Pranab Mukherjee: Intellectual Protagonist :: ...... his politics of flexibility and ‘hardliner’ regalia

The Phoenix Post: Port Blair

In 2013 at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, Narendra Modi - then seeking a greater space in national polity - had told a BJP workers' meeting acidly, ".....if Pranab Mukherjee had been successful as the Prime Minister then the worry of  Congress was what would happen to the (Gandhi) family. So they put the country in the hands of somebody as a night watchman (in reference to Dr Manmohan Singh)." 

New Delhi: At one point in 1999, after Sonia Gandhi could not become Prime Minister, Arjun Singh was sidelined if not dumped. I happened to meet Late Singh one of those days at the Teen Murti Bhavan on the sidelines of a public function; and when I quizzed him with a political question vis-a-vis Congress views on the subject; Arjun Singh clearly told me: “Why don’t you ask Pranab Mukherjee ?”

This was a departure. But certainly the message was clear, Pranab has again come back a clear No. 2 in the Congress party.

Of course, Pranab da could be easily described as “the man for all seasons” for the Congress leadership and the different Prime Minister(s) in office.

I would rather say, his life was a full cycle. He worked effortlessly and closely with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, business tycoon Dhirubhai Ambani, differed with Rajiv Gandhi over No. 2 debate, came back to the Congress and became No. 2 under PV Narasimha Rao, Sitaram Kesri and again Sonia Gandhi.

In 1997 when Late Sitaram Kesri suddenly rushed to the Rashtrapati Bhavan with a letter written in English withdrawingsupport to the H D Deve Gowda government, it was natural that eyebrows were raised.

During the debate in Lok Sabha, the illustrious Chandrashekhar had said the letter deserved to be thrown into a ‘Kuda-daan(dustbin)” prompting subtle whispering that the former Prime Minister’s target was not Sitaram Kesri.Some Janata Dal leaders also mocked – “Kesri ji should not have fallen into the game set up by Brahmins”.The Mukherjees are known Brahmins in Bengal.

Many years later, Mukherjee fought with another Brahmin, P Chidambaram.

Dr Subramanian Swamy, then a Janata Party leader, said that the office of the Finance Minister (Mukherjee) was bugged by Home Minister Chidambaram at the behest of Sonia Gandhi, UPA chairman.

“Try and dismiss it as some chewing gum being stuck. Who will stick chewing gum?,” said Dr Swamy, known for his ‘dislike’ forboth, Chidambaram and Sonia.  

The Finance ministry note sent to the Prime Minister’s Office in March 2011 suggested that Chidambaram, who was the finance minister before Mukherjee, ‘could have prevented’ the second-generation (2G) telecom spectrum allocation scam if he had insisted on the auction process.

The entire row related to Dr Swamy’s role in his affidavit before the Supreme Court. Swamy submitted the March 25, 2011finance ministry note, apparently approved by Mukherjee, stating that the telecom department could have invoked a clause of cancelling the licences had the Finance ministry (under Chidambaram) stuck to the policy of auctioning. 

Both Mukherjee and Chidambaram also reportedly clashed more than once over the decision to grant statehoodto Telangana and the process of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

That’s Mukherjee for you.

A veteran that he was – Pranab Mukherjee was also fond of writing. 

In his book, ‘The Dramatic Decade – The Indira Gandhi Years’ (published 2014) in the chapter ‘‘Jayaprakash Narayan’s offensive’, Mukherjee wrote about Emergency, : “…rationally speaking I could not support the movement. To me it appeared to be directionless.

It was contradictory in that it was a movement fighting against corruption yet composed of people and parties whose integrity was not above board”.

However, he acknowledged: “…there is no doubt that it brought with it some major positive changes – discipline in public life, a growing economy, controlled inflation, a reversed trade deficit for the first time”.  Importantly, he also wrote:  “…at that time (I was a junior Minister) did not then understand its (Emergency’s) deep and far-reaching impact”.

The book ‘The Polyester Prince – The Rise of Dhirubhai Ambani’ written by Hamish McDonald says, “first casualties” under Rajiv Gandhi were “key friends of Dhirubhai”.

“Rajiv sacked R K Dhawan from the Prime Minister’s Office within hours of his appointment. And in his first cabinet he replaced Pranab Mukherjee (or the other ‘PM’ in short) as Finance Minister with V P Singh, a choice that was eventually to bring down the heavens on both Dhirubhai and then Rajiv himself.”

The book further notes: “According to New Delhi’s grapevine, the old P-D-A axis (short form is mine and D stood for R K Dhawan and A for Ambani axis) responsible for Reliance’s booming fortunes is currently reorganizing its scattered forces with V P Singh, the Finance Minister (under Rajiv Gandhi – blogger), as its principal target”.

Born on December 11, 1935, his life and politics has been a true case of someone who has seen it all. He has truly seen unraveling of many chapters of Indian politics. He held key positions, – President of the Republic, Finance Minister, Defence and External Affairs Ministry charge as well.

