Riding the Tiger again?

The visit of Priyanka Vadra (nee Gandhi) to meet Nalini in the Vellore Prison - where she is serving a life sentence for her role in the assassination of Priyanka's father, Rajiv Gandhi - has resulted in much political speculation.

Firstly, prison authorities denied such a visit took place even though Priyanka admitted it. "It was my way of coming to (terms) peace with violence and the loss I have experienced," the grieving daughter has said. Her brother Rahul Gandhi, now general secretary of the ruling Congress Party also said: 'We (Congress) don't carry hatred and anger.'

Priyanka may have genuinely wanted to meet one of her father's killers to satisfy her curiosity about the motives behind the assassination. But the visit took place 17 long years after the tragic event, on March 19 this year. Since it took almost a month for news about this secret visit to be leaked to the Indian press, the Indians themselves are speculating whether this visit is to boost the sagging popularity of the ruling Congress Party led by Priyanka's Mamma Mia, Italian born Sonia Gandhi.

Motives

Most Sri Lankans will see much greater implications. Is the ruling family of India, the Gandhis once again trying to ride the Tiger like what Grandma Indira and Papa Rajiv did? Haven't they heard of the old ditty: There was a man of Niger, who went to ride on a Tiger... And finally came inside her?

According to some reports, Priyanka had in her talk with Nalini asked her the motives  behind the killing of her father. She only had to read the book, Rajiv Gandhi Assassination by D.R. Kaarthikeyan, Chief of the Special Investigation Team that successfully probed the assassination and Radhavinod Raju, Superintendent of Police in Kerala who played a key role in the investigation and trial of the 41 accused to find out. Nalini was convicted along with the 41 accused that included Velupillai Pirapaharan, Pottu Amman, Sivarasan, the one eyed killer who led the operation - on her own confession.

Convictions confirmed

Found guilty by the Specially Designated Court appointed to probe the assassination the accused appealed to the Supreme Court of India which confirmed all convictions. It is stated in the book that Nalini had been brainwashed by LTTE operatives in Tamil Nadu and willingly joined the conspiracy to kill Gandhi.

She had provided accommodation to the killer Dhanu, who garlanded Rajiv and then detonated the suicide bomb blowing the former Indian premier and herself to smithereens. Nalini had accompanied the killer along with Sivarasan and had been some distance away when the killing took place.

She has struck up a love affair with an LTTE operative, Murugan (also one of those sentenced to death) and gave birth to a child while she was in prison custody. Priyanka can learn much about the motives of Nalini and those who acted under the directions of Pirapaharan to kill her father from Kaarthiketyan and other investigators rather than from one of her father's killers now pleading for release from prison.

Tiger spin

Already the spin doctors are at work. A lawyer representing Nalini has been quoted in the Indian media saying that Priyanka's visit and queries from Nalini indicated that Priyanka entertained doubts about the LTTE being instrumental in the assassination. This theory has been peddled before by fellow travellers of the LTTE and they would love if it be resurrected, particularly at this point of time when the LTTE is trying desperately to improve links with New Delhi, even notwithstanding Tiger idealogue the late Anton Balasingham's own admission to the killing.

Priyanka's visit to prison should also be considered in the light of the plight of the ruling Congress Party which has to face a general election within a year or even before. The GNP of India is still booming but that can only raise cheers of the super rich and the upper middle class.

Trounced

It happened during the BJP government as well which went to the polls with the slogan: 'Shining India.' They were badly trounced by Congress which received the support of poor farmers.

Right now inflation is climbing over 5 per cent and the stock markets are down. Food shortages are being experienced. The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) coalition led by Sonia Gandhi is shaky with the Marxist parties threatening to pull out and bring the government down if the civilian nuclear deal with the United States is proceeded with.

Not only the Marxists but the DMK in Tamil Nadu led by Muthuvelu Karunanidhi too can withdraw support and bring the government down. Karunanidhi, the godfather of the LTTE, is remembered for his statement that he considers Pirapaharan to be his son. He is no doubt pushing the New Delhi government for a softer line on the LTTE despite it being proscribed as a terrorist organisation. 

Another Gandhi for India?

Last week, Human Resources Development Minister, Arun Singh, considered an elder statesman of the Congress, made a statement that gave an indication of things to come within the Congress. 'What's wrong in having a young person like Rahul Gandhi as prime ministerial candidate?' he asked.

Even more significant was that this statement was immediately endorsed by Karunanidhi in Chennai. These may be indications as to which way the winds are blowing in the Indian political firmament of which we have to take cognisance, particularly at a time when the call is made that all our eggs in fighting terrorism should be placed in the New Delhi basket.