“The Vendors vs. the Tea
Vendor”
By
J.L. Gupta
Historically,
Congress was a party of patriots like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, S.
Vallabh Bhai Patel, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Maulana Azad and Morarji Desai
etc. They had made sacrifices at the
altar of India’s independence. Fought relentlessly against the English rulers.
Lived by the truth. Suffered incarceration. Spent years in jail. But none of
them had ever given up the path of righteousness. Finally, we had attained
independence. We had given ourselves a Constitution and decided to be a democracy.
However, after Nehru, the Congress party’s respect for principles has been on
the wane. Even national emergency was inflicted on the nation. Able and honest
leaders were arrested before dawn. And nothing has been the same again. More particularly, the party’s performance
during the last decade has been pathetic. It has been a story of scams and
scandals. The way it has dealt with the national assets, the Congress can be
called a party of Vendors.
It
has projected Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate for quite some
time. He is the great grand son of Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the grand son of Pt.
Nehru’s daughter Indira and the son of Rajiv and Sonia. He was born on June 19,
1970. Unfortunately, his grandmother was
assassinated in 1984 and the father in 1991. “*Due to security concerns, he had
to shift schools. Studied “abroad under a pseudonym. … After obtaining degrees in international
relations and philosophy at the universities of Rollins and Cambridge, Gandhi
worked at the Monitor Group, a management consulting firm in London” (*Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). He is MP
for Amethi. The Media reports have not indicated that Rahul had any reservation
in the matter.
The
BJP had indicated that Narendra Damodardas Modi was its nominee for the Prime
Minister’s office. Born on Sept. 17, 1950, he holds a Master’s Degree in
Political Science from the Gujarat University.
He had made a humble beginning as a tea vendor. At present, he is the
Chief Minister of Gujarat for the third consecutive term. He has beaten the
Congress opponent every time.
Yet,
a pompous congressman tried to trivialize the candidature of Modi by saying
that ‘he would be permitted to set up a tea stall at the site of the Congress
session.’ The other side retorted that the fight is between one of the dynasty
and a tea-vendor. The Congress immediately developed cold feet. It decided to
wait for the MPs to elect the leader after the elections. Irrespective of all this,
the elections are at hand. As a citizen, I have to decide – For whom shall I
vote? Rahul or the tea vendor? Undoubtedly, Rahul is a Gandhi and has an
impressive lineage. But nothing more. On the other hand, the Tea Vendor has done
well as a Chief Minister. On consideration, I am not inclined to vote for Rahul
or the party he represents. Why?
1.
Rahul
has not given any evidence of having inherited any of the qualities that
Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders had. Rarely, he was seen in the Parliament.
Contribution? Never heard of any. Amethi is as it was. On Jan.17, 2014, he
delivered an address. The excerpts shown by the media indicated that Rahul was
not reading from a prepared script. He was trying to motivate the party cadres
and telling them to get ready for the big fight. Also endeavoring to introduce some humor by
talking of anarchy & marketing. A faithful party spokesman credited Rahul
with having spelt out ‘the values’ that Congress stands for. Really? Which
values? Today, the Congress and its corporates love only valuables. Not values.
Gold is the Congressman’s God. Money, their Mantra. These traits were evident during
the party’s pathetic performance in the last decade. It has been a story of
scams and scandals. Delhi elections virtually decimated theCongress. Are the coming events casting a shadow?
2.
Even
if Rahul did not have any connection with the Congress party, I think, he is
not fit to lead this country. First of all, the recent episode relating to the
Ordinance comes to mind. The Cabinet had finalized the draft of the Ordinance.
Forwarded it to the President. Under the
Constitution, the President ‘acts on the aid and advice of the Council of
Ministers.’ Not the Congress President much less than the Vice President. Yet,
Rahul called it ‘nonsense.’ And the cabinet was on its knees. Succumbed to the
VP’s wish. Followed the diktat of a member of the dynasty. The Ordinance did
not become the law. That may have been good for the country as the decision of
the Supreme Court was honoured. But the way it happened left a lot to desire.
It symbolizes Rahul’s personal arrogance despite the ignorance and lack of
respect for law. Can such a person be trusted with the post and powers of the
PM? I think, no!
3.
Rahul
Gandhi cannot boast of anything except lineage. No administrative experience.
No claim to any expertise or scholarship. How would he conduct the affairs of
the State? He is not equipped at all.
4.
As
against this, Modi has held the office of CM for three consecutive terms. The
Congress party has failed every time in its efforts to dislodge him. He has
done well for the State and the people. The Congress has not even been able to
level a charge of corruption against Modi while its own copybook is full of
blots. It is clear that under the tea vendor, the state of Gujarat has
progressed. It is not surprising that the ‘tea vendor’ is giving sleepless
nights to the dynasty and its cronies. The Congress seems to have been
afflicted with OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Each Congressman is trying
to find some fault with Modi. Initially, it was 2002. Coming from the party
that had practiced genocide in 1984, the allegation made no impact. When that
did not seem to stick, they talked of snooping. Finding no chance of success,
the PM Dr. Manmohan Singh tried to make a prophetic prediction. ‘Modi as PM
shall be a disaster.’ Coming from one who has been a disaster himself, nobody
seems to have even taken any notice of the comment.
