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Pragya’s controversial remark on Nathuram Godse

November 29, 2019

It is a good decision that the BJP has barred Pragya Thakur from attending its parliamentary party meeting in the ongoing Parliament session and removed her from the consultative committee on defence.

Even during a road show in Madhya Pradesh, Pragya had said, that “Nathuram Godseji deshbhakt the, hai, aur rahenge, unko aatankwadi kahne wale log swayam ki gireban me jhaank kar dekhe chunav mein aise logon ko jawab de diya jayega” (Nathuram Godse was a patriot, is a patriot, and will remain a patriot those who call him a terrorist should look within they will get a reply in this election). Pragya’s comments allegedly praising Godse stirred controversy as politicians across party lines condemned it. Her statement in the Parliament is really condemnable and the BJP never supports such statements or ideology.

Pragya Singh Thakur’s praise of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination by Nathuram Godse has left the BJP squirming, more so because both PM Modi and party chief Amit Shah have justified the decision to field her in the Lok Sabha polls despite the terror charges against her. This is not the first time the BJP has had to tone down Thakur’s comments since they announced her as a candidate. On the Babri Masjid demolition, Thakur had said that she was “proud” of her participation in the demolition at Ayodhya in 1992. The Election Commission had “strongly condemned” her remarks and barred her from campaigning for 72 hours last month, she had stoked a controversy when she said that IPS officer Hemant Karkare had died during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as she had “cursed” him for torturing her. She had apologised for the controversial remark later and also retracted that statement. In the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast that claimed six lives and injured over a 100, she had made controversial statements and then apologised following a barrage of criticism from her own party as well as the opposition. PM Modi also said that he would never be able to forgive Thakur for her comments.

Incidentally, she made the remarks about Godse at a time when Modi had just launched the Swachh Bharat Mission, exhorting people to fulfil the Mahatma’s dream of a clean and hygienic India. PM Modi has rightly said that he will never forgive BJP candidate Pragya for insulting Mahatma Gandhi by calling his assassin Nathuram Godse a true patriot.
The remarks made about Gandhiji whose nonviolent ideals and leadership of the Indian Independence movement had gained him hundreds of thousands of devoted followers or Nathuram Godse a Hindu extremist. Nathuram Godse, the man who killed Gandhi, remains a controversial figure in India to this day are really shocking and very wrong for society.

It is to be remembered that in the year 1940, Udham Singh had assassinated former Punjab Lieutenant Governor Michael O’Dwyer, who had supported Colonel Reginald Dyer’s decision to fire on unarmed protestors in Amritsar’s Jallianwala Bagh in 1919. Singh was tried and executed by the British.

Gandhi and Godse represented two contrasting ideas of politics and religion. Godse saw Gandhi as the father of the nation who was effeminate in nature and failed to protect the country with his non-violent approach. He joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and left it after finding it not militant enough. He then joined the Hindu Mahasabha. He was a freedom fighter. He also assassinated Gandhi not for a personal dispute, but rather to warn/ tell the nation that Gandhi is no hero. In the speech, Godse also accused Gandhi of dividing the country into India and Pakistan. The assassination of Gandhi was not in a fit of rage; it was mediated and ideologically inspired to send a clear message to the entire nation. Godse had killed Gandhi but Pragya by her condemnable remarks she is killing the ideals, principles non-violence and peace in India.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within 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.

Health risks of sedentary lifestyle

Suraj Chandran

November 29, 2019

Sedentary lifestyle is known as type of lifestyle where an individual does not receive regular amount of physical activity. This type of lifestyle appears to have a negative impact on the mental well being of an individual. Today lifestyle of people has undergone a tremendous change. People spend more hours in the office in front of computers. Many of them sit on their desk for a long period of time and seldom get up. Due to rising traffic, people commute for long hours in their vehicles for reaching their workplaces. After reaching home they watch television. Australian researchers reported that each hour spent watching television is linked to 18 per cent increase in the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Children are glued to their mobile phones as they seldom indulge in physical activities. Sitting for long periods is associated with worse health outcomes including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of dying either from heart disease or other medical problem.

