Failed Move in Srinagar

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November 23, 2018

The failed move by PDP, National Conference, and Congress to form a government in Srinagar was a desperate but clever ploy to force the early dissolution of the state assembly. On the face of it, all the three political parties came out with a strong statement blaming the Governor and the Centre for preventing them to form a government when they had more than the number required for a majority in the House. The bare majority mark is of 44 MLAs to form the government. Against this, the combined strength of the MLAs belonging to the PDP, the National Conference, and the Congress was 56.

Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister and President of the PDP later said in a statement that by dissolving the House “the Center has stolen our mandate”.

Had the political parties who joined hands were serious to provide a popular government in the state, they would have moved the Supreme Court to challenge the Governor’s action in dissolving the state legislature. But no such step was taken by the parties. Instead, the parties in question resorted to ‘twitter’ to express their anguish over Governor’s action.

The latest development in Jammu & Kashmir has two sides. One, that the attempt to give the popular government to the people was a serious one. Another that the parties inadvertently embarked on a strategy that led to the dissolution of the state assembly. Had the Governor invited the parties to form government what would have been the consequences? Let examine this step by step.

Jammu & Kashmir would have got a popular government. But the three political parties who fight for the same political space would have tried to pull the coalition government in a different direction. It would have been like three untamed horses trying to pull the cart in different direction resulting in the cart getting stuck and finally getting broken.

The situation in Jammu & Kashmir has improved a lot under the Governor’s rule. The turnout in the recently held Panchayat election was impressive. There are fewer incidents of youths pelting stones at the Army and Security Forces engaged in encountering terrorists.

With a popular government in place, it would have taken a soft stand on those supporting terrorists in the valley. The response of all the three parties to strict action against those supporting terrorists is well known. None of the parties in question would have allowed tough measures against pro-separatist elements. With an eye on the election, the coalition partners would have gone for a pro-separatists policy that would have reversed the process of normalcy in the valley.

At the same time, it must be known that just because the proposed government in Srinagar was a non-BJP government the separatists would have calmed down to give strength to the coalition arrangement was not to come. Neither the Hurriyat nor the separatist forces would budge on their role to disrupt peace in the valley.

While deciding to dissolve the House, the Centre must have taken a serious view of the consequences of the formation of a government that would feed on separatists demand. Already a trend is being set in the country to encourage confrontation between States and the Centre. The Andhra Pradesh and the West Bengal Government headed by Chandrababu Naidu and Mamata Banerjee have banned the CBI from undertaking a new investigation in the two states without prior permission of the state government.

Earlier, Altaf Bukhari of the PDP who emerged as a consensus candidate of the coalition said that his government would work to protect the identity of Jammu & Kashmir which is under threat. I wonder if any threat exists to the identity of Jammu & Kashmir. On the contrary ever since the Modi Government came to power at the Centre, the Jammu & Kashmir has received special grants and special attention. During the BJP-PDP coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti, the Centre extended all help and cooperated with the Mufti Government in handling the volatile situation in the state.

The other side of the story is the two regional parties in Jammu & Kashmir namely the PDP and the National Conference were facing rebellion from within. The internal strife was getting strong as many PDP legislators were even thinking in terms of splitting the Party. Mufti would have lost her grip over the Party had her MLAs deserted the PDP. It was this in mind that she demanded the dissolution of the House soon after Governor’s rule was imposed in the state. Similar was the situation in the camp of National Conference. Some of its MLAs were ready to cross side by joining the BJP.

The first statement of the governor Satya Pal Malik that one of the reasons to dissolve the House was the fragile nature of the coalition proved right within 24 hours of the attempt of the three parties to form the government.

Some commentators were quick to say that the new coalition of the PDP, the National Conference, and the Conference was beginning of the formation of Mahagathbandhan in Jammu & Kashmir. Even before the ink had dried on the papers signed by the Governor to dissolve the state assembly, Omar Abdullah, former chief minister of the National Conference outright rejected the idea of his Party joining hands with Mehbooba Mufti to fight elections jointly as an ally. The idea of Mahagathbandhan fell like nine pins within a day of its abortive birth.

