The death of the former Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh on 26th December, 2024 has become a good omen for Indian democracy. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have shown their true colours when they decided to perform the final funeral rites of Dr. Singh at Nigam Bodh Ghat.
He was cremated with state hours on 28th December, 2024. The duo had no decency to allot land for last rites. Mallikarjun Kharge had to write to them and talk to them for allotting a site for the cremation. The duo had not listened and did what they had to do, with an inbuilt hatred for Congress and its leaders. The official media and Doordarshan did not give any coverage either to the news of death nor for the funeral function.
They both washed off their hands by saying that a Trust would be set up to decide upon site for a memorial to Dr. Singh, though they quote the treatment accorded to the former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao or the comments of the daughter of former President of India Pranab Mukherjee. Why should the duo hide behind these instances with regard to Dr. Singh. They should have shown their larger heart rather than disgracing the Congress. India should have remembered them for their kind heartedness but they have shown their narrow thinking and political bankruptcy. Narendra Modi seemed to have been weighed his personality and his dwindling image at the altar of the death but shamed himself.
On the eve of 2024, Nitish Kumar blown the farewell bell to Narendra Modi. Nitish Kumar visited family members of Dr. Singh to condone the death. Politicians do not hesitate to do politics even during mourning. It was stated that he met Congress leaders (may be Priyanka Gandhi and Sulman Khurshid) present in the house at the time of his visit. He stated to have been chalked out his future plan of action. On the move of Nitish Kumar, Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumr and J.P. Nadda refused to entertain him in Delhi. He left Delhi abruptly.
Developments in Bihar
Placing of Arif Mohammad Khan, as Governor of Bihar is a strategic move of Narendra Modi to outsmart Nitish Kumar, who paid a formal visit to meet the Governor. Khan’s unforeseen movements like his accompaniment with Nitish Kumar to his native village, to pay homage to Nitish Kumar’s mother on her death anniversary or his meeting with the family of Lalu Prasad Yadav or the visit of Tejasvi Yadav to meeting him, have raised eye-brows of the observers of the contemporary politics.
Arif Mohammad Khan is not a person to sit silent on the developments in Bihar or the future moves of Nitish Kumar. He was a colleague of both Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar during his formative days of his political career, started with V.P.Singh. He made a significant role to dethrone Rajiv Gandhi along with Ram Dhan and Arun Nehru. He was in hibernation for some time. When Narendra Modi came to lime light, he came to the centre of politics and was appointed as his envoy to regulate the government of Kerala. He was centre of many controversies during his governorship and thus confronted with the Left-front government led by Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala.
He did not succeed to enhance the strength of BJP, which was routed both Congress and the Communists. His mission was ended when he was transferred to Bihar. He is going to play a vital role in managing affairs of Bihar. Khan is known baiter of Congress and a Hindutva ideologue. He considers himself a greater Hindu. His views on veil and Burkha dressing, as shame on Muslims. Hence, he has been the best bet for Narendra Modi.
Parallels can be drawn between Jagdeep Dhankar, Vice President at present. Dhankar was a great tormentor of Mamata Banerjee, when he was the Governor of West Bengal. Like Khan he had also failed to unseat Mamata Banerjee and was therefore, elevated to the post of the Vice President. However, his dictatorial tendencies continued in Rajya Sabha too, where he is the Chairman. He never cared to listen to the submissions of the Opposition and often, insulted Mallikarjuna Kharge, the leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha.
His ways were so disgusting that it resulted in forcing the Opposition parties to move a no confidence motion against him, which might come up for deliberation in the next session. Since then, he has been a changed man and when he had realised that he might not be a candidate for the next President, he started coming out of the shadows of the BJP. He even questioned Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chauhan as to why the demands of farmers had not been met. He seemed to have been mellowed down after the filing of a no confidence motion. He might play a balancing role in future to appease the opposition anticipating their help when question of election of the President of India would come up.
