My Columns: Without Fear and Favour

J&K And Jharkhand Assembly Polls Phase 3: Democracy Triumphs Again By  Deepak Parvatiyar December 10, 2014 The successful completion of the third phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand with considerably large turnout of voters has twofold dimensions – a) It is a tribute to the security forces’ capabilities of accomplishing such a task in the face of the lurking terror threats from across the border as well as from the dreaded Maoists b) It shows the resolve of the people in both the terror-hit states to affirm their faith in the democratic process You may also like to read Pakistan's role in J&K Terror attacks J&K Election Updates Jharkhand Election Updates It may be mentioned that the people in both the states have thus far braved the threat posed by the Pakistan-backed militant outfits in J&K and Maoists in Jharkhand. Like in the first two phases, the polling percentage was more than the last state elections figures...

MDMK walks out of NDA : End of the Road for Tamil Nadu Allies By  Deepak Parvatiyar December 9, 2014 The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) has become the first ally to step out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The decision to this effect was taken at meeting of the party’s parliamentary board and high-level committee which passed a resolution to this effect in Chennai on Monday. The reasons cited for MDMK – NDA breakup : • Prime Minister Narendra Modi reneged on his promise made to the MDMK general secretary Vaiko that the BJP-led government would not support Sri Lanka and its President Mahinda Rajapaksa. (The MDMK claimed that the promise was made at the time of MDMK’s joining the NDA before the last General Elections). You may also like to read Amit Shah : Man with the winning strategy • Modi’s wishing Rajapaksa victory in the elections and also Rajapaksa’s December 9 visit to the Tirupati temple were condemnable. • ...