In Italy, newspaper Comes as a Protest

it is impossible in India

In this age of cyber media and online journalism, it is heartening to see that even today old form of print media are being used for protest. In Italy, a new newspaper has been launched against what is termed as the oppression of expression by Sylvio Berlusconi government. Il Fatto, meaning the fact was launched in the last week by some leftist journalists.

Relation between Berlusconi and the media soured from the day he came to power for first time. The media mogul of Italy, who controls almost all TV channels attracted bad attention few months ago because of his reported relations with commercial sex workers. In June, he publicly appealed not to give publicity to his opposition parties and leaders. The new joural is owned by some entrepreneurs who control 70 percent of the company and 30 percent is owned by the journalists. Public at large is also invited to be a part of the venture. The paper has already received 27000 subscribers which the founders say are a good number to start with.

Expectedly, the paper wants to focus on the sexual activity of the Italian prime minister and also probe his source of wealth. This is bound to bring some problem therefore the company has already hired two best advocates of country who are expert in the information rights law.

On the face of it, this is a grand experiment. Even though the paper is chiefly printed, it is available on net also. In India, the penetration of internet is still so low. Therefore the print way is still the best way. Problem with the print media is it is absolutely impossible in the country to run a paper without advertising. Il Fatto claims to run independently, without the influence of economic or political power of Berlusconi. But that kind of thing can not be done in India. Here the media is chiefly influenced by the conventional centre of power. Like I wrote in an earlier post, Indian media will never probe the antics of the Gandhi family. Last time it was done in 1988 but the flash point of that episode, Bofors scandal, was given by Swedish radio. It was not a handiwork of Indian organization.

However, an independent and alert newspaper is the need of the hour.

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Raj Charges Up the Scene-2

Spreading the Foothold


Shiv Sena started to spread its wing in the late 1980s. At that time, Raj was heading the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena (BVS), student wing of the party. He was also looking after Marmik, the weekly mouthpiece of party, chiefly drawing cover cartoons for the same. His grooming was done clearly by Balasaheb himself which was evident by the fashion in which he talked, spoke. His body language and mannerisms were just a replica of the original leader. Millions of party workers saw in him the next avatar of their beloved leader.

But the original leader thought in different ways. After the party shared power with BJP in 1995 to 99, he started promoting his own son Uddhav, who preferred his artistic hobbies over politics. A man of reclusive habits, he was seldom found in gatherings which was a hallmark of SS. This anchored a split in the party with Raj having no other option but to found his own. He waited for almost 10 years before giving birth to MNS.

That Raj opting for Son-of-the-Soil politics was less a choice than a logical conclusion. After following the same line for almost 20 years, he could have done little otherwise. A U-Turn over the policies was out of question. He bid his time before plunging into full stream. Also, by opting to pursue a hard agenda over the Marathi Manoos issue, he also took the game in the Shiv Sena’s court itself. This is the reason why Uddhav is targeting Raj more during the campaigning instead of ruling alliance in the state, which is his natural political enemy. He is well aware that in terms of oratory, pull and dedicated workers, he is no match to Raj. While Uddhav has given a new, sophisticated and mellowed image to SS, a vacuum was left for a party with stern activism. SS workers were fed on this mentality and they could not shed their aggression in trade of a corporate politics, which was never their cup of tea. SS was no longer a party of rioters and hoodlums. Raj capitalized on these elements.

To be fair to Raj, he did not chose violence as his primary recourse. Before the infamous agitation in early 2008 against North Indians, MNS had organized several programs encouraging Marathi literature and culture. Many instances can be given like organizing a book exhibition in Mumbai, drama festival in Pune. When MNS was in incubation mode, he personally visited all Ganesh Mandals all over the state. MNS had even sent letters to many government departments as a form of protest. Very few of those activities actually were reported by the media. Raj entered on first pages of print media and prime time of electronic media only when he raised his voice against Abu Azmi, whose credentials as a cultured politician is always in question. Before that period, even local periodicals thought it unnecessary to give enough space to the man. Whatever came related to Raj was either making a mockery of his activities or criticism.

