Page 69 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Democracy Marches Ahead Chapter 3

incorporated as Sec on 29A in the Representa on of the Yet, it was the party system, which triggered the demand
People Act, 1951 authorising Elec on Commission of India from civil society members for electoral reforms. C.
to register associa ons and bodies as poli cal par es. Rajagopalachari (1878-1972), statesman and scholar, in a
Despite the absence of any specific statute/rule on the series of ar cles wri en between 1957 and 1970
subject of elec on symbols, Elec on Commission of India severely cri cised the abuse of money power in
had acted with firmness and pragma sm ahead of the elec ons. “Ambi ous poli cians find themselves at the
First General Elec ons. It developed a mechanism to mercy of par es; and par es are at the mercy of
categorise na onal, state and recognised poli cal par es financers”, wrote Rajaji on Republic Day, 1957. He
long before the rules on subject viz. Elec on Symbols maintained that money power eroded the level playing
(Reserva on and Allotment) Order, 1968 were put field in poli cs. The expensiveness of the elec ons stood
into print. in the way of “free enterprise” in poli cs.

An election meeting in Delhi, 1952

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