by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Fly on the Wall

 

Agencies press Pause button in Maharashtra

 

All of a sudden the probe agencies of the Union Government have pressed the pause button in Maharashtra. Perhaps, after a change of guards in the state, the agencies are smoking the peace pipe. The Enforcement Directorate, CBI or Narcotics Control Bureau is not as active in the state as they were a few months ago. Though some leaders may be summoned by these agencies but there will be no coercive action or pro-active approach. Even the Income-Tax’s Investigation wing is on the prowl in other states but not in Maharashtra. It is said that the BJP leadership wants some breathing space as the political churning is going on and a lot of behind the scenes activities are at a feverish pitch. Therefore, there is no need to accelerate cases against other senior leaders of the Shiv Sena (Thackeray), NCP and Congress. The BJP’s understanding is that no useful purpose will be served by bringing rivals under further pressure. Insiders in the BJP say that the party is not confident enough to face the Mumbai Corporation polls and would wait until the outcome of the Himachal and Gujarat polls. Some party leaders are of the view that Shinde and Thackeray factions be persuaded to join hands in the larger interest of strengthening the Hindutva forces. Rahul Gandhi’s comment on Veer Savarkar was nothing but a self-goal at a time when the Opposition parties are planning to give a united fight to the BJP in 2024. But the former Congress president had given an avoidable ammunition to dismember the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. Another comment by Rahul Gandhi on a contentious issue will do the rest. Secondly, many of the NCP leaders feel that it was Sharad Pawar’s ‘Himalayan Blunder’ not to join hands with the BJP in November 2019. Perhaps, Pawar is nursing an ambition to lead Opposition parties in 2024. Those in the know of things say that the Congress in Maharashtra may witness turmoil if the BJP returns to power in Himachal and Gujarat and AAP emerges as a new force. Therefore, those monitoring probe agencies are focusing on states other than Maharashtra like Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Delhi, etc.  Surprisingly, Jharkhand and Punjab are also witnessing a cooling period.

Mamata-Modi bonhomie 

On November 3 in this column I had written that 'Mamata is getting a breather!' in the Rs 50 crores cash recovery in the teachers' recruitment scam as Central agencies won't implicate her. Within weeks, a new Governor was appointed by the Modi government in West Bengal who is playing cool. Within days of the appointment, Mamata Banerjee announced that she will call on PM Narendra Modi in Delhi on December 5. As if this was not enough, Mamata Banerjee also invited her arch rival and BJP's Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari for a cup of tea and the ice melted in no time. If Mamata is cozying up to the BJP leadership, the Saffron party has also realised that prolonged bitterness will not serve any political purpose either. Perhaps, Modi wants Mamata's cooperation in passing some key legislation in Parliament as the TMC is the third largest group. 

 

Will CBI’s Jaiswal get extension?

 

It is no secret that the CBI has not been playing ball with the powers that be as was the case earlier. CBI’s current Director Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, a Maharashtra cadre IPS officer, is made of a different mettle. He is stickler to the rules and considered a tough nut. Since he was selected for the post in May 2021 by a panel composed of the PM, CJI and Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, the government also has some hesitation. The government is extremely comfortable with the ED’s Director, Sanjay Mishra and gave him a record tenure of almost five years by giving one extension after the other. But the record of CBI under Jaiswal is no less. Since Jaiswal’s tenure will end in May 2023, there are reports that the government may consider giving him an extension rather than bring a new person in the election year. The government has already amended the law enabling to extend the tenure of ED and CBI directors up to five years. The Lok Sabha polls will take place in early 2024.

 

What’s cooking?

