Assurance without action

Assurance without action makes no meaning. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that the inflation will come under greater control in coming months. When the UPA-II under him got back to power in 2009, PM had assured the nation that he would check price rise in the first hundred 100 days. But the result before us is that since he came back to power, disarray, disorder, chaos, economic mismanagement and corruption prevailed everywhere. The nation is passing through precarious economic situation under the world-renowned economist prime minister. Manmohan Singh govt.’s chief characteristic has been that during his regime, the rich have become richer and the poor have become poorer. Economic growth has fallen to a decade low of 5% in 2012-13 fiscal and is estimated to improve to 6.1-6.7% in the current year. The RBI is scheduled to announce its mid-quarter policy review on June 17.In its last review, the RBI had cut the key interest rates by 0.25%. While the wholesale price (WPI) based inflation fell to over three-year low of 4.89% in April, retail inflation was still high at 9.39% during the month.Despite demands from the industry to cut rates, the RBI has been moving cautiously to lower rates in view on inflationary pressure. The Congress Party, which has been ruling for the last nine years on the slogan of Aam Aadmi, is proving to be the worst enemy of the poor common people of the nation. Unchecked price rise has broken the back of the common people. The economy of the nation is the worst victim of UPA-II. On the one hand the price of all essential commodities, including food is going higher and higher and the Manmohan Singh government is carrying out corrupt practices on the other without any remorse. So, the Prime Minister's assurance that the inflation will come under greater control does not hold any water. Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held next year. Only a year is left with the Manmohan Singh-led UPA-II government to refurbish its badly bruised and disfigured image. The sorriest thing for the nation is that if the ruling combination of UPA is corrupt, inefficient and callous, the main opposition BJP-led NDA is shy, disunited without any plan, policy and programme. BJP-led NDA has failed to emerge before the nation as an alternative to this corrupt, inefficient, callous and directionless regime. The time is running out for the UPA very fast. PM must know that his personal unquestioned integrity and honesty are of no use for the people because of his inaction that has caused huge loss to the nation.

Strengthen relation with Japan

It is very important for Japan, India and US to come closer to keep the peace in Asia intact and check the over lordship of China in the region. In the prevailing situation in Asia where China poses itself to be the boss of the region, it is quiet necessary for India and Japan to strengthen and increase relation to offset any threat to peace, prosperity and development in the region. It is the need of the hour in view of the developing situation in Asia for India to keep a friend, well-wisher, sympathizer and helper like Japan to work as counterbalance to China. The warmth and affinity shown to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during his visit to Japan by the Emperor and the Premier Shinzo Abe to him have caused unease to China. It is uncalled for China to say that its relations with India cannot be disturbed by national and international provocateurs. China in its anger has also described Japan as petty burglar. It shows China’s unease to Japan moving towards India with basket of economic packages and nuclear gadgets like shifting of Yen to India from China and civil nuclear corporation. There may be strained relation between China and Japan but it does not mean that India should not increase cooperation and friendship with Japan. India’s relation with cannot be hostage to China’s pleasure. The relation between India and Pakistan is no secret. Inimical relation exists between the two. In the given situation, China openly cooperates with Pakistan and provides it all sorts of help in many fields, including military and nuclear activity. Japan is technologically much higher and more advanced than that of China. There are 14000 Japanese Companies running in China. If a very small number of them shift to India, it would provide and bolster up market and job sectors enormously. India is also emerging as the third largest economy of the world. It has also potential to emerge as super economic power. So, Japan can also be very much benefited from the large Indian market. The growing economic relation with Japan is not new in India. The modern technology seen in Delhi Metro is the proof of Japanese technological advancement. It is also very good that India and Japan have reportedly agreed to accelerate negotiations for early conclusion of the much-anticipated bilateral civil nuclear deal. Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Abe has said that the two countries will accelerate negotiations for the early conclusion of the civilian nuclear agreement. Negotiations for the civil nuclear cooperation agreement have not made much headway since Japan was struck by Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011. While Japan has backed the Indo-US nuclear deal and the exemptions given to India from international technology sanctions, successive governments in Tokyo have found the going tough in garnering political support for it in the face of stiff opposition from the non-proliferation lobby.

