People's Democracy

A NUMBED nation watched with shock and disbelief elected representatives receiving money for the questions they ask in the parliament. In this latest sting operation, eleven members of parliament – ten from the Lok Sabha and one from the Rajya Sabha – were caught on camera. These are new and lower depths of political immorality that our system is sinking into. Six of these belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party who, till yesterday, were shouting hoarse on the Volcker issue adopting a moral high platform. With three others belonging to the BSP and one each from the RJD and the Congress, it is clear that this disease cuts across party lines.

The sole and honourable exception, once again, has been the CPI(M). This is only natural because the CPI(M) is there in politics to serve the people and strengthen our country. This is unlike the ruling class parties who are there to profit from office at the expense of both the people and the country. These members of parliament, caught red-handed, have been barred from entering parliament until the ongoing inquiry by parliamentary committees is over. The country has been promised that this will be completed before the end of this parliament session next week. Naturally, the whole country is looking forward to the strictest of action. Nothing short of expulsion from the house and penal action can act as a deterrent for the future.

Having said this, it must also be noted that a large number of MPs who were approached in the string operation did not fall prey to such entrapment. This is, indeed, a welcome sign and the trend for strengthening the political system by penalising the corrupt elements must receive support from all quarters.

Two pertinent questions need to be raised in this context. The first relates to introducing the "right to recall". An electorate which elects a person to the parliament must also have the right to recall that person, if he/she indulges in political immorality or fails to implement assurances given at the time of voting. Second, serious reconsideration must be given to the immunity provided to members of parliament. The immunity and the consequent privileges given to elected members cannot be allowed to act as a tacit licence for corruption and graft. Alongwith the much-needed and long pending electoral reforms, these aspects must also receive due attention.

The worst fall out of this expose is the further strengthening of the growing cynicism amongst the people against politics and the political process. This is dangerous and needs to be collectively combated and reversed. It is only through an active large scale participation of the people that the system can be improved and such vices be abolished. As we go to press, it is only hoped that the inquiry, once having established guilt, will proceed to take effective action with the singular purpose of serving as a deterrent for the future.