Rahul Gandhi episode and The Budget reactions in Nagaland --- How much of these are based on the foundations of Flattery?

 Flattery - a victimless crime

New Delhi 

The Budget reactions in Nagaland or Rahul Gandhi episode - How much of these are based on the foundations of Flattery? Unchallenged dominance of a leadership can often render an individual or a dynasty unaccustomed to dissent. 

Sycophancy and Congress party in India go synonymous with each other for a long time.

The dynasty is right as a political theorem has been even accepted by a special variety of intellectuals - the 'ecosystem' as often called.

Otherwise how come very few among the 'ecosystem' have come out to pin point that taking a OBC community's name was erroneous. Reports say during hearing at Surat, Rahul Gandhi and his
advocates were asked if he would tender an apology, the Crown Prince refused. Asked the same question at his post-disqualification maiden press conference, the former Congress president took
Veer Savarkar's name. 

He also blasted a Congress beat journalist. Now judge the degree of flattery --- many in his party say Rahul Gandhi was absolutely right in taking Savarkar's name who has an iconic value to the proponents of Hindutva politics.

But there is Flattery on the other side as well.  Let us confine the debate to Nagaland Budget and Neiphiu Rio should be more than happy that his presentation for fiscal 2023-24 has been lauded by 'all and sundry' from the opposition-less club. The 'Nagaland Page' headline told the entire story - 'Opposition Less MLAs hail Budget'. of course, a journalist is never at liberty to write - 'what else they could have done'.

Of course MLAs such as Achumbemo Kikon of NPF was expected to be different. There are other stories. The NDPP nominee whom he unseated Mmhonlumo Kikon -- could be now one of the options before J P Nadda to appoint as new BJP president in Nagaland. 

But essentially this piece is dedicated to human weakness and inherent vice called Flattery. Editor of 'Time' magazine Richard Stengel in his book 'You're too Kind : A Brief History of Flattery' says Flattery is a 'victimless crime' which can please both the flatterer and the flattered. However, he was right when he said that Flattery is also a social epidemic which has claimed the biggest victim - the selfless praise.

By this argument even if some MLAs want to genuinely laud Rio's Budget, as naughty media persons we will do post mortem of such a critique. 

But before that I am pondering over one question - when media Nagaland had played the role of Opposition. 

"Most often, though, flattery these days is just a harmless deception, a victimless crime that often ends up making both the giver and the receiver feel a little better", wrote Stengel. We may argue that while Flattery is considered 'bad', but the social scientists believe that it has played an important role in the growth of society and dates back to primitive ages. Stengel also commented that Flattery perhaps had its origin in the behaviour of Chimpanzee, which is very good at imitation.

Yes, to many imitation is the best form of Flattery and hence Congressmen and women will not hesitate to hail Rahul Gandhi even as he has committed blunders like tearing off an official ordinance or resorted to unparliamentary conduct in Lok Sabha when he rushed to Prime Minister and embraced him. The Crown Prince is always right -- just like for a married man the spouse is always right !

Stengel also argued that Flattery came into disrepute by the middle ages and Latin poet Dante considered it bad enough for condemnation to hell. Indian Archaeologist Manish Chandra Joshi had said that Flattery was institutionalised during the times of Monarchy. Is Opposition-less close to hero worshipping if not monarchy?  

Let us come back to Stengel's argument once again, and he said Flattery thrives in hierarchical settings like royal courts or even Fortune 500 boardrooms. 

Well, most Congress leaders will also agree in private that studies show Flattery works best on those who already have high opinions of themselves.

Neiphiu Rio's colleagues may not know. Mr Rio - as we know him - is humble enough and he never will have a very high opinion of himself vis-a-vis preparing and presenting an economic exercise called Budget making. But problems lie with the old political syndrome - 'sycophancy'. 

The desi term is Chamchagiri and it is the first step towards your fall from the top. The Indian Netas have proved it time and again or time has proved it for the political class numerous times. Jokingly aka, Flatteringly yours.

Blogger's daughter Tanvi at Gandhi Ashram 

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