Let the elderly make way
text_fields
One who has been an MLA four times, a minister once, and an MP three times in Kerala, K Sudhakaran has declared that it is “110 per cent certain” that he will contest the Assembly election from the Kannur constituency. Reacting sharply to this announcement, KPCC President Sunny Joseph said that no one should declare their candidacy on their own, and that such decisions are to be made by the party high command. Meanwhile, A. K. Saseendran, who has been an MLA seven times and a minister twice, is firmly insisting that he will contest again this time. This is despite the directive from the NCP president and the majority of the party’s election committee suggesting that he step aside for another candidate, considering his health issues. At the same time, CPM leader G. Sudhakaran, who had been an MLA four times and most recently served as a minister, is reportedly disappointed and angry over being sidelined by the party. He has not renewed his party membership and has even hinted that he may contest as an independent candidate if necessary. Even as a section within the party openly urges Muslim League leader M. K. Muneer, who has served multiple terms as an MLA and minister, to exercise restraint and stay away from contesting again considering his health condition, he has not yet revealed his stand. It has become evident through several instances that some of those who reluctantly agree to step aside, often under pressure and with no other option, insist that their wife or one of their children should be fielded as their successor.
Mentioning a few individuals by name does not mean that openly displaying an attachment to positions and power is limited to them. Nor is it to suggest that the desire for power alone drives everyone to contest elections repeatedly and, if possible, win again. Rather, this is only trying to point out one of the main reasons why, even after seventy-five years, Indian democracy still struggles to present a truly mature and healthy model of political competition. When crores of young people who have turned eighteen and gained the right to vote are standing ready with diverse abilities and talents, one cannot help but wonder why our respected elderly leaders lack the magnanimity to step aside for them. This question becomes even more relevant at a time when rapid advances in science and technology clearly demand the participation of new minds in governance. Whenever candidate selection approaches, leaders of almost all political parties assure that young talents, irrespective of gender, will certainly be considered. Youth organisations also raise this demand strongly. However, past experience shows that after prolonged discussions and pressures, when it comes to the final list of candidates being released, youth, especially young women, are mostly left out of the field.
In the upcoming Kerala Assembly election tool, there are signs that history may repeat itself without any major changes. The only justification any front puts forward is ‘winnability’. Even parties that announce they will drop candidates who have won two or three times, often end up fielding the same old faces again when the final decision is made, again citing their probability of victory. One segment that continues to be widely neglected in this process is women. At a time when women are making unprecedented progress, from higher education to space missions, they are still being kept outside the doors of Parliament and state legislatures, forums responsible for policymaking. The Kerala Legislative Assembly, whose term is nearing its end, itself stands as a prime example of this situation. The bill providing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies was passed by Parliament years ago, yet it has not been implemented. The main reason for this delay is the male dominance within political parties. Even if one-third of the seats are not reserved for women, what prevents parties from at least allocating a reasonable number of seats, within the parties, to capable women who have proven their mettle through local self-government institutions? What is the obstacle, and who is creating it? If our democracy is to attain real health, and if the process of building of a healthy nation is to stay active in rapidly changing circumstances, then the entrenched elderly leadership must step aside. Otherwise, political parties themselves must show the determination to replace them.