Arun Jaitley, Aspiration Control and India TV
Posted : December 21, 2004 at 6:49 pm [IST]
Many years, I had visited once the All India radio to record a talk on labour issues in Kolkata. My sons were just kids and they kept on talking about that. They had recorded it for me. I was really excited when my friend Arora invited me to accompany him to visit ‘India TV’ studio in Rajat Sharma’s ‘Aap ki Adalat’ last Friday. Rajat Sharma is conducting this series for a long time. I have been his fan. I was also excited as the Arun Jaitley, the famed lawyer and the former law minister in NDA government was facing Rajat Sharma’s charges. Pankaj Vohra, a columnist of Hindustan Times.
Studio in Noida Film City was really nice and clean and of world class. I was surprised to know that the set for the trial is permanent. On the wall I saw a photograph of Man Mohan Singh that was of his young days. It was not matching with others such as Bajpaiji or President Kalam. However, I met a student participant who was really excited to put his question about the prevailing corruption in the country. He was well dressed but he claimed he has hired the clothes from his friends. I saw a young lady in the best possible colourful attire so that she gets noticed easily. Perhaps everyone aspired to put some questions so that the camera could catch them. I really enjoyed the crowd. Sometime I really become extrovert in crowd and try to enjoy these rare opportunity. As usual with our system, the programme could start only about one and a half hour late. We thought we are in good location to be covered by the camera.
Every one wants to appear some times on TV and tell other about that appearance. I intended to ask some questions. I did too as the first one. I asked about the on going fight among the second rung leaders of BJP for going ahead of others. I meant between Arun Jaitly, Pramod Mahajan, and Sushma Swaraj as surfaced during Uma Bharati’s .episode. Jaitley replied that there is nothing like that in BJP and they all are working in interest of the party under the leadership of Advani. How can I agree about the natural human characteristics? Rajat Sharma too put some awkward questions and tried his best to dig out some idea about the personal aspiration of Mr. Jaitley to hold the topmost position of the country. But Arun was smart enough to answer satisfactorily without revealing anything about his aspirations. Arun has all qualities for becoming the prime minister of India, if BJP evolves as a winner. Perhaps many want that to happen. BJP must restructure itself to have the older people like Bajpaiji and Advani as mentors. And these mentors should give up the old British legacy of Winston Churchill who agreed to be Prime Minister even when he was not able to move his body even on his bed. Why can’t these gentle men say a ‘bye’ to their aspirations once for ever and groom younger ones such as Arun, Pramod, Sushama, or someone else for the top position without creating any abrasions? After all even political party such as CPM is today thinking of replacing Surjeet Singh by younger and well qualified mod Prakash Karat. And all other political parties are having younger people to lead their party. But the elevation of Dr. Man Mohan Singh to the position of the prime minister of India has already changed the rule of the game. One need not be the mass leader for leading the country. Planned aspiration has been replaced by circumstantial situations.
Prakash Vohra acquitted Jaitley of all the charges framed by Rajat Sharma and wished him to play a great role in destiny of his party as well as the country. The programme ended well, but most of the people couldn’t get the chance to put their questions to Jaitley. After all it was Rajat Sharma’s Programme. I didn’t get my second chance too, though I eagerly waited to ask a question regarding the forth coming assembly election of Bihar. Arun Jaitley is the main person from BJP to guide election campaign in Bihar. I came to know from him only during the programme. But he is too mild to get his success of Madhya Pradesh repeated as there is no Uma Bharati in Bihar. How can he face and compete with a ruffian such as Laloo. I expected that boy to have his aspirations fulfilled but he failed. However, the gift of a sports cap with ‘India TV’ logo and a packet of snacks with coffee satisfied the aspirations of all who came.
On Sunday, we couldn’t see the programme, as there was power cut. I had also forgotten about it. Mr.Arora informed me that we could be seen on screen but my question got editor’s scissor. And the aspiration remained unfulfilled.
- Indra
Category: Indian politics |
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