Round The States
New Delhi, 22 March 2013
Political Oneupmanship
TAMIL NADU-CENTRE BIG
FIGHT
By Insaf
There are no friends in politics is what both Tamil Nadu and
New Delhi can
reiterate to those who have any doubts. Plus, it doesn’t take long for friends
to turn foes. Early this week trusted partner of the UPA-II, the DMK withdrew
support demanding India vote
for a US-sponsored resolution condemning Sri Lanka for its human rights
violations against its Tamil minority. While, the UPA-II was dithering it
finally did vote, but it was too late by then. The DMK would not relent. Thus, New Delhi hit back in its
own novel way. Notwithstanding its surprise and denials, the CBI raided DMK
chief Karunanidhi’s son’s, MK Stalin’s residence on Thursday morning and
questioned his grandson Udayanidhi about the purchase of an imported car!
“Political vendetta” was the shrill cry in Chennai. And, perhaps so because
Stalin, who shall succeed his father is learnt to be behind the support
withdrawal. He is obviously not happy with the partnership as it cost the party
its rule in the State. However, political circles are agog that though the
Centre may find willing parties (read SP and BSP) to bail it out, the DMK
pull-out may actually have the country facing General Elections 2014 sooner than later. Perhaps, may not.
Anyone willing to take a bet?
* * * *
Uttar Pradesh Cautious?
Uttar Pradesh and the Centre may well continue to play cat
and mouse with each other, thanks to the DMK. Bothe can flex their muscles or
go soft, depending on what the situation demands. The SP has kept the Centre on
tenterhooks, after it disrupted the proceeding of Parliament witnessed early
this week, demanding that Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma be sacked for
insinuating at a public function in Gonda district that supremo Mulayam Singh
Yadav takes “commission” from the UPA for supporting the coalition. Congress
President Sonia Gandhi defused the tension by personally aplogised to ‘netaji’
with folded hands in the Lok Sabha after it was adjourned. The next day the SP
decided to go slow on it. One doesn’t need to guess what led to change of
heart. One, the SP sees itself in a commanding position after the DMK withdrew
support to the UPA –II. Its 22 MPs in Lok Sabha can help extract its pound of flesh.
However, the Congress too can hope to rein it in as it has sent the message
that the CBI is proactive, as is being seen in Chennai. Who will blink first is the big question.
* * * *
Karnataka In Poll Mode
Karnataka has gone into election mode. On Wednesday last,
the Election Commission sounded the bugle for the battle of the ballot, with a
single phase Assembly election for 224 seats on May 5. The polls will help the
Congress test the waters of how soon it could go in for the bigger battle---General
elections 2014, following the DMK withdrawing support. As it the Congress is
high spirits by trashing the ruling BJP in the urban local bodies election. The
latter needs to put its house in order, as former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa
did play spoilsport by forming his own party and cutting into the BJP’s vote
bank. However, he didn’t make much of a dent and therefore one cannot rule out
his home coming, like UP and Madhya Pradesh BJP leaders (Kalyan Singh and Uma
Bharti) have done so in the past. Notwithstanding, the EC advancing the poll by
one month taking the weather into consideration, (Assembly’s term ends in
June), heat is definitely going to be generated with corruption being a major
poll issue.
* * * *
Bihar CM Eyes Centre
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is looking for greener
pastures. Call it vote bank politics or Prime Ministerial ambition, the JD (U)
leader is giving ample signs of his party contemplating breaking its long-term
alliance with the NDA. The Bihar leader’s aversion to his Gujarat
counterpart, Narendra Modi is more than apparent and may well be a front for
his eyeing national centre stage. Calculated moves are afoot. With the Centre
playing cool on his long-pending demand for giving special status to Bihar,
Nitish decided to make his presence felt in Delhi. Not only did he have an impressive
“Adhikar” (Right) rally at the Ramlila grounds but ensured that his development
model of governance cannot be ignored and would match Modi’s if not beat it! More
importantly, his speech at the rally sent broad hints to the UPA that his doors
are open for an alliance: “Either the Centre gives the status now or will to
have to accept the demand following circumstances prevailing after 2014… the
backward States will occupy seat of power in Delhi… we don’t have to look left
or right but straight…” Will the Congress look in his direction?
* * * *
Maharashtra’s Bad Behaviour
It’s now the turn of Maharashtra Assembly to hang its head
in shame. Its MLAs are not far behind their counterparts in Punjab
when it comes to intolerance. On Tuesday last, five legislators beat up an
assistant police inspector (API), in the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai for
misbehaving with an MLA on the Bandra-Worli sea link for ‘over speeding’! Last
week saw Punjab MLAs beating policemen in the Assembly premises. While the API
had to be hospitalised, a group of MLAs sought to move a breach of privilege
motion against him and seek his suspension. However, the Congress-NCP Government,
upset over ‘disrepute brought to the House’ by the MLAs, announced on Wednesday
last that those MLAs from the Shiv Sena, MNS and the BJP stood “suspended till
December 31”. They no longer can attend the ongoing Budget session, nor the
Monsoon and Winter session and even can’t enter the Bhavan. While the MLAs say
the action is “harsh” and smacks of “political vendetta,” many go along with
Government action. Sadly, unruly behaviour in Assemblies is becoming a rule
than an exception. Maharashtra model may help
check the nuisance.
* * * *
Delhi Woos Electorate
Delhi Government has got into top gear for the ensuing
Assembly elections. Like her counterpart in Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, Delhi
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has sought to woo her electorate through the
Budget, presented Wednesday last. Other than the Rs 37,450-crore Budget being
“tax free”, Dikshit has retained the social sector as top priority as in the
past. A whopping Rs16,000 crore (65%) of the total plan has been kept aside for
welfare schemes. These include: a new
Dilli Swabhiman (self Respect) Yojana for the unorganised sector, wherein the
Centre and State would chip in Rs 1,000 each annually and the subscriber Rs 12,000 per annum; Rs 1,500 per month to be
given to the differently-abled and women in distress under the Senior citizens’
pension scheme; Rs 1,000 for transgenders living in the city for three years
and additional Rs 600 per month subsidy under Cash for Food programme, et al.
More importantly, the CM has set her eyes on the trader community, which is
seen as the BJP’s vote bank and offered them new schemes and relaxation in VAT
etc. Will the Budget help Dikshit give the BJP a run for its money? Time will
tell. ---INFA
(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)
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