Bandh or a political showdown!

Political atmosphere is shaken with the call given for the bandh on Monday, by Congress and its allies to protest against the anti-farming laws and the shocking incident near Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh. At this point the stand taken by Congress and its allies at the time when the bills were being approved on the floor of the Parliament needed a close look.

While the bills were being approved in the Parliament one can check who among the senior leaders on Opposition benches were present in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. How the bills were passed and who participated in the discussion. Whether the stalwarts whose speeches assume significance in terms of authority and public attention were present. If not, why? Whether the reasons given for their absence were more important than the business before the Parliament?

Now that leaders such as Rakesh Tikait and his associates have continued their opposition to these laws, the issue is gaining political ground and prominent leaders have started raising their voice on it. The Lakhimpur incident has generated strong reactions across the country. It is also being referred to as Hindu Vs Sikh after the agitation was announced.

Politics on ‘bandh’ imperative for Congress

Whether such a bandh was needed or no other option was available at a time when Covid19 lockdown has had a crippling effect on our economy is open for debate. If it’s done with a political objective then it raises many questions.

Post Lakhimpur incident, Priyanka Gandhi has come out aggressively against BJP and the Uttar Pradesh government. With an eye on UP assembly elections, such agitations can be interpreted as an attempt to revive the crippled Congress in UP. Efforts have been made to ensure bandh receives widespread support. Preciously due to this reason Congress leaders in Maharashtra were seen taking extra efforts. Their task became easy with Shiv Sena and NCP taking keen interest.

For the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, the success of bandh has political significance. For Congress, the party is having Punjab state elections in mind. Much drama has taken place when the party decided to remove Cpt Amrindar Singh as the chief minister. Some of the farmers who died in the Lakhimpur incident are Sikhs, so it is inevitable for the Congress to work out a strategy on Punjab.

Also, the political support the BJP is getting from Uttar Pradesh is huge which was evident during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and later in the State Assembly elections as well. Such an agitation is necessary for the Congress to succeed in regaining its lost ground by putting the BJP in the dock.

BJP- the common enemy for MVA

Considering the political scenario in Maharashtra, the Congress wants to strengthen its position just like the Shiv Sena and the NCP. For them, BJP is the common enemy since a few incidents in recent times have shaken them. Investigations by central agencies such as NIA, CBI, ED and Income Tax has disturbed the MVA along with a letter by ex CP Parambir Singh on the former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh’s alleged recovery target of Rs 100 crore, dismissed police officer Sachin Waze’s involvement in the explosive-laden SUV near Antilia building and Mansukh Hiran’s death are a few. The Income tax (IT) department is investigating the unaccounted money transactions related to   Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son and some of his relatives along with the sale of cooperative sugar units that have put the government in deep trouble.

The MVA partners feel the BJP-led union government is doing this from a political point of view. In terms of political interpretation, the BJP’s objective could be to snatch Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) from Shiv Sena, elections to which are scheduled next year along with other civic bodies and local bodies. Next target is Lok Sabha and before that, efforts to topple the MVA government.

The inevitability of agitation

In this scenario, for MVA partners, it becomes important to show they still have control over Maharashtra and they can mobilise their cadre by making the bandh successful. This becomes evident when senior leaders of NCP, known for making measured statements, say “no shop should remain open during the closed period”. Even knowing how seriously it affects keeping the metropolis of Mumbai closed or forcing closure of industrial belts like Thane-Palghar-Raigad-Pune-Nashik-Aurangabad, the senior leaders appear determined to make it a success.

Ajit Pawar, who is apparently disturbed over the inquiries being made for the sale of some of the sugar factories and scrutiny of his relatives, has reported to have said he will release detailed information about how the sugar factories were sold, to whom they were sold, and who bought them. If this happens then the politics of mutual understanding going on behind the curtain will be exposed.

Because, a politics of camaraderie, to suit a few in the ruling as well as in the opposition, has been going on since the last a few years. Some crucial issues have been kept out of the domain of political debate despite those of public concern. Just a few of them came in for public debate such as when late Ganpatrao Deshmukh, a veteran MLA from Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) raised questions over the state’s irrigation potential despite spending huge funds. That’s how the lid on mammoth irrigation scam was opened.

Now, despite the controversial role of some middlemen involved in fixing government works and transfers of state officers unearthed by the Income Tax department, no prominent politician has demanded details of the people involved. No details on how they were staying in the five-star hotel, in whose name’s rooms were booked, or how controversial transactions took place are being sought. Leaders who are known for visiting disputed places or properties are also silent, which raises many questions.

However, if Ajit Pawar, who is currently unsettled, speaks clearly about irrigation and sale of sugar factories, it can be a problem for many.