Friday, March 16, 2007

Prof. Trilochan Shastry

Coming Assembly Elections: Nature of parties and governance
Trilochan Sastry
Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
and Founder Member, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)
January 20, 2007

The coming Assembly elections in the 5 States of Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur once again bring into focus the nature of politics and governance today. In intellectual circles, the debate is about the ideology and policies of a party, and its stand on various issues like the free market, socialism, globalization, secularism, communalism, economic growth, poverty eradication and so on. They also evaluate how well policies and programs are implemented. In more informal circles, people talk about massive corruption in government, and the misuse of money and muscle power in elections. Fortunately, information on candidates is now available publicly, and it throws light on the quality of governance we can realistically expect. The recent Supreme Court Judgments of May 2002 and March 2003 now mandate such disclosure by all candidates.

Of the 102 seats in these 5 states, the major parties alone had 83 (81%) candidates formally charged with a crime. Many are accused of murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, forgery and financial fraud. Party leaders decide who gets a ticket to contest and are directly responsible for this state of affairs. Unfortunately, the situation is worse since there are many more Independent contestants who are similarly charged. It also does not include those who may indulge in fraud but have not been formally charged. The recent convictions of a Minister in the UPA government and an opposition MP are only the tip of the iceberg.

Lok Sabha 2004: Contestants from the 5 States going to the polls


UP
Punjab
Uttarakhand
Manipur
Goa
Overall
Total Seats
80
13
5
2
2
102
No. charged with crime
71
6
4
0
2
83
Percent
88.8%
46.2%
80.0%
0.0%
100.0%
81.4%

Uttar Pradesh, the State with the largest Vidhan Sabha (403) sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha. The Samajwadi Party (SP) fielded 66 candidates of which 22 had criminal charges against them, with 13 accused of violent crimes ranging from murder to dacoity. The BSP had 78, 21 and 15 respectively. The two major National political parties had 15% or less of candidates with criminal charges. Out of 293 candidates contesting on behalf of these four parties, 63 had criminal cases (21.5%), of which 34 contestants were accused of violent crimes.

In Punjab, out of 10 candidates from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in the Lok Sabha 2004 Elections, 2 had criminal charges against them. The Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann) had 6 and 2, the Bharatiya Janata Party had 3 and 1, the Congress had 11 and 0, and SP had 3 and 0 respectively. Uttarakhand carved out of Uttar Pradesh has 5 Parliamentary Constituencies and 70 Vidhan Sabha seats. Out of 5 candidates put up by SP, 2 had criminal charges against them. The Shiv Sena had 2 and 1, and the CPI (ML), 3 and 1 respectively. A similar situation prevails in Manipur and Goa.

Lok Sabha 2004: Political Parties and Crime in the 5 States
Political Party
Total No. of Candidates
No. of Candidates with Criminal Charges
% of Candidates with Criminal Charges
Samajwadi Party
74
24
32.4%
Bahujan Samaj Party
78
21
26.9%
Indian National Congress
85
9
10.6%
Bharatiya Janata Party
83
13
15.7%
SAD
10
2
20.0%
SAD (Mann)
6
2
33.3%
Left
19
5
26.3%

The data also reveal that many candidates do not declare their PAN number and claim that they have nil or very little assets. Data from other Assembly elections held after May 2002 in Bihar, Maharashtra, AP, Gujarat, Karnataka, Orissa, Delhi, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal clearly show that the level of criminalization and false declarations is far worse in the Assembly elections compared to the Lok Sabha polls.

Why are we in this situation and what kind of governance can we expect? Where do we go from here? Many analysts state publicly, and a few politicians privately, that mounting election expenses is the mother of all corruption since the crores spent by someone on getting elected have to be recovered after winning. Starting from Bofors, which was a mere Rs.64 crores, we moved to the Telgi scam, estimated to be in several tens of thousands of crores. Clearly, good governance cannot be a priority in this situation no matter what the ideology or policy. The few capable and honest leaders at the top have a Hobson’s choice: try for good governance from what they know is a corrupt system, or look outside the Government to the private sector. With such levels of corruption, privatization leads to an unholy nexus between money and political power as happened in several other countries. The rush for massive infrastructure projects perhaps opens up more avenues for large scale corruption. Good governance is therefore a sine qua non whether we opt for the free market or for a direct attack on poverty with distributive justice. Party leaders who themselves are not corrupt have to field clean, capable candidates. Some far sighted leader will have to call the bluff that voters only elect those who spend a lot of money. It remains to be seen whether the political system throws up that kind of visionary leadership first or whether public exposure and outcry forces them to change in the long run.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Sir, I am from TN and want to work towards cleaner candidates for elections.

please let me if you want any help/contribution

Unknown said...

