Round The States

New Delhi, 14 September 2024

Run-Up To J&K Polls

AIP &JeI ENTRY STIRS INTERESTS

By Insaf 

The spotlight on Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election after a decade promises to be intense and matchup to the hustings in other states, if not more. With the three-phase polls in the Union Territory beginning on Wednesday, electioneering has picked up unusual steam, what with Engineer Rashid’s AwamiIttehad Party (AIP)and independents supported by the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI)entering the fray.The established two regional parties, National Conference and People’s Democratic Party, it appears shall be given a run for their money. However, the other entrant, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party has failed to gain momentum.Importantly,in addition the removal of Article 370 in 2019, followed by the delimitation, has forced the parties to recalibrate their strategy.While the NC-Congress combine claims it has an edge in the Valley and some seats of Jammu, the BJP is exuberating confidence of a ‘historic victory, counting on majority seats in Jammu and on smaller outfits and Independents cutting into votes of the Valley parties.

Indeed, Lok Sabha MP from Kashmir Engineer Rashid who defeated Omar Abdullah in Lok Sabha polls, getting bail till October 2 to enable him to campaign has NC and PDP alleging that he’s “BJP proxy’. Be that as it may, his and the independents backed by JeI could significantly impact the voter turnout, particularly in strongholds in North and South Kashmir. It could lead to a bitter competition in what has historically been a low-turnout electoral affair in the past. Restoration of Article 370 is the big issue in these elections and the regional parties say the fight is a means to reclaim what was lost in last six years of direct central rule. However, BJP is firm that there’s no going back. Results on October 8 will provide an answer, but what is most critical is that the democratic process has begun. It’s one step at a time.

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West Bengal Impasse

The tug-of-war between agitating junior doctors and West Bengal government appears to be far from over. Hopes of breaking the deadlock were dashed on Thursday, as the talks between junior doctors and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after 33 days of agitation didn’t take off. The former wanted live streaming of the meeting the latter refused. However, Didi played to the gallery, she smelt politics, but offered to ‘resign, for sake of the people’ saying she too wants‘the victims to get justice’ and apologised to the people. She also assured protestors that despite violating SC directive by not going back to work (by Tuesday), she won’t act against them. To which doctorssaid: ‘We never asked for her resignation and are neither here to press for it.’ But demands, removal of Kolkata police chief and several top state health department officials,must be met ‘for sake of justice for the murdered doctor of RG Kar hospital.’Amid the stand-off, Governor Ananda Bose’s video message that he would ‘socially boycott’ Mamata is jarring. This is no time for politics. The political dispensation would do well to take note of TMC Rajya Sabha member Jawhar Sarkar, who resignedfrom the post said: the movement is ‘apolitical and spontaneous,’he hasn’t seen ‘such angst and total no-confidence against the government.’ Time Mamata saw the writing on the wall and apply the much-needed balm. 

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Haryana ‘Rebellious’ Polls 

The run-up to Haryana Assembly elections must make the BJP nervous. It has faced rebellion in the distribution of tickets as it replaced nearly 1/4th of its total of 90 candidates. The party has rewarded many new entrants and turncoats with tickets while ignoring those who have been working for years, is a big grudge. Number of leaders, including state unit Vice President, a minister, a MLA, state unit’s OBC Morcha chief were among others who quit after being denied tickets. Some have filed their nominations against BJP candidates! Will it impact BJP’s hope of hitting a hat-trick? Perhaps, as not just rebellion but the challenge comes from Congress too, which has decided to go solo, barring one seat to CPM, and is confident that it would be able to encash the anti-incumbency factor. At the same time, the party has somehow managed to put up a show of unity among its leaders, despite its decision not to field any of its MPs who expressed desire to return to state politics (eyeing CM’s post if successful). If party is voted to power, they could stake claim to leadership by gaining confidence of legislators. At same time, it has kept many top leaders happy by giving tickets to sons and relatives. For whom the gamble pays off will be eagerly watched.   

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No Peace in Manipur

Peace appears to be a far cry in Manipur. Students take to the streets in capital Imphal, curfew is imposed, internet shutdown announced for five days, additional forces have been deployed, belying Chief Minister Biren Singh or for that matter the Centre’s claims of normalcy returning. On Tuesday afternoon a clash broke out between students and security forces as the youth attempted to march to the Raj Bhavan to press for their demands to remove the DGP and security advisor to the state government. This, following recent drone and hi-tech missile attacks, including recovery of tails of sophisticated rockets fired on civilian areas. The police has warned students that while they may protest action will be taken against those indulging in violence and spreading false messages with false pictures, etc. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya has appealed for calm and restraint.Not enough. Perhaps a change in leadership could be a critical component of confidence-building measures, which have failed so far.

