Sonia Gandhi thinks that when Rahul Gandhi officially takes charge as the Congress president, only then will he be taken seriously against Narendra Modi. Presently, there is more focus on Nitish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal in comparison to Rahul. But, it is also being said that Rahul is still hesitant
Party work is continuing like routine work for Amit Shah. On January 24, he was elected for the post of the BJP president for three years and the next day, he held a rally in West Bengal and discussed the election preparations with the State leaders. Sources of the BJP say that Amit Shah’s fate was almost decided so he was working as per his strategy; which is why he is not making any changes in the organisation with immediate effect.
The present organisation of the BJP has been created by him. Of course, some State presidents will be changed; Bihar, UP, Jharkhand and Delhi are the important ones. Some new faces will come into the organisation and some will join the Government. But all these will be done like routine work. It is said that Shah has identified all the faces.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also gathered the details of work done by the Government. Modi has held meetings with the secretaries and judged the pace of work of all the departments. Those who are not working as per expectations will be removed and will also not get any work even in the organisation. Half a dozen ministers who are working hard may get promoted. But, Budget and elections are ahead so the party will be busy in election and ministers will be preparing the Budget. The Government needs massive management for the Budget Session and at the same time the organisation has to put its whole strength for the election in five States. So, we have to wait to see the changes.
KEJRIWAl AND DElHI
Congress is at loggerheads with the AAP. Congress leaders are much worried that AAP may spoil its game in Punjab. If AAP dents the vote bank of Congress, the party will suffer losses in Himachal and Gujarat also. That is why the Congress leaders are repeatedly targeting AAP. But, when the Central Government decided to impose President’s rule in Congress governed Arunachal Pradesh, it was the AAP which opposed it before any other opposition party. Arvind Kejriwal stood with Congress on this issue. His party officially informed Congress that it would extend full support to it in this case in Parliament also.
It is said that Delhi is the reason behind Kejriwal’s restlessness. leaders of the AAP are apprehensive that the Central Government might dissolve the Government in Delhi also. Recently, AAP leaders discussed this issue too. Close aides of Kejriwal think that citing reasons of instability, anarchy and the law and order situation of Delhi, the Central Government might impose governor’s rule in Delhi. They are also apprehensive that the Central Government may also abolish the half State status of Delhi. It means Delhi might return to the pre-1993 situation when there was no Assembly in Delhi.
RESTRUCTURING CONGRESS
Congress may face organisational changes. Rahul Gandhi has told the journalists who met him that there is no connection between his taking command of the party and organisational changes within the party. He has indicated that there might be significant changes in the party even before he takes charge of it. Probably, many old General Secretaries can be changed.
Reliable sources say that barring CP Joshi, BK Hariprasad and Gurudas Kamat, all the General Secretaries will not be given any other chance. leaders of the party are saying that Rahul himself will make the changes and the caste equations will be taken care of. Sources say that in place of Mukul Wasnik, who is a Dalit face, former IAS officer K Raju can be accommodated. He is the man who is steering the Dalit politics of the Congress.
likewise, it is said that Jitendra Singh may come in place of Digvijaya Singh and Ajay Maken may find space in place of Ambika Soni. Though Maken is the State president of Delhi, Rahul feels that there is nothing to do in Delhi. Randeep Surjewala may also be appointed General Secretary and can be continued as media in-charge. From women’s quota, Meenakshi Natarajan can be made the General Secretary. From UP, either RPN Singh or Jitin Prasad may be appointed the General Secretary.
RAHUl AND HIS FORMUlA
Amidst the news of possible changes in Congress, suspense is continuing over two questions: When will Rahul become the president of Congress and will his formula be implementedIJ Sonia Gandhi wants to hand over the command of the party to Rahul as soon as possible. She feels that when Rahul is taking all the responsibilities of the party president, he should officially take charge as well. She believes that when he does it officially, only then will he be taken seriously against Modi. Presently, there is more focus on Nitish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal in comparison to Rahul. So, Sonia and Rahul’s team members wish that Rahul should take charge of the party before the start of Budget Session and must not bother about the results of the Assembly Elections scheduled to be held in five States. But, it is also being said that Rahul is still hesitant.
The other suspense is on the formula which has been finalised by Rahul. According to his formula, this time there may 12 General Secretaries in place of 10. Out of these 12, eight will be from OBC, Dalit, minority and women. There will be only four General Secretaries from the general quota. Sources close to Rahul claim that this formula will not be implemented very rigidly. It may be possible that there will be five or six General Secretaries from general quota. At present there are three Brahmin General Secretaries, but it might reduce to two in the new committee. Dr Shakeel Ahmad may be sent to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar so there is much speculation over a new Muslim face.
ElECTIONS BEFORE TIME IN J&KIJ
Suddenly, there is a debate over the pre-scheduled Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Supposedly, National Conference and Congress are behind such debates and discussions. It is said that for the last few months, BJP’s top leadership, especially Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, has not been paying attention to the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir. Reliable sources say that the top leaders don’t want to bow down before the hard bargaining of Mehbooba Mufti. This doesn’t send good message among the BJP supporters. That is the reason why the BJP has left all the responsibilities to former deputy CM Nirmal Singh and party General Secretary Ram Madhav.
On the other hand, Sonia is taking special interest in the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir. Ghulam Nabi Azad is advising her. That is why she had gone to Srinagar to condole the death of Mufti Mohammad. People are saying that NC and Congress have moulded the politics of J&K as per their own wish. These parties have created such an atmosphere that it is sending the message that people of the Valley are miffed with PDP whereas the people of Jammu are not happy with the BJP.
And that is the prime reason why the Peoples Democratic Party and BJP have become defensive. Sources say that both the parties don’t want election at this stage because they fear a huge loss. But, Congress and NC have led to the speculation of a pre-schedule election. Both the parties are expecting benefits out of this politics. Sources say that both the parties are working on the new equation. Congress leaders are in contact with the PDP so that the Government can be formed and on the other hand, leaders of the NC are communicating with the BJP. leaders of NC are trying to gain in both the situations; if election is held, they are hopeful of regaining their base and if the election is not held, they are hopeful of gaining power with the BJP.