In 2008, when the 26/11 siege took place, Mukherjee was the foreign minister of India.

In fact, Pranab had asked the then Pak foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi (on visit to India) to leave India immediately saying “no purpose will be served by your continuing to stay in India in these circumstances”.Qureshi was supposed to visit Indian Women Press Corps IWPC club at 5 Windsor Place in Delhi. 

But somehow Pranab had missed ‘the Home portfolio’. During the UPA regime, Sonia Gandhi was vehemently opposed not only about depriving Prime Ministership to the Late Mukherjee, she was also categorical that Mukherjee should not become Home Minister – an office that would have given him direct control of Intelligence Bureau and other important agencies.

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Pranab Mukherjee worked closely with Indira, Dhirubhai Ambani got Bharat Ratna from Modi regime

Sonia agreed to make Pranab Prez reluctantly 

With great sadness, the nation receives the news of the unfortunate demise of our former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee.   I join the country in paying homage to him. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends.

- Rahul Gandhi

LK Advani, PM Modi condole Pranab Mukherjee's death

"Pranab Da was known and respected for his sharp, analytical mind and was someone who believed in the necessity of dialogue and cooperation among people of various ideological and political backgrounds. His own reflective nature, combined with his long and varied experience in public life, made him a statesman who was admired by people across the political spectrum.

To me personally, he was more than a colleague and we have shared valuable moments both inside and outside of our public lives, which extended even to our families. The memories of various lunches we shared together will always be special in my heart." -- LK Advani

#PranabMukherjee ...full cycle...worked closely with Indira Gandhi, Dhirubhai Ambani, fought with Rajiv Gandhi, came back to Congress became No. 2 under P V Narasimha Rao, Sitaram kesri, Sonia Gandhi. 

Fought with Chidambaram for being 'spied' when Chidambaram was Home Minister. 

He almost resigned; met the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh overseas itself and registered strong protest.

In 2012 he almost missed Presidentship. Mamata and Mulayam Singh came together and even proposed the names of Manmohan Singh and Somnath Chatterjee as new man for Rashtrapati Bhawan. But he finally got it after a contest against a former Congressman P A Sangma.

A die-hard opponent of BJP, ironically he received Bharat Ratna from Namo regime and post-retirement also addressed a RSS meet. 

Indira Gandhi once said ..if u hit on #PranabMukherjee's head...smoke from his pipe would come but no secrets...

Born in 1935...#PranabMukherjee saw many chapters of India unraveling....he held key positions...President...Finance Minister, Defence and External Affairs...but missed 'Home portfolio' .

In Parliamentary matters, he was an encyclopedia, expert on multiple issues. 

Namo condoles Pranab Da's demise!


"India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He has left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation. A scholar par excellence, a towering statesman, he was admired across the political spectrum and by all sections of society."

Former deputy prime minister and senior BJP leader L.K. Advani in 2018 lauded former president Pranab Mukherjee’s address at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur as a “significant event in our country’s contemporary history.”

In a statement, Mr. Advani has said Mukherjee’s visit to the RSS headquarters despite his decades of association with the Congress was a reflection of his “grace and goodwill.”“It was an illuminating exposition of the noble idea and ideals of Indian nationalism,” Mr. Advani said, describing Mr. Mukherjee’s address.As a lifelong “swayamsevak” of the RSS, Mr. Advani, he believed that Mukherjee and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat “have truly set a praiseworthy example of dialogue transcending ideological affiliations and differences.”

TR Zeliang-led NPF approaches NSCN(IM), seeks 'reconciliation'

Signaling a major development in fast-paced Naga peace talks matters, the opposition Naga People's Front (NPF) in Nagaland has given a new role to itself and is trying to broker 'peace' so that the talks that began in 1997 do not go derailed at the last stage.

"In its endeavor to facilitate in bringing about a final solution to the protracted Naga political issue, the Political Affairs Mission of the Naga Peoples’ Front organized a Consultative Meeting with the NSCN/GPRN today at Rhododendron Hall, NAPTC Chumukedima. The NPF delegation was led by  TR Zeliang, Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Political Affairs Mission of NPF while the NSCN/GPRN delegation was led by  Q. Tuccu, Chairman, NSCN/GPRN." - NPF said. 

TR Zeliang and Modi

Qhehezu Tuccu was unanimously elected chairman of NSCN(IM) in February 19. The post of chairman in the potent Naga militant group was lying for almost three years after the death of Isak Chishi Swu on June 28, 2016. 

Despite surging popularity, Namo regime cannot ignore Covid and Economic Crisis

The moot point is - denying a crisis can be a blunder, Namo's popularity should be a strength to perform better instead.

In July, senior BJP leader, Dr Subramanian Swamy, said that the battle against the coronavirus and Ram temple construction should not be mixed. “It is a ridiculous argument ….,” he waxed eloquent.

But it is true the issues in India are gradually getting overlapped. Some of it could be happening through normal course and some of course due to media’s role. The ‘sickular’ media-political establishment seems to even think that hyped media publicity on the questionable and mysterious death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput is political.

