Fingers Crossed on Karnataka

Fingers are crossed on what will happen in Karnataka elections that has witnessed intense drama and intrigue. Both Bharatiya Janata Party and ruling party in the State Congress indulged in a no holds barred fight leveling acquisition after acquisition on each other.
As the state prepares for tomorrow's assembly polls, the Election Commission has issued guidelines to political parties and media for strict compliance with the Model code of conduct till the election is over. The Election Commission has also imposed the ban on public opinion programmes in the media. 
The high-voltage campaigning for the Assembly polls concluded last evening. Polling for 223 assembly segments will be held tomorrow and counting will take place on 15th of this month, i.e. Tuesday. 
The election in Jayanagar Assembly constituency has been postponed following the death of BJP candidate B N Vijay Kumar. Total 2636 candidates are in fray out of which 617 are women. BJP has fielded 223 candidates while Congress has fielded 222 candidates. JD(S) is contesting in 201 constituencies. 
More than 58000 polling booths have been set up for over five crores six lakh voters. The young voters' size has also doubled compared to the last assembly elections in the state. It was 7 lakh 22 thousand in 2013 and now 15 lakh 72 thousand young voters were added in the electoral roll.
There are 58008 polling stations set up, including 1312 auxiliary booths. The Election Commission has identified 12001 of them as critical or sensitive booths The Election Commission has deployed 585 companies of Central forces comprising of 45000 personnel for the poll duty. Over 3,50,000 polling personnel are put on poll duty in the booths. 
Before reaching a standstill, Political parties and leaders made last ditch efforts to woo the voters. 
BJP National President Amit Shah and Congress President Pameshwaran addressed a press conference in Bengaluru yesterday. 
Shah accused Congress of adopting unfair means to rig the election. The BJP President said, there was 173 percent increase in the suicide of farmers in Karnataka and law and order situation has taken a nose dive. Shah alleged that 24 BJP and RSS workers were murdered in the state. 
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, his party fought a very good campaign, it stood together, raised fundamental issues and laid down a vision for the development of Karnataka.

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Karnataka Election : Amit Shah Ups the Ante

Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah has established himself as a fearsome strategist not for nothing. He comes with newer moves and counter moves with every poll. It is as if he especially relishes the electoral battles that bring to forth his unfathomable mastery in the poll strategies.
The newest salvo comes as he slough it out in the scorching sun of Karnataka. Shah has said that his  party will give account for the money spent during the 2019 election to  the Lok Sabha.
  "NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra  Modi will give account for the money spent during its five year term in  office," he said  addressing a  public meeting at Hungund.
In the same breath, he challenged Congress President Rahul Gandhib as well.
"Since it is a Assembly  election, he (Rahul) should give details of Siddaramaiah  government's performance during the last five years in office," he said.
Asserting that the BJP will form  the next government in Karnataka, Mr Shah said that Congress has already  lost Assembly elections in 12 States and in May 12 election also same  thing will happen and Congress will lose power.
The move is a smart one as it allows BJP to project itself as a transparent party. At the same time, it puts Congress in a tight spot as the latter is married by corruption scandals.
With this announcement, Amit Shah has upped the ante and now one waits for the response from Congress camp.

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Reservation Policy Is Here to Stay : Amit Shah

BJP President Amit Shah on Friday said that the Modi government will neither scrap the reservation policy nor allow anyone else to do so. While addressing the gathering at the Maharashtra BJP's Maha Melava rally on the 38th Foundation Day of the BJP, Shah accused the Opposition of not allowing the Budget session of Parliament to function.

Shah said in a press conference  that the journey of the party has been a difficult journey and full of sacrifices. He said BJP sacrificed maximum number of its leaders after independence as compared to any other political party. 

Shah was addressing a in Mumbai after the Maha-BJP-Maha Melava .The party President said BJP is a democratic party and it follows an ideology. Shah added that BJP from two MPs in Parliament, has now 330 members in Parliament. He said there are 1600 BJP MLAs in the country today.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with thousand of the BJP workers on the occasion of 38th Foundation Day of party.

Addressing through video conferencing, Mr Modi said, the BJP is a party which is completely driven by democratic rules.He said, there is no dynasty and casteism in the party. He said the party has brought a new hope for development of the country. 

Earlier, in his message, Modi said that the BJP is the party of a New India and is privileged to receive the blessings of people of all age groups, across all sections of society. He said party believes in diversity, unique culture of the country and above all the strengths of 125 crore Indians.

Prime Minister thanked people for their unwavering faith in BJP. He said, it is party's commitment that it will continue to devote itself towards India’s transformation.

Modi said that for BJP, the party workers are everything and they are the heart and soul of the party, whose sweat has taken the Party to new heights. He said party remember, with great pride, the heroic service and sacrifice of all party workers who built the BJP and committed themselves towards creating a stronger and better India.