R K SINHA

(The writer is Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)

Keira Knightley, Keeley Hawes to star in ‘Misbehaviour’

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Afternoon Voice

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November 23, 2018

Actors Keira Knightley and Keeley Hawes are all set to play the lead in the drama, “Misbehaviour”.

The film is a retelling of the fascinating true story about Women’s Liberal Movement’s activists who stormed the 1970 Miss World pageant in protest, reported a online portal.

The feature, to be helmed by Philippa Lowthorpe, will examine the movement and the global prominence that came from crashing Miss World.

Knightley, 33, and actor Jessie Buckley will play members of the Women’s Liberation Movement.

Hawes, 42, who most recently featured alongside Richard Madden in “Bodyguard”, will take on the role of Miss World pageant executive Julia Morley.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw, the star of “San Junipero” episode of “Black Mirror”, will play Miss Grenada.

The 1970 pageant was also famed for being the first to be won by a black woman, which caused further controversy, as suspicions were raised over the judges’ voting system.

Daniel Radcliffe reveals why he wouldn’t watch ‘Harry Potter’ play

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Afternoon Voice

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November 23, 2018

Daniel Radcliffe says the reason he would not go and watch the Broadway play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” because rather than the act, audiences would look at him for his reaction.

During his appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers”, the 29-year-old actor said his decision was not based on the possibility that the play would throw him “into some existential crisis”.

“I always give a really boring, terrible answer. I’m probably not going to see it, I don’t have plans to. Not because I think it would throw me into some sort of existential crisis of like, ‘Oh, is that what happened?’,” he told Meyers.

Radcliffe said he believes it would not be a “relaxing” experience for him if he goes to watch the play.

“I feel like I would be being watched for my reaction. And maybe that is completely conceited and egotistical and people wouldn’t care, but I do feel if I was just surrounded by ‘Harry Potter’ fans, it would be a little odd,” he added.

Meyers then asked him if he considered going in disguise, to which Radcliffe said, “The thing about a disguise is that if it stops working, then you’re just a dude who wore a disguise.

The Voyeur’s Call

By

Shreejit Guha

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November 23, 2018

The idea of Cinema in itself is a medium of self-expression of the Director and viewed by the Audience. The audience’s reaction, however, doesn’t necessarily need to comply with that of the maker, resulting in the film’s box-office success or failure. The maker exerts well-known tools of filmmaking such as “Suspension of disbelief” to grasp the audience’s attention, turning them into mere voyeurs as the incidents play on screen. A voyeur is basically a peeping Tom, a silent observer of sorts, unnoticed by the participants in the act. There have been exceptions as directors have broken the Fourth wall, i.e. addressing the audience directly, but the voyeuristic pleasure still retains the essence of Cinema to a large extent. The CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification of India), however, has been rigorous in curbing certain freedoms enjoyed by the filmmakers of late. Even this year, a number of films have been reportedly rejected from the International Film Festival of India for allegedly being of “anti-national” spirit. With such constraints over creative freedom and freedom of expression, filmmakers turned to new digital platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, etc. to create content and reach the audience with the product, untouched and uncut.

Censorship and cutting of scenes are not only curbing an artist’s freedom to express but also diminishes the quality of the product considerably. Recently, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court by NGO Justice for Rights that asks to regulate the content shown on online Video On Demand platforms. According to the PIL filed, shows on online platforms contains “vulgar, profane, sexually explicit, pornographic and morally unethical content” and has been alleged to show women on a bad light. The question here is not only moral but at its core lie questions that are both of aesthetical and social importance. Cinema is, in its own right, a mirror of the society, albeit its own business and financial values. Though films today has been reduced to a money-spinning machine by producers, online platforms are here to break the cycle. What would Cinema portray of a society which has already struck the chords of each of the word written down in the litigation filed? How have these questions not occurred while cheesy, titillating item songs adorn big Bollywood productions, or in that respect the hideous daily soaps that are supposed to be socially educative?

