A Look through the mist
Dr Farooq Abdullah had quoted ( 11-06-1999 the day Farooq inaugurated Bahu Plaza at Jammu ) an old elderly person having told him while in Kargil on 10.06.1999 , “Udar jana hai aur apni territory baapsi laana hai". As regards problem with Pakistan he said,” "We do not want war but in case Pakistan is bent upon not mending her malafide war will be there" and "Iss Baar Koi Haji Peer bapis nahin denge, LoC-LoC-Kush Nahin rahnewali, ab ki baar jang hogi toe kush bapis nahin denghe". And the same Dr. Farooq Abdullah on 12th April 2009 was quoted as having told the media persons at his party headquarters :: “It is important (for India) to resume talks with Pakistan. India has no other option but to resume the process for settlement of Kashmir and other issues without any pre-condition,” Dr Abdullah saying that India has no other option but to resume the process for settlement of Kashmir and other issues without any pre-condition surely points towards compulsions before Farooq Abdullah in view of the social and political environment that has emerged in Kashmir valley in 2009.
Addressing his workers at Srinagar Mufti Mohd Sayeed was quoted as having said on April 6 said “We all know what happened in 1987 when Syed Muhammad Yousf Shah, who had contested the elections, became Syeed Salah-ud-din (the supreme commander of prominent indigenous militant outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen, and chairman of the United Jihad Council, a conglomerate of more than 20 militant groups. I fear return of 1987 and 89. Almighty Allah should save us from such a situation . I ask them ( GOI) not to sacrifice long term goals for short term gains. When the situation becomes volatile in Kashmir, the government insists that Kashmir issue needs to be solved. But when peace returns, the issue is shelved,” No doubt some experts may like to dispose the uttering of Mufti Mohd Sayeed as simple Lok Sabha and Assembly by-election campaign compulsions. National Conference candidate for Hazratbal assembly constituency, Dr Mustafa Kamal nomination paper episode did provide some working tools to Mufties on 22nd April against the trueness of election process. An unhealthy environment/ ground for debate has been created after Election commission said on 23 April that a fresh notification for election would be issued later.
But keeping in view that Mufti Mohd Sayeed has remained a senior Congress leaders, a Union Home Minister in VP Singh Government and Chief Minister of Congress PDP coalition government in J&K his words can not be taken so casually particularly when he has talked of “Solving Kashmir Issue” because the common people of Kashmir Valley takes all these opinions very very seriously. More particularly the impact that the on going militancy has left on the common minds in an environment where all pro 1947 Accession of J&K with India and anti Pakistan elements have been playing a second fiddle role in the local lanes of Kashmir valley for last nearly 20 years has to be noted with serious concern.
The Kashmiri Hindu migrants have not gone back to their lands even after 20 years. Rather none of the Migrant organization has put any meaningful pressure on the government for engineering their return. Instead long term projects are being taken up by the Government for construction of permanent multistory buildings for allotment to Kashmir migrant . Extra ordinary concessions in taxes, fees, education, postings, employment, leave salary, relief etc that are being extended to Kashmiri Migrants ( to be specific Kashmiri Pundits ) have rather strengthened the belief of the new generation Kashmir Youth of after 1989 days that surely there is some dispute over accession of J&K with India that requires consideration.
It has been learnt that in nineties the registration ( with Relief Commissioner Migrants Jammu ) of Kashmir valley Migrant families had crossed 50000 number and the same was cut down to near 32000 units through audit and cancellation. It has been reported that a good number of new migrant cards / registrations have been made during last ten years. If it is true , it means that migration has taken place even after early 1990s . Or false migrant cards have been made by those who have not migrated in 1989/90 simply for the sake or relief and other benefits on compassionate grounds. On the other hand neglect of those who have been crying for assistance and relief for having migrated from the remote militancy affected areas of Udhampur / Doda/ Rajouri in Jammu region too raises doubts about the claims of GOI over Kashmir valley when the migrants from DODA / Rajouri / Udhampur ( what ever small may be number ) and Kashmir Valley are not treated on equal grounds. In a way it also unduly lowers the goodwill of Kashmir Muslims since the Hindu in India may get an impression that it is only the Kashmiri Muslim who do not treat the Hindu worth having right over the lands of Kashmir valley. Such like impressions if allowed to carry on would surely be an injustice to the truthfulness of Kashmiri muslim. All well meaning people of J&K do object to such approach. It only reduces the goodwill of India before the innocent Kashmiri locals.
