Statewide and National runup to 2014 General elections

arindam · Post by **arindam** » 15 Dec 2013 13:19

Hari Seldon wrote:Saurav Ganguly has declined BJP ticket. OK, his decision. I respect it. BUt sala, yeah, did expect more from the man who was never too shy to wear his thoughts on his sleeve.

Even I expected him to accept but I had my doubts. It's one thing wearing his thoughts on his sleeve in the cricket field and quite another thing to express that in the field of politics in bangla due to the deeply rooted psyche. I may be wrong.

I am quoting verbatim, the following FB status of an utterly frustrated "bengali" acquaintance of mine who is also a bangla state bhajpa member. Not sure who the intended audience was/were.

- Offensive stereotype deleted. Please use common sense before pasting such jaundiced material from other sources - rohitvats.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 15 Dec 2013 14:05

Double post deleted.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 15 Dec 2013 14:09

Lol.... Howlarious onlee...

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 15 Dec 2013 14:19

We used to have a joke about R. Binni. To get wickets he needs - uncovered pitch, early morning mist, heavy breeze, slight rain and OUT OF FORM BATSMAN. This is what Khijri could have got except NM put breaks to it all.

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 15 Dec 2013 15:13

^^ Any hope of translation?

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 15 Dec 2013 15:17

Translation using my rusty Hindi:
Kejriwal: I am ready to bat, but I have a few conditions -
* No fast bowling
* No one will block my shots
* No one will catch any balls
* No one should run me out
* No one will appeal for out
* I will decide whether or not I am out

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 15 Dec 2013 15:20

Many thanks.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 15 Dec 2013 18:28

Read PC George of Kerala Congress was support "Run for Unity". There have been other signals as well.

It could be possible that Kerala Congress would align with BJP in the coming elections.

One may need an alliance of Thomas Christians and Hindus in Kerala to push out the Islamist IPF wave.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 18:38

Kiran Bedi ‏@thekiranbedi 3h

How can a political leadership which is opposing all other political parties,concede Lokpal to others which weakens their very Foundation?

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 18:40

Kiran Bedi ‏@thekiranbedi 20h

(Can Anna be misled?Who should know better?) @dna: Anna Hazare being misled on Lokpal issue: Arvind Kejriwal http://dnai.in/bVhX

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 15 Dec 2013 18:53

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 15 Dec 2013 18:56

If in Kerala, Muslims move to LDF, then it is possible that they do so in West Bengal as well, sooner or later. Trinamool Congress could weaken thereby. Perhaps it may give a chance for BJP to occupy their position in 2019.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 19:01

TIMES NOW ‏@timesnow 5m

DMK chief M Karunanidhi says they won’t ally with Congress in 2014 elections #BreakingNow

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 15 Dec 2013 19:09

thats hardly breaking news for people here

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 15 Dec 2013 19:23

politicsparty.com guy giving INC just 9 seats in LS2014!

Don't agree with his assessment.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 15 Dec 2013 19:28

pankajs wrote:TIMES NOW ‏@timesnow 5m

DMK chief M Karunanidhi says they won’t ally with Congress in 2014 elections #BreakingNow

Now that kanni's rajya sabha seat is safely in the bag!!!!!

and wifey's chat with the CBI is over.

unprincipled faker.

ShyamSP · Post by **ShyamSP** » 15 Dec 2013 19:29

RajeshA wrote:politicsparty.com guy giving INC just 9 seats in LS2014!

Don't agree with his assessment.

you're giving unnecessary advertizement for that mentally-challenged site. You wasted my click. What assessment is there for you to agree?

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 15 Dec 2013 19:38

ShyamSP wrote:
RajeshA wrote:politicsparty.com guy giving INC just 9 seats in LS2014!

Don't agree with his assessment.
you're giving unnecessary advertizement for that mentally-challenged site. You wasted my click. What assessment is there for you to agree?

Now you're better informed where not to click!

Others too have given advertisement for him earlier on these pages!

svenkat · Post by **svenkat** » 15 Dec 2013 19:58

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Alliance-with-Party-Having-Compatible-Ideology-says-MK/2013/12/15/article1946280.ece

DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Saturday said he would forge a Lok Sabha poll alliance with the party that is best suited to further the party’s Dravidian ideology.
Speaking at the launch of his memoirs, Nenjukku Neethi, Volume VI, Karunanidhi said, one would have to examine each party’s ideology to understand which of them won’t harm the Dravidian movement. “That will indicate the parties with which we may forge an alliance,” he said.
Asserting that the DMK will not go it alone in the elections, Karunanidhi observed that it was too early to talk about the alliance. He said the party’s general body meeting on Sunday will discuss the matter.

