Politics of A Wedding

The wedding of Nikhil, son of former Karnataka Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy, with Revathi, also from a political family, was in news for all the wrong reasons.  Though stoutly defended by the ruling CM of the State, the celebrations were roundly criticised in the times of crisis.

Kumaraswamy sees Nikhil as his political successor.  He tried to launch his son in movies and produced a few but has not been able to establish him in the industry as a bankable hero.  Nikhil last year stood for Parliamentary elections from Mandya and lost to Sumalatha, the widow of Ambarish, another matinee idol.  And, just when the dates for the wedding were decided, the country saw the eruption of coronavirus infections. 

The avowed political first family of Karnataka decided to go ahead with the ceremony nonetheless because they thought there would be no other good dates for the wedding.  They made all the right noises too - that there would be few guests, and everyone would follow social distancing, and so on.  They even made a media announcement begging forgiveness from their loyal following for not inviting any of them to the function.  They probably were trying to lift up their sagging political fortunes.

What transpired on the ground was different.  While only 60 guests were to be allowed at a wedding, there were certainly over hundred teeming at the venue, going by the pictures that went viral.  No social distancing was visible anywhere.  Over 40 vehicles were given curfew pass to the venue.  It could have been more too.  And, the policy of only two people in a vehicle was not observed either.

To a politician, almost any publicity is good.  It ensures s/he stays in news.  It matters politically.  Ask Vatal Nagaraj.  Similarly, for a family that is becoming irrelevant slowly in politics of the state.  Their influence is limited just to Hassan and a few other burrows.  Even within their own community, the grip is slowly easing.  Deve Gowda is not growing young anymore; nor is he as popular.  Even though Kumara Swamy is considered pragmatic and likeable, his decisions to promote son have not been popular nor successful.  Revanna, the other son of Deve Gowda, is a wheeler-dealer than a leader.  

The family ideally should have deferred the wedding and released a press note that people matter more now than their own personal happiness.  However, if it was absolutely keen to conduct the wedding in these times of the pandemic, could surely have found innovative ways to do so.  And, won loads of hearts.  Easily, they could have organised a wedding at a Registrar's Office, limited to a dozen people.  And, set an example by shunning all ostentation.  One, it would have sent a message that the family is responsible and is concerned about the well-being of everyone.  Two, the family would have looked progressive if they had shunned rituals - even if temporarily.  Loads of new-age voters would have given a huge thumbs up to that.  Particularly the urban voters - areas where the party hardly has any ground and needs to concentrate.  The party would have reaped a lot of goodwill then.  And, possibly Nikhil's stars might have changed for the better.  Now, they do not seem to be - even though he has a star in his life now (Revathi).

By creating negative publicity for themselves, the Gowda family has in all likelihood written their political future an early obituary.  Even their staunch supporters would think many times to support the reckless behaviour they have exhibited.  As they vacate their exalted space in politics, we soon need another party to rise and take their place soon.

The Dilemma of a Politician

Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP’s victory in the Delhi Assembly elections is already old hat.   Even the staunchest supporters of AAP have been stupefied by the number of seats the Party has managed to win.  To repeat what everyone has said ad nauseam, the votes reflect the frustration and loss-of-confidence of the common electorate in the mainstream parties (AAP has secured 30% of the popular votes).  None had believed that a year-old political outfit would perform a miracle.

However, the initial euphoria and glee is being replaced with impatience and criticism for AAP from various quarters.  The vanquished and the almost-victor aren’t taking the defeat lying down.  Arvind’s dogged resistance to stake the claim to form the government is seen as capitulation by many.  That AAP never wanted to be in power, that they are inexperienced and it’s showing, that they have made promises that can’t be kept, that they’re escapists…  The list goes on. 

