Centre on witch hunting mode in West Bengal
The tussle between PM Narendra Modi and WB CM Mamata Banerjee has come to a very tricky point. Supreme Court has refused permission to arrest Kolkata Police Commissioner on charges of tampering with proof pertaining to Saradha Chit Funds scandal which has cheated lakhs of people amounting to huge money.
The court has said the Commissioner can appear before the CBI voluntarily pertaining to the enquiry. Mamata Banerjee has welcomed this decision. In some ways, the court has diplomatically given an earful to both centre and state.
In the last three days, West Bengal looked like it was in constitutional crisis. About 40 men from the CBI had entered the Kolkata Police Station, which prompted CM Mamata Banerjee to personally arrive at the station to defend the Commissioner of Police. She sat on a dharna and this led to matters being complicated. Except for left parties, rest of the political parties had supported Banerjee.
Supreme Court has ordered that the CBI enquiry should be conducted into the Saradha Chit Funds case which runs into several lakhs of thousands in 2014 itself. The BJP government sat on this matter for the longest time after assuming office and is planning to act now when its term is a mere four and half months in the centre. This is nothing but a political opportunism.
The Modi government has made a mockery of CBI while taking chief accused in this scam Trinamool leader Mukul Roy under their wings into BJP, and misusing autonomous institutions to act at their behest. This does not mean Mamata Banerjee is any innocent. Her leaders, supporters and seniors are part of this scandal. But this recent development is not limited to the scandal alone. There are clearly political calculations behind this.
Modi government has launched this raid with the intention of clinching 42 Lok Sabha seats in WB, in the upcoming elections. Mamata on the other hand used the hunger strike weapon against this assault, to emerge a shining star and a strong leader at that out of this incident.
Sangh Parivar which has been wanting to gain control over WB since long, has extended all support to Modi on this. Both Modi and Banerjee are leaders with authoritarian mindsets. They can sacrifice anybody for their political gains. Mamata used Maoists to finish off the CPM government in West Bengal.
She instigated people against Singur and Nandigram farmer uprising. After assuming power, she finished off senior Maoist leader Kishenji and other Naxal activists. Communist leaders are facing threats and assaults every day. Now Modi grew up imbibing the ideals of fascist outfit such as RSS. He is conditioned to have authoritarian views. Hence both cannot be defended.
After assuming power, Modi has been using premium investigative agency such as CBI to silence his political detractors. He used it against RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav who had turned into a stumbling block in Bihar. He sent CBI to the residences of Mayawati, Arvind Kejriwal and Mulayam’s son’s residence. But he was smart enough not to send CBI to his own party members’ residences despite the fact that they have been instrumental in the mega Vyapam scandal that has claimed the lives of 20 persons so far. CBI didn’t go to check on Amit Shah’s son.
But the team was sent to Bengal. Not just that, Modi government’s conduct when it comes to the federal structure of the states and their rights is highly questionable. Right now West Bengal has escaped a constitutional crisis. But we need to see what happens in the future.
One thing is very clear from this. For anybody to escape corruption charges, the only route left is to join the BJP. This ensures safe exit from all the impending punishment. Trinamool leader Mukul Roy was facing serious charges and CBI had taken it up in 2015. But the investigation was dropped when Mukul Roy joined the BJP. Hemant Sharma of Assam was also in the same boat and he escaped inquiry since he joined the BJP.
In Karnataka, the mining mafia was safeguarded since they were in BJP. One of the prominent Congress politicians was forced to join BJP and he didn’t relent. Joining BJP is much like ‘bara khoon maaf’ instead of being declared innocent by the courts. Mamata Banerjee has challenged this since it is inevitable for her existence.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
