The monsoon session schedule of parliament seems jam packed with action, as the opposition and other parties have started flexing muscles with more ideas for adjournment motion than the ideas of ruling party presenting its plans on the floor.
Apart from the development issues of Direct Tax Code and the women’s reservation bill the session will be flogged by issues such as civil liability for nuclear damage, economic blockade of Manipur, deteriorating situation in Kashmir, Naxal attacks, rail accidents etc. But the thorn in the arm-pit for the ruling governance this session would be the price rise, especially in the fuel prices. The opposition is already making alliances with other parties calling for adjournment motion. CPI and regional parties see this as their chance to draw their claws in the congresses back a little deeper to satisfy their quest for vengeance. The BJP would also play hard on the Bhopal issue and the exit of Mr. Anderson would be at the centre of it all.
There would be some respite for the congress after all as the BJP would barter on or some of the issues in the parliament in-exchange for Amit Shah’s safe passage out of the CBI’s clutches. What would be interesting to see is, which issues would be compromised on and which one’s would be hit hard. As BJP regains its strength, this monsoon session could act as a turning point. Congress led UPA has 4 more years to prove its competency to get another term, but the sheer number of growing issues is indicative of its fate in the next elections. A tired PM might make way for the congress prince to take up the mantle of steering the government, but it would take much more than charisma and political calculations to get out of this unscrapped.
The think tanks at 10 Janpath would have to put all their brains and experience to take the rabbit out of the hat this time. With the BJP poised to expose each fall, and Gadkari’s leadership formulating a comeback in years to come, this monsoon session would ensure more thundering than rains for the UPA.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Solicitous Epiphany
Spending a typical afternoon in Mantriji’s office at mantralay for a confirmed 3 PM appointment which was confirmed 2 days ago, I knew I would not be asked in before 5. My lunch with a college friend had taken me to the next door Inox food court our “hay” day’s hangout. The prawn torpedoes and murg kheema tawa paratha had not yet settled in my flat belly, which made my eyelids stick to each other like a Govinda - Karishma Kapoor dance number from the no. 1 movie days. But keeping my professional etiquettes intact I had reached Mantriji’s office at 2:50 sharp IST.
The term IST has been mocked in the past internationally due to the unprofessional, unpunctual & casual approach of some Indian leaders both corporate and political, using work load and tight schedules as an excuse for delaying their appointments. My case is quite different; I have grown used to this culture. Being a true blooded Indian, I have compromise & adamancy weaved into my DNA. Compromise helps me stay patient and flexible to the change in time &/or agenda; while adamancy helps me stay focused on my goals. When my turn finally came a peon came forward dressed in his white Durban uniform with a bright red belt and turban which often makes you wonder if you are in a monarch’s palace awaiting an august audience of his highness. He was no stranger to me, he asked me to follow him. I knew that this procedure had to be followed by my hand in pocket and out with a currency note magic trick for the Durban, it always brings a smile to his face, makes you commiserate his innocence. The degree of his smile and salaam that follow are co-related to the denomination of the currency note, this is the best way to understand the otherwise tough concept of ‘co-relation’.
As I entered the office chamber of Mantriji I was not surprised to find him not in his seat, he was in fact not in that spacious room. What I saw was more than 100 eyeballs scanning my every stride towards the antic chamber behind Mantriji’s empty chair. Some might have though of me as a very important person getting a green channel into the antic chamber, while others would have suspiciously looked at the bad I was carrying wondering if I was holding many smiling Gandhi faces inside. Truth is I did not qualify either of those possibilities. I enjoy this part when I get an easy ride through the office chamber ahead of senior polity, wealthy businessmen who are at the edge of their patience and various other dignitaries who have the credentials to make it to this room. The commoners and the poor have to wait outside the office doors in the non-ac comfort of the building corridor in the company of toilet sting and bureaucracy clutter.
