India, China relations like US-North Korea ties, none can dare to fight each other: Dalai Lama

In what is seen as an endorsement of tough and assertive stance taken by the Narendra Modi government during Dalai Lama's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the 82-Tibetan spiritual leader today compared India-China relations with that between the United States and North Korea and said notwithstanding gestures, either side cannot afford to "fight" each other. 

Delivering a talk after receiving the M L Sondhi International Prize for International Politics for 2016, the Dalai Lama said the Sino-Indian relation is now similar to the one between the United States and North Korea. "One day, either side will be very serious (against each other).....but in reality no body dare to fight," he said. The Chinese side also realises, he said, "India is not a small country" and "it has military power now". 

Therefore, the Tibetan leader said both sides should be ready to make "compromises"  -- an obvious reference to dialogue to end the long pending vexed relations between two Asian giants.
Moreover, the Dalai Lama said, China also realises that if they have conflict with India, "they also have to think about situation inside China".On his recent visit to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh amidst strong reservation from China, the Dalai Lama said while his visit had clearance from the Indian authorities, "fortunately when I was in Tawang, there was no intrusion...if some Chinese soldiers might have come, then I would have to rush back, but fortunately that has not happened".
During interaction at the session, attended among others by former Union Minister Arun Shourie and former Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh; the Dalai Lama said "more and more Chinese people are appreciative of Tibetan issue" than they were in the past.

"The Chinese have to think about the situation inside Tibet when it comes to conflict with India,” he said, responding to a question. He, however, sidestepped a direct response to a query on China renaming six places of Arunachal, saying places in Tibet have also been renamed, mostly because “they (the Chinese) could not pronounce them properly.”

To a question, he said there is a perceptible "change" and "difference" in the approach of Chinese people towards him (Dalai Lama) and Tibetan issue than the Chinese government. He said there was totalitarian regime in Beijing and the censorship they do with the news and information about the truth of Tibetan movement towards their own people is "morally wrong". But he said it is high time both the Chinese establishment and others realise that "things will change". In this context, he cited the illustration of the Soviet Union and pointed out that totalitarian regime had to collapse there.

Blogger and Lalit Mansingh

"When I meet many retired Chinese officials and other citizens, they show genuine concern....In fact every week I meet some Chinese from mainland China," he said adding, however, the governmental system there is "totalitarian". "I tell Chinese people; 1.4 billion Chinese people have every right to know the reality (of Tibetan history and movement)," he said. "The censorship is morally wrong," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, former diplomat Lalit Mansingh also lauded Central government's stance vis-a-vis the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh and said the "stout defence" of the stand is highly appreciable.
Such gestures, he said, were "rare" display of assertiveness by Indian government with regards to China. 

The 82-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader had visited Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month when Beijing registered its protest saying, "It (Dalai Lama's visit) goes against the momentum of the sound growth of bilateral relations and will not benefit India in anyway."  Braving strong reservation from China, the Indian government stood by its ground with the government making it clear that as a secular country India could not stop a spiritual leader's visit to any part including Arunachal Pradesh.
Among others, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said when India has never interfered in Beijing’s affairs and has respected the “One China” policy, China should not interfere in India’s internal affairs or object to the Dalai Lama’s visit. 
“There is no political angle behind his holiness’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. It is completely religious,” he said. Separately, the External Affairs Ministry said no “artificial controversy” should be created about the visit.

The Dalai Lama recalled "immense help" from Indian government during the time of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and said after decades now the "small refugee community" of Tibetans have able to come forward and is able to make "some contributions".
"Now the situation is such, we can make some significant contributions not only in India but also eventually in China," he said.
He termed India-Tibetan relationship has 'Guru-Chela (teacher-disciple) bond' and said "so, logically when chela faces some problems, Guru has some more responsibility and you have done that...thank you".
Speaking on the occasion, former Union Minister and noted writer Arun Shourie said the Tibetan spiritual leader deserved a special award for his ability to make his audience laugh at such demanding situations. 

Mr Shourie further said the Dalai Lama's stance that "blind faith is no right thing" and said not many religion and religious leaders have said this. 
Professor M L Sondhi International Prize is conferred by a trust set up in the memory of Sondhi, who was an eminent diplomat to have served also in the United Nations. He was also a member of the 4th Lok Sabha.

