ELECTIONS '98
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'How come Vajpayeeji has so few people he can trust?'

When the Supreme Court refused to dismantle the special court set up to probe Jayalalitha's case I wondered what the powers that be will do. Now, I know. If they can transfer the chief justice of the Madras high court, the special court will probably move in the Christmas-New Year weekend.

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In Tuticorin, the travails of Sterlite Industries is not amusing. A billion dollar industry that *made* its way into Tamil Nadu and then *won over* all objectors is now closed by a high court order. Shows, that even with a Rs 10 billion investment the buck does stop somewhere.

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In the assembly election the Third Front was wiped out. Thank god! I was getting tired of the same old opportunists coming together with fancy new names. Don't mind old wine in a new bottle, can't stand rotten wine in any bottle.

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In the most backward Palamu district in Bihar, it seems Naxalites are getting government contracts. The superintendent of police is objecting and he is being applauded by the press. I think the Naxalites should be given more contracts. This will bring them back to the mainstream of national life.

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It seems the electorate is looking for decency in politics. Reminds me of Socrates who used to roam around with a lamp in daylight, looking for an honest man.

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Monsanto -- the great multinational very much in the news with its 'Terminator' seed technology -- has taken out ads in all leading newspapers. Among its promises, one says: "we will only bring to India technologies that are thoroughly tested and approved by the Indian government." And now this is what worries me the most. Now everybody knows what it takes to get government approval. Think of Romesh Sharma. A few months back he was approved by almost all of our political parties.

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Everybody feels his allies hold down our honourable prime minister. But I feel the RSS is hampering him the most. Even in the Insurance bill for foreign equity participation, it is the RSS that's putting up the most obstacles. Hope the RSS realises that it's cutting its own throat. And above that throat is its only acceptable face.

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And while on Vajpayee, I wonder why he calls the participants in his government allies. A minor glance at what two of his so-called allies are up to. Jayalalitha supported the Opposition strike on December 11^th and Mamata Banerjee is backing the Congress candidate for the post of deputy speaker. I think henceforth he should call them sparring partners.

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A few months back Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu was in the news for having the maximum number of female infanticide cases. Now Usilampatti taluk in Madurai district is going the Dharmapuri way. The government as usual will close down pre-natal sex diagnostic clinics and chase the unfortunate pregnant mothers. Why can't the government sit down and think -- why a mother chooses to kill her own child? Poverty, child molestation, child labour, child prostitution, female illiteracy and most of all dowry. We have to tackle the basics. Nobody will. The tears and blood will continue in despair.

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In Andhra Pradesh -- Chandrababu Naidu is going to raise the power tariff. He has called for a public debate on this issue after declaring that there would be no hike for farmers and poor people. Instead of a public debate that stinks of hypocrisy. Me thinks he should sit down with the industrialists. He should ask them honestly how much they are willing to pay to sustain his popular ratings. And to convince the industrialists he can offer them some other tax sops and to hell with the budget deficit.

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I am not very happy with Brajesh Mishra as the national security advisor. After all, the man is already in charge of the prime minister's office. And I am sure he will pay more attention to the PMO because if something goes drastically wrong there, the current PM might not be around. Then Mishraji will also not be around. Meanwhile, national security suffers. I am sure in a nation of 1 billion, we can find somebody else to head the national security council though they may not be as close to our honourable prime minister.

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And while they are at it finding somebody to relieve Brajesh they should add Jaswant Singh to the list of people who need help. Imagine the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission who is supposed to draw the blueprint for the nation's infrastructure for the next five years is also the foreign minister.

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How come Vajpayeeji has so few people he can trust after having been in public life for over fifty years? Can't blame him if he has been only moving around with politicians.

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A friend of mine recently returned from Pakistan. He was happily relating how people there who flew Pakistan International Airlines always referred to it as 'Please Inform Allah.' He wanted me to suggest something similar for our national carrier. Well! For Indian Airlines -- the appropriate line would be Insha Allah -- God willing, as for Air India…. I don't want to sound unpatriotic.

A Ganesh Nadar