How often should you try to shame Indian politicians? From the antics of some it appears even if you did heap criticism and scorn on them every day it will make no difference. Their latest spectacle enacted in the well of Lok Sabha (People's House) brings shame to an institution that Indians ought to be able to look up to. The conduct of the bad and disreputable politicians brings into disrepute the Lok Sabah and the few honest politicians left standing. You might argue "honest politician" is an oxymoron. I was in India recently. Unless one sees the discernible optimism in the air one is tempted to agree with that comment. I am not so tempted. I see hope in the midst of despair.
I have always believed politics is a noble calling. It still is even in India. But mind you it is fast becoming the last refuge of scoundrels, thieves and robbers. Every hope that springs in the Indian heart is dashed sooner or later. Manmohan Singh as an honest man and an economist gave hope to the country's millions. Both his honesty and Indians' hopes from him stand absolutely tattered.
Then there came Kejriwal. People were full of hope. The hope is slowly dimming. Every day he is apologising for the ill considered actions and utterances of the likes of Somnath Bharti , Ashutosh the recent convert from the ranks of media or even his own. The Law Minister engages in lawlessness. Ashtosh fails to comprehend the differing roles of constitutional entities. Kejriwal bribes the supporters of his pre election campaign of not paying electricity bills in Delhi. If you did not pay the bills you are subsidised by the taxpayers to the tune of 50% of the unpaid amount. This is not a bribe before the fact. It certainly is one after the fact. If you broke the law on Kejriwal's say so and he pays you for it, what is it? If it walks like a duck, talks like duck, it is a duck. The forgiving of the bills to supporters of his agitation is a bribe. If you were a law abiding Delhiite and paid your bills even if you could barely afford them, there is no relief for you. Next time Kejriwal asks you to support his protest and break the law you better follow him. If you do not you will not be beneficiaries of his government's largess.
Congress is nothing but a den of sycophants. Rahul who could not adequately answer even the most basic questions posed by Arnab Goswami in his first ever media outing can do no wrong for the 'courtiers' of the Gandhi 'royalty'. Rahul may eventually succeed in winning the country for the Congress after a short or long interlude of non Congress rule. In the meantime if he wants to ever win the elections he needs to banish the sycophants from the Party. The congress itself may need to tell Rahul to move over and make room for a genuine grass roots leadership for the Party. It must clean its own house of corruption. It must stop wrecking the country Telengana style for narrow partisan gains. It needs to have the debate suggested by Dwivedi. Fragmenting the country further with regionalism, caste or language is a recipe for disorder and chaos. What India needs is social solidarity and social justice. Dwivedi had a point Sonia made a grave error in dismissing out of hand for an election which according to most observers the Congress is sure to lose and lose badly.
BJP may win the election because it is not the Congress. Parties do not win, governments lose elections. That is what is about to happen. BJP is not and has never been lily white in the matter of corruption. The coal blocks of the Coalgate fame stated during the NDA. While denied and delayed justice to the victims of 1984 riots is eating away at the vitals of congress' credibility on secularism and ethics, Modi's record on Gujarat riots of 2002 is equally questionable. Yedyurrappa is to BJP what Lalu is to Congress. In matters of corruption no emperor has any clothes.
The shape of the government post election is hard to predict. Whether it is the third front, BJP or some other permutation or combination even including the Congress in some way is hard to say at this time. Many Indians may be tempted to throw up their hands in frustration and yell: Plague on all your houses. But when I was in India recently I was impressed with the level of ordinary Indian's level of political awareness and engagement. While the politicians and political parties seriously disappoint one, the engage for change attitude of most Indians fills one with hope. Never let hope die!