To continue with Institution of Dalai Lama is not important, says Dalai Lama

New Delhi, Apr 27 (UNI) The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today said the issue of legacy is not important as far as the movement for the Tibetan political autonomy is concerned and it is not important whether the institution of Dalai Lama should continue or not.

"Right from 1969 one of my official statements has been that it is not important whether the institute of Dalai Lama should continue...I sincerely believe Buddha's teaching is more important than the Buddha," the Dalai Lama said after receiving the M L Sondhi International Prize for International Politics for 2016.
He also said that "the world is changing fast" and a large number of Chinese citizens are now appreciative of the Tibetan issue.

However, in an interesting remarks, as some one who has fought communism over the years, the 82-year-spiritual leader was appreciative of Marxism as an economic theory.
"Karl Marx theory was wonderful but Lenin spoiled it," he said throwing the entire audience into peels of laughter.
The Dalai Lama said he had once even confronted Michael Gorbachev on this and the erstwhile leader of the Soviet Union had no answer.

The Dalai Lama recalled "immense help" from Indian government during the time of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and said after decades now the "small refugee community" of Tibetans have able to come forward and is able to make "some contributions".

Globalisation, Diversity has eroded mutual faith leading to 'hate crimes': American scholar

Laws are obviously not the only answer to hate crimes and even as some quarters push about stricter laws to deal with it, it is a "hard proposition" to believe that awarding higher penalties can really help, an American expert and a noted writer on right-wing populism has said here.
Mark Potok, also associated with US-based civil rights organisation Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), said that "the real answer has to come from building inter-communal relationship".

"There is a sociologist study which has found that with increasing diversity, communities have become less trust worthy," Mr Potok told a select group of Indian journalists through a video conferencing interaction here last evening.
This is not to suggest that the sociologists' study opposes multi-cultural identity and the spirit of diversity, but he said, "while society becoming more diverse, it is good for the society in certain ways; in certain ways it creates loss of trust".

Giving at length various facets of historical perspective of racial crimes and both old and new legislation in at least 45 provinces in the United States besides federal law on hate crimes, he said, "One aspect is that the hate crimes typically have more target than the individual who is attacked".
He further said another issue of worry is that the hate crimes "tend to split" the communities into various categories. In other words, the hate crime gives an impression that here is a country that struggles to get different kinds of communities together.

He said at present 45 out of 50 provincial states besides the federal government have the anti hate crime laws in the United States. To a question, he sought to counter the perception that "snobbish" attitudes of Americans have also led to increase in number of hate crimes in that country and rather said "there is lot of anger" among the native people as they feel their rights and privileges are being taken over by migrants and foreigners.

The Asian share of legal immigrants into America has increased from nearly 7 percent in the 1950s to 35 percent by the 1980s and about 40 percent in 2013-14. "There is a major demographic change and therefore the role of globalisation is also crucial with regard the emergence of right wing," he said.It is in this context, Mr Potok, Editor of 'Hate Watch', said, there is much about politics of 2016 in the United States that triggered hate crimes. "There is no doubt that they were related to the elections. One, largest number of hate crimes occurred a day immediately after the elections and the numbers west down virtually every day for about a month," Mr Potok said.
 

“Besides, in 37 per cent of the cases the perpetrators, in one way or the other reference Donald Trump while attacking or abusing the victim, like ‘Get Out of here, Trump is our President now’ or his ‘Making America Great Again’,” he said. On this backdrop -- triggering the hate campaigns and hate crimes, he said, "a very, very similar thing happened in the United Kingdom immediately after the Brexit and Britons voted out of the European Union". 

Such crimes are directed against all kinds of people - including the immigrants.

LK Advani certainly remains chief protagonist of Babri Masjid demolition saga

The Babri Masjid demolition saga certainly has many tales and anecdotes about LK Advani, the chief architect of the 'Ram Janmabhoomi' temple movement.The Supreme Court order on April 19, 2017 restoring 'criminal conspiracy' charge against Mr Advani and others for the now infamous destruction of the 16th century Masjid is actually like completing the full circle - as right from 1989-90 --- the former Deputy Prime Minister remains the chief protagonist of all developments in Ayodhya and "about Ayodhya".

