In the on-going political debate on the merits of India-US Nuclear agreement (123 agreement), Rahul Gandhi has shown himself to be thoughtful but not Somnath Chatterjee. Rahu Gandhi’s position (like those of Sonia Gandhi and ManMohan Singh) is tenable but not Somnath Chatterjee’s. Here is why –
Rahul Gandhi has assessed the merits of the Nuclear agreement, and concluded that redounds to the benefit of the country. Further, Rahul Gandhi is ready to foresake political power for the sake of good of the country. What can be more public-spirited than that?
Per media reports, Rahul Gandhi told reporters in his Lok Sabha constituency, Amethi, in Uttar Pradesh, “If the government fails (in the Parliament floor test), so be it. The Prime Minister is an upright leader. If something is (done) in the interest of the people, numbers do not matter… Sometimes the government has to take a risk to achieve a milestone.”
On the other hand, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee has at least been confused. Much to the chagrin and distress of the CPM, Chatterjee does not want to resign his position as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The reason is simple and compelling: the speaker’s position is non-partisan and the integrity of the office must be maintained.
Fine enough. But here is what is deeply troubling. Chatterjee has also purportedly castigated CPM for potentially voting with BJP in opposing the government on the merits of the Nuclear agreemen. Further, Chatterjee does not want to resign his speakership and remain as a member of the parliament and vote in the same manner as BJP. So, per Chatterjee’s view of the world, even if there was serendipitous agreement with BHP on an issue of national importance the CPM cannot vote in the same manner as BJP. The dislike of BJP trumps national interests.
With such partisan (and diasppointing) opinion, how can Chatterjee be a non-partisan speaker? It is time for Chatterjee to reconsider his own thinking. At this point, it appears that his self-interest is triumphing over all the public good.
Tags: 123 agreement, Communist parties, India-US Nuclear agreement, Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi, Somnath Chatterjee, Sonia Gandhi
