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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

NDA power matrix reshaped after success

AI generated image Mumbai: A quiet coup in the state has triggered a loud shift in the power dynamics of the nation’s capital. By engineering the defection of six additional MPs, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has nearly doubled his parliamentary muscle, transforming his Shiv Sena faction from a junior regional partner into an indispensable pillar of the NDA. Now sitting on a commanding 13 seats, Shinde has dramatically increased his political leverage—leaving a cautious BJP to weigh the...

NDA power matrix reshaped after success

AI generated image Mumbai: A quiet coup in the state has triggered a loud shift in the power dynamics of the nation’s capital. By engineering the defection of six additional MPs, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has nearly doubled his parliamentary muscle, transforming his Shiv Sena faction from a junior regional partner into an indispensable pillar of the NDA. Now sitting on a commanding 13 seats, Shinde has dramatically increased his political leverage—leaving a cautious BJP to weigh the cost of an emboldened ally demanding a bigger slice of the pie in both the Union and state cabinets. In a masterstroke of political engineering that has profoundly jolted political landscape, Shinde has once again demonstrated his formidable capacity for disruption. The rebellion of six out of nine Lok Sabha Members of Parliament from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), ostensibly joining Shinde’s ranks under the banner of “Operation Tiger,” is not merely a regional skirmish. It is a calculated power play that reverberates through the highest corridors of power in New Delhi. By nearly doubling his party’s strength in the lower house from seven to thirteen MPs, Shinde has dramatically altered his own political trajectory, elevating his faction from a helpful regional ally to an indispensable pillar of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Shinde’s Stature The immediate consequence of this crossover is a massive surge in Shinde’s stature within the NDA hierarchy. With thirteen parliamentarians, his Shiv Sena is now poised to become the fourth-largest bloc in the ruling national coalition, sitting just behind the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Telugu Desam Party, and the newly formed Nationalist Citizens Party of India. This numerical leap is of immense strategic value to the BJP-led central government. In a parliamentary environment where the ruling coalition possesses only a modest majority, every single seat counts. The central leadership is acutely aware of upcoming legislative hurdles, particularly ambitious constitutional amendments like the proposed delimitation bill, which will require a formidable two-thirds majority. By acting as the architect of this crucial numerical boost, Shinde has cemented his reputation as a reliable and highly effective operator for the NDA, significantly increasing his bargaining power and political leverage. National Relief For the BJP, this development evokes a complex mixture of profound national relief and acute regional anxiety. From the vantage point of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde’s successful poaching operation is a clear windfall. It simultaneously fortifies the NDA’s numerical strength in New Delhi while severely crippling a vocal opposition force in Maharashtra. The central BJP leadership views Shinde as a vital asset capable of bridging the gap between their current numbers and the overwhelming mandates of the past. However, the perspective from the Maharashtra BJP headquarters is noticeably more apprehensive. State BJP leaders openly acknowledge Shinde’s soaring political equity, but they are increasingly wary of his expanding ambitions. They recognize that an emboldened Shinde, eager to fill the political vacuum left by Uddhav Thackeray and a fragmented Nationalist Congress Party, will aggressively attempt to expand his footprint across the state, potentially encroaching upon the BJP’s own traditional support bases. Power Sharing This dramatically enhanced political heft immediately raises pressing questions regarding power-sharing arrangements, both at the Centre and in the state. Armed with thirteen MPs, Shinde’s camp is undoubtedly preparing to seek greater political rewards. In the Union Cabinet, his demand for an additional, high-profile ministerial berth is now backed by solid arithmetic. Given his heightened utility to the national coalition, the BJP high command is highly likely to accommodate this request during the next cabinet reshuffle. However, the power struggle within the Maharashtra state cabinet promises to be far more contentious. Shinde, who had to settle for the Deputy Chief Ministership behind Devendra Fadnavis following the last assembly elections, may now feel emboldened to petition the BJP leadership for the top job. The BJP’s state unit is actively preparing to fiercely resist any such demand. Senior BJP leaders are quick to emphasize that despite his parliamentary gains, Shinde’s legislative strength in the state assembly hovers around 57 MLAs, dwarfed by the BJP’s commanding 132 legislators. Consequently, conceding the Chief Minister’s chair remains highly improbable. Instead, the BJP will be forced into a delicate balancing act, likely appeasing Shinde by granting his faction a larger share of influential, heavyweight portfolios within the state government to keep the alliance stable. Ultimately, through sheer political audacity, Eknath Shinde has ensured that neither New Delhi nor Mumbai can afford to govern without catering to his increasingly formidable political weight.

