Mission 2019 in Uttar Pradesh will be guided by Yogi, Amar Singh and Shivpal Yadav

The Mission 2019 of Modi is likely to be routed through UP and BJP is likely to be challenged by Akhilesh Mayawati combination but there are few twist to the story. Mayawati may not like her vote bank to shift to SP and in return, the SP vote bank deserts BSP so she is planning to go solo in UP. The SP is likely to be divided in two parts with Shivpal yadav is likely to form a separate group. Congress is desperately seeking support from SP & BSP to remain relevant through they are focused on two parliamentary seats in UP. Fringe player namely RLD may go with anyone to secure seats for father and son. So there is a strong possibility that BJP will push its aggressive hindutva agenda with yogi to consolidate majority community on religious grounds. Modi will campaign on development agenda and clean image and Amit Shah will push for division of vote in the opposition ranks with Amar Singh being the guiding force to achieve the objective. India’s governing party, BJP, appointed yogi Adityanath, the 44-year-old priest turned politician, to be chief minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP). Adityanath has called for India to be a Hindu nation (according to a recent census, the country is 80 percent Hindu and 14 percent Muslim) and supports the construction of a Hindu temple on the site of a razed 16thcentury mosque (which, given that he is now chief minister, may well happen). Why would Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party, on the heels of its greatest political victory since 2014, which it won largely on Modi’s political coattails, appoint such a person? “The results of the Uttar Pradesh elections suggested strong consolidation of much of the Hindu vote in the state,” Dhume explained, adding, “the BJP wants the symbol of that consolidation to be a confrontational figure best known for his animus toward Muslims.” Politics in UP are characterized by three things: personal wealth amassed by corrupt politicians, nepotism within party politics, and disproportionate power of
those in the coalition. Because coalitions in power were so narrow, those in it enjoyed tremendous pull, which gave rise to the idea that Muslims had disproportionate political clout, according to Dhume. Further, by choosing a head of a Hindu holy order, BJP is aiming to transcend caste, an idea that Modi put forth during the campaign. But so, too, does it signal something else. Since coming to power, Modi has focused on “development politics” — reforms (or promises of reforms) that would develop and strengthen India and its economy. And so Adityanath’s appointment suggests not that the BJP may be abandoning development politics, but that it will also pursue identity politics. And that it may be doing so to the detriment of 14 percent of India’s population. Shivpal yadav, political analysts feel, could
be a game changer in the Lok Sabha elections by damaging the Samajwadi Party Shivpal Singh yadav, a senior Samajwadi leader in Uttar Pradesh and younger brother of Mulayam Singh yadav, is the man of the moment. He has caused upheaval in the state’s political arena by floating a new outfit called Samajwadi Secular Morcha (SSM) which could lead to a vertical split in the Samajwadi Party as the Lok Sabha elections draw near. Shivpal yadav, political analysts feel, could be a game changer in the Lok Sabha elections by damaging the Samajwadi Party. I have formed the SSM for those who have been feeling insulted and humiliated in the party even though they are socialists to the core,” When asked that leaders in the SP still feel that Mulayam Singh yadav will ultimately convince him to return to the SP, Shivpal yadav said, “I have always respected Netaji (Mulayam Singh) and everyone in the Samajwadi Party owes his existence to him. I will never tolerate if anyone tries to humiliate him. Whatever decision I have taken is with the blessings and consent of Netaji and there will be no going back now.” The SSM leader reiterated that since he had taken a step forward, he would not look back. “I have built the SP and worked for almost 30 years and yet nobody spoke to me during the presidential elections. I was not invited for the dinner given on the eve of Rajya Sabha elections but when the party president phoned me and asked me to attend the dinner, I went there. I have not been invited to any party meeting or function. What is left for me to go back to?” he asked. Shivpal yadav said that he waited patiently for things to improve and change but the SP seemed to have strayed from its basic principles. He said that farmers are being neglected, the poor are being sidelined and these people were hoping that the SP would address their problems but the party is not doing so. There has been no agitation after the elections and, therefore,
he had to float the new party.

Asked whether his SSM would pit itself against the BJP or the SP-BSP alliance, Shivpal yadav said, “We will contest all 80 seats and like-minded parties, those who believe in Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Manohar Lohia and Charan Singh are welcome to join us. We will contest against anyone who challenges us. Of course, we will not field our candidate against Mulayam Singh yadav, if he contests from Mainpuri. In fact, I have offered him the SSM ticket.” About the changing political scenario ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Shivpal yadav said, “The election results will reflect what the people want. There have
been several occasions when elections have thrown up unexpected results. I will go straight to the people and seek their votes and support.” Responding to SP president Akhilesh yadav’s allegation that there was a BJP hand behind the formation of the SSM, Shivpal yadav said, “I have never had any talks with any BJP leader and neither has anyone from their party spoken to me. I have only spoken to those leaders (read SP leaders) who have been sidelined and insulted like me and they are joining us.” Shivpal yadav said that he would now focus on strengthening his Morcha and travel across all 75 districts in the state to set up units and meet people. “It is no doubt a tough task to build up a new party but the response that I am getting is encouraging. We are confident of faring well in the Lok Sabha elections,” he said. Reacting to apprehensions that the SSM would damage the Samajwadi Party’s prospects and help the BJP in the bargain, Shivpal yadav said, “It is for the people to decide. No party can make another lose.

