Congress in massive defeat as Hindu nationalists grab historic victory in Assam
The results of the administrative elections in five states are released. The most important fact is that Sonia Gandhi's party has been undermined by corruption and by the disastrous political leadership of her son Rahul. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s party has won in one of the poorest and tribal states. At a regional level, policies in favor of minorities were rewarded. The comments of three Christian leaders.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Extraordinary victory of Hindu nationalists in the State of Assam, the collapse of the Congress Party across the territory of India, the regional parties that are asserting themselves at the local level. These are the most relevant results of the election that ended yesterday in India. Five States were voting, two in the north-east and three in the southern part of the country.
The result that is dominating today’s headlines is the resounding defeat of the party Sonia Gandhi, increasingly undermined by corruption and by the disastrous political leadership of Rahul Gandhi, and the historic victory of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Assam.
The local elections lasted several weeks and involved the electorates of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, West Bengal and Assam. For the first time the vote also involved the residents who live in the former Bangladeshi enclaves, deprived of voting rights for nearly 60 years.
In recent weeks the spotlights were all focused on Prime Minister Modi. He has stepped up conferences, meetings, events to regain consensus after last year’s defeats in the federal Territory of Delhi and the State of Bihar.
The Hindu nationalist efforts were rewarded in Assam, where they won 60 seats out of a total of 126. Here the victory was unexpected, especially given the ethnic composition of the population, divided into various tribal communities for decades fighting for autonomy from the rest of the Union.
The Congress Party won only in the small territory of Pondicherry, where it got half of the seats (15 of 30). Elsewhere it was beaten by regional alliances, who have confirmed their influence at the local level. As for other states, in Kerala, where Sonia Gandhi ‘s party ruled by tradition, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) won 58 seats out of 140; in West Bengal, the chief minister Mamata Banerjee has won a second term with the Trinamool Congress Party, which won 211 seats out of 294; Finally, in Tamil Nadu the outgoing chief minister J. Jayalalithaa "made history" in his state, as the first governor - in 32 years - to be re-elected for another term.
Below we publish the comments of three Indian Catholic leaders, who shared their opinions on the vote with AsiaNews.
The new governor of Assam "is a student of Don Bosco"
The results are a big surprise for most of us. We knew money was being spent in a big way, but did not expect that it would make so much difference. You may be surprised to know that the proposed Chief Minister Sonwal was a past pupil of Don Bosco Dibrugarh where I was bishop 1981-92. He was a chief guest recently in some of our gatherings.
Many restless young people opted for the BJP to build their future which they did not see under Gogoi. At the same time let us be vigilant about any negative moves that can harm us. . We shall cooperate with them in everything that contributes to nation-building and human growth
Msgr. Thomas Menamparampil, apostolic administrator of Jowai
Congress in Kerala "was crushed by corruption"
In Kerala the United Democratic Front [UDF, left coalition led by the Congress, ed] got defeated on two grounds, one, the stories of corruption were rampant and the people knew there is truth in the allegations together with the unwillingness on the part of the Congress to address it boldly based on values, two the UDF and especially Congress was not at all forthright in their opposition to the communal forces especially the BJP.
The thumbing victory of the Communists clearly shows that the people of Kerala reject in general the Hindutva ideology. Traditionally the Christians in Kerala are pro Congress. Even now it is central Kerala where Christians are concentrated gave some relief to the Congress. But there is a consolidation of minority votes in favour of the Left which clearly indicate their opposition to corruption and Hindutva ideology. I think the traditional anti-Communist mentality among the Christians seem to ebb away. The anti-liquor policy which could have given the UDF big dividends in election became a curse to them for they made it an occasion for big corruption.
Fr. Paul Thelakat, director of "Light of Truth" and former spokesman for the Syro-Malabar Synod
The victory of Mamata, "friend and protector of Christians in West Bengal"
The population of Bengal gave a resounding victory to development. It is a historic result because Mamata has improved the voting margin (44.9%), obtaining 72% of seats in the assembly. She is the undisputed leader.
Her election slogan "Poribortan" [parts] has earned the trust and approval of the people, who have seen and experienced this development implemented in the villages, cities and urban areas of Bengal.
Some of the "schemes" initiated by the Mamata government have helped to increase confidence that "Mamata is for the people."
Among those who have secured the highest number of votes, there is Khadya Sathi Scheme, which has distributed rice at very low prices (a kg to 2 rupees) to 70 million people, on the basis of the National Food Security Act. Then the Shabuj Sathi Scheme, which provided bicycles to girls in rural areas, so they can go to school. Finally Kanyashree Scheme, which gave the girls an annual subsidy: to discourage them from leaving school.
As for rural development in the last four years, the villages have been linked with roads and the supply of drinking water improved. The district administration has assumed the supervision of work, since Mamata was not in favor of her ministries being in charge of these tasks.
Minorities are very satisfied with Mamata. In many districts it was the vote of minorities to weigh more. Out of 294 seats, they were instrumental in more than 100.
The governor is also very close to the Christians. She has never missed Mass on Christmas Eve, which is sponsored by the state government and is celebrated for the public in Park street. She is available to dialogue and to negotiate with the minority when problems arise.
When the Ranaghat incident occurred [during which a convent was vandalized and the superior of 72 years raped savagely, ed], Mamata in person rushed to the spot and assured all necessary measures to protect the sisters. After that attack, police were put on guard at each place of mission, parish and institution, even in remote areas.
Mamata has promised to make St. Xavier College autonomous and this project will be implemented soon.
When Sister Nirmala MC, died, Mamata spent three hours in the missionary home for the funeral, wearing white and blue saris like any other missionary of Mother Teresa, mingling in the crowd!
I heard that she is willing to go to the Vatican for the canonization of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Mamata is simple, honest, with a frugal style of living: in this way she has won the hearts of millions of people in the State.
In her second term, she wants to make sure that all the schemes introduced by her government are operating at full capacity. She aims to get rid of scams that have tarnished the party leaders and colleagues and reduce criminal organizations at every level.
I feel that Mamata is capable of combatting the system of bribes, that characterized the first term. So the people will bless her with another mandate.
Fr. Jothi SJ, director of the Udayani Social Action Forum
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07/02/2019 17:28
28/05/2019 10:53
