Mission 2014: A new addition to 500-odd list of parties, the game is on

08 August, 2012

Team Anna's move is praiseworthy for giving the nation a much-awaited fillip. But at the same time a question looms large over the 'sacrosanct' move of Team Anna: Will the civil society-turned political outfit be able to provide the desired leadership to the nation?

IT SEEMS that the stage is set for the upcoming General Elections in 2014, with Team Anna gearing up to take the political plunge after its much-hyped demand of a strong Lokpal—an institution to check corruption in the administrative setup - didn’t pass muster over the ruling establishment. And also, leaders at the top echelons talking over the possibility of a non-Congress and non-BJP prime minister as an alternative to the Congress-led ruling coalition.

Setting the ball rolling, an upbeat Anna Hazare has also disbanded the Team that formed the core committee of the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement against corruption in a clear signal to 500 odd parties to have one more addition in the list which will fray in the high-voltage Lok Sabha election ahead.

Timing of Team Anna’s decision to take on the government in the political arena after its failure to meet up the expectation of the civil society is no doubt perfect in all sense. This has given a new dimension to the Indian polity where a civil society-turned political entity—which is yet to be ascertained, will give a tough competition to the incumbent players. Parallels are also being drawn with the JP’s movement against the Congress in the 1973 atmosphere.

It has come as a most suitable alternative to the Congress-led UPA or BJP-led NDA government. The nation is relieved, to some extent, after knowing there is one more alternative which can get it out from the catch-22 situation. There is a ray of hope that the country can get rid of the anathema of choosing one as its leader from the all-corrupt BJP and Congress alternatives. Undoubtedly, there are good samaritans as well in the incumbent establishment who are able to provide the much-needed reforms push but they have all come under the shadow of the corruption undermining their true worth. And are being targeted by the civil society for not working to bring in a legislation of a strong Lokpal.

Team Anna’s move is praiseworthy for giving the nation much-awaited fillip. But at the same time a question looms large over the ‘sacrosanct’ move of Team Anna: Will the civil society-turned political outfit be able to provide the desired leadership to the nation? The Team has such activists who are excelled in the role of pressure group but again the question is will the Team will come over a leader from its team or outside who has the ability to lead the nation?

24X7 screening by media although has given the much limelight to the Team across the country right from its first show of strength at Jantar Mantar but will they able to storm in the bastion of the ruling and other political outfits stronghold is well yet to be seen. What turn will it take, the country is now ready to witness. What’s for sure is close to 2 years of long political ups and downs coupled with strong vote bank politics and arms twisting and obviously western nations are game for it.

Time will tell how Team Anna will fare in this game of politics. To its credit it has taken the right decision by becoming the change it wants to see.