Doctors say that people should take short break from their work. Health professionals say that people should walk 10000 steps a day (approximately 5 miles) is the ideal goal to be set for improving health. People should wake up and make an effort to move every hour. Instead of sending emails to colleagues they can meet them at their desk. For every 20 minutes of sitting people should try to stand for eight minutes and move around for two minutes. Three to five minutes walk throughout the workday can reverse the harm caused to peripheral arteries in the legs by prolonged sitting. Instead of sitting around a conference table people should try walking meetings.

Studies have found that activities like stair climbing burn more calories than jogging. If people sit for a long period of time they should make it a point to stand up at least every 20 minutes. They can set a remainder on calendar or phone to keep a track of their physical activities. It is better to opt for a standing desk, a treadmill desk or fitness ball seat. People can perform other tasks like sweeping the floor, taking out garbage, vaccum cleaning. Engaging in physical activity after eating helps reduce blood pressure as well as the risk of developing insulin resistance. While watching a movie people can utilise the commercial break time to move around. Breaking up the screen time whether be it television computer, tablet or phone, will help reduce the amount of time they spend on sedentary each day. They can go to the playground and run or undertake gardening activities. Gardening is not only mentally stimulating but many people find it an enjoyable way to stay active.

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

Letters to the Editor: 29 November, 2019

Web Team

November 29, 2019

BJP leader blames EVMs for West Bengal by-polls defeat

It refers to results of recently held by-polls where TMC won all the three seats in West Bengal state-assembly defeating BJP. Even BJP retained one assembly-seat for Uttarakhand state-assembly by a narrow margin of just 3267 votes. It is surprising that BJP which always criticised opposition for blaming EVMs for defeat of opposition, is now itself blaming EVMs for the results which did not go well with BJP.

Ruling BJP marching ahead with its nationalist agenda, should also concentrate simultaneously on other issues which are affecting day-to-day lives of commoners. At the same time, other national agenda like having a Uniform Civil Code and population-policy apart from massive and consolidated poll-reforms should also be continued.

Madhu Agrawal

Lesson for BJP

Inspite of pulling out all the stops BJP could not succeed in Maharashtra government formation. It makes clear that no party can claim a permanent place in the states. Unemployment problem is burning issue in every states and there are many other problems too including farmer issues. I think that the government’s failure to curb this problem has reflected on the BJP’s reduced numbers in the state. And this has given an impetus to parties to break from the NDA fold. The BJP, therefore, should take a lesson from it, and must pay attention to the main purpose and perform a thankless task for the people regardless of all things that are not strictly needed.

Seraj Ali

Bill to ban e-cigarettes

Lok Sabha passed a bill which seeks to ban electronic cigarette. First-time violators will face a jail term of up to one year and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. For subsequent offences, a jail term of up to three years or a fine of Rs 5 lakh, or both, will be imposed, according to the ordinance. The storage of e-cigarettes shall also be punishable with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to Rs 50,000, or both. Really it’s a welcome decision, because such a measure was necessary to protect the youth from a new intoxication being promoted by companies as a new “fashion”

Amjadullah Abuzar

Odisha emerges as top investment destination

It’s good news that Odisha has now emerged as the top investment destination among states, reportedly attracting 18% of all investments nationally during April-September, is remarkable. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is serving his fifth continuous term. Good politics can lead to good economics, too, it would appear. Odisha has been able leverage its resources and locational advantages to coagulate funds on the ground, with transparency and increased efficiency. Other investment-laggard states can well traverse the growth path, provided they build effective partnerships with all stakeholders. It’s a wonderful development in Odisha. And its credit goes to the chief minister and residents of the state.

