
Author: Prof. Trilochan Sastry
Funding politics: Many ideas, no takers

The electoral bonds data in public domain, with secret numbers readable only by ultraviolet light, will continue to be parsed and investigated. But, we also need to, now, think beyond EBs. From its introduction to its cancellation, the road EBs took has made it clear that political party funding reforms are an absolute imperative. Three […]
Five facts, five takeaways

You can read the article here: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/electoral-bonds-five-facts-five-takeaways/amp_articleshow/108531290.cms. This article was originally published in TOI+.
Their notes before your votes

SC has batted big for transparency by dismissing SBI’s plea for more time to disclose electoral bonds info. People have a right to be aware of political party funding before they go to polling booths On March 11, SC took up two petitions of national importance. One was State Bank of India’s plea seeking extension […]
The clear message in the Court’s ‘no’ to electoral bonds

The landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India is a reminder that citizens need to be ever watchful in a democracy ‘The issue of money in elections, which includes the use of black money and bribing of voters using campaign funds and freebies, still remains’. The judgment of the Supreme Court of India, on […]
Money & star campaigners may not always be decisive

The people have spoken, and we have a new government. Congratulations to the voters who gave a clear majority to one party, thus preventing defections and toppling of the government like in 2018. Voters may have changed their mind because of the ‘40% government’ tag, referring to high levels of corruption. Perhaps they were upset […]
करप्शन का बैरोमीटर:भ्रष्टाचार में हम एशिया में नंबर वन! कैसे मिलेगी इस बीमारी से मुक्ति?

ट्रांसपेरेंसी इंटरनेशनल की ताजा रिपोर्ट “ग्लोबल करप्शन बैरोमीटर फॉर एशिया’ के अनुसार भ्रष्टाचार के मामले में भारत अब एशिया में शीर्ष पर है। इस रिपोर्ट के अनुसार करीब 50 फीसदी लोगों को अपना काम निकलवाने के लिए रिश्वत देनी पड़ी। इनमें से 63 फीसदी ने इस डर से काई शिकायत भी नहीं की कि इससे […]
Single Electoral Rolls, Anyone?
The issue has been discussed for a few decades; some commissions have recommended it; a few states have already done it. The Indian electoral rolls are once again in the news. The government wants to prepare a single roll for national, state and local elections to municipalities and panchayats. Currently, many states have separate […]
राजनीतिक दल खुद ही करें आय – संपत्ति का खुलासा
पिछले 15 वर्षों से राजनीतिक दलों की भरसक कोशिश रही है कि मतदाताओं को चुनावी फंडिंग के बारे में पता न चले लोकतंत्र में राजनीति और चुनावों में पैसे की भूमिका बढ़ती जा रही है। कई रिपोर्टों में सामने आया कि 2019 के चुनावों में अमरीकी राष्ट्रपति चुनाव से ज्यादा पैसा खर्च हुआ। इससे लोकतंत्र, […]
Owning up to criminalisation in politics

The February 2020 order pushes the envelope further on restricting criminal candidates from contesting elections A February 2020 Supreme Court judgment on criminalisation in politics may have far-reaching consequences for Indian democracy. It will first be implemented in the coming Bihar elections in October 2020. The Court has asked the political parties to state “the reasons for […]