The Congress is all set to put obstacles in the first anniversary celebrations of Narendra Modi Government. The moment the Central Government starts its campaign on the achievements of one year, Congress leaders will get into action mode. Ministers of the Central Government and big leaders of the BJP are scheduled to address the media in various States to announce the achievements of the last one year. In the same manner, the Congress has assigned tasks to its veteran leaders; they will go to different States in the next 10 days and discuss the failures of Modi Government. The leaders will also target the land Bill in their press conferences.
The Centre will publish a booklet on its achievements, on the other hand the Congress will bring out a booklet on its failures. The BJP is also gearing up for rallies in different cities, and Modi will possibly address a rally in Mathura on May 26. On that day, the Government might also launch a dedicated channel for farmers. Though, the Congress has not thought of any counter rally yet, Rahul Gandhi may tour some more States in the coming days where he will go on padyatras and attack the Modi Government. The Congress has instructed its spokespersons to give an appropriate answer to the rallies of BJP leaders.
RAHUl TO TAKE CHARGE SOON
Rahul is expected to take charge of the party soon. Sources say leaders who are loyal to the Gandhi family have started a campaign to give charge of the party to Rahul. Right from Digvijaya Singh to Kamal Nath, Milind Deora to Sachin Pilot all are of the view that there is no point in waiting till September-October. It is being said that most Congress leaders want the AICC summit to be held in June and an announcement of this effect be made. The membership drive of the Congress will end on June 15, and soon after that Rahul might assume charge.
Party sources say the CWC meeting will be called before the AICC summit and in that meeting Rahul’s name will be proposed. It is being said that Sonia Gandhi has not given her consent yet, but is expected to be ready soon. It is expected that the summit of AICC will be held in Shimla. Earlier, Bengaluru was being discussed as the venue, but recently BJP’s National Executive was held there, and after that a hill station is being looked at for the summit.
lOOK WHO’S IN ACTION MODE
Congress Vice-President Rahul is not going to spare the Central Government. Many leaders of the BJP were of the view that after Parliament session, Rahul’s enthusiasm would die down and he would leave for another vacation, but that didn’t happen. He went to Telangana and then to his own constituency. It is surprising that Rahul is roaming around in the heat when the temperature has crossed the 40-degree mark. leaders of his team say after Amethi he will go to Orissa. Moreover, Niyamgiri is his favourite place; he had started the battle for tribes from there. After Orissa he will go to Bihar and West Bengal where he will raise the issue of the land Bill and farmers. leaders of Rahul’s team claim he is trying to puncture the anniversary celebrations of the Modi Government. That is why it is being said that veteran leaders of BJP must come forward to counter him. At present, as per the strategy, BJP’s second rung leaders, such as Smriti Irani and Anurag Thakur, are counter-attacking Rahul. Under the political compulsions of Punjab, Harsimrat Kaur also attacks Rahul, as does Nirmala Sitharaman. Most of the big shots of the BJP have kept mum. They are thinking that if they speak, then Rahul’s leadership will be established. But contrary to this, the silence of veteran leaders is giving credence to Rahul’s allegations.
SONIA’s ROlE IN MERGER
Some leaders of the Janata family want Congress President Sonia Gandhi to mediate the merger of six parties. It must be noted that around a month ago, leaders of the Janata family had announced the merger. A five-member committee was formed to decide the name and party symbol, but till date there is no sign of a merger. The delay might be due to political or technical problems. leaders who want the merger now want Sonia to mediate the process. They say if Sonia talks to Mulayam Singh, lalu Prasad Yadav and leaders of JDU, then the merger will be complete. After the merger, the Congress will have an alliance in Bihar. Its leaders are hopeful that after an alliance they can put up a good fight against the BJP. That is the reason why some Congress leaders also want Sonia to mediate. leaders desperate for the merger argue that if the BJP is not stopped in Bihar, it will be difficult to stop the party in Uttar Pradesh as well.
BJP allieS IN BIHAR DESPERATE
The alliance partners of the BJP in Bihar are a desperate lot. In the past one month, lJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan has said twice that he will support the CM candidate of the BJP. He addressed a press conference along with his son Chirag and said his party would ensure the victory of NDA in Bihar. He also held a meeting with the other alliance partner — RlSP of Upendra Kushwaha — and has prepared a seat-sharing formula. Both leaders are preparing a seat-sharing formula for the MlC elections as well. The BJP is giving three seats to lJP and three to RlSP, but both are demanding at least one more seat.
The reasons for the soft attitude of both parties are Jitan Ram Manjhi and Pappu Yadav. Manjhi has formed Hindustani Awam Morcha and Pappu Yadav has launched Jan Kranti Adhikar Morcha. Manjhi is powerful in south Bihar, especially in Gaya, while Pappu has a strong hold in Kosi and Seemanchal area.
These two also want to go with the BJP and if the party talks to them, the seats of RlSP and lJP will go down. So, Paswan and Kushwaha are trying to continue the old alliance. Almost all leaders of the two parties don’t want Manjhi and Pappu to go with the BJP.
YOGA DAY IN JUNE
All eyes are on the upcoming anniversary celebrations of the Modi Government. It is being said that the celebrations will begin soon after the Budget Session. Preparations are going on from both sides — the Government and the Opposition. Modi has told his MPs and ministers to go to their constituencies, hold rallies and inform people about the achievements of the Government. Many big programmes are schedules for May 26, when the Government will complete its first year. On the other hand, Congress leaders are busy attacking the Centre and pointing out its failures.
Modi has also taken an initiative for International Yoga Day, which falls on June 21. last year at the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister had put forward the proposal for Yoga Day, and other countries accepted it. So, the UN has declared June 21 as International Yoga Day. In India, preparations are on to celebrate the day — from the Government’s end and Baba Ramdev’s.
UGC has instructed that Yoga Day must be celebrated in colleges even though schools and colleges are shut for summer break. The PM is himself advertising it as a big achievement. BJP-ruled States are also going to celebrate the day in a big way. So, after the anniversary celebrations, the Government will start preparations for Yoga Day.
KEJRIWAl’S NEXT MOVE
Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal will now start working on strategies for the expansion of Aam Aadmi Party. Sources in his party say Kejriwal would had gone on the tour of various States if the ongoing controversy hadn’t erupted. It must be noted that Kejriwal has been at loggerheads with lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung over transfer and posting of officials. He and his leaders are fighting for the rights of Delhi. And this is the reason why Kejriwal’s States tour has been postponed.
It is being said that Kejriwal wants to expand his party in almost half a dozen States. For Bihar, it was pre-decided that he would not fight elections, and that is the reason why he is not paying attention to the State. The party is keeping eyes on States where it has a strong base. Kejriwal will start working to strengthen the party in Punjab and Haryana.
Apart from these two States, he will also go to Maharashtra and Karnataka. In these two States also the party used to have a strong base. He wants to re-strengthen the party in Goa as well. AAP is also planning to expand itself in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, but this will happen in the next phase. Kejriwal is also looking to strengthen the party in Uttar Pradesh.