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In Pakistan, the culmination of anticipation has arrived as the nation prepares for elections on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Among the frontrunners in the race is former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Approximately 150 parties are testing their fortunes in the general elections, with nearly 6,500 candidates vying for victory. Notably, male candidates dominate the electoral landscape, yet many female contenders have also stepped onto the battlefield. According to media reports, approximately 5% of women are presenting their candidacy in the general elections.

Women’s Participation in Politics: Breaking Barriers in Pakistan

Under Pakistan’s constitution, certain seats are reserved for women in both provincial and national assemblies. However, parties seldom grant women the permission to contest outside those quotas. Ahead of the elections, AFP conducted a special interview with three female candidates striving for victory, outlined as follows:

1. Islamic Influencer: Jebe Vakar

Jebe Vakar, a prominent Pakistani female YouTuber, commands a substantial following on social media platforms. Although she’s a novice in electoral politics, she’s making her debut in the arena, representing the Jamaat-e-Islami, a South Asian Islamic political party.

Through her social media accounts, Jebe engages Pakistani women daily, enlightening them about their rights according to Islamic principles. Not only does she advocate for women’s rights, but she also shares insights into Islamic history.

In response to AFP’s queries, Jebe expressed her preference for Facebook and YouTube, where she interacts with her fans regularly, addressing their inquiries and concerns.

Jebe believes in not confining the teachings of the Quran but spreading them through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp groups. If successful in the general elections, she intends to champion the cause of women’s empowerment by advocating for robust legislation against gender oppression.

2. Triumph Over Tragedy: Samar Haroon Bilour

Samar Haroon Bilour is hailed as a torchbearer of youth aspirations in Pakistan. Addressing dozens of men in a room, she discussed her party’s plans during the 2018 elections. However, her name and image were conspicuously absent from banners during the campaign.

In an interview with AFP, Bilour revealed the challenges she faced during the elections. Prior to the polls, terrorists had assassinated her husband. Despite the grim circumstances, she propelled her late husband’s campaign forward.

Samar Haroon Bilour attributes her husband’s assassination to the Taliban, the most formidable and active terrorist organization in the region. For some time, they had control over several areas in the region.

3. Interfaith Advocate: Savera Prakash

Savera Prakash, a Hindu woman, possesses considerable knowledge about political affairs. Recently, she earned a bachelor’s degree in medicine. Her father follows Sikhism, while her mother adheres to Christianity. Prakash firmly believes that no religion advocates for wrongdoing; rather, each encourages individuals to engage in virtuous deeds.

Prakash’s profound statement underscores her resilient mindset, emphasizing the importance of goodness irrespective of religious affiliations.

Unveiling the Millennia-Old Struggles in Ayodhya

In the heart of Ayodhya unfolds a saga of five centuries of struggle, reverberating before the eyes of the world. Devotees of Lord Rama have found solace in their beloved deity. Every day, hundreds of devotees flock to catch a glimpse of their revered Lord Rama, while the echoes of “Har Har Mahadev” resonate in the knowledgeable city. Following the court’s verdict, the devotees of Lord Shiva have gained the right to worship their deity. Meanwhile, in Mathura, awaits the sacred land of Lord Krishna’s birth. Today, in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath delivered an extensive speech. However, amidst his words and gestures, he couldn’t refrain from speaking about the issues of Mathura and Varanasi, likening the current political landscape to the epic Mahabharata.

Echoes of the Past: Drawing Parallels with the Mahabharata

“We have merely asked for places,” remarked CM Yogi, drawing a comparison with the tale of the Mahabharata, where the Pandavas sought only five villages from Duryodhana, which he refused to grant. “We have only asked for three places,” reiterated CM Yogi, referring to Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Mathura. He emphasized that these places hold special significance for Hindus and any disrespect towards their sanctity would be unprecedented in the world.

Longing for Lord Krishna’s Arrival

He expressed his belief that the ongoing developments should have occurred soon after India’s independence in 1947. “We have only asked for three places. There are no issues with other places,” he stated firmly. CM Yogi highlighted the festivities in Ayodhya, where devotees broke barricades at night, echoing Nandi Baba’s question, “Why should we wait?”. He pondered, “Where are our beloved Krishna Kanhaiya to be acknowledged?”

Ayodhya: A Non-Negotiable Stand by CM Yogi

From CM Yogi’s statements, it’s evident that without the inclusion of Varanasi and Mathura, Ayodhya’s resolution is improbable. It’s also apparent that CM Yogi has made preparations for Varanasi and Mathura. It’s speculated that due to constitutional responsibilities, the Yogi government might not overtly present itself in this matter, but it won’t step back from fostering this entire movement.

Significance of Varanasi and Mathura

Delving into Mathura, it holds the distinction of being the birthplace of Lord Shri Krishna. It’s believed that the site where the Shahi Eidgah Mosque stands today was once the prison of Kansa, where Lord Krishna was born. Later, a temple was built on that site, which was demolished and replaced with a mosque during Aurangzeb’s reign.

Turning to Varanasi, its mention can be found even in the Skanda Purana. Legend has it that Lord Shiva resided there. In ancient times, many foreign travelers visiting India also mentioned the grand Vishwanath Temple in Kashi, attracting pilgrims from various parts of the country. Despite Aurangzeb’s orders to demolish the temple, it stood as a symbol of resilience.

