Let’s not lose the country over election gimmicks
The noose of Rafale is tightening around the neck of Prime Minister Modi. The deal now needs to be seriously investigated. In such case, either the deal would be cancelled or Modi will have to face the investigation himself. Modi govt has been reiterating that Rafale is a deal between two governments. But the deal does not have the assurance of French government.
Now if two private organisations arrived at an agreement, how can this be termed a government deal? One does not know how Modi signed this agreement in a hurry. Not just Rafale, our country’s economy has also gone into doldrums with this. Inflation has gone beyond control. The fight between Reserve Bank and Finance ministry is out in the open. RSS has made an entry into the whole deal to save the government by creating communal unrest like those 1992 days.
This organization has laid down a condition before the Supreme Court to ensure the emotions of Hindus should be respected and the court should rule in favour of a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Sangh Parivar is in direct clash with the judiciary and has almost challenged the pillar of democracy to issue an order to build the Mandir at the earliest. But the issue in discussion is not merely that of constructing a Mandir.
Sangh Parivar razed a masjid that existed since 400 years and wants to build a mandir in the very place. How can this issue of land dispute be decided at the behest of such pressure? Amidst this, Yogi Adityanath’s government has decided to ban sale of liquor and meat around Ayodhya and Mathura. The government changed the names of cities Faizabad and Allahabad, and now this ban proposal are indications that they want to instigate people.
RSS has made intricate plans to create a strong base for BJP in south India. In the Sangh Parivar baitak that was held in Mangalore recently, the party has decided to extend its operations to four states including Kerala. Just as Ayodhya helped the party gain stronghold, Sabarimala issue of SC allowing women may serve as a stepping stone for the party. The party is instigating people against the SC order. BJP has decided to organize Guruswamis against the SC order, just the way they did in Ayodhya case.
Amit Shah had participated in the secret meeting held in Mangalore. Ayyappa devotees are spread in Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana and TN too. Hence the decision has been taken to organize them. Hence Cong and BJP staged a walk out from the all party meeting called by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Plans are afoot to use Ayodhya and Sabarimala during 2019 Lok Sabha elections and ensure hindu vote bank comes into existence.
This is BJP’s strategy. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has said though the government has failed in financial and economical front, the party will soon return to power through the route of religion by provoking people.
Modi government came to power negating the achievements of Cong rule for seven decades. Now they are back at criticizing Nehru to seek votes. All the fruits that the country is enjoying today is not something left behind by the British, but by the foresightedness of our leaders. Bhakra Nangal dam, Prominent universities in the country, Science institutes, Food products, Strong economy, Solid armed forces all this were not left behind by the British. There is a world of difference between the early independent India and now. Since most of the time Congress ruled the country, the whole credit goes to that party.
Land reforms act, Nationalization of banks and other pro-people steps were initiated by Indira Gandhi’s time. Green revolution and increase in food production too happened during the time of Indira Gandhi. Farmers and commoners got access to banks during the time of Congress rule. Cong government won two wars against Pakistan and divided Bangladesh. Whatever Modi is boasting of, as their achievement, happened during the Cong rule.
What good did Modi do to India in the last four years? He tries to project Demonetisation as his achievement. What did it accomplish? He is unable to explain that. Common people lost their support systems through demonetization. Corporates looted the country. Bofors was investigated during Congress rule. But why is Rafale not even being taken up for investigation? In the last four years, the country has been lagging behind in issues relating to economy. Does Modi expect people to contribute for Patel and Shivaji statues? Name changing is his achievement? What is Modi’s contribution in reaching health, education and food to common people?
RTI bill was passed when Cong was in power enabling the common people to hold government accountable. The very law unearthed Cong corruption. Why is the Modi govt hell bent upon weakening this act? His party wants to win another election in the name of religion, provoking people to vote for Ram Mandir. Development and violence cannot go hand in hand. This would force the country back by more than a decade. Country’s economy and future may well be lost if this happens. In this context, the upcoming elections is of crucial importance.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
