by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

 Mysterious Circular that caused a Storm

 

On September 13, it was announced that  Mukul Rohatgi will be Attorney General again. He had held this post for three years until 2017. It was explained in this column last week how Rohatgi was chosen by the PM second time. But before he could join, the Law Ministry issued a circular the same evening listing division of work between the AG (Rohatgi) and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. It may be mentioned here that Tushar Mehta is a trusted man of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and holding the SG’s post for five years. The circular said that the list of cases in the Supreme Court will first be placed before the learned AG on a daily basis. The AG will select the cases which he considers his appearance to be necessary. The list will thereafter be placed before the learned Solicitor General of India. On the surface, it looked like a routine affair. But all hell broke as the AG will not have the power to allocate work to SG and a battery of Additional Solicitor General. This was contrary to the arrangement that existed during his first stint as AG. Obviously Rohatgi was miffed as he is a hands-on person knows how to handle judicial issues keeping in mind sensitivities. He was leaving behind a roaring practice to serve as AG at the bidding of the PM. It transpires that Rohatgi conveyed his views to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and wanted the circular be withdrawn or suitably amended. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju is understood to have explained that the circular was aimed at streamlining the distribution of cases and court appearances of the government's top law officers. It is learnt that the PMO reverted to Rohatgi within hours promising that the circular would be withdrawn. But the circular was not withdrawn and Rohtagi chose to decline the offer to become AG. The last word on this saga has not been written yet what happened behind the scenes in the PMO may emerge later.

 

 A Raid that went sour

 Remember massive Income-Tax raids that took place on the Kanpur-based Pan Masala group a couple of months ago with tax authorities claiming Rs 400 crores unaccounted transactions were detected. During the search, Rs. 52 lakh in cash was found along with 7 kg gold. A total of 31 premises were searched spread across Kanpur, Noida, Ghaziabad, Delhi and Kolkata. Digital and paper evidence revealed a nation-wide network of such paper companies created by the group, the Finance ministry further said. A network of 115 such shell companies was found. The main ‘directors’ also admitted that they were only ‘dummy directors’ and signed on the dotted lines as and when required in return for commission. So far 34 bogus bank accounts of shell companies have been found. It was said that the businessman owning the group was linked to SP leader Akhilesh Yadav. But months went by and no one one knocked at Yadav's doors. No further action against the company was taken. It transpires that the businessman had switched his loyalty to the BJP in 2017 itself and was working for the ruling party. All hell broke in Delhi and Lucknow after the raids. It soon surfaced that neither the Income-Tax nor Enforcement Directorate or DRI was not involved in the search operation. Instead, these raids were conducted by the GST officials. Highly placed sources say the raiding department was categorically told to back off. It is largely because of this very reason that neither ED nor IT stepped into the picture and no case was registered under the PMLA by the ED so far. Obviously, this is one raid that went sour.

A Governor going berserk

 

 

Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik has gone berserk in his outbursts against the Modi government’s policies.  He has sharpened his attacks and on a couple of occasions he has personally attacked the Prime Minister. In a recent outburst he went to the extent of saying "Modi is a megalomaniac person. The Prime Minister doesn’t tolerate criticism of any kind and is quick to sideline critics like Nitin Gadkari who enjoys enormous goodwill across the country and when Gadkari speaks, people listen.” Malik was picked up for Governor’s post by the PM and Amit Shah and sent him to the sensitive state of Jammu & Kashmir. However, he was transferred to Goa and then moved to Meghalaya which was not to his liking. He publically supported the farmers’ agitation and sought withdrawal of three farm bills. In his sharpest criticism of the PM recently, he said, “Modi has never ever appreciated anyone. It’s not in his nature.” Malik has gone berserk and yet, Modi has not removed him. Malik is completing his five year tenure early October and getting ready to take a political plunge.

