Fly on the wall | Pawar’s mysterious Silence in Rajya Sabha

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Pawar’s mysterious Silence in Rajya Sabha

The entire political class is baffled about the mysterious silence of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar when the Rajya Sabha discussed three farm laws for days together. It was expected that the tallest farmer leader from Baramati who was UPA’s Agriculture Minister for ten long years, will put the record straight. If a leader of his stature had spoken, farmers and the government would have listened to him. He is perhaps the only one who could have told the farmers to end the agitation as farm laws had been stayed for 18 months and has the stature to tell the government also to mend fences and find a way out. After all, it was Pawar who had brought many agricultural reforms during his tenure at the Centre and earlier in Maharashtra. Pawar was very much stationed in Delhi during the session of Parliament. But he maintained a mysterious silence in Rajya Sabha and chose to field Praful Patel instead. Though former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda who takes pride in calling himself “poor farmer from Karnataka” spoke in Rajya Sabha. But he has lost his rhythm and touch. Pawar could have made the difference. But he looked the other way. Why?? No answers are coming from the NCP.

Why PM is angry with Babus?

Ever since Modi came to power in 2014, the Babus are the worst sufferers. Gone are the days when they used to rule the roost and ministers used to eat out of their hands. In some of the ministries, the bureaucrats used to work as brokers between private players and politicians to reap the harvest. They were partying in 5 star hotels, playing golf, coming to the office at will etc. PM Modi talked of this Lutyens Delhi culture in 2014. Since then, Modi has been tightening the noose and Babus are now a nameless & faceless class. The Lutyens’ Delhi does not recognize when PM’s Principal Secretary PK Mishra takes a walk in the Lodhi Gardens. Modi wants to end Babus direct interaction with the businessmen completely and doggedly pursuing ‘faceless’ resolution of grievances. The Babus were crestfallen when Modi had a dig at them in the Lok Sabha saying they are not experts to run airlines, chemical or companies and everything. No PM has questioned their ability to deliver. Obviously, Modi was peeved that Babus are creating one hurdle after the other in the implementation of his policies. He blames them for sabotaging his vigorous divestment program and mobilizing Rs two lakh crores by selling PSUs. Modi feels Babus are to be blamed for it and gave them public bashing. Modi is now hoping for a Bonanza this year.

Rahul calling shots, G-23 crest fallen

Rahul Gandhi is neither Congress president nor Parliamentary Party leader. He has declared he won’t hold any post and rather no Gandhi will hold it either. But he continues to call the shots in the party, Parliament and makes no bones about it. He doesn’t mince words and is rather ruthless in getting things done. The Group of 23 dissident leaders had thought that he would be conciliatory to them after Priyanka Gandhi’s meetings with Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma. Both are part of G-23 letter writers. But their hopes were dashed when Sonia Gandhi sent a letter appointing Mallikarjun Kharge as Leader of Opposition in place of Ghulam Nabi Azad three days before his retirement. It sent Anand Sharma sulking who was in the race for the top post. The shocker came when Nana Patole was appointed as Maharashtra PCC chief. Now the word is that Patole may be given a ministerial berth making one of the Congress ministers resigning. The issue was broached when Patole met Rahul in Delhi. It is said that one Congress minister will quit to make room for Patole. No final word has emanated from 12 Tughlaq Road, the official residence of Rahul Gandhi in this regard. K C Venugopal is gradually replacing late Ahmad Patel in AICC.

The lone winner

The NaMo administration cleared 26 IAS officers of 1988 & 1989 batch to be promoted as Secretary and 14 as Secretary Equivalent. Maharashtra was lucky as Rajesh Agrawal was the lone officer figuring in the list of 40. But he too was made Secretary Equivalent and not as full secretary. Not a good sign for the richest and one of the largest states.

Citizenship Bill on Monday in Lok Sabha !

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report 

Citizenship Bill on Monday in Lok Sabha !

Numbers stares at Govt. in Rajya Sabha

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec 4

The government is all set to bring the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill or CAB, on Monday in Lok Sabha, December 9.

