The purpose of government is, of course, to govern. Unfortunately, if one is to go by the trend in India, it seems to be just about politicking. The incumbent Mahayuti in Maharashtra has been given a huge mandate to remain in power, but unfortunately the voters’ message is being overlooked or misinterpreted for the sake of personal ambitions. If the present muddle taking place is any indication, the problem will remain through the entire term, as each aspirant for chief ministership will continue to maneuver for power.
So, what about governance? It is not as though Maharashtra, despite its traditional economic dominance, is a thriving state that functions on its own and all ministers have to do is enjoy the numerous perks of office. If they do not understand the numerous challenges that exist and the urgent need to address them, then what is the point of the entire electoral exercise?
And it is not just Maharashtra alone. Every state exhibits a similar tendency. If such is the situation within ruling parties and alliances, then the intensity of the rivalry between governments and the opposition cannot be any better. Adherence to principles and conventions is the least of the priorities. One can witness the reluctance to unite even for a cause as important as the present situation in Bangladesh. If the electoral mandates are correctly interpreted, then this is not what the electorate wants.
Even where there is a clear mandate, such as in Uttarakhand, is governance not just about staying one step ahead of the political rivals, constantly looking for the grand narrative and the populist policy announcements, rather than the nitty-gritty of everyday unglamorous tasks of running an efficient administration? The close scrutiny of ongoing governance that has taken place due to some recent tragic incidents indicates the pathetic state of affairs at the ground level. Mere allocation of funds for schemes and projects does not provide the staple of the citizen’s everyday requirements. And the state is considered among the better functioning ones in the country! And it is not as though there are any political alternatives available – the performance of the other choices has not been any better. The habit of becoming community-conscious only at election time should be shed. It has become necessary for citizens to remind those in power of their responsibilities not just at election time, but on a daily basis.
