Fuel Price Hike- Why Govt Did it NOW?

It's very often quoted statement about politics- that -"Politics is art of possibilities". The exploration of possibilities is joyful and life enriching experience. At last, Govt. of India has explored one possibility of getting rid of Lokpal and related hype by increasing the fuel price.

Surge in commodities is happening phenomenon from last 6 months or so. Govt. postponed the fuel price hike due to 4 state assembly elections. Post elections, Lokpal and related drama unfolded. So again, time started disfavoring the Govt. It never wanted to do any hike in that unfortunate moment.

However, this fight with civil society lasted more than Govt's expectation. Even, it's missteps contributed to the same. So, when the meetings between civil society and the Govt got over, and people started waiting for the June 30th deadline for submitting the draft Lokpal bill to Govt. This offered the Govt the right time to take the public attention away from Lokpal bill. What better than increasing the fuel price, that too without any sign of notice.

India reacted. Possibly,it might react furiously because, it hits India's probable savings. The bleak Monsoon is already giving signal for more Govt spending and more inflation, this hike has surely the first step in that direction.

It also offers an opportunity for opposition parties to reclaim their position within the democracy. Due to civil society's heavy presence in media, pushed them inevitable absence. We all started feeling that it is the democracy having no opposition party. This has really put them off from public psyche. Therefore, opposition parties will surely fuel the fuel price issue. That is what exactly Govt. wants.

With this fuel price issue, opposition make their entry into Parliament's monsoon session. To protect itself, the Govt. takes the shelter under Food Security bill- proposed act to provide legal entitlement to food- which it introduces in this session. There is also controversial Communal Violence bill, which attracts huge opposition from right wing parties like BJP and its other allies. And for all this media has to pay attention. They cannot ignore the constant supplier of news- opposition parties- to them. Thus, civil society is left with little space within media.

By the time Mr. Anna launch another hunger strike, possibly on August 16th, the nation may take it as casual affair. It attracts less attention because of all the reasons I mentioned above. So, Govt may forcefully feed him or keep him like Irom Chanu Sharmila- a Manipur woman who is on hunger strike from last 10 years.

With this, India may end it's another level of flirting with the institution of Lokpal which it is doing since 1966. Let's watch to see what possibilities that this current politics offer .