 

 

 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Poor conviction rate under UAPA

4690 persons arrested, 149 convictions only in 3 years

Dismal performance in Maharashtra, Kerala

The Centre declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) an “unlawful association” and banned it under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) this morning. But the data obtained from official sources showed that Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Assam top the ladder in the country in arresting persons under the UAPA and not Kerala which is considered a den of PFI activities. Of the 4690 persons arrested during 2018-2020 period, UP, Manipur and Assam which are ruled by the BJP, account for more than 50% arrests. These three states together arrested 2619 persons during the three year period. Surprisingly, 149 persons were convicted under the UAPA during the three year period.

The data showed that Kerala was at the bottom in action under UPAP during this period. Kerala arrested only 55 persons under the UAPA and not a single conviction took place. The conviction rate in three BJP-ruled states was also poor with 83 convictions in UP and nil in Assam and Manipur. If UP arrested 1338 persons under UAPA in three years, its conviction was less than one percent. Manipur arrested 943 persons while Assam put 338 persons behind bars during this period. In Maharashtra where PFI was active, only seven persons were arrested under the UAPA during the three year period with no convictions. In West Bengal only five persons were arrested under UAPA in three years with no conviction.

According to a report by the National Crime Record Bureau, only 149 persons were convicted against the arrests of 4690 persons in the country during the three year period. The troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a rise in arrests and convictions during this period. If 177 persons were arrested during 2018, the number went up to 227 next year and 346 in 2020 which is highest in any other state. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Haryana, Mizoram, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh and a couple of others witnessed no case under UAPA.

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi may reshuffle Cabinet, Shiv Sena (Shinde) to join

 

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to undertake a reshuffle of his 77- member Council of Ministers sooner than expected. In a way, the PM will be selecting his ‘War-team’ before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP has made organizational changes and office-bearers have been given the task to ensure victory of its candidates in 144 Lok Sabha seats which the party could not win in 2019. The Ministers are part of this exercise.  There are indications that gubernatorial changes may also take place soon. Reports suggest that the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat also met the PM during his recent stay in Delhi. With the “Shradh” period over on September 25, Modi may undertake this exercise soon.

 

It is learnt that Modi is toying with the idea of sending a new face in Madhya Pradesh and Shivraj Singh Chouhan may be brought to Delhi. Similarly, there is talk of Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala’s services being utilized before the Gujarat Assembly polls.  The performance of a couple of ministers handling key infrastructure ministries was not satisfactory and their departments may either be changed or they may be shown the door. The Shiv Sena (Shinde)’s party is also to be given a representation in the Cabinet. A couple of allies like Janata Dal (U) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav) quit the Cabinet and the BJP will have to re-calibrate its strategy in Bihar.  The non-inclusion of Muslims in the Council of Ministers has sent a wrong signal particularly in the wake of recent exercise of Mohan Bhagwat visiting mosques and Madrasa and reassuring them. Since 11 state Assemblies are going to polls before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi has a tough task in hand to induct some new faces.    

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Fly on the Wall

 

The importance of being Amit Shah

 

More than three years as Home Minister in the Modi government, the importance of Amit Shah has grown leaps and bounds. His imprint can be seen here, there and everywhere not only in the government but in the party as well.  He is already traveling states after states in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is increasingly leaning on Amit Shah in the government's decision making process. Insiders in the government say after Arun Jaitley’s death in 2019, the PM is left with no confidant other than Amit Shah. Though Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is number two in the hierarchy in the government. But for all practical purposes, Amit Shah is number two. Rajnath Singh maintains a low profile and avoids giving his opinion on any issue and prefers that Amit Shah may speak his mind. Even when the Prime Minister assigns him some problems, Rajnath Singh will consult Amit Shah. The PM is heavily dependent on Shah in resolving inter-ministerial and Centre-state issues. A majority of Union Ministers make it a point to connect with Amit Shah before knocking at the doors of the PMO. It transpires that Modi and Shah speak to each other on the RAX  system more than a dozen times in a day. The Rax is a dedicated secured wired telephone service for Union Ministers and secretary rank officers. There is no doubt that Modi-Amit Shah jugalbandi goes back to their days in Gujarat. When Modi came to Delhi as PM in 2014, Amit Shah was inducted as BJP president and held the post for six long years (2014-2020). His grip on the organization continuous even after J P Nadda succeeded him. Nadda maintains a low profile and ensures to consult Amit Shah even in tiny matters. Some of the recent changes in the party organization clearly show Amit Shah’s imprint.  There are, however, a couple of instances where the PM took his decisions which were not palatable to Amit Shah. But Amit Shah continues to be a pivot. 

