This blogger has often expressed a lot of respect for Sheela Bhatt’s political analysis on the happenings in Delhi. But this piece by her appears to be less analysis and more a hit job on Narendra Modi.
The problem starts with title itself – “Why Narendra Modi is on the defensive” ?
It is an old trick marketing trick, to do in the headline, what you don’t intend to do in the body of the column. A political offensive against the unconstitutional conduct of a Governor can hardly be described as defensive. Being defensive here would have been to offer excuses or to deflect attention from the actions of the Governor.
The column gets even more problematic, as Sheela Bhatt passes of Congress talking points as proof of defensiveness. It gets bizarre when the column goes on to conflate the Lokpal debate in Parliament with the manner of Lok Ayukta appointment in Gujarat while completely ignoring the underlying constitutional issue. It is absolutely silly of Sheela Bhatt to claim that Mr. Modi is attempting to do something (control the appointment of Lok Ayukta) when that is exactly what the Law in Gujarat provides for.
The Constitution provides for no discretion to the Governor of Gujarat in the appointment of Lok Ayukta. A fact that Sheela Bhatt neither highlights nor shows great appreciation for in the entire piece.
It is a different matter to argue if the existing Lok Ayukta law in Gujarat should be made consistent with a hypothetical principle enunciated within a future Lok Pal Bill. On that too Mr. Modi was one up on the Congress having already constituted a Ministerial panel to look into the same if and when a Lok Pal Bill comes to be legislated in Parliament. This too finds no mention in Sheela Bhatt’s piece.
It is clever of Sheela Bhatt to ask “why protest so much over violation of procedures” ?
But the analysis is shallow for it fails to mention the full chronology of events and the history of this unelected Governor overruling an elected Legislative Assembly over 9 Bills.
This sentence sort of gives away the bias in the piece
Currently in Gujarat, the Congress party has become active and aggressive while Modi is on the defensive. His supporters are unable to answer why Modi is overreacting for violations of procedures?
By bringing up the issue of 2002 riots cases there is further confirmation that a last ditch attempt is being made to bait Modi via “alleged acts of corruption to be uncovered by an activist Lok Ayukta”. This after having failed to do so in the riots cases.
That Sheela Bhatt goes out of her way to link to a political document released by the Congress makes her analysis far less credible.
It is interesting that the issue of Land Acquisition and favoring industry is being sought to be conflated with the debate on Lokpal, Lok Ayukta and corruption. This is exactly the kind of vigilante activism that was warned of by this blogger in what appears to be an agenda to cast the Lok Pals as some kind of Robin Hood like figures delivering Criminal Justice in the name of Social Justice.
Hence the argument by this blogger that you cant be serious about corruption if all you can talk about is Vigilante Activism. More on that in an upcoming Op-Ed next week.
In closing let it be said – that Sheela Bhatt’s shallow analysis regurgitating Congress talking points was a tad disappointing.
Filed under: Anna Hazare, Baba Ramdev, Narendra Modi, Nitin Gadkari, UPA-II Critical Appraisal
When it comes to writing Narendra Modi, Sheela Bhatt’s writings are always puke-worthy. Perhaps you noticed a bit late.
Sheila Bhat’s has never been honest. The words “lot of respect for Sheela Bhatt’s political analysis” are not needed. She is simply a biased pseudo liberal. Her own blurbs on rediff have proved it time and again. No one should waste their energy on this.
Dear blogger,
Thanks for your analysis.
I am sorry you didn’t like my piece.
I haven’t said Modi is guilty. I am talking about political challenge he could be facing.
Read the “chargesheet” of Congress. Its supported by
lots of information provided by Modi government in response to RTI. If you,really, think that “discounts” given to Tata in Sanand is absolutely alright then i have nothing more to say.
Agree, Congress doesn’t have credibility in Gujarat but that doesn’t mean information provided by Congress ( obtained from Gujarat government in response to RTI) is factually incorrect or not credible.
Warmly,
Sheela Bhatt
Thanks Madam, appreciate the response and welcome to the blog. The issue of discounts is a political issue and there may be multiple opinions on it. Not sure how that relates to the Governor’s conduct and Mr. Modi’s alleged defensiveness on the same.
“If you,really, think that “discounts” given to Tata in Sanand is absolutely alright then i have nothing more to say.”
Feel utterly sorry for you, Sheela. I come from the ground-zero, and in fact I reside only a stone’s throw away from the emerging auto-hub of Sanand. Do you want to suggest, Modi personally benefited by providing those sops to Ratan Tata? Do you find it so difficult to understand why Ford, Maruti and now Peugeot have all lined-up to setup major plants in Sanand and elsewhere, and the benefits to Gujarat and India once that happened? There is a reason why Gujarat has been excelling in trade and commerce, while the ‘Bhookha-Nanga’ socialism continues to lag behind.
For the record, the Gujjus are clever enough to understand the difference of a paid news from the political commentary. They can sense an impending Assembly poll and hence the convergence of the various anti-Namo forces, including those in the national and the vernacular media. The real fun would take place when Narendra Modi decides to go among his supporters and start answering the so-called ‘Delhi Sultanate’. (The Gujarat Congress is not even worth mentioning here.)
Dear Pankaj,
You are right.This is God send opportunity for Modi.He is already in election mode.Reason why BJP is raising this in Lok sabha and then has gone to President.Once all avenues are closed [ by Congress] only recourse is to go to PEOPLE!!
