I still remember the day, I had to get up early to go to my school, but that day I had one additional thing to do. I turned on the TV and there was Atal Bihari Vajpayee talking on possible invite from President for attempt to form government in center.
I was at Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, that time, studying in class V at Maharishi Vidya Mandir. That school made us to inculcate certain values, which I had not seen in schools before that and after that. But I think news reading is one of the common things that most of schools ask their students to do. I think, that this news gathering from Doodarshan breakfast news program and Times of India morning edition, inculcated my interest in current affairs and politics.
That government lasted thirteen days before Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee making an emotional address in parliament and putting his resignation due to failure of test of majority. I was in Nainital that day at my fathers' friends' place, and was watching this proceeding live. I was not in the grasp of the exact situation but picked some sense from the talks of adults in the room. What struck me that day, was eloquence of Shri Atal Bihari, his style, the glare on his face and the hidden pain in his voice still mesmerizes me. I mark that day as my formal day on interest in politics but informal introduction dates further back to Shri Vishwanath Pratap Singh as his short name and my short name ( VP Singh ) are same.
The Atal government was gone, and all other national parties were in huddle. I was looking into newspapers with some interest and was also trying to interpret the articles and columns to find out speculations. I still remember how Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav were in news, how there was a news that carved out Jyoti Basu as a consensus name from that huddle. Finally out of nowhere HD Deve Gowda was declared as consensus prime minister, there was Doordarshan news program that night showing a little background and his native village. It was however known to all, including my little sense that the fate of that government was written on day of swearing itself.
When I think of that time I still find it very hard to believe that I started having interest in the system by that age, I think maybe it was audacity of press or the restlessness of the society on many issues or either being from a state that is the epicenter of Indian political system.
When i try to remember about the Deve Gowda government, I fail to recall anything that had any historical value in the sense. However the things that I can recall are the one that have comic value in it. The way his long name was, had some entertainment value for north indian people, and the excerpts in news that how he used to sleep on podiums and political stages. I also recall reading in India Today how he was not so bothered about security and even told his security staff that he needs not be cared as Rajiv Gandhi was cared before. My little mind was not able to capture any other vivid memory of that time, apart from these nuances.
Deve Gowda had to go as Congress did not liked him, maybe a ploy by then Congress president Sitaram Kesari to rise himself to the supreme position. Again a political war broke out and Indra Kumar Gujral emerged out as a consensus candidate from the United Front fold. I do not remember any golden legacies that he left during his tenure. Hindi vernaculars coined "bakra dadhi" for his french cut beard, bad names do have longer shelf life. Indra Kumar Gujral was last prime minister from Janata Dal Parivar, circumstances led the downfall of his government. Jain commission completed the inquiry in Rajiv Gandhi assignation case and allegedly alleged role of Tamil heavyweight DMK in the ruling coalition. Congress had it chance to withdraw support, which it did and snap polls were called.
Year of 1998 was the pivot of change in Indian politics. Indian democracy since inception was running on socialist and a hint of communist political ideologue. The power produced monarchs in our democracy and monarchs promoted corruption corruption to ensure power remains with them. United Front government posed presidential rule by using article 356 ousting BJP government of Kalyan Singh. BJP cadres were buoyant with the oppression and they considered United Front government as illegitimate and a nexus rather than a coalition. This was a shared sentiment with masses of north India. The change was on the horizon.
Indian politics had for long worked on socialist principle where state owned industries and business. I agree with adoption of socialist and left of center politics in first 20 years since independence, after that socialist principle just hindered the growth, made people dependent on doles and subsidies. The wealth in society was not growing rapidly giving fewer margins for reinvestment and development, more or less Indian society was living hand to mouth. The Idea of Janta Dal by Jai Prakash Narayan gave new hope and people thought that it will a fresh air. Janta Dal was also founded on socialist principles and by renaming a process one cannot change the outcome. The Janta Dal fell flat on the promise of "samajvaad", and samajvaad just become a term and an idea, which just scratched the surface of Indian society in terms of good, but created problems which were long lasting then goods its delivered. Samjavaad produced political stalwarts like Lalu, Mulayam and others which drove the Samajavaad deep into caste politics and centralized the power of state politics in hands of few and their families. These forces were however rampant those days not as weak as today. Socialism produced a farce democracy, socialism claim that power is decentralized and remains with people, but the means of power, the wealth is controlled by State. This wealth gave rise to feudal, monarch culture and created a vicious cycle of power to wealth and wealth to power over time. The result was rise of feudal characters, centralization of power, muscleman, nepotism and corruption as these tools ensured the successful run of the vicious cycle. The Indian democracy was now rearing for change from left of center to right of center.
