Dr Jitendra Singh: A hallmark of excellence and hard work

By Rakesh Ranjan 10 Oct 2020

There are only a few ministers in the current regime who enjoy the indulgence of the PM. Considered a shadow of PM Modi and a sort of link between North-West (J&K) and North East, Dr Jitendra Singh is known to have worked consistently to earn the affection of the PM. His contributions reflect in the government policies on the Northeast and Northwest. Even though he deals with a number of portfolios that include the PMO, Personnel, and DONER, his work carries his signature of accomplishment. Naturally, this has put Dr. Singh's stars in ascendance in J&K and at Centre.

People in J&K attribute his rise to his political acumen and maturity. Of course, his successes have also triggered jealousies among his rivals in his home state.

In J&K, post 370 abrogations, while most of the political stalwarts and so-called ‘nationalist’ ( a misnomer for separatist leaders) were under house arrest followed by COVID lockdown, Dr Singh remained an effective communication channel and help for the people of the state.

There are several instances of Singh's yeoman service to the people of his state in these difficult times. But it is his humility that he credits officials for what he has been able to achieve for the troubled state. He has been extremely generous in appreciating the efforts of officers who helped him in resolving the problems of the people.

Senior J&K officials told Indianmandarins that his proactive efforts have bridged the difference between him and the J&K administration and both are indeed very close now.

Because of his rapport with officials and proactive approach, Dr. Singh has been able to set up 3 medical colleges and 12 new degree colleges for his constituency, the Kiru Power project, the Devika Project worth 190 Crs, the Delhi-Katra Expressway, the first major FDI in UT of J&K (India’s first Cannabis Medicine Plant with Canadian collaboration at IIM Jammu), Keediyan Gandiyal Bridge (70 yrs old demand), bamboo promotion in Kathua, Hiranagar sports stadium, etc.

His administrative acumen is also highly appreciated in the central government. Officials point out that though personnel matters related to the UT cadre is solely MHA’s call, yet during the UT Cadre review, Dr. Singh is always asked to co-chair the meeting along with the MoS Home G Kishan Reddy. Officials say that this couldn't have been possible without nods from the PM or from HM or both. In any administration, these things matter.

Not for nothing, he is entrusted with dealing with a host of sensitive issues. His oratorical skill, educational qualification, clean image, and persona shine his performance in Parliament, while his handling of the Northeast portfolio, with its emphasis on Act East, has earned him laurels. Over a period of time, he is seen as PM Modi's point man for acting as a bridge between North West and North East - a job he has been doing with distinction.

(By Rakesh Ranjan)

Not just a civil servant: Silence speaks louder (01)

By IndianMandarins 25 Sep 2020

Keep silent!

'Modi fan' IPS officer takes a leap of faith in politics

By IndianMandarins 26 Aug 2020

Young IPS officer Annamalai Kuppusamy (IPS:2011:KN) on Tuesday evening joined the ruling party in Delhi in the presence of P Muralidhar Rao and L Murugan, BJP's National General Secretary and Tamil Nadu State chief, respectively. The IPS officer's move is a continuation of the trend of civil servants joining the NDA before one election or the other.

Since TN legislative election is due in May 2021, one could expect more civil servants to join the BJP where the party is focusing on demolishing the dilapidated and crumbling structure of Dravidian politics that derives its sustenance from the fake narrative of Aryan Vs Dravidian built by East India Company's scoundrel Christian missionary Robert Caldwell and his political scions Periyar and others including DMK Stalin.

Declaring himself as a big fan of PM Narendra Modi, Kuppusamy said BJP is the only party that inspires him.

Although he had resigned from the IPS last year, he took the political plunge yesterday - finally and formally. His entry in the BJP might have already sent shock waves through the dynastic DMK that may be fighting possibly an existential battle in 2021. Since Kuppusamy belongs to an influential and numerically strong community in TN, the dynastic DMK could suffer huge erosion in its support base. 

Kuppusamy is a professionally qualified engineer and also holds an MBA degree from IIM-Lucknow. He is also reputed as a scholar of Islam - the knowledge he has used to fight Islamist terror.

“He (Modi Ji) shows me that a common man can aspire to reach the top and achieve the goal of his life. And for achieving one's destiny, the PM's life has shown that one does not need to belong to a dynasty.”

He asserted that he joined the civil service “to remain connected with people” and finally took a plunge in politics to remain connected with people.

Simmering anger among Brahmins in Uttar Pradesh?