It was Mr Advani's famous Rath Yatra that had first galvanised BJP and RSS cadres and also motivated numerous Hindus across the country towards Hindutva politics -- almost considered a 'pariah' in an era of Left-liberalism of 1980s and 1990s.

First, it brought down the VP Singh ministry -- after Mr Advani was arrested by the then Lalu Prasad government in Bihar. Interestingly, the order of arrest was executed by a civil servant named RK Singh -- who is ironically the BJP MP from Arrah parliamentary seat. Thus, it is not without reason - one can say former Deputy Prime Minister did make a big difference to Indian politics.
The Ayodhya movement and LK Advani’s name can easily go synonymous with each other. According to Mr Advani's friend and longtime compatriot in national politics, George Fernandes, "not an usual run-of-the-mill politician  Lal (George used to address LK Advani as Lal) had actually found his “political roots in Ayodhya’s Ram''.
Mr Fernandes had made the remarks at a media interaction in Ahmedabad in 2002.

illustrious George

But it was Mr Advani -- yet again -- who had resigned as the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha in 1992 when Babri Masjid was destroyed.
Some years later, Mr Advani -- by then also given the title Loh Purush -- had almost committed a harakiri during his trip to Pakistan in 2005 and wherein he had said, the day Babri Masjid was brought down (in 1992) -- "it was saddest day of my life". Even on September 30, 2010 after the verdict of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court - Mr Advani had maintained a statesmanlike stand and said, “What the court has said does not justify the demolition”.The three-bench court order on September 30, 2010 -- had said that a two-thirds portion of the disputed land is to be shared by two Hindu plaintiffs and one-third will be given to the Sunni Muslim Waqf Board.
Aptly, Mr Advani’s statement had come in for appreciation by columnists and observers. 
“This is a clear denunciation and disowning of the crime of 1992 by a top BJP leader than you have heard of the Emergency of 1975 by a top Congress leader,” wrote senior journalist Shekhar Gupta in The Indian Express, October 2, 2010.

Bangladesh liberation was "inevitable", West Pakistanis were bullies, assaulted Bengali pride : 1971 war veteran

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto must have felt guilty having wronged Bangabandu Mujibur Rahman after the elections and denied power to the Awami League leader. -- So says a surviving 1971 War Veteran Brigadier Onkar S Goraya.

A proud Indian soldier, Brig Goraya still retains an original newspaper of December 18, 1971 -- that carried the banner headline -- 'Yahya accepts Ceasefire'. In fact, the first lead story of 'Hindustan Times' carried a UNI (United News of India) filed copy -- with the first sentence reading: "Pakistan President Yahya Khan today ordered his troops to ceasefire along the western front......".
Brig Goraya (Retd) of 57 Artillery, who had moved to the forward areas in Agartala during the war as part of his unit's Operation 'Nut Cracker', said, the Independence of Bangladesh was inevitable as "there was no cultural and historical affinity between West Pakistan and East Pakistan". 


He said Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi pursued "diplomatic offensive" very well making the global community understand India's role in the conflict between East Pakistan and West Pakistan very well. "Militarily, the strategic planning at every level was very good. Right from Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and higher echelons down to Brigade commands, it was all very good planning.....The units advancements and formation and the vital artillery support....all went off very well," Brig. Goraya told me in a brief interview. 

Rare Document signed by Mujib and Hasina

"It was finally proved to the world that Mohammed Ali Jinnah's two-nation theory based on religious divide was only a fallacy. Religion cannot unite people. People ultimately long for cultural affinity, they adore the affinity of language," said Brig Goraya, who was in Delhi to meet the visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"Moreover, West Pakistanis were bullies. They tried to impose Urdu language. The Bengali culture was assaulted and rightly so the Bengalis revolted," he said, adding, even if 1971 was avoided -- East Pakistan would have one day come out of the West Pakistan "sooner than later". 


Recalling his role in the War, Brig Goraya said, "I was a Major those days and as part of our unit's deployment was in Agartala as Staff Officer to Brigade Commandant Janggi Singh Baba. We all got involved in Operation Nut Cracker. It was a fierce battle as from December 1 to 4, the enemy gave us a good fight; but then we took over and they  were on run".
He still has clear memories of helicopter movements braving the darkness of night and often inclement weather over River Meghna and Indian Army subsequently entering strategic locations like Brahmanbari and Bhairavbazar.

