I totally differ with the differentiation made by the writer between a free vote & conscience vote.The line of difference,in fact,is almost invisible.A conscience vote is a vote cast dictated by the conscience of the individual voter after taking into account all the factors in totality-including the political & could differ with the mandate given or whip issued by the party to which he/she belongs.It could be unmindful of the political consequences such voting may bring to the nation effectively.This is what which led to vertical split of the undivided Congress into one led by Kamraj Nadar/ Nijalingappa/ Sanjiva Reddy and the other by Indira Gandhi those days.A free vote,on the other hand is one which is cast just like that out of the impulse the voter develops at that time and could prove very disastrous for the nation owing to the inherent element of recklessness embedded in it.In the present turmoil,the instances of floor crossing,if any,would only be due to the conscience vote as opined by me.Free voting, as such,may not take place at all since every MP is closely watching the situation and trying to gauge the situation,weigh pro & cons of the issue,the effect of his vote. I totally agree with the view that Manmohan saw the deal more as an economic instrument rather than any thing else including for N.weapons programme.And he being essentially an economist there is nothing wrong as long as it is not impugnant to our defence interests which should precede every thing.
Why an elected legislator should take orders from the party ? There is a big flaw in the functioning of our democracy. Legislators has more wisdom and obligation to constitution than the party and its chief(like Karat, Ms Maino and Raj Nath)
For betterment of Indian politics and democracy our system has to redefine.
RE:Who is running the govt
by Kaushik Basu on Jul 16, 2008 11:06 PM Permalink
This comes with the logic that if you fight elections under a banner means you vouch for that party policies, else if are against the policies of the party, you are free to leave. The problem is that the parties fight election on one set of theories and then totally change its stance once the results are out and situation turns its head. A classic example is Cong SP alliance on one side and TRS, TDP alliance on the other.
If there is no whip, then every MP will demand Money either to vote for support or against it. Clearly the side who can pump more money will win. The money Sponsors can be any one like Indusrialist or any foreign power who gain / lose from it directly or indirecly. There will be very very few people who really cares about the ethics and the Country.
RE:What if there is no whip?
by M. Shankar on Jul 16, 2008 08:26 PM Permalink
How sad! The numbers game! And it's the Buyers-Sellers Meet. Deal out of a Deal!
RE:What if there is no whip?
by Dhruba Chakravarti on Jul 16, 2008 09:31 PM Permalink
Rajendra is absolutely correct. If the voting is free, all criminal MPs will vote for money.
If its only a voting for deal and left is goverment but against the deal then situation may be different. BJP, shiv sena and SAD are very much happy to support the deal, but if they support the deal then also no benifite goverment will not surviev. And at any cost these partys cannot support Goverment. BJP:- Canot support goverment if they want to support goverment better ask to congress to support from out side and BJP goverment will take deal ahead, any way congress is in trouble and not BJP. Shiv Sena:- Sher jabhi ghas nahi khata, The Balasaheb whole life fight with congress they cannot support congress government at any cost, SAD:- Local politics of PUNJAB and future of SAD didnot permet that,,,,,,, and last option LEFT LEFT :- they cannot support goverment or deal as they are against the INDIA itself and they cannot compromise on there destruction of INDIA policy......
RE:BJP can support the Deal but not goverment
by siva kumar on Jul 16, 2008 09:00 PM Permalink
BJP sitting in an Opposition. How can we expect they will support the Govt.
RE:BJP can support the Deal but not goverment
by Sonjoy on Jul 16, 2008 08:15 PM Permalink
whatever you say is right... but the only reason why BJP not supporting is they want to topple the Government..
RE:BJP can support the Deal but not goverment
by Sonjoy on Jul 16, 2008 09:22 PM Permalink
no thats not true.. the only thing we indians know is to deny the other, pull down any one who is becoming successful and to put hurdles in the path of the entrepreuner.. ..You cant blame the BJP, after all they are indians , thats why there is no progress in the country
RE:BJP can support the Deal but not goverment
by praful nikam on Jul 17, 2008 02:29 PM Permalink
What u say to any party i dont have any objection, but donty blame to india or Indians i feel always proud to be an indian....... we are having so many hurdels till we are progressing compare ur own life style before ten years and now see ur home city and country. or best compare with pakistan where they are in 60 yrs and where we are,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
What would be the scene if the BJP was in power and they presented the deal..Not to forget that the deal was conceived by the BJP before the congress came in power
RE:what if the BJP was in power
by peace lover on Jul 16, 2008 09:02 PM Permalink
BJP is against the congress govt. and not the deal. it is the right time to root this govt out.
RE:RE:what if the BJP was in power
by Sonjoy on Jul 16, 2008 09:11 PM Permalink
the question is that had BJP presented would the congress have supported the deal.. or its just that no body really cares for india . they are all mad about power and the kursi
Well by supporting the deal India would come out of the Nuclear Apartheid,... by BJP supporting it in the cause of national interest,BJP would come out of the so called 'communal party' apartheid ...What say Adhvani ji
