Gopalkrishna Gandhi’s article, “Towards a new architecture of integrity” (Perspective, Feb 27) is scholarly and well presented. It is quite relevant in terms of the ensuing elections in five states and the pressing requirements of institutional updates and the current role of the states in the Indian political system actively engaged in the surcharged international scenario.
The writer has started his analysis of the electoral politics starting with the year 1937 which holds important lessons for those who try to understand the dynamics of politics in terms of the peculiarities of the current and the past socio-political reality of India.
As a consequence of the current political practices, sponsored candidates have made Independent candidates — Post-card type (who once used to win elections on the basis of their personal integrity and calibre without donations and sponsorship merely by appealing by means of post cards) — effectively irrelevant, thereby creating a difficult situation for the political system of India at a time when the country is aspiring to find her rightful place in the comity of nations.
Where there is will there is a way. It needs to be realised that elections are a routine matter in a democratic system and need to be treated accordingly. The success of the system lies in enabling the independent type of persons come to the fore by bringing the required changes, effectively targeting the factors making the right type of people irrelevant.
A daring and suitable approach is needed to bring the necessary ‘balance’ in the polity, which is groaning under the burden of the type who have managed to be in important places without understanding the vitals for strengthening the democratic spirit of the system.
Clearly, the institution of Lok Pal alone may not be able to mend the malice which has acquired serious proportions.
