Round The States

New Delhi, 20 October 2011

Congress Beaten 0-4

BYPOLL sign of future?

by Insaf

The Congress had mud on its face following its 0-4 defeat in the recent by-polls to one Parliamentary seat and three Assembly seats in four States. True, on the face of it the results are no signal of the Party’s demise. But it holds out ominous portends for the grand dame to set its house in order prior to the five Assembly polls slated early next year. Significantly, it also underscores the electorates increasing disenchantment with the Manmohan Singh Government. Even as the Congress nonchalantly dismisses the results as ‘not unexpected’, the victory of the Janhit-BJP candidate in Haryana’s Hissar poll shows the voters’ disillusionment with the Bhupinder Hooda State Government. Recall, in the 2009 general elections the constituency voted on caste lines, with the non-Jats pluming for former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, while the Jat votes were divided evenly between the Congress and Chautala’s INLD. However, this time round the Jat voters have reposed faith only in the INLD as shown by its contender coming second and the Congress candidate loosing his security deposit.

The BJP-Shiv Sena victory in Kharakwasla, Maharashtra and that too in NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s home ground Baramati is a body blow to the Maratha chieftain as both his nephew Ajit Pawar, the State’s Dy Chief Minister and daughter Supriya Sule had made the poll a prestige issue. In Telangana and Bihar the results were on expected lines. In the former, the TRS defeated the Congress in Banswara and in the latter the ruling JD (U) retained Darounda. Here also, the Congress came a distant third. For RJD’s Lalu the electorate message was clear: They have still not forgiven him for neglecting development during his 15-years rule. The BJP as well needs to be on guard. Its victory revelry was muted thanks to its former Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddiyurappa’s arrest in the illegal mining scam. Clearly, the Party needs to ensure that ‘small mistakes’ do not post a black mark on its report card. Either which way, all Parties have been put on notice by a very shrewd, mobile and aware voter. No longer will promises suffice. They have to deliver on the ground and do their job honestly and effectively!

Wind Of Change In J&K

Winds of change are blowing across strife-torn Kashmir on two scores. Importantly, for the first time, Hurriyat hardliner Syed Geelani has sent encouraging indication of holding a dialogue with the Centre. Namely, to discuss with the Hurriyat’s Advisory Council and the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat any talks offer by New Delhi. A marked climb down from his separatist amalgam of talking only when the Centre accepts the “disputed” status of J&K, releases political prisoners and revokes special powers to the Armed forces. Notwithstanding, the United Jehad Council Chief Syed Salauddin’s call to shun  dialogue. Two, the most formidable face of militancy, Hijbul Mujahidin has almost been wiped out from the Valley with its remaining commanders and cadres being either killed or ‘taken out’ on regular intervals by the security forces. Only about two dozen active militants are left who have been dormant for months, succumbing only to throwing occasional grenades and random firing. An elated Centre is all set to send out positive signals with one rider: Any dialogue should be within the ambit of the Constitutional framework.

Five Erring States

Five rich States, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal have been given an ultimatum by the Centre to forthwith implement the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Of the 20 States, where the RTE had been notified to provide compulsory education to children in the age group of 6-14 years only these large and economically powerful States have defaulted. Further, to ensure compliance, the Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal speaking at the State’s Education Ministers conference bluntly warned these rich States that it would be “historic failure” if they fail to comply, more so as the Ministry had enhanced funds under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Towards that end, the Centre intends launching a nation-wide year-long campaign from Muslim-dominated Nuh in Mewat district of Haryana to promote RTE across schools early next month. Will these States now comply?

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Bangalore Goes Metro

Citizens of Bangalore are pleased as punch with the debut of a metro line in Karnataka’s Capital inaugurated two days ago. The 6.7 km elevated section of a proposed 42 km network which was in the making since 2005, thanks to agitations against acquisition of commercial properties on the Metro’s line, will service office-goers in Government and banks as also students and shoppers. But the hordes of IT sector employees who live and work around Bangalore will have to wait till December 2014 for completion of the Metro work. True, the short line will not take away the traffic blues of a congested city but is a first baby step in reducing travelling time.

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Worst Sex Ratios In BIMARU

The infamous BIMARU (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, UP) have earned another blemish. Whereby the child-sex ratio (CSR) is worst in its urban areas and cities compared to the villages. Against an overall ratio of 914 girls for 1000 boys in the age group of 0-6 years the urban ratio is 902 but the combined figure for cities is just 898. Shockingly, in Gujarat the CSR for the million plus cities falls to 836, a good 50 points lower than the State’s average. On the flipside, the Southern States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Kerala alongwith Maharashtra in the West the CSR is better in the cities and urban areas. Surprisingly, in Punjab and Haryana too the figure for a million plus cities the CSR is better than for urban areas as a whole or for the entire State. Undeniably, the urban population has much to learn from the rustic villagers.

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Brandy, Biryani In Tamil Polls

Brandy and Biryani alongwith sarees goes best in the slug-fest between the ruling AIADMK and Opposition DMK in the battle royale to win the Tamil Nadu civic polls. Undeniably, the male voters merrily enjoyed a quarter bottle of brandy, egg paranthas and chicken biryani even as they held their cards close to their chest prior to voting yesterday (19 Oct). While the women voters draped themselves in Nylon sarees, spent the Rs.500 each given by the two Parties but refused to disclose who they had voted in. Surprisingly, neither Party complained to the Election Commission for electoral malpractices, emphasizing that both had an implicit understanding.  Clearly, all is fair in war!---INFA

 (Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)