Mohammed Hamid Ansari Reelected Vice President of India: Becomes Second Person To Get Two Terms in Country’s Second Highest Office

United Progressive Alliance’s (UPA) candidate Mohammed Hamid Ansari was reelected vice president of India on August 7, defeating NDA’s candidate Jaswant Singh by a large margin of 252 votes. As expected, the election of Ansari for a second term as the vice president was noncontroversial and smooth. The surprise, if any, was not in the outcome, but in the political churning that overflowed from the presidential election. After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made an overambitious attempt to disrupt Pranab Mukherjee’s bid for the presidency, this was an occasion to recover lost ground. The party sought to first retain its old allies such as the Shiv Sena and the Janata Dal (United), and then win over non-Congress allies such as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, instead of looking to poach disgruntled elements within the UPA. The less ambitious strategy was not intended to win the election for its candidate, Jaswant Singh, but to keep the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) united and in fighting mode for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Seventy-five-year old former IFS officer, Ansari becomes the second person after Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, India’s first vice president (and second president), to get two terms in the second highest office.

Ansari got 490 votes, against Singh’s 238, of the 736 votes polled. Eight votes were declared invalid. Altogether 787 members of two Houses of Parliament were eligible to vote.

Ansari, a Padma Shri recipient, was a surprise choice for vice president in 2007, proposed by the Left, then giving outside support to the UPA government. Congress president Sonia Gandhi had named Ansari as the second choice of her party for the presidential election after Pranab Mukherjee. The Left had no problem supporting him again.

Among those who did not vote were ailing Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, admitted to a Chennai hospital, and BJP’s Shatrughan Sinha, recovering from surgery, in addition to 21 BJD members, 11 from TDP and six from the Congress and supporting parties.

Others who did not vote included two nominated MPs, two each from the BJP, AGP, RSP and TRS and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, one of two YSR Congress members.

Ansari will once again be the chairman of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Parliament) by virtue of his election as vice president.

Career Profile

Born in Kolkata (Calcutta) on April 1, 1937, while his family hailed from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, Ansari completed his schooling from St. Edwards High School in Shimla, attended the St. Xavier's College, University of Calcutta, and pursued MA in Political Science at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), where he also got his doctorate degree and worked as lecturer.

Ansari – the grand-nephew of former Congress President Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, a leader of the Indian independence movement – is also a reputed West Asia scholar. He has authored a book-- Travelling Through Conflict. He has written books on Palestine, Iraq and Iran. Some of his views have run contrary to India's official position. He had questioned India's vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran's nuclear program where the country voted against Iran.

Ansari also upheld a decision as NCM Chairperson when in 2007 he agreed with the position taken by St. Stephens College, Delhi, to earmark seats for Dalit Christians.

Ansari was chairman of a working group on "Confidence building measures across segments of society in the State," established by the Second round Table Conference of the Prime Minister on Jammu and Kashmir in 2006. The report of the working group was adopted by the Third round Table in April 2007.

In the past, a suave and sober Ansari has served in many positions, including as Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Indian High Commissioner to Australia and Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1961.

Ansari became vice chancellor of the AMU in May, 2000 and held the post until March, 2002. He is also known for his role in ensuring compensation to the victims of the Gujarat riots and pushing for a complete re-look into the relief and rehabilitation for riot victims since 1984. He is also known for his strong views on burning issues.

"The language used by the Pope sounds like that of his 12th-century counterpart who ordered the crusades... It surprises me because the Vatican has a very comprehensive relationship with the Muslim world," Ansari had said in 2006 as Chairman, Minorities Commission of India, in reaction to Pope Benedict XVI's comments on Islam.

As chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Ansari faced criticism when the Opposition parties expressed unhappiness at the manner in which he “abruptly” adjourned the House on the night of December 29, 2011 (Winter Session) during the debate on the Lokpal Bill.

Advantage UPA

The result of the election was a foregone conclusion as the numbers were stacked in favor of the ruling alliance. It managed to get the backing of its estranged ally Trinamool Congress and the parties extending it outside support. These include arch rivals, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party. The Left parties also supported Ansari.

Undoubtedly, the importance of the reelection of Ansari as the country's vice president lies not just in the United Progressive Alliance managing to get its candidate through with a convincing margin, after sending its presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee to Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House).

Both these victories have undoubtedly come as a morale-booster for an otherwise beleaguered ruling combine, battered over the last two years by scams and crises. There was a time two months ago when the ability of the UPA to get its candidates elected as President and vice president was under serious doubt.

Nor does Ansari's import lie merely in him being able to successfully transit from being viewed as a nominee of the Left parties -- which had supported him for vice presidentship in 2007 and they had their way because of the clout they carried in UPA I -- to being adopted as the candidate of the Congress, and the UPA.

Pranab Mukherjee Takes Over as 13th President of India: First Bengali To Become Head of State

Veteran Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee has become  13th president of India. He is the first person from West Bengal to occupy the top Constitutional post and the third MP to be elevated to the office of President after Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Zail Singh.

The presidential election was a one-sided affair. Mukherjee — who was sworn in by Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia on July 25 — secured 68.12 per cent of the total 10,47,971 value votes cast by 4,659 members of the State/Territorial Assemblies and Parliament. Opposition-backed candidate PA Sangma, who was supported by the NDA, the AIADMK and the BJD, managed only 30.15 per cent of the votes.

There were a total of 81 invalid votes, to the value of 18,221. These include that of Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav, whose second ballot was invalidated by the Election Commission, for it violated the vote of secrecy.

Among the 748 Members of Parliament (excluding the nominated members who have no voting right) with the total vote value of 5,29,584, Mukherjee polled 527 votes (3,73,116) and Sangma got 206 votes (1,45,848).

There was some cross-voting in favor of Mukherjee in the BJP-ruled Karnataka: he got votes of 117 MLAs, against the BJP’s 103 in the 224-member Assembly. While three votes were declared invalid, one MLA did not vote.

In Kerala, Mukherjee made a clean sweep, polling all 124 votes; one was invalid. Sangma drew a blank. The CPI and RSP MLAs abstained from voting.

Only former President K.R. Narayanan, secured the maximum value votes of 9, 56, 290 (94.97 per cent), when he won in the 1997 election against the former Chief Election Commissioner, T.N. Seshan.

