US Is India’s Enemy, Rahul Is A Traitor, Ajit Pawar Is Clean, BJP Is The Best, Wah!

Does Modi and regime really love a good Opposition? Has he ever shed his Congress-mukt, and nor Opposition-mukt Bharat policy?

Political opposition based on principles is natural in a democracy. Differences in policy and decisions are expected, and political parties engage with the public to present their perspectives – Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the beginning there was light and hope. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who assumed power riding the anti-corruption wave promised clean governance and inclusive growth and politics. After his second victory he even said, “We have to look forward and move forward along with everyone – even the opposition, for the benefit of the country. And that’s why even after with this massive mandate we have to move forward with humility within the limits of the democracy. Constitution is supreme for us and we will follow every word of it to move forward.”

He said on another occasion,"This is the time for new hope and strength."

He “demonstrated” his love for all by inviting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on the Swachh Bharat campaign while launching it on the Gandhi Jayanti in 2014.

During the election campaign interviews, Modi said he was always looking forward for a strong opposition. “If there is one thing missing in my life, it is that of a good opposition,” he declared in his interview to CNN News18.

Was this all just a show? Does Modi and regime really love a good opposition? Has he ever shed his Congress-mukt, and or opposition-mukt Bharat policy?

Before even giving a thought to these questions, let us rewind and look at certain political developments – or POLITRICKS – as this column says.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdish Dhankar made a special announcement that a wad of 500-rupee currency notes was found under Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi. All hell broke after that with the BJP leaders not losing the opportunity to pounce on Singhvi as though it was a huge cash. That bundle could have been a maximum of Rs 50,000 – an amount that anyone can carry legally.

Dhankar, known for his praise for Modi even from the chair, did not wait for the CCVT camera footage to check the veracity of the development. That footage could have indicated if the notes were kept by Singhvi or planted by someone else. Singhvi said that he carries only Rs 500 with him when he goes out.

As Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha raised the issue of a US court damning industrialist Gautam Adani, an ever-intolerant Sambit Patra termed the Congressas a traitor.

Patra also went to the extent of saying that the Congress is running a campaign at the behest of the US State Department and Deep State elements to destabilise India’s growth path. This naturally drew a strong rebuttal from the US and its embassy in New Delhi expressed its disappointment.

The BJP said repeatedly that Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), funded by the US has been

“The US government works with independent organisations on programming that supports professional development and capacity building training for journalists. This programming does not influence the editorial decisions or direction of these organisations,” the embassy said.

The BJP loose cannons apparently did not even pause for a second before making such allegations. It would be naïve to think that this tirade did not have the clearance from Modi. Has it forgotten his so-called close friendship with the US President-elect Donald Trump? He had even participated in Trump’s election campaign in 2020 by proclaiming Ab Ki Baar Trump Sarkar. Was it necessary to invite unwanted diplomatic embarrassment at a time when Trump, in his recent election speeches, already threatened to impose 20 per cent tariffs on imports from India alleging that India imposes import duty on US products. Even as Commerce Minister chose to ignore this as an election jumla, Trump has warned BRICS nations against their move to have their own currency as an alternative to dollar.

Amid all this, External Affairs Minister had to reiterate the Trump-Modi personal relationship and state that India is not interested in de-dollarisation. Avoidable.

Coming back to the Modi’s self-proclaimed love for the Opposition, none of his actions, words and deeds support his claim. His Congress-mukt, opposition-mukt Bharat drive is too obvious to be ignored. It was a Modi government prompted move that resulted in throwing out 146 opposition MPs form Parliament in December last year following a ruckus over a security breach in the Lok Sabha. Even a year after two youths jumping into the House in session, the inquiry report, if any, is yet to be made public.

His and BJP’s strategy has successfully demolished the Shiv Sena, NCP, Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena and YSR Congress. BJP’s washing machine politics has resulted in politicians accused of serious corruption charges getting clean chits from the same investigation agencies which put the leaders in the dock. The latest in the series of operation clean-up is the exoneration of Ajit Pawar in an Income Taxcase. He broke the NCP, deserted his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined the BJP alliance.

While Modi’s Rs70,000 crore jibe against NCP leaders and the remark that the outfit is naturally corrupt party still echo in our ears, Maharashtra will never forget what CM Devendra Fadnavis said about Ajit Pawar – that the NCP leader would be grinding in jail (chakkipeesing, peesing and peesing). But today, publicly pats Ajit Pawar who is chosen to be a deputy CM for the sixth time.

The I-T Appellate Tribunal has cleared Ajit Pawar in a Benami properties case and released and his family’s properties worth Rs1,000 crore. The Maharashtra Deputy CM and his wife were cleared of a money laundering case by Mumbai Police.

It is certain that the double engine BJP governments would have haunted Ajit Pawar and other such as Praful Patel, ChaganBhujbal, Narayan Rane and even Eknath Shinde with the help of the ED, CBI and I-T had the political leaders remained in the opposition and not joined the saffron alliance.

Much against Modi’s proclaimed keen interest in a strong opposition, the BJP’s culture of bro-beating the opponents continues to be reflected inside and outside the Parliament. BJP does not seem to appreciate the opposition unity despite enjoying majority and standing with the help of Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar. Modi and BJP particularly trade their guns at Rahul Gandhi even while saying that the Shahzada is not important. Why doesn’t the government jail Rahul and his ‘corrupt’ family? They will not as Rahul remains Modi’s trump card. .

(The columnist is a Mumbai-based author and independent media veteran, running websites and a youtube channel known for his thought-provoking messaging.)