Now, both are competing each other to keep Narendra Modi in good stead to market their personalities for the highest post. More so, Arif Mohammad Khan, candidature would be in test in Bihar politics, where his role would be a political analyst rather than a Governor. He has already started playing his cards. Now he has taken over the post of the Governor of Bihar with effect from 2nd January, 2024.
Good days are here again for India and the I.N.D.I.A. – The Strategy of Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi is on a weak wicket in Parliament where he is standing on the crutches of Chandra Babu Naidu and Nitish Kumar. Modi wants to grab the power of Nitish Kumar and make him ineffective in the politics of Bihar by splitting his party Jana Dal (United) through his proxies Lallan Singh and Sanjay Jha and two Dy. Chief Ministers of Bihar, Samrat Chowdhary and Vijay Sinha.
If Nitish Kumar does not fall in line to be sacrificed on the lines of Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde of Maharashtra, he would face the consequences. It is stated that Nitish Kumar is under pressure on the likely moves of Narendra Modi. Expecting the combing operations from all sides, he is scared of his future and is asserting his strength by looking all sides for survival. Modi does not want to lose Nitish Kumar at this juncture and is offering him with all lucrative offers. When the efforts of Modi are not fruitful and not showing any results, he would use his last weapon, Arif Mohammad Khan to regulate Nitish Kumar.
Arif Mohammad Khan is a shrewd politician; however, his shrewdness would yield results in favour of Narendra Modi is to be tested. At the same time Khan would also likely to fish for himself in the troubled waters of Bihar politics. His future is also in precarious situation. If he succeeds in prevailing upon Nitish Kumar till Bihar elections and dismantle the supremacy of Nitish Kumar and instal a BJP government in Bihar after elections, he would become a darling of Narendra Modi, provided Narendra Modi over comes all the odds, and Arif Mohammad Khan could be considered for the post of President of India, which could be the goal of Arif Mohammad Khan.
If Arif Mohammad Khan, anticipates any untoward happening in Delhi, he might change his sides to promote INDIA alliance to become the harbinger of the opposition, thereby making himself eligible for the post of President of India, in case, the Congress would accept him, which is unlikely. He would be playing his cards close to his hearty, without giving any chance to Narendra Modi, otherwise he would be dumped by Narendra Modi at any time. He does not dare to take this risk as of now.
However, it is understood that Narendra Modi, if he survives in managing a stable government and continues to stick to his post of Prime Minister, even after attaining the age of 75, the question of nomination for the next President of India would come up, he would neither consider Jagdeep Dhankar nor Arif Mohammad Khan for the post, but nominate Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman for the post because Modi is considered to be a man of surprises, and that had been known for his way of politicking all his life.
Backlash after Shah’s remarks on Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister created a flutter when he remarked on the floor of Rajya Sabha on 18th December, 2024 – it has become a fashion now .. uttering Ambedkar ……………, if they recite the name of God, in the same manner, they could be blessed with many years of the abode of Heaven. His remarks infuriated the opposition as an insult to the father of the Indian Constitution and a Dalit leader Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar.
Parliament was interrupted by angry protests leading to a stampede of the Members of the Parliament. Pratap Singh Sarangi, MP from Odisha and Mukesh Rajput, MP from Uttar Pradesh were injured in the scuffle. Mallikarjuna Kharge was also pushed aside, who was forced to sit down. Priyanka Gandhi was also heckled and surrounded by the BJP MPs who blocked the entry of the Parliament. A BJP team led by Anurag Thakur lodged a complaint against Rahul Gandhi for causing injuries to the Members of Parliament. The continued protests resulted in suspension of both the house of Parliament. Wild protests were held all over India and Modi’s own allies decried the utterance of Amit Shah. Mayawati also joined the protests and attacked Shah for his remarks.
Plan of Narendra Modi to split INDIA alliance
Narendra Modi has already applied his mind to split INDIA alliance, whereby he has been terrible toiling to isolate Gandhi family and Mallikarjuna Kharge from the INDIA alliance. Modi has launched his mega plan through his bosom friend Adani. It was stated that the ambassadors of Adani were on job and parleys were being carried out with Mamta Banerjee, Sharad Pawar and Ramgopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party to create a third front in isolation of the Congress.
