The politics of perception

Bhaskar Roy

Bhaskar Roy, a retired senior bureaucrat and a Sify columnist, spares no one in this scathing commentary on Elections 2009.

Is this election 2009, or a virtual 1609?

We, Indians proudly perceive ourselves as an emerging world power. We are a member of G-20, an invitee to the Group of 8 and an aspirant for an expanded Security Council seat with veto power.

But the pre-poll exchanges between political parties and their leaders distinctly suggest otherwise, as they stretch the concept of democracy to include Jungle Raj. Our leaders cheerfully forget that the international community is watching these elections very, very closely, and its perceptions may well influence how it interacts with India.

It is true that the rise of regional parties have weakened the two main national parties, preventing the Congress and the BJP from forming a one-party government at the centre. Even in the states, coalitions are becoming the norm. 

Over 60 percent voter turnout in first phase

Regional parties had to come up. The national parties, especially the Congress, which has had the longest run at the Centre, focused on some states while neglecting others. Therefore, the unitary power structure collapsed, leading to a situation where a single seat becomes a critical vote, and can keep a government from falling. The latest example is the predicament of the UPA government, when the left parties withdrew support to it over the Indo-US nuclear deal.

But is there any political morality and honesty left in the quest for that one seat, one vote in Parliament, to save a government, howsoever honorable the issue in question may be?

Morally no. But strategically, yes, if the manner in which the support is acquired is transparent and clear.

Going back to the Indo-US nuclear deal -- which has a much larger connotation than just the US -- what moral right did the CPM and its left allies have to try and sabotage a foreign policy, which was in national interest? In public perception, backed up by its track record, the CPM was working in the interest of China to prevent India's economic development, international position, and national security. 

Manmohan was 'ready to resign' over Indo-US nuclear deal

The question of law, perception and political morality has come up loudly and clearly during this election. How do we rise above these things, and are we willing to sink to nominate a tainted, but winnable candidate?

The voters, too, can be broken up into clear sections.

This is a three-way contest: Karat


One discerning section evaluates a candidate's ability to sustain development, peace and security. Still relatively small, this section is growing and may have an impact in this election. The national media, especially the growing reach of television, has helped spread information among this group.  

Another section comprises dedicated party workers and supporters. There are always moneybags who benefit when their party is in power. The ideological followers are, however, the main backbone.

Transitory supporters who vote for a party in an election are also discerning voters, and can change their loyalty as per developments, performance and perception. They are generally not independent deciders and usually go by the opinion of their peer group. They have a herd mentality, and are a growing important factor.   

The third is a motley, but huge section of the poor and the intimidated. This is where the goondas and nefarious candidates score high. Money and muscle power is what matters here. It would be near impossible to defeat a candidate like Pappu Yadav in his constituency even if he contests as an Independent candidate.

Unfortunately, almost all political parties are using sops like free television set, unredeemable promises of cheap rice and other allurement to win votes. Not one is pledging to empower people to buy their own television, food and housing.

The worst is the use of minorities and caste divisions. V P Singh, as Prime Minister, formalised caste division in the country. While the curse of caste division is being exploited shamelessly, the minorities have learnt where their strength lies - in empowering themselves.


Hence, the case of Jagdish Tytler assumes national importance and becomes a landmark in Indian political history, which future students of modern Indian Politics will study. 

Cong has admitted 1984 riots guilt: Akali Dal

Keeping aside the other aspects of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the question is whether Tytler was guilty by law or perception, and what position public perception holds in the politics of the country.

Almost everyone living in Delhi those fateful three days after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination by her two bodyguards, would have three names on their minds - that of H K L Bhagat, who is now dead, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar. That there was a national outrage over Indira Gandhi's assassination is in no doubt. Delhi, which was the stage, obviously felt the impact much more. Some Sikhs, by their actions, did not help the situation. But the killing spree was not the wish of the people. The sense of outrage was exploited with political intentions. The names of these three men were on the lips of almost everyone that this columnist, a resident of Delhi, heard as the leaders of the anti-Sikh mobs. Most of the participants were lumpen looters, devoid of any sensitivity.

The people, who were stunned for sometime, came to the rescue of Sikhs. Some were even threatened. The city%u2019s society took out peace marches, many wearing black badges. The situation was finally brought under control, but the damage was done.

Laws remain in the realm of written words. Action is dependent on collection and presentation of evidence, arguments of courts and how all of these are seen in the eyes of the judge. Many criminals and culprits have got away in history by the sheer eloquence of a lawyer's arguments. In Tytler's case, there is a large gray fog over all these things. The Nanavati Commission fell just sort of indicting Tytler conclusively.

The less said about the CBI, the better. It is well known that the prime investigating agency of the country has become a political handmaiden of the government in power. This is a perception, not proved in a court of law. But can anyone really disagree with this perception?

