Why Rahul, Kejriwal avoided going to Maha Kumbh?
The successful completion of Maha Kumbh has brought the Sanatan Dharma to centre stage for the second time in two years. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi consecrated the idol of Ram Lala at the grand temple in Ayodhya, where celebrities from all spheres were invited. Maha Kumbh marked the assertion of Sanatan faith by more than half a billion Hindus who came to Sangam on their own, as pilgrims. The Ram Lala Pran Pratistha event was ceremonial, but the Maha Kumbh was a grand event for all commoners. Celebrities and VIPs also came to Maha Kumbh, but they were practically lost among the multitudes of devotees. Crores of people came from all corners of India to the Maha Kumbh, which became a platform for expression of deep faith. The coming of more than half a billion Indians to a single event has caused reverberations across the globe. While CM Yogi Adityanath gave a pay hike and bonus to sanitation workers, the Railways have promised to reward those staff who worked untiringly. There was no difference between the rich and poor at Maha Kumbh. Small shopkeepers earned handsomely from devotees, while the rich donated with abandon. There are examples of a tea vendor earning Rs 5000 daily, while those offering ‘Chandan Teeka’ for Rs 10 each, earned upto Rs 65,000. Those selling tooth powder and ‘neem’ sticks, earned upto Rs 40,000, while a YouTuber earned Rs 3 lakh by selling lemon tea to devotees. Some collected huge amounts of coins thrown by devotees in river Ganga. Top corporate Coca Cola recycled plastic bottles and distributed 21,000 life jackets to sanitation workers and boatmen. Mankind Pharma hosted free medical camps, while Eveready gave away nearly 5,000 siren torches and batteries to the local police. Billionaire Gautam Adani provided free meals to nearly one lakh devotees daily. While top corporates and donors packed up soon after the Maha Kumbh was over, small and medium level shopkeepers had tears in their eyes when they started packing up. They were worried about their earnings in the coming months. Experts say, Yogi’s claim about the Maha Kumbh providing Rs 3 lakh crore turnover to the state economy will surely benefit thousands for whom this event was a big source of earnings. Maha Kumbh will surely give a boost to UP’s economy and Prayagraj will emerge as a top tourist destination. And now a look at political fallouts: Both Modi and Yogi will get credit for the successful hosting of Maha Kumbh, while the opposition will be worried. Akhilesh Yadav took a lot of time to gauge the feelings of millions of devotees who were coming to Prayagraj. He initially raised questions and when he found the crowds swelling, he went silently and took a holy dip himself. This was because he wanted to avoid anybody asking him later why he did not visit the Maha Kumbh. In Congress, there were two camps: Leaders like D.K.Shivakumar and Abhishek Manu Singhvi took their holy dip, but the Gandhi siblings were absent. I am surprised why Rahul Gandhi did not come to Maha Kumbh. Heavens would not have fallen if he had come and taken a holy dip in Ganga. If he thinks this was a personal matter, he must be prepared to face the political consequences for his absence. Arvind Kejriwal said on camera that he would go to Maha Kumbh after Delhi elections, but both he and his party lost the elections. This will give a handle to Yogi, who will be going to tell the people that leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Tejashwi Yadav are all “Chunaavi Hindus” (Election time Hindus). These leaders will find it difficult to respond to such a jab.
Why is Mamata’s nephew publicly swearing loyalty to her ?
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had described Maha Kumbh as “Mrityu Kumbh” (Death Cauldron). On Thursday, Mamata Banerjee described BJP’s Hindutva as “fake” and said, BJP guys are actually “Gerua Comrades” (Saffron Leftists). When BJP made an issue about cancellation of holiday on Vishwakarma by Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Mamata Banerjee challenged BJP and asked how many holidays does the Centre give for Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Saraswati Puja? She then alleged that BJP was adding names of people from Haryana, Gujarat, Bihar and Punjab in Bengal electoral lists. Mamata warned that she would not allow such a “formula” to be applied in Bengal, as was done in Haryana, Delhi and Maharashtra. She also alleged that the Election Commission was packed with pro-BJP people, and unless the EC works impartially, it will continue to face allegations. Meanwhile Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee said he was not a “traitor” and he has no differences with his aunt. Abhishek said, he was a disciplined party worker and he would never dream of joining the BJP. “I will rather die but I will not leave Mamata Banerjee. Even if you slit my neck, I shall shout Mamata Zindabad.”, he said. Why did the nephew say such things? Actually, for the last few days, rumours were rife that Abhishek Banerjee is trying to form a separate lobby in Trinamool Congress to grab the leadership. Rumours were floated that Abhishek may join BJP because of his fear about his pending cases. But Abhishek has realized that one cannot challenge Mamata in Bengal and his own existence depends on the goodwill of his aunt. This was the reason why the nephew swore his loyalty publicly for his aunt.
