By Nitya Chakraborty

The political developments in Bangladesh including violence against any one opposing the fundamentalists are having dangerous consequences for India involving the security and geopolitical stability in the sub continent. According to this writer who has been following the churnings in the newly liberated nation since 1971, the outlook for India in terms of its relationship with its neighbour has never been so grimmer. India has been put in a situation now when the centre can watch the evolving developments in Bangladesh as an outsider with hardly any effective tools to influence the situation.

Why the developments in the last three days have more dangerous implications for India than any time during the last 53 years?. First India has no friend now in Bangladesh politics with whom they can have relations. The Awami League leaders are in jail or hiding. The grass roots workers are organizing sudden meetings, but then disappearing fearing backlash. A virulent anti-India section of the NCP is the main instigator of violence against Awami League, the Indian consulates and even the democratic minded BNP leaders.

Soon after Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of July 2024 movement’s death reached Dhaka from Singapore early this week, the worst type of propaganda against Awami League leaders, Indian government agencies, as also anyone who talked of restoring calm were attacked in the Facebook. pages of the NCP and Jamaat. The activists threatened many BNP nominees not to submit papers to the Election officials. A reign of terror is prevailing while the nomination process is going on. One BNP leader’s family house was burnt and his youngest daughter was killed and three others sustained burn injuries.

The problem is that the law and order machinery is under threat from both NCP and Jamaat activists. This has led to a dangerous situation during the nomination process. The entire process will be over by January 21 and from January 22, the notified candidates will be starting their campaign for the polling to be held on February 12. The nomination process can never be normal unless the interim government administration headed by Dr. Muhammad Yunus conducts impartially by restoring law and order and ensuring that those taking law in their hands, will not be spared.

The entire Dhaka media knows that this is not happening. Dr. Yunus also is playing a game and he is backing his favourite NCP contestants as also those in Jamaat who are close to him. For his own reasons, Dr. Yunus is maintaining a political distance from the BNP, though the BNP is expected to emerge as the single largest party as per the opinion polls. BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is critically ill in Dhaka. Her son Tarique Rahman is expected to arrive in Dhaka on December 25 and it is likely that he will stay back till the elections are over and give leadership to the BNP campaign in the absence of his mother.

Apart from virulent anti-India campaign and doing everything to destroy the legacy of the 1971 liberation struggle, the fundamentalist demonstrators are now targeting the cultural organisations and the artistes who are known for their faith in democracy and secular ideals. In 1971, just before the surrender of the Pakistan army on December 16, the rajakars carried out the killings of a large number of intellectuals of then East Bengal. This time, the killings have not taken place, but the fringe elements attacked and burnt the offices and full complex of two leading cultural groups of Dhaka Chayanaut and Udichi who have been active in the cultural arena of Bangladesh since its beginning. These two groups consist of the icons of the cultural world of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi took to the streets of the Dhaka on Saturday morning staging a protest march and rally to condemn the arson attack on its central office—an assault that, the organisation says, has wiped out 55 years of cultural archives and struck at the heart of the country’s progressive movement.

The procession began at 11:00 am from Paltan intersection and moved steadily toward Satyen Sen Chattar, in front of Udichi’s central office opposite the National Press Club. Artists, cultural workers, journalists, and supporters joined the march, holding placards and chanting slogans that linked the attack on Udichi to a broader threat against freedom of expression.

Slogans such as “Udichi Te Hamla Keno, Jobab Chai,” “Muktijuddher Chetona Hariye Jete Dibo Na,” and “Baul-er Upor Hamla Rukhte Hobe” echoed through the streets, framing the arson not as an isolated crime but as part of a sustained assault on the ideals of 1971 and the spirit of cultural resistance. Amit Ranjan Dey, general secretary of Udichi said that there are not random acts. These represent a deliberate threat to freedom of expression and democratic rights.

On Thursday, the fundamentalists burnt the offices of media group publishing Daily Star and Pratham Alo, the most popular Bengali daily in Bangladesh. The offices were burning for three hours and despite repeated calls, the police and fire brigade came only after after the hooligans left. The media people said that the extremists gave threats to the media group but still the administration did not take action. A recent Swedish think tank study has said that in Bangladesh, 80 per cent of the journalists feel threat to their security under the present Yunus regime.

