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Accountability and Democracy
 Unfortunately
the Indian sub-continent has a history of political
assassinations. It is in this context that the perceived
threat to the life of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister
Mayawati cannot be taken lightly even if there might be some
evidence to the contrary. However, this brings in focus the
political culture that prevails in the country. Why do
political parties benefit only by default? Why do they make
promises they are unable to redeem? Why don’t they have
solutions to problems, solutions that can be applied when
people have expressed faith in their word? The answers are
there but we do not wish to face them as politics has become a
timeless cricket match where even the numbers of innings to be
played are unlimited. This explains the musical chairs
syndrome in politics and the repeated come backs of aging
politicians whose sole is apparently to hand over the
responsibility of continuing the great game to their progeny.
How else does one explain the promise and then inability of
the atta-dal scheme of Akali Dal in Punjab? How can a
political party be allowed to make a promise without knowing
if it will be able to fulfill? The truth is that political
power has become a naked tool for self aggrandizement which in
turn has led to fragmentation and frustration in society. Much
of the culture of violence can be attributed to the failure of
the politicians and political parties to satisfactorily
address issues that concern the people. If only we realized
that politics is a creative discipline where individuals have
creative periods in which they shape the course of events.
Once that phase is gone they have nothing left to give to the
society and hence their dependence on promises that they know
not how to fulfill. This also explains the dependence of
parties and leaders like BJP and L.K.Advani on issues that
skim the emotions rather than the material well being of
people. It is obvious that the citizens need to take matters
in their own hands and put their foot down on the divisive
politics that creates an environment of hate and violence. |
