Financial defalcation, where's the clean party? Arrests boomerang at times

New Delhi, Aug 22  There are always two sides of a coin. When a political rival is 'arrested' especially on graft charges, there have been instances of things getting backfired. 
And the person put behind bars can successfully come out victorious literally and steal 'sympathy' support and votes.
A peep into the past shows such things happened in nearby South Asian countries as well.
In 1977 when Indira Gandhi was arrested in corruption cases, it was reported that the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai had cautioned that Mrs Gandhi should not get any sympathy and that cases ought to be 'ironclad'.

 The history is witness that Indira Gandhi did get sympathy later; and she could make a strong comeback also due to infightings amongst opposition leaders.

Along with Indira Gandhi, her Cabinet colleagues were also arrested - H R Gokhale, Law Minister; D P Chattopadhyaya, Commerce; P C Sethi, Chemicals Minister and K D Malaviya, Petroleum Minister.
"....one case dealt with Gandhi's "illegally conniving" with others and pressuring two companies to obtain 104 jeeps for election work in several districts including her own. The second charge alleged she misused her position in awarding a USD 13.4 million government oil drilling contract to a French firm, despite a lower bid by a competitor," says a report in 'The Washington Post'. 
It is certainly a different story that ultimately Janata regime did not survive.
In 1970s, Pakistani leader and a former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was arrested on corruption cases by the military regime but soon it was felt the 'arrest' helped Bhutto and he recovered quickly from the reputation that was at its nadir.

Time and again Lalu Prasad has played the victim card. BJP sources have said that the Congress leadership 'move' backing P Chidambaram was too guided by 'political consideration' besides his family connections with Rahul and his mother Sonia Gandhi.

Congress wanted to draw some media mileage and public sympathy and therefore Chidambaram was fielded at a press conference to declare his innocence on Wednesday.
Chidambaram also asked probe agencies CBI and ED to "respect" the law till the Supreme Court hears his bail plea on Friday.

As they say, in short and in all fairness, another uniqueness of corruption vice is that it pervades the entire political spectrum.
The BJP could be rejoicing at the agony of Congress today, but saffron party's first backward community president Bangaru Laxman too was ‘caught’ on camera collecting currency notes.
B S Yediyurappa, the incumbent Karnataka Chief Minister and whose personal image helped BJP come to power in the state today, was also jailed. Yediyurappa was arrested on October 15, 2011 after a special Lokayukta court charged him in alleged irregularities in denotifying government land. He was shifted to a hospital on health ground.

Starting from A R Antulay days to the new millennium’s Telgi stamp paper scam of Maharashtra, 2Gspectrum scam, the Adarsh Housing scam, Commonwealth Games scandal, Karnataka’s land scandal, Coalgate and Vyapam are just pointers to the fact that the fungus of corruption is a lasting menace. 
When the issue was raised with Arun Shourie, a former editor and an ex Union Minister few years back, he had said, rather aptly: ''As regards checking political corruption, what’s important is that conviction should start and the wrong doers are sent to the jail".

The Corruption fungus is more of a socio-political amalgamation. In his diagnosis as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, N Vittal had clubbed five types of people for practicing and propagating corruption. Neta, the politician, with babu (bureaucrat), lala (industrialist), dada (criminal) and zhola (NGOs)."There is a need to break the nexus,'' Vittal had prescribed. The 2G spectrum scam perhaps enlarged that canvas and now media persons and PR industry also matter.Among netas yet again, Natwar Singh, a first diplomat-turned-politician, landed himself in 'oil soup' in 2005 when his name appeared in Volcker report.During the Vajpayee regime, the Supreme Court-appointed committee on petrol pump had recommended cancellation of 296 allotments. The episode showed total mockery of public accountability even under a respected PM.

In the 1980s, Rajiv Gandhi lost power owing to Bofors kickback scam and in later years, P V Narasimha Rao was charged with receiving a suitcase full of currency from stock broker Harshad Mehta. 

Even the late V N Gadgil, the chief spokesman for Congress, later admitted to committing a ''mistake'' by describing Rao as ''Mr Clean'' once.
''Just when the cases against Narasimha Rao were being built, I was asked is Rao 'Mr Clean'…… I should have avoided that question…...”'' Gadgil had said later.

In the ultimate analysis, if corruption is a hydra-headed malady; the holier than thou approach cannot be a virtue for the political class when it comes to corruption or the financial defalcation.

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Law often catches up with Netas: Chidambaram joins a special club

Law of the land often catches up with corrupt politicians and corruption as a vice has hit netas of all hues. 

Just as the ad goes - 'Hamam mein sab nangey haen'. 

Politicians arrested or who faced the wrong side of the law include among others - 

J Jayalalitha (AIADMK), Lalu Prasad Yadav (RJD), Sukh Ram (Congress), Suresh Kalmadi (Congress), A Raja, M Kanimozhi (both DMK), B S Yediyurappa and Bangaru Laxman (both BJP).

Some others would include the likes of  Om Prakash Chautala and Rasheed Masood.

A team of about two dozen officials remained on guard at the bungalow when Chidambaram was inside with Sibal and Singhvi.

After completing arrest formalities, the CBI team had to wade through Congress supporters who had gathered outside raising slogans against the agency.

Some supporters jumped on the white car in which Chidambaram was being taken to the agency headquarters.

Delhi Police personnel were also posted to prevent any adverse law and order situation.

The agency had been seeking Chidambaram's "custodial interrogation" in the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the grant of foreign investment clearances to INX Media when he was the finance minister.

They said Chidambaram was summoned last year for questioning in the case but he remained evasive in his responses.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to grant P Chidambaram any protection from arrest by rejecting his plea seeking anticipatory bail.

Swinging into action after the high court order, a team of CBI officers had landed at the Jor Bagh residence here to locate him but he was not present.

The agency officials returned after pasting a notice at his residence on Tuesday night asking him to be present before the investigation officer of the case within two hours. Chidambaram did not appear before them.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has listed Chidambaram's petition on Friday without giving him any interim relief in the matter.

The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to the INX media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister.

Thereafter, the ED lodged a money laundering case in this regard in 2018.

Chidambaram arrested: BJP sees 'vindication' of PM Modi's electoral promise

New Delhi, Aug 21  The BJP on Wednesday welcomed the arrest of senior Congress leader and former Home Minister P Chidambaram and suggested that the latest develop in the fierce politico-legal battle is only vindication of what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised on the eve of general elections this year.

