2020 Strategic and Political Analysis-1

CRamS · Post by **CRamS** » 15 Feb 2020 22:01

cross posted from J&K thread

What did this US republican senator bahadur mean by '2 democracies' settling J&K?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1228398623605395456

Did he mean India and US, or was he doing equal equal between India & TSP? In any case, EAM's reply was terse and hard hitting.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 16 Feb 2020 00:27

pankajs wrote:
pankajs wrote:https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1228258501354385409
https://twitter.com/CNNnews18/status/12 ... 7518978048
News18 @CNNnews18

NCP chief Sharad Pawar said it was not right of the Centre to transfer the Elgar Parishad probe to the NIA, but added that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was more at fault for supporting the move.

More updates ...
https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1228651816902000640

ANI @ANI

Mallikarjun Kharge,Congress' Maharashtra in-charge (on transfer of Bhima Koregaon case probe to NIA): This isn't fair, we're partners&such things should be discussed. You (Uddhav Thackeray) may have power but one should use it judiciously. Our ministers are there, they'll fight.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 16 Feb 2020 00:32

https://twitter.com/the_hindu/status/12 ... 1178741760

The Hindu @the_hindu

Contending that the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had never changed its political stance regarding infiltrators, party chief Raj Thackeray on Friday took potshots at the Shiv Sena, led by his cousin Uddhav Thackeray.

greatde · Post by **greatde** » 16 Feb 2020 01:22

BJP can't always win elections through it's own issues whether it's CAA, security, ideology. It's more important to highlight the opposition faults, and misgoverance. BJP failed to target AAP in recent elections and were unable to build a momentum of anti-incumbency. Hopefully, for Bengal elections, they focus on TMC failures, corruption.

Manish_Sharma · Post by **Manish_Sharma** » 16 Feb 2020 03:10

So masood azhar WAS KILLED BY MIRAGE 2000 'SPICE' ATTACK IN BALAKOT STRIKE

अर्ध-सन्यासी (Half Hermit)
@bababanaras

If u follow me since 1 yr, Don't forget, I hv told u that Masood Azhar has been killed in our operation. No any video evidence available post I claim it.Many ppl suggested to pin my previous tweet.I assure u I will pin this tweet after 1000 retweet.
Plz RT

https://twitter.com/bababanaras/status/ ... 48640?s=20

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 16 Feb 2020 03:15

I thought it was bulb malfunction at the hospital

vijayk · Post by **vijayk** » 16 Feb 2020 04:55

Blanket Labelling Of Dissent As 'Anti-National' Strikes At The Heart Of Constitutional Values: Justice DY Chandrachud

won't give a link.\

Calling dissent a "safety valve" of democracy, Supreme Court judge Justice DY Chandrachud on Saturday said "blanket labelling" of dissent as anti-national or anti-democratic strikes at the "heart" of the country's commitment to protect Constitutional values and promote deliberative democracy.

New BIF strategy ... use embedded judge to blackmail and destroy Govt. from within the system

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 16 Feb 2020 07:50

When two people Nariman and Chandrachud becomes CJIs we are in for a big headache

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 16 Feb 2020 09:33

'You didn’t act when in office': EC counters ex-CEC SY Quraishi's charge that it did not go all out to punish hate speeches during Delhi Assembly polls

'You didn’t act when in office': EC counters ex-CEC SY Quraishi's charge that it did not go all out to punish hate speeches during Delhi Assembly polls

Feb 15, 2020

EC) has countered the charge of former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) SY Quraishi that it did not go the distance in punishing hate speeches during the campaigning for the Delhi Assembly election
Quraishi had written an article for an English daily, saying it was unfortunate that the EC did not go the distance in punishing hate speeches during the Delhi poll campaign

Quraishi, who was the CEC between July 2010 and June 2012, did not respond to the calls and messages seeking his reaction.

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) has countered the charge of former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) SY Quraishi that it did not go the distance in punishing hate speeches during the campaigning for the Delhi Assembly election, saying when he was heading the poll watchdog, no action was taken against politicians under the Representation of the People Act and the IPC.

Quraishi had written an article for an English daily, saying it was unfortunate that the EC did not go the distance in punishing hate speeches during the Delhi poll campaign.