One senior journalist also described as the 'worst kid' of ‘sickular polity’ went out of the way to provide a platform to a prime suspect in the Sushant death case. Journalism in India is always linked to politics.

Even so called ‘doyen’ Arun Shourie was fired by Late media baron Ram Nath Goenka when the famous editor had misquoted and virtually created a ‘quote’ attributed to the then Prime Minister V P Singh.

The Covid19 media coverage too has been badly hit by ‘political considerations’ of media organisations and websites drawing their ‘funds’ from certain known and unknown sources. Individual journalists are generally toeing the line and saving their jobs.

Thus on one front – the Tablighi Muslim clerics was a major issue, the Left-Liberal (or ultra anti-Modi fundamentalists) class believed ‘migrant workers’ woes will create herculean challenge for Modi.

On August 27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Covid19 pandemic was “an act of God” and hence there will be unforeseen factors affecting tax collections. It has been also revealed that there would be a whopping deficit of Rs 2.35 lakh crore in collection of GST.

True, challenges are multiple. The floods have only added to people’s miseries practically across the country – Bihar, Assam and also western India.

Yet a miracle seems to be going around too. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains unmoved and strong.

“Modi’s popularity is intact because he seems to give an impression that he is doing his best under the given circumstances. Moreover, the average Hindu voter is more than pleased with Modi because he is getting all the tick marks like getting a Ram Temple at Ayodhya and pursuing hardliner policies against Pakistan as well as in Kashmir,” rightly sums up Guwahati-based educationist Manisha Borkotoky.

Believe it or not; a recent survey revealed that “a resounding 78 per cent of the people surveyed found the performance of PM Modi to be outstanding/good”.Of course, only five per cent of the respondents said the Modi government’s performance has been poor.

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In fact, of those surveyed, 38 per cent say Modi’s performance has been ‘outstanding’ and 40 per cent describe him as a ‘good’ Prime Minister.

The study, however, says – the mean score (by Modi) is low amongst non-Hindus (Muslim and other minorities). Muslim respondents rated Modi’s performance with a mean score of 2.33.

Into another plane of debate, it goes without saying that those who study Indian political history know it pretty well that the BJP’s politics remain intertwined with the Ram temple of Ayodhya its other pro-Hindutva ideology. This of course includes fulfilling a longtime pending pledge by both the BJP and the Sanghparivar fountainhead RSS that Article 370 ought to go.

And Modi has achieved these two.

I know a political observer in the Prime Minister’s constituency of Varanasi, who analyses things well. “Elections in India and elsewhere require two things: a popular face and emotive issues. Ideologies may not matter. The BJP has Narendra Modi – the most acceptable face in India, and pursuing temple politics actually attracts millions of Hindu voters”.

This immediately leads to another facet of the debate- the opposition camp comprising Congress, communists and other regional players are stuck in the politics of 1970s with no plans and issues at hand.

The singular point ‘Modi-bashing’ has backfired time and again. Politically, yes, PM Modi’s temple move should be seen as a long-term strategy for general elections of 2024.

Unhindered focus on Sushant:

Bihar will go to state elections to elect its legislature in November. But among the political parties and common people, sadly the flood crisis, governance issues and Corona pandemic are hardly being discussed.

 As of Aug 27, Bihar has 126990 cases and on average 1500 to 2000 people test positive for corona daily.

People are instead debating death of the film star Sushant Singh Rajput, who reportedly committed suicide in June in Mumbai – country’s entertainment capital and far off from his native state of Bihar. However, the suicide claims have been contested by actor’s family members and the Bihar government and now central agencies including Narcotics Department, CBI and ED are probing the case.

“Day in and day out, people are discussing the issue and the media too run round the clock programmes on the same and there is no serious discussion on other serious issues like

Corona crisis, economic challenges and joblessness,” says socialist leader I P Singh of Samajwadi Party.0

He may have his complaints against television media.
In fact, it is true that the ‘death’ of the actor is an election issue this year and hence even the media focus is on the same.

On average Covid cases are rising at 4-5 percent everyday. Bihar has hardly 40 doctors per 100,000 population, compared with 90-95 at the national level.

In the US there are 250 medicos for the same population size.

The crisis could be at the door steps as public health centers and even big hospitals have stopped providing routine services to patients including child immunization.
The poor and the middle class people face the same situation in other states too. 

West Bengal, Maharashtra and Odisha are being run by opposition parties and in each state there are allegations of poor health infrastructures and underreporting of Covid19 cases and deaths.

“The West Bengal government is underreporting deaths caused due to COVID-19 asthere is no proper mechanism in the rural areas to ascertain how a person has died due to coronaor otherwise,” says parliamentarian Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who belongs to principal oppositionCongress party.

There are regular and repeated scenes of missing doctors, unattended patients, and stray dogs.