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Karnataka ‘kursi’ Clamour

Political drama ‘kissakursika’ is playing out in Karnataka. A group, including sitting MLAs and former and few ex-ministers, have written to LoP in LokSabha Rahul Gandhi urging him to warn these leaders and even some state ministers, from expressing desire to take over the post, in the event of a change of leadership. This, as Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging Governor’s sanction for his prosecution in MUDA site allotment case is being heard in High Court, sparking speculation. This, warns the group could ‘damage’ the party, demoralise party cadre and worse people could lose faith in Congress and government. While Deputy CM and state Congress president Shivakumar is seen as the frontrunner for the post, some ministers are heard quarrelling over ‘seniority’! Fight the enemy--BJP and JD-S, instead of the perennial ‘infighting’ is an advice which must be heeded, sooner the better for the grand old party. ---INFA

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Round The States

New Delhi, 31 August 2024

‘Anti-Muslim’ Rhetoric

ASSAM CM GOING OVERBOARD?

By Insaf

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s anti-Muslim rhetoric is jarring. In the ongoing Assembly session, he claimed crime rate hasn’t increased if population growth is considered and “Why will people from Lower Assam go to Upper Assam? So that Miya Muslims can take over Assam? We won't let it happen.” This during adjournment motions by Opposition regarding law and order situation following rape of a 14-year-old girl in Nagoan.The Assembly passed Assam Repealing Bill, 2024, abolishing The Assam Moslem Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, and Assam Repealing Ordinance 2024.His explanation: ‘Our aim is not only to abolish child marriages...also to get away with the Kazi system’,whereby clerics register Muslim marriages and bring registration under governmentsystem.‘Discriminatory against Muslims and brought to polarise voters in election year,’ says the Opposition. And United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA) has submitted a memorandum to President Murmu demanding Sarma’s dismissal, as he has failed to maintain law and order and of inciting division among communities. He must be reined in as the office he holds can’t be biased. He must uphold his constitutional duty. Will RashtrapatiBhavan step in? Or is it asking for the moon?

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J&K Assembly Polls

Come September and Jammu and Kashmir shall get reignited with political flurry with Assembly elections in the Union Territory after a decade. Importantly, Congress and National Conference have managed to finalise a seat-sharing deal for the 90 seats, with the latter contesting 51 seats and Congress 32 after hectic parleys and back-to-back meetings. Another two seats have been left to accommodate allies, CPM and Panthers Party. The alliance partners will have a common minimum programme with broad message being: ‘People of Kashmir have been cheated by BJP. Here, the state became UT and it was done by BJP. While we believe in progress of people, unity and employment, BJP agenda is to divide the people.’ Uncanny as it may sound, but the BJP has had to go into damage control following its supporters and workers divided over distribution of tickets. There are protests outside its office and some supporters are creating ruckus at BJP rallies. The top brass is trying to quell the simmering anger saying the party is ‘set to create history’ in these polls and there must be a show of strength and commitment for this ‘ensuing victory.’ While the results would be most anxiously awaited the BJP would do well to remember the saying: If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride!

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Maha Statue Collapse Politics

The collapse of 37-foot Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Malvan in coastal Konkanand its timing couldn’t be more unfortunate for EkantShinde’sMahayuti government in Maharashtra. The Oppositionhas got more ammunition, months before the State goes to Assembly polls. Not only has the government set up two committees, one technical committee to probe reasons behind the collapse and another to look into the reconstruction aspectand build a “grand statute befitting the stature” of the warrior king. The statue collapsed just 8 months after it was unveiled by Prime Minister Modi on December 4 and Opposition MahaVikasAghadisays it was constructed in a tearing hurry to garner votes before Lok Sabha polls. It has demanded Shinde’s resignation, while the latter urges ‘opposition has other issues to do politics on but Shivaji Maharaj, a revered figure in Maharashtra, should be kept out of it’. However, the Opposition chooses to use the opportunity to the hilt and announced it shall take out a protest march in Mumbai on Sunday. A first test-run for the bigger battle ahead?

