How to Overcome Money Power and Muscle Power in Elections ?
HOW TO OVERCOME MONEY POWER AND MUSCLE POWER IN ELECTIONS ?
In many ways, India’s efforts at democracy have been an amazing success.
Despite low levels of literacy and human development, vast social divisions, and a massive population, India has remained relatively stable, peaceful, and democratically governed. However, due to the pressing (and often divisive) concerns of the many demographic groups in India and the increasing distrust that the electorate has for its leadership, major reasons for concern about Indian democracy still exist. MONEY POWER
According to a recent study by CSDS, money is a key factor in Indian elections.
Although the 122 candidates studied ranged from “Super Rich” to “Lower Middle” class,
All major parties preferred to back the richer candidates who could fund their own election expense. When the relative success of these candidates is examined, the real advantage of money power becomes clear. Of the candidates who secured their deposits by winning at least one sixth of the votes, 87% were Very Rich or
Super Rich. In addition, these two groups, representing between 1-2% of the Indian public together, dominated the elections as winners and runners-up in most cases
. Of the winners themselves, in 23 out of 24 constituencies, the seat went to a
Super Rich, Very Rich or Rich candidate. The Super Rich had an incredible success rate- 7 out of 10 candidates won.
MUSCLE POWER Muscle power in elections is possibly an even more alarming factor in Indian politics. Across the country, we find trends of increasing numbers of candidates and 8 elected officials with criminal backgrounds. According to one newspaper in 1997, at least
40 members of the Lok Sabha and about 700 of the 4000 plus legislators in various states were “either history sheeters or had been charge sheeted in criminal case” . Party Corruption- Solution: Democratization of Parties
Party corruption is, more than all of
In many ways, India’s efforts at democracy have been an amazing success.
Despite low levels of literacy and human development, vast social divisions, and a massive population, India has remained relatively stable, peaceful, and democratically governed. However, due to the pressing (and often divisive) concerns of the many demographic groups in India and the increasing distrust that the electorate has for its leadership, major reasons for concern about Indian democracy still exist. MONEY POWER
According to a recent study by CSDS, money is a key factor in Indian elections.
Although the 122 candidates studied ranged from “Super Rich” to “Lower Middle” class,
All major parties preferred to back the richer candidates who could fund their own election expense. When the relative success of these candidates is examined, the real advantage of money power becomes clear. Of the candidates who secured their deposits by winning at least one sixth of the votes, 87% were Very Rich or
Super Rich. In addition, these two groups, representing between 1-2% of the Indian public together, dominated the elections as winners and runners-up in most cases
. Of the winners themselves, in 23 out of 24 constituencies, the seat went to a
Super Rich, Very Rich or Rich candidate. The Super Rich had an incredible success rate- 7 out of 10 candidates won.
MUSCLE POWER Muscle power in elections is possibly an even more alarming factor in Indian politics. Across the country, we find trends of increasing numbers of candidates and 8 elected officials with criminal backgrounds. According to one newspaper in 1997, at least
40 members of the Lok Sabha and about 700 of the 4000 plus legislators in various states were “either history sheeters or had been charge sheeted in criminal case” . Party Corruption- Solution: Democratization of Parties
Party corruption is, more than all of