What is Congress up to in opposing merger of Joseph and Mani factions?

It is somehow inscrutable why Congress is this vehement in opposing merger of Joseph and Mani factions of Kerala Congress. It is already preparing to receive the R.Balakrishna Pillai faction of Kerala Congress into the party. The moment Congress gives the green signal, Pillai and son actor Ganeshkumar would plunge into the Congress Party.

If the reticence is only to put Joseph in the hot Sun for some time and extract some sort of a surrender from Mani, it would be sadly mistaken. True, Congress may not be happy about Kerala Congress strengthening itself.

In politics, minuscule issues had bloated out of proportion and brought about unforeseen consequences. Perhaps, the very formation of Kerala Congress could have been avoided, if some leaders had shown diligence.
You cannot dismiss Kerala Congress as such, with whatever foibles it has. It is a power to reckon with in various parts of the state.
And Congress is not that steely strong. Holding party elections would render it shattered with group manoeuvres. Already the situation has started going out of control. It seems the high command has seen to the danger and issued instructions to sort out the leadership issue through consensus.

No doubt, the LDF would not be bothered about anyone leaving the front now. Its concern for power grabbing would be in 2016, by when, hopefully, Pinarayi Vijayan would have emerged clear and clean from Lavalin allegations. Legally proving the charges is a little difficult.

Anyway V.S.Achuthanandan would complete his five-year term, without the heartiest support of the party runners.

Congress aiming to grab power without Kerala Congress appears to be ludicrous.

P.J.Joseph may officially sever 3-decade-long ties with CPM-led LDF today

Kottayam: Today is the D- day for P.J.Joseph to sever his three decade-long ties with the CPM-led LDF. No doubt, the state committee meet of his group of the Kerala Congress would decide to merge into the group led by K.M.Mani, whose group is a partner of the Congress-led UDF.

Disgruntled elements P.C.Thomas and a few of his colleagues are meeting separately to ‘expel’ P.J.Joseph from the party which exists in the name of none other than P.J.Joseph and to elect a new chairman, none other than P.C.Thomas. This dissident group has the support of one MLA, V.Surendran Pillai whose ambition to become a minister is close at hand for realization. He may be a minister for at least six months.The erstwhile Joseph would have the distinction of metamorphosing all MLAs into ministers- Joseph, T.U.Kuruvilla, Mons Joseph and now Surendran Pillai. What is the harm in Surendran Pillai becoming a minister, provided the LDF gives the green signal at least after some time?

P.J.Joseph would resign from the ministry today, and he may hand over the resignation letter to Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan, perhaps, on May Day.
Congress Party is at a great disadvantage. Its followers were spanking Joseph group all these years. All on a sudden how can the Congress activists whitewash Joseph et al? But, even though there may be sound and fury initially, they will have to sing hallelujah to Mani, Joseph and all.

It would be erroneous to completely ignore Mani. In politics, minor developments have resulted in major devastations. Could there be a third front, if Mani is ignored?
Interlocutors for Joseph might have bargained for positions for their well being. Mons Joseph who had no chance to survive might have ensured his Kaduthuruthy borough. Francis George may be satisfied with an Assembly seat. Will Congress accede a Rajya Sabha seat to Joseph at some point of time in the future?

Everything would be safe and secure, provided the goings on conclude as anticipated.

Life is like that, now P.J.Joseph would be a saint to those who abhorred him earlier

By O.J.George

Looking back, one could glimpse into the taunts received by P.J.Joseph at one time. Now the same people who abhorred him earlier would carry him along as a saint.

How ephemeral people’s thoughts are? Man was created only a little less than God Almighty, in his image. But this little less could be nothing but lack of consistency.

One Smart Alec used to tell me we are Ek Din Ka Sultaan (Sultan for a Day). Make hay while the Sun shines. Poor me, I have only revulsion for them.

The world is turning topsy turvy, literally and figuratively. Coming to figuratively. One senior journalist is reported to have taught journalism students like this. What is a figurative intro? It is an intro in which there is a figure!!! Great worthies indeed!!!

