Last week, we saw several incidences that were really disturbing. The culprits were spread evenly across India and political spectrum. West Bengal to Karnataka, Maharashtra to Jharkhand. BJP to Congress, Independents to Smaller Parties, Left to Trinamool. Newly elected legislators fighting in assembly, legislators holidaying in resorts while their constituencies are groping with flood relief, a CM accusing Union Minister of conniving with Maoists, an all out inquiry in the assets of an ex-CM. Just when we thought we had seen everything, Ashok Chavan led government in Maharashtra sprang another surprise. R R Patil was back as home minister just before the anniversary of Mumbai attacks.
Corruption cases are not new to Indian politics. We have had Bofors and Coffingate, Chara and Hawala. So, why this hue and cry over Madhu Koda? The reasons are quite simple. He is the first independent to become Chief Minister. This means that there is very high probability that the parties who were supporting him were at least aware of his dealings if not involved in. This puts Congress in the dockyard. Also, if he assembled millions during his two year tenure as CM of a poverty ridden state Jharkhand, then how much would have other politicians, who have been ruling (or atleast been MPs) for decades.
The work of legislators whether independent or belonging to any party is to work for the people in the constituency they represent. Just as Madhu Koda was guilty of siphoning off public funds for his personal use and hence neglecting the needs of the people, Karnataka BJP MLAs were also guilty of neglecting the people in their hour of need. North Karnataka recently faced a very severe flood. What is needed now is strong leadership and efficient governance. But Reddy brothers think that their quest for power is more important. They bought the government to a standstill. MLAs were holidaying in Goa and Hyderabad when they should have been working in their constituencies. And to top it, Reddy brothers are also facing corruption charges in AP. BJP High Command, instead of punishing them for indiscipline and corruption, rewarded them by accepting their demands and transferring out of Bellary and Gadag honest officials who were helping Lokayukta in unearthing the nexus between miners, politicians and officials. Yeddyurappa even shunted his principal secretary to placate them. In normal circumstances I would have scoffed at this opportunism, but I think BJP and Yeddyurappa took a decision which, would harm them but is good for Karnataka. Karnataka can not afford elections at this time. Yeddyurappa is very popular in Karnataka and if elections are held now, then BJP would emerge as a strong contender even without Reddy brothers, but he did not choose this path. Now, I have sincere hope that once the state recovers substantially from flood situations, then some action will be taken against the MLAs, who deserted the people in their hour of need.
But the act of MNS MLAs belittles even the shameless Reddy brothers. Its high time Raj and his cronies are brought to book. They need to know that all Indians are equal and any attack on them on the basis of their place of origin is an attack on the constitution of India, on the very concept of India. Shiv Sena started it with attacks on South Indians in 60s and 70s, Raj revived it with attack on North Indians and topped it with attack on Hindi, our lingua franca. He objects to MLA taking oath in Hindi, next what? Object to singing Jana Gana Mana, because it is not in Marathi? Object to Sachin sharing dressing room with Suresh Raina? Object to Ambani brothers fighting in SC instead of Bombay HC (ohhh and object to it still being Bombay HC)? Issue ultimatum to Mani Ratnam to retrospectively change name of his movie Bombay to Mumbai? He needs to be shown his place. There should be no place for useless, good-for-nothing, publicity seeking, warmongers.
And how can we expect Maharashtra Govt. to straighten him? R R Patil, the new home minister, thinks that incidents like Mumbai attacks of 26/11 happen in a big city like Mumbai. Compared to those, incidents in assembly are really nothing. So, no need to worry. Be like an ostrich. Forget everything. It is really sad that a home minister who had to be removed after huge public opinion against him has not only been rehabilitated but also been given the exact same position as before. What effect will this have on the morals of police forces?
Lastly, we all know that at present we are facing serious challenges from within in the form of Maoists. Finally, government has waken up and has started some offensive. But a lot has to be done. Still Maoists hold a large sway in many districts. The very fact that they could hold a Rajadhani express hostage for hours tells about their power. Also, during the hostage drama, CM of WB, Buddha babu, expressed concerns over the link of Maoists and Union Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee. If this is true, then it means that Maoists already have a knowledge about the movement of troops and their deployments. This poses a very serious security threat. Mamata is all set to grab power in WB assembly elections next year, so this would mean that Maoists would have a free hand in WB after that. On the other hand, if false, it means, that Left has fallen so much in their hunger to cling on to power that they are leveling baseless and serious charges. Either way, it means that either present CM or the next CM is not fit to be CM.
The way I see it is these instances have brought to front the degradation of Indian politics. But these instances have also given me hope. I hope that quick and swift inquiry in Koda's assets would deter other politicians from doing something of his scale. It should also serve a reminder to the people that by not giving a proper mandate we are allowing ourselves to be exploited. Yeddyurappa has shown quite maturity in choosing the interests of Karnataka over his own interests. He should back these with good handling of flood relief activities. The shameless act of MNS MLAs may force the govt. to finally take some action against him. The central govt. (especially PM Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Chidambram) have shown a genuine interest in solving the Maoist problem.
When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better.
JAI HIND!!!
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