This refers to Jaimini Bhagwati's article "Dynastic politics and development" (May 15). The writer has dissected the political personalities and the events of independent India brilliantly. It is true that if Indira Gandhi had undertaken the economic reforms immediately after the Bangladesh War, India would have been economically as strong as China today, if not better. What would have gone in her favour was her dictatorial style and the fact that she was at the pinnacle of her political career. It is also true that the political landscape would have been drastically different but for the untimely and unfortunate death of Lal Bahadur Shastri. The reason being that Shastri was considered by the masses as someone from among them, as against Jawaharlal Nehru who - despite his many qualities - was from the elitist class.
As for Rajiv Gandhi, he started with well-intentioned ideas to take the country into the 21st century. But - a political novice that he was - he was misguided by his advisors, many of whom had acquired the status of being the sycophants of Indira Gandhi. All the misadventures, as rightly enumerated by the writer, were the result of the coterie surrounding him. The case of the Shah Bano judgment and unlocking the Ram Mandir doors in Ayodhya were a part of the lessons the coterie was teaching Rajiv Gandhi to remain in power. Though on his own, he would have not taken such retrograde decisions.
The writer's suggestion, however, for the Congress to go back to its pre-independence ideals is a bit late in the day. It will be better for the Congress to go by the advice of Mahatma Gandhi - dissolve the party (though late by 70 years), and its leaders sans the dynasty and form a new party that is free from the legacy of its misrule.
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As for Rajiv Gandhi, he started with well-intentioned ideas to take the country into the 21st century. But - a political novice that he was - he was misguided by his advisors, many of whom had acquired the status of being the sycophants of Indira Gandhi. All the misadventures, as rightly enumerated by the writer, were the result of the coterie surrounding him. The case of the Shah Bano judgment and unlocking the Ram Mandir doors in Ayodhya were a part of the lessons the coterie was teaching Rajiv Gandhi to remain in power. Though on his own, he would have not taken such retrograde decisions.
The writer's suggestion, however, for the Congress to go back to its pre-independence ideals is a bit late in the day. It will be better for the Congress to go by the advice of Mahatma Gandhi - dissolve the party (though late by 70 years), and its leaders sans the dynasty and form a new party that is free from the legacy of its misrule.
Naresh Saxena New Delhi
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number