JD(U)’s parting shot

JD(U) is in Hamletian Syndrome whether to come out of NDA or to remain in it. Once it made its stand clear on the issue of prime ministerial candidate of NDA for 2014 Lok Sabha elections, JD(U) must not go back on its stated stand. JD(U)’s largest alliance partner is BJP in NDA and it has prepared the ground for announcing the name of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as prime ministerial candidate whose secular credentials are questionable. In the give situation, what it is waiting for. JD(U) should have immediately broken all relations with and come out of NDA to uphold its principled stand. The longer the JD (U) remains in NDA with BJP, the deeper damage it will suffer in respect of Muslim minority votes in the state of Bihar. By breaking away with BJP, JD (U) also cannot lose the power as it has already reportedly managed 4 independent MLAs for simple majority in assembly. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is heading the JD (U)-BJP NDA government in BIhar. JD (U) has 118 MLAs and BJP 95 in the 243 members Bihar assembly. JD(U) is one of the oldest allies of BJP. Both are in partnership for 17 years.JD(U) and BJP are running coalition government in Bihar very smoothly since they together threw Lalu-Rabri duo regime of RJD in 2005. But the recent development in BJP with the rise of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to an unchallenged position in the party makes it clear that it is most likely that he would be the face or prime ministerial candidate of BJP in 2014 Lok sabha elections. BJP says that Narendra Modi is its most famous face. He has been made the Chairman of BJP's election campaign committee for 2014 Lok sabha elections. JD(U) has already made its stand that the prime ministerial candidate should be of secular credential and supporter of the development of backward and poor states. Narendra Modi fits nowhere in this scheme of things. Despite the known stand of JD(U), BJP propped up Modi on top of its national political stage. Though being the largest party in NDA, BJP has every right to declare prime ministerial candidate under whom the NDA would go to Lok Sabha elections. Not to lose the Muslim minority votes in Bihar, JD(U) is dead against Modi as the stigma of 2002 Gujarat riots is still stuck to his face and this bring his secular credentials under question. JD(U) has become confirmed that BJP has already made it mind to project Narendra Modi openly in the last hours when all way out for it would be closed. So, it is a matter of a day or two within which JD(U) has to take a call on whether it would remain be in NDA with BJP or come out of it. JD(U) has also gone too far in public on the stand of opposing and criticizing the face of BJP that from there it can not retrace its step. So, its divorce with BJP is a foregone conclusion.

Odisha’s demand is justified

The demand of Special Status for the state of Odisha is absolutely justified. Odisha is one of the poorest and most backward states of the nation. The Centre must not be apathetic to the justified demand of the people of Odisha. It is good that nearly 30,000 people from Odisha led by BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik gathered at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi to protest against the Centre’s apathy towards the state’s demand for the special category status. The event is also seen as an effort to mobilise a regional front at the centre. BJD has already made it clear that it has sympathies for the third front and Odisha’s interest is paramount for deciding to be part of any such formation. BJD would keep equidistance from both, the Congress Party and the BJP. Before Odisha. Bihar Chief Minister had organized a massive rally at the same historic Ramlila Maidan in Delhi for the demand of Special status for the state of Bihar. Both Bihar and Odisha deserve to be given special status to bring them to the national development level. For the status of special category, only one criterion is indispensable and that is the criteria of poverty and backwardness. These two states have these two most important criteria. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has drawn impressive number of people from Odisha at Ramlila Maidan to protest against the Centre’s apathetic attitude towards the state. Odisha is one of the important states of the Nation. It is completely unjustified that because the state of Odisha has not political clout at the Centre, its legitimate demand of special status should be ignored. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnayak-led BJD rally at Ramlila Maidan has also given hint on the formation of regional front that could be seen as alternative to both Congress and BJP. The demand for the special status is not new. It is long standing demand, which the Centre has so far ignored out of political rivalry with the ruling BJD in Odisha. Some states are getting special category benefits that have three times the per capita income of Odisha, and twice of what the national average is.CM has been pressing for the special category status to Odisha, citing the state as one of the poorest in the country. CM has already written letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh many times in this regard.

