These days the media is having a field day by constantly highlighting the possibility of a direct fight for the PM's post between Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi. The elections are a good one year away into mid 2014, but the battle seems to have already begun. It is indeed ironical that Rahul keeps saying he does not want to become PM but everyone is convinced that if UPA comes back to power he will be the PM. On the other side is Modi who desperately wants to become the PM but still it is not clear whether his party declaring him as its PM candidate will be able to keep its NDA allies together.

Thus while one is reluctant the other is polarizing. One is claiming to be in the learning mode the other is already in the governing mode. One looks like a hesitant starter the other is already a veteran .One looks like a lamb the other is like a lion. If one is the Goliath the other is the David. Will a contest between the two be between equals?

In most of the surveys Rahul lags behind Modi in public's choice for the post of PM. However in their own parties they are the first choices. If Rahul is somewhat savy Modi is a street fighter. While Rahul is not abusive Modi can go to any level. Ironically the liking of the country's youth seems to be the 'elder' Modi rather than the young Rahul. If Rahul is their because of the family he is born in Modi has risen through the ranks the hard way. He has thus earned his position while Rahul has inherited it.

Will their parties project them as their PM candidates is an interesting question? If Modi is announced as BJP's candidate for PM's post, some allies like JD(U) can be expected to walk out of the NDA alliance. Only if BJP on its own can get 180 - 200 seats in the Lok Sabha, then it can impose Modi as PM on its allies. If they get 140 to 150 seats or less and are in a position to form a government then the allies will indirectly decide BJP's PM candidate. The chances of BJP getting 180 to 200 seats seems to be unlikely as they are not present in many States of India which becomes a handicap for them. Even at the height of their popularity under Atal Behari Vajpayee they could get only 146 seats in the Lok Sabha in 1999. 

The Congress got 205 seats in the 2009 elections and were voted to power for a second time. However during this period the various scams have dented their image considerably. The runaway inflation and high prices are going to go against them. Dr Manmohan Singh is no longer seen as an effective leader but more as a bureaucrat. Moreover his age may also come in his way. In such scenario will the Congress expose Rahul and if defeated, dent the image of the Gandhi family and risk the loss of control of the party. If Congress is able to get same number of seats as in 2009 they can be in a better position to form the government once again. In such scenario Rahul could become the PM. However given his reluctance to assume office someone other than Manmohan Singh could become PM. One should not rule out Manmohan Singh as the PM again in 2014 if UPA comes back to power.

Thus the chances of both Congress and BJP announcing Rahul and Modi as their PM candidates respectively  before elections seem to be very low. In the meantime the electronic and print media can go on projecting a battle between the two. The social media can go on adding umpteen jokes for the 'papu' Rahul and the 'fenku' Modi. Who will be the next PM will be decided post elections in 2014 or earlier.

Introduction

The world is gripped by two ideologies- Free enterprise capitalism that exploits the downtrodden and working class on one hand and Marxist socialism and communism that curbs individual freedom.  There is also a third stream that consists of non Marxist varieties of socialism, which claims to give best of both worlds and ensure that the society is free from exploitation and also that individual liberty is not compromised. When we think of this variety of 'socialism', Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia invariably comes to our mind.

Brief life history 

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia was born on 23rd March 1910 in Akbarpur, Ambedkarnagar District, Uttar Pradesh. His father, Hira Lal was a nationalist. His lost his mother at an early age. He was introduced to nationalist movement in his very childhood. He got an opportunity to meet Mahatma Gandhi in the course of Satyagraha when he was hardly ten years old. He got his education in Benaras Hindu University. He was also educated in Calcutta and Berlin universities. 

His role on freedom struggle 

Dr. Loha was initiated to independence movement when he was not even in his teens. His father took him along on a meeting with Mahatma Gandhi. He participated in satyagraha at age of ten years. He mixed his student career with independence movement. When he came to know that Maharaja of Bikaner, a close ally of British,  was attending League of Nations Assembly, he entered visitors gallery and protested from there. He also created public opinion by writing letters to editors of many newspaper. This courageous and unique action made him very prominent. He organized 'Association of European Indians' of which he became secretary.

Dr. Lohia also played an important role in formulating foreign policy of Independent India even before actual independence. He was active in Congress Socialist Party. He was also associated with foreign affairs department of Congress. 

