Slugfest India - 2014

A former British prime minister once said: “Public opinion is a compound of folly, weakness, prejudice, wrong feeling, right feeling, obstinacy — and newspaper paragraphs.”

While the politicians of all hues packed all kind of punches in an effort to capitalise this human abberation, a hardened Administrator and an astute campaigner from Gujarat, Narendra Modi, mesmerised the masses with his agenda of development and won the hearts and minds of young India.

As the nation celebrates and gloats over the unprecedented triumph of the NDA/BJP led by NaMo, I too feel vindicated and proud that my prediction was somewhat true. In my last blog posted on 11 May, I had indicated that they would get 308 to 318 seats. That they outwitted me by another 20 is indeed a miracle. One needn't be an astrologer or a psephologist to sense the mood of the nation. It's a piece of cake if you trust the fundamental decency, civility and good sense of the people.

However, the moot question is  what was this election all about?

As the common man understood, it was about development, anti corruption and good governance. But from the day the BJP anointed NaMo, the epitome of all three, as their PM candidate, the Congress and their poodles like Pawar, Mulayam, Lalu and Mayawati changed tack to the oft beaten track of pseudo secularism. All their efforts to demonise NaMo as a divisive figure with the fading brush of Godhra came a cropper.

In addition the Congress had a larger agenda, to promote an undeserving delinquent, Rahul Gandhi, bereft of any ideas or accomplishments, as the future PM of India, forgetting that what counts is the grey matter enriched by education and experience and not by inheritance or entitlement. In the bargain they ruined the unblemished credentials of a saint, Manmohan Singh, and turned the 185 year old Congress into an "anachronistic", "sclerotic" and "myopic" Party whose leaders and spokespersons rattled homilies and spewed venom against NaMo to defend the indefensible. Much that I am tempted to compare the two, NaMo and RaGa, the vacuity displayed by RaGa precludes a sane comparison.

Experience of the last five years proves that UPA 2 was nothing but a fractious and dysfunctional cocktail of corrupt egomaniacs that hung petty thieves (Babus) and retained the greater ones in public office. Their rule weakened the country’s capacity and resolves to cope with complex challenges, so much so that the country has almost disappeared as a serious player in the region and the world.

That’s where NaMo filled the chasm by sticking to his agenda of inclusive development, "sab ka vikas, sab ke sath". On the other hand, most unfortunately yet quite predictably, RaGas needle was stuck on alluding to dysfunctional Rights, the NREGA, MNREGA, RTI, Food Security etc conveniently forgetting that in civil society there is a network of implicit, unwritten rules, which sustain the entire social edifice, which, regrettably disintegrated under the UPA regime.

Well, the results are there for all to see and certainly dispel the myth and gloom spread by the opposition to demonise NaMo as the satan. Devlopment in Gujrat during the last 12 years of his rule certainly gives hope and reinforces Modi's claim of "Achhe din aane waale hain".Though I am not young but for the youth of India I quote these lines from Wordsworth at the start of the French Revolution: “Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, but to be young was very heaven”.

The Indian Carnival (elections) its Outcome and Post Script

Kudos to NaMo. The BJP under his able leadership and astute campaigning will win 308 to 318 seats.

However, the battle has just begun as they inherit a humongous responsibility to fulfill the aspirations of 1.2 billion Indians and deliver them from ignorance, corruption, oppression, poverty and exploitation. Misgovernance, malfeasance and pseudo secularism of various Congress led / supported governments has denuded the nation of all that was good, and destroyed the national fabric.

It is a recorded fact that all ills of a poor nation afflict India. But what is most alarming and ominous is that today Indians live in a moral vacuum without a national identity. Parochial loyalties and communal fanaticism, encouraged by self serving politicians, are the order of the day. We are all individuals and not the citizens of a cohesive society. 

Perhaps, India was waiting for a leader like NaMo, who will make it relearn the moral values and inculcate in the people a sense of responsibilities that fall on every citizen of a free society.
Therefore, to begin the recovery and reconstruction the first and foremost task for NaMo is to build a national identity, pride in nationhood - Indianness, amongst all citizens. Investment in human resources, not the self consuming MNREGA and NREGA schemes, but meaningful education to enable everyone to be a good responsible citizen to realize their true potential should be the first priority. Easily doable by inculcating a sense of pride in the "Teacher" and minor tinkering with the current curriculum in School and Colleges where every child is taught to tell the truth, to stand erect and never to stoop, to stand in line and never to push or pull, to share, to read with care, to give thanks, to hold hands, to smile and to respect their Teachers and senior citizens. A sure recipe to create bonhomie, pride, sense of belonging and self discipline, the essential prerequisites for growth.