In a letter to Quraishi on Thursday, the EC said a list of the Model Code of Conduct notices issued and action was taken by the commission "during the period when you were holding the office of CEC" was enclosed with it.

"You may kindly like to peruse the same. It would be seen from the enclosed list that no action was taken by the then commission during this period under sections 123 and 125 of RP Act-1951/153 IPC 1860."

Quraishi, who was the CEC between July 2010 and June 2012, did not respond to the calls and messages seeking his reaction.

While section 123 of the RP Act deals with corrupt practices, section 125 deals with cases promoting enmity between classes in connection with elections. Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with "wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot".

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 16 Feb 2020 11:03

If Muslims are sent to Detention Camps PC will revolt. But if PC is sent to Detention Camp will Muslims revolt?

Mohandas Pai @TVMohandasPai · Feb 14

At JNU, Chidambaram pitches for mass movement if Muslims are sent to detention camps - http://Moneycontrol.com

Fear mongering at a very high scale! Sad to see PC stooping to this https://moneycontrol.com/news/politics/ ... 44101.html

kittoo · Post by **kittoo** » 16 Feb 2020 11:32

Yagnasri wrote:When two people Nariman and Chandrachud becomes CJIs we are in for a big headache

Yupe. I am glad Justice Bobade is here for now but I believe Justice Chandrachud is next in line and it will be trouble.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 16 Feb 2020 12:12

and thereafter Nariman iirc. What can we say.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 16 Feb 2020 13:45

Wasn't Nariman appointed by the BJP?

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 16 Feb 2020 13:49

https://twitter.com/RajForFun1/status/1 ... 3602866177

Raj @RajForFun1

Replying to @Suyash75

Are you suggesting Even Jharkhand Govt having Clear Mandate cud fall ? For this entire Con has to shift to Bjp or Soren who is now working closely with Church has to tie up with Bjp ?
MP going nowhere .
Maharashtra let us see.

https://twitter.com/Suyash75/status/1228687288088944640

Suyash Bharadwaj @Suyash75

Rahul-Sonia have called Hemant Soren to Delhi for 6 times in last 1 month.
He is fed up playing 2nd fiddle to Congress, despite having twice MLAs of Congress. In addition, 10 Congress MLAs out of 16 are said to be in touch with a BJP MP as per local media.

Now this is just some hawa. Not to be takes seriously but just to be aware.

prasan · Post by **prasan** » 16 Feb 2020 14:15

Nikhil T wrote:It’s that time of the year where self appointed vigilantes attack people / destroy private property for celebrating V day. Sigh.

Hyderabad - Bajrang Dal
https://twitter.com/lasaniayunus/status ... 24899?s=21

Meerut - Hindu Swabhimaan Sansthan
https://twitter.com/benarasiyaa/status/ ... 11872?s=21

One cant be sure who actually sends them. Some Hindu Godmen are affiliated to congress and Left system as well.
Also these days they are nowhere to be seen when hindus are at receiving end in riots like Bhainsa Riots and Saraswati stone pelting or Kawad yatra stone pelting in bihar

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 16 Feb 2020 14:27

https://twitter.com/amitsurg/status/1228700008049889285

Amit Thadhani @amitsurg

Supreme Court issues notice to govt on petition for abolition of specific minority welfare schemes. Article 30 gives minorities freedom to run their institutions, but it doesn’t mean government should fund religion specific schemes. Very interesting PIL.

https://www.rediff.com/news/interview/m ... 200123.htm

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 16 Feb 2020 14:37

Kya NPR pe mache ga dhamal in Maha?

https://twitter.com/RituRathaur/status/ ... 4651509760

Ritu (सत्यसाधक) #EqualRightsForHindus @RituRathaur

Uddhav overrules Congress as Maharashtra set to roll out NPR from May 1

Does he have that kind of self respect? I mean to over rule his new Italian boss?
https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/ ... npr-589094

Even though several Congress leaders including Varsha Gaikwad have opposed the move, the Shiv Sena has favoured the decision according to sources.

The NCP, which is also part of the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi government, is weighing its options and hasn’t taken an official stand on the issue, said sources.

However, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh of the NCP has told representatives of the Muslim community that his party was taking legal advice on preventing the NPR exercise from being rolled out in the state.

The state government wants the census and NPR exercise to be completed by June-end when the next academic year is set to begin. The CM has, however, come out against NRC on the grounds that it would not be possible for the poor to produce relevant documents.

