A reader writes about his brief encounters with the youngest chief minister of India Omar Abdullah
A reader writes about his brief encounters with the youngest chief minister of India Omar Abdullah
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THE elections in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed an extraordinary response from voters. They came out in harsh weather and ignoring separatist demand of boycotting elections. They have got their due, Omar Abdullah as their chief minister. A man who is credible, candid and trustworthy. Has strong national presence as a person but still keeps his feet on the ground. His party has minimum presence in Parliament, but he delivered a most impactful speech in the chaotic confidence motion brought by the Manmohan Singh Government.
Today he has become the youngest chief minister in India and what has helped him is his style of politics; amateurish, ambitious and aggressive but peaceful. I met Omar Abdullah two years ago in Delhi when a young MP from Maharashtra introduced me to him. I told him that a friend of mine believes he will make a good prime minister. He smiled and said, "My focus is Jammu and Kashmir."
In the US, Obama talked about change. In India youth are asking for change and seeking it. Young politicians in India have started redefining Indian politics in distinction to their political inheritance. They have developed their own sense of political perspective which is far more liberal, pragmatic and integrated in comparison to politics of their respective political parties and inheritance (as most of them are second or third generation politicians). Perhaps, it's the friendship of Omar Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi which has helped build a coalition in J&K, ignoring the ghost of the past.
Omar and Farrokh Abdullah cannot see eye-to-eye on political issues and Omar's politics is now seen different and better than his father.
I visited Manvendra Singh (son of Jaswant Singh) in Jodhpur and was surprised to know that he had interest in Islamic literature and loves Beirut. He fought from a Congress stronghold in 1999 and lost. He travelled extensively connecting with people in Barmer, the biggest constituency in terms of area in India. Has inspired two ex-students from Xavier's college Mumbai whose native is in Barmer to give up their lucrative jobs in metros to actively participate in development of the region; both of them are elected as 'sarpanch' of their respective villages. When he is in his constituency he travels at least 450 kms everyday. He won from Barmer with 60.25 per cent votes in 2004 Lok Sabha.
Similarly, Supriya Sule, the daughter of Sharad Pawar is a development machine. Commitment is of great importance to her. She hates to see children not going to school and is accelerating education amongst the nomadic tribes.
I had a chance to visit Baramati which is an epitome of rural development. As feedback, I told her that her father had done enormous work to develop Baramati. She said, "Whatever we are, is because of the people of Baramati, we owe this to them." In a time when politicians take credits for taps and urinals by exhibiting banners and posters, she believes in responsibility and indebtedness and such character is rare in Indian politics.
Another young politician from Maharashtra is Milind Deora, who is perceived more as high profile and urban. Son of petroleum Minister Murli Deora, he has closed all communication to oil companies after his father assumed office in the petroleum ministry. Misuse of office is intolerable to him. He toiled day and night to reach out to the victims of the terrorist attack in hospitals ensuring their treatments have no lapse. Spoke to the media about larger issues and without hesitation or needing to be politically correct, when most of the political class in Mumbai was incommunicado. Most mature politicians avoided coming in public and talking to the media but it was his political innocence which forced him to answer questions, face disgust and gave him courage to admit that he was ashamed to be a politician. One of his close aides told me that he was warned by his political workers not to go to the Taj for the peace march, as he would be a victim of people's anguish.
But he participated; some people were repulsive at that moment but that did not deter him. The way Vilasrao Deshmukh visited Taj cost him his job. Milind Deora's gesture earned him widespread appreciation.
In Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi life is eventful. His obligation is beyond his constituency. A first time MP, he is keen on education of Muslim youth and communal harmony. I tried to take an audience with him last October but he rushed to Adilabad where communal tension grew. He drove down without any help as he did not want to waste time in orchestrating a delegation. Reaching Adilabad on time to ease tension was of utmost importance.
I asked the Imam of Mecca Masjid what he thinks about Asaduddin, he said, "Khuda ka nek banda hai, kaum ki izzat badhaega." A progressive Indian Musilm, Asaduddin finds respect and vote from outside the Muslim community in Hyderabad.
The 2004 Lok Sabha also saw first timers like Dayandhi Maran, Dushyant Singh and Sandeep Dikshit, all of who have non-controversial and amicable reputation. It's probably their idealism that brings them closer, even when they belong to different political establishments. There is an ongoing debate on whether or not political legacy can be inherited.
The young ones have their individual understanding of political situations and making politics a harmonious affair. They might not have the political acumen which their parents have but will earn better reputation and will deliver on clean polity. Their rhetoric has brought dignity and grace to parliamentary debates.
When the first timers entered Parliament, the big question asked was whether they would make better politicians than their parents. But I think time will answer the question with another question, "Didn't they make better politicians than their parents?"
The writer is a public affairs consultant and a post-graduate in political science
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