Navhind Times Opinions: Deterrence to Politicians

Over three decades after JP advocated recall of elected representatives by their voters for corruption or non-performance, the idea was put to test in Chhatisgarh. Voters of the three urban bodies of Gunderidehi, Nawagarh and Durga cast their votes to decide on the recall of their elected representatives. What was interesting was that the state office of the Election Commission of India, which in 1975 had rejected JP's concept as undemocratic, presided over the exercise. The right to recall is based on the principle that elected representatives should be answerable to them throughout their term of office for the manner in which they exercise their responsibilities. The behaviour of the politicians has deteriorated to such an extent that last Friday, JP's political line also received unexpected support from the Speaker of Lok Sabha, Mr Somnath Chatterjee who held that the time is ripe for setting up a system.. There is little doubt that elections are becoming a farce, with persons accused of murder, rape, kidnapping and plunder of public exchequer entering legislatures and being appointed as ministers. Even courts are finding themselves powerless to enforce their own orders. Politics has ceased to become an instrument to serve society and people. Elected representatives go by the "logic" that because they have purchased the votes, they do not have any moral responsibility towards them. Nevertheless the political class is living in a fool's paradise if it assumes that its sovereign masters, the people, will continue to put up with oppression and hardship. It is in this background that a safety valve is needed in the form of the right to recall of elected representatives This is not an alien concept. Such a provision exists in the constitutions of Switzerland and Venezuela, and in 18 states of the US. It is in fact the most potent deterrent instrument of `direct democracy'. The way elected representatives have turned indifferent to their duties and indulged in nepotism and corruption, the government of India should bring an amendment to the Representation of People Act and incorporate right to recall in the statutes. There can be some moratorium period and voters too may have to prove the urgency of their move, but one thing is certain India desperately needs this deterrent instrument.