Dr. K. Veeramani
The turbulent twists and turmoil in the political arena of the State of Maharashtra are baffling. The instances of party defection we have been noticing recently obviously reveal erosion of morality. In brief, it is the height of political indecency that has in fact belittled democracy.
Four Kinds of rule in four years
In a period of just four years the State of Maharashtra has witnessed four swearing-in ceremonies and four kinds of political incarnations in power. It is a widely known fact that the precipitating catalyst was the BJP headed Union Government which is a political wing of the RSS outfit.
* On 23rd November 2019, after the general elections, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar of the National Congress Party was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister. This rule lasted for just three days and got toppled.
* On 26th November 2019, Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena assumed office as the Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar of NCP was sworn in again as the deputy Chief minister. By the split in Shiv Sena this rule also got toppled.
* On 30th June 2022. Eknath Shinde, who had deserted Shiv Sena was sworn in as the Chief Minister and Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the deputy Chief minister.
* On 2nd July 2023, Ajit Pawar assumed office as Deputy Chief Minister. Along with him 8 members of the National Congress Party (NCP) also have sworn in as ministers.
The Voodoo Politics
We cannot be sure that this is the end of the political witchcraft. If horse trading and defections occur after allocation of portfolios to ministers, it would not be a matter of surprise. It seems these people are not ashamed of their misconduct and erosion of morality. It may seem to be spontaneous political twists and turns but people who are well-informed in politics would easily find out that the political game is remotely played by ‘Delhi’, like holding the strings in a puppet show.
The BJP government is vigorous now in its Fascist attack on its opponents. Constitutional provisions and adumbrations are being thrown overboard by the BJP led rule. Parties are being strategically split by horse-trading and lobbying. Parties elected to rule by the mandate of people are prevented from establishing rule. The BJP coteries themselves are infiltrating and establishing BJP rule in several States. Those who refuse to compromise with them are being threatened through three pronged weapons known as the Income Tax Department, the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. Attempts are being made to terrorise the opposition parties to make them surrender their ‘arms and ammunition’ and keep their mouth shut.
This is proved very clearly as crystal by the political scenario in smaller union territories like Puducherry and in larger States like Maharashtra. The JD(U) spokesperson K.C. Tyagi says that the move of the Modi government shows the fear instilled in the BJP by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s attempt to unite all the opposition parties. Obviously, after the opposition meet in Patna, the BJP is afraid and hence wants to break the opposition parties.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has rightly described the BJP headed Union government’s current moves as ‘‘Cunning – fox tricks’’. Congress party General Secretary K.C. Venugopal has tweeted that the Government now in Maharashtra is – ‘’not a legitimately elected Government but an ED – facilitated power grab.’’
The ‘washing machine’ of BJP has resumed operation. It wants all the corrupt elements into its fold and get ‘’cleaned-off’’ their sins in its washing machine.
Fear of the BJP
BJP is obviously gripped by the fear that the unity of the opposition parties would lead to its downfall. Recently, the State of Karnataka witnessed the silent revolution of the people. All the ploys and hood-winking tactics of Modi and Amit Shah were ignored by the people and it brought about a change of rule.
“The Patna – fever” has terribly rattled the BJP. The Prime Minister Modi seems to have lost his mind as he goes on seeking short routes to reach his destination. He has been hurling personal attacks on the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and has also been harshly abusing all leaders of opposition parties.
He screams – “We shall never allow the corrupt escape scot–free!” But, Ajit Pawar who was questioned by the ED on the charges of corruption and money laundering has been made to swear–in for the third time as the Deputy Chief Minister. How ironic! The BJP headed government is bent upon weakening Sharad Pawar’s party NCP. All sorts of ploys are being used to crush it completely.As long as the corrupt elements are in the opposition they face litigation, raids, investigation and enquiries; once they come to support BJP, they become purified.
Alas! What a double standard!
A senior secretary of the Congress party has rightly said – “The Union Government headed by the BJP has become a laundry machine. Corrupt elements are squeezed inside and soaked in detergent sprinkled water. The motive is to instantly remove the stain on them and let out as “Mr. Clean”’, everyone from the machine. The Income Tax Dept., the CBI and the ED are the detergent used.
Not possible in Tamil Nadu
The strategies of the BJP headed Government would never succeed in Tamil Nadu – the “Periyar soil”. Horse trading, defection, shifting of loyalty and lobbying have no place on this land. The Dravidian Model government headed by the DMK would always safeguard democracy, constitution, social justice and State-rights. The Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reigns supreme as an undeterred warrior. He was one of the brave hearts who had swum against the turbulent currents of the declared emergency. He would never stoop to an undeclared emergency.
He would script history by defeating all the toxic forces. He has the love, regard and trust of all the people behind him who reposed confidence in him and made him swear-in as the Chief Minister.
Dictators Perish!
Time and again, history has been proving that oppressors and autocrats would vanish with the passage of time. The Preamble of the Constitution opens as “We, the people” – they will teach them proper lesson!
