Fly on the wall July 22 |Secret of Modi-Pawar bonhomie

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Secret of Modi-Pawar bonhomie

What is the secret behind PM Modi-Sharad Pawar continuing bonhomie? Not many are aware that it goes back to the UPA era when Modi was facing the ire of Central agencies during the UPA era and Congress Party’s ‘hawks’ were seeking Modi’s custodial interrogation. Sharad Pawar is reported to have opposed it at the highest level in the government any such move on the ground that political battles be better fought in electoral arena rather than through agencies. Modi did face CBI’s grilling but the UPA did not go to the extent of arresting him. Modi also got one relief after the other from courts. This apart, the personal rapport also developed when Gujarat cadre IAS officer P K Mishra had been promoted to the rank of Secretary at the Centre but no Union Minister was willing to take him in his ministry. It was at this juncture that Modi reported to have called up Pawar to help Mishra as he was holding many portfolios. Pawar got Mishra appointed as Agriculture Secretary under him in 2006. Modi also used to consult Pawar on many issues from time to time. Therefore, political deal or not, both have perfect rapport and mutual respect.

The Clock ticks after 27 years

There is a long list of politicians, officers and journalists paying the price for being dirty with Modi during the Gujarat riots. The latest in the series is R B Sreekumar who was Add. DGP Gujarat Police and led a unit when riots broke out in Godhara. He retired in 2007 and the CBI may book him anytime. But this action has nothing to do with Gujarat. The CBI has re-opened a probe in falsely implicating ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan and others way back in November 1994 in Kerala. Sreekumar was Deputy Director, Intelligence Bureau, Kerala then. It was on the basis of his “top secret” report that the Kerala Police arrested Nambi, two Maldivian women and others in the infamous “ISRO Spy Ring". Nambi Narayanan was ISRO's rising star and working on critical cryogenic technology. Though CBI gave Nambi a clean chit in December 1994 itself and filed a closure report acquitting all. The SC upheld the closure report terming it malicious and based on "notions of fancy". Nambi was given a compensation of Rs 1.9 crore from various agencies including the Kerala government in 2018. But Sreekumar escaped any penalty and the case has now been re-opened by the CBI after SC’s special permission for Sreekumar for his dubious fake IB report which caused immense damage. The CBI may not have re-opened Sreekumar's case 27 years later had he not committed the hara-kiri in Godhara. He ostensibly filed a false affidavit and statements before the Nanavati-Mehta Commission and J M Lyngdoh committee about the dubious role of law and order authorities under Modi. The SC, however, found all such claims to be false. But the ghost of ISRO case is now haunting Sreekumar as the CBI may act any time.

Hidden Talent of Ashwini Vaishnav

Many theories are doing the rounds as to why Modi developed a fancy for Ashwini Vaishnav to the extent that he telephoned BJD chief & Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik for a Rajya Sabha seat for Ashwini Vaishnav. The BJD could have won all three RS seats but spared one for BJP in 2019. What was Modi's connection with Vaishnav? One theory is that Vaishnav gave vital tips to Modi when he was working in the PMO under Vajpayee as deputy secretary in 2003. But insiders discount this saying Vaishnav had no access to Vajpayee at any point of time. Even when he was attached with Vajpayee as his PS as per protocol given to ex-PMs, he was not ex-PM’s Man-Friday. Within two years, he moved to Goa as deputy chairman of Mormugao Port Trust, went on study leave to Wharton in 2008 and finally quit IAS in 2010 to join an MNC. He landed in Gujarat in 2012 as an entrepreneur and came in contact with Modi again. It is said that Modi was looking for a pool of bright boys like Vaishnav who have multiple experiences. Vaishnav knew Gujarati fluently, an Odia, risked quitting IAS and knew P K Mishra who also hailed from Odisha. Mishra and Vaishnav have caste connections too. Modi found virtues in Vaishnav and he worked as Modi’s backroom boy in his 2014 War Room like many such high-skilled persons. But Vaishnav certainly had more hidden talent to reach where he is today.

