My Opinion

As Bihar goes to the polls on Monday, NDA seems to be on a stronger wicket than the RJD alliance according to the latest India TV-C Voter Opinion Poll survey. However the picture could change drastically as polling in Bihar is scheduled to take place in four more phases spread out over a period of one month. If Caste is the basis upon which the electorate votes, then the RJD alliance could surge ahead but if development is the key factor, then it would be a huge win for Narendra Modi and his party.

That Rahul Gandhi would hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his rallies in Bihar is nothing new. He even praised Nitish Kumar but what stood out in both his rallies was his silence on the RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. Who can forget what forced the two to fall apart. In fact two years ago it was Rahul Gandhi who had dramatically objected to the ordinance that the then Congress government sought to issue – an ordinance that was primarily meant to save Lalu from being disqualified upon his conviction in the fodder case. Not only did Lalu go to jail, the controversial ordinance was also withdrawn forcing Lalu to lick his wounds.

The Supreme Court had to finally step in to quell the confusion arising out of two contradictory division bench judgements over the beef ban in Jammu & Kashmir. But despite the Supreme Court’s intervention at the behest of the Mufti government, every party in Kashmir is bent upon playing beef politics. Adopting a defiant stand, MLA Engineer Rashid even hosted a beef party saying that no court or legislature could stop people from eating what they wanted.

Before the elections, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had promised that his government would work for the masses and would be one of them. He had said that his MLAs would lead lives of the ordinary and would not waste money unnecessarily. However much seems to have changed since then. From a ‘no security’, ‘no beacon’, ‘no bungalows’ promise, a committee constituted by the Delhi government has now proposed a whopping four-fold increase in MLA salaries. It is anything but ‘aam admi’!

The arrest of these fishermen by Pakistan, is a sad testament of how they are repeatedly at the receiving end while trying to eke out a subsistence. And there is no proper demarcation of the border in the oceans which makes it even more difficult. Instead of arresting them blindly and throwing them into prison, a proper solution would have to be found so that the fishermen are well aware of the limits in the territorial waters and do not cross over unknowingly. And even if they do, one would have to be magnanimous enough to forgive them.

The violence in Varanasi over the issue of idol immersion has turned ugly. The violent clash between the police and the seers has left many injured. While the police cite the Allahabad HC order banning immersion, the sadhus say it is their customary right. Traditionally in Varanasi, the city intellectuals have always played an important role and this time too had they come forward, the situation could have been brought under control and settled amicably.

Azam Khan is well aware that every action begets a reaction. He will keep making such inflammatory statements which in turn will trigger off vitriolic reactions from leaders like Yogi Adityanath and Sakshi Maharaj. Instead of indulging in hate politics and further polarising people, he could do well to take lessons from someone much younger – the UP Chief Minister, on what to say and how to react in such situations!

Lalu’s statement that even Hindus have beef has created a political storm. It has given the BJP a much needed ammunition to hit out against him. Such controversial statements could cost Lalu the crucial Yadav vote. Nitish Kumar has chosen to maintain a silence over this issue while Congress is trying to distance itself. It has even forced Lalu to clarify himself. No one seems to care about the humble cow in the midst of such political power play!

UP Minister Azam Khan should refrain from raising the Dadri issue at the United Nations. He should realise that the conditions of Muslims here are far better as compared to other countries. It is these inflammatory statements made by such leaders which are proving to be a real threat to the country. Instead of instigating the masses, leaders like Azam Khan, Sadhvi Prachi or Sangeet Som could do well by lying low for a while.

Despite Ikhlaq’s brother’s appeal to all political parties not to create unnecessary tensions in the area, Dadri has seen a flurry of politicians trying to pose as well wishers of the family. Today finally Ikhlaq’s family met the district administration to stop all politicians from visiting them. They are in no mood to reopen their wounds again and again.

It must be most heart wrenching video for any parent to watch…the most painful words for any parent to listen to – the last message that of 15 year old Santosh before he committed a suicide for the humiliation he felt for not being able to pay his school fees. It is not about just one Santosh…it is about the drought stricken farmers in Telangana who are being forced to take such extreme steps. The state government must take cognizance of the gravity of the situation. The Chief Minister will have to assure the people that he is with them and that all steps are being taken to help them.

This is one of the most crucial elections where political parties are working overtime to chalk out strategies and are adopting every tactic that is available. For Nitish and Lalu it is about their political survival and for the BJP it is about their political prestige and aura. With stakes so high, it would not be wrong to say that the Bihar Assembly elections will impact the course of national politics. And political campaigning has just about begun. One would have to wait and watch how this electoral battle shapes up in the days to come