Mohammad

Another setback for BJP

The ruling BJP faced another setback, going in to the December 5 bypolls, with former MLA Raju Kage announcing his decision to join the Congress. I think Kage is upset over the BJP backing disqualified Congress legislator Shrimanth Patil from Kagwad constituency. Kage’s exit will have little impact on the BJP’s prospects in the bypolls. The BJP will win 12 out of the 15 seats.

MS Tarique

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

Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray – The new CM sworn in

Afternoon Voice

November 28, 2019

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray,Uddhav Thackeray,Maharashtra CM,Thackeray,Uddhav — Image Courtesy: Agency

Uddhav Thackeray arrived with his family, looking very happy and head high at Shivaji Park. The stage was all set with flowers and the backdrop of a theme depicting the historic “Shivrajyabhishek” — the crowning of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — and a large picture of Maharashtra Legislature building, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari took a lead to swear-in Shiv Sena President and Maha Vikas Aghadi leader Uddhav Thackeray as the new Chief Minister, at the historic Shivaji Park, Dadar West.

Under the baton of veteran Bollywood art director Nitin Desai, an army of around 1,000 workmen and designers are working furiously since Wednesday evening to ensure the ‘Shivrajyabhishek’ set in colourful splendor was completed at 3 pm, as also a massive stage measuring around 8,000 square feet with a seating capacity of around 300.

The government and Shiv Sena have ordered over 40,000 chairs to accommodate the invited guests close to the stage, and the remaining expected over 3,00,000 activists of the Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress covered the rest of the ground at Shivaji Park. The Mumbai Police implemented massive traffic restrictions due heavy VVIP movements for the swearing-in ceremony. Among the dignitaries invited include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi, but they failed to attend the ceremony. Leaders of all national parties, Chief Ministers of many opposition states, members of the judiciary, civil, police and defence officials, diplomatic corps stationed in Mumbai, films and sports personalities, industrialists, celebs and more than 500 farmers and farm widows, to witness the oath ceremony.

On the other hand, Ajit Pawar’s supporters put up posters claiming him to be future Maharashtra CM. Poster stated, “Let us decide now what you should or should not do. Whole Maharashtra is looking towards you as a future Chief Minister”. Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar resigned from their posts merely three days after they took oath in controversial turn of events. Later after the move, Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress met the Governor and staked claimed to form the government in Maharashtra. Following the incident, the Governor announced that Uddhav Thackeray would take oath on November 28 as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

CM Uddhav Thackeray – A photographer, philosopher and political leader

Vaidehi Taman

November 28, 2019

With the swearing-in of Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra will have the first Shiv Sena Chief Minister in 20 years. The last Shiv Sena member to hold the top post was Narayan Rane in 1999. Manohar Joshi was the first from Shiv Sena to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 1995. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was nominated as the leader of the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress “Maha Vikas Aghadi” at a joint meeting on November 26, following which the senior leaders of the three parties met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to stake claim to form the government in the state. Uddhav Thackeray is not an elected member of the Maharashtra assembly, he will be required to contest elections and become a member of the assembly within six months of taking oath as CM.

Born on July 27, 1960, in Mumbai, Uddhav is son of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, has never contested an election previously and has never been a member of the state assembly. The late Bal Thackeray had believed in wielding power from the background and never assuming government positions himself. He had founded the Shiv Sena in 1966 to fight for the rights of the Marathi people. Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aaditya Thackeray created history by becoming the first member of the Thackeray family to contest an election. Aaditya Thackeray had contested and won from Worli assembly constituency. Uddhav Thackeray will now either have to get one of the party MLAs to resign and contest from the seat or get his son Aaditya Thackeray to resign from Worli. This would also be the first time in Maharashtra politics that the Shiv Sena has broken away from its ally of 30 years (BJP) and joined hands with its foe of 30 years, the Congress and the NCP. Our new CM is a graduate from JJ School of Arts and a published author. He is also a professional photographer whose work has appeared in various magazines and has been showcased at numerous exhibitions. Thackeray is also the editor-in-chief of ‘Saamana’, a prominent Marathi newspaper which was founded by his father. He was handed over the responsibility of managing the party during the 2002 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, in which Shiv Sena performed well. The 59-year-old was appointed as the working president of the party in 2003. In 2004, Bal Thackeray announced him as the next party chief.

