Hazare keeps Maharashtra in limelight in 2011

The year's biggest newsmaker Anna Hazare, sweeping of civic polls by the ruling Congress-NCP alliance despite some strain and setback to some key leaders in these elections besides the 'rebellion' of Gopinath Munde dominated Maharashtra's political landscape in 2011.

74-year-old Hazare was the most-talked about Maharashtrian during the year. "I Am Anna Hazare" slogan was likened to the "We Are All Khaled Said" campaign of the Egypt uprising that toppled the Hosni Mobarak regime, and to some, Delhi's Ramlila Maidan resembled Cairo's Tahrir Square. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and Industries Minister Narayan Rane, both from Congress, suffered personal setbacks in municipal council elections, which otherwise saw strong performances by the ruling Congress-NCP combine.


Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's remark that Congress agreeing to give the key Home portfolio to NCP was a mistake, brought to the fore the underlying unease in state's ruling coalition.
"I think it was a mistake. We should have relooked at it. I don't know of any other coalition government where the portfolios of Home, Finance and Planning are not with the chief minister," he had said.

Chavan's remarks made at a time when home minister RR Patil (NCP), who had to quit after the 26/11 terror attacks, was under fire over the July 13 Mumbai blasts, added to the discomfiture of his party's ally.

In June, the appointment of Vikas Mathkari as president of BJP's Pune unit led to a buzz that senior leader Munde, who disfavoured it, was leaving the party.

In April 2008, Munde had quit all party posts to protest against the appointment of Nitin Gadkari supporter Madhu Chavan as the BJP's Mumbai unit president. Munde was later persuaded to withdraw his resignation. Lok Sabha and assembly elections were due in 2009 and the party could not afford an important non-Brahmin leader leaving it. However, this time around Gadkari was himself at the helm of affairs in the BJP. With no major elections round the corner in Maharashtra, the BJP leadership decided not to humour Munde and what looked like a bang ended in a whimper.

Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam's statement that north Indian Mumbaikars can, if they choose to, bring the city to a halt sparked off a controversy, with Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged cousin MNS chief Raj condemning him in one voice for playing the "Hindi card" in view of the BMC elections, due in February.

"North Indians play a crucial role in Mumbai. We are told that we, Hindi-speaking migrants, are a burden on Mumbai. This is not true. Actually, it is we who bear Mumbai's burden. If north Indians make up their mind, they can bring Mumbai to a halt," Nirupam had said.

Maharashtra saw statewide protests after the attack on Sharad Pawar in Delhi. Rasta roko were held in various parts, including Pawar's hometown Baramati in Pune district. Hazare's controversial reaction, "Just one slap?", enraged NCP workers who staged protests at Ralegan Siddhi.

Eyebrows were raised over Indiabulls' donation of Rs 2.5 crore to the Bhujbal foundation, headed by Public Works Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, which holds the Nashik Festival.

Cong rebuffs Anna, says no to Lokpal undertaking

NEW DELHI: Congress rebuffed Anna Hazare's demand for a written undertaking on Lokpal bill, arguing that such commitment on behalf of Parliament would be tantamount to degrading the high institution.

Hazare said he would withdraw his "defeat Congress" call in elections if the party gave him a letter promising the enactment of Lokpal bill in Parliament's winter session, like BJP chief Nitin Gadkari has written to him.

AICC spokesman Rashid Alvi said Congress had made a public commitment on the bill which was now with Parliament's standing committee, disapproving Hazare's demand for written assurance. "The bill is likely to be passed in the winter session. But nobody can give in writing on behalf of Parliament, its nothing but to degrade the highest institution of our democracy," he said.

Hazare's fresh offensive with "defeat Congress" call in coming elections threatens to renew the face-off with the Centre. The party is loathe to respond aggressively post-Ramlila Maidan stand-off, realizing that the corruption issue had popular backing.

A rattled Congress on Monday urged Hazare to wait till the winter session while remarking that his impatience showed a "preconceived mind".

