Fly on the wall | Pawar’s mysterious Silence in Rajya Sabha

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Pawar’s mysterious Silence in Rajya Sabha

The entire political class is baffled about the mysterious silence of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar when the Rajya Sabha discussed three farm laws for days together. It was expected that the tallest farmer leader from Baramati who was UPA’s Agriculture Minister for ten long years, will put the record straight. If a leader of his stature had spoken, farmers and the government would have listened to him. He is perhaps the only one who could have told the farmers to end the agitation as farm laws had been stayed for 18 months and has the stature to tell the government also to mend fences and find a way out. After all, it was Pawar who had brought many agricultural reforms during his tenure at the Centre and earlier in Maharashtra. Pawar was very much stationed in Delhi during the session of Parliament. But he maintained a mysterious silence in Rajya Sabha and chose to field Praful Patel instead. Though former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda who takes pride in calling himself “poor farmer from Karnataka” spoke in Rajya Sabha. But he has lost his rhythm and touch. Pawar could have made the difference. But he looked the other way. Why?? No answers are coming from the NCP.

Why PM is angry with Babus?

Ever since Modi came to power in 2014, the Babus are the worst sufferers. Gone are the days when they used to rule the roost and ministers used to eat out of their hands. In some of the ministries, the bureaucrats used to work as brokers between private players and politicians to reap the harvest. They were partying in 5 star hotels, playing golf, coming to the office at will etc. PM Modi talked of this Lutyens Delhi culture in 2014. Since then, Modi has been tightening the noose and Babus are now a nameless & faceless class. The Lutyens’ Delhi does not recognize when PM’s Principal Secretary PK Mishra takes a walk in the Lodhi Gardens. Modi wants to end Babus direct interaction with the businessmen completely and doggedly pursuing ‘faceless’ resolution of grievances. The Babus were crestfallen when Modi had a dig at them in the Lok Sabha saying they are not experts to run airlines, chemical or companies and everything. No PM has questioned their ability to deliver. Obviously, Modi was peeved that Babus are creating one hurdle after the other in the implementation of his policies. He blames them for sabotaging his vigorous divestment program and mobilizing Rs two lakh crores by selling PSUs. Modi feels Babus are to be blamed for it and gave them public bashing. Modi is now hoping for a Bonanza this year.

Rahul calling shots, G-23 crest fallen

Rahul Gandhi is neither Congress president nor Parliamentary Party leader. He has declared he won’t hold any post and rather no Gandhi will hold it either. But he continues to call the shots in the party, Parliament and makes no bones about it. He doesn’t mince words and is rather ruthless in getting things done. The Group of 23 dissident leaders had thought that he would be conciliatory to them after Priyanka Gandhi’s meetings with Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma. Both are part of G-23 letter writers. But their hopes were dashed when Sonia Gandhi sent a letter appointing Mallikarjun Kharge as Leader of Opposition in place of Ghulam Nabi Azad three days before his retirement. It sent Anand Sharma sulking who was in the race for the top post. The shocker came when Nana Patole was appointed as Maharashtra PCC chief. Now the word is that Patole may be given a ministerial berth making one of the Congress ministers resigning. The issue was broached when Patole met Rahul in Delhi. It is said that one Congress minister will quit to make room for Patole. No final word has emanated from 12 Tughlaq Road, the official residence of Rahul Gandhi in this regard. K C Venugopal is gradually replacing late Ahmad Patel in AICC.

The lone winner

The NaMo administration cleared 26 IAS officers of 1988 & 1989 batch to be promoted as Secretary and 14 as Secretary Equivalent. Maharashtra was lucky as Rajesh Agrawal was the lone officer figuring in the list of 40. But he too was made Secretary Equivalent and not as full secretary. Not a good sign for the richest and one of the largest states.

Telangana tops in Covid +ve Cases rate Maharashtra slips to second slot

Corona Testing to touch One Crore Mark this week 

Harish Gupta (National Editor, Lokmat Group)

New Delhi, July 2

Telangana emerged on top of the Coronavirus cases in India in terms of percentage today. It pushed Maharashtra to the second slot and Delhi as cases are rising there very rapidly while these are on the decline in these hot spot states. This has caused a new worry to the Centre which had been nudging Telangana to conduct more tests.