Surprisingly nobody is finding fault with the BJP’s capitulation.  It’s the single largest party with 32 MLAs.  In any given situation it would automatically have claimed its right to form the Government.  Not this time.  The moves are being made with utmost calculation and with all the eyes on the impending Lok Sabha polls.  One false move and the party waiting in the wings may lose it all and hence is stridently avoiding staking claim and conduct its poaching operation (as it has done in many states previously).  Instead they have stated they’re happy to sit in the opposition.  Leaders with the gift-of-the-gab (read Jaitley) have even been pontificating on why they are not staking claim and trying to give a saintly spin to the party’s opportunistic stand.  Defenders of the saffron brigade are even quick to point out that the BJP is quick to learn and is trying to distance itself from power-mongering and corruption and criminals, etc.  What about the 76% candidates that it fielded having criminal antecedents in Delhi, then?

With this twist in the tale, all eyes are on AAP.  Will Arvind and his band of brothers (and sisters) pay heed to all the (unwanted and junk) advice coming from various quarters (Kiran Bedi included; even Prashant Bhushan suggested ‘issue-based’ support) urging them to support the BJP or will he stick to his no-Congress-or-BJP stand?

 The decision is certainly not going to be easy.  Most importantly, the resources that AAP has at its disposal are limited (both manpower and money) as against the deep pockets and cadres of the Congress and the BJP.  In case the AAP sticks to its present stand, there most certainly will be elections again in 6 months and there’s every possibility that the BJP may make huge gains, in light of its stupendous performance in Rajasthan and MP and come-from-behind victory in Chhattisgarh.  Like it or not, Narendra Modi today is the most popular choice to become the PM.  And, the possibility that public opinion might swing in favour of the BJP come LS polls is rather high.  The entire country has grown tired of the UPA and its governance-paralysis.  It wants an alternative – and Modi at least in words offers that (especially in the absence of any other credible opposition). In the haste to get rid of the UPA what even many thinking (and influential) people are doing is ignore the many unpleasant facts about Modi (forget the Gujarat riots; they’re old hat).  He is dictatorial and doesn’t brook any opposition.  His administration is opaque and it is evident in the way he has stalled the appointment of the Lok Ayukta.  And, there’s a whole load of doublespeak too.  Perhaps Modi also answers the many-years prayers of a large section of Indians who always have longed for a dictator to head the country (as though they didn’t have enough of Indira Gandhi) – who naively believe that he would bring about a revolution a la Krishna!

Coming back to Arvind again.  The voters want a government and not another election.  However, a party that has come to the limelight on the wave of fighting corruption and standing by principles cannot now compromise at the altar for power.  This dilemma is not going to resolve by itself. 

I support the current stand of Arvind, of neither supporting the BJP nor seeking support of any party to form the Government.  He is right when he says that the mandate is fractured and he would rather face polls again.  However, I am not as confident as him about his party winning at the turnstiles come April-May 2014.  People want results; principles be damned.  That is the age we are living in.  The kind of reasons many have been spouting are laughable too – that India cannot afford the expenses of another election, that it is the bouden duty of a party to explore every possibility to form the government, that a party has to be flexible and not rigid and so on. 

India today needs more youth to actively either support or participate in the political process.  The first step has been taken in Delhi.  Possibly the second step too needs to be taken right there.  Of supporting Arvind and his party in their stand not to seek support or provide support of/to the BJP (or anyone else).  By doing so, they would be watering down their stand on corruption, on accountability.  All for the gain of power for the short-term.  I hope sense prevails and the aam janta continues to exercise its political intelligence and bring AAP to power if/when the elections are held again. And, resoundingly say, "We want clean politics and not jugaad".

Opportunism

Just when I had thought the media had matured and become (largely) responsible they completely prove me wrong. The 'leaked' Liberhann Report on the Babri Masjid demolition is occupying all the possible minutes (and columns) barring the ad spots. I don't subscribe to the importance they're attaching to this!

My points of grouse are these:

1. Is this actually THE report?

2. If it's so, the report gives a clean chit to the then Rao government, which is a shame.

3. Who leaked the report? Obviously it has to be someone from within the government. So, why? What's the motive?

4. Is it just to draw away the attention on the sugar cane fiasco?

That the BJP IS (was) responsible for the demolition is common knowledge - the more their leaders deny their involvement the less the party's credentials have been over time. However, just like MOST controversies and tragedies in this country it was assumed that no charges would ultimately stick.

