Tushar Mangl

Is it time to call for the Obituary of the Indian National Congress? The Indian National Congress is one of the oldest political parties in India. Although around for decades, it seems that it is bracing towards collapse as we leap on to the next decade beyond 2020. The results of Bypolls and Assembly elections for everyone to see and understand. Faced with ruthless competition from the ruling Party, the Congress is doddering. Even in States, it has won, like Goa and Karnataka, it lost its MLAs and elected representatives who dumped the Party for greener pastures with the other Party. True, allegations of horse-trading were floated around. But as in Madhya Pradesh, there is clear evidence of Indians favoring turncoats. The BJP hardly won the mandate in Goa, Karnataka, or Madhya Pradesh, but turncoats swung the numbers.  Questions should be raised about how majorities are being stitched. Similarly, it's interesting to probe that the Congress, one of India's principal political p...

The Presidential election is a matter of prestige and pride for a ruling party to affirm its position in the Indian politics. The NDA government had no doubt an upper hand and the BJP has an excellent opportunity to place before the country a statesman figure with stature and respect to become India's first citizen. Instead, what the BJP did was to reduce this election to caste and identity politics. It conveniently forgot that Dalits are no longer impressed with such shallow symbolism as is evident from decline of popularity of major Dalit leaders like Mayawati. In fact, by trying to force casteism in a simple political election, the BJP today stands totally exposed.  That the government is bereft of any imagination is quite evident as most of its major achievements are actually carry forwards of the previous UPA regime. The GST, Aadhar and other reforms were halfheartedly pushed by the UPA and carried with a vigor by the NDA. On the Kashmir issue, on joblessness, on man...

For the ruling party in Delhi, the elections in five states were crucial. True, in assembly and state elections, national considerations take second seat but still, the elections mirrored the national mood. For the Indian National Congress, the results have given it a rude shock. With the absence of its ailing President, the party could not put up a strong show and its campaign was wanting of any imagination or astuteness. Still it came close to power in Goa and Manipur and wrested back Punjab which all in all is not bad for it. For the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party, the writing now is clearly on the wall. The party has now left devoid of any ideology, cadre or thought. Its win is purely pinned on the charismatic Prime Minister who is now 'the party'.  Even in places where the BJP lost, it was mainly because the PM didn't try enough. Like in Punjab where the election was as usual outsourced to the regional partner.  Indeed, the results show a clear trend that th...

Elections to various legislatures of Indian states are underway amid a slowdown in the economy and in the aftermath of the demonetization of higher currency which had shocked the nation last year. The demonetization has had a crucial impact on these elections. Even though it was business as usual, cash crunch clearly showed in the campaign festivities. It was this reason perhaps which brought the Indian National Congress and Samajwadi Party together. And this can be well-made ridings choppy for the ruling BJP at the center.  Indeed the BJP seems to be the pet target this election season. The Aam Aadmi Party has made it its mission to only fight elections where the BJP is currently in power. The other opposition parties getting together to fight the BJP is not helping them either. In Punjab, the party has virtually given up, outsourcing the elections to its ally, Shrimoni Akali Dal.  In Goa and U.P., the party is still fuzzy about who its major leader is. In Uttar...

It is quite confusing these days, whom to vote for. Each candidate seems promising enough to bring doom to the land you love. You can't expect any political party to take an honest stand anymore. In his budget speech, the finance minister said India and banks have benefitted a lot due to demonetization. Then he went ahead and gifted 10,000 crores of taxpayer money to banks to have a little extra to have fun with. No one gives a shit to the little man on the street. We, people, are here to slog so that the high-level people can enjoy their lives. So, it would not shock you that your humble writer has been assured a mobile phone, a smart phone with free calling if I vote for a certain party. In all these years of my voting life, no one has offered me the whiskey bottles and the blankets. Those are only meant for poor voters I am told. You can afford your own whiskey. We salaried class people are mostly offered assurances that we would be taxed more, burdened with more legislatio...

