A tale of two political outfits.

This is an observation followed by analysis of two political outfits, that fought the recently concluded general elections with a broad understanding to stand together - their fundamental aim was to ensure that Narendra Modi did not come back to power. There were contradictions galore, such is the ideological difference that separate the two.

Rahul Gandhi and his party had got a feedback that he'd end up in electoral defeat at Amethi and therefore, was forced to find a safe seat. That his party men and the eager Congressmen of Kerala - their bet seemed to be that if the party was successful, the seat that their president won from would be anointed as the 'Prime Minister's constituency' - zeroed in on Wayanad raising the hackles of the communists who felt that such a situation gave its detractors an impression that the grand old party was fighting the communists, on their turf.

The fact is that however much the Congress central leadership tried getting closer to the communists, in Kerala the circumstances are such, that they shall always be rivals! A day after the Congress president's nomination papers were filed at Wayanad, the expression on Yechuri's face was a give away indicating the effect of the 'betrayal' on him as well as his party!! The electoral battle, consequently, became bitter between the two and the results in the state bear testimony to that fact!!!

Clearly, by their actions - Chandrababu Naidu frantically trying to cobble up a Congress-led opposition group, post elections while his arch rival, K Chandrasekhara Rao, again frantically trying to cobble up a non-Congress, non-BJP group proved PM Narendra Modi's definition of the 'Mahagathbandhan' as a 'Mahamilavat' exercise!

Post elections, with the Congress managing a mere 52 seats and the CPM being reduced to single digits in strength in the new House, the exercise that the two parties have undertaken to critically(?) analyse their dismal performances are following the familiar way of beating around the bush, not having the courage to pin point the real cause and pathetically trying to retain the disastrous leaderships! Sad, will they ever learn? Let's have a peek into the hilarious goings on in both the parties....

The CPM.

The reasons for the party's drubbing are:-

     * The party detractors succeeded in misleading the believers (To be read in conjunction with
        the Sabarimala fiasco).
     * The believers, who supported CPM in the Assembly elections, drifted away due to negative
        campaign by rivals.
     * Even minorities, too, did not support the LDF. Anti-Modi sentiment and national political
        issues came to the aid of Congress.
     * The party failed to foresee the counter campaigns made against the party by the rivals.

Please note that the party had not committed any mistakes, it's all the others that brought about
the party's downfall! Is this what it means by an 'honest appraisal'? Please list out your faults that are standing out like a sore thumb and take remedial actions - the earlier you do, the better it is for the party's future!

The Congress.

The reasons for the party's drubbing are:-

      * The party has actually bettered its previous show - increase in seats from 44 to 52, thanks to
         the dynamic leadership of its president.
      * The party's state leaders and the rest did not join its president who was pointing out massive
         corruption in the Rafael aircraft deal and other issues.
      * Many of the state leaders were focusing on getting their children the party tickets!
      * Rahul Gandhi has tendered his resignation and wants the new party president to be an outsider
         and not from the family.
      * A month's ban on party spokespersons from participating in panel discussions on the media
         which, invariably, shows the party in poor light.

Please note that the party can only do well if you stand down from the presidentship, Rahul Gandhi. Let the outsider be given a free rein, without the family breathing down his neck and only then can the party be rejuvenated!


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and were ready well in time. It was Lekha's birthday and I'd presented her with the card soon after getting up. Thereafter, around 9, I'd gone to the 'Amigos' for a good haircut and massage. Had picked up the cake - that was ordered yesterday - from the bakery, next door, on my return. Lekha had cut her birthday cake around 12 and Annie was with us covering it on the cellphone camera.

It was a quiet day, otherwise.
            

Bewildering news!

1. Chidambaram, his son, Karti Get Protection.

     A New Delhi court extended, till 01 Aug, the interim protection from arrest granted to former
     union minister P Chidambaram and his son, Karti in the Airtel-Maxis cases by the CBI and the
     Enforcement Directorate. What's so special about this father-son duo that entitle them to get a
     deferential treatment from the court time and again?

     Aren't they supposed to be treated in the same manner as an ordinary citizen is treated when
     court cases are under way. Would be interested to know the reasons for the special treatment
     meted out to these two and mind you, this nonsense has been going on for quite a while!

2. USS John McCain Kept Away From The President's View.

    The White House requested a naval ship named after President Trump's late rival Senator
    John McCain be kept "out of sight' during a recent Presidential trip to Japan. The request had
    come from an official who said he'd been briefed on requirements for the visit by the White
    House Military Office and and the Seventh Fleet, which is stationed in Japan. "USS John McCain
    needs to be out of sight. Please confirm #3 will be satisfied, the e-mail said, as seen by the Wall
    Street Journal.

    Queer, as I thought a President was magnanimous and above pettiness. And do you carry your
    hatred, towards a deceased man, to such lengths?

3. Another Queer Act!

    A 38 year old man raped his mother at their house at Neeravil, near Anchalummoodu in
    Kollam. Consider the following:-

        (a) She's 64 years of age.
        (b) Suffers from Parkinson's Syndrome and
        (c) Has been bed ridden for the past two tears.

     In '14, the Anchalummoodu police had arrested the youth for the murder of a 50 year old woman
     who was killed during a rape attempt. He's addicted to ganja and alcohol; had committed the crime
     under the influence.

     The man has now been arrested based on the statement of his father, who'd witnessed the crime.

     My grandmother, Mrs. PN Panicker would have said, "these are instances of the bigotry and lack
     of values during Kaliyug!"


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through our chores and were ready well in time. It was a rather quiet day and Annie, the maid couldn't make it because she wasn't keeping well. Vineesh, who was to come by as our chauffeur, couldn't make it because he was on a trip to Kochi. So, we went across to the Kalyan Silks at Kunnamkulam, in Sijo's auto rickshaw, as Lekha wanted to buy dress material for herself. We were back by 11.

PS.

Was a bit bewildered that Suresh Prabhu has not been included in Modi's cabinet. He's quiet and efficient. Probably, another important assignment awaits him. Even Sushma Swaraj's omission was unexpected but I'm sure Modi knows best! 

News, from here and there.

1. Narendra Modi's Second Innings.

    Narendra Modi's second innings as India's 14th Prime Minister begins this evening when he and
    his cabinet colleagues take their oaths of office at Rashtrapathi Bhavan, this evening at 1930 hrs.
    After a long and often, acrimonious electoral battle, he has made a comeback with a mammoth
    majority. I'm an ardent supporter of his because he's hardworking and has done a lot of good for
    the country during his previous tenure as PM. He begins his new innings with the modified slogan
    of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas'. I wish him well and want him to succeed so that
    India becomes prosperous, poverty is eliminated and the country makes a steady progress towards
    becoming a superpower.

    A few course corrections would be required and spectacular, systemic changes need to be
    implemented! The rot that has plagued this country, since independence, needs to be eliminated
    and swift, timely actions are the need of the hour.

    The PN Panicker Foundation has a tryst with him on 19 Jun when the curtains go up on the 28th
    Reading Day-Reading Month celebrations to commemorate the 28th Remembrance day of the
    legendary PN Panicker.

2. Where-o-where Is the Acerbic Sidhu?

    Till recently, I used to like this chap for his ready wit and well timed, appropriate 'sher shaayaris'
    but was disappointed with him over his performance during electioneering. Once an ardent
    supporter of Narendra Modi, he has now become his trenchant critic, joined the Congress on the
    rebound and offered himself for election rallies. Here's where a sportsman like him displayed
    an utter lack of sportsman like spirit in his utterances. He continued with the 'chowkidar chor
    hai' slogan despite the Supreme Court admonishing and getting an apology from Rahul Gandhi
    as he was twisting the court's decision on the issue. He, also, shouted from the roof tops that he'd
    end his political career if Rahul Gandhi was defeated in Amethi.

    Now that Smriti Irani has done it, why doesn't he stick to his promise? Instead, he has gone
    underground ever since the results were out and today, I saw him offering his valuable(?) opinion
    on the forthcoming Cricket World Cup. So, he's quietly exited the country, ashamed to meet the
    media - which will, definitely, ask him awkward questions over his foolish bravado and shameless
    utterances.

    He wants to get into a political party where he would get instant power, fame and limelight!

3. Remembering Mamata Banerjee's Promise.

    The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said, during the election campaign, that
    she'd commit suicide if Narendra Modi gets back to power. Wonder what she has to say now over
    that idiotic utterance in the aftermath of the election results? And she must be jolted by the exodus
    of her party followers into the BJP.

    Never make unnecessary statements, Didi, about which you'll have to repent later!

