Master of words plans to take the middle path

As a master of words, Jaipal Reddy was an invaluable asset when he was chief spokesperson of the Congress party. Now that he is Minister for Information and Broadcasting, however, the style the new regime aims for is to be discerned more in what he does not say than in what he does.

He speaks of the 'de-ideologisation of culture" as his primary agenda, stretching semantics to avoid "de-saffronisation," a word that could cause a political backlash.

Not only that, his phrase puts the focus on the less politically sensitive of Reddy's portfolios, culture, rather than on information and broadcasting. That, he knows, is a can of worms.

The BJP has not only ensured that men it can trust hold key positions in various media organisations, a team that the RSS trusts is in charge of the state-owned broadcasting corporation, Doordarshan.

"I have no role to play," he says, his tone as non-confrontational as can be. "The media has a right to make mistakes and correct itself."

Actually, Reddy is in a sticky position with regard to Doordarshan, for the Prasar Bharati board which controls it, enjoys autonomy under a law that Reddy prepared when he held this portfolio in the government led by I.K. Gujral in 1997.

No wonder he says that "my attitude will be to change the mindset, not the persons" in charge of Doordarshan.

Party insiders, however, say the party is determined to undo what they see as an RSS stranglehold on much of the media. The process is to be as subtle, however, as was the takeover.

Reddy smilingly waves aside any such plans, preferring to hold forth instead on his favourite philosophers (Locke and Bacon), on how he admires Marx as a social scientist, on Russell's views on fascism, on the importance of contextualisation and other such matters.

Asked about his agenda with regard to undoing the previous regime's Hindutva agenda, he says, "I don't want to get into an ideological confrontation," but adds that "we are proud of our ancient and composite culture, and of the monumental contributions that were made to it during various periods."

His personal ideological position has been consistent since he began his political career in 1964, he says. It has remained true to Nehruvian democratic liberalism to the extent that he even left the Congress party when the Emergency conflicted with that ideal.

Asked of his plans, he returns the focus to the Department of Culture, saying he intends to "digitise our cultural heritage," so that manuscripts, documents, etc. are available to researchers and others online.

Clearly reflected in the tenor and content of Reddy's replies is the desire of this government to steer clear of controversies as it takes the middle road between edging its agenda ahead and not alienating either its coalition friends or its opposition foes.

SPOKESMAN

Gifted, articulate

• Reddy, 58, started his political career in Congress and headed the youth wing in Andhra in the 60s.

• Elected from Miryalguda in Andhra, Reddy is known for his speaking abilities and imaginative use of English language.

• Information and Broadcasting Minister in 1997-98 under Prime Minister I.K. Gujral.

• Left Congress in the late 70s, rejoined it in 1999. He has been spokesman of the Janata Dal and the United Front government.