In some states rainwater flooded inside hospitals treating Covid-19 patients.
The Mumbai Police in Maharashtra (where Modi’s BJP is not in power), issued an order under Criminal Procedures Code stopping any person ‘inciting mistrust towards government functionaries and their actions taken in order to prevent spread of the COVID-19 virus’.

In fact, in May, the Editors Guild of India expressed concern over “a growing pattern of misuse of criminal laws to intimidate journalists in different parts of the country”.
On July 12, India reported the highest single-day spike of 28,600 with 23,174 deaths.
During a hearing in the Supreme Court, the bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan remarked: “Covid-19 patients are treated worse than animals. In one case, a dead body was found in garbage.”

But things need to be addressed.

India’s COVID-19 case tally crossed 3.3 mn mark on August 27 with 75,760 fresh cases and as many as 1,023 deaths in 24 hours.
This was the worst-ever single day spike of 75,760 Covid cases that has ever been recorded by any country.

The number of containment zones in the national capital stood at 734 on Aug 27 (Thursday) making a quantum jump from 654 a day prior to that. On August 1, Delhi had 539 such zones.

Denying a crisis and not to accept it as a challenge would be a national blunder.

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(This piece also came in website - SatyaVijay

https://satyavijayi.com/despite-surging-popularity-know-why-denying-a-crisis-can-turn-into-a-blunder-for-pm-modi/?fbclid=IwAR3G5a3URYTR7MvyohtcqDXbUdVOG5XXj-AOZ1ZK6ifDGnKX8FX4qOGjpVs

Will it be right to say Nagas were one entity and united in rocklike fashion till this man called RN Ravi entered the space?

Amid debates over the modus operandi for arriving at the 'final' accord to end decades old Naga Insurgency, a new debate has started on whether Governor R N Ravi, also the peace interlocutor, has achieved what he was supposed to.

Well, trust players such as the Naga Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) and the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), the peace pact is virtually ready and can be signed anytime. The other camp - that is NSCN (IM) is demanding Ravi's ouster as the 'interlocutor'.

Will it be right to say Nagas were one entity and united in rocklike fashion till this man called RN Ravi entered the space?  Is there a writing on the wall it is Ravi single-handedly who has successfully divided the Nagas?

The important point is perhaps a section of 'Nagas from Manipur' perhaps stands 'isolated' in circa 2020 from their brethren in 'the state of Nagaland'. And if so, why and how?

N Kitovi Zhimomi, convener of NNPGs, has said: 

“The general notion that is infused into the Naga Society is that ‘If the talks fail, we go back to jungles’. This is easier said. The resultant of this move would be disastrous to our Naga brothers and their families,” he said. 

“Should we continue to shed blood?,”

In this context, the village elders, the Gaon Bura Federation also has their argument: "God fearing leaders should not insist their words and actions are final in the Naga context". 

This element is vital as so far only one version of the story was given all importance. Of course, the NSCN(IM) had its 'strength' when an argument was pushed, but in no manner can an elected Prime Minister of India give a 'separate constitution and flag'. In order to ensure harmony in states like Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam - the division of any state is also ruled out.

Well, it will be illogical to presume that in the name of getting a solution for the vexed Naga problem , the Modi regime could trigger off 'problems' in three other states in the region. 

'Dissenter' Tharoor - says he is Ineradicable! -- meaning -- unable to be destroyed - Did he chose the word carefully?

Azad, Sonia and Kharge

A man of letters that he is, Shashi Tharoor knows it best -- when to talk, how to talk and what to speak up!

Playing with words is his strength certainly.

On August 26, two days after CWC meeting in a media interview - Tharoor was asked - "Have you chanced upon an adjective that would adequately describe your affinity for words?"
His answer was - Ineradicable! (The Indian Express) 

Well the meaning of the word is -- unable to be destroyed or removed.

 Did he chose the word carefully? 

It is said a dinner hosted by Tharoor triggered the 'Letter' writing moment among 23 Congress leaders and a move that was apparently backed by about 100 others.

"Deeply sad for our country. This is why #IndiaSaysBJPNoMor !," he tweeted on Friday sharing his views on Covid19 crisis and how India has been hit economically in last few months.

US Prez polls and Kamala Harris debate stirs up unusual headlines in India; But does it merit?

No matter who wins, the Narendra Modi government will undoubtedly reach out to the new US administration and vice versa after November polls - be it Republican Trump or Democrats Joe Biden-Kamala Harris duo.

Kamala Harris: What's 'Indian' about her ?

It is usual that global media celebrate the US presidential election because of the geopolitical and economic influence that Capitol Hill exerts on the world. The reportage of the November election, however, is gathering more steam than usual in India.

Some sections of the media say the nomination of Kamala Harris, whose mother is a migrant Indian, as the Democrats' vice president candidate could sway substantial votes of Asian Americans against Republican President Donald Trump.

While that remains nothing more than an expectation, social media discussion presents Harris' nomination as Joe Biden's running mate as the "blossoming of the American lotus," giving it a pro-Hindu tint.