Sena is opposing NRC but that is par for the course ... at this stage of the exercise just as Nitish. Theek hai.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 16 Feb 2020 14:38

pankajs wrote:Wasn't Nariman appointed by the BJP?

Political leadership has no power at all in the appointment. SC took over all the powers to itself. We can not, therefore, blame our leadership.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 16 Feb 2020 14:51

https://www.news18.com/news/politics/np ... 01835.html
NPR Drives Another Wedge Among Maharashtra Allies as Uddhav Thackeray Approves Exercise in Snub to NCP, Congress

Mumbai: In yet another test for the ideologically divergent Maharashtra allies, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has decided to go ahead with the National Population Register (NPR) in the state in a snub to allies NCP and Congress.

Sources told News18 that chief minister Thackeray was keen to implement NPR in Maharashtra from May 1, even though the NCP and Congress remain opposed to the exercise.

While the Congress has earlier held that National Population Register is nothing but "NRC in disguise", the NCP too said it had made its reservations with the exercise clear.

Speaking to CNN-News18, Majeed Memon of the NCP said: “It is clear that the party is not supporting NPR. [Chief] Sharad Pawar has made it clear. The ultimate decision has to be accepted by all three parties.”

Now that Sena has clearly come out against NRC that should be the end of the discussion.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 16 Feb 2020 18:59

Another closet sanghi, Natwar Singh, outed!

https://twitter.com/anantvijay/status/1 ... 3956706304

अनंत विजय/ Anant Vijay @anantvijay

Natwar Singh wrote that Nehru Omitted the name of Patel from the first cabinet of Independent India. A handwritten list of ministers of Nehru is also published where Pqtel’s name is not there.

vijayk · Post by **vijayk** » 16 Feb 2020 20:05

kittoo wrote:
Yagnasri wrote:When two people Nariman and Chandrachud becomes CJIs we are in for a big headache
Yupe. I am glad Justice Bobade is here for now but I believe Justice Chandrachud is next in line and it will be trouble.

Can he be bypassed?

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 16 Feb 2020 20:46

pankajs wrote:Another closet sanghi, Natwar Singh, outed!

https://twitter.com/anantvijay/status/1 ... 3956706304
अनंत विजय/ Anant Vijay @anantvijay

Natwar Singh wrote that Nehru Omitted the name of Patel from the first cabinet of Independent India. A handwritten list of ministers of Nehru is also published where Pqtel’s name is not there.

natwar singh may not be a closet sanghi.

he may simply be paying back in the same coin

he was used, abused and manipulated by the mafia and then callously abandoned and turfed out of the congi party by the same people in the oil for food scam when the blame started to hit too close to home for the comfort of some carefully nurtured pristine dynastic reputations.

that today, those very pristine dynastic reputations lie in tatters, sullied beyond redemption must be of no mean comfort to natwar singh.

Rony · Post by **Rony** » 16 Feb 2020 20:55

Is this one of the reasons for AAP victory ?

10 lakh in 10 months: The abnormal rise in Delhi's electorate explained

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 16 Feb 2020 21:25

Two courts give opposite judgements on citizenship in same week, Mumbai court says Election card is proof of citizenship, Gauhati HC says it is not

Two courts give opposite judgements on citizenship in same week, Mumbai court says Election card is proof of citizenship, Gauhati HC says it is not

FEBRUARY 16, 2020

Gauhati High Court has ruled that the Voter Identity Card is not a valid proof of citizenship, as it is issued after 1971, the cut-off date as per Assam Accord

While the debate on citizenship in the country rages on with the ongoing protests against CAA, NPR and NRC, two completely opposite judgements have come from two courts in the country on proof of citizenship in the same week. While a court in Mumbai has said that the Voter Identity Card issued by the Election Commission is a proof of citizenship, the Gauhati High Court has said that it is not.

According to reports, a Magistrate court in Mumbai has said that Voter Identity Cards are valid proof of citizenship while acquitting a couple accused of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Ruling that the, Abbas Shaikh (45) and Rabiya Shaikh (40), who were arrested in 2017, were able to prove that they are Indian citizens, the court said, “the birth certificate, domicile certificate, bonafide certificate, passport, etc can be relied upon to establish the origin of any person.” The court then added that, “even the election card can be said to be a sufficient proof of citizenship as while applying for the election card or voting card, a person has to file declaration with the authority in view of Form 6 of Peoples Representation Act to the authority that he is citizen of India and if the declaration is found false, he is liable for punishment.” The court said that the couple had submitted original documents, and the prosecution could not prove that they were obtained fraudulently and they were not genuine.

