Till the recent Cabinet reshuffle, Mukul Roy was minister of state for railways. Following Mamata Banerjee’s accession to the West Bengal throne, the Railways portfolio was under the charge of the Prime Minister: exactly the plea Roy took when defying the PM’s diktat. “I am not the Railway Minister, the Prime Minister is” Roy is reported to have said.

Roy, it is learnt, was acting on instructions from his party chief Mamata Banerjee who is reported to have told him to stay put till the Prime Minister allocates the Railway portfolio to Trinamool Congress and named a full fledged Railway Minister. Roy was then tipped to be Railway Minister but how he lost out to party colleague Dinesh Trivedi is a matter of much speculation. One version being that his defiance of PM’s instructions cost him his portfolio.

Irrespective, though Mukul Roy was acing at the behest of Banerjee and playing his own politics, his staying away did save the injured much misery. For it is common knowledge that when VIPs visit disaster and accident sites, there is confusion and chaos with officials leaving all work and lining up to escort VIPs to the injured or victims families as the case maybe. In hospitals, medical attention and aid takes a backseat and doctors shift focus from patients to the VIPs.

Ofcourse it is a catch-22 situation: damned if they do and damned if they don’t. If those in power do not go, then they are slammed by the Opposition parties and sometimes even the people for being insensitive; if they do they are criticized for bringing things to a standstill. Work is not and cannot be normal because doctors and hospital staff stand in attendance for the VIP; relatives are shoo-ed away and banned entry for security reasons and patients are put on hold. Hence a VIP visit means gaining political points but losing the real game: the human game.

I would want to see a politician who would say forget what the people say but I will not create confusion and add to the chaos by going there simply because I want to score a point. Or one who would go there quietly without the paraphernalia, security men,cops and escort vehicles clearing roads from routine traffic. I would want to see a politician who would say that politics apart, I do not want to inconvenience the already traumatized people who need aid more than lip service from VIPs.

I would want to see people in power monitor relief and ensure help rather than focusing on how soon can they get to the site and which of their rival parties they better. I would rather that they stay in the background and call the shots; not let things slip; instead ensure that the injured get what it takes to make them comfortable.

For instance when Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi visited the hospital where the injured were, patients were told to vacate beds and stand since the bed-sheets had to be replaced; those who were livid at the mismanagement of patient care were shifted to wards which Gandhi was not expected to visit, relatives were roughed up because they cried foul. After Rahul Gandhi, it was BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Uma Bharti’s turn and before that Union minister Sriprakash Jaiswal.

The motto: VIPs should go back happy while the patients can go to hell.

While on Gandhi, one needs to ponder over his statement on the Mumbai terror attack. His and union home minister Chidambaram’s.

Gandhi’s statement that blasts happen everywhere and Chidambaram’s that the terrorists chose places, which were congested and had dense population. If Gandhi’s statement was somewhat dismissive, Chidambaram’s was shocking. Worse still his saying that whoever has perpetrated the attacks has “worked in a very clandestine manner”, seems to suggest that he was hoping that terrorists would call him, announce their intent and target before the kill.

He seems to be out of depth.

At another level, Chidambaram reiterated that the bombing would not derail efforts to improve ties with Pakistan: “We are neighbors. Living in the most troubled neighborhood, every part of India is vulnerable,” he said.

It is “soft speak” which will be the government’s undoing. People’s anger at repeated onslaughts by Pakistan or “proxy war” to borrow BJP’s LK Advani’s term, is now visible and vocal. Not only do they want the government to act but also to come down clearly, sharply and heavily on Pakistan with a “this far and no further” policy. In other words an “enough is enough” message that should translate into severing ties till results do not show on the ground.

The first step could be to hang Kasab and the second to tell the world and through its actions to Pakistan that India’s policy of tolerance should not be mistaken for its weakness.

BJP’s LK Advani calls Dr Singh a Sonia nominated Prime Minister. He also warns against a scion of the Nehru family taking over the reins of the PM: “India” says Advani “cannot be led either by a weak PM or an inexperienced PM”.

Congress’s Digvijay Singh stating that time is ripe for Rahul Gandhi to be PM: “Rahul” said Singh “is a mature person with sound political instincts and can become the Prime Minister. Rahul is now 40 and has been working for the party for the last seven to eight years”.

Congress spokesman Manish Tewari saying that Congressmen want to see Rahul as PM: “Rahul Gandhi” Tewari said “should become Prime Minister is the aspiration and desire of Congress workers and if anyone is expressing it he or she is not committing any crime”.

This apart, Congress circles are keenly watching the developments surrounding the next President of India. The present incumbent Pratibha Patil’s term ends next year and there is speculation about who will make it to Rashtrapati Bhawan after her. There are several theories doing the rounds one being that Dr Manmohan Singh will be pushed upstairs to make way for Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Minister.

