The coming months would be crucial for the Ayodhya Ram temple issue.

The last time the Sangh Parivar attempted a mass mobilisation on the Ram temple issue, it failed to get appreciable traction. That was in 2002. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister at the head of a multi-party coalition at the Centre and not exactly simpatico, Uttar Pradesh was in between Chief Ministers Rajnath Singh and Mayawati with a few months of President’s Rule to separate their tenures but the administrations were committed to preserving the status quo at Ayodhya, and Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, one of the few States where the call for kar sevaks had resulted in decent numbers being mobilised.  Oh, and the acerbic, doctrinaire KS Sudarshan, who did not have anywhere near the influence his predecessors and successor had — and have — on the BJP, was the RSS Sarsanghchalak. A lot of water has flowed down the Saryu since.

Now, the Sangh, in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s recent refusal to accord the kind of urgency the RSS felt was required in hearing and disposing of the appeal against the Allahabad High Court by Muslim parties to the Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya title suit, has decided to ratchet up the pressure. With the Bench to hear the appeal not yet constituted and the hearing of the matter listed for January 2019, the court verdict path to the Ram temple is effectively closed. And with negotiations between community representatives over the past decades having come to naught, the Sangh knows that the intervention of the Executive is now the last chance, at least for the foreseeable future, of ensuring what has been an article of faith for it.

But the RSS also knows it is dealing with a BJP leadership which while in tune with its agenda does prioritise electoral power politics over all else and will be weighing the pros and cons of bringing in a law/ordinance, especially in terms of timing. RSS thinkers are also acutely aware of the fact that while its senior leaders, including general secretary Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi, are speaking of looking at the option of launching a 1992-like agitation to demand the construction of Ram Mandir “if required”, the moot question remains who its cadres will agitate against to concede their demand for a law enabling the construction of a grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya? Prime Minister Narendra Modi? BJP president Amit Shah? Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath?

Sangh cadres, who have played a significant role in ensuring these personalities have achieved political success and the BJP is the dominant political force across large swathes of the country today, clearly feel it is time for payback.

Indeed, the taunt — mandir wahin banayenge lekin tithi (date) nahi batayenge — is hitting the Swayamsevak where it hurts most; his credibility and claim to tyag ki bhavna (spirit of sacrifice) in the nation-building effort. The RSS has made it clear to the BJP — Amit Shah was closeted with senior leaders for hours at the end of the RSS’ executive meet last week — that the cavalier fashion with which it believes the apex court has ignored the sensitivities of the Hindu community in not expediting its verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute leaves the Government with no choice but to bring in an appropriate law.

The timing, apparently, has been left to the BJP to work out and insiders say post-Assembly elections and after seeing how the court hearing in January goes is the rough timeline. Because for all the talk of Opposition unity and anti-incumbency which is part of the ebb and flow of politics, the Sangh is pressing the point that it is on Ayodhya that there can be no backtracking by the BJP.

Writer: Pioneer

Courtesy: The Pioneer

If peace has to come to Kashmir, regional parties must play a big role to end mindless violence.

Kashmir Valley is once again on the boil. The reason is simple. Continued spell of peace and normalcy does not suit the narrative of the separatists as well as the regional parties. Of late, they all are on the common page and are working together for their mutual benefit as they feel that their future is threatened. ‘Boycott politics’, which so far was the sole preserve of the terrorists, has now been embraced by the regional parties as well. Peaceful conduct of urban local bodies’ elections despite the best efforts of the regional parties to subvert them has sent shock waves across their spine and left them dumbfounded. Feeling the loss of turf beneath their feet, they were looking for an opportunity to reverse the trend and put Kashmir once again on the boil. The Kulgam incident was seized by them as an opportunity though it was totally unjustified. The said incident, the State’s Director General of Police said, was unfortunate but was a case of deliberate negligence by those who rushed to the ground zero even before the area was sanitised by the local police. But the self-seeker leaders of Kashmir lost no time in projecting ‘civilian deaths’ as ‘civilian killings’ to add fuel to fire and also provide fodder to anti-national forces to drum it as human rights violation.

How can civilian deaths due to utter self-negligence be termed as civilian killings blaming the security forces for the same? To the contrary, the security forces’ personnel put their own lives in danger to prevent collateral (collateral) damage. Rather than appreciating the security forces for their concern, the Kashmiri leaders lost no time in portraying them as villains and speaking in tandem with pro-Pakistani and separatist forces operating in the Valley. It was also not surprising that no time was lost by the dummy Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, in raising his voice. He tweeted: “Strongly condemn the new cycle of killings of innocent Kashmiris in IOK by Indian security forces. It is time India realised it must move to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.”

No Kashmiri leader, however, condemned Pakistan for unleashing terror, leading to bloodshed and regular killing of innocent Kashmiris. Pakistan, which has the worst human rights track record in the world, is the darling of the Valley leaders ignoring the fact that their own brethren in Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK) cry hoarse 24×7 against the worst kind of state-sponsored violence unleashed on them. Sadly, people in Kashmir, misguided by the vested elements, have stopped to distinguish between the destroyer and the saviour.

Soon another non-issue was also grabbed by the discarded Kashmiri leaders in a bid to further spoil the atmosphere. The issue pertained to an advisory issued by the education department to “consider purchasing a sufficient number of copies each of Urdu version of Shrimad Bhagwad-Gita and Koshur Ramayana, authored by Shri Sarwanand Premi for making these available in schools/colleges and public libraries of the State”. A good-intentioned circular was converted into a communal issue when Omar Abdullah, former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister, tweeted: “Why just the Gita and the Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, colleges and Government libraries (and I’m not convinced that they need/should be) then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored?” The tendency of the Kashmiri leaders to give a communal touch to those decisions of the Government which they perceive to be anti-Kashmiri, irrespective of the sentiments of the rest of the populace, is not new. This includes major issues like citizenship to West Pakistan refugees, the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandit community, issuance of Dogra certificate, extradition of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, demand of CBI investigation for Rasana rape and murder case, the establishment of sainik colonies in Kashmir and discrimination against Jammu and Ladakh.

Urdu, which once used to be lingua franca, of late, is being portrayed as the language exclusively of Muslims. This tendency is very harmful and will damage the social fabric in the State because it also happens to be the official language of the State. The Urdu version of the Hindu holy scriptures which enjoyed universal acceptance as magnum opus of behavioural and spiritual knowledge was not necessarily meant to be read by Muslims only but also by Hindus and Sikhs who preferred Urdu as their first language. In any case, the circular did not mention anything about not buying other religious books whose Urdu version is also available.

Unfortunately, the administration buckled under the pressure and cancelled the circular thus strengthening the hands of the communal forces. It would have been better had the administration stuck to its decision and delivered another big blow to the already sullied Kashmiri leaders who were sulking after the administration refused to fall prey to their time-tested formula of ‘blackmail politics’ and went ahead to conduct the local bodies’ and panchayat elections.

The advocates of Kashmir being a ‘political issue’ are neither realists nor idealists. They live in a utopian world and sell false hopes and dreams to innocent Kashmiris. They use the Kashmiris as cannon fodder for their own political gains. They fully realise that neither azadi nor greater autonomy or self-rule will ever see the light of the day. Yet, they keep feeding these narratives to the Kashmiris. This alienates them from the rest of the nation. While they continue to fill their coffers with money and provide luxurious life and modern education to their kith and kin, the common Kashmiri is pushed towards a ‘gun culture’ and radical madrasa education.

While the disillusioned Kashmiris look up to these leaders for their bright future, they keep pushing them into gullies of darkness through bundles of false promises. The day these power brokers also start speaking the truth and accept the reality of Jammu & Kashmir being an integral part of India as enshrined in the State’s Constitution, and convince the Kashmiris that all forms of struggle against the might of the nation are futile, the problems will cease to exist. It would be naive to expect that it would happen overnight but a sustained effort to change the mindset would be needed.

Kashmir today is a victim of radicalisation and numerous socio-economic issues. The vibrant multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-cultural Kashmiri society has turned into a monolith. The root cause for this is the greed for power. The zenith of this greed was the rigged elections in the State in 1987. Disenchanted and disgruntled by petty political games played to remain in power, the youth revolted. Pakistan, which always casts an evil eye on peaceful Kashmir, lost no opportunity to fish in the troubled waters and launched the so-called religious militancy in Kashmir. It soon turned into a full-fledged Pakistan-sponsored proxy-war with cross-border terrorism as its main weapon. With the introduction of Wahabi Islam, bewildered youth, fed up with repeated ‘Vada Khilafi’ (broken promises), got attracted towards religion. Gradually, the Kashmiri society is shedding Sufism and getting radicalised under the growing influence of Wahabism.

Pakistan ever since has not changed its stance and in fact, upped the ante in order to relocate the terrorists from its own soil into Kashmir with the hope of winning over the Kashmiris by helping them in their “struggle”. Unfortunately, the regional parties also use the Pakistan card to boost their political fortunes in the quagmire of Kashmiri politics, which unfortunately have also been radicalised with a very few nationalist voices still surviving. The terrorism in Kashmir is no more confined to those seeking azadi.

One has to admit that terrorism in Kashmir today is driven by the ambition of creating Nizam-e-Mustafa or an exclusive Muslim state governed by Sharia. Regional parties have remained ambiguous on the subject thus adding to the confusion in the minds of the youth and rural society in Kashmir. By remaining ambivalent, the regional parties want to retain the option of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.

If these parties remain embedded in the past, surrender the present to radicalisation and continue to ignore the future of Kashmiri awam, nothing fruitful can happen. The regional parties and their leaders have to shed their negativity as self-seekers. They need to emerge as genuine voices of the Kashmiris who are fed up of ‘senseless violence’ and are yearning for peace. The parties need to become the torch-bearers of change in Kashmir.

Writer: Anil Gupta

Courtesy: The Pioneer

It is high time we draw inspiration from Sardar Patel to create a new, united and peaceful India. This will be the greatest tribute to this leader.

History has often proved that every crisis would find its own man. India had its crisis man in Sardar Patel in the aftermath of our country’s Independence, when a great crisis was staring at the still-to-be-born India. Rulers of about 600 principalities were nursing their own ambitions of becoming independent leaders. Some of them were even thinking of associating themselves with the new-born neighbouring country. Nizam of Hyderabad, right in the centre of our country, was one among them. Such a crisis needed a man with a mind of steel and a great vision. We were indeed fortunate to have found one in Sardar Patel.

To understand the significance of Sardar Patel’s vision and his contribution to the unification of our country, one only needs to imagine a situation in Hyderabad, which had toyed with the idea of joining Pakistan, not being a part of India. But for this great son of our country, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, it is indeed difficult to visualise India of today. One geographical entity of today’s India is legacy of Sardar Patel. But has our country done justice to his contributions and legacy?

Do our history books and school curriculum present a fair and balanced account of such legacies? Why we were forced to be so dishonest to the great vision and contribution of Sardar Patel? Should we not give a fair and balanced account of the modern history of our country and its lead actors to the post-Independence generations?

This is the objective of our Government’s decision to observe Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’. This is not intended to belittle other legacies and contributions of other leaders. Pure and simple, our intention is just to do justice to the words and deeds of Sardar Patel.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Gujarat. He was born into a farmer’s family. In the due course, he passed his matriculation examination and after some years, he passed the Law examination. He practiced as a lawyer at Godhra. He carried on a roaring legal practice. As he was ambitious, he went to England and became a barrister-at-law.

In 1923, he became the leader of Bardoli Satyagraha. Since then, he came to be called Sardar Patel. His elder brother, Mr Vithalbhai Patel, was the President of the Indian Legislative Assembly. He was jailed several times in connection with the freedom movement. He was the right-hand man of Mahatma Gandhi and his most trusted lieutenant. It was Patel who maintained discipline in the Congress ranks. In 1936, the Congress at the General Election won the majority of seats in seven provinces of British India.

Sardar Patel was the most important member of the Central Parliamentary Board. He became free India’s first Deputy Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru being the first Prime Minister. He was in charge of the Home Department and administered law and order.

Future historians will marvel at his organising capacity and superhuman ability. The integration of about 560 Princely States and the elimination of the autocratic rule of the Maharajas and Nawabs will ever stand out as his unique and greatest achievement. He did it without bloodshed and in a short span of two years. Was this not a miracle? To him, rightly goes the credit of completely changing the map of India.

He was essentially a man of action. He was India’s man of destiny. He was the Iron man of India. He was the brightest luminary on the home front. He was a walking volcano with fires raging in his heart. He was not a man to be ignored or trifled with. Defeat, he never knew; weakness he never felt, and indiscipline he never tolerated. He was a pillar of fire and enthusiasm, but as a practical statesman, he was also calm and unfathomable. He never hesitated to take a decisive step. He combined quickness of decision with resourcefulness.

He was the greatest administrator and the best statesman that India ever produced. His death on December 15, 1950, left India poorer. By his death, free India has suffered a loss in political leadership that is difficult to repair. Crores of our countrymen, including myself, still believe today that Sardar Patel had been the first Prime Minister of our country, the course of events would have been totally different. We as a nation need to correct this distortion. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that we need to look beyond politics, to build an India that lives up to its potential.

