NAXALS KILL SON OF FORMER JHARKHAND CHIEF MINISTER BABULAL MARANDI
By Manuwant Choudhary
Former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi's son Anup is among the 17 killed in a naxal attack in Jharkhand's Chilkhadi village around 1 a.m. today.
50 naxals in CRPF uniforms sat amongs the crowd at a village performance and attacked during the end of the cultural show...naxals included women.
In March Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Sunil Mahto was similarly shot dead by naxals.
This just goes to prove that the creation of the new Jharkhand state was a big. big mistake.
As a journalist covering Bihar..I was quite alone in opposing the bifurcation of the state.
The BJP thought they could never defeat Laloo in a united Bihar so why not divide the state and keep Jharkhand to themselves and leave a divided Bihar to floods and Laloo.
Its an irony that Laloo is ruling Jharkhand and BJP and Nitish have to now deal with the serious problems of poverty and floods in Bihar.
Meanwhile, naxals have grown in strength, they enjoy political patronage and even when Babulal Marandi was chief minister of Jharkhand he offered money to the naxals to surrender. Many did surrender, took the governments money and rejoined the naxals again.
Indiavikalp condemns the recent naxals violence in Jharkhand even while Sonia Gandhi tours communist China.
Friday, October 26, 2007
California Fires
Arson behind California fires: BBC Reports
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger facing the heat
BBC reports the US police have offered a $70,000 reward and called in FBI investigators to capture an alleged arsonist they believe started one of the larger fires.
Orange County officials are convinced the Santiago Canyon blaze, which broke out on Sunday, was no accident.
Around 15 blazes remain untamed but fire chiefs said they had "turned the corner"
The firestorm has ravaged at least 704 sq miles (1,825 sq km) of land from Santa Barbara down to the Mexican border.
More than 1,600 homes have been incinerated and over $1bn (£488m) of material damage caused by the wall of fire. US President George Bush after an aerial survey of the fires praised the Governor, "There is no mountain he is not willing to charge, no problem he is not willing to solve."
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
PM resignation call
RED-FACED MANMOHAN
By Manuwant Choudhary
New Delhi: I don't like Delhi.
But everytime I have stayed here for more than a few days governments start falling.
The last time was a few years ago when I just joined NDTV as a reporter my first cub assignment was the Jayalalitha-Sonia tea party, in that order.
In those days Sonia Gandhi made only a few public appearances and when she did she did not speak.
In the lobby of the venue there was only one man in a lungi on a cellphone - Subramanian Swamy - the maverick politician who runs a one-man political party called the Janata Party.
And everyone wondered whether Jaya and Sonia would come. The hall was empty except for a few scribes.
But soon more and more lungi clad South Indians all in white appeared followed by some commotion that was a huge almost Maharani-like Jayalalitha. But there was no sign of the other Maharani - Sonia.
Dr. Swamy remained steadfast...making a few more calls on his cell.
No sign of Sonia or even her Congressmen.
But soon a Kamal Nath appeared and one could be sure that `Madam' is coming.....
Come she did and what a tea party....The 13 month Vajpayee's NDA government fell.
But Sonia's crony's said madam after Rajivji only you deserve to be Prime Minister and the Italian Maharani fell for it...though the Congress did not have an outright majority she wanted to be PM. Mulayam spoilt it for her and elections were called. Vajpayee was back with a safe majority for the next five years. Godhra and Gujarat followed and the Congress Party just watched from the sidelines even when one of their former MPs was burnt alive.
So when the Congress Party got another opportunity for government formation they were wiser and Sonia `sacrficed' her PM chance to a Dr. Manmohan Singh - an architect of India's liberalisation.
Once PM Manmohan did everything the Congress Party, particularly Sonia asked him to.
Manmohan the finance minister did everything to save a bankrupt country.
Manmohan the PM does everything to save a bankrupt Congress.
