WikiLeaks Expose Creates Trouble for UPA Government, BJP

The WikiLeaks expose has proved a headache to several countries in the world, including the United States. It has now come out with some fresh expose, which have added to the woes of the Manmohan Singh government. Although these expose are self-contradictory, which make their veracity doubtful, yet they have created a new problem for the government, which already was under constant attacks by the opposition.

The fresh expose by the WikiLeaks relate to the first term of the United Progressive Alliance government. When the Left Front withdrew support to the then Manmohan Singh government in 2008 on the issue of the India-US civilian nuclear deal, the government, alleges the WikiLeaks, paid bribes to several MPs to get their votes in favor of the confidence motion, and to prove its majority on the floor of the house. The relations between the Manmohan Singh government and the Left Front had soured over the India-US civilian nuclear deal.

The strong objection and opposition to the deal by the Left and withdrawal of its support, led to the apprehension of a midterm election. The government had to work hard to win the majority to its side in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament). In the end, the government was saved. During a trust vote, it usually happens that parties accuse one another of getting vote by paying money. The same happened in this case too. The opposition including the Left accused the government of buying votes to save itself. During 2008, opposition parties had flashed wades of currency notes in Parliament claiming that they have been paid by the government to buy votes in favor of the trust motion.

Constitution of Joint Parliamentary Committee
A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was then constituted to probe the issue, which, in its report, brought the issue to an end. The WikiLeaks information has yet again resurrected the dead issue. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) even went so far as to demand the resignation of the prime minister. The most important aspect of the issue is that the government has refused either to confirm or to deny the latest revelation by WikiLeaks.

According to WikiLeaks, the then US Charge’D Affairs in India Peter Burleigh conveyed to Washington that the BJP’s opposition to the nuclear deal was merely 'public posturing' and its leaders, including L.K. Advani, were 'assuring American officials privately that they were fine with it.'

Double Standard of BJP
Interestingly, Advani, in his blog, attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for maintaining that his government and the Congress stood vindicated against the allegations about 'cash for votes' by the 2009 General Election verdict.

The BJP leader also commended fellow party leader and former External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh for attacking India’s foreign policy tilt towards the US. But not a word is there about the latest WikiLeaks cables.

Meanwhile, the Congress, which had borne the brunt of Opposition attacks because of WikiLeaks cables, appeared clearly pleased with the latest expose. The party wasted no time in scoring brownie points over arch rival BJP, asking the saffron party to apply to itself the same standards it had adopted for the government when it was disrupting Parliament over the past few days.

The government maintains that since the issue relates to the last Parliament and it mentions the correspondence of a sovereign country, the United States and its mission in Delhi, it cannot be discussed. It says the mission enjoys immunity under diplomatic rules and the messages referred to by WikiLeaks can neither be confirmed nor denied. Clearly, the opposition is not satisfied with the clarification made by the government. These parties claim that since the crime has been committed within the borders of the country and Indians were involved in the crime, the government should come out clean on it.

Matter of Conjecture
It is a matter of conjecture, which way the wind will blow, consequent on the confrontation between the opposition and the government on the WikiLeaks expose. The statement made by Ajit Singh in this connection could be a matter of great solace to the government. Ajit Singh has refuted the charge of vote for money against his party in the Parliament. He said he had categorically announced to vote against the government, which his party men did.

Howver, former Union minister and a Congress party leader, Satish Sharma claims that Nachiketa Kapoor, mentioned in the expose by WikiLeaks, as his personal secretary, had never been his personal secretary. Clearly, there are several contradictions in the WikiLeaks expose. It, however, proves how greatly the United States is interested in the internal affairs of India and what kind of relations are there between the United Progressive Alliance government and the United States. For the opposition, this facet of the expose is no less important indeed. It appears that until the elections for the five state assemblies are over, the government would have to continue to face strong attacks from the opposition.