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Amit Shah Begins Karnataka Expedition

BJP chief Amit Shah began his two-day visit to election-bound Karnataka with a visit to Suttur Matt in Mysuru today. He took the blessings of Suttur Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahasamiji’s blessings and appreciated the efforts of Swamiji in spreading the values of Indian culture and traditions.
Later, he paid a visit to Amba Vilas Palace and met erstwhile Mysore royal family. Union Minister Ananth Kumar, BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa and Member of Parliament Pratap Simha were present on this occasion. Amit Shah thereafter visited the house of Kyathamaranahalli Raju, an RSS activist who was hacked to death in 2016.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, 23 BJP workers were murdered in the state under Siddaramaiah Government and people have decided to end his rule. He assured the family members of those killed, that the culprits will be booked and punished when Yeddyurappa comes to power.
BJP national President Amit Shah did not reveal the details of his meeting with Mysore royal family. But this visit is considered important in the political circle. Speaking at the Navashakti samavesha in Mysuru he said Congress has lost many elections under Rahul Gandhi and the same will happen in Karnataka.
Later in the day, BJP President will interact with Dalit leaders today. This is the fourth leg of his tour in the state after his visit in north, central and coastal Karnataka regions. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too is campaigning in the Mysuru district today which will continue till April 2nd.

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Narayan Rane : A Longtime Sulking Leader

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane is sulking for quite a time now. The veteran leader, hailing originally from Shiv Sena and having shifted later to Congress, is hanging around Bharatiya Janata Party's lobby to get a berth in the Maharashtra cabinet.

However, his hopes do not appear to come to fruition anytime soon as BJP choses to place him on its waiting list. On Wednesday night, Rane met BJP President Amit Shah at his residence and later claimed that the latter promised a Rajya Sabha seat to him in lieu of the ministerial berth. CM Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar as also Narayan Rane's MLA son Nitish were also present in the meeting.

Rane's claim cannot be taken at its face value because BJP has made en number of such promises to him in the past but never fulfilled it. Again, Rane himself makes these claims and there is no word from BJP and that makes the matter even more curious.

Rane had formed a new party called 'Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh' last October after quitting the Congress and had indicated his organisation may align with the BJP

The 65-year-old leader known for his outspoken nature has pockets of influence in the Konkan region, mainly Sindhudurg district. Rane served as the chief minister in 1999 when he was in the Shiv Sena but is presently the bete noire of the party, a reason why BJP apparently cosied up to him. The Shiv Sena has been bitterly critical of Rane, who had objected to Uddhav Thackeray's elevation in the party.

Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray had expelled Rane from the party following which the Maratha leader joined the Congress on July 26, 2005. He was made the revenue minister in the then Congress-NCP government in the state the very next day.

Rane is also known for his aspiration to become the chief minister, an ambition he has professed publicly on many occasion to possess. "I still have an ambition to become the chief minister of Maharashtra. It never dies. I will wait for the right time to come," is his popular refrain. He claims that Congress had promised him to make CM but never made him one.

There were speculations in the past that Rane would join the BJP. However, a large section in the BJP was not in favour of his induction into the party. Rane resigned from the Congress in September last year after accusing the party having reneged on the promise of making him the chief minister. He had also resigned as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

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PNB fraud: CBI arrests PNB's ex-Deputy Manager Gokulnath Shetty

The CBI today made the first arrest in the alleged 11,400 crore rupee Punjab National Bank fraud case in which businessman Nirav Modi and his partner Mehul Choksi are accused. The CBI has arrested three people - former Deputy Manager of the bank, Gokulnath Shetty, Single Window Operator of the bank, Manoj Kharat, and the authorised signatory of Nirav Modi group of firms, Hemant Bhat. The three will be produced before a CBI special court in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, massive searches by the Enforcement Directorate that began on Thursday continued on Friday against Nirav Modi, a jewellery designer and main accused in the PNB scam.

Friday saw raids being conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Surat and Jaipur. Raids by CBI also continued at various places connected with Mehul Choksi. The investigating agency raided 20 locations belonging to Gitanjali group of companies spread across 6 cities in 5 states.

In the raids diamond, gold and jewellery worth 5649 crore rupees have been seized. CBI also registered a case against Mehul Choksi based on the complaint by PNB.

FIR has been filed against 3 companies of Choksi group, Gitanjali Gems, Gili India and Nakshatra Brand Limited. Apart from crackdown by ED, External Affairs Ministry has also tightened its noose around Nirav Modi. It suspended the validity of passports of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi for four weeks.

Amidst reports of Nirav Modi slipping out of the country, Interpol has also been alerted. Agencies have issued diffusion notice through Interpol.

As investigations into the fraud continue, PNB has suspended 8 more employees which has taken the number of suspended PNB officials to 18.

Government and the BJP have categorically said strict action is being taken in the case and those guilty will not be spared. BJP has alleged that in 2013 during UPA government's tenure, the finance secretary had received a complaint pertaining to the case but owing to some pressure, no action took place.

BJP also said Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited Nirav Modi's jewellery exhibition in 2013.

The scam involving Nirav Modi and Mehul Chowksi came to light when the PNB said it had discovered fraudulent transactions dating back to 2011. The fraud pertains to issuance of letters of undertaking to three companies associated with Nirav Modi.

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Tussle Over Andhra Pradesh Getting Interesting

The tussle between Bharatiya Janata Party and Telugu Desam Party over the special status to the state is getting interesting day by day. Days after the TDP launched offensive against the ruling party at center, BJP has retorted by saying that the Andhra Pradesh received utmost priority during last three and half yrs under Modi government.

The BJP on Saturday said, Andhra Pradesh has received utmost priority and importance under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government.

