Shiban Khaibri
Newer dimensions, twists and interpretations of Indian politics by our politicians, with exceptions of course, are being witnessed in the country. It will not be any sort of exaggeration that in run up to electing 16th Lok Sabha , such maneuverings are seen on the political scene, at times with awe and astonishment. The new entrants in the political business are making things look more confused and even antagonistic in nature. The latest salvo of the sorts has been tried to be fired by Arvind Kejriwal in that he has written to Narendra Modi asking him “to come clean on Ambani” though he has till date not himself come clean on controversial Somnath Bharti or on other allegations against him and against some others in his new political experiment the Aam Aadmi Party. At the outset, why should he oppose without any ideological basis what we call as crony capitalism which in simpler terms means the close relationship, for development of the economy, between the business world and the government functionaries? What objections can be there in case there is a positive relationship between Government and business entities leave aside the conventional objections the communists have against the very concept of the capitalism. Theirs is an ideology not new born but on the one hand Kejriwal’s Party can obtain with thanks liberal donations from all those engaged in business activities and on the other hand, he questions Modi to be followed next by Rahul Gandhi the relations they supposedly have with business tycoons like Mukesh Ambani. It is again another topic for debate that the very pilgrim centre for communism, the Soviet Russia, the statues of Stalin, Lenin and other icons of class war and the absolute rule of the proletariat were pulled down and the very concept of capitalism given a through review in accordance with the fast changing world order in matters of fast advent of democracy and the gradual failure of the absolute socialist order. We in India started under the rule of the Late Narsimha Rao, the process of economic liberalization and set in process the disinvestment of Governmental stake in the economy to pave the way for co-operation with the Private sector. Nehruian socialism and his concept of not favouring nationalization of private capital worked very successfully for three decades but he had also advocated for progressive mix of the Private and the Public sectors. In other words, any one approach or method cannot be everlasting for any economy.
Kejriwal openly shows his anti business postures trying vain fully to show off himself as a rebellious reformer of the politic, social and economic order. His approach, however, seems flawed and aimless short of creating confusion and leads to inferring his bias against the system and against one and sundry just for gaining media attention and announcing “grand sale” of day dreams. Take for example his move to file an FIR against Mukesh Ambani and Petroleum Minister Moily which can be called nothing short of a charade and full of absurdities. What evidence has Kejriwal to substantiate the contents of the FIR which accuses both to conspire to gain pecuniary benefits at the cost of the public? Merely a conspiracy theory and absolute falsehood cannot be made the premise to book any one legally. Why does he remain conspicuously silent on the ONGC and only is against RIL when the ONGC has a lion’s share in Gas production say above 90%? If a system decides about the pricing especially on the recommendations of the Rangrajan Committee report, what basis has Kejriwal to argue to book the twin legally? The Rangrajan Committee was constituted by Jaipal Reddy known for his anti Reliance and anti gas price increase moves. Rangrajan pricing of gas at nearly $8 per unit is far below the import price, then where is the RIL to be blamed? ONGC has not agreed to a price at less than $7 to make it worth a commercial entity.
It is worth noting and to be shared with all what a counter FIR against Kejriwal by the Petroleum Minister Veerapa Moily says;- “Arvind Kejriwal is in cahoots with oil multi nationals (Shell, Exoon etc;) to make India dependent on gas imports, bestowing a huge windfall on multinationals. Many power units in India are closed for want of gas. Gas imports have shot up to Rs.28000 crore. The International Energy Association has estimated India’s gas imports will rise to as much as 72% by 2017. There is an urgent need to incentivise a big jump in domestic gas production. Kejriwal and his associates are trying to conspire to keep the pricing so low that it is uneconomic to produce from huge offshore fields. They have ignored protestations from the ONGC and the GSPC that offshore prices of $7 to $13 per unit are essential to justify production. This is a clear CONSPIRACY to keep India gas – scarce and bestow billions of Dollars on the foreign gas suppliers. What is Kejriwal’s own cut?”
Please hold on. It further goes on, “Most countries give preference to domestic producers over foreign suppliers but Kejriwal wants to give preference to high priced imports over cheap domestic production. This flagrant conspiracy aims to benefit MNCs planning huge gas production in Australia and elsewhere. Qattar is the biggest gas producer and exporter in Asia and plans big production increases. It will obviously target India, one of Asia’s top most consumers. Why do Kejriwal and company want to benefit Qatar, a country that has reportedly sent huge sums to Jihadis fighting in Syria? Is there a secret deal between………….?The Police must investigate this link and expose all anti national elements.”
There needs to be a good laugh at this spoof. So conspiracy theory is based on falsehood and if given any credence might end up in a financial and energy crisis that this country cannot afford. Dangerous experiments at the altar of a common citizen may be avoided and accusations of using helicopters of Ambani reportedly by Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi and the like are cheap gimmicks and must be avoided. He knows the general public does not go into the details generally and shall be taken in by merely his choicest words as “you are being looted”, “they are making a windfall of Rs.40000 crore”, “Gas pricing are completely on the higher side” etc as he wants the reaction of the people turn into a popular wave and vote him and his party to Lok Sabha overwhelmingly. Well, in democracy, the verdict of the people is supreme but it is a national sin to mislead them and show them dreams that are destined to remain dreams only.
Outrageous slander against one and all cannot benefit common people whose cause he feigns to champion but when they gave him a chance to prove his mettle and rule Delhi, he found an escape route through Jan Lok Pal which none opposed but he gobbled and rattled only to find an alibi and project himself as a victim and as a political martyr. Martyrdom is not every one’s cake and in case it is, still then despite having it one cannot eat it too. Many argue what else could he do but to exit as his real test of “doing wonders and “broom-ing off ” every corrupt and unfair means, lay to a larger extent in his presenting the annual budget and change the average fate of a Delhiate for a better. He was undone even on the much publicized water and electricity. Janta Darbar too proved a flop and he himself stopped it. Casual workers’ dream of “permanency” remained just a dream. Reading out names from his yet newer lists of “the corrupt” indiscriminately has proved a shoot and scoot measure. Renuka Choudhry of the Congress has asked Kejriwal to explain who funded the printing of AAP caps. Moreover, is it true that only a few days ago the ideologue of AAP Yoginder Yadav had claimed to get a “donation” of Rs.10 lakhs from the same Ambani Ji against whom Kejriwal has launched a hit and run sport? We now cannot afford to believe him but only the findings of a probe, an independent and an impartial one.
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