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In a multipolar world, where India aspires to be a force to reckon with, the demand for ethical and capable leadership has never been greater. And yet, the erstwhile UP hills that came into being, as the state of Uttarakhand on 9th Nov 2000, prized for her integrity and spirituality, has largely overlooked the structural development of her Politics.
The new year has ringed in the Silver Jubilee year of the state. A rejig of past twenty five years and numerous questions abound the mind! The pertinent one is, whether the complex woven tapestry of politics and governance has delivered, that aligns with the aspirations of masses, or the concoction itself has been threatened and tarnished by nepotism, corruption and inefficient leadership? Has the politics of the state been able to bridge the gap between the state and its citizens, ensuring governance is more inclusive and transparent? Are the sons of soil politicians equipped to handle a complexity that transcends traditional governance paradigms? Do our state politicians inspire confidence amongst the informed masses?
The twentyfive years of state’s political history eludes to something very depressing though! Instead of socially conscious leaders, community organizers, dedicated to the cause of addressing the persistent challenges of caste based politics, growing social-economic divides, health and education; leaders requiring a nuanced understanding of public administration and emerging global issues such as climate change and technological disruptions, the state gave birth to Political Opportunists!
Political opportunism has been the trade mark politics of the state. Major part of these twentyfive years have gone by in maximizing political influence at any cost, compromising principles for power and exploiting situation for personal gain. The political malnourishment of the state was evident in the first two years of the statehood itself, wherein, the new born state was left like a rudderless ship. What followed in the subsequent years was political conundrum, marked by series of on camera / off camera stings, intrigues and conspiracies – the damning tales of one-upmanship.
The citizens of the state, with an infantry doggedness did every thing under their command to strengthen the democratic institution of the state by electing an absolute majority government, with a hope of stable, effective and progressive governance, but in vain. It is irony of the times, that the state had to see three CMs in a span of five years and overall thirteen CMs in twentyfive years of statehood! The political hara-kiri has failed the citizens, so far.
This gets us to the next echelon of redressals-how best can we, the citizens and the politicians treat this political malagnancy of the state? It calls for two pronged strategy. One at the level of RSS in consultation with diverse commoners across the state. The other through Institutional mechanism, recognising the need to equip the politicians with skills necessary for governance. And that requires political education in the country, more so, for infant politicians of a new born state.
Col Mukesh Pokhriyal (Retd)
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.