In the 2007 election, the outgoing President, Pratibha Patil, the first woman to hold the office, defeated the then Vice President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, securing 65.82 per cent of the total valid votes. Shekhawat polled 33.18 per cent.

Career Graph

Born on 11 Dec 1935 in Mirati village, Kirnahar disttricy, Birbhum (West Bengal), Mukherjee will embark on a new journey transcending political affiliations in the high Constitutional job with an ease none of his predecessors may have enjoyed because of his experience spanning 45 years in government and politics.

His election to the President's office today comes as a fitting finale for the veteran Congressman from West Bengal, until recently the troubleshooter of UPA, a task he has handled for the past eight years.

Not a lawyer by training but considered an expert in the working of the Constitution and governance, he was ever seen as the perennial 'No. 2' in government.

Mukherjee was a utility man from the days of Indira Gandhi, when he was the powerful Minister of State for Revenue during the Emergency, and later as Finance Minister in the 1980s.

His rise had been steady and such valuable was his contribution to government that his nomination as a Presidential candidate came after a huge dilemma for Congress party, which heads the UPA coalition that has moved from crisis to crisis in the past eight years.

The veteran leader, known for his photographic memory, had become a Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Parliament) member for the first time in 1969.

Mukherjee was for a long time member of the Upper House before his first direct election to the Lok Sabha in 2004 from Jangipur in West Bengal. He repeated his victory in the 2009 elections but had expressed a desire not to contest elections again in view of his advancing age.

Mukherjee was a top-ranking minister and presided over the Union Cabinet meetings in the absence of the Prime Minister during 1980-85.

Of course, Mukherjee had his own bad days in the Congress which he had to quit in the mid-80s after he had evinced interest in becoming the prime minister after the death of Indira Gandhi in 1984. It took some time before he came back into the party but once he was in, there was no stopping his rise once again.

Mukherjee became finance minister again in 2008 after P Chidambaram was shifted to the Home Ministry in the wake of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Again his importance was seen when P V Narasimha Rao made him Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission as well as Minister of External Affairs. In between he had to quit because he ceased to be a member of Parliament and came back to the Cabinet after reelection.

Mukherjee started his public life in the 1960s in Bangla Congress during the time of former Chief Minister Ajoy Mukherjee of the United Front government when Jyoti Basu was Deputy Chief Minister in West Bengal. He was general secretary of Bangla Congress.

A post-graduate in political science and history, he can recollect any event of historical importance or mundane political and other events, a matter of envy to many of his colleagues.

Son of a senior Congress leader Kinkar Mukherjee from West Bengal, Mukherjee had done MA (history), MA (political science), and LLB, DLitt. He had a brief stint as lawyer, teacher and journalist before he was embedded to his destiny of politics in 1969, when he became a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Mukherjee, who headed 83 GoMs and EGoMs from June 2004 until recently, was Leader of the Rajya Sabha from 1980-85 and later he became Leader of the Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is Leader of the Rajya Sabha.

When Mukherjee was Finance Minister, Manmohan Singh was appointed RBI Governor in 1982. In what could be described a case of chasing each other's shadow, Singh became Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission from 1985 to 1987, a post Mukherjee later held from 1991 to 1996, when Singh became Finance Minister in P V Narasimha Rao government.

Mukherjee also had a brief stint as Chairman of the Economic Advisory Cell of AICC between 1987 and 1989. Interestingly, Manmohan Singh also held this post, when Congress was out of power between 1999 and 2004.

Mukherjee, who started his career as a college teacher, always carried the traits of a teacher, never hestitating to give a reprimand or two to juniors whether in his party or the Opposition. He was also jocularly called 'GoM Mukherjee' in political circles as he headed 33 Groups of Ministers on various key issues including the recent one on setting up of Lokpal.

The man who headed Joint Committee on Lokpal that included Anna Hazare, Mukherjee has five books published to his credit on political and economic issues and under his editorial guidance, the history of Congress was published in which there was a candid admission of excesses during the Emergency.

Mukherjee was conferred the Best Parliamentarian Award in 1997. Ten years later, he was awarded Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honor.

In Congress Party, Mukherjee became AICC treasurer in 1978. Journalists and AICC media department officials still recall Mukherjee's tenure as the Media Department Chairman of the party. Mukherjee was AICC General Secretary in 1998-99.

In 1984-1991, 1996 and 1998, Mukherjee was Chairman of the Campaign Committee of AICC, besides being a member of the Congress Working Committee and Congress Election Committee.

Mukherjee held all the key portfolios, including Defence from May 2004 to October 2006 and External Affairs from October 2006 to May 2009 besides the Finance portfolio, which he held again in 2009 after a gap of 27 years.

In the past, he also held portfolios like Commerce and Steel and Mines, Revenue and Banking (Independent Charge), Shipping and Transport, Industrial Development, Commerce and Supply besides presiding over a number of Parliamentary Committees.

Mukherjee got married to Suvra on July 13, 1957 and has two sons — Abhijit and Indrajit — and daughter Sharmistha. Abhijit is a Congress MLA in West Bengal.

Challenges in New Role

Mukherjee’s new role in Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House) will be quite contrary to the one he has just finished playing. The most critical test for Mukherjee as President will no doubt come in 2014 after the general election to the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Parliament). As in the past couple of decades, no one party is likely to get a majority of its own, and the bigger parties would have to depend on the support of alliance partners or new-found friends.

R. Venkataraman in 1989 and Sharma in 1996 followed the principle of inviting the leader of the single largest party to form the government. Rajiv Gandhi declined the invitation in 1989; Atal Behari Vajpayee accepted the invitation, but lasted as Prime Minister on that occasion for just 13 days. With these examples behind him, Narayanan insisted on letters of support from a claimant party’s allies before extending it an invitation to form the government.

Additional Qualities

Used to working long hours, he may have to find new outlets for his unbounded energy. Though it was apparent that the UPA had the numbers, 76-year-old Mukherjee campaigned tirelessly, moving from state to state, winning the support of even rivals in Karnataka, Bihar, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Reaching out to anyone and everyone who matters is a quality Mukherjee is known for. As president, he is expected to build bridges.

