It is said that the road to Delhi goes through Uttar Pradesh. In the upcoming Assembly elections, the Bhartiya Janata Party has high hopes from the politically crucial state. Saswat Panigrahi of Zeenews.com caught up with BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh, who is on a campaign trail in the state.
Saswat: It is Ram Rajya, not Ram mandir – the BJP’s campaign theme in Uttar Pradesh elections this time?
Siddharth: BJP in any election has not used Ram mandir for political benefits. It has never been an election campaign. It was part of a movement by a large section of the Hindus in the country who felt oppressed because of the reverse discrimination policy being followed by the pseudo secular government. Ram temple movement was towards that awakening.
But, as far as Ram Rajya is concerned, it is the most appropriate method of governance. Therefore the BJP believes in Ram Rajya, because it empowers everybody, it brings social justice and at the same time it brings transparency. This also means development of all sections of society irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
Saswat: What are the key issues with which the party is going to the polls in UP?
Siddharth: For the first time BJP or any political party for that matter has given a vision for Uttar Pradesh, called ‘Vision 2020’.
Our vision is of development. The template is very clear. We are talking about infrastructure, education, agriculture and healthcare. We are committed to these with a track record which exists in the states governed by us.
For example, if we say that we will give 24/7 electricity to UP, we are sure that we will do it because there is a scheme under which the Gujarat government has given 24/7 electricity to the entire state. If we have spoken about the empowerment of women or girls then we have a scheme pertaining to the same in Madhya Pradesh. If we have said that the allotted rice or wheat will duly reach the BPL families, then there has to be a good Public Distribution System for the same. There is a model of PDS which exists in Chhattisgarh. If we have said that law and order can be improved in UP, we are talking on the basis of what we have done in Bihar.
We have a track record which no other political party has. I am happy that in competition with us, the Congress has also decided to bring their vision. But there are sharp contrasts. And there is no vision of SP and BSP.
Saswat: Would you like to comment on the present state of affairs in UP?
Siddharth: Truly speaking there is no governance in Uttar Pradesh. There is an administrative dictatorship which is going on. Mayawati was voted in 2007 with the hope of bringing law and order in the state. As there was jungle raj under the Samajwadi Party regime, there was a certain expectation from her. Unfortunately she did nothing except induct the same goondas and hooligans in her party and make them ministers. And on the eve of the Assembly elections, she has thrown some of them away from the party to project a clean image.
Under Mayawati’s rule there is complete lawlessness in the state. It is the worst state when it comes to the security of women. We all know how minors were tortured and raped inside police stations and no FIR was registered. There is no development of infrastructure in the state. And if any development at all, it is confined to Lucknow or Noida, which smacks of corruption.
Saswat: Is the BJP really in the pole position?
Siddharth: This time it is the voters’ choice. The question BJP would like to put in front of the voters is – What do you want UP to be and what is it that you are looking for? With this question being put forth, the voters will have no choice but to look at the BJP. Therefore, I am very confident that we are going to form the government in UP.
Saswat: In case of a hung Assembly will the BJP align with the BSP or SP?
Siddharth: There is a saying in English – ‘Once bitten, twice shy’. With the BSP we have had a coalition thrice. So we are many times shy on that front. And there is no way we will partner with the SP. Our party will prefer to sit in the opposition.
Saswat: What is your take on Congress’ promise of sub-quota for minorities from the existing 27% OBC quota?
Siddharth: It is a religion-based reservation and it has nothing to do with Muslim empowerment. It is basically vote bank politics.
What we are opposing is that there is a constitutional provision of 27% reservations for the backward community. It has nothing to do with any religion. People belonging to the minorities are covered under the OBC category. There are 55 Muslim communities presently covered under the ambit of OBC.
The Congress carving out 4 ½ % for minorities from the existing 27 % of OBC reservation and the SP talking about 18 per cent is highly unconstitutional. This communal agenda is going to divide the society and create frictions within the people of India.
We have stated that the UPA government’s sub-quota announcement is nothing but a poll gimmick. The Election Commission’s order to defer the minority quota further vindicates our stand. The EC has very rightly taken into account the fact that the decision on sub-quota was announced by the UPA government just two days before the model code came into force.
Saswat: Would you like to comment on Mulayam Singh Yadav’s sop promise for rape victims?
Siddharth: It is very irresponsible, highly objectionable and condemnable. What Mulayam Singh has said is that you get raped and we will pay you if we are in the government.
Saswat: Has the Babu Singh Kushwaha fiasco dented the BJP’s image?
Siddharth: Truly speaking it has not. But yes, there was a lot of talk around it. Nonetheless, it is more of a media and Opposition creation. There was no FIR when Babu Singh Kushwaha joined the BJP. And within 24 hours of his joining the party, a CBI raid was conducted at his residence and a FIR was registered against him. This smacks of political vendetta and there was a motive behind it. Now Babu Singh Kushwaha is not a part of the party. The party has suspended his membership. So the chapter is closed.
Saswat: But he is campaigning for the party.
Siddharth: He is not campaigning for the party. He is campaigning against the religious reservation of 4.5 %. He is telling the backward community of UP, “They are going to take away your right. And the only party which is supporting our cause is the BJP and it is the right party to vote for.”
Saswat: But, what prompted the party - which raises strong voice against corruption - to induct a NRHM scam accused?
Siddharth: Please look into the CBI chargesheet on the NRHM scam. There are few things which must be noted. One, in the NRHM scam, there were two CMO deaths apart from one deputy CMO, and recently, a project manager.
CBI under the Allahabad High Court is still continuing with the investigation. And the CBI’s reply to the HC says that one of the CMO Dr VK Arya – an honest, upright officer – brought in by nobody but Kushwaha was murdered by Deputy CMO Dr YS Sachan. Therefore, Dr Sachan was sent to jail. That was one link. The second is that Dr Sachan who was accused by the CBI for hiring killers to kill two CMOs was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a Lucknow jail. CBI said that it was a case of suicide and not a planned murder.
But the reality is that the CBI is a tool of the Congress and Mayawati is an insurance cover for the Congress. Therefore both used the CBI to give a cover up story for Dr Sachan.
That is precisely the reason why the full truth has not come out. So there is a background to it. There should be a fair trial to the case under the High Court or Supreme Court and an impartial inquiry by the CBI must take palce. If Kushwaha is guilty or if anybody is guilty, let the law of the land take its own course.
Saswat: Interestingly Kushwaha’s induction was made just three days after the party’s national secretary Kirti Somaiya produced a documentary evidence on the NRHM scam to the CBI, indicting Kushwaha.
Siddharth: It is a fact that regarding the NRHM scam we have given a list of names of politicians and bureaucrats who were at the helm of affairs to the CBI. One of them was Kushwaha. There was another minister whose reference was there. Moreover, Chief Minister Mayawati was also included in that list. So, why is selective action being taken against Khuswaha and not against others? Why is the CM not being investigated?
Saswat: It is said that Kushwaha’s route into the BJP was paved by party vice-president Vinay Katiyar.
Siddharth: Unlike the Congress or SP or BSP, in our party there is no single authority. Whatever decision we take, we take it collectively. That’s why it was a collective decision of the party.
Saswat: Well, it is not only Kushwaha. I have a long list of tainted names that the BJP has inducted and also given tickets to - Bhadshah Singh, Daddan Mishra, Chhatrapal Singh and Sacchidanand Hari Sakshi Maharaj.
Siddharth: There is something called the law of the land. If there are criminal proceedings, the court needs to convict them. As per the guidelines of the Election Commission, an individual is allowed to contest elections if not convicted by the court of law. That stands not only for the BJP but for all political parties.
All of us have candidates from criminal background. The SP has the highest number of such candidates, followed by the BSP, Congress and then the BJP. But the law of the land has to decide. As the law of the land exists today, Election Commission does allow people who have not been convicted to contest election.
Saswat: Congress spokesman Rashid Alvi said that the BJP veteran LK Advani took out his Jan Chetna yatra probably in search of those people.
Siddharth: Mr Rasid Alvi must be reminded of the recent Supreme Court judgement on the 2G scam. It is a tight slap on the functioning of the government. So he should remember that, instead of commenting on Advaniji’s Jan Chetna yatra.
Saswat: By inducting candidates thrown out by other parties, the BJP in Uttar Pradesh has been accused of turning into a dustbin. The accusation comes from some Congress members.
Siddharth: I am sorry. The Congress has the highest number of candidates coming from other parties. Digvijay Singh, the Congress general secretary and party in-charge of Uttar Pradesh has admitted that they have taken 40 per cent candidates from other parties – because their ability to win is the criteria.
Let me put the record straight. Out of all the candidates we have taken from other parties, majority were earlier in the BJP. They had gone to SP or BSP but their original root was the BJP. Now they have come back.
Saswat: BJP is using Sadhvi Uma Bharti as a trump card. Will it work?
Siddharth: Well, I am more than confident that it will work to the BJP’s advantage.
-- Appeared in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/we-all-have-candidates-from-criminal-background_757548.html
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Will lotus bloom again in Uttarakhand?
Saswat Panigrahi
Of the five states going for polls, Uttarakhand is no less interesting. Though a dozen of political parties are in the poll fray, the big fight, expectedly, will be between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.
Uttarakhand has voted out incumbent governments in all the Assembly elections held ever since it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. Will 2012 see a break in the trend?
Pushed to the wall over allegations of massive corruption under Ramesh Pokhariyal ‘Nishank’, the BJP had to replace him with General BC Khanduri. But, can BJP under Khanduri scrape through despite anti-incumbency? Or will the Congress manage to dislodge BJP?
The key issues on which the election would be fought and the result to be decided will answer these questions.
The Khanduri factor
Understanding the popular resentment against the ‘corrupt’ Pokhariyal regime, the BJP turned to its trusted soldier BC Khanduri. Known as ‘Mr Clean’, Khanduri has a huge task at hand in reinvigorating the party cadre and salvaging the party’s sagging image in the state.
It was Khanduri who had led the party to victory in the 2007 Assembly elections and was subsequently chosen as the Chief Minister. However, he was booted out after the party performed poorly in the 2009 general election. Marred with internal dissent, amid the growing ‘Remove Khanduri’ chorus, he quit taking responsibility for the poll debacle.
Now back in the saddle, Khanduri has been proactive in trying to win the battle of perception. Not shying away from taking solid steps, Khanduri enacted two landmark anti-graft bills.
Lokayukta Bill
Mirroring the version of the anti-graft bill pushed by Gandhian Anna Hazare, Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill, 2011 brings all ministers, including the Chief Minister, the MLAs and the government servants including IAS and IPS officers under its ambit. The bill also aims to bring the lower judiciary under its ambit.
BJP is making the passage of Lokayukta Bill a major poll plank and hopes to reap rich electoral dividends.
Right to Public Services legislation: Besides Lokayukta, Khanduri government has also enacted Right to Public Services legislation, which guarantees time-bound delivery of public services to citizens. The legislation provides mechanism for punishing errant public servants, deficient in providing the services as stipulated under the statute. The legislation is meant to reduce corruption among the government officials and aims at bringing transparency and accountability in public services.
Assets declaration: In a bid to bring more transparency, CM BC Khanduri has asked his cabinet colleagues and top bureaucrats in the state to voluntarily declare assets.
Now that the BJP central leadership has again reposed faith in him, as party leaders say “Khanduri hai zaroori” but it remains to be seen whether his clean image would be enough to clean the taint on the saffron flag.
Scams from Nishank tenure haunt BJP
The tenure of Nishank as Chief Minister was riddled with a series of scams. The ghosts of the scams are still haunting the BJP, making the saffron party uncomfortable.
Illegal mining: Nishank’s government was accused of turning a blind eye to rampant illegal river bed sand mining and unscrupulous quarrying mafia in the state, particularly in Haridwar district. Not to forget Swami Nigamananda Saraswati, the 34-year old monk, who fasted to death to save the Ganges from illegal mining.
Land scam: The former chief minister came under scanner for allegedly changing the land use of 15-acre industrial plot worth Rs.400 crore. The land was reportedly handed over to a real estate developer, close to the ruling BJP for a paltry Rs.13 crore.
Power scam: Irregularities were allegedly carried out in the bidding process of hydroelectric power projects, causing huge loss to the state exchequer.
Other scams: In addition, there are alleged irregularities in Chief Minister discretionary fund, government appointment and financial bungling in organizing Mahakumbh mela.
Slur from ND Tiwari era still haunts Cong
It is not only the BJP which is facing allegations of a series of scams. Scams from previous Congress regime -- between 2002 and 2007 -- led by ND Tiwari are also haunting the Congress.
BC Khanduri government in 2007, conducted a probe into the scams. The probe panel has already completed its inquiry into 60 out of the 68 scams and found irregularities in 17 cases.
The scams include those related to financial irregularities in agriculture, irrigation and forest departments, among others.
Congress’ ‘M-D’ formula
The Congress had successfully nurtured Muslim-Dalit votes during 2009 general elections with the part winning all Lok Sabha seats from the state.
With Yashpal Arya having been re-nominated as the PCC president, it is clear that the party high command does not want to disturb the ‘winning formula’. But the moot question is that whether the formula will work for Congress this time?
Congress insiders say the party is hoping that the combine will help it sail through again.
-- Appeared in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/state-elections-2012/uttarakhand/issues.html
Of the five states going for polls, Uttarakhand is no less interesting. Though a dozen of political parties are in the poll fray, the big fight, expectedly, will be between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.
Uttarakhand has voted out incumbent governments in all the Assembly elections held ever since it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. Will 2012 see a break in the trend?
Pushed to the wall over allegations of massive corruption under Ramesh Pokhariyal ‘Nishank’, the BJP had to replace him with General BC Khanduri. But, can BJP under Khanduri scrape through despite anti-incumbency? Or will the Congress manage to dislodge BJP?
The key issues on which the election would be fought and the result to be decided will answer these questions.
The Khanduri factor
Understanding the popular resentment against the ‘corrupt’ Pokhariyal regime, the BJP turned to its trusted soldier BC Khanduri. Known as ‘Mr Clean’, Khanduri has a huge task at hand in reinvigorating the party cadre and salvaging the party’s sagging image in the state.
It was Khanduri who had led the party to victory in the 2007 Assembly elections and was subsequently chosen as the Chief Minister. However, he was booted out after the party performed poorly in the 2009 general election. Marred with internal dissent, amid the growing ‘Remove Khanduri’ chorus, he quit taking responsibility for the poll debacle.
Now back in the saddle, Khanduri has been proactive in trying to win the battle of perception. Not shying away from taking solid steps, Khanduri enacted two landmark anti-graft bills.
Lokayukta Bill
Mirroring the version of the anti-graft bill pushed by Gandhian Anna Hazare, Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill, 2011 brings all ministers, including the Chief Minister, the MLAs and the government servants including IAS and IPS officers under its ambit. The bill also aims to bring the lower judiciary under its ambit.
BJP is making the passage of Lokayukta Bill a major poll plank and hopes to reap rich electoral dividends.
Right to Public Services legislation: Besides Lokayukta, Khanduri government has also enacted Right to Public Services legislation, which guarantees time-bound delivery of public services to citizens. The legislation provides mechanism for punishing errant public servants, deficient in providing the services as stipulated under the statute. The legislation is meant to reduce corruption among the government officials and aims at bringing transparency and accountability in public services.
Assets declaration: In a bid to bring more transparency, CM BC Khanduri has asked his cabinet colleagues and top bureaucrats in the state to voluntarily declare assets.
Now that the BJP central leadership has again reposed faith in him, as party leaders say “Khanduri hai zaroori” but it remains to be seen whether his clean image would be enough to clean the taint on the saffron flag.
Scams from Nishank tenure haunt BJP
The tenure of Nishank as Chief Minister was riddled with a series of scams. The ghosts of the scams are still haunting the BJP, making the saffron party uncomfortable.
Illegal mining: Nishank’s government was accused of turning a blind eye to rampant illegal river bed sand mining and unscrupulous quarrying mafia in the state, particularly in Haridwar district. Not to forget Swami Nigamananda Saraswati, the 34-year old monk, who fasted to death to save the Ganges from illegal mining.