While I was on my way in I saw several of my prospective “clients” who could do much better by coming on board with my team rather than sitting and investing hours in this office. Once inside I witnessed gawking eyes staring at me in the so-called antic chamber. Mantriji was in the middle of all action talking to a few delegates from a corporate house dressed in their finest Ermenegildo Zegna. Through the confidential flow of information, deals, negotiations & power bazaar Mantriji was finally able to get a glimpse of my face. Still completing his sentence he pointed towards a smaller room within the chamber.
That was my cue of a highly sensitive issue was to be addressed. I was escorted by his close aid for over 20 years, I was asked for the usual tea/coffee/ poha, as I had refused the menu while waiting outside I settled for a cup of Joe. I started scanning frantically through my phone for any activity that I might have missed concerning Mantriji in the past few days. Few minutes passed and with my coffee came Mantriji excusing himself from the assembly for an important meeting.
As we settled into a conversation and he started talking about the state of our state I soon realized that this was a non-agenda catch up meeting to gauge the political scenario. No concrete idea, words or suggestions were exchanged; we came out of the bunker after 50 minutes without a plan, agenda or a to-do list. All we did was chatted about everything.
When I got out, the antic chamber now looked like the office outside filled with far more people than I remembered when I went in. The office through which I had sailed, now barely gave me room to move towards the door. And the number of commoners outside the office doors had moved from plenty to enough to hold a rally.
I knew that Mantriji would meet with each one of these distressed souls before retiring for the day. As leaders our politicians and their associates that we know as 'babbus' do their fair share to push the files and decrease the paperwork lying on their desk in the ‘in’ tray. They meet the Janata who bring their woes to their doorsteps and try to resolve issues to the best of their powers. On my way back I saw the Mumbai life pass by and some stuck with me through the evening traffic. I wondered if there really is no lack of political will or lack of pro-active bureaucracy that hinders our progress. All we need is a little management and discipline which would ensure that the present machinery functions like a well oiled mechanism thrusting us towards development. The chaos and clutter could be reduced giving space to the decision makers and the policy enforcers to do their job a little better.
The term IST has been mocked in the past internationally due to the unprofessional, unpunctual & casual approach of some Indian leaders both corporate and political, using work load and tight schedules as an excuse for delaying their appointments. My case is quite different; I have grown used to this culture. Being a true blooded Indian, I have compromise & adamancy weaved into my DNA. Compromise helps me stay patient and flexible to the change in time &/or agenda; while adamancy helps me stay focused on my goals. When my turn finally came a peon came forward dressed in his white Durban uniform with a bright red belt and turban which often makes you wonder if you are in a monarch’s palace awaiting an august audience of his highness. He was no stranger to me, he asked me to follow him. I knew that this procedure had to be followed by my hand in pocket and out with a currency note magic trick for the Durban, it always brings a smile to his face, makes you commiserate his innocence. The degree of his smile and salaam that follow are co-related to the denomination of the currency note, this is the best way to understand the otherwise tough concept of ‘co-relation’.
As I entered the office chamber of Mantriji I was not surprised to find him not in his seat, he was in fact not in that spacious room. What I saw was more than 100 eyeballs scanning my every stride towards the antic chamber behind Mantriji’s empty chair. Some might have though of me as a very important person getting a green channel into the antic chamber, while others would have suspiciously looked at the bad I was carrying wondering if I was holding many smiling Gandhi faces inside. Truth is I did not qualify either of those possibilities. I enjoy this part when I get an easy ride through the office chamber ahead of senior polity, wealthy businessmen who are at the edge of their patience and various other dignitaries who have the credentials to make it to this room. The commoners and the poor have to wait outside the office doors in the non-ac comfort of the building corridor in the company of toilet sting and bureaucracy clutter.