The way that free expression is getting curbed, it is of paramount importance that the Cinematograph Act of 1952 is revised. World Cinema has progressed hugely, and the ways things are going in India, we can hardly expect a Gaspar Noe rising from our country any soon. Even our own Q (Director of Gandu, Brahman Naman) has resorted to online platforms to showcase their works. It’s high time the state recognises its citizens as responsible individuals and leaves with choices. As in the case of online content, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated in 2016, that they don’t intervene in online content. So far so good, but with the recent PIL being filed at the Delhi High Court, and the court’s decision to hear the plea, chances are that web certification might be introduced in the long run, thus putting another nail in the coffin of Indian Cinema.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Letters to the Editor: Nov 23, 2018

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Afternoon Voice

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November 23, 2018

1) Very interesting political drama in J&K

Nowadays, Kashmiri valleys are witnessing a very interesting political drama as the governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the state assembly. It is also interesting to note that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its arch-rival National Conference (NC) are supposed to team up with Congress for a shot at government formation in the state. It clearly shows that everything is possible in the politics that we can never trust any party. It is obvious that the state, Jammu & Kashmir, holds much significance for every political party, this is why every party is pulling out all the spots to form its government in the state. However, it is a very difficult time for the BJP in Jammu & Kashmir to claim for power, because none of the parties seem to be ready for going in BJP’s favour.

– F.T.Mulla

2) Great going Maharashtra Government

I would like to extend my heartiest gratitude to the government of Maharashtra who has taken a good step by launching a new railway station. There will be 10 pairs of trains running between Nerul and Kharkopar and another 10 pairs between Belapur and Kharkopar.

It is a good job and it will be beneficial for the people. The government should start another station in a needed place. I congratulate the government to continue such activities for the development of the state.

– MT Khan Qasmi

3) The Victorious Women in Blue

I appreciate all the members of the Indian Women’s National Cricket Team, who chased down the target of 134 with six balls to spare. Special mention goes to Mithali Raj who smashed an aggressive half-century to guide India to an easy 7- wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup T20 on Sunday. I am really proud of the Indian team because they have made the country proud. It is a big achievement for all Indians to celebrate. One can hope that the team will continue to perform well and out-class the oppositions in the forthcoming matches and win the World Cup too. My best wishes for the team for the future competitions.

– Mohd Tariq

4) Stand Beside Tamil Nadu

The heart-breaking news of cyclone “Gaja” that occurred in seven districts of Tamil Nadu on Friday midnight which raked havoc on widely private properties, trees, and crops, including the deaths of at least 13 people and many more injured, must have left every citizen in a state of extreme grief. So it is our responsibility to help them and take apart to relieve them by hook or crook, especially for the state governments. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has promised Rs10 lakh for each of their bereaved families and Rs 25.000 for every seriously injured person. Similarly, relief agencies are also working to bring relief to the affected people. I pray safety and well-being for the people of Tamil Nadu and that they soon return to their normal conditions.

– Md Ashfaque

5) Maratha quota cleared

Maharashtra government is making up the lost time by clearing the state panel report on Maratha quota at the right time. Even though it is a retrograde step, the move has come before the elections in 4 states and before the 2019 parliamentary elections. Modi, Fadnavis and Amit Shah Combination are working on retaining power in the state with remedial measures and work out a winning formula. The panel had endorsed the social, educational and financial backwardness of Marathas in a holistic way. The move is on expected lines and will benefit the majority of Marathas. The opposition may term it as a vote bank politics but the initiative taken by the state government is laudable after conducting surveys in a systematic way to bring out an amicable solution to the pressing problem.

– Nikhil Krishnan

6) India should negotiate with Pakistan on terror activities

At first, I would like to congratulate Punjab police to have solved the case of a grenade attack on Nirankari Satsang Bhawan in the very short period, as the police arrested one of two perpetrators and also established that the strike was orchestrated by Pakistan’s spy agency. It is the matter of great shame that Pakistan is involved in a terror attack which is a sign to disturb peace in the state of Punjab. Pakistan, who always talks about peace, should put some preventive measures in place to control such terrorist groups. Indian government must negotiate with Pakistan about this sensitive matter which is destructive for our country’s harmony and peace.

– Mohd Faheem

7) Intolerant Virat

The bizarre reaction of Virat Kohli to the cricket enthusiast was unbecoming and inappropriate. While he was reading out mean messages addressed to him by fans and responding to them, one of them said him that Kohli is an overrated batsman and he prefers to watch Australian and English batsmen, he replied: “I don’t think you should live in India then”. He has been the megastar of Indian cricket, but is the dazzle of lights making his thinking process fuzzy? Such comments don’t suit his stardom. It is immature that every Indian has to be a fan of the Indian Cricket Team. It is not the first time when he has shown lack of tact dealing with issues. He should be tolerant and open enough to listen to other voices.