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UP Social Media Policy

Uttar Pradesh government’s new digital media policy has raised many an eyebrow. For it gives a distinct impression that chief Minister Yogi Adityanath now requires good publicity/promotion but shall yield the stick if publicity goes against him. The policy says the government will pay up to Rs 8 lakh per month to influencers and holders of these accounts after empanelling them on different social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube depending on followers and subscribers. This claims the department shall also help create jobs. On the other, the policy warns government will take legal action against social media operators, influencers, firm or agency concerned in case “objectionable content” is uploaded. And ‘under no circumstances should it be indecent, obscene and anti-national.’ Predictably, the Opposition has hit out: SP says on X: ‘BJP is serving lies on a platter of corruption. Self-promotion using public tax money is a new type of corruption,’ ‘it’s a new type of corruption’; Congress calls it ‘undemocratic, anti-Constitution, aimed at stifling freedom of expression. This government, which has taken control of the electronic and print media with the power of money and authority, is conspiring to silence the digital media as well through this rule.’ The rebuttal by BJP is: It’s an ‘innovative move’ of Adityanath government by creating jobs and checking rumour-spreading on social media. Indeed, killing two birds with one stone!

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MamataOn Back Foot?

Will agitating junior doctors be able to tame the Bengal tigress? Doubtful, but their ‘cease work’ protest since past 21 days against the rape and murder of a young medic may have West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee being put on the backfoot. This, as Thursday saw her post on X: ‘Let me most emphatically clarify I haven’t uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false.’ She also wrote: ‘I have spoken against BJP because, with support of GoI, they are threatening democracy in our state and trying to create anarchy…’ Opposition BJP reacted with: ‘Don't mince your words. There’s no malicious disinformation campaign against you. You have threatened the agitating medical students & junior doctors…’ Amidall this, Didihas called for a two-day special session of the Assembly on Monday to table and pass a Bill which would provide for ‘capital punishment to convicted rapists.’ Will it help overcome the ongoing social and political turmoil in the state, is a million-dollar question. ----INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Round The States

New Delhi, 3 August 2024

SC/ST New Quotas

NOT AT WHIMS OF GOVTS

By Insaf

Three cheers to the Supreme Court. Political parties and state governments across the country will need to think twice before playing the reservation card. By a 6-1 majority ruling, the top court on Thursday held there should be new quotas within Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to ensure ‘constitutional guarantee of equality’. It did so by striking down a 2004 verdict which barred sub-classification of SC/ST for reservation. The reasoning: SCs don’t constitute a socially homogenous class and can be sub-classified by states for providing quota for those less privileged. The ruling said ‘power of Parliament to vary the list includes not merely the power to exclude or include any caste, race or tribe but also power to exclude or include parts of or group within any caste, race or tribe…’ However, it cautioned that while the state may embark on sub-classification, ‘it must do so on quantifiable and demonstratable data bearing on levels of backwardness and representation in the services of the state.’ It cannot, “merely act on its whims and fancies or as a matter of political expediency. The decision of the state is amenable to judicial review.”

The states which have welcomed or questioned the verdict will thus need to tread carefully. This, as historicallydifferent Dalit castes have in almost all states benefited differently from reservation provided by the Constitution. Three states, Punjab, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh had particularly taken the lead since 1975 and split the SC quota into sub-groups for a share to the most deprived among Dalits, such as Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs in Punjab or the Madigas in AP or Haryana dividing SC quota into categories A and B, limiting seats for leather working caste to 50% and opening the rest to other SC groups. State governments such as Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar, Tamil Nadu have welcomed the move, saying their stand was vindicated, others were happy an obstacle in the internal reservation has been removed. But it isn’t going to be easy as level of backwardness would need to be spelt out or what the preferential policies would eventually be. In the times to come, the proof of the pudding would be in its eating!

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Rain God’s Devastating Fury

There’s no let-up in rain god’s fury. Devastating landslides in Wayanad in god’s own country, heavy rains in Uttarakhand and cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh have not only taken a massive toll but again sent a loud message that playing with ecology and mindless construction boom will only invite havoc and disaster. Indeed, the death toll in Wayanad is 308, in Himachal its 5 dead and 50 missing and in Uttarakhand11 and 250 stranded in Kedarnath. Sadly, warning by experts decades ago or even these pastfew years of having a balance between development and environment has been ignored by governments. Worse, politics as usual comesto the fore even in these tragic times. Such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah informing Rajya Sabha that Centre had sent multiple advance warnings to Kerala government about possible floods and landslides and even dispatched 9 NDRF teams, but Chief Minister Vijayanoutrightly denying it. A day later, a Congress member in same house urged the Centre to provide relief to Himachal government, as none came its way despite requests last year when some districts were wrecked by rains.Will the Centre declare Wayanad tragedy as a national disaster as demanded by Kerala government? A bigger question being will the governments heed to warnings of climate changeand be safe rather than being sorry.