Dr. Lohia saw in second world war an opportunity for collapse of the British. He actively participated in movement for boycotting all British institutions. He made many fierce speeches. This irritated the British government, which led to his arrest on 24th May 1939. But the government also feared youth reaction. So, he was released just the next day.

Dr. Lohia was also an eminent writer. His pen was a weapon that British government feared. This is evident from the fact that his article 'Satyagraha Now'  in Harijan on first June 1940 led to his arrest and a jail sentence for two years. It is worth mention that even the magistrate while delivering his sentence praised Dr Lohia as "a top class scholar, civilized gentleman, having liberal ideology and high moral character".

The Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi had to say about him: "I cannot sit quiet as long as Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia is in prison. I do not yet know a person braver and simpler than him. He never propagated violence. Whatever he has done has increased his esteem and his honor."  

Dr. Lohia made best use of his pen against British rule not only in India but also abroad. He used a secret printing press for making and distributing literature, pamphlets, posters etc on theme of 'Do or die' in the year 1942 when many leaders were in jail. He also made many broadcasts from a secret radio. The secret radio was called 'Congress Radio'. Dr. Lohia was underground most of the time during which period he operated from places like Calcutta, Nepal. In May 1944, the British police captured him. He was brutally tortured in the infamous Lahore jail. On Gandhiji's pressure, Dr. Lohia and Jai Prakash Narain were released.

Dr. Lohia did not restrict himself only to Indian mainland activities. Most freedom fighters were confined to their particular regions or at best, Indian mainland. But Dr. Lohia had contacts with the leaders in Nepal and Goa also. Goa was not in British India and so Pt Nehru did not favor Dr. Lohia participating in any movement there. But Gandhi had different view. Lohia intervened in politics of Goa and helped Communist movement there. Dr. Lohia was arrested by authorities in Goa and imprisoned for a brief spell after which He was expelled. Gandhi resented the action of Goan government. In response to arrest and expulsion of Dr. Lohia, Gandhi said: "The little Portuguese settlement can ill afford to ape its bad manners. In free India, Goa cannot be allowed to exist as a separate entity in laws of the free state."

Gandhi's words were not empty. Eventually, Goa was also liberated by Independent India armed forces. Gandhi also remarked: :....it is ridiculous .... to write of Portugal as the motherland of the Indians of Goa. Their mother country is as much India as is mine. Goa is outside British India, but it is within geographical India as a whole."

Lohia repeatedly attempted to enter Goa but he gave up his attempt on Gandhi's  advice.

Dr. Lohia had contact with Nepal politicians as well as mentioned earlier in this article. He brought a parallel movement to Bring Nepal within Indian state. Although he had good rapport with popular Nepalese leaders- Koiralas and Nepal Congress, public opinion in Nepal was opposed to his move.    

His role in Free India     

Dr. Lohia was not in power politics. He chose to remain outside government. He formed socialist Party.  He was a genuine left wing leader. He was always on side of toiling millions. He became a member of parliament in 1963. His views on conditions of poor are very significant. He raised the issue of huge spending of Rs. 25,000/- per day on Prime Minister whereas a vast sizable population had to love on three annas a day. Pt Nehru challenged this saying that the official figure according to plannin commission was fifteen anna. This controversy is known as 'Teen anna pandrah anna'  (three anna- fifteen anna).  

Dr. Lohia was not just an intellectual socialist. There are many Left wing revolutionaries who live lavishly.  He was socialist not just by head but also by heart. When he saw a large number of doctors around him when he was sick, he got annoyed. When vast millions are without basic facilities including medical care, Dr. Lohia could not digest the spectacle of so many doctors attending on him.

Admirably, Dr. Lohia never cared for money. He was a true missionary. He said what he thought and did what he said. It is worth mention that he left behind no property or bank balance when he died. He died on 12th October 1967. He was unmarried. There is an incident worth recall. In 1933, he was to return to India. He had no money left for airfare. He raised necessary money by writing an article on a national issue.

Dr. Lohia was more eminent than any other leader in opposition camp. It is worth recall that Svetlana, Stalin's daughter had married Brijesh Singh, an Indian communist and uncle of Dinesh Singh, an influential congress leader and one time external affairs minister. Swetlana was desperately moving here and there for extending her visa. To her mind came Dr. Lohia. She contacted him when he was busy in election campaign. Lohia promised her to fight and not leave and he would fight her case in parliament. Dr. Lohia took full advantage of Swetlana issue and said- "This is the difference between Europe and India. The daughter of Stalin is running around in circles to extend her visa while the daughter of Nehru is India's prime minister.     

