Examining the content of former minister and presently Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat’s speeches these days one can only wonder about what the state of politics has been in Uttarakhand. This is particularly so in the hills where there has not been so much scrutiny by the media. Having faced numerous allegations over the years and being embroiled in court cases, he seems intent on showing that all are naked in the ‘hammam’, particularly politicians belonging to the BJP. This raises questions about what the strategy is of his current party, as he is the newly appointed Chairman of the state Congress Election Management Committee. Is character assassination going to be the foundation of how the party is going to contest the next election? It does not seem that the party disagrees with his approach because even senior leaders are content to be seen in his company.
Also, if there is truth in the numerous ‘revelations’ Rawat has been making, is it not time for the voting public, particularly the younger generation, to look for alternatives, irrespective of which party they support? It is a fact that, nationwide, money has come to play the overwhelming role in politics, with party cadres being increasingly sidelined. This is all the more so in the family run parties. The recent statement by Congress politician Navjot Kaur Sidhu that it takes Rs 500 crores to become a Chief Minister has underlined this unfortunate reality. Unfortunately, all the new outfits that have come up on the honest politics platform in recent times have also succumbed to this temptation. The track record of Aam Aadmi Party reveals the process and pattern in this regard.
Even in the parties that function on an ideological basis, individually, leaders take just as much advantage of the prevailing system. The latest to offer an alternative – the Jan Suraaj Party in Bihar, for instance, could not obtain support in the recent elections despite focusing on this factor. So, does that mean people are content with the prevailing circumstances? Is Harak Singh Rawat underlining a general truth when he mentions the irrelevance of the ‘honesty’ factor in Uttarakhand politics? Is it an irreversible phenomenon? Will choosing new leaders who project an alternative vision merely lead only to their personal coffers being filled? Or, should people at least punish those who are known to be corrupt as a first step, while they work out the next?
