India Against Corruption – now, a Naram Dal and Garam Dal

Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal brought lot of hope and enthusiasm to the nation tainted with scams of the order of lakhs-crore of Rupees. India Against Corruption (IAC) – a movement led by Gandhian Anna Hazare and the youthful Arvind Kejriwal – together with association of creditable Kiran Bedi and the Bhushans did raise enough storm to force the politicians in introducing the Lokpal Bill in Lok Sabha – though it didn’t match with the Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by Team Anna.

The recent split between the main leads Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal has come as a shock and surprise to one and all. But, the government must be breathing sigh of relief!

Upon formalisation of the split, I see a direct analogy between the Naram Dal and Garam Dal of Indian National Congress and the split between Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal of India Against Corruption. I would like to call Anna Hazare as the Naram Dal leader for his Gandhian ways and Arvind Kejriwal as that of the Garam Dal for his youthful character and enthusisam. While the split of ideologies between Naram Dal and Garam Dal of Indian National Congress in 1907 weakened the Congress which eventually resulted in the Independence Movement losing its steam, the split between Hazare and Kejriwal is a death blow to a movement of such a national importance. Hopeful Youths and people  – who gave momentum to this movement must have been feeling cheated by IAC.

Asom Gan Parishad – which took birth as a result of six year long agitation by All Assam Students Union (AASU) – was once a party led by highly motivated student leaders with clean image. But today, it is just like any other political party with same type of political leadership.  I fear the same for Arvind Kejriwal’s proposed political party – it won’t be different than any other party – if it starts winning seats!

Anna Hazare’s decision to split with Arvind Kejriwal does not seems to be a right decision for either of them or for the country. They have only weakened themselves and the cause for which they all came together. It would have been a wise decision – had Anna Hazare stayed with Kejriwal to take up the cause further and farther. Team Anna should have resolved that themselves shall not fight for election but would form a political party where they could put up candidates with impeccable past and credentials. Team Anna should have worked as a guiding force and mentor for the party.

May be, today they have parted ways and tomorrow they might be together again with much clarity on how to take the movement further in making India a corruption free nation!

Best wishes to the Naram dal and Garam Dal of Team Anna (!) and the young brigade of youthful India.