt. I have been referring them as conjoined twins, the political as well as the executive legislature’ – Santosh Hegde (Karnatak Lokayukta)

The most disturbing part is that it has now penetrated armed forces and judiciary which could be the death nail for the nation

Global Financial Integrity (Corruption watchdog)Rs.20,80,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs Eighty ThousandCrores) (i.e. $4500 billion) money deposited by Indians in Swiss Bank. (Half of that could retire India of foreign debt and balance will leave Rs.14,000/- for every Indian).

Swiss Banking Association Report of 2008 reveals (Rs.8,50,950/- crores) (i.e. $1891 billion) in deposits by Indians.

‘I have no doubt that the bureaucracy is absolutely corrupt. I have been referring them as conjoined twins, the political as well as the executive legislature’ – Santosh Hegde (Karnatak Lokayukta)

The most disturbing part is that it has now penetrated armed forces and judiciary which could be the death nail for the nation 27Forum for Presidential Democracy

Corruption – whom does it affect most?

Corruption – whom does it affect most?

The Rich? The Middle Class? or The Poor? Everyone, but most affected, poorest of the

poor.(Based on the data provided by Shri N. Vittal, Ex-Chief Vigilance Commissioner year 2001 (when he was invited as a Chief Guest to speak on the Seminar held by the Forum on Minimizing Corruption in a Democratic Set-up).

31% of food grains and 36% of sugar meant for PDS (Public Distribution System) is siphoned off. In terms of money this comes to Rs.5000 crores p.a.

In Delhi alone, every month Rs.40 crores collected as bribes by Police and Municipal Officers from Hawkers, Vendors and Rickshaw Pullers. (Shri Vittal managed to reduce this by convincing Vajpayee to remove licensing for this class of people).

It is said that this is only the ‘Tip of the Iceberg’

The Rich? The Middle Class? or The Poor? Everyone, but most affected, poorest of the

poor.(Based on the data provided by Shri N. Vittal, Ex-Chief Vigilance Commissioner year 2001 (when he was invited as a Chief Guest to speak on the Seminar held by the Forum on Minimizing Corruption in a Democratic Set-up).

31% of food grains and 36% of sugar meant for PDS (Public Distribution System) is siphoned off. In terms of money this comes to Rs.5000 crores p.a.

In Delhi alone, every month Rs.40 crores collected as bribes by Police and Municipal Officers from Hawkers, Vendors and Rickshaw Pullers. (Shri Vittal managed to reduce this by convincing Vajpayee to remove licensing for this class of people).

It is said that this is only the ‘Tip of the Iceberg’


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Dubious role of CBI, a virtual tool at the hands of the ruling party.

The most striking example

Directed by Supreme Court – March 2007 to probe case of disproportionate assets of Mulayam Singh

•October 2007 CBI claims to have sufficient evidence

•July 2008 complete turn around by CBI (an outcome of Mulayam’s party giving support to UPA alliance to win No confidence motion on civil nuclear deal ?)

•December 5, 2008 – CBI moved Supreme Court to withdraw the application to register case against Yadav.

•Supreme Court Bench remarked ‘this clearly means CBI is not acting independently but on behalf of the Government’.


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When things turned sour on distribution of seats in UP between Congress and CPI alliance during Lok Sabha elections of 2009, CBI shamelessly made another ‘U’ turn stating that ‘it stands by its recommendation of October 2007 that a disproportionate assets case is now made out against Mulayam Singh’. In the process, CBI has made a laughing stroke of themselves.

Perhaps the more appropriate name for CBI

‘Corrupt Bureau of Investigation’

or

‘Collaborating Bureau of Investigation’.


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‘Yatha Raja Tatha Praja’ Relationship between MPs – MLAs –

Ministers Prime Minister / Chief Minister – their very

survival often depends on MPs / MLAs / Ministers. Irrespective of their (corrupt) background.

PM / CM Helpless to take any action against them

MPs too have their own vested interest to bear with corrupt C.M. / Prime Minister.

