Editor,
Money culture is not a new phenomenon in politics in our state; even in the most prestigious educational institutes and universities, it has become the norm during student union elections. Thus, imprecating and preaching the hazards of money culture and vote-selling to our naive villagers is not a feasible option in any way.
According to estimates given by the Centre for Media Studies (CMS), all political parties in India spent around Rs 60,000 crore in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, making it the “most expensive election ever, anywhere.” The ruling party, the BJP, spent 45 percent of the total.
In our state, the expenditure was Rs 600 billion during the 2019 Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The average voting cost in the state was Rs 25,000.
These data demonstrate how thoroughly the web of money culture has engulfed and influenced elections in each state and country. There is no doubt in our state that usage of money has reached an all-time high in recent years, as opposed to the 1990s and the early 2000s, when contesting candidates would merely distribute salt and other foodstuffs during their political rallies in villages.
Surprisingly, voters were happy and content with that much token of love from their candidates during that time. Later, with each passing year, our people began to recognise the power of elected representatives, and their demands and expectations gradually increased. To match this need and supply, our state’s political parties began projecting retired officers and businessmen with enormous money power, and money power eventually supplanted all merits in winning elections.
At the moment, the world is swiftly expanding and becoming a frantic race, resulting in people’s sophisticated lifestyles and demands increasing. Everyone wants a pleasant life, good health, and better education for their children. Even in the remotest parts of the state, people no longer merely contend with food, shelter, and clothing; they want more and more tools and means to fulfil their growing demands.
Because of globalisation and modernisation, they (the villagers) also desire a comfortable survival, for which money is a necessary commodity. Another issue contributing to our state’s predominant money culture is a lack of faith in the system. Rampant corruption, nepotism, and illegal appointments to government jobs have plagued the growth of the state. And by now everyone is aware that, directly or indirectly, everything under the sun is taking place under the helm of the affairs of our elected representatives.
The way out of this menace of money culture in elections lies in equity and measures to empower people. Lord Gautam Buddha’s words apply here: “Bukha vyakti dharm-karm aur gyan ki baatein nahi samajhta hai, ushe gyan nahi, sabse pehle khana dena chahiye.”
Morality and wisdom are only applicable when we provide enough for the underprivileged portion of the community to flourish and uplift. In this regard, the government must provide economic security to our poor farmers by making a regular monthly payment (direct transfer) to them. Furthermore, MSP-like schemes should be adopted to provide guaranteed financial support to our small farmers by establishing government-designated mandis in each sub-divisional and district headquarters. Because unless we make our marginalised section self-reliant and self-sufficient, the money culture and selling and buying of votes in elections will be a thing of eternity, as everyone is aware of the power, luxury, and immunity that our elected representatives enjoy once elected.
Furthermore, to give impetus to the principle of inclusivity, it is of essential value to improve the quality of life of the poorest, such as through affordable medical facilities at the doorstep, quality education, good infrastructure such as all-weather roads and water amenities, and government policies designed for farmers that should reach the intended recipients.
Without a doubt, voters’ lack of moral values standards is the primary reason that promotes a money culture during elections; yet this behaviour is firmly founded in society’s unequal distribution of wealth. The panacea to this menace lies in the measures to make the marginalised section self-reliant and self-sufficient through equitable ways.
Yiri Kamcham,
Kamcham,
Lower Siang district