Attempt to enhance Democracy

The biggest challenge to democracy is the attitude of certain representatives of the people who act as if they have obtained a license to commit corruption once they reach the position of power. Representatives of the people should see ministerial posts as an opportunity to serve the people, not to unleash their lust for suzerainty.

Many prominent leaders facing charges for earning crores through corruption and securing properties abroad are still active in politics. Usually, no investigative agency conducts an honest investigation into the allegations of corruption levelled against the Chief Minister and other ministers. Only in rare cases are central agencies summoned.

In Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was the Chief Minister, resigned after being imprisoned in the fodder scam case and appointed his wife as the Chief Minister. Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram also served a jail term in Tihar Jail until he was granted bail in a corruption case. In 2014, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa stepped down after being sentenced to four years in prison in a case of amassing wealth beyond her means. She was later acquitted on appeal in 2015 and returned to power. However, this verdict was restored by the Supreme Court in 2017, but she had died before that.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu also served jail terms of more than a month. Even the current Union Home Minister Amit Shah spent about a month in jail in connection with a criminal case.

India is home to politicians who have served jail terms for corruption and criminal cases, only to return to power by securing a record majority in elections. The most recent two people who have been imprisoned while serving as Chief Ministers are Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Arvind Kejriwal's initial refusal to step down as Chief Minister despite being in jail had led to major criticism and controversy. Hemant Soren had resigned as Chief Minister just before his arrest. For whatever reason, it is never in the ethics of democracy for a person in jail to continue in power. In a democracy, more importance should be given to society and political parties than to the individual.

In this context, the Constitution Amendment Bill, stipulating the removal of ministers from their posts, calls for importance. This bill was introduced by the government in the Lok Sabha amidst opposition ruckus. The opposition alleged an ulterior motive behind the bill to overthrow the government in the states ruled by the opposition. It is hoped that the proposed amendment law will pave the way for enhancing democracy and keeping corruption at bay.