Our country is indeed strange; citizens can get angry and viciously respond in the elections, as we have seen in the case of Indira Gandhi’s post-emergency loss, and also condone aberrations to reelect one at a later stage, again as was gifted with a victory to Indira Gandhi subsequently.
A Rs.60 crore bribe allegedly paid to Indian politicians by Bofors AB, the supplier of 155-mm calibre howitzer guns, blew up in the face of Rajiv Gandhi brought in VP Singh, as the voters angrily dumped the Congress. The Bofors bribe allegation remains a puzzle to this date, continuing to haunt the Congress party and the Gandhi family.
Ignoring Vajpayee’s first term of 13days, and as well the next one for 13 months, his full term as PM 1998-2004 was, by and large, excellent. It grew complacent and laid back with a sure shot victory, and went on an advertisement campaign, unwitnessed ever before. It spent Rs.150 crores in just 120 days before the election on ‘India Shining’ ads. Right the bourses were performing great, foreign exchange reserves were comfortable, but the common man felt he was being shortchanged with the blitzkrieg of India shining. NDA was dealt a crushing blow as the UPA grabbed power for the next full decade under the Prime Ministership of Man Mohan Singh.
The government under PM Modi has spent Rs. 4343.26 crores in the last four years, as revealed to an RTI query. Statues, many rechristened yojanas and related publicity give a feeling that India may have got its independence only in 2014 after the present NDA government headed by Modi ji has come into power. I see clearly an attitude of typical arrogance and disdain for the curious and angry opposition, labelling all who question as anti-national and lacking patriotism. This is crass!
It’s a do-or-die matter for Rahul, who has caught on the Rafale controversy like a drowning man clutching a floating log. He has not let loose his grip, despite the explanations given to the media by the Dassault CEO just the other day. There cannot be any worst accusation than being called a thief, which is what Rahul has accused Modi of being. PM Modi is uncharacteristically silent, disappointing many, including me! Any delay by the government in further withholding relevant information could seriously impede the chances of NDA, which Modi must realize.
The opposition is regrouping, realigning, disregarding their fundamental differences and unitedly are getting prepared to face PM Modi. The result is discernible in Karnataka and will soon be known in the states which are facing the Assembly elections now. Modi survives if the majority results go in favour of BJP and its allies. If not, BJP will be forced to eat the humble pie and align with forces, which will demand their pound of flesh at every step, or in the worst-case scenario, there is new and less aggressive face anointed by their party.
The sealed covers submitted by the government to the Supreme Court on Rafale and the reserved orders may have more to state.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide voix
0 Comments
Am also surprised why PM is keeping silent. His silence on other matters involving other ministries and or state governments can be understood but when he is directly targeted he ought to have come out with a proper response.
Otherwise people would treat him like any other politician and show him the door