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The Rediff Interview/ Dr Balram Jakhar

'I see no change at the decision-making level'

The former speaker of the lower house of Parliament Dr Balram Jakhar has spoken out against the state of affairs in the Congress party, which is witnessing a spate of criticism from its members. Dr Jakhar thinks it is time to drop the niceties and do some plainspeak in order to jolt the party leadership out of a self-induced reverie.

Even as loyalists of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi hope that the "closet dissidence" in the party will fade away like a bad dream, more and more Congress members speaking out against the leadership can no longer be swept under the carpet.

Dr Jakhar feels there is still time for the leadership to get its act together.

Like his other senior colleagues, Dr Jakhar's outburst is directed at the coterie surrounding Sonia whose decisions are said to be behind the present predicament of the Congress.

In an interview to Tara Shankar Sahay, Dr Jakhar makes a strong case for introspection in the party lest "its manifold achievements are nullified because of the wrong decisions of a few people".

Could you explain your reported statement about avoiding over-dependence on a few party leaders who make crucial decisions?

I think what I said is self-explanatory. Ours is a large party where we have veterans and young members. If decisions taken by a few people repeatedly are giving us undesirable results, I think some introspection is needed. This is not a broadside against any one individual in the party.

But at the same time, those at the decision-making level have to sit up and take notice that we are losing sight of the party's objectives.

From what you say it seems that the introspection which you and some of your party colleagues are talking about is not there?

Naturally, the present concern expressed by Congressmen would not have surfaced otherwise. Look, it is not x,y or z making complaints, it is the fact that Congressmen are pained at the way things are going on, despite which the status quo continues. I am one of the veteran party members and I can scarcely remain silent as I see no change at the decision-making level.

Do you think there is a way out from the present state of affairs in your party?

If a person is drowning, somebody has to stretch his hand to save him. If no hand is forthcoming, the person will drown. Need I say anymore? I have reasons to be concerned, so I am expressing them. Otherwise I would be failing in my duty to the people who look up to me.

You mentioned your party's liberalisation policies having an adverse impact on poor farmers?

On my tours to various parts of the country, I have heard numerous complaints by poor farmers that they cannot make ends meet because of economic liberalisation. My concern is that a balance has to be struck so that not only the urban rich but the rural poor farmers too benefit from them. This has not been happening so I have called for making our party's stand clear on economic liberlisation. Poor farmers in various states have committed suicide because of mounting debts and I feel that the present scheme of things has to be changed. If we speak of liberalisation with a human face, we have to live up to our contention.

Your colleague Rajesh Pilot too has given vent to his concern about poor farmers being given a raw deal. Have the two of you discussed this matter?

As I told you, the subject of farmers is dear to my heart and so I speak on the issue. If others are also expressing similar sentiments, I guess they have reasons too.

Congress leaders like K K Tewary and Digvijay Singh have pulled up those who are criticising the party leadership saying all such people are indulging in the politics of opportunism. They say party members who are most vocal are those like you who have not been nominated to the Rajya Sabha?

I have already underlined the reasons for my concern. This does not include lust for any position or post.

What if the party leadership ignores outspoken members like you?

If party members are agitated over certain issues, we are justified in expressing our views. If our views are ignored, naturally the party stands to suffer because people like me have served the party for a long time and with dedication.

ALSO SEE:
'Unless matters are rectified, I am afraid things will go out of control'

The Rediff Interviews

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