Editorial: From Austerity, Over to Dynasty
When only one political party looked in order while all others were in historical disarray, there was a slightest relief among those who care for Indian politics that at least one party knows how to stand united and how to stick to ideologies and principles resisting spoils of power. The delusion is over at last, with unnecessary austerity drive followed by a not so austere list of candidates who are going to contest October 13 Maharashtra Assembly polls. Congress party’s list of candidates for the poll is a fine document of furthering cause of dynasty.
The issue is not just about President Pratibha Patil’s son Rajendra Shekhawat getting a ticket from Amaravati assembly segment from where Congress already has a sitting MLA – Sunil Deshmukh. The picture is larger. Deputy speaker Pramod Shende’s son Shekhar, party working president Jayant Awale’s son Rajubaba Awale, protem speaker Manikrao Gavit’s daughter Nirmala Gavit, Lokmanya Tilak’s great grandson and senior party leader Naresh Pugalia’s son Rahul – all of them dynasts – have also received tickets.
Rajendra Shekhawat claims that he received the ticket on merit and the party line on the issue is also same. This statement is overtly ridiculous and suggests that if a dynast has merit even a sitting MLA or MP having won previous election with huge margin could lose his seat at the hands of his/her own party rather than opposition rivals.
The way Congress party pacified the power struggle in Andhra Pradesh when YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s name was emphatically promoted for chief ministership and the way it tried to impose austerity drive on its ministers had sent a clear signal to people that the party is not going to take a step that might shatter its image. Unfortunately, in less than a fortnight, there is open promotion of dynasty, no matter dynast Rahul Gandhi has reportedly left no stone unturned towards making the organization as democratic as possible.
In specific case of Amaravati seat, one thing needs attention. Rajendra Shekhawat claims that he received the ticket on merit and the party line on the issue is also same. This statement is overtly ridiculous and suggests that if a dynast has merit – what the term ‘merit’ means may be mystery to many – even a sitting MLA or MP who has won previous election with huge margin (as in case of Sunil Deshmukh) could lose his seat at the hands of his/her own party rather than opposition rivals. A dynast’s merit may be publicly elected leader’s demerit.
As party cites merit behind giving ticket to anybody, it doesn’t give a reason behind not allowing a sitting MLA or MP to contest election from his seat.
Ironically, if aforementioned dynasts win, there will be one more foolish argument as ever: If public elects anybody, it’s not dynastic. Dynasts have their ways both ways — on count of merit and on count of election by public. Others will lose their voice on both the counts.