The name Kamala in Sanskrit means lotus. Paradoxically, the lotus is also the electoral symbol of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Discussion on the blossoming of the American lotus, however ridiculous and silly it may be, shows the eagerness of a politically motivated group in India to connect every success in the world with their party.

It goes without saying, Kamala Harris has nothing much to do do with being 'desi' or the 'desi connect' or 'India' as a nation except that she is the daughter of cancer biologist Shyamala Gopalan, who migrated from the southern Indian city of Chennai. Her father is a Jamaican migrant. That way, Jamaicans could be more excited !!

It is natural if some American Indians live vicariously through her half-Indian status.

True, Modi has a unique habit of putting his own country - India - and of course

the Indians at the centre of the universe.

In the run up to the much awaited Presidential elections in the United States, the 'Indian Americans' have gained a sudden importance. Thanks to Democratic candidate Biden's decision to field Kamala Harris as the candidate for Vice President.

Will the outcome of US Presidential elections in November make things tougher for Hindu fundamentalist forces in India?

Indeed, during the Modi regime, India-US relations have improved. The Modi-Trump bond has enhanced strategic ties in bilateral relations. 

The Modi government has got almost a free pass from the American establishment under right-winger Donald Trump on human rights and religious minorities, including Christians and Muslims.

Trump and Modi share equal dislike or indifferent relationship towards Muslims. In 2002, Modi, as Gujarat state chief minister, came under severe criticism for anti-Muslim carnage that killed hundreds of Muslims including women and children. Trump's hatred toward Muslims and the sinister rhetoric are also well known.

Under President Trump, the US has almost turned a blind eye to the Indian government's policy toward religious minorities. On Aug. 5, 2019, the Modi government, guided by his party's electoral promise and the jingoism of a hardline Hindutva cult, abolished the semi-autonomous status of Muslim-majority Kashmir's special privileges.

"Kamala Harris is a strong supporter of human rights and the rights of Kashmiris. She opposes bullies like Modi … Half south Indian, Kamala is the best choice" for vice president, tweeted one Tony Ashai, whose Twitter profile describes him as a Kashmiri-American architect and designer.

Seat of Hindu spirituality

Harris' support for Kashmir is sure to attract some votes, as expressed in another tweet. She "is the favorite candidate of those who wants to break my ancestral homeland of Kashmir away from India. Kashmir is the seat of Hindu spirituality. I can't support any candidate who goes to bat for Kashmiri terrorists," it said.

The Democrats are projected as those fighting Trump's anti-Muslim and pro-corporate approach. However, some experts feel a strong Indo-US tie prevails, and it will continue, no matter who comes to power.

"The Indo-US bond will be hardly affected even if Kamala Harris becomes vice president," BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva told UCA News. "We had good ties during Barack Obama, and it only improved when Trump took charge." 

But Kamala Harris has strongly opposed the Modi government's decision on Kashmir. When progressive American lawmaker Pramila Jayapal — a Democrat — introduced a US House resolution urging India to uphold human rights in Kashmir, Harris tweeted: "I stand with Jayapal, and I am glad her colleagues in the House did too."

Chai - Modi and Obama: Jan 2015

In September 2019, Harris was more vocal, stating: "Kashmiris are not alone. We are all watching. So often, when we see human rights abuses ... the abuser will convince those that they abuse that nobody cares and that nobody's watching."

In the last six years of the Modi regime, critics say, India has diluted its commitment to the principles that upheld the rights of religious minorities. In 2019, Modi was given a second term to run the world's largest democracy. But political rivals, including Congress and communists, said India's march toward Hindu majoritarianism is a near-fatal situation for Christians and Muslims.

Regular media reports from across India highlight the arbitrariness and high-handedness of law enforcement agencies against religious minorities.

"There is hope among India's minorities that once the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris duo comes to power, some of the wrong policies of the American government toward immigrants and Muslims will end. This will have an impact in India too," said Ilyas Qureshi, Congress leader in Gujarat. 

India houses 180 million Muslims in a country of 130 billion people. Christians are a negligible 2.3 percent, forming the second-largest minority.

However, insiders in the ruling BJP and those involved in foreign policy say that the Modi government will undoubtedly reach out to Washington soon after the election.

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Kanwal Sibal, former Foreign Secretary, says, "We should not give too much importance to the role a future Vice President of the US would play in terms of formulating foreign policy.

Not only that a large number of Indian Americans have hailed the move, in India too - foreign policy experts and Indian politicians have reacted to the episode with much excitement. But importantly, the emphasis is also because there is more than just academic discussion on what will be Kamala's role once she is made a Vice President of the US.

This debate gains currency at a time when the "right-wing Hindu nationalism" under Narendra Modi has been growing

from strength to strength.

Kanwal Sibal, former Foreign Secretary, says, "We should not give too much importance to the role a future Vice 

President of the US would play in terms of formulating foreign policy. In the US, foreign policy is prerogative of the President

and other institutions including the Pentagon". 

"Biden himself is very experienced in terms of India-relationship," he says adding "Kamala Harris has been selected

(as a candidate) for a variety of reasons in order to mobilise votes of the Blacks and Minorities. So there has been 

clear domestic calculation".