Result :- Undeclared partnership of mutual interest

‘Yatha Raja Tatha Praja’ Relationship between MPs – MLAs –

Ministers Prime Minister / Chief Minister – their very

survival often depends on MPs / MLAs / Ministers. Irrespective of their (corrupt) background.

PM / CM Helpless to take any action against them

MPs too have their own vested interest to bear with corrupt C.M. / Prime Minister.

Result :- Undeclared partnership of mutual interest

Political corruption – root cause Political corruption – root cause


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The honest bureaucrats are demoralised as the Money openly demanded and paid for creamy (!) postings.

Even the lowest recruitment of Hawaldar has a price to be paid.

Ministers have wide powers to influence bureaucrats to toe their line, including power to transfer.

Resulting in low morale of Bureaucrats

Eventually Both prefer to serve each other’s interest .

The honest bureaucrats are demoralised as the Money openly demanded and paid for creamy (!) postings.

Even the lowest recruitment of Hawaldar has a price to be paid.

Ministers have wide powers to influence bureaucrats to toe their line, including power to transfer.

Resulting in low morale of Bureaucrats

Eventually Both prefer to serve each other’s interest .


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Afraid of Holding Enquiries !Afraid of Holding Enquiries !Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe

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A Farcial Exercise !A Farcial Exercise !Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe

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Help, The Party and Me !Help, The Party and Me !Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe

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I am more honest than you are. There are eight corruption charges against you and only six

against me! Courtesy : R.K. Laxman Forum for Presidential Democracy

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Voting mainly on party lines

Application of mind – In-depth Analysis lacking

Legislations many a times based on vote-catching gimmicks rather than real welfare of the people

Legislators not bothered to apply their mind on legislations

Experts appointed on Committees whose reports never get due attention. Most of them gather dust or find a place in archives

Voting mainly on party lines

Application of mind – In-depth Analysis lacking

Legislations many a times based on vote-catching gimmicks rather than real welfare of the people

Legislators not bothered to apply their mind on legislations

Experts appointed on Committees whose reports never get due attention. Most of them gather dust or find a place in archives

Legislative MattersLegislative Matters


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Issue of a Whip !Issue of a Whip !Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe

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Failed to produce leaders who could command confidence of the people

Pre 1947 Period - Post 1947 Period

Gandhiji, Nehru, Patel, Indira Gandhi, Advani,

Jayprakash Narayan, Vajpayee, V.P. Singh,Acharya Kriplani, Rajajee, Manmohan Singh,Ambedkar, Shastri....... long list Dewe Gowda, Gujral

None of them command respect or stature as

earlier period leaders.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Failed to produce leaders who could command confidence of the people

Pre 1947 Period - Post 1947 Period

Gandhiji, Nehru, Patel, Indira Gandhi, Advani,

Jayprakash Narayan, Vajpayee, V.P. Singh,Acharya Kriplani, Rajajee, Manmohan Singh,Ambedkar, Shastri....... long list Dewe Gowda, Gujral

None of them command respect or stature as

earlier period leaders.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Lack of Promotion of Leadership Qualities

Lack of Promotion of Leadership Qualities


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Dubious means of collection of funds by political parties.

Part siphoned off for personal gains.

Favors granted as a Bargain.

Not mandatory to account for origin of funds and spending

Party Elections – not mandatory

Autocratic and Arbitrary appointment of Office bearers, Executive Committee Members etc.

Dubious means of collection of funds by political parties.

Part siphoned off for personal gains.

Favors granted as a Bargain.

Not mandatory to account for origin of funds and spending

Party Elections – not mandatory

Autocratic and Arbitrary appointment of Office bearers, Executive Committee Members etc.

No Accountability by Political Parties No Accountability by Political Parties


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Election Campaign Funding Election Campaign Funding

Bribing of voter increased in 5 years from Rs.100 per vote to Rs.1000 per vote (2004-2009)

2009 election total spending (unaccounted black money) by major political parties for Lok Sabha / State Assembly Elections (estimated to be Rs.25000 – Rs.50000 crores)

Politicians have now become smart venture capitalists.

