Strategies and Gains: Kejriwal arrest brings Congress predicament to fore
To garner maximum benefits, Modi forces 'fast changes' in political narratives
New Delhi
The Congress is possibly unable to fight the BJP and smaller parties in northeast in spite the 'Manipur mess'. If Narendra Modi is hopeful of hat-trick; peep into regional parties' camps in Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya -- all these players are happy too waiting to get the taste of the buttered side of the bread.
One may play a prophesier and declare that the man named Chumben Murry has entered into the best year of his life.
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| Murry .... sure 'MP' from Nagaland |
To look back at the Narendra Modi-led dispensation in the last 10 years, people would judge it by several yardsticks. Let us avoid religion and communalism for a change.
The Demonetisation and GST were two major issues discussed and debated even in 2019 but the impacts of these two long-term reform strategies remain. Prior to GST, people faced 'pain in the neck' situation and had to rush to Babus for clearing their files.
The bribe was a given thing. But they may still be relevant but people doing business with right approach and papers on hand no longer suffer much.
The Middle class people's income tax return money come to the accounts invariably in a few weeks time.
The corruption might not have vanished. but at much milder scales. However, despite these optimism, there is no smooth sailing for the BJP. And the Congress and other opposition parties have enough room to play their games.
One certain area of concern for Team Modi is the growing economic inequality notwithstanding the fact that the country is progressing at a faster pace in some sectors. The World Inequality Report - not along ago - said since the 1990s the liberalisation and de-regularization policies at the national level and in advanced states such as Gujarat and Maharashtra have left one of the most extreme discrepancies in income amid 'worst inequality' observed at the world stage.
In the poll season, the Opposition alliance were trying to build up their strategies with Congress making right noise at certain quarters like the abuse of ED and other agencies.
"The fact is some people close to the BJP and even closer to Narendra Modi in particular are making lots of money. Some parts of economy is doing tremendously well," says analyst Vidyarthi Kumar, however, he also hastens to add that the gap between the rich and the poor have increased.
In 2011-12 also these issues were highlighted. But the big difference was - the Congress was at the receiving end being in power those days.
Interestingly enough the corruption bogey was used against Congress chiefly by the Anna Hazare movement and Arvind Kejriwal was a chief proponent of the same.
In the fight between the two sides - Congress-led UPA and Team Anna; it is the BJP which reaped huge benefits in 2014. Narendra Modi resembled harbinger of a catalyst for change.
The political fallout of the Anna - led stir could already be felt in the by - elections of 2012 wherein the Congress drew a blank. It did not have much to cherish as its ally NCP under Sharad Pawar had lost an assembly seat in the backyards of Maharashtra.
The enthusiastic BJP, basking in the glory of the Anna agitation and the simultaneous sharp decline in the Congress popularity graph, hailed the verdict as “people’s victory against corrupt Congress”.
This was a beginning and slowly, the BJP entered the plot to ultimately snatch power in 2014. Even Kejriwal lost by over 3 lakh votes to Narendra Modi in Varanasi.
In 2024, weeks before first round of voting, Kejriwal is behind bars on charges of corruption. Two people close to the Delhi Chief Minister -- his onetime mentor Anna Hazare and former judge and colleague Justice (Retd) Santosh Hegde do not have any sympathies for him.
Paradoxically, the Congress has. Now between the BJP and the Congress; it is the third mega straight battle since 2014. The Congress is left backing Kejrwal, who had harmed the grand old party the most in last 15 years. Moreover, in 2022 the AAP captured Congress space in Delhi and Punjab and has maginalised Rahul Gandhi's party in Modi's Gujarat too.
But the Congress does not have any solid excuse to let AAP fight its own battle. This predicament is BJP's huge advantage.
The BJP's argument about 'inequality' figures is has the opposition including Congress and regional powerhouses such as Trinamool or even AAP offered any 'alternative' economic model(s) of governance.
