by admin | May 25, 2021 | Opinions
By Amulya Ganguli,
Narendra Modi’s views of the historical events at the time of partition are as problematic as his understanding of what happened in the subsequent periods. Inaugurating the new, plush, 170,000 sq. feet, vaastu-compliant Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in New Delhi, he said that the party in its earlier avatar as the Jana Sangh was at the forefront of all the leading mass movements in the country.
However, this assessment is unlikely to be shared by those who are not followers of the BJP. In their opinion, far from being a leading player during popular agitations in the 1950s and 1960s, the Jana Sangh was very much on the margins of the political scene if only because it carried the stain of responsibility for Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination and was shunned by the Muslims. The liberal Hindus, too, looked upon the Jana Sangh as a backward-looking party of the “cow belt”, representing all that was primitive in the Indian mind.
This somewhat lowly status can be seen from the fact that the Jana Sangh won only three Lok Sabha seats in the 1952 general election with 3.06 per cent votes. Its subsequent performances were only marginally better. The party won four seats in 1957 (5.93 per cent), 14 seats in 1962 (6.44 per cent), 35 seats, its best performance till then, in 1967 with 9.41 per cent votes and 22 seats in 1971 (7.35 per cent). These figures do not substantiate the claim about the Jana Sangh being a major player in the political scene.
Not surprisingly, the party was not averse to losing its identity in 1977 when it merged with three other equally marginal players — the Congress (O), the Congress for Democracy and the Socialist Party — to form the Janata Party. If the Jana Sangh was as important as it is claimed to be, it wouldn’t have given up its distinct status so readily. As for the three others, they were all bit players and have since disappeared although prominent politicians of the time — Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, Jagjivan Ram, Madhu Limaye — were associated with them.
However, it has to be acknowledged that the Jana Sangh was able to reinvent itself as the BJP after the latter was formed in 1980 and now represents one of the poles of Indian politics. From this standpoint, the loss of its earlier identity may have been a blessing in disguise for it could start all over again. But the crucial link between its earlier self and the present one remains. It is that of communalism — the cornerstone of its ideology.
Indeed, this trait has become even more pronounced with the BJP’s assumption of power at the Centre in 2014. Nothing demonstrated this characteristic more starkly than the assertion by a BJP MP, Sakshi Maharaj, that Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, was a patriot. It is a safe bet that a claim of this nature would not have been made by anyone in the Jana Sangh in the immediate post-Independence decades when it was supposedly leading mass movements. The party simply did not have the confidence then to do so when it was unsure of its place in the social and political worlds.
As a result, the Jana Sangh had kept its core beliefs under wraps. If the BJP is less discrete now, the reason is that it believes it has been somewhat better able than before to sell its anti-Muslim ideology in the garb of nationalism and by promising vikas or development which, it claims, can be provided only by Modi, who has been described as God’s gift to the nation by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
The BJP has also been helped by the weakening of its opponent, viz., the Congress, which no longer wears the halo as at the time of Independence and for about two decades afterwards when it had no real challengers. At the same time, it is obvious that the BJP’s progress at the central level has been by fits and starts, pointing towards flawed policies which do not have wide popular approval.
The party’s first stint under Atal Behari Vajpayee was followed by a break of 10 years when the Congress was in power. Now, there is speculation that Narendra Modi may find it difficult to repeat his performance of 2014 when the BJP won a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha. The grapevine in Lutyens Delhi now predicts that the party’s tally of seats will be around 200-220, dropping from the present 282.
Rumours of this nature explain the BJP’s caution, as in its Jana Sangh days, against unfurling the Sangh parivar’s saffron flag to the fullest extent possible. Sakshi Maharaj, for instance, has been told not to praise Godse again.
What this circumspection indicates is the BJP’s realisation that it remains a square peg of sectarianism in the round hole of India’s pluralism. From the Jana Sangh days to the present, the party of cultural nationalism — one nation, one people, one culture — has been an outsider, battling unsuccessfully against India’s DNA of cultural assimilation.
(Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at amulyaganguli@gmail.com)
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
New Delhi : Breaking his silence over the massive PNB scam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the government will take strong action against those indulging in financial irregularities and asked supervisory agencies responsible to do their job to prevent such frauds.
He also warned that his government will not tolerate embezzlement of public money.
“Those entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring rules and ethics in various financial institutions, should work with full dedication – especially those who are responsible for supervising and monitoring,” Modi said while addressing a gathering at Economic Times Global Business Summit.
He made it clear that the government would take strict action against irregularities in financial matters.
