Mapping the political landscape
Kamaldeep

The Road to Raisina
by K.P.Singh. Harper Collins. Pages: 348. Rs 295

THIS novel appears to be a tribute to the young generation that has made a foray into politics in India recently. Blending fact and fiction, the novel offers hard-hitting solutions to the problems that challenge India repeatedly. The author puts his faith in the youth of India and is sure they can take up cudgels against and resolve permanently the problem of communalism and border skirmishes with Pakistan.

The plot is simple but gripping. The novel has two main characters: Karan Nehru (a distant relative of Jawaharlal Nehru) and Azim Khan (son of an IAS officer). Despite differing ideologies, they remain the best of friends as they tumble into the wily world of Indian politics. Their friendship survives ruthless political rivalry and the communal turmoil that engulfs India from time to time. Eventually, the author envisages a young Muslim Prime Minister of India and a young Hindu Deputy Prime Minister.

Singh presents a realistic picture of politics in contemporary India, which already boasts of a Sikh Prime Minister and a Muslim President. Displaying an astute understanding of politics and diplomacy, the author delineates the history of Indian politics, showing how shortsighted people in power can put the country’s integrity at stake. He describes vividly the entire gamut of characters in Indian politics: Self-styled saints, criminals, kingmakers and pawns. The characterisation in the novel is flawless, as the author is able to capture the dilemmas and thoughts of the characters vividly.

The problem however, lies in the solutions that the author proposes. Though at times the solutions seem bold, they are too simplistic considering their history and magnitude. The author does not delve into complex religious and caste trappings that have always played a crucial role in national politics. Both the principal characters are liberals and moderates who believe in the ideal Nehruvian vision of a socially, politically and culturally unified India.

The author doubts the capability of both the Congress and the BJP and considers a dynamic, youthful and educated political coalition that manages to unite in the face of all opposition as a viable option. "Enlightened leadership, the ability to gain mass appeal coupled with the knowledge of how to leverage it productively, is a gift granted to only a few in every generation; but when these individuals shy away from public service, we are left with a situation like ours today, where pygmies reign supreme in the political arena." This is the advice given to the young politicians by the old timers. Overall, the novel makes for an enjoyable read as it takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride through the corridors of powers. Various twists and turns keep the reader on tenterhooks. The incisive analysis of political problems will interest political analysts and the breath-taking pace of the storyline will grip the lay reader.

‘Fiction gives me freedom’ Roopinder Singh interviews Chandigarh-born author of The Road to Raisina K.P. Singh How did a banker turn into an author? The political events of 2002 were the catalyst in my decision to become a writer. The Gujarat riots and the military face-off between India and Pakistan effected me greatly and I felt that I needed to somehow express my opinion on these issues and the future path that India should take. Why did you choose fiction? I chose fiction as my medium because it gave me freedom to render the themes of interest to me in a way that would be accessible and reach the largest readership. I also felt that the political novel was a largely ignored genre in Indian English writing and saw an opportunity to try sharing my fascination with the affairs of state. Why have you set the book in Delhi? The book is set in Delhi quite simply because the plot of the book required it since the two main characters are in a race for the highest reaches of Indian political power. Also I have spent the most amount of my life in Delhi and it was the one place I felt I knew well enough to credibly bring to life in a novel. Though you live in Delhi, you have a strong Chandigarh connection. Tell us about it. I may have spent more time in Delhi but Chandigarh will always be my hometown. Sets of my grandparents lived in the city, my parents were brought up here and, most importantly, I was born here. I even spent one memorable school year—1988—at YPS, Mohali. I can’t remember a single vacation up till recently that I have not spent in Chandigarh. What are you working on next? I am at present working on another novel which is again set in Delhi and again deals with the ruling elite, but this time from the perspective of a character who delves into India’s debased political underworld where corruption and sleaze rule supreme.

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