Partyless Democracy

Democracy is projected as 'by the people, of the people, for the people' but it’s actually buy the people, off the people and far the people.

In current scenario, party is supposed to collect its own fund. These funds come from big corporates, foreign funding agencies, politicians themselves and other small contributions. These fundings are basically investment in disguise to get bigger returns, which comes at expense of common man’s interests. If the businessman buys top politicians of ruling party, he can get anything in favor. All other members of the party have to follow their leader’s command and can’t voice their dissension.

Demerits of current system

Prout philosophy states, "Party politics is one of the factors which stands, or tries to stand, in the way of human unity. In fact, party politics is even more dangerous than disease-causing germs. In party politics all the refined attributes of the human mind, such as simplicity and the spirit of service, slowly but surely get totally destroyed. Party affiliation commands more respect than individual ability; service to self, not service to people, is the main motto; ministerial office, rather than human welfare, is considered superior; and mass deception, political somersaults, etc., are most common phenomena."

"Instead of rectifying themselves, politicians want to accomplish everything through their grandiloquence. By identifying the weaknesses in others and by resorting to bombastic language, they incite one section of people against another so that they can usurp the seat of power and cling to it. Human beings will have to remain vigilant against persons of this type."

Recent examples

1.           Tussle in Maharashtra for CM post and they are projecting we want to give good government to the people while they themselves are more interested in power and money.

2.           Karnataka going to have 3 deputy CMs, which is not for people's welfare but to appease powerful vote clusters. Read here

3.           CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) is used against opposition parties to get political benefits for their own party. If someone joins their party, all cases against them will be subdued.

4.           In present politics, even bitter political opponents work in collusion in all wrong doings. MPs and MLAs increase their salaries. They just malign each other to win votes but go hand in gloves. No real action is taken for other parties’ crime until the guilty is hiding ruling party’s wrong doings.

5.           Creating new posts like Deputy CMs and other posts to appease powerful political clusters to save their chair at the cost of taxpayers’ money.  

6.           Horse trading. Buying other party's elected representatives is a common practice. *Before Karnataka elections, there was cash crunch. Read here

7.           Providing due undue benefits to the corporate houses those fund their election campaigns. Read here

8.             Giving natural resources license to big corporates and the local rightful people are forced to work as laborers.

Current system of crony capitalism need to be changed or replaced that democracy truly represent it's basic essence of 'by the people, of the people, for the people'.

Proposed Solution

To replace the present manipulative election system, we can follow the following steps:

1.           The party based electoral system should be abolished.

2.            A candidate should contest as an independent candidate in election for their respective constituency. A common program can be funded by election commission from exchequer. These candidates should share their agenda in TV and radio shows and all the commitments should be recorded. There will be debates and discussions that how they will fulfill their commitments. People should ask them directly how candidate’s programs and policies are going to improve the condition of constituency and how those policies will be implemented. A strict mechanism should be followed that no candidate should be able to bribe or mislead the voters. If individuals are funding a candidate, then the elected person is obliged to favor them at the cost of voters interest.

3.           Candidates should not be allowed to do any other publicity and strict vigilance should be maintained.

4.           Only those people should be allowed to vote who understand political, social and economic impact of policies and decisions. An electoral college should be formed of such politico-socio-economically aware people. A test may be conducted to check socio economic knowledge and understanding of voters and then they should become part of Electoral College and allowed to vote. It seems very harsh and impractical at the moment because we have grown with mindset of universal franchise, anyone above age of 18 years is eligible for voting. Will we ever ask a hockey player to select a cricket team if he does not know the basics of cricket? An effort should be made to educate remaining people so that they can also be socio-politico-economically aware and can vote in forthcoming elections. These people should be uplifted to become part of Electoral College. Voting should be mandatory for members of Electoral College.

5.           Each person should stand for a particular post which he is expert in and has leadership qualities. Let’s say textile minister, then he should have decent knowledge on production, processing and marketing of textiles. It should not be that an elected person is allotted some ministry for which he does not know the basics.

6.           Complete development plan and all the projects should be visible online with estimated budget and time bound completion.

7.           People should have right to vote against a proposed project. If people feel, it is wastage of money like bullet train, big statutes, then they should have right to vote against the project. A cheaper method can be found like e-voting.

8.           There should be quarterly assessment and all the elected persons have to answer to the people if they have concerns on his style of functioning, delayed projects and over expenditure etc.

9.           If an elected person is unable to deliver his promises in stipulated timeframe, then he should be penalized monetarily and sent to prison for making false promises. This will help in avoiding non serious candidates and pave the way for only serious candidates those know what is feasible and will promise accordingly.

10.       Discussions in parliament and legislative assemblies will be based on everyone’s input and not by party head’s instructions where only handful of people make all the decisions. A healthy discussion will incorporate more views and alleviate concerns from different sectors. Country or state should not run by whims of few self centred politicians.

11.       Recall or Impeachment should be allowed against any elected member even before completion of his tenure if he is found indulge in corrupt practices or not performing his duties.

12.       Political institutions are responsible for economic development of area as well. It should not be just about building roads and railways. Eg- Helping in setting up industry based on raw materials in those areas.

13.       Legislative, Administrative, Judiciary and Public exchequer should be separate. None of these institutions should be allowed to interfere in each other’s work. Government appoints people who obey their dictums which jeopardizes the purpose of these very institutions.

14.       Audit department should be absolutely independent and should not be appointed by government.