When, in December 2009, Nitin Gadkari eased into his role as boss of the Bharatiya Janata Party, he was widely believed to have brought a whiff of fresh air to an otherwise dour and hidebound organisation. So different was he that Mr. Gadkari went up on stage at a BJP event and sang a popular Hindi film song, whose lyrics described life as a puzzle that doled out laughter and tears in equal measure. Those words might have been penned for Mr. Gadkari considering his seeming transition from happy-go-lucky, genial chief to businessman whose past life seems to be catching up with him. Not that the BJP chief ever hid his entrepreneurial past. On the contrary, he leveraged it smartly, positioning himself as a doer as against the BJP’s squabbling, politicking second-rung. Indeed, it was this perceived aloofness from politics that won him the party chief’s post. Mr. Gadkari was far from being the quintessential Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh man; yet, such was his comfort level with the Sangh that the BJP amended the party constitution to place him in line for a second consecutive term as president. From that near invincible position to being at the centre of raging corruption allegations, it has been a precipitous fall for Mr. Gadkari whose promised second term now looks less and less certain.
When Team Arvind Kejriwal outed the BJP president as a crafty entrepreneur who acted in collusion with the Maharashtra government to further his business interests, the revelations didn’t quite make the expected impact. So much so, a triumphant Mr. Gadkari was able to declare that he would quit politics if he was found to be corrupt. Little did he know that the story was still to reach its climax. While only an impartial probe can conclusively establish the nature and extent of Mr. Gadkari’s business dealings, astonishing details have emerged over the past week that prima facie indicate a range of irregularities involving front companies and dubious cross-holding and funding patterns. The sudden flow of documents against Mr. Gadkari also suggests that he has powerful enemies within his party. It seems an unlikely coincidence that voices seeking his resignation have grown in the days after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Ram Jethmalani met RSS chief Mohan Bhagawat. On the other hand, Lal Krishna Advani and Sushma Swaraj have come out in Mr. Gadkari’s defence and praised him for agreeing to an investigation of the charges. The BJP ought to have been in the enviable position of being seen as an alternative to the corruption-beset Congress. But the principal opposition has tottered equally from scam to scam, suggesting that the two national rivals are in a race to the bottom.
Keywords: Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra irrigation scam, BJP, India Against Corruption, Purti sugar mills
In the case of Yeddiyurappa, the BJP leadership, though was initially hesitant to show him the door for fear of antagonizing the Lingayat vote bank, finally gave in unable to resist the growing pressure for Yeddy's ouster but not before allowing its sagging reputation of a party with a difference sullied further.The BJP has not drawn the right lessons from the Yeddy episode and its top leadership is still batting for Gadkari which before long it will have to give up when more evidence against Gadkari comes out.When the questionable business dealings of its President could be known to IAC,how is it that the BJP high command had no inkling of them in this information era to act in time so as not to give chance to others to point out? Though the BJP leadership is putting on a brave face now, it may be waiting for Himachal elections to be over to act decisively before further damage is done.
Gadkari is clearly on the way out.The BJP will have to choose its new President. While selecting its new Presidential candidate,the BJP should thoroughly go into all aspects of the person's antecedents and make the selection without fear or favour as that person may be around when the next elections will not be far away.Any controversial person as President will be sending only wrong signals to the electorate with attendant consequences.
Corruption is bone-deep in India. Now, the question is of deterrence.
How do we create an institutional and structural set-up that strongly
punishes the corrupt at all levels? People dismiss this as idealistic
and that is dangerous seeing the sheer scale of corruption that is
hollowing out our economy and destroying our work ethics. As a country
and race, we have been benighted by corruption whose casualties go
beyond the tangible. It is a silent killer. For those justifying speed
money and other standbys of corruption, stop your circular argument,
which in reality, perpetuates an extremely dangerous and self-
defeating attitude towards work and life.
We are now in a situation of flux where the society is getting
polarized between those resigned to corruption and those waking up to
the potential of doing away with it. The choice is ours. Now we need
to determine the method.
Gadkari floated a pyramid of shell companies, which invested dubious
funds in his main business. The 'mango people' serving as Directors in
the various shell companies are also living in a 'banana republic'!!!