So what can India do at this moment? The election process has begun. In a recent interview, Sheikh Hasina’s son Joy Wajed has said that the February 12 elections are illegal without the participation of Awami League. At this stage, India may not be able to do anything on that. But what certainly, India can do is to impress on the western governments, especially the USA to ensure that the elections are held in a transparent manner and the parties get a level playing field. The western nations are monitoring but they have little stake in Bangladesh polls. They are all busy with Ukraine war. So it is in India’s immediate interest to organize global opinion in favour of holding polls on February 12 in a peaceful fair manner. The holding of elections in Bangladesh on February 12 should be of big interest to India irrespective of nature of formation. If the uncertainty prolongs in the neighbouring country, that will endanger India’s security further. (IPA Service)

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By Dr. Gyan Pathak

As India moves closer to the Lok Sabha election 2024, the number of raids on, arrests of, and seizures from the leaders of political parties in opposition has increased. Central agencies such as CBI, ED, NIA, and the Department of Income Tax have become super active along with others, such as Delhi Police, under the Union Government. The offences registered are typically under draconian laws, such as PMLA and UAPA, which do not give the accused persons even the status of an accused under CrPC enabling the government to put them behind bar even without evidence against them denying fair trial and justice. Such a ruthless suppression of the opposition is being veiled under legal procedure, obviously for the gaining legitimacy in eyes of the people.

We have just heard the Bench of the Supreme Court of India observing that “Chain of evidence was not fully established” and there was no actual evidence against AAP leader Manish Sisodia arrested under PMLA that attract this act. The Bench pulled up ED officials for several other lacunae in the excise scam case in which Manish Sisodia was arrested and put behind the bar. Another AAP leader Satyendra Jain is also behind the bar for money laundering under PMLA. Both the leaders, who were ministers in the AAP government in Delhi, have been put into jail for a long time.

Now, Rajya Sabha MP from AAP, Sanjay Singh has been arrested in the excise scam case. BJP leaders has now indirectly threatened of arrest of AAP chief and the Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, who have been put under scanner in several cases including the excise scam and house renovation scam. If it happens, the entire AAP leadership and the party would be politically finished. The merit of the cases against them registered by CBI and ED will only be known to the people when the final judgement would come, but until then PM Narendra Modi and his BJP will have no political challenge from AAP. Many cases have been registered against other AAP leaders in Delhi.

It should be noted that AAP has emerged as chief threat to BJP in Delhi for about a decade, and has rendered humiliating defeat to BJP in two Vidhan Sabha elections and the last MCD election. AAP has been expanding fast, had won Punjab election in 2022 and formed its government, and have made inroads even in Gujarat against BJP considered to be PM Modi’s stronghold where people believed him invincible. AAP is now part of opposition INDIA alliance, and if they put joint candidates against the BJP candidates in Delhi and Gujarat, BJP may find itself in trouble.

It is not only AAP, but also several other political parties are braving the raids, arrests, and seizures. PM Modi and Union Minister of Home Amit Shah have been repeatedly declaring their intent to destroy “corruption” and “terror” ecosystems. Money laundering, anti-India activities, and terror-funding are the three major offences under which cases are being registered only shows the “ruthlessness”, the word Amit Shah has just used the other day. Linking to money laundering, terror networks, and anti-India activities by PM Modi is noteworthy. While speaking in Chhattisgarh rally he alleged even Congress of links with and guided by “naxals” ie Left Wing extremists, and his party has linked Rahul Gandhi with some foreign national engaged in “anti-India” activity.

Several Congress leaders are already facing CBI and ED cases which included former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi has also several cases registered against them, which are at several stages in courts.

In West Bengal, TMC leaders are target, which included Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. ED has registered a case against Abhishek Banerjee in the multi-crore recruitment scam in schools. Another Bengal Minister for Food Rathin Ghosh has also been raided this week on similar charges.