In a joint press conference in New Delhi, party spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao and Party's AP President and Visakhapatnam MP K. Hari Babu presented a list of institutions, projects and funds sanctioned for the state by the NDA government and asserted that the Centre has taken utmost care of the state.

“The state has received priority and the Centre is committed to its development,” the Rao said,

Referring to the charges made by MPs from AP representing TDP and YSRCP, Rao said it was all propaganda. Hari Babu said, the State has been provided funds for which is entitled to and the rest is under implemetion. The Party also refuted the criticism that the Centre has not done much for development of the State.

Hari Babu said that in a meeting held on Thursday, two major issues --- the revenue deficit the state had inherited at the time of bifurcation and the implementation of special package -- have been sorted out and concerns over other proposed projects and institutions were also addressed

The Centre will bear all revenue deficit for the entire period of the 14th finance commission and a total of Rs 22,113 crores will be paid to Andhra Pradesh as grant for the five- year period

The Centre has released a sum of Rs 1,269 crore to AP under different heads in the last few days with the gross grant including Rs 417.44 crore for the Polavaram multipurpose project, one of the contentious issues between the allies TDP and BJP, he said.

TDP MPs, along with YSR Congress, in both Houses of Parliament have been protesting for the last few days demanding implementation of all promises made by the NDA government under the 2014 Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

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Opposition Tries to Hold Together

Under the Garb of Constitution

Various opposition parties tried to hold fort together against Bharatiya Janata Party under the garb of constitution. They they held a march ostensibly to "save" the Constitution which they alleged was under "attack".

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar led the efforts to mobilize against BJP and announced that opposition parties will meet in New Delhi on January 29 to mull on the way ahead in the fight against the ruling BJP. 

The march was organized coinciding with the Republic Day marking the democratic rule in India. Several opposition leaders, including from the Left, gathered on a single platform. The show of unity on the part of opposition assumes significance in view of the just over a year left for the Lok Sabha polls. Besides Pawar, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) Sharad Yadav (rebel JD-U leader), D Raja (CPI), Hardik Patel (Gujarat's Patidar leader), Dinesh Trivedi (Trinamool Congress), Sushilkumar Shinde (Congress), Raju Shetty and leaders from various states attended the "Save the Constitution" march that started from Oval Maidan near the state secretariat and concluded at the Gateway of India in South Mumbai, covering a distance of around two kilometres. NCP leaders Praful Patel and D P Tripathi, former Maharashtra chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan and ex-MP Ram Jethmalani were also present.

Addressing the media at the Gateway of India, Pawar said it was a joint decision of "like-minded" parties to come together and rally to "save" the Constitution. "It would be a great disservice to the nation and the Constitution if we do not raise our voice against this. All the like-minded parties, committed to our cause, will sit together in Delhi and deliberate on the way ahead to save the Constitution," he said.

Yechury claimed the fundamental rights of people, guaranteed by the Constitution, were being "assaulted" by the ruling party. "All the opposition parties have come together at the Gateway of India, which was once seen as a sign of slavery but is now a sign of freedom to save our democratic institutions, for which we have taken an oath. Our Constitution ensures equality for all. However, the fundamental rights, guaranteed by the Constitution, are being assaulted," he said.

Chavan alleged that the government has moved towards "dictatorship", and all secular people, who have a stake in democracy, should unite to fight against the BJP. "They are attempting to change the Constitution and this poses a grave threat to the country," he said.

Ever since a Nitish Kumar-led mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) of RJD, JD(U) and Congress handed down a stunning defeat to BJP in 2015 Bihar Assembly election, a grand alliance is being seen as the only way to stop the saffron party which has won elections in nearly a dozen states since 2014.

However, attempts to forge a grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh fizzled out. The Presidential election also saw fresh moves for opposition unity against the BJP but they too came a cropper.

In July last year, Nitish Kumar-led JD(U)returned to the BJP-led NDA, dealing a blow to efforts to form an anti-BJP front ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

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Will Shiv Sena Benifit from Separation? Hardly!

Even though Shiv Sena has announced that it would fight the coming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections on its own, the challenge is not an easy one for the party. Shiv Sena has a herculean task ahead of it to attract middle-class and urban voters in the state who have turned to Bharatiya Janata Party lately. The party has set for itself an ambitious goal of winning 25 seats (out of a total 48) in Lok Sabha and 150 seats (out of a total 288) in the Assembly elections that are widely expected to happen before the schedule.

The war-cry given by Shiv Sena is not an easy one for the 50-year old party. It has to achieve exceptionally good performance in Mumbai, Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra regions. The party passed a resolution not to align with the BJP and go solo in the polls to be held next year. The National Executive meeting of the party was held coincidng with birth anniversary of Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of the party.

BJP and Shiv Sena took advantage of resentment against the then ruling Congress and Nationalist Congress Party during the last Lok Sabha elections when they fought together and Assembly elections that they fought separately. However, BJP had made inroads in all regions except Konkan riding on the Modi wave. Vidarbha, especially Nagpur, is BJP's bastion and eroding the party's base there is a gigantic task.