By the time that agitation had come to an end, media had carved out a new Hitler and general Marathi public had got a redeemer. Polarization followed day by day, MNS was persecuted with each passing day. No stone was left unturned in demonizing the man and with each attempt, MNS and its leader become dearer to the public.

It came to such a passé that no Marathi channel could afford to bypass a rally addressed by Raj. No channel could throw a press release of MNS in the dustbin. There was a race between them to telecast the developments live to garner more and more TRP. OB vans from all channels waited outside Krishnakunj, Raj’s residence in Dadar area whenever there was a significant developments. Press conferences by Raj began to turn out into a houseful shows. Even then, he was seen someone who filled the need of a superstar in a entertainment deficient state. “yes, t’here is a crowd for him. But can he fight an election,” was a popular refrain from media quarters who in this age think it a kind of status symbol to keep their ears away from the ground.

The jolt came in parliamentary elections five months ago. MNS had put 12 candidates out of 48 in the state. Each candidate of the party, barring one in Pune, pulled up more than one lakh (0.1 million) votes. This was an eye opener for every player. In an era when the winning margin of a candidate does not generally crosses 25,000, the number of votes received by MNS was nothing less than a thunderbolt. It upset the ambitions of SS-BJP alliance in the state whose tally of seats remained just 21. These statistics are the basic foundation on which the duel between Thackerey cousin is going on currently in the state.

(To be Continued)

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Notice to Facebook Over Tobacco Content

The Facebook is facing its first major challenge in India. The social networking site is just served a notice for failure in removing content related to tobacco products. The failure of the social networking website “Facebook” to remove pages and groups relating to various tobacco products, brands and articles is now likely to land the company in legal trouble.

A social activist and crusader for public health causes, Hemant Goswami from Chandigarh has issued a legal notice to Facebook to remove all pages and groups relating to promotion of any kind of tobacco product or which promotes its consumption. Hemant who is also a notified member of the “National Steering Committee on Tobacco Control” formed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said, “Apparently Facebook claims to have a policy of not advertising tobacco products through paid advertisement on its website; however this claim remains ineffective as it allows all brands and tobacco products to be promoted through member pages and groups. Not only this; contrary to the claims, Facebook allows promotion of smoking culture through advertisements. We have sent a copy of links of such examples which are considered an offence under the Indian law to M/s Facebook.”

In the notice, served to Facebook Inc. and Facebook Ireland Limited, faxed to its California office, Hemant has alleged that, “many pages on www.facebook.com promote various cigarette brands and the concept of smoking. All such pages are visible on all computers, and all terminals installed in India through which the site Facebook.com is accessed. Such pages are also advertised through Facebook and are displayed on the pages of facebook users.” The notice warns the owners and managers of Facebook of their legal liabilities and reads, “The advertisers M/s Facebook and owners of the company are also equally liable and responsible for any such advertisements.”

The Indian law on tobacco control, “Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003” provides for imprisonment up to five years for violating the provisions relating to prohibition of promotion or advertisement of tobacco products and brands.

“We are very serious in our pursuit to end this kind of promotion of tobacco brands and tobacco products on social networking site like Facebook. To achieve this we will do everything possible. Governments across the globe are spending billions to end tobacco and have joined hands by way of the international treaty called “Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)” to end the menace, but it is unfortunate that small opportunistic companies allow promotion of tobacco products for petty gains. Such companies need to punished and civil damages too should be claimed from them to offset any profits these people might be making.” Hemant Goswami emphasised.

(Original Press Release: India PRWire)

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Raj Charges Up The Scene

He enters the place where a grand stage is erected. As he put his foot on the ground towards the direction of the stage, whole atmosphere comes alive with the sound of crackers and bursting of fires in the sky. To top this lighting, a cumulative voice soars new height with each passing moment hailing the young leader. As he comes to the microphone, there is a pin drop silence. Next one hours, the crowd of at least over 50 thousands hears to the leader. He minces no words in deriding his opponents and steals the show by hitting a cord with each member of the crowd.

