What Rahul Gandhi's rebel avatar on criminal ordinance mean to India & a political spectrum ruled by party whip!

After many days of silence and sober appearances Rahul Gandhi has
taken a stand on something as grave and important as this ordinance
which aimed to nullify Supreme Court order barring convicted MPs from
parliament. In his strong statement, Gandhi scion has called the ordinance
'nonsense', thereby giving an all new dimension to Indian politics
which survived barely on party whip and decisions taken from
high-command. In a nation where politicians rarely speak their mind
fearing an ouster from the party, this comes as a shocker from Vice
President of India's grand old party that has precisely defined India of today in its decades long administration.

Earlier, Supreme Court has passed an order making it impossible for
'criminal' MPs to continue in both houses of parliament. The order was
seen as an effort, a move towards cleansing a rotten system crushing
under dirty hands of corruption. Many had seen it as a move that will restore voters confidence in the already degrading system. But then, to everyone's
dismay and surprise, union cabinet worked on an ordinance to protect MPs who hold criminal record and sent it to President for approval.

The said ordinance was touted as 'criminal ordinance' by many media houses and many people accompanied by prominent voices took it to twitter, to oust their anger. By now, the picture was clear - popular opinion was against the ordinance and unlike anything else this has had left no route for an intelligent escape to congress which had passed such an ordinance protecting criminals. Many realized this  and started boarding that side which had popular support. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) whose party constitution forbids even fighting election for candidates who bear criminal record was first among prominent voices to lend their support against this ordinance which aimed to protect criminals.
Many followed including main opposition party of this nation - BJP
which surprisingly was putting its weight against SC order earlier when house was in motion. Anyhow, delegations from BJP and AAP lined outside President Pranab Mukherji's office to request him not to sign the ordinance. In between
all this, a popular voice was forming against congress whose spokespersons were pushed to corner in almost all debates that took place on national televisions. They were trying their hard to defend what was not-so-easily-dependable. Jairam Ramesh even said, it was necessary to pass such an ordinance as framing allegations on politicians in India is as simple as a walk in park. He went on to say, how good this ordinance was but looked somehow not convinced with himself!

In between all this developments that were shaping inside political
and apolitical forums, onus seemed to be on President Pranab Mukherji
to prove he was no more a congress man but first citizen of India who stands above all party lines. Polls on each channel were taking place suggesting President of this nation to board one particular side and repeatedly popular figures were urging president not to sign the 'criminal ordinance'.

And then came the shocker! Rahul Gandhi who rarely touched popular
issues from gangrape to scams, called this ordinance shielding
criminal MPs a nonsense! People, media houses were shocked, no doubt
but the real shock was for congress guys, the one's who defended the
same earlier. Don't know how shocked and embarrassed Prime Minister
have been but we really felt sorry for the old man.

One really wonders, why now when Rahul Gandhi had enough time & power
to oppose the said ordinance in initial state itself! Was all this
exercise of sending ordinance and then calling it nonsense made just
to score few points for Rahul Gandhi who many see as contender for top
post from congress party in the coming genera elections? Time only
will tell.

Good part of all this story is implications that Rahul's rebellion will have for
Indian politics. As Congress MP & prominent voice on social network,
Shashi Tharoor said, this will pave way for speaking our minds when
one's views are against party line. Remember, he was the man who lost
his ministership for tweeting 'too' much! And time only will tell how Rahul's 'nonsense' would change the perception of his party men who agreed and echoed what high-command directed them. rest assured, slow but steady, political landscape will change after this drama.

Indian style of politics till date was all about high-command going by
its wishes, come what the thoughts of its partymen be. Even in
parliament during voting on important bills that could make or break a
government, party high-command would issue whip for every member of
party to attend the parliament and vote in support of the same - their
personnel viewpoints and ideas were rarely heard!

Hope for many more such dramas that strengthen democracy and increase
voter confidence in the rotting system.
HAPPY READING!