– Mohd Naushad Khan
Recent developments in the Surat and Indore constituencies have sparked controversy and raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process in India. In Surat, BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal was declared the winner unopposed after all other candidates withdrew from the race, while in Indore, Congress candidate Akshay Kanti Bam withdrew his nomination and joined the BJP just two weeks before the election.
The events have led to speculation about the motives behind the withdrawals and whether they represent a departure from the democratic principles of fair competition. Some have raised concerns about possible horse-trading and manipulation of the electoral system, while others argue that uncontested wins may not necessarily undermine the spirit of democracy if they occur infrequently and without coercion.
However, critics point to the larger implications of such occurrences, suggesting that they reflect a deeper erosion of democratic norms and values in India. According to Dipankar Bhattacharya, national general secretary of CPI-Liberation, the buying out of opposition candidates reveals a disregard for the sanctity of elections and poses a threat to India’s democratic institutions.
Others, like Mujibur Rehman, an assistant professor specializing in social inclusion policies, acknowledge that uncontested wins may not be inherently problematic but warn against widespread instances that could indicate broader issues such as horse-trading.
Narender Nagarwal, a law professor at Delhi University, goes further, suggesting that events in Surat and Indore expose serious flaws in India’s claim to democracy and raise doubts about the impartiality of the Election Commission of India.
Overall, the incidents have sparked debate about the state of democracy in India and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process. As the country prepares for the 2024 elections, ensuring the integrity of elections and upholding democratic values has become a pressing concern for many observers.
