A Matter of Trust

The opposition’s decision to move a no-trust motion against the Modi government and its prompt acceptance by the Lok Sabha speaker should have restored order to Parliament. It didn’t. This in itself should strengthen the suspicion that Congress and other anti-BJP parties are more interested in optics over Manipur than a substantial discussion. They would hardly have been unaware that the government would not accept pre-conditions such as suo motu statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation in the trouble-torn state. BJP managers are well aware that the opposition would in any case never allow the prime minister to speak uninterrupted. The stage is now set for an interesting clash of ideas and personalities that can well be seen to reflect the choices before the nation in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The newly minted INDIA alliance’s cohesiveness and ability to leverage its anti-Modi plank will be tested. From the government’s point of view, NDA will need to demonstrate that its sense of purpose and conviction remains intact. A discussion on Manipur was certainly needed but the opposition was tempted by the prospect of a more high-profile no-trust debate, ostensibly to ensure Modi addressed the House. The prime minister has time and again used Parliament to make his point and set the agenda. If the idea was to ensure he spoke in the House, he is not likely to disappoint the opposition.

Battle over Delhi Bills

While protests over Manipur hold media attention, NDA managers are keeping a close eye on the numbers in Rajya Sabha for the inevitable showdown over the ordinance that restores powers over appointments and postings in Delhi to the lieutenant governor. The suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh for the rest of the Monsoon Session depletes the opposition’s ranks. Though NDA has a numerical edge in the
Upper House, the absence of the vocal MP is seen as a bonus. The government expects the support of BJD and YSRCP to ensure passage of the ordinance by a convincing margin despite Congress’ decision to support AAP and other opposition parties that are part of the INDIA alliance. Some of the newer additions to Congress benches have improved the party’s firepower as new entrants Jebi Mather Hisham and
Ranjeet Ranjan use their lung power to good effect. On the other hand, the usually assertive Trinamool Congress benches have been more subdued.

ED’s Teeth

Finally, there is good news about India’s pursuit of delinquent businessmen involved in the infamous ISRO-Devas deal. The founders of Devas, having safely located themselves abroad, have been cocking a snook and crowing about arbitration verdicts against the Indian government with regard to the deal. But things changed after Devas founder Ramachandran Viswanathan was declared a fugitive economic offender by a designated court in Bengaluru in June. He is now feeling the heat with ED reporting to the court that it has seized Viswanathan’s properties. The enhanced powers granted to ED in 2018 have helped it act against persons declared by the courts as economic offenders with much greater effect. ED’s bite is now a lot worse than its bark.

Sunny on Umpires

In his account of his playing days, Sunil Gavaskar has written about the dubious umpiring touring Indian sides had to contend with. Speaking of a series in New Zealand, he recalls that spinner BS Chandrasekhar ‘Chandra’ knocked down the stumps of a Kiwi batter and shouted in appeal. The stumps are down, the umpire said, indicating that there was no need for him to raise a finger. Yes, but is he out? Chandra is understood to have asked. Gavaskar was an early advocate of neutral umpires. More recently, Indian women’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur lost her cool after she and some other Indian players were handed atrocious decisions in Bangladesh, and made no secret of her views asking the umpires to join the teams in the post-match presentation. Veteran woman cricketer and former administrator Diana Edulji felt Harman had crossed a line although the local umpires do appear to have been shockingly incompetent. The more problematic issue, some former players pointed out, is that the team is prey to old and persistent weaknesses like dispiriting collapses in crunch overs or even when the target is in sight. The delay in the appointment of a new coach is a sore point too. In the past the women’s squad could have done with better coaches capable of working on the mental side of the game and preventing the team from resembling a rag-tag bunch. The recent WPL saw some new talents make a mark and a churn should help prevent complacency. A former administrator has written about Harman’s intensity and focus and her teammates know she plays her heart out for India. The Indian team’s underperformance seems to be getting to her. It would be useful if BCCI seniors had a chat with the team and paid attention to plugging gaps in the side’s match preparedness.

The Curious Case of Yasin Malik

The odd incident of JKLF leader Yasin Malik being brought to court contrary to standing instructions that led to the suspension of jail officials continues to befuddle observers. A senior law officer who examined the papers carried by policemen accompanying Malik to the Supreme Court was shocked to see that the instructions were completely contrary to how a high-risk inmate was to be handled. It appears that the court notice served to Tihar Jail was somewhat ambiguous and lent itself to conflicting interpretations. Malik, who was given a long rope by various governments, has remained a hardcore secessionist and shown no remorse for acts of violence he is accused of. Any incident involving him on the Supreme Court premises would have been swiftly exploited by terrorists and their overground supporters in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bihar Allies

Is all as well as appears within the ruling coalition in Bihar? BJP leader Sushil Modi has been in his element targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, getting back at in-house critics who previously attacked him for being ‘soft’ on JD(U). Modi’s book on the jobs for plots scam regarding RJD supremo Lalu Prasad’s term as Union railway minister is also back in circulation. Modi believes there will be several print runs ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls as the book details his allegations made over 40 press conferences he has addressed. The matter is in court and CBI has filed a chargesheet in the matter. In the midst of these developments, Nitish has called on his ally more than a few times. The parleys come at a time when it is being put out that the JD(U) leader had, as part of a power-sharing deal, agreed to hand over the chief ministership to Lalu’s son Tejashwi Yadav. Now, a change of guard seems unlikely, but one can recognise a hint even if it is dressed as rumour.

ManipurNarendra ModiParliamentpoliticsSunil GavaskarYasin Malik