A decade ago at one of his last fund-raising swimming pool party's in Bombay when Dr. Singh was still India's finance minister I had asked him if he would like to be the finance minister of any other political formation and he had replied, "I am a Congressman."
I had sensed that the United Front - goup of regional party's - would be coming to power. And India's liberalisation was so critical and another coalition which did not go forward on the liberal agenda would push the country back to bankruptcy.
But Manmohan is no Todar Mal.
Todar Mal was the finance minister of Sher Shah. But when Akbar became emperor after Sher Shah died and the Mughals took charge of India, Akbar continued with Todar Mal as India's finance minister simply because he was the best man for the job.
So Akbar became Akbar the Great.
But Manmohan the Great became Manmohan the Prime Minister, thanks to Sonia and then he thought the Congress Party was Supreme.
And so he got into a nuclear deal with Bush thinking that his allies would be with him just as they tugged along on the issue of economic liberalsation.
It backfired.
And most newspapers in the past week have been full of calls for the PMs resignation.
Should he go?
Everyone's watching a red-faced Manmohan these days!
By Manuwant Choudhary
New Delhi: I don't like Delhi.
But everytime I have stayed here for more than a few days governments start falling.
The last time was a few years ago when I just joined NDTV as a reporter my first cub assignment was the Jayalalitha-Sonia tea party, in that order.
In those days Sonia Gandhi made only a few public appearances and when she did she did not speak.
In the lobby of the venue there was only one man in a lungi on a cellphone - Subramanian Swamy - the maverick politician who runs a one-man political party called the Janata Party.
And everyone wondered whether Jaya and Sonia would come. The hall was empty except for a few scribes.
But soon more and more lungi clad South Indians all in white appeared followed by some commotion that was a huge almost Maharani-like Jayalalitha. But there was no sign of the other Maharani - Sonia.
Dr. Swamy remained steadfast...making a few more calls on his cell.
No sign of Sonia or even her Congressmen.
But soon a Kamal Nath appeared and one could be sure that `Madam' is coming.....
Come she did and what a tea party....The 13 month Vajpayee's NDA government fell.
But Sonia's crony's said madam after Rajivji only you deserve to be Prime Minister and the Italian Maharani fell for it...though the Congress did not have an outright majority she wanted to be PM. Mulayam spoilt it for her and elections were called. Vajpayee was back with a safe majority for the next five years. Godhra and Gujarat followed and the Congress Party just watched from the sidelines even when one of their former MPs was burnt alive.
So when the Congress Party got another opportunity for government formation they were wiser and Sonia `sacrficed' her PM chance to a Dr. Manmohan Singh - an architect of India's liberalisation.
Once PM Manmohan did everything the Congress Party, particularly Sonia asked him to.
Manmohan the finance minister did everything to save a bankrupt country.
Manmohan the PM does everything to save a bankrupt Congress.
A decade ago at one of his last fund-raising swimming pool party's in Bombay when Dr. Singh was still India's finance minister I had asked him if he would like to be the finance minister of any other political formation and he had replied, "I am a Congressman."
I had sensed that the United Front - goup of regional party's - would be coming to power. And India's liberalisation was so critical and another coalition which did not go forward on the liberal agenda would push the country back to bankruptcy.
But Manmohan is no Todar Mal.
Todar Mal was the finance minister of Sher Shah. But when Akbar became emperor after Sher Shah died and the Mughals took charge of India, Akbar continued with Todar Mal as India's finance minister simply because he was the best man for the job.
So Akbar became Akbar the Great.
But Manmohan the Great became Manmohan the Prime Minister, thanks to Sonia and then he thought the Congress Party was Supreme.
And so he got into a nuclear deal with Bush thinking that his allies would be with him just as they tugged along on the issue of economic liberalsation.
It backfired.
And most newspapers in the past week have been full of calls for the PMs resignation.
Should he go?