The data accessed by Lokmat suggest from

official Health ministry sources revealed that positive cases touched a record high 18.7% pushing Maharashtra to 18.5% and Delhi 16.3%.

Though the number of Covid cases in Telanagana are 17357 only compared to Maharashtra’s 1.86 lakh and Delhi’s 89802 cases.  But these states (see the table) have undertaken record tests since February and due to sustained efforts, cases are on the decline.  Even these cases had not been possible had the Centre not pushed and the High Court not scolded the state for less tests. The daily testing in Telagana was just 1096 on June 17 which has now risen to 7691 until July 1 night.

If the positive cases were 269 cases on June 17, they rose to 17357 yesterday, a jump of more than 60 times in less than a fortnight.  The testing during the last fortnight rose seven times only – from 1096 tests to 7691 on July 1 night.

Surprisingly, neighbouring Andhra Pradesh

conducted 9.18 lakh tests and its positive cases rate is just 1.7% - lowest in the country.  But Maharashtra was on top in the country in conducting highest with 50825 tests. Interestingly, Tamil Nadu conducted 12.02 lakh cases and positive cases are 7.8%.

One Crore tests by this weekend

Interestingly, India will set a new record when it may cross one crore Covid test mark. It nearly touched  2.30 lakh tests per day record today.

India conducted 37.37 lakh tests on May 31 and positive cases were 4.9% which has now risen to 6.7%- a jump of nearly two percent. In terms of numbers, the cases rose from 1.82 lakhs to 6.04 lakhs..

India Covid tests touch 75 lakh tests, Highest 2.15 lakh tests in a single day

* Number of positive cases rose to 6.2%

* Telangana jumps to 3^rd slot after Maharashtra, Delhi

* 1000 laboratories testing in India

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

New Delhi, June 24

India achieved a new milestone in Covid-19 tests when it crossed two lakh tests a day. Until 9 this morning, more than 2.15 lakhs tests were conducted in a single day. The total number of tests in the country till date was 73.52 lakhs and set to cross 75 lakh tests mark by tonight. It is also heartening that the total number of laboratories in the country undertaking three type of tests rose to 1000 (730 government & 230 private) which is another record.

However, the data alarmingly revealed rising number of Covid-19 cases across India touching an all time high of 4.56 lakhs. The number of positive cases was 1.90 lakhs as on June 1 this year. But it more than doubled in merely 24 days. The percentage of cases (tests to positivity) also rose 4.96% to 6.2% during this period.

Data accessed by Lokmat from official sources revealed that positivity rate continues to soar by the day in Maharashtra  and Delhi with Telangana taking the third slot in the country.  (See the table)

Interestingly, Tamil Nadu is at the top in testing with 9.44 lakh tests and its positivity rate is less than Maharashtra (17.7%) and Delhi (16.6%).

On June 15, Maharashtra’s positivity rate was 15.9% and it conducted 6.59 lakh tests. Thus in less than 10 days it rose by 2% which is a sign of worry. Similarly, Delhi’s positivity rate was 14.2% on June 15. But it rose by 2.4% which is highest in term of percentage term.

The new state rapidly rising in positive cases is Telangana where positivity rate is 15.1%. It was no where on the scene on the map as it was not testing enough. However, within ten days of rapidly testing, it gained number 3 slot in the country.

Interestingly, UP and Maharashtra have highest number of laboratories with 110  and 105 respectively.

Rising number of Hot Spots worries Centre, states

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Rising number of Hot Spots worries Centre, states

1150 sealed off zones today

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, April 10

The Centre is extremely worried over the rising number of hot-spots or containment zones in states as total sealing and cordoning off large population is a new experience for state machinery. Even for the Centre it’s a new kind of challenge and strategy to deal with national-wide prolonged crisis is evolving by the day if not hour.

Sources in the Union Home Ministry say that there are as many as 1150 such hot-spots spread over 15 states and union territories. Earlier, the parameter for deciding the Hot-spots was 100 cases. But it has now been brought down to  ten considering the fact that enough testing could not be done. The best way was to seal off these areas first, confine the large population inside and undertake intensive testing. The antibody testing is now being done on a large scale.

