| The
Options
The voters have only two options before them. One, they have to choose a Government that is transparent, honest and free from corruption. The second option is to choose a regime comprised of investors, who can invest as much money as they can in the hustings and will amass as much wealth as they can after becoming Ministers. In short a corrupt regime.
If one is prepared enough to go for the first time then the voters should not encourage the candidates to distribute money to buy votes and spend a huge amount of money on election campaign. Forget about the expenditure ceiling fixed by the Election Commission of India. Given the chance to win the seat a candidate will be ready to spend enough cash that can ensure him a Ministerial berth once elected.
It is only natural that a candidate who invested lakhs of rupees by disposing off movable or immovable properties in the elections will have to earn more than the amount he spent during the election. Which means the money meant for public welfare programs, infrastructure development like roads, bridges, school and public buildings end in lining their own pockets. One does not need to go through a vigilance inquiry report to know which former Minister amassed the maximum number of public money.
It is also an open secret that our former Ministers and former bureaucrats have owned palatial buildings and prime lands. One should not expect a politician to do social work in an empty stomach. He will have to ensure the success of the next round of election to remain in the helm of affairs. And he knows very well that he will have to distribute money to ensure a seat in the House.
Hence it is the responsibility of the voters, not the Election Commission to check expenses of a candidate. This will benefit the entire State in the long run. It is the age of competition and the fittest will have to survive. We will have to take part in the global race for progress and one should not expect oneself to be making the stride by means of a backdoor entry policy.
May be only a few close to the Minister or the Chief Minister may get some benefits out of contract works or one or two Government jobs, but the rest of the people will be squeezed dry. In short the poor will have to remain poor for the rest of their live without any hope of a better living condition. Alas, the trends suggest that majority of the voters are unknowingly opting for a corrupt Government.
It is good news that all the parties have made the issue of corruption a major electoral plank. The new entrant DPP organized torch rallies against corruption. Likewise other parties promise to stamp out corruption. But doubts still persist how far they are honest and sincere as far as the issue of corruption is concerned. If one goes by the report of corruption being practiced at the time of allocation pf party tickets, nothing much will change whether they promise to denounce corruption or not.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express) |
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