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Oct 11, 1999
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Elections 99
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Birthday Bonanza
Chandigarh: When it comes to political
stunts, none can surpass Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. Last week, the INLD
leader resurrected his ailing father and patriarch Devi Lal from oblivion by officially
celebrating his birthday at a massive rally in Hisar. The upshot was a string of doles for
farmers, traders and Dalits, reinforcing the rumour that Chautala would opt for a snap
assembly poll soon after the results of the Lok Sabha election -- in which his party is
expected to do well -- are out. Clearly, the hidden agenda behind Tau's birthday bonanza
is Chautala's desire to prolong the life of his regime. After all, his previous three
stints at the "gaddi" have not added up to even seven months. Ban Bane
Delhi: Last week, Jammu and Kashmir Chief
Minister Farooq Abdullah was scheduled to attend an urgent meeting at the PMO on the law
and order situation in the state. Since elections there were over, Farooq felt that using
a BSF plane would not contravene Election Commission (EC) guidelines. However, an
overzealous Home Ministry official wanted the opinion of the EC, which promptly disallowed
the plane's use. But an unfazed PMO told the EC if it did not budge, the government would
be obliged to tell the media that Nirvachan Sadan was interfering with measures to curb
cross-border terrorism in Kashmir. Within 10 minutes, the ban was lifted.
Naval Hangover
Bhopal: Former navy chief Vishnu Bhagwat
sports a spotless kurta-pyjama as he campaigns against the BJP. But he is not willing to
forsake the trappings of his old job. In Bhopal recently, while facing a hostile press in
his political incarnation, he ticked off a journalist for addressing him as "Mr
Bhagwat". The controversial sailor told the scribe that he was still an admiral and
would like to be addressed as such. What was that about old soldiers?
A Safer Bet
Delhi: Kapil Sibal may be doing a great job
for the Congress by unearthing a scam every other day. But this has caused discomfiture
among his own colleagues, Ajit Jogi in particular. Jogi, the main party spokesman, had to
shift to his constituency Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh after polls were announced, leaving
Sibal to hog the media limelight. Last week, however, a day after polling ended in
Shahdol, Jogi rushed to Delhi. And, as Sibal waxed eloquent on the Vajpayee government's
omissions and commissions, he grabbed the mike to address the press corps. Just ensuring
perhaps that if he loses the elections, at least he gets to keep his old job.
CONFESSIONAL
Are you leaving the Election Commission (EC) a satisfied man?
I am the first election commissioner to have overseen three general elections.
Today, the EC is trusted by the nation and feared by political parties.
Aren't frequent elections against national
interests, besides being an enormous drain on resources?
Just as annual pregnancy weakens a woman, annual polls weaken a nation. Premature
dissolution of Parliament certainly doesn't speak well about the health of the world's
largest democracy.
Only one man is authorised to speak on behalf of
the Commission. It has affected transparency and the flow of information.
What penicillin is to the human body, the media is to the nation. It is important
that a free and independent media is sine qua non for a free and practising democracy.
Maximum transparency will ensure maximum credibility for the EC.
What is your best memory while in the EC?
Holding elections in Kargil, in spite of the threat posed by militants from across
the LoC. Seventy per cent of the voters turned out on voting day, my heart beat with joy.
We showed the world that Kashmir is part of India, part of democracy.
Any post-retirement plans?
I believe in destiny, anything can happen. Destiny, death and history do not
respect personalities.
-Sayantan
Chakravarty |