While I was on my way in I saw several of my prospective “clients” who could do much better by coming on board with my team rather than sitting and investing hours in this office. Once inside I witnessed gawking eyes staring at me in the so-called antic chamber. Mantriji was in the middle of all action talking to a few delegates from a corporate house dressed in their finest Ermenegildo Zegna. Through the confidential flow of information, deals, negotiations & power bazaar Mantriji was finally able to get a glimpse of my face. Still completing his sentence he pointed towards a smaller room within the chamber.
That was my cue of a highly sensitive issue was to be addressed. I was escorted by his close aid for over 20 years, I was asked for the usual tea/coffee/ poha, as I had refused the menu while waiting outside I settled for a cup of Joe. I started scanning frantically through my phone for any activity that I might have missed concerning Mantriji in the past few days. Few minutes passed and with my coffee came Mantriji excusing himself from the assembly for an important meeting.
As we settled into a conversation and he started talking about the state of our state I soon realized that this was a non-agenda catch up meeting to gauge the political scenario. No concrete idea, words or suggestions were exchanged; we came out of the bunker after 50 minutes without a plan, agenda or a to-do list. All we did was chatted about everything.
When I got out, the antic chamber now looked like the office outside filled with far more people than I remembered when I went in. The office through which I had sailed, now barely gave me room to move towards the door. And the number of commoners outside the office doors had moved from plenty to enough to hold a rally.
I knew that Mantriji would meet with each one of these distressed souls before retiring for the day. As leaders our politicians and their associates that we know as 'babbus' do their fair share to push the files and decrease the paperwork lying on their desk in the ‘in’ tray. They meet the Janata who bring their woes to their doorsteps and try to resolve issues to the best of their powers. On my way back I saw the Mumbai life pass by and some stuck with me through the evening traffic. I wondered if there really is no lack of political will or lack of pro-active bureaucracy that hinders our progress. All we need is a little management and discipline which would ensure that the present machinery functions like a well oiled mechanism thrusting us towards development. The chaos and clutter could be reduced giving space to the decision makers and the policy enforcers to do their job a little better.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Re-building the House piece by piece
When the NDA launched its ‘India Shining’ campaign in 2004 as their election drum roll, little did they know that it’s the last time the Sun was to shine on their revered Lotus for a long time to come. Over the past 7 years we have witnessed a steady decline in the power of the opposition. BJP’s performance in the following election was nothing more than a formality of an opposition. India boasts of being the largest democracy in the world, a republic by the people, for the people and by the people. And a quintessential part of this democracy is the power of a strong opposition in the house.
A government enjoying absolute power or retained position for long is the sign of a week democracy no matter how big its size. We have witnessed the ills of such governance during the India of seventies. With the congress busy shining it armors and sharpening its swords for the prince’s honor battle in 2013, it is important to understand the country now deserves a far stronger opposition than it requires a stable government.
With the tragic end of their chief strategist Pramod Mahajan, the BJP started crumbling like a house of cards. It was well known in the power lanes of Delhi that Mahajan was not just the chief communicator for the party during its days in power, but also proved to be an important facilitator for all dealings necessary for a party’s sustenance.
By the time of Mahajan’s death Uma Bharti had already been suspended and would have been shown the door, if the RSS had not intervened. With two Politburo of Vajpayee’s core committee taken away from the party, the house already seemed paltry to external blows. This was the time when Jaswant Sinha’s book created rouge waves amongst the party lines and the ship seemed to be on its way to the bottom.
Also the party’s iron man entangled in criminal cases due to the same Babri Masjid massacre that shot the party to its current influence, the BJP needed to re-invent itself. Former party President Rajnath Singh was an ideal gatekeeper ensuring minimum action in and against the party. In the 2009 elections congress almost emerged as the single largest party and did not blink before forming the government at the centre with its alliance.
As Yiddish proverb quotes “If you have nothing to lose, you can try everything.” In its efforts to counter the threat from the young prince’s well chiseled army the BJP has handed the reigns in the hands of its untainted and reformist leader – Nitin Gadkari. I first heard of Mr. Gadkari when he was credited with the concept of constructing more than 50 flyovers in the city of Mumbai (None is one above the other…they run parallel above the roads, giving ample space for the poor and the homeless).