In Jharkhand, JMM leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren is facing an ED case on money laundering. There are cases against former RJD leader Laloo Yadav and his son Tejasvi Yadav, who is presently Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.

DMK MPs and ministers have also become target of Central agencies. Income Tax Department have yesterday raided former Union Minister and DMK MP Jagathrakshakan’s house and several other premises. Earlier ED had arrested DMK minister Senthil Balaji. ED has also said that the raids at the premises of DMK minister K Ponmudi and his son revealed incriminating documents.

Raids are being conducted on leaders of the national and regional political parties across India. These are apart from the raids on registered political parties that are alleged to have been engaged in scams and tax evasion.

It has already been submitted by the opposition political parties in the Supreme Court of India that the cases against the opposition leaders have increase up to 95 per cent of the total cases registered by CBI against political leaders since 2014, and 85 per cent by ED.

ED’s net had several prominent leaders across the opposition one year before which included Congress (24), TMC (19), NCP (11), Shiv Sena (8), DMK (6), BJD (6), RJD (5), BSP (5), SP (5), TDP (5), AAP (3), INLD (3), YSRCP (3), CPM (2), NC (2), PDP (2), Ind (2), AIADMK (1), MNS (1), SBSP (1) and TRS (1). The increased action by ED shows the number might have substantially risen. These all show a pattern.

In election bound states, raids by central agency have increased. CBI and ED raided several places in Telangana and Hyderabad. Telangana Chief Minister’s daughter K Kavita have been summoned in Delhi liquor scam and Minister Gangula Kamalakar is also in Central agencies’ net on money laundering. ED, IT, and CBI raids have been sending shivers down the spine of the ruling BRS, formerly TRS.

ED have recently conducted raids on opposition leaders and their associates in poll bound Chhattisgarh too. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has alleged that the raids were politically motivated. Raids were also conducted by CBI and ED against several political leaders and their associates in Rajasthan in several cases of money laundering, which included Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s brother in ‘diversion of fertilisers’ case.

Opposition leaders have alleged ruthless political suppress, while the PM and Union Home Minister says they are committed to root out the entire ecosystem of corruption, terror, and anti-India activities. Only the judiciary can bring out the truth, or else there would be death of democracy in the country.  (IPA Service)

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In today’s rapidly changing business environment, leadership is more multifaceted than ever. It transcends the mere routine tasks of administration or the simple management of teams. True leadership is rooted in our ability to access our deepest inherent strengths and, in turn, inspire others to discover and harness their own potential. Over the course of my extensive forty-year journey, I’ve sought to understand the principles underpinning genuine leadership, and time and again, I’ve found myself drawn back to a core tenet of The Five Pillars of Transcendent Culture and the first pillar – Power.

Unraveling the Multidimensional Nature of Power

When we speak of ‘power,’ it’s easy to default to images of dominance, control, and hierarchy, primarily because historical narratives often presented power in these shades. However, in its purest form, power is far from these notions. It is the strength of the human spirit; an unwavering force within that drives virtues like unity, collaboration, and genuine connection. Regardless of our positions, titles, or societal roles, this profound Transcendent Power is a treasure each one of us holds.

Historically, tales of power are filled with hierarchical battles, strategic maneuvers, and ego-centric confrontations. These narratives were products of their times, born from an era where survival was the utmost priority and where every decision hinged on navigating tangible threats. Yet, as we’ve evolved, and as our societal landscapes have become more collaborative and secure, these antiquated views of power have begun to feel out of place. Clinging to such notions can erode our core essence and the intricate societal bonds we’ve meticulously woven. The call of our age is to recognize that true power, in today’s context, isn’t about outward dominance. Instead, it’s about cultivating an inner reservoir of resilience, fostering virtues that transcend societal ranks or organizational charts. By setting aside outdated paradigms and embracing this evolved perspective, we can foster a more enriching and inclusive concept of power — one that uplifts individuals and entire communities.

The Dual Faces of Egoic Power and Their Impact

It’s essential to confront a reality: at various junctures, we’ve all been lured by the seductive call of egoic power. This internal voice can be paradoxical. At times, it boisterously proclaims our superiority, and at others, it subtly and insidiously undermines our worth. This duality of egoic power can manifest as either an inflation of our significance or a diminishment of our contributions, both deeply rooted in primal, evolutionary instincts aimed at self-preservation.

