Exactly two weeks ago when the ‘first shoots’ of political crisis emerged in Rajasthan, very few of the astute observers guessed that it would drag along for such a long time. It was thought to be just another ‘coup’ as has been the case in several states in recent past with the ‘dismantling venture’ to take a short time. But, as on Sunday evening, it’s still far from anything like that and complexities are only growing, with tight rope walking still awaiting both for the defenders of the government and those who want it in different colours. While the hullabaloo continues unabated and it’is very unsure where and when the drama will culminate, it’s not very difficult to read the mind of a common citizen of the country in general and of the state of Rajasthan in particular. Undoubtedly, it must be of deep disgust since their verdict has been dishonoured for one more time, with the further apprehension chasing that it might be the new normal of the electoral democracy in the country.

Observing the episode up till now, the ups and downs and high rhetoric and slugfests will seem nothing unusual. But the most interesting twist to it is the die-hard attitude of the Congress who has made it clear that they are in no mood to lose yet another fortress to the BJP. Despite facing hiccup, at least temporarily in the legal arena in Rajasthan HC where the judgement to maintain status quo has gone in favour of Sachin Pilot’s camp, the current mood of the Congress seems to be to continue the battle till end. It’s going to be a two-pronged response, both through legal route and political counter-attacks. While the vital hearing of the case is slated for Monday in the Supreme Court, the political faceoff with the BJP has already started with stress on digital campaigns where the core objective is to upscale the chorus against the “attempts to violate constitutional and democratic traditions engineered by the BJP.” Besides mounting the pressure on the Rajasthan Governor by bringing allegations that he is acting in a partisan manner, the Rajasthan Congress government led by its CM Ashok Gehlot while launching a daylong sit-in at the lawns of the Raj Bhawan on Friday has asked his MLAs to stay prepared to take the protest to the national capital at Rashtrapati Bhawan and the PMO, if needed.

No doubt, it will be a fierce fight and a prolonged one. But, again, if it turns out to be similar to that of Madhya Pradesh or the preceding cases, it will be a gross undermining of both electoral as well as constitutional democracy, also placing a big question mark after the practice of conducting elections.   

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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