Fly On The Wall | Pawar’s huge huge dilemma

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Pawar’s huge huge dilemma

Sharad Pawar is facing a huge dilemma in his political career for sometime now. Though he is virtually running the Maharashtra government with a remote-control button, he remains a dissatisfied person. He is desperate to play a major role in the national political scene. This will be possible only when Congress is agreeable to his being leading the Opposition pack or the other like-minded Opposition parties (minus the Congress) accept him as the Leader. In addition, Pawar also wants his political legacy to be transferred to his daughter Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule in Maharashtra. This may, however, bring him in conflict with his nephew Ajit Pawar who has been working on the ground in the state for decades. The NCP cadre in Maharashtra sees Ajit Pawar as the natural choice in the state while Supriya Sule may play a role at the national level. Secondly, Sonia Gandhi is not in a mood of quitting the post despite a considerably weakened Congress & the UPA. Rahul Gandhi is not in a mood to step aside either. Will he achieve these objectives if he joins hands with BJP ? No one is sure.

Bengal is BJP’s Turning point!

West Bengal election results on May 2 will be a turning point for the BJP in more ways than one. A BJP win will not only open the flood gates for the party's pan-India reach but consolidate Modi-Shah grip on the entire political spectrum in the years to come. It is not that the Assembly polls in Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry are not important in BJP’s scheme of things. But BJP’s full focus is on snatching West Bengal from the TMC while retaining Assam and playing a second fiddle to NR Congress in Puducherry. In Kerala, the BJP’s priority is to defeat the Congress and won’t mind CPM retaining its bastion. The BJP has opened its gates for the Congressmen in Kerala in a big way. Knowledgeable sources in the corridors of power here say a tacit understanding may have taken place with the Left. The Left lent a helping hand to BJP in West Bengal in lieu of it. The latest slogan in West Bengal left is, “Aage Ram, Pore Baam (Ram first, Left later).” It means to dislodge Mamata first and let the BJP win this time around. The BJP had played a similar game in Punjab in 2017 when it ensured Capt Amrinder Singh’s win to defeat the AAP. Therefore, it is all the more baffling as to why Rahul Gandhi fell into the trap of the Left parties in West Bengal and had spurned Mamata’s offer for a tie-up.

Mamata on a weak wicket

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee may be a born fighter but many battles in the past. But in the 2021 polls, she entered the battleground on a weak wicket. There are many factors including 10-years’ of anti-incumbency, desertions by many powerful leaders her ship, Abhishek Banerjee factor (the rise of Mamata’s nephew in the party) and success of BJP in polarizing the state voters by consolidating the Hindus on the one hand. Whether the Muslim voters have been divided or not will be known on May 2. But one should not forget the Owaisi factor that cost the RJD-Congress dearly in Bihar. Last but not the least, the PM’s visit to the historic temple of the Mathuas in Bangladesh has given BJP a big edge. Mathuas play a decisive role over 40-45 seats. And one should not forget the role played by the central agencies like the CBI, ED, NIA, NCB in every election. Is the tide turning? Wait until May 2.

BJP aims big after Bengal

A BJP win in West Bengal may give the party a clear majority in the Rajya Sabha by 2022 thereby giving PM Modi an opportunity to implement his ambitious “One Nation One Poll” plans. The BJP has 95 MPs in Rajya Sabha and a workable majority in the House of 245. Many regional parties like the BJD, YSR Congress, TDP and DMK have virtually no role to play in the given situation. The Assembly polls in 5 states are equally important for the entire Opposition and the Congress in particular. A TMC win may lead to the emergence of the United Front against the BJP. The role of the Congress Party will depend on its performance in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry. It is precisely because of this very reason that many prominent leaders like Nitish Kumar, Sharad Pawar and others are patiently waiting in the wings.

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!

