Friday, December 14, 2018

Rahul strikes a fine balancing act

Winning elections is one of the most difficult tasks for a political party, especially when its popularity is at its all-time low. Here is what happened with the Congress. The party won anyhow three state assembly elections - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh- which were under the BJP rule for years. It is a very big achievement of the Congress party in the face of the rising popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leadership. But even after winning elections, there arose a big problem of choosing the candidates for the posts of Chief Minister among the young and the veteran old guards at least in the case of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for the party President Rahul Gandhi. It was proving to be an Achilles heel for him. Though the case of Madhya Pradesh was settled with the choice of CM's post between Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia fell on Kamal Nath because of his being a senior, astute, resourceful and veteran politician. As hardly four months away from now, the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are going to be held. It will be the final war between Congress and BJP. That is why Congress made Kamal Nath MP CM. Though Jyotiraditya is a young, energetic and popular leader of the Congress party, Kamal Nath is veteran old guard who began his politics with late Sanjay Gandhi. He was in the front of Sanjay brigade at that time. He has also been very close to Nehru-Gandhi family, the power centre of Congress party. On the other hand, Jyotirdiya Scindhia has also been very close to Rahul Gandhi. He is a prominent face of Rahul's young brigade in the Congress party. He was also the convenor of Madhya Pradesh assembly election campaigns. He campaigned hard and made a great contribution to the victory of the party in the state, though with a marginal gap. He was also a strong contender along with Kamal Nath for the post of Chief Minister of the state. The MP state legislature party could not reach on a consensus candidate for the post and left it to Congress President Rahul Gandhi to choose one of the two. It was a very difficult task. Gandhi had to maintain a fine balance between the young and the old in the party in view of the war at hand in 2019. But considering the experience and contacts across the like-minded political parties, the choice with the consent of Jyotiraditya Scindhia went in favour of Kamal Nath and ultimately the Congress party declared him as party MP CM. The same problem is in Rajasthan. Here also, there are two contenders - Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot- for the post of Chief Minister of the state. Ashok Gehlot is experienced, veteran and has adorned the post of CM twice. He is also a very popular politician in the state. On the other hand, Sachin Pilot is young, energetic and popular among the youth in the state. He has also been state party president. He also claims the post of CM very strongly. Newly State Congress legislatures left the decision with Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi to take. Again, he was put in a delicate situation. He had to manage and strike a fine balance between the old and the young keeping in view the great battle of 2019 Lok Sabha elections lying ahead. But again, he solved the problems with exemplary alacrity through consensus by choosing the veteran Ashok Gehlot as the CM of Rajasthan. At last, Rahul Gandhi tweeted with himself in the middle of Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindhia in the first photo and Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot with himself in the middle in the second photo. These two photos clearly reflected that at last, the unity in party prevailed. One thing that also came out this is that Rahul Gandhi left no stone unturned in finding consensus and unanimous opinion on any issue in the party.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

RBI Governor must be an economist of eminence

The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India must have enough knowledge about the domestic and international economy to formulate planning and policy of the Central Bank. Shaktikanta Das, a Tamil Nadu cadre retired IAS officer, has been appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He has been appointed RBI governor in the wake of the abrupt resignation of Urjit Patel as RBI governor in the middle of a tussle with the government on autonomy and other related issues. The importance of the RBI governor must not be underestimated and no one howsoever senior bureaucrat he or she might be made governor without expertise in economics. The post of the governor of RBI demands expert knowledge in the subject of economics. World fame economist and former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had also been the governor of RBI. Before and after Dr. Singh, several economists of eminence have adorned the post of RBI governor. It is not only administrative knowledge and experience but also required to be an authority on Economics to become the governor of RBI. Yes, Shaktikants Das, a Tamil Cadre IAS officer, who has served with the state government in the department of finance and other economic-related wings. He was also associated all his career at the Centre as well as in the state with finance departments. But his working with finance department at the Centre and in the state doesn’t make him an eminent economist of the nation. His credentials for being the governor of RBI is totally unfit and unsuitable. Before Urjit Patel, Raghuram Rajan was the RBI governor. He was known for mastery in modern economics. This is the reason that even a senior BJP leader from Gujarat Jay Narayan Vyas, who was also a minister in Narendra Modi Cabinet when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, has rightly poked the new RBI governor Shaktikanta Das not to make it a history. He has questioned his knowledge about economics. New RBI governor Shaktikanta Das is MA in history from the Delhi University. As far as academic credentials for being RBI Chief is concerned, Mr. Das fits nowhere. The appointment of Shaktikanta Das as RBI governor by Narendra Modi government clearly reflects its lack of knowledge about who is fit for what job. It also clearly appears that there is an acute shortage of talents in the Modi government. Union Finance minister Arun Jaitely is not proving to be an able one for the post. Jaitely has defended new governor by enumerating his postings all his career in the finance departments. As far as theoretical knowledge about economics is concerned, it is impossible without academic qualification in the subject. So, appointing Mr. Shaktikanta Das as RBI governor, Narendra Modi govt. has done no good to the economy of the country.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Vote for change

People's yearning for change in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh has resulted in the defeat of the ruling BJP in all these three states. The change and the anti-incumbency factor worked against the BJP. The underestimation of the opposition Congress by the BJP also contributed to its defeat. BJP was in the delusion that now Congress stands defamed among the people and its leadership is novice without any determined purpose and direction. So, people will never look towards it. But the youthful leadership of Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his effort to present a united face of the party in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan resulted in the win. Except for Chhattisgarh where Congress swept the BJP, it faced a tough contest in both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Despite ruling for 15 years, BJP under the leadership of the outgoing Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave a tough fight to the Congress and the difference in the number of winning assembly seats between the two parties is marginal. BJP has won 109 and Congress 114 in the 230 member assembly of Madhya Pradesh. BJP had been ruling Chhattisgarh for the last 15 years. Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Rajastha were the strong bastions of BJP in the Hindi heartland. The defeat here by the Congress gives an ominous signal for it in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Though the just-concluded assembly elections were considered to be the semi-final before the final of 2019 Lok Elections, it is not necessary that semi-finalist always wins the final. But the victory of Congress party in these three BJP-ruled states has at least boosted the morale of its workers, leaders and top leadership. After 2014 worst-ever defeat, the party cadres were demoralized by one defeat after another. Congress party leadership realized that to win the election against the formidable political opponent like BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he will have to work 24x7. Congress party President Rahul Gandhi laboured hard and led the party from the front in all these election-bound states. His hard labour and concerted effort yielded fruit that within a year of taking over the mantle of the party, Congress has wrested three states from the BJP. Congress alliance with TDP against TRS in Telangana has failed completely. TRS under the leadership of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao routed the Congress - TDP alliance and won the assembly elections with a massive mandate. He came back to power on a very strong wicket. Congress party has also lost its last N-E state of Mizoram where MNF ruled the roost. It won the elections handsomely. BJP must learn a lesson from this that the people know everything. Only tall talking cannot yield fruit for a long time. The people want to work on the ground. Firing in air cannot serve the purpose. The popularity of Prime Minister can no longer help BJP win elections without doing anything concrete on the ground. Yes, PM Narendra Modi is still the most popular leader of the country. But when the issue of hunger, unemployment, health facility, price rise comes to the fore, the reality of the ruling party is exposed. People want work and nothing else.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

#MeToo campaign also gathers momentum in India

It is good that #MeToo campaign is also gathering momentum in India with the revelation about sexual harassment by one woman or the other on daily basis. Casting couch had already been there in Bollywood. Here also under #MeToo campaign, Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta has alleged that veteran actor Nana Patekar had sexually harassed her. After her recounting of alleged sexual harassment by Nana Patekar, some other Bollywood actresses have also come forward with the story of her sexual harassment by the actors. Woman and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has rightly said that action should be initiated against all those who are accused of harassing the woman sexually. A news editor of a prestigious English Newspaper has reportedly resigned from his post over the charges of sexual harassment. #MeToo campaign launched by the women is a courageous act. It reflects that women are no longer subservient to the men. They have also gathered the courage to raise voice against any kind of harassment. It also shows that the time is changing very fast with growing awareness among all sections of the people. Ten years back, the woman did not have the courage to raise her voice against the highhandedness by the man. #MeToo has infused courage and confidence among women all over the world. The incident of casting couch or sexual harassment has been found on large scale in the entertainment industry. Two to three cases of sexual harassment under #MeToo campaign have come to light. The field of journalism is also not free of the incident of sexual abuse. All men must realize now that women can no longer be intimidated to keep silence over their acts of molestation and sexual abuse against them. Rape and other kinds of sexual abuses must be kept under the category of heinous crime. The govt. must support #MeToo to boost and encourage women to raise voice against all kinds of injustices against them. #MeToo campaign helps the women empower themselves in the society. It is because of this campaign that those who are involved in sexual abuse against the women would always be in fear that their acts of misdeed could come any time to light. The #MeToo storm has gathered momentum with more women recounting their experiences of sexual harassment in the entertainment and media industry; leading to actor Rajat Kapoor apologizing for his alleged misconduct and AIB facing uncertainty after two members distanced themselves from the comedy group under a cloud. The Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) has also rightly called upon media houses to set up institutional mechanisms for complaints of sexual harassment. It is true that many of the complaints have gone unheard despite being brought to the notice of the authorities concerned. It is disturbing and a matter of grave concern. More and more victim women must come forward and expose the victimizer. # MeToo campaign was born amidst Tarana Burke narration of sexual abuse that left her speechless. It happened in 1997.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Two-plus-two dialogue must be meaningful

