Round The States
New
Delhi, 7 April 2011
Battle Royal In Assam
MINORITY VOTES HOLD
KEY
By Insaf
Assam is keeping its fingers crossed
after the successful completion of the first phase of polling for its next
Assembly. The voter turnout recorded a high of over 75% and was violence-free.
However, the Congress continues to worry, notwithstanding a confident Chief
Minister Tarun Gogoi who is convinced of sounding the victory bugle. Causing
the Grand Dame sleepless electoral nights is perfume baron Maulana Badruddin
Ajmal and his All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). Given that both
parties are locked in a fight for the minority vote, 30% of Assam's
electorate. The Congress's unease stems from the fact that the AIUDF nibbled
away minority votes in the last Assembly and Parliamentary polls. Recall, in
the 2006 State elections, the AIUDF won 10 seats with a 9% vote share, one seat
in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls and ensured the Congress defeat in at least three.
Pertinently, the Maulana, known as India’s perfume
baron came into limelight in 2004 when his home Hojai became the State's first
sub-division to become 100% literate in 100 days. Till recently, the AIUDF
Chief headed the Assam unit
of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind that has influence on Assam's minorities. However,
following differences for using the Jamiat as a political platform, he floated
the AIUDF to champion the cause of minorities, read illegal migrants from
across the border. In a State where the Muslims vote for the Party the Jamiat
favours, the Congress is hoping the Jamiat-Maulana split would help wean
minority votes its way. Both are also busy trying to make inroads among tea
tribes, the State's most exploited group. It is to be seen who emerges trumps?
* * * *
It’s Raining Money In TN
Come elections, it is money time. In a shocking expose, the
Election Commission has seized over Rs.42 crores, most of it unaccounted cash,
in poll bound Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam. Tamil Nadu tops the list with
recoveries of Rs. 29 crores in cash and Rs 6 crores in gold. In West Bengal,
the cash seized is over Rs. 5 crores and Rs.4 crores in Assam. Ostensibly to be
used to make the voters ‘feel good’ by purchasing votes. Candidates have hit
upon novel schemes to keep the monies from the Commission’s prying eyes. Large
sums are hidden in gunny bags in trucks, travel suitcases in private buses and
tiffin boxes, cash is bundled in newspapers and fancy sarees and delivered to
the voters. In the last three weeks alone 45,000 warrants have been executed for
poll irregularities. The less said the better about the rich candidates
competing for the poor votes in Tamil Nadu and Assam.
* * * *
Bihar’s Unique
Zilla Parishads
Zilla Parishads in Bihar have altogether acquired a new
meaning. For the first time, since the implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act
in 1992, the State Government has given the Parishads power to approve annual
plans for districts. This is not all. Though the implementation of the schemes
will rest with the district authorities and Government agencies, the Zilla
Parishads would have supervisory powers. In addition, the State is all set to
start entitlement-based planning to ascertain the needs of the people from the
bottom level. Whereby, the district would not only tell Patna what it needs vis-à-vis State and Central Government
schemes but also projects which require more funds and those where spending can
be decreased. Needless to say a unique move to give more powers to local
representatives.
* * * *
Sikkim Supports
Gorkhaland
The move for the creation of Gorkhaland got a leg-up when
the Sikkim Assembly passed a unanimous resolution demanding a separate State
for the Darjeeling hills. The reason for this ‘bolt out of the blue’ motion was
due to the fact that the State had to incur heavy losses of Rs.50 crores per
day whenever the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha blocked the National Highway, the
lifeline to Sikkim. Going a step further, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling
promised to take up the matter with the Centre against the backdrop that
Darjeeling was a part of Sikkim before the British came. Needless to say the
issue has united West Bengal’s arch rivals CPM and Trinamool Congress who are
opposed to Gorkhaland. Both are against any further division of the State and
reiterate that Darjeeling would continue to be its part. Meanwhile, the
Congress is watching the developments closely on the eve of State elections.
* * * *
Jharkhand Legal
Mess
Litigants in Jharkhand are in for tougher times. With the
term of the fast track courts (FTC) ending on March 31 about 35,000 criminal
cases pending disposal before these have got indefinitely stuck. Albeit, all
are being transferred back to the Jharkhand High Court. Recall, the FTCs set up
in 2000 by the NDA Government were to pave way for speedy trial of criminal
cases within a ten-year term. Amidst much fan fare Jharkhand set up 40 FTCs
headed by an Additional District Judge, with its own court room, funded by the
Union Law Ministry. Unlike other States which ran the FTCs on State funds, the
FTC’s herein relied on Central funds. Worse, since 2002 these FTCs have courted
controversies over the appointment of 22 Additional District Judges. Last
month, the High Court held their appointment illegal as the FTCs had not
followed the Supreme Court guideline. It is a moot point what happens to the
cases piling up?
* * * *
Goa Minister Caught
Salubrious Goa with its sun-kissed
beaches is in the throes of a crisis following State Education Minister
Atanasio Monserrat’s detention by customs official at the Mumbai airport on his
way to Dubai with reportedly Rs 25 lakh of unaccounted cash on Saturday last.
Leading to the Goa Assembly being adjourned for two days following the
Speaker’s refusal to allow the Opposition's adjournment notice to discuss two
issues--How much money Monserrate had with him and who channelled it?
Meanwhile, the Congress maintains that the Minister was “unaware” of the
procedures and hence the money in his possession was a lapse. All eyes are now
on how the customs’ officials deal with this tricky question.---INFA
(Copyright, India News and Feature
Alliance)
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