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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Ripples before BMC elections

Congress solo threat rattles MVA Mumbai : The unilateral decision of the state Congress to contest the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently has apparently rattled the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) main allies and smaller parties, with hectic backstage politicking underway.   Barely a week after AICC General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala’s terse announcement, supported vociferously by Mumbai unit chief Varsha Gaikwad, there are indications of the other parties considering...

Ripples before BMC elections

Congress solo threat rattles MVA Mumbai : The unilateral decision of the state Congress to contest the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently has apparently rattled the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) main allies and smaller parties, with hectic backstage politicking underway.   Barely a week after AICC General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala’s terse announcement, supported vociferously by Mumbai unit chief Varsha Gaikwad, there are indications of the other parties considering counter-moves – to convince the Congress on a re-think.   The grand old party’s virtual threat not only unnerved the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT) and their allies, but also the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), at which eyebrows are being raised for the purported discord in the MVA.   The Congress this week reached out to NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar to join hands, and the latter is reportedly keen for a broader Opposition alliance that includes the MNS.   Congress insiders claim that internal surveys have not exactly painted a rosy picture for the MVA’s prospects in the BMC polls for 227 Wards, unnerving most parties even before the poll schedules are declared by the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC).   A worse scenario could be, the sentiments may reflect across the other important municipal corporations that will go to the hustings along with BMC, adding to the gloom in the opposition camps, they caution.   Political sources deny that any so-called ‘conditional offer’ has been made to the SS (UBT) to dump MNS - if it wants the Congress ‘hand’ behind it – as reported in some sections.   Rubbishing such theories, MNS Spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande guardedly said that “we are an independent party and all our decisions are taken by the party President Raj Thackeray”.   Reiterating that the MNS is not a constituent of the MNS, Desphande also said the party is not concerned about which leader met whom or they said what about MNS, as any final call on a poll deal would be taken only after deliberations between Raj and Uddhav Thackeray.   As per current indications, the Congress will actively explore tie-ups with several Dalit, peasants, workers and minority parties/groups - though the Samajwadi Party (SP) has said it may chart a solo path – to avoid vote-split as well as safeguard the Congress’s 140-year-old ideology.   “We are not affected by claims made by anyone from any party. We shall abide by the decisions of the party high command, which was made clear last week. The party will follow it to the hilt,” a Mumbai Congress leader told  ‘ The Perfect Voice’ .   Congress leaders continue to be apprehensive over the MNS’ old violent campaigns against north Indians and minorities which may haunt it in the civic polls, and possibly mar the chances of the opposition, already reeling under a crisis of survival after back-to-back political reverses in three state assembly polls. Meanwhile, the MVA allies continued to slam the ruling MahaYuti on various counts. Chiefly, the recent flying visits by the two Deputy CMs, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, the failing law-and-order against the recent rape-cum-murder of a minor girl in Malegaon, and the alleged suicide of a college student after he was assaulted for speaking in Hindi.

Was Michelle Bachelet selected for being critical against Modi?

While the BJP is projecting India’s rising global confidence, Congress continues its pattern of picking dubious international personalities

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New Delhi: Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile (2006-10), receiving the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize is no accident. At the UNHRC, she repeatedly targeted India using familiar Left-liberal talking points. Congress celebrates her because she speaks the language their ecosystem wants the world to believe about India.


Michelle Bachelet is widely criticised in Chile for policies that destroyed Chile's economy. Due to her poor performance, Chile now sees a right-wing surge and she is the one now being showcased by the Congress ecosystem as a prize-worthy figure. While the BJP is projecting India’s rising global confidence, Congress continues its pattern of picking dubious international personalities simply to seek external approval. Instead of honouring genuine achievers, it turns to people with troubled records, revealing its persistent dependence on foreign validation.


When she criticised India after the removal of Article 370, she ignored how Kashmir finally gained equal rights and real integration. Congress used her remarks to claim India acted against democracy. It was never about human rights. It was always about political gain.


Her comments on the Delhi riots followed the same predictable line. She picked one side, overlooked the complete picture, and painted India as intolerant. Congress immediately held up her statements as validation, not because they were accurate, but because they helped them pressure the government.


She even went so far as to file a petition in India’s Supreme Court against the CAA. This was a clear intrusion into India’s sovereign decisions. Congress did not object. They welcomed it quietly because it suited their narrative.


Her remarks on NGOs and activists completely ignored national security threats, foreign funding issues, and coordinated anti-India campaigns. Congress embraced her version of events because it allowed them to question India’s institutions without taking responsibility.


During the farmers’ protest, she repeated incomplete and misleading claims about sedition cases. She did not acknowledge the way misinformation caused unrest on the ground. Congress again used its criticism to attack India internationally, even though it hurt the country’s image.


Her claim of “shrinking civic space” ignored the reality that India has one of the freest and most energetic public spheres in the world. Congress preferred her version because it helped them undermine India’s growth and confidence under PM Modi.


Her framing of “minority rights” followed a familiar script. It echoed the Congress narrative that Indian Muslims live in constant fear, something not supported by facts on the ground. Congress appreciated her stance because it aligned with their favourite political line.


She used the vocabulary of human rights as a political tool. Words like “concern” and “alarm” were used to shape a negative picture of India. Congress relied on her criticism to build an international echo for their own domestic politics.


Her background in socialist politics explains her discomfort with strong nationalist governments. Congress, unable to connect with the voters, found comfort in her worldview because it reflects their own political frustration.


Congress supporting Bachelet is not about honouring peace. It is about rewarding someone who consistently criticised India and helped validate their anti-BJP narrative. It reveals where their real interests lie.


Her accusation that India “marginalises Muslims” ignored constitutional safeguards, welfare measures, and equal opportunities. Congress used these statements to fuel its own story because it lacks widespread public trust.


Her criticism was selective and incomplete. It ignored the positive transformations taking place in India. Congress did not mind because selective criticism is the tool they depend on during political decline.


The core question is simple. Why would a national party reward someone who repeatedly undermined India’s decisions? The answer is equally simple. These criticisms are useful to Congress because they cannot win the people’s mandate.


In the end, this is not just about Michelle Bachelet. This is about Congress choosing to align with every voice that questions India, simply to attack the Modi government. While the BJP works to strengthen India’s global standing, Congress continues to lean on those who weaken it. And the people of India can clearly see the difference.

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