Ever since the LS election,'09 results were announced, the blogosphere has been abuzz with articles on Dynasty Politics and Rahul Gandhi! Though I'm neither as knowledgeable nor as eloquent as Bhai Chandra and His Merry Men when it comes to current affairs, history and the Queen's language, yet I'll try and put my views on the recently concluded elections.
I have a query... What exactly is dynasty politics??? What I can comprehend is that it essentially, is the transfer of leadership from older generation to the younger. If my comprehension be correct, then explain to me this. Why do the debates of so called dynasty politics revolve only around the Gandhis?? There are so many other parties where dynasty politics exists. There is National Conference, Samajwadi party.. NCP... RLD... DMK... Hell,its even there in the BJP. In an ideal world, a world free of sins and wrong doings, where equal opportunities are available to all, dynasty politics would have never found footing. But we don't live in that world, and the notion of idealism exists only in our mind, and thus in our views. Dynasty politics exists because there is an electoral acceptance!! There I said it... and I think I've kept it very simple. Great minds can continue churning out pages after pages, denouncing such a practice, but sadly, I'd rather not waste my time reading all that, and instead accept the truth of our political set up!!
Now, to the issue of Rahul Gandhi! People target him for being a Gandhi. People revere him for being a Gandhi. People despise him for being a Gandhi and people adore him for a being a Gandhi. Sadly, the debate about him revolves only around his name. If he was born a Gandhi, is he to be blamed?? If he inherited his political legacy, then is he to be blamed?? If he decides to be a politician , then should we get our daggers ready?? He is half gora, so what?? Advani is half Pakistani!! So should I jump upon Advani and choke him just coz he was born in what is now Pakistan?? People lament "Why should RG, be made the president of Youth Congress, before those who have toiled for years??? Had his name been Rahul Andhi, instead of a Gandhi, nobody would have even known him!!" Targeting him for being a Gandhi is as good as targeting Ratan Tata for being a Tata. It is a part of their legacy and whether my idealist friends like it or not, they will inherit that legacy. If that gets them additional mileage, in any sphere, then you can't blame them.
Much has been talked about Rahul Gandhi's role in these elections. Many bloggers have been moaning about "RAHUL GANDHI _THE NEXT PM" theory. If you recall, it was made very obvious by the leader of UPA, that Dr. Manmohan Singh was their choice for the post of PM in these elections. After the victory, all poor Manmohan Singh said was that he would like Rahul Gandhi to join the cabinet. The same day, Rahul Gandhi politely said that he has no intentions of joining the cabinet, coz he wanted to work with the youth congress. Here is a man who clearly says that he doesn't want to join the cabinet and insists that he is more needed to reorganise the party. Here is a man who, even though ,could easily be atleast a MoS, and yet he decides to concentrate on working for the party at the grass root levels. Even though DMK has only 19 seats, yet Karunanidhi is pushing for his son Azhagiri and daughter Kanimozhi, to be given cabinet berths!, and both are MPs with little or no experience ! Yet, this guy, RG, gracefully accepts that he lacks the experience to even consider joining the cabinet. In a power mongering democracy like ours, this is something unthought of.. unheard of!!
Now since the media wanted masala, and any news of the Gandhis gets them precisely that, they conveniently started projected Rahul Gandhi as the next PM. Suddenly we had the 24 hr news channels going berserk with debates on Rahul Gandhi as the next PM. Members of the all the parties were called for the discussion, public opinions were asked, Manmohan Singh's comment was played over and over and over AND over again, with each news channel claiming victory in pronouncing RG as the PM-2014!! I'm not sure if we should read too much into what the media has to say. They never get anything right. All their exit polls and entrance polls results went for a spin when the election results were announced. They said it was suposed to be neck and neck , and people like Mayawati and Jayalalitha would play king makers. Ultimately, UPA mauled the NDA, and all the remaining fronts, got a pole shoved up their backside!! What the media fails to realise that the ELECTORATE IS NOT FOOLISH!!! We read too much into what the Tv media has to say. One forgets that these 24 hr news channels, are viewed by around 20% of our population only!! The print media hardly gave much coverage to this "RAHUL GANDHI PM 2014" story.