Persons like Syeed Ali Shah Geelani have been left unchecked to name the Security Forces as “Killer Troops”. So the Kashmiri youth in thirties is sure to misunderstand the intentions of India.There is utmost need to be frank and seriously acknowledge the ground realities as on date since enough damage has been caused due to non serious handling of so serious a turmoil that erupted in Kashmir Valley in 1989.
The other important turnaround in J&K politics has been the compulsions and weaknesses that are reflecting from the actions / steps Dr. Farooq Abdullah has taken particularly since December 2008. Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah has always enjoyed a choice status in 1947 and even there after before New Delhi. Even Dr. Farooq Abdullah has in the past lived to his status and never appeared under breaking stresses. He has touched the heart of people from all religion & regions and has been an acknowledged tallest leader of not only Kashmir Valley but of whole of J&K. But since December 2008 he is appearing to be under heavy pressures. Even his party appears to be under pressure. National Conference contested the 2008 Assembly Elections projecting Dr. Farooq Abdullah as the next Chief Minister J&K. It is a common whisper in the streets that National Conference has betrayed the people under pressures from Congress inspite of having won over 10 seats more than Congress in assembly Elections. It has also been inferred that National conference feared a possible PDP lead Government in case NC did not play inferior to Congress and NC was desperate for returning to power. Dr. Farooq Abdullah had so far held very very firmly to totalness of the 1947 Accession of J&K with India . Where as Mufti Mohd Sayeed has openly pleaded for resolving Kashmir issue ( since he says Kashmir issue has to be resolved and the issue as per him is not regarding center state relations or for sharing of the tax revenue) and has in a way disowned the totalness of 1947 Accession when he suggests dual control of India and Pakistan on some affairs pertaining to Kashmir and the use of both Indian and Pakistani currencies in J&K ( not all parts of India and Pakistan ) . Mufti has given impressions to a common Kashmiri that he sees Kashmir turmoil having its core in Kashmir affairs of international significance. So under the circumstances prevailing in Kashmir Valley Mufti Mohd Sayeed and his PDP appear to have put National Conference and Farooq Abdullah under stress.
The worries of National Conference reflect from (i) Dr. farooq Abdullah contesting assembly elections from two places ( Hazratbal and Sonwar) (ii) Dr. Farooq resigning as MLA from both seats and contesting for Rajay Sabha Seat. People were hoping that he would work for solving their problems and instead, Abdullah entered the Rajya Sabha. (iii) Congress candidates Azad and Soz winning Rajay Sabha seats uncontested where as “TALL” Farooq Abdullah had to contest (iv) National Conference has been “labeled” as a regional party representing only Kashmir valley since it is contesting 3 seats of Lok Sabha only from Kashmir Valley and Congress has secured broader image by contesting all the 3 Lok Sabha seats from Jammu and Ladakh regions. Rather NC has been pushed in the corner as a sure Kashmir centric party (v) and above all NC was forced to field Dr. Farooq Abdullah ( member Rajay Sabha ) as a candidate for Lok Sabha 2009 from Srinagar seat. It reflects weak National conference with no other leader to contest PDP.
Mufti’s PDP appears taking lead over National Conference in Kashmir valley . Signs of internal rivalries within NC too are emerging. .There appears no concrete political and economic agenda for governance. Public cynicism appears to be growing. Those who voted in 2008 are disappointed and illusion is brewing. Farooq Abdullah will have to hold the reins.
*( Daya Sagar is a Sr Coloumnist on Kashmir affairs and a social activist dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk www.alookthroughthemist.blogspot.com)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
How to decide which CANDIDATE to VOTE for
by
Daya Sagar
The other day during an awareness programme a student of a local college asked, “ Sir, it is true that we should vote for a good candidate during elections to Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha , but question is how to find out the best candidate out of the lot ?” The question appeared so simple but surely it was not so easy to reply. I applied my mind to the question and have identified some key indicators that could be used as reference points. Depending upon the vastness of the constituency the voter citizen can draw out opinions based upon the information immediately available locally, through media, through friends and relations . Ofcourse th educated voter citizen could help other citizens too by providing the information available.
Is the election for Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha or a Local body.
Is there any issue under reference of prime national interest to be considered while selecting the party / candidate .
To which political party the candidate belongs :
4. Is the party a national party or regional party or candidate is contesting as an independent:
5. What has been the general agenda of his party in the past; What is the ideology of the party.
6. How nearly the party has in the past stood to its slogans and social commitments:: Compare the performance on earlier manifesto test for likely success of new manifesto
7. How far the party has not used religion/ region/caste for vote bank politics in the past keeping in view the VOTE numbers of community or takes care of even the miniscule communities.
