Speak the NEEDFUL...Please....

Rahul Gandhi was a cult figure right from the time of his birth. It’s his ancestry to blame if not to be grateful to. Being the Gandhi scion it was imminent for others (at least Congress supporters) to look up to him for the top spot. Obviously he is the Chosen One for Congress but definitely not the Best One. His looks backed by his dimples, well clipped beard might be an attractive asset (especially for a politician) but his speeches don’t serve that similar cynosure. 

Rahul’s oratory gets tough to take when he hits the emotional pitch of his. And mind it, it’s more often than not that he coughs out his emotions. For a listener it is puzzling as in whether to sympathize or be shrewd and expect deliverables, not personal feelings. Inclination to the latter is obvious as the electorate is in no mood to commiserate with emotions and that also of Congress which is hit by anti-incumbency and failures on various fronts. This is good enough to out -weigh whatever emotions Rahul tries to invoke frequently in his speeches. It’s a big no to ‘emotional blackmail’ as there are emotions of crores of Indians to be attended to. Talks about core actions and not beggar for compassion will induce the electorate.

The pattern of Rahul’s speeches continues to revolve around the same recipe. First lionizing UPA’s schemes, then nose diving into his family history and a few digs here and there at the BJP. He seems to be a young boy speaking earnestly from his heart and on way hitting a strikingly philosophical pitch!! Stating power as poison, talking about assassination of his grandmother and father, crushing his own dreams for India, threat to his own life or be it highlighting his emotional mother at time of passage of Food Security Bill, all instances follow his patterns of oratory. Might be a bit harsh on him but surely for a top post like that of PM he needs to shed his naiveness (be it pretentiousness or not). But the first big thing is that is he vying for the top post? He continues obstinately refusing to throw his hat into the ring. The doubt- whether he will or won’t continue to bewilder us. The answer to this doubt will decide whether he is worth listening to and whether the poll pundits are right in assuming Rahul as Congress’s PM candidate.  It’s time Rahul decides and allows us to make up our minds.

At the same time Rahul Gandhi does deserve a few accolades as well. Dismissing the ordinance meant for saving tainted politicians (except for the way he did it) was commendable and was a good use of his supremacy in his party. But as a PM candidate or at least as the Vice President of Congress he needs to come up with more matter. UPA-II’s dismal performance can’t be over looked and its better if Rahul doesn’t attempt to do so in his speeches. Accepting short comings audaciously and presenting bold remedies is what the electorate desires. Just indulging in a negative campaign against BJP will in no way help Congress cover the distance. Rahul needs to be more responsible in remarks he makes. Take for instance, him stating that ISI is reconciling with the Muslims of Muzaffarnagar. Such baseless remarks are not expected from Rahul Gandhi. Better if Digvijay Singh comes up with these and not Rahul !!

Harping on his family tragedies more often than not does no good to an electorate which is heavily populated by youth who, frankly speaking are more interested in the future rather than in the past.

It’s high time that the speeches made get more specific about country’s problems and their solutions. And more importantly it’s the action that needs to follow the words!

HOLLOW HALLOWING

Today, politics in India is marked by fire spewing politicians who are more often than not found decrying words of their rivals of other political parties. That’s the league of leaders India has stooped to after all these years of Independence.

 Even 15th August (this year)wasn’t spared! The platform was duly used as an opportunity to belittle rather than induce thoughts of remembrance for those who had helped India achieve the glory. Being the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Mr Narendra Modi continues to be under scanner and so does his words trailing his ideology. A point of his, on 15^th August which caught attention was his strong (as usual) denunciation of Manmohan Singh for praising the Gandhi-Nehru family and forgetting the numerous others who had equally devoted themselves for India’s freedom.To an extent it’s true (and thus unjust) that we often attribute Independence to just Gandhi and Nehru and in process (inadvertently) slightly side line numerous others. This might just be because of Congress which eventually saw many more powerful Gandhis who haven’t let the surname (and thus the hierarchy, if not the dynasty) go oblivious. Or it simply might be because of one’s lack of knowledge about great men which Indiahas witnessed. Whatever be the reason, extracting petty political mileage out of such things, seriously undoes what those great men dreamt about modern India. Even politics and personal ambitions were part of their era, but history is evident of their putting the country first over any other thing. That was undoubtedly the reason why leaders of that time were more coherent and revered by all religions and communities across the country.

Modi presented his desire for building an iron statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Statue of Unity (the proposed name), 182 metre high would be the tallest statue in the world (also beating the Statue of Liberty).Although the nomenclatureclashes heads on with its New York competitor (rivals at least in height), the name is apt for someone who did the herculean task of forging India from about 500 princely states. But definitely, just building a mammoth statue doesn’t mark imbibition of principles the great man stood for. It’s very similarto a lonely, forgotten picture of Mahatma Gandhi hanging on one of the walls of a police station. The only difference being 182 metres of iron and splurged public money which repays them hardly with a mere colossal structure.