"It was like living through a different era. May be unthinkable in present times. Everyone wanted to contribute to the war. People of Bangladesh were very cooperative amid multiple challenges. They knew we were there to help them. They felt proud of Indian Army and BSF's role," he said.
Besides the battle front, another exciting part of his involvement during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, Brig Goraya said was the "uncertainty" for sometime on whereabout of  Bangabandhu Mujibur Rahman. 

Brig Goraya with Hasina, April 7, 2017, New Delhi

"After the great victory, the new-born country was caught in the mad euphoria of rejoicing and celebrating. But there was a subtle deficiency - the absence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the new born baby," he said, adding, people knew that Mujibur Rahman was arrested by West Pakistani forces on March 25, 1971 and taken to West Pakistan.
"There were doubts, whether he would return at all," said Goraya, who has also penned a book on the 1971 War.

Brig Goraya, now based in Chandigarh, said he was in the national capital also to handover a copy of his book,
'Leap Across Meghna - Blitzkreig of 1V Corps 1971' to Sheikh Hasina.
In fact, Ms Hasina was "excited" in seeing the book which has a few rare photographs and a nice narration of  arrangements for 10th January, 1972 grand parade at Dhaka, he said.
Answering questions, Brig Goraya said Indira Gandhi's 'diplomatic offensive' had long term impact as after the 1971 War, "the global image of India of a laid back and dithering nation changed overnight".
"It is unfortunate that the nation reverted back to this image after a decade or so. But we are changing now and these are good trends," he said making it clear - however - that his comments should not be interpreted in political context.

Blogger outside Manekshaw Centre

To a question, war veteran Brig Goraya said ultimately "better sense" prevailed on Zulfikar Ali Butto and Mujib was released.
"There were certainly apprehensions that as 90,000 Prisoners of War were held by India, whether Mujib too will be held as hostage. But slowly public opinion in Pakistan turned against Yahya Khan," he said, adding the onus then fell on Bhutto to act.
"Compelled by the urgency to focus on rebuilding the broken pieces of Pakistan and also mounting international pressure, Bhutto took the pragmatic decision and released Mujib....I strongly feel Bhutto also must have felt guilty having wronged Mujib after the elections and denying power to Bangabandhu," he said.
(ends)

In tribute to 'cooperative federalism', PM Modi plays "host" to West Bengal Chief Minister

New Delhi, Apr 8 (UNI) Indian democracy and the federal polity have their own beauties. The strength of that uniqueness and 'cooperative federalism' came to the fore today when Prime Minister of India played a humble host to the Chief Minister of West Bengal. Mercurial Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee must have come to Lutyen's city innumerable times -- but for rare occasion had she been designated as an "honoured guest" of the incumbent Prime Minister.

"I am very happy that the Chief Minister of West Bengal is my honoured guest today," Mr Modi said in his statement at Hyderabad House after meeting with his counterpart from Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina. "I know that her (Mamata's) feelings for Bangladesh are as warm as my own. I assure you and the people of Bangladesh of our commitment and continuing efforts," Mr Modi said in a reference to the stalled Teesta Water sharing treaty. "I firmly believe that it is only my Government and Excellency Sheikh Hasina, your Government, that can and will find an early solution to Teesta Water Sharing," Prime Minister said in the presence of Mamata Banerjee.
Ms Banerjee -- clad in a green bordered off-white sari -- also posed for joint photograph with both the Prime Ministers with Mr Modi in the middle.

Mr Modi also pointed out in no unambiguous term that the Teesta Water Treaty would be vital for India-Bangladesh relationship. Prime Minister Modi is believed to be trying to get the Treaty approved -- that remained in cold storage for decades. The pact was almost through during the tenure of Dr Manmohan Singh but Mamata Banerjee's opposition to it in 2011 did not allow the Treaty to materialise.

West Bengal has about 123 km stretch of Teesta flowing through it and farmers in Jalpaiguri, South Dinajpur and Darjeeling are dependent on its water for irrigation. For Bangladesh, its rice belt is largely dependent on Teesta and farmers of Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat are affected by it.

NDA govt should come clear on its 'leather policy', says Congress MP

SOME HIGHLIGHTS: LOK SABHA PROCEEDINGS

New Delhi, Mar 31: The Congress today sought to question the Government on its 'leather policy' and said often contradictory messages are being given out by the ruling dispensation on matters relating to the sector. Initiating the debate on the Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha, Congress Member Ranjeet Ranjan said the BJP-led Central government has been giving "contradictory messages" on usage of leather itself.

