Undemocratic Democracy

"This is not just a journey for me, but the beginning of a journey for the people of Pakistan for a better future" - Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister, on returning to Pakistan on September 18th after an eight-year self-imposed exile.

But what followed was a bloody massacre killing over 150. Over the last few weeks media, newspapers and blogosphere are filled with news of homecoming of erstwhile Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. There has been a mixed response to this home coming of PPL leader. Most are happy as they believe that this will see an end to long dictatorial regime of Gen Mussharaf as Bhutto comes waving the flag of democracy. But these trails for democracy have been too common and Army Generals have wiped them off easily as seen with Nawaz Sharif, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto etc. Main point to stress here is that army is way to powerful in Pakistan and is actively involved in day to day working of Pakistani State machinery. So its interference cannot be easily derided and so each and every so called democratic government is in fact only an enterprise serving Army rather than Nation.

Many do not recognize BB as a deserving candidate for leading the country. The reason was the way in which she left the country. Bhutto comes as a failed former prime minister, accused of grand-scale thieving who ran away to save her conviction (in fact she is granted amnesty by Mush). Ulterior motive is the face saving act by Mush to salvage something for his next stint as President. BB is just a vassal in this scheme of things and will just provide a face to connect with people and give right messages to international community. Rest will remain the same as before if one
go according to the deal between the two.

However strength of Musharraf itself is doubted by pundits as he is surrounded on all sides which are ready to pounce for his head. On one side are Al Quida people who are upset with Mush's American fling, then there is political opposition from other parties, there is Army who are not getting to many incentives (and wars), troubled regions of Balochistan and world pressure. So how effective and lasting this deal will be is questionable.

Another point is what should we Indians think about this development. Return of democracy can be a welcome thought for Indians but that of Bhutto is surely not. She was the first one to fuel terrorists in the region by arms, aids and money against India. Her provoking rhetoric against Kashmiri pandits cannot be easily forgotten. Many feel that she is herself responsible for Karachi bombings and this may again be a scheme to gather public sympathy and support.

Whatever happens will be eagerly watched but its foolish to think that India may gain anything from this. Pakistan is going towards destruction. It is already an International terror hub, biggest arms market and these things should be addressed by India on its own front. Mr. Mush will surely be either going to seek political asylum outside Pakistan or going to be hanged or killed( ok this is a bit extreme but Musharraf also knows this). But that will spell further disaster for Indians...

It all comes down to Nukes and Sensex

This has been a pretty long hiatus for me which was because of my system being down, me going home etc... So this post is not about any specific issue but gives a glimpse of happenings around the same time. Most important of all...Arsenal are still at top on league table despite ManU closing in. But young guns are showing real class and they do not seem faltering in near future...Stupid India-Aus cricket series continues which I just cant understand why is taking place without giving any rest to players after T20 WC....and the results are quite obvious with India down 1-4.

On political front major news was Congress mending ways with Left against the nuke deal giving up its 6 months long stand on the issue. As far as I am concerned this is one of the most backwards step taken by Indian Gov in recent years and will cause problems both nationally and internationally. On International front this will definetely lower India's position on globle platform and nations wll be vary of formulating any proposals with India. Nuke deal was more important for India than opposite way and Americans will sure be frustrated and vary of Indians. On national front also this mending ways with left will furthur give air to those out of age self made idealists and they will step up protests also on other issues opposed to them. This will further weaken the government as left realizes that Congress will easily breakup on applying pressure. So only people happy are Leftists and those sitting in Beijing and Islamabad...

Sensex as usual is breaking records after records and continues to surge ahead on account of heavy foreign inflows..however market is very risky and far from stable. Lets see how far this Bull run continues....