Although the court clarified that Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence and Ration Card are not valid proofs of citizenship.

On the other hand, in an order issued on February 12, the Gauhati High Court has ruled that the Voter Identity Card is not a valid proof of citizenship. Saying that petitioner Munindra Biswas can’t be termed as Indian citizen based on Voter ID and name on Voter list, the High Court has said that supporting evidence is needed to prove citizenship.

The Gauhati High Court judgement on Voter ID

Quoting an earlier judgement of the same court, the division bench of Justice Manojit Bhuyan and Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia said, “Regarding Electoral Photo Identity Card this court in the case of Md. Babul Islam Vs. State of Assam [WP(C) No. 3547 of 2016] has held that Electoral Photo Identity Card is not a proof of citizenship”.

The 2016 judgement had said that the Electoral Photo Identity Card is a post 25.03.1971 document. Besides, merely producing such an identity card in the absence of supporting evidence would not be proof of citizenship, the Gauhati High Court had ruled. Like the Mumbai Court, the Gauhati High Cort had also ruled that documents like PAN card, Driving licence are not proof of citizenship.

The petitioner had also submitted a voter list from 1997 containing his name and two sales deeds from 1964 and 1970, but the court said they are not enough evidence. The judgement said that the sale deeds are private documents, and their execution has to be proved by admissible evidence, which was not done. The court also ruled that a voter list from 1997 is not a proof that the petitioner has been staying in Assam prior to 1971, a requirement as per the Assam Accord 1985 for claiming citizenship in Assam.

Although both the judgements contradict each other completely, both have logic behind them. In general, the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) should be the proof of citizenship, as holding an EPIC and having the name listed in voter list means that one can vote in Indian elections, and only Indian citizens are allowed to vote in elections in India. While others like Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence etc can be issued to foreigners legally living in India, that is not the case for Voter ID, and that’s why it is a valid proof of citizenship.

But the Gauhati High Court is also correct that voter ID is not enough to prove citizenship in the context of Assam. Citizenship in Assam has separate criteria than the rest of the country. According to section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, which was inserted as per the provisions of Assam Accord, those foreigners who came to Assam on or before 25th March 1971, will be considered Indian citizens. As the voter cards are issued after that date, and the voter list with the petitioner’s name was from 1997, they don’t prove that he came to Assam before the cut-off date.

Moreover, the Assam Accord was signed after the six-year-long agitation demanding the deportation of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The agitation was started after a large number of suspected voters were found to be included in voter lists for a byelection in 1978. The agitation had three Ds as the demands, detection, deletion and deportation. Means the illegal voters have to be detected, their name deleted from electoral rolls, and they should be deported. It is alleged that a large number of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh has managed to get themselves registered as voters in India, giving them the power to change political arithmetic in several constituencies in Assam. Due to that reason, having Voter Identity Card or having name listed on a voter list after 1971 is not enough to prove that on is Indian citizen in Assam.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 16 Feb 2020 22:31

twitter

Kerala chokes Karnataka with toxic waste.
One God’s Own Country has been illegally dumping its hazardous biomedical waste and animal waste in Karnataka, jeopardising lives of locals and polluting the environment in Kodagu, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar

Kerala chokes Karnataka with toxic waste

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 17 Feb 2020 04:30

Opposition strength in Rajya Sabha to weaken further this year, Congress to lose seats

NEW DELHI: The opposition strength in Rajya Sabha is set to reduce further as the Congress is expected to lose some of its seats in elections slated for later this year to fill up 68 vacancies.