Cable TV made big progress into middle class providing a fresh line of information which was not state controlled but moved with sentiment of people and was market driven. The unfiltered and fast information was reaching to people, the aspirations of the society were slowly climbing. Earlier information was broadcasted via state run Prasar Bharti, and thus the government. The era of open television debates and interviews was picking up. News hungry society created demand and competition that no one can one handedly control. The Indian society was on the path of citizenship rather than being subject of the state.
The election of 1998 gave the final right wing chase, the idea that had inception from the time of Jan Sangh. The next 6 years saw what that did not happened before. Atal Ji had become prime minister for the second time and BJP bettered its tally from the last time. This was again a coalition government, and was full of truckloads of expectations and ambitions of regional parties. Sonia Gandhi ousted Sitaram Kesrai from Congress top post and was in rein of things. Sinister political game were underway and Jaylalita took the support from BJP government after some secret deal with Sonia Gandhi. The government fell in 13 months bettering its previous score of 13 days.
However this was remarkable time in Indian history. After a long time India dared to perform nuclear test, putting India back into global arena more strongly. There was overall a sense of pride in people and assurance that this government is not afraid to take strong decisions. Many political and trade scansions were imposed on India by USA, but India sailed through them well. Meantime Pakistan also performed its nuclear test, putting the hot region into more simmering position. However this gave India a new confidence. Atal Ji had a dream of lasting peace with Pakistan. Both countries developed their nationalism over territorial dispute over Kashmir for long time. This issue was used on both sides as a passion inflator by politicians, and ultra nationalist ideologue developed due to this primarily, along with many other issues. Pakistan long used Kashmir issue to not only develop international alliances (which others did with Pakistan for their vested interest in cold war era), but as a tool of their foreign and military policy. They bread non state actors which with time become non obedient and challenge to state itself, Kashmir issue has become two edged sword, one cutting on Indian side by promoting terrorism not only in Kashmir but pan India and one cutting throat of democratic process on Pakistan by introducing political instability and weakening of civilian government against military might and non state actors supported by later. Over time Kashmir issue did become a challenge which ran into unsolvable state, a tough riddle with layers of challenges. Atal ji knew that this problem can only be solved over time when the passion on both side will wane, but alas time not remains same and change is the order of nature. Kashmir issue needs long civilian governments in Pakistan and doing real development for people so that people have something else to work upon rather then worrying for food and Kashmir. Poor people are more gullible due to lack of education and less opportunities to engage with. So what a statesman like Atal ji can do, he thought of an idea of people to people contact, which if bread over long time will align the aspirations and the issue which looks humungous can become irrelevant with time. Atal ji started Lahore bus program and himself took first bus to Lahore and to be greeted there by none other then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The world saw this gesture and praises were everywhere, but wheel of time turned again.
The military coup in Pakistan due to developments in Kargil, caused exit of Nawaz Sharif. The Kargil ploy orchestrated by Pakistan military headed by Parvez Musharaff, to again draw world's attention to Kashmir, may be he feared too much goodies with civilian governments on both side may push Kashmir onto back burner. Indian army fought fierce and controlled battle with terrorists supported by Pakistan army. This was not a full blown war, but much trust was lost then was ever built with Lahore bus initiative. This incident went down into history as a betrayal. The trust that was lost that time, still remains in oblivion.
Other important initiative that was taken by Atal Ji was the road project. Golden quadrilateral, Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna were started with a far reaching vision. This project was a key economic driver for many industries for long time, by creating substantial demands and generating employment. Road and Rails are the veins of development of a nation, if government creates or enables mechanism for creation of roads and rail services, I will say that government works on the principle of development. The indian socialism driven governance model created several institutions in past, they ensured several mechanism for public good in form of doles, reservations, entitlements which were required for young nation, but now were stretched. Narshima Rao government took courage to correct the industry problem and Atal government was taking the second step, providing ground infrastructure to industry and people for a sustained growth.