The new bill cleared by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday morning has new safeguards to protect the culture & heritage of the Assamese people to meet the aspiration of the people there. It also takes into account some of the ethnic groups interest in Northeastern states.

The bill was first tabled by the Modi government in Lok Sabha in 2016 and was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The JPC took three full years and submitted its report in January this year. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha but parliament ended in February without the proposed law getting Rajya Sabha clearance. It lapsed thereafter.

Now the government would like to get the CAB cracking on Monday itself and ensure that it goes to the Rajya Sabha the next day. The Parliament's session ends on December 13 and this is the most crucial agenda for the government.

The government will have a huge difficulty in Rajya Sabha in getting the bill passed as situation is no good.

The bill seeks to make it easier for non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to become citizens of India. he bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in January but lapsed without being cleared in Rajya Sabha. 

Govt Draws 20-point plan after Farmers suicides rise

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Govt Draws 20-point plan after Farmers suicides rise

Maharashtra tops the ladder

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, June 28

The government admitted in the Lok Sabha today that Maharashtra tops the list of states in the country where maximum number of farmers' suicides have taken place followed by Telangana and Karnataka. Maharashtra witnessed 3030 suicides out of 8007 suicides in the country during 2015 which is higher than 2014 when 2568 suicides took place. In fact, during 2015 the suicides as a whole rose in the country compared to 2014.

The government also informed the Rajya Sabha that data for the subsequent years of 2016, 2017 & 2018 is not available so far. However, there were no farmers' suicides in as many as 16 states out of 36 including in Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Goa.

The Agriculture & Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, however, claimed that these would come down as an action plan chalked out by the states is backed by 20-point aggressive support by the Centre. He said that agriculture is a a State subject and State Governments undertake development of perspective plans and ensure effective implementation of the programmes/ schemes.

The Government had constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee in 2016 to recommend a strategy for Doubling of Farmers’ Income (DFI) by the year 2022 following which an Empowered committee has been constituted on January 23 this year for monitoring the implementation of the recommendations.

The government initiated market reforms including e-NAM, Soil Health Cards, drip irrigation, PM Fasal BIMA, PM-Kisan, higher MSP and other steps to boost income and bring down input costs.

Ends

When Om Birla's own question remained Unanswered

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

When Om Birla's own question remained Unanswered

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, June 27

A strange situation arose in the Lok Sabha when the Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar saw a parliamentary question from none other than the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla on his table. The Parliament session of the 17^thLok Sabha began on June 17 and regular question & answer hour was to begin on June 21. Om Birla, as BJP MP from Rajasthan sent his first parliamentary question to the Ministry on June 17 itself after taking oath as member. His question was

(a) whether India fs domestic climate policy is outdated and relies on a disjointed institutional architecture, without having clarity on foundational values;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to overcome this;

(c) whether India strongly needs a comprehensive policy document with a new vision to guide it forward in responding to the rapidly closing window against climate change;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government intend to re-examine the existing policy framework through the lens of climate change, and revise the framework, as necessary and if so, the details thereof?. But by the time the reply was to be given, Om Birla had become Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Javadekar was puzzled as to what he should do. He called Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi whether he should put his reply in writing on the floor of the parliament or simply send it to the Hon Speaker. But Parliamentary practice & procedure required that if the Question of the Member is listed, the answer has to be tabled too. Finally, it was decided that answer need not be tabled though Unstarred Question was listed.

Interestingly, Om Birla has been an active member of the Lok Sabha in his first term when he participated in 163 debates including Budget, Motion of thanks on the President's Address & special mentions. He asked as many as 631 unstarred questions during 2014-19 and his attendance very high.

Ends 

Swearing-in in Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan, will be a mega affair

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Special report

Swearing-in in Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan, will be a mega affair

Search for new Lok Sabha Speaker begins

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, May 27

Immediately after his return from the two-day tour of Gujrat & Varanasi, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi got down to the highly cumbersome task of government formation.

