Page 45 - 15JUNE2019E

general elections

mies in the world but it is neither one of likely to accept political deception and
the strongest democracies nor affluent abuse of power any further. Thus, the
nations. central government’s ability to meet
In an era of democratic recession, the next generation’s aspirations is cru-
electoral politics breeds opportun- cial in taking the country forward.
ism and political opportunism begets The new government has its task cut
political opportunism. Elections being out - preserving foundations of democ-
winner-take-all, political parties’ only racy and ensuring justice for all citizens
aim is to win and to do so by any means regardless of social status, economic
is always tempting. There are two key power or political leverage – these are
negative takeaways of the 2019 general the sacrosanct elements of democracy
election - low political discourse and and certainly the bedrock of participa-
criminal charges against 233 newly- tory governance.
elected MPs or 43% of total Loksabha Modi’s style of governance and man-
MPs. On our part, we also failed to ap- agement of the economy has been big
preciate fully democracy’s purpose, talking points. Only time will tell up to
process, and outcomes as we got stuck what extent the innovative mega mis-
in the vortex of pro-Modi or against- sions or policy measures taken during
Modi emotion. Put another way, we NDA 1 have fructified to the benefit of
failed to rise above “isms” by not allow- people. However, people are anxiously
ing deserving candidates win in many looking for several dynamic policy
parliamentary constituencies or using measures including long-standing re-
NOTA to reject all unworthy candidates. forms, but the single most important
In present-day India, where rela- area is the economy that requires ur-
tions between citizens and government gent attention and sustenance.
are reshaping, the notion of “govern- In all fairness, people’s expecta-
ance”, which refers to a mutual com- tions from a democratic government
munication between the government can only be actualised when there
and citizens, has become more intri- are matching efforts on both sides. If
cate and intense. It’s precisely for this the government is found sincere in
reason political pundit as also so called its functioning, the people should also
Khan Market gang failed to recognize engage in re-awakening exercise (to be
the undercurrent in favour of Modi responsible citizen) making both sides
government in this year general elec- appreciate their roles in a democratic
encourage voters to think for them- tion. In any case, it’s the majority who setting.
selves by outlining a cogent, serious choose Modi government convinced People’s expectations may be high or
and substantive plan for strong India. by the good work done by the central low depending on the confidence the
Also, the narrative built around fight- government in the last five years. One people have in their government they
ing terrorism and Modi persona paid may however argue whether Modi have voted into power. Since NDA 2 has
rich dividends. After all, in an interest- government in true sense adhered to come to office with massive votes and
ing political culture-wars shift, deflect- “good governance” concept, which in- high number of popular votes, such a
ing attention on real issues is also part cludes all the necessary principles for a government is expected to perform at
of the provocative political canvassing. democratic governance structure such an optimum level.
The majority of the world’s strongest as participation, transparency, account- Sabka saath, sabka vikas along with
democracies and affluent nations are ability, effectiveness, rightness, fairness newly coined sabka vishwas is nothing
mostly transparent countries having and human rights. but progressive governance leading to
open business and government prac- progressive politics.
tices, high levels of trustworthiness Looking ahead And, effective progressive politics is,
and low levels of perceived corruption. It’s time now is for the new gov- and has always been –
Their mantra has been ‘the higher the ernment to get down to the business. About voices as well as votes
standards of governance, the faster the It’s time now to align with ideas and About identity as well as ideals
development’. thoughts of aspirational India and And about listening as well as
India, a developing country, could country’s aspirational ethos. The India leading.
well be the world’s largest democracy that didn’t get swayed by dynastic poli-
and one of the fastest growing econo- tics and caste based politics, is also un- letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 June 2019 45 www.Tehelka.com