If Singur and Nandigram marked a turning point in West Bengal's political history, young Rahul Gandhi hopes to emulate Mamata's mighty vanquishing act with a similar turn in Mayawati's Uttar Pradesh
If Singur and Nandigram marked a turning point in West Bengal's political history, young Rahul Gandhi hopes to emulate Mamata's mighty vanquishing act with a similar turn in Mayawati's Uttar Pradesh. By visibly and vociferously supporting Greater Noida farmers, angry over their prized land acquired by the state government and then sold to private developers, Rahul has upped the ante considerably ufffd practically launching Congress' campaign for 2012.
An electrified Dilli is watching closely since land acquisition has become a political flashpoint in just about every state. Yet, the political class has reacted with stock replies. Some parties blame the Manmohan Singh government for not amending the land acquisition law. But with Rahul on the case and the Congress' future at stake in UP, clearly the time for doling out platitudes may be over and Parliament will soon be "seized of the matter".
Summer of woeInflation is a dreaded word, feared by policymakers as well as the aam aadmi. Though the past few months have not been easy on anyone, the recent hike in petrol fuel prices is bound to hurt even more. From EMIs to veggies, the graph is heading unerringly upwards everywhere. For spoilt Dilliwalas, it's been a particularly cruel summer. With milk and petrol prices already hiked, and shortages and hikes in power and water in the offing, the outlook is frighteningly bleak.
The fuel price hike was announced just when inflation was beginning to show a dip. Now most analysts believe that it will return to double-digits again.
The government continues to be "concerned", the RBI is likely raise rates yet again and opposition parties have launched protests in the streets across the country. Clearly in this hot season there is one more thing that's likely to become a hot potato.