The first edition of two-plus-two talks begins in New Delhi between India and the US. The Indian side is represented by the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the US is represented by its Secretary of State Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis. The talks were held in a very cordial atmosphere. Now, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in New Delhi for talks, they'll seek to bring the two countries closer than they've been since the Cold War. Their agenda for talks is believed to include key issues such as anti-terrorism, maritime security and countering China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean. There is no doubt that this two-plus-two talk will strengthen the relations between the two countries. But at the same time, it is also necessary that the agenda of talks must be discussed threadbare and all efforts must be made to find how to fight terrorism to finish in right earnest. There is a natural similarity between the US and India. The US is the oldest democracy of the world while India is the largest one. Both attach utmost importance to the freedom of individual and both are against any kind of discrimination. There is religious freedom in both the countries. There cannot be any discrimination against anyone on the basis of caste, creed and religion. Both believe in the theory of peace and progress. Both are adamant to fight terrorism to the finish. The US appears to be distancing from its blue-eyed boy Pakistan for its roguery and deep involvement in abetting, aiding, sponsoring and encouraging terrorism in the recent years. But the need of the hour for it is to cut off all relations with Pakistan. The US is advocating for cutting down financial assistance to Pakistan as its fight against terrorism is not satisfactory. But it must know clearly that the terrorism has been the instrument of state policy of Pakistan. It has not abandoned this policy since it adopted just after it came into existence. There is also no secret that Pak military is the head of all terrorists’ activities and no democratically elected government dare defy it. Whenever the democratically elected Pak govt. ignored its military’s dictation on the issue of terrorism, the coup has been staged and the govt. is thrown out of power. It has been the history of Pakistan. So, visiting Pakistan by the US secretary of state and Defence Secretary before taking part in the two-plus-two dialogue with India in New Delhi does not hold good for the relations between the two countries. The question here arises that when the US is well aware of Pak's deep involvement in promoting terror not only against India but also the entire world, why does it hesitate to take strict action against it for once and all? What was the need of the US to send its Secretary of state and Defence Secretary to pacify new Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan? Strengthening relations with India is good for peace and progress in the region, but it will be better if the US stops all financial assistance to Pakistan for its total failure on the issue of acting against its home-grown terrorism. The US must ensure by putting pressure on Pak that its soil is not used for operating terror against India. The message against terrorism must come out loud and clear of the two-plus-two dialogue between India and Pakistan.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Take a judicious decision on SC/ST Act

The Parliament has unanimously upturned the Supreme Court decision about the SC/ST Act. The apex court decision is that the FIR cannot be lodged without the approval of the police officer of the Deputy Superintendent level and arrest cannot be made before investigation about the authenticity of the complaint. The SC/ST people all over India had called Bharat Bandh, created chaos on streets and destroyed public property on the large scale against the SC’s decision. The apex court verdict in regard to SC/ST was judicious and no upper caste people oppose it. But the Narendra Modi government at the Centre along with the support of all opposition parties upturned the SC decision and passed the bill incorporating stern clauses in it. Now, it has been enacted as the bill got the President's assent. The upper caste people across the nation are up against the SC/ST act, which has been arbitrarily promulgated by the government to keep the community in good humour only for the sake of vote bank politics. SC/ST constitutes 20 per cent of the total population of the country. No political party can afford to take their annoyance. So, it is only because of the vote bank politics that the sterner laws have been enacted by the Parliament to win the favour of the community without taking into considerations its misuse with malice against the upper caste. With the passing of the SC/ST bill, a fierce opposition by the people of upper caste has been recorded across the nation. The upper caste people in Madhya Pradesh even allegedly threw sandals and chappals at the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan election cavalcade. It is not only MP, but almost all states of north India have witnessed vehement opposition to SC/ST act enacted by the Parliament. The Upper caste people have rightly charged the government and all other political parties with dividing the society. The new SC/ST act is more stringent than the laws framed by the British rulers. They have described it as a black law. No upper caste man/woman is against favours and privileges conferred on SC/ST by the govt. They have been availing of various government facilities since the Constitution came into force. Has anyone belonging to upper caste ever raised any voice against it? They are also against any kind of atrocity on them. But the law enacted by the government empowers the police to arrest any upper caste man/woman howsoever high social prestige he/she may enjoy at even minor charge against him or her levelled by the SC/ST people. It is going to be a draconian law against the upper caste people. The move by the government with the support of all opposition parties amply reflects that they have played at the SC/ST tune only to please them. The upturning of the Supreme Court decision about the SC/ST by the Parliament unanimously has hurt the psyche of all upper caste men and women in the country. The political parties have no right to insult, humiliate, suppress and harass one community at the cost of another only for the sake of garnering votes.

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Petrol, diesel prices up, rupee down to all-time low

The price of petrol and diesel is going up and up on daily basis. It has touched a record all-time high. On the one side petroleum prices are rising unbridled and the value of rupee against the dollar is falling and has touched all-time low on the other. The rising prices of petrol and diesel have a cascading effect on all essential commodities, and ultimately the common poor people are burdened. As far as the NDA govt. at the Centre is concerned, it washes its hands off the rising prices of petrol and diesel by saying that it is because of international market behaviour that they go up. The price of petrol in Mumbai has crossed Rs. 80 per litre while it is to touch Rs. 80 in Delhi. With the increase in the price of diesel, the carriage cost of all commodities of daily use naturally goes up, and that is transferred to the consumers. So, ultimately the common consumers bear the brunt most due to rise in petroleum prices. Here, the double game of the NDA govt. at the Centre is exposed. When the crude oil prices in the international market were at its lowest level two years back, the govt. did not cut down the prices of diesel and petrol nor did it slash the excise duty and tax to benefit the consumers. It said that the profit earned from the petroleum products in terms of excise duty and taxes will be used to benefit the consumers when the price of crude would go up in the international market. In the prevailing scenario of the international oil market, the rise in the price of petrol and diesel is a must. But by cutting down the excise duty and other taxes levied by the states and the Centre and bringing the petroleum price under GST, the govt. can provide relief to the customers. But it is itself trying to earn a profit by imposing excise duty and other taxes on petrol and diesel. The weakening of rupee against the dollar is also a major cause of concern for the government. It has gone all time low. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the senior BJP leaders had criticized the previous UPA government of Dr. Manmohan Singh for the unbridled rise in the price of petroleum products and the falling value of rupee against the dollar. But at that time, the record was not made as they have done now. PM Modi and other BJP leaders made a mockery of the previous govt. for its inaction to bring down the prices of petroleum products. They claimed that they would bring them down this way or that way. But now, they wash their hands off any accountability and cite international market price as the cause behind the rise in prices of petrol and diesel. It appears that everything has been left to the mercy of gods. No effort is being made by the Ministry of Petroleum to halt the rise in petrol and diesel prices. The time has come for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene to stop the rise in the price of diesel and petrol any more.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Pandit Nehru was the apostle of peace, progress and development

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is not only the first Prime Minister but also the maker of modern India. He may be the first among equals if we talk of all the PMs of the country so far, but he is the only one who made a great sacrifice for the freedom of the country by passing his youthful days in different jails of the country. He has been considered to be the statesman of the international repute. As far as the freedom fighters are considered, he is the greatest after the father of the nation Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi. Pt. Nehru spent his youth in different jails during the freedom struggle. Pt. Nehru's contribution is only second to Mahatma Gandhi in freeing the nation from the shackles of British rulers. Pandit Nehru was not only the leader of India but also the world. He gave the nation a direction of peace, progress and development. He made an immense contribution to the launching of the Non-aligned Movement to make the world multi-polar. He had a scientific bent of mind and laid the plinth of industrialization and helped much in developing scientific temper in India. All symbols of progress in the country so far testify the fact that Pt. Nehru was the apostle of peace, progress and development. He was a liberal, forward-looking, progressive, vibrant and multi-faceted personality. If anyone in India thought about the development of the nation, it was Nehru who was the first to do so. He has been incomparable all his life. He was a giant while other PMs were dwarf before him in terms of political and national stature if we ever tried to put him in their line. In the given position of Pt. Nehru, any attempt by the incumbent government at the Centre to undermine Nehru Memorial Museum and Library at the historic Teen Murti Bhavan in New Delhi where he spent his life as the first Prime Minister of India would certainly boomerang on it. Nehru Memorial Museum and Library has kept the memories and description of the legendary Pandit Nehru. His contribution and works for the nation would prove to be an inspiration for the coming generations. He was a versatile genius. Pt. Nehru also wrote books of world repute. He was an acclaimed political leader. He led the nation from the front before and after the Independence. He was a true democratic who never undermined his political opponents and rivals despite being the most popular mass leader of the country. He was very fond of children. Which is why he was also called Chacha Nehru. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has rightly written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to leave the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) "undisturbed". He has rightly said that this would be respecting both history and heritage. The NMML was established in the memory of India's first prime minister and the museum at the Teen Murti House has preserved some rooms as they were at the time of Nehru's death.

