Saturday finally saw the moment of reckoning for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when the Nuclear Suppliers Group in its Vienna meeting finally gave a waiver to India to engage in nuclear commerce, the penultimate step before the historic Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Agreement goes to the last Congress of the Bush administration for its approval. A tumultuous political drama back home that preceded this ominous NSG meet made it seem as vague as an Athenian comedy. It was a political bickering of the worst kind. But finally Manmohan Singh and the Congress party had had the last laugh.
The week also turned out to be memorable for it saw another resolution to a row, this time a corporate-political bickering. In perhaps one of the first instances of its kind, West Bengal governor intervened and brought together Trinamool Congress chief Mamta Banerjee and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya to bring to an end to the Singur impasse. Manufacturer of world’s cheapest car Tata has been caught in a crisis over the social pitch dug in by Banerjee – she claims farmers are being forcibly made to part with their land – which forced the company suspend operations and its MD Ratan Tata stating publicly that if push comes to shove he would not blink to withdraw his protests. While Mamta’s tirade seemed to be robbing the ruling CPI M of its critical working class vote bank, the corporate camaraderie left the pro-reform, pro-industry CM nervous. Buddhadeb has worked hard to shun the state of its anti-capitalist image and made a fervent pitch in last few years to attract investments. Tata was a big deal and Buddhadeb would not let it go at any costs. Mamta had other ideas.
Thankfully wisdom prevailed but not before Mamta had wrested a political cost – her followers think she would reap huge dividends of this posturing in elections though many dispute such fanciful ideas. The case also points to the buoyant mood of the government vis a vis reforms and industrialization, a realization that in the changed socio-political milieu safeguarding the interests of farmers was as critical as protecting industry’s wellbeing. Till some time ago this would have been termed a predicament of the government but no longer. One must note that a large chunk of the vocal, urban middle class India today relates more with the new mood of industrialization. And political parties know it too well.
From cacophonic unease in West Bengal to not so benevolent bonhomie in New Delhi between Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress, observers were quick to note the writing on the wall.
The Press Club of India, Delhi had organised an interactive session for Amar Singh on a sultry Friday (Sept 5) afternoon and it turned out to be just the right occasion for the SP leader to make his points on the current political scene. Not only he made amends to his senior Mulayam Singh Yadav’s “dilemma” statement over N Deal, he made a host of other politically significant points aimed at strengthening his party’s claims in the run up to the Elections. To begin with, Singh seemed very upset with Congress managers assigned the task of negotiating the UP deal. Singh was especially annoyed with Digvijay Singh who he said was “after all working for his party by strongly bargaining with us.” But he took a dig at the former MP CM when Singh said, “Digvijay Singh tells us to follow Lalu Yadav a role model of coalition politics. If we were to do that we won’t be able to give away more than 8 seats to the Congress and remember unlike Laluji we have not had the luxury of being in the Cabinet for past four years.” The import of this and many other uttering of Singh was clear: SP is not going to concede too much and too soon and Congress will have to remain contend with whatever they do. This may come as a bit of a disappointment for Rahul Gandhi and his likes who have been dreaming of putting the party on a revival course. However it’s easier said than done given the complex political scenario of this Hindi heartland.
Cameras pawned from tiny, grassless lawns of Press Club to the private jet and a swanky Rolls Royce which Amar Singh and his companions Jaya Prada and Jaya Bachchan rode to reach Southern silver screen heartthrob and new political star Chiranjeevi. It is being rumoured that SP is keen on expanding its footprint and a bid to allure Praja Rajyam could well be as per the script though officials of both parties hastened to dispel any political meaning to this “courtesy meeting.” SP could especially be interested in finding a strong alliance partner like Chiranjeevi in AP as its bete noire and UP CM Mayawati of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has already tied up with another Andhra outfit Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by flamboyant Chandrababu Naidu.
As it is turning out, who forms a government will depend on who has forged the best alliance, won hearts and have willing sprinters for a relay run. Amar Singh knows it pretty well and has begun his campaign. From Raisina Hills to Singur and South of Vindhyas, Singh with his flamboyance is out to win hearts for the next big event in April-May 2009.
Showing posts with label Praja Rajyam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Praja Rajyam. Show all posts
Monday, September 8, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Class Action
To say that the launch of Telugu actor Chiranjeevi's political party, Praja Rajyam, had all the trappings of the 150 odd films he has done in his career will be a gross understatement. On two aspects, that he knows best, his launch had outdone his films- in scale and drama. It had the epic scale of Cecil De B Mille's Ben Hur. Chiranjeevi sent a clear message to his political adversaries yesterday that he has the ability to pull and draw hundreds and thousands of people from across the length and the coast of the state, something only south Indian actors are endowed with. But among all of them who have taken a plunge into politics, Chiranjeevi's magnetism for drawing huge crowds has been the best so far.
