The Hindu – News Analysis; TINA factor works for Manmohan Singh

New Delhi, 15 May 2013. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, accompanied by Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, will fly to Assam on Wednesday to file his nomination papers for another term in the Rajya Sabha, ensuring his membership of the Upper House till 2019, the same term the next elected government will get, making him eligible for a third term as PM — if the UPA government succeeds in getting another five years.

That, Congress sources stressed, should end the speculation that has been swirling around in the capital since Saturday of a disagreement between Dr. Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi over the exit of two Cabinet Ministers, and the likelihood of a new Prime Minister.

So much so that on two successive days Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi was compelled to publicly deny the existence of a rift between the two leaders, even as he firmly asserted that Dr. Singh would remain Prime Minister till 2014. “We refute such rumours and malicious campaign.

No new decision has to be made in this matter,” Mr. Dwivedi said on Monday when asked whether Rahul Gandhi could replace Dr. Singh before the monsoon session of Parliament, later this year, stressing, “Whenever there was a need, the party has said in clear terms that Manmohan Singh will be Prime Minister till 2014. That is the position today also.”

Of course, it is true that as the next general elections draw near, the government’s inability to prevent a slew of financial scandals, rising prices and social protests over a rash of crimes against women from taking political centre stage has made the party’s Lok Sabha MPs queasy.

There is a growing resentment against the leadership — that neither the government nor the party is doing enough to help them get re-elected. So, there were voices raised privately, for instance, against the party leadership for waiting until after the budget session of Parliament had ended and Siddaramaiah was safely elected CLP leader in Karnataka — the latter the first piece of good news in months for the party — to dump
two Ministers whom party MPs saw as a liability.

But, while changing the Prime Minister could certainly change the optics, the fact is, as the Congress sources themselves point out, the TINA (there is no alternative) factor works in favour of Dr. Singh. The obvious — and most acceptable — alternative within the party is Mr. Gandhi, but the young vice-president has made it clear that he does not wish to replace Dr. Singh at this stage.

If one sets that name aside, then, party sources say, there is no other name that will be acceptable to both the Congress and its allies — and that Ms. Gandhi simply cannot impose anyone else. Finally, these sources stress that Dr. Singh’s nine consecutive years in power — on May 22, the UPA government will celebrate its ninth anniversary — have been marked by stability, something not to be knocked.

In the current case, the sources say that while Ms. Gandhi did want the Ministers to be dropped from the outset, there was also a sense that this should not be done while Parliament was on and that nothing should be done to cast a shadow over Karnataka elections. The party was also concerned that it should not appear as if it was buckling under Opposition pressure. That, they say, is the quintessential Congress style of
doing things.

Over the last nine years, the equation between Ms. Gandhi and Dr. Singh, and the division of labour have been discussed almost continuously — and not just in political circles. If that division of labour worked better in UPA I, it was also because it was a period in which the Congress appeared to have done no wrong, despite the exit of the Left parties over the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal issue.

In 2004, when Ms. Gandhi made Dr. Singh Prime Minister, there was some heartburn in the party, but in 2009, when the Congress increased its score by over 50 seats, and some of the credit for the party’s fine showing went to him, there was a fair amount of resentment among those who were PM-aspirants.

But in a party, where power is centralised, the buck stops with Ms. Gandhi. Her choice remains Dr. Singh, and no one as yet is about to challenge that choice — not until 2014.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tina-factor-works-for-manmohan/article4715264.ece?homepage=true

The Hindustan Times – Jaya calls for referendum on separate homeland for Sri Lankan Tamils

Stepping up pressure on the UPA government on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday demanded that India move a resolution in the UN Security Council for a referendum for separate Tamil Eelam and stop calling Colombo a friendly nation.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to slap economic embargo on Colombo till the “suppression” of Tamils was stopped and those responsible for “genocide and war crimes” faced an international probe.

Moving the resolution, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said the ongoing students protest was reflective of her government’s initiate on the Sri Lankan issue even as she requested them to withdraw the stir and resume classes.

