Every time I am torn between the pseudo-nationalism driven by parochial religious jingoism of the BJP and the right-wing extremists, I ask myself with despair, what could be the alternative. Could it be the Mahagathbandhan, limited now to Mamata, Naidu and Stalin? I shudder at the thought of the opportunistic alliance with the only goal to oppose and dethrone Modi’s BJP at all costs. They could partner with anyone, any party and any organisations, regardless of ideologies, just with the common agenda of opposing Modi. The alliance would be without any base, and is wobbling from its conceptualization, many leaders seen holding hands in the mega-rallies held in Kolkata and elsewhere, quietly spiriting themselves away, some like the Shiv Sena even returning to the BJP fold.
The second alternative is even more punishing for India, of the UPA led by Congress party and headed by Rahul Gandhi. I would at any time prefer Congress over BJP, but not with Gandhi’s anywhere near the Congress party, in any power wielding capacity. I am not apologetic for being consistent in my criticism for the Gandhi scion, who has been anointed by his mother. His decade and a half representation of Amethi as a member of parliament is nothing to boast about, nor his role in the parliament, except his hug and wink, which all can be dismissed, but not his usual idiocy, regardless of pitching for the prime minister’s post.
Though Rahul’s one-point hatred against Modi, might be the needless attacks and political onslaught by PM Modi, disregarding his high post representing the nation as the Prime Minister, I would have preferred a bit of grace and maturity instead of the juvenile actions of the INC President. There could be a long list, which I will spare you from, though I have to write on the Pulwama and post Pulwama retaliation by India. Rahul would have grown in public esteem if he had not resorted to a tit-for tat retort.
The doubts of the dead were raised, soon after the boisterous chest beating by the BJP chief Amit Shah giving numbers of killed as 300. A wily Pakistan strategically claimed the Indian air attacks resulted in the death of only a crow, which the opposition believed. But a shell-shocked Pakistan meekly returned our Pilot Abhinandan, without any precondition, which itself was a tacit admission of the ignominy suffered and their fear of further ruthless reprimand if the holding of the pilot could prolong.
Rahul, like a spoilt child, now questions Modi, as well as Indian self-respect, sensibilities and valour with a quip ‘Modi not so brave with the Chinese.’ India stands belittled by Rahul Gandhi’s tacit admission that China is a force that India cannot face, the fact that our brave sons in the armed forces will readily disagree. Rahul has not taken into consideration India’s relation with Japan, Russia, US and Israel, who will come out to contain any Chinese advancement. India has overseas military bases in Seychelles, Oman, Madagascar, Mozambique, Qatar, Tajikistan, Nepal, Vietnam, Maldives and Bhutan to support. Iran too will help keep Pakistan at bay, if not Balochis and Sindhis from within their country.
A prime minister incumbent must be reliable, knowledgeable and above all intelligent, which are all absent from the pseudo-Gandhi, leaving me with the misery of tolerating a status quo for another term.
Sampath Kumar
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