Maharashtra 2014 Elections – Top politicians to watch out for

Mission Elections Maharashtra

 The race to become the PM of the country might have finished but the race to become the CM of the second largest state in the country is yet to begin. Let us take a look at the list of bureaucrats who top the list of contenders for the top post of Maharashtra.

Adopting the strategy of BJP who announced Modi as the PM candidate in advance which helped the party win the elections, MNS chief Raj Thackery was the first one to declare himself as the CM candidate dauntless of the political pounding in recent lok sabha elections. He praised Mr Modi for being the reason behind their astounding victory. Raj Thackrey who hails from the Thackrey family who are associated with Shiv Sena is the son of younger brother of Bal Thackeray. Though he quit the party in 2006 following irreconcilable differences with cousin Uddhav Thackeray he considered his uncle Bal Thackrey as his mentor. He and his party have been always against the immigration into Maharashtra from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and have been criticized for using violence during their agitations. On this Thackrey had clarified that violence is a part of all Indian political agitations and were un necessarily highlighted by other politicians and media to taint their reputation.

On the other hand his cousin Uddhav Thackrey has rubbished away any intention to become the CM of Maharashtra and his priority is to bring the BJP - Shiv Sena alliance into power. He also clarified that his parties demand for him to be the state chief minister is out of the love and affection and he was thankful to them. The decision for picking the CM candidate will be collectively taken with the alliance partners. The Grand Alliance talks on seat-sharing for the Maharashtra Assembly elections due within four months will start soon. The party chief's decisions are expected to ease the tensions among the alliance over the critical issue of who will be announced as the next chief ministerial candidate with many names from all major political parties already being published.

With Sharad Pawar from NCP stepping down from being projected as the chief minister candidates many names are doing rounds from NCP for an eligible match. His nephew Ajit Pawar, who is the current Deputy Chief Minister, has never hidden his aspirations to be the state chief minister. He has urged that the NCP should announce its candidate and contest the assembly polls under his leadership. He has adopted his uncle’s collective leadership mantra and is working together with other aspirants for the top post which include Jayant Patil, R R Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal. He is being instrumental in reviewing the drought like situation in Maharashtra and the government has collected information based on which a decision will be taken to compensate the farmers in the meeting scheduled for July 30. There were many allegations and criticisms over corruption which were made against him but none of them till date have been proved correct.

The sudden demise of Mr Gopinath Munde has toppled the chances of a speculative win by the BJP Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra. Munde was undoubtedly the only chief minister candidate of BJP who was sure to win the Maharashtra elections following in the footsteps of Mr Modi. Like Modi was unanimously elected by everyone to be their PM Munde also was an ideal candidate destined to win the elections. He was a counter to the NCP's Sharad Pawar and was the only voice with a credible track record that was able to oppose Pawar stiffly even in the last election. He was the person responsible for establishing the six party forces with RPI joining the alliance two years back. Swabhimaani Paksha and the Shiv Sangraam were roped in recently before the Lok Sabha elections. He could foresee that Raju Shetty the Swabhimaani Paksha chief had strong presence among sugarcane farmers and milk producers in Western Maharashtra and could be used as a mighty force against the NCP.

The Aam Aadmi Party which had earlier decided not to contest in Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls and currently focus on Delhi have backtracked their words and have decided to contest for one fourth of the seats. Till now around nine 'Chintan Shibhir' sessions have been organized in Maharashtra to take feedback and come out with a decision. However nothing has been decided on what constituencies AAP candidates will contest from but they are sure that they will contest the state elections. A final decision will be made by the members and party workers soon. The state convener Anjali Damania has confirmed the news. With most of the members who are new to politics the party has a tough task ahead in finalizing the Chief Minister candidates list.

Both the Muslim and Hindi communities in Maharashtra were going through a very bad phase after the Babri Masjid riots. Abu Asim Azmi who was an established Muslim Businessmen known to everyone was no exception to this and fell prey to some false allegations. He fought his case till Supreme Court and did not leave the battle until he was declared innocent. This was a life changing event for him and he decided to help many more innocent people like him who were un necessarily troubled. Among them there were people who did not even have money to arrange a lawyer for themselves. He joined SamajWadi Party in 1995 and was elected as President, Mumbai. Under his leadership they fought the 1995 elections and won 2 seats from Mumbai, one in Nehru Nagar and the other in Umer Khadi. The following BMC elections ,Samajwadi party repeated the success in manifolds with a huge success of 22 Municipal councilors. Thus Samajwadi Party’s debuted in Maharashtra legislative assembly as one MLC was elected as Samajwadi Party candidate. Azmi successfully led the Samaj wadi Party in different parts of Maharashtra , apart from Mumbai in spite of the opponents trying to ruin the success of Samajwadi Party.

