15 April 2019: Amar Ujala’s editorial concerns the fall in food inflation to its lowest levels in 27 years. While this is good news for consumers, it indicates a deepening crisis in the farm sector. This statistic is a cause of worry especially when there is talk of doubling the income of farmers. The fall in food inflation means the farmers aren’t getting the right price for their produce. The minimal increase in Minimum Support Price has led to this crisis, writes Ujala.
Dainik Jagran criticises the constant moaning by political parties about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The problem is not just a few politicians casting aspersions on the infallibility of EVMs but also some media houses fanning distrust of EVMs. Jagran wonders how politicians can doubt EVMs even after the Congress winning three state elections last December and AAP winning 67 of 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly elections in 2015.
16 April: Amar Ujala and Dainik Jagran both comment on the violations of Model Code of Conduct during the elections.
Jagran in ‘Prachar ya dushprachar’ says the Election Commission has penalised Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, who sought votes from Muslims, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityananth, who invoked ‘Bajrang Bali’ and called the armed forces ‘Modi ki sena’, as well as BJP’s Maneka Gandhi and Samajwadi Party’s Azam Khan. However, Jagran feels the ban on campaigning for 48 hours to 72 hours might not be enough.
“Azam Khan behudi tippanio ke liye kukhyat hai lekin woh anaap shanaap bolne wale iklautey neta nahin hai”, it writes.
There are numerous politicians who indulge in loose talk and their political bosses need to rein them in. Instead, they are defending these offenders. In an election campaign, harsh words are bound to be used but that doesn’t mean propriety should be done away with and leaders can use cuss words, added Jagran.
Amar Ujala says politicians have made a mockery of the Model Code of Conduct. The comments made by Mayawati, Adityanath, Azam Khan show that leaders are no longer scared of the Election Commission. The EC called itself helpless and toothless (“beba” and “dantheen”) in the Supreme Court. However, writes Ujala, the reality is that Article 324 of the Constitution gives it sufficient powers to act against political parties.
17 April: The Amar Ujala editorial focuses on Canadian government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau removing references to Khalistani extremism from its report on terrorism. The Trudeau administration might have domestic compulsions to do so but this adversely impact relations between Canada and India.
Ujala’s headline reads, “Bhadkaney wala kadam”. The report, released in 2018, was about five main extremist threats to Canada, including Sikh Khalistani extremism but this was removed on 12 April 2019. Trudeau’s Liberal Party administration has been soft on Khalistani extremists and that has soured its relations with India, which was apparent during Trudeau’s visit to India in February 2018. Trudeau faces elections in October and needs the support of the Sikh community but this move won’t cut ice with India, concludes Ujala.
18 April: Dainik Jagran in “Dooshit chunav prakriya” writes that politicians have clearly indicated that they do not care about Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct. Bad language and the use of money are rampant and until politicians don’t change their attitude towards the need to win elections at any cost, this abuse of the code of conduct won’t stop.
Amar Ujala talks of use of money power in elections. It says three years ago, elections in two assembly seats were countermanded and now the Vellore Lok Sabha seat election has been cancelled due to money power. However, is cancelling an election the solution, asks Ujala.
Raids by income tax officials have inflamed political tempers. The authorities have been accused of behaving in a partisan manner on the directives of the Centre. Maybe a solution could be that all central agencies come under the EC’s directive during the duration of polls, suggest Ujala.
19 April: Amar Ujala looks at the Jet Airways crisis in “Zameen par Jet”. The editorial points out that the crisis, which has grounded the airline, indicates that the Indian aviation sector is in deep crisis and it hasn’t learnt its lessons from the closure of Kingfisher Airlines.
The temporary closure of the Jet Airways has led to 20,0000 workers on the road. This has also led to an imbalance between demand and supply in the industry, which is having an impact on passengers. The government must see what it can do to avert this crisis despite the code of conduct. The issue concerns not just the airline and its employees, but the civil aviation industry and investors in the sector.
With inputs from Shailaja Bajpai.