Without the creation of the India of today, we would have had no voice in the global order of things. That is why we need to commemorate the legacy and memory of Sardar Patel, and that is what we are doing today.

Sardar Patel symbolised a decisive leadership. In the past and in recent times, we have paid heavily for the indecisiveness of leaders, in whose hands our destinies have been placed. Today’s India needs another Sardar, who can think with clarity and act firmly. We are fortunate to have another leader with such traits in Narendra Modi.

Located alongside the Narmada River in Gujarat, the world’s tallest ‘Statue of Unity’ that is being unveiled today is a real tribute to the Ironman of India.  Nearly 30 metres taller than the current record holder — the Spring Temple Buddha in China — and almost double the height of the Statue of Liberty, the statue of unity is “a symbol of India rising”, as rightly pointed by our Prime Minister.

Besides unifying the country, Sardar Patel had also laid the foundations of all-India services as a permanent executive and a vehicle of building modern India. On this day, we need to resolve to contribute to the making of a new India inspired by the spirit of unification made possible by Sardar Patel.

Whatever had happened had happened and it is time for every countryman to strive for the unity, integrity, safety and security of our country, inspired by the spirit and vision of Sardar Patel. We do have some issues relating to external and internal security of our country. I am confident, unitedly, we can overcome these challenges under the leadership of our Prime Minister. Let us remember Sardar Patel, whenever we are confronted with a challenge. That shall enable us to meet it with resolve.

Writer: Suresh Prabhu

Courtesy: The Pioneer

While the Sabarimala issue is still fresh, the Supreme Court has a bigger fish to fry in the degraded ecology of the Western Ghats where the shrine is located.

Concerted attempts by mischievous non-believers to defile the Sabarimala precincts and undermine its hallowed traditions highlight the urgent necessity to recover Hindu temples from Government control and uphold dharmaas understood and practised by believers. With each passing day, it is becoming obvious that the majority decision of the Supreme Court, while it has to be respected, does not do justice to the faithful. Justice can be done only by recognising the Ayyappa Swami panth as a religious denomination, or Section thereof, under Article 26 of the Constitution. The shrine can then manage its affairs in peace.

The State-run Travancore Devaswom Board has denied the Mala Araya tribe its traditional rights at Sabarimala, which were always respected by the Pandalam royals and Thazhamon Thantri family. These include the right to light the Makaravilakku (perform arti at a temple in Ponnambalamedu, not open to the public); bathe the deity with forest honey (abhishekam); and enjoy puja rights at sub-shrines, like the Karimala temple along the way.

Sabarimala’s major customs, including 41-day vrat and restriction (not ban) on women in a specific age group, derive from tribal culture and traditions. The Akhila Thiruvithamkoor Mala Araya Mahasabha plans to approach the apex court to protect its age-old customs under the Forest Rights Act. The community, which claims to have established the shrine before it came under the control of the Pandalam royal family, also plans to file a review petition against the verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the hill shrine after the State Government refused to do so.

The Communist regime’s eagerness to facilitate entry of women from the hitherto barred age group, even as review petitions are pending before the Supreme Court, was intended to humiliate the faithful. As genuine devotees gathered for the pilgrimage when the shrine opened on October 17, they encountered unseemly attempts by ineligible persons to gatecrash the temple. Mercifully, the temple closed without violation five days later.

In a major provocation on October 19, a team lead by a tearful inspector-general S Sreejith escorted Rehana Fatima (of Kiss of Love campaign fame), and Kavitha Jakkal, a reporter from Mojo TV, Hyderabad, to the shrine gates. They were forced to return after being recognised by devotees, despite wearing bulletproof jackets and helmets given by the police (a possible violation of the Police Act). Later, Mary Sweety also returned midway after being challenged by vigilant bhaktas.

Realising that the State Government may have bitten off more than it can chew, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran urged activists not to make the holy precincts a place to prove their strength and lambasted the police for escorting the women without verifying their credentials. Sabarimala is a huge revenue earner and the State could lose crores if Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, backed by Pandalam palace, closes the sanctum for purification if the temple is defiled. Just five decades ago, barely 5,000 pilgrims managed the arduous 61-km trek to the temple; now four crore come in the winter season alone as new roads have shortened the route.

An ideal solution would be to close the shrine for a decade and allow passions to cool down. Simultaneously, the degraded ecology of the Western Ghats could recover, especially after the recent floods, the worst Kerala has faced in decades. The 777 sq km Periyar Tiger Reserve, where the shrine is located, hosts 20 tigers, elephants, and other wildlife. Even after the floods receded, there were torrential rains in Sabarimala, and no one has taken stock of how the wildlife fared.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority is concerned that the rising numbers of devotees disturb the area’s fragile ecology. Virtually nothing has been done to implement the Sabarimala Master Plan of 2007. A review by the Kerala Government and Devaswom Board on October 9, 2018, found evidence of deforestation and major deviations from the plan. At Nilakkal base camp, trees were cut to make parking areas, while driver shelters, dormitories and hotels have been built, disregarding master plan specifications.

At the next stop along the sacred Pamba, several buildings have been constructed within 50-metre radius of the river, including a Government hospital. The green zone in front of the hospital has become a parking lot. The bio-toilets are inadequate; sewage treatment plant dysfunctional, and untreated faecal waste is being dumped into the river. The tree cover at Sannidhanam is less than 20 per cent, as opposed to 50 per cent recommended in the master plan.

A study by two expert teams has warned of landslides and tremors at the holy hillock due to extensive concrete flooring at the Sannidhanam, but the Devaswom Board is continuing construction works at Pamba and Sabarimala. While ordinary devotees merely desire clean and hygienic lodgings, a holy dip in a clean river, the Government and Board invariably start preparations at the eleventh hour and fail to serve the pilgrims.

Shops are auctioned at high rates at Pamba, Sannidhanam and along the route, and pilgrims are fleeced by traders even though many voluntary and religious bodies are willing to provide free food and beverages to devotees. Experts say pilgrims do not need multi-storey complexes, they need temporary shelters with proper sanitation and drinking water, which do not disturb the ecology of the sacred grove. The State Government is responsible for preserving wildlife and protecting rivers from environmental degradation under Article 48A of the Constitution. Under the Water Act 1974 (Section 24, 25), polluting river water is a punishable offence. But Pamba is being contaminated under the aegis of Government agencies, with impunity.