This time around, political observers have placed their bets on Lok Sabha and Assembly elections being held together. So winning Vidarbha being ruled out, Shiv Sena has to focus on Mumbai, Western Maharashtra and Marathwada. In Mumbai, it cannot gain victory relying solely on the Marathi Manus agenda. Besides, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is there, alive and kicking, to eat into its Marathi votes. It has had a glimpse of the reality last year during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election. On the contrary, north Indians, Gujarati etc. voters seems to vote en masse to BJP.

This is why Uddhav Thackeray spoke about the unadulterated Hindutva during the rally where he announced his decision to go solo. Thackeray has not forgotten how he had to sweat it out while winning back the BMC, the real power house of Shiv Sena. The party, with 63 MLAs and 18 MPs, is an ally of the BJP in the state and Centre but it wants to protect its own identity. That is why it is routinely attacking the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state over a variety of issues--from demonetisation and GST to the plight of farmers and cross-border assaults by Pakistan. Thackeray's announcement of contesting elections outside Maharashtra should be seen in this light. 

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Shiv Sena Is a Tiger Turned Tortoise - Ajit Pawar

With his days in opposition, Nationalist Congress Party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is making most of this opportunity. Speaking in Jalana in Marathwada region, he took potshots on Shiv Sena, a party that is sharing power with Bharatiya Janata Party with an extreme awkwardness. Putting his finger at Shiv Sena where it hurts most, Pawar said that Shiv Sena was a tiger during Balasaheb Thackeray’s days but has been since been reduced to be a tortise.

Shiv Sena has not become even a sheep or a hare, but tortoise that thrusts its neck and doing nothing, the leader said. A march was organized at Jafarabad in Jalana district as part of NCP’s campaign Halla Bol, that seeks to attack the ruling BJP for its alleged failures on all fronts, under the leadership of Pawar Jr. The statement came during the meeting after the march.
Targetting Shiv Sena for its precarious situation, Ajit Pawar said that the party threatened a hundred times during three years to leave the ruling alliance, but it couldn't resist the lure of power that has come to its way after full 15 years!

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Ravindra Gaikwad Brings Embarrassment for Shiv Sena Besides Himself

Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad was never known for his parliamentary prowess. Far from bringing fame to his constituency Osmanabad – one of the most backward districts in Maharashtra, he has brought disrepute for it. Incidentally, he is the second MP from Osmanabad to find himself in the soup. His predecessor and Nationalist Congress leader Padmasinh Patil was charged as conspirator of the murder of his cousin.

With the latest episode, Gaikwad has invited embarrassment for himself as well as his party Shiv Sena. The estranged ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party is already cornered with its recent failure to stop BJP's juggernaut in Mumbai Municipal Corporation election. It is also at odds with the BJP-led state government even after being a part of it. Shiv Sena has tried to take higher moral ground on issues like farmers' suicide and noteban. Gaikwad's ill tempered and ill timed misadventure has forced Shiv Sena to go on defensive.

The Delhi Police today registered an FIR against Gaikwad for assaulting an Air India staffer and transferred the case to its Crime Branch. Delhi Police chief spokesperson and special commissioner (operations) Dependra Pathak said a case has been registered under sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 355 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person) of IPC. He said the case is being transfered to Crime Branch for a thorough probe.

Gaikwad hit 60-year-old duty manager, R Sukumar 25 times with his sandal when the official persuaded him to disembark after the plane landed at the IGI airport, New-Delhi from Pune. The entire episode has been captured on mobile and is going viral.

The MP refused to alight, holding up the aircraft for over 40 minutes yesterday. Police received two complaints in this regard- one from Air India and the other from Sukumar. What is worse, Gaikwad bragged on camera that he hit the AI employee.The incident took place on Thursday morning inside Air India's Pune- Delhi flight AI 852, when the aircraft landed in Delhi. Mr Gaikwad refused to disembark despite attempts of persuading him to do so. An Air India official also tried to pacify the MP, who vociferously complained about the morning flight to Delhi from Pune, not having business class.

Seven airlines including state owned AIR India have barred MP Gaikwad from flying. The Federation of Indian Airlines, which has Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet, AirAsia and GoAir as its members has decided to blacklist Gaikwad who admitted to his unruly behaviour with Air Indian staffer. The IndiGo even went ahead to cancel his ticket from Delhi to Pune scheduled today.

Taking serious note of Gaikwad’s behavior Shiv Sena has asked him to give an explanation over the issue. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray also sought AI’s version over the incident. Speaking to media in Mumbai yesterday, Shiv Sena Spokesperson Manisha Kayande stated that the party does not subscribe to any such reaction while MP Sanjay Raut, who is always on forefront in criticizing the BJP said that manhandling government employees cannot be party's program.

