The dilution of the house of elders
How partisanship hijacked Karnataka’s legislative council
...................BVSee
MANGALURU — The Legislative Council was originally conceived as a sanctuary for wisdom — a serene chamber where writers, artists, scientists, and retired technocrats could steer governance without navigating the muddy waters of electoral politics. It was meant to be the "House of Elders," where seasoned minds enriched administration with their deep well of experience. Unfortunately, the current political reality in Karnataka presents a stark, disappointing departure from this noble constitutional intent.
Instead of an assembly of experts, the Upper House has increasingly morphed into a rehabilitation center for active, career politicians. Taking the example of Dakshina Kannada over the past several years, both major political parties — the Congress and the BJP — have consistently chosen to reward hardcore party cadres and loyalists with Member of Legislative Council (MLC) seats. The chamber has effectively become a backdoor entry for individuals who lack the grassroots public support required to win direct democratic elections, yet possess the proximity to high commands necessary to secure nominations.
Compounding this issue is the blatant disregard for the very ethos of an "Elders' House." While the spirit of the council implies a maturity typically associated with senior citizens — ideally those above sixty — we regularly witness the appointment of younger, aggressive politicians. These individuals still have decades left to contest direct elections, yet they are shielded from the public mandate, chosen instead for their sycophantic adherence to party dictates.
This systemic manipulation is a miscarriage of democratic justice and a blatant misuse of constitutional positions. When partisan loyalty triumphs over merit, the citizen is the ultimate loser. To stop this institutional decay, we need strict statutory reforms defining eligibility criteria, or an assertive judiciary and civil society to demand accountability. Until then, the House of Elders will remain a shadow of its intended self, functioning merely as an extension of party politics.
MANGALURU — The Legislative Council was originally conceived as a sanctuary for wisdom — a serene chamber where writers, artists, scientists, and retired technocrats could steer governance without navigating the muddy waters of electoral politics. It was meant to be the "House of Elders," where seasoned minds enriched administration with their deep well of experience. Unfortunately, the current political reality in Karnataka presents a stark, disappointing departure from this noble constitutional intent.
Instead of an assembly of experts, the Upper House has increasingly morphed into a rehabilitation center for active, career politicians. Taking the example of Dakshina Kannada over the past several years, both major political parties — the Congress and the BJP — have consistently chosen to reward hardcore party cadres and loyalists with Member of Legislative Council (MLC) seats. The chamber has effectively become a backdoor entry for individuals who lack the grassroots public support required to win direct democratic elections, yet possess the proximity to high commands necessary to secure nominations.
Compounding this issue is the blatant disregard for the very ethos of an "Elders' House." While the spirit of the council implies a maturity typically associated with senior citizens — ideally those above sixty — we regularly witness the appointment of younger, aggressive politicians. These individuals still have decades left to contest direct elections, yet they are shielded from the public mandate, chosen instead for their sycophantic adherence to party dictates.
This systemic manipulation is a miscarriage of democratic justice and a blatant misuse of constitutional positions. When partisan loyalty triumphs over merit, the citizen is the ultimate loser. To stop this institutional decay, we need strict statutory reforms defining eligibility criteria, or an assertive judiciary and civil society to demand accountability. Until then, the House of Elders will remain a shadow of its intended self, functioning merely as an extension of party politics.
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