Team Anna lost its battle : Yes ? No ? Why ? How ?

When Anna Hazare revolted against the ruling congress party way back last year, the country expected a big revolution, drastic change in politics and dethroning the corrupt government as fast as they can. But, with the proceedings of the Lokpal bill, cases pending in courts, team Anna dropping their sail, things haven’t actually changed as expected. Let alone bringing the change, but the survival of the movement itself is at stake. Reasons – many.. Solution – ???

Starting from the time the movement started, if one has closely observed the way team Anna marched forward for what it believed will change the country’s fate – the Lokpal, there are many a flaws to be noted. Some of them --

Initial Success Hangover:

When the agitation was launched, it drew unprecedented support from across the nation. For the first time, there was a mass movement against a below-par political class. Team Anna connected with the average Indian like no party ever did. For the first time, 'people power' dictated the schedule of Parliament. Anna Hazare became a rock star-like youth icon. There was glee all around at the plight of the all-powerful politician being held to account. But soon, Team Anna got carried away, ironically, by its own success. From being an effective pressure group, the general feeling was that it had become too arrogant to be a super-Parliament.

Political Orientation towards a particular Party:

The frequency of and the force with which Team Anna attacked the Congress gave the impression that this was an anti-Congress, pro-BJP movement. Why Anna was angry with Congress is understandable, but the tone and language that was being used, gave the feeling that this was another political slugfest. Team Anna did little to focus on corruption in BJP-ruled states like Karnataka. Also, the team let itself be used and abused by the political class. The statement, "We will campaign against the Congress" was a huge blunder. Even if Team Anna didn't mean it, that was a clear political statement.

Projecting only themselves and ignoring others fighting for the cause:

The message that was going out was that everyone except members of the anti-corruption movement are corrupt; that only Team Anna has the solution; that Lokpal is the magic wand that will, one fine morning, end all corruption. Lokpal was being made out as a super-powerful authority. While the obsession with Lokpal was disconcerting, the Utopian scenario that was being made out, was too good and unrealistic to believe.

What Team Anna can do to keep the movement alive and bring the change:

- Ensure the observers that they are not oriented towards any political party, rather they are working for a better country tomorrow. Let them clear the airs of having a political agenda – dethroning the congress.

- Do not step into political arena. Many mouths make the conversation meaningless. So, let one speak at a time and let them clear the country about what the team wanted to achieve and how it can be achieved. Stay away from politics.

- Stop projecting Lokpal as a magic wand that can kill all kinds of demons prying on this country. Explain the common man the real intention behind bringing the law, educate the youth and uneducated about how to use the bill.

If the team continues to run its movement in the same way it is doing now, I guess there is not much time left for it to perish. Rather, I’d expect them to open their eyes and work on succeeding in what they ‘ve taken up for the country.

 

Sources: Times of India, Google, flickr.

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IAS Officers–Are they independent ?

A. Srilakshmi, B.P. Acharya – the two IAS officers who were hailed for their intellect, for their excellence and for their clean record now count the bars in the jail for one reason. Obeying the orders of their ministers and signing the papers according to the politician’s wishes.

The case of Y.S. Jagan mohan reddy amassing a huge fortune and wealth almost equal to a state budget (1,00,000 crore expected) surfaced after the death of his father, late Y.S. Rajasekhar reddy. More precisely, the case surfaced after Mr. Jagan quit congress party in 2009. Though this is an expected move from the side of congress, given their history of using CBI and law on those who revolt against the party, the issue actually raising main concern is the IAS officers during YSR’s regime are being made scapegoats in one or the other way.

A. Srilakshmi, became an IAS officer at the age of 23 and foresaw a promising career until the recent past. But, when the illegal mining of Gali Janardhan reddy was caught up by CBI and the Apex court of the country, it is the same Srilakshmi, who became the prime accused. Gali is a close associate of YSR and everyone knows how brotherly relationship they maintained. The then Mining minister, Ms. Sabitha Indra Reddy was the sixth finger of YSR, who does what ever the CM ordered her to do. In such a way, many of the mines were illegally alloted to Gali and Co, and as evident, the prime accused here should be the minister and the deceased CM.

But, at the end, it is the Secretary, Ms. Srilakshmi that is made scapegoat and was put behind the bars, crushing her bright future under the hammer of law.

The same is with Mr. B.P. Acharya, present home secretary and accused in illegal allotment of lands to Emaar properties during YSR regime.

Doesn’t the ministers and politicians have nothing to do with this ? Is it only the officers that are responsible for these illegal proceedings ? Though all the people in the state know the truth, CBI and the court doesn’t consider the real beneficiaries as accused. At the end, it is these officers who sign on the documents that are made scapegoats.

Can we still assume that bureaucrats can work independently ? Can we see a change in their subordination to ministers in the future ? only time will answer these questions.. but, before the answers, there are many such officers who are in line to get into the clutches of CBI and get into Jail, lose their Cadres, future and reputation. Rest in Peace my dear intellect.

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122 2G licences Cancelled -- Who is the winner here ??

Flash News -- Supreme Court cancels 122 2G licenses. 

Though Many hail this as a victory of government on corrupted practices, the reality is far different i fear. As the law says, the licences are cancelled and Chidambaram got a breather with the case being referred to trial court.

Pros: I dont see any.

Cons: As all the licenses are cancelled, the government has to pay the deposits collected from those companies with a 11% interest, and anyway i am not interested in calculating that whopping loss to our treasury. Above that, there is no one big head who is acquitted/convicted in this case and the case is going to spend another couple of years in the trial court with Chidambaram getting a breather and ample time to tamper with evidences, make money in a new fool proof way the next time.

Who is the winner here .. ??


1. The government ??

2. Our very own Chiddu sir, who got another chance to mint money, in a better way this time not to get caught.

3. the telecom companies which will receive a hefty amount of interest on their deposits and will definitely get a chance to bid again for lower prices and who knows, the scenario might be repeated coz none of the persons accused are relieved out of their duties, except for quite a few who doesn't hold any power now.


Some one please explain me where my country is heading towardssss.. !!!!

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