Historical Blunder - Revisited ....

Last week, couldn't get pen to paper (or in this case, fingers to the key board) to write on the Left (not by any means to right the left, which is not my business). And thanks to the 'changing-by-the-minute' political dynamics in our country, the scenario which I was trying to comment on last week underwent further changes - whether such changes were significant or not is debatable though. The position which the Left in India has taken lately in relation to the Indo-US nuclear deal, was among the few points that I wanted to ponder in my blog, but then the usual 'shifting-of-the-goal-post-to-suit-their-game' done by the US (leaking of a secret letter to the press), as can be expected from them on any issue on any day, has altered the political and technical dimensions of that issue, though not in a fashion that can change the complexion of the issue altogether, but change enough still to alter its moorings somewhat, nonetheless. Might it be that one can say that the issue has gone murkier.

More on the nuclear issue, obliquely later on in this blog or possibly more explicitly in a separate one. The object of this blog is mainly to air my views on what I believe to be a gross political mistake yet again by the left. The first one took place in the mid nineties (see here) when Mr. Jyoti Basu was offered the Prime Ministership of this country, and the Communist Party (Marxists) declined the offer. This was what was termed as a 'Historical blunder', or gross political mistake by Jyoti Basu himself. The second one took place during the last two months, and that smacked of nothing but political expediency, the proclamations by the Karats of the CPI (M) and the Bardhans of the CPI, and the Chandrachoodans of the RSP about the issue-based dimensions of such a political decison notwithstanding. It was a grave error of judgement, to my mind - political or otherwise.

The arguments substantiating the view that I hold belong to different layers, but I am at the same time not discounting the fact that there could be different layers of arguments counter to those as well. But firstly, the point to be underscored is that the underlying political agenda which prompted the left to extend support to the UPA hasn't changed a bit. In fact, the stark reality remains that what they have done now amounts effectively to undermining the very political compulsion that made them extend support to the UPA. That is to say - in a scenario where the nation was divided on its 2004 verdict, the left decided to support the UPA to keep the BJP and its allies at fray. I should say - that was the main, if not the only, driver behind such a political move. None is so naive as to falsely thinking that the left is in sync with the Indian National Congress as regards political agenda. All are indeed aware that both have their own distinct and different scripts on hand and both have fiercely fought one another in the electoral battle - sometimes on a one-to-one battle (like in Kerala or WB). Hence the common ground, a common platform on which to reach a broad consensus called CMP or 'Common Minimum Programme' (see here or here) It was supposedly a consensus document on programmes and issues, meant to act as a back drop for the Left - UPA alliance to consummate. Everything seemed alright up to this stage. The problem lay in the left's interpretation of the CMP. It wasn't meant to be a back seat from which the car is driven, and if the left had any such mistaken notions, it was simply a continuation of their ongoing saga of political misjudgements. They should not have attempted to convert the CMP into a sword of the Democles - a gun pointed at INC's head. No government can work in that manner. Governments should have some breathing space of their own from which to function. I can't say my views are a reflection of the reality, but I can say such a perception did exist, and does exist still, - that the left tried to put a stranglehold on the government under the banner of 'supporting from outside'. It was nothing but an attempt to do a back seat driving. "Wrongs can adduced on the INC and the rights can be claimed by ours" - that was the essence of their "support from outside".

I have heard several staunch leftists, or the so called leftists in this part of the world where I am based at the moment (many of who in reality are Petite bourgeoisie in the Marxian parlance), shamelessly take credit for any positive contributions of the UPA government a la the famed Basheerian character “എട്ടുകാലി മമ്മൂഞ്ഞു്”. In my personal life, I have come to be in close touch with a few of of the leftist leaders, and be able to view a few others, at close quarters. I have no disregard for any of them at a personal level, but from a political or ideological perspective, I just can't stand the nauseating self righteousness of their leadership. Let me go to the extent of saying that if they really meant business and wanted to show their political superiority or honesty, they should have had the moral courage or candour to join the UPA government. But the fact is that they did not, despite being invited more than once by the UPA. Quite possibly the left in general, and CPM in particular, in their collective wisdom would have though that having to join the UPA would have meant 'political harakiri'. I'd say that their 'historical blunder - act 2' started right at that point.

My view is that by being a part of the government, they could have been better-placed to influence the policies or actions of the government. They could have become a strong balancing force, a potent correction factor, within the government, if that was indeed their intent i.e. if they really wanted to ensure that only the good gets delivered to the people. But then one can say that their intent was only to gain the position of a big brother, to be able to breath down the neck of the government i.e. to preach rather than to do. Such a postulation can't be faulted - I should say that there is much merit in such an argument. (Interestingly, does that explain why the left makes a better opposition than their perform at the Treasury benches - a food for thought, indeed!!).

The 'historical blunder' continued. They withdrew support to the UPA on the nuke deal - an issue that is not yet close to the common man who the left supposedly represents, and not on economic issues, or social issues which the common man identifies with, more closely. On the nuke deal, true - there are several facets to be reviewed closely and carefully. What is needed on such issues is the ability to have an dispassionate and objective analysis, devoid of all self-righteous megalomania and philosophical or political baggage. But the fault lay with the left to have brought forth the nuke deal as a single point agenda on which to withdraw support to the UPA, and in that process clear the hurdles before the BJP and its allies so that their march forward becomes clearer. There were several other issues like the inflation, like the sale of PSU assets, like the food security issues, like the micro-economic issues on which their fight with the ruling regime - be it ideologcal or otherwise, would have been more meaningful to the common man. It would have become a fight for the people. If, in Kerala or West Bengal where they are in power, they could have coined phrases like "agitate together with governance (ഭരണത്തോടൊപ്പം സമരം)", what prevented them from agitating in the streets while being a supporter of the UPA? Instead they withdrew the support, resulting in a 'lose-lose' situation for all.

Just think about where they are at the moment? Ignominiously keeping the seat of PM-ship warm enough for someone like Mayawati, who till a few months ago was working for the BJP and their allies in the company of people like Chandra Babu Naidu who was, and still is, a BJP ally, to occupy come 2009. God save them - Amen!!!!!

Sir - blunder is something which gets committed once and is pardonable; twice committed, it becomes being foolish that warrants a warning. But more than that, what should we call it? Being imbecile, blind.....

Sir, will history ever pardon the Left for this.....?