– Qeyamuddin

8) Security Compromised

By purchasing 36 Rafale fighter aircraft instead of cancelling on-going negotiations for acquiring as many as 126 such aircraft, most of which were to be assembled in India, the recent government has compromised our national security. If indeed, our adversary’s increased air power was posing a threat to our security, it would have been more logical for any responsible government to take necessary measures to strengthen its air power by augmenting its depleted squadrons. This logic is strange to even common sense.

– Ashfaque Ahmad

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

I’ve never read a script in my career: Sunny Deol

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Afternoon Voice

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November 23, 2018

Thirty five years and several blockbusters later, actor Sunny Deol says his process of working in a film is purely “instinctive” where he is more interested in listening to the storyteller than reading scripts.

For Sunny, it is a matter of choice that he avoids reading scripts as he believes he might look at them with a “certain mindset” and hence prefers to hear them straight from the writers.

“I am a very instinctive person. I hear an idea, a thought and if it is good and I like it, I just jump for it. I don’t go into the detailings of it. Right now, you need to do that but back then filmmaking was different. I never read scripts,” Sunny told agencies.

“I just hear the idea from the director and go for it. I have always interacted with the story writer and heard the subject because that’s what is going to eventually come over on screen,” he adds.

Since his debut in 1983 with “Betaab”, Sunny has featured in some strong content driven films like “Ghayal”, “Damini”, “Darr” and “Gaddar Ek Prem Katha”, among others.

A process of not reading scripts can be considered risky but Sunny still goes by his instincts while giving nod to a film.

“One never takes it as gamble. I do it because I love it and I’m enjoying the story. Obviously sometimes in the journey you realise the production, the director, writer, or some things are going here and there but you don’t disown it. You don’t run away because it’s everyone’s baby,” he says.

The actor is seen in “Bhaiaji Superhit”, which also features Priety Zinta and Arshad Warsi.

The film is set in Sunny’s familiar territory, action-comedy, but the actor says it does not mean he goes to the sets thinking it will be a cakewalk.

“I don’t think I have ever worked with the attitude that ‘This is easy I can do it.’ Hats off to those who say and do it. For me, I need to enjoy it. You can’t be nervous while performing a scene because then you wouldn’t be able to,” he says.

The 62-year-old actor, however, is aware that to stay relevant, he has to pick up roles which move according to times.

“I cannot be a teenager in films. You move accordingly and your experience makes you do certain subjects which you wouldn’t have done when you were younger. As the time goes, you interact and become more aware of certain things.

“It’ll be stupid if I still want to play a college boy. Besides that nobody would want to make it also. It’s only when the filmmakers know that this actor can pull it off, is when they approach you,” he adds.

Directed by Neerraj Pathak and produced by Chirag Dhariwal, “Bhaiaji Superhit” releases on Friday.

6 terrorists gunned down in Anantnag encounter

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Afternoon Voice

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November 23, 2018

At least six terrorists have been killed in an ongoing encounter between terrorists and security forces in Sekipora area of Bijbhera in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Friday.

Indian Army’s 3 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Jammu and Kashmir Police are jointly conducting the ongoing operation, which started in the wee hours.

Security forces have recovered arms and ammunition from the encounter site. More details are currently awaited.

The Valley has been witnessing a spurt in terror activities for the past few months. On Tuesday, One Army jawan was killed in action and four terrorists were killed in an encounter at Nadigam village in Shopian district.

C P Joshi’s statement contrary to Congress party’s ideals: Rahul

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Afternoon Voice

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November 23, 2018

Congress President Rahul Gandhi broke his silence on Friday over Dr CP Joshi’s controversial remark stating only Brahmans can talk about Hinduism.

Logging on to Twitter, the Gandhi scion stated that Joshi’s remarks do not sync with his political party’s ideals and urged his leaders not to utter anything which can hurt the sentiment of any section of the society.

“C P Joshi Ji’s statement is contrary to Congress party’s ideals. The party leaders should not give any statement that hurts sentiments of any section of the society.”