Rahul Gandhi said, "Terrorism can be done away within 15 minutes, if we empower the people." Many people think that empowering only means handing out AK series assault rifles. Though i do agree that it is impossible to rout terrorism in such a short span of time, but I am a firm believer that empowering people will indeed curb terrorism. Here terrorism should not be understood be the the Pak- sponsored proxy war . We face a greater threat from internal terrorism than external. There are the Naxals, who believe in blowing to pieces anything the government makes.. then we have radical elements like Bajrang Dal, Ram Sene, IM, SIMI... who believe that the only way to gain salvation is by beating up people and planting bombs across India. Empowering people means to empower these people with education, healthcare and employment opportunities. If you observe the background of people joining such organisations, then you'll know that the reason why most of them joined was because they lacked education, had no future and no stable source of income.
I'm not saying that Rahul Gandhi should be made the PM in 2014. But I'm also not saying that he shouldn't be made the PM in the future. Politics is such a dynamic game that one can never predict what lies ahead. The person to be projected as the future PM, is totally prerogative of the party, and not just any one indivisual. Lets judge Rahul Gandhi for what he has done so far in politics, and not what his forefathers have done or said. So far, I think he has matured as a politician and has a long way to go before even he considers himself to be a PM material. He has showed that he has a stable head on his shoulders. We must get over our Gandhi phobia and mania. If the party projects him as the next leader, then so be it, coz ultimately it will be the people who will decide who should warm the PMs' throne... and remember, THE ELECTORATE IS NOT FOOLISH!!!
I have a query... What exactly is dynasty politics??? What I can comprehend is that it essentially, is the transfer of leadership from older generation to the younger. If my comprehension be correct, then explain to me this. Why do the debates of so called dynasty politics revolve only around the Gandhis?? There are so many other parties where dynasty politics exists. There is National Conference, Samajwadi party.. NCP... RLD... DMK... Hell,its even there in the BJP. In an ideal world, a world free of sins and wrong doings, where equal opportunities are available to all, dynasty politics would have never found footing. But we don't live in that world, and the notion of idealism exists only in our mind, and thus in our views. Dynasty politics exists because there is an electoral acceptance!! There I said it... and I think I've kept it very simple. Great minds can continue churning out pages after pages, denouncing such a practice, but sadly, I'd rather not waste my time reading all that, and instead accept the truth of our political set up!!
Now, to the issue of Rahul Gandhi! People target him for being a Gandhi. People revere him for being a Gandhi. People despise him for being a Gandhi and people adore him for a being a Gandhi. Sadly, the debate about him revolves only around his name. If he was born a Gandhi, is he to be blamed?? If he inherited his political legacy, then is he to be blamed?? If he decides to be a politician , then should we get our daggers ready?? He is half gora, so what?? Advani is half Pakistani!! So should I jump upon Advani and choke him just coz he was born in what is now Pakistan?? People lament "Why should RG, be made the president of Youth Congress, before those who have toiled for years??? Had his name been Rahul Andhi, instead of a Gandhi, nobody would have even known him!!" Targeting him for being a Gandhi is as good as targeting Ratan Tata for being a Tata. It is a part of their legacy and whether my idealist friends like it or not, they will inherit that legacy. If that gets them additional mileage, in any sphere, then you can't blame them.
Much has been talked about Rahul Gandhi's role in these elections. Many bloggers have been moaning about "RAHUL GANDHI _THE NEXT PM" theory. If you recall, it was made very obvious by the leader of UPA, that Dr. Manmohan Singh was their choice for the post of PM in these elections. After the victory, all poor Manmohan Singh said was that he would like Rahul Gandhi to join the cabinet. The same day, Rahul Gandhi politely said that he has no intentions of joining the cabinet, coz he wanted to work with the youth congress. Here is a man who clearly says that he doesn't want to join the cabinet and insists that he is more needed to reorganise the party. Here is a man who, even though ,could easily be atleast a MoS, and yet he decides to concentrate on working for the party at the grass root levels. Even though DMK has only 19 seats, yet Karunanidhi is pushing for his son Azhagiri and daughter Kanimozhi, to be given cabinet berths!, and both are MPs with little or no experience ! Yet, this guy, RG, gracefully accepts that he lacks the experience to even consider joining the cabinet. In a power mongering democracy like ours, this is something unthought of.. unheard of!!
