Opinion Pervasive perplexity in politics

There is talk in some quarters about mid-term elections about which there is no political consensus.

Soli J. Sorabjee

September 23, 2012 01:45 AM IST First published on: Sep 23, 2012 at 01:45 AM IST

Pervasive perplexity in politics

The political scenario in our country is overshadowed with uncertainty,especially on account of Mamata Banerjees mercurial moves and latest concoction of bizarre conspiracy theories. There is talk in some quarters about mid-term elections about which there is no political consensus. The average citizen does not want them. Mid-term elections can take place if the ruling party opts for dissolution of the Lok Sabha,which is most unlikely. It is doubtful if a special session of Parliament will be convened by the President on his own because this function has to be performed only in accordance with ministerial advice. It is improbable that the ruling party will request the President for a special session. But that is not impossible in view of its confidence that it has the numbers and that it can manage Mulayam and Mayawati. But there is a risk and if the government fails to secure a vote of confidence,it will have to resign.

There are quite a few ifs and buts in the fluid situation. The critical question is: Will mid-term elections be beneficial to the country? The electoral verdict is bound to be a fractured one and recourse to coalition dharma is inevitable. There will be horse trading and alliances and arrangements actuated by sheer political expediency. Now Mulayam Yadav has thrown the googly of a third front. Who shall be the constituents of this third front? Probably a motley lot with different ideologues but bound together by its hatred of the UPA and especially the Congress. Political stability,alas is a forlorn hope.

Pakistan govts strategic retreat

Latest reports from Pakistan are that Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has informed Pakistans Supreme Court that the government would revoke former Attorney Generals letter to Swiss authorities for closure of graft cases. In 2007,the Pakistani government had asked Swiss authorities to close the graft cases against Zardari and former premier Benazir Bhutto after the passing of the National Reconciliation Ordinance. This Ordinance,which legitimised corruption and granted graft amnesty,was rightly struck down by the Pakistan Supreme Court. Thereafter,there was no excuse for not asking the Swiss authorities to proceed with the graft cases and the Supreme Court rightly held former Prime Minister Gilani guilty of contempt. Now with the latest decision of the Pakistan government,the conflict between it and the Supreme Court has been averted. It is a moot question whether the Swiss authorities will agree to reopen graft cases after substantial lapse of time. Uncharitable critics insinuate that before agreeing to withdraw the governments previous letter to the Swiss authorities,a resourceful Zardari must have made sure about Swiss authorities disinclination to reopen the cases. In the changed context,the Pakistan Supreme Court cannot haul up the Premier or Zardari and much less the Swiss authorities for contempt. Sadly,high political corruption will go unpunished.

Memorable quotes

One of my wishful projects in the pipeline is to bring out a book of quotations whose unique feature will be that it does not contain the familiar quotations in standard books. One entry will be the inaugural address of Dr Sachchidanand Sinha,the oldest member and parliamentarian in India,on December 9,1946. In the course of his address,Dr Sinha urged members of the Constituent Assembly to bring to the task of framing free Indias Constitution a broad and catholic vision for as the Bible teaches us where there is no vision,the people perish.

Another quote for inclusion is Sri Aurobindos description of the average politician: He does not represent the soul of a people or its aspirations. What he does usually represent is all the average pettiness,selfishness,egoism,self-deception that is about him and these he represents well enough as well as a great deal of mental incompetence,timidity and pretence. Great issues often come to him for decision,but he does not deal with them greatly; high words and noble ideas are on his lips,but they become rapidly the claptrap of a party. Sri Aurobindos words have a striking relevance today.