Internal dissension plagues BJP

The BJP is no longer a party with a difference but it is the party in deep internal bickering that was amply reflected in the expulsion of its MP, former Union Minister and an ace lawyer of the nation Ram Jethmalani for six years for breach of discipline. His expulsion exposes the internal dissension in the BJP over the claim of prime ministerial candidate for 2014 Lok Sabha elections among its top ranking leaders. Ram Jethamali is the first BJP leaders who advocated for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for prime ministerial candidate of the BJP and since then Modi’s name comes first whenever there is any talk about the issue. Jethmalani created an atmosphere favourable for the BJP posture boy Narendra Modi to be in reckoning on top for prime ministerial candidature. It is almost certain that the BJP top leadership is vertically divided on the name of Naredra Modi and his detractors within the party have started trying their best to sideline Modi loyalists one by one. And Ram Jethmalani is the first victim of the haunt of Modi loyalists within the party. Gujarat Chief Minister Naredra Modi is undoubtedly the most popular leader of the BJP to be counted for the post of prime minister. BJP knows it too well. That is why Modi was made the member of BJP Parliamentary Board, the highest decision making body of the party, to show the party cadres among whom he is the most popular that Modi is BJP's best bet in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. But the internecine battle runs so deep among 2nd generation leadership after Vajpayee and Advani that one is always at the other to belittle each other. Ram Jethmalani is outspoken and known for expressing his views that may not conform to the party's view. He is also the first to demand the ouster of the former party president Nitin Gadkari when his name allegedly figured in Purti Group Compani's corrupt practices for which he was suspended for raising his voice in public. He also took stand completely opposed to the BJP that favoured the Congress-led UPA government over the appointment of CBI director Ranjit Sinha. In reaction to his expulsion, Ram Jethamalani has said that he was expelled under the influence of anti-black money lobby active in the party. He has been fighting for uproot to this corrupt UPA government and recovery of black money. His expulsion will prove to be suicidal for the BJP. Ram Jethamalani may not be a mass-based leader of the BJP but the people praise his straightforward behaviour and fearless approach towards the issue of corruption. His expulsion might prove to be detrimental for the BJP. Jethmalani's expulsion might send the message out among the public that whoever raised voice against corruption within party forum would be shown the door in BJP and its top ranking leaders are divided over the choice of prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Need to make concerted effort

There is an urgent need to make concerted effort to deal with the growing Maoist violence in the country. Maoism is no less dangerous than terrorism. It needs to be dealt with politically, socially, economically and administratively without any political and electoral interest. Every third district is affected by Maoist violence in the country. Maoism does not believe in democracy and Indian constitution. Maoists want power through, and through the ballot of the people. They are still living under a delusion that the power flows from the barrel of the gun. This is 21st century where democracy rules the roost everywhere in the world. Now enough is enough. And after the brutal killings of Congress leaders in Chatthisgarh, the Maoists have given clear signal that they do not know the language of peace through talks. Maoists are not interested in development of tribal society and they will always misguide them not to join national mainstream. So, the government first evolve political consensus and then act against Maoism with iron hand. This is the immediate need of the hour. The audacious attack on the convoy of Congress party leaders of Chatthisgarh in Sukama district by the armed Maoists that killed 29 Congress leaders and workers is against all norms of civil and democratic society. It must be condemned by one and all. Near about 17 states of the nation are badly affected by the Maoist violence. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has already stated that Maoism is the greatest internal threat to the nation. But he has done nothing so far to deal with this menace. The top ranking leaders of Chatthisgarh Congress have been wiped out by the Maoist armed cadres. The founder of Salwa Judum, a militia of tribals trained and armed by the government to fight out Maoists, Mahendra Karma was the target of the Maoist attackers. As per reports, the brutal way in which he was shot dead by Maoists and the way they danced over his dead body in happiness clearly reflect that they are inhuman and thereby deserve no human rights. Salwa Judum was seen by the Maoists an attempt of the government to divide tribals. Mahendra Karma was in the forefront of raising tribal youths whom the government appointed as SPO to fight Maoist violence. Supreme Court disbanded it. Maoists deserve to be dealt with firmly and ruthlessly as long they tread the path of violence. Their sympathizers and the so-called human rights activists must be told in unison that why they forget the legitimate human rights of political activists and other citizens when they are made targets by the Maoists. The attack of Maoists on the convoy of Congress leaders is the direct attack on democratic activity. No group or individual in society has right to stop the democratic activities of a political party by resorting to violence.

BCCI boss must go

It is time for BCCI President N Srinivasan to go. Otherwise, BCCI must move for his suspension without any delay. His tenure has blackened the face of gentlemen’s game. His son-in-law is already under police custody for his alleged involvement in IPL betting. With the arrest of Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of BCCI President N Srinivasan and owner of Chennai Super Kings, for his alleged involvement in IPL betting scandal, BCCI President’s continuation in office is untenable. Meyappan is the son-in-law of BCCI President N Srinavasan and the allegation against him is of betting in IPL matches. The owner of Chennai Super King (CSK) is of the Board President N Srinavasan and until the arrest , Meiyappan was the CEO of Chennai Super King. Meiyappan’s arrest has also raised serious doubts about continuance of the franchise in the hugely popular T20 league. BCCI has launched the IPL. The Spot fixing scandal involving the bookies, players, owners, mafias and underworld dons in the IPL matches is also dangerous for the security and integrity of the nation. The game of Cricket is gentlemen’s game and it is most popular in our country. No body advocates for the banning of IPL matches but at the same time no body likes this type of game through which anti-national activity may be carried on under its cover. Board President must show moral obligation by resigning the moment spot fixing broke out in the IPL matches. He is the conscience keeper of cricket in India. He has failed in his duty to keep away the IPL matches from the gaze of sinners. The alleged involvement of his son-in-law makes for him untenable to stay in his office even for a minute. Much water has flown down the Ganges. Now nothing is left for Srinivasan to cover with to stay in office. Meiyappan is not only his son-in-law but was also the top honcho of his team CSK in IPL. Now what is left that he waits to come in open. So, it is time for him to resign from the post of president of the BCCI. If Srinvasan is not resigning on his own, the BCCI must suspend him forthwith and save the game of cricket from further degradation, debauchery, dishonesty, disloyalty to the nation and humiliation. The spot fixing incident has let down the players and BCCI officials in equal measure. It is the laxity of BCCI that betting found its way in IPL. The 35-year-old top honcho of CSK, twice IPL champions, was in the eye of a huge storm after actor and TV reality show winner Vindoo Dara Singh, arrested for his alleged links to bookies, admitted to having placed bets on his behalf. Vindoo, winner of reality show Bigg Boss season 3 and son of late wrestler-actor Dara Singh, was allegedly in frequent touch with Meiyappan during the IPL matches and was claimed to have told Mumbai crime branch that the CSK owner had lost Rs 1 crore through betting.

