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I have heard that a number of Indian commercial films are made without a fully written script. In other words, the script falls into place as the movie is made. The current anti-corruption saga seems to be unfolding in a very similar fashion, with the UPA in the director's seat. At the moment, the UPA seems to be completely clueless on how to end this film.
At every stage in this battle, Team Anna seems to be ahead of the game, and to make matters worse for the UPA, Team Anna clearly has tremendous public support that only seems to be growing by the minute. How can the UPA stem the rot? Having completely lost face multiple times in this battle, is there room for a comeback? The good news for the UPA is that the Opposition is still unable to take advantage of the situation.
Here are ten things the UPA could do to win back the hearts and minds of the people, pave the way for Rahul Gandhi, and set the Opposition on the back foot - a perfect happy ending after a lot of melodrama.
10. Form a new team (Team UPA) to take on Team Anna comprising of Rahul Gandhi, A.K. Antony, Jairam Ramesh, and one other individual. This person must have a good legal brain, must have excellent communication skills, and a relatively clean image. He or she should have what it takes to face up to the legal brains of the Bhushans. A.K. Antony is in for his honest image, Ramesh for his outspokenness, and Rahul for the Gandhi "topping" and to set the stage for his ascendancy to the throne.
9. Give this team a crash course on the ins and outs of Lokpal, starting from its history since 1968. (Sorry Rahul, some serious "mugga" is needed here.) Conduct mock discussions behind the scenes to ensure that the team is fully prepared.
8. Brainstorm and decide which of the remaining points of contention in the Lokpal bill you are willing to give in on and which are non-negotiable. Have very clear reasons, and be prepared to argue and present your case to the media and to the public at large.
7. Frequently communicate to the rank and file of the party about the official stance on the Lokpal. Inform all and sundry in the Congress party that they are forbidden to speak on Lokpal, especially if it's out of line with the party's stance. Dress up Manish Tewari and Digvijay Singh in women's clothing (a la Baba Ramdev) and pack them off to an unknown destination until this is anti-corruption saga is over.
6. Force the joint draft committee members from the government team to take a back seat. No more fake smiles and guarded, evasive, non-committal statements from the likes of Kapil Sibal and P. Chidambaram. This team is like the Indian batting order - it has been completely exposed. No matter how many Tests it plays under these conditions, it is unlikely to score any points with the public.
5. Swallow your pride and invite Team Anna for a discussion and telecast the proceedings live. This is reality TV at its best (or worst, depending on how you look at it), so make sure Team UPA knows its stuff and has done its homework. In return, insist on a commitment from Anna to end his fast.
4. Turn up the heat on the Opposition for being spineless, corrupt, missing in action, you name it.
3. Agree to withdraw the current Lokpal bill and table a new bill in Parliament based on the negotiations with Team Anna and inputs from anyone else who might be feeling left out of the discussion. Commit to initiating a serious debate in Parliament and challenge every Party to announce its position on the bill formally and in public.
2. Use your majority in Parliament to pass the new bill that has the blessings of Team Anna and others. Have a live press conference to claim all round victory.
1. Plan and execute on Manmohan Singh's retirement before he further damages his reputation.
At every stage in this battle, Team Anna seems to be ahead of the game, and to make matters worse for the UPA, Team Anna clearly has tremendous public support that only seems to be growing by the minute. How can the UPA stem the rot? Having completely lost face multiple times in this battle, is there room for a comeback? The good news for the UPA is that the Opposition is still unable to take advantage of the situation.
Here are ten things the UPA could do to win back the hearts and minds of the people, pave the way for Rahul Gandhi, and set the Opposition on the back foot - a perfect happy ending after a lot of melodrama.
10. Form a new team (Team UPA) to take on Team Anna comprising of Rahul Gandhi, A.K. Antony, Jairam Ramesh, and one other individual. This person must have a good legal brain, must have excellent communication skills, and a relatively clean image. He or she should have what it takes to face up to the legal brains of the Bhushans. A.K. Antony is in for his honest image, Ramesh for his outspokenness, and Rahul for the Gandhi "topping" and to set the stage for his ascendancy to the throne.
9. Give this team a crash course on the ins and outs of Lokpal, starting from its history since 1968. (Sorry Rahul, some serious "mugga" is needed here.) Conduct mock discussions behind the scenes to ensure that the team is fully prepared.
8. Brainstorm and decide which of the remaining points of contention in the Lokpal bill you are willing to give in on and which are non-negotiable. Have very clear reasons, and be prepared to argue and present your case to the media and to the public at large.
7. Frequently communicate to the rank and file of the party about the official stance on the Lokpal. Inform all and sundry in the Congress party that they are forbidden to speak on Lokpal, especially if it's out of line with the party's stance. Dress up Manish Tewari and Digvijay Singh in women's clothing (a la Baba Ramdev) and pack them off to an unknown destination until this is anti-corruption saga is over.
6. Force the joint draft committee members from the government team to take a back seat. No more fake smiles and guarded, evasive, non-committal statements from the likes of Kapil Sibal and P. Chidambaram. This team is like the Indian batting order - it has been completely exposed. No matter how many Tests it plays under these conditions, it is unlikely to score any points with the public.
5. Swallow your pride and invite Team Anna for a discussion and telecast the proceedings live. This is reality TV at its best (or worst, depending on how you look at it), so make sure Team UPA knows its stuff and has done its homework. In return, insist on a commitment from Anna to end his fast.
4. Turn up the heat on the Opposition for being spineless, corrupt, missing in action, you name it.
3. Agree to withdraw the current Lokpal bill and table a new bill in Parliament based on the negotiations with Team Anna and inputs from anyone else who might be feeling left out of the discussion. Commit to initiating a serious debate in Parliament and challenge every Party to announce its position on the bill formally and in public.
2. Use your majority in Parliament to pass the new bill that has the blessings of Team Anna and others. Have a live press conference to claim all round victory.
1. Plan and execute on Manmohan Singh's retirement before he further damages his reputation.
Do you have any video of that? I'd like to find out more details.
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