Echoing the same spirit, leaders in the ruling BJP also say "nobody in India" should expect her to walk into the White

House and take key decisions on India.  

Left to her image, Kamala Harris, the daughter of Indian mother and Jamaican father, has been very vocal

in the past against Prime Minister Modi's Kashmir policy.

Under President Donald Trump, the US almost turning a 'blind eye' to Indian government's policy towards

religious minorities has certainly suited the BJP and Prime Minister Modi. Will all these change?

On August 5, 2019, the Modi government guided by his party's electoral promise and jingoism of neo-hardline

Hindutva cult, had abolished a constitutional provision that gave Muslim-stronghold Kashmir autonomous and

special privileges.

⁩"Kamala Harris is a strong supporter of Human Rights and the rights of Kashmiris. She opposes bullies

like Modi and (India's hardliner Home Minister Amit Shah). Half South Indian, Kamala is the best choice for

VP. Wishing them success in November," tweeted one Tony Ashai, whose Twitter profile describes him

as a 'Kashmiri-American Architect and Designer'.

However, another missive went saying, "She (Kamala Harris) is the favorite candidate of those who want to

break my ancestral homeland of Kashmir away from India. Kashmir is the seat of Hindu spirituality. I can't

support any candidate who goes to bat for Kashmiri terrorists".

India's suave External affairs minister S Jaishankar had cancelled a meeting with US lawmakers, including Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal last year. Harris had then backed her colleague. “It’s wrong for any foreign government (India)

to tell Congress what members are allowed in meetings on Capitol Hill,” she has said.

Some experts feel nevertheless the 'strategic realities' of a strong Indo-US tie that is prevailing would continue and

any incoming regime in the White House -- either under Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Biden will have to

navigate the same manner.

Virendra Sachdeva, BJP leader in the party's Good Governance cell, told UCA News - "Even if Kamala Harris becomes Vice

President, the Indo-US bond will be hardly affected. Any American government has to deal respectfully with

India and our Prime Minister Modi. We had good ties during Barack Obama and it only improved when Trump took

charge of White House".

"Modi has always run a carefully choreographed and planned diplomacy. Do not forget even as Gujarat Chief Minister,

Modi visited China and the dividends were reflected in trade and investment. Even if there is a change of regime in the US,

the Indian leadership will handle it well with matured diplomacy".

But it nevertheless goes without stating that Kamala Harris has strongly opposed the Modi government's decision

to take direct control of Kashmir. When progressive American lawmaker Pramila Jayapal — a Democrat — introduced

a US House resolution urging India to uphold human rights vis-a-vis Muslims in Kashmir; Harris had tweeted - "I stand with Jayapal and I am glad her colleagues in the House did too".

In September 2019, Harris was more vocal stating: "Kashmiris are not alone. We are all watching. So often, when

we see human rights abuses... the abuser will convince those that they abuse that nobody cares,

and that nobody's watching".

In the last six years under Modi, his detractors say India has diluted its decades old commitment to values and principles

that upheld rights of religious minorities. In 2019, Modi was given a second term to run the world’s largest democracy and political rivals including Congress and communists said India's march towards Hindu majoritarianism is a near fatal situation for Christians and Muslims.

There are regular news items across different parts of the country of arbitrariness and high handedness of

law enforcing agencies against religious minorities.

Therefore, many say it remains to be seen whether a Democrat-regime in the White House in the US will

change all these. 

Obviously, according to Gujarat Congress leader, Ilyas Qureshi, "There is hope among India's minorities

that once the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris duo comes to power, some of the wrong policies of the American government

towards immigrants and Muslims will end. This will have impact in India too".

He further says, "Trump and Modi both triumph with their anti-Muslim rhetoric ; that is why

I believe substantial Indian Americans and specially Muslims will vote for Democrats this year".

India houses 180 million Muslims in a country of 130 billion plus population and in fact the number is more than 170 million Pakistanis.  

Others also say by backing Modi and even 'ignoring Delhi riots of 2020'; Donald Trump had only

supported 'right wing nationalism' of the BJP.

The Republican regime and President Trump himself lauded Modi as a man working for religious freedom. But it was a big let down as Trump did not even condemn the Delhi violence in February and attack those who dare run the risk of being branded as traitors.

Knives Out ? Ghulam Nabi Azad calls for 'elected President' in Congress, flays APPOINTMENT CARDS

Now irreplaceable Asaduddin Owaisi has his say :

"Ghulam Nabi Azad used to call us BJP's 'B' team. Now, his party's former chief said he colluded with BJP by signing on the letter. Muslim leaders in Congress should think for how long they'll remain slave of Congress leadership"

Ghulam Nabi Azad indicates there is certainly an uneasy calm:

"Anyone who has a genuine interest in the internal working dynamics of Congress would welcome our proposal to have every state and district Congress presidents come through election. The entire Congress Working Committee should be elected".

