All Politics is Local: Sid Harth
chhotemianinshallah
All Politics is Local: And Other Rules of the Game (Paperback)
by O'Neill (Author)
8 Reviews
5 star: (6)
4 star: (1)
3 star: (0)
2 star: (1)
1 star: (0)
Product Details
Paperback: 190 pages
Publisher: Adams Media Corp.; Reprint edition (Aug 1 1992)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1558504702
ISBN-13: 978-1558504707
Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.6 x 1.6 cm
Shipping Weight: 227 g
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
In this day of cookie-cutter, blow-dried political candidates, it's
refreshing to recall the rules of the game with a master politician.
Former Speaker of the House O'Neill ( Man of the House ) and Hymel,
his former press secretary, here compile a primer for the campaigner.
O'Neill knows how to humanize the political process. He provides us
with wonderful anecdotes: from LBJ riding a police horse in downtown
Boston to how Harry Truman became a U.S. Senator (Missouri political
boss Tom Pendergast thought Truman "wasn't smart enough" to be a
county assessor). "For me," writes O'Neill, "politics always was about
values combined with instincts. Put those together and you get a
rule." Among his rules are these: no contribution is too small; never
get introduced to the crowd at a sporting event, only boos will ensue;
to be a successful public speaker, memorize poetry; avoid bunk;
remember names; tip well. O'Neill is also outspoken on diverse topics
ranging from term limits to whiskey. A book that all 535 members of
Congress should be made to read. Author tour.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to
the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
A kind of "junior Reader's Digest" version of O'Neill's popular
political memoir, Man of the House ( LJ 10/15/87), this personalized
political primer boils down many of the entertaining true and
apocryphal stories from the first book to bare-bones incidents and one-
line lessons; no story runs more than three pages, and many are
shorter. In these anecdotes about his own experiences and those of the
politically famous (such as Truman, JFK, LBJ, and Reagan), O'Neill
treats politics both as a game during which he must outwit opponents
and as a serious vocation whose purpose is to serve his constituents.
Always straightforward and occasionally funny (but not as often as he
wants to be), the former Speaker of the House serves up a platter of
trite homilies and political folk wisdom that have served him very
well: "Be in the right place at the right time," "never criticize the
family of an opponent," "in politics, your word is everything," "don't
forget the people who elected you"--and "keep your speeches short." He
did here, and very few readers will fail to get his messages.
- Jack Forman, Mesa Coll. Lib., San Diego
Customer Reviews
All Politics is Local: And Other Rules of the Game
8 Reviews
5 star: (6)
4 star: (1)
3 star: (0)
2 star: (1)
1 star: (0)
(8 customer reviews)
The most helpful favourable review The most helpful critical review
Evolution of Family Power and Money
To the uninformed, political popularity that arises from local power
would seem to be due to extraordinary abilities in the economic and
social power circles of geographic regions. In assessing the impact,
however, of the geographic dispersion of power, what becomes evident
from genealogical studies is that families grow in power and prestige
from intentional, and...
Published on Nov 28 2003 by Patricia B. Ross
TIp and his big ego
The other reviews for this book amaze me... it seems that the other
reviewers like their authors to relate common sense principles with a
common thred of self-serving arrogance.
Tip said nothing in this book that everyone doesn't already know. And
his constant references to himself in 3rd person get annoying by the
10th page. Who actually refers to themself as "a...
Published on Jan 24 2004 by D. Macneil
TIp and his big ego, Jan 24 2004
By D. Macneil "kenny gillis" (Liberia, CR)
The other reviews for this book amaze me... it seems that the other
reviewers like their authors to relate common sense principles with a
common thred of self-serving arrogance.
Tip said nothing in this book that everyone doesn't already know. And
his constant references to himself in 3rd person get annoying by the
10th page. Who actually refers to themself as "a great man"???
Tip does.
Evolution of Family Power and Money, Nov 28 2003
By Patricia B. Ross (Wellesley, MA USA)
To the uninformed, political popularity that arises from local power
would seem to be due to extraordinary abilities in the economic and
social power circles of geographic regions. In assessing the impact,
however, of the geographic dispersion of power, what becomes evident
from genealogical studies is that families grow in power and prestige
from intentional, and sometimes, discriminatory and malicious exlusion
where power is meant to be concentrated within the "family group,"
sometimes extended to friends, and even sometimes, to female family
members, etc. Contrary to the popular Soprano perspective of
increasing power blocs to thwart competition, it is often the usurping
of power by closely knit unrelated forceful groups that have been able
to break the chain of privileged, presumptive entitlement created by
the social aristocracy from which pre-19th Century economic wealth has
grown, and often continues to be reserved like the fine champagne it
is, and has always been. The difficulty of extending the benefits of
these fine wines of privilege arises in the knowledge vacuum of the
ever growing pyramid of members unaware of their heritage, and their
potential inclusion, thereby winnowing benefits to ever, smaller
groups of the noticeably "well bred, and therefore, well educated."
The antithesis of democratic equality therefore operates only as a
parallel universe, a poor relative, to the long ago entrenched,
forcing greater stress among all those left behind, and supposed to be
included, to ever greater methods of producing influence to share in
the producive resources available. This strain on democracy results in
local strangleholds by political players desperate to combat the
forces of the closed society that has evolved as America where
geographically local rules govern success. To some purists, then, the
fact that all politics is local is not successful democracy but a
demonstration of a failed democracy as an idealistic form of
government.
Some information on the book, Jan 7 2003
By "violet467" (Santa Monica, CA)
I enjoyed reading this book even though I had to do a report on it.
The main point of the book was to show that politics is about one's
values combined with instincts; it is basically one's common sense.
Some implications were: Though many candidates think it is essential
to use the new campaigning and advertising strategies and technology
to raise money, it is also important to remember that if the candidate
and his issues find favor in the people's eyes, then many would gladly
provide financial support when they are simply asked to. If one is
loving and honest towards his constituents then his constituents will
be honest and loving towards him. If you have clout and use it then
many times you can even convince your most powerful opponents to take
your side.
I believe the author's thesis to be true because politics is all about
how well you know how to deal with people and the right thing to say
at the right time, and that is basically what common sense is. Of
course reputation, clout, and money are very influential, but if you
are a good at politics and have good common sense, those will come in
due time. I would recommend this book because it offers a different
perspective than what government books give you. All Politics is Local
and other rules of the game provides common sense that people
interested in politics should know.
A bit of political wit and wisdom., Dec 10 2001
By M. Baker (USA)
O'Neill displays his vast wit and wisdom in an entertaining series of
stories from his political career and life. Politics may seem
complicated and confusing at times but the former Speaker proves that
the game is played on a short list of general rules that should always
be followed. As one reviewer said, it makes for good bathroom reading
with its short, entertaining stories.
A Marvelous Book, Aug 7 2001
By A Customer
I am a conservative Republican who loved this book. Folks of all
political persuasions can appreciate the lessons and stories as told
by one of the brightest, funniest, and most talented politicians of
the century. If you even suspect that you might have an interest
political life, by all means read it.
The rules by the master, Jun 18 2001
By Peter Ingemi (Worcester County, Massachusetts United States)
One of the biggest regrets of my life was not taking a day off from
work when Tip was signing copies of this book. He died two weeks
later. If you love a good story, a tall tale and a bit of blarney this
book is for you. Short on story length but long on wisdom. You have to
be a real toughie to not enjoy the tales and lessons within. Buy it
and read it and see if the pols of today have learned anything.
Slight but Enjoyable, Jun 2 2000
By Robert Scheib (San Jose, CA)
This slim collection of one-and-two-page anecdotes barely qualifies as
a book at all. Nor does it make up in profundity what it lacks in
heft--the "lessons" that O'Neill gives to each of his stories seem
artificial and forced, something his publishers nagged him into doing.
But the stories themselves are great--arrogant politicians (often
O'Neill himself) get their comeuppance, feisty constituents show their
mettle, stupid election strategies win, smart ones fail. This is a
great bathroom book.
Massachusetts Political Guru Strikes Again, Jan 10 2000
By Jeff Rubin (Gainesville, FL)
Tip O'Neill, the legendary speaker of the House of Representatives
book on the game of politics is one of the more insightful books I
have read about politics and people in general. Its a shame I never
have had the opportunity to meet the legend who wrote this book.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to
the Hardcover edition.
...and I am Sid Harth
chhotemianinshallah
Separate SGPC for Haryana
Cong dividing Sikhs, says Avtar Singh
Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 3
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh
accused the Congress of trying to divide the Sikhs in Haryana and rest
of the country for political gains. He said the All- India Gurdwara
Act would be not enacted till Congress was in power at the Centre.
Accusing the Haryana government of trying to divide the Sikhs by move
on separate SGPC for Haryana, Avtar Singh who was addressing reporters
at the Chandigarh Press club said neither Sikhs or Haryana nor anyone
else, other than the Congress wanted a separate Sikh body in Haryana.
He said the Congress initially claimed to have received three lakh
affidavits favouring separate SGPC for Haryana, and then the number
was reduced to two lakh and now it stands at 1.28 lakh . In population
of 19 lakh, this is insignificant number.
He said the SGPC mooted Rs 125- crore medical college and hospital in
Shahabad in Haryana, but for years, the SGPC had not received NOC to
start work. “We want to have schools and colleges in Haryana but the
state government creates hurdles he said.
He added during his four years as president of the SGPC special
attention was paid to start educational institutions in the state. The
SGPC signed MOU with Cambridge University under which five Sikh
students would be sent to the UK for M Phil and PhD programmes in
England. The SGPC will bear 50 per cent of the cost of the
scholarship, remaining will be borne by the Cambridge University.
He disclosed Guru Granth Sahib World University would be functional by
next March, in Fatehgarh Sahib district in Punjab and translation of
Guru Granth Sahib into other languages will begin ..
Denying the SGPC was controlled by the SAD, he said " There is no
political interference by the SAD. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal
or Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal interfere in administrative matters
only to improve the system "
To a question on the SGPC issuing an edict asking Dera Sacha Sauda
followers not to hold 'naam charcha' (prayers), he said Akal Takht had
only issued one directing people for social boycott of its chief
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for "hurting the religious sentiments of
Sikhs.
YSR’s death: 2-day state mourning
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 3
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today expressed shock and
sorrow over the death of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara
Reddy in a chopper crash.
Badal described Reddy as “a gentleman politician, a decent human being
and a people’s man”. He conveyed condolences to the family of Reddy
and others who died in the crash.
Badal has declared a two-day state mourning and the national flag will
fly half mast at all government buildings. Government offices, boards,
corporations and educational institutions would remain closed for the
day as a mark of respect to the departed leader.
Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal would represent the Chief
Minister and the Punjab government at the funeral of Reddy.
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also expressed grief and
said Reddy would be remembered for his gentle way of persuasion and
his commitment for the welfare of downtrodden.
Bikram Singh Majithia, MLA and Patron, Youth Akali Dal, also mourned
the death of Reddy.
Mohinder Singh KayPee, president, Punjab Pradesh Congress, said Reddy
was a great visionary, an ardent Congressman and a great leader who
led his party successfully in the last Assembly elections.
Govt may review plane-leasing policy
Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 3
Punjab may re-examine its policy for leasing of aircraft for VIPs in
the light of the glitches, which led to the emergency landing of a
private helicopter flying Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal
recently, but is otherwise in an expansionist mode with the ground
being cleared for the acquisition of a helicopter for Chief Minister
Parkash Singh Badal.
According to sources, the accident that claimed the life of Andhra
Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy is likely to further spur efforts to
cross-check airworthiness of the aircraft taken on lease.
The sources said the Civil Aviation Department did not re-examine the
aircraft taken on lease as private operators running them have
constantly claimed that certificate of airworthiness issued by the
Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the only thing they need
to be concerned about. However, the recent incidents have made the
government think to reopen the leasing process for discussion.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had at a recent meeting asked Civil
Aviation Secretary Visvajit Khanna to discuss the viability of
purchasing a Rs 50 or Rs 60 crore helicopter with the Finance
Secretary. Though parameters like ability to operate under day and
night conditions have been approved, the government has still not
decided as to whether it should go for a medium lift helicopter with a
four passenger capacity or a heavier machine with higher passenger
capacity.
The sources said among the medium lift helicopters under discussion
include Bell-430 chopper, which was involved in the crash killing the
Andhra CM, Augusta 109 as well as the Dauphin N-3 which is being used
for the CM’s travel on lease from Pawan Hans. However, the sources
said the government might veer around to purchasing the Eurocopter
145, which has a capacity of carrying seven or eight passengers.
Haryana has also purchased this machine for its CM’s use.
The government will have to hire pilots again. Pilots M S Khokhar and
Dalip Kataria were killed in the crash of its only fixed wing King Air
C-90 aircraft in October last year.
