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LG-CM Power Struggle: PUDUCHERRY GIVES HOPE, By Insaf, 4 May 2019 Print E-mail

Round The States

New Delhi, 4 May 2019

LG-CM Power Struggle

PUDUCHERRY GIVES HOPE

By Insaf

 

Three cheers to the Madras High Court. In the hustle-bustle of elections it offers a ray of hope to people’s representatives. In an order on Tuesday last, it restored the dignity of Chief Minister’s office and of his Council of Ministers in Puducherry. Ruling the Lieutenant-Governor could not interfere with day-to-day administration of the Union Territory or act independently when an elected government was in place, it said incessant interference from the L-G would amount to running a “parallel government.” Thus, Chief Minister Narayanasamy gets to have the last laugh in the power-struggle with L-G Kiran Bedi since 2017. It is no secret the two were at loggerheads, forcing Narayansamy to protest against Bedi’s ‘interference’ in policies and as many as 39 Government schemes languishing with her. Finally, the Court came to the CM’s aid after a Congress MLA filed a writ petition spelling out Bedi’s meddling. Importantly, the Court also set aside Centre’s communications in 2017 elevating the power of the administrator, as was seen in regular spats between Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal and L-G Baijal. It made a distinction between the two, saying restrictions imposed on NCR of Delhi were not applicable in Puducherry. All eyes now rest on Bedi. Has she been tamed or is Raj Bhavan preparing another move? 

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Maharashtra Maoist Attack

Maoists strike again, making a mockery of the intelligence apparatus, this time in Maharashtra. On Wednesday last, 15 security personnel were killed in an IED explosion, hours after Maoists had set ablaze 30-odd vehicles in Gadchiroli. While PM Modi and Chief Minister Fadnavis have condemned the incident, Opposition NCP has demanded the CM resign immediately. More so as this is the 4th Maoist attack in Gadchiroli, which borders Chattisgarh, since 2019 General elections began in April. Worse, it makes hollow the claim of the Home Ministry that Maoists insurgency has been contained to a large extent. As against this, the South Asia Terrorism Portal data says the latest attack takes the count of Maoist-related incidents up to the 53 across the country this year alone, in which at least 107 persons (26 civilians, 14 security personnel and 52 Naxalites) have died. Recall, just weeks ago, Maoists targeted a convoy of BJP MLA in Bastar in Chhattisgarh, during his campaign, killing him and four others. Undeniably, the intelligence apparatus has failed miserably, knowing well that Maoists take advantage of the ongoing elections and use every opportunity to strike. It would do well to adhere to the adage ‘a stitch in time saves nine.’     

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J&K Assembly Polls

In the midst of ongoing General elections, Jammu & Kashmir is weighing on Election Commission’s mind. While the Centre is keen Assembly elections are held in October-November, i.e. extending President’s Rule beyond July 2, Nirvachan Sadan is so far non-committal and has sought legal opinion. More so, as the Constitution is silent on the hypothetical question what if the new government doesn’t wish to extend President’s Rule and the EC wants to avoid being accused of not conducting the polls! North Block argues on postponement on grounds that after May 23, the time to hold elections will be very short, plus there is Ramzaan and Amarnath yatra. However, all political parties in the State are upset as they feel the Centre is deliberately stalling the democratic process. In fact, they wanted Assembly polls be held along with these polls. But here the EC put its foot down citing security concerns. How soon will the EC take a call now, is the big question. It must keep in mind that re-imposition of Governor’s Rule repeatedly doesn’t fair well for democracy and deprives the people to choose their representatives.  

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Gujarat & Modis

Gujarat, which gave the country its Prime Minister, perhaps continues to be a nightmare for Congress President Rahul Gandhi. On Thursday last, a local court issued summons to him after a criminal defamation suit was filed by a BJP MLA over his remarks: “why all thieves have Modi in their surname,” The Chief judicial magistrate directed Rahul to be present before the court on June 7 as the complainant said the Congress chief had defamed the entire Modi community. He petitioned that there are a large number of people with Modi surname and does that mean all members of the Modi community are thieves? Apparently, two more similar cases were filed against Rahul in Bihar’s Purnea district. Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi also filed a defamation case for the same statement, saying he ‘defames and hurts the sentiments of everyone who has the Modi surname.’ Guess Rahul cannot say what’s in a name. But he surely has more on his plate than he can handle.

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UP’s Bull Fight

Uttar Pradesh brings humour in poll campaigning, ridden with tu-tu-mein-mein from the very start of general elections. Thanks to the stray bulls. These seem to have caught the attention of the politicians. After BSP supremo Mayawati’s helicopter had to hover above for a while in Kannuaj as a bull which had broken the barricade had to be removed, tweeted SP Akhilesh Yadav: “Can’t you (Yogi Adityanath) see how the rage of orphaned bulls is rising. A bull came to give a memorandum against the BJP government...We told the bull that this was not a rally of those responsible for leaving animals to fend for themselves, only then did it calm down.” Obviously, a reference to Yogi’s ban on slaughter houses. Mayawati too chipped in: “Such is BJP’s frustration they are sending their stray animals to disrupt our rallies.” Promptly Yogi had his response: “I learnt that the other day, ‘Nandi Baba’ (Hindu deity Shiva’s bull) breached the barricades and entered the gathbandhan’s rally venue. It was looking for those who had opened illegal abattoirs in UP. Now, even cattle are not ready to forgive them.” With the bull getting such attention, the voter has reason to be jealous.

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Burqa Vs Ghunghat

Is Burqa Vs Ghunghat going to be the country’s latest debate? Well so it seems, with Shiv Sena, BJP’s ally, demanding that Prime Minister Modi follow in the footsteps of Sri Lanka President Sirisena. While the latter has banned the niqab (face veil) after the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, so that security agencies don’t face any difficulty in identifying people, the Sena wants Modi to ban burqas in India. Face masks or veils “could pose a danger to national and social security”, it argues, in its editorial in its mouthpiece, Saamana. “It has happened in Ravana’s Sri Lanka. When will it happen in Ram’s Ayodhya...,” it asked. While no reaction from Modi, lyricist Javed Akhtar has a strong view point: “If you want to bring a law banning burqa here (in India) and if it is someone’s view I have no objection. But before the last phase of election in Rajasthan, this government should announce a ban on the practice of ‘ghunghat’ (covering of face by Hindu women) in that State.” Well countered. —INFA

 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

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