Soul Troubles of Anti-Corruption Movement

The country expected unfolding of a new chapter in the history of political movement of India when Anna Hazare started his India Against Corruption movement and masses thronged to him as ray of hope in the scam ridden country plagued with massive scandals and losses to the public exchequer. I was greatly fascinated with this new turn of events and I wrote in my column that a new revolution is being brought by the movement. It soon started withering and many cracks appeared. First in spite of proclaimed wish and credo of Anna Hazare that his associates and outfit will not go politics it floundered. Perhaps Anna wanted a Gandhi type role that he is out but still is listened to by the powers and remains relevant to the nation. His colleagues and principal aids like Arivind Kejriwal and even later on Kiran Bedi, virtually abandoned him and joined politics. Now Anna is left in lurch when V.K.Singh and Ram Das, Hegde too went to one or the other party.  Even then I was hopeful that AAP of Kejriwal will emerge as a moral force in the politics.

I have been greatly disappointed by what AAP turned out to be. Kejriwal claimed to be honest and he tome tomed that he is different from other parties. They donned Gandhi caps and held out Jhadoos as the symbol of their party which proclaimed that they are really AAM and simple people who are committed to the national interest. We all fell for it. Soon they revealed that what they claimed was a farce and only to get votes. They behaved as any other corrupt political party and no different. First contrary to their professed anti-Congress posture and announcement that they will not take support of any party and will not join with Congress they formed government as any other party does by getting support of the party that they condemned. What was morality left in this act? Then Kejriwal who is master of making tall promises of freebies politics found difficult to adjust to reality of government functioning and seeing an opportunity to become the Prime Minister abandoned Delhi for Varanasi to contest against Narender Modi. They came back in 2015 and Kejriwal apolgised for his mistake to leave Delhi. People pardoned him. During the elections AAP indulged in communal and caste politics by seeking vote on that basis. Their collegues claimed that some ticket distribution was done on monetary consideration. A Friend of mine told me that how he got calls from AAP that Kejriwal is too is from his caste and they should join together to vote him in. Kejriwal openly wooed Muslim voters claiming to be their masiha. Was it moral force and casteless and honest party or same soiled political outfit in new deceptive cloths?

Now after forming Government and taking a residence of 5-bedrooms in posh Delhi area with fanfare he goes out for treatment when his party is undergoing serious meeting on throwing out two founders and senior party architects. In fact on the meeting day he is in his office but does not come to meeting and is directing the operation from his office before leaving for Bangalore. His Rajasthan colleagues authorized by the unit are denied entry to manage votes. Was not it a clandestine operation? Allegations of his colleagues against his arbitrary manner of operation and even indulging in bargaining for forming government have been aired. Eventually it reached the climax in National meeting where Bhushan.Yadav and others were shown the door after showing what was earlier described by Shazia, AAP as goons party.

Many joined AAP thinking it to be a moral force and clean party. Many also joined it as they thought there is an opportunity. One senior retired army officer who was with AAP told me that he was trying for a ticket in last election as he thought it is an empty bus and he could ride but it turned to be full of self seekers and jam-packed. Everyone seemed to run for an opportunity and hope. Perhaps it could replace Congress as shown in Delhi results but in my view it cannot as Congress with all its faults is a party with a history and vast organization. If they take effective steps to revive they may block AAP. Recently Sonia Gandhi has shown vigor in fighting back but on a cause that does no credit to national interest but may win her some lost popularity. On the score of transparency the party is weak and Narender Modi, who has grabbed this agenda, has proved that corruption can be eliminated in high places to start with and may percolate to the roots.

Although I have lost hope on success of AAP and Anna yet I have still a glimmer of hope in Modi who is himself incorruptible and unlike Manmohan Singh does not allow his Ministers also to be corrupt. Globally there is resurgence in rating India high and hopefully it could also bring transparency in the system.

-----Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India

Two governments could become major liabilities for PM

This year saw major shift in Indian politics in Delhi and J&K with formation of new governments. These are going to be biggest liabilities of the Central Government. First AAP came with solid majority unexpected by many and yet unsurprising looking to the thought less voting that took place as the electorate getting exhausted with status quo were looking for radical change. This contrast from normal functioning of governments of various parties in India, o could only be provided by the novice and yet high promising professed as clean party. They sported Gandhi caps and weird looking muffler man led it as if from Mars. They made high promises of freebies and everyone wanted quick buck. It is clear to most of the commentators that 70 promises made by the AAP cannot be fulfilled by the government they have formed. AAP will try the usual marketing gimmick of ‘conditions apply’ and limit free use to a minor portion but will that meet citizens’ expectation? Take Wi-Fi it will cost $500,000 for 1 square kilometer, and complex in designing. Even Bangalore has provided in limited manner. The problems will start when these are not fulfilled and the city government will pass on the blame to the centre for funds. Even for water three plants are lying idle as Haryana has not supplied water in spite of court orders. This will bring Delhi and Haryana on war path and that will land up in Centre’s lap.

Even AAP is facing serious internal troubles and politics as shown in the sacking of Yoginder Yadav and Prashant Bhushan. The picture of AAP that has emerged in pubic domain is totally unethical and depicts clandestine manipulations in party functioning. More there is trouble more AAP will look for scapegoats. Dharnas and road shows will return to the capital. Delhi is capital of the country and the kind of trouble anticipated will put great stress on all national issues. A country that is making earnest effort to create a quantum jump in economy cannot afford this quagmire.

Another serious liability for Modi is J&K government, which has been newly installed after long negotiation between two unlikely partners. The perspective of PDP is totally at variance with BJP in terms of nationalism, unity and communal approach. A common programme has been stitched based on Modi’s development model but before anything could be done the CM starts a relentless campaign to placate terror outfits and even Pakistan. Mufti’s gratitude to Huriyat and separatist is known to people in J&K as the reason for high voting in Valley was the bid of these elements to block BJP and PDP win. In Jammu it was opposite of this trend. Even if Mufti was justified legally to release the separatists it was incumbent on him to keep the partner in the Government notified before doing it. May be his predicament was that if he does so he will not be permitted. Whatever is taking shape is bound to damage not only the central government but the ruling party that claimed sole monopoly of nationalism. It has been hit hard in its core strength. The public statements of Mufti Mohamed are coming out as if he is being briefed by Huriyat or separatists. The predicament of Modi can be understood but he has taken a decision to form the alliance that seems jinxed from beginning. No other alternative was workable as two regions of the state had voted in such a manner that no region could be ignored if popular vote was to be honored. But this might jeopardize BJP and soon they may withdraw support.

All this has given enough fodder to opposition and they will certainly like to make the minced meat of one party that got such solid mandate from the country trouncing them all but is facing minority in Rajya Sabha. The price of democracy and the sluggish system of the Indian Constitution is such that nothing could move fast. Already logjam has started in the Parliament and crucial bills are being scuttled. At this juncture the two liabilities that government faces are likely to be source of continuous trouble in carrying on the legislative measures.