Falling from One Blunder to Another
Ironically, on the one issue where the UPA government was not entirely wrong in its opinions, through inept political handling, they seem to have frittered the gains away. The government seems to be adamant on purusing a down-hill journey to 2014 elections.
I am not so enamoured with Baba Ramdev's fast, though the issue of corruption and black money he is highlighting is to be highlighted. It is for the simple reason that the proposals and demands he made were quite impractical. And the demands seemed to change every now and then. Initially it was black money stashed abroad and an ordinance, withdrawal of 1000 and 500 rupee notes, then land reforms and even electoral reforms creeped in. Even in Anna Hazare's campaign, my main opposition was to the contents of the Jan Lokpall bill. But that was different. Because Anna Hazare was clear - that all he wanted was sincere discussion. He wan't on a fast until say, the bill was passed in parliament. But Ramdev was asking for an ordinance to be enacted first.
But by throwing him out of Ramlila Maidan forcibly, the UPA has unwittingly made him look like a hero and a martyr. To me, the Baba Ramdev controversy brought out the inherent political weakness of the central government.
The Congress would do well to remember P. V. Narasimha Rao. When Jaya in her earlier term as TN CM, went on a fast for cauvery water (a good cause, remember), he coolly told her that all he was prepared to concede were two committees. Otherwise, he wished her well on her fast and pretty much did nothing. He even told her that if law and order situation worsens, he can even resort to article 356.
After sensing that the PM was firm, Jaya broke her fast accepting the committees and claiming victory. Mind you, Jaya was very powerful then and there was an unannounced bandh in force in Chennai for atleast a couple of days as I remember.
Contrast to what the UPA government did now. It first went over the board to cajole and convince him. The UPA erred in judging Ramdev. He is no Anna Hazare. Either the fast should've been prevented in the first place by using the same argument used now - that the permission was for a "Yoga Shivir". Else, it would have been better perhaps to let it go on, negotiate and draw a line saying, this far and no further. The fast was essentially political and it would have fizzled out when support dwindles. If any violence seems like breaking, this police action would have made sense and meaning then. Anyway, police action was an option always in hand.
What the UPA has now achieved is phenomenal - it made all arch rivals to close ranks and oppose the government fiercely, as if they were in any short supply.
The problem is lack of a central political leadership. MMS is not one, Sonia isn't doing much and seems to be waiting for Rahul. Meanwhile, Rahul is busy discovering non-existent atrocities in Bhatta Parsaul - only to be out-witted by Mayawati with a surprisingly bold and good land acquisition policy. The only one talking is Digvijaya Singh. And with his "Thug" remark on Ramdev, he seems to be doing more harm than good. Way to go to 2014! What do you think?
I am not so enamoured with Baba Ramdev's fast, though the issue of corruption and black money he is highlighting is to be highlighted. It is for the simple reason that the proposals and demands he made were quite impractical. And the demands seemed to change every now and then. Initially it was black money stashed abroad and an ordinance, withdrawal of 1000 and 500 rupee notes, then land reforms and even electoral reforms creeped in. Even in Anna Hazare's campaign, my main opposition was to the contents of the Jan Lokpall bill. But that was different. Because Anna Hazare was clear - that all he wanted was sincere discussion. He wan't on a fast until say, the bill was passed in parliament. But Ramdev was asking for an ordinance to be enacted first.
But by throwing him out of Ramlila Maidan forcibly, the UPA has unwittingly made him look like a hero and a martyr. To me, the Baba Ramdev controversy brought out the inherent political weakness of the central government.
The Congress would do well to remember P. V. Narasimha Rao. When Jaya in her earlier term as TN CM, went on a fast for cauvery water (a good cause, remember), he coolly told her that all he was prepared to concede were two committees. Otherwise, he wished her well on her fast and pretty much did nothing. He even told her that if law and order situation worsens, he can even resort to article 356.
After sensing that the PM was firm, Jaya broke her fast accepting the committees and claiming victory. Mind you, Jaya was very powerful then and there was an unannounced bandh in force in Chennai for atleast a couple of days as I remember.
Contrast to what the UPA government did now. It first went over the board to cajole and convince him. The UPA erred in judging Ramdev. He is no Anna Hazare. Either the fast should've been prevented in the first place by using the same argument used now - that the permission was for a "Yoga Shivir". Else, it would have been better perhaps to let it go on, negotiate and draw a line saying, this far and no further. The fast was essentially political and it would have fizzled out when support dwindles. If any violence seems like breaking, this police action would have made sense and meaning then. Anyway, police action was an option always in hand.
What the UPA has now achieved is phenomenal - it made all arch rivals to close ranks and oppose the government fiercely, as if they were in any short supply.
The problem is lack of a central political leadership. MMS is not one, Sonia isn't doing much and seems to be waiting for Rahul. Meanwhile, Rahul is busy discovering non-existent atrocities in Bhatta Parsaul - only to be out-witted by Mayawati with a surprisingly bold and good land acquisition policy. The only one talking is Digvijaya Singh. And with his "Thug" remark on Ramdev, he seems to be doing more harm than good. Way to go to 2014! What do you think?
Blunder is an understatement. Its really bad politics. Almost every party becomes arrogant once they get re-elected, thinking that no one can remove them from power. Rahul is not a good politician, leave alone being a leader. He does not know where the issue is and keeps blabbering all the time. Looks like Dig vijay singh is digging a big grave for the congress. I only hope that he bury them deep enough so that they cannot come out of it even after 10 years. But it would just remain a hope if BJP is not in a position to project a leader who could be accepted by all.
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