 

 

Mukul Rohtagi’s rising Graph

 

Mukul Rohtagi’s is a rare case and clearly reflects his importance. Rohtagi had quit as Attorney General of India in 2017 after completing his three year tenure. No reasons either by Rohtagi as to why he quit or by the government why it allowed him to go. Rohtagi returned back to his roaring law practice clocking around Rs 100 crore a year. The 86-year old K K Venugopal who succeeded Rohtagi, continued for five years. But the government was unable to find a suitable successor. Modi was unwilling to promote Tushar Mehta, Solicitor-General as AG. It was during this period PM Modi and Mukul Rohtagi bumped into each other at the Arun Jaitley Memorial lecture at Vigyan Bhawan. Modi’s instant comment was, “Arre Kahan Rahate ho aajkal!”.  The matter did not end at Vigyan Bhawan. Soon Rohtagi got a call and he went to meet the Prime Minister. It would be interesting to note that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was already sitting there with the PM. What transpired among them is not known. But Rohtagi was asked to serve the nation at this crucial juncture. Rest is history. Rohtagi’s return as AG establishes that Modi takes his own decisions and the presence of Amit Shah shows that he is in the loop in every decision making process of the government. Rohtagi is a lawyer par excellence and has cordial and personal relations with the bar and the bench. Modi wants a smooth ride until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and no needling by the judiciary.

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi to brainstorm economic situation with Ministers, secretaries 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold a crucial meeting with his Council of Ministers and secretaries for a marathon day-long meeting to discuss the economic situation prevailing in the country and challenges. The meeting is likely to be held later this month.  With the Lok Sabha polls less than two years away, the Prime Minister will review the challenges before the nation as global agencies including World Bank have predicted that the world will face a recession. Though India's economic situation is far better than neighboring countries and inflation is also under control compared to many developed nations. But the PM wants a thorough discussion on the economic situation. The Prime Minister had already held a meeting of the NITI Aayog's Governing Council in August.

Ever since Modi came to power in 2014, he has been holding these brain-storming sessions with his Council of Ministers at least twice a year. Similar meetings had been held with secretaries of all key ministries and departments not only in Delhi but in other states. But next week's meeting is focused on the prevailing economic situation and what more the government should do to improve the situation further.  Interestingly, no agenda has been circulated before the meeting and informally told to keep priority areas relating to their ministers. One satisfactory aspect is that inflation is coming down as global prices of commodities are falling and consumption remains high. The RBI is also tightening the inflationary trends and taking a call on raising interest rates further.

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Electoral Bonds under SC scrutiny  on Sep 19

BJP obtained 68% donation, Congress just 11%

Of 105 eligible parties, only 19 benefited

With the Supreme Court listing the long-pending case against the government’s electoral bonds scheme for a hearing on September 19, donations to political parties may come under a close scrutiny.

The petitioners challenged the scheme saying the entire process is anonymous since political parties need not to show the source of the money. The government had contended that the money is unlikely to be “black” since it has to be given by cheque. The court, however, directed in 2019 that political parties must submit details to the Election Commission about electoral bonds. But the matter remained pending for a regular hearing as the SC found no time for almost three years. It was only on April 5 this year, former Chief Justice of India NV Ramana had agreed to hear the case after the matter was mentioned by lawyer Prashant Bhushan. But no date could be fixed.

An in-depth analysis of donations revealed 19 political parties received funds via electoral bonds through which anyone can anonymously donate money to political parties. As many as 105 parties submitted the data in a 'sealed cover' to the Election Commission in May 2019. Only 17 of the 19 parties were named in the Election Commission's list

receiving bonds 2017-18 and 2019-20. Two other parties were listed separately. These parties collectively received Rs 6,201 crore and a whopping 68 percent of this unaccounted money was donated to one party, the BJP.

