May 18, 2004 01:42 PM
2394 Views
(Updated May 18, 2004 01:47 PM)
The mandate is out. NDA has been given the thumbs down . And Congress (I) is back in saddle by default.
Let us quickly see why the people voted the way they did. To keep the review within the prescribed limit I have just bulleted the main points .We can discuss in depth if the readers so desire!
The reasons for poor performance of BJP
§ Miscalculating arithmetic of UP
§ Foreigner issue
§ Not sacking Modi
§ Going soft on Hindutva
§ Amma
§ Saree episode vs India shining
§ Lulled by exit poll predictions
The reasons for improved performance of Congress (I)
§ Sympathy as a backlash of Foreigner issue
§ Anti TDP wave
§ Rainbow alliance with DMK
§ Getting back tribal support in Jharkand
§ Sheila Dixit
The People
§ You get what you deserve- reflection of society
§ Feel good people want to feel better
§ Poor want change for better
Role of the media
§ Harping on caste factor more than the parties themselves
§ Sensationalism over substance
§ General loss of credibility with their dubious opinion polls/exit polls
§ More coverage to the likes of Pajji & Chichi (especially the electronic media)
Alarmbells
§ Left will dictate agenda which is outdated
§ Support from outside dangerous
§ Does Sonia have maturity to handle coalition
§ BJP will turn hardline with eclipse/sidelining of Vajpayee
False Hopes
§ Congress has strengthened
§ Youth savvy congressmen – only holding on to legacy. All whiz kids are only privileged children of middle aged politicians(dead or alive)
§ Difficulty of educated middle class, lower class person to fight & win elections
Most neutral observers feel that Indian system is good that it allows the common voter to overthrow a government with his vote. But he has absolutely no say in the formation of a new government. Let me explain in today’s scenario INC(I) with 148 members is forming a government with the support of the left . The left and Congress fought against each other in sixty constituencies. The electorate in these constituencies chose one over the other. But now the very mandate has been negated by the two coming together.
Indian democracy seems to have the following three options
1. Slowly heading towards two party system BJP vs Cong (I)
But for this to happen , regional parties’ clout has to diminish. This is liking wishing away your problems. I don’t see it happen.
2. The age of coalition is here to stay.
This looks a reality. But it is like trying to run a marathon with 50 Kgs tied to each leg. Running India is tough enough without have to constantly look behind and around you. Here too Congress starts with a greater disadvantage, numerically they are lesser than what BJP started with in 1999 and they have 60 plus members who just shoot their mouths off and then start thinking! Yes those incredible commies!!
3. Find better ways of electing our representatives
Which comes to the purpose of this piece. I have outlined some possible solutions.
Possible Solutions
<b >- Presidential type with elimination and repoll till 50% barrier breached.
Too cumbersome
- State funding
Too fudgy and impractical in multi party system
- My theory
Voting for party on all India basis without candidates
Members nominated by the party on basis of % of votes earned
Each party before elections would have to give a list of their candidates based on their internal election prior to national elections..Person with maximum % of votes in internal poll is seeded no 1 and least % is seeded 544.
Based on % of votes got in all India election the individual party sends their members. For example if Congress gets 60% votes nationally it will get 326 members ie no 1 to 356 of their list would qualify. Similarly if DMK were to get 5% votes it will get 27 members.
Advantages
No vote is wasted. Hence more participation expected.
Truer representation of People’s mandate
Parties will be forced to have internal democracy
A person in UP can vote for a regional party in AP or TN if he so desires!
In the long run one man parties non serious parties will wind up.
Disadvantages
- MPs do not have a constituency to represent. Smaller states like
North East may run the risk of going unrepresented.
Feel free to write in with your comments and critiques. After all dialogue is the cornerstone of any democracy.
Jai Hind!