In 2005, thanks to the intervention of influential persons such as TKA Nair, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Environment and Forests transferred 12.65 hectares of reserve land for Sabarimala’s Rs 1,000-crore development plan, which was approved by the Supreme Court. Environmentalists lament that the Devaswom Board has made Sabarimala a concrete jungle and commercial township. Less than 12 percent of shrine land is used for public purposes; the rest comprises hotels, shops and guesthouses. The shrine stands in the low altitude evergreen stretch which is the Western Ghats’ biodiversity hotspot. Yet over 20 percent of forest cover has disappeared in the past two decades. The Supreme Court should scrutinise this ecological desecration rather than Ayyappa Swami’s rites of pilgrimage.

Writer: Sandhya Jain

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Various schemes are empowering families in Jharkhand and gradually improving their lives.

The success of a democracy can be mapped by whether those sections of society which are poor and deprived and have suffered from neglect and exploitation for centuries, have been given justice and equal opportunities by the society. After independence, the governments of almost all the states along with the Centre have made efforts in this direction. The Welfare Department of Jharkhand government is giving free assistance to the poor families, so that they can stand on their feet and become self-reliant. Dr. Lewis Marandi, welfare minister, Jharkhand, says, “The government has linked the tribal families to this scheme whose homes do not have any earning member due to which they are facing a troubled life.” The welfare department has identified 2,000 such families where the woman is the head of the family in two districts of Chaibasa and Dumka and have no one to else to support them. In order to raise their living standards and provide them with a respectable life, these families are being given material according to their needs.The Jharkhand government is determined to provide a fresh start to the lives of the poor tribals, through an organisation called Bandhan Kangar.

Santhal (Adivasi tribe) women work hard to raise two square meals for their family.  In such a situation, this scheme has started increasing self-reliance now among the poorest of poor families. With the aim of making this scheme a collective success, these women have now formed their own groups and are now self-employed.

Women’s groups are supporting their families by doing small businesses, including goat rearing, piggery, poultry and more. For the smooth running of this scheme, a budget provision of Rs 2.35 crores has been made by the Department of Welfare, Government of Jharkhand. Under this scheme a goal of two years has been set for making such ultra-poor families economically stable.

Women’s groups meet each week, where government assistance is provided according to their needs. On behalf of the organisation, women groups are taught how to save money from their profits as well as the benefits of self-employment. Along with this, those who do good work for the organisation also receive encouragement.

Paku Tudu of Haripur Panchayat of Dumka district is supporting her family by running a grocery store. Dozens of women, including Parvati Mohali of Vijaypura, Putul Mohali, Chandravati Devi of Bedia, Prasima Mandradi of Gidhani Pahadi, Pramila Mandradi of Siddhartha village and Fulunai Hembram of Saruwa said that they earn approximately Rs 4,000 per month through self-employment.

Team leader of the Mosalia Block, Sanjeev Pal said that other women of the village also get motivated when they see the ones who are successful. He said that through this self-employment, many women, including Surajmuni Murmu of Manradihah, Khurja of Murshidabad of Jharkhand, Josha Hansda of Haroraidih, Sarita Tudu of Katahlia, and many women have improved their lives. Women from several villages including Haripur, Saruwa, Bandarjori, Kaharabil, Ranidinda, Gadi, Koraiya, Rampur, Berebank, Ghasipur, Dalahi, Sampadhar, Suggapahadi, Amagachhi, Belialozore of Dumka district took advantage of this scheme and learned how to earn their living through self-employment. The goal of eliminating poverty among extremely marginalised families is being implemented by the government.

The government’s plan is not limited to making women self-reliant but also to sending the children of these poor families to schools. Special attention is also given to the health of these women. Efforts are also being made in the direction of their capacity building with the economic advancement of the women’s group. This scheme is working as a ‘Sanjivani Booti’ (magical herb) for the families of these poor tribal ladies. It is not only that the women are becoming self-reliant, but a positive change can be seen even in the villages.

Women have now stopped borrowing money from the money lenders for their purchases. In the field of sustainable development, this scheme is proving to be a meaningful and historical step.

Writer: Shailendra Sinha

Courtesy: The Pioneer

A consequence of deteriorating work culture, the Amritsar tragedy is the perfect example of the deficit between people, the bureaucracy, and their representatives. It’s a big wake up call for the establishment as well.

This year the Dussehra festivities were abruptly transformed into a nation-wide gloom that engulfed everyone. The Amritsar train tragedy exposed the erosion of empathetic connect between the ruler and the ruled; between the people and their masters; the politicians and the common man. What followed in statements issued after the tragedy, by way of denial of any responsibility or accountability by the establishment and the powerful, exposed once again the nexus between politicians and the bureaucracy. Scores of families lost their sole breadwinner.

Most of those killed and injured belonged to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They were daily wage earners who had left their homes and hearth to get job. Probably the greater travesty of the situation was  reflected in the general remark that came from practically every informed citizen: “Rest assured no one would be held responsible for Amritsar tragedy.” It is an outcome of conviction arising from innumerable instances of the past. Everyone knows that human lives in this case, too, were lost only because someone was not performing his/her duty.

Take an unrelated circumstance. Human lives are regularly lost in the manual cleaning of the sewage tanks. Has anybody ever heard of a Chief Minister visiting the residence of these unfortunate people and offer an ex-gratia grant or a Government job to at least a member of the family? Do families of such persons ever get justice?

The political class runs fast to  places wherever they can get political advantage — be it communal or caste-oriented — without any hesitation and make grandiose offers of ex-gratia amounts. Every elected politician, as also those waiting to grab power, proclaim that their sole objective is just to serve the poor, weak and minorities.

The present class of politicians have their own interpretation of democracy that cuts across the boundaries of party politics. For them, it is the key that opens the gate to the seat of power. There can be no better professional pursuit than becoming an ‘elected representative of the people’.

If you have power, flout it, encash it, use it for the welfare of the family. You decide your privileges and perks, and forget about the sufferings of the people. This is nothing unexpected. Great visionary Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had the intuition to predict how things would happen after Independence. In a letter Gandhi ji wrote in 1922, he predicted how and why our people will not get happiness even if Swaraj comes to them. He identified four factors that would deny this much sought after happiness: Defects in elections, injustice, burden of administration and treachery of the rich.

These four aforementioned impediments are a stark reality before the common man today. These do not impact the privileged, powerful and resourceful. After Amritsar, the elected representatives made full-throated accusations on each other. For them, the tragedy was just one more occasion to pin down their adversaries. They projected, once again, their much-honed skill in transforming even the most inhuman tragedy into an occasion that could bring political mileage to them and their party.