Everyone's watching a red-faced Manmohan these days!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Other Bhutto
Fatima Bhutto: "BENAZIR'S RETURN WILL PLUNGE PAKISTAN INTO TURMOIL"
Fatima, neice of Benazir Bhutto, says Pakistan's former Prime Minister should own up for the death of 139 people whom she sacrificed for the sake of her `personal theatre'.
Fatima's father Murtaza was killed during the premiership of Benazir and her columns in Pakistan and on internet sites are highly political and although she is not entering politics right away she is definitely the other Bhutto to watch out for.
Fatima, neice of Benazir Bhutto, says Pakistan's former Prime Minister should own up for the death of 139 people whom she sacrificed for the sake of her `personal theatre'.
Fatima's father Murtaza was killed during the premiership of Benazir and her columns in Pakistan and on internet sites are highly political and although she is not entering politics right away she is definitely the other Bhutto to watch out for.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS 124 INJURES 320
ATTACK ON BENAZIR'S CARCADE
BENAZIR ESCAPES UNHURT
CNN reports how a suicide bomber first throws a handgrenade to distract attention and then triggers another powerful blast just as Benazir Bhutto gets inside her bullet and blast proof truck, killing 124 and injuring 320.
A vehicle just behind Benazir's truck has been blown up and some 20 People' Party of Pakistan's leaders have been killed. But most of those killed are security persons.
This just shows that the return of democracy to Pakistan is not going to be easy.
Besides, it exposes President Musharaf's security arrangements. Just before the blasts CNN reported how easy it was to get close to the vehicle carrying Benazir.
Its said to be among the top ten most powerful blasts in the past ten years and observers say it was nothing but a plot to assassinate Benazir Bhutto.
ATTACK ON BENAZIR'S CARCADE
BENAZIR ESCAPES UNHURT
CNN reports how a suicide bomber first throws a handgrenade to distract attention and then triggers another powerful blast just as Benazir Bhutto gets inside her bullet and blast proof truck, killing 124 and injuring 320.
A vehicle just behind Benazir's truck has been blown up and some 20 People' Party of Pakistan's leaders have been killed. But most of those killed are security persons.
This just shows that the return of democracy to Pakistan is not going to be easy.
Besides, it exposes President Musharaf's security arrangements. Just before the blasts CNN reported how easy it was to get close to the vehicle carrying Benazir.
Its said to be among the top ten most powerful blasts in the past ten years and observers say it was nothing but a plot to assassinate Benazir Bhutto.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
PAKISTAN POLITICS
BENAZIR BHUTTO RETURNS TO PAKISTAN TODAY
DOES THIS MARK THE RETURN OF DEMOCRACY?
By Zeeshan
United Kingdom: There have recently been talks of National Reconciliation in Pakistan. My personal opinion is that it is going to be in the best of federation's interest.
BENAZIR BHUTTO (the chairperson of the biggest political party in Pakistan) had suggested it to be the most appropriate way of transition to democracy. The general outlook of reconciliation aims at allowing the dictator Gen. Musharaf to be elected as president for the next term and in return he will shed his military uniform. On the other hand, political parties will get all politically motivated cases dropped against their leaderships. Accordingly to a rough estimation about 550 cases are dropped out of which about 13 cases were against BENAZIR BHUTTO and her husband. One more bargain has been made and that is on elections issue. The elections will be held under neutral care-taker government and there will be no intervention by the military or by its agencies. On paper it looks like a real chance of taking the country to democracy where there will be no biased laws restricting any political leader from contesting elections and there will be no role of military in politics.