Land scam: The former chief minister came under scanner for allegedly changing the land use of 15-acre industrial plot worth Rs.400 crore. The land was reportedly handed over to a real estate developer, close to the ruling BJP for a paltry Rs.13 crore.
Power scam: Irregularities were allegedly carried out in the bidding process of hydroelectric power projects, causing huge loss to the state exchequer.
Other scams: In addition, there are alleged irregularities in Chief Minister discretionary fund, government appointment and financial bungling in organizing Mahakumbh mela.
Slur from ND Tiwari era still haunts Cong
It is not only the BJP which is facing allegations of a series of scams. Scams from previous Congress regime -- between 2002 and 2007 -- led by ND Tiwari are also haunting the Congress.
BC Khanduri government in 2007, conducted a probe into the scams. The probe panel has already completed its inquiry into 60 out of the 68 scams and found irregularities in 17 cases.
The scams include those related to financial irregularities in agriculture, irrigation and forest departments, among others.
Congress’ ‘M-D’ formula
The Congress had successfully nurtured Muslim-Dalit votes during 2009 general elections with the part winning all Lok Sabha seats from the state.
With Yashpal Arya having been re-nominated as the PCC president, it is clear that the party high command does not want to disturb the ‘winning formula’. But the moot question is that whether the formula will work for Congress this time?
Congress insiders say the party is hoping that the combine will help it sail through again.
-- Appeared in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/state-elections-2012/uttarakhand/issues.html
Thursday, January 12, 2012
A saffron monk who introduced India to the world
Saswat Panigrahi
He was India’s first global monk. A source of wisdom, a patriot, a spiritual leader, a visionary, a reformer, a nation builder… He propounded a philosophy which in his words, “can serve as a basis to every possible religious system in the world”. Words will fall short to describe the great persona – Swami Vivekananda.
The nation is celebrating the 149th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda today. An authoritative spokesman of Indian culture, Vivekananda introduced the message of Indianness to the international audience. He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in modern India and helped restore a sense of pride amongst the Hindus. He taught the world that in essence all religions are true, and service to mankind is the most effective form of worship of God.
India commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary as National Youth Day. I am sure many young Indians, especially those who never forget to celebrate the Valentine’s Day on February 14, are not even aware of the significance of January 12. Hope, they would celebrate the National Youth Day with the same vigour.
Swami Vivekananda’s ideas have had a great influence on Indian youth for generations. His message to the youth is still as invigorating as it was a century ago. In his words, depression, weakness, fear, selfishness and jealousy are the greatest enemies of young people. “The greatest sin is to think yourself weak. The remedy of weakness is not brooding over weakness, but thinking of strength,” he said.
Vivekananda firmly believed that youth is the most potent catalyst for changing the fate of the country, and hence the future of the nation rests in their hands. His words have continued to inspire the young people for generations. His message is replete with infinite encouragement for young minds to achieve great things.
He exhorted the youth of the nation, “Our country requires heroes; be heroes. Stand firm like a rock. Truth always triumphs. What India wants is a new electric fire to stir up a fresh vigour in the national veins.”
He told the youth, “All power is within you. You can do anything and everything. Believe in that.”
“All great undertakings are achieved through mighty obstacles. Keep up the deepest mental poise. Take not even the slightest notice of what puerile creatures may be saying against you. Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached,” was his message to the young people. Swami Vivekananda called upon the youth to fully participate in the modern world while upholding nation’s ancient values.
His comment on education will always be relevant for both the teachers and the students. “Education is not information that is put into your brain and runs riot there. It is the manifestation of perfection already in man... That education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, and the intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on one’s own feet. We must have life-building, man-making, character-making assimilation of ideas,” he stated.
Swami Vivekananda injected patriotism in the veins of the youth and thereby inspired India’s freedom movement. His lines -- "What we want are some young men who will renounce everything and sacrifice their lives for their country's sake" – was a wake-up call to the youth of pre-Independence India to join the freedom movement.
Vivekananda will always be remembered for his model speech dated September 11, 1893 at Parliament of the World's Religions held in Chicago. He had begun his speech with, "Sisters and brothers of America?” When he pronounced the idea an audience of 7,000 people rose to their feet and clapped that lasted for three minutes.
Representing India he introduced the greatness of Hindutva and the eternal values of Indianness to the West. “I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth,” he said.
He went on to add, “I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions.”
It was in that speech he presented the ancient teachings of India in its purest form. While other speakers spoke simply on their own faith, Vivekanada stressed upon the essence of interfaith awareness and religious tolerance.
Hundred and eighteen years after he delivered his starling speech on the platform of Parliament of the World's Religions, its content has an irresistible appeal even today. The message is still relevant to the present society marred by religious chauvinism. "Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilisation and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now,” he said.
His elocution voiced the spirit of Parliament and its sense of universality. Vivekananda became an instant rage. Dr Barrows, the president of the Parliament said, "India, the mother of religions, was represented by Swami Vivekananda, the orange-monk who exercised the most wonderful influence over his auditors."
The American press dubbed Vivekananda as the "Cyclonic monk from India", "the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions" and "the most popular and influential man in the Parliament". The day after he delivered that speech, The New York Critique wrote, "Swami Vivekananda is an orator by divine right, and his strong, intelligent face in its picturesque setting of yellow and orange was hardly less interesting than those earnest words, and the rich, rhythmical utterance he gave them." The New York Herald wrote, "Vivekananda is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation." The speech marked the beginning of Western interest on Indian values. The world celebrates World Brotherhood Day on September 11 as a mark of respect to that model speech.
Addressing the final session of the Parliament of Religion on September 27, 1893 Swami Vivekananda said, “Holiness, purity and charity are not the exclusive possessions of any church in the world, and that every system has produced men and women of the most exalted character.” Today, there is a need to revisit those words.
After the Parliament of Religions, Vivekananda toured extensively in the West for nearly two years preaching the essence of universal brotherhood. Yes he was a missionary, but he didn’t convert people away from their native faith. It was during a lecture in America, he said, "I do not come to convert you to a new belief. I want you to keep your own belief; I want to make the Methodist a better Methodist; the Presbyterian a better Presbyterian; the Unitarian a better Unitarian. I want to teach you to live the truth, to reveal the light within your own soul."
Returning back home he set up the Ramakrishna Mission – an organ for social service – in 1887 at Calcutta (now Kolkata). It was named after his spiritual guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. This was the first organised socio-religious movement to help the masses through educational, cultural, medical and relief work. Today, the Ramakrishna Mission continues with carrying Vivekananda’s message forward.
Swami Vivekananda’s writings powerfully inspired a whole generation of freedom fighters including Subhash Chandra Bose, Sri Aurobindo and Bagha Jatin.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose said, “Vivekananda is the maker of modern India.” Sri Aurobindo wrote, “Vivekananda still lives in the soul of his Mother (Bharat Mata) and in the souls of her children.”
“After going through his work, the love I had for my country became a thousandfold”, said Mahatma Gandhi.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru remarked: “Rooted in the past and full of pride in India's heritage, Vivekananda was yet modern in his approach to life's problems and was a kind of bridge between the past of India and her present.”
The first Governor General of independent India, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari wrote, "Vivekananda saved Hinduism, saved India."
"His words are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses," wrote French Nobel Laureate Romain Rolland on Swami Vivekananda.
Visva kabi Rabindranath Tagore said, "If you want to know India, study Vivekananda."
Living for a short span of four decades, Vivekananda left his foot-prints on the sands of time. His teachings will inspire the lives and times for generations to come. His legacy will stay on to guide the nation, nationalism and nationhood. Let’s salute the Prophet. Let’s cherish his legacy. Happy National Youth Day.
-- Appeared in my blog ‘The Right Way’ in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/blog/66/blog688.html
He was India’s first global monk. A source of wisdom, a patriot, a spiritual leader, a visionary, a reformer, a nation builder… He propounded a philosophy which in his words, “can serve as a basis to every possible religious system in the world”. Words will fall short to describe the great persona – Swami Vivekananda.
The nation is celebrating the 149th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda today. An authoritative spokesman of Indian culture, Vivekananda introduced the message of Indianness to the international audience. He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in modern India and helped restore a sense of pride amongst the Hindus. He taught the world that in essence all religions are true, and service to mankind is the most effective form of worship of God.
India commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary as National Youth Day. I am sure many young Indians, especially those who never forget to celebrate the Valentine’s Day on February 14, are not even aware of the significance of January 12. Hope, they would celebrate the National Youth Day with the same vigour.
Swami Vivekananda’s ideas have had a great influence on Indian youth for generations. His message to the youth is still as invigorating as it was a century ago. In his words, depression, weakness, fear, selfishness and jealousy are the greatest enemies of young people. “The greatest sin is to think yourself weak. The remedy of weakness is not brooding over weakness, but thinking of strength,” he said.
Vivekananda firmly believed that youth is the most potent catalyst for changing the fate of the country, and hence the future of the nation rests in their hands. His words have continued to inspire the young people for generations. His message is replete with infinite encouragement for young minds to achieve great things.
He exhorted the youth of the nation, “Our country requires heroes; be heroes. Stand firm like a rock. Truth always triumphs. What India wants is a new electric fire to stir up a fresh vigour in the national veins.”
He told the youth, “All power is within you. You can do anything and everything. Believe in that.”
“All great undertakings are achieved through mighty obstacles. Keep up the deepest mental poise. Take not even the slightest notice of what puerile creatures may be saying against you. Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached,” was his message to the young people. Swami Vivekananda called upon the youth to fully participate in the modern world while upholding nation’s ancient values.
His comment on education will always be relevant for both the teachers and the students. “Education is not information that is put into your brain and runs riot there. It is the manifestation of perfection already in man... That education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, and the intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on one’s own feet. We must have life-building, man-making, character-making assimilation of ideas,” he stated.
Swami Vivekananda injected patriotism in the veins of the youth and thereby inspired India’s freedom movement. His lines -- "What we want are some young men who will renounce everything and sacrifice their lives for their country's sake" – was a wake-up call to the youth of pre-Independence India to join the freedom movement.
Vivekananda will always be remembered for his model speech dated September 11, 1893 at Parliament of the World's Religions held in Chicago. He had begun his speech with, "Sisters and brothers of America?” When he pronounced the idea an audience of 7,000 people rose to their feet and clapped that lasted for three minutes.
Representing India he introduced the greatness of Hindutva and the eternal values of Indianness to the West. “I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth,” he said.
He went on to add, “I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions.”
It was in that speech he presented the ancient teachings of India in its purest form. While other speakers spoke simply on their own faith, Vivekanada stressed upon the essence of interfaith awareness and religious tolerance.
Hundred and eighteen years after he delivered his starling speech on the platform of Parliament of the World's Religions, its content has an irresistible appeal even today. The message is still relevant to the present society marred by religious chauvinism. "Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilisation and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now,” he said.
His elocution voiced the spirit of Parliament and its sense of universality. Vivekananda became an instant rage. Dr Barrows, the president of the Parliament said, "India, the mother of religions, was represented by Swami Vivekananda, the orange-monk who exercised the most wonderful influence over his auditors."
The American press dubbed Vivekananda as the "Cyclonic monk from India", "the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions" and "the most popular and influential man in the Parliament". The day after he delivered that speech, The New York Critique wrote, "Swami Vivekananda is an orator by divine right, and his strong, intelligent face in its picturesque setting of yellow and orange was hardly less interesting than those earnest words, and the rich, rhythmical utterance he gave them." The New York Herald wrote, "Vivekananda is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation." The speech marked the beginning of Western interest on Indian values. The world celebrates World Brotherhood Day on September 11 as a mark of respect to that model speech.
Addressing the final session of the Parliament of Religion on September 27, 1893 Swami Vivekananda said, “Holiness, purity and charity are not the exclusive possessions of any church in the world, and that every system has produced men and women of the most exalted character.” Today, there is a need to revisit those words.
After the Parliament of Religions, Vivekananda toured extensively in the West for nearly two years preaching the essence of universal brotherhood. Yes he was a missionary, but he didn’t convert people away from their native faith. It was during a lecture in America, he said, "I do not come to convert you to a new belief. I want you to keep your own belief; I want to make the Methodist a better Methodist; the Presbyterian a better Presbyterian; the Unitarian a better Unitarian. I want to teach you to live the truth, to reveal the light within your own soul."
Returning back home he set up the Ramakrishna Mission – an organ for social service – in 1887 at Calcutta (now Kolkata). It was named after his spiritual guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. This was the first organised socio-religious movement to help the masses through educational, cultural, medical and relief work. Today, the Ramakrishna Mission continues with carrying Vivekananda’s message forward.
Swami Vivekananda’s writings powerfully inspired a whole generation of freedom fighters including Subhash Chandra Bose, Sri Aurobindo and Bagha Jatin.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose said, “Vivekananda is the maker of modern India.” Sri Aurobindo wrote, “Vivekananda still lives in the soul of his Mother (Bharat Mata) and in the souls of her children.”
“After going through his work, the love I had for my country became a thousandfold”, said Mahatma Gandhi.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru remarked: “Rooted in the past and full of pride in India's heritage, Vivekananda was yet modern in his approach to life's problems and was a kind of bridge between the past of India and her present.”
The first Governor General of independent India, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari wrote, "Vivekananda saved Hinduism, saved India."
"His words are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses," wrote French Nobel Laureate Romain Rolland on Swami Vivekananda.
Visva kabi Rabindranath Tagore said, "If you want to know India, study Vivekananda."
Living for a short span of four decades, Vivekananda left his foot-prints on the sands of time. His teachings will inspire the lives and times for generations to come. His legacy will stay on to guide the nation, nationalism and nationhood. Let’s salute the Prophet. Let’s cherish his legacy. Happy National Youth Day.
-- Appeared in my blog ‘The Right Way’ in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/blog/66/blog688.html
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Are we a soft state?
Saswat Panigrahi
It’s been three years. The scars of a 60-hour-long terror siege which scripted a gory tale in blood are very much visible.
The unprecedented terror strikes on multiple targets across India’s financial capital -- carried out by ten trained Pakistani jihadis, executed by the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) inside Pakistan -- snuffed out the lives of at least 166 innocent people and wounded more than 300.
Mumbai Police, Rapid Action Force personnel, Marine Commandos and National Security Guards performed their duties with remarkable bravery and professionalism in their battle with the terrorists. Fifteen policemen and two NSG commandos sacrificed their lives in the counter-offensive.
On the third anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks, let’s pay tribute to the unsung heroes and the victims.
Zero progress by Pakistan
Dossiers after dossiers were sent to Pakistan. Date after date was set for action against the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks. But, three years after 26/11, there is zero progress by Pakistan to bring the perpetrators to justice.
However, has India failed to bend Pakistan internationally? If so, blame it on the UPA leadership. Don’t forget this government shocked the nation by delinking terrorism from Indo-Pak composite dialogue in Sharm el-Sheikh in 2009. Early this month Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went on to describe his Pakistani counterpart “a man of peace”.
26/11 terrorists are having a field day
Three years after 26/11, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive is still facing a death sentence. The Bombay High Court upheld his death penalty, awarded by a special court in Mumbai. Last month, the Supreme Court stayed execution of the death sentence “to facilitate due process of law”.
The cost of keeping Kasab alive is as much as Rs 100 crore and counting.
India still awaits access to 26/11 plotter David Coleman Headley and his accomplice Tahawwur Rana, who are in FBI custody.
Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the mastermind of 26/11 attacks continues his anti-India rhetoric from inside Pakistan. However, Pakistan maintains that there is not enough evidence against him.
How prepared we are to tackle terror?
26/11 had laid bare an abysmal intelligence and a spineless security, which helped the terror siege to succeed. Three years on, is India alert and prepared to thwart future terror attacks?
After 26/11 attacks, there were six major bomb blasts in different parts of the nation. Compensations for the victims were announced. Probes were ordered. Sketches of the suspects were prepared. However, the investigative agencies are struggling to find a “conclusive lead” in most of the cases.