This is Raj Thackerey for you.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief has taken centrestage in the ensuing assembly elections in the state. He is the clear winner of this political game, at least for now, even before the assembly elections are over. Every party leader is on his backfoot while coping with the popularity of Raj. This has led them to go into denial mode. Surprisingly, each one expects that MNS will eat away share of other party?s votes. After affecting the election results in the parliamentary elections just six months ago, nobody is ready to undermine MNS as far as electioneering is concerned. His party is seen as a potential Shiv Sena in the making

It is ironic that foremost among Raj?s opponents turned out to be Shiv Sena of which he was a prominent leader just three years ago. After being sidelined in SS by his uncle and SS chief Balasaheb Thackerey, who favoured his own son over Raj, he chose to trade his own path. He formed MNS in May 2006 and chose Marathi pride as its main plank. This was the same agenda on which SS worked on for four decades. It did not afford to lose his issue. Adding fuel to fire, Uddhav, the heir apparent of SS did not have the charisma or following which Raj inherited from Balasaheb.

Just yesterday, there were three rallies in Pune: that of Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Raj Thackerey. Political analysts unanimously agreed that the most lively and most crowded of all these meeting was addressed by Raj. This when he held three successive rallies in the city on a single day. How many candidates of MNS can be elected is not that important. What is important is the relation he establishes with the youths-his core voters. No other leader in the state is able to charm the youths like Raj does. This is the reason why Ajit Pawar today said that NCP will not shy away a government with the help from MNS. Since he knows that the clout Raj enjoys is surely going to tore apart political equations, made by Congress-NCP as well as Sena-BJP.

(To be continued)

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A Bad Advice

It is too late too odd

Do Indian leaders have to follow every act by their American counterparts? Why I am asking this? Because latest missive from Salman Khurshid, minister of company affairs smacks of nothing less than following the US steps. It is in a way bizarre way to propagate the austerity drive, pursued by the Congress party, even when its fruitlessness has been pointed out by media.

Khurshid has directed that CEOs of big corporates should not take the salaries which might appear as shameless. His obvious reference might be Anil Ambani, who just last week emerged as the most earning person in India. The reason why Khurshid did not take Anil's name publicly perhaps was Anil has not taken any salary at all this year. It was his arrears from year 2007 which made him the highest salaries person in India. Taking into consideration Anil's connection with Samajwadi Party, bête noire of Congress in Uttar Pradesh, it is hardly surprising that Khurshid has targeted the CEOs.

Why his act appears misplaced is that situation in India and US are quite different. When Barack Obama appealed to bosses of big companies not to take high salaries, the US economy was really in bad shape. It still is. Relatively speaking, corporates in India made more noise about recession that the actual losses. Government of India announced two big packages for corporates which largely eased the state of affairs. Profit margin of companies never went so low as to initiate a damage control exercise. Luckily enough, during the onslaught of melt down, political scenario in the country was hotted up by general elections at central level. Those who are familiar with Indian election system, know very well how much it ignites the economy. In Maharashtra alone, it is estimated that at least Rs 500 Crores (50 million) changed hands during the elections.

The elections for state assembly are currently underway in Maharashtra. A policeman on election duty told me each corporator is asking for Rs 50 lakh to the candidates for campaigning. There are 288 constituencies in the state and more than 250 serious candidates. If each of them spends at least Rs one crore (10 million) there will be exchange of Rs 250 Crores. Isn't this sufficient to infuse running spirit in the economy which is already going fit, if not strong.

Therefore, the statement by Khurshid appears more through the 'loyal than king' syndrome. Without really taking course to austerity, he wants to become messiah of poor and labourers at the cost of corporate culture.

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Party time for rebels-2

State in a In-fighting state

Apart from Pune, the scene at the state level is also dismal. The biggest news of rivalry this time is that in the Amravati constituency. Sunil Deshmukh, a Congress minister in the state cabinet has accused President Pratibha Patil of misusing her position to get a ticket for her son Raosaheb Shekhawat. The party has denied a ticket to Deshmukh in favour of Shekhawat. Deshmukh has solace in the fact that various non-partisan organisations, including Vanrai have supported him. But he had little option to jump in the fray as a rebel candidate which he did.

