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Letters to the Editor: 12 March, 2020

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Web Team
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letters to the editor, afternoon voice,

Congress drowns itself now in Madhya Pradesh by ignoring new-emerging leaders

It was well understood that totally ignored fast-emerging-leader Jyotiraditya Scindia in Congress ultimately set to join BJP by leaving Congress along with his supporting MLAs and ministers in Congress-led Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh. It is a dynastic tradition in Congress that emerging and deserving leaders in the party capable of shadowing party-owning family are deliberately ignored in the party for reasons best known to the party-owners who somehow are under compulsion of giving party-leadership to old veterans rather than capable new-emerging leadership.

However such unholy political bargains in making and unmaking of governments does require a basic reform in electing Chief Ministers (and simultaneously also Speakers and Deputy Speakers). Chief Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker should be elected simultaneously by secret and compulsory vote through EVMs equipped with VVPAT on nominations signed by at least 34-percent members with abstaining members losing right to vote in the House though retaining membership. Such elected incumbents may be removed through same process but with compulsion to name alternate leader in the same motion. System will remove concept of hung assemblies and undesired mid-term elections or by-polls due to mass resignation of party-changing MLAs.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Separate kitchens in hotels and eateries for cooking non-vegetarian food necessary

 It refers to steep and sharp decline in consumption of non-vegetarian food with spread of Coronavirus. Already vegetarianism is spreading fast with many hotels and restaurants becoming popular for being excusive vegetarian. Vegetarianism is becoming popular even in advanced countries.

Central and some states have taken some practical steps to fight danger of Corona being spread in the country. Time has come when central government should order that hotels, restaurants and eateries may have separate kitchens and kitchen-wares to cook non-vegetarian food with such system displayed prominently inside and outside such hotels, restaurants and eateries adopting practice of having separate kitchens and kitchen-wares to cook non-vegetarian food. Rather such display will increase their business because now-a-days of Corona-fear, vegetarian people are avoiding taking food at places where non-vegetarian food is also cooked.

Short of expectations but given the financial crisis

The Karnataka budget for 2020-21 has fallen short of expectations but given the financial crisis that the state is facing, it is perhaps the best that Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa could do. The budget size, at Rs 2.37 lakh crore, increased by a mere 1.5 percent , or less than Rs 4,000 crore, over last year. Admittedly, the chief minister was forced to cut grants to various departments due to a shortfall of nearly Rs 12,000 crore in the devolution of funds from the Centre and GST compensation in the current fiscal. Though, Rs 500 crore has been allotted to the long-pending Kalasa-Banduri project across River Mahadayi. The overall grant to the irrigation sector inspires no confidence. Again, the absence of reforms in agricultural markets and policies to encourage innovation across the value chain represent another lost opportunity. There is a need for accountability and financial discipline to ensure that development expenditure is maximised.

 Arjand 

 

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

Is Congress digging its own grave yard?

By
C K Subramaniam
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Congress in Madhya Pradesh, congress, bjp, madhya pradesh government, incindia, Jyotiraditya Scindia, nationalist congress party, rahul gandhi, kamal nath, priyanka gandhi, sonia gandhi, gandhi , politics, sachin pilot, It’s all karma! Karma always catches Congress by scruff! Congress, if all has gumption, must go to Rajghat and openly declare that they are primarily guilty in debasing the political system! They wanted to be in power either by hook or crook! Now it is paining them. They could not set their house in order. The disgruntled MLAs resigned and switched over to BJP.

Strength never lies in any party, men will come men will go, see the fate of the largest parties, they become minority again the minority will become a largest party it is all in the game, breakaway is common in Indian Democracy, may be in future India may opt Communism too changing the constitution of Democracy.

Who should be blamed? Loop holes in democracy. Even these MLAs irrespective of their parties, would get Pension, and other old age benefits apart from telephone bill, travel expense concessions. There should be a law to limit this on pro-rata basis for their attendance in Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha or State Assemblies. If someone worked 5 years with full attendance, 5 year based pension should be given, not life time entitlement. This is helping all murderers, looters, contraband traffickers, anti-social elements to join politics and become MP or MLA. Election Commission and SC should not be mute spectators.

