Why they always insult public sentiments?

Political parties brazenly adamant to keep its activities in veil away from voters by amending RTI Act.

 Arun Srivastava 

Traditional and established Political parties once again choose to ignore public sentiments. A group of parliamentarians has unanimously approved an amendment in RTI Act that proposed to keep political parties outside its ambit. This Parliamentary Committee was entrusted with the task of reviewing the amendment by the parliament despite much opposition from civil society organizations and citizens.

In a landmark decision on June 3, 2013, the Central Information Commission (CIC) pronounced that the political parties (INC, BJP, CPM, CPI, NCP and BSP) are public authorities under section 2(h) of the RTI Act. After this judgment all the political parties get together to modify the RTI Act to keep it activities under shroud and misery. At the behest of all aggrieved parties the Government brought an amendment to the RTI Act excluding political parties from its ambit.

The Congress vice president who has been advocating for pushing all the bills pending in both the houses of parliament kept a mysterious silent despite scream from common public. Congress wants to fights next general election with the help of these bills which are seen as crusader against corruption after Lokpal bill since routs in assembly elections.

Meanwhile due to mounting public pressure, the Parliament chose to refer the Bill to the Parliamentary Committee, which invited suggestions on the proposed amendment to the RTI Act.

Many nationalist organizations and individuals had strongly objected to the amendment mooted by government before 2014 election.

“The committee has not given any logical reasoning for its recommendation in its report. Excluding political parties from RTI Act is unconstitutional. It is odd to argue that transparency is good for all state organs but not for political parties, which in reality control all the vital organs of the state” said a senior founding member of an organization which is fighting hard to clean elections process in country.

 “The standing committee does not appear to have taken into account objections to the RTI amendments submitted by the civil society organizations. No arguments have been given in the report which indicates that the committee has noted our objections. It is obvious that no reasons were taken to counter our views before suggesting construing citizen’s fundamental right” said another activist who has opposed the amendment from tooth and nail. 

Strangely justifying its decision to amend the Bill the Government said the political parties are neither established nor constituted by or under the Constitution or by any other law made by Parliament.

 To counter the claim of government,  it  is a established fact that authority or body does not require to be established or constituted by or under the constitution or any other law made by the Parliament, to be called a public authority.  According to Section 2(h) of RTI Act, an organization that is ‘substantially financed, directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate Government’ can also fall under the category of public authority.

The Government also says in its defense “There are already provisions in the Representation of the People Act, 1951 as well as in the Income-tax Act, 1961 which deal with the transparency in the financial aspects of political parties and their candidates.”

However analysis show Income Tax returns for six National Political Parties and the statements filed by them with the Election Commission show that over 75% of the funds cannot be traced and are from ‘unknown’ sources. Unlike Aam Aadmi Party these party brazenly refused to put all finance related data on their websites giving ruling of law.

Declaring a political party as public authority under the RTI Act would hamper its smooth internal working. Further, the political rivals may misuse the provisions of RTI Act says the government while bringing the amendment in RTI Act. However this argument is also malicious one as the RTI Act has enough built in protection in the form of the section 8 which says “Exemption from disclosure of information.”

An Advice to team Kejriwal

Have voters ever considered about manifesto of any party before going to polling booth?

Arun Srivastava

Chief minister designate of Delhi

The above question has boggled the mind ever since I heard the condition of Congress to Aam Aadmi party (AAP). The party has agreed to lend support because of adverse atmosphere and public image.  Both parties, Congress and BJP have been nudging the AAP since the declaration of assembly result to fulfill all its promises made in manifesto within few days after taking oath at Ramlila Ground. That too, when both the parties never have bothered to finish the promises before going to elections after enjoying five years of power. There are instances for both the parties when they had gone to contest the election without completely fulfilling the promises made to electorates. A leading national news paper had published a one page report about the Raman Singh’s government before the Chattisgarh election in which it evaluated the status of promises. Surprisingly about fifty percent of promises made to voters were reported to be unfulfilled and even then Raman Singh managed to pass through hurdles erected by Congress in recently held election in state.

Voters never mind about the fulfillment of promise before going to polling booth to cast their votes. They only take note of image of candidates or cast and religion factor before going to cast their votes.Also take cognizance of efforts and intention of ruling party while deciding the party to which they want to cast their favour in election. 
If it was not so then parties which have ruled the states and center would never be able to come again in power after getting miserably failed at many fronts and getting tainted in their deals. Electorates only see the alternate of bad governance of regime which ruled the government for five or more years at states or center. They find this time AAP as an alternate to the Congress and BJP and choose to vote it in power.