And what about men like Sharad Pawar? He and his family is neck deep
into corruption. He runs so many businesses. His family literally owns
Pune. Pune is most expensive city due to real estate scams by this
family. Why no one is investigating his dealings. Are news papers and
channels on his pay roll?
What is going on here? Mystery!!!
Time was when scandals were in terms of just lakhs and few and far between. They began growing into crores since Bofors which in spite of relentless media crusade spearheaded by the Hindu was ultimately rendered a damp squib.Over the last few years,money making has become a way of life for the politicians as they alone can make quick money thanks to enormous power being in their hands.The Congress or the BJP are the only 2 parties that can be at the head of a coalition to rule the country.These 2 parties are steeped in scandals.The left and the fedgeling IAC are in no position to electorally challenge the entrenched Congress and BJP on a national scale.People have no choice.Only the dimension of corruption differ between Congress and BJP the former by virtue of long stint in power stealing a march over the latter.The noise over Gadkari episode like other scandals will die down before long when yet another will spring up for sure.
This state of India is due to sudden urge to modernize India. A
situation was created where everybody wanted modern amenities without
capacity to pay for it. This has lead to acquire money by unfair
means.
Almost 90 % of Indians aspire to lead a life with all modern
amenities.
There is theft of resources not only by politicians but even general
public is involved in it.There is a urgent need to correct this
national character of corruption. Unless the public at large corrects
this ,you cannot expect changes in upper echelons.
a contest between imported fake & indigeneous fake is on.The former is
perfumed to camoufluge its stench.The latter is like any other indian public urinal of unbearable stench.
India has the dubious distinction of being one of the most corrupt countries in the world. The Govt should vigourously investigate not ony Mr. Gadkari but others accused of corruption both within and without the Congress party.
I have beeMr.Gadkari has proved to be a clever n repeatedly
saying since the last 2 years that we are a 'chorocracy'. All
politicians join politics to become rich which they do by stealing
public money. Mr.Gadkari has proved to be a clever thief.
By being ready to face an investigation it does not mean he is
not corrupt. It is a stupid argument being given by Advani and
Sushma Swaraj. It only means that he has hidden his tracks well.
Where did he get the money to spend so lavishly on his son;s
wedding? How can his investor companies not give correct
addresses. While one buys a mobile or opens a bank account
his/her address is verified. Why is the ROC not verifying
addresses to prevent such tactics of black money wallahs.
Though there are good leaders and probable future PM's on India like
Narendra Modi ji in BJP, the revelations of scams against the BJP
president makes the future of party in next general election in 2014
very blur. While the hopes on Modi ji are high, it is questionable
whether in the corrupt environment of top BJP leaders how he will be
able to develop India as he did it independently in Gujarat?
The best probable solution in General elections of 2014, as of now
seems to be the party led by IAC. There is no harm in giving a fair
chance to the political alternative given by IAC.
Jai hind!
Both BJP and Congress have tacit understanding that if they don't
abuse each other, people may become more suspicious about their
cooperation and collaboration in corruption. Its just like the
situation where the public catch a pick-pocketer redhandedly and want
to punish but somehow another gang of pick-pocketers emerge from
somewhere and come forward to represent the public and beat the fellow
pick pocketers who was caught by the public. This is a very effective
psychological trick often employed by gangs, thieves, pick pockters
and anti socials to distract the direct focus of the public on the
catched thief. The abuse and beating ceates an impression among people
that the pick-pocketer(s) get real punishment. In actuality the entire
drama was done to protect the fellow pick pocketers and more
importantly to avoid the real danger of public beating of their fellow
pickpocketers. This is a survival technique applied by them and
effectively hijacked by our corrupt politicians.
Mr.Gadkari may be innocent or not, is not the main issue. RSS/BJP on whom I have highest regards, fail to understand, standing behind him for continuation of 2nd term when the public perception is otherwise. What's wrong in stepping down on moral grounds? It’s as good as playing in hands of Corrupt Congress who’s almost all senior Ministers are drowned in Gigantic Scams on whom if BJP tries to target, obviously they will quote Gadkari issue. Stepping down on moral ground certainly is not acceptance of guilt which shall be decided in the court of law. BJP”s fight against Corrupt Congress regime shall certainly lose its sheen if they continue with Mr. Gadkari. Even Senior Respected Mr. Jethmalani holds the same view. Hence my request to Top Brass of RSS/BJP to ponder over this issue & take a final stance as deem it fit.