On one side, a state government run by the saffron outfit is taking all actions against those who deal with leather while on the other hand the Commerce Minister was piloting a bill on "footwear design and developments".

Her remarks were obviously aimed at making a veiled attack on the new Uttar Pradesh government headed by Yogi Adityanath. 
"Your Chief Minister is reported to have thrown out all goods made of leather from his official residence," Ms Ranjan said."What does this government want?" Ms Ranjan asked. She said the Government's decision on how to deal with leather and those who work in the industry are imperative as "raw material is an important component" to promote the leather industry.

The vocal Congress member also referred to closure of leather units in Kanpur and also expressed apprehension that one day all the seats in the House "made of leather" could be changed. However, she was countered strongly by BJP Member Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said the Congress MP has perhaps failed to appreciate the true spirit of the Bill. "This Bill has taken care of a long term perspective and it will take care of the overall bigger canvass of the entire life-style industry," he said.

Parrikar-Digvijaya shout it over in Upper House

Furious Congress members broke into jeers when Manohor Parrikar entered the Rajya Sabha (March 31) during the fag end of Zero Hour, his first appearance since resigning as Union Defence Minister. 
         Even as Mr Parrikar attempted to thank all for the support extended to him, Mr Singh protested to the chair, saying he should not be allowed to speak as he had ''killed democracy in Goa'' amid the ensuing din. Mr Parrikar thanked all for supporting him as Defence Minister, before pointedly thanking Mr Digvijaya Singh,  ''I also thank Mr Digvijaya Singhji, because he was roaming around in Goa and I was able to form the Government in Goa.''  Loud jeers emanated from the Opposition Congress benches as its members tried to drown the former union minister's words. Mr Singh could be heard saying over the din ''he has stolen the mandate of Goa...we will not allow him to speak.''

Congress leader in charge of Goa Digvijaya Singh was at the receiving end when Goa Chief minister Manohar Parrikar made a backhanded compliment and thanked him for handing the state to the BJP on a platter, saying that while the former was "roaming  around in Goa, I was able to form the Government in Goa''.  
  The newly appointed BJP Chief Minister was able to wrest government formation from Congress despite not having adequate numbers with the support of smaller parties and Independents.

On April 1, Digvijaya sought to pay it back attacking the former Defence Minister. 
"Shame on you Mr Parrikar and your hunger for Power. You have cheated the People of Goa. Apologise to them," Mr Singh, AICC general secretary In-charge of Goa, said in a series of tweets.

"Manohar Parrikar thanks me for letting him form Govt in Goa. If he has to thank anyone, it is Nitin Gadkari who did aggressive MLA Shopping on 12th March early morning from Hotel in Goa," the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister wrote in another tweet.

TDP MP moots "expiry dates" for currency notes

New Delhi, Mar 30 : TDP MP Jayadev Galla made ingenious suggestion to curb
flow of black money and high value currency when he said the government should think of introducing a system under which there is "expiry" dates for the notes.
"Why don't we look at an expiry date on high value bank notes," he said.
The Member of Parliament from Guntur made his suggestion while participating in the debate on the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha.
He said to curb the risk of "hoarding" of high value currency notes, the government should think of putting in "expiry" date in high value currency notes. Mr Galla, once rated as one of the best CEOs, also said instead of circulating Rs 2000 value notes, the government should introduce Rs 200 currency.

BJP MP says like medicos after God; Health Minister Nadda's importance comes after Modi