BJP in a dilemma over lone RS seat

Sushil Modi, Reena Paswan in reckoning

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

New Delhi, Nov. 25

All eyes are set on Bihar’s lone Rajya Sabha seat by-election which will be held on December 14. The last date of filing nomination is December 3. The seat fell vacant due to the death of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

The bye-poll has assumed huge political significance as the LJP headed by Paswan’s son Chirag Paswan is claiming the seat. Though the LJP has only one MLA in the 243-member Bihar Assembly and it is not part of the NDA in Bihar either. But it remains the key member of the alliance in Delhi having six MPs in the Lok Sabha. Chirag Paswan is insisting upon the BJP leadership that his party helped the BJP emerge as the single largest party of the NDA in Bhar bagging 74 seats. Chirag Paswan also claims that LJP was instrumental in establishing BJP senior partner in the alliance. Therefore, the RS seat be given to his mother Reena Paswan. Secondly, his party may have won only one seat but it polled nearly 6% votes and a force to reckon with in Bihar. The BJP cannot brush the LJP aside and this fact was acknowledged by the BJP Chief J P Nadda too.

Insiders in the BJP say the party is grappling with its own problems. If it gives the seat to LJP, it may annoy Janatal Dal (U). Secondly, if the BJP decides to retain the seat, it will find it difficult to ignore the claim of Sushil Modi who was denied the Deputy Chief Minister’s post. It was then presumed that his services may be used in Delhi. If the BJP leadership wants to keep him at arm’s length, the seat may be given to the LJP. Therefore, the bye-poll has assumed huge political significance.

The BJP may also try to wean away some of the Congress-RJD MLAs as has been done in other states.

Race begins in BJP for 10 Rajya Sabha seats

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  Party to win 10 out of 11 seats in UP, Uttrakhand
  

Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
New Delhi, Oct 13

The ruling BJP may be losing allies at a rapid speed but its strength will touch a whopping 94 seats in the Upper House when biennial polls are held in UP and Uttrakhand. The biennial poll process has been set in motion by the Election Commission.

As many as eleven members of the Rajya Sabha are retiring from UP (10) and Uttrakhand (1). The BJP is all set to grab nearly 10 seats out of these 11 on the basis of its strength in respective state assemblies. Currently, the BJP has 86 MPs in Rajya Sabha. The Congress Party's strength will go down further to 38. 

In UP alone, the BJP is likely to win 9 out of ten seats and the lone seat in Uttrakhand. The BJP's three retiring MPs - Civil Aviation & Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, general secretary Arun Singh and Neeraj Shekhar are looking for being re-nominated. But it will win six extra seats. The Samajwadi Party will win the lone seat in UP as it has 54 MLAs in the 403 member State Assembly. There is a likelihood that Ram Gopal Yadav, a brother of Mulayam Singh Yadav, may be nominated for it. Yet the SP will suffer a huge loss as its strength will come down from 8 to five.

The BSP will be left with just two MPs in the Rajya Sabha and cannot get any of its nominees elected as it has just 19 MLAs. The composition of the UP Assembly is such that even if the Opposition parties join hands, they cannot win more than one seat. The Congress' P L Punia will also be left high & dry as he too will retire in November. Raj Babbar of Congress who was elected from Uttrakhand, is also retiring in November. Congress's Raj Babbar will also be out of Rajya Sabha from Uttrakhand and BJP will win the seat instead.

After SAD, JJP in Haryana worried

Harsimrat wanted Bills be sent to Select Committee

Harsimrat Kaur Badal quit the Union Cabinet 

Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

New Delhi, Sep 17

After Harsimrat Kaur Badal quit the Union Cabinet in protest against the passage of the three agriculture related bills on Tuesday by voice vote, the NDA may face trouble in Haryana too.

The JJP of Dushyant Chautala which is an NDA ally in Haryana and sharing power may find the going tough. The farmers in Punjab and Haryana are up in arms against the passage of the three bills.

The Shiromani Akali Dal leaders including Sukhbir Singh Badal had been talking to the NDA leaders for the past three days to defer the passage of the bills as farmers in Punjab and Haryana are on the streets. But the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was determined to pass these bills as they will usher in huge reforms in the sector.

The SAD for the time being is unlikely to withdraw support to the NDA but quit the Modi government.

A senior Akali Dal leader and member of the Rajya Sabha Naresh Gujral said, “We wanted the bills to be sent to the Select Committee of the Parliament. But the government is not listening.”