People who are waiting since quite some time now for a state wide campaign.
Congress is also trying very hard to ensure that he does not come to Delhi after 2012! Reason why this Lokayukta controversy, then Haren Pandya murder issue, then Soharabuddin encounter, then SIT, then back to Godhra!
It is pathetic that a party out of power in Gujarat since last 15 years is unable to pick up real issues on which to confront the party in power.There may be none.Gujarat has lowest unemployment rates, highest agri growth,highest GDP,24/7 power supply, e governance,best roads…. Gujaratis are very practical.Why should they upset the apple cart? especially when they know what UPA II has ACHIEVED in last 7 years.
Agree that Sheela-ji is totally biased. The amount of corruption in the UPA govt is unbelievable be it from commonwealth games to 2G scam, govt refusal to reveal the names of black money holders in the Lichtenstein banks, etc. Had the PM been Modi instead of Manmohan Singh under the blessing of Sonia Gandhi, the media would have gone beserk.
Oh and regarding land acquisition, the Supreme Court has praised Gujarat while referencing the land acquisition in Hapur area of UP
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/lansd-acquisition-act/827449/
Even if there was some discount to the land sold to Tata, at least it didn’t cause anywhere remotly close to the discord and even violence of the Nandigram clashes. Villages in Gujarat get close to 24 hours electricity and there is a far higher % of Muslims in Gujarat than Hindus in Kashmir. Heck it becomes a struggle just to be able to freely visit Amarnath.
Seems like the whole Indian English language media gives a free pass to Sonia Gandhi, CPM, and other anti-national forces and co while trying to find the slightest fault with Modi, Baba Ramdev, etc.
Ms.Bhatt , If selling “cheap land” is corruption than why selling “cheap spectrum” isn’t corruption by Dr.MMS. Will you care to name 1 state in India which doesn’t offer “Discount” on land to industrialists? RG’s trust got “Discount” from haryana Govt for hospital. Is that corruption by RG? Did Infosys paid market rate for their campuses? Ask Mr.SMKrishna he will tell what incentives he offered to keep them in state.Ask CBN what incentives he gave to develop IT industry in AP.Ask TN govt what incentives they gave to develop Tn as auto hub?Ask Maha govt what incentives they gave to develop Maha as industrial giant?
Aparently Ms.Bhatt , looks like you are biased against Gujarat’s development and want Modi to not offer incentives so neighbouring Congress states Raj &Maha can take away business fm Gujarat.
Sorry Madam , we won’t allow business to go away from Gujarat and will support Modi’s business friendly policies.
@sheela bhatt
1. an act of corruption invariably have a quid pro quid element which is no whre to b seen in tata investment in guj(wonder wht “personal” benefit modi gov got out of it)
2. giving favourable enviroment(including tax holidays, concessions/discounts) is a normal investmnt promotion strateagy..if dat is 2b construed as corruption, den evry budget annoncmnt(favourable 2 a particulr industry) or a bail out packages wil b construed as acts of corruptn..im sure u wud hav found barak obama guity of acts of corruptn whn bail out packages/stimulas packages were givn 2 sme of d banks/automobile companies
3. i wud hav understood d charges if concessions were given by violating any esisting laws/procedures..just giving d concession 2 tata(or any othr industry-so, will b stimulas package gvn by MMS govt during recession n pll like mani iyer alrdy hav prob wid it) might b debatble 4m social justice angle bt how its illegal/corruption? an elctd gov hav full rights to take decsns whch its think is best 4 d state
4. basd on d info availble in d public domain, all d benefits avlble 2 tata r also avlble 2 any auto companies whch has invstd in guj or want 2 invest..so, der seems to no violation of principle of natural justice n lvl playing field..
5. lastly i think u sud hav had a seprte article on charges agnst modi govt(wid facts obtained thru RTI n counter argumnst) and lokayuktta issue(gvng chronolgy of evnts of last 7 yrs,partisan bhrvr of govrnor-incldng stalling bills,constitutional issues,consitent anti-modi stand of mehta in d past etc) but alas it was an article of mr. modi whom liberals love to hate
Sheela could have risen above the rat pack.. She could have demonstrated to the people of India how the UPA government pulls down rising stars in non congress states? But she took a save route. The safe route in India today is to beat to pulp Modi, BJP, India, Hindus – in that order. How is the beneficial status accorded to Auto companies a liability for Mr. Modi? I dont get it. Every state in every country whether USA or India have to fight for investment funds from multinational firms. They have to use every lever in the state machinery to get their investments subsidies, tax write offs, land, power, labor etc. When did this become illegal? Capital will go where its appreciated not where its wanted.
[...] #2 – Limits to Judicial Review of Policy Making by the Executive – judgement on good and bad policy making must occur in the political realm through elections and parliamentary interventions. Courts have a role in determining the Constitutionality of a Policy but invoking an “abstract larger public good” sets a precedent that can be interpreted in a ideologically motivated manner in the future. We dont have to look far for what such ideological motivations might be and who their next target might be. [...]
In any case ,media reportage on Na Mo tends to be outrageously biased and one sided. I reckon after reading Sheela Bhatt’s entry on this blog the question one should be asking is ,Why is Sheela Bhatt is on the defensive?