Popular Mind-Set on Corruption

After the complete washout of the winter session of Parliament, its budget session commenced on Monday. During the last session, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other opposition parties had created a ruckus on their demand for a probe in the 2G Spectrum scandal by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The opposition did not let the two Houses of Parliament function. The entire session fell victim to chaotic din and uproar.

2G Spectrum Case
The government was endeavoring to ensure smooth functioning of the current session. It appeared almost certain that the government might concede the demand of a JPC to probe the 2G Spectrum case. With this in mind, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha convened an all-party meeting two days before the commencement of the session where, the prime minister, reportedly, accepted the demand of the opposition in principle. It is expected that on the very first day of the motion of thanks to the address by the president, the formation of the JPC may be announced and the budget session would be saved. If this takes place, it would certainly be a huge jolt to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), because the opposition may take it as its victory.

It is common knowledge that the opposition merely wanted to manifest its political strength and it succeeded in blackmailing the UPA in the name of the budget session. Further, it is clear that even if the JPC probes the 2G Spectrum case, it may not be able to give any major direction or make any startling revelation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already arrested former Communication Minister A. Raja in this case. Beside him, there are several other persons of high stature behind the bar. The Supreme Court, too, is rather active on the case. In this scenario, should a JPC be formed and commenced its probe, it would have an adverse impact on the corrupt and dishonest section in the country. Nor it would be able to prevent corruption in the future.

Preventing Malpractices
In a country where the society does not look down upon thieves and dishonest persons, such kind of malpractices cannot be prevented. In our society, people do not take a theft as a theft. One can see everywhere that power is being stolen as if the theft of water and power supply is no crime. Likewise, if traveling in buses and trains were considered, if there is no checking on a day, seventy percent people would travel without ticket. If there were a one Rupee coin lying on the road, dozens of persons would bend to pick that coin up. None would even think that the coin does not belong to him. In this country, things have come to such a pass that encroachment on public land is considered no crime; instead it shows one's muscle power. What one can expect then from public servants and officers? Even those considered to be honest use official phone for making personal calls free. They do not consider it a sin to take up private work during office hours and taking official stationery home for children. Coming late to office and sitting idle through the day, bureaucrats and the public servants take it as their birth right. In such a scenario, even if A. Raja were put behind bars for a few years, would it change the country?

The very same BJP, which is crying hoarse over corruption, is not clean itself either. One of its presidents was caught on camera while taking bribe. When the BJP was in power, taking commission in the purchase of arms and equipment had attracted limelight. The BJP appeared in its true color when it imprisoned journalists who had blown the lid off scandals. Recently, the Karnataka chief minister indulged in several malpractices. Yet, the BJP could not muster the least courage to take any action against him.

Only the future would decide whether the opposition members who stood up on their chairs during the last session of Parliament to raise slogans, were sincerely pained by corruption or they had demanded the JPC only to corner the government. There are no hopes that the country would be saved and no such scandal s would take place.

President's Address to Joint Session of Parliament
Addressing a joint session of the two Houses on the opening day of the budget session, President Pratibha Patil pointed out that a Group of Ministers (GOM) was considering the issue of tackling corruption, increasing transparency and using legal, administrative and other measures for the purpose. The GOM would submit its report soon. Referring to the black money stashed in foreign banks, the president stressed that the government would leave no stone unturned to bring that money back and to punish the guilty. She added that the government was fully aware of the bad effect the black money has on the economy. Such money relates to either avoidance of tax on money earned honestly or earned through illegal means. She said that to combat the menace, state governments and its agencies and the other agencies responsible for implementation of laws, would have to strive seriously and concertedly.

The president said that steps have been taken to facilitate exchange of information for tax purposes with countries where Indian nationals may have stashed their ill-gotten wealth. Yet, we all know it well that unless the deep-rooted dishonesty in the country is brought to an end, the government may not be able to combat such irregularities. There is the need to launch a concerted campaign against dishonesty in the country. There is need to inculcate a sense of honesty among the people. Unless this is done, we cannot get rid of corruption.

