Run-Up to J & K Polls
By Insaf
The spotlight on Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election after a decade promises to be intense and match up to the hustings in other states, if not more. With the three-phase polls in the Union Territory beginning on Wednesday, electioneering has picked up unusual steam, what with Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and independents supported by the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) entering the fray. The established two regional parties, National Conference and People’s Democratic Party, it appears shall be given a run for their money. However, the other entrant, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party has failed to gain momentum. Importantly, in addition the removal of Article 370 in 2019, followed by the delimitation, has forced the parties to recalibrate their strategy. While the NC-Congress combine claims it has an edge in the Valley and some seats of Jammu, the BJP is exuberating confidence of a ‘historic victory, counting on majority seats in Jammu and on smaller outfits and Independents cutting into votes of the Valley parties.
Indeed, Lok Sabha MP from Kashmir Engineer Rashid who defeated Omar Abdullah in Lok Sabha polls, getting bail till October 2 to enable him to campaign has NC and PDP alleging that he’s “BJP proxy’. Be that as it may, his and the independents backed by JeI could significantly impact the voter turnout, particularly in strongholds in North and South Kashmir. It could lead to a bitter competition in what has historically been a low-turnout electoral affair in the past. Restoration of Article 370 is the big issue in these elections and the regional parties say the fight is a means to reclaim what was lost in last six years of direct central rule. However, BJP is firm that there’s no going back. Results on October 8 will provide an answer, but what is most critical is that the democratic process has begun. It’s one step at a time.
West Bengal Impasse
The tug-of-war between agitating junior doctors and West Bengal government appears to be far from over. Hopes of breaking the deadlock were dashed on Thursday, as the talks between junior doctors and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after 33 days of agitation didn’t take off. The former wanted live streaming of the meeting the latter refused. However, Didi played to the gallery, she smelt politics, but offered to ‘resign, for sake of the people’ saying she too wants ‘the victims to get justice’ and apologised to the people. She also assured protestors that despite violating SC directive by not going back to work (by Tuesday), she won’t act against them. To which doctors said: ‘We never asked for her resignation and are neither here to press for it.’ But demands, removal of Kolkata police chief and several top state health department officials, must be met ‘for sake of justice for the murdered doctor of RG Kar hospital.’ Amid the stand-off, Governor Ananda Bose’s video message that he would ‘socially boycott’ Mamata is jarring. This is no time for politics. The political dispensation would do well to take note of TMC Rajya Sabha member Jawhar Sarkar, who resigned from the post said: the movement is ‘apolitical and spontaneous,’ he hasn’t seen ‘such angst and total no-confidence against the government.’ Time Mamata saw the writing on the wall and apply the much-needed balm.
Haryana ‘Rebellious’ Polls
The run-up to Haryana Assembly elections must make the BJP nervous. It has faced rebellion in the distribution of tickets as it replaced nearly 1/4th of its total of 90 candidates. The party has rewarded many new entrants and turncoats with tickets while ignoring those who have been working for years, is a big grudge. Number of leaders, including state unit Vice President, a minister, a MLA, state unit’s OBC Morcha chief were among others who quit after being denied tickets. Some have filed their nominations against BJP candidates! Will it impact BJP’s hope of hitting a hat-trick? Perhaps, as not just rebellion but the challenge comes from Congress too, which has decided to go solo, barring one seat to CPM, and is confident that it would be able to encash the anti-incumbency factor. At the same time, the party has somehow managed to put up a show of unity among its leaders, despite its decision not to field any of its MPs who expressed desire to return to state politics (eyeing CM’s post if successful). If party is voted to power, they could stake claim to leadership by gaining confidence of legislators. At same time, it has kept many top leaders happy by giving tickets to sons and relatives. For whom the gamble pays off will be eagerly watched.
No Peace in Manipur
Peace appears to be a far cry in Manipur. Students take to the streets in capital Imphal, curfew is imposed, internet shutdown announced for five days, additional forces have been deployed, belying Chief Minister Biren Singh or for that matter the Centre’s claims of normalcy returning. On Tuesday afternoon a clash broke out between students and security forces as the youth attempted to march to the Raj Bhavan to press for their demands to remove the DGP and security advisor to the state government. This, following recent drone and hi-tech missile attacks, including recovery of tails of sophisticated rockets fired on civilian areas. The police has warned students that while they may protest action will be taken against those indulging in violence and spreading false messages with false pictures, etc. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya has appealed for calm and restraint. Not enough. Perhaps a change in leadership could be a critical component of confidence-building measures, which have failed so far.
Karnataka ‘kursi’ Clamour
Political drama ‘kissa kursi ka’ is playing out in Karnataka. A group, including sitting MLAs and former and few ex-ministers, have written to LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi urging him to warn these leaders and even some state ministers, from expressing desire to take over the post, in the event of a change of leadership. This, as Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging Governor’s sanction for his prosecution in MUDA site allotment case is being heard in High Court, sparking speculation. This, warns the group could ‘damage’ the party, demoralise party cadre and worse people could lose faith in Congress and government. While Deputy CM and state Congress president Shivakumar is seen as the frontrunner for the post, some ministers are heard quarrelling over ‘seniority’! Fight the enemy—BJP and JD-S, instead of the perennial ‘infighting’ is an advice which must be heeded, sooner the better for the grand old party. — INFA