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By:

Abhijit Joshi

31 August 2024 at 10:09:24 am

Power Games in the Rain

As legislators trade defections for reforms and accusations for applause, Maharashtra’s monsoon session finds the state’s citizens still awaiting relief. The Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Legislature has evolved into a revealing contest over power and political survival instead of the constitutional ritual of debating laws and approving budgets it is meant to be. While the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti has sought to project itself as a reforming administration pushing through...

Power Games in the Rain

As legislators trade defections for reforms and accusations for applause, Maharashtra’s monsoon session finds the state’s citizens still awaiting relief. The Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Legislature has evolved into a revealing contest over power and political survival instead of the constitutional ritual of debating laws and approving budgets it is meant to be. While the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti has sought to project itself as a reforming administration pushing through legislation and welfare measures, the opposition has tried to paint it as a government more adept at political management than public administration. Outside the legislature, meanwhile, Maharashtra has been wrestling with the familiar burdens of floods and a paradoxical water scarcity, power outages and rural distress, reminding politicians that nature remains stubbornly indifferent to partisan battles. Contentious Session The session’s first controversy arrived before substantive legislative business had even begun. During obituary references to eminent personalities who had died over the past year, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar stumbled repeatedly while reading names and citations. Curiously, the opposition initially let the errors pass. Only after Raj Thackeray mocked the lapses in his characteristic style did the issue gather political momentum. Opposition parties swiftly turned their attention to the Speaker’s conduct, forcing Narwekar to apologise before the House and drawing an early curtain on what might otherwise have become a prolonged embarrassment. The more consequential drama, however, unfolded beyond the chamber. What came to be known as ‘Operation Tiger’ further weakened the Shiv Sena (UBT), drawing several leaders towards the ruling camp. Although Uddhav Thackeray toured constituencies represented by defectors in an attempt to contain the damage, the defections showed that organisational strength matters less when political gravity is pulling in the opposite direction. That impression was reinforced when Council MLA Sachin Ahir, seen alongside UBT leaders in the morning, filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council later the same day as the candidate of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The speed of the switch surprised even seasoned observers. Many credited Shinde with executing yet another carefully calibrated political manoeuvre. Game of Thrones Predictably, whispers of a possible ‘Operation Tutari’ have begun circulating, suggesting that Maharashtra's game of defections is far from over. Inside the legislature, the government has tried to ensure that politics does not overshadow policymaking. It presented supplementary demands exceeding Rs. 97,700 crore for 2026-27, promising greater spending on infrastructure, welfare programmes and development projects. Whether this translates into effective delivery remains the more important question. Among the session's more consequential measures is the Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill. In much of rural Maharashtra, women undertake much of the agricultural labour but remain invisible in official records because land titles are held in the names of male relatives. The legislation seeks to correct that anomaly by granting women cultivators formal recognition as farmers regardless of land ownership. Official certification would enable them to access government schemes, institutional credit, subsidies and market support. If implemented seriously rather than symbolically, the reform could reshape the economic status of rural women across the state. The Assembly has also strengthened the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act. By requiring those convicted of defrauding investors to deposit half the disputed amount before filing an appeal, the government hopes to speed up compensation for victims while discouraging frivolous litigation. It is an attempt to reassure ordinary savers at a time when financial fraud has become both more frequent and more sophisticated. The passage of the Freedom of Religion Bill has proved considerably more contentious. The government argues that the legislation is designed to curb illegal religious conversions and protect vulnerable citizens. The opposition counters that a law with significant constitutional implications deserved fuller scrutiny than it received. Opposition leaders, including Nana Patole, Jayant Patil and Sunil Prabhu, have repeatedly accused the treasury benches of rushing legislation through the House while curtailing debate. Their protests culminated in a walkout during discussions on municipal laws. Ministers responded that the opposition had squandered valuable time through repeated disruptions and could hardly complain about compressed proceedings afterwards. United on Agriculture If any issue has united the opposition, it is agriculture. Members have repeatedly attacked the eligibility conditions attached to the state's farm loan-waiver scheme, arguing that many indebted cultivators remain excluded by restrictive criteria. They have demanded a comprehensive waiver rather than selective relief. Water scarcity, despite the arrival of the monsoon, has also remained politically potent. Delayed rainfall left several districts facing drought-like conditions before the rains eventually arrived, prompting demands for a dedicated debate on water management and drought relief. Yet, it is events outside the Assembly that have most exposed the gap between legislation and lived reality. Heavy rains have once again paralysed Mumbai, flooding roads, disrupting suburban rail services and delaying flights. The annual submergence of the Andheri subway has become less an aberration than a seasonal ritual, raising persistent questions about the city’s infrastructure and preparedness despite years of promises. Rural Maharashtra faces a different but equally pressing crisis. Farmers in districts such as Bhandara have protested prolonged electricity outages caused by damaged transmission lines, leaving irrigation pumps idle at a critical stage of the cropping season. Many have threatened hunger strikes unless power is restored swiftly. As the session approaches its conclusion, both sides will claim vindication. The government will point to a substantial legislative record and argue that it has pursued meaningful reforms while maintaining political stability. The opposition will insist that legislative productivity cannot compensate for administrative shortcomings. The session has therefore become a microcosm of contemporary Maharashtra. It has featured ambitious legislation, relentless political manoeuvring, high-profile defections and increasingly bitter procedural disputes. The measure of its success will lie in whether decisions taken here improved the lives of citizens once the Assembly adjourns and the headlines move on. In Maharashtra, as in politics more generally, the hardest task begins after the applause has faded. (The writer is a political observer. Views personal.)

