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Category: Politics

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.

  • Pawar vs Pawar: Uncle-Nephew lock horns for Party dominance

    Pawar vs Pawar: Uncle-Nephew lock horns for Party dominance

    Sharad Pawar, the leader of the NCP, issued a warning to the Ajit Pawar-led wing of the party on Wednesday, saying that they will eventually experience “political destruction” just like every single ally of the BJP has in the past.

    Sharad Pawar was expressing his strength at a party gathering held at the Y B Chavan Center after his nephew Ajit rebelled against him and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena cabinet on Sunday along with eight other NCP MLAs.

    “Those who work together with the BJP to share power eventually lose their political influence. The BJP’s strategy is to progressively erode the support of its political allies.” Sharad Pawar stated that there are other instances of this in other states.

    “Akali Dal was a part of the BJP for a long time, but it is no longer there. Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana all experienced comparable events. Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, recognized this and changed his alliance to one with the RJD,” stated by the NCP president.

    He continued, “Those who have now joined the BJP should not believe that something different will happen.”

    Sharad Pawar responded to the Ajit Pawar group’s criticism that the Shiv Sena’s brand of Hindutva is acceptable but not the BJP’s, by claiming that the BJP’s is “divisive” and “poisonous” in contrast to the Shiv Sena, which unites everyone and does not discriminate against communities.

    Pawar attacked the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that the PM had recently accused the NCP of a scam involving 70,000 crore rupees in Bhopal and that once in Baramati, Modi had claimed that he entered politics while holding Sharad Pawar’s finger. However, in the very next elections, the NCP was accused of corruption.

    Pawar raised a question, asking how it was possible for NCP ministers to be sworn in by the BJP government last Sunday if the allegations against the party were true.

    He asserted that “some people are getting restless as the country’s Opposition parties are getting united” and Modi feels upset by this.

    He further emphasized that despite the numerous difficulties that the populace is facing, the country is in the hands of individuals who do not care about the country or its citizens.

    Pawar criticized the absence of discussion and conversation between the government and the opposition, highlighting the need of knowing how the general populace will respond to policies made in a democracy.

    The NCP name and “Clock” emblem will not be allowed to be taken away by Ajit Pawar’s faction at any cost, he warned his nephew once more, urging him not to use his images for any purposes.

    Pawar poked fun at his nephew by claiming “If they use my pictures, it means their coin does not work,”

    He briefly discussed the establishment, development, and heights attained by the NCP and asserted that the way parties are being “grabbed or broken” does not augur well for democracy.

    Before the meeting, Sharad Pawar’s followers flocked to his south Mumbai home. A party employee was seen outside Silver Oak carrying a banner that read, “83-year-old warrior waging a fight alone.”

    He urged the party workers and officials to let go of everyone who had left the party, but he also promised to rebuild the party by starting a statewide tour soon.

  • Muslim Law Board Expresses Concerns over UCC, Submits Objections to Law Panel

    Muslim Law Board Expresses Concerns over UCC, Submits Objections to Law Panel

    The All India Muslim Personal Law Board announced on Wednesday that it has written the Law Commission its concerns to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and urged that not only religious minorities, but all minorities, be exempt from the scope of such a statute.

    According to the Board’s spokesman Kasim Rasool Ilyas, the working committee of the Board had approved the draft answer developed on UCC in the executive meeting on June 27.

    On Wednesday, it was presented for discussion in the Board’s virtual general meeting.

    He said that this report has been transmitted to the Law Commission after being unanimously approved.

    The Law Commission gave parties and stakeholders until July 14 to submit their concerns to the UCC.

    The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) had previously asked for a six-month extension.

      

    Muslim law board holds meeting on UCC. ( Image Source : PTI )

    Around 250 of the Board’s 251 members, according to Mr. Ilyas, were present for the meeting where they were asked to personally express their opposition to the UCC before the Law Commission and to encourage their friends, family, and other associates to do the same.

    According to the AIMPLB, any religious minority should be excluded from UCC’s purview, not just tribal people.

    At a hearing of the panel on Monday, Sushil Modi, the head of the parliamentary committee on law and a member of the BJP, argued in favor of exempting indigenous people, especially those in the North East, from any potential Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

    Mr. Ilyas said, “The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has always been against the UCC. It is of the view that imposing only one law in the name of UCC in a country like India, which consists of people belonging to multi religions and cultures, is a violation of democratic rights.”