But in reality it is totally different. Gen. Musharaf has recently been on the back-foot because of insurgent independent media and judicial activism. The general public & civil society are sensing blood and they are in no mood to let Gen. Musharaf to hold on to power even as a civilian President. But what people are unable to understand is that if Gen. Musharaf is pushed too much to the wall he might end up taking drastic decisions which could see folding up everything including media, judiciary and the parliament. On ground people are blaming BENAZIR BHUTTO to helping the man-in-power to linger on. But in reality BENAZIR BHUTTO is ensuring that this down fall is not stopping by emotional decisions. In fact, she has made it institutional by reaching to an understanding that Gen. stays as president without the army uniform and political parties are given level-playing ground with independent election commission, media and active judiciary which in no way is a bad start to a journey towards real democracy.
As a result, PPP have taken all the mess of last 8 years of military rule on their shoulders as they did in 1988 (towards the end of last martial Law) but still provided a ray of hope which only history can judge. Current players and audience are just not good enough to evaluate it.
In my personal opinion, if BENAZIR BHUTTO has secured the following three things then she has saved her future and of her party's (party’s future is linked with Pakistan’s future given PPP is the biggest party in the county);
1. Dropping of all politically motivated cases
2. Securing 3rd term as Prime Minister (A biased Law was introduced by Gen. Musharaf banning her to be a Prime Minister for the third time)
3. Last but the most important, a security from the west regarding establishment's support for an extended period. It is important because party is an anti-establishment party and has had serious confrontation with establishment which saw BENAZIR BHUTTO’s father (elected prime minister) hanged and three brothers killed. Since the judicial-murder of late Bhutto during the last martial law Pakistan’s politics has been divided into Pro-Bhutto and Anti-Bhutto. There has not been any third political force in Pakistan. Traditionally, the anti group includes Pakistan Muslim League (different fractions) and MMA (the religious Alliance). Both these actors are pro-establishment which makes them anti-Bhutto. In today’s changed world these pro-establishment groups have little leverage because of their sympathies towards fundamental & radical Islam. However, PPP has over the years aligned itself with Washington. Gen. Musharaf has cleverly used these pro-establishment groups for black mailing west and prolonging his power by rigging the last general elections and giving these pro-establishment groups huge political space. The Pakistan Muslim League is heading the government whereas the religious alliance is having opposition leader and the PPP that won the highest number of votes is systematically denied power. It is important to note that MMA were playing a double game; they were openly criticizing Gen. Musharaf for acting on US agenda and behind doors were strengthening him. It was MMA that helped him to pass a constitutional amendment which allowed him to be a president in uniform. And today this MMA is again preparing to go into the next general election on anti-musharaf campaign so that all the anti-musharaf voters can be controlled. In such scenario the role of BENAZIR BHUTTO and PPP becomes very significant as she is the only real opposition to military rule (the other big opposition name is NAWAZ SHARIF who is in exile because of a deal he stuck with Gen. Musharaf in 2000 that allowed him amnesty for not taking part in politics for next 10 years). Therefore we will switch back to the understanding she has reached with Gen. Musharaf.
The National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) has taken account of the first point mentioned above. And Secretary of states’ recent statement is a clear indication about the third point in which she categorically highlighted the political role BENAZIR BHUTTO can play in setting forth the future priorities of Pakistan. We will see that the second point will be addressed before the next general elections as well-abolishing the law of banning the third term as premier.
There has recently been severe media trail of BENAZIR BHUTTO and PPP. But the question is;
Do people listen to media commentators who criticize BENAZIR BHUTTO on behalf of the alternative which is Pakistan Muslim League, MMA and Gen. Musharaf himself?
For these commentators, it is not very difficult to see that they have seen their analysis proving wrong regarding NAWAZ SHARIF’s return when they predicted that a storm of people would welcome NAWAZ SHARIF on his return but not even a few hundred people turned up. And given their criticism of BENAZIR BHUTTO they will again see their analysis going wrong when she will return home on 18 October 2007. It may be noted because of historical reasons the present media is largely pro-establishment.
It is very important for analysts to note that if people are not happy with the deal between the PPP and the government then why these analysts forget that people are also not happy about the underground relations among MMA, Pakistan Muslim league and the military.
