Congress' Dalit Card for 2024
The Congress' super high command is toying with the idea of playing the Dalit Card during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The super high command comprising three Gandhis (Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi) sees Mallikarjun Kharge as a potential Prime Ministerial face. It was perhaps part of this strategy that Kharge was first brought by the Gandhis as Congress president last year and also allowed him to stay put as Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Rajya Sabha. Kharge has come from a humble family and an affable person. The Congress strategists say that the Dalits were the party's backbone until the 90s. Gradually, the BSP led by late Kanshi Ram and regional parties swallowed its Dalit vote bank in polls after polls. Since 2024 Lok Sabha polls will be a Waterloo for the Congress as it is facing existential crisis, Kharge may turn out to be its Savior. The Gandhis are facing many cases in courts and with the BJP targeting the family, it is felt that Kharge will be its best bet. In the current scenario, the Congress cannot expect to emerge as the single largest party in 2024 as was the case 20 years ago in 2004. If the Gandhis play the Dalit card, the Opposition parties may find it difficult to oppose Kharge. He may even emerge as a unifying force given the current political situation.
Unease in BJP over B L Santosh
Heard of B L Santosh, BJP's most-powerful general secretary (organisation or Sangthan Mantri) ? Perhaps not. The Sangthan Mantri is expected to silently work for the organisation and devise strategies to strengthen the party across the country. He is the second most-powerful person after the party president. The Sangthan Mantri is the key link between the RSS and the BJP and plays a key role in all decisions regarding organizational affairs. Traditionally, a full-time RSS 'pracharak' is appointed to the post and works on deputation till his repatriation. Santosh was brought to Delhi in July 2019 from Karnataka to replace Ram Lal who was at the helm of affairs for a record 13 years which is perhaps the longest one in BJP's history. Santosh was among four of the Joint General Secretaries (Organisation) under Ramlal. Other three Joint General Secretaries were V Satish, Saudan Singh and Shiv Prakash.
Ramlal's tenure was marked by smooth coordination between the RSS and the BJP. He shunned publicity and his low-key style was in sharp contrast to the functioning of his two predecessors; Sanjay Joshi and KN Govindacharya. Joshi was removed prematurely in 2005 after his rivals within the party cited an objectionable CD while Govindacharya was axed following his reported comments that mocked the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Whispers in the corridors of power in the BJP suggest that there is tremendous unease with the style of working of B L Santosh. The top leadership in the BJP is reported to be uncomfortable. Since Santosh hails from Karnataka and is understood to be promoting those against B S Yediyurappa, the faction-ridden party is facing an uphill task to retain the state.
Liquor scam: No evidence against Kejri
The CBI is reported to have decided to make Amit Arora, a director of Buddy Retail Pvt. Ltd., as approver in the Delhi Liquor scam. Earlier, the agencies were planning to make Manish Sisodia, a trusted lieutenant of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, as approver. But after a close scrutiny of documents on record and intense grilling of the accused, it was decided that Amit Arora will be a safer bet. Since there is no documentary evidence against Arvind Kejriwal in the Liquor scam and can't be convicted. Therefore, no useful purpose will be served by enlisting Sisodia as an approver. Rather, Sisodia will be made an accused and projected as poster boy of the scam. Sisodia’s most trusted private secretary had handed over a document wherein Sisodia gave go-ahead to the new liquor policy. Therefore, it would be better to pin down his number 2. It is due to this development that Amit Arora will be made an approver and Sisodia’s private secretary as prosecution witness. Interestingly, when Amit Arora sought extension of his 15 days parole recently, the prosecution did not oppose it in the court. The CBI is contemplating filing a supplementary chargesheet separately in the case. Arora has been on parole for more than two months while all other accused are languishing in jail without any relief.
Modi's Pep Talk to Media
The other day, PM Modi suggested that media houses should stop doing the "balancing act” and should take advantage of the India moment and prodded them to go global. Though he did not elaborate what he meant by “balancing act”. Sources say that he was indirectly prodding the leading media house to choose one path only by joining the India moment rather than keeping the Opposition in good humour as well. He wanted them to grab enormous opportunities by expanding their network globally. The PM is keen that Indian media houses should go global. Insiders say that the PM is peeved by frequent criticism by western media outlets against his government and keen to pay them back in the same coin.
