From the Urdu Press: ‘Cong boosting Priyanka as key national campaigner’, ‘caste survey demands hint of another Mandal situation’

SIASAT

Referring to the November Assembly polls in five states, the Hyderabad-based Siasat points out that the two bigger states, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, will see a direct battle between the BJP and the Congress. Chhattisgarh is also set for a straight fight between the two national players. All the parties deploy their central leaders and big guns for campaigning in poll-bound states, the editorial notes. “For Rajasthan and MP, the Congress seems to have made Priyanka Gandhi its key national campaigner, who has been regularly visiting these states. The Congress had adopted the same strategy in the May Karnataka Assembly polls, which proved successful.”

The daily states that although Rahul Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders are also undertaking electioneering in these states, the party leadership seems to have decided to project Priyanka as its face in order to “boost her leadership and popularity among the public”. “Priyanka is also ramping up her outreach to the people. She remains present on the occasions when the party announces major welfare schemes or pledges in the states,” it says.

“Rahul Gandhi succeeded in effecting a positive makeover in his image by undertaking the Bharat Jodo Yatra, with even his detractors now acknowledging his political stature,” the edit states. The Congress high command seems to be planning a larger leadership role for Priyanka too, as part of which she has been touring the poll-bound states as a star campaigner, it says. “The Congress camp claims that Priyanka’s rallies and her speeches are having a resonance among people, pulling them towards the party. However, only the poll results in the Hindi heartland states would prove her impact. If the Congress does well, it will enhance Priyanka’s standing in the grand old party significantly.”

ROZNAMA RASHTRIYA SAHARA

Flagging the growing pitch for a caste survey in various states, the multi-edition Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, in its leader on October 25, says that caste remains a dominant factor in Indian politics even if the parties may not openly admit this reality. It is seen in their poll ticket distribution everywhere, with the political discourse now increasingly reflecting the demand for a caste-based census for ensuring allocation of resources to different sections accordingly, the daily says. “The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government’s caste survey has turned out to be a game changer, giving a new direction to the country’s politics. Anticipating its repercussions, the Congress supported it before its results were declared, raising the slogan ‘jitni abaadi utna haq’ (rights in proportion to population),” it states. “The BJP was part of the Nitish government when it took the caste survey decision. Its central government did not back this move, though. Now, the Bihar BJP is silent on the issue, not opposing the survey but just questioning its methodology.”

On the other hand, the editorial says, the BJP’s NDA allies in UP and Maharashtra have come out to support the demand for a caste survey. Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has asserted that through a Bihar-type caste survey the government would be able to know the population of OBCs, SCs, STs, minorities, general category etc so that benefits could be given as per the proportion of population. Union Minister and Apna Dal (Sonelal) chief Anupriya Patel has also favoured a caste-based census, demanding that the income cap for the OBC creamy layer should be increased from 8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per year, the edit notes. “OBCs account for more than half of the country’s population. The regional parties are eyeing the OBC and Muslim votes to come to power.”

The daily writes that the BJP’s troubles over caste survey may intensify in the coming days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier asked his party leaders to reach out to Pasmanda Muslims, though. “The traction the caste survey issue is gaining indicates that the country is heading for another Mandal situation. This issue is not going to be wished away as no party can afford to ignore OBCs,” the edit adds.

SIASAT

Commenting on the cash-for-query allegations against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, which are being probed by the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, the Siasat daily, in its editorial on October 29, writes that Mahua has maintained from the outset that she is ready to face any investigations into the charges levelled by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai against her.

Dubey has alleged that Mahua accepted bribes for asking questions in the Lok Sabha to target Adani at the behest of the Hiranandani group. Mahua has dismissed these charges as false.

Pointing out that the Lok Sabha panel has summoned Mahua to appear before it, Siasat says, “Mahua will appear before the committee and give her deposition in the case.” The TMC MP has admitted that she gave her Parliament login and password details to her friend and businessman Darshan Hiranandani but denied taking any cash from him.

“Truth must come out as to whether there is any veracity in cash-for-questions charges against Mahua, or these allegations levelled against her are just politically motivated,” the daily says. “Those entrusted with investigating Mahua must be allowed to do it in an honest and impartial manner. This process must not be influenced for political gains. The flurry of statements being made has led to suspicions that the row might have been triggered for a political purpose,” it says, adding that the probe should not be politicised.