Political temperature is in Bihar soaring high, as the Revenue and Land Reforms Department of the Nitish Kumar-led government conducts a land survey, covering 45,000 villages across the state. Former Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav is trying to draw political capital out of the problems being faced by the masses, such as bribe offer to officials. Political consultant Prashant Kishor, too, is calling out corruption of land officials in arranging and verifying documents, including in verifying khatiyan (records of rights). Even NDA ally and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi cautioned Nitish about the growing complaints of corruption against land officials. With Nitish pertinent on his decision, BJP fears backlash from backward communities ahead of the state elections and they are making every effort to calm down the public’s exasperation in the state.
MAYAWATI SUPPORTS ‘ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION’; CONGRESS, CPI(M) OBJECT
Mayawati, the BSP supremo and uncrowned queen of the Dalit community, has backed the Centre’s “one nation, one election” proposal, but said its objective should be in the national and public interest. Mayawati is probably the first opposition leader to support the move after the Union Cabinet accepted the recommendations by a high-level panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The panel, which submitted the report in March ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. However, the Congress and AIMIM have opposed the move, as they believe that it “destroys federalism and compromises democracy”. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said ‘one nation, one election’ is not practical and alleged that the BJP comes up with such things to divert attention from real issues when elections approach.
MULTI-PRONGED CONTEST IN HARYANA ASSEMBLY POLLS: INDIA BLOC HAS EDGE
A multi-cornered contest is expected in the elections for Haryana’s 90-member Assembly, with Aam Aadmi Party, Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Jannayak Janata Party and Indian National Lok Dal all fielding candidates in the fray. Congress seems to be banking on the Jat and Dalit communities to bring in votes. The Jat community, which constitutes about 25 percent of Haryana’s population, and the Dalit community, making up nearly 20 percent, are crucial in this electoral battle. Congress leaders are working to secure support from these groups, recognising their significant influence on the election results. Meanwhile, BJP seems to be banking on support from non-Jat communities, including OBC, Punjabis and Brahmins, in Haryana to return to power for a third term. Earlier this year, the BJP selected Nayab Singh Saini, a prominent OBC leader, to be the Chief Minister in place of Manohar Lal Khattar. This seems to be part of its effort to shore up support within OBC communities in the state, where OBCs make up 35 percent of the population. In a blow, former Minister and BJP Haryana OBC Morcha president Karan Dev Kamboj joined the Congress on September 13, accusing the BJP of treating the backward community as a mere vote bank, but not willing to give rights to them. This might hurt the party’s electoral prospects in the GT Karnal Road belt, considered its stronghold, comprising Kurukshetra, Yamuna Nagar, Karnal, and Panipat districts. Meanwhile, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections marked a decisive turn, with the INDIA bloc, comprising Congress and AAP, successfully consolidating the Jat vote, securing 64 per cent of it, while the BJP’s share dropped to 27 per cent. This shift suggests growing discontent among Jats with the BJP, possibly due to unresolved agrarian issues and perceived neglect of their interests. The INDIA bloc’s success in 2024 highlights its ability to resonate with the community’s concerns, positioning it as a formidable contender in the upcoming Assembly elections.
MAYAWATI QUESTIONS BULLDOZER JUSTICE, CASTE EQUATIONS IN PARTY POSTS
Not a single seat has been won by BSP in the recently held Lok Sabha elections, followed by reports of its core Dalit votes shifting to other parties. Now Mayawati is returning to the basics and trying to reframe the party’s bahujan strategy. Mayawati has raised concerns over the growing trend of using bulldozers for demolition drives, stating that such actions do not symbolize the rule of law. Mayawati has initiated a strategy to stop further loss of the BSP support base. According to party functionaries, besides raising the issue of the Supreme Court’s quota judgment, the BSP has also decided to emphasize on caste equations in party appointments. A change is already being witnessed, as more than half of the responsibilities in some district units in Uttar Pradesh have been reassigned to Dalit and most backward community leaders. But the challenge before the party, therefore, is not only to win back Brahmin, Muslim, and non-Yadav backward class votes, a strategy that propelled it to power in 2007 but to also win back the nearly 21 per cent Dalit vote, 12 per cent of this being Jatav, which is Mayawati’s caste.
CONGRESS FIELDS HOODA LOYALISTS; PROMISES MSP, CASTE CENSUS, JOBS
In Haryana, the Congress is contesting 89 seats — except Bhiwani which it has left for the CPI(M) — and the majority of these have gone to Hooda loyalists or those considered close to him. Besides, the party has re-fielded all 28 sitting MLAs, most of whom owe allegiance to Hooda. While the Congress has made it clear that its MLAs and the high command will pick the chief minister if the party wins the elections, Jat stalwart Hooda is virtually the face of the Congress for the upcoming Assembly polls. In addition, Congress party has also announced seven key guarantees, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for farmers and a commitment to conduct a caste survey, if elected. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted the party’s commitment to these promises, branding the initiative “Saat Vaade, Pakke Irade.” Other guarantees include measures for women’s empowerment, enhanced social security, support for youth, and housing for the poor. Under women’s empowerment, Congress pledged to provide gas cylinders at Rs 500 each and a monthly payment of Rs 2,000 to women aged 18 to 60. To strengthen social security, the party promised a monthly pension of Rs 6,000 for the elderly, disabled, and widows, as well as the reinstatement of the old pension scheme. The party promised to secure the future of the youth saying that it is committed to a “drug-free Haryana”. Further, it also promised two lakh recruitments. (IPA Service)
Time To Fight Myths And Obscurantist Ideas About Treatment Through Medical Education 