4. And Not to Forget Robert Vadra.

    Robert Vadra used to wonder aloud as to why Modi had not been able to put him behind bars
    till now, implying that he was squeaky clean. That he was on bail, followed by bail was another
    matter and consequently, the law couldn't get around him. Sensing that his game is up, he now
    pleads in court that he has a tumour in his intestine and therefore, be permitted to go abroad for
    treatment.

    Where has the bluster and the arrogance gone, Vadra?


Tailpiece.

Got up on the dot, went through the chores and were ready well in time. Annie was absent because she has landed up with a sprain on her hips and Lekha had asked her to get treated and come in only after she got rid of her discomfort! It was a quiet day. Bijeesh came by and has sorted out all the small, yet important, plumbing and electric problems.

The pre-monsoon showers have been active, during the nights, over the last three days. It's a welcome change!

My nephew, Achu, gave us news to cheer. He's picked up a job with Tata Tea, based at Munnar and will be taking it up on 01 Aug after completing his present assignment. Actually, he loved his present work but loathed Perundurai, its location!
 


   

    

Drinking from the saucer.

A very nice poem by John Paul Moore. Thought that I should share....

I've never made a fortune
And I'll never make one now
But it really doesn't matter
'Cause I'm happy anyhow.

As I go along my journey
I'm reaping better than I've sowed
I'm drinking from the saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I don't have a lot of riches,
And the going's sometimes rough
But with kin and friends to love me
I think I'm rich enough.

I thank God for the blessings
That his mercy has bestowed
I'm drinking from the saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

He gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and tough
I'll not ask for other blessings
For I'm already blessed enough.

May we never be too busy
To help bear another's load
Then we'll all be drinking from the saucer
When our cups have overflowed.

May your cup always overflow.


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and were ready well in time. Vineesh came by to fetch us another maid and we'd to politely decline. Preetha, our original maid, has said that she would start coming for work from Monday. Annie wasn't at work today as we'd planned something else for the day but it was rescheduled to Thursday and Vineesh has consented to chauffeur us.

It was an otherwise quiet day. 

The woes of the Fire Department.

Background.

1. A massive fire broke out in KC Pappu and Sons, a shop in Broadway Cloth Bazaar Road at Kochi
    around 10 AM. Bhadra Textiles, an adjacent shop was partially gutted in the fire that began at the
    wholesale and retail textile shop. The fire was noticed by an employee on the second floor, where
    goods, elastic material, tailoring machines and oil were stored in large numbers/quantities.

    On receiving the call, the fire force had reached the spot within a few minutes, with 25 fire
    engines despite the narrow roads and milling crowds. It took nearly two hours to douse the blaze!

The Obstacles.

2. The three main problems, faced by the fire force at Broadway, were:-

    (a) Narrow roads.
    (b) Low lying cables and
    (c) Unrestrained parking.

    In addition, there were onlookers crowding the area and it had raised the risk. Old buildings fall
    apart quickly during a mishap. Besides, onlookers did not have any security apparatus to protect
    them from smoke.

The cause.

3. The same old problem of an electrical short circuit!

Broadway's Story.

4. The story of Broadway goes something like this:-

    (a) The history of Broadway and Ernakulam market began with the arrival of the British in
          Kochi in the 1800s.
    (b) According to the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Broadway came into
          existence in 1919.
    (c) Between 1935 and 1978, it emerged as a prominent place for retail shopping in the state.
    (d) After 1978, retail business gradually moved out to other places, mainly on to the MG Road.
    (e) Slowly, retail markets were replaced by wholesale shops and items changed from luxury
          goods to hardware and plastic goods.

The Plight of the Fire Safety Audit.

5. The fire safety audit was done in 2016 and the same was submitted to the Collector and the
    Corporation Secretary. The salient points were:-
 
    (a) The buildings and shops are prone to fires.
    (b) Shop owners put up makeshift roofs  to store more stocks, in turn, increasing the fire load
          of the building.
    (c) Electric wiring is old and the chances of short circuit are more. 
    (d) Materials are stored in a careless/haphazard manner.

6. It had recommended proper fire hydrants, fire fighting systems in buildings and the curbing of
    parking. (There is one fire hydrant that's defunct!)

7. Sadly, the report is yet to see the light of the day!  


Tailpiece.

We'd got up with the alarm, gone through the chores and were ready on time. Annie came in at her usual time and left, after completing her work, a trifle past 1700 hrs. The electrician-cum-plumber who had promised to fetch up never showed up and therefore, the little problems continued to irritate.

A stage has reached that one has the money but still can't get things done and to top it, many of the guys do not even answer their cell phones! 

News snippets.

1. A Crazy Government Order.

    An order issued by the state government directing the KSEB(Kerala State Electricity Board) to
    provide power connections to all commercial buildings without the mandatory no-objection
    certificate(NOC) from the revenue department, in eight villages of Munnar has kicked up a
    controversy. The power ministry is looked after by MM Mani of the CPM while the revenue
    department, by E Chandrasekharan of the CPI and therein lies the problem. Both the parties,
    though within the LDF, are at loggerheads over the takeover of government land and the
    mushrooming of 'concrete' jungles in the district.

    VS Achuthanandan has called for rescinding the government order, forthwith.

2. Naik's Mysterious Fund Providers.

    Controversial Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik, received crores of funds in his and his trust's bank
    accounts from unidentified "well wishers", over the years, for his speeches that spread hatred and
    incited Muslim youth to take up terrorism, an Enforcement Directorate probe has found. The
    Islamic Research Foundation, Bombay-based charity trust promoted and controlled by Naik,
    allegedly received funds in the form of donations and zakat(A form of alms given in Islam) from
    domestic as well as overseas donors from countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait,
    Oman and Malaysia among others, the ED has said.

    The extent of Zakir Naik's perfidy is slowly unraveling.

3. Jagan Meets PM Modi.

    Andhra Pradesh chief minister-designate YS Jaganmohan Reddy met the Prime Minister at his
    residence seeking special category status and central funds to AP in view of the state's financial
    condition. He has also invited the PM for his swearing-in-ceremony

    Will he get the financial assistance, is the question.

4. Modernisation of the Statistical System.

    The Niti Aayog Vice Chairman has stressed on the revamp and modernisation of the Indian
    Statistical System so that real-time data is captured and used for policy analysis. It's an important
    step so that planners are equipped with the requisite data for their work.

    Will the exercise be taken up within the first 100 days of the new government?


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time despite it being a Sunday. Subin had made up for his lapse yesterday and dropped by to clear the overhead filter(Very less dirt, accumulated over the last six months, he said) and clean up the fresh water receptacle.

It was a quiet day otherwise and blazingly hot!



 

Has India changed?

Ancient India was a proud and honourable conglomeration, which had its values rooted in the finest of traditions, that flowed from the Vedic times. Marauders from outside, beginning with Mahmud of Ghazni on 27 Nov 1001, had invaded and plundered this nation many a time but its strength was that it could absorb the shocks, assimilate the good aspects of the invaders and continue to be the great nation that it always was.

It was when the British East India Company set foot on the Indian soil that the Royal British Empire took note of this land of milk and honey and decided to plunder its riches for its own growth.

What the Britishers thought about this great nation is best summed up in Lord Macaulay's Address to the British Parliament on 02 Feb 1835 (This has been contested by recent historians that such a speech was never delivered as Macaulay was in Calcutta, India during that time) and I quote,

     "I have traveled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen even one person             who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral                 values, people of such caliber that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless           we break the backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage and                       therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if           the Indian thinks that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they           will lose their self esteem, their native culture and they will become what we want them, a                 truly dominated nation".

And over 200 years of being under the British Sovereign, India was systematically reduced to being a pitiful vassal, the British rulers had made sure of that. Where they couldn't enforce their thinking, they followed a divide-and-rule policy!

After gaining independence, many Indians continued with the British traditions and customs thinking them to be far superior in content than ours and heaped scorn at anything, "typically Indian". In fact, many Indians were more loyal to the Queen!

It is this sort of thinking that is undergoing a metamorphosis commencing from the first term of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister and is sure to continue through his second term as well. To give a simple example, there are many people who strongly believe that being secular is to pander to the minorities - and mind you, even the minorities detest this because they know that they are being exploited as a vote bank! The Lutyen's Delhi gang or the Khan Market gang, as has been brought out during the electioneering slug fest, are the biggest followers of this dictum and mind you, they found favour in the corridors of power till Modi upset their apple cart, by his arrival in Delhi, on May '14!

I think there's a wind of change blowing across the country. We are proud to being Indians and we want our country to prosper and become a super power!


Tailpiece.

Reached Guruvayur an hour and a half late and by the time we had turned in for the night, it was almost 0200 hrs!

