Rahul Gandhi has been bested by Akhilesh Yadav. That is some food for thought.
The trend of decimation of so-called national parties by the regional parties is reaching its logical conclusion. Uttarakhand, where Congress and BJP have done some face-saving and Manipur do not have any say in the party or national matters. Less said about Goa is better. 14 governments in 15 years. There only individuals matter not parties. UP and Punjab have decisively voted for regional parties.
Congress and BJP can write their own epitaphs but they will still try to cobble coalitions, with anybody, to keep themselves in business. But in 2014 where are the numbers to come from?
In AP, where Congress kitty is taken for granted, it is unlikely to get a two digit figure. The Congress culture of toadying to the Family and stunting local leadership has effectively sealed its fate. If the likes of Mani Shankar Iyers bank on Priyanka-Rahul-Vadra combine to give them succor, we can only pity them. There is not a single leader in Congress who can honestly and confidently say he can win an election on his own. That will also be blasphemy against the Family.
BJP's fortunes can only take a downward trend watching the way Karnataka is going. The 'Party with Difference' has simply no new takers and some important allies like JD(U) and BJD may abandon it. It is bereft of any ideas nor can it go back to Ram Mandir. It lost Ayodhya seat! It is just stalemate for them. Sushma, who was dazzling some years back, is just a jaded ghost now. It is not age alone. It is the toll taken on her by politics of BJP variety. She was forced to critics CBI and support Jagan and Gali. What a fall!
MMS and Pranab may be good in governance but are poor vote-getters. also they are increasingly seen to defend the indefensible. Honestly they cant stomach the nitty gritty of electoral politics. Nitin Gadhkari may continue to tumble on dais, but just does not project a national aura. Who will then counter regional king-makers like Jayalalitha, Mamta, Mulayam, Jagan, Badal, etc.
Handy allies like Laloo, Paswan, Chandrababu, Soren, Karunanidhi, etc. are all stewing in their own juice. No advantage from them or to them even if they are willing to ally. Communism of all hues has finally been swept out of India too.
Let us wait for 2014 if not even earlier as there is every likelihood of Didi or Maya or MK or Mulayam pulling the rug anytime.
…ponder
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Wither Gas
Even as summer is yet to set in in its full vigor, Kakinada and its surrounding areas and the whole of Andhra Pradesh is reeling under power cuts. This area boasts of several gas-based thermal plants which do not have firm gas supplies committed to them. The massive Anil Ambani owned Power Plant at Samalkot is likely o be commissioned soon. It is reported that they are still negotiating gas supplies and hopeful of gas allocation.
The entire activity of exploration, exploitation and extraction of gas is concentrated in this area, Rajahmundry and Kakinada being principal places. The ill effects of this activity is borne by people here. Farmers lose lands; lands get degraded; frequent fire hazards force villagers to evacuate; Fishermen cannot venture with full liberty. But there is no gas for power plants here. I have not seen a single CNG bus here in Kakinada.
They acquired huge amounts of land for a Refinery to be built by ONGC. Now ONGC has backed out. Another corporate firm has entered the field. Like other projects that have gobbled land, when or whether this refinery come up is a riddle.
The state has imposed severe power cuts on industry. Three days a week power holidays! Industrialists, medium and small enterprueners are reduced to agitations and dharnas instead of minding their business. Remember power cuts were lifted only in December.
How did this come about?
At the time of awarding bids why the State's interests were not protected? Why the power plants were allowed to come up when gas supply could not be guaranteed? What sort of planning is this? Why private players are preferred over our Navaratna ONGC? Where all this gas is going? What is its end use?
They say Briitish looted raw materials and never allowed local industries to flourish. What is this?
…ponder
The entire activity of exploration, exploitation and extraction of gas is concentrated in this area, Rajahmundry and Kakinada being principal places. The ill effects of this activity is borne by people here. Farmers lose lands; lands get degraded; frequent fire hazards force villagers to evacuate; Fishermen cannot venture with full liberty. But there is no gas for power plants here. I have not seen a single CNG bus here in Kakinada.
They acquired huge amounts of land for a Refinery to be built by ONGC. Now ONGC has backed out. Another corporate firm has entered the field. Like other projects that have gobbled land, when or whether this refinery come up is a riddle.
