Welfare for All

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s categoric statement that he will not play the Hindu-Muslim polarisation card has sent BJP’s adversaries into a fresh tailspin. While many of them, including commentators and activists, are accusing BJP of doublespeak, Modi has drawn a fresh line on the polarisation debate. By stating he was referring to infiltrators rather than the Muslim community in the context of his remarks that the fruits of reservation were being diverted from the truly deserving, Modi distanced himself from the charge that BJP was singling out Muslims. He reiterated that the Central government’s welfare schemes did not discriminate on any ground. The sub-text of the prime minister’s remarks seems to be that the references to reservation were essentially an attack on Congress and its politics of ‘appeasement’. Modi has spared no effort in castigating Congress as a modern-day Muslim League in its bid to cater to sectional identities. Hence, the allegation that Congress is creating unconstitutional quotas based on religion for Muslims, which are at the cost of the backward classes. Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the question saying the contents of the manifestos of Congress and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc parties were divisive and required a discussion when voters were making their choices. He said Congress’ promises to ensure minorities a share in areas like public contracts were pretty much the redistribution of national resources. BJP has sharpened its attack on Congress as the opposition party has been unable to come out with categoric statements on the Ram Mandir and is dogged by the refusal of its leaders to attend the consecration ceremony of the temple. Congress has responded by stating that it has always said it will abide by the court verdict and termed Modi’s allegation that the party will put a “Babri lock” on the temple as untrue. The problem is that Congress’ dilly-dallying on Hindu issues and the promises of radical steps to address inequality have given BJP the opportunity to go for the kill.

The Maliwal Question

The Delhi election is in focus with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal getting relief from the Supreme Court and AAP’s chief campaigner back in action. But soon after the AAP ranks felt encouraged by the presence of Kejriwal, a fresh storm hit the party with Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal allegedly assaulted by the chief minister’s staff at his residence. Maliwal apparently made two emergency calls to the police following which the local SHO hot-footed to the chief minister’s residence. However, the MP was not seen and has not been out in public since. It is believed that the physical altercation may have had something to do with Maliwal’s initial absence when Kejriwal was arrested. Questions were raised about the absence of some key AAP figures at the time. The chief minister did not offer any comment in the immediate aftermath of the incident though AAP obliquely admitted that Maliwal was at the centre of the incident. Ironies abound as Maliwal headed the Delhi Commission for Women and has often been involved in sharp exchanges with BJP over various issues, including the safety of women. BJP candidate for New Delhi Bansuri Swaraj was quick to take up the matter, saying Maliwal must clarify what happened while expressing concern over the MP’s well-being.

Mayawati Shields Her Nephew

More on Mayawati and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). BSP continues to struggle in the triangular contest in Uttar Pradesh with BJP and the Samajwadi Party-Congress combine seen as the main rivals. But stories continue to circulate about the abrupt fall from grace of Mayawati’s nephew Akash Anand whose status as the leader’s political heir has been withdrawn, or at least suspended. One explanation is that Mayawati was upset with the direct and untampered criticism of BJP and Modi which she perhaps feels is counter-productive. A more subtle, if speculative, assessment is that she wants to shield Anand from a likely adverse poll result. The story is that BSP felt it was on a strong footing at the start of elections, but this has changed as polling progressed. Even her loyal Jatav vote bank is dispirited about BSP’s prospects and some have considered alternatives. Concerned that Anand’s first exposure to a high-stakes campaign may be underwhelming, she has used his speeches as an excuse to remove him from the frontline. Observers point out she herself has been quite unsparing in taking on BJP, even if she has avoided harsh adjectives.

Will Lotus Bloom in Telangana, Andhra?

BJP’s hopes are rising in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the latter having voted recently. BJP leaders have received positive feedback from Telangana where the party is seen as the main rival to Congress, recovering its challenger status it had squandered ahead of the state polls last year. The party is also set to do well in Andhra Pradesh in the company of ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which appears to be on a comeback trail. Though BJP is the junior partner and TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu is very niggardly in sharing spoils with allies, the party should get a toehold in the state’s politics, perhaps winning half of the six seats it is contesting. YSRCP, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, is banking on generous welfare spending but faces questions about its success in the development of the state and a lack of opportunities. The ruling party has failed to satisfactorily solve the issue of a state capital and its advocacy of three capitals has not worked, and further deepened the financial mess around the stalled Amravati city project. Reddy is an energetic and decisive leader but is also something of a loner and can be mercurial.

Valley Chooses the Ballot

The increased voting percentage in Srinagar and the evident public participation in the electoral process in the Kashmir Valley has displeased a section of the commentariat that has opposed the scrapping of Article 370 and argues that the people in the region are suffering under Central rule as administered through the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Sinha, on his part, is concentrating on ensuring that the polls remain incident-free and draws comfort with the vigorous campaigning by all parties. Detractors claim that the turnout is evidence of public anger. But even if this were the case, the fact that people are expressing their opinions through the ballot is a big achievement. Meanwhile, the contrast with the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where the populace is up in arms over high inflation, provides an effective contrast with the calm on the Indian side of the Line of Control.

About The Author

Open