The Indian and foreign media have always been besotted with the power relationship that defines the Gandhi family and their interventions in the day-to-day running of the government. Not just the Press, but the government too has often been criticized for being just a “mock administration”, while the power reins are being held by the Gandhis, led by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul.
The two have often taken steps and intervened in important matters that have led to undermining of the post of the PM, with Manmohan Singh himself coming under attack on charges of being “mute” and even “inefficient and unassertive”. Such interventions have not often been in harmony with that of the Cabinet or the core group of ministers, leading people to believe the power is in the hands of the Gandhi family.
The recent controversy over the debated ordinance on convicted MPs has once again stirred the hornet’s nest. The controversial ordinance negated a Supreme Court order that stated elected lawmakers convicted and sentenced to over two years in jail will be disqualified immediately. The decision was taken as part of larger electoral reforms ahead of the 2014 polls and also in an effort to clean up the rot plaguing the political system of the country. While the judgment was pro-people, the Central government brought in the ordinance in a clear disregard of the apex court.
While politicians across parties had criticised the ordinance, the government was forced to withdraw it after Rahul Gandhi termed it as “nonsense” and sought its immediate withdrawal. The government was left embarrassed, and recalled it. The media reaction was expected – Junior Gandhi is coming into his own and asserting himself ahead of the Lok Sabha polls as the government clearly stands challenged by BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and to save face amid corruption issues plaguing it.
Here is what some mainstream media reports had to say:
The Indian Express noted that with the withdrawal of ordinance, Rahul Gandhi has rubbed off the UPA more of its authority. It said, “His views on matters of governance are unknown, but his capacity to disrupt the government’s decisions has been proven. Now, his silence will only seem louder and more suspenseful. Whether or not this move pays off politically for the Congress in the upcoming election, for its remaining term, its government has effectively lost face.” Editor-in-chief Shekhar Gupta said it was now up to Singh to decide whether he wanted to resign or “stoop to carry on as a loyal soldier”, adding it would be “heartbreaking” if Singh, a renowned economist, chose to carry on in the face of this “humiliation”.
The Hindustan Times opined that a good decision was arrived at in a bad way. The paper mentioned that the decision, “to withdraw an ordinance and the Bill (under the Parliament’s consideration) that would have later replaced the ordinance, were good”, but “Gandhi’s intervention… undermined the standing of the Cabinet and the prime minister. However, from then on, the government had no option but to retreat…That (the ordinance) had to die such a controversial death only adds to the afflictions that this government is already battling.”
News portal Firstpost observed that Gandhi was using the harshest words to describe the ordinance, contending they were less heard today in Indian politics. An article on the site said: “Politicians of all persuasion, insecure in the political environment we live in, cloak their opinions in fifty shades of grey to safeguard themselves against upsetting any possibly constituency… Rahul Gandhi left himself no such room... It was the statement by Gandhi that was completely shorn of any political-speak that sent a clear signal that the bill was as dead as a dodo.”
The Times Of India said Rahul Gandhi stole the thunder with his remarks and “thanks to (his) forceful intervention that... Legislators and ministers can now be held accountable for corruption and other crimes, is an expansion of freedom and a gift to the country that’s entirely appropriate to the occasion being Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday.”
Fox News said Gandhi’s outburst ‘“dropped a bomb” on India’s premier and made it uncertain whether he can remain in office.” BBC noted Gandhi’s outburst was uncharacteristic of him, adding “Mr Gandhi, the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, is seen as the pre-eminent leader within the Congress party and his comments were a huge embarrassment to the government as ministers had been defending the order.”
Dawn, in a report titled ‘The Tragedy of Manmohan Singh’, said, “If Dr Singh has been severely embarrassed one more time, he has only himself to blame.” His silence has been of no good, the paper argued in the wake of the controversy surrounding the ordinance, adding, “But the price he’s paid for his teflon jacket has been severe: slights from the opposition and his own party, indiscipline in Cabinet, and a neighbourhood that, far from being awed by India’s power, tends to be disdainful of it. Perhaps most hurtful for him is his battered image as an economist.
The economy he inherited from the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government was a strong one and he continued to enjoy the lag effects of its policies in his first term”. It is clear that the government is under criticism on a number of issues. It may find itself unable to withdraw from the pressures of those governing it. However, the government can surely save face by remaining pro-people and delivering what is expected of it, rather than allowing others from behind the curtains to make similar decisions.
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