Monday, August 20, 2007

so, what's the point?

Venkaiah Naidu typifies the Indian politician. The BJP leader has sounded out his subordinates to be ready for a snap poll in case the Congress - Left alliance (otherwise known as the UPA) collapses. Nothing inherently wrong in that. We've been seeing it from the time when India became an independent country, and elected its own leaders.
Of course, since then, we've had opportunistic, greedy men pillage and ravage people's faith in the system. Today it's made us cynical to the core. Perhaps, a little too hardened as well.
So, thick skinned that when Naidu makes an irresponsible comment like the one he made in Bangalore, we think nothing of it. Saying that a government is about to collapse is a serious matter. The fact that there will be instability, discontinuation of several programmes and initiatives, derailing of policies that haven't even finished their incubation period, are all irrelevant.
The only thing that matters is that the BJP comes back in to power. He has been critical of the Congress, but hasn't suggested a way to mend things. He's said that his partymen should be ready in case there's a vacuum at the top. What happens once that vacuum is sealed, no one really knows. The sad part is that no one cares. If the BJP is in power, it will take some populist decisions, some hardline decisions to appease its allies and then continue to hoard wealth. The Congress will bitch and moan, complain and throw tantrums, yet completely ignore coming up with any truly progressive ideas.
When I was in school, I was taught that every member of Parliament has the right and privilege of being able to table a bill. I would love to meet a parliamentarian who has in his career tabled a bill that has gone on to help the poorest individuals in his constituency.
The problem is that, the opposition, instead of being a watchdog, conspires constantly to bring down the party in power. It's the Indian crab syndrome. Can you imagine what might happen if all parties agreed on an issue. Besides, most of India's citizens suffering from a combined heart flutter, it might actually contribute to some progress.
That might be the best way to ensure that we have a stable government and we have some constructive criticism rather than an air of pure, unadulterated negativity around us.
If there's credit to a plan, there's credit to a plan... But don't tell that to the Indian politician...
he's too busy trying to stop being the opposition.

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