“The illegal accumulation of people”s money is unacceptable, and this is the basic mantra of New Economy-New Rules,” he said.
Noting that the Union Government is going to complete four years of assuming office in a few months, he said that a definite change is now visible.
“This change in the economic and social content, represents the essence of the New Rules for the New India and the New Economy,” the Prime Minister said.
He said that in the last four years, the discourse has changed from India being a ‘fragile five’ economy to the target of India becoming a ‘five trillion dollar’ economy.
Presenting figures to indicate how India is playing a key role in the entire world’s growth, he said that in nominal terms, India’s share of the world GDP has risen from 2.4 per cent in 2013, to 3.1 per cent in 2017.
“India is performing better on various macro-economic parameters,” he said.
Modi said that this change has come about due to a new approach and a new work culture. “India’s competitiveness is being validated by the entire world today.”
Recalling that when he had last attended this Global Business Summit, GST was still just a possibility, he said: “Today it is a reality, which has delivered a better tax compliance system and a better revenue system.” He also mentioned other major reforms such as the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
Giving examples of the increase in pace in the various projects in infrastructure sector, he said that speed, scale and sensitivity are important to ensure the success of the government’s initiatives.
“There is unprecedented investment being made today in infrastructure, agriculture, technology, health sector and education sector,” he said mentioning the initiatives taken in the health sector, such as Mission Indradhanush, Jan Aushadhi Stores, and the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
About the Digital India Mission, Modi said that the trinity of 100 crore bank accounts, 100 crore Aadhaar cards and 100 crore mobile phones, would create a unique ecosystem, not seen anywhere else in the world.
Recalling that in his last address at the Economic Times Global Business Summit, he had spoken of Housing for All, Power for All, Clean Cooking for All, Health for All,and Insurance for All, he now outlined the steps that have been taken in regard to house construction, Ssaubhagya yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, and insurance.
Saying that the government’s initiatives are aimed at empowering the poor, the Prime Minister also mentioned the construction of toilets, distribution of loans through the Mudra Yojana and distribution of soil health cards.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
Bengaluru : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday dubbed the NDA government a ’90 per cent commission sarkar’, retaliating to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s taunt that the ruling Congress government in the state was a ’10 per cent commission sarkar’.
“It’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi who runs a ’90 per cent commission sarkar’ in Delhi. He should prove the charge that our government takes 10 per cent commission,” Siddaramaiah said here.
Addressing BJP rallies in Mysuru on February 19 and in Bengaluru on February 4, Modi said Karnataka is ruled by a 10 per cent commission Sarkar.
Replying to a motion of thanks to the address Governor Vajubhai R. Vala delivered on February 5 to the joint session of the legislature, Sidddaramaiah told the legislators in the assembly that the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state was the most corrupt one from 2008 to 2013, with three chief ministers in five years.
“PM Modi should give evidence on the charges he levelled against our government. Let him prove that we take commission. If he says we take 10 per cent cut, then his government takes 90 per cent commission,” asserted Siddaramaiah on the 6th day of the 10-day budget session in Vidhana Soudha.
Accusing the Prime Minister of indulging in shoot and scoot, the Chief Minister said it was Modi who revelled in ‘hit and run’ tactic during his visits to the state for addressing his party’s (BJP) rally’
“The BJP has failed to prove the charges Modi and its leaders made against our government and me. Otherwise, they should withdraw them and apologise to the people of the state for insulting them,” said Siddaramiah.
Locking horns with the Chief Minister, opposition BJP leader in the assembly Jagadish Shettar alleged the ruling Congress government was number one in corruption.
“The people know what happened during the BJP’s 5-year misrule, when the rich mining district Ballari was turned into a republic by its members,” recalled Siddaramaiah.
Protesting against the Chief Minister’s remarks, the BJP members staged a walkout amid noisy scenes.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Business Summit, Corporate, Corporate Buzz, Corporate Governance, Economy, Events, Investing, News, Politics
Lucknow : Industry captains heaped wholesome praise on the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for bringing a turn around in the state’s environment within a year as they committed to investments of over Rs 4.35 lakh crore over the next three years on the first day of the Investors Summit here on Wednesday.
A visibly-elated Adityanath announced at the inaugural session of the two-day summit that more than 1,200 MoUs had been signed with a total amount which was almost equal to the state’s budget for 2018-19.
In his address, he said that he was happy that the investors had taken note of the transformational changes in the state and were willing to partner the growth story that had been set rolling by the BJP government in the last 11 months. He also assured the investors that his government had taken their safety and security on top priority and had done a lot to turn around the law and order situation.
