P. Chidambaram's plight

by Rishi Sun Mar 30, 2014 6:46 pm

Although it’s not a thumb rule, some smart politicians keep changing their constituency after two or three times. Perhaps Chidambaram too should have done it. Too much familiarity, either leads to excessive expectations, or plain indifference to whatever one does. He should have read the writing on the wall last time because he just managed to (controversially) scrape through against his AIADMK rival.

Chidamabaram’s problem in Tamil Nadu is not one of expectations alone, but that of alliance politics. This time around, the Congress hasn’t been able to tie up with DMK or the DMDK. Unfortunately, these were the only parties that the Congress could have joined hands with.

The DMDK, although friendly with Chidambaram and some of the Congress leaders in the state, wanted bigger prospects and opted for a rainbow coalition in which it is the big party as its founder-leader Vijayakanth wanted. The DMK didn’t want to touch it because of Sri Lanka and the 2G scam. In the case of Sri Lanka, the DMK wanted to keep distance although it was party to most of what the Congress-led UPA did. In the case of 2G, it’s angry with the way Raja was singled out by the JPC. To defend itself on 2G and Sri Lanka, the DMK cannot be in the company of the Congress. Or rather, it wants the Congress as its opponent.

So Congress is alone, Chidambaram is alone, and its party leaders don’t want to contest knowing full well that they will not only lose, but lose very badly. Most probably, they will end up fourth.

Chidamabaram’s plight is a test case of parties such as Congress in parliamentary politics. One has to keep in mind in every aspect of governance and realpolitik in Delhi. However progressive or lofty one’s politics or policy is, one’s political future is decided at the grassroots. With extremely regionalised and federated political structure, it means humouring good allies unless one is a regional big wig oneself.

The Congress’ plight had been clearly foretold in Tamil Nadu when it arrogantly erred on Sri Lanka. Although it tried to patch up with the DMK by offering support for the re-election of Kanimozhi to the Rajya Sabha, the DMK took it as a one-off payback. Had Chidamabram, GK Vasan and Jayanthi Natarajan were mindful of their electoral future, they should’ve seen this coming and done the impossible to change India’s policy on Sri Lanka.

Perhaps now they might painfully realise that domestic politics should trump geopolitics if they are to survive. Manmohan Singh, Salman Khurshid or the MEA mandarins do not contest elections in Tamil Nadu and couldn’t care less, but the Tamil leaders do need to care.

Chidamabaram is also an example of the Congress leaders’ admission of defeat. An instance like this, when so many leaders have shied away from the elections, would not have happened even after the emergency. While the high command tries to put on a show of strength, the leaders admit defeat even without a try. Chidmabaram, of course, has a reason because all that he has is his party’s10 per cent voteshare and no allies; but the situation is different for other leaders. Even in their boroughs, they feel unsafe and hence want to play politics that is 100 per cent safe.

Should Chidambaram have fought in Sivaganga? Probably yes, because even if fortune didn’t favour him, he would have emerged brave. At least it could have been a protest-try against his own party which was foolish on Tamil Nadu.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/politics/chidambarams-sivaganga-plight-shows-why-regional-politics-matters-1444019.html?utm_source=ref_article

by MaxEntropy_Man Sun Mar 30, 2014 7:11 pm

he is the only politician who doesn't induce nausea his faults notwithstanding. i hate both the gandhi kulla crowd spearheaded by the male bimbo rahul gandhi, and the demagogic sangh parivar crowd led by modi.

by rawemotions Sun Mar 30, 2014 7:23 pm

The only thing I liked about Chidu is that despite the fact that it was thrust on him, he did try to put in place systems to fix Home Ministry.

But he looked away when Congress party as usual politicized those institutions (NIA, CBI,IB). This is because he does not have a mass base and has to toe the party line to stay in power.

His stint in finance initially was Ok. But towards the end he was responsible for actively implementing the Scorched earth policy and that was unpardonable. The problem with these ministers is when Sonia/Rahul wants to spend money without revenues, these guys dont have the clout to say no!

His most important contribution, registration of NGO's was spiked by the Congress party and Pranab supposedly to get support of SP/BSP in Nuclear Deal. He was told that it would open a pandora's box. Apparently no one cared about the nefarious deeds of unregistered NGO's.

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:02 pm

rawemotions wrote:The only thing I liked about Chidu is that despite the fact that it was thrust on him, he did try to put in place systems to fix Home Ministry.

But he looked away when Congress party as usual politicized those institutions (NIA, CBI,IB). This is because he does not have a mass base and has to toe the party line to stay in power.

Isn't that the style og the Nehru family - not to let anyone else develop a base.

Modi is likely to do exactly the same. All headstrong indian politicians do just that. Look around.

by Rishi Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:06 pm

>>>If Sonia lets him become the PM and leaves him alone to run the show, I will support him.

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