While the preparation for the Swearing-in-ceremony in the forecourt of the at the Rashtrapati Bhawan will be held on May 30 as was held on May 26 in 2014. The difference will be the timing of the ceremony, 7 pm when the guests will not have to suffer due to extreme weather conditions. This time, the Rashtrapati Bhawan is likely to install coolers in large numbers for the comfort of the guests. The fact that the ceremony will be held in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan indicates that it will be a mega affair unheard of in the Independent India. Global leaders from across the continent are likely to be part of the ceremony and since Darbar Hall cannot accommodate the guests from India and abroad, it will be held in the Forecourt.

Modi is reportedly busy giving final touches to the guests list so that proper arrangements may be made for their stay and protocol.

The massive mandate has brought added problems for him as experienced and veteran leaders are not around due to one reason or the other. His first task is to find the new Speaker of the Lok Sabha as Sumitra Mahajan is not around. Senior BJP leader Hukumdev Narayan Yadav didn't contest.

There are indications that 4 term MP from Karnataka Prahlad Joshi is being considered. He is in the panel of the presiding officers since 2014 and had wide experience in Karnataka too.

Another name under the consideration is of Santosh Gangwar who is a 7 term MP. He is rated high and Labour Minister in the outgoing government.

Of course, Narendra Singh Tomar, Parliamentary & Rural Development Minister continues to be in the list of those being considered.

Interestingly, the Shiv Sena may be offered the post of Deputy Speaker as AIADMK's M Thambidurai has lost the Lok Sabha polls. Anandrao Adsul has been on the panel of the presiding officers in the Lok Sabha and is considered a

good choice for the post.

Efforts are now on to persuade BJP president Amit Shah to join the government as Arun Jaitley is not fit enough to take up ministerial assignment. Amkit Shah may continue to hold the post of the party president until alternative arrangements are made. In 2014, even Rajnath Singh held the twin posts- Home Minister and party chief- for several month.

Modi has a tough task to find hidden talent among the 303 Lok Sabha MP s and 73 Rajya Sabha MP s.

ends 

Modi invoked new rule to keep “Family” out

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi invoked new rule to keep “Family” out

No two tickets in one family

Birender Singh, Jagdish Mukhi, Sinha upset

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, April 9

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not only strictly implemented the rule that no leader above the age of 75 years be given the Lok Sabha but also invoked a new “No Family Promotion” clause as well.

If 16 senior party leaders including L K Advani, M M Joshi, Sumitra Mahajan, Kariya Munda and others were denied tickets, no new family member or two members of the same family will be given the tickets.

Many senior party leaders have become victims of Modi's this new rule too. Modi had made it clear to even BJP's Gandhis - Maneka and Varun- that only one of them will get the ticket and the other family member should work for the party. Both are sitting MP s of the Lok Sabha and Maneka Gandhi is is a Minister in the Modi government. It transpires that party president Amit Shah and Surface Transport & Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari pleaded that exception should be made in her case. It was also pointed out that Anurag Thakur and Dushyant Singh have been given tickets while Vansundhararaje scindia is sitting MLA. The rule may be made applicable in new cases. Modi made it clear no new family kith & kin will get the ticket if father or mother is active in politics. It was due to this very rule that Assam Governor Jadgish Mukhi had to eat the humble pie. Jagdish Mukhi, a senior Delhi BJP leader wanted Lok Sabha ticket for his son to be given a Lok Sabha from Delhi. But he was told that he would have to quit the post and declare political retirement. Similarly, Minister for Steel Chaudhary Birender Singh is hugely disappointed that his son was refused entry into the electoral arena. His son Birjender Singh is an IAS officer and wants to join the BJP to fight from Rohtak or Hisar. But the BJP was not in a mood to allow senior leader Birender Singh to quit to make room for his son when he is still 73 years. Even his wife is an MLA from Haryana. Therefore, he should wait for sometime. Modi's new policy that no two persons will be given ticket made several others unhappy. R K Sinha, a sitting BJP MP of the Rajya Sabha and close confidante of PM Modi wanted his son Rituraj Sinha to be fielded from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat. The seat had fallen vacant after Shatrughan Sinha became a rebel and denied the ticket. When Sinha met senior BJP leaders and tried to convince them that Rituraj will win the seat due to various factor, he was told that “family rule clause” is preventing the ticket to his son. Sensing the PM's tough stand, the leaders from states revised their proposals and withdrew all proposals to give tickets to kith & kin.

