Fly On the wall | Modi's Kamraj Plan

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi's Kamraj Plan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi perhaps took a leaf out of the ‘Kamraj Plan’ when he dropped 12 Union Ministers from his Council of Ministers on July 7 and virtually dismissed three BJP Chief Ministers in a row. The shock treatment to party seniors by Modi was no different than what Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru gave to his colleagues who were part of the freedom struggle with him. Nehru was the first Prime Minister who executed major political surgery in 1963, more than 58 years ago. Nehru asked all senior ministers of his government to give up ministerial posts. Be it Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jagjivan Ram or Morarji Desai, they were all shown the door. Nehru sacked six Chief Ministers, including the most powerful ones like Biju Patnaik (Odisha) and S.K. Patil (Maharashtra). More than 16 years into power, Nehru's charisma was on the wane particularly after the 1962 Chinese invasion. Though V K Krishna Menon had been removed as India's Defence Minister, the Congress was facing a stiff challenge at the hands of many stalwarts in the Opposition parties in Parliament. It was in this backdrop that K Kamraj, CM, Tamil Nadu, submitted a plan to Nehru and offered to quit his post. He wanted all senior ministers and CMs to quit and work for the party. Nehru accepted the Kamraj Plan. Later, Kamaraj was rewarded with the party president’s post. Kamaraj persuaded Nehru to bring Lal Bahadur Shastri back into the government sometime later. Perhaps it was part of a succession plan because Shastri was made a Minister without Portfolio, virtually working as Deputy Prime Minister. It is a different matter that Shastri died an early death after becoming the PM in 1964. Indira Gandhi took over with the blessings and support of K Kamraj in 1966. It is an irony that the same Indira Gandhi showed Kamraj the door who became part of the ‘Syndicate” to oust her in a bitter power struggle.

Difference between the two surgeries

Old timers say there is a huge difference between what Nehru did in 1963 and what Modi executed first in 2014 and in 2021. The difference between the method, procedure and style is clearly visible. It must be remembered here that none of the ministers and CM shown the door by Nehru were senior to him. If Nehru was a product of the freedom struggle, Modi had also acquired every post and won after a bitter struggle. His early life in RSS is also a testimony of his sacrifices too. However, Nehru was in a different league and came from a rich heritage and did everything with finesse. The old timers tell me that Nehru telephoned each one of the ministers on the chopping block himself and explained why their services are needed for the party. They were all given party work too. In the instant case, no Union Minister received a call either from the PM or the Union Home Minister. The unpleasant task was given to the BJP president, J P Nadda to ring up each one of 12 Union Ministers hours before the swearing-in-ceremony. It also transpires that telephones to the new appointees were made by B L Santosh, general secretary (organization). Except for Thaawar Chand Gehlot, no Union Minister was given any work even after 45 days. No Central leader has talked to any one of them who are cooling their heels. Majority of them are Lok Sabha MPs and facing huge embarrassment while visiting their constituencies as party workers keep posing difficult questions to them. During the 2014 surgery, the cut-off date was 75 years of age. But the 2021 surgery, the cut-off age has come down to 66 years. The BJP insiders say that Modi plans to install a whole new set of leadership at the Centre and states before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Modi himself is turning 75 years on September 17, 2025. It is said that Modi is a 'Saint in politics” and capable of springing surprises. Is the 2021 surgery part of a succession plan? No one knows.

Kamraj bug hits Congress too

Sonia Gandhi failed to implement the much needed 'Kamraj Plan' to send deadwood and troublesome ministers packing in 2010 or even in 2012 as Rahul Gandhi was unwilling to take over the reins for some strange reasons. She was bitten by the P V Narasimha Rao experience and continued with her best bet i.e. Manmohan Singh. Ten years later, the Kamraj bug hit the Congress and Sonia Gandhi cracked her whip to send Captain Amrinder Singh packing. Obviously, she is clearing the decks for her son who is now batting on the front foot.

