IT IS OBVIOUS now that Congress has not succumbed to the combined pressure of entire opposition and is now gearing up for the mid-term election. All efforts are being made to woo Mamta Bannerjee back into its fold and take on the Left combine, head-on. Various surveys have thrown out surprising possibilities for Congress in particular and United Front Alliance in general. Notwithstanding the weak position of parties like RJD and LJP, Congress finds itself just a kissing distance away from recapturing power at the centre. This miracle happened largely due to the ’Hindi’ press, which came out in full support for the nuclear deal with the USA.
The biggest loser seems to be the BJP, which has antagonized its staunchest of supporters by taking the stand which people consider not very ‘nationalistic’. Congress is planning to rub some more salt to its wounds by intelligently worded slogans that ‘only China, Pakistan, Left Parties and BJP opposed the Nuclear deal’. This is undoubtedly going to be very embarrassing for the BJP and as per the survey findings it would be worst hit. Its misery is compounded by the fact that AIADMK and TDP are no longer its ally and Mamata is about to sever her links.
The Congress will strive to make people aware that only China and Pakistan, are opposing the nuclear deal, even though China itself has signed a similar but much more stringent deal with the USA, in which a clause regarding the autonomy of Tibet is also mentioned. Pakistan too tried to ink a similar deal but was publicly rebuffed by the President George Bush. All other countries and majority of Indians, including the Non Resident Indians (NRIs) are vehemently supporting the deal. NRIs in particular had consistently lobbied for it and were feeling left high and dry once the Left parties hardened their stance and the government plunged into crisis.
From all accounts, the USA has not shown such flexibility towards any other country in recent years and this change of attitude is clearly due to India’s growing economic clout. As a result, the Nuclear Apartheid imposed on India is being lifted now. Manmohan Singh has taken a very hardcore practical view and has entered into a strategic partnership with the USA. Left parties are aware of this sift and are fretting over this ‘Strategic Sift’; Nuclear deal is just an excuse. Arms procurement from Israel, possible defence tie-up with USA, Japan and Australia are also of grave concern for the Left parties.
India needs massive investment and technological support, which can come from these quarters only and as a matter of fact Japan is going to fund the Industrial corridor. Pragmatic China has already exploited these resources but our Left parties want average Indians to be content with the age-old, Utopian, utter unrealistic, catchy leftists slogan only. The predicament of Left is understandable because it will no longer be Left, if it accepts the USA. But what happened to the BJP that stands exposed now?
BJP is finding itself in a very awkward situation because it opposed the deal without any rhyme or reason. As a matter of fact, it was the BJP led government that had started the discussion with the USA, which has culminated in this deal now. Then BJP was willing to go to the extent of signing the Comprehensive Test Banned Treaty in order to get this deal done. Now, as a principal opposition party it is opposing the deal, for the sake of opposing. In its zeal to embarrass the government it has committed the grave mistake. It will certainly not like to be clubbed along with China and Pakistan. It will no longer be able to boast its nationalistic plank.
In fact, BJP as a party looks down and out. It knows that its old slogan will no more fetch any votes. The priority of the country has changed and people are not interested in just plain rhetoric. Bring value to the table!
By Ashok K.jha
Source: http://www.merinews.com
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
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