File Picture Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle
It has been a exhilarating and tense week as far stories are concerned . Pakistan’s repeated ceasefire violations and audacious attacks on the army camp in Jammu meant that Kashmir was on the boil . And yet again after yet another Pakistan attack the war or words or the blame game had started between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.
And expectedly all the news channels in their prime time were doing what they do best – Bashing Pakistan and creating a war like hysteria with hashtags Pak will Pay. It’s not the first time this rhetoric had been seen. In- fact it has become rather routine ever since the advent of news 24X7 and the intent to outsmart each other for TRP’s sake.
The flip- flop in Jammu and Kashmir has raised question mark over the policy adopted by the BJP- PDP government. It is amply clear that both parties may have formed the government but differ on host of many issues . If Congress president Rahul Gandhi terms the alliance as opportunistic then he may not be wrong at the first place. Earlier cited as a novice in politics, BJP has now started taking Rahul Gandhi’s comments seriously and is keeping an eye on his tweets. This is a major change in outlook by the BJP towards the Gandhi scion.
2019 Lok Sabha polls are barely a year away. It is time for BJP and the ruling NDA to introspect what they had promised and how far they have reached that goal. It has been a daunting task to say the least . They had themselves raised their own expectations by making promises they are struggling hard to implement . And their slogan of Acche Din is under scanner and threatens to go on the lines of the India Shining campaign.
Just take a look at some of the issues that the government has been found floundering :
A : As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned there is a apparent conflict . CM Mehbooba Mufti wants talks and soft on stone pelters while the BJP is for a apt and fitting reply to Pakistan for its repeated misadventures . The Jammu and Kashmir policy of the government is in dire straits at the moment.
B . The government is yet to answer to what was the better pricing amount in regard to the Rafale jet deal with France and why it cannot disclose ?.
C . The mysterious death of Judge Loya who was hearing the fake encounter case involving now BJP president Amit Shah has put the party in a tight spot. Opposition too has piled on the pressure arguing that the agencies – NIA and CBI have lost their credibility and work according to the tunes / diktats of the government . So they have demanded Supreme Court Monitored SIT probe on the issue.
D . Government may be putting it’s efforts to get Liquor baron Vijay Mallya Extradited, but it has lot to answer as to how he managed slip out of the country with 11 suitcases on March 2, 2016 ( UPA was not in power) from Delhi’s IGI Airport Terminal 3 and board the Jet Airways Flight 9 W 122 to London?.
E . The resounding success of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Padmaavat at the Indian Box Office and Globally has shown the government in a poor light. It was mute spectator as the fringe Karni Sena threatened to bodily harm director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Actress Deepika Padukone. The silence of I&B Minister Smriti Irani when threats were issued on Deepika were very disturbing. Moreso, when Irani herself is an actress – turned politician.
F. It is struggling to pass the Instant Triple Talaq Bill pass in parliament. Economy is battling to reach the 8 percent growth. There has been no breakthrough of the Black money trail in Swiss banks.
G. The Centre is keeping its card close to its chest and keeping fingers crossed as to what will be the verdict of the Supreme Court in the Ram Janmabhoomi- Babri Masjid case that is due for a hearing on March 14
H . Already saddled with issues of farmers distress , Dalits, the shocking revelations of jeweller Nirav Modi’s Rs 11, 000 cr fraud has rattled the government. With former IPL czar Lait Modi ( no formal extradition request by MEA so far) in London along with Vijay Mallya and now Nirav too joining the bandwagon, the NDA’s tagline – ease of doing business- is surely going to be hit.
So, it is pertinent that the government looks at these pressing issues before the Acche Din becomes Bure Din and give good governance as promised . It is beyond doubt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a powerful aggressive leader and a good communicator and this was evident during his scathing attack on the Congress in Parliament.
However, Hitting out at the Congress for all the ills and cry for Congress Mukt Bharat has become stale until he delivers on his own poll promises. People have in 2014 voted out the Congress for its failures, Modi has been voted to deliver not to constantly remind ( 4 years have gone by saying Congress did this and that ) people of the Congress mistakes – the stints of former and India’s first PM JawaharLal Nehru , Bofors, Shah Bano, 1984 Sikh riots, Emergency, 2 G scam ( verdict by HC said it was made to look like scam which it was not ) , the growing prices of petrol and diesel among others.
While politics did make the headlines and held the spotlight there were some moments to cheer too. The aggressive Virat Kohli, led Team India won the ODI series in South Africa for the first time. And the 5-1 scoreline showed the dominance of the Men in Blue . A great result after losing the Test matches . Virat’s own form has been sensational and that is huge plus for Team India going ahead. We are clearly in the Virat era now.
In another shot in the arm for Indian hockey, Odisha has become the first state ever to sponsor a national team. The state has signed a historic five years deal with Hockey India and will sponsor the Indian men’s and women’s teams. Other federations should take leaf out of this landmark initiative .
In entertainment , the first look of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Fanne Khan is out. The former Miss World shows that she is really ageless , sexy and truly rocks with her glamorous musical diva avatar. Superstar Akshay Kumar’s Box – Office success consistency is something to envy about. – The superstar has once again by highlighting social issues has rocked the big screens and his film Padman has earned him not only rave reviews but success as well . Finally, for Munnabhai Fans, the first look of Sanjay Dutt’s forthcoming film – Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 is also out and the Deadly Dutt looks menacing as ever.
