MR. MODI'S BJP PARTY CRUSHED IN DELHI STATE ELECTIONS.

Arvind Kejriwal the victorious leader of AAP celebrating after his victory over BJP

(Courtesy Indian Express)

The Indian Prime Minister Mr. Naridera Modi, who not long ago had won a landslide victory in Indian national elections claimed time and again that his BJP Party will win Delhi State elections by a big margin.  But it was not to be as Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Admi Party (Common Man Party) won a landslide victory in Delhi State elections by winning 62 of 70 seats, leaving a mere 8 seats for the BJP.

This is all the more shocking as AAP's performance has been mediocre at best and just a few months ago the party had faced massive failure in national elections. AAP had made several promises in the 2015 elections when it had won 67 out of 70 seats of Delhi legislature, but its performance has been disappointing at best. Most pre-2015 elections promises have not been fulfilled, one such promise was to create 500 new schools and only 30 have been created while at the same time student enrollment has fallen by 8% during the last five years. Similarly, the AAP Government has failed on most other fronts. However, its anti-corruption stance and accessibility is popular amongst the voters.

The election results are a clear rejection of Mr. Modi's extremist policies and its recently enacted draconian laws i.e. Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Registration Act. These laws are religion-based and against the provisions of the Indian Constitution and its secular nature. Usurping Kashmir (a disputed region with Pakistan) and the perpetual lockdown of 80 million Kashmiris for six months has been denounced by moderate Indians, Amnesty International, The European Parliament, and the U.S. Congress. All these actions of the Modi Government have drawn the ire of young Indians, especially students who are demonstrating in strength in various cities across India.

Delhi State elections are an even bigger disaster for the Congress Party - India's second-largest political party, which for the second time in five years failed to win a single seat in Delhi legislature. This is an unmitigated disaster for one of India's oldest and largest political parties. Congress Party seems leaderless and the Rajiv Gandhi family seems to be unwilling to let go of its hold and allow new leadership to emerge. Its last stint in the central Government was corruption-riddled and several scandals were associated with Sonia Gandhi and her family. Congress needs to clean up its act, Rahul and Sonia Gandhi need to exit its leadership and allow bright and intelligent leaders like Shashi Tharoor and other new leaders to take over the reins of the party.

ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW - IS THIS A PLOY BY THE REPUBLICANS TO BAIT PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE DEMOCRATS?

Arizona's recent passage of Immigration Law is not only contentious but possibly even unconstitutional, as only the Federal Government has power over immigration matters. However, that is for the courts to decide and it will not be surprising if constitutional petitions head the Supreme Court way in not too distant a future. The Supreme Court may have leanings in a certain direction, but when it comes to interpreting the constitution, the Justices are at their best.

Being a border state, Arizona no doubt has an illegal immigration problem. But, this law may be less to do with that and more to do with tempting President Obama and Democrats to bring about an immigration bill in a haste.

Republicans are still recovering from their failure to block the the Health care bill. They also know that Financial Reform Bill is likely to pass, so they cannot present President Obama victory after victory heading into mid term elections in 2010. An immigration bill before the US House of Representatives and the US Senate is sure to stir passions and anger against a Federal Government providing a route to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

With a strong opposition to such a move in the South and much more so in the border states plus the ire of nearly 10% Americans without jobs, it could create quite a strong anti-immigration lobby in the country, possibly far larger than all of the Latino votes combined. It could prove to be a costly and a high risk strategy for an Administration to bring an immigration bill before the Congress in an election year. Perhaps this is what the Republicans are hoping for. The Arizona Immigration Law could be a bait for President Obama and the Democrats. However, going by President Obama's strategic style so far, he is far ahead in these things than any Republican or Democrat. So, hopefully, he will weigh all options before initiating an immigration bill.

In the meantime, Arizona law could prove to be a good kicking opportunity for the Administration. They could take it to the Supreme Court, hopefully win and garner Latino support without alienating the white voters.

Arizona is already beginning to face the music as more and more people and corporations are planning to stay away from the State. American Immigration Lawyers Association has already canceled its convention in Scottsdale. Other organizations and corporations may follow suit. The hotel industry is complaining bitterly as they rely heavily on immigrants for their staff requirements. All this could have serious consequences for Arizona's economy and its tourist industry.