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Journalism of Courage
The march of a group of first-time MPs to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday to beseech the President not to dissolve the Lok Sabha under any circumstances reflects their paranoia over the prospects of elections. Obviously, they do not want to forego the perks and privileges that go with the membership of the House. Besides, they are keen on availing themselves of the benefits of a life-long pension, perhaps at enhanced rates, when they complete a minimum period of two years. Small wonder then that the three dozen or so MPs cutting across party affiliations got together. Driven as they were by selfish pecuniary interests, their conduct cannot be approved of, more so in a party-based democratic system. In the past too, MPs have shown remarkable unity when it came to voting for more perks for themselves. In the present situation, there is some kind of a consensus on the question of averting a poll, though a vast majority of MPs did not find it politically convenient to join the first-timers in their march. It is quite significant that not one political party has forthrightly pleaded for elections, though they all realise that they may not be able to ward them off indefinitely. It is a pity that the so-called people8217;s representatives are scared of going back to the people when they have clearly reached a dead-end.
Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma has rightly recognised the mood of the House when he adjourned it sine die to ensure that members have enough time to avert a situation in which elections become unavoidable. The aversion for polls is essentially because of the members8217; lack of confidence. In other words, they realise in the heart of their hearts that they have forfeited the trust of the people. No political party, including the BJP, which at one time used to wax eloquent on its readiness to face elections, is an honourable exception. But then right from the beginning it was the fear of the polls that brought such disparate elements as the constituents of the United Front, the Congress and the Left parties on a common platform. Such fear does not show the parliamentarians in a good light as in a democracy they cannot shy away from facing the people, who are the ultimate arbiters. Nor can aversion to polls be the summum bonum of enduring political ties.