By IndianMandarins 18 Aug 2020

Brahmin-centric politics is once again taking center stage in Uttar Pradesh with Samajwadi Party talking about Parasuram statue and the Congress leaders launching many organizations for the welfare of the community to woo them. The Uttar Pradesh government is under tremendous pressure due to attacks from several quarters failing to protect the community rather allegedly targetting the community.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that the Yogi government casteist. An MLA from Sultanpur Devmani Dwivedi writes to Chief Secretary asking how many Brahmins were killed in the past three years of the BJP regime. Brahmins have the sizable population in Uttar Pradesh and may give sleepless night to the BJP in the next Assembly elections, as there is simmering anger in the community

Mamata banks on PK’s suggestions for 2021 Assembly elections

By IndianMandarins 24 Jul 2020

How the BJP and Congress handle their dissent?

By IndianMandarins 20 Jul 2020

Both the Congress and the BJP face rebellion but how differently things are handled by the leadership of both the parties. When four National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs withdrew support to Manipur’s N Biren Singh-led government on June 17, 2020 threatening to bring it down and Rajya Sabha elections were also close, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s central leadership swung into action.

From Union home minister Amit Shah to BJP chief JP Nadda to party general secretary Ram Madhav immediately met the disgruntled MLAs and NPP chief Conrad Sangma to avert the crisis. It blew over by June 25 when Singh shook hands with detractors. A potential crisis in Karnataka in February was averted where several BJP leaders were upset over the denial of cabinet berths.

But due to alleged absence of grievance redress mechanism, the crisis in Rajasthan Congress has gone out of hands. Ashok Gehlot said that he had not spoken to his deputy Sachin Pilot from the past 18 months tells the real tale. This crisis is happening just two months after the MP government fell when 22 lawmakers resigned to pave the way for the BJP’s return to power. Rebels have expressed dissatisfaction over the party leadership not ready to hear them out.

A BJP leader is of the view that disagreements are expected in any political party. This is not a new phenomenon. This happened between Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, between L K Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In such cases, these leaders used to supplement each other or even surrender to the other leader. There is a third authority in the BJP -- the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh -- that serves as the safety valve.

Despite such mechanism, not all disagreements were amicably solved. Yashwant Sinha and Jaswant Singh had a bitter parting with the BJP after being sidelined. Shatrughan Sinha, Kirti Azad and Navjot Singh Sidhu came out in public with their grievances. However, no party will accept that it does not have a proper redress system.

Falling for political masters: Cases of Senger and Dubey perplex people at large

By IndianMandarins 11 Jul 2020

Criminal-politician nexus is old and huge which is blatantly displayed in the rise and fall of Vikas Dubey. But there are certain questions that perplex people at large. Had there been a favorable government, would Dubey still meet with the same fate? The answer is simply no.

The way case of Kuldip Senger and many such people with protection was handled tells the real tale. He was allegedly being protected by the state government so has been the case with Vikas by previous governments. Finally, the court intervened and Sengar was sentenced for life. Vikas Dubey continued to flex his muscles despite 60 criminal cases. Comparing the two cases one can say that silence is better than many answers.

Now Congress takes on BJP on PM CARES Fund

By IndianMandarins 29 Jun 2020

After being cornered on getting funds for Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Congress has hit back at the BJP alleging that PM CARES Fund was accepting donations from Chinese firms when the armies of the two countries were engaged in a border standoff in Ladakh.

Senior Congress leader spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 18 meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the last six years and asked why he has not yet called China an aggressor. “I implore the Prime Minister to say China is an aggressor,” he said.

Singhvi said reports suggest the PM CARES Fund has received Rs 9,678 crore by May 20. The Congress spokesperson alleged Huawei has donated Rs 7 crore, TikTok Rs 30 crore, Paytm Rs 100 crore, Xiaomi Rs 15 crore and Oppo Rs 1 crore to the fund. HT couldn’t independently ascertain this.

Over the past few days, the BJP released details of contributions made to RGF by various state-owned companies, government departments, and the Chinese embassy. RGF is a private trust while the PM CARES Fund was set up in March this year to deal with any emergency arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has already funded the purchase of around 50,000 ventilators by government hospitals across India.

One of the allegations against the Congress, aired repeatedly by various BJP leaders over the past few days, is that the contributions made by the Chinese embassy and the Chinese government to the private trust controlled by the Gandhi family encouraged the party-led United Progressive Alliance government to turn a blind eye to India’s soaring trade deficit with China.

The charges and counter-charges have come against the backdrop of the stand-off between the two armies in Eastern Ladakh, where, on June 15, 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in countering a transgression by the Chinese. An unknown number of Chinese soldiers also died in the incident.

Singhvi alleged that it was the BJP that has maintained ties with the Communist Party of China (CPC) since 2007 and its presidents, starting with Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Amit Shah, have had the maximum number of exchanges with China.