Abhishek Pandey

BJP wants to take the power ride. Ram temple issue is too old to win this ride. Party needs fresh ideas and newly appointed president of BJP understands this well. He has presented the ‘old wine in new bottle’ and this wine does not seem to be deleterious for nation’s health, as Hindus and Muslims, both, would find it yummy.

Since the inception of the Ayodhya issue, the right wing never tuned its tone as soft as national president of BJP, Gadkari did during recent national conclave at Indore. He said, BJP is committed to the cause of temple construction at Ayodhya. Nothing new in this idea but Gadkari went one step further.

He asked Muslims to be generous to not oppose the construction of grand temple at disputed site. Even, he allured them saying that the party would facilitate the construction of mosque beside the temple. The tone is new and has never been heard by anyone, at least from the saffron brigade.

I think, he is trying to find out the practical solution of the problem and the plot to erect BJP’s building. He mentioned that the litigations are pending in the court for the resolution of the dispute and the verdict would not serve the purpose because one party would win and other may lose.

The visionary Gadkari is also aiming to hit the two birds from a single stone. As his proposal would neither annoy the ‘moderate’ Hindus, those are looking for the resolution of the dispute, nor would it send a wrong message to the Muslims that injustice has been done to them.

I used the moderate world because the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Shiv Sena have already registered their protest. The supreme of these parties, Ashok Singhal and Bal Thackeray, have said that “Ram temple is religious issue not a political issue. BJP or for that matter any party must refrain from taking any decision of its own, as it would bring dishonor to the several Karsevaks who sacrificed their life for the cause of Hindus.

Why the hell they don’t understand that the days of decisive politics are gone and they are gonna get nothing from such politics. Except, killing or maiming some innocents and making the life of their loved one’s hellish.

He knows and also understands it well that the developmental politics is the future and the construction of temple would alleviate the stature of the BJP among the parties supporting Hindu cause.

Though. in his complete speech of 7993 words, he spoke only 103 words on temple issue, mere 1.3 percent of total speech, but all the media, print, electronic, web, blew its as it was the core of his speech. Whatever, media know well what sells. Gadkari also knows well what sells and he is selling what is in trend, as he is a businessman turned politician.

Even, his vision is politically correct also. I too share the view of Nitin Gadkari, “This initiative would herald a new amity and reinforce the bond for a resurgent India.”

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By Abhishek Pandey

The politics over rape in Uttar Pradesh has ignited the fire which gutted the house of Dr Rita Bahuguna Joshi. Ms Joshi was upset over the distribution of money to the rape victims instead of justice. During her rally at Moradabad, She forgot all the ‘Laxman Rekhas’ of politics and made an objectionable and inflammatory statement against Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati. Her statements ignited the fire which burn down her own house at Lucknow. Her house and four vehicles were set afire by unidentified persons, who were allegedly escorted by a BSP MLA and other party members.

It is very contradictory that both the women are the leader of women empowerment in Uttar Pradesh and now, both are standing against each other. Mayawati is Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Bahuguna is president of UP Congress committee. Both are on important posts in the largest populated Indian state. It is the matter of proud and shame at the same time because two women are on important posts but both can’t work together for the welfare of the state or for women empowerment.

Politics is all about statements whether they are logical or illogical. In election time, the statements become more important but creating conducive ambience after the election cause damage to ideal politics. Earlier, these kind of abusive remarks were limited to election period. But, timing has no significance in present context.

It is the fact that girls and women were raped in different districts of Uttar Pradesh and compensation was given indiscriminately. It does not mean that Ms Bahuguna would be given right to bring disgrace to a woman by offering one crore rupees for illegal and indecent act. Mayawati said that Ms Bahuguna’s remarks were not pardonable but she forgot her statements when she said the same for Mulayam’s kith and kin. It seems that politicians have short memory.

Congress party disassociated itself from the controversy. Rahul Gandhi said that the language used was unfortunate but the sentiment was right. Congress President Sonia Gandhi had also uttered the same. Politics has become a cesspool because of this kind of dirty politics. Politicians have to think above their vested interest for the development of the nation. Maya does not buy Congress ideology but supporting it at center. Even, Congress party does not agree with Maya’s statue politics and on other issues. Both the parties blame each other for lack of development in the state. But, their political knot is tight at center. This is hypocrisy in their attitude and they must change it.

CB-CID enquiry has been ordered in arson case at Ms Bahuguna’s home. And, many cases are filed against Bahuguna for her inflammatory speech. Both the leaders can gratify their ego but there are many cases in the state where no FIR is filed, forget about the enquiry. Leaders should come down to the ground, from where they started, to sense the reality. Whatever, Bahugana’s remarks are unacceptable but following incidents after remarks are also of serious concern. Indian leaders should avoid these tracks of politics.

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By Abhishek Pandey

D connotes a bad word in economic capital and Bollywood city Mumbai which resembles Dawood & co. It haunted the city for so many years and has given innumerable wounds to the city. ‘D’ exists in Delhi also but means something else. Here, it means dynasty. It is also bad for the health of Delhi, the political capital of the country.