Minutes after Mr Chidambaram's arrest, BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya tweeted a video where PM Modi in April 2019 had said "...jinhoney desh ko loota hae, unko pai pai lautani padegi".

Mr Modi also had said: "Some are on bail while some are getting dates from courts. I have managed to take these corrupt people to the doors of jail. One more term, and they can be pushed into it."

"You all have seen since 2014, with your support, I have taken these people to doors of jail. Investigations are on and after 2019....," Mr Modi has said.




A senior parliamentarian, Chidambaram also parted ways from Congress in 1990s and was part of UF government as Finance Minister as a nominee of Tamil Manila Congress.


On Wednesday, he became the first former Finance and Home Minister of the country to have been 'arrested'.

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Great crisis produce great men : Article 370 Abrogation - Great Expectations and Beyond

Independence Day- Musings

Great crisis produce great men and great deeds of courage.

- John F Kennedy

So, if Kashmir was a challenge, if not a crisis for India – it has produced two ‘great men’ – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Without doubt, every soldier of BJP today feels proud of their leaders as they took a most decisive step in country’s political journey in last seven decades. 

When BJP returned to power in 2019 polls with an enhanced mandate nd 300 plus seats for the saffron party on its own; the main apprehension among religious minority leaders and a section of left-liberals has been that the the Centre and the pro-Hindutva outfit  could change the constitution to discard the parliamentary system.

This fear is not new. In the 1990s, when Indian politics had entered an era of coalition regimes, veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, a former deputy prime minister, had floated the idea of a presidential form of government. Advani said the Indian constitution required a “fresh look.”

The abrogation of Article 370, enacting Uniform Civil Code and a grand Temple at Ayodhya were three principal yet contentious promises made by the BJP in electoral politics. Now, one of them has been implemented ! In terms of election promise - it has been fulfilled.

To make things clear, I must admit that abrogation of the Article 370 does make me happy. That is of course a vital step; but what is most admirable is that the development-starved Ladakh region has been given Union Territory status. 

This will help the Ladakhis and give them the fruits of development.

Blogger in corridors of Democracy's Temple

In some other context, I have said earlier that one area the Modi government’s role remain far from satisfactory is - the absence of steps to be taken to dispel notion that India is heading towards majoritism. 

Should the ruling regime remain inclusive remains a question! And Prime Minister himself  seems to be not doing enough on this to eradicate the 'perception' that fundamentalism has been let loose in this country. I am saying this despite a firm belief that a section of 'self serving' intellectuals and the ‘sickular media and polity’ will never understand the genuine assertiveness of the majority community.

The Hindus are angry about 'minority appeasement' and the Modi-Amit Shah duo is smartly using this anguish no doubt. 

Let us go back to Jammu and Kashmir and the new roadmap unveiled by Prime Minister in his address to the nation on August 8, 2019.

Prime Minister has linked the fresh initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir with his ‘New India’ vision and said the new measures are actually a step towards making of a ‘New J&K’  and New hope, and that fresh opportunities are awaiting people. 

I agree with the Prime Minister that over the last several decades nobody could properly explain the benefits of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and why it was sought to be seen as a permanent measure. It is a matter of national agony  that  42,000 innocent lives had been lost due to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir – which were inspired and aided by Pakistan; and had taken roots under the so called special status provision.

There are also merits in the argument that the Article 370 only encouraged dynastic rules in Jammu and Kashmir for Abdullahs and Mufti family over the decades. These had prevented the local youth and the village people from taking up leadership roles. 

Here it will be relevant to quote Prime Minister Modi. "All our brothers and sisters who believe in the Constitution of India have full rights to lead a good life. To realize their dreams is the duty of each and every Indian,’’ the Prime Minister has said expressing confidence that separatism and terror need to be defeated by the local people.

That way; I am optimistic that the so called militancy problem or terrorism has been given a fight thought it could be erroneous and also too early to say that the menace is on the last leg in Jammu and Kashmir.

As someone brought up in wilds of Nagaland, I know many facets of ‘militancy’ and ‘separatism’. Essentially, these can flourish only when people feel disconnected from the power structures.

Therefore, there is a debate whether the Article 370 has really strengthened the ‘separatist tendencies’ or brought people closer to the national mainstream.
The history and statistics vis-a-vis Jammu and Kashmir tell a different story. Thus, the near conviction statement - the special constitutional provision has failed. 
The original purpose was to encourage devolution of power, but in reality the Article 370 and even the Article 35 (A) were misused. While a few families thrived and years after years – the village level polls and panchayat elections were boycotted, and this resulted in ‘centralisation’ of power with valley based leaders and families.

I need not be wrong if I say – time is up for such politics where there was no space for Ladakhis and even for poor and downtrodden tribals in Jammu region. 

Modi's campaign line: Bong Style

It would be crucial to note that the Modi-Shah duo took immense risk in Jammu and Kashmir. Aided by Ajit Doval's experience in handling the security apparatus in a rather hawkish style, the PM-HM decision making system has banked a lot on presumption that the reactions to abrogation of the Article 370 would be handled well and not blow up beyond expected proportion.

One analysis suggests, PM Modi has been successful so far in Jammu and Kashmir as while preparing the ground for revoking Article 370, the centre had taken steps 'choking' the flow of money to the radical camps. This is where perhaps the demonetisation was a success and so was sudden harsh steps taken by the government against many Jammu and Kashmir leaders.

The hawkish temperament seems to have helped the Modi-Shah-Doval trio.

Looking back, the election results endorsed PM Modi’s style of governance and showed how ineffective the Congress’ attempts have been to project him as a 'corrupt' were. 'Chowkidar chor hae' slogan has simply boomeranged on Rahul Gandhi.

However, the election results have pushed Indian political history to a turning point. 

Modi has shown time and again how he abhors Nehruvian politics and revocation of the Article 370 is certainly one such step to prove Modi's hatred for the Congress party and to country's first Prime Minister.

Little to add that since the British left, politics has mainly centered around the Congress, who ruled the country for a total 52 years with the odd interval. 

That dominance waned in 2014 and the Congress strength came down below 50. In 2019, Modi's win virtually decimated the Congress further though number of seats in Lok Sabha crossed the 50 marks. 

The BJP and its ideological guide RSS leadership is thus at the centre of everything that is happening in India today.

At the centre of all these - stands Modi - a man who made a synthesis of Hindu ideology and development. And it perhaps still sells even as overall job scenario has  hardly improved from what was in 2014. To a large section of Indians it has only worsened.

