People's Democracy

Certain people have been caught red-handed accepting bribes in return for promises of a defence deal. No further enquiry is required to establish their guilt. Even though some have resigned under public pressure and ignominy, the Prime Minister continues to defend them. The defence minister continues to remain the convenor of the ruling alliance and has been assured of an ‘honourable’ re-entry into the cabinet after an ‘enquiry’. Thus the nature and conclusions of the enquiry are pre-decided. The enquiry is the ruse to be used to mislead the public and divert its anger.

Under this Vajpayee government experience shows that Judicial enquiries are rendered ineffective. On the gruesome murder of Graham staines, the Justice Wadhwa Commission gave its report. What was the result? The Justice Sri Krishna Commission report on the horrific Bombay communal riots in 1992-93 was summarily rejected by the BJP-Shiv Sena government. The Vajpayee government would well do the same. This government has lost all credibility, integrity and moral authority. Indian people cannot accept any enquiry while they remain in office.

We, on the other hand, would want an enquiry that establishes and exposes the extent to which corruption has been institutionalised under this Vajpayee government. This is particularly necessary in the spheres of national security, which have been severely compromised by this government. But a meaningful enquiry would be possible only when this government, which blatantly wishes to influence the course of enquiry, demits office. With this Vajpayee government in office, no impartial enquiry is possible. Already, reports indicate that a "Cover up" operation is on! The same reasoning that led to the suspension of the officers of the armed forces pending enquiry, should apply to the Vajpayee government as well.

We would also point out that neither the state assemblies of Bihar and Tamilnadu, nor the parliament discussed the charges against Mr Laloo Yadav or Ms Jayalalitha. Both were proceeded against according to the law of the land. Similar was the case with the arrest of former PM, P V Narsimha Rao in the JMM case. In this case, where there is uncontestable evidence of people being caught red-handed accepting bribes for recommending defence deals, where does the need for a discussion arise. Corruption is not an issue to be determined by numbers in the Parliament.Why are chargesheets not being framed? Why are FIRs not being lodged? Why are arrests not being made? Clearly, the Vajpayee government is shielding the corrupt.

Collection of funds by political parties cannot be equated with collecting money with promises of certain deals being struck. All political parties collect funds publicly. In this case, it is outright dishonesty to claim such blatant corruption as collection of party funds. Collecting money by misusing official positions, manouvering the decision making processes, by organising ‘kickbacks’ and nakedly by selling the country’s interests and security cannot be condoned as collection of Party funds. This is outright cheating and gross corruption.

Regarding this, the CPI(M) has consistently taken the position that corporate funding of political parties should be banned. The CPI(M) had in fact returned, with thanks to the Tata trust the cheque they had sent during the 1998 elections as contribution to the party fund.

The tehelka.com revelations clearly point to a much deeper network operating, originating from the Prime Minister's office. In the interests of the country, if this has to be eradicated then clearly people responsible for such a nexus of corruption cannot remain in office while such efforts are made. That is why we seek the immediate resignation of the Vajpayee government. Nothing short of this will permit the beginning of the effort to cleanse the system.

Further how do the Presidents of Samata Party and the BJP figure in defence deals? In what capacity? How can the defence minister’s house be used to negotiate such deals? The whole system has been corrupted. Unless this government goes the process of eliminating such a news of corruption is not possible.

4. Why do you say the exposure is not a conspiracy to destabilise this government?

This is familiar reasoning. Every time the ruling party has been caught red-handed in any mal-practice the first convenient explanation has always been a ‘conspiracy theory’ or the working of a "foreign hand". People being caught red-handed accepting bribes could not have been contrived as a part of any conspiracy. If at all there is any conspiracy, it is the Vajpayee government's attempt to shield the corrupt and brush the whole incident under the carpet.

5. For how long will the Opposition continue to disrupt the parliament?

The onus lies not with the Opposition but with the government. In the interests of the country, this government must quit immediately. It must be recalled that on the issue of Sukhram's corruption, the BJP then, as the leader of the Opposition disrupted parliament for a full 13 days. It is a telling comment that today they share power with him in Himachal Pradesh. On the Bofors issue the BJP had joined the rest of the Opposition when all Opposition MPs resigned from the Lok Sabha after Rajiv Gandhi refused to quit office. The BJP's volte-face now tellingly demonstrates its culpability.

The question of an alternative government will arise when this government resigns. The Opposition parties will surely discuss the possibilities and decide at the appropriate time. The immediate need is that a proven corrupt government cannot in the interests of the country be allowed to remain in office.