According to sources, the Congress could lose around nine of its 19 seats that are falling vacant due to its reduced strength in some states, amid speculation that the party is contemplating bringing in some bigwigs, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Randeep Surjewala, to the upper house.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 17 Feb 2020 09:19

chetak wrote:Two courts give opposite judgements on citizenship in same week, Mumbai court says Election card is proof of citizenship, Gauhati HC says it is not

Two courts give opposite judgements on citizenship in same week, Mumbai court says Election card is proof of citizenship, Gauhati HC says it is not

This was destined for the SC and these verdict make sure that it will land there pronto.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 17 Feb 2020 09:26

https://twitter.com/abhijitmajumder/sta ... 0462833665

Abhijit Majumder @abhijitmajumder

Today, I asked a friend who is on the frontline of Sangh’s ground work: “Where do you see Hindutva in 10-15 years?”
He replied: “The 2034 general elections will be fought between two Hindutva parties.”

Bhell ... Doesn't matter if 2034 will have one or two Hindutva party in election. What this implies is that as far as RSS is concerned, they don't care which party gets the mandate from the people, till it is a Hindutva party.

Also, they foresee or rather would like to see a "competitive" Hindutva in play in the future.

CRamS · Post by **CRamS** » 17 Feb 2020 09:57

^^^ I hope the other party is not the fake Hinduthva party like AAPturds. Just going to temple and singing Hanuman Chalisa while patronizing the likes of Amanathullah Khan doesn't make one a Hinduthva party.

Vikas · Post by **Vikas** » 17 Feb 2020 10:31

On Nehru, I don't believe he was a Manchurian candidate. He was simply born with right surname and was favored by original Gandhi, rest all was his own doings. If He was then Gandhi should be called as the original Manchurian candidate who foisted him upon CLP.

I don't buy this argument that they were a Muslim family who took Hindu surname posy 1857. In Kashmiri Pandits clan, Things don't work that way; especially with weddings and deaths. Even till 1990, everyone knew everyone and no marriage was possible without background checks on families upto 4-5 generations. KP's did better job than CIA in getting the bride or a groom's antecedents verified. Even today, if you can not credibly zero in on the location upto the Mohalla where your family last lived, most likely your candidature will be dropped.
That what Nehru did was downright indefensible today but during his days, UNO was the new kid in the block while with China, He had more bluster and less common sense.
What I hear from my elders is that as long as Nehru was alive, He was genuinely loved by majority of Indians across the country despite his shenanigans.

In the end, He was the original Pappu & RAPE who made it to PMship with huge mandate and love of the country (& Gandhi's backroom manipulations).

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 17 Feb 2020 10:46

pankajs wrote:
pankajs wrote:
https://twitter.com/ndtv/status/1228487444762226688
NDTV @ndtv

"Manifesto is for 5 years, not months": Kamal Nath on Jyotiraditya Scindia's remark.
https://ndtv.com/india-news/kam ...
I am fully behind Kamal Nath jee ... except ... Rafool jee in his youthful exuberance announced multiple times during the campaign that the loan waiver would happen within 10 days of CON government taking charge. He also once counter up to 2 on his fingers to show his intent.

Problem is Rafool jee's promise and not Scindia jee's remarks. That needs to be addressed.

More developments ..

https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1229087580555104256

Press Trust of India @PTI_News

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh says there is no lack of communication between Jyotiraditya Scindia & CM Kamal Nath, days after Scindia threatened to hit the streets if party's poll manifesto not fulfilled in Madhya Pradesh

Good!

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 17 Feb 2020 11:25

vijayk wrote: Can he be bypassed?

Not going to happen.

Vikas · Post by **Vikas** » 17 Feb 2020 12:06

Yagnasri wrote:
vijayk wrote: Can he be bypassed?
Not going to happen.

To be honest, we want SC who focusses on interpreting the Constitution and not re-writing it from the bench.

Q For legal luminaries,
Is CJI, a la MMS of SC but without the "gentle" guiding hand of Eyetelian Mafia or is the CJI, NM & AS rolled into one.
How much does or can CJI influence the overall court judgements other than assigning cases to the judges or do we wrongly assume CJI having to much of power?

Vikas · Post by **Vikas** » 17 Feb 2020 12:14

pankajs wrote:Another closet sanghi, Natwar Singh, outed!

https://twitter.com/anantvijay/status/1 ... 3956706304
अनंत विजय/ Anant Vijay @anantvijay

Natwar Singh wrote that Nehru Omitted the name of Patel from the first cabinet of Independent India. A handwritten list of ministers of Nehru is also published where Pqtel’s name is not there.

