Bharat Mata Ki Jai So the elections are done, India's 13th Prime Minister has been sworn in and although the pre-election guessing game has come to a timely end, post-election fever is in full swing and today's debate revolves around the so-called enigma and almost-PM, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. The issue of her foreign origin, the true reason behind her refusal of the most important post in the country offered to her on a silver platter and the behaviour of the out-going NDA government.

So that's going be the gist of my post today. For those of you who aren't interested in politics or rather Indian politics, or even more specifically, my take on Indian politics, you might want to leave now...

The issue of foreign origins. This seems to be the BJP's biggest bone to pick with Sonia Gandhi as India's PM. They agitated in a great way and opposed her at every step. They still maintain that it's an issue. The Congress seem to feel that since she's stepped aside and nominated Dr Singh as PM, the issue has been laid to rest (Mrs Renuka Choudary on NDTV's The Big Fight, Saturday 22 May 2004). The Indian public (and this comes as no surprise) stands divided. Many feel that it's still an issue and yet many others feel that they are "broad-minded" enough to overlook the entire issue. As for me, I feel that it's definitely an issue, it's something that the Congress along with its alliance government, needs to address and not run away from. It's not laid to rest, as long as it's not dealt with publicly, it's merely brushed under the carpet and not resolved. Some say that we should all stop being emotional and start looking at facts. The Indian constitution does not mention foreign origin as a disqualifying factor. Therefore, we can't make it such just by saying that it's not right for a person not of Indian origin to lead the country. To me, that's not the issue at all - it is whether or not we have a problem with this law and whether there needs to be further legislation to rectify it such that the Constitution DOES state it as a disqualifying factor. And I feel it should. I feel having a foreigner occupying the highest post in our country is a shame on us. Technically, we should know how to address our needs best. Call me short-sighted or narrow-minded. That's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. It's nothing personal against anyone, it's just my view. I have nothing against Sonia Gandhi, in fact, I admire her all the more for her decision. I think it's an astute one. She's a very clever lady.

Now on to the true reason behind her refusal.
Of course I am in no position to speculate. I am a new-comer to politics in general and Indian politics more specifically. This is the first election that I have followed closely and when her party members and close friends don't find themselves sufficiently qualified to provide a decisive reason for her stepping aside, who am I to provide one?!
But I can have an opinion. I feel that it's an abdication of responsibility and not of power. She just decided that instead of being in the drivers' seat, she would move to the backseat and drive from there. This way, she has the power, but not the responsibility. She achieves all her aims - overthrowing the NDA government, making the BJP look foolish (the BJP, of course, was the main contributor to this factor)and ruling the country - she just cannot be held responsible for it. This, I feel, was the wisest move she could possibly have made. Thanks to the BJP (they shot themselves in the foot and are now kicking themselves with their remaining good foot) she's managed to make her party into the "good guys" and at the same time, she's become a larger-than-life figure - the renunciant, the one who's made the huge sacrifice of giving up the highest and most prestigious and powerful post in the country. Oh and she's also managed to get herself into the prime position which allows her to pave the way for her children (primarily Rahul Gandhi, of course)

Kudos to Sonia Gandhi!

And now, onto the BJP. I agree with them on many counts. But this time, they really did themselves the biggest disfavour they could have possibly thought of. What with Sushma Swaraj swearing that she would shave her head, wear white and live a life of austerity and the others threatening nation-wide agitation if Sonia Gandhi accepts PMship, they showed themselves in the worst possible light. It completely backfired. In the eyes of the Indian public,Sonia Gandhi stepped aside very gracefully and 'sacrificed' the power and prestige that comes with the post. So not only has the BJP come across as a graceless and over-emotional party, they're also left looking rather silly since the Congress has given them exactly what they wanted, and in a rather dignified manner too. The BJP now seem the bad guys, the sore losers, the party-poopers. Ah well, you guys walked into that one. You've got some intelligent members, you should've listened to the big guy who was crossing his fingers and hoping that you would take a more moderate stand and not portray yourselves in such a childish light.

Ok this has been a rather long post but I think these are interesting issues and anyway I've been watching so much NDTV (it's really one of the best news channels I've seen in a long long time and they've got such excellent anchors - Rajdeep Sardesai and Bharka Dutt, you guys are the best!) that I've been dreaming of Prime Ministers and Presidents of late. I'm serious. I've been waking up with head-aches of late - I bet even Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh have been sleeping better than I have..sigh the responsibilites of being Indian.

Bharat Mata Ki Jai! (Victory to Mother India!)
  ¶ 4:45 am