Fly on the Wall | Modi’s baffling gift to Yogi

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi’s baffling gift to Yogi

The nomination of A K Sharma, Prime Minister Modi’s most trusted bureaucrat, as BJP MLC in UP continues to baffle the political class. Sharma was among Modi’s inner circle of officers when he was Chief Minister of Gujrat in 2001. Be it P K Mishra, K Kailashnathan, J C Murmu, R K Asthana, A K Sharma etc, they were all part of Modi’s CMO. When Modi moved to Delhi in 2014, a battery of around 12 officers moved along. But Modi decided to keep K Kailashnathan in Ahmedabad itself as Anandiben Patel’s CMO. The status of KK, as Kailashnathan is known in the bureaucratic fraternity, didn’t change even after Vijay Rupani took over as CM. KK was Chief Principal Secretary of Modi in 2013 and remains so in 2021 irrespective of who is CM, Gujrat. He is considered “Saheb’s proxy” because Modi talks only to KK and the wheels of administration move accordingly. PK Mishra replaced Nripendra Mishra as Principal Secretary in the PMO and RK Asthana continues to be a powerful IPS officer. J C Murmu was made Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir to be Modi’s eyes & ears in Srinagar. But somehow, he could not pass the muster and was brought back to Delhi as CAG. Therefore, the shifting of A K Sharma being sent to UP for a political inning is baffling given Modi's style of functioning. No one in the BJP handling UP affairs was willing to throw any light as to how A K Sharma was chosen as MLC? Who proposed his name? And why did Modi lend his most-trusted officer to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath? If he was most trusted, then why was he ousted from the PMO in the first place in 2020?

Another KK in Lucknow?

It is no secret that Yogi Adityanath is on his trip in UP and not like other BJP Chief Ministers who pay obeisance to political masters. Insiders in the BJP say that Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappayu is another pain in the neck of the party high command. Yogi doesn’t take the call of many senior leaders. The Central high command was also upset after Yogi Adityanath cut Sunil Bansal, the unquestioned king of Lucknow to run the affairs, to size.

Lately, there have been issues relating to handling crimes in the state and law & order problem, the latest being the Hathras case. Many complain that Yogi has not risen from caste-politics either despite being a loner, unmarried and honest. One school of thought is that it was Yogi who requested the high command to give him a competent person as he doesn’t trust his two deputy Chief Ministers. A K Sharma hails from Azamgarh and can play some role. No one is sure if Nitin Gadkari had a role in Sharma’s going to UP because he worked under him in the MSME as Secretary. No final word has come out about the future role of MLC AK Sharma. Will he be another KK in Lucknow?

Nadda’s rising clout

BJP president J P Nadda is back in action and batting on the front foot in West Bengal polls. He played a key role in the selection of seven Union Ministers who were made incharge of seven regions for Assembly polls. Obviously, Nadda's graph has risen after big Bihar won. Only recently, a couple of Chief Ministers of BJP ruled states wanted to call on the PM. But Modi politely conveyed to them to first apprise “Nadda ji” about the issues. Another major change jolted the party when three posts of joint general secretaries (Organisation) were discarded. Is RSS allowing a free hand to Nadda and General secretary (Organisation) B L Santosh? One will have to watch.

Why Govt doesn't communicate

Be it farm laws or any other issue, the Modi government’s bane is it to rush into decisions and lacking in communication. The classic example is of giving Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxine without phase-III trial data. It was alleged that the government had rushed into giving preferred treatment violating rules and risking lives of people. But no one, not even the IMCR, Drug Controller General of India or even the Health ministry said that the rules for EMA were amended way back in March 2019, a year before the Covid break out. The policy was changed by regulators to give EUA for vaccines without waiting for phase-III trial results. No favours were shown to Covaxine per se. When controversy engulfed the scientific community, the rules were dug out from the grave.

Fly on the Wall - Modi subtle goal-post shift

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi subtle goal-post shift

If you thought PM Modi will hang his boots and hand-over reins of power once he turns 75 years to a successor, you may be in for some surprises. Reason being that Modi has subtly shifted his goal-post from 2022 to 2029. An indication of changing goal-post came at a virtual function last week which largely went unreported wherein he said that a lot of work has been done during the past six and half years. But for India’s growth and development next nine years are very important. Modi had said on several occasions in the past that by 2022 when India celebrates its 75th anniversary of Independence, farmers' income will be doubled and all will have pakka houses, education for all and many more tall promises. In fact, when he came to power in 2014, he had promised that farmers income will be doubled within the next five years. But later, he shifted it to 2022. Now he is talking that the next nine years are crucial for India’s development. Two things clearly emerge from his statement; one that he will be around until 2029 and secondly, he is working hard to win the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Though many of his lieutenants like Amit Shah have said that the BJP will rule India for the next 50 years. But Modi had always refrained from making such tall claims.

Focus on the Bungalow now!

After losing Rajya Sabha seat for his mother Reena Paswan, the LJP chief is working hard to retain ministerial bungalow at Janpath. The 12 Janpath Road Bungalow was allotted to Ram Vilas Paswan when he became a Minister in the V P Singh government and continued since then. His son, Chirag Paswan who is a two term Lok Sabha MP is not entitled to type VIII bungalow. After Paswan’s death, the bungalow has fallen under the "general category". With no Cabinet berth round the corner for Chirag, he may have to vacate the bungalow unless the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation allows him to retain it. One will have to watch out what happens to this “Hanuman” of Prime Minister Modi. His hopes rest on BJP Chief J P Nadda who said recently, “At the Centre, the matter is different. But in Bihar, this is what it is.” Nadda was asked whether Chirag is part of NDA or not. The vague reply given has raised hopes for Chirag.

