Constitution of India guarantees a democratic and republic government. Indian democracy has thrived successfully through last 67 years and consolidated itself. India has gone to become largest and possibly strongest democracy in the world. Child of a tea vendor becoming head of the government and a three year old political party getting unprecedented success in capital state are signs of maturity of our democracy. Such outcomes seem to decorate success stories of Indian constitution.
A deeper analysis on Indian political system disappoints champions of republicanism. Today political system has become apparently closed for ordinary aspirant. First generation politicians have become rarity in younger cohort of office bearers. Many political parties have become family centric. For example all members of Loksabha of Samajwadi Party come from the same family. New experiment of Janata Parivar is going to have more of “Parivar” than Janata. Similarly most of MPs of Congress are fourth generation, third generation and second generation politicians. Top positions of the most of regional parties are occupied by family members of top leader. BJP which has been strong opponent of dynasty politics is not immune to this phenomenon. It maintained its ideal position only in its younger days. With advent of time it also has given space to second and third generation politicians. Left parties are the only group that has remained aloof from this.
It should not be mistaken that sons and daughters of politicians are not good enough to represent, administer or rule. Coming from political background is not a disqualification. History is witness that monarchy has often given good rulers. Ashoka, Akbar, Tipu Sultan are few examples of great rulers coming through dynasty. Point of argument is that such nepotism has given rise to “new Indian feudalism”. Automatic succession of political space by natural heirs rules out entry of ordinary citizens into political system, which is against spirit of democracy and republicanism. Proponents of family centric politics argue that sons and daughters of politicians are not appointed as MPs or MLAs rather they are elected. It is up to voters whether to approve or not. They claim electoral victory as endorsement of such politics. Here they ignore the ease at which such sons and daughters get accommodation into politics and favour in ticket distribution. Voters have no choice but to vote as per party ideology and for stability of government. Further politics is non-remunerative career and uncertainty of getting due position and chances of losing to dynasties discourage youths from taking politics seriously. This constitutes bottleneck in entry of fresh talent into Indian Politics.
Most of the fresh talents coming to politics have either fame in the fields of cinema, sports etc. or money power. People from both the groups have little interest in political discourse. Politics for them is either hobby or another means to earn fame, power and money. Another field contributing human resource in politics is bureaucracy and foreign services. Though they have political aptitude, many retired bureaucrats joining political parties and getting disproportionate space, their credibility of non-partisanism during bureaucratic career remain suspicious. There have been many recommendations with respect to certain period of moratorium over retired or resigned bureaucrats accepting political posts.
Student politics is at lowest currently. Very few products of student politics are at the helm of active politics of GenNext. Very few universities have reasonably good student political discourse. College and University politics is also marred with money and muscle power with few serious takers.
If not checked in time dynasties will grow, and Indian system will become democratic feudal system. Political leadership is ultimate decider of governance. With growing feudalism fresh talents will be more and more alienated from politics. Indian politics will eventually become slave of few feudal families. Political parties need to be more transparent and internally democratic to allow the best talent to get the best position. Opening up of political system for ordinary youths will make democracy more participatory and stronger. The perception that only money power and political background can get reasonable returns in politics needs to be changed.
Due to low inflow of human resource into active politics there will be dearth of good political leadership in next 20-25 years. This will in turn lead to low voting percentage and lower participation of masses in to electoral practice. Government of the day will have legitimacy crisis. General elections 2014 and Delhi assembly election2014 and 2015 have proved that fresh political leadership can revive the confidence of voters into electoral process. More is the voting percentage; more is legitimacy of government of the day.
The work of legislature to frame laws, deliberate over important policy issues and matters of public importance. Political experience has shown progressively decreasing debates and discussions both quantitatively and qualitatively inside and outside legislature. Since there is integration of highest executive with legislature in parliamentary democracy majority of legislative work is done by executive with legislature having ratifying roles. Anti-defection law has to some extent deterred members of legislatures to put forward their own opinions and contributions if contrary to party line. Also shortage of analytical minds is also contributory towards decreased debates and deliberations which in turn are caused by closed political system.
In any democracy an individual cannot be disqualified from political process based on family or professional background. But certain steps can be taken to ensure level playing field for every interested entrant into politics. Internal democracy within political parties should be strengthened with transparent internal elections for the party office bearers, ticket distribution etc. State funding of election expenditure in kind should be considered to minimize impact of money and muscle power into politics. Provisions for mandatory public debates over issues of importance should be made between candidates of a particular constituency. This will give voters an opportunity to make well informed choice during voting. Also it will infuse critical thinking among candidates. There should be criteria of minimum organizational work done by an individual before claiming stakes in party posts or tickets.
Above reforms will open up political system for fresh talents which will breed political leadership and statesmanship. It will help to tackle poor perception regarding politics and politicians among general population. Also it will infuse confidence in electoral process and give credibility and impart legitimacy to government of day.
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