Having entered politics at a late age, Uddhav has had a short span of time to prove his mettle in his party and the state. Under his capable guidance, his party swept several local and state elections. The chief minister-designate has also expanded the party base and network across the state including local bodies and Zilla Parishads.

Thackeray organised a successful debt relief campaign for the farmers of Vidarbha region. The farmers in the region were under heavy debt following a long dry spell in 2007. In the Assembly elections held in October, BJP and Shiv Sena contested the polls together and got 105 and 56 seats, respectively. However, the two parties had fallout over power sharing of the chief ministerial post. Thackeray asserted that the chief minister’s post will be on a rotational basis, with BJP ruling the first half of the five-year term and Sena completing the last half. However, the BJP rejected Sena’s claim, saying no such agreement was finalised before the elections and made it clear that Fadnavis would be the chief minister for full five years. Thackeray then severed his party’s 30-year-old ties with BJP and entered into talks with Congress and NCP, two ideologically different parties, charting an unlikely alliance.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as chief minister and deputy chief minister respectively on November 23, pushing the state into deeper political chaos and nixing Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP’s bid to form government in the state. NCP chief Sharad Pawar quickly clarified that his nephew’s decision to join hands with BJP was his personal choice and not of the party’s. After days of quick political developments in the state that included a grand public parade by MLAs from Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP, Fadnavis and Pawar tendered their resignations. While Fadnavis said his party did not have the numbers to prove majority on the floor of the Assembly, Pawar stepped down due to personal reasons. The resignations came after the Supreme Court had asked the Fadnavis government to prove its majority in the 288-member Assembly. Thackeray was unanimously elected as the leader of the tri-party alliance which met the Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to stake claim to form the government in the state. Thackeray is married to Rashmi Thackeray and has two sons, Aaditya and Tejas. The 59-year-old’s photo book Maharashtra Desha (2010), which is full of breathtaking aerial shots, offers a glimpse into the cultural fabric, physical beauty and historical perspective of Maharashtra.He has set new parameters in state politics and reached to the peaks of the power in state. We wish him luck and expect a steady government.

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

Pawars to join Power

Afternoon Voice

November 28, 2019

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo’s daughter Supriya Sule, grandson Parth and nephew Ajit Pawar would be the part of the new power game in Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar would be joining the Uddhav Thackeray-led government after the short-lived rebellion that saw him taking oath as deputy to the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis four days ago. That was the game played by NCP to revoke president rule and by time to prove majority.

Ajit Pawar told AV, “I will accept whatever responsibilities would be given to me in the Uddhav Thackeray government. The decision to induct me in the cabinet is to be taken by Thackeray as Chief Minister,” “I am not unhappy with anyone. “I have nothing to say (right now), I will speak at the right time. I had said earlier also, I am in the NCP and I will remain in the NCP. There is no reason to create confusion,” Ajit Pawar cracked at reporters.

Ajit was given a warm welcome hug by his cousin Supriya Sule, the daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, as he arrived at the Maharashtra assembly to take an oath. Ajit Pawar, 60, quit as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Tuesday, 80 hours after the controversial 7.50 am swearing in that was challenged in the Supreme Court by his party, the Shiv Sena and the Congress. Both Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar resigned after the Supreme Court ordered the BJP government to prove its majority in an immediate floor test. The BJP, with 105 MLAs, had hoped to make the 145-majority mark with NCP MLAs but Ajit Pawar failed to pull in any. Uddhav Thackeray sworn in as Chief Minister on Thursday of a Sena-NCP-Congress alliance that claims the support of 162 MLAs, well past the 145-majority mark in the 288-member assembly.