Mr. Gadkari seems to be getting the house of Lotus in order with estranged senior leaders taking the same flight of thought (quite literally). LK Advani took along Uma Bharti to Raipur to attend a memorial ceremony for Chief Minister Raman Singh’s father — just as he had taken Jaswant Singh with him to Jaipur for the funeral of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Also on the flight to Raipur were Rajnath Singh and Ravi Shankar Prasad. Sources said both Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and party state unit chief Prabhat Jha are opposed to Bharti’s return. So are central leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley. Even though its is not yet clear if Ms. Bharti or Mr. Singh would return to their parent organisation, leaders from both sides of the organisation refuse to comment on its status, fueling speculations and to some extent increasing Congress high command’s anxiety.
Another positive sign came in the form of India’s most celebrated lawyer Ram Jethmalani’s Rajya Sabha candidature and victory. Mr. Jethmalani who had criticized the BJP government during 2004 Godhra riots had distanced himself from the political faction while attending Jaswant’s book launch, but a change of mind and the recent elevation to the lower house of parliament seemed to have done the trick for the 80+ opinionated lawyer. In a recent interview to an electronic channel Mr. Jethmalani not only defended BJP’s policies on various issues but blamed the congress government for widespread corruption and appealed for a stronger united opposition under the BJP leadership.
Apart from the national tug of war Gadkari might find it toughest to deal with his home crowd, the Munde factor. With the untimely demise of his mentor, friend and brother-in-law Pramod Mahajan, Mr. Munde was obviously eyeing a higher post within the party cadre; add to that the mass following enjoyed by this politician from the OBC population in the state of Maharashtra. Munde was however disgruntled to find out that three years after his big opportunity, he had been surpassed for a politician who held a much junior portfolio in Alliance government in Maharashtra in which Munde played the deputy Chief minister. Now with the tables turned it’s would be a delicate balance both the leaders would have to maintain to stay in party’s favour and in power.
What sets Gadkari apart from his predecessors is the fact that instead of making peace with their regional alliance parties he is toiling their strengths in their own backyards. The Patna Rally on June 13 was an example of Gadkari’s message to the members of the saffron alliance. The rally was marked by hundreds of vehicles and BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Swayamseavak Sangha workers welcome Narendra Modi on his arrival. They shouted slogans 'Narendra Modi Jindabad' with posters, banners and flags of the party in their hands. A ‘state guest’ who received 45 minutes of speaking time on the podium where the party’s high command and other dignitaries inclusive of other chief minister’s present on dais had an allotted 15 minutes each is indicative of the strategist Gadkari’s plans for the 2013 election’s poster boy. Playing the field in Bihar was equally important as it was the Alliance JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar who has been categorically distancing himself with Modi’s success in Gujrat and avoiding Modi’s visit to Bihar for campaigning in the previous elections. Nitish even went to the limit of cancelling dinner for the top brass of the BJP in disapproval of an advertisement featuring him with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and another on Gujarat's aid during the floods two years ago. The JD (U) has its eye on the Muslim votes in the state and cannot afford to be seen as a pro-hindutva organisation. On the other hand JD (U) would never be able to withhold the congress and its alliance by itself in Bihar. It was reported that Nitin Gadkari sent BJP’s sweet boy Shahnawaz Hussain to the JD (U) head quarters with a ‘strong message’. The messaging worked "Our alliance and relationship is quite old...An unpleasant incident took place yesterday. It has passed...," JD(U) President Sharad Yadav while addressing a media outlet post Hussain’s visit. With the Swabhiman Rally being accorded as a success for BJP’s two day executive meet, the message is clear Gadkari first wants to deal with internal crisis and set equations straight with friends before charging the field.