His ideology 

Dr. Lohia believed in equality of gender. He opposed all inequality based on gender, caste or creed. He believed in mass movements. He would say- Live communities do not wait for five years. We witnessed a mass movement aimed at 'total revolution' led by Jai Prakash Narain following Lohia'a ideas. Howsoever well meaning, it goes without saying that the Lohia socialists had no concrete blue print for nation's progress. Mere pious wishes do not help. Mass movements without concrete future plan for nation building ultimately lead to chaos, disorder and anarchy. Total revolution is an abstract term that means nothing. Contrast with this with Nehru's vision of 'socialistic pattern of society'.  Nehru firmly believed that equitable distribution of wealth follows and not precedes wealth production. First you have to generate wealth. Any other way will make the rich poor but will not help the poor. Distribution of poverty is not socialism. Equitable Distribution of wealth is socialism. 

Lack of concrete plan for building socialism in India led to a negative movement for opposing Congress for opposition sake only. This led to joining of diverse forces- right wing communal elements to left radicals only for ousting Congress. Consequently, many non congress SVD (Samyukta Vidhayak Dal) governments were formed in several states. Ironically, some of these included also rebel congress. Thus even the Congress rebels became non congress or anti congress and fitted in the anti congress movement of Lohia socialists. There is no doubt that such opportunism leads nowhere.  That is why most Lohia followers are today following caste and region politics.  

He viewed that there should be same education for all- rich and poor.  He wanted to abolish private schools and instead upgrade government schools.  Dr. Lohia was against everything inherited from British. This even extended to absurdity. He opposed English very blindly. Such opposition has been very damaging to Hindi speaking regions. He would say that British ruled  with bullet and English language (bandook ki goli aur angrezi ki boli).  Opposition to English  was so blind that even the sign boards on shops and number plates on vehicles were damaged by mobs under influence of Lohia's ideology. He little realized that eminent Indian writers like Dr. S. Radha Krishnan, C. Raja Gopalachari, Sarojani Naidu wrote in English. Dr. Lohia would also have campaigned abroad for independence in English. It is not only the British who use bullet and English. Indians also need bullets and English both.  

Though a Left revolutionary leader, he was opposed to Marxism as well as to capitalism. He viewed that there is same technique of production in capitalism and Marxism. In capitalism means of production are owned and managed by capitalists. Communism needs a centralized state and political party. Both are repressive. He favored a decentralized economy and disliked use of heavy machinery. He would rather promote village and small units. This is near to Gandhian and sarvodaya concepts. His concept of socialism is rather vague. This naturally led to decay of Non Marxist socialist concept.  The Non Marxist socialism degenerated to regional and caste politics. Today, we have regional political parties that claim succession of Lohia ideology but these are 'socialist' in name but really caste and region based. 

Despite utter failure of Lohia Brand socialism, we can say without fear of contradiction that he was most selfless and honest leader. His stature is and will remain far above the arm chair revolutionaries who live luxuriously and pay lip sympathy to people's cause. It is about such people that a poet wrote-

Kaum Ke gham men khatey hain hukkam ke saath; Ranj leader ko bahut hai magar araam ke sath'. (Worried about nation, he dines with the rulers. The leader is very serious but comfortably).        

It has now become a practice that in order to get their view point across the concerned political party has to create a scenario in the Parliament which will force the Speaker to adjourn the House usually for the whole day. The members are so happy at having stalled the proceedings that they proudly proclaim it repeatedly to waiting journalists and in TV debates. When reminded that Parliament is meant to function, they take umbrage under the plea that they are following a permitted Parliamentary practice.

Irrespective of the political party, all of them regularly stall the House proceedings. Even in the Upper House where one would expect more maturity from the Members the story is the same.The art of resolving issues through dialogue, debate and  discussion seems to have been forgotten. Our MP's are now behaving more as corporate executives. They are acting like managers heavily involved in procedures. Leaders are supposed to have vision which inspires others.

Ever since the House proceedings are being televised it is very rare to hear scintillating debates or intelligent repartees amongst the Members. Humour is a casualty.Wisdom is rarely on display. What is on display is members almost regularly walking into the well of the House and shouting slogans in front of the Speaker. By now all of us know the Speaker will adjourn the House first for a few minutes then for  a couple of hours and finally for the whole day. Like school kids the members must be feeling thrilled to have one more day off.

