Anti-incumbency: For UPA or NDA?
Jan 27th
As elections draw near, a very interesting scenario seems to be emerging. Especially, watch out for Uttarakhand and Punjab. To start with the two states were declared to be a cakewalk for the Congress. But as campaigning picked up, things started to change. NDA is making an all-out effort to retain the two states. Now, whether NDA succeeds in capturing the two states or not, it’s certainly not going to be easy for the Congress.
Maya’s Jumbo Fear Captures UP Polls
Jan 13th
It was ridiculous to see political parties demanding eclipsing of Elephant and Maya’s statues in Uttar Pradesh. So from Samajwadi Party to BJP to Congress, all not leaving any stone unturned to stop the Jumbo from moving ahead. They run to the Election Commission asking it to save them from the rampaging Elephant and put road blocks.
The Next moment brand new plastic sheets and clothes being bought and brought to the parks and the exercise of covering Mayawatis and Jumbos begin. It was a sight one could never imagine in an electoral battle — parties getting scared of a non-living element. For these parties, fear seems to be that if these Mayas and Elephants are left uncovered, they may weave Maya’s magic around the electorate in the state.
Has Mayawati and BSP’s election symbol become so huge that it is threatening to overshadow all others in the UP electoral scene? But is that so simple? Are the electorate so foolish to get inspired by only a few statues? Is it not the insecurity of Maya’s political opponents that is forcing them to do the most hillarious thing to have ever heard — run to the Election Commission asking it to cover the statues in Lucknow, NOIDA and all other places or else we will be in trouble. Let’s not underestimate the intelligence of an electorate.
To me it sounds hillarious because I have during the last couple of decades of active journalism, have never heard or seen something so ridiculous. If Maya’s elephants are to be covered, then why not all the bi-cycles plying on the road, or the Lotus in the ponds and take it to the extent of asking people not to wave their hands.
For, bi-cycle is the symbol of Samajwadi Party, Lotus of BJP and Hand of the Congress. If this happens, life may just come to a standstill in UP. In my view, electorate have time and again proved that they are smart enough to decide what’s good and what’s bad for them. It’s not statues that win you elections. It’s the caste equation, better election management or call it manipulation, money power, muscle power that win you elections in Uttar Pradesh and not your manifestor or issues that you raise.
Instead of issues, UP election scene is getting hotter and hotter day by day with ”frivolous” issues. Election Commission takes the centre stage, ensuring that every party is heard and their concerns addressed. From covering of these statues to prevening Ministers from wooing voters by making policy announcements, UP election scene is being captured by non-issues. Salman Khursheed, the country’s Law Minister has found himself in trouble for backing his wife in the Farukhabad assembly constituency. He opened his mouth and indicated how the Congress party is trying to create a quota within quota for the econominally weaker section of hte society. He was seen as trying to woo voters in his wife’s constituency. Next was the BJP reaching the Election Commission Headquarters at Ashoka Road to lodge their strong protest on the gross violation of the election rules by the minister.
While both these issues have been dealt with top priority by the Election Commission, there are numerous serious issues which have completely gone unnoticed. Seizure of fake currency, illicit liquor or cash for distribution only shows how much these parties try to do to tilt the balance in their favour.
There’s no real attempt to check the flow of liquor in this election bazaar. Every day Foreign, Indian, illicit liquor is being seized from across the state. But no heads have so far rolled on this count. The unchecked flow of money and liquor power has always tilted the tide in favour of candidates and parties. Interestingly, there seems to be no fight among political players. No one really raising the issue. They know that if you curb this, their plan may also go awry.
Election Commission promises that the polls would be free and fair, but for that to happen it’s not elephants or Maya’s statues and posters which require to be dealt with, but more importantly the smuggling of cash and liquor into the UP’s election bazaar needs to be checked and checked fast.
it’s time, parties should understand that electorate are fools only till the time they want to be. Not always. Or else, India’s democratic set up would have crumbled long back. Voters understand the best who can do better — elephant or bi-cycle.
Let’s respect the electorate — the pillar of world’s biggest democracy. They are no pushovers.
Making Mockery Of Anna’s Movement
Dec 23rd
You call it an ego battle in the garb of Parliamentary supremacy or misplaced arrogance, the UPA Government seems to have made a mockery of the Anna Movement. The battle was against corruption, but it has been quietly, systematically and shamelessly turned into a battle for reservation. And why blame the government alone, our entire political class has proved yet again that they know the art of diluting important legislation to ensure a safe future for themselves.