However, the beacon of Transcendent Leadership illuminates a path that transcends these base instincts. The journey is paved with introspection, self-discovery, and continuous learning, culminating in the domain of self-mastery. Traditional practices, such as Zen’s Kensho, offer invaluable tools and insights that assist us in peeling back the layers, allowing us to identify and resonate with our true selves. But our responsibility doesn’t end at mere self-recognition. True leadership, in all its depth, encompasses recognizing this inherent power in our teams, peers, stakeholders, and in fact, everyone we engage with. It’s a transformative process, moving us from ego-centric reflexes to a profound state of self-awareness, subsequently expanding our spheres of influence. It’s an ongoing odyssey that nudges us to confront our egos, striving continuously toward self-mastery, and ultimately achieving a state of self-transcendence.

Reevaluating Power Dynamics: Towards a Modern Corporate Ethos

Traditionally, corporate cultures have thrived on distinct hierarchical structures, where power dynamics were rigid and pre-defined. However, with the advent of Transcendent Culture, we’re challenged to revisit and redefine these dynamics. The strategies of yesteryears, driven by ego and offering fleeting successes, are increasingly being recognized for their long-term perils, especially when they jeopardize personal growth, strain professional relationships, or detract from a company’s overarching mission. The transformative power of positive perception, as seen in the success stories of ‘troubled’ students, stands as a testament to the potential that lies in reshaping perspectives.

Embracing a Transcendent Culture compels us to rise above our raw, primal instincts. It encourages a deeper introspection, advocating for environments driven not by ego but by the sheer force of transcendent power. When adopted, the potential benefits are manifold. Individuals find renewed purpose and vigor, and organizations become more vibrant, magnetic, and impactful, radiating an aura of positivity.

Setting the Compass for the Future with Transcendent Power

Acknowledging Power as the foundational pillar is pivotal, for it serves as the lighthouse guiding us toward other principles that sculpt Transcendent Culture. As leaders, our vision should be broad and encompassing, looking beyond personal milestones. We’re custodians of a higher purpose: to shine a light on the brilliance within others, amplifying their inherent strengths. By nurturing a culture where every individual feels empowered to discover their Transcendent Power, we lay the groundwork for organizations that resonate not just with profits, but with purpose, unity, and visionary foresight.

To leaders everywhere, whether budding or seasoned, I extend a heartfelt invitation to join this transformative voyage. Starting from a foundation of genuine power, the path that unfolds isn’t just lucid; it’s bathed in an illuminating glow. Let us embark on this collective endeavor of unlocking our innate power, nurturing it one individual at a time, and elevating our shared destinies.

Satyen Raja, founder of the WarriorSage Group, is a mentor and coach, blending Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, science, and practical tools.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday hit out at the Centre over its ordinance on control of services in the national capital, saying Delhi is the first to be “attacked” and similar ordinances will also be brought for other states.

Addressing the Aam Aadmi Party’s “Maha Rally” at the Ramlila Maidan, the party’s national convener said the Centre’s ordinance was an insult to the people of the city. The ordinance says that there will be no democracy in Delhi, he alleged.

“There will be dictatorship in Delhi and the LG (lieutenant governor) is supreme. People can vote for whoever they want, but the Centre will run Delhi,” Arvind Kejriwal said.

“I have been travelling across the country and I want to assure the people of Delhi that they are not alone. The 140 crore people of India are with them,” he said.

Delhi is the “first city to be attacked” and they will bring such ordinances for Rajasthan and other states too, the AAP leader claimed.

On the arrests of AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, he said they were arrested in order to stop works in the national capital. “But we have have 100 Sisodias and 100 Jains. They will continue the good work,” the chief minister said.

While former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in February over alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped liquor policy for 2021-22, Mr Jain was arrested in May last year in a money laundering case. “I want to ask that PM (Narendra) Modi has been in power as Gujarat chief minister and then as prime minister for long, and Kejriwal has been in power for eight years, who has done more work for people,” he said.