Sunil Tatkare was among the NCP leaders who was in regular touch with Ajit Pawar and is among the leaders credited with bringing him around. “Now everything is over. Ajit-dada is back, all is well. Under his leadership and with the blessings of Sharad Pawar, we will work in Maharashtra,” Tatkare told reporters.

Ajit Pawar’s nephew Rohit Pawar, also an MLA, said the Pawars’ “stand united” and will remain so. On Ajit Pawar’s shocking overnight shift and oath, he said: “I could not believe how it happened. As a worker, I did not go into the details of it. There was some confusion and being a family member, I could not understand what was happening.” “But we were sure (about his return). We knew Dada well.” Rohit Pawar is the grandson of Sharad Pawar’s older brother Appasaheb Pawar. There are speculations that in Thackeray government, Supriya Sule, Rohit Pawar and Ajit all would be given equal opportunity. At the same time Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aaditya will also hold an important portfolio.

A tribute to Phillip Hughes

C K Subramaniam

November 28, 2019

Game of cricket is by far dangerous of all games and still the craze for the game is not diminishing all over the world. We saw how Phillip Hughes felled by a bouncer and died in the hospital during treatment and that created big stir in the cricketing circle. The game is becoming increasingly dangerous as power exerted by bowlers deliver cannon balls and the batsman has to decide whether to go for a short or duck underneath within a split of a second. Bowlers deliver thunderbolts and the batsman is at mercy of the pitch and the protective equipments they wear to face fire with fire. In the lead to attack the bowler, the batsman falls prey and gets injured. At times the injury is fatal and at times the bat came down the ball at right time to save it from hitting and the ball go past to the boundary as well.

The power generated from the modern day bats are too much and the ball speeds past the fielders and umpires in a split of a second. The umpires standing at the bowler’s end and at square leg run the risk of getting hit and hurt. Recently an Indian-origin umpire and former Israel Captain met Hughes fate during a league match. Just like batsman, the umpire does not have enough time to see the route of the ball as he is already looking at the impact of the ball and other basic things to follow. Thus the cricketing field is becoming a killer ground these days and care should be taken to protect the players and umpires to avoid such on field fatal injuries.

The game of cricket has become highly dangerous after every passing season as the pace bowlers strive for pace and steep bounce on fast tracks. All over the world we come across pace race won over since the inception of the game. From the body line series to the latest happening in Sheffield Shield Games, the pace bowlers bounce out batsmen with extra pace with the balls aimed above the rib cage and at times directing to the head. Despite having modern head gears, chest guard, arm guard, abdomen guard and pads the risk of facing genuine pace is regularly troubling batsmen all over the world. Australian cricket is rather tough and the players take it rather seriously from the County levels to press their claim to knock the highest level of the game. After Hughes’s death a memorial was built for him and it is a place of visit like the one of Don Bradman. In the ensuing test series Phillip Hughes was given the pride of place as the 13th man of the test team.

Hughes last innings score 63 not out will remain eked out in history of cricket in golden letters. The word tragedy gets used far too often in sport but this freak accident is now a real-life tragedy. Just shy of his 26th birthday, Phillip has been taken from us far too young. As a cricketer, Phillip was an incredibly talented and dearly loved member of the Australian, South Australian and Adelaide Strikers squads. He also played county cricket in England and IPL in India. Without doubt he was a rising star whose best cricket was still ahead of him. As a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip’s family, friends and team mates at this incredibly sad time, and of course to the Australian cricket family and the State Associations. We are thinking of you right now. The best part is that the broader cricket community around the country for the wonderful show of support given to Phillip and his family. From social media to phone calls to front desk, the support has been tremendous. Phillip Joel Hughes played 26 Test matches for his country. He will be sadly missed and forever remembered. His mortals will mix with famous Sydney Cricket Ground for ever.

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

Letters to the Editor: 28 November, 2019

Web Team

November 28, 2019

DoPT should revise fees for lectures with provision of GST added

Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) fixed a fees of Rs 4000 for lectures in conducting workshops for government-staff on various aspects including on handling applications filed under Right-To-Information Act. Surprisingly there is no provision of adding Goods and service Tax (GST) which is presently 18-per cent on this amount fixed long back thus practically further reducing the fees to just Rs 3390 for those coming under GST network.