Enter Modi, Upset Advani

BJP patriarch L K Advani has resigned from all the important posts of the party. Advani along with Atal Behari Vajpayee is credited with bringing BJP to this stage of national eminence. It is for the BJP to request Advani to take back his resignation. But the issues he has raised in his letter of resignation about the party’s health, functioning and intention of its leaders are very serious not only for the party but also the nation as BJP is the main opposition party in Parliament. It is as much responsible to the people as the ruling Congress-led UPA. L K Advani is not only the senior most leader of the BJP but also an able statesman of the nation. Though the BJP held emergency meeting of its parliamentary board and decided unanimously to request Advani to take back his resignation, its silence on the issues raised by Advani clearly reflect that what he has raised are correct. The question here arises that when BJP top leaders have their separate agendas and its patriarch is not reconciling with its function, what will happen to the nation that if ever as they claim that the people will give their mandate in 2014 Lok Sabha elections to rule it? The issues raised by Advani need immediate attention of the party and required to be rectified without any loss of time. Otherwise, a very bad message will among the people that the BJP is a party of self-seekers and disruptive elements. Now with the resignation of BJP’s patriarch L K Advani from all important posts of the party, he has made the nation known why for the first time he did not attend party’s national executive meeting in Goa in which Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was appointed Chairman of party’s Election Campaign Committee for 2014 Lok Sabha elections. BJP's haste in Modi’s elevation to the unchallenged position from where he could be easily catapulted as prime ministerial candidate of the party in 2014 Lok Sabha elections is not good. L K Advani and Atal Behari Vajpayee have nursed, nurtured and brought the BJP to power from 1998 to April 2004. Vajpayee is not in active politics and despite being aged, Advani is still in perfect health and in active politics. He deserves to aspire for prime ministership and the BJP must take care of his wish and aspiration. Advani is very much annoyed at the way the BJP is functioning and ignoring his sentiment. Advani is not only the senior most leader of BJP but also its assets. He deserves to be held in highest esteem by the BJP in action, but not only in words. He has taught and trained almost all the second-generation leaders of the party. But the leaders whom he taught, trained, patronized to the hilt and brought to national eminence have not only betrayed him but also insulted before the nation. Advani knows that by nominating any leader of the BJP as its prime ministerial candidate, he cannot be the prime minister until he gets mandate from the people of the nation. But the way he is ignored and sidelined by the cult of leaders in BJP will not only prove to be disastrous for the party but also the nation.

BJP- A Party with differences

When merely at the possibility of the announcement of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s name as head of the Election Campaign Committee in the BJP National Executive Committee meeting being held in Goa , a section of party’s top leaders under its patriarch have fallen sick and are not attending it. If this is the condition of BJP, what will happen to the nation if ever he is elected as PM that the people are imagining? It will be the nightmarish experience for the nation. Now it is clear that the BJP, which has been claiming a party with difference, is a political party with differences if its dilemma over naming Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the head of Election campaign for 2014 Lok Sabha elections and subsequently party’s prime ministerial candidate is any thing to go by. The party is vertically divided over the issue of Narendra Modi as it face in 2014 LS elections. Undoubtedly, Narendra Modi is the most popular BJP leader among BJP cadres and workers. National Executive meeting is underway and there is most likely that the BJP will announce his name as head of the election campaign committee despite non-party participation of BJP patriarch L K Advani on the ground of ill-health. This is the first time in BJP that Advani has not attended the National Executive committee meeting. Being the senior most leader in the party and having the credit of bringing the BJP from two MPs in Lok Sabha in 1984 to power in 1999, L K Advani deserves to say the last words.The behaviour of Modi’s supporters against him may prove to be suicidal for the BJP. Advani’s displeasure over Narendra Modi and his own prime ministerial desire are no longer a secret. BJP must take care of his advice and aspiration. The way Narendra Modi’s supporters protested against ailing Advani and raised slogan against him is reflective of their fascist mentality. Narendra Modi tolerates no dissent. This is most dangerous for democracy in general and BJP in particular. All the rootless leaders, including BJP president Raj Nath Singh back Modi because they are in delusion that he will win power for them. First of all, Gujarat is not India. It is one of the 28 states and 7 Union Territories. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is also not the single political leader who has brought his party to power thrice in a row in the state. There are several political leaders of different political parties who have brought their party to power in states by winning three consecutive assembly elections . L K Advani is not only the tallest leader of BJP but he also commands respect of leaders and supporters of all parties irrespective of political affiliations. He has not attended the BJP National Executive Meeting in Goa, citing ill health. And his illness has been misconstrued as opposing Narendra Modi. Modi’s supporters see Advani as an obstacle in party’s way of declaring him as prime ministerial candidate and because of that they have crossed all limits of discipline, decorum, courtesy and norms in politics by staging protests before the residence of vetran ailing leader , whom the BJP leaders consider as guide, philosopher and inspirational force for it. This sends out clear message to the nation that Narendra Modi tolerates no dissent. It clearly reflects that main characteristic of Narendra Modi is fascism where there is no room for dissent.