Punjab civil aviation has a chequered history with the state losing
its other fixed wing aircraft B 200 Super King in 1994 when it crashed
along with then Governor Surendra Nath in Himachal Pradesh. Besides
pilots RDS Sandhu and Pargat Singh, who were killed in the accident,
other state pilots have also died in crashes outside the state.
chhotemianinshallah
BSP severs ties with HJC
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service
Rohtak, September 3
The much-touted alliance of the BSP and the HJC led by Kuldeep Bishnoi
was formally broken by national general secretary of the BSP and in
charge of party affairs in Haryana Man Singh Manhera here today.
The two parties, which had been facing discontentment for the past few
days, had joined hands on June 18. The BSP has declared to go it alone
in the Assembly elections scheduled to be held on October 13.
This is the second political alliance that has failed to take off even
before the elections as the BJP had broken its pact with the INLD a
couple of weeks ago.
Seen as a shot in the arm for the ruling Congress, the breakup of the
HJC-BSP alliance was announced by Manhera at a press conference here
today.
Blaming the HJC leaders for the breakup, Manhera alleged that HJC
supremo Kuldeep Bishnoi was interested more in sharing of tickets with
the BJP than the BSP, though an agreement had reached to share the 90
seats in the ratio of 50:40.
He claimed that the HJC leader had been pressurising the party to
allocate at least 30 seats to the BJP in the elections. Alleging that
the BJP is a communal party and it is against the ideals and
principles of the BSP to go along with such an organisation, he said
BSP supremo Mayawati had given a nod to break the alliance with the
HJC.
Moreover, HJC leaders had not been taking any interest in the alliance
activities and keeping away from the meetings held in the recent past,
he added. He said the BSP would not enter into any alliance and
contest the elections independently.
He declared that the BSP would hold a state-level election rally in
Jind on September 20, which would be addressed by Mayawati.
However, it may be recalled that there had been alleged discontentment
among the party cadre of both the BSP and the HJC over the seat
sharing after it was announced that 50 seats would go to the HJC while
the rest would be given to the BSP. This announcement had led to
resentment among the party leaders and workers from both the sides as
it was alleged that the distribution had not been done properly and
could result in a loss.
The BSP and the HJC had a 15.73 and 9.87 per cent vote share,
respectively, in the last Lok Sabha elections in the state.
Bishnoi blames Manhera
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 3
President of the Haryana Janhit Congress Kuldeep Bishnoi has blamed
BSP national general secretary Man Singh Manhera for the breaking of
the HJC-BSP alliance in the state.
In a statement issued here today, Bishnoi said the HJC and its workers
tried their utmost for the success of the alliance, but, he alleged,
Manhera, prompted by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, misled BSP
president Mayawati to end the alliance between the two parties.
Bishnoi said even his own party men had started accusing Manhera of
being in league with Hooda.
Poll Fallout
Board exams postponed
Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 3
The advanced Assembly elections in Haryana are having a fallout on the
most unlikely of places - in schools of the state.
With the Assembly elections slated for October 13 in Haryana, the
Education Department has decided not to go ahead with the examination
schedule as planned.
To accommodate the elections that are now interfering with the date
sheet prepared by the Haryana School Education Board for conducting
exams from September 25 to October 19, it has been decided to defer
the board exams for classes VIII, X and XII for sometime after the
election process is over.
“On account of elections in the state, we will not be able to get
police help for conducting the examination spread over three weeks.
Besides, campaigning will be in full swing at that time and rallies
and electioneering will be a distraction. Therefore it will not be
suitable to hold board exams and school buildings too will be required
for polling booths and other activities,” Principal Secretary,
Education, Rajan Gupta, said.
Sources said the police personnel were not only needed for security of
the question papers and the answer-sheets but also on the day the exam
was held at all centres. Since elections take precedence over
everything else, cops, in the numbers required by the board, couldn’t
be made available.
“Then, during elections, schoolteachers too are on duty and even act
as block level officers and presiding officers at polling booths.
Before the duty actually begins, they need to be spared for training
which happens from time to time, causing shortage of staff for
conducting the exams,” sources said.
With this in mind, it has been decided that the semester examinations
for all three board classes - the middle, secondary and senior
secondary levels - will now commence from October 24, two days after
the results for the Assembly elections is declared.
BJP to go it alone
Tribune News Service
Rohtak, September 3
While the BSP broke its alliance with the HJC today blaming the latter
for “playing” into the hands of the “communal” BJP, the BJP made it
clear that it would go it alone in the Assembly elections.
The party would soon release the first list of its candidates for the
elections and it would give priority to the youth in giving tickets,
said BJP state president Krishan Pal Gurjar to mediapersons here
today.
Gurjar claimed that there had been no proposal or move to enter into
alliance with any party so far after the BJP had pulled out of the
alliance with the INLD on August 24.
He said the party had started the process of finalising the first list
of its candidates for the Assembly elections. Stating that the party
would field candidates on all 90 seats, he said preference would be
given to the youth. Claiming that the main contest would be between
the Congress and the BJP, he said the party was also ready to sit in
the opposition if it failed to come to power, though he said the
results would be amazing and the ruling Congress would be ousted for
its failure to deliver on various fronts.
Alleging that none of the main election promises had been fulfilled so
far, he said crores had been wasted in publicity carried out just
before the election notification. Stating that the state was under a
heavy debt of about Rs 10,000 crore, he said the non-implementation of
the UGC scales for teachers had been a proof of the “weak financial”
status of the government.
Meanwhile, the party announced to induct two HJC leaders - JP Sharma
of Gharonda and Meena Parmar of Bhiwani - into the party. While Sharma
had remained a former general secretary, Parmar was holding the charge
of coordinator, women cell of the HJC, it is claimed.
INLD, too
Tribune News Service
Panipat, September 3
Having been ditched by the BJP prior to the Assembly elections in the
state, the INLD seems to have given up all hopes of forging an
alliance with any political party in the state.
Party chief Om Parkash Chautala, while speaking to mediapersons here
today after presiding over a meeting of all district presidents of the
party, said the INLD would contest the Assembly elections all alone,
claiming that they would return to power with a thumping victory.
Even as Chautala was scheduled to name party candidates who would be
contesting the upcoming elections on party ticket, but the decision
was deferred for a couple of days in view of the splitting up of the
BSP and the HJC, the announcement of which was made by BSP state chief
Man Singh Manhera earlier in the day at Rohtak. According to sources,
it was a last minute decision that was taken in wake of these
developments.
Chautala said it was most likely that the HJC would be forging an
alliance with the BJP as it had been keen on doing so since the past
LS election. He said an alliance between both parties was a must as
none had any candidates to field for the elections. He choose to
clarify that the party would name its candidates soon.
Reiterating that the Congress government in the state had been a
complete failure, Chautala said the ruling party had looted the state
like never before.
Bishnoi to contest from Adampur
Tribune News Service
Hisar, September 3
Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) chief Kuldeep Bishnoi will contest as the
party nominee from the Adampur Assembly constituency, the pocket
borough of his father.
This was stated by former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal while talking to
mediapersons here today.
Bhajan Lal said Bishnoi had fully recovered from a swine flu attack
and would now attend the meeting called by the Chief Electoral Officer
in Chandigarh tomorrow.
He said the party would announce the rest of its candidates within a
week.
Sampat has a dig at INLD manifesto
Tribune News Service
Fatehabad, September 3
Former Haryana minister Sampat Singh today said the the HJC-BSP
alliance break-up today and that of the INLD-BJP alliance earlier had
proved the fact that coalitions forged only to share seats without any
commonality of programmes and policies did not last long.
Talking to mediapersons here today, Sampat Singh also flayed the
election manifesto announced by the INLD and said people of Haryana
had stopped believing what the Chautalas stated.
“The coalitions between the INLD and the BJP on the one hand and the
HJC and the BSP on the other hand were accords of seat sharing only
without any common minimum programmes on which they would act upon
after coming to power. These types of accords are forged to meet
selfish ends to fleece voters without their welfare in mind,” he
maintained, adding that the alliances had met the fate they were bound
to meet.
Sampat Singh pooh-poohed the announcements made by the INLD in the
manifesto recently released by the party.
Holiday today
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 3
The Haryana government has decided to observe September 4 as public
holiday as a mark of respect to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS
Rajasekhara Reddy, who passed away on September 2.
State mourning will be observed for two days on September 3 and 4 and
during the period the National Flag will be flown at half mast
throughout the state on all buildings where it is flown regularly and
there will be no official entertainment. All offices of the state
government, including those of boards and corporations and educational
institutions, will remain closed on account of public holiday.
Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia and Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh
Hooda have mourned the sudden demise of Reddy and four others in a
tragic copter crash.
In a condolence message issued here today, the Governor described
Reddy as a great social worker. Hooda described him as a seasoned
parliamentarian, able administrator and a man of masses.
He said his death was an irreparable loss just not to Andhra Pradesh,
but to the entire country. Reddy had the qualities of head and heart,
he added.
chhotemianinshallah
Central Varsity
BJP, Panthers Party MLAs stage walkout
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, August 27
The MLAs from the Jammu region, cutting across party lines, staged a
walkout from the Assembly today over the central university issue,
protesting the state government’s silence over its location. The
Assembly witnessed noisy scenes as the members of the BJP and the
Panthers Party asked the government to clear its position on the
issue.
Uproarious scenes were witnessed when Abdul Gani Malik, Minister for
Higher Education, gave a written reply to the clubbed question of six
members, Harsh Dev Singh, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Mir Zahoor Ahmad,
Yashpaul Kundal, Ashwani Kumar Sharma and Ashok Khajuria. Even as the
question hour came to an end, the members from different parties
raised anti-government slogans and walked out of the Assembly.
Harsh Dev Singh of the Panthers Party said even after a lapse of eight
months, no land had been identified by the government in any part of
the state for the central university. He blamed the government for
inaction and negligence and wanted to know whether the decision to set
up the university had been withheld by the Central government.
Intervening on the issue, Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla and Minister
for Medical Education RS Chib said there was some delay while a
delegation led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had a meeting with the
Prime Minister to set up two universities in the state. The ministers
clarified that there was no withholding of the decision to set up the
central university already sanctioned. They added that a decision
would be taken soon to resolve the crisis.
Earlier the Higher Education Minister said the Central government had
sanctioned a central university, an IIM, 11 OBC Degree Colleges, 18
polytechnics and five ITIs for the state, the locations for these were
yet to be identified. He said 500 acres were required for the central
university, and 200 acres for the IIM. Teams at the level of the
Central and state governments had been constituted for the
identification and inspection of the chosen sites.
He said three sites in Jammu and four sites in the valley had been
identified having different dimensions.
CM favours talks with Pak, local leaders
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, August 27
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said India’s talks with Pakistan and
Jammu and Kashmir leaders were imperative to solve the vexed Kashmir
issue.
Speaking in the Assembly today, Omar said his government would try its
best to initiate talks between two hostile countries and between New
Delhi and Kashmir leaders.
“We have seen in the past that talks either only between India and
Pakistan or between New Delhi and Kashmir-based groups have not
yielded the desired results. Two dimensional talks are a must,” he
said.
chhotemianinshallah
Purchases to be decentralised
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, September 3
The state government has effected major changes in the ayurvedic drug
purchase policy to raise the quantum of classical medicines from the
current 30 to 60 per cent and decentralise procurement by involving
Rogi Kalyan Samitis.
Further, as much as 70 per cent of the medicines will be procured from
pharmacies located within the state as against the existing 30 per
cent. Each ayurvedic health centre will be equipped with first-aid
facilities for all kinds of diseases.
They will also be required to procure medicines for common diseases
such as fever, common cold, cough, bronchitis, diarrhoea, dysentery,
acidity, abdominal pains, joint pains, anaemia, diabetes,
hypertension, in sufficient quantities.
Purchase of other medicines will be guided by an understanding of the
disease pattern at local level.
Every year appropriate targets for medicines, to be manufactured in
the government pharmacies, will be set and procurement of such
medicines from open market will be made only in case of shortfall in
production.
In the drawing up of the list case of patent medicines required for
treatment of specific diseases, preference will be given to local
manufacturers wherever a choice is to be made.
Purchases will be made by the respective Rogi Kalyan Samitis at
district level and two large institutions for which funds will be
allocated by the director of ayurveda.
The system of delivery of medicines at various places has been done
away with and, instead, the companies will now be required to deliver
the supply at a central location in the state.
Samples of medicines will also be drawn at the point of delivery to
ensure quality. The state civil supplies corporation will make further
supplies to institutions.
It will be paid a flat fee of Rs 5 lakh each year for the first
service and 6 per cent of the value of order for the second service.
The technical bids will be scrutinised by the technical committee and
the evaluation of financial bids will also involve officers of the
state civil supplies corporation.
The bidders and medicines will be listed disease-wise separately for
classical and patent medicines along with recommendations.