Lacklustre performance

UPA-II has nothing in its report card to present before the nation on its fourth anniversary in power. It has more failures and almost no success to show the people. It has more negatives and no positive in its report card. UPA-II has no single achievement to its credit to impress the people. If it considers FDI and Direct Cash Transfer Scheme as its trump card in the Lok Sabha elections next year, it is its misplaced confidence. It is nothing but its mirage. Its four-year period is of scams, scandals and price rise. Spineless leadership, inaction and policy paralysis have been the hallmark of this UPA-II. It has nothing in its kit to impress the Aam Admi to cast their votes in its favour in the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held next year itself. As UPA-II completes its fourth year in power, it is going to present its report card of achievements on this occasion with pomp and show. Since the beginning of UPA-II, it has been plagued by one scandal after another. Parliament has run for the shortest period so far during its tenure. The Parliament has transacted almost no business during the entire UPA-II. UPA-II has also not been able to present a united face before the nation. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh appeared weak and indecisive, and his writ did not run on his government. There is allegation of the opposition parties that for every decision, PM has to look towards the party leadership. Congress president and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi takes all the decision and PM has to execute them. There has never been weakened the Office of Prime Minister as much as it has been done during UPA-II. On the political front, UPA-II has failed to keep itself united. Its alliance partners parted with it one by one. First Trinamool Congress on the issue of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and then DMK on the issue of Sri Lanka withdrew its support to the UPA-II. After the withdrawal of these two most important partners, the UPA-II govt. virtually slumped into minority, but for the outside support from SP and BSP, UPA-II has kept itself so far intact in the saddle. The main reason behind withdrawing support to the UPA-II Govt. by TMC and DMK is its falling popularity and credibility among the common people of the nation. On the front of economy, UPA-II has totally failed to check the runaway prices of all commodities. Mismanagement of economy and corruption have been the hallmark of the UPA-II Govt. headed by the world-renowned economist Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Address the national interest first

Every nation keeps its national interest above all so should India also do. India should have presented its prime concern about border dispute with China the visiting Chinese premier Li Kequiang. It is a longstanding problem and frequent incursions by Chinese troops into India Territory may flare up in full-blown confrontation between the two big neibours, which is neither in anyone's favour nor world peace. That is why border dispute needs prime attention of the both countries to find out amicable and mutually accepted solution. The Chinese premier Li Keqiang is on three-day visit to India. His visit is significant because it has taken place just after the Chinese troops incursion in Despang Valley of Ladakh in India. Though the Chinese troops pulled out of Ladakh after camping in Despan Valley 19 kms inside Indian Territory for 15 days, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh must have raised the issue strongly with his visiting Chinese counterpart to resolve it once for all. Mr. Singh should also have clearly told Li that India shares 4000 kms of boundary with China and not the 2000 as is usually stated by it. Chinese Premier should also have been asked to clear his country’s relation with Pakistan in regard to India as China has been encouraging Pakistan with adequate help to develop nuclear weapons against India. Li has also not made any mention of his country’s baseless claim on Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim in his address to the press nor does China consider the state of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India. He should have cleared China's stand on these issues, as they are concerned with unity and integrity of India. It is worth welcoming that Li Keqiang has made his India visit first after assuming office as the prime minister of China. He appeared affable and effusive. He also reflected his modern mind and appeared not carry the baggage of history as he is a leader who comes from after 1962. During his India visit, he has shown more interest in promoting trade and commerce and global strategic relation than solving the border dispute with India and its relation with Pakistan. Chinese leaders have also been found telling one thing and doing just the opposite. China considers itself as the strongest claimant of a top most place in the world. So, Li may have made India visit to gauze the India’s mood and assess its progress and prosperity. If China can claim to be a world leader, India also can not be left far behind. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said India and China have the wisdom to find mutually acceptable solution to the boundary problem. But this wisdom on the part of China is yet to be experienced by India. It is correct that the two countries have tried to address the vexed issue, but all efforts have gone in vain so far because of the Chinese disrespect to the established fact. The trade imbalance is currently around USD 30 billion. A day after two rounds of talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, Li has said China has the intention to sincerely resolving the pending issues, including that of cross-border rivers, and favoured increased bilateral relations between the two big neighbours. But if the experience with China is anything to go by, India can take everything what Li has said on its face value.

