The other day I met a BJP leader. "George Fernandes says the Kargil fighting maycontinue till September." I said, "If that happens you will have to postpone thepolls. To postpone polls you will need Emergency. To run the government in Emergency theprime minister may have to head a national government."
"Are you crazy?", he said angrily. "Why should we impose Emergency? Youthink we are like Indira Gandhi?"
"But things are very different now. We are fighting an undeclared war with aneighbouring country."
"So what? The war is being fought by soldiers, not voters!"
"But the entire nation needs to be united."
"Do elections balkanise the country? Of course we will remain united!"
"But terrorists are exploding bombs all over the country. Doesn't the governmentneed emergency powers to deal with them effectively?"
"Rot! The law and order situation is normal. Bombs have kept exploding all thetime. Why impose Emergency?"
"But the Government is in a mess," I said desperately. "The primeminister had to reshuffle ministers in a caretaker government. Now the Urban Affairsminister spends his time undoing his predecessor's work! The pmo is undoing the formerTelecom minister's work! There is need for coherence, a need to check corruption."
"Nonsense! This is the way democracy functions. We don't need Emergency!"
"But how will we hold elections during war? No real debate will be possible! Wecan't demoralise the war effort. Without a free debate elections will becomefarcical!"
"Rot! Let politicians say what they want. Our soldiers are mature. They will takeany criticism in their stride."
"Then you do favour a Rajya Sabha session now?"
"What's the need for a Rajya Sabha session? Don't these opposition people knowthat a war is going on?"
"One more thing," I said. "They say the Babri Masjid case charges havealready been framed. They only have to be read out by the special judge. How long can theaccused cabinet ministers continue to evade appearance in court? The next date of hearingfor the special court is July 23rd."
"What!" he gasped with a pale face. "You mean the court may actuallyframe the charges? My God, that will be a catastrophe! The whole nation will bedestabilised! I think it's time we imposed Emergency!?"
All is fair
In love and war -
You take my chair
And I'll change the law!