Got up at our usual time, went through our chores and were ready well in time. The overhead filter  and fresh water tank cleaner failed to fetch up as promised and his phone was switched off. It was a
quiet day otherwise!

The Sapthaswaras and other stories

1. The Sapthaswaras.

   The Sapthaswaras are seven Gods viz.:-

   Sa     -    Agni bhagawan.
   Re    -     Brahma.
   Ga    -     Saraswathi.
   Ma    -    Shiva.
   Pa     -     Vishnu.
   Dha   -    Ganesha and
   Ni      -    Surya bhagawan.

   Every 'Raga' is a medicine. Every Raga is a 'mantra'. Every Raga has healing powers. Some of the
   ragas have the ability to cure our health problems. When we sing hymns in these ragas, it cures a
   lot of our mental worries and health problems.

2. The Supreme Court Reaches Full Strength.

    Four new judges took oath, taking the strength to 31 which is the full strength of the Supreme
    Court. This has happened for the first time since 2009. The four new judges are Justices BR Gavai,
    Surya Kant, Anirudha Bose and AS Bopanna.

3. Traffic Jam on Mt. Everest.

    Two more Indian climbers have died on Mt Everest taking the toll to 8 of the Indian mountaineers
    who perished in their expedition to the world's highest peak during this season. 'Traffic Jam' occurs
    on Mt Everest when many climbers vie for the summit at the same time and can be especially
    dangerous above 8,000 mt, known as the 'death zone'.

4. Towering Inferno.

     19 students of a coaching class died, many falling to their deaths and several others were injured
     after a major fire broke out in the four-storeyed Takshasila Complex in Sarthana of Surat, Gujarat.
     Nineteen fire tenders and two hydraulic platforms were pressed into service to deal with the
     emergency.


Tailpiece.

Had got up earlier than usual, gone through the chores and was ready well in time. Had breakfast a trifle late, held discussions with my Director regarding the short listed candidates. The meeting did have a few hiccups but the decisions arrived at were okay. The lunch at the venue was nice and we soon, sat down to craft the minutes of the meeting. After signing the fair copy, I was seen off at the station where my train was about a half an hour late and it had begun to pour in Kollam as the train pulled out of the station.

Had my dinner, around 2230 hrs, after the crowd had reduced considerably after the train had crossed Ernakulam.   

And the verdict is here!

The verdict of the general elections for the 17th Lok Sabha is finally out and it was a day full of suspense. The candidates' positions altered by the minute, changing the fortunes of their respective parties and the salient features are as follows:-

     (a) It was a Modi-wave all the way.

     (b) The BJP, on its own, had acquired 303 seats on its own and combined with its allies, scored
           an impressive 353 seats.

     (c) In West Bengal, it could get an impressive tally of 18 seats, inching closer to Mamata
          Banerjee's tally of 22 seats!

     (d) It could also gain a few seats in Naveen Patnaik's Orissa though he, still, was on top.

     (e) All the 7 seats of Delhi went to the BJP. The AAP was decimated.

     (f) Punjab showed that its Chief Minister Amarinder Singh still commands respect and the
          Congress put up an impressive show.

     (g) Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh had recently elected non-BJP governments
           in the Assembly elections but voted for the BJP this time.

     (h) The final tally in Kerala was UDF - 19, LDF - 1 and NDA - 0. Rahul Gandhi won the
           Wayanad constituency with a record margin while losing out to Smriti Irani in Amethi.
           It's a humiliating defeat for the Congress!

     (j) Tamilnadu, too, did not seem to be affected by the Modi-wave.

     (k) Chandrababu Naidu seems to have got the greatest insult. Till yesterday, he was running
           around the opposition leaders, trying to rustle up a post-poll alliance and was harbouring
           prime ministerial ambitions! That was shattered when his party fared miserably in Andhra
           Pradesh.

     (l) The Samajwadi Party - Bahujan Samaj Party tie up did not stop the BJP from making
          significant inroads in UP.

    (m) The north eastern states have stood solidly behind Narendra Modi.

My take.

I am a Modi supporter and have always liked the way he went about achieving things for the country. He deserved this spectacular victory and it's nice that the people have given him another mandate to rule this great nation. Here's wishing him the very best in his endeavour and hope that he learns from the past, applies course corrections and brings about massive systemic changes towards the betterment of the system so that his slogan, 'Sabka saath, Sabka vikas' becomes absolutely meaningful!

The PN Panicker Foundation has a tryst with him on 19 Jun on the occasion of the 24th Reading Day and Reading Month celebrations which is the 24th Remembrance Day of the legend, PN Panicker.


Tailpiece.

Got up at a quarter to 5 and dropped Vrinda, Nandu, Achu and Thumbi at the railway station to
board the Guruvayur - Edamon passenger. Returned to pack my bags for my trip to Kollam for the Board of Management meeting of the JSS(Kollam) tomorrow. Paulson had got me a seat in the chair car on the Parashuram Express and after leaving my house at 11, I just made it on time! Lunch was on board and I'd a tough time when a young man came and sat next to me, reeking of sweat. In the controlled atmosphere it was quite miserable and stifling but I didn't have the heart to tell him about the discomfort that he was causing.

Reached Kollam Junction by 1700 hrs where Jayakrishnan, Vishnu and Benoy, with the vehicle were waiting and they took me to settle down in a nearby hotel.

It was a quiet evening thereafter.   

Awaiting the counting of votes and the election results.

1. It Has Been A Long Wait!   

    It's one more day left for the election results to be announced. Yes, it has been a long wait and the
    summer heat has been stifling. The candidates have - Suresh Gopi(BJP), TN Prathapan(UDF) and
    Rajaji Mathew Thomas(LDF) - have arrived at Thrissur to be available in their constituency at
    counting time.

    Am sure that the candidates must be more anxious, than us, to hear about the outcome.

2. The EVM Imbroglio Is On.

    To the opposition's demand of 100% counting of the VVPAT slips in every constituency, the
    EC has said a 'nyet' because of the simple fact of the consequent delays that would befall in
    declaring the results. The 21 parties continue to be edgy over the issue. The question that arises
    here is what happens to their charges if they were to win instead? Or have they reconciled to the
    results according to the exit polls?

    To my mind they have made a tactical blunder by blaming the EVMs at this stage!

3. Pranab Mukherji Has Suddenly Become Concerned.

    Of all the people, former President Pranab Mukherji has got worried about the EVM issue and
    has issued a statement to that effect. It means that he's unhappy if the results were to conform to
    the exit poll predictions. What has happened? He was favourably inclined towards Modi and
    very obliged by the Bharat Ratna conferred on him.

    Has his animosity risen from the fact that his daughter was denied a BJP ticket in Delhi?


Tailpiece.

Had got up earlier than usual, gone through the chores and were ready well in time. Today, Annie has taken a day off for her church-related activities and therefore, Lekha will have to bear the brunt as Vrinda and their children will be with us for the entire day.

Had gone to the Chavakad Library around 11 and took part in the book presentation ceremony. Exchanged with them a few memories of my grandfather and after the meeting quite a few people made it a point to talk to me and take selfies with me!

Vrinda, Nandu, Achu and Thumbi were at home and we'd a boisterous lunch together. Then, it was conversation time. It was a laid back day! Sarala kunjamma is well and Unni kochachhan is okay, though weak.

Sore Losers.

1. And Now It's the EVMs!

    Stunned by the exit poll predictions, 21 opposition parties have come to what I call their familiar
    Electronic Voting Machine(EVM) bashing. While pooh poohing the exit poll predictions what has
    been bothering the entire opposition are the following factors:-

         (a) Narendra Modi seems to have a groundswell of people's support. Naturally, his work is
               being appreciated, like electricity coming to every doorstep, the gas connections to almost
               6.7 lakh crore households, increase in road connectivity etc are visible changes!
         (b) The lies and the half truths that were spread have been thoroughly rejected. It was very
               evident in the manner just to cite an example, Rahul Gandhi's shifting statements regarding
               the various accusations everyday.
         (c) The 'mahagathbandhan' was clearly unacceptable to the common man because he saw
               it to be a marriage of convenience of unscrupulous and disparate elements. How does one
               take the coming together of bitter enemies, Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav?
         (d) Priyanka Gandhi making a pompous statement that where the party candidates' weren't
               strong, the parties with whom her party was in alliance would 'cut' the vote share of the
               BJP. This is negative strategy and would have its backlash too which, obviously, was not
               factored in!   

      By discrediting the election process, is there a dangerous strategy at work where the winners
      are dumped like one witnesses in a tinpot dictator's country where malpractices are galore?
      And don't forget that the Modi government had achieved in one term on all multiple fronts.
      From economy to poverty-alleviation to infrastructure and to international diplomacy....the list
      is endless!