8. What is the level of internal democracy in the party. … Is the candidate selected with the choice of lower level party workers or the candidate has been thrust on the party.
9. Does the party often induct wards of rich people or elite leaders directly at senior positions :::::: how easy it is for a rich /uneducated criminal / anti social element to find a power seat in the party
10. Does the party often encourage defectors from other parties for induction at senior levels or opens its door to habitual defectors. Has the party ever ruled in the past with majority or has been the part of some coalition Government / body…… what has been the behavior and performance
11. Has the party frequently changed alliances…Does the party ignore national issues as a priority over local issues ?
12. What is the educational qualification of the candidate……
13. How often he is found regularly fighting for the cause of poor, backward and educated people before the elections , particularly after having lost an earlier election.
14. Is the candidate free from rigid caste or religion or sect based considerations.
15. Since how long he is working independently or with a party for the cause of the common man.
16. Does the candidate belong to elite class ( materially rich) and if so since when he is moving amongst the masses distantly placed as regards their economic activities / social status.
17. What has been the general impression about the candidate in the locality / area/block/district/region or as you could gather from your seniors or elder members of the society.
18. Since how long the candidate is with his present party. How many times the candidate has changed his party.
19. Has the candidate been in the past with a party that is number one enemy of the present party of the candidate.
20. Has the candidate earlier contested Vidhan Sabha Election, did he win, did he change loyalties.
21. If Contesting for Lok Sabha, did the candidate win a Vidhan Sabha election less than 6 months earlier or If Contesting for Lok Sabha / Vidhan Sabha , did the candidate lose any Vidhan Sabha election contested less than 12 months earlier on same party ticket.
22. Was the candidate in Government service earlier…..did he retire in normal course or took premature retirement ( why)…has he retired in the immediate past or about 2 years earlier. What reputation did he enjoy while in Government service.. Was he/ she ever given premature retirement by the government …….
23. What has been his source of income before filing the application ? … was he tax payer
24. In case the candidate has earlier also remained a MLA or MP, what was his profession and source of income before contesting his first election…what are his present sources of income as well as of his immediate relations/ sons/ wife/ brother .What were their earlier sources of income before he was elected first time
25. How many times did he change a political party in past and why
26. He/ She was a member of which party 6 months prior to his present party…was he a MLA / MP from some other party earlier than filing present nomination as Independent or on a party ticket ?.
27. Has he recently defected from some other party for the reasons of denial of a ticket.
28. Which new businesses the contesting candidate had started in partnership with some other rich people just after one year of his getting elected last time.
29. In case a economically rich candidate aged 40 years or more has joined a political party that has in the past held reins of power , find out what was his/ her general procession for earning money while he/ she was from 25 to 40 years of age.
30. What are the trade practices performed by his / her nearest family members and friends
31. How many family members / first relations / friends of the Candidate are working as regular contractors or supplier to government and what is the reputation they enjoy.
32. How many children / wards related to the candidate were studying in private boarding schools before he first became a MLA or MP…. And how many are now studying in high cost public schools and private professional colleges.
33. What are the agencies / high value contracts / approval for setting restricted institutions/ education institutions the candidate had secured after he became a MLA /MP for the first time.
I would request all those who may like to participate in this exercise to suggest any other reference indicator or any modification in the indicators mentioned above to help a prospective Voter Citizen.
(* Daya Sagar a senior coloumnist and social activists…. Email-dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk www.alookthroughthemist.blogspot.com
Daya Sagar
The other day during an awareness programme a student of a local college asked, “ Sir, it is true that we should vote for a good candidate during elections to Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha , but question is how to find out the best candidate out of the lot ?” The question appeared so simple but surely it was not so easy to reply. I applied my mind to the question and have identified some key indicators that could be used as reference points. Depending upon the vastness of the constituency the voter citizen can draw out opinions based upon the information immediately available locally, through media, through friends and relations . Ofcourse th educated voter citizen could help other citizens too by providing the information available.
Is the election for Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha or a Local body.
Is there any issue under reference of prime national interest to be considered while selecting the party / candidate .
To which political party the candidate belongs :
4. Is the party a national party or regional party or candidate is contesting as an independent:
5. What has been the general agenda of his party in the past; What is the ideology of the party.
6. How nearly the party has in the past stood to its slogans and social commitments:: Compare the performance on earlier manifesto test for likely success of new manifesto
7. How far the party has not used religion/ region/caste for vote bank politics in the past keeping in view the VOTE numbers of community or takes care of even the miniscule communities.