The state has imposed severe power cuts on industry. Three days a week power holidays! Industrialists, medium and small enterprueners are reduced to agitations and dharnas instead of minding their business. Remember power cuts were lifted only in December.
How did this come about?
At the time of awarding bids why the State's interests were not protected? Why the power plants were allowed to come up when gas supply could not be guaranteed? What sort of planning is this? Why private players are preferred over our Navaratna ONGC? Where all this gas is going? What is its end use?
They say Briitish looted raw materials and never allowed local industries to flourish. What is this?
…ponder
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Dwindling vs Swelling
Today's Deccan Chronicle reports on a study which concludes that Britain will not be Christian by 2030 i.e. at a relatively very near future. Christianity is losing more than half a million every year. This loss to Christianity is no gain to other religions as actually the numbers of Atheists and Agnosists are swelling by approximately 7,50,000 every year. No reasons were attributed; atleast in the brief newspaper report.
It is also in news today that the VHP's International President has expressed concern over conversions in Andhra Pradesh especially in six districts where massive conversions from Hinduism is said to be on. He attributed the reason to pumping of money, though social inequalities could also be contributory. How does it matter if one professes this religion or that as long as he is not religious as he is oblivious of universal brotherhood.
The peculiar secularists of India will gloat on both these developments, inconsistent they are. Now juxtaposing the erosion at one place and swelling in another, I wonder what is going on in the minds of Missionaries. If this trend extends further to the other western white nations, on top of their dwindling birth rates, where from will the billions come to save the souls of the dark heathens of Asia and Africa? How long conversions can be sustained if dollars are choked off?
Recently Pope was in news for condemning conceiving through medical assistance. He called it arrogance against God. Now with such sentiments, it is no wonder progressive and thinking people prefer atheism to Christianity in UK and other western nations.
Mao famously called religion, the opium of masses. Lighter vein apart, religions have been tyrannical and now given the threat to their existence, they tend to become paranoid and rigider. This could lead to conflicts than spiritual solace.
…ponder
It is also in news today that the VHP's International President has expressed concern over conversions in Andhra Pradesh especially in six districts where massive conversions from Hinduism is said to be on. He attributed the reason to pumping of money, though social inequalities could also be contributory. How does it matter if one professes this religion or that as long as he is not religious as he is oblivious of universal brotherhood.
The peculiar secularists of India will gloat on both these developments, inconsistent they are. Now juxtaposing the erosion at one place and swelling in another, I wonder what is going on in the minds of Missionaries. If this trend extends further to the other western white nations, on top of their dwindling birth rates, where from will the billions come to save the souls of the dark heathens of Asia and Africa? How long conversions can be sustained if dollars are choked off?
Recently Pope was in news for condemning conceiving through medical assistance. He called it arrogance against God. Now with such sentiments, it is no wonder progressive and thinking people prefer atheism to Christianity in UK and other western nations.
Mao famously called religion, the opium of masses. Lighter vein apart, religions have been tyrannical and now given the threat to their existence, they tend to become paranoid and rigider. This could lead to conflicts than spiritual solace.
…ponder
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Rath Yatra
Our permanent PM-in-Waiting is planning to go on a Rath Yatra again. One discerning Reporter asked him whether he will cover Bellary too. The would-be Yatri parried this jibe as a 'suggestion'.
I have two suggestions to make. He should abdicate this onerous responsibility in favor of more vocal and more glamorous Leader of Opposition. Secondly, the Yatra could be confined to Andhra and Karnataka states, where a 'mine' of issues are available.
Andhra and Karnataka also boast of a 'wealth' of logistics and resources which can be at the disposal of the Yatri, Golden thrones, golden serving dishes, white houses and what not. Traditionally Reddys are large hearted and gracious hosts.
There will be no spoil-sport Chief Ministers here to abort the Yatra. In fact both the CMs will not be able to act as there is no border between these two states having been 'mined' out. They will think that it is the other one's jurisdiction. There will be no law and order problem too as people care little for Yatra here.
The Yatra's theme could be expanded to cover fight against CBI, Lok Pal as envisaged by 'Civil' Society vis-a-vis the enlightened vision of our squeaky clean politicians too. CAG is another irritant of late. It is worth exploring doing away with CAG as JPC and PAC are there doing a good job harmoniously. The Yatra may focus on this aspect too.
