April 15, 2024
2 mins read

Jean Dreze says LS polls as good as rigged

Dreze said five years ago, Arundhati Roy had described the 2019 elections as a race between a Ferrari and a few bicycles…reports Asian Lite News

Development economist Jean Dreze said the Indian democracy is currently navigating a crisis that is not only limited to the “recent wave of authoritarianism” but also suppression of opposition voices by the ruling BJP.

He said the upcoming Lok Sabha elections under the present circumstances are as good as rigged.

Dreze said five years ago, Arundhati Roy had described the 2019 elections as a race between a Ferrari and a few bicycles.

“The metaphor is still valid. Today, thanks to the Supreme Court, we know that the Ferrari is fuelled by the corporate sector. Meanwhile, the bicycles, symbolising the main opposition parties in the state such as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the Congress are systematically targeted,” he said.

“Leaders of these parties have endured relentless scrutiny and harassment by central agencies for years. Former Jharkhand chief minister Soren finds himself behind the bars, Lalu Prasad has faced intermittent periods of incarceration, and Rahul Gandhi narrowly avoided a similar fate in addition to Congress’ accounts being frozen. Any politician who presents a danger to the BJP is at risk of harassment. In these circumstances, the elections are as good as rigged,” the Belgium-born economist added.

Asked if the BJP is certain to sweep the elections in the mineral-rich state, the development economist said many people in Jharkhand have good reasons to be unhappy with the saffron party.

“The bicycles may not be in good shape, but this time they are working as a team. That can make a big difference. There have been big surprises in all the Lok Sabha polls since 2004, with the partial exception of 2019. Exit polls often get the results wrong. The BJP is likely to win a majority of seats in the state, but it may not get 11 out of the 14 as it did in 2019,” he added.

On Jharkhand’s poverty and backwardness despite having about 40 per cent of India’s mineral resources, Dreze said the state operates within a contractor-dominated framework.

“Contractors exploit public funds, collaborating with bureaucrats and politicians who shield them. Initially, I believed this phenomenon was confined to small towns, but it’s indicative of a broader systemic issue. Mineral resources, touted as a boon, exacerbate the problem by fuelling the contractor Raj, eroding any semblance of democracy. The electoral process, far from addressing this issue, is entwined within it. Poor people count for nothing, except for a short while during elections. This is why they have been so badly served by the state government, irrespective of the ruling party. All this is true to a varying extent in other states as well, but Bihar and Jharkhand take the cake,” he added.

On the state’s economy, Dreze said his foremost recommendation would involve a radical overhaul of the schooling system, beginning with teacher appointments.

ALSO READ-Kejriwal moves SC, terms arrest as assault on democracy

Previous Story

Will keep alive Article 370 issue, says Omar

Next Story

Will Trinamool retain its safe-bastion of Jangipur?

Latest from POLITICS

Madagascar Under Military Rule

Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced on Tuesday that a military council of the army, gendarmerie, and police has taken control of Madagascar….reports Asian Lite News Colonel Michael Randrianirina, a Malagasy military officer, announced

Violence Mars TLP Rally in Pakistan

The Pakistani police and rangers launched an operation to disperse TLP supporters after violence broke out during the march….reports Asian Lite News At least four people, including both police officers and civilians,

Pakistan Courts in Peril

The question now is whether Pakistan’s courts can continue to function as guardians of the law, or whether they will be reduced to instruments of control…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan judiciary’s independence

Protest Crackdown in Abidjan

The protest ban came just a day before the planned march, with the prefect of Abidjan declaring all gatherings illegal to “preserve public order” ahead of the polls. Authorities in Ivory Coast

Seychelles Chooses Herminie

Herminie’s win gives his United Seychelles party full control of government after it reclaimed a parliamentary majority during last month’s general elections. Seychelles’s opposition leader, Patrick Herminie, has emerged victorious in the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Karnataka goes to polls on May 10

The Model Code of Conduct in the state has come

Dutch exit poll suggests Wilders’ far right wins vote

Born in 1963 in southern Venlo, close to the German