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Winners May Be Losers in Karnataka’s Catch 22 Endgame

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7 years ago

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Winners May Be Losers In Karnataka’s Catch 22 Endgame

~By Saeed Naqvi

It was what a film director would have described as a perfect take. “You are a beginner” says he, grinding his teeth in simulated anger. “These are your days to learn”. A measured pause; he emotes. “And you are insulting a former Prime Minister, a senior most leader?” This was Narendra Modi, straight from the Method school of acting.

He was chastising Rahul Gandhi, the Congress President. In the course of a fierce three way election campaign, Rahul, prompted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, described the JDS as the B team of the Sangh Parivar. Modi tore into Rahul.

The manner in which Modi leapt to Gowda’s defence raised eyebrows. The outburst cast the JDS as a party which had BJP’s sympathies. Modi, at that moment, could have reached out and kissed Gowda.

If this creeping murmur reached Muslim enclaves which were once Congress vote banks, a section of the Muslim vote which would otherwise have travelled towards Gowda, would check itself. This would be ironical: the “S” in JDS stands for secular.

After the demolition of the Babari Masjid in 1992, the disenchanted Muslim vote, walking out of the Congress fold, was waylaid by regional parties. In Karnataka, this vote took respite under the JDS umbrella.

In these circumstances, is the Congress delusion, of being the “only” national alternative sustainable when a pan Indian quantity like Muslims is permanently averse to it in the states? To overtly woo Muslims, Congress leadership has been advised, risks loss of Hindu vote in direct proportion to the saffron in the air. Congress avionics are now conditioned entirely by these weather conditions. Such abject dependence on the weather will have its logic. There will be occasion when the flight will not take off at all.

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Now, the post Babari shortfall has to be made up by holding on assiduously to the Hindu vote. This requires the kind of Hindu cohesion the Congress is not geared for. If it plugs upper caste hemorrhage, the lower castes flow out into regional receptacles.

It cannot do what the BJP does: pose the Muslim as the unstated other for Hindu consolidation. The Congress simply steers clear of the Muslim like one would steer clear of trouble. It differentiates itself from the BJP, though. It has a distinct self image: it’s the party of “good Hindus”. It does not endorse the lumpenization associated with “street” Hindutva or the BJP.

It is a difficult pirouette. How do you project yourself as a squeaky clean Hindu without criticizing excesses in the name of the cow, love jehad, Muslim youth languishing and in jails without trial. National monuments like the Red Fort will now be handed to cement magnates for repair and maintenance and so on.

Alright, the BJP erects its “hard” Hindu  edifice “othering” the Muslims. How does the Congress delineate its “soft” Hindu outlines? Is there clarity or is it all hazy and vague?

Modi chastised Rahul for bad mouthing Gowda. Rahul found it so important to come clean on the subject that he agreed to give his very first newspaper interview since he became Congress President in December to Karnataka’s Deccan Herald group of newspapers.

He said he was not attacking Gowda at all; he was only inviting Gowda to explicitly declare whether he was on “that side or this side”. An epic ideological battle was on between the Congress and the BJP. Choose one.

What was the urgency for him to seek this clarification? In fact it is all the more puzzling because Modi’s intervention was designed to soften Gowda towards the BJP – it was like an olive branch to the JDS. If amplified, this would have the effect of the Muslim vote shifting away from the JDS towards the Congress. Why would Rahul need to neutralize conditions for this possible outcome? Well, it was a gamble. Rahul needs an outright victory with a safe margin. In a House of 224 he needs well in excess of 113 seats. Muslim support might help.

Conventional wisdom in Bengaluru gives Congress 95 to 100; BJP 85 to 90 and JDS 35 to 40 in a hung house. This is dicey – for the Congress. Deve Gowda, as kingmaker will immolate himself but not make Siddaramaiah the Chief Minister.

The moment Rahul looks for an alternative to Siddaramaiah in order to keep Gowda in good humour, a new game will have begun.

If Congress wins outright, the credit must go to Siddaramaiah, whatever self serving message the Congress coterie in New Delhi coaxes out of the result. In a state historically dominated by Vokkaligas and Lingayats, Siddaramaiah has brought under one umbrella the upwardly mobile Kuruba (Shepherd) community as one powerful group. By accepting a demand by a section of the Lingayat community (the late Gauri Lankesh for instance) that they are “outside” the Hindu fold, he has created mild disruption in the Veer Shaivite, Lingayat ranks. BJP’s Yeddyurappa, a Lingayat, will face that music.

By replicating, Jayalalithaa’s canteens, selling subsidized rice and pulling out every implement in the populist tool kit, Siddaramaiah has cast a wide net to ensnare the voter. At a time of Rahul’s frenetic temple hopping, Siddaramaiah’s irreligious, Lohiaite persona is refreshing.

What profit for Siddaramaiah to remain affiliated to the Congress if he sees regional actors play a greater role in post 2019 calculations? Who knows he may like to consolidate his regional base. Siddaramaiah is not the only one who is basically averse for a ride in a messy coalition just months before 2019. Supposing Modi calculates that Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh can be bunched with 2019 to his advantage. That is why any long term player will not be enthusiastic about the unstable Karnataka gaddi. But the eager bearer son of Deve Gowda, H.D. Kumaraswamy is aching to ascend the throne even for a few months with BJP support, Gowda’s denials notwithstanding.

From the Bengaluru throne, the Gowdas, BJP, everybody will then train their guns on Siddaramaiah. It is Catch 22 for all.

