Standing strong

Jayalalithaa has articulated what no one else in politics has managed to do so far explain precisely and firmly why the Lokpal bills proposals are untenable. The prime minister cannot be under the Lokpal,the Tamil Nadu chief minister said in an interview with television channel Times Now,because it could seriously destabilise his position even if no charges stick,it would be a blow to his authority,particularly in times of round-the-clock news coverage where any slander would be amplified and repeated. Any foreign force with an agenda could seek to implicate the PM,and leave his office preoccupied with responding to frivolous or motivated accusations rather than concentrating on their own critical duties. The PM,she pointed out,is answerable to the CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act anyway,and that the Lokpal would end up being a parallel government of sorts if it were granted such large powers. Constitutional experts like Fali Nariman have also objected to the impropriety of having a Lokpal who will be,de facto,bigger than the PM emphasising that the PM can be removed only if Parliament resolves so.

Though two other chief ministers,Parkash Singh Badal and Sheila Dikshit,have voiced objections too,Jayalalithaa presented the most articulate case. Nothing should erode or undermine the prime ministers authority, she said,something the Congress has still not managed to say so simply and unequivocally,despite its many huddles and meetings over the issue. When confronted with the question of whether the PM must account to the Lokpal,the Congress had stalled for days,various members said yes and no while others rejected the binary altogether,it tried to seek other parties views in other words,it looked cornered and confused.

Which is why Jayalalithaas clarity over a point of principle must be commended she stressed that,for her,it was about defending the institution rather than the individual now occupying the post of PM. This was patently a display of sound sense and federal fairplay,and it is noteworthy. Just as the Centre is duty-bound to not encroach on a states powers,the states must be committed to preserving the strength of our national institutions. Her claim that she had matured over the years,and was now looking forward to a more productive exchange with the Centre for her state as well as the nation,seemed to be borne out by her stand. And now that Jayalalithaa has cut through the muddle,perhaps other political parties will follow her lead and affirm,on principle,the inviolability of the prime ministers position.