However, a senior party leader was not optimistic on Sunday’s meeting clearing the alliance haze. “Thalaivar (Karunanidhi) will listen to suggestions and feedback at the meeting to get a sense of the cadre’s feeling on aligning with national parties, such as the Congress or the BJP. No concrete decision will be taken,” he said.

Earlier, speaking in the event, lyricist Vairamuthu(the foremost tamizh poet of the age) recalled a childhood incident of Karunanidhi who swam across Kamalalayam tank in Thiruvarur along with his friend ‘Thennan’. “Not now, but at that point in time, Karunanidhi had crossed Kamalalayam,” the lyricist said - pun intended to refer to Kamalalayam, the BJP headquarters in Tamil Nadu. It received a huge round of applause.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/alliance-will-be-in-accordance-with-dmk-ideology-karunanidhi/article5460329.ece

The DMK’s decision on alliance for the Lok Sabha would be in accordance with its ideology, and its track record was enough to give an idea of the alliance it was going to forge for the polls, party leader M. Karunanidhi said on Saturday.

As the DMK’s general council meeting on Sunday is likely to discuss the question of alliance, Mr Karunanidhi said one could come to a conclusion on the alliance it was likely to join and the alliance it would avoid by taking into account its track record.

“There will certainly be an alliance. But if we reveal it now, it will be a problem,” he said, addressing a meeting organised to release the sixth volume of his memoir Nenjukku Neethi.

Mr. Karunanidhi said the DMK government in 1976 was dismissed for espousing the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils.

He said the speech of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at a public meeting on the sands of the Marina that the DMK regime was dismissed for being very close to militant groups in Sri Lanka bore testimony to the fact that the party paid a heavy price for supporting Sri Lankan Tamils.

In 1991, the DMK government was dismissed without taking the opinion of the then Governor Surjit Singh Barnala on the ground that it was passing messages to Sri Lanka.

The DMK leader said he could understand the Sri Lankan government getting angry over DMK supporting the Sri Lankan Tamils, but was at wit's end to understand why the Indian government was upset. Mr. Karunanidhi said if 'nature' permitted, he would write the next volume of his memoirs.

The book was released by former Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court P.R.Gokulakrishnan and was received by lyricist Vairamuthu.

member_26255 · Post by **member_26255** » 15 Dec 2013 20:00

If you think Lokpal Bill has shortcomings, fast for it: Anna Hazare to Arvind Kejriwal

If you think Lokpal Bill has shortcomings, fast for it: Anna Hazare to Arvind Kejriwal | NDTV.com

Ralegan Siddhi: Rubbishing Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal's contention that the Lokpal Bill under consideration in Parliament was weak, activist Anna Hazare today said ":lol:

"I have read the provisions of the bill properly. If you (Kejriwal) think the bill has any shortcomings, fast for it," Anna, whose fast for passage of Jan Lokpal Bill entered the sixth day today, said while talking to reporters in his village Ralegan Siddhi.

The anti-graft crusader said several of his expectations from the legislation have been met and he expressed satisfaction over the bill which has been presented in the Rajya Sabha.

"Three issues for which we had campaigned in the past, including Citizen's Charter, are also being addressed," he said.

Asked about the differences between him and Mr Kejriwal, Anna said, "I don't wish to comment...Why should we quarrel?"

"The government's control over CBI has been removed in this bill. I saw 13 such points and told the government that I welcome this," Anna said.

"That is why I thought that the bill is beneficial to the people and country," he added.

"I told the government that I am thankful for tabling the bill in Rajya Sabha. Bring it in both the Houses in this session itself. If needed, extend the tenure of Parliament," he said.

"However, I am confident that this need may not arise as people are saying that the bill would be the first thing to be taken up in Rajya Sabha tomorrow," he said.

Thanking major political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, for supporting the bill, Anna said, a few are not supporting it. "So, if there is a ruckus while passage of the bill, pass the bill amid ruckus but pass it anyhow," he said.

"There are still five days left for the session to end. If you desire so, it can be brought in both the Houses during this period. If there is paucity of time, extend it by a few days," he said.

