SP-Cong wins perception war in 1st phase

Muslims constitute about 26 percent of the electorates in Western Uttar Pradesh where elections were held on Saturday in the first phase. The concentration of Muslim population is the highest in this area. Muzaffarnagar which was in the news for the infamous riots in 2013 also falls in western Uttar Pradesh. The polarization politics was played too much by all the political parties in elections in the area. Though BJP President held a press conference after the first phase of the polling and declared that his party would win 60 seats, signals after elections point towards opposite direction. His claim was refuted by the BSP. BJP is solely dependent on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s magic in UP elections. But now it appears that his magic has been worn-out to the large extent if the election outcomes first in Delhi and then in Bihar are anything to go by. It is clear that Muslims play a decisive role in the outcome of the elections in western UP. They also turn up to the polling booths to cast their votes in large numbers. The perception is that the majority of Muslim votes have gone to SP- Congress alliance candidates. After Muslim electorates, Jats also have strong presence in the area and they play a dominant role in the elections. There are three main contenders- SP-Congress, BSP and BJP- in the fray. Besides these three, the fourth contender in Western UP is INLD of Ajit Singh.The ruling Samajwadi Party under the leadership of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has struck alliance with the Congress party. The political pair of Akhilesh and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is liked by the people, especially the youths, in the state. The alliance between the two parties has mainly been struck to stop the split of Muslim votes, otherwise the benefit of which could be reaped by the BJP. SP and Cong have come together to stop BJP from coming to power in the state. Though BJP has negligible number of Muslim votes anywhere in the country, its move of polarizing Hindu votes in reaction to them always prove beneficial for it. And on the basis of this assumption, Shah has claimed of bagging 60 out 73 seats in western UP. But here is also a fourth player, that is, INLD of Ajit Singh who is the strongest jat leader and has considerable influence on the community. He is the son of former Prime Minister Charan Singh, who was the voice of Jat and the tallest Kisan leader. If INLD gets majority of Jat votes, he may queer the pitch badly for the BJP. BSP supremo Mayawati is also a strong claimant of Muslim votes. She tries to portray the picture that reflects that Muslims will be the most beneficiaries and secured in her regime. She says that BSP the only party to defeat BJP in the state. That is why Muslims should vote her party to power. But as far as perception is concerned, Akhilesh-Rahul pair has won it. They have already grabbed the Muslim and all secular votes. Perception matters most in politics. Politics is itself a game of perception. Both Akhilesh and Rahul are young, energetic, forward looking, liberal and honest. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has emerged as development-oriented and he has also transcended castes and community barriers, unlike the old Samajwadis of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav's ilk sticking only to caste and community lines in elections. Akhilesh looks beyond castes. So, all castes consider him as their leader. The perception that he wants development in the state is built up, which goes to his favour. There may be different opinion poll surveys making different predictions, but one thing is certain that SP-Congress alliance has edge over others in this election in UP. The campaigning of Uttarkhand and second phase of UP elections are in full swing. They will come to end by the evening. There are 67 seats in second phase of UP and 70 seats in Uttarakhand elections.

Immigrants are assets for America

Despite a setback to President Trump’s executive order of ban on the citizens of seven Muslim countries from travelling in US by the judiciary, he moots yet another brand new executive order on immigration in two to three days, though he has expressed confidence of winning the legal battle. He says that he is about to issue a brand new executive order on immigration to ban the citizens of the seven countries from travelling in the US because of security reasons. It appears that he thinks that due to terrorist activities, which are unfounded, going on in these countries, there is security threat to America if they allowed their citizens to move freely. He cites safety and security reason of the American citizens as of uppermost importance for him. But the fact is that there is no terror activity in those seven countries the citizens of which his executive order bans. It is nothing but the brashness of the US President Donald Trump to garner support on nationalistic issue. Pakistan being the mother of all terror incidents, it is nowhere in the purview of any ban. Pakistan and Afghanistan have not been tagged with the seven Muslim majority countries, which had been banned. Not even a single terrorist accused of involvement in the 9/11 terror attack on America is from any one of the seven countries. How did Trump regime single them out for terror activities are baffling the people all over the world? It appears that Donald Trump suffers from security mania and in the name of safety and security of the American citizens he is blackmailing them. As far as immigration is concerned, America has always kept its gate open for all the citizens from different countries of the world. Globalization is its essence. Immigrants have played a great role in the all round development of America. Talented immigrants from different countries of the world have played their role in the development of America. The concept and essence of America is based on liberalism, broad thinking and cosmopolitan approach. There has never been any discrimination on the ground of origin, colour, community, language, culture, civilization and tradition in America. It is a land of freedom and right. By putting travel ban on the seven Muslim majority countries, the Trump administration had committed Human Rights violations on which a district court of the country has rightly put stay order. The head of the administration of any country must be conscious about safety and security of its citizens. Every country must follow all safety and security norms but it does not mean that for following them, it should compromise with its global essence and character. Has President Trump ever thought of those citizens from one of the seven banned Muslim countries who have sold everything in their motherland to settle in America in an atmosphere of freedom and liberty? America has been known for world destination. So, to keep the global character of America intact, President Trump must restrain from issuing any brash executive order on immigration.

