Political alignment in UP

The coming UP assembly is the most crucial, especially for Congress and BJP, to decide which party's or coalition would establish its reign in Delhi after 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The two major national parties- Congress and BJP- are marginal forces in the most politically crucial state of UP. That is why both are putting every thing into this election.

The ruling BSP and the Opposition SP are considered virtually as regional parties in UP. Both have strong grip on their respective vote banks. However, the two national political parties- Congress and BJP- have specified vote banks.

The Congress party future prime ministerial candidate and general secretary Rahul Gandhi, MP, has been concentrating seriously from the very beginning to revive it and retrieve its pre-eminent position, which it lost to BJP, SP and BJP for more than two decades ago. The attention of Rahul Gandhi bore fruit when the Congress party won 22 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Amethi and Raebareli have been his family constituencies.

Muslim votes constitute the most in Uttar Pradesh. Upper caste, especially Brahmin, Muslim, Dalit and most backward class have been the traditional voters of Congress Party since Independence. The disenchantment has started rising among them since 89 with the Congress and its traditional vote banks also began deserting it. By 1995 desertion appeared to be complete with the Congress that reflected in 1996 Lok Sabha elections.

From 1990s, Former Prime Minister late PV Narsimha Rao took control of the party and the government, though a veteran Congress leader, able administrator and erudite scholar, failed miserably to stop the ascendancy of saffron brigade that weakened the Congress party immeasurably in terms of organization in almost all states of the nation. He presided over the demise of Congress Party organization.

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar suffered the most and there remained almost nothing in the name of organization. Though Rahul Gandhi on his personal initiatives has infused life in UP Congress, Bihar Congress unit is remained lifeless. The Congress party under the stewardship of Rahul Gandhi in UP has almost formed its alliance with Ajit Singh’s INLD to fight there assembly elections. Ajit Singh has considerable base among Jat voters in western UP. He is on the basis of the personality of his father former late Prime Minister Choudhary Charan Singh as the tallest leader of farmers sure to help Congress in giving a stiff fight to CM Mayawati’s BSP. This reflects the earnestness in Rahul Gandhi to retrieve its lost ground in the coming elections.

Chief Minister Mayawati’s BSP, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s SP and BJP would alone fight the elections, except some alliances here and there with obscure regional political outfits. Chief Minister Mayawati is not as popular as to retain power smoothly. The deteriorating law and order and corruption also plague her government immensely. In addition to that, the nexus between her ministers and criminals and formers involvement in crime have dented her government’s image. As far as BJP is concerned, there is no taker for its Hindu hard-line view in the changed scenario. It was given opportunity in early nineties but totally failed to come up even to the expectations of its vote banks. Mulayam’s Samajwadi Party is still strong among backwads, Muslims and socialist minded upper caste but the history of its government reflects its encourage to goonda Raj in Uttar Pradesh. So, in the given political scenario, there is no likelihood of single party rule. The competition is only for being No. I and 2. Even if the Congress comes at No.2, it will be its achievement and indicator of the fact that after 2017, it might come to power in UP on its own.

AFSPA is meant for national integration

Armed Force Special Power Act is meant for the protection of the unity and integrity of the nation. That is why the army is deployed in disturbed areas of the states and they are equipped with special power to act in a free, frank and impartial way in the interest of the country.

AFSPA has been put in place in Jammu and Kashmir and north-eastern states to curb militancy, which is supported and propagated from across the border under a well calculated evil design on India. It has been in force in the state of Jammu and Kashmir since the worst days of insurgency, militancy and act of secession of 1990.

Separatist conglomerate of Hurriyat Conference always raises demand for the lifting of AFSPA from the state. They describe it as draconian measure, which promotes human rights violations in the state. Hurriyat sees it as a big hurdle in fulfilling their separatist aspirations.

