Badal vs Badal

Badal vs Badal

Vipin Pubby - The Indian Express - Thu Oct 14, 2010

They share the same surname, and were born in the same year — even the same month. But beyond that, Manpreet Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal have little in common, reports Vipin Pubby

Sukhbir Singh Badal

It was clear from the day Sukhbir Singh Badal entered politics that he is the heir apparent, despite his father, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, having a soft corner for his cousin, Manpreet Badal. While he did his schooling at Lawrence School, Sanawar, Sukhbir did his graduation and post-graduation in Economics from Panjab University. He later went to the United States for further studies.

Although he remained a three-time Lok Sabha member from Punjab and was even union minister of state for industries during the Atal Behari Vajpayee government, Sukhbir showed real interest in state politics only during the run-up to the 2007 Assembly elections, when he took control of the party’s poll campaign, getting the rest to follow his strategy.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/politics/32640-badal-vs-badal.html

In January last year, Sukhbir was made Deputy Chief Minister, although he was not an MLA then. Since he was unable to get elected within the stipulated six months, he was forced to quit. He was later anointed Deputy CM again after his victory in a bypoll.

Sukhbir has followed the Akali politics of appeasement of farmers and jathedars. He was instrumental in introducing Punjabi as a compulsory subject for students up to Class X. This, and his order on compulsory public signboards in Punjabi, did not go down too well with a large section of society, though it was welcomed by the Sikh clergy.

But Sukhbir also deserves credit for some visionary projects which reflect his modern thinking. He set into motion at least three major power projects, and paid special attention to development of infrastructure including roads. He also introduced reforms to cut down on the red tape, removing unnecessary hurdles like submission of affidavits for every government work.

Manpreet Badal

An alumnus of Doon School, Manpreet Badal did his graduation from St Stephens College in Delhi, following it up with a law degree from London. He is known to pepper his conversations with Urdu couplets, and often quotes military historians to make his point.

He admits he was highly influenced by Marxist ideology during his youth. Maybe that explains the note that his office usually sent to organisers during any function to which he was invited: "No extra expenditure should be made for me and other leaders. No money should be spent on garlands, bouquets, momentoes and even lunch." It is not unusual to see him drive his own vehicle, with only an escort vehicle following him.

Standing tall at about 6’4", Manpreet prefers to avoid public glare. In 1994, his uncle, Parkash Singh Badal, persuaded him to return from London and contest the bypoll for the Gidderbaha Assembly constituency. Since then, he has won all the subsequent elections from the constituency, increasing his victory margin each time. But while he has nursed his constituency well, he has not done much to extend his base elsewhere in the state.

Known to be a favourite of his uncle, Manpreet often courted controversies with his statements and actions. On several occasions, he has even spoken against the party’s policies, particularly on the issue of subsidies. As Finance Minister, he recently rejected a proposal to hike the pay and perks of MLAs as well as the Chief Minister, and also objected to foreign trips by Speaker and some other legislators.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32640

The fact that he did not quite see eye to eye with his cousin, Sukhbir Singh Badal, was well known. Manpreet himself admitted that they had never sat together to discuss any issue. It was only a matter of time before they publicly confronted each other.

SOURCE: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/badal-vs-badal/697446/0

 
Do share your immediate thoughts or reactions on this issue? We value your views! Login Now! or Sign Up Today! to share your views with us.. Gurfateh!

__________________
Prayer = TALKING to God; Meditation/Simran = LISTENING to God !
With the Divine Love & Blessings of WAHEGURU Ji, I wish you peace, love, light (enlightenment), health & happiness in life!

Ek OnKaar Sat Naam

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32640
Politics is so boring nowadays. I used to find it so interesting, along with music, films, sports, property and what businessmen were up to, but nowadays it is just a big turn off.

Sat Sri Akal

'Like Eklavya, I was asked to give my thumb'

Raja Bose & Ramaninder K Bhatia , TNN, Oct 15, 2010, 05.38am IST

His resignation letter to Punjab chief minister and uncle Parkash Singh Badal— recalling how he was baptized by him into politics when he was just five — would move anybody to tears. He speaks with utmost respect when talking about Badal senior. But, a day after he shook the Punjab government and the powerful Shiromani Akaali Dal, former finance minister Manpreet Badal appears hurt deep within. In his battle with his cousin and deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, Manpreet feels that like Eklavya, he had to pay a heavy and damning 'gurudakshina'.

Ask him if he was wronged and you wouldn't get a straight answer. But, he draws an interesting parallel to the Mahabharata, hinting for the first time abolihised uncle's role vis-à-vis his son Sukhbir and him.