I think a lot of old congressi were naturally loyal to Indira and Rajiv but with the advent of SG and her aloof and rude ways with no personal touch, They all felt disrespected and humiliated. Some swallowed the insults and continued to enjoy perks of power while others moved away to die in political barren landscape.
Not that they were not humiliated by IG and RG but that was par for courses and lot of them found solace in other parties, now most of them felt politically senior and old hands compared to SG and family.
As the Sphinx continues to rule via a small coterie, A lot of no-longer-needed congress will speak against the family.
I am waiting for Captain to retire and then write his weekly column or memoirs.

Do you notice that there was more opposition and criticism of IG and RG but not a squeak when it comes to SG. It is like everyone across the political spectrum is mortally afraid of her. Even the Uber khaki chaddi wearing LKA apologized to her while journalists baulked at uttering her name except when in deference.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 17 Feb 2020 12:26

Vikas wrote: How much does or can CJI influence the overall court judgements other than assigning cases to the judges or do we wrongly assume CJI having to much of power?

Yes. He or she can do much. CJI has lot of powers. Let it rest at than.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 17 Feb 2020 13:46

https://www.news18.com/news/politics/as ... 03439.html
As Cracks Appear in Maharashtra Alliance Over Elgar Parishad Probe & NPR, Sharad Pawar to Meet NCP Ministers Today

Manish_Sharma · Post by **Manish_Sharma** » 17 Feb 2020 14:48

https://www.opindia.com/2020/02/delhi-e ... ssion=true

While leaders fight over Kejriwal, Congress may be working as per a well-crafted strategy to form govt in 2024: Here is how
| Nupur J Sharma On February 17, 2020 |

The Delhi Assembly election results were along expected lines, with the Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Admi Party (AAP) getting a sweeping majority and BJP while increasing its vote share and number of seats to 8, failing to make its mark in the national capital. While the conversation post results surrounded around the sweeping victory of Arvind Kejriwal led AAP and the rout of BJP, one important aspect was pushed under the rug – Congress scored a big, fat zero in Delhi elections. In fact, Congress lost its deposit in 63 of the 66 seats it contested. Election rules say that if a candidate receives less than 16.67% of votes polled in a constituency, they have to forfeit the deposit paid at the time of nomination.

For a national party that is considered the dominant political force in the country to win no seats in Delhi was alarming, to say the least. The obvious reaction of the people was that Congress has reduced itself to a spent force that is incapable of winning elections.

However, the reactions that have emerged from the party leaves one befuddled. The Congress top brass seems to be almost in a celebratory mode while the tier 2 and tier 2 leaders have maintained that Delhi elections spell disaster for Congress.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, who is currently out-on-bail said, “AAP won, bluff and bluster lost. The people of Delhi, who are from all parts of India, have defeated the polarising, divisive and dangerous agenda of the BJP I salute the people of Delhi who have set an example to other states that will hold their elections in 2021 and 2022”.

While Chidambaram celebrated, Jairam Ramesh said, “It is an unmitigated disaster like coronavirus for the Congress”.

At the same time, Milind Deora took to Twitter to say, “Sharing a lesser-known & welcome fact — the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government doubled its revenues to ₹60,000 crore & maintained a revenue surplus over the last 5 years. Food for thought: Delhi is now one of India’s most fiscally prudent governments”.

Milind Deora was then slammed by Congress leader Radhika Khera who said that senior leaders of Congress seem to be better at patting AAP’s back than encouraging own party leaders.

With every election, a political party is put through the ultimate test. Especially in the current times where elections have become more a battle of ideologies than simply the quality of campaigning.

In such a scenario, for the Congress honchos to be almost in a celebratory mode does not seem consistent. One would have ideally expected the Congress party to introspect and wonder what went wrong.

During Delhi elections, the Congress campaign was lacklustre. It was almost as if the Congress party had given up much before the campaign trail even started. The result was obvious with Congress getting zero seats, with majority candidates losing their deposits.

In Maharashtra too, Congress performed abysmally. Amongst the 4 major parties contesting, namely BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP, Congress came 4th. Getting around 15% votes and about 44 seats. Congress, that has been fighting “Hindutva” ideologically, allied with ideological disparate Shiv Sena along with NCP.

While most people thought that their aim was to simply grab power and even lucrative ministries, the criticism of ideological compromise accrued not only to Shiv Sena but also Congress.

