Power Politics: Degeneration of Democracy Caused by Power Mongers.

Process of Democracy:- Democracy has been defined by Abraham Lincoln in his inimitable style: ‘Government of the people, by the people and for the people’. In practice, democracy means, in a country with a bi-party or multi-party system, the government formed by the party that enjoys support of the majority people, but meant for the entire people of a country, where democracy prevails. Hence,democracy is the ideal form of governance. Despite the government formed by the party which enjoys majority of the people, it safeguards the rights of the minorities as well. Through the process of election, the people by exercising their right to vote choose a party to rule the country, normally a party that secures 50 + 1 votes in the poll. The party that enjoys majority is invited to form the government and it chooses a leader for them who will eventually become the Prime Minister of the country and rule the country for a fixed term, say for five years or so. If the ruling party looses its majority for any reason within its tenure, it resigns from the government immediately. Another party that stakes its claim to form the government on the basis of its majority is then invited to form the government. After five years, the election process is repeated to elect a new government from a party that secures majority. Power Mongers: In India, the central and state governments are formed through the electoral process. The Election Commission of India, a constitutional body supervises this electoral process. However, the party system and the electoral process is weakening day by day and in turn the democracy is rapidly getting degenerated thanks to the power mongers in power politics, their corruptive practices in the election process and in governance, their communal politics and above all the incorrigible egoistic politicians. In the state of Karnataka, ever since BJP was voted to power in 2007-2008 under the leadership of Yeddiurappa, democracy has become a laughing stock and getting degenerated rapidly. Communal politics is predominant since Yeddiurappa hails from Lingayat community whose solid backing is enjoyed by BJP vote bank. Despite enjoying majority, Yeddiurappa did not concentrate on the welfare schemes and good governance. On the other hand, he was in hand and gloves with Reddy brothers, the notorious brothers known for their illegal mining.Yeddiurappa was also charged with nepotism since he showed more favors to his relatives in the government by flouting rules and regulations. When the Karnataka Lok Ayukta charged the Chief Minister Yeddiurappa with corruption charges and nepotism, Yddiurappa had no other go but to step down as the Chief Minister. Then the BJP national leadership intervened and chose one Sadananda Gowda as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. But Yeddiurappa being a power monger could not digest the fact that he was no more the Chief Minister of Karnataka. With the support of considerable number of MLAs in his pocket, he time and again indulged in pressure tactics demanding his reinstatement as the Chief Minister by ousting the new Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda.Meanwhile Yeddiurappa also moved to the Supreme Court of India which dropped the charges against Yeddiurappa, but ruled that still there is a prima facie case against him, CBI might take over and investigate the complaints against Yeddiurappa. But Yeddiurappa, being egoistic, threw all democratic norms into the air, exerted heavy pressure against the BJP leadership virtually paralyzing the Karnataka government, demanding the removal of Sadananda Gowda. A few days ago, bowing to the pressure tactics Sadananda Gowda resigned as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. Jagadish Tytler, a henchman of Yeddiurappa became the new Chief Minister. Within a few days of swearing in by the new Chief Minister, one Krishna Reddy, with the support of his MLAs, openly demanded that he should be appointed as a minister, else he would demand the resignation of the new Chief Minister. Meanwhile, the supporters of the ousted Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda protested against his removal and demanded his reinstatement. Degeneration of Democracy: Thus Karnataka has become a laughing stock for degenerating democracy fully justifying Lord Acton’s saying “Power corrupts Power and Absolute Power corrupts absolutely.” Of course power mongers of Karnataka, being egoistic, were facilitated by other factors such as communalism, corruption, utter negation of the principles of democracy, besides employing pressure tactics in degenerating democracy as much as possible. Only noble souls can redeem it. But it is seemingly impossible as long as power politics plays havoc. However, there is a glimmer of hope. Karnataka faces an assembly election which is less than a year ahead. It is up to the voters of Karnataka to elect an alternate party to power which is free from power politics, nepotism, corruption and communalism etc. Let us hope that they will act wisely to save democracy.