8. What is the level of internal democracy in the party. … Is the candidate selected with the choice of lower level party workers or the candidate has been thrust on the party.
9. Does the party often induct wards of rich people or elite leaders directly at senior positions :::::: how easy it is for a rich /uneducated criminal / anti social element to find a power seat in the party
10. Does the party often encourage defectors from other parties for induction at senior levels or opens its door to habitual defectors. Has the party ever ruled in the past with majority or has been the part of some coalition Government / body…… what has been the behavior and performance
11. Has the party frequently changed alliances…Does the party ignore national issues as a priority over local issues ?
12. What is the educational qualification of the candidate……
13. How often he is found regularly fighting for the cause of poor, backward and educated people before the elections , particularly after having lost an earlier election.
14. Is the candidate free from rigid caste or religion or sect based considerations.
15. Since how long he is working independently or with a party for the cause of the common man.
16. Does the candidate belong to elite class ( materially rich) and if so since when he is moving amongst the masses distantly placed as regards their economic activities / social status.
17. What has been the general impression about the candidate in the locality / area/block/district/region or as you could gather from your seniors or elder members of the society.
18. Since how long the candidate is with his present party. How many times the candidate has changed his party.
19. Has the candidate been in the past with a party that is number one enemy of the present party of the candidate.
20. Has the candidate earlier contested Vidhan Sabha Election, did he win, did he change loyalties.
21. If Contesting for Lok Sabha, did the candidate win a Vidhan Sabha election less than 6 months earlier or If Contesting for Lok Sabha / Vidhan Sabha , did the candidate lose any Vidhan Sabha election contested less than 12 months earlier on same party ticket.
22. Was the candidate in Government service earlier…..did he retire in normal course or took premature retirement ( why)…has he retired in the immediate past or about 2 years earlier. What reputation did he enjoy while in Government service.. Was he/ she ever given premature retirement by the government …….
23. What has been his source of income before filing the application ? … was he tax payer
24. In case the candidate has earlier also remained a MLA or MP, what was his profession and source of income before contesting his first election…what are his present sources of income as well as of his immediate relations/ sons/ wife/ brother .What were their earlier sources of income before he was elected first time
25. How many times did he change a political party in past and why
26. He/ She was a member of which party 6 months prior to his present party…was he a MLA / MP from some other party earlier than filing present nomination as Independent or on a party ticket ?.
27. Has he recently defected from some other party for the reasons of denial of a ticket.
28. Which new businesses the contesting candidate had started in partnership with some other rich people just after one year of his getting elected last time.
29. In case a economically rich candidate aged 40 years or more has joined a political party that has in the past held reins of power , find out what was his/ her general procession for earning money while he/ she was from 25 to 40 years of age.
30. What are the trade practices performed by his / her nearest family members and friends
31. How many family members / first relations / friends of the Candidate are working as regular contractors or supplier to government and what is the reputation they enjoy.
32. How many children / wards related to the candidate were studying in private boarding schools before he first became a MLA or MP…. And how many are now studying in high cost public schools and private professional colleges.
33. What are the agencies / high value contracts / approval for setting restricted institutions/ education institutions the candidate had secured after he became a MLA /MP for the first time.
I would request all those who may like to participate in this exercise to suggest any other reference indicator or any modification in the indicators mentioned above to help a prospective Voter Citizen.
(* Daya Sagar a senior coloumnist and social activists…. Email-dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk www.alookthroughthemist.blogspot.com
Friday, April 3, 2009
A vote cast without serious thought could ruin the future of a billion
The poor / low income members of the Indian society are not sure of any physical or social security. The politicians have successfully inherited the divide and rule game plan from the British. No efforts are being spared to divide Indians in the name of caste/ creed/religion/region/sects. The law and order machinery having lost its bite, the criminals and those corrupting on the social wealth have risen very close to the political masters. The democracy that Indian elders had secured with hard sacrifices now requires even more sacrifice to preserve it.
Most of the Indian people have today lost faith in the Parliamentary democracy. Rather the floor of parliament as well as the legislative assemblies have lost the grace and honour. A common man is often found sermoning that no sensible or respectable person would prefer joining a political party and saying that politics is a dirty profession. Even many literate urban often boast that they do not vote in elections. But it is not wise to leave political affairs of India to those who practice dirty and dishonest code of practice. They are to be either corrected or replaced. Any how in a democracy unless one cares for others he will not be safe. A vote when cast without serious thought could ruin the future of a billion Indians. And a wisely cast vote would make India strongest of all.
All well meaning people must not stay on the side lines. Rather they should come forward.
