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Last week, as Congress leaders protested against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s so-called “anti-Ambedkar” remark in Rajya Sabha, Rahul Gandhi joined his party MPs in a blue T-shirt, giving up his trademark white polo T-shirt. His sister Priyanka also twinned with him wearing a blue sari. Clearly the Gandhi siblings opted to go for a very visual protest against Shah’s remarks. The choice of the colour of clothes of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) — usually spotted donning plain white T-shirts raised eyebrows. The colour blue has been associated with Dalit politics since 1942, when Dr BR Ambedkar established the Scheduled Castes Federation to campaign for the rights of the Dalit community. The body adopted a blue flag featuring Ashok Chakra. The flag was later retained by the Republican Party of India (RPI), founded by Ambedkar in 1956. Over time, blue became very closely associated with Dalit identity and activism. Even political parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party and the ASP, which champions Dalit welfare, embraced blue colour in their branding. As the Gandhi siblings lead the protest, it was the choice of colour of their clothes that caught everyone’s attention!
The Winter Session which saw a two-day discussion on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution and introduction of One Nation One Election (ONOE) Bill has come to a close. It brought out sharp divisions over discussions and bills at least in two political parties — the Congress and DMK. In the Congress, if a first term MP Priyanka Vadra was seen opening the discussion on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha, for some reason senior leader and eminent lawyer P Chidambaram did not get an opportunity to have his say about the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha. In the DMK, there was a clear division of views between the DMK parliamentary party leader TR Baalu and deputy leader Kanimozhi. While Baalu endorsed the government’s offer to refer the Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, Kanimozhi seemed completely surprised by his stand and insisted that her party was opposed to the Bill and demanded its withdrawal.”DMK has consistently opposed the entire Bill. We do not accept that there can be ONOE because it is against the Constitution. It is against federal rights and it is against the will of the people. People choose state governments for 5 years, I don’t think you can take that right away from the people and give it to the EC to decide how many years governments can last or not. So, this is completely against the state, against federalism” said Kanimozhi. While her stand reflects TN assembly resolution passed in February against ONOE Bill this year, the media is awash with reports about how her late father Kalaignar M Karunanidhi had highlighted the benefits of simultaneous polls in his autobiography Nenjuku Neethi. Incidentally, Karunanidhi had advanced state polls to 1971 to coincide with LS polls.
The Thursday (Dec 19) visit of BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) MLAs to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur has become a hot political topic though there are other reasons, too, for intense politicking. Firstly, the MLAs belonging to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar did not join the event. Secondly, those disgruntled due to their non-inclusion in the council of ministers have started expressing their anger openly. Like earlier two occasions, Ajit Pawar and most of his followers distanced themselves from the visit organized by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The presence of former CM Eknath Shinde and his MLAs proved to be another highlight. However, the discontent brewing within Mahayuti on other counts is now becoming more vocal. Political heavyweight Chhagan Bhujbal was the first to articulate it. His open criticism of Ajit Pawar surprised many since he had stayed by the side of Pawar all through. Now, there are reports that some of Bhujbal’s supporters want him to join the BJP to end his political wilderness. So far, Bhujbal has maintained that he is with the NCP (Ajit). The other notable leader to become the subject of political speculation is the legislative council’s deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe. Her detractors, mainly the recent Sena (UBT) entrant Sushama Andhare, have started hinting at Gorhe’s plans to go with the BJP. Gorhe, too, has not reacted to the talk. Ajit’s sudden disappearance for two days from the winter session only added grist to the grapevine. His explanation that he was down with a throat infection is hardly swallowed. More murmurs are expected to be heard once Fadnavis announces the allocation of the portfolios.
The Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray has started preparing for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, expected to take place early next year. This will be the fight for political survival for Thackeray because the Sena has been in power in India’s richest civic body since 1985. Taking stock of the situation, other political parties, too, have begun their planning. The picture this time will be fundamentally different since the BJP has emerged as the largest party in the state after the assembly election. Its estrangement with the Sena (UBT), which split in 2022 owing to Eknath Shinde’s decision to walk out of it, will be a major factor in the coming election in which the Congress will be an insignificant player, given its lacklustre performance in Mumbai and the state as a whole. Equally exasperating is the condition of the state Congress committee as its president Nana Patole is perceived as an ineffective leader by the rank and file. The BMC’s last election saw the Sena winning 84 seats in the 227-member house while the BJP had captured 82. Owing to the alliance ethics, the BJP had made no effort to bag the mayoralty of the financial capital of India. However, the BJP is not prepared to take any chance this time and a decision about its Mumbai president is likely to be taken soon. Sitting chief Ashish Shelar is among the hopefuls though his inclusion in the council of ministers could be a decisive factor in the final choice.
This was to happen one day or the other with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) putting its foot down saying it will not send its national teams to India for any signature event of the ICC, like the World Cups in the two formats in men, women and the juniors. This was the PCB’s riposte to the long-standing BCCI position — citing security concerns — that it will not send its team across the border for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and that it will play only at a neutral venue. For three World Test Championship (WTC) the two nations have taken themselves off the Future Tours Programme (FTP). The cricketers of the two countries may enjoy good relationships when they lock horns in neutral country venues and have fans across the border, but the Indian government has been steadfast in denying permission to the BCCI. The latest communication from the ICC has confirmed that in the 2024-2027 cycle all ICC events given to India and Pakistan, the matches featuring the two countries will be held at a neutral country chosen by the host country; in the Champions Trophy case the PCB is the host. What all this means is the elimination of high security arrangements that India had to do when Pakistan played last year’s World Cup matches in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. It took hard bargaining by the PCB with the ICC — with Jay Shah in Chair since December 1, 2024 — for it to agree to a hybrid model in order to ensure that it remains the host in a neutral country venue as well and where India will play and this country is said to be the United Arab Emirates.
The massive success of Pushpa 2, has reignited the debate over screen allocation in West Bengal’s single-screen theatres. While the blockbuster continues to dominate the box office, its stronghold has created challenges for four Bengali films— Khadaan, Shontaan, Chaalchitro, and 5 No. Swapnamoy Lane—which targeted Christmas Day for their releases. The overlap has sparked a heated controversy over securing adequate slots in single-screen theatres, which remain a key audience base for Bengali cinema. Single-screen theatres across Bengal are grappling with the balancing act of accommodating these films while catering to the massive demand for Pushpa 2. Tollywood’s Christmas lineup has been significantly impacted, with producer-actor Dev expressing frustration on social media. He alleged that Khadan’s shows and advance bookings were disrupted due to the overwhelming presence of Pushpa 2. Arijit Dutta, owner of Priya Theatre, reported dividing slots among the films: Khadaan (two shows), Chaalchitro (one), 5 No. Swapnamoy Lane (one), and Pushpa 2 (one). However, veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty’s Shontaan was left out entirely, sparking outrage from its director Raj Chakraborty, who criticized the lack of consistent support for Bengali cinema. A distributor, speaking anonymously, blamed the simultaneous release of multiple Bengali films during the festive season, suggesting a lack of coordination among producers. He pointed to Bollywood’s strategy of staggering releases as a model Tollywood could emulate. Star Theatre owner Joydeep Mukherjee called for better planning within the Bengali film industry to avoid internal competition. Interestingly, allegations have resurfaced about Shontaan‘s producer, pressuring hall owners to prioritize its films. This history has led some distributors to side with independent producers in the current clash.
Sunday’s swearing in of 33 (16:9:8 ratio for BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP respectively) mostly young cabinet ministers in CM Devendra Fadnavis’ 3.0 government was not followed up by expected portfolio allocations even late Thursday (Dec 19). The unrelenting clamour for one specific portfolio by a senior BJP minister-in-waiting (in apparent conflict of interest), aspiration to improve upon earlier performance in power sector by another are in the open awaiting the Maha Chanakya to coolly decide upon. Scribes housed at the state government ‘Suyog’ facility within the Family court premises near Vidhan Bhavan enjoy the Nagpur chill over familial evenings at ‘Sneh Bojans’ hosted by these as-yet ‘Anamika’ ministers. DCM Eknath Shinde’s camp brews hostility from left out veteran MLAs and cherry-picking ministers-in-waiting who threaten boiling point anytime soon. This is unlike the chill that has set upon the near deserted NCP office at Vidhan Bhavan sans activity, notwithstanding the bustling beehive of activity right outside and within the state legislature that is hosting its winter session. It is probably the first time in Maharashtra’s political history for such an ongoing legislature session without specifically assigned ministers manning questions on the floor of the state assembly and council while responding to public interest issues of state. For now, all portfolios rest with CM Fadnavis. NCP veteran Chhagan Bhujbal, Sena’s Tanaji Sawant complain vociferously from out in the cold even as some BJP MLAs rue their bad luck despite winning big in Mumbai city where the richest civic body will face the hustings very soon.