The venue was symbolic in all political sense and sensibilities. It was on this Avilala Tank ground that the 1992 AICC plenary was held. Against the backdrop of a deafening roar, Chiranjeevi asked a physically challenged youth to unveil the party's white and green flag with a blazing sun in the centre.
His speech, running into two hours, was almost like watching one of his films except that it was a monologue. He said he wanted to fight political corruption at the top as it was the fountainhead of graft. Importantly, he said his party will be committed to socialism and empowerment of the poor and downtrodden. My party belongs to women, backward classes, farmers, workers and youth, he said. While touching upon almost all pressing problems confronting the state, he said he would do a scientific assessment of all them before arriving at solutions. His rally posters had Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Jyotiba Phule clearly indicating on which side of the social spectrum he stands.
Going by initial commentaries, he plans to unsettle the Congress and TDP bases in coastal Andhra, where he has powerful grip. The Left parties, Telangana Rasthriya Samithi and BJP have erupted already sprung up to say they are open to future alliances provided Chiru's agenda is in sync with theirs. Going by the spectacle of the launch and the cinematic spell he holds over Andhra Pradesh, it is not upto the BJP to decide but it will be upto PR to decide who to embrace and hold hands with.
He has even advocated sensitive handling of the Telengana issue and Naxalism in the state, something that his political adversaries have so far found it challenging.
His rise to stardom, like his dear friend Rajinikanth, is something that is stuff of movies and legends. Where else can you find the son of a constable rising to a superstar but in our movies? And now he has used the very same stardom and the support of his fans to launch his party. My parents looked after me for 22 years, but you have carried me for 30 years on your shoulders. Therefore, I wanted to play a bigger role in ushering a change in your lives, he said in almost a melodramatic fashion.
Critics have been swift in rubbishing his poverty stricken past and his spartan claims after the launch of the party. They must have quivered, shuddered at the thought of the sea of humanity who came in waves to see their matinee idol.
The Congress responded by saying PR will not have any effect on the party in the state rather it will affect the spoils of TDP. He had already met senior BJP leader LK Advani. The state unit has already asked the actor turned politician to come clear on Telengana issue as though he has been running the state's political affairs for donkey's years.
It would be appropriate to see how he performs than to speculate which way will Chiranjeevi swing. What is to be seen is whether the sea of humanity can be translated into votes.
During an election rally the DMK supremo, Karunanidhi had once said if only his supporters who gathered to listen to his speeches came to vote. That would apply for Chiranjeevi as well. Till then he can enjoy his new role.
The venue was symbolic in all political sense and sensibilities. It was on this Avilala Tank ground that the 1992 AICC plenary was held. Against the backdrop of a deafening roar, Chiranjeevi asked a physically challenged youth to unveil the party's white and green flag with a blazing sun in the centre.
His speech, running into two hours, was almost like watching one of his films except that it was a monologue. He said he wanted to fight political corruption at the top as it was the fountainhead of graft. Importantly, he said his party will be committed to socialism and empowerment of the poor and downtrodden. My party belongs to women, backward classes, farmers, workers and youth, he said. While touching upon almost all pressing problems confronting the state, he said he would do a scientific assessment of all them before arriving at solutions. His rally posters had Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Jyotiba Phule clearly indicating on which side of the social spectrum he stands.
Going by initial commentaries, he plans to unsettle the Congress and TDP bases in coastal Andhra, where he has powerful grip. The Left parties, Telangana Rasthriya Samithi and BJP have erupted already sprung up to say they are open to future alliances provided Chiru's agenda is in sync with theirs. Going by the spectacle of the launch and the cinematic spell he holds over Andhra Pradesh, it is not upto the BJP to decide but it will be upto PR to decide who to embrace and hold hands with.
He has even advocated sensitive handling of the Telengana issue and Naxalism in the state, something that his political adversaries have so far found it challenging.
His rise to stardom, like his dear friend Rajinikanth, is something that is stuff of movies and legends. Where else can you find the son of a constable rising to a superstar but in our movies? And now he has used the very same stardom and the support of his fans to launch his party. My parents looked after me for 22 years, but you have carried me for 30 years on your shoulders. Therefore, I wanted to play a bigger role in ushering a change in your lives, he said in almost a melodramatic fashion.
Critics have been swift in rubbishing his poverty stricken past and his spartan claims after the launch of the party. They must have quivered, shuddered at the thought of the sea of humanity who came in waves to see their matinee idol.
The Congress responded by saying PR will not have any effect on the party in the state rather it will affect the spoils of TDP. He had already met senior BJP leader LK Advani. The state unit has already asked the actor turned politician to come clear on Telengana issue as though he has been running the state's political affairs for donkey's years.
It would be appropriate to see how he performs than to speculate which way will Chiranjeevi swing. What is to be seen is whether the sea of humanity can be translated into votes.
During an election rally the DMK supremo, Karunanidhi had once said if only his supporters who gathered to listen to his speeches came to vote. That would apply for Chiranjeevi as well. Till then he can enjoy his new role.
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