Low blows

WITH the General Election entering the home stretch, politicians’ barbs are getting nastier and shriller by the day. Even deceased political leaders are being dragged into the muck. During a poll rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Rajiv Gandhi was termed ‘Mr Clean by his courtiers, but died as Bhrashtachari (corrupt) No. 1’. The comment drew sharp reactions from the Congress and other Opposition parties, who accused Modi of lowering the dignity of his office by targeting the late ex-PM.

In an unusually restrained reply, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi sent ‘all my love and a huge hug’ to the PM and declared that his karma awaited him. Rahul and others, however, have themselves been treating the Prime Minister’s office disdainfully with their ‘chowkidar chor hai’ rant. The Gandhi scion even drew the top judiciary’s ire after he attributed this slogan to the Supreme Court. Facing contempt proceedings, the party president had to file a couple of affidavits claiming that he had made the statement in a ‘rhetorical flourish’ in the ‘heat of political campaigning’. But this argument can’t justify irresponsible remarks by any politician.

The Election Commission, which has been cracking down on speakers who spread hatred and divisiveness, has largely stopped short of telling the big shots to mind their language. The poll panel has already been pulled up by the apex court for dilly-dallying on complaints against the high and mighty. The incessant mudslinging has laid bare the no-holds-barred power struggle between the contesting parties. Nobody expects the electoral candidates to turn the other cheek; however, it is worrisome that they are transgressing the boundaries of decorum so often. They should exercise restraint and focus on everything that concerns the people. Amid the cacophony, the burning issues are being relegated to the back-burner. Rather than holding a meaningful debate on development, unemployment, agrarian distress and other matters of public interest, the rivals are baying for each other’s blood. The voters should not let this malicious duel distract them from making an informed choice.