But both the mainstream political parties who traditionally shared the throne of Delhi now suddenly feel uncomfortable to find a newbie which not only snatched their traditional seat of power but also threatened to probe their misdeeds and plunder. These parties have amazed to see success story of AAP and are now trying to replicate in their own style to canvass the voters in the coming general election. Perhaps they never have considered AAP as a potential threat for future. That is why during the agitation days of LOkpal when Anna was on fast, ministers of Congress and other big names of all political parties literally abused Kejriwal and party and in fact had thrown challenge to Kejriwal and party to fight and win the election. It is because of this innuendo and challenge that Kejriwal and Prashant Bhusan along with other workers and leaders parted their ways from erstwhile Anna team and form a political party to fight an election and rest is the history of past which could be presented as an example to the student of politics. AAP has shown the new path to many honest and country's lovers to come forward and take the charge of reign to change the country from hatred of cast and religion.  

preparation is being carried out in Ramlila ground of Delhi 

Seeing the surge of support of masses many political pundits now predict the bright future of AAP. Indeed with many riders of if and but. If Kejriwal and his team of Cabinet could be able to perform an iota of good governance during the initial days of forming the government, I definitely find a new dawn to replace dark and gloomy politics of nation. In the last, my unsolicited advice to team Kejriwal, go forward and present a new style of governance to opponents who still do not want to believe in potent power of Aam Aadmi.

Congress is on back foot after IB report

Intelligence bureau has presented a report about possible Loksabha seats in general elections.
 

Arun Srivastava

The grand old party of country is on back foot after an assessment made by top internal probe agency ‘Intelligence bureau’(IB). In a report presented to government, agency assessed around 90 seats where the Congress could have possibilities of win. Going by the report party is now working hard on a plan which could provide it more than 100 seats in the general election of 2014. It is not only the report of IB but many ministers and their private staffs also accept about this humiliating fact in private conversation.

Change of plan

Drubbing of recent assembly elections proved that Congress plan to fight the election on the basis of Mahatma Gandhi Rural employment Guaranty Act (Mnrega), Food Security Act and Right to Information Act had not worked well. Seeing the writing on wall, Congress has changed its strategy to fight coming elections of Loksabha through the image of crusader against corruption.

Lokpal bill passed by the parliament recently provided the opportunity and Congress took no time to catch the chance. Under the direction of party think tank Rahul Gandhi was seen arguing for Lokpal though initially he was as against this Act as his deputies from party. The positive feeds back from different sections of society, especially through India Inc after the speech delivered by Rahaul in one of prominent business association of country has given impetus to top rank of the party. In this speech Congress vice president opened a frontal attack against corruptions and had got a grand applause from audience.

It is strange to see that a party which is being accused of plundering the coffer has been using the tools of fighting corruption as an apparatus to fight the battle of election. After Lokpal Act the Congress will now push the remaining six bills pending in Loksabha and Rajya Sabha and tagged as essential bills to curb the corruption by party. Congress has got feeds back from rank and file from ground that it is the corruption and corruption alone which has been hounding and bothering the common man in the country. Not only the lower and lower middle class but upper middle class has also effected by the corruption in every walk of life.

Main opposition BJP has been trying to in cash this issue after Common wealth game and 2g spectrum expose by the media. The recent reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India have crated a huge ripples and jolts in the conscious of AAM ADMI on the street. The party under the stewardship of its prime ministerial candidate for 2014 general election Narendra Modi put forth this issue on fore front through his rhetoric and innuendo style. Credit must go to his style of speech delivery through involvement of audience that pushes Congress to rewrite its plan to fight the rhetoric of Gujarat Chief minister. The way Modi has targeted first family of Congress leaves in quandary to many of party's followers who till recently think that Modi is no where in the race against Rahul Gandhi.  

Meanwhile another phenomenon has come in just concluded Delhi assembly election. A phenomenon popularly known as AAP has clinched the imagination of commoners and has sent jittery in all political parties. Both the Congress and BJP have been thinking to create a plan to counter the progress of AAP especially in urban population. Many parties who follow the path of feudal and traditional politics do not find any reasons to panic in their bastion. Cast and religion are their combination which always proved to be the wining formula for them. For regional parties real India lies far away from Delhi which constitute cosmopolitan type of voters and who were governed by the desire of urban amenities. All the regional parties recognized the reach of AAP to the voters in Delhi but they never take Arvind Kejriwal and his party as a potent force who could dethrone their parties from regional and state’s corridor of power.  

Amidst this entire one thing is sure to me that the Congress has very thin possibility to come again in power for third time in center.

Washing line opens to wash stains of Congress

Arun Srivastava

Routs of recent assembly elections forced the Congress to field their top guns along with party’s vice president Rahul Gandhi to clean the blemish and tarnish image of non decisive and non performing government led by Dr Manmohan Singh. India Inc address in Ficci’s annual general meeting(AGM) by Rahul has not come unplanned but is the part of well thought and planned strategy of team of Congress vice president. Inspired by Aam Admi party’s strategy to reach out common people, not only the BJP but Congress has also folded its sleeves for programs which involve participation of common voters. Along with Rahul many more cabinet ministers, who are also part of Congress' war room will also go with team Rahul to masses in the coming months. It seems that government and party have come out with chalked strategy after the drubbing defeat in last elections to remove the stain of non performance says a source which also supports my theory. Party is in hurry to come up with a new image some thing like it had acquired in 2009 general election.

