Haryana Surprise

The resignation of Manohar Lal Khattar as Haryana chief minister came as a surprise. Just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled their old association and the time when he hitched rides on Khattar’s two-wheeler, the leader stepped down in favour of Kurukshetra MP Nayab Singh Saini. But according to Khattar, the decision was neither sudden nor a surprise. In an interview to a Hindi daily, Khattar said he had himself felt the time for change was at hand and suggested a replacement be found. According to him, the question was whether this was to be done before or after the Lok Sabha polls. It was finally decided that the new incumbent should be in place before the General Election so that he had time to gain familiarity with the job and prepare for state elections that would be due at the end of the year. Saini is known to be close to Khattar who has been asked to contest the Lok Sabha polls from his hometown of Karnal. The need for change had become palpable in the last several months as aspects of governance, most notably the functioning of civic bodies, suffered, giving rise to public discontent. Khattar’s tenure, however, will be remembered for a sharp break with the malfeasance and corruption that was synonymous with the state’s administration. Under Khattar, the recruitment of state employees like teachers and police personnel became transparent. This was unheard of as gratification and lobbying were seen as common means to a job. Over the years, the state’s bureaucracy became an entitled lot, used to the perks of office without a matching sense of public accountability. Khattar took steps to change this and achieved success by way of the ‘CM’s window’ on social media that kept officials on their toes. But more needs to be done and it is up to Saini to ensure the state government’s initiatives are accessible and the officialdom is pro-active. The change of guard has left veteran BJP leader Anil Vij, who handled the home department, in the doldrums. Given to voicing his opinion without inhibition, Vij was often a cause of dissonance in the state government. Vij has been a successful legislator, winning the Ambala seat six times, and his next assignment remains a matter of speculation.

The Bhutan Connection

With headlines dominated by political developments, Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay’s visit went largely unnoticed. It was Tobgay’s first foreign visit after assuming charge in February. The bilateral relationship with Bhutan is very consequential and reports of China looking to settle its boundary with the mountainous country had been taken note of by relevant stakeholders. India is a key partner in areas of infrastructure, connectivity and hydro-power, and the projects are progressing well. As with Nepal, India feels shared commitments in energy and water resources will make ties less vulnerable to political events. BJP president JP Nadda met Tobgay in the middle of a busy election season, indicating the importance India attaches to Bhutan. BJP’s foreign affairs cell and various Sangh organisations have had an important role to play in promoting Indian interests in Nepal and Bhutan with a regular exchange of party and affiliated trade delegations.

Knots and Bonds

The disclosures on bonds, donors and recipients in the absence of correct context have led to speculation and rumour-peddling with regard to corporates, political parties and alleged deals. The pleas of industry associations that it would be unfair to breach donor confidentiality since the bonds were purchased at a time when the law provided anonymity were dismissed by the court as last-minute interventions even as it tended to agree that making the data public has been accompanied by unanticipated and adverse side effects. Self-styled investigators have put out partial and sometimes misleading claims which practically amount to turning the innocent-until-proven-guilty norm on its head. The use of KYCs and unique codes had ensured transparency and use of tax-paid money even though donor identity was not revealed. In the midst of the ensuing drama, the main objective of the transparency campaigners—to connect top corporates with political funding—remains unfulfilled. The Supreme Court ruling on electoral bonds has opened a veritable Pandora’s Box.

Terror In Coimbatore

The 1998 bomb blasts in Coimbatore were part of a conspiracy to target a rally to be addressed by LK Advani. While Advani escaped unscathed, one of the several explosions that resulted in 58 deaths took place close to the stage meant for his public address. The explosions were a severe setback to the city’s economy and the traditional cotton mills took a hit along with other commerce. Over the years, most mills closed and some of the properties are now shopping centres and restaurant hubs. The terrorists responsible for the blasts, identified as members of Al Umma, were convicted but walked out of prison in 2009 several months before their sentences were to conclude as part of the DMK government’s commemoration of party founder CN Annadurai’s birth centenary. The decision was seen as yet another act of political accommodation of extremist elements that had endangered national security and social harmony. When Prime Minister Modi held a well-attended roadshow in the city on March 18, he did not forget to pay his respects to the victims of the bombings. BJP fancies its prospects for the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat which it has held in the past.

Pakistan’s Failed Afghan Gambit

Pakistan’s air raids on alleged Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan (TTP) targets in Afghanistan are laced with irony. For one, the raids show just how misplaced the glee in Pakistan’s elite circles over the Taliban’s return in Afghanistan was. The popular view in Pakistan was that the country had regained ‘strategic depth’ and would expel Indian influence from Afghanistan. The patronising attitude, which saw Afghanistan as an adjunct, was not shared by the Taliban who had their own plans. TTP has regularly targeted Pakistan’s military outposts, on occasion holding personnel hostage as well. Much as the Pakistan army has tried to contain the organisation by dozens of targeted killings, TTP has launched hundreds of attacks against the military. Some astute Pakistani commentators had warned that the return of the Taliban could threaten Pakistan’s stability, but the army continued to arm and strengthen the group ahead of the US and NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The chickens are now coming home to roost with a vengeance. The Pakistan army’s obsession with India and its misplaced priorities have led to tensions with Iran and Afghanistan, both Islamic nations. To make matters worse, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have also clashed and a leaked Taliban memo described the Durand Line as an “imaginary line”. More food for thought for the generals in Rawalpindi.

BhutanCoimbatoreElectoral bondsHaryanaManohar Lal KhattarNational PoliticsNayab Singh SainiPakistanSupreme Court