Indians are not allergic to dynastic politics in the country since independence. Nehru- Gandhi family has ruled the country for so many years. This trend is mushrooming and expanding its tentacles like anything in recent times.  From Kashmir valley to Kanyakumari and from Arabian Sea to Bay of Bengal, dynastic politics exist in India. This election is not the exception and has given chance to many political scions from different parties. It is the general idea among the entire ‘intellectual class’ that dynasty hurts democracy. India follows the democratic procedures in the elections but there are doubts about democracy with in the political parties. This is the reason many parties in India has become the family business.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Chennai, Janta Dal (Secular) in Karnataka, Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh, National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir, Akalis and Congress in Punjab, Bhajan Lal and sons’ Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) and former deputy PM of India Devi Lal and family’s Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in Haryana, Lalu and family’s Rastriya Janta Dal (RJD) in Bihar, Chauvan and Thackeray in Maharashtra are few of the parties dominated by dynasty in the country. These are the example of few families which have ruled the political platform in their respective states.

After this election, DMK chief Karunanidhi has demanded cabinet births for his family members including his niece Dayanidhi Maran, Stalin, M. Azhagiri, and her daughter Kanimozhi. It seems he has prepared his political will for the family. He has offered his son M. Azhagiri and Dayanidhi Maran cabinet births after hard negotiation with the Congress and elevated the stature of his son Stalin by making him deputy chief minister of Tamilnadu. Karunakaran’s family has ruled the Kerala for long. NT Ramarao and his son in law Chandrababu Naidu has enjoyed the power in Andhra Pradesh.  

Mulayam Singh of SP is not an exception. He has given tickets to his family members. His brother, son and nephew have the benefit of special consideration in the party. Shiv Pal Yadav, his brother holds important position in the party. His son has contested from two seats and won both the seats in these Lok Sabha elections. His nephew Dharmendra Yadav has also won from Badaun by defeating DP Yadav, a don turned politician. Rastriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh is the son of former Prime Minister Charan Singh. In Bihar, Lalu has been promoting his wife Rabri, brothers in law Sadhu and Subhash Yadav, Brother Gulab Yadav, sister in law Kunti Devi for long. Though, his brothers in law have separated from the party and joined the congress party.

Punjab is another example of this ill trend. Badal’s are ruling in the state. Prakash Singh Badal as Chief Minister, who is set to transfer his political chair to his son Sukhbhir Singh Badal, Deputy CM of Punjab. Harsimrat Kaur, wife of Sukhbir Singh has also entered in the political arena. Capt. Amrinder Singh of congress has also promoted his son and wife in the politics. In Orissa, Patnayak family has also led the Orissa and still Naveen Patnayak is the chief minister of the state. 

Now, if we look at the recent emergence of new faces from the political families in this General elections then it can scare a true democrat.  Many young turks have got the chance to step in Lok Sabha. It is good news but the sad part of the story is that most of them are from political families. Politics is not their achievement but they have got them from their parents. Rahul Gandhi, Priya Dutt, Nilesh Rane, Milind Deora, Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindhia, Jitin Prasad of Congress. The names of theses family born leaders does not stop here. It also includes youngest MP of the India, Hamidullah Sayeed of congress.

This List is not only from Congress party. Manvendra Singh, son of BJP stalwart Jaswant Singh, Supriya Sule of NCP, and Akhilesh Yadav of SP has political background. Agatha Sangma, who became the MP in the last by polls and also won this election, is the daughter of National Congress Party leader and former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma. D. Purandeswari of Telgu Desham Party is the daughter of actor turned politician NT Ramarao. The list continues with other leaders of different parties. All these leaders have reached the parliament from their bedroom of their house by holding the finger of their parents. Is this the lot, we want as young leaders?

These leaders may or may not believe that they have got back door entry in politics. They may be under illusion that they did hard to get in the parliament. But, fact remains the same that they opt short cut. We need the young blood in Indian politics but not when others are neglected and have not given chance to represent the people. India is democratic state but it will turn in to a neo-monarchic state, if parties remain to follow the dynastic trails. India needs democracy with in the political parties.

Are we ready for the change ?

 

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By Abhishek Pandey

Speculations are over with the counting of votes. People of India have given the clear mandate for the stable government at the center by saying no to hung parliament. Indian National Congress (INC) has emerged as the largest single party. Congress has come back to power at center with the startling victory on 206 seats in the 15^th Lok Sabha elections.

After people’s verdict, many political and poll analyst dropped their jaws and their eyes widened to see the caricature of the next government drawn by the electorates.  Even, Congress party men and spoke person were not anticipating the victory on 206 seats by their party on its own. Congress has helped UPA to touch the tally of 262 seats and is very near to the magic number of 272 needed to form the government. This is the congress’s notable performance in last two decades since 1989.

BJP lost the elections in many states, even in its strongholds. BJP is limited to 116 seats in this General Election, which is less than its 2004 performance, 138 seats. BJP performed badly in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttarakhand. Right wing Party has gained little in Bihar, Karnataka and Gujarat, where they wee expecting a clean sweep. Though, its ally in Bihar, Janta Dal (United), has done a very good job by winning 20 seats out of 40 seats.

