Editor,
In a demoralizing denouement to the political drama staged in Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Chief Minister, along with Ajit Pawar taking oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra upsetting the applecart of Shiv Sena party which had set its eyes on the Chief Minister’s post. Thus, the alliance formed overnight between the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress to form a government under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray has become infructuous. In politics there are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends, only permanent interests. Yes, the permanent interest is only to grab power by hook or by crook.
Ajit Pawar, a nephew of the NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who learned the art of politics from his uncle, however, seemed to have learned more of opportunistic politics than the ideal politics. He proved to be an astute politician knowing well when and where to strike to hit the jackpot. Unlike the seasoned Sharad who values politics, Ajit has nothing but opportunism tucked up his sleeves to play for his advantage. He knows well that power powders the shame accumulated on one’s personality.
Equally worth noting is the role of the BJP which has shown that it is not a minnow in scheming plans to grab power as the BJP has proved it several times in the past. The midnight drama went well with the BJP’s expectations as it enjoys power at the Centre. It is a naked fact that the government machineries were hurriedly utilized to the early morning swearing-in ceremony. How lightning fast was the revocation of President’s rule made to pave the way for government formation! Had such volition been there in the administration, we would have been in a heaven-like situation.
As for the Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray received a more serious mortal blow than anyone else because he had been endorsed to be the chief minister by the alliance partners. So, he peaked out before reaching the peak. For Shiv Sena, there is a lesson to be leant from this political incident. They haggled too much with their number of seats and with undue delay too. This made them lose their chance of government formation.
But what worries the common man is the fact that this drama had no political ethics at all. What moral values do our political parties possess to lead the people? An alliance among Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress was just cobbled up to stay in power, but the alliance was disintegrated midway by the greed for power. Like a bolt from the blue, there were some undercurrents that swept the NCP away from the alliance and the BJP emerged victorious in devising plans to unsettle the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress alliance. Whoever may be the kingmakers and fixers in the political drama that saw a different and unexpected denouement, they must think of the values of the political system in our country. These astute political think-tanks are behind this midnight drama to pre-empt a proposed government. Undoubtedly, this Maha midnight drama will be a dark chapter in the history of politics in Maharashtrra.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email
Affordable education a right
Editor,
This refers to the report, “Protesters demand affordable education” (ST, November 24, 2019). Noble laureate Abhijit Banerjee got his master’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University. He said that Jawaharlal Nehru University gave him the opportunity to know about real, pluralist India for the first time. JNU’s fee structure as well as its strict adherence to the policy on which it was created ~ which is to give the opportunity of education even for the marginalised meritorious students of our country ~ has helped it become a model of pluralist India. Meritorious students from rural India, Adivasi India, Dalit India and economically challenged India get a chance to pursue higher studies in JNU. Instead of destroying the egalitarian idea of Jawaharlal Nehru University, it is indeed necessary to spread this idea to other universities as well.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
Ex-CJI sets good example
Editor,
Vacating of government-bungalow by recently retired Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi just within two days after retirement without utilizing the 30-day period to retain the accommodation should be an example to be followed by all those entitled and using government-accommodations. It reminds us of similar idealistic stand taken earlier by former Rajya Sabha member Shabana Azami who vacated government-bungalow before going to attend her last day at Rajya Sabha as she rightly observed that she had no right to enter the government-bungalow after losing membership of Rajya Sabha. Our political rulers should take lessons from British Prime Ministers where family-members of outgoing British Prime Minister are seen pushing out their belongings to ensure that the new British Prime Minister enters into the bungalow meant for him just after taking oath.
On the contrary, only recently Rajasthan High Court had to order the family-members of former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to immediately vacate government-bungalow-number 14 in Civil Lines (Jaipur) which should have been vacated by him on becoming Vice President. But he continued to retain the bungalow in Jaipur even though he had somehow managed one extra government-bungalow in Delhi besides the official residence for Vice President. Surprisingly the bungalow at Jaipur was not vacated even after the death of his wife in 2014 who was allotted the same after the death of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in 2010. Forceful vacation of government-bungalow from the kin of former President Giani Zail Singh had to be carried out.
The system should be tightened by forceful eviction of government-bungalows soon after grace-period of 30 days of losing entitlement, apart from exposing defaulters through frequent press-releases under policy of Name-and-Shame.
Yours etc.,
Madhu Agrawal,
(Guinness Record Holder for letters in newspapers)
Delhi – 6