Muslim Congress workers in Varanasi: 2019 Polls

Well, the decimation of the Congress suggests the total collapse of a political system that had thrived since Indian independence in 1947.

It had demerits and there were some mistakes. Now whether the country has able to correct the mistakes or the story is something else - only time will tell.

“We were wrong. We were wrong in supporting ......A little being of own power, a few slogans which might have been initiated by a genuine desire for reform and change….”

The detractors of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be too glad to read these lines. Incidentally these lines are not mine and more interestingly, these lines are not about Narendra Modi. Now this is sheer coincident. History, truly, has a depressing habit of repeating itself especially in a democracy. These lines were penned decades back by Raj Thapar, a close friend of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 18 August, 1974, in her diary.

ends

PM recalls Haryanvi touch in Sushma's ascent, Rajnath says she liked being called 'Di'

New Delhi, Aug 13 Tributes and good words about departed souls go hand in hand; so does anecdotes and some light moments which can leave people with moist eyes.
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had some special memories to share on Tuesday about their deceased colleague and compatriot of many years in front of a capacity crowd at the spacious Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.

".....Woh achhi thi; namra se bhari hui thi, sab thik hae. Lekin kabhi kabhi unki juban mein pucca Haryanvi touch bhi thi (Everyone has appreciated her, recalled her qualities. But I used to get a clear Haryanvi touch in her ascent)," Prime Minister said here at the Shradanjali Programme organised by Delhi unit of BJP.

"Along with the Haryanvi ascent, she knew how to make her point strongly. And once she has shared her views or made her point; Sushma ji would not compromise an inch," Prime Minister said at the function attended by Late Swaraj's husband Swaraj Kaushal and daughter Bansuri besides a galaxy of parliamentarians from different parties and also union Ministers.

Born in Ambala Cantonment area, at the age of 25 in 1977, Sushma Swaraj became the youngest cabinet minister of Haryana.

For his part, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "....I used to call her Di; normally she took it for Ji and that's an usual practice. But one day, when I called her Sushma-Di and she heard it clearly. She came back and held both my hands".
Born on July 10, 1951, Defence Minister Rajnath was - however - one year elder to Late Sushma, who was born on February 14, 1952. 

Both Mr Modi and Rajnath Singh have seen Sushma Swaraj work from close range.

In fact, between 2010 and 2014, when Sushma was Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha; Mr Singh was BJP president and a sitting MP in the Lower House of Parliament itself.

Many times, after Late Swaraj used to make her speeches or the due observations - Rajnath Singh would be seen congratulating her.Prime Minister also said that Ms Bansuri has enough glimpses of her mother and at the time of Sushma's death, "Bansuri did stand strong and also rendered the much needed emotional support to her father (Swaraj Kaushal)".

In an emotive speech, Ms Bansuri said her mother (Late Swaraj) was her "best friend".

Ailing Advani extends I-Day greetings, no flag hoisting at his residence on Aug 15

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) Former Deputy Prime Minister and BJP patriarch L K Advani on Wednesday extended Independence Day greetings to all but his office said on account of his ill health there will be no flag hoisting programme at his residence on Thursday.

"This is to inform you that Shri L K Advaniji has been running viral fever for the last five days, as such there will be no Flag Hoisting programme this year on 15th August, 2019 at his residence 30, Prithviraj Road, New Delhi," a statement from his office said here.

"Happy Independence Day Greetings to all," the missive said.

Veteran BJP leader Advani unfurls tri colour on the occasion of the Independence Day every year.

Tectonic shift: Lotus blooms in regional party bastion Sikkim as BJP gets ten MLAs

New Delhi, Aug 13 After making its imprint in seven north eastern states, the BJP on Tuesday took a giant and decisive step to emerge as a force to reckon with in the eighth state of Sikkim as ten sitting legislators from regional outfit SDF switched over to the saffron camp.

"We want Lotus - BJP's election symbol - to bloom in Sikkim," D T Lepcha, five-time legislator, told reporters here signaling tectonic shift in the state's polity as it is for the first time a national political party has made its mark in Sikkim - which has been traditionally a regional party bastion.

The Congress and the BJP - both as national parties - have struggled hard over the years to make it big in the crucial north eastern state situated strategically close to China, Bhutan and Nepal.  

Though his party Sikkim Krantikari Morcha stormed to power in state polls held this year, the incumbent Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang is however, not an elected MLA of the House.

The state is - thus - heading for interesting political developments as there would be by-elections in three vacant assembly seats round the corner.

For their part, BJP leaders like Ram Madhav has said - "BJP will play the role of a constructive opposition in Sikkim".

In fact, the whispering in the saffron camp already begun that the BJP is within the striking distance to 'power' in the scenic Himalayan state.

"I welcome all those who have joined the BJP today. SDF is the opposition in Sikkim. Now, the BJP can take up constructive opposition role in Sikkim," Mr Madhav said.

In the state assembly elections earlier this year, Pawan Kumar Chamling-led SDF suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of newly floated regional outfit Sikkim Krantikari Morcha.

Launched in 2013, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha bagged 17 seats, one more than required for a majority in the 32-member Assembly while Mr Chamling's SDF could manage 15 seats.

Now, out of fifteen MLAs - ten have moved to the BJP on Tuesday obviously giving the country's ruling party a major boost in its campaign in the north east.

Mr Chamling, however, was elected from two Assembly constituencies in the state polls in May.

Mr Chamling had first become Chief Minister on December 12, 1994. 

In April 2018, Mr Chamling surpassed the record of the Marxist veteran Jyoti Basu, who ruled West Bengal for 23 years from June 21, 1977 till November 6, 2000.

Sikkim remained a fiefdom of regional parties and prior to Chamling it was Nar Bahadur Bhandari’s Sikkim Sangram Parishad, which remained in power for long.

The Congress party - which ruled all across seven other states, it could not make deeper inroads into Sikkim.

The BJP has its own Chief Minister (s) in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura and shares power with NDPP in in Nagaland and NPP in Meghalaya. 

In Mizoram, MNF is in power and the state-level party is a constituent of the NDA though BJP does not have any MLA in the state.

Sushmaji was different, she did not hesitate to speak her mind: PM Modi

New Delhi, Aug 13 

Paying rich tributes to his one time ministerial colleague and party compatriot Late Sushma Swaraj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday recalled the deceased leader's multifaceted personality and said she 'never hesitated' to speak her mind. 

"We are used to people saying politically correct things but Sushma Ji was different. She did not hesitate to speak her mind and she spoke with firmness. This was special about her," Mr Modi said at a Shradanjali Programme organised by Delhi unit of BJP.

