Congress abhores Terrorism!

(Though some people might dispute this, I must admit Congress strongly abhores terrorism.)

Yes, Congress does abhore Terrorism. So much so that, it had to include 'Terrorism' in the agenda of the Cabinet meeting, only after BJP's demands. Else, it doesnt even like to hear the mention of it. However, after the demands and reprimands from BJP, the Cabinet has unanimously passed a resolution that, 'terrorism must be curbed', without any new terrorism laws or special package of budget announced for it. Perhaps, we need to include PC Sarkar in the Cabinet from the next election to do this job for us.

Its closest allies Samata Party goes a step forward in the recent past. They happen to even provide defence for the suspects who were arrested in the Delhi, following the blasts. Mr.Arjun Singh would like to settle the matters 'peacefully'. He offers a sum of Rs.10 lakhs for the inspector who was killed in the encounter while arresting the suspects. (Though, the family of the matyr has declined the offer.)

After any of the recent attacks, we happen to follow one rather 'uninteresting' tirade in the News channels or the statements. They say the economics is playing a role here - unequal distribution of wealth, poverty in minority communities which draw them towards terrorism etc., I think this only means not just lack of understanding of the situation, but also 'falsely' justifying the actions. What we see from surveys from some of the researchers in these lines are quite contradictory to what these channels have been speaking over the past few days. Peter Bergen of John Hopkins University, published his study of some of the Islamist terrorists. According to Bergen, 53% of the terrorists had a university degree, while "only 52% of Americans have been to college." and about more than 70% of them have completed their schooling. The Masterminds behind the blasts in which a few were arrested recently, are well educated, and a few being Software Engineers. I hope these channels will get some more sense and stop this 'gross' economic analysis which leads us nowhere.

Andhra reaches US and Europe!

(The latest statements issued by some of the ministers of the Andhra Pradesh state cabinet, shows how Andhra Pradesh can be compared to US and Europe, perhaps even better than that.)

In the recent times, when the prices of the daily necessities are sky-rocketing (The tomatoes now in AP are 60/- per KG etc.,), the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mr.Kasu Krishna Reddy, one of the close pal of Mr.YSR, has issued a few statements worth of including them in an opera of comedies. He says that the costs in Andhra are still regulated, as we can see that their costs are still 'far' lesser than compared to US and Europe. He also goes a step ahead in asking us to query the same with our collegues in the abroad! Though, I dont think I have to elaborate further on such these statments, does that mean that we have to be content that atleast in this matter, we are competing with the countries like US and European nations?

The irony is that Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy, the nephew of Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, has been an MLA from Narsaraopeta since 1979. His uncle, Mr. Brahmananda Reddy has held key positions like Chief Minister of AP, Home Minister of India and also President of Congress etc.,

More on Assam clashes!

(The riots, arsonry and clashes continue in Assam for a week, in three districts, between the Bodos and Muslim immigrants mainly from Bangladesh. Different theories are floating around about the nature of attacks; let us see some of the recent events combined with facts, which throws some more light on the present issue.)

From the past three days, I have closely followed the news on the attacks in Assam searching for the latest events, statements by political parties and other information sources to understand the present scenario. Today morning when I have typed, "Clashes in Assam 2008" in Google, and 'felt lucky', I was surprisingly led to a page of Turkish times, which covers the event. May be, I am not lucky enough to get the Hindu's or Indian express' articles directly. The Kandhamal violence was 'lucky' to make it to the main page continuously in the Hindu for the past few days, and so is with most of the other news papers. While, violence in Assam isnt probably 'fortunate' enough to make a BIG event. Our media continues to ignore the north east, and for the Cabinet, its just one more ministry, which is generally used as a 'transit'. Mr.Shourie has written an article long ago, on how media sacrifices news from North-east, for more trivial news and gossip.

The present clashes have continued from past one week, has about 50 people killed and many villages burnt; about a lakh people made refugees. The curfew stands in the 3 districts with shoot-at-sight orders issued to the para-military troops and BSF forces. The 180 Refugee camps are been flooded with the people. About 200 houses being burnt over recently, and many such events.