The state-level purchase committee will approve the rate contract of
the classical and patent medicines district-wise.
CM for crop protection under NREGA
Tribune News Service
Shimla, September 3
Chief Minister PK Dhumal has urged the Centre to bring crop protection
from wild animals under ambit of NREGA as farmers are suffering huge
losses on this account.
He raised this issue in a meeting with Central Rural Development
Minister CP Joshi at a high-level meeting in Delhi today.
He said the farmers in the state were suffering loss worth crores due
to damage caused to their crops by wildlife, especially monkeys. He
urged that a chowkidar may be allowed to be appointed to protect the
crops under NREGA.
He said despite the fact that the Centre was paying Rs 100 daily as
wages to those working under NREGA, the state had enhanced the wages
to Rs 110 from March 1, 2009, and further enhanced it to Rs 138 in
snow-bound tribal areas of the state.
“Due to increase in wages, the extra financial burden of Rs 24 crore
per annum is being borne by the state,” he said.
He said under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) a sum of
Rs 1,241.68 crore had been spent out of the total grant of Rs 2,195.16
crore.
“A sum of Rs 243.33 crore would be needed to complete 194 new
development schemes in the state which needs to be sanctioned to keep
up the pace of the development works,” he added.
He pleaded to bring the Panchayati Raj Training Institute at Baijnath
under the cover of Extension Training Centre of the Centre. He sought
adequate financial assistance to make it an institute of par
excellence.
chhotemianinshallah
A Tribune Special
Mayawati in a tight spot
Her assets and statues may unsettle politics in UP, says Our Roving
Editor Man Mohan
The rags-to-riches story of ‘Behenji’, as Uttar Pradesh Chief
Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati (53) is
popularly known, has no parallel in Indian politics. Still, her rapid
wealth creation has largely gone unnoticed.
Though she is facing various corruption charges, she seems to be
worried about the CBI probe. The CBI recently informed the Supreme
Court in an affidavit that it was ready with a chargesheet against her
in the disproportionate assets (DA) case. The CBI said that it had
evidence to prove that Mayawati amassed wealth disproportionate to her
known sources of income.
The UP political scene is set to turn tumultuous once the CBI gets the
go- ahead from the apex court. And Dalit politics may also go out of
Mayawati’s control. She is anticipating trouble in the near future.
That is why she recently announced that her successor — even if
temporary — would be from the Dalit community.
Behenji’s declared assets
In 2007: Rs 52 crore approximately. They include:
One house in Delhi (Rs 18 crore), commercial properties in Delhi (Rs
18.8 crore)
House in Lucknow (Rs 97.4 lakh)
Deposits in banks, financial institutions and non-banking financial
institutions (Rs 12.88 crore),
Cash (Rs 52.27 lakh, jewellery (Rs 51 lakh)
Gold and diamonds (1034.260 gm of gold, 76.040 gm of diamonds and
18,500 kg of a silver dinner set) (Rs 50,87,529 lakh), murals (Rs 15
lakh).
In 2004: Rs 12 crore approximately. They include:
Four houses in Delhi (Rs 1.2 crore)
Jewellery (Rs 31 lakh), cash (Rs 1.5 lakh) and
Bank investments and finances (Rs 9.78 crore)
Obsession with statues
The BSP claims that the elephant’s raised trunk (as shown in the hathi
parks) has been a part of Indian culture as a traditional welcome
symbol which can be found at ancient buildings and temples.
For building elephant statues at public places in UP, Mayawati is
facing sharp criticism. The Election Commission has issued a show-
cause notice to the BSP asking why the party symbol should not be
frozen for violation of rules.
About 60 redstone elephants have been installed in the Rs 750-crore
Ambedkar Park-cum-memorial in Lucknow and the Noida BSP park. The BSP
is now claiming that the party symbol is “not like park elephants.”
During elections, Mayawati had claimed about her party symbol: Yeh
Haathi nahin, Ganesh hain, Brahma, Vishnu Maheshwar hai.
The CBI earlier tried to catch Mayawati in the Rs 175-crore Taj
Heritage Corridor scam also but she escaped prosecution, thanks to
both BJP-led NDA and Congress-led UPA governments as they could not
make up their minds. Till the last minute, they thought they might
require Mayawati’s support to remain in power.
The permission to prosecute her never came from the then UP Governor
T. V. Rajeshwar (former Director, Intelligence Bureau), whose term
ended this July. The Supreme Court had upheld his decision ruling that
it didn’t have the jurisdiction to “interfere” with a Governor’s
action.
The Taj case is about an alleged 2002-03 scam, when Mayawati during
her third term as Chief Minister was charged with corruption. It was a
project to upgrade tourist facilities near Agra’s Taj Mahal. But
environmentalists strongly protested, charging that it would spoil the
beauty of the monument of love.
The project is now defunct. Though the case also stands buried, its
ghost still haunts her. Efforts are being made through three recent
public interest litigations (PILs) filed in the Lucknow bench of the
Allahabad High Court to get the case reopened.
Interestingly, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) twice gave
Mayawati a clean chit in her income assessment cases. These orders
have been challenged by the IT Department in the Delhi High Court. The
IT authorities continue to keep a close watch on her rising wealth.
Mayawati is now more worried about the CBI probe into her assets case
registered on October 5, 2005. It is still awaiting the apex court’s
nod to chargesheet her. The CBI’s assets case list includes over 70
immovable assets (including properties of her relatives), over 50
frozen bank accounts of relations, friends and others containing Rs
7.36 crore, and dubious donations to the tune of nearly Rs. 13.18
crore. It is believed that the CBI may submit an updated list of her
assets when the case comes up for hearing in September.
The DA case is an offshoot of the Taj Corridor case. While examining
the Taj case documents submitted by the CBI, the apex court was
alarmed on seeing details about Mayawati’s alleged assets and taking
suo motu notice ordered the agency to lodge an FIR against her.
Earlier, two reports placed before the apex court by the CBI on
September 18, 2003, contained the issue relating to the assets.
In the DA case, the CBI said that the assets shown by Mayawati during
her Akbarpur parliamentary election on April 4, 2004, were worth over
Rs 12 crore whereas the assets increased to over Rs 52 crore in her
declaration papers submitted three years later, when she contested for
a seat in the UP Legislative Council just after the 2007 Assembly
elections.
Over Rs 52 crore assets include a Rs 18-crore ‘BSP House’ in New
Delhi’s Sardar Patel Marg. Earlier, Bungalow No. 11 belonged to noted
publisher Yunus Delhvi. Mayawati brazenly explained this as “a gift
from party workers and well-wishers.” Her other properties are all in
posh areas — two in New Delhi’s Connaught Place, one in Okhla and
another on Nehru Road in Lucknow. Property accounts for the largest
chunk in Mayawati’s declared wealth.
All the assets that she flaunts today have come to her during her over
two decades of political career. She inherited nothing from her
parents. Her father Prabhu Das worked as a low-paid clerk in the
government. She has also been accused of ordering the BSP MPs to
contribute their discretion funds and the MP’s Local Area Development
Scheme funds to the party fund illegally. She has also come under
criticism from the Opposition for receiving back her own wealth as
“gifts” from unknown party sympathisers.
Of late, Mayawati is facing ire from the Opposition and the public for
installing since 2007 a large number of statues of Dalit icons like
BSP founder Kanshi Ram, Dr B. R. Ambedkar and six of herself in parks
and memorials in Lucknow, Noida and elsewhere in the state. The matter
is before the Supreme Court.
Mayawati is perhaps the first post-Independence political leader who
has installed her statues. These are impressive and tailored to
perfection – the lady in stone even holding an expensive handbag!
Dr Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, is not amused. A
former MP from Maharashtra, he said: “Just assume you are living in
2510 and taking a stroll in Lucknow or Noida with your grandchildren.
They will look at Mayawati’s statue with a handbag. You will tell them
that it was a Dalit queen who ruled a northern province hundreds of
years ago…But in 2510 you won’t say that the handbag carries people’s
hard-earned money.”
Many statues of the elephant – the BSP poll symbol – have also been
erected in these parks. The Election Commission has received a
complaint against Mayawati alleging that she has violated the rules
regarding the use of poll symbols and, therefore, this symbol should
be frozen.
The parks in which the statues are being erected are said to have cost
the state over Rs 2,000 crore of the taxpayers’ money. Even when about
50 UP districts have been declared drought-hit, Mayawati has sought
the Assembly’s sanction for Rs 656 crore for these projects in
contrast to Rs 300 crore sought for drought.
***
The Central Government’s economic intelligence agencies and revenue
departments are updating Mayawati’s money profile. She ranks among the
20 top taxpayers in the country. In 2007-08, she gave Rs 26.26 crore
as income-tax; her income that year was over Rs 75 crore.
Up to 2003, Mayawati’s tax returns, filed in the 3 (1a) circle in
Delhi, showed taxable income of around Rs 80 lakh over a five-year
period. And since early 90s till 2003, Mayawati had only declared
assets worth Rs 1.11 crore in her income-tax returns.
The income-tax authorities are expecting a substantial increase in her
IT returns for 2008-09, mainly because of the heavy flow of
“donations” for the BSP in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Top
intelligence sources said a major Mumbai-based corporate house backed
the BSP in the Lok Sabha polls with a view to settling scores with
Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh.
Mayawati graduated from Kalindi College, Delhi University. Hoping to
become a District Magistrate, she studied law but worked as a teacher
in West Delhi’s Inderpuri Colony before embarking on her political
career. In 1984, her mentor, Kanshi Ram, launched the BSP to represent
the Dalits and Buddhists. In 2001, he named her as his successor.
Year after year, Mayawati’s income has been rising, whether in or out
of power. However, she has merely claimed that she has been receiving
huge amounts “as gifts from party workers, supporters and well-
wishers.” Her declared assets of nearly Rs one crore in 2003 went up
to Rs 52 crore in 2007.
***
With the closure of the filing of income-tax returns for 2008-09, the
authorities are analysing Mayawati’s declaration of income and wealth
and comparing it with what they have been gathering over a long
period. On a tip-off, one of the agencies is checking out reports
about the recent purchase of about 50 acres of land along the Noida
Expressway by a Haryana landlord in the name of a person close to
Mayawati. The landlord reportedly also acquired 200 acres in the name
of his family members, relations and friends after he was told that
the UP government would soon acquire the area for a major project and
this would double the land price.
“Each paise is accounted for and explained before income-tax
authorities,” Mayawati has maintained. She even found an explanation
for her newly acquired wealth: donations are from supporters to fight
the “false” cases against her. However, the government investigative
agencies have a list of a large number of properties in UP and Delhi
in the name of her close relations and friends.
Some time ago, the income-tax authorities prepared a confidential list
of Mayawati’s immovable assets and also of those which are in the name
of her close relatives, friends and party workers. Their worth was
estimated at more than Rs 100 crore.
In the initial years of the UPA government’s first term, an IT team
kept waiting to raid Mayawati’s relatives and friends but the highly
classified operation was abandoned on the orders of the highest
authorities in the Finance Ministry.
“It is very difficult to fix the real worth of Mayawati’s assets at
any given time as most of them are in the name of others and they
continue to grow,” the CBI sources said, explaining that “tracing them
is also a Herculean task.”
***
To prevent the misuse of income-tax laws related to “gifts” received
by many politicians like Mayawati and businessmen, an amendment was
made in the 1961 IT Act. But it turned out to be a blessing in
disguise for persons like her — as if the IT department was answering
their prayers.
Section 56 (2) (v) and Section 56 (2) and (vi) made “gifts” above Rs
50,000 taxable unless, of course, they were from blood relations such
as spouse, brothers and sisters. So, “gifts” and “money donations”
from others exceeding the value of Rs 50,000 attracts about 30 per
cent tax.
Before the amendment, Mayawati had claimed receiving crores of rupees,
in the shape of small amounts of Rs 5 and Rs 10 from lakhs of party
workers, supporters and well-wishers for championing the cause of the
Dalits and poor people. She had claimed that these could not be
treated as “taxable income”. The IT department is not equipped to do
an in-depth investigation into lakhs of unknown people’s “donations”
in smallest currency notes.
“With this money, she built her own castle of personal wealth. The
money that came from public sources was meant for the BSP. But,
instead of going to the party funds, it was shown as part of her own
wealth,” a top income-tax official said.
“The amendment related to “gifts” in the IT Act has made Mayawati’s
work easier and our department’s job tougher,” the official said,
explaining that many top politicians like Mayawati now happily pay
about 30 per cent of donation money coming from unknown well-wishers.
Till 2003, Mayawati had declared assets worth Rs 1.11 crore in her IT
returns. Now, as per the CBI documents, assets only in her own name
are several hundred per cent more than her earlier declared income.