 

Even as the Congress and AAP are blaming each other of having a ‘tacit understanding’ with the BJP, reports have emanated from Gujarat that individual candidates in select constituencies are trying to work out a deal. The AAP has realized that it has a support base in urban areas, parts of Saurashtra and tribal belt. The AAP doesn’t have too much of a presence in rural areas where the Congress has its traditional base. Therefore, some of the AAP’s candidates are working in tandem in rural areas to help the Congress. Similarly, the Congress candidates in some urban seats are playing cool. The BJP continues to be worried about a dozen seats where its rebels have refused to bow out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Delhi BJP wants Modi’s rally for MCD polls

 

 

 

The BJP leadership has deployed its might in the  Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) poll campaign to retain its 15-year-long hold. It brought in more than 100 new faces  and resorted to carpet bombing last Sunday when four BJP Chief Ministers and senior Union Ministers campaigned for party candidates. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is personally monitoring the MCD campaign and addressing meetings too in addition to his vigorous campaigning in Gujarat.

 

But local BJP leadership is keen that the Prime Minister, Modi finds time to address at least two rallies which will give invincible edge to the party. The Prime Minister had addressed a series of meetings during the Assembly polls in Delhi in 2020. Though the BJP failed to win the hearts of voters and AAP walked away with a second consecutive win. However, AAP failed to win MCD polls all these years. The BJP’s main worry is if the Congress candidates do not perform and obtain at least 3000 votes in 250 wards, it will help AAP to improve its tally.

 

All eyes are set on PM Modi whether he will find time to address a couple of rallies in Delhi.  Delhi BJP Chief Adesh Gupta has already declared that PM Modi will be the face of the party’s campaign for the civic polls. He declined to speak further. Though the PM indirectly campaigned for the party when he inaugurated 3,024 flats in Delhi for the Economically Weaker Sections earlier this month. This was part of BJP’s  Vachan Patra promising houses to the city’s slum dwellers as part of extension of the Centre’s  Jahan Jhuggi Wahin Makaan scheme. But the AAP has promised to flatten the existing landfills and make Delhi a “garbage-free city” while blaming the BJP-ruled MCD for the mess. 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi-Dhankhar bonding Buzz 

The bonhomie between the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Modi is keenly watched by political pundits. This chemistry is something rare never witnessed before. It is no secret that the relationship between the PM and former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was not cordial. Knowledgeable sources say that there was no warmth between them. But Dhankhar-Modi chemistry is being witnessed with considerable interest. Highly placed sources say that Modi drove down to the Vice President's House at 6 Maulana Azad Marg last month and was closeted with Dhankhar for nearly two hours. No official statement or photograph was released of this meeting. On the other hand, when Modi called on the President, Draupadi Murmu recently it was widely publicized and photographs were posted on twitter. But what transpired between Dhankhar and Modi during the unusually long meeting is not immediately known. It seems the PM shared his thoughts with Dhankhar on domestic and international affairs. It was only after this meeting that Dhankhar undertook two foreign visits in a short span of 15 days. Official sources say that the PM could not visit Cambodia for the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit due to his preoccupation with the G-20 Summit in Bali. Therefore, Jagdeep Dhankhar was requested to do the honours instead. Dhankhar met the world leaders at Phnom Penh including US President Joe Biden. The External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, accompanied Dhankhar at the summit. The ASEAN leaders were expecting President Murmu to attend the Summit. But it was not to be. Dhankhar had hardly unpacked his bags but had to leave for Doha to attend the inaugural ceremony for the FIFA World Cup. This may be just a beginning for Dhankhar as the PM wants to utilize the services of the Vice President in foreign affairs more often. 

No Number 2 in Modi Govt.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah doesn’t mince words and is known for playing with a straight bat. The other day when someone complimented him for being Number two in the Modi government, he bluntly said, “There is no number two in the Modi government. No one should remain under any illusion. There is number one only and his name is PM Modi. We all work under Modi ji. We do as directed by number one.” Amit Shah may have put the record straight but in the process Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also got a signal who is presumed to be number two in the hierarchy. Technically, Rajnath Singh is considered as number two as he sits next to the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha. Even in Order of Precedence, Rajnath Singh figures at number two in the list. But Amit Shah is considered to be number two for all practical purposes. It seems Amit Shah has drawn lessons in political history as whosoever was considered to be number two, never became number 1, be it Babu Jagjivan Ram or Arun Nehru or L K Advani.