Friday, August 17, 2018

A legendary political personality with national vision

Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was the tallest statesman, political leader, parliamentarian and multi-faceted personality after country's first PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. His sad demise has created a vacuum, which cannot be filled. In his more than six decades of political life, he has been flawless in all fields whether it is public or private. Former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee was lovingly called Atal Ji by his friends, fans and followers. He was a versatile genius and outstanding poet. His poetic talent was incomparable. He was the last leader of his generation, who treated his political opponents as rivals, but not as enemies. He was the first Indian representative at UNGA who spoke there first time in Hindi. He was opposition leader at that time when the then Prime Minister Narshimha Rao sent him to UN to represent India. It was his political astuteness, diplomatic skill, liberal outlook and forward looking qualities that attracted the attention of the ruling party despite the fact that the party he represented was ideologically opposite to it. He was an extraordinary orator and exponent of political conscious. He was a political genius and it was his qualities that despite major differences with the ruling Congress party, he always supported the government on foreign issues in the interest of the nation. Atalji was a true democrat and nationalist who always kept national interest uppermost. He was the member of Parliament for more than 5 decades. It was Atal Behari Vapayee about whom Pt. Nehru had said that one day he would become the Prime Minister of India. Nehru always praised Atal's oratorical talent. It would not be out of place to say that former PM Atalji was Pt. Nehru of the BJP. He was loved as much by his party workers as by others. His contribution to the nation building is immense. He was always positive. As Prime Minister of the nation, the Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojna has been his brainchild. He became PM of the nation three times. Atalji never belittled the development made by the Congress government for the nation after India got Independence. He said that if he would say that there was no development work in the last 50 years, it would be undermining the nation. The nation has developed in the last 50 years, but a lot still to be done. He was a large-hearted politician. It is who said about Pakistan that we can change friends but we cannot change neighbour. With broad thinking, he started peace process with Pakistan despite its misadventure like Kargil war. Atal Behari Vajpayee was a true democrat and believed in the principle of live and let live. In Atal's demise, BJP has lost its jewel while nation has lost her great son. He was one of the ablest sons of Mother India. People, political leaders and workers irrespective of their affiliation, all loved him very much. We along with the entire nation condole his death.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Legendary Dravidian politician

Kalaignar M Karunanidhi, five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, one of the tallest political personalities of the nation and the symbol of regional politics, is dead. The entire nation is sad and shocked at his demise. He was 94-year-old. His death has created a vacuum not only in Tamil but also national politics as he was regarded as the master of alliances. It was his political shrewdness that he had aligned with both former Prime Minister Atal Behari -led NDA govt. and the previous Dr. Manmohan Singh -led UPA govt. at the Centre. He knew the pulse of the people. His mentor was great Annadurai, the exponent of Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu. Karunanidhi was the champion of Dravidian politics and he was also a blue-eyed man of Anna Durai. It was Karunanidhi who under the leadership of Annadurai led the anti-Hindi movement. Karunanidhi was against the Brahmanism way of life, culture and tradition and launched an anti-Brahmin movement. He was also a great Tamil Literary figure and excellent scriptwriter. His command on Tamil literature was very strong. He mesmerized the audience before whom he gave a political speech. With the selection of word aptly appropriate to the occasion, he kept his audience spellbound. With his strong political clout and connection with the commoners in Tamil Nadu, he became the Chief Minister of the state for five times. He was so expert in sewing alliance that he even aligned with the BJP which is dead against the things he stands for. Karunanidhi was also one of the most respected politicians of the country. Both Congress and BJP national leaders hold him in high esteem. With the rise of MG Ramachandran in Tamil politics, he posed a challenge to Karunanidhi but his sheer determination and political guts always kept him ahead of all. The AIADMK government of EPS in Tamil Nadu must pay due respect to the departed leader. Karunanidhi was a grass root politician and he connected himself with the people on the ground even when his party DMK was out of power. Power matters nothing before his colossal personality. His death has caused a great loss for the people of Tamil Nadu. His contribution to the development of Tamil Nadu is incomparable. He made an invaluable contribution to the development of the state. It appears in Tamil Nadu that in his death, the people have lost their family member. It was so great a connection with the people of the state that everybody feels as he/she lost his/her own family member. He was a leader of the masses. His charismatic personality attracted people very much in Tamil Nadu. In his death, Tamil Nadu has suffered a great loss.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Nitish under pressure to act

The alleged rape of girls in the Muzaffarpur shelter home hangs the heads of all the people of Bihar in shame. It is a sheer act of negligence and callous approach towards running the shelter home by the state government through its chosen and favourite NGO. The husband of the Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma is also under the cloud. The entire opposition parties in the state, including some BJP leaders demand the immediate resignation of the Minister. They have also staged a massive protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and demanded the resignation of the Social Welfare Minister on moral ground at least. Though the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held an hour-long press conference and brought the senior most officers of the departments concerned before the media at the press conference, he rejected outright the opposition demand of the Minister's resignation. He said that there was systemic failure because of which this shameful incident has occurred. He also commented on some opposition leaders, who held a protest at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi, saying that it would be better if they had looked their face in the mirror. Muzaffarpur incident of alleged rape of girls is a blot on the head of the state. It is clearly the case of negligence and it has taken place under a nexus between the politicians close to power in any way and the criminals of Muzaffarpur. It is not only the state administration but also police and intelligence agency of the state has completely failed. The TISS report, which revealed the sordid incident of rape of girls, awakened the Nitish Kumar govt. after three months to initiate action. Some Brajesh Pathak whose the NGO was reportedly running the shelter home in Muzaffarpur is alleged to be the kingpin of the horrible incident of rape.He is also reportedly very close to the ruling politicians. Muzaffarpur incident also clearly shows that no crime on major level can be committed until and unless there is a deep nexus among politicians, police and administration. It also appears clearly that administration and police departments are hand in glove in not action against the culprits in time. Since Nitish Kumar went into the lap of BJP in Bihar, crimes have shoot up instead of going down in Bihar. CM Nitish Kumar was known for good governance and that is why he is also called Sushan Babu in Bihar. But since he re-aligned with the BJP in the state, crimes and corruptions have shot up. Law and order has fallen to its lowest ebb. Sushasan Babu is no longer proving to be effective in dealing with the prevailing situation in the state. Moral compunction calls for the resignation of Bihar Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma over alleged rape of girls in Muzaffarpur shelter home. It is also the moral responsibility of CM NItish Kumar to ask her to resign till the time investigation is over and all clouds over her husband drift away. Otherwise, his reputation of Sushan Babu will itself come under the cloud.

Monday, August 6, 2018

Cong's smart move for unity

Congress Party is ready to forgo PM candidature claim prior to LS elections so that no hurdle could come in uniting all the opposition parties under one banner of Mahagathbandhan against the ruling BJP-led NDA. Though Congress President Rahul Gandhi had expressed that if his party emerged as the largest single party, he would be PM. He said this in reply to a question. Congress Working Committee had also decided to project its natural choice of Rahul Gandhi as its Prime Ministerial candidate in the elections. But now observing that no unanimity among the opposition parties could be reached with Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate before the Lok Sabha elections, it decided to take decision on this issue after the result of Lok Sabha elections who should lead the opposition. It means that this contentious issue of leadership will be decided post poll. It clearly reflects that Congress party is bent on uniting all the opposition parties against the ruling BJP-led NDA. Its main aim is to unseat the Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Lok Sabha elections. Leaving the issue of Prime Ministership to be decided post-poll is a smart move of the Congress Party. The party which emerges as the largest after the elections will lead the coalition. One thing is also crystal clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the single most powerful leader in the country. The ruling BJP has a great asset in him. No leader from any opposition party stands anywhere before him. Currently, there is no match for PM in the country so far as the leadership issue is concerned. It is a good move by the Congress party that it has left the decision on the issue of combined opposition party for PM candidate post poll. Otherwise, the Lok Sabha elections might turn out to be on presidential cult in which PM is much taller than any other leader from the opposition camp. The elections will be fought as presidential one where personality matters and every other thing takes the back seat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the undisputed leader of his party whereas there are as many claimants for the PM candidate as the parties constituting the Mahagthbandhan are. Some parties in the opposition camp are in no mood to accept Rahul Gandhi as their leader their leader. So, Congress realized that it is not important that who leads the opposition camp but to unseat PM Modi from power in Lok Sabha elections 2019. Currently, there are at least 7 to 8 claimants for the post of PM. But the decision is to be taken on the issue of leader when the result will be announced. Whichever party emerges as the largest one its leader will lead the coalition or Mahagathbandhan. As far as stature of PM Modi is concerned, it has no match in the opposition parties. PM Modi's charismatic personality holds the audience spell-bound. He connects with the people in one go. His speech is very appealing and his track record is unblemished. Congress has to unite the opposition parties to give a formidable challenge to BJP. Otherwise, PM Modi’s victory juggernaut is impossible to stop.

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Political point scoring over NRC

The uproar in Parliament over the release of National Register of Citizens (NRC) draft dropping out 40 lakh people from it is deliberately created by the opposition and ruling parties for polarizing their respective voters. Parliament has almost come to a standstill for 3 days over NRC issue. All are unaware of the ground realities in Assam after the release of NRC but speaking over it full-throated in Parliament. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Bannerjee is raising the issue of discrepancy in NRC and the deliberate attempt to polarize Hindu voters by the BJP in its favour over the alleged dropping out 40 lakh people from it of a particular community. Mamta's TMC and Congress are opposing the way NRC Draft has been prepared. While the ruling BJP is making it an issue to fight elections in 2019. BJP claims to be the only saviour of the Hindu community. But it must be understood that the nation belongs to all and the government in power has to treat every citizen irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, community and belief equally. India is a sovereign secular democratic republic. There cannot be any discrimination against anyone on the basis of his/her caste, region, religion. But here in the country caste, creed and religion play a vital role in the victory and defeat of a political party. Even the political party whose base is secularism sometimes deviates from its ideological belief in the hope of garnering votes of a particular, caste and community. Though the govt. has assured the people whose names have not figured in NRC draft that they need not be panicky, there is recourse in place for correction in the NRC draft. They have been given time for removing the grievances about their names not figuring in it. Though NRC campaign is, especially, meant for Assam and it is going on the order of Supreme Court. It is monitored and supervised by the apex court. SC has also ordered not to resort to any coercive measure against all those who have not made to NRC draft. They are the citizens of India till the final verdict in this regard. So, they have nothing to fear. Undoubtedly, the campaign for NRC is massive and on the large scale in Assam. The discrepancy has been there in the NRC draft on the large scale. Otherwise, one family member has not made to the NRC while another of the same family has made to it. So, the debate and discussion in Parliament should be on how to set everything right in NRC. By not allowing the BJP president Amit Shah speak on the issue of NRC in Rajya Sabha, opposition members have shown disrespect to the House. Mr. Amit Shah is the President of the ruling BJP. He has every right as the member of the Upper House also to speak his party's views on the burning issue of NRC. Opposition blame against the ruling the BJP holds some water that NRC draft was deliberately released in view of the coming assembly elections in MP, Rajasthan and Chattishgarh by the end of the year. NRC draft has created human tragedy in Assam. So, the politicians and MPs belong to ruling as well as opposition party must not make it an issue of politics in view of the coming assembly elections.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Show magnanimity towards India in terms of the relation