A teacher is suspended for using cuss words against Bihar
Uploading videos on social media can cause problems to those who hurl abuses and insults. Deepali Shah, a female probationary teacher appointed at the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Jehanabad, Bihar, has been suspended. She posted two videos of herself on social media platforms where she used offensive language against Bihar and its people. A resident of Delhi, Deepali Shah crossed all limits of decency. In her videos, she described Bihar as “India’s worst region” and said she was willing to work in Bengal, Goa, Odisha, even Ladakh and in the South, except Bihar. In another video, she was heard saying “Bihar is not a place fit to live and the people here have no civic sense”. Samastipur MP Shambhavi Chaudhary has demanded that the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan must terminate her services. What Deepali Shah said about Bihar and its people is totally unjustified. She submitted an apology in writing to the local police, but since she has posted both objectionable videos on social media, she must tender apology on social media too.
What is Trump offering for a Rs 44 crore Gold Card ?
US President Donald Trump has come up with a new idea. If you have Rs 44 crore, you can get yourself settled in the US. In the Gold Card Visa scheme, those “aliens” interested in doing business in the US should buy a Gold Card for $ 5 million (Rs 44 cr) and settle in the US. Trump has said that his government has set a target of selling one million Gold Cards. He said, America’s doors will be opened to nationals of all countries including Russia, China and India. Details of this scheme will be made public soon. Till now, the US government had been following a policy of giving long-term visa to foreigners who invest $ 1 million (Rs 8-9 cr). Other countries too have come up with similar offers. Turkey grants citizenship if one invests Rs 3.5 crore, and Greece offers citizenship for investment starting from Rs 2.25 crore. But Trump is a “pucca businessman”. He has upped the ante to $ 5 million. Those willing to invest Rs 45-50 crore in the US can dream of getting American citizenship.
Modi’s message to Rahul : Picture Abhi Baaki Hai !
In a no-holds-barred attack on AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and Gandhi-Nehru dynasty, a day before Delhi elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about “jacuzzi in Sheesh Mahal” and “photo-ops with poor in huts”. He was alluding to Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi respectively in his jibes.
Modi said, nowadays it has become a fashion to speak about caste census and some leaders are moving around with a copy of Constitution in their pockets, yet they are ignorant about its real spirit. Alluding to the presence of Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi in Parliament, Modi posed a question, “How many scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes have three members from the same family simultaneously serving as MPs?”
On Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks that “we are fighting the RSS, BJP and the Indian state”, Modi, without naming him, replied: “ “These people who speak the language of urban Naxals, who declare war against the Indian State, can neither understand the Constitution nor about the country’s unity.”
On Sonia Gandhi’s “poor thing” remark about President Droupadi Murmu, Modi said, “After the President’s Address, she is a woman President, daughter from a poor family, if you cannot respect her, it is up to you. But why is she being insulted? What is the reason?”
In his speech, Modi first took up the issue of poverty since Rahul and other opposition leaders had alleged during the debate that his government was working in favour of industrialists. Modi replied in detail, how his government worked to bring 25 crore people above the poverty level, ensured they got food, provided 12 crore toilets, supplied piped drinking water, built more than 4 crore houses and provided electricity connections.
Without naming Rahul Gandhi, Modi said, those who do photo-sessions with the poor inside their huts will not feel the pain of being poor. He said, those who were giving the slogan “Garibi Hatao” for decades, will surely find the President’s speech about eradication of poverty as “boring”.
Modi then took up the issue of corruption and reminded the House how former PM Rajiv Gandhi used to say that out of one rupee sent from the Centre, only 15 paise reached the poor. “There is no more sleight of hand now, and Rs 12 lakh crore has been saved by plugging loopholes” by removing crores of fake names from ration cards.
Without naming Arvind Kejriwal, Modi said, “Some people who came to power have installed jacuzzi and imported showers and built Sheesh Mahal with people’s money.” He was referring to crores of rupees spent on rebuilding and renovating the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence.
Towards the end of his speech, Modi made a meaningful remark. He said, “our third term has only begun. We will continue to work for building a Viksit Bharat”.
To understand the nuances from Modi’s speech, one can divide it into three parts.
One, he targeted Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal. By mentioning the SC, ST MPs, he targeted Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi and exposed Rahul Gandhi’s double standards. He also explained to people about those who find the President’s address as “boring” and those who “speak the language of urban Naxals”. By mentioning jacuzzi showers inside the Sheesh Mahal, he raised questions about Kejriwal’s “neeti and neeyat” (policy and intent).