It is not BJP, it is INC ideology ignoring young enthusiastic politicians. Scindia won’t sellout that easily but he was cornered by Singh and Kamal for past 15 months so badly and now he can’t cope any longer so he left. Not only BJP any party would like strong leaders like Scindia. This is not new in our country irrespective of any party. But, day by day, the stench is becoming unbearable. Election Commission urges people to exercise their vote as it is their prerogative. But, these dirty politicians insult the voters beyond words.

The happiness about India having a young population and a mean age of 29 years is diminishing day by day. I have my own fear if youth is strength for society or a risky one and vision less liability. Far beyond Political party, the overall lack of maturity and collective vision and self-less leadership is missing. Everyday is a missed opportunity for India to lead and be the light house nation for the world. Fingers crossed.

Team Congress did it for the most part of their tenure when serving the country as the ruling party. Used governors to overthrow people elected governments several hundred times, did start horse trading long back including infamous Narasimha Rao minority government complete the full term with cross voting from tainted with bribed JMM leaders, resort politics everything. Congress party never left reforms happen in EC, SC, and remove corruption, bribe from society, but actively engaged in Quota Politics, Minority Appeasements, Not taking stern and bold decision on vital issues like Jammu and Kashmir, bringing Citizenship Register, unifying national records, free Education/Health Care, Farmer friendly welfare schemes etc., but entered in scam politics.

Kamal Nath Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh (MP) may like us to overlook fact that internal squabble within the Congress party, which were not considered important by the Congress party’s High command, have led to instability in the State. But how can Kamal Nath deal with the dissident Congress MLAs? It is easy to blame BJP but that won’t be good enough to save his government.  It is absolutely clear that Congress party’s future in MP will be adversely affected. Regional parties like RLD, and NCP, with whom Congress has alliances in Bihar and Maharashtra respectively, are seen to dictate terms to the Congress party and the Congress’ top leadership simply appears to be helpless. This is a very sad situation but perhaps a bitter reality. What will happen in MP in coming months can be guessed, Question is how long would it take for the Congress High command to accept ground reality that the Congress cannot regain its status without organizational restructuring and revamp?

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

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BJP welcomes Scindia with 22 of his MLAs

By
Hema Singh
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Jyotiradtiya Scindia joins BJPThe wait is finally over for the BJP as former union minister and senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has packed up his bags from the Congress and formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of party president JP Nadda and other BJP senior party leaders.

The development comes a day after when Scindia met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi shortly before he sent in his resignation letter to the Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

“Having been a primary member of the Congress party for last 18 years, it is now time for me to move on. I am tendering my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress and as you well know, this path has been drawing out over the last year,” Scindia said in his resignation letter.

Scindia, along with his 22 Congress MLAs quit the party on Tuesday. With this, Scindia has formally ended his nearly two decade association with the Congress party. The exit of Scindia, has left the Congress on the verge of losing power in Madhya Pradesh.

After Scindia joined his party, BJP president JP Nadda said, “It’s an occasion of immense happiness for us. Today we remember Rajmata who was instrumental in laying the foundation of our party.”

In his resignation Scindia said his aim has always been to serve people and politics is only a means to fulfil that.

After joining BJP, Scindia said, “I consider myself lucky that I have got a platform to serve the nation. I thank PM Modi. Not once but twice, he has got a massive mandate from the public. I believe nation’s future is secure in his hands.”

The episode has jolted the Congress party in and out. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot has criticised the BJP for the “Horse-trading” exercise in Madhya Pradesh.

The poaching of the 22 MLAs along with Jyotiraditya Scindia is the replication of the event that took place during the formation of the Maharashtra government. The exit of Scindia from the Congress has certainly made a room for the junior Congress leadership who precisely want to lift their political careers.

This act is a wake-up call for the Congress Party as there are several junior Congress leaders like Sachin Pilot of Rajasthan,  Kuldeep Bishnoi of Haryana, Milind Deora from South Mumbai, Jitin Prasada of Uttar Pradesh and RPN Singh who have the potential to upscale their careers in the political space. Categorically, the Indian National Congress party has to control their state senior leadership for any further political debacle.

Demise of Congress means the death of balanced politics in India – Part III

By
Vaidehi Taman
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The first jolt to the Congress came when Jawaharlal Nehru expired in 1964. Then everyone in Congress was asking only one question: “Who after Nehru?” Nehru was the tallest national leader of the party and India itself and his death created a vacuum in the political space which he had been holding for the last 17 years since the independence of the country. The party positioned Lal Bahadur Shastri as India’s second prime minister but not for long. He died suspiciously at Tashkent in 1966.

