Winning election at any cost is the new normal in Indian politics: EC

“The winner can commit no sin; a defector crossing over to the ruling camp stands cleansed of all the guilt as also possible criminality."

Winning elections at any cost seems to be new norm, Election Commissioner O P Rawat said.

"Democracy thrives when elections are free, fair and transparent. However, it appears to a cynical common man that we have been scripting a narrative that places maximum premium on winning at all costs to the exclusion of ethical considerations," he said in his keynote address delivered at the 'Consultation on Electoral and Political Reforms' organised by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR).

He further said that "In this narrative, poaching of legislators is extolled as smart political management; strategic introduction of money for allurement, tough-minded use of state machinery for intimidation etc. are all commended as resourcefulness."

"The winner can commit no sin; a defector crossing over to the ruling camp stands cleansed of all the guilt as also possible criminality. It is this creeping 'new normal' of political morality that should be the target for exemplary action by all political parties, politicians, media, civil society organisations, constitutional authorities and all those having faith in democratic polity for better election, a better tomorrow," the EC also said.

OneIndia News