The event was also attended by Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, who stressed on opposition unity to fight the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

With inputs from NDTV

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IPA News

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday hit out at the Centre over its ordinance on control of services in the national capital, saying Delhi is the first to be “attacked” and similar ordinances will also be brought for other states.

Addressing the Aam Aadmi Party’s “Maha Rally” at the Ramlila Maidan, the party’s national convener said the Centre’s ordinance was an insult to the people of the city. The ordinance says that there will be no democracy in Delhi, he alleged.

“There will be dictatorship in Delhi and the LG (lieutenant governor) is supreme. People can vote for whoever they want, but the Centre will run Delhi,” Arvind Kejriwal said.

“I have been travelling across the country and I want to assure the people of Delhi that they are not alone. The 140 crore people of India are with them,” he said.

Delhi is the “first city to be attacked” and they will bring such ordinances for Rajasthan and other states too, the AAP leader claimed.

On the arrests of AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, he said they were arrested in order to stop works in the national capital. “But we have have 100 Sisodias and 100 Jains. They will continue the good work,” the chief minister said.

While former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in February over alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped liquor policy for 2021-22, Mr Jain was arrested in May last year in a money laundering case. “I want to ask that PM (Narendra) Modi has been in power as Gujarat chief minister and then as prime minister for long, and Kejriwal has been in power for eight years, who has done more work for people,” he said.

The event was also attended by Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, who stressed on opposition unity to fight the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

With inputs from NDTV

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By Kalyani Shankar

When Arvind Kejriwal launched his Aam Admi Party in 2012 and bid for power the following year for Delhi assembly in 2013, no one thought he would find political space and sustain himself for long years. Now, on Monday, the Election Commission has granted AAP national party status on the basis of the party’s performance in the assembly polls. With AAP, there are now six political parties with National status. The others are Congress, BJP, BSP, CPI(M) and NPP.

A decade later, today, after winning the Delhi assembly elections all through, he has changed from the self-projected role of an angry young man to an ‘ambitious young man’ with grand plans for himself and his young Party.

With two states – Delhi and Punjab – under his belt, Kejriwal wants to lead the Opposition in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He has three goals: Expand his Party to as many states as possible, Find a place in the country’s political high table and Position himself as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s primary challenger.

His optimism comes out in his recent prophecy, “Time is very powerful; nothing is permanent in the world. If one thinks that one will remain in power forever, then that’s not going to happen. Today we’re in power in Delhi, and they’re (BJP) in power in Centre; Tomorrow it might happen we will be in power in Centre,”

The AAP’s political journey has seen dramatic twists and turns. The Party has grown beyond recognition, and the BJP has overtaken Congress. At the same time, the Grand Old Party has shrunk.

Born from India Against Corruption movement, the AAP decimated Congress and the BJP in the 2013 Delhi Assembly elections. After 49 days, he quit as chief minister, only to return in 2015 and 2020 assembly polls.. The AAP has no Lok Sabha MP now but boasts 10 members in the Rajya Sabha. It is the only Party other than the Congress and the BJP to control power in two states, Delhi and Punjab.

The Party lost miserably in the 2019 parliamentary elections in Delhi. At another level, AAP faced a setback as it could not muster even one percent of votes in the assembly elections in Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. But the landslide win in Punjab last year brought back cheers.

After last year’s Gujarat polls, AAP is again ascending by gaining the national party status.

Compared to AAP, Samajwadi Party, JD(U), Telugu Desam, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi couldn’t move beyond their turf. Parties like NCP, TMC, CPI, and BSP lost their respective national status by failing to meet the criteria of the Election Commission.

Like many other Opposition parties, AAP faced pinpricks from the Centre. These have demoralized the Party and created a fear complex. After weighing the pros and cons, the AAP chief has decided to take on the BJP headlong, particularly after the recent arrests of his two ministers, Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain.

For instance, despite the mutual discomfort between the two rivals -AAP and Congress- Kejriwal blasted BJP after the recent Gujarat court verdict and the subsequent disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha.