The BJP had the lion's share with Rs 4,215.89 crore of the total electoral bonds worth Rs 6,201 crore – between 2017-18 and 2019-20. The Congress, trailing far behind the BJP, raised Rs 706.12 crore or 11.3 percent of all bonds en-cashed and rest by others.

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Centre may extend free foodgrain scheme 

Assembly polls in Himachal, Gujarat in mind 

 

The Modi government is keen to extend the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) providing free food grains to over 80 crore people for another three months. The scheme, which started a couple of years ago due to Covid, is ending on September 30.

The proposal is engaging the government’s attention as it will have serious financial implications on the Exchequer. If extended for another three months, it may cost around Rs 56400 crores extra. The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman is on record to say that the PMGKY would cost around Rs 2,27,841 crore in a full year. 

The foodgrain stocks are sufficient at the moment at 60 million tones. But massive floods in many states and less rainfall in Punjab & Haryana etc, may lead to less production and procurement. The government’s finances are already under pressure to bring down prices of essential commodities and the geopolitical situation.

However, the BJP leadership wants the scheme to be extended at least until December as Assembly polls are due to be held in Himachal Pradesh (November) and Gujarat (December) this year. The BJP leaders are of the view that discontinuation of the scheme meant for 80 crore people during elections in two states, may send a wrong signal. Under the scheme, 5 kg of food grains is provided free of cost to 81.35 crore beneficiaries.

It is learnt that the Prime Minister will take a final political call after his return from the SCO Summit. The government’s subsidy bill on account of food, fertilizer and cooking gas has already shot up alarmingly. The Department of Expenditure in the Finance ministry is averse to extending the free foodgrain scheme due to rising fiscal deficit. There is a possibility that a few riders may be added while extending this scheme to bring down the subsidy bill. The growth in direct & indirect revenue collections every quarter may make the government's task easier. 

 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

BJP’s big Maharashtra worry

 

The BJP high command continues to be worried about retaining Maharashtra even after installing the Eknath Shinde-led coalition government. The BJP’s prime objective is to break the backbone of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Union Home Minister Amit Shah minced no words to make BJP’s intention clear when he visited Mumbai recently. He roared that Uddhav remained enemy number one. Surprisingly, Uddhav opted to maintain studied silence.  The BJP is aware that the ensuing BMC election will be the first major test of newly formed government.  At least two internal surveys in Mumbai  conducted by the BJP are not encouraging. It is in this background that the BJP is working on various permutations and combinations to pass the BMC hurdle. One suggestion under consideration right now is that MNS leader Raj Thackeray be made part of the coalition. The formula is that MNS and Eknath Shinde factions be merged into one entity and Raj Thackeray be given a key role. Shinde and Raj Thackeray visited each other’s residences for Ganesh pooja indicating growing bon-homie. While Shinde will continue to lead the government, Raj Thackeray may be made its head. Raj Thackeray is crowd puller and an orator par excellence and can galvanize Sena cadre. Raj Thackeray’s son may be brought in as MLC and minister while Shinde’s son be inducted in the Union ministry at a later date. In the event of this proposal not succeeding, BJP-Shinde-MNS can come to a workable understanding to fight the BMC polls together. The BJP is aware of political consequences of any adverse outcome of BMC elections.  The first proposal has many hurdles and needs fine-tuning. It transpires that  Eknath Shinde may visit the national Capital to discuss various options.

