Editorial: Missing the Message
“Sonia Gandhi gave her resignation to Sonia Gandhi, which was rejected by Sonia Gandhi because Sonia Gandhi felt that resignation of Sonia Gandhi is not the solution for problems created by Sonia Gandhi”, this was the message widely circulated through social media after the post-elections review meeting of the Congress Working Committee. On expected lines, Gandhis took the responsibility of the worst ever rout of the party, while the sycophants spent no time rejecting the resignations offered. As a written script, in response to resignations, a resolution was passed “appreciating the untiring efforts made by Sonia and Rahul in the elections.” Congress is still defying the lessons of this election. Politics of coterie, crushing of state leadership and absence of internal democracy were the most important reasons for the Congress debacle. Unless this message is clearly transpired within, there is no way out for the party.
| “The great national sin is the neglect of the masses, and that is one of the causes of our downfall. No amount of politics would be of any avail until the masses in India are once more well educated, well fed, and well cared for.” —Swami Vivekananda |
Not only the Congress, but even regional satraps of India are disregarding the mandate. Lalu who vouched that ‘Modi never will be the PM’ has refused to recognise him as the Executive head and undemocratically refused to even congratulate him. His rival and another Modi basher Nitish tried to gain a high moral ground by resigning but at the same time gave a push for bringing Bihar back to his casteist-communal agenda. People are aspiring for development and not ready to accept the remote controlled government, which Lalu and Nitish both have refused to accept.
Massive victory of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh has baffled SP and BSP as well. The UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has sacked its 36 decorative state ministers. He went on saying that his government is running best of the government in UP but failed to communicate with the voters. Mayawati on the other hand took an extreme step of dissolving the whole party organisation when the voices of dissent were cropping. Otherwise a strong cadre and caste based party like BSP is facing dissidence has a clear meaning. These regional parties of all important UP should recognise the fact that politics of caste and communalism has limitations and young voters are fed up of such divisive politics.
Another antique reaction to the election results came from one more dynastic leader Omar Abdullah. Denying basic infrastructure to the masses, complete neglect of Jammu and Ladakh region and hobnobbing with the secessionist elements as and when required, are the real causes behind the defeat of national conference. Without recognising the aspirations of youth, Abdullah and his critique shockingly linked the election results to the hanging of Afzal Guru, which is another unfortunate conclusion.
Vivekananda said, ‘neglect of the masses is a national sin’. Many parties in India are missing this point. Their misreading of mandate reflects the crisis of party structures in India. Politics is not a means to serve the personal or family interests but a bridge between self advancement and collective upliftment. This underlying principle of democracy needs to be strengthened in the coming days, not merely for the sake of these parties but in the national interest. Because the presence of a vibrant and constructive opposition with a national outlook is a democratic necessity and not an option.
-Prafulla Ketkar
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