Mulayam Singh Yadav is happiest man on earth. His son has not only defeated all his lifelong foes in one blow, also cemented position in his party and among people of Uttar Pradesh. The Three time CM of UP is have handed over chair to his son.
Political dynasties should be biggest wonder in a democracy. Nowhere in the world, have such large number of hereditary politicians joined politics like India. In a society evolved over foundation of VARN-VYAVAYSTA, politicos are today’s brahmins and Khatriya. Politics may well not be called family business, but it is no doubt has become business of these families. Today we see dynasties playing pivotal role From Srinagar to Chennai. All the Second, third and even fourth generations of political giants have jumped into politics. Some of them sustained, some managed to survive and many faded into oblivion. Very few have added aura in family name. Most tried to sell family name, until there were no takers. Parties made by forefather got weakened and degenerated.
Akhilesh has done it in reverse. He got the victory his father never achieved. Few years back, Samajwadis were thrown out of power by Mayawatis landslide victory. Party’s slogun “UP me dum hai, Kyoki Jurm yaha kum hai” has become biggest joke of time. Defeat in polls followed by vindictive actions by government brought family and party into pressure. Akhilesh took it firmly, worked in grassroots, reorganized party. He was instrumental to distance party from tainted bahubalis and filmy glamour. He brought old faithfuls back. His talks of development and sober face made him a moderate leader that UP people were looking. He may lake his father’s fluidity and flip-flop politics, but seems worthy take his UP further.
The high challenge he will have to face now, is not coming from outside. The immediate challenge is to maintain rule of law in UP. Ironically, his party people are seen as part of problem rather than solution. Few incidents during election victory and oath taking ceremony do not send good messages. Also, Akhilesh’s cabinet has its share of alleged criminals, has eroded level of enthusiasm for him.
This Samajwadi saga reminds me Mario Puzo’s Godfather. Mike stays away his father’s empire, gets American education and girlfriends unlike his brothers. But when the time comes, its mike that takes reigns from his father. However, family power diminishes and other powers go dominant. Mike waits, for right time. And one day, he wipes all his opponents on one blow, taking back his families position in mofiosso, Becoming DON Corleone. First movie makes Michel Carleone a hero. Akhilesh has wiped all his father’s opponent in this election and became CM. I wish the similarity of Michel and Akhilesh end here.
The second and third sequel of godfather are lesser known. In these movies, Michel tries to get his mofiosso business legitimize only to fail again and again. Akhilesh‘s party is still seen as a bunch of goons in large sections of society. People have voted SP because he managed to gain people’s confidence for being a moderate and responsible version of his father. UP expects him to change SP as a party of governance and development. Doing this, Akhelesh shall reach those heights his father didn’t.
Uttar Pradesh cannot afford him to fail. So let’s pray for Akhilesh.
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Manish Singh ritumanishsingh@gmail.com
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Akhilesh is surely not as charismatic and flamboyant like most of the guys of his age and era. but that's the thing works for him,someone who has his limitations and works within itself and makes it big time. i would Rather say him a Rahul dravid of U.P.politics in the current situation.
ReplyDeletebut yes, as the article suggests he has to sort out the internal obstacles first. and his defending for someone like "Raja bhaiya" n choice of his cabinet ministers ( though he shed goons like d.p.yadav before polling) gives an indication that still the samajwadi party has got big issues regarding that famous "gunda-raaj" in their administration.
yes! a long long way to travel.
Michel's biggest strength was that his enemies underestimated him ... and so is true for akhilesh. however, Koonda raja has perhaps "made an offer,askilesh couldn't refuse"
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