With Institutions and 'non-state-players' hogging the limelight, politicians desperately need some 'show'. The focus on 'stars-behind-bars' needs diversion. There will be a rare unanimity now. Grasp the opportunity Mr.PM-in-waiting.
…ponder
I have two suggestions to make. He should abdicate this onerous responsibility in favor of more vocal and more glamorous Leader of Opposition. Secondly, the Yatra could be confined to Andhra and Karnataka states, where a 'mine' of issues are available.
Andhra and Karnataka also boast of a 'wealth' of logistics and resources which can be at the disposal of the Yatri, Golden thrones, golden serving dishes, white houses and what not. Traditionally Reddys are large hearted and gracious hosts.
There will be no spoil-sport Chief Ministers here to abort the Yatra. In fact both the CMs will not be able to act as there is no border between these two states having been 'mined' out. They will think that it is the other one's jurisdiction. There will be no law and order problem too as people care little for Yatra here.
The Yatra's theme could be expanded to cover fight against CBI, Lok Pal as envisaged by 'Civil' Society vis-a-vis the enlightened vision of our squeaky clean politicians too. CAG is another irritant of late. It is worth exploring doing away with CAG as JPC and PAC are there doing a good job harmoniously. The Yatra may focus on this aspect too.
With Institutions and 'non-state-players' hogging the limelight, politicians desperately need some 'show'. The focus on 'stars-behind-bars' needs diversion. There will be a rare unanimity now. Grasp the opportunity Mr.PM-in-waiting.
…ponder
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Silence is not Golden
Chandra Babu Naidu is busy with issues lke Crop Holiday and Anti-Corruption movement of Anna Hazare. It is another matter that hundreds of farmers committed suicide during his regime and his party had opposed the suggestion of making Hazare, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
But it is his deafening silence on other burning issues like Telangana Movement, CBI enquiry against Jagan and deletion of Clause 14(f) of Presidential Order that calls for one's attention.
Poor man is scared of local media. Only a few contrived photo-ops for him to continue in news without actually saying anything significant on burning topics. Also he keeps himself busy with 'discussions' with other unemployed persons from has been-parties like SP, CPM, CPI, LJD, etc. He shies away from touring Telangana region despite the Black Cat protection. This so called CEO says he will not harass government employees in future.
All the leading Andhra politicians have taken a definite stand on the future of AP one way or the other except Naidu. His party says that Congress should reveal its mind first. Congress revealed its mind by Chidambaram's Dec 9 statement.
Recent media polls indicate that TDP stands to get a mere 20% in coastal Andhra if elections are held now. TRS is poised to sweep Telangana area. A third consecutive defeat could wipe out his staying power any more. Two TDP MLAs have also joined Jagan camp till now.
One question begs answer. If the TDP, on its launch by NTR, had also flopped like the PRP, in which party will Naidu be now? Remember Naidu was a junior minister in Congress government and did not join TDP on its inception but after NTR was swept into power, he joined TDP 6 months later.
ponder...
Temples in Distress
East Godavari distict of AP is the eye of the storm. Farmers have declared 'Crop Holiday' as stocks from previous harvest are rotting with them unsold and input costs have spiraled uncontrollably. The alternative for them is going in for next crop with loaned capital which may result in more suicides unable to clear debts.
This phenomenon if it spreads contagiously will seriously jeopardize our food security, result in high rural unemployment and affect the industry due to non-lifting of fertilizer/insecticide stock. One good thing could be Holiday to Degradation of Land.
Another spin-off is its effect on temples. All temples are not Tirupati nor Ananta Padmanabha! Most temples depend on the meagre returns from the endowment lands leased out to tenant farmers and voluntary offerings. If farmers are already distressed how can they make offerings. And if 'Crop Holiday' is practiced how will they make the annual agreed payments?
Gods, Priests and the Staff will have to sweat it out along with the farmer. This could also affect the Tourism, Transport and Hospitality sectors.
…ponder
This phenomenon if it spreads contagiously will seriously jeopardize our food security, result in high rural unemployment and affect the industry due to non-lifting of fertilizer/insecticide stock. One good thing could be Holiday to Degradation of Land.