After being in the thick of politics for long years, will it be now Presidential activism for Mukherjee? Will he be able to rise above party politics in 2014 when the general election is expected to throw a split verdict? Since the Constitution is unclear about the formation of a government if no party gets a majority, the President is free to exercise discretion. In 1996 Shankar Dayal Sharma invited the BJP to form a government but it fell in 13 days as Atal Behari Vajpayee could not muster enough support. KR Narayanan, setting a precedent, asked for letters of support from the party staking the claim to form a government. How Mukherjee handles such a situation would be keenly watched. That may well be the defining moment for him.

Despite his personal religious observances — which are perfectly in consonance with India’s Constitution —Mukherjee is also a secular politician. One cannot imagine him chuckling with glee while the Babri Masjid was being vandalised or turning a blind ear to the cries of Muslims being massacred in Ahmedabad. As President, he may not be in a position to do either, but this is where a conversation with the late Giani Zail Singh, and what it revealed of British precedents, comes in.

Positive Points

* Constitutional expert: A Constitutional and governance expert, Mukherjee has always been seen as the perennial 'No. 2' in the government.

* Utility man: From the days of Indira Gandhi, Mukherjee's has been her trusted aide. He was the powerful Minister of State for Revenue during the Emergency, and later as Finance Minister in the 80s. For the past eight years, Mukherjee has been the Mr Troubleshooter for UPA.

* Photographic memory: The veteran leader is known for his sharp memory. He can recollect any event of historical importance or mundane political and other events, a matter of envy to many of his colleagues.

* Vast experience: With four decades of active life in politics, Mukherjee knows the Indian political system inside out.

Assessment

It can be said that in Mukherjee, India will have a knowledgeable and pragmatic President who is well-versed in constitutional procedures and practices, and who was, until his nomination as a candidate by the ruling coalition, an active politician and senior Union Minister.

Mukherjee will be a President who could just as easily have been prime minister. There have been presidents who have come straight from the Union Council of Ministers, but none has carried the political weight and executive experience of this man from small-town Bengal. We have little doubt he will dignify the office he is about to step into and leave little room for narrow partisanship.

Unlike Pratibha Patil, who was out of active politics long before she became president, APJ Abdul Kalam, who was a genuinely nonpolitical person in the best sense of the term, and KR Narayanan, Shanker Dayal Sharma and R Venkataraman, who served as vice president before they entered Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mukherjee is making the switch from active politics and governance to the office of President in next to no time.

From the moment Mukherjee’s name was formally proposed by the UPA for the presidency, there was little doubt that the veteran Congress leader would sail through even in the event of a contest. As such, the result of the presidential poll between Mukherjee and Purno A. Sangma, who was backed by some regional parties and the BJP and some of its NDA allies carries no surprise. Given Mukherjee’s standing in public life, everyone expects him to be correct and proper in discharging his duties.

Undoubtedly, the former federal minister for finance, defense and external affairs has not only been one of the country's most important policy-makers in recent times but also that his long career in Government has allowed him to gain a deep understanding of the functioning of the Indian polity. This — an invaluable trait in today's era of coalition politics and tenuous political ties — naturally made Mukherjee the perfect choice as a firefighter of the UPA regime. Over the years, particularly in its second term, as the Congress-led UPA slid into an inert state of policy paralysis, becoming a sitting duck for the Opposition, it was Mukherjee who reached out to the critics, addressed their concerns and built the much-needed consensus.

It is hoped that Mukherjee will keep his promise to the nation and preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Good luck Mr President!

White Paper on Black Money: Opposition Terms Document Disappointing, Non-Paper

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee presented the White Paper on Black Money in the Parliament on May 21. The 108-page Paper trashed the huge figure of illegal wealth stashed away by Indians in Swiss banks and said much of the money may have already come back into India through illicit means. It did not disclose any names of Swiss account holders or provided any fresh estimate of black money in India.

Indian Black Money Issue

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has termed the government's White Paper on black money as "disappointing" and a "non-paper." The Opposition party said that it is "like a bikini" as it hides the essentials and reveals only the less significant details.

The issue of Indian black money stashed abroad has been raked by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) time and again both inside and outside Parliament. Party veteran L K Advani had taken out a month long Jan Chetna yatra across the country to highlight the issue.

The White Paper has not revealed the quantum of Indian black money kept in tax havens abroad. Neither has the government shared details of steps it has taken to repatriate this wealth.

The bank deposits of Indians in Swiss banks have decreased from Rs 23,373 crore in 2006 to Rs 9,295 crore in 2010. The government has not disclosed where this money has gone. Has it come back to India? Or has it been transferred to some other tax haven? Or has it been invested somewhere?

The Opposition has been demanding that the government make all efforts to bring back this money as has been done by countries like the United States, Germany and Ireland, among others.

The White Paper is also silent on the black money made by illegal sale of arms and armaments, evasions on stamp duty especially in land transactions, and use of such funds in politics. This document has several shortcomings. It does not explicitly explain what has been done to deal with black money in arms and armaments.

The generation of black money through stamp duty evasion especially in land transactions has not been revealed. The black money made by corrupt politicians has also not been revealed.

Tax Immunity Scheme

On the possibility of any tax immunity scheme, especially gold deposit scheme, to deal with black money, the White Paper said, "The issue of complete tax immunity needs to be examined in the light of other policy objectives." The document seeks to dispel the impression that government was not doing enough to deal with black money and talks about various policy options and strategies it has been pursuing to address the issue of corruption in public life.

Referring to the issue of institutions like Lokpal and Lokayuktas, the Paper said, "(they) need to be put in place at the earliest, in the Centre and the states respectively, to expedite investigations into cases of corruption and bring the guilty to justice."

The government has not been able to push through the Lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Parliament), despite pressure from the civil society. The Bill was approved by the Lok Sabha.

Introduction of Goods and Services Tax

The introduction of Goods and Services Tax, the White Paper added, would be a major step in integrating the efforts of different agencies dealing with black money.

Referring to the misuse of corporate structure, the Paper stated, "The Vodafone tax case provides an instance of the misuse of corporate structure for avoiding the payment of taxes."

In this case, it said, the Hutchison Group had made investments in India from 1992 to 2006 through a number of subsidiaries having 'separate corporate personality' but which were essentially post box companies based in the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, and Mauritius.