 

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China gives nod to build world’s largest dam on Brahmaputra close to Indian border

The investment in this dam could surpass one trillion yuan (approximately $137 billion), significantly overshadowing all other single infrastructure projects, including China’s own Three Gorges Dam, which is currently recognized as the largest in the world.

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22 mins ago

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December 26, 2024

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China has given its nod to construct the world’s largest dam, termed the most significant infrastructure project globally, with an estimated cost of $137 billion, located on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet near the Indian border, raising alarms for neighboring countries, particularly India and Bangladesh.

The Chinese government announced its decision to develop a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, which is the Tibetan nomenclature for the Brahmaputra.

The dam will be sited at a substantial gorge in the Himalayan region where the Brahmaputra river makes a notable U-turn, flowing into Arunachal Pradesh before reaching Bangladesh.

The investment in this dam could surpass one trillion yuan (approximately $137 billion), significantly overshadowing all other single infrastructure projects, including China’s own Three Gorges Dam, which is currently recognized as the largest in the world.

China had previously operationalised the $1.5 billion Zam Hydropower Station, the largest in Tibet, back in 2015. This Brahmaputra dam project forms part of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and is aligned with broader National Economic and Social Development goals and Long-Range Objectives set out through 2035, as established by the Communist Party of China’s key policy-making body in 2020.

Concerns have been raised in India, as the dam would allow China not only to manage water flow but also potentially to release significant water volumes, which could inundate border areas during hostilities. In parallel, India is also pursuing the construction of a dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.

In 2006, India and China instituted the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) to address various matters related to trans-border rivers, which involves China providing hydrological data regarding the Brahmaputra and the Sutlej rivers during the monsoon seasons.

Discussions on data sharing related to trans-border rivers were highlighted in recent talks between the Special Representatives for border issues in India and China, NSA Ajit Doval, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, which took place on December 18.

The proposed Brahmaputra Dam presents substantial engineering hurdles, situated along a tectonic plate boundary known for seismic activity. The Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “roof of the world,” is susceptible to earthquakes because of its location over tectonic plates.

An official statement released on Wednesday attempted to alleviate fears concerning seismic risks, asserting that the hydropower project is designed to be safe and emphasizes ecological protection.

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SBI PO recruitment 2024: 600 probationary officer posts announced

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28 mins ago

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December 26, 2024

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The State Bank of India (SBI) has released its official notification for the recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO) for 2024. The recruitment drive aims to fill 600 vacancies, including 586 regular positions and 14 backlog positions. Interested candidates can apply online through the official website, sbi.co.in, starting December 27, 2024.

This recruitment drive aims to fill 600 Probationary Officer (PO) positions, offering a great opportunity for aspirants looking to build a career in banking with one of India’s most prestigious financial institutions. The SBI PO posts will be filled through a rigorous three-phase selection process, including preliminary exams, main exams, and a final interview.

Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria, including a graduation degree and age requirements, to apply for the posts. The application process will be conducted online, with important dates for registration, examination, and document submission clearly outlined. Interested candidates are encouraged to check the official SBI website for detailed instructions and begin preparing for the upcoming selection rounds.

Key Dates

  • Application Start Date: December 27, 2024
  • Application Deadline: January 16, 2024
  • Preliminary Exam Call Letters Available: 3rd or 4th week of February 2025
  • Phase-I Preliminary Examination: March 8 and 15, 2025

Eligibility Criteria

  • Educational Qualification: A graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent. Final-year students can apply provisionally, provided they present proof of graduation by April 30, 2025.
  • Age Limit: Applicants must be between 21 and 30 years old as of April 1, 2024 (born between April 2, 1994, and April 1, 2003, inclusive).

Selection Process

The selection process involves three phases:

  1. Phase I: Preliminary Examination
    • An online objective test carrying 100 marks.
  2. Phase II: Main Examination
    • Conducted online, it includes an objective test for 200 marks and a descriptive test for 50 marks.
  3. Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Personal Interview
    • A psychometric test will profile candidates’ personalities. Shortlisted candidates will participate in group exercises and interviews.

Application Fee

  • Rs. 750/- for Unreserved, EWS, and OBC candidates.
  • No fee for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.

How to Apply?

Candidates must visit the official website, register, and complete the application process by the deadline. The call letters for the preliminary examination will be available in February 2025.

This recruitment provides an excellent opportunity for aspiring candidates to join one of India’s premier banking institutions. Applicants are advised to carefully review the eligibility and selection criteria before applying.

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Instagram influencer and RJ Simran Singh found dead in Gurugram

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43 mins ago

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December 26, 2024

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Simran Singh, popular Instagram influencer and radio jockey, found dead in Gurugram apartment

Simran Singh, a well-known freelance radio jockey and social media influencer from Jammu and Kashmir, was found dead in her apartment in Gurugram’s Sector 47. Authorities suspect suicide as the cause of death.

The 25-year-old, known by her fans as RJ Simran, had a significant following on Instagram, amassing nearly seven lakh followers. Her last post, shared on December 13, featured a reel captioned, “Just a girl with endless giggles and her gown, taking over the beach.”

Simran, often referred to as “Jammu Ki Dhadkan” (Heartbeat of Jammu), was a beloved personality in her hometown and beyond. Her vibrant presence and engaging content had endeared her to fans across the country.

According to police reports, Simran’s friend, who was staying with her, alerted authorities. Following standard procedures, her body has been handed over to her family.

The news of her untimely death has left her fans and followers in shock. Many have taken to social media to express their grief and pay tribute to the young influencer.

Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances leading to her death.

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