At the function attended by union ministers, BJP chief Amit Shah and parliamentarians from other parties, the Prime Minister said the former Minister was an 'inspiration' and lauded the manner she vacated the official ministerial bungalow as soon as the election process was over.

The function was also attended by the deceased leader's husband and former Mizoram Governor Swaraj Kaushal and her daughter Bansuri.

In an emotive speech, Ms Bansuri said her mother (Late Swaraj) was her "best friend".

Prime Minister also said that Ms Bansuri has enough glimpses of her mother and at the time of her mother's death, "Bansuri did stand strong and also rendered the much needed emotional support to her father (Swaraj Kaushal)".


Mr Modi also said Late Swaraj was highly successful in bringing major transition in the approach of the Ministry of External Affairs and it has transformed from 'protocol' to an institute that would respond to "people's call".

"She was younger to me, but in public life I had lot to learn from her," Mr Modi said.

"One would conventionally associate the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with protocol but Sushma Ji went a step ahead and answered the people’s call, making the Ministry people friendly," Prime Minister said.


"The number of passport offices rose significantly during the tenure of Sushma Ji. This shows how much she cared about the people," he said.

Mr Modi said in any ministerial duty she held, Sushma Ji brought about a marked change in the work culture there.

Mr Modi, who has seen Sushma Swaraj from close range both in the government since 2014 and in the party rank and file, said the "Krishna Bhakti was integral to Sushma Ji".

"She would always abide by the ideals and teachings of Bhagwan Shri Krishna," he said.

Former External Affairs Minister Late Swaraj expired on August 6 after a massive heart attack.

A good orator and a seasoned parliamentarian, she hand undergone kidney transplantation sometime back and did not contest the Lok Sabha elections on health ground only.

Lauding her oratory and debating skills in Parliament and as a powerful political campaigner outside, Mr Modi said - "The speeches of Sushma Ji were both Prabhavi and Prerak (could influence one and also inspire)".

"She will remain an inspiration for several people," Prime Minister said.

Recalling past anecdotes and some memories, Prime Minister said in 1999, while it was a foregone conclusion that Congress president Sonia Gandhi would easily win Bellary, Late Swaraj did not hesitate to take Ms Gandhi head on when the BJP leadership decided about the same.


"I remember Venkaiah Naiduji and me going to Sushmaji and asking her to go to Karnataka to fight elections. The outcome was certain but she was someone who was always ready to take up challenges," Prime Minister said.

"Today, various people have shared their thoughts about Sushma Ji. She was a multifaceted personality and we, Karyakartas of the BJP have seen very closely what a great personality she was," Mr Modi said.

Speaking on the occasion BJP chief Amit Shah also acknowledged the fact that the vacuum created by Sushma's death cannot be fulfilled by anyone soon.

"A vigilant lawmaker and she always raised people's voice in Parliament. Sushmaji's voice will always reverberate in our Parliament," Mr Shah said.

BJP Working President J P Nadda said while Late Swaraj had the essential 'sharpness' of a political activist while debating, but she would never deviate from the boundaries of parliamentary decorum.

Among others Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Trinamool Congress leader Dinesh Trivedi, Pinaki Mishra of BJD, LJP chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, BSP’s Satish Mishra, JD (U) leader 

Rajiv Ranjan Singh of JD(U), Tiruchi Shiva of DMK and representatives from AIADMK, TRS leader and Shiv Sena also spoke.

Remembering Sushma Swaraj – a keen learner & spokesperson par excellence

Wonderful things happen in wonderful ways. Sushma Swaraj’s rise in the BJP was dazzling in more ways than one and she owed it largely to party’s original ‘talent spotter’ L K Advani; and of course the party’s media cell.Once given the charge to interact with media and take up the role of party’s spokesperson – something no other national party had banked on a woman till 1990s– Sushma Swaraj knew the art of treading the path.Around mid 2005 – when BJP was still battling with the crisis triggered by Advani’s “Jinnah was a secular leader statement”, Sushma Swaraj would tell journalists – “It is better to be silent and much better to be a learned fool these days”.Like many leaders of her ‘generation’ – the likes of Pramod Mahajan, Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu – some little senior; some little junior to her – Sushma also knew the gravity of the situation. 

In fact, she was among the few leaders who admitted around September 2005 – of course informally – that the BJP could soon have a new president by the year end and Advani’s ‘exit’ was imminent.

But she knew how to take the journalists into confidence and cleverly remarked: “Hum sabhne Advaniji ke bahut mithai aur namak khaen haen”.
The English translation would certainly and simply fail to carry the meaning of these words.
 In terms of giving sound-bytes and explaining party’s position clearly to media – when BJP was easily described as a ‘communal outfit’ and underestimated as a party of Hindi belt and that too of Baniya-Brahmin brigade, Sushma Swaraj brought a refreshing change.
She appealed to Indian women. The Hindi and the middle class mannerism impressed emerging and aspiring Indians of post 1991 liberalisation era.
Putting her into ‘spokesperson’s role’ was one of the many masterstrokes of veteran Advani as Late Swaraj had command over both Hindi and English. More importantly, she was a ‘keen learner’ about so many things – so essential in a vast country with varied cultures. “My husband knows north east much better, you can always help me with background information,” she would tell me around 1998 – when Swaraj Kaushal was appointed by Vajpayee government as ‘negotiator’ for Naga peace talks.

Hence in 2014, when it came to the parliamentary debate on Telangana statehood – she used Telugu phrases to drive home the point that the people of newly created state should not give all credit to Sonia-amma alone – as she as ‘cheen-amma’ also played a part in speeding up the process of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. BJP deserved some credit, she emphasised more than once.On February 14, 2014 as Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill was being passed, Sushma Swaraj said the children and youngsters of Telangana should know that it was not only "Sonia amma" (Sonia Gandhi) who got them a separate state but this "Cheen-amma" (an aunt) also contributed her part.Telugu journalists would recall this even this day that ‘young voters’ of newly crafted state of Telangana – and especially BJP supporters – were thrilled to listen to Sushma’s address – though she spoke in Hindi.

Politics – A challenge:

The politics has been a challenging phenomenon always and more so for a woman. Without doubt, Sushma Swaraj often ventilated her thoughts to those whom she trusted on these lines as she faced tough ‘competitions’ more than once from several of her contemporaries who were adept at power play.

