The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : On dynastic politics

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Wednesday, Jan 02, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

On dynastic politics

Politicians of the subcontinent never learn. The appointment of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to head the Pakistan People’s Party, sidelining senior and experienced leaders, shows the inherent weakness in the democratic system. A family surname is no substitute for capable leadership.

T.S. Arunachalam,

Thalassery

* * *

The appointment of the 19-year-old Bilawal as PPP chairman is, by any measure, a travesty of political wisdom. While dynastic politics which is prevalent in South Asia is bad enough, worse is asking a teenager to step into the shoes of his assassinated mother and assume the mantle of the party. Does not the PPP require a person of high political maturity at the time of such turbulence? Politics, it appears, can be twisted and elongated to its fullest elasticity to accommodate a political dynast.

R.M. Manoharan,

Chennai

* * *

Bilawal’s appointment as PPP chairperson is similar to the proposal of the Congressmen in India to make Sonia Gandhi their leader immediately after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. At that time, the opposition termed the proposal political bankruptcy.

But looking at the teenager-turned-leader in Pakistan, it must be said that we are better off than our neighbour in politics.

K. Anil Kumar,

Tirupur

* * *

People get the leaders they deserve. Dynastic succession in politics is the inevitable consequence of the cult of hero-worship passionately practised by the people of the subcontinent. How true that leaders spoil their followers and the followers, in turn, spoil their leaders.

Nirmala Asokan,

Cuddalore

* * *

It is unfortunate that in India, even the States have started to follow dynastic politics. By virtue of birth or marriage into a political family, anyone, it appears, can become an MLA, MP, and even Minister. True democracy can thrive only if the people reject the sons, daughters, and spouses of politicians in the elections.

In this context, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati deserves all praise for succeeding without any dynastic support.

P.N.V. Krishnan,

Pune

* * *

In choosing to hand over the baton to Bilawal, all of 19, a college student who has spent the past decade out of Pakistan, the PPP is shirking its responsibility. If politicians want their children to come into the same profession, they should be put through a learning process.

Padmini Raghavendra,

Secunderabad

* * *

No doubt, dynastic succession to political leadership is an anachronism in a democracy. But if it serves the purpose of providing stability in an infant democracy such as ours, should we object to it? Democratic political culture takes a long period, even centuries, to evolve. During the initial years, what is important is the capability of political parties to provide stable governments. This is where the role of family-centric politics comes into play. The Congress in India, the PPP in Pakistan and the Awami League in Bangladesh have withstood many turbulent times by successfully utilising the people’s admiration and sympathy, and provided stability at critical times.

Sebstian John,

Thrissur

* * *

Although Bilawal’s succession as PPP chairman has a feudal fervour to it, one cannot dismiss the phenomenon of dynastic succession as South-Asia specific. Junior Bush and Hillary Clinton are examples of family legacy being part of politics in the United States too.

It is the political expediency of the PPP to elect a leader who can rally behind him the rank and file. Eyeing the sympathy vote is part of political strategy in a democracy. What is wrong if a novice is elected as a leader if he can deliver?

Syed Sultan Mohiddin,

Kadapa

* * *

Although we can charge the Pakistan government with failing to provide adequate security to Benazir that led to her assassination, the fact remains that had the former Prime Minister not emerged out of the sun roof of her armoured vehicle, she would have been alive today.

Knowing full well that there were many guns out there waiting to get her if she provided a chance, she should have refrained from throwing caution to the winds. More than the government, it is she with whom the mistake lies.

T.S. Murthi,

Folsom, California

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