Some of these cluster containment zones are as small as two lanes in a locality in Delhi and as large as Bhilwara in Rajasthan  where more than 20 lakh people were locked down from March 20 itself.

These sources say Maharashtra alone has more than 400 zones with Mumbai being the largest city in the country and Uttar Pradesh 105. Tamil Nadu is the second state where the number of containment zones is 222, 120 plus in Andhra Pradesh and 125 in Telangana.

It’s a matter of surprise that Covid-19 made serious inroads in Madhya Pradesh with 180 containment zones.

The Centre and state governments are working in complete tandem round the clock to monitor these hot-spots.   

The Centre is working on various modules to handle these clusters comprising more than 1150 hot-spots to contain spread of virus and give all facilities to the residents. The areas under drones and CCTV watch 24x7.

Special team of sanitary workers and health care and local officials going door-to-door. Mumbai has seen double digit growth has during the past two days taking the number to 380 hot-spots has sent shock waves. It is these rising number of hot-spots that has forced the hands of the Centre and states to extend the lock-down.

Ends 

Centre refutes Maharashtra charge

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Centre refutes Maharashtra charge 

No Permission was needed to Hold Tablighi Markaz

Centre stepped in to diffuse crisis

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, April 8

The Centre today refused to be drawn into any controversy with the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at its Nizamuddin headquarters saying it was for the Delhi government to deal with it. 

The Delhi government, on its part, said since the conference was not to be held at a public place and inside its own six storeyed  building at Nizamuddin, no permission was needed. It was held inside their own building and for their own followers.

The Union Home Ministry deals only with the cases of those persons who come to India from abroad on various kinds of visas. The home ministry through the special branch of the police regularly keeps itself posted through a Foreigners register maintained by the holders of such conferences.  Since no permission was needed to hold a conference inside the Markaz from the special branch, no permission was given.

Without getting involved into the slinging match with the Maharashtra government, sources in the MHA  say that the Tablighi Jammat  was refused permission by the state as they wanted the conference to be held in an open area. But the case in Delhi was different as it was inside its own building.  There were no orders against holding any congregation before March 13 when it began.

The whole problem began when they refused to disperse after the conference on March 16.

Sources in the Home Ministry say that when the Delhi government headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal through the office of Lt. Governor Anil Baijal sought help in getting the followers of TJ dispersed and that too on March 22-23, the Delhi Police stepped in a formal manner.

The MHA sources refused to say anything with regard to the indulgence of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval to resolve the issue.

 However, sources in the PMO say that Doval has always been a backroom boy whenever it comes to handling tricky issues for the Prime Minister particularly relating to minorities. When the minorities were needed to be wooed in Jammu & Kashmir, Ajit Doval was deployed to undertake an extensive personal tour for three days and camped there.

Doval was the top official to visit the North East Delhi’s riot-stricken areas in February 27-28. Obviously, the PM deployed Doval as Amit Shah could not have done this for variety of reasons.

In the case of Tablighi Jamaat, the government tried hard to woo them through various sources including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close associate from Gujrat, Zafar Sareshwala who is a Tablighi himself. But the chief of the TJ, Moulana Saad refused to listen to him. Then Doval stepped in on March 28 to diffuse the situation.

Efforts to solicit response from Ajit Doval did not succeed and it remain a mystery as to why the Delhi Government, Delhi Police and  Union Home Ministry did not disperse the crowd immediately after the conference was over on March 15.

Intense lobbying begins for 7 Maharashtra RS Seats

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report 

Intense lobbying begins for 7 Maharashtra RS Seats

Fadnavis tops the chart of probables, Pawar sure to return

Dhoot, Husain Dalwai may miss the bus

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 5

Quiet but intense lobbying has begun for seven Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra falling vacant. Given the composition of 288 member state Assembly, BJP will bag three Rajya Sabha seats while the remaining four will go to the Sena-NCP-Congress combine. If sources are to be believed, the NCP is asking the Shiv Sena to spare an extra Rajya Sabha seat for it. The Congress has 44 MLAs in the House and can easily win one seat.

Of the seven retiring MPs, the return of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar is a foregone conclusion. The NCP will take a decision on its second candidate only after Sena's green signal. Thus, the future of NCP's Majeed Memon hangs in the balance.