As for the state government, "everything is under control". Health Minister Sarma said the root cause of the trouble was a programme of "ethnic cleansing" implemented by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB),which is a largely Christian outfit and a rebel group fighting for an independent tribal homeland, and claims that it is a 'systematic pogrom'. The chief minister Mr.Tarun Gogoi said, "We are investigating reports of the involvement of the NDFB in the clashes and, if proved, we shall be forced to call off the ceasefire". Probably, his role even ends with a few statements and orders for few committees and investigations; or rather he is bored to see the same over and again. Let us all wonder together on how the situation is 'completely under control' with over 50 deaths and a lakh of refugees. May be Orissa and Karnataka should never even be brought to news compared to this. If they all are ignited by NDFB without any other group's involvement or any other intention, we must also be astonished to see many of this majority tribe being a big chunk of people who bore the brunt; many victims from Bodos. Interestingly, a newspaper from Pakisthan (the news) already begins to portray it as yet another ‘anti-muslim’ attack.

And from the Centre's (Congress (I)'s) point of view, their stance was made very much clear as a crystal by Ms. Sheila Dikshit a few months back. "It has been in our tradition to welcome all those who arrive in our country," Dikshit said. It doesn’t require intelligence to deduce that UPA would only welcome Bangladeshi intruders (I cannot call them refugees as long as they cause the damage), and even provide them citizenship and if possible reservations also in the due course.

The insouciance of the opposition is something noteworthy. Any opposition must realize that it is their responsibility to bring the issue to the public, and also to pressurize the Govt. to act faster and firmly.

What would be intriguing is the involvement of the settlers from the Bangladesh. We have witnessed a constant ethnic cleansing of the minorities there (do I need to mention it is Hindus?). This minority which was about 31% of population in 1947, has dropped to 22% by 1951, and then to 10.5% by 1991 and now by 2001 census it is about 9%. The opinion of some of the ‘secular’ economists, who say that “the politics of Bengal (Bangladesh) is the economy of the Bengal”, I am afraid, doesn’t resonate well with these census. The ‘loss’ in the Hindu population is not redistributed among the other minorities like Christians, since the Christians stand only 1% of the population. I hope our readers would agree with me that I need not be some ‘Hindu fanatic’ to raise voice against such statistics.

The bottom-line is that, if it is an ethnic cleansing by systematic attacks, by NDFB or by the Bangladeshi immigrants, we are in serious trouble.

PS: By ‘we’, I meant India.

Centre blinded on Asom's attacks?

(The recent clashes in Assam between Bodos and Muslims has not been noticed much either by Centre or the opposition. Even media who generally runs 24x7 'warning system' has more or less less 'interested' in covering this.)

The clashes between the Bodos and Muslims in the districts of Udalguri and Darrang district has taken a toll of about 50 people already. About a lakh and half people are in 180 camps in the districts. The violence is wide spread and the law and order have been greatly disturbed. The Congress (I) govt. led by Mr.Tarun Gogoi has been struggling to get the state out of the turmoil from the past 5 days.

YET, No news, no warnings, no letters from Home ministry. Well, we shall not blame them. PErhaps, it works differently in case of Congress ruled states. Mr.Patil might be personally calling to Mr.Gogoi's home to express his 'condolences' and 'wishes'.

Nano drives its way to Gujarat!

(After much discussion about the possibilities, both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Govt.s seem to fail in wooing Tatas to their land. Seems like yet another industry moves to the 'Vibrant Gujarat'.)

Is it another success for Modi? apparently it seems so.. so far! Tatas prefer to move to 'Modi's Gujarat' than the 'dormant' Andhra and the 'communal' Karnataka. Stable state Govt. in Gujarat, its pro-industry initiatives have done the trick, and Mr.Modi has done his work silently.

Ban on belt shops after 4 years of power!