Rising graph of Vinod Tawade

 

Maharashtra’s senior BJP leader Vinod Tawade was once a serious contender for the Chief Minister’s post in 2014. But he missed the bus and Devendra Fadnavis was handed over the command of the BJP-Sena government. Tawde had to remain content as a minister in the coalition government. The worst came in 2019 when he was denied a party ticket at the last moment and forced to cool his heels outside.  But he never lost his patience and maintained a low profile. It took the high command one year to bring him to Delhi and make BJP’s secretary. One more year went by and he was promoted as General Secretary in November 2021. This was a big promotion which raised many eyebrows. The central leadership assigned the role of Chief coordinator to Tawde to elicit support for President Droupadi Murmu. He along with five other Chief coordinators traveled extensively to seek support for Murmu. He made his mark as incharge of Haryana and was rewarded with the most crucial state of Bihar. Along with Tawde, two other leaders belonging to Maharashtra also got party work indicating that the western state continues to be BJP’s big challenge. If Prakash Javadekar was given the charge of Kerala, Pankaja Munde made  Sah-prabhari of Madhya Pradesh. These steps are part of BJP’s larger plans aimed at winning the BMC polls.

The BJP high command wants leaders to close ranks and recent changes are part of this exercise. Secondly, Tawde’s rise may not lead to his return to state politics either. Devendra Fadnavis will continue to be the party's face in Maharashtra and play the role of a pivot. The party high command also wants to improve the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde)-MNS  tally to 44 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP-Sena (Uddhav) had secured 42 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.

 

Ex- CBI chief fight for pension

 

Former CBI chief Alok Verma is engaged in a bitter battle with the Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) under the Prime Minister post retirement benefits. The government withheld pension & perks citing his refusal to join as DG, Fires Services after his removal as Director, CBI. Verma was appointed for a two year tenure as CBI chief. But he had a bitter battle with his special director Rakesh Asthana. The government removed both of them from the CBI after the High Powered Committee’s recommendation headed by the Central Vigilance Commission. Verma refused to join the new posting; DG, Fire Services. The government retaliated and 'forfeited his service' benefits. Verma is arguing that the tenure of  CBI Director’s post tenure is fixed for two years. Once he was removed, he could not have joined as DG, Fire Services as he had retired in July 2017. The DG Fire Service is not a designated post for two year. But no one is listening and he has been running from pillar to post for his pension for more than four years. But no luck. 

 

 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Fly On The Wall 

 BJP’s big Maharashtra worry

 

The BJP high command continues to be worried about retaining Maharashtra even after installing the Eknath Shinde-led coalition government. The BJP’s prime objective is to break the backbone of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Union Home Minister Amit Shah minced no words to make BJP’s intention clear when he visited Mumbai recently. He roared that Uddhav remained enemy number one. Surprisingly, Uddhav opted to maintain studied silence.  The BJP is aware that the ensuing BMC election will be the first major test of newly formed government.  At least two internal surveys in Mumbai  conducted by the BJP are not encouraging. It is in this background that the BJP is working on various permutations and combinations to pass the BMC hurdle. One suggestion under consideration right now is that MNS leader Raj Thackeray be made part of the coalition. The formula is that MNS and Eknath Shinde factions be merged into one entity and Raj Thackeray be given a key role. Shinde and Raj Thackeray visited each other’s residences for Ganesh pooja indicating growing bon-homie. While Shinde will continue to lead the government, Raj Thackeray may be made its head. Raj Thackeray is crowd puller and an orator par excellence and can galvanize Sena cadre. Raj Thackeray’s son may be brought in as MLC and minister while Shinde’s son be inducted in the Union ministry at a later date. In the event of this proposal not succeeding, BJP-Shinde-MNS can come to a workable understanding to fight the BMC polls together. The BJP is aware of political consequences of any adverse outcome of BMC elections.  The first proposal has many hurdles and needs fine-tuning. It transpires that  Eknath Shinde may visit the national Capital to discuss various options.

Rising graph of Vinod Tawade

 

Maharashtra’s senior BJP leader Vinod Tawade was once a serious contender for the Chief Minister’s post in 2014. But he missed the bus and Devendra Fadnavis was handed over the command of the BJP-Sena government. Tawde had to remain content as a minister in the coalition government. The worst came in 2019 when he was denied a party ticket at the last moment and forced to cool his heels outside.  But he never lost his patience and maintained a low profile. It took the high command one year to bring him to Delhi and make BJP’s secretary. One more year went by and he was promoted as General Secretary in November 2021. This was a big promotion which raised many eyebrows. The central leadership assigned the role of Chief coordinator to Tawde to elicit support for President Droupadi Murmu. He along with five other Chief coordinators traveled extensively to seek support for Murmu. He made his mark as incharge of Haryana and was rewarded with the most crucial state of Bihar. Along with Tawde, two other leaders belonging to Maharashtra also got party work indicating that the western state continues to be BJP’s big challenge. If Prakash Javadekar was given the charge of Kerala, Pankaja Munde made  Sah-prabhari of Madhya Pradesh. These steps are part of BJP’s larger plans aimed at winning the BMC polls.