In fact, Congress-NCP combine deliberately delayed announcement of candidates' list so as to avoid rebellion. Dilip Sopal, former NCP minister has filed his nomination from Barshi in Solapur distric against the official nominee. Another former NCP minister, Digvijay Khanvilkar is also standing in Kolhapur as an independent candidate. He was defeated in Kolhapur (South) by Satej Patil, then an independent candidate. In a twist of fate, Satej aka Bunty Patil is now official Congress nominee while Khanvilkar is his independent rival.

Most bizarre incident of rebellion occurred in Jamkhed in Ahmednagar district. Sharad Lokhande, sitting MLA from BJP was again given a ticket from the same constituency. But he rejected the ticket and made headed towards Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. The two time MLA is a MNS candidate now from Kurla. In a new low of part politics, chief minister Ashok Chavan's cavalcade faced footwear just yesterday. Chavan was at Loha near Nanded to address a rally in support of NCP candidate Shankar Dhongde. It is suspected that supporters of Pratap Patil Chikhlikar, sitting independent MLA from Loha did throw the footwear at CM. Chikhlikar is a supporter of Vilasrao Deshmukh, former chief minister and now union minister of heavy industries. He has supported the Congress-NCP government for last five years but does not have cordial relations with Chavan.

In Shiv Sena, the number of rebel is equally high. Sada Sarvankar, sitting legislator member of party has joined Congress. To top it, he has alleged that Uddhav Thackerey, executive president of Shiv Sena was behind the attack on Manohar Joshi's house which happened last week. That attack itself was indicative how widespread the discontent was in the party. For NCP, Udayanraje Bhosale, the descendant of Chhatrapati SHivaji is busy giving NCP a run for its money. He has already declared that he will field his own candidates in Satara district. The NCP MP from Satara has made enough statements to damage to standing of party in Western Maharashtra.

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Party time for rebels-1

Rebels Having a Feast on Official Candidates

Maharashtra, let alone Pune, is facing highest number of rebel candidates in the assembly elections. The state is especially known for its fighting spirit. But never in the history of electoral democracy was such a frenzy of candidates soliciting the votes from the electorates. What's worse, it is not limited to one party.

I have already written about the rebellion of Anna Joshi from Kothrud constituency. Chandrakant Chhajed, sitting MLA from now defunct Bopodi constituency, followed Joshi's suit by by fielding himself from two constituencies – Shivajinagar and Vadgaonsheri against the official Congress nominees. The three time Congress MLA could not gulp down the fact that he was denied ticket by his party. While Vinayak Nimhan, a rebel MLA of Shiv Sena is the official candidate from Shivajinagar, Vadgaon Sheri was given to Nationalist Congress Party, alliance partner of Congress.

Chhajed is known to be close to Suresh Kalmadi, member of parliament from Pune. He was instrumental in ensuring success for Kalmadi just five months ago.
While Anna Joshi switched over to NCP to contest election from Kothrud seat, Ujjwal Keskar, another prominent person from BJP stable is fighting it alone. He will also contest from the Kothrud constituency. He had made no bones about his wish to contest the election but the seat fell into Shiv Sena's lap during seat sharing bargaining. On the other hand, he seemed not ready to wait for another five years before diving into the state politics. This constituency seemed to have more rebel candidates than those of parties. Dipak Mankar, who was recently in a soup over the land grabbing cases was out of race in Congress for the candidacy. But he managed to get bail just on the eve of elections. He also filed his nomination from Kothrud making it difficult for Joshi.

Ramesh Vanjale, another notable figure in the district politics of Pune has switched over to two parties in the same league. The former member of Zilla Parishad has his origins in the Congress but was in talks with Shiv Sena for a ticket from Khadakwasla constituency. Later, when he realised it is not possible, he managed to get going in the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. 

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