[Reader-list] . Re: The Communist Conspiracy !

[anupam chakravartty]

Dear Rakesh,

By stating the political gambles made by left on various occasions it only
shows that there is a complete disconnect between what the leftist
idealogues have to say and what they have been really doing in India.
However, my question to both of you, Rakesh and Prakash or anybody else, who
wants to join ( i am sure it was asked several times before this): why is
there such a disconnect especially in left wing politics?

i have heard several discussions about this disconnect. some of the leftists
have said that to have firm grasp of the political climate in the state, one
must engage with politicians of seperate ideology, so that there is
enrichment in one's thoughts. however, in principle, left wing's arguments
have a rigid exterior, while the interior is as malleable -- and many
occassions, the leftist argument (mostly the trotskyian kinds) skips major
issues by saying that it is a part of the gradual process of change. it is
indeed a very positive outlook but you cannot so cheerful if you are forming
a government with someone who will uproot your ideology at just one go.

also, i wanted to point out, i have heard many people questioning the left
say in a situation like this: when a leftist leader is seen with an american
or riding a mercedes or making foreign trips. while at the same time, a lot
of people cite a certain political leader's humble lifestyle, often saying
that "look he is the real leftist". i dont know if you all have noticed such
statements from people, but i have and i find it extremely ridiculous. i
mean look at your expectations from a political leader of certain ideology
while at the same time, you do not mind another set of politicians being
super extravagant because they do not have idealogical bearings.

-regards anupam



On 4/19/09, Rakesh Iyer <rakesh.rnbdj at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dear Prakash jee
>
> If this is what you wish to put up, let me ask a few questions here too:
>
> 1) The Left was a part of the V.P.Singh govt, supporting it from outside,
> which ironically was also supported by the BJP from outside. (Probably it
> would be one among the few times when a government was supported by both
> the
> Left and the Right in any nation). This ensured the unleashing of the
> Mandal-Mandir politics. What do you or the Left wish to say about that? Or
> was that just mere opportunism?
>
> 2) The Left has joined forces this time with parties which were a party to
> NDA earlier. And what's more they have joined forces even with corrupt
> individuals as well. What can one say about Left's association with
> Mayawati
> for that matter? What about Jayalalitha, someone whose stand is more in
> resonance with the BJP rather than the Left?
>
> And the Left has joined forces with Chandrababu Naidu and the TRS, which is
> even more interesting. The Left in AP believes that Telengana should not be
> formed; the TRS and even now the TDP believe it should be formed. How did
> they align then? And Naidu was a part of the NDA govt, and even one of the
> mascots of 'India Shining' (which failed most miserably), what was the
> reason to join him then? After all, he (Naidu) was also with BJP when
> Godhra
> and post-Godhra incidents took place, for then the goodies from Centre were
> more important for him rather than people getting butchered in Gujarat.
>
> 3) The Left joins the BJD in Orissa, where just a few months back, the BJD
> MP Tathagat Satapathy, on a TV show, was ridiculing Christian organizations
> for conversions through allurement. And the BJP stand was supported by him.
> So the BJD a few days back was communal, and now it is secular. Does the
> Left have the sole right to decide who is communal or secular, or are there
> some standards to define who is communal or secular?
>
> 4) The Left can be very sensible, depending on which Left one talks about.
> Is Buddhadev Bhattacharya with his policies the Left, or are Gurudas
> Dasgupta-A.B.Bardhan-Sitaram Yechury-D. Raja-Prakash Karat (The Famous
> Five)
> the Left? The policies which the Left opposes in Delhi, are favored by it
> in
> Kolkata. The Left which organizes protest movements in other states against
> forced land acquisition, resorted to it in Nandigram and Singur.
>
> Therefore, please clear the confusion regarding who is the Left to begin
> with.
>
> 5) Here people have talked about the Left's so-called secularism. I am
> relating two incidents here, which probably you could also talk about.
>
> The Left has joined with Madani in Kerala, who is allegedly a terrorist, to
> finish off the Muslim League (one of the constituents of the UDF in Kerala
> of which Congress is the dominant partner), and Madani is already regarded
> as a fundamentalist. Directives have been sent by the Kerala Police to
> central intelligence agencies to keep a close watch on Madani and his
> family
> and party. And yet, the Left has aligned with him. This will only promote
> Muslim fundamentalism, as it may encourage the Muslim League to also
> indulge
> in the same and thereby create problems which could assume communal
> character.
>
> The Left in Bengal also didn't allow Taslima Nasreen to stay there. Why?
> Some organizations claiming to speak for Muslims, created problems, and our
> Bengal govt. was bulldozed into submission. What a great going! Why? Isn't
> freedom of speech a right thing to pursue?
>
> What does the Left have to say about these incidents, and what do you have
> to say about this?
>
> 6) Finally about corruption. Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala CPI (M) former
> minister, has been accused of corruption in the power scam regarding a
> Canada company, and no less than the CBI has asked for permission to
> prosecute him. His govt is sitting on the permission and doing nothing,
> while he has joined with Madani. What should we conclude from that?
>
> I am against right-wing politics certainly, but this too can't be ignored.
>
> Regards
>
> Rakesh
> _________________________________________
> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
> Critiques & Collaborations
> To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with
> subscribe in the subject header.
> To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list
> List archive: &lt;https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>