Just a reminder, with new small scams coming out everyday let's not forget the pending scams.Any updates on these major scams(do even people remember them)
1) A.Raja and 2G scams
2) Common wealth games scams
3) Gali Janardhana Reddy mining scams
4) Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy scams.
5) Coalgate scams
etc.
Getting a feeling these new below 100 crore scams are covering up the major above 1000 crore scams.
He is different.floating many companies with his driver, astrologer, servant, secretary as its shareholders/directors, most of them having his own house as an official address etc. He keeps saying that he is not into business but running a social enterprise, working for the benefit of farmers, who were/are committing suicide , by day.He kept saying in NDTV interview that there are 10000 shareholders, some might have changed their address and he offered to give the complete list in due course.The least he could do at this juncture is to step down and not carry on with his social enterprise slogan, like a parrot.All of them are looting in many ways and he seems to be a novice in leaving so much trail or he must really arrogant to think that nobody would touch him.
THE HINDU takes pride in belittling BJP or anyone associated it with -
simply because they do not agree with this party's policies. The BJP
is a viable alternative to the Congress, which reeks of corruption &
has still gotten away with it - thanks to our lenient laws, double
standards & of course short public memory.
Though nothing has nothing has been proven, everyone, including THE
HINDU has jumped on the BJP, & passed judgement, even before the
trial has begun. The BJP is still comparatively clean, more
principled, does not believe in dynastic rule, and is NOT family
owned, unlike the Congress.
Gadkari needs to investigated - he is probably guilty of wrong doing,
but that is no reason to for the Congress to defend its corrupt
politicians. Public attention has been diverted and now Robert Vadra
can live peacefully with his billions. To say that BJP too is corrupt
is not a defense. Everyone is equal - how can someone be "more equal"
(with apologies to George Orwell)
It is very unfortunate to see that main opposition party which boast of
party of different culture is protecting one of the most corrupted
businessman who with the help of his party is doing all these nuisance
thing. Myself who is an ardent supporter of BJP since 1989 felt myself
ashamed that I have supported this party since last 23 years. Their
action will compel the self-conscious persons to hate democracy as it
will not be able to give any alternative of the present ruling party.
Its very shame for BJP as well as RSS.
A through investigation of highest order is neccessary to deal with such scams of high political order.Looking at actions of the both government and opposition,it looks like they need to allow private agencies from outside country to investigate such matters(such like allowing FDI).The CORRUPT WILL BE PUNISHED must be proven alteast for once.
Is there is any leader worth his salt who can claim to be clean.The PARTY WITH A DIFFERENCE is itself full of dark horses corrupt to the core.What has Anna Hazare and his cronies got to say about RSS and BJP who put him on a platform to fight a cancer of corruption which itself is affected?Advani got away with his role in the infamous Harshad Mehta scam years ago involving illegal transfer of crores of ruppees.Karnatake a new stronghold of BJP is rotting in every kind of corruption and loot of public property.
All pots are calling each black when ever they catch each other on the wrong foot.
It looks like BJP is fighting to stay in opposition. With the perils facing the country a headless party probably feels it is better to stay in opposition. One way to stay in opposition is to manufacture these kind of propoganda by one section of the party whcih wants to reach the top while the beleaguered leader gets support from another section which wouldn't want their politcal power base be usurped by some regional head.
Floods of corruption are washing away indian face and future , Before 2 months we thought it was because of Southwest monsoon (Congress party's large number of scams) now its time for the final showers by NorthEast monsoon (BJP scams) . Its better to boycott elections to stop the chain of corruptions
BJP party with a diff.didn't even know how to select a prez.for it being the main opposition.Then how it can give good PM to us.