A new global era has ushered in with President Donald Trump taking over the charge of the World's biggest economy and military. His welcome has been vile, outrageous and absolutely absurd. The media tells us that he is the most unpopular President ever. Perhaps according to them, he is the most unpopular citizen of the country at the moment.  All this is absurd and mindless of course. He won by a majority. A thorough election process got him through. Those who are protesting at the moment, has even one of them requested an electoral reform in the United States? None. No one in the United States thinks that their electoral process could be flawed. They just don't want Trump around. How is that even possible? American Presidents off late have been too fond of wars and military fighting, resembling overgrown boys playing with their GI Joe sets. They bloodied the streets of Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and possibly everywhere they could. As if Presidency of United States is a...

From the huge mess of demonetization, the first question that comes up is whether the Prime Minister is losing his grip on governance and politics. The demonetization drive has exposed several gaps in the government's planning, vision as well as execution. The idea was not at all planned well. The execution was dismal and the way it is now being repaired by the propaganda of less cash society only shows that political ego has once again trumped economics and welfare. It also reflects how good governance, once a promised gesture was a distant and faraway fantasy for the common folk of India. And it is not just demonetization. Look at the leadership of the ruling party. There is a dearth of talent within the Bhartiya Janta Party. Check any state ruled by the BJP, you will see disappointing, lackluster leadership, except maybe in Chattisgarh, M.P., and Rajasthan, the CMs of which were chosen in a pre-Modi era. Post Modi you don't see any significant leaders be...

When some terrorists from Pakistan attacked Uri the other week, the biggest casualty was the image of our Prime Minister. A quick peep into social media would have shown anyone the impatience for action, like he had promised. I was amused to see people bringing out Indira Gandhi's name as someone who was really bold enough leader. That was of course more insulting to Dr. Manmohan Singh then to Mr. Modi as Singh unlike Modi had been at help for a decade yet the Congress had to dig into 70s to find a name to prop against Modi By sanctioning a surgical strike yesterday Modi has really shown his mettle as one of the shrewdest PMs we ever had. What he tried was risky, innovative and immensely successful, First, he took the bitter pill of bad publicity to his name as someone not doing enough. Then with Sushma Swaraj's help at the United Nations, a diplomatic offensive was launched. At the sideline was talks about Indus Water Treaty and MFN status to India. With people hammering fo...

Navjot Singh Sidhu has finally opened up his cards by creating a rag tag party of rebels. He has also picked up a unique name, Awaaz e Punjab, as in voice of Punjab. While it remains to be seen, how many more dissidents he is able to attract, he already has created ripples in political circles. He is an astute politician and this can be gauged from the fact that he disassociated with BJP when the writing on the wall is clear that its ship is sunk. Also he has created this new front with Bains Brothers and Pargat Singh. Not known much beyond their political constituencies but they are significant people. With them, he has shown that he is ready for entire Punjab, as he is active in the Majha region, Bains Brothers are active in Malwa region and Pargat is an MLA from the Doaba region. All three regions covered. Also important is the muscle power and financial power of this new front. These leaders also enjoy a cult fan following, which could make a difference on the ground reali...

Electricity plays a major role in any elections in India. Not surprisingly therefore, when facing prospect of defeat in elections, last time when Congress was in power in Punjab, it decided to offer free electricity to farmers. But the gimmick did not work as expected and the Congress lost the elections. The Akali - BJP combine came into power, promising better power scenario to Punjab populace. Again things never went as per plans. The idea was to make Punjab a power surplus state. A noble idea and the strategy was good too. As power shortage was severe, the government took steps to set up massive thermal power plants with private players in the driving seat. This idea could work as the government itself had little money and power for industries or home use.  Then, the sorry tale of land acquisition started. Villagers refused to part land. Simultaneously the coal scam rocked the nation and rocked the boat for grand power plans of Punjab. Which also envisaged exporting ...