Need for Transparency in BCCI

There is urgent need to make BCCI transparent. All its activities are opaque. It is a leading sports organization of the nation with which national pride, prestige and honour are inalienably attached. In the given position, it must own responsibility of letting down the game of cricket and take urgent strict and stringent measures to restore the confidence, love and affection of the people. BCCI in an emergency meeting has failed to take any action against the three players Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankit Chavan for their alleged involvement in IPL Spot fixing scandal. All these players have been arrested by the Delhi Police for their alleged involvement in Spot fixing in the ongoing IPL Matches. All the three players are of Rajasthan Royals. BCCI has only shown its avowed helplessness in not taking action. BCCI has only appointed Ravi Sawani as a Commissioner to probe into the allegations of spot fixing. It has also made the announcement of slew of measures, but to effect. No measures taken by the BCCI are going to serve any purpose. BCCI can not evade from the responsibility and accountability it owes to the people of the nation by saying that it is a private organization. Yes, it is a private organization but it selects the team that represents the nation. The Indian Cricket team that is selected by the BCCI carries pride and conscience of the people of the nation. So, on the ground of being a private organization, the BCCI can not be kept outside the ambit of RTI. It must come under the purview of the RTI. To make all the functionings of the BCCI transparent before the people of the nation, it must be brought under the ambit of RTI. After all, BCCI is all in all in each and every cricketing activity of the nation. It is also the richest sports organization. Because of BCCI being the richest sports organization of the nation, politicians irrespective of party affiliation are in beeline to grab a post in it. BCCI has launched India Premier League more to earn money by entertaining people through fast cricket and less to improve the cricket. It must be the duty of the BCCI to have a vigil on all players selected in national, state teams and for IPL matches. This is not the first time that the spot fixing has taken place in our country. There has already been match fixing before in our country. Spot fixing incident has blackened the game of cricket. It has also brought disrepute to the nation. So, the BCCI must be made responsible for the action and behaviour of cricket players. After all, it is the organization, which organizes all cricketing activities of the nation. To salvage its position in wake of the spot fixing scandal, BCCI has announced a slew of measures. Washing his hands off the betting scandal, BCCI boss N Srinivasan has candidly admitted that BCCI and its anti corruption units have limitations and is handicapped to take action against bookies. By merely showing helplessness, BCCI can not be absolved of responsibility and accountability to the nation. It is not only meant for earning huge amount of money through cricket but also ensuring fair and gentlemanliness character of the game .

Blot on Cricket

The increasing lust and greed for money in the game of cricket has culminated in spot fixing in the ongoing IPL matches. The spot fixing clearly reflects that the greed for money in IPL reigns supreme. The Delhi Police have arrested three bowlers of the Rajasthan Royals, including India pacer S Sreesanth, and 11 bookies.The police have claimed that they had busted a major spot-fixing racket in the T20 tournament. Police have also claimed that the bowlers conceded a minimum number of runs in a pre-decided over in exchange for money. Haryana off-spinner Ajit Chandila and Mumbai left-arm spinner Ankeet Chavan are the other two bowlers who were arrested with Sreesanth in Mumbai after Wednesday’s match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. With the arrest of three bowlers by Delhi Police from Rajasthan Royals, including Indian Test bowler Sreesanth and 11 bookies for their alleged involvement in Spot fixing in the ongoing IPL matches, Indian Premier League has plunged into crisis. Though the birth of IPL itself is meant for earning money only, the entailing evils are a forgone conclusion. Where there is primacy of money only, it would be a mistake to expect anything good for the game coming out of it. The purpose of launching IPL by the BCCI is to earn by entertaining the cricket fans.IPL is full of pomp and show. Money matters everything in it. Whoever player irrespective of his background must punished stringently and a clear message must go from the BCCI that its ultimate aim is not to earn money but promote the game of cricket in all fairness and true sporting spirit. It is already known that the IPL has nothing to do with any moral sanctity and standards. Several Franchisees form their teams separately by auctioning the players of their choices for the teams. Betting racket, Mumbai, Dubai and Karanchi nexus may be involved in spot fixing exercise in IPL. Underworld dons sitting abroad may have hand in all the exercise being undertaken by bookies at their dictation with the help of players of dubious characters. With the launching of IPL, the intention of the BCCI is not to bring improvement in the game of cricket but to make money by hook or crook. The cricket fans in India and abroad have been badly shocked and hurt by the dubious acts of the three Rajasthan Royals bowlers to defame cricket. Cricket is called the gentlemen game but now it will be fit to call it a game of manipulators, money makers, deceits, fixers and thugs. The IPL with its only motive of generating money more and more, it is not altogether out of place to say that kingpin of spot fixing is yet to be caught. The three bowlers who have been arrested allegedly for spot fixing have not only let down all the players community but also the game of cricket. They need to be awarded deterrent punishment to ensure that this type of shameful and deceitful behaviour is not enacted on the field before the spectators. It will also be better to dissolve IPL and curtail all activities which put stress on only money generating exercise and doing nothing for the improvement in the game of cricket. Excessive money in the game of cricket has brought all types of evils in it. The BCCI must act swiftly and stringently to give the message to the players that if they are found lacking in devotion, dedication, credibility and integrity for the game of Cricket, they will will be suspended immediately.

