The Congress has done exceptionally well in the recent by-elections. In the 31 assembly constituencies and one parliamentary constituency of Ferozabad, the Congress and its allies have proven that they continues to enjoy the confidence of the majority.

In Kerala and West Bengal, the ruling Left was given a well-deserved defeat. Major upsets were staged and the power of the ballot was put on show. This is especially true of the Kannur assembly constituency in northern Kerala. There were allegations regarding the manner in which the Kannur electoral roll was rigged to included hundreds of voters from neighbouring districts. After repeated complaints, the Centre fielded its security forces during poll season. This resulted in a record polling in Kannur. The Left was defeated in its bastion and Abdullakutty, who was earlier ousted from the Left, won with a comfortable margin on Congress ticket. This, and the other two victories in Kerala, are seen as people’s reply to the Left’s mediocre governance in the state.

Mediocrity in every field has long been a common factor that united all Indians. It is indeed true that there are some Indians who have pursued excellence in their fields and thus have earned global recognition for their efforts. Incompetent people find their way to high elected offices. Through sheer muscle and money power they find their way to the top. Along with a rowdy crowd of supporters, they win elections and misuse power. These “netas” do not qualify for any decent job either in the government or in the private sector. Yet, they manage to come to power in a democracy and dictate state policy. Unable to understand the dynamics of today’s economics, they dance to popular tunes, undercutting a state’s or nation’s long term development.

The people of India have to wake up against mediocrity in politics. There should come a day when merit, integrity and competence will determine candidates and winners in elections. Will we allow an unlicensed electrician to set up the electric wiring of our house? Why then should we allow people who have no knowledge of law to be lawmakers? Why then do we allow people who have no grasp of economics to decide how our resources must be allocated?

The only way to stem the rot is to bring in more competent, upright people into politics. We have a Prime Minister who is probably the most qualified and upright head of state in the whole world. Few rulers have as impressive a resume as that of Mr. Manmohan Singh. There are eminent achievers in his team of ministers. The examples of leaders like Mr. Singh are sufficient to show that a gentlemanly achiever can remain in politics without the use of muscle power and corruption. Politics need not and should not be the exclusive domain of scheming rascals and criminals.

Most Christians are concerned about their rulers; they pray for them every day, as the Bible commands them to do. They exercise their franchise faithfully. Yet, not many of them would think of stepping into electoral politics. Many still consider politics as a source of defilement, a sphere where no upright person can stand holding on to his/her virtues.

We need to realise that just as God calls people to various vocations, He calls them to be rulers too. Christians have for long produced excellent doctors, teachers, nurses, judges, writers, and business people. It could be that God is calling more of them into active politics and governance. Now, religion is not the sole consideration here. Just as good Christians have upheld moral uprightness, and excellence in the fields of education and healthcare, they can legitimately uphold these values in government too. In states such as Nagaland or Mizoram, where majority of the population belongs to one or the other evangelical denomination, devout Christians participate in the electoral process. There are times when we should do more than just pray for the nation!

“When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.” Prov. 28:12