The AAP chief alleged Modi is the most corrupt Prime Minister. He criticized the Prime Minister for his alleged closeness to industrialist Gautam Adani, who became the world’s second wealthiest man and joined the Opposition in their demand for a Joint Parliamentary probe last session.

He has questioned Modi’s educational qualifications and asked if his “degree is fake”. This came a day after Gujarat High Court fined Kejriwal and ruled that Prime Minister’s degree details were unnecessary.

Kejriwal went to the Lion’s Den Gujarat by talking about his “Delhi model.” during the last year’s Assembly polls. Modi came to power propagating his ‘Gujarat model.”

Kejriwal has openly joined other opposition leaders to challenge Modi before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

There are many ifs and buts before Kejriwal could achieve his goals. AAP continues to concentrate on bread-and-butter issues and those about the common man. Kejriwal plays a soft Hindutva to attract Hindu voters. He wants to win voters by offering freebies. But the strategy in the North may or may not work in the Southern states.

To succeed, Kejriwal must build his Party and sell his ‘Delhi model” successfully. Several factors influence the voters, including grassroots organization, anti-BJP sentiment, a credible local face, and the potential for implementing the Delhi model.

Secondly, Kejriwal needs to build second-line state leaders. The Party’s founding members, such as Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, Shazia Ilmi, Kumar Vishwas, and Ashutosh, and civil society members, in the past decade, quit the Party protesting against Kejriwal’s highhandedness. Before the 2022 Assembly election, at least 11 MLAs either quit the Party or were disqualified.

Thirdly, he has made a personality cult around himself, and all powers are centred on him. He must learn to share power instead of concentrating power in himself.

The fourth is to build friendships with other opposition leaders and mend fences with Congress. Assembly polls 2023 will be a trial run before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections for all parties, but more so for AAP. (IPA Service)

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By Nitya Chakraborty

The petition moved jointly by 14 leading opposition parties to the Supreme Court seeking its intervention in the ‘misuse’ of central investigation agencies by the Narendra Modi government against the leaders of the non-BJP parties, has big political significance in the present phase of political turmoil in the country. The immediate provocation for this hurriedly drafted petition was the conviction of the Congress MP Rahul Gandhi by the Surat Court over a four year old defamation case, but it was the culmination of great discontent felt by all the non-BJP parties in the last four years of the Modi rule since the second consecutive BJP win in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Later in the day, the announcement by the Lok Sabha secretariat about disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a Lok Sabha member, has given a new dimension to the petition.

The opposition’s petition mentions that the central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have singled out opposition leaders in different cases, even as tainted BJP leaders have got off scot-free. The petition also says that once some of the leaders who were under scanner join the BJP, cases against them were dropped or buried by the central agencies. The way the present BJP government has used the central agencies like CBI, ED and the Income Tax Department to serve the political purposes of the ruling party, has violated all norms of constitutional propriety and it has been appropriate that finally most of the leading non-BJP parties could agree to file this petition to the Supreme Court seeking its early intervention. The Court has agreed to hear the petition on April 5.

In politics, sometimes, the best of times turns into worst of times while the worst of times can be turned into the best of times. In the last few weeks, the fissures between the Congress and some of the other opposition parties have been growing and after the comfortable win of the BJP in the three north eastern states, the feeling was growing that the divided opposition has little prospects in preventing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi from coming back to power at the centre for the third term after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Surat Court’s conviction of Rahul Gandhi and the BJP MPs consistent attempts to paralyse the functioning of the Parliament have suddenly changed the political situation in favour of a combined opposition.

The petitioning opposition parties include not only the Congress and its partners of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) but also other parties like Trinamool Congress, AAP,BRS, Samajwadi Party and Telugu Desam who have been keeping distance from the Congress party for quite some time. More politically significant is the participation of the YSR Congress in this petition. YSR Congress has always been friendly with the BJP and especially the Prime Minister Narendra Modi since the 2019Lok Sabha elections.

The joining of the YSR Congress led by the Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has given a new impetus to the opposition alliance. Only BJD led by the Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik is not included in the petition but Naveen’s emphasis on the protection of federalism in his talks with the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on March 23, gives enough indication that in the coming days, BJD can be persuaded to take a position against the present ruling party which poses a threat to every regional party like BJD.