Now since the media wanted masala, and any news of the Gandhis gets them precisely that, they conveniently started projected Rahul Gandhi as the next PM. Suddenly we had the 24 hr news channels going berserk with debates on Rahul Gandhi as the next PM. Members of the all the parties were called for the discussion, public opinions were asked, Manmohan Singh's comment was played over and over and over AND over again, with each news channel claiming victory in pronouncing RG as the PM-2014!! I'm not sure if we should read too much into what the media has to say. They never get anything right. All their exit polls and entrance polls results went for a spin when the election results were announced. They said it was suposed to be neck and neck , and people like Mayawati and Jayalalitha would play king makers. Ultimately, UPA mauled the NDA, and all the remaining fronts, got a pole shoved up their backside!! What the media fails to realise that the ELECTORATE IS NOT FOOLISH!!! We read too much into what the Tv media has to say. One forgets that these 24 hr news channels, are viewed by around 20% of our population only!! The print media hardly gave much coverage to this "RAHUL GANDHI PM 2014" story.
Rahul Gandhi said, "Terrorism can be done away within 15 minutes, if we empower the people." Many people think that empowering only means handing out AK series assault rifles. Though i do agree that it is impossible to rout terrorism in such a short span of time, but I am a firm believer that empowering people will indeed curb terrorism. Here terrorism should not be understood be the the Pak- sponsored proxy war . We face a greater threat from internal terrorism than external. There are the Naxals, who believe in blowing to pieces anything the government makes.. then we have radical elements like Bajrang Dal, Ram Sene, IM, SIMI... who believe that the only way to gain salvation is by beating up people and planting bombs across India. Empowering people means to empower these people with education, healthcare and employment opportunities. If you observe the background of people joining such organisations, then you'll know that the reason why most of them joined was because they lacked education, had no future and no stable source of income.
I'm not saying that Rahul Gandhi should be made the PM in 2014. But I'm also not saying that he shouldn't be made the PM in the future. Politics is such a dynamic game that one can never predict what lies ahead. The person to be projected as the future PM, is totally prerogative of the party, and not just any one indivisual. Lets judge Rahul Gandhi for what he has done so far in politics, and not what his forefathers have done or said. So far, I think he has matured as a politician and has a long way to go before even he considers himself to be a PM material. He has showed that he has a stable head on his shoulders. We must get over our Gandhi phobia and mania. If the party projects him as the next leader, then so be it, coz ultimately it will be the people who will decide who should warm the PMs' throne... and remember, THE ELECTORATE IS NOT FOOLISH!!!
5 comments:
Your bit on empowering people was very enlightening . But that is not what he said . It was a very simplistic remark , and it dismissed terrorism , internal or external , as a trivial matter . My bit about Kalashnikov-izing the nation was a Joke . That hard to get it ? And I heard him say that Gujarat is bigger than the UK .
Dynasty Poiltics is not the transfer of leadership from an older generation to a younger generation, as I see it . It is the transfer of power from a father/mother to his children , in the hope that they take the reigns some day . It IS everywhere . But the moment , Mulayam's or Karunanidhi's children decide to jump on the PM Bandwagon , rest assured , every one will be on their ass as well . The Gandhis are the number one political family , gunning for the top job .
If you indeed think of him as a worthy candidate , do a biographical post on him , and analyse , what has he done so far , good or bad . I am actually looking forward to something like , a fair and unbiased analysis .
People like me will target him for being a Gandhi , bevause the Congress has milked Bapu's name a lot . That is a fact . For a person who is still politically young , his image adorns the posters along with his Amma and MMS , for Congress ads . Why him ? What about the other Senior leaders ? Just because he is the son and the heir apparent ? And why him again ? Why not Priyanka Gandhi ?
Ratan Tata is where he is not just by the virtue of his name , but because of what he is . And once again , the affairs of a nation are not someone's family business .
"Dynasty politics exists because there is an electoral acceptance!!" If it is that simple , then we should not crib about caste or langauge based politics . Hindutva politics should also be acceptable as well . People have elected representatives on the basis of caste,religion and language . So is the criminal-turned-politican . That is also the truth of our political set up .
And his refusal of a Ministerial position is graceful rejection . Any fool would know , that he just has to say the word , and it would be his . That is dynasty politics . To be the PM of a country like India , a good one , I think you would need a minimum of 20-25 years of political experience .
