Money power in democracy

Thursday 30 May 2019 12:04 AM IST

Media had carried with prominence the finding by Association of Democratic Reforms that in the recent Lok Sabha election, 475 out of 542 members elected are crore-pathis.
There is nothing unnatural about amassing wealth legally as there is no law to prevent this. The Indian constitution guarantees the right to acquire wealth legally and live as a rich and decent person in society.
On the other hand, when we read along with this another report that 90 per cent of the nation’s wealth will be in the hands of affluent MPs, who are below 500 in number, the area of interest of these persons who enter legislative houses will naturally create doubts in the minds of people.
This situation is prevalent even in the parties of labourers and load workers. In every party, the number of people, who use law-making houses as safe centres for retaining and increasing many folds the wealth they had amassed through various means, is increasing.
There could be a situation wherein a cluster of rich people will start controlling the administration like big corporates and businessmencontrolling the economy of the country. When money power gives way to democracy it is the voice of the commoners that is being silenced.