Though the adage goes that ‘first impression is the best impression’, the wise men say that it always helps to take more time than that before judging about a person. Perhaps that was something even the common man should have done before building a castle of hope on the budding politician Jayaprakash Narayan, founder of ‘Lok Satta’ party.
The GHMC polls are set to happen and canvassing is slowly taking heat. Now, JP has come up with a rather unusual ad which has perplexed and produced smiles on the faces of the listeners. This is being aired on a famous FM radio channel. The gist goes in JP’s voice that ‘nagaramlo chikun gunya, dengue feverlu prajalni peedistunnayi, aa baadhanunchi bayata padaalante…eeela veyyandi, lok sattani gelipinchandi’ and so on… those who have heard this say that the ad is without a punch and this coming from a supposedly intelligent man was an irony.
Apparently, JP is considered to be a master strategist, a reformist and ‘Lok Satta’ was a critically acclaimed political party which comprises of a team of intellectuals. There was a good report in last elections as well and despite several denials, the fact remains that the TDP took the brickbats due to JP and his men by splitting votes in many constituencies.
While this seems to be the bright side, here is the flip side. Many analysts are now saying that JP’s words are sharp but all this is not seen in actions. As it is, he has got the criticism that there is no cadre built in party and the voters now feel that JP is good only to write books and give speeches.
But the recent ad seems to have spoiled his gift of gab impression as well. Even the intellectuals those voted for him in last elections feel that he is taking the path of routine politician with mundane oaths and statements.
While JP has been ranting about caste free politics, he must not forget few facts, it has become a dictum of sorts that seat allocation is done on caste basis only. For that matter, even Lok Satta has indulged in such practice during the general election. JP is known to be a statesman but then with each passing day, the layer is peeling itself away and one can see that he belongs to the same genre of politicians who believe in shallow commitments and not much of actions. And with ads like ‘Eela kottandi, Dengue ni, Chikun gunya ni tarimikottandi’ being aired around, one can imagine what the future will be like if voters go by JP’s words and Lok Satta shows its ‘satta’ in elections.
The time has not run out on this former IAS officer. He still has enough space to make up for any flaws and if he believes to be one among the people then introspection and the chivalry to accept feedback and work on it must be his priorities to be worked upon.
His impressive speeches should transform into inspiring actions.
-Venkat Arikatla
Chief Editor