"I won't end fast till the bill is passed. I want to live for the country and fight for the country, for society. I have to take up issues like right to reject and right to recall," he said.

Anna has been fasting outside Yadavbaba Temple in his village since December 10.

His associate Kiran Bedi said, "If some people are saying that the current Lokpal bill is weak, they haven't read it properly. They must read it."

As per the bill provisions, if any matter is given to CBI, the government will not interfere, she said.

"Kejriwal should reread the bill," the former IPS officer said.

"Tomorrow, I will be in Delhi, watching Rajya Sabha proceedings and inform Anna about the goings on there," she said.

"Those who are calling the bill Jokepal have not read and understood it. They should go through the draft and then jump to conclusions," she said.

Altair · Post by **Altair** » 15 Dec 2013 20:02

Nice trap.Kudos to AH

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 15 Dec 2013 20:03

How does it benefit the Congress to push the lokpal through?

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 20:09

1. Shows INC's seriousness about fighting corruption.
2. Shows RaGa's decisive leadership and give him an image makeover.
3. Pull the rug from under AAP, the single issue party.
3. Trying to catch the vocal liberal middle class vote, the ones that voted for AAP in Delhi.

The above are the key objective .. Now I know most of us will laugh at point 1 & 2 but it is not aimed at skeptics like us.

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 15 Dec 2013 20:10

So they have no intention of actually passing it?

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 20:12

They are perhaps ready to pass it now that RaGa has spoken and all credit can be appropriated to pappu.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 15 Dec 2013 20:21

Altair wrote:Nice trap.Kudos to AH

Kujliwal will learn soon that it it pays to have friends among the other political parties. After all, they all have to sup from the same plate.

He is apparently living in his two storied party head quarters for which some "kind" soul is taking a rent of only one rupee. Is this corruption or friendship or economics or what???

What happens if the same kind soul asks a favor tomorrow??

Will kujliwal promptly take up residence on the footpath outside the party office??

How does a government servant and government servant wife stay one place for 17 years without transfer and without "compromises" and that too in a place like Delhi?? and in the IT Dept??

I'm sure that there are flying pigs in Delhi too.

Shanmukh · Post by **Shanmukh** » 15 Dec 2013 20:44

chetak wrote: What happens if the same kind soul asks a favor tomorrow??

Will kujliwal promptly take up residence on the footpath outside the party office??

This was a great point, Chetak-ji. I had a good laugh at that.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 22:12

Dr. Harsh Vardhan ‏@drharshvardhan 2h

Is it not shameful that the very people who climbed up on the shoulders of Anna are insulting him shamelessly and calling Lokpal Jokepal.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 15 Dec 2013 22:20

nageshks wrote:For most liberals, the VHP, the Bajrang Dal, etc are all just excuses not to vote for the BJP. They despise it for what it is - unwashed masses intruding into their little boudoirs. Most of them are horrifyingly snobbish, and they look down on anything Indian - it is just not chic enough for their tastes. Modi, in particular, is loathed because he has his own way, he has no use for the chatterati,and he is the proverbial bull in their China shop. They will never vote for him, no matter what. There are definitely a few exceptions, but they are just that, exceptions.<SNIP>

The moment someone mentions the issue of VHP and BD being perceived as disruptive because of their actions on issues like Valentine Day and that it brings bad name to the BJP - we tend to have reflex action on BRF. And some standard replies are trotted out.

One reply is on the lines of the above - 'these' people are simply not worth the effort because of various reasons. Second, VHP and BD do this and that to safeguard Hindu dharma.

Why is it difficult to take the bull by the horn and address the main question? And state your opinion on the same?

Bottom line - people have been given fundamental right to do what they please and no one has the right to interfere with that. Especially not by people with misplaced sense of culture and identity. Try preaching to the crowd which invited NM to SRCC about negatives of Valentine and see the result. Elections in Delhi have shown that there is a growing constituency which will demand accountability on fronts.

jamwal · Post by **jamwal** » 15 Dec 2013 22:23

From Reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/india/comments/ ... onditions/

truthwins:

why are people bad mouthing him? He is working for the public not for himself. Even after bjp and congress rule we are still a third world country. dollar rate is increasing, fuel price is increasing, inflation is increasing and what is the reason for all that? answer is corruption

Now this man is giving an honest alternative and you are attacking him? Shame on you and others in r/india.

