The next positive turn in “India story” could therefore be
that with a strong and accountable leadership at the helm (a) bureaucracy will
not be afraid to take decision and (b) businessmen will feel confident that “once
they pay, their work will get done”. The jammed investment cycle may hence get
moving.
Anyone expecting more than this should be ready to face
major disappointment.
Three notable political events have occurred this week – (a)
Jagan Reddy of YSR Congress was released from Jail after 16 months and
instantly got tremendous welcome from his supporters, almost bringing Hyderabad
to a halt; (b) Narendra Modi addressed two gatherings (Delhi and Mumbai) and
got tremendous response; and (c) Lalu Prasad Yadav, RJD Chief was convicted and
arrested in 17years old fodder scam and just few hundred of RJD supporters got
mildly agitated that too mostly in front of TV cameras-no stone pelting, no
Bihar Bandh, no effigy burning, no arson.
These events, read under the shadow of recently broken lamp of
infamous “Let Criminals Contest Elections Ordinance” present a conundrum that
needs to be solved to understand where the fabled “India story” is headed.
It is too early to talk about the dénouement but the next “turn”
could probably be foreseen.
In our “Discover India” trip this summer we had discovered that
“corruption” may not be an issue for a vast majority of our youth population at
least not in the way we would like it to be. (see
here)
The heroic welcome to Jagan Reddy flails the claims that young
voters are less tolerant of corruption. Narendra Modi’s willingness, (not wrong
to say eagerness) to seek alliance with Jagan Reddy, B. S. Yeddurappa, O. P.
Chautala, and perhaps Mayawati, also highlights that probity in public life is
not a major issue at this point in time, notwithstanding the public discourse.
Congress party’s alliance with JMM and RJD in Jharkhand also vindicates this
view.
The argument that the UPA regime has seen maximum number of
politicians going to jail and hence it should be credited with making
substantial progress in cleansing of Indian polity is also flawed. Because
Congress only let those go to jail who had lost relevance to it. A. Raja and
Konimozhi went to jail after DMK lost badly in Tamil Nadu and it was clear that
it is becoming a liability to Congress. Otherwise there is a long list of who
should have but did not make it to jail.
In our view therefore the argument that India is growing less
tolerant to corruption is completely invalid at this point in time.
However, if a decisive and strong leadership emerges at the
center, there are good chances that corruption gets centralized and less
brazen. Those who watch UP closely would appreciate our view better. Under a
decisively strong leadership of Mayawati, the life of common man was much
better than it is under the present regime.
The next positive turn in India story could therefore be that
with a strong and accountable leadership at the helm (a) bureaucracy will not
be afraid to take decision and (b) businessmen will feel confident that “once
they pay, their work will get done”. The jammed investment cycle may hence get
moving.
Anyone expecting more than this should be ready to face major
disappointment.
On a lighter note, the recent political events in USA and Italy
demonstrate that politicians are same everywhere.
Also read:
Thought for the day
“It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.”
Voltaire (French, 1694-1778)
Word of the day
Capricious (adj)
Apt to change suddenly; whimsical; changeable.
(Source: Dictionary.com)
Shri Nārada Uvāca
What should RJD leaders now be doing?
(a) Forget Lalu & Sons, elect a new leader and move on.
(b) Anoint his son and slither into oblivion.
(c) Forget Lalu & Sons and make JDU more united.
(d) Forget JP and RML and join Congress.
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