The Battle of 2014

Despite some polls held showing an advantage to the opposition, it is pertinent to discuss what  are the attributes one should look for in any party that wishes to lead the country. There is disillusionment with both the national parties. We have also seen the problems in the kind of coalitions that have been tried and the problems of such 'marriages'. It is also agreed that the country now has a large percentage of  young, middle class voters who aspire for growth, who are perhaps disappointed with the present lot of politicians and the manner in which parties function.

1.The first requisite is that any national party to lead effectively will need a  unified or single, strong command. External centres of control or a division between the party leadership and the executive function has and will fail.They should have clear declared policy on economic issues, foreign matters etc
2. Clear objectives and vision statements on all issues is very important. The principal issues facing the country are its economy and external relations esp with our neighbours, inclusive growth and internal security.
3. Any growth plan must be inclusive and help every sector of the country- rural and urban. The rural plan must include improved infrastructure such as power, water, as well as the social sectors of health and education. Urban planning , higher education and skills training will be needed for the urban middle class.
4. Anger and punishment alone against corruption is not enough. Systemic changes in procedures which do not encourage or allow corrupt practices is vital.
5, Our judicial system has to be revamped to give honest, fair and quick redressal of cases.
6.Candidates with criminal records should not be allowed by law to contest till their innocence is proved.
7. Elected members who swear by the Constitution should also specifically declare that they will not obstruct by unruly methods the functioning of the Parliament or Legislature or face suspension or even disqualification on repetition of such acts. On days that the house is so obstructed all members should not only lose their allowance for the day but also a fine should be imposed on the members who cause such adjournments.
8.We should have a reserved quota of some experts belonging to no party for assisting on technical matters. Such outstanding persons may also be inducted into Cabinet and allowed to work without any party affiliation.
9. There should be accountability for bureaucrats right form the lowest level to the highest both for working within rules and within timelines. They should be adequately rewarded for good and prompt action as well as face dismissal for non performance. The review of their work must be out of the hands of politicians.

It is not just honesty bit commitment to serve the country should be the primary condition that the electorate should look for. Party hoppers at the time of election should not be given tickets. No dynastic succession should be accepted unless there is proven ability and work.

Let the huge population of freshly eligible  voters both urban and rural not be swayed by mere party affiliation but on the merit  of each candidate. Let the best man win!

What we need is a single national party to govern with a declared policy and to avoid the influence of regional parties in a coalition. We need capable leaders at the national level and not good regional leaders with a poor record on all issues.2014 elections will be critical for the country and we need a party with strong credentials and not just based on "personal attacks" and no clear policy.

Sen vs Bhagwati

At the outset I must confess that I am a layman and not an economist. I may not be right but my commonsense compels me to write what I feel, about these two world renown and celebrated economists.

Economics is a science that has many shades. Both can be right ( though Amartya Sen is left!). There can be as many views as there are experts. It is like the six blind men of Hindustan who were asked to describe an elephant!
Mr Jagdish Bhagwati is a respected economist and Mr Manmohan Singh perhaps followed his model of growth hoping that due to trickle effect the benefits would flow down to the poor.  This model of growth has always been followed in Gujarat , even before Modi took charge. This has been also been stated by Mr Advani. The State is rich in resources and also in entrepreneurial skills and traders who almost instinctively have the enterprise to grow in their respective businesses. Dhiru Ambani saw this, Adani followed, Sekhseria (Ambuja) and others all have thrived in this State's growth. Mr Bhagwati has presumed that being Jains, whose religion does practice charity, that automatically the poor would gain. Unfortunately, statistics do not show this improvement  in the condition of the poor. On most social sectors, Gujarat lags way behind other States.As one wag stated, in Modi's Gujarat, he has worked not for the 5 cr  Gujaratis but for the Gujaratis who have more than 5cr! It is now known that some of these big guns have used their wealth to build huge 23 story residences, and schools for the elite, &  hospitals for the rich which are operated as profit centres.
Mr Bhagwati's hypothesis  that with high growth, the State will have the funds to help the growth of the poor has not worked in practice.
But does it work that way? Dr Ram Guha, the historian, has made a comment that high growth has given high expectations for the under privileged . The rural masses wants have increased for appliances, food habits, mobiles etc etc which are based on what they see on the TVs by ads as well as sitcoms. Mr Amartya Sen perhaps feels that the growth should be inclusive and should flow upwards with basic schemes for education, health, electricity, roads etc parri passu. This is not just a "left" concept but one that needs to be understood when we have 65% percent of our population in our villages. At the same time, to finance these schemes the only resort is to get long term foreign investment in various sectors. Does appear dangerous but this is the policy advocated by Mr Modi as well but opposed by the BJP. It was the NDA manifesto that included the need for FDI even upto 100% in retail but now they oppose even their own policies. They do not realise that this negativism can pose a big problem if at all they come to power.. They have Modi's model of growth as advocated by Bhagwati but that doesnt meet the expectations of the poor. The present Govt however on the recommendations of the NAC with grass ground level workers like Aruna Roy, Mander, Dreze etc have suggested certain actions like RTI, RTE, Food Security Bill, direct transfer of benefits etc to hasten the benefits to the less fortunate. It is strange that while opposing most of the Govt welfare schmes in the Parliament, Mr rRnath Singh while in the US has said that they will continue with these schemes if they come to power. Ws this to assure the US that FDI will be needed from them? Is there some hypocrisy here?
One of the corollaries of high growth, wants grow and inflation is bound to follow. Today, the money in the rural markets has increased and demand has increased. At the time ofthe last election, Dr Pranoy Roy and Mr Shekar Gupta  who traveled along the length and breadth of the country found that the rural incomes had risen! Those companies who meet such a demand are making huge profits.Demand has increased but supply constraints due to poor infrastructure is bound to create inflation. Besides,  the heavy dependence on imports of goods whose prices are on the increase also contribute to inflation.
Everyone knows the cure but the fear that the private enterprise will take advantage of such a situation and not improve the lot of the poor, creates suspicion and fear to give  free access to opportunities. In such a situation the bureaucracy plays its negative role.

The way seems to be in between that of Mr Bhagwati or Mr Sen. Who is right - I leave it to you!

People's Party

Mr Kejriwal has very ambitiously named his political party as AAM ADMI PARTY. I feel this is a big misnomer. Mr AK has right from the early  beginnings with Anna Hazare as his "leader:" has mainly promoted himself using the Gandhian as his footstool. The campaign started as one against corruption and therefore  got instant widespread support. His main support came from the middle class educated class from urban areas while he used Anna Hazare to cover the rural population. His campaign claimed a support of 2 million people who has sent sms-s of support. Certainly these couldnt have  been from the rural class who are a very large majority of our population who alone are considered  as the "AAM ADMI".

Secondly, it is not going to be easy to form local centres of his party all over the country of the aam admi without the financial means to support such an organisation.

Thirdly, his initial announcements makes the main plank of his party on a negative approach of attacking selected politicians of large political parties on corruption. His endeavors will be to punish them for their 'misdeeds'. No party can succeed on such a limited and negative stand. What the people will want to know is what the party do will ensure that corruption is eradicated.. What will be there strategies and actions  for systemic changes to prevent corrupt practices.. For this the party must have sufficient numbers in the Parliament to bring about such changes.

Fourthly, the party must have clear policy initiatives on several urgent measures such as electoral reforms, role of panchayat bodies and elections to such bodies. Besides, India being part of the world economy, the party must have clear economic polices and not just opposition to anything done by the Govt. The problem we now face is of a main opposition party with no policy on economic, foreign and such related policies except to oppose the Govt .

The party should try and put up candidates with clear credentials on such important policy matters relating to financial planning, defence and technical m issues relating to industrial growth, and infrastructural growth.

For the party to play such a important and effective role, we need someone with national interests and not mere personal goals. Mr Kejriwal was a senior Income Tax official and he could have  tried to put into practice his principles of honesty in the I.T dept by making systemic changes to make every Income Tax Officer honest and free from corrupt practices. Instead he sought to get out to achieve his own personal goals. How can such a person with a strong ego, manage an All India party? Merely making  allegations without adequate proof  to take the matter to a Court but on persons chosen by him as the ultimate judges without any  Constitutional backing by law, is only attracting the media who like such sensational news! But has this had any effect? NO.

The next elections are not around the corner and it is imperative that the convenor and the think tank of the party do some serious thinking and planning including raising funds to get the support of  the right thinking people from all sections of the population. The task ahead is arduous but has to be done to succeed in their endeavours. I wish them luck and hope I can join such a party!

The role of newsmakers!

Today  the newsmakers both on TV and print media have created  despondency and cynicism about our country..They believe that 'bad' news makes good news. One is made to believe that there is nothing- not even a iota of good or anything right in  the country. It is true that they assume it is their duty and freedom of expression that they must dish out what the listeners and readers want to see.,bout  hear and read. Perhaps they are making a serious error of judgment.

 The main news is something sensational like some scandal or "scoop" about some big politician and what a whistleblower  says or  on some sting operation. Quite often these news  require further investigation or to balance, the other side of the story.  The main aim is to be "first with the news" especially on the TV news channels with sometime incomplete information or half truths. The inner pages on local news are usually devoted to local failures of the local bodies or stories of rape and murders and suicides! If it is proved that the story was a wrong or only half true, the damage has been done and no editors seldo0m accept their mistake but will reply " We stand by our story".

The editorials are seldom balanced studied reports on any issue that is in the main news. One sided reports on many key issues is dished out as news. For example, corruption is no doubt a big problem. Big fishes are targeted as that creates better news than how one should tackle the day to day corrupt practices that face the common man. There is no attempt at trying to suggest how systemic changes and clear guideline can help the common man to get his permissions without a bribe. Sometimes, even honest people who have no time will resort to pay a  bribe to get their job done. Law breaking on the roads is perfected as an art  and bribing to escape punishment and to save time is seen as a a easy way out.

