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Aspiring for a ‘Clean Party’
The lovers of democracy in Pakistan are thrilled at the news that some senior leaders are planning to wash the dirty linen of politics by launching a party of 'clean people' soon, Mr Right said. This augurs well for the soap industry as its demand will increase manifold.
- PUBLISHED: Mon 25 Jul 2011, 9:36 PM UPDATED: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 9:49 AM
“Only soap is not going to help in this case they need some acid too to scrub stains of corruption from their faces,” I pointed out.
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“Don’t be so cruel,” Mr Right said. “The party of the clean politicians will admit only those persons who have a clean past and a sparkling conscience.”
“I think you don’t remember the words of a sage that a clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory,” I said. “And we have seen a lot of people who are suffering from this disorder.”
“But the convener of the party, Jehangir Khan Tareen is determined to rope in only champions of clean politics who are not in the good books of our corrupt leadership,” Mr Right explained. “Many of them are former ministers, serving legislators and members who have been sidelined by their parties for one thing or the other.”
“So what will be the name of the new party,” I asked. “Is it going to be called the Clean People’s Party or the Clean Pakistan Muslim League.”
“The leaders of the proposed party think it is impossible to clean the two big parties which are dirtier than the Lyari and Lai ,” Mr Right said. “The new entity will provide an alternative to these parties in the next general elections.”
“The idea is not bad at all as the nation is suffering from the shortage of quality leaders apart from shortages of fuel and power,” I said. “But the question is who is going to be accepted by the new party?”
“The ‘electables’ in the words of Mr Tareen,” Mr Right said.” These are the people who have the potential to win the polls on their own.”
“That means some of our great friends like Mr Zabardasti of the PPP also stand an excellent chance of entry into the clean party. The politician has displayed his remarkable potential for re-election although he was earlier disqualified by the country’s apex court as an MNA because of a fake degree. Don’t you think the ‘electabilty’ criterion could leave the party’s door ajar for some ‘not-so-clean’ leaders.”
“You have a point,” Mr Right argued. “But you must realise that only honesty and integrity of character are not enough to win an election. Otherwise, the PPP would become the Pious People’s Party and the PML would be called the Pro-Merit League, but you know how pious are our politicians and how much they show respect for merit in society.”
“But the Clean Party can promote these values by making them part of its election manifesto,” I said. “Their slogan should be: We will promote honest politics and decent democracy.”
“A fine advice indeed,” Mr Right agreed. “But a refresher course in honesty and decency for all politicians is a must for turning them into trustworthy leaders. A politician without a conscience is worthless. He can win an election but not the hearts of the people.”
“I know,” I said. “He is utterly dishonest, but the bad thing is that he insists on being the most honest.”
“The Clean Party could change all this,” Mr Right said. “It might also change the public perception of politicians.”
“During an election, a candidate was visiting a village seeking the villagers’ support,” he said. “The politician saw a young boy milking a cow outside his cottage.
“He went to him, introduced himself and told him about the polls. Suddenly the boy’s father called from inside; ‘Son, get inside. And who is that guy you are talking to?’
“The boy replied, “The guy says he is a politician.” The father said, “In that case, better bring the cow inside with you.”
“The Clean Party will succeed only when the people start trusting the politicians and don’t mind leaving their cows with them,” Mr Right stressed.
Najmul Hasan Rizvi is a former Assistant Editor of Khaleej Times