Chandan Mitra
I joined politics when Ram Janmabhoomi Movement was going on. While reporting about that mass movement, I got attracted towards the ideology as well, later I joined that school of thought. Now I am completely engrossed into it.
As a journalist I have been observing and trying to understand politics for a while. Now I am actually into politics. On the basic of my experience I can conclude that there cannot be better policy than politics. Raj-Niti is the best Niti, therefore, whole social life revolves around it. Unfortunately, common people do not hold very high opinion about politics and politicians. The reason behind this is misuse of politics. Some people abused politics for their selfish motives that both politics and politicians are considered as iniquitous. That is the reason all ills and problems are subjected to political manipulations. Politicians should strive to correct these conceptions with their actions.
Many a times people ask me whether I hold the same thinking as a journalist and a politician. I want to make it clear that I am an editor of a news paper. In the contents like editorial and opinion articles, I give priority to my ideology but when it comes to news reporting I do not impose the ideological positions. News content is reported as it is. Although I do not disagree with the party position on almost 90 per cent of the issues but if there is any difference of opinion, then I write about it only after consultation within the party forum. I have to take care of this as a disciplined soldier of the party. That does not mean I compromise with my Dharma as a journalist.
I have been going to the Parliament as a journalist, reported parliamentary proceedings extensively. I used to listen to the speeches of eminent leaders very keenly. I am very proud of the fact that where I used to visit as a journalist to report the happenings, in that very Parliament I get a chance to air my views and opinions.
(The writer is editor of The Pioneer and a Rajya Sabha MP)
