My Opinion

One thing is crystal clear that Lalu Prasad Yadav is a worried man after PM Modi’s speech in Bihar. Modi had already set Bihar’s election agenda with his master stroke in the state. Now everyone including Nitish Kumar, Lalu Yadav and Rahul Gandhi is saying that Modi has done a re-packaging. But BJP is laying emphasis on only one number that is Rs 1.25 crore. The party will ensure that people of Bihar do not forget this magic figure.

Arvind Kejriwal won Delhi assembly elections following his campaign against corruption. Now, he will campaign for Nitish Kumar in the upcoming Bihar elections. Nitish’s poll alliance is with corruption tainted Lalu Yadav in Bihar. He is a convict. That is why he is not contesting elections this time. It would be interesting to see how Kejriwal will campaign for this alliance? Will he ask people to vote only on 100 seats for Nitish Kumar, and avoid Lalu’s candidates or will ask people to vote on all the seats for the alliance.

Government will be answerable if they still continue NSA level talks with PakistanPakistan has once again invited Hurriyat leaders just before the NSA level meet with India, as it did last year, following which India had refused to talk with the neighbouring nation. If government does not stand with their decision taken last year and go ahead with the talks, they will be answerable to the country? What could have changed in a year’s time that even after Pakistan decided to host and serve dinner to hurriyat leaders, the talks are still on schedule?

Many schools in Jammu and Kashmir do not have the tradition of singing National Anthem. After 15th August this year, children were asked to sing “Jana Gana Mana” but the teachers asked students not to do so. This is a serious concern. If terrorist threats are behind the decision of school teachers then this is going to be a serious challenge for Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Kanwal Sibbal says that Pakistan’s approach is negative towards the talks. It seems that Narendra Modi is in trouble for trusting Nawaz Sharif. Sharif, during Ufa meet, insisted that talks should continue between the two nations, and promised that they will neither invite Hurriyat nor bring the Kashmir issue during the discussion. Only terrorism will be discussed. But Pakistan inviting separatists, just before the talks, once again established their double standards towards the talks. Seems Sharif want to give a message back home that they only want to discuss Kashmir issue with India. Either Pakistan is not willing to have talks or Nawaz Sharif do not have control over his men. People of India, however, will surely demand an answer from Narendra Modi.

Mulayam Singh Yadav usually raises questions publicly on the hooliganism of politicians in Uttar Pradesh. He rebukes the political leaders, questions the CM, and for all this he is equally applauded. However, whenever there is a mention of any untoward occurrence in Uttar Pradesh or when his government is accused for some mishappening, the politician says something controversial, which is least expected from him. He is a senior and a reputed leader; he should be careful while speaking on sensitive issues like rape.

Rahul did not say anything new in Amethi but he repeated one thing so many times that the effect of the same could be seen on Narendra Modi. If you remember, while giving speech at Red Fort, Narendra Modi mentioned poor and needy people several times. He also talked about labourers and farmers. Even in his speech in Dubai, poor people and labourers remained his focus, so the credit of this change of tone goes to Rahul Gandhi.

One Rank, One Pension will be implemented, this is confirmed. Now, the government has two options – One, that it may take the pension of 2011 as base to implement OROP. This means the pension that an officer who retired in the year 2011 received, will be given to all the officers of that rank. The government has to shell out additional Rs 4000 crore for the same.
Second option is that the pension given in 2013 may be taken as the base. If the government chooses this option then it will be burdened with Rs 8000 crore. We should hope that the government will fulfil its promise, and as said it will take a decision within 10 days. During the given time frame the government should make the announcement otherwise the retired officers will intensify their agitation. We hope that within this time frame there will be some solution to OROP demand.

Such suggestions are seen several times on the social networking sites. However, this one suggestion seems to be liked by the court and an order was passed for the officials, which do not seem to be practical at all.

The dates for Assembly elections in Bihar will be announced during the first week of September. Before Diwali, results will be out. Whatever is happening in Bihar these days is only a strategy to influence voters in the coming Assembly elections. Lalu and Nitish made a strategy that they will demand a special package from Modi. If Modi denied, he’ll be accused of being against Bihar. Today Modi played his card and he did that smartly. Now, Lalu and Nitish assert that it is not packaging but re-packaging. Even if the duo continue to say that these development plans were already being implemented, BJP will remind them that they have given a package of Rs 1.25 crores. Voters will also understand this easily. In other words, Modi has won the first round.

The President in his address to the nation today said that there are around 130 crore people in our country who follow 7 different religions, there are 122 languages, 1600 dialects and this diversity is our strength. There is one thing in common amongst this diversity i.e. our tri colour flag. Everyone should respect our national flag. Independence Day is a national festival. Everyone should get together and celebrate. And on behalf IndiaTV and all my colleagues, I would like to wish you all a very Happy Independence Day.

Both Asaduddin Owaisi and Digvijaya Singh oppose PM Modi. Digvijaya Singh’s words don’t get a mention because there is not depth in his words, it is always out of context. Whereas Owaisi critisizes that too with context. And also supports the opposition whenever it is right.