The BJP leadership has assured Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment of his re-election though his RPI doesn't have the numbers. But uncertainty continues about the remaining two BJP candidates.

Highly placed sources in the BJP say that there is an outside chance of Devendra Fadnavis being brought to Delhi through Rajya Sabha and inducted into the Union Ministry. The former Maharashtra Chief Minister is a blue-eyed boy of the Prime Minister and wants to use him in national politics as the party is not keen to destabilize the Uddhav Thackeray government, at least for now. But no final decision has been taken. Fadnavis has been in Delhi for campaigning and held talks with members of the party high command. Amar Shankar Sable, sitting BJP MP is also a contender for being renominated for second term. The name of Ajay Sancheti, a former RS MP, is also being mentioned. One also hears that a noted economist may be brought to Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra. Uday Raje Bhonsle who quit his Lok Sabha to join the BJP, is also in the reckoning.

It is also learnt that Shiv Sena sitting MP Rajkumar Dhoot is unlikely to make a cut this time. But the intense battle is going on in the Congress for the lone Rajya Sabha seat. The sitting MP Husain Dalwai is not to be renominated and many are in the fray including Rajni Patel, Rajiv Satav, Milind Deora, Rajiv Shukla and Mukul Wasnik. Prithviraj Chavan is also keen to return to national politics quitting his MLA seat.

The biennial polls will be held early next month.

Ends 

No Early Cabinet Expansion in Maharashtra ?

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

No Early Cabinet Expansion in Maharashtra ?

New inductions after Nagpur session  

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec 1

The suspense over estranged nephew Ajit Pawar’s induction into the Uddhav Thackeray government will continue for some more time. It transpires that the next expansion of the Maharashtra Cabinet will take place only after the Nagpur session of the State Assembly. The Session is likely to be held between December 16 to 21.

Sources say that the top leadership of the alliance partners comprising of NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Congress leaders felt that the next expansion be held only after the Nagpur session of the Assembly. The induction of ministers from all the three parties and a couple of others may wait as Uddhav wants to initiate a series of steps for the welfare of the people immediately.

The two core committees – one for the Cabinet and the other for alliance partners – are also to be set up first so that better coordination could be evolved at all levels.

Secondly, Ajit Pawar continues to have certain reservations and wants more time to settle down in the new situation. He plans to visit his constituency.

Ends

No Early Cabinet Expansion in Maharashtra ?

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

No Early Cabinet Expansion in Maharashtra ?

New inductions after Nagpur session  

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec 1

The suspense over estranged nephew Ajit Pawar’s induction into the Uddhav Thackeray government will continue for some more time. It transpires that the next expansion of the Maharashtra Cabinet will take place only after the Nagpur session of the State Assembly. The Session is likely to be held between December 16 to 21.

Sources say that the top leadership of the alliance partners comprising of NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Congress leaders felt that the next expansion be held only after the Nagpur session of the Assembly. The induction of ministers from all the three parties and a couple of others may wait as Uddhav wants to initiate a series of steps for the welfare of the people immediately.

The two core committees – one for the Cabinet and the other for alliance partners – are also to be set up first so that better coordination could be evolved at all levels.

Secondly, Ajit Pawar continues to have certain reservations and wants more time to settle down in the new situation. He plans to visit his constituency.

Ends

Exclusive report with Time Line of events

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive report with Time Line of events

How dramatic coup was planned, executed and ….....

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 23:

The BJP pulled off a coup in Maharashtra when it formed the government early Saturday morning after the Governor B.S. Koshyari recommended revocation of President’s Rule in the state at midnight. The recommendation was sent to the President through the Ministry of Home Affairs over fax and email and also through a special messenger by flight. The Union Home Ministry lost no time in forwarding the recommendation to the President, Ram Nath Kovind overnight.

The President used his special powers conferred upon him under Clause 2 of the Article 356 of the Constitution whereby he can revoke the imposition of the President's rule on his own without waiting for the recommendation of the Union Cabinet. Otherwise, the President has to wait for the recommendation of the Union Cabinet to revoke the rule. But the Constitution gives adequate powers to the President to take a decision in his own wisdom and powers under the law.

