QUEST FOR A BETTER DEMOCRACY Jashwant B Mehta

QUEST FOR A BETTER DEMOCRACY Jashwant B. Mehta (Convener-Forum For Presidential Democracy) Part I – Present Scenario Part II – Solution Part III – Action Programme Forum for Presidential Democracy 1

This Presentation is dedicated To Forum for Presidential Democracy 2

Part 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 2 G, 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 ” It is only a formal democracy where the word ‘People’ seems to have been replaced by the ‘politicians’ Forum for Presidential Democracy 3

Stability – Central Govt. Last 20 years - 8 Elections (3 mid-term) 10 Coalition Govts 6 governments collapsed prematurely 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 (both diametrically 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 Forum for Presidential Democracy 4

Prime Minister Narsimha Rao Year /Tenure Government 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 Collapsed when support withdrawn by Congress.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 supported 10 months from outside by Congress (127 seats). Same fate as Deve Gowda when Congress withdrew support. MID – TERM ELECTIONS 1998 Vajapayee 1998 NDA led by BJP (182 seats) & 21 other parties. 15 months Collapsed due to withdrawal of support by Jayalalitha. (AIADMK – 18 seats) MID – TERM ELECTIONS 1999 -do. Forum for Presidential Democracy 1999 -2004 (182 seats) NDA coalition of 23 parties (296 seats) led by BJP 5

Prime Minister Year /Tenure Government Manmohan Singh 2004 – 2009 -do- Forum for Presidential Democracy 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) 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!) 6

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 Forum for Presidential Democracy 7

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 Forum for Presidential Democracy 8

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! Forum for Presidential Democracy 9

Enemies Zindabad ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 10

Collapsible Support ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 11

This is becoming a nuisance, a code must be evolved so that no government can be toppled for at least a couple of months! Forum for Presidential Democracy Courtesy : R. K. Laxman 12

Wiped out corruption, improved the lot of the common man, brought prosperity to plenty, when he governed as the chief minister between 17 th March, 1997 and 24 th March 1997 Forum for Presidential Democracy Courtesy : R. K. Laxman 13

Hold it ! Don’t, don’t ! I received news that he is no longer the chief minister. The opposition has just toppled him! Forum for Presidential Democracy Courtesy : R. K. Laxman 14

I had the majority support for full two days. If he had allowed me I would have formed a government by now! Forum for Presidential Democracy Courtesy : R. K. Laxman 15

Our Jumbo Cabinets 1. ‘Size’ determined by ‘Necessity for Survival’ (Either for Govt or for Chief Minister or Prime Minister as Individuals) l 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!) l Compare l British Cabinet – 20 members (Tradition – No written Constitution) l Japanese Cabinet – 20 members (Constitution) l Australian Cabinet – 30 members (Constitution) l American cabinet – only 14 members Forum for Presidential Democracy 16

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. Forum for Presidential Democracy 17

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 Forum for Presidential Democracy 18

Secondary Largesse for left-out Legislators Chairmanship of Public Corporations (State Electricity Boards, Finance Corporation, Tourism Corporation etc. ) l Constitution amended to facilitate this. l M. P. s have quotas fixed for allotment of petrol pumps or gas agencies etc. l 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). l For Rajya Sabha members also same quota which can be spent anywhere in the State by them. l MLAs also entitled to such funding. Rs. 2 crores alloted per member in State like Maharashtra. l In Britain Members of Parliament not allowed any office of profit Forum for Presidential Democracy l 19

If You Have a Hold You Have a Post ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 20

Ministership, A Badge of Disloyalty ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 21

Whether at Home or in Office, Obsessed with Party Work ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 22

Any Measures to Woo the Voters ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 23

The rumour is he is looking for a couple of really new faces to include in the new Cabinet! Forum for Presidential Democracy Courtesy : R. K. Laxman 24

