By Flavia D Souza
We are all familiar with the propensity of our politicians to suffer from foot in mouth syndrome which is rightly described as an occupational disease of politicians. We have many in the present crop of politicians who comes out with one-liners or derisive phrases making mockery of everything from poverty of farmers to making allegations on individuals, institutions or organizations even when the country is faced with enormous crisis. There are politicians who even belittle the issue of rape that is rocking the country today by cracking jokes at the cost of victims.
Recently, NCP leader Ajith Pawar showed his utter deride and insensitivity for a poor farmer who was protesting to get water for his farm saying whether he should urinate to fill up dry dams. Quickly he apologized for his faux fax after his crass remark drew widespread condemnation.
Now our Karnataka politician Dhananjay Kumar, who very often falls prey to the foot-in-mouth syndrome, has stirred another hornets’ nest by saying that former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had to pay huge money to L K Advani and his family every month to retain the Chief Minister’s post. Dhananjay Kumar’s remarks at this crucial juncture when the state is going for polls, has naturally created quite a ruckus in the BJP. Naturally the party has reacted sharply to these allegations and even the Election Commission has issued notice to Dhananjay Kumar in this regard. Interestingly, Dhananjay Kumar’s allegations come a day after Advani had accused Yeddyurappa of tarnishing BJP’s image nationwide.
While these allegations of Dhananjay Kumar received wide publicity in the media B S Yeddyurappa has sought apologies of the people of the state for the utterances of Dhananjay Kumar saying he has lot of respect of Advani and said that Dhananjay Kumar should not have issued the statement. He has denied having paid any money as alleged by Dhananjay Kumar.
Dhananjay Kumar has often found himself in the dock with his tongue-in-cheek remarks even when he was BJP’s spokesperson. One still remembers his famous diatribe “kathegenu gothu kasthuri kampu” directed at Congress President Sonia Gandhi during the 2009 general elections uttered in a press conference in Bangalore. Now comes the latest salvo against L K Advani, which many pooh-pooh as a desperate attempt by KJP to get political mileage at the cost of BJP.
If we analyze Yeddyurappa’s response Dhananjay Kumar’s response, it looks like a well orchestrated move by the KJP to grab eyeballs and put the BJP on the defensive. Such strategies are commonly used by political parties wherein the matter is first let loose followed by an apology. It is possible that Dhananjay Kumar and Yeddyurappa have used this strategy to grab headlines and do more damage to the BJP which is already reeling under myriad scandals and issues. One need not be surprised if Dhananjay Kumar comes with an apology having achieved the desired result.
Look at some of the ripostes or controversial statements given by Congress leader Digvijay Singh who has a quick and sharp tongue. Digvijay Singh is known for his cheeky statements which have often left the Congress party red faced. There are instances when the Congress party was forced to distance itself from his rather costly addiction. He had once called union minister P Chidambaram as ‘intellectually arrogant’ and had to apologize for the same. His remarks a few years ago advocating Rahul Gandhi for prime ministership almost pushed Dr Manmohan Singh to resign. Be it his criticism of Baba Ramdev, Sri Sri Sri Ravishankar or Anna Hazare, Digvijay always puts his foot where his mouth is. Once again Digvijay is in the news saying Rahul Gandhi will not disappoint as Prime Minister.
In trying to wriggle out of tricky situations with creepy statements and retorts Digvijay has got himself in trouble very often. Though Digvijay has earned a sobriquet as a buffoon there are many who believe, rightly or wrongly, that he might have been directed by the party high command to do so.
Politicians like Digvijay, Shinde and even Ajith Pawar are there in all political parties. In Karnataka we have former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who, of late is creating more nuisance by opening his mouth. It cannot be denied that much of the problems of BJP today are the direct fallout of the sharp tongue of Sadananda Gowda.
There is also Janardhana Poojary, an honest Congress leader who opens his mouth only to create controversy. Press Council Chairman Justice Markandey Katju had called 90 percent Indians as fools and made a fool of himself. One is really tempted to ask whether Justice Katju also comes under that 90 per cent bracket when he made that statement.
Whether these politicians are really fools or pretend to be utter fools is quite intriguing. But one thing is sure – the moment they open their mouth they are either in trouble or are not taken seriously. At the same time these jokers make silly statements, like what Home Minister Shinde had done recently accusing the BJP of breeding saffron terror, has impact on the unity and security of the country. The Kashmiri militants were quick to seize the opportunity of Home Minister’s remark. Shinde expressed regret for his statement, which is nothing but an apology. But the damage was done.
One expects something better from these politicians who occupy positions of responsibility. Unfortunately, they have no shame or whatsoever and it applies to all political parties. (Posted on Apri24, 2013 @2.30pm)
