04-26-2005, 06:10 PM
<b>Power-centric politics</b>
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The most remarkable aspect to Mrs Gandhi was that she respected both her political friends and foes. I never heard her utter a derogatory remark about her adversaries even when the criticism against her for imposing Emergency was at its height. The victory in 1971 was after a prolonged period of struggle. In fact, after her resounding success in these polls, few doubted her ability to lead the party and the nation. That she had tremendous political acumen and leadership qualities was proved by her victory in this election. That she had the potential to lead became evident, too. No longer was she referred to as Pandit Nehru's daughter because she had carved a niche for herself. A new power base was clearly emerging in the form of Sanjay Gandhi. Thus in no time the the laudatory verdict of 1971 was reversed. This was in the backdrop of conflict and dissent as the situation in Gujarat deteriorated. Jayaprakash Narayan's movement was to soon erupt as a political storm. <b>The power base headed by PN Haksar was slowly losing ground with the rise of Sanjay Gandhi</b>. All these political developments soon resulted in the proclamation of Emergency.
The Emergency did have many detractors. <b>In fact, Rajiv Gandhi on many occasions raised "issues": That there were excesses, etc. In his own way, he intimated his mother about what was happening in the country but it did not have mush of an effect.</b> I had also talked to Sanjay and Mrs Gandhi, bringing to their knowledge specific instances that I witnessed in Calcutta. <b>It had little or no impact on the two.</b> Things grew worse with each passing day and gradually the Congress had no dissenters whose opinion was contrary to the reigning power centre.
<b>Sanjay Gandhi was undoubtedly responsible for most of the excesses during the dark days of Emergency but it would be a mistake to blame him for all of them. </b>The shattering defeat in 1977 did little to alter the phenomenon of prevailing power structures. Mrs Gandhi exonerated Sanjay who had a major part to play in the disaster. <b>According to her, all were equally responsible because there were many leaders who actively pursued and supported Emergency.</b> Clearly, the power base that Mrs Gandhi had visualised for the future had Sanjay in the driver's seat. However, simultaneously within the family, an alternative structure had developed that had been "dormant" for the better part of 1978-79. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The most remarkable aspect to Mrs Gandhi was that she respected both her political friends and foes. I never heard her utter a derogatory remark about her adversaries even when the criticism against her for imposing Emergency was at its height. The victory in 1971 was after a prolonged period of struggle. In fact, after her resounding success in these polls, few doubted her ability to lead the party and the nation. That she had tremendous political acumen and leadership qualities was proved by her victory in this election. That she had the potential to lead became evident, too. No longer was she referred to as Pandit Nehru's daughter because she had carved a niche for herself. A new power base was clearly emerging in the form of Sanjay Gandhi. Thus in no time the the laudatory verdict of 1971 was reversed. This was in the backdrop of conflict and dissent as the situation in Gujarat deteriorated. Jayaprakash Narayan's movement was to soon erupt as a political storm. <b>The power base headed by PN Haksar was slowly losing ground with the rise of Sanjay Gandhi</b>. All these political developments soon resulted in the proclamation of Emergency.
The Emergency did have many detractors. <b>In fact, Rajiv Gandhi on many occasions raised "issues": That there were excesses, etc. In his own way, he intimated his mother about what was happening in the country but it did not have mush of an effect.</b> I had also talked to Sanjay and Mrs Gandhi, bringing to their knowledge specific instances that I witnessed in Calcutta. <b>It had little or no impact on the two.</b> Things grew worse with each passing day and gradually the Congress had no dissenters whose opinion was contrary to the reigning power centre.
<b>Sanjay Gandhi was undoubtedly responsible for most of the excesses during the dark days of Emergency but it would be a mistake to blame him for all of them. </b>The shattering defeat in 1977 did little to alter the phenomenon of prevailing power structures. Mrs Gandhi exonerated Sanjay who had a major part to play in the disaster. <b>According to her, all were equally responsible because there were many leaders who actively pursued and supported Emergency.</b> Clearly, the power base that Mrs Gandhi had visualised for the future had Sanjay in the driver's seat. However, simultaneously within the family, an alternative structure had developed that had been "dormant" for the better part of 1978-79. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->