Perception of soft stand on corruption

In the backdrop of the spate of scandals like 2G Spectrums, CWG, Chopper, Coal gate and railway bribery, the Union Defence Minister A K Antony has rightly said that the perception has evolved among the public that the UPA-II government is soft on corruption. The fact is that no area of activity has been left sacrosanct. The Indian Army is considered above all corrupt practices. However, the way the immoral act of unlawful sexual activities have come to light in navy is a matter of great concern for the public. Though the Union Minister AK Antony has ordered for enquiry the moment he received a complaint of a naval officer’s wife that she was being pressurized by her husband to establish sexual relation with the senior officer, a perception has certainly developed among the public that no department of this UPA govt is untouched with immoral acts. These things are nothing but indicate that the sharp degeneration is setting fast in all spheres of lives. As far as the public perception about corruption in the government is concerned, it is growing day by day due to soft peddling of the issues of corruption by the government. At last, under media and opposition pressure, the Manmohan Singh government had to take resignation from Pawan Kumar Bansal as Railway Minister because of railway bribery scandal and Law Minister Ashwani Kumar because of his sharing CBI draft status report on Coalgate . This development has definitely sent the message that the former law minister did so because he wanted to save Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who was also the coal minister from 2006 to 2009. If the UPA-II had acted tough against all those who were allegedly involved in 2G Spectrum the moment the scandal surfaced, no other scam after it could have occurred. But the UPA-II did not act until the Supreme Court asked it to do. This action clearly has sent the message out that this government is very soft on the issue of corruption. To change this public perception, the Govt. will have to act very fast, tough and sincerely. Perception is not made in a day. It takes time. Though no allegation of corruption has been proved in the court of law, the litany of scandal is so large that it is natural for the people to think that Manmohan Singh-led UPA-II government is neck deep in corruption.

Positive signal from Pakistan

With PML (N) voted to power in Pakistan, Nawaz Shaif has openly said in an interview with the prestigious US journal that he would seek warmer relation with India. It is very positive signal from Pakistan. India has already congratulated Nawaz Sharif on his victory.This is the third time that Sharif would become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The most remarkable thing that has been seen in Pakistan elections is that despite the threat from Pakistan Taliban to the people not to cast votes, the record percentage of polling was recorded in this election. The time has changed so is Pakistan. This election also reflects that the people are more concerned with Bijli, Pani Sarak than with anything else. This reflects that electorates in Pakistan want the politics of development, peace and progress. The massive victory of Nawaz Sharif will also restrain the meddling of Pakistan Army in politics to some extent and he will certainly assert his authority above all. The outgoing regime of PPP stands discredited and was weak to dare act against the wishes of the Army and extreme radical forces in Pakistan. The rise of militancy and Pakistan Taliban has reached their crescendo during the spineless PPP regime that failed miserably to rein extremist elements. As far as this new dispensation of Nawaz Sharif is concerned, India hopes for better and warmer relations. India also hopes that the new regime of Nawaz Sharif will act on India’s demand of handing over of the chief conspirator of 26/11 Mumbai attack Hafiz Sayeed and the chief architect of Mumbai riots of 1993 underworld don Dawood Ibrahim to it. Both of them are living in grandiose in Pakistan under its full patronage. Though Nawaz Sharif has promised in his election manifesto that he would enquire the role of ISI in Mumbai attack(26/11), it is to be seen how he translates his words into action on the ground. In his first and second term, Nawaz Sharif also had not shown any magnanimity towards India. The Kargil misadventure of Pakistan took place against India during his prime ministership, though he has blamed former General and military ruler Pervez Musharraf for it. Nawaz Sharif has not apportioned the blame to army for Kargil misadventure. It means he does not to displease army. He singled out General Musharraf for the misdeed of Kargil. Nawaz may have personal grudge against Musharraf because he had staged coup and threw him out of power and Pakistan. It is positive development that democracy is taking roots in Pakistan. This is the first time in the history of Pakistan that the transition of power from one government to another through elections has taken place. India cannot expect any sea change after the new regime of Nawaz Sharif takes over in Pakistan but one thing is clear that now this regime will handle army very aptly and always try to keep distance with it to the possible extent. This scenario portends well for India. Lesser the role of Pakistani army in the government, better it is for improving its relations with India.

