Laloo146;s paranoia

The Bihar election process has been part of our political scenario ever since the year began. With it has emerged the never-ending confrontations between Laloo Prasad Yadav and his Rashtriya Janata Dal, on the one hand, and the Election Commission, on the other. The year began, it may be remembered, with the Election Commission issuing a showcause notice to the RJD president for violating the model code by distributing money to Dalit voters in Patna 8212; and there has never been a moment8217;s respite in the EC-RJD skirmishes since.

First, we had the high drama over the Saptharishi revelations in May, with Yadav even demanding the resignation of the two election commissioners for 8220;conspiring8221; to keep him out of Parliament, followed by the RJD8217;s recent sniping over the EC8217;s 8220;arbitrary transfers8221; of officers perceived friendly to the RJD. It also darkly hints that voters from the 8220;weaker sections8221; read RJD voters are being prevented from exercising their franchise because they have not been given identity cards. These accusations had forced the normally reticent Commission to go beyond merely serving regular notices to the RJD. In a rare statement issued last month, the Commission charged the Union railway minister of making 8220;unwarranted and motivated8221; allegations with the view to maligning its 8220;fair image8221; before voters.

If this is the case, it is disturbing. The credibility of the election process 8212; and India8217;s democracy by default 8212; rests in large measure on the credibility of the Election Commission. It cannot be held hostage to the desperation of a man who believes that he has an almost divine right to rule Bihar. It may be expecting too much from Laloo Prasad Yadav, Union minister though he may be, to bother about the health and image of crucial democratic institutions like the Election Commission. But his senior colleagues in government 8212; more precisely, the prime minister 8212; should have a little chat on the issue with him.