The New “King-Makers”

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

The New “King-Makers”

50 MP s of BJD, TRS, YSR make new PM 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 6

If pollsters believe that Mamata Banerjee (TMC) or N Chandrababu Naidu (TDP) or Mayawati (BSP) will be the “king Maker” in a hung Lok Sabha after the 2019 polls, they may be sadly mistaken.

The new King Makers on the horizon are three non-aligned parties; Biju Janata Dal (Odisha), YSR Congress (Andhra Pradesh), and Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (Telangana) who are likely to get 45-50 Lok Sabha seats and play a crucial role in the formation of a new government if the BJP is restricted to 200 seats mark.

These three parties have decided to stay neutral and go it alone in the Lok Sabha polls. According to pollsters, YSR Congress is virtually sweeping the state of Andhra Pradesh which has 25 Lok Sabha seats. The YSR Congress is an off-shoot of the Congress Party and was formed when Y S Jaganmohan Reddy revolted after the tragic death of his father in a plane crash. He is expected to win at least 15-17 Lok Sabha seats. One of the reasons for Chandrababu Naidu to quit the NDA was his suspicion that BJP is hob-nobbing with the YSR Congress. Another indication of YSR Congress's friendly ties with the BJP is that Prashant Kishore is working with the party as its poll strategist. Jagan Mohan Reddy has already given Kishore a huge commercial space at Banzara Hills and he is running his poll campaign. K Chandrarao Rao is a known Modi Bhakt.

Similarly, the TRS headed by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao is expected to win 15 Lok Sabha seats out of 17. He recently swept the Assembly polls and showed his popularity with the voters. The Congress and the BJP are contesting all 17 seats in the state. But pollsters believe that both the parties will draw a blank.

The Biju Janata Dal headed by Odisha Chief Minister is likely to win anywhere between 15-17 seats. During the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJD had won 20 out of 21 seats while the BJP won one seat and the Congress drew a blank. The BJP is so desperate to placate Naveen Patnaik that it dumped B J Panda, who had resigned his seat to join the BJP. Panda is now sulking and left high & dry. Even Prime Minister Modi who was toying with the idea of contesting from Puri Lok Sabha seat in Odisha and take on Pantaik decided to look the other way.

The fact that Naveen Patnaik's sister Gita Mehta was offered Padma Shri by Modi, though she declined later citing wrong political message, is an indication that there is some tacit understanding between BJD and BJP.

The third indication of bon homie is that the CBI has gone silent in Odisha though BJD leaders were equally involved in the Chit Funds scam.

So this block of 50 Lok Sabha seats in a house of 543 will play a very crucial role if the BJP doesn't cross the 200 seats mark. The NDA parties (Shiv Sena, Janata Dal (U), LJP, Apna Dal, Akali Dal, AIADMK) are expected to get another 25-30 seats. Thus, PM Modi will need new “King Makers” to chip in a post-poll scenario.

Ends 

Fly on the Wall : Javadekar Kicks Teachers' Awards lobbyists out

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Javadekar Kicks Teachers' Awards lobbyists out

After Lutyen's Delhi was banished from the list of Padma Awards, the time is up for teachers to lobby for most prestigious National Awards. For the first time in Independent India, the practice of seeking names of best teachers from states for these awards has been abandoned. Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar decided to invite applications from teachers from all over India online directly. The only condition was that the teacher seeking National Award must have done something innovative or made extra-ordinary contribution to qualify for such an award. There were protests from the states as they felt that their powers have been curtailed. But Javadekar's answer was simple- states can also nominate if they so desire but the parameters will remain the same. Perhaps, Javadekar had discussed with the PM this innovative idea before over-hauling the time-tested lobby system. The PM gave the go-ahead as he himself must have been unhappy as he used to witness huge pressure as Chief Minister of Gujrat with recommendations. Javadekar constituted a high-powered committee to select 50 awardees from amongst 6000 applications. These 50 will be awarded on September 5 at Vigyan Bhawan. A senior HRD ministry official said there is a Lutyen's Zone in every state Capital and all awards were reserved for toppers living in such zones. Surely, if Modi disbanded Lutyen's Zone wallas from the list of Padma awards, Prakash Javadekar sent them for a six in the teachers category. Watch out other ministries in the years to come. Now it may the turn of the doctors.