Not only BJP but its allies also performed poorly in many states except JD (U). Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) decreased from 8 to 4 seats. In Punjab, ‘weak prime minister’ tag to Manmohan Singh cost dearly to BJP and its ally SAD in Sikh dominated Punjab. Contradicting BJP’s view about a Sikh prime ministerial candidate Manmohan Singh, Indian National Congress secretary general Rahul Gandhi coined a term ‘Sher-e-Punjab’ for him which possibly swung the votes in the favour of the party in the state.

In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena and BJP alliance came down from 25 seats in 2004 to 20 seats in 2009.  Metropolitan cities Mumbai and Delhi was swept by Congress party, despite BJP’s strong Internet campaigning. BJP’s campaigning on the Internet to do ‘Obama’ in India was a failure because Internet penetration in India is just 5%. BJP did not think that most netizens would not go to vote in the scorching heat of April-May.

This is the victory of Rahul Gandhi. Aam Aadmi has accepted Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and possibly, Manmohan Singh as their leaders. BJP’s poll plank and the tag ‘weak PM’ gifted to Manmohan Singh proved to be a disaster for the party. Negative campaigning backfired BJP badly in the elections. They talked more about terrorism, failures of UPA government; black money in Swiss banks, Bofforse scam and Ram Temple instead of any development plans in the future. But nothing worked for them and party seemed to be confused on its agenda. Electorate also could not understand that what BJP would do for them after coming to power.

Youth factor of Rahul Gandhi worked for Congress in this lection. Rahul Gandhi’s canvassing in slums, villages and in tribal areas brought fruits for the grand old party. His canvassing and ability to mix up with the youths in the universities campuses and in his rallies worked well. Uttar Pradesh, which has given six prime ministers to the country, is known for caste based politics. But voters voted for congress and it shattered Mayawati’s dream to become the prime minister of the country. Dalits, who constituted approx 23% of the state population, get attracted in large numbers to the Congress. It seems that they have also fed up by seeing Mayawati’s statue and memorials on almost every cross-road and park.

Mayawati was expecting a big swell in her seat share in the state but congress maimed her party by attracting Muslims and Dalits to its court. Not going with Samajwadi party in the election helped Congress to increase its seat share from 9 in 2004 to 21 seats in 2009. Samajwadi party (SP), Rastriya Janta Dal (RJD) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) repented for not going with Congress in the last general elections. Congress wave across the nation crushed the ambitions of many parties.

It was the wrong notion among the political intellects that Narendra Modi can swing votes any where in the country with his unbeatable vibrant Gujarat dream for every state. Actually, Narendra Modi’s charisma did not work in any pocket of the country. In Bihar, where he did not campaign because JD (U) did not want to annoy its Muslim voters, BJP and JD (U) performed well by winning 32 seats in comparison to 11 seats in 2004 elections. Modi proved to be ineffective in cowbelt also. Varun Gandhi, a new Hindutava face of the right wing party did not do any benefit to the saffron party, not even in Uttar Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh was also hopeless for the BJP and party’s number dwindled from 25 seats in 2004 to 16 seats in 2009. They did not get the expected gain in Karnataka and Gujarat and gained marginally by one seat and touched the tally of 19 seats and 16 seats respectively. BJP got worst news from Rajasthan and came down to 4 seats from its 21 seats’ tally in 2004. Congress swept Uttarakhand by winning all the five states, where BJP is ruling in the state.

Congress and UPA have significantly improved their performance in many states. Congress have challenged the regional parties like Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Telgu Desham Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and Left parties in their strongholds. Congress with its allies has done a good job in West Bengal, Tamilnadu, Punjab, J&K and Maharashtra. Kerala and West Bengal results have threatened the red brigade. Trinmool congress (TC) won 19 seats in west Bengal. Congress restrained Left parties to a low score of 4 seats in Kerala.

Left parties and BJP conceded its victory and stated that they failed to convey their message to the electorates effectively. This election has brought many changes for many parties. LK Advani has been rejected as the prime minister of the country. BJP has to think about the acceptable candidate for the higher post in the party. Since, Advani is not in the mood to lead the party anymore. It is the right time for senior BJP leaders to replace him and choose someone else as the opposition leader of the party in the lower house. Left should also think about their stand on economical and development issues, which cause their defeat in their strongholds.

The election has also given a message to the next government that the people of India have shown their faith in stability by not giving fractured mandate. But, It is still uncertain that did they vote for the dynasty or for development? 

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By Abhishek Pandey

Train to Delhi has started its journey and May 16 would reveal who would reach the parliament through which route. Uttar Pradesh has been always a major junction for all the trains which have reached Delhi. This trend is going to sever this time as there are more than four parties are sharing the big chunk of seats of UP in this general elections. And all of them are having different leanings. Elections for the world’s largest democracy have started and results would be out on May 16. Each and every big party is trying to get the maximum fuel to their engine to reach Delhi.  

BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) has started a pan India train journey through a special election express train to cover general elections. More than 50 reporters are filing the stories in 12 languages to BBC news service. So it’s a good start to cover a train journey through train. Train journey in India and India political ride are like roller coaster ride for the common people. This time, Train to Delhi would go through potholed tracks or reach their smoothly, no one knows. Because, there is not one but several deciding factors in the form of regional players have emerged. Whatever, government is likely to be a coalition government. And, it is quite difficult to handle for the driver and to appease all the travelers. 

Colotics (Coalition-politics) is really not cup of tea of even experts, this time. Many allies are breaking their bonds with their traditional alliance. Left has clearly stated that they will support the non-BJP and non-Congress government. Third front led by Left parties is also flexing its muscles and expecting that it would be able to woo other parties to their bandwagon. Lalu-Paswan-Mulayam has made another front within the UPA. BJD has broken 11 years long relations with the BJP led NDA.

Colotics is awfully fiddly this time. In recent times, power-shift to regional players has made the situation difficult. No one can take lamb and lion in the same coach of the same train. Bihar coach is a typical example of this trend. Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad can not board on the same coach. In UP, Mulayam and Mayawati can not get on the same train. In Tamilnadu, Jayalalita and Karunanidhi can not come together. Mamta Banerjee’s Trinmool Congress and CPI (M) are allergic to each other in West Bengal.

There are many parties which can not go with NDA o UPA because of the fear of losing vote bank. Samajwadi Party (SP) can not go with NDA and Akalis can not go with congress led UPA for the same reason of losing their traditional vote bank of a particular community. The trend is also true in the case of personal hostility with the individuals. UP chief minister Mayawati, who came to power by raising the issues of Dalits, marginalized sections and criminalization of politics, have given the tickets to crorepatis, turncoats and criminals. 

One of them Arun Kumar Shukla alias Anna Shukla, BSP candidate from Unnao, is the main accused of attack on her in state guest house in Lucknow in June 1995. The list does not stop here. It includes Mukhtar Ansari, Dhananjay Singh, DP Yadav, Kadir Rana, Rakesh Pandey, and Rizwan Zahir. All of them have serious criminal cases against them. Dhananjay Singh is allegedly behind the murder of Indian Justice Party Dalit candidate Bahadur Lal Sonekar, who was found hanging from a tree. She is not the only victim of this ill trend. All the parties have set the influential candidates to win the maximum number of seats and have say in post poll scenario.

NDA and UPA both alliances have declared their prime ministerial candidates but both are not sure of post-poll picture. It is possible that big parties may have to compromise with their ideological stance to form a government. The scenario would change its face when results are out. Political tantrums of the parties have started. Mulayam Singh is saying that he would support the government which would dismiss Mayawati’s government. Mamta Banerjee has said in the response of Rahul Gandhi’s comment on Left Support that she would not join hands with Congress if they welcome Left Parties in the UPA. The hunt for the allies is on for the NDA and UPA. Both the alliances are remaining their doors open for the allies. Everything seems uncertain. 

All the parties and big fish are waiting for the May 16. It is also sure after the alliance is decided to rule the country the war would start for choosing the right candidate for the driver of the train (Prime Minister). The power sharing would be decided on the basis of the seats won by the parties with in the coalition though both the major alliance NDA and UPA have declared their prime ministerial candidate.

At the time when all our neighbours including Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are facing menace of braking down, India needs a stable and decisive government. We must hope that train to Delhi would reach on time and there would be no separate compartments for the different class of people. All of us expect that Indians would enjoy the bump less journey for five years without halting on unknown junction. 

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By Abhishek Pandey

Politicians often shook our belief in democracy and secularism by making silly comments to gain attention or perhaps the prime goal, votes. The ongoing drama of Varun controversy is the recent example of this trend. Mr. Gandhi is not the first politician to make comments dipped in ‘hate-sauce’, which he claims are doctored in the compact disc (CD). Hate campaigning is the technique to come in the news headlines in recent times. And, our media fell prey to these techniques every time. Whether, it is Raj Thackeray calling shots against north Indians to become the messiah of Marathi ‘manus’ or it is Varun Gandhi abusing Muslims to make targeted electorate feel his political presence as aggressive ‘Hindutava’ face in the saffron party. Everything is done to elevate own stature in the cesspit called politics.

The whole India watched Varun Gandhi’s venomous statements against Muslims through video footages of his rally, which were repeatedly shown on the news channels. He was seen on the idiot-box saying, “This is not the ‘hand’ (of the Congress), this is the hand of the lotus. It will cut the throats of Muslims after the elections,” It is ironical that the son of animal right activist Maneka Gandhi is hurting the sentiments of the human beings. This incident is a slap on the face of his great-grandfather and first Indian Prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who fought for the formation of secular India unlike Pakistan, after several years of freedom struggle.

