- Anil Narendra
Moderate policies of Michael Gorbachev and economic liberalization and the suppressed political anger led to the disintegration of the great Soviet Union into 15 independent States. In view of such circumstances, Boris Yeltsin voluntarily resigned from the post of the President and Vladimir Putin became officiating President of the country. After a long-drawn battle, the Russian forces defeated the Chechen rebels and took control of the Capital, Grozny. This raised Putin's popularity graph to new heights. Putin won the presidential election on 26th March 2000. Thereafter, he started centralization of powers and curbed the increasing powers of Provincial Governors and Business Houses. Though, Russia did not achieve remarkable progress on economic front during Putin's regime, but Vladimir Putin did create an atmosphere of political stability in Russia, for the first time after the disintegration of Soviet Union. That is why he was elected President for the second term in March 2004. Last week, parliamentary elections were held in Russia. The United Russia Party of Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin faced a massive setback in these elections. According to the latest figures, the party even failed to secure 50 per cent votes. It, however, was able to get a simple majority in the 450-seats Duma, the lower House, but it could not get the majority, which it enjoyed earlier and on the basis of which it was in a position to effect any Constitutional amendment on its own. If we compare Party's earlier performance of 64 percent votes and 315 seats in Duma, which the Party had secured four years back, it will be clear that the popularity of Putin and his Party has taken a nose-dive. On the other hand, the vote percentage of the Communist Party has increased from 11 to 20 percent. To cap it all, the opposition parties and European Election Observers have made allegations of election frauds. There were wide-spread demonstrations in the Russian Capital Moscow against frauds in Duma elections. The demonstrators were protesting against Putin's autocratic rule during last twelve years. The streets of Moscow were resounding with protesters' slogans like, 'Russia without Putin' and 'We Want Revolution'. The Russian Communist Party (KPR) emerged as the second largest and main opposition party in these elections. Talking to the Press on Monday, Party General Secretary, Gennady Zyuganov said that his party is deeply concerned over the large scale frauds in the elections and it is analysing all the available data. Unfortunately, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has also raised question over the impartiality of these elections and called them neither free nor fair. The most powerful Russian leader, Vladimir Putin may not take these comments lightly. The outcome of these elections may also affect the Presidential elections scheduled to be held during March next year. Putin is keen to contest next presidential elections. Under the Constitutional provisions, Putin could not hold the Presidential post consecutively for more than two terms, as such he installed Dmitry Medvedev as the President in 2008 and he himself became Prime Minister. The world, at that time knew that the real power lies in the hands of Putin. Putin has not been towing the US line in recent past and that may be the reason of America not liking Putin. Though Putin has lost his earlier charm, but even today, he is the only leader, who can enhance the prestige of Russia. It is to be seen that how Vladimir Putin is able to enhance his popularity and get re-elected as the President? It would be not only in the interest of Russia itself that it emerges as a strong nation and regains its lost glory, but a strong Russia would also be advantageous for India and other non-Western countries and for that, there appears to be no Russian leader in sight, who may be better than Putin. But, Putin must analyze his mistakes and he make amends accordingly.
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