Corruption at an Alarming Level Scams galore ! l 1991 Telgi scam Rs. 41000 crores l 1996 Hawala scandal – Jain Brothers Rs. 810 crores. Many prominent politicians were named l 1996 Fodder scam Rs. 950 crores involving Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav and his team l 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 - ? l 2009 Madhu Koda (Ex. Chief Minister of Jharkhand its subordinates) scam - Rs. 4000 crores Forum for Presidential Democracy 25

l 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! l Spectrum 2 G – our great Raja (mind boggling Rs. 1. 76 lakh crores!) l Adarsh Housing Scam involving politicians, bureaucrats, defense and armed forces they have all made us forgot about the past scams such as Telgi etc. l 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. l With every passing year, we are scaling new heights. l Transparency International’s corruption perception Index – India ranked 85 in 2008 (from 72 in 2004) l Some of the African countries such as Malavi, Ghana & South Africa ranked better than India Forum for Presidential Democracy 26

l Global Financial Integrity (Corruption watchdog) Rs. 20, 80, 000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs Eighty Thousand. Crores) (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). l Swiss Banking Association Report of 2008 reveals (Rs. 8, 50, 950/ - crores) (i. e. $1891 billion) in deposits by Indians. l ‘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 Forum for Presidential Democracy 27

Corruption – whom does it affect most? The Rich? The Middle Class? or The Poor? l Everyone, but most affected, poorest of the poor. l (Based on the data provided by Shri N. Vittal, Ex-Chief Vigilance Commissioner yea 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. l 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). l It is said that this is only the ‘Tip of the Iceberg’ Forum for Presidential Democracy 28

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’. Forum for Presidential Democracy 29

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’. Forum for Presidential Democracy 30

Political corruption – root cause l l l ‘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 Forum for Presidential Democracy 31

l The honest bureaucrats are demoralised as the Money openly demanded and paid for creamy (!) postings. l Even the lowest recruitment of Hawaldar has a pric to be paid. l Ministers have wide powers to influence bureaucrats to toe their line, including power to transfer. l Resulting in low morale of Bureaucrats l Eventually Both prefer to serve each other’s interest . Forum for Presidential Democracy 32

Afraid of Holding Enquiries ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 33

A Farcial Exercise ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 34

Help, The Party and Me ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 35

I am more honest than you are. There are eight corruption charges against you and only six against me! Forum for Presidential Democracy Courtesy : R. K. Laxman 36

Legislative Matters l Voting mainly on party lines l Application of mind – In-depth Analysis lacking l Legislations many a times based on vote-catching gimmicks rather than real welfare of the people l Legislators not bothered to apply their mind on legislations l Experts appointed on Committees whose reports never get due attention. Most of them gather dust or find a place in archives Forum for Presidential Democracy 37

Issue of a Whip ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 38

Lack of Promotion of Leadership Qualities Failed to produce leaders who could command confidence of the people Pre 1947 Period - Post 1947 Period l Gandhiji, Nehru, Patel, Jayprakash Narayan, Acharya Kriplani, Rajajee, Ambedkar, Shastri. . . . long list Indira Gandhi, Advani, Vajpayee, V. P. Singh, Manmohan Singh, Dewe Gowda, Gujral None of them command respect or stature as earlier period leaders. l ? ? ? ? ? Forum for Presidential Democracy 39

No Accountability by Political Parties l Dubious means of collection of funds by political parties. l Part siphoned off for personal gains. l Favors granted as a Bargain. l Not mandatory to account for origin of funds and spending l Party Elections – not mandatory l Autocratic and Arbitrary appointment of Office bearers, Executive Committee Members etc. Forum for Presidential Democracy 40

Election Campaign Funding l Bribing of voter increased in 5 years from Rs. 100 per vote to Rs. 1000 per vote (2004 -2009) l 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) l Politicians have now become smart venture capitalists. l Expected return 10 -fold in corruption l (Rs. 2, 50, 000 – Rs. 50, 000 crores) l All parties competing with each other l Cost of local elections not considered Forum for Presidential Democracy 41

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

Mayor – Our City Level Leader Mere Show Piece ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 43

Selection of Candidates l Merit secondary criteria Criteria l Loyalty to Party bosses l Bosses themselves keen to promote their own candidates l Candidate’s ability to raise resources at any cost - an important factor l Any sort of criminal record acceptable l Electorate has no say Consequences l Parties split l Candidates join other parties l Stand as independents l If elected they are Chief pawns in the game of defections l Criminals get free hand on being elected Forum for Presidential Democracy 44

No Ticket – No Cap ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 45

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. Forum for Presidential Democracy 46

Point of no return ? Very little enthusiasm to vote l Image of all political parties – same l Honesty – Integrity etc. at very low level l First few years after Independence Choice between Good Not so good Later Period Bad – worse Subsequently Worse – worst Now Hardly any choice l Forum for Presidential Democracy 47

Same Contents Under Different Names ! Forum for Presidential Democracy Illustration : Vasant Halbe 48