Nacchi aka Nachiketa Kapoor finally confirmed what had long been suspected - The Emperor Wears No Clothes. And, a tottering UPA government has just received a wikki-whipping. Rather ironic, since the USA was so busy identifying pro-US ministers and then gloating at their men's capture of office. Poor Dr Singh - a blow from a most unexpected quarter.
All this while as the UPA government battles an all encompassing governance and ethical deficit, the Indo-American nuclear deal billed as such a historic breakthrough, in the wake of the Japan nuclear disaster, looks like a dud.
Worse, the Americans thought MPs were being bribed to clear the deal and clearly had no qualms. They also thought that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's office was run by a “Kerala mafia”, big business houses had a decisive say in appointing the Finance Minister and the Dr Singh was alone in his rather naive policy of peace with Pakistan.
Kapil Sibal, Anand Sharma, Ashwini Ku
mar, all the PM's men were actually surprise-surprise all the while Uncle Sam's men.
If the big idea of the UPA's first term was the great deal and the PM was portrayed as a man of principal ready to sacrifice his government for his and India's place in history, where does that square up with what we know now?
And, untested nuclear technology in the wake of Japan looks like a terrific way for USA to make billions, but isn’t it bilking India?
Is that why we elected Dr Singh?
Oh I forgot, we didn’t. He was the chosen one. But, after Raja and the 2G spectrum scam, this government's zero loss theory, Kalmadi and the loot that was the CWG, Hassan Ali the Maoist morass despite, Holi the pre-dominant colour of the nation appears to be a rather sad red, white and blue.
And, what of poor Nacchi. Well, you see he has had rather distinguished patrons, Suresh Kalmadi, Satish Sharma and now, as we know, he was busy showing the Americans the money.
(The views expressed by the author are personal)