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Walking On Hot Coal: MOBOCRACY NOT DEMOCRACY, By Poonam I Kaushish, 26 Oct, 2013 Print E-mail

Political Diary

New Delhi, 26 October 2013

Walking On Hot Coal

MOBOCRACY NOT DEMOCRACY

By Poonam I Kaushish

 

“Democracy is a kingless regime infested by many kings, who are sometimes more exclusive, tyrannical, and destructive than one, even if he be a tyrant,” sarcastically commented Italian Benito Mussolini in 1932. Cut to 2013, it fits Republic of Scams India like a glove. Wherein a buffeted and bludgeoned hapless Prime Minister Manmohan Singh helplessly throws up his hands and asserts, “This is how democracy is run in our country.”

 

Showcasing a new low in the Rs 1.86 lakh crores sizzling Coalgate amidst the Rahul-NaMo vote-bank raucous crackle. Thanks to indicted former Coal Secretary’s Parakh’s explosive 14-page rebuttal in March 2005 to Cabinet Secretary’s showcause notice following then Coal Minister JMM’s Sibu Soren’s complaint to the Prime Minister seeking “disobedient” Parakh’s transfer for gross insubordination, disrespectfulness and by-passing him.

 

Unraveling explosive political dark secrets, the ex-Coal secretary asserts, “If respect for political leadership implies complying with oral orders or irrational instructions or recording notings that suits the Minister's interest as against public interest, I alleged shortcomings.” More. He alleged that MPs signatures could be obtained for a price.   

 

Worse, he elucidates how Soren put pressure on him to block CBI’s applications for Sanction for Prosecution on several tainted officials. “I was forced to comply with written orders which were against my advice and which I considered “wrong. There is unwillingness by the Minister to bring about required transparency in respect of coal policies.”

 

Topped by, “The coal mafia is not outside the Government. It exists within the Coal Ministry, coal companies, trade unions, State administrations and local political leadership. There is large-scale black marketing and generation of black money through patronage of coal mafia. MPs who swear to uphold the Constitution with impunity indulge in blackmailing civil servants and senior PSUs executives to meet their personal ends”, he added for good measure.

 

But this is not the end of the saga. In another 8-page smoldering letter to Manmohan Singh Parakh sought voluntary retirement citing how he was under tremendous political pressure even as he named three MPs, including two Congress’s and BSP who solicited bribes from senior coal PSU officials and wanted action taken against them. But the Prime Minister counseled him to hold his guns, rueing this was the way the country was run.

 

An indictment which should have resulted in various heads rolling. But then we are talking of our Bharat Mahan where ghooskhori and gundabazzi are two ends of the political spectrum. If one hoped for strong political commitment along-with enforcement of law and order at both the Central and State levels, one was barking up the wrong tree.

 

Alas, in our ‘business of democracy of direct sale and polity’s rules by law, a weak and puny Prime Minister accepts this as “part of coalition politics”(sic), instead of changing the way democracy is run. Can coalition compulsions become the raison d atre of turning a Nelson’s eye, tolerating and compromising on sleaze in Government? Is this part of coalition dharma?

 

What happened to the oath he took to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution? And that he in primus inter pares first among equal, right? Does it force an indulgence on issues of governance and probity? Or does governance dictate that the corrupt be summarily thrown out? All dusted and synchronized to the serenades of His Masters voice.

 

Notwithstanding, Manmohan Singh’s bravado, “I am not above the law of the land. If there is anything that the CBI, or for that matter anybody, wants to ask, I have nothing to hide,” many feel that he should personally take the hit and become the fall guy when his colleagues falter.

 

It is his paramount duty to exercise his Prime Ministerial authority and uphold the sanctity of the institution of the Office of the Prime Minister. He can not afford to be escapist on the “loot” engulfing his Administration by shrugging his shoulders. Not a few wonder why he was circumvent when it came to the 2G spectrum scam given that the Opposition wanted him and PMO officers to appear before the joint Parliamentary Committee investigating the scam.

 

Remember, Union Cabinet Ministers function at the pleasure of the Prime Minister. He is the boss and custodian of the people's interest. He has absolute power in running the country. He can undo decisions in no time even when his Ministers flout rules and code of ethics.

 

What next? As long as the Prime Minister  continues to be perceived as powerless pummeled between the Gandhi ma-beta Sonia and Rahul duo the present crisis’s will continue. Underscored by the de facto and the de jure power centres, read Sonia and Singh contributing to a political and moral void.

 

Undeniably, there are no easy solutions to dealing with the problem of coal mafia in the current political and administrative milieu as the country has no institutional mechanism to stop such misconduct. But what about our political Gangs of Wasseypur? Certainly there are innumerable laws to hold them accountable but it needs strong political commitment and spine. Alas, on both counts India is highly deficient

 

The need of the hour is a paradigm shift in the way governance and democracy is run in our Asli Bharat. What needs to be emphasized is that the Prime Minister cannot give largesse to any mantri or neta according to their sweet whims and fancies. Appearance of public justice is as important as doing justice. 

 

Does Manmohan Singh have the grit required to do so? Any attempt to stifle a new Aspirational India’s call for true democracy of the people, by the people and for the people is not difficult. If there is a will there is a way. After all, Governments are custodians of public trust and interest. The nation and people are first -- way above selfish and narrow political interests.

 

Basic principles of truth and probity cannot be sacrificed at the altar of coalition dharma, precisely what Singh’s UPA has done for nine years. The Prime Minister needs to follow up now with some tough, uncompromising action, whatever be his compulsions. Statecraft demands enlightenment. 

 

He needs to remember that leadership is not merely an exposition of ones abilities or honesty. Intrinsic to leadership is the ability to enforce and demand the highest standards. As US President Obama said, “With increased power comes increased responsibility.”

 

The time has come for him to seriously introspect on what went wrong. But more important to ensure that this is not repeated. After all, the right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.  Institutional integrity has to be upheld at all costs, no matter what it takes. Forsaking the Kursi included.

 

Manmohan Singh is clearly on test it is high time he cuts the mal-governance gangrene. Our Professor of economics should know that the real meaning of politics is not power but service. He needs to adopt Lord Buddha’s wise words: A better future for India is possible only by doing good in the present. The buck or muck stops with you, Mr Prime Minister. In a democracy, the proof of the pudding is in its eating, read action!! ---- INFA


(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)

 

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