Prosecute Tytler, Sajjan for 1984 riots: Sikhs

The Congress argued on the right to field Tytler as a candidate from Delhi on the basis of the law. But finally, it had to concede to perception after journalist Jarnail Singh threw a shoe in the direction of Home Minister Chidambaram at a press conference. Jarnail Singh is not above suspicion. By no imagination was his action spontaneous in the heat of emotion. He was all prepared to throw the shoe, and he was setup. But the Congress had to eat crow and, hopefully, learnt the lesson of public perception.

But what about the BJP?

They are still arguing that the Gujarat anti-Muslim carnage of 2002 is different from 1984. They still do not seem to have learnt the lesson of perception. In the Gujarat riots more than three thousand Muslims were killed. There was almost open collusion between the BJP politicians and the administration. It was better organized than the 1984 riots. Gujarat Minister Mayaben Kodanani was just one of the bloodthirsty culprits. Much more will come out, must come out.

Former Gujarat minister to be sent to jail

The fountainhead of another low point in the BJP is the personal attacks on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh by party leader L K Advani.  The BJP argues that describing Manmohan Singh as "weak" is a political criticism. But when repeated ad nauseam, it becomes a low level personal attack. Few will deny that the Indian economy is least hurt by the global meltdown because of the Prime Minister and his team. On terrorism, the BJP-led NDA government has less than an honourable record, with Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh going to Kandahar to deliver to freedom dreaded terrorists to secure the release of Indian passengers of the hijacked   IC - 814 flight.

We all remember BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee leading the party's election campaigns. He was dignified, witty and always well within the bounds of decency. We miss him. Mr Advani, at 82, is a man seen in a tearing hurry to become Prime Minister. His vituperations have cost the BJP some points. Perceptions again.

Standing by Varun Gandhi and his uncultured speech "Kamal Ka haath ha" threatening Muslims, is another BJP bloomer. The defence that Varun's speech was doctored in the compact disc does not wash with anybody. The party carries him on its shoulders. This is a blot on Indian democracy and secular constitution.

Narendra Modi's attempt at sarcasm that no one felt the PM's absence (due to ill health) only gives a feather to the Congress. The Congress party is so well organised with able leaders that it can face any situation.

The BJP may do well revisit its version of Hindutva and Hinduism. They hold no ownership of either, and publicly display ignorance of ancient Indian culture, traditions and life.

The VHP's Kandhamal killings and rape lies on the heads of the BJP, and cost them the BJD's partnership in Orissa. They should have studied the background of Navin Patnaik and his family, and that of his close friends. The Kandhamal philosophy is anathema to them. The cotton wool treatment of the Ram Sene activists in Karnataka may also hurt the BJP in the state. To the people of this state, the Ram Sene's Hindu culture is a despicable distortion.

One must not lose sight, however, of balanced senior leaders in the BJP who have quietly skirted these controversies. They are the ones who can bring the party back to a real national alternative.

The CPM and the CPI need to be examined, however, briefly, in the national interest perceptive. They have been rather silent on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in India. They were linking up to known SIMI leader and a known anti-India and pro-Pakistan element, Abdul Nasser Madani. They have also been silent on China's anti-India machinations, despite more than 200 Chinese intrusions across the LOC last year and Beijing's strident claim to Arunachal Pradesh. Pakistan is China's close friend and anti-India ally, and the CPM has demonstrated that it is an ally of China even at the cost of India. No other party had taken positions that harm India's interests, security and territorial integrity like the CPM and CPI have. These are not only perceptions, but facts.

The BSP's Mayawati, SP's Mulayam Singh and his sidekick Amar Singh have their own agenda. They may be corrupt to the hilt, but they are nationalists.  Mayawati is stepping up her presence in national politics by addressing the poor and the upper caste. But she must curb her fury of a woman scorned, and refrain from insulting the legitimacy of the Election Commission, one of the last independent constitutional bodies.

The Lalu Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan and Nitish Kumar troika must not be dismissed as unimportant.


In fact, they are very important, and capable when they want to. All credit to Nitish Kumar for what he had done for Bihar. Lalu vandalized Bihar, but did a great job with the railways at the centre. Ram Vilas Paswan has a good track record of administration. All have their faults. But none can accuse them of sectarianism. They are poised to play a critical role in the formation of the government at the Centre. They have not been loose mouthed, except for Lalu's recent comment on Varun Gandhi's hate speech.

Special: Lok Sabha Polls 2009

To conclude, however, the political parties are yet realize to their full extent the damage they are doing to the nation by supporting tainted candidates. But one must be happy with small beginnings.  In another five years, more sense will be expected to percolate down.

The political parties must remember that the sense of perception of the national conscience will increasingly become critical. If they don't, the country will eventually leave them behind.

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