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Karnataka Governor Row

Congress-led government in Karnataka has been thrown into a tizzy. Governor ThaawarchandGehlothas issued a ‘show cause notice’to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stating allegations him “are of serious nature and prime facie seem plausible” and why prosecution sanction mustn’t be accorded viz alleged irregularities in distribution of sites to land losers by Mysuru Urban Development Authority, including his wife Parvathi. This after a delegation of BJP MLAs met him on July 25 demanding transfer of the case (being probed by a former HC judge) to CBI and Siddaramaiah’s resignationand advocate-activist Abraham seeking sanction to prosecute.Siddaramaiah along with his deputy,Shivakumar rushed on Tuesday to Delhi to meet party high command. Two days later, the Cabinet met to plan ‘a political and legal strategy’ and decided to ‘advise’ Gehlot to withdraw his notice as it’s ‘a concerted effort to destabilise a lawfully elected majority government.’While it maintained there’s nothing illegal in Parvathi receiving alternative sites from MUDA for ‘usurping’ her land, BJP claims the compensatory sites were given to her in an upmarket area, having higher value as compared to location of her land,‘acquired’ by MUDA and the ‘scam’ is worth Rs 4,000 crore to Rs 5,000 crore! All eyes are now on this Governor-Chief Minister pow wow.

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RSS Defended

The RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Maharashtra should say a big thank you to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. During Question Hour, when SP member R L Suman said government took RSS affiliation as a criterion in selecting head of NTA,as reported in a national daily, Dhakharstopped him saying “RSS is a global think tank of highest order, doing national service” and his statement was ‘a violation of Constitution and Fundamental Rights…’ Adding “I hereby rule, RSS is an organisation that has full constitutional rights to participate in development journey of this nation. It bears unimpeachable credentials, comprises of people who are deeply committed to serving the nation selflessly…RSS has been contributing for national welfare, our culture, and everyone should take pride in any organisation which is acting in this manner.”Leader of Opposition Kharge questionedif a member was speaking within rules, he/she shouldn’t be prevented. But Dhankhar was firm- ‘the memberwasn't transgressing rules, he was trampling on Constitution…’RSS has one shoulder to cry on.

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Make Goa ‘Dry’!

Imagine Goa, which thrives on tourism, goes dry! Well, that’s what BJP MLA Premendra Shethas sought from his Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. During discussion on demands for grants for excise department in Assembly on Tuesday last, Shet demanded a ban on alcohol consumption in the state. His reasons: For ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Goa’; to reduce liquor-related deaths in road accidents (4-5 per day) and in factories; ban won’t impact tourism. “We can produce alcohol and export it to others, but its consumption must be banned,” he said accusing retail outlets of selling liquor beyond permissible timings and wholesalers selling it for retail customers. ‘Alcoholism is on rise, we need to control it.’Sawant chose to ignore hisplea, obviously for good reasons. Goa is famous for its beaches and night lifenot just among domestic but also foreign tourists, some who have luxury of chartered flights. No booze can make a huge dent to its exchequer, as tourism undoubtedly will see a huge dip. ---INFA

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Round The States

New Delhi, 29 July 2024

‘Two States’

SHIFTS FOCUS ON BUDGET

By Insaf

‘Two States’ this past week got Parliament mired in an unsavoury controversy.  The Opposition, in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha decried the Union Budget as crass ‘discriminatory’ against non-NDA-ruled states and that Prime Minister Modi was only saving his coalition government by offering special sops to the two. On the other hand, BJP and its allies outright rejected the accusation and claimed the budgetary provisions were for a ‘Vikisit Bharat’ and all States needs had been taken care of. The ongoing general discussion on the budget 2024-25 sadly gave an impression poll campaigning mode hadn’t come to an end and many a bickering was unparliamentary as though the members were addressing political rallies still. However, it can’t be denied that the finance minister specific mention of budgetary outlay for key allies JD-U in Bihar and TDP in Andhra Pradesh, did give the Opposition the opportunity to take swipes at the ruling benches repeatedly. Who is the budget for, was the big question asked. ‘Is it only for two states, or has some consideration been given to the entire country? Modi, it was said was leading a ‘creaky, shaky and vulnerable’ coalition government that looked after interests of only two states, ignoring all other citizens in the country.