 

Modi's search for a scientist 

 

The Modi government is known for taking more time in appointment of bureaucrats and professionals in key posts leading to abnormal delays. The PM took almost three years in filling posts in the Law Commission and other key institutions. Another key feature of the Modi government is that it doesn't hesitate to reverse orders in no time if something adverse is noticed. Modi also experimented with bringing talent from outside the service cadre at various levels to tone up the bureaucracy. But lately the process has slowed down as 'lateral entrants' are unable to deliver. Modi appointed them at the level of Secretary, joint secretary and higher levels. A couple of them (Water Resources & Aayush) were put in the driver’s seat also. But most of them are finding it difficult to override service cadre personnel. In order to shake the Public Sector Units, Modi appointed Mallika Srinivasan, a successful entrepreneur, as chairperson of Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) almost two years ago. The PESB is responsible for appointing chairman and managing directors of all PSUs. Though it has delivered some results, it's working at a snail's pace.

It is learnt that Modi is in desperate search of a domain expert to head the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). The post fell vacant one year ago after Ms Rita Teotia (Retd IAS:1981, Gujarat cadre) completed her three years term. Modi doesn't want a bureaucrat to be chairman of this vital body and is looking for an expert scientist who has administrative capabilities as well. An additional charge has been given to an IAS officer until a suitable person for the task is found. The PMO surprised everyone when Dr M Srinivas was appointed AIIMS new Director replacing Dr Randeep Guleria. Dr Srinivas's name was not even short-listed by the selection committee. But Modi wanted a tough administrator cum a competent professional.

 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

11 states going to polls in 2022-23

 

Modi in Mission mode to win all 

 

 

 

Without waiting for the outcome of the Assembly polls in Gujarat, the BJP leadership has put its machinery in top gear in nine other states which will go to polls in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Assembly polls in Himachal were held on November 12. Prime Minister Modi has conveyed to the BJP leadership to put the winning plan in operation in these nine states and BJP’s core group meeting was held earlier this month.

It was decided that Assembly polls will be fought under Modi’s leadership. The BJP has already ordered internal surveys in these states. A BJP win in these states will increase party' numerical strength in Rajya Sabha too. 

 

Nine other states which are to go to polls in February 2023 include Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland while Karnataka will go to polls in May 2023. The Prime Minister has already visited Karnataka twice and would undertake more visits in the months to come in order to retain the BJP bastion. Tripura is also ruled by the BJP while in Nagaland, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio (NDPP) is a BJP ally. However, in Meghalaya, the BJP suffered a setback when Chief Minister Conard Sangma's party quit the NDA. The BJP will have to find a new turf to be part of the ruling groupings. Thereafter, five states, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram  and Telangana  will go to polls in November-December 2023. The BJP is in power in Madhya Pradesh while in Mizoram ruling MNF is part of the NDA. The Congress is ruling Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan while K Chandrashekhar Rao of TRS is ruling Telangana.  The Assembly polls will be held along with Lok Sabha in May 2024 in Andhra Pradesh (YSR-Congress), Arunachal (BJP), Odisha (BJD) and Sikkim (SKM –NDA).

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi-Shah crack whip, record number of Babus shown the door

 

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi cracking the whip and bringing a new “work Culture” in the government, the Babus have started feeling the heat. Since the ‘Babus’  are not accustomed to Modi’s style of functioning, they are choosing other avenues for greener pastures. Many of them are reluctant to move over to Delhi as posting in the National capital is not lucrative anymore.

The latest trend indicates that a record number of IAS officers have opted for VRS at an early stage of their career in the services. Until September 2022 as many as eight IAS officers have opted for VRS and a significant number of them went back to their parent cadre states.  

