Sharing power is key to solving many issues BJP is facing today

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies have lost Bihar. This defeat looks like a complete rout, to be precise. Bihar rout follows after Delhi debacle where BJP managers could not fathom what were the indicators that brought misfortune for the party.

BJP, which came to power one and half years ago, seems to have lost the steam midway before climbing the hill.

This ailment has become endemic in a sense, where BJP refuses to treat the disease.

Now, allegations are flying thick and fast that decision makers do not trust the people at the ground and continue to live in a self-made paradise.

After the loss, BJP is looking for scapegoats. Who are the scapegoats? Are they one, who are advocating BJP to become more inclusive?

Or they are one at the helm, who are taking important decisions without accountability.

For every party, amalgamation, Bihar results have given out lessons to learn.

Here are some takeaways from Bihar results, which will be discussed in weeks to come.

1."Pappu" pass ho Gaya. Congress is live and kicking in Bihar. Nobody is talking about Congress. Rahul Gandhi has done a decent job in Bihar, not to forget, Nitish and Lalu literally deserted him during the poll campaign. 

2.Bihar has given the ticket for extension of Yadav dynasty. Lalu remains relevant, Lalu remains powerful, remains a potent force.

3. Bihar polls have given the message that Modi has to keep mum and work. Party has to go back to people.

4. Stop beef politics.

5.Modi has to learn to work with "other people"

6. Nitish has to walk a tightrope. He has to perform a miracle to change Bihar. 

7. Lalu Yadav has to go slow/avoid asserting for at least till 2019.

8.Modi shud help out non-BJP states

9. Modi shud behave like a PM. People have been talking in Bihar that Modi conducted too many rallies.

10.BJP committed a grave mistake by not naming chief ministerial candidate in Bihar. They did not take empower local BJP leaders to take important decisions. Sharing power is key to solving many issues that is confronting BJP today.

MODI AND NITISH SET THE TONE FOR EXCITING BIHAR POLLS

Nitish and Modi shaking hands, these are one of the rare occasions.

New Delhi: When Prime Minister Modi announced 125 lakh crore mega package for Bihar, he ruffled many feathers, attracting immediate criticism from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Kumar said that PM’s “mannerism” did not behove his stature.

Nitish alleged that PM was announcing package as if he were bidding for Bihar. Somebody who claimed to be the servant of the people before elections, how can he be the master.”

Nitish Kumar’s annoyances can be well understood, who could neither reject the package completely nor welcome it.

The stakes are very high for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his political arch-rival Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar ahead of high voltage Bihar elections.

We have already seen the preview of Bihar’s thrilling political melodrama in recent months, which is all set to get murkier by each passing day.

Bihar elections have been interesting and politically significant and capable of setting the narrative of Indian politics.

Forces with and against Modi have positioned themselves to protect their political turfs.

The big question is why electorate of Bihar will give another chance to Nitish, who came to power riding  on anti-Laloo wave. Those, who witnessed heady days of jungle raj in Bihar in early and late 90,s would shudder at the very thought of getting it again.

Since Nitish Kumar is the face of so-called anti-Modi amalgamation, why on earth would people believe that if Laloo becomes powerful, he will not disturb and derail Nitish’s cart?

Electorate sympathises with Nitish for the work he did during his first term, but he second term and the third term as chief ministership embroiled with internal squabbling, one-upmanship.

In Bihar and outside, Nitish has been able to project himself as a Modi’s potent opposition, whether he would be able to translate this into electoral gains for the combine would be interesting to note.

While, on the other hand, BJP has not yet declared its chief ministerial candidate and in likelihood, PM Modi will remain their chief campaigner.

BJP has another Modi in Sushil Modi though he is a no match to Nitish Kumar. Sushil Modi and Nitish have been friends and well aware of each other’s weaknesses.  Sushil Modi has stood his ground quite well in last two years and led his party quite strongly. Though there have been murmurs in BJP’s Bihar unit against Sushil Modi but BJP would reject it saying that this happens in poll-bound states.

Have we forgotten Haryana, where there were four-five strong contenders for the post of chief minister? Manohar Lal Khattar was appointed as chief minister by PM Modi out of nowhere. Khattar and BJP were nowhere in the reckoning in Haryana.