Time and again it has been proved that when BENAZIR BHUTTO said she is not going to make an opposition alliance with the religious elements or Nawaz Sharif needs to stay away from religious alliance, she was absolutely right. The people of Pakistan have seen how these religious elements have helped Gen. Musharaf to hang on to power. Why in the final analysis, the leadership of PPP forget this. Due to the anti-military roots of PPP even the middle-to-lower level leadership of PPP is criticizing BENAZIR BHUTTO for reaching an understating with the military. It is understandable that PPP supporters are definitely not considering this reconciliation as a perfect solution but they ALSO understand that there is no other way. Does the leadership think that the PPP worker is going to vote for Pakistan Muslim league or even to the religious alliance just because of this reconciliation with army? History says, in bold, NO.
The middle-to-lower leadership of PPP doesn’t even understand the dynamics of their own vote bank-starting from Itzaz ahsan (main character in recent judicial activism & PPP’s member of national assembly) to Raza rabani (leader of the opposition in Senate) to every one (these leaders are apparently not comfortable with the understaffing with military). The important question for these PPP leaders is that why BENAZIR BHUTTO had to turn to army once again? What good has this leadership done when she gave them a free hand to take the party into elections of 2002 while she was in exile? They gifted PPP workers and supporters with First-ever friction within. It saw party members joining Gen. Musharaf’s government while hindering from the party stance. Were these leaders able to ensure a safe return of BENAZIR BHUTTO into the county without turning to military? And now they are putting everything on her shoulders and walking away from the mess they have created. It is not her fault. It is the fault of those who are criticizing BENAZIR BHUTTO for talking to military. These 'great' leaders left no other option for her. I am talking about those leaders of PPP, who are dissenting. And people, at large, understand this.
Now there are only two ways in front of PPP workers in particular and of common voters in general. (NAWAZ SHARIF is out of the picture, credit goes to religious elements again) First of all, dissent with BENAZIR BHUTTO and get ready to be governed by black marketers, ex-offenders and fundamentalists happened to be the current setup. And listen to middle-to-lower leadership who can not do any harm to this clan supported by the establishment. The evidence of that is the last 8 years during that time both BENAZIR BHUTTO and NAWAZ SHARIF were exile and middle-to-lower level leadership of both the parties could do nothing to bring them back.
Alternatively, get ready to welcome her and make sure she is strengthened. Even NAWAZ SHARIF supporters will get what they want-the return of their leader, if she is strengthened. Therefore, NAWAZ SHARIF supporters need to vote for BENAZIR BHUTTO as well and they need to strictly avoid their middle-to-lower leadership’s point of view. They need to remember that if today NAWAZ SHARIF is not among them then it is only because of this leadership. If the common Pakistani understands this thing then I do not see the storm starting from Karachi airport on 18 October 2007 stopping before putting every single fragile tree off its roots.
However, BENAZIR BHUTTO has got tough challenges for her third tenure in terms of bad law and order situation in the country, rising fundamentalism and extremism alongside Afghan border and apprehensive silence by eastern neighbor on peace process.
While concluding, it is not difficult to see that Pakistan is coming back to normal and democratic institutions taking course of the country. And history will define the critical role BENAZIR BHUTTO played in ensuring so. She has showed her political maturity that she is fighting against the role of an institution in politics and not rule of any individual. The current ‘deal’ has ensured the victory for BENAZIR BHUTTO’s point of view. But leaders who are now fighting for personality change have no agenda. BENAZIR BHUTTO has understood, hopefully others will, as well. SOONER THE BETTER.
Always respect free and informed will.
DOES THIS MARK THE RETURN OF DEMOCRACY?
By Zeeshan
United Kingdom: There have recently been talks of National Reconciliation in Pakistan. My personal opinion is that it is going to be in the best of federation's interest.
