Wednesday, 31 October 2018
Friday, 12 October 2018
Wednesday, 10 October 2018
Tuesday, 9 October 2018
MY ARTICLE ON 2018 ELECTIONS
2018
Assembly elections : A preface to Lok Sabha polls
JAG
MOHAN THAKEN FROM CHANDIGARH
To impose emergency or create emergency-like situation for political gains
is one of the worst results of absolute
power and majority rule . Majority always breeds
suppression and autocracy . Excess of
everything is bad ,rather it ends in a
curse . An autocratic rule always creates fear , chaos and resentment in the minds of not only public , but leaders
too . Opposition leaders fall prey
of revengeful politics .But ,
ultimately the fear creates boldness and
revolt . The mum voice of public turns to a current of underwater
waves and this unheard voice may
become a game changer . Feeling the beats of
such unsung voices , some
far-sighted politicians of the country
have started to float their ships on these hidden waves . As the 2019 is
nearing to dawn , the different political parties have started to beat their tambourines in their own ways with different beats ,but playing the same melody of ‘Kursi Rag’( The Chair
Melody) with a common target ,alike
Arjuna , to get the ‘Kursi’ . But to win over the audiences , all the drum
beaters and the song
party members will have to keep consonance in the rhythm . Will they ? The answer of
this question will decide the fate of these drummers.
Now the leaders of opposition parties , like NCP leader Sharad Pawar , AAP
Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh and even the chief of Shiv Sena Party , are leveling charges of creating
Emergency–like situation against the present Modi governmrnt . Times Of India
reports that Uddhav Thackeray had alleged on August 13, 2018 that there was an
Emergency-like situation in the country . Addressing a function hosted by Mumbai Marathi Patarkar
Sangh Uddhav reportedly said, “Indians
overthrew the Emergency clamped by the British Raj and the one imposed by
Indira Gandhi . Similarly , we will
throw the present Emergency out of the window.” Is really an Emergency-like
situation prevailing in the country ? Will the Modi government meet the same
fate as in 1977 elections Indira Gandhi had to face ?
In 2014 , the people , fed up with the congress era and influenced with the lollypops of Rs.15 lakhs
in each account and in the hope of regaining the system of ‘Ram Rajya’ ,
voted Modi in power with a thumping
majority .But during the last more than 4-year span of Modi-Raj a lot of hot and cold water has flowed through
the rivers of India . Public has enjoyed and faced the Jumalebaji ,Pradhan
Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana , assurances of doubling the income of farmers and houses for all by 2022 ,
sufferings of shivering in the queues before the banks during Notebandi , steep rise in oil prices , forced linkage of Adhaar Card with Bank
Accounts,voter cards ,ration cards , sim-cards etc etc. Opposition is terming
these as burden , whereas the BJP
government is preaching it as boon .What the reality is ,will be reflected by
the public when they will go to the ballot box cabin .
Now the Election Commission has announced on October 6,2018 the assembly
elections for five states –Rajasthan , Madhya Pradesh , Chhattisgarh ,Telangana
and Mizoram . Out of these , first three
are presently ruled by BJP .The results of these states will convey the mood of
the people for 2019 Lok Sabha Poll. A poll survey conducted by C-voter for ABP News has
projected the congress as winner in Rajasthan ,Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
.Previously feeling the heat of the hour
, the entire opposition had felt the need to fight unitedly to win over the
ballot battle against BJP . But , when the bugle of battle blown , the so
claimed unity is falling aground like a deck .In the line with Bahujan Samaj Party , the Akhilesh’s Samajwadi Party
has also decided to move ahead without waiting for the company of congress in these assembly elections. Akhilesh
Yadav said that he cannot wait any longer for the congress party . It seems
that the saying-“ United they stand ,
divided they fall’, is not going to be
an action line for the opposition in these state assembly elections . It shows
the lack of confidence among the anti-BJP buddies .
Amid this no-confidence situation
among the anti-BJP herd , the BJP has blown its trumpet in Rajasthan on
the very day of election declaration through a rally of Prime Minister Narender Modi at Ajmer on
October 6,2018 . Feeling seriously the speculations of the Rajasthan going out of clutches , Modi has a start from this state to gear up the loose clutches . Modi on this
occasion , in a scathing attack on congress, accused the opposition party practicing vote bank politics and dividing
people to get into power .He said, “Congress has failed not only as ruling
party , but in opposition as well.”
Negating the developmental
works of congress and praising the PM
Modi ,Rajasthan Chief Minister , Vasundhara Raje said, “For 50 years India
suffered .50 unfortunate years when those entrusted with power did not do their
duties responsibly .It was the Modi Sarkar , determined on change , that led
the nation to progress- transforming and reimaging a New India, reaffirming the faith of
millions.”
Bowing to the voters to give her a chance again , obstinate Raje
urged, “The journey that began in 2013 has brought Rajasthan into a gilded age
. I urge you to unite once again and march ahead with BJP Rajasthan , scripting
another spectacular chapter of success and development in the glorious story of
a Naya Rajasthan.”