The other is that with parliamentary elections still three years away, Rahul stepping into Manmohan Singh’s shoes at this juncture may be ill timed. With things being the way they are and the Government smeared with scams and mis-governance, it is the Prime Minister who is in the eye of a storm. Rahul Gandhi stepping in at this stage could adversely affect his image given that there is very little that he can set right before the next elections. As against this if he were projected in 2014 when the elections are due, he would come in with a clean slate and at a time when the country would be looking for a change and a fresh face. Rahul’s sycophants believe that then time will be opportune for the country to vote him in as Prime Minister. His image they say will help rejuvenate the party, which seems to have lost its moorings and is somewhat slipping down from the popularity ladder.

However, what one needs to keep in mind is that most of this is conjecturing and wishful thinking on part of Congressmen. It is Rahul Gandhi’s supporters who trumpet his popularity and perceive that the country is dying to see him as their Prime Minister. Do a reality check and the story turns out to be quite different from what Gandhi loyalists would want scripted.

The ground reality is that being elected Prime Minister is not a cakewalk. Rahul has a long way to go and there are differences even within the Congress on his next role. Of course no one dare say anything except mouth praise for Rahul and how the country would be derailed if he did not jump in to save it, but there is a growing perception that the Congress will not be in a position to call the shots three years from now.

The current writing on the wall is visible and clear. Even though the Congress would happily turn a blind eye to it, there is no escaping the truth that if it does not do damage-control, it may have a tough time occupying center-stage, leave alone anointing Rahul as Prime Minister. The first test was during Bihar state elections where despite Rahul Gandhi’s tours, camping and campaigning, the Congress had a poor showing. Though not audible, post Bihar elections, there were murmurs within the Congress on the viability of brand Rahul. The next test were the Assembly elections to five states where once again the Congress did pretty badly. Now all eyes are on 2012 when the UP elections are due. Rahul’s foray’s into Mayawati’s domain, his leading the farmers and taking on the Uttar Pradesh government head-on is nothing short of aggression. Given that Rahul is leading the anti Maya campaign, Congress electoral performance in 2012 will be crucial in determining the impact of Rahul Gandhi outside the Congress and on the electorate. That would also be a good indicator on Congress prospects two years from then i.e. in 2014.

Consequently, whatever the Singhs and Tewari in the Congress tout or sell to their partymen, Rahul’s future will be determined by the outcome of elections be it Uttar Pradesh or Parliament. With regional leaders like Nitish Kumar, Jayalalitha and Mamata Banerjee emerging on the national scene, the choices are many and the going may get tough for the Congress. Therefore even if the Congress is banking on the three year lead period to set things right, the electorate may just spring a surprise on it. At least so it seems the way things are as of now.

In a recent interview Gadkari said that the mandir issue is an important one for the BJP: “It is not about politics. It is about the faith of Hindus. It is not that the elections are here and we need to bring in Ram Lalla” he said. Even while denying that the BJP wants to cash in on Ram mandir for electoral benefit, Gadkari ended up doing just that. His denial was more an affirmation that the BJP is looking at Ram and his mandir to revive its fortunes.

Gadkari, it seems, is totally out of tune with current mood of the nation and its people. Gripped with the issue of corruption and rising prices, the electorate does not want to rewind bloody times. Nor go back to the communal divide that had ripped the nation post Babri masjid demolition. The scars have yet to heal: perhaps they never will. Yet Time drowned Memory and people decided to get on with their lives rather than spend time hating each other. Today they are united in fighting corruption and decrying the Government’s misdeeds. Today they come together as a nation to tell the Government that enough is enough and if it does not set its house in order, then it would be shown the door sooner than later. If that happens, then there is open space for opposition parties like the BJP to step in and take charge if possible. That is only if Gadkari lets them.

By giving the mandir call, he is only doing what is suicidal and misreading the writing on the wall. The disenchanted people of this country are looking out for someone—a person or party– to steer the nation out of the clutches of religion, caste and misgovernance: in other words free it from archaic mindsets and leaders who have exploited non issues to the hilt and often used irrelevant themes to ride the wave of power.

Gadkari’s mandir call is a reminder of that past which had once whipped up a religious frenzy. While it cannot be denied that the issue helped revive the BJP and brought it centre stage, it also must be remembered that BJP’s failure to honour its promise of constructing the ram mandir was its undoing. Consequently, Gadkari’s attempt to bring ram mandir back on track is a non-starter. It is one, which has a sting of betrayal and suffers from trust deficit. Under the circumstances, the BJP would do better if it confines itself to contemporary issues. On these it is proving to be an effective Opposition: in other words doing a damn good job be it stalling Parliament on the issue of corruption or staging protests outside.

But all this till Gadkari opened his mouth and with one single statement erased the gains that had showed up in BJP’s balance sheet in recent months.