"When Dronacharya found a barking dog's mouth sealed with a volley of arrows, he was amazed at the archer's skill. He asked the archer, Eklavya, who his guru was. Eklavya said it was no one else but him as he put a statue of Dronacharya and practiced. With his favourite disciple Arjuna in mind, Dronacharya asked for his thumb as gurudakshina. I was asked to give my thumb," says Manpreet.

Surrounded by books — from Tamerlaine's great invasions to Chengiz Khan's heroics and volumes of Sikh history — in his home, Manpreet's composure doesn't look like that of a man who had just brewed a political storm that has had even a patriarch like Parkash Singh Badal worried.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32640

A lover of poetry, this 47-year-old graduate from Londond School of Economics quotes Urdu poet Munir Niazi to define his decision: "I had a death wish."

But, he is resolute in his stand. "It is over. The relationship (with Senior Badal's family) is dead," he told TOI. But why did he take so long to act? "I was not working in a private company, where people keep switching jobs. I am a born Akali and (leaving the party) would have meant switching my religion. I was hanging onto a thin thread. But, I have lost all hope," he said.

Manpreet says he has an agenda for Punjab, to put the state on the path to bring back its lost glory, to create a resurgent Punjab. His inspiration: The famous 'Ireland unfree shall never be at peace ...' speech by Irish freedom fighter Patrick Pearse and Nikolai Ostrovsky's 'How The Steel Was Tempered'.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32640

He wants to go it alone and not join any party right now. "You can't ask a man who has just got divorced whether he wants to marry again. He's too scared," he says.

"I have an agenda for Punjab. Right now, I am getting a lot of response from the people, also on Facebook and blogs. I have already begun meeting. I will go to the people and like Kamal Ataturk did for Turkey, will ***** the conscience of Punjabis. Just like Ostrovsky says, I would like to die happy in the thought that I did something for liberation of mankind from poverty."



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/6751580.cms

Rajneesh Madhok

MUKTSAR (PUNJAB): A day after Manpreet Badal was removed as Punjab finance minister and ousted from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), his arch rival, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal, has lost no time in "staking his claim" over Gidderbaha, his cousin's home constituency.

The deputy CM has called a meting of SAD leaders on Friday in a move seen as Sukhbir's tactics to test the political waters in Manpreet's constituency. All members of Sri Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), party chairpersons, zonal in charge, sarpanchs and panchs in Gidderbaha were directed to reach Badal village on Friday morning, where Sukhbir is due to address them, according to Gurpal Singh Gora, an SGPC member.

Gora said since Gidderbaha MLA Manpreet Badal was no more in the party, Sukhbir Badal has taken charge of the constituency. "The meeting is meant to convey a message that there is no demoralization in the party rank and file in Gidderbaha," Gora said.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32640
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32640

Read more: Sukhbir takes charge of cousin's turf - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i...#ixzz12RwQlson

Day & Night TV Channel blocked

PATIALA: The Day and Night TV channel promoted by Kanwar Sandhu former Resident Editor of Hindustan Times and The Indian Express has became first victim of fued between SAD President Sukhbir Badal and his cousin former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal. The channel has been blocked in Punjab.


Day and Night channel was started two months back by Kndhari Group with Kanwar Sandhu as its poster boy. Kanwar Sandhu who is considered an upright and no-nosence editor/journalist had tried to present a balanced view on Sukhbir-Manpreet dispute, well knowing that cable network in Punjab is controlled by Sukhbir Badal's well wishers. In fact there was a serious debate three years back over acquiring control of cable network by ruling party.

The latest, the channel has shown the press conference of Manpreet Badal on Wednesday very extensively. Kanwar Sandhu had also interviewed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and asked certain embarrassing but interesting questions. When Badal claimed that super speciality facilities are available for treatment of cance patients in Punjab, Kanwar Sandhu had asked him then why he took his ailing wife Surinder Kaur to USA for cancer treatment.

Kanwar Sandhu, when contacted, confirmed that cable network, which was allegedly controlled by state government, has stopped telecasting their channels trough cable network in state.

Sandhu said that they were telecasting all the reports in balancing way.


Day and Night is not the only channel which has became target of ruling party. Earlier, the ZEE Punjabi and ETC Punjabi were blocked on cable network,Romila Sharma Business Head of Zee Punjabi and ETC Punjabi, had described the action an Infringement of Fundamental Right - Right to freedom (Freedom of Press and Freedom of speech and expression)-Section 19 (1) a without knowing that these sections are irrelevant in Punjab. The Zee Punjabi had carried an interview of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira blaming that SAD-BJP government had over-powered the cable network.


