Yes, we can be justifiably proud of our democracy. But if take a closer look, we will be able to see the infirmities and deformities within our system. Some of our present rulers have done everything to devalue institutions of parliamentary democracy. Some of the salient issues associated with the Rashtrapati’s election in July 2007 still remain unresolved. The Election Commission has become the centre of an unprecedented controversy. And we have a prime minister who is not even directly elected by the people. He prefers to play second fiddle to an extra-constitutional authority that has nominated him.

Now the Congress has projected Rahul Gandhi as its future leader and prime ministerial candidate. ‘Ateet ke neenv par/Bhavishya ka nirmaan’ (Building a future on the foundation of the past) say Congress posters showcasing Rahul. The very first principle of democracy? equal opportunity undiluted by birth-related privileges? has been violated by this blatant hardsell of dynasty. The assumption that a member of the Nehru family need not have governmental experience or any record of service to the nation to be projected as the future prime minister of India is an insult to the logic of democracy.

But many will ask, “Hasn’t America elected Obama, a single-term senator, as its president? What is wrong in Rahul, a single-term MP, becoming India’s PM?”

The comparison doesn’t hold. In fact, it negates the case for Rahul as PM. Obama was “not privileged” when he entered the race. In contrast, Rahul is ‘overprivileged’. Obama came with the handicap of race, religion and class, which he overcame with a brilliant campaign that focused on issues that were anchored in a powerful message of change. Rahul comes only with the proverbial political silver spoon. He has so far not articulated his views on any issue with any degree of originality. And what plank of change can he offer? Change from Dr Manmohan Singh’s plank in governance? Change from his mother’s plank in politics? If Rahul does have an agenda of change, he has mysteriously kept it under wraps. Rahul’s rise to the top is a triumph of the slavish mentality, not only on the part of the Congress but also of a section of the media that has refused to do its job of questioning, scrutinising and criticising.

... contd.