It's a shame that BJP wrecking law for Rajya Sabha polls: Chidambaram
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday accused the BJP of "manufacturing crisis" in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, alleging that it was a shame that the ruling party was "wrecking the law" for ensuring victory for its candidates in Rajya Sabha elections.
He said Rajya Sabha elections are as per the respective strength of political parties through open voting, but the BJP was not doing so.
"Elections to the Rajya Sabha are intended to be held according to respective party strengths through open voting. BJP is wrecking the law. Shame," he said on Twitter.
The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh was facing a crucial trust vote after 22 party MLAs loyal to Jyotiraditya Scindia, who quit the party and joined the BJP, tendered their resignation from the House.
In Gujarat, another Congress MLA has resigned ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls in the state, taking the tally of legislators who have quit the party to five.
"As if India did not face enough crises -- economy, coronavirus, bank failures -- the BJP is manufacturing crises in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Shame," Chidambaram said.
The Congress leader also said the states are doing better in handling the coronavirus crisis than the Centre.
He asked the government to consider stronger and more determined measures to combat COVID-19. "We got a video conference that left us no wiser," he said, referring to the conference of leaders of SAARC countries on coronavirus on Sunday.
"I think the states are ahead of the Centre in handling the crisis. The time has come for the central government to take firmer, bolder and tougher measures," he said.
"The Sensex and Nifty are also reacting adversely to the governments handling of the coronavirus challenge," he said.
"There may be advantage in doing a video conference with SAARC leaders. But I think it is more important for the PM to confer immediately with the chief ministers, he said.
The former finance minister also said that, as expected, the market has taken a dim view of the "virtually coerced" investment by SBI and private sector banks in the equity of the failed YES Bank.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