And the assets go to over 1000 per cent more, if one includes those
belonging to her relatives and friends, the CBI sources claim. There
are four large plots in Inderpuri (West Delhi) in the name of her
close family members. A local property dealer told The Tribune that a
500 sq yard plot in Inderpuri is worth several crores of rupees.
A senior CBI officer said that “one must remember that Mayawati has
not inherited assets or any agricultural or non-agricultural income
but has declared huge assets, paid impressive income tax. However, she
has not accounted for how these wealth was amassed, and, mind you, she
has not shown any outstanding loans.”
The IT and CBI authorities allege that most properties of Mayawati
have been undervalued. An IT official, who was associated with the
preparation of Mayawati’s list of known and unknown assets, said: “The
Election Commission’s mandatory affidavit clearly demands the current
market value but then, furnishing false information is not a criminal
offence yet.”
***
If reports were to bear scrutiny, Mayawati is now planning to bury a
time capsule at a secret place in the state. Or has she already done
it? The capsule is said to contain material about her political rule
and her fight for the Dalits.
One is reminded of Indira Gandhi’s time capsule lowered at the Red
Fort in New Delhi during the Emergency. Officially, it was then said
that it contained only material about India’s achievements. But her
critics say, Indira Gandhi had done this to immortalise herself.
In response, satirist and author Cho Ramaswamy had planted his own
time capsule 10 feet below the ground with copies of his journal
Tughlaq. So Mayawati’s capsule would be the third in India…if it
happens. Clearly, Mayawati wants her memory to be immortalised.
Like Indira Gandhi, Mayawati is equally ambitious. But her hopes of
becoming India’s first Dalit Prime Minister were dashed after the UPA
returned to power in the Lok Sabha elections. Still, Mayawati appears
unstoppable.
Sid Harth
K. Rosiah sworn-in as interim AP Chief Minister
Fri, 2009-09-04 05:29 — editor
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
Chennai, 04 September (Asiantribune.com): Chennai, 04 September
(Asiantribune.com): Senior-most Congress leader and Finance Minister K
Rosaiah was on Thursday sworn-in as the interim Chief Minister of
Andhrea Pradesh, following the untimely death of incumbent Y.S.
Rajasekhara Reddy on Wednesday.
K Rosaiah on Thursday sworn-in as the interim Chief Minister of
Andhrea PradeshAt a simple function at Raj Bhavan, the Governor N D
Tiwari administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Rosaiah. He
was the only one to be sworn in.
After official declaration of death of Reddy was made, Mr. Rosiah was
sworn in. After taking the oath, he drove straight to the State
Secretariat where he met all the ministers of the Reddy Cabinet.
Kadapa to be ‘YSR district’
The first thing the new Andhra Pradesh interim Chief Minister K.
Rosaiah did was he convened an emergency Cabinet meeting, which lasted
hardly 20 minutes, mourned Dr. Reddy and four others who died in
Wednesday’s helicopter crash. It observed a two-minute silence and
adopted a resolution to name Kadapa district after Y.S. Rajasekhara
Reddy as a tribute to the departed leader.
Later, Mr. Rosaiah and his Cabinet colleagues drove to YSR’s residence
at Begumpet and paid their respects to the leader. Describing YSR’s
death as most shocking, the Cabinet expressed its deep sympathies to
all the bereaved members of the families.
YSR’s services recalled
The Cabinet recalled the services of Dr. Reddy, who saved the State
from an imminent financial crisis and put it on the highway of
development in five years. His several innovative schemes were placed
on record such as Aarogyasri, Pavala Vaddi, Abhaya Hastham, free power
to farmers, Indiramma, fee reimbursement to students, loan waiver for
various sections and his flagship programme, Jalayagnam under which 81
irrigation projects were taken up at a cost of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore to
cover over one crore acres.
“It is hard to believe that the amiable, visionary and workaholic
Chief Minister, who was humane in every word and deed, is no more. The
void caused by his death can’t be filled,” the Cabinet said.
Rosaiah’s profile
The 77-year-old Rosaiah, kept a low profile and was always a non-
controversial leader. A senior-most leader, he has held various
portfolios in successive Congress governments since 1979 and served
under different Chief Ministers, but mostly the Finance portfolio he
got.
He, in fact, has set a record by presenting as many as 15 Budgets to
the Assembly.
Born in July 1933 at Vemuru in Guntur district, he is a bachelor of
commerce . He belongs to the Vaishya community. Active in politics
since his student days, he was a close follower of the late
parliamentarian and farmers leader Prof. N G Ranga.
Mr. Rosaiah served as a member of AP Legislative Council in 1968, 1974
and 1980. He became a Minister for Roads and Buildings in 1979 under
M. Channa Reddy. He served as a minister in the Cabinets of T Anjaiah,
Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, N Janardhana Reddy and has been serving
as a minister in the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy Cabinet since May 2004. He
held portfolios like home, health, education and transport.
During 1995 to 97, he was also the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee
president. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Narsaraopet in 1998.
In 2007, Andhra University had conferred an honorary doctorate on him.
Mr. Rosaiah is married to Sivalaxmi and has three sons and a
daughter.
- Asian Tribune -
Sid Harth
Dr. Swamy appeals SC to scrap Sethusamudram project
Sat, 2009-09-05 03:18 — editor
By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai
Chennai, , 05 September (Asiantribune.com): Janata Party President
Subramanian Swamy has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking
that Setusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP) be declared invalid.
Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy Dr Swamy mentioned his
application today before the Supreme Court for urgent hearing. A bench
comprising Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan and Justices P
Sathasivam and B S Chauhan, however, directed the application for
hearing in the first week of October.
The application stated that there were no proper studies conducted
before starting the project, and therefore the project should be
declared invalid and fresh research should be carried out before
restarting the project.
According to a report of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), at
Dona Paula, Goa published in March 2009, he said in his application,
the NIO is yet to study the impact of seasonal cycle of sediment
transport and cyclones. It will also study the impact of biosphere
reserve on environment due to changes brought about due to the
construction and operation of the channel with alignment 4A.
Dr Swamy has also appealed to appoint an impartial committee to de
novo consider the project only after the requisite data has been
collected over the proper period of years and the same has been
properly studied.
The Supreme Court is awaiting the report of Dr. R K Pachauri committee
which was appointed by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to explore
the possibility of adopting some new route\alignment to complete the
project so that Ram Setu can be saved.
Sid Harth
CPM axe on land deal with Vedic
BISWAJIT ROY
Calcutta, Sept. 4: The CPM today asked the government to scrap its
joint venture for an infotech township project with the Vedic Village
promoters “after examining the legal constraints”.
At the same time, the party’s state secretariat felt the government
should purchase land at Rajarhat for Wipro and Infosys, which had been
promised plots in the proposed township.
Today’s meeting of the party’s highest decision-making body at the
state level had become stormy over fixing responsibility for entering
into ventures with “unscrupulous land-grabbers” and finding a way out
of the Vedic mess.
IT minister Debesh Das was summoned to explain the implications of
scrapping the 1,200-acre township deal between government-owned Webel
and companies floated by Vedic Village managing director Raj K. Modi
and his associate, Amarnath Shroff.
CPM state secretary Biman Bose refused to disclose the decisions. “The
government will spell out its position,” he said.
A secretariat member said: “The government can’t be part of a project
where the private partners are unscrupulous realtors. We can come out
of the deal since the Vedic people violated the agreement by grabbing
land at gunpoint.”
There was a different view, too, represented by industries minister
Nirupam Sen and Das. They implored the government not to throw the
baby out with the bathwater. A grim-faced Sen refused to speak as he
left the meeting but the chief minister apparently agreed to explore
the possibility of purchasing land for the IT companies.
Senior secretariat member Benoy Konar said: “It will be a disaster for
efforts to promote IT if the township project is abandoned completely.
Debesh (Das) also told us that big IT companies like Wipro and Infosys
will take strong exception if we can’t honour our commitment to
provide land.”
Konar added that the two companies had said they wouldn’t like to be
part of the land deal with the Vedic Village promoters. Nor do they
want to buy directly.
“The government will try to purchase land in the Rajarhat area. In the
meantime, legal aspects would be examined before taking the formal
decision,” he said.
Housing minister Gautam Deb, who along with Bose and Md Salim, the
former MP, argued for the project to be scrapped immediately to spare
the party and government further embarrassment, said: “The matter has
been left to the chief minister.”
Sid Harth
CPM divided over ‘action’ on Mollah
Not illegal for some, immoral for others
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Abdur Rezzak Mollah at the news conference he held on Tuesday to
defend himself
Calcutta, Sept. 4: The CPM is unhappy with Abdur Rezzak Mollah for
leasing out 44 acres of government land to Vedic Village in an out-of-
court settlement, but appears split on action against the land and
land reforms minister.
“Why should we take action against Rezzak? He didn’t do anything
illegal,” a veteran leader said after a meeting of the party’s
powerful state secretariat this morning.
According to him, Rezzak said in his report to the party that the plot
he leased out had ceased to be farmland and it was vested by the
government on the ground of legalities after the Vedic promoters
bought it. “He said he compelled the promoters to pay for the land
twice, first to the landowners and then to the government as lease
amount,” the veteran said.
But another secretariat member sang a different tune. “The way Rezzak
handled the issue left many a loose end. Prima facie, even if he had
not done anything strictly illegal, he can’t escape after doing things
that people perceive as immoral,” he said, referring to Mollah’s
visits to the resort for free ayurvedic treatment.
According to this section, the party will decide on Mollah after state
secretary Biman Bose returns from Delhi.
The minister has been accused of giving away the land at a throwaway
price when there was no legal compulsion to do so. He charged the
promoters Rs 3,670 a cottah in 2005, when Vedic had sold the same land
at Rs 50,000 a cottah in 2001.
“We had preliminary discussions on his (Mollah’s) report today. But
Bimanda will go through the reports of the party’s North and South 24-
Parganas units on Vedic Village before taking a decision,” said
another secretariat member.
Bose refused to speak on Mollah before leaving for Delhi today.
Insiders said the leadersh-ip faced a dilemma over “publicly
censuring” Mollah despite politburo members Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee
and Nirupam Sen’s reservations about the critic of their land
acquisition drive for industry. “Action against Mollah” for the out-of
court settlement might bring out many skeletons as some of the
promoters are known to be very close to “leaders at the highest
level”, the sources said.
Mollah today set up a committee to find out how much land had
undergone mutation for the proposed IT township spread across North
and South 24-Parganas and how their character had changed.
“Several reports have come out in the media about land purchase in
Rajarhat and Bhangar for the proposed IT township. There are
allegations that the land mafia was involved in such transactions and
plots were being taken at gunpoint. Keeping all this in mind, I
decided to form a committee to look into how much land has been
mutated,” said Mollah, also the MLA from Bhangar.
“Similarly, the panel will also try to find out the area of farmland
that has been converted for non-agricultural use. I will submit this
status report to the cabinet as it had cleared the project.”
The panel comprising his department’s officials has to submit its
report in a month.
Power plant plot
The government today handed over around 350 acres to the West Bengal
Power Development Corporation for a proposed plant in Burdwan’s Katwa,
which the Trinamul Congress has been opposing. The 350 acres were
taken mostly from willing farmers owing allegiance to the CPM. The
1000MW plant needs over 680 acres more.
Sid Harth
Mamata wants damages
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Mamata Banerjee at the news conference on Friday. (Pradip Sanyal)
Calcutta, Sept. 4: Mamata Banerjee today said she wanted compensation
for farmers whose land had been “forcibly acquired” by the promoters
of Vedic Village “with the help of CPM leaders”.
“The Vedic Village promoters have forcibly grabbed land from poor
farmers with the help of CPM leaders in the Rajarhat area. We shall
press for adequate compensation for them (the landlosers) by launching
a day-long protest on Tuesday,” the Trinamul Congress chief told a
news conference at the party headquarters.
Tuesday’s rally will be held on the same Sikharpur football ground
where a dispute over a referee’s offside decision on August 23 had
sparked a clash that went on to burn the resort and open a can of
worms over deals struck by its promoters. Sections of both Trinamul
and the government have been accused of being in league with them.
Land shark Gaffar Mollah, whose goons had shot dead a boy during the
clash, has been linked with Trinamul. Party MLA Arabul Hossain’s name
has also cropped up in connection with the deals.
Trinamul sources said Mamata’s announcement came after some
functionaries asked her whether the party had reservations against
launching an offensive on the issue at an extended core committee
meeting this afternoon.
Some Trinamul leaders were critical about the role of Bhangar MLA
Arabul, whose brother Sirajul is said to have close links with Gaffar.
“The party should spell out its stand on Arabul,” one of them said.
In response, Mamata said Arabul was being dragged into the controversy
by the CPM. “He is a member of a neighbourhood committee for
landlosers as he represents Bhangar. We are certain he has nothing to
do with the land deals in Vedic Village. But if a probe finds him
involved, he will have to fight it legally on his own,” the Trinamul
chief said later.