Wake-up call for Congress

The result of by-elections in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is not only very disappointing for the ruling Congress party at the Centre but also a wake-up call for it. If the party fails to respond and make serious introspection, it is bound to bite the dust in Lok Sabha election and consequently be thrown out of power. The result for 2 Lok Sabha by-elections and 4 assembly seats in Gujarat went in favour of the BJP. They were Congress seats that were grabbed by the ruling BJP in the state of Gujarat. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’ JD(U) also lost the Maharganj parliamentary seat to Lalu’s RJD. It is also a jolt for Bihar CM much-published development work in the state. The margin with which RJD candidate won the seat amply reflects the falling popularity of the ruling coalition NDA in the state. As far as the number of votes polled by the defeated Congresss parliamentary candidate in Bihar is concerned, it amply reflects that the party is going down and down since it was thrown out of power in 1990 in the state. The condition of the Congress party in the largest state of the country Uttar Pradesh is also getting worse and worse. The main reason behind the collapsible position of the Congress Party in these two politically and electorally most important Hindi heartland states of the nation is the moribund stage of the organization set-up of the party at all levels in these two states. Add to the already worsening condition, the total failure to check price rise and corruption by the Congress-led Dr. Manmohan Singh UPA government at the Centre. The Congress party is betraying the poor people of the nation for whom it gave the slogan of Aam Aadmi, that is, party is with the common and poor people. On the contrary to its slogan for pro-poor people, it has worked so far only in favour of the rich. Despite being the world-renowned economist, the PM has mismanaged the economy to the level from which he has not the ability to recover and bring it back on rails. The business and corporate houses have already realized the ground reality and that is why they look towards the divided opposition after 2014 Lok Sabha with hope. Congress party itself sees its doom. Its government appears to have neither any energy nor courage to retrieve the fast declining trends in all areas of its activity through positive and honest action. Now enough is enough. And if any how the UPA-II last its term, it is like burden on the nation. The people, especially the poor, have become so disillusioned with the government because of its utter failure to check backbreaking price rise and corruption, they appear to have made their mind to throw it in the coming Lok Sabha elections. So, the Congress party needs immediately to swing into action and compel the government to act as its time is running out fast to meet the doomsday.

