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Ayodhya Verdict:PARTIES NOW VIE FOR MILEAGE, by Insaf, 7 October, 2010 Print E-mail

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."

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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? 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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)

 

 

 

  

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