Ultimately, a strong anti-corruption law would turn out to be a spanner in the desire of many who wish to amass all the wealth through dubious means. The likes of Laloos and Mulayams are all busy working overtime to achieve indirectly what the government could not achieve directly. The UPA has been struggling hard to wriggle out of the Lokpal controversy as fast as possible, even if that meant turning the corruption debate into a reservation battle and throwing all legislative rules out of the window.
All those who thought that when the Lokpal Bill will finally be tabled, the debate would be about the inclusion of CBI and PM and C & D employees. But soon after Sushma Swaraj stood up to object to the introduction of the bill, the debate swiftly moved towards discussing reservation in Lokpal. Our self-proclaimed kingmaker Laloo Prasad Yadav got up to congratulate the government on respecting the demand of the ”Akhliyat” and reintroducing the word ”Minority” in the final draft bill. No one really cared if the Constitution provided for a religion-based reservation or whether an investigation body should have the provision for reservation.
Thereafter, all leaders went about objecting or defending the granting of reservation to the minority in the yet-to-be created Lokpal. Why was the word Minority dropped from the draft Bill? Why so much of a hurry? Why this rush to push Lokpal Bill? Why succumb to pressure from an old man? Parliament is supreme, so why worry about another hunger strike? There’s only one Father of the Nation and no one can claim to be another Father of the Nation. No one should be allowed to challenge Parliament’s supremacy. Why fear a mass agitation? All such voices or noises were heard in the Lok Sabha. One wonders if these words were to prove the power of Parliamentarians or to hide the fear from an old man.
What was most surprising is that leaders who till yesterday charged the government of ”managing” the CBI, were today busy declaring the premier investigating agency as ”independent”. Why should CBI be brought under the purview of Lokpal? It is doing a fine job. For them CBI suddenly became a holy cow. Let’s talk in specifics. Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav was heard saying that ”Parliament Is Supreme. CRPc and other law are there to deal with issues. Courts are there to deal with cases of corruption. What is the hurry to create a Lokpal? This may sound ironical, but it’s true. Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav is the same politician who declared that he would go to the people’s court when charged by the CBI of corruption in the Fodder Scam case and was arrested. But in Parliament the same Mr Yadav displayed utter contempt for people’s movement.
Interestingly, the people who raised their voice against a strong and effective Lokpal, aimed at checking corruption, are themselves facing charges of corruption in various courts. So can they be expected to advocate a fight against corruption? They say Parliament is supreme, but conveniently forget that the same Constitution which they cite to prove their supremacy says people are supreme and even the Constitution can be amended, if people so desire.
Their attempt is nothing, but to negate the public response the Anna movement has generated across the country. It may just be an attempt to bring to naught what has been highlighted by one and all — that there is a need to rid India of the cancer of corruption. People’s representative are today out to suppress people’s voice. Reservation is just an excuse. The attempt is to negate what Anna Hazare has achieved — bring to the fore the failure of the political class in putting a powerful institution in place to battle corruption in the country.
But why should we at all have reservation in bodies like Lokpal (since that’s what we are debating for now)? Why every single issue in the country has to be turned into quota politics? Just because it’s all about political survival for some. Laloo eyes revival in Bihar and Muslims hold the key. Mulayam has his eyes set on UP elections, just a few months away and he so far has projected himself to the messiah of Muslims in the state. They are both fighting to regain the crown.
And if we really want quota in Lokpal, then why not in investigative agencies like CBI, NIA or constitutional and statutory bodies like CVC or Election Commission? This is absurd and hilarious… This country certainly doesn’t require quota raj to fight corruption.
I will never forget 13/12
Dec 13th
It was a winter morning and as usual I was preparing to leave for office. I was working with UNI (United News of India) those days. Since I was covering crime as my beat, like most of the other crime reporters my day would start a little late around 1230/1300 hrs as our days would extend late. Also, I remember I was not quite well that day. So was delaying my departure.
Around 1115 hrs got a first call from one of my sources saying that something has happened in Parliament. Checked with my Delhi Police sources and was told that there is some trouble inside the Parliament building. Anything in Parliament was big. So I forgot about taking bath or changing and started to call as many sources as possible (Not working for a TV network then, there was no pressure to be on location for live reporting). I switched on the TV and they were also running about some commotion in Parliament.
Then a source of mine told me ‘’sir lagta hai koi terror attack hai. Woh s…. fire kar rahe hai….). That was the first time I thought it was really serious. Terror attack on Parliament was huge. I had seen a terror attack at Red Fort just a year ago. So knew that this is the next stage of terrorism in India. Red Fort attack was smaller in nature considering that it happened at night and they had attacked a security picket. That was the first attack on the symbol of Indian Independence.