BENAZIR BHUTTO (the chairperson of the biggest political party in Pakistan) had suggested it to be the most appropriate way of transition to democracy. The general outlook of reconciliation aims at allowing the dictator Gen. Musharaf to be elected as president for the next term and in return he will shed his military uniform. On the other hand, political parties will get all politically motivated cases dropped against their leaderships. Accordingly to a rough estimation about 550 cases are dropped out of which about 13 cases were against BENAZIR BHUTTO and her husband. One more bargain has been made and that is on elections issue. The elections will be held under neutral care-taker government and there will be no intervention by the military or by its agencies. On paper it looks like a real chance of taking the country to democracy where there will be no biased laws restricting any political leader from contesting elections and there will be no role of military in politics.
But in reality it is totally different. Gen. Musharaf has recently been on the back-foot because of insurgent independent media and judicial activism. The general public & civil society are sensing blood and they are in no mood to let Gen. Musharaf to hold on to power even as a civilian President. But what people are unable to understand is that if Gen. Musharaf is pushed too much to the wall he might end up taking drastic decisions which could see folding up everything including media, judiciary and the parliament. On ground people are blaming BENAZIR BHUTTO to helping the man-in-power to linger on. But in reality BENAZIR BHUTTO is ensuring that this down fall is not stopping by emotional decisions. In fact, she has made it institutional by reaching to an understanding that Gen. stays as president without the army uniform and political parties are given level-playing ground with independent election commission, media and active judiciary which in no way is a bad start to a journey towards real democracy.
As a result, PPP have taken all the mess of last 8 years of military rule on their shoulders as they did in 1988 (towards the end of last martial Law) but still provided a ray of hope which only history can judge. Current players and audience are just not good enough to evaluate it.
In my personal opinion, if BENAZIR BHUTTO has secured the following three things then she has saved her future and of her party's (party’s future is linked with Pakistan’s future given PPP is the biggest party in the county);
1. Dropping of all politically motivated cases
2. Securing 3rd term as Prime Minister (A biased Law was introduced by Gen. Musharaf banning her to be a Prime Minister for the third time)
3. Last but the most important, a security from the west regarding establishment's support for an extended period. It is important because party is an anti-establishment party and has had serious confrontation with establishment which saw BENAZIR BHUTTO’s father (elected prime minister) hanged and three brothers killed. Since the judicial-murder of late Bhutto during the last martial law Pakistan’s politics has been divided into Pro-Bhutto and Anti-Bhutto. There has not been any third political force in Pakistan. Traditionally, the anti group includes Pakistan Muslim League (different fractions) and MMA (the religious Alliance). Both these actors are pro-establishment which makes them anti-Bhutto. In today’s changed world these pro-establishment groups have little leverage because of their sympathies towards fundamental & radical Islam. However, PPP has over the years aligned itself with Washington. Gen. Musharaf has cleverly used these pro-establishment groups for black mailing west and prolonging his power by rigging the last general elections and giving these pro-establishment groups huge political space. The Pakistan Muslim League is heading the government whereas the religious alliance is having opposition leader and the PPP that won the highest number of votes is systematically denied power. It is important to note that MMA were playing a double game; they were openly criticizing Gen. Musharaf for acting on US agenda and behind doors were strengthening him. It was MMA that helped him to pass a constitutional amendment which allowed him to be a president in uniform. And today this MMA is again preparing to go into the next general election on anti-musharaf campaign so that all the anti-musharaf voters can be controlled. In such scenario the role of BENAZIR BHUTTO and PPP becomes very significant as she is the only real opposition to military rule (the other big opposition name is NAWAZ SHARIF who is in exile because of a deal he stuck with Gen. Musharaf in 2000 that allowed him amnesty for not taking part in politics for next 10 years). Therefore we will switch back to the understanding she has reached with Gen. Musharaf.
The National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) has taken account of the first point mentioned above. And Secretary of states’ recent statement is a clear indication about the third point in which she categorically highlighted the political role BENAZIR BHUTTO can play in setting forth the future priorities of Pakistan. We will see that the second point will be addressed before the next general elections as well-abolishing the law of banning the third term as premier.
