Rewriting the rules of Game - Part 1

Modi Govt has started functioning a week before the Swearing-in ceremony. That in itself is FOAK (first of a kind). So What exactly have they done in this week. They invited all SAARC members for Modi Govt Swearing-In ceremony. It is important to understand whether it has happened ever before and if not, does it have any impact?

Surely never before neither India has invited neighbors nor any other democracy has done that either.

BJP claims that these invitations are part of celebrations of democracy. Undoubtedly, Elections in World's biggest democracy is a big event and the kind of results this election has thrown It needs to be celebrated.

It is important to know what benefits BJP is trying to achieve at National level politics with these invitations. Also, does this celebration has any impact on neighboring countries? Particularly with their own democracies. I believe there is larger message which is being sent from India.

India is the largest country, big brother among SAARC countries. In recent past, our relations have not been impressive but just developing relations cannot be the purpose of these invitations. As I am trying to analyze it, I could ascertain that, these invitations can impact strengthening democracies in respective countries.

Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal have been struggling with their democracies and it is clearly evident that who else but nation's own people can help strengthen democracy. So, I am questioning myself, whether this celebration will have any impact of respective countrymen. It would not have been,  say if somebody was invited 20 years ago. But the world has changed a lot in last 20 years. Through Social Media and Television, everybody knows what happens in neighboring country. A Rock-Solid democracy in India and developmental politics can have immediate impact on neighboring countries. Helping develop equally strong democracy in neighboring countries can have significant impact on bilateral relations as well. And Probably that's the larger message one would like to drive from these invitations. Invitations has something like group message for the neighbors.

The One-on-One, Bilateral meetings will continue in which the contentious issues could be discussed. There are enough disputes between India and its neighbors but probably inviting neighbors and neighbor's magnanimity in accepting the invitations show that their respect towards India and Indian democracy. Also, a serious backlash respective leader of nations would have faced from their own people. Its was diplomatic smartness which Indian Government showed probably first time in a decade.

What did Modi achieve with these invitations at National Level politics?

Coming to the criticism this move would receive from Indian people. Undoubtedly, Inviting Pakistani premier wasn't an easy decision when in a largely viewed interview during elections Modi said that discussions cannot be heard while gunshots are around. Another objection has been from NDA partners about inviting SriLankan president. Many of these NDA parties are Tamilian Parties who would oppose such proactive step tooth and nail. But NDA still went ahead hosting SriLankan President. It was simply to convey to regional parties that Foreign relations falls under Central Government's purview in Federal structure and Central Government would take necessary steps to ensure what is good for country. TN parties which have gained importance highlighting SriLankan Tamil's issue, due to weaker Central Government were made to realize the significance of Stronger Central Government.

First few days into Government and It is clearly evident that he re-writing the rules of Game. Much more to come and analyze.

Parting Note:

The comment which I heard from my friend was that, It was Modi's 'Rajsuy Yagya' where all CMs, neighbor kings were invited. It was proclamation of a new king of Bharat Varsh.







     

Marathwada's Sprint Towards Political Oblivion

Mundhe died yesterday in accident and with his death died the HOPE for Marathwada.

Its a backward region in every aspect. No Train route has been laid in this region from the time Nizams left this country and I believe that shall help everybody understand the status of development for this region.

Politically though there has been many stalwarts who have come through this land. It would be injustice on some Congress stalwarts to say that they didn't do anything for this region but they couldn't do much due to political compulsions.

The list of stalwarts would read at least 3 Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, 2 Home Ministers of India.
1) Shankarrao Chavan (CM/HM)
2) Shavajirao Patil Nilangekar CM
3) Vilasrao Deshmukh CM
4) Ashok Chavan CM
5) Shivraj Patil Chakurkar HM

So this list shall make one believe that this region must have got best of the best.

Reality is different though, and that's the reason there were hopes from Mundhe.

Mundhe-Mahajan, Two of Maharashtra's biggest BJP leaders came from Marathwada. Mahajan though a big name in Delhi circuits, people of this region never had high hopes from him (and that's the reason his native Ambejogai never voted big for BJP), whereas Mundhe becoming Cabinet Minister now and an almost Chief Minister in 2014 Assembly elections raised expectations, hopes of people.

Mundhe had a penchant for solving most teething issues for masses and it became evident from the way he went hard against Mumbai Gang-war, almost finishing it during his tenure. Similarly, he resolved the issues of Sugar-cane workers. His becoming Minister would have helped his home-town Beed significantly. Beed and Osmanabad are two towns of Maharashtra where basic infrastructure needs immediate attention. Water scarcity is a big issue which needs immediate attention. Talking about other aspects semi-skilled youth from this region is just roaming around aimlessly, which would have got necessary support under his leadership. Sitting in opposition he could just have one functional Sugar factory, there is limit to how many would benefit from that. The way Vilasrao's leadership helped Latur come alive post Killari earthquake, Mundhe's leadership would have helped Beed district to come out of un-developed status.

With his demise and imminent disqualification of Ashok Chavan, the picture looks very beak for Marathwada. Though I wanted BJP to win, everywhere else, Asho Chavan's victory from Nanded was very important as it established him as a leader with Voter support and Nanded can have a hope that someday he would become CM again and help Nanded develop further. With these two events, Politically Marathwada has gone back by almost 30 years. There was never a time when Political atmosphere in Marathwada was so gloom. There isn't any other capable voice who can raise concerns. Its almost certain that Marathwada region is moving towards political oblivion. Its a big political vacuum which has got created in this region and would take at least another 10 years to fill it in. Problem with BJP in Marathwada is, there is absolutely nobody in the second rung who could attempt to fill in the shoes.

NCP has been trying hard to make a footprint in this region, but it is kinda party which wont let anybody grow bigger than the Pawars.

There is Shiv-Sena but Thackarey Seniors death has significantly marginalized Shiv-Sena here. Uddhav couldn't establish a connect with local leadership, leave apart the masses here.            

This whole discussion brings up only one topic in mind, What next for Marathwada? What does Marathwada need to do so that the recovery is quicker?

Possible option could be to promote Mundhe's daughter but even one step in that direction could bring-forth the dynasty voices. Other option could be to provide support to Khaire, Aurangabad Shiv-Sena MP. Though he hasn't done anything significant in his own constituency, he is the one who can pull OBC votes to BJP as well as being in Parliament for last 2-3 times, developed rapport across party lines. The other hope could be that Ashok Chavan saves his seat by some legal gimmicky and remains relevant

Politically, Its really terrible situation for Marathwada and solution to which doesn't look possible in near future.