The Hutchison Group sold its entire business operation in India in February 2007 to the Vodafone Group for a total consideration of $11.2 billion and the same was effected through transfer of a solitary share of a Cayman Islands company.

Global Financial Integrity (GFI) has estimated that from 1948 to 2008 a total of $ 213.2 billion has been shifted out of India through illicit outflows and the adjusted gross transfer of illicit assets by residents of India amounts to $ 462 billion as of end-December 2008.

The White Paper’s view is that this money has at least partly already returned to India. This may have been happened through Foreign Direct Investment route and stock markets.

Four-Pronged Strategy

The Paper suggested four-pronged strategy to curb generation of black money. These include more incentives for voluntary compliance of tax laws, reforms in vulnerable sectors of economy and creation credible deterrence. It mentioned that reform of financial and real estate sectors would help in reducing generation of black money in long term as freeing of gold imports had helped in checking smuggling.

On the need to curb this menace in vulnerable sectors like real estate, the provision of deducting tax at source on payments made on real estate transactions and mandating it as a pre-condition for registering of the transacted property could be considered.

Large number of transactions in bullion and jewelry are unaccounted and there is also urgent need to improve the reporting and monitoring systems in this sector. On the informal sector and cash economy, the Paper states that there is a need to amend laws to check keeping very large amounts of cash. Another important measure could be the promotion of banking channels, including use of credit and debit cards through tax incentives, since they leave adequate audit trails and hence disincentivize black money generation. Levying tax at source at a low level on cash purchases may also be considered as a possible policy option.

The White Paper states that there does not seem to be much progress on repatriation of black money abroad. It says that the government has been working on bilateral treaties. However, these treaties do not have provisions for repatriation of undisclosed assets. Without international consensus on this issue it is difficult to implement domestic law on repatriation of assets located abroad.

Assessment

Undoubtedly, we now know that based on some recent international data, India is 15th in the world in terms of outgo of unaccounted or “black” money, namely money that has evaded the tax net and has been parked overseas.

The White Paper does not say anything that is not public knowledge but shifts the focus from foreign banks to domestic culprits and sources. Since the finance minister had refused to disclose the names of those holding illegal assets abroad in the Supreme Court as well as Parliament, it was futile to expect their mention in the White Paper. The government report talks of the possibility of one-time amnesty scheme for tax evaders to encourage disclosures and recover tax.

The Paper gives an idea of the generation of black money in the system, and calls for reforms in the financial sector, including taxation and in investment instruments such as participatory notes, as well as in real estate.

Some Facts

* To curb black money, a four-pronged strategy — reducing disincentives against voluntary compliance, reforms in vulnerable sectors of the economy, creating effective credible deterrence and supportive measures — is being worked out.

* The White Paper states that encouraging the use of credit and debit cards — as they leave adequate audit trails — could also help in preventing black money generation.

* It also proposes improved reporting and monitoring systems to track bullion and jewelry transactions and wants close tabs on real estate deals