But she would often tell journalists that politicians should never shy away from ‘challenges’. In fact, she often turned challenges into opportunities and thus when Atal Bihari Vajpayee and veteran Advani entrusted her to fight Sonia Gandhi – she wasted no time and landed in Bellary in a cream sari with saffron border and green blouse. 

The national tri-colour was given a symbolic push up when ‘Italy born’ Sonia Gandhi was to contest her maiden election. 

“This dress was suggested by some party workers, but final decision was mine,” she told some women journalists.
Some media persons – who befriended her also knew she would call them on birthdays. She knew many journalists – female or male – by their first name and would address them with affection and as a matter of right.

True it is man’s nature that the moment a person becomes rare and has gone far away, he or she gains immense worth. When it comes to ‘death’, the man has always tried hard to hold the dear ones closer, but like all good things have an end – so has been Sushma’s life and career.
When it comes to Sushma, journalists knew meeting her would certainly give a story – yes, she was aware of this. “I know I am good story teller,” she remarked once in a jovial mood.
But considered ‘the most effective spokesperson’ in the BJP, at times she had a few fault lines too. Some would say those were mistakes, others believe they were ‘deliberate’.
During the Agra Summit between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Gen Pervez Musharraf, Sushma was Information and Broadcasting Minister. But as the visit of Musharraf had begun in Delhi and parleys went on in Delhi and in Agra, Late Swaraj often sat in television studios for debate and gave out some knockout punches.
Finally when the talks collapsed, Major-Gen Rashid Quereshi, military spokesman for the visiting Pakistani President blamed the ‘hidden hand’ for talks failure.
Some hours before that, a visibly upset Gen Musharraf told Indian editors at his breakfast meeting - "She (Sushma) talked about everything -- trade, prisoners of war, cross-border terrorism.... but ladies and gentlemen, we spent most of our time discussing Kashmir”.
Sushma Swaraj was reportedly directed by Advani later to issue a clarification and she told Indian scribes - "I am not a saboteur” and admitted Kashmir was discussed between two sides. However, she hastened to add: “my purpose was also to highlight the issues that are of priority to India”.

After 2009 poll debacle when Advani himself decided to opt for a change in leadership in the Lok Sabha for the party; Sushma Swaraj used to be very particular and used to tell media: "Never report, I have replaced Advaniji...We have grown up under him. It is only at his directives that I decided to take the responsibility”. 

So, even till this day many scribes would remain confused on how and why really the Agra talks failed.
Sushma Swaraj – would go down the memory lane for journalists – as a pleasant demeanour. A leader who would be frank and also remember people either to ask; –“aur bhai kaise chal raha hae”.She knew media too well to ask scribes – “Why you left that organisation, was it money or atmosphere?” But not many can say - that unlike many contemporary spokespersons of her time in all parties – Sushma Swaraj would believe in ‘planting stories’ against her detractors.

"Yeh sar agar nahi aye, toh unke toh das sar ayen," was how Sushma had said in 2013

Vintage Sushma often used 'hardliner' rhetoric to surprise friends and foes

New Delhi, Aug 7 Many might have been surprised at former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's last tweet wherein she thanks Prime Minister Narendra Modi for abrogation of the Article 370 that gave a unique and special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.


But the party leaders and those who followed the senior BJP leader Late Swaraj were aware of her tough nationalistic stance that she used to often display.

Often such a scenario was not in tune with the politics of socialistic background she was initially associated with.

Late Swaraj was a long time lieutenant of the likes of former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar and a former socialist icon George Fernandes. 

One such occasion was when as External Affairs Minister she had tweeted rather angrily. "Amazon must tender unconditional apology....They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately.”

This was in January 2017 when online marketing giant Amazon’s portal in Canada started selling  doormats fashioned around national flags.

Sushma was very affirmative and categorical: “If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official" and she further had said in as many words - "We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier".

The doormat, sold by a third-party on Amazon’s Canadian portal, was later taken off.

Similarly, the vintage 'hardliner' Sushma Swaraj was in action when as the Leader of the Opposition she had said: "If we do not get Hemraj's head, let's get ten Pakistani soldiers' heads".

This was the time Lance Naik Hemraj Singh and his compatriot Sudhakar Singh were killed in Pakistani firing and sadly Hemraj's 'head' was taken away.

"Yeh sar agar nahi aye, toh unke toh das sar ayen," was how Sushma had said in 2013.

Little wonder thus shortly after Parliament on Tuesday gave its nod on making Article 370 inoperative in Jammu and Kashmir, Sushma took to Twitter and wrote: ".....I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime".

A good orator who often had the knock out punch, the necessary poetic lines and the wit - also had made news when she had accused Congress and UPA leaders of making 'huge money' from Coalgate scam.

Her Hindi phrase 'mota mal kamaya' even left many of her colleagues and supporters stunned.

In fact, a party leader - who later contested in West Bengal - told Sushma Swaraj : "Such remarks attributed to you did not go well".

In 1996 speech in Lok Sabha- when Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was forced to step aside - she had blasted out at the Congress, Leftists and other parties. "They have called us communal....Yes, we are communal. We are communal because we want to keep the honour of national flag high. We are communal because we want the Article 370 to go.....But they who butchered 3,000 Sikhs in Delhi (1984) are secular".

Farewell dear, sobbing Kaushal salutes departed wife

New Delhi, Aug 7 A grief stricken Swaraj Kaushal, husband of late BJP leader Sushma, and her daughter Bansuri bid farewell to the departed soul with salutation joining the Delhi Police personnel.

The mortal remains of Sushma was brought to party office from her residence in the afternoon.

Swaraj Kaushal, a former Rajya Sabha member and ex Mizoram Governor could not control his emotions and started wailing.In fact, the marriage of Sushma and Swaraj Kaushal was one of the hot topics discussed during that time and the second word in her name 'Swaraj' is taken from her husband's first name.
The mortal remains were taken to Lodhi Road crematorium, where her last rites were performed with full state honours.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, PM Narendra Modi, BJP patriarch L K Advani were present.

Sushma lived a life of honour, Sonia's passionate missive to late BJP leader's husband

New Delhi, Aug 7  Keeping their political differences at bay and displaying a unique personal bond with the deceased BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said the former External Affairs Minister lived a life of honour and she deservedly was admired by all.

"May you find the strength to bear your cruel loss", Ms Gandhi wrote in an emotive letter to the former Mizoram Governor Swaraj Kaushal, extending her condolences at the demise of his wife.

"You mush draw solace from the fact that Sushmaji lived a life of honour, filled with achievement and contributions to the country she loved; respected and admired by all Indians", she wrote and recalled that both (Sonia and Sushma) had developed a "warm personal relationship".