2. Ashok Lavasa Shows His True Self.   

    Another strategy seems to be to highlight the differences among the members of the Election
    Commission and one of its members seems to have fallen in that trap! Ashok Lavasa wants his
    dissents to be recorded in its orders which has been outrightly rejected by the commission.

    That there was dissent within the commission was a known thing. But why has this sort of thinking 
    risen now? 

3. Anil Ambani Does A U-turn.

    Anil Ambani's Reliance Group has decided to withdraw the Rs.5,000-crore civil defamation
    suits filed in an Ahmedabad court against Congress leaders and the National Herald newspaper
    over their statements and an article on the Rafael fighter jet deal.

    Before going for summer vacation, the court was hearing applications moved by the defendants
    questioning the territorial jurisdiction of the court in Ahmedabad to hear such suits. Why a sudden
    change of heart, Mr. Anil Ambani? 


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and were ready well in time. Wished Rema and Padmakumar many happy returns on their wedding anniversary. Had made a trip to the town to run errands and finish off pending jobs. Meanwhile, caught up with the updates of ongoing work, called up quite a few people to discuss and decide on pending issues. Had run yet another errand to do sundry purchases in town.

Got a pleasant call from Vrinda, Sarala kunjamma's daughter, saying that her mother has recovered completely from the illness that was bothering her. She, along with the three children are coming to Guruvayur and will meet us over lunch.



   

Post election, post exit polls games!

1. The NDA Dinner.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President, Amit Shah will dine with their allies tomorrow.
    The exit polls have given the NDA a boost in morale and outlook. Narendra Modi should get the        credit for single handedly going around the country and taking part in 142 rallies over a period of
    45 days! Some stamina, I must say in this extremely hot climate!! Amit Shah is a master strategist
    and between the two, they make a formidable pair!!!

    CM Nitish Kumar of Bihar, Leader of the Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas Paswan and Shiv Sena
    leader Udhav Thackeray will be at the dinner after a meeting of the top leaders of the BJP.

2. The Cancellation of the Opposition Meet.

    DMK leader Stalin has said that there will be no UPA meet on 23 May as promulgated earlier.
    The UPA seems to be shell shocked by the exit polls though they pooh pooh it while giving the
    television bytes.

    If the opposition tally is abysmally low, cracks could develop in the Mahagathbandhan. It will be a
    sorry state if there was no worthwhile opposition to check the government's errors and omissions
    in governance!

3. BJP Is On Yet Another Strategy.   

    The party wants a floor test in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly. It's of the opinion that Kamal Nath
    and his party has lost the majority. The party wants to take up the farm loan waiver issue!

    That's a dangerous game! A strong opposition is required to check the excesses of the
    government!!

4. The SP-BSP Huddle.

    After the exit polls were announced, the SP and the BSP leaders had got into a confabulation
    of sorts. Both, Mayawati and Akhilesh know that their show of unity is brittle and might not be
    able to suffer even the slightest of tremours! Hence, their cautious approach!!

    It will be interesting to see the two parties navigate together!


Tailpiece.

We'd got up at 5, gone through the chores and were ready by 8. After a sumptuous breakfast at Rema's place - we knew that it would be our last breaking of bread in that flat that was our cosy get together spots for the last nine years - we'd kicked off for Guruvayur by a half past 8. The drive was nice and we reached 'The Quarterdeck' by about 11 o'clock.

Settling down didn't take much time and the maid, Annie was at hand to set the ball rolling. It was a quiet day, thereafter!

     

Election related stories.

1. The Exit Polls.

    Every exit poll seems to be predicting a win for Narendra Modi. The wins go like this:-

         (a) Hindi heartland  - a clean sweep, almost.
         (b) West                   - a majority.
         (c) East                    - more seats in West Bengal.
         (d) South                 - a mixed bag. Nothing for BJP in Kerala?

     But are we, Indians honest while taking part in any survey, for that matter?

2.  The Election Commission's Travails.

     Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa has been recusing himself from the sittings of the
     Commission ever since he had expressed his dissent over the clean chit given to the NITI Ayog
     and the PMO over alleged violations of the model code of conduct during the elections. The
     Commission is set to revisit the issue on 21 May.

      Are political affiliations in play?

3. Kamalahaasan's Complaint.

    Kamalahaasan was barred from electioneering at Sulur recently, fearing law and order issues.
    The party has lodged a complaint because its president was refused permission.

    The Election Commission has its hands full, with the opposition charging that it has been partial
    towards PM Modi and his party. 
   
     

Tailpiece.

We'd got up at 5, gone through the chores and after a short interaction with Jojy and Saly over the morning cuppa, we were ready and had kicked off for Palakkad by about a half past 7. Breakfast was at Angamaly and was reminded of mom's visit to the wash room, here, on her last visit!

We were at Rema's place, in Palakkad, by a quarter to 11. Got a suitable slot to park courtesy Chandran, the building's new watchman. Sanil, Mini, Midhun, his mom and Ammu, along with Achu, fetched up half an hour later. Achu, Midhun and Ammu had, then, made a short trip to pick up the cake, from the nearby bakers, they had ordered earlier.

It was a great occasion. We sort of celebrated four wedding anniversaries in the order of their happenings viz. 21 May '89(Rema and Padmakumar's), 16 May '91(Mine and Lekha's), 27 May '92(Mini and Sanil's) and 21 May '17(Ammu and Midhun's) and our gifts for each one of them were handed over. Sanil and Mini had insisted on taking all of us for lunch to the Indraprastha. After the heavy(?) intake it was siesta time and around 1700 hrs, Sanil and family left for Coimbatore.

Rema and Padmakumar have gone a long way in preparing themselves for their shifting of berth by the end of the month. Will miss their hospitality at their house in BPL koottupatha and this was the overwhelming thought that crowded my mind as I drove from Kochi to Palakkad through Kuthiraan. The work on the highway - especially, the tunnels - has become still and has been so for more than six months. Does it have Kuthiraan Swami Ayyappan's curse as many seem to suggest?    

Election stories.

1. An MP Before The Results!

    In the Theni constituency of Tamilnadu, the three main contenders are O Ravindranatha Kumar
    (AIADMK), EVKS Elangovan(Congress) and Thangathamizhselvan(AMMK) and it's a fierce
    three way contest making any kind of prediction utterly impossible. However, a renovated
    temple's inauguration plaque proclaims O Ravindranatha Kumar the MP.

    Well, results can be announced without the counting of votes! It happens only in India!!

2. In Pursuit of Allies.

    This is Sonia Gandhi's technique of wooing new allies against the BJP-led NDA. Madhya Pradesh
    CM, Kamal Nath and Orissa CM, Biju Patnaik are schoolmates - both are from the Doon School,
    Dehradun. She has dispatched her party man to woo the reluctant ally.

    Well, it's an alliance at all costs to keep Modi away from being the Prime Minister!

3. Why Is Rahul Gandhi Made to Articulate?

    In all the press briefings, Rahul Gandhi is made to take on the PM by his party and a few parties
    in the opposition. Why? And the answer now comes clear.

    The Congress and its allies are projecting him as prime ministerial material. Wonder what the
    reactions of the PMs-in-waiting are?

4. Priyanka Gandhi's Role.

    What exactly is Priyanka's role? To my mind, the following factors are at play:-

         (a) The Congress party has more faith in her than in her brother.
         (b) She feels that she can do a lot to stop the BJP from getting back to power.
         (c) Robert Vadra, her husband, is in dire straits for his corrupt practices, if Narendra Modi
               becomes the PM!

     She doesn't make much sense though but thinks that through her antics, she can turn around the
     Indian electorate!


Tailpiece.

We'd got up at 4, gone through our chores and were ready well before 6. The caretaker came by a quarter past 6 and we were on our way to Kochi by a half past 6. Breakfast was at the Kalpakavadi Inn and we were at the INCS by about a half past 10. Quickly bought the groceries and we went on to pick up certain important things. Met Bindu Madhav and he spent a fair amount of time with us, sharing his experiences and saw us off to our vehicle.

We reached Jojy's place by a half past 4 and were in time for the get together of our Potluck group. It was damn sweet of them to celebrate our wedding anniversary with the cutting of the cake and made us reveal our first meeting and our impressions of each other!

Lekha's left leg has been giving her problems. Hope it subsides quickly.   
 
  

The election cacophonics.

1. PM Narendra Modi's Reaction.

    In his last interview during elections '19, given to the Republic Bharath media group, he has said
    that he'd never be able to forgive Sadhvi Pragya for her statement on Nathuram Godse. A good
    political statement without bothering about the repercussions by taking on the hardliner and also
    against the party line.

    It will go a long way for the future political leaders to articulate their positions during tough
    situations!

