UK goes the Brown way

After months of speculation, Tony Blair finally submitted his resignation to the Queen. His popularity had been dwindling since quite some time. Many attribute this to the policies which he had followed during his tenure. People were angry that the country had been dragged into the genocidal Iraq war.

I was surprised that how a person at such a lucrative post, could resign so gracefully. Such a 'miracle' is not possible in a country like India. Though Tony Blair was emotional during his last speech in the Parliament, nonetheless, it was done honourably and with a certain grace which is remniscient of old warriors who relinquished their title. Perhaps, this reflects the depth of democracy in UK.

India is claimed to be the biggest democracy in the world. But this honour is only quantity-wise. There maybe democracy as far as Lok Sabha elections or State elections are concerned. But when it comes to a political party there is no such thing as democracy. If Congress wins then Sonia Gandhi has to be the PM. If not then the person who will be PM has to be the puppet in her hands. If BJP is in power then L.K. Advani or Atal Bihari Vajpayee has to be the PM.

Unlike UK the political parties here work on undemocratic principles. Each political party here is characterized only by one or two leaders. The rest of the politicians are merely there for the sake of it. In UK each member of the political party has his/her say in the proceedings of the party. So the most efficient man gets the top job. Moreover if during the course of his/her term as PM , the members are not satisfied by his /her policies then he/she has to resign and give way to the more popular candidate.

Why can't such a democratically sound system be implemented in India? Even aftre 60 years of independence, we are far away from being a true democracy. Then why carry this ostentatious tag of being the world's greatest democracy?

Meanwhile, Tony Blair is seemingly feeling the pangs of being a common man once more. But after being touted as the successor of Paul Wolfowitz as the chief of World Bank, he has been chosen as representative of the Quartet(comprising of US, UN, EU and Russia) in the Middle East as some kind of a 'peace broker'. What a pretentious post to give, which has little significance and almost negligible consequence. What little he can offer, remains to be seen.

As fas as Gordon Brown is concerned, he will be really pleased with himself for shiting his base to 10 Downing Street. After all he got the job after a wait of more than a decade. He has two years to prove his mettle and reform public opinion. May be he can help his party to gain the reputation which has suffered in the hands of the ex-PM.

If anybody has an inkling as to what Gordon Brown will offer has PM, please do tell me. I have very little knowledge about it. Anyway, one can wait and watch. I am particularly interested in how it will benefit the Anglo-Indian relationship. My fingers are crossed and I hope that yours' are too.