Round The States
New Delhi, 7 October 2010
Ayodhya Verdict
PARTIES NOW VIE FOR
MILEAGE
By Insaf
The Ayodhya verdict continues to evince keen interest in almost
all the States. The initial response of political parties and religious leaders
to the Allahabad HC judgment was ‘mature’ and illustrated that India has
indeed come a long way. However, this confidence may turnout to be short lived.
Recent statements of some party leaders this past week sadly suggest that they
want to extract political mileage from the verdict by virtually describing it
as “anti-Muslim”. Taking the lead was Samajwadi Party’s chief, Mulayam Singh
Yadav, popularly dubbed as “Maulana” for his brazenly pro-Muslim politics. On
Wednesday last, he said he was disappointed by the verdict as the Muslim
community felt “cheated”. However, the silver lining is that it has evoked sharp
reaction from Muslim leaders, including those from All India Muslim Personal
Law Board, Shia Personal Law Board, All India Sunni Board. Basically, who have denounced
him for making "unwise" politically-motivated statements at this
time.
The Congress, too, appears to be politicizing the issue
though claiming “respect” for the verdict. At the CWC meeting, the party leaders
underlined that the verdict “in no way condones the demolition of the Babri
Masjid, which was a shameful, criminal act, for which the perpetrators must be
brought to justice.” This was to check the BJP from trying to repeatedly portray
the verdict as a victory of their Hindutva agenda. Some felt that the party
should reach out to the Muslims as they could be feeling “wronged”. The CPM too is looking at its vote-bank and
on Tuesday last reacted saying the judgement has "set a dangerous
precedent for the future". Its politburo, stated: "The verdict for a
three-way division of the land is, however, based on faith and belief. This
aspect of the set of judgements is disturbing as it accords primacy to
religious belief and faith over and above the facts and the record of evidence."
* * * *
Karnataka Govt
Shaky
BJP’s maiden Government in Karnataka is under grave threat.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has to prove his majority by Tuesday, after 19
MLAs (14 BJP and 5 Independents) withdrew support on Wednesday last. The assault
came after the CM recommended to Governor H R Bhardwaj that he drop four
dissident ministers from the Cabinet. All four were Independents, who incidentally
had lent crucial support to Yeddyurappa when his party failed to get a majority
in the May 2008 elections. The BJP’s count is now down to 103 from 122 in the
224-member Assembly, as against the magical number of 113 for a simple
majority. The CM has accused the Congress of continuing its "habit"
of entering into an "immoral relationship" with the JD(S) to topple a
democratically-elected government, but is confident that his Government will
survive. The Opposition, in the meantime, has decided to move its MLAs to
resorts outside the State to thwart poaching. Will the BJP loose its bastion in
the South?
* * * *
Abdullah Lashes At
Centre
Strange are the ways of Jammu & Kashmir’s youngest Chief
Minister, Omar Abdullah, who has once again raised many an eyebrow in New Delhi. First, he
pleads for help from the Centre to restore normalcy in the State, and then
accuses New Delhi
for the present crisis. Replying to a debate in the State Assembly on Wednesday
last, Abdullah accused the Centre of undermining his authority and said “We’re
not New Delhi’s
puppets. We are here for the people and by the people.” He charged the Union Home Ministry for announcing
imposition and lifting of curfew, re-opening of schools and colleges without
consultation. Worse, he stated that the present unrest wasn’t about his governance,
but New Delhi’s inability to solve the Kashmir issue. It’s an issue between India and Pakistan
and the Centre must “acknowledge that Kashmir
is a problem.” New Delhi
cannot ignore such juvenile outbursts. These are more serious than mere
immaturity or passing the buck for his own mis-governance.
* * * *
West Bengal Spat
The spat between the two West Bengal Titans is becoming sharper
by the day and even reaching New Delhi.
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and arch rival Trinamool Congress chief
& Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee met Prime Minister separately on
Monday last to lodge their respective complaints. Bhattacharjee wants the
Centre to rein in, Mamata as she was creating a law and order problem by “supporting
the left-wing extremists”. In a rally in West Midnapore,
he vowed to “uproot the TMC-Maoist combine” and accused Mamata of “inciting the
Maoist to kill more people, render hundreds homeless and create chaos in the
region,” by holding a rally in the district. Whereas, Mamata complained against
the law and order situation saying that “armed CPM cadres were attacking TMC
supporters,” and there was even an attempt to kill her. While it’s tricky for the Centre to take
sides, the Assembly polls next year will provide an answer as to who is the
culprit. Till then, the Maoist problem in the State will remain only a
political issue.
* * * *
Arunachal In
Trouble Over Dams
Arunachal Pradesh Government has chewed more than it can
bite. Shockingly, over 100 contracts for dams for hydro-electric projects with
private and public enterprises have been signed by Dorjee Khandu’s Government,
making New Delhi
sit up. The Centre has decided to look into the issue whether these projects
should be put on hold considering its ecological impact in the State as well as
the consequences downstream in neighbouring Assam, which goes to the polls in
six months. That is not all. Local resistance against the dams is erupting as
in the case of River Siang. Construction is allegedly being done in a haphazard
manner. There is total lack of coordination over the overall impact on the
river basin. Dorjee Khandu appears to have invited big trouble. Some are even
demanding a probe across the board.
* * * *
Rajasthan Empowers
Panchayats
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appears determined to
keep his promise to the electorate. On Gandhi Jayanti last Saturday, he
announced a series of measures to empower the panchayats and take forward the Mahatma’s
concept of Gram Swaraj (village self rule). The State Government has decided to
transfer five departments --- primary education, agriculture, women & child development, social justice and
empowerment and medicine and health-- to the panchayats. It will also set up a
Finance Commission to ensure these bodies get the requisite funds. Moreover, at
least 10 per cent of the State’s Plan for 2011-12 will be transferred to the
panchayats. A Rural Livelihood Department Council will also be constituted. To
ensure smooth execution of his vision, all vacancies in the panchayats and
related departments are to be filled. Gehlot’s mantra: devolution involves
“funds, functions and functionaries”---INFA
(Copyright,
India News and Feature Alliance)
|