Freedom of choice without options

India is the largest democracy in the world. We elect our representatives through voting as democracy gives us freedom to choose. But freedom of choice is meaningful only when we have options to choose from. In theory Indian democracy seems perfect but its actual functioning has left much to be desired for.

Various candidates mostly belonging to different political parties contest elections and get elected. As representatives of their area they are voices of people. But the truth is they tow their party line. In India political parties are undemocratic and opaque where dynastic politics and despotism is rampant. There is even a constitutional law popularly known as anti-defection law (inserted through 52^nd amendment in 1985) that kills the democratic spirit.

The provision of this law states: “A member would incur a disqualification under paragraph 2 (1) (a) when he “voluntarily gives up his membership of a party” and under 2 (1) (b) when he/she votes (or abstains from voting) contrary to the directive issued by the party.”

As the name suggests the law is supposed to deter defections by elected representatives (MPs and MLAs) who had earlier given their support to form the government. This is to maintain stability in the government. But the law has put the power in hands of party hierarchy. Provision 2(1)(b) stated above is applicable not only to confidence vote but also to any other decision/law/debate matter.

Do we vote for individuals as our representatives or a political party? Even if we do vote for a political party, is the political party system in India democratic? NO! The political party system in completely opaque, power is concentrated in the hands of few elites who run the show. This breeds dynastic politics and despotism leaving Indian democracy without substance.

Major electoral reforms have long been pending now. There has been talk of bringing right to recall. Right to recall gives the power in the hands of people whereby they can remove their elected representative before the term has ended. This would be an extreme measure and cost of re-elections would be huge. And even if we bring this reform, whom would we re-elect? Does, undemocratic anti-defection law leave us any choice? Yes we do have freedom of choice. Alas, no options to choose from.

Flawed Priorities

It is widely accepted that GDP growth cannot be a measure of a country’s development. Measuring development is very complex but there are certain accepted measures, one of them being Human Development Index (HDI). Human development Index combines three dimensions – A long and healthy life (Life expectancy at birth), Education Index (mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling), a decent standard of living (per capita GNI). India is ranked 134/187 in this index. Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Iran, Sri Lanka and Thailand are some of the countries that are ranked above India in this index.

If we look closely at the HDI of various states in India the findings are more shameful. If Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were independent countries, they would be ranked 5^th and 12^th in terms of population respectively & 148/187 and 161/187 respectively in HDI’s. Eight of India’s least developed states (BIMAROU states +Assam) constitute 47.62 % of India’s population with their combined HDI lying in the low HDI zone. I can safely say that India is an under-developed country.

India is a socialist country as mentioned in our constitution. It can be argued that the policies India have adopted since 1990s have been of capitalist nature but in truth those steps were means and not the end. The end was to generate sufficient income for the country, boost employment, and increase revenues of the government which could be utilized for development. Distributive justice is important component of socialism whereby government undertakes measures to tax the rich and spend on welfare of the poor.

But Indian spending priorities are flawed. While the ultra rich drive their SUVs on government subsidized Diesel, the government keeps financing the losses of Air India which has no utility for the poor. Spending Billions on enriching the infrastructure of metropolis and comparatively well off states has lead to more migration and unplanned urbanization which has created greater problems. Most of the developmental subjects (health, education etc) are in the state list but governments of the poor states have very less funds at their disposal. Further, expenditure from central quota is based on discretion of the central ministries which are mostly politically motivated.

In recent years, India has increased its defense spending. India has become a donor to some under-developed countries. India also organized the CWG games to showcase itself to the world. It can be argued that these spendings are of strategic concern. But the truth is – India chose these ahead of other pressing needs.

One half of India booms and other is under-developed. The priorities of the Indian development story are flawed.