FIRST INDIA SUNDAY SPECIAL BY TRIDIB RAMAN

The author is a journalist and political commentator and views expressed are his personal

WILL RAHUL CONVERT THIS DISASTER INTO AN OPPORTUNITY?

I n this situation of political upheaval, Rahul Gandhi has lost his membership of Parliament, but it is an equal challenge for both Rahul and the Congress to try to convert this big political disaster into a new opportunity for themselves. As politics is an endless series of ambushes and counterattacks, the opposition has shown speed to seize this opportunity. Be it Mamata, Kejriwal or Akhilesh, their chorus echoes that ‘this big step of the ruling BJP has given the united opposition an excuse to assemble.’ When Mamata went to Odisha to meet Patnaik, all these initiatives were related to giving a new look to the face of the Third Front. Her effort was to keep the Congress out and create a wave of opposition unity. But in the new changed scenario, these op- position leaders also had to come forward in support of Rahul Gandhi. It is said that in their latest talks with these opposition leaders, Rahul and company have also made it clear that ‘in the states where the Congress is in a strong position, it will become the flag bearer of the opposition and in the states where the Congress is part of the coalition govts, it will be the junior leader and is also ready to be a partner.’

Now the Congress wants that ‘in response to the BJP, if only one candidate of the combined opposition is fielded in each seat, then the saffron party can be presented with a formidable challenge. Congress will not have any claim for the rest of the PM’s post as well, after the elections the opposition parties can decide on a name with mutual consent.

THIS IS HOW RAHUL LOST PARLIAMENT MEMBERSHIP AMID DEFAMATION ROW

I f only Congress strategists are to be listened to, they firmly believe that ‘Rahul Gandhi has to pay the price only for raising the Adani episode prominently’. Congress leaders are trying to explain the chronology behind it. They say that Purnesh Modi had filed this case in the local Surat court in April 2019 regarding Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Modi remarks’ in his speech in K’taka in 2019. In Jan 2021, RaGa appeared in the court of CJM AM Dave to record his statement. After this, Purnesh said in the court of CJM Dave that ‘these 3 CDs of his should be played in front of Rahul so that he can hear what he finally said.’ Justice Dave rejected this demand outright. Purnesh then filed a petition in the Gujarat HC demanding that “since there is a lack of evidence, RaGa be asked to personally appear before the court”. A year later, Purnesh again went to HC. By then CJM Dave was transferred. After this, on Feb 16, 2023, the stay was lifted and the new CJM sentenced RaGa.

BJP NOT WORRIED OVER RaGa’s ROW!

T he BJP is not at all worried about the general reactions of the public on the issue of Rahul Gandhi. The BJP leadership believes that ‘there is more than a year left for the general elections and they have a ‘magic man’ like Modi who has the ability to turn public sentiments anytime.’ Anyway, Modi has saved many such issues in his quiver which have the power to turn the game. For example, the opening of the grand Ram temple at the beginning of the new year, the possibilities of finding new temples from the archaeological survey that is going on continuously, the Central Government seems determined to implement the Uniform Civil Code are just a few examples. There is noise of G-20 in the country, which can be a big exercise to establish Modi as a big global leader on the world stage. Moreover, Modi is gradually strengthening the role of his peace ambassador in RussiaUkraine war. Apart from this, the BJP leadership is confident that a fragmented opposition is going to strengthen the BJP the most.

WHY SHARMA JI IS NOT HAPPY?

I n Congress, Anand Sharma, an important member of G-23, is fast becoming a ‘forgotten chapter’. So in order to maintain his relevance, Sharma met Congress

Prez Mallikarjun Kharge recently. If sources are to be believed, Sharma informed Kharge that he had an invitation to the United Press Club of Pakistan. There is a promise, under which he has to go and speak on the issue of ‘freedom of expression’ and many leaders from all over the world are reaching Pakistan for this. Sharma had also prepared a list of 5 other party leaders with whom he wanted to go to Pakistan. If sources are to be believed, Kharge got very angry on this proposal of Anand Sharma and said, “You are not going to represent Congress but India as a country. So please don’t go there.”

So after a good ‘word’ he returned without much ‘impression’ on Kharge.

BJP TO LOOK FOR NEW FACE IN CHHATTISGARH?

I n view of the upcoming elections in Chhattisgarh, the BJP has already started making efforts to unite its scattered family there. The former CM of the state, Raman Singh, has ended the suspense in a way about who will be the CM face from the BJP here. Raman Singh, who is struggling with his health problems, has clarified the situation saying that ‘the upcoming assembly elections of Chhattisgarh will be fought only on the face of Narendra Modi and only after the election the party high command will decide the CM here’. If sources are to be believed, this time the BJP high command is thinking of giving a chance to a new face other than Raman Singh. The first name coming in this race is that of Nand Kumar Sai, the second name is of a bureaucrat of Modi’s choice. At the same time, former BJP minister Brijmohan Agarwal is also presenting his claim with a bang.

HOW CONNECTED IS SHARAD PAWAR?

N

Promoted by FS Township LLP

16TH CONVENTION OF ALL INDIA FED OF STATE CIVIL/ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE ASSN

Administrative officers from 18 states discuss various reforms