Tavleen Singh’s fifth column: Elections and bonds

Being referred to as a “veteran journalist” is something I dislike. I feel so old because of that. However, I have no qualms about acknowledging that I have been in the media field for a very long period, and that has its benefits. It has given me the opportunity to see a great deal of history and several elections, and it has taught me how to observe political developments and occurrences from a distance. This may be the reason I approach the electoral bonds program somewhat skewed. Don’t misunderstand me. I will not be standing by this really dishonest plan. I am delighted that the Supreme Court made demands and compelled the identities of political party contributors to be made public in addition to their contributions.

The finance minister acknowledged last week at the India Today summit that this arrangement, which changed “black” money into white as soon as it became a political gift, was “not perfect.” However, she was correct when she pointed out to the audience how much worse the previous system was. Perhaps a more truthful statement would have been that it had no positive impact on the corrupt practices of the past.

I recall elections in the seventies and eighties, and even more recently, when strong politicians could force businessmen to provide large sums of money on the assurance that they would be paid back if they won. The fact that cash stowages are still often discovered at the residences of politicians and others close to them indicates that the practice is flourishing. This is how money is hidden since it’s often filthy money. The election bonds were purportedly an effort to increase transparency in political financing, but this did not materialize. The bonds were designed to reduce black money and promote openness, however they were unable to achieve either goal. However, they served as a helpful cover for political parties hoping to project an image of too pure to handle illegal money.

Spokesman for the Congress Party is painting the BJP in a negative light while maintaining a high moral standard. liars. Have they forgotten how shady their own past was? When elections were approaching in the 1970s and 1980s, there were rumors circulating in Delhi’s political circles about “suitcases of cash” that were arriving from the Soviet Union. No one ever found out if this was true or not, but many years later, KGB spymaster Vasili Mitrokhin indicated in passing that numerous members of Indira Gandhi’s government were employed by the KGB in his memoirs. The shocking disclosures made by Mitrokhin ought to have sparked a firestorm in India. This did not occur since no one seemed to be really startled.

Even the most casual observer of the Indian political system is aware that wealthy businesses contribute money to our elections, often in exchange for a contract or a favor. The fact that some of the contributions made via the election bonds seem to have been paid in order to avoid obtaining environmental approvals is concerning. Some seem to have been submitted by individuals who were afraid of an impending raid by the Income Tax department or the Enforcement Directorate.

large money and large politics have a symbiotic connection that is difficult to sever internationally, but things function better in nations with stronger checks and balances. The primary responsibility for India’s political system’s continued reliance on black money lies with our political leaders. There wouldn’t be as much black money if businesses were able to operate without being dependent on bribes and corruption. The reason this hasn’t occurred yet is a topic we should be asking, and the possible response is that our politicians prefer to use unreported funds to support their campaigns.

The Supreme Court has voiced its severe disapproval of the electoral bonds because they were an effort to hide this unpleasant fact rather than a sincere endeavor to increase openness in the political system. Will things thus soon change? Sadly, this is not probable as everything that occurs at the top of our political structure also occurs at the bottom. Because politics has become such a profitable business, individuals in rural India freely discuss how their local leaders never give up their positions unless they can pass them down to a family. They use other people’s money, not their own, to compete in elections. They utilize this to purchase fancy automobiles for their family and to construct themselves large homes.

An essential first step towards reform is the Supreme Court’s determination to remove the masks that covered the identities of individuals who purchased those election bonds and the parties that profited from them. However, a complete purging of our political culture will be necessary before any meaningful reform can occur. One of Narendra Modi’s first “guarantees” as prime minister was to eradicate black money. There is little doubt that changes are necessary if India is to ever become a developed nation, therefore we must hope that he will keep this pledge if he is elected to a third term as prime minister.

Countries whose elections are fueled by money from the illicit market often end up mired forever in the muck and corruption that corrupt political systems thrive in.