Col J P Singh, Retd
Why should we have cleaner politics and why Kejriwal; why not Rahul? Between the three, there is a large constituency of inspirational young middle class India which is ardent supporter of the 1st option and one of the other alternatives. A young mind is the need of the hour which is in step with the changing times and is able to articulate aspirations of the people into inclusive politics. Since the dawn of independence, Indian economy and people have undergone a sea change. While the economy has surged ahead by leaps and bounds, the politics has degenerated beyond imagination. While the Indian businessmen are competing to be the best world over, our politicians are under rated. Top politicians and the Prime Minster are labeled as communal, corrupt and non performers. Even the kind of wind of change blown by Anna Hazare could not shake their heads and hearts. India has far too long been a democracy of the few, by the few and for the few rather than for all. Since Nehru- Gandhi dynasty controls Indian politics since independence, it is solely responsible for political decadence. The culture of feudalism has corroded the concept of modern democracy. Indian politics remains oblivious to the changing times and hence we need the likes of Kejriwal. Hence his baby political party is being watched keenly.
At the termination of religious festivals, election festival has begun. Starting from Himachal, it is Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan and then the final round. Corruption and misgoverance will definitely take its toll on the Congress and UPA 2 in the coming state elections. A ruling party is inevitably judged in the court of people by performance of its govt. People had earlier voted out Rajiv Gandhi led Congress govt once it was known to be associated with few crore Bofors Scam. This govt is neck deep in scams such as CWG, 2 G Spectrum, Adarsh, Coalgate, Irrigation and DLF land deals to mention a few and they all run into lakhs of crores. This time the politicians not only face grave charges of rampant corruption and arrogance, the govt is accused of inaction as well. Uncontrolled inflation and protracted economic slowdown are the other accusations against the govt. Senior union ministers are seen hurling out murderous threats to Kejriwal, an IAC activist turned politician. Moreover politically empowered land mafia has angered the public. Politicians across the parties face credibility loss. Hence it will take maximum tool on the ruling party in the final round. If it loses the state elections and the party structure does not respond to the challenges ahead, it is bound to go and sit in the opposition in the next Parliament.
Fate of India is linked to the coming 17 months. These months will be a defining era for future India. It is an opportunity for the political parties to seek a mandate for the future of young India and not for self empowerment. It is an opportunity for 25 crore young voters to exert their pressure and power through ballot boxes and give a clear verdict in favour or against the present govt.
Reforms are the tools to address social, economic, political and fiscal malaise plaguing our country. Knowing fully well, many political parties oppose reforms and resort to agitations. In India almost all the reforms are opposed. FDI in retail is made out to be ‘Orwellian Monster’ while it is popular world over. Such political parties do not express their clear position on the most important issues such as tax & election reforms / funding and above all economic reforms. They offer lots of freebies, subsidies and unemployment allowances to the electorate in their election manifestoes and use unfair means to woo the voters. They win elections clandestinely and misuse the power they get by virtue of having won and formed the govt singly or in coalition. This political discourse in the country must change. The coming election festival offers an opportunity to all the political parties to shift Indian political discourse to an altogether new political paradigm. Instead of freebies the election manifestoes should offer reforms oriented economic promises that resonate with the hopes and aspirations of young India. Many new issues have cropped up since 1991 liberalisation. Important ones are allocation of natural resources, urbanization, immigration and inequality. They pose an enormous challenge before the govt. Rapid migration from rural to urban areas, degradation of environment, conversion of agriculture land for commercial use, vandalisation of natural resources and conduct of politically empowered people need to seriously addressed by this and the next govts.
As a politician, Kejriwal has done a good job in exposing the corrupt politicians, unmasked collusive corruption and the nexus between businessmen, politicians and bureaucrats. All this was needed. He could not have done it if he was to remain as an IAC activist. Only a politician can expose another politician and get away with it. Our political system allows it with impunity. Hence his idea of becoming a politician was warranted. Or else the loot and the vandalism would have gone on unnoticed and unchecked. Having exposed the govt and corrupt politicians beyond redemption, he needs to articulate a clear vision and inclusive ideas about political and economic reforms, foreign policy and defence. He should also state his agenda on strengthening democratic and constitutional institutions. If he has to play a long term positive role in the Indian politics, he should not abandon Anna Hazare, his mentor / beacon light and stand by him on the issue of strong and independent Lokpal. He should also shift from the politics of confrontation to the politics of discipline and reforms.
India is a young country and so are Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal. Even Narender Modi is young. While Kejriwal has taken up the cudgels against the corrupt politicians, Rahul Gandhi continues to shy away from such initiatives. Despite being declared by the Prime Minister that he will take up bigger and enlarged role in the govt and the party and having had owned that ‘he was ready for it and a decision on that has already been taken’. Yet when the time came he failed to ‘bite the bullet’ and shied away from an offered ministerial berth. It is now clear that scams and scandals do not bother him and he is content with the way the things are going on and yet remains an aspirant for the top political post in 2014.
India is an important country in the world. It is a vibrant democracy, an emerging economic and rising military power. Hence it can’t be a corrupt and under performing nation. It has to go by the expectations of the world and inspiration of Indians. But this UPA govt lacks such ambition. As the public discontent rages and patience runs out, the govt is bound to face stormy weathers ahead despite projecting a younger look into the new cabinet with five Rahul imprints in it. If the young faces are being projected as ‘Congress Team 2014’, question arises, who is the ‘Team Captain’? Therefore how Rahul can be ‘poll mascot’ without being the member of the team. He cannot win Gold Medal without playing the game. Kejriwal and Rahul will therefore will be watched keenly in the boxing ring where referee’s decision “Well fought Blue; Red is the Winner’ will hold good.
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