Page 241 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

democracy, with all its flaws, for surviving for so many years. Our periodic
elections have been hailed abroad as the largest of its kind in the world. But
there is a growing realisation that we could have achieved more if only we
had leaders who subordinated their personal interests for the larger good of

the country. The kind of leadership we had immediately after independence is
nowhere to be found now. If the great leaders of the past underwent prison

sentences for fighting British imperialism, the politicians in recent times were
convicted because of corruption and involvement in criminal cases.

With regard to specific problems in our electoral process, there is a growing

awareness among the people that the dishonest and corrupt politicians
working in league with corrupt bureaucrats are responsible for the all-round
mess in every walk of life. Booth capturing has been the common feature
during polling in some of the states like Bihar and UP. The kind of tantrums

we get to see in the parliament and some of the state assemblies tarnish our
image as the largest democracy in the world. The criminalisation of politics is

not confined to Bihar and UP alone. Over 600 candidates with criminal cases
registered against them in various courts have been chosen as MPs and
MLAs. This gory record might be more in case of Panchayats. The rising tide

of violence and the extravagant expenditure during election time make
political mandate a mockery of democracy. ‘Kissa Kursika’ remains the only
agenda for most of our politicians and hence, they change sides every now

and then as defection is the best way to remain in power. Almost every
politician is loyal to the self and not to the country or the people who have
elected him/her. Whenever there is a hung assembly, cut-throat horse trading

becomes the order of the day. The Supreme Court has said that a voter has a
fundamental right to know the antecedents of a candidate. It said that a much
improved electoral system was required to make the election process both

transparent and accountable so that the influence of tainted money and
physical force of criminals do not make democracy a farce. It is no secret that
elections are fought with the help of money power which is gathered from

black sources and when elected to power, it becomes easier to collect tons of
money which is used to retain power and for re-election.

Coming to recent developments, the credit for sincerely attempting to