Expected return 10-fold in corruption

(Rs.2,50,000 – Rs.50,00,000 crores)

All parties competing with each other

Cost of local elections not considered

Bribing of voter increased in 5 years from Rs.100 per vote to Rs.1000 per vote (2004-2009)

2009 election total spending (unaccounted black money) by major political parties for Lok Sabha / State Assembly Elections (estimated to be Rs.25000 – Rs.50000 crores)

Politicians have now become smart venture capitalists.

Expected return 10-fold in corruption

(Rs.2,50,000 – Rs.50,00,000 crores)

All parties competing with each other

Cost of local elections not considered


Grabbing the Chance for a Free Foreign Trip !Grabbing the Chance

for a Free Foreign Trip !Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe

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Mayor – Our City Level Leader Mere Show Piece !

Mayor – Our City Level Leader Mere Show Piece !


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Selection of Candidates

Merit secondary criteria

Criteria Loyalty to Party bosses

Bosses themselves keen to promote their own candidates

Candidate’s ability to raise resources at any cost - an important factor

Any sort of criminal record acceptable

Electorate has no say

Consequences

Parties split

Candidates join other parties

Stand as independents

If elected they are Chief pawns in the game of defections

Criminals get free hand on being elected

Selection of Candidates

Merit secondary criteria

Criteria Loyalty to Party bosses

Bosses themselves keen to promote their own candidates

Candidate’s ability to raise resources at any cost - an important factor

Any sort of criminal record acceptable

Electorate has no say

Consequences

Parties split

Candidates join other parties

Stand as independents

If elected they are Chief pawns in the game of defections

Criminals get free hand on being elected Forum for Presidential Democracy

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No Ticket – No Cap !No Ticket – No Cap !Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe

Preference for their close relations including sons / daughters / wives etc. of prominent politicians to get nominations from the Party

Indira Gandhi / Sonia Gandhi (Sanjay Gandhi / Rajiv Gandhi / Rahul Gandhi)

Rajesh Pilot (Sachin Pilot)Sharad Pawar (Ajit Pawar / Supriya Sule)Laloo Prasad Yadav (Rabridevi Yadav)Shaikh Abdulla (Farooq Abdulla / Omer Abdulla)Murali Deora (Milind Deora)Karunanidhi (Azhagiri / Stalin / Karimozhi)Charan Singh (Ajit Singh) ………. the list is pretty long. All have promoted their kiths & kins.

Preference for their close relations including sons / daughters / wives etc. of prominent politicians to get nominations from the Party

Indira Gandhi / Sonia Gandhi (Sanjay Gandhi / Rajiv Gandhi / Rahul Gandhi)

Rajesh Pilot (Sachin Pilot)Sharad Pawar (Ajit Pawar / Supriya Sule)Laloo Prasad Yadav (Rabridevi Yadav)Shaikh Abdulla (Farooq Abdulla / Omer Abdulla)Murali Deora (Milind Deora)Karunanidhi (Azhagiri / Stalin / Karimozhi)Charan Singh (Ajit Singh) ………. the list is pretty long. All have promoted their kiths & kins.


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Very little enthusiasm to vote Image of all political parties – same Honesty – Integrity etc. at very low level First few years after Independence

Choice between Good Not so good Later Period Bad – worse Subsequently Worse – worst Now Hardly any

choice

Very little enthusiasm to vote Image of all political parties – same Honesty – Integrity etc. at very low level First few years after Independence

Choice between Good Not so good Later Period Bad – worse Subsequently Worse – worst Now Hardly any

choice

Point of no return ?Point of no return ?


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Same Contents Under Different Names !

Same Contents Under Different Names !


1 quest for a better democracy jashwant b. mehta (convener-forum for presidential democracy) part i...

Documents

presidential democracy

seats forum

formal democracy

coalition govts

withdrawal of support

politicians forum

year period forum

seats mid term elections