The BJP high command wants leaders to close ranks and recent changes are part of this exercise. Secondly, Tawde’s rise may not lead to his return to state politics either. Devendra Fadnavis will continue to be the party's face in Maharashtra and play the role of a pivot. The party high command also wants to improve the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde)-MNS  tally to 44 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP-Sena (Uddhav) had secured 42 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.

 

Ex- CBI chief fight for pension

 

Former CBI chief Alok Verma is engaged in a bitter battle with the Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) under the Prime Minister post retirement benefits. The government withheld pension & perks citing his refusal to join as DG, Fires Services after his removal as Director, CBI. Verma was appointed for a two year tenure as CBI chief. But he had a bitter battle with his special director Rakesh Asthana. The government removed both of them from the CBI after the High Powered Committee’s recommendation headed by the Central Vigilance Commission. Verma refused to join the new posting; DG, Fire Services. The government retaliated and 'forfeited his service' benefits. Verma is arguing that the tenure of  CBI Director’s post tenure is fixed for two years. Once he was removed, he could not have joined as DG, Fire Services as he had retired in July 2017. The DG Fire Service is not a designated post for two year. But no one is listening and he has been running from pillar to post for his pension for more than four years. But no luck. 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

 

 

Nitish's Opposition unity game-plan

Field Common candidate in 400 LS seats against BJP

 

 

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is evolving a new formula of Opposition unity as many regional parties are opposed to having any truck with the Congress. He has conveyed to leaders with whom he has interacted so far that without Congress, there can be no unity.

Nitish Kumar's plan is fielding common Opposition candidates against the BJP in 400 Lok Sabha seats. There could be seat adjustments if not an alliance. In the remaining seats there could be “friendly fights”.

The BJP was able to win 300 plus seats in 2019 polls largely because the Opposition was fragmented. The BJP achieved this feat even when it could not make a mark in many big states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and others.

The Opposition parties must avoid multi-corner contests. For example, the Congress had contested around 475 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 and could win 52 seats only. There are around 220 Lok Sabha seats where Congress is the main challenger to the BJP.

The Congress has allies in Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Assam etc even as talks with SP, JD (S) and other parties are continuing. The Left parties and the Congress have been fighting against each other in Kerala and sharing the booty. But there are many like K Chandrashekhar Rao in Telangana, Mamata Bannerjee in West Bengal and Naveen Patnaik in Odisha who are against any truck with the Congress.

The Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati and AAP's Arvind Kejriwal have been going solo in the past and bringing them around will be a tough task.

Nitish Kumar will have a tough task in evolving a workable formula in many such states. But sources close to him say that working unity can be achieved on 400 Lok Sabha seats.

 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Fly on the Wall

The importance of PAs 

 