The events outside Parliament House that led to injuries to two BJP MPs was best summed up by FM Nirmala Sitharaman in her X post. She explained how “During the INDI Alliance’s protest inside Parliament premises today, Rahul Gandhi had forcefully pushed an MP, causing a domino effect that injured 2 BJP MPs –Pratap Sarangi (Balasore, Odisha) and Mukesh Rajput (Farrukhabad, UP)” Both the MPs are now hospitalised as they have sustained head injuries. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan was surprised that the Congress had so far not even bothered to say sorry. “I was wondering what was the purpose of Kharge-Rahul Gandhi’s presser, if they can’t say sorry. Our Nagaland MP, a tribal woman leader Phangnon Konyak had voiced discomfort that was caused to her by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.” She has written a letter to the RS Chairman. Adding further he said, “We feel Rahul simply does not deserve to be the LoP. When the Opposition is holding a protest, we usually take another gate. What was the need for Rahul Gandhi to wade into the area where BJP MPs were standing? He should simply quit as LoP.” BJP MPs including Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj filed a complaint against Rahul Gandhi at the Parliament Street Police station in connection with the scuffle between Opposition and NDA MPs. It is learnt that security forces repeatedly requested the Congress MP to use an alternative path, specifically arranged for a peaceful entry into Parliament. However, Rahul Gandhi declined the request. BJP’s Thakur said “The kind of attitude Rahul Gandhi has, he thinks he is above the law.” Responding to the allegations, Rahul said BJP MPs were trying to stop him and were threatening him “
Home Minister Amit Shah whose intervention in discussions on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution sparked off a row and seemed to have majorly united the Opposition. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge charged him of insulting Dr BR Ambedkar.. He accused his rivals of being “anti-Ambedkar” and “anti-Constitution”, and “spreading lies”. In his concluding remarks in the Rajya Sabha, Shah sarcastically said, “It has become the fashion to say ‘Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar…’ If they (the opposition) took God’s name so many times, they will get a place in heaven.” At a Press Conference, he charged the Congress of distorting his comments in the Rajya Sabha saying the Congress had put out an edited version of his speech. “I come from a party which follows the ideals of Ambedkar,” asserted Shah.” Rebuffing calls for his resignation by Kharge, Shah made it clear that he had no intention of stepping down. “Kharge is asking for my resignation. If that will make him feel happy, then I’ll give it. But the Congress has to sit in the opposition for at least 15 more years. “In an unusual move — perhaps underlining the impact of the Opposition’s attack on this issue — PM Modi and senior ministers rallied behind Shah. “If the Congress and its rotten ecosystem think malicious lies can hide their misdeeds of several years, especially their insult towards Dr Ambedkar, they are gravely mistaken!” said PM Modi. Amidst this, PM Modi and Shah met Rahul Gandhi and Kharge to appoint the next NHRC chief. TMC leader Derek O’Brien has moved a privilege notice against Shah in the Rajya Sabha for his remarks on Dr Ambedkar.
Ravichandran Ashwin was adroit in bowling the carom or knuckle ball or the doosra, but on Wednesday afternoon, Brisbane time, the nonconformist off-spinner of 13 years in the big league of the game deployed the “bombshell” to bring an end to his illustrious career. At the conclusion of the rain-marred third Test at the Gabba, the finger spinner with a few sobriquets, “scientist” being the most used among the media, Ashwin sitting beside his beleaguered captain, Rohit Sharma, matter of fact said: Today (Wednesday, December 18) was his last day as an international cricketer across formats and that he will be seen in action in club cricket, meaning IPL etc. The seasoned campaigner, starting his Test career in November 2011, was capped 106 times, and he missed 25 Tests after his debut; he featured in 61 wins, 47@home and 14 overseas. He read the writing on the wall about him losing the primacy as the No 1 spinner of the team in flannels after Washington Sundar was chosen for the first Test in Perth. Then being dropped to bring in Ravindra Jadeja for the third Test in Brisbane convinced him that his time was up…to hang up his boots. The home series against New Zealand that India lost 3-0 was a bitter pill to swallow for him. His numbers — 765 wickets in the three formats, including 537 wickets in Tests alone speaks of his right to be called a legend. It was a bold, practical call to take a bow while not in the field and that was an unhappy part that Indian cricket could not give one of its icons a fitting farewell. Ashwin has perhaps shown the way for a few more to bid adieu, sooner than later! They are over the hill, indeed.
After 14 years, the best Teachers of Tamil Nadu were awarded a certificate plaque, on Teachers Day, without a Chief Ministers picture! Instead, the citation carried the photo of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, savant, philosopher, educationist, recipient of Bharat Ratna, first vice president and second President of India. This is seen as a refreshing change in TN political culture where jarring photos, banners and cutouts intrude the significance of every occasion, constantly reminding the people of the “greatness and relevance” of that politician! The poster culture has taken a vulgar and in your face evolution here, and the public could do nothing but stare, may be curse and move on. Is Stalin heralding a new political culture by giving due acknowledgment to the leader or historical greats who have silently worked for the development of India? If Stalin is on a self-effacement, graceful public mode, this bodes well. A welcome change from loud, crass and jarring publicity and high-profile stunts of both AIADMK and DMK heavyweights that made people squirm and chortle at their vanity.
Days after dinner hosted by veteran Congress leader and member of the G-23 group Kapil Sibal and lack of party’s initiative for the election of a new chief, a section of the disgruntled leaders want the former Union Minister and Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar to lead them. A former Union Minister and a prominent member of the G-23 indicated that Pawar is a leader who believes in consensus and has stature in national politics. Some of them point out that if the Congress splits due to disagreement over the leadership issue, these leaders can accept Pawar’s leadership without officially joining NCP but as a leader of a non-BJP front. However, there is a major hurdle as Pawar insists that Congress should play a central role and it cannot be sidelined to have a united front of like-minded and secular parties. Further, G-23 leaders are also unhappy over the brother-sister duo Rahul-Priyanka for creating further divide in the party. They do admit interim president Sonia Gandhi’s initiative to convene a meeting of Congress and like-minded parties, but they claim it is not enough unless the mother and siblings are prepared to decide the leadership issue without any further delay. They fear that it will cost party heavily as Congress will witness further divisions and desertions across the country which will be a good news for BJP.
Maharashtra’s ex-home minister Anil Deshmukh is on the lam, after the Enforcement Directorate issued a look out notice for him a week ago. A well-placed source confirmed, “Repeated failure to comply with ED summons in an ongoing investigation (five times) resulted in the notice being issued to pre-empt any attempt to leave the country.” Ironically, a lookout notice was also issued earlier against former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, on whose complaint, the case against Deshmukh was registered. Singh has also gone underground in the wake of multiple criminal cases registered against him by multiple Maharashtra police stations. Former Maharashtra home minister, who belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar, is believed to be outside Maharashtra, holed up in under the active care of a very powerful Congress leader in that state. On September 1, Deshmukh’s son-in-law and lawyer were detained by the CBI that subsequently released the former while arresting the latter. Also arrested was a CBI sleuth for leaking a preliminary report regarding investigations against Deshmukh, apparently indicating his innocence. The CBI subsequently issued a disclaimer. Deshmukh is also being probed for alleged money laundering through shell companies based out of Kolkata with the central revenue intelligence agency already having attached properties worth over Rs 4.20 crore belonging to the five time MLA from Nagpur, a close confidant of Sharad Pawar.
The civility will remain, but it is the end of the bonhomie between the Opposition AIADMK and the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. When former chief minister O Panneerselvam, on his wife’s death, wept in the close presence of current chief minister MK Stalin, it was a sign that maturity in Tamil Nadu politics is here to stay. But the DMK is bent upon pursuing its own interests as a few actions betraying agenda pursuits were witnessed. The first was the move to affiliate the Jayalalithaa University in Villupuram to the Annamalai varsity, which is seen as a move by the rulers to suppress Jaya’s name. The second was the announcement that the Karunanidhi statue would be restored to its original place on Mount Road from where it was removed during the Jayalalithaa regime. “Traffic hazard” was quoted as the reason to move a centrally placed tribute to the late DMK patriarch in his bronze statue with the trademark tinted glasses to cover for a childhood eye injury. Stalin was more than civil in allowing ration and condiments bags with the portraits of Jaya and EPS to be in continued use until they are exhausted in order to save Rs 10 crore for the government. But he is pursuing other things close to his dad’s heart like hiding the Assembly in the Omadurar building rather than Fort St George.
