by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Fly on the Wall

Harish Gupta

Modi's Caste googly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually silenced the Opposition parties including Rahul Gandhi who were demanding holding Caste Census without further delay. Modi bitter;ly attacked the Congress for dividing the Hindu society on the caste lines for political gains. But this was only the beginning. Modi googly came when he asked why the Congress never asked to conduct the Caste Census of the Muslims and other religions too. After all, Muslims are also divided on the Caste lines and there are among the Muslims who are virtually untouchable and out-caste. Political analysts say that Modi is perhaps the first political leader in India who has raised the issue of why the Congress did not hold or raised the issue of holding Caste Census among the Muslims. Why are the Hindus being singled out, he wondered. It is said that the Muslims are divided largely into the Shias, the Sunnis and Pasmandas who are very poor and largely treated as out castes. Rahul Gandhi has not reacted to Modi's statement. But Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the PM is on the path of dividing the country on religious lines. But Modi's statement reveals the government's intentions that it is toying with the idea of holding Caste Census if such a Census is agreeable across other religions too. This will be like opening another Pandora's box and too hot a subject. Even BJP's partners in the NDA have also maintained a silence on the issue. Perhaps, the issue may crop up in the Winter session of Parliament which will be held after the results of Maharashtra & Jharkhand Assembly polls are out on November 23. Modi's googly has gladdened the hearts of the RSS leadership as well.

Why No Rahul-Omar Chemistry !

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi seems to be somewhat cold to National Conference Vice president and now Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. It is unimaginable that Rahul Gandhi did not congratulate Omar Abdullah on his big Assembly win in the Union Territory against heavy odds. He made no personal phone call to him either. Rather, he chose to telephone Dr Farooq Abdullah on the INDIA bloc win in J&K while Omar Abdullah telephoned Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on the alliance getting a majority.

Though the Abdullahs have been having extremely cordial relations with the Gandhis. But Omar Abdullah has been very upset with Rahul Gandhi for his style of functioning as an alliance partner in the state. It was decided that the Congress would focus on seats in the Jammu region and take on the BJP head-on while the NC will fight with BJP and its proxies in Naya Kashmir. But Rahul Gandhi chose to campaign in the Naya Kashmir areas particularly on seats where the Congress was having a friendly fight with the NC. Omar had to speak up about it and went on to question the Congress leaders for not campaigning in Jammu on September 26 a week before the final phase of polling on October 1.

Omar Abdullah went on record to say, “I hope after Rahul is done campaigning in one or two seats in Kashmir, he focuses on Jammu. Ultimately what the Congress does in Kashmir is not important. What the Congress does in Jammu is important.” Rahul ended up showing Congress' worst performance not only in Haryana but also in Jammu as well.

Rahul's stony silence on NC Win

Rahul Gandhi's conspicuous silence all through on October 8 when the results of Haryana and J&K were out surprised many. Finally, he put out a post on social media on the Assembly election results the next day promising to analyze the reasons for the Congress’s shock defeat in Haryana but made no mention of the party’s performance in J&K. He skipped any reference to the National Conference, which won 42 of the 49 seats while the Congress could barely win six seats.

Rahul Gandhi not only avoided talking to Omar Abdullah but also made no mention of the National Conference on the “X” one day after the poll results. The poor performance of Congress is attributed to Rahul Gandhi's failure to address any joint rally with Omar Abdullah during the poll campaign though Farooq Abdullah did join the Congress leader at a public meeting on his last trip. Omar Abdullah is miffed that the Congress has not focused enough on the Jammu region where it was in direct contest with the BJP.

Tailpiece: Eyebrows were raised at the BJP's headquarters when party's musket and general secretary Vinod Tawade raised a slogan from the podium welcoming PM Modi, “Modi ji Vikas Karo Hum Tumhare Saath Hein”. The occasion was celebrating the party's historic win in Haryana polls and credit went solely to Modi. Tawade raised the slogan and the crowd roared though a few wondered why the slogan was raised. Perhaps, Tawade was part of a close-door meeting with Modi and others prior to the celebrations.

