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| Pre poll rants in J&K, are they serious? | | | Col J P Singh, Retd
Democracy is a
ladder for climbing to
the top power echelons. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts Netas absolutely. Association of crime with power is a foregone conclusion. That is why politicians' goons are in the forefront as perpetrators of heinous crimes. Mahatma Gandhi led the nation to freedom and Pt Nehru beckoned Indians to brighter future. Dr. Ambedkar gave us constitution promising equality and social justice. The expectation was Ram Rajya. Times went by. Changes came about; some good, some bad and somewhere worst. The politics soon overtook democracy best seen in pre poll rants in the campaign.
Getting down to brasstacks, I feel sorry for the Congress and NC in the coming election. They had virtually handed over J&K to UN in 1948, claim not yet merged with India, yet call it its integral part and their undisputed fiefdom. Even today when they have been challenged by BJP, they claim to be returning to power. Congress still claims that 'no govt can be formed in J&K without it'. Leaving aside NC to the Valley electorate, Congress is at the cross roads in Jammu. It has lot to answer. It seems to have learnt nothing from nation's mood. Congress does not want to lose power in J&K come what may. It does not realise that even the minority has abandoned it on whose strength they ruled and whose cause they have been espousing since Gandhi era. Congress should not expect minority vote in Jammu region. Electioneering having started, desertions with malicious rant and rave have taken the centre stage. Ex ministers, MLAs and MLCs have deserted the Congress ship mid stream. Not a healthy sign for a party wanting to be part of the govt.
The first bombshell was heroic resignation of a Congress minister a day before the application of code of conduct and the latest is that an MLC. Resigning a day before announcement of election is a wonderful rant. It was a bombshell because he called for a Hindu Chief Minister. It created ripples in the national politics forcing Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi telling reporters at the AICC briefing, "Congress distances itself from Sham Lal Sharma's call for a Hindu Chief Minister in the state". Minister blamed one NC minister preventing confirmation of PHE daily wagers which that minister blatantly denied. Discrimination with Jammu was another reason given which no other Jammu minister agrees to. Jammu should have a regional Council is alright but never projected by any of the Jammu ministers despite interlocutors recommendations. That shows Jammu leaders collective connivance to deny Jammu its due. Why so? Isn't interesting to know? Presumably for sharing power?
There cannot be a theft without the thief, any corruption without a corrupt; any crime without a criminal and rape without a rapist. The way funds are manipulated, criminals thriving, Jammu and Ladakh discriminated, jungles destroyed, water bodies encroached, jobs sold and demography of Jammu changed shows that all of them are there in the govt. This is what Congress should have seen when in power. Hence Congress has lot to answer to the electorate particularly when Narendra Modi has rekindled a hope for J&K. The tragedy of J&K politics needs to be reversed. Modi's mantra of development and good governance is certain to resonate an urge for change in large chunk of electorate.
What have Congress ministers done for Jammu? They did not oppose vandalising of our heritage, resources and change of demography. Did not oppose revoking of Dogra Certificate. Did not confirm daily wagers in their ministries. With the Congress minsters from Jammu in the govt, why was Jammu discriminated? That needs an answer. If that was so, it is humiliating for Jammu electorate for which Congress ministers are responsible. More humiliating is to be told by a minister, after enjoying power for 6 years, that they were representing oppressed people. Jammu voter will not accept the humiliation. If Jammu needs regional Council, why it was not raised by Jammu ministers?
A bewildering question in my mind is why Dogra youths were deprived of Dogra Certificate which gave them meagre concessions in physical measurements for enrolment in defence forces? That was an issue to resign because after that enrolment of Dogra youths has decreased. None contested that leave aside resigning. Hence resigning for daily wagers is contradictory. Why only for PHE daily wagers, why not for all the unemployed? Whose orphans are they? Who should parent them if not the leaders from Jammu?
Politicians who win election and come to power presume they will remain in saddle for ever. They are repeated again and again and that is mistake of political parties. Those who get (re)elected, get intoxicated with the glamour of power. They breach the trust of voter. Denial of Dogra Certificate is one such example. I think parties should rotate candidates, if they don't, voters should not hesitate. Change is invariably good. Hence the question arises 'Is Congress serious'? It is difficult to pass a value judgment on it but the debate has been initiated by the party itself.
Despite democracy far too many of us feel that political culture makes the rich richer, poor poorer and frustrates the middle class. This is also true that those whom we elect become ministers, amass wealth and stick to power. They induct their family members in the positions of power and politics. That is how they manipulate everything in their favour. They empower themselves and make us dependent upon them. This is how the society has been dis-empowered by those whom we empowered. Even for a municipality water tap one has to request an MLA / MP. The fault lies with us. We continue to re-elect them who take us for granted and exploit. Should the electorate vote smartly, they will know a truth ie 'don't take the electorate for granted'.
There is a difference in the mood of the voter today as compared to the voters of the past. He is sensing the change sweeping the country. Education and prosperity have come to his door steps. He needs empowerment. He is seeking it through increased education and income and not through politicians. Today he is far less likely to depend upon MLA or govt for a job or water tap. He thinks it is his right and fights for it. The vast majority today, both in rural and urban areas, go to private service providers. It is the hunger for ever greater control of their own lives that is guiding today's voter rather than caste and community equations. The quest for empowerment through increased income is what is flocking voter to Modi.
Electioneering having commenced, the desertions from Congress are rampant. Hence BJP is upbeat with Modi wave sweeping across the length and breadth of the state. PDP is also upbeat having decimated NC in the valley. On the contrary Congress and NC are disintegrating and in disarray. Azad's and Soz's supporters are daggers drawn. Dileep Padgaonkar, an authority on J&K politics, has predicted a BJP - PDP post poll tie up. In the multi corner contest, where victory margins are generally thin, this time it may work to the advantage of BJP. And with Modi's popularity soaring and his acceptability increasing in the minority community, it may even be Maharashtra type BJP govt in J&K with support of smaller parties & independents if not by own majority.
It is becoming difficult to spare any sympathy for Gandhis, the mascots of Congress. Rahul and mother are half Indian. They still hold Italian Passport. Hence they are half nationalists. If they were nationalists they should have appreciated PM's visit to Siachen, the highest battlefield of the world, where young Indians stand guards day and night in minus 40 degrees to defend extended border of J&K. How will India accept half Indian to rule full India. Time of rulers and ruled has since gone past. Why should we allow the legacy. Go ahead politicians, blame every one else and shoot the messenger if you wish but before you do that how about peeping within because many of you would not have got it so wrong. I am reminded of Galib's version of the blame game, "umar bhar Galib yahi bhul karte rahe; Dhool chehre pe thi, par saf a'ena karte rahe". Only advice one can give to the politicians is, 'do not be minister of your own constituency' and 'please be serious for a change'. |
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