Maharashtra Civic Polls
By Insaf
Nagaland Strife Gets New CM
There can be no messing around with traditions in Nagaland. This is a message, loud and clear by tribal organisations to the political dispensation not just in the State but in New Delhi too. After three-long weeks of turmoil in this north-eastern State, Chief Minister TR Zeliang stepped down on Monday and was replaced by veteran leader Shurhozelie Liezietsu, on Wednesday last as its 11th CM. This time around, the change of guard, which is not unusual, was prompted by the bitter conflict Zeliang’s government had with influential tribal organisations. The former had decided to hold elections to urban local bodies with 33% seats reserved for women, which was a total no-go with the latter. Shurhozelie, who started his political career in 1969 and was eight times MLA and minister in past governments, will head the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government, for the first time. Will he along with his 11 ministers, 26 parliamentary secretaries and six advisors be able to hold the panchayat elections and how soon? Will New Delhi give in to the government’s demand for exemption from enforcing reservation for women? More than others, it will be the Naga women who will keep a watch.
BJP Has Last laugh in Maharashtra
The BJP has the last laugh in Maharashtra. Of the 10 municipal corporation elections, it has emerged a winner in eight, making Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis beam. The Shiv Sena, which decided to go it alone, has done well, but not good enough given the tough talk for breaking ties. However, Chief Uddhav Thackeray can smile too and take solace that it is the single largest party in Mumbai, winning 84 seats. But, with the BJP not far behind with 82, (two and a half times more seats than 2012) it is inevitable the two would need to work together and agree to a post-poll alliance. Sheer maths of clubbing with others wouldn’t give either a majority, as the results have spelt doom for both the Congress and the NCP. The former has performed poorly in Mumbai and other cities as well as in zilla parishads and the latter has lost bastion Pune, which incidentally gave a stunning victory to the BJP. Likewise, the results have knocked out the MNS, which has not only lost its urban base, but even its stronghold, Nashik. While there’s much time for both former alliance partners to mull over future strategy—of coming back together or continuing to go it alone, Prime Minister Modi says it’s a ‘great start to 2017’, first Odisha and now Maharashtra. Will lady luck be smiling all the way these five State Assembly polls?
Odisha Thumbs Up For BJP
Odisha brings cheer to the BJP and offers hope. Hope of making a big dent in Naveen Patnaik’s popularity and 17-year-old his BJD government. Indeed, the just-concluded panchayat elections have given an unprecedented boost to the saffron party. By winning 306 seats of the 853 seats, it has added 270 seats to its previous tally of just 36 seats in 2012. The increase of 8.5 per cent has not only been in areas dominated by the ruling party, but it has relegated the Congress to third position (66 seats against 126 last time). The BJD lost 191 seats, by bagging only 460 against its earlier tally of 651. Worse, it lost its control in the zila parishads–won only 16 seats as against 28 it had so far. Here too the BJP did impressively well—with zero in 2012, it had eight in its kitty. The BJP cites increase in organisational structure as a reason for success, whereas the BJD feels the setback is because Patnaik didn’t campaign extensively. Be that as it may, these polls could impact the 2019 General and Assembly elections. Is it the beginning of BJD’s downfall?
Punjab Can’t Have It’s Way
Punjab cannot have its way. The Sutlej-Yamuna link (SYL) canal has to be constructed. This was made amply clear by the Supreme Court on Wednesday saying its orders must be executed and the State cannot wriggle out of the water sharing pact. The ruling SAD-BJP government’s plea to defer the case till after the elections also did not hold good as the court was firm: “we want to finish it off. If we wait till the results, then you will say that let the government be formed”. However, it decided to maintain status quo till March 2, as Punjab suggested ‘good people’ from both sides should sit together to find an amicable settlement and that the Centre act as an arbitrator. While it is anybody’s guess whether a solution to the decades’ old issue would be found in the next few days, waters will be tested in the coming days. The SC has asked the two States to ensure law and order at any cost, following Haryana’s INLD asking its workers to march inside Punjab to start digging the canal. For starters, will they oblige?
Golden Trouble In Telangana
Will God come to Telangana’s aid again? At least so seems to be Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao’s belief. Despite State coffers being under heavy strain and unemployment among youth on the rise, he chooses to keep the Gods happy. On Wednesday last, he offered gold ornaments worth Rs 5.5 crore at the Tirupati temple. The amount came from Government Orders wherein Rs 5 crore was for Tirupati and Rs 59 lakhs for four other temples. Sadly, his thanksgiving to the Gods for the formation of the new State coincided with the administration swooping down on leaders of Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) which had spearheaded the Telangana stir, and arrested hundreds of youth to prevent their March for Jobs in Hyderabad. Murmurs of discontent against the TRS government are indeed growing. More so, as while Rao keeps his promise to the Gods, he has ignored the one to his people— housing schemes for poor, supply of drinking water and providing jobs etc. (INFA)