The hidden message of bypolls
With the recently concluded by-elections, the whole nation was focused on Kairana in Uttar Pradesh; and in the state, people keenly awaited the Rajarajeshwari Nagar results. If a bypoll result can be considered a verdict for any party to rid itself of any allegations of electoral misconduct, then Munirathna has just been declared a clean man. Congress has earned itself a good reputation and a massive sigh of relief with the victory of their candidate. This constituency was somewhat a primary litmus test for the coalition government in the state. Hence it was necessary for either Congress or a JD(S) candidate to clinch this constituency since the coalition partners went into this bypoll with their own candidates, and not a mutually agreeable single candidate who could have been staged here. On one hand there were allegations against Munirathna and on the other there was polarization of votes that could have worked against him. But Munirathna won with a thumping margin, a much needed relief to him and his party too.
At the same time, BJP has suffered major drubbing in Kairana, Uttar Pradesh a seat that was most prestigious for the party since they had won with a massive margin last time. Political analysts had said the Kairana results could be an indicator of mood for the 2019 general elections. Kairana was the last opportunity for UP CM Yogi Adityanath to rectify the loss of face he suffered with losses in Gorakhpur and Phulpur. The MLA seat turned vacant with the death of BJP MP Hukum Singh. BJP was successful in fanning communal fires in this constituency last time. Party members had spread rumours stating Hindus were migrating from Kairana owing to a large section muslim population and the troubles they have been creating for the Hindus. The fear created by this was so massive that communal clashes broke out and this had helped consolidate Jat votes for the party in the general elections. Even if one put SP, BSP and Congress votes, it was impossible to measure up to the votes BJP was polled.
But this time around, a Muslim lady Tabassum has won the by elections in Kairana. This is a tight slap served to the misadministration of CM Yogi Adityanath’s administration. This response from the consolidation of secular forces is a strong one considering BJP had refused to stage even a single muslim candidate. And at the same time, this is also a message to SP, BSP and Congress to come together put up a united front. The attempts of saffronisation by Yogi has been rejected flatly. The coming together of secular forces will surely defeat Modi and his agenda in the coming days. This message has been conveyed loud and clear from Kairana. Similarly, the NCPU and Congress supported candidate has won from Bhandara Gondiya seat which was again under BJP last time.
In the past, during the ‘undefeatable’ Indira Gandhi’s time all opposition parties had come together to serve her a defeat. She ate a humble pie. People had come to accept this coalition because they were reeling under the ill effects of emergency. Indira Gandhi enjoyed the support of the poorest of the poor who adored her. Narendra Modi does not command the kind of support as she did. He stands on the fake foundation of lies. It won’t take too long for this bubble to burst since he has failed to deliver an administration that would help people’s lives get better. Today we have undeclared emergency in the country. People are suffering owing to hike in petrol prices. If the secular forces can come together, Modi’s dream run can end soon enough. This is the message by polls have conveyed to the people.
Now, the anti-BJP parties should not stop their battle against EVMs. BSP had spoken pretty strongly against EVMs in the past. Today, only Shiv Sena is speaking about this. This discourse has to continue till things change for 2019 elections to ensure the 2014 results do not repeat. A movement against EVMs is needed for free and fair elections to be held in 2019. Only then we can expect some miracles to happen
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