Terrorists come at their will, kill innocent people and disappear into their cubby holes. But so “efficient” our intelligence agencies are that they do not even find clues of their whereabouts! And hunt for the suspects goes on....
The intelligence agencies utterly fail to read the changing modus operndi of the terrorists. They fail to gather inputs to thwart future terror strikes. They are unable to prevent one attack after another. But what are the reasons?
There are serious problems in India’s intelligence matrix. First, the multiplicity of its structure leads to confusion. Second, there is lack of co-ordination between agencies. Third, a sizable chunk of intelligence and security officials are not professionally trained and equipped to carry out their tasks. Fourth, there is a gross disconnect between the Centre and the states in tackling terror. Fifth, there are huge vacancies in security and intelligence agencies which have not been filled for years.
The apex organisation for India’s intelligence is the Intelligence Bureau (IB) which has a cascading bureaucratic structure. The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), on the other hand, deals with India’s external intelligence and works under a “cloak of secrecy”.
Several states have set up Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to fight terror. All these intelligence agencies rarely share inputs, perhaps considering them as “highly secret”.
In the aftermath of Mumbai terror attacks, India has set up National Investigation Agency (NIA). This is supposed to be central agency to combat terrorism. But the agency is yet to build its capacity.
The proposed National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), which aims at facilitating information sharing by security agencies and law enforcement agencies to combat terror remains a work in progress.
The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) which is supposed to gather “highly specialised technical intelligence” is almost defunct.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTS) -- modelled on United States -- the “nodal agency” for counter terrorism with representation from all security and intelligence agencies is yet to take its shape.
In that case, undertrained and poorly equipped state police machineries are often being used to investigate and respond to terror attacks.
Time and again several ideas were floated, various recommendations were made to revamp India’s security architecture. But nothing has changed. India’s intelligence and security agencies remain in their moribund condition, giving an edge to the terrorists.
This is in sharp contrast to the countries like US which succeeded in uprooting terrorism by enhancing their already organised security system. Post 9/11, America has set up a separate ministry called Homeland Security and enacted USA PATRIOT Act, helping the country to intercept and obstruct further terror strikes. So did Europe and Israel. But we couldn’t.
Surge in home grown terrorism
This is not to dispute that terrorism in India is emanated from across the border. But the cross-border terror networks work in tandem with the local terror elements.
In the last one decade there was a surge in home grown terrorism. More interestingly, the local terror elements are getting political patronage.
Lack of political willpower
The Congress-led UPA government’s track record in tackling terror is abysmally poor. At present, India does not have any proper anti-terror law. It was the UPA government which repealed Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act (POTA) in 2004 perhaps “to protect the rights of the terror accused”.
Remember, the government shamelessly went on to justify its move saying, “A tough law can’t prevent terror attacks”. But after 26/11, the government woke up from its slumber and amended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, incorporating some provisions from the POTA. But the UPA so far has failed to explain to the nation why it is reluctant to bring a separate anti-terror law.
The immediate priorities
India is vulnerable to terror attacks. To fight terror, the country needs to strengthen its security and intelligence. The need of hour is to revamp border security, maritime security and aerial security. The nation needs a complete recast of its intelligence mechanism. There is a pressing need for stringent counter-terrorism policy and its implementation. In order to weed out terrorism from its roots, India needs to terrorise the terrorists and their sympathisers.
In the end, the one pertinent thought that resonates years after the 26/11 attacks is – Does human life count for even a little bit in India?
The government should act and that too fast.
-- -- Appeared in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/state-elections-2012/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-will-cong-manage-to-dislodge-bjp_761883.html
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/are-we-a-soft-state_743926.html
It’s been three years. The scars of a 60-hour-long terror siege which scripted a gory tale in blood are very much visible.
The unprecedented terror strikes on multiple targets across India’s financial capital -- carried out by ten trained Pakistani jihadis, executed by the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) inside Pakistan -- snuffed out the lives of at least 166 innocent people and wounded more than 300.
Mumbai Police, Rapid Action Force personnel, Marine Commandos and National Security Guards performed their duties with remarkable bravery and professionalism in their battle with the terrorists. Fifteen policemen and two NSG commandos sacrificed their lives in the counter-offensive.
On the third anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks, let’s pay tribute to the unsung heroes and the victims.
Zero progress by Pakistan
Dossiers after dossiers were sent to Pakistan. Date after date was set for action against the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks. But, three years after 26/11, there is zero progress by Pakistan to bring the perpetrators to justice.
However, has India failed to bend Pakistan internationally? If so, blame it on the UPA leadership. Don’t forget this government shocked the nation by delinking terrorism from Indo-Pak composite dialogue in Sharm el-Sheikh in 2009. Early this month Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went on to describe his Pakistani counterpart “a man of peace”.
26/11 terrorists are having a field day
Three years after 26/11, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive is still facing a death sentence. The Bombay High Court upheld his death penalty, awarded by a special court in Mumbai. Last month, the Supreme Court stayed execution of the death sentence “to facilitate due process of law”.
The cost of keeping Kasab alive is as much as Rs 100 crore and counting.
India still awaits access to 26/11 plotter David Coleman Headley and his accomplice Tahawwur Rana, who are in FBI custody.
Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the mastermind of 26/11 attacks continues his anti-India rhetoric from inside Pakistan. However, Pakistan maintains that there is not enough evidence against him.
How prepared we are to tackle terror?
26/11 had laid bare an abysmal intelligence and a spineless security, which helped the terror siege to succeed. Three years on, is India alert and prepared to thwart future terror attacks?
After 26/11 attacks, there were six major bomb blasts in different parts of the nation. Compensations for the victims were announced. Probes were ordered. Sketches of the suspects were prepared. However, the investigative agencies are struggling to find a “conclusive lead” in most of the cases.
Terrorists come at their will, kill innocent people and disappear into their cubby holes. But so “efficient” our intelligence agencies are that they do not even find clues of their whereabouts! And hunt for the suspects goes on....
The intelligence agencies utterly fail to read the changing modus operndi of the terrorists. They fail to gather inputs to thwart future terror strikes. They are unable to prevent one attack after another. But what are the reasons?
There are serious problems in India’s intelligence matrix. First, the multiplicity of its structure leads to confusion. Second, there is lack of co-ordination between agencies. Third, a sizable chunk of intelligence and security officials are not professionally trained and equipped to carry out their tasks. Fourth, there is a gross disconnect between the Centre and the states in tackling terror. Fifth, there are huge vacancies in security and intelligence agencies which have not been filled for years.
The apex organisation for India’s intelligence is the Intelligence Bureau (IB) which has a cascading bureaucratic structure. The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), on the other hand, deals with India’s external intelligence and works under a “cloak of secrecy”.
Several states have set up Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to fight terror. All these intelligence agencies rarely share inputs, perhaps considering them as “highly secret”.
In the aftermath of Mumbai terror attacks, India has set up National Investigation Agency (NIA). This is supposed to be central agency to combat terrorism. But the agency is yet to build its capacity.
The proposed National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), which aims at facilitating information sharing by security agencies and law enforcement agencies to combat terror remains a work in progress.
The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) which is supposed to gather “highly specialised technical intelligence” is almost defunct.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTS) -- modelled on United States -- the “nodal agency” for counter terrorism with representation from all security and intelligence agencies is yet to take its shape.
In that case, undertrained and poorly equipped state police machineries are often being used to investigate and respond to terror attacks.
Time and again several ideas were floated, various recommendations were made to revamp India’s security architecture. But nothing has changed. India’s intelligence and security agencies remain in their moribund condition, giving an edge to the terrorists.
This is in sharp contrast to the countries like US which succeeded in uprooting terrorism by enhancing their already organised security system. Post 9/11, America has set up a separate ministry called Homeland Security and enacted USA PATRIOT Act, helping the country to intercept and obstruct further terror strikes. So did Europe and Israel. But we couldn’t.
Surge in home grown terrorism
This is not to dispute that terrorism in India is emanated from across the border. But the cross-border terror networks work in tandem with the local terror elements.
In the last one decade there was a surge in home grown terrorism. More interestingly, the local terror elements are getting political patronage.
Lack of political willpower
The Congress-led UPA government’s track record in tackling terror is abysmally poor. At present, India does not have any proper anti-terror law. It was the UPA government which repealed Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act (POTA) in 2004 perhaps “to protect the rights of the terror accused”.
Remember, the government shamelessly went on to justify its move saying, “A tough law can’t prevent terror attacks”. But after 26/11, the government woke up from its slumber and amended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, incorporating some provisions from the POTA. But the UPA so far has failed to explain to the nation why it is reluctant to bring a separate anti-terror law.
The immediate priorities
India is vulnerable to terror attacks. To fight terror, the country needs to strengthen its security and intelligence. The need of hour is to revamp border security, maritime security and aerial security. The nation needs a complete recast of its intelligence mechanism. There is a pressing need for stringent counter-terrorism policy and its implementation. In order to weed out terrorism from its roots, India needs to terrorise the terrorists and their sympathisers.
In the end, the one pertinent thought that resonates years after the 26/11 attacks is – Does human life count for even a little bit in India?
The government should act and that too fast.
-- -- Appeared in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/state-elections-2012/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-will-cong-manage-to-dislodge-bjp_761883.html
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/are-we-a-soft-state_743926.html
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Why Advani went wrong in Orissa?
Saswat Panigrahi
BJP veteran LK Advani’s silence on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik -- who is confronting a volley of corruption charges -- during the Orissa leg of Jan Chetna Yatra has virtually triggered a cadre revolt in state BJP.
While playing the issue of corruption to the public gallery, he spoke extensively on the successive scams -- Cash-for-vote scam, 2G spectrum scam and CWG scam -- under the UPA rule and highlighted its inability to bring back lakhs of crores of black money stashed in tax havens. However, he did not make any direct or indirect reference to the state of affairs in Orissa.
Responding to newspersons’ query about the series of scams during Naveen Patnaik’s regime, Advani said, "Since the yatra is a pan-India campaign, the overall focus should ideally be on the issue of corruption at the Centre. But, so far as the corruption in the states is concerned, we are concerned with the states we rule." He quickly added, “The state leadership would answer them.”
Answering a question on the “possibility” of a BJP-BJD alliance in future, the octogenarian leader said, “It is a speculative question...I am not ruling out anything, though at the moment the relations between the two have become tense."
Advani’s move was meticulously planned, carefully scripted and skilfully calculated. By maintaining a stoic silence on the scam-tainted Patnaik government, the BJP veteran has hurled broad hints for reviving ties with the BJD. This is not to dispute that during the BJP-BJD honeymoon days, Patnaik was Advani’s blue eyed boy and was enjoying a status which none of the other senior Orissa BJP leaders had.
Today, at a time when the BJP leader is apparently projecting himself as a prime ministerial candidate, he sees an opportunity in re-cultivating Patnaik and his BJD.
It’s been a couple of days since Advani made those comments. But the after effect is refusing to die down. The resentment in the state unit is evident. As Ashok Sahu, vice president of Orissa BJP bluntly puts, “It would have been better had Advaniji made comments on the Himalayan corruption of the Naveen Patnaik government”.
Advani’s move has put the state BJP in a tight spot. This has made the task of BJP leaders in Orissa difficult to face both the press and the public ahead of the crucial Panchayat polls. They are unable defend Advani’s political faux pas. I hope they are still busy in answering a circle of questions. The party cadres in Orissa are saddened and demoralised. It is now a challenge for the state leaders to convince irked party cadres. But has Advani gone wrong in wooing Naveen? Can the BJP afford to rejoin hands with the BJD? As a keen observer of Orissa politics, I must search the answers for future in a timeline from the past to the present. Just read on...
Those in knowhow of Orissa’s political history can recall how BJP’s strategist late Pramod Mahajan played a crucial role in the formation of BJD, before stitching its alliance with the saffron party. After Biju Patnaik’s demise in April 1997, a sympathy wave was blowing in the state in favour of the legendry leader. To cash in on that wave, Mahajan met Biju legacy -leaders. Some of them opined to merge the Orissa unit of the Janata Dal with the BJP. But it was Mahajan who proposed to float a party in the name of Biju babu and its alliance with BJP to bring a debacle for the Congress in Orissa, a suggestion the Janata leaders could not but accept. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was formed in December, 1997 and its alliance with the BJP was forged in February 1998.
It is said that all initial formative logistics for BJD were provided by the BJP. Biju babu’s son Naveen Patnaik, who since then was elected as a member of 11th Lok Sabha in a by-election following his father’s demise, emerged as the unanimous consensus to lead the party. Orissa voted en bloc for the BJP-BJD coalition as the state waited for a change because the Congress regime led by JB Patnaik was marked by mass corruption and which severely compromised state’s development. Riding an anti-Congress wave, BJP-BJD coalition swept State elections and Naveen became the chief minister.
However, after coming to power, the BJP started doing political piggy-riding and used Patnaik as a surrogate. In a decade long BJP-BJD regime, while the BJD was busy in enhancing its mass base, BJP did not bother to strengthen its grass roots. A sizable number of BJP leaders in Orissa distanced themselves from the organisation.
Ahead of the 2009 elections, when the BJP and BJD split over seat-sharing wrangles, a ‘cadre less’ Orissa BJP was walking on a lost path. The result was on expected lines. The BJD swept the state elections and the BJP bite the dust. Naveen Patnaik was elected as the Chief Minister for the third time in row.
The end of 2009 saw the beginning of bad days for Patnaik and his BJD government. Patnaik’s squeaky clean image took a beating ever since the mining scam broke.
As the Pandora's Box opened, it is learnt about how the Naveen government allowed mineral smugglers to plunder Orissa to the tune of Rs 3 lakh crores, giving birth to the biggest scam in independent India’s history. Then more skeletons tumbled out of the closet.
It was BJD government which illegally allotted as much as 6,000 acre of three-crop agricultural land -- including 1,300 acre belonging to Lord Jagannath Temple -- for the proposed dubious Vedanta university project in Puri-Konark marine drive. Orissa Lokpal indicted the Patnaik government for illegal land allotment. The biggest land grab scam in independent India was waiting to happen in Orissa. Thanks to Orissa High Court, the project was spiked.
Then came the nixing of Vedanta’s proposed bauxite mining project in Niyamgiri following NC Saxena report. The report indicted the BJD government again.
The saga of corruption in Naveen Patnaik government does not end there. Apart from mining scam and the two Vedanta scams, the BJD government is involved in dal scam, coal scam, rural job scam and the list goes on.
Patnaik government is highly unpopular for its mega industry plank. By allowing industries at the cost of livelihood of the people, the BJD government has made industries the beneficiary and the state a looser. Patnaik is being branded as anti-famer, anti-poor and ant-tribal.
Today, Patnaik and his BJD are facing credibility crisis. But, where does the BJP figure in Orissa’s political map? The saffron party is back in a revival mode. Being in opposition it was using the issue of corruption in the state to pin down the BJD. The party was cashing in on the issue to gauge public mood.
Despite that, by choosing to keep mum on the large scale corruption in Orissa, BJP veteran LK Advani appeared to be siding with Naveen. It is now a big challenge for the state BJP to explain people what exactly it is up to.
“With the polls not far away, the dependency is seemingly mutual. This time both the BJP and BJD need each other for their political success. However, while it would be a strategic alliance for the BJD, for BJP it would just be a suicidal move in Orissa,” said senior political commentator Pratap Mohanty.
This is not to dispute that Advani is undoubtedly the tallest leader in BJP’s ranks. But he is not the sole voice of the party. There are number of BJP leaders who are severely critical of his move. So let’s leave the rest to time.
BJP veteran LK Advani’s silence on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik -- who is confronting a volley of corruption charges -- during the Orissa leg of Jan Chetna Yatra has virtually triggered a cadre revolt in state BJP.
While playing the issue of corruption to the public gallery, he spoke extensively on the successive scams -- Cash-for-vote scam, 2G spectrum scam and CWG scam -- under the UPA rule and highlighted its inability to bring back lakhs of crores of black money stashed in tax havens. However, he did not make any direct or indirect reference to the state of affairs in Orissa.