And that remark about his being half-a-gora . True . Not his fault . A cheap shot , at him . But my satire was also directed at the People obsessed with the West , and fair skin . Whether you like it or not , people in India would prefer him over a darker and equally competent leader .
"Though I'm neither as knowledgeable nor as eloquent as Bhai Chandra and His Merry Men when it comes to current affairs, history and the Queen's language, yet I'll try and put my views on the recently concluded elections." That stung . I was right when I thought you were pissed off . I had no idea you were taking it personally . My apologies , though my satire was not directed at you , or people who like RG , but rather the system , which includes dynasty politics , pseudo secularism , White-man-syndrome and the saffron-syndrome .
@ Kislay
Dude, I'm bein vry honest when I said d bit abt knowledge & eloquence. When it comes to stuff like current affairs and history, ur knowledge base is very varied n exhaustive. Talking of eloquence, there also I stick to what i said. I enjoy ur articles way more than mine for the above reasons. If dat stung u, then I apologise. I wasn't aware were aimed to sting friends as well. Atleast I'm not dt sort of a person.
The issues u talked abt, relating to electoral acceptance it is true!! Caste politics, religion politics, language politics.... etc Just because I merely mentioned Dynasty politics, doesn't mean it is the only thing dt adorns the list of electoral acceptance. In an ideal world, all our talks of a free and fair elections would hold good. People would vote not coz I was a christian or a muslim or a hindu. or a dalit or a Brahman or any other stuff which goes along with our identity. Why did Varun Gandhi win Pilibhit, even though he spewed venom against the Muslims?? Simple, coz he wanted the Hindu votes. A masterstroke!! Why does Rahul Gandhi contest elections from Amethi?? Coz of the political legacy which he inherits, and a guarantee dt he will win the elections 9 out of 10 times!! Why was Azhar made to contest elections from Moradabad?? Simple, coz dt assured him of a majority muslim votes. I think when i add the word "simple", dt irks u!! But to be honest, it is dt simple. I hate this bakwaas about secular and communal party!! People and parties, become secular or communal depending on which way the tide turns!! Political opportunism is also a sad addition to the list.
Sir, urs is not the only blog which talks of Kalashnikov empowerment and I did get it was a joke... and I don't doubt u when u said u indeed heard him say the thing about Gujarat being bigger than UK.
Sorry, I forgot to add in my definition of dynasty politics the words, "of the same family". I thought the term dynasty made dt self explanatory.
"his refusal of a Ministerial position is graceful rejection. Any fool would know, dt he just has to say the word , and it would be his . Dt is dynasty politics” .... Shouldn't RG be given credit for "not saying dt word"??? Dt is all I'm asking.
Why did Ratan tata inherit the Tata group, in the first place?? it is because he is a TATA!! How he expanded the conglomerate, is something which happened for "what he is". I was giving an example of legacy. Rahul gandhi, like it or not, will inherit his family political legacy, and now it is totally upto him, to build upon dt!! My inability to express myself clearly be pardoned, but dt is the gist of what I wanted to say.
I haven't done a survey on whether the Indians would want a gora or a kaala at their PM. U and I can only speculate. And simply (pardon my excessive use of the word) saying dt "people in India would prefer him over a darker and equally competent leader" is making a mockery of judgement and wisdom of the people.
Kislay, its nice to sit on the sidelines and curse the system. Compared to other democracies, India is still a very ung democracy, and we still have a long way to go before we become a truly mature democracy. These elections prove dt as well. D criminal turned politicians, most of them, faced defeat. Look how badly RJD and LJP fared in Bihar> Like u said in one of ur posts, dt even though u are a BJP supporter, u take pride in the fact dt people are also trying to adopt the 2 party system. Does dt show dt people are smart enuff?? I said politics is very dynamic. We are maturing as a democracy... yeah we are getting there.. but it'll take time. Have faith. Maybe when u kids and my kids will discuss politics, issues like saffron syndrome, dynasty politics would hv become history!!
Anyway, my apologies if I stung u dt hard!! I wasn't pissed off, to be honest. Nor did I take it personally.
cheers!
All right . Let us agree on some points , and disagree on another .
dude..i loveed this post..awesome...i completly agree with you.
Roshan
@ Roshan
Bhai.. glad to know that atleast there is someone out thr who agrees with me... He He.. thnx...
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