Parachuting - The New Word in the Indian Political Dictionary

Parachuting - The New Word in the Indian Political Dictionary

With the temperature heating up in Delhi and parachutes landing in the Political Capital, I was reminded of my College days. One of the events in my Engineering that I always looked forward to, was the Annual cultural fest. What excited me the most was a competition called “Turncoat." The competition entailed picking up a topic through a draw and speaking on the topic for 90 seconds. At the end of 90 seconds, a bell would ring and we were expected to completely contradict what we spoke earlier. It called for quick thinking and adaptability. One of the topic that I had picked up in those days was “If I were the Prime Minister…..”

Well in today’s world, this is something a lot of people in the Public domain are getting adept at. It looks like Ms. Kiran Bedi too seems to have picked up a topic – “How would I serve the people of the Country”. Her debate would probably go something like this…..

I would like to root out corruption. I have come together with Anna, Kejriwal and the others to draw the public’s attention to the largest evil plaguing our society – that of corruption. Political Parties must come under the Right to Information Act. I will mock at politicians, be condemned by them and seek answers from the person dreaming of leading the Country for one of the worst Communal riots the Country witnessed post Independence. The Courts and the Special Investigation Team may have cleared him, but he needs to answer for the massacre of hundreds of innocents during the riots. I will dictate the Nations agenda on corruption and yes, I will never join politics. I disassociated with Kejriwal since he wanted power to change the politics landscape. I will never join politics.

 

Tring Tring.....time to turn over

 

I would like to serve the people by becoming the Chief Minister. Power intoxicates and I am human. I will use all equipment at my disposal including parachutes. How does it matter if I was at the fore front of the anti-corruption movement, how does it matter that I strongly criticised my former colleague who launched a political party. I have been admiring the leadership of the Prime Minister and am convinced that “ache din” has arrived. How does it matter that black money is still stashed abroad. RTI and political parties? Yes, corruption does figure in my agenda but only 7th in my list of priorities. I love parachutes and so parachuted myself into the party widely favoured to win. I am inspired by the leadership of the Prime Minister and would like to join him. Arvind invited me for a Public Debate, but I only participate in “Turncoats” and not on Debates.

Epilogue:

Aaya Ram Gaya Ram expression in politics of India means frequent floor-crossing by legislatures. The term was coined when Gaya Lal a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Haryana in 1967 changed party thrice in a fortnight first from the Indian National Congress to United Front, back to Congress and then within nine hours to United Front again. When Gaya Lal decided to quit the United Front and join the Congress, then Congress leader Rao Birendra Singh brought him to Chandigarh press and declared “Gaya Ram was now Aya Ram”. (Source wikipedia). Well, in modern day, opportunism has become more sophisticated. History will confirm if “parachuting” as a term will come to stay in politics. We just witnessed three people parachuting into the most favoured party to win the Delhi Polls....................

                                 .....................just as the troops on the ground were rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

 

First posted on Facebook on 21st January, 2015