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Fly on the wall

BJP's brush with its women leaders

Bollywood actress cum first term Lok Sabha MP Kangna Ranaut is not the first woman leader who has embarrassed the party. She has done it on several occasions in the past as she is brutally frank and known for speaking her mind. She recently claimed that the farmers' protests in 2020 were a build up to a “Bangladesh-like situation” in India and several killings and rapes were reported from the protest sites. There was a huge outcry in Haryana BJP which is already on the back foot and distanced itself from Ranaut’s remarks. As if this was not enough, she was also directed to retract her statement.

Even before she joined the BJP, she made headlines for making nasty remarks against the Opposition leaders and parties. It was due to these qualities that the BJP leadership rewarded her with a Lok Sabha ticket and she won. But the BJP is now finding it extremely embarrassing as she keeps speaking her "mind" on one issue or the other. But this is the first time she has been forced to retract her remarks. However, Kangna is not the first BJP woman leader who has embarrassed the BJP. The party has a long list of such women leaders barring late Sushma Swaraj. The fire-brand Hindu icon Pragya Thakur was brought to the Lok Sabha from Madhya Pradesh with much fan-fare and throughout her five year tenure, she ran into one controversy or the other. The BJP also had its ups and down with Uma Bharati and to some extent with Smriti Irani as well. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasudhara Raje Scindia's brush with the party high command is continuing even now. The BJP had also been uncomfortable with Maharashtra's Pankja Munde though all is well now.

Manoj Sinha, BJP's new star on horizon

With the almost violence free conduct of polls in Jammu & kashmir, the Modi dispensation is extremely happy with Lieutenant Governor  Manoj Sinha. He has been at the helm of affairs after the utter failure of his predecessors; be it Satya Pal Malik or G C Murmu who ran into one controversy or the other. Earlier, the Modi dispensation retained N N Vohra from 2014 to August 2018 as Governor, an appointee of PM Manmohan Singh. Vohra served the state for more than 10 years. But it was Manoj Sinha who delivered what Modi desired. Malik fell out with Modi after he was shifted to Goa and later to Meghalaya while G C Murmu had to be brought to Delhi as CAG.

Manoj Sinha had missed the bus for the CM's post in 2017 and had lost Lok Sabha polls too in 2019. He was picked up by Modi as LG J&K where he proved his mettle as an able administrator and astute politician. If the BJP is able to form a government with the help of individual groups and Independents in the Valley, Sinha's graph will shoot up further. There are reports that he will be adequately rewarded after the new government stabilizes in the state. Sinha has strong roots in the RSS and is extremely close to Modi and Amit Shah. There are many who say he may be the dark horse for the post of the BJP president though it will be a long shot.

No playing to the tunes of agencies

It seems the Congress has decided to toe the line of other INDIA block Chief Ministers who refused to resign merely on the ground of a case of corruption being registered by the agencies or even on court orders. Though Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had resigned after the ED took his custody. But Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stood his ground and stayed put for nearly six months while in jail. With the various high courts and even SC coming down heavily on the agencies for rushing to arresting people and keeping them in jail without even filing a chargesheet or accelerating trial, the Congress has decided to follow the same path. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has not filed an appeal against the HC order and nor quit in the MUDA scam. The Congress appears to have taken a cue from the BJP even after Siddaramaiah's petition was dismissed by the Kartataka high court challenging the Governor’s sanction for investigating the “illegal” allotment of land to his wife. Though the Opposition is pressing for his resignation, the Congress seems to have stood by Siddharamiah until a chargesheet is filed.

A Third Intellectual Forum Emerges 

After the tremendous success of Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and India Foundation, a third such organization is making waves in the Lutyens' Delhi. The VIF was founded by Ajit Doval who rose to become the National Security Adviser. All those connected to the VIF made a huge contribution to the cause for which it was created in 2009 and many of its leading lights are playing a key role in the Modi dispensation. Then came the Ram Madhav-led India Foundation which is working in many areas relating to security and international affairs. Ram Madhav was once close to Modi and later sent back to the RSS and now back in action in J&K as Modi's point's man. 

