Yatra peaceful, Modi to release brakes

With the Jagannath rathyatra passing off without an incident in Ahmedabad and the Congress going in for an overhaul of its state unit, Chie...

With the Jagannath rathyatra passing off without an incident in Ahmedabad and the Congress going in for an overhaul of its state unit, Chief Minister Narendra Modi may well revive two pet projects he had been forced to jettison: early Assembly elections and the Gaurav Yatra.

Today the Chief Minister reportedly told the MLAs, gathered to cast their votes in presidential poll, that “if the Congress understands that an election is approaching and so does the media, why can’t you people understand?’’ Sources in the BJP say Modi could go for dissolution of the Assembly on July 17, , when the weekly Cabinet meeting is scheduled to be held.

Mission Gujarat successful, Gill moves on

GANDHINAGAR: Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s Security Adviser K.P.S. Gill left Gujarat today, having overseen restoration of peace in the state for the last two and a half months, amid strong rumours that he was tipped to be the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. He was given a warm send-off by Modi at a simple function organised at the New Sachivalaya complex here.

Story continues below this ad

While speaking to the Indian Express this afternoon about reports that he may be named J-K Governor, Gill said, ‘‘J-K Governor? I am not aware. I am sitting in my room with the air-conditioner and the fan on and relaxing. This rumour about me comes up every six months.’’

Later, Gill told mediapersons that peace has been established in Gujarat and elections could be held. ‘‘However, it is for the Election Commission to decide when to hold the elections,’’ he clarified.

Speaking at Gill’s send-off, Modi said he had requested Gill to advise his government from time to time about strengthening the state’s intelligence network to which he has agreed.

Minister of State for Home Gordhan Jhadaphia, Chief Secretary G. Subbarao, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ashok Narayan, Secretary (Home) K. Nityanandam and other senior police officials were also present at the function. (ENS)

Story continues below this ad

The government may also convene a short monsoon session of the Assembly, before recommending a dissolution.

The Chief Minister will also be waiting, with great anxiety, for the Congress high command to announce the appointment of his arch political rival Shankersinh Vaghela as Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president — a move that seems imminent, with Amarsinh Chaudhary being removed from that post. Modi apparently hopes that by announcing elections soon, he will give the least time possible to Vaghela to mobilise support for the Congress.

Having an RSS background, Vaghela knows the ‘‘weaknesses and tactics’’ of pracharak-turned-politician Modi, and vice versa. If asked to assume the reins of GPCC leadership, the former chief minister is likely to make all efforts to blunt the edge of the Hindutva card Modi is planning to play in the coming Assembly elections.

A political observer points out: ‘‘Vaghela, being a Kshatriya leader and also popular among the other backward classes (OBCs) and minorities, will certainly try to revive the KHAM (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, Muslim) theory in his bid to dilute the BJP’s Hindutva agenda. For this, former CM and OBC leader Madhavsinh Solanki will lend a helping hand to Vaghela.’’

Story continues below this ad

The KHAM theory propounded by the Congress was exploited successfully by Solanki in rural Gujarat when he was at the helm of affairs in the early ’80s.

Vaghela may also join hands with Narhari Amin to counter the BJP’s Kshatriya-Patel axis, formed by Rajendrasinh Rana and Keshubhai Patel. Amin, a Patel belonging to the former JD(G) faction of the Congress, wields considerable influence in his community, especially in urban centres. He recently won from the Patel-dominated Sabarmati Assembly segment, a BJP bastion.

The only obstacle in these plans of the BJP is the Election Commission. The party is keeping its fingers crossed that the commission will allow early elections.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the designation gives law enforcement “enhanced powers to combat a group that has instilled fear through violence and intimidation”.

Canada designates Lawrence Bishnoi gang a terrorist entity

Cities1 hr ago

The Canadian government has labeled the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist group, granting authorities more authority to combat their violent behavior. The gang, operating in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta, has been connected to 50+ violent incidents since 2023.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS