After 17 years, how about an apology

Seventeen years is a long time but the nation still remembers those politicians who cried themselves hoarse, trying to extract electoral mileage out of the baseless charges against Rajiv. We all know how corruption charges fascinate the middle-class, and when levelled against politicians of repute, earn instant dividends. We know how Rajiv lost the elections because of these trumped-up scams. Not only elections, he eventually lost his SPG security, which led to his assassination. But even death could not exonerate him. Just name a case where a deceased was charge-sheeted. Rajiv has suffered it all.

Frankly, the time has come to call for a political code of conduct for all parties. A basic accountability should be ensured at all costs. While our judicial system demands that everyone be considered innocent till found guilty, corruption charges trigger immediate trial by the media and masses. Such trials summarily paint the ‘‘suspect’’ in black, and it takes years of judicial trial before one can clear one’s name. In some cases, as in this case, the innocent person doesn’t live to see himself vindicated.

Not so long ago, on the floor of Parliament, Ram Jethmalani stunned many when he declared that Rajiv was victimised by irresponsible politics and that there was no legal base for a case against him in the Bofors issue. Jethmalani added that he had undergone a complete change of heart since all cases against Rajiv turned out to be legally defunct. The Parliament fell silent. For many, it was an emotional moment.

Besides ethics, it’s also about draining the national exchequer. The corruption charges in the Airbus 320 deal quoted a kickback of Rs 500 crore. According to a rough estimate prepared by the Aviation Ministry, the nation lost Rs 1500 crore for the senseless decision to ground the Airbus 320 fleet following those charges. Not to mention the amount the CBI spent probing the case for 15 years. Similarly, the current Government should also take the trouble to calculate if the expenditure incurred in probing the Bofors case has actually exceeded the alleged kickback amount.

It’s outrageous how leaders don’t hesitate to level such serious charges for petty political gain. Such rootless allegation not only embarrasses the investigating agency but also misleads and cheats the nation. Jethmalani probably committed an honest mistake and hence had the heart to own up. But for many, such allegations are games of political calculation. It’s a pity that even from leaders of stature, especially those who never tire talking of values and integrity in politics, we cannot expect basic political responsibility.

But now that their bluff has been called, these opportunist politicians must apologise to the nation for fooling the masses. That is, if they have a conscience. They must also repent for betraying a visionary leader who introduced the computer to India, initiated the telecom revolution and launched economic reforms. That is, if they have a soul.

All for the BJP’s Kalyan

• Kalyan Singh and his RKP is a big catch for the BJP. In Uttar Pradesh, he will definitely bolster the party’s chances. Fortunately for the BJP, Lalji Tandon, Shiv Kumar, Balbir Punj and Dinanath Mishra eventually succeeded in convincing Kalyan to return to the BJP. Once the groundwork was done, Pramod Mahajan struck the final deal.

It would be wrong to dismiss Kalyan’s impact on the grounds that the RKP polled only three per cent of the votes in Uttar Pradesh. What is crucial is the fact that this vote share is not spread across the state but concentrated in certain constituencies. In these pockets, Kalyan will decidedly tilt the balance in the BJP’s favour. I can safely estimate that Kalyan’s absence will mean a loss of about 15 seats for Mulayam. The Mulayam-Kalyan duo was a formidable combination in Uttar Pradesh.

It is interesting to note that a few BJP leaders didn’t want Kalyan back. They still hate him and will try to come in the way of Kalyan assuming his rightful position in the party. But for the party workers, it is a time for rejuvenation, as the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister commands a stronger following than any other BJP leader at the grassroot level in the state. The BJP leadership must realise Kalyan’s full potential. I believe he can make a very able national president of the party in the long run because of his exceptional organisational and administrative gifts.

The writer is a Congress MP