This move would not only enhance the longevity of Narendar Modi, but would reestablish the business empire of Adani and dismantle the cherishing image of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, a life time desire of Narendra Modi. Amit Shah had been on the job for a long to alienate his nephew Abhishek Banerjee with many cases on him. It was stated that he might try to split Trinamul Congress to send Mamata Banerjee to the Opposition Advisory Council on the lines of the BJP’s Margdarshak Mandal created by Narendra Modi.
Sharad Powar may succumb to pressure but Mamta Banerjee would be in dilemma since the voter base, particularly the Muslims, the Dalits and to some extent OBCs might drift away from her and join Congress and the same trend might happen with Akhilesh Yadav, who would not dare to lose the Congress led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, a Dalit leader.
It is argued that Mamata Banerjee would oppose the re-entry of Nitish Kumar into INDIA alliance. She may get support of Arvind Kejriwal, who is in the midst of the elections in Delhi. There could be some re-alignment of the opposition parties. But the Congress would not mind to go ahead with Nitish Kumar who is waiting for the opportunity to scuttle the moves of Narendra Modi, which has been the goal of the Congress.
Good days are here again for India and the I.N.D.I.A. Narendra Modi is surrounded by ills of his own creation
Mohan Bhagwat and the RSS are in and out to discredit him and have betting on the plank that Narendra Modi would follow the practice of retiring on reaching 75, the precinct of the doctrine stipulated by him. Alternatively, the RSS is waiting to unfold his destiny of the likely political upheavals that might emerge by opposition’s ability to unseat him by a new realignment of opposition forces of gathering majority in Parliament and unseating him, in views of the developments taking place in Bihar.
However, Narendra Modi is not a person to be defeated by the opposition forces and might pre-empt the moves of the Opposition by dissolving the Lok Sabha and go for re-election. If he succeeds it would be a disastrous to BJP which could be routed in the elections. Fearing the catastrophe, a section of the BJP might likely disassociate with Narendra Modi and elect a different leader to lead the polls, which would be detrimental to the Narendra Modi. Off late, Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh have been showing signs of dissent and of course, Yogi Adityanath who had been on the job for a long time.
Narendra Modi takes over the affairs of Bihar
It is stated that Narendra Modi is worried over the happenings in Bihar and the treatment meted out to Nitish Kumar. If situation worsens, Modi would be in danger of losing government. It is understood that Modi was not briefed properly over the management of the affairs of Bihar and the hurdles created by Amit Shah and his team to unseat Nitish Kumar, disregarding the consequences and ripples that would happen in Delhi.
Nitish Kumar is surrounded by his own party functionaries and his deputies like Lallan Singh and Sanjay Jha in Delhi and two Dy. Chief Ministers of Bihar, Samrat Chowdhary and Vijay Sinha in Patna. Tejasvi Yadav has been attacking Nitish Kumar for his captivity and Nitish Kumar’s helplessness in managing the affairs of the government.
Good sense should prevail INDIA alliance – The Conclusion
The INDIA alliance partners should read between the lines, and should avoid the trap to be created by the Modi and his friend Adani. Nitish Kumar should come from his state of dementia and side with INDIA alliance to save himself from shame and prosper with the help INDIA alliance.
Mamta Banerjee should not be bogged down by the trap of Narendra Modi which would endanger her political future, which would be better if she goes with INDIA alliance and not participate in dismantling it.
Akhilesh Yadav is an intelligent leader and would not like to disassociate with Congress, lest he should be delegated to the lowest strata of the political spectrum of the Uttar Pradesh.
Chandra Babu Naidu is an opportunist and may drift to any side any time to get himself benefitted. It is hoped that a good sense should prevail upon the Opposition to stay together if it wants to get deep rooted in the political corridors of India, or else it would be wiped out.