There was a time when the Speaker was in control of the House. When he/she would get up all standing members would sit down. Today the Speaker has to repeatedly remind the members to sit because he/she is on her feet. Frequently one sees how members do not allow a member to speak when he is called upon to do so by the Speaker. I have seen many times members who rarely speak, have come with home work and are getting a rare opportunity to speak but there are other members who are least considerate and keep shouting and do not allow him to speak.

Obstructing the house proceedings and forcing adjournments seems to be the style of contribution of increasing number of members. It does not require one to do home work nor does it require to hone speaking skills. Shouting at one's highest pitch is all that is required. I regularly watch the proceedings on TV. By now I am able to identify members who are ace hecklers, or who can shout best or who can go on speaking beyond their allotted time and so on. Most of the time one gets to hear only 'Baith jayiye" from the Speaker. 

What sort of message is going from the House to the country? What are the youth of the country to learn from the House proceedings regarding problem resolution styles. The message seems to be obstruction, shouting and not allowing the House to function. It is my way or highway type approach. Coalition politics is emboldening parties with handful of members to dictate to parties ten times with larger representation. The need to stay in power is forcing submission to such stalling and obstructing partners by larger ruling partners.

What is the way out?. One way is that the people should elect a single party with a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha. This is easier said than done. The regional parties are themselves strong and the coalition politics is going to stay for many more decades. Therefore one does not see a way out. Dialogue and discussion will not be the way to forward one's agenda. It will continue to be slogan shouting,walking into the well of the house and getting its proceedings adjourned day after  day as has happened couple of times in the past.

In many educational Institutes one way of teaching cooperation in problem solving was to hold mock 'parliaments' wherein procedures would be followed and speech giving was encouraged. Wonder what type of mock Parliaments are being held these days, if they are being held at all. The days when one could see and listen to oratory of the type Vajpayee or Jyotiromy Basu or Piloo Modi or Minoo Masani or Advani are perhaps not going to return for a long time. The present day MP's just do not have it in them. After all can oratory be genetically passed on?

Introduction 

When we think of post independence leaders who contributed to strengthening of India's base, to our mind come Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. V.K. Krishna Menon, former Defence minister has been almost forgotten. He was co-architect of India's foreign policy along with Pt Nehru. He represented India many times in United Nations on Kashmir issue very brilliantly. Unlike most others, he was proud of India and showed the whites their place. Although he was proud of his Indian origin, he was not obsessed with ancient Indian culture and other traditions. He had a scientific outlook and had positive attitude towards western values and culture.  He liked the western values but never accepted the 'superiority' of the whites. 

His early life and education 

V.K Krishna was born on the third May 1896 in Kozhikode (now Kerala). His father Komath Krishna Kurup was a very successful and wealthy lawyer. He received his early education in Kozhikode. He obtained graduation in History and Economics from Presidency College Chennai in 1918. While studying in Madras Law college, he developed interest in theosophy. Mrs. Annie Besant recognized his talents and helped him travel to England in 1924. Menon was associated with 'Brothers of service' which was founded by Annie Besant. In England, Krishna Menon studied in London School of Economics as well as University college London. He also edited many journals including Penguin and Pelican books.

Participation in Indian freedom movement

While in Britain, V.K. Krishna Menon was associated with India League. He got in close friendship with Pt Nehru and others including Sir Bertrand Russell and E.M. Forster, author of 'A passage to India'. During the period 1929 to 1947, he utilized the forum of India League to gain widest support for India's freedom. 

His role in independent India 

V.K Krishna Menon was India's High commissioner in United Kingdom until 1952. From 1952 to 1962, he held command of Indian delegation to United Nations.  In 1956, he joined union cabinet first as minister without portfolio. Later, he was assigned the Defence portfolio. During the war with China, India suffered humiliation. Menon was blamed for unpreparedness of India defence forces. Consequently, he had to quit the union cabinet.  But the allegation is untrue. In fact, he had done a yeoman service in making Indian army stronger. He tirelessly worked for enhancing production of weapons for defence.  He had also held portfolio of Defence Production. One failure on battle front cannot negate his role.

