POWER CENTRES

India, in the last 60 yrs has had govt with varying political strength. In all the cases, the head of the govt, Prime Minister, has been peoples representative from Lok Sabha.

THE PRIME MINISTER

This Government is headed by Dr Manmohan Singh who is not from Lok Sabha and has to manage with support of over 20 parties who have their own political agenda. There are instances when even congress members have embarrassed their own party colleagues/ministers. Recent case is that of Kapil Sibal having been embarrassed by congress member on the education bill. Jairam Ramesh taking on PMO regarding projects in N-E. Ministers not belonging to congress don’t follow the Prime Minister and his policies or directions. If he had effective control, alleged corruption running into few lakh crores may not have happened (Telecom-Sugar-Satyam-CWG etc).This seems a result of him being an “appointed” Prime Minister rather than being “elected”. It shows Prime Minister as a weak authority, thus encouraging elements from within congress to create a separate power centre.

NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.

This is being headed by Mrs Sonia Gandhi. It being “advisory” and “national” says a lot about its responsibilities and functions. At times NAC is not in same line of thinking as the govt lead by Dr Manmohan singh. Ministers of supporting parties may not be actually following the guidelines of NAC.A recent disagreement by Sharad Pawar on a suggestion by the NAC on food policy is an example of complete disconnect resulting into non cooperation between Govt, NAC and various supporting parties. There are congressmen who would rather be with power centre at 10 Janpath than at 7 RCR.

IN ALL THIS, A YOUNG DEVELOPING POLITICIAN IN THE MAKING HAS TAKEN CENTRE STAGE WHICH HAS CREATED ANOTHER STRONG POWER CENTRE.

RAHUL GANDHI--- CONG GEN SECRETARY.

A single statement from him does change the govt policy and of course the polity. He chooses the subject on whom he wants to speak. He has emerged as a strong power centre. Every statement of his gets discussed and focused upon. His views on Vedanta are well known, His statement that if a member of Gandhi family was in power, Babri would not have been demolished, his statement on Bangladesh creation was Gandhi family decision , his statement that Omar is doing a tough job and needs support, his statement equating RSS to SIMI are all very significant. But for his support, Omar would have been shown the door long back. Each of his action or statement gets major press coverage, but, never is criticised. Of the 543 MPs, only his tours are an event for the media, his breaking of security cordon is news; his getting into local train is news, his visits to Dalit homes is news. He along with his advisers and” young brigade” is another power centre. Media calls him YUVRAJ.

With three different power centres, what is message for this democratic country?

PAPPU is still awaiting ROTI-KAPADA-MAKAN

let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW