POLITICAL DIARY

New Delhi, 1 August 2009

Political Twilight Zone

HONEY, IT’S SEXY & SLEAZY!

By Poonam I Kaushish

Two incidents last week expose the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde character of our netagan. One, the new bench mark of morality set by a Gen X leader. Two, the ghisa-pita denial of sleaze by an old-hand at the im-morality rajnetek game!

Hats off to J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.  Accused of involvement in the 2006 infamous Sabina sexcapades by rival PDP’s MLA and ex-Dy Chief Minister Beig, he resigned forthwith. Said he, “It is a blot on my character. I am guilty until proven innocent.” And rushed to tender his resignation to the Governor, who rejected it.

Frankly, I am not the least surprised. The little that I came to know him over cups of coffee in Parliament’s Central Hall since his debut in the Lok Sabha in 1998, Omar struck one as different. Be it his thinking on the way forward in Kashmir, his ‘true blue’ ideas of governance, his thoughts on our polity and the need for integrity, honesty and probity. He believed in leading by example. 

In sharp contrast, is Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and ex Union Minister-Governor Buta Singh’s attitude when accosted by his son’s arrest on demanding a bribe of Rs one crore from a builder for closing a case against him. “Resign? Why should I resign? I am Chairperson of a Constitutional forum. This is a conspiracy to malign me,” he said. Familiar story, what’s new?

Importantly, the episodes have raised two pertinent questions: Is the private life of publicmen a concern of the public?  Should our netagan be the epitome of morality and probity? A notch above ordinary mortals. For us to look up to and respect. People who will not easily succumb to human weaknesses and foibles?

Sadly, they fail on all scores. When it comes to the paarde-ke-piche-choli-ke-neeche antics of our polity, most claim that given our traditionally open society sex is a part of our heritage and needs to be guarded with all the vigour at their command.  How can you talk morals in the land of Khajurao? Consequently, the question of privacy has never arisen. The reason why the Constitution does not have any provision for privacy, unlike other countries.

However, some strongly feel that the private life of a public person necessarily needs transparency. They stand for the strong Gandhian view that a public man has no private parts to shield. That would be a reflection on his character, integrity and values. The Mahatma was clear that a man’s public life could never be clean if his private life was not.  The two were indivisible.

Most of our netagan disagree and argue: “Gandhian values were given a quiet burial long time ago. We ritually pay lip service to him, but we have bastardised his values.” Not a few prefer to follow Nehru who believed that leaders were entitled to some space and relaxation. He often quoted Kemal Ataturk, who modernized Turkey, in support. Wine, women and song were the Ataturk’s staple diet after dusk. However, this never came in the way of his great work and achievements.

Sadly, this approach flung open the doors for corruption, licentiousness and immorality. Wherein not only have scams become passé over decades, worse is our netagan blasé attitude. It is their birthright to free-load, grab and indulge at our expense. Accustomed as we are to our law makers being law breakers and ruling by law.

The new Carpetbaggers. Who will ply whatever you want. Lay down any law, bend any rule, change any order, transfer any person and fudge figures. All for a song and the sexiest of two-legged sizzlers. Today, entertainment and all the goodies (!) are viewed as perks of the job they handle. 

Tragically, in this milieu all has become fair game. Forget Vatsayan’s Kamasutra. Welcome to a spanking new edition of our own Adams and Eves in the political Garden of Eden. An ongoing saga of our rulers caught with their pyjamas, dhotis and lungis down. Literally. A potent cocktail of sex and power. That promises to take one to even greater heights of ecstasy and glory.

What amazes one is how many of our immoral netas are still viewed as the epitome of piety, donning a mask of moral outrage and dignity. Aren’t we familiar with our politicians’ utterly butterly indiscretions?  Who can deny that the political casting couch is worse or better (depending on how one looks at it) than Bollywood’s casting couch.

Every Party believes in share and share alike. All enjoy their commonwealth, individually or collectively. Such is the state of affairs that political residences are the subject of juicy, salacious gossip! Haven’t we all enjoyed the defence‘less’ Tehelka, judicial Vrindavan, political Jalgaon and Alwar video-tapes, deliciously educating about affairs of the heart?

Recall, the delicious indiscretions of a honey gone sour in Ahmadabad when two Punjab Ministers and a Delhi MLA sought to brew a heady cocktail of business and pleasure. Or the poetic justice meted out by a UP Minister to his Madhumita. A former CM and four MPs enjoying their ‘pegs and legs’ and three ex- Union Ministers relishing their latest “hot night” dish.

What to say of a former PM and his “foster” family, a gay Chief Minister, Union Ministers who are chronic womanizers, a ex-Dy CM bigamous marriage and another’s involvement in an ice-cream parlour sex scandal in Kerala. Who doesn’t remember the “hot tandoori night,” which spotlighted for the first time the antics of our lower polity via Naina Sahni and Sushil Sharma?

Women are now crucial comrades-in-arms for scaling the heights of various political Everests'. We too can boast of our Christine Keelers and our desi Marilyn Monroes. Besides aren’t the netas today pastmasters in top-pling. Nor are we squeamish when it comes to a romp in the haystack. We are secular socialists – willing to share and vow with one and all.

Post Kashmir, some leaders have raised the old demand for a law on privacy and started pushing the idea privately. Asserts an active top leader: “We serve the larger interest of the society and country. It’s time to protect our privacy and enact a law.” The upshot of it all is not the act, but enacting laws!

One view is it should be based on either the French, Danish or German model where access to privacy is an offence. Others aver that as we follow Westminster, we should stick to in UK model where there is no right to privacy and, therefore, no right of action in the courts for breach of privacy. However, conventions are followed strictly and honourably. Wherein a politician bows out of office once a serious allegation is made. No matter how important he may be.

In America, the Press is allowed to publish almost any true material about public figures on the ground that “virtually all human activity reveals the true character of the person”. Remember, ex-President Clinton who barely escaped impeachment for converting the Presidential Oval office into the oral (sex) office, courtesy Monica Lewinsky.

Importantly, India today is at the moral crossroads. The moot point: How long will we allow our law makers to continue breaking the law --- and with impunity? In this environment can we expect fair justice? Who will judge and who will be judged?

Indeed, Gandhi’s charkha has come a full circle. Khadi was once symbolic of a true patriot and sacrifice in the struggle for freedom. Today it largely camouflages unabashed opportunism and criminals. An era where our powers-that-be are pulverizing society It is not a question of a leader’s progeny corrupt misdeed.  But a young neta’s passion for upholding morality.  Thus, it is high time to cry a halt to increasing degradation and start afresh our own experiments with truth .Our leaders must stop using ‘pegs and legs’ to fight their political battles. Or else be prepared to face public sting! ------INFA

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)