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PM-Kisan big headache for Modi

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive report

PM-Kisan big headache for Modi

How to Link 12.56 crores Farmers with Banks before polls 

Maharashtra's 1.18 crores farmers to get Cash dole 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued instructions to ministries of Rural Development, Agriculture, Finance and Information Technology to link 12.56 crores land-owning farmers with banks so that Rs 2000 could be transferred in February-early March. Once first installment is gone before notification, the government can also give second installment of Rs 2000  too.

The Ministries are working day-in and day-out with 36 states and union territories to collate farmers with their bank accounts.

Interestingly, 14 states including Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal are big beneficiaries as land records of farmers are fully computerized. Of the 12.56 crores farmers, 1.18 crores farmers in Maharashtra will benefit as their land record data is 98.83% complete and most are linked to banks too. (see Table) 

Surprisingly, the Agriculture Ministry data shows that land records is very poor in Goa where only 53% are computerized and  number of farmers is only 51000.

During the past 55 months, 34 crores new Jan Dhan accounts have been opened in the country. Of these, 15 crores are in the rural areas. Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told Lokmat that of the 12 crores MANREGA beneficiaries, the data of 8 crores beneficiaries is computerized. “We are now trying to find out land owners and link them with bank accounts.”

Radha Mohan Singh, Union Agriculture Minister, also told Lokmat that a data base of 8.59 crores exist in his ministry.  Of the 2.22 crores are beneficiaries of 15 schemes and 2.07 crores are linked with bank accounts. There are 7 crores farmers who have Kisan Credit Cards (KCC). 

Now PM Modi wants states and ministries to complete the task of linking 12.56 crores land oning farmers with their bank accounts by February 25 so that money could be transferred directly in their accounts.

Modi has covered 67% of rural population of land owning community by his PM-Kisan scheme. The foot-print of this cash transfer will spread over 342 rural Lok Sabha constituencies.

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Status of computerisation of land records
State	Number	% complete
Odisha	4524000	100.00
Karnataka	6977000	99.99
Telangana	5249000	99.44
Madhya Pradesh	7560000	99.21
Jharkhand	2304000	99.12
Maharashtra	11871000	98.83
West Bengal	6969000	98.10
Andhra Pradesh	7550000	97.16
Rajasthan	4748000	96.86
Gujarat	3634000	96.41
Punjab	361000	93.63
Uttrakhand	808000	93.58
Sikkim	57000	93.29
Haryana	1117000	92.93

Model Code of Conduct to come in force on March 6-8

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

exclusive report 

Model Code of Conduct to come in force on March 6-8

PM Modi to launch 70 projects in 70 days

Countdown for Lok Sabha poll begins

Amit Shah placates annoyed Mps

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec. 29

The countdown for the Lok Sabha poll has begun which is just 70 days away. As the Model Code of Conduct is likely to come in force any time between March 6-8 when the Election Commission issues notification, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a hurricane tour of the country inaugurating one project or the other and rolling out series of welfare schemes to placate all section of society. All infrastructure ministries including the Road Transport have been directed to complete projects. The Road ministry itself is in the process of completing projects worth Rs one lakh crores. In order to steal the last mile advantage, Modi will be on a spree to open projects and club them with Congress bashing. A number of AIIMS in various states which are being set up, may be opened by February. If sources are to be believed, Modi will inaugurate one project a day in the next 50 working days.

If sources are to be believed, the government will not wait for the Interim Budget to be presented on February 1 by the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to announce pre-poll doles. In fact, most of the measures relating to the farming, MSMEs, jobless youth and others will be announced immediately after the Parliament's session on January 8.