Ball is in Guv's court

Governor Vidya Sagar Rao must not ask either Sasikala or O Paneerselvam to form the govt. until and unless he is satisfied about the one who has majority in the house. Tamil Nadu acting Chief Minister O Paneerselvam's sudden conscience call to revolt against AIADM General Secretary Sasikala in whose favour he had resigned on Sunday to facilitate her to be the chief minister so that the command of the party and the government could be in one hand has plunged the state in administrative turmoil. Since the revolt of OPS against her by sitting on meditation for 45 minutes before the memorial of former late CM J Jaylaliththa on the call of her spirit, Governor Vidya Sagar Rao has been out of state. He is also the governor of Maharastra. But his absence from Chennai for almost a week when administrative uncertainty looms large on the state has also been criticized. Though Sasikal met the Governor with of all the 133 party MLAs and she has submitted their signature in her support to him while staking claim to form the government, OPS has also gathered overwhelming support of the people in the state. It is also alleged that Sasikala has herded all the 133 MLAs to a resort so that the rival camp could not poach on them. It has also been alleged that they have been made captive. Though it is a matter of investigation to know what exactly has happened, Governor Vidya Sagar Rao has rightly asked the DGP to see whether the MLAs are in captivity at the Golden Resort in Mahabalipuram 65 KMs away from Chennai. Sasikal has been the closet aide of Jaya while OPS has been her trusted lieutenant. Whenever Amma had to leave Chief Minister's post because of her going to jail or indisposed health, OPS was handed over the responsibility of CM. Sasilaka has never been among the people so she has no connectivity with them. She also also has never entered any electoral fray at any level. The majority of MLAs may have been with her, but the sentiment of the people in the state is with OPS. He is a mass leader and has been among the people of the state. As far as the claim of majority support is concerned, the floor of the assembly is the most suitable place to test. The number of MLAs required for majority in the assembly of 234 is 118. It will be in accordance with the constitution for the Governor to parade all the MLAS to satisfy himself about the majority. The two factions have already staked claim to be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, but the political battle does not seem to end between Sasikala and O Panneerselvam. She has staked claim to form the govt. after submitting a letter of MLAs’ support to the Governor. Her letter contained the names of supporting MLAs. She also submitted individual letters of support furnished by AIADMK MLAs. Now the Governor is in the process of verifying the signatures. On the other hand, Panneerselvam met acting Governor Vidyasagar Rao, and too claimed he still has the right to be Chief Minister as he was coerced into resigning. He has alleged that the signatures submitted by Sasikala are forged. Sasikala is a co-accused in a Disproportionate Assets case. Disproportionate assets case should not be a hurdle in Sasikala’s way to take oath as its hearing is yet to start in Supreme Court. If she enjoys majority to the satisfaction of the governor, she should be sworn-in as CM and asked to prove her majority on the floor of the assembly. The Karnataka government has challenged her acquittal in the case by the High Court and this judgement is expected next week. Next move of the Governor is likely to settle the dust in the state politics which is going through turmoil.

