Round The States
New Delhi, 4 January 2020
CAA
Dissent Note
KERALA SOUNDS BUGLE
By Insaf
Kerala sounding the
bugle has sharpened notes of Centre-State relations on the brink yet again. While
the Citizenship Amendment Act has already undermined BJP’s promised goal of ‘cooperative
federalism’, the challenge from Pinarayi Vijayan government could snowball with
other anti-CAA States following suit. On Tuesday last, Kerala became the first State
to pass a resolution demanding that the Act be scrapped and justifying its
action saying “it has been violating the fundamental principles of the
Constitution.” This prompted a response from Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar
Prasad who asked Vijayan to “better legal advice”, as it is only “Parliament
which has got the powers to pass any law with regard to citizenship; not any Assembly,
including the Kerala Assembly”. But the State sticks to its guns and has
countered saying “State Assemblies have their own privileges.” Obviously
Vijayan is courting a major controversy and in fact much more.
He may also have to
deal with breach of parliamentary privileges and contempt proceedings, if Rajya
Sabha Chairman accepts a request from a BJP MP to initiate action against the
Chief Minister over the resolution. Such actions, said Vijayan are ‘unheard of
anywhere,’ but nothing can be ruled out under the new dispensation! Be that as
it may, the State is also set to witness another bout between the Chief Minister
and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, after the latter declared the resolution has “no
constitutional or legal validity”. Khan adds fuel to fire saying “Why do these
people engage in such matters that are not an issue in Kerala, which has not
been affected by Partition…” prompting charges of him ‘working as a BJP agent”
from the ruling alliance. While such banter is run of the mill by now, the
critical question is whether the States have any powers under the Constitution
to stop implementation of laws and rules made by Parliament? And, if States
refuse can the Centre take action? It goes without saying all eyes would now be
what follows and what crisis it eventually lead to? Who will knock on the
court’s door first?
* * * *
Rajasthan
Tragedy
Politics over tragedy
is now being played out in Rajasthan. Both the ruling Congress and opposition
BJP should hang their head in shame in the midst of 104 infant deaths in JK Lon
Hospital, Kota district. Both have been indulging in a blame game and
protesting to score brownie points, without paying any heed to the anguish of
hundreds of parents. Worse, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claims he is doing
everything to prevent the deaths and that infant mortality is decreasing but
adds “that in five-six years, the lowest figures are coming now, that is how
wonderful the arrangements have been.” The fact is that arrangements are
pathetic to say the least, as the deaths of the infants are reportedly due to
“unhygienic conditions!” But who cares? BSP chief Mayawati too uses the tragedy
to hit back at the Congress as it got six of her MLAs to join its fold. And
while she is right that Gehlot government’s attitude is “condemnable as it has
mismanaged and still remains irresponsible and unsympathetic to the situation,”
is the political leadership across the board really concerned? The answer
without a doubt is a big no, as infant deaths do hit headlines. Remember,
Gorakhpur in UP and Muzzafarpur in Bihar, to name a few?
* * * *
Maharashtra
Bickering
The New Year ushers
bickering in the ruling alliance in Maharashtra. The predictable kissa kursi ka is already in play. The
Shiv Sena on Thursday last, was candid to admit there was a tussle among ‘senior
leaders’ of the three parties for key Cabinet berths. However, it put up its
hands saying some MLAs couldn’t be inducted as the list of “probables” was huge,
after accommodating 36 new ministers. In its editorial in ‘Saamana’, the Sena also took a dig at partner Congress saying the
latter used to term its protests as hooliganism, but was indulging in the same.
This after some people vandalised Congress office in Pune against non-inclusion
of its party MLA. It is confident that a ‘strong and experienced Cabinet is in
power’ and says it should be allowed to function. Fingers have been crossed and
on Friday last, with a minor reshuffle, the Sena is confident that all should
be well. But it is too early to be at ease, as MLAs from all sides are waiting
in the wings. Wonder whether Sena discounting former partner BJP’s glee with
the brewing discontent saying it was no different during their courtship, will hold.
Time, no months ahead will tell.
* * * *
TN
Ally Anti-NRC
The number of BJP
allies saying “No to NRC’ is growing, with the latest being the Pattali Makkal
Katchi (PMK), in Tamil Nadu. While it does support CAA, it adopted a resolution
saying there is “no need for implementing the NRC in the State, which does not share
any land borders with any country”. And data is already available about Sri
Lankan refugees in the country and any exercise will only create unnecessary
apprehension among the people. Besides, it asked Centre to clear misgivings
over there being no link between NRC and National Population Register, as the
latter, it opined, was a precursor to NRC. Remember, two other BJP allies, the JD(U)
in Bihar and Akali Dal in Punjab have opposed NRC. Now with PMK making its
position clear, the Centre has reason to worry as it could bring the ruling
AIADMK, under pressure. As it is, some of its prominent minority members are
nudging the leadership “to take an unambiguous stand” against the NRC and allay
apprehensions among minorities. Undoubtedly, New Delhi will need to double up
its damage control exercise.
* * * *
WB
Tableau Rejected
West Bengal is
smarting under the rejection of its tableau this Republic Day. With it, yet
another bout of TMC-BJP tu tu mein mein
begins. The ruling TMC says its vendetta and its people have been ‘insulted’
for protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. And so do Maharashtra and
Kerala cry foul as they didn’t make it. However, BJP counters saying TMC should
stop doing politics on every issue and it failed as it didn’t follow rules and
procedure properly in submitting its proposal! Other States, which did, have their
tableau listed. A Defence Ministry spokesperson too clarified “West Bengal’s tableau
proposal was examined by the expert committee in two rounds, but didn’t make
the cut” on the basis of theme, design, concept and its visual impact. Plus,
there was time constraint. Apparently, 56 tableaux proposals (32 from States/UTs
and 24 from ministries/departments) were received for the 2020 parade. Of
these, a total of 22 proposals were shortlisted after five meetings and finally
proposals of 16 States/UTs and six ministries/departments got the green signal.
Which interpretation to believe? Will it tally with other left out States? ---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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