Rahul Goes on holidays again abroad

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive report 

Rahul Goes on holidays again abroad

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 19

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has embarked again on a week-long holiday abroad again quietly. According to highly placed sources in the Congress, Rahul Gandhi left for Rome and later he may travel to other European countries. However, he has been keeping track of developments and even tweeting as well by keeping himself posted through his back office.

He extended greetings to everyone on the occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti on his twitter handle in Hindi on Wednesday and posted a photo of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 

This is second trip abroad in two months this year. Earlier, he had gone on vacation on December 31 to celebrate New Year with his grand-mother and others to Italy and returned to India on January 11. There was some criticism of his foreign visit as the country was in the midst of the protests on the CAA. However, no one in the party is willing to confirm Rahul Gandhi's departure. It is learnt that he may travel to London later.

But no program has been released by the AICC or his office about the plans of his return. Sources in the party say that Congress Interim president Sonia Gandhi has recovered fully from her asthma problems and actively holding meetings with leaders. Earlier in November too, Rahul Gandhi had pushed off to South Korea to meet the Prime Minister as part of his official engagement. But he decided to stay abroad for five more days when the parliament was in session and he absented.

Sources in the security forces guarding him say that he has not informed them about his travel plans this time either. Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visits are a matter of concern to the security forces earlier too. In fact, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on record in Parliament saying that some SPG protectees had left the SPG cover behind and went to unknown destinations. He was giving reasons for withdrawal of the SPG cover to the Gandhis in this regard. Now the Gandhis have been provided with CRPF cover in collaboration of the Delhi Police. Rahul Gandhi is serving his fourth term as a Lok Sabha MP.

Modi's Un-parliamentary word Expunged from speech in RS

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi's Un-parliamentary word Expunged from speech in RS

PM had accused the Opposition of spreading "Jhoot"

Naidu expunges word from Ghulam Nabi's Speech

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 7

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, expunged a word from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in parliament on Thursday.

While bitterly attacking the Opposition (Congress) on the NPR & CAA, the PM charged them for misleading people an spreading "jhooth (lies)". This created a ruckus during the debate which went on late until yesterday. The chairman, sensing the mood of the House, immediately expunged the remarks saying anything said, done or any action which is un-parliamentary is dropped.

Today, his office issued an official order expunging the word “Jhoot” from PM's statement on the National Population Register (NPR).

Interestingly, the Chairman also expunged a remark by Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad “Gumrah” (Misleading). It is rather surprising that the PM had also used the same word “Gumrah” during the course of his speech.

This is the second time that the Chairman, M Venkaiah Naidu had to expunge a remark of the PM from his speech.

In 2018, some words were dropped from PM Modi's comments on Congress leader BK Hariprasad. It was on August 11 in 2018 when Modi had made the remark about the Opposition candidate for House deputy chairman, B.K. Hariprasad, while felicitating the winner, Harivansh. Many in the Opposition and outside construed three words in that speech as an attempt to crack a joke about Hariprasad's initials.

While Opposition members squirmed at the reference, which they thought was in poor taste, the BJP benches too remained stony-faced. Next day, Naidu expunged these three words. He also expunged a reference to these three words by RJD member Manoj Jha, who had quoted them while demanding their removal from the records. There was talk of moving a privilege notice against the Prime Minister for the remark. But it was dropped after remarks were expunged.

After CAA, battle begins on NPR now

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

After CAA, battle begins on NPR now

Maharashtra keeping fingers crossed   

States can delay NPR, not defy

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 16

A fresh row has emerged between the Centre and a few states on implementing National Population Register (NPR) exercise to begin on April 1 this year. Though the Centre is working hard to calm down protests on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by not notifying rules, some states have toughened their stance against the NPR now.

While West Bengal and Kerala have officially written to the Centre to put the NPR on hold, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Pudduchery & Ladakh (UT s) have not notified dates for conducting it NPR in their respective territories.

Three states — Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan — devised a new strategy by asking the Central government if the NPR data could be shared with them. These states said this would to help in ‘identifying genuine beneficiaries’ for their welfare schemes. Since the Centre has not responded positively, they are sitting pretty as well. Punjab said it would take a call only after the state Assembly deliberates on it. The NPR exercise has already been initiated in Odisha with the state government clearing all the parameters laid down in the NPR act.

The Centre is not in a hurry to press the states as they had already notified NPR implementation last July. These have developed cold feet due to one reason or the other. It would be interesting to mention that the NDA government revived the NPR in 2015 after the UPA stopped it midway in 2010 due to the launching of Aadhaar. The NDA created an electronic data base of 119 crores people in 2015-16 listing usual residents who provided Aadhaar, Voter ID card, ration cards and other details if they possessed the same. There may be some controversy whether providing details is mandatory or not. But the NPR manual of 2020-21 clearly says that this exercise is mandatory and time bound and those willfully defying could be prosecuted.

However, in this case, the state governments have developed cold feet which can lead to the delay.

