Wonder why Indira Gandhi ended the emergency and declared an imminent election? Many reasons are given. It was the advisors, spiritual gurus, a forecast of victory and so on.
The suggestion that it was 'conscience' is generous! More likely it was her strategy to take the opponents by surprise! She knew them and had played her cards well earlier!
"Congress President Kamaraj orchestrated Mrs. Gandhi's selection as prime minister because he perceived her to be weak enough that he and the other regional party bosses could control her, and yet strong enough to beat Desai [her political opponent] in a party election because of the high regard for her father... a woman would be an ideal tool for the Syndicate."....
Indira Gandhi did not read the mood of the people right and lost the election.
It was Jayaprakash Narayan, the inspirational Gandhian activist, who corralled the unlikely alliance .... peculiar but briefly potent political force. ...
While we appreciate the sarcasm, whether the politicians acted like sheep or cattle, the joke is always on us, the people.
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| India Today cartoon by Ponappa on Indira Gandhi's political isolation. |
India Today is prudently polite .. 'The astonishing plasticity of political personalities and alliances first seen in the Janata victory still pulses in the coalitions of extremes that have since become a familiar feature of Indian elections.'
Light That Failed:
The choice of PM was left to Jayaprakash Narayan and Acharya Kripalani... Their choice of Morarji Desai was a bitter pill for some, but earlier in the day, wheel-chair-bound JP had led the Janata MP's in an oath of unity at Raj Ghat.
They could have had an election! It is disappointing, but not surprising to learn about the infighting amongst the elected leaders.
Swatantra Party formed earlier by Rajaji in 1959 was a break away from congress. It faded away after Rajaji's death. Rajaji did have valid differences with the Nehru's policy!
A pity that our countrymen cannot get away from being bhakths of gurus, leaders and movie stars! Real issues take a back seat!
I remember giving Rajaji a guard of honor near cubbon park while I was still a school kid. Have forgotten the other details! He spoke to each one of us.
Incidentally he studied in Central college, Bangalore. My college too and he too was an Iyengar! A brahmin who was progressive. But his government's prohibition of alcohol is debatable!
....it was a blunder by All India Radio, they mistakenly announced JP's death, Parliament was adjourned......but PM declined to declare national mourning.
Arun Shourie was quoted in these pages.."They killed his promises and now they are bent on killing him as well."
.... Morarji Desai's government, reduced by defections and resignations, would last only till July 15.......JP died on October 8.
Dramatic persona of the opponents.
JayaprakashNarayan, /Jagjivan_Ram, Morarji Desai , Madhau Dandavate, H N Bahuguna, Nandini Satpathy, Choudhary Charan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee
The Comeback.
Mrs Gandhi would not live to see the end of the tempestous decade that unfolded since her declaration of Emergency in 1975....
..Growing sympathy for her and frustration at the ego wars of the Janata netas...
.In 1979, when PM Charan Singh sought her support for his government. When he refused to drop the charges against her and and her son Sanjay, she brought his government down. ..Revenge served cold.
Did this type of ridiculous politics continue in future? The decade which was full of challenging events ....
The operation blue star. Mrs Gandhi's assassination, Attack on Sikhs, Mass conversion of Tamil dalits, anti-outsider agitation in Assam, the Bhopal gas leak tragedy..Double Murder by Ranga and Billa, Bhagalpur Blindings....
There were good things happening too..
Maruti car manufacture, The rise of Angry Hero, Entry of small screen, video invasion, miracle at Lord's, 1982 Asian games performance, panther-like grace of Padukone and hockey had its last hurrah!
My personal memories. My niece Nanda was taken from her school to wait in the hospital where Inndira Gandhi was fighting for life. She had same type of rare blood as the PM.
My chat with Prakash Padukone years later at BGC as we waited for an interview for membership. He was absolutely graceful and polite!
Happy Independence day.
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