Science and God

The visit of a team of ISRO scientists to the Tirupati Venkatachalapathy temple in Andhra Pradesh ahead of the launch of Chandrayaan-3 drew considerable comment. Some commentators found another reason to take aim at ISRO for allegedly draping itself in Hindutva colours, but the temple visit also received widespread praise. It was felt the decision to seek the blessings of the Lord was in keeping with India’s cultural traditions. Somehow the regular invocation of God and King in many Western nations does not attract the ire of homegrown secularists who take umbrage at any hint of Indian or Hindu religious and cultural practices in the affairs of government. The Indianisation of practices has proceeded apace with decisions like replacing the older colonial-inspired ensign of the Navy with an octagonal design drawing inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji’s seal. In the case of ISRO, the usual suspects who rushed to offer critical commentary forgot that such visits are not a recent innovation. The successful launch of the rocket carrying the Vikram lander was yet more evidence that India has mastered the technology needed to build giant rockets.

BJP’s Leadership Puzzle

BJP’s picks for chief ministerial nominees for the Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Assembly polls are the subject of speculation. There is, of course, still time before a final decision is arrived at but that has not stopped the political grapevine from indulging in its favourite sport. BJP has an incumbent chief minister in Madhya Pradesh and it is clear enough that Shivraj Singh Chouhan will lead the party even though there may not be any explicit mention of a ‘nominee’. The choice is more vexed in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh where no new leader seems to have emerged, at least to the extent of being a leadership option. Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje remains the most recognisable BJP leader across Rajasthan but there is no indication whether she would be named the “CM face”. The situation is even more fluid in Chhattisgarh. All this leads to the possibility that BJP may not name any chief ministerial nominee in any of the three states. Doing so in one and not another could give rise to its own set of problems. The party is concentrating on toning up the organisational machinery, having recently appointed senior leaders to oversee poll preparations.

Pawar Vs Pawar

Although NCP rebel Ajit Pawar and other breakaway MLAs have called on party supremo Sharad Pawar more than once, urging him to preserve party ‘unity’—in other words, bless the deal with BJP—there does not seem much chance of a reconciliation. It is highly unlikely that the senior Pawar will agree to any truck with BJP. For one, it will mean an admission that he has been left with no option but to follow in his nephew’s footsteps. For another, he has always stopped well short of doing business with BJP despite meetings with top saffron leaders. In his recent comments, he has admitted that he failed to foresee the consequences of his decisions relating to appointments in NCP. Yet, Ajit Pawar had strongly indicated that he was not likely to accept any superior authority as regards affairs in Maharashtra, a clear enough hint about his views and possible course of action.

Investigative Leeway

Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on the recent decision of the Supreme Court regarding the appointment and extension in services granted to ED Director Sanjay Mishra are the clearest indication that anti-corruption investigations against various high-profile individuals, including politicians, will continue apace. He underlined that the power of the Central government to extend the services of ED and CBI heads for three years beyond the regular two-year tenure remain unchanged. The choice of an individual, he said, does not matter as investigative agencies will work towards unearthing and investigating corruption cases, even those involving graft in high places. Sections of the opposition allege that the agencies have acted in a selective manner but so far there had been no significant intervention by the courts where a major case had been struck down as mala fide. Also, the opposition has had little success in making its charges, such as alleged wrongdoing in defence deals, stick. Not only has the government warded off allegations of graft in the Rafale deal but it has gone ahead with a deal for the naval version of the highly capable fighter.

Monsoon Melee

The Monsoon Session of Parliament is beginning and it will be closely watched for the passage of the ordinance that has restored the Delhi lieutenant governor’s authority over postings and transfers of officials. The session is expected to start with the opposition raising the
recent violence in Manipur and this may certainly affect the initial days of the session. The government is busy doing its homework and with the recent addition of NCP leader Praful Patel to the NDA ranks, the alliance is on an equal footing with its opponents in Rajya Sabha. Even after Congress decided to oppose the ordinance, overruling the protests of its Delhi leaders, NDA is confident of its numbers as it can look for the support of BJD and YSR Congress whose leaders have steadfastly refused to throw in their lot with the opposition grouping of Congress, Left, TMC, DMK, NCP, RJD, JD(U), AAP, etc. The question is whether Rajya Sabha will see orderly proceedings and a debate or if it will be plunged into chaos as was the case when the three (now repealed) farm laws were passed in 2020.

Telangana Challenge

Of all the states going to polls at the end of the year, BJP faces its stiffest challenge Telangana where it has been hoping to make a breakthrough. But differences between state leaders have posed a hurdle to the party’s progress. Though seen as a doer, Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar stepped down as state party chief making way for Krishan Reddy. The task of finding the right caste mix in the state has not been easy as BJP looks to gain the confidence of the Kapu community which has a sizeable presence. The agricultural community has supported Congress in the past but they are now being keenly wooed by all major parties in the state, including the ruling BRS.

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