Indian elections 2009 -From Democracy to ‘Moneocracy’ and to ‘Dynastocracy’

By Chinnaa

Greetings!

The recent parliamentary election in India has proved, once again to the world, that here in this part of the globe, called India, nothing strengthens Indian democracy than money power (stress ‘muscle power’ as well) and of late, the glittering dynastic politics. This is in addition to criminalization of politics.

It is alleged and reported widely in the media that the entire political class cutting across party affiliations did indulge in bribing or literally purchasing votes from the gullible citizens as if they are purchasing a five year rule at New Delhi. There is not even a single party which was exceptional to the above allegation. All parties except some name-sake parties were engaged in this shame-game. What is the propriety of parties in claiming that they stand for values in public life?

So you should have a party and a lot of money to win elections, no matter of whether you have principles or not. You do not care from where the money comes from and where it goes. And somewhere in the stream it is exchanged for votes, which results in a party coming to power. Kudos to Moneocracy!

Starting from Sonia Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi to Karunanidhi, and Farooq Abdullah, Indian democracy is strengthened by dynastocracy. The argument goes like this. ‘Just like as in any other profession, dynastic rule in politics is also unavoidable.’ But we must understand that other professions are for private earning and profit whereas the office of politics is towards a public service. That is the difference between other professions and political office.

The main thrust of democracy is defeated in the sense that only those who are in a popular party, those who have enough money to spend in elections, those who have caste support, and those who are given tickets to contest are the only ones winning elections ending up as representatives of the people or the MP.

The common belief in India is as follows:‘In a democracy all are kings’; ‘democracy is for the people, by the people’. ‘By which type of people?’ is The Million dollar question.