But the attack on the highest seat of Indian democracy was any day much bigger.
Security in Parliament was very different then. Our office was located in Rafi Marg, next to Parliament Street and it was a five minute walk to Parliament. We used to enter from the main entrance without much of a security check. At best the security there would ask us for our Parliament pass. Not so much frisking or scanning. Cars did not have any RF tags. The general car park pass was sufficient.
Till then, armed security men were not there inside the building. It was only in periphery that armed security men would be stationed. However, it all changed in minutes.
I kept making calls while realising that I was stuck at home. If I moved out, I would be handicapped as I would be in noisy environment and listening to what information was flowing in would be difficult. It was a different story then that I was among a few who had been given cell phones by office (Cell phones were costly and not provided so easily with full reimbursements.) I had no such fears as I knew whatever number of calls I make, I would get the money back. So kept making calls and collect as much information as possible.
Sources kept updating me. Then came the news that a CRPF security personnel on the main entrance who gave these terrorists a chase was shot dead and the march of the terrorists to enter Parliament building continues. As the terrorists attempted to move inside the building through gate no. 1 and 12., the watch and ward staff and Parliament secuirty first pushed everyone inside the building and started to shut all gates.
One after another, Parliament building became out of the bounds. From MPs to media to visitors, they were all locked up inside the building with clear instructions to be careful and not sneak out.
I got another call saying that they are five in numbers – appear to be LeT or JeM commandoes. They are well trained and are carrying bags on their shoulders. Their car may have RDX. Could be a fidayeen attack. But the terorists had come with a clear design of entering the building.
TV was barred from shooting inside and cameras which had recorded all the events, could not go out. So nothing that was happening inside could be seen. We could not know more than what we were being told through our sources and at times some official of the Delhi Police.
Outside the buidling, TV crews kept talking to worried and shocked politicians and eye-witnesses. Media put their job ahead of life and kept reporting whatever they could from right outside the building which was under terror seige. It was also not sure if there was a backup terror team waiting to support. So the tension was mounting.
The operation continued for the next hour-or-so and one by one all terrorists were shot dead. Their RDX laden car was neutralised and the terror attack at the highest seat of democracy came to an end.
But for all times to come what was left thereafter was the shock of the attack, the grief of the families who lost their heroes and a completed changed security scenario in Parliament house.
Walking inside the Parliament building is no longer the same.
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FDI Debate: Mamata, Karuna Not ‘Kingmakers’
Dec 2nd
Upto 100 per cent FDI in retail sector has become a headache for the UPA. Even as the ruling coalition grapples with the price rise-corruption crisis, it is now faced with the biggest political challenge during its seven-year rule. Worse, it is facing crisis within its own grouping. TMC and DMK have made life difficult for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with the government having committed itself on FDI in retail announcing that a rollback is completely ruled out, things are not quite positive for the coalition which seems to be crumbing with each passing day.
Pawar slapgate: Time to address public anger
Nov 25th
It has been described as the most audacious assault on the political class ever! A man appeared from nowhere and slapped Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who is incidentally also the big boss of international cricket. It has sent the entire political fraternity into a tizzy. The political class is unitedly demanding stringent action against the culprit of slapgate.
Prediction true on RSS’s Mega Plan
Nov 18th
When I first wrote this article (Modi’s Fast: The RSS Mega Plan) on the 20th September, many did not believe what I had written. There were doubts, arguments, counter-arguments questioning the perception. Some said that whatever said, it’s Narendra Modi who will be BJP’s next choice as the Prime Ministerial candidate, if the party wins the 2014 elections. Others said, Advani is too old and doesn’t have the charisma or energy left to occupy the top job.
However, most of them did not have an answer to this question — why did Advani suddenly become active? How did he, from nowhere, emerge to announce another yatra, this time to highlight black money and corruption? The rise of Advani from the ashes was part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s mega plan to give the BJP’s political campaign a face ahead of the 2014 Parliamentary elections and in the absence of a powerful alternative, Advani has now become the most suitable choice.
In the article (Read: Modi’s Fast: The RSS Mega Plan), I had explicitly stated why and how Advani figured in the RSS’s Mega politico-electoral plan. Today all that seems to be coming true. The perception seems to stand vindicated with developments in the Bharatiya Janata Party over the past few days suggesting that what we predicted that day seems to be turning into a reality fast.
