Round The
States
New Delhi, 3 June 2018
Assembly, LS Bypolls
STATES SAY NO TO BJP
By Insaf
United we stand,
divided we fall, is a phrase obviously stirring the Opposition parties. Some of
these sticking together have given the BJP and NDA a rude shock in the latest
round of bypoll results in 11 States. Of the 14 Assembly and Lok Sabha
byelections, results declared on Thursday last, the Opposition won a handsome
11. While the BJP would try to seek solace of retaining two of the four Lok
Sabha seats—in Maharashtra and Nagaland (by its partner, the NDPP), it should
have loud warning bells ringing specially in Uttar Pradesh, which gave it 71 of
the 80 seats in 2014. The Kairana seat, which was billed the biggest battle,
after Gorakhpur and Phulpur defeat, has reaffirmed that sticking together pays
huge dividends. The RLD-BSP-Congress-SP combine’s common candidate wrested the
seat from the BJP, giving another hit to the Yogi Adityanath government.
Likewise, the Congress-NCP combine snatched the Bhandara-Gondiya seat in
Maharashtra. Of the nine Assembly seats, the BJP won only one! Importantly, the
JD(U) got a beating from the RJD candidate in Bihar and in West Bengal, the TMC
continued its sway. While the BJP may put up a brave front saying bypolls
wouldn’t have an implication in the 2019 General election, it should realise
that its electoral reverses are becoming a reality. At the same time, the
Opposition would need to burn the midnight oil if it wants to repeat its recent
successes. There is no denying that
coalition mantra can do wonders.
* * * *
Farmers’
Strike
At least, seven
States are in the throes of farmers’ strike, ‘Gaon Band’ (village shutdown).
On Friday last, thousands of farmers in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab
(Congress-ruled) started a 10-day nationwide strike for long-pending demands --waiver
of loans, right MSP for their crops and implementation of Swaminathan
Commission. Importantly, the strike is to mark the first anniversary of
Mandsaur protest in MP, in which five farmers were killed in police firing on
June 6. With over 130 farmers’ organisations joining the strike, June 10 is
slated to be observed as Bharat Bandh
till 2 pm. Shopkeepers have been urged to participate as a mark of respect for
farmers who lost have their lives. While there is high alert in the States,
ordinary folk are bound to feel the brunt, for farmers have said ‘no milk,
vegetables and other commodities of daily use’ will be supplied from villages
to the cities! So other than petrol prices, be prepared for an additional
pinch. Unless there is a miracle.
* * * *
Bihar
Shenanigans
Will Bihar go the
Andhra way? Uncertain, but probability can’t be ruled out, given simmering in
the JD(U). Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is putting the pressure on partner BJP to
deliver on its long-pending special status category demand as well as be
included in decisions that the NDA takes. It’s less than a year to the
alliance, but Nitish’s patience seems to be running out. Not only has he shot
off a long note to Finance Commission seeking “differentiated needs of Bihar
and Backward States with a special perspective,” but is heard bad mouthing the
note ban. Is it feeling the pinch of dumping RJD and going with the saffron
brigade, which is giving it a cold shoulder? JD(U) leaders are selectively
speaking to media saying the BJP got a lot more than it and claim that Congress
and the Left haven’t shut the doors on them. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav too
senses the JD(U) using pressure tactics. Says it is looking for an opportune
time to betray the BJP and change sides again. Will BJP hear the warning or let
Nitish take a walk like it did to ally Chandrababu Naidu? Time will tell.
* * * *
Assam
Moves
There’s both good and
bad news from Assam. In the midst of simmering over the Citizenship Bill and
the NRC, the BJP-ruled is going all out to reassure its people. Fortunately for
it, Bangladesh has for the first time agreed to take back 33 of its nationals, declared
illegal migrants by the Foreigners’ Tribunals. Further, Dhaka has identified
152 of its nationals lodged in detention camps and sent a proposal to South
Block for their repatriation. North Block too has assured Chief Minister Sonowal
that any future steps in regard to the Bill would be taken ‘only after consulting
all stakeholders.’ The BJP ally the AGP, is particularly wary of the Bill as it
seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims (Hindus) from Bangladesh, Pakistan
and Afghanistan who came to India due to religious persecution. This, it says
goes against the Assam accord, which provides for ‘safeguards to protect,
preserve and promote the culture, social, linguistic identity and heritage of
Assamese people.’ It’s a tightrope walk for the State as well as the Centre.
Nagging uncertainty will persist.
* * * *
Justice
For Kashmir
Over a decade later,
people in Kashmir may find some solace. After a sex scandal rocked the Valley
in 2006, the court has finally given its verdict. Five persons including former
J&K DSP Mohammed Ashraf Mir and former DIG, BSF, KC Padhi, have been held
guilty for sexually exploiting minors. The quantum of punishment, which could
range from seven years in jail to life imprisonment, will be pronounced on June
4. Recall, the scandal hit the State after the J&K police discovered two
video CDs showing Kashmiri minors being forced into sex trade, and that they were
exploited sexually by politicians, bureaucrats, police officials and
surrendered militants. The case was transferred to the CBI after names of two ministers
and some MLAs were part of a list of 56 persons allegedly involved. The Supreme
Court transferred the case to Chandigarh court. In 2009, then Chief Minister
Omar Abdullah resigned after his name too was linked, but the Governor rejected
it. The fact that top officers haven’t been let off the hook should ring
warning bells for others.
* * * *
Uttarakhand
Govt ‘Dishonest’
Uttarakhand
government is ‘dishonest’. A serious charge, as this is an impression the National
Green Tribunal has. It has slapped a fine of Rs 3 lakh on the government for
not demolishing illegal structures inside the core area of the Corbett Tiger
Reserve, as assured September last and has been resorting to delaying tactics.
Its order is worth being quoted: “From the narration of facts as stated, the
intention of the State appears not to be honest. The order hasn’t been complied
with on one pretext or another and now the ground created is about want of land
for rehabilitation before the demolition could take place. In the
circumstances, we are justified in concluding that unless a serious view is
taken, the State will again frustrate the directions of the tribunal.” It asked
the authorities to submit an affidavit within a week and also pay the compensation
amount. While the government may pay the fine, the big question is when and how
will it restore its credibility. ---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
New Delhi
1 June 2018
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