Why Lalu is calling Hazare rally flop show? Is he scared?

New Delhi/Patna, Jan 31: Trust politicians to live in denial and refuse to accept change. RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav is the prime example of this tribe.

The original scam king termed the Patna rally of anti-graft activist Anna Hazare as a 'flop show'. Lalu, whose government kept BIhar backward for years refuses to see the change.

When told that a large number of people had gathered at the rally, the RJD chief was characteristically uncharitable and said, "this much people roam around in the Gandhi maidan (where the rally was held) everyday."

The sultan of jibes should know that this crowd was definitely not hired public brought in buses with a promise of food and Rs 500.

The anger of Lalu misses the point that Hazare is speaking the feelings of middle class. Launching a scathing attack on Hazare, he said men like him were saying 'bad words' against Parliament, politicians and even judiciary in the name of civil society.

"These people are taking advantage of freedom of speech and uttering irresponsible things against the central government and politicians," he added.

Hazare had told the rally that he would make efforts to realise the unfulfilled dream of Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan who had launched "Sampoorna kranti" (total revolution) from the same Gandhi maidan in Patna in 1974.

Senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui had attended Hazare's rally and his remark is not different from Lalu. Taking a narrow and selfish view of the anti-corruption movement Siddiqui says that he was not impressed with the rally as it did not touch real issues like corruption prevailing in Bihar under NDA rule. Why stick to Bihar, talk of corruption in India. It seems like these politicians did not hear Hazare properly or have tried to understand him.

Change, says Hazare

Launching the new outfit " Jantantra Morcha" at the rally in Patna, Hazare said "now a change in the system is our aim."

The andolan formerly known as India Against Corruption will henceforth be organised under the banner of Jantantra Morcha. Addressing a gathering at Gandhi Maidan, he said the morcha would mobilise people on a host of issues with a demand for effective legislation to fortify the democratic processes.

Transparency in administrative systems; strengthening the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Central Vigilance Commission; making the village an administrative unit; more rights to gram sabhas, employment generation, creating marketing units at the village, block and district levels; linking agriculture and business; land and farmers' rights; free cooking gas for the poor; enlisting participation of former Army personnel; framing a new health, education, employment, tax and youth policy; bringing back black money; life term for adulteration, and lowering inflation and oil prices are some of the areas in which the morcha will call for stronger legislation and policies.

Hazare said while Parliament had the authority to frame laws, civil society participation at the drafting stage was essential. "Those in power only fear losing it. If people unite and show that they have the power to topple the government, then the government will have to frame laws [as per the will of the people]," he said.

"As long as power is not vested in the people, we are not a Republic," he said.

Local media reports say that students were seen at the rally and Temands of job, stopping corruption and social security were raised repeatedly by the crowd.

This awakened crowd scares politicians and they will continue to discredit Hazare as he threatens their sense of security and their world.

OneIndia News