Responding to newspersons’ query about the series of scams during Naveen Patnaik’s regime, Advani said, "Since the yatra is a pan-India campaign, the overall focus should ideally be on the issue of corruption at the Centre. But, so far as the corruption in the states is concerned, we are concerned with the states we rule." He quickly added, “The state leadership would answer them.”
Answering a question on the “possibility” of a BJP-BJD alliance in future, the octogenarian leader said, “It is a speculative question...I am not ruling out anything, though at the moment the relations between the two have become tense."
Advani’s move was meticulously planned, carefully scripted and skilfully calculated. By maintaining a stoic silence on the scam-tainted Patnaik government, the BJP veteran has hurled broad hints for reviving ties with the BJD. This is not to dispute that during the BJP-BJD honeymoon days, Patnaik was Advani’s blue eyed boy and was enjoying a status which none of the other senior Orissa BJP leaders had.
Today, at a time when the BJP leader is apparently projecting himself as a prime ministerial candidate, he sees an opportunity in re-cultivating Patnaik and his BJD.
It’s been a couple of days since Advani made those comments. But the after effect is refusing to die down. The resentment in the state unit is evident. As Ashok Sahu, vice president of Orissa BJP bluntly puts, “It would have been better had Advaniji made comments on the Himalayan corruption of the Naveen Patnaik government”.
Advani’s move has put the state BJP in a tight spot. This has made the task of BJP leaders in Orissa difficult to face both the press and the public ahead of the crucial Panchayat polls. They are unable defend Advani’s political faux pas. I hope they are still busy in answering a circle of questions. The party cadres in Orissa are saddened and demoralised. It is now a challenge for the state leaders to convince irked party cadres. But has Advani gone wrong in wooing Naveen? Can the BJP afford to rejoin hands with the BJD? As a keen observer of Orissa politics, I must search the answers for future in a timeline from the past to the present. Just read on...
Those in knowhow of Orissa’s political history can recall how BJP’s strategist late Pramod Mahajan played a crucial role in the formation of BJD, before stitching its alliance with the saffron party. After Biju Patnaik’s demise in April 1997, a sympathy wave was blowing in the state in favour of the legendry leader. To cash in on that wave, Mahajan met Biju legacy -leaders. Some of them opined to merge the Orissa unit of the Janata Dal with the BJP. But it was Mahajan who proposed to float a party in the name of Biju babu and its alliance with BJP to bring a debacle for the Congress in Orissa, a suggestion the Janata leaders could not but accept. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was formed in December, 1997 and its alliance with the BJP was forged in February 1998.
It is said that all initial formative logistics for BJD were provided by the BJP. Biju babu’s son Naveen Patnaik, who since then was elected as a member of 11th Lok Sabha in a by-election following his father’s demise, emerged as the unanimous consensus to lead the party. Orissa voted en bloc for the BJP-BJD coalition as the state waited for a change because the Congress regime led by JB Patnaik was marked by mass corruption and which severely compromised state’s development. Riding an anti-Congress wave, BJP-BJD coalition swept State elections and Naveen became the chief minister.
However, after coming to power, the BJP started doing political piggy-riding and used Patnaik as a surrogate. In a decade long BJP-BJD regime, while the BJD was busy in enhancing its mass base, BJP did not bother to strengthen its grass roots. A sizable number of BJP leaders in Orissa distanced themselves from the organisation.
Ahead of the 2009 elections, when the BJP and BJD split over seat-sharing wrangles, a ‘cadre less’ Orissa BJP was walking on a lost path. The result was on expected lines. The BJD swept the state elections and the BJP bite the dust. Naveen Patnaik was elected as the Chief Minister for the third time in row.
The end of 2009 saw the beginning of bad days for Patnaik and his BJD government. Patnaik’s squeaky clean image took a beating ever since the mining scam broke.
As the Pandora's Box opened, it is learnt about how the Naveen government allowed mineral smugglers to plunder Orissa to the tune of Rs 3 lakh crores, giving birth to the biggest scam in independent India’s history. Then more skeletons tumbled out of the closet.
It was BJD government which illegally allotted as much as 6,000 acre of three-crop agricultural land -- including 1,300 acre belonging to Lord Jagannath Temple -- for the proposed dubious Vedanta university project in Puri-Konark marine drive. Orissa Lokpal indicted the Patnaik government for illegal land allotment. The biggest land grab scam in independent India was waiting to happen in Orissa. Thanks to Orissa High Court, the project was spiked.
Then came the nixing of Vedanta’s proposed bauxite mining project in Niyamgiri following NC Saxena report. The report indicted the BJD government again.
The saga of corruption in Naveen Patnaik government does not end there. Apart from mining scam and the two Vedanta scams, the BJD government is involved in dal scam, coal scam, rural job scam and the list goes on.
Patnaik government is highly unpopular for its mega industry plank. By allowing industries at the cost of livelihood of the people, the BJD government has made industries the beneficiary and the state a looser. Patnaik is being branded as anti-famer, anti-poor and ant-tribal.
Today, Patnaik and his BJD are facing credibility crisis. But, where does the BJP figure in Orissa’s political map? The saffron party is back in a revival mode. Being in opposition it was using the issue of corruption in the state to pin down the BJD. The party was cashing in on the issue to gauge public mood.
Despite that, by choosing to keep mum on the large scale corruption in Orissa, BJP veteran LK Advani appeared to be siding with Naveen. It is now a big challenge for the state BJP to explain people what exactly it is up to.
“With the polls not far away, the dependency is seemingly mutual. This time both the BJP and BJD need each other for their political success. However, while it would be a strategic alliance for the BJD, for BJP it would just be a suicidal move in Orissa,” said senior political commentator Pratap Mohanty.
This is not to dispute that Advani is undoubtedly the tallest leader in BJP’s ranks. But he is not the sole voice of the party. There are number of BJP leaders who are severely critical of his move. So let’s leave the rest to time.
-- Published in Zeenews.com
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Advani’s yatra and BJP’s dilemma
Saswat Panigrahi
BJP’s octogenarian leader LK Advani, in the evening of his life, has embarked on yet another yatra. In his six decades long political career, this is the sixth yatra for the quintessential yatri.
In 2006, Advani undertook Bharat Surakshya Yatra to highlight the failure of the Congress-led UPA government in combating terrorism. He went on Bharat Udaya Yatra ahead of the 2004 general elections to bring home the message that India was “rising under BJP rule”.
In 1997, Advani launched Swarna Jayanti Rath Yatra to commemorate the golden jubilee of India’s independence. He led Janadesh Yatra in 1993 in a bid to mobilise public opinion against then Narasimha Rao govt’s attempt to ban religion from public life.
In 1990, he spearheaded Ram Rath Yatra in order to pledge support for rebuilding the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
It’s been 21 years. The wheels of Indian politics rolled a long way since then. From a Hindu nationalist force, BJP has transformed itself into a modern right-wing party.
Now, BJP's original charioteer is on a ‘Jan Chetna Yatra’. This yatra is different from the earlier ones. Unlike his previous yatras, its theme song is not graphite with hindutva or cultural nationalism. Surprisingly, the saffron party’s two crucial points of political pilgrimage -- Somnath and Ayodhya -- are missing from the itinerary of the yatra.
Jai Sri Ram is no longer the chant of this yatra. Rather a rock track titled ‘Ab Bas’ (It's enough) is the anthem. Perhaps this was done with the idea to entice today’s youth.
For the starting point of the yatra, BJP had chosen Sitab Diara in Bihar, the birthplace of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan over Kasmad in Gujarat, the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. However, the yatra was finally flagged off from Chhapra, situated at a distance of 20 kilometres from Sitab Diara as floods played spoilsport. A “secular” Nitish Kumar was roped in to kick start the yatra. This despite the fact that the Bihar Chief Minister do not see eye to eye with BJP’s star performer Narendra Modi. There are reasons.
First, the BJP, through this yatra, wants to focus only and only on anti-corruption. And it was more of a metaphor that the yatra against corruption started from the land of JP -- the ultimate icon of India’s anti-corruption movement -- on his birth anniversary October 11. Second, it was in October 1990 at Samastipur in Bihar that Advani was arrested on the orders of then chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav during his Ram Rath Yatra.
It was more symbolic that in October 2011, Chief Minister of the same state flagged up another addition of Advani’s yatra. But, by roping in Nitish Kumar to flag it off, the party has sent a clear message that it is reconciled to a larger NDA platform.
The yatra is undertaken just before the winter session of Parliament. It was launched at a time when a series of macabre scams have hit the nation and crores in black money are stashed in tax havens. Corruption is being used as a sheet anchor for governance. The Congress-led UPA government is facing credibility crisis as its image has taken a beating. The nation is running through political uncertainty.
Jan Chetna Yatra has a clear political goal. It was specially designed for elections. Trough this yatra, the party wants to tap the popular public mood against a corruption-ridden UPA ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2014.
Through this yatra, Advani wants to sensitise the common men about rising corruption in the country under the Congress-led UPA rule. He wants to rejuvenate and energise the party cadres across the country and bring them into the poll mode much ahead of the next general election.
“Good governance and clean politics”, with this catch-line, Advani’s Jan Chetana ‘rath’ is criss-crossing the nation. The BJP patriarch is calling for a change in the system. “Bhrashtachar mitayenge, naya Bharat banayenge (Let’s root out corruption and rebuild a new India), he says.
The saffron party is hopeful that through this yatra, it will reach out to the common man about the need to establish a “transparent” and “accountable” democratic system.
The BJP wants to initiate a debate on political reforms, administrative reforms, electoral reforms and judicial reforms through the show.
This is not to dispute that BJP as the principal opposition party has tried its best to put the government on tight spot. But, the party is worried that the civil society is eating into much of its anti-government space. And through this yatra the saffron party wants to regain that political space.
But the question remains, will the yatra translate into a political magnet for BJP?
Meanwhile, Advani’s yatra has gone onto a bumpy road. On Day-4, BJP leaders in Madhya Pradesh reportedly tried to “bribe” journalists in order to ensure “favourable coverage” of the yatra. And on Day-6, former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa was arrested in connection with land scam.
This reminds me of the famous statement of LK Advani at BJP's Silver Jubilee celebrations in 2005 -- “BJP ka Congressikaran hoa raha hai (Congress culture is creeping up in BJP),” he had said. Even today, the “large hearted” leader is candidly admitting that “small mistakes” are embarrassing the party and asked the partymen to keep the slate clean to fight graft.
The yatra has stirred an animated debate, whether or not Advani is projecting himself as a prime ministerial candidate. What was planned as an anti-corruption movement is now seen as Advani's last throw of the dice as BJP’s prime ministerial face. Through this, Advani is apparently trying to pressurise the party to consider his case.
This is despite the party making it clear that the yatra is not meant for the prime ministerial post. But, Advani’s lurking desire to become the prime minister prompts him of not toeing the party line.
It is a fact that the yatra was announced almost unilaterally by Advani and BJP couldn’t but back it, despite reservations from sections of the party, who saw it as an exercise by the grand old politician to stake claim for prime ministerial candidature once again.
Last month, the BJP veteran called on RSS sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagawat in Nagpur. It was during the meeting that Bhagawat is learnt to have told Advani that the Sangh would back his yatra only after he came clean on his prime ministerial ambitions. Advani assured Bhagawat that he is not in the race for the next general elections.
However, surprisingly during his yatra, the BJP veteran flip-flopped from his previous position by saying he is “not a contender for PM’s post”, but the “final decision would be that of the party” and he sees “no reason to rule it out publically”. Keeping his prime ministerial ambitions afloat further, the BJP veteran said he would decide on it depending on his "health" and "capability" to contribute at the time of next Lok Sabha polls.
By doing so, Advani kept his own party guessing about his plans. As Advani hops from one point to another, the RSS is learnt to be deeply upset.
It was LK Advani, who along with Atal Bihari Vajpayee who built the BJP from the scratch. He is undoubtedly the tallest leader in the ranks and files of the party and has mentored a whole generation of BJP leaders.
But, will the octogenarian leader pave way for a Generation Next leader to lead the party for the next general elections? Or, will the generation next sacrifice for a guru dakshina? In the days to come, 11 Ashoka Road will be busy in answering these two questions. Hope the questions won’t create yet another vicious leadership battle in the saffron party.
There is a fair chance for the BJP to win the next general elections. Hope the saffron party won’t love to lose yet another opportunity.
-- Appeared in my blog ‘Right Way’ in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/blog/66/blog637.html
BJP’s octogenarian leader LK Advani, in the evening of his life, has embarked on yet another yatra. In his six decades long political career, this is the sixth yatra for the quintessential yatri.
In 2006, Advani undertook Bharat Surakshya Yatra to highlight the failure of the Congress-led UPA government in combating terrorism. He went on Bharat Udaya Yatra ahead of the 2004 general elections to bring home the message that India was “rising under BJP rule”.
In 1997, Advani launched Swarna Jayanti Rath Yatra to commemorate the golden jubilee of India’s independence. He led Janadesh Yatra in 1993 in a bid to mobilise public opinion against then Narasimha Rao govt’s attempt to ban religion from public life.
In 1990, he spearheaded Ram Rath Yatra in order to pledge support for rebuilding the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
It’s been 21 years. The wheels of Indian politics rolled a long way since then. From a Hindu nationalist force, BJP has transformed itself into a modern right-wing party.
Now, BJP's original charioteer is on a ‘Jan Chetna Yatra’. This yatra is different from the earlier ones. Unlike his previous yatras, its theme song is not graphite with hindutva or cultural nationalism. Surprisingly, the saffron party’s two crucial points of political pilgrimage -- Somnath and Ayodhya -- are missing from the itinerary of the yatra.
Jai Sri Ram is no longer the chant of this yatra. Rather a rock track titled ‘Ab Bas’ (It's enough) is the anthem. Perhaps this was done with the idea to entice today’s youth.
For the starting point of the yatra, BJP had chosen Sitab Diara in Bihar, the birthplace of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan over Kasmad in Gujarat, the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. However, the yatra was finally flagged off from Chhapra, situated at a distance of 20 kilometres from Sitab Diara as floods played spoilsport. A “secular” Nitish Kumar was roped in to kick start the yatra. This despite the fact that the Bihar Chief Minister do not see eye to eye with BJP’s star performer Narendra Modi. There are reasons.
First, the BJP, through this yatra, wants to focus only and only on anti-corruption. And it was more of a metaphor that the yatra against corruption started from the land of JP -- the ultimate icon of India’s anti-corruption movement -- on his birth anniversary October 11. Second, it was in October 1990 at Samastipur in Bihar that Advani was arrested on the orders of then chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav during his Ram Rath Yatra.
It was more symbolic that in October 2011, Chief Minister of the same state flagged up another addition of Advani’s yatra. But, by roping in Nitish Kumar to flag it off, the party has sent a clear message that it is reconciled to a larger NDA platform.
The yatra is undertaken just before the winter session of Parliament. It was launched at a time when a series of macabre scams have hit the nation and crores in black money are stashed in tax havens. Corruption is being used as a sheet anchor for governance. The Congress-led UPA government is facing credibility crisis as its image has taken a beating. The nation is running through political uncertainty.
Jan Chetna Yatra has a clear political goal. It was specially designed for elections. Trough this yatra, the party wants to tap the popular public mood against a corruption-ridden UPA ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2014.
Through this yatra, Advani wants to sensitise the common men about rising corruption in the country under the Congress-led UPA rule. He wants to rejuvenate and energise the party cadres across the country and bring them into the poll mode much ahead of the next general election.
“Good governance and clean politics”, with this catch-line, Advani’s Jan Chetana ‘rath’ is criss-crossing the nation. The BJP patriarch is calling for a change in the system. “Bhrashtachar mitayenge, naya Bharat banayenge (Let’s root out corruption and rebuild a new India), he says.
The saffron party is hopeful that through this yatra, it will reach out to the common man about the need to establish a “transparent” and “accountable” democratic system.