We may think that Varun Gandhi is a beginner in the politics and bound to commit stupid mistakes. But he is not an exception in the Indian politics. The List is long. Senior politicians have also made such statements. Former Prime Minister and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee once said in Goa after post-Godhra Gujarat riots, “Wherever Muslims live, they don’t like to live in co-existence with others, they don’t like to mingle with others; and instead of propagating their ideas in a peaceful manner, they want to spread their faith by resorting to terror and threats.” Later, Mr Vajpayee justified that he was talking about extreme faction of Muslims and he meant ‘such’ Muslims in his speech, not Muslims in general.

In 2003, Praveen Togadia, General Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) committed the same mistake by ejecting hatred in the minds of the people against a community. Togadia reportedly said, “…Muslims, you are orphans, you are alone. You are being given the illusion that people are with you. The kind of abuse we had to suffer after Gujarat, both the BJP and the VHP. I issued a challenge to Sonia Gandhi publicly. There have been riots before also in Gujarat. I challenged Sonia Gandhi, saying that there must be one Congress worker at least in every village in Gujarat. Name a single village where during communal violence a Congress person has saved the life of Muslims. Ahsan Jaffri (former MP) was phoning all Congress workers desperately. How many Congress workers came to protect him? Not even one. Oh, Muslim brothers, if the Congress can give me the name of even five villages in Gujarat where congress workers saved Muslims or protected Muslims, I will give you the name of hundred villages where Congress workers have worked under the bhagwa jhandha (saffron flag) of the VHP.”

Ashok Singhal of same party was also reported saying in a rally in September 2002, “Godhra happened on February 27 and the next day, 50 lakh Hindus were on the streets. We were successful in our experiment of raising Hindu consciousness, which will be repeated all over the country now." The list does not end here. It also involves other politicians of different faith.

Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Imam of Jama Masjid reportedly expressed apprehension that the country may witness 1947-like agitation, if those arrested in the blasts case are not released. Mohammed Yaqoob Qureshi, Former UP Minister for Minority Welfare and Haj, announced on record that he would award 51 crore rupees to any person who behead the Danish cartoonist for making cartoon of Mohammad. The head of religious institutions and political parties are not supposed to utter these crap speeches which may lead to violent aggressions. Don’t they respect the Indian constitution?

Region, language and caste are also used for garnering votes. Balasaheb Thackeray, who was punished and barred from voting and contesting in the elections for six years, reportedly said in Shivsena mouthpiece ‘Saamna’ after the Babri mosque demolition, “Muslims revolt in their own areas. They beat Hindus, demolish temples and attack the police. The government is appeasing these traitors. It is learnt that Pakistan has manufactured seven bombs. But the bomb that has been made in India with the blessings of Pakistan is more dangerous. Now Pakistan need not cross the borders for launching an attack on India. Twenty-five crore Muslims loyal to Pakistan will stage an insurrection. One of these seven bombs made by Pakistan lies hidden in Hindustan.” Bal Thackeray was also involved in campaigning against south Indians in sixties by raising slogans like “Bhagao Lungi Bajao Pungi (Chase out south Indians from Mumbai and blow bugles).”

Last year, Raj Thackeray also adopted the legacy of his cartoonist uncle Bal Thackeray to acquire votes by hate politics. Raj Thackeray commented on Biharis, ''Biharis should remember that if they abuse us, our hands will rise. We'll hit them every day, for breakfast, lunch and dinner" Udhhav Thackrey also said that non-Maharashtrians would be “packed off” if they were given jobs in the mega project for modernisation of Mumbai airport. Though, Indian constitution allows any Indian to live anywhere in the country.

The bandwagon of these leaders also includes Narendra Modi, Imam of Jama Masjid Ahmed Bukhari, Yogi Adityanath, Mukhtar Ansari, Abu Azmi, Vinay Katiyar, and many more. The space is not enough in this article to mention the name of all champions of this trade.

Leaders, who command a significant supporter base, don’t understand that their comments can end in a bloody communal clash. India has stringent laws to shut the mouths of such communal zealots. India penal code has the different sections for executing the accused of causing social disharmony by his or her word or expression. Section 153A, 153B, 295A, 298, and section 505 of Indian Penal code prohibit any person to spread enmity or fear in the society and can put these fire-spewing politicians behind the bars. Though, most of these politicians are still amidst of us not in the jails. They were booked under these sections of IPC, but not punished. The case is pending in the courts or they have been acquitted because of lack of proper evidences. It seems that these politicians don’t give a damn to these laws.
Few sections of Representation of peoples (RPA) act, like 123a and 123B, restrain politicians to seek votes on the grounds of religion or caste. Remarkably, Bal Thackeray was debarred from the voting and contesting elections in 1999 by Bombay High court under Sections 123A and 123B of the RPA related to seeking votes on grounds of religion and spitting venom against one section of the Indian population.

‘Inheritance of hatred campaigns’ should be dumped in the dustbin by electorates in this general election. Voters should tell these factions of politicians, “You can not fool us any more and we are going to through you out from the ‘sacred’ parliament, this time’. Justice will take its course on the ‘right’ time but this would be the verdict of people for the people. We hope, it will dwindle the brigades of these politicians and no politician would dare to claim the ‘heritage of hatred’.