I am exactly from Mayiladuthurai area. I want cleaner candidates to compete for the loksabha elections in 2009. Please let me know the efforts that I need to fullfill for this

aaccording said...

Ganesh Naik is going to Airoli and Belapur in Navi Mumbai
The battle ground is getting ready and the fight for “who gets the ticket?” has begun in full force behind closed door meetings. The Congress leaders of Navi Mumbai know that if they don’t fight for getting one of the two constituencies in Navi Mumbai today – for many of them it will become an aspiration unaccomplished forever. But there’s something that the Congress leaders in Navi Mumbai are not willing to accept – that is the in-fighting among the Congress ranks in the city. The division makes it clearly evident that there is no sure Congress contender in either Airoli or Belapur who can take on the might of the Shiv Sena-BJP's Lok Sabha tally of 48015 votes in Airoli and 42982 votes in Belapur thus making the NCP’s chances of getting the tickets from both Airoli and Belapur stronger.

aaccording said...

The president of Navi Mumbai Shikshan Sankul (the Standing Committee chairman Sandeep Naik)
The dignitaries present at the felicitation function were Thane Guardian Minister and MLA Ganesh Naik, Mayor Anjani Bhoir, Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Board, Mumbai Division chairperson Gurunath Kanthe, former Mayor Sanjeev Naik, NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik, Education Committee chairman Ravindra Ithape and other NCP corporators.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Ganesh Naik announced, “The practice examination was conducted for the first time in the city and it has received a tremendous response. The students have benefited a lot. This year, the practice exam was conducted for Marathi medium students. Next year onwards, the practice exam will be conducted for SSC as well as HSC students, belonging to both, Marathi and English mediums.”
The president of Navi Mumbai Shikshan Sankul and the Standing Committee chairman Sandeep Naik said, “This year’s SSC board examination is based on a new syllabus. Hence, it was necessary to conduct such practice examinations.”

aaccording said...

Now, it’s a cool ride from Belapur to Bandra
NMMT’s foray into Mumbai’s Queen of Suburbs is in itself an achievement of sorts for the Undertaking as it had to face stiff opposition from the BEST administration for the last many years. Ganesh Naik appreciated the efforts of the entire official who made this happen in spite of the hurdle. He also urged Volvo official to supply non-air conditioned buses as well to cater to the poor so that they too may travel in comfort at affordable price.
“Keeping the future growth of Navi Mumbai, the proposed airport and other projects in mind, NMMT must start operating these buses from Navi Mumbai to Santacruz to connect the two airports and tap this profitable market before others do. Such a service will also help boost weekend tourism in the city,” said Kapoor.
“Five Volvo city buses have been delivered to NMMT, and fifteen more will be delivered this month itself “, said Volvo buses India Ltd MD Akash Passey. He further added,”The fare is only 25 to 30 per cent higher the ordinary buses. The emissions are much lower.
It is also gathered that NMMT is planning to start bus services from the city to Dadar and Mantralaya, once the once the newly started service gets good response.

aaccording said...

Now, it’s a cool ride from Belapur to Bandra
NMMT’s foray into Mumbai’s Queen of Suburbs is in itself an achievement of sorts for the Undertaking as it had to face stiff opposition from the BEST administration for the last many years. Ganesh Naik appreciated the efforts of the entire official who made this happen in spite of the hurdle. He also urged Volvo official to supply non-air conditioned buses as well to cater to the poor so that they too may travel in comfort at affordable price.
“Keeping the future growth of Navi Mumbai, the proposed airport and other projects in mind, NMMT must start operating these buses from Navi Mumbai to Santacruz to connect the two airports and tap this profitable market before others do. Such a service will also help boost weekend tourism in the city,” said Kapoor.
“Five Volvo city buses have been delivered to NMMT, and fifteen more will be delivered this month itself “, said Volvo buses India Ltd MD Akash Passey. He further added,”The fare is only 25 to 30 per cent higher the ordinary buses. The emissions are much lower.
It is also gathered that NMMT is planning to start bus services from the city to Dadar and Mantralaya, once the once the newly started service gets good response.

aaccording said...