I recently traveled in andhra pradesh and most of towns and villages are in horrible condition. Take a tour of our country and then criticize him.

0w0

why are people bad mouthing him?

Because he is a joke, and making ridiculous demands and using such silly conditions as an EXCUSE so that he does not have to deliver on his retarded promises: Free Electricity this, free water that, and free houses for everyone that is living in slums.

Then you have most ridiculous promises like: Zero security to all VVIP and legislative assemblies to be held in Ram Lila Maidan(even though there already is a building for this purpose)

If he is going to run away from delivering on all this, obviously people will bad mouth him.

He is working for the public not for himself.

ROFL, dharna pradarshan is NOT working. He have unconditional support from Congress and yet is not ready to form government and WORK FOR PEOPLE and deliver on promises he made.

In fact this Jhakkpal have not worked at all in his life, he lives of his Wife's salary.

And when now that he have opportunity to work for people, he is running away from work.

Even after bjp and congress rule we are still a third world country.

And magic pill solution from Fraziwal(haven't worked much in his life, have not proven anything) will fix this ?

For example the honest IAS Officer Khemka who was transferred 100s of times is still working, but Kejriwal is still on leave and living off money provided by friends and wife's salary.

Sorry, guy not only have ZERO track record in governance, he in fact have ZERO work experience of any kind.

Also keep in mind that Kejriwal''s governance Model is Soclialism.

He guy promises to control prevailing market prices and giving freebies, policies like this have failed in all countries that have implemented such them in past. Even Socialist Russia have rejected this socialist magic pill solutions.. BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WORK

fuel price is increasing

That is again thanks to culture of freebies, fuel is subsidized using tax payers money and people continue buying(at distorted prices) commodities that we have to import from Middle East/Gulf.. instead of reacting to price fluctuation and making necessary changes like using alternatives or more fuel efficient machines.

All this adds to already bloated deficit and THAT IS ONE OF THE REASON WHY "dollar rate is increasing".

And Kejri believes in same ideology of freebies, free bijli free paani and ghar and kerosene...

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB1 ... 1737389236

inflation is increasing

And thank economic policies of National Advisory Committee that was led by Sonia Gandhi, whose members are now AAP's leaders/Supporters: Aruna Roy, Medha Patkar, Binayak Sen, Yogendra Yadav, Harsh Mander etc etc.

They are socialists like Kejriwal and its because of their policies like MNREGA that we have to suffer from inflation. Google It.

what is the reason for all that? answer is corruption

No reason why we have Corruption and Inflation and Weak Economy and 3rd World status is because of RETARDS LIKE YOU who dont understand even basic economic concepts and believe in magic pill solution and slogans.

Instead of ACTIONS, and RESULTS of those actions. Instead of Doctrines/Policies/Models that are based on evidence and scientific data.

You can't diagnose and that is why your treatment/solution isn't working and wont work.

But all is not lost because there are some men of actions in India. For example Modi, who have already PROVEN the success of his governance model.

Which Fraziwal and his gang of Naxalites are dead against.

Now this man is giving an honest alternative and you are attacking him?

Who gave him certificate of Honesty ? AAP's internal lokpal ?

And why should we not attack him when he is REFUSING TO DELIVER on his promises.

If he can't stand the heat, then he should get out of the kitchen.

Shame on you and others in r/india.

Shame on YOU for defending such a joker and backstabber who is now accusing his own guru. Earlier it used to be My Guru AnnnaJi now he scolds same man with just his name "Anna" and calls Anna's Lokpal a "Jokepal".

I recently traveled in andhra pradesh and most of towns and villages are in horrible condition. Take a tour of our country and then criticize him.

Blame AP's people who voted to power another Santa Clause who also promised lots of freebies just like Farziwal.

Also ROFL, we cant criticize this self proclaimed prophet(Honesty Be Upon Him) because there are problems in our country.

WOW AAP Definitle Chutiye Hain.

Now some Questions for YOU.
Why Arvind Kejriwal & his wife were never transferred out of Delhi in their entire career if they were fighting against Corrupt Govt. unlike Ashok Khemka or Durga Shakti?

What are Kejriwal's achievements as an IRS Officer?

What is his stand on Kashmir, Indian Army and Hindu Terrorism with respect to Bhushan's comments?