Launching a tirade against the Centre and DMK, she alleged that both had “failed” to ensure ceasefire in 2009 when hostilities were at the peak in Sri Lanka.

She charged DMK supremo Karunanidhi with adopting “duplicity” on the issue and said people were aware of it. Her remarks drew vociferous protests from DMK members.

Speaker P Dhanapal ordered for eviction of agitated DMK members when his plea for restoration of order in the House went unheeded.

Launching a frontal attack on the DMK, Jayalalithaa accused Karunanidhi of not doing anything for the Lankan Tamils when his party was in power at the Centre and in the state and after losing power he revived the TESO.

“Karunanidhi is now trying to show that he has done a big sacrifice by coming out of the Central ministry on the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils”, she said.

Jayalalithaa asked why the DMK chief was silent on his party leader T R Baalu continuing as Chairman of a railway committee and his son M K Alagiri meeting Prime Minister, the Congress President and the Union Finance Minister after he had resigned.

Pointing out that senior DMK leader K Anbazhagan had said that DMK would not topple the government at the Centre, she said “by looking at Karunanidhi remaining silent, it looks like that he will not like to snap ties with the Centre”.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Chennai/Jaya-calls-for-referendum-on-separate-homeland-for-Sri-Lankan-Tamils/Article1-1033402.aspx

The Hindu – No consensus on House resolution on Sri Lanka

New Delhi, 20 March 2013. The all-party meeting called by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Wednesday evening to seek a consensus on the government’s draft resolution on Sri Lankan Tamils failed: if the text did not go far enough for the DMK and the AIADMK, the BJP, the Samajwadi Party and the Janata Dal-United all said they were opposed to a country-specific resolution.

The BJP had pointed out earlier that if India had objected to the resolution passed on the Afzal Guru issue, it would not be proper for it to pass one on Sri Lanka in Parliament.

Earlier in the day when journalists asked Finance Minister P. Chidambaram why the government was pursuing a resolution on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue now that the DMK had quit the UPA, he said the government’s move had nothing to do with its former ally. Instead, he stressed that since every political party represented a section of public opinion — there were Tamils not just in Tamil Nadu, but in other parts of the country, as well as the diaspora — it was important to be sensitive to Tamil sentiment, and that could be “reflected only through a resolution”.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari also added to this, underscoring the fact that it was part of the government’s duty to highlight the feelings of the people of a State.

The government’s primary concern on Wednesday was to send out the message that the UPA regime is stable and in command, capable of taking decisions. And that was the line taken by its political managers a day after the DMK — and its 18 MPs — withdrew support from the Central government. But simultaneously, in an effort to demonstrate its solidarity with the Tamils of Sri Lanka, the government stressed it will ask India’s Permanent Representative to the UN to move oral amendments to the US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka, which will be voted on in Geneva on Thursday, and persuade all political parties to pass a resolution in Parliament, too, on the subject.

Answering accusations that the government had helped to dilute the US-sponsored resolution denouncing Sri Lanka for human rights abuses at the UNHRC in Geneva, Mr. Chidambaram said, “India’s position has always been — and remains — that the UNHRC should adopt a strong resolution that would send a resolute message to Sri Lanka and goad Sri Lanka to accept an independent and credible investigation.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was briefed by top officials on the US-sponsored resolution shortly after Mr. Chidamabaram — on behalf of the government — announced it would move amendments to the final draft text.

Meanwhile, as the Bahujan Samaj Party reiterated its promise to continue backing the government, the Samajwadi Party, however, created suspense, with its chief Mulayam Singh saying its Parliamentary Board will meet on Thursday morning to take a view.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/no-consensus-on-house-resolution-on-sri-lanka/article4529948.ece?homepage=true

The Hindu – DMK pulls out of UPA over UN Sri Lanka resolution

Chennai, 19 March 2013.  DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday quit the Congress-led UPA and its government expressing dismay on India’s stand over Sri Lanka at the United National Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

“Continuing in this government will be an injustice to the Sri Lankan Tamils,” the former Tamil Nadu chief minister told the media in Chennai

Mr. Karunanidhi said the UPA government had not only refused to consider the DMK’s views on the US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC but had quietly watered down the resolution.

