UPA I & II has broken all records in corruption scandals. 1.76 lakh crore 2G scam, 1.86 lakh crore Coal scam, Commonwealth scam, Defence scams. Amounts involved have been mammoth, never heard of in Indian political landscape earlier. Corruption is a big issue in Lok Sabha elections this time. BJP is playing it to the hilt. A new political party AAP was born to get rid of corrupt political class and usher in a new alternative brand of clean politics. They have had some success and their share of controversies too.
In India if disproportionate assets to income case is filed strictly against politicians majority of them will be in jail. Even small time politicians have amassed huge wealth. They have all fancy cars (first Bolero was a rage, then Scorpio now Fortuner). All parties have corrupt people. Leaders at the helm of the country Rajiv Gandhi was accused of receiving kickbacks in Bofors scam. Narasimha Rao was involved in a cash for votes scam in 1990s to save his govt. Telecom Minister Sukh Ram was jailed. Lokayukta passed strictures against BJP Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa. Lalu Yadav has been convicted in fodder scam. A Raja and Kalmadi accused in 2G scam and CWG scam, and Coal Minister / PMO in coal scam.
Do these scams impact voting patterns. One would assume so! Do people reject scamsters. Doesn’t seem so. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MPs accused cash for votes scam still keep on winning. Lalu kept on winning despite fodder scam allegations. Corruption is a way of life in India. Voters openly say they don’t have problems with their representatives gulping funds as long as they do something.
In a society where money is given utmost importance, where a person’s worth is judged by his monthly salary / bank balance, property owned, car driven, a girl’s father asks his to be bridge groom how much you earn, there is bound to be corruption. People take all steps to get rich because getting rich makes you powerful. Overall society needs a change…….
That’s why perhaps all parties do make a hue and cry about corruption but still go ahead with giving seats to corrupt leaders:
1. Congress has given ticket to Pawan Kumar Bansal (railways scam) & Subodh Kant Sahay.
2. BJP has given ticket to Yeddyuraappa and re-inducted Srimalu (associate of mining baron Reddy brothers).
3. AAP has given ticket to IAS officer who overtook Khemka’s decision on Robert Vadra’s land deals.
4. Ajit Singh’s party has taken in Amar Singh (cash for votes scam).
5. DMK has given ticket to A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran (telecom scam).
6. JMM has given ticket to Shibu Soren (convicted in urder case, later acquitted).
7. YSR Congress is being led by Jagan Reddy whose illegal property worth crores have been attached.
Will public in these elections reject these tainted leaders? Will it start a new chapter in Indian politics. Remains to be seen……
Politicalbaaba 
Basically we accept corruption as fait accompli.
LikeLike
Thanks sir. But it’s not only politicians entire society is suffering from this disease.
LikeLike
Corruption alone is not decisive.People have been voting by taking bribes in many forms which stem out of corruption money.However,it was too much during UPA2 coupled with oppresive rule in many respect including price hike.Modi’s incorruptible image with development agenda is working in his favour.
LikeLike
Thanks sir! UPA did break all records. Now it’s upto people to reject these scamsters.
LikeLike
Facts put out are good. But there is a twin analysis to this problem:
1) In a country like India, public sector salaries need serious revisions. We need to look at every MP and Minister as a Corporate would. The Prime Minister should be looked like one would look at the CEO of Apple/Microsoft. The safety, security and well being of 1.2 billion is his responsibility. Imagine the levels of stress. Salaries need to be revised by big margins. The base salary for a Minister must be at least 10 crore. “India is a poor country” argument does not work. We need to incentivize governance. Otherwise, corruption will exist.
2) Half of these corrupt people are also criminals. Now, why do criminals score more than the judiciary in a country like India. Firstly, we have 60% poor (World Bank Data, Indian Gov data is much farce). In this country, cases run into decades. Even the smallest of issues. And lawyers charge hefty amounts. Therefore, quick justice can only happen through the means of crime. We need to speed up our judiciary.
These are just two aspects to the problem of corruption.
Secondly, more than the IAS officer who turned down Khemkas work, we all need to look at the AAP Moradabad Nominee, Khalid Parvez, who is alleged to have bought the party ticket for a crore or more. He is a defaulter, a rich man and represents all the kind of people the AAP was created to fight against. This is the urgent need.
Thanks for bringing up the topic. Looking forward to more election related issues on politicalbaba before the commencement of elections,and solutions after the elections.
LikeLike
Thanks Tanay. Increasing salaries would reduce corruption? I doubt? Its more about culture. Rajat Gupta earned millions yet indulged in insider trading because some might say even 10 crore is not enough. I agree to your point that judiciary is the biggest evil in this country. If it delivers timely justice half of our problems are gone! On AAP it is also playing its guru party Congress minority card hence the ticket to Parvez.
LikeLike
Yes, Finally all parties go for “Winnability” ahead of everything else. polls, my post on Neutral media http://wp.me/p1dZc2-k6
Pls read and feedback most welcome
LikeLike
Media persons can’t be neutral. They all have their favourites. They all vote for somebody so they take their sides.
LikeLike