Apart from Defence preparedness, he was co-architect of foreign policy. The world was divided in two hostile camps led by United states of America on one side and the other by Soviet Union. Many disliked V.K Krishna Menon for his real or supposed leanings towards Soviet Union. Undoubtedly, V.K Krishma Menon was a true patriot, progressive in thoughts and action. He never accepted so called superiority of white races. He was against colonialism and imperialism. This is natural as he had worked for India's independence from British colonialism. This is what makes him unique. He was truly Indian. With all respect to Pt Nehru, it is significant that he once remarked- "I am the last British in India." Menon was Indian first and Indian last. That is why the imperialist powers disliked him. He had taught the white man his place. Naturally, for his foreign detractors, he was 'Nehru's evil genius'. 

V.K Krishna Menon's role in presenting India's case in United Nations is most significant. He was a very forceful orator. He had a very keen sense of wit. He would hit direct and not mince words. Once he fainted while delivering his speech but soon regained conscience and began where he had left. These days we have no forceful orator or statesman like V.K Krishna Menon. 

It is notable that V.K Krishna Menon contested parliamentary elections from different regions- Bombay (Mumbai), Midnapore (West Bengal) and Trivandrum (Kerala). When denied congress ticket from Mumbai on the plea of 'son of soil' or 'local' issue, he contested independently. Although he belonged to Kerala by birth, he truly not only berlonged to entire nation but to the entire humanity. 

Dubbed as a crypto communist

In those days, the west was sufering from Red Phobia. Anyone who did not support them fully was dubbed as a crypto communist. There is a notorious McCarthy doctrine which led to witch hunting in America. Senator McCarthy believed that there were many communist sympathizers or fellow travelers or crypto communists etc.  V.K. Krishna Menon was also considered a communist sympathizer. There were variants of McCarthy in India also. So, they led by Acharya J.B. Kriplani hunted for heads of progressive leaders like V.K. Krishna Menon. The debacle in Sino-Indian war was an opportunity to seek ouster of V.K. Krishna Menon. The aggressive and non apologetic style of Krishna Menon made matters worse. When asked about allegation of being Pro Russian/ communist sympathizer, he retorted: They may even say that I was born in Russia.        

His simplicity       

V.K Krishna Menon was very simple in his day to day activities. His simplicity was real and not a thing of display. While in Britain working as India's High Commissioner, there was a criticism for his using Rolls Royces cars. Menon replied to the criticism saying that he could scarcely hire a bullock cart to call on 10 Downing street.  But it goes to his credit that he used the official car only for official purposes. Privately, he would commute by double decker bus. He abstained from alcoholic drinks, tobacco and non vegetarian food. He did not even draw salary for his post. This is true simplicity.  

But it is also a fact that he went too far in his contempt for the whites. He was not courteous. This is what made him unpopular with many. Once while traveling to United States, his copassenger- a white- initiated talk with him. This is okay for any cotraveler. But Menon did not respond in a courteous way.

The co passenger- Where are you going?

Menon- United states

Co passenger- Are you going for some official or business work?

Menon: United nations

Co passenger: what is your work in UNO?

Menon: Head of Indian delegation. Any more questions?

The co passenger naturally could not say anything in rest of jhourney.  

Known for Forceful oratory and witty remarks

V.K Krishna Menon was well known for his ready short and witty reply. He would use very sharp and brief words that would silence his oponent leaving him with no further argument. When John Foster Dulles, U.S. Secretary of State argued that U.S. weapons were intended solely for defence against soviet attack, Menon snapped that- "The world has yet to see an American gun that can only shoot in one direction."  Once he said- "I am yet to come across a vegetarian tiger."  Once a British novelist made an ironic remark on English language used by Menon. Menon quickly responded- My English is better than yours. You merely picked it up: I learnt it."   

There is another aspect of Menon's personality. If he felt that he had hurt somebody unjustly, he would make up by gesture like sending gift. Once Lt Gen Kaul happened to take a chair meant for service chiefs. Menon sarcastically commented on this. Lt Gen Kaul appeared annoyed. Later V.K Krisha Menon sent some gift to Lt Gen kaul so as to keep him in good humor. .  

 End of an era

V.K Krishna Menon died at age of 78 years on sixth October 1974. Indira Gandhi remarked that 'a volcano is extinct."  Let me conclude the article with words of Ex President K.R. Narayanan:

India has been fortunate to have had not only a glorious heritage of culture and civilization but a succession of great men from the Buddha to Gandhi, from Ashoka to Nehru, from Kautilya to Krishna Menon.  

Images from wikipedia