Without Money and Muscle Power, very tough to win elections - S M Krishna

External affairs minister S M Krishna has said, it is very difficult to win elections in India with out money and muscle Power. These powers were a deadly combination that was often used to perpetuate oneself in power, Mr Krishna added.

"I Won't contest any election in the future", he said and recalled that the late leader Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) had said, "Elections and their corruption, injustice, the power and tyranny of wealth, and inefficiency of administration, will make a hell of life as soon as freedom is given to us.

Addressing the 131st birth anniversary of Rajaji in Chennai, Krishna, Lamenting that the power of wealth was wreaking havoc on the country's elections. The Minister further said, he would not contest any more elections. "There are honorable exceptions and this would not apply to them", he said.

Referring to those who combine money and muscle power with state power to ensure ones own continuance in office, Krishna said and added, To Rajaji, hope lay only in universal education by which right conduct, fear of god and love would be developed among all citizens from childhood and if the nation seceded in this then Swaraj would mean happiness. Otherwise,it would mean the grinding injustices and tyranny of wealth, Minister said.

Referring to Rajaji's views on modern education, Krishna said Rajaji's lasting contribution in the field of education was not merely that he linked education to the creation of citizenry, but that he took forward and reinforced the idea that education provided autonomy to the self and that it also imparted a sense of equality.

Recalling his meeting with Rajaji as a young parliamentarian in the late 1960's Krishna said he was fierce socialist then, whereas Rajaji was a man who favored private enterprise.

Rajaji had even foreseen that India would be one of the promising economic stories of the 21st century, Krishna said.

- Asian Tribune -