Indian political scene is greatly disturbed and disrupted. This is happening when the schedule for Lok Sabha elections 2024 has been announced, and electioneering has started.
After the Supreme Court’shistorical and game-changing verdict declaring electoral bonds as illegal and unconstitutional, all political parties stand exposed. But the ruling BJP is extremely badly exposed.
It would have been in keeping with the high post of prime ministership if PM Modi had not assumed the role of chief ‘election poster boy’ of BJP. He should have given greater attention to his administrative duties in this most populous country of the world. Moreover, it is not good for a democracy that only one person should be projected as the only supreme leader of a party. But unfortunately, votes are being sought not on the basis of government’s achievements or the party’s principles but on the basis of one person, the PM. This act of projecting one person as the only leader smacks of authoritarianism. This reminds us of the rulers of Germany and Italy who ultimately destroyed these countries.
For a free and fair election, a ‘level playing field’ is fundamentally essential. But what the BJP has been doing is not only unfortunate but undemocratic as well. Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been weaponized and it is being brazenly used against the main contender Congress and other challengers.
On the basis of an old case of a small amount of a few lakh rupees, all bank accounts of Congress have been frozen. Not that alone, a fine of Rs.1823 crore has been imposed on Congress. This is a naked violation of the ‘level playing field’ principle.
ED and IT rules are being misused brazenly and shamelessly. And, it is alleged by the Opposition that because of the labyrinth of laws, complicated legal processes and also because of the doubts which are being raised about certain committed judicial officers, no clear verdict is possible.
The BJP government is determined that it will leave no stone unturned to recapture power by fair or foul means. This should be good to remember that the BJP started its tenure in 2014 with the slogan of “Congress Mukt Bharat”.
It is quite clear that Modi’s guarantees are not guarantees at all as happened in the case of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas. Leave other things aside, you can judge the emptiness of this slogan by the marginalization of Muslims who are not considered to be able to get even a single ticket for Lok Sabha elections. This communal mindset is a sure recipe for undermining inclusiveness and democracy. This ostracization of Muslims is extremely injurious to the inclusive development of the country. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been reduced to a position of “to be or not to be” and the BJP is in the dominant position of “we alone and none else”.
Intellectuals and thinkers of India are appalled at this state of affairs and degeneration of democracy and democratic principles.
Should we expect some miracle at this juncture? Or is it possible that in spite of the fearful machinations of the ruling dispensation, people will refuse to be cowed down and succeed in reopening a new chapter of freedom and democracy?