Growing Corruption in Defense: Army Chief in New Controversy

Indian Army Chief General VK Singh has blown the lid off defense corruption in India by suggesting in an interview to The Hindu. The General Singh had claimed in media interviews that a lobbyist, who had "just" retired, offered him a bribe of Rs 14 crore for clearing a file relating to purchase of a tranche of 600 "sub-standard" vehicles of a particular make and he had immediately informed Defense Minister A K Antony about the same.
In his explanation through the media he has said that by not addressing the main issue of his date of birth, the Supreme Court has created more confusion. It is clear he did not accept the court verdict in the spirit it was delivered. Instead, after the verdict he has dragged in former Army Chief General JJ Singh, calling him the main architect of the date of birth controversy.
Undoubtedly, the Army chief has committed a few improprieties — not taking up his age issue as upfront as he did when he became the Chief of Army Staff (COAS); making a patently erroneous distinction between his personal case and the office of the COAS; filing a statutory complaint against the government and setting an unhealthy trend among the rank-and-file of questioning lawful authority; and, on rejection of his statutory complaint, taking the government to court. To cap it all, he did not put in is papers even after he lost his case in court.
The Czech-origin Tatra multi-wheeled vehicles, manufactured by a public sector unit under license, were being supplied to the Army for the past 25 years. If the quality of the vehicle was indeed unsatisfactory, why did the Army never complain in writing? What is more, it is said that only one vendor has supplied the vehicle to the Army since 1986 and enjoyed a virtual monopoly. Why was then a bribe needed to be paid to General Singh? While General Singh’s insinuation that at least some of his predecessors might have been bribed to keep quiet about the quality of the vehicle has stirred the hornet’s nest, the retired officer named by the Army chief has denied the allegation and any interest in the vehicle, claiming that he has been engaged in only real estate and mining since his retirement.
Defense Ministry’s Response
The defense minister has corroborated the Army chief’s allegation of a Rs 14-crore bribe offered to him by Lieutenant General (retired) Tejinder Singh, but blamed Gen VK Singh of “inaction” in the matter.
Making a statement in the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Parliament), Antony mentioned Lieutenant General (retired) Tejinder Singh by name and said he had asked the General to act, but he did not want to pursue the matter for unknown reasons. This, and the assertion that he himself could not act as there was no written complaint from the chief were the explanations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) refused to buy.
Cases Against Army Chief and Others
Lt Gen (retd) Tejinder Singh has filed a criminal defamation case against General Singh and others in a Delhi court, rejecting allegations that he had offered Rs 14 crore as bribe to the General to strike a defense deal.
Tejinder Singh asked the court to summon and initiate proceedings against General Singh for making the "libelous" statement in media.
In his complaint, the retired Lt General has also named Vice Chief of Army staff SK Singh, Lt Gen B S Thakur (D G MI), Major General S L Narshiman (Additional Director General of Public Information and Lt Col Hitten Sawhney accusing them of misusing their official position, power and authority to level false charges against him.
Alarming Questions
The important aspect of this present controversy is that people fail to understand why did not General Singh, who enjoys a just reputation for integrity — exactly like defense minister— not have his dubious interlocutor arrested on the spot? Asked about this in a television interview, General Singh said he was too shocked as the vile suggestion was made by an officer just recently retired and was couched in indirect terms. General Singh said he went up to the defense minister right away and informed him of the distasteful episode.
What action did Antony choose to take apart from “holding his head” and instructing the chief not to let shady characters into our defense trade. Knowing our Parliament, it will probably get fixated on this issue (it must certainly investigate it though), and not pay attention to the wider (and pressing) question of corruption in defense purchases that could have the effect of selling our soldiers down the river in a military crisis.
Earlier in March 2012, the Defense Ministry banned six foreign and two Indian companies for 10 years for allegedly being involved in the payment of hefty sums to the director-general of the ordnance board to secure the contract for setting up factories to produce specialized materials for artillery shells. The firms included the Israeli government company that manages much of that country’s defense exports to India, and Israel is now India’s second largest defense exporter.
General Singh has used the bribery revelations to illustrate that he is being targeted by the establishment for ferreting out the corrupt within the system which had corroded the internal health of the Army. In graphic detail he has explained how corruption has burrowed into the innards of the Army. He has claimed that a retired unnamed officer offered him Rs 14 crore as bribe if he would clear a file. He asked him to leave and reported the matter to the defense minister.
However, the question lies: when the General B K Singh had informed the defense minister; why Antony kept mum in all these months, he should have ordered enquiry into the matter! Moreover, why the Army chief himself not lodged FIR against the person, who had offered bribe in his chamber; who prevented him how the general also kept mum? Only after the age controversy of General Singh, and the judgment going against him and now he is on verge of retirement, Singh is making public all these things? General Singh should have lodged FIR against the responsible person, who came to him personally to offer bribe! Undoubtedly, the Army chief is of impeccable character but his Defense Minister Antony is also known for honest and integrity.
Wrong Timing of Charges
Moreover, why did General Singh choose to go public with the bribery charge now and not earlier? The question is pertinent because as early as March 6, 2012, the Army put out a press release accusing a retired lieutenant. General of offering a bribe on behalf of a company that supplies trucks. Inexplicably, while the press release did not fight shy of naming the person who allegedly offered the bribe, it was silent on who he tried to induce.
General Singh should have started his crusade against bribe-givers more robustly much earlier and not at the fag end of a flagging career. It is true that he pushed the Adarsh Housing Society scandal and the Sukna land scam. But the timing of the latest revelations in The Hindu and The Economic Times is suspect. The immediate fallout from his interview and allegations is a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry in which the Army chief, the unnamed General, the defense minister and officials of the Ministry will be quizzed. The Defense acquisition procedure in which the Army is worst hit will slow down even further, with more defense companies being blacklisted. Even more worrying will be the worsening state of civil-military relations, especially between the Army Headquarters and the Defense Ministry.
Positive Aspect
An officer of impeccable integrity, General Singh's attempts to crack down on corruption in the Army, particularly the Sukna land and Adarsh Housing Society scams, shows he has what it takes to be a tough reform-oriented leader. Which is what makes the seemingly casual handling of an alleged attempt to bribe him somewhat puzzling. If the defense minister did not take his complaint seriously, the Army chief could have pursued the matter in a variety of ways.
Whatever the reason for this reluctance, it is clear that the controversy over his age — a matter strictly between himself and the defense establishment — has caused collateral damage in other areas and spawned unrelated disputes that have the potential of causing divisions in the Army, particularly in the top echelons, and in the Defense Ministry between uniformed men and political leaders.
Assessment
It is abhorrent on the part of General Singh in making sweeping statements and accusations in public to sensationalize the issue rather than making appropriate moves to get the bribe inducer booked and tried with valid proof. It is high time that he stops sullying the image of the army with his politician like demeanor and brings disrepute to the exalted post he holds until he remits office.
It is really surprising why General Singh who is known for his firm stand against corruption kept mum on following up with this issue and what prompted him to open the can of worms at this point of time? He could have got this monkey off his back as soon as this issue surfaced and why waited for over an year and that too when it is time for retirement?
No investigation would change the systems which have been fine-tuned to corruption. Only a grass roots education of citizens of evils of corruption would help reduce corruption. Hope this takes place. We do not need heroes like Anna to address corruption; we need awareness programs to make a common man aware of evils of corruption. Hope we can initiate these awareness without involvement of political parties.

Assembly Elections in Five States

In a move that has apparently upset Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s electoral plans, the Election Commission has announced the schedule for the Assembly polls in five states, setting the stage for a key electoral battle that is bound to have a bearing on national politics.
The election to the 117-member Punjab Assembly will be held in a single phase on January 30 while Uttar Pradesh, which has a 403-member Assembly, will witness a seven-phase voting on February 4, 8, 11,15, 19, 23 and 28.
The elections in Uttarakhand will be held on January 30, Goa on March 3 and Manipur on January 28. Counting of votes will take place in all the five states on March 4.
The notification for the elections in Punjab will be issued on January 5, Uttarakhand on January 5, Manipur on January 4 and Goa on February 6. The notification for the elections in UP will be issued on January 10, 12, 16, 21, 25 and 28 and February 2 respectively, for the seven phases.
Model Code of Conduct
The model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect. The election schedule is likely to affect the presentation of the Railway Budget and the Federal Budget for 2011-12. The budgets are normally presented in the last week of February, but this time the Model Code of Conduct will last till March 9. Asked whether the schedule will affect the budgets, Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said: “That is something the government will have to take care of.”
In a first, the Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs) will have signs in Braille to facilitate the blind voters. The Election Commission has also introduced a toll-free number 1950 for redressel of complaints.
Cutting short the term of the Assembly by about two months could deprive Mayawati an opportunity to use her absolute majority in the House to boost her party’s strength in the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha in April. The Congress is using all the forces at its command to improve its tally in the state.
The decision of the Centre to grant 4.5 per cent reservation to the minorities within the 27 per cent OBC quota is being seen as a clear move by the UPA government to woo the Muslims, who play a significant role in deciding the verdict in many constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.
The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which wields considerable influence in western Uttar Pradesh, recently joined the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) which could boost the prospects of the Congress in UP.
In Punjab, it will again be a battle between the Congress and the Akali Dal-BJP combine while Uttarakhand will see a straight contest between the Congress and the ruling BJP, which had recently changed its chief minister to give an image makeover to the state government.
Misuse of Black Money
In an attempt to check the misuse of black money in the polls, the Election Commission has decided to appoint adequate number of expenditure observers and assistant expenditure observers who would exclusively monitor the expenditure of the contesting candidates.
For greater transparency and for easy monitoring by the Election Commission, candidates would be required to open a separate bank account and incur their election expenses for that very account. Comprehensive instructions for the purpose of effective monitoring of the election expenditure of the candidates, including formation of flying squads, video surveillance teams in the constituency and involvement of investigation directorates of the income tax department, have also been issued by the Election Commission.
To deal with ‘paid news’, monitoring committees have been set up at district, state and Election Commission levels and necessary instructions issued to the district election officers.
The Election Commission also conducted a meeting with director generals (Narcotics) of five states to prevent the use of drugs during voting period.
Quraishi said the election dates have been decided taking into consideration climatic conditions, academic schedules, festivals, law and order, availability of security forces, time needed for their movement and deployment and other ground realities.

