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PM calls for stability, curbs on money power

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today expressed grave concern over the frequent elections in the country in the last three years and said only stable governments could solve the complex problems before the country.

Addressing a national seminar on electoral reforms organised by the Law Commission of India in New Delhi, he said efficient government becomes the first casualty when winning elections becomes the first priority of all political parties.

Stating that a coalition government cannot become synonymous with instability, Vajpayee said, "We have to prove to the world that India can have a stable government even in a coalition set-up."

He, however, hastened to add that he was not referring to the performance of his own government. "I am talking on a larger issue," he said.

Vajpayee also expressed concern at the mounting cost of fighting elections, describing it as the very root of political corruption.

Stating that the influence of money in elections is increasing, the prime minister said though the law has put a ceiling on electoral expenses, the limit is observed more in the breach.

He said political parties no longer fight elections using funds collected from the people, but tap moneybags to run their campaigns.

By law, companies cannot donate to political parties, but parties can collect funds, which is obviously illegal. "There is no accounting of this money," he said.

Another dangerous implication of the growing money power is the increasing entry of criminal elements in politics, he said.

Maintaining that infirmities in the electoral system have weakened Indian democracy, the prime minister said the common people are the ultimate sufferers of flawed elections and bad governance.

This trend, he said, is the main reason why political parties and the entire electoral exercise have lost their credibility with the voters. The resultant apathy and cynicism are not good for democracy, he warned.

Vajpayee welcomed the Law Commission's recommendation to introduce a list system of election (proportionate representation) for an additional 138 seats in the Lok Sabha.

Describing the present system of 'first past the post' as mostly a gamble, he said it does not [fully] reflect the people's will in a multi-party system. In most constituencies the winning candidate gets elected on the basis of a minority of the votes cast, resulting in nation-wide misrepresentation.

But the system of proportional representation has its own shortcomings, he pointed out. It can lead to centralisation of control within political parties. Moreover, a candidate's accessibility to and familiarity with the local population and his track record in public life become unimportant. Therefore, excessive reliance on proportional representation could widen the gap between the government and the electorate further.

Vajpayee said he supports the Law Commission's recommendation for summary disqualification of legislators who defect.

But he differed with the suggestion for instant disqualification of a legislator against whom a criminal charge is made. He said disqualification should only follow an indictment in a court of law, because false charges are often made against political rivals.

He also agreed that the expenditure incurred by a party must be added to that incurred by the candidate when returns are filed with the Election Commission. The proposal to strengthen the commission is also a step in the right direction, he said.

Law Minister M Thambidurai said the parliamentary committee headed by former home minister Indrajit Gupta, which recently submitted its report to the Centre, has suggested limited state funding of elections in kind as a way to reduce the role of money power and enable honest candidates to enter the race.

UNI

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