The Lok Sabha elections are due in April/May 2024 and that way, less than 13 months are left for the beginning of the first phase of polling. The country is going to witness assembly elections in six more states in the remaining months of 2023- Karnataka in May and Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Mizoram by year end. Then in early 2024, the assembly elections are due in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. These last four assembly polls maybe held along with the Lok Sabha elections.

Whatever decision is given by the Supreme Court and also finally whatever is decided   on the review petition filed by Rahul Gandhi against his conviction, the issues mentioned in the petition are of crucial importance to the functioning of the democracy in the country as also protecting the federal character of the Indian constitution. Earlier the Congress Rajya Sabha member and a leading lawyer Abhishek Manu Sanghvi mentioned the need for a ‘legal coalition of the opposition parties to meet the challenge of the Modi government. The time is appropriate for that. This present coalition and its demands form the core of the campaign in the coming days against the ruling party at the centre, along with the issues of inflation and unemployment.

According to the petition, “A clear pattern has emerged of using investigative agencies (particularly the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate) to target, debilitate and in fact crush the entire political opposition and other vocal citizens, and to jail them for extended periods on specious grounds, often making use of draconian special laws (such as the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002) that make bail virtually impossible even though they have extremely low rates of conviction.”

The opposition parties said that there was an exponential rise in the number of cases registered by the ED since 2014, most of which appear to be targeted towards critics and opponents of the Modi regime. Despite this, the conviction rate is abysmally low, the petition argued, adding that “only 23 convictions under the PMLA have been secured” and that most cases are “pending at pre-trial or trial stage”.

The petition also said that even the CBI – which between 2004-14 investigated 72 political leaders, 43 of whom were from the opposition) – put 118 opposition leaders under the scanner after 2014 of a total of 124 leaders being investigated by the agency. This means 95% of the cases were against opposition leaders. Such instances only demonstrated “the use of frivolous raids as a tool of harassment post-2014”, the petition mentions.

According to the petition, opposition leaders like P. Chidambaram, Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Jain, Sanjay Raut and others were arrested by the agencies. But those “who crossed over to the government side” like Himanta Biswa Sarma, Narayan Rane or Suvendu Adhikari or even chief ministers like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, were either “mysteriously” given “clean chits” or saw cases against them being probed at a snail’s pace by the agencies.

The opposition parties said that such alleged misuse of agencies has a “serious chilling effect on legitimate and constitutionally protected political activity and speech across the country” as it skews the level playing political field, forcing the leaders under the scanner to keep defending themselves instead of undertaking serious political activity.

All the opposition parties which have signed the petition have to take forward the issues mentioned in the petition along with other burning issues for the people in the election campaign for both the assembly and the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP and the Sangh Parivar are determined to pursue their goal of establishing a Hindu Rashtra and a opposition mukt Bharat. The disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha membership is the high point   of the national crisis that has been created by the ruling party. (IPA Service)

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By Nantoo Banerjee

The arrest of Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia last month by a federal agency, CBI, for alleged financial corruption connected with the change in the state’s liquor policy, has understandably upset a large section of opposition parties across the country. Last year, Delhi’s health minister Satyendra Jain was arrested by another federal agency, ED, on charges of money laundering. Both of them resigned from their respective ministerial posts while being in jail.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is naturally upset as his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power over a decade ago on the plank of a major movement against corruption. Several of Kejriwal’s party men are now facing corruption charges. The fight against corruption was also AAP’s 2022 poll plank in Punjab. The party recorded a massive victory winning 92 out of 117 assembly seats bringing an end to the electoral dominance of Congress and Akali Dal in Punjab politics. Now, one after another corruption cases against AAP satraps in Punjab are turning into a nightmare for the party. Punjab AAP MLA and former health minister Vijya Singla was arrested, last year, by the state’s own anti-corruption agency. In January, Punjab Horticulture Minister Fauja Singh Sarari had to resign from the state cabinet months after his name came up in a case of allegedly devising an extortion plan. More recently, Amit Rattan, AAP MLA from Bathinda (Rural), was arrested over graft charges.

