“Imitation is the best form of flattery”, thus quoted Oscar Wilde long ago. Well, it seems BJP had taken it to the heart. In their quest to kick the Congress out of India, BJP is trying to learn the political lessons from the past history of Congress. This past of Congress is not so glorious, their opponents should recreate it. Most of these particular actions were severely criticized by the BJP and every other party, when in opposition.
The art of politics should be learnt from the oldest annals of recorded and pre-recorded history. It was always the same. One shall have the knack of inducing the enemy into a trap before eliminating the enemy. Now, there are many ways to do it. While no one questions the motive to eliminative the enemy, the modus operandi is very much questioned, for it shall follow the morality of the society of prevailing times, for if the procedure is inferior, it would affect the society in an adverse manner. And then there are classic cases when the one who sets up the trap walks into the trap and the opponent jeers, like the sermon by none other than by Rahul Baba, who inherited ‘Power & Party’ to lecture BJP on ‘Democracy’!
Much to the chagrin of countrymen, Congress party had contributed tremendously to the eradication of the moral fabric of this country. In the immediate aftermath of the independence, Congressmen had started displaying their true selves that was happily immersed in corruption. Even the letters from Mahatma Gandhi to the then Prime Minister failed to evoke any response, forget action from the gentleman who was at the helm of the affairs of the nascent nation. It is not untrue to say Gandhi was already a much dejected personality considering the corruption that spread the entire nation like a plague. Intelligent politician he was, he immediately advised to dissolve the Congress party as a political party to prevent the downfall of the nation, though none heard his appeals. The Congressmen were busy in enjoying the newly acquired power and consolidating it by amassing wealth.
Then ‘Chacha’ struck. The democratically elected government of EMS Namboodripad was dismissed and President’s rule was imposed for the first time, only to be repeated with a regular frequency. The first dismissal was an irony, considering the fact that a ‘Communist’ party was democratically elected for the first time (normally they simply overthrow the existing administration in a coup). And Congress, along with IUML was fighting against the ‘land reforms’ bill introduced by Namboodripad. [I would like to imagine how Shri Rahulji Gandhi would respond to this situation, given the fact that he claims to fight for the poor and his party’s record was always opposite to whatever he thinks, says and does].
Of course, no one can come even close to Indira Gandhi, when it comes to dismissing the elected governments. She was almost like Anil Kumble on Delhi wicket. She left many a chief ministers of state, wondering why the hell they were kicked out of doing their – well, duty. She only had a record of achieving a half century in imposing the President’s rule. Since the days of emergency, President’s rule was something that was abhorred by all non-Congress leaders.
But, it appears BJP was successful in scoring two self-goals in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh. Frankly, speaking the eagerness exhibited by the leadership of BJP could only be equated to the impatience of a little boy stealing toffees from the jar. And like the little boy who drops the jar only to wake up sleeping mother, all BJP could do was to get commented by the Supreme Court, which reinstated the state governments in both instances.
If it was the lack of mathematical skills on its part for the fiasco of Uttarakhand, it was the over enthusiasm by the Governor that caused embarrassment, that is if BJP considers reversal of its orders by the Supreme Court as an embarrassment. However, given the way BJP responded it appears they want people to believe it was Supreme Court that erred. Nice. It may work with the so called Bhakts, but not with the constituency of the population that voted them to power. If BJP thinks that memory of voters is too short (though it is true to certain extent), they would be repeating same mistake committed by the Congress that underestimated the citizens of India.
If BJP were to follow Congress, voters would have continued with Congress itself. There is no harm in thinking and trying to extend the footprint of BJP and rule all states of India. That was what Congress did in the post independence days.
But, kicking out elected governments in an arbitrary manner is not the way for a political party that claims to be different [Yeah, long before AAP, BJP used to claim that it was a party with a differences. Then Advani wanted to become Prime Minister at the expense of the party and it became a party with differences].
When BJP won Assam everyone from common citizens to the ever-hostile media recognized the work done by the cadre and decisions taken by the leadership. The leadership was criticized for the failure in Bihar. In politics, one shall learn from past mistakes and by not repeating them. Does it mean they have every right to commit new mistakes? It seems someone craving the attention of the core leadership of BJP was trying to sell some dreams based on false impressions.
If BJP wants to dismiss a state government, there is only one way of doing it, when the country is not facing any emergency situation like war or something similar to it – Only through a vote in the assembly. Yes, in the assembly, it is the speaker’s decision that prevails. If the speaker is with the chief minister, who lost the confidence of majority members, speakers have, in the past resorted to simply suspend opposing MLAs. This fact was recognized even by the Supreme Court when it commented on the speaker’s action of suspending MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh.
But, on its part Supreme Court had not concluded the issue. The Court should have ordered a floor test, like they ordered in case of Uttarakhand. In case of Arunachal Pradesh, court restricted itself only to indict Governor, Speaker and the Centre, but failed to provide a solution, for reinstating the chief minister, the court is removing a chief minister, who enjoys majority in the assembly.
Does it mean, the court wrongly reinstated the old chief minister? No! The courts comments are on the way things were executed and not on the ‘merit’ of what had transpired. Considering the ‘Justice not only to be done, but to be seen it is done’, the courts comments are correct.
Another significant point court observed was that it is not the job of Governor to remain aloof of what happens in the state. This brings the question that was being asked for many decades. Why we are continuing with this gubernatorial appointments. Only to reward old politicians for their loyalty? And, when the speaker is wrong in suspending MLAs, court said that it is not a concern to the Governor. The court expects the suspended MLAs to knock on its doors. Rather, the court might have framed guidelines that the Governor should seek advice from the Chief Justice of the high court. Perhaps, it will prevent some valuable time of all courts from being wasted. Or is it time to abolish the practice of appointing Governors and relegate few responsibilities to the CJ of HC? May be.
Coming to the tryst of BJP with President’s rule, it would do a bit of good to BJP if they have a look of their governor appointees. Most of them are simple party workers, with little or no administration experience. When Congress plans to dissolve the state government, it prepares the situation and does a lot of home work. The BJP Governors, on the other hand are only trying to please their masters by using their assumed muscle power.
Had BJP handled the situation of Arunachal Pradesh in a more subtle manner, Congress would be licking its wounds. But, BJP had mastered the art of converting the culprits into martyrs and what it got in return? Now, anyway the news of Nabam tuki’s resignation before ‘no floor test’ proves that BJP failure is mainly attributed to procedural mistakes only. BJP should have waited till the next session of assembly and moved no confidence motion, which probably would have given them not only a strategic, but a moral victory. Now all BJP could achieve was to get commented by the court and got an image of ‘power hungry’ party and exposed lack of constitutional experts in the rank and file [One cannot run to Jaitley for every issue]. On the other hand BJP provided Congress to re-organie and plan. With the selection of Pema Khandu as CLP leader, the alleged ‘rebels’ of Congress are back in fold. Only CM changed, but in all probability the Congress government survived. In a way, BJP helped Congress in solving the rebellion in the party, by creating a situation wherein the high command was forced to listen to the rebels. That’s all. As simple as that.
The return gift for the latest fiasco was in full display when Rahul Gandhi thanked Supreme Court to explain what ‘democracy’ is to Narendra Modi. Of course, it would be useless reminding him the glorious contribution of his family elders to the imposition of President’s rule. But, BJP was not expected to follow their footsteps! It is high time BJP stop imitating Congress’ practices and think on its own and respond to situations considering what they would have done had they been still in the opposition. If BJP is serious about the Congress-mukt Bharat, people are also serious that only a party that doesn’t behave like Congress would replace Congress. Not another Congress with a different name.