With national elections a full tenure away, Mr. Gadkari seems to be wasting no time in gathering support from the minorities, an appeal from the BJP president to Muslims was a peripetia of sorts for many. This said, a constant mention of BJP’s pro-muslim policies and soft standing the minority issues suggests Gadkari’s stand on party’s future policies. A conscious communication plan to push a secular image might not be such a bad idea; however Gadkari’s challenge would be to emulate Mr. Modi as an acceptable PM candidate. Modi’s hearing in the riot’s case was no surprise to the political analyst as it needed to be proved that he was investigated, questioned and answerable to the Janata. He has come out unscrapped, untouched and clean.
During an interview r. Gadkari had said, “I want to change the politics of power. Politics for progress and development is my agenda.” We could only hope that Mr. Gadkari truly believes and is able to achieve his agenda.
If Mr. Gandhi Jr. has what it takes to become a prime minister the people of the Republic of India will decide his fate. The family which has sacrificed members from the past two generations in the service of the country might get a chance to enthrone their newest member in politics to the highest seat in India’s executive government body. Our sincere hope at the time should be of a far stronger opposition than the paltry representation we see now. As it is the opposition that truly represents the public in the house through their questions, making the government answerable. Ends
A government enjoying absolute power or retained position for long is the sign of a week democracy no matter how big its size. We have witnessed the ills of such governance during the India of seventies. With the congress busy shining it armors and sharpening its swords for the prince’s honor battle in 2013, it is important to understand the country now deserves a far stronger opposition than it requires a stable government.
With the tragic end of their chief strategist Pramod Mahajan, the BJP started crumbling like a house of cards. It was well known in the power lanes of Delhi that Mahajan was not just the chief communicator for the party during its days in power, but also proved to be an important facilitator for all dealings necessary for a party’s sustenance.
By the time of Mahajan’s death Uma Bharti had already been suspended and would have been shown the door, if the RSS had not intervened. With two Politburo of Vajpayee’s core committee taken away from the party, the house already seemed paltry to external blows. This was the time when Jaswant Sinha’s book created rouge waves amongst the party lines and the ship seemed to be on its way to the bottom.
Also the party’s iron man entangled in criminal cases due to the same Babri Masjid massacre that shot the party to its current influence, the BJP needed to re-invent itself. Former party President Rajnath Singh was an ideal gatekeeper ensuring minimum action in and against the party. In the 2009 elections congress almost emerged as the single largest party and did not blink before forming the government at the centre with its alliance.
As Yiddish proverb quotes “If you have nothing to lose, you can try everything.” In its efforts to counter the threat from the young prince’s well chiseled army the BJP has handed the reigns in the hands of its untainted and reformist leader – Nitin Gadkari. I first heard of Mr. Gadkari when he was credited with the concept of constructing more than 50 flyovers in the city of Mumbai (None is one above the other…they run parallel above the roads, giving ample space for the poor and the homeless).
Mr. Gadkari seems to be getting the house of Lotus in order with estranged senior leaders taking the same flight of thought (quite literally). LK Advani took along Uma Bharti to Raipur to attend a memorial ceremony for Chief Minister Raman Singh’s father — just as he had taken Jaswant Singh with him to Jaipur for the funeral of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Also on the flight to Raipur were Rajnath Singh and Ravi Shankar Prasad. Sources said both Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and party state unit chief Prabhat Jha are opposed to Bharti’s return. So are central leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley. Even though its is not yet clear if Ms. Bharti or Mr. Singh would return to their parent organisation, leaders from both sides of the organisation refuse to comment on its status, fueling speculations and to some extent increasing Congress high command’s anxiety.
Another positive sign came in the form of India’s most celebrated lawyer Ram Jethmalani’s Rajya Sabha candidature and victory. Mr. Jethmalani who had criticized the BJP government during 2004 Godhra riots had distanced himself from the political faction while attending Jaswant’s book launch, but a change of mind and the recent elevation to the lower house of parliament seemed to have done the trick for the 80+ opinionated lawyer. In a recent interview to an electronic channel Mr. Jethmalani not only defended BJP’s policies on various issues but blamed the congress government for widespread corruption and appealed for a stronger united opposition under the BJP leadership.