What went wrong with Ahmed Patel

The sudden demise of Ahmed Patel has left a void in the Congress at a juncture when the party needed him most. It is not as if he didn’t see ups and downs. He suffered a setback when Ambica Soni became the political secretary to Sonia Gandhi replacing him. It’s a different matter that he was back at the center- stage soon. When Rahul took over as party chief, Patel was subtly sidelined again as the scion of the Gandhi family wanted his own team. However, Sonia Gandhi was wise enough and retained him as her chief political adviser until his death. It’s a different matter that Rahul Gandhi also found virtues in him later and he was back in the political game. It, however, remains a mystery as to why he chose to travel all the way to Faridabad’s Metro Hospital in October for treatment when he was first tested positive of Covid. No doubt, he had been regular at Metro whenever he fell ill. Later, he shifted to Apollo hospital and finally brought to Medanta in Gurugram. Three hospitals in two months did not prove lucky to him.

A promoted with demotion

It's strange that Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha got a demotion while he was promoted as new Chief Information Commissioner. He was holding the rank of the Supreme Court judge as Information Commissioner. But the moment he was promoted as CIC, he was demoted to the rank of a Cabinet Secretary. He will lose salary and pension. Interestingly, his four old colleagues will hold SC judge rank while three new colleagues will be in the rank of secretary. A dichotomy created by the amendment to the RTI Act in 2018!

Fly on the Wall - Meira as interim AICC Chief!

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Meira as interim AICC Chief!

Utter confusion prevails in the Congress as Gandhi family loyalists are not sure how Rahul Gandhi will conduct himself to return as party president. These loyalists are pitching for his early return as interim president even before the revamped Central Election Authority (CEA) completes the organizational elections by March next year. The loyalists say Rahul Gandhi be brought as interim president and confirmed later as full-time president. But the dissidents are determined to prevent Rahul's return as interim party chief and have floated the name of former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. She will have 3-4 vice presidents representing various regions to strengthen the party. Since Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot is disinclined to don the mantle at this juncture, there is no other suitable name for the post. Bhupinder Singh Hooda will be one of the vice presidents.The Obama memoirs have done the worst damage to Rahul Gandhi at a time when he is trying hard to bounce back. Obama, in a way, has strengthened dissidents’ hands. On her part, Sonia Gandhi is delaying the whole process until the Assembly polls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry. She hopes that Congress will perform better in these 5state Assembly polls which may pave the way for his return as party chief.

Why Nadda on 7th Heaven

Something unprecedented happened when the PM visited BJP headquarters for a “thanks giving” function to Bihar voters after its rare win. The BJP emerged as a “big brother” to Nitish Kumar after two decades and it was no mean achievement. The Bihar polls were a turning point for the party’s fortunes in elections due next year. Addressing workers, the PM suddenly turned to Nadda and said, “Nadda ji aap aage chalo hum tumahare saath hain” (Nadda ji, you lead it from the front and we are with you). Heads turned as such right-handed compliments were never given to any of Nadda’s predecessors by Modi in the past. When Modi repeated the compliment, Nadda got up from his seat to thank Modi. When Modi repeated the Nadda slogan a third time, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and others got up and clapped for Nadda rather sheepishly. Was Modi sending a message to leaders who did not go for campaigning in Bihar anticipating a defeat. The rare compliment sent Nadda on 7th Heaven as he single-handedly remained stationed in Bihar earning a feather in the cap. Is he coming out of the shadow of his seniors? One will have to watch out. But he has made his mark. 

Full Article

Finally, STC begins winding up

When the Modi government came to power, it had big plans to sell or shut down ailing PSUs. But six years in power, the Modi government realized it was easier said than done. It failed to sell or revive BSNL/MTNL despite spending billions of rupees of golden handshake to employees. It may succeed selling Air India and BPCL but at a far below the money it had envisaged. It wanted to shut down STC six years ago. It is only now that STC will be delisted from NSE and BSE. The STC Board has issued notifications to close down all branches including Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad by November 30 and others by December this year. Come 2021, STC may exist only on paper to resolve its ongoing legal issues. Employees have been offered a lucrative golden handshake or transfer. Next in line will be MMTC. Both have huge land banks that could be sold off at a later stage to recoup the accumulated losses.

Rajnikant gives a miss

Amit Shah may have created a flutter by his roadshow in Chennai and sealing the BJP-AIADMK electoral alliance for the May 2021 Assembly polls. But his desire to meet the veteran cine-star Rajnikant or M K Alagiri, estranged brother of DMK Chief M K Stalin did not succeed. He held meetings until 2.30 in the morning in his hotel room. But both of them did not turn up.