Modi’s Man-Friday and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also created a record in his ministry when he showed the door to the largest number of Gazetted Officers (GO). During Amit Shah’s tenure in the Home Ministry since 2019, delinquent officers have been dealt with ruthlessly. Shah, on an average, has been taking strict action against one GO every week since 2021, which includes removal, dismissal and compulsory retirement. Amit Shah is also a member of Cabinet Committee on Appointments which deals with top bureaucrats posting, transfers and sacking.    

The ministry dismissed 10 GOs – the highest so far during 2021 while the number was two  each in 2020 and 2019.  The ministry took action against 52 GO in 2021. The annual report of the MHA says that there were 237 disciplinary cases filed between April 1 and December 31, 2021, and vigilance cases were lodged against 249 GOs. It is largely because of this very reason that PM Modi decided to hire talent in the bureaucracy at the level of Joint Secretary and above through the “lateral entrant” route.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

 

Modi Ministers’ new found offensive

 

 A new pattern has emerged in the Modi dispensation as some ministers holding key portfolio are on the offensive. They don’t mince words and do straight talking. It all began with the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar who did plain speaking wherever he went. A foreign minister is expected to express his views in a nuanced manner. But Jaishankar is writing a new script in diplomacy during his interactions with leaders in the USA, Europe or Russia.  Jaishankar is highly respected world over due to his vast experience in foreign affairs. When the USA raised the issue of buying oil from Russia despite a ban, he bluntly told the Americans that India is importing less oil than Europe. Secondly, India will follow a policy in its national interest.

 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is no different and on many occasions she was seen bluntly putting  forth her views – be it in Parliament or outside. Petroleum and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is no different either. He has been maintaining a tough posture during his visits to the USA and other countries. The latest to join this new class of ministers is Law Minister Kiran Rjiju. He is known to be soft spoken and always found smiling. But when it comes to the judiciary, he has been attacking the higher judiciary left, right & center. On November 4, Rijiju shocked everybody by bluntly attacking the higher judiciary on a variety of issues including the “opaque system of appointment of judges”, PIL system and other issues. This was Rijiju’s fourth attack on the functioning of judiciary during the past few months. Grapevine has it that the PM has told these ministers to put forth their views frankly and need not be coy. This is the beginning of a new era and there is more in store as Modi keeps winning electoral battles.

 

 

Bharat Jodo, Chunav Chhodo

 

Rahul Gandhi's mantra of “Bharat Jodo Chunav Chhodo” during the on-going Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls has baffled friends and foes alike. No one in the Congress has a clue as to why Rahul did not take a brief break  to campaign in Himachal. With the Congress putting up a tough challenge to the ruling BJP and Aam Aadmi Party retreating, the election has become bipolar. Secondly, Himachal has a tradition of not repeating a party for a second consecutive term. Not only Rahul, even Sonia Gandhi has refrained from any political activity though she is camping in Himachal due to pollution in Delhi. 

Knowledgeable sources say that it has been internally decided that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be responsible for Himachal polls. Accordingly, she hit the hill-state from October 14 and created her own core team  composed of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab PCC Chief Pratap Singh Bajwa, Sachin Pilot, Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Shukla and a few others. Interestingly, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has not visited Himachal for campaigning. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi's team has indicated that he will campaign in Gujarat in a big way. But his "Chunav Chodo" decision in Himachal has not gone down well in the party. It will be another test for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as well who burnt her boats in UP and Punjab earlier. 

