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Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Federal Farce

India’s federal compact was never meant to resemble street theatre. Yet that is precisely what unfolded in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where opening sessions of the Assemblies degenerated into petty skirmishes between Raj Bhavans and elected governments. Governors deserve scrutiny for overreach. But what played out on January 20 says as much about the studied belligerence of two state governments that have turned constitutional convention into a contact sport. Start with Tamil Nadu. Governor R.N....

Federal Farce

India’s federal compact was never meant to resemble street theatre. Yet that is precisely what unfolded in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where opening sessions of the Assemblies degenerated into petty skirmishes between Raj Bhavans and elected governments. Governors deserve scrutiny for overreach. But what played out on January 20 says as much about the studied belligerence of two state governments that have turned constitutional convention into a contact sport. Start with Tamil Nadu. Governor R.N. Ravi’s decision to walk out of the Assembly without delivering his address was dramatic, ill-judged and constitutionally questionable. But the stage for that walkout was carefully set by the ruling DMK. The Speaker’s insistence that the Governor read only what the Cabinet had approved, delivered with the pugnacious aside that “only MLAs can express opinion in the House,” reflected not reverence for convention but contempt for dialogue. Tamil Nadu’s government treated it as an opportunity to box the Governor into a corner and then feign outrage when he refused to play along. The subsequent statements from Raj Bhavan, disputing the state’s extravagant investment claims and invoking disrespect to the national anthem, only deepened the ugliness. But it is worth asking why such disputes routinely explode in Tamil Nadu. The answer lies less in New Delhi’s alleged conspiracies than in Chennai’s habit of governing by provocation. The DMK has discovered that permanent confrontation with the Governor serves its political narrative as it keeps the Centre in the dock. Kerala’s episode was no less revealing. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar delivered his address and left, only for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to return to the House to announce solemnly that the Governor had tampered with Cabinet-approved paragraphs. The offending omissions concerned fiscal federalism and pending Bills, subjects dear to the Left Democratic Front’s sense of grievance. Vijayan’s declaration that the Cabinet’s version would prevail was less a constitutional clarification than a performative assertion of supremacy. Governors are not meant to rewrite policy. But nor are Assemblies meant to retroactively overrule a Governor’s address by executive fiat. Kerala’s government could have placed its objections on record or sought judicial clarity. Instead, it chose to dramatize the dispute, turning the Assembly into a forum for moral grandstanding. Together, these episodes expose a deeper malaise. State governments, particularly those ruled by parties opposed to the BJP, have begun to treat Governors not as constitutional functionaries to be constrained by process, but as political foils to be publicly humiliated. The irony is rich. Tamil Nadu and Kerala style themselves as guardians of constitutional morality, federalism and democratic norms. Yet, by weaponizing Assembly proceedings against Governors, they weaken the very conventions they claim to defend. None of this absolves Governors who stray into partisan commentary or obstructionism. India has no shortage of such examples. But federalism cannot be sustained if elected governments respond to irritation with institutional vandalism. Assemblies are not arenas for settling scores with Raj Bhavans.

Devendra Fadnavis: A Visionary Leader Transforming Maharashtra’s Security

Maharashtra today stands as a beacon of progress, stability, and inclusive growth, owing much to the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. From eradicating Naxalism in the state’s most challenging regions to positioning Maharashtra as a global investment destination, Fadnavis has demonstrated a rare combination of security acumen, administrative excellence, and developmental foresight. His governance model has turned once-troubled districts into thriving centers of hope and opportunity.


Devendra Fadnavis’s fight against Naxalism has been one of the most defining aspects of his leadership. Under his watch, Maharashtra achieved historic success in neutralizing extremist networks and restoring law and order in Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, and neighboring districts that were once plagued by insurgency. His message has been firm and uncompromising — Naxalism is not an ideology but a war against the nation.


During his recent visit to Gadchiroli, where he inaugurated new police stations at Damaracha and Gyarapatti, the Chief Minister reiterated that the movement had long lost its ideological roots and had become a tool for foreign powers seeking to destabilize India. “Naxalism is no longer a war of ideologies but a war against the nation. Foreign powers, including the ISI, are aiding these forces. We cannot let that happen,” he asserted.


Fadnavis’s administration empowered Maharashtra’s elite anti-Naxal C-60 commandos through advanced training, better logistics, and upgraded intelligence coordination. These reforms enabled the state’s security forces to carry out successful operations against top Naxal leaders and reclaim large swathes of territory once under extremist control. The morale of the police has never been higher — thanks to Fadnavis’s personal engagement with officers and his emphasis on rewarding bravery and service.


But Fadnavis knew that the battle against Naxalism could not be won by force alone. He launched a holistic development plan to address the deep-rooted socio-economic causes of insurgency. Roads, healthcare, schools, and digital connectivity became the new weapons in his mission to win hearts and minds. Villages in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur now have improved access to markets, electricity, and education — facilities that were unthinkable a decade ago.


Local youth, once vulnerable to extremist propaganda, are now joining the police force and government services. Fadnavis proudly noted that the same generation that was once misled by Naxal ideology is today wearing the uniform to protect the tricolor. His government also introduced rehabilitation packages for surrendered Naxals — offering them livelihood opportunities, housing, and a dignified return to mainstream society. This dual approach of strength and empathy has transformed Maharashtra’s Naxal narrative into a story of renewal and hope.


Parallel to ensuring internal security, Chief Minister Fadnavis has led Maharashtra into a new era of industrial expansion and job creation. His leadership has positioned the state as India’s premier investment destination — consistently topping national charts in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and industrial output.


Under his tenure, Maharashtra attracted billions in investment through landmark summits like Magnetic Maharashtra and Make in Maharashtra, forging partnerships with leading global corporations in sectors such as electric vehicles, semiconductors, logistics, and renewable energy. Initiatives like Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) upgrades, new industrial corridors, and logistics parks have created an ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship, innovation, and employment.


Fadnavis’s focus on balanced regional development ensured that growth was not confined to Mumbai and Pune alone. Districts like Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, and Amravati have witnessed the emergence of new industrial clusters, IT hubs, and agro-processing zones. The government’s emphasis on Ease of Doing Business reforms, single-window clearances, and digitized approvals has made Maharashtra a preferred choice for both domestic and international investors.


A cornerstone of Fadnavis’s vision has been employment generation. His administration launched multiple skill development and start-up promotion programs that empowered lakhs of young people across urban and rural Maharashtra. Initiatives under the Maharashtra Skill Development Mission and Start-Up Maharashtra have given rise to a new generation of innovators and job creators.


He has also driven major infrastructure projects such as the Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, Mumbai Metro expansion, and Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which not only improve connectivity but also stimulate economic activity and attract industries to newer regions. These mega-projects have created thousands of jobs and catalyzed local business growth.


(The writer is a BJP official based in Thane. Views personal.)

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