The results in the by polls for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh are geared to be a commentary on the battle of rhetoric between the BJP chief minister Yogi Adityanath (batoge toh katoge or if you stand divided, you will be slaughtered) and the Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav (judenge toh jeetenge or if we stick together we will win). SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav played up the strategy of his Pichhade, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) formula which focuses on unity among backward castes, the Dalits, and minorities. He raised concerns about the disenfranchisement of marginalized groups, saying, “Can one imagine a situation where a person—be it a Muslim, Adivasi, Dalit, or woman—is denied their right to vote?” Yadav attributed this alleged voter suppression to the BJP’s fear of losing all nine by-poll seats. On the other hand, CM Yogi Adityanath was indeed the most involved Chief Minister during the campaign for the by-polls and coined the ‘Batenge toh katenge’ slogan to unite all Hindu sub-castes. The spotlight, however, is on Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha, with the outcome expected to impact the political future of not only Adityanath but also the Samajwadi Party (SP) rising as a force to reckon with once again in Uttar Pradesh. The November 23 results will set the tone for assembly polls in 2027.
OPPOSITION MEMBERS TO PREVENT BJP’S BID TO PASS WAQF BILL IN WINTER SESSION
The Union government is set to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 during the winter session of Parliament. Chairman of the Joint Committee of Parliament scrutinizing the Bill Jagdambika Pal indicated on 21 November that the panel may soon initiate the process of adopting the draft report. However, several opposition members opposed the move and demanded an extension of the tenure of the joint committee on the Bill, contending that they needed more time to study the changes to the draft. According to sources, all Opposition MPs will interact with Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla on November 25, the first day of the winter session of Parliament, to raise their demand for an extension of the deadline. The committee held its 28th meeting on Thursday.
TRINAMOOL CONGRESS GOVT TO MOVE A RESOLUTION OPPOSING CENTRE’S WAQF BILL
Hundreds of protesters, led by organisations such as All India Muslim Personal Law Board, All Bengal Imam Muazzin Association, and Joint Forum for WAQF Protection joined together in Kolkata on November 19 to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Criticising opposition MPs for repeatedly walking out of JPC meetings on the Waqf Amendment Bill, protesters warned secular MPs against further walkouts, saying such actions could lead to permanent removal from Parliament. On the other hand, winter Session of the state Assembly starting from November 25, is going to be crucial as the Mamata Banerjee government is considering tabling a resolution to oppose the Centre’s proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. As a countermeasure, the resolution aims to register the state’s protest and outline measures to safeguard the interests of minorities while maintaining state autonomy over Waqf matters. The TMC strongly opposed the central legislation, presuming it as an encroachment on state rights and a move to marginalise minority communities. While BJP has criticised the state government’s move, calling it political posturing. On the other hand, CPI(M) and Congress opposing the Centre’s Bill, have questioned the TMC’s intentions.
MADHYA PRADESH CONGRESS COMMITTEE HELD MARATON SESSION AMIDST FACTIONAL BATTLES
A meeting of the State Congress Committee was conducted in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday under the chairmanship of Jitu Patwari. In this meeting, along with various important officials of the State Congress, the party’s Political Affairs Committee, State Executive, permanent invitees and special invitees were also present. The meeting took place in two separate sessions in which long and detailed discussions were held to empower the organizational structure of the party. After assuming the role of PCC chief, Jitu Patwari unveiled his team recently, reconstituting the Political Affairs Committee and appointing 17 vice presidents, 71 general secretaries, and 16 executive committee members. The move had triggered discontent among many party leaders, some of whom resigned from their posts. Protests erupted outside the state Congress office, including by leaders from Betul district who were upset over the exclusion of senior leaders from the executive committee. However, it was missing senior leaders like former chief ministers Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh, leader of opposition Umang Singhar, and other members such as Ajay Singh, Arun Yadav. The duration of the tenure of the presidents of the Block Congress Committee and District Congress Committees was also discussed in the meeting, and the filling of vacancies of PCC (State Congress Committee) and AICC (All India Congress Committee) delegates was also considered. These decisions will ease the functioning of the state Congress organisation and ensure a well-organised functioning within the party. (IPA Service)
Political Posturings In Delhi Turns Interesting, Turncoat Takes Centrestage 