Maharashtra needs the truth, not President’s Rule

This picture has been used for representational purpose

Maharashtra seems to have landed itself in an unwelcome spotlight, with explosive allegations and counter-allegations being made by the minute by a top police officer and politicians at the helm. The NCP, a vital constituent of the MVA government in the state, is now left with the tough job of proving the innocence of a senior leader. However, social media is rife with the surprising acceptance of the so-called ‘open secret' - the police-politician nexus. One that sees crores exchange hands with staggering insouciance. One that leaves no political party blameless.

The matter has even reached Parliament, with valuable time being spent in a hoarse clamour for the ouster of the Maharashtra government and imposition of the President's Rule.

Maharashtra is no stranger to President's Rule: it has been imposed here three times before. While this option was formulated in the Constitution as a protective feature when state governments cannot operate under Constitutional provisions, this is certainly not the case in Maharashtra at the moment. The President's Rule option has been much abused, especially when the governments at the Centre and states are helmed by different political parties. It has become a tool for bullying, although its arbitrary use and destructive effect was thankfully blunted by the Supreme Court in 1994.

What the state government needs to do, however, is to set its house in order, ensure justice is done and that considerations of quid pro quo do not come in the way of what is right.

The police machinery, too, needs a clean-up, but it eventually needs to be able to impartially do its job. Political interference has long been a complaint of the police throughout the country, making impartial functioning a tough job. Right now, what the MVA can do is keep good governance at the top of the list of its priorities. And, let the investigative agencies do their job correctly.