However, the ground reality is that Army is nothing to do with politics of the state nor is it benefiting any political party or acting against a particular community in the state. Army personnel have been empowered to arrest or search without warrant on mere suspicion in view of the infiltration taking place in Jammu and Kashmir at frequent intervals, though the atmosphere there is seemingly peaceful. The encounter between foreign militants and the security forces is still taking place at regular intervals. The Sneaking of militants from across the border is still taking place, though it is not at its height. Army plays the most vital role in Jammu and Kashmir in the interest of the nation. Our Army is regarded as the best one in the world.

Terrorist violence has fallen because of the prompt vigil of Army Jawans and not because the terrorists have laid down their guns. They are still active and the position in Jammu and Kashmir is like lull before storm that could take place any time. So, the question of removing AFSPA from some parts of Jammu and Kashmir is nothing but foolishness. It is also like giving an account of the lack of farsightedness before the world. AFSPA must not be touched.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omer Abdullah has been advocating for the removal of AFSPA for the last few days, though he has accepted the importance of Army’s role in the state. It is under the purview of the Home ministry. That is why Army refused to comment on CM’s advocacy for its withdrawal. The Jammu and Kashmir state police also do not favour its withdrawal from some parts. Defence ministry also does not favour withdrawal.

The overall situation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir also does permit the army to leave. In the given situation, to bolster up the falling political rate, Chief Minister has raised this type of demand only to please the separatist element which will prove to be detrimental to the unity and integrity of the nation. CM Omer is leading the National Conference (NC) – Congress party government. As his term of chief ministership for three years is coming to an end and after that the Congress dispensation will take over the rein of government for remaining three years, Omer is playing a political game plan without consulting his alliance partner.

Politics of over Chath

Delhi Bhartiya Janta Party in its move to retrieve the lost ground and get over the impression of being the party of business community in the city is now advocating for the declaration of holiday on the occasion of Chath. Its move is to lure the migrants in large numbers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh living in the national capital.

With the Delhi Assembly elections due to be held in 2014, BJP has started to prepare its pitch for batting strongly this time by raising the demand of holiday on the occasion of Chath, which is deeply associated with the migrants. But it would be better for the BJP to ameliorate them economically and make solid ground among them.

As Chath is celebrated in Bihar and the bordering district of Uttar Pradesh adjacent to Bihar on the large scale and some other states of North India, BJP aims at making ground among migrants from these two states living in large numbers and play important factor in the electoral politics of Delhi. By pressing the government to declare gazetted holiday on the occasion of Chath, BJP is trying to score political point. Because of the anti-outsider leaning of the BJP from the very beginning in Delhi, the migrants from Bihar, UP and other states have favoured the Congress party in Delhi and thereby electing Sheila Dikshit as the Chief Minister for the third consecutive time.

BJP has taken politically correct move to demand for holiday on the occasion of auspicious and religiously important festival. Delhi BJP move will certainly prove to be fruitful among migrants during this time of assembly elections as the disenchantment among them is growing with the Sheila Dikshit government day by day. They feel to be neglected and deprived of their due in the national capital.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit issues statements time to time that have also reflected her leaning too is not always in favour of the migrants from Bihar and UP. Numerical strength, ability, efficiency and capability of the migrants from Bihar, UP and other states, especially South India, are so high that they control 75 percent of workforce in all areas of activities in Delhi. Whether it is government or private organization, the situation is the same. In the given situation, their being politically indispensable for the political party is natural.

India is known for holidays. There are holidays on all the important festivals irrespective of religion of the nation. As far as the Delhi BJP demand for holiday on the occasion of Chath is concerned, it is fully justified.

Chath is the most sacred festival of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It is celebrated with all religious traditions and processes. It is the only festival in which we also salute (Pranam) the setting Sun as well as the rising One. Different types of delicious items are prepared in a very sacred environment to offer Goddess Chath. So, this festival touches the religious sentiments of the devotees most. So, the political initiative taken by the Delhi BJP to put pressure on the government to declare holiday on the occasion Chath is very good move. As the issue is politically beneficial, the government may not concede the demand this year but there is all likelihood that this Sheila Dikshit Government will declare holiday on the occasion of Chath from next year to take political credit.

Boom in market on Diwali

With the opening up of market, every festival is guided by its interest. It is the characteristic of market economy that it keeps its identity separate from one festival to another to reach to the maximum and expand itself.

