Indian Democracy in Crisis: Should Ministers and PM Be Allowed to Campaign in Elections?

New Delhi, India, India’s democracy, once hailed as the world’s largest, is falling apart. The system is rotten, plagued by unfair practices that let those in power exploit the nation while ordinary citizens struggle. Elected leaders, from ministers to the Prime Minister, shamelessly campaign during elections, ignoring their duties and misusing public funds. They pocket obscene salaries—Rs 1.24 lakh a month for MPs, plus free houses, travel, and lifelong pensions—while pretending to “serve” the country. Worse still, these so-called public servants abuse government resources like cars and planes for personal parties and political stunts, draining crores from the public treasury. The idea that hosts of private events should pay for leaders’ travel and stay is laughed off, and no one in power cares. These glaring flaws expose a democracy that’s failing its people, serving only the elite. Let’s dive into the ugly truth of campaigning, bloated perks, and resource abuse, and why India’s democratic dream is crumbling

Campaigning: A Betrayal of Public Trust

It’s a disgrace that India allows its Prime Minister, ministers, and chief ministers to campaign during elections. The Constitution lets them roam freely, giving speeches and rallying votes for their party while they’re supposed to run the country. This is a betrayal of public trust. Leaders like PM Modi jet across states, wasting days on campaign trails instead of solving national problems like poverty or unemployment. Worse, they use government planes and security—paid for by taxpayers—for these party stunts. The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct, which bans using public resources for campaigns, is a toothless joke. Ministers sneak in rallies during “official” trips, and no one stops them. This gives the ruling party a disgusting advantage, leaving opposition parties to fight with scraps. The system is rigged—leaders in power exploit their positions, making a mockery of fair elections. Banning ministers and the PM from campaigning could stop this farce, but those in charge have no interest in fairness. They hide behind free speech, ignoring how their actions undermine democracy itself.

Obscene Salaries: Greed Over Service

The salaries and perks of elected leaders are a slap in the face to India’s poor. MPs rake in Rs 1.24 lakh monthly, a 24% hike recently pushed through without shame.

Add free houses, travel, medical care, phones, and pensions, and it’s a lifestyle most Indians can only dream of. State MLAs are no better—some pocket up to Rs 3 lakh a month. These leaders preach about serving the nation, yet live like kings while millions struggle to eat. The idea of paying them only for expenses—like travel or office costs—is laughed off by the elite. Mahatma Gandhi, who lived with nothing, said, “The true source of rights is duty.” Today’s leaders spit on that idea, treating politics as a get-rich scheme. High salaries attract greedy opportunists, not true servants. Defenders claim leaders need pay for their “hard work,” but in a country where daily wages are often Rs 200, this excuse is an insult.

Without reform, politics will remain a playground for the rich, shutting out honest people who can’t afford to compete.

Resource Misuse: Stealing from the Public

The misuse of government resources by leaders is a scandal that never ends. Ministers and MPs use official cars, planes, and staff for personal events like weddings or party meetings, bleeding the public dry. Crores are squandered while schools and hospitals beg for funds. The suggestion that hosts of private events should pay for leaders’ travel, stay, and security is ignored—why would the powerful limit their own free rides?

The Central Vigilance Commission is supposed to watch, but it’s powerless against political giants. Scams like 2G and coal allocation show how leaders exploit power for personal gain, yet no one is punished. This theft of public money is a crime against every Indian, yet leaders act untouchable. Without strict rules and enforcement, the looting will continue, and the poor will keep paying the price.

A Failing Democracy: Corruption and Decay

India’s democracy is in shambles. The Association for Democratic Reforms exposes a system rotten with criminal politicians, secret party funding, and state machinery abuse.

ADR’s cry for reform—“strengthening Indian Democracy for over 25 years”—falls on deaf ears. Anna Hazare’s 2011 Lokpal movement tried to fight corruption, but leaders watered it down. He said, “Corruption is the enemy of development,” yet it thrives. Farmers’ protests in 2020-21 showed people’s anger, but the government ignored them. Reports warn of democratic backsliding—less freedom, silenced press, and crushed dissent. Allowing ministers to campaign, paying them fortunes, and letting them misuse resources makes the system a tool for the elite. The common man is left with nothing but broken promises.

No Hope for Change?

Reforming this broken system seems impossible. Changing laws needs Parliament’s nod, but why would MPs vote to cut their own salaries or perks? Amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority, a pipe dream when leaders cling to power. Even PM Modi’s reforms, like scrapping old laws, feel like window-dressing. He once said, “During the freedom movement, countless people came forward with no political background.” But today’s leaders are far from that spirit. Rahul Gandhi claims, “The people of India are my life,” yet does little to fix the rot. Bhagat Singh warned, “Bombs and pistols do not make a revolution. The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting-stone of ideas.” But where are the ideas? Without public outrage, this corrupt system will keep exploiting India’s people.

Voices of Despair

India’s great minds saw this coming. B.R. Ambedkar said, “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved,” yet women and the poor are ignored while leaders live lavishly. Nehru faced fears of centralized power, and today’s leaders prove those fears right. An ADR activist laments, “Criminalisation of politics, unchecked money power, and abuse of state machinery are eroding democracy.” A Delhi vendor, Sunita Devi, sums it up: “They take our taxes for their luxury cars and rallies. We get nothing.” The system is failing, and no one in power seems to care.

FAQs on India’s Broken Democracy