With the death of the two prime ministers in quick succession, the Congress party which had previously been able to win constituencies based solely on the charisma of its leaders, could no longer do so at least at the regional level. The fight within the party was increasing. The tide finally turned in the 1967 elections that was held from February 15 to 22. Of the 16 states, only eight returned Congress to power with absolute majorities in the state legislatures.

Equally bad was the rout of the Congress’s top leadership. Seven members of Indira Gandhi’s cabinet at the Centre were defeated. The presidents of the Congress party in six states also lost along with the chief ministers in four states. Congress was clearly losing its touch as the party started showing the first signs of a break. The party was divided into many factions like Indian National Congress (I), Indian National Congress (O), Bharatiya Kranti Dal, Utkal Congress and Bangla Congress. Many of these factions later became defunct as they merged with the Janata Party during the Emergency. The future of the Congress party then lay in the hands of the people who were qualified to lead it. There were many more of these sorts. The future of the Congress Party is bright when it stops targeting the PM! And focus on the ample more MLAs and MPs that it can target. In a hunting expedition, the animal would fall prey to the hunter if it behaves and follows the trails that the hunter sets to nab it down. The Congress party is behaving like ‘the animal’ in this case. The PM has been in public for more than 2/3rds of his life span and is very sound in predicting human behaviour. The Congress party contradicts him in either ‘wrong’ subjects or falls into his trap. This has happened numerous times. The future of the Congress Party lies in India’s Development. (And the future of India’s Development is also positively correlated with the Congress party’s survival). The Congress party was sleeping under the morning sun while BJP made its name synonymous with ‘Good Governance’ and ‘Development’.

But now, it’s high time to wake up and communicate! India is the fastest growing economy in the world today! And this is not merely because of the NDA’99 or the BJP’14 government. But this surely is because of economic reforms in 1991-1992.  There are many constructive steps like this that they could put up in front of people in a better way.

In the same way, they could counter BJP’s Development agenda by putting up a Better Development Agenda instead of mocking the parliament sessions.

If this happens, people will start having a confidence in the Congress party even when the BJP remains in power at the Centre and in majority of the states. Despite the challenges, Indira Gandhi who was mockingly referred to as “Goongi Gudiya”, emerged as a strong and decisive leader under whose leadership India won a decisive war against Pakistan in 1971. The war resulted in Congress reclaiming its place as the most dominant player in the Indian political system so much so that its power became increasingly unchecked. In a democracy, a government with unchecked power is quite problematic.

In 2004, the Congress made a comeback again in quite an astonishing fashion by defeating the incumbent BJP in power. The Congress would spend the next decade fully in control of India’s central government. This decade, especially the second half was marred by corruption. Telecom, railways, coal, land, sports, and various other ministries saw their names tarred under charges of corruption. Popular resentment against the regime grew prevalent among the public due to the increasing corruption within the government and the party’s inability to take any affirmative action against it. The then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was largely seen as a weak leader who couldn’t take tough action against corrupt members within his party and government. As a result, the party lost pathetically in the 2014 general elections where it won just 44 seats in the Lok Sabha out of the 543 up for grabs — an all-time low. Since then, the party still hasn’t settled into a new role. It has been losing election after election across many states in India. The most notable recent loss came in Uttar Pradesh the most populated state in India where the party got just seven seats in an assembly of 403 seats.

Most political observers are of the opinion that Congress lacks a genuine mass leader of which it used to have in dozens in its glory days. The vice president of the party, Rahul Gandhi, has been somewhat of a laughing stock due to his lack of leadership skills and his inability to win elections.

To sum up, the Congress has lost its sheen and doesn’t look to be in a position to even pose a challenge to the current BJP regime. If it manages to do so, the party would be pulling a rabbit out of a hat! Worryingly, the demise of Congress means the demise of a balanced political system in India. The Congress and the BJP, the two most dominant powers, used to balance off each other in Indian politics. With this balance lost, a newly emergent “BJP System” is replacing the earlier Congress system. At no time in the history of the party, the Congress has won an election either on the issue of development or on positive issues.

