Introduction
Time and again, it has been seen that low-rung leaders and
rank and file of the parties would be suspended, later dismissed from the
parties, if they raise a voice against the obvious conflict of interests of
their top leaders, citing the anti-party activities. Over the years, this has
emboldened the top leaders to indulge in nepotism and corrupt practices to
favour a few around them. Fearing the suspension or dismissal from the parties,
the rank and files keep quiet and even endorse the activities, in certain cases
cashing in on the favouritism given to them by the senior party leaders. The
mood of the hour is the voluntary resignation of Arun Jaitley from the post of
Union Finance Minister to face the probe.
New Episode on Intolerance
A new instance of intolerance to the corruption has come out
in the national party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that boasts of itself as
non-corrupt party with its mascot Narendra Modi telling this in every political
meeting he presided over. One of the close lieutenants has got his image
blemished after the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) scam surfaced.
Close on heals with this allegation, a new one has surfaced from the other
sports body Hockey India (HI). In the eye of storm is none other than the Union
Finance Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley who happened to be at the helm of affairs of
DDCA for a period of 13 years and a member of HI for a considerable period of
time. The first allegation was levelled by his party colleague and Member of
Parliament Kirti Azad. Incidentally, Mr Kirti Azad is a former cricketer who
represented India in test and one day formats internationally and won accolades
for it. He is also the son of former Bihar Indian National Congress (INC)
president and Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mr. Bhagwat Jha Azad. This shows the contempt
among the top leaders of BJP for other leaders if others raised voice against
them. It is not clear whether the second-rung party leader Kirti Azad had
indeed crossed the line to be construed as an anti-party leader. The top party
leaders believe that he is siding with the leaders of rival parties such as Aam
Aadmi Party (AAP) and INC.
Another Claim
Almost corroborating the claim, the allegation of the
corruption has come against Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley from the former
chief of the other sports body in which he is the member. Despite his tall
claim that none of his family members were associated with the administration
of sports bodies, another allegation had come from the previous head of the HI
Mr. M.S. Gill. He claimed that Mr. Jaitley appointed his daughter as a legal
counsel of the sports body HI and there was an instance of conflict of interest
involved. Mr. M.S. Gill was a stand-upright police officer who had fought for
the removal of corruption malice from the society when he was serving the
country. Though the incumbent head of Hockey India has given clean chit to Mr.
Jaitley, the law should probe on this allegation and come out with the truth on
this issue. Till then, the needle of suspicion would always point to the man in
the eye of the storm today.
Public Opinion
As in the past, the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
should step down from the incumbent post and wait outside till all the
allegations against have been negated. This precedence was followed in the case
of other leaders like L.K. Advani in the
party. If he sticks to his post, he would be seen doing more damage to the
party in terms of its credibility. The top leaders, including the party
president, should not be seen shielding him. Otherwise, it would further erode
their support base, especially the youths of the country. The top leaders of
the party should bear in mind that they came to the corridors of power only on
the planks of good governance and corruption-less administration promises.
Otherwise, the rank and file of the party would not be able to defend the deeds
of its leaders on the ground, further eroding the base of the party across the
country.