During UPA II, between 2009 and 2014, Sushma was Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha leading the charge against the Congress-led UPA dispensation, especially on the issue of corruption.

It is also worth mentioning that in 2004, Late Sushma Swaraj had vehemently opposed the idea of making Sonia Gandhi the Prime Minister and had even threatened to shave her head citing foreign origin of the Congress leader.

"...she (Sushma Swaraj) went as she had lived – active and engaged till the very end", Ms Gandhi wrote and hoped Mr Kaushal and his daughter Bansuri will find the strength to bear the "cruel loss".

"I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing away of your beloved wife, Sushma Swaraj. She was a lady of extraordinary gifts, her courage, determination, dedication and ability manifest in every position she held", Ms Gandhi said.

Above all, the former Congress president said, Sushma's warm personal qualities brought "a special luster to her years in pubic and political life".

Ms Gandhi, who incidentally became Late Swaraj's political rival in Bellary in Karnataka, lauded the manner Sushma Swaraj made herself "accessible to even humblest person" and established a warm rapport with people from all walks of life with her empathy and compassion.

Late Swaraj gave Indian diplomacy a "human face" as she could reach out to help every Indian citizen in distress, the UPA Chairperson said in her one page letter.  

"Sushma ji was a superb orator, a great parliamentarian and had a rare gift or friendship that won her affection and admiration across the political spectrum. In our many years together as colleagues in the Lok Sabha, we developed a warm personal relationship and I feel her loss greatly", the letter ran.

Ms Gandhi maintained that the same courage and grit that was a hallmark of Sushmaji’s political life was truly reflected in her personal life as she faced her serious ailments with "incredible fortitude".

"She has left us when she was far too young, when she had so much more to contribute to national life, and that makes her death even more tragic. At this time of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with your daughter Bansuri", Ms Gandhi wrote.  

Address by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at OIC

Mother of Twitter Diplomacy: Sushma was perhaps 'best woman PM' India never had

New Delhi, Aug 6 A fantastic orator and seasoned parliamentarian and a creator of Twitter Diplomacy, she might go down the memory lane as the best woman Prime Minister India never had.

Leader of the Opposition in the 15th Lok Sabha after veteran L K Adavani had decided to opt out from the coveted position, Sushma Swaraj was the face of BJP's battle against corruption-ridden UPA dispensation between 2010 and 2014.
However, as the lady luck would have it, in the subsequent period, her political career got sidelined as the saffron outfit banked on the powerful 'image' of Narendra Modi - a right synthesis of a catalyst for development and Hindutva face of the BJP.
She became External Affairs Minister under Prime Minister Narendra Modi but there was a alleged 'chill' between the two leaders - at least the public perception was largely so.

However, look at the irony of things; just two-three hours back she took to social network and thanked Prime Minister for revoking Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and wrote: ''Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime".

True it was a dream come true for a woman leader in a party - where due to historical reasons or ideological backlog of RSS - male chauvanism was considered a known thing even a few years back.

Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night. She was 67.She is survived by her husband Swaraj Kaushal, former Mizoram Governor and daughter Bansuri.Sources said the senior BJP leader, who did not contest this year's election on health ground, was brought to the AIIMS around 2130 hrs and was rushed to the emergency ward.Late Sushma Swaraj had a kidney transplant in 2016 and once said "as precaution, I have been advised to avoid dust".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled her death saying her death truly marks the end of "a glorious chapter in Indian politics".
Swaraj had friends across the board and was known for her efficacy as a politician, as a spokesperson for BJP and as an administrator.

A few years back, veteran L K Advani hailed Sushma Swaraj's contribution as Health Minister under Vajpayee and he was so much impressed by her oratory skills that he had said, "I am hardly a good speaker. But Sushmaji is one. After Vajpayeeji, if anybody had given me complex about speaking in public or in Parliament it is Sushma Swaraj".

Late Swaraj was blue-eyed-girl of patriarch L K Advani in more ways than one and after 2009 poll debacle when BJP and Advani himself decided to opt for a change in leadership in the Lok Sabha; Sushma Swaraj used to be very particular and used to tell media: "Never report, I have replaced Advaniji...We have grown up under him. It is only at his directives that I decided to take the responsibility as Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha".

Her speech in Lower House of Parliament on the day the Bill on creation of Telangana state was passed was considered as one of the best in recent times.

As External Affairs Minister since 2014, while PM Modi dominated the serious diplomatic scene, Late Swaraj discovered the tool of Twitter and excelled in that as she made friends worldwide and helped Indians in distress.

It is not without good reason that in December 2016, Sushma Swaraj was listed among 100 leading  global thinkers for the year 2016 by a leading international magazine for 'fashioning a novel brand of Twitter diplomacy'. The honour came from reputed periodical 'Foreign Policy'.

In June 26, 2017, Prime Minister Modi had lauded Late Sushma Swaraj for giving 'human face' to diplomacy and had said that the latter's effective use of social networking can be linked to 'good governance'.

So much has been the power of her Twitter-linked delivery in governance that new External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, who succeeded her, had in June pledged to "follow" on the footsteps of his predecessor Swaraj.
"My first tweet. Thank you all for the best wishes. Honoured to be given this responsibility. Proud to follow on the footsteps of Sushma Swaraj ji," Dr Jaishankar tweeted.

In another missive in the social networking site, he wrote: "We at Team MEA India continue to be at your service 24x7. Happy to be leading the effort with my colleague MoS Muraleedharan ji".

Born on February 14, 1953, a trained legal counsel Late Swaraj has served as the Minister of External Affairs of India from May 26, 2014 to May 30, 2019.

She had been elected seven times as a Member of Parliament and three times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

At the age of 25 in 1977, Sushma then became the youngest cabinet minister of of Haryana.

She also served as Chief Minister of Delhi from October 13, 1998 to December 3, 1998.

At the behest of Vajpayee and Advani, Late Swaraj was fielded against Sonia Gandhi from the Bellary constituency in Karnataka in 1999 but she lost the poll.

Former External Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj passed away on late Tuesday evening.

She was 67.

Swaraj was rushed to AIIMS in critical condition where she was declared dead, sources said.

Several top BJP leaders and Union Ministers including party BJP MPs have rushed to AIIMS.

Condolences from various public figures have started pouring in too.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of senior BJP leader and said "a glorious chapter in Indian politics" came to an end.

