Cleansing Electoral Finances to Curb Unscrupulous Expenditures in Elections: Insights & Suggestions’

India is witnessing growing misuse of money in elections and it is a matter of great concern. At the end of every election, whether elections to the Parliament, or State Assemblies, the common man is left to ponder as what purpose is really served by these elections where there is huge amount of money spent, specifically so, when one is faced with the stark reality that India as a developing country adhering to goals of welfare state, is yet to provide food to a large population which goes unfed or has not been successful in providing even the basic amenities to its people. The growing demand for money in elections has also accelerated flow of illegal money. This unscrupulous expenditure not only demoralises common man's confidence in democratic institutions, but it also discourages good candidates from contesting elections who shy away due to lack of finances. This necessitates the need for analysing the role money plays in electoral politics in India, and the various measures to curb the increasing influence of money.