Tuesday, January 04, 2022

Is it the Maybach code of conduct?

"Nationally, it's the 75th year of Independence where Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to roll out some of his signature initiatives including the unveiling of a newly redone Rajpath this Republic Day and a new Parliament," ET. "At the same time the year could alter the political landscape of India, as seven states are set to go to the polls, while a change of guard is expected at Rashtrapati Bhawan as well as the Vice President's lodge." Of the seven states set to hold elections to their assemblies, Goa and Manipur are small, Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the largest state in India, and Gujarat is Modi's own state. The Election Commission (EC) has yet to announce dates for elections even for states whose assemblies complete five years in March, EC. The EC held an 'informal' meeting with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) last month after receiving an 'official' letter from an official of the Law Ministry, TIE. As soon as the EC announces the election dates the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will come into effect, EC. The MCC forbids any activity that creates divide between castes or religious communities. "As it moves closer to the assembly election, the Bharatiya Janata Paty's pitch to retain power in Uttar Pradesh has acquired a religious undertone to counter caste-based differences that the party fears can adversely impact its political fortunes," HT. "The Ministers shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work," and shall not use "Government transport including official air-crafts, vehicles, machinery and personnel," MCC. On 23 December Modi dedicated 13 ready projects worth Rs 8.53 billion and laid foundation of other projects worth Rs 6.81 billion, TOI. As early as July the UP government had prepared a list of "110 central projects, entailing a total estimated cost of Rs 67510 crore (Rs 675.10 billion), which could be inaugurated or for which the foundation stone laying ceremony could be held in 100 days starting from August in the run-up to next year's assembly election," ET. The PM had a hectic schedule of electioneering in December, TIE. In an effort to cut its losses the government hastily pushed the Farm Laws Repeal Act though parliament and it received assent of the President on 30 November 2021, ET. Congress leader P Chidambaram wrote a list of "gifts" from Modi, including high inflation, large number of vacancies in teaching posts in elite institutions, anemic economic growth, lack of press freedom and increasing malnutrition, especially for children of the poor, TIE. Tavleen Singh is appalled by the hatred against Muslims. "Videos showing Hindu religious leaders in India calling for genocide against Muslims have sparked outrage and prompted demands for action," Al Jazeera. Apparently, nobody has informed these lunatics that there are more than 200 million Indian Muslims, and if a genocide really began. the world would not sit back quietly and watch," wrote Singh. 2021 was not all bad. A Rs 12 crore (Rs 120 million) "Mercedes-Benz S650 Pullman Guard armored vehicle has been added to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy," TOI. Now he can campaign in style. We are so proud. 

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