Sachin Pilot to join the BJP - His Mother Rama Pilot had clinched the deal

Harish Gupta ( National Editor, Lokmat Group)
New Delhi, July 14

Sacked Rajsthan Deputy Chief Minister and PCC president Sachin Pilot may finally join the BJP. Though he had been maintain a studied silence for several days, his tweet today gave a clue when he thanked his supporters for their “ gratitude to all those who have come out in my support today.” He ended the short tweet with “राम राम सा !” The word of Ram Ram Sa is commonly used in local parlance in Rajasthan. But gives a clue to what is going on behind the scenes.

Highly placed sources in the BJP told Lokmat that the script of the Rajasthan drama was written in February itself when Rama Pilot, mother of Sachin Pilot met BJP’s newly elected president, J P Nadda. She met Nadda through an intermediary and clearly told him that if the BJP was willing to make her son the Chief Minister, he may jump the ship.

Rama Pilot was extremely furious with Congress president Sonia Gandhi for denying the CM’s post to Sachin who had worked tirelessly for five year as PCC Chief which had brought the Congress back to power. Though Sonia Gandhi tried to assuage her by saying that Sachin will continue to hold the dual post of PCC Chief and Dy CM. But no commitment was made in this regard.

The offer was tempting for the BJP which had lost power in Rajasthan as Pilot had stitched a Meena-Gujjar alliance which caused BJP’s humiliating defeat in Eastern Rajasthan. The BJP lost 42 out of the 49 seats there. 

But the offer had its own pitfalls for the BJP and Nadda needed time to discuss in his own party. He had just taken over on January 20 as party Chief. A series of discussions were held within the Central unit and the matter went right up to the Prime Minister. It was decided that the opinion of the senior functionaries of the RSS be obtained. During all this, time was lost and lockdown was imposed on March 24 bringing all political activity to a grinding halt.

The BJP got into act when Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s Special Operation Group (SOG) issued a notice to Sachin Pilot to appear before him for attempting to bribe the NLAs in the Rajya Sabha polls.

A series of raids by Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate allegedly involving Gehlot’s businessman son and others at ten locations. Now the fight is not between Sachin Pilot and Gehlot. Its BJP Establishment and Gehlot-Gandhi duo.

Nadda set to reshuffle BJP team

Harish Gupta ( National Editor, Lokmat Group)

New Delhi, July 7

• 25 Morchas, Departments may be over-hauled
• New General secretaries too
• Cabinet reshuffle later

BJP president J P Nadda will have a new team anytime, before July 15-16. The Cabinet reshuffle may follow later.

Highly placed sources say Nadda will have some “new faces” as vice president, general secretaries and heads of 25 Morchas and Departments. Nadda’s focus will be giving new direction to these departments and Morchas.

Of the eight general secretaries at least two may be replaced including Dr Anil Jain. Another general secretary incharge of Maharashtra, Saroj Pandey may be inducted into the Union Council of Ministers. Manoj Sinha, a former Railway Minister of State, may be brought in as new general secretary.

Bhupendra Yadav and Kailash Vijayvargiya over-seeing two poll bound states of Bihar and West Bengal respectively will be retained. The Yuva Morcha chief, Poonam Mahajan may be replaced by another young face. Tejswasi Surya, a Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka, is in the reckoning. Vijay Rahatkar, Mahila Morcha Chief may also be entrusted with new responsibility.

Similarly, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister may be replaced by Raghubar Dass of Jharkhand as Vice president. There are 10 vice presidents and a couple of them may be accommodated elsewhere. 

Nadda’s main strength is the new general secretary (org) B L Santosh who replaced Ram Lal. Santosh reminds days of late Sunder Singh Bhandari who was a tough task master and comes from the RSS.

The changes were finalized after the high-level meeting that took place last Saturday at the Prime Minister’s residence where top RSS and BJP leaders were present. 

It is clear that the Foreign Affairs Department will be strengthened and taken to a new high as PM Modi wants BJP to play a major role in this arena. A full fledged high-tech foreign affairs department will be strengthened under Vijay Chauthaiwale who hails from Maharashtra.

Nadda has a difficult task to fill the vacancies in parliamentary board arising out of the tragic demise of Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Anant Kumar.

Cabinet reshuffle, party rejig on cards

PM holds high-level meet , Nadda, top RSS leaders present

Harish Gupta (National Editor, Lokmat Group)
New Delhi, June 30

Final touches are being given for a reshuffle in Union Cabinet and Team-Nadda this month.  A high-level meeting took place  at the Prime Minister's residence  where top leaders of the RSS, BJP president J P Nadda and others were present. 