Apart from the national tug of war Gadkari might find it toughest to deal with his home crowd, the Munde factor. With the untimely demise of his mentor, friend and brother-in-law Pramod Mahajan, Mr. Munde was obviously eyeing a higher post within the party cadre; add to that the mass following enjoyed by this politician from the OBC population in the state of Maharashtra. Munde was however disgruntled to find out that three years after his big opportunity, he had been surpassed for a politician who held a much junior portfolio in Alliance government in Maharashtra in which Munde played the deputy Chief minister. Now with the tables turned it’s would be a delicate balance both the leaders would have to maintain to stay in party’s favour and in power.
What sets Gadkari apart from his predecessors is the fact that instead of making peace with their regional alliance parties he is toiling their strengths in their own backyards. The Patna Rally on June 13 was an example of Gadkari’s message to the members of the saffron alliance. The rally was marked by hundreds of vehicles and BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Swayamseavak Sangha workers welcome Narendra Modi on his arrival. They shouted slogans 'Narendra Modi Jindabad' with posters, banners and flags of the party in their hands. A ‘state guest’ who received 45 minutes of speaking time on the podium where the party’s high command and other dignitaries inclusive of other chief minister’s present on dais had an allotted 15 minutes each is indicative of the strategist Gadkari’s plans for the 2013 election’s poster boy. Playing the field in Bihar was equally important as it was the Alliance JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar who has been categorically distancing himself with Modi’s success in Gujrat and avoiding Modi’s visit to Bihar for campaigning in the previous elections. Nitish even went to the limit of cancelling dinner for the top brass of the BJP in disapproval of an advertisement featuring him with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and another on Gujarat's aid during the floods two years ago. The JD (U) has its eye on the Muslim votes in the state and cannot afford to be seen as a pro-hindutva organisation. On the other hand JD (U) would never be able to withhold the congress and its alliance by itself in Bihar. It was reported that Nitin Gadkari sent BJP’s sweet boy Shahnawaz Hussain to the JD (U) head quarters with a ‘strong message’. The messaging worked "Our alliance and relationship is quite old...An unpleasant incident took place yesterday. It has passed...," JD(U) President Sharad Yadav while addressing a media outlet post Hussain’s visit. With the Swabhiman Rally being accorded as a success for BJP’s two day executive meet, the message is clear Gadkari first wants to deal with internal crisis and set equations straight with friends before charging the field.
With national elections a full tenure away, Mr. Gadkari seems to be wasting no time in gathering support from the minorities, an appeal from the BJP president to Muslims was a peripetia of sorts for many. This said, a constant mention of BJP’s pro-muslim policies and soft standing the minority issues suggests Gadkari’s stand on party’s future policies. A conscious communication plan to push a secular image might not be such a bad idea; however Gadkari’s challenge would be to emulate Mr. Modi as an acceptable PM candidate. Modi’s hearing in the riot’s case was no surprise to the political analyst as it needed to be proved that he was investigated, questioned and answerable to the Janata. He has come out unscrapped, untouched and clean.
During an interview r. Gadkari had said, “I want to change the politics of power. Politics for progress and development is my agenda.” We could only hope that Mr. Gadkari truly believes and is able to achieve his agenda.
If Mr. Gandhi Jr. has what it takes to become a prime minister the people of the Republic of India will decide his fate. The family which has sacrificed members from the past two generations in the service of the country might get a chance to enthrone their newest member in politics to the highest seat in India’s executive government body. Our sincere hope at the time should be of a far stronger opposition than the paltry representation we see now. As it is the opposition that truly represents the public in the house through their questions, making the government answerable. Ends
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)