Ghulam Nabi Azad blamed Personal Assistants (PAs) of Rahul Gandhi for all the mess the Congress was facing before quitting. Though he did not name a particular PA but alleged that these assistants were responsible for blocking access to Rahul Gandhi. But political analysts are surprised about this allegation that Private Secretaries and Personal Assistants are known to be playing key roles in the lives of Prime Ministers and all Congress presidents. The importance of  MO Mathai during the political journey of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru has been articulated in books. Ghulam Nabi Azad who spent nearly 50 years in the Congress Party was fully aware of the role played by R K Dhawan and M L Fotedar during the Indira Gandhi era. It is not a secret that no one could meet Indira Gandhi without assistance of he party has grown up in the Congress Party for almost 50 years and knows very well the importance of private secretaries and Personal Assistants in the party.  He was fully aware that no one could meet Indira Gandhi without them. It was part of the political culture in the Congress Party and Chief Ministers, Cabinet Ministers & senior leaders had learnt to live with it. The importance of  V George was known to all Congressmen as Rajiv Gandhi's PA. After his demise, he became the most powerful Private Secretary to Sonia Gandhi in 1991 and served her for a long time. But many leaders are hands on and create a system so that PAs don't over-step their roles and keep shuffling them too. Yet, leaders heavily depend on their trusted PS, OSDs and PAs who start filtering visitors wanting to meet the VIP. Incidentally, R K Dhawan, ML Fotedar rose to become Union Ministers in the PV Narasimha Rao government. V George missed his Rajya Sabha seat by a whisker. So why blame Rahul Gandhi!

 

Pawar spreading wings

 

At a time when the BJP is on a massive poaching mission in Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand and elsewhere, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar is working hard to expand his party’s base in Delhi and Haryana these days. If he held a youth conclave to strengthen the party in Delhi’s Constitutional club of India, he presided over a large gathering of party workers belonging to Haryana. He plans to hold such conclaves in other states to strengthen the party. Insiders say that Pawar is keen to have a finger in the pie during the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. However, other NCP leaders feel that it is more a pastime rather than expanding NCP’s wings in North Indian states. 

 

 

New AG anytime soon

 

In a rare move, the Prime Minister asked the Attorney General of India K K Venugopal to find his successor. The 90-year old has been given a three months extension so that he can help the government find a successor. Finally, a 3-member committee has been constituted to recommend the name of new AG which has short-listed three names; Solicitor-General Toshar Mehta, Rakesh Dwivedi, C S Vaidyanathan, who argued Ram Janmabhoomi case in the Supreme Court as an advocate of Ram Lalla. Earlier, the name of Darius J. Khambata of Mumbai was doing the rounds. He held two distinguished public law offices: of Advocate General for Maharashtra and of Additional Solicitor General of India.

 

Harivansh to continue as RS Deputy Chairman

 

 

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh was in a dilemma about his continuation as his party, Janata Dal (U), had severed ties with the BJP. Being a JD (U) Rajya Sabha MP, he was expected to quit the post. When he did not attend the meeting of all party MPs and MLAs in Patna last month, it was seen as an act of defiance. But Nitish Kumar is reported to have conveyed to him that he may continue to hold the post as he was elected unanimously by the entire House in August 2018 and it is a non-partisan post.

Harivansh doesn’t want to be seen as rebelling against Nitish Kumar, who brought him to public life. He had sent a word to Nitish Kumar that he will abide by the party diktat. But the dust has been settled now.  The BJP is also comfortable as he has been handling the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha with tact and toughness. Surprisingly, neither JD (U) nor Harivansh have commented on the issue. 

 

 

 Tailpiece: The August 28 Congress Working Committee was held with all three members of the Gandhi family joining it during the mourning period as Sonia Gandhi’s mother had died in Italy the previous day. The Gandhis had left India on August 23 and yet they decided to join CWC through video-conferencing. Reason; they didn’t want to be seen delaying the announcement of the organizational elections schedule. The funeral took place on August 30.   

 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Kejri-Nitish meet

AAP not keen on alliance with Congress

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has conveyed to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that he is not averse to bringing all like-minded parties together to defeat the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. But the AAP will have no truck with the Congress as the party has lost its moorings with no prospects of its revival.  Kejriwal is reported to have also expressed the view that senior Congress leaders are moving towards the BJP in large numbers.  However, Congress workers in states after states are flocking towards the AAP. He explained to Nitish Kumar that AAP has been effectively replacing Congress in states due to its pro-people policies.

Since this was the first formal meeting between the two leaders on devising strategy to defeat the Modi government in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, they agreed to explore it further. Nitish Kumar, however, is of the firm view that without the Congress there can be no national viable alternative. K C Tyagi, senior general secretary of the JD(U) said that Nitish Kumar is of the firm view that without the Congress and the Left, there can be no effective and viable national alternative. Nitish Kumar, during his 4-day stay in Delhi held a series of meetings with the Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi (Congress) and  Sharad Pawar (NCP).