(Associate Editor, Opinion Express)

Read More – October Edition of Opinion Express Magazine

Mission 2019 in Uttar Pradesh will be guided by Yogi, Amar Singh and Shivpal Yadav

The Mission 2019 of Modi is likely to be routed through UP and BJP is likely to be challenged by Akhilesh Mayawati combination but there are few twist to the story. Mayawati may not like her vote bank to shift to SP and in return, the SP vote bank deserts BSP so she is planning to go solo in UP. The SP is likely to be divided in two parts with Shivpal yadav is likely to form a separate group. Congress is desperately seeking support from SP & BSP to remain relevant through they are focused on two parliamentary seats in UP. Fringe player namely RLD may go with anyone to secure seats for father and son. So there is a strong possibility that BJP will push its aggressive hindutva agenda with yogi to consolidate majority community on religious grounds. Modi will campaign on development agenda and clean image and Amit Shah will push for division of vote in the opposition ranks with Amar Singh being the guiding force to achieve the objective. India’s governing party, BJP, appointed yogi Adityanath, the 44-year-old priest turned politician, to be chief minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP). Adityanath has called for India to be a Hindu nation (according to a recent census, the country is 80 percent Hindu and 14 percent Muslim) and supports the construction of a Hindu temple on the site of a razed 16thcentury mosque (which, given that he is now chief minister, may well happen). Why would Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party, on the heels of its greatest political victory since 2014, which it won largely on Modi’s political coattails, appoint such a person? “The results of the Uttar Pradesh elections suggested strong consolidation of much of the Hindu vote in the state,” Dhume explained, adding, “the BJP wants the symbol of that consolidation to be a confrontational figure best known for his animus toward Muslims.” Politics in UP are characterized by three things: personal wealth amassed by corrupt politicians, nepotism within party politics, and disproportionate power of
those in the coalition. Because coalitions in power were so narrow, those in it enjoyed tremendous pull, which gave rise to the idea that Muslims had disproportionate political clout, according to Dhume. Further, by choosing a head of a Hindu holy order, BJP is aiming to transcend caste, an idea that Modi put forth during the campaign. But so, too, does it signal something else. Since coming to power, Modi has focused on “development politics” — reforms (or promises of reforms) that would develop and strengthen India and its economy. And so Adityanath’s appointment suggests not that the BJP may be abandoning development politics, but that it will also pursue identity politics. And that it may be doing so to the detriment of 14 percent of India’s population. Shivpal yadav, political analysts feel, could
be a game changer in the Lok Sabha elections by damaging the Samajwadi Party Shivpal Singh yadav, a senior Samajwadi leader in Uttar Pradesh and younger brother of Mulayam Singh yadav, is the man of the moment. He has caused upheaval in the state’s political arena by floating a new outfit called Samajwadi Secular Morcha (SSM) which could lead to a vertical split in the Samajwadi Party as the Lok Sabha elections draw near. Shivpal yadav, political analysts feel, could be a game changer in the Lok Sabha elections by damaging the Samajwadi Party. I have formed the SSM for those who have been feeling insulted and humiliated in the party even though they are socialists to the core,” When asked that leaders in the SP still feel that Mulayam Singh yadav will ultimately convince him to return to the SP, Shivpal yadav said, “I have always respected Netaji (Mulayam Singh) and everyone in the Samajwadi Party owes his existence to him. I will never tolerate if anyone tries to humiliate him. Whatever decision I have taken is with the blessings and consent of Netaji and there will be no going back now.” The SSM leader reiterated that since he had taken a step forward, he would not look back. “I have built the SP and worked for almost 30 years and yet nobody spoke to me during the presidential elections. I was not invited for the dinner given on the eve of Rajya Sabha elections but when the party president phoned me and asked me to attend the dinner, I went there. I have not been invited to any party meeting or function. What is left for me to go back to?” he asked. Shivpal yadav said that he waited patiently for things to improve and change but the SP seemed to have strayed from its basic principles. He said that farmers are being neglected, the poor are being sidelined and these people were hoping that the SP would address their problems but the party is not doing so. There has been no agitation after the elections and, therefore,
he had to float the new party.

Asked whether his SSM would pit itself against the BJP or the SP-BSP alliance, Shivpal yadav said, “We will contest all 80 seats and like-minded parties, those who believe in Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Manohar Lohia and Charan Singh are welcome to join us. We will contest against anyone who challenges us. Of course, we will not field our candidate against Mulayam Singh yadav, if he contests from Mainpuri. In fact, I have offered him the SSM ticket.” About the changing political scenario ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Shivpal yadav said, “The election results will reflect what the people want. There have
been several occasions when elections have thrown up unexpected results. I will go straight to the people and seek their votes and support.” Responding to SP president Akhilesh yadav’s allegation that there was a BJP hand behind the formation of the SSM, Shivpal yadav said, “I have never had any talks with any BJP leader and neither has anyone from their party spoken to me. I have only spoken to those leaders (read SP leaders) who have been sidelined and insulted like me and they are joining us.” Shivpal yadav said that he would now focus on strengthening his Morcha and travel across all 75 districts in the state to set up units and meet people. “It is no doubt a tough task to build up a new party but the response that I am getting is encouraging. We are confident of faring well in the Lok Sabha elections,” he said. Reacting to apprehensions that the SSM would damage the Samajwadi Party’s prospects and help the BJP in the bargain, Shivpal yadav said, “It is for the people to decide. No party can make another lose.

(Associate Editor, Opinion Express)

Read More – October Edition of Opinion Express Magazine