The Bills are likely to come up in the Rajya Sabha on Saturday and it is yet to be seen whether some behind the scenes parleys are held.

It is because of these behind the scenes parleys that Harsimrat Kaur Badal took two days time to quit the government though the bills were passed on Tuesday.

The SAD is feeling pressure from the ground in Punjab and its survival is at stake.

Congress in a dilemma over Azad & Punia RS nomination

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

Congress in a dilemma over Azad & Punia RS nomination

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 26

A tricky situation has arisen in the Congress with two sitting Rajya Sabha MPs Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and P L Punia are seeking re-nomination despite much ahead of their time of retirement.

Ghulam Nabi Azad represents Jammu & Kashmir in the Rajya Sabha and his tenure is ending in February 2021 while Punia's term is coming to an end nine months from now in November 2020. Punia was elected to the Rajya Sabha from UP in November 2014. Both of them cannot be re-elected from their respective states as J &K House stands dissolved and Congress doesn't have the numbers to get Punia re-elected in UP in November 2020. Hence, both of them want to be re-elected in April biennial polls.

It is in this background that suggestions have been made to bring Azad to the Rajya Sabha either from Maharashtra or any other states where party can win good number of seats. Since Azad is a face of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, the high command can ill-afford to lose him. Of course, there are biennial polls due in Karnataka in June where Congress can win two Rajya Sabha seats. But Mallikarjune Kharge, B K Hariprasad and Prof. M V Rajeev Gowda are already in the reckoning for two seats. Therefore, the high command may have to take a call on Azad during this round itself.

Similarly, P L Punia wants a Rajya Sabha seat from Chhattisgarh where the party will win two Rajya Sabha seats. He hails from Chhattisgarh too. But the Congress has a battery of claimants for Rajya Sabha seats.

These senior leaders are eyeing for Rajya Sabha seats for the 13 seats that the party is likely to win in this round of biennial polls. Interestingly, 13 members of the Rajya Sabha are retiring and party's strength in the Upper House may remain the same at 46.

Several Congress veterans like Digvijay Singh, Jytoraditya Scindia, Ku. Selja, T Subiram Reddy, Madhusudam Mistry, Rajiv Shukla, a close confidante of the Gandhi family are in the race. The names of party General Secretary K C Venugopal, Mukul Wasnik and RPN Singh are also being mentioned for possible contenders for Rajya Sabha seats.

Motilal Vora, due to his age, unlikely to make the cut this time.

Ends 

Gehlot wants Priyanka Gandhi in Rajya Sabha !

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Special report

Gehlot wants Priyanka Gandhi in Rajya Sabha !

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 13

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is understood to be keen that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra be brought to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan.

With three Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant and biennial poll to be held next month, the Congress is set to win two seats. The buzz is that Gehlot wants Priyanka be brought to the Rajya Sabha arguing her popularity and charisma be utilized in states other than in UP where she is general secretary incharge of Eastern part.

Interestingly, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is reported to have dumped her earlier plans to shift to Lucknow and hire a house on rent to focus completely in UP. She has started campaigning outside the state including Delhi and elsewhere.

Gehlot is reported to have met Priyanka recently and sounded her out in this regard. He wants Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to play more active role by entering Rajya Sabha. Rahul Gandhi is already holding the fort in Lok Sabha. But the Upper House requires a new face to take on the BJP there. The front benches leaders on the  Opposition  in Rajya Sabha comprise of mostly older leaders and the entry of a Gandhi will help galvanizing the party.

Since Sonia Gandhi has been unable to campaign due to health reasons, the party needs an additional face to take on the ruling BJP in Parliament and outside. If sources are to be believed, Gehlot had also talked it out with the other members of the Gandhi family too in this regard.

There are reports that Rahul Gandhi is likely to return as party president sooner than expected and would require to travel extensively. Therefore, Gehlot feels that the party would be significantly strengthened in Parliament too with Priyanka's entry.

Though there are many in the party who feel that she should come to the Lok Sabha as no member of the Gandhi family had ever taken a Rajya Sabha route.