Come 2024 and a new Foundation emerged under the nomenclature of ‎ World Intellectual Forum (WIF). Its key man is veteran RSS leader Ram Lal who was BJP's general secretary (Organisation) for many years. He was replaced by B L Santoh. Ram Lal is the key person  behind the WIF. Thinkers, intellectuals and activists from across the globe descended in Delhi to attend its major meeting here quietly. Ram Lal is highly respected in the RSS and the BJP and popular with the cadre. 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

BJP may field 4 ex-CMs, top leaders in Jharkhand

After anticipating a drubbing in Haryana Assembly polls, the BJP leadership is leaving nothing to chance in Jharkhand and Maharashtra state polls to be held this year-end. It is contemplating fielding at least four former CMs and senior leaders in the Assembly to win the polls. Former CM  Arjun Munda, recent entrant former CM Champai Soren and veteran leader Babulal Marandi and former CM and current Odisha governor Raghubar Das may be fielded in the assembly polls. Alternatively, someone from his family may be brought in. The names of Union Woman and Child welfare Minister Annapurna Devi, and BJP's national secretary and former ST morcha chief, and Rajya Sabha MP Samir Oraon are also being mentioned in this regard. A final decision on Annapurna Devi is yet to be taken.

The BJP leadership moved with alacrity in Jharkhand to seal the deal with its NDA allies including JD (U) and Sudesh Mahato-led All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU). Another ally, LJP of Chirag Paswan is also insisting on a couple of seats. But the BJP seems unwilling. The seat-sharing formula is likely to be announced anytime. It may be mentioned that Union Agriculture and Food Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam CM Hemant Biswa Sarma, Incharge and co-incharge of Jharkhand election, have traveled to the state more than 15 times since June 17 to put BJP's best foot forward. In 2019, the BJP faced a serious setback when it contested the assembly polls alone and ended up winning only 25 out of 81 seats. The BJP may contest 68-71 seats leaving the rest for its allies. The ruling JMM, Congress, RJD, CPI, CPM and others are also finalizing seat-sharing deals.

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

RSS' first reaction in five month on ties with the BJP

“It's a Family Matter” Says Ambekar on Nadda's comments

The cat is finally out of the bag and it's official. For the first time, the RSS officially said that the organisation “solves 'family matters like family matters' and doesn't discuss such issues on public platforms.” But it acknowledged that there is a matter and needs to be solved within the family. This also indicates that the last word on controversy erupting within the Sangh Parivar over BJP president J P Nadda's comments in the midst of Lok Sabha poll campaign about the RSS, has not been written yet.

Sunil Ambekar, Joint general secretary of the RSS declined to discuss J P Nadda's comments in public today saying it's a 'family matter.' Nadda had said in May 2024 in the midst of Lok Sabha polls “In the beginning, we would have been less capable, smaller and needed the RSS (support). Today, we have grown and we are capable. The BJP runs itself. That’s the difference.”

Since then, the RSS had maintained a stony silence on the issue with the BJP not retracting or issuing any clarification on either. Therefore, Sunil Ambekar's reaction is extremely significant. It reflects that the issue is alive and being the 'Family matter', it will be solved within the family.

It may be worth mentioning that after the Lok Sabha polls, the RSS leaders had met J P Nadda at his residence and the latter also travelled to Palakkad to attend the annual review meeting of the RSS with its 36 frontal organisations. No official statement was issued from Kerala on the issue then. But Sunil Ambekar, who is also the official spokesman of the RSS, commented on the issue for the first time after almost five months.

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Fly on the Wall

Why has Gadkari started talking!