India is no doubt the largest democracy of the world. Indians wrote a Constitution them self for their own use. The Constitution has gone through nearly a century of amendments since 1950. One would not see quarter the number of cycles in a street in 1970s as the number of cars one would see parked in the streets in 2009.The number of schools, colleges and the hospitals has grown faster than the population. The production of food grains, milk, fruits, vegetables and consumer durables too has grown faster than the population. Exports of materials and services from India too have grown. Material wealth of India has risen due to exploitation of national mineral/ water reserves, through loans & assistance from WB,ADB,IMF etc. But inspite of all this the people are not happy. The common man is exploited. Corruption on government funds has grown many folds. The law and order machinery is not functioning with results, all complain of not receiving justice in time, the welfare schemes are non yielding and have encouraged those who adopt unfair means, the voluntary sector ( better known today as NGO sector ) too has lost its credibility, legislature has lost its sanctity ( extreme could be seen the way the Rajay Sabha ---Upper House of Parliament , and Vidhan Parishad - Legislative Council are misused by the political parties to make entries for family friends or those defeated in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections, those who have no special intellectual or professional outstanding qualification but have made crores of rupees through what ever means possible .
The common man is put under material and mental pressures by the politicians after every five years to secure the reins of power. The foreign debt is growing and India is being exploited by US /UK/EU. No doubt the judiciary and the political leadership is theoretically expected to settle the things right. But under the circumstances the Indian people (society) for better self governance will have to take up the corrective measures at the voter level. No doubt since the damage has been large it may take min five years of sustained honest efforts for some visible accountable improvements. No doubt permanent solution lies in some long term measures. But still some short term measures too could be taken to see that some good quality people enter the Lok Sabha after April/ May 2009 elections.
Immediate short term measures could be : 1. dare evaluate the contesting candidate on the basis of his earlier performance and the reputation at the social level (2). motivate your neighbor to undo the candidates who depend upon criminal muscle power /the caste/ religion / money power to mis carry the less aware innocent voters (3) EC / Government must provide all fair and easy means for a voter to reach a polling booth ;citizens should report unfair means adopted by any one to EC (4) inform others about any criminal record of some candidate. Incase you feel scared, atleast you do not vote for such a tainted candidate (5).Pass on awareness with concern to the rural, uneducated, economically weak and socially innocent voter (6).Social voluntary organisations should spread the security and support information amongst the voters (7) Motivate the disinterested voter to vote (8) Be brave to provide social security to weaker sections so that they vote to choice (9) Make people to come out in majority and undue the pressure of votes purchased in the name of caste / region /religion/poverty.
Selfishness in Indian people has grown. The subsidies and the corrupt practices have eaten through the State tax revenue and foreign aid. The common man has only been loaded with new taxes much larger than the subsidies and support prices he gets. He is innocent .Instead of knowing the Democratic system more closely, the common rural / voter who forms 70 % of vote bank still considers a MLA or MP like a Monarch of feudal system. . Money and liquor so easily buy the vote of the economically weaker people. In some areas people flock to vote under the pressure of goons / musclemen / even liquor. This shows that it is hunger that matters more to economically poor masses and it is physical security that matters more to those who can not hope any security through the existing law and order machinery of the government. Therefore, need is to carry on the corrective measures even beyond the 2009 Lok Sabha Elections . Long term measures would surely involve corrections that would need actions at the legislative and executive levels as well as judiciary. Success would rest in raising a sound social order percolating deep into rural India and some electoral reforms in our constitutional system including some constitutional corrections.