Modi’s second focus was on poverty. Citing facts and figures, he explained how his government worked for the betterment of the life of poorer sections, saved money that was being siphoned off, and provided houses, toilets, piped water, cheap medicines and cheap education. He also explained how his government saved crores of rupees by saving electricity through promotion of LED bulbs. He explained how his government plugged all loopholes and ensured that every rupee sent from the Centre reached the poor through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
Modi’s third focus was on the youth. He mentioned how the space, defence, semi-conductor, nuclear energy sectors have been opened up to create fresh job opportunities. How gaming and robot technology is being encouraged to create new opportunities. How Startup India has helped youths to stand on their own legs. Modi was, in effect, replying to all questions raised by Rahul Gandhi.
Modi’s final comment must have caused heartburn to Rahul Gandhi. He said, “our third term has only begun. You will have to wait.” Picture Abhi Baaki Hai.
Kissa Kursi Ka : Note For Vote
On Christmas, Aam Aadmi Party shared an AI-generated video on social media showing its convenor Arvind Kejriwal dressed as Santa Claus ‘distributing’ welfare gifts. The caption read: “Delhi’s own Santa delivering gifts year-round”. The video showed a a government school in delhi and the AAP chief gifting a box to a woman with Rs 2,100 written on it. But Kejriwal had to face a bizarre twist. Delhi government’s Department of Women and Child Development and Health Department issued public notices in nespapers cautioning people against the “registration drives” current underway by AAP for two schemes – Mahila Samman promising Rs 2,100 monthly allowances for women, and Sanjeevani scheme promising free health care for senior citizens aged above 60 years. The government notices said, these schemes were “non-existent” and urged residents not to share personal data. The notices clearly said no such schemes have been notified by Delhi government.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal had announced both these schemes and promised to implement them if the party returns to power in 2025 Assembly polls. BJP leaders described this as “economic offence and fraud” and demanded a probe into how personal and financial data from voters are being collected. Arvind Kejriwal, clearly on the backfoot, said there was nothing wrong if people come forward to register their names if they trust AAP to deliver on its poll promises.
Chief Minister Atishi herself have been moving around with Kejriwal in Delhi and getting the forms filled up, and on the other hand, her own government was issuing public notices cautioning people that the schemes were non-existent. Atishi alleged that this was part of “BJP’s conspiracy” and threatened to take action against Delhi government officers who issued these ads.
Congress, the third force in Delhi, waded into this debate and alleged that there was no difference between BJP and Kejriwal, as both the parties “were cheating the people of Delhi”. Congress issued a White Paper on AAP government’s promises and failures. Congress leader Ajay Maken described Arvind Kejriwal as “a big liar who has no ideology and who can do anything to grab power”.
The public notices issued by Delhi government are quite interesting. Delhi government’s bureaucracy works under the Lt. Governor. Since Kejriwal announced both schemes bypassing all, the L-G threw a googly, by inserting ads in newspapers describing the schemes as “non-existent”. On the other hand, Kejriwal is confident that both these schemes would ensuring a repeat win for his party, just like the Laadli Behan Yojana that swept the BJP-ShivSena-NCP government back in power in Maharashtra, and Modi’s Ayushman Yojana that gave benefits to BJP.
Kejriwal had played this card earlier in Gujarat assembly elections. He had promised Rs 2,000 monthly allowance to women, and organized camps for women voters to fill up forms. In the elections, AAP got 14 per cent votes. Similarly, in Delhi, Kejriwal had started “registration” of women and senior voters two days ago. AAP claimed that by Wednesday evening, 22 lakh women registered their names under Mahila Samman Yojana, while two lakh senior citizens registered their names under Sanjeevani Yojana.
Naturally, this caused tension in Delhi BJP camp, and it was evident on Wednesday, when Delhi BJP leader Parvesh Verma started distributing Rs 1,100 cash to each woman voter in his residence. Verma is going to contest against Kejriwal in New Delhi constituency. So, he adopted the ‘Kejriwal formula’ to defeat the AAP chief. At the government bungalow in 20, Windsor Place, there was a big crowd of women who were being given Rs 1,100 in envelopes. They had gone to Verma’s home carrying their voter identity cards.
India TV reporter met several women who came out carrying folders in which Rs 1100 cash was inserted in envelopes. The folders carried photographs of BJP leaders. Chief Minister Atishi demanded that ED or CBI should raid Verma’s residence and arrest him, as she suspected there were crores of rupees worth cash lying in his home. Parvesh Verma clarified that his father former CM Sahib Singh Verma had set up an NGO which helped poor and destitute women and this cash was being distributed for this purpose. He said, this was not black money and every rupee was accountable.