Once
Rahul is rejected, the Tea Vendor is the only choice as Prime Minister!
I whole heartedly agree !! this country needs a dynamic clear thinking leader and not a person who has no idea about where he is coming from and which way he wants to go .. leave alone take his party and country … The sad part in Congress is that there is no OTHER person who is allowed to become important .. Jyotiraditya should have been in state politics for the past 10 years and so should be Sachin Pilot … They should rise from there and provide a credible alternative to this annoying family who we Indians cant seem to get rid of . GO Modi Go … Make India not congress free but Gandy free…
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that Rahul has demonstrated no ability to lead this country and will likely be rejected by the people. The Tea Vendor stands a good chance. However, there may yet be a surprise third element.
ReplyDeleteWe are waiting and watching with hope that whoever leads the country brings about the badly needed change. Rahul certainly cannot....lets see.
Secularism was inserted in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution in 1976 for a reason. It is a catalyst for peaceful coexistence of diverse faiths and cultural mélange. Without it there is no collective democracy. India must be a nation for the people of all faiths and cultures to enjoy life, liberty and pursuit of happiness and share the bright and prosperous future that is just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteCongress Party was elected and re-elected many times but has gradually become ineffective in governance. Manmohan Singh, a brilliant economist and a hardworking honest man became by default the head of a corrupt ruling hydra. BJP also had few chances but failed miserably in governance and in instilling confidence among the minority groups.
Notwithstanding, Congress Party still remains the only true secular party in India and boasts mass support from people of all faiths. BJP on the other hand has deep association with ultra-right organizations likes of RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena promoting concept of a Hindu Rashtra. Its aspirant for PM Job, Narendra Modi, had justified pogroms against Muslims in 2002 that had polarized the nation. He has bad track records in matters of secularism. Further there is little young blood in BJP apparatus and still controlled by old fossils with outdated governance skills. It therefore renders itself as an unfit crowd to govern India particularly with the emerging young and highly educated voters’ force.
BJP has always been as corrupt as Congress. They are both made of the same clay. According to Anna Hazare: "Every party is similar - some are graduates in corruption, while some others have got doctorates in it.”
Elections will be upon us soon and we the people will have to make choices in picking the new leaders. Toppling ineffective and corrupt Congress and replacing with equally corrupt, schismatic and blinkered right-wing BJP is not a right choice. We have experienced such idiocies before.
AAP has made inroads by winning the Delhi elections and is contemplating on contesting 2014 Lok Sabha seats in all the States. There is optimism in the air. AAP does present a better option compared to BJP and others. Its platform is based on Gandhian principles, inspirations from the anti-corruption crusades of Anna Hazare and desire to make peace and friendship with our neighbors. Certainly a breath of fresh air.
In unusually strong remarks, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Jan 3 rightly said: “It would be disastrous for the country to have Narendra Modi as the next prime minister.” Ved Mehta, an 80-year-old celebrated author of several books who lost his sight at the age of four, said at a recent Jaipur Literature Festival: “Modi will be a great danger to India because of his thinking differentiating between Hindus and Muslims.” He further added: "I am born in a secular race and I will die in a secular race. India is a secular country and we need someone with greater tolerance to helm the country."
Rahul as a PM is a big no-no. Why? He is immature in his thoughts and actions, ample evidence of which has been demonstrated. Also he comes from a lineage whose performance has spiraled down with each generation. Wisdom does not come with education. Narendra Modi, on the other hand has a better lineage (compared to Rahul!) and is wise. On a party front, Congress has proved the old joke well. That if "con:" is the opposite of "pro", is Congress the opposite of Progress?. In the last decade, the Party has been an expert in "Con"-ning the Nation. While BJP may be labeled as non-secular, is Congress not the same? Look back in the history. Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Vellupillai Prabhakaran were the personalities supported and promoted by Congress. This is common knowledge. The role of Dhirendra Brahmchari, "the Indian Rasputin", his political sway during the Emergency of 1975-77 and his ownership of Shiva Gun Factory are publically known. Congress has had its share of slyness.
ReplyDeleteGiven the circumstances, who do the people of India choose?
For a leader, NaMo is a great choice. For a Party, there is none.
While Rahul is a fake symbol of dynastic opportunism, the populist anarchy can be dangerous! To deal with wheeler dealers and vadras, country needs a change. The Loh- Purush has to be brought at the helm of affairs!