Congress has been trying hard to get support of India Inc which has shown the tilt towards Narendra Modi, prime ministerial candidate of BJP in recent months. The positive decisions of Gujarat government have given thumping support of almost all big houses of industries to Modi. Infact it is India Inc which originally had backed the name of Modi first time to country’s top post few years back. Initially Congress was reluctant to buy the theory of backing of business world to BJP’s candidate as it has cordial relations with many top names of industrial houses since independence.

Sudden roll of head of minister of Forest and Environment ministry before the address of Rahul to AGM of FICCI was a clear indication to members of India Inc. Many members have personally complained to Congress vice president in the past about the hurdle placed by ministry of Jayanthi Natrajan. Mention of decisions of Chief Ministers and that of environment ministry in Rahul’s speech were seen as the clear signal to those persons who also were seen as violin by the business houses.

Head of Jayanthi Natrajan is not the only one but many more are being predicted to roll down in the coming days by political pundits. Jayram Ramesh, Sachin Poitet, Gulam Nabi Azad and Jitendra Singh  are few names whose resignations are being planned to come forward in coming days.

Not only leaders of party but many top bureaucrats who are supposed to be near of Congress camp, are also being asked to use public platforms to help to disseminate the positive works of UPA and to erase the negative images. Participation of  Cabinet secretary Ajit Seth, Department of Industrial policy and promotion’s secretary Subhash Chandra and Petrolium and natural gas’ secretary Vivek rai in one of penal discussion of Ficci organized on the occasion of AGM is an example of this directive. In a bid to build positive image Seth had elaborated the decisions taken by government for the help of industries in last few months. In fact Rai and Chandra had accused the media and opposition parties for giving undue interest to non performance of government. Chandra had bitterly criticized to the reports of apathy of foreign investors towards Indian story. Investments have been coming to India despite the negative sentiments prevails in foreign country he told the members of panel members.

Party and its sympathetic bureaucrats have been fighting the perceptions of common man of streets. Negative perceptions built up due to so many scams and inflation have created a jolt and uproar in the top echelons of party. They have sensed the writing on the wall, but up to what extent Rahul and his team will be able to generate a positive feel in voters who are already shown its intention, have to be seen in coming days. 

Should AAP form the government?

Survey is being carried out in Delhi and surprisingly AAP is getting lot of responses

 Arun Srivastava

kejriwal announcing for survey to know voter's view

Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Admi Party should form the government in Delhi or not? A debate has been going on since sunday in the City and every participant has got his version of answer. Opinions are divided on the formation of government. I belong to that school of thought who does not believe in taking any type of support from either Congress or BJP. The logic is simple. Both the major national parties are at the receiving end of AAP and they have been not taking the presence of AAP lightly since the declaration of assembly results. These parties are using every gimmick to create a bad impression of governance ability of AAP’s leaders. Going back to court of people for full mandate would be the better option.

Besides, there is another school which wishes for AAP to form the government. This school wants from AAP to prove their worthiness for the society to retain the seat of power in the coming days. Going by past record and dubious credibility of Congress party this school does not see any threat from the party in near future as the general elections is looming large. They have been arguing since BJP refused to form the government that few good steps by AAP will have more lasting effects on common man who has come out openly on streets of Delhi.

We have to ponder why this sudden change of heart of the Congress and BJP towards the AAP? It seems that both the parties have come together to force the AAP for hara-kiri. Both the parties want from AAP to commit sear mistakes so that from next time only traditional players of politics remain in the field. Both these parties could fight and manipulate the arithmetic of cast and religion but would not be able to fight the surge of commoners who have bee lined behind AAP.

Traditional or feudal politics believes in cast and religion. In modern India all the parties which come in the picture after or before independence have made their base in some limited segment of the society. The Congress is in power because of its support among lower strata in Hindus. It also used to get support of Muslims because of secular image of Jawahar lal Nehru. Till few year back BJP was seen as a urban middle class party however pundits believes that it has now made roads in other segment of Hindu society and to some extent in Muslim society also. Similarly regional parties have their influences in their strongholds in specific castes or group of castes. Muslims as block voters always attracts to these parties which in turn forces them to make boastful statements to lure Muslims towards their party.

  

Contrary to these parties AAP has emerged with the large base in youths and middle class of all segment of society. By announcing the fight against corruption, water and electricity AAP has dented the base of all parties. Just because of this broad base of AAP crafted from traditional voter base of all national and regional parties, leaders of all parties are aiming at slinging newbie of Delhi.

Keeping in mind to all facts of ground politics it will not be wise for AAP to go for government. Moreover Kejriwal himself has given many times the example of sudden end of Chowdhri Charan Singh and Chandrashekhar’s minority government in the past. When instances are there to support the logic of not to take any support from BJP and Congress, then why this change stance?       