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Government wants to de-escalate JNU tension

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Government wants to de-escalate JNU tension

HRD Minister under scanner for poor handling

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 10

The Modi government wants the situation at the JNU is de-escalated as soon as possible. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is very upset with the way situation has taken an ugly turn and failure of the concerned authorities to handle it. It was only after the PM's displeasure that the HRD ministry swung into action and summoned the Vice Chancellor M Jagdeesh Kumar and gave a dressing down. He was told point by point how he failed to take action and visualise the situation developing at the JNU campus and handle it.

He was told to mend fences and also issue appropriate orders relating to hike in the fee structures. It now transpires that the VC may be allowed to hike the hostel room rent charges, the other hikes are being put on the hold.

The BJP, on its part, has also told the students close to its ideology that they should not hold counter demonstrations against the protesting Left wing students. This will lead to further confrontation. The BJP leadership does not approve the way the ABVP supported elements resorted to violence in retaliation of the Left wing students violent conduct earlier. It is felt that formal complaints should have been lodged with the Police and the University administration rather taking the law into their own hands.

The tweet by veteran party leader Dr Murli Manohar Joshi yesterday demanding the removal of the JNU VC may not rattled the party. But Dr Joshi echoed the sentiments of the majority of party leaders that the current VC has failed to run the administration efficiently particularly in an institution which has been controlled by the Left since its inception. It required a very mature handling to control such elements.

The party leadership is also unhappy as the focus has shifted to JNU agitation from the CAA protests. The BJP wanted the battle to be between the nationalists and anti-nationalists on the CAA. But the JNU incidents has shifted the focus which is not to be liking of the high command.

This has also puts the HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank” in a poor light. The series of meetings of the JNU VC with the HRD ministry in recent past indicates the Minister's poor handling of a Central university directly under his nose.

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New Year season brings Marathon Ministerial meetings

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

New Year season brings Marathon Ministerial meetings

Modi to hols several conclaves of Council of Ministers

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 6

After holding nine-hour marathon meeting with his council of ministers on Saturday last, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has decided to hold sectorial meetings of the his council during the next two weeks. All the ministers have been advised to stay put during these meetings and curtail their visits outside the Capital barring unforeseen reasons.

If sources are to be believed, the Council of Ministers comprising of 56 ministers have been asked to be present during the series of such meetings beginning tomorrow. PM Modi wants to involve not only Cabinet ministers numbering 23, he also wants all nine Ministers of State (Independent Charge) and 24 Ministers of State with his plan of action for the next five years. Modi wants ministries of infrastructure, agriculture and rural development sectors to make presentations to apprise all the ministerial colleagues of the vision for the next five years and involve them.

While the Saturday's nine hour meeting was aimed at Civil Aviation, Urban development, railways, agriculture and Jal Shakti ministries, the next meetings will focus on specific sectors and plans. According to sources, the second meeting of the Council of Ministers will be held tomorrow and then day after. The Council of Ministers used to meet twice a year, at least that had been the pattern during Modi's first stint between 2014-19. But now the PM wants to involve the entire council frequently. This may be five-year sector-wise vision documents concerning a group of ministries with all the secretaries in toe.

Modi wants that his ministerial colleagues must have detailed understanding of issues which are not related to their ministries. This will create a synergy within the government but also bring cohesiveness of functioning. Modi plans to hold similar sessions for the members of parliament in the weeks to come so that they are also aware of complexities of the functioning and importance of development. The focus of the Saturday meeting was infra and agriculture sectors.

Obviously, the Prime Minister's focus is on development and telling the countrymen of his achievements in 2024 Lok Sabha polls as promised. Of course, there have been several light-hearted moments and stray comments. But politics per se was not discussed including the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

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Amit Shah burning midnight oil Confrontation between Centre-states building on CAA

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Amit Shah burning midnight oil

Confrontation between Centre-states building on CAA

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 4

Worried over continued protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in parts of the country, the BJP leadership is working on multiple fronts to isolate these protesters.

If the party leadership has decided to launch a countrywide blitz to derail these protests, the Modi government has launched a diplomatic offensive globally to counter the propaganda in this regard.

What has worried the government more is that protesters have changed their strategy and going the way shown by protesters in Assam. These protesters are now completely peaceful, siting on dharna, offering flowers to the policement surrounding them. The protesters from the minority community are even carrying National Flag in their hands and chanting Jana Gana Mana. Barring the initial week of violent protests, the protests in Delhi and elsewhere are peaceful. Nearly eleven states ruled by the non-NDA parties are witnessing massive protests and even states of North East are part of it.

Though BJP chief Amit Shah has been making strong statements in support of the CAA, the ministry of Home Affairs has not issued rules pertaining to the amended act. Perhaps, the government is waiting for the supreme court to open after the winter break and make some initial obervations when the hearing begins.

The Ministry doesn't want to precipitate the issue and busy finding a solution to the tricky situation arising in Assam where the BJP has promised to protect the Assamese culture and identity.