India is a nation of festival. There is one at every 15 day throughout the year. Especially from July to March, there is a galore of festivals all over the nation. The market has read it shrewdly and has moulded itself accordingly. It tries to sell to its full potential the items according to the nature and character of festivals.

As for example, it sets up shops of items which demand the people most in large numbers . So is the difference seen in the market during Durga Puja from Diwali.

Diwali is most famous because this is the only festival which is celebrated in all corners of the nation in equal measure. As mainly the Goddess of wealth Laxmi is worshipped on the occasion of Diwali, it is celebrated to display happiness about the victory of Ram over Ravan. And also as according to religious texts, Diwali is celebrated in happiness on the occasion of the return of Marzada Purshottam Ram's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan.

Another saying is that the Deepawali signifies to remove darkness by lighting the lamp on the occasion. But the main significance to celebrate Deepawali and worship goddess Laxmi is to purify the soul and be blessed with wealth and good health. But as far as the purity of the soul by celebrating Deepawali is concerned, it is nothing to do with its main purpose due to people's greed but to generate economy through market.

The boom in market on the occasion of Deepawali is only confined to big cities and towns and among 20 crore of people out of 1.25 billion population of the nation. In big metros and cities, there has been sale of thousands of crores of rupees of jewellery on the occasion of Dhantras a day before Deepawali. And this market boom has been enjoyed by only 20 percent of Indian population, who mostly lives in cities and towns.What economic boom it signifies in proportion to our population. Actually, it is nothing but an eye wash. The only sign of celebrating Deepawali or any other festival is purchasing something from the market. This is the thinking of urban dwellers. The straight principle is that if you don’t purchase either willingly or because of financial constraint, you have not celebrated the occasion.

Our Prime Minister’s photo was carried in a national daily today showing him in pleasant mood over the market boom on the occasion of Dhanteras amidst recessionary trend in other countries of the world. But Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh must not lose sight of the fact this is only 20 percent of population who has brought market boom. It does not constitute India. He must not be ecstatic over the enormous upward trend in consumer market on a certain day on the occasion of a festival.

The ground reality about the economy of our nation can be seen in rural areas where darkness still prevails all over. People are not financially able to purchase even a litre of kerosene, what to talk of mustard oil or ghee, to light the Deep on the auspicious occasion of Deepawali. It is only because of the back breaking price rise and under its burden of they are being crushed.

So, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh must not be pleased that it is only because of his brain child of economic reforms that Indian market still booms amidst the trend of recession in developed western countries of the world. The UPA Government must pledge on the occasion Deepawali that they will bring down prices of essential commodities and food items immediately so that this auspicious occasion could be celebrated in equal measure all over the world. We wish our readers and well wishers happy and prosperous Diwali.

Need for self-introspecting political Yatra

In view of the assembly elections in five states, UPA government’s falling popularity because of the galore of corruption charges and the last opportunity of a certain leader to full his vaulting ambition, several yatras are under way in the country.

Most of the yatras by political, spiritual leaders and members of civil society are only confined to poll-bound Uttar Pradesh but the Jan Chetna Yatra, covering 23 states, about 7000 km and lasting about more than a month, by the tallest leader of BJP and former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani is meant for awakening people against growing corruption and how Dr. Manmohan Singh-led UPA government has completely failed to check it that resulted in scams like 2G, CWG, Adarsh and several others.

Advani, the veteran leader of BJP and one of the most respected political leaders of the country , knows pretty well that the national mood is building up against the government. So the time is ripe for him to exploit the situation politically for the party in general and for him in particular to fulfill his last ambition to become the prime minister by winning the general elections in 2014 for BJP-led NDA.

But the way is not so easy for him. BJP has no dearth of leaders. All in private oppose each other whenever the opportunity arises. On the front of the issue of prime ministerial candidate of BJP, there can be no consensus given the growing ambition among second line of leaders. Sushma Swaraj is the party’s leader in Lok Sabha and Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha. So, both aspire to be named by the party as candidates for prime minister. After these two leaders, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi considered to be the strongest candidate among second line of leaders is also in the race for prime ministerial candidate. Party President Nitin Gadkari, who is also reportedly going to fight Lok Sabha from the constituency of his choice, is also not keeping himself back from prime ministerial candidate competition and former party president Rajnath Singh is also not keeping himself aloof from party’s bull fighting show.