 

Cash crunch pinching Opposition

 

2022 may be a watershed moment in electoral history as the Opposition parties have completely crippled due to choking of movement of cash particularly in Gujarat. Though the BJP has been in power in the state for nearly 27 years. But it never faced such a tightening until 2019. An unprecedented level of cash crunch is pinching the Opposition candidates particularly those belonging to the AAP. The ED, CBI, Income Tax and other agencies are working in tandem to curb money reaching Gujarat through hawala operators in Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, etc  in Delhi after the liquor license scam was busted. Massive police force has been deployed to prevent inter-state movement of cash crippling operations at all barricades. The Gujarat Police recently claimed to have busted the network of around 30 people from outside the state who are being allegedly used by the AAP for distributing hawala money in various constituencies. A statement given by an AAP candidate to  Surat Rural Police led to the busting of a hawala network. The AAP is now feeling the heat.

 

 

IT goes after JD (U) now

 

The Income-Tax department has turned its focus, perhaps for the first time, on Janata Dal (U) in Bihar. Since Nitish Kumar dumped the BJP, the central agencies have got a free hand to go after the JD (U) now. The RJD, Congress and other parties have been facing their heat since 2019. But JD (U) was always a holy cow but not anymore. Recently, the IT teams raided Patna-based businessman Gabbu Singh.  It is no secret in Patna that Gabbu Singh is a close associate of JD (U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh and Nitish Kumar. The message is loud and clear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Search for a new Lokpal begins, Justice Khanwilkar tops the chart

 

The Modi government has begun the process for the appointment of the next chief of anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal.The name of Justice A M Khanwilkar is being mentioned as the likely choice for the key post. Though Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose retired nearly six months ago, the Centre seemed in no hurry to fill the vacancy and temporary charge was given to the senior-most judicial member Pradeep Kumar Mohanty.

Informed sources say that the process to appoint the new Lokpal remained in limbo as the government was looking for a suitable name. Justice Khanwilkar retired as the judge of the Supreme Court recently after serving for more than six years.  Born in 1957 in Pune, Justice Khanwilkar studied at Mumbai Law college and became a judge of the Bombay high court. There are reports that former Chief Justice of India U U Lalit's name is also under consideration. Lalit is considered close to the 'Sangh Parivar' but he is known to be a tough judge. 

The Lokpal is headed by a chairperson and can have eight members -- four judicial and the rest non-judicial. At present, there are six members in the Lokpal and the two posts have been lying vacant for a long time. Justice Dilip B Bhosale resigned as a Lokpal member in January 2020, citing personal reasons and Justice (retired) Ajay Kumar Tripathi died May 2, 2020.  A Lokpal chief and members are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a high-powered committee for a term of five years or until attaining the age of 70 years. The committee is headed by the PM and comprises the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Leader of Opposition in the Lower House, the Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him, and an eminent jurist as recommended by the chairperson and members of the selection panel.

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

3300 foreign companies operating in India in 2022

1777 foreign companies closed operations. Nearly 3300 foreign companies are operating in India and have active status as of July 2022. However, there are 1777 foreign companies who have closed their place of business in India. 

According to data available with the ministry of Corporate Affairs, there are 5068 Foreign companies registered in India until July 2022. But effectively, 3291 foreign companies are active in their operations. However, more than 50% of companies closed their operations due to a variety of reasons. All Foreign companies have to be registered by Registrar Of Companies (ROC),Delhi after approval is given by RBI. This is the highest number of foreign companies which are active in 2022. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs also stated that no cancellation of registration of inactive foreign companies is under consideration. The Ministry stated that such companies incorporated outside India can close their places of business from India due to reason such as cessation of operation of branch office/ Rental Agreement in India, expiration of validity granted by the Reserve Bank of India, could never start its operation due to change of business policy of the parent company etc.

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Winter session of Parliament delay: Mid-December planned

 

The Parliament’s winter session may be delayed this year and in all likelihood, may begin mid-December. Two reasons seem to be behind the delayed summoning of the Parliament session; first being crucial Assembly polls in Gujarat and second due to the Prime Minister’s eagerness to hold the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the newly constructed building.

The BJP leadership is elated that the Election Commission virtually de-linked the Assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat and gave the party extra cushion to set things right in the crucial state of Gujarat. The process of nominations in Gujarat will begin on November 14- after the polling in Himachal Pradesh. The BJP is working hard to touch the 125-130 seats mark in the 182-member Assembly in Gujarat.