The second critical issue, which has been conveniently ignored in the recent past, is population control. A must for India, the second most populous country with millions impoverished, condemned to living in penury and deprivation. Our numbers overwhelm every system and utility and the burgeoning population severely dilutes any economic growth. Though any such proposal will face serious objections from vested groups, it is an inescapable need of the hour. 

Regrettably, everything related to nation building especially noble human endeavour has taken a huge tumble in the last decade. We are well aware of the endless list of maladies that face us and need no repitition.

Many, especially the opposition who fail to see their own inadequacies see the rise of NaMo as ominous and Orwellian. My view, he has the ability to impart confidence, inspire and push people to do things they hadn't thought possible. I am sanguine that through his prudence, foresight, fortitude, temperance, sense of justice and high octane passion for perfection he will provide good governance to steer the nation to glory.

Congress’s Modi Obsession and Brainless Rhetoric.

  Two epoch making events are unfolding simultaneously on two different ends of the globe.  The days of unchallenged Pax Americana and its role as the self appointed monitor of the world are getting numbered after Putin’s occupation of Crimea. His move  without fear of any reprisal has not only become a nemesis for the American hubris but also elevated Putin to the level of a President who must be taken seriously because he does not mince his words nor does he shy away from taking an objective action that favours his country, no matter what the cost.

At the other end a third grade drama, a watershed event is unfolding in the most populous third world country; elections in India. At times it seems like Halloween, the way most political parties are playing the tricks or treat game with impunity, by blending credibility with ambiguity, in an attempt to woo the gullible voters.

In this entire milieu the most outstanding feature is the way Namo mania or Namophobia has struck the Congress. Modi as per them is the embodiment of all evil and Congress”the centre of all virtue.” The impatience displayed by Diggy at the mere mention of Namo revealed the Congress’s obsession with Modi. Interestingly, their silky tongues can no longer mask their desperation or their apoplectic rage in spewing uninterrupted vitriol against Modi; he's a brute, an insensitive megalomaniac, a Hitler who will break the country etc, all the familiar demonization for anyone who not only doesn't kiss Congress’s derriere but actually has a few suggestions on what the Congress can do with itself and its policies.

Congress is in a piquant situation, the more they know their rhetoric won’t work more desperate they get. The anti Modi arrows left in Congress’s quiver are getting smaller, rarer and more amusing all the time.  After failing to capitalize on the purported humiliation meted out by the BJP to a sulking Advani, a teary eyed Jaswant Singh or a saddened Sushma Swaraj they let loose their cohorts/poodles like Sharad Pawar, Mulayam, Lalu and Mayawati to denigrate and sneer at Modi. Cool as a cucumber, Modi tosses the rhetoric right back, reminding the Congress and its allies about the pathetic fig leaf of secularism used by them to cloak their two-faced nudity.

Congress’s glee at BJPs fatal error to choose Modi as the Prime ministerial candidate was their biggest mistake. Their vain attempt to conjure up a specter of apocalypse if Modi comes to power seems to be back firing. To their chagrin, Modi with his measured articulation and a deep sense of commitment absolutely delights the masses who had become depressingly accustomed to inaction, policy paralysis (inconsistent and incoherent policies), rampant corruption and nepotism.  One cannot help but deplore the Congress’s hemming-and-hawing about MNREGA, NREGA, RTE, and RTI etc etc.

 In the end, as the opinion polls indicate, Modi will prevail and the UPA will fret and fume and apply its hypocritical double standards while warning about threat to secularism. 

Deniable,Despicable and not Desirable

                        The cacophony preceding the elections is growing shriller by the day. Nothing unusual at such times except that the Electronic media is more ubiquitous than ever before as it is freely engaging in games of rhetorical brinkmanship with each other and the political protagonists. In doing so it is also trying to retain its niche and self declared freedom, which at times is jarring as it defies decency and morality. 