Explosion Outside Delhi High Court: Terror Acts Continue

A high intensity briefcase bomb exploded near Gate No 5 of the Delhi High Court on 7 September, killing 11 persons and injuring 90 in a major terror attack that struck the National Capital after a gap of three years. Parliament unequivocally condemned the explosion outside the Delhi High Court and adjourned the proceedings till the government gathered facts and made a statement in both the Houses.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Adjourned
The Lok Sabha (lower house of the Parliament) was adjourned until 1230 when Home Minister P Chidambaram was expected to make a statement, while the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Parliament)was adjourned until 1400.
At the outset, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar condemned the explosion as a dastardly act and asked the government to make a statement.
Cutting across party lines, leaders condemned the explosions as a cowardly act and said the Lok Sabha cannot continue with business "while people continue to die just over a kilometer from Parliament."
Leaders’ Reactions
BJP veteran L K Advani condemned the incident and urged the Speaker to adjourn the Lok Sabha until the government made a statement on the explosion outside the High Court.
Mulayam Singh Yadav, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and BSP leader, also asked the Home Minister to make a statement on the issue and requested the Speaker to adjourn the House for the day.
He also said that some foreign nationals came into the country undetected, carried out such incidents, and got way.
JD-U President Sharad Yadav shared the views expressed by members and said the fact that the explosion occurred within a kilometre from Parliament was disturbing.
CPI-M leader Basudeb Acharia termed the explosion as a "disturbing incident" which should be condemned not only by the House but by the entire country.
He too said that the Lok Sabha should be adjourned until noon and the home minister should make a statement on the issue when the House meets.
Bahujan Samaj Party leader Dara Singh Chauhan condemned the explosion and asked the Speaker to adjourn the House until the government made a statement.
Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete noted that even Parliament had been a target of terror attack and the entire nation has to fight this menace unitedly.
DMK leader T K S Elangovan condemned the explosion and asked the Home Minister to "look into it" and take action.
AIADMK leader M Thambidurai strongly condemned the explosion and agreed with the views of his colleagues that the House be adjourned till the Home Minister makes a statement.
Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the Lok Sabha should not conduct business till the government made a statement on the incident.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal then informed the House that the Home Minister would make a statement at 1230 following which the Speaker adjourned the House until then.
In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the proceedings until 1400 to allow the Government to collect information on the explosion.
When the House met for the day, Chairman Hamid Ansari said that a "disturbing news" had just trickled in about a bomb explosion outside the Delhi High Court.
"There are reports of some casualties. This is something to be condemned," he said. "As soon as facts are available, we will request the government to share it with the House," he said, adding that it could be possible by around 1400 and adjourned the House until then.

Indian Parliament Accepts Anna Hazare's Demands

After being reviled for its self-serving ways and incorrigible politicking, the political class delivered when it mattered. Displaying an unerring big-day temperament, political parties surpassed themselves as Parliament gave Anna Hazare a massive victory.
Sensing the public mood, political egos were largely in check. MPs drove home the humbling knowledge that politicians were lagging their constituents. The leaders had become the led.
Agreed Points
After over eight hours of debate around the structure of the Lokpal Bill, the Government and the Opposition in both the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Parliament) and Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Parliament) came together to agree “in-principle” to the three major demands the activist had raised in his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 26 August as a condition to end his protest.
In doing so, the Parliament, which sat for the longest hours this monsoon session today, paved the way for the Gandhian to end his fast. Anna responded late night after government’s emissary and minister Vilasrao Deshmukh announced the day’s developments amid cheering and roaring crowds at the Ramlila Grounds. “We have won the battle but the war remains. This is your victory. I will end the fast tomorrow in the presence of all of you,” Anna said to his supporters.
Earlier, the two Houses agreed that the anti-graft law, to be effective, must cover corruption by lower bureaucracy through appropriate mechanisms; must have an inbuilt grievance redress system which Anna calls the citizens’ charter and should provide for enabling laws to establish Lokayuktas in states on the lines of the Lokpal at the Centre.
The debate ended amidst members thumping their desks to applaud the agreement which Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee summed up as “the sense of two Houses” which would now be conveyed to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice for its consideration.
Hazare Breaks 12-Day-Long Protest Fast
A day after his 12-day-long fast for a strong Lokpal culminated into a victory for both the civil society as well as Parliament, anti-corruption crusader Hazare on Sunday ended his hunger strike. Anna broke his fast by drinking coconut water with honey, given to him by two girls - five-year-old Simran and Ikra.
Addressing the crowd at Ramlila Maidan after ending his fast, the social activist described it as a victory of every Indian. He also described it as a victory of the media for waking up the people of this country.
Vowing his fight will continue, the Gandhian said the anti-corruption movement was a lesson for the world to learn as to how to wage a nonviolent battle. Anna said the movement instilled trust in us that we can remove corruption from this country.
Asking people to be alert and keep a watch on the Lokpal process, Anna said the movement would have to restart if Parliament fails to pass a strong Lokpal Bill. Anna said it is the power of the people that made Parliament take a decision on Lokpal.
Leaders’ Reactions
Some leaders did hit back at civil society, warning that calling politicians names could draw retaliatory action. Others blamed the media's 24x7 focus for nurturing the agitation. But most were quick to accept that the people's anger was real and needed to be seen as genuine disgust with corruption.
Congress and BJP leaders, who usually do not pass up a chance to have a go at each other, seriously addressed the question of accountability in public life. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee set the tone by saying MPs should carefully consider the implication of their views but not fail to seize the moment at hand.
In the Rajya Sabha, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said Anna's campaign had outlined relevant demands and reminded the House that democracy could not be so lethargic as to not pass the Lokpal bill 42 years after it was first proposed. CPM's Sitaram Yechury pointed to the need to match intent with practicability. In the Lok Sabha, Congress's Sandeep Dikshit spoke of the urgent need to end Anna's fast.
Some MPs were candid enough to agree that the phenomenon was not limited to Mumbai and Delhi. "We are all getting phone calls from our constituents asking why are we not talking about this," said BJP's Varun Gandhi, MP for Philibhit, in an extempore speech.
Even Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav's caustic reference to Team Anna member Kiran Bedi's antics and a side-splitting description of how relentless media pressure of the "dabba" (TV) was depriving leaders of their sleep, carried more than a degree of self-deprecation. Politicians, he suggested, had asked for it.
For a discussion that revolved around deeply contentious matters impacting India's federal structure -- usually much less can ignite state sensibilities -- there were not too many interruptions or cat calls in Parliament. Even regular disrupters like Congress's Lal Singh seemed taken in by the gravity of the occasion.
Most speakers had worked hard on their speeches. MPs did not slip into unnecessary hyperbole and stuck to the substance of what was at hand. For a class that has been under fire and subject to most dismissive treatment, they did not fling the muck back.
There was the cut and thrust of politics as Opposition leaders reminded Congress of how a string of scams had created the space for Anna's movement and given it unprecedented legitimacy. There were retaliatory barbs about how the National Democratic Allaince record was not squeaky clean either.
All quarters in Parliament seemed to realize the challenge they face is much larger than one of factional identities. It was not the time to settle internecine scores. The relevance of Parliament itself was questioned. On 27 August, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha posted a thumping riposte.

