OPINION: India again at cross-roads

India is enjoying the world’s largest democracy but even after 66 years of independence, the lack of the dynamic leadership is still felt, to guard the sovereignty and integrity of the country, which is standing at the cross-roads. 

The Lok Sabha elections due in 2014 looks to be quite nearer as the countdown have started. Even the certain political parties are demanding for early elections in view of the withdrawal of support by DML, SP and BSP but due to outside support, the alliance is not in danger.

Now the question is as to what kind of an approach the leader should have? Should the leader be someone who is not afraid of invoking ire of a few sections in national interest or someone who has the accommodative and patient outlook needed to take everyone along? The questions will remain endless. However a crucial fact must be realised by the citizens who are the ultimate custodians of democracy in India.

In fact, the complicated alliance situation but after the exposure of the role of Rajiv Gandhi in purchase of Sweden planes in 1970s and exposure of sensational and scandalous news by the WikiLeaks, there is need to say honestly that as to what kind of Prime Minister is required in India – present model of Sonia Gandhi or inexpertness of Rahul Gandhi? Or the leadership of  Narendra Modi.

To dodge the opposition party members,  Mao Tse-Tung used to say “Signal to Right side but turn Left side” but he was using this ‘mantra’ very intelligently particularly in the affairs of India. Whenever there is a criticism on certain important issues by the opposition parties, then problem for party workers and people of country is cropped up.

The Prime Minister must have the right to work and he should not simply be a puppet in the hands of party president as is being said in the political circles that PM is Dr. Manmohan Singh but remote control is at10 Jan Path with Sonia Gandhi.  No doubt, Digvijay Singh has made it clear that Sonia Gandhi has never interfered in the working of the PM but one thing is crystal clear that political party in power should not have two centres.  But this model is big blot on the working of the Congress-led UPA government despite the fact that Dr. Manmohan Singh is model PM in the alliance government in the centre and in spite of all odds, PM has continued to show the power of UPA and this achievement or art should not be under estimated.

Should the relations between the Congress President and Prime Minister be taken as granted for the success of the third term for Dr. Manmohan Singh?  But none has so far pointed out as to what would be problem for the third term.  The politics of India does move like a straight line, it has always number of speed breakers, open man holes and ditches. Rahul Gandhi has taken the initiative to strengthen the base of the party but wants to keep himself out of the boundary of PM for the time being as he is still trying to learn to the important tactics of politics to use them strictly in emergency in the event of any attack from the opposition.   Frankly speaking, this was not the right time for the entry of Rahul Gandhi in the race of PM when the working of Congress is on average rather below average.  Moreover, he is lacking self-confidence as his performance during the last elections in Bihar, UP, Gujarat has not been upto the mark.  However, he has learned the art of dealing with the crucial issues by addressing them as ‘We’ instead of “I”.

In such circumstances, the country is once again at the crossroads and India needs a leader who, instead of making tall claims, humbly accepts his limitations as a leader and can motivate the citizens to overcome theirs individually and collectively by way of positive action, to bring quality in leadership besides in administration as the future of quality and the country, depends upon these things.

(Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of City Air News.)