This is the best time to demand change. Politicians have seen the outrage and they're nervous. That's why Shivraj Patil was shown the door even though he was a 10 Janpath favourite. His track record was pathetic and as Home Minister he was a cruel joke on the nation. He was quickly followed out by RR Patil, a farcical figure, who had no clue what his job was. He was more obsessed with dance bars than fighting crime. Vilasrao Deshmukh was the last to go. After all, he's the Congress party's chief fund collector. In fact, that's his only claim to fame ever since he occupied Varsha. It's a tribute to the Congress that, for once, they put public opinion ahead of party funds.
But sadly, the more things change, the more they remain the same. So Shivraj Patil has been replaced by Chidambaram. While Chidambaram leaving the Finance Ministry is not such a bad idea, given his leisurely response to the global meltdown, which now looks truly menacing for India, but can he handle the Home Ministry? Surely that job could have gone to an accomplished retired general or, if that looks too scary, to someone like Julio Ribeiro who has a brilliant track record in coping with insurgency and an immaculate history as a honest, capable policeman. Mumbai would have loved this since Ribeiro is one of its most trusted citizens.
The same applies to the men who replaced Deshmukh and RR Patil. I don't know Ashok Chavan and I don't think many people do either. He evokes no memory, good or bad, in anyone's mind but the very fact that Vilasrao so actively campaigned for him and took him to Delhi, as Mary's little lamb, clearly means that he's just another acolyte of the former Chief Minister and is filling in for him till Vilasrao can return. So where's the change? Vilasrao will continue to run his fiefdom. through Chavan. Is that what we were clamouring for? Is this what the Congress thinks will appease the angry citizens of Mumbai? Or is this a mockery of public opinion?
On the other hand, Sharad Pawar has kept his promise to Chhagan Bhujbal that he would bring him back as Deputy Chief Minister once the Telgi scam blows over. He's done precisely that, proving he's a man of his word as far as his partymen are concerned. But is this what Mumbai wants? Chhagan Bhujbal as Deputy Chief Minister! Read the million smses going around, see the citizens marching against this insult, and you will realise the shock and disbelief of the people. Is this what they fought for? Is this how much the leaders of the nation, Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar, care for public opinion? Is this what all this bloodshed was worth? So that Vilasrao can still run Mumbai by proxy and Bhujbal can make a comeback? Are political interests so crucial that public outrage has no place in the scheme of things?
The Opposition is as ridiculous. Narendra Modi makes a total fool of himself by offering a one crore cheque to the widow of Hemant Karkare when it's the same Karkare he abused for arresting the terrorists responsible for the Malegaon blasts. People cheered when the lady turned down his offer. Gopinath Munde arrive in the midst of tactical ops at Nariman House and tried to grab attention on national TV. He was booed out by the anchors. Mukhtar Abbas made silly remarks about women protestors. No, Mukhtar, I don't wear powder and lipstick and I don't frequent five star hotels but, like most Mumbaikars, I think politicians stink. Particularly those who make such stupid, sexist comments.
Despite the terrible tragedy, the enormous loss of lives, despite the pain and anguish of an entire city and in fact an entire nation, the shameless politics of deceit continue. We never seem to learn where political one-upmanship should stop and the public good must be upheld. Everything is grist to the mill. The new Chief Minister does not have to be efficient or capable. He has to be a Maratha. Vilasrao can't be displeased because the elections are around the corner and he's the best guy to go around collecting money. The NCP must get the Deputy Chief Minister's job even if they don't have a candidate who makes the grade. Why can't our leaders look beyond their narrow party compulsions and choose the best possible people at such a critical moment of the nation's history? It could only enhance their status.
It's time to think out of the box. It's time to look beyond glib political options. We need to find new people, new solutions, new ideas and new ambitions for India. Or else, like Sisyphus, we will be condemned to keep rolling the same damned boulder up the same damned hill forever. And the anger of the people will get only worse—till a lynch mob will hit the street, looking for politicians, when the next terrorist strike hits us.
|