Since the time it was reflected in the news bulletins issued by DD Punjabi and Zee Punjabi News; Zee Punjabi was completely blacked out in the entire region of Punjab as the aftermath of this telecast of the story !

Romila Sharma's statement said, "In consonance with this, as a network channel it has been have come to know that as part of the conspiracy, DIGI cable network operators are not carrying Zee Punjabi to any part of Punjab. This in-turn means that the common man in Punjab is deprived of free entertainment, free information and free education which is integral to our fundamental rights apart from hampering our fare business interests in the region. As per our track records of so many years, we always earnestly try and adhere to the prescribed media norms and ethics and thereby provide free and unbiased infotainment to one and all. Not only is this illegal for a govt to have a stake in an acting media, they also play filthy games by obstructing the distribution of our channels and deliberately putting many of them on the UHF band, a clear violation & mockery of our democratic rights".
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32640

She stated, "We would like to remind here that it is not the first time that media has been gagged in this manner. Earlier also Mr. Roop Sharma, President, Cable operators federation of India, had alleged that the Badal family was behind snipping off the popular channel ‘Punjab Today’ in 2007. He had forwarded the case to the then I&B minister; Mr. Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, where allegations were made that Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, son of Mr. Prakash Singh Badal used unethical and unlawful means to threat cable operators and disrupt the operations of the cable networks in the Punjab region".
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32640


All these channels are however available on DTH network of various operators.

( NOTE: DTH stands for Direct-To-Home television. DTH is defined as the reception of satellite programmes with a personal dish in an individual home. )

source: http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/day-night-tv-channel-blocked-cable-network-punjab-airing-sad-controversy/24927

admin note: Four threads related to the recent political disputes ongoing with the state government of Punjab have been merged as one thread. If you want to post updates or future articles related to this subject, please post them as replies to this thread.. Thank you

FOCUS:

Populist politics dominates over good governance

Gobind Thukral – South Asia Post – October 15, 2010




FOR politicians electoral considerations often over run other concerns. Good economic management and bold decisions that finally bring in prosperity and social justice are often victims of expediency. Punjab is a sad witness to that tragedy that became more pronounced during the heydays of militancy. Increasing dependence on borrowing for funding state expenditure and increasing borrowing costs is now the most significant source of the fiscal problem. The heavy burden of salaries adds to the woes. Add the misgoverned over the years starting from governor’s rule and we have receipt for disaster.

Now this mess with over Rs 71,000 crore of debt and an annual interest of Rs 8,000 crore besides a heavy budgetary deficit is turning into a political muddle . As usual the young scions of the ruling Badal family are at daggers drawn. The Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal has fired his salvo.


He went public with his plan to meet the challenge of heavy debt and deficit after it was discussed at an informal meeting of the Punjab cabinet. Manpreet agreed the Centre wanted essentially a political consensus roadmap that puts Punjab back on the road to recovery. He says, “The center wants us to curtail the free power subsidy of Rs 3,100 crore to at least Rs 1,000 crore in five years. Union finance minister Parnab Mukherjee is asking us to impose house tax and water charges, plug the annual Rs 200- crore loss of transport department and disinvest the publis sector units in the red. Plus, they expect audit of all local bodies, Rural Development Fund and the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board be put under CAG.” In return The Union government has in principle agreed to waive off nearly Rs 35,000 crore debt of Punjab.

Taking a diverse view Sukhbir Singh Badal, deputy chief minister and Akali Dal President found this formula as devoid of any political rationale. Terming the Centre’s pre-conditions as “stringent and impractical,” Sukhbir views Manpreet’s rollback-all subsidies stance as a recipe for losing the party’s support base in rural Punjab. He has coming assembly elections in mind. This statement is also being interpreted as a political snub to Manpreet, who steadfastly swears by his reformist agenda. Manpreet to have shot back, casting aspersions on the ability of Sukhbir as a minister.

Manpreet thinks that the package is going to be a game-changer for Punjab. It will determine whether the state comes out of the morass or leave the burden to the future generations. He finds no merit the arguments of Sukhbir and opines, “We can turn the political tables by taking the credit for such a huge loan waiver. Scaling back subsidies and levying taxes can earn us Rs 7,000 crore a year, which can significantly enhance the level of education, health and power. This can actually put us in the victory lap. The farmer paying for power will see so much else happening too.” This has been his theme for too long and both his colleagues in the cabinet and the party have rejected this. It was last rejected at Shimla where a committee consisting of Sukhbir and senior BJP minister Manoranjan Kalia was formed. The government implemented certain tax proposals which were implemented by the government. But it did not bail out the government. Huge deficit and debt burden besides the heavy salary bill haunts the government.

