IT IS Uttar Pradesh all the way. Not only the state is dominating the country’s politics, but is also leading the dramatic show. And interestingly, all the main characters in this melodrama are from Uttar Pradesh.
Jaya Bachchan’s Gudiya had not hit the headlines so strikingly as her disqualification from Rajya Sabha. She may be a Mumbai-based Bollywood star, but she is Rajya Sabha member from UP, who got disqualified as she was holding office of profit, again in UP.
Delhi-based Amar Singh had not fully wriggled out of the phone-tapping controversy (the CDs remained in circulation in the country along with the juicy, spicy details) when he got another shock. He almost lost his membership of Rajya Sabha (again from UP) for holding an office of profit, again in UP -- Chairman of UP Development Corporation. He kept offering his resignation till the party came to his rescue. As an obedient soldier of the party he withdrew his offer to resign from Rajya Sabha membership.
Jaya Bachchan’s disqualification had a cascading effect. Sonia Gandhi resigned from her Lok Sabha seat, again from UP, triggering off a spate of resignations. Amar Singh cried hoarse, “I was the first to offer resignation”, but Sonia became “first to tender it”. Meanwhile, UP brought an amendment in the Disqualification Bill to save their key leaders in the state. Jharkhand followed suit, while the Centre deliberated and discussed whether to bring an ordinance or law.
{{/usCountry}}Jaya Bachchan’s disqualification had a cascading effect. Sonia Gandhi resigned from her Lok Sabha seat, again from UP, triggering off a spate of resignations. Amar Singh cried hoarse, “I was the first to offer resignation”, but Sonia became “first to tender it”. Meanwhile, UP brought an amendment in the Disqualification Bill to save their key leaders in the state. Jharkhand followed suit, while the Centre deliberated and discussed whether to bring an ordinance or law.
{{/usCountry}}Whatsoever, once again it was Uttar Pradesh who showed the escape route when the heat over office of profit was getting unbearable for all parties, including the Communists.
Apparently just as the issued died its natural death in Uttar Pradesh after Governor gave his consent to the amendments in the Disqualification Bill, the burning issue of office of profit would also subside in a day or two. Simple reason being that all parties have benefited and none would want to get themselves stripped of entailing power and positions. It’s another matter that petitions may keep flooding the Election Commission. Some more resignations and disqualifications may follow.
The Bhartiya Janata Party has already decided to concentrate on its forthcoming ‘yatra’. They are worried about security of their leaders and thus are busy arranging a bulletproof vehicle. The Left, as usual, is demanding a discussion on the issue. They want a Bill defining the word, “office of profit”, BJP agrees. Congress has gone overdrive, is contemplating fresh elections. Some in the party erringly believe that they can get a majority in the Lok Sabha riding the morality wave. There are two more factors. One – BJP is in disarray; Second -- the third front has not taken shape. However, the poll managers in Congress are oblivious of the fact that public memory is ephemeral in nature.
As for Uttar Pradesh, it has once again lived up to its name, ‘Ulta Pradesh’. The duo -- Mulayam-Amar -- is smiling. They had their way. SC verdict on BSP MLAs’ disqualification case has given them some relief. BSP may still consider that defectors belong to them; fact is that the SC has only ruled that the breakaway BSP MLAs would continue as a separate group in the Vidhan Sabha. Thus they won’t be bound by any whip or directive. They will have the freedom to function independently, as per their choice. Now the party can win the five Rajya Sabha seats, for which elections is to be held next week, comfortably.
Now that Mulayam has more or less passed the distressing phase, which started with the high court order on BSP disqualification case, one wonders why the government is not recommending the Governor to call off the ongoing Vidhan Sabha session. There is no threat to the government as it has proved its majority, the HC and SC orders have not gone against the government and there is no official agenda for it to clear.
Why then impose additional burden on the state exchequer and for what? Members are not interested in Mehar Bhargawa’s case, they are neither interested in killings of innocent lives in road rage (they have no method to tame the reckless UPSRTC bus drivers), they are least bothered about dry taps as long as they get water, they are least concerned about state going without power for days (ask Kanpur, Varanasi and other districts) as long as their air-conditioners are working, they promote Munna Bhais, the copy cats, so children going without their admit cards pain them hardly. So what are they going to discuss on the floor of the Vidhan Sabha when there is no government agenda.
Should 403 legislators be paid special allowance for five days, when the quorum is also not complete. Let me explain here.
When an MLA attends a session for a day, he is paid a daily allowance of Rs 500 -- for five days -- two days before and two days after the session. Should the state spend this amount on public representatives who have no public issues to discuss on the floor of the House? One wonders how would they keep the session on after March 31, after the financial year comes to a close.
Though it’s hard to digest, the explanation is that the present government does not want the Governor TV Rajeswar to address the House. That there is no love lost between the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mohd Azam Khan and Governor is known to all. But can the reason be so petty?
It’s high time the government takes a decision to prorogue the House. After all, even if the Governor would address the House, it would be the address prepared by the government.