The BJP wants to initiate a debate on political reforms, administrative reforms, electoral reforms and judicial reforms through the show.
This is not to dispute that BJP as the principal opposition party has tried its best to put the government on tight spot. But, the party is worried that the civil society is eating into much of its anti-government space. And through this yatra the saffron party wants to regain that political space.
But the question remains, will the yatra translate into a political magnet for BJP?
Meanwhile, Advani’s yatra has gone onto a bumpy road. On Day-4, BJP leaders in Madhya Pradesh reportedly tried to “bribe” journalists in order to ensure “favourable coverage” of the yatra. And on Day-6, former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa was arrested in connection with land scam.
This reminds me of the famous statement of LK Advani at BJP's Silver Jubilee celebrations in 2005 -- “BJP ka Congressikaran hoa raha hai (Congress culture is creeping up in BJP),” he had said. Even today, the “large hearted” leader is candidly admitting that “small mistakes” are embarrassing the party and asked the partymen to keep the slate clean to fight graft.
The yatra has stirred an animated debate, whether or not Advani is projecting himself as a prime ministerial candidate. What was planned as an anti-corruption movement is now seen as Advani's last throw of the dice as BJP’s prime ministerial face. Through this, Advani is apparently trying to pressurise the party to consider his case.
This is despite the party making it clear that the yatra is not meant for the prime ministerial post. But, Advani’s lurking desire to become the prime minister prompts him of not toeing the party line.
It is a fact that the yatra was announced almost unilaterally by Advani and BJP couldn’t but back it, despite reservations from sections of the party, who saw it as an exercise by the grand old politician to stake claim for prime ministerial candidature once again.
Last month, the BJP veteran called on RSS sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagawat in Nagpur. It was during the meeting that Bhagawat is learnt to have told Advani that the Sangh would back his yatra only after he came clean on his prime ministerial ambitions. Advani assured Bhagawat that he is not in the race for the next general elections.
However, surprisingly during his yatra, the BJP veteran flip-flopped from his previous position by saying he is “not a contender for PM’s post”, but the “final decision would be that of the party” and he sees “no reason to rule it out publically”. Keeping his prime ministerial ambitions afloat further, the BJP veteran said he would decide on it depending on his "health" and "capability" to contribute at the time of next Lok Sabha polls.
By doing so, Advani kept his own party guessing about his plans. As Advani hops from one point to another, the RSS is learnt to be deeply upset.
It was LK Advani, who along with Atal Bihari Vajpayee who built the BJP from the scratch. He is undoubtedly the tallest leader in the ranks and files of the party and has mentored a whole generation of BJP leaders.
But, will the octogenarian leader pave way for a Generation Next leader to lead the party for the next general elections? Or, will the generation next sacrifice for a guru dakshina? In the days to come, 11 Ashoka Road will be busy in answering these two questions. Hope the questions won’t create yet another vicious leadership battle in the saffron party.
There is a fair chance for the BJP to win the next general elections. Hope the saffron party won’t love to lose yet another opportunity.
-- Appeared in my blog ‘Right Way’ in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/blog/66/blog637.html
Saturday, October 8, 2011
PC’s white dress and UPA’s detergent
Saswat Panigrahi
The 2G spectrum scam is no longer just a DMK affair now. The then telecom minister A Raja had allocated second generation spectrum licenses arbitrarily to fly-by-night applicants in 2008 at 2001 price, by throwing the rule book out of the window. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, now Home Minister, then finance minister, who was supposed to be the “ultimate authority” in spectrum pricing, simply endorsed the policy decision. It was that policy decision which paved the way for the 2G loot.
Now evidence is pouring in to corroborate the very fact. Let me piece together all those evidences and ask the readers to read between the lines.
Raja-PC meeting dated Jan 30, 2008
Just 20 days after the controversial allotment of spectrum by A Raja, an important meeting between the then telecom minister and then finance minister P Chidambaram was held on January 30, 2008.
The minutes of the meeting -- prepared and signed by the then finance secretary and now RBI governor D Subbarao – which surfaced recently, has made some startling revelations.
During the meeting, it was noted that there was a mismatch in the demand and supply of spectrum across circles.
“The finance minister said that for now we are not seeking to revisit the current regimes for entry fee or for revenue share,” the minutes said.
The meeting also discussed the changing of merger and acquisition rules in the telecom sector.
“In view of the large number of new operators, it is expected that some of the companies might have obtained licences as a speculative venture. Hence, some mergers and acquisitions are likely to take place after some time which, de facto, would amount to spectrum trading, as a large part of the company’s valuation may be on account of the spectrum held by them,” the minutes said.
Incidentally, in April 2008, Raja abruptly changed the merger and acquisition norms for facilitating the sale of equity by Swan and Unitech to foreign telecom players Telenor and Etisalat. In turn Swan and Unitech made windfall profits.
Remember, the government had earlier claimed that there were no minutes of January 30, 2008 meeting between Chidambaram and Raja!
"The meeting was not such where the situation warranted preparation of any minutes," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal had said.
This is now not to dispute that the government lied on Raja-Chidambaram meeting. But there are reasons. Government’s crisis manager wanted to protect Chidambaram.
How PC overruled Subarao?
In the run up to the January 15, 2008 event, the then finance secretary D Subbarao had several consultations with Chidambaram in which he strongly disputed the idea to allocate second generation spectrum at a seven years old price. Moreover, Subarao had issued a directive to the Department of Telecom (DoT) to stay the Spectrum allotment. But, his objections were simply brushed aside by the then finance minister to favour Raja’s dubious spectrum allotment.
Subbarao’s recent deposition before the Parliament Accounts Committee (PAC) has brought light to the fact.
PC’s letter to PM dated Januray 15, 2008
Just five days after the dubious allotment of 2G spectrum, finance minister P Chidambaram wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on January 15, 2008, suggesting that the January 10, 2008 events should be treated as a “closed chapter”. The letter was unveiled in the draft report on 2G scam prepared by PAC. The letter further points to Chidambaram’s complicity in the 2G spectrum scam. And the story does not end there.
Fin Min note to PMO dated Mar 25, 2011
A Finance Ministry note, dated March 25, 2011, sent to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) further faulted Chidambaram.
The 11-page note, prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs, under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) -- signed by PGS Rao, deputy director, Infrastructure and Investment division and marked as “seen by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee” -- is a strong indictment of Chidambaram in 2G spectrum scam.
According to the note, the January 2008 spectrum allotment could have been cancelled and Telecom Ministry could have gone for an auction had the then finance minister P Chidambaram insisted on it.
The note obtained by RTI, a copy of which has been submitted to the Supreme Court suggested that Chidambaram and the jailed former telecom minister A Raja had jointly determined the price fixation of the 2G spectrum. The finance ministry under Chidambaram "implicitly agreed to imposition of same entry fee as that prevailing in 2001 for licences allotted up to December 31, 2008", it said.
It is an open secret that the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister P Chidamabaram are political detractors within the Congress rank. The politically volatile note has brought to the fore the rift between the two heavyweights in the UPA cabinet.
The “mysterious note” has ignited yet another political fire on 2G.
Cong says all is well
After a series of hectic political activities in the Congress camp, a ceasefire between the two “warring ministers” has apparently been reached. This, after UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi asked Pranab Mukherjee to “bail out” Chidambaram and douse the 2G fire.
It went as per the 10, Janpath script. Mukherjee and Chidamabaram appeared before the rolling television cameras in North block. They were flanked by Telecom Minister Kipal Sibal and Law Minister Salman Kurshid.
In a carefully-worded statement Mukherjee described the 2G note as “an inter-ministerial background paper” and said “it did not reflect his views”. Reacting to his statement, Chidambaram simply responded, “I am happy with the statement made by my senior colleague. I accept the statement...the matter is closed.”
The event virtually looked like this: “Canned by their political masters Chidambaram and Mukherjee made an unwilling duet to the tune of all is well”.
But, the Congress event managers perhaps have forgotten that it was not an intra-party event to end up with a photo finish neither have the “spin doctors” of the Congress party failed to understand that it was not an ego battle to be settled between two ministers.
Crisis far from over
To cut a long story short, Chidamabram as the finance minister facilitated the 2G loot. He has been exposed out in the open.
“The matter is closed” -- this is the tainted minister’s take on 2G issue. Nothing could be a more awful joke...
But, an ‘honest Prime Minister’ has chosen to stand by Chidamabarm when the opposition knives are out against him. “The opposition is restless to force early polls,” the PM says.
The last but not the least, CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has confirmed that it has been converted to an ancillary syndication of the Congress party by arguing in the Supreme Court, “Chidambaram is being targeted politically.”
All eyes are now on the apex court as it lists its next hearing of the case on October 10. On the D-Day the Supreme Court is expected to take a final call on Chidambaram’s role in 2G scam.
The UPA government is lurching from one crisis to another. Now, an already crippled government is losing its grip over governance. The moot question is, will the government last its full term. Only time will tell.
-- Published in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/pc-s-white-dress-and-upa-s-detergent_735445.html
The 2G spectrum scam is no longer just a DMK affair now. The then telecom minister A Raja had allocated second generation spectrum licenses arbitrarily to fly-by-night applicants in 2008 at 2001 price, by throwing the rule book out of the window. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, now Home Minister, then finance minister, who was supposed to be the “ultimate authority” in spectrum pricing, simply endorsed the policy decision. It was that policy decision which paved the way for the 2G loot.
Now evidence is pouring in to corroborate the very fact. Let me piece together all those evidences and ask the readers to read between the lines.
Raja-PC meeting dated Jan 30, 2008
Just 20 days after the controversial allotment of spectrum by A Raja, an important meeting between the then telecom minister and then finance minister P Chidambaram was held on January 30, 2008.
The minutes of the meeting -- prepared and signed by the then finance secretary and now RBI governor D Subbarao – which surfaced recently, has made some startling revelations.
During the meeting, it was noted that there was a mismatch in the demand and supply of spectrum across circles.
“The finance minister said that for now we are not seeking to revisit the current regimes for entry fee or for revenue share,” the minutes said.
The meeting also discussed the changing of merger and acquisition rules in the telecom sector.
“In view of the large number of new operators, it is expected that some of the companies might have obtained licences as a speculative venture. Hence, some mergers and acquisitions are likely to take place after some time which, de facto, would amount to spectrum trading, as a large part of the company’s valuation may be on account of the spectrum held by them,” the minutes said.
Incidentally, in April 2008, Raja abruptly changed the merger and acquisition norms for facilitating the sale of equity by Swan and Unitech to foreign telecom players Telenor and Etisalat. In turn Swan and Unitech made windfall profits.
Remember, the government had earlier claimed that there were no minutes of January 30, 2008 meeting between Chidambaram and Raja!
"The meeting was not such where the situation warranted preparation of any minutes," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal had said.
This is now not to dispute that the government lied on Raja-Chidambaram meeting. But there are reasons. Government’s crisis manager wanted to protect Chidambaram.
How PC overruled Subarao?
In the run up to the January 15, 2008 event, the then finance secretary D Subbarao had several consultations with Chidambaram in which he strongly disputed the idea to allocate second generation spectrum at a seven years old price. Moreover, Subarao had issued a directive to the Department of Telecom (DoT) to stay the Spectrum allotment. But, his objections were simply brushed aside by the then finance minister to favour Raja’s dubious spectrum allotment.
Subbarao’s recent deposition before the Parliament Accounts Committee (PAC) has brought light to the fact.
PC’s letter to PM dated Januray 15, 2008
Just five days after the dubious allotment of 2G spectrum, finance minister P Chidambaram wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on January 15, 2008, suggesting that the January 10, 2008 events should be treated as a “closed chapter”. The letter was unveiled in the draft report on 2G scam prepared by PAC. The letter further points to Chidambaram’s complicity in the 2G spectrum scam. And the story does not end there.
Fin Min note to PMO dated Mar 25, 2011
A Finance Ministry note, dated March 25, 2011, sent to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) further faulted Chidambaram.
The 11-page note, prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs, under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) -- signed by PGS Rao, deputy director, Infrastructure and Investment division and marked as “seen by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee” -- is a strong indictment of Chidambaram in 2G spectrum scam.
According to the note, the January 2008 spectrum allotment could have been cancelled and Telecom Ministry could have gone for an auction had the then finance minister P Chidambaram insisted on it.
The note obtained by RTI, a copy of which has been submitted to the Supreme Court suggested that Chidambaram and the jailed former telecom minister A Raja had jointly determined the price fixation of the 2G spectrum. The finance ministry under Chidambaram "implicitly agreed to imposition of same entry fee as that prevailing in 2001 for licences allotted up to December 31, 2008", it said.
It is an open secret that the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister P Chidamabaram are political detractors within the Congress rank. The politically volatile note has brought to the fore the rift between the two heavyweights in the UPA cabinet.
The “mysterious note” has ignited yet another political fire on 2G.
Cong says all is well
After a series of hectic political activities in the Congress camp, a ceasefire between the two “warring ministers” has apparently been reached. This, after UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi asked Pranab Mukherjee to “bail out” Chidambaram and douse the 2G fire.
It went as per the 10, Janpath script. Mukherjee and Chidamabaram appeared before the rolling television cameras in North block. They were flanked by Telecom Minister Kipal Sibal and Law Minister Salman Kurshid.
In a carefully-worded statement Mukherjee described the 2G note as “an inter-ministerial background paper” and said “it did not reflect his views”. Reacting to his statement, Chidambaram simply responded, “I am happy with the statement made by my senior colleague. I accept the statement...the matter is closed.”
The event virtually looked like this: “Canned by their political masters Chidambaram and Mukherjee made an unwilling duet to the tune of all is well”.
But, the Congress event managers perhaps have forgotten that it was not an intra-party event to end up with a photo finish neither have the “spin doctors” of the Congress party failed to understand that it was not an ego battle to be settled between two ministers.
Crisis far from over
To cut a long story short, Chidamabram as the finance minister facilitated the 2G loot. He has been exposed out in the open.
“The matter is closed” -- this is the tainted minister’s take on 2G issue. Nothing could be a more awful joke...
But, an ‘honest Prime Minister’ has chosen to stand by Chidamabarm when the opposition knives are out against him. “The opposition is restless to force early polls,” the PM says.
The last but not the least, CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has confirmed that it has been converted to an ancillary syndication of the Congress party by arguing in the Supreme Court, “Chidambaram is being targeted politically.”
All eyes are now on the apex court as it lists its next hearing of the case on October 10. On the D-Day the Supreme Court is expected to take a final call on Chidambaram’s role in 2G scam.
The UPA government is lurching from one crisis to another. Now, an already crippled government is losing its grip over governance. The moot question is, will the government last its full term. Only time will tell.
-- Published in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/pc-s-white-dress-and-upa-s-detergent_735445.html
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Jan Nayak Anna Hazare
Saswat Panigrahi
My father reminiscences how during their university days they thronged to join Jayprakash Narayan’s Sampoorna Kranti movement. Now, my generation can proudly say we are part of Sampoorna Kranti-II launched by Anna Hazare.
There are enough similarities and a few differences between the two mass movements. In both the movements, corruption was the key word.
Lok Nayak Jayprakash called for a sampoorna kranti (total revolution) to unseat an “autocratic” and “corrupt” Congress regime headed by Indira Gandhi. It was through the movement, Jayprakash raised the larger questions of propriety and morality in public life.
Iconic Gandhian Anna Hazare also launched another sampoorna kranti to press for a strong anti-corruption ombudsman at a time when a series of macabre scams -- 2G spectrum scam, CWG scam, CVC appointment scam, Odisha mining scam, Vedanta land grab scams, Adarsh housing society scam, Karnataka mining scam (the list could go on) -- have hit the nation. Unlike the 1970s, corruption is no longer the fiefdom of the Congress party. In this season of scams, corruption is almost a way of life and is often being used as a sheet anchor for governance. That was precisely the reason the soldier-turned anti-corruption crusader made it clear, “The revolution is not against any particular party or a government. It is meant for a change in the system.”
