Governor-CM Face-Off
By Insaf
The face-off between Governors and Chief Ministers in Opposition States sadly has become a norm rather than an exception. The week saw Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka Assemblies witnessing fresh confrontation. On the opening day of the first session on Wednesday last, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi declined to read his customary speech prepared by the DMK government and walked out of the Assembly—for the 4th consecutive year. A press release by Raj Bhavan said his microphone was ‘repeatedly switched off’ and he was ‘not allowed to speak’. He claimed the address prepared by the government, made it untenable for him to deliver as it was “laced with unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements”, including inflated investment figures, issues like alarming rise in sexual violence, drug abuse among youth, suicides, Dalit atrocities being ignored, etc. Chief Minister Stalin hit back by reading out a resolution in the House condemning Ravi’s actions with the Speaker endorsing it and reading out the 65-page Tamil version of the Governor’s address! Stalin also said his party would make efforts to amend the Constitution to eliminate the practice of the Governor delivering a speech at the start of the year.
Policy Omission
A day earlier, the Kerala Assembly’s Budget session got off on a wrong note too. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar omitted parts of his policy address, which included portions targeting the BJP government at the Centre. Such as “Despite these social and institutional achievements, Kerala continues to face severe fiscal stress arising from a series of adverse Union Government actions that undermine the constitutional principles of fiscal federalism,” and “Bills passed by state legislatures have remained pending for prolonged periods. My government has approached the Supreme Court on these issues, which have been referred to a Constitution Bench.” However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan later read out the parts which had been skipped saying the Governor had deviated from the policy address, which had been ratified by the state Cabinet. He urged the Speaker to consider the policy address, copies of which were distributed among members, as ‘authentic’ policy address and the latter obliged.
Minutes Address
Karnataka Assembly followed suit on Thursday last. Governor T. Gehlot refused to read the ruling Congress government’s prepared address to the Assembly and concluded his customary speech in minutes. Said he: “I extend a warm welcome to all of you to the joint session of the State legislature. I am extremely pleased to address one more joint session of the Karnataka legislature. My government is firmly committed to doubling the pace of the state’s economic, social, and physical development. Jai Hind. Jai Karnataka,” and walked out. Some Congress MLAs shouting slogans tried to gherao him at the exit door but were removed by security staff. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reacted: “Today, instead of reading the speech prepared by the Cabinet, he delivered the speech prepared by himself. This is against the provisions of the Indian Constitution… Therefore, it’s not going to be Governor’s speech…” A day earlier Gehlot had refused to deliver the customary address, taking exception to references to the Centre ‘repealing’ MGNREGA. Prompting Siddaramaiah to accuse him of being Centre’s ‘puppet’ and asserting option of ‘approaching the Supreme Court or not.’ Be that as it may, it’s unfortunate the three incidents in non-BJP states have escalated into a significant, ongoing threat to the country’s federal structure!
UP’s Religious Row
Uttar Pradesh is embroiled in a bizarre controversy. It has erupted over a notice issued to religious leader Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, head of Jyotish Peeth of Badrinath, over the use of the ‘Shankaracharya’ title. The tug of war started during the Magh Mela, a month-long religious fair where devotees assemble at the Triveni Sangam, for a holy dip. The swami tried to reach the Sangam in his chariot for bathing but mela administration did not allow him, ‘manhandled’ his supporters and so he staged a protest, demanding an apology as the police action was an “insult of Shankaracharya”. The administration hit back issuing a notice questioning him for using the title, even though an appeal related to the same is sub judice in the Supreme Court. On Wednesday last, Saraswati sent an eight-page reply to the authorities demanding they withdraw the notice or face legal action. He asserted he was the “Shankaracharya” of the Jyotish Peeth. The Opposition has stepped in and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said the BJP’s love for Hinduism was ‘fake’, and now it had been established as a fact, adding Chief Minister Yogi must apologise to the seer. Congress condemned ill treatment of the seer and accused Yogi of ‘disrupting a centuries-old religious tradition by not allowing him to take the customary royal bath’. Politics aside, the big question is whether this dispute, resulting from the BJP’s approach, might affect its relationship with its core Hindu constituents, notably upper-caste voters who regard Shankaracharyas with significant reverence.
Delhi’s BJP Show
The BJP headquarters in Delhi was in a festive move on Tuesday last. The saffron party anointed its 12th national president, the youngest so far, Nitin Nabin. He succeeds J P Nadda, who in his outgoing speech listed the party’s achievements and set out a roadmap his successor to expand the party’s influence in uncharted territories, such as West Bengal and Kerala. The party with a difference stuck to its tradition and had all the nominations (37) for the post for Nabin—consensus and no contest. Enthusing the gathering of ministers, top party functionaries and cadres by his 40-minute speech, Prime Minister Modi said while he is the Pradhan mantri, “when it comes to party matters, I am a worker, and you (Nabin) are my boss… I have given an account of my work. He will now write my CR (confidential report). I am awaiting his guidance.” He described 45-year-old Nabin as a “millennial” which shall aid the party to engage Gen Next. Importantly, his responsibilities are not limited to BJP alone, ‘he has to take care of maintaining coordination with all NDA friends.” Interestingly, Nabin has risen from the ranks, but few have heard of him outside and his taking over the reins have surprised many. The big question is whether he will be able to steer the party or the big brass will run the show. Only time will tell. — INFA