Is it, therefore, possible, that to curry favours, some media houses operate a hidden agenda, to promote someone/ some cause, in  the oft contrived and fascinating headlines, as suggested by Arvind Kejriwal. Most have taken a strong exception to AKs remark that owners of such media houses and their journalists, who act as mouthpieces for a price, would be jailed if his Party came to power. Some among the not so "holy media" driven by their intrinsic guilt have unleashed a tornado of controversy and 24/7 vitriolic against the audacity displayed by AK in stating the obvious. 

My take is that AK is bang on target and is fearlessly chartering his anti corruption agenda, with concessions to non. What seems to pique the media, the most, is some kind of perception/remorse/call of conscious that they may have created a Frankenstein by promoting AK and his AAP. Needless to say that, what the media did was not gratis and no favours were showered on AK as the media was paid in full, enough and more through the TRPs they garnered by covering every small/big action of his.

It is for all to see that the Media was totally supportive of AK till Delhi elections. Soon after that, just prior to formation of his Govt the media began to sing the BJP's and  Congress's tune to decry the AAP for shirking its responsibility in not forming a minority Govt. After formation of the Govt for the next 49 days, in concert with the BJP and Congress, it was constantly bickering and relentlessly hounding the AAP for immaturity, ineptness, irresponsibility et al. Neither the Media nor the BJP/ Congress attempted to seek any accountability from the Govts in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh that were formed along with the AAP Govt in Delhi. Isn't that a partisan and prejudicial approach of the media? 

AK is not wrong in calling media to account. The domineering ,know all attitude displayed by ,almost all anchors to pursue their agenda, at times totally biased and partisan, is abhorrent, unethical and unpatriotic. To retain its edge and to be eulogized the way it wants to be, the media would have to stay neutral, above board and totally non partisan. Failing which, they should not grudge the nation if it seeks accountability from them and brings the defaulters to book.The Media must not forget that Freedom can not last long unless it is coupled with Order. Order can exist without freedom, but freedom can never exist without order.

A Presidential Vision or a faux pas

In his customary Republic Day address the President made two highly loaded statements."The Govt is not a charity shop and "Populist anarchy can not be a substitute for governance and elections do not give any person the license to flirt with illusions.Those who seek the trust of voters must promise only what is possible".

Presidential addresses so far were generally predictable, cliche ridden drab monologues, largely aimed at promoting the cause of the ruling party by sweeping their ills and failures under the carpet and blowing minor successes into accomplishments of gigantic proportions. However, Mr Mukerjee  embarked on a new adventure by exposing his political leanings/ likes and dislikes, which, under the given circumstances, have the potential to give it a controversial twist.

What could be the drivers of such an outburst? Was it an omnibus message to all parties or a wake up call for select few. He also spoke about corruption and there is no denying the fact that without dealing with the cancer of political corruption blighting the country and robbing it of revenue from mineral resources, through corrupt politicians receiving bribes from investors, the country shall continue to have the worst poverty levels globally.

Yogendra Yadav of the AAP displayed astute statesmanship when he deflected the whirlwind by saying that the President meant the Economic policies of the UPA, where Mr Mukerji was once a Finance Minister. A clever repartee indeed.

AAP  has a tough road ahead. It's growing political  interests at national level require it to step up its campaign to harness  those interests.  But when it does so, it is often accused or perceived as "anarchic, indiscreet and assertive," as it  challenges the status quo and the turf of the Congress and the BJP. So whatever AAP does will draw criticism. Thus, the best option for them to avoid heartburn  is  to ignore it, as they did in the instant case. It will augur well for the nation and its political climate if political parties were to avoid partisan polemics and diatribes that are coarse and crafty.

Regrettably being  past masters at the politics of decadence, it is well nigh impossible for the old genre politicians to reconcile to the new thoughts and nuances behind the emerging aspirations.It may seem anarchic and revolutionary to them, but this is not an isolated case. Frustration of the people against governance of doles and high handedness is manifesting the world over. Ukraine, Tunisia, Egypt and Bahrain are few examples.

While it does not behoove well for the President, the custodian of the Constitution, to air  his political preferences ,India will do well to maintain its resilience and ignore such faux pas.

The AAP Conundrum

What started yesterday as an internal rumbling in the AAP,has today grabbed  headlines in the media and come center stage on the national discourse. Admittedly, this is a setback for which, the AAP was perhaps not prepared at such an early stage of their innings.But much that the Congress and the BJP would be delighted at the chaos, to the chagrin, it also highlights the immense significance the AAP has garnered in its short existence. 

That it has happened to the AAP should not surprise many.As Niccolo Machiavelli said
 " There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things".

