Some political observations...

 

I don’t write politics because I am not really good at politicizing. Yet, I am prompted to post this after reading President Obama’s anecdote on Mr. Rahul Gandhi. I believe, those Congress leaders who reacted adversely to the President's statement are myopic and reluctant  in  accepting constructive criticism. The fact that President Obama, a highly accomplished individual and globally acclaimed leader  has even taken time to  comment on the political ingenuity of Mr. Rahul Gandhi should be construed as his acknowledgement of Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s capability to become a seasoned politician in the future. Over the years when the coalition with Congress was in power for over a decade, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s prerogative not to include her son in any of the ministries during the earlier regimes was clearly aimed at  protecting him against mudslinging associated with any political office and allowing Mr. Rahul Gandhi to remain unformed and inexperienced. It was evidently a choice to project a clean candidate for future prime ministership.  Fair enough. But, there is no substitute to experience and hands-on training in governance. Armchair politics does not provide necessary and adequate results. The Congress party needs to accept  the criticism offered by President Obama and resurrect itself after having been decimated in the last two elections.  Although it may be unpalatable to those who have worked towards bringing in the present form of BJP to power, India needs the Congress party and it is only too evident that the Congress party needs the Gandhis to be its face to garner votes.  It is probably why none came forward to replace the Gandhis to helm the  party when Mr.Rahul Gandhi stepped down as the Party President.  But time has come for the Congress party to be cohesive and think for the nation rather than for the party. It should renew and restore itself to the position of being able to offer better governance with more democratic flavor for the nation. If the party believes Mr.Rahul Gandhi should be the candidate for Prime Minister, so be it. Just let him prepare himself well for the responsibility.

I have been a supporter of the BJP until Mr.Vajpayee was in power. I could accept the party even without him although I can never accept Mr.Modi's form of governance considering the incidents in Gujarat post-Godhra and after his unilateral announcement of demonetisation, which i believe hurt the economy much more than eminent economists would like to admit.  I have come to the conclusion  that Mr.Modi's methods are a form of declaration that states "I can easily conduct surgical strikes on our nation, but I do not have the expertise to heal the  wounds." This attitude has been evident in the way Kashmir was targeted and human rights was ignored, when GST was implemented while the rights of the States sidestepped and when  CAA was brought in without  concern for real people who required real help from the government like the Rohingyas. Compassion as a virtue is universal and cannot  isolate people of a particular religion. Mr.Modi's election is only an extension of the far-right movement that took over the world alongside Mr.Trump. It was no surprise  that Mr.Modi had invited Mr.Bolsanaro to attend the Republic day parade. Now, Mr.Trump has been ousted and it surprises me that he believes he has a chance in 2024. 

Better things are happening at this time. Mr.Biden's election has been the first step towards reviving democratic values across the world. His open acknowledgement of his opinion of Vladimir Putin is a bold move towards denouncement of autocrats across the world. Italy has just moved towards it. Angela Merkel has been  good for Germany and the world all along and her shoes will be too big for her successor.  EU's bold step of issuing sanctions against China has followed the steps of Mr.Biden in acknowledging the malaise that  afflicts several nations and the urgent need to find long-standing solutions.  Elections in Sri Lanka also established the return to power of those who did not believe in democratic values and human rights. Despite extended coverage by the international media of issues relating to the Tamils in Northern Sri Lanka, the international community has failed to lend them a voice and restore their rights.

I was never a fan of the Dravidian ideology since I personally believe that the movement sought to discriminate Brahmins in a subtle manner.  Here, I am forced to admit that  between the two major parties of the Dravidian movement, they have taken this state to a higher level than other states, which I personally attribute to the intelligence and capability of its citizens.  Human resource is of higher caliber  in the state of Tamil Nadu and therefore capacity building has  always been easier. Times have changed and as an electorate, citizens of the State need to shun caste-based politics and  calls for reservation based on caste.  People of the state are going to choose their next leader to lead the State in the upcoming elections. I am sure they are wise enough to do what is best expected of them. I have no recommendations on candidates that I can offer on this space. Nevertheless, one needs to appreciate those who  attempt to enter politics by starting a new party with new ideology and a determination to contest elections that infuses hope for change.

  Mr.Rahul Gandhi has his work cut out for him. It includes the onerous task of recalling those who were miffed and  have left the party, projecting senior and experienced leaders who have contributed and stood by the party for all these years and regain the confidence of India's electorate.  There is no gainsaying that India needs the Congress party not just as a strong opposition during this time but also as a future party to reckon with. It needs  to win the confidence of the next generation of voters provide a viable alternative at the national level to those who are shocked by religion-based politics witnessed recently. Among the promises that can make educated citizens of India to take the Congress Party seriously in the next national elections are transparency in electoral funding that can eliminate bribery involving multi-national corporations who plan to set up businesses here, transparency in accounting for constituency funds and phased out elimination of caste based reservation, free school education for the economically backward, more funding and avenues for higher education in science and research, bringing to halt media trials and enforcing the right to privacy guaranteed to India’s citizens.  The one task that is difficult but essential would be to convince technocrats and successful business leaders to join front-line politics and ensure meritocracy among professional politicians. Rahul Gandhi  has time until the next election to project Congress Party as a hope for revival of secular and progressive liberal democracy.