But Gehlot loyalists pointed out that late Indira Gandhi entered the Rajya Sabha first and then went on become the tallest leader. Gehlot had been a minister in the Indira Gandhi ministry and a family loyalist.

Officially, no one in the party is willing to comment saying that its purely a decision of the “Family” and leaders are free to make suggestions.

Ends 

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 

The Untold story of Abrogation of Article 370

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

A Lokmat Exclusive story

The Untold story of Abrogation of Article 370

How A Constitutional Blunder was averted on J&K !

An Alert JS saved Amit Shah of huge embarrassment

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan 30

It has now surfaced that a Constitutional blunder was averted on August 5 when Union Home Minister Amit Shah was in the midst of getting the abrogate of Article 370 passed in the Rajya Sabha.

In fact, Amit Shah was jubilant as the government has almost succeeded in getting the bill passed in the Upper House despite not having even a simple majority. Ministers after ministers were rushing to Amit Shah's Parliament House's chamber to congratulate him when he came to have a cup of tea.

It was around 5 in the evening when a Joint Secretary who was quietly standing in toe whispered that the J&K Re-organisation and abrogation of Article 370 would be illegal unless the prior approval of the Lok Sabha is taken.

There was a stunning silence in the room packed with ministers and couple of officers. One of  Amit Shah's favourite ministers snubbed the JS for his atrocious suggestion. He said the twin bills were cleared by experts and procedures adopted in abrogating Article 370 and there was no need for a new element.

But Amit Shah has an uncanny knack and allowed the JS to have his say. It was pointed out that since Article 370 can be abrogated only by the J&K Constituent Assembly or the J&K Assembly in the absence of the former, the Rajya Sabha cannot abrogate it. He pointed out a Resolution has to be placed in the Lok Sabha first authorising the House to be vested with the powers of J&K Assembly. Once this was done, the twin bills can be passed. 

The Joint Secretary was found to be correct in his submissions. But this created a new problem and a lot of formalities were to be done. . It was also discovered that the Lok Sabha was discussing the Surrogacy bill. Amit Shah walked up to the Speaker and impressed upon him the need to immediately seek the permission to table the resolution vesting the powers of the J&K Assembly in Parliament breaking the dicssion on the Surrogacy Bill. There were hardly any Opposition members on the benches except for the DMK's T R Baalu who opposed it. But the ruling party had it way and the Resolution was allowed.

A triumphant Amit Shah walked back to the Rajya Sabha armed with the Lokn Sabha authorisation and tabled it the RS in the melee. Rest is history.

Ends 

RS ticket behind Scindia tantrums

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

RS ticket behind Scindia tantrums 

BJP ready to welcome Jyotiraditya 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 26

A Rajya Sabha ticket seems to be at the heart of bitter battle within the Madhya Pardesh Congress and cause of recent twitter storm involving senior party functionary Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Biennial poll for three Rajya Sabha seats is due to be held in April 2020.

The Congress, with 115 MLAs in the House of 230, can easily elect elect one member while the BJP will also win one seat with the backing of 107 MLAs. The bitter battle will be witnessed for the third seat which could go either way. Digvijay Singh is retiring in April 2020 and a natural claimant for the re-nomination. Kamal Nath can ill-afford to deny him the ticket. Though its for the high command to select the candidates for two out of the three seats. But given the ticklish political situation in the state, the high command is likely to leave it at the wisdom of the state leadership to take a call on candidates.

Sensing that he may not have a place in Rajya Sabha next year and any major role to play in state politics, he felt increasingly isolated. With Rahul Gandhi taking a back seat, he is now finding going tough at the AICC level too.

It is in this background that rumours were rife for months that Scindia may walk out of the Congress and join the BJP. He has been having a running battle with the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh. Scindia was even denied the post of MPCC chief's post too.

An annoyed Scindia, changed his profile on the twitter where he removed his past association with the Congress and merely said:“Public servant, cricket enthusiast.” Though he clarified later that the changes were made a month ago and no politics be attributed to it.