New Delhi, Mar 30 (UNI) In quite a tongue-in-cheek observation, the BJP MP Anurag Thakur today threw the entire Lok Sabha into a peal of laughter when he said like doctors' role come after God, for many people the importance of Health Minister J P Nadda would come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Initiating the debate on Sustainable Development Goals in the Lok Sabha, the BJP Member said the role of the government in bringing about drastic changes in health services cannot be understated.
Continuing further on this, "Bhagwan ke baad jaise Doctor hotey haen; Pradhan mantri ke baad, Nadda ji aap aten haen (To patients as doctors come after God, for many, Mr Nadda you come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi)". The remarks obviously led the entire House into a peal of laughter.
Mr Nadda, who is a Rajya Sabha member from Himachal Pradesh, was also present in the House. Incidentally, Anurag Thakur is Lok Sabha Member from Hamirpur.The debate on Sustainable Development Goals also saw some skirmishes between Congress member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Dr Ratna De Nag, who was on the Chair.
Dr Nag, Trinamool MP from Hooghly took exceptions to Mr Chowdhury's remarks that a "section" of doctors are not doing their job properly and are "indifferent" to the problems of the patients.
"May be there are exceptions," Dr Nag remarked. The Congress member, however, insisted his complaint was against only a section of medicos. "If doctors are demi God, we also have high expectations from them," Mr Chowdhury said.
Then again when the Congress Member spoke about "bare footed doctors", still on Chair, Dr Nag asked "will you go to bare footed doctors".
The vocal West Bengal Congress president still remained defiant and said, "Why not madam, if the quacks are effective".

Trinamool MP calls Babul Supriyo "flying bird", Minister says he keeps a bird's eye view

Trinamool Congress Member Saugata Roy on March 30 had a minor altercation with

Asansol Member Babul Supriyo with the former calling Union Minister a "flying bird".
The singer-turned-BJP lawmaker countered the senior Member by stating, he does not mind being called a flying bird.

"By flying I am able to keep a bird's eye views on what's going on in West Bengal. Moreover, I have been singing like a bird," Mr Supriyo said in the Lok Sabha.
The clash happened during general discussion on Sustainable Development Goals.
Participating in the debate, Mr Roy lauded various initiatives being taken by the Mamata Banerjee government to improve the conditions of health services in West Bengal.
On this, Mr Supriyo said some of the claims from the Trinamool Congress Member may not be true.
At this, Mr Roy maintained, "Babul Supriyo does not know the ground reality in the state as he is only a flying visitor to Bengal and mostly stays in Mumbai".
The Trinamool Member also said that under Asansol parliamentary constituency -- all the seven assembly seats went to Mamata-led outfit.
The Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Mr Supriyo again shot back saying, "It is true all seven seats under Asansol are not with us (BJP). But the fact remains that I am a fighter. 

A politician is known by the fight he puts on....And I have been fighting Dada (Saugata Roy) and his party"."Yes, I would like to fly as a bird as I have been singing like a bird too," he said.Before joining politics in 2014; Babul Supriyo made his name as a playback singer in Bollywood with some popular songs like "Dil Ne Dil Ko Pukara" in 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' the debut film of Hrithik Roshan.

Trinamool MP surprises Speaker, questions her on 'uncleared' projects

New Delhi, Mar 30 (UNI) Trinamool Congress Member Satabdi Roy today indulged in a quite unprecedented conduct when she questioned Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on how many times members need to write to Union Ministers and how much time is required to ensure that a project is finally through.
"Mera prashna aap se hai ki kitne minister ko kitne chitthi dene se kitne baar project dene se, kitne baar milne ke baad wey kaam karenge. Yeh aap se janna hai (My question is for you, I would like to know from you, how many times should MPs meet Ministers and write to them to get the projects cleared)," the Birbhum Member said during Question Hour.

Why Hindu hardliner YOGI is running India's most populous state?

India’s Mr Yogi – The ‘Neo’ Ruler of Hindu Heart

The biggest contribution made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his party in recent weeks is not merely anchoring BJP’s massive victory in Uttar Pradesh provincial polls. The bigger contribution has been in giving the BJP – a next Prime Minister material, a new generation leader.

This may not be an act of selfless exercise, but there is a political risk in it.

Compared to Yogi Adityanath's chauvinistic hard-liner image, Narendra Modi will now appear the sober catalyst of development.

The BJP sprang a surprise when it named a Hindu priest-politician Yogi Adityanath as its chief minister.

In choosing Adityanath — one who presumably follows an ascetic lifestyle based on yoga — party leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not only authorized him to anchor BJP's massive victory in Uttar Pradesh but also given Hindu groups a new generation of leadership.

The saffron-clad Adityanath, born Ajay Singh Bisht, is 45-years-old, 22-years younger than Modi himself. Political commentators such as S.K. Dutta believe Adityanath is the new face of the BJP. "Today's elections require a face. Ideologies do not matter much. The BJP has it in Narendra Modi. But the BJP is being visionary in creating another while the Indian opposition and chiefly the Congress party is stuck in the 1970s," said Dutta.