With the appointment of former Union Finance Minister and veteran leader P Chidambaram in charge of Goa, the Congress party seems to be learning from past mistakes and cash in on anti-incumbency against the BJP led government to regain power in the upcoming assembly elections. Immediately after his appointment, Chidambaram dissolved state and district level party committees to start anew. He has increased his visits to Goa and in every meeting, he insists that factionalism and intra party feud will not be tolerated while making a strong case to put up a united fight against BJP which is struggling to combat the pandemic and groupism within the party. Recently, BJP’s core group met and asked the embattled chief minister Pramod Sawant to further tighten the grip on the government and strengthen coordination between the party organization and the government. Chidambaram has asked the senior leaders to reach out to the voters to expose BJP’s misgovernance and divisive politics. Interestingly, this time round the party is engaged with smaller and like-minded parties to stitch a pre-poll alliance to avoid the mistake it committed after the last assembly elections. So, Chidambaram is heading Congress party’s Mission Goa and the party hopes to win back the state.
Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK Coordinator, O Panneerselvan’s (OPS) wife P Vijayalakshmi, suddenly died of massive cardiac arrest at a private hospital on September 1. Even as OPS, sons Ravindranath (MP), Jayapradeep, and family were mourning her sudden loss, a call from VK Sasikala, ousted AIADMK general secretary and confidante of the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, informed the family that she was on her way to pay her respects in person. Former TN chief minister and arch-rival of Sasikala, Edappadi Palanisami, who was around offering his condolences, made a quick exit from the hospital. The grandstanding Sasikala arrived to much excitement among the huge throng of party workers. They could sense the regrouping of new political forces. And sure enough, a grief-stricken OPS was consoled. The crafty politician held his hands and OPS turned to putty. They say, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies in politics, only permanent interest. Sasikala, it seems, could turn this overwhelming grief-stricken time into a potential opportunity to capture her lost glory and the party. And a malleable OPS too! Why not? Vijayalakshmi’s mortal remains were taken to Periyakulam in Theni District. Among the gathered family, prominently present at midnight was Sasikala’s nephew and AMMK party founder, TTV Dinakaran! How to win enemies and decimate friends!
On August 24, when the state BJP General Secretary KT Raghavan was “allegedly exposed by Youtuber and self-styled BJP mouthpiece Madhan Ravichandran” by his sting operation sleaze tapes, Raghavan did not publicly rave and rant. He just resigned his party post and said he would meet the allegations, legally. Ok, so what’s so unusual about sexual proclivities and shenanigans …of people in power? This exactly is the question asked by Naam Tamilar Katchi founder and high-profile orator, Seeman, who is now openly nicknamed BJP’s B Team. Ha, this gets murkier and murkier when the unravelling of this sting expose came to light. Said Ravichandran, “I sought party president Annamalai’s ok, played the tapes to him and then only went public.” Now the penny drops. Former IPS officer, now newly minted BJP TN party president K Annamalai is in a hurry to establish himself as the unquestionable power center. Bade miyaan tho bade miyaan, Chotte miyaan subhanallah! The old guard and entrenched opinion makers are naturally riled. So was this sting operation remotely controlled? Is this an open admission that all is not well in the TN BJP, which now orchestrates a single point agenda — the only alternative to the Dravidian voice? The Indian crab mindset is alive and busy pulling down potential challenges.
Just a few days back, the Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi gave a call for unity among opposition parties to take on the BJP. Ironically, it’s her party’s warring factions in Punjab and Rajasthan who need this unity the most. Sonia was briefed by both Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot factions. Gehlot, it seems, is in no mood to entertain Pilot and his demand for cabinet expansion. In Punjab, a different drama is being played out and looks like the party is on the verge of a vertical split. The new state chief Navjot Siddhu seems to be a man in a hurry while Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is in mood to surrender. He is prepared to fight internal rivals and BJP. Harish Rawat who is in charge of the Punjab unit, at the behest of the High Command, has asked Siddhu to get rid of his advisors to avoid further rift and controversies. But Siddhu seems equally adamant and belligerent. He is seeking a report card of Captain’s five-year rule. Rahul and Priyanka who were responsible for convincing Pilot not to quit the party are unable to come out with viable solutions either in Rajasthan or Punjab. Says party insiders, Congress is not just directionless but has lost vigour to save the government. Meanwhile both BJP and AAP are enjoying the fight.
Firebrand and street smart leader Narayan Rane is now BJP’s missile against estranged ally Shiv Sena in the run up to the BMC elections. His arrest and bail have increased his stock value in Delhi. Modi and Shah have not only neglected demand for Rane’s resignation as predicted in the media after recent clashes, but they are also thinking of giving him more responsibility to revive BJP in the Konkan region which is a Sena bastion — and also delivering a befitting reply by winning BMC election. Even though a few BJP and RSS leaders are unhappy with Rane’s glorification, a thinking among majority of the leaders, given the current circumstances, is to back Rane. He is the best bet to take on the Sena in its backyard. However, a negative point is that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is heading the MVA government. Thackeray may use the power of his office to checkmate Rane’s feisty politics vis a vis expose BJP’s politics of opportunism in neglecting the loyalists. A senior BJP leader says that if the party fails to dislodge Sena from the BMC then Rane will have to take the blame, but if it wins then all credit will go to Rane. This brings the million-dollar question: Will he pose a challenge to Devendra Fadnavis and others in the future? Wait for BMC polls!
There is a strong buzz in the Congress circle that the 72-year old veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad who retired from Rajya Sabha as the Leader Of Opposition on February 15, 2021 may re-enter the House Of Elders. He, according to knowledgeable sources, may be elected from Tamil Nadu. The Rajya Sabha election is scheduled on September 13, 2021 for the vacancy caused by the death of AIADMK Rajya Sabha member, A Mohammedjan. Political analysts feel since DMK and its allies enjoy a clear majority their nominee is bound to win. It may be recalled that while bidding him farewell, all leaders had praised Azad for his outstanding contributions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi became emotional too. In his farewell speech, Azad shocked and surprised everybody when he said he was among the fortunate people who never went to Pakistan. “When I read about the circumstances in Pakistan, I feel proud to be a Hindustani Muslim,” he said. Many Congressmen, who respect him, feel he was side-lined as he was one of the signatories to G 23. As always, this former chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir is asking the Modi government to restore statehood before holding assembly polls. One has to wait and watch whether Azad who has always been a picture of grace and dignity will make it again.
With the Calcutta High Court ordering CBI probe into West Bengal Post Poll violence and directing the Mamata government to immediately process the compensation for the victims, the political uncertainty has deepened in the state. Add to this the fear of the Third Wave of pandemic hitting the country during Durga Puja; and importantly, the need to hold bypolls in seven assembly seats before November 5 or else, technically, Didi may have to step down, if not re-elected within six months. The Election Commission (EC), looking at the ground situation in terms of pandemic and post-poll violence, is yet to announce the date. After announcing the poll dates, the EC takes at least 24 days before voting can take place. The EC has been accused of delaying the election at the behest of the Centre. But, those accusing the EC of bias, may note that in Uttarakhand, a BJP ruled state, Tirath Singh Rawat who took over as the Chief Minister on March 10, 2021 had to step down on July 2 as the EC was not ready to hold bypolls before his six-month period to get re-elected was coming to end on September 10. It may be recalled that even though her party TMC won the Assembly elections with thumping majority, she lost her seat from Nandigram to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, her one time confidant.
Passing his first 100 days in office with the felicity of a seasoned politician destined to hold the highest office in his state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is drawing praise even from his opponents when his regime is long past the honeymoon stage. He showed how he values his dad’s contribution with a Rs 40 crore tribute in a grand memorial on the Marina Beach while retaining the one lesson M Karunanidhi taught him. There is no need to be vituperative in politics; and cordial relations with the Centre are conducive to the State’s welfare because the purse strings are in New Delhi. Stalin backs Opposition unity with the same intent as he did in promoting Rahul Gandhi as his choice for PM if the coalition forces make it but he will not be a street fighter in the Mamata mould. He makes his political points in cool language and devoid of theatricals. The Tamil Nadu CM lets the power of data figure in everything that his government does, which is probably something he has picked up from his finance minister. Statements are laced with facts and figures to support arguments made in sane fashion. He leads the Treasury benches saving most of his talk for the Assembly while delegating powers to his ministers. Stalin is in the running for the CM of the year accolade.