 Two top functionaries of the RSS, joint general

secretaries Dattratreya Honsabole and Dr Krishan Gopal, BJP general secretary B L Santosh, incharge of organisation along with party chief J P Nadda were present. This is the first time after the 100-days long lockdown that the top  leadership of the government and party apparatus came face-to-face. Insiders say that the meeting among the top leaders continued for more than two and half hours where thorough review of the achievements of the party, challenges and short-comings were discussed. 

Now that the Rajya Sabha biennial polls are over and Unlock 2.0 is in the process and the Parliament's Monsoon session is being planned sooner than expected, a much-delayed rejig is likely.  

There is a buzz that party's key functionary in West Bengal Mukul Roy may be brought into the Cabinet and may get a heavy weight ministry. Similarly, Jyotiraditya Scindia who was recently elected to Rajya Sabha and instrumental in BJP forming the government in Madhya Pradesh will be brought into the Cabinet. Similarly, there is a strong talk of Himanta Biswa Sarma may be brought into the Union Ministry who has done excellent work in the North East as a reward for his services.  The party has to win West Bengal elections and the induction of Mukul Roy will have some electrifying effect. 

It is learnt that some of the Cabinet Ministers were also called in at the PMO for a brief period and they left after a while. What transpired among them is not immediately known. But it is clear that some of the Ministers are under the radar for their poor performance. Those holding more than one portfolio in the government are likely to shed some weight.

Similarly, Nadda has been waiting in the wings to have a team after taking over as party chief on January 20. There are three vacancies in the parliamentary board due to the untimely demise of Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Ananth Kumar. There is a talk that any of the two women leaders, Nirmala Sitharaman or Smriti Irani may be brought in. There is also a suggestion that Irani be made the party's face of Delhi while retaining Cabinet post to take on Arvind Kejriwal.

Nadda's auspicious day sooner than expected !

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Nadda's auspicious day sooner than expected ! 

Amit Shah keen to quit party post before Delhi polls

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 13

The Capital is agog with reports that the working president J P Nadda may take over the reins as full president of the party very soon. Insiders say that a special session of the National Council of the BJP may be held either within the next ten days or immediately after the Delhi Assembly polls. But BJP president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has impressed upon the party leaders that he would like to give up the party post to focus fully on the government affairs.

Now that the inauspicious period of “Khad Mas” (One month period) is over on the Makar Sankranti tomorrow, the process may be expedited. Though the process of completing states' organisational polls is not over yet, it is felt that the wait should not be prolonged.

The prolonged uncertainty in the party's leadership is giving birth to all kinds of speculations in the media and the party. Now that Nadda has worked closely with Amit Shah for nearly seven months, its time, he should be inducted as soon as possible. If inducted within the next ten days, Nadda will face an uphill task dislodged Arvind Kejriwal's government in Delhi. The hopes of the BJP rest on the revival of the Congress party which alone can weaken the AAP.

Though the time is short, Nadda has the capability to woo the old guards in his own affable style and sort out factionalism in the national capital within the party leaders. Seconly, he is an alliance man and would not have allowed All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) to part ways in Jharkhand. J P Nadda was designated working president of the BJP in June last year and Amit Shah continued into the post for one reason or the other for such a long time dispensing with the principle of One-Man One-Post.

A final decision will be known in the next couple of days.

Ends 

Suspense over Change of Guards in BJP continues

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Suspense over Change of Guards in BJP continues

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 2

Intense speculation is on in the BJP over the exact date of take over of J P Nadda as the full time president of the BJP.

While a section believe that the much-awaited change of guards may take place after the Makar Sankranti in January, others say that the process of completing states' organisational polls is not over yet. The process of organisational polls in states is likely to be completed sometime in January and J P Nadda may be handed over the reins anytime thereafter.

J P Nadda was designated working president of the BJP in June last year. It was stated then that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will demit the party post keeping in mind the “one man one post” principle doggedly followed by the BJP. But Amit Shah continued into the post in order to familiarise Nadda with the organisational structure.

In the meantime, it was felt by the party that let Amit Shah continue in the post and directly monitor the Assembly polls in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand. Somehow, the results were a serious set back to his winning streak and now he is keen to quit before the Delhi Assembly polls due in the first week of February.

However, no decision has been taken whether Amit Shah will hang his boots as party president before the Delhi Assembly polls or prior to the polls itself. He has already constituted a team of three ministers- Prakash Javadekar, Hardeep Singh Puri and Nityanand Rai- to oversee Delhi polls. The notification is likely to be issued anytime now for the Delhi polls. But no one is giving any numbers to the BJP in Delhi. Shah may be keen to demit the office but Nadda doesn't want to begin his inninings in office with a poor note. Therefore, it is likely that he may take over some time in mid-February when the Parliament will go into a recess after the Budget presentation and results of Delhi polls will be out.