He also ruled out extending outside legislative support to the UPA.

Asked if the DMK would change its stand if the government brought a resolution in Parliament denouncing Sri Lanka, he said there was time till Thursday for that.

If a resolution was introduced in Parliament accusing Sri Lanka of committing “genocide” of Tamils, “We are ready to change our view”, the DMK leader said.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said the government is holding consultations on DMK demand for Parliament resolution on Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dmk-pulls-out-of-upa-over-un-sri-lanka-resolution/article4525097.ece?homepage=true

The Hindu – Congress Working Committee backs reforms but questions raised on timing, need

Smita Gupta

New Delhi, September 25, 2012. The Congress Working Committee on Tuesday endorsed the government’s recent economic policy decisions, including the controversial one permitting FDI in multibrand retail, but not before some members expressed their apprehensions about the timing, necessity and advisability of the measures taken, especially as State elections are round the corner. Their chief concern was that there should be no obstacles in the way of ameliorating the condition of the poor and weaker sections.

Of course, with Congress president Sonia Gandhi leading the discussion with her extempore opening remarks, striking an approbatory note on economic reforms, stressing that the government was stable and slamming the Opposition, the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

But the questions asked by some CWC members forced the government’s representatives to try and allay their fears. One member felt that it might have been better to create public opinion for these decisions before they were taken, another said had the party been taken into confidence before the government made its announcements, it could have responded more effectively to criticism.

Could not the diesel price increase have been staggered, questioned a third, while a fourth wanted to know why Congress Chief Ministers were not consulted on the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders. Among those who placed their views strongly were Congress media chairperson Janardan Dwivedi, general secretary Madhusudan Mistry and senior leader Mohsina Kidwai.

On his part, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured the CWC, Mr. Dwivedi said, that his government would take care of the poor, the farming community and the disadvantaged, creating policies that were in line with the Congress’ traditional concern for the aam aadmi.

Both Dr. Singh, and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who spoke before him, said the government would not be able to implement the UPA’s pro-poor flagship programmes without undertaking reforms. Mr. Chidambaram, Mr. Dwivedi added, explained that if steps were not taken to attract FDI, reduce subsidies and increase productivity, the rupee would continue in freefall. Party sources added that while there was a reluctant agreement that everyone must pay to restore the health of the economy, the poor must pay less.

Ms. Gandhi said it was imperative to undertake economic reforms and expressed satisfaction that the government had taken steps in that direction. She also said the message of the reforms must be taken to the people by the party, just as welfare measures undertaken by the government had been publicised in the past.

Congress sources said the party was planning a massive rally in the capital in support of the measures initiated by the government: indeed, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was specially called for the meeting for this purpose but as time ran out, the details could not be discussed. It is also likely that similar public meetings will be held at district headquarters to explain the reasons for the government’s economic decisions, and the BJP’s “hypocrisy” in opposing them.

Indeed, in her speech, Ms. Gandhi lambasted the Opposition for playing “negative” politics, as she urged the BJP to play a responsible Opposition as the Congress did when it was similarly placed. Without naming any party, she said that after the exit of one ally, two other allies came forward to back the government, so there was no threat to it.

As for other issues, the Congress president expressed her concern at the spate of recent communal incidents in Uttar Pradesh and thanked all those who assisted in relief work in Assam after the State was devastated by a burst of sectarian violence.

Senior leader Gurcharan Singh Charak drew attention to the recent murder of three sarpanches in Jammu and Kashmir. To this, general secretary Rahul Gandhi responded, saying it was a “serious issue” and needed immediate attention.

Party sources said Mr. Gandhi would speak to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, as the Congress is part of his government, urging him to take steps immediately to restore confidence in the sarpanches, many of whom have quit their posts in the wake of the killings.