There has recently been severe media trail of BENAZIR BHUTTO and PPP. But the question is;
Do people listen to media commentators who criticize BENAZIR BHUTTO on behalf of the alternative which is Pakistan Muslim League, MMA and Gen. Musharaf himself?
For these commentators, it is not very difficult to see that they have seen their analysis proving wrong regarding NAWAZ SHARIF’s return when they predicted that a storm of people would welcome NAWAZ SHARIF on his return but not even a few hundred people turned up. And given their criticism of BENAZIR BHUTTO they will again see their analysis going wrong when she will return home on 18 October 2007. It may be noted because of historical reasons the present media is largely pro-establishment.
It is very important for analysts to note that if people are not happy with the deal between the PPP and the government then why these analysts forget that people are also not happy about the underground relations among MMA, Pakistan Muslim league and the military.
Time and again it has been proved that when BENAZIR BHUTTO said she is not going to make an opposition alliance with the religious elements or Nawaz Sharif needs to stay away from religious alliance, she was absolutely right. The people of Pakistan have seen how these religious elements have helped Gen. Musharaf to hang on to power. Why in the final analysis, the leadership of PPP forget this. Due to the anti-military roots of PPP even the middle-to-lower level leadership of PPP is criticizing BENAZIR BHUTTO for reaching an understating with the military. It is understandable that PPP supporters are definitely not considering this reconciliation as a perfect solution but they ALSO understand that there is no other way. Does the leadership think that the PPP worker is going to vote for Pakistan Muslim league or even to the religious alliance just because of this reconciliation with army? History says, in bold, NO.
The middle-to-lower leadership of PPP doesn’t even understand the dynamics of their own vote bank-starting from Itzaz ahsan (main character in recent judicial activism & PPP’s member of national assembly) to Raza rabani (leader of the opposition in Senate) to every one (these leaders are apparently not comfortable with the understaffing with military). The important question for these PPP leaders is that why BENAZIR BHUTTO had to turn to army once again? What good has this leadership done when she gave them a free hand to take the party into elections of 2002 while she was in exile? They gifted PPP workers and supporters with First-ever friction within. It saw party members joining Gen. Musharaf’s government while hindering from the party stance. Were these leaders able to ensure a safe return of BENAZIR BHUTTO into the county without turning to military? And now they are putting everything on her shoulders and walking away from the mess they have created. It is not her fault. It is the fault of those who are criticizing BENAZIR BHUTTO for talking to military. These 'great' leaders left no other option for her. I am talking about those leaders of PPP, who are dissenting. And people, at large, understand this.
Now there are only two ways in front of PPP workers in particular and of common voters in general. (NAWAZ SHARIF is out of the picture, credit goes to religious elements again) First of all, dissent with BENAZIR BHUTTO and get ready to be governed by black marketers, ex-offenders and fundamentalists happened to be the current setup. And listen to middle-to-lower leadership who can not do any harm to this clan supported by the establishment. The evidence of that is the last 8 years during that time both BENAZIR BHUTTO and NAWAZ SHARIF were exile and middle-to-lower level leadership of both the parties could do nothing to bring them back.
Alternatively, get ready to welcome her and make sure she is strengthened. Even NAWAZ SHARIF supporters will get what they want-the return of their leader, if she is strengthened. Therefore, NAWAZ SHARIF supporters need to vote for BENAZIR BHUTTO as well and they need to strictly avoid their middle-to-lower leadership’s point of view. They need to remember that if today NAWAZ SHARIF is not among them then it is only because of this leadership. If the common Pakistani understands this thing then I do not see the storm starting from Karachi airport on 18 October 2007 stopping before putting every single fragile tree off its roots.
