July 22: A Black Day in Indian Democracy

July 22 was a black day in the history of Indian democracy. When the confidence motion moved by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was being debated over in the Lok Sabha, three BJP legislators showed wands of currency in the house, allegedly given to them to switch sides.

Just a few hours ahead of Mr Singh's reply to the debate on the confidence motion, the dramatic scene unfolded with the BJP legislators showing the bribe money, which they claim was offered to abstain from voting.

The opposition's demand for a resignation was not heeded to by the speaker and even the Prime Minster was so adamant in his position.

Any Prime Minister would have resigned in such a circumstance. But Mr Singh was so adamant. It seemed that he just wanted the motion to be cleared in his government's favour. Nothing seemed to move him. Even a corruption unravelled in the highest office of the country did not have any impact on him; he was so adamant.

The result came out in favour of Mr Singh and his government. They got 275 votes as against 256. His government won the confidence motion in a small margin of 19 votes, a victory of bribery. In the realms of Indian democracy, July 22 will remain a sad day, a day of "corrupt victory". Mr Singh cannot claim his victory to be one based on the true principals of democracy.

A naked truth of corruption and bribery in the history of Indian parliament has been unfolded. The victory is only a naked display of money power. Once again it has been established that politics is "money power" and politics is business.