Confrontation over raincoat barb

After full-throated bashing of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thumped it so hard with his words in Rajya Sabha that became intolerable for them. He hit where it hurts most. The debate on Motion of Thanks to President both in Lok sabha and Rajya Sabha has increased bitterness between the Opposition and the ruling parties. The language used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha against former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh while replying on the motion created unnecessary uproar in Rajya Sabha, and that caused bitterness to the level of walking out by the Congress Party. Prime Minister in his reply on the issue of demonetization enumerated all the plus points in its favour but while praising his predecessor Dr. Singh for his contribution to the nation as economist, he threw a biting barb at him saying that anyone should learn from him the art of steering himself clear of all charges even presiding over corruption ridden regime. PM Modi said this is his art of taking bath wearing a rain coat. Congress Party took the rain coat jibe against its leader very seriously and walked out of the Rajya Sabha and decided to boycott Parliament until PM apologized for it. It is a fact that despite a plethora of alleged scams during the last UPA regime of Dr. Manmohan Singh, there is no charge against him. Even opposition leaders have not alleged that there is any personal involvement of former PM in scam that surfaced during his regime. There may be a charge of inaction against him, but his honesty and integrity cannot be questioned. Even the opposition party leaders never questioned his integrity. But one charge certainly can be made against him that he failed to act in time. PM Modi's acerbic barb against his predecessor is because he was upset when Manmohan Singh attacked his govt. on the issue of demonetization in Rajya Sabha by describing it as a monumental mismanagement, organized loot and plunder. It is because of this that PM Modi made this outrageous jibe against his predecessor. Leveling charge against the opposition is very easy but substantiating it has become difficult for the ruling party. No charge of corruption either against former PM Dr. Singh nor against Congress President, who was also UPA Chairperson, has been substantiated. But whenever there would be any debate and discussion on any issue in Parliament, the corruption charges against the previous regime occupy most of the time. Whatever may be issue of discussion in Parliament, norms, civility and decorum must be maintained. The language should be civilized and within the parameter of the constitution. Now more than two hand half years of Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. have elapsed and since it came to power, the people of the country have only heard repetition of charges and scams against the previous regime from them, but no action. Only choosing confrontation with the opposition and posing about itself as providing corruption free governance without any result on the ground make no meaning. The office of the Prime Minister must be above political partisanship. The language used against the incumbent or former Prime Minister must be civilized. PM's position must be respected.

China's opposition - a foregone conclusion

It is a foregone conclusion that China would block any move by any country ,especially India, to get UN to sanction Pak-based Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar. This is the third time that China has repeated its action by blocking the US move to get UN to sanction Masood Azhar. It is beyond any understanding that why China is so rigid to oppose any move against terrorism especially when Pakistan is involved. When 14 countries out of UNSC 15 members supported move to proscribe him, why does China oppose it? It is for international community to ask China when there is no opposition by any country to get Azhar sanctioned by the UN on any ground whatsoever, why is it showing technical or evidential ground to oppose it time and again? When Jaish-e-Mohammad is already designated as global terror organization, why its chief has been left scot free to roam around Pakistan without any hurdle. The problem of terrorism is not of the individual country but the entire international community. Terrorism is the number one enemy of humanity. China must not veto the move to get UN to sanction Masood Azhar only because India is interested. Apart from several other big terrorist incidents, Masood Azhar is allegedly masterminded the terror attack on Indian Air Force base in Pathankot. His banning is the immediate need of the hour for international peace and security. China being one among the five big powers of the world, it must not adopt double standard on the issue of combating terrorism on international level. Now it is no longer secret that the terrorism emanates from Pakistan. Wherever there is a terrorist incident, the root of which is mostly lying in Pakistan. One of the Chinese provinces is also disturbed by terrorist incidents. It has also been reported that the terrorism being faced by that Chinese province emanates from Pakistan. It is also a fact that Pakistan is considered both by US and China as geo-strategically very important for both the countries. In recent years, with the development of economic corridor, Chinese economic stake is also involved in Pakistan. And above all, the increasing hostility between India and Pakistan draws China closer to Pakistan. It has always sided with Pakistan because it feels that India is its main rival and challenger of its superiority in Asia. China again opposes a bid by US, UK and France to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN; India raises the issue with Chinese govt; NIA special court declares him and 3 others proclaimed offenders. China has once again opposed a bid by US, UK and France to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. India raised the issue with the Chinese govt. even as NIA special court declared him and 3 others proclaimed offenders. China has put a "hold" on the proposal, which comes barely weeks after India's bid to get Azhar banned by the UN were scuttled by Beijing last December. India must not sit but vigorously launch diplomatic campaign at international forums to bring more and more countries on board to support its move vociferously to get UN to sanction Masood Azhar.