This brings me to another point: rather a problem the BJP faces in projecting a national face. Gadkari certainly is nowhere near being one. Its younger leaders be it Sushma Swaraj or Arun Jaitley cannot match up to Manmohan Singh who even though he is non performing is still seen as a man with integrity. This is not to suggest that Swaraj and Jaitley are not but when it comes to the issue of national acceptability, they fall short.

To my mind BJP’s best bet is LK Advani. For the moment, till its younger leadership is ready to don the mantle, Advani is the party’s answer to the Congress. He is a tall leader and the BJP can look upto and depend on him to fill its leadership vacuum. If the BJP intends to remain relevant and make a national impact then it has no choice but to turn to Advani. The timing could not be better given that the Congress is on a backfoot. The BJP needs to seize the opportunity and the sooner it does this the better for it. Unless ofcourse it wants to write its epitaph. Gadkari’s mandir call, to my mind, seems to be the first step in that direction.

It was on June 4 that Ramdev began his fast unto death called the “Satyagraha against corruption”. He had vowed to call it off only if the government drafted a strong anti corruption Bill. He had demanded death sentence for the corrupt as the main clause in the proposed legislation.

The Government did not budge. Far from even appearing to take note of Ramdev’s protest or express concern about his health, it watched the events unfolding from the sidelines. And when Ramdev could not carry his cause for more than eight days, it had the last laugh. Rightly and justifiably.

Baba Ramdev arrives to address a press conference in Haridwar.

First the so called guru jumps off the stage in panic when cops descend on Ramlila ground and is among the first few to run instead of facing up to them; then he escapes in a feminine attire which fit him so well that it was difficult to believe that it was borrowed and not tailor-made for him. The he lands in Uttaranchal and announces a fast unto death which he cannot sustain beyond a few days—eight to be precise. And even in those eight days his health deteriorated faster than an average man’s would. He was admitted to hospital given that he was suffering from a low pulse rate and dehydration.

It took little effort for Congress’ Digvijay Singh to call Ramdev a “fake ascetic”. Singh said: “Jain monks fast for at least 25-30 days and drink only water throughout. But this great ascetic could not fast for five days? This is the only difference between a fake ascetic and a real one”. He added: “If he had kept a fast for some demands then he should not have broken it without their being fulfilled. It was all a nautanki”. A farce.

Baba Ramdev tears up as he speaks to journalists from his ashram in Haridwar.

At the risk of being ripped apart by Ramdev’s followers many among them who abused me when I had agreed with Digvijay Singh calling him a thug, I would go along with Singh’s latest observation about his being a fake ascetic.

I have yet another score to settle with Ramdev besides his dubious deals and the large amounts of wealth he has amassed. And that is his call to his cadres for an armed rebellion. Is he engineering a war within the state? Or instigating people to take up arms and disrupt peace? I think Digvijay failed on this count: In addition to taking on Ramdev on his yogic powers, rather absence of them, he should also have rapped him for his provocative statements and branded him as an anti national. To me Ramdev is nothing short of that. Anyone who can call for an armed rebellion and uprising against the state is insane and anti national. Ramdev fits the bill.

I settled for a sandwich and as usual it came with tomato ketchup. I never understand why in most places in India, ketchup is a must. I also do not know why mustard, French or any other, is a rarity. So as I am prone to do every time I order a sandwich, I asked for mustard. The waiter simply smiled and used sign language to say that he could not hear. I was a bit stumped. Maybe he had an ear infection or a temporary ailment which had perhaps affected his hearing, I concluded. I tried once again to explain but made little headway. Ofcourse the manager pitched in and supplied sachets of mustard.

A little later another waiter stopped by our table and with an infectious smile nodded and cleared the clutter. I then asked him for the menu. He nodded, used a sign language and said that he could not hear. This time around I thought someone was playing a prank. Two waiters serving guests and physically challenged? A coincidence or by design? The reporter in me egged me to call the manager to check this out. I did only to be told that it was part of the management policy to hire hearing-impaired personnel and give them respectable jobs. More importantly put them in the forefront to interact with the guests. In other words make them the face of the café.

Personally, the idea struck me as brilliant. Jobs apart, the confidence this would instill in those the society has ignored was the key point. Add to that the fact that those relegated to back benches for decades on end, could now form part of the mainstream.

I needed to find out more: whether this was a one off thing or a well thought out policy. Following my conversation with the manager, who by now was beginning to get a bit uncomfortable at my persistent questioning, I discovered it was neither: not a one off thing nor a well thought out policy. From what I gathered it was an all India initiative by Devyani International Limited. DIL is an all India franchisee for Costa Coffee and also runs KFC outlets in the city. The company had, the manager, informed me decided to induct in every outlet he ran at least two or more waiters. In this particular outlet in Safdarjang Development Area, off IIT gate in South Delhi, of the 12 employees, five cannot hear.