What is the stand of Aam Aadmi Party on Ram Janmabhoomi issue?

What does AK think of the Martyrdom of Mohanchand Sharma in Batla House?

What had Narendra Modi got to do in his speech and banners at Jantar Mantar when Sikhs were protesting against Sajjan Kumar?

Why dreaded Maoist leaders such as Binayak Sen, who have been convicted by Court, are in AAP core Reforms team?

Imam Bukhari who has dozens of arrest warrants against him and was openly seen for calling for Islamic Rule in India, Kejriwal has been seen with him on occasions, would he clarify his relations with him?

Is there any personal reason why Kejriwal chose not to speak against Navin Jindal and Pawan Bansal on matters of Scams and Corruption?

Kejriwal intelligently did an expose on Nitin Gadkari naming him in an irrigation scam, but he really didn’t mention that it was Sharad Pawar & family which was in power for over a decade in Maharashtra

What was the reason that Bharat Mata picture was removed in later anshans/protests by Kejriwal ?

What was the reason for his Media Byte - "We dont want support from communal people" on question asked by a journalist about RSS providing food during their Anshan when at a later stage, AAP workers who went for Relief work in Uttarakhand, were found gobbling food in Baba Ramdev’s camp, which was meant for Flood Victims?

Why is Kejriwal utterly silent on Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh of Congress, when he faced so many serious allegations?

Who asked Kejriwal to go on Aamaran Anshan (fast unto death) and later break his fast by drinking water from a Steel Glass (he wasn’t asked for either of the two) ?

What was the reason of him for writing a letter to Muslims saying Batla house encounter was fake and Ishrat Jahan was an innocent who was killed in Fake encounter?

Further Why did he mention that “many innocent Muslims are killed in Gujarat” in his letter, when he does not have proof that those were fake ?

Also why does Kejriwal handpick Gujarat in citing examples of encounters on terrorists when the number of encounters in Congress ruled Maharashtra and AP, north eastern states and Uttar Pradesh are much higher ?

Even when it came to UP Riots, Kejriwal blamed Modi and Amit Shah and faintly mentioned Samajwadi Party, when in reality 2 Congress ex MPs were booked and BSP, SP MPs were found inciting violence. Why this soft corner in not naming Congress responsible for UP Riots?

Why did Kejriwal not campaign for the BJP govt. of Uttarakhand in the last Assembly elections, as they had promised even when they passed exactly the same Lokayukta Bill that team Anna wanted, although Kejriwal is silent on Congress removing most of its content from the bill after it came to power last year in Uttarakhand ?

During his tenure as IAS officer, how many corrupt people did Arvind kejriwal bust? He says corruption is deep rooted, therefore he must have busted a lot of corrupt officials during his tenure as IAS officer
He set up an Internal Lokpal to investigate Corruption of AAP members such as Mayank Gandhi, Damania etc. How was the process carried out and how is Internal Lokpal of AAP any different than CBI investigating Congress?

There were allegations on Kejriwal that he siphoned off extra salary during his tenure as IAS officer. He refused the charges, but returned the extra salary he had taken to the department. If he had not taken illegal salary why did he return it?

AAP was forthcoming in demanding investigation of encounters of alleged terrorists Ishrat Jahan and Shahzad of Batla house. Why did he not ask for investigation of alleged murder of RTI activist & AAP member Santosh Koli?

What was the need for AAP leader to work with Congress candidate's husband Sanjeev Bhatt against Narendra Modi just before Gujarat election in 2012 to do a fake expose which was later quashed
Lastly, why is AAP not responding to RTI queries, including convicted people in its Core Reforms team, when it claims to support RTI for political parties and the Supreme Court ruling?

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 22:52

Nitish Kumar plotted with IM to kill Narendra Modi

Patna: Acrimony between Bihar's ruling JD(U) and the Opposition BJP rose to a new high on Saturday when senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh accused chief minister Nitish Kumar of having planned to eliminate Narendra Modi with the help of the Indian Mujahideen.

While the BJP had so far only accused Kumar's government of “deliber ate lapses“ in security arrange ments in Pat n a during Modi's rally on October 27, when serial blasts killed seven people, this is the first time a senior BJP leader has accused Kumar of plotting to kill Modi and of links with the terror outfit.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 22:55

Delhi Deals a Big Blow to Nitish's National Ambition

If the Janata Dal (United)’s performance in the recently concluded Assembly elections in Delhi is any indication, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s projection as the champion of Bihari sub-nationalism is a hoax.