Just recall the point-blank shooting of a young man in Lucknow by a policeman, and what followed after that. Fellow policemen turned up on duty ‘under protest’ wearing black armbands in solidarity with the culprit. They even began collecting funds for the cold-blooded murder. This indicates the extent to which injustice can be inflicted upon by the system of governance.

Who is not aware how the rich and resourceful flout all rules and regulations applicable under the prison manual? Those of the ilk of Vijay Mallya want special prison cell for them, one that is equipped with all facilities they are accustomed to. It is not uncommon to read an oft-repeated statement, “I have full faith in the judicial system of India.” It invariably comes from offenders, corrupt politicians, and the mafia who claim to have tamed the politician-bureaucrat combine.

Whenever confronted by the law in cases of misdeeds, scandals or disproportionate assets, they  unashamedly declare it as vindictive action. From Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi to Karti Chidambaram to Robert Vadra to Bhupinder Singh Hooda — the list is never-ending.

Everyone claims to be a victim of vendetta unleashed by the Government. In all such cases, it is the poor man’s contribution to the national kitty that is swindled. And this always requires a nexus that extends from the top to the last man in the processing line. Those involved are invariably smart, alert, educated and knowledgeable persons. They are convinced that the long arm of the law will not reach them, and even if it does, they have the connections and contacts to twist it.

All that has happened so far in the 2G spectrum case indicates it all. People know what happened, who did it, who provided protection to them. And finally, exceptions apart, they go scot-free. People’s trust in the systemic efficiency is shockingly low and restoration will require Herculean efforts.

Efforts, however, must be made, and that too early. The Amritsar tragedy also highlights how citizens rarely bother to discharge their own civic duty even towards themselves and their near and dear ones. Who is unaware that to watch the Ramlila, sitting over the railway tracks, is dangerous and is a breach of law? Take for instance, sanitation or river pollution where people’s’ cooperation is always scant.

When Article 51-A, listing the fundamental duties, were incorporated in the Constitution of India, very genuine queries were afloat: Why did the Constitution makers, who were so elaborate about human rights — Part III is devoted completely to Fundamental Rights — did not include a similar elaboration of fundamental duties as well?

The learned men and women who framed the Constitution, were not only freedom fighters but also great visionaries who had devoted themselves to the cause of the nation. To them, basic and inherent values of promotion of social and religious harmony, respect for other religions, esteem for the family and elders and preservation of India’s rich inclusive culture and heritage, were being practiced by one and all.

The initiation for the same was an essential part of the traditional upbringing of every child in the country. Duties were the most prominent and integral part of life in India. The moment a child was born, his/her duties were already specified for the entire life. He/she was born indebted to his/her parents and family, to the nature and gods, and most significantly, to the givers of knowledge — scholars and teachers. May be, the makers of the Constitution had presumed that they should best be left to the family and society.

However, lately, it was felt that a considerable amount of effort was required to make everyone duty conscious in times when family traditions and bonds are under severe influence of ‘change’ all around. Consequently, fundamental duties were brought in the Constitution.

In spite of the renewed emphasis on duties inserted in the Constitution, the system has remained focused mainly on rights, at the cost of duties and accountability. The consequences are before us. If those from the district administration, who were responsible for the bandobast, were indeed seriously committed to their duties, the tragedy could have been avoided.

Further, if the assembled people had followed the simple logic that railway lines were no place to watch Ramlila, they could have stopped their family and themselves from such fatal indiscretion. We must as well recall the way out given by Gandhiji in the very letter mentioned before: “But there is hope, if education spreads throughout the country. From that people would develop from their childhood qualities of pure conduct, God fearing, love. Swaraj would give us happiness only when we attain success in this task. Otherwise India would become the abode of grave injustice and tyranny of the rulers.”

The situation, as it stands now, is far more complex. Education has expanded but the erosion of traditional values is being witnessed everywhere. The way out is to thoroughly re-examine the process of growing up in schools and institutions of higher learning. Simultaneously, the systems of teacher preparation, and also in-service orientation of Government functionaries need serious revamp.

(The writer is the Indian Representative on the Executive Board of UNESCO)

Writer: JS Rajput

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Recently, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has raised an issue with the implementation of MPLADS scheme. The ball is now in Parliament’s court to decide what to do next.

The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which was launched a quarter of a century ago, has been mired in controversy for long years because of allegations of corruption and nepotism and gross violation of the scheme’s guidelines by MPs. But a new issue — lack of transparency — is now at hand following a couple of orders of the Central Information Commission pertaining to non-availability of information on projects which have been supposedly implemented.

MPLADS provides MPs  five crore rupees per annum to identify and fund development projects in their constituencies, as per the guidelines drawn up by Parliament. But the scheme has been controversial since its inception because of violation of the norms by many parliamentarians. However, having committed itself to the idea, the Government is obliged to earmark close to Rs 4,000 crore per annum for this scheme. These funds are sent to District Collectors, who, in turn, have to ensure implementation of projects identified by MPs in their constituencies.

Lack of transparency and accountability in the execution of this scheme has come in for adverse comment from a variety of institutions, including the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC), the Second Administrative Reforms Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor-General General of India. Now, the Central Information Commission has some harsh things to say about it. However, despite the severe indictment of this scheme from various quarters, there has been no visible effort by Parliament to stop the misuse of funds and to remove the anomalies. However, one is bound to hear shrill protests from MPs if ever it is suggested that the scheme be scrapped.

This issue has been dealt with extensively in recent orders passed by Prof  Madabhushanam Sridhar Acharyulu, Central Information Commissioner in Vishnu Dev Bhandari vs PIO M/o Statistics & Program Implementation  and in Ram Gopal Dixit vs PIO in the same Ministry.

Referring to the procedure prescribed in this scheme, the Information Commissioner has said it is the reverse of what usually transpires in the Government. In all other schemes, a work has to be proposed, its viability has to be assessed and eventually, funds have to be allocated and released. But, in MPLADS, it works the other way. Here, the funds are first allocated, after which the works are recommended and the district administration has to implement it, if it is viable. Hence, the need for securing these funds is even greater.

The Commission said Parliament is known for enforcing strict financial discipline. Not a single rupee can be spent without prior sanction, but MPLADS, which was launched in 1993, operates differently. Projects are recommended without studying their viability. It is a massive scheme that is totally discretionary based  and “prone to high corruption”.

The Commission has expressed major concern over the way this scheme is implemented. It says that it is difficult to prevent corruption in a scheme which has such massive funding and yet is so non-transparent and is “totally dependent upon individual discretion with questionable privileges coupled with immunity of MPs”.