Born on February 14, 1953, a trained legal counsel Late Swaraj has served as the Minister of External Affairs of India from May 26, 2014 to May 30, 2019.

She had been elected seven times as a Member of Parliament and three times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

At the age of 25 in 1977, Sushma then became the youngest cabinet minister of of Haryana.

She also served as Chief Minister of Delhi from October 13, 1998 to December 3, 1998.

As they say some season just comes in, with Sushma Swaraj's demise, the national capital has lost yet another political stalwart and in fact the third 'former chief ministers' since October last.

On October 27, 2018 Madan Lal Khurana breathed his last. While an ailing Swaraj died on Tuesday night, three-time chief minister and veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit passed away on July 20.

Former BJP chief of city unit Mange Lal Garg also expired in July.
Late Swaraj - survived by her husband Swaraj Kaushal and daughter Bansuri passed away following cardiac arrest.

In a rather emotive Twitter missive, Union Minister Smriti Irani wrote: "I have an axe to grind with you Didi (Sushma Swaraj) . You made Bansuri pick a restaurant to take me for a celebratory lunch. You left without fulfilling your promise to the two of us". 

Amit Shah assures no dilution or changes in Article 371

New Delhi, Aug 6 Amid apprehension in certain quarters, specially in the North East, Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday assured the far-flung region that the Centre has no plans to change or dilute the provisions of Article 371 related to seven states including Nagaland.

''There are clear differences between Article 370 and Artcle 371,'' Mr Shah replying to the debate on statutory resolution and related Bills concerning Article 370 and bifurcation of state in Union Territories.

''By comparing Article 370 with Article 371, you are misleading the country...while Article 370 was a temporary arrangement, the Article 371 which deals with several states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram talks about only special provisions,'' he said.

"Nuke test moment" for Modi-Shah duo: BJP workers celebrate nationwide

New Delhi, Aug 5 What's common between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his illustrious 'BJP predecessor' Atal Bihari Vajpayee?

Both have struck with their sharpest possible arsenal in completely unexpected hours.

In 1998, the then Prime Minister Vajpayee had announced multiple nuclear tests at Pokhran surprising both friends and foes, and similarly incumbent PM Modi stuck to his decision on August 5 and abolished the Article 370 - that ensured a unique and special status to Jammu and Kashmir.  
The move today fulfills one of the major electoral promises of the BJP.

In its manifesto - Sankalp Patra - released on April 8 (for Lok Sabha polls), the BJP had pledged - ''We reiterate our position since the time of the Jan Sangh to the abrogation of Article 370. We are committed to annulling Article 35A of the Constitution of India as the provision is discriminatory against non-permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir".

Abrogation of the Article 370 has been one the contentious issues besides Ram Temple at Ayodhya and Uniform Civil Code highlighted by the BJP but were kept at back burner during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure.
PM Modi and his Home Minister Amit Shah worked hard on the path-breaking move and to specific plans including ensuring deployment of additional forces and finally brought a resolution seeking to make Article 370 'inoperative' and also introduced a Bill that will create a Union Territory for Ladakh region.

The announcement by Home Minister Shah follows days of uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir after the state Home Department had ordered tourists and Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to leave immediately.

BJP general secretary Ram Radhav, who held parleys with PDP for forming the alliance government from 2015 to 2018, said the the entire country is celebrating the "birth of a United India".

"Jammu and Ladakh regions are celebrating. People of  Kashmir valley too will see the reason and welcome the decision. Heavens are not going to fall in the valley as Opposition is claiming," Mr Madhav tweeted.
The government Bill would also seek to designate 'Kashmir and Jammu' region as part of a new union territory and thus deprive J&K its previous statehood status.

There was jubilation in BJP party offices across the country and party leaders and union ministers took to social network to hail the government move as being 'historic'.

Union Minister Smriti Irani tweeted saying:  "Historic day for India. Gratitude to PM Narendra Modi ji and
Amit Shah ji for fulfilling promise made to the Nation".


"A testimony to National Integration and ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’, today marks beginning of a new era for J&K - an era of opportunities and prosperity".

The Amethi unit of BJP celebrated the occasion.

Ms Irani had earlier this year wrested Amethi parliamentary constituency from Congress president Rahul Gandhi.


"The scrapping of Article 370 is an occasion of pride and joy for the country," a tweet from the BJP Amethi unit said.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the new initiative will give Kashmiris all opportunities for development at par with rest of India.

RSS, the ideological guide of the BJP, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad welcomed the government move.

"The decision will help Jammu and Kashmir and also take the entire country towards development," the VHP said in a statement.

''Everyone should welcome this notwithstanding any personal interests or political differences, '' said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in a tweet.

BJP patriarch L K Advani said scrapping of the Article has been a ''part of BJP’s core ideology since the days of Jan Sangh''.

Article 370 abolished: Modi Govt gets pat from Sangh; J&K loses 'state' status

New Delhi, Aug 5  

Known for pushing the muscular brand of nationalism, the Modi government on Monday fulfilled a long time held pledge of the Hindutva school of thought and took a major step and abolished the special status given to militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir.

The government also moved a bill proposing  to divide the 'state of Jammu and Kashmir' into two regions and sought to deprive J&K the statehood status and make 'Kashmir and Jammu region' as a new Union Territory with a legislature.

The government issued a presidential decree which said that the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir will be henceforth called ''Legislative Assembly of the State''.

A Law Ministry notification under the title 'The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) order, 2019, said that any references to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir shall be construed as including references to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir acting on the advice of Council of Ministers.

The government bill also proposed to give UT status to Ladakh - with no legislature.It goes without saying that the BJP’s political growth as reflected in 2019 general elections is also linked to a surge of nationalism which reached great heights after Prime Minister Modi had ordered aerial strike against Pakistan in February.

A special provision was granted to Jammu and Kashmir in 1949 giving the state major autonomy.

The Article 370 allowed the state to have its own Constitution, a separate flag and functional autonomy over all the matters except defence, foreign affairs and communications.

BJP MP from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, welcomed the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 and described the occasion as "the most Acchey Din" for the people of Ladakh region.
A Presidential order issued  said that the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir will be henceforth called ''Legislative Assembly of the State''.

It further said that the new directive will come into force at once, and shall thereupon supersede the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954 as amended from time to time.

BJP patriarch and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, who held the portfolio of Home during Vajpayee stint, said scrapping of the said Article has been a ''part of BJP’s core ideology since the days of Jan Sangh''.

''A historical wrong has been undone today ..........It had to go,'' tweeted Arun Jaitley, former Defence and Finance Minister.