Ends 

BJP's sermon to Top leaders: Don't attack Thackerays

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

BJP's sermon to Top leaders: Don't attack Thackerays

BJP Sole custodian of Hindutva Now

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov. 14

The BJP high command has issued strict instructions to all its Central leaders including spokespersons and ministers not to criticise Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray or his son and others personally.

The BJP leadership took this decision after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Working president J P Nadda held an informal meeting before the PM emplaned for BRICS meet. It was decided that Amit Shah will speak on the subject and present BJP's point of view through TV channels. Amit Shah was very guarded in his comments and nowhere he hit out at Sena for duplicity, expediency or personally attacked Thackerays when took the mike yesterday. The BJP's break-up is disheartening and discouraging as Sena was its oldest and ideologically closest ally and difficult to digest.

The trio decided that the developing situation be watched with an arms length and “let Sena-NCP-Congress prepare their eatable Khichdi and run the government as they wish to.” They decided to wait for the “Silver Line” in the next couple of months.

The BJP is extremely upset that it is losing a big state like Maharashtra after winning it and NCP leader Sharad Pawar played his cards very well by forcing Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi to change her strategy to support the die-hard ideological opponent to accept Sena's CM. The Maharashtra BJP is in a state of shock and Central Leadership is now hoping against hope for a “wind-fall gain.”

The hardliners in the BJP are excited about taking over the sole mantle of Hindutva with the departure of Sena.

They say its prime vote bank is confined to Thane-Konkan belt where BJP can work hard to make inroads in the months to come.

The BJP leadership also wants to see how Sena will carry out its own Hindutva agenda for which it was born and followed strident aggressive Hindutva policy with Congress and Sena.

Sena was at the forefront of the Ram temple agitation and even claimed its role in demolition of the structure.

Ends 

BJP High command tells state leaders

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

"keep quiet !”

BJP High command tells state leaders

Issue to be resolved in 3 days

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 30

The BJP high command has cautioned Maharashtra BJP leaders not to speak out of turn and avoid any comments detrimental to alliance with Shiv Sena in the state.

It was pointed out that neither BJP president Amit Shah and nor any central leader of the party has spoken on demands by the Shiv Sena raised day-in and day-out. There are certain elements in the Sena who are adding fuel to the fire and creating complications in the smooth sailing of the alliance.

In fact, the high command is watching the situation closely and all senior leaders like working president J P Nadda, Information & Braodcasting and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav are in loop. The party leaders will hold internal discussions once the Prime Minister is free from his diplomatic priorities. There is no hurry or pressure to seal the deal either.

A senior minister told Lokmat on the condition of anonymity, “We will solve the issue in three days.” He reminded that Sena was throwing similar tantrums before the Lok Sabha polls too and once BJP president Amit Shah held a close-door meeting with Uddhav Thackeray, everything was sorted out.

Of course, there will be power sharing arrangement between the two parties. But the BJP had roped in several smaller parties also in the alliance. Therefore, it is working out modalities of sharing power with its “historic ally” within its own set up first. There is a possibility that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis may make a brief trip to Delhi to brief the high command on the situation.

Ends 

J P Nadda to visit J&K

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

J P Nadda to visit J&K

BJP determined to Saffronise Valley

Contest all 87 Assembly seats in State

PDP MPs to ditch Mehbooba

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Aug. 4

BJP working president J P Nadda will visit Jammu & Srinagar within the next few days to assess the situation.

His precise program is kept a closely guarded secret. But it was discussed in detail with senior BJP leader of the J&K Kavinder Gupta who met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and J P Nadda.

It is not clear if J P Nadda will visit the state on August 14-15 and hoist Tri colour at Lal Chowk. The Union Home Minister has given the go-ahead to hoist tricolor in all the 6768 village of the state on August 15- a scene never witnessed in the 70 years history of the state. The BJP's plan is to send a strong signal to terrorists and generate confidence among the common people that they need not fear. 

The Modi government's objective is to ensure that the BJP forms the next government in the state and all policies and actions are driven with that objective. Be it ordering delimitation of constituencies in the state, abrogate Article 35A or other steps, the objective of all this is saffronise the Valley sooner than expected, said a senior BJP leader.

The saffron party is set to contest all 87 seats on its seats including 46 seats in the Valley. The BJP is propping up some fringe groups and splinter elements of the National Conference, PDP and Congress to contest separately and win seats. There are many in these parties who are sitting on the fence. The Members of the Rajya Sabha belonging to the PDP are angry with Mehbooba Mufti and planning to contest as Independents as MLA in the Valley when polls are held. They did not vote against the Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha and rather walked out. By sending forces in a big way in the state, the government wants to create confidence among those who are saner elements and want protection. 

