“We politicians know our business much better than you journalists” said an MP from the Congress Party during an informal chat. He was referring to the media headlines about the unraveling of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Well, driven by the basic instinct of a communication professional who has spent nearly a decade in political journalism; I tried to bombard him with a volley of arguments.
However, later some introspection made me realize that there was some merit in his argument as well. At a time when political reporting is fast turning out to be political advisory and the line bifurcating between the editorial and the reportage getting blurred, there is a need to see our respective roles in the proper perspective as well. We must ask ourselves as to whether we have subconsciously assumed that we know the business of politics much better than even the seasoned politicians?
It is true that the access to the power corridors and some filtered inside information gives the media professionals a sense of empowerment. Over a period of time this sense of pride translates into an air of expertise, which further leads to “I know it better” syndrome. Journalists often forget the fact that the classified and confidential information which they think has given them a cutting edge, is more often than not fed to them by the vested interests from a section of the very same power corridors. It is not about media empowerment; rather it is “selective use” of journalists that the politicians are very good at.
Let’s face it. Any politician who has risen from the ranks knows his business much better than a journalist. Yes, at times media professionals show due smartness in reading what is stated between the lines. But they often fail to read it when it matters the most. For instance, when Laloo Yadav as the Chief Minister of Bihar was found guilty in fodder scam; he made the statement that he will rule the state from jail itself.
Journalists with their predominantly upper caste and urban middle class upbringing were prompt to write advisories. Many of them condemned Laloo for his ignorance about the law of the land that was all set to force him to resign. I don’t remember a single newspaper report which suggested what Laloo actually meant by that statement. But a super strategist in Laloo Yadav had his plans ready and he literally ruled the State by installing his wife as a puppet chief minister.
The media assessment of bad days ahead for the ruling UPA in the event of the Laloo Yadav’s RJD and Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP joining hands and forcing the Congress to go solo, is yet again fraught with strategic danger. This can also be strategic part of a grand design during these elections. Laloo Yadav has any way reiterated time and again that he is very much the part of UPA. But their separation will definitely led to realignment of the voters of Bihar.
Had there been a straight fight between the UPA and the NDA, the choice was cut out for the voters. While a sizeable chunk of OBCs with caste loyalties tilted towards Nitish Kumar have gone to the NDA, the Upper Caste distaste for Laloo Yadav have also added to the fortunes of the NDA. Added to this is the fact that Nitish Kumar has of late emerged as the face of development in Bihar. Now the voters of Bihar have their options from a bouquet of parties and alliances.
While Laloo Yadav still is a major force to reckon with in the Yadav heartland, the transferable votes of Ram Vilas Paswan will be icing on the cake that seems to wok to the advantage of both. And if Congress succeeds in making a dent in the Upper Caste votes, that can be nemesis for the NDA. After all, Congress is contesting as the only party in the state which is not holding the crutches of the regional OBC satrap today.
Similarly, media may find today the UPA’s growing list of estranged allies, like the PMK,TRS, MDMK, PDP and others, but the fact remains that almost all of them have been non-committal over joining the NDA. And any other front can not survive either without the support of the Congress or the BJP. Moreover, the post poll scenario may throw an altogether different picture as none of the estranged allies have gone on record against the UPA.
Laloo-Paswan duo declares them as the real UPA, while Anbumani Ramadoss of the PMK has sent a message between the lines for the congress when he openly thanked Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi for their constant encouragement. Going solo or without the ruling UPA can also be seen as a smart move to counter the anti-incumbency factor. Imagine a post-poll scenario where the PMK-AIADMK combine wins most of the Tamil Nadu’s 39 seats, won’t the Congress dump the loser DMK and ally with them.
Only time will tell whether the strategy will work or not and more importantly, who will have the last laugh, Congress for its strategy or the media for its prophecy. But, till then, political class, irrespective of the respective parties, will be busy in various strategy and counter-strategy. Media will be busy decoding these strategies, with more miss than hit. Politics, after all, is the game of a mystery wrapped in an enigma.
6:46 AM
In Defence of Political Horse Trading
As the world’s largest democracy heads towards its biggest soap opera called the General Elections, there is a sudden spurt on the communication front as well. Media seems to be suddenly awakened from a deep slumber borne out of recession. Journalists are once again smartly playing the psephologists & destiny makers of India. Forget regional and vernacular media, even the mainstream newspapers are busy beating their own trumpets. Thanks to the impact of television, the medium that every print journalist feels it is their sacrosanct duty to criticize, elections are no less than showtime.