How events unfolded:

22 November

8.00 pm: Governor B.S. Koshyari cancels his scheduled visit to Delhi causes some surprises;

8.45 – 9 pm: Ajit Pawar leaves NCP-Congress the meeting

11.30 pm: Ajit Pawar finalises a deal with BJP

23 November

12 am: Devendra Fadnavis apprises Home Minister Amit Shah details of developments, Shah discusses within party, gives go ahead;

12.15 am : BJP and NCP leader Ajit Pawar send letters of support satisfying the Governor of reasonable and stable majority

1.00 am : Koshyari recommends revocation of President’s Rule in the State, sends report through fax/email to Union Home Ministry.

1.45 am : Amit Shah's secretariat at his 6 Krishna Menon Marg residence here worked in full swing preparing all necessary documents for the President;

5.00 am: Special messenger of the Union Home Ministry hands-over documents to the President's secretariat and keeps waiting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan reception which was specially opened

5.30 am: The President walks down to his official chambers;

5.47 am: Uses his special powers and revokes President's rule

6.00 am Activities begin at the Governor House in Maharashtra

7.50 am: Koshyari starts the swearing-in ceremony process and oath ceremony complete 

8.16 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Fadnavis and Pawar on the government formation.

Sena-NCP-Congress struggling to Obtain MLAs signatures

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Lokmat Exclusive 

Sena-NCP-Congress struggling to Obtain MLAs signatures

Governor’s rider Puts parties in the Dock

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov. 17

 A simple rider by the Maharashtra Governor to Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress leaders to submit letters from individual MLAs of their respective parties in separate sheets “signed in Blue Ink”.

He wants that All MLAs should sign to say clearly that they support the formation of the new government. 

The Leaders of their respective parties must counter sign and certify that the signatures so submitted  are not obtained through coercion or other means.

Highly placed sources, on the condition of extreme confidentiality told Lokmat this evening that this rider has put spoke in the plans of the combined Opposition parties to form an alternative government. The leaders are now running after the MLAs to obtain their signatures individually and MLAs are putting their own conditions before signing these letters.

 In fact, the governor refused to allow the MLAs to be paraded. He simply told the leaders to give him signed support letters of each MLA of their respective parties. This precedent had been adopted by the Governors in the past and that’s why the Opposition parties are not making hue and cry and keeping quiet on the issue.  

Sources say at least half a dozen MLAs of Sena are unwilling to go with Congress or seeking their price for support. This is what the whole ruckus was making Uddhav Thackeray and his son to rush to the hotel to meet and pacify some of the MLAs yesterday. It’s the same story in Congress and NCP where each MLA is now wanting his own pound of flesh if he is not being made a Minister. There are more than 9 MLAs whose signatures had not been obtained until yesterday noon. 

It is because of this very reason that senior Party functionary Ahmad Patel is working round the clock to prompt the party leaders in Maharashtra to obtain signatures as early as possible.

 The crucial meeting of NCP chief Sharad Pawar with Sonia Gandhi has not been put off because of differences on Common Minimum Program (CMP) or power sharing arrangements. These continue to be on the table and under discussions.  But at least 15-16  MLAs of the three parties have not signed the letters of support. If the number is not right, the three parties cannot submit the letters to the Governor. Hence, the delay.  

Ends

Babus unwilling to come on Central deputations

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Babus unwilling to come on Central deputations

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov. 7

The Babus, IAS, IPS and other officers of Central services are unwilling to come to Delhi to serve the NaMo administration.

Be it Maharashtra or Modi’s own state of Gujrat, the story continues to be the same. The Babus don’t want to serve in Delhi and are happy to be in the cozy environment of the states. Surprisingly, the Central deputation under the central staffing scheme (CSS) in 2018-19 was lowest in the last five years as only 153 IAS officers were appointed on central deputation.

Maharashtra had a quota of 78 officers to be placed at the disposal of the Centre. But only 24 were sent by the state on the ground of paucity of officers. The case of Gujrat was no different when only 17 showed in contrast to the quota of 64. (see the table). As many as 340 IAS officers were appointed under the CSS during 2014-15 and 320 in 2015-16 and 247 during 2016-17. This number came down to 211 during 2017-18. The number is falling at the alarming rate as per the official data available.