LONG TERM Approach would involve : 1.Voter citizen has to come forward to root out dishonesty as majority of the "vote seeker" would never work for corrections. (2). The candidates for contesting elections are thrust on the voter by the political parties. Money and muscle power that the aspiring ticket seeker can display too plays a major role. Political parties need be forced to select the candidates with the involvement of panchayat level party members for MLA and Block level for the MP. Rather Party workers must demand selection of candidates. (3.(a)Democracy in political parties should also be enforced by law. Organizational elections should be held after every 3 years by recognized Political parties with in 6 months of the earlier term ended Constituency/ Distt/ State/ Regional/ National level.. Election commission / Parliament should make such law. Even national level parties are getting loaded with leaders who have no base in masses. Leaders are being thrust from elite hierarchy and the common man has lost faith in democracy. Let Congress take lead. (4) The voluntary social organisation working in the fields of education / awareness / welfare / health/education should approach the interior India . Government should provide them material, physical and social security against the criminal and tainted elements working for the conventional so called " elite leaders."(5).Damage done to democracy will have to be explained at the door steps of illiterate poor Indian because of (a) Low voter turn out (b) Criminalization of politics (c) the caste and religious divides that the elite leadership promotes more amongst the economically weak community and ( d ) neglect of national issues by local leaders. Rather the common has to be warned about the ultimate dangers. As long as the movement will not be taken to the villages tab tak janta jagae gee nahin. Lok tantra badee kurbaniyon ke baad milaa hai ab esae kurbani de kar hi bachana hai. Rather job can only be accomplished by bringing reforms and awareness at the lower levels. The crown is showing no intention for mends. (6 ) In India voter turn out may be low but is not poor. Voter percentage is much higher than urban educated areas in the rural and backward areas In the urban educated and better informed areas too the voter turnout is very low. Nov/ Dec2008 J&K elections have demonstrated the desire of Indian voter to participate in elections. The thing that should concern us more is the importance of sound, serious and honest elections as they concern security and integrity of a Nation/ Country like India..(7).Other thing that need serious consideration is material and physical security to a common voter citizen against the pressures of rich, musclemen and criminal- politician nexus. Voter is to day terrorised. Voters are terrorized and exploited mentally and physically. Regular close security has to be provided before the elections to cultivate faith of the common man in the law and order machinery. Material and social security has to be ensured even after elections to villages for atleast 3 months after elections. (8) Voter has very little access to the personal information regarding the contesting candidates , particularly for Lok Sabha. Election Commission of India must evolve a method for distribution of hand bills in the constituency mentioning all the particulars of the qualification, assets and any criminal record of the contesting candidate. (9) (a).It has been observed that money power too has started playing major role in nomination of candidates for Rajay Sabha and Vidhan Legislative Councils ( Vidhan Parishads). The objective with which these superior advisory institutions were created appears lost in most of the cases. (i) Any person who has lost a Lok sabha Election or Assembly Election should not be nominated to upper house with in a period less than one year.(ii ) Candidate elected to a State Assembly Seat should not be nominated for Rajay Sabha or Lok Sabha Election unless he has worked as an MLA for atleat one year. He should resign from MLA or MLC seat before the day of voting for Rajay Sabha or Lok Sabha.(b) No Government servant who retires from government service or takes voluntary retirement should be allowed to contest elections to Parliament or state legislature with in two years of his retirement on the ticket of a political party.(c) (i) There is a need to delete the provision of registering the name parentage voter number and signatures in form 17C before election officer by those who want to register that they do not want to vote for any of the candidate seeking election since it is against the principle if secrecy and has not been used by the people in significant numbers.
(ii) In case some one does not want to vote in favour of some particular candidate or has information about his criminal/ not suitable record he should be allowed to vote against that candidate so as to reduce the votes secured by that candidate by one. EVM could have three buttons..YES…No… Not INTERESTED.
(d) In the present system the candidate securing the highest number of votes is declared elected even if he has secured less than one sixth of the total votes polled or some times even less than 10% of the polled votes. It is unfair. Rather (i) .winning candidate must secure more than 50% of the polled votes (ii) in case it does not happen method of added weightage could be adopted. (iii) the votes polled by last candidate be added to the votes polled by the first candidate and the votes polled by the last but one could be added to 2nd candidate. (iV) in case still the number is not more than 50% polled votes for any of the two, then the votes polled by the remaining candidates be added further to the first and 2nd candidates in the same manner . (10) projects executed by the State should not be projected through advertisements as individual achievements of the politicians by making payments from state exchequer ; no welfare programme or project or scheme should be named after a leader of a political party as it has so far exploited the innocence of rural India more to the advantage of only Congress Party and all such programmes / schemes /projects should be renamed . (11 ) Suggestions are also coming for evolving a method to call back a MP /MLA when he does not perform or gets involved in criminal / corruption cases ; enforcing upon the political parties to declare their alliances before the elections along with pre decided CMP : for fixing maximum age limit for a MLA /MP (do not appear that wise) : setting educational qualification (too needs to be debated ) . Any how in a democracy unless one cares for others he will not be safe. A vote when cast without serious thought could ruin the future of a billion Indians.
.*( Daya Sagar Senior Coloumnist on Kashmir affairs and a social activist dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk alookthroughthemist.blogspot.com)
Most of the Indian people have today lost faith in the Parliamentary democracy. Rather the floor of parliament as well as the legislative assemblies have lost the grace and honour. A common man is often found sermoning that no sensible or respectable person would prefer joining a political party and saying that politics is a dirty profession. Even many literate urban often boast that they do not vote in elections. But it is not wise to leave political affairs of India to those who practice dirty and dishonest code of practice. They are to be either corrected or replaced. Any how in a democracy unless one cares for others he will not be safe. A vote when cast without serious thought could ruin the future of a billion Indians. And a wisely cast vote would make India strongest of all.