"The intention is to make Congress active and strong. But those who simply got 'APPOINTMENT cards' continue to oppose our proposal. What's the harm in having elected CWC members who will have stable tenures in the party".

"When fighting for principles 

In life
In politics
In law
Amongst social activists
On social media platforms

Opposition is often voluntary

Support is often managed" - Kapil Sibal in his tweet on August 26.

On Aug 25, he wrote --- 

- It’s not about a post It’s about my country which matters most

The so called 'dissenters' - 23 of them and some who were part of the Darbari team for decades - have got a snub when the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution at the end of seven-hour long meet on Monday, Aug 24, cautioned them clearly, "No one will be allowed to weaken the Congress".

In other words -- do whatever you like or do not like - do not question the Family. Do not raise the performance bogey for crown prince - Rahul Gandhi. Sickularism and some TV commentators lost their smile for two days !!

Sympathising with the dissidents, Sanjay Jha, who was suspended recently for calling for inner party democracy, summed up the crystal clear 'hesitation' of the Congress leadership to diagnose the malady. "For 6 years, we are waiting for the " right time" to discuss revival of the Congress. Seriously?  52, 560 hours have gone," Jha tweeted.

In another missive he says: "This is just the end of the beginning".

Rebellion has started or what?

The single big message of Aug 24 meet despite all attempts, Rahul Gandhi's return as Congress president was stalled.

Every rebel has a past and why not !

True revolts have unfolded in the Congress party, or is it the same good old stage-managed drama?

In the ultimate analysis, the Sonia Gandhi-Rahul 'mother-son' duo has kept control on the party management.

Kapil Sibal made a quick retreat after Rahul Gandhi's tele call on August 24 when the meeting of the CWC was still on. Was it the first sign of crown prince trying to give a portion of his arrogance?

But let us take a few 'dissidents' or the 'Letter writers'. Kapil Sibal, one of the signatories, raised the pitch of a war on Monday afternoon but it required just a tele call from Rahul Gandhi and he withdrew the tweet. Rest of the team members were also inside the shell.

Take the clock back to 2019 - February!

Kapil Sibal made an appearance in the Supreme Court premises alongside Anil Ambani even as his Rahul Gandhi, then the 'unquestionable' Congress president, had been attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “favouring” Ambani (younger son of Dhirubhai Ambani) in the Rafale deal. Ambanis for decades had friendship with Congress leaders includingthe likes of Kapil Sibal and also top brass such as Pranab Mukherjee and Indira Gandhi herself.

Sibal had done it earlier too. A section of Congress leaders admitted that when Modi has likes of 

Kapil Sibal and Manishankar Aiyar as his 'friends', the BJP could be sitting pretty happy

smiling around.

This was in 2017 during the peak of electioneering in Gujarat - where the Congress did put up a stiff fight and almost

ousted the saffron party in its own bastion.

While Aiyar rhetoric of 'neech admi' gave the BJP a major arsenal vis-a-vis Gujarati pride and Modi's popularity

in his own home state, Sibal stunned his party and also the BJP.

Can they be New Turks?

Amid campaigning for the Gujarat assembly polls, Sibal had urged the Supreme Court (in 2017)to 'defer' the hearing in the Ayodhya title suit until after 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

True, the Congress party was left distancing itself from Sibal, but damage was done as PM Modi and BJP plunged into the battle making Ram temple one of the election issues for Hindu voters of Gujarat. 

Sibal was representing the Sunni Waqf Board in the court.

Prior to that even in 2011 during the UPA days of power, Sibal as the Telecom minister came up with his logic of “zero loss" as against the talk of Rs 1.76 lakh crore loss in the 2G spectrum sale as articulated by the CAG.

Such a statement from the then Minister only gave the '2G scam' new turns and twists in the entire game only

harming the reputation of the Manmohan Singh regime.

Sources said Rahul Gandhi had sounded his 'displeasure' everytime Sibal committed those goof ups.

Next let us take Ghulam Nabi Azad, the man who was part of 'Sonia team' when the infamous coup ousted Sitaram Kesri from the AICC.

Azad, who also became Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir at the directives of Sonia Gandhi, is apparently upset as his detractors are all set to make Mallikarjun Kharge the new Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. 

Azad represents Jammu and Kashmir and his term in the Upper House ends on February 15, 2021 as well.

In the absence of the state legislature in Jammu and Kashmir now, Azad is not sure when and how he will enter the Rajya Sabha yet again. By February, Azad will be completing five terms as a member of the House of Elders.  

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda feels he has been cut to size in Haryana politics. He was even planning to quit the party prior to last year's assembly polls in the state.

Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor more often displays an independent mind.

But these at times create problems for the party. Officially, the Congress party did not want to oppose the Triple Talaq Bill at the introductory stage itself. But suave Tharoor did exactly that in Lok Sabha last year.

Both Rahul Gandhi and Congress floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were critical of Tharoor's stance. 

But yet again a damage was done. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad quickly targeted Sonia Gandhi and said: “A woman leader, Sonia Gandhi ji, is the leader of Congress party, yet Congress takes an anti-women position in the Lok Sabha".