Arrogant satraps

Arun Srivastava

Despite drubbing in Delhi assembly elections regional chatraps of Indian Politics seem to have learned no lesson from results. Just see the arrogant attitude of Samajwadi party (SP) during the debates of Lokpal bill in both the houses of the Parliament. SP vehemently opposed the bill first in Rajya Sabha and then in Loksabha. Cornered and relented by the out side parliament’s pressure of fast started by social activist Anna Hazare at his native place in Maharashtra and phenomenal successful results of Aam Admi Paty (AAP) in Delhi virtually forced in jittery to each and every political parties. Parties especially the Congress and BJP reeled under the huge pressure of commoners who find AAP and Anna movement as a useful tool to bring political parties on corrective path.  

Kudos to floor managers of ruling UPA who bring SP supremo in line with other parties in houses which ultimately gave passage to bill to convert in act after getting accent of president Pranab Mukherjee. Though SP fall in line to both the major parties but its leader Mulayam Singh Yadav (MSY) leaved no stone unturned in Loksabha to muddle the prospect of bill. A staunch follower of feudal pattern of politics MSY used stick and carrot to pursue and to lure leaders and Members of parliament in Loksabha yesterday. In his flip flop speech in house MSY had drawn an imaginary sketch in which an inspector rank officer was questioning Prime Minister. His main arguments were based on this very hypothetical situation. He asked fellow MPs, how a petty inspector rank officer could ask us for an explanation to a probe a complaint lodged by a common man in the coming Lokpal office? His anger was seen large on his face when he said a small officer could visit at my house also.

How dare a police inspector rank officers could come with questioner at the gate of a member of parliament who comes in Loksabha after getting lacs of votes from his constituency? asked furious looking MSY to the speaker Meera Kumar. He pleaded Lal Krishna Adwani, leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to stop the bill and call an all party meeting again to discuss the bill in a last minute effort to halt the pace of concurrence house.

The second chattrap from Bihar Sharad Yadav although supported the bill but leave no chance of innuendo. Electoral political compulsion makes second Yadav chattrap of Janta Dal United to bend his spine in favour of outside pressure but criticized the ruling and main opposition for putting their conscious back while passing the bill.

Actually practitioners of feudal politics have been considering their bastion safe from the wave being generated by upsurge of emotion of youths and middle class people of this country. Relaying of combinations of some caste and religious group they think that people of these segment will remain untouched by the wave of reforms which has embraced urban centers. In this age of communication and powerful Indian media, this type of situation is not possible.

Nevertheless in their imaginary world and flattering analysis done by their devotee small leaders, these chattraps find their party’s position safe. With this belief and perceptions SP has already announced the name of candidates for all the seats of Uttar Pradesh. While doing so party has chosen winnable candidates. Many muscle men and Muslims leaders were given tickets to garner maximum seats in coming general election so that in case of possibility of formation of third party government maximum benefit could be fetched. 

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Ballyhoo for 'Yuvraj'Rahul

Questions are being raised about the timing of announcement if it comes at all

by Arun Srivastava

Rahul Gandhi in Parliament

Clamours are at height in the Congress party to anoint its vice president Rahul Gandhi for prime ministerial post in the coming general election of 2014. Since the drubbing in the semi finale of 2014 election creeping voices are getting louder from humble party men be it MPs or MLAs or an ordinary worker who fight with the opponents in the actual field, But is it worthwhile to voice for Rahul especially at this time?

When every voter and even a child on streets have loud and clear perception about this unsaid fact then why this futile ballyhoo for official coronation exercise of announcement by party president Sonia Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi will be Congress party’s prime ministerial candidate if it comes in power again in May 2014. Party had already invested him with regal power in the last ‘Chintan Sivir’ held in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Critics say that nothing is going to change in party’s fortune overnight merely by announcing Rahul as prime ministerial candidate.

Office bearers are saying that party never gives importance to an individual over the party. They site this dogma when give logic for not naming Rahul while opposition BJP has done it in September itself. Perhaps party doesn’t need any other name till the fist family is there to control reign. Yesterday media secretary of party had unhesitantly accepted it from podium while responding to a question.  She vented views of young MPs of party in her answer. ‘The entire Congress party, not just the youth, is looking forward to the session (there is a one day session of party on 17^th January next year). If there is an announcement made on the lines of prime ministerial candidate, we all will be very happy. We wish Rahul Gandhi is projected as our leader’ said Priya Dutt, also a MP from Mumbai.

But the question is?  Will this move help Congress and Rahul Gandhi to grab the impossible win from opposition which ostensibly has got (if we go by the present trends) upper hand in the battle of democracy at least for the time being? Answers from pollsters and pundits are no. They are not convinced by the possible move of Congress party if it comes at all in the forthcoming session going to be held at Talkatora Indore Stadium. Many of them believe that leadership is always associated with charisma, oratory and the ability to motivate an organization. Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal have proved these qualities in the just concluded elections. The masses which had come to rallies of Modi and Kejriwal prove that both are charismatic and have got the skill of motivating the crowd and organization. On the contrary noting has transpired as such so far that shows that Rahul has also got these abilities.