In the order in Vishnu Dev Bhandari’s case, Prof Sridhar Acharyalu has recommended that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha provide the necessary legal framework for implementation of MPLADS. He has suggested that MPs be subjected to “specific duties and compulsory transparency obligations” and that they be also subjected to liabilities for dereliction of duties and breach of rules. They must be prohibited from spending MPLADS  funds for private work of MPs; recommending allocation of funds to ineligible agencies; diversion of funds to private trusts; recommending works that benefit MPs or their relatives; and breaching any of the norms laid down under the scheme. The legal framework should also deal with the problem of assets created with MPLADS funds later becoming untraceable. This has become necessary because there is no law governing MPLADS spending. There are guidelines and there is sufficient evidence to show that these guidelines are often observed in the breach. Also, MPs are not penalised for misusing MPLADS.

The Commission has further recommended that MPs must be obligated to provide the fullest information on the applications they received for allocation of these funds, the works recommended,  details of beneficiaries etc. They must also be duty-bound to inform their voters about this spending. Further, the political parties to which MPs belong must have an obligation to post all these details on their websites so that the people are informed.               

Another issue that the Commission has touched upon is the non-utilisation of funds by MPs. The 16th Lok Sabha was constituted in May, 2014. It was reported that the Government had released Rs 1,757 crore towards this scheme in the first year up to May 2015, of which just Rs 281 crore constituting just 16 percent was spent. As much as Rs 1,487 crore had gone unspent and not a single rupee was spent in 278 (51 per cent) of the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies in the country. As many as 223 MPs did not recommend any expenditure.

As stated earlier, MPLADS has come in for a lot of flak in the past. Although the Supreme Court has held that the scheme is constitutionally valid, the NCRWC was of the view that the scheme be discontinued because it went against the principle of demarcation of responsibilities between the Executive and the Legislature. It also felt that MPs should not tread into the area of local Government institutions. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission also strongly recommended that MPLADS be scrapped because it eroded the notion of separation of powers. It said MPs choosing projects for execution amounted to intrusion into the powers of the Executive.

The CAG too has come down heavily on the scheme and listed its various drawbacks when it made a detailed analysis of this scheme on two occasions. It spoke of wastage of public funds, execution of inadmissible works and a host of other problems. Therefore, the CAG said in view of the persistent poor administration of the scheme, wastage of funds, inadmissible expenditure and frauds, the government must re-evaluate the need, manner and modality of resource transfer under the scheme.     

It is now for the presiding officers of the two Houses of Parliament to take a call. Now can a scheme involving MPs be non-transparent? The Central Information Commission’s observations need to be taken note of.

Writer: A. Surya Prakash

Courtesy: The Pioneer

India’s opposition parties are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over allegations of corruption in a multi-billion dollar fighter jet deal. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the main opposition Congress party, has alleged that Mr Modi “favoured” an Indian company that is part of the French deal. Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has denied the allegation, saying the government signed the deal to meet the Indian Air Force’s combat requirements and had no role in choosing the French manufacturer’s local partner. The issue has caused a political storm in India, and much of the debate in TV news shows has revolved around it in the past few days.

Hollande drops a ‘bombshell’

India, the world’s second-largest defence importer in 2017, signed a government-to-government deal with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale warplanes manufactured by Dassault Aviation.With this deal, Delhi is hoping to modernise its Soviet-era air force fleet. The Rafale is a multi-role aircraft capable of carrying out long-range missions, including conducting highly accurate sea and ground attacks.

The first Rafales are expected to be delivered by 2019 and India is set to have all 36 jets within six years. Mr Modi announced the deal in Paris along with then French President François Hollande. The Indian government said it had negotiated the “best deal” to strengthen its air combat capabilities. Almost two years later, the leaders seem to have different views on what they once described as an important deal.

Mr Hollande sparked political controversy in India last week by telling French news website Mediapart that Mr Modi’s government had pressured Dassault to partner with India’s Reliance Defence to meet its “offset policy”.

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The “offset” clause in Delhi’s defence procurement rules says that foreign firms need to invest at least 30% of a deal’s worth back in India. It was introduced in India’s Defence Procurement Procedure in 2008 to boost domestic manufacturing. As part of the 2016 Rafale deal, Dassault agreed to invest 50% of the estimated $8.7bn (£6.6bn) contract in India to manufacture some components of the jet with billionaire Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence.

The deal – from start to finish

2001: India decides to buy 126 fighter jets to strengthen its air force

2007: Tenders are issued

2008: Companies such as America’s Boeing, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation, Sweden’s Saab and France’s Dassault put in bids

2012: Dassault, which submitted the lowest bid, is shortlisted

2014: The deal is put on hold as the BJP’s Narendra Modi becomes PM

2015: During his visit to France, Mr Modi announces India’s decision to buy 36 “ready to fly” Rafale jets Mr Hollande told Mediapart that his government didn’t have a say in the matter. “It was the Indian government who proposed this [Reliance] service group, and Dassault who negotiated with Ambani. We did not have a choice, we took the interlocutor who was given to us,” he said.

‘Crony capitalism’

The Congress party has accused Mr Modi of practising crony capitalism by helping Anil Ambani’s firm. “The PM personally negotiated and changed the Rafale deal behind closed doors… The PM has betrayed India. He has dishonoured the blood of our soldiers,” Mr Gandhi tweeted. He has demanded that the government order an inquiry into the deal. But ministers have rejected the allegation, saying Dassault was free to pick any competent Indian manufacturer. The French firm has also supported the Indian government’s claim.

“This [the selection of Reliance] is Dassault Aviation’s choice. This partnership has led to the creation of the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) joint-venture in February 2017,” it said. Mr Ambani has always denied any wrongdoing in the deal. He has previously said that the joint venture was agreed directly between his firm and Dassault, and that the government was not involved. The French government seems to have taken a cautious approach. Its statement does not directly contradict Mr Hollande, but emphasises that it did not have a role in Dassault’s decisions. “The French government is in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners who have been, are being, or will be selected by French companies,” it said.

Depleting strength

The Congress party has also accused Mr Modi of compromising national security and destroying state-run defence manufacturing firms. It’s a reality that India is facing a severe shortage of fighter jets. It would need 42 squadrons in the scenario of a two-front war with China and Pakistan. But its squadron strength has depleted to 31 – largely owing to ageing Russian aircraft. But this realisation is not new. The BJP government in 2000 decided to buy new fighter jets. Its successor Congress continued the process and issued tenders in 2008 to buy 126 jets. Dassault was finalised as a supplier in 2012, and the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was selected as partner to produce 108 jets in India.

