Mush's legitimacy hits nadir post Benazir killing: N Ram

In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, N Ram, Editor, Frontline, said that the events in Pakistan have been traumatic for that country and has made Musharraf quite difficult. "I think his legitimacy is at all time low. Even after several warnings, his regime failed to provide adequate security. This was almost bound to happen and Musharraf’s fraudulent regime had done nothing about it," Ram said.

Excerpts from CNBC-TV18’s exclusive interview with N Ram:

Q: How does life for the subcontinent change after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. Could we be heading for a period of instability you think?

A: There is already a plenty of instability and this heightens it. It was always on the agenda I think, and she knew it. But it is traumatic and it makes everyone’s position, particularly that of Musharraf, much more difficult in Pakistan. I think his legitimacy is at all time low. Even after several warnings, his regime failed to provide adequate security. This was almost bound to happen and Musharraf’s fraudulent regime had done nothing about it.

I don’t want to buy into any conspiracy theories that the Army was involved or the regime was somehow involved; but the whole world knows that the security is in terrible shape.

Q: How will the fact that January elections now have almost become a non-event impact the political future of Pakistan? And in that light will it really impact the sentiments in India and the national politics that prevails here?

A: The election is gone, especially after Nawaz Sharif’s party has declared a boycott, its (election's) legitimacy is gone. I think India has to react very cautiously. It shares the grief of the people of Pakistan and it will do everything to help and tide over this crisis; but essentially there is nothing much India can do except to see that any fallout from this doesn’t hit India or affect India adversely. We wish the people of Pakistan well, though India policy should be constructive. I don’t think there is any need to panic because this is in Pakistan and India is in a totally different situation. But there will be a fallout and we have to handle it cautiously, constructively and positively; infact, helping Pakistan.

I think our leaders have set a right tone in their initial response. The other kind of statements that came from the National Security Advisor earlier for the tragedy was totally unnecessary and we hope that kind of out-of-place talking will be avoided. But right now the response has been dignified and sympathetic.