Great worry for Congress and BJP, if AAP wins Punjab!

It could, perhaps, be the last chance for the Congress party in Punjab. After two consecutive losses in 2007 and 2012 assembly polls; Congress has some hope intact.
Punjab Congress survived despite all negative outcomes resulting in complete rout of UPA-2, no doubt morale of Congress cadre was also impacted. 

Capt Amarinder Singh had to make way for Partap Singh Bajwa. Bajwa did all he could to revive the party but he lost the number game and political war even before he could take off.
2017 elections has it all for Congress, as anti-incumbency wave was at the peak after 10 years Akali-BJP rule, Aam Adami party's internecine fight was another great reason for congress to cheer! 
Congress's decision to announce Capt Amarinder Singh's name as chief ministerial candidate would have had balming effect on the electorate.
But lets presume what would happen if congress loses the battle to AAP?
We all know that Punjab is not Delhi and Amarinder Singh is not Shiela Dikshit.
Punjab is a proper state with its long political, social and religious history, with diverse caste and economical variations.
AAP emergence would certainly damage the Congress most in punjab like it did in the national capital.
Punjab Congress would lose the plot completely, if they don't muster enough seats.
The urban Delhi which used to be the stronghold of Congress shifted towards AAP.
Did AICC realise that how swiftly Congress was decomated?
Did Congress analyse that why did it happen it in first place?
Did Congress realise that why its losing its footprints in cowbelt so badly?
Punjab would be a classice case for AAP even if they make headway in Punjab.
Great worry lies for Punjab BJP too, which failed to identify its electorate. Even if AAP fails to make government, its here to stay.
Shiromani Akali Dal has the all reason to survive even if they lose power badly. SAD is a cadre-based party; it has go wherewithal to fight back.
Perhaps, there would be lot of churning within the party, some leaders would be shown the doors. There could be unsavoury developments within the party.
On other hand, BJP has been been in the state of soup in Punjab and its likely to face the voter's wrath the most.  And it doesn't have power to absorb the shock.First, BJP lacks charismatic leadership to keep its flock together.
Secondly, BJP has to nobody to blame for its impending fate then themselves alone.
What AAP needs is a foothold, Punjab provides the right reason for Arvind Kejriwal to smile.
Lets wait and see who has the last laugh, Capt Amarinder or Arvind Kejriwal.

Why AK is a potential dictator?

The devout supporters of Arvind Kejriwal, the aloof voters of Delhi and the critics of the Delhi CM would agree on one count; that Kejri has all the signs of becoming a full-fledged despot.

His transformation from a humble “aam aadmi” to what he has become today, has been rather swift.

Those who expected AK to deliver on his promises are witness to non-stop drama on the issue of appointment of principal secretary and additional chief secretary.

The turf war with LG Jung has become AK’s “meri jung.” Now AK is ready to unleash another round of street fight.

The confrontation over appointments is just the symptom of what is in store for Delhi.

Why media was a friend, media is a foe?

Wasn’t it shocking to see AK favouring to put tight leash on media? What went wrong? Is it because the same devout media, who found a messiah in Arvind Kejriwal, started questioning him?

Media use to massage his ego and make him a great political reformer. Kejriwal, who was keen on bringing swaraj, keen on bringing change in the system, why did he see an enemy in the media?

A large section of biased media writes to please political masters. 

When Kejriwal decided to gag media, it was sure that Kejri would find nobody backing him. His bluff was called by Supreme Court. Kejriwal was exposed.

But still a large section of media was still silent on Kejriwal's talibani circular, who will keep on propping Kejri in order to contain PM Narendra Modi on Delhi’s political turf.

Once an "Anna bhakt", Kejriwal used him, and threw him back to Ralegaon Sidhi, once his political goal was met.

He gained political legitimacy by aligning with legal luminaries like Shanti Bhushan, and Prashant Bhushan, who had exposed misdeeds of UPA regime. Bhushans had in past taken on Gandhis, exposed many scams, ensured arrests of many.

In Delhi circle, Bhushans were revered and feared equally. Kejriwal ditched them and managed to give them lessons of their lives.

For all those in the know, Kejriwal learnt his political lessons from Yogendra Yadav.

For years, Yadav’s political surveys/calculations were taken seriously, YY failed to realise how quickly their positions were made so untenable.

What happened to both Bhushans and Yadav? They were systematically discredited, pushed to the corner and made irrelevant. Kejriwal used his political might to silence his political adversaries. Those who questioned him were thrown out of the party.

Should Modi lose because he is winning

In the profession of journalism, we encounter lot of people, with diverse ideologies, opinions, who expresses their strongest views about governance, PM Narendra Modi, corruption, black money, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Rahul Gandhi and on everything.