With the victory of Imran Khan and his party Pakistan Tahreek-e- Insaf (PTI) emerging as the largest one after the results of the elections held in there recently, there appears to be building a positive atmosphere. It also shows the role of democracy in our neighbourhood. Pak PM -designate Imran Khan is yet to show magnanimity in terms of improving relations with India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already greeted Imran for his victory in Pak elections. PM's greeting to him clearly shows that how much importance India attaches to democracy. All hope that the relation between Pakistan and India will improve with Imran Khan PM -designate of Pakistan assuming his office after taking oath. It is all likelihood that Imran will form govt. in coalition with the like-minded parties. Though like all other political players of Pakistan, Imran has also never fallen short of India bashing during his electioneering. It is necessary in Pak to adopt anti-India stance by the political party leaders irrespective of their affiliations to be in reckoning. As Pakistan army is instrumental in all democratically elected governments in formulating policy on India, Imran govt. too will bow to them. They have strong control on all activities of the Pak government in relation to India. Imran Khan has also been portrayed as the stooge or puppet of the Army. He is considered to be the blue-eyed boy of the army. Imran Khan PM-elect of Pakistan is expected to invite PM Modi to participate in his oath taking ceremony which is to be held on August 11, 2018. Whether PM would go to Pak to attend his oath taking ceremony or not is yet to be decided, one thing is clear that Imran may emulate him. PM Modi had also invited former PM Nawaz Sharif to attend his oath taking ceremony as PM but how much relation between the two countries improved is all before us. To act against the perpetrators of Mumbai attack of 26/11 is the main demand of India before Imran. It will expose him before the world that how serious he is in taking action against the home-grown terrorism. It will be also tested how much control the Army exercises on him. The Army and the government have given patronage to the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attack in Pak. Imran Khan has been a world famous cricketer. He is expected of displaying sportsman spirit by coming out of the dragnet of the army, which forces every democratically elected government there to toe its line. Otherwise, confrontation starts between the two and ultimately ends in the coup by the army. The history of Pakistan is that it has been ruled by military half of the period since it came into existence in 1947. We hope a new dawn with the Imran Khan becoming the Pak PM.

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

NRC must strike balance

With the release of National Register of Citizens draft in Assam, a serious and massive political controversy has arisen. In the first place, NRC draft is apparently discriminatory between two communities. NRC campaign was started especially for Assam to single out all illegal immigrants living in the state for decades. It is a massive campaign involving govt., private personnel and a huge amount of state exchequer. It has been clearly discriminatory. 32.9 million had applied for entering their names in NRC. Out of 32.9 million people, 40 lakh could not make to it. They have been labelled as illegal immigrants and thereby they are on the verge of losing citizenship. It appears like a human tragedy. The opposition parties- Congress and Mamta Bannerjee TMC - charge that it is the machination of BJP state and Central government to exclude Muslims and non-Assamese living the state for decades. The discrepancy on the large scale in NRC has come to the fore. Even all members of a certain family were not included in NRC. For example; the name of a man, his wife and son has figured in NRC but his daughter has been excluded. What a mishandling committed by the state govt. employees at a local level while preparing the NRC. There must be an honest approach sans any political interest to prepare NRC. BJP and opposition parties blame each other for building their respective vote bank. Opposition parties allege that the NRC in Assam is the handiwork of BJP to polarize Hindu voters in its favour while it alleges them that they are shielding illegal immigrants from Bangladesh only for the sake of protecting their vote bank. NRC must be prepared with the view to entering all genuine and bonafide citizens in it irrespective of their caste, creed, belief and religion and community. At the same time it must be ensured that no illegal immigrants could make to it at any cost. It is correct to say that illegal immigrants from Bangladesh have migrated to Assam,West Bengal and other north-eastern states of the country on a large scale. They have in the past posed a serious security problem for India. So it must be ensured that neither the genuine and Bonafide people could be excluded nor the illegal migrants from Bangladesh make them to NRC. The issue of illegal immigrants is not new in Assam. It has been there for decades. As is the habit of Congress government, this issue had been hanging in balance for decades. The illegal immigrants are those who have crossed over to India from across the border after March 25, 1971. No political party whether ruling or opposition should speak in favour of illegal immigrants. The illegal immigrants on large scale have disturbed the demographic balance of the state of Assam. The foreign national issue has already rocked the state in the 1980s. So, the ruling and the opposition must work together without creating any panic among the people that those who have not made to NRC will lose citizenship thereby everything they have earned in the last forty years. They have ample time for recourse to making claim to the citizenship.

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Shameful incident at shelter home in Bihar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had been known for good governance. That is why he was also called 'Sushasn Babu. But now, the tag of sushasan appears to be slipping off him. He came out of Grand Alliance only due to deteriorating law and order situation and rising crime in the state and he considered his alliance partner RJD workers and leaders for it. So, to maintain his image of governing the state well, he came out of it and formed a government with BJP under NDA banner which he had left after more than 20 years of association in 2014 to fight assembly elections in 2015 with Congress and RJD. But since he formed govt. with BJP in Bihar last year again, the law and order situation continued to deteriorate. The incidents of rape, murder, kidnapping, extortion continued to appear in the newspapers at regular intervals. CM Nitish Kumar has so far done nothing in the last one year to tighten law and order in the state. The horrifying stories emerging from the shelter home in Muzaffarpur about the 29 girls, who were sexually assaulted. The girls were duped, drugged and raped. They were tortured beyond any imagination. The girls, who told the state women Commission Chairperson their misery, raise the hair on its end. The operators and the visitors to the shelter home allegedly raped and beat the girls mercilessly. They were treated worse than animals. They were so much fearful of the operators and visitors of the shelter home that they did not ever tell their misery to the visiting state women commission members that they were treated so badly. When any official visited the shelter home and asked the girls what problems were being faced by them, they did not tell anything as oppressors always sitting by their side. All these incidents of crime show that law and order in the state is deteriorating day and day and there is law fear of law in the state. Nitish Kumar in this stint of power does not deserve to be given any credit for governing the state well. RJD is undoubtedly the largest political party in the state. Its boss Lalu Prasad is facing corruption cases and going in and out of jails frequently. Despite the taint of corruption with RJD supremo, it has still its strong grip on its vote bank of Yadav and Muslim. RJD is attacking the Nitish Kumar govt. day and night. It is the responsibility of the Bihar govt. to order for a thorough probe of what happened in the shelter home in Muzaffarpur. This incident is a blot on the head of the state It is the shameful incident and the perpetrators of this crime must be awarded deterrent punishment. The reports of repeated sexual abuse of inmates at the short stay home in Muzaffarpur came to light after Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) carried out a social audit of shelter homes across Bihar last year. The Institute submitted its report in April this year. The govt. lodged a first information report on May 31.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Heavy rains submerge Delhi in water

The chaotic condition prevailed at every important intersection. It appeared as if the national capital turned into a pound. Everywhere only water was seen. All the drains were choked and there was no way to drain out the water accumulated on the streets and in colonies due to heavy rains. It is the total failure of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Govt. in carrying out their duties properly. Traffic was severely affected due to heavy rains in the national capital with waterlogging contributing to chaos at various intersections. Vehicular movement was also severely affected at the underpasses and flyovers. The traffic police had to issue advisories with alternate routes on its Twitter handle for motorists. Heavy rains lashed the city overnight and continued till the morning. The weatherman has predicted more rainfall during the day. The national capital Delhi witnessed heavy rains in the morning. The civic bodies in the city are under the control of the BJP. They are governed by it for the two consecutive terms. Coincidently, the BJP is also in power at the Centre. Delhi being the national capital of the country, the police, land and general law and order are under the Central Govt. So, the responsibility also lies with them to take care of the city. The state govt. of Delhi cannot do anything with it. Delhi is yet to get full statehood. That is it is up to the Central government to look after the upkeep of the national capital. The period of the rainy season is fixed. So, the local bodies should have started preparation to deal with waterlogging in advance. Waterlogging in the national capital has become a perennial problem. No corner of Delhi whether it is VIP area or general one, waterlogs even after a light rain of short period. Waterlogging causes traffic jams for long hours and the resultant problems are faced by the common Delhiites. The officer goers cannot go office on time and the children don’t reach their schools due to sticking in long traffic jams. This is also not the first time that waterlogging has taken place all over the national capital after a heavy rain. It is a perennial disease which has become incurable. The successive governments at the Centre and in the state have failed to do away with the problems of water logging in the capital. Fundamentally, the municipal corporation is solely responsible for the worsening civic condition of the city. As corruption is rampant at every level there, no one carries out one’s responsibility. Municipal staff go on strike every now and then. There needs to be an honest and strict nodal officer in the four municipal bodies to ensure that all preventive measures have been taken before rainy season or not. As the major responsibility for the upkeep of the city lies with MCD and it is under the BJP, the state govt. has little to do with this affair.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Need for re-thinking on reservation policy