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EVMs : The Liberals Are a Loser Lot

Ever since the results for the Uttar Pradesh and four other states were announced, the liberal camp has gone hysterical against the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The EVMs were introduced in India in 2003 and since then, en number of governments have been removed or voted back in power - all with EVMs. At the central level alone, Vajpayee government lost the power in 2004 while Congress-led UPA retained and lost the power each once. It is true that Lal Krishna Advani protested against EVMs in 2009 and asked them to be removed. But wait, who was the adviser of Advani in 2009?
Sudhindra Kulkarni, the same commie Left Rasputin on whose insistence Advani toured Pakistan and made that unfortunate statement praising Jinnah. That brought doom on poor leader's career who had spent decades in serving BJP - nay, the party is seeing today's glory thanks to his untiring crusades against the pseudo-seculars (actually it was he who minted and popularized the term). The point is, in Kulkarni's company, Advani became a loser and cribbed against everything that went against him - a characteristic trait of the liberal imposters; they are always okay with anything until it goes in their stride. Not surprisinly, Advani cribbed even when Narendra Modi was given charge of leading BJP's campaign in 2014 and thereafter too.
When Advani made these allegations against EVMs, the Election Commission of India had put up 100 EVMs in open and challenged all to demonstrate how they could be hacked. Obviously, nobody took up the challenge. It was easier to shoot in the dark and play victim than prove the credentials of one's allegations. However, the issue was meaty enough for some souls to feast on it. Subramanian Swamy, a perpetual litigation-monger, took up the issue. He went to Supreme Court to seek relief with Lady of Irony standing smilingly behind him as hardly anybody remembered him standing in electoral fray ever and winning with a large vote share or say - losing with a thin margin.
Now, the crucial part. The SC, after pondering over the matter and giving due hearings, ordered that EVMs should be supplemented with the printed receipt of the vote being given. The court never said that EVMs were vulnerable or that they were useless. Like Kulkarni and his Red tribe, the entire spectrum of liberal ideology is bereft of any real liberalism or progressivism. This ilk is sustained on an inherited legacy of struggle, strife and sanity. The sustenance on which they survived till now is exhausting very fast and as they say, shallow water is always noisier.
That is why while crying hoarse about the fallibility of EVMs in UP and Uttarakhand, they forget that three states have thrown up results that sounded music to their ears. One only hopes all the best to the selective color-blindness of the liberals because that is the sure shot remedy of their removal.

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Fadnavis Ups the Ante; BJP-SS Tussle Becomes Fierce

The Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis lashed out at the Shiv Sena today as he squarely blamed the party for lackluster performance of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Shiv Sena did nothing for the Marathi people and only exploited them by appealing to emotions, he said. The development promised the fierce battle for the numero uno municipal body in Maharashtra.

Fadnavis, leading the charge of BJP's campaign from municipal elections, addressed a rally in Girgam in South Mumbai. The polling for the much-coveted BMC, is to take place on February 21.

Fadnavis said, "You people (Shiv Sena) have paid only lip service to the people of the city and Marathi people for the last 20 years. But the grim reality is that they lack basic amenities and here in Girgam, water is supplied only for an hour. Is this development of the city? Please stop playing the emotional chord with Marathi people."

Fadnavis also came down heavily on Shivsena chief Uddhav Thackeray for his jibe about BJP's promises on Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. "What the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has to do with BMC elections? Why don't you talk about the development agenda for Mumbai city? And Yes, our party has mentioned this issue (Ayodhya) in its manifesto for Uttar Pradesh polls," he said.

Sena was not focusing on issues of development and transparency because it had done nothing on these counts, while BJP had a development agenda that would transform the city, the Chief Minister said.

Fadnavis also targeted Sena over the bad condition of roads in Mumbai and said the irregularities and lack of transparency in the functioning of BMC was plaguing the city.

In a dig over the alleged `de-silting scam' in BMC, he said, "The way the work of de-silting of nullahs was carried out by the people of BMC and its caretakers, only (southern superstar) Rajinikanth could have done it (in such a non-feasible way).

Earlier, BJP said that it had "enough ammunition" and would expose Shiv Sena in the last week of campaign for the February 21 elections to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.

Asked about all-out attack launched by Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on BJP, his party's ruling ally in the state government, Tawde said, "Thackeray has already exhausted all his firepower against us in the very first phase of election campaign. I feel Sena will not have issues in their hand to attack us with during the last phase of campaigning."

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Uddhav Thackeray - The Man Who Perfected the Art of Sulking

By aligning with MLA Bachchu Kadu, the maverick politician from Vidarbha, Shiv Sena's Executive President Uddhav Thackeray has yet again proved that he was dead serious about opposing BJP. Kadu, who runs his outfit Prahaar in Vidarbha, is known mainly for his outlandish agitations. Since these agitations involve people's core issues, he enjoys a huge following in the region. It is the same region where Shiv Sena faced noticeable losses during the recently held municipal elections. It is the same region where BJP registered its strong performance accounting for almost one-third of its seats in the same elections that lifted it up to the top spot. 

Thus, joining hands with Kadu will ensure that Shiv Sena will leverage the former's popularity to challenge the blitzkrieg of its once-ally. Shiv Sena needs an aggresive leader in Vidarbha to counter BJP while Kadu needs a party like Shiv Sena. Interestingly, Kadu, an independent MLA from Achalpur in Amravati district, has extended support tp the Devendra Fadnavis' government. It is another marking of Thackeray's sulking and taking  his saffron friend-turned-adversary head on.

Actually another of his current adversaries and cousin Raj Thackeray pioneered this art. However, none has matched the level of perfection that Uddhav Thackeray has attained. He has given shape to a new kind of politics in Maharashtra where he is the ruler and opposition and that too concurrently! 

Just before completing (one must stay away from using the word 'celebrating!) two years in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, Uddhav Thackeray came up with another salvo. In the meeting held with the Shiv Sena shakha pramukhs and vibhag pramukhs, he was understood to have expressed his displeasure on the non-performance of his party ministers. He reportedly conveyed his unhappiness over the fact the party didn't use the power even when after being part of the ruling coalition.

