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| Living in denial | | | Sunita Vakil | 3/19/2011 10:30:08 PM |
| With the Prime Minister having mastered the art of feigning ignorance in the face of a cascade of scams and scandals, it will not be surprising if the Congress denies that it paid cash as pay – off during the confidence vote.
“When ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise,” Gray has said. Judging from improprieties and unethicalties committed by the UPA govt. in the recent past, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seems to have followed this famous saying in letter and spirit. He has astounded everyone by gracelessly blaming everybody else except himself for decisions that he feebly describes as “errors of judgment.” By making an elaborate case in his defence, Mr. Singh is only bluffing his way along. Otherwise how can a Prime Minister who is described as a person unimpeachable character be indulgent to those who cheat the public and loot the country by stashing black money abroad? That latest disclosure about the Congress resorting to pay offs during the trust vote has the same dogma of illegality and immorality as was in the case of the CVC appointment. It is hard to believe that the vulgar dance of money was performed on the floor of the parliament, right under the benevolent gaze of the Prime Minister. It is amazing that Dr. Singh is feigning ignorance under the grab of a highly or chest rated image of integrity and probity to wriggle out of the situation. This has deepened the suspicion. Is not the PM guilty of using his image to cover up corruption?
To state that the rampart corruption has been the most visible feature of the UPA regime is a truism. And that practicing appeasement, encouraging nepotism and sycophancy promoting inequality and giving kneejerk reactions rather than acting consistently are only a few of the corrupt practices indulged in by the Congress is hardly a revelation. This has most certainly resulted in instability, violence and rampart poverty in the society. Indeed, the CWG scam, Adarsh Society scam, 2G loot and the black money stashed in Swiss banks are all blots on our polity. The perversion of governance through corruption makes one wonder whether there is any hope for the country to find its moral moorings again. Every political leader worth his salt is focusing his energies in nursing the political prospects of his offsprings. The govt. only laments that it is unable to act, thanks to the political compulsions. But it is well known that the Congress led UPA govt. is not interested in undertaking the onerous exercise of unmasking the real culprits as it may point fingers at the elite class of unscrupulous politicians. The latest cash for votes syndrome is a damning confirmation of the deep rooted corruption in our political system and a vindication of the opposition stand.
It is clear now, if there was ever a doubt, that the UPA govt. is more unwilling than unable to fight corruption as it shows no gumption to nail those who encourage corrupt practices. The Wikileaves revelation that the congress amassed Rs.50 to 60 crore in 2008 to purchase the support of MPs is deeply disturbing and demeaning. The expose has dealt a big blow to the already dwindling credibility of the UPA govt. which is still reeling under the Supreme Court’s verdict of quashing the Thomas appointment. Though it is such a shame to learn that the UPA govt. cheated on its own people to survive the disclosure does not come as a surprise. As such, the Wikileaks cable which alleges that an aide of the Congress MP revealed to a US embassy official that cash was paid to parliamentarians to ensure the survival of the UPA-I govt. in the 2008 vote of confidence hasn’t revealed something new about the grand old party and its culture of corruption. It will also be not surprising if the Congress fraternity, determined to bury the scam will take refuge in all kinds of technicalities to deny the episode. Moreover it can not be put past the Congress to claim that the charge that it paid pay offs during the confidence vote cannot be proved. But one may ask do parliamentary misconduct and abuse of democratic institutions need to prove in a court of law? It goes without saying that our politicians are anyway making a mockery of our institutions in the name of democracy. Sadly, the PM’s inability to crack the whip in wrongdoers has become a licence for scamsters. The writing on the wall is clear congress has no defence and brushing aside the allegations of purchasing votes with its customary bluff and bluster would be totally absurd.
Unfortunately, there seems to be no mechanism among political parties to deal with such issues. In our country, fighting corruption means hurling accusations at other politicians, taking out morchas and disrupting parliament. In the present instance also Parliament may be disrupted for a few days and a demand for probe made. In any case it will be criminal waste of parliament’s precious time. The ruling as well as the opposition parties meanwhile will be least bothered with eradicating corruption as they would be too busy feathering their own nests. Slowly, the clouds will pass after some blame game till the next scam surfaces.
It is beyond comprehension as to how can political parties assemble such huge amounts in a nation where millions do not get even one decent meal ? While India can justicably gloat over 55 of its citizens making it to the Forbes billionaires list, how can it turn a blind eye to the stark realities of malnutrition poverty and corruption?
It is quite ironical that while hundreds of Indians are committing suicide due to starvation, tax evaders are busy stashing money abroad. The Union govt. has also failed to bring back the black money in foreign banks. Interestingly, the finance minister has been liberal enough to raise the MPs fund from Rs. 2 crore to 5 crore per year. But the same generocity has not been extended to ameliorate the lot of the poor or to check spiraling inflation.
The Supreme Court’s observation “ what the hell is going on in the country?” is true, showing the rot that has set in all levels, be it political, judiciary or law enforcement establishments. The spate of PILs and aggressive interventions by the court only signal the people’s growing unhappiness and discontent over the ruling regime. The gives impression that the Manmohan Singh govt. reacts only when directed by the judiciary to do so. That the Congress has failed to fulfill its duties to the nation is indeed worrisome. The nation is fast losing faith in the party.
It is time the UPA govt. wakes from its deep slumber and comes out of its denial mode.
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