Moreover, the AAP's freebies politics do not have much takers among policy makers even as middle class and poorer sections in Delhi do not mind "free electricity".
For the voters, now it will be a typical mind-game. According to Morning Consult surveys - Narendra Modi remains most popular global leader (not to talk of his domestic crowd only). The refrain in the BJP camp being three Hindi heartland states have rejected Opposition's negativity and endorsed development oriented politics of Modi.
As the Congress is now compelled to give a stiff fight to Modi for the third term. it along with other opposition parties including AAP have to take the bulls by its horn. Modi is campaigning on his own versions of welfare projects including roads and toilets. He is highlighting big expressways and at the same time does not forget the Ram and Hindutva issues.
"Ane walah samay Safalta ka hae (In times to come, India will only experience success and greater glories)," the Prime Minister said in Ayodhya on Jan 22 during temple inauguration.
The Congress strategists also admit that during last two-three months, the circumstances created by Modi and his machinations have forced 'changes' in political narratives.
"The year 2024 started with the Hindutva push and Ram temple. We Congress stayed away and apparently displeased some Hindu voters. Then we had debates on Electoral Bonds.
The corporate nexus...the debate could not go far; now it is Kejriwal arrest and Congress is forced to support him against use of ED. Voters may not understand all these complexities. We are seen hand in glove with the AAP today. Either we will get sympathies or the BJP will get the advantage," says a Congress insider.
Most these complex issues were debated in earlier election also. But things appeared segmented.
If Ram propelled the BJP to power in some states in the 1990s; the Mandal Magic helped Janata Dal and third front players. The Congress benefited in 2004 and 2009 as people decided to reject Vajpayee (in 2004) and back Dr Manmohan Singh five years later.
But since 2014 -- Modi is at the centre-stage. The Congress backed Leftist policies little beyond it should have. The narratives cornered communists and also Congress in West Bengal and helped Trinamool Congress. Socialist Nitish Kumar has betrayed the opposition alliance.
In the cow-belt, the BJP has an upper hand while in the south the Congress has to guard its position in Karnataka and Telangana. In Kerala with 20 seats, the Left will fight Congress quite aggressively and Wayanad may see a photo finish.
ends
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| Blogger |
Cinema has become a form of political mobilisation ....
The world of 'Indian Cinema' has changed ... at least in Bollywood ..... from 'akhand Bharat' spirit of Savarkar to how abrogation of Art 370 was right move are in for silver screen CELEBRATION
'Akhand Bharat' -- the great undivided India of pre-partition days is a guiding theme of newly released film Randeep Hooda-starrer 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'. There are a few more. These films are flavour not only for the poll season. We had 'Kashmir Files' in 2022 which did good business and also generated good debate on the issue of torture of Hindu Pandits in Kashmir under the erstwhile Sickular establishment.
A host of filmmakers were jumping on the bandwagon, realising the potential for major box office success of 'polarising films' and yes they are characteristically pro-Hindus and are accepted widely.
In these films, while the BJP and Narendra Modi are portrayed positively, the Congress is portrayed as the villain and the reason behind the partition or the blunder in Kashmir in creating something called Article 370.
“It is truly frightening," remarked a Bollywood screenwriter Raja Sen. Well, he might disapprove 'pro-Hindu polarising films'; there is another school of thought that says there was a time when Hinduism used to be made a'laughing stock' and Hindu priests/sadhus would be portrayed either as funny or crooks.
The new generation argument is 'entertainment industry and films' could be used in umpteen ways to drill home the message that the ruling political dispensation BJP wants to enter the minds of millions of people.
Besides running campaigns based on their versions on history and cult figures often based on half-baked truths, Hindi films are successfully used to send selective messages and target opponents. 'Article 370' starring charming actress Gautami is seen by many as an unabashed celebration of PM Narendra Modi’s decision to strip Kashmir, the majority-Muslim region, of its statehood.