The Congress president also sternly stated that Dr Joshi must express regret over his statement. “While respecting the principles of Congress, the spirit of the workers, Joshiji must surely realize the mistake. He should express regret over his statement,” Gandhi wrote on his Twitter handle.

Shortly after Gandhi’s statement, Joshi expressed regret for his remarks and stated, “With due to the Congress party’s principles and its workers, I express regret over my statments if it has caused hurt to any section of the society.”

On Wednesday, AICC general secretary and senior Congress leader from Rajasthan, Dr CP Joshi, stated that only Brahmins can talk about Hindusim. He also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and central minister Uma Bharti in his speech, questioning why the two speak on Hindu religion when they are not Brahmins or pandits.

While addressing a public gathering at his hometown Nathdwara on Wednesday, Joshi had said, “They say a Congressi can’t be a Hindu, who gave them the authority to issue certificates? Have they opened a university? If anyone knows about religion then its pandits/brahmins. They are just misguiding the people by such moves. Uma Bharti is a Lodhi, and she talks about Hinduism, Modi ji talks about Hinduism. It’s only Brahmins who don’t talk about it. The country is being misled. Religion and governance are two different things. Everyone has the right to practice their religion.”

Dr Joshi also charged BJP with spreading lies about the equation shared by India’s first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He stated that, contrary to what is portrayed by BJP, Patel never initiated a move without consulting Nehru. Known as the ‘Iron Man of India’, Patel was instrumental in uniting the country through the merger of princely states.

Sena asks BJP for ordinance, date for Ram temple construction

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Afternoon Voice

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November 23, 2018

The Shiv Sena on Friday asked the BJP to come out with an ordinance and declare a date for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

While slamming the BJP, the Sena said those in power should be proud of Shiv Sainiks who had “destroyed Babur’s raj in Ram Janmabhoomi”. The Babri Masjid was built in Ayodhya n the orders of Mughal emperor Babur.

In an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, the Sena said it neither moves around with a begging bowl asking for votes in the name of Lord Ram nor does it indulge in “jumlebaazi” (rhetoric) during polls.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on November 25 as part of his party’s push to build a Ram temple there.

“Why did those, who call themselves pro-Hindutva, start getting a stomach ache when we announced our plans of going to Ayodhya? We are not going there for political purposes,” the Sena said in the editorial.

It claimed the party had not given the slogan “Chalo Ayodhya”, but Shiv Sainiks were going there for Lord Ram’s darshan and also because Ayodhya is “nobody’s private place”.

“There is no Ram raj there now, but the raj of the Supreme Court. However, in 1992, Balasaheb’s Shiv Sainiks had destroyed Babur’s raj in Ram Janmabhoomi. Instead of being scared and jealous of such Sainiks, those in power should be proud of them,” the Sena editorial claimed.

It further said that instead of casting aspersions on the motive of Sainiks going to Ayodhya, the government should declare a date for the construction of the temple and put all suspicions to rest.

“We ask you ask once again, why don’t you declare a date for the construction of the Ram temple? If the issue of Ram temple goes out of your hands, in 2019, apart from your ‘rozi-roti’ (livelihood), many people’s tongues too will become handicapped,” the editorial warned.

“Instead of doing everything to stop the Sena, we ask again, why don’t you come out with an ordinance and declare a date for the construction of the temple,” the editorial stated.

Will BJP manage to form independent Govt in Chhattisgarh?

By

Vaidehi Taman

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November 22, 2018

Chhattisgarh Elections 2018, a total of 1,079 candidates were in the fray, and both Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) contested all the 72 seats — however, this time, the results would be very unpredictable. BJP may gain votes, but they won’t be able to form an independent government. No doubt, Raman Singh has reduced the Naxal cases and has done a lot of development in the state. He developed Raipur and Naya Raipur. The only opposition to him is Ajit Jogi. Raman Singh has said that he is contesting the 2018 elections on the development plan. He cites the increase in power generation from 4,732 MW in 2003 to 22,764 MW this year and the increase in PMGSY network from 1,072 km in 2003 to 22,750 km this year as achievements. While the stated pitch remains development, Raman Singh, the veteran of political battles, realises that he will have to deliver individually and to specific communities to win in 2018. He targeted the 29 tribal seats in the state where the BJP didn’t do too well last time. In the 12 seats in the Bastar region, the BJP won only four. Bonus distribution of tendu leaf plucking is being given out to woo the tribal electorate besides extension of the work of the RSS affiliates in the tribal areas. He has doled out smartphones earlier this year and rice at Rs 1 per kg previously. Bonus on paddy procurement has been ordered and is being seen as the game changer in the next polls. He is confident that the BJP’s vote share and seats will increase this time.