A leader from North 24-Parganas told Mamata the Congress had already
held a demonstration and tried to steal a march on her. “Didi
immediately decided on Tuesday’s rally,” said one of those present.
chhotemianinshallah
Chautala changes Assembly seat due to delimitation
Chandigarh, Sep 4 : The opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD)
supremo and former chief minister Om Parkash Chautala today announced
that he would contest from Uchana Kalan constituency in the coming
Assembly elections in Haryana.
Mr Chautala, who was elected from his native Rori constituency in the
2005 Assembly elections, has been compelled to change his seat as Rori
was aboilshed in the delimitation of constituencies.
A new constituency Kalanwali, which was carved out in place of Rori,
had been made a reserve (SC) seat, making it out of bounds for Mr
Chautala who belongs to Jat community.
The INLD supremo, in fact, had contested from two seats in the
previous elections, Narwana being the other seat. Narwana, from where
he was defeated by Power Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala, had also
been made a reserve seat in the delimitation process.
Uchana Kalan, which he has now chosen as his battlefield, was won by
Finance Minister Birender Singh in 2005 elections. This constituency
can witness an interesting battle of two Jat leaders If Mr Singh gets
the Congress ticket from there again.
Meanwhile, INLD sources said Mr Chautala was likely to contest two
seats this time too and could announce the second seat in the next
list of candidates.
The INLD today released its first list of 42 candidates for the
Assembly elections in Haryana, which has a total of 90
constituencies.
--UNI
(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
Unauthorised publication of any content from NewKerala.Com is
prohibited
chhotemianinshallah
Chautala's INLD releases list of 42 candidates for Haryana assembly
polls
PTI 4 September 2009, 02:00pm IST
CHANDIGARH: The opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Friday
released its first list of 42 candidates, including five women, for
the October 13 assembly elections in Haryana.
Party chief and former chief minister Om Parkash Chautala in a
statement issued here announced his candidature from Uchana Kalan
assembly constituency in Jind district.
President of the Haryana unit of the party and former minister Ashok
Arora has been fielded from Thanesar in Kurukshetra district.
Besides the five women, the party has fielded around 10 youth, former
ministers and MLAs besides office bearers of the state and the
district units.
The women fielded are Kanta Devi -Jhajjar, Swatantar Bala Chaudhary -
Fatehabad, Sheela Bhyana - Barwala, Seema Devi - Uklana and Shashibala
Tewatia - Pirthala with the last two being youth also.
The youths fielded by the party include Pradeep Chaudhary - Kalka,
Dilbagh Singh - Yamunanagar, Narinder Sangwan - Gharaunda, Ashok
Kashyap - indri, Atul Malik- Gohana, Charanjit Singh - Kalanwali and
Satish Nandal - Garhi Sampla Kiloi.
chhotemianinshallah
Experts' report to PMO faults Sethu project, SC told
Dhananjay Mahapatra , TNN 5 September 2009, 08:57am IST
NEW DELHI: Janata Party president Subramaniam Swamy told the Supreme
Court on Friday that experts had warned against going ahead with the
Rs 2,400
crore Sethusamudram project in a development that could land the
government in an embarassing position.
The Manmohan Singh government had earlier boxed itself into a corner
in 2007 after filing an affidavit in SC doubting the existence of Lord
Rama and the epic Ramayana in its eagerness to implement the mega
project. Swamy told the SC on oath on Friday that National Institute
of Oceanography (NIO) had submitted a “devastating report” to the
government red-lighting the Sethusamudram project and the Centre was
“deliberately” keeping it under wraps.
The report was handed over to the government in March 2009, Swamy said
and claimed the Centre intended to keep it under wraps “because
contents of the report is such — it delineates consequences so
disastrous for India that no one with any sense of responsibility/
conscience could thereafter proceed with the project at all — that on
its basis it would be necessary to scrap the entire Sethusamudram ship
channel project”.
Swamy was one of the petitioners who had challenged the project, in
which the apex court had stopped dredging by its August 31, 2007,
interim order. The court had then okayed a high-level committee headed
by environmentalist R K Pachauri to examine the project and give a
report.
Seeking early hearing of the Sethusamudram issue before a Bench
comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam
and B S Chauhan, Swamy said the government be directed to place the
NIO report before the court. The Bench agreed that hearing on the
issue was long overdue and posted it for deliberations in the first
week of October. Swamy, in his application, quoted extensively from
the NIO report and said experts had faulted the meagre data collected
on the possible impact of the project on marine biodiversity.
chhotemianinshallah
100 days into politics, YSR's son finds himself in the spotlight
Kingshuk Nag, TNN 5 September 2009, 04:59am IST
Until a couple of days ago, you had to be either from Andhra Pradesh
or be a political junkie to know the name of Yeduguri Sandinti Jagan
Mohan Reddy — or simply Jagan Reddy as he's better known — much less
his importance. Today, this 37-year-old has an even chance to be king
of Andhra Pradesh.
Even as he was grieving for his father YS Rajasekhara Reddy on Friday,
it was clear from Thursday's clamour from a majority of party MLAs
that either he had quietly acquired enormous popularity in the last
few years or his supporters were an impatient lot. They didn't wait
for his father to be buried before pressing his claim to the gaddi in
Hyderabad.
That city has known Jagan's rise rather well. In the last two months,
Hyderabad was buzzing with stories of how Jagan Reddy was keen to
start an English daily. The name being toyed with was said to be 'The
Witness'. Jagan himself, it's said, preferred the name 'Indian Post',
but the owner of the title, Shreyans Shah of Gujarat Samachar, was
apparently not willing to sell out.
Now that Jagan is seriously in the race for the CM's position, it's
not known whether he will pursue his business plans with any
seriousness. But even so, if he were to get the top slot in Andhra
Pradesh, he would still be the only CM who is a media baron too. His
Telugu daily Sakshi and his Telugu channel by the same name are up and
doing fairly well — helped generously, not surprisingly, by
advertisements from the state government.
Although Jagan Reddy busied himself with business ventures for the
last five years, he never lost sight of politics — indeed, it's said
politics was his first love. Soon after the 2004 elections that
brought Rajasekhara Reddy to power in the state, grapevine had it that
young Jagan tried to cajole his uncle Y S Vivekananda Reddy to vacate
his Lok Sabha seat, Kadapa, so that he could get elected from there in
a bye election. The uncle resistance and the high command's worry
about an unnecessary bye-election being forced so early are said to
have kept Jagan away.
Five years later, in the run-up to the 2009 elections, Jagan Reddy
started out early. Large cut outs of him came up in Cuddapah town
ahead of the polls, with the Congress young brigade demanding that the
young man be the Lok Sabha candidate.
Slogans of "We want Jagan" were raised at meetings addressed by chief
minister Rajasekhara Reddy, and in the end, Vivekananda made way for
his nephew. The uncle was accommodated with a nomination to the
legislative council.
Jagan is known as a chip of the old block — not quite the old block of
his father but that of his grandfather Raja Reddy, a famed strong man
of Cuddapah. In fact, it's said that old man Raja Reddy saw in his
grandson a worthy successor. His son, he felt, was too gentle. This is
not to suggest that young Jagan is either rude or crude as an
individual.
In his personal dealings, he is polite and respectful, a smile
invariably on his face, perhaps hiding his razor sharp mind. Till he
became an MP just 100 days ago, Jagan used to operate out of
Bangalore. The Karnataka capital is closer to the home town of the
Reddys, Pulivendula, than Hyderabad. It's believed that even during
this time Jagan took a lot of interest in realty in the capital of
Andhra Pradesh.
That's not surprising: with land reforms never really taking place in
the state, most top politicians and businessmen (including disgraced
IT tycoon Ramalinga Raju) of the state have had more than passing
interest in realty. There's a new buzz in town about Jagan's strong
identification with the realty sector. In fact, it's said that this is
responsible for the open lobbying by this sector for the son as the
next CM.
After he became an MP, Jagan has been active in Delhi to further the
cause of Andhra Pradesh. He often led delegations of MPs to Union
ministers for clearing the way for the state's projects and other
sundry jobs. Political wags say he's also seriously trying to build a
good chemistry with Rahul Gandhi.
It's recognized that YSR himself was not really averse to building a
Reddy dynasty in Hyderabad — as several Indian political families have
built theirs. YSR was apparently planning to move to central politics
in 2014, leaving the reins of the state in the hands of Jagan. But his
sudden death has fast-forwarded things for Jagan even before his
political apprenticeship isn't quite over.
Is he ready for a steep learning curve?
chhotemianinshallah
Jagan camp plays sentiment card, claims support of 148 MLAs
TNN 5 September 2009, 03:41am IST
NEW DELHI: The post-YSR succession story might have got complicated
with the dead chief minister's loyalists likely to shift their
campaign for Jagan Mohan Reddy installing his son Jagan Mohan Reddy to
Delhi and the party high command not keen to be hustled into taking
what will be a crucial political call. ( Watch Video )
Perhaps with the objective of allowing emotions to subside, the party
high command has taken the position that it will deal with the
succession issue only after the mourning period ends even as it keenly
assesses the situation in the state. The momentum to make Jagan the CM
has not ebbed so far, and Congress is keeping a wary eye on
developments.
By swiftly swearing-in veteran K Rosaiah, the leadership has certainly
bought itself some time and going by the look of things, the 77-year-
old leader could have to hold fort for a while till the Congress
leadership sorts out the claims in the state in the wake of a large
power vacuum caused by the death of YSR.
The Congress leadership is genuinely desirous of keeping the interests
of YSR's family in mind given the tragic nature of his demise and
proximity to 10, Janpath, but it is wary of an impression being
created that it was served a fait accompli. It is also keen that the
Andhra Pradesh unit does not break down into warring factions as was
often the scene before the late CM consolidated his hold on power
after 2004.
The charge of the YSR brigade is, however, likely to create a ticklish
situation as it will inevitably have the shades of a "state versus
Centre" conflict. This could mean the high command has to accommodate
Jagan Reddy even as it hunts for an acceptable face. This dilemma is
acute as there is no clear choice in sight.
Factions who were opposed to YSR and shut out of the scene completely
were quick to claim that the campaign for Jagan was being "stage-
managed" by persons, including a Rajya Sabha MP, close to the dead
leader. They said no "senior" MP was keen to associate with the
campaign. But one of them did agree that there was no other easily
identifiable choice and that younger MLAs and MPs had veered towards
the son.
Congress leadership is also thinking hard of the consequences of
putting a young Jagan Reddy in the CM's chair. He may find out that he
has bitten rather more than anticipated while others ran the show. In
the circumstances, it would be useful to persevere with Rosaiah till
it was possible to arrive at a calmer decision.
The visit of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh to the bereaved family, besides a clutch of central leaders,
shows that the show of solidarity with the family could help deal with
the succession issue.
Sources said the leadership was still to apply its mind to the issue
but the two emissaries on the ground, Union ministers and AICC leaders
Prithviraj Chavan and Veerappa Moily, have gained a sense of the mood
after YSR's exit from the scene. The preparations will be made
accordingly.
Congress is looking for a blend of seniority and loyalty, a
combination which goes against Jagan Reddy. It has sought to downplay
the campaign in favour of his installation as CM in Hyderabad, calling
it an "emotional outburst" to avoid having to take a serious look
against it.
That the Centre does not take a favourable view of the Jagan-as-CM
campaign came out when AICC spokesman Shakeel Ahmed on Friday called
it a "moment of tragedy and mourning" while advising "there should not
be any politics on it".
With few genuine replacements at hand, insiders don't rule out giving
a more than "interim arrangement" form to Rosaiah. Sources said a
failure to find an acceptable face could see the old hand hang on to
the hot seat. His hailing from a "neutral" Vaishya caste outside the
contending Reddy and Kamma communities is seen as a soothing factor on
the volatile turf.
There is always the option of accommodating Jagan Reddy at the Centre,
something he may not be averse to in his bid to consolidate his
father's political legacy. The young son has both the family's
political and business interests to protect.
With the iron hand of YSR gone, the fear of rival lobbies reviving is
bound to play on the minds of the leadership. While it is seen as an
effective way of cancelling out the pro-Jagan lobby, there are
concerns if a future leader would be able to ensure that the state
unit remained united behind the new CM.
chhotemianinshallah
Why realtors want YSR's son as CM
Roli Srivastava & Koride Mahesh, TNN 4 September 2009, 07:14pm IST
HYDERABAD: In the last five years, the city of Hyderabad has become
"Greater", expanding to five times its earlier size. Land auctioned by
the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's son Jaganmohan Reddy. (PTI Photo)
government here fetched as much as Rs 19 crore per acre, before
recession hit the sector. This apart, the state became the country's
SEZ capital with over 100 SEZs approved in AP.