Newspapers are carrying the pix of reporters with every routine political reportage, like the constituency profile. Too many photos on the same page is baffling, often giving the impression of a Tutorial Advertisement where the candidate has secured distinction and hence chest inflated with pride. Reporters carrying beats as diverse as health and education have also been put on election duty.
It is party time for the communication professionals other than journalism as well. Some advertising agencies, thanks to the political networking, are making merry during the road show. Public Relation professionals are having their slice of the cake as well since respective political parties as well as individual candidates, all need a consultant for image makeover. However, in their scheme of things, the measurement of an image makeover is as good as their coverage in print media and television.
Some of the politicians have gone a step further and took the help of PR pros to launch their own website and blog. While the role of the new age media in attracting the fancy of youth can not be underestimated, the fact remains that a predominantly urban PR rhetoric has so far failed to translate into quantifiable votes. The fiasco of such a drive for NDA in general and BJP in particular has been quite evident with the Indian Shining campaign during the previous government at the centre.
The General Elections of 2009 are going to be one of the most complex one in the history of independent India. The report card of the incumbent Congress-led United Progressive Alliance is not too impressive, thanks to the global recession and terrorism. The main opposition party, the BJP and alliance has to put more efforts to keep its own house in order rather than harp on the anti-incumbency factor that has been the most dominant factor in the elections of late.
The failure of the Congress and the BJP to show an impressive report card as well to keep its alliance flock cohesive has yet again allowed the motley crowd of parties to raise their head in the form of a Third Front. Interestingly, all these fronts and alliances are all set to regroup in the event of a fractured mandate. As some of the columnists have rightly pointed out—the next Lok Sabha will see the emergence of a Fourth Front. Elected members from all the three fronts will realign, but all in the name of national interest and honouring your and mine verdict. Political compulsions will make strange bedfellows in the house called the Parliament where Lok Sabha represents bedroom.
Haven’t we seen money exchanging hands to buy loyalties, media busy with a series of sting operation and a prominent politician glorifying the role of MP (money power, of course), “paisa koi khuda toh nahin, per khuda ki kasam khuda se kam bhi nahin” (Money may not be god, but god swear it is no less than god). From Tehelka to cash bundles in Parliament, the sensitivities of the collective consciousness have started accepting this stark reality of Indian politics. Isn’t it an appropriate time to institutionalize the practice?
Even at the cost of being called an anarchist, I take the liberty to suggest the legalization of horse trading in the post poll scenario if the verdict comes out for the hung parliament. Let there be IPL-isation of the law makers in the country. At least a common man who has cast his vote will have the opportunity to know the price tag of his parliamentarian. If in the game of cricket we can accept the fact that every player has a price tag beyond his much-hyped national duty, why not in politics. I know all this sounds cynical, but in the theater of absurd called Indian politics, may be history is yet again reminding us that a chaotic state is the primary necessity of revolution.
Newspapers are carrying the pix of reporters with every routine political reportage, like the constituency profile. Too many photos on the same page is baffling, often giving the impression of a Tutorial Advertisement where the candidate has secured distinction and hence chest inflated with pride. Reporters carrying beats as diverse as health and education have also been put on election duty.
It is party time for the communication professionals other than journalism as well. Some advertising agencies, thanks to the political networking, are making merry during the road show. Public Relation professionals are having their slice of the cake as well since respective political parties as well as individual candidates, all need a consultant for image makeover. However, in their scheme of things, the measurement of an image makeover is as good as their coverage in print media and television.
Some of the politicians have gone a step further and took the help of PR pros to launch their own website and blog. While the role of the new age media in attracting the fancy of youth can not be underestimated, the fact remains that a predominantly urban PR rhetoric has so far failed to translate into quantifiable votes. The fiasco of such a drive for NDA in general and BJP in particular has been quite evident with the Indian Shining campaign during the previous government at the centre.
The General Elections of 2009 are going to be one of the most complex one in the history of independent India. The report card of the incumbent Congress-led United Progressive Alliance is not too impressive, thanks to the global recession and terrorism. The main opposition party, the BJP and alliance has to put more efforts to keep its own house in order rather than harp on the anti-incumbency factor that has been the most dominant factor in the elections of late.
The failure of the Congress and the BJP to show an impressive report card as well to keep its alliance flock cohesive has yet again allowed the motley crowd of parties to raise their head in the form of a Third Front. Interestingly, all these fronts and alliances are all set to regroup in the event of a fractured mandate. As some of the columnists have rightly pointed out—the next Lok Sabha will see the emergence of a Fourth Front. Elected members from all the three fronts will realign, but all in the name of national interest and honouring your and mine verdict. Political compulsions will make strange bedfellows in the house called the Parliament where Lok Sabha represents bedroom.