--To Be Continued --
I was at Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, that time, studying in class V at Maharishi Vidya Mandir. That school made us to inculcate certain values, which I had not seen in schools before that and after that. But I think news reading is one of the common things that most of schools ask their students to do. I think, that this news gathering from Doodarshan breakfast news program and Times of India morning edition, inculcated my interest in current affairs and politics.
That government lasted thirteen days before Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee making an emotional address in parliament and putting his resignation due to failure of test of majority. I was in Nainital that day at my fathers' friends' place, and was watching this proceeding live. I was not in the grasp of the exact situation but picked some sense from the talks of adults in the room. What struck me that day, was eloquence of Shri Atal Bihari, his style, the glare on his face and the hidden pain in his voice still mesmerizes me. I mark that day as my formal day on interest in politics but informal introduction dates further back to Shri Vishwanath Pratap Singh as his short name and my short name ( VP Singh ) are same.
The Atal government was gone, and all other national parties were in huddle. I was looking into newspapers with some interest and was also trying to interpret the articles and columns to find out speculations. I still remember how Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav were in news, how there was a news that carved out Jyoti Basu as a consensus name from that huddle. Finally out of nowhere HD Deve Gowda was declared as consensus prime minister, there was Doordarshan news program that night showing a little background and his native village. It was however known to all, including my little sense that the fate of that government was written on day of swearing itself.
When I think of that time I still find it very hard to believe that I started having interest in the system by that age, I think maybe it was audacity of press or the restlessness of the society on many issues or either being from a state that is the epicenter of Indian political system.
When i try to remember about the Deve Gowda government, I fail to recall anything that had any historical value in the sense. However the things that I can recall are the one that have comic value in it. The way his long name was, had some entertainment value for north indian people, and the excerpts in news that how he used to sleep on podiums and political stages. I also recall reading in India Today how he was not so bothered about security and even told his security staff that he needs not be cared as Rajiv Gandhi was cared before. My little mind was not able to capture any other vivid memory of that time, apart from these nuances.
Deve Gowda had to go as Congress did not liked him, maybe a ploy by then Congress president Sitaram Kesari to rise himself to the supreme position. Again a political war broke out and Indra Kumar Gujral emerged out as a consensus candidate from the United Front fold. I do not remember any golden legacies that he left during his tenure. Hindi vernaculars coined "bakra dadhi" for his french cut beard, bad names do have longer shelf life. Indra Kumar Gujral was last prime minister from Janata Dal Parivar, circumstances led the downfall of his government. Jain commission completed the inquiry in Rajiv Gandhi assignation case and allegedly alleged role of Tamil heavyweight DMK in the ruling coalition. Congress had it chance to withdraw support, which it did and snap polls were called.
Year of 1998 was the pivot of change in Indian politics. Indian democracy since inception was running on socialist and a hint of communist political ideologue. The power produced monarchs in our democracy and monarchs promoted corruption corruption to ensure power remains with them. United Front government posed presidential rule by using article 356 ousting BJP government of Kalyan Singh. BJP cadres were buoyant with the oppression and they considered United Front government as illegitimate and a nexus rather than a coalition. This was a shared sentiment with masses of north India. The change was on the horizon.
Indian politics had for long worked on socialist principle where state owned industries and business. I agree with adoption of socialist and left of center politics in first 20 years since independence, after that socialist principle just hindered the growth, made people dependent on doles and subsidies. The wealth in society was not growing rapidly giving fewer margins for reinvestment and development, more or less Indian society was living hand to mouth. The Idea of Janta Dal by Jai Prakash Narayan gave new hope and people thought that it will a fresh air. Janta Dal was also founded on socialist principles and by renaming a process one cannot change the outcome. The Janta Dal fell flat on the promise of "samajvaad", and samajvaad just become a term and an idea, which just scratched the surface of Indian society in terms of good, but created problems which were long lasting then goods its delivered. Samjavaad produced political stalwarts like Lalu, Mulayam and others which drove the Samajavaad deep into caste politics and centralized the power of state politics in hands of few and their families. These forces were however rampant those days not as weak as today. Socialism produced a farce democracy, socialism claim that power is decentralized and remains with people, but the means of power, the wealth is controlled by State. This wealth gave rise to feudal, monarch culture and created a vicious cycle of power to wealth and wealth to power over time. The result was rise of feudal characters, centralization of power, muscleman, nepotism and corruption as these tools ensured the successful run of the vicious cycle. The Indian democracy was now rearing for change from left of center to right of center.