One doesn't know how much salt these reports hold, but it is hardly surprising even when they turn out to be entirely true. Ever since the Fadnavis-led government has assumed charge, Shiv Sena has received a raw treatment. To start with, its ministers were allocated with non-descript portfolios and most of them were made state ministers. Thus, most of them are working under a BJP minister.

Except for Industries Minister Subhash Desai, no Shiv Sena leader has been able to showcase his prowess, let alone achievements. For example, Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam fought a  long battle with the bureaucrats in his ministry for the authority to approve development projects. It was CM Fadnavis himself who had to intervene and pacify the matter.

At various occasions, Uddhav Thackeray has expressed the need for giving more authority to Shiv Sena ministers. However, the CM has exploited the vulnerability of its apparent ally and actual rival. The recent results of the municipal councils in the state have established Fadnavis as an able leader and Shiv Sena as the foremost rival of BJP. Having decimated Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, the CM enjoys popular support and goodwill of party bosses. 

Uddhav Thackeray harmed his own interests when in the fever of election campaigning, he compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah to Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan.  Both the leaders are known for their self-loving nature. They could have never taken that diatribe easily. As was expected, they harbored a hatred for their faithful friend for 25 years. It was only because of CM Fadnavis' insistence that Shivsrna was allowed an entry to the government, as the CM didn't want any truck with the NCP. 

Uddhav Thackeray, who inherited a blatantly raging party from his father Balasaheb Thackeray, moderated it to a great measure. He tried and managed to turn a party of vandalism into the party of discourse and debate.  Now, he wants to take the U-turn and make the cadre furious again. The matters become a bit complex here because after enjoying the  power for two years, not many Shiv Sena members are ready to abandon it. This explains Uddhav Thackeray's helplessness in sticking to power even after so much humiliation.

 This is a very curious turn in Maharashtra's politics. Both Shiv Sena and BJP flourished in the state, as in other parts of the country, on the strong Hinduist agenda. As they gained force, after going through a roller coaster ride, both are them in power today. However, neither of them is talking of Hindutva anymore.

On one hand BJP, buoyed by Narendra Modi's cult status, is talking about development and infrastructure. On the another, Shiv Sena's Hinutva has zeroed on anti-Pakistanism. It has lost many of its basic ingredients that made it palatable and appealing to masses,say, two decades ago. And yet, both of them are enjoying a comfortable ride in the absence of credibility on the part of  opposition parties - Congress and Nationalist Congress Party.  

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Who rule Maharashtra - Babus or Ministers?

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis has complained that many bureaucrats in his administration moved slowly and were not cooperating with his government's initiatives which ultimately hampered the people's works. He made the grievance publicly during a program in Nagpur and his comments attracted intense displeasure from the bureaucracy.  

Even political analysts and opposition leaders saw this complaint as a lame excuse by Fadnavis for many of the failures of his government. However, he could be forgiven for putting up a strong sentiment among the public on a public forum. Just a little more than a year, people watched him launch one after another attack on the ruling parties, when he was leader of opposition and state president of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Fadnavis is a very youthful CM and the citizens expected him to lead an enthusiastic and active government. However, ever since he sworn in on October 31 last year, his government was perceived going slow and having a staggered journey.  One reason for this laggardness was the constant opposition by the 'ally' Shiv Sena and another was the non-cooperation from babus.

After decades of Congress rule, these babus became very cosy with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party. Except for four and half years’ rule of SS-BJP during intervening years, the officers enjoyed patronage and company of Congress leaders. Even today, they are uneasy to work with any other dispensation and many of them are said to be taking orders from former rulers. The people having their ears to the state secretariat in Mumbai even vouch that many of the bureaucrats routinely jest on their new masters.

Not that the mandarins in Mantralaya were quite competent during Congress rule or moved in haste during those years. Even when Congress was in power, the bureaucracy, in true Indian fashion and largely following the British tradition, worked at an excruciating pace. Some CMs tried to change this situation and were successful to an extent after acquiring stern postures over the years.

A. R. Antulay was one of such ruler who tried to rein in the babus and left his stamp on the administration. Antulay was known as a dynamic politician and attracted fame for his prompt and efficient decision-making. Not only he decided on matters instantly, he looked to it that they were implemented to the core. Shankarrao Chavan and Sharad Pawar came to be known as good administrators during their tenures as CMs. In fact, Chavan was so demanding in his functioning that he came to be called as Head Master.

Sadly, the latter CMs could not keep up the tempo and secretary-level officials got hold on the functioning of the government. Matters only got worsened during last two decades. 

The matters were confounded by the fact that most members of the BJP-SS cabinet, which is in place at the moment, are first-timers. CM Fadnavis himself leads the charge in this regard also. Eknath Khadse, the lone BJP minister in his cabinet who held the post during the saffron alliance’s last government from 1995-99, has not helped the matter in any way as he has not recovered yet from his fretting for not being made CM in Fadnavis’ place.

Thus, babus take advantage of their increase and they have the field left open for them as they claim more experience than the elected representatives who are technically their superiors. This has led to wrangling between two these arms of the government. It manifested some months ago when Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam kept thousands of files in limbo and refused to sign on them as secretary of his ministry wanted powers to sign on them. 