Hazare’s 12-day-long satyagraha to press for a stronger Lokpal Bill has awakened the nation. The movement has rekindled nationalism. Bowing before the mass movement, both the houses of Parliament in their resolution in principle agreed to Hazare’s three key demands, which include bringing lower bureaucracy in the ambit of Lokpal, appointing Lokayuktas in the states and a citizen's charter for government departments.
The nation saw history being once again anchored from the historic Ramlila Maidan. Call it the victory of democracy or victory of peoples’ power; it was for the first time that peoples’ voice got heard in the legislation making process. So, call him Jan Nayak.
In a rare occasion, the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP came together in bringing the Lokpal dispute to a closure at least for the time being. It is a little known fact that Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Shabha Arun Jaitley worked together on the final draft of the Lokpal resolution. And Anna Hazare deserves all credit for this.
The 74-year-old Gandhian opened the cold storage of Indian politics and picked up an issue on which Parliament sat on for four decades. Hardly did anyone think that the issue could now shake Indian politics.
Those aware of the political history of India would know that the idea of Lokpal was floated way back in 1963 by LM Singhvi, an independent member of Lok Sabha. The Lokpal Bill was first introduced in 1968 by the Indira Gandhi government. It was consequently passed in Lok Sabha in 1969. It was in the same year that the ruling Congress split and the bill could not get through in Rajya Sabha.
The bill was subsequently introduced in Parliament nine times between 1971 and 2008, but continually stymied each time. Governments introducing the legislation either failed to complete full term or didn’t return to power. It was last introduced by Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2001. The bill was then put on the backburner by UPA-I regime.
Thanks to Hazare, once again Parliament has woken up to the essence of the Lokpal Bill. Now the bill is in parliamentary Standing Committee’s court. Interestingly, late LM Singhvi’s son senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi is heading the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, which looks into the draft of the bill.
“For 40 years, we could not pass the Lokpal Bill. I accept lapse of our governments”, candidly admitted UPA’s crisis manager Pranab Mukherjee in the floor of the house. But today, the nation wants an answer. Why did it take so long? Who is guilty of the inexplicable delay?
It is now up to the government to follow the legislation making process. The parliamentary Standing Committee should work out the final draft of the Lokpal Bill without any delay, so that it can be tabled in Parliament. But, as the Standing Committee now bats for Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s “game changing” idea to make the Lokpal a constitutional institution, further “procedural delay” is in the offing. It seems the passage of the bill may be a long way ahead.
This is not to dispute that the draft of the Lokpal Bill gives restricted remit to the Lokpal institution. The draft needs to be rewritten in order to widen the ambit of Lokpal. A copy of the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by Team Anna is also with the Standing Committee. Best provisions of the Jan Lokpal should be incorporated in the bill taking a broader national consensus into account.
Hope the new Lokpal Bill will give enough space for the independence of the ombudsman. The bill should talk about a transparent appointment system for Lokpal. The last, but not the least: there is a possibility that the Lokpal could turn corrupt and in that case the bill should have the provisions for recalling the Lokpal.
The government should act and act fast. The Jan Nayak is watching their every move.
-- Published in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/jan-nayak-anna-hazare_729743.html
My father reminiscences how during their university days they thronged to join Jayprakash Narayan’s Sampoorna Kranti movement. Now, my generation can proudly say we are part of Sampoorna Kranti-II launched by Anna Hazare.
There are enough similarities and a few differences between the two mass movements. In both the movements, corruption was the key word.
Lok Nayak Jayprakash called for a sampoorna kranti (total revolution) to unseat an “autocratic” and “corrupt” Congress regime headed by Indira Gandhi. It was through the movement, Jayprakash raised the larger questions of propriety and morality in public life.
Iconic Gandhian Anna Hazare also launched another sampoorna kranti to press for a strong anti-corruption ombudsman at a time when a series of macabre scams -- 2G spectrum scam, CWG scam, CVC appointment scam, Odisha mining scam, Vedanta land grab scams, Adarsh housing society scam, Karnataka mining scam (the list could go on) -- have hit the nation. Unlike the 1970s, corruption is no longer the fiefdom of the Congress party. In this season of scams, corruption is almost a way of life and is often being used as a sheet anchor for governance. That was precisely the reason the soldier-turned anti-corruption crusader made it clear, “The revolution is not against any particular party or a government. It is meant for a change in the system.”
Hazare’s 12-day-long satyagraha to press for a stronger Lokpal Bill has awakened the nation. The movement has rekindled nationalism. Bowing before the mass movement, both the houses of Parliament in their resolution in principle agreed to Hazare’s three key demands, which include bringing lower bureaucracy in the ambit of Lokpal, appointing Lokayuktas in the states and a citizen's charter for government departments.
The nation saw history being once again anchored from the historic Ramlila Maidan. Call it the victory of democracy or victory of peoples’ power; it was for the first time that peoples’ voice got heard in the legislation making process. So, call him Jan Nayak.
In a rare occasion, the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP came together in bringing the Lokpal dispute to a closure at least for the time being. It is a little known fact that Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Shabha Arun Jaitley worked together on the final draft of the Lokpal resolution. And Anna Hazare deserves all credit for this.
The 74-year-old Gandhian opened the cold storage of Indian politics and picked up an issue on which Parliament sat on for four decades. Hardly did anyone think that the issue could now shake Indian politics.
Those aware of the political history of India would know that the idea of Lokpal was floated way back in 1963 by LM Singhvi, an independent member of Lok Sabha. The Lokpal Bill was first introduced in 1968 by the Indira Gandhi government. It was consequently passed in Lok Sabha in 1969. It was in the same year that the ruling Congress split and the bill could not get through in Rajya Sabha.
The bill was subsequently introduced in Parliament nine times between 1971 and 2008, but continually stymied each time. Governments introducing the legislation either failed to complete full term or didn’t return to power. It was last introduced by Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2001. The bill was then put on the backburner by UPA-I regime.
Thanks to Hazare, once again Parliament has woken up to the essence of the Lokpal Bill. Now the bill is in parliamentary Standing Committee’s court. Interestingly, late LM Singhvi’s son senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi is heading the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, which looks into the draft of the bill.
“For 40 years, we could not pass the Lokpal Bill. I accept lapse of our governments”, candidly admitted UPA’s crisis manager Pranab Mukherjee in the floor of the house. But today, the nation wants an answer. Why did it take so long? Who is guilty of the inexplicable delay?
It is now up to the government to follow the legislation making process. The parliamentary Standing Committee should work out the final draft of the Lokpal Bill without any delay, so that it can be tabled in Parliament. But, as the Standing Committee now bats for Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s “game changing” idea to make the Lokpal a constitutional institution, further “procedural delay” is in the offing. It seems the passage of the bill may be a long way ahead.
This is not to dispute that the draft of the Lokpal Bill gives restricted remit to the Lokpal institution. The draft needs to be rewritten in order to widen the ambit of Lokpal. A copy of the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by Team Anna is also with the Standing Committee. Best provisions of the Jan Lokpal should be incorporated in the bill taking a broader national consensus into account.
Hope the new Lokpal Bill will give enough space for the independence of the ombudsman. The bill should talk about a transparent appointment system for Lokpal. The last, but not the least: there is a possibility that the Lokpal could turn corrupt and in that case the bill should have the provisions for recalling the Lokpal.
The government should act and act fast. The Jan Nayak is watching their every move.
-- Published in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/jan-nayak-anna-hazare_729743.html
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
'Karnataka episode had embarrassed the BJP’
Observers say Karnataka is BJP’s raw nerve. It has now been a month since Karnataka got a new Chief Minister ending yet another crisis for the BJP after frantic efforts by party top brass. But trouble in the Karnataka unit of BJP is refusing to die down. Saswat Panigrahi of Zeenews.com caught up with BJP national general secretary and party’s key trouble shooter Dharmendra Pradhan, who micromanages the party affairs in Karnataka.
Saswat: Crisis and Karnataka BJP go hand in hand. Sometime, it is ‘Reddy-made’, sometime it is ‘Bharadwaj-made’ and sometime it is ‘Yeddy-made’. After you became the prabhari, you must be having a tough time in steering the Karnataka unit out of troubles.
Dharmendra: There is no trouble as such. In the recent past, the party has faced certain political developments and tackled those quite effectively. By taking everything into consideration, the party has taken a stand. Now, the new Chief Minister has taken up his task. The party and legislative party, both are behind the new leadership. Things are gradually limping back to normalcy.
The party has made promises to the people of Karnataka. For the last three years, we have been fulfilling those promises and we will continue to fulfil them.
Saswat: Initially there were demands about Yeddyurappa’s removal. The Governor also recommended the same. But with the leaked Lokayukta report, BJP finally replaced him. What actually led to his removal?
Dharmendra: Look…that was our old stand. BJP does not take any political decision based upon somebody’s allegations or statements.
The party has maintained that action would be taken if some judicial authority recommends something on the allegations. Honourable Lokayukta named Yeddyurappaji in his report. Though, we had certain reservations about the report as we believe that some judicial anomalies are there in his report, we respect the judicial report and the party took action upon it.
Saswat: Now Karnataka have got a Yeddy-made Chief Minister. Yeddyurappa has his way. He played hardball and emerged as a leader in his own right. He literally handpicked Sadananda Gowda as his successor.
Dharmendra: This analysis is not true. Undoubtedly, Yeddyurappaji is one among the tallest leaders of the state. Politically, dynamically, Yeddyurappaji is a very popular man.
But, Sadananda Gowdaji was elected by the legislative party unanimously within the democratic process.
Saswat: But why an MP? Why has the party not chosen a legislator as the Chief Minister?
Dharmendra: There is nothing binding that an MP can’t be the leader of the legislative party. There have been precedents in the past. Many times, many states have done this.
Sadananda Gowdaji is an old party worker. He is a very senior leader of my party in Karnataka. It was under him as the state president that BJP rode to power in Karnataka in 2008. He was the deputy leader of opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Since his student days, he was an activist.
Saswat: It is said that BJP top brass pushed Jagdish Settar. Reports say senior party leader Ananth Kumar made a vain bid for Settar. But it could not be proved in the ballot box.
Dharmendra: As far as the legislative party is concerned, it has the full authority to decide its own leader. There may be certain differences in the legislative party while selecting the new leader. But all those are internal matters of the party. I don’t want to spell it out in media. But, at no point did the central leadership push anybody. The legislative party has chosen its leader through a democratic process.
Saswat: After the party failed to reach a consensus, the leader of the legislative party was chosen via a secret ballot. Has it exposed the internecine differences? In other words, is BJP badly divided in Karnataka?
Dharmendra: It goes to BJP’s credit that the party allows individuals to aspire for the higher office. This is in sharp contrast to Congress party, where central leadership takes the call on who will be the Chief Minister. I must say the secret ballot to select the new leader points that democratic values exists in BJP.
Saswat: The fissures in the Karnataka unit of BJP were visible during the ministry formation exercise. It was indeed a tough situation with two warring factions involved in hectic lobbying.
Dharmendra: I don’t think so. Ministry formation takes some time. The first phase went smoothly. The second phase will take place shortly. Cabinet expansion is a natural process. It has to take its due time considering certain political-driven matters of the state.
Saswat: The ministry expansion thankfully dropped the controversial mining czar Reddy brothers. Though late, the party has finally acted against them.
Since long, allegations were pouring on them being involved in illegal mining. But what was hindering the party -- which raises strong voice against corruption -- to get rid of Reddy brothers?
Dharmendra: There is no point getting rid of anybody. Politics can’t run through allegations and perceptions. It has to be supported and backed by documents. As I told you earlier, the party has all along maintained that if the allegations are backed by at least certain perceived evidences, the party can think about it. Honourable Lokayukta in his report on illegal mining named Reddy brothers. As per the reported findings of the judicial authority the party has acted upon it politically.
Saswat: Now Jagdish Settar bats for Reddy brothers to include them in the cabinet. He is quoted as saying that Reddy brothers must be included into the ministry as they have strived hard to build BJP in Karnataka?
Dharmendra: I am not aware of any such report. If at all there are, it is not a right interpretation. Who will be in the ministry and who will not be in the ministry is the prerogative of the Chief Minister.
Saswat: The Lokayukta report has put the Karnataka mining scam to the tune of Rs 16, 085 crore. For the first time a Lokayukta report has indicted a ruling BJP CM. To be honest, has the first BJP government in the south dented the saffron party’s image?
Dharmendra: Yes, this is certainly an embarrassment for the party. But the party has taken a political stand at the right time. I think we will overcome the crisis soon as we go back to serve the people of Karnataka.
Saswat: Taking a leaf from the Lokayukta report, Governor H R Bharadwaj says his stand has been vindicated. He has sanctioned prosecution actions against Yedurappa.
Dharmendra: Certain legal procedures are going on. Let it come out. The Governor is authorised to do so. But, that does not mean that his old sins can be justified.
I must remind you that his Excellency Governor HR Bharadwaj has a long history of running an agenda. Ever since he assumed Raj Bhawan in Bangalore, he has been working as an agent of Congress party.
In January this year he sanctioned prosecution of Yedurappa in an alleged land scam even before any preliminary enquiry. It was purely based on observation.
On two different occasions, the Honourable Governor recommended the Centre to impose President’s rule, despite our government successfully scrapped through trust vote. And finally Congress-led central government could not but reject the recommendations.
Saswat: Is Yeddyurappa turning into a liability for BJP?
Dharmendra: No, not at all. Yeddyurappa is a matured leader. Certain cases are there. Certain issues are there. But he will remain an asset for the party.
Saswat: Will BJP be able to wriggle out of the problems in Karnataka?
Dharmendra: I don’t think there is any problem. Certain issues have been raised. Simultaneously, the party had to take certain decisions. There are certain differences of opinions too, but when it comes to politically facing and carrying out our responsibility, the party is united.
The party has always overcome hurdles. I am sure, in the future also, the party and the new leadership of Karnataka will overcome all the difficult situations that might arise.
Saswat: What will be the road ahead for BJP in Karnataka?
Dharmendra: Our primary responsibility is to fulfil our promises and commitments to the people of Karnataka in the next two years. Our focus is to complete all development programs as per the target; we remain committed to the promises that were made during the previous regime. Initiating new development programs are BJP’s immediate priorities in Karnataka.
The new Chief Minister has made it clear that the government will run on the two point agendas of development and good governance.
We will continue to serve the state, thereby will be connected with the people. If we are successful in striking a chord with the people of Karnataka, we can definitely ask for the 2013 mandate in favour of the party. That is our political target.
-- Published in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/karnataka-episode-had-embarrassed-the-bjp_727834.html
Saswat: Crisis and Karnataka BJP go hand in hand. Sometime, it is ‘Reddy-made’, sometime it is ‘Bharadwaj-made’ and sometime it is ‘Yeddy-made’. After you became the prabhari, you must be having a tough time in steering the Karnataka unit out of troubles.
Dharmendra: There is no trouble as such. In the recent past, the party has faced certain political developments and tackled those quite effectively. By taking everything into consideration, the party has taken a stand. Now, the new Chief Minister has taken up his task. The party and legislative party, both are behind the new leadership. Things are gradually limping back to normalcy.
The party has made promises to the people of Karnataka. For the last three years, we have been fulfilling those promises and we will continue to fulfil them.
Saswat: Initially there were demands about Yeddyurappa’s removal. The Governor also recommended the same. But with the leaked Lokayukta report, BJP finally replaced him. What actually led to his removal?
Dharmendra: Look…that was our old stand. BJP does not take any political decision based upon somebody’s allegations or statements.
The party has maintained that action would be taken if some judicial authority recommends something on the allegations. Honourable Lokayukta named Yeddyurappaji in his report. Though, we had certain reservations about the report as we believe that some judicial anomalies are there in his report, we respect the judicial report and the party took action upon it.
Saswat: Now Karnataka have got a Yeddy-made Chief Minister. Yeddyurappa has his way. He played hardball and emerged as a leader in his own right. He literally handpicked Sadananda Gowda as his successor.
Dharmendra: This analysis is not true. Undoubtedly, Yeddyurappaji is one among the tallest leaders of the state. Politically, dynamically, Yeddyurappaji is a very popular man.