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By Abhishek Pandey

Rastriya Swaymasevak Sangh (RSS) has shuffled its major players ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Mohan Madhukar Bhagwat has been appointed the sixth ‘Sarsanghchalak’, the highest rank in hierarchal structure of RSS. He is stepping in the shoes of Kuppahalli Sitaramayya Sudarshan, who resigned citing health reasons. Is it the sign of a ‘real’ change?

If you ‘google’ RSS then you get the first result, ‘Really simple syndication’ (RSS). RSS is used for feeding you updates from the different websites, blogs or whatever, you subscribe. It is different from Rastriya Swayma Sevak Sangh (RSS). This organisation is not simple syndication of thoughts and ideology. It is bit complicated and has not updated his ideology since its inception.

The chief is new now. Mr. Bhagwat, at the age of 59, is the youngest RSS chief after Guru Golwalkar. Bhagwat, who was the general secretary – Sarkaryavah - since 2000, is a veterinary doctor by profession. A KB hedgewar look-like Bhagwat, joined the RSS as pracharak in 1975. Since then he is serving sangh parivar on different posts. In the recent reshuffle in the Sangh Parivar, Suresh Joshi became the new – Sarkaryavah - general secretary of RSS.

RSS is known for many reasons. It is known for supporting ‘Hindu cause’. It supports ideology of Akhanad Bharat. It is known for its demand of ‘Hindu Rashtra’. Sangh parivar has extended its supports in many relief camps during draughts, floods, cyclones, earthquakes and other natural calamities in India. It is also known for its chain of educational institutes in India, called Saraswati Shishu Mandir. These schools are providing quality education. Two schools run by RSS – BNSD Shiksha Niketan and Pt. Deendayal Upadhaya Vidayala- in Kanpur hog almost 60% and more space in the merit list of UP board.

Sangh is also known for morning and evening Shakhas in many cities of India. RSS has a huge network of shakhas which amount more than 50,000 branches across the nation. A daily gathering of all Swayamsevaks (volunteers) in a predefined area at a common meeting place for one hour is called a Shakha. The daily morning or evening ‘Shakha’ of RSS is not visible in many cities these days. Localities used to join the RSS volunteers in yoga, games and other physical activities. These Shakhas seem to be on the verge of extinct. Now, these Shakhas are hardly seen in many parts of the country. Despite increasing number of Shakhas every year, numbers of attendants are declining. This issues has been worrying RSS pracharks and had been one of the main issues in many conclaves. In the wake of this trend, Sangh Parivar has started IT shakahs to attract the youths in the organisation.

Despite the efforts, stark picture of the reality is different. RSS has weakened as an organization in last few decades. RSS’s clout is also not visible in the politics. Though, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is its political wing. RSS endorses BJP but sometimes, there is a visible ideological spat between both institutions. Jan Sangh which later became BJP was formed as a political wing of the RSS. Article 4 of the RSS constitution states that the RSS `had no politics and is devoted purely to social work'. Though, NDA regime (1998-2004) has seen hiccup in BJP-RSS relations because RSS tried to dictate its terms. And many sangh pracharaks like Narendra Modi and LK Advani has come into active politics.
RSS is losing its voice because of the inactivity of its members or inactivity of the organisation in public-welfare related works. Sangh Parivar comes in the news when there is a conflict in southern states between its workers and communists. It came in the news when there was a conflict in Kandhmal. RSS comes on front pages when its leaders make controversial comments on increasing Muslim population or something against a community. The Akhila Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (ABKM) releases the organisation’s ‘controversial’ resolutions on important issues. In recent times, ABKM released resolitions on Islamic terrorism, conversions, minority appeasement, education with national ethos, dignity of women, Bangladeshi migrants and on Amaranth Movement. These resolutions have created a stir in the country. More often then not, RSS comes in the media for their infamous activities or inflammatory statements.

Sangh Parivar lovers may be thinking that new maestro would bring a change in the organization. They should hope because optimism is necessary for any development. But the reality should not be forgotten. RSS has been banned in India thrice but ban was lifted every time after few moths or years. It was banned after Gandhi ji’s assassination because it was believed that Nathu Ram Godese was its member. Second time during emergence, it was banned and lifted when Janta Dal came to the power. Third time, organization was banned in India after Babri mosque demolition and again ban was lifted after few months.

RSS, which was formed as the organisation of volunteers, is unable to attract the people –especially youth- to join the organisation. RSS claim to have more than 50,000 shakhas across the nation, where volunteers gather on a routine basis. This is a huge chain of organized people. RSS can help the government of India with such a large network to aware the people about the different public welfare programs. But, first it has to strengthen itself. They should help all the Hindus - since they consider that everyone living in India is a Hindu - without any discrimination. This would be a great service to the nation by a ‘nationalist’ organization.

We expect from the new chief, Mohan Bhagwat, of an 84 old ideological organization that he would ask the RSS members to respect the all three colors of the national flag, not only saffron in true meaning. RSS must forget its final goal of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ because we can not survive as a theocratic nation in a globalised world. India is a melting pot of different cultures, religions, race and languages. RSS must not forget that ‘United we stand and divided we fall’.

