THE LANDMARK BILL

Sonia Gandhi’s desire to pass the much debated & awaited controversial women’s quota bill on women’s day was left incomplete thanks to the ‘weak’ strategy of the UPA government. The day saw huge uproar by a handful of MPs in the Rajya Sabha when the bill was tabled. RJD & Samajwadi party MPs threw away the mike and stationary from the Vice President, Hamid Ansari’s table to make the day even more shameful. This was an absolute mockery of the largest democracy in the world. As one of my journalist friend pointed out that this shameful act performed by the MPs reinforces the fact that the Indian Parliament needs more women MPs to bring in some kind of Discipline.

Finally after years of debate, the bill has been accepted by the three main political parties- Congress, BJP & the Left. Despite having a comfortable 2/3rd majority (which is the requirement to amend the constitution) the government still failed to pass the bill on the first day. After a lot of hue and cry the bill got passed on tuesday in the Rajya Sabha.The Samajwadi & RJD’s demand is to include quota within a quota for the women belonging to the backward class. Their contention is that this bill will equip the Brahmins to hegemonize the parliament & that will lead to further inequality. Their argument has some merit and should be factored, given that out of the total women parliamentarians only 20% belong to the backward class while over 50% are from the upper class. Ironically, the leader of the ruling UPA and leader of the main opposition BJP are women.

But at this stage the introduction of this bill is a landmark achievement considering that women are very poorly represented in the parliament. History is a testimony that reservation for women in the past has seen a huge transformation in their daily lives. For instance from 1993, when one-third seats for all local body structures were reserved for women sparked a change in the lives of thousand of women residing in the villages. The cruel reality still remains that women in India continue to suffer and are victims of sexual assault, molestation, violence etc.

Politically the three parties that will benefit the most from this bill are Congress, BJP & the Left. All these parties have active women wings and this latest move will give them maximum political mileage. But the larger picture still remains that this is the right step forward that will empower the women of this country. Quota within a quota is something which the government will have to introduce sooner or later to make this bill effective & fair which is the primary objective.

India can never emerge as the super-power of this century unless the other half of this country is empowered and is on the same level. This bill might not change the lives of Indian women drastically but atleast it will reduce the agony & suffering which they have endured for centuries.

THE AMAR STORY IS NOT OVER YET!

A few days back a senior political journalist described Amar Singh as the king of television ‘sound bytes’ for his punch comments (statements given on television cameras) with the distinct potential of delivering political maneouvers with same force. The expulsion of Amar Singh from the Samajwadi party does not come as a surprise given the sequence of events that transpired between him and the party over the last few weeks. But the big question on everyone’s mind is –what next? Is this the end of Amar Singh?

Many in the media and political circles believe this is the end of Amar Singh. But my answer is ‘no’. As mentioned earlier he has been the media’s favourite for his blunt

sound bytes. But Amar Singh has done much more then just giving colorful dialogues to news reporters. He is someone who has bridged the divide between corporate India & politics. Though businessmen & politicians always co-existed and worked together but never before were they so candid in displaying their connection in public life. Anil Ambani, Suburato Roy rubbing shoulders with Mulayam Singh and other politicians in public glare was unveiled only when Amar emerged on the scene. He was also instrumental in adding the bollywood glamour to the socialist, cadre based party.

Amar Singh was the key reason behind the huge funding the Samjwadi party received over the years. He was the main fund raiser for the party. When Amar joined the party 14 years back Mulayam had no clue how to draw big personalities into their fold.

Another unique attribute about Amar is that he has the reputation of being a star ‘fixer’ or ‘dealer’ with the potential to negotiate and strike any political deal. When the BSP-BJP alliance collapsed in Uttar Pradesh in 2003, Amar was instrumental in poaching rebel BSP candidates which helped Mulayam Singh become the chief minister of the state for the third time.

But the mother of all deals was the one in 2008 when the Samajwadi party extended outside support to the Congress for the trust vote on the nuclear deal. Had it not been for Amar Singh, there is a possibility that Manmohan Singh’s dream to implement the US-Indo deal would have been left half way.

For Mulayam Singh being out of power both at the centre and the state has compelled him to take desperate measures. With his family now running party like family business, Mulayam has send the message loud and clear that as long as one falls in line with his family members they are welcome.

But what next for Amar Singh? Many say that he is cozying up to Maywati and the Congress to get a political haven. Amar does not have much of a choice…but if he joins the Congress it will be a win-win situation for both as far as UP is concern. Even though Amar is not a mass leader but still along with the Congress he can work towards weakening the Samajwadi party vote bank. Having been in the party for one and half decade he can play a major role in attacking the Samajwadi Party on their weak areas.

For the Congress, the weaker the Samajwadi gets the more it gains as this would lead to a two party competition in UP, with Mayawati’s BSP the only other competitor. But many second rung leaders in the Congress wouldn’t like to see Amar Singh in the party as he would be a threat for them. Unless the Congress is very clear in limiting his role only till UP.

Another choice for him would be join a smaller party like the NCP which does not have a base in North India. But that would not offer him much political clout as he enjoyed in the Samajwadi. Though he may have a much stronger voice in a smaller party compared to what he may enjoy in the Congress.

Another important factor Amar has to bear in mind is the interest of close family friends like the Bachchans and Anil Ambani. The Gandhi family and Bachchans don’t get along, ruling out any support for them even from the Congress even if Amar joins the party. Similarly, Congress is known to be closer to Mukesh Ambani which is not good news for Anil Ambani.

Amar Singh has a tough task ahead. Many would say that the Samajwadi party will move on but Amar Singh won’t. But the fact is that Amar Singh was the face of Samajwadi at the centre and there is no one who can fill his place. Life for Samajwadi will definitely be not easy going ahead. And as far as Amar is concern, the king of ‘sound bytes’ will bounce back sooner than later. The Amar political story is not over yet!!