India Must Remain Alert in Maintaining Relations With China

Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has told Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and member of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Parliament), Tarun Vijai, that the government is keeping a watchful eye on the Chinese activities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and in this connection has established contact with the Chinese Government. Krishna said: 'We fully realise our responsibilities.'

The Chinese Government has claimed that their activities in Gilgit-Baltistan are in connection with projects that their experts have taken up from the Pakistani Government. Addressing an army seminar, the Commander in Chief of the Indian Army said, on the Line of Actual Control is a worrying development from the army's viewpoint. He said that it would be very easy to mobilize the Army for the enemy on this road. Also it will be easy for them to keep an eye on Indian activities.

The US media have also expressed their apprehensions that the Chinese Army has established its bases over there. In a distance of less than a mile, the Chinese have put up spy cameras, so that they can keep an eye on the Indian border. China has made claims to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and at the same time extends apparent friendship. Despite it, China does not hesitate with its highhandedness.

Trade Ties and Border Dispute

India has based its foreign policy on friendly relations with all its neighbors. This is very important for peace and domestic progress. For India's good relations with China, this is doubly important, for China has become a tremendous world power in economic and military terms. This can also be seen from the fact that the Chinese currency yen is at par with the US dollar, and in the near future, if the yen overtakes the dollar it will not be a big surprise in the world markets.

India also has made a place for itself in the world markets. Setting aside political differences, India has given emphasis to trade relations and extended help to China. Trade relations continue to grow between the countries. Along with this, the India-China border and PoK, Chinese activities are a cause for worry. The Indian Government will have to take a serious view of the matter.

Along with attempts at improving relations with China, India will have to remain vigilant on the border with China. Because of negligence the incidents of 1962 should not be repeated. Incidents of the past are sufficient proof of the fact that under the influence of "Panchsheel" (five principles of peaceful coexistence) the slogan of Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai (Indians and Chinese are brothers), the Chinese stabbed Indians in the back, which left India helpless and all alone in the India-China war. Because of India's support for socialism, all Western powers had not extended their support for India. Without going into the details of this humiliating incident, one can say that the country had to pay a big price for its negligence.

Protective Infrastructure War

Despite India's efforts to restore cordial relations, China attitude remains the same. China started giving separate visas to Kashmiris who wanted to visit China. Despite India's insistent protests that Kashmir is an inseparable part of India, the separate visa can only be termed mischievous. On one hand, China is interested in increasing trade relations with India, and on the other, it has made it easy to access the border between the countries and is busy building roads for that purpose.

India is also sending a message to China that it is not negligent toward the border as it were during the 1962 India-China. This is the reason India will have to pay a protective infrastructure war. India also is a nuclear power.

Demand of Situation

What is the demand of the situation is that India should strive for complete self-reliance. It should be fully armed with tanks and warplanes, regardless from where they have to be got. At the same time its foreign policy should be planned in such a way that it supports its defence preparedness. Its foreign policy should be planned in such a way that it supports defence preparedness. Instead of its foreign policy being anti-China, it should be in harmony with it.

With a neighbor like China, which has usurped a large portion of India's border region, it should not be ignored for the purpose of trade. To be careful in relations with China is the most important and needed move.

Anna Hazare's Movement Against Corruption

This second phase of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is getting tough. Old issues started opening up soon after the beginning of the second phase. The BJP obstructed the winter session of Parliament. Budget session could continue because MP's had to draw their salaries. The cacophony of corruption to some extent got subdued by Manmohan Singh's cricket diplomacy. But since 5 April, social activist Anna Hazare set on fast-unto-death at the Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, crusading against corruption. Veteran activist Anna Hazare ended his 97-hour hunger strike on 9 April morning after the gazette notification constituting a joint committee for drafting the Lokpal Bill, printed at 0200, was handed over to him. Belonging to a small village of Maharashtra, Hazare has warned the union government to amend the draft bill relating to corruption.

Provision in Lokpal Bil

The draft bill says that the Lokpal (bill to prevent corruption) cannot function independently and cannot initiate probe at his own. He can dispose of cases referred to him by the Lok Sabha (Lower house of Parliament) and the Rajya Sabha (Upper house of Parliament) leaders pertaining to corruption and cannot impact on others.

It is also an irony that the recommendation of the Lokpal may not necessarily be accepted. Lokpal does not have powers to lodge First Information Report (FIR) for initiating investigation against the accused. Simply, the Lokpal can initiate investigation against MP's, ministers and even the prime minister but not against government officials. Whereas, the fact is that corruption moves on with active connivance of officials and politicians.

