CAA, Simultaneous Polls
By Insaf
The timing of the CAA notification and Ram Nath Kovind panel’s report recommending ‘one nation, one election’, other than details of electoral bonds, has further ignited the poll arena for Battle 2024. Opposition-ruled states have upped the ante against BJP and Modi team, though it remains to be seen whether it will fire up the voter. Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Delhi have resolved to oppose it, accusing the BJP of resurrecting the ‘divisive’ Act, four years since it was passed only to manipulate religious sentiments for political gains. Specifically, Kerala Cabinet has decided to move the Supreme Court by asking Advocate General to initiate action against it without further delay. The firm No says Chief Minister Vijayan is because it treats Muslim minorities as second-class citizens. In West Bengal Mamata Didi warns the Act could be a precursor to implementation of the NRC across the country and must be opposed. In BJP-ruled Assam, protests are hotting up with police warning of strict action. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is at pains to say, ‘Indian Muslims needn’t worry as CAA won’t impact their citizenship…Modi has delivered on his promise.’ Will the top court allow him to fulfil it?
‘One nation, no election…’ Congress’ reaction to the report recommending holding of simultaneous polls in the country, may turn out to be good campaign material. Here too, Opposition parties are in sync voicing serious concern since Thursday last, since the report was submitted to President Murmu. “The prime minister’s objective is very clear. He’s going around asking for a clear majority, 23rd majority, 400 seats…They want to completely dismantle Constitution’, says the grand old party. It’s ally in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) asserts the concept was a move towards dictatorship; the AIMIM termed the bid a “…frequent elections keep governments on their toes… they will no more have to worry about people’s fury for five years…It (the move) will convert India into a one-party state.” In UP, SP said “in a country like ours, ‘one nation, one election’ seems impossible’.
The AAP warns it would ‘marginalise regional parties, encourage dominance of national parties, and result in a presidential form of government”. The BJP is among 32 other parties, mostly its NDA partners supporting the recommendation, as it will help save resources, spur development and social cohesion..’ In the first stage, elections for LS and all state assemblies can be held together and in the second, civic polls and panchayats will be synchronised with these within 100 days. Critically, term of Assemblies elected after the first sitting of newly-elected Lok Sabha will be cut short till the next general elections to ensure the cycle is not disturbed! Worrisome for regional players as the recommendations could just as well come into force in five years—2029!
Haryana’s Surprise
Haryana springs a big surprise. On Tuesday last, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar suddenly resigned with his entire Cabinet, by evening he was replaced by Nayab Singh Saini and 24 hours later BJP government comfortably won the trust vote in Assembly. Clearly, the change of guard was orchestrated with an eye on ensuing elections, both in the State and Centre, with the anti-incumbency factor weighing against Khattar’s 2-term leadership. The BJP also took serious note of Congress’ OBC thrust and thus chose Saini, an OBC to counter its opponent. This apart, it opted for dumping Dy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala and his JJP, which with its 9 MLAs had helped form the alliance government after a fractured verdict in 2019. This, as JJP was asking for two seats for LS polls, whereas big brother was willing to give only one. However, the parting of ways doesn’t quite gel, as JJP issued a whip asking its MLAs to remain ‘absent’ during the trust vote! Said Congress: “We used to hear a whip issued by a party asking its MLAs to ensure their presence during a voting. It’s first time we are hearing a party has issued a whip to its members to remain absent… A fixed match is being played by both BJP-JJP”. The INLD response was on similar lines. Be that as it may, BJP has plans for Khattar as he’s given a Lok Sabha ticket and that it can shift gears to remain on the road to victory.
Tripura U-Turn
For or against the tribals, is a question doing the rounds in Tripura. Tipra Motha chief and royal scion-turned-politician Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma has stirred a hornet nest by joining BJP-IPFT alliance, four days after he signed a tripartite pact with Centre and state government and a month after he was talking to Congress to cobble an anti-BJP coalition! Expectedly, Congress and CPM accuse him of ‘playing with tribals’ as all along he’s been demanding a Greater Tipraland state for tribals but instead signed a ‘bogus piece of paper’ (agreement) which tries to sell Tiprasa (tribals of Tripura) and looks after his own interests. Pradyot hits back: both these parties neglected tribals’ rights while in government, didn’t lend support during anti-CAA protests and ‘it’s they who prioritised political interests over tribal welfare.’ He also explains his joining government is to ‘ensure proper implementation of accord’; two of his MLAs shall join Cabinet; and importantly, his sister, who he managed to get a BJP ticket for East Tripura ST-reserved constituency ‘she shall be needed in Delhi to further its progress.’ Time will tell.
Bengaluru’s Water Woes
Don’t use of potable water for cleaning vehicles, gardening, building construction, fountains, swimming pools, entertainment purposes other than as drinking water in cinema halls and malls, is Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s warning to residents in IT hub Bengaluru. Else, pay a fine of Rs 5,000 in case of violation. Indeed, the Karnataka government is busy grappling with water woes as concerns grow over Cauvery water supply and depleting groundwater levels. Steps include, ordering huge tankers from adjoining towns; take over private borewells (50% of borewells have dried up); fill up the drying lakes with 1,300 million litres per day of treated water to replenish groundwater sources; install filter borewells and construct water plants using an innovative technology near the restored lake beds to supply water after testing, etc. Too little too late, may be a right reaction. Undoubtedly, it’s the unplanned urbanisation and over concretisation in the city which needs to be dealt with. Blaming climate change doesn’t hold water! — INFA