A welcome farewell

Dilip Singh Judeo is not likely to substitute his volleys of recrimination with expressions of remorse in a hurry. But Prime Minister Atal B...

Dilip Singh Judeo is not likely to substitute his volleys of recrimination with expressions of remorse in a hurry. But Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has acted with admirable swiftness in banishing his tainted minister from his council and promising a fair and wide-ranging inquiry. In virtually sacking the minister of state for environment, he has, we hope, reversed his party8217;s early strategy in response to the expose in The Sunday Express. All through Sunday, sundry BJP functionaries 8212; and Judeo himself 8212; had tried to cast it as a conspiracy, by anyone from political opponents in Chhattisgarh to 8216;8216;international forces8217;8217;. At a bare minimum, disowning a ministerial colleague caught on camera conducting sordid transactions is an act of self-preservation. It would, however, be unfortunate if it stopped there. It will be a difficult passage, but the BJP may find that if it grasps this difficult moment, if it abides by a process of internal reform, it could well prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Explicit transcripts of Judeo accepting cash in return for helping some men get mining rights in Chhattisgarh and Orissa come at an awkward time for the BJP. It is in the midst of campaigning for five state elections, four of them pitting it directly against the Congress. In one of them, Chhattisgarh, Judeo was perceived as its chief ministerial aspirant. The disquiet in party circles is understandable. But recovery lies not in brazening it out, in reiterating conspiracy theories and protesting Judeo8217;s innocence. Certainly, every individual is entitled to an impartial inquiry, and Judeo is no exception. Beyond that, the BJP should realise that regaining public confidence lies in delivering accountability and transparency, not in appearing to shield corruption. It is a measure of current cynicism that political parties are seen as major agents of corruption. Yet, they can be the most effective warriors against corruption. By instituting internal reform, by invoking stringent standards of accountability and integrity for their members, they not only strengthen themselves, but recommend themselves emphatically to voters. The BJP is not alone is fighting charges of corruption in its ranks; all political parties would gain with reform.

Judeo, however, was not merely a party functionary, he held an important portfolio at the Centre. The prime minister has always made it a point to highlight the government8217;s commitment to economic reform. Charges of corruption are automatic impediments to economic growth and the BJP would do well to internalise the basic principle that accountable governance is the basis of a reform-minded government. Thus the faster such exposes are dealt with, the better.