Amidst celebration in the Congress camp, even after loss, a statement that lifted the cloud on the Congress strategy emerged.

Rajya Sabha member backed by the Congress, KTS Tulsi hinted towards a “possible” AAP-Congress alliance. He alleged that the grand old party sacrificed itself to prevent “splitting of votes” that might have case advantage for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Delhi Assembly elections.

“If the Congress had also equally applied force in the campaign, it would have resulted in BJP’s win. It may be a tactical move, but I don’t know.

Media people suggest there was an informal understanding to prevent splitting up of votes,” KTS Tulsi told news agency ANI.

While leaders fight over Kejriwal, Congress may be working as per a well-crafted strategy to form govt in 2024: Here is how
AAP CM Arvind Kejriwal, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi

The Delhi Assembly election results were along expected lines, with the Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Admi Party (AAP) getting a sweeping majority and BJP while increasing its vote share and number of seats to 8, failing to make its mark in the national capital. While the conversation post results surrounded around the sweeping victory of Arvind Kejriwal led AAP and the rout of BJP, one important aspect was pushed under the rug – Congress scored a big, fat zero in Delhi elections.

In fact, Congress lost its deposit in 63 of the 66 seats it contested. Election rules say that if a candidate receives less than 16.67% of votes polled in a constituency, they have to forfeit the deposit paid at the time of nomination.

For a national party that is considered the dominant political force in the country to win no seats in Delhi was alarming, to say the least. The obvious reaction of the people was that Congress has reduced itself to a spent force that is incapable of winning elections.

However, the reactions that have emerged from the party leaves one befuddled. The Congress top brass seems to be almost in a celebratory mode while the tier 2 and tier 2 leaders have maintained that Delhi elections spell disaster for Congress.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, who is currently out-on-bail said, “AAP won, bluff and bluster lost. The people of Delhi, who are from all parts of India, have defeated the polarising, divisive and dangerous agenda of the BJP I salute the people of Delhi who have set an example to other states that will hold their elections in 2021 and 2022”.

Read: Congress leaders can’t make up their mind whether to love or hate Kejriwal, Maken attacks Deora

While Chidambaram celebrated, Jairam Ramesh said, “It is an unmitigated disaster like coronavirus for the Congress”.

At the same time, Milind Deora took to Twitter to say, “Sharing a lesser-known & welcome fact — the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government doubled its revenues to ₹60,000 crore & maintained a revenue surplus over the last 5 years.

Food for thought: Delhi is now one of India’s most fiscally prudent governments”. Milind Deora was then slammed by Congress leader Radhika Khera who said that senior leaders of Congress seem to be better at patting AAP’s back than encouraging own party leaders.

With every election, a political party is put through the ultimate test. Especially in the current times where elections have become more a battle of ideologies than simply the quality of campaigning. In such a scenario, for the Congress honchos to be almost in a celebratory mode does not seem consistent. One would have ideally expected the Congress party to introspect and wonder what went wrong.

During Delhi elections, the Congress campaign was lacklustre. It was almost as if the Congress party had given up much before the campaign trail even started. The result was obvious with Congress getting zero seats, with majority candidates losing their deposits.

In Maharashtra too, Congress performed abysmally. Amongst the 4 major parties contesting, namely BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP, Congress came 4th. Getting around 15% votes and about 44 seats. Congress, that has been fighting “Hindutva” ideologically, allied with ideological disparate Shiv Sena along with NCP.

While most people thought that their aim was to simply grab power and even lucrative ministries, the criticism of ideological compromise accrued not only to Shiv Sena but also Congress.

Read: Congress’ Maharashtra ally Shiv Sena hails Arvind Kejriwal ahead of Delhi elections in its mouthpiece

Amidst celebration in the Congress camp, even after loss, a statement that lifted the cloud on the Congress strategy emerged.

Rajya Sabha member backed by the Congress, KTS Tulsi hinted towards a “possible” AAP-Congress alliance. He alleged that the grand old party sacrificed itself to prevent “splitting of votes” that might have case advantage for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Delhi Assembly elections.

“If the Congress had also equally applied force in the campaign, it would have resulted in BJP’s win. It may be a tactical move, but I don’t know. Media people suggest there was an informal understanding to prevent splitting up of votes,” KTS Tulsi told news agency ANI.

