Author: Sheela Bhatt
Publication: Rediff on Net
Date: May 17, 2004
URL: http://in.rediff.com/news/2004/may/17spec3.htm
Contributing Editor Sheela Bhatt
listens to arguments for and against Sonia Gandhi becoming India's first
foreign-born prime minister
As a surprised India watches Atal
Bihari Vajpayee walk away into likely retirement, the debate over his likely
successor Sonia Gandhi has intensified. While those opposing India's first
foreign- born prime minister have been loudly stating their views, the
Congress president does have her supporters too. What follows are some
of the arguments heard in New Delhi over the last three days in her favour:
a. Sonia Gandhi is a naturalised
citizen of India and the Supreme Court has validated her status. The Congress
party's moves and her own politics are well within the limits of the Indian
Constitution. As such no party or individual can stop her as the elected
parliamentarians of her party have accepted her as their leader.
b. It goes against the basic tenets
of Hinduism to oppose her just because she was born in Italy. Since centuries
Hindus believe in Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, or 'the world is one family.' Sonia
says she is Indian and believes in Indian culture. There is no reason not
to accept her claim because there is nothing on hand, so far, to prove
her wrong.
c. Even her critics acknowledge
that she has shown her mettle as an 'oonche ghar ki bahu' befitting the
high standards set by the tradition called the Hindu Undivided Family.
d. The definition of national pride
has evolved since the days of the Mahabharat. There is a need to take a
sublime rather than a supercilious view of Hindutva. Times have changed
and so have global realities. If you oppose her candidature, none of the
non-resident Indians and people of Indian origin living outside India will
be able to demand equal rights in their countries of residence.
e. Her elevation to the highest
office will raise India's stock in the international arena. India will
be seen as a liberal, tolerant, secular and progressive culture. India
will stand tall in the free world.
f. How can one explain the support
and acceptance of Sonia Gandhi by 542 Indian parliamentarians since the
last six years when she was leader of the Opposition? Was that considered
anti-national by the BJP? No. During her tenure as leader of the Opposition,
did she do anything that shamed Indian democracy? No. So what is the great
need to discuss her origin now?
g. All the political personalities
who opposed her and exclusively targeted her in Election 2004 have been
humbled by the people of India. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa
did not raise any other issue but that of Sonia's foreign origin. Gujarat
Chief Minister Narendra Modi's sole target was Sonia Gandhi. His attacks
on her lacked dignity and decency. Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy
has been deriding her for many years. All three have been humbled by voters.
The Congress won against Modi and Jayalalithaa. Swamy lost in Madurai.
Believers of democracy have no option but to respect the verdict of the
voters who have unambiguously rejected the anti-Sonia brigade.
h. Base instincts of fear, jealousy,
intolerance, and parochialism are coming to the fore in the case of some
anti-Congress leaders who are opposing her. She has achieved something
most political leaders of the country could not even dream of till the
morning of May 13. Most people kept focusing on her weaknesses and overlooked
her strengths. Her staunch opponents have been caught unawares.
Those handful of Congressmen who
were behind the making of Sonia Gandhi proved smarter than the Sanghis.
Some of the anti-Sonia leaders' frustration is also against the system,
which she has used to her advantage. Even in 1999, when her foreign origin
was first raised, why did these so-called nationalists not comprehend fully
the implications of the country's legal/political system that allows any
foreign-born Indian citizen to become prime minister?
Equally important is the fact that
any Indian who is elected by his/her party's elected representatives as
their leader in the Lok Sabha can become prime minister. Laws are as simple
as that! Why blame her now? Blame the lack of judgment of Sonia's opponents
and their inability to take a long-term view.
i. The 11-member National Commission
to Review the Working of the Constitution, headed by Justice M N Venkatachalliah,
also did not recommend any change in the Constitution in this regard. Then,
the BJP played politics and its members didn't argue the case on the issue.
They perhaps thought they would remain in power for long. They lost a golden
chance.
j. The foreign origin issue will
now occupy prime position in Indian politics. Sushma Swaraj has already
taken the lead. But this lobby will have to take into account the fact
that in the villages of India Sonia Gandhi's image is that of a victim.
If she plays her cards well, any agitation against her will be seen as
victimisation of a victim. The Sushma Swaraj type of leaders do have their
own standing, but they are not seen as pro-poor. Sonia Gandhi enjoys that
halo for the time being.
k. Believe it or not, many Congressmen
think the BJP and the Sangh Parivar oppose her not because she is foreign-born.
They oppose her because she is becoming prime minister to buy time for
her son Rahul Gandhi. Congressmen think that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi
are the only hurdles in the BJP's pursuit of power. In Election 2004, Sonia
singlehandedly robbed the BJP of power. The BJP is not worried about the
Congress or Congressmen, but they do fear Sonia Gandhi's emotional appeal
and brave nature. Congressmen need Sonia more than ever now.
l. In Fiji, England, Guyana, and
in many other countries persons of foreign origin can occupy high posts.
Even in the US, a movement is starting to take shape to amend the constitution
to allow naturalised Americans to aspire for the presidency.
m. Of course, Sonia Gandhi is not
considered an outstanding leader, thinker or visionary. But look around
in New Delhi and in the state capitals and you will find tremendous power
concentrated in the hands of unbearably corrupt, inexcusably inept, illiterate
and feudal politicians. Sonia Gandhi is untested yet. She deserves a chance.
n. It is incorrect to argue that
the ordinary people of India did not know she could become prime minister.
Congress spokesmen always said the issue of leadership would be decided
after the election. They never said Sonia Gandhi is not in the race. Our
laws do not require the direct mandate of the people to elect the prime
minister. It is a prerogative of the elected representatives. And they
have duly exercised their right.
o. The RSS-sponsored agitation against
Sonia Gandhi will make her stronger than she is today. Power always makes
a leader more attractive. Congressmen know she will have access to files
and only her signature will matter. There are chances of the anti-Sonia
agitation fizzling out because it's a little late in some respects and
a little ahead of its time in others.
p. For the sake of argument, Sonia
Gandhi's supporters can also claim that the Dravidians and the tribals
are the only true Indians. All others are hybrids. In fact, till recently
some upper-caste communities in the Hindi belt were even proud of their
Greek lineage.
q. Three years ago, former prime
minister P V Narasimha Rao had told a journalist that 'nobody can stop
Sonia Gandhi from becoming prime minister except elected Congressmen.'
He was so right.