Finally the Prime Minister has shuffled his cabinet. He kept most of his council of ministers intact, just making minor changes here and there. Key takeaways - Former Karnataka CM Sadananda Gowda is moving down steadily in political circles. From Railways to Law and now to an obscure ministry his stars are not shining. PM Modi seems to have realized the need to induct more powerful females in his council of ministers. Hence two of them have been brought in, blunting the power of other formidable women leaders. Bihar still has the maximum representation in the PM's cabinet even though the people of the state have moved towards the RJD, Congress and JDU combine. The biggest gain has been for the law ministry with two senior Supreme Court lawyers taking charge of it. Talk about expertise there. Another big gainer is the environment ministry which has now got a known environmentalist to reign it in. The government now has two very well qualified doctors on board, none of t...

Punjab is gearing for assembly polls. The ruling Akali - BJP alliance faces a strong incumbency factor as it has had a ten year run of the state politics. The media of course favors AAP as the coffers of the Delhi government have been too generous to the media. It continues to highlight the success of AAP in Lok Sabha elections some time ago. But what it does not feel like informing the citizens is that most of those MPs have faded away already. Only Bhagwant Mann remains party's face in Punjab. Of course, relations between AAP and Congress are nice and comfy and that seems to be the way these elections might go. An alliance between the Congress and AAP. The Akali Dal is financially sound and well organized as well. Whatever allegations of corruption people might hurl, they have tried to push the state forward. The BJP it seems has already decided to grab the post of the biggest loser. Its fate now lies in the border district of Amritsar where the Navjot factor will decide ab...

Something something happens and media, social and electronic all go to grab maximum twitter tweets and FB likes. The most painful part about this is the role of social media. It is easy for the Congress obsessed media to hate the BJP and make every issue about RSS and BJP. Even nationalism for example. But why does not a Rajdeep Sardesai I wonder, not pained when a Tanzanian girl is stripped in Bangalore and police decide to take things easy? Just because Bangalore is ruled by the Congress, it is okay with everyone. We are all okay with the inaction of the police on a mob that went around and beat up the girl and her friends. Well because they all love and preach Congress brand of nationalism. No Arnab gets angry no Ravish comes out with theatrical dialogues. This is the patriotism we all are made to like. Where we go around chasing young foreign women and beat them around. It is all okay as long you are not even distantly associated with RSS or BJP.  You are also allowed to...

Punjab has just a handful seats in the entire Lok Sabha. Yet, this time around it has sprung up an interesting result, worth writing about. The debutante Aam Aadmi Party scored a wonderful 4 seats out of 14. Its only achievement nationwide. Bhagwant Mann, who had earlier been part of Manpreet Badal's People's Party of Punjab, worked really hard and used his earlier experiences with the PPP to deliver a spectacular verdict. Especially in Sangrur, where he himself won with a margin of over two lakh votes. Also notable was the fact that the Delhi group, the select coitre of people who actually run AAP were not so involved here, which actually helped the party. This election has also marked the final death nail for Manpreet Badal's PPP. He had started this party with lofty ideals and promise of a revolutionary change. He told his people of new ideas and new brand of politics. But soon he went allying with old ideologies like the CPI, CPM, BSP etc. Even that could not help ...

The Bhartiya Janta Party, was founded by quite many intelligent men, many of whom were upper class Hindus. The three biggest promises that the BJP ever made to the masses were 1) A Ram Temple at Ram Janambhoomi Sthan, Ayodhya 2) Repeal of Article 370 3) Uniform Civil Code Narendra Modi, in 2014, brushed aside these issues made development and governance as his chief agenda and secured a handsome victory for his party and self. But with a simple majority comes a complex challenge of paradox. You can sweep aside old timers, you cannot sweep out deep rooted ideologies so easily. He himself has claimed himself as a Hindu nationalist, a disciplined party worker etc. Now he will be hounded with these issues although not highlighted by his campaign but neverthless which are the corner stones of his party's ideology. Atal Bihari Vajpayee faced the similar problem when he ruled India for 6 years. Even he could not find a solution for these issues. For he did not have a clear majorit...

