Author: Editortial
Publication: Free Press Journal
Date: June 10, 2004
URL: http://www.samachar.com/features/100604-editorial.html
Rahul Gandhi's statements in Amethi
about UP affairs amount to a Congress policy decision. Shorn of rhetoric
and equivocation, Rahul Gandhi has issued a warning to Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Unless he mends the law and order situation, improves power supply and
goes all out on development, the Congress will be compelled to act in the
interests of the people. What kind of action? He puts the question to his
audience whether they have understood the import of his words. Rahul poses
the question again and insists that they have not understood what he has
in mind. He approves when a Congress volunteer replies that Mulayam Singh
government must go. Here is an open challenge to Mulayam, not hidden, not
subtle nor indirect. Direct action is what Rahul has in mind. Before we
come to the imponderables in Rahul's agenda, one wonders whether this is
the decision of the AICC and the Congress President. If so, the Congress
President is the fittest person to indicate the Congress plan for UP. Would
it have been tolerated by the Congress President, if such an announcement
had been made by any other member of the Congress young Turks like Jyotiraditya
Scindia or Sachin Pilot? Some are more equal than others in the Congress
hierarchy, especially if you are a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
No wonder, the usual sycophants
and claques are already drumming up support for Rahul as the number two
leader in the party next only to his mother. Talks of his becoming a general
secretary are heard not only in the circle of tired, old retainers of the
Congress but even among the new MPs. Rahul's immediate problems in carrying
out his task are two. His 13 MLAs who are supporting Mulayam from outside
will not make any dent on Mulayam government by withdrawing support. The
Congress should persuade Ajit Singh with his 13 MLAs to do likewise. Equally
impactful is Mayawati'' stand.
Assuming that Mayawati will never
support Mulayam Singh, the Congress has to get her Bahujan Samaj Party
on its side for which the Congress will have to pay a heavy price. Will
the Congress be prepared to play into the hands of Mayawati after moving
decisively against Mulayam? The way out is fresh elections in U.P. Is the
Congress strong enough to win a majority in the assembly? Too early to
predict in spite of all the youthful truculence of Rahul Gandhi. The Amethi
statement makes it clear who is who in the Congress.
While on this subject, perplexing
development will not escape the attention of the country. The Union Law
Minister's announcement that Sonia has all the powers to call for any file
from any ministry by virtue of her being the chairperson of UPA with cabinet
rank is intriguing. The announcement comes on a day when the Prime Minister's
letter to his ministers that they should deliver in consonance with the
Common Minimum Programme within the shortest possible time was issued.
Who decides on the lapses of a ministry? Sonia Gandhi or the Prime Minister?
Sonia Gandhi will not summon files
unless she has found something wanting in the performance of a minister
or his bureaucracy. Sonia Gandhi is responsible for coordinating with allies
on the implementation of the CMP. That does not entitle her to function
as another Prime Minister which is what it is going to be, if she assumes
powers to call for files. This is the responsibility of the Prime Minister
and his alone. If the Prime Minister is to submit his files for scrutiny
( a distinct possibility), who is the real Prime Minister?