Last seen/heard, Justice LIberhann lost his cool over the kind of questions on the leak (if it was an 'insider' job i.e.). And the most laughable of all statements was that of Congress. "Leakage of Liberhann report very seriousl". Who are they trying to convince? They alone are to benefit out of it.

Battle of the Throne

When the elections were held in AP in April-May not many - barring the NDTV - had predicted such a landslide victory for the Congress and YS Rajashekhara Reddy. Nor for that matter none expected that in less than four months there'd be a succession battle in AP - following the death of YSR. Obviously the supporters of YSR - in the throes of emotion - want Jaganmohan Reddy, son of YSR to be the next chief minister. Though he is not the only contender to the rich throne of Andhra.

What however is annoying is the kind of importance the media is giving to the candidature of Jaganmohan, being orchestrated by YSR loyalists. Even the so-called responsible channels like the CNN IBN and NDTV are repeatedly telecasting the demand for Jaganmohan to be the CM and have conducted interviews with all and sundry regarding its possibility - including with Moily, the law minister and Rosaiah, the caretaker CM (who's doing this job the third time in his political career, which went missing from the coverage of all the national media).

I hope good sense prevails in the Congress leadership and the baton is NOT passed on to Jagan Mohan as though AP is a private princely state of the Reddy clan. There are far more experienced - and clean and committed - politicians who can lead the state in the hour of crisis. Jagan mohan is not suited not just because he is young but he has not proved anything as a politician. He's a first time MP - and he is there only because his father was the CM. There are enough allegations and whispers that have been going around regarding the financial dealings of Jagan (and his dead father) especially in the starting of their media business. One wouldn't want to see someone who's tainted even before he's started the career occupying a very important position in the state. It would only send the wrong signals all around. Also, having someone not from the YSR family also might put a probable stop to the factionist violence in the Rayalaseema of AP.

Another few days and we would know what happens and where the political thinking of the Congress party is headed.

A Nation Without Grace

No, it's not Pakistan I'm accusing of being graceless. It's India and us Indians who have proved to be absolutely disgraceful in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Mumbai.

It took Shivraj Patil 47 terror attacks and stern orders from Sonia to put in his papers - and he continued to say he did his duty! Manmohan Singh struggled to read from even a prepared text during his address to the nation that was telecast live. Pratibha Patil thought it was more important to tour the South East Asian nations while the nation fought the terrorists.

A Chief Minister made the most disparaging remarks in decades at a house of death and thereafter too. Achutanandan even dug in his heels to say that he said nothing wrong. Public rallies, ultra-political pressure was needed to make him say, "I'm sorry IF I've hurt his feelings". A conditional apology! Muqtar Abbas Naqvi was equally (if not more) sick. I really wish the media had played the video often enough so that the 'pseudo-leader' would've been made to eat crow. Alas, other events were more pressing for the press! RR Patil too made his exit after his infamous belittling of the enormity of the attack.

Vilasrao Deshmukh thought it made great photo-op to be seen with son and Ram Gopal Verma at the Taj recce - the first after the clean-up process. And, he said there was nothing wrong in taking his son to the Taj. To top it all he added that RGV was there near the Taj and just joined along! Callousness never knew these heights earlier. RGV was equally shameless in his interview to the NDTV.

Modi and Advani and the rest of the BJP is trying very hard to prove their 'deshbhakti' credentials and showing what turncoats they really are! The same police officer who was castigated and criticised by them no end, Shri Kirkire, now is a martyr!

Every security agency - the police, the Navy, the IB et al - is busy playing the blame-game. None wants to admits to one's lapses. 'We want actionable input' the Navy Chief asserted. What in the world does he mean?

The icing on the cake has been Narayana Rane. All that he could think of during the current crisis was himself and his right to become the CM of Maharashtra!

