Guest column: Do the MPs we elect, really become our voice?

Each of the four parliamentary constituencies in Bengaluru is home to more voters than other constituencies in the state as large numbers of people have moved to the city and other urban areas in the country. As a result, although the country is at least 45 per cent urban, we will end up with a Lok Sabha, whose members have disproportionately rural interests. Unfortunately, because of the anti-defection law, MPs and MLAs count only when it comes to government formation as their numbers and support determines who gets to rule. Beyond that, there is not much that an elected representative in either Parliament or the Assembly can do. Their party leaders decide everything, and order them to vote accordingly.

We think we're voting for members who will be our voice in national policymaking, but most of them don’t have the opportunity to be anything of that sort as they can neither act independently and nor be heard enough.

Which brings me to Bangalore North. It only makes sense for a minister in a state government to contest for Parliament if he can be sure of becoming a minister at the Centre too as being a mere MP would be a step down the way things are. Bengaluru North has two candidates, who would be automatic choices for ministerial berths in a state government run by  their parties, but whether they will be ministers in the next national government will be decided partly by voters and partly by their parties.

More than focusing on who wins and loses, we must recognise the deep flaws that exist in our system of governance. Concentrating on who votes, how the votes are counted, how the elected govern, and how they are accountable is what makes a democratic republic function well. Without this, the rest is merely theatre.

There will always be particular schemes of the national government that an MP can push for, in this case, the Commuter Rail System and possibly emerging new industries around the city. But the fact is people will continue to demand attention to roads and bridges and water supply,  things that have nothing to do with being an MP, but which have over time become part of what a desperate public expects from all representatives. The real hashtag of our political battles is #MainBhiCorporator, and I hope that whoever is more likely to change that, wins.