DoPT should not only upgrade the fees reasonably, but also direct all departments, ministries and others to compulsorily add GST to newly fixed amount for those coming under GST network.

Many departments and ministries spend exorbitantly to hire taxis for pick-up and dropping the persons delivering lectures, where these taxis are paid for running empty for each of the two trips apart from paying waiting-charges. System should be to pay some fixed amount as conveyance-charge for those desiring to come at their own. Same system should also be applicable for radio and TV networks under public-sector.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Drop criminal charges against Aarey protestors

The 29 Aarey protesters who were arrested on October 4 and 5, 2019 and slapped with criminal charges by the Mumbai police under various sections are not criminals nor are they rioters. They were only peaceful protesters doing their duty to protect the environment from being damaged. Most of them arrested were college students who have only raised their voices to protect the environment from being damaged. The criminal charges slapped against them under various sections should be withdrawn immediately as they will not be able to apply for a job nor renew their passports or apply for a new one.

Jubel D’Cruz

Revamping of Duleep trophy tournament

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has come forward with some excellent suggestions regarding the way in which Duleep Trophy should be conducted. He has requested the BCCI President and his one time co-player Sourav Ganguly, to go for a revamp in the method of conducting the trophy. Tendulkar has suggested that the trophy must be conducted immediately after the Ranji trophy final. The Master blaster has openly commented that players playing in the Duleep Trophy tournament focus only on their performance and they do so only to get selected for the elite tournaments like IPL and international ones. Once these individuals are selected most often they forget about team game and as a result they turn out to be hopeless and flop cricketers in the bigger tournaments.

The maestro feels that team bonding is missing from the four-day tournament and a remedy to this is to bring in the Ranji Trophy semifinalists along with two teams of promising Under-19 and U-23 players. According to Tendulkar the top-four Ranji teams and two more teams in the tournament with individuals,who really have the passion to play good cricket will help show case the talent of all the players and thereby give a vigour to the game. Young players under 19 and under 23 will get an exposure to learn and perform good cricket besides also getting a chance to bond with highly skilled players giving everyone a chance to do their best on the field. This will definitely bring in the team spirit that is nowadays missing in cricket.

M Pradyu

Permanent commission for women in armed forces

Apex court’s decision to grant permanent commission for women in armed forces is an appreciable step that will give a wonderful opportunity to the girls who are passionate to serve the nation and protect the soil from evil eyes enemies with grey dress. This will increase their confidence level and keep them away from insecure feelings.

MD Niyaz Qasmi

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

BJP will never sit silently in Maharashtra

Vaidehi Taman

November 27, 2019

Devendra Fadnavis is one such Chief Minister of Maharashtra who resigned twice in a month, who boasted about his coming back but had to step down within 48 hours. His resignation paved the way for the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress to form government in Maharashtra. The question though is, can this ideologically incompatible parties work together to provide a stable government? But leaving the ideology issues, Sena-NCP and Congress have all experienced ministers in their party who can give stable government to Maharashtra. Moreover, Sharad Pawar will never let lose anything. The experience of NCP-Congress and manpower of Shiv Sena can become lethal combination in this state and other may follow same pattern in upcoming elections. These three have broken the ice and made it very embarrassing for BJP and Modi’s wave. BJP always projected itself as pure and pious Ganga (holy river where all the sins can be washed out) of these times. One dip and you are free from your immoralities. You have murdered somebody? Raped a woman and caused a couple of suicide? Nothing matters. BJP was the only truth. When BJP formed alliance with PDP in Kashmir it was projected as step taken in national interest, you have to believe it.

