R Jagannathan: POT, Hori and that seventies' show | Business Standard News

R Jagannathan: POT, Hori and that seventies' show | Business Standard News

Gang Of Four And Modi's Dengism: A Pragmatic View Of Current Politics

During the Cultural Revolution in China (1966-76) a famous group named ‘Gang of Four’ led by Mao’s last wife Jiang Qing took over most of key Chinese govt policies and decisions and ran a parallel govt till the death of China’s Paramount leader Mao Zedong in Sept 1976 and the arrest of all the four key members of the gang. To check the balance of unrest formed after failed Great Leap Forward policy started in 1958, Mao created the Red Guards (revolutionary youth), initiated by the Cultural Revolution. The situation got out of control quite fast as the Red Guards confused the revolution with planned violence when Mao had commented, ‘learn revolution by making revolution”. Eventually, after the defeat of gang of four and a failed coup of power in China, Deng XiaPong who was being against the Cultural Revolution came back into power around 1977 and settled the long political unrest in the country. Although Deng never held an office as the head of the state, head of the Government or General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (the highest position in Communist China), he nonetheless was the “Paramount Leader” of the People’s Republic of China from 1978 to 1992.

Statue of Deng Xiapong
Courtesy : Google Image

India’s position at this point of time is far better than what China was at that time around 1976, despite the fact that China’s GDP was comparatively lower than that of India during that time. But ironically, India has been standing in a somewhat similar situation where China had been at that time. We have ‘Gangs of Four’ –Sonia G, (Widow of Late Rajiv Gandhi), Intellectual-Brain Dead People- having Communist mindset, infected-incestuous Media groups, editors/Journos, and last but not the least our so-called ‘Secular Parties Front’. After Rajiv Gandhi’s accidental assassination, Sonia Gandhi suddenly reappears from the hibernation mode along with her NAC, took all the pains and ruined the entire economy, tore basic tenants of law and many a times over ruled the basic law of governance, which our Guardians laid down for us. She, as a widow first took over the hierarchical position of India’s GOP (Grand Old Party) and the huge sum of money & power associated with it and separating herself from any accountability by putting Manmohan Singh just like Hua Guofeng headed Chinese govt once. In doing so, she perfectly understood the art of using the other three with the cunning minds within party courtier and well wishers of Gandhi family.  All these are already discussed at length on various platforms, so we will not enter into that part.

Now coming back to India once a dominating, mineral and ethos enriched, a country that has a lineage of heritage has been destroyed since 12th Century.  But it was during the  1^st Industrial revolution somewhat between the years 1760-1840 when West made their fortunes after digging the rest of the world under Imperialism, colonised India and drained India of her resources and wealth.  Ever since 1947 , after India achieved her Independence, rulers kept on changing as did the colours of their parties,but the approach to build an enriched India seemed a faraway call. This is the net result for  the current situation of  this country. That does not mean we have not progressed, but with its mass potential we are too far under developed. Though our economy is market oriented, our political parties are socialist in varying degrees.

As the influx of formation for the 16th Lok Sabha, Narendra Damodardas Modi, BJP Prime Ministerial candidate is on the verge to rewrite India’s history from the leaf of Dengism. The theory does not reject Marxism or Mao Zedong thought, but instead seeks to adapt them to the existing socioeconomic conditions of China. Deng was recognized officially as “the chief architect of China’s economic reforms and China’s socialist modernization”. Media so far has incorrectly diagnosed Modi as a dictator, Bhashmasur, Fundamentalist. But if you closely watch his administrative style and nature of working, you may find he is working with a group of people who are at the center of power much before him, he remains focused on developing (talk about toilet over the temple), for him Constitution is his Religion, he talks about farming and manufacturing in same length and at same ease, his dream of India made of self reliable and self-sustained model. As the core of the second generation leaders, Deng shared his power with several powerful older politicians commonly known as the Eight Elders. Modi has little to do with the treatment to older generation & rift seen between him and Lal Krishna Advani, Modi is a prudent listener and  prefers to work in a team, contrary to what media created image of him so far.