One more thing is also going against the Rahul. Modi and Kejriwal are leading sentiments that challenge the Government. Sentiments of commoners whose budgets were largely shattered by the price rise of essential commodities and corruption in the routine life has got vent through their votes. In our country, movements that challenge the political establishment have always hit among the masses. There are many examples in the annals. For instance Indira Gandhi, Jayaprakash, VP Singh, NT Rama Rao, Kanshi Ram and Mayawati challenged the established leadership at respective time and got hit among common man. How leadership tackles these issues will be interesting to see

Lokpal Bill: will it see light of the day

Arun Srivastava

press conference of  Rahul in AICC

After open support of vice president of the Congress party clearance of Lokpal bill is merely a formality as principal opposition party along with other opposition and supporting parties of UPA are already on board. Hectic activities by floor managers of Congress party under the veil seem to have also fetched result for party which is struggling to get some good works to show the people during election campaigning next year. A reputed news paper has carried a news item today which says that SP has agreed to give passage to Lokpal Bill. Getting a law on Lokpal will be a booster for Congress as bill and acts passed by UPA to distribute freebies to electorates have not worked in the just concluded five assembly elections.  

Indian politics has come on the verge of radical changes. A New era of clean and corruption free politics seems to have landed on Indian soil. Parties who have been practicing politics of delay and accusation till the recent past now suddenly clamoring for Lokpal Bill. All parties are in race to claim the credit of passing the bill in parliament. Only one party led by Mulayam Singh Yadav (MSY) was out of this race till yesterday if the report of getting support of MSY is correct.

There are reasons for SP also not to come on board with the other political parties initially. Party wants a grip on Congress before Next year general election. It also wants to give a note of caution on SC/ST promotion bill for which the other outside supporter of UPA has been batting hard. SP knows once the Lokpal bill cleared from Rajya Sabha then Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will make astounding pressure on UPA to get the SC/ST bill also passed in this winter session.

Mulayam Singh Yadav

Political bastion of MSY is Uttar Pradesh which holds credit of giving 80 seats to Lokshabha. Like any other state, traditionally voters of UP also likes the politics of Caste and Religion. Parties which have strong base in Uttar Pradesh also rely on politics of caste and religion. MSY knows that to manage and influence the voters of state is vary hard if not impossible. With vast hinterland and village population along with comparatively less influential and wealthy middle class voters’ base make MSY confident to the extent that he dares to sail his ship against the majority of Rajya Sabha. Merely seven or eight MPs of Samajwadi Party had created a din and ruckus in upper house and force deputy chairman to adjourn the proceeding on Friday when bill was placed on table for discussion after a gap of one year. Select committee of Rajya Sabha had submitted its finding one year back but the reasons best known to government bill was not brought on table for debate.

A handful of MPs forced whole country to devoid of a Lokpal, at least to show honest citizens that machinery is there to take care of corrupt babus and Netas. A movement has been going on for Lokpal across many major cities since 2009 and when by one reason or other political parties have been trying to get it pass then SP was using every tactic to halt the bill. MSY had threatened UPA to support the no confidence motion in Loksabha in case government dares to pass the bill from Rajya Sabha.

Show of courage and initiatives for bold steps are demands of hour. When there is a broad consensus among all opposition along with main opposition BJP, Congress should come forward and get the bill passed from both the houses of parliament. Today when MSY has allegedly agreed to give way to Lokpal bill despite its reservation, hopefully the second opponent Sive Sena will also toe the line of majority. Government must and should come forward to get the bill passed from Lokshabha in remaining day of session. 

Will this way Congress connect to commoners?

Plight of poor lady in the Congress HQ tells the real story

By Arun Srivastava

Day before yesterday when a special conference of the Congress was about to start to announce the opening of party’s door, a middle aged women was also seen amidst Journalists sitting on chair. Party office bearers were requesting cameramen of TV channels not to focus on lady. The lady had traveled all along from West Bengal to redress her grievance. West Bengal in charge C. P Joshi refused to hear and had shown her gates.Finally she reached in conference room, just to plead agony and pain to ministers.She was force fully evicted by plane clothed police women constable after getting instructions from media cell people. With paper and bag in hand she protested the eviction with loud cry and tears in eyes. Ironically all great members of forth pillar of democracy kept their dumb eras closed.   

I’m writing this because the conference was called to announce the implementation of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s plan to open the gates of party for common people. Party veteran leader and coordinator of war room Jairam Rames proudly announced that to follow the dictate of Rahul party has been preparing open manifesto for which a meeting was held in Delhi.  After the debacle of assembly election Congress vice president announced to open the gates of party so that general public could get access to leaders of the party.

Now just think again the incident of crying women’s eviction from conference room and policy to which Congress trying to implement just to retain power in Lok sabha in next general election 2014.  The question is how Congress will connect to common people? Rahul wants to imitate the methods of Aam Admi party whose leader Arvind kejriwal has refused the police protection provided by Delhi police after he joined the coterie of elite leaders of Delhi state.

