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It’s 3:1 for BJP in election 2004 ‘dress rehearsal’
NEW DELHI: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), heading a 17-party coalition Federal government in India, had a whopping 3:1 sweep in the four states that went to polls, walloping the Sonia Gandhi-led Congress Party in the process.
BJP registered a landslide victory in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and comfortably beat the Congress in Chhattisgarh. For the Congress, the only saving grace was Delhi, where incumbent chief minister Sheila Dikshit beat (as expected) the BJP’s Madan Lal Khurana. The finall tally in Delhi was Congress 47, BJP 20 and others 3.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today took a stock-taking meeting with his party and cabinet colleagues before leaving on foreign trip to Nigeria for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM).
Riding an anti-incumbency wave, BJP won 120 of the 200 seats in 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly where Congress chief minister Digvijay Singh admitted there was a “wave against” the party and conceded defeat, agency reports from various state capitals stated.
In an impressive performance in Rajasthan, the saffron party’s chief ministerial candidate, Vasundhara Raje was smiles all the way. She whipped Congress candidate Rama Pilot (MP and wife of the late Rajesh Pilot) in Jhalarapatan by 27,375 votes.
Though speculation was rife in Delhi since morning, when the election results started coming in, that BJP may go in for a snap general election, much ahead of the scheduled date in late 2004, the party seemed to have ruled out that option for the present saying it needs more time for preparation. “There is a choice between a summer and September election, I am 100 per cent sure they will be on schedule”, BJP general secretary and a former minister Pramod Mahajan said in reply to a question on the possibility of an early Lok Sabha (Lower House).
“Election Commission in India has become so independent that they do not allow you to decide date,” he said adding even if the Prime Minister dissolves the Lok Sabha half an hour from now, elections will still not take place before April-May.
Asked if BJP was against an early general election, agencies quoted Mahajan as saying, “We still need time (for preparing for polls) for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar. We have (alliance) problems in Haryana and Tamil Nadu. In my assessment, we need three to four months time for polls if we have to go beyond 180 seats.”
He also expressed confidence if the elections are held in September, Vajpayee will break the incumbency record of Nehru and Indira Gandhi by being elected Prime Minister after four conecutive Lok Sabha polls.
What does all this mean for policy making?
The government can go ahead and push for some tough non-economical policy measures, especially those related to the media like setting up a broadcast regulatory authority and going ahead with conditional access system rollout. But on the other hand, it would not like to take tough economical decision, keeping an eye on the general elections next year.
The present government’s mandated five-year term ends on 13 October, 2004.
Still, some political observers pointed out that the government might not push even non-economic policies letting status quo prevail as any decision is likely to have some bearing on some segment of the industry.
So, if those people who were thinking that CAS and things like that may be now pursued with renewed zeal, may have to think again.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