2. Electioneering Finally Ends.

    The election campaign for 59 Lok Sabha seats, spread across Bihar, Chandigarh, Himachal
    Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal ended today. Polling will
    take place on Sunday.

    It brings an end to the bitterly contested election that lasted over 45 days! 23 May will bring out
    the election results!!

3. The TRS and the YSRC Have Second Thoughts!

    After all the bluster and brouhaha over the last few days over the support that they would offer
    it to a non-BJP, non-Congress front, K Chandrasekhar Rao and Jagan Reddy that they would
    not be attending the post poll alliance meet called for by the Congress on 23 May and would,
    instead, wait for a clear picture to emerge.

    All the talk about a combined opposition unity has begun to fizzle out?


Tailpiece.

Had got up a trifle early, gone through the chores and were ready well in time. Vipin and his team had come in by a quarter to 11 and commenced their work of repairing the false ceiling, which they finished by a half past 1. Thus, by lunch time today, all work that were taken on have been completed. Phew!

Omanakkuttan, the hard working farmhand that dad and mom were fond of, had fetched up as I was looking forward to my siesta. He'd brought in his 18 year old son, Nikhil who has just completed his vocational higher secondary education in automobile engineering. Spoke to the youngster and have assured him that I'd help him in his preparations for the entry exams.

The evening rain gave us an idea as to how rains would be in the days to come, thanks to the truss work in place. Briefed Vijayan, the caretaker, about a few things to be done before our next visit.

Raj Nivas was slowly wound up as we would be kicking off for Kochi by early morning tomorrow.      

Ugh! The worst has surfaced!!

1. The Modi Obsession.

    I tend to agree with Arnab Goswami this evening. The Modi obsession has surfaced, without
    dilution, among the opposition. Every party leader seems to heap insult over him. Mamata
    Banerjee seems to have lost it and it's pitiable to see her raving and ranting at the election
    meetings.

       (a) Has she realised that the BJP is going to be a force to reckon with in West Bengal after
             23 May?
       (b) Since there are sure signs of a Modi comeback, is she fearing that her corrupt practices
             would be taken note of and consequently, trigger her march into political wilderness?
       (c) The entire opposition ganging up and voicing its support for the Bengal chief minister
             looks comical.

    Today's statement of her's, asking the electorate to banish Modi out of the country is a clear
    indication that she seems to be a thoroughly confused personality.

2. Another Motormouth. 

    Sadhvi Pragya's latest statement in support of Nathuram Godse can put her into trouble with the
    Election Commission. I seriously wonder as to whether the BJP is regretting its decision of giving
    a ticket to her because she comes out with outrageous statements almost everyday. The party has
    already washed its hands off her latest statement.

    Wonder whether there are Indians who seriously think on those lines? Have read a few of their
    explanations which sound interesting but are totally out of sync with the official position.

3.  Repoll In Kerala.

     The Election Commission has ordered repoll in four booths of Kannur and Kasaragode Lok
     Sabha constituencies owing to bogus voting and impersonation.

     Well some action, at least, after a fault has been reported!

4. And Now Rigged Election Predictions!

    Two news portals based in Lutyen's Delhi have come out with election predictions where it's
    gonna be a hung Parliament and Chandrababu Naidu is poised to be the next PM and the life of
    the next Parliament is just one year!

    The hatred towards one man is making people do a lot of nonsense. A rigged election prediction
    is the ultimate in dirty games!

Tailpiece.

We'd got up a trifle earlier than usual, by a half past 5 as Bunty and Babli - our help while we were in New Delhi had rung up to wish us many happy returns - and went then, went about our chores. We made a visit to the Kusappilly Sree Krishna temple - the family temple earlier - around a half past 8 after which Lekha had gone to the Kottarakkara Maha Ganapathy kshetram for the 'darshan'.

It's our 28th wedding anniversary. Spoke with mom and dad and reminded them of this date!

Lekha's sister, Letha, had fetched up along with her with lunch especially prepared for us. We cut the ceremonial cake and distributed it among the ten workers on the site. By the end of the day, the truss work team and Vijayan, the painter, had finished their work. Vipin hadn't come - he wouldn't pick up his phone either - and consequently, a part of that work remains pending.

But the tingling event of the day was when two, over-70-year-old gentlemen, had fetched up to clean the attic, between the false ceiling and the actual, tiled one. The entire lot of muck was, thus, removed. Had asked them as to what wages they were expecting and paid them accordingly. It was their perseverance and the will to do work that endeared them to me. Sasidharan Pillai and Samuel had been part of the workforce that had erected this house of ours, taking directions from my paternal grandfather, almost 42 years ago! 

Election stories contd.....

1. The Election Commission Shows The Riot Act.

    The Election Commission has shown the riot act in West Bengal and reduced a day of campaigning
    owing to the unprecedented violence that has taken place recently. In fact, it has been so in all the
    phases thus far. The electioneering will, thus, end in the state by tomorrow evening.

    Probably, this has taken place after violence was leashed out at the BJP rally yesterday. Mamata
    Banerjee had in a press conference at 2100 hrs, this evening, said that the EC's action is unethical,
    unprecedented and unconstitutional. She continues with her charge that the BJP had got their
    goons from the neighbouring states of UP and Bihar and that her party has nothing to do with it.

2. Postal Ballots Without the Individual's Knowledge.

    The case of hushing up of the misuse of postal ballots' of the personnel of the district medical
    office, Pathanamthitta has come to light. It was, again, that of the staff that was deployed for
    election duties. Of the 500 personnel deployed, only 150 were eligible to cast their ballots through
    post but the department had applied for postal ballots for the entire lot of 500!

    Corruption has seeped to these levels. Disgusting! And on top of that, moves are afoot to hush it
    up!!

3. The Parties Clear the Air.

    K Chandrasekhar Rao's TRS will have no truck with the BJP, post polls but is willing to have it
    with the Congress. The DMK has always been with the Congress but it insists on Rahul Gandhi
    being the PM!

    Well, permutations and combinations are being worked out to whose advantage, time alone will
    tell on 23 May.

4. The KPCC's Announcements.

    The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee has made its thoughts - illogical to many and to quite
    a few among them too. Note their announcements:-

       (a) The UDF will make a clean sweep of all the 20 seats!
       (b) Rahul Gandhi will win in Wayanad by a margin of over 3,50,000 votes.
       (c) Palakkad will be won very easily.

    Why do these guys make such idiotic statements? They should be quiet till 23 May and speak out
    their minds subsequently!


Tailpiece.

Had got up with the alarm at 6, gone through the chores and were ready well in time. The truss work team was missing as the next installment of the roofing sheets didn't fetch up. Vipin and his team had commenced work on the repairs to the false ceiling.

Vijayan, from Ayur, had come on the dot. Without much ado, I'd driven off to Kottarakkara with him to buy the requisite paints and accessories and also to encash the cheque that Mini had given me a few days back. The sad fact was that liquid cash wasn't available at the bank and I'd to wait for almost a three quarters of an hour.

Thankfully, both the teams could progress with their work because the truss work team was absent and their accessories like ladders, movement space and the use of plug points was not a nightmare.
Sanil and Mini had dropped by for lunch and left by the evening, back to Ponni's. Vipinan's team cleared up the muck before secure. Phew! 

Election cacophonics.

1. A Fizzled Meeting!

    When K Chandrasekhar Rao, the CM of Telangana, met Stalin, the DMK chief, at Madras nothing
    much was expected as outcome. KCR was canvasing for a third front minus the BJP and the
    Congress while Stalin bats for a front that's inclusive of the Congress!

    It was pretty clear that their approaches would never meet. Moreover, KCR has maintained a
    comfortable equation with Narendra Modi.

2. Modi vs. Mayawati.

    These are Mayawati's latest charges against Narendra Modi:-

        (a) BJP's women leaders are weary of sending their husbands to him because they fear that
             taking a leaf out of his book, he'd encourage them to follow suit and dump their wives.
        (b) He's a fraud OBC and therefore, knows nothing about the plight of the community.
        (c) When Dalits were being hounded out in the BJP-ruled states he'd not taken moral
              responsibility and resigned.

     Modi has given tit-for-tat replies for each of her charge. But the heat of their battle is on the rise.

3. Modi vs. Mamata Banerjee.

    Yesterday, Mamata Banerjee had refused permission for Amit Shah's chopper to land in
    Jadhavpur. Today, his mammoth rally in Calcutta was targeted by the TMC goons where the
    party's flags were torched, bricks were thrown at the rally and a stampede-like situation was being
    whipped up.

    Why is Mamata Banerjee playing spoilsport? Has she realised that her certain defeat is writ large
    on the wall, triggering the bad part of her personality? Sad!


