From America to India, the basic character of the ultra-right-wing politics is one and the same. From the rooftop they preach democracy. In the heart of heart, they nourish absolute contempt for democracy and its fundamental values.
The presidential election scenario in the US provides umpteen instances of their disregard to the people’s mandate. Donald Trump, who has become the unchallenged voice of the global right is now eager to jeopardize the electoral process in US.
Instigated by his greedy desire to retain the seat of power in the Oval Office of the White House, he is set to disrupt the final stage of the electoral process. During the final lap of the campaign itself, Trump has signalled that he won't accept the people’s verdict if it is contrary to his plans. That is the real face of the bourgeoisie. They have respect for democracy and elections only to such a point that their thirst for power is safe and secured. The moment they feel otherwise they will go to any extent to undermine the edifice of democracy.
Same is the case in India. Narendra Modi, the true disciple of Donald Trump, has the same approach to election and democratic values. Ever since his advent to power in 2014, the principles and authority of the institutions are systematically being eroded. The narrow political priorities of the ruling party have overshadowed every office of authority which were supposed to uphold the nonpartisan integrity of the system of governance. This is an ongoing calculated move in which the fascist ideology of the ruling party plays the decisive role. Any amount of anguish and criticism levelled by the people did not prevent them from taking such a disastrous course.
The latest in the series is the blatant violation of the election code of conduct by the Prime Minister's office. As part of its public relation exercise, the PMO used to issue newsletters using its official PR email address. In the newsletter dispatched on 21st October 2020, the PMO carried an advertisement that says, "support those who put India first. Support BJP through micro donations". The first part of the advertisement clearly suggests the political and emotional bondage that Modi keeps for Donald Trump.
Throughout the presidential election campaign, the prime slogan raised by Trump was 'America first'. Borrowing the same usage, the PMO is asking for micro donations ranging from 5 Rs to Rs 1000 for the BJP in India. Let the people remember the fact that while appealing for Rs. 5 to Rs 1000, the BJP has in its coffers 95 percent share of the donations from multibillionaires through electoral bonds. Still, while clicking on the link one would be redirected to another page where this appeal for the donations from the poor appears.
This act of the PMO is nothing but misuse of power that has become the habit of the BJP government. In the background of the Model Code of Conduct which came into effect for the Bihar elections on 25th September 2020, chapter 7 of the said code of conduct deals with the restrictions on 'party in power'. It unequivocally states that government machinery and offices shall not be used for the furtherance of the interest of the party in power. It is undoubtedly clear that government offices need to be kept different from that of the ruling party. Soliciting of funds for the BJP through the Prime Minister's office is a prima facie violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Several media platforms have pointed out about this violation. The Communist Party of India has brought this matter to the notice of the Election Commission. The party has urged it to investigate the matter and take appropriate action if any violation of the Model Code of Conduct has taken place. As it happened during several occasions Election Commission of India is prepared to become dump and blind. This speaks about the sorry state of affairs faced by constitutional authorities in India under the BJP rule. And it reveals how the power mongers of the right-wing politics arm twisting the offices, authorized to be custodian of democracy.