Haven’t we seen money exchanging hands to buy loyalties, media busy with a series of sting operation and a prominent politician glorifying the role of MP (money power, of course), “paisa koi khuda toh nahin, per khuda ki kasam khuda se kam bhi nahin” (Money may not be god, but god swear it is no less than god). From Tehelka to cash bundles in Parliament, the sensitivities of the collective consciousness have started accepting this stark reality of Indian politics. Isn’t it an appropriate time to institutionalize the practice?
Even at the cost of being called an anarchist, I take the liberty to suggest the legalization of horse trading in the post poll scenario if the verdict comes out for the hung parliament. Let there be IPL-isation of the law makers in the country. At least a common man who has cast his vote will have the opportunity to know the price tag of his parliamentarian. If in the game of cricket we can accept the fact that every player has a price tag beyond his much-hyped national duty, why not in politics. I know all this sounds cynical, but in the theater of absurd called Indian politics, may be history is yet again reminding us that a chaotic state is the primary necessity of revolution.
12:00 AM
Symptoms of Deep Rooted Malaise
The rebel face of Nehru-Gandhi clan Varun Gandhi has once again landed himself in trouble. Election Commission has taken a strong objection to his anti-minority remarks. While the Election Commission and the district administration have declared Varun guilty, the Bharatiya Janata Party could not afford to stand for this poster boy who was always seen as a prize catch by the BJP against India’s first dynastic family.
With general elections round the corner, the BJP refused to stand by Varun Gandhi and instead preferred to dissociate itself from the statement. As a matter of fact, the party even refused permission to Varun Gandhi for holding a press conference at the party headquarters on the issue. The young leader’s uneasiness was evident when he was addressing the newspersons at his mother’s residence. While denying the remarks, he also said in a tongue-in-cheek statement that he has always followed the party philosophy of protecting the Hindus.
The question is that in today’s political culture of invectives, character assassination and war rhetoric why only blame the young Gandhi scion who just seems to have got carried in his over zeal to be in the good books of the party leadership. From Kalyan Singh to Lalji Tendon, and Sadhvi Rithambhara to Praveen Togadia, everyone has tried to reap the benefits of hate speeches in the land of Uttar Pradesh, where the banks of holy river Saryu have seen enough political bloodshed in the name of protecting the community and religion.
However, what makes the act of Varun Gandhi all the more unfortunate is that he represents the young face of a resurgent India. Are we seeing the emergence of Gen-next Narendra Modi? At least, Varun Gandhi does not seem to be cut out to fit into that role. He could have easily positioned himself in the league where some of the young politicians have of late shown tremendous amount of potential in terms of transforming the socio-polity of the country. This new breed of young guns are sophisticated, know their subject and constituency, connect better with the young India and have done reasonably well in whatever limited opportunity they may have got. A Jyotiraditya Scindia, a Milind Deora or a Rahul Gandhi, all have displayed potential to connect better with the new India than the so-called grassroot politicians who believe character assassination and inciting mob attracts more to their electorate.
The act of the Varun Gandhi is more of a deep rooted malaise in the Indian politics in general and the BJP in particular. Isn’t it true that the same young leader was earlier hailed by the party for some of his remarks which can not be termed decent for an emerging politician? Had the Election Commission not taken an objection this time, probably Varun would not have even realized as to how far he marched in the politics of hatred and invectives.
While the BJP has distanced and dissociated with the remarks as it doesn’t suit their elections and the allies, there are others who are ready to glorify the speech as it fits into their brand of politics. And this is where Varun Gandhi needs to do some introspection over his positioning within the framework of the emerging Indian politics in general and the BJP in particular. He has to understand that the BJP of today is no more the BJP of ‘80s era. It was an altogether different party and culture with no taste to power and only a symbolic Muslim face in the unit, that too in the backseat. The BJP of today has to accommodate with the alliance partners who may not subscribe hard-hitting communal overtones, because of their electoral compulsions in the state politics.
Amateur politicians like Varun Gandhi can easily be made scapegoat to pacify and win back alliance partners like the JD(U) or the BJD. Added to this, there are more Muslim faces in the party like Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaj Hussain, who have tasted power, are vocal and media friendly. They will not feel shy of giving a piece of their mind in the event of communal overtones. Therefore, an ideal positioning for this young and ambitious leader would be that of a sophisticated and educated youth leader, someone who is an alternative to the youth faces within the Congress party.
Changing the political philosophy and overtones of one Varun Gandhi may not cleanse the Indian politics. After all, he represents the mere symptom of a deep rooted malaise. But Varun Gandhi has to make a choice as to whether he wants to reposition himself in the Indian politics and take a leap into New Age politics. May be those roads less traveled by, in the words of Robert Frost, make all the difference in Indian Politics in general and Varun Gandhi’s political fortunes in particular.