The recent actions by ED and CBI in a number of states have angered at least 10 top leaders of nine political parties. They wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the BJP-led Centre of misusing federal investigative agencies and Raj Bhavans to launch a witch-hunt against Opposition leaders. Among those to take up the issue with the prime minister were four opposition state chief ministers — Telangana’s Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), Delhi’s Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu’s Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin. They have expressed their concerns over the deteriorating image of central investigative agencies. Of India’s 31 states, including Jammu & Kashmir (now under the President’s Rule), as many as 14 are governed by political parties other than BJP. Interestingly, Indian National Congress and Biju Janata Dal are among other major political parties to stay away from the nine-party opposition campaign against the alleged misuse of central investigative agencies to harass non-BJP politicians.

However, it should be noted that BJP leaders and party workers have also been complaining of being systematically harassed by non-BJP administration in several states. The states use their police and criminal investigation agency (CID) to do the job. Lately, a head-on political collision between TMC and BJP in West Bengal led to an unprecedented exposition of corruption in the state involving several TMC leaders and party strongmen. In fact, 2022 was a year of scams in West Bengal — from a massive multi-tier school recruitment racket to cattle smuggling, illegal coal and sand mining, money laundering, rigging the national government-funded rural housing scheme for the poor, cut-money deals, extortions and controversial arrests. West Bengal’s political arena is being fraught with strife. Until recently, West Bengal was placed lowly in the country’s corruption ladder.

According to an independent India Corruption Survey 2019, providing a state-wise indicator of corruption levels, the most corrupt states were: Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The survey sought around 190,000 responses and revealed that 51 percent of Indian citizens pay bribes to get things done. Property registration, police and municipality being top departments where bribes are allegedly demanded. These states are ruled by both BJP and non-BJP governments. Last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said during his election campaign that Meghalaya is one of the country’s most corrupt states. BJP is a coalition partner in the Meghalaya government. Corruption seems to be inbuilt in the country’s democratic system. Even the so-called anti-corruption apparatus of state governments and the centre comprising the police, CID and federal investigative agencies are not above corruption and political interference.

The 2009 Global Corruption Barometer, an international public opinion survey released by Transparency International, said political parties are perceived to be the most corrupt institution in India. It found that 58 percent of Indian respondents identify politicians to be the single most corrupt individuals. Corruption undermines governments’ ability to protect people and erodes public trust. On the other hand, political conflicts create more opportunities for corruption and subvert governments’ efforts to stop it. Power tends to corrupt. A person’s sense of morality lessens as his or her power increases. People in positions of power often abuse their power to do wrong things and become corrupted or morally compromised. Parties in power use unfair means such as giving doles and gifts to the poor and using cadres or musclemen to stay in power. In a good democracy, political power must change periodically to keep ruling political parties under constant public watch and control. The police and the government-controlled investigative agencies will become more careful about dancing to the tune of their short-lived political masters. They are expected to be hauled up for wrong doing by the next government.

Corruption is more rampant in states where political parties stay in power for long. While the people in India trust the higher judiciary, the justice comes at a cost which the common man can hardly afford. Normally, the legal fees in the Supreme Court varies from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.20 Lakh for an appearance. The fees vary from client to client according to the paying capacity of the clients. On November 21, last year, the Supreme Court was informed that as many as 5,097 criminal cases against MPs and MLAs were pending before various courts in the country, despite the top court being seized of the matter. How would the opposition political leaders at the states and the centre like to describe these cases — substantially genuine or simply political witch-hunts? Most of the accused politicians, irrespective of their party affiliations and educational background, were involved in highly disproportionate asset building cases. They all represented ruling parties in the centre or in their respective states, mostly for good periods. Political power may have helped them amass illegal assets. But for the action of designated investigative agencies, such assets and their holders will remain undetected making India a politically and economically unstable banana republic. (IPA Service)

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The article Political Opposition Faces Witch-Hunt From Parties In Power appeared first on Arabian Post.

With inputs from NDTV

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