    A notable Muslim non-governmental organization called the AIMPLB was established in 1973 with the aim of defending and advancing the practice of Islamic personal law among Muslims in India.

    Initiating a new consultation process on the Uniform Civil Code, the Law Commission is soliciting input from all relevant parties, including the general public and recognized religious organizations.

    Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi argued strongly for the introduction of UCC and said that the Opposition is using the matter to deceive and incite the Muslim population.

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  • UCC: BJP faces stiff opposition from Congress & allies in Northeast

    UCC: BJP faces stiff opposition from Congress & allies in Northeast

    The Congress and its allies Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) opposed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) with the loudest voices among the opposition parties when it was brought up for discussion in the parliamentary standing committee on personnel, public grievances, law, and justice.

    According to MPs who attended the parliamentary panel meeting, the Uddhav Thackeray faction wanted the 22nd Law Commission of India to release its report first, while the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) remained neutral.

    The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Eknath Shinde-faction of the Shiv Sena supported the UCC.

    Sushil Kumar Modi, the chairman of the parliamentary panel, and other BJP MPs advocated for the exclusion of the tribal regions and the northeastern states from the UCC even if they supported its implementation. 

    BJP MP Sushil Modi (File)

    The panel was hearing views on the UCC from the Department of Legal Affairs, the Legislative Department, and the Law Commission of India.

    Only 17 MPs from the BJP, Congress, BRS, Shiv Sena, BSP, and DMK attended Monday’s meeting, which opened with 22nd Law Commission member secretary Khetrabasi Biswal’s hour-long presentation of its 2018 consultation paper, Reform of Family Law.

    When MPs inquired why the 22nd Law Commission was seeking thoughts on UCC again after doing so in its 2018 consultation paper, an official answered that at the time, they had simply issued a consultation document, according to an MP who attended the discussion.

    According to another MP who attended the meeting, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and MP Sanjay Raut said, “Law Commission should first present its findings for parties to review before making an educated judgment”.

    According to reports, the BRS has likewise taken this stance.

    Meanwhile, parliamentary sources reported Congress’ stance as “UCC was not required at this time, instead recommending that each statute be codified and discriminatory aspects be removed”

    On June 14, the 22nd Law Commission of India solicited input from religious organizations and the general public on the question of a UCC. The commission has set a 30-day deadline for public comment on the matter.

    A Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a set of laws that apply to all people of a country regardless of faith. A common code is likely to cover personal laws as well as rules relating to inheritance, adoption, and succession.

    The implementation of a UCC has been included in previous BJP election manifestos, including the Karnataka assembly elections in May.

    Uttarakhand, which is governed by the BJP, is already developing its own common code

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  • Modi will face a United front in 2024 from India’s Opposition Parties

    Modi will face a United front in 2024 from India’s Opposition Parties

    In Bihar, opposition party leaders got together to talk about presenting a unified front in the coming election. They will come up with a strategy to compete against the BJP with joint candidates in important positions.

    The leaders of 17 Indian political groups decided on Friday to join in opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is currently in power under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Although loose coalitions have existed in the past, The Indian Express noted that this is the largest national alliance of parties to challenge the ruling party in power since the 1980s.

    Although there will undoubtedly be some disagreements among us, Rahul Gandhi, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress (INC) who was expelled from the legislature in March due to a defamation claim, said, “We have decided we will work together, work with flexibility.”

    Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of the eastern Bihar state, hosted the gathering, which took place in Patna, the state capital.

    The Janata Dal-United Party’s Kumar stated that “everyone has agreed that we will all work together in the interest of the country.”

    “There is an agreement to go together, and there has been an agreement to fight the elections together.”

    The opposition parties are attempting a joint platform for the second time to challenge the dominant government party. However, the anti-BJP coalition that is currently being formed is opposed to a government with broad support that has successfully won two terms at the federal level and several elections at the state level.

    Leader’s Critique of Modi’s BJP

    Senior lawmakers from a variety of parties who are committed to preventing Modi from serving a third term as prime minister attended the conference.

    The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, reportedly said, “If this dictatorial government returns this time, there will be no elections in the future.” The Hindu recorded this statement.

    However, some party representatives skipped Friday’s post-meeting press conference.

