Caesar’s wife is having marital problems. In the nuptial nightmare of power and probity, the conduct of our esteemed legislators is rocking the boat. Last week, Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad divorced all norms of conduct worthy of a denizen of Parliament when he hit a senior Air India official, all because he was refused a Business Class seat.
“I hit the staffer 25 times, not just once,” Gaikwad boasted as if he was hitting a quarter century in a Ranji Trophy match.
One of the perks of being an MP is unlimited Business Class air travel when the House is in session. MPs fly between Delhi and their constituencies as if it’s always Boeing, Boeing, Gone. Unless some of them are busy partying over the weekend.
Though this applies no more to most BJP MPs since the prime minister frowns upon his elected flock living it up. He would rather they go about cleaning garbage in their constituencies and put MPLADs to good use, besides adopting villages for Garibi Mukt Bharat. But Gaikwad is not a BJP MP, though the Shiv Sena is an NDA constituent. Hence, he is not accountable to the prime minister. Perhaps, the reason why Gaikwad lied to the media that airline officials answer only to Modi.
Airlines, for once closed ranks and banned him on all flights, forcing him to take a train. Not that trains are any different for this privileged lot. MPs—and even ex-MPs— are entitled to free First Class rail travel in air conditioned comfort. Trains routinely stop at stations where legislators get off at convenient points in their constituencies. Indian Railways are making the services of special officials available to handle MPs’ comforts, ticketing and welcomes.
Isn’t it time to stop our Members of Parliament from enjoying freebies at the taxpayer’s expense? Why should an MP, who represents millions of mostly hungry, illiterate, unemployed and disempowered Indians live life business class?
The reason is that MPs are not answerable to anyone.
Bureaucrats are answerable to ministers, who are answerable to the Prime Minister, who is answerable to the people. But MPs? The Constitution or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha do not define the responsibilities of MPs. As the erudite Odisha MP Baijayant Panda wrote, “the powers, of each House of Parliament, and of the members and the committees of each House, shall be defined by Parliament by law from time to time.”
And MPs make the law.
Some MPs and crime even make good bedfellows, contesting elections from jail, canvassed for by their goon brigade. For democracy to be redeemed, MPs have to make a law making them accountable to people. A rating system must be put in place, to assess their performance in public works and House debates. They should be sacked if they fail to meet their targets.
The practice of appointing celebrities or loyalists as guest MPs must stop. They should stay in touch with the aam aadmi by flying cattle class. It is not the MP’s privilege to be a VIP. They exist thanks to the people. The sacred cow of the expense account politician must be tethered. Like Caesar, it’s time to cross the Rubicon.
Did I hear anyone say ‘Et tu, Brutus?’