Adityanath is chief priest of the state's famed Gorakhnath (Shiva) temple in Gorakhpur, the region where he wields unquestionable political influence because of his hard-line views on Hindu religion and practice. His political career has been closely linked to the temple that he joined aged 21, renouncing the world to become an ascetic. The head priests of this temple have a history of political involvement since 1921 when its then chief opposed the non-violent method of Mahatma Gandhi and was arrested for instigating people against him.

Adityanath cultivated his constituency well and won the 1998 election aged 26, becoming the country's youngest parliamentarian. He made Gorakhpur a winning constituency for four elections 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014, underlining the unquestionable political sway of the Gorakhnath temple.

Blogger

The last two decades, local media have carried several stories about Adityanath's radical views and his brushes with controversy. At least 18 criminal cases were registered against him, including criminal intimidation and rioting. 

In 2005, he was actively part of a re-conversion drive where 1,800 Christians were reportedly converted to Hinduism in the town of Etah in Uttar Pradesh. More than once, he has gone on record urging Hindu youth to avenge the so-called insult of Muslims marrying Hindu women. He is accused of inflammatory speeches which linked him to the 2007 Hindu-Muslim riots in Uttar Pradesh.

Police arrested him once in 2007 on charges of disturbing the peace which led to further unrest in the area. His supporters set fire to several coaches of a Mumbai-bound train. 

Yogi also has lauded U.S. President Donald Trump's radical views on Muslims and said India can emulate such a stance against Muslims to fight terrorism. He has in the past even criticized Mother Teresa and accused her of converting needy Hindus to Christianity. Mohammed Idris Ali, a Muslim leader from West Bengal sees a shrewd strategy at work in making Adityanath the Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

"Look at the master card they have played: compared to Adityanath's chauvinistic hard-liner image, Modi will now appear the sober catalyst of development. This suits the BJP's image for Modi," Ali said.

Another Muslim leader Shahnawaz Khan from the Muslim forum Jamaat-I-Islami Hind said Adityanath's ascension ends the ambiguity among some Hindu voters about the pro-Hindu agenda of the BJP. 

For others, the "Adityanath-Modi combination is the ideal synthesis of majority politics and development". Although a hard-liner, Adityanath was never a member of the socio-political group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This is the radical engine room that runs the BJP government and is the agenda for Hindu nationhood. 

In contrast, Modi was a former RSS volunteer and they backed his political moves.

 

But without a doubt, Hindu hard-liners backed Adityanath to the hilt. RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha told media that Adityanath's selection "was the most appropriate decision".

Many see the decision as an RSS strategy to build up another power center away from Modi who seems to be in complete control of party apparatus. "It is true, there is a balancing act," a party insider said. "Now, we will have another power center in the BJP as Adityanath will control over 300 state legislators and a large number of parliamentarians."

Uttar Pradesh's political prominence in the country is due to its 220 million people, who elect 80 of the Indian parliament's 543 members. In the last national elections in 2014, the BJP won 70 of the 80 parliamentary seats.

But for some leaders like Bhartruhari Mahtab, a parliamentarian from the eastern Indian Odisha state, Adityanath has Modi's backing too. "Modi is trying to ensure his parliamentary election victory in 2019 by creating a strong Hindu leader in Uttar Pradesh".  

 The weakened opposition has only helped consolidate Hindu voters in favor of the BJP and its agenda, said Dutta. "The problem with Indian opposition parties is that they are stuck in the political ideology of the 1970s.

"The opposition parties especially the Congress and left parties in India need to update the political software; they need to refashion their model. When will this happen?" he said. With Adityanath as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, "the portents are dangerous for the nation because what is at stake is India's secular system", said Chhotebhai, a Catholic leader in Uttar Pradesh.

Adityanath has a history of anti-minority slogans and "can we expect him to change?", said Chhotebhai, who only uses one name.

"Now that he is in power, just like Modi, he may not say anything [against minorities] but that may not stop others from pursuing discrimination."

Socialist leader B Mahtab says, “We know of their Hindutva agenda, now the fear is fringe elements in other regional parties in India and even elements in the BJP would turn MORE HINDU”. Others seem to agree. This is the (Donald) Trump moment in Indian politics. It is a definite swing towards Hindu fundamentalism. 