The 2017 Kodanad case is back in the limelight years after J Jayalalithaa died and one of her drivers led a break-in on the tea estate nestling in the Nilgiris. The latest turn in the case may be entirely political with the new regime headed by MK Stalin in Tamil Nadu seeking to put pressure on former CM Edappadi Palaniswami wondering if he could be named a conspirator but the fact remains that a Hitchcockian suspense over events were never satisfactorily explained. Two major gang leaders of the break-in met with road accidents at virtually the same time on the same day. While the prime accused Kanagaraj died in a two-wheeler crash in Salem, the first accused MV Sayan survived a car crash but lost his wife and daughter on a Kerala road when another vehicle bumped suspiciously into his. The key to the mystery lies with Sayan now who is much wanted as the ruling DMK seems very interested in the outcome of reinvestigation. A hunt is on for the main conspirator who may have set a gang of nine to break in and see if they could get into locked rooms of the bungalow which were supposed to contain great treasures including jewels and cash. The CCTVs were conveniently off at the time leading to the suspicion of an inside hand.
After parleys with the Central leadership and RSS veterans, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has tweaked his style of functioning both at the government and the party level. Party insiders point out that Yogi has decided to reach out to his deputy chief minister, ministers and disgruntled ministers, legislators and MPs in a bid to avoid factionalism ahead of upcoming assembly elections. Yogi has visited Delhi and met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a couple of other leaders and ministers to discuss organisational and policy issues. The agenda is getting nods for the party nominees for members of legislative council and for the much-awaited cabinet expansion. Four people are in the fray for MLC. These include: Jitin Prasada who recently joined BJP from Congress; former UP BJP chief Laxmikant Bajpai; and Sanjay Nishad of the Nishad Party. This is Yogi’s second visit to the national capital in a month. Interestingly, Yogi’s move is to get maximum Centrally-funded projects to be completed ahead of the polls and also kick start new projects already in the pipeline. A recent Mood of the Nation survey conducted by India Today ranks Yogi next only to Modi in popularity as the next choice as India’s Prime Minister. Hopefully, the new style will help him expand his appeal further (Yogi polled 11% votes up from 3% in August 2020)
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s close confidants KC Venugopal, Gaurav Gogai and others are furious over the dinner hosted by a G-23 member and former union minister Kapil Sibal on his birthday and inviting opposition party leaders. Sibal has said it was not an attempt to launch a non-BJP front without Congress playing a lead role. But Rahul supporters are not ready to accept; they strongly feel it is further attempt to embarrass Rahul who is already taking initiatives to mobilise opposition parties in and outside the Parliament against the Modi government. A former minister, who was present at Sibal’s dinner, said Sonia-Rahul Gandhi duo is an integral part for any non- BJP front but G-23 will step up its efforts to mobilise like-minded parties ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections. “A fresh demand will be made for convening the plenary session of the All India Congress Committee to elect a new president and thereafter launch a nationwide drive to build up front against BJP. Already some leaders have sent signal to Sonia, if she agrees party will get a new president.” Another leader, who was minister in both UPA I and II government, used cricket lingua to convey his message. Agreed, the wicket is sticky, but there are enough veterans and experienced players within the Congress party who can give a new spin and win the match.
BJP has put Mission Topple Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra on hold and instead is focusing on securing the country’s richest civic body — the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and win the mayoral poll. With strong backing from the RSS parivar it has launched Samarth Booth Abhiyan which lays emphasis on reaching the voters up to the booth level and thereby strengthening the party to take on Shiv Sena’s vibhag or ward level network. There are 227 wards and 12,000 booths. BJP proposes to contact every voter at the booth level in a serious bid to counter Shiv Sena in the upcoming BMC elections. It has already started booth-wise revision of voters’ list and one-on-one meetings with voters. The BJP insiders claim the party has taken care to appoint committed workers as booth and shakti sthal pramukh to avoid groupism and factionalism. The party leadership’s diktat is not to entertain division. Interestingly, the Modi-Shah duo are closely monitoring the developments. Party President JP Nadda has already reviewed the ground level preparations with former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, city unit chief Mangal Prabhat Lodha, and state unit chief Chandrakant Patil. Meanwhile there are strong rumours that Ashish Shelar, former minister and party legislator is tipped to take over as the state unit chief following his several rounds of meetings with Home Minister Amit Shah.
The new dispensation at Tamil Nadu headed by MK Stalin has unveiled first of its kind, exclusive budget for agriculture to transform the state’s farmers. A resounding electoral win, wresting power after 10 long years, a think tank cabinet of intellectuals, a White Paper on the abysmal state of the TN coffers (a timely disclaimer in case promises can’t be met), a budget that tries to put both revenue and deficit in perspective…. no wonder Stalin has raised expectations. This exclusive agricultural budget has a slew of schemes that could transform TN’s agriculture sector over next 10 years. If implemented, it could give the state a distinct identity. It envisages value addition for farm products, millets to be procured at better prices, incentives to sugarcane farming. The most striking aspect is the importance given to organic farming by creating a separate department for integrated push to take up organic farming. Another ambitious plan is to convert 11.75 hectares of fallow land to cultivable land, an increase from 60% to 75%. The scheme to give a solar powered pump set has been lauded. Above all, the scheme is focusing on training farmers to meet value added market demand as Agri Entrepreneurs. Clearly, Stalin’s agrarian focused approach could be the answer to what successive Tamil Nadu’s government was looking for a long time now.
The Income Tax Department lost the Vodafone case because it didn’t contest well in the Supreme Court, held the lawmakers. And to address this, the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee introduced the retrospective tax in the Income-tax Act in 2012, though he was not happy with the decision when he understood the implications. (Vodafone was asked to pay $3.79 billion, including $2 billion in tax, interest and penalties – a claim called incorrect by an international arbitration tribunal). The retrospective tax is gone, but its ghost may remain. Seasoned observers say the decision to do away with the controversial tax provision is purely a political one. The Central Board of Direct Taxes officials maintain that income arising out of the sale of assets on Indian soil must be taxed in India, and they will keep doing so. Now that the I-T provision is gone, it would be interesting to see how the existing cases are handled by the taxmen. The Income-tax Act is a powerful piece of legislation that gives the tax department immense powers to deal with any case in the way it wants, if it is decided at the top level of the Board. The companies involved in the retrospective tax cases may feel happy that the provision has been quashed, but they should wait for some more time before it turns out to be a final respite.
You may love him or hate him but you can hardly ignore him. That is the message Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh may have learnt from his long running feud with the cricketer-turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu. The maverick opener’s innings as politician has transformed into a formidable presence from a quiet beginning much like his cricket career in which he was dubbed the “Strokeless Wonder” before he trained himself to become “Sixer Sidhu.” Debuting in the World Cup 1987 in Chennai, he thrashed the defending Aussies for an explosive 73, studded with five sixes. This was followed by three consecutive half centuries, all marked by the big hits that have become the staple of white ball cricket today. Having called truce in the war for Punjab Congress turf, the Gandhis are still seen encouraging younger Sidhu, 57, against Captain, 79, though the latter was the powerful regional chieftain who brought them to power in a big state. Sidhu’s threat of leaving for the AAP seems to have rattled the younger Gandhis who backed him to the hilt against the stalwart CM. Now Captain is scurrying to New Delhi to complain once again that Sidhu is still baiting him in public even after he had conceded ground to allow Sidhu to become the Congress Committee chief in Punjab. Truth is Sidhu will never tire of speaking.
The story of the rise and fall of one of the most powerful Democrats of the USA might culminate in his impeachment as Governor of New York: Andrew Cuomo is also facing possible criminal charges that he sexually harassed 11 women. Once married to Robert Kennedy’s daughter Kerry, with whom he had three daughters, Andrew, son of Mario, a three-time New York Governor, was once seen as a possible replacement for Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination for President. At the height of the pandemic last year, a staggering 60 million used to tune into his daily briefings on the Covid outbreak as he promised leadership in the crisis. He won an Emmy and a book deal and had the admiration of half the nation until the women emerged with horror stories of work inside a toxic Governor’s office environment. Cuomo is now under threat of becoming a poster boy for reviving #MeToo movement. Cuomo says his actions had been misconstrued, his words misunderstood. He said it was cultural: He hugs, he kisses, he says, “Ciao, bella.” He said it was generational: Sometimes he lapses into “honey” or “sweetheart” or tells bad jokes. Now even President Joe Biden is calling for his head as the 63-year-old went from hero to zero with a speed only ultra-ambitious politicians suffer.