Amit Shah slams the newly elected Congress govt in Madhya Pradesh for its order on ‘Vande Mataram’
BJP President Amit Shah has slammed the newly elected CM of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath…

The Rajya Sabha MP complained that the BJP was doing politics of hatred and stated it was important that the BJP was rebuffed roundly for the same. In fact, BJP had earlier hinted towards a possible alliance between AAP and Congress as well.

One theory that seems to emerge is that Congress is simply happy to defeat BJP ideologically and electorally. In BJP’s defeat, even if essentially they increased their vote-share, Congress finds a long term chance of survival which is impossible if BJP keeps winning.

However, with Maharashtra and the seeming tacit understanding between AAP and Congress for Delhi, one has to wonder if Congress is working as per a plan that gives them far more benefit than just short term victory or the pleasure of defeating BJP.

One has to remember that the modern-day Congress is not adept at getting a full majority at the centre. After Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Congress has never managed to form the central government with full majority. Nehru’s thumping victory can also be discounted since it was the first few times elections were being held in the country and the people had no better alternative. Congress had had 6 Prime Minister and ruled the country for almost 54 years, however, the duration for which it ruled with a clear majority was a mere fraction.

It is thus safe to conclude that Congress, by virtue of its ideological impurity, the demonisation of Hindus, Muslim appeasement and misgovernance, needs state-level allies if it ever wishes to rule the country again.

The Delhi elections specifically need to be seen with this prism, much like the Maharashtra elections.

While keeping BJP out of power is one aspect that the Congress party is clearly focussing on, another aspect could very well be Congress consolidating regional powers for Lok Sabha elections 2024.

In Delhi, if the Congress tacitly threw in its towels even before the game began, and is now patting the back of Arvind Kejriwal led AAP, it could very well earn the favour of AAP and thus, expect the regional party to support the UPA alliance that is bound to take shape right before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Further, in Maharashtra, for example, Congress would expect the unflinching loyalty of Shiv Sena since it is because of the Congress party that Uddhav Thackeray could become the Chief Minister of the state.

It is evident from historical evidence that the Congress, more now than ever, is incapable of getting the numbers to form the government on its own.

It is thus not unthinkable that this praise that Congress is showering on AAP does not only stem from the fact that AAP managed to defeat BJP but also to ensure that Arvind Kejriwal remains a loyal foot soldier and doesn’t forget the ‘sacrifice’ made by Congress in 2024.

With the Congress party losing its ideological purity more and more with each passing day, and its leader being Rahul Gandhi who is bound to lose in a personality contest between him and Narendra Modi, Congress seems to be making political deposits that will be encashed when it is time to stitch an alliance at the centre.

What remains to be seen now is how BJP, led by PM Modi and Amit Shah would counter this inevitable strategy that seems to be taking shape.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 17 Feb 2020 15:01

pankajs wrote:https://www.news18.com/news/politics/as ... 03439.html
As Cracks Appear in Maharashtra Alliance Over Elgar Parishad Probe & NPR, Sharad Pawar to Meet NCP Ministers Today

it looks like the SS had slyly left itself some rabbit holes to dig itself of the mess it has got itself into.

The congis and the NCP are openly running roughshod over UT in their great hurry to reverse many previous decisions.

UT is balking, maybe after seeing the scale of changes being demanded and how these changes will go directly against him, his pappu and the SS.

why is the verbal diarrhea prone loudmouth sanjay raut so quiet these days

Vikas · Post by **Vikas** » 17 Feb 2020 15:02

Brit MP deported, She can keep writing more letters to Indian HC

NEW DELHI: Indian officials denied a British lawmaker entry ..

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 17 Feb 2020 15:10

chetak wrote:why is the verbal diarrhea prone loudmouth sanjay raut so quiet these days

You were saying

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Prep for Trump's India visit shows slave mentality: Sena

Trump's India trip is like the visit of a "Badshah" (emperor), an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said.

Taking a dig at the construction of a wall on a plot having several slum structures in Ahmedabad ahead of Trump's visit there, the Sena said the US president's trip would neither stop the fall of rupee's value in forex market nor offer betterment to those (slum dwellers) behind the wall.

"Before Independence, British king or queen used to visit one of their slave nations like India. The kind of preparations going on from taxpayers' money for the arrival of Trump is similar to it. This reflects the slave mentality of Indians," it said.