The alliance of Sena-NCP-Congress may last till Shiv Sena is able to be in the saddle of power. Or Sena is getting it’s due unhindered. The three-party alliance may be in power till the Congress is amused of the alliance and is in its comfort zone. Also the alliance may be in power till those who are not successful in getting ministry are not revolting. Sena-NCP-Congress alliance may be in power if the alliance is not demanding from its constituents. If Shiv Sena is forced to forego its core Hindutva ideology or Congress forced to dilute it’s secular credentials etc., may bring an end to the alliance. If any of the three parties get a more lucrative offer, then too the alliance falls. If the differences between the three parties turn into daily verbal exchanges, leaving a bad taste, the alliance may come to an end. Earlier such daily brats have led to the fall of governments and may happen again. Ask the news channels, they would tell you what a masterstroke it was when BJP formed the coalition government in Kashmir. So, when BJP cries foul about Shiv Sena cheating Maharashtra by attempting to form government with support of NCP and Congress, there is absolutely no reason why you should trust it.

Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena combine to represent a larger section of the society than BJP in Maharashtra. Anything that’s anti-BJP is not a mandate. Maharashtra is a big state with largest economy in India so Congress would not try to withdraw power and moreover after losing Karnataka they would be happy with this Consolation price. Financial capital of India will be run by a hardcore Mumbaikar. Sharad Pawar will run remote controlled government. Alliance with Shiv Sena will help NCP to gain foothold in areas like Mumbai and Konkan and Sharad Pawar is known as Friendly politician who would be happy working with Thackerays. Congress is practically run by NCP leaders so it’s like NCP has 98 MLAs which is enough for strong government until something strange happens and government falls. Well, let us leave this debate to the time ahead.

Right now, it is important to notice is the slap given to arrogant BJP by all others. With just a day left for Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a senior BJP leader and former state minister has in hindsight suggested the BJP should not have taken into confidence Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. Ajit has always wanted to break free from the Congress shadow, while Pawar senior, given his national ambitions still commands way more respect from his partymen than Ajit dada does, and what is more, the young old man holds an iron grip over his party’s rank. With that, for the umpteenth time in three decades, Pawar, the uncle, prevailed over his nephew Ajit Pawar, and tactfully made him fall in line. Pawar probably knew of his nephew’s awkwardness with the three-party coalition, but may not have gauged his intentions to revolt and cross over to the BJP in the manner he did. The latest bid was, by far, one of the most serious attempts by Ajit to come out of the shadow of his uncle and wrest control of the NCP. But the attempt failed for the same reasons which have existed for the past two decades since the formation of Pawar’s regional outfit, with the addition of some more. In a political career spanning over five decades, Pawar has engineered ruptures in political parties, including his own. He has lived through defections.

Ambitions are a part of a political life; deceit to acquire power too – he knows it and has seen it all. What was new this time around was that the lessons from his playbook came visiting him – a split in his close-knit family and a political camp which was stopping him from forming a government in Maharashtra. Now the things are settled and with new government Maharashtra will write one new chapter. The Shiv Sena will have 15 ministers in Uddhav Thackeray’s council of ministers in Maharashtra while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will get the deputy chief minister’s post and 13 other ministerial berths. The Congress which is the third party in the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition is tipped to bag the assembly Speaker’s post and 13 ministerial berths. Top leaders of the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress discussed power sharing formula after staking claim to form the government. Chief minister-designate Uddhav Thackeray, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Ahmed Patel were present at the meeting of Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena MLAs. Thackeray, who will take oath as the Chief Minister of the state on Thursday, met Pawar separately earlier in the day to fine tune the formation of the new council of ministers. Pawar had also met senior Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, K C Venugopal and others before his talks with Thackeray. Pawar has been at the centre of government formation talks among the three parties ever since the Sena reached out to the NCP and the Congress for an alliance. Going of BJP and emerging as successor Shiv Sena and its unexpected alliance has written new chapter in Maharashtra politics. Here after BJP in opposition would be more aggressive and they will try their best to cripple Uddhav Thackeray government, until then they would not sit silent.

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

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