It took CM Fadnavis himself to intervene in favor of his cabinet colleague. However, the episode only reinforced the theory that the political and administrative branches of the government do not share bonhomie. No surprise then that governance has taken a beating in the Maharashtra and people are openly asking – who rules the state?

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Allies Keep Their Honor Intact

It was no less than a clash of titans and the whole of Maharashtra, at least the Maharashtra that takes interest in politics, was looking at it anxiously. The Kalyan Dombiwali Municipal Corporation's election promised a close, almost bloody fight and it turned out to be so. However, in the end, both the two parties could claim final victory but managed to keep their honor intact.

Even though Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party share the power in the state and the center, neither of the parties shares cordial relations. Not that they had sweet memories of their co-habitation for the last 25 years, but their relations have touched ridiculously low during last one year. Ever since severing ties in last October, none of the saffron party has made any sincere attempt of reconciliation. Even after seating side by side in the state cabinet, they have not really accepted each other. Therefore, when these two allies faced each other in KDMC election, all eyes were set on what ensured to be the fireworks.

The campaigning for the election lived up to that promise. Both Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis left no stone unturned and indulged in freestyle wrestling with their verbal attacks. Cases of attacks, on the workers from and by both parties, were reported and registered. Even bullets were fired before ballots and the politics in this neighboring city of Mumbai turned bloody.

In the final phase of the campaigning, the fight became even murkier as Thackeray and Fadnavis dropped all pretentions and indulged in mud slinging. The verbal duel led to some uncharacteristic remarks as well by Fadnavis.

However, as results rolled out from the electronic voting machines on Monday, Shiv Sena seemed to edge past winning post during the early rounds and BJP managing to post honorable tally. However, the dance of democracy could be seen in full vigor by late afternoon, as Shiv Sena remained 10 seats away from the majority and BJP almost running neck to neck to it. It is clear that Shiv Sena will be able to muster majority, with the help from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and independents, while BJP can boast of increased strength - its tally having gone up to 42 from the 9.

Neither Shiv Sena lost its hold on the backyard of Mumbai, its strong bastion literally, nor BJP was wiped out before the former's blitzkrieg. All other parties, including Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, MNS and others just drifted away in the barrage of these two parties; and meanwhile, Majlis-E-Ittehad-ul-Musalmin got away with two seats in its first ever test of strength. That was the real danger bell for the self-proclaimed 'secular' parties! 

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CM Fadnavis Shows His Distinctness

Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has showed his distinctness with his measured yet aggressive response to an open letter written by journalist Rajdeep Sardesai. This was not a unique action as many politicians of yore had taken to writing articles in the newspapers to articulate their position. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee even penned long muse when he was mired in political controversies and problems. However, what makes Fadnavis stand out is that he has taken to the medium often used against him for last one year and while defending his own position, he has put forward the work he was doing. This would serve not only in taming the hostility of the media towards him, in particular, and his government, in general, but also soothing his political ally Shiv Sena which is in the government bashing mode ever since it decided to share power.

Sardesai, often seen as an adversary of the Hinduist ideology which Fadnavis adheres to, had targeted Fadnavis of failing on many counts and letting down those who had hopes in him. "I was one of those who expected a lot from this leader who come to power with his youth and vision," Sardesai wrote. He had taken up mainly three points which underlined, in his eyes, the hopelessness of the present government. These points were - ban in certain municipal corporation limits on sale of the meat to be enforced for eight days during the Paryushan Parva of Jain community; transfer of Rakesh Maria, the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai during the course of investigation in high-profile Sheena Bora murder case, ostensibly to curtail the probe and third was a recent circular issued by the government which allegedly allowed the police to frame sedition charges against anyone who would criticize the public representatives. The letter was published in English, Hindi and Marathi publications as well and received due attention.

This ruffled quite few feathers in Bharatiya Janata Party and it was felt that this attack must be countered. But no one expected that CM himself would lead from the front and give a befitting reply to a journo with a stature such as Sardesai has.

That the CM replying to an open letter was itself a novelty. But Fadnavis added another dimension to it by twisting the reply and coloring it in an Urban-Agrarian conflict. His terse sentence that 'I am more concerned with providing food to the drought-hit farmers than filling your plate with non-veg' is a classic example of how a politician, even when well wishing and sincere, can turn any debate in his or her own stride. The BJP has outfoxed Congress with great cunningness in recent times because of this type of willy politicians. In fact, Congress is now almost bereft of clever leader who could mould the discourse any way they like.

The Twitter was abuzz with the development and the hashtag #DevendraSlapsRajdeep remained among top trends for two days. Various groups on WhatsApp were replete with the text of the letter. It took 24 hours for Sardesai to reply to CM's letter but in his immediate reaction, he just tweeted -

Whatever the outcome of the debate, one thing is sure - that this BJP government is a different pot to handle for the critics and it is going to break more norms in the future.

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Shiv Sena Begs for Respect

Ever since experiencing unprecedented victory in Lok Sabha elections, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is on a high. Since then, he is begging for respect and honor which Bharatiya Janata Party under Narendra Modi and Amit Shah refuse to accord. It seems he has missed the bus now and BJP’s victory procession passed by. 