With other parties like AIMIM, Bahujan Mukti party etc some of whom have already named their candidates and some yet to name, it will be a game to be watched closley to see who will succeed Prithvi Raj Chavan to become the next chief minister of the state and we can only hope that the people elect a prompt leader rather than a perpetrator.

What's the way ahead for Jagan Mohan Reddy?

Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, is son of ex-CM Y S. Rajasekhar Reddy. He's the owner of Sakshi Telugu paper, Sakshi TV, and Chief promoter of Bharathi Cements.

In the recent assembly elections, his party scored 40%+ votes in AP winning 67 seats single handedly, where as the other side stood mighty allaince of TDP, BJP & Pawan Kalyan. TDP won over YSRCP,  with thin majority of 1.96% more voters.

Odarpu yatra

 

Odarpu yatra started in 2010 to mourn his father's death : considered to be height of the joke by many parties,  but he used to make himself closure to masses  : it was a campaign to promote his father's legacy, and to tirade against TDP & Congress.  This shows how shrewd ans smart he is.

Cases against him

CBI filed  a 68 page charge-sheet against him in disproportionate assets case, where  he's accused of conspiring with his father  to dole out favors to companies to invest in businesses a in a quid pro quo arrangement.

Interestingly he or his mother Vijayamma never categorically denied to the allegations, except making same kind of allegations levelled against TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu.

Looks like sofar CBI did not have a single proof, and cleared him, in 8 out of 10 cases.  In the remaining two cases he may get imprisionment if proven guilty.

His style

Imitates his father in public meetings, but he wants to beat everyone including his father in dominating mindshare of people. Many pointed to easing out the YSR's photo from flexis etc.

People say that he does not like somebody better looking  appear close to him, especially in the public.

He Never spoke or responded in public about cases or allegations against him.

Never took rest except the time he was in jail, since his father's accidental death.
He Looks always full of love, well mannered & soft, and holds people by their cheeks :)

Some allegations are there reg his personal life while being in jail,for 16 months.

Did Congress help?

Rumours have been aloud  that he came to an understanding with congress party last year,  as nothing else can explain his getting a bail (after his bail petition was rejected somany times before, citing its a 'complex' case), and some of his other confidants release happened in quick succession.

His, like many others', dreams shattered, thanks to the BJP winning absolute majority at the centre.

Way ahead!

With 67 seats he has a role to play strong opposition to TDP government. To that extent, it might be good for the residual AP.

The flip side is when the investigations against him resumes, and how long he will be out on bail, are the moot questions.

There may not be witch hunt like Congress did on him till last year, but there is no one to support either, and he's out of the options politically. Unlike last time where he struck a deal with Congress leaders to come out on bail, as everyone opines.

But If he's into jail again...

His & his party's plight will be horrible. He may lose whatever base he has right now. His cases may not fetch as much sympathy as he got before, among the masses.  Just as he was having more sympathy & influence when he was in jail, than when he was out on bail later.

Already there are rumours that he may merge his party YSRCP into Congress. But that too can't help much, as Congress itself is in it's worst possible shape in its history, has not got a chance to claim to be main opposition at the centre.

Running a loss making behemoths like Sakshi paper & Sakshi TV,  may not be possible, for long.

Next few years...

Nothing can be said for sure, and but by then there might be Pawan Kalyan's party, in a good form. If that's the case,  it's not good for Jagan's or his party. Also BJP has good chance of growing in the state too. A lot also depend on how Chandrababu accelerates progress of the residual state.

He was not reachable first few times for Chandra Babu's call to invite him for swearing in ceremony, later also he criticized the same for unnecessary extravaganza.

Unless the cases against him do not disturb him much, he will be in vulnerable situation for next few years.

Recent post: Options before Jagan Mohan Reddy !

KCR vs Chandrababu

KCR

Believes in numerology, astrology.

A very shrewd man, to the extent of disowning & taking u turn on his own words. He took U turn on his promise of first CM post to a dalit. He compensated a little by making a dalit deputy CM.