Prime Minister's Initiate To Reassure Citizens in Crisis

The office of prime minister in a parliamentary democracy is considered to be an office of extraordinary significance and of great prestige, because he heads the government consisting of people's elected representatives. It is under his leadership and guidance that the council of ministers takes the country on the path of progress and prosperity through important policies and welfare schemes. Such measures add to the stature of the country in the comity of nations.

Scams and Irregularities
Because of the 2G Spectrum, the S-band spectrum, the Commonwealth Games, and Adarsh Housing scams, the United Progressive Alliance government was facing serious allegations owing to the misdeeds of some of its ministers and officials, which were being highlighted in media. The opposition had launched a concerted and continuous campaign against the government. So much so that the winter session of Parliament got completely washed out on the insistence of the demand for the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate into these scams.

The opposition consistently demanded that the prime minister and union ministers explain and clarify their stand vis-à-vis these allegations. Under these circumstances, it had become imperative for the prime minister, in his position as the head of the government, personally to interact with the media and clarify his position and that of his government to the public, so that the confidence deficit-anxiety, and frustration that have taken roots among the people because of sky rocketing price-rise, could be allayed.

It was because of it that in reply to a question at the meeting with editors and representatives of TV news channels held at his residence, the prime minister said that he does not claim that he has never committed an error, yet he is not as big a culprit as he is being made out to be. He said it in response to a question whether being the head of the government he feels himself equally responsible for the scam and irregularities. He said that he was fully aware of his personal responsibility but to run a coalition, one had to make some compromises.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: "I want to assure the people that my government is serious to bring to book the guilty in corruption cases, regardless of the position they held." He also urged the media not to focus excessively on the negative aspects, as it affects the self-confidence of the country. He further urged that they should refrain from projecting India as a country of scams only, as it may also have an adverse impact on the domestic and international situation. He added that it is a situation, which is eating into our strength. Therefore, he said, the good works done by the country should also be reported truthfully. He asserted that he was prepared to appear before any committee, including the JPC. The coalition government has its compulsions too. He added that naturally all is not in the shape as I want to see."

Resolving Issues
Replying to another query with regard to bringing an end to discretionary powers of ministers so as to prevent corruption, he informed that a group of ministers, headed by Pranab Mukherjee, h as been constituted which will suggest the way to deal with the issue. The group has been asked to submit its report within 60 days. He emphasized that all countries in the world respect India as a democratic country and, therefore, we all should together inculcate new strength, new sentiment and renewed self-confidence. If we face certain issues, we have the ways to resolve them too, he said and exuded confidence that we will succeed in resolving all these issues.

Criticizing the prime minister after his interaction with the media, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left parties referred to his assertion that in a coalition government some compromises have to be made, and accused the prime minister of defending corruption. These parties also ridiculed his comparison between the 2G Spectrum and the subsidy being given to the poor. BJP President Nitin Gadkari said that coalition politics is related only to the 2G Spectrum, and S-band ISRO case, Commonwealth Games and the Adarsh Housing scams have little link with these. According to Gadkari, "If one sees between the lines, it is nothing but an attempt to sweep corruption under the carpet."

Extending Subsidies
Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechuri expressed almost similar sentiments and added, "On issues like corruption and price-rise, the prime minister says that to deal with these two burning issues, nothing much can be done which implies that the prime minister has thrown up his hands failing to resolve these basic and major issues facing the country". According to Yechuri, "Extending subsidies to the poor is an entirely different issue, while extending subsidies to the wealthy people and maintaining that to do so is necessary is sheer nonsense". Both the BJP and Left have targeted the government for the washout of the winter session of Parliament. Gadkari said: "If you are now prepared to appear before any committee, why didn't you do it earlier, so that such a situation would not have a risen."

Let the opposition and the critics term the interaction of the prime minister with the electronic media as an attempt to suppress corruption, yet it is a hard fact that in view of the debate raging for several months on the scams, the impasse in Parliament and the concern of the people, it can only be termed as a welcome and positive initiative. One can hope that the prime minister may continue to carry what is in his mind to people through media in the future.