No CWC meeting would be complete without a member suggesting that Mr. Gandhi be given more responsibilities — and the former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi did just that. But sources said the suggestion went unremarked on.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cwc-backs-reforms-but-questions-raised-on-timing-need/article3934867.ece

The Asian Age – BJP: Opportunistic SP in Congress deal

Asian Age Correspondent

New Delhi, 24 September 2012. Accusing the Mulayam Singh-led Samajwadi Party (SP) of entering into a deal with the Congress-led UPA government, the main Opposition BJP on Sunday charged the SP with playing the “communal card” to justify its support to the government at the Centre.

The BJP said while the SP maintains that it is against the government’s decision of allowing FDI in multi-brand retail, it is also supporting the UPA by claiming that it does not want “communal forces” to come to power by destabilising the ruling coalition at the Centre.

The BJP also announced that its Bharatiya Janata Majdoor Mahasangh will be organising a rally at Ramlila Maidan on September 25 to demand facilities for workers of the unorganised sector and also to protest FDI in multi-brand retail.

Accusing the SP of giving “opportunistic statements many times”, BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said: “Barring Assam and Uttar Pradesh, there is no communal strife in the country. There is no communalism, especially in NDA-ruled states. People are forgetting the word communalism. But some are using it to serve their political interests.”

The party claimed that the Congress had a “deal” with the SP on the nuclear deal issue and the latter had saved the UPA-1 during the trust vote.

Recalling the incident, the BJP leader said, “L.K. Advani has said on the floor of Parliament that how government was saved in an illegal way. The SP has come to the rescue of the government in the meetings of PAC and JPC and in Parliament also.

Today also the SP is playing saviour of the government.”

http://www.asianage.com/india/bjp-opportunistic-sp-cong-deal-004

The Asian Age – Congress calls crisis managers’ meet

Asian Age Corespondent

New Delhi, 18 September 2012. The Congress appears to be in a dilemma on whether to protect its pro-poor image or go ahead with the reforms by curtailing subsidy on petroleum prices.

The Congress’ “crisis managers” met here on Monday evening on the eve of the Trinamul Congress’ deadline for rollback of diesel price hike, LPG subsidy cap and FDI in retail. The 72-hour deadline will end on Tuesday.

Though there is no forward movement on the Trinamul front, the Telangana issue figured in the meeting, which lasted for over an hour at Mrs Gandhi’s residence at 10, Janpath.

The Congress, which had won 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections on the “aam admi” plank, wants to go ahead with the reforms further.

But the diesel price hike and LPG subsidy cap is affecting the aam admi directly and indirectly.

The Trinamul Congress, led by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, has so far remained firm in its opposition to these decisions knowing well that it could lead to its political isolation and affect the interest of West Bengal in the long run.

The Congress-ruled Delhi government on Monday decided to help around 3.5 lakh beneficiaries of “Kerosene Free Dilli” scheme to purchase three more LPG cylinders at subsidised rates in a bid to provide relief to economically-deprived families.

The decision came three days after the Union Cabinet restricted the supply of cooking gas cylinders at subsidised prices to six per year for a family and the Trinamul Congress’ threat of coming out of the government.

http://www.asianage.com/india/cong-calls-crisis-managers-meet-860

The Hindu – Mamata withdraws support to UPA government

Ananya Dutta

Kolkata, 18 September 2012. Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee announced here on Tuesday that her party would withdraw support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre, even as she indicated that the decision might yet be reconsidered if certain demands related to the recent reform measures were met.

“Our party [Ministers] will go to [New Delhi] to submit their resignation on Friday. Today is Tuesday. Let them [the Centre] say, yes, instead of six cylinders we want to give 24 cylinders at least.

Diesel also, they can withdraw the hike and bring down the price by Rs. 3 to 4… Regarding FDI in retail they have to withdraw (sic)…,” Ms. Banerjee said when asked if there was a possibility of her revoking the decision.

Ms. Banerjee said all six Trinamool Ministers would submit their resignations to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at 3 p.m. on Friday.

