Chandigarh, 30th Apr 2017: The second day of the 13th Annual National Conference being organized by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) focused on criminalization of politics and the impact of the media on elections and governance as well as the grave necessity to address the most pressing problems in the electoral and political arena.

Criminalization of Politics:

[Panelists: Shri S.N. Shukla (General Secretary, Lok Prahari), Adv H.C. Arora (Advocate-Punjab & Haryana High Court), Prof. Ashutosh Kumar (Professor, Dept. of Political Science, Panjab University), Prof. Manjit Singh (Member, Swaraj Abhiyan);

Chairperson: Prof. Trilochan Sastry (Founder member and Trustee of ADR)]

 

The panelists shared their views regarding the increasing criminalization of politics.

 

While speaking on the criminalization of politics and lack of transparency in political parties, Shri S.N. Shukla (General Secretary, Lok Prahari) said that nothing substantial has been done by the successive governments in the last 20 years to restore and maintain the purity of the highest democratic institutions of Parliament and State Legislatures by preventing entry/continuance of persons with criminal background in these august bodies. He said that the main causes of this alarming situation are: Disregard of the judgement invalidating Section 8(4) of the RP Act, 1951, Contempt for the decision in Manoj Narula’s case, Non-compliance of the Apex Court’s order dated 10.3.2014 in WP © No. 536 of 2011, No disqualification even for those charge sheeted for heinous crimes, Prisoners can contest even though they cannot vote, Lack of effective deterrent punishment for filing false affidavit, Lacuna in the guidelines for registration of political parties and First past the post system.

 

Adv H.C. Arora (Advocate, Punjab and Haryana High Court) highlighted the issue of pension taken by convicted MPs and MLAs ranging from Rs. 50,000/- to Rs. 2.15 lakhs as there is no provision in law for stopping the pension of convicted MPs and MLAs.

 

Prof. Ashutosh Kumar (Prof. Dept. of Political Science, Panjab University) raised questions on why political parties give tickets to candidates with criminal cases. He said that since candidates with criminal cases bring funds to the political party, buy votes, intimidate voters and cut votes of opposition candidates, political parties give tickets to them. He also highlighted that due to lack of internal democracy among political parties, distribution of tickets is on the order of party supremo resulting in an increase of candidates with criminal cases.

 

Prof. Manjit Singh (Swaraj Abhiyan) stressed on the need to strengthen local governments. He said that we all need layered democracy instead of a hierarchical democracy.

 

Prof. Trilochan Sastry (of ADR) said that we have to engage the youth rigorously to bring change and get clean candidates in elections.

 

 

Impact of Media on Elections & Governance:

 

[Panelists: Shri. Uttam Sengupta (Executive Editor, National Herald), Shri Mukesh Bhardwaj (Executive Editor, Jansatta), Shri Vishal Monga (Chief of Bureau, Times Now), Shri Sarabjit Pander (Former Special Correspondent, The Hindu, Chandigarh);

Chairperson: Maj. Gen. Anil Verma (retd.), (Head of ADR)]

 

Maj. Gen. Anil Verma (retd.) Head of ADR, opened the panel for the discussion with discussing the role of media for pressurizing political parties.

 

Shri Uttam Sengupta (Executive Editor, National Herald) said that elections have changed beyond recognition be it election expenditure or bribing the voters. He also raised the issue that the media is unable to understand the changing dynamics of elections. He suggested that the way forward to resolving issues related to media was a provision of auditing media itself.

 

Shri Mukesh Bhardwaj (Executive Editor, Jansatta) provided the historical overview of the evolution and transition of media. He emphasized that the media still holds it’s credibility.

 

Shri Vishal Monga (Chief of Bureau, Times Now) clarified that politicians do not get pressurized by the media. He said that the media creates a perception of politicians and a generalization of media as corrupt is not correct. He reminded the audience that media is still a watchdog of society as several cases have been revealed through media only.

 

Shri Sarabjit Pander (Former Special Correspondent, The Hindu, Chandigarh) opined that social media is not revolutionary as it has not brought any major improvements. He called social media highly irresponsible.

 

Next Steps Forward:

 

Prof. Trilochan Sastry (Founder Member and Trustee of ADR) said that we should think about practical action plans which we could initiate all over India. He said that all criminal cases of MPs and MLAs should be disposed of within one year. He requested all National Election Watch partners to send RTIs and inquire the status of cases against MPs and MLAs in their respective states. He also said that we have to try and get few elections set aside, where candidates misrepresent election expenditure, as it will be a strong deterrent for political parties and would discourage them from fielding candidates with criminal cases and who indulge in bribing and intimidating voters.

 

Shri Jaskirat Singh (Trustee of ADR) explained the working of the Election Watch Reporter (EWR) and how it can help in gathering information on distribution of liquor, money etc. during elections.