 

Nitish Kumar is of the firm view that a "Common Minimum Program" (CMP) be evolved first and differences among Opposition parties can be resolved in due course. Nitish Kumar's agenda during this current visit is to frame a CMP while other issues can be sorted out later.  The AAP is not enthused for any alliance with the Congress and focusing on Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat during the Assembly polls this year end. It dislodged Congress in Delhi and Punjab.

 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

 

PMO, President House, DOPT hit hard by staff crunch

 

The Prime Minister’s Office, President House, Cabinet Secretariat and other ministries & departments of the Central government are facing acute manpower shortage. If the PMO is facing 30% manpower shortage, the President’s House has 24% less work force. The DOPT which is directly under the PMO faces a 22% staff shortage. It’s the same story in the Cabinet Secretariat and other ministries. The UPSC, the Centre’s key recruiting body, has 35% less manpower. The department of Science & Technology is facing its worst with a 70% shortage in vacancies. It has 3899 staff though sanctioned strength is 12442.

It is surprising that the number of vacancies have been rising at all levels year after year. If the number of vacancies at the Centre was 4.12 lakhs as on March 31, 2016, it rose to 9,79,327 as on March 1, 2021. Instead of filling government jobs since 2016, the number of vacant posts doubled. In a span of five years, the number of vacant posts grew by 5,67,327 taking the tally to nearly ten lakhs. It would be interesting to note that of the total gazette and non-gazette posts in the central government is 40.35 lakhs and only 30.55 lakhs employees are in place. Experts say continuous dwindling manpower is part of Modi’s plan of “Minimum government Maximum governance.” In a way, the government is saving Rs 19,000 crore annually by not filling vacant posts.

The data above does not include vacancies in defense forces, Public Sector Undertakings including banks & financial institutions, tribunals & commissions and other bodies. The government has, however, claimed that it created 2 crores incremental jobs every year under the MUDRA yojana during the past three years. The latest Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) data to be released shortly will give a detailed account of job creation. When asked, the DoPT said, “steps have been taken for streamlining direct recruitment process by doing away with interviews for lower level posts, introduction of computer based examinations and simplification of pre-appointment procedures.

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

 

BJP’s Mission 2024

 

BJP changing its tune, wants alliance with regional parties in states

 The BJP leadership is re-calibrating its strategy towards regional parties. Instead of attacking them left, right & center, it is wooing them keeping an eye on 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Until the other day, BJP Chief, J P Nadda was attacking them saying they  follow dynastic (Parivarvaad) politics and are corrupt. But now it wants alliance with TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra. The Prime Minister had a brief “bump in” meeting with Naidu which followed a meeting of his son Nara Lokesh  with Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the contours of alliance. The TDP had supported the NDA candidate in presidential polls. The BJP was keen for an alliance with the ruling YSRCP. But the latter was reluctant due to its own political compulsions. 

In Haryana, it is working hard to bring various factions of the Devi Lal's family. Two factions; Dushyant Chautala-led JJP and Ranjit Kumar are already part of the NDA. But the BJP wants the Abhay Chautala led INLD to be part of a greater alliance to give Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress a united fight.

 

It is also trying for a patch up between the two factions of LJP; one led by Union Minister, Pashupati Paran and the other led by  Chirag Paswan, Lok Sabha MP and son of late Ram Vilas Paswan. In Tamil Nadu, it is working hard to bring the EPS and OPS factions together though EPS faction won a legal battle. The BJP has altered its strategy in crucial states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Haryana as the leadership has sensed the danger emerging. The PM had said in Kerala recently that all corrupt Opposition parties are trying to unite against the BJP before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is a potential face against the BJP not only in the state but outside too. Nitish Kumar virtually launched his party’s national campaign through display of big posters with slogans like "Pradesh mein dikha, Desh mein dikhega”. Therefore, the BJP changed its strategy and wooing allies in states.