India prides itself on being the largest democracy in the world. However, the events of last few days have put everyone to shame. Is it a democracy or a corporate mafia and a gathering of dons? The ways Congress as well as some opposition parties are trying to cobble together numbers for the trust vote has put the very concept of democracy as practised here in question. It appears the word democracy is used only to fool the common people while in real life it is the dons and the corporates who run the show. It has been observed all over the sub-continent that any political party in power always carries a false notion of being the only patriotic party. They consider themselves to be the only guardians of whatever is termed by them to be the “National Interest”. They feel that they alone know how to run the affairs of the country in the larger interests of the people. No one is prepared to leave the office unless they are dragged down either physically in an upheaval or through some elections. The concept of democracy may not be inherently bad but the way it is put into practice and managed here is shocking. Firstly the upright, right thinking people especially from the new generation hardly get into the management cadre of the political apparatus. The guys who run the show are of vintage order and should have retired long back. The number of young, honest, and really knowledgeable people is minuscule in most of the parties. Why is it necessary for the Congress party only to clinch the nuclear deal? If they do not have the backing of the right number of members in the parliament, they should resign and go to the people to regain the trust and then sign the deal. How does it matter if the deal does not go through now? A new government here as well as in USA can re-negotiate it. Buying members through corporate houses on one hand and the worst blackmail being indulged in by various politicians appearing as dons is truly shameful. There is talk that some members have been offered Rs.25 to Rs.30 crores for their vote. Some are reported to have been offered cabinet berths. From their side some members are putting really humiliating conditions for the ruling party. Some are demanding nationalisation of mines while others want change in the portfolios of some ministers.

There is truly what a TV channel has called the great MP Bazaar! One of the members putting tough conditions had even been convicted for murder. He has offer of a cabinet berth from the ruling side and the Chief Minister’s post from the opposition. Politicians are changing parties like a set of clothes. There is nothing like ideology, convictions, morality, and patriotism. The whole show seems like a one day cricket match. Full of excitement and drama. Almost all TV channels are continuously glued to the topic. Moreover, there is massive betting going on about the outcome. Every politician seems to have forgotten about the uncontrollable inflation and the consequent price rise which is breaking the backs of poorer sections of the society. Somehow there seems to be a perennial tussle between the so called progressive and secular forces on one hand and the communally nationalist forces on the other. The Communist Party of India is pursuing a brand of Communism which has already been given up by its originators in Russia and China! They are trying to revive a dead horse. That brand of Communism may still exist in some form in Cuba, North Korea, and a few Latin American countries. Rest of the World is moving more and more towards liberalisation and globalisation.

The situation is no better on the other side of the border. Their brand of democracy has the most notorious don as its chief. Controversial Chateau in U.K. and the convictions in Geneva did not make any difference to him. There is an interesting love and hate triangle in place. On one hand all of the ruling party and its supporters want to get rid of the President. They have repeatedly claimed him to be an unconstitutional head. However, they cannot summon the courage or forge the unity to remove him. They have to keep in mind Uncle SAM (rather Bush!) who is too keen to get in. It is again a combination of Rajas, Sardars, Mians, and Chowdhrys. Common man there too continues to be crushed by an uncontrollable price rise. They have another headache. Here only the money and materials change hands but across the border guns also boom. Money, of course is always part of the deal. It is reported that the son of the newly appointed Prime Minister had gone to Dubai with few million dollars to buy real estate just after swearing in of his father as the new Prime Minister! The violence has become so wide spread and common place that the very stability of the country as a single unit is doubtful. There is a virtual war going on the borders with Afghanistan. US missiles are hitting left, right, and centre. One cannot predict when Bush or even Obama as per his recent statement will land troops to take over the country in the interests of the “World Peace”.

The western style democracy seems unsuitable for both the countries. The basic requirement is education and not literacy of the people. We may have millions of literate people but unless they are really educated about the value of their vote and the working of a real democracy, it is of no use. The net result is that after every election it is one mafia taking over from another. Their first priority is to make good in the shortest possible time the investment they have made in getting elected and for the rest of the time they are earning profit only. Some of the autocracies may be better off. At least their developmental plans proceed without any hitch. Yes, there is lot of corruption there also but may be at the top level. In any case, there is need to assess whether it may be more useful and functional to have a Presidential system of democracy. No doubt in USA where the Presidential system has been working for ages, there also is lot of money involved in elections and it is not easy to become a Presidential candidate, yet the system works better. A good President with the choice of picking the best possible team may be a better option. It is said that with the change of each President in USA almost 5,000 people change jobs. He gets the best people from the various think tanks in American universities. It may be because of our psyche where we have the inherent feeling of being ruled by Kings and Queens deemed to be divine representatives on Earth.

The present crisis may be over one way or other soon but in the long term there is need to think over the whole system. It is better to have a dual party system with a President on top than a motley multi-party crowd pulling in all directions!