Some interesting news on this Thursday of Dec 2019, friends which I wanted to share with you.
1 There was one more incident which happened two days back, which proved that some of the Politicians care two hoots for the rules and for them family always comes first. Earlier you must have heard about Rajiv Gandhi participating important meetings in PM Indira Gandhi’s residence, then Laloo Prasad attending cabinet meetings when his wife was CM of Bihar, Mulayam Singh allowing his brothers, nephew to interfere in govt matters, Mayawati allowing her brother to operate as her ex officio secretary.
Now it has been reported in media that Varun Sardesai, who is nephew of Rashmi Thackrey (wife of Maharashtra CM) was attending a meeting with CM Udhav Thackrey, that took place at Mantralaya, with IAS officers and other govt officials. The meeting was on the subject of tourism in the state. Varun, however claimed that he was there on the behest of CM. Varun is Secretary of Shiv Sena Youth Wing-Yuva Sena, and had called a meeting of Yuva Sena members just before attending this meeting. A state official who was in the meeting, on condition o anonymity said “ How can a person who is not a public representative or part of the govt attend an official meeting? Varun is not an expert in tourism so there was no case for him to be part of the meeting.”
Sena’s alliance partners Congress and NCP, however did not seem to happy with the development. While Congress spoke person preferred not to comment on this issue, NCP spoke person commented “ this must have happened as the CM is new and has no administrative experience. CM should take precautions to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.”. While Sena spoke person said “ Varun must have gone there and attended the meeting out of curiosity.” My question to alliance partners will be- Then how you allowed an inexperienced person to occupy the CM’s chair?
All this was just to cover up, because media came to know about it. We do not know if this is an indication of how the things are going to operate in future then. . . . .. It will give the clear signal to alliance partner to promote their family members, any way both Congress and NCP are expert in this field of “ Bhai Bhatijawad”.
What type of an alliance is this- even after taking oath of CM and formation of govt, there is no announcement of portfolio allotments, and as per unofficial media reports there is tussle happening between the three alliance partners for the key ministries. It seems all of them are interested in those ministries where self interest can be served in better way. So what type of govt citizens of Maharashtra are going to get is a big question mark.
2 So at last P Chidambaram walks out of prison after spending three and half months there. Yesterday Supreme Court (SC) sanctioned a conditional bail, and what are conditions of the bail
- He is barred from speaking publicly on this case. Shall not give press interviews nor make any public comment in connection with the case.
- Shall not tamper with evidence or attempt to influence witnesses.
- Shall make himself available for interrogation for further investigation as and when required.
- Passport deposited in court in CBI case shall remain in deposit.
- Execution of bail bonds for Rs 2 Lakhs with two sureties of same amount.
- Can not leave country without specific orders to be passed by special judge.
Though the SC agreed with the Delhi High Court (HC) order that economic offences came within the category of grave offences, it held that the basic jurisprudence-that the grant of bail is the rule and refusal is an exception. The SC also took into account his old age and his ailments, which aggravated during his jail period. The final view of the judge was “Taking all this and other factors and circumstances, including the duration of his custody into consideration, the appellant is entitled to be granted bail”.
In my opinion the first condition of the bail is quite extraordinary, as Chidambaram and other Congress leaders would have thought that after he comes out on bail then he can splash venom on BJP govt by saying that it was a political vendetta and nothing less and court has granted him bail. But in this case court has agreed that money laundering offence is a serious economic offence, so that leverage is not available to him. But one thing is certain, as and when he speaks in parliament (he is member of Rajya Sabha) against govt, the treasury members are going to oppose and boo him.
What you say my friends.
Waiting for your views/comments/feed backs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
5th Dec 2019.