When political party offices and booths administer, also control public offices

By Harasankar Adhikari
Political party offices and booths, from the grass-roots to the highest levels of the particular political party, are primarily determined to meet the agenda of that political party—better living conditions for the general public and national progress. Its primary functions are to make supporters aware of the different public policies and to criticise them (in the case of opposition). The political party in the rule publicises different policies and programmes of the government undertaken to strengthen the nation's interests and those of the common mass - advantages of happy and comfortable living. The functions of political party offices and public offices are distinctly different with different mottos. Political party offices are assigned to strengthen the political network of the particular political party, while public offices are assigned to ensure good governance.
In West Bengal, political party offices play the role of parallel public offices as part of political party governance. These offices control every aspect of administration. It is a political network to determine party supporters. On the other hand, it is a tactical technique to identify political enemies or non-supporters. It is also an effort to award the supporters for their enjoyment of supporting the political party in power. The TMC-led government of West Bengal is implementing different programmes like Duare Sarkar (government at door step), Duare Ration (ration at door step) and other relief and welfare activities. The beneficiaries have to visit the local party office for application forms, and they have to submit the duly filled up forms to the party office. Local Panchayat offices or Block Development Offices would not entertain most applications without the recommendation of the Party Dada. No government officers have any choice to act without this hidden rule.
This is a tactical policy to reject eligible beneficiaries who are members of the so-called non-supporters or anti-supporters group of this political party. "You will get everything if you support or vote for our political party" – it is a common rule for the workers of TMC. As if these government benefits are only available to political party cadres. They may be wealthy etc. Thus, the economically better-off cadre enjoy the benefit of BPL. A cadre with a two-storeyed building gets the benefit of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Of course, support for the political party means participating in political programme whenever it is called for. They would have no power or hope to raise their voice against the political party. No criticism is tolerable. Only praise is welcome. Supporters are sometimes provoked or act mischievously against anti supporters. The Lakshmi Bhandar is a women's scheme in which women from low-income families or unemployed housewives receive a monthly cash transfer of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 for women from SCs, STs, and OBCs. It is an effort to bind them by the ruling political party for a vote. It is a strategy of the neuro-marketing system. If a woman is being trapped, her family would be trapped by the political party. It is an easy vote making and ensuring process. A great number of women of well-to-do families enjoy these benefits because they are party supporters, while those who are genuinely needed are deprived of them because their political opinions are different.
It is a system of purchasing voters in Indian democracy. It surely strengthens the political network for longstanding rule by the particular political party. But it is breaking our social and cultural networks. The harmony of society is truncated based on the homogeneity of political supporters. It can become dangerous at times due to differences in the amount of benefits provided by the political party in power.

Comments

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar* Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Kerala government data implicates the Covid vaccines for excess deaths

By Bhaskaran Raman* On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

PM-JUGA: Support to states and gram sabhas for the FRA implementation and preparation and execution of CFR management plan

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan* (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

Operation Kagar represents Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism: Resistance continues

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

How Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar reflects frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion, empowerment

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

Balod tech fest tests students’ interest in innovative ideas in the fields of science, engineering, start-ups

By Our Representative A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups. For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm. Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention.

Ideological assault on dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti will disturb pluralistic legacy: Modi told

Counterview Desk Letter to the Prime Minister about "a matter of the utmost concern affecting our country's social fabric": *** We are a group of independent citizens who over the past few years have made efforts to improve the deteriorating communal relations in the country. It is abundantly clear that over the last decade relations between communities, particularly Hindus and Muslims, and to an extent Christians are extremely strained leaving these latter two communities in extreme anxiety and insecurity.

Defeat of martial law: Has the decisive moment for change come in South Korea?

By Steven Lee Late at night on December 3, soldiers stormed into South Korea’s National Assembly in armored vehicles and combat helicopters. Assembly staff desperately blocked their assault with fire extinguishers and barricades. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law to “ eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces .”

Affable but arrogant, embodying contradictions, Raj Kapoor's legacy will endure as long as Bollywood exists

By Harsh Thakor* December 14 marks the birth centenary of Raj Kapoor, a filmmaker and visionary who revolutionized Bollywood, elevating it to new heights by exploring uncharted emotional and social territories. Kapoor wasn’t just a filmmaker; he was a storyteller who touched the souls of the masses and reflected the pulse of post-partition India with unparalleled depth. His films acted as a unifying force in a divided nation, transcending social and cultural boundaries.

Search This Blog