Afterward, Sukhbir had taken upon himself the task of steering the policy matters on finances and economy, much to discomfiture of his cousin and finance minister. Now Manpreet comments: “I was disappointed over not being kept in the loop of the Sukhbir-Kalia committee. What took them months to decide, I would have done in minutes because I know the finances like the back of my hand”. But he clearly he too has not come out with any concrete proposals except that subsidies must go. In India, neither the central government nor any state government can completely do away with subsidies. Same is the position at the international level. These can be rationalized and made to reach the targeted beneficiaries.

Notwithstanding Sukhbir’s stand against the Centre’s riders on loan waiver, Manpreet is determined to pursue the proposal. “I will thrash out the whole issue in a fortnight or so, and try and convince my party,” he asserts calls it a litmus test on whether people are just paying lip service or are willing to make sacrifices for the sake of Punjab’s future”. Manpreet is likely to push the issue of subsidies and could well emerge as a flashpoint between him and the party. For now, the gloves are clearly out between the two heirs apparent of the Badal clan. Akali Dal’s Political Affairs Committee has sought action against Manpreet. This would naturally call for the intervention of the Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal who apparently cannot be happy with this kind of public feud. Earlier also, he has intervened to cool down the temperatures.

Agricultural other subsidies are important part of the expenditure, the bulk of which are power subsidies in Punjab. During in 2009-10, out of the estimated Rs 3,072 crore worth of subsidies, Rs 2,600 crore constituted subsidies in the power sector. This needs to be rationalised in the context of challenges that the agricultural sector is facing because of the adverse impact of larger macro-economic management in the country, the environmental challenges from the rice-wheat crop cycles and pressures from global institutions for the agricultural sector. Over ten lakh farmers have left their age old work. This agrarian crisis in the farm sector has lead to suicides in certain areas.

The State Plan for 2009-10 was fixed at Rs 8,625 crore. Out of this, central assistance is for Rs 968 crore, leaving the state with the task of mobilising Rs 7,657 crore. Unfortunately, the government is in deficit in its own funds (Rs 2376.94 crore and PSUs are in losses to the tune of Rs 2,707 crore). This means the state has to find resources to pay for the deficit, losses and fund the Plan. This funding is being met through borrowings. A sum of Rs 5,441 crore is the budgetary borrowing; this includes all sources like the LIC, NABARD, Provident Fund, small savings, bonds, debentures, etc.

An additional Rs 6,500 crore is being raised by the erstwhile PSEB despite that it is in losses on its own and, therefore, can generate these resources only by leveraging its assets. An additional Rs 800 crore is being raised by the PIDB. This means that all plan resources, except what is coming through the Centre, are being funded through borrowings, thereby increasing the interest and repayment burden for the future and bloating the revenue expenditure further.

Punjab’s Reform Commission has pointed out Punjab “requires a governance fix not a mere fiscal correction” to reduce the ills facing the state. There are departments and a large number of employees whose output is exactly zero in the best of times and they contribute negatively occasionally. The focus should be on capacity building of the institutions and on the citizen-centric delivery of services. In one good governance.

In the next 15 days, Manpreet will go to Delhi and ask the exact amount the government of India is willing to write off, and the conditions — both maximum and minimum. Then he would like to thrash it out within the party. In all probability his ideas would find no favour. Meanwhile, like BJP minister kalia who reprimanded Manpreet for going public with his plan and sided with Sukhbir, more and more leaders are gunning at Manpreet. It is as yet not clear how the party would take the call at the political level. The fiscal mismanagement in Punjab clearly shows that populist politics dominates over good governance. It has to be reversed.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32640
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32640

source: http://www.southasiapost.org/2010/20101015/focus.htm

Manpreet Badal was removed as Finance minister. It is due to not toeing the party line.
SAD & BJP colition has politics of Subsidies.
Both of the two parties swear by subsidies that nurture their respective vote banks Due to subsidies the State has crippled. Punjab's debt in these three & a half years shot up from Rs 48,000 crore to Rs 70,000 crore. If Manpreet as a Finance Minister felt concerned on the subject it is natural.
From the last about two years Manpreet had been raising the issues of Subsidies.