The Role of Governance and Electoral Systems in Scam Allegations: Modiji vs. Manmohan
Recent years have seen a series of high-profile scams in India, with allegations often targeting both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government under Narendra Modi and the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government led by Manmohan Singh. This article delves into whether these scams are a result of the current or previous governance, and examines the role of governance and electoral systems in perpetuating such malpractices.
Electoral System and the Role of Money in Politics
One of the primary contributors to such scams is the electoral system in India, which is deeply intertwined with the vast sums of money involved in securing political power. Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan, shed light on how the UPA government utilized non-performing assets to earn funds. The UPA government managed to raise money through tenders without addressing the savings deposited in various Indian banks. This practice continued during the Modi government, highlighting the persistence of such illicit activities.
In a growing economy like India, it is inevitable that scams will occur. However, their continued prevalence can be attributed to the electoral system and the enormous sums of money required to secure political power. To combat these scams, it is essential to reform the electoral system, reducing the influence of money in politics. This is crucial for fostering a more accountable and transparent governance system.
Scam Allegations and Political Timing
The timing and nature of scam allegations often suggest a political motive, rather than genuine efforts to uncover and address malpractices. In the Neerav Modi case, an individual who was seen as a promising businessman during the Congress era, was projected as a major business tycoon in the Modi era. This strategic projection was facilitated by several banks issuing letters of guarantee, believing in his credibility. However, his failure led to significant losses for the Public Sector Bank (PSB), PNB, in the Modi era.
Similarly, Anil Ambani, a well-known businessman, took a significant loan and sold off some of his companies to get a lucrative deal involving fighter planes. The lack of response from the Modi government to these issues raises questions about the political motives behind the allegations. The 2G scam, which was claimed to be a major issue by the Modi government, has since been proven to be unfounded. This further casts doubt on the sincerity of the claims made against previous administrations.
Improper Governance and Lack of Accountability
Scams are often a result of improper governance with no accountability. Political leaders craft rules that shield themselves from legal repercussions, making it difficult to investigate and punish those involved in scams. Committees and commissions appointed to investigate scams are often guided by rules drafted by the very politicians implicated in the scams.
Moreover, the names of these politicians are never revealed to the public, and files containing their names are deleted from databases accessible to investigation authorities. By manipulating the legislative process and drafting rules to suit their interests, politicians ensure that they remain untouchable, even when their actions clearly violate laws.
Neither the Manmohan era nor the Modi era can be held fully responsible for these systemic issues, as the majority of elected representatives are complicit in such activities, regardless of their party affiliation. The systematic nature of political corruption and the lack of accountability in Indian governance highlight the need for comprehensive reforms in both governance and the electoral system.
Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, including stricter enforcement of anti-corruption laws, greater transparency in political funding, and a stronger voice for civil society in the political process. Only through such reforms can India hope to tackle the scourge of scams and build a more accountable and transparent governance system.