PM hints at Cabinet expansion, says "I am watching"

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

PM hints at Cabinet expansion, says "I am watching" 

Wants action against arrogant Indore BJP MLA saying “No matter whose Son”

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, July 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning to the BJP lawmakers saying arrogance has no place in the party and such people be expelled without exception. Referring to a specific incident of Indore's BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya recently who was caught on camera assaulting an official with a cricket bat last week, Modi said, action be taken against him “Whoever it may be, whoever’s son he may be... such arrogance, misbehaviour cannot be tolerated."

The PM was pained to state that action be taken against all those who had welcomed Akash Vijayvargiya after his release from prison on bail. Looking at Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah who was also sitting with the PM at the BJP parliamentary party, Modi said, “ I am surprised that there was no remorse after the incident. Rather, the person was given a rousing welcome after he was released from jail on bail. Is this acceptable? ” without referring to any one, the PM also condemned the tendency to defend such leaders.

Akash Vijayvargiya, 34, was garlanded by supporters as he stepped out of prison on bail. The first time BJP lawmaker is the son of BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvergiya, who is a close confidant of Amit Shah. Incidentally, Kailash Vijayvergiya was sitting in the last row at the Parliamentary party meeting today morning.

PM did not name him but obviously he was upset that the senior Vijayvergiya did not condemn his son's behaviour and rather defended him. Kailash Vijayvargiya had downplayed his son's offence, calling him a "kachha khiladi" (novice) and insisted it wasn't a "big issue" when he visited Indore yesterday.

PM did not stop here. He took the first time MPs of his party to task saying their absence at the time of the voting of crucial bills was surprising. “Its time for them to learn and sit in the house by participating. I am keeping a close watch on who is doing watch, how many sit and how many participate in the committee meetings and how many speak.”

The PM did not stop there. He surprised the MPs when he said, “ Whenever Cabinet expansion takes place, your performance will matter and nothing else.”

The word Cabinet expansion coming directly from the PM raised hopes among the many aspirants who had missed the bus on May 30. But it was clear message to the young first timers that they will have to work hard.

The BJP working president J P Nadda sat next to the PM and felicitated him on arrival along with Amit Shah and others.

PM won't share dais with Yashwant Sinha

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Organizers in a jam, shadow over centenary function

PM won't share dais with Yashwant Sinha

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 9

The tussle between the BJP leadership and former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha has spilled over the centenary celebrations of the Bihar University in Patna. The mega function of the country's most prestigious university is due to take place on October 14 and the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has accorded his consent to be the chief guest on the occasion.

However, the cloud surfaced when it was learnt that the university authorities had also invited two prominent personalities former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha and former Shipping Minister and sitting Lok Sabha M P Shatrughan Sinha to be the guest of honour at the function. Reports suggest that the university authorities had invited both of them to share the podium with the PM and other dignitaries. The authorities have invited over 5000 plus alumni to celebrate the 100 years of its inception.

It is now learnt that the Prime Minister Office has made it clear that strict protocol be followed during the visit of the PM Naredra Modi to the Bihar University on the occasion of it centenary celebrations. The instructions have reportedly been issued to the authorities the PM will share the podium with the mandated dignitaries only. The instructions went after it emerged that Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha will also share the dais with the Prime Minister and other dignitaries. Health Minister J P Nadda, Food Minister Ram Vilas Sharma, Minister of state for Health Ashiwini Choubey are also among the alumni of the university and have been invited. C P Thakur, a former Union Health Minister and sitting Rajya Sabha MP is also an alumni.

The program had been finalised long before the controversy erupted in the BJP after Yashwant Sinha blasted the economic policies of the government and attacked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Now under the protocol, limited chairs are allowed on the podium with only PM, Governor Satpal Malik, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, J P Nadda, Choubey. It is still not clear whether the two Sinhas will get a place of prominence and where C P Thakur will be be accommodated. The confusion arose as the organisers had while inviting the two Sinhas had requested them to be on the dais as there was no rift between them and the leadership when the invitations were sent months ago.

The organizers of the centenary celebrations are in a big jam as it has been desired that six additional chairs be removed from the main podium. It is said that the Sinhas will be part of the audience now.

end

We are providing free medicines and tests to all: Nadda

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

'We are providing free medicines, tests to all'

We are providing free medicines and tests to all: Nadda

Union Minister for health and family welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda says free check-up will be done in case of those above 30 years of age and suffering from hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer and breast cancer. We are going to roll out this scheme in 100 districts this year.