When simple grievance of a poor women could not be heard and solved at the party headquarter of grand old party of nation then how one could think that party and its leaders will make sincere efforts to reach common man on the streets? More interestingly party has been losing the connection with masses when party need it more than any other time and when party has been struggling to retain its tally of seats in states election after election.

It seems that political parties and its leaders have never treated last man of street as honorable man who also has a right to live with respect. For them man on street is simply an entity of their vote bank who becomes important only when election comes nearer. Inclusive growth and justice to common man are slogans which get highlighted only in speeches of elections. A ray of hope has come from Aam Aadmi Party. Don’t know to which extent this party will follow it own dictums. But one thing is sure political parties never want to see common man near its leaders when elections are not looming large. 

Race to show clean and sincere

Parties are racing against the time to show their worthiness for society and political system

by Arun Srivastava

Anna at his village on fast

Indian National political parties are being forced to show hoi polloi about their sincerity with the Lokpal bill pending in parliament since 23 December 2012. The bill gets an urgent attention because of started fast onto death by Gandhian Anna Hazare in his home village in Rawalgaon Siddhi of Maharastra. Both the national parties Congress and BJP along with Communist party of India (M) have pleaded their supports for Lokpal Bill and accused the opponents for creating hurdles in passing the bill. That is when a clear assurance was given to Anna through unanimously passed sense of house resolution in Loksabha. Certainly this show off by parties to commoners is the consequence of AAP phenomenon and its influence on masses which ultimately gave a mammoth success to party in Delhi assembly election.

It seems that parties have deciphered the new code of politics and understand the value and importance of clean politics, image of candidates and brand of party. Practice of clean politics has been acquiring important place in the life of common people since the 2009 when Anna movement got a huge success in Delhi. The pressure created by Lokpal movement was so enormous that whole elite political class of parliament forced to pass a resolution assuring Anna to Lokpal bill and to make a law to stop corruption.

The show off race, being run in parliament by the major political parties is the culmination of this very effect which shattered the dreams of not only BJP but also that of Congress. Parties have been trying to send a clean image to members of public since the pronouncement of just concluded state assembly’s results. Not forming the government in Delhi despite the fact that BJP has got this opportunity after 15 years of exile is only because of forced clean politics on party.

Perhaps a time has come when all the political parties of country will practice a healthy politics and not that of booze, money, murder, riot, appeasement of minorities and muscle. Otherwise those who are beeline for Lokpal bill today were shake in hands to abused in most vitriolic way to erstwhile Anna team which was agitating for Lokpal Law from Ramlila ground of Delhi.

In my view the awareness which was spread by agitations of Ramlila and Jantar Mantar grounds of Delhi against corruption and malgovernance is giving fruits to democracy. Common man from street is raising several questions on politicians of our time. Youths have taken the yoke by its horns to lead the nation for better morning this time. It is not only in AAP but even in Congress and SP, youths were bestowed to lead the party for better future.  BJP has also sidelined its patriarch for the coming general election.

But this is not enough for better future; a lot of other initiatives also need to start as soon as possible. A morally and ethically correct environment of nation is need of hour. At a time when politically charged atmosphere is being created due to nearing general election, it is very important to give impetus to honest forces to help our people and to shield them from ostentatious politicians who have no rule to masses. 

Trounce makes them humble!

Ministers of UPA are posing as humble and gentleman

by Arun Srivastav

Yesterday in Parliament V Naryansamy MOS in Prime Minister Office and DOPT turned down the request of byte to a junior TV reporter very humbly and politely. Seeing the humbleness of Samy TV reporter asked one of senior journalist standing near by, sir does the defeat makes minister humble? Samy is very rude and never speaks with politeness but after just concluded assembly elections’ results the tone of MOS has changed all of sudden; she explained the reasons behind her question.

This story of arrogance is true not only for one minister but almost all the ministers and party functionaries of Congress and UPA. Many ministers of UPA government barbed against BJP and especially against its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the recent past. Samy along with seniorcabinate ministers Kapil Sibble, Gulam Nabi Azad, Salman Khurshid, Jairam Ramesh, minister of state minister (independent charge) Manish Tiwari and party general secretaries Digvijay singh viciously attacked Modi to settle scores with BJP says a senior colleague of mine. He was referring the silence and void which prevails after the results in which the Congress has routed in four states and retained Mizoram as a consolidation. Indeed scathing and wounding attacks on opponents is one of the prime rule in game of war and love but only against the opponents, not against the common people. Behavior with members of the public and voters should be respectable. Incident given above is just an example of behavior of arrogance and brazenness of almost all Congress leaders barring few.

The changes in behavior are just superficial. How could they change their behavior in just few nights? They can not, because every political beast is a millionaire. A defeat in election will only be for one time or at the worst for five years says my colleague while explaining the changes in behavior as a poser and not a permanent one. The public memory is very short. They will forgive and forget their every misdeed, corruption and plunder of coffer and give support to make them winner again next time. The fact of the matter is that Indian politicians are millionaire or billionaire, irrespective of his party, whether he belongs to the Congress, BJP, SP and BSP or regional outfits. At the same time there are some honest leaders also but their number is countable on fingers, I must admit candidly.

