Self-inflicted issues rocking coalition govt
The current congress is a fine example of attempts for early harvest without even giving the crop time to grow. The govt is a coalition of JD(S) and Congress. It came into existence under duress and as a result of anxiety that BJP and JD(S) may come together to claim their right over forming the govt. All this hurried coming together is showing its impact now. There were two main reasons for this hurried coming together. One was to keep BJP away from the seat of power. Second was to keep former CM Siddaramaiah away from the power centres of Congress. The latter reason was a lot more important to leaders within the congress since the party had become synonymous with his identity. The preparation for this had started even before the elections were announced. The failure of Siddaramaiah was more of a result of Congress conspiracy than the attempts made by leaders within the BJP.
HD Kumaraswamy, the declared antagonist of Siddaramaiah, was made CM for the same reason without even negotiating on any terms and conditions. Politically, giving up the chair of CM to JD(S) and make HDK the CM, with mere 37 seats, was not a well-calculated decision. Even worse is to believe that HDK will remain CM for all five years of his term since Congress is not too clear about this within the party lines. Amid all this, the dissidence has started within Congress with Jarkiholi brothers being unhappy with the treatment they were meted out since the formation of the govt. While Congress is writhing over this, BJP has used this opportunity to start on operation Kamala. They are just looking for a tender spot to start the surgery of destruction.
BJP has not forgotten the humiliation it had to undergo around the time of forming the government. Hence it is keeping a close watch on the developments within coalition partners. If there is a crack in the relationship of Cong and JD(S), the possibilities of JD(S) and BJP coalition government before the next Lok Sabha elections. Hence, the possibilities of coalition cannot be ruled out for sure. BJP has to secure all its forts in states to ensure Modi returns to the seat of PM in 2019. Hence, the party is willing to purchase MLAs at any cost. The party is waiting for such a weak moment to surface sooner than later.
With all these realities around, JD(S) and Congress have to reach a workable equation to ensure things work to people’s benefit. Kumaraswamy cannot always hold Congress to ransom over having BJP as a choice. This cannot work for a long time. JD(S) has already paid a heavy price for having done this musical chair for politics in the past. Devegowda and his sons have repeatedly regretted and cried in public, apologising over having practiced politics like this.
The recent complications within Congress have prompted BJP to believe it can make a headway into the situation. The Belgaum politics has had a direct impact on the government. On the outset, though the coalition looks like a result of being a convenient arrangement to avoid communal forces from clinching power. But the whole government set up stands on money and muscle power. Siddaramaiah is in the equation only for name sake. The whole responsibility of coalition equation rested on the shoulders of D K Shivakumar.MLAs were held together with money power. Or else, many would have jumped over to the BJP side owing to money itself.
The same moneyed politicians are responsible for the complications that have cropped up within Cong. Jarkiholi brothers have been at logger heads with the govt from the beginning. It was the responsibility of coalition partners to take them into confidence. Satish Jarkiholi has been working not only though his strong economic background but also owing to his social commitment as well. He comes from grassroots and from a marginalized caste. Congress shouldn’t have ignored his cautions. The party felt he wouldn’t jump the fence for whatever reasons and hence the issue grew out of control. Though a coalition partnership forces everyone to camouflage their small grudges, people often show it at a time when the moment is apt for the show.
Siddaramaiah does not have the numbers to show his mite, neither the money nor the backing of other factors. He can never stage dissidence. But he is using the situation as per his convenience. The disgruntled MLAs have put Siddaramaiah before them to show their dissidence. This is a momentary show. No sooner are their demands met, they’ll soon stop their show and move on with other things. They’ll then side with DKS. But Siddaramaiah cannot be held directly responsible for the dissidence that has arisen out in Congress. DK Shivakumar needs to make his moves like a statesman, and not with the confidence that money or muscle power can bring. It is his need too, that the government remains in power. He has to engage in talks with the dissenting MLAs, setting aside his personal glory. JD(S) also needs to understand the responsibility and the stakes it has in ensuring govt remains in power with its partner, to create a level of confidence among people. This may give at least two years of life for coalition govt. Just about enough to save its reputation.
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RJD surprise element in J’khand polls, party candidates leading in 5 of 6 assembly seats
Ranchi(PTI): The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has emerged as a surprise element in the Jharkhand assembly elections with its candidates leading in five of the six seats where the party is contesting, according to trends available on the Election Commission's website on Saturday.
RJD candidates in five assembly seats were leading over sitting BJP legislators.
In 2019, RJD had secured only the Chatra seat where its nominee Satyanand Bhokta won.
In Deoghar, RJD’s Suresh Paswan was leading by 19,581 votes over his nearest rival and BJP's sitting MLA Narayan Das after the third round of counting.
RJD’s Sanjay Prasad Yadav was ahead by 19,867 votes in Godda over BJP MLA Amit Kumar Mandal after the sixth round of counting.
In Koderma, RJD nominee Subhash Prasad Yadav, who was out on bail, was leading by a margin of 3,471 votes over BJP’s sitting legislator Neera Yadav.
Subhas Prasad Yadav, considered to be one of the close aides of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court in a money laundering case.
Party’s Naresh Prasad Singh was leading by 5,159 votes after the fourth round of counting over BJP’s Bishrampur MLA Ramchandra Chandravanshi.
RJD's Sanjay Kumar Singh Yadav was also leading from Hussainabad by 8,213 votes after the fourth round of counting over BJP MLA Kamlesh Kumar Singh.
Party’s candidate Rashmi Prakash, however, was trailing from Chatra by 3,776 votes.
Bhokta did not contest the elections this time, and his daughter-in-law Prakash was given a ticket.
