Silent coalition

The high-profile Congress leader and organiser of the Commonwealth Games,Suresh Kalmadi,has been arrested for twisting procedure for personal benefit. At the same time,DMK MP and party head M. Karunanidhis daughter,Kanimozhi,has been chargesheeted for her involvement in the Kalaignar TV scam,and of having actively pursued the appointment of A. Raja as telecom minister. And a few months back,Raja himself was arrested,along with two senior officials who were accessory to the spectrum swindle. A sitting minister,IAS officers,the party bosss daughter these are stories of dramatic falls from grace,a transfixing spectacle of the formerly powerful brought down by the law.

Though it took a shamefully long time to start,the 2G investigations have been conducted with seeming sincerity and dedication spurred by the Supreme Courts clear directions to the CBI and the popular mood,shocked and offended by the kind of allegations thickening the air. That public recoil has been ably harnessed by the opposition,and by civil society spokespersons. The government,however,has made no attempt to clear the air,or present its version. Despite the action taken against its own ministers and leaders,the government has not tried to dispel this festering sense of despair in the political system,the belief that things have never been so bad. Despite all the measurable progress on these cases of corruption,the UPA appears scattered and inept even the way it capitulated before the Lokpal bills champions was revealing of its lack of self-belief.

For instance,the UPA doesnt even have a designated spokesperson or perception manager there are those who speak for the Congress,but no one to present the ruling coalitions political ideas,to try and shape discourse,to answer questions,to stay on-message. Defending oneself against aggressive television anchors is not the same thing as actively conveying a coalitions agenda,and knowing how to take credit for achievements or make itself accountable for mis-steps,as the case may be. In effect,the coalition appears rudderless,incoherent and inspires no confidence. Choosing not to engage with the public is the UPAs prerogative,but it is dangerous and past a certain tipping point,it will be impossible to undo the image of this government as malign/ incompetent,no matter what its track record.