Indian Political Scene

Dr. R. Gangadhara Sastry

It has been a testing time for the coalition government in recent times - that too of an ‘extraordinary nature’ - in every sense of the expression. The NDA boat was rocked both from within and without, by the alliance partners and the opposition group to such an extent that the very survival of the ruling establishment in power was endangered. But for the support extended by the TDP during the crisis period - the government would have certainly been thrown out of power. Ever since the NDA formed the government, it has been a story of the ruling formation moving from one crisis to another without any let or hindrance. Sometime , mainly due to certain unacceptable views expressed by the Prime Minister - especially in a democratic, secular set up like ours - he was compelled by perhaps his own conscience to pen down his thoughts on certain serious issues in the form of diplomatic “musings” from Kumarakom in Kerala, where he went on a holiday.

Interestingly enough, two very significant problems i.e. (a) the long-standing problem with Pakistan on Jammu and Kashmir: and (b) the Ram Janmabhoomi - Babri dispute at Ayodhya “were highlighted by the Prime Minister in his “musings”. However, the views were more of the nature of pious intentions than of any constructive policy formulations. But at the same time his remarks like:

a) “We shall be bold and innovative designers of a future architecture of peace and prosperity for the entire South Asian Region”.

b) “the administration shall not traverse solely on the beaten track of the past”.

c) “commitment to peace, justice and the vital interests of the (Indian) nation” etc., need to be considered for proper exposition and better understanding of the deeper and inner import in all aspects.

Besides the “Musings”, the Prime Minister’s efforts to settle the long standing disputes deserve all appreciation. Extension of cease-fire in Kashmir in the face of the atrocities perpetrated and the meaningless violence unleashed by the Pakistan - supported Muslim fundamentalist organizations like the Laskhar-e-Taibe Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. Jaish­e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen, - and of course the lesser known group which calls itself ‘Al Qaasim’ - is in itself a very bold step taken by the government, but should be followed up by concrete actions that would bring peace to the strife ridden State of Kashmir. Keeping aside his efforts to bring peace to the Kashmir Valley - with which the Prime Minister finds busily preoccupied most of the time, the political compulsions of the coalitional confabulations keep giving him tough time in running the administration of the nation. The alliance though headed by BJP, seems to be influenced by some of the Hindu fundamentalist organizations like the RSS and the Shiv Sena. It is evident that the pressure brought on the government by these on several occasions earlier, - did irreparable damage to the alliance.

In recent times it was the Tehalka.com episode that had violently rocked the NDA boat and as a consequence of it, the political paradigm shift that had taken place had serious consequence for the entire nation. In fact, the episode led to developments with disastrous consequences for the entire NDA establishment in general and the BIP in particular – which are as given below:

a) that the BJP President had to resign for his ‘position’ in the Party as being found video-taped at the time of accepting wads of currency for apparently favouring a ‘fake’ weapons company in getting certain ‘deals’ finalized in its favour;

B) that the so called ‘puritans’ and self ­proclaimed custodians of Hindu culture belonging to the BJP had to face the worst wrath of the public as they stood ‘exposed’, - more particularly the Prime Minister himself for appearing to shield those who were involved in the episode;

c) that the Defence Minister had to go – not only as the episode involved ‘defence deals’, - however fake, but also as it was his official residence which was used for this clandestine operation;

d) that the Samata Party President had also to resign from the Presidentship, - of course along with some other members of the party from the government, - whose resignations were not accepted for political reasons;

e) that the Trinamool leader quit the Ministry and withdrew her Party support to the National Democratic Alliance-, probably for better benefits to be gained in West Bengal during the ensuing Assembly elections;

f) that the PMO was attacked for becoming an extra-constitutional authority by the RSS and Shiv Sena cadres, - along with the foster son-in-law of the Prime Minister for playing the role of extra-constitutional authority; and

g) that the opposition decided to fight for the appointment of JPC (which they rejected earlier) to probe into the entire Tehelka.Com episode disallowing the Parliament to do its normal business for a long time.

Thus, with problems confronting the government both from within and without, the ruling NDA team is trying to breath comfortably as it appeared to have the episode probed into by a JPC.

The Congress Party has fallen from the status of a party that was in the habit of ‘deciding’ alliance partners earlier to that of a party ready to accept whatever is being offered by the strong regional parties as evident from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Pondicherry. The elections being conducted in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Pondicherry, would certainly influence the functioning of the NDA - though they cannot be accepted as a ‘judgement’ over its performance. The BJP, - though not having a strong base in any of the States or the Union Territory wherever elections are now going to be conducted – its Allies are in the field and in that sense the results would effectively influence the working of the National Democratic Alliance government.

Meanwhile, India has been doing extremely at the international level; as it has been trying to intensify its ‘Look-East Policy’; to be a partner in the socio-economic development of ‘Myanmar - evidently though the inauguration of the Tamu - Kalewa - Kalenyo road; due to its improved relations with the United States and the Soviet Russia: due also to the successful isolation of Pakistan in many respects, including bettering its relations with Iran recently; and clinching economic and defence deals with various countries.

Its successful launching of the GSLV is a feather in its cap and thus India joined the exclusive club of those who could successfully launch space satellites totally indigenously made. It has to its credit victories in fields like Cricket, Tennis, Chess and Badminton in recent times. Thus it has been a time of troubles and accomplishments in various areas in various ways, - but the economic reforms area stands out as the most unique one. The share- market scams, functioning of the Banks, Agriculture sector, deals with the WTO, are all areas that need to be regulated and perfected for better benefits.