That must seem a no brainer to most people.
It also points to a vacuum that will be filled either by a further loss of freedom or by a sudden fancy for a new political party that comprises hitherto civic activists. The ‘alternative’ if one is to surface would need some essential, perceivable, features; the principal amongst which is transparency.
Transparency created by media spin won’t last. Transparency in functioning, experienced in reality by the members of a party will help carry conviction to the voter and more cohesion of support to those at the helm, even under trying circumstances.
Transparency of functioning would also lend strength to the elbow of those who will have to take tough, unpopular decisions in the larger interest. The rank and file would be able to explain such decisions if they are rational.
And the first step in transparency of a political party is internal democracy from top to bottom. The days of the god-like leader who is beyond discussion or challenge is a thing of the past in this information age. Just look at the politics and political parties in the older democracies and you’ll see this operating.
But what is not so obvious is that political parties and their leaders have forgotten that ideology comes after people’s needs, demands and aspirations. Not before. That ideology can deal with the way peoples’ demands and aspirations are met, not if they are ‘good for the people’.
On that score, no major Indian political party scores more than zero.