Cable TV made big progress into middle class providing a fresh line of information which was not state controlled but moved with sentiment of people and was market driven. The unfiltered and fast information was reaching to people, the aspirations of the society were slowly climbing. Earlier information was broadcasted via state run Prasar Bharti, and thus the government. The era of open television debates and interviews was picking up. News hungry society created demand and competition that no one can one handedly control. The Indian society was on the path of citizenship rather than being subject of the state.
The election of 1998 gave the final right wing chase, the idea that had inception from the time of Jan Sangh. The next 6 years saw what that did not happened before. Atal Ji had become prime minister for the second time and BJP bettered its tally from the last time. This was again a coalition government, and was full of truckloads of expectations and ambitions of regional parties. Sonia Gandhi ousted Sitaram Kesrai from Congress top post and was in rein of things. Sinister political game were underway and Jaylalita took the support from BJP government after some secret deal with Sonia Gandhi. The government fell in 13 months bettering its previous score of 13 days.
However this was remarkable time in Indian history. After a long time India dared to perform nuclear test, putting India back into global arena more strongly. There was overall a sense of pride in people and assurance that this government is not afraid to take strong decisions. Many political and trade scansions were imposed on India by USA, but India sailed through them well. Meantime Pakistan also performed its nuclear test, putting the hot region into more simmering position. However this gave India a new confidence. Atal Ji had a dream of lasting peace with Pakistan. Both countries developed their nationalism over territorial dispute over Kashmir for long time. This issue was used on both sides as a passion inflator by politicians, and ultra nationalist ideologue developed due to this primarily, along with many other issues. Pakistan long used Kashmir issue to not only develop international alliances (which others did with Pakistan for their vested interest in cold war era), but as a tool of their foreign and military policy. They bread non state actors which with time become non obedient and challenge to state itself, Kashmir issue has become two edged sword, one cutting on Indian side by promoting terrorism not only in Kashmir but pan India and one cutting throat of democratic process on Pakistan by introducing political instability and weakening of civilian government against military might and non state actors supported by later. Over time Kashmir issue did become a challenge which ran into unsolvable state, a tough riddle with layers of challenges. Atal ji knew that this problem can only be solved over time when the passion on both side will wane, but alas time not remains same and change is the order of nature. Kashmir issue needs long civilian governments in Pakistan and doing real development for people so that people have something else to work upon rather then worrying for food and Kashmir. Poor people are more gullible due to lack of education and less opportunities to engage with. So what a statesman like Atal ji can do, he thought of an idea of people to people contact, which if bread over long time will align the aspirations and the issue which looks humungous can become irrelevant with time. Atal ji started Lahore bus program and himself took first bus to Lahore and to be greeted there by none other then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The world saw this gesture and praises were everywhere, but wheel of time turned again.
The military coup in Pakistan due to developments in Kargil, caused exit of Nawaz Sharif. The Kargil ploy orchestrated by Pakistan military headed by Parvez Musharaff, to again draw world's attention to Kashmir, may be he feared too much goodies with civilian governments on both side may push Kashmir onto back burner. Indian army fought fierce and controlled battle with terrorists supported by Pakistan army. This was not a full blown war, but much trust was lost then was ever built with Lahore bus initiative. This incident went down into history as a betrayal. The trust that was lost that time, still remains in oblivion.
Other important initiative that was taken by Atal Ji was the road project. Golden quadrilateral, Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna were started with a far reaching vision. This project was a key economic driver for many industries for long time, by creating substantial demands and generating employment. Road and Rails are the veins of development of a nation, if government creates or enables mechanism for creation of roads and rail services, I will say that government works on the principle of development. The indian socialism driven governance model created several institutions in past, they ensured several mechanism for public good in form of doles, reservations, entitlements which were required for young nation, but now were stretched. Narshima Rao government took courage to correct the industry problem and Atal government was taking the second step, providing ground infrastructure to industry and people for a sustained growth.
--To Be Continued --