In 2009 itself, as the Minister of State for External Affairs, Tharoor had to apologise for his

'cattle class' and 'out of solidarity with all our holy cows' tweet. Even the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was annoyed with him.

Of course, Tharoor had to quit as Minister later on April 19, 2010 over the 'IPL -Kochi franchise' row.

Tharoor again made news when he backed Jairam Ramesh and Abhishek Singhvi for openly stating that it was wrong to “demonise” Modi.

"I have argued for six years now that Narendra Modi should be praised whenever he says or does the

right thing, which would add credibility to our criticisms whenever he errs," Tharoor had tweeted.

The former UN official is said to have played major role in drafting and enlisting signatures of party colleagues in the letter to Sonia Gandhi.

Both Tharoor and Manish Tewari as Lok Sabha members - after 2019 polls - had hoped of getting 'important' positions in parliamentary politics. Instead, Sonia Gandhi reposed faith in Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a 'not so articulate' leader from West Bengal.

Extraordinary Talent problem??

After missing floor leader post, both were apparently eyeing crucial chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee but that also went to Adhir Chowdhury. 

Sandeep Dikshit, two-time Congress MP from Delhi, also recently said senior leaders (perhaps those close to Sonia and Rahul) were not in favour of holding elections for a new party president as they all were "scared" that someone from the 'rival camp' could occupy the key post.

ends

...first signs of Rahul 'crown prince' trying to dilute his arrogance: CWC says no internal matters must be discussed in media

can we say -- Sonia Gandhi is 'hurt' because Rahul Gandhi was not made Congress president yet again?

Congress Working Committee unanimously requests Sonia Gandhi to continue as interim chief till the time AICC session can be convened: #CWC

@Congress leaders and workers should not discuss party's internal matters in media: #CWC resolution

#Congress

#SoniaGandhi

#

No one will be allowed to weaken @INCIndia Congress:
CWC resolution

#SoniaGandhiResigns ....the drama ends

Tom Vadakkan, a former Congress insider and now a BJP leader cautions:
"Each of the 23 letter writers will be hounded.....

There is contradiction in Sonia's statement that she is 'hurt' and she wants to forget...Both cannot go together"

Underline message is attempt to make Rahul Gandhi rejected ....

can we say -- Sonia Gandhi is 'hurt' because Rahul Gandhi was not made Congress president yet again?

"I think Rahul ji made a mistake. He should have said colluding with the BJP & the media. 
Not only did they leak the letter to the media, they continue to feed/leak minute to minute conversations of the CWC meeting that's going on right now to the media. Amazing! "

- Divya Spandana/Ramya, a known Rahul Gandhi loyalist

(is she contradicting Rahul Gandhi's tele call to Kapil Sibal)

Is it Rahul Gandhi verses 23 leaders

signatories - Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, M Veerappa Moily, Prithviraj Chavan 

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Shashi Tharoor, Kapil Sibal, Manish Tewari, Vivek Tankha, Mukul Wasnik, Jitin Prasada, PJ Kurian, Ajay Singh, Renuka Chaudhary and Milind Deora, Raj Babbar, Arvinder Singh Lovely, Kaul Singh Thakur 

#Rahul called Sibal ..... first signs of 'crown prince' trying to dilute
his arrogance !!

Revolts have unfolded in the Congress, or is it the same good old stage-managed drama?

But whatever it is, interesting times ahead in the party and also the country's first 'political dynasty'.

It appears - as this is being written - there is rebellion from a few 'unthinkable' names -- like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal.

There are also inside stories suggesting Sonia Gandhi would bank on old hand Ashok Gehlot or Capt Amarinder Singh to take charge of the Congress.

But given the drama unfolding, did Sachin Pilot commit a blunder by going back to the 'party-family' fold ?

Or the scene is if Gehlot moves as party chief, perhaps Sachin Pilot will be the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

Kapil tweets saying: 
"Rahul Gandhi says we are colluding with BJP".....etc etc 

But about half an hour later, he withdrew the missive and wrote:
"Was informed by Rahul Gandhi personally  that he never said what was attributed to him . I therefore withdraw my tweet" .

The CWC meeting began on Monday with many leaders sitting for a virtual video conference.

Twenty-three senior leaders of the Congress, including five former Chief Ministers, and the likes if Ghulam Nabi Azad and Shashi Tharoor and several members of the Congress Working Committee, sitting MPs, and former Union Ministers, have written to party chief Sonia Gandhi, calling for sweeping changes at every level.

The leaders, it is learnt, have pointed out that the “uncertainty” over the leadership and the “drift” in the party had demoralised workers and weakened the party. Importantly, they are learnt to have said that the CWC is not “effectively guiding” the party anymore in mobilising public opinion against the BJP government.

While CWC meetings, they felt, are “episodic” and convened in reaction to political developments, the meetings of Congress Parliamentary Party have been reduced to the customary address of CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi and obituary references.