    According to The Times of India, the Aam Aadmi Party would not join any coalition with the INC unless it opposed a contentious central government ordinance that has an impact on bureaucrats stationed in the capital.

    The BJP, meanwhile, called the opposition’s negotiations a “futile exercise.”

    The parties will get together once more the following month to discuss how to defeat the Hindu-nationalist BJP in the elections.

    This would include fielding joint candidates in several national elections to stop the BJP from gaining from a vote split among the opposition parties.

    As noted by Kumar, the parties would also discuss a joint manifesto stating, among other things, their strategy for the Indian economy.

    Before a legitimate opposition united front can take shape, there are a lot of obstacles to overcome, political analyst Arti Jerath told the Associated Press.

    “But I think the pressures on the opposition parties to mount a united front against Modi are very, very strong because they have all endured harassment from federal investigative agencies over the past four years, and the BJP has played politics with all of them to split them up and harass their leaders.”

    “They all know it will be the end of the road for them if they don’t put up a united challenge to Modi and somehow stop him from coming back,” he added. “The BJP will not really allow any of these opposition parties, particularly the Congress, to survive.”

    Will Congress abandon its caution on the Central Ordinance that aims to limit the AAP government of Delhi’s authority? 

    Will non-BJP parties raise topics of national concern, such as the ongoing situation in Manipur, in addition to common ones, such as the misuse of government resources by the government against political opponents? 

    What proportion of the grand alliance will be a pre-election agreement, and what proportion will be left to post-election arrangements? 

    These and other questions’ replies may begin to arrive from Patna.

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  • As new violence erupts in Manipur, 9 people are killed in late-night shootings

    As new violence erupts in Manipur, 9 people are killed in late-night shootings

    In the Aigijang hamlet in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, shooting and arson incidents resulted in the deaths of nine people on Tuesday night. 

    The incident took place on Tuesday night at about 10.30 p.m., according to the Imphal East Superintendent of Police, K Shivakanta Singh.

    Also Read: Tax Assistant Killed, 4 Others Shot Dead; What’s happening in Manipur?

    –Security personnel stand guard following fresh violence that occurred in several areas of Manipur (ANI)

    Aigijang, which is located on the border of these two districts and is part of the Kangpokpi revenue district, is governed by Imphal East.

    The village is mostly inhabited by Kukis. However the 9 deceased belonged to the Meitei community who did not live there. Police claimed that these were ‘local volunteers’. 

    This border region has experienced a significant influx of Meitei males from adjacent areas to “defend” the Meitei-dominated portions of this border area as shooting and violence had been occurring there at least since Monday.

    Following the most recent occurrence, the Imphal East District administration reduced the district’s curfew relaxation time to just a four-hour window in the early morning. 

    The curfew relaxation time, which was previously from 5 am to 6 pm, is now only from 5 am to 9 am.

    A NDTV report said some of those killed in the fresh violence in Manipur have cut marks on their bodies and multiple bullet injuries.

    Manipur violence

    The northeastern state of Manipur has been rocked by violent clashes between members of the tribal Kuki and Meitei groups since last month. 

    Earlier, ‘shoot-at-sight’ orders had also been in place in order to curb the violence. 

    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers in Manipur have expressed deep concerns over the increasing violence, stating that they are not safe anymore in Manipur.

    Read Further:

    Devastating ! Over 50 Killed, 23000 displaced; Amit Shah finally breaks silence in Manipur violence

  • Discontent Among Shiv Sena Leaders: 22 MLAs and 9 MPs Seek to Part Ways with BJP

    Discontent Among Shiv Sena Leaders: 22 MLAs and 9 MPs Seek to Part Ways with BJP

    Maharashtra: In a significant development, Saamana, the official publication of the Shiv Sena (UBT) party has reported that a group of prominent leaders which includes 22 MLAs and 9 Lok Sabha MPs led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, are expressing their desire to distance themselves from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 

    The discontentment has arisen from a perceived lack of development in their respective constituencies. This growing discontentment can have far-reaching implications for the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.

    According to Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut, these legislators have been in contact with the party, expressing their frustration and seeking an exit from the Shinde-led party. The primary reason behind their dissatisfaction is the lack of  progress witnessed in their constituencies, leading them to explore other political avenues.