Right now, Congress does not have any charismatic leader who can convincingly bring victory to the party. Also, Congress has over the years right from Indira Gandhi has demolished all institutions within the party by nominating figureheads. Thereby, leadership development was buried once and for all. To revive them is not possible with the present set of leadership. It took hundred years to develop them, but took only 30 years to demolish them.

Also Read: Demise of Congress means the death of balanced politics in India – Part II

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

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Scindia, a Congress Trojan horse in BJP camp

By
Afternoon Voice
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Jyotiraditya Scindia lefts congress,Jyotiraditya Scindia, congress,Jyotiraditya, Scindia ,Jyotiraditya Scindia joins BJP

No, this can’t be, I said to myself when I heard that Madhya Pradesh senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has resigned from the party and is likely to join the BJP. 21 Congress MLAs also quit the party along with Scindia.

It is being rumoured that for the move of Scindia which has threatened the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh, the Central Government is most likely to reward him with a Rajya Sabha nomination and eventually a place in the central cabinet.

In the state, the Madhya Pradesh government has a wafer-thin majority of just four above the majority mark of 116. 21 Congress MLAs also quit along with Scindia and if the resignations are accepted, the party will lose power.

As happens in such cases, both the BJP and the Congress have moved their MLAs out of Madhya Pradesh for safe-keeping. While the BJP has put up its MLAs at the five-star ITC Grand Bharat in Gurgaon, the Congress has reportedly taken its members to Jaipur in Rajasthan where the party is in power.

On the other hand, the MP Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said that he was confident that his government will complete its term. “There is nothing to worry about. We will prove our majority,” he said.

Other reports say that Scindia was unhappy with the Congress leadership for some time. Once close to the Gandhi family, he lost the race for chief ministership in 2018 after he showed support of only 23 MLAs despite making a sizeable contribution to the Congress’ unexpected Assembly polls win. In August, he was one of a few opposition leaders who supported the centre’s Article 370 move to end special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Shortly after he sent in a letter of resignation to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on dated March 9, he spoke of  “moving ahead.” This is a path that has been drawing itself out over the last year,” he added.Minutes later the Congress expelled the former Guna MP from the party “with immediate effect” for “anti-party activities”.

At this point of time while I was writing this, got a call from a senior politician of Maharashtra. He wanted to discuss the MP problem with me. I told him that this couldn’t be possible as being a senior party leader the party wouldn’t let him go. No, he said that anything can happen. In continuation, my friend said that he had heard that Scindia has been asked to leave the party and join the BJP where he would act as a spy for his parent party.

To support his statement, he mentioned the name of Alienologist / Senior Conspiracy Theorist, Amit Von Daniken. Later when I talked to Daniken, he said, ”Nothing will harm the Congress. It is so that Scindia has ganged up with Rahul Gandhi and agreed to be the Congress ‘Trojan Horse’ once he joins the BJP.”

To sum up, the BJP is gung ho of the developments because Scindia’s move will herald the return of Shivraj Chouhan as the CM of the state again. Not only that, this might also alter equations in Maharashtra that could bring back the BJP to power.

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

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Letters to the Editor: 11 March, 2020

By
Web Team
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letters to the editor, afternoon voice,

Shah’s trick

Home Minister Amit Shah assured a public rally in Kolkata said: no minority will have to leave the country owing to the new Citizenship Act. I wonder, how long he will try to make the people fool while they know best that this act is violative of The Constitution. Why does he need to satisfy minorities? If his government had not excluded Muslims, he would not have needed to organized rallies across to make minorities satisfy. It simply shows that BJP want to hide what is in their hearts.

M Hasan

 

OHCHR must file petition

In an unprecedented and rare move, the Geneva-­based office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has announced that it plans to file an application in the Supreme Court, asking to be impleaded in petitions challenging the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Ministry of External Affairs said that the United Nations body had no right to interfere in internal affairs. Here is question, if OHCHR has no right, what is a benefit of this organization? I think, OHCHR should file and most people are with it.

Qasmi Nadwi

 

Taliban back to old ways

The agreement signed between the US and the Taliban is already hanging by a thread. Recently, the US carried out an airstrike on Taliban fighters in Helmand, the first since February 29, when the pact was signed at Doha. Washington has described it as a defensive strike on Taliban fighters who were “actively attacking” an Afghan security post. Less than two days after the peace pact, the Taliban signalled a return to its old ways; it ordered fighters to resume operations against Afghan forces. A massive blast rocked a football field in Khost province soon after, killing three people. This rush prompted it to strike a deal that gave the Taliban too much. In addition to legitimacy, the US agreed to fortify its capacity by agreeing to the release of Taliban prisoners, lifting of UN sanctions, etc. Having given in to the Taliban’s demands, the US will have to reap the coming whirlwind. Sadly, it will be the Afghan people who will bear the brunt of Trump’s self-interest.

