Gandhi/ Indira/ Nehru "mantra" & not the strength of Congress cadres that counted
Daya Sagar Sharma
May 30, 2009
There are many injured tigers in the "Company" of Man Mohan Singh
No doubt Man Mohan Singh Jee deserves all appreciations and support . Lal Krishan Advani too has congratulated Man Mohan Singh & Sonia Gandhi assuring total cooperation . The elections to 15th Lok Sabha are over. Verdict should be seen as a preferred majority choice displayed by the Indian Nation in favour of Congress lead UPA government for next five years ( five years since Man Mohan Singh has earlier ( 2004-09) managed to carry on with much more fractured mandate / compromises even with unhealthy demands of those who supported UPA Government. The election results do give some positive signals but it would be too early to jump to conclusions on failures and successes of contestants of Lok Sabha elections.
Congress secured only 206 seats in the Lok Sabha. But there were many who trumpeted this as overwhelming win for Congress though even UPA fell short by 10 MPs for simple majority. A race was set to predict " Free Working " for Man Mohan Singh Jee .Still it took 12 days for UPA to give the people their new functional government after the election results were known. So as on 17 May Congress was to still have minimum 66 props of "different materials" (/ ideologies/ aims /objectives/ intentions ) to rest on. These materially different " props" may behave differently under same class of stress. Two nearest allies of UPA ( TMC and DMK ) did not take much time to disturb Man Mohan Singh. Third front that was cemented only with self ambitions of the leaders of its constituents had seen the worst humiliation. NCP had seen a collapse of Pawar´s "Dream Chair" and had no choice than to go with the commands of Sonia Gandhi. The foes of BJP had become friends of Congress only for their own survival as they could not fight with both BJP and Congress.
Only nineteen ministers could take oath of office along with Man Mohan Singh on 22 May . Till 28 May portfolios of only 6 ministers were known. The pressures from the allies could be well sensed . In true sense the functional government could be installed only after 28 May since departments were allocated to Ministers only after 59 more ministers took oath. It appears that the coalition partners are more for their self and less for stability of Man Mohan Singh government.
UPA allies and those who are supporting Congress lead government may be now feeling more scared of larger parties like Congress & BJP in view of the poor performance of TDP, L J P, RJD, SP and even BSP and CPM / CPI. So there could be more indirect concerted efforts by some allies to weaken the programmes that could reestablish Congress . Process has been started with the pressures that the weak UPA allies have put on Sonia Gandhi & Man Mohan Singh for securing the ministerial berths .Allies are more worried about getting those ministries whose funds and influence could be better used to woo the common voters in the name of food, caste, subsidies, rural / tribal development , agriculture and allocation of funds . Nominating the ministers and allocating departments is the prerogative of the Prime Minister does not matter much to the allies. Some allies may use this argument to save the humiliations they after they fail to bargain.
Ofcourse elections to 15th Lok Sabha have been very frustrating for exit poll experts. All the Regional and small National level political parties would be now out to repair their fields . Some UPA associates may even find ways and means to project their self as independent of any absolute alliance . Normally after the elections the focus of the leaders shifts from the voter to drawing out personal benefits from the government for next five years. But the 15 th Lok Sabha election results may force some change in behavior of political parties. They will have to also work for strengthening their vote bank right from day one .
Political alliances are forced compulsions. So far the only objective of the non Congress / non BJP leaders was (i) to paint BJP as enemy of all those who are not HINDU and check BJP moving too near to magic numbers and (ii ) to weaken the cadre as well as number count of Congress MPs. It appears that NDA has been herded out ( BJP has been checked from growing ) . But Congress has instead gained more strength. It has caused more worries to UPA allies.
Some more time is needed for finding out the spirit behind the 2009 Lok Sabha Election results. But it could be said that (I ) the people of India appear to have voted for stability through larger party (ii) and some likely rejection of those practicing more of caste / region based politics too could be seen. One thing that has gone more in favour of Congress in comparison( as large party ) to BJP is the "Grand Mother" image of Congress. The rural, poor and backward area people of India know more of Congress as a party that lead Indian Independence Movement. Innocent Indian people acknowledge Congress party as the "descendent" of Gandhi and Nehru. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, even Prianka are received with emotional affection since they carry Gandhi with them. The Congress men well know that it is the Gandhi/ Indira/ Nehru "mantra" and not the strength of Congress cadres that can attract the voter citizen . It is only this "mantra" that has forced compulsive loyalties in Elder Congressmen. Sonia Gandhi added more strength and glamour to this Mantra by staying away from the chair of the Prime Minister. She is no doubt the tallest leader of the day. Many welfare schemes for the poor and rural as of GOI are named after Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Nehru / Gandhi. The poor and common voter citizen gets carried by the thinking that the aids/ assistances / subsidies / development are being done by Gandhi / Nehru Family .It has been going to the advantage of Congress. BJP has lesser all India base and NDA is hence more dependent on allies. So Congress could become a preferred larger party.
Elections are over. There are many injured tigers in the "Company" of Man Mohan Singh so all well meaning people shall have to stand with Government at New Delhi BJP /NDA should not simply hopefully hope for the collapse of UPA Government. . Both Congress and BJP must work together in national interests. Election circus is over , results must be taken sportingly by all. May be we could hope to see in another five years the end of those who have been only using religion to scare, misguide and exploit the innocent common Indian. The minority and majority communities will have to stand firmly against the wickedness of the Politician.