With regard to the holding the full-fledged winter session of Parliament in the new building is not possible. The PM is keen that the winter session is held in a new building during the 75^th anniversary of Independence.  Now a workable solution is found and a joint sitting will be held in the new building and regular sittings of the two houses may be in the old complex. Even as some Opposition leaders voiced their concern about delaying the winter session beyond November, it is said that even in the past this had happened. In 2017, the winter session began on December 15 and lasted until January 5. The ruling party was keen that there should be no overlapping due to Assembly polls and the session where some major policy initiatives are being planned by the government.

 

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Can Kharge resurrect Congress!  

 

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a relentless campaign making “Congress Mukt Bharat” since 2014. His campaign, however, partially succeeded in 2022 as the party became "Gandhi-Mukt Congress" when Mallikarjun Kharge took over its reins. But even the "Gandhi Mukt Congress" experiment may take more time  as Sonia Gandhi continues to be chairperson of the UPA and the other two Gandhis are part of the 47-member Steering Committee.

 

Kharge has a tough task in hand to win Himachal and Gujarat Assembly polls by gearing up Congress' machinery and taking advantage of the anti-incumbency against the BJP. He will also have to resolve the Rajasthan riddle where high command's writ was defied. At 80, Kharge does not inspire the younger generation of voters. But he is a lucky leader who was brought back by Sonia Gandhi from political hibernation and appointed as Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and now commanding the party. It is yet to be seen how he keeps a fine balance between the senior leaders and newcomers below 50 years of age.

He should know that the Modi-Amit Shah duo is completely different from the Atal-Advani era. The Atal-Advani team did not go beyond a point against the Opposition leaders, particularly against the Gandhis. Rather Atal Behari Vajpayee as PM helped Rahul Gandhi when there was an incident at the Boston airport in the USA. But  Modi-Shah followed a tough policy against the Congress and the Nehru- Gandhi family and used every weapon in its armory to ensure that the objective was achieved. The Congress will have to re-invent itself if it wants to fight with Modi who is blaming late Jawaharlal Nehru for the ills India has been facing since 1947. The BJP leadership has cleverly adopted Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel and fully focused on demolishing Nehru. A battery of army is digging out all archival material to paint Nehru as the root cause of all ills that the country is facing today.

 

 

BJP's Big Worry 

 

The BJP leaders are a worried lot these days. Perhaps, the leadership had not realized the cascading effects of the faster than expected collapse of the Congress. The top leadership is burning midnight oil to decimate the Aam Aadmi Party as many of its internal surveys have warned of rising Arvind Kejriwal. The BJP’s inner core committee deliberated intensely the other day to contain the rise of AAP. The AAP’s campaign has caught the imagination of people in general and youth in particular. The BJP’s top leadership’s assessment is that the AAP will be a big challenge for the BJP in the 2029 Lok Sabha polls if not in 2024. Therefore, Amit Shah is hell-bent on crushing its rise in states with full force in Delhi, Gujarat and other states. The BJP’s indecision to conduct Delhi’s MCD polls is attributed to this scare. The newly appointed Lieutenant Governor, V K Saxena is firing one salvo a day against Chief Minister Kejriwal. Shockingly, bureaucrats including the Chief Secretary are not listening to the elected government either. In a way, the LG and Chief Secretary are doing what the BJP’s local leadership failed to take on the AAP. Amit Shah recently took the Delhi BJP leaders to task for their utter failure to perform and signaled that four of the sitting Lok Sabha MPs may be denied ticket in 2024. All probe agencies of the Central government are going after not only AAP’s ministers and MLAs but prospective AAP candidates and junior functionaries in states. The massive coordinated anti-AAP drive is aimed at containing Kejriwal’s campaigning in Gujarat where he is making inroads.