Atal makes maiden entry in JNU

When Atal Behari Vajpayee was Prime Minister, he wanted the party to make inroads in the Left-controlled Jawaharlal Nehru University. Barring a success here and there, the Sangh Parivar failed to crack the Left bastion. However, his dream was fulfilled without any murmurs by HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar last week. Vajpayee was rehabilitated in death. Javadekar met a large number of people and convinced them that the government was willing to walk an extra-mile to make JNU a world class institution. It is willing to grant new courses including the School of Management and Engineering. The Executive Council of JNU was convinced that starting these courses would go a long way in enhancing its stature. Then came the plea that the Management Centre be named after late Atal Behari Vajpayee. Marathon discussions took place at various levels as Javadekar didn't want any controversies. He wanted matters to be resolved through negotiations rather than bull-dozing his way. The end result - Executive Council paid its fulsome tribute to Vajpayee and proposed to name it as 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Management and Entrepreneurship." Of course, some felt that this would "dilute the research-oriented nature of JNU". But Atal made the entry, finally.

Timing of removal surprised N N Vohra

N N Vohra who had been holding the fort in Jammu & Kashmir for more than ten years, left the Raj Bhawan on an unhappy note. Though an appointee of Dr Manmohan Singh in 2008, PM Modi decided to retain the seasoned bureaucrat. But Vohra had realised for the past some time that his days are numbered and started taking up cudgels on issues which were alien to him. During the last two months, friction between the Raj Bhavan and the Centre and Army increased. Raj Bhavan officials say that for the past ten years Vohra hardly had any differences with the Army over the killings of the “innocents”. But suddenly his heart started bleeding for them and he raised voice at meetings with the top army officials which didn't go down well with New Delhi. Vohra also opposed the any dilution of Article 35A which defines State subject laws, in the Supreme Court until an elected government was in place. This annoyed Modi so much that he decided to send Malik at a very short notice giving no time to Vohra to do any “further damage.” The Union Home Ministry informed him over the phone that his successor had been chosen and Satya Pal Malik will take charge from him. But Vohra did not wait for Satya Pal Malik to come to Srinagar. He decided to leave in the morning itself though Malik was expected from Patna in the afternoon. Vohra was conspicuous by his absence during the swearing-in of the new Governor on August 23. This surprised political observers because Vohra has been stickler of protocol. Vohra had expressed his willingness to manage the Amarnath Yatra and ensure the smooth conduct of the panchayat elections by the end of the year. But Modi was unwilling to give any leeway.

Why Satya Pal Malik to J&K ?

Most political leaders in the BJP are eyeing to become Bihar Governor these days though Lalji Tandon has been put in place for the time being. Bihar Raj Bhawan is considered Touch Of Gold; whosoever occupied it, got a huge promotion. If Ram Nath Kovind rose to become the President of India, Satya Pal Malik hogged the national limelight by moving to Srinagar Raj Bhawan. Both came from UP and originally didn't belong to the BJP either. But both became integral part of the BJP. Modi picked them for key posts though he had no personal contact with them either. While Kovind was always a low profile and humble person, Satya Pal Malik was in the forefront of political events. He had played a key role in the fall of the Morarji Desai government and making Charan Singh as PM with the help of the Congress. Though Congress pulled the plug and Charan Singh lost power within months, Satya Pal Malik dumped his mentor. He joined the Congress which nominated him to the Rajya Sabha twice, in 1980 and 1986. Later, Malik deserted Rajiv Gandhi and joined hands with V P Singh and became a minister in his government. He later joined Samajwadi Party and finally landed in BJP. Modi picked up Malik for the post as he was very close to Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who was Home Minister in the V P Singh government. It was during this period that relationship grew and both came close. Malik considers Mehbooba as his daughter. It seems Modi may do business with PDP once again in Jammu & Kashmir. Perhaps, Malik may be of some help.

