Dear Editor,
I read of the political positioning between the opposition parties and am appalled; disgust quickly follows.
First there is this very public discussion, if not negotiation, about who must be what, how high some desire to be, what is acceptable. One gets the impression that these power seeking, power-staking exercises are non-negotiable. It just must be this way, or no way at all. I say that it is very constructive to draw lines, manage expectations, and solidify positions in advance. But such horse trading is best done away from the public glare. The serious tough discussions need to occur privately.
In view of what has happened, reasonable individuals have to wonder what the priorities are and what comes first. Clearly, it is neither the desolate state of the country nor the plight of citizens. I believe that all of this angling and self-interest minimizes, if not negates, the struggle to overcome and to usher in change to the superseding crassness of personal ambition, of self first, and the rest be damned. Hence, the aspirations of manipulated long-suffering citizens are severely diminished by the naked calculations of those out for themselves, and themselves only. The pragmatic idealism so necessary, so vital for the political, ethical, and spiritual uplifting of this beleaguered society is largely absent, and rendered victim to the unadorned scheming of those who seek to use the electorate to trample on its soul, as is being done right now. All of this reveals to watchful citizens who is really who, and what is paramount in the heated, rather sordid, political cauldron. It is now undeniable that what has transpired is all about power and positioning and self-promotion of the ugliest nature. If this is what lies ahead of the nation, then it is in more trouble than it knows.
On another note, not altogether unrelated, the points raised by Dr David Hinds (SN, January 26) are well taken. After twenty-three years of Indian leaders, it has to be, must be, more of the same… In this rainbow society, the leadership pipeline admits to being colourblind; it sees only one colour: its own. No one is prepared to separate and sacrifice the personal for the national, the self for the greater good. It has gotta be me, about me. Some are impressed with only themselves. This is so to such an extent that they walk around with statues of themselves hugged in loving embrace. Yes, it’s gotta be me, and me only.
Those expected to be more politically astute come across as yearning dangerously for power, grasping for it at all costs, and ready to seize it as the price of inclusion and fusion. There is little regard for the larger picture, or even the appearance of the thing.
Last, there is this stridency about jailing the guilty from the current ruling ranks. I agree fully with the jailing, if not more. But opposition political leaders need to be less excitable, less emotional in their approach and public verbal decorum. Now is the time to be clinical, and coldly so. Now is the time to talk less, and let actions speak. Now is the time to roll-up the pants fold and get down in the mud and the trenches, and do some real political hustling and work. Who is up to this? And where are they?
In sum, I believe that too many mistakes have already been made and too much personal ugliness is on display. All could come back to haunt. I exhort the main players to remember that there is a country and lots of people involved.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
