Round The States

New Delhi, 19 August 2017

Tripura Censored

Centre’s Double Whammy

By Insaf

Tripura’s Left Front government has every reason to see red or scream blue murder. On Independence Day, both the Doordarshan and the AIR refused to broadcast Chief Minister Manik Sarkar’s speech unless he “reshaped” it. Their argument being the occasion had ‘sanctity’ and given the broadcast code and its ‘responsibility’ it couldn’t telecast it in the present format! Obviously, it emerges that Sarkar’s diatribe against the Centre was not palatable to the powers-that-be. His shelved speech warned of spirit of secularism being under attack, conspiracies to create divisions in society were underway, passions were incited to create India into a particular religious country, sense of security amongst Dalits and Muslims shattered et al. Worse, he wanted to hit out at the RSS by saying its followers were never associated with the freedom movement rather sabotaged it and were servile to the British etc. Wasn’t Sarkar merely stating facts? While many would readily nod in agreement and see the action as yet another brazen bullying tactic of the BJP, there is another victim to this blackout—the Prasar Bharati. Its autonomous status has indeed come under cloud. In its yearning to upstage Sarkar’s 19-year-old rule in the forthcoming polls, the BJP has dealt a double whammy. Not only has it done grave damage to the institution and federalism, but undeniably dealt a blow to citizen’s basic right to freedom of expression and opinion. Will it backfire?   

  *                                       *                                   *                                   *                       *

Bengal Big Win

Ruling TMC in West Bengal continues its winning streak. It swept the elections to all seven urban local bodies—five municipalities, one notified authority and one municipal corporation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will obviously be merry pleased but there could be frown too. While the TMC bagged 140 of the 148 wards, the BJP managed to win six, thus increasing its presence. The other two went to the Forward Bloc and an independent, while both CPM and Congress drew a blank. Obviously, the BJP is making inroads at the cost of others and appears to be steadily improving its vote share. This should give Party President Amit Shah hope of realising his dream -- of doing one better in the 2019 General Election in Didi’s bastion. After all, the Centre has been doing precious little to douse fire in the Darjeeling hills due to the Gorkhaland agitation. Guess, Shah realises it’s not worth risking brighter prospects for its one Lok Sabha seat. It could upset his calculations. More so as there is no denying that Mamata magic holds sway in the State.

  *                                       *                                   *                                   *                       *

Centre Cautions States

The Centre has a word of caution for States. Guard against illegal immigrants like the Rohingyas, warns New Delhi. The advisory to State governments follows from the fact that over 14,000 Rohingyas from Myanmar are staying in the country, given the political turmoil. Other than infringing on the rights of citizens, the Union Home Ministry notes that they pose ‘grave security challenges’ and the States must detect and deport them by setting up special task force at the district level. Its reasoning being that while migrations go unchecked as there are cultural and ethnic similarities, the migrants become easy prey to terrorist organisations, who recruit them for their nefarious activities against the country. Additionally, the Centre focuses on the fact that in the past terror outfits such as the LeT and the IM have expressed solidarity with Rohingyas and are said to have even recruited Rohingyas Muslims. Will the States oblige? Remember, there is precious little done about Bangladeshi illegal migrants, despite the BJP coming to power in Assam. Will the adage a stitch in time saves nine, work this time?    

  *                                       *                                   *                                   *                       *

UP Tragedy

Uttar Pradesh and its administration sadly do not hang its head in shame. While Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath may breakdown over the death of scores of children in the Gorakhpur, his actions betray his sincerity. Worse, he has the Centre coming to his aid. A three-member Central government committee has in its report claimed that the deaths of 60-odd children at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College Hospital “were not caused by shortage of oxygen supply”. Worse, it has sought to lessen the blow by saying that the ‘number of deaths have reduced compared to last year!’Shocking and distressing, to say the least. Who is it trying to hoodwink, as the private contractor’s threats to stop oxygen supply for non-payment of dues is all in public domain, thanks to the media. And while the State government would like to pass on most of the deaths due to encephalitis, it doesn’t for one say it will work on a blueprint to ensure that young lives are saved in future. Instead, it is more interested in getting madrasas to hoist the flag and sing the national anthem. Is this good governance, as promised? Will Gorakhpur be relegated to the background as Yogi seems to have a major problem in hand: if roads can be blocked for namaz, why not for janmashtami?” God bless the State.

  *                                             *                                   *                                   *          

TN Unity

Tamil Nadu is heading towards unity. Chief Minister Palaniswami has finally decided that the government will constitute a committee, under a retired High Court judge to probe the death of mentor and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. At the same time, he has also announced that the erstwhile residence of Amma in Poes Garden Veda Nilayam will be converted into a government memorial, d that Veda Nilayam. Obvioulsy, there would be cheer in both the camps of the AIADMK (Amma and PT Amma) as these moves should ensure a merger. The talks for a coming together have been in the offing with both sides wanting to clip the wings of Dinakaran. It’s only a question of time how soon? Fingers are being crossed that there is no clash of egos of whether one conceded to the others demands. For there could be a slip between the cup and the lip!

  *                                       *                                   *                                   *                       *

Kannada Pride Flavoured

Kannada pride has got an additional flavour. In the recent list of emotive issues such as a separate flag, non-imposition of Hindi, bank employees to learn Kannada, etc the ruling Congress has added Indira canteens. “You have had three years of Modi’s ‘man ki baat’, now it’s time for our ‘Uaangi baath’” (traditional brinjal rice), is perhaps how Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would like to sell the idea of another term in power to the people. With the State going to the polls early next year, the Congress opened the first batch of the 198 low-cost food canteens, which have been modelled on Amma canteens in Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday last. These will cater to the working class, which can now buy breakfast for just Rs 5 and lunch for Rs 10. The fresh populist move follows other schemes like free seven kg of foodgrains to every member of a poor family and free milk for schoolchildren, introduced during this tenure in 2013. While it definitely will be food for thought for the voters, wonder how bête noire BJP will spice its campaign. ---INFA

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)