Fly on the Wall : Rahul to hold Open Darbars

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Rahul to hold Open Darbars

The Congress president, Rahul Gandhi, may follow the foot steps of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv to directly connect with party workers and common man. It transpires that Rahul Gandhi's new team of advisers has impressed upon him to spend at least three days a week at the party headquarters 24 Akbar Road whenever in Delhi. While one day will be exclusively earmarked for party workers and common man, the second day will be to interact with office bearers and frontal organisations. The leaders from states will also be given fixed day for interaction with the Congress president. It will be like an Rahul's “open darbar”. The big drawback in the Congress leadership for long had been that neither Sonia Gandhi and nor Dr Manmohan Singh hold such “Open Darbars” for security reasons. But Rahul Gandhi has decided to disregard these concerns expressed by the Special Protection Group (SPG) and conveyed that he would like to mingle with the people freely and hear them out. Rahul Gandhi wants to break the shackles of protocol and norms in the days to come. If sources are to be believed, he will start this practice from early next month.  

Modi Govt. derails Rahul plan, issues eviction notice 

Rahul Gandhi may be contemplating to hold “open Darbars” at 24 Akbar Road from February. But the Modi government has other plans in store and wants to oust the party from its 24 Akbar Road headquarters and other buildings within the next three months. The Cabinet Committee on Accommodation (CCA) has served the final notice to AICC to vacate government two bungalows and also 5 Raisina Road accommodation occupied by the Youth Congress. The notice also includes vacating a residential house in Chankyapuri. The AICC has been occupying these type VIII bungalows since 1976. The CCA's reminded that first notice was given in 2015 and several extensions have been given after the Supreme Court issued eviction orders to all political parties from the Lutyen's Bungalow Zone area. All National political parties including the Congress, BJP, BSP and others have been given alternative places to construct their own party headquarters. The Congress had also been allotted two-acre plot at Kotla Road and construction also began there. But the construction work is progressing at a snail pace. Now the Modi government is determined to oust the AICC at the earliest. The Congress has explained that the completion of building at Kotla Road will take one more year. The Urban Development Ministry is determined to get 26 Akbar Road bungalow given to Congress Deva Dal and 5 Raisina Road bungalow given to Indian Youth Congress vacated immediately and  asked why hefty fine be not imposed for not vacating.. The Cabinet Committee on Accommodation consists of Union Ministers; Rajnath Singh Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari,Ananth Kumar and Hardeep Puri.

State-of-the-art BJP headquarters ready 

Contrary to the AICC which ruled the country for ten consecutive years and failed to construct its headquarters, the BJP president, Amit Shah did a miracle of sort. He has finished the task in less than a year and the new party headquarters at the Deen Dayal Marg near Raouse Avenue is ready for occupation. Shah is determined to vacate the 11 Ashok Road headquarters any time in February when the PM inaugurates the 5-7 floor state-of-the-art building. The building will have 70 rooms-- 45 for leaders and 25 for workers. The 8000 sq meter building which smaller than what was allotted to the Congress, will have a library having 4000 e-books and 5000 on the shelf. A war room on the top floor will be fitted with satlites and connected to all district headquarters. Though a helipad is also being readied on top of the building. But there is nobody to confirm it. The building will have ten high speed lifts and an underground parking facility for 200 cars.

Padma awards; Modi style

Ever since Modi donned the Mantle, the Padma awards have undergone a sea-change. Gone are the days when Governors, Union Ministers and ruling party top leaders used to call the shots. Privately, all of them have been told not to send letters of recommendation favouring persons of their choice. A platform has been created on the website of the Union Home Ministry with detailed parameters to be followed. The names recommended by the high powered committee in this regard were lying on the Prime Minister's table when he left for Davos. Though he landed on January 23 evening, he found no time to look at the names. Reason is that PMO is scrutinizing through its own network these recommendations. If sources are to be believed, the PM did not heed to the recommendations of former President Pranab Mukherjee to award Padam Bhushan to a leading doctor with a private hospital. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Puducherry Governor Kiran Bedi and three other top Union Ministers also met the same fate. Realising that they face humiliation last year, hardly any senior minister has recommended Padma this year directly. By the way, any citizen is free to recommend anybody for Padma award through the MHA website. 

Who is PM's most favourite bureaucrat?

If you think Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia is Modi's most favourite bureaucrat you may perhaps be wrong. Adhia is a Gujrati and Gujrat cadre IAS officer. But he would have been secretary in any case due to his seniority in the government. The favour will come when he dons the mantle of Cabinet Secretary. Its a different matter that even here, he will be senior-most secretary in the government. But the Prime Minister surprised the entire bureaucracy when another extension in service was given to    Parameswaran Iyer, as Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Iyer was brought from retirement and appointed full secretary for two years by Modi. This was unprecedented as retired bureaucrats are brought in service as advisers/consultants etc. It was expected that Iyer will retire after completing two years. But in another rare decision, Modi gave him one more extension until 30.04.2019.  