The drubbing the JD(U) suffered is not only a pointer to its depleting support base among the people, especially from Bihar, but it also deals a big blow to Kumar’s national ambition. Despite his aggressive campaigning, 26 of the JD(U)’s 27 candidates lost their deposits. The party could manage only 0.6 per cent vote share. Most of its candidates could not touch 1,000 votes. Worse, two candidates could garner only 91 votes.

Clearly, Kumar failed to impress a huge migrant Bihari population, roughly estimated at 40 lakh, in the national capital.

<snip>

During this election, Kumar also made an attempt to test his popularity among Muslims, particularly after severing a 17-year tie with the BJP in June. His party gave 10 tickets to Muslim candidates but only three bagged more than 1,000 votes.

In his scathing attack on Kumar, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said, “JD(U) had been rejected by the people in Delhi even in the areas where people from Bihar were in majority and it gives enough signal what will happen next in Bihar.”

vivek.rao · Post by **vivek.rao** » 15 Dec 2013 22:56

Why the BJP loves AAP

Headline in May 2014: AAP and Congress split the vote and BJP obtains a majority.

For a long time, or at least since Sonia Gandhi started on her experiments with populist socialism, many of us had suspected that the 2014 Lok Sabha election would herald a new and different world order. And the December 8 state poll results have transformed that forecast into a welcome and impending reality. A one-year-old baby called the Aam Aadmi Party, too young to be called David, has felled an ageing and fading Congress in Delhi. And with a little help from their prime ministerial nominee, Narendra Modi, the BJP has dispatched the same ageing, fading and toothless Congress into the record books in two additional states.

Economic policy according to the AAP/ Kejriwal should be as follows (obtained from interviews, manifestos, etc): "GDP growth should be directly related to the lives of the people, but such growth affects very few people.... The AAP opposes privatisation, wants government in oil extraction (and much else), recommends an increase in effective taxes on the middle class and supports increases in fuel and electricity subsidies. The AAP would take measures to ensure basic facilities, for example electricity expense reduction of 50 per cent and 700 litres of free water. Further, the AAP believes in government provision of high-quality education and health, regulation of fee of private schools, implementation of minimum wage, etc."

The AAP may signal the birth of honest politics (I believe it does), but it most likely signals the birth of Luddite and extremely dishonest economics. Until I read the AAP manifesto, I believed that it was a close race between Sonia Gandhi and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela for the title of populist of the century. In her spurt over the last five years, the close race is no more — Sonia Gandhi is the champion. But I now believe the title should go to Kejriwal, as revealed by his economic views as quoted above.

Voting data for all four states is strongly indicative of an anti-Congress (not anti-incumbent) wave. And data for Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are indicative of the presence of a Modi wave. Note the following. First, even in Delhi, where the AAP was the big alternative, the CNN-IBN-CSDS opinion poll results revealed that at least half of those people voting for the AAP in Delhi would vote for Modi in the Lok Sabha election. And the AAP's own survey indicated that a third of the people would do so!

In a three-cornered contest, the Delhi poll resulted in the lowest ever Congress seats — eight compared to 10 they obtained in the post-Emergency election of 1977. The two-cornered Rajasthan election results are even more shocking and out of the ballpark. The average number of seats that the Congress has obtained in 13 past Rajasthan elections was 92. But in the 2013 election, the BJP humbled the Congress to beat this record by a wide margin. The Congress obtained almost half of their lowest ever, and half the post-Emergency 1977 election — 21 seats. (The lowest seats ever obtained by the BJP in Rajasthan was 32 in 1980).

Did the people vote in such overwhelming numbers for the BJP in Rajasthan in 2013 because they did not have an AAP alternative? I doubt it. Proceeding to Madhya Pradesh, the BJP chief minister overcame double anti-incumbency to record a third consecutive win of 165 seats, 22 more than in 2008. In the outlier Digvijaya Singh loss election of 2003, the BJP obtained 173 seats to the Congress's 38. That record may never be breached, but in his third term, Chouhan has come close by "granting" the Congress only 58 seats.

