Intimations of a Reshuffle
Speculation is mounting about the expected reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers now that a new team of BJP central office bearers has been announced. The point of interest is not only the likely changes in portfolios, entries and exits, but when the exercise will be carried out. There is no set time for the exercise but it is felt that the interval between the BRICS leaders summit slated for September 12-13 and the beginning of the “Shradh Paksha” on September 27 is the opportune window. As to who is in or out, this can prove to be a mug’s game. The comprehensive revamp of the BJP team has raised expectations that the ministerial overhaul can be substantial. It is apparent though that Prime Minister Narendra Modi means business going by his interactions with BJP leaders and the series of meetings with secretaries to the Central government.
Mind Your Language
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acted wisely in “extending” the deadline for cabbies in Mumbai to gain familiarity with Marathi. A sizeable number of migrants from Hindi-speaking states have supported BJP and it makes little sense to antagonise them. Yet it is ironic that the same government’s decision to introduce Hindi in schools raised a storm, with opposition parties raising the “Marathi” plank. The Hindi decision was rescinded even though there is no intrinsic opposition to the language in the state.
Excuse the EC, SIR
The social media post of a former diplomat who said he had to submit his passport as proof of citizenship as part of the Election Commission’s (EC) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) generated considerable comment as the former official wondered if “common citizens” had access to such documents. Passports are being asked for if some detail of the SIR form—relating to the voter or kin—is incomplete. There is no suggestion that “citizenship” is in doubt. Also, several documents are acceptable. Further, “common citizens” are much more mindful of their documents than what the chattering classes may believe to be the case.
The Roach Approach
The fracas over the ‘inspections’ of government schools being attempted by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has raised several questions. For one, there could be law and order consequences as witnessed near Jaipur when locals chased a CJP group. It is also being asked why only government schools are in focus when private schools— barring expensive elite ones—are often guilty of inadequate services.
The Merger Question
The matter of recognising the breakaway group of 20 Trinamool MPs as part of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India is pending with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Asked about the matter, leader of the group Sudip Bandyopadhyay said it was for BJP to resolve. The group was believed to be agreeable to outright merger with BJP. Now it is for BJP to figure things out, the TMC rebels feel.
Mamata out of Favour
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s advice to his predecessor Mamata Banerjee that she should take “rest” as she is now “old” may seem harsh. Yet, it is part of the bitter political rivalry between BJP and Banerjee. Her recent video claiming that she is not being allowed to hold rallies has served to jog the memories of BJP leaders about how they received the rough end of the stick when Mamata was chief minister.
Return to Kargil
The Netflix period war drama Operation Safed Sagar has revived memories of the role of the Indian Air Force during the Kargil War as the decision to use air power was crucial to turning the conflict in India’s favour. But apart from the MiGs and Mirage 2000s, chopper pilots pulled off impossible feats on a daily basis, reaching supplies and evacuating the injured at challenging heights. In one instance, a chopper pilot rested just one landing pad due to difficult wind conditions to evacuate personnel in need of urgent medical attention.