Cheap slogan and Biharis

Friends,
In my knowledge, till 1989, there was no substitute for congress I at national level. Most of the middle class people were emotionally attached. So much so that even during the anti-congress wave of 1989 most of our village people voted for congress. It was only after mandal and kamandal which created upset and people turned away from congress towards BJP. Rather to say "people don’t oppose BJP". Their patriotism was never questioned but their ability to handle the country was always suspected. They proved it by accompanying the minister to Kabul with the terrorists. But we forgave keeping the emotional situation in view. Then came the experience with Pramod Mahajan during fight with local doctors in Mumbai. Late Mr. Mahajan (whom we all kept in very high spirit so much so that the future prime minister was being expected out of him) said on TV ("bahar ke log yahan padhane aate hain . . . . rajniti nahin karani chahiye"), "OUTSIDERS should mind their business and should not play politics"! We were conveniently termed as outsiders. That was for the doctors - mind it, not rickshaw pullers. And that was because the fight had started over bath room!
During Maharashtra elections, Raj thakerey started the marathi onslaught but shiv sena and BJP including even NCP followed the same spirit. They did not oppose it. Congress a wise and shrewd player just watched it. But it was Sonia Gandhi who dared to speak against the separatist slogan. BJP and shiv sena may curse raj thakarey for the debacle but what they forgot that in mumbai suburb they have lost large support base due to their recent goof ups.
But are these goof ups or are these their true colour? All knows that Bal Thackeray started his politics with anti Tamil slogan when same congress kept quite to finish the communists in 70’s! Later for bigger reasons he switched over to Muslims. He was the first one to talk against immigrants’ way back in late 80s - even before their first government was in power. When they were in power, tried to pack Muslims back to Bengal! We all kept quite thinking it as political gimmick and because it was not affecting us.
Friends, Biharis are the most vibrant and able people. We have fought Laloo Prasad Government for 20 years and still we are fighting with the discriminations bravely. If Pakistani refugees of yesteryears can rule this land, one day the home grown Bihari crops also will fill the Indian marckets. But it may take another 20- 25 years! Till that time don’t involve in any type of cheap slogan. Because if some one can raise one type of cheap slogan, he/ she can raise other type of cheap slogan too which can hurt you!
Dr. manish Kumar