Definition: Politics is generally defined as an art of possible. Now, when I observe how politics is being practiced even by leading lights in the political firmament, I am disillusioned with the latter-day political class, in general. There are, of course, exceptions. Politics in general, indeed has now become an art of befooling the public for personal gains at the cost of public good. The gullible public is the facilitators in the whole drama of demeaning politics.

Politics as profession: Politics has become a profession, like any other profession, the bottom line being capturing political power and through it money power. Political opportunities are not open to everybody. Worldly wise fellows know pretty well that doors to political opportunities would not be opened to the common man, even with a good track record of service to people or sacrifice. Self-effacement may be a trait of a saint, but not of a politician. Like in the case of immovable property, political power one gets is mostly through inheritance. Your dad is a politician. You inherit his political career, without any effort, any merit or competence or inclination to serve people. Unwittingly, political class has become a caste of its own. Lesser beings who crave a share in the spoils of political power must learn technique of ingratiating. Sometimes, it is painful to watch in the electronic media that even the aged and senior level politicians, willingly genuflecting before potential political youngsters, just to curry favors.

Focus of politicians: Politicians are not tired of talking of electoral winning strategies, day in and day out and not really bothering about serving the people or the country. The welfare of the downtrodden or prosperity of the nation are the topical themes used by political class, mostly for propaganda.

Politics and ethics: The word politics is oxymoron to ethics. When corruption charges leveled against a politician in power are brought to his notice for his comments, the stock replies are as follows. 1. 'The politicians of the previous regime were more corrupt when they were in power. Why did you not raise this issue before them?' 2. 'It is the conspiracy of the opposition parties to defame us for the sake of cheap publicity or for gaining political mileage and nothing else.' A politician may be a pauper today and he may soon become a millionaire before our eyes. You may wonder how he has amassed so much wealth in a short time- far beyond the known sources of income. He is answerable to none. Even his sworn political enemy, overtly may make hue and cry about corruption, but covertly protects his fellow politicians. It is due to caste feeling-feeling of not the social class, but of the caste of different kind- political-class. The absurd explanation advanced to the critics about the sources of income to shut their mouths obviously is like this: 1. 'This is the money I have received from millions of my followers in the form of petty donations'. 2. 'I purchased the immovable properties or shares at dirt cheap rates. There is sudden appreciation of their value due to market condition and nothing else'.

Nexus between politicians and criminals: Criminalization of politics is one of the topics which would never lose its relevance. It is widely debated in the media from time to time. Criminals or politicians with the backup of criminals are rated to be having better chances of winning elections. In every political party, it is believed that substantial percentage of seats is pocketed by either criminals or politicians having criminal background or support.

Basic lacunae: Any candidate who is serious in contesting either assembly or parliamentary seat has to shell out substantial sum, of the order of ten million rupees to ensure visibility before the electorate and to get fair chances to win. If he flunks, he loses his investment and face value. Even if he drubs he opponents in elections, there are no legitimate ways for recovering his investment. If he sticks to politics, in another five years he will have to shell another ten millions of rupees for to be in the race and gain winning chances. A fellow without requisite wherewithal cannot contest an election. A well to do fellow who engages in politics must find some fair or unfair means to recover his investment. The unholy environment surrounding the politician is due to faulty systems.

Caste based politics: We try to do the absurd or impossible thing- trying to create a casteless society through identification of castes and providing social benefits caste-wise, rather than on the basis of economic backwardness. The principles of democracy ensures that the majority caste people capture power and continue to rein in power term after term, widening caste divisions and contributing demeaning political culture.

Heartening feature: With all the drawbacks in our polity, our democracy is one of the most successful and thriving democracies in the world, achieving GDP close to 9% .I am proud to be an Indian.

Suggestions for improvement in political culture: 1.The state must incur the entire expenditure of polls. The expenditure can be minimized by making use of electronic media, conducting electoral debates in the media and streamlining the propaganda mechanism 2. Introduction of stringent norms for issuing tickets, in terms of educational qualifications, service to people and character and aptitude to serve people etcetera. 3. Declaration of assets of the candidate and his / her close relatives at the time of contesting Any increase in his/her wealth in his / life time will be confiscated and must be treated as assets of the state .4.Any candidate who contests an election must have undergone a course about parliamentary system of governance, constitution, budget, planning, social engineering etc.

Important note: I am an apolitical person. This succinct piece is not aimed at any political party or individual, but meant to review the current political environment.