The growing proximity between Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has surprised not only the traditional Congress leaders but also Shiv Sena’s erstwhile ally BJP. Both Sena and Congress are keen to further consolidate their ties not just for the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections but also for the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Despite BJP’s Mission 2022 and resentment from Mumbaikars on a couple of issues, Shiv Sena is hopeful of retaining power in BMC and for that it needs Congress and NCP by its sides to lure non-Marathi speaking voters. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi have been regularly interacting over phone but Raut has directly opened channels with Rahul and thereby has sent signal to the Maharashtra Congress leaders to fall in line and stop ”going solo” talk. Raut who was part of the core team that saw the formation of Maha Vikas Aghadi gave Rahul a complete run down as to how Sena functions. An impressed Rahul is likely to visit Maharashtra soon and meet up with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Essentially, Sena is sending a message to BJP that even as it hobnobs with Congress it is not moving away from its Hindutva and Marathi Manoos agenda. Political analysts see this high profile meeting as optics and say nothing concrete will emerge until NCP supremo Sharad Pawar takes a lead.
Two years ago, on August 5, 2019, the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a bold decision to revoke Article 370 that granted special status to J&K. As expected, two well-entrenched political parties/ families of J&K – National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party raised hue and cry and not surprisingly Pakistan also joined the chorus. But Modi soldiered on. Now, the government is talking about holding elections and restoring statehood status for J&K, among other things. But the moot point is: When will you allow the five lakh Kashmiris driven out by ethnic cleansing to return? That’s the question BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Subramanian Swamy asked Hasnain Masoodi of National Conference at NewsX Roundtable Debate. Dr Swamy said that post 370 the situation at the ground level has improved but the local leaders (read pro Islamists) have not expressed any apology nor regret over the biggest genocide. “Five lakh Hindus were driven out and nobody from the valley has shown any sympathy.” He called for a new strategy: Modi government should seek the withdrawal of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s petition that sought UN intervention in Kashmir. He added: the petition is illegal as it has been filed by Nehru without cabinet approval. And his parting shot was that the all-party meeting on J&K chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi could have been avoided.
Voices of disapproval and social media whining were heard after the grand Centenary celebration of the TN Legislature on August 2. There were murmurs of protest as political leaders felt that the Chief Minister MK Stalin had turned the event into DMK, and first family affair. Five time chief minister M Karunanidhi’s portrait was unveiled by President Ram Nath Kovind. But was this august assembly which had enacted many far-reaching laws and transformed Tamil Nadu was presided over only by Karunanidhi? What about the great Savant C Rajagopalachari or Karmaveer K Kamaraj who brought the highest principles of ethical governance to this assembly? CN Annadurai who inspired Karunanidhi and M Bhaktavatsalam, an erudite politician who was CM? What about MGR, the darling of millions who popularised the concept of mid-day meal schemes in schools? The precursor to this Assembly was the Justice Party, which at least got its due as the new Finance Minister P Thiaga Rajan could bask in the glory of his grandfather PT Rajan, one of the founders of the Justice Party. The least Stalin could have done is to have portraits of these earlier stalwarts also unveiled by the President. When public money is spent on a big event no ruling party should appropriate it. They must cut across party lines and give dues to all leaders who have built Tamil Nadu.
NCP MP Supriya Sule once said: ”My father is unpredictable.” That was experienced this week not just by his partymen but even opponents. Sule’s father and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, on the one hand, has taken up the role of bringing Opposition parties together to put up a joint front against BJP while on the other hand he met PM Narendra Modi a fortnight ago on the issue of amendments to the Banking Regulation Act. Two days ago he led a delegation to meet the newly appointed Cooperation Minister Amit Shah to draw his attention to problems plaguing the cooperative sugar industry in Maharashtra. To avoid speculation Pawar released a letter in which he had sought Shah’s appointment. Further, he has offered to help West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Khela Hobe’ call in all the states. Parallelly, he met RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. All these actions seem to have puzzled his close confidant, BJP leaders and other political leaders. Everyone is trying to decode Pawar’s actions. Anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania, senior bureaucrats believe that Pawar will join hands with BJP soon and ditch Shiv Sena and Congress. Pawar’s purported meeting with Shah a couple of months ago at the residence of a leading industrialist at Ahmedabad had triggered the talk of two parties coming together. Like cricket, nobody can say until the last ball is bowled.
Seems like this Delhi-based advocate Manohar Lal Sharma loves to court controversy. He picks up controversial cases and files Public Interest Litigations (PIL) in the Supreme Court. He hit the national headlines when he appeared as a defence lawyer for one of the accused in 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case. According to livelaw.in, a leading legal news portal, the Supreme Court on Thursday (August 5) pulled up serial litigant Advocate ML Sharma over the PIL filed by him seeking probe into the Pegasus snooping controversy. “Mr Sharma, except newspaper cuttings, what is there in your petition? What purpose you have filed the petition for? You want us to collect the material and argue your case? This is not the way of filing a PIL. We also read newspapers,” CJI expressed displeasure at his PIL. This is not the first time Sharma is being hauled up by the Apex Court. In August 2019, he got slap on his wrist for filing a shoddy petition challenging the August 5 Presidential Order on Article 370 on the very next day of its issuance. Likewise in May 2015, SC asked why he should not be debarred from filing and/or canvassing any Public Interest Litigation on account of the “irresponsible and scandalous allegations levelled by him” against the members of Parliament. He later apologised and was allowed to file PILs with certain checks.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s breakfast meeting with the Opposition parties barring Akali Dal, MIM, AAP and BSP to decide strategy to take on BJP-led government on Pegasus spyware snooping, farmers’ agitation and rising auto fuel prices is being looked by the participants with a lot of reservations. Some of the participants recall that similar efforts were made ahead of 2019 elections, but Opposition unity remained merely a slogan largely due to ego and prestige issues of regional parties and Congress party’s rigid stand that they are first among equals. Some of the participants argued that the Opposition unity in a bid to put up a solid front against mighty BJP and especially against Modi-Shah duo will not happen as some parties fear retributive action by central investigating agencies. However, participants were unanimous to accept one thing that Rahul is now approachable and ready to listen to them. But for how many days, how many months, is still a million dollar question. Some of the leaders who attended the meeting hoped that such meetings do not become a non-starter like in the past. They feel there should be a concrete action plan instead of breakfast meetings which are mere photo ops. Clearly, my enemy’s enemy is my friend does not fly today. You need unity and strategy.
Kamala Harris has become the most unpopular U.S vice president six months into an administration since at least the 1970s, according to polls. The disappointing numbers are worrying Democratic strategists who were hoping she would run for President in 2024. Recent polls showed only 46% of Americans approved of Kamala with 47% and 48% disapproving of her. In contrast, Joe Biden’s approval rating in a polls average is 51.3%, and disapproval 44.9%. The only recent vice president to have such poor ratings after six months was Mike Pence, but he did not have more people disapproving than approving him. Kamala’s unpopularity among young people is a source of concern to the White House. As many as 41% of young voters (18 to 29) held an unfavourable view and she is seen particularly struggling with the Hispanic voters because of her role in the U.S. border policy and her reluctance to go to the border where migrants are eternally trying to enter the USA. Ahead of midterm elections in 2023, the White House might send her on foreign visits to boost her image. Indian Americans who played a major role in getting her on to the Biden ticket and helped enable the victory of the Democrats are a worried lot now.
August 16, 1946 is mourned by millions as a day of catastrophe: Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s call for Direct Action Day in Kolkata – with the threat of ‘We shall have India divided or India destroyed’ – led to mind-numbing slaughters as bazars and homes were torched, thousands massacred. The carnage also broke the resolve of the secular leaders, who decided to buy peace by conceding to Jinnah’s demand. According to Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins: “Mountbatten was haunted by the spectre of Direct Action Day staged in Calcutta in 1946 by the Moslem League in which 26,000 Hindus were killed in 72 hours.” The consequence of the Great Calcutta Killings should have been the arrest and trial of the perpetrators, but it ended up rewarding them: talks accelerated for the creation of West and East Pakistan, which became a nightmarish reality a year later August 14, 1947. Against this traumatic background, West Bengal’s ruling party Trinamool Congress’ idea to celebrate Khela Hobe Divas on Aug 16 is being decried as not only insensitive but also an insult to the memory of those butchered in the savage killings. For BJP Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, “Khela Hobe’ was never a poll bugle: it was always a veiled call to the cadres for unleashing stone age barbarism.” TMC has dismissed the public opprobrium as an attempt to spread hatred.