Chinamma's control formalized

Sasikala Natrajan has been the closest aide of former Chief Minister late J Jaylaiththa for the last two decades. She was so close that she lived with Jailaliththa at her Chief Ministerial residence of Poes Garden. Jaya treated Sasikala as her sister. Being so close to Amma, Chinamma had become well versed in the politics of Tamil Nadu. After the death of Jayaliththa in December last after a prolonged illness, it was expected that Sasikala will immediately step into the shoes of Jaya. It is the political tradition of AIADMK that one person holds both the post of Chief Ministership and the Secretary General of the party to have total control on both organization and administration. And accordingly, she first became the General Secretary of AIADMK after Jaya’s death, and then made her way to become the Chief Minister of the state. O Paneerseelvam, who has always been the stop gap CM whenever the need arose, resigned citing personal reason to pave way for Sasikala Natrajan to adorn the post. Paneerselvam resigned and Sasikala was elected unanimously as the leader of AIADMK legislative party. She is to be sworn-in as CM any time. Paneerselvam was appointed as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on December 6, 2016 following J. Jayalalithaa's demise. Previously he served in the same office in 2001-02 and 2014-15. His first two terms as chief minister came to be when he replaced Jayalalithaa in the role, after she was forced to resign by the courts. But everything is not that easy for Sasikala. First of all she never has been the leader of the masses as Jaya was. She was always with Jaya as her shadow but never had any outreach to the people on the ground. Sasikala has never been elected to Tamil Nadu assembly. She has not ever entered electoral fray. This is her first drawback. Sasikala has also been facing Disproportionate Assets case, which is pending in the Supreme Court. Supreme Court is also going to start hearing the case next week. This is like Goebel's sword on her head because if the Supreme Court gave any adverse verdict, she would have to step down immediately. Besides this case, there is also ED related cases pending against her. Constitutionally, there is no obstacle in Sasikala to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu as she has been elected leader of the state legislature party. All the 134 AIADMK MLAs have given support to her. But as far as political morality is concerned, she lacks command and authority. She has no connectivity with the people of Tamil Nadu. It is also certain that she cannot match the political stature of Jayalaliththa in the state. Sasikala will also have not so strong command on her party men as Jaya used to have. The entire opposition in the state is against her election as AIADMK legislature party leader to become CM. Sasikala has neither political nor administrative experience to carry forward the legacy of Jaya in every respect. Jaya's niece is also against her to become the heir and legitimate claimant of the post of Chief Minister. So, Tamil Nadu will face a period of certainty till fresh made is given by the people.

Losing global character

With the sworn-in of Donald Trump as the new President of the US, its basic structure, essence and the character for which it has been known all over the world was attacked and undermined. Immigrants constitute valuable assets of America. Their banning from entering US not only demeans its global status but also against the tenets of its constitution. America has so far been known as a welcome gate for all the citizens of the world. The banning of the citizens from the seven Muslim majority states- Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Syria- for 90 from entering America with immediate effect in the name of terrorism- is against all norms and nature of America. Identifying the Muslim majority countries with terrorism by the American President is sheer injustice to humanity. All Muslims cannot be labeled as terrorists. Leaving Afghanistan and Pakistan out of the purview of ban has immediately drawn the attention of the world. As Pakistan has been the breeding ground of terrorism and America's most wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden, who was killed by American forces in his hideout in Abotabad in Pakistan, had taken asylum there five years ago, the pressure appeared to have mounted on President Trump to take action against it. Pakistan feeling the pressure arising out of President Trump's action of banning the entry of the citizens from 7 Muslim countries in the name of terrorism, acted against India's most wanted terrorist Jama-Ud-Dawa boss and Mumbai attack mastermind, Hafiz Sayeed. He was detained and put under house arrest. Feeling the mood of President Trump about action against terrorism and the countries which are alleged to have aided and abetted it, Pakistan at least ostensibly acted against the most wanted terrorist Hafiz Sayeed to show President Trump that they are dealing with terrorism heavy handedly. To fight against terrorism is good not only for the Americans but also the entire humanity. But to ban immigrants is not only detrimental to the interest of America but also the talented people of any field all over the world. With taking charge of the presidency, Donald Trump immediately ordered for the construction of wall on the border with Mexico to ban its citizens to enter America. All the measures that President Trump is taking were promised to the people by him during the electioneering of Presidential elections. America cannot retrieve its glorious past by giving the narrow account of itself through narrow measures. Though there has been strong opposition from the American IT giants Google, Apple, Facebook and civil society members on a large scale, President Trump is required to give a re-thinking on his executive orders. IT sector in India will also be hit hard immediately if President Trump moved ahead with the move to play on the emotions of Americans by showing that he is the only saviour of theirs and he will certainly make America great again. There is no wrong in pursuing the policy of 'America First'. But it does not mean that the fundamental character of the country should be curtailed. America has been the torch bearer of globalized world. In the given situation, President Trump's order of banning the citizens of 7 Muslim countries to enter America goes against its foundation.