First it was Rajnath Singh on Advani’s birthday, and now Jaswant Singh. Both have declared that Advani would be the “natural choice” for the top job if the BJP wins the next Parliamentary polls. The subtle projection of Advani is directly linked to the absence of an undisputed second-rung leader in the party. The RSS knows that if they start exploring a younger leader for the top job, they would face not just a lack of options, but also infighting, with ambitious Young Turks in their ranks.
Modi would be fighting his third elections as the Chief Minister of Gujarat next year and the Assembly polls would be crucial for him. While RSS and the BJP have build on Modi’s acceptability factor, Advani would be expected to captain the BJP ship for a few more years, provided ofcourse he remains in good health. The next two elections — the assembly polls in Gujarat in 2012 and Lok Sabha elections in 2014 — is crucial for the two mass leaders of the BJP. Advani would clearly be vying for the top job for one last time; Modi on his part would be keen to turn the page, and reinvent himself.
Party insiders insist that in the presence of Advani, there’s no question of projecting any other leader for the Prime Ministership. But they all know that there’s actually no one that the party can rely upon at the national stage. Be it Sushma Swaraj or Arun Jaitley or even party president Nitin Gadkari, no one can actually has the gravitas. Also, their stature would not help keep the allies together, or even make new ones. Jaitley would find it extremely difficult to convince Nitish, similarly Gadkari would have his hands full if he were to cultivate the Thackerays, and Sushma will find it hard to bat with the Akalis.
Sushma, Jaitley or Nitin Gadkari would not be acceptable to the allies as their unquestioned leader. So, Advani clearly wins the race since he is not just acceptable to all the allies due to his experience and age, but has over the years also tried to cultivate a ‘’secular” image.
The battle for 2014 is still three years away. Several articles would be written on the subject till then, but for now, we stand vindicated on what we said on the 20th September.
26/11 Victims Are Still Crying
Nov 11th
Tears in their eyes haven’t dried up yet. Victims of 26/11 terror tragedy are still crying. Their pain is unimaginable and it can’t be forgotten. This government needs to be reminded that it announced a zero-tolerance against terror and ‘no-talks’ with Pakistan until the perpetrators of 26/11 are brought to book. Not sure if those in this government, including Dr Manmohan Singh, remember this and still feels the pain of 26/11 victims. The Prime Minister after all termed his Pakistani counterpart ‘a man of peace’, he seems to have forgotten that dark day in Mumbai. The sacrifice and tragedy lost its significance in a single stroke. The question is, who can we trust now?
Can a man so far found wanting on his commitment to fight terror deliver on his promise? Suddenly PM Manmohan Singh declares his counterpart a man of peace. India must stand up and take notice. We require a clear and unambiguous stand on the issue of terror, especially post-26/11. Don’t forget Dr Singh it’s your government that made a commitment to bring all the culprits of 26/11 to book and till then ruled out dealing with Pakistan.
What’s has changed since then? As far as India’s public opinion is concerned, nothing has changed. But this government seems to have its own notion. Out of nowhere, the Dr Singh stands with Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani at Addu Atoll in Maldives and announces that the past can be forgotten. Yes, its that easy! 26/11 can be forgotten because what’s important is talks with Pakistan. If this is so, then Dr Singh’s own decision of scrapping all links with Pakistan and putting the dialogue on hold should be questioned. Is he not contradicting himself, and almost attempting to describe himself as a man of peace himself?
The government needs to answer to the victims of terror, not just of 26/11, but all the other cases where Pakistan is allegedly involved. Many would argue that life doesn’t teach you to keep your wounds open but allows them to heal. However, the stark reality of life is that this applies only to those who are on the other side of the fence. What about those who are suffering? Go to them, and you would get an answer on what this government should be doing.
The first responsibility of this government should be towards its citizens. If they are in pain, how can you smile?
The pain, sadness and sufferings of these families is getting sidelined — not sure if under duress or by choice. If under duress, then have we lost the courage and commitment to argue our position and stick to what we say. But if this is all happening by choice, then obviously one would ask what about those promises that were made to 26/11 victims. We went all out to declare a war on terror but never had the guts and courage to put our foot down in front of the United States, international community or even Pakistan.
We must stand up and face it. This doesn’t augur well for any government or regime as it shows that with time we have a habit of going back and often give the impression that ”we are a soft state”. India has face several terror attacks, but never ever have we stood up to give a befitting reply — militarily or diplomatically. One can understand that militarily there is a sort of hesitation considering the changed scenario, but diplomatically?