The BJP leadership's brainstorming two days ago was part of this exercise. It discussed the consequences of the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly against the implementation of the CAA. Though the Home Ministry termed it unconstitutional and beyond the powers of the state, the trend is worrying. Pressure is mounting on the Assam government to pass such a resolution and tell the Centre that CAA in its present form can't be accepted.

Meanwhile, the MHA has told the states informally that if they do not implement CAA and NPR beginning April, the officers may be liable to be prosecuted. If the state gpovernments don't cooperate, it will tantamount to breakdown of the constitutional machinery and may lead to dismissal of the government itself. The MHA has also made it clear that states have no role in it and they need not be consulted either.

The states of Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Maharashtra have declared that they would not implement CAA.

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Why Amit Shah pushed for CAA in Winter session?

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Why Amit Shah pushed for CAA in Winter session?

An Inside story of how BJP, Modi Govt. worked overtime

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 1

The mystery is unfolding as to why Union Home Minister Amit Shah pushed for the passage of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at the fag end of the Winter session of Parliament.

The entire 2019 had been highly successful and a historic year for the party and the government. After winning LS polls with a massive mandate, the government passed the long pending Triple Talaq Bill in Parliament on July 31 during the Monsoon session. Immediately came the historic moment when Amit Shah succeeded in abrogating Article 370 on August 5 and kept the Valley peaceful throughout. The world also accepted the reality. As if this was not enough, the Ram Temple unanimous verdict from the Supreme Court also came on November 9 which solved the century old dispute.

But it seems Amit Shah became ambitious and wanted long pending CAA bill be passed in 2019 itself.

The underlining political gain of the move was to win the Assembly polls in West Bengal due in 2021. Of the 11 crores estimated population and around 7 crores voters, the Home ministry's estimate of illegal immigrants was one crores in West Bengal. Of these 1 crore illegal immigrants, the BJP's assessment is that nearly 25-30 lakhs belong to non-Muslim religions. The passage of the CAA will make them eligible voters while the 70 lakh illegal Muslims would be denied these benefits.

It was a politically very ambitious target and the BJP leadership was elated with the move when Amit Shah proposed it. The CAA, if implemented, would impoact at least 95 Assembly seats in state.

The abandoned NRC exercise in Assam had revealed that there were 18 lakhs illegal residents in Assam alone. Therefore, the number of such immigrants in WB would be more than one crores. It is in this background that the party and the government wanted the CAA's passage as the Opposition was disintegrated and non-NDA parties were falling in line to support the BJP.

For Amit Shah, winning West Bengal is a dream bigger than Tripura. He is nowadays, even taking lessons in Bengali to address the people of Bengal during the campaign for the 2021 Assembly elections in their own language. The attempt is to counter the narrative that the BJP is a Hindi heartland party.

But the massive street protests has dampened the spirit and everything is now on hold. This was never envisaged.

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Centre, states heading for a show-down

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

Centre, states heading for a show-down

Home Ministry may create its own machinery for NRC

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec 21

The Centre and some states may be heading for a show-down on the implementation of the amended Citizenship Act and NRC.

Since many of the non-BJP states including Kerala, West Bengal have expressed their unwillingness to implement the CAA and its off-shoot National Register of Citizens (NRC), the Centre is mulling creation of a new machinery.

If reports emanating from the North Block housing the Union Home Ministry are any indication, the Centre will designate its own officers to implement the CAA/NRC. Instead of the District Collectors or District Magistrates, the centre may assign the task to FRROs (Foreigners Regional Registration Offices) to conduct the exercise.

The Centre may be giving an impression of softing its approch. But there is no plans to dilute th CAA or alter the course of NRC or NPR. The NRC is not a time-bound exercise and no time-frame has been set out for this for counducting it across the country. Addressing a public rally in Jharkhand, Amit Shah said the NRC would be rolled out before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. This is a long shot but the Centre has not relented on conducting NRC across the country. Rather, the FRRO s who conduct physical verification of documents submitted by the foreigners. There are a dozen FRROs in the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs is considering to deploy these FRROs across the country and provide its own machinery for verification of documents.

While Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh reluctant to implement and Kerala declasring that it would not even implement National Population Register (NPR), the Centre is set ot create its own permanent machinery to conduct Census/NRC.

The NPR is an age-old exercise conducted by the Registrar General of India (RGI) under the Citizenship Act 1955 every ten years with the help of the state governments. The RGI had already issued notification for conducting NPR beginning April 2020 to September 2020 across the country barring Assam in July 2019. The NCR will follow only after the National Population Register (NPR) is available in 2021.

The Centre is busy creating an alternative machinery only in defiant states. There are 15 states where the BJP has its own governments and most of the Union Territories are also under its control. In these states the Centre can undertake Census and citizenship exercises with the existing set up of District Magistrates (DM s) andDistrict Collectors (DC s). But in remaining states, it will have to designate its own officers.

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