My Opinion

Whether or not Asaduddin Owaisi raises ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ slogans will not make any difference. However there was no need for Owaisi to even mention that he would not raise such slogans since this unnecessarily rakes up a controversy and provides fodder for others to talk. Even Shiv Sena’s call to send Owaisi to Pakistan is wrong. Rather we should all rise above such loose talks for India can develop only when all of us think in terms of what will benefit our own country.

Vijay Mallya knew that several cases were pending against him. Banks would have recovered money easily and quickly, had he not moved out of the country. Now that Mallya has moved out of India, Government is left with two options – first, to revoke his passport and second, to try and bring him back to India, in case there is an extradition treaty with the country where he is presently staying. This process, however, is long and complicated. Since, most of Vijay Mallya’s properties are in foreign countries like England and South Africa, the recovery would be more difficult as well as time-taking.

Some very valid concerns have been raised over the Art of Living event to be held on the banks of the River Yamuna. With such a colossal stage being built, with thousands of people being invited and with such a huge parking space — all these are bound to have a negative impact on the environment. However massive preparations have already been made and foreign delegates have been invited and if at this point the show is cancelled, it would result in a huge embarrassment. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar should rather take responsibility and compensate for the damages likely to occur.

Mehbooba Mufti has made it very clear that she wants assurance on the implementation of the Common Minimum Programme that her party has finalised with the BJP. She wants to fulfil the promises that her father made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Even the BJP would like to form the government in the state with Mehbooba but there are some leaders who are apprehensive that Mehbooba might just walk out of the alliance on some pretext within a year and a half. Overall, the issue is about a lack of confidence which can only be resolved through negotiations.

Anupam Kher articulated his viewpoints boldly. One would have to compliment him for his courage. Many people think on similar lines but only a few speak out lest it should create a dent to their image. His speech went viral on social media has even become a talking point all across the country. What he said is some kind of a bitter truth. He made some powerful observations in his speech irrespective of whether one would like to agree with him or not.

Vijay Mallya has already been declared bankrupt. While the banks are trying to recover their loans, he is making all preparations to settle abroad. His former employees are even more unhappy with him at his opulent lifestyle despite his bankruptcy. While his employees are finding it difficult to make their ends meet, an unperturbed Vijay Mallya continues to throw lavish parties, publish calendars and fly in private jets. With his chances of going to jail increasing by the day, perhaps Vijay Mallya might soon realise that theft and fraud cannot go hand in hand with his bullying tactics.

Rahul Gandhi had hit out at Narendra Modi the other day and the manner in which the Prime Minister deflected every volley with finesse and decorum was witnessed by all today. But that aparat, certain suggestions made by the Modi are worth a mention. He spoke of the need to rise above party politics and work together towards improving primary education, take steps to save water and ensure judicial reforms so that justice is not delayed. He said he would like all parties to give their suggestions, point out the flaws of the government and also consider new policies. Essentially the Prime Minister through these issues would like to kick start some positive politics. On the 8th of March on International Women’s Day he said he would like only women MPs to speak while all others would listen to them. He even pointed out that one week should be devoted for only the first time MPs who despite being talented and brimming with new ideas are generally shy of speaking out much. What Narendra Modi has recommended should not be difficult for parties to accept since these suggestions are bereft of any party politics.

What Rahul Gandhi raised in Parliament today is a repeat of what he had already mentioned at public gatherings in Kerala and Assam. His speech sounded more like a public meeting speech. He spoke about the Naga Accord, the issue of Black Money, of unemployment, MGNREGA and hit out at the PM for betraying people on rising prices. His speech was centred around attacking and mocking Narendra Modi. Rahul instead should have come forward with facts and figures before attacking the Prime Minister. He should have had pointed questions for the Prime Minister. This would have instead not given Modi’s ministers the opportunity to easily tackle each and every of his accusations.

Two things stand out in this entire Karti Chidambaram controversy. After a long time the BJP finally seems to have got the much needed fodder to go on the offensive and Congress which is now on the defensive is clearly having to justify itself. And secondly it is worth mentioning that many within the Congress are opposed to P Chidambaram and are therefore keen to rake up old issues. This appears to be a bigger embarrassment for the Congress.

Perhaps the biggest pointer to this year’s Budget is that even Rahul Gandhi did not have much to criticise. Digvijay Singh who is generally known for his criticisms, for once was forced to agree with the Budget. Leaders like Anand Sharma and Kapil Sibal weren’t very vocal either. Normally most of these senior Congress leaders never miss out on an opportunity to hit out at the Modi Government. Even within the party, Shatrughan Sinha who considers Jaitley his political opponent and Yashwant Sinha, Shatrughan’s political elder too came out in support of the Budget. If people like Shatrughan Sinha and Yashwant Sinha who usually love taking potshots at Arun Jaitley have supported the Budget, one does not need to elaborate much about the Budget or how it would impact people.

The Rajya Sabha had started a discussion on the action being taken against those who had raised anti India slogans in JNU. The Left and the Congress had wanted a discussion on this issue. But soon things began to take an ugly turn when the discussion got steered towards the politics in Bengal. The Left and the Congress are eager to forge an alliance for the upcoming elections in West Bengal this year. Even Rahul Gandhi went to JNU in an act of solidarity with the Left. Both Anand Sharma and Sitaram Yechury are well aware that any reference to Goddess Durga would have a direct impact in Bengal and that is why Smriti Irani’s remarks resulted in such heated exchanges in the Upper House.

In today’s Rail Budget, Suresh Prabhu has underlined that there will not be any hike in passenger fares or freight charges. However he laid stress on capacity enhancement. Stations would better equipped with wifi and put under surveillance. New rail lines and tracts would be introduced, locomotive factories would be set up, smart railway stations and smart coaches would also be introduced. However all this would require substantial capital. Minister of State for Railways, Manoj Sinha somewhat outlined the mode of financing. He said they would ensure that there is a threefold increase in the advertising revenue and they would develop the infrastructure that would generate more revenue from the freight handled by the Railways. Suresh Prabhu being a Chartered Accountant knows how to maintain a balance sheet. One can hope that he has worked out the arithmetics before making such big announcements.