Round The States

New Delhi, 7 April 2011

Battle Royal In Assam

MINORITY VOTES HOLD KEY

By Insaf

Assam is keeping its fingers crossed after the successful completion of the first phase of polling for its next Assembly. The voter turnout recorded a high of over 75% and was violence-free. However, the Congress continues to worry, notwithstanding a confident Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who is convinced of sounding the victory bugle. Causing the Grand Dame sleepless electoral nights is perfume baron Maulana Badruddin Ajmal and his All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). Given that both parties are locked in a fight for the minority vote, 30% of Assam's electorate. The Congress's unease stems from the fact that the AIUDF nibbled away minority votes in the last Assembly and Parliamentary polls. Recall, in the 2006 State elections, the AIUDF won 10 seats with a 9% vote share, one seat in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls and ensured the Congress defeat in at least three.

Pertinently, the Maulana, known as India’s perfume baron came into limelight in 2004 when his home Hojai became the State's first sub-division to become 100% literate in 100 days. Till recently, the AIUDF Chief headed the Assam unit of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind that has influence on Assam's minorities. However, following differences for using the Jamiat as a political platform, he floated the AIUDF to champion the cause of minorities, read illegal migrants from across the border. In a State where the Muslims vote for the Party the Jamiat favours, the Congress is hoping the Jamiat-Maulana split would help wean minority votes its way. Both are also busy trying to make inroads among tea tribes, the State's most exploited group. It is to be seen who emerges trumps?

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It’s Raining Money In TN

Come elections, it is money time. In a shocking expose, the Election Commission has seized over Rs.42 crores, most of it unaccounted cash, in poll bound Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam. Tamil Nadu tops the list with recoveries of Rs. 29 crores in cash and Rs 6 crores in gold. In West Bengal, the cash seized is over Rs. 5 crores and Rs.4 crores in Assam. Ostensibly to be used to make the voters ‘feel good’ by purchasing votes. Candidates have hit upon novel schemes to keep the monies from the Commission’s prying eyes. Large sums are hidden in gunny bags in trucks, travel suitcases in private buses and tiffin boxes, cash is bundled in newspapers and fancy sarees and delivered to the voters. In the last three weeks alone 45,000 warrants have been executed for poll irregularities. The less said the better about the rich candidates competing for the poor votes in Tamil Nadu and Assam.

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Bihar’s Unique Zilla Parishads

Zilla Parishads in Bihar have altogether acquired a new meaning. For the first time, since the implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act in 1992, the State Government has given the Parishads power to approve annual plans for districts. This is not all. Though the implementation of the schemes will rest with the district authorities and Government agencies, the Zilla Parishads would have supervisory powers. In addition, the State is all set to start entitlement-based planning to ascertain the needs of the people from the bottom level. Whereby, the district would not only tell Patna what it needs vis-à-vis State and Central Government schemes but also projects which require more funds and those where spending can be decreased. Needless to say a unique move to give more powers to local representatives.

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Sikkim Supports Gorkhaland

The move for the creation of Gorkhaland got a leg-up when the Sikkim Assembly passed a unanimous resolution demanding a separate State for the Darjeeling hills. The reason for this ‘bolt out of the blue’ motion was due to the fact that the State had to incur heavy losses of Rs.50 crores per day whenever the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha blocked the National Highway, the lifeline to Sikkim. Going a step further, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling promised to take up the matter with the Centre against the backdrop that Darjeeling was a part of Sikkim before the British came. Needless to say the issue has united West Bengal’s arch rivals CPM and Trinamool Congress who are opposed to Gorkhaland. Both are against any further division of the State and reiterate that Darjeeling would continue to be its part. Meanwhile, the Congress is watching the developments closely on the eve of State elections.

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Jharkhand Legal Mess

Litigants in Jharkhand are in for tougher times. With the term of the fast track courts (FTC) ending on March 31 about 35,000 criminal cases pending disposal before these have got indefinitely stuck. Albeit, all are being transferred back to the Jharkhand High Court. Recall, the FTCs set up in 2000 by the NDA Government were to pave way for speedy trial of criminal cases within a ten-year term. Amidst much fan fare Jharkhand set up 40 FTCs headed by an Additional District Judge, with its own court room, funded by the Union Law Ministry. Unlike other States which ran the FTCs on State funds, the FTC’s herein relied on Central funds. Worse, since 2002 these FTCs have courted controversies over the appointment of 22 Additional District Judges. Last month, the High Court held their appointment illegal as the FTCs had not followed the Supreme Court guideline. It is a moot point what happens to the cases piling up?

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Goa Minister Caught

Salubrious Goa with its sun-kissed beaches is in the throes of a crisis following State Education Minister Atanasio Monserrat’s detention by customs official at the Mumbai airport on his way to Dubai with reportedly Rs 25 lakh of unaccounted cash on Saturday last. Leading to the Goa Assembly being adjourned for two days following the Speaker’s refusal to allow the Opposition's adjournment notice to discuss two issues--How much money Monserrate had with him and who channelled it? Meanwhile, the Congress maintains that the Minister was “unaware” of the procedures and hence the money in his possession was a lapse. All eyes are now on how the customs’ officials deal with this tricky question.---INFA

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