The government was warned, ‘We are a federal country. This is the death knell of federalism if you pick and choose among states…’ The best came from Congress President Kharge who said: Bihar and AP ‘pakoda and jalebi’ on their plates while other states got nothing; Karnataka (finance minister represents the State) was expecting that it would get the most but it got nothing; ‘Yehkursibachanekeliyeyeh sab huahai... We condemn it and protest against it.’, before leading INDIA alliance parties’ walkout.BJP hit back saying that while AP and Bihar may not figure in “Congress account’. The government has all states in mind!The NDA allies and its MPs expectedly praised the Budget and chose every occasion to hit out at Congress poor performance and budgets when in government. Finance minister Sitharaman described the accusation as ‘outrageous’ saying she didn’t ‘name many states either in interim budget presented in February or in this full budget but it doesn’t mean that government schemes are not working for the states.’ Guess, it’s important the parties must do their homework and do it well and concentrate on the needs of the aamadmi and raise demands for their welfare and the development of the states. Playing politics alone won’t yield results. 

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New Governors

Nine States and a UT have got new Governors and L-G, late Saturday night. President Murmu stated the dates of their appointment would be effective from the date they take charge. Expectedly, the list includes veteran BJP leaders and former MPs:former Union Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar, who was denied a ticket this election (Jharkhand), former MP from Assam Ramen Deka (Chhattisgarh), former Maharashtra Assembly Speaker HaribhauK Bagde(Rajasthan), former Tripura Dy Chief Minister Jishnu DVarma (Telangana).Importantly, all eyes would be on how these Governors conduct themselves, specially in Opposition-rules states. More so, as only a day before, Supreme Court issued notices to Union Home Ministry and secretaries of Kerala Governor Khan and his West Bengal counterpart C V Ananda Bose and sought replies within 3 weeks. This after the two governments petitioned alleging denial of assent to bills passed by their respective Assemblies and that these were referred to President Murmu and were still pending assent(eight bills in Bengal and 7 in Kerala and some for two years!). Challenging the reference to the president itself, the states argued ‘This is a confusion among the governors. They keep the bills pending. This is against the Constitution,” and urged the top court ‘to lay down guidelines on when governors could return or refer the bills.’How about, giving a lesson or two to raj Bhavans about ‘good governance’ too?

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WB CM’s‘Drama’

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has triggered a political storm with the Opposition and government indulging in a tu-tu-mein-mein (war of words). On Saturday, she stormed out of Niti Aayog’s 9thGoverning Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi, claiming her microphone was switched off midway her speech, was ‘humiliated’ by not being given adequate time and while ‘AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was given 20 minutes to speak, chief ministers of Assam, Goa, and Chhattisgarh spoke for 10-12 minutes and I was stopped from speaking after just five minutes.’ This despite she was the only opposition leader attending. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit back saying ‘she spoke her full time, her mic was not switched off, the screen in front of our tables kept showing the time…’ BJP called it a premediated ‘drama’ aimed at grabbing headlines, and TMC and other opposition parties accused Centre of ‘suppressing’their voices and ‘undermining cooperative federalism’.The big question is the meeting was to focuson making India a developed country by 2047, why did as 10 states and UTs choose to boycott over ‘discrimination’ against non-NDA-ruled states in the Union Budget?Taking the bull by the horns could have been a better strategy.

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RSS Connect

Madhya Pradesh HC disposed of a writ petition seeking lifting of ban on RSS for government employees as Centre finally realised ‘its mistake,’ but directed that July 9 notification be publicised across India. The court ‘laments the fact it took almost 5 decades for central government to realise its mistake; to acknowledge that an internationally renowned organisation like RSS was wrongly placed among banned organisations of the country and its removal therefrom is quintessential.’ Aspirations of many central govt employees of ‘serving the country’ in many ways, it said, ‘got diminished’ because of this ban (by Indira Gandhi in 1980), which ‘got removed only when it was brought to court’s notice vide present proceedings’(since September last).While court may take credit, several BJP-ruled states have passed similar orders over past decade permitting government staffers to join RSS. The DoPT, under PMO, had issued the new order, claiming the previous one became irrelevant’, and ‘unjustified’. The timing is critical, as tension between Modi-led BJP and RSS is no secret, rather came to fore these general elections. Is it Modi’s peace offering? ----INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)