Shrewd politicians never miss a chance to reconcile their place by employing different type of tactics and gambles. Posing humble and gentle are few of their tools to fool common people to whom they always treat as foolish. Ironically last man of the street who runs his family by vending some food item on the streets also understand the truth of politicians. Surprisingly how these leaders are not sensing the mood of people is not understandable. Lacs of people who were on street behind Anna movement in the past not only in Delhi but across India was manifestation of frustration owing to corrupt practices which they faces every day outside home. The sooner politicians realize this fact the better otherwise things are changing very fast in political arena.

Let Delhi be made a model state

  

Let Delhi be made a model state

supporters of AAP at his HQ after win

 Arun Srivastava

Undecided mandate, hung assembly, parties reluctant to form the government, forced election then let the Delhi be made a model state by giving full majority to Aam Aadmi. This is the crux of talks of a group of old and middle aged voters of Delhi assembly seated on bench in a park where I used to go for morning walk regularly. Indeed, this is the same group in which many voters were impressed by Arvind Kejriwal’s idealistic speeches also but were not sure of his party’s victory as they have no idea of his base among masses and hence not voted to AAP on 4^th of December. Many of those voters who were in doldrums for voting in favour of AAP will move towards the new entrant to support this time if once again an election comes in case no party forms a government.

The way trend is going on after declaration of results, another election looks around the corner in Delhi. Let Delhi be made a modal state for rest of India and for political parties. Incidentally, parties are force to follow ethical and morally right practices even after declaration of this election also. Thumping vote share of AAP has forced main wining party BJP to reconsider its earlier stand of formation of government in Delhi along with Madhya Pradesh, Rajesthan and Chattisgarh where it has secured a majority of its own. Pushed to reconsider its stand by seeing the number of seats AAP won and high pitched morally laced attacks not only by leaders of AAP but also from common people who came out on streets to celebrate the victory of AAP’s candidates, BJP immediately decided not to approach Lieutenant governor Najib Jung to put forth its claim of government. It looks that BJP is withdrawing itself from forming government after 15 years of wait just because the wrong signals and massages which certainly paint them in bad colours among voters. Government formation with three or four short from magic number could only be possible by engineering a defection in either AAP or in Congress camps.

If BJP has been forced to change its earlier stance of government formation (because party president Rajnath Singh in a press conference after conclusion of parliamentary announced name of observers from party headquarter to monitor the process for Delhi also along with M.P, Rajesthan and Chattisgarh) just by seeing numbers of AAP then just think what will happen if Arvind Kejriwal’s team could be able to translate its big promises made to Delhi voters. All traditional players of Indian political scenario will also to force to mend it way of doing politics which stems from corruptions, hooliganism, marauds, plunders and elimination of opponents.

Look at the humbleness at with Kejriwal refuses to own the credit of thumping victory in debut fight of election just after one year of formation of AAP after parting its way from mentor Anna Hazare. ‘This is not my win. This win is of common man who has stood against corruptions and inflation. I am also a common who has been affected by corruption and high inflation’ says Kejrival when some one tried to bestow the congratulation for victory in just held assembly election.

Many of my journalist friends refuse to own alleged goodness of AAP phenomenon and refute its claim of cleaning the politics from centre to state to city level by bringing good and non selfish patriotic men on AAP platform. Yes, in democracy friends have every right to have their opinions on each and ever issue nonetheless AAP is also entitled to get a chance to prove its worthiness for the sake of society and nation to which we also owe responsibilities. I think many of us would certainly be have such ideas while voting to AAP’s unknown faces and also while denoting precious time and pecuniary helps.

Waiting for new Dawn

Waiting for new Dawn

With Fingers cross and Heart beats up parties wait for doomsday

Arun Srivastava

Political parties are waiting anxiously for new dawn at the end of Saturday in India to know their fate which was sealed by crores of voters of five states in EVMs. A new beginning of a new era or end of dominance in state politics is being waited by all contestant parties. Many political pundits (experts) have been calling these elections as semi finale in the run up of 2014 general election. These elections are as important as for Narendra Modi, are also equally important for Rahul Gandhi, the Nehru Gandhi scion who has been controlling reigns of party since the Rajesthan session. Jaipur session of Congress is more famous for the perception of Sonia Gandhi than for transfer of power. Rahul informed the audience about the perception of Sonia who considers Power as Poison.