The entire nation is making an ass of itself by pointing fingers - as usual - at Pakistan. Retrieving a list of 20 most wanted from 2002, it has demanded action and their deportation from Pakistan to India. Who in the right senses will listen to the cliched talk?

Most of the citizens are busy asking for action against almost everyone and everything. Not one is willing to see what role each of us has played in bringing the nation to the state it's in today. The only saving grace I could find was the honesty with which Mr Chidambaram spoke and admitted to lapses. The lone courageous person in a billion? Sure a proud moment for the Country. India's truly shining!!

Vote Sluts

I believe it was a calculated move by Jaya. To speak about her UP and Hindi.. She was well aware of the backlash caused by Amitabh's utterances earlier. And, I for one moment do NOT believe that her comment was spontaneous. No Sir.

She surely was baiting Raj Thackeray (what's the spelling anyways?). She knew he would react. And, react he did. This was PRECISELY the result the Bachhans (and the media, oh yes, who does NOT love a controversy when each moment is dedicated to BREAKING NEWS) and the Samajwadi Party wanted. More nuisance followed by Raj's hooligans. Great publicity for the Bachhans.

Neither the Bachhans nor the movie's producers (or the theatre owners) will suffer any losses. All their losses would be covered up by the insurance firms. Sure all of us debate the high-handedness of Raj Thackeray and his goons. The 'Bihar'-isation of Mumbai. Its lawlessness. How UNSAFE it's for the Hindi-speaking people. And, how the POOR Bachhans are being targeted time and again.

A pretty high-stakes but dangerous game played by the vote sluts (yeah, I'm calling even Ms Bacchan one). Elections round the corner. The first round goes to the SP.

Games and Players..

Kashmir's burning and for a change it's national news again. Unfortunately this time the controversy sure is going to have serious ramifications within the country and CAN see a further polarisation of the two religions. All thanks to the pesky Amarnath Controversy.

Before I'd delve on my opinion on the controversy itself, I'd want to talk about the talk show I watched on NDTV 24X7 yesterday night (hosted by Barkha Dutt and which saw participation of Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah, Mirwaiz Omar Farookh, Saifuddin Soz, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Prof Sadhu). Some of the REAL moments of the show include:

1. Mehbooba Mufti referring to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi as the Prime Minister of the Country. And, her 'my father, my father' utterances. Sheer nonsense.

2. Omar Abdullah raving and ranting against Rudy and his party and ticking off that the National Conference or Kashmir need not learn tolerence from a party that created the Ayodhya disaster. But, where were Omar Abdullah's senses when he was happily a Minister of State for Foreign Affairs under Mr. Vajpayee? Grazing the grass in his lush golf course?

3. Mirwaiz Omar Farookh admitting that there's concern among people that there's a larger plan by India (and Indians) to change the demographics of Kashmir! Incredulous also since the Separatists (the Mirwaiz being one of them) have categorically told that the stir in Srinagar will continue UNTIL the land is NOT denotified again. Who created this feeling among the Kashmiris? Was it not done by the Separatists?

4. Rajiv Pratap Rudy tried his best to look anguished and every possible thing. "Oh, how Hindus are being persecuted in this country and Kashmir is no exception" seemed to be his stance.

5. Saifuddin Soz seemed more bothered about how to save the Congress government's ass in Kashmir than resolving the controversy.

6. Prof Sadhu of Jammu University (and a Kashmiri Pandit) seemed to be the ONLY sensible voice among all the debating parties. And, as Sadhu pointed out, the issue should have been debated by the public and NOT politicians. It also was made very evident that each political party is playing these divisive cards because it's election time now

I have always had a deep sympathy for the Kashmiris who have been fighting the cause of their independence. It's not that I am anti-Hindu or anti-India. Neither. But, it's what an ordinary Kashmiri wants. My opinion on this was influenced largely by my interaction with my (erstwhile) Kashmiri students and (later during my service, with) the army officers. However, these latest round of protests surely made me question if my sympathies were in the right place.