With general elections round the corner, the BJP refused to stand by Varun Gandhi and instead preferred to dissociate itself from the statement. As a matter of fact, the party even refused permission to Varun Gandhi for holding a press conference at the party headquarters on the issue. The young leader’s uneasiness was evident when he was addressing the newspersons at his mother’s residence. While denying the remarks, he also said in a tongue-in-cheek statement that he has always followed the party philosophy of protecting the Hindus.
The question is that in today’s political culture of invectives, character assassination and war rhetoric why only blame the young Gandhi scion who just seems to have got carried in his over zeal to be in the good books of the party leadership. From Kalyan Singh to Lalji Tendon, and Sadhvi Rithambhara to Praveen Togadia, everyone has tried to reap the benefits of hate speeches in the land of Uttar Pradesh, where the banks of holy river Saryu have seen enough political bloodshed in the name of protecting the community and religion.
However, what makes the act of Varun Gandhi all the more unfortunate is that he represents the young face of a resurgent India. Are we seeing the emergence of Gen-next Narendra Modi? At least, Varun Gandhi does not seem to be cut out to fit into that role. He could have easily positioned himself in the league where some of the young politicians have of late shown tremendous amount of potential in terms of transforming the socio-polity of the country. This new breed of young guns are sophisticated, know their subject and constituency, connect better with the young India and have done reasonably well in whatever limited opportunity they may have got. A Jyotiraditya Scindia, a Milind Deora or a Rahul Gandhi, all have displayed potential to connect better with the new India than the so-called grassroot politicians who believe character assassination and inciting mob attracts more to their electorate.
The act of the Varun Gandhi is more of a deep rooted malaise in the Indian politics in general and the BJP in particular. Isn’t it true that the same young leader was earlier hailed by the party for some of his remarks which can not be termed decent for an emerging politician? Had the Election Commission not taken an objection this time, probably Varun would not have even realized as to how far he marched in the politics of hatred and invectives.
While the BJP has distanced and dissociated with the remarks as it doesn’t suit their elections and the allies, there are others who are ready to glorify the speech as it fits into their brand of politics. And this is where Varun Gandhi needs to do some introspection over his positioning within the framework of the emerging Indian politics in general and the BJP in particular. He has to understand that the BJP of today is no more the BJP of ‘80s era. It was an altogether different party and culture with no taste to power and only a symbolic Muslim face in the unit, that too in the backseat. The BJP of today has to accommodate with the alliance partners who may not subscribe hard-hitting communal overtones, because of their electoral compulsions in the state politics.
Amateur politicians like Varun Gandhi can easily be made scapegoat to pacify and win back alliance partners like the JD(U) or the BJD. Added to this, there are more Muslim faces in the party like Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaj Hussain, who have tasted power, are vocal and media friendly. They will not feel shy of giving a piece of their mind in the event of communal overtones. Therefore, an ideal positioning for this young and ambitious leader would be that of a sophisticated and educated youth leader, someone who is an alternative to the youth faces within the Congress party.
Changing the political philosophy and overtones of one Varun Gandhi may not cleanse the Indian politics. After all, he represents the mere symptom of a deep rooted malaise. But Varun Gandhi has to make a choice as to whether he wants to reposition himself in the Indian politics and take a leap into New Age politics. May be those roads less traveled by, in the words of Robert Frost, make all the difference in Indian Politics in general and Varun Gandhi’s political fortunes in particular.
6:50 AM
Relationship Index and Media
RELATIONSHIP INDEX AND MEDIA
In an ironical twist of fate, a successful PYT (Pretty Young Thing) has preferred to be worldly wise and hence dumped a lesser mortal boy friend-turned-fiancé. It is true that the conventional wisdom would suggest that the Slumdog Millionaire damsel, Freida Pinto broke off the relation as her world had changed overnight and poor chap did not belong to the new league. After all, a star actress has parted ways with a non-entity whose only claim to fame has been a result of the media probe into the personal life of the actress.
The media obsession with this relationship gone sour actually forced me to discuss the subject with journalist friends, most of them specialists on relationship and gender-specific issues. There is a general consensus that what Freida Pinto did was a logical conclusion after her sudden stardom. Even Deepika Padukone did the same once she realized that her star status and nouveau riche lifestyle is no match to her erstwhile boyfriend with whom she had spent cozy moments thus far and must have repeated promise of dying for each other.