Interestingly, each time Modi goes to Bihar, he raises a lot of heat and dust. His recent remarks about Bihar’s DNA kicked up the huge storm, giving Nitish Kumar enough ammunition to fire the salvo at Modi.

It would appear odd, but this is a fact that BJP has been part of the Nitish-led coalition government which ruled Bihar for close to 8 years. 

Modi chooses to pick up topics of under-development, lack of education and highlight how he always wanted to help Bihar to get rid off “Bimaru” tag. This hurt Nitish the most, who modelled himself as the messiah of development.

Modi’s knack for touching the raw nerve rubbed Nitish the wrong way to the extent that he was forced to raise signature campaign against Modi as how and why he could call Bihar a “Bimaru” state.

Nitish Kumar, who was once projected as messiah of development, could have never digested Modi’s “uncalled for”  remarks, which according to Nitish Kumar damaged Bihar’s image, hurt Bihari prestige (Asmita)

Nitish Kumar has been telling Biharis to believe what he says. During his recent visit to Delhi Nitish forged up a friendship with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who is known Modi baiter.

Political enmity between both the leaders date back to year 2014, when Modi was announced as BJP’s Prime ministerial candidate, while Nitish Kumar at one point of time, nursed the ambition of becoming  NDA’s Prime ministerial candidate.

Nitish Kumar has assiduously crafted the image of “Vikas purush” (a man of development) over the years while Narendra Modi was struggling to get out of Gujarat mess, created after 2002 communal riots. 

Modi belonged to the school of the Sangh family, while Nitish belonged to once-famed Lohia school of thought, who had waged the war against imposition of emergency in 1975 under the tallest socialist leader Jai Prakash Narayan or JP.

Modi and Nitish would be discussed and debated in months to come. Their statements and speeches will be analysed with a pinch of salt. This is the beauty of the democracy.

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.

In Parliament, English is not so cool…

Watching Uma Bharati, Sushma Swaraj, Harshvardhan and Sumitra Mahajan taking oath in Sanskrit might have surprised many. However, it was a great treat to watch when all other regional languages got its due, while MPs took oaths in their mother tongues. In a way, this opportunity was a great equalizer. We could not have imagined this in UPA regime. This is a great departure from the egalitarian tradition of Nehruvian era, where English was supposed to be the language of the elite. Nehru used to take pride, in the way he used to carry himself. Not surprising, Hindi and other regional languages were seen as uncool and not so modern. With Modi as Prime Minister, things will change. He takes pride in conversing in regional languages, which we have seen during Lok Sabha election campaign. Modi is just not good at English and he would do much harm if he talks to world leaders in English. Modi is not a Hindi chauvinist, but his love for Gujarati is also well known. We got the reflection of our linguistic diversity in Parliament today. Hope it further gets boost in months and years to come.

What next, Development or Hindutva?

Modi favours development

The hardcore hindutva is likely to make a comeback if mood of sant samaj is anything to go by. Ram mandir, uniform civil code and article 370 which catapulted NDA to the power in 1990s, are all set to return to the Indian body politik. The could be many ifs and buts within the NDA but BJP is left with no alternatives.

Many in the BJP would not buy this logic that development plank should be done away with, which is, in fact, paying rich dividends irrespective of party lines, ideologies or the state.

The  third time Gujarat chief chief minister, Narendra Modi, who came to power in the early 2000s riding on a popular Hindu wave almost negated the Hindu agenda preached by Sangh Parivar and most prominently by the VHP.

The religious amalgamation of alkali dal and BJP is tried and tested over the years but they came back to power on the promise of development overdose.

Who could be better example than Nitish kumar or vikas purush, as he is popularly named by his friends and foes.

There could be umpteen example, where development became rule of the game. One can slightly tweak with them but one can't change the formula.

Then where BJP stands? On the question of ideology, leadership and likely path it's going to take in months to come.

Off course, there would be immense pressure from the sangh  on the BJP to adapt tried and tested formula of Ram mandir. Easier said than done, it's fraught with the risks of being alienated. NDA has to weave a cohesive coalition and widen it's network. And Role of BJP would be watched keenly by the forces opposed to Them. How their Mahakumbh moments is going to be?