Witnessing the violence on large scale during every strike, bandh, dharna, protest and agitation for the demand of reservation in educational institutions and government job, it appears that the time has come for re-thinking and reviewing the reservation policy by the government of the day. The successive governments at the Centre have dared not give a re-look to reservation policy lest it loses the votes. Reservation should only be availed by the people, who are needy and the economically weak irrespective of their caste and region. Has any government ever made an appraisal of the reservation policy in the last 50 years? Whether this policy has been beneficial for the people for whom it has been formulated or not must be determined. At the time of introducing reservation for SC/ST, it was decided that its appraisal will be made every 10 years and after that it would be decided whether to continue it or not. But that did not happen only because of the politics of vote bank . Marathas in Maharashtra and Mumbai have been agitating for the demand of reservation in educational institutions and government jobs. They were considered to be the dominant section in society of Maharashtra. They had enough landed property and they were solvent. With the passing of time, they felt threatened by the people of backward community on the basis of their reservation in education and job. Backward people on the basis of education and job left Marathas behind in society. Feeling to be out of reckoning in Maharashtra, the Marathas resorted to agitation, which has also reportedly turned violent in different parts of the state, including Mumbai. On witnessing violence by the protesters, the agitation and bandh was reportedly called off. Every individual and group has fundamental right to stage dharna, protest and start agitation for their demand but at the same time no one has any right to take law into one’s hand or go on rampage. The agitation, protest, dharna and strike must be peaceful. Protesters cannot be allowed to create violence. Law must deal with law breakers stringently. As far as reservation is concerned, it must be given to only those who are economically weak. It must be given irrespective of caste, religion and creed. There must only be one criterion that is economic. Since the reservation in education and govt. job for OBC, SC/ST was introduced in the Constitution, it has never reached those who really need it in society. The benefits of reservation have only been availed by the rich people among the reservation categories. The poor among them s never availed the benefits of reservation. Mostly the poor among them could not receive education to get job in government. It has happened only because of poverty. So, the reservation should only have one criterion that is economic. Irrespective of caste, religion and creed, all those who are economically weak must be given reservation. It is no justification that the people belonging to upper caste cannot get reservation even if they are poor in society. Government of the day must call an all party meeting and work for developing consensus to give a re-look to the reservation policy. Otherwise, the violent agitation by the people of this and that community, caste will continue for reservation.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Stop mob lynching forthwith

It is no justification to use the previous incident of mob lynching even of greater magnitude as a cover for the present ones, which occur mostly in BJP ruled states, by the Union Ministers and BJP leaders. There can be no defence for mob lynching. It is the black spot on the face of the country. The killing of Rakbar Khan by a group of so-called Gaurakshaks in Alwar of Rajasthan is nothing but the increasing brutality. They commit a heinous crime knowing that no police will ever dare act against them. In the same district of Alwar in Rajasthan Pehlu Khan was lynched to death by a group of so-called Gaurakshak last year. It is the sing of total failure of law and order in the state. The callous and negligent approach of the police in Rajasthan shows that they took three and half hours in taking the injured Rakbar to hospital for treatment. The police inaction is surprising that the hospital is only 6 Kms away from there and they took three and half hours in reaching there. They attached more importance to their tea break on way to hospital than admitting injured Rakbar without any loss of time to save his life. He was declared brought dead by the doctor. The local MLA alleges that Police beat Rakbar to death. Whether police beat him or not is a matter of investigation but one thing clearly reflects that they considered it important to take the two cows recovered from Rakbar’s possession to the shelter first. They did not show any seriousness to save the life of Rakbar. Rakbar Khan was a cattle rearing farmer living in the district of Alwar in Rajasthan. He was reportedly transporting two cows and on suspicion of smuggling them, a group of Gaurakshak was lying in wait on the way for him to attack. They beat him so mercilessly that he lost his life. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhraraje Scindhia has said that strict action will be taken against the culprits but what about the police action? Had the police force been tightened in the state the two incidents of mob lynching in which two men of particular community within two years would not have died. The law and order is a state subject and the Rajasthan Govt. has completely failed to maintain it. A Union Minister and senior BJP leader from the state in his bizarre reaction to the killing of Rakbar Khan by the mob that it is occurring to counter Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rising popularity. It is absurd and uncalled for. Another Union Minister equates present day incidents of mob lynching to the incident of Sikh riot which occurred 3 decades back. Yet another Union Minister garlands the people accused of lynching on their bail from the court. When this is the attitude of the ministers in the government, it is foolishness to expect any action from them against mob lynchers. If the opposition raises voice against the mob lynching, the ruling political party gives it political colour. The need of the hour is to stop lynching forthwith. Otherwise, the message went loud and clear that mobocracy reigns supreme in the land of Buddha, Jain and Mahatma.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Congress projects Rahul as its PM candidate

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has presided over the newly reconstituted Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body, for the first time. CWC has authorized Mr. Gandhi to take a final call on sewing up alliances with the like-minded political parties. Rahul Gandhi has asked party leaders to explore the possibilities of alliances in the coming Lok Sabha elections to throw the BJP-led NDA govt. out of power. He has also asked his party workers to fan out all over the country and raise the issue of corruption in Rafale purchase deal with France by the government. Some senior Congress leaders have targeted to win 150 Lok Sabha seat as they are of the view that there is one to one fight in about 15 states. Congress will have a straight contest with the BJP or any other party in 15 states which account for 169 Lok Sabha seats. In 264 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress will have to be dependent on its alliance partners. So, alliance and coalition with like-minded parties will be seriously undertaken. CWC has also projected Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial face of the party in the coming Lok Sabha elections. Though the Congress party is itself skeptical about Rahul's acceptance by its alliance partners as a leader, it is its own decision. But it is the choice of the political party which matters most in projecting its leader. What will be the final call of the alliance partners on leadership issue is yet to be seen? Though coalition politics has not been successful so far and its experience has also not been good, it is to be seen how Congress succeeds in sewing up an alliance with the like-minded political parties. As far as the position of Congress in the two most politically important states -Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is concerned, it even cannot stand up without the support of the alliance partners. Congress earnestly needs Samajwadi or BSP in Uttar Pradesh and RJD in Bihar. The position of the Congress party has reached to such a passé as moribund because of the sheer negligence of the state leaders to rejuvenate it. In both Bihar and UP, state leaders have been neglecting the organization since the Congress party was thrown out of power in 1990. It has been gasping for breath there since then. The organizational set-up of the party in both the states is in mess. It is the weakness of Congress organization that the SP and the BSP in UP and the RJD in Bihar respectively does not attach much importance to it. The road to power in Delhi passes through UP. So if the Congress party sees its stake at power, it has to cobble up alliance with SP and BSP in UP and RJD in Bihar. Congress party President Rahul Gandhi must pay attention to infuse confidence by overhauling the organizational set-up in UP and Bihar from village to state capital level on a priority basis. The Congress is on death bed in these two states. It requires proper medication in these two states to come back to life again and occupy its pre-imminent position. Time is running out fast. So, if Congress is to be in the reckoning for power, it must strengthen the organizational set-ups first in UP and Bihar.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

SC’s message is to work in harmony

The sum and substance of the Supreme Court verdict on who is the boss of Delhi is to LG and CM to work in harmony. Both the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister have been asked to work together harmoniously. SC has said that neither absolutism nor anarchism has any room. As the duly elected govt. is directly accountable to the people of Delhi, SC has given it an upper hand in running the city administration. L-G is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. He can send any matter for President’s reference if he is not clear on it but at the same time, the apex court has said that he cannot send every matter. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Council of Ministers has to communicate the decision taken by them to L-G but concurrence is not required. In nutshell, it can be said that the apex court has asked LG and CM to work harmoniously and if there arises any difference, they can themselves sort it out. The Supreme Court has left the Constitution untouched in regard to Delhi. Constitutionally, land, public order and police will remain be under the control of Central Govt. Delhi Govt. has no control over land, public order and police. Delhi is not a full state. It is a Union Territory and will remain so. The city is not only the capital of Delhi but also of the entire nation. In the given situation, it is out of the question that Delhi will ever be conferred with full statehood in any way. No Central Govt. would ever like Delhi to become a full-fledged capital. Chief Minister Kejriwal has been shifting the blame of failure in working on the Central Govt. for the last three years. In reality, he has delivered no promise. With the Supreme Court decision favourably bent toward the Kejriwal govt., it has only two years to go. Before Kejriwal, former CM Sheila Dikshit ruled Delhi for 15 years in a row but never arose any difference with the LG in her tenure. So, Delhi Govt. should work harmoniously with LG for the development of Delhi. 3 years of the precious time of Kejriwal govt. was lost in bickering with Central Govt. and LG. Now the time has come to work for the development of Delhi in harmony with LG. Now, no excuse of the Kejriwal govt. would be acceptable that Centre or LG creates the problem and that is why they are helpless. Kejriwal must also stop demanding full statehood for Delhi as it would never fructify no matter which political party rules at the Centre. Most of the promises made by Kejri to Delhiites remain unfulfilled. Now, his first priority must be to deliver on the promises one by one in the remaining two years. Otherwise, coming back to power would be a hard nut to crack in 2020 assembly elections for AAP.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