Humiliating defeat for BJP

The verdict of Karnataka assembly elections is a moral booster for the Congress Party, which has been voted to power on its own in the state, and a humiliating defeat for the BJP that it has lost the lone southern bastion. The issue of corruption, bad-governance and instability has gone against the BJP. Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had brought BJP single to power handedly for the first time in South India in 2008. But the indictment of the Karnataka Lokayukta against him for his alleged involvement in mining and land scam made the Central BJP leadership untenable to allow his continuance in office. He was sacked and there started the instability in Karnataka, and it saw three chief ministers of BJP in the last five years. Even after the sacking of Yeddyurappa, no effort was made by the BJP Central leadership to get the governance improved in the state of Karnataka through its chief ministers. Corruption, bad-governance, instability and cutting into the BJP votes by Karanataka Janata Paksha founded by BS Yeddyurappa after breaking away with the BJP have caused its humiliating defeat. Yeddyurappa has harmed the BJP very much. It is also the ire of the people of BJP government in Karanataka, which has contributed very much to the victory of Congress Party. Congress has won the assembly elections on the basis of negative voting. Neither Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi nor Congress Party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi’s factor has worker for BJP and Congress respectively. Narendra Modi is most likely to be projected by the BJP as its Prime Ministerial candidate and it is most certain in the case of Congress also for Rahul Gandhi in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The corruption in Karnataka government weighed much more heavily on the minds of the people than the corruption charges and plethora of scandals in Congress-led Manmohan Singh UPA Government. The message for the BJP in its defeat in Karnataka is that it must act on the ground and raise voices against the corruption in Central government rather than only speaking and discussion in air- conditioned newsrooms of different TV news channels. The message for Congress is that the people of Karanataka has not given their mandate because its track record is unquestioned on the issues of corruption and bad-governance but because of that they wanted to be relieved of the corruption ridden BJP government. Karnataka verdict may give a new lease of life to the Congress but it would have to come clean on the charges of corruption before 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Otherwise, it will have to face the same fate as BJP has met in Karanataka on the issue of corruption.

Clear the air of deal over pull out

Quiet diplomacy adopted by India succeeded in uprooting the 5 tents erected by Chinese troops after intruding 19 km inside Depsang Valley in Laddakh since April 15. But the buzz all around us is that China extracted its share of flesh from the Indian side before agreeing to return to the position existed before April 15. According to Indian side, the Chinese troops agreed to uproot its tents and return to maintain status quo. The eye-ball-to eye- ball situation between Indian and Chinese troops ended after the flag meeting between local commanders along with diplomatic exchanges at the higher level. Outwardly, it appears that Indian govt. has succeeded in vacating Indian Territory without any skirmishes through quiet diplomacy. But if the news paper report is anything to go by, the Indian side has reportedly agreed to dismantle its Chumar Outpost along the Line of Control to keep vigil on Chinese activities on Karakoram Highway. This is a very vital post from the security point of view for India. And nation would never accept any deal over dismantling Chumar outpost, though China has been demanding the eviction of Indian troops, dismantling of all the bunkers and stopping of all the construction activities since 2005. But India can not strike any deal with China over dismantling the Chumar Outpost. Defence Minister and Foreign Minister must come out in the open and assure the nation that no deal has been made with China over Chumar for uprooting the five tents the Chinese troops had erected 19 KM inside Indian Territory. If the experience with China is anything to go by, it might be possible its troops may have intruded 19 km inside the Indian Territory in Ladakh as rehearsal of their assault or gauze the Indian reaction to their mischief. It is beyond any doubt that China is always on look out to encircle India in South Asia itself as it considers its archrival in the world power game. India's most hostile neighbour Pakistan is China's closet friend and it can use its military base to attack India as and when required. Nepal is already developing good relation with China. China has also naval base in Sri Lanka in India's backyard and it has also made bases in Bangladesh. It has only made all the neighbours of India its close friend to damage Indian interests. So, keeping all these Chinese activities in view in its backyard, India must keep itself prepared to meet any eventualities and challenges thrown at it at any point of time. China's eye-sour is Tibet, which it has kept under its control based on its military power.China will make Tibet independent. So, when the rival between the two Asian giants has no longer been secret, India must always support Tibettans in their struggle to break the Chinese shackles. It will always act as thorn in Chinese flesh. Besides that, India must not fall behind in co-operating and working with the Asian countries like Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan and others who are considered opposed to China.