Predictably, it is the real estate sector that is most concerned about
"the accessible'' YSR's untimely death and is now rooting for his son
Jaganmohan Reddy as the next chief minister, as he alone shares his
father's passion for real estate, they say.
Apprehending that a non-businessman politician would be unable to
understand their business and its prevailing concerns, realtors say
Jagan is the next perfect choice for the CM's post. "Jagan is an
industrialist himself. He is a real estate businessman and so would
understand our business better,'' said Ashwin Rao, director of Manbhum
Constructions.
Realtors say that Jagan not only enjoys the support of MLAs that would
in turn give the state a stable government (which would be any
industry's requirement), but he would also be the only person in the
party who would adopt YSR's policies totally. And he is no greenhorn,
they say, citing his thumping election victory from Kadapa and his
acumen in handling his own firms.
Given that the state attracted infrastructure majors and the city even
boasted of a brand-new 5,000-acre airport in YSR's time, city builders
say that YSR was an exception among politicians as he had a unique,
incisive understanding of the real estate business, a knack that his
son has acquired, they say.
Besides, realtors note that if earlier major real estate and
infrastructure activity was concentrated in Mumbai and Bangalore, YSR
brought it to Hyderabad. "He made it the most happening city and only
Jagan can carry this forward, being an industrialist and
entrepreneur,'' said P V S N Murthy, president, AP Builders
Association.
An example of YSR's "industry friendliness", which realtors expect
Jagan would show, is the reduction in the "impact fee" ( paid for
buidings over five floors) and development charges that builders
sought just before the 2009 elections. YSR allowed builders to pay the
impact fee in instalments. He also controversially acquired thousands
of acres of land for the Outer Ring Road project and SEZs, which in
turn lead to an appreciation in land prices around and turned many
farmers into crorepatis overnight, while many were left landless.
YSR's builder friendliness was well known as he introduced a "green
channel" for speedy disposal of building applications, in addition to
bringing in GO 86 (new building rules, 2006) which did away with FSI
completely and introduced a "mortgage rule", wherein one floor or 10%
of the built-up area had to be mortgaged with the civic body.
"He (YSR) even waived the 5% stamp duty and broughtregistration charge
to a modest 2.5% for affordable housing (for flats measuring up to
1,200 square ft), the lowest in the country,'' said C Shekhar Reddy,
president, Builder's Forum. He added that realtors would like Jagan to
take over as CM as he was young and serious in the business and has
the vision to give the real estate sector a new direction in these
turbulent times.
Most significantly, builders say YSR was accessible and want their
next CM to be the same. "We didn't have too much difficulty meeting
him and if he would say he would take a look into it, he would do it,"
said Prem Kumar, president, AP Real Estate Developers Association.
Clearly, a lot is riding on the next CM. Land prices would be just one
of them.
chhotemianinshallah
Loved by friends, feared by enemies: Did officials know on Wed that
YSR was dead?
Kingshuk Nag, TNN 4 September 2009, 01:00am IST
Late on Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after the chopper carrying Y
S Rajasekhara Reddy went missing, intelligence officials had darkly
indicated to TOI that the helicopter had gone down with an explosion.
Around the same time, a senior police official from Kurnool district
said, in an equally hush-hush manner, that the helicopter had landed
in Veligonda region of Nallamala hills.
A day later, with news about YSR's death confirmed in the manner
suggested by the intelligence officer and at the very same place
revealed by the cop a day earlier, the big question is — was this a
remarkable coincidence of two sharp speculations proving right or was
there actual information that no one broke pending an official
announcement?
Or perhaps the answer lies in the simple fact that YSR had emerged as
such a colossus in the state, and so inspired awe and fear in equal
measure, that nobody could muster courage to publicly articulate
intelligent conjectures about his death. That this was the reason why
misinformation was going back and forth on Wednesday about how
Rajasekhara Reddy was found alive and taken to safety, only to be
denied within minutes.
But it was not always like this. Although YSR was born rich he had no
political legacy to fall back upon. He was a trained physician and
practiced for a while. More than that, he was a natural leader who
came up in stages by the sheer dint of merit. He became an MLA in 1978
and a junior minister in 1980, but then was pushed into virtual
oblivion for a long phase.
He became an MP and came close to Rajiv Gandhi, but before he could
hold any important public office, Narasimha Rao was pushed to the PM's
gaddi. The wily Rao recognized the potential of Reddy and decided to
keep him down. The reputation of YSR's father Raja Reddy — a muscle
man from Rayalaseema who had accumulated vast mining rights — had
something to do with this attitude towards the son.
But YSR was himself not a muscle man. He was a strong man and had
inherited streaks of his fathers flamboyant personality. That he came
from the badlands of Rayalseema, where it rains very little and life
is hard, toughened him as a young man. It nurtured in him a tremendous
spirit of survival as well as inculcated intolerance towards forces
hostile to him. For, YSR would destroy his enemies in a determined
manner, bit by bit. The goal mattered more than the means of
decimating obstacles on his way, be it the Telangana movement or the
Maoists.
If enemies feared him, friends absolutely loved him. For friends he
was generous to a fault and would overlook their foibles - something
like another successful politician, Chandrasekhar, who would never
fight shy of owning up his friends even if they came in very dark
shades of gray. In an illustrative example, some time ago when someone
complained about the highandedness of his close friend, YSR is said to
have remarked: ``He is my friend. When will he throw his weight around
if not when I am the chief minister?''
Such support for his friends and his spontaneous show of affection
bred strong loyalty for the man. His followers would rarely betray
him, even if he fell on bad days. He was true to his friends and
expected them to reciprocate. In that respect, YSR banded with his
party men and lived by a code of basic honesty. Few questioned his
integrity in human dealings and relationships.
This didn't necessarily extend to his material dealings, not at least
in the eyes of his critics. For although he was re-elected on a
development plank, and used public resources to shower largesse on
electors, be it free power or free medical treatment, YSR displayed
strong feudal tendencies.
Land was close to his heart and there were allegations that he had
added to his estate in native Pulivendula by grabbing forest land. An
unprecedented number of scams hit the state during his regime
including the Volkswagen scandal in which the state government paid Rs
11.5 crore to the person masquerading as a representative of the
German company.
Politically, YSR was astute. Having been in the bad books of Narasimha
Rao, he realized that he had to be in the good books of 10, Janpath.
And he could do this by proving useful to the high command. ``YSR
realized that the Congress wanted seats in the Lok Sabha and generous
contributions to the party coffers. He worked hard for this and soon
got in the good books of the powers that be,'' said a political
analyst who knew the man from close.
If this was the way to the high command's confidence, it worked.
Before his death, YSR had become so powerful that he was not a mere
Congress CM. His stunning performance at the last Lok Sabha polls (no
doubt with some generous help from Chiranjeevi), ensured two things —
one, the Congress would be comfortable in Parliament and two, he could
never be removed at will. In fact, it was said that if he were to be
ever treated roughly or unjustly, he had the potential to break the
state Congress and kick off an Andhra Congress.
In a state where N T Rama Rao came to power invoking insult to Telugu
pride because Congress chief minister Anajaiah was berated by Rajiv
Gandhi on the tarmac of the Begumpet airport this is the strong legacy
that YSR leaves behind. The million dollar question is whether his
successors can do an encore?
chhotemianinshallah
67 YSR fans die of shock, son appeals for restraint
IANS 4 September 2009, 11:03am IST
HYDERABAD: More than 60 people across Andhra Pradesh have died of
shock or committed suicide after the death of their chief minister Y S
Rajasekhara Reddy, prompting his MP son Y S Jaganmohan Reddy to appeal
to his late father's admirers to be patient and brave.
"I appeal to all of you to be patient and be brave in this hour of
tragedy. He (YSR) wanted to see a smile on the faces of all and if you
resort to such things (suicide) this will hurt him," said Jaganmohan,
trying to hard to control his tears.
"I request you not to commit suicide," said Jaganmohan, who was
elected to Lok Sabha from Kadapa in recent elections and is being seen
by many as the next chief minister. The appeal before the camera was
telecast on all Telugu television channels.
Telugu television channels estimated that 67 people died of shock on
hearing the news of their leader's death in a horrific air crash
Thursday or committed suicide, unable to bear the loss. Most of those
who died of shock were watching news of YSR's death on television.
This is the first time in the state's history that such a large number
of people have died over the death of any political leader.
YSR, as the late leader was popularly known, has surpassed in death
the popularity of actor and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder N.T. Rama
Rao who died in 1996.
In Pics: YSR Reddy (1949-2009)
A large number of those who died of shock included young supporters of
YSR and the beneficiaries of the various welfare schemes launched by
him in the last five years. They suffered a cardiac arrest following
the news of the chief minister's death in the helicopter crash.
The deaths were reported from 19 out of 23 districts in the state. In
the coastal district of West Godavari, six people died of shock and
four committed suicide.
"YSR dedicated his life to people, I am dedicating my life to him," a
youth wrote in his suicide note before consuming pesticide.
A physically handicapped couple, who were getting monthly pension
under a welfare scheme, attempted suicide by jumping into the Godavari
river but were saved by fishermen.
In Hyderabad, 42-year-old Yadgiri died of shock while watching news of
YSR's death on television. M. Srinivas, 30, suffered cardiac arrest.
The charred bodies of YSR and four others were found Friday morning in
Nallamala forest in Kurnool district, almost 24 hours after their
helicopter went missing.
chhotemianinshallah
chhotemianinshallah
chhotemianinshallah
YSR keeps his word on 'retirement' at 60
TNN 4 September 2009, 03:59am IST
HYDERABAD: A man who said politicians should retire at 60 seemed to
have kept his word, in death. It was a stroke of irony that YSR was
fated to die Y S Rajasekhara Reddy (AFP Photo) just 100 days after he
rode to power for a second time in Andhra Pradesh.
He used to advocate that a politician's shelf life should end at 60.
For, YSR had entered politics at a relatively young age of 30 and
became a minister in the state cabinet. He missed several
opportunities to become CM of Andhra Pradesh and that might have
prompted him to moot the "retirement at 60'' plan for Congress
veterans.
In fact, the partymen also backed his retirement formula as the high
command used to "impose'' aging leaders in state politics. "They
wanted all the veteran leaders who clung to power to retire and allow
their leader (YSR) to take over the reins,'' an analyst said. It
didn't happen until 2004 polls when the party high command had no
option but to name him as CM, in recognition of his 1,400-km-long
padayatra in the mid-summer of 2003.
With the veterans taking a backseat, YSR emerged as the sole leader of
the party in the state at 55. He reached the self-imposed retirement
age of 60 just after taking over the reins for the second time on May
20, 2009. "Yes, I wanted to retire from active politics at 60. But, it
seems my followers are thinking otherwise,'' YSR had said.
Unfortunately, it appears God has granted him a "forcible retirement''
at 60. He was 60 years and two months at the time of his untimely
death.
chhotemianinshallah
Padayatra that changed YSR
TNN 4 September 2009, 04:51am IST
HYDERABAD/SRIKAKULAM: It was at Ichchapuram in Srikakulam district
that Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had completed his epoch-making ‘prasthanam’
— the 1,470 km padayatra — in the scorching summer of 2003 just before
the 2004 elections. Little wonder, the prasthanam had been the binding
factor between YSR and the north coastal districts.
If the padayatra was the crucial cog in the Congress wheel of
electoral fortunes in 2004, it was YSR who had rekindled a new hope
for the Congress party in the state by shocking his bete noire
Chandrababu Naidu at the hustings.
He entered the district at Payakaraopet after crossing Tuni in East
Godavari. He covered a total of more than 300 kms in the region as
part of his padayatra, which culminated at Ichchapuram.
“The padayatra brought about a total change in me. I learnt many
lessons through this. I came to understand the problems of various
sections of society. I observed the lifestyles and livelihoods of the
people, which inspired me to do something for the oppressed and needy
people,” YSR told mediapersons in Visakhapatnam after his padayatra.
chhotemianinshallah
Great loss to Muslims, says MIM chief
TNN 4 September 2009, 04:52am IST
HYDERABAD: Paying rich tributes to Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Hyderabad MP
and MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said on Thursday that it was for
the first time in the history of Andhra Pradesh that Muslims felt that
they had their own man as the head of the government. “Now that he is
gone, they are overwhelmed with the feeling of loss,” he told TOI.
Owaisi said he had developed a close rapport with YSR when he was an
MLA and Reddy the opposition leader in the assembly. “He was all
praise the way I and Numula Narasimha of the CPM used to take on the
might of the TDP in the House. That was the beginning of our
relationship. The MIM supported the Congress in 2004 and 2009
elections because of the fact that the party believed YSR would keep
his word, which he did. He was a friend of the friends,” the MP, who
spent over two hours at the Secretariat on Wednesday keeping himself
updated with the information on the search operation, said.
chhotemianinshallah
Thousands throng LB stadium, leave disappointed
TNN 5 September 2009, 04:47am IST
HYDERABAD: Thousands of mourners were disappointed when they were not
allowed to pay their last respects to late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy at
the LB Stadium here on Friday as the authorities decided to airlift
his body to the burial site in Kadapa district earlier than the
scheduled time. This in view of adverse weather conditions.