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By Abhishek Pandey

Caste and Religion does not matter much in the globalised world. These issues have been limited to the personal choice. It only matters when we here some loud voices on issues related to reservation or during political campaigning, though Election commission has restricted political parties to not use caste or religion as their political plank to attract voters.

Uttar Pradesh has largest number of parliament seats in the country. The major issues in the election is the appeasement of people on the based of caste. It is the main political plank of most parties. Parties’ ally with the different parties on the basis of their strong hold on a specific caste or religion. Many political parties are known for their leaning to a particular caste or religion in the country. Bahujan Samajwadi Party is one of the examples. Mayawati is ruling in UP on the basis of her unique Brahmin-Dalit caste engineering. She won the assembly election on ‘caste programming’ by sweeping 202 seats out of 403 seats. It was the first time after 1991 that any party came in to power of its own.

Mulayam Singh’s Samajwadi Party (SP) and Lalu Prasad’s Janta Lok Dal (RJD) is having good vote bank among Muslims and Yadav community in their respective states. Ajit Singh, Rastriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief, has sizeable clout on backward class community in western Uttar Pradesh. Few months back, RLD joined NDA. Rastriya Janta Dal’s arrival in NDA cluster can increase numbers of seats in backward caste dominated areas for the alliance. Kalyan Singh’s departure from the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is a blow to parties Lodh votes in western UP. Samajwadi party accepted Mr Singh, who was anti SP until this episode. His son, Rajvir Singh has been a LS ticket. This all political games are played on caste based politics.

Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh burnt for many days on caste politics of Gujjars. The issue started when BJP promised them to give ST status and after back tracked. Recent assembly elections’ result has shown the Gujjars angst against the party. Many people lost their lives when Gujjars were demanding for their Schedule Tribe status. Gujarat is also an example of caste and religion based politics. Keshu Bhai Patel was the BJP leader before Narendra Modi because he has clout over Patel community, which amount a large section of voters in Gujarat. Narendra Modi replaced him after Godhra mishap, which became a religious issue and many voters voted him to the power.

New political party in Andhra Pradesh Praja Rajyam, Which is created by famous Actor Chiranjeevi, is expecting to mobilize the large chunk of voters from Kapu community, which amounts 15% of the state’s electorate. Kamas and Reddys had been associated with Telgudesham party and Congress, respectively. Electorates from these communities would decide the fate of these parties in Andhra Pradesh. Vokalligas and Lingayats have decided the Karnataka politics in last several years. And in last elections, Lingayats helped BJP to come in to the power in Karnataka.

Caste has played major role in rising politicians to the power in other states also. DMK rose to power in Tamilnadu under the plank to end ‘Brahmanical oppression’ and anti-Hindi language issue. AIDMK chief Jaylalita is another player from opposite political fray in Tamilnadu. Many regional political parties emerged on the ground to represent the local people of the particular caste. Maharashtra has also seen movement against south Indians in past and now, against north Indians. Shivsena and Maharashtra Navnirman sena (MNS) are pioneers of this kind of malice campaigning against non-Marathi speaking population in Maharashtra. Northeast states have also seen language based political issues in many elections, when Bihariis were killed in the state. Bengal has seen the campaigning against Marwaris. Caste, Language and Religion plays major role to win elections in most of the constituencies in India. Many parties nominate and shuffle the stature of candidate on the basis of his/her caste.

This is one of the reasons; the viability of third front can be doubted. It has many representatives of different caste, region and religion. The interest of different political parties would clash during the policy implementation, if voters allow them to come to the power. This trend should go. Caste, religion or language based politics is not in the favour of the aam aadmi.

This time, we will eager to see that Mayawati’s technical expertise of social engineering would work in Lok Sabha polls as successfully as it worked in last assembly elections. We would love to see the future of Praja Rajyam Party in Andhra Pradesh. The election would also show us that Kalyan Singh’s departure affected the BJP or not. We would also see the outcome of ‘hatred speeches’ of Raj Thackeray.

Parties must stop looking at the voters as Dalit, Brahmin, and Backward community. We need the political parties which don’t have leaning to any caste, language or religion. Parties may lean towards different ideologies for the betterment of the nation.

People should not vote for the politicians, who play these cheap planks. They should vote for development. This would be the best option for the progress of the nation in gloomy days of recession. What would happen, no one knows? We have to wait till the ‘climax’.

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By Abhishek Pandey

Lal Krishna Advani would advertise his poll campaign on 2000 website, according to one of the news agency report. The poll campaigning on the net is a new trend in India. Advani is likely to become the pioneer of this trend.

BJP is having five official websites. Advanis’s website is the most popular among its all other websites these days. Narendra Modi and Shivraj Singh Chauhan also have their own website. BJP stalwart Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi also started his website and blog recently to address the issue of global warming and other environmental issues, though political issues are there. BJP has its own official website and also own one more website which is called friends of BJP’s website. BJP is also present on Orkut and Facebook; both are well-known and very popular social networking sites among netizens. Internet has been chosen as one of the best medium for campaigning in next LS elections by the India’s most ‘traditional’ party.

