Our MPs

This is indeed a very sad, unhealthy and alarming situation. We can only appeal to the parties to look back to the past parliaments, take lessons from the past mistakes and nominate deserving candidates.

Another relevant point is the percentage of businessmen among the MPs which stands at a staggering 54% in the present parliament. Traditionally, lawyers, doctors, social workers, educationists, retired civil and military officials were given tickets. If we consider Pakistan there is hardly anybody from the business houses like Adamjee, Dawood, Menjis, Khosh Naser in the MP list. Tata, Birla, Godrej, Bombay Dyeing, Grasim people, Reliance group, Escort group, Mafatlal, Oberoi group, Podders of West Bengal and others in India have hardly shown any interest to compete in the national elections and become MPs. Other countries also prove the same theory. Conflict of interest is bound to be there. Business people can advise, lobby or indirectly raise funds but they are not suitable to be nominated as legislators. It is simply not their domain.

So, we would like to see not more than ten percent of businessmen and industrialists in the next parliament. It may sound like a utopian idea but political parties should take note that unless they act in the proper direction the parties will be simply eaten up by the 'industrywalas'.

We can only hope that good sense will prevail upon the political leadership and the parliament can be restored to its past honour and glorious traditions befitting the sacred institution.