In the run up to the #Delhi polls#, we face severest critics, who have reserved their choicest advices about Modi government, and why it has ‘failed’ Indian voters.

Now when we are in the mid of Delhi poll campaign, a “fresh apprehension layered in caution” has surfaced. I will try to summarise it for record, some of them are;

1. Modi has been winning, his juggernaut should be stopped. (मोदी पर लगाम लगनी चाहिए)

2. BJP must lose Delhi, otherwise Modi will become dictator.(दिल्ली जीत गया तो बहुत ख़राब होगा)

3. Why Modi is using ministers in poll campaigns, why is Modi campaigning in Delhi?

4. Modi is over ambitious, he should be reined in. (किसी को कुछ नहीं समझता है)

5. If BJP comes to power social fabric and multi-ethnicity is in danger.( दिल्ली जीत गया तो देश की एकता को खतरा होगा.)

6. Modi is danger to smaller parties.(छोटी पार्टियों को खा जायेगा मोदी)

7. There is no Modi wave, it has waned. He is such a waste.( अब मोदी वेभ नहीं रहा)

8. Whatever kejriwal says is true (na khaata na bahi jo kejriwal kahe wahi sahi)

9. Kiran Bedi, herself, is a dictator, is a failure.(कम बड़ी डिक्टेटर नहीं है किरण)

10. Rahul Gandhi is a gone case now. Congress will win less than 5 seats in Delhi.(राहुल का अब कुछ नहीं हो सकता, इसलिए कांग्रेस को ५ सीट)

Obama came to help Modi win Delhi polls?

Funnier is when US president, Barack Obama, arrived India to attend Republic day celebrations, lot of people started saying that Modi has invited him to win Delhi polls.

As far as I know Obama’s visit must have been planned and cleared much in advance. At least, much before Delhi poll was announced.

 And how, Obama will impact Delhi polls? Is it only because Modi was shown with Obama in various meeting, forums side by side?

Modi was seen with CEOs advocating investment for India. Modi was seen making tea for Obama? It was poll gimmick! Or Obama should have been allowed to make tea for Modi.

Was Modi trying to Lobby for Pakistan?  If these are the allegations, apprehensions, I find them shocking and childish.

Merely one week to go for polls, let the people decide, which party is better to rule Delhi. More than one dozen surveys have already come, fate of the parties are being decided in our Air conditioned studious.  TV channels are declaring results in dime and dozens.

Journalists, media houses, who have been getting unbridled favors during UPA regimes, will not change their perceptions.

On two occasions, Kiran Bedi was shown, not very courteous to journalists.

Admittedly, Kiran Bedi is not as suave, camera friendly and sweet talker as Kejriwal.

So was Narendra Modi couple of months back. It’s altogether another story, which I will talk about later.

   

K..K..KIRAN IS HERE

KIRAN BEDI JOINS BJP

Delhi poll battle seems to be heading for an interesting finish. I had predicted in previous write-ups that only Kiran Bedi can take on Kejriwal on equal terms. Finally, here she is in the Capital war.

An IPS officer of imminence, Kiran is a no-nonsense officer. She is a thorough professional, go getter and strictly disciplinarian. Her only minus point is she is too assertive and she doesn’t understand nuances of party politics. Her introductory speech at the Delhi party headquarters was proof enough to suggest that she stood for systematic change, no matter what happens.

When BJP is taking on crusader like Arvind Kejriwal, who is not a traditional politician by training, battle strategy would have to be different.

BJP needed somebody, who had an impeccable career record, who would go out of the way to get things done. Kiran Bedi was the right choice.

Is Kiran a rank outsider?

Questions are being raised that Kiran doesn’t have support of different groups. But if you see, BJP workers have no qualms in accepting a rank outsider, who can take BJP to the wars with the promise that she would wage a war and win it.

 BJP was no getting any headway in the absence of a formidable challenger. Their internal poll surveys were falling short of expectations.

For BJP workers, party is supreme, it is not important what Vijay Goel says, what Dr Harshvardhan Says and how Jagdish Mukhi feels after Kiran Bedi’s induction in the saffron brigade. BJP workers needed a face.

As Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah have trust in Kiran Bedi, opposition from within Delhi BJP leaders won’t matter anymore, murmurs won’t last long.

Is she an opportunist?

After Narendra Modi became PM, Kiran Bedi offered herself to be part of the political system, though she was averse to the idea of joining BJP and running for the post of Delhi CM.

Now it appears that her aversion for politics was only symbolic and momentary as she was waiting for right moment to strike.

She had refused to contest against Kejriwal in last elections.  In no way, it was not sudden change of heart?  Move was premeditated.

She was once part of India Against Corruption (IAC) and after its split she was the one who opposed Kejriwal for setting up a political party.