All well meaning people must not stay on the side lines. Rather they should come forward.
India is no doubt the largest democracy of the world. Indians wrote a Constitution them self for their own use. The Constitution has gone through nearly a century of amendments since 1950. One would not see quarter the number of cycles in a street in 1970s as the number of cars one would see parked in the streets in 2009.The number of schools, colleges and the hospitals has grown faster than the population. The production of food grains, milk, fruits, vegetables and consumer durables too has grown faster than the population. Exports of materials and services from India too have grown. Material wealth of India has risen due to exploitation of national mineral/ water reserves, through loans & assistance from WB,ADB,IMF etc. But inspite of all this the people are not happy. The common man is exploited. Corruption on government funds has grown many folds. The law and order machinery is not functioning with results, all complain of not receiving justice in time, the welfare schemes are non yielding and have encouraged those who adopt unfair means, the voluntary sector ( better known today as NGO sector ) too has lost its credibility, legislature has lost its sanctity ( extreme could be seen the way the Rajay Sabha ---Upper House of Parliament , and Vidhan Parishad - Legislative Council are misused by the political parties to make entries for family friends or those defeated in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections, those who have no special intellectual or professional outstanding qualification but have made crores of rupees through what ever means possible .
The common man is put under material and mental pressures by the politicians after every five years to secure the reins of power. The foreign debt is growing and India is being exploited by US /UK/EU. No doubt the judiciary and the political leadership is theoretically expected to settle the things right. But under the circumstances the Indian people (society) for better self governance will have to take up the corrective measures at the voter level. No doubt since the damage has been large it may take min five years of sustained honest efforts for some visible accountable improvements. No doubt permanent solution lies in some long term measures. But still some short term measures too could be taken to see that some good quality people enter the Lok Sabha after April/ May 2009 elections.
Immediate short term measures could be : 1. dare evaluate the contesting candidate on the basis of his earlier performance and the reputation at the social level (2). motivate your neighbor to undo the candidates who depend upon criminal muscle power /the caste/ religion / money power to mis carry the less aware innocent voters (3) EC / Government must provide all fair and easy means for a voter to reach a polling booth ;citizens should report unfair means adopted by any one to EC (4) inform others about any criminal record of some candidate. Incase you feel scared, atleast you do not vote for such a tainted candidate (5).Pass on awareness with concern to the rural, uneducated, economically weak and socially innocent voter (6).Social voluntary organisations should spread the security and support information amongst the voters (7) Motivate the disinterested voter to vote (8) Be brave to provide social security to weaker sections so that they vote to choice (9) Make people to come out in majority and undue the pressure of votes purchased in the name of caste / region /religion/poverty.
Selfishness in Indian people has grown. The subsidies and the corrupt practices have eaten through the State tax revenue and foreign aid. The common man has only been loaded with new taxes much larger than the subsidies and support prices he gets. He is innocent .Instead of knowing the Democratic system more closely, the common rural / voter who forms 70 % of vote bank still considers a MLA or MP like a Monarch of feudal system. . Money and liquor so easily buy the vote of the economically weaker people. In some areas people flock to vote under the pressure of goons / musclemen / even liquor. This shows that it is hunger that matters more to economically poor masses and it is physical security that matters more to those who can not hope any security through the existing law and order machinery of the government. Therefore, need is to carry on the corrective measures even beyond the 2009 Lok Sabha Elections . Long term measures would surely involve corrections that would need actions at the legislative and executive levels as well as judiciary. Success would rest in raising a sound social order percolating deep into rural India and some electoral reforms in our constitutional system including some constitutional corrections.