The Krishna Janmabhoomi-Eidgah Dispute: Unraveling the Tangle

The Hindu side accuses the Muslim side of demolishing the temple to construct the mosque in Mathura. They claim that the walls of the mosque bear the serpent symbol and the revenue records list the entire land under the name of the temple trust. The Hindu demand is to vacate the Shahi Eidgah Mosque and hand over the land for the construction of the grand Krishna temple.

Genesis of the Eidgah Dispute

This entire issue is entwined with the ownership rights of 13.37 acres of land. In 1968, there was a settlement between the Janmasthan Seva Sangh and the Eidgah Trust. 10.9 acres were allocated to the Krishna Janmabhoomi, leaving 2.5 acres for the Shahi Eidgah. The Hindu side argues that the Janmasthan Seva Sangh had no right to allocate the temple land to anyone, hence, the settlement should be revoked, and the disputed area should be given to the temple premises.

उत्तराखंड के हल्द्वानी में अवैध मस्जिद और मदरसे के अतिक्रमण हेतु पहुंची टीम पर उपद्रवियों ने जमकर पथराव किया और कई जगह आगजनी की। उपद्रवियों पर नियंत्रण कसने हेतु धामी सरकार ने त्वरित एक्शन लेते हुए- हल्द्वानी में कर्फ्यू लगवा दिया, उपद्रवियों को देखते ही गोली मरने का आदेश दिया और पुलिस को उपद्रवियों से निपटने के लिए सख्ती बरतने को कहा।

कहां की है घटना:

घटना उत्तराखंड के वनभूलपुरा के मालिक का बगीचा की नूजल भूमि का है। कोर्ट के आदेश के बाद नगर निगम की टीम ने अतिक्रमण कार्य आरम्भ किया था। नमाज स्थल और मदरसे का अतिक्रमण आरम्भ हुआ तो तनाव की स्थिति बन गई। उपद्रवियों ने अतिक्रमण करने गई टीम पर पथराव आरम्भ कर दिया। पुलिस ने लाठी चार्ज से स्थिति काबू करनी चाही लेकिन हालत हाथ से निकल गए। दर्जनों गाड़ियों को आग के हवाले कर दिया गया। पुलिस थाना फूंक दिया गया। हिंसा में अब तक 6 लोगों की मौत हो चुकी है। जबकि 300 लोगों के घायल होने की पुष्टि हुई है।

हल्द्वानी की बिगड़ी स्थिति देख प्रशासन सख्त है। कई कॉलेजों में परीक्षाओं को निरस्त किया गया है। आदेश है की स्थिति सामान्य होने पर परीक्षा करवाई जाएंगी। आईजी नीलेश आनंद भारणे के मुताबिक अर्धसैनिक बल की चार कंपनियों को हिंसा प्रभावित इलाके में भेजा जा चुका है। स्थिति को नियंत्रित करने का हर सम्भव प्रयास किया जा रहा है।

The recent formation of the NDA government in Bihar has sparked speculation about the upcoming floor test scheduled for February 12th in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. This test holds significant importance as it will determine the majority status of the Nitish Kumar-led government. Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav has already hinted at forthcoming political maneuvers, suggesting that the game is far from over. As anticipation builds, questions arise regarding the potential outcomes and the strategies of key players.

Nitish Kumar’s Latest Move

On January 28, 2024, Nitish Kumar secured the support of 128 legislators as he took oath as the Chief Minister for the ninth time. Among these supporters, 78 belong to the BJP, 45 to the JD(U), with one independent legislator and four from Jitan Ram Manjhi’s party, ‘HAM,’ also extending their support. With a majority mark set at 122, Nitish Kumar’s government currently holds a comfortable lead of six legislators. However, amidst claims from the RJD camp about their outreach efforts and alleged absenteeism of JD(U) members, concerns loom over the potential outcome of the impending floor test.

Expert Analysis: Arun Kumar Pandey’s Insights

Political analyst Arun Kumar Pandey offers valuable insights into the unfolding scenario. He suggests that while discussions among various parties indicate an upcoming showdown, these may merely be political posturing. Pandey outlines the sequence of events, noting that preceding the floor test on February 12th, the Governor’s address to the Assembly will take place. Subsequently, a motion of no confidence against the Speaker will be tabled. Pandey speculates that if the current Speaker, Avadh Bihari Chaudhary, receives support in the event of a vote, it will signal trouble for the Nitish Kumar government.

Possibility of an RJD-led Government?

Contrary to some speculations, Pandey dismisses the likelihood of an RJD-led government formation. He asserts that any such development would not occur without Nitish Kumar’s prior knowledge. Furthermore, Pandey emphasizes that if Nitish Kumar appears in the Assembly on February 12th, it would quell many speculations. However, should a few NDA legislators fail to attend, the government’s stability may be at risk. While the formation of an RJD-led government seems improbable, Pandey suggests that even if a few JD(U) or BJP legislators defect, it could destabilize the current political equilibrium.

Potential Party Defections: Impact on Bihar’s Political Landscape

Pandey explains the intricate dynamics involved in the event of JD(U) or BJP legislators abstaining from the floor test and refusing to support the government. According to parliamentary norms, defection by one-third of the legislators warrants a change in party affiliation, a scenario currently unlikely. However, even a minor exodus could jeopardize the Nitish Kumar-led government. Consequently, the prospect of a President’s rule looms large over Bihar. Ultimately, Pandey concludes that despite the ongoing speculations, Nitish Kumar’s government is likely to emerge victorious in the upcoming floor test, consolidating its majority status.