Modi unlike his predecessor  has never budged to the rhetoric’s’ of secular politics, but  in fact he gave a stern message of intolerance for any kind of fundamentalism when he proposes that the needs of  the poverty-stricken Hindus and Muslim are same: bread and not bullets in his controversial Patna rally. In a sense he wants to carry the idea of Sangh’s Akhand Bharat, where every citizen needs to practice patriotism over religious beliefs, which is anyway correct, but in such a manner which suits country. Ever imagined for a party like BJP. Udit Raj & Uma Bharti- two centers of Dalit & OBC politics in our country will be a key player in party’s stride to 7RCR, this is what every media and secular liberals are worried about. Hindus can never be united until this caste divide keep them divided, once this is demolished the next agenda on their minds will be of development. Modi wants them to see through this.  Again, when  the noted journalist Mr.M J Akbar joined the party and was attributed the post of the official spokesperson, the tainted paint of pseudo-secularism washed out of many in the face of media.  This need not be misguided with token minority appeasement by party, but must be seen in a pragmatic way, both BJP & Muslims want to move from the rhetoric of hatred and targeted secular politics, they want Change and Development.

India needs a  four-sided approach  at this hour to lift this country with a force that is young and energetic. I quote Deng – “Slow growth equals stagnation and even retrogression. We must grasp opportunities; the present offers an excellent one. The only thing I worry about is that we may lose opportunities. If we don’t seize them, they will slip through our fingers as time speeds by.” Modi is talking about systematic change which actually laid the foundation of current economic prosperity of China- Four Modernizations, laid by Zhou Enlai. Deng took the country to impossible heights and currently Modi dreams the same. Media is busy in eye washing the public with petty issues, whereas country is awakening to a new dawn, a dawn of whisper & opportunity. I quote these lines of Deng to cast what Modi in fact will do rather than what others wants you to believe is -“We should be bolder than before in conducting reform and opening to the outside and have the courage to experiment. We must not act like women with bound feet.” This connected well when he conceptualized his reform idea in governance by P2G2 formula.

All members from Gangs of four were arrested and imprisoned when Hua came to know about the coup plan by Jiang. Unfortunately, in our case, people may never see justice in that form, but the  probable congress dissemination in this election and coming years will ensure justice for the country, and those are who still painting Modi as Hitler, maybe in future will admire him greater than even Deng Xiapong.

I only wish to live up to that day and see the light. China and India share centuries old heritage and cultural relations. It was under Nehru and his policy that Sino-Indian relations are now always seen in suspicious. I can see that when Modi takes the helms of this country, he will take both country forward to a new strategic mutual interest relationship.

The Same was published earlier on IndiaOpines here.

To rewrite history in his contour, Modi need to opt out of Gujarat

There is one thing many times commonly said about BJP tallest leader till date Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee that he is a right person to become PM in the wrong party, and Atal Ji politely reply in a poetic manner ‘Jayein to Jayein Kahan’ nevertheless he remains committed to Jan-Sangh and BJP for his entire political life and still beloved by millions of Indians irrespective of their political or party ideologue, so much so that congress minus the Gandhi family may even award ‘Bharat Ratna’ long time back in the last ten years of UPA rule.  Narendra Modi, BJP prime ministerial candidate in the 2014 general election is in a flux of creating future and rewriting history in his favor, considering all poll predictions are predicting landslide victory for NDA and congress historical defeat may be worse than 1977 rout. In run up to an election campaign Modi came into the picture long back and throw his weight just after ’12 assembly election in which he lead BJP to a third consecutive term in the state.