Writers for years have written extensively on sharp divide between India and Bharat. One, mostly urban the other mostly rural. It is Bharat that feeds the country, takes case of its productions and supplies most labor. It is India which issues orders, makes policies and do the management. Not surpisingly, it is India that complains the most. But it is a fact that it India of the big cities, which is responsible for the worst scams ever happened to the nation. It is also a fact that the big city people have always exploited the Bharat people. And one of the vivid example can be seen in voting patterns. While Delhi had a turn out of around 64% voters, Saharanpur in western Uttar Pradesh, recorded a massive 74% voter turn out. It is a well documented fact that voting turn out amongst the big cities, is always low, at least lower than other places. Look at Mumbai, which has a voter turn out of 55% this time. If you look at the results of last assembly elections in Delhi, the city state ...

In the year 2011, a movement was launched for a jan lokpal by activist Anna Hazare. We all know about it. Many of us especially born in the late 80s or early 90s were quite fascinated by the sheer energy of the movement. Our parents might have had seen another high voltage movement by Jai Prakash Narayan in the 70s but for us, this was our very first large social movement. Add the high density exposure of social as well as television and it was all very good. We have read about the JP movement and it was already clear that even though the two movements could not be compared but they both were similar in the sense, they both caught the anger of the people against the governments of their times and channelized it into their movements. Hence, it was clear that like in JP era, here also, politicians would be produced. A large part of the present leadership in India from Nitish Kumar to Arun Jaitley is a product of the JP movement. From the Anna movement came Arvind Kejriwal a former I...

I have been planning this post for a long time. But my laziness to write and Mulayam Singh Yadav's laziness to pull the rug from under the government has caused continuous delay. You see, every time I decide to write on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, I think that the govt will soon fall, every regional party leader is saying so, then why not wait for the announcement before writing all about it. Anyway, so most probably elections will happen in the later part of 2013 or early 2014. If left to Dr. Manmohan Singh, whose lust for power (or comfort of his chair) is well known, he will delay the outcome to the last minute. But people on the opposite side are already getting restless. Even if the BJP is not saying openly, their candidate is most probably going to one Mr. Narendra Modi, currently the Chief Minister of Gujarat, a prosperous state in the western part of India. From the Indian National Congress would come a trusted scycophant who shou...

Over the decades after India gained independence, the political choice of the country remains firm. It is the Indian National Congress that they want, just like Russians and Chinese love their Red parties. The fact that the INC has the media dangling from its pockets like loose change cements its position in the Indian political theater. Add to that, love for royalty among the ordinary folks who still live in the times of rajas and maharajas. But what is going for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is that his lust for power is so great that he is playing the crony capitalism game quite well. Corruption is at its peak and the corporate India which is benefiting from this, is overwhelmingly supporting Dr. Singh. Take the example of how telecom companies conspired in the 2G spectrum scam. Or, new age leaders like Nandan Nilekani, leading dubious projects like Adhar, gulping down crores of taxpayer money. So INC is at comfortable advantage. Problems are arising now for oppo...

Morality in Indian politics is decreasing, incidentally with the rise of women power in the arena. Call me a chauvinist or just another cynic, but I cannot fake to enjoy in the glory in which Indians are enjoying themselves. First lady PM, - Indira Gandhi was and will remain for a long time, one of the most influential women politicians.  She also introduced us to dictatorship and threatened the very democracy which is our strength. Rabri Devi ruled Bihar for a long time - women there are still backward and by the time she left the state leadership, the whole state was falling, quite badly. Pratibha Patil is the first women President of India. One, whose husband and family (including herself) has been involved in several not so noble deeds like land grabbing, bank frauds etc. The world is all deja vu on Mamta Banerjee becoming chief minister of West Bengal. While railways has gone from worse to worst under her control, her strikes, opposition to factories, and s...