The Central government has finally carried out the major reshuffle of governors. Some were dropped, others were replaced. It was widely speculated that Captain Amarinder Singh will take Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s place as the governor of Maharashtra but it didn’t come to pass. Another prediction was being made about Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi’s appointment as governor, but that too didn’t happen. Now, Captain is left on the non-playing field and Naqvi is on the waiting list. This is how BJP leaders have interpreted the reshuffle.
Changing tides in Bengal
Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee used to stay upset with the state’s governor and he reciprocated the feeling. But now there is a twist in the tale. The current governor, CV Ananda Bose is unhappy with BJP and the party is unhappy with him. Bose has praised CM Banerjee so BJP members are opposing him. It was said that this political balance was struck up by the Central government. But almost out of the blue, the governor fired his principal secretary Nandini Chakraborty. She was considered quite close to Mamata Banerjee and an important pillar supporting the political balance in West Bengal.
The privilege of strategy
When tensions rise in the Upper House of Parliament so much that it results in wide-scale resentment, or negative TRP, notices of breach of privilege, presiding officer’s anger, and demands for deploying marshals, among other things—it damages the strategy chalked out for Parliament proceedings. While the discussion on the President’s address in Lok Sabha was conducted peacefully, the opposition kept sloganeering during the Prime Minister’s speech in Rajya Sabha. Why?
Pro-government observers believe that policy regarding discussions in Parliament is put in place by the Chair. But ruckus in the House is something mostly discussed outside and the Chair can’t do anything about it. This ruins the hard work done by ruling party MPs who come for Parliament debates after doing their homework. What else can the opposition ask for?
On-paper request for unrest
By the way, this time the unrest in Parliament has offended many. It has been suggested that the rules for discussions in Parliament be modified. It would mean changing the rulebook so that more important matters can be discussed instead of the usual commotion. Recently, some rules were changed in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly and the same is expected for Parliament. A rather unique change has been suggested—instead of creating a ruckus in the House, the opposition put in a request for it on paper. It might go like this: ‘Mr Speaker, it is my humble request that I want to create disturbance for the next three days and it should be duly recorded. Yours faithfully…”
Opposition’s gratitude towards PM Modi
According to sources, Congress along with other opposition leaders thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When the opposition leaders were sloganeering in Parliament, it was suggested that marshals take those MPs out of the House. It was PM Modi who stopped that from happening. Some are saying that the prime minister is so conscious of the country’s image that he won’t allow the presence of marshals in Parliament during a period when India is going through the Amrit kaal (Golden period).
Also read: Chirag Paswan to Upendra Kushwaha—BJP gains from its silence on Bihar and Nitish Kumar
Hooda makes everything possible
Like every year, former chief minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his MP son Deepender Singh Hooda hosted a feast at their official residence in Delhi. Only this time, the father-son duo invited all the party leaders of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members also attended the party. And along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, all of the party’s leaders showed up. Journalists were also gathered in large numbers. However, some party leaders from Haryana who harbor some ‘special love’ for Hooda did not turn up.
The major point of discussion at the party was that when the members of so many opposition parties have gathered together, could it be a sign of unity in the upcoming election? Someone replied, “Bhai bajre ki khichdi khaiye aur ekta banaiye (Let’s eat millet porridge and stay united)” Bhupinder Singh Hooda is known to be a skillful player who has made one political mistake in his life. So, what is that mistake?
By special arrangement with Dainik Bhaskar. Translated by Ram Lal Khanna and edited by Ratan Priya from the original in Hindi.