Author: Editorial
Publication: Free Press Journal
Date: July 3, 2009
Two separate incidents involving senior UPA
members offer an early test of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's political skills
--- and his ability to keep his flock from straying far away from the narrow
and straight of propriety and norms of public life. The first, of course,
is the revelation by the Madras High Court judge R. Reghupathi that a central
minister from Tamil Nadu had telephoned him seeking a favourable order on
a bail application of a fatherand-son-duo Though he did not disclose the errant
minister's name, speculation in the media has it that the culprit is none
other than the Telecom Minister A. Raja. Quite clearly, the matter is serious.
No one, least of all a central minister, ought to influence the judicial process.
It is a simple axiom appreciated even by the `aam aadmi.' But our power-drunk
minister thought he was above the law and could dictate to it as he wished.
He must be disciplined by the PM The second incident involves the Nagarkurnool
Congress MP, Manda Jagannath, who was seen abusing and slapping a bank manager
whom he accused of dilly-dallying on the grant of loans to the SCs and STs.
On film, the victim is seen cowering with fear even as the MP unleashes a
barrage of unprintable abuses and slaps the poor fellow. Though a complaint
of assault against a public servant was lodged with the police, the MP was
still to be questioned. Meanwhile, the party bosses were trying to cover up
the incident. There was no excuse for the boorish behaviour of the not-so-honourable
MP. Of course, the PM has not said a word edgeways regarding the two scandalous
episodes. But in his second innings he should, at least, assert himself for
the sake of justice and good governance