Tailpiece.

We'd got up earlier than normal as Mini and Sanil were leaving for Ponni's house at Kollam. Sanil's smartness was once again on display, when the ever-in-demand coconut plucking boy was intercepted, before he set off for his work and had the coconuts plucked from the trees in our compound. It was a long trudge for the two of us to retrieve the nuts that lay all over.

Vipin didn't start his work as the requisite raw materials didn't fetch up from Ernakulam. Similarly, the truss work guys are waiting for the next installment of roofing sheets. Both are expected by 10 AM tomorrow morning!

 
              

The action has picked up in Tamilnadu.

1. Kamalahaasan Says So.

    Kamalahaasan has, in an election rally, said that the first terrorist of this country is Nathuram
    Godse and he's a Hindu. Why do these guys act tough with the Hindus and cave in for the other
    religions? Is this what secularism all about? But I'm sure that the minorities, too, understand the
    game plan of the politicians, since independence that of using them as vote banks, through
    appeasement. And no, even on the opposite side, they have a poor knowledge about 'Hindutva'
    and the Hindu way of life! Just to give you an example, I hate anyone dictating as to what I should
    eat.

    Had expected Kamalahaasan to take on a different tack - with governance as the main plank -
    to expose the entire range of political parties having done too little, too late thus far. It would have
    been a refreshing change and he would have become the darling of the masses!

2. Frantic Consultations On.

    The national political parties are on a scramble to tie up with regional parties for post-poll tie ups
    as all sorts of calculations are being worked out in likely post-poll scenarios. Mayawati, KC Rao,
    Stalin and Navin Patnaik are a few of the regional leaders who are being actively wooed.

    After predicting a clear BJP-sweep at the start, what makes the big stake-holders to make a mad
    scramble for potential partners? Or is it yet another political stunt?

3. PM Narendra Modi's Gaffe?

    Twitter, as well as the What'sApp, were abuzz about the PM having claimed to be the first one to
    use a handy cam to capture Mr. Advani's photograph and also use the internet - again - for the first
    time in '88 whereas everyone is aware that these facilities came into India later, in the early '90s.
    The PM, from what we've seen of him thus far, does his homework meticulously and has his facts
    right. Another statement, made yesterday, that he'd given suitable directions in case of inclement
    weather during the Balakot air strike is attributed to him. These statements were made, presumably,
    in the course of an interview given to a portal.

    A bit difficult to digest, the veracity needs to be ascertained!


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, went through our chores and were ready well in time. The final work on the
lattice work was undertaken during the day. The first batch of the fibre paint-coated Aluminium roofing sheets had fetched up, many more have to follow. Vipin had fetched up, finally, during late afternoon and has been given the go ahead to do the inner woodwork where the sodden wood will be removed and fibre-based wooden sheets will be affixed.

Meanwhile, Sanil and Mini will leave us tomorrow to spend the remaining part of their leave with Sanil's relatives at Kollam and Ayoor. Will miss their company.     

   
    

It's Mother's day yet again.

It's Mother's day today and I feel empty because my mom has already become a star in the sky. Missed her quite a bit but I'll never forget her retort, a long while back when I'd wished her 'Happy Mother's Day'. "You mean to say you require a 'Mother's Day' to remember me?" I was left without an answer and understanding my predicament, she quickly thanked me for the wishes and said that she would rather have me remember her everyday!

Yes mom, I remember you every waking minute and miss you a lot!

.......And now I get on to my election coverage.

The Election Cacophonics.

1. Will the BJP Get the Upper Hand?

     From the ground, it looks like that the TMC of Mamata Banerjee is set to take a beating by the
     BJP in West Bengal. Is the rising poll violence indicative of the party's discomfiture?

     23 May should give us that answer!

2. Delhi Witnesses Triangular Fights.

    Delhi sees triangular fights in all its parliamentary constituencies. The AAP and the Congress
    seem to be fighting for the same vote bank while BJP seems to be happily placed.

    23 May should give us that answer!

3. A Comparatively Low Percentage.

    In the penultimate phase of voting today, while West Bengal saw a high percentage of voter
    turnout(80%) the other places saw a comparatively low percentage(59%) of voter turnout.

    Is it the election fatigue that has set in?


Tailpiece.

Lekha and I had got up at 0500 hrs, gone through the chores and were off for the Mannarassaala
Nagaraja temple as part of of our annual visit. It was very, very crowded as today was the Malayalam star of Aayilyam. The Subramaniam temple was equally crowded! The parking of the vehicle was a tough job! We could present our offerings at the Nagaraja's main entrance and say our prayers. We returned by about a half past 11. I'd wanted my sister, Mini, to accompany us but she had gone to the nearby Kushappally temple to participate in the Aayilyam puja. She conducts this every month!

The afternoon saw us gorging on unripe mangoes coupled with salt and red chilly powder. O, they were really lovely.

Finally, it did drizzle before we hit the sack and there was a consequent dip in temperature!

PS.

This evening I'd called up RBS Gill, my course mate and Squadron mate to wish him and his wife many happy returns on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. Firstly, he couldn't recognise my voice as it has changed, he said. Wasn't he thrilled to get a call from this side? And after the long wound conversation that he has a class photograph from the good 'ole Naval Primary School, Colaba, Bombay where he's standing next to my mom, his class teacher!

That was the best gift for me, on behalf of my mom, on this Mother's day for she was a teacher for almost two years at the school before she gave birth to Mini, my younger sister!

He'll be putting it on our What'sApp group!!

More election stories.

1. The Time Magazine.

    The Time Magazine has featured on the cover of its international edition of 20 May '19 - the
    Europe, West Asia and Africa, Asia and the South Pacific - a portrait of India's Prime Minister
    Narendra Modi while the US edition has a cover story on Democrat Elizabeth Warren who is
    running for the White House in 2020. The main headline reads "India's Divider in Chief" while a
    secondary one reads "Modi the Reformer".

    The article is written by Aatish Taseer, son of India's journalist, Tavleen Singh and late Pakistani
    politician and businessman, Salman Taseer. It also says that the opposition Congress party has little
    to offer other than the dynastic principle. The article blames Modi for spreading 'religious
    nationalism' but mind you, its author is a Pakistani. And "Modi the Reformer" is authored by Ian        Bremmer, President and founder Eurasia Group, a global risk research and consulting firm.

    Modi has his followers and critics in equal measure!

2. Pitroda Says Sorry.

    Under pressure from the Congress leadership, Sam Pitroda has apologised for his statement on
    the '84 Sikh massacre egged on by a few of his party leaders.

    What pressure tactics, what a change of tack by the grand old party!

3. Desperate Efforts!

    Chandrababu Naidu has become desperate these days. He's looking for support for a post poll
    alliance from the other members of the opposition to keep Modi and the BJP out. He has met
    Mamata Banerjee in this regard but K Chandrasekhar Rao, strongly opposes this move because
    of his pathological hatred of Naidu! Has Naidu realised that he and his party has no chance in the
    Andhra Pradesh Assembly and come behind Jagan Mohan Reddy at the hustings?

    Good to see the scurrying of the rats!

4. The Penultimate Phase.

    The sixth and the penultimate phase of voting in the General Elections will take place tomorrow.
    59 constituencies, spread across Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, UP and
    West Bengal, will vote.

    The juggernaut of the general elections is rolling towards its destination, slowly but surely!

5. Gautam Gambhir vs. Atishi Marlena.

    While Atishi and her party have sought the court's intervention over her opponent's nasty and
    personal degrading moves against her, Gambhir has said that he'll publicly commit suicide if
    any of the charges framed against him proved true.

    Well, the East Delhi constituency will see a lot of drama before the dust settles down!


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and were ready well in time. It was unbearably hot throughout the day. The entire lattice work had been put in place by the end of the day. Now, it's a question of getting the JSW roofing sheets in situ before they are laid and screwed on to the lattice work! Tomorrow, they've a break being a Sunday. 

Election stories galore!

1. Sudden Change of Mind?

    Just a few days back, the Ministry of Surface Transport passed an order and consequent to it,
    the state's land acquisition for the widening of the highways had come to a grinding halt. The
    order had lowered the priority of the state's requirement to two, from one! Immediately, the chief
    minister had spoken to Nitin Gadkari to rescind the order. Similar request was made by the leader
    of the opposition too!
 
    Why this sudden change in the order, say, at the behest of the state's CM? Does Gadkari hope to
    throw his hat into the ring of prime ministerial aspirants to replace Modi if the party and the NDA
    do not garner the requisite majority, post polls? There is a sizeable number of CPM politburo
    members who prefers the saffron party to the Congress!

