The morale of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is low ever since the results of Punjab elections were announced. Although the performance of the AAP can’t be called bad because this was the first election for the party in the State. The AAP did manage to push the BJP and Akali to the number three spot. Kejriwal’s party also got votes in good number. But AAP leaders, who were expecting a majority in the State, are certainly disappointed.
Many AAP leaders feel that their party has become the main Opposition party and should cash in on this factor in Delhi. But Kejriwal is not too confident. He now wants the elections to be deferred or wants such a positioning that if he loses, EVMs can be held responsible. He is worried that there might be a revolt in his party. Seeing the fierce politics of the BJP in Delhi, AAP leaders are apprehensive that if their party doesn’t win the MCD elections, then the BJP will try to break away its MlAs. In this scenario, Kejriwal is trying to save both his leadership and the party.
That is why he is raising the issue of EVM irregularities. When a similar issue cropped up during the byelections at a seat in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, Kejriwal went to the Election Commission to lodge a complaint. Though his party was not fighting on the seat, he demanded ballot paper for elections. He knew that after nomination, the Election Commission can’t allow ballot paper, so he has appealed to defer the elections. The truth is that he wants to buy some time for the Punjab blow to weaken.
REVOlT BREWING IN SPIJ
After the defeat in UP elections, the Samajwadi Party is facing the danger of a big revolt. Though sources in the SP say that Mulayam Singh Yadav is trying his best to save the party, his family members — who are well aware of his strategies — are preparing a new blueprint.
Sources say this time Shivpal, Amar Singh, Aparna Yadav, and Sadhna Yadav don’t want to take any risk. Probably they have contacted other SP leaders and have convinced them that in case a new party is launched, Mulayam should be its president. It is said that if as per promise, Akhilesh doesn’t return the party president post to Mulayam, it will cause a breakaway in the party.
Before this, Mulayam had started opposing Akhilesh, but it was in reality an attempt to save his son. He wanted to become the face of opposition against Akhilesh, so that all opponents come together and the party is saved. But he has already used this card, so no one knows how effective it will be again. It is said that this time, Azam Khan is also not happy. Since the party has faced defeat, Ram Gopal is also not in a strong position. That is why leaders from the opponent group have become active.
NO AID FOR RAHUl AIDES
On one hand, the Congress is thinking about handing over the party command to Rahul Gandhi, and on the other hand, attempts are apparently being made to pull down the leaders who have been selected by Rahul. All but a few State party presidents handpicked by him have failed. Almost all veterans are either opposing them or not allowing them to work.
In Kerala, Rahul had appointed VM Sudheeran as PCC president, but he resigned after a few days. Former CM Oommen Chandy and former State president Ramesh Chennithala were so uncooperative that Sudheeran had to resign. In Punjab, Rahul had to remove Punjab PCC president Pratap Singh Bajwa just before elections because Captain Amarinder Singh’s faction didn’t co-operate.
Sanjay Nirupam was the choice for the president of Mumbai PCC but not a single leader of Mumbai or Maharashtra backed him. At the time of the BMC elections, former State president Gurudas Kamat and Kripashankar Singh didn’t help him either. Eventually, the Congress was defeated badly in the BMC elections and now there is a growing demand for removing Nirupam.
In Delhi, Ajay Maken — who is close to Rahul — is in command. But leaders close to Sheila Dikshit are said to be creating problems for him. Former MlA Amrish Gautam has left the party and Ashok Walia has threatened to quit too. Arvinder Singh lovely, who is a close aide of Dikshit, has also criticised the working style of Maken. Sheila, too, gave a statement in favour of Walia, saying that if he leaves, it will be a big setback for the party.
The story of Haryana is the same. Supporters of former CM BS Hooda have attacked PCC president Ashok Tanwar. Sachin Pilot is facing a similar ordeal in Rajasthan. The outcome of appointing Raj Babbar as the UPCC president is clear by now. So, it’s only in Bihar where Rahul’s appointment has been successful. In Jharkhand, partial success can be seen.
BAD PHASE FOR CONGMEN
After conceding defeat at the Centre, the Congress is being ousted from one State after another. In fact, several party leaders are also facing a bad time as the central agencies are tightening their grip over them.
The problems of former finance minister P Chidambaram have increased. The CBI has revealed in court that it is investigating his role in giving a green signal to the Aircel-Maxis deal. It is being said that all documents are being verified. Meanwhile, the central agencies have attached the property worth Rs12 crore belonging to the companies of Chidambaram’s son Karti. In fact, there are allegations of a scam in Karti’s company obtaining the contract of emergency ambulance service.
Meanwhile, there is news that the farmhouse worth Rs27 crore of Virbhadra Singh has been attached; he is also facing charges of the DA.
On the other hand, the Delhi High Court has removed the stay put on his arrest. The day the HC removed the ban, the CBI filed a chargesheet against him in the special court.
In Goa, as soon as the new Government took charge, the problems of former CM Digambar Kamat mounted. The Crime Branch of the State has filed a chargesheet against him in the louis Berger bribery case, and Kamat has been named as a suspect. Churchill Alemaes, former PWD Minister, is also an accused in the case, but he is now supporting the Manohar Parrikar Government. However, in the same case, the ED has attached Kamat’s property worth Rs2 crore. Some say Harish Rawat is also in for a tough time ahead.
WHAT lIES AHEAD FOR BJDIJ
All eyes are on the BJP’s executive meeting in Bhubaneswar on April 15-16. The party is expected to hold important discussions on its future in the State and could also take many political initiatives. In-charge general secretary Arun Singh has strongly denied any attempts by it to split the BJD in Odisha, claiming that if the party breaks apart, it will be its own folly.
For the past several years, the BJD has encountered many controversies, and MP BJ Panda could play an active role in making a dent into his own party. It is being said that the BJD leaders are worried due to the health concerns of Naveen Patnaik. He is going abroad for check-up and there is no leader to take his place. Earlier, it was being said that Patnaik might put forward his sister Gita Mehta, but later denied the news.
Now there is buzz that his nephew and niece will take command. But opposing voices are growing and this is probably why Patnaik is not able to make any decision. However, the chief whip of BJD in lok Sabha, Tathagat Panda, has tweeted many times taking BJ Panda’s name directly, so activities of rebels have gone down a tad bit. But for how long, is the crucial questionIJ