Image Source : Google Image

Gujarat and Modi have become synonyms in the last decade of media, whether good or bad, depends on your prospective and reporting style Modi is partially or fully responsible and accountable for everything in Gujarat. He never shows any shyness too to showcase development model of Gujarat on various platforms and rallies. But while doing so Modi is also talking to the nation, touching regional issues where ever he do rally, with having national perspective alongside. Recently in his north east rallies he has been talking to people about threat of China, insurgency, illegal immigration, whereas in Assam he talks about tea plantation laborers. While in Kolkata he invokes Bengali pride by invoking Swami Vivekananda, and how congress meted out the treatment to late Bose, and our current president Shri. Pranab DA while selecting PM candidate in 2004. In Punjab, he talks directly to farmers, suggesting splitting FCI into three. Where ever he goes he takes Gujarat Ashmita and try to connect dots with Gujarat. He not even spare Orissa CM, where he taunted about people migrating to Surat from Patnaik’s constituency.

So far so good in this approach, he is having national vision with regional aspiration in mind. He can talk about states within states (cordial relationship of center with states), because he may become the only PM in history who has served for so long as a CM and confronted with center for most of the term. As per Sunday Guardian report Modi will likely to fight from Gujarat for Lok Sabha, he should fight for his home state, after all Gujarat is what his most successful assignment in his CV till date. But he need to detach himself from Gujarat in coming time to become a true national leader, till now except Atalji every PM has confine himself/herself largely to a particular constituency/region, that’s the reason UP has send maximum PM till date, Nehru-Gandhi dynast remain flourished in UP only, except one time both Indira G and Sonia G look south for getting elected, even Shastri Ji confine with UP only, PVR & Dewe Gowada were only two PM who represents south till date and Morarji Desai from Gujarat. But there is a catch in the list, Atal Ji born in Gwalior, but the only parliamentarian to have been elected from four different states at different times (UP,MP,Gujurat and Delhi). The reason for Atal Ji charisma in Indian politics and respect for his achievement not only come from NDA’s six years rule but also he was from none and he is for all, he never confined himself to any particular state or constituency as his similitude, there are other politicians too, but he has that Charisma that except once in 1984, he never lost a election. He remains truly Pan –Indian by keeping him for all and above any region.

Narendra Modi in coming times needs to look beyond Gujarat in his speeches and his action plan, he has vision and intention for the entire nation, by virtue or lack any other political competition, he is the only mass leader who can command such a huge following from North to south, and East to West. When he delivers a speech, people attend his rallies and pay attention to hear him. But for next Indian PM, country and fellow citizens are looking something else, more inclusive and best approach apart from Gujarat. He has to detach Gujarat, not deject from his psyche to be able to become a true statesman for the entire nation, leaving behind all the past and create a new future. He has a chance to rewrite history by taking forward the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and make his own legacy for future generation. But for that I wish less Gujarat and more India in his future speeches, vision and development ideas.

P.S – There are many who criticizing his decision to fight from Gujarat, and many ‘Political Pandits’ suggesting him to fight from UP. But for a change – If Modi Ji listening to me, I request him to take a leaf out of the books and fight from any seat from the North-East; I am sure people love you and vote you.

I end my article with this simple quote, and leave it open for interpretation.

“Anyone who tells you they don’t need to rewrite, they’re usually the ones who need it worst.” Tamora Pierce

Clarification after few comments: I am being misunderstood with this article on undermining the popularity of Narendra Modi, or suggesting for any constituency in NE region for the prosperity of that region. But in fact, as I said, I am opposed to any idea of sticking to the region / constituency. This may sound absurd at this juncture, but once the tide of emotional wave settles down and govt formed, governance and other factors will determine next leg of popularity, but creating a legacy post Atal Ji era, an idea to represent a region which has not tested by even party till date will make more impact on general voters (I am talking about 120cr Indian, even those who are oppose to party). I sum up with this- A true leader can create space in heart of its own people, but a true statesman create love and affection for all of its people.

Dear ‘Hard Working’ FM, sorry, but the cake stinks -An Open letter to FM

Dear FM, I graduated around the same time when UPA came into power first time, in 2004.Despite belonging to middle class strata of society and from a tier-3 city with no higher education or qualified degree I raised the ladder of financial market world as commodity & currency trader. Even I manage to get work in some of the great cities of our country and even abroad and earning well enough to spend and enjoy my life at leisure. I even survive the financial crisis of 2008-09, but thanks to your various steps taken in last two years and

Image Courtesy : Google

apathy towards FCRA bill and commodity market specific (read your never ending love towards ‘P’ note driven equity market) careers of many become cropper in the last few years. But I am not here to discuss on those issues, after all we are very small constituency for taken as a vote influence. But your vote of account does not romance during this valentine month with me even after sops.