2. The Electoral Fight Turns Bitter.

    In the East Delhi parliamentary constituency, the fight is between BJP's Gautam Gambhir and
    AAP's Atishi Marlena and it's getting bitter and bitter by each passing day. Atishi complains that
    Gambhir is getting downright personal in his attacks by passing leaflets containing derogatory
    remarks about the lady.

    Wonder why electoral battles become personal when actually, it should be fought on issues?
    Shows the low quality of candidates!

3. Another Case of a Flying Footwear!

    Sidhu has been a trenchant critic of Narendra Modi and has been highly critical about the PM in
    his election rallies, always punctuating them with 'Chowkidar chor hai'. Well, at Amritsar, a lady
    had hurled her footwear at him because she was angered by his utterances!

    Well, has the sardar met his match?

4. EVMs In A Hotel Room!

    At Muzaffarpur in Bihar, electoral officer, Awadhesh had kept six EVMs in his hotel room, to
    substitute them for faulty ones. He has, since, been suspended!

   The elections in India have been termed a circus.......doesn't this incident give credence to it?


Tailpiece.

Had got up on the dot at 6, gone through the chores, parked both the cars at the marketplace and was ready a trifle after 8. Meanwhile, Benoy had fetched up with the vehicle. We left soon after and was at the Director's house at Kalluvathukkal an hour later. We set off for Thiruvananthapuram after a cup of tea and reached the Foundation by a quarter to 11.

Maman and Lekha joined us for the meeting and we'd quickly gone through the agenda and arrived at decisions. It was over by a half past 1, lunch at Bakery junction and we hit the MC Road by a quarter past 2. Sasi left me at Raj Nivas by about a half past 4.

Sanil was away at Ayoor and Mini, Lekha and I had tea. He came about an hour later.


PS.

Missed Sachin-Anu's big day at Guruvayur today. Sachin is Satish's (My friend from the University College days) second son. Satish and Santhi had invited us fairly well in time and we'd decided to attend the wedding. But then came the truss work, Sanil-Mini's availability for supervising the work along with us and the urgency of finalising the new Board of Management for the JSS(Kollam).

Here's wishing Sachin and Anu a long and happy married life and wishing that they get all that they wish for in their journey together. And sorry Satish-Santhi for missing the function. Severe constraints were prevalent on their elder son, Sanjay's wedding too......an uncanny coincidence! But I'd attended it at Thiruvananthapuram and then attended Ajay Mathew George's wedding reception at Kochi, the same evening!!  

More election stories.

1. A PM's  Journey On Board INS Viraat.

    Narendra Modi, while addressing, an election rally had touched upon the then PM Rajiv Gandhi
    and his family's visit to the Bingaram island of the Lakshadweep Islands in the '80s. The purport
    of raking up the issue was to show as to how the then first family had misused the IN's assets.
    Former CNS, Adm L Ramdas was the first to set off the blocks to term the trip as an official visit
    and I'm sure the MoD must have long regularised the visit as an entitled one. If my memory serves
    me right, this has come up for the first time, into the public domain.

    Isn't it a little too late to be dissecting it now? Or through the incident is it to point at the Gandhi-
    Vadra family's 'entitlement affinity' by virtue of being the first family for a long period of time?

2. Sam Pitroda's Motor Mouth.

    To one of the questions posed by the media to Sam Pitroda about the 1984 riots in Delhi where
    thousands of Sikhs were massacred, his characterless answer was, "It happened, so what?" Will it
    cost votes for the Congress when Delhi goes to polls on Monday, is something only time will tell.

    This guy has been making too many gaffes to the detriment of the Congress. Who has put him as
    the person to interact with the media, I wonder?

3. Indira Jaising, Anand Grover's NGO Under the Scanner.

    The Lawyers' Collective - an NGO of advocates' Indira Jaising and Anand Grover - which had
    protested within the precincts of the Supreme Court has now come under the scanner. Jaising has
    been asked to give details of receipt of foreign funds during her tenure as the Assistant Solicitor
    General.

    She has retaliated by saying that the timing is suspect. Is she guilty of any wrongdoing?     



Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through our chores and were ready well in time. Sasidharan Pillai, had come by to apply manure to the rubber trees and to clear the wild grass in our courtyard. He didn't complete it though. Came to know that he was my kid sister, Mini's classmate! I patted him for the good work that he'd done.

Lekha and Mini had gone to the bank on work and to purchase sundries and returned by lunchtime. By 1600 hrs, Sanil, Mini and Lekha went to Kottarakkara to watch the procession of elephants and the floats that were on display in connection with the Mahaganapathy kshethram's annual festival.

Meanwhile, the truss work boys had put up the third and the central scaffolding atop the house. The work has now breached the half way mark.

Sanil, Mini and Lekha had returned by 2100 hrs and we had a boisterous supper with the three of them giving me a running commentary of what they had seen.

 

    

O, what a slug fest!

1. The Name Calling!

    As the elections enter the penultimate and the final laps, the name calling has become shriller
    and nastier. Narendra Modi has acquired almost 34 names from various political leaders, many
    of them need to look into the mirrors to ascertain as to whether they are even eligible to use
    such sick ones. My opinion is that anyone who stoops low has problems of the mind and are sick
    deep within. When will decency descend on Indian politics or is it a Utopian thought?

    The fact that the entire range of opposition has, now, come together in chorus to target Modi
    makes an outsider like me to come to the conclusion that he has done something that's not
    palatable to the rest. And as per a great thinker of yore, it's such a person who needs to be
    supported at all costs! Has it become more relevant, as of now?

2. The Scramble Has Begun.

    The way Chandrababu Naidu and Chandrasekhar Rao - both Telugus, who detest the sight of
    each other and are looking for a post poll alliance of the maximum number of parties from the
    opposition, minus the other - are going around, one begins to think that they are aware of the poll
    outcome which need to be respected as the both of them are 'political animals' and have their ears
    to the ground.

    Or are these moves a shot in the dark and to add confusion in the remaining voters' minds to vote
    otherwise?

3. The Bogus Voting, The Policemen's Postal Ballots.

    While it has, now been established beyond doubt, that bogus voting and the mishandling of the
    postal ballots of the police personnel on duty have taken place, all eyes are on the Election
    Commission's measures that would roll out. I, somehow feel, that such wrong trends are not
    restricted to a few booths but is a larger trend that needs to be investigated thoroughly.

    Sadly, the menace has to be identified, the causes listed down and a permanent remedy has to be
    put in place so that such massive and blatant use of money and muscle power do not recur.
    Otherwise the political parties will continue to manipulate electoral outcomes and we must not
    allow it to happen. Or do we fall meekly to such a situation, saying, "Sab chalta hai"? 



Tailpiece.

Had got up a bit reluctantly, gone through our chores and were ready at our usual time. It was a great breakfast with everyone that has been taking place after our conglomeration out here. Meanwhile, the truss work has been progressing, much to my satisfaction. Hope we are able to beat the next bout of showers.

The telephone exchange supervisor, Soman, was quick to deploy his man to get the land line restored that was accidentally snapped when a truss work guy was digging one of the holes for the four corner poles for the roofing.

Lekha and Mini had gone around 1700 hrs to the Kottarakkara Mahaganapathy kshethram as it's the penultimate day of its annual festivities. Fixed up with Maman for a meeting on the JSS(Kollam), the day after tomorrow; my director will also accompany me.

A lot of time was wasted in updating my personal data in the school's new directory which will be published on the golden jubilee celebrations of the Old Boys' Association on the 12th and 13th of Jul. I presume that it was my cell phone that's to be blamed!   

Cacophonics galore!

1. Now, the Differences.

    In the election commission, differences have cropped up between the commissioners - Ashok
    Lavasa has dissented over giving a clean chit to Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Former Chief
    Election Commissioners - three of them - have opined that the grounds for rejecting the
    complaints with the relevant provisions of the model code should have been communicated to
    the complainant while a fourth has said that it's not always practical to do so when no prima
    facie violation is made out! The EC, however, maintains that in all model code cases where no
    prima facie violation is found - even if one of the commissioners disagrees on it - only the
    decision is communicated!

    A slug fest within the commission on the basis of individual political loyalties? The matter is, now,
    being examined by the Supreme Court.

2. Remaining Contest on the former PM's Name?

    Narendra Modi has now dared the Congress to fight the elections at Delhi on the late Rajiv
    Gandhi's name. His argument goes like this - You have called me corrupt on the Rafael deal
    without any basis and when I quote Rajiv's proven corruption, you get sad and jittery - why the
    double standards?

    Will this election be remembered for its amazing numbers of charges and counter charges made by
    the political parties? To my mind, most of them are frivolous without discussing the actuals!

