India’s Election Circus, Where Do Political Parties Get The Money From To Fight The ‘All Important’ Elections?

In the grand spectacle of elections, Indian democracy, one glaring truth remains crystal clear, and that is that money rules the roost, where the clink of coins drowns out the voice of the people!

The fact is that to run a political party is akin to running a business empire; you need resources, and preparing and fighting for elections is a monumental task that requires crores and crores of rupees; whether you win or lose is another story!

Let us get down to some basic facts:

1)Astronomical Campaign Expenditure, India Stands At Number 1 Position

India’s elections have become synonymous with eye-watering expenses that defy reason. The amount of money poured into political campaigns has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, with each election cycle breaking the previous spending records. 

The staggering sums spent on advertising, rallies, merchandise, and even bribes have transformed the electoral battlefield into a battleground for the wealthy elites. This obsession with money turns the democratic process into a high-stakes bidding war, where policies and ideologies take a backseat to deep pockets.

Think about all the logistics that go into fighting an election: 

Transportation, food, customized merchandise (T-shirts, caps, flags etc.), Marketing, and at the time of elections – the many things that may be used to attract voters (giving away food items, electrical appliances etc.) these are additional costs in itself. 

Another thing to consider here is the sheer magnitude of this task – at a national level – imagine the crores of rupees that are earmarked and spent for the same.

To put this in perspective, 

• A whopping 60,000 Crores were spent in the last Lok Sabha elections.

• In the 2019 elections, about $8.7 billion were spent, according to a study done. 

• The rise in expenditure for the year was given to the fact that candidates spent a considerable amount of money to lure candidates.

At the same time, India is ranked 62nd in total expenditure marked for education per student; the sheer wastage of resources is evident and also is evident the ‘thirst’ to win and hold a political seat in the country. 

So the relevant question here is, where is the money, and the resources to fight these campaigns and elections coming from, considering that unlike a business – nothing is being produced, manufactured etc. and rest assured, no political person will sell his house, land or other assets to fight an election?!

We will talk about this a little later in the article.

2. Rampant Corruption:

The excessive flow of money in Indian elections serves as a breeding ground for rampant corruption. Political parties, thirsty for funds to fuel their campaigns, often resort to shady dealings and illicit practices. 

The unscrupulous nexus between politicians, business tycoons, and criminals allows for the funnelling of black money into the electoral machinery. 

Cash-for-votes, illicit campaign funding, and bribery scandals have become alarmingly common, undermining the very essence of a fair and transparent democracy. In this web of deceit, the ordinary citizen’s voice is muffled, and the integrity of the electoral process is irreparably tarnished.

3. Disparity in Access to Resources:

The overwhelming focus on money in Indian elections creates an imbalanced playing field where the financially privileged have a disproportionate advantage. 

Contestants with deep pockets can afford lavish rallies, opulent ad campaigns, and extensive outreach programs, thereby overshadowing genuine grassroots efforts. This skewed system perpetuates a cycle of power consolidation, where wealthy individuals and established political dynasties dominate the political landscape while promising voices from marginalized communities are systematically silenced. 

As a result, elections become an exclusive club for the elite, leaving the underprivileged and marginalized populations on the fringes of political participation.

4. Neglect of Public Issues:

The excessive emphasis on campaign spending diverts the attention of politicians from addressing critical public issues. Instead of focusing on formulating robust policies, candidates are compelled to engage in an arms race of lavish expenditures to remain competitive. 

As mentioned above in the article, the dire needs for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare take a backseat as politicians prioritize wooing voters with fleeting spectacles rather than long-term solutions. This myopic approach perpetuates a cycle of neglect and underdevelopment, leaving the nation grappling with persistent issues while political campaigns thrive on superficiality.

So coming back to the question, where is the money coming from, simply put its the money that we pay in taxes – this is the money that is being used to fight elections; the caps, the t-shirts etc. etc., are all being given back to us in the form of election paraphernalia!

The money that should have essentially gone towards important factors – education, infrastructure, health care, social welfare, all fall pale in comparison to the election drama, the ticket to which is exorbitantly priced – just like the met gala! 

5. Erosion of Democratic Values:

The spiralling influence of money in Indian elections erodes the very foundations of democracy. When the ability to contest and win elections is determined by the size of one’s coffers, the principle of equal representation becomes a charade. 

Genuine public servants and grassroots leaders are often marginalized and overshadowed by those with deep pockets, leading to a disconnect between the political class and the aspirations of ordinary citizens. This erosion of democratic values perpetuates cynicism and disillusionment among the populace, eroding the faith in the electoral system itself.

The Last Bit: India’s electoral process, once hailed as a beacon of democracy, has been tarnished by the overpowering grip of money. The exorbitant campaign expenditures, coupled with widespread corruption and a skewed playing field, have turned the electoral landscape into a playground for the wealthy elites. This overreliance on money dilutes the core principles of democracy and puts ordinary folks and critical issues on the sidelines, perhaps never to be touched upon in reality!