Kejriwal, by evening, issued an appeal to voters not to hesitate in taking cash, but refrain from giving votes to BJP. The AAP chief, who was caught in his own net on the Mahila Samman and Sanjeevani schemes issue because of Delhi govt ads, now got an escape route after it was found that Parvesh Verma was distributing cash to women voters. Both tried to offer inducements to women voters, either in cash or getting names registered. Parvesh Verma’s style was more blatant. Kejriwal is an old player in this game. He did not distribute money, but promised to give if elected. Verma straightaway gave envelopes filled with cash. Most of the politicians secretly distribute cash and other goodies during elections, but in Hindi, there is a proverb: “Chor Wohi Hota Hai, Jo Pakda Jaye” (The thief is the one who gets caught). Parvesh Verma was caught and his defence seems to be weak.
How Kejriwal outsmarted both BJP and Congress by resigning
Nobody knows why Arvind Kejriwal decided to resign as Delhi chief minister and what were his compulsions. If he could run his government from jail, who prevented him from doing the same while living free, out of jail? Let me tell you, Kejriwal is a clever politician and he very well understands the game of perception. He won elections by levelling charges of corruption against top leaders of the country. Now he is himself facing charges of corruption in the liquor scam and this does not suit his style of politics. Kejriwal became chief minister after practically decimating both the Congress and BJP in Delhi elections. He has consistently won assembly elections for his party in Delhi, reduced Congress to a zero and badly marginalized the BJP in the national capital.
Now he will launch a fresh war, and start a new race against both Congress and BJP. Kejriwal knows he cannot run faster in a race while carrying the baggage of liquor scam on his shoulder. For Kejriwal, the most important thing to do is to remove the charges of corruption from his shoulder, and get his shirt spotlessly clean from the stain of being an accused in the liquor scam. And, I think, he has found a way out.
Kejriwal knows the trial in the liquor scam will linger on for long, and it can take years for a verdict to arrive. He will have to be on the defensive if the opposition levels corruption charges against him. This does not suit his style of politics. So, the first step that he took after walking out of jail was to resign as chief minister. By doing this, he has kept himself away from power. His second step will be to win the forthcoming assembly polls in Delhi. And then go to town to claim that he has been given a clean chit by the people. That he does not carry any stain of corruption on his shirt. The second aspect of this game is, making both Congress and BJP leaders confused. If you go by the reactions of both these rival parties, you will find they are questioning: Why Atishi? Why Atishi’s parents had signed a mercy petition for executed terrorist Afzal Guru? Why Atishi’s parents had added the surname ‘Marlena’ to her name? So, the charges are now being levelled at Atishi. Opposition leaders in Delhi are describing her as a temporary chief minister and try to hound her. And the ‘permanent chief minister’ will fight elections. For Kejriwal, the field is open. By the time, Congress and BJP leaders understand his game in Delhi, he would have run far ahead in the race.
Is Kejriwal’s release a worry for Congress?
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came out of Tihar jail on Friday after 177 days. The Supreme Court granted him bail on conditions that he would not attend his office and sign any official file, nor shall he contact witnesses or speak about the liquor policy case in public. Coming out of prison, Kejriwal told cheering AAP supporters, “it is God which gave me strength and my resolve never weakened. Instead, my resolve multiplied 100 times.” The actual battle is going to be fought in the Haryana assembly elections. The court battles are over for the moment, but the case will linger on. Kejriwal’s release from jail will start a new battle on the political front. The fight is about perception, about creating a narrative.
Kejriwal claims that allegations of bribery made against him and his party in the Delhi liquor excise scam are false and the entire case is fake. This is the reason, he says, why he got bail from the highest court. BJP is going to tell the people that getting bail does not mean he has been acquitted and has been given a clean chit. BJP leaders point out to the SC verdict in which it has been said that his arrest by CBI was legally valid. AAP leaders allege, BJP misused ED and CBI to harass Kejriwal, but their plan has been foiled by the apex court. BJP leaders remind of the conditions under which Kejriwal cannot function as a Chief Minister. He cannot go to his office or sign official files.
There is a political twist to this case. While opposition parties expressed happiness over Kejriwal’s release from jail, Congress maintained silence. The reason: Haryana assembly elections, where talks of alliance between Congress and AAP failed over seat distribution. Congress leaders fear that if Kejriwal goes all out to garner votes for AAP in Haryana, its vote base may be hit. The fear is reflected in Congress stalwart Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s speeches, where he is telling Haryana voters that the battle is only between BJP and Congress, and people should not squander their votes by supporting any third party. In his Haryana campaign, Kejriwal is naturally going to take Congress to task, and this can cause problems for the party in the near future too. One must understand that AAP came to power in Delhi and Punjab by dislodging Congress.