No one supports emergency, but Indira Gandhi incomparable

Emergency means throttling of democracy, which no Indian likes. There is no taker for the emergency in democracy. India is a democratic country. So, every Indian is opposed even to the idea of the emergency. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed emergency 43 years back when she failed to control the situation prevailing those days. Press was put under censorship. Almost all leading opposition leaders were put behind bars. Editors, reporters and journalists who refused to fall in line were also put behind bars. Indira Gandhi government imposed emergency to bring discipline in all walks of life. Everywhere there was anarchic situation at that time. All had their own ways. Indira Gandhi was under attack from all corners- legislative, judiciary and the press. All these things necessitated emergency. But for imposing emergency in the country, she cannot be compared with Hitler, who was by birth dictator. He had got training in dictatorship while Indira Gandhi was a born democrat. Imposition of emergency was an aberration in her political life which she realized later. After two years of emergency, she lifted it and dissolved the Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha elections were held and the Congress was punished by the people of the country. Not only Congress party lost elections but Indira Gandhi herself and her son Sanjay Gandhi were also badly defeated. She and her party were thrown out of power. The entire nation realized after it that the people would not tolerate anything against democracy. Had Indira Gandhi followed German dictator Hitler, the people of this very country would not vote back her to power with a two-third majority. Hitler had no relation with democracy while Indira was by birth democrat and she lived all her life in democracy. So, it is totally unwarranted and unnecessary to equate her with Hitler. Indira Gandhi was one of the best Prime Ministers the nation has ever witnessed. She was an iron-willed lady. She was decisive and sacrificed her life for the unity and integrity of the nation. So, equating her with Hitler reflects the narrow-minded thinking of her opponents. She undoubtedly did wrong by imposing emergency for which she was punished by the people. The people of the nation also gave the slogan - Aadhi Roti Khaenge Indira ko Layenge. This shows her charismatic personality and connection with the people of the country. She loved the people, especially the poor and the week most. One mistake by her does not wash all her precious contribution to building the nation. Only the political opponent can equate her with Hitler. She committed blunder so was she punished in that proportion by the people of the country. Equating her with Hitler only because she imposed emergency in the country is not justified. She was incomparable.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Cong indispensable for third or federal front

Rallying behind Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to support him in his protest against the highhandedness of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on the order from NDA govt. at the Centre by all opposition parties except Congress makes no meaning. The ruling AAP is Congress' immediate rival and the former came to power by throwing out the later in Delhi. Congress considers APP as its immediate adversary and when it is improving its fortune in Delhi as the recent survey done by the party under the supervision of the professional psephologist is anything to go by, how can it support Delhi CM in the name of opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Congress blames both PM Modi and CM Kejri for the mess in Delhi. On the one hand, Delhi is becoming unlivable on account of rising pollution and severe water crisis and the CM and his Cabinet colleague have been sitting -in protest at L-G House for more than a week on the other. This is nothing but the dharna politics of Kejriwal to infuse confidence and fighting spirit into his party cadres and workers in view of the coming elections. In Delhi only three parties- AAP, BJP and Congress – matter in Delhi. All other parties have negligible presence. In the given situation the support of four CMs of four different states to CM Kejriwal makes no meaning. Congress has ruled Delhi for 15 years. It made a great contribution to Delhi. Former Congress Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit is solely responsible for the all-round development made during her time. She had been the CM of Delhi for 15 years in a row. All credits go to her. Now, Delhiites remember her contribution to the development of Delhi. The Congress workers and leaders of Delhi are dead against any sort of alliance with Aam Aadmi Party in the coming elections. Kejriwal government is performing almost nothing. Except, waiving electricity and water bill with a rider that the people cannot consume more than the fixed limit to avail waiver, Kejriwal govt. has done nothing for Delhiites. So, it is futile to say that Congress has lost the opportunity of building up a front of opposition parties against the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Whether it is third front or federal front, it cannot succeed in its mission unless and until the Congress party supports it even after the Lok Sabha election result in 2019. No opposition party leader can dream of becoming the PM without the support of Congress. Congress party may be down, but it cannot be out. It is the oldest political party, which ruled most of time after independence. It has a presence in every nook and corner of the country. Presently, Congress is in opposition to BJP in most of the state. The states like MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are going to polls by the end of the year. Congress party is the main opposition there. All the four CMs who showed solidarity with Kejriwal by visiting his residence and meeting his wife and family have no political significance in terms of votes. They are paper leaders in these three states and in Delhi. So, Congress is indispensable for the opposition parties to challenge PM Modi in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Friday, June 15, 2018

Voice of moderation silenced

The dastardly killing of Sujat Bukhari, the editor of the English daily Rising Kashmir is a big blow to the peace process in the Valley. There has been an all-round condemnation of the killing of Sujat Bukhari. The militants are always on to derail any move of peace. The killing of the senior journalist clearly reflects anyone who shows sanity may be killed by the militants in the Valley. What is the intelligence agency doing in the state when the murder of this magnitude takes place? This also shows the laxity in security on the part of the state govt. The brutal murder Sujat Bukhari must be thoroughly probed and a ceasefire must not be extended any more at any cost. Sujat's death sends signal among the army jawans to be prepared to face any threat. The time has come in Jammu and Kashmir to act against the militancy decisively. The entire Valley is stunned at his death. First, it is nothing but the sheer foolishness and shortsightedness that the Centre experimented the move in regard to Jammu and Kashmir which had already been done in the past and proved to be a total failure. Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had also announced the unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir during the holy month of Ramazan about 15 years back. But what result came out of it. There was a spurt in militant violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must have kept in mind the decision of the previous govt. in this matter before giving nod to announce the unilateral ceasefire. Sujat Bukhari was the voice of moderation among the people of the trouble-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir. As he was fiercely independent in raising the voice on the ground, he had welcomed the govt.move of the unilateral ceasefire. He was killed brutally when the ceasefire was to end in only two days and a move was in place to extend it. It is not only he but also his Personal Security officer and a soldier was also killed. It is after almost a decade that the militants have opened fire on the journalist like Sujat Bukhari to silence the voice of peace and amity. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was the prime mover for the declaration of a ceasefire during Ramadan and the Amarnath Yatra. As PDP-BJP alliance government is there in Jammu and Kashmir, it was natural for the Modi govt. at the Centre to acquiesce to her demand of ceasefire. BJP and PSD are the two poles apart ideologically. One is the North Pole and the other is the South Pole. So, the question of meeting there in reality on the ground is out of the question. PDP is considered to be soft towards militant while the BJP is known for its hard-line against them. But when the politics is played in every area, anything can happen. It is the lust of power that pushed BJP to go into the lap of PDP. Every action of PDP clearly indicates to be guiding the BJP on the issue of Kashmir. It clearly appears that BJP is not ready to discuss the issue Kashmir seriously. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must take a decisive step in Jammu and Kashmir to break the backbone of terrorism.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Sena’s position is of big brother

Now it is turn for Shiv Sena in Maharashtra after JD(U) in Bihar to say to BJP that it is its big brother. Shiv Sena has said that it is the big brother of BJP in the state. Under the programme Sampark for Samarthan, BJP President Amit Shah met Shiv Sena Supremo Udhav Thackery at his Matoshree residence to mollify his ruffled feather. But Shiv Sena as stated earlier has again reiterated that it will go solo in all the coming elections. The resolution to this effect was already passed by Shiv Sena’s Executive Committee. So, nothing fruitful came out of Shah and Udhav meeting. Shiv thinks that the BJP is hijacking its vote bank. So, it is better for the party to go it alone in the coming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. Its expansion is also within the state of Maharashtra. Shiv Sena is the oldest ally of BJP. It aligned with BJP in 1989 and they formed govt. in Maharshtra together in 1995. Earlier, Shiv Sena was in big brother role with BJP in the state. But after 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it lost its space to BJP which emerged bigger in the state. Consequently, both fought the assembly elections separately and BJP emerged as the single largest party. Shiv Sena had to agree to strike post poll alliance with BJP. With BJP’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP -Sena govt. was formed in the state. Shiv Sena participated in the govt in state and at the Centre, which is also led by BJP. But despite being in the state and at Central govt., Shiv Sena continued to publicly denounce both the govts. of the BJP. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were attacked by the Shive Sena whenever the need arose. Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and JD(U) in Bihar have understood that without their alliance, the BJP cannot win elections in these two states. Both consider themselves as dominant partners in Maharashtra and Bihar respectively. Samapark for Samarthan Programme was launched by BJP president Amit Shah after the party’s recent defeat in Kairana Lok Sabha by-elections. Opposition is uniting against the BJP and getting success in defeating it on the one hand and BJP’s allies are putting pressure on it to accept their demands on the other. Shah is knocking the door of one ally after another to assuage its hurt feeling, but getting no success. One formidable ally Andhra Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu has already left the NDA because of its differences with BJP. From the very beginning, BJP has not been treating its allies on equal footing. It established itself as their big brother but when the Lok Sabha elections came near and it started losing one by-poll after another at the hands of the united opposition, it has launched Sampark for Samarthan. But now the time has changed. It is no longer 2014. It is 2018. So, the BJP has realized that it has to be the second fiddle to its allies like JD(U) and Shiv Sena in Bihar and Maharashtra respectively.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