The next thing that tingles is the thought that could have Modi ever (even in his dreams) have proposed a similar statue of Mahatma Gandhi or (to be more harsh) a one of JawaharLal Nehru.? The answer is an easy no and in stricter terms never. Admiration is something which is upon ones discretion but the same in politics is forcefully governed or better to say dictated by politics itself. Sardar Patel is the best fit for Modi as Vallabhbhai Patel’s differences with Nehru then can be coercively aligned with that of Modi or the BJP against Nehru’s descendants (Sonia and Rahul Gandhi) that is the current Congress.Be it him being the better choice than Nehru (for post of PM) or be it his differences with Nehru (on issues of Kashmir and China), Sardar Patel, very calculatedly is used by party like BJP under Modi to oppose Nehru family’s (Congress’s) continuance in Indian politics. One might argue that it’s a very harsh thing to question one’s choice for admiration, but surely it’s the underlined politics which attracts such cynicism.

Modi at the same time shouldn’t forget Patel’s abhorrence of RSS and other Hindutva organizations. Patel clearly blamed them for stoking violence during India’s freedom and also for assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Sardar Patel undoubtedly is the beacon of united India. Commemorating Patel and also satisfying RSS’s agenda is shamelessly contrasting. 

History is evident of Patel’s sacrifices for the nation. Allowing Nehru to be PM can be projected by many as a compromise but it was no big deal for Patel to comply with his ideal – Mahatma Gandhi. Despite the differences the mutual support Nehru and Patel showcased for each other cannot be overlooked. For them it was the country which preceded most of their desires. 

Without holding any bias against or for any party, the wish of most Indians today is to look up to leaders similar to those who are much talked about of being followed and idealized.

272+ @ 2014 Elections

With the country slated for general elections in 2014, political parties are busy gearing themselves for the grand event. The election mode turned on, a move by any major political party is bound to be seen in context of wooing the electorate. Onset of this political atmosphere also brings enough fodder for every responsible citizen of India to get engrossed. This fever can only be expected to rise and become more political in the process of build up to 2014. 

For many years now, Congress and BJP have been the major national level political parties. The others are regional parties. But India being a multiparty country ensures enough strength of the latter, both in terms of number and also the impact on the political landscape. But still the general election in India has always been a battle between the Congress and the BJP. This time around on menu is Mr. Narendra Modi and Mr. Rahul Gandhi. Although their names haven’t yet been declared officially, there is no stopping the media and the social networking sites in breathlessly showcasing the 2014 election as a showdown between the two.

Despite towing his controversial image Narendra Modi is the choice of BJP because of his popularity and his much advertised Gujarat success. On the other hand Rahul Gandhi who is although not that expressive on public forums emerges the best man for Congress. He being a youth icon (somewhat, mainly for his age) and most importantly being the Gandhi scion explains the choice. Supremos of certain regional parties expressing their ambitions of becoming the next PM is frankly  perceived by most as a dream which is least likely to come true. Thus Modi vs. Rahul Gandhi is what most of us are anticipating for. Polls on ‘Who is the better PM?’ or ‘Who will be the next PM?’ are often conducted by media and networking sites. 

But the election is more than just the individual Modi, Rahul battle. The real contest is between their armies (their political parties). The scenario is different from other countries like US where two candidates engage themselves in epic debates to persuade the electorate in voting either of them directly. In India we elect a Member of Parliament from each constituency. This choice is mainly dictated by local issues of the constituency. So because of our decentralized election process the question-who will be the next PM, may not find that much importance at the grassroots (constituencies). A recent poll conducted by a news channel showed NDA getting 158 seats, UPA 132 seats and other political parties getting 253 seats. This is where the collision of coalitions comes in the picture. Both NDA and UPA cannot reach the magical figure of 272 without joining hands with regional parties.

Today’s national politics is heavily commanded by coalitions. Nitish Kumar withdrawing support from NDA on issues with Modi was a big blow. His party JDu willing to support UPA on terms of Centre conferring special status on Bihar will be a big game changer. Recently when Sonia Gandhi tried to intervene in the Durga Shakti Nagpal’s affair, Samajwadi Party threatened to withdraw its support in passing UPA’s Food Bill in the Parliament. Given the importance of the bill for UPA, it’s the coalition that will prove the most decisive. 

The country is currently disarrayed by the Manmohan Singh government. Dissatisfaction is brewing in minds of many people as UPA has failed on many fronts. Comparatively Modi who is more active, communicative and well connected with the public holds an edge. Success of Gujarat development backs him. For many who want actions and commencement of development Modi government might be the best choice. But Modi who is often called a ‘one man army’, someone who doesn’t entertain opposition needs to induct that flexibility for harnessing successful coalitions. His alleged involvement in 2002 Gujarat riots has always proved to be a big blot. It continues to be a major impediment on his way to fulfill his national dreams. Like many people (especially minorities), many political parties might think twice before they support NDA. For them the extra Hindu votes might not be good enough to compensate the loss of Muslim votes. The image of Modi has been blown so much out of proportion that BJP/NDA has become synonymous with Narendra Modi. That is where NDA lands itself in troubled waters. 
For its success BJP can’t allow Modi become something which is more than the party itself. Then only people who are sceptical about Modi can vote for BJP freely. But coming full circle the question remains the same, will Modi’s projection as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate provide that freedom to such people.

Let us all vote and wait for the 2014 general elections to unfold. 

Regardless of what the result will be, Indian electorate as always will try to choose the best from the available alternatives which it thinks will steer the country to further milestones of development.