However, BENAZIR BHUTTO has got tough challenges for her third tenure in terms of bad law and order situation in the country, rising fundamentalism and extremism alongside Afghan border and apprehensive silence by eastern neighbor on peace process.
While concluding, it is not difficult to see that Pakistan is coming back to normal and democratic institutions taking course of the country. And history will define the critical role BENAZIR BHUTTO played in ensuring so. She has showed her political maturity that she is fighting against the role of an institution in politics and not rule of any individual. The current ‘deal’ has ensured the victory for BENAZIR BHUTTO’s point of view. But leaders who are now fighting for personality change have no agenda. BENAZIR BHUTTO has understood, hopefully others will, as well. SOONER THE BETTER.
Always respect free and informed will.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
BURMA SILENCED BY THE GUN
BURMA'S MILITARY JUNTA IMPRISON AN ENTIRE PEOPLE
INDIA'S CONGRESS PARTY FRIENDS OF BURMA'S BRUTAL MILITARY JUNTA
By Manuwant Choudhary
Its not just Aung San Suu Kyi who is under house arrest for 11 of her 18 years in Burma...recent events show that the military junta has imprisoned an entire people. And shockingly India's Congress government says that democracy in Burma is an `internal' issue of Burma.
Why was the same logic not used for Bangladesh by the Congress Party?
Well, Congress politicians will tell you its strategic and economic reasons that compels the silence.
In reality India is gung ho about Burma's military regime. Congress politicians enjoy a good rapport with the Military Junta. India's Border Road Organisation builds wide world class highways in Burma even while most of India are without roads.
Its oil, road and arms.
The Indian Ordnance factories supply pistols and INSAS rifles to the Burmese army.
But why just the Congress. India's former defence minister George Fernandes is known to be a vocal supporter of pro-democracy activists of Burma. Many activists are known to have lived and worked out of his official residence. Yet, India's relations with the Burma Military Junta started during the last NDA regime with BJP foreign minister Jaswant Singh visiting Rangooon.
So there is no support to the Burma cause from India's main opposition party as well.
The recent happenings in Burma have opened a debate and many feel the time has come to free the people of Burma.
A debate on Facebook went like this,
"If the US can free Iraq and Afghanistan ..surely it can free Burma..."
"No, a military solution to Burma is no solution. What is happening in Burma is a non-violent struggle. We must respect that."
"Just Send the army."
"Why army, Just Send More Monks."
INDIA'S CONGRESS PARTY FRIENDS OF BURMA'S BRUTAL MILITARY JUNTA
By Manuwant Choudhary
Its not just Aung San Suu Kyi who is under house arrest for 11 of her 18 years in Burma...recent events show that the military junta has imprisoned an entire people. And shockingly India's Congress government says that democracy in Burma is an `internal' issue of Burma.
Why was the same logic not used for Bangladesh by the Congress Party?
Well, Congress politicians will tell you its strategic and economic reasons that compels the silence.
In reality India is gung ho about Burma's military regime. Congress politicians enjoy a good rapport with the Military Junta. India's Border Road Organisation builds wide world class highways in Burma even while most of India are without roads.
Its oil, road and arms.
The Indian Ordnance factories supply pistols and INSAS rifles to the Burmese army.
But why just the Congress. India's former defence minister George Fernandes is known to be a vocal supporter of pro-democracy activists of Burma. Many activists are known to have lived and worked out of his official residence. Yet, India's relations with the Burma Military Junta started during the last NDA regime with BJP foreign minister Jaswant Singh visiting Rangooon.
So there is no support to the Burma cause from India's main opposition party as well.
The recent happenings in Burma have opened a debate and many feel the time has come to free the people of Burma.
A debate on Facebook went like this,
"If the US can free Iraq and Afghanistan ..surely it can free Burma..."
"No, a military solution to Burma is no solution. What is happening in Burma is a non-violent struggle. We must respect that."
"Just Send the army."
"Why army, Just Send More Monks."
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