Before joining politics, he was having a consultancy, through which he used to send people to Dubai, and other gulf countries, and his nick name then was Dubai Sekhar

Got used to pressurizing politics, thanks to week and coalition governments at the center sofar. Going might be very hard, as there is no one to blackmail, now at the center.

He will have hard time keeping in check his old habits.

Now he's huge responsibility to govern & to show results.

KCR might lack experience in governance, but might turn out to be ruthless, in getting things done, just as he's been relentless in achieving separate state.

KCR did not invite BABU for his swearing in !!!

Now is it a sign of things to come?

 

Chandrababu

Someone who works hardest for the cause he believes in.

An advantage is his background as a builder, and his nine years - longest serving CM of united Andhra Pradesh, and friendly government at the center.

He's all the smiles recently, everything came in handy, like BJP,Modi factor, and Pawan Kalyan all just in time.

Chandrababu, cant be that relentless as KCR, given that he is aiming for power in Telangana too, at the earliest.  That does not seem to help Babu, definitely not Andhra.

As any pro- Andhra stand Babu is going to take will be dubbed as Anti-Telangana, by pink brigade, and Chandrababu might find his feet on sand slipping away. Just as we witnessed in TDP's (no definite stand) plight during Telangana movement.

It's difficult to convince both states, even if you have taken the best stand on any issue.

You have to choose between one or the other, as you can't be on both the sides at the same time.  As its not easy, to impress people in both states at the same time.

So wherever there's  no contention, there may not be any issue. Like getting new projects. But that too can be shown in bad light by capable people in telangana ruling party.

Yesterday on Telangana formation day, Chandrababu said, he demanded for due share of power to Telangana, even if it means injustice to Seemandhra. How Seemandhra reacts to these? How Babu can take such a stand, and take lightly of Seemandhra?

Already Polavaram project is an issue, where not only Telangana, other states like Odisha, Maharastra & chattisghad are opposing the project. How's going to play a role is going to be very crucial.

Chandrababu took initiative of calling KCR & invited him to attend the swearing-in ceremony to Guntur. Have to see if KCR is going to attend.

 That will definitely define : What's in store for  both Telangana & AP in the next few years ?

Prosecuting Akbaruddin after 10 years?

He's 42, loved & married a christian.
His father found MIM & his family at the helm of the party ever since.
Holidays in London frequently.
Plays Muslim card to the extreme, to win in elections.

Currently he's MIM Chandrayangutta MLA.

Countless hate speeches.

It's surprising to see such bizarre profile on wikipedia.

No action was taken due to secular parties in govt. Secular got a new meaning, being synonymous with scared of touching minorities, despite anything.

For a hate speech made in 2004, a case in Cr.no.77/2004 under section 153(A) and 188, cops get nod to act only in 2014. In this regard GO No 754 was issued by the state law department.

What a system?!?!

Here too many aspects to be looked into.

It's mandatory to obtain prior permission from government to prosecute any person booked under section (153A).

There should be a time time limit, where the government is required to revert within a period, at any cost. Without such checks, we see what's happening !!!
So must the cops have the right to seek justification of any small delay.

Or purposely the case was booked under 153(A) just to keep under the wraps so long that it will be forgotten or becomes obsolete ?!?

God knows how many such cases across country, piling under dust!

But there are too many hate speeches, by Akbaruddin alone! What the governments are doing?

As noted Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar tweeted last year:it's ridiculous that 2 innocent girls get arrested for an innocent Facebook posting, and this Akbaruddin is still at large and spilling venom, wherever he goes!!!

What's his motive?

It's not difficult to understand.

The other parties are so blackmailed to the extent that, they would not field a Muslim candidate in the fray, especially against MIM.

MIM wants to spread across, beyond Hyderabad, and they see they have a chance of doing it only by polarising and encouraging divisions on communal lines.

For him Osama Bin Laden is like a god & Kasab was an innocent kid. All indians are impotents & dogs, and all policemen are jokers. Even God is not spared! It's easy to influence uneducated poor people with these meaningful rhetoric, and to cash on their emotional imbalances.

Now what?
Here we need not question or judge BJP's motive.
The point is that's the right thing to do, late is better than never.

What's the way out for them now, as all the so called secular parties can cry their tears aloud, and do nothing more nor else. BJP & its NDA allies clean sweeped elections.

Already scared & being able to sense what's in the coming, his brother Asaduddin Owaisi too started giving hate speeches. May be soon they will be called "hate speech brothers"!

Absolutely one feels " Ache din aane wale hain ".