Surprisingly, the trend was encouraging in earlier years for the Indian Revenue services (IRS) and Indian Postal Services (IPS). But that started sliding. For example, the IRS & IPS as many as 196 appointments were made under the CSS in 2014-15. This rose to 237 on central deputation in 2015-16 and 246 in 2016-17. But it fell to 171 in 2017-18 and 195 in 2018-19, the data said.

The total authorised strength of IAS officers is 6,500 as on January 1, 2019, and the CDR is 1,381. Out of these 1,381 IAS officers, there were 507 IAS officers working at the Centre. UP was supposed to sent 134 officer. But it spared only 44.

Verdict exposes Chinks in BJP armoury

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Verdict exposes Chinks in BJP armoury

Uncertainty in Haryana, Sena Flexes muscles in Maharashtra

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 24

The BJP's win with a slander margin in Maharashtra and hung house in Haryana has thrown the leadership into a tizzy. The party's parliamentary board went into a huddle to find out what went wrong particularly in Haryana where eight top ministers were trounced and party failed to win a majority on its own. Though BJP president Amit Shah congratulated the people of Maharashtra for the victory, he also thanked the people of Haryana for making BJP the single largest party. But the verdict has exposed chinks in the BJP's armoury and would have to undertake a thorough review as to what went wrong.

Many in the BJP leadership believe but for the Article 370, second surgical strike two days before the polls and the Prime Minister's addressing 16 rallies in two states, the results could have been more unpalatable for the BJP. It is clear that the economic slowdown, rising unemployment, banking crisis and denial mode of the BJP were some of the reasons for poor showing at the hustings.

Despite the win in Maharashtra, the BJP is not sure which way Shiv Sena will behave as it has the winning card. The Shiv Sena has projected Aditya Thackeray as its chief ministerial face and now with the BJP depending on Sena to form the next government, hard bargaining will begin. The Congress leadership under Sonia Gandhi is reported to have asked NCP supremo Sharad Pawar to take a decision in the best interest of the UPA. No one is sure what the NCP-Congress combine will do to stop the BJP from coming to power.

In Haryana too, the picture is hazy despite BJP hovering around 40 seats mark in the Assembly of 90. The Congress leadership under Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja succeeded in garnering only 30 seats only. But its the JJP of Dushyant Chautala and ten others who hold the key. While one INLD MLA and a few Independents who are BJP rebels may also support the BJP, no one is sure which way the Aaya Ram Gaya Ram state will behave. Dushyant Chautala (JJP) who holds the key with 10 MLA, is in Delhi to hold parleys. No one sure whether he will go with the BJP or Congress.

Ends

At least 20% sitting MLAs may lose tickets

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

At least 20% sitting MLAs may lose tickets

BJP's internal surveys wants purging of non-performers

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Sep 27

At least 20 to 30 per cent of the sitting MLAs in Maharashtra and Haryana may be shown the door by the ruling BJP in both the states. Of the sitting 122 MLAs who won on the BJP ticket in 2014, at least 22-25 may not be renominated. It transpires that the BJP's three internal surveys conducted during the past one year has concluded that new faces need to be to be brought to the fore. The party leadership at the Central level feels that in 2014 the situation was different as there was no alliance with the Shiv Sena and it had to make a lot of compromises and give tickets to certain leaders whom the party was disinclined to field. But it buckled under the pressure of various senior leaders. But times have changed and cleansing of the BJP itself is required. Secondly, the BJP's state incharge and party general secretary Bhupendra Yadav is a tough and thorough person. He would like the BJP to win almost every seat it contests. BJP president Amit Shah has also firmly told the state leaders that party should be in a position to win 150 out of 162 seats it is likely to contest. Though BJP is likely to contest 144 seats, it wants smaller parties to contest on its symbol. “Otherwise, they are free to take a walk,” said a senior BJP functionary.

Secondly, three surveys were done by different agencies and one was conducted internally directly under the watch of Bhupendra Yadav. It is felt that some outstanding personalities who have done well in fields other than politics be fielded. Its time that the BJP should draw talent from outside the political arena. Thirdly; the BJP has admitted a large number of leaders from other parties and some of them have to be accommodated and fielded during the Assembly polls to send the signal to those who are waiting in the wings. If sources are to be believed, at least 20 sitting MLAs may lose the tickets.