Fly on the wall : Even Padma Awards linked with Aadhaar

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Even Padma Awards linked with Aadhaar

Prime Minister Modi's liking for Aadhaar is setting a new milestone with the each passing day. The Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha who headed the Padma awards committee directed that all nominations for 2018 must be linked to Aadhaar. It has been decided that all nominations /recommendations for Padma Awards should be sent online only on the Padma portal designed specially by Ministry of Home Affairs. Anybody contemplating to recommend a person's name for these awards, must have Aadhaar card and the person who recommends first obtain an OTP number and feeds the OTP in the system and then alone he or she can make a recommendation. Cabinet Ministers, Governors and those holding key political posts have been signaled they shouldn't make recommendations in a routine manner. The Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories have been told to route recommendations through state governments. This was a signal to Pudducherry Governor Kiran Bedi that the mandate is for an elected government.

How Rudy was shown the door

“Fly” learnt an interesting tail how Skill Development Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy's resignation went through the motions days before the major Cabinet rejig on September 3. Rudy was traveling when summoned by Shah on September 1. It is no secret that Shah calls the shot these days and scond in command; be it party or the government. Shah was sitting with General Secretary Ram Lal when Rudy was called inside the room. Without mincing words, Shah told Rudy, “The PM wants your resignation.” Rudy knew it was coming. Yet he developed the courage to ask, “When do I resign, Sir?” Shah shot back without blinking, “Right now.” Rudy's next raised eyebrows, “Shall I give it to you sir or to the PM?” Now Rudy got another shocker: No, you give it to Ram Lalji.” Rudy recovered and asked politely, “Shall I write the resignation here sir ?” Shah said, “No, you write in the ante room. Ram Lalji will collect.” Rudy handed over the letter to Ram Lal who emerged after a long time.

Nirmala at Number 26 in pecking order !

Nirmala Sitharaman may have jolted the nation all when PM Modi promoted her as Defence Minister. She became a key member of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) too in her capacity as Defence Minister. But if one examines the official website of the government listing names and portfolios of Council of Ministers, Nirmala Sitharaman's name figures at number 26. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is the only Cabinet Minister who figures below her at number 27. All Cabinet Ministers including Smriti Irani, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Maneka Gandhi are ranked upward in the serial. Efforts to elicit response didn't succeed. But sources in the BJP said that its the seniority in the party that matters most and now what you are in the government. She is the youngest member to join the BJP. Then why Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi listed below her ? The Fly didn't get a response. Some consolation !

Ex-CBI Director counting his days

Two former CBI directors – Ranjit Sinha and A P Singh – are facing tough times. While Sinha's case is being monitored by the Supreme Court directly after M L Sharma headed SIT submitted its report. But A P Singh seem to be counting his days as Enforcement Directorate (ED) has gathered enough evidence to book him in the money laundering case. His alleged accomplice meat exporter Moin Qureshi is in the ED custody and payment of Rs 1.75 crores to Qureshi to help a Bengaluru-based person in a CBI case, has sealed the fate. The BBM messages on mobile phones exchanged between Qureshi and Singh and other evidence have exposed the scam. The days seem to be numbered and it may happen sooner than expected. Singh was made to quit prematurely by the government from the UPSC and now his arrest is matter of days.

The turn of the nephews now

In a country of dynasties, the unmarried leaders can claim to be free from any such pressure. But not any more. It now transpires that BSP supremo Mayawati may launch her nephew Aakash shortly in politics. Since her brother Anand is involved in some cases with ED and IT and is a low profile person, Mayawati wants her legacy to be transferred to Aakash who has completed management studies from London. Similarly, Navin Patnaik may promote Arun Patnaik, son of his elder brother Prem Patnaik. Navin Patnaik sounded his sister Geeta Mehta. But she opted out and returned to the USA. Navin is now old and even sick as well. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is already replying heavily on her nephew Abhishek Banerjee who is a Lok Sabha MP.