When asked a senior BJP leader said, “Its up to the party high command to take a decision. But there is no recommendation from the state leadership in this regard.”

Two of his aunts; Vasudhara Raje Scindia and Yashodhara Raje Scindia are already in the BJP and playing a key role. The BJP is not averse to his joining the party particularly when it is following an “open door policy.”

After all, he is the only surviving Maratha dynasty though its property battle is being fought amongst the family members.

The real estate empire of the House of Scindias empire is worth Rs 20,000 crore alone.

Ends

Opposition got lion's share of Committees in RS

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Opposition got lion's share of Committees in RS

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Sep 14

The Opposition members in Rajya Sabha have been given the lion's share this year when it comes to giving them chairmanship of joint parliamentary standing committees.

Compared to the previous two years, the Opposition benches were given five standing committees of the Upper House instead of four. Rajya Sabha Chairman M.Venkaiah Naidu approved the appointment of chairpersons of the eight Committees under which the ruling BJP gets headship of three Committees. He also approved nomination of Rajya Sabha on the 16 DRSCs of Lok Sabha. Constitution and chairpersons of the 16 DRSCs serviced by the Lok Sabha were also approved by Speaker Om Birla.

Of the DRSCs of Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma and Jairam Ramesh (Congress) obtained two committees,

of Congress will head the DRSC on Home Affairs while his party colleague Shri Jairam Ramesh will chair the Committee on Science, Technology, Environment & Forests.

Prof.Ramgopal Yadav (SP) was appointed chairman of Health & Family Welfare committee while Dr. K. Keshava Rao (TRS) is Chairperson of Industry Committee. V.Vijay Sai Reddy (YSRCP) is heading Commerce.

Satyanarayan Jatiya, Bhupendra Yadav and T.G.Venkatesh from BJP are heading three committees.

Main opposition Congress retained it’s quota of chairmanship of two committees.

Venkaiah Naidu held consultations with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Prahlad Joshi before finalising the composition of the committees.

16 Committees fall under the Lok Sabha and in all there are 24 Department Related Standing Committees of both houses.

PDP MPs to face Ethics Committee Music

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

PDP MPs to face Ethics Committee Music 

Face action for tearing Constitution in RS

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Aug 23

The two PDP MPs who made national headlines by tearing a copy of the Constitution inside the Rajya Sabha chamber earlier this month, to face music now.

Instead of taking action against their behaviour in the House in full view himself, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has decided to send the case to Ethics Committee of Parliament.

Though the House has the power to expel them instantly through a resolution. But it was decided by the Chairman that their conduct be looked into by the Ethics Committee.

Senior BJP leader Dr Vinay Sahastrabuddhe is the Chairman of the Ethics Committee. Highly placed sources said here today that before going on a foreign visit, the Chairman sent the case to the Ethics Committee.

The two PDP MPs, Nazir Ahmad Laway and Mir Mohd Fayaz, tore the pages of the Constitution and their clothes in the Rajya Sabha when Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the two bills relating to J&K on August 5. Nazir Ahmad Laway was told not to do so but he did not listen and kept on tearing pages after pages of the constitution. The other MP Fayaz Ahmad Mir tore his Kurta.

Since the Rajya Sabha adjourned two days later, a disciplinary action couldn't be taken then except for that they were suspended immediately from the house until August 7.

In the meanwhile, the PDP MPs were asked by their party chief Mehbooba Mufti to resign in protest against the Centre move on J&K. The two have been staying put in Delhi too, citing travel restrictions to Srinagar. 

However, they have not resigned from Parliament as directed by Mufti as she had been put under house arrest along with several other politicians in the state. Laway and Mir said they had not resigned because they “want to verify” the “veracity of media reports” about Mufti seeking their resignations. One of them also said some other MPs told them that “resignation will not serve any purpose.”

Interestingly, these two MPs did not vote against the Triple Talaq Bill and violated the party whip. But before Mehbooba could act against them, the J&K bills came and utter confusion prevailed.

