What would I do?

India is going through extraordinary times. What would I do if I were Prime Minister today? 

I would shun narrative-setting through those vertical camera Instagram reels and go on television. I would begin by thanking the intrepid journalist, Ritika Chopra and her editor for their efforts in bringing accountability to the election process in India.

 

I would announce that I shall immediately cancel the egregious law for appointment of election commissioners and revert to the earlier system of committee including the Chief Justice of India. This can be done expeditiously as the Parliament has not been prorogued. I would also legislate to give the two election commissioners the same protection and immunity as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Currently, only the CEC can be removed only through impeachment whereas the other two commissioners can be removed merely on the recommendation of the CEC, thus their independence is being compromised.

 

I would initiate legislation to bar Chief Election Commissioners from any future gainful employment, whether in government or non-government entities, with retrospective effect. Rajeev Kumar would lose that cushy thing in HDFC bank.

 

I would request Gyanesh Kumar to step down, failing which I would start impeachment proceedings against him.

 

I would instruct the Police to immediately arrest all those hooligans who had assembled in Central Delhi under the cover of BJP supported groups and bring the full might of law to visit upon them.

 

I would designate a large enough space for demonstrations, in central Delhi, within five kilometres of the Parliament so that democracy would be seen as truly of the people, for the people and by the people. However, I would apologise to the demonstrators and appeal to them to give me time to set things in order.

 

I would appeal to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to immediately release the parameters of the infamous software for “logical discrepancy” and halt the same until there’s a law and appropriate orders permitting it. I would also appeal to them to treat everyone disenfranchised through this software (despite being cleared by the Electoral Registration Officers) as voters, until proven by ECI otherwise – the onus of such proof would lie with the ECI, not with the voter.

 

I would appeal to ECI to make the agenda and minutes of its internal meetings public, along with dissent notes. I would also appeal to them to put all data regarding voting, counting, videos, etc. in the public domain. I would further appeal to them to have a software for 100 % tallying of EVM results with VVPAT.

 

I would immediately set up dedicated tribunals to adjudicate upon electoral disputes within three months.

 

I would initiate legislation to mandate immediate, real-time disclosure of contribution to party funds in public domain with real (as opposite to proxy) donors named and contributions through trusts, etc. abolished. The legislation would also include caps on electoral expenditure by parties – currently, the limit applies only to individuals.

 

I would direct all my party functionaries to strictly observe the model code of conduct, starting with me. There would be no surrogate campaigning through televised meditation pose, etc. broadcast in “silent period” in the constituencies going to polls. There would be no canvassing in the name of religion, armed forces, etc..

 

I would call an all-party meeting to discuss and negotiate the future contours of all laws and rules pertaining to elections in India and set up a cross-party parliamentary committee to come up with suggestions within one month in a time-bound manner.

 

I would bring in legislation to not only make defections almost impossible but also to require members of legislative bodies to contest for elections if they resign from their parent party. I would also bring in legislation to mandate proof of any declaration in the election affidavit to be put in the public domain.

 

I would definitely do all this IF I have won the elections fair and square. And, IF I have nothing to hide. If, after all this, any verdict goes against me, I’d also accept that, in all humility. To borrow from Tagore,

 

“Into that heaven of statesmanship, my Father, let my country awake.”