Amjadullah Abuzar Bajpatti

 

Intra-party rivalry leads to ouster of Jyotiraditya Scindia from party

The resignation of Jyotiraditya Scindia from the Congress has brought a climax in the political crisis of Madhya Pradesh. It was clear that Scindia has been at odds with his party in recent times. Both in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress high command relied more on the old guard as compared to the young leaders who have capacity to lead the party. The Scindia-Kamal Nath rivalry in Madhya Pradesh or the Pilot-Ashok Gehlot rocky relationship in Rajasthan has been as public as can be, and in a way, has consumed the younger turks completely. Voters of MP who casted their votes in favour of Cong instead of BJP might also been regretting their decision now. It is nice that Scindia is now expected to get a Rajya Sabha ticket from Madhya Pradesh by the saffron party. He is very smart and articulate who has wasted years in Congress just to prove his loyalty. Political analysts now feel that such a crisis, not entirely unexpected, could have been averted only if the Congress had chosen to address the fast spreading discontent among its MLAs. The whole episode reveals the fact that the ability of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to keep the party together is eroding day by the day. It is also clear that unlike BJP, Congress do not have healthy second-rung bench strength. Don’t we think the Congress is surely losing its power base across the country and for good reason.

Vinod C. Dixit

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

Coronavirus scare: Private schools ask parents to keep their children home if they have a cough or cold

By
Hema Singh
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CoronaViru, china, india, mumbai, virus, disease, china virusAs more cases of the dreaded Coronavirus is reported in India, private schools of Mumbai have started sending notices to parents asking them to take precautionary measures to protect their children from the dreaded virus.

Reportedly, parents are being asked to keep their children home if their wards have cough or fever. The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), in turn, has appealed to schools to initiate safety measures to create a healthy environment for students.

On Monday, one of the school in Mumbai issued a notice stating, “We request parents not to send their children to school if any of the following symptoms are seen in the child or any adult of the family: Prolonged coughing, cold or running nose, sore throat, fever and difficulty in breathing. Parents should visit the doctor immediately in the above conditions.”

Recently, an 85-year-old man, who returned from Dubai to Jaipur on February 28 tested positive for COVID-19 infection. With this the total cases in the country has reached to 62. On March 10, authorities in Maharashtra said that total fourteen more people tested positive for COVID-19, eight in Kerala and three each in Karnataka and Maharashtra.

State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said, “There are a total of five positive Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra.”

It’s been reported that due to Coronavirus scare, air ticket prices have dropped primarily on account of lesser people travelling even as experts advise to avoid non-essential travel. On this, travels agents have said that people are increasingly opting for cancellations on account of the Coronavirus outbreak. The virus has highly affected the economy on a great extent. Many sports programmes, business events across the globe have either been cancelled or postponed due to the outbreak of Coronavirus.

The dreaded disease has laid thousands dead all across the globe approximately around 3,900 people have died due to this globally affected epidemic.

MMRDA proposes cutting and transplanting of trees programme to Tree Authority

By
Afternoon Voice
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Metro MMRDA tree plantation,Metro, MMRDA, tree plantation,Metro MMRDA tree cutting,tree authority,Metro line 4,Mumbai MetroThe Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has submitted 32 separate proposals to the civic body’s Tree Authority for cutting and transplanting 6,016 trees for different infrastructure projects. A senior officer from the Authority informed the media that 2,326 trees would be axed for Metro 2A (D N Nagar to Dahisar) and 2B (D N Nagar to Mandalay), and 2,022 trees are supposed to be transplanted for the two Metro lines. For Metro 2A, a total of 749 trees will be axed and 781 trees transplanted, while for Metro 2B, a total of 803 trees will be axed and 1,241 transplanted, the official added. The trees are proposed to be removed for construction of the Metro Bhavan and various upcoming Metro lines. As per the proposals, a total of 2,326 trees are likely to be axed while another 3,693 trees proposed to be transplanted. 