Still no Modi wave? Then let us look at Chhattisgarh. In the 1977 election when Chhattisgarh was part of Madhya Pradesh (data for Chhattisgarh prior to 2004 from the India Today-Oxus election dataset), the Congress obtained 36 seats; in 2013, despite a battle for a third term and the horrific elimination of Congress leaders by the Maoists in Bastar, it obtained 39 seats, only one more than in 2008. Still no Modi wave?

What implications for the 2014 election? Each party's interests are different. The Congress has to attempt to become relevant; a course change is difficult, but not impossible. The AAP needs to mature into a responsible establishment outfit. And the BJP needs to pray that the AAP gets the financing to turn 2014 into a three-cornered contest. It knows that only six out of every 100 BJP voters voted for the AAP, but six times as many (36 out of 100) Congress voters did so. The math of the first-past-the-post system is well known to the BJP. If the AAP is almost the new Congress, as seems likely, then the BJP can be realistically ambitious about winning 2014 by a near absolute majority.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 23:02

Lalu Prasad or Nitish Kumar: Congress' big dilemma for 2014

Sources say that leaders like Digvijaya Singh and Kapil Sibal are of the view that Mr Prasad's RJD is the party's best bet going into 2014. Lalu Prasad, on his part, has reportedly made it clear that he won't repeat the blunder in 2009 when he broke ties with the Congress just ahead of the general election and ended up with just four seats. This time, he is reportedly willing to agree to the Congress' demands on seat-sharing.

Leaders like P Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh, though, believe that not aligning with Mr Kumar will send out a wrong signal to secular forces.

But it is Congress No.2 Rahul Gandhi's public position against convicted lawmakers that has put the party in a quandary. In September, Mr Gandhi had dramatically trashed an ordinance to protect convicted MPs and MLAs from a Supreme Court ruling as "complete nonsense". It was the same ruling that saw Mr Prasad being disqualified as an MP after he was convicted of corruption.

An alliance with Mr Prasad would then be seen as Mr Gandhi deviating from his stand and, effectively, aligning with politicians accused of corruption, an issue that cost the Congress heavily in the assembly polls.

Congress may yet choose Lalu over Nitish for alliance in Bihar

Seven months down the line, the bonhomie between the two parties seems to have gone for a toss. Having fared badly in the four states of Hindi heartland, Congress has become a pariah for the JD(U). Nitish is believed to have serious reservations now about entering into a tie-up with a party which is not only scam-tainted but faces huge anti-incumbency factor.

His aides in private confirm that Nitish’s disenchantment with the Congress grew after the Centre ‘betrayed’ him over granting special status to Bihar, a demand which the JD(U) strongman had been vociferously raising for quite some time.

The Congress has its own reasons for disillusionment with Nitish. The serial blasts in Bodh Gaya, followed by mid-day meal tragedy in Saran in which several children lost their lives, showed Nitish in poor light and raised a question mark over his credo of good governance. His refusal to meet the children in hospitals where they were recuperating from food poisoning or his unavailability when the bodies of martyrs (who lost their lives while fighting Pakistani moles in Jammu-Kashmir) were flown to Bihar, showed his indifferent attitude, a characteristic not witnessed during his previous stint.
To make matter worse, the serial bomb blasts during Narendra Modi’s rally in Patna brought down his popularity graph steeply. His refusal to acknowledge poor security arrangements for his bête noire further eroded his credibility as an administrator.

<snip>

Contrary to general perception, Lalu’s graph has risen enormously since he was put behind the bars. This was in sharp contrast to Nitish’s own image which took a beating after he severed his ties with the BJP followed by one mishap after another.

The fast changing political scenario puzzled the Congress leadership too. While one section led by party vice president Rahul Gandhi wanted a tacit understanding with ‘workohlic’ Nitish, the other faction (which reportedly enjoys the backing of Sonia Gandhi) favours an alliance with time-tested ally Lalu Prasad and Paswan. “When it comes to loyalty, Lalu remains unmatched. He has stood by Soniaji through thick and thin, unlike Nitish who neither stood by George Fernandes nor the BJP,” remarked a senior Congress leader, citing the vote percentage of three parties combined together. “If Congress, RJD and the LJP contest together under one umbrella, we can give Modi’s BJP a run for its money. The JD(U) will be the biggest loser if it contests alone. The situation will reverse if no alliance takes place. The BJP will be the biggest gainer if there is multi-cornered contest in the 40 Lok Sabha constituencies,” the Congress leader averred.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 23:04

Anna asks who's AAP, Bedi says Kejriwal using Lokpal for gains
Anna Hazare taunts Arvind Kejriwal over Lokpal Bill

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 15 Dec 2013 23:15

Several AAP, CPI(M), CPI, BSP leaders join BJP

Several Aam Aadmi Party leaders and workers and those from CPI(M), CPI and BSP joined BJP at a function held in the party office today.

