Sad 'State' of 'Politics' in Indian Democracy
Political Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Nov 11: What we are experiencing these days is Indian 'politics' at its worst, caused by our so-called leaders who rule us and lead the nation from the front.
When people need help, it is the duty of our political leaders to provide them basic needs. Instead, we have seen our politicians fighting for power, ignoring all those in dire need of support— financial, moral, and physical.
An apt example for this is North Karnataka's flood-affected areas while elected representatives enjoyed their life in five-star resorts like Hyderabad, Goa, and elsewhere.
Every citizen of our country must learn from the recent 14-day political unrest in Karnataka as well as the tug-of war for power sharing in Maharashtra. The Maharashtra politicians escaped blame as it was a newly-elected assembly and had no such related problems.
Karnataka politicians came into the limelight especially through the sharp eyes of the electronic media.
In Hyderabad, a Karnataka-based television channel even telecast clips of morning walks, and jogs of rebel leaders who were staying in a five-star resort!
A principled common man just cannot understand or digest how these politicians change their stand and escape from their moral responsibilities.
Until the last minute of the Karnataka BJP crisis, the Reddy brothers Karunakar and Janardhan Reddy were firm in their stand and informed the media that, "No compromise is acceptable except leadership change. We cannot accept Yeddyurappa as our CM. The head of the house (CM) is misleading the people and cannot digest development work done by us in Bellary."
These are words by the Reddys repeated not once but at least more than 50 times in 14 days. After this, how can they now accept Yeddyurappa as CM? Is there nothing called 'shame' for these politicians? How can they show their face to the people? Do they think that the citizens of this nation, this state, are uneducated fools?
The people of Karnataka had high regard for Yeddyurappa, especially for his dynamic efforts in the initial days of flood-relief work. He became a hero after he collected more than Rs 2,000 crore in three days’ time through his 'Padayatra'.
He won the hearts of millions of Kannadigas throughout the nation and worldwide. He lost all this in the past two weeks, when he became hungry for power. Had he resigned from the CM’s post, it would have made Yeddyurappa the biggest hero in the state and it would have been the biggest jolt to the 'unethical' Reddys. But Yeddy chose the chair over his values. Without doubt, his popularity has come down after he bowed to the money power of the mining lords of Bellary.
Sonia Gandhi, though an unfair comparison at this level, set an example by sacrificing the prime minister’s chair in 2004 and became one of the most respected political leaders worldwide for her decision.
Yeddyurappa would have got similar sympathy from the people of the state and he would have been the ultimate choice for next CM if the current government collapsed and in the next election.
Selfish politicians have made people hate them more after this episode.
Now Yeddyurappa's power has decreased, his voice has been lowered, his hold loosened, and now he has to refer everything to the co-ordination committee led by the Reddys and 'Amma' Sushma Swaraj who undoubtedly favours the mining barons.
Sadly, the CM had to recall the officers whom he transferred from Bellary. He had to transfer B V Baligar from the chief secretary’s post and had to accept his close aide Shobha's resignation.
What more humiliation does a CM? Still he wants to continue as chief minister of Karnataka !