The tractor rally to Parliament House on July 26 by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi caught everyone by surprise. It left the Union Home Ministry, Arvind Kejriwal’s government and the Delhi police red faced. It was an intelligence failure. According to OpIndia.com: “The tractor was sneaked into the area in a container, secretly offloaded at the office of Congress Rajya Sabha MP KTS Tulsi at Moti Lal Nehru Marg, about one and a half kilometres away from the Parliament.” The damage was done. Senior IPS officer Balaji Srivastava who took over as the 23rd Commissioner of Delhi on June 30, 2021 was immediately replaced by Director General of Border Security Force Rakesh Asthana. Some feel it was a good excuse to remove Srivastava and replace with a loyal Asthana. A 1984-batch IPS officer from Gujarat cadre, Asthana was appointed as Delhi police chief, three days before he was to superannuate. Now, in addition to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, the Kejriwal government will also have to deal with Asthana. The AAP government passed a resolution in the Assembly: “It is beyond any reasonable understanding as to why a controversial officer who was removed by this Central Government from the post of Special Director CBI in October 2018 and was not considered fit for the post of CBI director only very recently, is being imposed on Delhi Police.”
I rise in sad remembrance of the 50th anniversary of the Bengali Hindu Genocide,” Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Democratic Congresswoman, offered her prayers in the House of Representatives, putting spotlight on Pakistani Army’s 10-month reign of terror known as Operation Searchlight (started on March 25, 1971) when “2 to 3 million people were killed, over 200,000 women raped in organized rape camps, and over 10 million people displaced, most finding refuge in India.” In remembrance of the Bengali Hindu Genocide victims, Tulsi Gabbard, former U.S Congresswoman and 2020 Presidential candidate, quoted U.S Senator Ted Kennedy: “Hardest hit have been members of the Hindu community who have been robbed of their lands and shops. Systematically slaughtered.” She added: “The Islamist persecution of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh didn’t end with Bangladesh’s Independence. That campaign continues to this day with horrific targeted attacks, murders, homes being burned down and families who continue to be forced to flee.” For many, this campaign has now reached West Bengal. The extent of the bloodlust unleashed after TMC’s spectacular poll victory over BJP has left pro-Hindu voices seething in despair. The NHRC is appalled to discover “a pernicious politico-bureaucratic-criminal nexus” behind 29 murder, 12 rape, and 940 cases of loot and arson during May 2 to June 20. The Calcutta High Court will hear the matter on August 2.
With his father BS Yediyurappa’s (BSY) aide and minister Basavaraj Bommai in the saddle, BY Vijayendra is still a force to be reckoned with as Karnataka comes under a new regime. The central BJP leadership tried its best to bring a more amenable CM in Bengaluru who would listen to New Delhi. But with elections not far away and the Lingayat factor too strong to ignore, BJP’s top brass had to compromise. Under the new dispensation too, Vijayendra will still be a powerful factor, operating from behind the scenes. BSY, the principal architect who created a foothold in the South for the BJP, had to be kept on the right side of equations despite BJP’s compulsion in not sending the party into the polls under an 80-year-old two years hence. With his non-communal approach and his inclusive vision, BSY was a tall regional chieftain who took an independent stand. Faced with rising cases after the lifting of most lockdown restrictions, Bommai has his task cut out in his State to control Covid first and then raise his sights on the elections. This is where he will be leaning on Vijayendra the most as he was the architect who brought Congress and JD(S) MLAs on board for his father to win back the State.
Time was when party and kitty group talk would debate how early a pregnant woman registered her kid for the top, uber sought after private school. Tamil Nadu has one of the best school systems in the country and only financial status decreed which school your ward would join. Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) alone runs 281 schools, with 300 private schools, some most sought after. There is this convent school in Nungambakkam where aspiring parents or proxies queue up at 4 am to get the admission forms. Such proven citadels of education enhance a CV when applying for a job. The pandemic has hit middle class families hard, what with job losses and back breaking medical bills. This year there is a 33% rise in GCC schools. Of 27,843 enrolments, 15,000 are from Private and Government-aided schools. These GCC schools are no pushover. They are SMART schools, with good infrastructure, toilets, clean water and fairly good English medium teaching. Recently a Rs 280-crore makeover plan has added more sheen. TN has always been in the forefront of education. It was first to introduce mid-day meal schemes to attract underprivileged kids and cut dropout rates. Now the GCC has just announced an innovative and inclusive strategy. Crowdfunding for further improving infrastructure and educational aids. The South leads in the most significant development index — Education.
It was BJP’s calculated decision to ask party’s poster boy and Lingayat face BS Yediyuruppa to resign as Chief Minister of Karnataka. His continuation may have led to factionalism with the opposition hurling allegations of corruption. The decision was taken after a series of meetings between the RSS and the BJP leaders, especially Home Minister Amit Shah and JP Nadda while keeping PM Narendra Modi in the loop. Even though Yediyuruppa is credited with BJP’s growth in Karnataka and its opening in south India, RSS and a section of BJP realized that this asset may become a liability ahead of the next assembly elections. Party insiders have not forgotten how the mining barons, Reddy Brothers, called the shots a few years ago and caused a major harm to the party’s image. The Parivar is clear that contractors and fixers should not be allowed to create their clout and tarnish the party’s image. Had Yediyuruppa continued, RSS feared that the party’s image may have taken a beating due to alleged links between CM’s relatives, close aides and middlemen. Ultimately the party took a call to send off Yediyuruppa honourably instead of sacking him publicly! RSS activists BL Santosh, Krishna Gopal played a major role in making a strong argument for a change. On February 1, 2021 shortpost.in published a story that hunt was on to replace BSY.
The Lingayat supremo and Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyuruppa (BSY) who built up the BJP from scratch in Karnataka was ousted for the fourth time when well short of anything close to a full term, but on this occasion by his own party BJP. With his son BY Vijayendra operating as an extra constitutional authority, Yediyurappa was under pressure from critics within his party even more than the central leadership in New Delhi. Too many ministers took offence at the ‘virtual CM’ role played by his son and were bent upon using the age of 75-year rule of BJP to target BSY saying he was too old to be able to stop his son. However, BSY’s mission since making an offer to PM Modi to resign on health grounds on July 10 was to get his son into any post, at the Centre or as Deputy CM in succession plans, including those which envisage bringing a non-Lingayat as CM. The observers feel that the BJP is being held to ransom by the numerically strong (upto 17%) and influential Lingayats and their seers. With BSY being asked to associate with finding a successor, it would be interesting to see who will be the CM. It is a remarkable story for a 78-year-old who had spells of seven days, three years, three days and two years in four terms as CM.
The animosity between former Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palanisami, EPS and his deputy O Panneerselvan (OPS) seems to have intensified ever since DMK came to power. Compounding it further is the re-entry of VK Sasikala on the scene. This is why speculation is rife why both EPS and OPS headed separately to the Capital to meet the PM. There are different versions. Were they beckoned or summoned? Or did they go to complain about the vendetta raj unleashed by Chief Minister MK Stalin? The ED has raided former minister RS Vijaya Bhaskar. Another viewpoint, the duo had gone to personally handover their version of the wealth trail of DMK supremos. Finally, a vanilla version: the pair were to appraise the PM about vaccine shortage, the NEET issue, Mekedatu dam problem and other issues. This unscheduled trip seems straight out of the Panchatantra Tales…rewind to JJ’s body lying in state before her internment. A sobbing Sasikala, and a reassuring Modi who consoled her. Fast forward to Sasi’s homecoming from jail, and her sky-high expectations that she could just walk into the AIADMK and reclaim her rightful place. Ground reality proved otherwise. Is this an attempt to bring the duo to heel, and make them accept Sasikala as the General Secretary of the party? More importantly, an ambitious plan to bring it under the BJP Chhatra Chaya?
It is not just BJP leadership which is united to counter Opposition parties on the controversy over the alleged snooping by Israeli cyberarms firm NSO Group by using Pegasus spyware but also the RSS functionaries and the members of Parivar who are solidly behind Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi and the government at the Centre. Pegasus is a spyware that can be covertly installed on mobile phones. The common thread: It is a conspiracy by the Opposition parties to defame and discredit not just the BJP-led government but also India at a time when the country is weathering the coronavirus pandemic. Days after the expose by news agency and the Opposition’s attempt to disrupt parliament, RSS leaders including BL Santosh, Krishna Gopal and Suresh Soni internally met and later communicated with Home Minister Amit Shah and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi extending their support to the government. They assured to talk to Modi for a possible tie-up in a serious bid to argue government’s case among the people. After the scrapping of Article 370 and the NRC and CAA, it is RSS’ turn to be with the government to foil the Opposition and Left wing organisation’s attempt to target BJP, especially Modi.