Some of the columnists went to the extent of reminding as to how many successful women, some of them basking with sudden and unexpected glory, did the mistake of marrying a lesser successful men, only to repent and divorce later. Well, I can quote hundreds, if not thousands of couples where one of the partner, women included, suddenly became a superstar in their own given field, but still honoured the commitment to their respective soul mates. But this is not precisely the reason why I wish to challenge the so-called conventional wisdom.
Those who believe a relationship with more successful women can not run smooth are subconsciously advocating a feudal social structure which suggests that “man is for the sword and women for the needle.” Come on guys, why should a relationship be a battle of sexes all the time. It is true that equal rights for women must be ensured in the relationship and beyond. But Ms Pinto’s behaviour reflects a women chauvinism which many of the columnists are justifying in media, all in the name of a fancy notion called feminism. However, it will always remain debatable as to whether this extreme women liberation mindset has actually done any good to the women.
Moreover, it is not that I have taken an exception to Freida Pinto’s worldly wisdom, only to counter the argument that relationship is primarily the battle of sexes. Why I call it an ironical twist of fate is because a relationship which involves a great dose of time, effort and emotion, suddenly becomes a game of mud slinging and dirty linen in public. And for this not only the PYT but her boyfriend is equally, if not more, to be blamed for entertaining the Page 3 sleuths. Equally to be blamed are the bunch of friends for whom a slice of media glare had more value than their own decency and star couple’s personal dignity.
The idea is not to suggest that one should stay in a relationship even when they turn out to be strangers, both socially and emotionally, for any given reason. But then there is always a dignified way of parting ways than using media for character assassination of the person who had been till recently soulmates, at least claimed to be madly in love. A word of advice for all the journalist and columnist friends: it is true that our profession thrives on being unconventional, but what is unconventional can not always be justified too. At least, I have strong objection to let the media and public transgress over an issue that involves time, effort and emotion of two concerned individuals.
In an ironical twist of fate, a successful PYT (Pretty Young Thing) has preferred to be worldly wise and hence dumped a lesser mortal boy friend-turned-fiancé. It is true that the conventional wisdom would suggest that the Slumdog Millionaire damsel, Freida Pinto broke off the relation as her world had changed overnight and poor chap did not belong to the new league. After all, a star actress has parted ways with a non-entity whose only claim to fame has been a result of the media probe into the personal life of the actress.
The media obsession with this relationship gone sour actually forced me to discuss the subject with journalist friends, most of them specialists on relationship and gender-specific issues. There is a general consensus that what Freida Pinto did was a logical conclusion after her sudden stardom. Even Deepika Padukone did the same once she realized that her star status and nouveau riche lifestyle is no match to her erstwhile boyfriend with whom she had spent cozy moments thus far and must have repeated promise of dying for each other.
Some of the columnists went to the extent of reminding as to how many successful women, some of them basking with sudden and unexpected glory, did the mistake of marrying a lesser successful men, only to repent and divorce later. Well, I can quote hundreds, if not thousands of couples where one of the partner, women included, suddenly became a superstar in their own given field, but still honoured the commitment to their respective soul mates. But this is not precisely the reason why I wish to challenge the so-called conventional wisdom.
Those who believe a relationship with more successful women can not run smooth are subconsciously advocating a feudal social structure which suggests that “man is for the sword and women for the needle.” Come on guys, why should a relationship be a battle of sexes all the time. It is true that equal rights for women must be ensured in the relationship and beyond. But Ms Pinto’s behaviour reflects a women chauvinism which many of the columnists are justifying in media, all in the name of a fancy notion called feminism. However, it will always remain debatable as to whether this extreme women liberation mindset has actually done any good to the women.
Moreover, it is not that I have taken an exception to Freida Pinto’s worldly wisdom, only to counter the argument that relationship is primarily the battle of sexes. Why I call it an ironical twist of fate is because a relationship which involves a great dose of time, effort and emotion, suddenly becomes a game of mud slinging and dirty linen in public. And for this not only the PYT but her boyfriend is equally, if not more, to be blamed for entertaining the Page 3 sleuths. Equally to be blamed are the bunch of friends for whom a slice of media glare had more value than their own decency and star couple’s personal dignity.
The idea is not to suggest that one should stay in a relationship even when they turn out to be strangers, both socially and emotionally, for any given reason. But then there is always a dignified way of parting ways than using media for character assassination of the person who had been till recently soulmates, at least claimed to be madly in love. A word of advice for all the journalist and columnist friends: it is true that our profession thrives on being unconventional, but what is unconventional can not always be justified too. At least, I have strong objection to let the media and public transgress over an issue that involves time, effort and emotion of two concerned individuals.
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