( Daya Sagar is social activist and Sr. Columnists on Kashmir affairs dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk)
No doubt Man Mohan Singh Jee deserves all appreciations and support . Lal Krishan Advani too has congratulated Man Mohan Singh & Sonia Gandhi assuring total cooperation . The elections to 15th Lok Sabha are over. Verdict should be seen as a preferred majority choice displayed by the Indian Nation in favour of Congress lead UPA government for next five years ( five years since Man Mohan Singh has earlier ( 2004-09) managed to carry on with much more fractured mandate / compromises even with unhealthy demands of those who supported UPA Government. The election results do give some positive signals but it would be too early to jump to conclusions on failures and successes of contestants of Lok Sabha elections.
Congress secured only 206 seats in the Lok Sabha. But there were many who trumpeted this as overwhelming win for Congress though even UPA fell short by 10 MPs for simple majority. A race was set to predict " Free Working " for Man Mohan Singh Jee .Still it took 12 days for UPA to give the people their new functional government after the election results were known. So as on 17 May Congress was to still have minimum 66 props of "different materials" (/ ideologies/ aims /objectives/ intentions ) to rest on. These materially different " props" may behave differently under same class of stress. Two nearest allies of UPA ( TMC and DMK ) did not take much time to disturb Man Mohan Singh. Third front that was cemented only with self ambitions of the leaders of its constituents had seen the worst humiliation. NCP had seen a collapse of Pawar´s "Dream Chair" and had no choice than to go with the commands of Sonia Gandhi. The foes of BJP had become friends of Congress only for their own survival as they could not fight with both BJP and Congress.
Only nineteen ministers could take oath of office along with Man Mohan Singh on 22 May . Till 28 May portfolios of only 6 ministers were known. The pressures from the allies could be well sensed . In true sense the functional government could be installed only after 28 May since departments were allocated to Ministers only after 59 more ministers took oath. It appears that the coalition partners are more for their self and less for stability of Man Mohan Singh government.
UPA allies and those who are supporting Congress lead government may be now feeling more scared of larger parties like Congress & BJP in view of the poor performance of TDP, L J P, RJD, SP and even BSP and CPM / CPI. So there could be more indirect concerted efforts by some allies to weaken the programmes that could reestablish Congress . Process has been started with the pressures that the weak UPA allies have put on Sonia Gandhi & Man Mohan Singh for securing the ministerial berths .Allies are more worried about getting those ministries whose funds and influence could be better used to woo the common voters in the name of food, caste, subsidies, rural / tribal development , agriculture and allocation of funds . Nominating the ministers and allocating departments is the prerogative of the Prime Minister does not matter much to the allies. Some allies may use this argument to save the humiliations they after they fail to bargain.
Ofcourse elections to 15th Lok Sabha have been very frustrating for exit poll experts. All the Regional and small National level political parties would be now out to repair their fields . Some UPA associates may even find ways and means to project their self as independent of any absolute alliance . Normally after the elections the focus of the leaders shifts from the voter to drawing out personal benefits from the government for next five years. But the 15 th Lok Sabha election results may force some change in behavior of political parties. They will have to also work for strengthening their vote bank right from day one .
Political alliances are forced compulsions. So far the only objective of the non Congress / non BJP leaders was (i) to paint BJP as enemy of all those who are not HINDU and check BJP moving too near to magic numbers and (ii ) to weaken the cadre as well as number count of Congress MPs. It appears that NDA has been herded out ( BJP has been checked from growing ) . But Congress has instead gained more strength. It has caused more worries to UPA allies.
Some more time is needed for finding out the spirit behind the 2009 Lok Sabha Election results. But it could be said that (I ) the people of India appear to have voted for stability through larger party (ii) and some likely rejection of those practicing more of caste / region based politics too could be seen. One thing that has gone more in favour of Congress in comparison( as large party ) to BJP is the "Grand Mother" image of Congress. The rural, poor and backward area people of India know more of Congress as a party that lead Indian Independence Movement. Innocent Indian people acknowledge Congress party as the "descendent" of Gandhi and Nehru. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, even Prianka are received with emotional affection since they carry Gandhi with them. The Congress men well know that it is the Gandhi/ Indira/ Nehru "mantra" and not the strength of Congress cadres that can attract the voter citizen . It is only this "mantra" that has forced compulsive loyalties in Elder Congressmen. Sonia Gandhi added more strength and glamour to this Mantra by staying away from the chair of the Prime Minister. She is no doubt the tallest leader of the day. Many welfare schemes for the poor and rural as of GOI are named after Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Nehru / Gandhi. The poor and common voter citizen gets carried by the thinking that the aids/ assistances / subsidies / development are being done by Gandhi / Nehru Family .It has been going to the advantage of Congress. BJP has lesser all India base and NDA is hence more dependent on allies. So Congress could become a preferred larger party.
Elections are over. There are many injured tigers in the "Company" of Man Mohan Singh so all well meaning people shall have to stand with Government at New Delhi BJP /NDA should not simply hopefully hope for the collapse of UPA Government. . Both Congress and BJP must work together in national interests. Election circus is over , results must be taken sportingly by all. May be we could hope to see in another five years the end of those who have been only using religion to scare, misguide and exploit the innocent common Indian. The minority and majority communities will have to stand firmly against the wickedness of the Politician.
( Daya Sagar is social activist and Sr. Columnists on Kashmir affairs dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk)
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