BJP under pressure from allies

After experiencing the might of united opposition in one by poll after another and the formation of JD(S)-Congress coalition govt. in Karnataka with HD Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister, BJP has gone all out to reach to its allies. If the electoral arithmetic is to be believed, a united opposition will certainly give the BJP a tough challenge in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Bihar is going to be the most problematic state for BJP from the point of view of seat adjustments with its allies in Lok Sabha elections. JD(U) had fought with BJP in 2009 and it had contested on 25 seats and BJP on 15 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, JD(U) was not with BJP. BJP had fought on 30 seats and won 22 in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. In the coming Lok Sabha elections in 2019, JD (U) has also again become the part of NDA. Other than JD (U), BJP along with LJP of Ramvilash Paswan and RLSP of Upendra Kushawaha is in NDA. JD(U) is the largest constituent of NDA and its leader Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is its face in Bihar. JD(U) itself says that it is the big brother of BJP in Bihar. Most of the senior BJP leaders in Bihar appear to have accepted that JD (U) is their big brother. In the given political scenario in the state, seat sharing formula for the Lok Sabha elections among BJP, JD(U), LJP and RLSP is going to be very tough. JD(U) claims the lion's share of not fewer than it had fought in 2009 with the BJP while LJP is not ready to accept less than the 7 Lok Sabha seats and RLSP had fought on 3 seats in 2014 and won all. It had hundred per cent strike rate. So, question of fewer than 3 seats doesn't arise as far as its claim is concerned. All the allies of BJP have understood that it cannot win on its own in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It has to be dependent on them as it is not 2014. There has been sharp decline in BJP's popularity among the people. Four years of Modi govt. has not shown any notable development in any field in the country. The people have come to know that it also only believes in tall talking. That is why BJP has come under the pressure of allies like JD (U) in Bihar and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. Under its outreach programme, BJP President Amit Shah is meeting celebrities, luminaries and political leaders for support in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He is meeting today famous Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit and Shiv Sena boss Udhav Thackeray. But Shiv Sena has already reiterated its posture of going alone in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Shiv Sena is the oldest ally of BJP and it has also been its natural ally. BJP President is going to Matoshree to meet Udhav but no change of mind is expected towards him. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu has already gone out of NDA due to its difference with BJP. So, the party has come under severe pressure from all sides. It appears that BJP too realizes that much water has flown down the Ganges. It is not 2014 and LJP has rightly said that BJP cannot win 2019 Lok Sabha elections on its own.

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Adversary to turn follower

Enemy’s enemy is a friend. This is about to be applied to Congress and AAP. The political circle is rife with the news that AAP and Congress have been trying to sew up an alliance in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab to defeat BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It is virtually the social media news and Delhi Congress boss Ajay Maken and AAP National spokesperson Dilip Pandey has exchanged views regarding the alliance on Twitter. Congress says that the initiative for the alliance was taken by AAP because of its weakening position in Delhi after the Municipal elections while APP says that feelers were sent by Congress for striking an alliance to defeat BJP. In the current political scenario, APP has started losing its sheen in Delhi. AAP came to power after throwing out the Congress govt. of Sheila Dikshit. Congress was the main target of attack during the Anna agitation in which AAP Convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had played a pivotal role in defaming Congress and thereby giving adequate space to BJP to flourish. The disinformation campaign launched against the Manmohan Singh govt. by AAP caused the worst-ever defeat of the Congress party in Delhi. The defeat of the BJP is certain if Congress and AAP aligned to fight it. But the Congress must think that it is a national political party and it does not behove of it to always play the second fiddle. One thing is also clear that AAP is no longer in its prime. Its popularity has gown down considerably as it has done nothing any different from the Sheila Dikshit govt. Most of the Delhiites now feel that they are missing her govt. Shiela Dikshit govt. was result and development oriented one. Delhi stands still where she left it. In addition to that, there has been an upswing in the popularity of Congress party among Delhiites. AAP has lost its mass appeal in Delhi. Congress leader and workers in Delhi are opposed to any kind of alliance with AAP. AAP is on a weak wicket. Congress party has the ability to defeat PM Modi if the poll is held free and fair. Though ideologically both AAP and Congress enjoy the same alliance, it is difficult to sew coalition on the ground. Congress is going from strength in Delhi while AAP support base is dwindling. Apart from all this, AAP may prove to be the most undependable Dilip Pandey claims that the Congress had got in touch with them for a coalition ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. Maken, however, said they were some discussions but the Delhi unit was not in favour of it. Rumours of AAP’s possible tie-up with the Congress were rife in political circles after the AAP appointed five Lok Sabha in-charges for parliamentary constituencies of Delhi. The appointments were made only on five out of seven constituency seats in Delhi while leaving two seats vacant as of now. These gave rise to speculation that these two seats could have been left for the Congress. Congress must think twice before tying up with AAP, which has been its adversary since its birth. AAP has borne on anti-Congress thought and principle. It is not sworn into any ideology that goes against the BJP in principle. It has also been instrumental in the meteoric rise of BJP in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. So, any patch-up of Congress with AAP in Delhi will be its suicidal.

Friday, June 1, 2018

Is PM Modi magic waning?

If the by-poll results of four Lok Sabha and 11 assembly constituencies are anything to go by, the magic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the people appears clearly to be waning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had led the BJP to a massive victory in 2014 Lok Sabha elections single-handedly. But in the last four years of his regime, people have fed up with his Man Ki Baat and tall talks. He never did the 'Kam Ki Baat. Fuel prices continued to go up; unemployment rate went up and prices of all essential commodities sky-rocketing without any check. BJP-led NDA Govt. at the Centre has completely failed to take notice them. In addition to that, they failed to deliver on the promises made to the people during 2014 Lok Sabha elections that if voted to power, they would bring back black money stashed in foreign banks, generate two Crore employment per year and deposit Rs. 15 lakh with each and every bank account. This has caused disillusionment among the people steadily. Undoubtedly, PM Modi is the single most popular leader of the country. But at the same time as far as the by-poll results are concerned, it has become crystal clear that he is no longer invincible. It has also become clear that a united opposition can defeat BJP convincingly in the coming Lok Sabha elections. It is a simple formula that when the former Prime Minister and the most popular leader late Indira Gandhi could be defeated by the united opposition, what to talk of others. The by-poll result has clearly shown that if the opposition parties rise above personal political interest and unite to defeat the arch-rival ruling BJP, it can be easily possible. The people of this country are very wise. They know everything. A leader can sway them by his pep talk once, but not always. People vote with a hope and trust that such and such leader would work for their betterment. They never vote for only tall talking. It is not only PM Modi but all the BJP leaders always attack only Congress party and talk about their wrongdoings. The sum and substance of their speech are only to criticize the Congress. People understand which party did what for the country. Congress failed to improve the lives of the people when it was in power from 2004 to 2014. So, they voted BJP to power. They did not vote for it only to criticize the previous Congress govt. They have already punished it. They voted you to work. Neither any industry nor any foreign investment of substance ever came to India in the last four years. BJP has only attacked Congress and tried to create division in society. The by-poll result of Kairana Lok Sabha constituency has given a heavy blow to both Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and PM Modi. PM Modi may not have held any rally in Kairana by poll but he staged a road show in the nearby during the inauguration of 9 KM road adjacent to Bagpat with the sole political motive to influence it but failed miserably. Before the Kairana by-poll, BJP has already lost by-poll in Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha constituencies. It is an important issue as these two constituencies were represented by CM and Deputy CM of UP respectively. As Opposition SP, BSP gave a united fight; they defeated BJP candidates very easily. As far as the policy of Congress is concerned, it has given the clear signal from Karnataka that it has no reservation in playing the second fiddle to defeat the BJP at any cost. So, these by poll results have shown that BJP is no longer invincible. The united opposition can defeat it in 2019.

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Victory of democracy

With the resignation of BS Yeddyurappa before facing the floor test, one thing has become clear that the truth has won. It is natural that the scenes of absolute jubilation spread across where the MLAs from both parties were seated in the Karnataka Assembly as Yeddyurappa announced he will tender his resignation at the Raj Bhawan. Above all this, the judiciary and the democracy played its role to save the constitutional values of the country. Had judiciary refused to hear Congress and JD(S) against the Governor’s invitation to BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa to form govt. with 15 days of time for floor test, the democracy would not have won the day. SC order cut short the 15 day period very drastically and directed just a day after hearing for a floor test. The office of the governor also must learn a lesson from this floor test that Supreme Court is there in the country so its arbitrary and partisan order cannot have its way. BS Yeddyurappa was given the invitation to form the govt. by the governor of Karnataka with 15 days time to prove the majority on the floor of the assembly on the basis of its being the largest political party with 104 MLAs. BJP had got only 104 MLAs 8 short of the halfway mark in the assembly of 224. On the other side, Congress and JD(S) struck a post-poll alliance as they got 78 and 38 assembly seats respectively. They struck an alliance to form the govt. But the Governor Vajubhai Vala did not give them the invitation. Congress moved to the Supreme Court at midnight and urged to put stay on Yeddyurappa’s oath-taking ceremony. Though SC did not put stay on his oath-taking ceremony of but asked him to present the letter of the invitation given to him to form the govt. and face floor test a day after at 4 PM. Congress swung into action very fast. On the one hand, it moved SC at midnight and took all its MLAs to a resort and from there to Hyderabad to protect from any bid of horse trading and poaching by the BJP to cobble up a majority. Congress and JD(S) succeeded in keeping its flocks together despite a lot of temptations and allurements allegedly by BJP. Under post-poll alliance between Congress and JD(S) in Karnataka, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has been elected leader of the coalition to form the govt. All this was done in the name of secularism. One thing has also shown the Nataka in Karnataka that Congress has become aggressive under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. Its aggressive nature was reflected in the Rajya Sabha election of Ahmed Patel, Secretary of UPA Chairperson and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi. BJP president Amit Shah had tried his best to get him defeated but the rock like unity was shown by the Congress MLAs who were kept at a resort in Karnataka. Nataka in Karnataka clearly shows that howsoever powerful a person may be, he/she cannot subvert democracy against the will of the people in the state.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Karnataka looks at Governor's House