Need for the change of mindset

The death of Sarabjit due to brutal attack on him in Kot Lakhpat jail in Pakistan has badly hurt the feelings of the whole India and the ramification of this sad incident will be naturally seen in the pause of engagement between the two neighbours to improve the relations. Sponsorship of terror and prejudiced mindset of successive Pak governments towards India have been root cause of worsening relations between the two neighbours. Pak establishments have the deep-rooted notion that more they appear hawkish and spite venom against India, the more support they will get from the people. That is why they do not miss any opportunity to hurt the feelings of India. Since the inception of Pakistan by carving out of India, the two neighbours have never experienced good neighbourly relations. Pakistan always harbours grudge and animosity against India and has been trying to disintegrate it by sponsoring terrorism. Pakistan's main motive has been to disturb the communal harmony of India by hook or by crook. It is the animosity and hatred against India that Indian national Sarabjit Singh was attacked brutally inside the jail in Pakistan by his fellow inmates. It was a murderous attack made out of animosity against India that resulted in his death. Sarabjit’s death increased excessive ire of Indians all over the nation against Pakistan that has compelled the government to cold shoulder any further talk process. Pakistan needs first to change its mindset towards India. Only then, there should be any initiative to begin peace process from Indian side. Otherwise, no talk will ever improve the relation with Pakistan. Though there has been democratically elected government in Pakistan for the last five years, there had never been made any effort to launch public awareness campaign from the government side there to impress up on the people that India is their neighbour, and not enemy. India is like Pakistan’s elder brother. Undoubtedly, there is dominance of radical religious elements in Pakistan society, but there is also no dearth of people there who want increasing people to people relation with India. There is also cultural, linguistic and civilization similarity between the people of the two neighbours. The only lacunae that exists in the successive governments of Pakistan irrespective of military and civilian is that they never made any effort to rein in radicalism and militancy that have poisoned the atmosphere and sowed the seeds of hatred and enmity against India among the people of Pakistan. So, until and unless the mindset of Pakistan changes, no talks between the two neighbours can be fruitful.

Railway bribery rocks UPA Govt.

Hardly a day passes when a charge of bribery, scandal and scam appears in the UPA-II Govt. UPA Govt. appears to be synonymous with corrupt practices and no morality in public life appears to be left with the ministers of Manmohan Singh Council of Ministers. The CBI has arrested the nephew of Union Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs. 90.000 from a high-level railway official through a conduit to fix a top-level post in Railway Board. Though the Railway Minister Bansal has distanced himself from his nephew V Singla and dismissed any business link with him, he must have the realization that because of his being maternal uncle of accused and very close to him, it is clear that he had allegedly taken bribe to influence him. That is all public knows. Congress Party has also brushed aside Bansal’s resignation and described the demand of his resignation by opposition parties as its disease. But the party forgets that the people know everything, symptoms of corruption as a grave disease are itself clearly reflected within its party leaders in government and how much honest the Congress leaders be reflected in people's verdict in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It also appears that the UPA Ministers have the motto to loot the nation and the people until they become bankrupt. Why a person who has no relation with Railway Minister or nothing to do with Railway Ministry would take bribe from a top official of the department to fix a top post in Railway Board. To uphold the probity in public life, the Railway Minister must resign immediately pending to the period of enquiry. The Congress Party must ask Pawan Kumar Bansal and Ashwani Kumar Railways and Law Ministers respectively to resign forthwith. Ashwani Kumar is also facing the charge of sharing with the CBI draft status report on Coalgate scam, which was to be submitted to the Supreme Court. If these two ministers resign immediately, the message will go out in public that the ruling Congress Party is committed to upholding probity in public life. Otherwise, its tainted face will invite much public ire in the coming Lok Sabha election in 2014. It is true that Opposition BJP has the habit of demanding resignation every now and then. But where the culpability is all before every naked eye of the public about the bribery charge against the nephew of the Railways Minister, there is no sense in defending him. More the Congress Party defends its tainted ministers, more the harm it inflicts on itself. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi must take the charge of bribery and misuse of office seriously against their ministers and ask them to resign forthwith. Otherwise, the sinking boat of the Congress Party is bound to sink finally in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Congress in upbeat mood in Karnataka

The Karnataka assembly elections are going to be held on May 5. The electioneering ends and the counting will take place on May 8.The ruling Bhartiya Janata Party in Karnataka is facing not only anti-incumbency but also massive charges of corruption committed during the chief ministership of former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Yeddyurappa is credited with bringing the BJP to power for the first time in southern India by winning the state assembly elections in 2008. He was really the only southern stalwart of the party. But as the corruption reigned supreme in his regime and consequently the adverse remark of the state Lokayukta, the Central BJP was left with no option but to sack Yeddurappa. It was not possible for the BJP to attack the UPA government at the Centre on the issue of corruption when it was itself involved in mining and land scam in Karanataka during Yeddyurappa regime. After stepping down from the chief ministership, Yeddyurappa broke away with the BJP and formed Karnataka Janata Party (KJP). In the five year of BJP regime, Karnataka has seen three Chief Ministers. So, it has lost score on the stability issue. On the issue of corruption, it has already been defamed in the state. In addition to that, Yeddyurappa’s KJP is definitely going to cut into the vote banks of the BJP. As Yeddyurappa comes from dominant Lingayat community, BJP may not get wholesome support from that community also. So, the party stands looser on all these counts. However, the Congress Party is trying its best to assure the people in the state that if it were voted to power, it would get rid of all corrupt practices, which were carried out in the last five-year regime of the BJP in the state. Though there is no wind blowing in favour of any party, the Congress Party is in upbeat mood to retrieve its pre-eminent position in the state. If the mood of the people and all the signals coming out from the state are anything to go by, Congress Party may win the assembly elections and form the government on its own in Karnataka. The Congress and the BJP have put everything into electioneering. The BJP finds it difficult to defend itself on the issue of corruption in Karnataka. When the party never falls short of charging the Congress-led UPA government with massive corruption and enumerates scandals like 2G Spectrum, CWG, Coalgate and others, it is morally bound to explain the charges of mining and land scam before the people against its government in Karanatka. The campaigning for May 5 Assembly polls in Karnataka ends on Friday. Congress and BJP made a strong pitch for people’s mandate in the high-stake elections. Elections would be held to 223 Assembly seats, after the one in Piriyapatna was postponed to May 28 following the death of the BJP candidate. Counting of votes will take place on May 8. It would also be interesting to see role former BJP leader and Chief Minister Yeddurappa and JDS Leaders HD Dewegauda and Kumaraswamy play in the formation of new government in the state.