Narendra Modi has 4966 supporters on FaceBook group far more than 297 of LK Advani. He is first among all the Indian in largest supporter base on FB. Manmohan Singh is on second position with 2590 members in his FB group. Rahul Gandhi is on third with 1982 supporters followed by his mother Ms Sonia Gandhi, who is having 988 supporters. Atal Bihari is also there only with 158 net supporters. There are some other leaders of different parties with nominal supporter base.

Social Networking sites are there. Online forums are there. There are not less than 1000 online groups, forums on Indian political parties and their leaders. Most of the national and regional parties have their online presence with poor layout and design of their websites, except few of them are designed well.

Internet poll advertising and fund raising was one of the innovations of US President Obama in the US elections this time. There are ample numbers of ways today to advertise on the Internet. There are websites like Adsense/Adword, Netclix, Bidvertiser and lots more to provide facility to advertise anything on the net. YouTube is there to upload the election speeches online. Congress is also trying to follow the trend and have started uploading the speeches of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders on YouTube.

Internet penetration has increased in India and this has become the best place to attract the audience which has no time to go to attend the public meetings or gatherings of the political parties. It will surely attract the software engineers, NRIs, industrialist and other elite class people, who can get the access of leaders’ speeches inside their air conditioned office cabins or in their bed rooms by the click of a mouse.

Internet has changed the lives of millions. This Lok Sabha poll will tell us, how it can affect the political career of the Indian leaders in the country, where 60% population still lives in village and most of our people are not having access to Internet. Forget about Internet and computers, they are not even having proper electricity supply for irrigation or lighten their house with CFL. Proper roads are not in many villages for daily commuters. Students are dropping out after primary classes. Farmers are committing suicide. Migrants are beaten up in other states because they are going away from their home to get jobs.

In such kinds of unpleasant situation, Internet is best medium to keep your eyes closed from all these problems. Because in the virtual world of web, Politicians need not to go and listen the problems of the people on the ground. They need not to feel the plight of the people by standing beside them; those are not having even basic facilities. In India, Internet will not be as success as it was in US because we are India not US. Most of the US citizens have easy access to computer and internet but every Indian does not have even access to two meals a day. My dear Politicians of the great nation called India; choose the technology to empower the vote bank but empower the people first, so they can get access of it.

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By Abhishek Pandey

Kalyan Singh, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Vice-President of BJP, resigned from all his posts in the party alleging that he was humiliated and insulted in the party. Mr Singh has returned the party ticket which was given to him to contest in the next LS elections to contest from Etah. BJP’s stalwart Mr Singh’s resignation from BJP, which is struggling with its inner conflicts, has given a blow ahead of expected Lok Sabha polls in April-may. According to PTI, Mr Singh was miffed with the party for giving ticket to Ashok Pradhan which he wanted in next LS elections. He blamed Mr Pradhan for sabotaging his son’s chances in last assembly elections two years ago from deboi seat in Aligarh district.

After his resignation from BJP, Kalyan Singh asserted that he would campaign for Samajwadi Party in the next Loksabha Elections. He also asserted that he would like to campaign for Atal jee if he would contest in next elections from Lucknow. He clarified that he is not going to say good-bye to active politics but would not join any party or form any new political party.

Kalyan Singh belongs to Lodh Rajput community of Uttar Pradesh. Lodh heartland consist of 11 LS seats and it stretches across Aligarh, Firozabad, Farukhabad and Agra. He not only has electrifying impact on Lodh community in and around western UP but also has a reach to OBC voters in other parts of the state. Lodhs constitute only two percents in the state but in these 11 constituencies they constitute about 30 to 35 percents. BJP may loose his ground there after Kalyan’s departure from the party.

Samajwadi Party, which claim to be a secular party, has accepted Kalyan Singh as his associate but officially Kalyan Singh is not in the party as yet. SP wants to enhance its base in UP because it has lost the last state election badly against Mayawati, who is emerging as a big political leader in India. Samajwadi Party, self-claimed secular party, has accepted Kalyan Singh, a communal leader termed by SP for his inaction as CM in 1992 during Babri mosque demolition. The statement only shows the hypocrisy of Mr Amar Singh, who is saying now that Kalyan Singh, is not communal. The reason must be that Kalyan is campaigning for Samajwadi party and it may enhance the political power of Samajwadi party and it may also elevate the height of Mr Amar Singh with in his party and in UPA.

This is not the first time that Kalyan has came closer to Samajwadi party after his first came out in 1999 from BJP made his relations close to the Mulayam Singh Yadav, Chief of SP. Kalyan Singh rejoined the BJP after five years of vanvaas from 1999 to 2004 before last Lok Sabha elections in 2004.

BJP is in troubled water these days when senor party leaders like Mr Kalyan Singh and Bhairo Singh Shekhawat are adversely affecting inner health of the party. This is the right time for BJP’s Prime ministerial candidate, Mr Advani, to show his kundali to pandit jee (Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee) and ask for solution before LS elections to make his dream true.

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