( The deadline given for the state excise department to clear all the belt shops was given as 2nd November 2008, as per the latest orders of CM.)
Mr.Rajasekhara Reddy, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has issued orders to close down all the belt shops within the next 1 month. He has been blind to their existence for the past 4 years, and he just realized it just before the election. May be Congress will take up the personal responsibility of the distribution of liquor in the villages, and even that might go free!
There were over a lakh of belt shops in AP, in over 28000 village panchayats. They might be many shops which illegally exist apart from this. Clearly, the liquor fills the treasury immensely, as compared to any other commodity. No Government would like to miss that income, unless they are really keen in getting the alcohol away from the people.
When asked by Oppositions on why this sudden decision, Mr.Chief minister escapes saying that all these shops were strted in Telugu Desam reign. I really don’t understand how it can be an answer. Congress stops program of ‘Deepam’ and ‘Janmabhoomi’ with immediate effect when they came to power, even though these programs had a good reputation among the people. But, ‘forgets’ to worry about Belt shops as if they don’t have any right to stop it.

(Courtesy: Eenadu dated: 5th Oct, 2008)

The Present Speaker... and the next President in making?

(The nuclear deal has finally got approved today in the Senate of US, on the eve of Gandhi Jayanthi. After so many twists and turns it created in Indian politics, it hardly created any ripples in the other side of the Globe. One of the key event which took place here was the Somnath's 'betrayal' to the Communists. Though confidence motion in the Parliament though didnt sideline this issue much in the news papers, probably we havent keenly draw enough deductions.)

Somnath Chatterjee, studied in Presidency College and Cambridge University, was elected to Lok sabha for 10 times, consecutively, except once when he has lost to Mamata Benerjee. The 80 year old, 14th speaker of India, was in CPI(M) for fourty years, until the recent expulsion from the party, since he was unwilling to follow the party-line.

On July 24th 2008, CPI(M)'s Politburo has stated in its press-release that, " The Politburo of the Communist Party of India-Marxist has unanimously decided to expel Somnath Chatterjee from the membership of the party with immediate effect. This action has been taken under Article XIX, clause 13 of the Party Constitution for seriously compromising the position of the party". Though, Mr.Chatterjee has said that the expulsion is one of the 'saddest' part of his life. But, I am afraid it might not be so, as long as UPA makes a comeback in the General election 2009. Yes, I think he might be a propective candidate for the highest post as per our Constitution.

Mr.Somnath Chatterjee has supported UPA at a crucial juncture. Though, it might seen as a 'yet another rebellion MP', but its implications are deeper. He has opposed the very idea of what Indian communists apparently stood for. He has supported a Nuclear deal of India with Capitalist US under George W.Bush. This might be just an anomalous step for us, but its a 'revolt' for the Communists. The relations with his party has been strained from the past ten years, ever since Mr.Jyothi Basu has left the pro-active politics. His influence in party has come to decline with the Prakash Karat as the Central Politburo secretary and subsequently Buddhadeb as the Chiefminister of WB. Thus, he seems to choose the position of Speaker and opposing to what his political alma-mater has believed it, to his party, where he has been experiencing tumult in the Politburo over the past few years.

Now, here comes some speculation, as my title says. I think there is a good chance of Mr.Chatterjee of being the next President of India, atleast the candidate proposed by Congress (or UPA) for the next Presidential Election. The following are the reasons which have led me to this conclusion:

1. Mr.Somnath Chatterjee has always been a 'pleasant' Speaker for the UPA, and especially Congress. ehas not made fuss out of any issues, which demanded some serious attention.

2. He seemed to voice in resonance with the interests of Congress party. He was against POTA and the stringent anti-terrorist laws. He was supportive in the times of crucial confidence motion and nuclear deal. He sounded pro-Congress on Jharkhand issue, commenting on SC.

3. If he stands for the Presidential election, there is a high probability that CPI(M) supports him, despite of the expulsion, because they would'nt support the candidate by BJP for obvious reasons. The same sentiment which made Shiv sena vote Pratibha and Akali Dal vote Manmohan might repeat.

4. Well, he has all the qualities which Congress needs in a President. Atleast after seeing Pratibha Patil being the Hon.ble President of India, he seems to meet all the requirements as per Congress's highest command.

Ofcourse all this depends on given the condition that present parameters wont get disturbed much.