by Prem Singh
Heard the Akashvani broadcast of the recognized, national political parties on 2nd February. In the broadcast of the Congress, CPI, CPM and NCP, the attempts to vitiate the communal atmosphere were primarily mentioned as well as the appeal to defeat the communal forces was made. Whatever else was said in the broadcast of the BJP and the Aam Admi Party (AAP), there was not even a word about the communal incidents in the city. The broadcast of AAP was read by Manish Sisodia keeping in mind the ‘Hindu interest’ and staked the claim to form the government. None of the seculars present objected to this omission. Instead, in view of the strong possibility in the poll predictions about AAP’s win, they put their weight in favour of AAP. They have given Arvind Kejriwal the complete liberty to take care of the feelings of the Hindus. They know that the election cannot be won solely with the Muslim vote.
We have not raised this discussion about the broadcast to discuss the secular-communal question. Instead we have picked up this episode to discuss a major political change in the guise of protecting secularism. The unity of the Marxists, socialists, champions of social justice, Gandhians and a lot of people from the civil society in favour of the win of Arvind Kejriwal is a big achievement for the corporate establishment of India and the world.
After Manmohan Singh, the Congress isn’t of much use to the Corporate establishment. The Congress is stuck to Rahul Gandhi and the corporate cannot trust him as much as Manmohan Singh or Narendra Modi. Rahul Gandhi’s attempt at associating the Dalits and Adivasis with the Congress on economic issues are recorded in the registers of the corporate establishment. The corporate establishment is not ready to tolerate even a token gesture in the benefit of deprived sections. However, it knows very well how to communalise them.
The corporate establishment do not have any faith even in Sonia Gandhi now, who makes at least some arrangements for the relief of the poor under the pressure of some of her advisors. Just like they needed Modi along with and after Manmohan Singh, they now need Kejriwal with and after Modi. A man born from the womb of corporate capitalism and can fool the hardworking populace and successfully protect the interests of the corporate establishment. The corporate establishment does not need a safety valve for its protection. The progressive and secular camps have become united in its favour.
The corporate establishment knows that the Congress has gotten the support of the seculars by nurturing them. Thus nurtured, the secular camp cannot come to an end suddenly with Modi’s win. They will have to be joined to someone else apart from the Congress. They have firmly joined Kejriwal. Those who were the secular soldiers of Sonia till now are without hesitation the secular soldiers of Kejriwal now. It does not need to be stated that the unconditional support of the seculars for Kejriwal is not just for the current Delhi Legislative Assembly elections. They have been in support of Kejriwal since the beginning. Even though they do not talk anymore of converting or calling him a Marxist/socialist or a Gandhian. They feel relieved that he is against crony capitalism.
It cannot be said how much the AAP’s win in the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections will be able to stop the communal BJP or how much the secular parties in other states benefit. But this much is certain that the socialist ideology will become even more marginalised in the political discussions. The circus of the lack of ideology will become even more prevalent. The elections will become synonymous with the deception of the poor with even more speed.
There seems to be no possibility right now, but if any future generation tries to investigate by going to the bottom of the neo-colonial slavery, it will come to know that the neo-capitalists alone were not responsible for this. Unity was established in the mainstream politics of the country, according to which the neo-capitalist slavery came about. Kishan Patnaik, who brought to attention the hole in the slave mentality of the intellectuals of India, all of whom are from the progressive and secular camps, has said that, it is not normal for man to accept the state of slavery. I am are not saying this on the eve of the Delhi elections but for a long time that in this era of crisis the largest minority of India has a big role to play. However, the Muslim leadership has not paid attention to it. I still believe that if there is to be a true struggle against the neo-imperialism, it will be with the strengthening and participation of the minorities. It should be hoped that this will happen certainly and soon.