Sumaira Abdul Ali Ngo Aawaz to AV, “Every tree that is cut or displaced is loss of habitat for numerous species including birds and animals. MMRDA should plan to minimise such loss of habitat specially in urban areas like Mumbai where the impact of loss of tree cover is felt by so many people. They should also invest in best technologies for transplanting so that the success rate is as high as possible. It is really a tragedy that while investing in technology to build world class Metro systems, we are unable to invest in technology to save our trees through world class transplantation methods which would ensure that our green cover is preserved while building infrastructure.”

For Metro Line 4 (connecting Wadala-Kasarvadavali-Thane) a total of 871 trees will be axed and another 2,265 trees transplanted, he said. Most of these trees fall under the jurisdiction of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and Thane Tree Authority, while a few trees fall under the jurisdiction of the BMC.

A senior MMRDA officer said, “These trees will be affected due to the proposed infrastructure projects. The MMRDA had submitted these proposals in 2019, but had failed to get approval from the Tree Authority which has affected the progress of work on different infrastructure projects.”

Elsie Gabriel Founder Young Environmentalists Programme and Mentor Climate Reality project USA said, “A large percentage of trees cannot sustain transplantation particularly huge trees. The success rate is very low, There are hardly any Ficus species like peepal and banyan in the Aarey forests which could see slight chances of survival. The forest department should share the statistics of how many trees in the city have survived the compensatory replantation system?”

She further stated, “Consider the carbon footprints offset during transportation and storage, the cumulative stresses that transplanted trees suffer is not worth it. Right from the time they are cut until they become re- established in a new rebirth soul zone, there is no scientific experts who will take responsibility of transplantation of the cut Aarey trees, are there? Multiple stress factors can mean the difference between survival and death for trees. At each stage of the transplanting process, trees are exposed to mechanical shock and vibration that can further disrupt the root system and cause considerable injury.Where will the trees be replanted? An unprepared, unfertile poor site or inadequate care will lengthen this period. Large trees take longer to recover from transplanting than small trees; approximately 1 year of recovery is needed for each inch of diameter. This is not the season to replant!”

The officer added that the MMRDA has planted more than 50,000 trees on 46 hectares of degraded forest land near Kalyan-Shilphata area, 29 km from Mumbai in compensation.

Demise of Congress means the death of balanced politics in India – Part II

By
Vaidehi Taman
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It is in the interest of time that Congress changes itself to suit the aspirations of the people. Though the party may not completely be eliminated, but it may slowly fade away unless corrective steps are taken. Congress may argue that it was able to capture power in 2004 but there is a lot of difference between the Congress of 2004 and that of 2019; they are two different entities. The Congress of 2004 was not dubbed a corrupt party at that time, Sonia Gandhi being new to politics no negativity, got attached to her. The public did not know her son-in-law’s corruption yet. Her son had just entered politics and his inefficiency was not yet public. Congress was in power in quite a few states. But in 2019, the ball game changed completely. Congress is in power in six states constituting 6 per cent of the country. In many big states, it has been pushed to the margins or has lost relevancy. Above all Congress has to confront Modi-Shah duo who are a formidable opposition. The electoral politics also have changed remarkably putting the onus more on leadership and its strategy. The demanding scenario requiring the leadership to be proactive is too much for the party. However, it is reducing it is apparent.

When we study the history of Congress party, we find that Congress was raised from the ashes only when it had a charismatic leader or a strong wind blew in its favour due to the sympathy factor. The Indian National Congress is a “sinking ship”; many of us have heard that by now. Yet it’s a bit astonishing to think how far the political party has fallen. After all, until recently the history of Congress ran almost in parallel with the history of India itself to an extent where the line between these histories seemed blurred. Leaders of the Congress were the leaders of India and a large part of the Indian Freedom Movement owed its existence to this “grand old party” which was not just a political party, but also an umbrella organisation where different schools of thought used to co-exist together.

From Gandhi to Jinnah, from Nehru to Bose, from Tilak to Gokhale, Congress itself contained people poles apart from each other ideologically. And yet it not only remained as one party, but also went on to define the political system itself in India leading Dr. Rajani Kothari to coin the term “Congress System.” The organisational structure of Congress was so deep-rooted and entrenched that it reached to the grassroots level to the last man as a part of Gandhian idealism.