Another recent release is 'Razakar: Silent Genocide of Hyderabad' which was accused in a court filing of being "Islamophobic". However, similar to the 'Kashmir Files', the makers of the film claimed the film is “100% accurate” with no commercial embellishments.
The film revolves around the Hyderabad Liberation Movement of 1948. It tries to capture the struggles of Telangana and its people in the early days of Independence to reclaim their 'religion and identity' in the face of military and political oppression.
The Other version: Bollywood and Sickularism
The film talks about cultural genocide.
"Kya Kashmiri Pandit ko apne ghar jaane ka mauka milega? Is this justice?" The refrain so far has
been to not ask these uncomfortable questions.
There also came yet another era of angry youngman, Amitabh. But these years saw another transition. Minority appeasement of political leadership had become a trend. Can we have some other Gods meaning from other religions? In 'Deewar', Amitabh does not believe in God, questions God Shiva !! but see the coincidence, he is saved from bullets by 'number 786'.
In Hindi films, a nice person who comes to help the hero or his family or a kid is mostly - if not always - a Muslim or a Christian. In blockbuster 'Sholay', among all the villagers, it is the Imam who says he is ready to sacrifice his son !
Occasionally Sikhs may be lucky !! But Sardarjis are also ridiculed in Hindi films !! In a virtuous Karan Johar's movie, a sardar kid is shown counting stars ! In most cases, a child in a movie is adopted by a pious Christian .... some aunty Fernandes, Bare-chacha !!
Where was the pious Hindu on screen ....he was shown as a crook in 'saffron' a Sadhu or a temple priest who connives with brigands !! And, the song, "Ganpati Bappa Moriya Pareshaan Karen Mujhe Chhoriya".
Today, the charge is 'saffronisation' but the story was totally 'otherwise' for decades. Not only these, even Pakistani stars flourished in India quite easily ! Let us not go into Yusuf Khan era. In recent times, Zeba Bakhtiyar's first Bollywood movie was 'Hinna' and it is said the filmmakers spent months to 'discover' a suitable talent like her.
Meesha Shafi is Pakistani singer who has worked in “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” in 2013.
Cricketer Mohsin Khan also tried his fortunes on silver screen in India. He had married Reena Roy, who later returned 'home'. Saba Qamar played a key character in critically acclaimed 'Hindi Medium'.
Of course, a few Muslim Bollywood stars fell from the grace in recent times due to their unpalatable remarks on India. Naseeruddin Shah has let down his admirers.
He has not only done some memorable works in India; he also acted in Pakistani films that include Pakistani super hit 'Khuda Ke Liye' in 2007. The film also starred Pakistani stars like Fawad Khan, Shaan and Iman Ali.
Among other Indians who worked in Pakistani industry has been Sara Khan. She featured in ‘Ye Kaisi Mohabbat Hai’ with Pakistani actor Noor Hassan. Om Puri too has acted in Pakistani films.
Before Shilpa Shukla became popular as flamboyant hockey player 'Bindiya' in Shah Rukh Khan’s 'Chak De India', she had made her debut with Pakistani film 'Khamosh Pani'.
In 2020, we also saw debate about nepotism especially after the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. It was a drama perhaps Bollywood would like to forget.
2019...and 2024 : New Settings .. new rules
Now in pre-poll season yet again, there are talks about pro-Modi Govt movies. In fact, the gamebit helped the BJP - it is believed. Modi even used the one-liner from 'Uri - The Surgical Strike' --- "How is the josh...".
"The flurry of pro-government films is reminiscent of the build-up to the 2019 election, when a biopic of Modi was deemed to be so positive about the prime minister that the election commission halted its release before the polls," says an article in London-based 'The Guardian'.
Sayandeb Chowdhury, a professor of literature at Chennai’s Krea University who has written on Indian cinema, described the films as “brazen propaganda which are deliberately creating wounds and fault lines to serve the government’s political agenda”.
A feverish pro-government momentum has gripped Bollywood, blurring the lines between entertainment and political campaigning in India’s largest film industry.
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