With the DMK returning to Fort St George after a considerable hiatus, expectations are running high among people. After all, it is a dream come true for MK Stalin, the son of former chief minister late M Karunanidhi. Having become the chief minister, Stalin is in an ideal position. In his ascension to the chief minister gaddi, DMK has an opportunity to refurbish itself to play a decisive role in the national politics. If politics is an art, late Karunanidhi proved himself to be a fine artist. When Karunanidhi was around, he had in him an astute Murasoli Maran, his nephew and Member of Parliament for 36 years. The senior Maran was Man Friday for the former chief minister. And he played the perfect communication bridge between the then DMK government and the ruling class in New Delhi. The erstwhile combination in the DMK kept political channels open all the time. This worked well for the welfare of the state of Tamil Nadu time and again. The connecting line appears to be conspicuous by its absence now. That seems to have put the DMK government under Stalin at a disadvantage. And, that is not doing any good for the Stalin regime. You stay connected in politics. That can be done by a mature mind. Well, Stalin has a quick job on hand.
Chennai’s Greames Road Apollo Hospital is often a stage for intense political drama as VVIPs get admitted there, and warring VIPs come calling. AIADMK presidium chairman Madhusudanan was rushed to Apollo on July 20. Former Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palanisami and his entourage came calling to see the ailing presidium chief. Imagine his predicament when he heard that Madam Sasikala, his arch enemy and political nemesis was on the way for the same purpose. Ousted AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala was not just on the way but was travelling in a car similar to J Jayalalithaa’s with the AIADMK flag fluttering proudly on its mast. Edappadi could only squirm and sputter. Many a mighty political warrior had been quelled by the lady in question. He quickly gathered his herd, and exited from Apollo, even as madam’s car stopped in the portico. Now the memes and sarcasm are flooded with the question, will the Presidium Chief be ousted from the party for being in her company? Remember, her recent bizarre strategy of calling up party malcontents in the dead of night, shoot the breeze, record the conversation and go public with such chats has chucked out quite a few from the AIADMK for anti-party activities! Some people have a talent for whipping up trouble. Sasikala is intent on a hostile takeover.
There is this oft repeated story of a child asked to describe a cow. “A cow is a four legged animal, two legs forward, and two afterwards.” Whatever the perception of this child, the cow has to be taken seriously in our communication, perception and opinion. Manipur-based Harvard Kennedy School educated activist Erendo Leichombam, and his journalist buddy Kishorechandra Wangkhan learnt a lesson the hard way. On the death of Manipur state BJP president S Tikendra Singh, they posted on FB that science and sense would be a better bet to deal with Covid-19 than ‘cowdung’ and ‘cow urine’. (On social media, Gaumutra has emerged as a slur of choice to attack BJP followers while Islamists routinely use the jibe against Hindus). Promptly they were put in jail on May 13, under the National Security Act (NSA) for causing unrest by such claims! Imagine the consternation of the Lordships, Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah when this matter was escalated to the Supreme Court level by Erendo’s father. The Solicitor General did not contest the plea. Justice Chandrachud ruled, “He cannot be kept in jail even for a day. We order his release today (on bail),” averring that this arrest was a violation of Article 21! The Right to Life and Liberty. Invoking the NSA for such matters must be a matter of concern for our democracy.
The five-year term of the 14th President of India Ram Nath Kovind ends on July 24, 2022. So, who will be the next President? Intense speculation was around Maratha strongman and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar considering his several rounds of meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. But, Pawar stumped everybody by formally announcing that he will neither contest 2022 Presidential elections nor be the PM face in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Now, the other name that is doing the rounds is that of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. It is seen as a quid pro quo arrangement. Once Nitish Kumar moves to Delhi, then the next Chief Minister will be from the BJP, some suggest. In Maharashtra, BJP is running with the hare and hunting with the hounds to regain control. It is reliably learnt that BJP has been talking to both Shiv Sena and NCP. Apparently, Sena is asking for the moon – three Cabinet ministers and Deputy CM’s post. As of now the BJP top leadership is not willing to relent to Sena’s demand. But, the party’s big objective is to regain control of States where they have lost out before the next General Election in 2024.
Nothing excites the Opposition parties and their rank and file so much as the sight of Prashant Kishor holding strategic sessions with friendly political honchos. His meeting with the Gandhis – Rahul, Priyanka and Sonia – in the Capital, following multiple parleys with Sharad Pawar, the NCP supremo and the driving force behind the ruling MVA alliance in Maharashtra, has once again sparked an animated speculation about his larger-than-politics future. Speculation has been rife ever since he announced quitting polls ‘space’ after inflicting a spectacular defeat on the legions of mighty Amit Shah (whom he dismissed as an over-rated poll manager) and helping his client Mamata Banerjee’s AITC retain West Bengal; and guiding MK Stalin’s DMK win Tamil Nadu. Archana Dalmia, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi and Chairperson, Grievances Cell @INCIndia, raised hopes. “A warm welcome into the Congress family,” she said, only to delete the tweet. A deleted tweet is more newsworthy, you know. Arguably more newsy than Congress’ frontal attack: “The Home Minister, who has likely played a key role in the #CabinetReshuffle should first take a look at his own track record … overall breakdown of law & order across the nation – this is his legacy.” With Kishor joining the action – and Modi 2.0 taking a fresh guard with a radical ministerial reshuffle, the road to 2024 promises Mother of All Slugfests.
That Sharad Pawar nursed the ambition of becoming prime minister is public knowledge. Perhaps, that may be one of the reasons, he quit Congress, and set up the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999 along with PA Sangma. Analysts feel he could have well become one had Dr Manmohan Singh not backed out from joining the NCP. The 80-year-old Maratha strongman, revered and feared, loves to keep everyone guessing about his next move. He foxed everybody when he met poll strategist Prashant Kishor three times within a fortnight. And quickly denied he was forming a Third Front. It may be recalled that the run-up to meeting Kishor was preceded by Shiv Sena’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut mooting the idea that Pawar should be the next UPA leader. In his 60 years of political career, Pawar is not known to give formal interviews or quotes to the Press. But, ever since the formation of Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government, he has been talking to media frequently. He went into a silence zone for a long period, post his reported meeting with Amit Shah in Ahmedabad in March 2021 even though MVA infighting was out in the open. Now, he has formally told the media that he will not contest 2022 Presidential elections or become PM face in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Now, everybody is stumped!
Congress in Maharashtra is a divided house. The state unit chief Nana Patole seems to be a man in hurry – with his going solo mission for future elections. His frequent outbursts against CM Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar (alleged to be tracking his moves) and describing Sharad Pawar as “MVA’s remote control” has shocked many. Veterans like Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan, and young Turks like Sunil Kedar and Satej Patil want party to expand but insist that it should not be at the cost of allies Shiv Sena and NCP. They suspect that Pataole’s stratagems may work to the advantage of Sena and NCP, who have consolidated their position in the state. Both, Sena and NCP have made it amply clear that if the Congress ditches the alliance, then the two parties will contest elections together. Congress insiders point out that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are keen for the continuation of the party’s alliance with Sena and NCP, both at the state and the national level. Meanwhile it is learnt that a section of Congress has quietly launched movement to oust Patole and bring in a new chief who will be a bridge maker. But, the question remains: is Patole acting on his own volition or at the behest of the High Command?
The local BJP chief K Annamalai seems to have got off on the wrong foot when he took on the media soon after succeeding L Murugan, who got promoted to the Union Cabinet in a junior minister’s role. In an official warning, the BJP threw cold water on talk of dividing Tamil Nadu into two parts to create a Kongu Nadu. But that seems to have had little effect on the former cop who lambasted the media for false news saying that his former boss would soon control all media from Delhi while in the I&B ministry. The talk of a Kongu Nadu in western Tamil Nadu, which showed some interest in electing a couple of BJP MLAs while being a long time bastion of AIADMK, was built up by the media but shot down by New Delhi where leaders sent word down to the rank and file that they would not countenance the idea of carving a region out of the old State. “Kongu Nadu is not BJP’s idea. A prosperous Tamil Nadu and a strong India is the BJP’s goal,” the party’s State media unit president, ANS Prasad said in a statement, urging party members not to express their personal views at party meetings, media interviews and social networking platforms.
Rumours about who will take over as Governor in Chennai’s Raj Bhavan are swirling. The incumbent Banwarilal Purohit, from a newspaper-owning family in Nagpur, is nearing the end of his term. An interesting name doing the rounds for Governorship in DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu is that of the former Communications & Information Technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad who was dropped from the Union cabinet. Any number of names kept coming up when the rulers decided to move on after a temporary Governor from Maharashtra C Vidyasagar Rao was given additional charge of Tamil Nadu for long. That Governor proved his mettle when he sat on J Jayalalithaa’s confidante V Sasikala’s application to become Chief Minister until the top court order came out but when Purohit came to Chennai it was a bit of a surprise. Enjoying the perks of a massive Raj Bhavan in the midst of the Guindy national park while AIADMK, friendly alliance partner of BJP ruled was easy enough but, with a change in regime, New Delhi might be looking at a tougher Governor, which is why Ravi Shankar Prasad’s name is bobbing up. The only inhibiting factor could be that Prasad will have to resign as Lok Sabha MP and BJP may not want to conduct by polls in Patna in the current situation.
