Round The States
New Delhi, 20 October 2011
Congress Beaten 0-4
BYPOLL sign of future?
by Insaf
The Congress had mud on its face following its 0-4 defeat in
the recent by-polls to one Parliamentary seat and three Assembly seats in four
States. True, on the face of it the results are no signal of the Party’s
demise. But it holds out ominous portends for the grand dame to set its house
in order prior to the five Assembly polls slated early next year. Significantly,
it also underscores the electorates increasing disenchantment with the Manmohan
Singh Government. Even as the Congress nonchalantly dismisses the results as ‘not
unexpected’, the victory of the Janhit-BJP candidate in Haryana’s Hissar poll
shows the voters’ disillusionment with the Bhupinder Hooda State Government.
Recall, in the 2009 general elections the constituency voted on caste lines,
with the non-Jats pluming for former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, while the Jat
votes were divided evenly between the Congress and Chautala’s INLD. However,
this time round the Jat voters have reposed faith only in the INLD as shown by its
contender coming second and the Congress candidate loosing his security deposit.
The BJP-Shiv Sena victory in Kharakwasla, Maharashtra and that
too in NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s home ground Baramati is a body blow to the
Maratha chieftain as both his nephew Ajit Pawar, the State’s Dy Chief Minister
and daughter Supriya Sule had made the poll a prestige issue. In Telangana and Bihar the results were on expected lines. In the former,
the TRS defeated the Congress in Banswara and in the latter the ruling JD (U)
retained Darounda. Here also, the Congress came a distant third. For RJD’s Lalu
the electorate message was clear: They have still not forgiven him for
neglecting development during his 15-years rule. The BJP as well needs to be on
guard. Its victory revelry was muted thanks to its former Karnataka Chief
Minister Yeddiyurappa’s arrest in the illegal mining scam. Clearly, the Party needs
to ensure that ‘small mistakes’ do not post a black mark on its report card. Either
which way, all Parties have been put on notice by a very shrewd, mobile and
aware voter. No longer will promises suffice. They have to deliver on the
ground and do their job honestly and effectively!
* * * *
Wind Of Change In
J&K
Winds of change are blowing across strife-torn Kashmir on
two scores. Importantly, for the first time, Hurriyat hardliner Syed Geelani
has sent encouraging indication of holding a dialogue with the Centre. Namely,
to discuss with the Hurriyat’s Advisory Council and the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat any talks offer by New Delhi. A marked climb
down from his separatist amalgam of talking only when the Centre accepts the
“disputed” status of J&K, releases political prisoners and revokes special
powers to the Armed forces. Notwithstanding, the United Jehad Council Chief Syed Salauddin’s call to shun dialogue. Two, the most formidable face of
militancy, Hijbul Mujahidin has
almost been wiped out from the Valley with its remaining commanders and cadres
being either killed or ‘taken out’ on regular intervals by the security forces.
Only about two dozen active militants are left who have been dormant for months,
succumbing only to throwing occasional grenades and random firing. An elated
Centre is all set to send out positive signals with one rider: Any dialogue
should be within the ambit of the Constitutional framework.
* * * *
Five Erring States
Five rich States, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Gujarat and West Bengal have been given an ultimatum by the Centre to forthwith
implement the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Of the 20 States, where the RTE had
been notified to provide compulsory education to children in the age group of 6-14
years only these large and economically powerful States have defaulted.
Further, to ensure compliance, the Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal speaking at
the State’s Education Ministers conference bluntly warned these rich States
that it would be “historic failure” if they fail to comply, more so as the
Ministry had enhanced funds under the Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan. Towards that end, the Centre intends launching a nation-wide
year-long campaign from Muslim-dominated Nuh in Mewat district of Haryana to
promote RTE across schools early next month. Will these States now comply?
* * * *
Bangalore Goes Metro
Citizens of Bangalore are pleased as punch with the debut of
a metro line in Karnataka’s Capital inaugurated two days ago. The 6.7 km
elevated section of a proposed 42 km network which was in the making since
2005, thanks to agitations against acquisition of commercial properties on the
Metro’s line, will service office-goers in Government and banks as also
students and shoppers. But the hordes of IT sector employees who live and work
around Bangalore will have to wait till December 2014 for completion of the
Metro work. True, the short line will not take away the traffic blues of a
congested city but is a first baby step in reducing travelling time.
* * * *
Worst Sex Ratios In
BIMARU
The infamous BIMARU (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, UP)
have earned another blemish. Whereby the child-sex ratio (CSR) is worst in its
urban areas and cities compared to the villages. Against an overall ratio of
914 girls for 1000 boys in the age group of 0-6 years the urban ratio is 902
but the combined figure for cities is just 898. Shockingly, in Gujarat the CSR
for the million plus cities falls to 836, a good 50 points lower than the
State’s average. On the flipside, the Southern States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra and
Kerala alongwith Maharashtra in the West the CSR is better in the cities and
urban areas. Surprisingly, in Punjab and Haryana too the figure for a million
plus cities the CSR is better than for urban areas as a whole or for the entire
State. Undeniably, the urban population has much to learn from the rustic
villagers.
* * * *
Brandy, Biryani In Tamil Polls
Brandy and Biryani
alongwith sarees goes best in the slug-fest
between the ruling AIADMK and Opposition DMK in the battle royale to win the Tamil Nadu civic polls. Undeniably, the
male voters merrily enjoyed a quarter bottle of brandy, egg paranthas and chicken biryani even as they held their cards
close to their chest prior to voting yesterday (19 Oct). While the women voters
draped themselves in Nylon sarees,
spent the Rs.500 each given by the two Parties but refused to disclose who they
had voted in. Surprisingly, neither Party complained to the Election Commission
for electoral malpractices, emphasizing that both had an implicit
understanding. Clearly, all is fair in
war!---INFA
(Copyright, India News and Feature
Alliance)
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