While a silent behind-the-scenes tussle between Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and the BJP high command had been brewing for months, both sides were caught off guard by the speed at which matters blew up. Dhankhar believed he was untouchable during his five-year term as VP and was instigated by certain Congress leaders to fight for upholding the dignity of his constitutional post. The egotistical Dhankhar believed he was constantly undermined by the government, although in the official protocol ranking, he even preceded the Prime Minister. It rankled him that he was not permitted even a one-on-one meeting with his US counterpart J D Vance during the latter’s India visit in April. Dhankhar also resented Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s complete domination of Parliament, apparently not permitting Dhankhar, as Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, to adopt a different course from the Lok Sabha. Worst of all, he was indiscreet in meeting Opposition members, including AAP leaders, to voice his grievances.
Matters came to a head this week when Dhankhar, despite reportedly being asked by ministers Kiren Rijiju and J P Nadda to not undercut the Lok Sabha motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma, announced that he had received a motion on the same day in the Rajya Sabha. Top BJP leaders felt Dhankhar had crossed a red line and that, if he was left untouched, it would encourage other dissidents. Rajnath Singh’s office was the scene of the action with NDA MPs and ministers called to sign a blank sheet of paper, amid confusion about what the signature drive was meant for. A shell-shocked Dhankar could only retaliate with the surprise timing of his resignation — thus making the issue embarrassingly public. Some believe that the lesson the BJP should learn from this is to be wary in the future of appointing in a key position anyone who is not from among its own disciplined cadre. Dhankhar started his political career with Devi Lal and Om Prakash Chautala. Informed circles suggest a former SC Chief Justice, close to an NDA ally in the South, could be the BJP’s choice for the new VP.
Paradise Lost
The tiny, tranquil Landour cantonment above Mussoorie hill station, with its scenic treks, a historic graveyard and ancient deodars, remained largely untouched for some 200 years. Landour falls under the jurisdiction of the Indian Army, which ensured that rules and regulations were strictly adhered to. A decade ago, when an influential Mumbai hotelier, close to a famous cricketer, attempted to build a house several times its plinth area, it was speedily demolished. But three years ago, the Cantonment Board, which is meant to report back to the Army on violations of zonal regulations, was dissolved. Now the Himalayan slopes, which once consisted of ‘Char Dukan’ (four shops) and 24 houses, with only the sound of swaying pines and chirping birds to disturb the stillness, are the site of a loud, vulgar funfair and is a day trippers’ selfie destination. During peak season, traffic jams lasting two to three hours can extend from the Mussoorie market to the top of Landour, in the wake of permissions granted for four new hotels and four restaurants by the CEO for Landour and Clement Town Cantonments stationed in Dehradun.
The X Factor
The X factor in the Bihar Assembly polls later this year is political analyst Prashant Kishor, who boasts that whoever he advises, becomes the king. Kishor, an upper caste, will cut into the NDA’s vote share rather than that of the Mahagatbandhan, especially since Kishor is targeting NDA ministers for corruption. But Kishor’s lack of humility has put the backs up of some voters. Recently, he invited former vice-chancellors, veteran journalists and literary figures to a get-together in Patna. He did not endear himself by addressing them with the less-than-respectful “Tum log (You people)”. When an elderly gentleman asked why the people of Bihar should repose their faith in him, Kishor simply advised the questioner to leave the room.
Aap ki pasand
The defeat of the BJP in the Visavadar Assembly by-election in Saurashtra, Gujarat, to AAP candidate Gopal Italia last month is a warning more to the Congress than the BJP. The Congress can no longer count on a bi-polar contest in Saurashtra, or on the AAP agreeing to be a junior alliance partner in an alliance. The Congress is losing out because of the growing impression that when Congresspersons get elected, they switch to the BJP. Even Rahul Gandhi, addressing the Congress Working Committee in May in Ahmedabad, referred to the unfortunate reputation of Congresspersons in Gujarat as weathercocks. In Visavadar, the MLAs elected the last two times, from Congress and AAP tickets, both defected to the BJP. Visavadar is an anti-BJP bastion which has not voted for the ruling party since 2007, after former BJP CM and heavyweight Keshubhai Patel, who represented the constituency, was thrown out of the party. AAP candidate Italia’s plus point is his anti-establishment image, and the belief that he is not likely to be lured by the BJP.