THE POLITICS OF CONVENIENCE
Political pundits are hovering all over like seasonal flies.
They are seen on Print and electronic media. They are on social sites like Face
book, twitter and so on. Most of them have taken positions. Others want to be
either politically correct or are just sitting on the fences. One thing is very
much common and that is ‘politics of convenience’. BJP and Congress have well
trained and well briefed spokespersons. In addition they have well informed,
high decibel, convent educated professionals. Speaking for one and against all
others is their job. Well this is a job that has possible rewards in terms of a
Rajya Sabha Seat or some other equivalent position. AAP is also, after their
unprecedented success in Delhi elections, deluged with applications for
membership. Some are taking premature retirement, some are quitting their well
paid jobs, and some are taking a break from their chosen field of education.
They also smell a good future with AAP.
AAP is welcoming them with folded hands and if the amount of donation is
good enough with bowed heads too.
It is possibly time to take a stand, temporarily if not for
ever. In any case who can commit oneself with a particular party for ever?
Ideology like silver loses its shine if not covered well. BJP has shifted stand
many times on Ram Mandir. Their Prime Ministerial candidate NAMO is not even
talking about Mandir or Hindutva. Congress too has tried many combinations and
finally advised its maybe PM Rahul Gandhi to take strong stand against
corruption.
AAP is just new and has yet to take stand on many national
and international issues. One of its founder members is soft on Kashmir and
does not mind handing over it to Pakistan. They have the benefit of newness and
can afford to wait till they cross the bridge. They will however be shortly
tested on their stand on illegal Bangladeshis in Delhi. Water and electricity
subsidies are fine but ultimately it is nothing but transferring money from one
pocket to another. The finance for subsidy comes from taxes only be it subsidy
on water, electricity, food or giving free TV sets, Note books and so on. . They
will be tested how far they succeed in nailing the corruption, saving on
wastages, realizing all taxes and most importantly keeping the development of
the city moving. If subsidies are given
at the cost of development it will be one step forward two steps backwards. Communist
Russia and China also ensured bare minimum basic needs of food, clothing and
housing but people do not live on bread alone. After the basic needs are met,
they want improvement in the quality of life and for that they do not mind
working a few more hours.
The politics of convenience does not last long. We have taken
a stand but we have also to be rational in our support. Let the fair-weather friends
be identified at the outset.
For this reason I prefer to wait and watch.
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