50-Day Deadline Over
By Insaf
Time is up. The ‘50 days’ deadline as sought by Prime Minister Modi for his demonetisation drive is over. While it goes without saying that people across the country have and are facing hardships, the big question is whether the frustration will translate into votes in the ensuing Assembly elections to five States. “Give me time till December 30. After that, if any fault is found in my intentions or my actions, I am willing to suffer any punishment given by the country”, was Modi’s commitment. Clearly, it’s a gamble he took and it is now for Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur to deliver the verdict. ‘Notebandi’ will undoubtedly be the hot potato this election season. The Opposition has trashed the motive and achievement of this scheme. The TMC has asked for his resignation and Congress the report card, as it is the aam admi which has suffered—his money looted and given to the corporates. Others have joined in the chorus.
However, the BJP and its team may not be a worried lot as recent civic elections in Chandigarh, Gujarat and Maharashtra have given thumbs up to the scheme meant to check corruption and black money. But they cannot be complacent as local issues were a factor here. Besides, the Opposition has made Modi’s ‘corruption’ a counter issue with Sahara and Birla diaries being flogged and an inquiry demanded. While the deadline is over, the clock has started ticking for both sides. The Election Commission is soon to decide on the poll schedule. Dirt is being flung from all sides. In the thick of accusations and counter accusations the voter will be burdened with the thought that as per various calculations it won’t be until July before the full value of the cash withdrawn by demonetisation is replaced. Standing in queues in front of banks and ATMs is not going to end. The coming months will test patience and next will be the long queues in front of polling booths. The big question is will BJP be able to en-cash on Modi’s popularity yet again or will the Opposition bank-ing on people’s hardship hit a jackpot?
TN’s Chinnamma Takes Over
Niggling uncertainty in Tamil Nadu is over. ‘Chinnamma’ (little mother) is to step into Amma’s (mother’s) shoes, at least in the party for now. Sasikala Natarajan, long time aide of Jayalalitha is finally to be AIADMK’s next general secretary, following the General Council’s unanimous resolution, on Wednesday last. However, this after high drama when a belligerent group reportedly sent by expelled party MP Sasikala Pushpa, tried to enter the party office and were beaten up party workers. That settled, the party also put to rest rumours that Chinnamma also take over as Chief Minister. Amma had held both posts. And, it was Chief Minister Panneerselvam who handed her the party’s resolution. She, however, is expected to take charge formally next week–at an auspicious time. Whether she will be able to fill the void, time will tell. How soon will the controversy shrouding Amma’s death in hospital come to an end, is another question. Will there be an inquiry?
UP Pre-Poll Tamasha
Is it back to square one in the Yadav parivar in Uttar Pradesh? The thaw between Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and uncle Shivpal looks to be short lived. The ruling SP has again been thrown into turmoil after party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, chose to ignore son Akhilesh’s objections to certain leaders on the ticket list and turned down his proposal for an alliance with the Congress. The list of 325 of 403 candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections so far leaves out 46 sitting MLAs, includes those sacked by Akhilesh and some baddies. To top it all, father Mulayam has even ruled out projecting son as the chief ministerial candidate. The newly-elected MLAs will take a call, he has said. A peeved Akhilesh has hit back by sacking a few on the tickets’ list from local body boards. The unfortunate tit-for-tat in the family spells trouble for the party, which otherwise was looking in good stead for these polls. It now seems, the SP like the Congress too doesn’t have to worry from enemies, when it has these within!
Delhi’s New Lt-Gov
Delhi is unlikely to get a reprieve from the infamous Chief Minister-Lt Governor cold war. The fear emanates from BJP’s choice of the new LG the nation’s capital will have. The Centre has zeroed in on career bureaucrat Anil Baijal, following the sudden resignation Najeeb Jung last week. Baijal had served as Union Home Secretary under Vajpayee’s government, but was shunted out to Civil Aviation by UPA in 2004 and retired as Urban Development Secretary in 2006. Importantly, Baijal was on the Executive Council of Vivekananda International Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank, reported to be close to RSS and whose several former members have got senior positions in the Modi government. This would be the latest. While Jung was a UPA nominee, he was retained. However, his over three years’ tenure was marked by constant bickering with AAP Chief Minister Kejriwal over supremacy in running government affairs. How Baijal takes on the new challenge and will he be able to tame Kejriwal is definitely worth a close watch.
Bihar Pips Centre
Bihar is one up on the Centre. The Nitish Kumar government has approved 50 per cent reservation in the State’s judicial services. On Wednesday last, its Cabinet cleared the Bihar Uchcha Nyayik Seva (Sansodhan) Niymawali, 2016, and Bihar Asainik Seva (Sansodhan) Niymawali, 2016, after consultation with Patna High Court and Bihar Public Service Commission. The quota includes 21% for EBCs, 12% for OBCs, 16% for SCs and 1% for STs for posts of judicial/munsif magistrates and additional/district judges. With this, Nitish seeks to have enhanced his vote bank and it’s only a question of time when 1100 vacancies will be filled. More importantly, he is one step ahead of Modi, as the Centre is only in preparation mode to introduce reservation for Dalits, tribals and OBCs in appointment of district judges. This it proposes by way of constituting an All-India Judicial Service. Obviously, Modi too is eyeing a sizeable chunk of the electorate, particularly with five States going to the polls soon. However, sadly, in this vote bank politics, the government is treading on “dangerous grounds”. According to legal luminaries having reservation in judiciary, is ‘neither desirable nor legal or constitutional’. The limits are being stretched too far to undermine the independence of the judiciary! —INFA