Searching A Political Party That Delivers Development

Prof N.K. Singh

Former Chairman International Airports Authority of India

Every party claims that it delivers development but when one wishes to join or support a party, he looks for development oriented agenda as well as justice and transparency espoused by a party. The choice is becoming more difficult and narrower as there is hardly a party which one could join without compromising one’s idealism. There were times when it was clear and no dilemma of choice. When I was in school, we all were with Congress since it was fighting for freedom of the country. We considered Subhash Chander Bose and Bhagat Singh our heroes but the party worth support was only Congress. There was hardly any choice except that one could become communist which I hobnobbed for sometime but it not sustains my interest. Moreover those days, we joined the party that parents supported. Now things have changed so much that what the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University are doing hardly can be imagined by parents. They may be seeking some kind of adventure but it is so misguided that it cuts at the roots of national interests.

Before independence, another attractive source of social work and thinking was to join Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh which provided an outlet to students. It had sports, national teaching and stories of all great heroes of the past and present. It did have a flavour of religion but it was great social organisation. At the most it taught its workers protection of Hinduism and self defence. There was nothing evil about it and all noble stories were strewn in its activities. We all went to Shakhas and sang their prayer. Following assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the RSS was banned and we too gave up our evening routine. Demise of Gandhi ji created an adverse reaction from most of the people who were earlier following the RSS. Only party one could bank upon was Congress that had charismatic leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and Maulana Azad.

My father was active Congressman but he gave up as a protest against fake membership. He had suffered during freedom struggle when he was hauled up by the police for unfurling Congress flag in 1942. He still believed in old values of honesty and fair play but the world was changing fast.  I worked for the government and had the privilege of serving many Congress leaders who were ministers, including current President of India. Association with the party was inevitable since only Congress men came to meet these illustrious leaders. The party however started declining in values in contrast with the mission of independence and sacrifice followed earlier. Power started corrupting the system and political atmosphere degreased. Ultimately it reached its nadir with scams after scams in the second term of the UPA. My friends started looking for some hope and I too thought there should be some one to change it.

Anna Hazare raised hopes of transformation but the old man with all his efforts and noble intentions met with failure. He did raise the national conscience. A remarkable change came with emergence of Narendra Modi who represented the middle right space of politics with his credentials for transparency and delivering development. Modi changed the BJP agenda from temple politics to Sab ka Saath Sab ka Vikas. That was the magical movement which changed politics of the country. Those people who were disillusioned with the prevailing climate found hope in him. He won the election and country overwhelmingly supported him. No doubt, he is leader of the masses and doing everything possible for the advancement of the country but where and how to support his party that had many hard liners pursuing fundamental philosophy.

Another party, AAP came in the wake of Anna Hazare and it too raised hope of honest days. But it proved a great disappointment when it indulged in the same tactics like other parties and failed to make the grade. Arvind Kejriwal made false promises and created substandard space that cannot last for long. Finally large numbers of liberal and fair play loving people who need getting rid of scams and corruption still do not have a party that could attract them. I still do not know which party fits into my ideals and values. All of them have shadowy agenda without clear national goals and equality for all without discrimination or electoral appeasement action to buy votes. My son who served army with distinction at Kargil left the country with the message, “Country is in shambles I hope Modi will come and set it right” It was before election in 2014. Now he is a Canadian citizen. That is why Modi is the only hope for India but not his party or any other party.

Bus Stand

First Passenger: Why so many boys have given up small jobs and running to Bali’s house?

Second Passenger: They are waiting for unemployment allowance.

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