3. Has KCR Got It Right?

    Telengana Chief Minister, K Chandrasekhara Rao's surprise call on the Kerala Chief Minister
    conveys that he seems to be pretty sure of the outcome of these polls, the numerous exit polls
    notwithstanding! He seems to be sure of a repeat of '96 when the Congress supported the United
    Front to keep the BJP out of power. In other words, he's sure that his idea of a federal front
    without either the BJP or the Congress is gonna be a reality in case the outcome is a hung
    parliament!

    He has prime ministerial ambitions but how's he gonna overcome similar aspirations of Mamata
    Banerjee, Mayawati or even Mulayam Singh Yadav, not to miss, even a Lalu Prasad Yadav in
    jail?


Tailpiece.

Had got up at 4, gone through our chores and were ready by 6 but Vineesh, the chauffeur fetched up
at a half past 6. We were, however, at Shenoy Care, by 10. Packed Vineesh back, met the doctor around a quarter past 1. Was he concerned about my loss of weight because he did make a mention of it after examining Lekha. There has been a bit of tweaking in her dosage!

Met a young doctor, Aparna, who had carried out Lekha's preliminary examination and addressed us as mom and dad. Achu did not fetch up in my thoughts because if it had happened, I would have taken her consent to match her with Achu on the marital front. She's a nice bubbly girl!

Reached Raj Nivas by 1800 hrs, there was a lot of yakkitiyak but interspersed with frequent power failures! Reviewed the work carried out thus far and the money expended. The four corner pillars have been erected, their bottoms sealed to the ground with stone chips, sand and concrete!

      

The election stories.

1. End of the 5th Phase.

    The 5th phase of the general elections for the 17th Lok Sabha ended with a 62.56% voter turn
    out. Violence was reported from Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal, as per details below:-

         (a) Two grenade attacks in Pulwama and Shopian districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
         (b) Clashes between the TMC and the BJP in Bangaon(SC), Barrackpore, Hooghly and
               Howrah constituencies.

     The long wound elections has begun to take its toll and the combined opposition has taken on
     Modi. They seem to be sad(?) that Rajiv Gandhi's dalliance has been brought up yet again in the
     Bofors scandal.

2. The Churlish Chief Minister.

    The Prime Minister had called for a review meeting on the effects of Cyclone Fani in Orissa
    and West Bengal. Earlier, Mamata had complained that the PM had spoken to the Governor and
    not to her, when the PMO was quick to respond that she had not taken two of his calls and didn't
    ring back either which necessitated in his speaking to the Governor!

    He'd a review meeting with the CM of Orissa, lauded Mr. Naveen Patnaik and his government's
    efforts in tackling the emergency and offered Rs.1,300 crores for relief operations. On the other
    hand, the West Bengal government refused to have the review meeting saying that her government
    staff were busy in carrying out election duty and that they weren't slaves to Modi!

    Absolute churlishness on the part of Mamata Banerjee who's forgotten the niceties of the federal
    system of governance that exists between the centre and the states!

3. The CEO Refuses Kerala CM.

    Teeka Ram Meena, the Chief Electoral Officer had denied permission to Pinarayi Vijayan from
    the inaugural function of the Student Market of the Consumerfed, the apex body of all the
    consumer co-operatives in Kerala. The denial was owing to the Model Code of Conduct in force,
    because of the elections. He'd stated that an exception could only be made if permission was
    sought through proper channels!

    The feud between the CEO and the CPM over the bogus voting issue has further intensified
    because of this development!


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and were ready well in time. Seena, Lekha's beautician, couldn't fetch up in the morning as promised earlier because there was none to attend her mom, admitted in the hospital because of an inflammation of one of her eyes. And Lekha badly needed a pedicure for her hurting soles!

Mujib, of the Whirlpool, had dropped by to look at the air conditioners.

Annie had finished her work at the usual time. Our plan to go to Kochi this afternoon had to be abandoned because it just didn't seem to work! The Quarterdeck was slowly shut down in stages to facilitate our trip to Kochi for Lekha's medical review and our onward trip to my parents' place!

Leela chittamma, Sajeev, Salini, Vivek and Lakshmi fetched up around tea time and it was a great interaction with them after a long time.      

The election cacophonics continues!

1. Rajiv Gandhi Remembered.

    At a rally in UP last Saturday, Narendra Modi had targeted the former prime minister while taking
    on Rahul Gandhi by saying, "Your father was termed Mr. Clean by his courtiers but his life ended
    by him being Corrupt No.1". The entire band of opposition leaders were quick to rally around the
    Congress to flay Modi for his remark and his party, of course, came in his support.

   But did Modi have to touch upon the late leader especially when the latter's indiscretions have been
   understood by the nation by now? He, as the PM, should stay at a higher level. Period!

2. Manmohan Singh Opens Up.

    Former PM Manmohan Singh, in an interview to PTI, has said that Modi's five-year-rule was the
    most traumatic of the lot and therefore, he needs to be shown the door. He dismissed the notion
    about a Modi wave. He put the following factors against the current PM:-

         (a) Does not believe in inclusive growth and is only interested about his political existence at
              the altar of disharmony.
         (b) The last five years saw corruption peak to unimaginable proportions and cited
               demonetisation as the biggest of them all.
         (c) The Pakistan policy was slipshod, marred by a series of flip flops.

     Why was he silent all this while? Was it because of a prod from his party bosses that he'd hardly
     done anything thus far?

3. Arvind Kejriwal Blames the BJP.

    The man from the crowd - Suresh - who'd slapped the CM has been identified as a disgruntled
    AAP worker, by the Delhi Police, during the investigations. But Kejriwal insists that it was
    orchestrated by the BJP who wants to eliminate him and his party! What advantage it would gain
    is something that he doesn't want to elaborate upon.

    O, the games the politicians play. He has become a seasoned politician - following the ruthless
    ways that he had abhorred - when forming his party.

4. Where Shibu Soren Still Reins.

    At Dumka in Jharkhand, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha(JMM) has not put too many hoardings
    and barely any posters. It doesn't need to because in the rural pockets of east Jharkhand, all
    election talk revolves around, 'Guruji'. Eight time MP, three time CM, he never asked a question,
    participate in any debate or introduce any bill in his latest stint as an MP in the 16th Lok Sabha. 

    Well, this is what politics is all about in India!


Tailpiece.

We'd got up at our usual time despite it being a Sunday. Went through our chores and were ready well in time. Lekha had gone to the Guruvayur temple for her weekly tryst. It was a quiet day and in the evening, Lekha had watered the plants while I cleaned up the Chevy's wheel hubs.

Raju and Bindu had come come down to hand over their daughter's wedding card around that time. 

The election cacophonics.

1. Kejriwal Gets a Slap.

    Delhi's Chief Minister Kejriwal was slapped during a roadshow in support of the AAP candidate,
    Brijesh Goyal in the Moti Nagar constituency. The offender was immediately apprehended and
    taken away by the police. The party has alleged that it was the BJP's doing and indicted the PM
    and the party president for the incident.

    Why wasn't the Congress included in the charge because the party had tasted bitterness after the
    seat sharing formula between the two had not worked out. Probably, it's to keep the door narrowly
    open to facilitate tie up-post poll for government formation?

2. Rahul's Links with Defence Deals?

    Quoting media reports, the BJP has questioned Rahul Gandhi's role in handing over the offset
    contract in the Scorpene Submarine deal to the US national Ulrik Mcknight. The Backops Service
    Pvt Ltd, with Rahul and Priyanka as its directors, was the liaisoning company which allegedly used
    influence for cash in 2002. In '09, Rahul exits from the company and the Indian company folds its
    business in '10. Meanwhile, Ulrik continues to work in the name of other companies. During this
    period, the French Company DCNS gets the contract to manufacture six Scorpene submarines in
    India and an unknown Indian company, Flashforge, is selected for DCNS' offset entity.

    The Congress party and its president have a lot of questions to answer in this regard. Was this
    knowledge of his that came handy while explaining the handing over of the Rafael offset entity to
    Anil Ambani?

3. Campaigning Ends.

    Campaigning has ended for the fifth phase of the elections for 51 seats, spread over Rajasthan,
    West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir. The polling will take
    place on 06 May.

    The election juggernaut continues to roll and the virulent cacophonics continue to take place!


Tailpiece.

Lekha had got up half an hour earlier than our usual wake up time of 6. Went through our chores and we were ready well before the Rajah Medical team came to draw the blood, urine samples. I'd a post prandial draw too.

Annie had come to work after a lapse of over ten days.

The results came in by about 1500 hrs. Lekha's parameters are within limits and my liver function test results give me reasons to cheer!

Lekha had gone to the Mammiyoor Siva kshethram for her weekly tryst in the evening.