On the other hand, Congress has no mass leader. Seems no party will come in the majority. In my prediction of Chhattisgarh elections, Jogi would be a kingmaker like Shibu Soren in Jharkhand. As Ajit Jogi, who was in Congress and was the head of Congress in Chhattisgarh, has left the Congress along with the powerful leaders who had a stronghold in their zones and formed an independent party headed by Jogi which is the reflection of Congress and named as “Janta Congress Chhattisgarh”. Because of this, the vote Bank of Congress is shaken as the majority will choose Ajit Jogi. If Jogi supports Congress, then BJP will be out of power. In the end, if Jogi Congress supports BJP with their terms and conditions, then the scenario may change as Ajit Jogi has good relations with Raman Singh. Raman Singh will again become the CM of the state for the fourth time. BJP losing Chhattisgarh is only a distant possibility. Given the Modi-Shah duo’s astute political dealings and Congress’s equally defunct organisational and ideological standing, a Congress win is nearly improbable.

Still, one can’t simply discount Congress’s chances. The last assembly election in 2013 saw only a marginal difference of 0.7 per cent, in the vote shares of BJP and Congress. Given the fact that anti-incumbency and some serious corruption allegations against CM Raman Singh would be playing strong as he seeks to win a fourth term. It’d all come down to who’s more adept at political shenanigans in the run-in to the assembly election in 2018 and I doubt, Congress can beat the BJP at its own game. Just like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress has fielded a formidable candidate Karuna Shukla against Chief Minister Raman Singh, 66, in Rajnandgaon. Karuna Shukla, 68, is the niece of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Like Manvendra Singh, she too was with the BJP but later quit the party to join the Congress. She was a BJP MLA when Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2001. She won the 14th Lok Sabha election in 2004 Janjgir constituency of Chhattisgarh on a BJP ticket.

However, she lost the Lok Sabha 2009 election from Korba to Charan Das Mahant of the Congress.

She resigned from the BJP in 2013 alleging that the party was “under the grip of power politics”. A couple of months before the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Karuna Shukla joined the Congress and contested from Bilaspur constituency in Chhattisgarh. However, BJP’s Lakhan Lal Sahu defeated her.

Karuna Shukla has been vocal against the BJP and has been active in Rajnandgaon, the Chief Minister’s constituency. The then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had called Raman Singh a “giant killer” for defeating veteran Congress leader Motilal Vora in the 1999 Lok Sabha election from Rajnandgaon constituency. Now, Karuna Shukla poses a challenge from Karuna Shukla, who is vying to become a “giant killer”.

Whether or not they win but the presence of strong Congress candidates Manvendra Singh against Vasundhara Raje, Arun Yadav against Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Karuna Shukla against Raman Singh has made the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh quite interesting.

The sitting BJP chief ministers can certainly not remain complacent as in the previous years as their opponents are capable of giving them a run for their money. Let’s see what mandate the votes of the states deliver. Whatsoever, is the result, it is very much sure that the BJP will not have a cake walk this time.

Present situation shows that BJP will have a tough competition in MP, Rajasthan, and Chattisgarh and even Karnataka. It looks BJP may not be in the position to form the government in MP, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh independently. Congress is improving their strength in all the 3 BJP ruled states. Anti-incumbency is quite strong here but BJP would win the election with a very thin majority. Remember, people would want a change as well since the same party is governing the state. Some people are of opinion on news channels that BJP wouldn’t return to power.

Opposition played the caste line but Chhattisgarh’s social values defeated the strategy. Another factor, alcohol that can play a crucial role in some election, is now in BJP government’s control. Since last year, the Chhattisgarh government started selling alcohol and it has closed the shops of all private sellers. The opposition now won’t be able to use alcohol to their advantage.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)