The situation in Haryana is no different where the party is going it alone for the 90-member Assembly. It has 47 MLAs who won on its symbol in October 2014. Now the Opposition is completely divided and fragmented unlike Maharashtra. Therefore, the BJP wants to deny ticket to at least 15 sitting MLAs based on the internal assessment and surveys.

The list will be declared after the BJP's Parliamentary board meeting on September 29 when the Prime Minister returns from his week long foreign tour.

Ends 

Rahul Reluctant campaigner in Assembly polls

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Rahul Reluctant campaigner in Assembly polls

Congress banking on Sonia, Priyanka

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Sep 26

There is intense speculation in the Congress whether former Congress president Rahul Gandhi will campaign in Maharashtra and Haryana in the ensuing Assembly polls.

The speculation gained momentum as Rahul Gandhi has become incommunicado and stays away from party activities. Except for visiting his parliamentary constituency Wayanad in Kerala, he is not taking interest in party affairs.

he has shunned meeting even the senior leaders and did not attend the CWC meeting and other meetings. So much so that when senior leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad wanted to inquire through his office if he would be campaigning for the Haryana Assembly polls, he did not get any response. Though he has not said a "No" to the campaigning but he has not consented as yet.

If sourcese are to be believed, Rahul Gandhi is expected to participate in the foot march (Padyatra) from Gandhi Ashram in Wardha. But its a non-political program and not part of the poll campaign.

However, there are indications that Congress president Sonia Gandhi, despite not so good health, will address a couple of rallies in the two states. Priyanka Gandhi, incharge of UP, may visit Haryana as she is under extreme pressure from the state leaders including Sejia, B S Hooda and others.

The Congress' leadership problem is that it doesn't have star campaigners except the Gandhis and sword of uncertainty is hanging. Even Navjot Singh Sidhu has gone in hibernation.

The party is in the process of compiling a comprehensive list of its campaigners in the Assembly polls.

However, Rahul Gandhi is active on twitter stridently opposing the abrogation of Article 370 despite the party officially had been coy. In fact, the party has allowed different voices to be expressed by its leaders sensing the mood of the people.

Rahul Gandhi has been poking fun at PM Modi for HOWDY, Modi at Houston and on other issues.

This is the only visible line of communication he has kept open with the party.

Otherwise, he is confined to reading books, watching TV on the big screen at his Tughlaq Road residence, visiting Khan market with a couple of close friends, rigorous workout at the gym at home and talking to non-political friends.

Ends 

BJP struggling to formulate winning strategy

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Special Report 

BJP struggling to formulate winning strategy

As Kejriwal Praises Modi, supports Article 370

Javadekar working overtime to turn tide  

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Sep 15

The BJP leadership may be on 7^th Heaven in Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand going to polls in October-November. But its plate is full of problems when it comes to Delhi.

Sensing trouble ahead, the party has replaced Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with senior leader and Cabinet Minister Prakash Javadekar, as incharge of Delhi affairs. Though Assembly polls are five months away. But Javadekar is holding district wise meetings seeking suggestions to formulate a winning strategy on a daily basis. The BJP has not won Delhi Assembly for the past 21 years.

The challenge before the party is how to counter the sops and freebies offered by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Javadekar has advised the local leadership not to unnecessarily criticise Kejriwal’s welfare schemes. The level of anti-incumbency against the Kejriwal government is still being assessed. The BJP is also baffled as to why Kejriwal has stopped criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi by name for the past couple of months. The AAP even voted in favour of abrogation of Article 370 in Parliament.

The BJP's another serious problem is whether it should project a chief ministerial candidate during the assembly polls or make it BJP vs Kejriwal. The BJP had burnt its fingers when it projected Kiran Bedi as CM face and lost badly in January 2015.

When a BJP leader, who wanted relief for residents of unauthorised colonies, Javadekar advised them not to talk to the media on the issue. The government was alive of it and responding, he said. Unauthorised colonies are a major vote-bank in Delhi, as they are home to 30-35 per cent of the city’s population.

Javadekar directed the local leadership to launch a full-blown attack on the Congress over corruption and Chidambaram the poster boy of the Congress. The BJP suspects that Congress and AAP will have some tacit understanding and wants to convert it into an opportunity.

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