At the heart of the problem of corruption and law breaking for the average man as well as the big politician is self interest and  selfishness. The need to break the rules of the road to get ahead of others is a simple example.of how one breaks the law as he doesnt get caught!  Does this sound too simplistic? Yes. But it is true. Otherwise why should a politician or bureaucrat  feel using his power and position to make money or gain for himself  as being more important than be a responsible servant of the people whom he is supposed to serve. This seems to be the general attitude but there are certainly exceptions to this rule. But who writes or hears about these honest instances. It doesnt come to be defined as news to be written about.

We need a complete change in the dissemination of news. We first need truthful and correct news and a balanced views both for and against. Just creating or publishing hysterical, sensational news or pictures does not help one to know what was the right thing to be done.  Mr Kejriwal has unfortnately converted his movement no longer as a  fight against corruption but only against corrupt people of selected persons to get maximum coverage of the media. In most cases he is the complainant, judge and jury all put together. He definitely has shown a bias in making charges only against select people.. Instead,as a politician with a difference, he should demonstrate how he can be  independent and strategise on measures to be taken to stop corruption.. This will involve some detailed studies on our present procedures and a complete systemic change where the law and guidelines  are clear to enable one to get a just treatment of one's application. Corruption is not just with the high and mighty but even  small officers. clerks peons or policemen take bribes on a daily basis.This is far more prevalent and serious where a small person has to pay a cut of 10% to get his pension.  It is so deeply entrenched in our systems that with discretionary powers or by taking a bribe  sanctions can be obtained against the rules and laws. But this doesnt make news. There could be small minority %age of officers who are honest and do not take bribes but we never hear about them.

The biggest source of black money is within India. To avoid high local taxes, people prefer not to take a bill for payments made. Or donations are made in cash to spurious or even established religious centres without any receipt. And curiously big noise made by such institutions gets maximum attention from the media. I dare any newspaper to expose such activities.

To solve such ills is not easy or quickly remedial but unless any political party makes a beginning, nothing can be achieved, We do have parties who claim to be honest and talk of the interests of the "poor" but such regional parties do not have any clear or studied strategy but are trying cheap tactics which will get exposed if the very same poor do not see and improvement in their lot. But the purpose of this blog is to highlight the role of the media to serve the cause of justice in their dissemination of news correctly and truthfully.

CRISIS IN KARNATAKA

Since coming to power, the whole record of the party has been a continuous battle within their own party. After the elections, to strengthen your position in numbers, they resorted to "Operation Lotus", mainly to win over independents and members of other parties and Mr Janardhan Reddy was responsible fror this operation. Media reports speak of crores of money being exchanged as well offers to Ministerial posts to win them over. After a few months, some dissidents within the party and curiously led by Janardhan Reddy and a few others sought a change in leadership and Mr Shettar was projected as a Chief Minster and the dismissal of some Ministers in the cabinet. A patch up job, prevented a collapse of the Govt. The allegations of corruption against several Ministers and then even against Mr Yeddyurappa then tarnished the image of the Govt. A few legislators including some independents who had joined the party in the recent past, revolted against Mr Yeddyurappa. Mr Yedyurappa's continuance became doubtful after the Lok Ayukth's report on illegal mining besides cases of denotification to give plots to some of his coteries and family. He was to be replaced but Mr Yeddyurappa arrogated to himself the position that he was the sole leader of the BJP in ther State and dictated on his successor and other posts both in the Govt and in the party. For some unknown reason, Mr Gadkari decided to concede his demands. Mr Sadananda Gowda rather than Mr Shettar was preferred by My Yeddyurappa as the next CM and the party acceded to his request. Mr yedyurappa thought that he would be able to get out his court allegations soon and return as the CM. But he faiuled as the SC ordered an investigation against him. But he didnt rest quiet and his cronies in the Govt did not cooperate with the CM and Mr Yeddyurappa continued his strategy of seeking a change in the leadership of the Govt. and projected Mr Shettar whom he had rejected earlier as the next CM. Mr Yeddyurappa and his followers for several months carried on their opposition to Mr Gowda and sought a change again.

The main point in this narration is to highlight the meglomaniacal qualities of Mr Yeddyurppa who would not allow anyone else to run the GOvt except someone who would act at his bidding. With strong support from Mr Gadkari, he continued to play his game of unsettling the Govt to get a CM who would be pliable and suit his personal agenda. If Mr Shettar who has a reputation of being a clean politician succeeds in being effective, then it wont be long before he seeks a change of leadership to get his own nominee as CM who would act according to his bidding..He has single handedly destroyed the crediblity of the BJP Govt and the fight of the party against corruption. He has managed to inject caste politics in Karnataka by assuming that the electorate are blind and foolish to  vote the party  back to power at the next elections. With his party also playing the caste card, the only way is to vote for a clean and efficient Govt and reject every MLA who has be charged with corruption and not be behind a Govt that is internally unstable and corrupt..