Issues of jobs, women safety, inflation would haunt BJP in LS polls: P. Chidambaram
Mumbai, Oct 27: Former Union minister P Chidambaram said Saturday lack of jobs, safety of women and children and price rise are among the major issues that will haunt the ruling BJP in the coming elections.
The former finance minister, who heads manifesto committee of the Congress, was speaking at 'an open house' program here organised by the city unit of the party.
The committee members were on a visit to the city to hold discussions with representatives of various sections of society ahead of preparation of the party's manifesto for 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Chidambaram said the committee received 67 suggestions during a two-hour interaction Saturday.
He said the lack of jobs, safety of women and children, and price rise were the most important concerns of people.
"These issues will haunt the BJP in Lok Sabha polls," he added.
The former minister said these concerns would be incorporated in the Congress manifesto.
"If you (people) say prices of petrol and diesel should be reduced and the government doesn't listen, then it is an arrogant government and not a democratic one," he said.
"I can sit in a room and promise to put Rs 25 lakh in your bank account or promise you four crore jobs...one job in the morning and another in the evening. This does not work. We want to listen to you and know what you expect," he said, taking a dig at the BJP's promises before the 2014 elections.
The Congress was ushering a new way of drafting a poll manifesto, he said.
The suggestions the party received during the meeting Saturday also related to representation of backward class Muslim, urban infrastructure and securing interest on bank fixed deposits, among other things, he said.
The open house session was the first one and similar meetings will be held in other cities as well, Chidambaram said.
He was accompanied by party MPs Rajeev Gowda and Kumar Ketkar.
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Akeal Hosein bosses powerplay overs with 'skill and mental fortitude'
New Delhi (PTI): For a spinner who bowls majority of his overs in the powerplay, Chennai Super Kings' West Indian import Akeal Hosein relies as much on mental fortitude as his skills to excel in the most unforgiving phase of the game.
With just two fielders in the deep in the first six overs, the margin for error is miniscule and the pressure is sky high.
However, Hosein thrives in that tense environment. The left-arm spinner returned with frugal figures of 3-0-15-1 in the powerplay to play a crucial role in his team's eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in an IPL match here on Tuesday.
"You need both of them (skill and mental toughness). Especially when you come upon pitches that aren't conducive to spin and it's just about being disciplined as well," he said.
"Having two fielders out in the power play. It's not a job that you can go searching for wickets or you can be too greedy. It's just about sticking to the plan," he explained.
Hosein got the all-important wicket of an in-form K L Rahul, who was foxed by the West Indian as he stepped out to smash him for an inside out six.
Hosein's inclusion in the playing eleven after not being picked in the initial phase of the tournament has allowed CSK to win more games. On Tuesday, the pitch offered him a bit of help and he ended up dominating the batters.
After the win over DC, Hosein was asked about his recipe for success in the powerplay.
"...it's a bit scripted because you only have two guys out so it's just about being disciplined and trying to do the job for the team. At the end of the day if you don't get wickets and you bowl economically in the power play, that's a damn good job you've done for the team," said Hosein.
He has taken seven wickets in five games at an impressive economy rate of 7.25.
Fully aware that the batter is a mere couple of hits away from putting the pressure back on him, Hosein says practising for high-pressure situations helps him stay in the present.
"I think homework is very important. You want to have that head-start when you come up against whichever batter you're going to face. And like I say it's just about making assessments as quickly as possible.
"You might come up on a pitch that is spinning. You might come up against one that isn't spinning. Thankfully I can spin the ball. So it's just about picking which deliveries will give you the most success on a particular day and against a particular batter," said Hosein.
He got rid of Rahul first ball from the other end, something that was decided by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Post powerplay, Noor Ahmad took over the mantle from Hosein and maintained the pressure on DC batters.
"Getting the opportunity to bowl first for me is just about again making that assessment as quickly as possible and then passing on that information to Noor or even to the seamers as well if it was a bit of spin or if it's gripping or whatever the case is.
"So conversations with myself and Noor have been fantastic. Really happy for him that he's getting some success," he added.
