Don146;t blame India

I am constrained to publicly confront the most unjustified and baseless accusations made against me by Lord Swraj Paul...

I am constrained to publicly confront the most unjustified and baseless accusations made against me by Lord Swraj Paul 8211; an old cherished friend 8211; in connection with the elections to the CPA Executive Committee held on August 9 2008 in Malaysia. I am sorry that unfortunately, he seems to be unable to reconcile himself to his electoral defeat as Chairman. To set the record straight, I would like to clarify that Lord Paul had informed me about his decision to contest the election as a nominee of the UK and Canada and I had wished him well as I would all contestants. He did not seek my approval for the nomination and there was certainly no requirement for it. On no occasion had I pledged the support of the Indian delegation for him, as claimed.

Lord Paul has now alleged that he lost because the entire Indian delegation did not cast their votes in his favour. I wonder how he could take India8217;s support for granted and assume that because he was once an Indian national, all Indian delegates would vote for him on that basis alone, without taking other relevant factors into consideration.

Further, it is very strange and reckless for him that I was 8216;hiding8217; from him in Kuala Lumpur. As the leader of the Indian delegation, with a very hectic conference schedule to follow, there was no scope of paths of members not to cross 8211; as indeed ours did! It is also incomprehensible that Lord Paul now seeks to hold the high moral ground on the basis of what the Pakistani delegates are supposed to have told him about Indians and that we should be 8216;ashamed8217; of ourselves!

It is important to note that the voting for the election of the chairman was by secret ballot. I have no personal knowledge as to how any delegate voted, Indian or otherwise. If Lord Paul8217;s assessment is correct, then by his own admission, sections of the Indian delegates may have voted for him, Hence, the deficit of 50 votes by which he lost, cannot8212;by any stretch of the imagination8212; be accounted for by the Indian delegation alone.

What is, however, most objectionable and reprehensible is that Lord Paul has had the temerity to insult Indians as a whole by crudely commenting that Indians can never be trusted. As a proud Indian, I repudiate the same totally and condemn it with all the emphasis at my command. It deserves to be dismissed with contempt. I expect that all Indians will do likewise. I would like to know of him that if Indians were really untrustworthy, why did he highlight his Indian origin in his appeal to the delegates?

Lord Paul would be well advised to appreciate that developing counties are equal members of the Commonwealth, as the developed countries, which he now represents. All members of the Commonwealth must be given an equitable opportunity to contribute positively towards the functioning of this august international body , which for long has been a preserve of a few.

The election to the post of chairman of CPA8217;s executive committee has been a fair one. No complaints have been received from any quarter of it. Therefore, in a healthy democratic spirit it is incumbent on all members of the CPA to accept the outcome with appropriate grace and dignity and not indulge in unseemly recrimination and delusionary rhetoric.