BEOS Profiling: When the Brain Reveals More

A non-invasive scan that reads brainwaves to reveal whether a suspect lived the crime or merely heard about it.

Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature (BEOS) profiling is an advanced, non-invasive forensic psychological investigative technique that analyses the neurological signatures of suspects to detect experiential knowledge related to a crime. Unlike traditional lie detection methods that rely on physiological responses such as respiration rate, galvanic skin response (GSR), or heart rate, BEOS focuses on brainwave patterns. It uses auditory or visual stimuli connected to the crime to trigger autobiographical memory, assessing whether the individual has directly experienced the event.


The technique was developed by Dr. C.R. Mukundan, a neuroscientist and former head of clinical psychology at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore. BEOS has since been used in numerous forensic investigations across India as a supplementary tool for assessing a suspect’s role in criminal cases. A key figure in advancing and applying this technology is Prof. Dr. Asha Srivastava, a prominent forensic psychologist and currently the Dean of Behavioural Forensics at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Gandhinagar. Her work has contributed significantly to the practical implementation and academic understanding of BEOS in forensic investigations.


BEOS has been instrumental in both convictions and acquittals. In the 2008 Pune murder case of Udit Bharati, BEOS testing of Aditi Sharma revealed experiential knowledge of poisoning the victim, supporting the prosecution and contributing to her conviction.


In contrast, a 2018 POCSO case in Ahmedabad demonstrated BEOS’s role in revealing possible innocence. A municipal school teacher was accused of raping a minor, but BEOS results showed no experiential knowledge of the crime. Instead, the profiling revealed sequential knowledge, indicating he was possibly falsely implicated. Supporting the findings were inconsistent victim statements, a lack of corroboration from classmates, and a constable’s observation that the child was coached by her family. Polygraph and narcoanalysis also indicated innocence. The court granted conditional bail, with Justice J.B. Pardiwala recognising the scientific input as vital in preventing injustice based on unverified allegations.


Another major case involving BEOS was the Abdul Karim Telgi stamp paper scam, one of India’s biggest financial frauds. BEOS was used to evaluate Telgi’s brain responses during questioning, helping investigators assess his experiential knowledge of the counterfeit operation.


Despite its usefulness, BEOS has raised legal and ethical concerns. In the 2010 Supreme Court case Selvi & Ors v. State of Karnataka, it was ruled that no one can be forced to undergo self-incriminating tests, as it would violate Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right against self-incrimination. BEOS falls under this protection. However, the court allowed its use if a suspect consents voluntarily, without coercion or inducement. Even then, test results are only corroborative evidence, not standalone proof, unless they lead to discovering new facts or material evidence.


BEOS is actively used by Indian forensic institutions like the Directorate of Forensic Science Service (DFSS), State FSLs, and National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Gujarat. Meanwhile, international organisations such as Interpol, UNODC, and UNICEF stress the need for strict ethical standards and well-defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when using such technologies. They advocate protecting human rights, personal dignity, and data privacy, especially in legal systems where such tools may heavily influence outcomes.


BEOS Profiling marks a transformative development in forensic science, offering a unique approach to detecting crime-related experiential knowledge. While its applications have shown value in high-profile cases, it requires strict legal and ethical oversight. Moving forward, balancing technological innovation with the protection of individual rights will be crucial to its continued role in the justice system.


(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS officer and forensic advisor to the Assam government. Boruah is a student of National Forensic Univeristy, Guwahati.)

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