Ignorance being flaunted as erudition and misleading young minds. And they take pride in that.

Now the political scene in Kerala would be amusing, with a lot of people falling for a feast.

There have been many voices from within regarding Naxal massacre

BY O.J.George

It seems there have been many voices within regarding the massacre of CRPF personnel by Maoists in Dantewada and the Prime Minister is not happy about the precarious situation.

No doubt, in a democracy anyone can voice his opinion. Diverse opinions add strength to the polity. But the comments should not appear to exhibit the divisive nature of the society with regard to tackling Naxal menace.

In this regard, the BJP’s open call to Home Minister P.Chidambaram not to quit over the Dantewada massacre was an excellent overture at upholding national interests. It did not pick holes at a crucial time. The Left does not seem to be that decorous in this regard. Even today, Sitaram Yechury has been harping on the terms of the buck stopping at the Home Minister’s desk.

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had not taken kindly to the reference made by Chidambaram that the buck stops at the CM’s desk regarding the massacre in West Bengal. And Chidambaram had not evaded responsibility with regard to the Dantewada attack. He had said the buck stops with his desk. With that, the Left should have stopped harping on the use of the term, buck.

We may need a more cogent approach to dealing the deadly menace of the Naxals who are exploiting poverty and lack of development in much of their embedded areas. Poor tribals are taken advantage of citing the inaction of the government in providing holistic development. Maoists themselves would not be able to solve these problems at one go, if they are given the reigns of power in these areas.

The government, on its part, should see to it that the arms of administration reach the affected areas. Otherwise, the free-run of the Maoists would continue to prevail and in future the problem would worsen to unmanageable levels. Reach out to the left-out areas and ensure prevalence of administration.

Chidambaram has been doing a fine job as Home Minister; One setback should not demoralise him

By O.J.George

The latest news report refers to a letter sent to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh by Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram owning up the full responsibility for the massacre of CRPF jawans at Dantewada in Chhattisgarh the other day.

He has also saluted the jawans who had laid down their lives for the security of the nation.

Chidambaram has taken moral responsibility as CRPF comes under the Home Ministry. The operation in Dantewada against Maoists was a joint one. The State government and the CRPF had done the job together.

In fact, the state government’s intelligence agencies should be more privy to the nitty gritty of logistics of the Naxal-infected areas.

CRPF jawans who are drafted from different parts of the country may not be aware of the pitfalls lurking at every point. They do their duty and follow orders.

Someone might have tripped the Maoists about the operational details or there might have been someone within the ranks of those who are aware of the exercise at least indirectly supportive of the Maoists.

Anyway, an inquiry is on to pinpoint the failure. There should be no ground for finding fault with Chidambaram, who otherwise has been doing a fantastic job as Home Minister.

Let us strengthen his hands to undertake projects that would result in a clean job of wiping out the menace of Maoists, who should not be under rated.

Gala day for education for all

By O.J.George

April 1, 2010 would be a historical day in the annals of India history, for implementation of compulsory education for children between the ages of six and 14.

Think of the situation, at least one crore children have been going without education in this country. They will all get an opportunity to learn the three R’s.

After the age of 14, all opportunities should be given for the exceptionally talented among them to pursue higher education, even if their finances don’t permit them to do so.

Scholarships, fellowships and grant assistance should be provided to them.

It is wholesome relief that the authorities have noticed the essential thing. India is a nation of young people. The young people should not go uneducated.

Education emancipates them, empowers them, and enlists them in the process of development of the nation.

The state governments should carefully utilise the funds devolving on them from the Centre and facilitate fuller education of the hapless children.

Perhaps in states like Kerala, the problem of children going uneducated may be less compared to other states. But even if there are a few among the tribals or unaccounted, or among the migrants from other states, they should be given all avenues for education.

In the years to come, no one can flourish in society without education, computer knowledge and awareness of societal developments. No one should fall back in life because of lack of opportunities.