Bihar BJP unit president Mangal Pandey welcomed the new entrants in the party-fold and urged them to work hard to ensure victory in the general elections next year and the assembly polls in Bihar a year later.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 15 Dec 2013 23:29

pankajs wrote:Lalu Prasad or Nitish Kumar: Congress' big dilemma for 2014
But it is Congress No.2 Rahul Gandhi's public position against convicted lawmakers that has put the party in a quandary. In September, Mr Gandhi had dramatically trashed an ordinance to protect convicted MPs and MLAs from a Supreme Court ruling as "complete nonsense". It was the same ruling that saw Mr Prasad being disqualified as an MP after he was convicted of corruption.

An alliance with Mr Prasad would then be seen as Mr Gandhi deviating from his stand and, effectively, aligning with politicians accused of corruption, an issue that cost the Congress heavily in the assembly polls.

This is beautiful logic.

I think there needs to be a preemptive strike against Rahul Gandhi on social media taunting him for getting Lalu released on bail to align with a convict. #HypocriteRaGa

It would really be good if Congress aligns with JD-U instead of with Lalu.

jamwal · Post by **jamwal** » 16 Dec 2013 00:06

Got it from FB:
AAP is a Dog chasing Cars. Suddenly the car stopped surprising the dog. Now it has been asked to drive the car & it realizes that all it can do is bark!!!

Shanmukh · Post by **Shanmukh** » 16 Dec 2013 00:23

rohitvats wrote: The moment someone mentions the issue of VHP and BD being perceived as disruptive because of their actions on issues like Valentine Day and that it brings bad name to the BJP - we tend to have reflex action on BRF. And some standard replies are trotted out.

One reply is on the lines of the above - 'these' people are simply not worth the effort because of various reasons. Second, VHP and BD do this and that to safeguard Hindu dharma.

Why is it difficult to take the bull by the horn and address the main question? And state your opinion on the same?

Personally, I believe that all adults should do whatever they want to do. I have no problems with Valentine's day, or anything else. And looking over my post, I must mention that I never even mentioned Hindu interests. It would really help if you fully read my reply.

But to come to the point about the VHP and the BD. The decision to take sides with the VHP and the BD is a matter of cold blooded analysis of profit and loss. For every single liberal voter I lose in the cities because of the antics of the BD and the VHP, I generally pick up five voters elsewhere because of the campaigning, booth management, and other associated electoral work that the allied outfits of the BJP do. The VHP and the BD come as a package - they do great electoral work for the BJP - from organising cadres to getting people to vote - but they also have a problem in that some, not all, or even most, disrupt bars and Valentine's day. If the choice is between a few liberal voters in the cities, and the BD/VHP cadres, I will pick up BD/VHP groups every time. The work they do for the BJP is invaluable, and the loss of a few liberal votes in cities due to their antics is perfectly acceptable as a trade off.

Bottom line - people have been given fundamental right to do what they please and no one has the right to interfere with that. Especially not by people with misplaced sense of culture and identity. Try preaching to the crowd which invited NM to SRCC about negatives of Valentine and see the result. Elections in Delhi have shown that there is a growing constituency which will demand accountability on fronts.

No doubt. But until I can find a replacement that will do the work that these outfits do, I will choose to side with the VHP/BD. Don't know how much campaigning you have done for the BJP over the years, but my own experience is that liberals are not particularly active in campaigning for any party, while VHP/BD cadres are invaluable, particularly when you go to persuade voters to come out in a Congoon dominated locality. When I go to a Congoon dominated locality, I would rather have three BD guys with me, than a dozen of the liberal chatterati (even if they can actually be persuaded to come out and campaign for the BJP, that is). Actually, it is hard enough to persuade these liberals to vote for any party at all, let alone campaign.

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 16 Dec 2013 00:54

Nageshks, fair enough regarding the trade offs, and that the liberal vote is still < than the rest. But take a look at urbanization and demographic change. Huge numbers of indian population are young and urbanization is happening rapidly. Catch'em young or lose them for a long time if not forever, IMHO.