Loss of cricket

In complete disregard of norms, rules and regulations, BCCI in its Working Committee meeting prepared the ground for appeasing its President and no member except I S Bindra asked him straightway to resign in the wake of spot fixing and the alleged involvement of his son-in-Law Gurunath Meiyappan in IPL betting. Every thing appeared to be fixed in BCCI. On the one hand entire nation is demanding the resignation of BCCI President N Srinavasan, he is clinging to the chair on the other. Even Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that sports and cricket should not be mixed. Being the boss of BCCI, it is the immediate responsibility of N Srinavasan to ensure that every thing is right in the game of cricket. Cricket is the most popular game in India and it is also considered as next to region. The spot fixing incident has not only blackened the cricket but it has also let down the image of the nation. Srinivasan will only step aside for the period of the probe and the old guard of Cricket Jagmohan Dalmia was nominated the BCCI as working president. He will act as interim President of which there is no provision in the constitution of BCCI. Srinivasan cannot say that he has done no wrong so he will not resign. His son-in- law Gurunath Meiyyapan is in jail for his alleged involvement in IPL betting. Gurunath Meyappan is not only his son-in -law but was also the Principlal and CEO of Srinavasan's team Chennai Super King in IPL. It is the sufficient ground for the resignation of Srinivasan from BCCI and it is also because the spot fixing in IPL has also taken place during his tenure as BCCI President. If he had any moral compunction and a sense of propriety, he would have resigned. He appears to have considered himself bigger than the nation. The cricket fans all over the nation have been shocked and shamed at those cricket players who are allegedly involved in spot fixing and the behaviour of BCCI president N Srinivasan and other members. If the BCCI continued to act in this highhanded manner and play with the sentiment of cricket fans and prestige of the nation, the government must intervene and clear it of its mess. What is in the BCCI that keeps Srinivasan and other national level leaders sticking to it. It is the money and popularity of the game of cricket that even the political leaders of prime ministerial aspirants irrespective of political parties aspire for a post in BCCI. BCCI is the richest cricket board of the world. It is vehemently opposed to being brought under the purview of RTI on the ground of being a private organization. The government of India must not sit as a mute spectator to the happenings in cricket that damages both national prestige and sport. It is time for the government to act to save the game of cricket.

Game is over for Srinivasan

The pressure is mounting on the BCCI President N Srinivasan to quit in the wake of spot fixing and the arrest of his son -in-law Gurunath Meiyappan for alleged involvement in IPL betting. Now, it is most likely that he would resign tomorrow in BCCI meeting . Srinavasan should have instantly resigned from the post of BCCI President the moment Delhi police arrested three players of Rajashan Royals for their alleged involvement in spot fixing in the recently concluded IPL matches. The entire nation raised its voice in unison for the resignation of the BCCI boss but he adopted the defiant attitude and criticized the media for its activism to arrest spot fixing. Despite the nationwide public outrage and media activism, Srinivasan bluntly refused to resign and continued to stick to the hot chair. But with the resignation of two of his most trusted lieutenant Sanjay Jagdale, Secretary and Ajay Shirke, Treasurer, the pressure has mounted on Srinivasan to go. In view the mounting pressure on him, BCCI working committee meeting had to be advanced and it has been called today itself. So, there is all probability that the game of Srinivasan is now over and he will resign today. BCCI is the richest cricket organization. So, it attracts leading politician of the nation to associate with it. Several leading national politicians hold posts in the BCCI. Its being autonomous does not mean that it has no accountability to the nation. Cricket is the most popular game in the nation and the spot fixing incident has hurt the sentiment of cricket fans and lovers badly. As the team selected by the BCCI to represent the nation in domestic and international matches and nation's prestige and pride is associated with it, it becomes naturally accountable to the nation. BCCI has launched IPL under which only 20 over matches are played to entertain the spectators in a very short period. Its intention is to entertain the public and earn. But it does not that the BCCI should not act against the illegal, unethical and immoral practices in the matches. The betting and spot fixing incident has disgraced and defamed the Indian cricket. Srinivasan is also owning a team in IPL named Chennai Super King under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who happens to be the Captain of Team India also. Srinivasan's son-in-law is already in police custody for his alleged involvement in IPL betting. Meiyappan was also the Principal and CEO of CSK in IPL. He is alleged to have passed on information about team strategy from the captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Coach Ian Fleming to bookies. In the prevailing situation, the refusal of the BCCI boss so far and silence of Team India Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on spot fixing incident in IPL are enigmatic. One thing also has been noticed that neither any official of BCCI, including its boss Srinivasan nor the veteran cricket players except Rahul Dravid and Tendulkar did open their mouth on the issue of slur on the game of cricket in India. The rot in cricket has run deep and the time has come to clean it this. Srinivasan now must have read now the writing on the wall after the resignations of his two lieutenants. N Srinivasan is likely to resign today in the board meeting and let the dirt be cleaned from Indian Cricket.