Is she an opportunist? Who uses whom? Those who know her admit that it is highly unlikely that Kiran Bedi will change beyond a limit. It is not possible that BJP will use and throw her.

Who brought Kiran to BJP?

Lot of fuss is made about who brought her to BJP? Who projected her as CM candidate of the party? RSS is also reported to be peeved at the thought that what was the need to project her as CM so early?

We all know, Kiran Bedi was in touch with PM Modi and Amit Shah. Arun Jaitley was trying to convince her, report is that some Delhi based Akali leader was also pursuing her to join BJP.

Now RSS is also trying to water down the issue saying that Kiran Bedi is a leader of impeccable credential. Sangh is also left with no choice to back her.

 Kiran is brave, Kiran is formidable and Kiran likes to lead from the front.  What is more important is Delhi knows Kiran Bedi more than Kiran Knows Delhi.

ITS MODI-VS-KEJRIWAL ONCE AGAIN

It's clear. It's Modi vs Kejriwal once again. The big ticket political tamasha is back in national capital. With the election commission declaring poll date on 7th, battle is all set to intensify.
Those who are keen political watcher, will not be disappointed, in the high adrenaline drama.
Like last election;Arvind Kejriwal will be the principle challenger to Modi. He will be the catalyst. He will be the one, who will try to unsettle Modi. Make no mistake, Arvind Kejriwal remains favourite of a huge section of people. Kejriwal is trying to make another cameo, another comeback, if he succeeds he will remain big obstacle for Modi in years to come.
Last time Kejriwal frittered away half baked mandate in a haste. Lacking in experience, Kejriwal has already apologised to the voters of Delhi. Will people of Delhi, forget the 49 days anarchy, and vote him back to power? It's unlikely, yes it's unlikely.
Kejriwal's thunder has been stolen by the BJP in many ways. Modi has shown no sympathy for corrupt. BJP has addressed many issues like anti-Sikh riot of 84, doled out Rs 5 lakh compensation for the Sikh families.
Kejriwal is going to contest election sans any evocative issue attached to it.
For BJP, Modi is the face of election campaign. Jagdish Mukhi will not be CM candidate as projected Kejriwal. In fact, BJP will have no CM candidate. Modi will lead the campaign and he will decide the CM candidate, if BJP gets majority.
After Lok sabha wins, Mosi ensured victory in Jharkhand and Haryana. In j&K elections, BJP ensured it's historic performance, though still could not make a mission 44 a reality.
Modi is not relying on pollsters, instead Modi will hold rally inneach and every parliamentary constituency. Modi will not give a chance to Kejriwal.
Now look at the congress, which is literally in a survival mode. Like a dead mobile battery, congress needs a quick recharge.
With a jay Maken agreeing to contest Delhi polls, national capital will see a rejuvenated congress. Yes, congress is battling for survival. Yes, shiela Dikshit is making life uneasy for other congressmen, congress will go to battle and fightback. Congress has lost it's base among Dalits,Muslims backward caste. But with bett showing by congress, AAP will have a difficult time.

What is Modi minus his roar?

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suddenly slipped into silent mode. Once hailed as second Obama during poll campaign, Modi appears frail today. When nation wants him to speak on crucial issues like conversion, he chooses not to respond. Man who defeated all opposition, within his party and outside, singlehandedly, is appearing fragile. Modi has the will to change the way; we have been practising traditional politics. But, when we see a Modi, who gets into silent, non responsive mode, it worries everybody, those who voted for him or those who didn't.

This feeling deepens further when forces close to sangh family,  resent and threaten to take country on the path, they feel is right.

There is a class of people, who have started questioning themselves, if voting for Modi was right or a wrong decision.

Opposition wants him to come to Rajya Sabha for once, reiterates his conviction to protect Indian constitution, all over again. Government doesn’t pay heed to the demand.

Over the past few weeks, chorus to bring Modi to Rajya Sabha only grew strong and stronger.

Opposition knows Modi’s weaknesses.  Modi can't do away with RSS, his alma mater.

Modi can't question Mohan Bhagwat. Modi can't disagree with him on certain core issues, which RSS espouses since its foundation. Modi can't turn the table upside down. He has got his limitations.

But here is a school of thought, who feels Modi and only Modi can reign in RSS and VHP.  Modi has the gumption to take on VHP, Bajrang Dal and others. He has done it before in Gujarat, why can't he do it here at national scale?

Modi is the best bet against RSS but at the national level, problems are plenty, forces are many. Dealing with them is lot more difficult.

Will Modi respond with "out of box solution"?  It's only assumption at this juncture.

People know Modi can deal with outsiders, but when it comes to dealing with his own family, Modi can’t do much.

Modi has suddenly started looking to me an aged politician minus his roar. Shoulder slightly stooped when nation’s expectation has been growing with each passing day.