My Opinion

There is no denying that BJP left out the local leaders in chalking out their poll strategy in Bihar and those responsible for strategising were not too well versed with the ground realities. They were inept in understanding the caste dynamics in the state. They were unable to study the voting patterns or assess which caste would align with which seat. On the other hand, the Mahagathbandhan of Nitish and Lalu were successful in calculating the complicated caste arithmetic for each and every seat. Initially the BJP was unable to understand the caste demographics in Bihar and by the time it did, it was too late.

The mandate is clear in Bihar. The people have voted for a strong government. The going will not be easy for Narendra Modi. The opposition especially Rahul Gandhi will pose several challenges for him in the Parliament. Not just governance, Narendra Modi will have to brace himself for upcoming elections. The Gujarat local body elections are round the corner followed by assembly polls in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Anti BJP parties will join hands and become a formidable force. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will now have to focus more on Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas or together with all, development for all.

Today is a day when BJP will have to take a backseat and lend its ears. However there are reports that the party could take action against Shatrughan Sinha and RK Singh as Murlidhar Rao has hinted. However if BJP does take action, it would come across as an act of intolerance by the party. Even Shatrughan Sinha is well aware of this. Well wishers however feel the verdict is a wake up call for the BJP. Not just the opposition, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah could face criticism from within the party. However there is a firm possibility that the members of the party will now have to abide by their leadership and change the manner in which they have been functioning so far.

The protesting ex-servicemen who had decided to return their medals, have now something to cheer about. The Defence Minister has announced that the One Rank One Pension scheme would be implemented before Diwali. Due to the Model Code of Conduct in place for the Bihar Polls, the Government had delayed the final notification of OROP. It will finally be a happy Diwali for these veterans.

Perhaps there is no other crime as horrific as rape. Even though sentencing in the Nirbhaya case was announced within three years and in the software engineer rape case in Mumbai within two years, incidents of rape continue unabated. It is necessary to have the strictest law for rape in place – a law that will create fear amongst criminals and act as a deterrent to such a heinous crime.

It is perhaps for the first time that a financial assistance would be announced for those who moved to India from POK after Independence. The government will also outline a rehabilitation package for the Kashmiri Pandits who were displaced 25 years ago. During his visit to Jammu & Kashmir, the Prime Minister is likely to declare several such packages for the State. However the separatists have vowed to oppose the PM’s visit. It seems strange that separatists are bent upon opposing the Centre’s financial package which is ultimately for the benefit of the Kashmiris in the State.

There is no denying that almost every Indian family invests in gold but that gold is of hardly any value to the economy. As part of the new gold monetisation scheme, the government wants to encourage households to bring out their gold lying idle in lockers and safes and convert them into a government deposit scheme. This will not only make the gold secure, it would also help in utilising it more productively which in turn would help in the development of the country.

It is worth taking note of what Actor Anil Kapoor has said regarding ‘Award Wapsi’ or the returning of awards. He finds it strange why people are suddenly returning their awards now when intolerance in the country has existed since his childhood. I personally feel everybody is entitled to one’s own opinion, artists have the right to express themselves, they have the right to support or criticise the government in whichever way they want to as long as they don’t become pawns in the hands of political parties.

Exit Poll projections are based on speculation. The final tally of the Bihar Assembly Polls would be out on the 8th of November. Which party manages to get the mandate will be clear in just two days. Till then one will have to wait and watch for the outcome of one of the most keenly fought elections in the country.

Whether it is Lalu’s comments or BJP’s ad on beef or JDU leaders comparing Amit Shah to Hafiz Saeed – these are but means to polarise the voters. And it does not need any further elaboration with tomorrow being the last phase of the Bihar Assembly Polls and majority of the voters being Muslims. One can only hope that with the end of polling, such controversial statements would finally come to an end.

Anupam Kher has made some valuable observations and I personally feel that Shahrukh has not said anything that makes him anti national. To compare him to Hafiz Sayeed or to tell him to go to Pakistan only corroborates Shahrukh’s views on intolerance. He is a superstar with a huge fan following. He has every right to his opinion. We may not agree with what he says, we may choose to contradict what he says but to compare him to Hafiz Sayeed, or to tell him to go to Pakistan and question his nationality, is simply without any basis. I feel it is best for Shahrukh to ignore such comments and not allow them to affect him.

It is interesting to note while at home Narendra Modi is at the receiving end of his opponents and more of his own party people who with their contentious statements are bringing down the country’s image, abroad he is being recognised for his work. India’s Prime Minister finds his place in this year’s Forbes list of the World’s Most Powerful People. The list also includes Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, David Cameron and Chinese President Xi Jinping. However with the debates on growing intolerance in the country and repeated questions being raised, the Prime Minister once and for all should come out strongly and outline his government’s views on this issue.