Political developments in Telangana have taken an interesting turn. Will it lead to a clash or the politics will take a fastrack? While the leadership of TRS, now BRS, is warming up with the BJP’s central leadership, Sharmila, daughter of former Andhra CM Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has decided to take a friendly stand toward the Congress. Will she merge her party with the Congress? Sharmila’s father was a veteran leader of the Congress, so it is understandable for her to go with the party. But what about TRS? It is being said that the change in stance has become visible after the party’s name was changed to BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi). Well the name has some elements that explain the proximity to BJP — ‘Bharat’, ‘Rashtra’.
BJP workers in pain
There must have been compulsions behind this new found love among the BJP for BRS. In politics, love has a purpose. Now Telangana BJP workers must be feeling like Devdas. They were instructed to wage a political struggle against the state government with full force. And so they did. But all of a sudden BRS leaders started meeting senior ministers of the central government in Delhi. This has left the local leaders angry. There are allegations of ‘political love jihad’ doing the rounds. The high command will decide what will happen next.
Biometric fear
Biometric identification has been made mandatory for entry into the new Parliament building. Everyone is being asked to register their thumb impression. Now this has left the politicians worried, especially those from the BJP. First, they are unable to find time to give their thumb impressions. Second, some are afraid their biometrics may open cases against them. There are rumours data can reach the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Rajya Sabha to Lok Sabha
Another discussion doing the rounds in the BJP is that all Rajya members of the party will have to contest the Lok Sabha polls. The reactions are pouring in. Some members are even saying that they are ready to contest the Lok Sabha elections. But most leaders saying so are above 70 years of age, they know they will not get Lok Sabha ticket, neither will they be sent to Rajya Sabha for a second term.
The average UP bureaucracy
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has been working day and night for the development of the state for the past six years. There is no part of the state he has not visited. He is also active in the cabinet. But when it comes to the ‘Executive’, the story is different. Numerous stories, investments, donations and investigations—that’s what describes the bureaucracy in the state. When builders are raided, it’s the bureaucracy that gets hurt. Baring a few departments, most are in a similar situation. The bureaucracy is not doing even a quarter of the hard work the CM is doing. That is why some officers have the responsibility of 4 to 6 departments. The latest case pertains to the land a senior IAS officer got from a builder at a throwaway price. Property worth crores has been ‘gifted’ to the daughter of a former IPS officer. A minister expressed his pain — where do we get good officers from? We have to manage with what we have.
Ajit Doval’s ‘Bose ball’
There was widespread political reaction to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s view that had Subhash Chandra Bose been around, Partition would have been avoided. BJP and RSS are very happy with Doval’s suggestion. But Congress’ Jairam Ramesh wasn’t amused. Meanwhile, a biography of Doval has been published by Prabhat Prakashan. The book has a chapter called Power Theory of Doval. Not sure whether Jairam Ramesh will read it or not. And if he does, what will he interpret.
BJP workers being ragged by Gehlot
Gehlot is not only doing politics in Rajasthan, he is also having fun at the cost of BJP workers. If the electricity bill is to be reduced or any other scheme is to be availed, one has to visit the designated dearness relief camp. Now who would not want the cost of his/her house to be low? That’s where the BJP people are caught. CM Gehlot has deployed two Seva Dal workers with Gandhi caps at the camps. And as soon as a BJP worker/supporter comes to these centres, their photo is clicked.
Bharat Agrawal is Executive Director, Dainik Bhaskar Group, and a columnist.
By special arrangement with Dainik Bhaskar, edited by Anurag Chaubey.