As per the original schedule, YSR’s body was to have been kept at the
stadium from 10 am to 1 pm for the general public to pay their
respects. In anticipation of that, thousands of mourners had assembled
at the stadium by about 10 am and many more were on their way.
However, the convoy of vehicles carrying the body and YSR’s son
Jaganmohan Reddy and several others got delayed because of the slow
progress as well as the detours it took. After leaving the CM’s camp
office, the convoy went to Gandhi Bhavan in Nampally and by the time
it could reach LB Stadium, it was 12 noon.
As soon as the body arrived at the stadium, the authorities decided
that it should reach the Idupulapaya Estate in Pulivendula assembly
constituency well in time for the funeral scheduled for 5 pm and did
not want to take any chances in view of the adverse weather conditions
which would make the helicopter ride from Hyderabad to the funeral
venue difficult. Jagan told the people that the LB Stadium event has
to be cut short because of the bad weather conditions.
Accordingly, by 1 pm itself, the body was taken to view at Lal Bahadur
stadium on Friday. Many mourners who had arrived in the city and
trekked to the stadium just a little after 1 pm had to return
disappointed. The delay was compounded by the fact that there was no
public transport plying on the roads because of the funeral.
Lakshmamma, a 45 year-old woman, was one such person who missed paying
her last respects to YSR. Hailing from Guntur, she had come thrice to
Hyderabad. “The first two times was to attend the swearing in ceremony
of Reddy as CM and the third time was to see my beloved leader’s body.
But I am have not been able to see it,” the woman said and broke
down.
M Naresh, a graduate student, had come all the way from Ranga Reddy
district. “Hundreds of us have come from the district to see our
beloved leader as he helped us a lot by launching the fee
reimbursement scheme. But they have taken the body away and we are all
disappointed,” he said.
Earlier, when the body arrived in the morning, there was a scramble
among the public to get a glimpse of YSR. Some of them even jumped
over 10 feet-high iron grills. The police had to finally resort to a
mild lathicharge to control the situation. In all, about four women
fainted during the LB Stadium event.
chhotemianinshallah
Punjab Police recover arms and explosives from militants’ in Patiala
By admin on September 5th, 2009 15 views
Patiala (Punjab), Sep 4(ANI): Punjab police on Friday arrested three
persons in Patiala, including two suspected militants, and recovered
large cache of weapons and 2.5 kilograms of RDX from their possession.
The police contend that their plan was to create terror in the state
and said that RDX was recovered after one of the suspected militant,
Raj Singh, who told the police officials about their hide out.
“Two of the militants, Makhan Singh and Raj Singh have been placed in
police remand. We have recovered 315-bore revolver and four live
magazines. Raj Singh helped us track down 2.5 kilograms of RDX and
detonators which were foreign made,” said Arpit Shukla, Senior
Superintendent of Police.
“The RDX was meant to be used in Patiala and its contents could have
created major damage to life and property,” Shukla added.
Reportedly, one of the arrested persons is wanted in connection with
the killing of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat chief, an affiliate of the
radical Hindu outfit Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Shukla further informed that the lethal consignment was smuggled into
the country from Pakistan. (ANI)
chhotemianinshallah
YSR’s death kills over 100 in AP
By admin on September 5th, 2009 15 views
Hyderabad, Sep 4: As many as 122 people across Andhra Pradesh
reportedly died of shock or committed suicide after the death of their
chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
According to NTV, a Telugu channel, reported that 122 people have died
since Thursday, Sep 3, morning when YSR’s body was found. It said 99
people died of shock while 23 committed suicide.
However, there was no independent confirmation of this. The police
here said they did not have any figures to confirm this report.
Sources said that a large number of those who died of shock included
young supporters of YSR and the beneficiaries of the various welfare
schemes launched by him in the last five years.
The deaths were reported from 19 out of 23 districts in the state. In
the coastal district of West Godavari, six people died of shock and
four committed suicide.
YS Jaganmohan Reddy, son of Late YSR said, “I appeal to all of you to
be patient and be brave in this hour of tragedy. He (YSR) wanted to
see a smile on the faces of all and if you resort to such things
(suicide) this will hurt him,”
“I request you not to commit suicide,” said Jaganmohan who is now
being projected as the next Chief Minister.
This is the first time in the state’s history that such a large number
of people have died over the death of any political leader.
...and I am Sid Harth
bademiyansubhanallah
bademiyansubhanallah
YS Rajasekhara laid to rest in hometown Pulivendula
By admin on September 5th, 2009 25 views
Hyderabad: Tens of thousands of grief stricken people turned out
Friday to pay last respects to the late Andhra Pradesh chief minister
YS Rajasekhara Reddy, whose body was kept at a stadium in Hyderabad
before being flown to his native Pulivendula town in Kadapa district
and buried.
The body was flown in an army helicopter from Begumpet airport after
thousands of people paid their last respects at the Lal Bahadur
Shastri Stadium in Hyderabad.
A stampede at the stadium forced authorities to move the body to the
airport an hour before schedule. Police failed to control the surging
mourners, who broke barricades at several points to rush towards the
body kept on a pedestal in the middle of the ground.
Several people were injured, some of them seriously, as police used
force to control the crowds. As the situation was going out of
control, the late leader’s son Y S Jaganmohan Reddy had a word with
military and police officers to shift the body to the airport.
Though the body was scheduled to be kept at the stadium till 1400 hrs
IST to enable people to pay their last respects, the situation forced
the authorities to move it out at 1300 hrs IST.
However, Jaganmohan Reddy said that bad weather in Kadapa forced the
family to complete the last rites before schedule. He also appealed to
people to be brave and not commit suicide.
“I appeal to all of you to be patient and be brave in this hour of
tragedy. He (YSR) wanted to see a smile on the faces of all and if you
resort to such things (suicide) this will hurt him,” he said.
YSR, who died in a chopper crash on Wednesday, was laid to rest at his
family estate, Idupulapaya, in Pulivendula town by his parents’ side.
YSR, as he was popularly known, stayed at the estate during every
visit to Kadapa district and inquired about various plantations in the
estate. The place was also close to his heart as his parents were
interred there.
The estate, owned by YSR’s family for over three decades, was at the
centre of a controversy as opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had
alleged that the family acquired the land in violation of various
regulations. A case filed by a TDP leader is pending in the court.
YSR, who had surrendered over 600 acres of the estate land in 2006 for
distribution among poor, had stated on a number of occasions that his
father Y S Raja Reddy bought the land from his hard earned money and
cultivated it.
PUBLIC EMOTION VINDICATES YSR’S MASS APPEAL
Was Y S Rajasekhara Reddy one of India’s most popular leaders in terms
of crowd appeal? If the turnout for his funeral, the public display of
emotion by thousands and the number of people in Andhra Pradesh who
have died of shock or committed suicide is an indication, then it
would appear so.
There have been instances of grief-stricken supporters ending their
lives after the deaths or misfortunes of their political idols,
particularly of cinema stars turned politicians. But no political
leader’s death in recent times has triggered such a wave of emotion.
There was mass hysteria in Tamil Nadu, for instance, after then chief
minister M G Ramachandran was taken to the US in 1984 for treatment.
Many people attempted self-immolation. His death three years later
sparked an inexplicable frenzy of looting and rioting all over the
state that left 23 people dead, says a posting on his site
www.puratchithalaivar.org.
Besides, 30 people committed suicide and lakhs had their heads
tonsured, said the site.
In 1984, eight people killed themselves after Andhra Pradesh chief
minister N T Rama Rao was toppled by his finance minister N Bhaskar
Rao.
Unlike Rajasekhara Reddy, known as YSR, MGR and NTR were not just
politicians but also hugely popular screen stars who had been elevated
to the status of virtual demigods.
“However, YSR’s death is different as he did not have an actor’s
label. He was a truly a people’s leader and endeared himself to the
masses, identified with their cause and did a lot for farmers to lift
them from the agrarian crisis,” Rama Brahman, head of political
science in Hyderabad University, said.
“Going by the initiatives he launched in 2004, he altered the policy
agenda for governance. Obviously, farmers who have benefited from
schemes, pensioners in rural pockets who receive their fixed Rs 2,200
and even women who are financially independent through employment
schemes now feel orphaned or insecure,” Brahman, who has been
chronicling YSR’s policies for some years, added.
A large number of people who died included young supporters of YSR and
the beneficiaries of the various welfare schemes launched by him in
the last five years. The deaths were reported from 19 out of 23
districts in the state.
According to Malla Reddy, a leader of the Andhra Pradesh Railu Sangam,
a farmer’s collective, people loved YSR “very much”.
“Some poor farmers are apprehensive of the fate of free power and
medicare. There are others who have benefited immensely through
subsidised housing and pension schemes. They are bound to get worried
and have taken the extreme step,” he said.
“I won’t be surprised if the death toll goes up.”
In Reddy’s view, this was another way for people at the lowest rungs
of the social and economic hierarchy to draw attention of the
political class to their plight.
Anand Kumar of the sociology department in the Jawaharlal Nehru
University in New Delhi gives a different spin.
“This expression of frustration and disappointment where people have
taken their lives or died of shock is extremely rare in India and not
witnessed especially in politics,” he said.
“These people have been beneficiaries of his schemes and put all their
eggs in a basket called YSR.”
bademiyansubhanallah
Support builds for YSR’s son to take over
By admin on September 5th, 2009 14 views
Will the Congress select YSR’s son as his successor?
Andhra ministers and MLAs have sent a letter to Sonia Gandhi, formally
expressing their support for YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
“It will be a decision by consensus, but it must reflect the will of
the people,” says Veerappa Moily, the Law Minister, whose also in
charge of Andhra Pradesh for his party. This hints that the party is
aware of the huge support being expressed locally for YS Jagan Mohan
Reddy. However, the party doesn’t want to encourage infighting, so
Moily has said he will return to Andhra in 10 days to decide the
matter.
The Congress has clarified that while Finance Minister K Rosaiah has
been sworn in as the new chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, this is a
temporary arrangement.
So after YSR, who? Jagan Mohan Reddy who is a first-time MP with a
controversial media business that has been accused of corruption. S
Jaipal Reddy, the Urban Development Leader is also in the running. NT
Rama Rao’s daughter, currently a junior minister for Human Resource
Development
is the third contender. Finally, there’s D Srinivas, the president of
the state Congress party, who belongs to a backward caste.
bademiyansubhanallah
Andhra Congress has no objection YSR’s son becoming chief minister:
Chief Whip
By admin on September 5th, 2009 16 views
Hyderabad, Sep.4 (ANI): The Congress party’s Andhra Pradesh unit
reportedly has no objection to Jaganmohan Reddy, the son of former
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajsekhara Reddy, becoming the next
chief minister of the state, the party unit’s chief whip said on
Friday.
M. Bhatti Vikramarka, the Chief Whip of the Andhra Pradesh Congress
Committee, said that the unanimous view was that Jaganmohan Reddy
should be the leading candidate for the post to ensure continuity of
his father’s most cherished development-related programs.
The comment comes as a fierce succession race has begun
notwithstanding the Congress party’s decision to put off the selection
of a new leader till early next week.
Seeking to cash in on an emotional wave of sympathy, loyalists of the
deceased chief minister have reportedly unleashed a strident campaign
for making his son, Jaganmohan Reddy, the new chief minister.
“Jagan knew the mind of Rajasekhara Reddy. He alone can finish the
unfulfilled agenda of his father,” said government chief whip Mallu
Bhatti Vikramarka who is marshalling the MLAs in favour of Jagan.
Congress sources in Delhi have thrown up other names as possible
successors. They include Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal
Reddy, Minister of State for Defence M. Pallam Raju, former Andhra
Pradesh chief minister N T Rama Rao’s daughter and junior Union
minister Purandeshwari Devi and acting chief minister M K Rosaiah.
Almost all the state ministers, about 22 MPs and several Congress
legislators have pitched for Jaganmohan Reddy through the media even
as hundreds of party workers gathered at the secretariat, CM’s camp
office, Gandhi Bhavan and various traffic intersections are vocally
making a similar demand.
The Jagan group has reportedly met Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily
at the Lake View guest house to pursue their demand even as many
Congress MLAs faxed individual memorandum to the party headquarters in
New Delhi in support of Jaganmohan Reddy as CM.
They also called on Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari and submitted a
list of 122 signatures in support of him being made the chief
minister.
According to sources, there was even an attempt to pressure the
governor to swear in Jagan as acting CM immediately, but that was
abandoned as Rosaiah had already been sworn in by the time the
loyalists reached Raj Bhavan.