The sterling success of the AAP at the hustings in Delhi based on issues of corruption and political morals hasn't gone down well with our elitist and self serving politicians. So they will not miss any opportunity to win back their turf by decrying and embarrassing the AAP no matter what it takes. 

So did Mr Binny project any concrete issue or evidence to prove that the AAP was faulting in its agenda or manifesto.To my reckoning there was nothing new or true in what he said.

                          " What was new was not true and what was true was not new". 

What came to fore was a highly tutored articulation loaded with cliches and diatribes so common in our political discourse. If  AAPs response that what Binny articulated were the issues raised by Mr Harshvardhan  in the Assembly is true then Binny aptly fits in the mould  described by the wise  Chankya  centuries back
 "Of a rascal(दुर्जन) and a serpent (सर्प), the serpent is the better of the two, for he strikes only at the time he is destined to kill, while the former at every step.

Whilst  these public utterances will make Mr Binny a favourite of the BJP and the Congress, for a while,it certainly is a wake up call for the AAP to reassess its endeavour to recruit maximum number of people without verification.The nation wide campaign to induct members and volunteers gives a God send opportunity to the opposition to plant moles to disturb AAP's apple cart at crucial moments turning them into a controversial party.Its time to start the churning (manthan) and cull out all pots filled with venom before they turn into Binnys.

Yesterday I witnessed my first ever meeting of a  political party. The Aam Aadmi Party  meeting of volunteers at Jain Trust Hall in Ashok Nagar, Bangalore.What an experience it was. There were no goons or thieves clad in spot less whites masquerading as political messiahs.Most volunteers were in the age group of 30 to 40 years, common people attired in their regular clothes.
 Much beyond my wildest expectations and deep apprehensions based on dealing with political bigs and smalls, the meeting commenced on the dot at 1800 hrs.Every one except the coordinators and the speakers sat on the floor in perfectly aligned rows allowing for their colleagues to be accommodated in whatever space was available. Yet the response was so overwhelming that despite the fact that there were about 500 people cramped in the hall around 200 were standing all around.
The single point agenda, the focus of the meeting was how to win the general elections.Mr Prithvi Reddy , member of the central executive committee  of the Party took pains to explain various challenges faced by the party and how to overcome them.Response from the volunteers was to say the least "frightening," not for me, but, for the archaic and self serving outfits like the Congress, BJP,SP,BSP,RJD,JD(U),DMK,AIADMK et all.
For me it was an exhilarating and blissful moment to get the sense that after 67 years of political chicanery based on Dynasty,Religion,Caste and Class the time was now coming to see some well meaning,conscientious,educated and determined individuals, based on their merit of public good, occupy the political space. If the enthusiasm and deep sense of commitment displayed by the volunteers is an indicator I am certain the AAP will garner more than 50% of the 28 parliamentary constituencies in Karnataka. Pray the same comes true in other States to rid us of the political plague that has occupied the center stage for so long.

Saving India, AAP wins Opposition winces

What I wrote in the morning on Kejriwal's first Janta Durbar were the  views of an observer watching  proceedings from a distance. People came in their thousands, much beyond the expectations of the govt, to  express their solidarity and faith in the ability of the AAP to deliver. This was also an expression of the simmering discontent against the malaise spread by rampant corruption , maladministration and misrule of self aggrandizement  by Sheila Dixit led govt of Congress over the last 15 years.  

 It is a pity that an honest attempt by Kejriwal to address this virulent dilemma, faced daily by the common man, came a cropper for no fault of AAP.

Assurance given by the Chief Minister that issue of crowd control would be sorted out in the next meeting is a given. But churlish comments and dubious joy expressed by the opposition, especially the BJP, calling it a drama staged for cheap popularity, conveys political highhandedness and apathy for the common man. What is disgusting is the elitist and immature comment made by Kiran Bedi, that " you can't govern from footpaths or rooftops." How conveniently she  forgets that all grassroot movements in India, especially those by her mentor, Anna, started from the footpaths.How can she overlook the unprecedented connect that Kejriwal has with the common man? His empathy and care for the people led him to the roof top, a vantage point at that given moment, to calm the surging crowds , who dissipated moments after he addressed them from there. Isn't that abundant proof of the love and respect a common man has for him.

Wonder why the opposition fails to recognise that all diatribes, against this honest endeavour of AAP, are at their own peril.