The powerful and influential Naik family
”Thane Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik and NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik arriving at the same venue made for a powerful picture. Because this is for the first time after MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik won the parliamentary elections that the trio came together on the same dais. The love affair of Navi Mumbai with the Naik family started off with Ganesh Naik and has passed on to his sons so much so that today Ganesh Naik holds two significant portfolios of Environment and Excise in the state, his elder son MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik is the spokesperson of NCP in the parliament and his younger son Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik holds the keys to NMMC treasury. Ask Ganesh Naik what he has to say on the powerful tri that they represent and this is what he has to say.
Indeed with the Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, MP Dr. Sanjeev Naik and NMMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik brought to life the impact of the three most powerful and influential men of the first family of Navi Mumbai.

aaccording said...

All the major civic tenders are approved before election code of conduct is implemented.
"All corporators are unanimously approving all civic tender proposals, because corporation election will be held next year, and all of them will be answerable to the public. Therefore, they are giving immediate approvals to civic tenders like condominium work and so on." Sandeep Naik added, "The works under JNNURM has to be finished within time, otherwise Union government won't sanction funds for next phase of works. So, we are ensuring that all the approvals are sanctioned as soon as possible so that city is benefited maximum.In that case, he can apply for one or more tenders. Besides, the tender is being allotted considering the eligibility and lowest quotation put up by the contractors.

aaccording said...

Navi Mumbai Shikshan Sankul
MLA Ganesh Naik announced, “The practice examination was conducted for the first time in the city and it has received a tremendous response. The students have benefited a lot. The practice exam was conducted for Marathi medium students. Next year onwards, the practice exam will be conducted for SSC as well as HSC students, belonging to both, Marathi and English mediums.”
The president of Navi Mumbai Shikshan Sankul and the Standing Committee chairman Sandeep Naik said, “This year’s SSC board examination is based on a new syllabus. Hence, it was necessary to conduct such practice examinations.”

aaccording said...

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) General Body Meeting also major project of Children's Park worth Rs 52 crore are approved.
In the General Body Meeting also major project of Children's Park worth Rs 52 crore and other civic work worth Rs 20 crore are approved. besides, renting of shops of Shirvane's Shopping Complex proposal was initially not approved by any corporator, rather 13 corporators opposed it. "Ideally, once the proposal is opposed by maximum corporators, it should be disapproved by the House and should come back for discussion only after three months. But, ruling party took up the proposal in the same meeting and sanctioned it. This itself indicates how ruling party is using their 'power' in the corporation's work," stated Namdeo Bhagat, Congress' Nerul Corporator.
However, Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik denied all the allegations and said, "All corporators are unanimously approving all civic tender proposals, because corporation election will be held next year, and all of them will be answerable to the public. Therefore, they are giving immediate approvals to civic tenders like condominium work and so on."

aaccording said...

36 sects of Rajasthani community offer their support as gratitude to NCP candidates Ganesh Naik and Sandeep Naik
NCP Belapur candidate Ganesh Naik and NCP Airoli candidate Sandeep Naik met the Rajastani Community at Vishnudas Bhave auditorium in Vashi where they interacted with this community and got to know their issues. Even since the elections have been declared, representatives from all communities have been declaring their support to Ganesh Naik and Sandeep Naik.
36 sects of the Rajasthani community living in Navi Mumbai came together at Vashi to honour NCP Belapur candidate Ganesh Naik and NCP Airoli Sandeep Naik for their work and give them their support and wishes for the upcoming elections. Both the candidates were honored by tying turbans on their head.

aaccording said...