On the other hand Congress seems to have adopted the Gandhian path of not criticizing and attacking the opponent . Its Rajasthan state
leader and former Chief Minister , Ashok Gehlot
, accepting the Raje government’s developmental works ,has
assured to continue with these
works . As per ANI report ,October 7, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said
that congress will go to polls on development plank and if voted to power it
would continue with CM Vasundhara Raje-led government’s schemes rather bringing
them to an end. “If we come to power , we promise the people of Rajasthan that
we’ll not end any schemes started by CM Vasundhara Raje . We’ll take them
forward. For development , it is our progressive thought to work in the
interest of people without wasting time.”
Here arises the questions, “ Why the congress leader assuring to
continue the developmental works started by Raje ? Are the people of Rajasthan
very much influenced and satisfied with these works ? And if Raje was doing so well ,then why the
public will change her in favour of congress ?”
But , the other contender of Chief
Ministership and the present State President of congress , Sachin Pilot
twitted on October 3 , “ Met scores of upbeat ,enthusiastic congress workers
and people from all parts of Rajasthan ,in PCC office ,Jaipur . They bring in
one common message- people are ready to root out this BJP government with
people friendly congress.”
However , due to a long political ground experience and a grip over
Rajasthan politics ,Mr. Ashok Gehlot is the main stalwart of the congress
party and Sachin Pilot , a close youth
associate of Rahul Gandhi has become the icon due to his strenuous efforts to
raise the congress party dashed to ground by losing all the 25 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 elections.And now the congress
is in the winning race .
There are some other election fighters also in the race who claim their
strength to change the election scenario of Rajasthan . A six time MLA with RSS
background , staunch critic of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje , a stalwart BJP-departed
old Brahmin leader and President of his own newly formed Bharat Vahini
Party(BVP) ,Ghanshyam Tiwari claims that his party will fight on all the
200 seats and without his support no
party shall be in a position to form government . PTI reports (October 7) Tiwari , “ The congress is not in a position
to form government and the BJP is set to face a historic defeat in the state .
Forming government in Rajasthan would not be possible without BVP”
The Brahmin leader is sailing in the hope of getting the upper castes votes
, especially the Brahmin Community. He says, “The BJP has betrayed people of
upper castes and its base vote bank has slipped.”
But , Ashok Sharma, from Dudu constituency ,presently working with a Hindi
daily in Jaipur since last 30 years ,
demolishing the hope of Tiwari , says
, “ Its right that some voters of upper castes –Brahmins and Rajputs have
departed from BJP in favour of Congress
party, but Tiwari is not gaining anything from this departure . Bahujan Samaj
Party will also not get a sizeable share this time too.”
Another fire brand leader, Hanuman Beniwal , claiming
to fetch votes of farmer community ,especially Jat Votes , may
swing the power balance . It is also airing that BSP may align with
Tiwari and Beniwal and this alliance can
change the political scenario in the state .
Sunil Kumar Meena , a scheduled
tribe social activist and a coaching centre runner at Sardarshahar in Rajasthan
says , “BSP is not in a position to win any seat on its own, better it should have made an alliance
with congress. However a large section
of SC/ST communities are associated with
congress , but during last some months the people of these communities have
also shown their inclination towards BSP. If BSP makes alliance with Jat leader
Hanuman Beniwal , it may fetch some
sizeable number .”
Reacting on the claim of Brahmin leader Ghanshyam Tiwari , Meena says, “
Ghanshyam Tiwari will not get a major share of his community , as Brahmins will
not depart from BJP . He may get a minor
share .”
Chanan Mal , an ex-serviceman and a backward community member, resident
of village Dhanothi from Sadulpur constituency clearly states ,
“Congress ka palara bhari hai Sir.jat vote judega. ( Congress is having an
upper hand . Jats will favour it.)”
Ravinder Poonia , a teacher in Rajasthan reacts , “ Sir g Rajasthan m BSP
ka koi janadhaar nhi h, Mayavati g time ko dekhakar ase candidate ko ticket
degi jo kisi n kisi party se asantust hoga, ase m itne bare area m, 2 or 4 seat
nikalna possible h, Congress pr koi asar nhi hoga, jaat biradri puri trah BJP K
khilap h, Congress ki support m h, Tiwari g apni seat aasani se nikal lega is
se jayda Kuchh nhi, sharma cast bhi BJP
K khilap h, ase m Pradesh m INC ki govt banne m Koi doray nhi h .( Sir, in
Rajsthan , BSP has no base. Mayawati will decide after seeing the time nerve
and give the party tickets to the
dissidents of other parties . In such a big area state , only 2 or 4 seats win over is possible in these circumstances. BSP’s non-companionship will have no
affects on congress . Jats are
fully against the BJP and are in support of congress .Tiwari ji will win over
his personal seat easily and not more than this . Brahmin community is also
against BJP. In such conditions there are no two thoughts about the formation
of government by the Indian national Congress in the state .”
A political analyst , Ved Pal , former Vice-Chairman of Agriculture
Development Bank, says , “Certainly the congress will win the race with a huge
margin due to not fulfilling the voters expectations by the BJP government .
Jats and Rajputs have turned their face backwards . The leaders like Ghanshyam
Tiwari and Hanuman Beniwal can win on their individual seats only , they
have some followers on social grounds but have
no mass following on political platform . BSP’s sharing is decreasing in every election since
2008.”
Giving figures about the decreasing share of BSP , Ved Pal states, “ BSP got
7.60 % votes in 2008 assembly elections,
it further decreased to 3.43% in 2013 with a win on only 3 seats and now it
seems to touch zero level .”JMT.
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