But, Sadananda Gowdaji was elected by the legislative party unanimously within the democratic process.
Saswat: But why an MP? Why has the party not chosen a legislator as the Chief Minister?
Dharmendra: There is nothing binding that an MP can’t be the leader of the legislative party. There have been precedents in the past. Many times, many states have done this.
Sadananda Gowdaji is an old party worker. He is a very senior leader of my party in Karnataka. It was under him as the state president that BJP rode to power in Karnataka in 2008. He was the deputy leader of opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Since his student days, he was an activist.
Saswat: It is said that BJP top brass pushed Jagdish Settar. Reports say senior party leader Ananth Kumar made a vain bid for Settar. But it could not be proved in the ballot box.
Dharmendra: As far as the legislative party is concerned, it has the full authority to decide its own leader. There may be certain differences in the legislative party while selecting the new leader. But all those are internal matters of the party. I don’t want to spell it out in media. But, at no point did the central leadership push anybody. The legislative party has chosen its leader through a democratic process.
Saswat: After the party failed to reach a consensus, the leader of the legislative party was chosen via a secret ballot. Has it exposed the internecine differences? In other words, is BJP badly divided in Karnataka?
Dharmendra: It goes to BJP’s credit that the party allows individuals to aspire for the higher office. This is in sharp contrast to Congress party, where central leadership takes the call on who will be the Chief Minister. I must say the secret ballot to select the new leader points that democratic values exists in BJP.
Saswat: The fissures in the Karnataka unit of BJP were visible during the ministry formation exercise. It was indeed a tough situation with two warring factions involved in hectic lobbying.
Dharmendra: I don’t think so. Ministry formation takes some time. The first phase went smoothly. The second phase will take place shortly. Cabinet expansion is a natural process. It has to take its due time considering certain political-driven matters of the state.
Saswat: The ministry expansion thankfully dropped the controversial mining czar Reddy brothers. Though late, the party has finally acted against them.
Since long, allegations were pouring on them being involved in illegal mining. But what was hindering the party -- which raises strong voice against corruption -- to get rid of Reddy brothers?
Dharmendra: There is no point getting rid of anybody. Politics can’t run through allegations and perceptions. It has to be supported and backed by documents. As I told you earlier, the party has all along maintained that if the allegations are backed by at least certain perceived evidences, the party can think about it. Honourable Lokayukta in his report on illegal mining named Reddy brothers. As per the reported findings of the judicial authority the party has acted upon it politically.
Saswat: Now Jagdish Settar bats for Reddy brothers to include them in the cabinet. He is quoted as saying that Reddy brothers must be included into the ministry as they have strived hard to build BJP in Karnataka?
Dharmendra: I am not aware of any such report. If at all there are, it is not a right interpretation. Who will be in the ministry and who will not be in the ministry is the prerogative of the Chief Minister.
Saswat: The Lokayukta report has put the Karnataka mining scam to the tune of Rs 16, 085 crore. For the first time a Lokayukta report has indicted a ruling BJP CM. To be honest, has the first BJP government in the south dented the saffron party’s image?
Dharmendra: Yes, this is certainly an embarrassment for the party. But the party has taken a political stand at the right time. I think we will overcome the crisis soon as we go back to serve the people of Karnataka.
Saswat: Taking a leaf from the Lokayukta report, Governor H R Bharadwaj says his stand has been vindicated. He has sanctioned prosecution actions against Yedurappa.
Dharmendra: Certain legal procedures are going on. Let it come out. The Governor is authorised to do so. But, that does not mean that his old sins can be justified.
I must remind you that his Excellency Governor HR Bharadwaj has a long history of running an agenda. Ever since he assumed Raj Bhawan in Bangalore, he has been working as an agent of Congress party.
In January this year he sanctioned prosecution of Yedurappa in an alleged land scam even before any preliminary enquiry. It was purely based on observation.
On two different occasions, the Honourable Governor recommended the Centre to impose President’s rule, despite our government successfully scrapped through trust vote. And finally Congress-led central government could not but reject the recommendations.
Saswat: Is Yeddyurappa turning into a liability for BJP?
Dharmendra: No, not at all. Yeddyurappa is a matured leader. Certain cases are there. Certain issues are there. But he will remain an asset for the party.
Saswat: Will BJP be able to wriggle out of the problems in Karnataka?
Dharmendra: I don’t think there is any problem. Certain issues have been raised. Simultaneously, the party had to take certain decisions. There are certain differences of opinions too, but when it comes to politically facing and carrying out our responsibility, the party is united.
The party has always overcome hurdles. I am sure, in the future also, the party and the new leadership of Karnataka will overcome all the difficult situations that might arise.
Saswat: What will be the road ahead for BJP in Karnataka?
Dharmendra: Our primary responsibility is to fulfil our promises and commitments to the people of Karnataka in the next two years. Our focus is to complete all development programs as per the target; we remain committed to the promises that were made during the previous regime. Initiating new development programs are BJP’s immediate priorities in Karnataka.
The new Chief Minister has made it clear that the government will run on the two point agendas of development and good governance.
We will continue to serve the state, thereby will be connected with the people. If we are successful in striking a chord with the people of Karnataka, we can definitely ask for the 2013 mandate in favour of the party. That is our political target.
-- Published in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/karnataka-episode-had-embarrassed-the-bjp_727834.html
Monday, July 25, 2011
Commemorating Kargil victory
Saswat Panigrahi
The nation on Tuesday is celebrating the 12th anniversary of Kargil victory. Twelve years ago, on this day, Indian defence forces successfully recaptured the Indian positions lost to Pakistani intruders.
The Kargil war was India’s fourth direct armed conflict with Pakistan and the second after the two countries developed nuclear weapons. The war is the most recent example of high altitude warfare atop mountainous terrain.
In February 1999, then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee journeyed by bus to Lahore at an invitation by his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and signed the Lahore Declaration, promising to provide a peaceful and bilateral solution to the Kashmir conflict.
However, by that time Pakistan had already initiated infiltration into the Indian territory across the Line of Control (LoC).
The blueprint of the infiltration was designed by General Pervez Musharraf, soon after he took over as the chief of Army staff of Pakistan in October 1998, during the height of Islamophobia in Pakistani Army. It is said that much of the background planning, including construction of logistical supply routes for the intrusion had been undertaken much earlier.
Code named ‘Operation Badr’, the Pakistani infiltration aimed at isolating Ladakh from the Kashmir Valley and thereby occupying Siachen Glacier.
In the peak of the winter, there was a common practice for both the Indian and Pakistani Armies to abandon troops on their respective sides of the LOC, when the minimum temperature in the Himalayan range often dips to as low as -48° C. This was a part of the Simla Agreement, 1971 in which the decision to abandon troops of both countries -- during extreme climatic conditions -- was made under humanitarian grounds. But, Pakistan used the extreme climatic conditions as an advantage for intrusion. Pakistani troops and terrorists sneaked into Indian territory across 160 km of the LoC in Kargil Sector.
The Pakistani infiltrators were numbered as approximately 5,000. Apart from being equipped with guns and grenade launchers, they were armed with sophisticated ammunitions like mortars, artillery and anti-aircraft guns.
Soon after Indian Army detected the infiltration, Atal Bihari Vajpayee government immediately upped the ante by launching Operation Vijay. Vajpayee asked the defence forces to reclaim every inch of the territory from Pakistani intruders.
‘‘I have confidence in the ability of our armed forces. The armed forces shall accomplish this task and ensure that no one dares to indulge in this kind of misadventure in future”, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said addressing the nation on June 7, 1999.
The Kargil war was fought on steep mountain ridges at the commanding heights of over 16,000 feet and at temperatures as low as -15 °C.
A sum total of 30,000 soldiers, consisting of 20,000 from Indian Army, 10,000 from both Indian Air Force and Paramilitary forces of India were deployed in the conflict zone. The Indian Air Force launched Operation ‘Safed Sagar’ to bombard enemy posts and to support mobilisation of Indian Army. IAF MiG-21s were used extensively during the Kargil war. IAF Mirage 2000Hs also carried out strike missions. The Indian Navy also prepared to blockade the Pakistani ports to cut off supply routes.
Yes it was a war, but India only fought it in its territory. It did not cross the Line of Control to strike back at Pakistan. By doing so, India won a diplomatic war with the international community.
As the war intensified, Vajpayee strongly indicated that India's patience was wearing thin and wanted the US and the world to come down sternly on Pakistan.
Failing to cope with the strong military reaction from India, a desperate Sharif made a panic dash to Washington to call on then American president Bill Clinton.
But, when the two leaders met on July 04, 1999, America literally turned its back on Pakistan. A miffed Clinton asked Sharif to pull out all Pakistani troops from the Indian side of the Line of Control with immediate effect. The Pakistani leader could not but leave Washington promising to restore the “sanctity of the LoC” in accordance with the 1972 Simla Agreement with India.
By that time 80 per cent of the intruded area, including most vital points were back under Indian control. Despite being checkmated by US, Pakistan remained defiant not to pull out troops from the remaining area on Indian side of LOC.
Pakistani intruders were evicted from their last occupied post in Kargil on July 26. The day is being marked as Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day).
By successfully recapturing the ridges from the Pakistani encroachers, India’s defence forces demonstrated exemplary courage and bravery.
India won the war, but during the battle 527 soldiers achieved martyrdom. On this day, let’s remember the sacrifices of the war heroes. Let' salute the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives to save our motherland.
Vande Mataram!
-- Published in Zeenews
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/commemorating-kargil-victory_722088.html
The nation on Tuesday is celebrating the 12th anniversary of Kargil victory. Twelve years ago, on this day, Indian defence forces successfully recaptured the Indian positions lost to Pakistani intruders.
The Kargil war was India’s fourth direct armed conflict with Pakistan and the second after the two countries developed nuclear weapons. The war is the most recent example of high altitude warfare atop mountainous terrain.
In February 1999, then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee journeyed by bus to Lahore at an invitation by his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and signed the Lahore Declaration, promising to provide a peaceful and bilateral solution to the Kashmir conflict.
However, by that time Pakistan had already initiated infiltration into the Indian territory across the Line of Control (LoC).
The blueprint of the infiltration was designed by General Pervez Musharraf, soon after he took over as the chief of Army staff of Pakistan in October 1998, during the height of Islamophobia in Pakistani Army. It is said that much of the background planning, including construction of logistical supply routes for the intrusion had been undertaken much earlier.
Code named ‘Operation Badr’, the Pakistani infiltration aimed at isolating Ladakh from the Kashmir Valley and thereby occupying Siachen Glacier.
In the peak of the winter, there was a common practice for both the Indian and Pakistani Armies to abandon troops on their respective sides of the LOC, when the minimum temperature in the Himalayan range often dips to as low as -48° C. This was a part of the Simla Agreement, 1971 in which the decision to abandon troops of both countries -- during extreme climatic conditions -- was made under humanitarian grounds. But, Pakistan used the extreme climatic conditions as an advantage for intrusion. Pakistani troops and terrorists sneaked into Indian territory across 160 km of the LoC in Kargil Sector.
The Pakistani infiltrators were numbered as approximately 5,000. Apart from being equipped with guns and grenade launchers, they were armed with sophisticated ammunitions like mortars, artillery and anti-aircraft guns.
Soon after Indian Army detected the infiltration, Atal Bihari Vajpayee government immediately upped the ante by launching Operation Vijay. Vajpayee asked the defence forces to reclaim every inch of the territory from Pakistani intruders.
‘‘I have confidence in the ability of our armed forces. The armed forces shall accomplish this task and ensure that no one dares to indulge in this kind of misadventure in future”, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said addressing the nation on June 7, 1999.
The Kargil war was fought on steep mountain ridges at the commanding heights of over 16,000 feet and at temperatures as low as -15 °C.
A sum total of 30,000 soldiers, consisting of 20,000 from Indian Army, 10,000 from both Indian Air Force and Paramilitary forces of India were deployed in the conflict zone. The Indian Air Force launched Operation ‘Safed Sagar’ to bombard enemy posts and to support mobilisation of Indian Army. IAF MiG-21s were used extensively during the Kargil war. IAF Mirage 2000Hs also carried out strike missions. The Indian Navy also prepared to blockade the Pakistani ports to cut off supply routes.
Yes it was a war, but India only fought it in its territory. It did not cross the Line of Control to strike back at Pakistan. By doing so, India won a diplomatic war with the international community.
As the war intensified, Vajpayee strongly indicated that India's patience was wearing thin and wanted the US and the world to come down sternly on Pakistan.
Failing to cope with the strong military reaction from India, a desperate Sharif made a panic dash to Washington to call on then American president Bill Clinton.
But, when the two leaders met on July 04, 1999, America literally turned its back on Pakistan. A miffed Clinton asked Sharif to pull out all Pakistani troops from the Indian side of the Line of Control with immediate effect. The Pakistani leader could not but leave Washington promising to restore the “sanctity of the LoC” in accordance with the 1972 Simla Agreement with India.
By that time 80 per cent of the intruded area, including most vital points were back under Indian control. Despite being checkmated by US, Pakistan remained defiant not to pull out troops from the remaining area on Indian side of LOC.
Pakistani intruders were evicted from their last occupied post in Kargil on July 26. The day is being marked as Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day).
By successfully recapturing the ridges from the Pakistani encroachers, India’s defence forces demonstrated exemplary courage and bravery.
India won the war, but during the battle 527 soldiers achieved martyrdom. On this day, let’s remember the sacrifices of the war heroes. Let' salute the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives to save our motherland.
Vande Mataram!
-- Published in Zeenews
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/commemorating-kargil-victory_722088.html
Sunday, July 17, 2011
More heads should roll
Saswat Panigrahi
The 2G scam has claimed another Union Minister. Textile minister Dayanidhi Maran who worked as the telecom minister during the UPA-I had no other choice but to resign after he was implicated in the 2G spectrum scandal.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in its status report submitted in the Supreme Court said a prima face case existed against Maran for “forcing” the then Aircel chief, C Sivasankaran to sell his stakes in Aircel to a Malaysia based firm Maxis Communications during his tenure as the telecom minister.
It is learnt that Maxis was favoured with 2G spectrum by Maran. In return, the Malaysian company invested to the tune of Rs 700 crore in Sun Network, owned by Maran’s family.
Maran’s story of abusing ministerial powers does not end here. According to a CBI report, Maran diverted 323 dedicated BSNL lines to his home in Chennai and routed them to Sun TV headquarters. This caused the state run BSNL an estimated loss of around Rs 440 crore.
In addition, Maran has been accused of demanding 33.33% shares from the Tata-Rupert Murdoch DTH project (Tata Sky) for the Sun Network.
Dayanidhi Maran is the second union minister to resign over 2G spectrum scam. He is the third DMK MP implicated in the 2G scam.
The 2G spectrum allocation scam was a result of the decision by UPA government to allocate second generation spectrum licenses far below the market price to ineligible applicants by throwing the rule book out of the windows.
It was Dayanidhi Maran, who set the tone for the 2G scam as the telecom minister during UPA-I, much before the “first-come-first-serve” spectrum allocation formula announced by his successor A Raja during UPA-II. That formula was used as a tool to officially allot illegal spectrum licences. The result: a revenue loss to the national exchequer to the tune of a staggering Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
Former telecom minister A Raja, who has been named as accused in 2G spectrum scam is presently spending his time in Tihar Jail.
Kanimozhi, daughter of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi – has been indicted for having taken bribe of Rs 200 crore from Shahid Balwa's DB Realty. Investigations reveal that the bribe amount was routed to Kalaignar TV, in which the DMK MP holds a 20 per cent stake. Both Kanimozhi and Balwa, named as co-accused in 2G spectrum scam are presently lodged in Tihar.
As things stand now, Karunanidhi’s English speaking grand nephew could very soon end up providing company to his party colleague A Raja, his aunt Kanimozhi and Shahid Balwa.
The story does not end here. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram’s role in the illegal allocation of spectrum licences has come under scanner during the ongoing JPC probe into the 2G scam.
