According to a recent survey, the number of MPs with a criminal background has gone up from 128 in the last Lok Sabha to 150 in the present one. Of them, 72 are said to be facing “serious” charges. It is understandable, therefore, why a group with such a dismal record enjoys little sympathy from the common man. The belief is that the primary reason why such people join politics on the pretext of serving the country is to make money for themselves.

So, when they enhance their own pay and perks by more than 200 per cent at one go, the blatant show of self-help can only be annoying. The sense of irritation can be all the greater because it is clear that the pay rise has become inversely proportional to the standards of behaviour and the level of parliamentary debates. Compared to the days immediately after independence when parliament was a model of decorum and educative discussions, it is now a scene of rowdy conduct and slanging matches.

In keeping with these disgraceful habits, the demand for higher emoluments was sought to be pressed by a group of MPs belonging mainly to the backward classes by occupying the well of the House during a period of adjournment and holding a “mock” session. The two redoubtable OBC leaders, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav, became “joint prime ministers” and conducted the proceedings.

Although their unseemly conduct was condemned later by the Speaker, Meira Kumar, the BJP leader, L.K. Advani (although his party's M.P., Gopinath Munde, became the “speaker”), and several Leftist leaders, including Gurudas Dasgupta, the antics of the Yadav duo were yet another indication of the rapidly declining standards. Yet, this very act, which was seen to lower the dignity of the House, paved the way for a further tax-free hike of Rs 10,000. As a result of these increases, the total annual earnings of the MPs have now exceeded Rs 60 lakh, which compares favourably with those of the business executives.

Few would have grudged their good fortune if they were seen to deserve the handsome pay packet. But, unfortunately, this isn't the case although there is undoubtedly a fair number of MPs who are honest and hard-working. But the 150 with criminal charges against their names do not belong to this category. On the other hand, the 300 crorepatis in the present Lok Sabha will be considered to be undeserving because they do not need the extra money. Besides, the fact that the number of crorepatis has increased from 154 in the last Lok Sabha to 300 now is proof enough that politics is a paying proposition, as the likes of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda will testify. From this aspect, too, the pay hike is unjustifiable.

The increase for the “tainted” and the affluent parliamentarians can also seem strange because they sanction their own increments - the cherished, but unrealizable, dream of every trade union. Hence, the suggestion that an independent commission be set up to undertake this task. But, in the given murky circumstances, such a step will only be seen as a clumsy manoeuvre, for few will believe that such a panel will be truly independent. At a time when even the CBI is accused of doing the government's bidding, the autonomy of the proposed commission will always be under a cloud.

A better course will be for the political class to set its own house in order. As more and more legislators with criminal antecedents are elected, the reputation of the politicians in general will nosedive. And as their image become murkier, episodes like the present pay hikes will evoke derisive laughter. Yet, the chances of either the CBI booking the corrupt, or the politicians denying party tickets to aspirants with an unsavoury background, are minimal.

While the CBI will continue to be manipulated by the ruling parties for partisan purposes, the parties will resist all attempts to keep the criminals out of the electoral fray since they are usually the winners. Not surprisingly, all the suggestions of the Law and Election Commissions to cleanse the system have been rejected on the ground that the contestants will become victims of untenable charges of criminal conduct before the courts which take a long time to deliver a verdict. So, the number of those who are seen as anti-socials keeps on rising. The issue of pay hikes will always create a furore, therefore, unless the politicians improve their own standing in popular perception.(IPA Service)