Cold-blooded murder

The entire nation is shocked and saddened over the death of Sarabjit Singh. The way barbaric attack was made on him inside the jail in Lahore leaves no one in doubt about the well-hatched conspiracy of attackers with Pakistani state actors. The barbaric attack on Indian national Sarabjit Singh, who is on death row in Pakistan's Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore, by two of his fellow inmates, who are also on death row, and his subsequent death in hospital is an act of killing under a well-hatched conspiracy. Sarabjit Singh was attacked in a barbaric way inside the jail only because he was an Indian. The security inside the jail for the prisoner like Sarabjit Singh was very lax and it appears that as elections are underway in Pakistan, the Government there too had tacit involvement in the murderous attack on Sarabjit Singh to emotionally blackmail the Pakistani voters for their favour by whipping up anti-India wave in Pakistan. If Pakistan had noble intention, it had conceded India's demand of Sarabjit Singh's release on humanitarian ground for best possible medical treatment. Pakistan neither handed over Srabjit to India for better medical treatment nor did it itself take him to any third country of the world to provide him better medical treatment to save his life. Pakistan deliberately left Sarabjit to die. It might be possible that Sarabjit had already died before he was admitted to Lahore hospital for treatment. His treatment was a state show to hoodwink the international community. When Pakistan did not hear any plea of India to save Sarabjit at least on humanitarian ground, it must be taken to International Human Rights court. India also must launch diplomatic offensive against at all international forums to defame it on its dubious human rights record. There has been naked violation of human rights in the case of Indian national Sarabjit Singh by Pakistan. Its state actors are allegedly involved in the killing of Sarabjit. Without the deliberate oversight of security personnel inside the jail on the activities of attackers, this kind of cruel attack can not be made on Sarabjit. An Indian has been killed out of animosity against India. It is the inimical attitude of Pakistan against India and the price for which has been paid by the brave Indian Sarabjit Singh, who had been languishing in Pakistan jail for the last 22 and was on death row only because of mistaken identity. Pakistan has no moral compunction to hurt the feelings of 1.2 billion Indians. It is our enemy and it must be treated as such. Pakistan does not know the civilized language. It is a rogue state. So, it must be treated as it deserves without any further consideration.

Make CBI autonomous

It is very difficult for the Central Bureau of Investigation to defy government authorities as long as it is working under them. CBI Director Ranjit Sinha has rightly said that it is one of the organs of the government. The Supreme Court has made very strong observation against the sharing of draft status report of the CBI on Coal gate scam with Law Minister Ashwani Kumar, PMO and Coal Ministry officials. The apex court is monitoring CBI investigation. Supreme Court has rightly said that when CBI was investigating the Coalgate Scam under its direction, why has it shared draft status report with its political boss? It is a disturbing development and a breach of trust. The apex court was kept in dark about it. Apex court has also been misled. Which why the apex court has vowed to liberate the CBI from political dominance. CBI should not be influenced by its political masters. But it is impossible for the CBI to work independently as long as it is under the control of the government. It is not only the Manmohan Singh-led UPA-II government at the Centre, which has used the CBI to protect their political and other interests but almost all governments irrespective of the political party have used it since its inception to serve its political interests. The CBI director in the affidavit has stated that he shared the draft status report with Law Minister Ashwani Kumar as desired by him, the PMO and Coal ministry officials.The Supreme Court has termed it very disturbing. CBI should not have shared the draft status report other than the apex court as it was investigating the case under its direction. CBI should have asserted and its director should have shown moral strength by refusing to share the draft status report other than the Supreme Court. The apex court has rightly said that sharing of information with the government about the probe into the scam has shaken the entire process and CBI need not take instructions from political masters on their probe. It can only be possible when the CBI would be made autonomous. The apex court can compel the government in power to make the CBI autonomous.