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari is known for speaking his mind frank and candid. In the past ten years in the government as a Cabinet Minister in the Modi government, he had created a lot of uneasiness and there was a time when misunderstanding reached  a plateau. There was even a talk that he may be even part of the government. A lot of water had flown down the Ganges since then and Gadkari stopped talking at public forums and even privately. But lately, he has started talking and putting forth his views though within the parameters. A couple of weeks ago, he wrote a letter to the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman seeking to lift the 18% GST levied on insurance policies. When controversy refused to die down, Gadkari explained he had only forwarded a memorandum submitted to him by a delegation from his Nagpur constituency. The end result was that Nirmala Sithraman set up a GoM to look into the entire gamut of GST levied on health and life insurance policies.

But this was only the beginning. Later, he made a public disclosure that he was offered the PM's post by a senior leader of the Opposition if he was interested. Eyebrows were raised by many in the BJP but Gadkari stood his ground. Recently, Gadkari fired another salvo at a public function saying “If we want our nation to become 'Vishwaguru' (educator of the world), we should take the path of social harmony." He made another remark: The real test of democracy is whether the person at the helm of affairs is able to tolerate the strongest opinion against him and introspect.” His worry was that the country “is facing a problem not about differences of opinion, but the lack of it.” The last word on what's cooking behind the curtain is yet to be seen.

The mystery behind delayed sanction

The Union Home ministry had been holding back sanction to prosecute Lalu Prasad Yadav and virtually his entire family barring elder son Tej Pratap in the Land for Job scam. Though a chargesheet had been filed in January 2024, the supplementary chargesheet had been held back. The story goes that the delay was part of a political deal that the RJD will never tie-up with Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (U) during the Assembly polls due in late next year. But Lalu committed the cardinal mistake and started attacking PM Modi personally and Tejshawi Yadav went to meet Nitish Kumar at his residence. Though it was an official meeting between the two leaders, insiders say that BJP leadership was uneasy. Nitish Kumar has lately been flexing his muscles sensing that the BJP is dependent on him not only in Bihar but Delhi as well. The CBI was quietly waiting for the sanction of the Home ministry and one fine morning the sanction came. It is said that Tejashwi Yadav was not much inclined to open the pipeline. But Lalu tutored him that living in fear is worse than death. The Job for Land is a cast iron case and the Special judge is in a mood to finish the trial before Bihar Assembly polls. The case linked to Group-D railway appointments in exchange for land when Lalu Prasad Yadav was Railway Minister between 2004-2009.

No Takers of Smriti Irani in Delhi?

The BJP leadership is desperately searching for a new 'local leader' who can bring the party to power in the National Capital. Though the BJP has been winning Lok Sabha polls in 1998-1999 under late Atal Behari Vajpayee and decisively for three consecutive terms under PM Modi. But when it comes to the Delhi Assembly, the drought has been humiliating. The BJP failed to win Delhi even once since 1998 though it made several experiments during the past 26 years. If Sheila Dikshit ruled for 15 years, the AAP has been in power since 2013. The BJP leadership is burning midnight oil to formulate a strategy to win Delhi Assembly polls due in February 2025. One of the names that made headlines recently was that of former Union Minister Smriti Irani. It now transpires that the local unit of the BJP is not comfortable with her due to her flaring up tendencies etc. It goes without saying that she has all the ingredients to lead the Delhi unit. But Bansuri Swaraj, a first time Lok Sabha MP and daughter of late Sushma Swaraj is a hot favourite. She has shown qualities in public discourse and impressed all. The ball is the court of party high command.

A new “AAP” experiment in Bihar

Come October 2 and a new political outfit -Jan Suraaj party- is set to be born. Poll consultant-turned-politician, Prashant Kishor, will showcase his political vision of giving an ideal governance and development model. He had already created waves by declaring that he will throw out Nitish Kumar's liquor ban law which is anti-poor. Kishor had successfully sold various models in many states while formulating winning strategies for different political parties. He thinks that Bihar needs a fresh air as people are fed up with Lalu, Nitish and other parties. No one is sure whom Kidhor will hit in the Assembly polls. He had been making some noise about the necessity to rise above caste and creed. But he has now succumbed to these very things like distributing tickets proportionate to the population of different castes and rotating the command of the party among various castes. Will he succeed like Arvind Kejriwal's AAP is the issue?