Medicines too will be given free of cost. Similarly, we have decided to open 20 state-of-the-art cancer units. Under the Prime Minister's Dialysis Scheme, the government will open dialysis centres in about 400 districts across the country.

HARISH GUPTA

Questions: Is “free medicine and free treatment to all' your new slogan?

Answer : Free drugs and diagnostics will be available to all whether they take treatment in a private hospital or a government hospital. Our government has rolled out free drugs and diagnostic facilities. This is a revolutionary step in the field of healthcare. The government is offering 500 medicines free of cost. Now the states have to implement this. Many state have already come forward to implement this. Moreover, there are many other schemes too.

Q. What are the new schemes?

A : There will be free check-up for those above 30 years of age and who are suffering from hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer etc. This will be done in the entire country. We are going to roll out this plan this year in 100 districts. We have decided to open 20 state-of-the-art cancer units. They will be built at a cost of Rs.150 crore. The project will also inculde 50 cancer centres which too will be opened. Under the Prime Minister's Dialysis Scheme, the government will open dialysis centres in about 400 districts across the country. One per cent rise would be registered in the Universal Immunization (vaccination) programme for new born babies every year. We have taken it up to eight per cent in the last two years and proposed to take it up to 10 per cent. This has been a great achievement. There were seven types of vaccines in the immunization programme so far, which we have increased to 11 now. Our government has done a landmark work in a short span of time.

Q. But in Delhi, the Kejriwal government too is offering free medicines and tests?

A: All the money to the district hospitals comes from the centre. in Delhi also, whatever free drugs and diagnostic tests are being offered in the district hospitals, are being funded by the centre only.

Q. So the Kejriwal government is just bragging while you are doing the real work?

A. All I would say is that the government of India is working. There are many state governments that are taking advantage of Centre's schemes.

Q. You fixed the prices of stent and keen treatment. It took you three years to do. When will you fix the cost of other surgeries?

A. We are working on it. Our effort is to cap costs of all essential surgeries.

Q. It seems you are afraid of the hospital lobby?

A: Not at all. We do 'solid' work. We do not get affected by the lobby.

Q. You generic medicines policy has stirred the hornet's nest among drug companies. But this order sounds more populist. Nothing is happening on the ground!

A. Whenever any changes occur, they have their own reactions. For, the decisions are taken for the benefit of the people. Just wait... the work is going on.

Q. But the effect of medical lobby is quite conspicuous in case of medical colleges!

A. We are bringing the National Medical Commission Bill. There will be uniform policy in the entire Country.

Q. You had assured about this Bill when you became a minister?

A. This Bill is in the final stage. After all, whenever there is a problem, it is necessary to make fool-proof arrangement.

Q. You superseded the MCI. Then there was some problem in the Supreme Court appointed committee? Then you formed the 'oversight committee'?

A. I will not make any comment on this. We are trying to establishing a transparent system. Look at NEET. It is a glaring example of our transparency. The National Medical Commission will be formed too. We will do away with the these problems.

Q. You are opening AIIMS in every states. But there are neither doctors nor trained staff?

A. We have increased 20,000 seats in PG and UGC courses. After all, it takes time to set up AIIMS-like institutions on such a large scale. We can not compromise on institutions like AIIMS.

Q. But you are cutting down the healthcare budget?

A. No, we are raising the budget. There is a 27 per cent increase this year. But the states have not been able to spend the money. When I assumed charges, they were spending about 20 per cent only. After a lot of hard work, it has now gone up to 40 per cent.

Q. The government is silent on this issue of 'population'?

A. We are working on family development mission. Today, the total fertility rate in 24 states has come down to 2.1 per cent. It is more than 3 per cent in 8 states. In these states, 140 districts are such where we are doing micro-planning for each one of them.

Q. But there is no discussion whatsoever, about it. Are you doing it quietly?

A. You have to concentrate only on your work while doing some good work. This is very serious task and the results will be for all to see.

Q. You once proposed to regulate the sale and consumption of tabacoo, but went silent after that?

A. prevention is very essential. We are laying emphasis on public education and awareness, which has been 6 per cent reduction in consumption of tabacco in the last three years. The effects can be seen even in cinema halls. If regulation will be required even after that, we will do that too.

Q. In Gujarat and Karnataka, the BJP has announced its leaders. But why is it not doing so in Himachal?

A. The BJP prepares separate plans for every state. In many states, we contested elections after announcing names of the leaders. But in many states, we did not do so. It is the BJP Parliamentary Board which takes a decision in this regards.

Q. Some people say that you are BJP's 'secret card'?

A. There is absolutely no truth in it. The BJP Parliamentary Board takes the decision on all such matters and it will take a right decision at the right time.