Wither Democracy
BY now you must have realised why I am not a great fan of democracy. Where is the constitutional obligation of collective responsibility of Cabinet when TMC, a coalition partner in the ruling UPA proposes an amendment to the official Lok Pal bill? We all have seen how the government can manipulate the proceedings in both the houses of parliament, even the chairman of Rajya Sabha who is Vice President of the country as well. Previously, we have seen that land acquisition bill was delayed as also the rise in petroleum prices because of elections in West Bengal. We have also seen, only recently the withdrawal of FDI in retail because of opposition by TMC. In UPA I too, left pulled the leg of the government quite often for the government to postpone many decisions.
WHAT happened on Dec. 29 was sheer betrayal of democracy by UPA, Congress in particular. If govt. were honest, it could extend the deliberations beyond mid night, Leaders of both the houses_Pranab da in Lok Sabha and Manmohan Singh in Rajya Sabha_ could have intervened, at least, action could be taken on Rajniti Singh of RJD who tore off the copy of the bill. The government could have sought more time from the house to reintroduce the bill. But nothing happened. In stead, well thought after scene was created and the Opposition was blame for the government's failure in passing the bill.
BUT, what now? The government wanted to go to the people in five states going to vote in Feb.-March using the bill as an election gimmick but opposition has undone their dreams. Congress has high stakes in UP elections, is clear as it has put in everything into it, including Rahul, who addressed public meetings when Lok Sabha was discussing Lok Pal bill. If it can form a government in UP (most likely in coalition with Samajwadi Party), it hopes to reduce its dependence on TMC. If it happens, it may let the Lok Pal bill lapse because Congress' victory would mean waning support to Anna Hazare's movement who has sworn to campaign against Congress. The Congress, in that scenario may even go for mid term polls, that also suits TMC as it is craving to increase its strength in Lok Sabha. This also explains the behavior of TMC.
AS a whole the future of the country hinges on the outcome of elections in UP. Does it auger well for a democracy, that its future be decided by future of a single state?
WHAT happened on Dec. 29 was sheer betrayal of democracy by UPA, Congress in particular. If govt. were honest, it could extend the deliberations beyond mid night, Leaders of both the houses_Pranab da in Lok Sabha and Manmohan Singh in Rajya Sabha_ could have intervened, at least, action could be taken on Rajniti Singh of RJD who tore off the copy of the bill. The government could have sought more time from the house to reintroduce the bill. But nothing happened. In stead, well thought after scene was created and the Opposition was blame for the government's failure in passing the bill.
BUT, what now? The government wanted to go to the people in five states going to vote in Feb.-March using the bill as an election gimmick but opposition has undone their dreams. Congress has high stakes in UP elections, is clear as it has put in everything into it, including Rahul, who addressed public meetings when Lok Sabha was discussing Lok Pal bill. If it can form a government in UP (most likely in coalition with Samajwadi Party), it hopes to reduce its dependence on TMC. If it happens, it may let the Lok Pal bill lapse because Congress' victory would mean waning support to Anna Hazare's movement who has sworn to campaign against Congress. The Congress, in that scenario may even go for mid term polls, that also suits TMC as it is craving to increase its strength in Lok Sabha. This also explains the behavior of TMC.
AS a whole the future of the country hinges on the outcome of elections in UP. Does it auger well for a democracy, that its future be decided by future of a single state?
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