There’s no argument that this government can put forth to justify its decision to extend its arms of friendship at this stage with nothing in hand. Why lose face even in front of those who believed your words and went along with your commitment. The cost of the pain and agony that the victims of terror, especially 26/11, are going through for years should never be forgotten.
People and their feelings should take precedence over any diplomacy because the scar of terror can never be wiped out.
Stand firm and let the world realise that what we say makes sense and we care about our people. Let Pakistan fall in line and then we will talk.
This blow hot, blow cold policy doesn’t take us anywhere because history would prove that one more terror attack and the government’s perception vis-a-vis Pakistan would be back to square one. Let’s at least care for the tears of the victims of 26/11, they have not dried up yet Dr Manmohan Singh.
Laloo Prasad Yadav’s Lost Glory
Nov 4th
He was a man of many parts. He had his unique style. And he made people stand up and take notice. He was called the Management Guru for scripting the revival of Indian Railways. He brought the Railways out of slumber to make it a success story. He was credited with bringing the novel idea of ”Charbaha Vidyalaya” – school for animal grazers. He was called the master politician for ensuring a government in Bihar for 15 long years for his party. And then he was also called ”Kingmaker” for helping the Congress form its government in 2004.
Yes I am talking about Laloo Prasad Yadav, the man who doesn’t need any introduction in Indian politics. It’s his distinct style which made you always believe that ”you can hate him, love him, but you just can’t ignore him”. That was the kind of magic that Laloo created in Indian polity. There was a time when whatever Laloo did hit the headlines. From cooking in kitchen, to milching his cows, he did every thing possible to catch the eyeballs. In a short time he became the darling of the Indian media. Laloo and his style of ”Kurtaphaad (Kurta-tearing) Holi” became a phenomen. It was the most talked about Holi celebrations post-Raj Kapoor’s star-studded Holi in the RK Studios. Thousands would queue up at Laloo’s residence in Patna or Delhi (wherever he stayed) from early in the morning to see their clothes getting torn at the hands of their beloved leader. It gave them a kick and they went out of Laloo’s house elated. I wonder if they celebrated the festival of colour with their leader this time.
Laloo the showman was once unstoppable, he made Chhath popular across the country. His 1, Anay Marg residence in Patna would be abuzz with activities for three days. His wife and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi would be the centre of attraction as she would hold fast for three days praying for her politician husband. From the time the celebrations would begin on the first day and till they came to an end on the third, no one who came would move out of Anay Marg.
Laloo would cancel all his appointments and stay put in Patna to be alongside his fasting wife. Initially, Laloo and Rabri would go to the bank of the Ganges to worship the Sun – the god of light. Even though the story in the state was very different – light was nowhere to be seen and people would be forced to manage with Lantern, the symbol of Laloo’s political party the Rashtriya Janta Dal. You could call it ironic or a brilliant strategy, while Laloo prayed to the Sun god for light in his life, he kept his state in the shadow of darkness, quite literally.
However, the number of participants in Laloo’s Chhath celebrations grew every year and the master politician had to shift the celebrations to his official residence, creating a makeshift pond to allow Rabri Devi to take the holy dip.
This continued for the next several years when Laloo and then his wife were in power. The story, however, changed thereafter. The Laloo magic started waning. As the years passed, Laloo’s charisma diminished and so did the crowd at his residence — even during Chhath celebrations. ‘Light’ was brought back into the life of people of Bihar with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar purchasing electricity from other states, and again quite ironically the ‘lantern’ in Laloo’s life began to flicker, and switched off. He stopped going to the banks of the Ganges to seek light in his life. He now celebrates the festival from wherever he is! The queue is gone and his loyalists have ditched him.
This time Laloo was in Delhi to celebrate the festival with his fasting wife. The media was there, but the magic was missing. He did not make headlines. Not too many came to turn it into a grand event. However, Laloo can take consolation from the fact that Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit came to wish Rabri and got a picture clicked with the couple, and fortunately it figured in a couple of newspapers. For a man fighting hard to find political space again, this was not a bad deal.
The festival came and went – with people trying to figure out if this was the same Laloo Prasad Yadav who at his peak made news channels and newspapers dance to his tunes. Today, there are no flashbulbs and celebrations have lost colour. The style is gone, and the flamboyance is missing. The man who was once the so called kingmaker, today he is a virtual political outcast, trying hard to revive his old magic . The glory of Laloo Prasad Yadav seems to have been lost forever…
