Assembly Elections 2017

Assembly Elections 2017

This is my first post for the year 2017 so I want to wish Happy New Year to all of you. This post is also a kind of achievement for me since I am completing 500th post with this one. I am blogging since 2009 and it took a long time to reach here. Between my 1st and 500th post I have won many contests, recognized by many blogging platforms for my work, have earned some valuable readers, rewarded for various feats and have become published author by participating in two anthologies. Since my blog is now more into politics and society; I hope to continue my fearless writing in years to come. 

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Election Commission today announced polls in five key states of India i.e Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur. The electoral process starts with the notification of elections (January 11) and ends with the announcement of results (March 11). Model code of conduct is enabled after announcement which means political parties are not allowed to inaugurate any government projects or policies. Manipur is still in disturbed state which need to be controlled before it goes to polls and that I think will remain the main concern for the voters. 

Demonetization going to remain the main poll issue where opposition will count on the drawbacks of the policy and Narender Modi led BJP will shout out its benefits. Only the result will decide how note ban has affected the nation. As the campaign progresses I am sure I would find more poll related issues to write during this period till then we have to see that Election Commission ensured that Supreme Court order about not using caste, color, religion to ask for vote is followed by the candidates along with the money limit allotted to them. Till then God Bless India.

A Swamy Who Is Not A Sage

A Swamy Who Is Not A Sage

Subramanian Swamy is a unique character of Indian politics. He always grabs the limelight for accusing someone for something. From last two decades since I am observing the Indian politics, I saw him suddenly come up with issues creating a media hype by blaming people in power and then going back to oblivion. Since he is a lawyer at many occasions he has fought court battles also but except 2G scam he didn't delivered anything significant in any case. 

Swamy is active in politics for more than 40 years but never hold any important government post except few months as minister in Janata Party government. He was the active member of Jan Sangh, Janata Party and now Bhartiya Janata Party but currently his role is limited to some vague statements and accusations with which his party detaches itself. Is this the frustration of not getting a portfolio even after so many years of active politics for BJP and RSS? Or he is under some secret mission to destroy the reputation of his own party's Finance Minister Mr Arun Jaitly? His latest target after Raghuram Rajan is Arvind Subramanian - Chief Economic Adviser to the government which directly comes under finance ministry. While Rajan was appointed by UPA-2, Arvind was chosen man of Narender Modi and Arun Jaitly, his attacks that Arvind is working for America are direct attacks on the government. 

How can a government appoint an incompetent person to such a high post? How they not know if he is working against the government? Raghuram Rajan episode has earned criticism for the government from foreign media also and these allegations by Swamy against Arvind have irked many experts including Finance Minister Jaitly. Prime Minister Narender Modi and BJP President Amit Shah didn't respond to party member's useless talking which indicates their silent approval to such acts. Swamy's comment either sidelined by saying that they were his personal views or used to target opposition leaders whatever seems appropriate for the situation.

Most of Swamy's allegation were either baseless as against Jayalalitha, Raghuram Rajan or politically motivated as against Arvind Kejriwal, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi because they are not proved yet in the public domain or against the court of law. He speak against someone at significant point either to threaten them or to divert their attentions. It is also possible for him to sue me if he read this article criticizing him for his hatred and vengeance politics. 

Book Review : Operation India One

Book Review : Operation India One

Operation India One is written by Shiv Kumar who works as Commercial Tax Officer for the government of Bihar. The book is published by Om Books International and I have received this signed copy from the author. The book is a journey into Naxalite affected area of Bhagatpur, Bihar.

Cover : Impressive cover. Gives an idea about military action which matches the title related to Operation India One. It attracts and creates interest in the reader about the story which I think is the purpose of the book covers.

Plot: Intelligence Bureau (IB) planned a secret mission (Operation India One) to eliminate MAF a Naxal organisation based in the remote village of Bhagatpur, Bihar. ACP Gautam Dhaliwal of Delhi Police got involved in the mission after arresting MAF chief in a Delhi raid. Charulata the second in command of MAF became more violent after their chief's arrest. Gautam then went to Bhagtpur on secret mission after IB's instruction where he met his college friend Nisha who was running a NGO there for betterment of people of Bhagatpur. Gautam's interactions with Nisha and villagers changed his perception about the mission and he took a drastic decision which changed the course of his life and Operation India One. The plot showing the true face of Indian politics take many turns to reach an action packed climax.

Thriller : The checkmates of Indian politics to retain chair was beautifully presented in the book. The detail account of Naxal problem, its effect on local people, inefficiency of our system in curbing the movement and the political games played in its shadow comes out well with the narrative. The action sequences are written superbly which transported you straight into the war zone.  

Spoiler : Author's vision about the story is not clear in the plot. At one point the characters supporting the mission turns against it and at other point they became part of it and then again changes their view. In highlighting the political game, characters are not properly explored. The plot lacks the emotional connect with the characters of the story which further disconnects it from readers. I found the language repetitive and uninteresting in accordance to the plot.

Verdict : The book is a nice read to see the ugly face of Indian politics and apathy of Naxal affected areas but it fails in its impact and vision. 

Rating : I would give it 2/5.