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Maharashtra BJP Demands Expulsion of Home Minister R R Patil

The Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday demanded the expulsion of state’s Home Minister R. R. Patil for his failure in controlling the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The party also expressed its support for the ordinance issued by the state government for anti-superstition law with one condition.

Devendra Phadnavis, state president of BJP, informed the media about the resolutions passed in the Executive meeting which concluded on Wednesday. Citing the incidents of murder of anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar and rape in Mumbai Nasik and Pune, he said, “The resolution asked the expulsion of Patil because he would neither move out himself or will not be removed. The transfers of police officials are pending for because NCP and Congress want their own favorable officers in plum places. The file is pending with Chief Minister for over two months. The Maharashtra has lowest rate of conviction in crimes, 9.5%, in the country. Even the naxalism is on the rise and Patil has done nothing in five years ever since he assumed the guardianship of naxal-affected Gadchiroli district.”

Pointing to an incident in the Bhandara district where three OBC girls from same family were raped and murdered six months ago, he said, “The government does not care about the poor and disadvantaged people. How would they feel the pain of these OBC family?”

Prime Minister Can't Expect Us to be His Cheerleaders

Phadnavis said that BJP had supported the anti-superstition bill back in 2005 and had warned of the legal defects in it. The government was not serious to bring it in the legislature or pass it. “We had many meetings with late Dabholkar and Shyam Manav (another activist pressing for the bill) and had asked that the article 2 in the ordinance, which stipulates action against anybody exploiting someone in the name of miracles, to be clarified. We said that if third party complaints are allowed in this article, it will lead to blackmailing. This is the only condition which we had put. Also, we want that Warkari sect should be consulted in this regard and we are even ready to do something in it.”

On the issue of funding to Madarassas in the state, as decided by the state government on Tuesday, he said, “Reducing the assistance to Hindi and Marathi schools and giving it to madarassas is wrong. I would like to ask the government whether it would ensure that no religious education is given and only modern education is given in the madarassas if they are to be given subsidy by the government.

Phadanvis also said that senior leaders Gopinath Munde and Nitin Gadkari had chalked out the strategy of focusing on booth level and had said that minimum ten workers are to be prepared at the booth level. About 84 thousand booths have been identified all over the state and they are to be targeted in view of the impending Lok Sabha elections. The meet was attended by about 666 workers of the party. Earlier in the session, Maharashtra in charge of the party Rajiv Pratap Rudy, former national president Nitin Gadkari and deputy leader of party in Lok Sabha Gopinath Munde addressed the workers.

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Power Struggle In BJP

The newly elected president of Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajnath Singh, has appealed to his party colleagues to stop talking about the Prime Ministerial candidate publicly. Poor leader had left with no choice as everybody who is anybody in his party was thinking aloud and blaring out some or other name as the prospective candidate for the next Prime Minister of India. They included former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, former Union Minister Shatrughan Sinha and now suspended former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani.

Ever since the talk of impending parliamentary elections started making rounds in the country, the BJP leaders have jumped one by one into discussing the probable names of the next PM. They were buoyed by the recent victory registered by the party under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Since 1996, the BJP is fighting parliamentary elections, and to some extent even state assembly elections as well, by projecting some or other leader. From 1996 t0 2004, it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In 2009, Lal Krishna Advani was projected as contender. Now, a majority of the party workers look to Modi as their savior who could end their drought of power for 10 years.

It is true that L K Advani is till around the corner. But his name is not a sure-shot prescription for the electoral victory. Advani, a veteran of elections ever since India became a Republic, is 85 today. Though he is in good stead physically and his vigor for the post is well known, the defeat in the last elections under his leadership gave a heavy blow to his claim.

Another problem plaguing the party is it is nowhere able to come to power on its own. It leads a coalition of over a dozen parties, called National Democratic Alliance. Till now, because of its sheer size, BJP had an automatic claim on the PM's post. Within last decade, many of the coalition partners of the NDA have ruled their states, gathering appreciation and public support, and in turn became a good challenger for the post. Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, is one such example.

By bringing back Bihar to the path of governance after a long spell of virtual bankruptcy and lawlessness, Nitish Kumar has upped his stakes and looks towards the coveted highest post in the country, which is more than obvious. He sees Modi as a strong competitor and tries to undermine his standing by resorting to secularism. Modi, with his 11-year rule and appreciation from all quarters for his management of the government in Gujarat, has a major black spot on his robe in the form of riots in February 2002 which allegedly killed over 1000 Muslims in that state. Even though he has attracted quite a following among industrialists, political workers and in public, the media and intelligentsia are not ready to mend their fences with him and he is constantly reminded of this dark past.

During the assembly election campaigning last month, Modi constantly took jibes at Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, the mother-son duo of the ruling Congress party at center. It was an open gesture of reminding his party and others that his eyes were set on New Delhi. Being only Chief Minister of BJP who wrested victory for third consecutive term is an achievement which automatically catapulted him to the larger role. Even though BJP has a plethora of leaders at New Delhi including Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jetli et al, none of them command such a mass following as Modi. Hence, he becomes the natural contender for the PM's post.

Now the question is, would BJP leaders accept him as their leader. Rajnath Singh's appeal to stop the chattering is an indication that they have not as yet!

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