But the two partners couldn’t agree on terms and conditions, and the deal stalled. When Mr Modi swept to power in 2014, he made the procurement of the jets one of his priorities. But instead of taking the deal forward, he surprised many by ordering 36 jets as part of a new deal in which HAL was not included. The Indian government says it decided to buy the 36 jets in “fly-away” condition to quickly address the problem of the air force’s depleting strength.
But it’s not clear where India will procure the remaining aircraft it needs in the long term. In April, the air force announced it would be seeking bids for around 110 more fighter jets.

Election bugle

The Congress party has also accused Mr Modi of paying more than what its government had negotiated in 2012 on a per aircraft basis. But there are no details available about how much the government has agreed to pay Dassault. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier said that she would disclose cost details to prove Congress wrong. But she later said the government would not do so because the information was classified.

The absence of such details has given more political ammunition to the Congress party ahead of next year’s general elections. While senior ministers have come out to defend the BJP leader, Mr Modi’s silence on the matter has helped the opposition’s case. The BJP said the government needed to fight a “perception battle” with opposition parties. But until Mr Modi speaks, it’s going to be a tough task because people want answers from the man they elected to lead India.

(A report from the international press on Rafale story: Courtesy BBC World)

Read More – October Edition of Opinion Express Magazine 

Being a great example of women who never lose their heart after giving up their dreams, Asma Bibi Sadaf Zareen says that everyone has the potential to gain success.

Sometimes it is important to dream big. It can be more exciting than just possessing bookish knowledge in order to do some work and be successful in life. Often, people remain confined to the four walls of their house because they feel that they cannot do anything in life and people will mock them. This tendency is mostly seen in women. Women, especially in the rural areas, are victims of this mentality. And this mentality is because of the social environment, where due to lack of education, women are considered to be objects of sexual pleasure and reproduction. This is a major reason for women not even dreaming of moving forward. Education is very important for women and our society is not very successful in providing education to women.

Education is an important factor for the advancement of any society. On one side, it explains the difference between good and wrong, on the other, it arouses curiosity in the mind. History has many examples, in which educated women have played an important role in preparing social structures with enthusiasm.  But despite knowing the achievements of women over the years, the present stratum of society makes fun of them and their achievements instead of idolizing them. Nevertheless, there are many women like Asma Bibi who, despite being uneducated, have been able to make their own distinct identity in society. Asma, who lives in a small village in Rohtas district of Bihar, is totally uneducated. She cannot read or write even a single alphabet in any language, but through her own initiative, she has not only created an identity for herself in the but also become an example of women’s empowerment.

The parents of 50-year-old Asma, living in Akbarpur village, located at Dehri in Rohtas district, were illiterate. Being illiterate themselves, they kept their daughter away from acquiring any form of education. Asma was married at an early age and she had six children one after another. Her husband started spending all the household earnings on liquor and also used to beat Asma when she would refuse to give him money.  Somehow life was carrying on despite all the problems when suddenly one day her eldest son went missing. Her husband also went away to the city in search of a job and never returned home. Even in this difficult situation, Asma did not give up hope. She kept on trying to find her son. After losing both husband and son, she took up the responsibility of improving the condition of her home and raising her remaining five children.  She started doing sweeping and swabbing in houses and with that money she started buying women’s makeup items and other women’s accessories from the city and selling it in the village. Even though she could not read the name of the station, Asma used to go to Ferozabad to buy items at cheap rates. At the same time, she started traveling further and further in the hope of finding her son.

Asma was very keen to learn how to read, whether it was in Hindi, English or Urdu. People used to make fun of her when she said the words wrong, but Asma never got angry or discouraged. She felt the sense of a lack of education in her life and the difficulties she faced because of being uneducated. This was the reason that she was determined to give her children a good education.  Along with managing the expenses of the house, she started raising money for her children’s education. She enrolled her three daughters in school and sent her two sons to a large Madrassa (Institute for Islamic Studies) in Aurangabad to receive religious education. Despite being uneducated, she used to run everywhere and get admission forms and new updates about the schools and colleges. She would even ensure she found out about scholarships and other government schemes to be able to provide her children with the best education.

Asma, without any support from anyone, has changed her own living conditions but also that of her children’s. This she did through her courage, hard work and enthusiasm.  The circumstances in which they live today have changed completely from what it was earlier. She made sure that her daughters completed their graduation. She was able to get her daughters married into good families because they were well educated.  Eight years later, finally, her missing son has also returned home, to help him earn a living. Asma has taken a loan from people to send him to Saudi Arabia to work there. The younger son is a Hafeez (one who recites the Holy Quran by heart). Her desire to read is still very much alive even today and that is why she is completing her incomplete dream by learning to read the Quran. She learnt Urdu from her son.

Asma today has become an example for those women who give up their dreams and lose heart by throwing their desires of becoming someone great or of achieving knowledge. Thinking of themselves to be weak, they allow people to exploit them, both physically as well as mentally. The importance of education and the right of women in society is not understood. However, with changing times this mentality of society is gradually changing. But there is still not much of a change in the situation in the rural areas. In such a case, the positive success story of Asma Bibi will definitely prove to be a morale booster to many women and will help them realise their unfulfilled dreams.

(Charkha Features)

Writer: Sadaf Zareen

Courtesy: The Pioneer

This World Food Day, the two-day Agri-Startup and Entrepreneurship Conclave held in the capital discussed India’s progress so far towards removing hunger from the country as well as government’s various initiatives to incentivise the agriculture sector.

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Radha Mohan Singh, believes that efforts of many farmers and the techniques developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have contributed to an increase in agricultural production and food security to remove the suffering from hunger and ensure food security and a nutritious diet for all. Zero hunger could save the lives of 301 million people a year and can help build a safer, more prosperous world for everyone. He was speaking at the the two-day Agri Startup and Entrepreneurship Conclave on the occasion of the World Food Day celebrated at the NASC Complex, Pusa in New Delhi with a theme—‘Our actions are our future-A zero hunger world by 2030 is possible’.

The minister said, “The purpose of celebrating this day is to demonstrate our global commitment to achieve the goal of creating ‘Zero Hunger World’ by 2030. The government aims to transform India’s agricultural sector to contribute to the achievements of the global environmental objectives and has launched a new project in association with FAO, India office—‘Green Agriculture: Transforming Indian agriculture for global environmental benefits and the conservation of critical biodiversity and forest landscapes.”

According to the fourth advance estimate, the food grain production is estimated at 284.83 million tonnes in 2017-18, an increase of over 20 million tonnes as compared to 2013-14. The horticulture crops, which contribute significantly to the nutritional security, have witnessed a record production this year at 307 million tonnes. The minister pointed out that India occupies the top spot in the horticulture production. In the year 2015-16, the production of pulses was 16.25 million tonnes, which increased to 25.23 million tones in the year 2017-18, which is about 9 million tonnes higher as compared to the production achieved in the year 2013-14.