Since the Interim Budget session will be in continuation of the Winter session, both houses of parliament will re-assemble on January 30. The Budget session will end on February 15.

The PM is meticulously planning his 70-day working plan and traveling almost every day to launch one project or the other as part of his mission “Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar”. If he was in Varanasi today, he will be in Port Blair tomorrow where Netaji declared India's first War of Independence.

A high-level team comprising of BJP president Amit Shah, Arun Jaitley and Railway & Coal Minister Piyush Goyal is over-seeing the 2019 poll planning. They are in regular touch with the PM on an hourly basis to discuss every move. Though “Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar” tagline is yet to be given the go-ahead for the 2019 parliamentary polls as Modi wants something more catchy.

Piyush Goyal has ordered a fresh nation-wide survey which is being conducted by three leading pollsters to gauge the mood of the nation in different regions. Sources say it was ordered in the third week of December and the report will come in the second week of January. A similar survey by two leading agencies was conducted in August which had given BJP 300 plus seats. But the situation has undergone a sea-change after losses in three Hindi speaking states leaving Modi-Amit Shah team bewildered.

Shah is now holding parleys with 350 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Mps. He meets 40 Mps every day in two batches so that he could listen to them carefully. He has already met Mps from Bihar, Jharkhand & UP. This is first time he has done in 4 years and signals a change in the handling. Surely, the party doesn't want to leave anything chances before the D-day in May, 2019.

ends

Sushma shocks BJP, Not to contest Lok Sabha polls

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Sushma shocks BJP, Not to contest Lok Sabha polls

Health reasons cited, no one convinced

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 20

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj dropped a political bomb when she declared that she won't contest the next Lok Sabha elections. The sudden announcement on the while interacting with reporters in Indore where she had gone for campaigning, shocked political circles across all hues.

Sushma Swaraj cited health reasons for not contesting the next Lok Sabha polls. The 66-year-old Sushma Swaraj, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2016, said she had conveyed her decision to the party. “Candidates are decided by the party. But I have made up my mind that I won't be contesting in the next elections.This is in keeping with my health,” she added.

Sushma Swaraj's announcement made the party leadership speechless as it came at a time when the BJP is engaged in bitter battle with Congress in Madhya Pradesh which goes to polls on November 28.

Once touted as a prime ministerial candidate in the BJP, Sushma Swaraj had to settle for the External Affairs Minister's post when Modi came to power. But she was relegated in the background as her services were not utilized for political affairs. Rather, an impressions was created that the PMO is running her ministry. Secondly, a couple of new women leaders like Textiles Minister Smriti Irani and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are used more often for political work. Yet she made

Yet she did did at 66 what veterans shudder to even think to hang boots of electoral politics.

The tweetrati were out immediately after the announcement saying 66 years is “Too Young to Retire”.  Her husband who is a former Mizoram Governor and senior counsel of Supreme Court Swaraj Kaushal came up with a fitting and amusing response to her decision, saying “there came a time when even Milkha Singh stopped running.”

While some questioned whether Swaraj’s decision reflected “her dissatisfaction” with the Modi government, others speculated if this meant her political career was over.

Some even said, “Doesn’t Mean Her Political Career is Over”. Obviously, she has only announced that she will not be contesting the Lok Sabha polls after remaining Lok Sabha MP for four terms. It is felt that she may come to the Rajya Sabha later and continue her parliamentary career.

She served as Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting with additional charge of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Health Minister in Atal Behari Vajpayee's second government. She became External Affairs Minister in the Modi government in May 2014.

ends

Special report : Modi wants Forensic audit of Lok Sabha MPs

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Special report

Modi wants Forensic audit of Lok Sabha MPs

Amit Shah orders countrywide survey

12 parameters set to assess the performance

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan 7

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has directed a forensic audit of all sitting BJP MPs of the Lok Sabha before the 2019 Parliamentary polls.