Imran Khan’s Fall from Grace

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Imran Khan’s Fall from Grace

Imran Khan, once hailed as Pakistan’s most charismatic and resilient leader now finds himself in a position unprecedented for a man of his stature.

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, once known for his unyielding spirit and fierce determination, now shows signs of strain. Imprisoned and facing numerous charges, Khan appears to be a shadow of the leader who once inspired millions.

Khan’s recent meeting with journalists revealed a man who is a shell of his former self. Once confident and commanding, his body now shows a sense of unease and agitation. Those who met him describe a waning spirit, a stark change for a leader once known for his steadfastness in adversity.

The journalists described Khan as a man who is aware that his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is losing its once-iron grip on the nation’s imagination―a realisation that visibly shook him.

The PTI, once a magnet for massive crowds and inspired loyalty among its supporters, is now struggling. The much-hyped rally scheduled for August 22 in Islamabad, was embarrassingly cancelled due to a lack of public interest. Khan, in a bid to save face, claimed that the rally was called off to avoid potential violence. In a sign of growing desperation, Khan rescheduled the rally for September 8 and directed his party leaders to overcome any obstacles. This defiant stance is typical of Khan’s confrontational style, and his public directives highlight his insecurity about his party’s ability to mobilise support.

While Khan outwardly appears calm and composed, the multiple cases against him and his time in jail have left him isolated and struggling with loneliness. Even in this difficult situation, he remains in the headlines, thanks to his uncanny ability to stay in the public’s eye. Khan recently made headlines by applying for the University of Oxford Chancellorship, a move initially dismissed as a rumor but confirmed by his spokesman, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari. As an Oxford alumnus, Khan would be the first Asian to take the role. Many see this bid as a strategic play to leverage his international profile against Pakistan’s establishment, a move that has kept him prominently in the media spotlight.

The political landscape in Pakistan is deeply divided. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in his second term, has failed to address critical issues including unemployment, soaring inflation, and deteriorating law and order. His administration’s inability to deliver on its promises has only deepened the public’s disillusionment, leading to growing nostalgia for Khan’s past leadership.

Shahbaz Sharif’s government is a source of frustration for the Pakistani people and a cause for concern for the country’s military. Historically, the military has shaped Pakistan’s political trajectory, stepping in when civilian governments falter. The military reportedly is growing uneasy about the government’s performance especially Sharif’s inability to stabilize the country and mend relationships with key neighbors, particularly India. Additionally, its deteriorating ties with Afghanistan and Iran have left Pakistan increasingly isolated. Even China, Pakistan’s longstanding ally, has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s policies, a worrying sign given the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to the country’s economic future.

It is within this context of political turmoil and international isolation that Imran Khan remains a potent force. Despite his legal troubles and the challenges facing his party, Khan’s popularity endures. For millions of Pakistanis, his tenure as Prime Minister is seen as a time of relative stability and hope, a stark contrast to the current administration’s ineptitude. This perception has kept Khan’s political base intact, even as his party faces an uphill battle in the coming months.

However, Khan’s ability to navigate the current political landscape is far from guaranteed. The PTI’s diminishing support, coupled with the increasing pressure from the establishment, raises questions about Khan’s long-term strategy. His recent moves, including the application for the Oxford Chancellorship, suggest a leader willing to explore unconventional avenues to maintain his relevance. But whether these tactics will translate into a successful political comeback remains to be seen.

Pakistan’s political future is more uncertain than ever. Imran Khan’s journey from cricketing legend to political maverick has been extraordinary. Still, as he faces the toughest challenge of his career, the question remains: Can he once again defy the odds and reclaim his place at the helm of Pakistani politics, or is this the beginning of the end for a once unstoppable leader?

Khan’s story is a testament to the complexities of power and the unpredictable nature of political life in Pakistan. His rise, driven by charisma, populism, and a genuine desire for change, now faces the realities of personal and political challenges, raising the possibility that his time may be running out.

Imran Khan is a beacon of hope for his supporters, and a polarizing figure for detractors, whose ambitions have often clouded his judgment. As the nation watches, the world is left to wonder: What will Imran Khan’s next move be? And more importantly, what does it mean for the future of Pakistan? The coming months will be critical not only for Imran Khan but for Pakistan as a whole. The decisions made during this period will shape the country’s trajectory for years. Whether Khan emerges victorious or is consigned to the annals of history as a fallen leader, one thing is certain: The story of Imran Khan is far from over.

(The writer is a senior jounalist based in Islamabad. Views personal)

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