What’s happening on the political turf in Uttar Pradesh — the somewhat chaotic but sprawling state where India’s destiny used to be shaped for long — looks interesting and offers some hope for the future.
The young Chief Minister Akhilesh Singh Yadav has virtually revolted against the whims of his father and the old guard in the party, and courageously ejected what he saw as a canker in the governmental establishment.
The ones given marching orders from the state Cabinet in one swift go are powerful newly anointed party chief Shivpal Singh Yadav and three other dissidents. They obviously have solid backing from ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.
This, however, did not desist the Chief Minister from taking a decision that he thought was necessary — to stem the tide of dissidence in the Cabinet and governance mechanisms. Irrespective of whether or not father Mulayam and Mulayam’s younger brother Shivpal Singh would succeed in upsetting Akhilesh’s applecart in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, it showed the CM has taken the matter into his own hands at a critical juncture in his political career.
It is likely that Akhilesh would lose power in the event of a sharp division in the SP legislature party. If he’s out, he would be marching out with his head held high. This could be the stepping stone for success of his political future.
By challenging the powerful old guard led by his father and uncle, Akhilesh has demonstrated decisiveness, which is a rare show in these days. For, a kind of complacence has crept into the vitals of the system, as also the new generation.
Not many from the younger lot are ready to take a stand. The tendency on the part of young leaders is to remain motionless, if only to save their skin from difficult situations thrown up on a daily basis, whether it is from within a party or from rival political establishments.
Many are satisfied with giving a statement or two on television or through press releases, toying familiar lines. There is little effort on the part of the new generation to chart a new course, and this is a perilous trend for the national well-being.
Akhilesh has shown that he represents a new political will, thanks also to his education and grooming. Father Mulayam who was in the forefront of the campaign against English language education and its role in governance and public life, had made it a point to change track when it came to his son’s education.
He ensured a solid schooling for Akhilesh and later higher education in Australia. That gave Akhilesh an exposure to the outside world, which stood him in good stead. As they say, we want our children to have the courage to take a stand, but not against us.
We want them to be independent and have an opinion, but not one that differs from us. Such is the case with Mulayam. Under the present circumstances, the term of office of the UP ministry is nearing an end.
Even if the government is brought down by the old guard in the party with backing from the CMs father and uncle, Akhilesh can take the matter to the public in the immediate future. It might help him win support. If not, he will have the satisfaction that he stood up for what he thought was right, and acted in a decisive manner.
The nation needs to get past an era of complacence on the part of the younger generation; a period that saw them as virtual puppets. Successive political and governmental establishments have made them so.
Rebellion is integral to the success of democracy. It offers a safety valve for frustrations to get heard, to create the right balance and make the dance of democracy more energetic, vibrant and meaningful. Akhilesh has done well in this respect.