The RSS and the VHP also welcomed the government move. 
''We congratulate the government for this bold initiative which was very much necessary in national interest including the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Everyone should welcome this notwithstanding any personal interests or political differences, '' said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in a tweet.

The political parties seemed to have changed their respective stance on the issue.
In a rather surprising missive on the micro blogging site, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal backed the government decision despite his known opposition to the BJP.

"Our chief Nitish Kumar is carrying forward the tradition of JP Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia and George Fernandes. So, our party is not supporting the Bill moved in the Rajya Sabha today,'' said K C Tyagi of JD (U), which is a constituent of the NDA.

While Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Ghulam Nabi Azad described the government move as
'catastrophic', the principal opposition party suffered in the Rajya Sabha when its chief whip Bhubaneswar Kalita resigned from the membership of the House opposing the party's stand on Article 370.

"Today's Congress is treading a path as if it wants to commit suicide and I do not want to be a party to this," Mr Kalita said adding "I will not follow the whip".

In the Lok Sabha, Congress and other opposition parties staged walkout saying the resolution brought in the House was not proper.

Former Home Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said - ''Today is the black day in the Constitutional history of India. What the government has done is unprecedented.''

Sharing similar sentiment, Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief, also tweeted saying - "Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy".

P-5 Nations, envoys from other countries briefed about Govt's Kashmir policy

New Delhi, Aug 5 Hours after taking the country's political circle by surprise and as the government abolished a special article for Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry of External Affairs officials on Monday briefed envoys and deputy envoys of various countries including P-5 nations.

According to a source here, envoys of the United States, China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom along with officials from other embassies and high commissions were briefed about government's stance vis-a-vis the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

"In the light of interest expressed by members of the diplomatic community in Delhi, senior MEA officials are briefing the Envoys of several countries, including P5, on proposals related to Article 370 of the Indian Constitution," a source said here.

"It was, inter alia, highlighted that the proposals which are currently under consideration of Parliament of India are internal to India," the source said.

The central government also made it clear that these steps are aimed at providing good governance, promoting social justice and ensuring economic development in Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K loses 'state' status; Modi Govt gets pat from Sangh; Art 370 abolished

New Delhi, Aug 5 Known for pushing the muscular brand of nationalism, the Modi government on Monday fulfilled a long time held pledge of the Hindutva school of thought and took a major step and abolished the special status given to militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir.

The government also moved a bill proposing  to divide the 'state of Jammu and Kashmir' into two regions and sought to deprive J&K the statehood status and make 'Kashmir and Jammu region' as a new Union Territory with a legislature.

The government issued a presidential decree which said that the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir will be henceforth called ''Legislative Assembly of the State''.

A Law Ministry notification under the title 'The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) order, 2019, said that any references to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir shall be construed as including references to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir acting on the advice of Council of Ministers.

The government bill also proposed to give UT status to Ladakh - with no legislature.

It goes without saying that the BJP’s political growth as reflected in 2019 general elections is also linked to a surge of nationalism which reached great heights after Prime Minister Modi had ordered aerial strike against Pakistan in February.

A special provision was granted to Jammu and Kashmir in 1949 giving the state major autonomy.

The Article 370 allowed the state to have its own Constitution, a separate flag and functional autonomy over all the matters except defence, foreign affairs and communications.

BJP MP from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, welcomed the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 and described the occasion as "the most Acchey Din" for the people of Ladakh region.

A Presidential order issued  said that the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir will be henceforth called ''Legislative Assembly of the State''.

It further said that the new directive will come into force at once, and shall thereupon supersede the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954 as amended from time to time.

BJP patriarch and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, who held the portfolio of Home during Vajpayee stint, said scrapping of the said Article has been a ''part of BJP’s core ideology since the days of Jan Sangh''.

''A historical wrong has been undone today ..........It had to go,'' tweeted Arun Jaitley, former Defence and Finance Minister.

The RSS and the VHP also welcomed the government move.  

''We congratulate the government for this bold initiative which was very much necessary in national interest including the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Everyone should welcome this notwithstanding any personal interests or political differences, '' said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in a tweet.

The political parties seemed to have changed their respective stance on the issue.

In a rather surprising missive on the micro blogging site, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal backed the government decision despite his known opposition to the BJP.

"Our chief Nitish Kumar is carrying forward the tradition of JP Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia and George Fernandes. So, our party is not supporting the Bill moved in the Rajya Sabha today,''  said K C Tyagi of JD (U), which is a constituent of the NDA.

While Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Ghulam Nabi Azad described the government move as

'catastrophic', the principal opposition party suffered in the Rajya Sabha when its chief whip Bhubaneswar Kalita resigned from the membership of the House opposing the party's stand on Article 370.

"Today's Congress is treading a path as if it wants to commit suicide and I do not want to be a party to this," Mr Kalita said adding "I will not follow the whip".

In the Lok Sabha, Congress and other opposition parties staged walkout saying the resolution brought in the House was not proper.

Former Home Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said - ''Today is the black day in the Constitutional history of India. What the government has done is unprecedented.''

Sharing similar sentiment, Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief, also tweeted saying - "Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy".

      Ladakh lawmaker Namgyal

It's 'most Acchey din' , says Ladakh lawmaker Namgyal

New Delhi, Aug 5 The BJP MP from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, on Monday welcomed the centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 for Jammu and Kashmir and grant union territory status to the Ladakh region.

"I extend my heartiest thanks to Honourble PM Narendra Modi Ji and Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah ji for the historic bill. I also extend my heartiest congratulations to the people of my Ladakh for the most Acchey Din," he said in a tweet.

He also said hardly 15 per cent of the people in Jammu and Kashmir will be against it.

''I, on behalf of people of Ladakh will thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for taking a stand which is in larger interest of India. Hardly 15 per cent will make noise for some time but the people in general, will welcome it,'' the BJP MP said.

J&K Constituent Assembly will now be Legislative Assembly: Presidential Order

New Delhi, Aug 5 With the government deciding to make  Article 370 inoperative, a Presidential order issued on Monday said that the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir will be henceforth called ''Legislative Assembly of the State''.

A Law Ministry notification under the title 'The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) order, 2019, said that any references to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir shall be construed as including references to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir acting on the advice of Council of Ministers.

It further said that in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 370 of the Constitution, the President, with the concurrence of the Government of State of Jammu and Kashmir, has ordered that the new directive will come into force at once, and shall thereupon supersede the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954 as amended from time to time.