To me power for politicians is like opium which gives a different type of feeling of ecstasy and elation. Ostensibly money and other offshoots of aisle of Raisina hill come to winning party ipso facto. Parties which were flanked by exit polls positive results predictions telecasted by different TVs channels on Delhi assembly’s polling day in assembly are in enthused mode and the rest are in doldrums. Second group is still busy in finding the reason of apparent debacle. Though seemingly loosing parties are showing doubts on the veracity of exit poll’s method and results yet some where in their high commands a sense of fear have been prevailing since the polling day and which stop them to boast about their assumption for coming results. Although on the face of TV cameras all are making big claims about forming of their party government. High claims for tomorrow’s results are being boasted out not only by leaders of parties but also by supporters who worked hard through out in last three months with the expectation of fruits after the win of candidates.

In my view these assembly elections will not only decide the future of many prime ministerial aspirants but also tell the future of our country. A party which is widely seen as conglomerates of institutionalised corrupt politicians by the common man seems to lose grip from chair of power. New political themes charecterised by transparent policies and tall claims of participatory politics of common people from Aam aadmi party and image of stern ruler in BJP’s prime ministerial candidate have preponderated against the old arch of current fort of Congress. 

AAP movement: a new phenomenon

  

Has AAP movement become a new phenomenon for political scientists?

Come December 8, political scientists, psephologist and pollsters may find a new political phenomenon in the movement of AAP to study for coming days. Certainly this will happens only if AAP succeeded to get few entries against its name in the result board of Election Commission of India. AAP, under the hegemony of bureaucrat turned politician Arvind Kejriwal, prominent lawyer Prashant Bhusan, Social worker Manish Sisodia, poet Kumar Viswas and psephologist Yogendra Yadav along with scores of young and middle aged followers from across India and abroad will indeed become political miracle for Indian politics. In a very short span of time after it’s depart from famous Gandhian social worker Anna Hazare, AAP has become a force in assembly fray of Delhi.

No body can deny this fact that a movement started to get JAN LOKPAL bill passed by the parliament turned a nightmare to the political parties, leaders of which initially supported and then changed their stance after seeing the antipathy wave among the erstwhile supporters of Anna. In fact many political analysts were astonished by observing successful campaign trail steered by inexperienced political team of AAP.

A political debutant, which barely a month ago considered as nonentity in political fray turned into a political force not only for two main contenders of Delhi’s battle but also for parties which are seen as a major players in the coming general election of 2014. AAP has not only leaved SP, BSP, NCP and Akali way behind in the race of poll but also become a horror for Congress and BJP. In many of recently held surveys, AAP was seen as a game changer for election in Delhi. It has become so potent force that almost all leaders of established political parties have given a major chunk of their time of speechs to criticise Arvind and its team while wooing voters in rallies. This shows the anxiety of parties towards the movement started by AAP to dethrone the politicians who are largely painted as heard of corrupt sheep by Kejriwal team and his mentor Anna Hazare.

By and large supporters of AAP and common man also see politicians of present era in same fashion. This picture will get more clarity when we analyses affidavits filled by candidate to election commission while completing the formalities of their candidature. Common man also owes the same perception for politicians of present day’s India. Ngo ADG which is working towards the cleaning of politics keeps a close watch on all the affidavits loaded to EC’s website. In every election it releases the press note about the background of candidates and details of their assets. As a professional, I always find interesting to note exponential rise in income of candidates after every election and criminal records tally in their records.

Only results will reveal what voters have perceived for AAP? But one thing is sure that this movement has forced all political parties to fall in the line of AAP. To understand the nuances of this movement and the kind of support it is better to fathom the aisle of your mind. Remember the start of Ana Movement for Jan Lokpal bill, the kind of support it had mustered in masses across India along with social media, print and broadcast media literally compelled parliament to pass a ‘sense of the house’ accepting the demand of bill. The magic which attracted masses to the movement across the globe had come from inside of people who as true Indian fed up with the corruptions prevalent in almost all the areas which directly deal with common man. The way people surge with their feelings on Ramlila ground in Delhi or in Mumbai, Banguluru, Kolkatta , Lucknow, Kanpur and in rest of India were unthinkable  for any government. That is why initially every party tried to ride on the wave of sentiments of young man and women who were out on streets with Anna’s Cap with chanting slogans in support of whole team of Anna which also included Arvind and team along with Kiran Bedi and Justice Santosh Hegde. Social media has also seen the impact of Anna’s movement.

Arvind team is an offshoot of Anna’s original team which parted its way after the disagreement emerged out on way of participation in political process. Although rest is the history yet it is significant to note the rise in AAP’s popularity graph with the time. Youths who have openly come out in support of team Anna switched to team Arvind’s side.

To me win of Arvind team is immaterial. I mean if it wins then it is good, it will try to pursue its goal and promises from this time itself but if it loses, even then it has started a much needed reform in the Indian political process. To support my thought I am taking the lines of Anju Sinha, an associate professor in Campus law Centre, University of Delhi, who writes in her article 

published in ET, today “The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already made an impact on the nation’s polity however it fares in the Delhi assembly elections. Both the Congress and BJP are committed, at least nominally, to enacting the Lokpal Bill, to create an independent ombudsman to guard against and penalize corruption without interference by the government. And this is just one of the AAP’s likely lasting impacts.”