In the given situation inside the BJP, L K Advani’s prime ministerial aspiration is definitely not easy to be fulfilled. One thing is also clear that whoever be the prime ministerial candidate of the party must have strong backing from party’s doting parent Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS). Untill and unless it gives its stamp of approval, no party leader can be declared as the candidate for prime minister if the party wins elections in 2014. L K Advani has not been in the good book of RSS since he praised Jinnah during his Pakistan visit. Praising Jinnah also cost him the post of party president at that time itself. RSS wants L K Advani to retire from active politics but his ambition prevents him from doing so.

In view of the growing disenchantment of the people with UPA Government, Advani found it an opportune time to launch Jan Chetna Yatra against corruption to tell the people that they have still a leader of national stature to deal with the issues of corruption and rising prices firmly. He also wants to make it clear through his sixth yatra that he is still energetic and active to serve them. L K Advani is himself of clean image and man of integrity. But as far as the issue of corruption is concerned, the BJP itself is not above the board. Recently, a former party chief minister of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa was arrested in corruption cases. The court sent him to jail whom Advani reportedly said during the yatra that he had cautioned him against corruption. So here the question arises that whether Advani has undertaken yatra only against the corruption in government or against his own party governments facing corruption charges in various states.

There can be no double standard on the issue of corruption. The scale of measurement is the same. The need of the hour for L K Advani and all other political leaders to look inside and go self-introspection yatra to cleanse the political class.

End of Gaddafi’s dictatorial life

Iraq’s Saddam Hussain, Egypt’s Hosni Mobarak and now Libya’s Moummar Gaddafi have fallen. The people in these three Arab countries wanted regime change. They have now got it. The entire Arab world is in the grip of regime change for betterment through the freedom of the people by establishing democracy. The people of Arabian countries appear to be vexed with despotism.

Now, Yemen and Syria are in the row for the change of regime. They have rebelled against their rulers to establish democracy.

The rebellion in Arab world and fall of the three dictators in the most absurd way clearly give signal to the rulers of all the countries of the world that if they continued to ignore popular people’s demand and suppress the voice of the common man, they would have to go.

In the 21^st century, there must not be any vestiges of dictatorship in the world. All want freedom of speech and right to avail all facilities provided by the government. They abhor any kind of control by the regime. People’s sentiments and feelings must be respected and the government of the day must maintain transparency in all its functions so that no misgivings could arise among them.

Gaddafi’s career began with military and he promoted himself to the rank of colonel. He was a quirky colonel. He grabbed power of Libya through bloodless coup in 1969 and ruled it unchallenged, and crushed even the hissing sound of opposition to his despotic regime of 42 years. He lived a very colourful life and died an ignominious death in rebel attacks in his hide out in a culvert. He had women body guards and two wives. He had nine children and always liked to stay in tent equipped with all luxurious facilities. He lived a grandeur life and tolerated no opposition, whatsoever.

With the killing of Colonel Gaddafi, the rebellion for the establishment of democracy has got strength. National Transitional Council (NTC) in Libya has now greater responsibility to establish democratic system based on consensus among all spectrums of opinion of Libyan society. Libyan society is tribal-based and there are more than hundred tribal groups there. The differences among them are also open. And at the same time, ever after the killing of Gaddafi, his support base has not altogether wiped out. There are still Gaddafi supporters in Libyan society. That is why NTC will have to show the world about its sincerity and commitment to establish democracy there.

