Author: Editorial
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: January 6, 2010
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/227343/Rising-above-politics.html
Modi shows the path to unity in action
The impressive conclave of former and present
MPs and MLAs of Gujarat held on the first day of the year to mark the beginning
of year-long celebrations in honour of the State completing 50 years since
its creation in 1960, went well beyond an ordinary political function. Five
hundred fifty retired and active politicians cutting across party lines graced
the occasion to celebrate 'Swarnim Gujarat'. Though the State celebrates its
50th Foundation Day on May 1, the Swarnim Gujarat Sansadiya Parishad used
the opportunity to adopt a resolution calling for political unity to further
Gujarat's development. Chief Minister Narendra Modi emphasised on the 'Narmada
spirit' to urge his peers to rise above political rivalries. He recalled the
unity that was displayed by the people of Gujarat during the construction
of the Narmada dam to stress the point that differences in political ideologies
should not hold Gujarat's progress to ransom. Although there are many who
would sweep aside the sentiment as rhetoric of the kind that is not uncommon
on such occasions, the idea that politicians from every section of the political
spectrum should work together for the welfare of the people is something that
should not be dismissed as too idealistic. That so many legislators could
set aside their political affiliations and share a common platform, albeit
on an apolitical agenda, should fuel the imagination of our leaders as to
the possibility of such political unity across the country at both the State
and national levels.
If one thinks about it what Mr Modi has proposed
is nothing outlandish. Most of the policy decisions that our legislators make
have little to do with political ideology. Irrespective of whether one is
on the Left or Right of the political divide, the basic thinking on issues
such as education, healthcare, national security, infrastructure development,
agriculture growth, land reforms, etc, is pretty much the same. It is only
the execution of the policies that differs. In such a scenario, why is it
not possible for those in Government and Opposition to sit together and jointly
contribute to the development of the nation? This would certainly remove the
roadblocks in policy-making that are a perennial feature of Indian politics
by streamlining the entire process and making policy decisions more holistic.
For example, if the Government and the Opposition were to sit together and
work out a common strategy for India on the climate change issue, the country
would have been spared the numerous flip-flops at Copenhagen as well as been
in a stronger position to deal with the problem of global warming. The practice
would also disperse accountability over a larger section of the polity, making
the process of policy-making more transparent and representative. Granted,
all of this requires a large vision and a good amount of political will. Mr
Modi has shown he has both in equal measure.