Gadkari has done colossal damage to BJP than what congress could have done.It is highly irresponsible/arrogant party with a northindian agenda.It is not at all pan indian.BJP is full of trading mentality.it has not bothered to change this impression.They took politics lightly & as a hobby at the beginning itself by ram mandir/yatra etc.it is full of traders/pseudo itellectuals/all upper class who doesn't know the sweat of labour.It has been ever an opposition party but for 1 lepid term rule&in the next elections it may see itself as an opposition party as DMK in Tamilnadu now.
Frauds involved in building the companies on paper with paid drivers,
paid pundits and astrologers as company Directors exposes a trick of
twisting and bending company laws which is not new.This trick is practiced by several business houses who bribe the work inspectors and
buy their silence.
It is not important who is providing information about Mr. Nitin
Gadkari. We the citizens demand a special and fast enquiry into the
source of funds of investments by various companies in BJP President’s
businesses. Enough evidence is in now in public domain which calls for
detailed answers from those who made such investments in these
businesses. Obviously, BJP cannot have double standards, one for its
own President and one for Virbhadra Singh. It is natural if likes of
Ms Sushama Swaraj, Shri Arun Jaitleyand and Shri L K Advani make
efforts to shield party president.
Ideally, Mr. Gadkari should quit. Otherwise BJP would fast lose its
credibility if it continues to protect its President.
It is indeed sad and sickening that prominent personalities in the two
principal parties with which the fate of the nation is strongly
linked, have damaged their own and their parties' reputation so much
that two successive issues of a National newspaper like The Hindu,
have to come out with editorials, with the latest one painfully
concluding that "the principal opposition has tottered equally from
scam to scam, suggesting that the two national rivals are in a race to
the bottom".Oh, God! Who is going to emerge to quickly cleanse the
stinking system?
All political leaders excel in the art of balancing an act of their misdeed with one of their opponent. I am putting forward a very rationale end to bickerings.
This has become essential as even simple visible misconducts are now being given twists by the spin doctors of BJP and Congress.
Here, BJP comes out the clear winner- the scale of misdeeds by Congress is Himalayan and BJP loud mouths( Jokespersons) are far ahead of the Congress jokespersons in very successfully posing as unsullied saints.
To set a level playing field, we shall institute a Generally Accepted Code of Conduct on Matters Relating to Corruption(GACC).
GACC shall have as office bearer(s)anyone except those tainted with even an iota of honesty.
In essence, a fair setoff will be available for a party in the opposition against the miseeds of the ruling party.
BJP thus can start with a huge advantage and can carry on thier tradtion of Party Presidents always in perilous proximity to prison.
It is back to the days of the East India Company when people got in simply to make money. The much maligned Thomas Babbington Macaulay frankly wrote his sister that he is going into service in India to make good money so he could retire in comfort.
We seem to be back to those days, only politicians today are more hypocritical and claim they are there to serve the public. There is no difference between the parties-- both are full of the same kind of people and values.
Answer--vote for the candidate, not the party label.
The article and the media propensity towards this particular case clearly cites the digressive nature of the mass media.The masses are continuously being stuffed by new news stuff everyday and we are doomed to clap on issues which they want us to clap.No one can deny the cases such as CWG,COALGATE and much discussed SON-IN-LAW scams are very crucial at this juncture but under a very sophisticated and crafted conspiracy the media succumbed to role playing and under some hidden motive are ever ready to do what the power lobby want them to do.Can we deny the fact that under this hyped issue we are losing our attention towards such mammoth scam and all our attention is focused on the issue "whether gadkari will be re-elected or not". At least he is ready for a probe and is also poised to resign.
Much to their chagrin, quite a few, who have been holding very high public positions and presenting an apparently clean and impressive public image, have been forced to quit their posts and fall from grace, thanks to the cropping up of some startling revelations, at the most unexpected moments, about their involvement in questionable deals. This has become almost a regular feature after the advent of the RTI Act. The BJP President Nitin Gadkari,held in high esteem by his party clleagues and considered fit to continue in the coveted post for a second term, has become its latest victim.The fact remains that he has refuted the charges and offered to subject himself to a probe- the lone right option that was available for him. What the contemplated probe will bring to public gaze is anybody's guess. One has to wait and see.
Please Email the Editor