Level playing field? Really?

Raju Korti
Reeling under the onslaught of the Enforcement Directorate, CBI and the Income Tax Department, the opposition INDIA block has submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission of India (EC), demanding a level playing field for a "free and fair elections. Its anguish though well understood, is misplaced if anything.

Level playing field? Really? The concept, as it is, is totally utopian in any context, least of politics where one-upmanship by hook or by crook is the only order of the day. The inherent irony is the INDIA block itself has no level playing field in its disarrayed fold. For that matter, level playing field is not possible in any sphere as long as there are human frailties. You won't find it in your work place, your social circles and even in your neighbourhood.

The Indian Constitution talks of "valid discrimination" despite Article 14 which has more exceptions to the pompous thought of everyone being equal before the Law. For the sake of brevity, I will not elaborate as these are regular bones of contention. With such an anti-thesis both in letter and spirit,  level playing field is nothing but a glorified term used when convenient.    

The term has been commonly understood as fair competition and originates from a football field (In US of A), where neither side has the advantage of running downhill against opponents who are handicapped by having to run uphill. A parallel term is found in Article 21 of the West German Basic Law that talks about equality of opportunity. The striking paradox it cannot be guaranteed even in the country where it originated. It is just a consolation of a beleaguered mind(s) -- individually and collectively.

 A level playing field might be a desirable prerequisite of any democratic process but political parties with contradictory ideologies will always be a stumbling block. If the INDIA block comes to power, which appears a distant dream as of now, it will be a case of predicate becoming a subject. Political histories of all countries have rarely been known for offering level playing fields. Two of the commissioners in the three-member Election Commission have been appointed by the ruling party. 

The poll arena might be rigged before the fight but the opposition too is not equipped to fight the ruling party's juggernaut. Elections cannot be fought merely on the basis of taking a high moral ground. It involves manoeuvres that make mockery of a concept that is far from practical. There cannot be any institutional mechanisms Constitutional or otherwise, that can offer any level playing field anywhere. 

The historical pendulum of victimisation and strategic manoeuvring will continue to shape electoral outcomes, leaving the electorate to grapple with the complexities of a political landscape where fairness will be sacrificed at the altar of power dynamics. It is a mirage we can continue to chase.