If the allegations are to be believed, then 2G scam is no longer just a DMK affair. Figures are pointing at Chidambaram for allegedly giving Raja a free hand to illegally allocate 2G licences during his tenure as a finance minister.
It was Raja who went with allocating 2G spectrum licences arbitrarily to ineligible applicants in 2008 at 2001 price.
Chidambaram, as the finance minister did nothing to stem the rot, rather he allegedly endorsed a faulty policy.
This was despite strong objections even from the Finance Ministry. Reports state, then finance secretary D Subarao wrote to the Department of telecom to stop spectrum allotment on old price.
It is learnt that Chidambaram held two meetings with Raja to discuss the spectrum pricing issues prior to and after the allotment of the spectrum. The records of the official meetings between the two ministers were maintained. But, surprisingly there are no recorded minutes of the meetings.
The disclosers’ point to Chidambaram’s alleged complicity in the 2G spectrum scam.
But, Congress remains defiant on the issue. UPA trouble-shooter and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee defended Chidambaram by saying, “Every day some minister comes and it is not possible to keep their record of the meeting or the minutes of the meeting because there is no need.”
It is not only Chidambaram but another senior Congress leader allegedly is involved in 2G scam. Telecom minister Kapil Sibal, popular for his bizarre “Zero loss” theory has been accused of giving a penalty waiver to Reliance Communications. Sibal allegedly cut down an imposed penalty against Reliance Communications from Rs 50 crore to Rs 5 crore.
The UPA Government’s reaction on the issue has been knee-jerk. It is underplaying the misdeeds done under its regime. Rather, it has shifted the blame to the previous NDA government. UPA says allocation of spectrum was made in accordance with the National Telecom Policy 1999, introduced during the BJP-led NDA government.
The JPC, probing the 2G scam is also presently looking into the financial implications of the spectrum allocation during the NDA rule. The Department of Telecom (DoT) tentatively pegged the loss due to the migration package offered to cellular operators during the NDA rule at Rs. 43,523 crore.
There is a lot more to this scam than meets the eye. Both Chidambaram and Sibal are facing allegations of serious wrong doings. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could have removed both the tainted ministers when he shook up the Cabinet’s midriff. But the portfolios of both the ministers remain untouched as PM has chosen to stand by Chidambaram and Sibal. This outlines UPA government’s willingness to fight against corruption. The nation wants an answer from the ‘honest’ PM.
-- Appeared in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/zee-exclusive/more-heads-should-roll_720123.html
The 2G scam has claimed another Union Minister. Textile minister Dayanidhi Maran who worked as the telecom minister during the UPA-I had no other choice but to resign after he was implicated in the 2G spectrum scandal.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in its status report submitted in the Supreme Court said a prima face case existed against Maran for “forcing” the then Aircel chief, C Sivasankaran to sell his stakes in Aircel to a Malaysia based firm Maxis Communications during his tenure as the telecom minister.
It is learnt that Maxis was favoured with 2G spectrum by Maran. In return, the Malaysian company invested to the tune of Rs 700 crore in Sun Network, owned by Maran’s family.
Maran’s story of abusing ministerial powers does not end here. According to a CBI report, Maran diverted 323 dedicated BSNL lines to his home in Chennai and routed them to Sun TV headquarters. This caused the state run BSNL an estimated loss of around Rs 440 crore.
In addition, Maran has been accused of demanding 33.33% shares from the Tata-Rupert Murdoch DTH project (Tata Sky) for the Sun Network.
Dayanidhi Maran is the second union minister to resign over 2G spectrum scam. He is the third DMK MP implicated in the 2G scam.
The 2G spectrum allocation scam was a result of the decision by UPA government to allocate second generation spectrum licenses far below the market price to ineligible applicants by throwing the rule book out of the windows.
It was Dayanidhi Maran, who set the tone for the 2G scam as the telecom minister during UPA-I, much before the “first-come-first-serve” spectrum allocation formula announced by his successor A Raja during UPA-II. That formula was used as a tool to officially allot illegal spectrum licences. The result: a revenue loss to the national exchequer to the tune of a staggering Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
Former telecom minister A Raja, who has been named as accused in 2G spectrum scam is presently spending his time in Tihar Jail.
Kanimozhi, daughter of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi – has been indicted for having taken bribe of Rs 200 crore from Shahid Balwa's DB Realty. Investigations reveal that the bribe amount was routed to Kalaignar TV, in which the DMK MP holds a 20 per cent stake. Both Kanimozhi and Balwa, named as co-accused in 2G spectrum scam are presently lodged in Tihar.
As things stand now, Karunanidhi’s English speaking grand nephew could very soon end up providing company to his party colleague A Raja, his aunt Kanimozhi and Shahid Balwa.
The story does not end here. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram’s role in the illegal allocation of spectrum licences has come under scanner during the ongoing JPC probe into the 2G scam.
If the allegations are to be believed, then 2G scam is no longer just a DMK affair. Figures are pointing at Chidambaram for allegedly giving Raja a free hand to illegally allocate 2G licences during his tenure as a finance minister.
It was Raja who went with allocating 2G spectrum licences arbitrarily to ineligible applicants in 2008 at 2001 price.
Chidambaram, as the finance minister did nothing to stem the rot, rather he allegedly endorsed a faulty policy.
This was despite strong objections even from the Finance Ministry. Reports state, then finance secretary D Subarao wrote to the Department of telecom to stop spectrum allotment on old price.
It is learnt that Chidambaram held two meetings with Raja to discuss the spectrum pricing issues prior to and after the allotment of the spectrum. The records of the official meetings between the two ministers were maintained. But, surprisingly there are no recorded minutes of the meetings.
The disclosers’ point to Chidambaram’s alleged complicity in the 2G spectrum scam.
But, Congress remains defiant on the issue. UPA trouble-shooter and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee defended Chidambaram by saying, “Every day some minister comes and it is not possible to keep their record of the meeting or the minutes of the meeting because there is no need.”
It is not only Chidambaram but another senior Congress leader allegedly is involved in 2G scam. Telecom minister Kapil Sibal, popular for his bizarre “Zero loss” theory has been accused of giving a penalty waiver to Reliance Communications. Sibal allegedly cut down an imposed penalty against Reliance Communications from Rs 50 crore to Rs 5 crore.
The UPA Government’s reaction on the issue has been knee-jerk. It is underplaying the misdeeds done under its regime. Rather, it has shifted the blame to the previous NDA government. UPA says allocation of spectrum was made in accordance with the National Telecom Policy 1999, introduced during the BJP-led NDA government.
The JPC, probing the 2G scam is also presently looking into the financial implications of the spectrum allocation during the NDA rule. The Department of Telecom (DoT) tentatively pegged the loss due to the migration package offered to cellular operators during the NDA rule at Rs. 43,523 crore.
There is a lot more to this scam than meets the eye. Both Chidambaram and Sibal are facing allegations of serious wrong doings. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could have removed both the tainted ministers when he shook up the Cabinet’s midriff. But the portfolios of both the ministers remain untouched as PM has chosen to stand by Chidambaram and Sibal. This outlines UPA government’s willingness to fight against corruption. The nation wants an answer from the ‘honest’ PM.
-- Appeared in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/zee-exclusive/more-heads-should-roll_720123.html
Sunday, June 19, 2011
For UPA, there is nothing to be proud of
Saswat Panigrahi
The UPA government is living in an illusion. It is reading a wrong script and shouting out the headline, “Govt wins as Baba’s fast fizzles out”. It’s been a couple of days since iconic yoga guru Baba Ramdev ended his anti-graft fast at his Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar after being driven out of Ramlila Maidan. The UPA government has declared Ramdev a persona non grata. But the aftermath of the Ramdev episode is refusing to die down. It continues to raise political temperatures. Has Baba Ramdev’s satygraha put the government in a tight spot? Here is the answer.
Ramdev’s satygraha against the twin issues of corruption and black money has laid bare corrupt governance and fueled a justified anger.
The issues the yoga guru raised by his movement are timely and pertinent. He demands India’s money illicitly stashed in tax havens abroad be declared as a national asset. He wants the government to promulgate an ordinance followed by a bill to bring black money back. Julian Paul Assange, editor of the whistle blower website Wikileaks, says India is the main source of black money. While experts are still working out the final figure, a conservative estimate pegs India’s black money stashed overseas at Rs 400 lakh crore. The Supreme Court says it is a pure and simple theft of the national money.
Black money has a cascading impact on India’s economy. It is directly responsible for the persistent rise in prices of essential commodities. But the UPA government has shown no effective, meaningful or visible action to bring back black money stashed in tax havens.
Apart from black money, Baba Ramdev has raised a few other pertinent issues. He asks the government to ban the currency notes of Rs 1,000 and 500 denominations, as he feels that the notes are easy medium for the black money hoarders inside the country to store and circulate. Ramdev, a strong votary of an effective Lokpal Bill, seeks setting up fast-track courts to ensure speedy trial in graft cases. In addition, he demands the passage of a new Public Services Guarantee Act to curb corruption.
It was obvious. The government did not want a repetition of situation created by the Anna Hazare stir in April. Remember, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went the extra mile to persuade Ramdev by writing a letter, dated May 31, appealing him not to go on fast.
June 1: In further overdrive, a delegation of four senior Union Ministers -- Pranab Mukherjee, Kapil Sibal , Pawan Kumar Bansal and Subodh Kant Sahay along with the Cabinet Secretary -- met Baba Ramdev at the VIP lounge of Delhi airport upon his arrival in the city. Ramdev and the government emissaries discussed his series of demands for two and half hours.
June 3: Sibal and Sahay again met Ramdev at Delhi’s Claridges Hotel and discussed his demands for four hours. But the government despite all its persuasive might failed to cut the ice with the yoga guru. Baba Ramdev went ahead with his proposed fast on the scheduled date of June 4.
Compared to an estimated 5,000 people at the peak of Anna Hazare’s fast at Jantar Mantar, Baba Ramdev began his fast at Ramlila Maidan in the presence of 50,000 people. There were reports that around two lakh people were likely to converge at the fast venue on the next day. Contrary to Anna’s audience who were largely metropolitan literati, Ramdev managed to mobilise people from all across the country including a large chunk from the rural areas. Looking at the huge response to Baba Ramdev’s fast, the government could not take the risk of any further damage to its image.
The government’s “crisis managers” scripted an “innovative” way to tackle the situation. Armed with the government order, a heavy contingent of Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force -- led by a “faithful” Police Commissioner -- cracked down on the peaceful protesters at Ramlila Maidan in the wee hours of that fateful night. In a show of sheer brutality, waking up protesters from their sleep, the police lathicharged and fired scores of teargas shells at them. The protesters which included senior citizens, women and children were mercilessly beaten up.
“If the government can reach out, it can also rein in.” Remember, senior Union Minister Kapil Sibal said hinting at the midnight swoop before it took place? Perhaps this is the way the Congress party and the UPA government thinks democracy works! This is reminiscent of the Emergency days when civil liberties were suspended. The Congress party just replayed the Emergency once again.
History will not forgive the government for the political sin it has committed. By muzzling the voices against corruption, the Congress-led UPA has brought home its “political will” to fight corruption and to bring back black money stashed in tax havens.
A stoic government then went on to justify the violent midnight swoop on the peaceful protesters. "It is unfortunate that operation had to be conducted, but quite honestly there was no alternative," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.
The naked display of fascist power and the rise of arrogance show that the Congress-led UPA government has lost the plot. It is facing a credibility crisis. This is the right time for the government to be shown the exit door. There are lessons to be learnt for the citizens as well. Next time think thrice before you vote back the government.
-- Published in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/for-upa-there-is-nothing-to-be-proud-of_713574.html
The UPA government is living in an illusion. It is reading a wrong script and shouting out the headline, “Govt wins as Baba’s fast fizzles out”. It’s been a couple of days since iconic yoga guru Baba Ramdev ended his anti-graft fast at his Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar after being driven out of Ramlila Maidan. The UPA government has declared Ramdev a persona non grata. But the aftermath of the Ramdev episode is refusing to die down. It continues to raise political temperatures. Has Baba Ramdev’s satygraha put the government in a tight spot? Here is the answer.
Ramdev’s satygraha against the twin issues of corruption and black money has laid bare corrupt governance and fueled a justified anger.
The issues the yoga guru raised by his movement are timely and pertinent. He demands India’s money illicitly stashed in tax havens abroad be declared as a national asset. He wants the government to promulgate an ordinance followed by a bill to bring black money back. Julian Paul Assange, editor of the whistle blower website Wikileaks, says India is the main source of black money. While experts are still working out the final figure, a conservative estimate pegs India’s black money stashed overseas at Rs 400 lakh crore. The Supreme Court says it is a pure and simple theft of the national money.
Black money has a cascading impact on India’s economy. It is directly responsible for the persistent rise in prices of essential commodities. But the UPA government has shown no effective, meaningful or visible action to bring back black money stashed in tax havens.
Apart from black money, Baba Ramdev has raised a few other pertinent issues. He asks the government to ban the currency notes of Rs 1,000 and 500 denominations, as he feels that the notes are easy medium for the black money hoarders inside the country to store and circulate. Ramdev, a strong votary of an effective Lokpal Bill, seeks setting up fast-track courts to ensure speedy trial in graft cases. In addition, he demands the passage of a new Public Services Guarantee Act to curb corruption.
It was obvious. The government did not want a repetition of situation created by the Anna Hazare stir in April. Remember, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went the extra mile to persuade Ramdev by writing a letter, dated May 31, appealing him not to go on fast.
June 1: In further overdrive, a delegation of four senior Union Ministers -- Pranab Mukherjee, Kapil Sibal , Pawan Kumar Bansal and Subodh Kant Sahay along with the Cabinet Secretary -- met Baba Ramdev at the VIP lounge of Delhi airport upon his arrival in the city. Ramdev and the government emissaries discussed his series of demands for two and half hours.
June 3: Sibal and Sahay again met Ramdev at Delhi’s Claridges Hotel and discussed his demands for four hours. But the government despite all its persuasive might failed to cut the ice with the yoga guru. Baba Ramdev went ahead with his proposed fast on the scheduled date of June 4.
Compared to an estimated 5,000 people at the peak of Anna Hazare’s fast at Jantar Mantar, Baba Ramdev began his fast at Ramlila Maidan in the presence of 50,000 people. There were reports that around two lakh people were likely to converge at the fast venue on the next day. Contrary to Anna’s audience who were largely metropolitan literati, Ramdev managed to mobilise people from all across the country including a large chunk from the rural areas. Looking at the huge response to Baba Ramdev’s fast, the government could not take the risk of any further damage to its image.
The government’s “crisis managers” scripted an “innovative” way to tackle the situation. Armed with the government order, a heavy contingent of Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force -- led by a “faithful” Police Commissioner -- cracked down on the peaceful protesters at Ramlila Maidan in the wee hours of that fateful night. In a show of sheer brutality, waking up protesters from their sleep, the police lathicharged and fired scores of teargas shells at them. The protesters which included senior citizens, women and children were mercilessly beaten up.
“If the government can reach out, it can also rein in.” Remember, senior Union Minister Kapil Sibal said hinting at the midnight swoop before it took place? Perhaps this is the way the Congress party and the UPA government thinks democracy works! This is reminiscent of the Emergency days when civil liberties were suspended. The Congress party just replayed the Emergency once again.
History will not forgive the government for the political sin it has committed. By muzzling the voices against corruption, the Congress-led UPA has brought home its “political will” to fight corruption and to bring back black money stashed in tax havens.
A stoic government then went on to justify the violent midnight swoop on the peaceful protesters. "It is unfortunate that operation had to be conducted, but quite honestly there was no alternative," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.
The naked display of fascist power and the rise of arrogance show that the Congress-led UPA government has lost the plot. It is facing a credibility crisis. This is the right time for the government to be shown the exit door. There are lessons to be learnt for the citizens as well. Next time think thrice before you vote back the government.
-- Published in Zeenews.com
http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/for-upa-there-is-nothing-to-be-proud-of_713574.html
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