Will Sonia, Rahul step down ?
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi
Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira and Rajiv Gandhi
The results of the recently
concluded elections in a
number of states, including
the mother of them all, viz.
Uttar Pradesh, have
resulted in major gains for
the BJP/NDA and further dwindling of
the Opposition, led by the
Congress/UPA. While this augers well
for a strong government that can
govern better than before, the further
marginalization of the Opposition is
not at all good for democracy, as
democracies work best when checks
and balances are firmly in place.
Historically, it has been proved that
ruling parties with huge majorities
have resulted in flawed, if not highly
authoritarian, political decisions, which
have hurt the polity in a number of
ways. Examples of the Nehru, Indira and Rajiv's eras immediately
come to mind.
In a democracy and one
as chaotic as ours, it is well
established that political
parties with huge majorities
and weak Oppositions have
adversely impacted on the
growth and fortunes of the
nation in many crucial
issues. Hence, while it is
important that the ruling
party should have the
confidence of the majority of
citizens, which is so today;
there should also be a
credible and effective Opposition, so
that any propensities for forcing
agendas that may be harmful for the
nation are kept in check.
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi
It is only then that good governance,
progress, economic growth, security
and sovereignty of the nation, improvement in the lives of the
masses, and similar other aspects; will
remain on an even keel.
After the recent state elections in
both large and small states and
notwithstanding assumption of power in a few small states by not adhering to
the spirit of the Constitution as well as
past norms, it is fairly obvious that the
domestic political power equation has
shifted heavily to the BJP.
Obviously, the electorate has
reposed its faith in the party, whether
on account of anti-incumbency;
inadequate governance; corruption; or
other reasons. I have no quarrel with
this and hope the BJP and its allies
forming the NDA will deliver.
However, a complete decimation of
the other political parties is also not
good for our democracy. Democracies
thrive when there is a credible
opposition. Otherwise, there are likely
to be adverse effects, which may well
be increased imposition of policies not
suited to a diverse nation as ours, or in
the worst case, even authoritarianism
of some variety. After all, one should
pay heed to that old adage - "Power
corrupts and absolute power corrupts
absolutely"!
At present, the Lok Sabha
comprising a total of 545 seats has 339
forming part of the ruling NDA, led by the BJP and 206 in the Opposition, of
which the principal opposition is the
UPA having only 48 seats. The others
support one side or the other
depending on prevailing issues or
agendas. In the Rajya Sabha, on the
other hand, the equation is so far
favourable to the Opposition, as it has
a total of 171 seats, while the NDA can
muster only 74 seats.
Historically, it has been
proved that ruling
parties with huge
majorities have resulted
in flawed if not highly
authoritarian political
decisions, which have
hurt the polity in a
number of ways.
Examples of the Nehru,
Indira and Rajiv's eras
immediately come to
mind.
The equation in the Rajya Sabha is
set to change, as present incumbents
finishing their tenures are likely to be
replaced by more BJP/NDA
representatives, on account of rise of
the BJP/NDA ruled states.
Within the Opposition, the Congress
Party has more seats than the others in
both Houses. However, in the last three
years or so the Congress is on the
decline, mainly because it is continuing
to be led by the same leaders that are
actually responsible for its rapid
implosion, viz. the mother and son duo
of the Gandhi Dynasty.
One does not need to be a rocket
scientist to understand that if the
present leadership in the Congress
Party continues, there is little hope for
the revival of this oldest party of the
nation, despite a minimal infusion on
account of the Congress win in Punjab.
Yet, the other leaders and the rank and
file of the Congress Party seem unable
to grasp this obvious truth and are
continuing to repose their faith and
fortunes with them!
In the army, we had learnt that
if a particular leader is unable to
lead well, for whatever reason, it is best
to replace him and select someone
else. History is replete with instances
where this has been done and the
dwindling fortunes changed for the
better.
Why the Congress Party does
not do so is a mystery or in this case,
perhaps 'a mystery wrapped in an
enigma'!
Frankly speaking, very few men and
women in our country want to see a
return of the old Congress Party in
power, but we do want an effective and
credible Opposition in Parliament for
ensuring that checks and balances
continue and there is no imposition of
authoritarian or near-authoritarian
rule by an individual or a political party.
The Congress Party still has a few
credible leaders and administrators in
the party, especially among the
younger lot, but no apparent move to
get rid of the current inept leadership is
discernable.
Is it a continuation of the
sycophantic and dynastic culture of the
past, or are the others unable or
unwilling to see the bold 'writing on the
wall'? Already, staunch and senior
members of the party, including those
who have held important positions in
the party hierarchy, are 'abandoning
ship'.
The move to drastically change the
Congress leadership must emanate
from within the party and the earlier it
does so, the better it will be for both
the party and the nation.
While change in leadership in the
Congress Party will undoubtedly be
helpful to the party, it will also result in
smaller political parties climbing the
band wagon. It is only then that a
credible opposition to the BJP
juggernaut will emerge.
The Congress, besides being the
oldest political party of the nation, still
has a pan-India structure of committed
party workers, albeit in a
somnambulist state at present and
have the funds and the organization to
revive their party and their fortunes,
provided they prevail on the present
leadership of the party to step down,
willingly or by other means and let younger and more competent leaders
take charge.
Even if they do not win forthcoming
elections, they would be able to play
the part of a constructive opposition, if
they are able to prevail on the others in
the opposition to their way of thinking.
For the BJP/NDA, it makes eminent
sense not to want any change in the
jaded leadership of the Congress Party,
For the BJP/NDA, it
makes eminent sense
not to want any change
in the jaded leadership
of the Congress Party,
as it makes their job
easier to wrest both
additional seats and
states from the Congress.
There is no lack of
evidence for prosecuting
the Gandhis in many
cases of malfeasances
and financial in
appropriateness, but
Prime Minister Modi has
quietly stayed even
obvious prosecutions
like the National Herald
and Vadra cases, to cite
only two.
as it makes their job easier to wrest
both additional seats and states from
the Congress. There is no lack of
evidence for prosecuting the Gandhis
in many cases of malfeasances and
financial inappropriateness, but
Prime Minister Modi has quietly stayed
even obvious prosecutions like the
National Herald and Vadra cases, to
cite only two.
Hence, getting the Gandhis to step
down will have to be an entirely
Congress affair. Are they up to it? I have
my doubts as there are no discernable
signals despite all the humiliations the
party has had in the last so many years.