Irrespective of their hearing impairment, the management had trained them well in their jobs and instilled in them the confidence to signal to the customer upfront that they had a hearing problem rather than trying to push it under the carpet or being apologetic about it. That to my mind was the most important thing about this initiative: to make them feel equal and look us in the eye and help us confront facts which they live with day in and out.

I later discovered that the regulars to this café first went up to the counter, greeted these waiters and then placed the order. Some I noticed insisted on being served by them. It was no rocket science to figure out that these pleasantly smiling young men were the face of this coffee chain.

It was my first experience but one which gave me goose-pimples and helped me to make a promise: My coffee always at Costa and fried chicken at KFC.

Another point struck me: that this initiative is one from the heart and not with a bid to woo the market on humanitarian grounds or tell people that drinking a costa coffee means helping the physically challenged. None of that. In fact till asked the management does not even speak about it and treats it as normal. That, as I said, is the strong point of this exercise: bring them at par and give them the confidence to deal with their physical state as we would our mundane problems rather than showcase them as guinea pigs to be stared at, sympathized with or cashed in on. I could not touch base with the the initiaters but through this space I salute them for their silent contribution to touching lives often ignored.

I also ask politicians to take lessons in dignity from such people. I ask their sycophants to stop elevating political leaders to demi gods and spending hundreds and thousands of rupees celebrating their birthdays, carting kilos and kilos of inedible cake or putting up life size posters all over the city. Instead follow this initiative and do something to change lives.

As for the yoga guru’s credibility it has taken a hit as never before. His secret parleys with the Government, to the extent of his driving to a hotel to strike a deal and then asking the government to keep the agreement under wraps, only exposes the stuff he is made of: one who can go to any extent for personal gain and use a cause to promote himself. His alleged crusade about black money is like a prayer is to an atheist.

The Ramlila ground drama where Ramdev ran for his life disguising himself as a woman only adds to my disgust.

I am also with Union Minister Kapil Sibal when he says that Ramdev went back on his word. That is what Ramdev is capable of.

I may not agree with the government bending over backwards and rolling the red carpet for a man who does not deserve any attention, least of all the government’s; neither can I digest that four senior ministers went to the airport to receive Ramdev: Make God out of a minion and the consequences will be yours to suffer. That apart you would be a laughing stock. This is exactly what happened to the Government and this is what it deserves for behaving so stupidly when it has come to self-styled crusaders.

As I have said earlier it is thanks to Manmohan Singh’s boys that they made a national hero out of Anna Hazare who till his Delhi sojourn was hardly known outside his home state of Maharashtra. Having mishandled the Hazare episode, another was waiting to happen: Ramdev’s did sooner than later except that Ramdev is not Hazare; nor does he have the Gandhian’s commitment, honesty, conviction, selflessness or the fire for a cause. Unlike Hazare Ramdev has a personal agenda, which he is pushing to the hilt.

Apart from the gross mishandling of the situation by the Government, I am, ofcourse, appalled at its flip-flop.

First there is a police crackdown at the Ramlila Grounds where Ramdev and his supporters were agitating. Obviously such an action was not possible without being cleared at the highest level. Consequently, for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh terming the police action as “unfortunate” and Congress’s Anil Shastri saying that the Congress party had nothing to do with it only smacks of the incoherence within the party and the growing distance between the party and the government: neither new nor recent.

Worse still, Sibal’s assertion yesterday that the government and the party are acting in tandem fell flat in the face of Anil Shastri’s tweeting that Mrs Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi would have never ordered police action. There is more. In less than 48 hours, the National Commission for women, a government body, also pitched in and demanded a probe into the police action.

There is still more: the absurdity of the Congress following the shoe-throwing incident at its spokesman Janardhan Dwivedi. Encore Digvijay Singh and his charge parroted by another spokesman Manish Tewari. Both alleged that this is the handiwork of the RSS. The facts being that at the regular press briefing, a man, allegedly a journalist walked upto the dais and nearly flung his shoe at Dwivedi. Ofcourse he was first beaten up and later sent into police custody while the Congress lost no time in laying the blame at the doorstep of the RSS. Defies logic because at a time when the attention and focus has been on the BJP, thanks to its 24-hour satyagraha where senior leaders, including L.K.Advani, congregated at Rajghat, only fools would want it diverted.

The shoe-throwing incident did certainly shift focus towards the Congress and both Ramdev and protesting BJP were willy nilly forgotten. In this context, I would agree with a perception, though cynical, that since it is the Congress gain to shift focus from the BJP at this point in time, it could be its brainchild to orchestrate a shoe-throwing incident and then paint the RSS-BJP black. Whoever strategized the sequence of events, did succeed in a focus shift from Ramdev and BJP back to the Congress.