V. P. Singh meditates on party and politics

By Harish Khare

NEW DELHI, NOV. 25 Once an iconoclast, always an iconoclast. That seems to be the operative style of Mr. Vishwanath Pratap Singh, former Prime Minister, who refuses to give in to the political liturgy of expediency and insincerity. Having coopted out of the daily grind of party politics, Mr. Singh would not allow others to judge him by ordinary yardsticks.

The former Prime Minister today found himself sufficiently provoked to issue a statement clarifying his ``position regarding the Third Front, lest whatever the press speculates on my behalf is perceived to be my views.'' And he adds: ``I believe there is need of a Third Front. Therefore, I welcome the statements made by Mr. Jyoti Basu and Mr. Deve Gowda regarding the formation of a Third Front. I wish them all success, and, if, I can be of any help to them, certainly I will put in my bit. But this is where my leg of relay race ends. After the formation of the Third Front the flag is in their hands.''

So far, so good. Had Mr. Singh stopped here, his statement would not have merited further notice. But, then, he surprises everyone and has a quite a few thoughtful notes to add, revealing his disenchantment with the bogus posturing that passes for party politics.

``I believe while political parties are important in their own area there is a greater need of issue-based people's action.

Experience, the world over, has shown whatever the political party in power, a dichotomy between the government and the people does develop over a period of time.

Therefore, there is a perpetual need to bridge this gap to make democracy a living experience to the people,'' he writes. For him ``democracy should be a daily experience rather than merely a five-year mela''.

And taking recourse to a Jayaprakash Narainian faith in the efficacy of mass politics, the former Prime Minister wants to lend his frail shoulders to ``people's action on farmer's and slum-dweller's issues''.

All this because he believes in people living democracy ``by their organised action''. This kind of democratic vibrancy is ``the best way to keep the political parties on track. People's action on an on going basis is very much needed beyond election and beyond governments.''

The short statement reveals that notwithstanding all the ridicule, scepticism and disdain that has been his lot, Mr. Singh retains the capacity for thinking afresh about our collective infirmities.

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Section  : National
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