    One of the prominent voices of dissent is Gajanan Kirtikar, a senior leader within the Shiv Sena known for his spirited slogans in support of the party. Kirtikar has openly voiced his discontentment with the BJP, alleging discrimination and a lack of attention to the issues concerning their constituencies. 

    As part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which includes the Shiv Sena, Kirtikar expected priority resolution of the problems faced by their constituents but expressed disappointment over the lack of progress.

    Furthermore, Saamana’s editorial highlighted that the dissatisfied group aspires to contest 22 Lok Sabha seats within the state, indicating their intention to seek support from the BJP. 

    However, the publication claimed that the BJP is reluctant to provide even five to seven seats to this group, signaling potential tensions and a strain within the alliance.

    The discontent among Shiv Sena party members comes as a blow to the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, which has been governing Maharashtra since the previous assembly elections. 

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    Past year, a group of 40 MLAs had revolted against then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, joining hands with the BJP. At the time, these leaders expressed their frustration over the lack of progress in their constituencies due to the dominance of key portfolios by leaders from the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

    The revolt eventually led to Uddhav Thackeray’s resignation as chief minister, allowing the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena to form an alliance.

    However, the recent claims made by Saamana suggest that many leaders within the Shinde faction are now disillusioned with the BJP and seek a change in their political affiliation.

    The discontentment among the Shiv Sena leaders, if not addressed promptly, can have significant ramifications for the BJP. With 105 seats in the current assembly, the BJP holds a majority, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has 40 MLAs. 

    In the previous Lok Sabha election, the BJP contested 25 seats, while the combined Shiv Sena won 23 seats. However, it is now speculated that Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena may consider forming an alliance with the Congress and NCP for the upcoming general elections.

    The Bhartiya Janta Party will need to address the concerns raised by the dissatisfied leaders, focusing on the developmental needs of their constituencies to retain their support. Failure to address these issues, may lead to a potential shift in the political landscape of Maharashtra.

    As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the BJP responds to the claims made by Saamana and whether it can effectively resolve the grievances of the dissatisfied Shiv Sena leaders. The outcome of this internal power struggle will undoubtedly shape the future course of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance.

  • Sunil Kanugolu: The Man Behind Congress’ Historic Karnataka Win

    Sunil Kanugolu: The Man Behind Congress’ Historic Karnataka Win

    In the recently concluded Karnataka Assembly Polls, Congress  saw a momentous victory, securing a staggering 136 seats as compared to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) 65 seats.

    While the credit for this remarkable achievement largely goes to the party as a whole, it is imperative to acknowledge the instrumental role played by a data-driven strategist ‘Sunil Kanugolu’ in orchestrating the meticulous planning, execution, and overall success of the campaign. 

    Kanugolu’s astute observations and innovative strategies have contributed significantly to the Congress’s win, making him an indispensable asset to the party’s electoral pursuits.

    A Maverick Strategist with an Impressive Track Record

    Sunil Kanugolu is a highly sought-after strategist. He was recruited by the Congress party in 2022 to bolster their campaign efforts. His expertise and political acumen are already recognized within the corridors of power, as he had previously worked closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure with the Bharatiya Janata Party. 

    However, Kanugolu made a significant career shift, joining the Congress to lend his strategic genius to their cause. He also made notable contributions to Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, further solidifying his position as a key figure within the party’s campaign machinery.
    Kanugolu’s extensive experience in political campaigns includes working with the BJP, where he played a part in their 2018 Karnataka campaign, which resulted in the party becoming the single largest party with 104 seats. Prior to his involvement in political affairs, Kanugolu worked at the renowned global management consulting firm, McKinsey. He also led the Association of Billion Minds (ABM), advising the BJP on various poll-related matters before embarking on his independent journey four years ago.

    Beyond his involvement with the BJP, Kanugolu’s contributions extend to working with other parties as well. He played a pivotal role in the DMK’s successful ‘Namakku Naame’ campaign during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which saw the party secure 38 out of 39 seats. More recently, Kanugolu worked with the AIADMK, leading the party to secure 75 seats in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

    Devising Winning Strategies to Counter BJP Propaganda

    Strategist Kanugolo with Karnataka Congress Chief DK Shivakumar

    Reports suggest that Sunil Kanugolu played a pivotal role in developing effective strategies to counter the BJP’s propaganda during the Karnataka Assembly Elections. Identifying corruption as a potent issue, Kanugolu formulated a comprehensive plan that positioned the Congress as the party committed to combating corruption and championing transparency in governance. His innovative campaign, named “PayCM,” targeted the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government, effectively capturing the public’s attention and resonating with their concerns.

