Modi dividing NDA: First Nitish, now Uddhav?
Tonight on Left, Right & Centre:
Modi dividing NDA: First Nitish, now Uddhav?
The first discussion revolves around the issue of whether BJP's elevation of Narendra Modi is dividing the NDA, and whether the "NaMo" mantra was threatening to leave the BJP completely friendless ahead of 2014 elections. Rahul Narvekar of the Shiv Sena observes that as the situation stands, neither the NDA nor the UPA can claim an absolute majority, and that getting more allies was the need of the hour. He says that Shiv Sena had appealed to the BJP to ensure that more allies joined the NDA. Sudhanshu Trivedi of the BJP says that they respect and welcome Uddhav Thackeray's concerns as a well-wisher, and that the BJP is doing its best to ensure that they have as many allies as possible in their fold.
Journalist Arati Jerath notes that it was ironic that just yesterday, Mr Modi was talking about unifying hearts and minds, but NDA allies' reactions since Mr Modi's elevation has reminded us once again what a decisive figure he is. Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi of the Congress asks why the BJP is silent over Uddhav's statements that are obviously critical of Mr Modi and the BJP leadership. Mr Singhvi asks whether the BJP had isolated itself from the political mood as well as from people's opinion. Columnist Minhaz Merchant says that one needs to look at their own party, and only then look for allies. He says that he believes the BJP needs to strengthen itself from within.
Rs. 2.7 lakh bond to visit UK: Is UK discriminating against Indians?
The second discussion revolves around whether UK's new visa policy represent a new 'racist' divide against non-white Commonwealth countries, or is it a fallout of Britain's internal politics and represents a larger difference of immigration policies with the rest of the European Union? Journalist Padma Rao questions the criteria to determine 'high risk' applicants, and how the UK will determine the 'best & the brightest'. Lord Meghnad Desai says that this policy was intended as a shield against illegal immigration since the largest number of illegal immigrants come from South Asia. He opines that India should offer reciprocal concessions.
Journalist Pramit Pal Chaudhuri believes that UK's visa policy is not colour coded. He says it is up to individual countries to determine their visa policy, and that visa officers are provided with a profile of what constitutes 'high risk'. According to him, we in India are in no position to complain. Columnist Minhaz Merchant believes that the move was entirely political, coming as it does ahead of the 2015 elections. According to Merchant, Cameron is extremely worried, and this is an attempt to get anti-immigration kind of policy going. Merchant believes that it is a selfish move by Mr Cameron.
Modi dividing NDA: First Nitish, now Uddhav?
The first discussion revolves around the issue of whether BJP's elevation of Narendra Modi is dividing the NDA, and whether the "NaMo" mantra was threatening to leave the BJP completely friendless ahead of 2014 elections. Rahul Narvekar of the Shiv Sena observes that as the situation stands, neither the NDA nor the UPA can claim an absolute majority, and that getting more allies was the need of the hour. He says that Shiv Sena had appealed to the BJP to ensure that more allies joined the NDA. Sudhanshu Trivedi of the BJP says that they respect and welcome Uddhav Thackeray's concerns as a well-wisher, and that the BJP is doing its best to ensure that they have as many allies as possible in their fold.
Journalist Arati Jerath notes that it was ironic that just yesterday, Mr Modi was talking about unifying hearts and minds, but NDA allies' reactions since Mr Modi's elevation has reminded us once again what a decisive figure he is. Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi of the Congress asks why the BJP is silent over Uddhav's statements that are obviously critical of Mr Modi and the BJP leadership. Mr Singhvi asks whether the BJP had isolated itself from the political mood as well as from people's opinion. Columnist Minhaz Merchant says that one needs to look at their own party, and only then look for allies. He says that he believes the BJP needs to strengthen itself from within.
Rs. 2.7 lakh bond to visit UK: Is UK discriminating against Indians?
The second discussion revolves around whether UK's new visa policy represent a new 'racist' divide against non-white Commonwealth countries, or is it a fallout of Britain's internal politics and represents a larger difference of immigration policies with the rest of the European Union? Journalist Padma Rao questions the criteria to determine 'high risk' applicants, and how the UK will determine the 'best & the brightest'. Lord Meghnad Desai says that this policy was intended as a shield against illegal immigration since the largest number of illegal immigrants come from South Asia. He opines that India should offer reciprocal concessions.
Journalist Pramit Pal Chaudhuri believes that UK's visa policy is not colour coded. He says it is up to individual countries to determine their visa policy, and that visa officers are provided with a profile of what constitutes 'high risk'. According to him, we in India are in no position to complain. Columnist Minhaz Merchant believes that the move was entirely political, coming as it does ahead of the 2015 elections. According to Merchant, Cameron is extremely worried, and this is an attempt to get anti-immigration kind of policy going. Merchant believes that it is a selfish move by Mr Cameron.
