Compromising the federal system
One fails to understand what PM Narendra Modi perceives himself as, and whether he has actually forgotten the fact that he is a Prime Minister to the federation of states called India or he is just pretending like that. There seems to be some illusion about the post he has occupied that he is the permanent king of this land called India. And that makes him assume all the state heads are his subordinate rulers while he is the undisputed emperor. Hence his way of treating other state heads is not conducive to democracy.
What we have here in India is a federal system. There are precise policies, conventions, protocols and practices to explain how the state heads must act. But the PM is simply violating most of them without even the slightest concern of how this would cause the federal system to be blown into smithereens. He had visited Karnataka in the recent days to participate in many events in Hubballi and IIT Dharwad. He laid foundation stones for some new projects. But the CM of the state Kumaraswamy was not invited to any of these events. Yet, as a protocol, minister Deshpande was present at these. State government has given 300 acres of land to Dharwad IIT apart from providing basic infrastructure. Yet, the CM of the state has been left out. What does this mean?
This was not some party event that happened in Dharwad. It’s an official one which should and must have the state CM being invited or being part of it. This protocol was not heeded to. Some time ago, when the PM dedicated the Kalaburagi-Bidar train route to the people of the region, he should have invited local MP Mallikarjun Kharge. But Kharge was kept out in order to humiliate him. This was widely criticized and the same thing has repeated in Dharwad too. The central government is acting with total callousness in non-BJP ruled states. PM’s behavior is affecting the federal system that we have. His conduct in West Bengal. Andhra, Delhi and Kerala is simply deplorable. He had sent the CBI team to arrest most senior police officer and that team was arrested by Bengal cops and was kept under detention.
None of this is a crowning glory to the federal system that we have. Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu is coming across as a personal enemy of PM Modi who is refusing to honour special status to Andhra that was assured to them during the state division in prior to 2014. Modi criticizes the Andhra CM in his own home state in a language that is unbecoming of a PM. BJP goons are launching attacks on Kejriwal. And the central government is safeguarding those attackers.
PM has been criticizing even the implementation of Supreme Court order to allow women to enter Sabarimala temple in Kerala because the state is governed by a left government. PM is calling for unrest in Kerala. This is not a right precedence to set with states that do not have BJP government. Such vengeful behavior is getting him black flag welcome in Assam. “Go Back Modi” has become a regular in many states wherever his visit is slated now.
Some time ago, Atal Bihari Vajpayee of the same party was the PM. Whatever may be his ideological differences with anyone, he maintained dignified relations with states. For instance if he had to appoint a governor to West Bengal, he would not take unilateral decision without consulting his ideological contrast, Communist to the core Jyoti Basu. W. Bengal was ruled by the communists for the longest time. Modi’s behavior is in total contrast to this. If this continues, this may cause irreparable harm to the federal system. Unless he mends it, it would not be good for the federal structure or to his own political journey.
India is a country with different languages, faiths and cultures. This is our diversity. We have a binding towards the constitution. Unity in diversity is our core commitment. If we try to make a uniform culture, faith and language, this country will be destroyed. Modi has got his education from the RSS Shakha. Now he is occupying the chair of the PM. He should not degrade the constitution and democracy of the nation. He needs to take the CMs of the state along, with respect. This alone can beget respect for him too.
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25 killed in lightning strikes, hailstorms in several districts of Bihar
Patna, Apr 10 (PTI): At least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes and hailstorms in several districts of Bihar on Thursday, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Nalanda reported 18 deaths, followed by two in Siwan, one each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, however, claimed in a post on X that over 50 people died on Thursday.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences. May God provide strength to the families affected by the disaster in this hour of grief,” he wrote in Hindi.
He also said that the state government should compensate farmers for their crop loss due to the sudden rain and give them proper compensation.
Earlier, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
On Wednesday, 13 people had died in lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange alert’ (be prepared) for a number of districts, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna.
It has also forecast heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday in these districts.
"Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) likely to occur at few places over Madhubani, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna," the IMD said in a bulletin.
Water-logging was also reported on Thursday from several parts of Patna following heavy rain.
The state capital recorded an average of 42.6 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm.
Officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration, however, claimed that rainwater was drained out in the shortest possible time despite the downpour.