Another defect of the draft bill is that the prime minister's actions pertaining to defense, internal security, and foreign policies will be outside the ambit of Lokpal. History is evident that most scams take place in defense deals. It is amazing that the blackout has been done at a place where transparency is most required.

According to the Lokpal Bill, its members will come from retired judges and persons approved by selection panels. It gives room for suspicion that the government will fill up the office of Lokpal with people of its choice. On contrary, Hazare demands representation of people from the civil society to detect and address each aspect of corruption. The government denies any such instance where people outside Parliament have been involved in legislative work.

Demand of Situation

Since the country's independence, many big scams have taken place, but insignificant people were caught and the big fish went scot-free. For this, the government has lost the confidence of people in it. That is why in a split of seconds, Hazare's movement is being supported by the common men, intellectuals, industrialists, and other prominent personalities, even film stars.

In the past, no such movement was seen where people rose above the level of sections and groups.Corruption has become a trend in a country and common citizens are a tool for ransom in the hands of politicians. The country got a Messiah in the form of Hazare. The government should wake up and respond to the call of revolution.

Imam of Heram's Visits India

Last week, Indian Muslims were privileged to have the high priest of Kaaba in India and hear the rhetoric of Abdul Rehman Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais, the representative of the most revered place, Kaaba. The aim of his visit to India was to participate in the Dignity of Companion Conference organized by the Jamiat ul Ulema-e Hind president, at the Ram Lila Maidan. Millions of people paid homage to him.

Message of Peace

The giant congregation was marked with spiritual delight. Each word from him was a pearl of advice. He praised the companions of the Holy Prophet in spreading the religion and advised the community to make use of electronic media in spreading the message of peace.

Dignity of Companions Conference

On 25 March, after landing in India, the Imam of Heram went to visit the Darul Uloom Deoband in a helicopter, where he led the Friday prayers. The huge throng was desperately waiting for his arrival and fell in prostration before God. On his return from Deoband, after attending the Dignity of Companions Conference, he visited the head office of the Jamaat-e- Islami at Jasola Vihar. On 27 March afternoon, Saudi Ambassador Hasan Tarad hosted lunch in his honor at Hotel Taj Mahal, in which the city's dignitaries attended.

Positive Dedication

From morning to evening on 28 March, the Sheikh remained busy at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, Jama Masjid [grand mosque] Delhi. Rajya Sabha [upper house of Parliament] deputy chairman K. Rehman Khan's dinner and Abul Kalam Azad Islamic Awakening Center, Jamia Islamia, Sanabil, etc. He addressed the large gathering of people in all the above functions. Addressing the youth, including male and female, he emphasized the need to serve the country with positive dedication, simultaneously feeling pride of their being a Muslim.

Reaching at Jamia Islamia Sanabil, he expressed utter satisfaction and declared vice-chancellor, Allama Abdul Hameed Rehmani, as his teacher, mentor, and spiritual father. His three-day visit bestowed joy and strength upon Muslims in India.

Women's Reservation Bill and Indian Politics

After passing of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Parliament), it now looks certain that the bill will be passed in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Parliament) and state assemblies, and women will at last get their rightful 33 percent seats in the Parliament and state assemblies. The country had to wait for 14 years for the revolutionary change, which is enough to explain to the people that there was no consensus among political parties to explain to the voter what they paid lip service outside the Parliament.

Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Left parties to come together on one issue was the reflection of political compulsions in which the thinking was that if the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presents the bill in the Parliament and if the opposition stands like a wall blocking it, then the people of the country will get the impression that the opposition is not ready for the bill.
The opposition had no choice but to support the bill, and because of these compulsions the opposition supported the bill without a murmur, for which very few examples can be found in the country. If this had not been the case, the bill would have gone into cold storage for another three-four years.

New Phase in Country's History
As far as the Congress party is concerned, it was important to get the Women's Reservation Bill accepted. The UPA in its first regime had won two big successes. First it was the Right to Information Bill and the second was the Right to Employment Bill. Along with this was the waiver of farmers' debt, which led to many good consequences. It was because of these bills only that the party had been able to come to power for a second time. In the second phase, it had no important reservation to speak of, which is why it was important for it to get the Women's Reservation Bill passed.

The Rajya Sabha gave a new phase in the country's history on 8 March. Whatever might have been the political compulsions and political reasons for the historical achievement, the credit goes to UPA's chairperson Sonia Gandhi. If she had not taken the initiative, the bill would have remained a dream. By taking a special interest in the matter she showed the nation the victory of this day. If she had not convinced the country of the importance of the bill then it would have remained a mere dream and would not have become a reality. It should be kept in mind that the government took great risk in presenting the bill. If it had not succeeded, then the government would have been surrounded by danger.

Threat to UPA Government
In a similar manner, the government had taken the risk in signing the nuclear agreement with the United States and took the risk of UPA allies withdrawing their support. The opposition gave its support for the Women's Reservation Bill. But after this, in presenting the budget, the government will face tremendous difficulties. The opposition will try and prevent the budget from being passed and this will be an occasion to give the government a tough time.

The other point to be noted is that the two allies of the government, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) must be very angry at the passing of the bill and the manner it has been cooperating with the government will come to an end. In spite of all this, Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took the risk, and today, when the bill has been approved, it faces another danger.

Prestige of Parliament
The Congress, however, should not forget that whatever happened in the Rajya Sabha, it is to be blamed to a large extent, as much as the SP and RJD members are to blame. It is said that its members are better behaved and more polite than the Lok Sabha members. But the fights and the fisticuffs that have taken place here are hard to imagine. The way the members moved to attack the chairperson has caused it great loss of prestige. If the Congress had prepared its allies from before for the passage of the bill then, maybe, all that has happened may not have been a blot on the prestige of the Parliament.

Other incidents happened in the Rajya Sabha, but usually its proceedings were conducted in a dignified manner. It was the responsibility of the Congress to prevent such disrespect to the chair. The country will have to live with this disrespect to the chair, which is unacceptable. As it is the responsibility of the opposition to maintain the dignity of the house, it is the responsibility of the ruling coalition also.