I have a few points to make which I discuss later in brief here point by point. But before that I must applaud you for all the juggling of numbers and mockery of statistics in broad daylight and able to pretend selling comb in bald houses.

A)     In your interim budget you propose excise duty cut in automobiles sector specially in small segment car by 4% .i.e roughly 10-17k rupees discount in that segment, we all know the automobile sector specifically small car segment is bleeding and facing its toughest time in last decade but mere 4% cut in this segment while giving larger sop to SUV market to 6%,which is anyway growing far more than other segment, is a complete wash hog in my view, people like me are not buying cars because inflation eating up my household budgets, job uncertainty does not pursue me for opting car loans and thanks to govt borrowing, interest rate, EMI remain a constant factor in slumping car sales, take this on face why would I go to buy car for a mere discount of some few more thousands rupees where my concern lies more to do with other things. Dear FM you need to fix other things first before you ask me to buy car.

B)      You are bailing out Air India but have no future plan for our shrinking public transport system facility. Subsides numbers are so exotic that I prefer to leave it for economist to tell you the reality. However Rs.2, 600 cr subsidy as moratorium on student loan is not what exactly me, my colleague or my brother will be looking for, on contrary fact is jobs shrinking as hell as degrees are being produced in our shattered education system, instead of doing that Dear FM if you could help those students to get a fairly paid job, than they will take care of principal and interest themselves, also again this is discrimination against those who paid the same on time. Dear FM fact is UPA 1 & 2 failed to fill the gap of degrees and job offer in a huge numbers.

C)      By reducing 2% excise duty on consumer and capital goods you are laughing on our inflation hitting household budgets misery, but yes by doing so you have reduce the prospect of filling fiscal deficit gap for next govt, when food inflation and rising cost of living is a day to day threat to existence for many, buying AC will be least on the priority. And smartly you handout dole of cheap mobile handset by few bucks, but your recent auction bill(to foot your extravagant spending on flagship schemes) will definitely increase my mobile bill by more than 10-15% as per various reports in media and my own estimation. So who is putting cherry on a half-baked cake?

D)     Dear FM, you specifically mentioned that your mother and faculty at Harvard taught hard work, but sir, no one taught us, but we are forced to do hard work in our daily chorus to remain exist in these tough times. Thanks to financial crisis sir, the hot money in name of QE and various stimulus packages from developed countries keep your FX reserve full so that you can take credit for all the goodies in parliament and make mockery of hard work initiatives. The fact is Dear FM, $15B rise in FX reserve is nothing but just adding more debt on your books, as recently by FCNRA bond programme RBI raised $35B and fill the bag which caught naked after FED announce to take back its ‘QE Hot money’ from emerging markets, as you must be remembering how tough the year was for our domestic currency. You pat yourself for manufacturing and export sales rise with huge numbers, but you must admit this one tiny fact that a small country formed in 1971 is exporting far more garments in the volume of the world. The reality is rupee depreciation just ensures some healthy competition in pricing for them and discount billing ensures they increase their volume. However, you did very little to discourage import in various sectors except hitting hard on Gold & curbing currency trading to inflate your currency, CAD comes down heavily because many imports become impractical to do business, our Gold import curbed by whopping 77% YoY basis and yet Mr.FM you and your govt must be appreciated for all the good numbers and steps you have taken in the last ten years to revive economic growth and ensure large scale ‘development’.

Thanks, but no thanks your cake in the last hours of your inning is stinking for me, I did better prefer for new cookies in coming time.

P.S – Neither I am Amartya Sen or Jean Dreze, or even an economist to say, I was just a small trader who is waiting for next govt in hopes of employment opportunity by real reforms.

I end my painful letter to you of this simple quote, hope you may like this.

“Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.” –Mark Twain