Ganesh Naik has a vision for Navi Mumbai
Ganesh Naik's vision, conception and development inspiring leadership has led to several significant projects being taken up by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and civic services being rendered.
Water Supply: Ensured adequate water supply for the city for the next 50 years by transferring Morbe dam for Navi Mumbai from Maharashtra Jeevan Pradikharan (MJP). 24x7 water supply begun in Nerul, Sanpada, Juinagar and CBD-Belapur.
Transportation: Concretised 14-km-six-lane Thane-Belapur Road. Work on the four flyovers on the highway will complete soon. A resolution has been passed for purchase of 120 CNG buses by NMMT. Work is on at Turbhe bus depot for the first CNG filling station in city. The Thane-Belapur-Nerul rail service has started. A women special service's been initiated on Vashi-Panvel and Panvel-CST routes. Efforts are on at the Central government level to speed up work on the proposed Navi Mumbai international airport.

aaccording said...

Thane Belapur Highway Project nearing completion
The Thane-Belapur highway is the only six lane concretised highway in the country on which toll is not levied. Yet, there has been no compromise on the standard and quality of construction of the highway The quality of construction of this highway was proved when despite the diversion of Mumbra highway traffic to this road, the additional load did not have any effect on it. To ensure long lasting quality of work, NMMC Standing Committee chairman Sandeep Naik himself inspected the road work regularly and issued orders accordingly to NMMC officials. This has resulted in top quality work on the road that is shining today It is Shri Ganesh Naik's huge contribution to the progress and development of Navi Mumbai that has earned him the sobriquet of the city's architect.

aaccording said...

Ganesh Naik Plans To Make Navi Mumbai Free From Load Shedding With A Proposed Power Plant
While Navi Mumbai qualifies as good customers in MSEDC’s list, the city is still on the power company’s list of harsh load shedding hours. And this has been one of the most aggravating problems for the city. Its to address this grievance of Navi Mumbai that Congress-NCP Belapur candidate Ganesh Naik has plans of a proposed power plant that will make Navi Mumbai a power cut and load shedding free city.
Once upon a time Maharashtra had a pride of place with surplus power generation. The abundance in power in the state had become something of a folklore as people migrating from other states would never miss a chance to remark on it. However with time the yawning gap between demand and supply and slow increase in new generation capacity, the state has been hit hard and short on power. And like other cities in central suburbs, power cuts and load shedding accounts for one of the major problems that Navi Mumbai has been facing for the last couple of years. Power cuts and load shedding in Navi Mumbai has hit the industries in the Thane Belapur Industrial Belt really hard and has also slowed down IT growth in Navi Mumbai. Not to forget how the irregular power cuts and load shedding also resulted in disrupting domestic live of Navi MumbaikarsIt is to bring a permanent solution to this problem, that Congress-NCP Belapur candidate Ganesh Naik has planned a unique proposal to construct a power plant that will make Navi Mumbai a power cut and load shedding free city.

aaccording said...

Ganesh Naik Plans To Make Navi Mumbai Free From Load Shedding With A Proposed Power Plant
While Navi Mumbai qualifies as good customers in MSEDC’s list, the city is still on the power company’s list of harsh load shedding hours. And this has been one of the most aggravating problems for the city. Its to address this grievance of Navi Mumbai that Congress-NCP Belapur candidate Ganesh Naik has plans of a proposed power plant that will make Navi Mumbai a power cut and load shedding free city.
Once upon a time Maharashtra had a pride of place with surplus power generation. The abundance in power in the state had become something of a folklore as people migrating from other states would never miss a chance to remark on it. However with time the yawning gap between demand and supply and slow increase in new generation capacity, the state has been hit hard and short on power. And like other cities in central suburbs, power cuts and load shedding accounts for one of the major problems that Navi Mumbai has been facing for the last couple of years. Power cuts and load shedding in Navi Mumbai has hit the industries in the Thane Belapur Industrial Belt really hard and has also slowed down IT growth in Navi Mumbai. Not to forget how the irregular power cuts and load shedding also resulted in disrupting domestic live of Navi MumbaikarsIt is to bring a permanent solution to this problem, that Congress-NCP Belapur candidate Ganesh Naik has planned a unique proposal to construct a power plant that will make Navi Mumbai a power cut and load shedding free city.