Another spin-off is its effect on temples. All temples are not Tirupati nor Ananta Padmanabha! Most temples depend on the meagre returns from the endowment lands leased out to tenant farmers and voluntary offerings. If farmers are already distressed how can they make offerings. And if 'Crop Holiday' is practiced how will they make the annual agreed payments?
Gods, Priests and the Staff will have to sweat it out along with the farmer. This could also affect the Tourism, Transport and Hospitality sectors.
…ponder
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Son Rise
A report in recent Hindustan times says that in his recent book India: A Portrait, Patrick French points out that all MPs under the age of 30 are hereditary. More than two thirds of 66 MPs under the age of 40 are hereditary. Of women MPs, 69.5% are hereditary. If the present trend continues, the Indian parliament will soon be made up of only hereditary MPs and India will be back to the era of the princelings and their kingdoms.
How true. This is so all-pervasive that this phenomenon cuts across almost all parties big and small; national and regional.
In Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party, his brother and sons are not only MPs but call the shots. In TRS, we hear and see only father, son, nephew and daughter. DMK is full of sons, nephews, grand nephews, daughters and what not. TDP was a pocket borough of one NTR till he was literally shoed out by his son-in-law. Now we are waiting with bated breath for the sons' rise - Lokesh and Jr.NTR. Ofcourse Congress is the mother of all nepotism starting with Moti Lal Nehru. The new offshoot of Congress in AP is brazenly hereditary, even in its name. BJP & communists are exempt from this may be because they are in the vice-like grip of humorless bachelors.
Initially people thought that this is due to the name tag as average Indian is still rooted in feudal mindset. Also, in case of deaths, sympathy factor rather than effectiveness works. The networking is ready on a platter.
But there are other reasons as well, the chief being money. Nowadays, elections are very costly affairs and the party generally gives ticket to winnable aspirant who can finance his/her contest. Secondly, in case of death of a sitting member, the family members alone have access to the stashed funds.
Today we see the jaded likes of Sathes pumping for Priyanka Vadra. We can understand their desperation. They always climb on others shoulders and cant win a municipal election on their own. There is also the orchestrated 'desires' like that for Lokesh in Chandragiri. Imagine 'Seniors' like Yerrannaidu and Ramakrishnudu keeping mum over the foisting of the 'son'. They have no option.
Why can't we switch over from de-facto to de-jure by legally doing away with elections and institutionalizing Aristocracy. We can then avoid, costly, corrupt, violent elections with the same results.
…Ponder
How true. This is so all-pervasive that this phenomenon cuts across almost all parties big and small; national and regional.
In Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party, his brother and sons are not only MPs but call the shots. In TRS, we hear and see only father, son, nephew and daughter. DMK is full of sons, nephews, grand nephews, daughters and what not. TDP was a pocket borough of one NTR till he was literally shoed out by his son-in-law. Now we are waiting with bated breath for the sons' rise - Lokesh and Jr.NTR. Ofcourse Congress is the mother of all nepotism starting with Moti Lal Nehru. The new offshoot of Congress in AP is brazenly hereditary, even in its name. BJP & communists are exempt from this may be because they are in the vice-like grip of humorless bachelors.
Initially people thought that this is due to the name tag as average Indian is still rooted in feudal mindset. Also, in case of deaths, sympathy factor rather than effectiveness works. The networking is ready on a platter.
But there are other reasons as well, the chief being money. Nowadays, elections are very costly affairs and the party generally gives ticket to winnable aspirant who can finance his/her contest. Secondly, in case of death of a sitting member, the family members alone have access to the stashed funds.
Today we see the jaded likes of Sathes pumping for Priyanka Vadra. We can understand their desperation. They always climb on others shoulders and cant win a municipal election on their own. There is also the orchestrated 'desires' like that for Lokesh in Chandragiri. Imagine 'Seniors' like Yerrannaidu and Ramakrishnudu keeping mum over the foisting of the 'son'. They have no option.
Why can't we switch over from de-facto to de-jure by legally doing away with elections and institutionalizing Aristocracy. We can then avoid, costly, corrupt, violent elections with the same results.
…Ponder
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