But after Hazare's aggression played out on national television through the day, Congress found it difficult to hide its annoyance. Asked if Hazare was playing politics, Alvi said, "People will decide who is playing politics and who is not." He dubbed Hazare's call against Congress as "unfortunate".

RSS to actively support Advani's yatra against corruption

NEW DELHI: RSS on Wednesday said its volunteers will "actively participate" in BJP veteran L K Advani's proposed yatra against corruption.

"The Sangh has already asked its Swayamsewaks (volunteers) to actively support all initiatives and actions against corruption. They had earlier extended support to Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare in their campaigns against corruption. Similarly, Swayamsewaks will actively participate in L K Advani's campaign," RSS leader Ram Madhav told reporters here.

He was asked to comment on the meeting between Advani and RSS Sar Sanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur this morning. Madhav said Advani spent some time at the RSS headquarters and discussed the situation in the country as also his proposed yatra against corruption.

Advani earlier claimed he had met RSS chief Bhagwat to seek his blessings for the yatra.

"I met the RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and asked for his blessings. He gave me his full support and blessings and wished me all the best for the yatra," Advani said.

Making light of his meeting with Bhagwat, Advani said he keeps talking to him "informally". "We meet whoever can make a big contribution to the yatra," he said.

He also met BJP President Nitin Gadkari recuperating after undergoing a bariatric operation on September 12 to enquire about his health.

"The BJP President will come to Delhi on September 24. I have asked him to make the announcement about the yatra. By then, the plan details will also be chalked out," Advani said.

Giving details of his proposed Yatra, Advani said it is likely to start on October 11, the birth anniversary of veteran socialist leader Jaiprakash Narayan from his village Sitabdiara in Bihar's Saran district.

Advani said he was prompted to take out the yatra due to the 2008 cash-for-vote scam and the washout of the Winter Session of Parliament in 2010 over opposition demand for a JPC probe into the 2-G spectrum scam

BJP congratulates Anna, says will support anti-graft fight

BJP on Sunday congratulated Anna Hazare for his successful agitation and assured him that the party would continue to extend support to his fight to make India corruption-free.

“I am glad that Anna Hazare has ended his 12-day fast this morning. The entire nation has heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God Anna’s life has been saved. We pray for his long and healthy life so that he can accomplish his dream of a corruption free India,” BJP president Nitin Gadkari said in a statement.

He described this as a “historic moment” for everybody who has been in the forefront of the crusade against corruption.

“I on my personal behalf and on behalf of the BJP congratulate Anna on his successful campaign against corruption. I join the countrymen in rejoicing Anna’s victory. It is a victory of democracy. People of India have won a decisive battle against corruption through peaceful means,” Mr. Gadkari said.

However, he maintained that the battle against corruption is not over yet and the fight shall continue.

“The monster of corruption is not yet completely eliminated. It can raise its ugly head again. We have to root it out from our system. Our campaign against corruption will continue till we achieve our goal,” Mr. Gadkari said.

Mr. Gadkari assured Mr. Hazare of BJP’s continued support, saying the party will stand solidly behind him in his “selfless endeavour to transform the society”.

“We promise you that the BJP will always be ready to rally around you and march forward under your leadership should the need arise any time in future to fulfil your dream of a truly democratic corruption free India,” Mr. Gadkari said.

The BJP president saluted Mr. Hazare for his deeds.

“Anna, rest assured, we will not let you down in and outside Parliament. Nor will we allow the government to betray you further,” Mr. Gadkari said.

The BJP president hit out at the government, saying it had no plans of agreeing to the demands raised by Mr. Hazare and it did so finally under pressure from the opposition.

“There was no intention of fulfilling Anna’s demands and the issue was being diverted to different topics by Congress politicians. We in BJP supported Anna. But even after that attempts were made to spread rumours that BJP was trying to avoid voting on the resolution,” Mr. Gadkari said.

He claimed that it was only after BJP agreed to vote and support a resolution to clarify its stand on the issue that the Congress was forced to agree and move ahead.

“I don’t want to comment on the politics of it. Whatever has happened has happened. Anna’s health is fine. The country needs Anna,” Mr. Gadkari said.