Words have been debased so long that nothing means what it used to do originally. The family feud in the ruling Yadav clan in Uttar Pradesh has been described ad nauseum as another Mahabharat.
Those familiar with the Hindu epic even in its Amar Chitra Katha rendering can immediately spot the glaring difference in the two narratives. Dhritarashtra, who sat on the throne, was a father blinded by his putramoha—unreasonable love for his son. Here, in what is only half-jokingly referred to as Ulta Pradesh, it is putradroha, the blind rage against one’s beloved son that has thrown the spanner in the already rotten works.
Expert analysts have waxed eloquent on the conflict between generations. Forget the evocative titles of great Russian writers of novels—Turganev, Tolstoy and Dostoevosky—what we are witnessing is better explained by a forgotten Hindi phrase, khula khel Farrukhabadi! Those who have power aren’t ashamed to resort to dirty tricks and giving a go-by to the ‘rules of the game’—conventions and traditions. In politics—democratic or feudal—stakes are too high to abide by the ancient commandment, “Don’t hit below the belt.” Kingship truly recognises no kinship and even the most close-knit families are torn asunder by avarice, jealousy, hurt pride and much more. Ambers of lust—not only for a physical body—smoulder for a long time under the heap of ashes of power renounced to provide a spark for a devastating conflagration. Enough of generalised encapsulated wisdom. Time to comment on the specifics.
Mulayam Singh, who prefers to be addressed as Netaji, party supremo or the patriarch these days, is long past his prime. He may like to hum when in good mood Abhi toh main jawan hoon, but not many are willing to join the chorus.
The wind that is blowing is not khushgawar and doesn’t bode well. He may look for support to his brother and someone more than a brother (who else but the man for all seasons ‘Amar’). The cousin—scholarly and sober, once trusted more than anyone else, better known as ‘Prof. Sahib’—has been expelled from the party. Unphased by these strong-arm tactics, Akhilesh Yadav has moved on, apparently strong in his resolve not to bend or bow anymore to diktats of his ‘not all there’ father. Mulayam Singh may be obliged to dozens of persons, but Akhilesh doesn’t owe anyone ‘a pound of flesh’ or more.
He has no cases pending in court and his personal image remains spotless. Once he steps out of the shadow of his father and uncle whose interference in the administration has played havoc and tarnished the image of his government, he will not have to worry much about anti-incumbency factor.
This doesn’t mean that the road ahead is going to be smooth for the young man. Azam Khan, the founder-leader of the Samajwadi Party, is prone to creating debilitating controversies. His support can result in fatal collateral damage. Then Akhilesh’s eagerness to ‘agree’ with RaGa on ‘surgical strikes’ hasn’t exactly reassured his well wishers. Trying to ensure that the minority vote bank of the SP remains intact and with him, he may well end up in uniting all others arrayed against him.
No time for BJP to gloat over. Revolt of the son against an aging imperious father, manipulated by a scheming uncle, surrounded by assorted musclemen and moneybags, who has been nursing a grievance against the nephew because he usurped the throne that should have been his by virtue of seniority and loyalty, has resulted in a groundswell of support in favour of the young man. BJP has no ‘face’ to match his visage. Admitting Rita Bahuguna Joshi in haste, soon after welcoming her brother—a failed Congress leader—underlines this weakness. The fight within the SP is likely to benefit Mayawati and BSP more than the BJP.
It’s not only in UP that young aspirational voters are eager for a change of guard. Punjab is tired of the family rule of the Badals—father and son. Once again it needs to be emphasised that the change is not about passing the baton to younger leaders. The newcomer or the son replacing the father must have credibility.
Ideology isn’t a fashionable word nowadays but commitment to inclusive development must be transparent. Cronyism and nexus with corrupt politicians can no longer perpetuate the hold on power. Days of dynasties are over—and not only in politics. Witness the sideshow in Tata Sons. Neither Ratan Tata nor Cyrus Mistry have done their lineage proud in this affair. Interesting days ahead. Watch this space for no holds barred ‘give and take’ between other fathers, sons, brothers and more, both in politics and corporate world.
The writer is a former professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University
pushpeshpant@gmail.com