However, the more curious part of Yogi Adityanath as UP Chief Minister  is – Yogi is more of a Hindu hardliner than the RSS itself. He was not associated with the Sanghparivar fountainhead but the RSS and the BJP leadership – despite reservations – even in the past could not ignore him.

No wonder, often there have been occasions when Yogi has confronted the BJP and the RSS and often left top Hindu leaders red-faced.

This is making many suspect – who of the two – a politician Narendra Modi or a socio-religious organization RSS – actually backed Yogi Adityanath for the coveted post. Notably, Yogi personally has not been a RSS leader – unlike Prime Minister Modi.

His selection as the new UP Chief Minister was finally given out as “the choice of the elected legislators of UP”.

To beat anti-incumbency in Gujarat, BJP may project Amit Shah and advance polls

The BJP may try to beat the strong anti-incumbency wave and a perceivedindifference of Patidar voters in the western state of Gujarat by advancing the assembly elections - which are otherwise due by November-December this year.According to party sources, poll strategists in the saffron party also feel maximum electoral benefits can be obtained by encashing the strong 'pro Narendra Modi wave,' as was seen during the recently-held Uttar Pradesh elections. "Advancing the polls may help BJP better as the impact of UP victory can be made use of," a source said.

Meanwhile, sources said BJP's ally, Nagaland People's Front (NPF) is also in favour of Assembly polls. In Nagaland, polls are due in March 2018. However, the state's new Chief Minister Shurhozelie is not an MLA and has to face election by next six months.
To keep the momentum of Uttar Pradesh poll victory, the BJP poll managers in Gujarat have also decided to make optimum use of a slogan -- coined lately by party workers in the western state: 'UP Mein 325, Gujarat mein 150'.
 Gujarat has 182-member Assembly and BJP has been in power for the last two decades - while the contest in the state will be always taken as a prestige battle for the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo. 
In its 19-year rule, Mr Modi was the Chief Minister from October 2001 to May 2014 -- with the saffron party recording convincing victory in 2002, 2007 and 2012 assembly polls. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won all 24 seats in the state.
In 2012 assembly polls, the BJP won 116 seats as against 60 by Congress. 

However, it may not be a cakewalk to win the 2017 
Assembly polls as the state does not have any strong leader. The incumbent Vijay Rupani is a low-profile leader and was chosen only after having faced a major anti-BJP campaign by Patels (or Patidars) - after the party chose to replace its Chief Minister Anandiben Patel in August last year.
"Mr Amit Shah can play a Manohor Parrikar in Gujarat as winning Gujarat too will be very vital" a party source said.
Mr Shah was made BJP chief in July 2014 and his stipulated three-year stint as the national president of the saffron party ends on July 9.      
BJP's challenge in Gujarat has increased in the state as the battle is no longer confined only against the Congress.
By 2015-16, on one hand, Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party has tried to establish the toehold in Gujarat on the other - all eyes would be on the Patidar community and a mere – 1993-born 23-year-old Patel boy Hardik Patel - who sort of challenged BJP's grip over Gujarat politics in 2015.
In July 2015 Patidar youth, many of whom are surnamed ‘Patel’, started public demonstrations across Gujarat demanding Other Backward Class (OBC) status for their community, which would entitle Patidars to a reserved quota of places in government jobs and education. Social media also helped to spread the protest quickly across the state. Protest meetings by Patidars soon were reported from Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gandhinagar, Navsari, Jam Jodhpur in Jamnagar district, Himmatnagar and Bagasara in Amreli district and in Rajkot.
         According to an estimate, in 55 days, as many as 149 rallies were organised throwing a major challenge to the 'Moditva phenomenon' in Narendra Modi’s own political backyard.

The party is yet to draw the poll strategy for Gujarat, but the wind of possibility of advancing the Assembly elections has been heard, even among leaders of other parties.
A vocal Biju Janata Dal MP, Tathagata Satpathy tweeted today: "PM speaks of simultaneous elections to save exchequer. Internal sources suggest advancement of Gujarat elections. Fun times ahead!"
When contacted BJD sources later said, "many people have heard about advancing of Gujarat polls".
Out of power in the state since 1997, the Congress has also started gearing up the poll machinery.