ReplyDeleteRahul Gandhi emerged like “a boy in a man’s world” during a recent interview with Arnab Goswami. He needs to hone his political skills. Nonetheless, he was smart enough and never said that he was an aspirant for the job of the PM. Although earlier at an AICC rally he did say that “if the Congress party so chooses and the party wants me to do anything for them, I am happy to do that. It's respect for the process”. At least he understands the process that his opponent and BJP have flouted.
ReplyDeleteThe process in our parliamentary system of government is that the prime minister is chosen by the MPs of a majority party (or coalition of parties) after the elections. Deciding and announcing a PM candidate prior to an election without consent of the elected MPs is not what the process is. The BJP has a tradition of declaring its candidate for PM at the start of the campaign. It wants to make it more like a presidential race in the US and go to election with a single personality rather than its collective platforms and the issues facing the nation. BJP's parliamentary board decided that Narendra Modi would be its PM candidate in the 2014 elections in spite of objections from its senior-most leader LK Advani, and others like Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi.
Writing on the wall is that Congress will do very badly in the 2014 elections. Polls after polls show BJP well ahead of the Congress and projected to win 188 seats in the 545-member LS. It will not be enough to form a government without a coalition with regional parties.The regional parties could be the major players. They could very well demand how the government will be formed. Modi may not be acceptable to many from states that believe in secularism. Modi will have struggle to find coalition allies as his image remains tarnished by communal riots in Gujarat in 2002.
Though recent opinion polls give the BJP a clear edge in the general elections some political pundits say the rise of AAP, buoyed by its success in Delhi and currently an ambitious membership drive recruiting several high-profile members, might upset the forecasts. Congress and non-Congress secular parties and the Left can also get together and form a coalition government. Then the “boy among men” may get promoted from VP to the leader of Congress and end up as the PM of the nation.
Do not write Rahul off yet.
Jai Hind
Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThings must be desperate for NaMo. He is seeking support of self-proclaimed god men and charlatans instead of contesting on his own laurels. Spiritual leader and renowned yoga exponent Baba Ramdev on Monday said that he would support BJP’s PM candidate and would mobilize "50 crore voters" in ‘Dharmayuddha 2014' on 23 March 2014, the death anniversary of India’s most beloved freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. It is sad and shameful. Babaji does not know that Bhagat Singh died to free his secular country from a foreign oppressor while objective of this Dharamayuddha campaign would be to install a known communal oppressor as the head of the country. Babaji should just stick to his mastered techniques in vibrating his stomach and intestines to sell miracle herbals and become super rich.
ReplyDeleteBabaji's endorsement does not earn a plus for NaMo and does not look promising for a secular India and her minorities. Modi as a proponent of a Hindu Rashtra is becoming obvious every day..
Jai Hind
Thanks Phuphaji for echoing the sentiments of atleast half the Indian population, though of course the elections will testify that number. The critical issue is not corruption as much as is the quality of governance. Congress has failed miserably on that account. It is noteworthy that the best governed states in the country are all non congress states, most of which are governed by BJP governments. Some of the corruption in our country is systemic, i.e. funding of elections and therefore the need for a kitty. Narendra Modi has proven credentials. That he was a tea vendor certainly is no qualification since we do not want to glorify child labour and poverty and would rather work to remove both (65 years is more than enough time to have done that) Congress clearly appears to work against national interests. Their leaders openly come and lie to the people of the nation. While the whole nation, the media, international watch dogs are proclaiming utter failure of governance and paralysis of policy, yet the leaders most unashamedly give to themselves the highest grades. Congress is also the most communal party which has divided people on caste and religious lines. Jawahar Lal Nehru while being a nationalist was too much of an elitist to rule this nation at its birth. Someone more grassroot may have been better. However that is past and cannot be corrected. Narendra Modi is my choice for this correction. Rahul will not only be an apology but an insult inflicted on the people of this nation.
ReplyDeleteAbout one-third of 2014 electorate will be the first-time voters, young and educated. They will have enough clout to make a political difference and will be casting their vote for younger, cool and savvy technocrats with proven governance skills and not the old-school geriatric groupies, swamis, babajis, and Maulanas. To them NM and RG are “no-choice candidates”. The moment more wholesome alternatives, for whom they will not have to bargain with their conscience, surface, they will swing.
ReplyDeleteBJP has always been good at playing the religion and caste cards. It goes well with its agenda to portray saffron clad candidates as the face of Hinduism and exploit the caste composition and schmaltziness of older and conservative voters. BJP already has influence among the upper Hindu castes and OBC identity of its PM nominee can work in favor of the party particularly in crucial state like UP where the upper castes and the OBC together make for more than 50 per cent of its populace and sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha. BJP and its candidates do not have any time to waste in reassuring the apprehensive minorities and preaching secularism. With the rising popularity of NaMo there are concerns that he will adopt a polarizing strategy to win votes. Not good news for our nation.
Jai Hind.