    Personal Relationships and Data-Driven Insights: Kanugolu’s Winning Formula

    One of Sunil Kanugolu’s greatest strengths lies in his ability to forge strong personal relationships with prominent leaders. This quality has been instrumental in his success as a strategist, as it enables him to seamlessly integrate his campaign strategies with the daily work of influential politicians. Kanugolu’s calm yet determined personality, coupled with his data-driven approach, commands respect from politicians and stakeholders alike. By incorporating extensive field surveys, modern-day analytics, and accurate assessments of ground-level sentiment, Kanugolu’s team is able to develop effective and targeted campaign strategies that resonate with voters.

    The “PayCM” campaign, crafted by Kanugolu, not only successfully challenged the ruling BJP but also empowered the Congress with a wealth of ammunition to connect with the electorate. Utilizing comprehensive data analysis, his team harnessed the power of narrative-building, ensuring that the Congress had a strong and compelling voice throughout the election period.

    Future Prospects: Shaping the Congress Campaign in Madhya Pradesh

    With the remarkable success of the Congress in Karnataka, Sunil Kanugolu’s strategic acumen has been widely acknowledged. He is now poised to lend his expertise to the party’s campaign in Madhya Pradesh for the upcoming Assembly Elections. Party leaders have expressed their confidence in Kanugolu, highlighting his pivotal role in Yogi Adityanath’s resounding victory in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, during his tenure with the BJP.

    Kanugolu’s meticulous planning, and ability to build personal relationships with influential leaders have propelled the party to a resounding success.

    By incorporating data-driven insights, conducting extensive field surveys, and crafting compelling narratives, Kanugolu has demonstrated his prowess as a strategist par excellence.

    As the Congress sets its sights on future electoral battles, the presence of Sunil Kanugolu promises to be a game-changer, shaping the party’s campaigns and bolstering their prospects for success.

  • Devastating ! Over 50 Killed, 23000 displaced; Amit Shah finally breaks silence in Manipur violence

    Devastating ! Over 50 Killed, 23000 displaced; Amit Shah finally breaks silence in Manipur violence

    The northeastern state of Manipur is rocked by violent clashes between members of the tribal Kuki and Meitei ethnic groups, leaving over 50 people dead and over 260 hospitalized. 

    Earlier this week, the state’s governor, Anusuiya Uikey, issued “shoot-at-sight” orders in an effort to bring the situation under control. The orders were authorized for extreme situations where all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force, etc. were tried and failed. 

    Indian army troops and the Assam Rifles have been deployed in the area and a mobile internet blockade is in force. The Army reports that over 23,000 civilians have fled the fighting, with many seeking refuge in military bases and garrisons.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah has finally broken his silence on the issue. Speaking exclusively to India Today/Aaj Tak, Shah said that the situation is under control as the curfew remains in force.

    Shah appealed to the people to maintain peace while assuring them that the Manipur government will consult all stakeholders before taking any decision on the matter of Scheduled Tribe-status for the Meitei community.

    The unrest in Manipur erupted on May 3 after a protest march organized by the Kuki tribal group sparked clashes with the non-tribal Meitei community. 

    Meitei community students and people from Manipur stage a protest over the recent violence in ther state, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

    The march was called to oppose the recent Manipur High Court order, which had asked the state government to send a recommendation to the Centre regarding the demand to include the majority and predominantly Hindu Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (STs) list.

    Also Read: IRS Officer killed, 4 Others shot dead; What’s happening in Manipur?

    Scheduled tribes are among the most socio-economically disadvantaged groups, and have historically been denied access to education and job opportunities. If the Meitei community is granted scheduled tribe status, other tribal groups say they fear they will not have a fair chance for jobs and other benefits.

    Meanwhile, the issue of granting Scheduled Tribe-status to the Meitei community remains contentious, with many t arguing that it would provide non-tribal Mieties with greater access to education and job opportunities, giving them an unfair advantage over other tribal groups in the state.

    As the government continues to consult with stakeholders, it is important to find a solution that is both fair and equitable for all communities in Manipur.