Rift and embarrassment : the nation saw it all - The Indian Express

• Messages sorted by: [ author ]
[ publication ][ subject ][ thread ]
• Next message: Express News Service : "It's a shame, cries foreign press"
• Previous message: K V Lakshmana : "Humble Advani emerges tallest"

So now it is all on record for history to judge. Who formed the spine of
the United Front and who were its ribs? In what was a revealing de bate
in the Lok Sabha yesterday, which ultimately voted out the country's
maiden coalition Union Ministry, the strengths and weaknesses of the UF
were in full display.

Of the 27 people who spoke during the lengthy debate, the UF's rifts
were as much in the open as the embarrassment of the Congress. Ten
months ago, the two had come together to forge a unique experiment in
the nation's governance and yesterday, they threw it all away on the
whims of one politician who wasn't even there to explain things.

It was perhaps the first time in India's electoral history that a Rajya
Sabha member, heading the Congress, initiated a process which ousted a
minority government headed by another Rajya Sabha member. While Sitaram
Kesri sat watching things on television, H D Deve Gowda sat hunched in
resignation as his government fell in 10 seconds (the time required to
press the voting buttons). Kesri couldn't explain his actions and Gowda
couldn't defend his own ministry.

A point also raised by the lone National Conference member to speak in
the debate, the erstwhile Environment Minister, Saifuddin Soz. Soz,
inducted barely a month ago, pleaded: "Why should the Rajya Sabha be
allowed to create situations for the Lok Sabha?

There may be many more instances in which Rajya Sabha members will
create situations for the Lok Sabha. The Congress must be cautious." For
good effect, he pointed to the Congress benches, adding, "You
understand."

His plea went unheeded as the various players stuck to their roles.
Except one. Outgoing finance minister P Chidambaram was so open in his
desire for a patch-up with the Congress that he invited a rebuke from
Gowda. Chidambaram actually apologised to the Congress and requested
that they get together again after this government fell.

Gowda clearly didn't like this and was sharp in his retort. "Don't try
to patch-up now. It is not necessary. The country needs to know."
Gowda was also upset at I K Gujral and Mulayam Singh Yadav. Perhaps he
was informed that things were suspect in the UF ranks which had held
strong till now.

For Gujral, Gowda had a parting advice. "Gujralji, somebody mentioned
you as PM. Don't take it now." Gujral, who had earlier made a barely
heard defence of his foreign policy, waved his hands in a "no", but
Gowda had made his point. On Mulayam, Gowda was even shorter. "I don't
know what virtues you have suddenly discovered in my Defence Minister,"
he snapped.

By all this, Gowda was making his doubts official about the usual
suspects in the UF. The TMC, the SP and a section of the Janata Dal are
not generally considered fully trustworthy and the evidence was
presented in parts in yesterday's debate. Kesri, who had earlier wounded
Gowda in a public insult, was returned the compliment in a live debate.

The outgoing prime minister was full of sarcasm for Kesri and reduced
him to an "old man", lusting for power and blinded by ambition.

• Next message: Express News Service : "It's a shame, cries foreign press"
• Previous message: K V Lakshmana : "Humble Advani emerges tallest"

Back                          Top