Mulayam Singh was keen on taking Amar Singh back, but every time the news came that he was joining either the Congress or BJP, and hence his entry into SP kept getting stuck. But he had no option after getting a big no from the Congress, BJP and BSP. Now it would be interesting to see what Jaya Prada does
For how many years will the BJP rule at the CentreIJ The answer to this question can only be found after the lok Sabha Elections, but BJP leaders are saying that they will rule for the next 30 years. Recently, BJP President Amit Shah was in Uttarakhand, where he said that this time the party would govern for 30 years. However, earlier at the national executive in Bangalore, he had said that the BJP would continue to be in power for 10-20 years. But it seems that he has revised his target.
What is also interesting is that after the national executive of the BJP, PM Narendra Modi had gone to France, Germany and Canada. While addressing the Indian community in Canada, Modi had said that after seeing the transparency of his Government, people would want it to continue for 25 years. This means that while Modi had set the target for 25 years, Shah extended it by five years. The question is: Is this only to demoralise the Opposition parties or is there some planning for thisIJ
RAHUl A REASON FOR WORRY
Kshatrapas of many States have become worried after Rahul Gandhi became politically active again. More worried are stalwarts of States where elections are scheduled in the coming two years. In Bihar, the Congress has clearly indicated that it will fight along with JDU and RJD. The seat arrangement between both parties of the Janata Parivar is ready. But leaders of the two parties are worried about what would happen if the Congress decides to fight alone. Congress leaders are discussing the proposed Bihar visit of Rahul after which speculations are rife that he could decide to go alone in the State.
Similarly, Mamata Banerjee was thinking that the Congress was almost finished. She is now afraid that the Congress might grab the minority vote bank. In the UP byelections for two seats, the vote share of the Congress is not a good sign for the Samajwadi Party. In Charkhari, the Congress got 36,000, and in Farenda, its share is 55,000. This is the performance when Rahul has not even visited UP. He went to Punjab to gauge the problems of farmers, and after that AAP has increased its activity in Punjab. leaders of AAP think that Rahul may bring the Congress back into the fight by the next elections.
AAP MEANS CONTROVERSY
The Congress has a history of around 125 years and is much older than AAP, which is merely 2.5 years old. But when you see the number of controversies, AAP is way ahead of the Congress. Soon after the formation of AAP, its leaders have landed into some or the other controversy, such as the latest one involving Kumar Vishwas.
Before this Arvind Kejriwal’s minister Jitendra Tomar was in a fake degree controversy, which is still continuing. It was alleged that Tomar claimed to have a law degree from a university in Bihar, which is fake. On the basis of that, the media and Opposition parties are seeking Tomar’s resignation. Amidst this hullabaloo, Kejriwal has targeted the media, alleging that it has taken to finish his Government. He has also warned that he will conduct a public trial of the media. Before these controversies, during the farmer rally of AAP on April 22, a farmer from Rajasthan ended his life. Kejriwal and other leaders of the party were present there and it gave rise to a big controversy. later, AAP leaders had to apologise for the way things panned out.
Soon after taking charge, many MlAs of AAP landed in controversies, such as when Rakhi Bidlan got a Scorpio car as a birthday gift, and when Ram Niwas Goyal went to raid the house of a builder. In the first stint, the then law Minister Somnath Bharti had conducted raids to catch three foreigners. Three MlAs, Sanjeev Jha, Akhilesh Pati Tripathi and Jarnail Singh, are facing allegations of manhandling an MCD engineer and police personnel. An FIR was also registered against MlA Manoj Jain.
AMAR SINGH’S RETURN TO SP
life has taken a full circle for Amar Singh; he would return to the Samajwadi Party and the countdown has begun. He can call a press conference any time and announce his move. It is being said that after a year-long debate, Mulayam Singh Yadav has at last decided to take his old friend back into the party fold and has even drawn an in-principle consensus over this in the party. Though Ram Gopal Yadav and Azam Khan are still opposing the decision, Mulayam has asked them not to give any public statement.
The script of his return was written by Shivpal Yadav. After SP came into power in UP, he has emerged as the most powerful leader. He was the one who coaxed Akhilesh Yadav for the return of Amar Singh. When Shivpal and Akhilesh were ready, Mulayam agreed too. In fact, Mulayam was very keen on taking Amar Singh back, but every time the news came that he was going to join either the Congress or BJP, and hence his entry into SP kept getting stuck. But he had no option after getting a big no from the Congress, BJP and BSP. Now it would be interesting to see what Jaya Prada does.
FUTURE OF ASSAM CONGRESS
Once again, there is crisis in Assam Congress. last time, the Congress high command had to work hard to sort out the mess. A revolt was just about to start under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma, and the high command had to make a lot of efforts to stop that. It ended with Sarma resigning from the Government. But now it seems that he is trying to give a big jolt to the party just before the elections. Sources say he enjoys the support of 18 MlAs, who can move to the BJP.
Congress leaders see no hope of the party returning to power under the leadership of Tarun Gogoi, but the party leadership is in no mood to remove Gogoi. Many leaders of Assam Congress feel that if Gogoi goes, the party can have alliance talks with Hagrama Mohilary’s Bodoland People’s Front. In that case, the Congress can talk to Badruddin Ajmal’s United Democratic Front and then the danger of breaking off the party would be less. It is being said that the Congress rebels are in constant touch with BJP leaders. Most of them can join the BJP without any conditions. But it is also being said that the BJP can project Sarma as the CM candidate. In this scenario, the Congress would be out of scene and the fight will be between the BJP and Ajmal’s party.
MISSION PUNJAB
In Punjab, the Assembly Elections would be held after two years. The year 2017 will also see Assembly polls in UP, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. But the BJP, Congress and AAP have already started preparations for Punjab. Akali Dal, which is in power in Punjab, is in grave trouble. Firstly, there was a drug controversy and then a minister landed into Hawala controversy. Now there is a row over molestation in the bus of Badal’s company. After all these controversies, there is a big question mark over the image of Badal Government. Though, it is also true that Akali Dal has got majority on its own after winning Dhuri byelections.
The alliance partner of Akali Dal, the BJP, has started preparations first. It has been planned that BJP President Amit Shah will hold a padyatra against drug menace in the State. Earlier he was to hold a protest rally but that has been postponed. This is an indication of a gap between the Akali Dal and BJP, as is being speculated that the latter will fight alone.
On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi had also visited Punjab. He went to themandis to know about the plight of farmers. Soon, the Congress will change its State leadership and start its election campaign. In the Punjab elections, AAP will be the fourth force; the party has four MPs from Punjab. Bhagwant Mann is very active and has started agitation against the allegation leveled against the Badal family. Kejriwal is also expected to visit Punjab soon.