As India votes in the 2024 elections, seven alarming trends that transcend party lines threaten the core of its democratic values and reflect systemic problems within the political sphere.
One of the most alarming tendencies in Indian politics today is accepting corruption as a necessary transaction cost. Campaign conversations now revolve around the 'decent' per cent of kickbacks, indicating a broad acceptance of corruption. Across party lines, all major political parties have benefited from the electoral bonds system's lack of transparency, which permits unlimited and anonymous donations, creating an environment conducive to corruption. Furthermore, recent corruption scandals involving officials from several political parties demonstrate the bipartisan nature of corruption.
Another alarming trend is the widespread acceptability of violence against women, both within and outside political parties. For example, India's decorated female wrestlers protested harassment and sexual assault by a prominent politician by sitting on the pavements of Delhi for 4 months, 4 weeks and 1 day, before any serious inquiry was set up. Similarly, the tragic episode in Manipur in which women were paraded naked, as well as the big sex and video scandal in the opposition-ruled Karnataka state, highlight this troubling tendency. Furthermore, the current example of a female parliamentarian being allegedly abused at the home of Delhi's Chief Minister, who also leads the country's newest political party, highlights the rot. The absent or at best lethargic response of politicians to allegations of abuse by women showcases the systemic nature of the problem. Tragically this widespread acceptance of abuse stands in stark contrast to the hyper-targeted election campaigns by all parties vying for women's votes. It suggests a cynical belief among India's politicians that women can be taken for granted, are oblivious to such contradictions, or are compliant and immune to abuse.
Perhaps the most depressing trend is omitting critical nation-building issues like education, healthcare, and employment from the current election discourse. These fundamental issues are overlooked mainly by divisive rhetoric and populist promises. For example, in areas such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, political campaigns usually centre on caste and religion rather than tackling severe deficiencies in educational facilities and healthcare services. Similarly, in Maharashtra, while political disputes frequently revolve around regional identity and linguistic issues, the state continues to face farmer suicides and rural unemployment.
Political parties' lack of transparency and internal democracy is also glaringly visible this election cycle. Most parties have opaque decision-making processes and centralised power structures, limiting democratic participation and internal criticism. This internal authoritarianism fosters impunity and detachment from grassroots issues, undermining democracy. The BJP's top-down decision-making has been challenged. Indian National Congress (INC) dynasty politics have long been suspected. Regional parties are similarly affected. Mamata Banerjee's West Bengal Trinamool Congress (TMC) has been criticised for centralising authority and stifling opposition. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which promised openness and grassroots democracy, has also been accused of autocracy and lack of internal democracy, particularly in removing founding members who questioned the leadership.
Nepotism, which prioritises family over talent and ability, is another worrying trend in Indian political parties. Despite electoral losses, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra remain influential in the Indian National Congress (INC). Regional dynastic politics is seen in Uttar Pradesh's Samajwadi Party (SP), led by Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Akhilesh. The Karunanidhi family controls Tamil Nadu's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), with M.K. Stalin ruling after his father.
Not only established parties are affected. The Maharashtra Shiv Sena is likewise a family affair, with Uddhav Thackeray succeeding his father, Balasaheb Thackeray, and now his son, Aaditya. In Andhra Pradesh, the Reddy family dominates the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy trying to emulate his father. While the BJP has often criticized other parties, particularly the Congress, for dynastic politics, it has not been immune to the same practices. Nepotism within the BJP can be seen as a strategic move to consolidate power and ensure loyalty within the party ranks.
Indian politicians in power and opposition, frequently seek endorsements from abroad to validate their actions and ideas. This craving for international approval is evident in their eagerness to speak at prestigious universities and their emphasis on statements by world leaders that praise their initiatives. These are then highlighted in domestic media, projecting an image of global respect and intellectual recognition. However, this pursuit of international validation can obscure pressing domestic issues. Indian politicians' reliance on foreign endorsements can divert attention from the critical issues that require urgent and sustained focus.
Finally, the death of ideology across the Indian political spectrum is exemplified by politicians' frequent party switching, which is motivated more by convenience, opportunity, and the seduction of power or money than by any firm commitment to principles or policies. MLAs' repeated floor-crossing has caused substantial political instability and governance issues in some states. This erosion of ideological loyalty erodes public trust and threatens the integrity of democratic institutions as voters increasingly struggle to rely on their elected leaders' professed ideals.
The Sanskrit term Ātmānaṃ viddhi, or 'Know thyself', highlights the significance of deep self-awareness and introspection. It encourages a journey inside to find one's actual nature and purpose. Perhaps Ātmānaṃ viddhi should be the united minimum programme of all political parties in India.
Dr Sunoor Verma is the President of The Himalayan Dialogues and an international leadership communication expert.