But Congress couldn’t uphold these ideals of working on the ground for as long as the people of India hoped it would. Much of Congress’ dominance at the center as well as the state level was due to the fact that people voted in the name of the Congress which had won freedom for the country. People felt almost indebted to the party and continued to bring them back to power in the hope that Swarajya (self-rule) would actually be realised on the ground and the days of Ram Rajya (the idyllic rule of Rama) which Gandhi used to mention in his speeches and writings would come. People waited for years, but neither Swarajya nor Ram Rajya came about. Instead, the people realised, nepotism and corruption were increasing day-by-day in the political system. It was not Ram Rajya but the Raaj of one family (the Gandhi family). The family alone accounts for three prime ministers who ruled the country for around 37 years while another 10 years of governance in the 21st century was also largely led by the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty.

Slowly, as disillusionment set in, the Congress system started to deteriorate. Still, it took around a decade for a non-Congress party to come to power in a state. Kerala did the honors when the left was voted to power in the 1957 legislative assembly elections. E.M.S. Namboodripad became the first democratically elected communist leader though Congress was still a huge force to reckon with.

But things were about to change tremendously, especially in the heartlands of India, where people were now looking for an alternative. They were angry with the false promises made by Congress politicians in election after election.

(The latter part of the edit will continue tomorrow)

Also Read: Demise of Congress means the death of balanced politics in India – Part I

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

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Coronavirus Outbreak: Mumbai Holi fades

By
Afternoon Voice
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Coronavirus Outbreaks Holi Celebration,Coronavirus Outbreaks, Holi Celebration,Coronavirus, Outbreaks, Holi, Celebration

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he would not participate in any Holi events this year as experts have advised against “mass gatherings to avoid the spread of Coronavirus”, many of his followers decided to go colorless. Twenty-eight new cases of the deadly illness, which emerged in China and spread to over 60 countries in the last two months, have been reported in India in the last three days.

 

Dr Kritika Sabarwal said, “When such horrible cases are around, you never know the source of spreading the virus. One should take extensive precautions. Even my advice is that the people should focus on their health’s safety; they can play Holi within their house with loved ones but not in public places.”

Experts across the World have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s tweeted and informed that he will not play Holi due to Coronavirus.

43 cases of novel Coronavirus infection have been reported in India so far, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan informed the media. Seventeen of 23 Italians who landed in Delhi last month, then travelled to Rajasthan have tested positive. One Indian, who was travelling with them has also tested positive.  Mumbai also has many cases of Coronavirus patients. Experts across Maharashtra too have advised avoiding public gatherings.

Preetesh Gupta a resident of Goregaon said, “We will be within our house with family playing dry colours as a formality.”

Reena, a resident of Dahisar said, “We are avoiding Holi this year. It’s always better to take precautions.”

Event organiser Padma Mittal told AV “We have already informed our customers that there will be no rain dance and pool parties. We are careful about hygiene and don’t want to risk anyone’s life.”

Several RWAs, apartment owners’ associations, traders’ bodies and social groups in Mumbai have already decided to cancel Holi Milan programmes and have requested residents to avoid large gatherings. Many are holding meetings to take a call on cancellation of these events.

There were some voices of displeasure too:

Mamta Mandal, resident of Borivali Mumbai said, “The Prime Minister is saying that he will not celebrate Holi. That doesn’t mean that people won’t celebrate too. The government should have rather taken strict measures to tackle this epidemic.”

Hamid Abdul a trader in Bhindi Bazar told AV “With very less time left for the festival of colours, Mumbai’s big wholesale markets including the ones in Crawford market are quiet even as there is no dearth of colours and pichkaris. The stocks usually arrive at least six-seven months in advance. By November, the market was full, but there are hardly any buyers.”

Amid the growing fear of Coronavirus, Mumbaikar have already shunned Chinese products. Besides toys and crackers, colours and pichkaris from China are hugely popular in Indian markets.

Based on the available data, there is no reason to panic;  28 cases in a country the size of India are not worrying. As for whether schools, public transport etc. are safe, the (Health) Ministry should make recommendations based on the situation. It would be different from state-to-state or city-to-city. Even in China, the graded approach worked. The kind of containment measures put in place in Hubei were not replicated everywhere. People cannot put their lives on hold nor is it necessary. Celebrate Holi, but maybe you should not celebrate it with thousands of people around. Celebrate with close family and friends, avoid big gatherings as far as possible.

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