Poll coded

The autonomy and independence of the Election Commission is the foundation on which India8217;s democracy rests. It is, therefore, heartening to note that the new chief election commissioner, T.S. Krishnamurthy, has made it patently clear that he is committed to ensuring just that. In his first public statement, the CEC made two important observations: one, that political parties, particularly those in power, need to observe the spirit of the model code of conduct even before the announcement of the election dates; two, his personal view was that the tax payers8217; money should not be used for electoral advantage.

While agreeing with these two broad observations in principle, it has also to be recognised that governments 8212; even those in caretaker mode 8212; have to carry on with the business of governance and may even be called upon to take decisions that could be considered as electorally expedient. This freedom they should have until the model code of conduct comes into force, even as it behoves them to be conscious of the fine line they tread. There is then some virtue in the argument offered by BJP spokespersons, that governments also have to convey to citizens the work they have done or are doing. This defence, incidentally, was proferred with regard to the NDA government8217;s 8216;Shining India8217; ad campaign. But the argument does not quite work in this instance and that is because this particular campaign does not set out to inform readers/viewers about what the government hopes to do or has done, along with the challenges such a project faces, as much as to bludgeon them into perceiving the 8220;greatness8221; of the government8217;s record in the crassly one-sided manner of a soap ad. It is not information that is being imparted then, as much as a salespitch.

Not surprisingly, the estimated Rs 400 crore spent on the campaign has caused resentment because it is perceived as being expended for partisan ends. In any case, as political observers have commented, the message of 8216;Shining India8217; is best broadcast to the international, rather than the national, community. So perhaps the government would do well to take another look at the efficacy and ethics of this particular ad campaign.