Earlier, Governor Kalraj Mishra had said that the Assembly would not be allowed to be convened in Rajasthan in the face of the COVID-19 threat. Last week, the MLAs along with Ashok Gehlot gathered at the governor’s residence but he was not ready to change his stand. The Congress had alleged that the BJP was playing political drama with the support of the governor. Finally, on July 27 the governor changed his mind. Permission was granted on the condition that the assembly could be convened only if the government gave 21 days’ notice.

It was at this juncture that Assembly Speaker C.P. Joshi withdrew his petition in the Supreme Court against the High Court’s move against the dissident MLAs. The speaker, who was steadfast on his stand that he would disqualify dissident MLAs, was seen withdrawing from legal action for the time being.

Weeks after the start of Sachin Pilot’s revolt against Ashok Gehlot, there is no sign of an immediate end to the drama, let alone new dramatic developments unfolding from day to day. Even though the Congress has so far rejected the legal move in the Supreme Court, they are facing another legal battle. The BJP has filed a petition in the Rajasthan High Court against the merger of six BSP MLAs in the Congress 10 months ago.

The political drama has been further complicated by the fact that the BSP leadership has given a whip to its six MLAs asking them to vote against the government if there is a no-confidence motion in the Assembly. Gehlot claims the support of 103 MLAs, including the six BSP MLAs. Without their support, the government is sure to fall.

There is now complete uncertainty as to whether the Congress-led government, which came to power with sufficient popular support, will be able to stay in power in Rajasthan. The governor, who had secretly vowed to give Gehlot a chance to prove his majority, has now unexpectedly changed his mind. The Congress will have to work doubly hard to secure a vote in favour of Gehlot in the Assembly.

The Congress must drudge to overcome the BJP’s tactics of seizing power even if it does not win elections. With its money power, the BJP is the strongest force in the post-election horse-trading.

With the BJP’s insurmountable party machine and the immense ‘money’ it possesses, J.P. Nadda does the magic of a footballer who scores goals even in the most impossible situations with Amit Shah in the shadows. It remains to be seen whether this footwork will be repeated in Rajasthan.

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The Nehru family had never acknowledged the contributions of Narasimha Rao, who made history by becoming the first Congress leader to become Prime Minister outside of the family. The Congress leadership refused to arrange funeral due for one of the tallest leader of the party in the national capital when Narasimha Rao, who was at loggerheads with the Nehru family, died.
Sonia Gandhi recalls that under Narasimha Rao’s leadership the party was able to overcome challenges it faced at a time when the Congress was getting thinner day by day. It is not uncommon for people to repent even after death for what they did to their old enemies in the face of huge setbacks.

The reign of Narasimha Rao from 1991 to 1996 was a turning point in the history of independent India. Politically and economically, India’s history can be divided into before and after the reign of Narasimha Rao. The major policy changes and political events during his time as Prime Minister and Congress leader were decisive.

It was Narasimha Rao who led India into a new era from the days of the Licence Raj through economic reforms. With the aim of implementing globalisation and liberalisation, he appointed Manmohan Singh, an IMF official and economist, as Finance Minister. Despite oppositions, it was these policies that led India on a new path of economic growth. Since then, there have been revolutionary changes in the business environment, job creation and consumer climate in India.

The factor behind the successful completion of five years of a minority government was the flexibility of the political strategist that Narasimha Rao was. At the same time, some of his loose political views were reactionary enough to change the later course of Indian history. The Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished by the Sangh Parivar during the reign of Narasimha Rao. Although it could have been prevented, the lax attitude of the Central Government led to the rewriting of later political equations.

The autumn of Narasimha Rao’s life did not suit the dignity of a former Prime Minister who ruled India for five years overcoming many challenges that the grand old party faced. Congress refused to pay homage to even the mortal remains of Narasimha Rao when he died after being politically isolated for long.

When Sonia Gandhi recalls Narasimha Rao’s contributions at a time when the Congress is collapsing without an energetic leader or a clear political plan, it should also be seen as payback time with history settling scores.

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