The Algebra of Indian politics

I am of the opinion that most of the issues faced by our country cannot be resolved unless our political system is drastically changed. This multi party system has sown the seeds of regionalism deep into the polity of our country. Vote bank & caste based politics based on regional lines are the main reasons for parties to adopt pro-regional policies which on the contrary, generally, are anti-national. The regional parties often have their own state-specific agendas and do not give a damn about national issues. These very parties hold the Central Government to ransom each time the Govt tries to bring about a policy change which could impact their state.

Here are some of my suggestions to some key ministers (of those ministries that are close to my heart) in this Govt & opposition:

Ministry of Home Affairs: Dear Mr. Chidambaram, hats off to you for atleast attempting to strengthen the security apparatus of our country. Policy changes at the Govt level & the actual implementation on ground are totally two different things. My suggestions to you:

• Bring back POTA. Ofcourse, include the safeguards that you have been harping about. But bring it back. I fail to understand your reservations on this law. Your party says that it is draconian in nature. So be it. Its high time we need draconians to rid this country of terrorists & agents. Your opposition to the law is only to protect your vote bank of the minority community, which you fear would switch sides if you implement it.
• Strengthen the Police machinery. Upgrade their weapons. Govt stats show a shortage of Police personnel is our country. Pls tell me, is there a shortage of population in our country?? The main reason for posts remaining vacant is because of the political interference in this process. You need to get rid of this and ensure full transparency.
• Improve coastal security. This has been one of the least focus areas of our security structure. Hence the results are clear. In 1993, it was RDX that was bought to the shores of Bombay via the sea route. On 26/11, it was the terrorists themselves.
• Strengthen the intelligence network. This is the key to the prevention of future terrorist attacks in our country. Again, if there is a shortage of personnel in the agencies, hire them. Fill the gaps. Focus on human intelligence. We are still repenting the actions of our former Prime Minister IK Gujral who committed the biggest blunder ever when he ordered our security agencies to bring back our spies and espionage agents based in Pakistan in 1995. I doubt if Pakistan returned the favour cuz the presence of ISI agents & sleeper cells in India is a known fact. Every terrorist attack throws light on the lack of intelligence sharing & coordination among the security agencies. This needs to be improved.
• Terrorists. Interrogate them, Kill them. No trial, No mercy. We are sick and tired of the Govt trying to project a humane face to the world. We need a dictatorial approach in dealing with them.
• Take lessons. From US, Israel. The Department of Homeland security has been hugely successful in prevention of attacks post 9/11. They’ve changed their standard operating procedures. We need to change ours. Replicate their model. Even if it means enhanced frisking of passengers at Airports. We Indians will simply have to get used to the idea.
• Stop complaining: Stop going to big daddy US for cribbing about Pakistan’s non action against the perpetrators of 26/11. The US has always traditionally, typically, strategically and intentionally wanted a balance of power in South East Asia, keeping their own interests in mind. Hence their favour & military/monetary support to Pakistan and their silence on missile & nuclear proliferation by China. Our new found love for the US (read the nuclear deal & other initiatives) is nothing but coffee house crap.
• Have a defined Kashmir Policy: For as long as I can remember, we have been dragging our feet on the Kashmir issue. The Govt should take a stand. It is futile to even consider Pakistan’s interests in the state. Abolish Article 370, bring the state under the provisions of the Indian Constitution. Do not remove AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) unless the issue is resolved. Convert the Line of Control into the International Border if required.

Ministry of Defence: Dear Mr. Antony, your efforts to ease the purchase & procurement procedures for military equipment thereby reducing bureaucratic intervention & red tapism are a known fact. Some other improvements that are required are:

• Close the Gorshkov deal once n for all. Last read, I was shocked to see that the new price of the Aircraft Carrier is pegged at around Rs. 7000 crore as against the initial price of Rs. 3000 crore. Solve this mess and save money which can be effectively utilized elsewhere.
• Focus on Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim. The Chinese military has been slowly & steadily encroaching on our land. This must stop.
• Ensure that the military is scam free. One scam is enough to dent the image of India’s security forces. Our Army, Navy & Airforce personnel should be given their due respect.

Ministry of External Affairs: Mr SM Krishna, it is the failures of our foreign policy yoy that has resulted in hostility from most of our neighbours.

• Engage Pakistan. One petty neighbour has been bleeding us for over 20 years now. And we don’t know what to do. We haplessly wait for another tragedy to occur. The basic problem is the fact that Pakistan does not fear India, the way they fear the US or even Russia. Soon after 9/11, the US threatened Pakistan that it would bomb it to the stone age if the latter did not support them on the War on Terror. Pakistan obliged. They dumped their long standing ally The Taliban. Not once did they ask US to give ‘evidence’ of Osama Bin Laden’s involvement in the terror strike. The same does not apply if they are dealing with India. Their Internal Security minister makes a mockery of our dossiers each time at press conferences. Pakistan must obey India if we are to maintain peace in the region. There cannot be a balance of power in our neighbourhood. India has to be the sole superpower.
• Deal with China. China is a potential threat. It is also a potential ally. Define a policy on dealing with them specially on the vexed border issues. Why can’t we see China as a possible procurer/supplier of military equipment? The world over, countries that deal in arms trade, rarely enter into conflicts with each other.

I have always been pro-BJP. For some reasons, I actually believed them when they coined the phrase ‘The Party with a difference’... But over the years, my belief has dwindled. Like many others, I was rooting for the BJP to come back to power in these Lok Sabha polls, but was quite happy with the results since the Congress had a majority by itself which in turn saw the marginalisation of some regional players and a reduction in their bargaining powers.

Mr. LK Advani: You have clearly lost your marbles. Pls retire from active politics. Your policies aint doing the BJP any good, not to mention your image battering. The blunders of the election (Varun Gandhi saga, criticism of Dr. Manmohan Singh, feigning ignorance of Jaswant Singh’s visit to Kandahar) need to be forgotten and corrective steps taken. Also, your protectionism of Arun Jaitely is unwarranted. He should be rapped on the knuckles for the failure of the party’s election strategy & campaign. I am in total agreement of your 'pseudo-secularism' gyaan, which highlights the hypocrisy of the congress party. But the fact remains that you need young blood in the party, leaders that can counter the growing influence & impact of a Rahul Gandhi. As on date, the BJP does not have the slightest chance of making a comeback in the next general election. It might even take a beating in the upcoming Assembly polls. The solution- stop the infighting, project some new faces, and be a constructive opposition.

Ms. Mayawati: If you have any remnants of shame, you must pay back the country the crores of rupees of public money that you have squandered in constructing the parks in UP. You deserve to go to jail. The Central Govt is a mute spectator. Only one institution that can take you to task is the Supreme Court.

Implementing the suggestions mentioned above need a change of heart and strong political will. Will this Govt deliver on its promises? Only time will tell.