Mallya verdict

Though Vijay Mallya’s extradition has been upheld by the Westminster Court, he is not going to accept it so easily. He will certainly prefer an appeal to the Lord Chancellor against this judgment. If he loses there too, he may petition the ICJ at The Hague; or may even approach the UNHRC to delay the inevitable. And if brought to India to stand trial, it may take a few decades for our slow moving judicial process to finally put the fugitive offender behind the bars.

Mumbai

Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India is a welcome and refreshing news. Modi and the BJP have every reason, to celebrate and we need to appreciate the tireless efforts put in by the Prime Minister who, using his PR Quotient with overseas connection, managed to get him back in to India. Critics have been silenced by Modi who displayed high degree of maturity in dealing with all the brickbats thrown at him from all quarters.Modi will be remembered for this act, notwithstanding the unfulfilled pre-electoral promises made in 2014 elections.

Bengaluru

It is really a matter to worry that RBI Governor Urjit Patel has resigned before the end of his tenure. Earlier in the year Arvind Subramaniam, Chief Economic Advisor, and Arvind Panagariya, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman, also resigned citing personal reasons. Despite people’s belief that differences of opinions between the RBI and the government were being reconciled, the abrupt decision of the RBI Governor to resign portrays the apotheosis of the disparities which began during the regime of former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. The current tension between the RBI and the government also posits the question of selecting a new credible governor who can restore the faith of people in our apex monetary authority.

Kottayam

The resignation of RBI Governor Urjit Patel citing personal reasons, took everybody by surprise as it has come at a time when the air over the tussle between the government and the central bank over the the latter’s autonomy seemed to have settled following the recently held bank's board meeting.

While both the prime minister and the finance minister have praised Patel, it’s the credibility of the Modi government that has taken a hit.

It’s still unclear what prompted him to quit. But the constatnt tension with the government, where his powers as central bank head were being chipped away, would’ve contributed to his calling quits.

Unlike former Governor Raghuram Rajan, , Patel was not outspoken, but dignified, cool-headed, giving a fitting response to every outburst of the government. The independence of the RBI and its powers being undermined by the Centre, as we’ve seen in the case of demonetisation, could have resulted in the resignation of Patel.

Bengaluru

This is with reference to the news report ‘21 Opposition parties unite to take on BJP in 2019’ (11.12.2018). Although 21 Opposition parties have come together to take on the BJP in 2019, they do not appear to have a common agenda except the desire to defeat the BJP and dethrone Narendra Modi. There is a communication gap between the various Opposition parties which was amply proved during the no confidence motion against the government and the election of Rajya Sabha Deputy chairperson. Even if they defeat the BJP and form the government in 2019, the Opposition parties may not be united over their PM candidate. This shows that the Opposition unity is a mirage .

A fractured mandate in 2019 may enable the Third Front to form a government which is detrimental to the economic growth and development of the country. Most of the Third Front parties have leaders who are nurturing Prime Ministerial ambitions and hence they will be busy fighting on this issue instead delivering good and stable governance.

The country requires a strong leadership to push development and economic growth.

Thane

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