The West under the leadership of the US will certainly provide full support to NTC in establishing democracy there but with a rider. As Libya is oil rich country, the US would always like the regime there, which could be favourably bent towards it. As Libya is a oil reach country, the US had set its eyes from the very beginning. But as Gaddafi was himself a true dictator and never tolerated to be subservient to any western power, he clearly understood the financial value of abundant oil resources in Libya. Gaddafi played a role in launching Petro Boom in 70. With the rise of petroleum prices that started in 1973, he made most of the large reservoir of petroleum products in strengthening his grip on Libyan regime. It was Gaddafi’s foresight and understanding of the economic value of oil that kept in the saddle for long 42 years.

Gaddafi’s ruthless style of ruling the country got weakened with the development and openness in the world outside in every sphere. The rebellion against his regime was not started without any cause. If he had taken re-conciliatory approach, he would not have been killed in this abominable manner.

Gaddafi was not a very good friend of India. But as Libya is an oil rich country in middle –east, India has to be there in reckoning from the strategic point of view and it is natural that it will always support the cause of democracy.

Team Anna deviating from its mission

The mission of Team Anna is to mobilize people’s support to root out corruption by pressurizing the government to introduce and adopt anti-graft Jan Lokpal Bill in the winter session of Parliament. It is now clearly perceptible that it is deviating from their main issue on which they successfully galvanized the entire nation against corruption. The whole nation gave expression to their voice through the Gandhian and social activist Anna Hazare’s 12- day fast into death protest at Ramlila Ground in Delhi for Jan Lokpal to arrest the growing corruption at all levels of the governments in states and at the Centre.

Now, it is taking political route to settle score with a particular political party, that is Congress, that was clearly reflected in the recently held Hisar parliamentary by-election in Haryana. Key team member Arvind Kejriwal and others campaigned there strongly to defeat Congress candidate, while the candidates against it were not of any cleaner image in public life.

As almost all political parties have some corrupt leaders, targeting a particular party only reflects the deviation from the main issue of corruption by Team Anna and reflecting a hidden anti-Congress agenda . And it also shows its dubious intention, though it says that it puts pressure on Congress because it being a ruling party at the Centre, which is chiefly responsible for introducing and adopting the anti-graft Jan Lokpal Bill in the winter session of Parliament.

When Anna Hazare has himself made it clear that he and his team would campaign in the five poll-bound states scheduled to be held early next year after the winter session of Parliament, what is the need for Arvind Kejriwal and his other team members to start Yatra from Banda in Uttar Pradesh that clearly reflects their political bias against the Congress Party? Why Team Anna is keeping mum on the ruling BSP, and other opposition parties BJP and SP in Uttar Pradesh which are alleged to be no less corrupt than the Congress.

The war against corruption can never be won by supporting covertly or overtly the other political parties not of cleaner records than the ruling UPA at the Centre. What to talk of Arvind Kejriwal, even Anna Hazare, who is presently observing Maun Vrat, has not spoken even a single word on the arrest the former Chief Minister of Karnataka and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa for his alleged involvement in corruption cases. Is it not the double standard of Team Anna? Until and unless the team Anna shows neutrality, apolitical approach and impartial action, the movement against corruption is bound to face hurdles at every step.

The nation has struck dumb at the highly condemnable seen on TV screens of the merciless beating of a Core Committee member of Team Anna and senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhusan in his chamber by three young men for his advocacy of plebiscite on Kashmir and shoes throwing incident at Arvind Kejriwal during his public meeting in Lucknow. Violence by any one must be condemned strongly. And these two ugly incidents against Team Anna members are unfortunate and condemnable. Government must ensure the security of all the members of Team Anna.

While Anna Hazare himself considers Prashant Bhushan as wrong for advocating of plebiscite on Kashmir, no action against him has been taken as yet. Jammu and Kashmir is the integral part of India and it will remain so.

Two Core Committe members of Team Anna PV Rajgopal and Water Man and Magsasay Award winner Rajendra Singh have reportedly quit over the issue of the members taking political turn that leads them in different directions.

The decision about campaigning against Congress in Hisar was reportedly not taken by Core Committee and it appeared to be the personal political bias of some of the jovial, enthusiastic and vocal members against the Congress Party, who influenced Anna Hazare to make announcement about it. In this way, the energy of the youth of the entire nation channelized against corruption by Anna Hazare is being frittered away.