By Rahil Nora Chopra
There is a possibility of Bihar Cabinet reshuffle after January 14, when the ongoing Kharmas period, considered inauspicious as per the Hindu calendar, ends. Meanwhile Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has categorically ruled out the possibility of appointing another deputy, other than Tejashwi Yadav, ending speculations that a top leader of his JD(U) was being considered for the job. New faces may, however, be inducted in the council of ministers from the allies RJD and the Congress. Two ministers from the RJD quota –Sudhakar Singh and Kartik Kumar – resigned within a couple of months of the formation of the Grand Alliance government in August last year. Moreover, the Congress, which has been given two berths, is seeking representation commensurate with its numerical strength in the assembly.
KHARGE INVITES SECULAR PARTIES TO SRINAGAR FINALE OF BHARAT JODO YATRA
The invitations by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to the leaders of 21 like-minded secular parties have been sent. The list includes names such as DMK, JD(U), JD(S), TDP, RJD, JMM, SP, BSP, Shiv Sena, NCP, IUML National Conference, PDP, MDMK, HAM, RLSP, RSP, KSM, VCK, Trinamool Congress, CPI, CPI(M), among others. All of the secular parties have been asked to join the concluding function of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar on January 30, emphasizing that their presence would strengthen the Yatra’s aim and message of truth, compassion and non-violence. On the other hand, AIUDF, AIMIM, BJD, YSRCP, AIADMK, TRS and AAP were not invited. In a letter to the presidents of the parties, Kharge said: “At this event, we will commit ourselves to eliminate hatred and violence, with sole aim to spread the message of truth, compassion and non-violence, and to defend the constitutional values of liberty, equality, fraternity and justice for all. During the time of crisis in our country, where public attention is systematically diverted from people’s issues, the yatra has emerged as a powerful voice. I hope you will participate and further strengthen its message.” The Yatra, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, will conclude in Srinagar on January 30, with Rahul Gandhi hoisting the national flag there. The march has so far covered more than 3,300 km passing through Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
TO REVAMP SP, AKHILESH YADAV REFOCUSES ON YADAV VOTE BASE
Samajwadi Party’s national president Akhilesh Yadav is increasingly getting secretive about every political step. It’s difficult to gauge the party’s next move, thanks to Akhilesh keeping his cards close to his chest. After the victory of his wife Dimple Yadav in the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat by-election, and bringing uncle Shivpal Yadav into the larger party fold, he is now gearing up for building political ground afresh from home. For the first time, he is strongly emphasizing on Yadav land seats such as Etawah, Mainpuri, Etah, Firozabad, Auraiya, Farrukhabad, Kannauj, Kanpur Rural and Badaun, directly connecting with the youth of every village and chalking out a strategy for the future. About 8 percent of the voters in Uttar Pradesh are from the Yadav community, which accounts for 20 percent of the total population of the OBC community. After the Mandal Commission, there was an intense mobilization in the Yadav community and in due time, it became the core vote bank of the Samajwadi Party. It was the Yadav votes that propelled the late Mulayam Singh Yadav three times and son Akhilesh Yadav once to power in Uttar Pradesh, being powerful Chief Ministers of India’s most populous state. While SP was in power, the Yadav society gained immense clout not only politically but also economically, socially and educationally. Because of this, the opposition had also been accusing the SP of being a Yadav supporter while in power.
RAHUL’S BHARAT JODO YATRA COVERS MUSLIM-HEAVY AREAS IN HARYANA
Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra concluded the Haryana leg of its nationwide rally bridging all warring factions of the party together ahead of the state’s polls due next year. This included the strategic planning regarding the specified route, ensuring that it covered the Muslim-dominated areas of Nuh and Mewat, as well as the constituencies of Chief Minister Mahohar Lal Khattar (Karnal) and Home Minister Anil Vij (Ambala); arranging night stay for Rahul Gandhi at Anajmandis or villages to spread the message of solidarity with farmers; mobilising crowds; and seeking permission from the state government and district administrations. Several senior leaders including former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja, Deepender Singh Hooda, Randeep Singh Surjewala as well as state chief Uday Bhan also joined and walked the march along Gandhi.
JAIRAM RAMESH SAYS YATRA NOT FOR RAHUL, BUT TO RECONNECT WITH PEOPLE
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s personal stature has increased immensely, gaining remarkable popularity and applause for his historic Bharat Jodo Yatra. This has ruffled BJP feathers. The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath is the lone leader to have stepped forward in favour of Rahul Gandhi’s candidature for the 2024 polls. On the other hand, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has asserted as he had no objection to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi becoming the Opposition’s prime ministerial candidate in 2024, but pointed out that it would be better if the decision was taken by all parties together. Meanwhile, AICC general secretary in-charge communication Jairam Ramesh has commented that the Bharat Jodo Yatra is not a campaign to project Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate, but an initiative to strengthen the ideology and organisation of the Congress party and awaken the nation’s sleeping conscience. Ramesh added that Gandhi has brought to fore three main concerns in the Yatra, namely economic inequality, social polarisation and political authoritarianism. (IPA Service)