The role of high quality crop variety, seeds and technology has been significant in increasing production. Singh added that 795 crop varieties were released for production during 2014-18 as compared to 448 crop varieties during 2010-14. The demand and production of breeder seeds during 2013-14 was 8,479 tonnes and 8,927 tonnes respectively which rose to 10,405 tonnes and 12,265 tonnes in 2016-17.

Addressing the agricultural entrepreneurs present at the conclave, Singh informed that the government started the startup program to create an atmosphere for the agriculture startups to provide  appropriate support to set up the enterprises. In this context, the Skill India Scheme was launched by the government on a large scale. He explained that there is a tremendous potential for startups in the field of seeds and plant production, food processing and post-mortgage management, veterinary, farm machinery, poultry, fish production, biological products, bioplasty and so on.

According to statistics, there is a requirement of 22 lakh skilled youth in the agricultural sector and to meet this demand, training and skill development is being conducted in various employment areas with the help of the agriculture department, ICAR and the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). “Though a record of food grain production has been established in the country, the government is working very fast on the value chain. The  recently launched Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana aims to create world-class food processing infrastructure. This is expected to leverage investment of five billion USD, benefit two million farmers and generate more than half a million jobs over the next two years.”

 To attract the youth of the country towards agriculture, a project called ‘Arya’ is being run through the KVKs and the Farmer Fest program is also playing a leading role in this direction.

Singh also explained that through the mega food farms the government plans to link agro-processing clusters with key production centres. This will offer immense value proposition in crops such as potato, pineapple, oranges and apples. The farmer groups are being encouraged to set up units in these parks, thereby reducing wastage and transportation costs, and creating new jobs.

On digitalisation in the domain of agriculture, the minister commented, “We plan to link our villages through broadband connectivity, within a clear timeframe. We are digitalising land records and providing various services to the people on mobile platforms. These steps are building momentum towards real-time transfer of information, knowledge and skills to farmers. The e-NAM, our national agriculture e-market, is connecting our agricultural markets nationwide, thereby giving our farmers the benefit of competitive pricing, and freedom of choice.”

Writer: Team Viva

Courtesy: The Pioneer

With Telangana going to Assembly elections end of this year, the perception is that Chandrasekhar Rao’s TRS will become triumphant. But then a strong Opposition can turn the tide in its favour.

Telangana, the country’s youngest State, will face elections on December 7 for the second time since its birth in 2014. Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao took a big risk by advancing the Telangana Assembly polls by eight months. It was also his bravado to announce the list of 105 candidates on the same day even before the Election Commission of India announced the polling dates. But the question is: Will he succeed in his gamble?

Though it was the Congress Government at the Centre then that agreed for a bifurcation of the State in 2014, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) came to power, riding on the Telangana wave.  Contrary to its expectations, the Congress was wiped off from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

As there is no wave this time, the polls are a fight for survival for the Opposition, including the Congress.  The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Congress, Communist Party of India and the Telangana Jana Samithi have formed a Mahakutami (grand alliance) against the TRS. M Kodandaram of the Telangana Joint Action Committee, who has fallen out with KCR, heads the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). Interestingly, the Congress and the TDP, one-time arch-rivals, have come together gasping for political survival. It is not clear how their chemistry will work.  The TRS did not expect this development but is taking the alliance seriously.

In 2014, the TRS won 63 out of the 119 seats while the splintered Opposition was mauled. The Congress and the TDP won 21 and 15 seats respectively.  Rao has systematically decimated the Opposition and strengthened his party by poaching on the TDP (13) and the Congress (12) as also other parties. The Congress and the TDP strategists hope that the former will get a big chunk of upper caste Reddy, SC/ST and minority votes and the TDP can get a substantial number of its core OBC votes.

Rao is now facing new challenges. He has built a personality cult around himself. He has made his son KT Rama Rao as his number two in his Cabinet, his nephew Harish Rao as a Minister and daughter Kavitha as an MP. The Opposition is trying to make his style of authoritarian functioning, dynastic rule and his secret understanding with the BJP as election issues besides jobs and non-deliverance of promises. The TRS is now ready to bail out the BJP in case it misses the 272-mark in the next Lok Sabha polls. KCR is also hobnobbing with leaders like West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, attempting to form a federal front.

Why did Rao go for this gamble?  Astrologers rule KCR on practically everything. Before taking the decision, KCR got at least 10 surveys done and is confident that his party would get at least 100 seats while realists put it at 70 or 80 seats. He believes that the surprise element will go in his favour.

Rao wants the polls to be a KCR versus the rest and not a Modi versus KCR.  He is confident of winning as neither the Congress nor the BJP or the TDP has local leaders of his stature. If he wins, he proposes to install his son Rama Rao in the Chief Minister’s post and move to national politics. KCR has big dreams of becoming the next Prime Minister.

On the plus side, the KCR Government has already announced many welfare schemes, including Rythu Bheema and Rythu Bandhu schemes for the farmers. He has also taken up various projects such as Kaleshwaram project, Mission Kakatiya, Haritha Haram and Mission Bhagiratha. The manifesto will come up with more poll promises. Besides, Telangana is also one of the top rankers in the ease of doing business rankings. It registered an increase in gross domestic product growth and industrial development. It is way ahead of other States in the per person consumption of power, progress in the service sector and IT exports.

However, it is not all hunky dory for KCR as he has not delivered on the two-bedroom house scheme, transformed the State into Golden Telangana, filled up 1.50 lakh vacancies or provides jobs to those killed in the Telangana agitation.  From a surplus State, it has now become a revenue deficit State.

Traditionally, the Congress had the backing of dominant Reddys and Scheduled Castes while the TDP had a substantial number of its core OBC votes.  The Congress is seen as a Reddy party while the TRS a Velama party. Muslims and Dalit voters are key to the polls. The State, a part of the erstwhile Nizam territory, has around 12 per cent Muslim population. The AIMIM, a one-time ally of the Congress, has moved closer to the TRS and both have decided to go for friendly contests where they have no conflict of interest.

Most surveys predict a clear win for the TRS. As of now, the prediction is that it is advantage TRS, although fight by a united Opposition can dent its votes. But the lack of a Telangana wave is a big minus.  A win or lose ultimately depends upon Opposition unity, youth support, anti-incumbency and communicative skills of the players.

Writer:  Kalyani Shankar

Courtesy: The Pioneer