Ends

BJP 's “Open Door” policy

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

BJP 's “Open Door” policy

Admitting leaders with Open Arm in states

No strings attached

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Aug 10

The BJP leadership is vigorously persuing an “Open Door” policy to expand its base across the country. Even in states where it has a huge majority like UP, it is admitting prominent leaders left, right & centre. With the entry of two Samajwadi Party leaders into the BJP today, the total number of Rajya Sabha MPs who dumped their parties rose to four. C M Ramesh, BJP's new find in Rajya Sabha, is turning out to be the points person in the Upper House to engineer defections. It was he who persuaded Congress Chief Whip Bhubneshwar Kalita to quit the party and RS seat. Ramesh now coordinates with BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav who in turn coordinates with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Raiwaly Minister Piyush Goyal and who in tunr apprise Union Home Minister Amit Shah. A very senior Cabinet Minister explained on the condition of not being named, “We want everybody whosoever matters in public life, to join the BJP. He should work for the party and wait for the opportunity. This is our culture.”

It is precisely with this motive in mind that the BJP admitted 10 MLAs in Goa, willing to admit leaders in Haryana and on a massive talent hunt in Maharashtra despite a huge majority in Assembly with the help of Shiv Sena.

If this insider is to be believed, the BJP is gearing up to contest elections in Maharashtra alone if Shiv Sena acts funny again. It is with this objective in mind that it is admitting leaders from Congress and NCP into the party. “The tickets are given on the basis of extensive surveys done by our machinery. There is nothing automatic,” this Minister said.

As part of this strategy, the BJP is making Rajya Sabha MPs of various parties quit their seats from states where it has a majority. Therefore, those quitting, will be renominated. Like Neeraj Shekhar of SP who quit party and seat was given RS ticket. Kalita, Nagar and Seth will also be given the seats from Assam & UP.

The names of four other Congress MPs is doing the rounds. The BJP is desperate to attain a majority of its own in Rajya Sabha.

Ends

Massive support for J&K Bills in Rajya Sabha

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Massive support for J&K Bills in Rajya Sabha

BSP, AAP, TDP, vote with BJP

Amit Shah proves his mettle

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, August 5

After dealing a body blow to the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha on the Triple Talaq Bill last week, the BJP succeeded in getting all the bills and resolutions relating to Jammu & Kashmir passed with a record margin.

It created history when the Bahujan Samaj Party and Aam Admi Party (AAP) joined the ruling party to support the move. The Nationalist Congress Party officially decided to abstain completely and two MPs of the YSR Congress lent their helping hand too. All these are non-NDA parties and and support from BSP & AAP surprised even the Congress benches. The 2 MPs of the TDP also lent their support to the Bills.

What came as a shocker to the Opposition parties was when the Chairman, M Venkaiah Naidu announced that three more MPs- Bhuvneshwar Kalita (Congress) and two MPs of Samajwadi Party quit the House and their resignations were accepted. In fact, with these resignation, the strength of the Rajya Sabha itself came down to 239 making the task for the BJP easy.

Surprisingly as many 52 Rajya Sabha MPs of the Opposition parties were absent when the voting took place. They included the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Janata Dal (S), PDP, Janata Dal (U), and many MPs of the Congress, RJD & TMC on one ground or the other.

If the BJP secured the support of 99 votes in support of the Triple Talaq Bill, it managed to obtain more than 125 votes for making J&K as Union Territory.

The TMC had issued notice to its MP K D Singh for not coming on Triple Talaq. He failed to appear today also. But today five of its MPs were absent.

If 42 MPs absented on Triple Talaq, 52 MPs absented on J&K Bills issue. The BJP polled more votes than what it got on Triple Talaq.

This time the PM did not speak to Chief Ministers of various states and left it to Union Home Minister Amit Shah who showed his mettle once again by ensuring a majority without a majority for the party.

Ends

House strength	245
Vacancies	-6
	239
Absent	-52
	187
Those who voted
for J&K Bills
BJP	78
Akalies	3
Shiv Sena	3
AIADMK	11
BJD	7
AGP+4	5
YSR	2
TDP	2
BSP	4
AAP	3
Indp	4
Nominated	3
	125