LONG TERM Approach would involve : 1.Voter citizen has to come forward to root out dishonesty as majority of the "vote seeker" would never work for corrections. (2). The candidates for contesting elections are thrust on the voter by the political parties. Money and muscle power that the aspiring ticket seeker can display too plays a major role. Political parties need be forced to select the candidates with the involvement of panchayat level party members for MLA and Block level for the MP. Rather Party workers must demand selection of candidates. (3.(a)Democracy in political parties should also be enforced by law. Organizational elections should be held after every 3 years by recognized Political parties with in 6 months of the earlier term ended Constituency/ Distt/ State/ Regional/ National level.. Election commission / Parliament should make such law. Even national level parties are getting loaded with leaders who have no base in masses. Leaders are being thrust from elite hierarchy and the common man has lost faith in democracy. Let Congress take lead. (4) The voluntary social organisation working in the fields of education / awareness / welfare / health/education should approach the interior India . Government should provide them material, physical and social security against the criminal and tainted elements working for the conventional so called " elite leaders."(5).Damage done to democracy will have to be explained at the door steps of illiterate poor Indian because of (a) Low voter turn out (b) Criminalization of politics (c) the caste and religious divides that the elite leadership promotes more amongst the economically weak community and ( d ) neglect of national issues by local leaders. Rather the common has to be warned about the ultimate dangers. As long as the movement will not be taken to the villages tab tak janta jagae gee nahin. Lok tantra badee kurbaniyon ke baad milaa hai ab esae kurbani de kar hi bachana hai. Rather job can only be accomplished by bringing reforms and awareness at the lower levels. The crown is showing no intention for mends. (6 ) In India voter turn out may be low but is not poor. Voter percentage is much higher than urban educated areas in the rural and backward areas In the urban educated and better informed areas too the voter turnout is very low. Nov/ Dec2008 J&K elections have demonstrated the desire of Indian voter to participate in elections. The thing that should concern us more is the importance of sound, serious and honest elections as they concern security and integrity of a Nation/ Country like India..(7).Other thing that need serious consideration is material and physical security to a common voter citizen against the pressures of rich, musclemen and criminal- politician nexus. Voter is to day terrorised. Voters are terrorized and exploited mentally and physically. Regular close security has to be provided before the elections to cultivate faith of the common man in the law and order machinery. Material and social security has to be ensured even after elections to villages for atleast 3 months after elections. (8) Voter has very little access to the personal information regarding the contesting candidates , particularly for Lok Sabha. Election Commission of India must evolve a method for distribution of hand bills in the constituency mentioning all the particulars of the qualification, assets and any criminal record of the contesting candidate. (9) (a).It has been observed that money power too has started playing major role in nomination of candidates for Rajay Sabha and Vidhan Legislative Councils ( Vidhan Parishads). The objective with which these superior advisory institutions were created appears lost in most of the cases. (i) Any person who has lost a Lok sabha Election or Assembly Election should not be nominated to upper house with in a period less than one year.(ii ) Candidate elected to a State Assembly Seat should not be nominated for Rajay Sabha or Lok Sabha Election unless he has worked as an MLA for atleat one year. He should resign from MLA or MLC seat before the day of voting for Rajay Sabha or Lok Sabha.(b) No Government servant who retires from government service or takes voluntary retirement should be allowed to contest elections to Parliament or state legislature with in two years of his retirement on the ticket of a political party.(c) (i) There is a need to delete the provision of registering the name parentage voter number and signatures in form 17C before election officer by those who want to register that they do not want to vote for any of the candidate seeking election since it is against the principle if secrecy and has not been used by the people in significant numbers.
(ii) In case some one does not want to vote in favour of some particular candidate or has information about his criminal/ not suitable record he should be allowed to vote against that candidate so as to reduce the votes secured by that candidate by one. EVM could have three buttons..YES…No… Not INTERESTED.
(d) In the present system the candidate securing the highest number of votes is declared elected even if he has secured less than one sixth of the total votes polled or some times even less than 10% of the polled votes. It is unfair. Rather (i) .winning candidate must secure more than 50% of the polled votes (ii) in case it does not happen method of added weightage could be adopted. (iii) the votes polled by last candidate be added to the votes polled by the first candidate and the votes polled by the last but one could be added to 2nd candidate. (iV) in case still the number is not more than 50% polled votes for any of the two, then the votes polled by the remaining candidates be added further to the first and 2nd candidates in the same manner . (10) projects executed by the State should not be projected through advertisements as individual achievements of the politicians by making payments from state exchequer ; no welfare programme or project or scheme should be named after a leader of a political party as it has so far exploited the innocence of rural India more to the advantage of only Congress Party and all such programmes / schemes /projects should be renamed . (11 ) Suggestions are also coming for evolving a method to call back a MP /MLA when he does not perform or gets involved in criminal / corruption cases ; enforcing upon the political parties to declare their alliances before the elections along with pre decided CMP : for fixing maximum age limit for a MLA /MP (do not appear that wise) : setting educational qualification (too needs to be debated ) . Any how in a democracy unless one cares for others he will not be safe. A vote when cast without serious thought could ruin the future of a billion Indians.
.*( Daya Sagar Senior Coloumnist on Kashmir affairs and a social activist dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk alookthroughthemist.blogspot.com)
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