Adityanath assured that all the MoUs that have been signed would be followed up seriously and it would be ensured that the facilities offered to them were adhered to in full and that they have no problems in setting up industries in the state. He also said that a a cell has set up to follow up on the investment promises and that he would personally monitor them on a case to case basis.
In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that his government will establish a Rs 20,000-crore defence industrial production corridor in Bundelkhand — a region divided between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh — that will generate 250,000 jobs and bring development to one of the most impoverished regions of the country.
Stressing that Uttar Pradesh had a vast potential for development but needed policy, planning, and performance, he lauded the efforts of Adityanath for setting the state on the path to give a “super hit” performance.
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani too praised the Chief Minister whom he called him a “karma yogi” while many others like Adani Group chief Gautam Adani, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrashekharan, Apollo Hospitals Vice Chairperson Shobana Kamineni, Essel Group Chairman Subhash Chandra, Mahindra and Mahindra Chairman Anand Mahindra also complimented him for “setting things right enough” to set pace for more investment in the state.
Adani announced that his company would invest more than Rs 35,000 crore for projects including a 1,000 MW solar plant, developing a storage capacity of 6 lakh tonnes, multi-model logistics parks, 5,000 MW solar parks, world class food and agri-complexes and a world class multi-disciplinary university and skill development center in Noida.
Kumarmangalam Birla of the Aditya Birla Group said UP was set for its front ranking place in the nation with the “hallmark leadership style of Yogi”. “I am impressed by the inexhaustible energy of the Chief Minister… am very bullish about the prospects of UP under him” he said while committing Rs 25,000 crore for the state in the next five years.
Mahindra reminisced about his mother’s early life in Allahabad and then as a history teacher at IT College in Lucknow, saying his visit was like a “home coming”.
He also thanked the Chief Minister for his promising ideas and announced that if the spirit went on course in future too he would be setting up an electric vehicle manufacturing unit in the state.
Mahindra also announced that its flagship Club Mahindra would set up a 200 bed time share unit in Varanasi circuit while Subhash Chandra also assured all help and support in Adityanath’s initiative to make UP a front-ranking state of the country.
Chandrashekharan also announced that TCS would now on not wrap up its Lucknow operations, as was the case earlier but would now also set up a 30,000 people new campus of the TCS in the state.
“TCS will continue to be in Lucknow and also strengthen its presence elsewhere in the state,” he said, also saying an IT centre would be set up in Varanasi, Modi’s parliamentary constituency.
Kamineni, who is also industry lobby CII’s President, said that she had not long ago brought with her a delegation of 60 top CEOs and announced that the Apollo Hospital was working with Cisco on an important project in Varanasi.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Business, Business Summit, Corporate, Corporate Buzz, Corporate Governance, Emerging Businesses, Events, Investing, News, Politics
Lucknow : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that the government would establish a defence industrial production corridor in Uttar Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore that would also generate 250,000 jobs.
“I am making an important announcement. In this year’s budget, we had announced that we will establish two defence industrial production corridors. One of them will be in Uttar Pradesh,” Modi said addressing the ‘Investors Meet’ here.
The event organised by the Yogi Adityanath government is aimed to showcase the investment opportunities in the state. Corporate honchos are attending the summit.
The Prime Minister said the decision was taken keeping in mind the developmental requirements of Bundelkhand region.
The corridor will link Agra, Aligarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi and Chitrakoot, he said.
The government had earlier announced that it would develop two such corridors. The first of the two runs between Chennai and Bengaluru – connecting Kattupalli port, Chennai, Tiruchi, Coimbatore and Hosur.
Modi also praised the Uttar Pradesh government for curbing red tape and rolling out red carpet for investors and taking decisions that have linked industrial development with employment generation.
“There is no dearth of resources and opportunities in Uttar Pradesh where you find ‘Lucknowi chikankari’, ‘Banarsi zardosi’, brassware of Moradabad and glassware industries of Firozabad,” Modi said.
He also asked the Uttar Pradesh government to compete with Maharashtra in achieving a target of one trillion dollar economy.
“I set this challenge before Uttar Pradesh to compete with Maharashtra and let us see who will become the first trillion dollar economy,” he said.
He said Uttar Pradesh today was the number one state in the production of grains, wheat, sugarcane, milk and potatoes in the whole country.
It is also the second largest producer of fruits and third largest producer of vegetables in the country.
—IANS
