Ex-corrupt neta on the high road

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">What''s wrong with politics today? The failure of the internal system of checks and counter-checks, which are integral to each arm of the state. When it comes to the political class, the internal checks have completely collapsed. <br /><br />Only external checks remain - fear of losing elections, fear of the judiciary, fear of retribution from the opposition when they are in power.So we have to further strengthen these external checks and ensure that they can''t be subverted like Jayalalithaa has done. <br /><br />For instance, there is a need to codify the privileges of ministers and the legislature immediately, so that parliamentary provisions cannot be misused to throttle criticism. Likewise, the discretionary power of ministers should be restricted further.<br /><br />My ideal candidate? Somebody who is not only a politician but has also had his fill of corruption. He has already used and misused the system to make all the money he wants and has no need to be corrupt any longer. <br /><br />More importantly, he is intelligent enough to sense the new public sentiment and works towards people-oriented politics. And here, we are talking of pure self-interest. The new neta is not bothered about amassing personal fortunes during his electoral tenure. <br /><br />He is more interested in making history as a good leader who is responsible for a qualitative change in polity. I don''t believe charismatic leaders can do anything. Democracy cannot work through heroic politics. <br /><br />It has to work through unheroic and less dramatic means. Let''s hope some politician senses the public mood and on grounds of self-interest, begins to fight against corruption. <br /><br />Unfortunately, nobody from civil society can meet the requirement. It has to be a politician who now wants to enter history.<br /><br />(<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Ashis Nandy is a social scientist</span>)</div> </div>