Karnataka has thrown up a hung assembly. No party has got a majority to form govt. on its own. BJP has emerged as the single largest political party in the state with 104 assembly seats, Congress comes second with 78, JD(S) got 38 and others got 2. Hardly had the results for all assembly seats declared when the Congress swung into action and offered unconditional support to JD(S) to form govt. with its leader HD Kumaraswamy as the Chief Minister. As it is said that once bitten twice shy, Congress was not in a position to leave any chance to keep BJP away from power. It had experienced in Goa, Manipur, and Meghalaya that despite emerging as the single largest party in all the three states, it failed to form govt. in any of the three. It is because of party's leadership complacency and lack of political maneuvering. But this time UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi herself took charge of Karnataka situation and talked to JD(S) Chief and former PM HD Deve Gowda about forming the govt. in Karnataka in the coalition. Supporting JD(S) and sacrificing the post of Chief Ministership for it is not new to the Congress. It was Congress in 1996 that it extended unconditional and outside support to HD Deve Gowda-led United Front Govt. at the Centre. It helped the father Deve Gowda become PM in 1996 and now it helps the son HD Kumaraswamy as the CM of Karnakataka by extending support to his party JD(S). Anything at any time can be possible in politics. BS Yeddyurappa-led BJP in Karnataka has already staked its claim of forming the govt. Kumaraswamy with the support of Congress has also staked his claim to form the govt. in the state. Now, the ball is in Governor's court. All attention is focused on Governor's House. Undoubtedly, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party in the state. But this must not be the sole criteria to invite it for forming the govt. with a rider that the floor of the assembly is the best place to test strength within a certain number of days. Here, it is open that the BJP has 8 short of a workable majority. When the entire nation is not convinced that BJP would be able to manage the required number of MLAs for the majority in the assembly, Governor should go by the rule book. If there will be the delay on the part of Governor's House in inviting either BJP or Congress-JD(S) coalition to form govt., enough space is there for horse trading and poaching of MLAs to cobble up the majority. Kumaraswamy and Congress have already charged BJP of trying to buy MLAs for more than Rs. 100 Crore. The situation demands that Governor must rise above party politics and do only what the Constitution says. Otherwise, by delaying in inviting the political party to form govt., there will be the open display of committing horse trading and poaching of MLAs of other parties to cobble up the majority. Governor should also take advice from the Constitutional experts and lawyers what he should do under the present political circumstances. Otherwise, democracy will be murdered in the broad daylight.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Cong's tactical mistake cost it one more state

Neither the BJP nor the Congress could get an absolute majority on its own. Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda has clearly emerged as both king and kingmaker as his party JD(S) is expected to get 41. BJP is expected to 107 still 5 short of absolute majority in the Karnataka assembly strength of 224. The Congress party could get only 72. Counting is on and the number is based on the trend. Having been charged as complacent in cobbling up the majority in Goa, Manipur, and Meghalaya after emerging as the single largest party there, it gave way to BJP to form govt. But Congress this time has very quickly swung into action and offered support to JD(S) to form the govt. Congress and JD(S) leaders are expected to meet the Governor this evening to stake claim to form the govt. But the BJP is also not going to leave its claim of forming the govt. under the leadership of its Karnataka Chief Ministerial face B S Yeddyurappa after having emerged as the single largest party in the assembly. Congress has already sacrificed its claim of Chief Ministership in favour of JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy. The overconfidence of getting back to power by the outgoing CM Siddaramaiyah appears to have led the Congress party to defeat. Congress has lost the last bastion of Karnataka. So far as the leadership of Rahul Gandhi as Congress President is concerned, Karnataka assembly election was his first test in which again he could not get success, though the party was also facing anti-incumbency factor. In the face of the formidable rival like Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose oratory is par excellence and his ability to connect with the people is marvelous, it is very difficult for Rahul Gandhi alone to match him in any way at the public platform. He fails to charm the people. People have no attraction for him as they had for his father, grandmother, and great-grandfather. They had a natural attraction and connection with the ordinary people very easily. His sister Priyanka Gandhi has some attraction and ability to connect with the people. The demand of bringing her into active politics with a responsibility at the national level has been raising every now and then. Now the time has come for bringing her into active politics to counteract the growing influence of PM Narendra Modi on the youngsters. PM Modi’s magic has to be neutralized by the Cong leadership to win elections. Congress should have allied with JD(S) before the Karnataka assembly elections itself in the name of secularism. If it had done so, it would have got two-third majority. It should also have realized that it was carrying the baggage of anti-incumbency as it had ruled the state for the last five years. Here, the Congress party made a tactical mistake that cost it very dearly. Now, there will be assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. In all these three states, BJP has been ruling. In MP and Chhattisgarh, it has been ruling for more than 10 years. But Congress has to go to elections with all precautions. Otherwise, PM Modi's electioneering itself creates a wave in favour of BJP. In Karnataka, Congress has not repeated the mistake it had made in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya. So, it has rightly swung into action in time.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Rahul shows decisiveness

By expressing the desire of becoming PM if his party emerges as the largest one after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has shown himself as decisive to lead the Congress-led coalition government. It was said in the political circle with his entry in politics that he was reluctant to accept any position of responsibility in the govt. In the previous govt. of Dr. Manmohan Singh, the ministerial post was offered to him but he refused it outright. The Congress leaders, workers, and cadres all over the country appeared skeptical whether their President would shoulder the responsibility of leading the govt. at the Centre if their party emerged victorious in 2019. When during the campaigning of Karnataka elections, Rahul Gandhi said that he was ready to be Prime Minister of the coalition govt. if his party emerged victorious. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took no time in taunting him for expressing his desire. He called him arrogant and egoist. BJP described Rahul's PM ambition as daydreaming. Congress may be down but definitely not out. Rahul is the President of the grand old party which ruled the country for more than 60 years. Presently, it is the main opposition party of the country. In West Minister model of Britain, the leader of the main opposition party is the shadow Prime Minister. So, in democracy, whichever party gets a majority, its leader forms the govt. Rahul Gandhi has given the message to his party workers, leaders and cadres that he would not evade responsibility. His readiness to become PM will enthuse the party workers at the grass root level. PM Modi should not have responded to Rahul’s statement about being ready to be PM in this manner as to whether he is of prime ministerial material or not is to be decided by none other than the people of India. It is the people who are sovereign. Whoever they elect to power will become PM. BJP's oldest ally Shiv Sena has rightly said that Rahul has made no wrong by expressing his readiness to become PM. PM Modi should not have taunted him. Rather, BJP should work to defeat him in the Lok Sabha elections. The angry response of PM to Rahul's PM statement shows his weakness in the elections of Karnataka. The Congress party leaders and workers all over the country have now become assured that his leader would not shirk away from the responsibility of the nation. Rahul's prime ministerial statement will enthuse the party workers all over the nation. Even the prospective alliance partners of the Congress party have reacted favourably. No front of opposition parties sans Congress can form the govt. at the Centre without its support in 2019 in event of the defeat of BJP, the chances of which are the least. The electioneering for Karnataka assembly is to end today. Congress has put everything into it to retain the state on one and BJP's entire top brass in govt. and the party are campaigning there to throw Congress out on the other. On the last of electioneering, Rahul evaded the question related to his statement about his readiness to become PM while addressing the Press in Bengaluru.

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Karnataka is likely to throw up hung assembly

The electioneering in Karnataka is in full swing by all the three contenders in the coming assembly elections. Ruling Congress in the state, Opposition BJP and JD(S) are major parties fighting the elections. All claim of their victory. Congress has to retain its power in the state to be in the reckoning in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. BJP has put everything into its campaigning to throw Congress out of power in the state and re-establish its feet in the southern state of Karnataka. Former Prime Minister Deve Gowda's JD(S) is also a political force that cannot be ignored. It may become either king or kingmaker in case of the hung assembly. BJP's star campaigner and charismatic leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started addressing rallies after rallies in the state. He has, undoubtedly, the ability to change the direction of the wind in his party's favour. He has shown this in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. But the situation in Karnataka is different from that of Uttar Pradesh. Congress is still the number one party in Karnataka. In the beginning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a clear indication of going closer to Deve Gowda's JD(S) by showing respect to him. He may have done so expecting the hung assembly in the state. But he has now taken U-turn and attacked it in the same vein as he did Congress. This may also be his political tactics to give the message to the electorates that BJP is going to win and form govt. on its own in the state. BJP's Chief Ministerial face former CM BS Yeddyurappa has shown overconfidence in an interview to a journalist that by saying that he is going to take oath as the CM of the state on May 18 itself. It may be his confidence or overconfidence which will become clear on May 15 the day when results would be out. PM Modi is an excellent orator and no opposition leader can stand up to him in the country. Entire BJP leadership is in Karnataka for campaigning to win elections. Congress President Rahul Gandhi has also addressed many rallies in the state. Crime and corruption is no issue in this assembly election. It is only because both BJP and Congress have given tickets to tainted candidates in the elections. BJP has given tickets to Bellary gang led by Janardhan Reddy while Congress has given a ticket to Anand Singh, who switched sides recently from BJP to Congress. BJP's CM face in the election is Yeddyurappa faced several charges of corruption, though now he is acquitted in all. 3500 Crore iron mining scam accused Janardhan Reddy plays important role in BJP. Then, where is the issue of corruption and crime? As far as the political personality of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is concerned, he is certainly the top leader of the state. He is also most accepted by the people. He is also the single most popular leader of the Congress party. But the anti-incumbency factor is going against him. He has been the CM for the last five years. In the last four years his govt. has not done well in the state but in the last year his govt. has worked hard that has certainly caught the imagination of the people. Despite all that, neither the Congress nor the BJP is in a position to win the number of seats required to form govt. on its own. So, the chance of hung assembly is there in the state of Karnataka.