Accordingly, the party high command has set up a special cell to assess the performance of MPs on various parameters set by Modi personally. Irrespective of the seniority, all MPs will be given marks as per the forensic audit or performance parameter set by the PM and implemented under a special unit set up by BJP president Amit Shah. Highly placed sources say that the assistance of select agencies has also been taken to collate the data collected. Since no single agency can assess the performance and winnability of the MPs in all the states, the party chief has short-listed at least six such agencies to undertake the exercise. The Prime Minister is keen to get a first hand report from the party about the performance of each MP on a dozen parameters set by him. The forensic audit will include the performance of the MPs in Lok Sabha and also their political clout and importance in respective constituency. The PM desired that each MP’s performance be assessed independent of his stature, seniority and political weightage.

Though Lok Sabha elections are still 15 months away, the PM wants to have a compact report about his/her contribution under these parameters. Accordingly, the party has begun the first-of-its-kind exercise which will help it to decide on their candidature for the next elections.

The report will first be submitted to party chief Amit Shah who will then discuss with the PM. The assessment report will be on state by state basis and will be submitted by September-October 2018 so that enough time is at hand to take a final call on the candidacy of the aspirant.

The attendance, participation in debates, contribution in committees they were nominated, role they played when on foreign tours on behalf of party or parliament, any major initiative taken, any special ideas generated and in any manner they helped the party to add value to the task assigned.

Since there is BJP government in most of the states, whether the MP concerned has been able to help in the implementation of central government schemes. Whether the MP has helped in popularizing Prime Minister Modi’s pet 23 projects launched during the past four years. Whether the MP has been able to utilize the MPLAD scheme funds in his/her constituency.

In addition, the conduct of concerned MP in public and Parliament will be under special scanner and what kind statements he/she made to the media.

Modi has been particularly keen about the active role played by the MPs on social media and has been critical of them in various interactions at parliamentary party meetings or otherwise. Lately Modi has stopped meeting MPs state-wise as he has completed this round twice. The forensic audit will also find out the winnability of sitting MPs in terms of popularity, accessibility and development works carried out in their areas.

Achchhe Din for Mallikarjun Kharge !

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Achchhe Din for Mallikarjun Kharge !

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb.24

A move is afoot to replace the current chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), P C Chacko. If sources within the Congress Party are to be believed, Chacko is unlikely to be given the fourth term. He is completing his third term on April 30 and there are reasons for Leader of the Congress Party in Lok Sabha  Mallikarjun Kharge to smile.

Though Chacko’s axing is being attributed to his remarks recently wherein he said as chairman of the PAC that the committee can summon Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his role in demonetization. Chacko had to beat a hasty retreat when BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Ajay Sancheti raised the issue at the PAC meeting saying that the statement was unwarranted and even illegal. The PAC has no right to summon the PM and the matter never came up before the committee either.

But the reasons for bringing in Mallikarjun Kharge in place of Chacko are political. Kharge is without a room in Parliament House though he is Leader of the Congress Party in Lok Sabha. The Modi Government decided not to bestow upon him a favour by giving him the status of the Leader of Opposition. Only a Leader of the Opposition is entitled to a room and staff. Kharge has been asking for a room inside the Parliament House to work effectively as the Leader of the Party. The Congress Party has only one room in the Parliament House which is occupied by Sonia Gandhi. But the PAC chairman he may have a room and stain Karnataka and giving Kharge another powerful committee, the Congress will send a message to the voters there.

The PAC chairman’s post goes to the main Opposition party. While Thomas has completed three consecutive terms as PAC chairman, there is no bar on the number of terms. BJP’s Murli Manohar Joshi was PAC chairman for five terms, although under different Lok Sabha.

Modi & Muffler Man

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Death of political parties is too visible & worrisome

The Delhi assembly results that are on every television screen now are significant not just for the surprise element. With BJP losing its sheen just nine months after its epochal victory, or so it seemed, in the May Lok Sabha polls, the election in the city state raises crucial questions on the very nature of politics.