One, the protesters attacked the yatris. Two, slogans in support of Pakistan rent the air (all shown on TV). Three, intolerence seemed to be the buzzword of the protesters (and the instigators), regardless of what they said to the media.

In all, the political parties (including Congress) seem to be giving the next elections away to the BJP on a platter. And, the Kashmiri Muslims are helping their cause now. The Party has got a new religious issue that can be flogged to generate votes, come September (I think the general elections would be declared by then).

(I wanted to call this 'Games Politicians Play' but have stayed clear of it)

Ms or Madam President?

“Who is Pratibha Patil?” asked my colleague. “Is she related to Shivraj Patil? Is she his wife?” as the news channels flashed the ‘Breaking News’ of her being nominated as the consensus candidate of the UPA for the post of President. That seems to be the level of knowledge about the (possible) incumbent President of India – though Ms. Patil is currently the Governor of Rajasthan and has earlier served as Minister 7 times in the Government of Maharashtra. Of course the media went into a tizzy and flashed a flurry of facts and titbits about the ‘Pratibha’ of Ms Patil including her ‘sportsperson’ credits from her college days.

As coincidences can be it also came out from the reports that both Ms. Patil’s husband and Mr. Shekhawat, the independent nominee from the NDA (and the current VP) hail from the same village! Some contest this is going to be. Even before this furore could die down there came the announcement yesterday from the Third Front (it appears even when there’s NO front, a Third Front springs up at the most inopportune times) under the ‘august’ leadership – among others – of ‘amma’ Jayalalithaa (I hope I’ve got her spelling right; else she might not let me enter Chennai the next time). The UNPA (the Third Front is called so for want of creativity) announced that it will ‘request’ Dr. Kalam to be their candidate. Wow! And, Mr. Shekhawat promptly followed suit saying he’d be very happy if Kalam becomes the consensus candidate of everyone and if so, he’d withdraw his candidature. Now, Rajnath Singh too has joined the chorus on consensus! Meanwhile Bal Thackeray says Kalam is 'not in my heart' anymore - one wonders who can ever stay in the Old soon-toothless-but-still-can't-stop-trying Tiger's heart!

Why did the politicians not consider this in the beginning itself? Is this how we treat a ‘good’ President? UPA doesn’t want a non-political candidate. ‘Left’ doesn’t want ‘lightweights’ but is ‘happy’ with Ms. Patil (since she’s a ‘lighter’ weight).

Kalam for sure has proved his credentials as the President. A far cry from the days of ‘cronies’ of Madam or the party or ‘nincompoops’ that have adorned the Supreme post under the constitution.

To make matters interesting Pratibha Patil has left the Left fuming with her ‘choice’ remarks about the ‘veil’. Left probably would cry hoarse that it’s a ‘veiled’ attack on the minorities! Just when I wondered if her candidature would be withdrawn in the ‘light’ of her utterances, I hear the news that Sonia and the PM have signed her papers as The Candidate. “I’ll not be a rubber-stamp President” Pratibha grandly proclaimed to the news channels. May be this wasn’t heard by Sonia (even Man Mohan Singh dare not utter such a significant statement)! Or was it a part of the script ‘approved’ by the ‘High Command?’

Pratibha would be filing her nomination papers only by the end of this week. There surely could be more things ‘brewing’ than ‘decoction’ in ‘amma’s coffee filter’. But I only wonder in the event of Ms. Patil eventually becoming the President, would she be addressed as ‘RASHTRAPAT’N’I’? Or would Sonia invent an Italian neutral word for the seat?

Indian politics makes more compulsive and riveting viewing and offers more drama, sabre-rattling, excitement, intrigue, twists, turns and emotions than all the daily soaps put together. It just needs a little ‘marketing blitzkrieg’ to get more TRPs than the ‘saas-bahu’ sagas! Is Ekta listening? Of course Ekta should first find a ‘K’ word for the President!