Nitish Kumar has taken the initiative to launch an anti-NDA front. He has given an indication in the National Council meeting of his party that he is ready to work beyond Bihar. His party has also emphatically stated that Nitish will be the only option against Narendra Modi in the next elections. Though, the RJD’s Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has opposed this claim, saying that the JDU can’t decide on such matters alone.
However, this is clear that despite the RJD’s opposition, Nitish would move forward on his agenda. In the National Council meet of the JDU, former CM of Jharkhand, Babulal Marandi, also participated. Marandi has not merged his party with the JDU till date, but has made it clear that he will be fighting next elections after forming an alliance with the JDU and Congress. The JDU is still hopeful that Marandi will agree for a merger.
Some days ago, Nitish had also participated in two functions of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. One was organised to commemorate Chaudhary Devi lal, and the other was in the memory of Chaudhary Charan Singh. Sons and grandsons of the two leaders are in favour of forming an alliance with Nitish. If the JDU leaders don’t put pressure on the RlD and INlD for a merger, then they will certainly be there in the JDU front. So, it can be said that the RJD, JDU, JVM, INlD and RlD have formed an anti-NDA front. Probably, Rahul Gandhi is also supporting this front.
INFIGHTING IN CONGRESS
The Congress is already facing crisis in Northeastern States, and now its problems have increased in three eastern States. The Congress organisation is in controversy in Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, and infighting has reached Delhi.
Many leaders and MlAs are camping in Delhi against Jharkhand’s Congress president Sukhdev Bhagat. Recently, Bhagat had formed a committee and appointed his near and dear ones as its members. He neither sought any advice nor gave importance to veteran leaders of the State. That is why two Congress MlAs had addressed a press conference to oppose Bhagat’s move. Now, the rebellion has reached Delhi. Earlier, MlAs were opposing BK Hariprasad also, but now they are targeting only Bhagat.
Congress leaders have also opened front against Odisha State president Prasad Kumar Harichandan. The leader of ClP, Narasingha Mishra, is speaking out against him. The Congress has 16 MlAs in Odisha and they are all against the State president.
Ashok Chaudhary, the president of Bihar Congress, is also facing heat. Recently, he had called a meeting but half of the MlAs did not participate. Many leaders are not happy with the dual responsibilities given to him. Many MlAs are angry over his statement on Mohammad Shahabuddin, but he is least bothered as he is close to Rahul.
TICKET DISTRIBUTION CRISIS
Speculations are rife in the political circle of UP that Akhilesh Yadav has an alternative plan for the next elections, and that is the reason why veterans of the party are uncomfortable. Sources say that senior leaders have sensed the alternative strategy of Akhilesh, so it was their compulsion to declare him as the CM face of the party.
It is said that the Harvard professor, who is looking after the election management of Akhilesh, feels that if the Samajwadi Party doesn’t put its money on Akhilesh, then it will land in trouble. On the other hand, Mulayam Singh Yadav is worried that if Akhilesh is given more importance and Shivpal Singh Yadav gets angry, then the party will face problems. That is why Mulayam has been trying to strike a balance between his son and brother.
Some say the real trouble will start when the tickets are distributed. Shivpal is selecting the candidates according to his own criteria, while Akhilesh has already decided candidates for almost 350 seats. Sources say many names which have already been announced will be changed. Tickets to half of the sitting MlAs might be cut. Hence, Mulayam’s real problems will start only when ticket distribution begins.
lOBBYING FOR CBI CHIEF POST
CBI director Anil Kumar Sinha will retire in December, but lobbying has already started for his post. Buzz is that this time an unprecedented number of contenders have become active to get the post. Right from Maharashtra to Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu to Bihar, many officers are in the fray.
However, CBI Special Director Rupak Kumar Dutta is said to be way ahead of other contenders as he is an insider. Though this is true that for the past many times, outsiders have been appointed as CBI directors. So, this time also names of outsiders are being taken.
The decision on the next CBI chief will probably be taken next month.
For the past few times, officers from Bihar have been looking after the CBI, so this time also, the State lobby has become active. Present DG of ITBP, Krishna Chaudhary, an IPS officer of 1979 batch, is also a strong contender. He is said to be very close to lalu Prasad Yadav, but some say Sushil Kumar Modi is also lobbying for him. Ranjit Sinha was also very close to lalu and had also moved to the CBI from ITBP.
This time, names of two women police officers are also doing the rounds, one being Archana Ramasundaram. Ranjit Sinha had tried to take her in the CBI, but despite appointment, she could not serve the agency due to Tamil Nadu’s adamant behaviour and some legal matters. She is the first DG to serve any paramilitary force. At present, she is the DG of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Apart from her, DG of Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) Meeran C Borwankar is also in the race.
BYElECTIONs IN NE STATES
Northeastern States of the country were never in so much political discussion in the past as they are now. For one or the other reason, NE States are being discussed in Delhi political circles. The discussions had started after the BJP’s victory in Assam. The Arunachal episode has also given an impetus to the political scenario of the region. Irom Sharmila, who sat on a hunger strike for years, has also given a new dimension to the region’s political situation.
Now, byelections are to held in many States, such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura. And these byelections have become interesting due to one or the other reason. Bypolls are scheduled in West Bengal also and these will also be interesting.
Byelections for lok Sabha are being held on four seats. One seat is from Madhya Pradesh, two are from West Bengal, and one is from Assam. The Assam seat is quite important as it is lying vacant after Sarbananda Sonowal’s resignation. lakhimpur seat of Assam and Shahdol of MP belong to the BJP, while both seats of WB — Cooch Behar and Tamluk — belong to the TMC. In comparison to lok Sabha byelections, Assembly byelections will be more interesting.
There is byelection on one seat in Arunachal Pradesh, and it will be interesting as former CM Kalikho Pul had won from this seat. He had committed suicide when he was removed from the CM’s post. Along with Pema Khandu, the BJP will put all its strength on this seat, and the Congress, which has been reduced to one from 42 seats, will also put in all its efforts. Byelections on two seats in Assam and West Bengal will also be interesting. The election is being held here as Congress MlAs changed their stance. In Assam, Congress MlAs have joined the BJP, and in West Bengal Congress MlAs have joined the CPM. Mamata Banerjee will try to win this seat at any cost to ensure a big jolt for the CPM and Congress. The BJP will also try to win one seat of Assam at any cost.