DYNASTIC DEMOCRACY..THE INDIAN STYLE

DYNASTIC DEMOCRACY..THE INDIAN STYLE

Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao ( Retired)


Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India suddenly needed heart operation. As per the latest news, the gentleman has undergone a successful bypass surgery at the best hospital and by the best team of doctors at the best point of time. Every one in the country is very happy about it.When he fell sick and needed the operation, the problem of taking care of the government was a most important consideration. He would be indisposed for some time and would need rest. It may take a month or two even, to enable him to return to the job. The question was who would be the safe bet for these crucial days. There are some senior leaders in the cabinet that could be entrusted with the duties of acting PM in the absence of Dr Singh. The name of Pranab Mukherjee automatically comes out for such position. He is the most able and competent person and has proven capabilities. Even at the time of death of Indira Gandhi his name was heard as a most possible candidate for the post of Prime Ministership. But somehow that could not happen? Rajiv Gandhi was already there as the rightful candidate to the throne for a dynastic succession. How can any other person out of dynasty of Nehru could become the Prime minister when some one was there even when he is a suckling. Mukherjee was kept at a distance and Rajiv was pushed- in who was a member of parliament at that time. Mukherjee had to sulk in despair and for some time he went into oblivion.
Present top brass of congress party is very much hesitant to designate Mukherjee as acting PM in the absence of Dr Singh. They gave him additional duties and gave the authority of running the show to the cabinet and vice President. Finance ministry would be taken care- of by Mr Mukherjee. Credentials of Mukherjee are well known and he is very much respected as a very seasoned leader with proven abilities and maturity. It is sad that luck was not with him and in the melee of dynastic succession at the time of Mrs Gandhi’s death and he missed the train. The leadership is scared that if Mukherjee proves himself as a stop gap acting PM, which he would surely do, he would be projected as a serious contender for the throne after next elections if congress returns to power. The chances of Rahul Gandhi who is being prepared to take over as PM would be thus be jeopardized. What a sad state of affairs indeed in a democracy titled as for the people, by the people and of the people by the peers who could not imagine that such things could happen in India.Their souls must be surely crying and beating their chests and crying".... Mera Bharat.. Mera Bharat..nahee rahaa mahaan." It is worthwhile to recall the role of Late Mr Gulzarilal Nanda a true Gandhian as acting PM on two occasions. He came on the scene as a care taker PM and handed over to the real one and vanished unsung and un heard. Only such guys are needed in present politics. Poor guy was forgotten and was also seen going on bicycle on the streets of Delhi pushed from pillar to post and lived in miserable conditions. Probably many of his colleagues and juniors would have passed him on motorcades in Delhi not even paying glance at him. If he was in the cabinet now, surely he would have achieved the hat trick.

Rahul Gandhi was systematically inducted into politics step by step and who would refuse such offer when one knows that the country is being offered to be ruled in a silver plate. Dynastic card over rules everything in India. Efficiency, education, maturity and worthiness are no criteria when one has the card and stamp of dynasty and some one is there to pull one up. In democracy, every one has equal opportunity to contest, win and achieve positions. But this is not a straight game. Few souls control the party and everything whirls round the dynastic succession. In this murky game of politics even matured and highly experienced stalwarts of the party make statements that the prince is eligible to become PM and it is time he is introduced while the real PM is already in the chair alive and kicking. It is also too sad when such statements are made when the actual Singh is going to operation theater where he had to battle with life. There is no dearth for such sycophants in every party. Finally Mukherjee also would realize the naked facts and reconcile to his future and hopes to become Vice President or President at some point of time if he continues to be a yes man. Good luck to him. It was also reported that if Rahul is reluctant to climb the throne being a wise man, Priyanka should be inducted to keep the dynastic rule in process. Every one knows that Congress party gets votes based on Gandhis name and not on credentials and work. Therefore all the guys who want to taste power as some minister, highlight the dynasty so that they are given some spoils after victory. Or else they can never reach saddle of power. In nutshell Indian democracy has become solely for some, by some and of some people. God bless the nation.

Dr K Prabhakar Rao