Barely three days after returning from the U.S. post his medical check-up, superstar Rajinikanth hinted at some significant announcement and the media swarmed the cul de sac in front of his Poes Garden home as early as 8 am. As usual, a makeshift podium outside his Brindavan gates. Thalaivar came out in a grey linen T shirt, looking healthy, trim but grim. He made a brief statement … Annathe shooting delayed, then election, the U.S. trip. So now I need to consult with my Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM) about whether I should come to politics? Press meet over! Some guffawed, of course, Annathe is yet to release…he needs all the fan support to conjure up a super hit! Yet others, some powerful super force is manipulating him to gain mileage for LS election. Still others, superstars can never be weaned off fan frenzy. Money, money…how much more do these aged heroes want to earn? Yet others, it must be the home front egging him on to enter and stay relevant. Finally, the statement from Rajini, I am not entering politics, as such the RMM stands dissolved! Whew, as if people were not aware that this journey never started. Taking on the sharks and barracudas is not for a stylish star who perfected throwing up a ciggy to land between his lips.
The surprising exit of two known BJP faces Prakash Javadekar and Ravi Shankar Prasad from the Union Cabinet was not just based on performance criteria but other factors like their caste, mass base and utility within the party. “What is the political capital they bring to the table,” asks a political analyst. As I&B Minister Javadekar was pursuing RSS agenda and Modi government’s slew of initiatives. But his handling of various issues seems to have made him the object of ridicule, especially among the Delhi media. Besides, it was felt that the move will not evoke any backlash from Maharashtrian Brahmin community — to which Javadekar belongs. Whereas in Narayan Rane, the party saw a Maratha who could counter Shiv Sena and consolidate the party’s base in Konkan region ahead of the forthcoming Assembly polls. As for Ravi Shankar Prasad, whose electability transcends his being a kayastha from Patna, and who strongly put the government’s case against the dominant global Big Media, especially Twitter, the speculation continues. A large section of media and also some insiders say his arrogance, and style of working created a lot of anti-sentiments against India. In a few weeks, there is a meeting with the U.S. President Joe Biden, who is a tough negotiator and the Indian government does not want to lose its bargaining position, holds a corporate lobbyist. Besides, as a law minister Prasad failed to take initiative in filling a large number of posts of judges. According to some observers, he created a rift with the judiciary that was a negative factor against him. Insiders say both Javadekar and Prasad are expected to be rehabilitated by giving them organisational responsibilities in the run up to the assembly elections to the five assemblies.
At the boardroom or playground, the captain’s writ runs large. So, it is no different in the political arena. Nobody respects or admires an indecisive leader. A case in point is the former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is different. He seems to have taken a leaf out of the U.S. President Harry S Truman’s frequently used phrase “the buck stops here.” To ensure that he is always on the top of the situation, everything is routed through the Prime Minister’s Office. So what’s wrong? But, this prime ministerial centric government seems to be getting everybody’s goat. Why? During UPA I and II everything was routed via Sonia Gandhi’s office. Then everything was centralised with one family; the so called ‘concerned citizens’ did not have any objections. In the corporate world, the shareholders hold Mark Zuckerberg, Mukesh Ambani or Warren Buffett accountable. The buck stops with the CEO. Accountability and responsibility are two sides of the same coin. Are opposition or some of the BJP leaders unhappy with the centralisation of power because they are not able to game the system? Modi seems unperturbed with this surround sound and his latest cabinet reshuffle clearly points out that he means business. For now, this powerful well-oiled coterie, basically Modi haters, have to twiddle their thumbs because their social media efforts to denigrate him has come to nought.
L Murugan, 44-year old BJP’s points man in Tamil Nadu was the butt of many a joke when he took over as state BJP president. YouTube shows nicknamed him “L Board” Murugan. When he scripted the Vetri Vel Yathra and took off with an ersatz Vel like Lord Murugan, the chortling was loud enough to make waves of mirth. Such teasing and tongue-in-cheek reactions would have shaken a lesser man. Not L Murugan. Before coming to TN, he was Vice Chairman of the Minority Commission for Scheduled Castes, with a 15 year lawyers’ stint in the High Court. Sent to TN to add sinew to a weak BJP presence, the Dravidian parties could not have anticipated that he could come up with his own formula for “boost as the secret of my energy.” Murugan succeeded in inducting a few high profile wannabes, including Khushboo to BJP. He himself did not win the Assembly seat. But Destiny cannot be denied…. if not a quick gun, Murugan is a pole vaulter. He has bagged a coveted ministry, I&B, with Fisheries & Animal Husbandry, Dairy. Soon, Murugan will have to take on the latest controversy about the changes to the Cinematrography Act, a fiery issue bound to test this legal eagle and his canny brand building. Never judge a book by its cover.
For reasons known to a few, the Grand Old Party has not been able to declare date for the election of the new president. This dithering poses twin challenges: keeping its flock together in various states and avoiding internal bickering among senior leaders. This indifference has already led to diehard Congressmen quitting: Jitendra Prasad, followed by Pranab Mukerjee’s son Abhijit Mukherjee. But so far nobody has been able to persuade Rahul Gandhi to reverse his stand and once again assume the post and responsibility of Congress party president. The insiders rue his approach, saying instead of putting his house in order Rahul is taking potshots at the BJP government from time to time, on wrong advice given by people close to him. “They have lost all elections in recent times, yet there is no introspection or post mortem. In the corporate world the CEO would have been sacked,” says a political analyst. Lack of decisions at the high command level has made the leaders, and rank and file restless. Witness this: In all Congress ruled states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Punjab, the rift among senior leaders is out in the open; and so too in Karnataka where the party is in the opposition. For BJP and other regional parties, a rudderless Congress is good news.
The late J Jayalalithaa was a firm believer in vaastu all her life. While she was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, even the choice of sari to wear for the day was determined by the stars. As an intense believer, she encouraged many a soothsayer to study her Kundali (horoscope) and give her advice. And, ironically, after her death too the question of vaastu is hanging around the political party AIADMK which she headed after her mentor MGR’s death. The election defeat and the prevailing confusion and infighting in her party ranks is now being ascribed to bad vaastu. Voices are now being raised about bad vaastu creating all the problems, chaos and infighting in AIADMK. If you believe the pundits, the theory is that Amma’s memorial on the Marina Beach is totally against vaastu. At least one vaastu believer avers that Jaya was no Phoenix rising from the ashes and such a depiction in her memorial by the architect is all wrong. There were other designs submitted that would have served Jaya’s memory best, like a blooming flower that would last forever. The erroneous curvilinear design is to blame for all the woes, says the ardent Jaya admirer but it is unlikely that the party will tinker with the memorial now.
TRENDS & VIEWS
Editor’s Note: Big Punch In Small Pack
It is the Third Anniversary of Short Post and as a news media startup launched during the Covid-19 pandemic it certainly feels better than good to find ourselves where we are today. Here, I must cite the unstinted support of our seasoned contributors, all senior editors in the country, who brought a great degree of maturity and sagacity to the Short Post newsroom. But for them, our tagline “Authentic Gossip”, an Oxymoron, would not have matured viably. Our user numbers may be small but our stories have created the desired impact among people who matter — decision makers and influencers. We offer a big punch in a small pack and Short Post with its 225-word stories has been punching above its weight category. Having posted close to 3,000 stories in the last 36 months, Short Post, I feel, is an idea whose time has come.
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If you look at the media landscape – print, TV and digital — it is a mixed bag. There are job losses as some outfits have closed down while a lucky few were bailed out by large corporate houses. Yes, there is a lot of action in the digital space. However, the entry of corporate houses has raised the question of independence of news media outfits. Sadly, there are just a handful of independent media outfits in the country that are highly respected for their neutrality. At Short Post, our credo is not to take sides, prejudge issues or be biased but, informing readers of behind-the-scenes happenings. In essence, Short Post strives to be a neutral editorial platform — neither anti-establishment nor pro-establishment.
As I said last year, disruptions in the media world are moving at a fast and furious pace. Technology is playing a very big role in how content is generated and consumed. But, we are neither alarmed nor perturbed as it is all a part of the evolution process. What gives us comfort is that AI is unable to create original gossipy content. And that is the news arena where we have achieved a distinction.