“We are not staying in UPA-II. It is unfortunate for me to announce all this… We have decided to withdraw support to UPA-II,” Ms. Banerjee told journalists, adding that the unanimous decision was taken at an extended meeting here of all MPs, some Ministers in the State and senior leaders of the party.

She said it “saddened” her to take the decision, but she had given the Congress time to reconsider the reforms.

“I waited… We felt that at least this government will take some decisions, but they did not take those decisions… We were not allowed to stay,” she said.

Ms. Banerjee said she was beginning to wonder whether the recent announcements were a Congress tactic to divert attention from the coal blocks allocation scandal. “Is it a fact that to suppress Coalgate they started this FDI-gate? Is it proper?”

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3911517.ece?homepage=true

The Asian Age – Congress-Mamata negotiations on

Sanjay Basak, Asian Age Correspondent

Tuesday, 18 September 2012. With Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee sticking to her aggressive stance, the government has reportedly initiated back-channel talks to pacify her. Ms Banerjee has threatened “drastic measures” if the Centre fails to reverse the hike in diesel prices and doesn’t raise the number of subsidised LPG cylinders.

The 72-hour deadline set by the Trinamul chief to roll back these steps, as well as FDI in multi-brand retail, ended Monday.

The TMC is expected to take a final decision at its parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday.

Sources said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh might speak to Ms Banerjee in this regard. Congress president Sonia Gandhi met top party colleagues on Monday to discuss the scenario. Congress leaders said they were “optimistic” of a solution emerging. I&B minister Ambika Sonia said “negotiations were on”, and claimed Trinamul “will not do anything to jeopardise the UPA’s stability”.

If there is a positive signal from Trinamul, the government may look at the option of raising the number of subsidised LPG cylinders from six to 10.

http://www.asianage.com/india/congress-mamata-negotiations-776

The Hindu – It takes ‘courage and some risks’ to break policy logjam, says PM

Opposition calls nationwide protest for Thursday

Ashok Dasgupta & B. Muralidhar Reddy

New Delhi, 16 September 2012. Despite the vociferous demands of the Opposition and UPA coalition partners including the Trinamool Congress for rolling back the diesel price hike and the decision on foreign direct investment in multibrand retail, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday appeared to be in no mood to buckle under pressure.

Hours after Dr. Singh utilised the Planning Commission platform to assert the resolve of his government to stay on course, the Opposition gave a call for a nation-wide protest on September 20.

At the full Planning Commission meeting, convened here under his chairmanship to approve the 12th Plan approach document with a lower growth target of 8.2 per cent for the five-year period, the Prime Minister countered criticism against the big bang reforms unveiled in the last two days.

Dr. Singh asserted that it would take “courage and some risks” to break the policy logjam while strongly arguing in favour of higher FDI and FII inflows.

Justifying the economic need for the hike in diesel price, he pointed out that rational energy pricing was critical especially when “our energy prices are out of line with world prices.”

Fiscal deficit  

The Prime Minister said FDI in retail, aviation and other sectors was necessary to bridge the widening fiscal deficit and contain the current account deficit at 2.9 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.

“This must be financed mainly through Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Institutional Investment flows so that reliance on external debt is limited.” FDI would come only if fiscal deficit was under control and the growth momentum regained, he argued.

However, the Opposition, stepping up its attack on the government, announced the nationwide agitation. Eight parties including the Left, and the National Democratic Alliance made separate announcements.

In a statement, the eight parties said it was time for people to come together and register a powerful protest to stop “measures which will further burden the people and ruin their livelihood.”

It was signed by Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav, Janata Dal (S) president H.D. Deve Gowda; CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, CPI general secretary S. Sudhakar Reddy, BJD chief Naveen Patnaik, TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu, AIFB general secretary Debabrata Biswas and RSP general secretary T.J. Chandrachoodan.

Call early polls: Advani

The tone and tenor of NDA working chairman L.K. Advani, who briefed the media after a meeting of the alliance leaders, was belligerent. He went to the extent of saying if the government did not feel compelled to reverse its decision despite all-round protests it would be wise for the UPA to call an early election and let the people decide.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3901615.ece?homepage=true