Jagan, 36, is a first time MP from Kadapa and is merely 100 days old
in politics. While Veerappa Moily made it clear that Rosaiah was only
an interim CM and that the Congress high command will chose YSR’s
successor in the next few days. (ANI)
bademiyansubhanallah
YSR’s death triggers off Congress succession race in Andhra Pradesh
By admin on September 4th, 2009 17 views
Hyderabad, Sep.4 (ANI): Forty-eight hours after the tragic death of
former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajsekhara Reddy in a
helicopter crash, a fierce succession race has begun notwithstanding
bademiyansubhanallah
Assembly By-polls: BJP fields Amit Puri from City West seat
TNN 5 September 2009, 03:30am IST
LUCKNOW: The BJP on Friday announced four candidates for by-polls to
UP assembly elections. The party has fielded local leader Amit Puri
from Lucknow West seat which was vacated by former minister Lalji
Tandon who had won the Lok Sabha election from Lucknow. Tandon was
reportedly trying to field his son Gopal alias Gopalji from the
Lucknow West seat.
Rajesh Pandey alias Guddu will be BJP's candidate from Padrauna, a
seat vacated by RPN Singh, who won the LS elections. He is a union
minister of state for surface transport. The party has fielded Ravi
Sharma from Jhansi Nagar. Election here was necessitated after Pradeep
Jain Aditya won the general elections from Jhansi. He is union
minister of state for rural development in the UPA government. The
Central Election Committee of the party also announced the candidature
of former state minister Nepal Singh from Moradabad-Bareilly graduate
constituency of the State
Sid Harth
BJP announces poll candidates
Express News Service
Posted: Saturday , Sep 05, 2009 at 0217 hrs
Lucknow:
The BJP announced four candidates for the forthcoming Assembly bypolls
and one candidate for the graduate constituency of the Legislative
Council on Friday.
Ending all speculations regarding the candidate for the Lucknow West
seat, vacated after the sitting MLA Lalji Tandon became the MP, the
party gave the ticket to Amit Puri. Rajesh Pandey alias ‘Guddu Pandey’
has been chosen for the Padrauna seat, while Ravi Sharma and Anirudh
have been nominated for the Jhansi and the Haiserbazaar (reserved)
seats respectively. The party has nominated former minister Dr Nepal
Singh as the candidate for the graduate constituency from Moradabad-
Bareilly.
Sid Harth
Bihar court issue arrest warrant against Bal Thackeray
Agencies
Posted: Saturday , Sep 05, 2009 at 1153 hrs
Ara (Bihar):
Bal Thackeray had failed to appear before the court in compliance with
July 7 order.
A Bihar court has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Shiv
Sena supremo Bal Thackeray for allegedly making uncharitable and
inflammatory remarks against Biharis in his party mouthpiece
'Saamna'.
Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate (Bhojpur) Rakesh Pati Tiwari
ordered issuance of the NBW against the Sena founder after Thackeray
failed to appear before him in compliance with his July 7 order.
Tiwari had issued bailable warrant of arrest asking Thackeray to
present his side on a complaint filed by a senior advocate Rajesh
Kumar Singh in the court in 2008 accusing the Sena leader of making
comments against Biharis in the party mouthpiece.
As Thackeray failed to comply with his order either by presenting
himself or his lawyer before the court to explain his position, he
ordered the issuance of the NBW on Friday.
Sid Harth
Bal Thackeray happy with Uddhav's handling of Sena affairs
Agencies
Posted: Friday , Aug 28, 2009 at 1352 hrs
Mumbai:
Uddhav Thackeray is now handling of the affairs of Shiv Sena as its
executive president.
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has expressed satisfaction over son
Uddhav Thackeray's handling of the affairs of the party he founded
four decades ago.
"I am satisfied... Uddhav has handled the party affairs with
confidence and strength," the 83-year-old leader said in an interview.
Uddhav is now Sena executive president.
Copies of the video interview, taken by noted journalist Sudhir Gadgil
earlier this month on the occasion of Marathi weekly 'Marmik's' 50th
anniversary, were released by Sena on Friday.
Expressing his haplessness over not being able to meet as many people
as he used to earlier owing to frail health, Thackeray said "even
today people meet me but due to the ailments, I don't have the
strength I once had."
Sid Harth
MNS targets more Sena territory with new outfit
Dhaval Kulkarni
Posted: Thursday , Aug 13, 2009 at 0501 hrs
Mumbai:
In Bengal In another encroachment on Shiv Sena territory, Raj
Thackeray launched the Maharashtra Navanirman Janadhikar Sena (MNJS) )
on Tuesday. The outfit is modelled on the lines of the Shiv Sena's
Sthaniya Lokadhikar Hakka Samiti (SLHS), which has played an important
role in the Sena’s ‘jobs for locals’ plank.
While Raj sought to underline that the MNJS was not launched to
counter any other organisation, few buy that line. Particularly, as
the first unit of the MNJS has come up in the public sector State Bank
of India (SBI), the same place where the SLHS was launched.
Apart from the inroads into Sena territory, the MNJS also ensures
Raj's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) a presence in white collar
establishments like government and semi-government offices and private
undertakings. As opposed to the blue collar Bharatiya Kamgar Sena
(BKS), which was established in 1968, the SLHS set up in 1972 caters
to the white collared class.
MNS general secretary Shirish Parkar, who is in charge of the MNJS,
accused SLHS leaders of “getting caught in the net of power”, and
added that they had “forgotten the original motive (of the SLHS)”.
Parkar accused SLHS leaders of also trying to push for non-
Maharashtrians in job recruitment in the Railways. Speaking to The
Indian Express, Parkar claimed staff from organisations like the MTNL
and Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) wished to join the outfit.
Reacting to the new MNS challenge, Shiv Sena MLA and SLHS head Gajanan
Kirtikar said “we will not be checkmated”. The SLHS, he said,
functioned as a “pressure group” and not a trade union and had at
times ensured that more than 80 per cent of the jobs went to locals.
He added that the SLHS went to the extent of distributing application
forms once advertisements for jobs were released and holding training
sessions for candidates.
He also claimed that workers who faced “injustice” set up SLHS units
on their own in various organisations, without the intervention of
outsiders or political parties.
Sid Harth
Sena to launch stir if power tariff hike not withdrawn
Agencies
Posted: Monday , Jul 13, 2009 at 1644 hrs
Mumbai:
Shiv Sena on Monday warned of a "no bill payment" if power tariff hike
by Reliance Energy and other power companies was not withdrawn.
"The power tariff hike should be cancelled before the expiry of the
deadline (stipulated by the government to prepare a report on the
hike)," Sena Executive president Uddhav Thackeray said in Mumbai.
"We dare you to disconnect our power supply," he said, addressing a
'mahamorcha' organised by the Sena outside the MHADA office in
suburban Bandra to demand housing for sons of the soil.
Uddhav also asked Shiv Sena workers to visit places where work under
Slum Rehabilitation Scheme (SRA) projects was on and to take the
builder to task in case of irregularities.
The Sena leader alleged that the builder lobby had made inroads into
MHADA housing schemes.
Uddhav said: "when our government comes to power, we will ensure that
nothing comes in the way of development of 'koliwada' (fishermen
colony). "The fishermen folk are the original inhabitants of the
island city and have not come from Bihar or Bangladesh," he said.
Uddhav also criticised NCP chief Sharad Pawar for suggesting former
Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi's name to the Bandra-Worli sealink.
The sealink should have been completed in 2004 but was delayed, Uddhav
said. The sealink was inaugurated on June 30. "The sealink till
Nariman Point was to have been inaugurated this year," Uddhav
claimed.
On June 24, Shiv Sena workers torched three trucks and disrupted
traffic in suburbs, protesting against power tariff hike. Altogether
Shiv Sainiks, including senior party leaders Subhash Desai and Gajanan
Kirtikar, were arrested for arson and traffic disruption.
Ten cases were registered in different police stations after hundreds
of Sainiks, including senior leaders, staged demonstrations at various
places across the city against power tariff hike by Reliance Energy
and other power companies.
Sid Harth
Thackeray attacks NCP for asking him to pay for security
Agencies
Posted: Saturday , Jul 11, 2009 at 1343 hrs
Mumbai:
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray hit out at NCP for its demand to recover
expenses on security provided to him and dared the state government to
withdraw his police cover.
"NCP has demanded that the government recover expenses on my security.
The State Home Minister belongs to NCP and in New Delhi also it is
your government. What is stopping you from removing my security
cover?" he asked.
"Lakhs of Shiv Sainiks are competent to take care of my security. They
are our real shield," Thackeray said in an editorial in Sena
mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
NCP spokesperson D P Tripathi had recently demanded that Thackeray,
his son Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray pay for the
security they avail from the Government.
Sid Harth
Post-Guj riots, Bal Thackeray saved Modi from sack
Agencies
Posted: Wednesday, Feb 25, 2009 at 1329 hrs
Mumbai:
Bal Thackeray's comments came amid strain in the Sena-BJP ties.
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has said he prevailed on BJP leader L K
Advani not to remove Narendra Modi from the chief ministerial chair in
Gujarat after the Godhra riots.
"Modi gaya to Gujarat gaya (If Modi is gone, Gujarat will also slip
out of BJP hands)," Thackeray claimed as telling Advani at the Mayor's
bungalow in Mumbai.
"There were hectic moves to remove Modi from the post after the Godhra
riots. We clearly told Advani that Gujarat will be lost if Modi is
removed," Thackeray in an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana'
said on Wednesday.
Thackeray also objected to BJP general secretary Gopinath Munde
equating Modi's leadership with that of his late brother-in-law Pramod
Mahajan. "Why compare Mahajan and Modi?” he asked.
"BJP is not going to get another Mahajan and his absence would always
be felt by the party," Thackeray said.
Thackeray's comments came amid strain in the Sena-BJP ties and a day
after media reported that Advani's desire to meet Bal Thackeray on
Tuesday could not materialise.
Advani was in Mumbai on Tuesday to attend a function where he was
given Rs 11 crore for the election fund by the city BJP unit.
Sid Harth
Varun thanks Bal Thackeray for support
Agencies
Posted: Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 1009 hrs
Mumbai:
There is no need for Varun to apologise for his remarks, was Bal
Thackeray's stand.
BJP member Varun Gandhi, whom Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had backed
over his alleged hate speeches and described him as "the one Gandhi we
like", has thanked the latter for the support.
"I am overwhelmed by his support. I am grateful to him and thank him,"
party mouthpiece 'Saamana' quoted Varun as saying on Wednesday.
The Sena chief had found "nothing wrong" with the controversial anti-
Muslim remarks of BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Pilibhit, Uttar
Pradesh.
"There is nothing wrong in what he has said. He is one Gandhi we
like," Thackeray had said in an editorial in the newspaper, of which
he is the editor.
"There is no need for Varun to apologise for his remarks," the
editorial had said, adding "Varun has spoken out the truth."
The 29-year-old politician is in the eye of a storm over his alleged
anti-Muslim speeches at election rallies in Pilibhit. Varun has denied
making the remarks and claimed that the CD of his speeches had been
doctored.
Sid Harth
Sena snubs Munde, condemns Modi-Mahajan comparison
Express news service
Posted: Thursday , Feb 26, 2009 at 0209 hrs
Mumbai:
The Shiv Sena on Wednesday snubbed BJP national general secretary
Gopinath Munde for hailing Gujarat CM Narendra Modi as a substitute
for Pramod Mahajan and for cautioning the Sena against hobnobbing with
NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
In an editorial titled “Munde yanchi Sallabaaji” (unsolicited advice
being doled out by Munde), the party mouthpiece Saamna, edited by Sena
supremo Bal Thackeray, went on to confirm that the Sena-BJP alliance
would continue. “There is a crop of advisors coming up in Maharashtra.
It cannot be said who will advise whom. Obviously, who heeds such free
advice?” said the editorial.
It took on Munde for his statement that the Modi factor would be
important in Maharashtra and that Modi, largely seen as a challenger
eating into the Sena’s aggressive brand of Hindutva, was the mascot of
Hindutva. “Why are you comparing Mahajan and Modi? Mahajan was supreme
in his place. The BJP will not get another Pramod and the BJP will
always regret Pramod’s absence. Pramod Mahajan’s contribution is there
in erecting the BJP in Maharashtra. Actually, Modi came into the
limelight (only) after becoming the Chief Minister,” it added.
“Modi wants to become the Prime Minister and his ambition is no
secret. The question is that, Munde is also a leader of Modi’s stature
in Maharashtra and he must indulge in politics of his stature. Or
else, he will again feel encircled and uneasy,” the editorial said,
taking a swipe at Munde.
Referring to Munde’s advice to the Sena against cosying up to Pawar
since there was “danger” there, the editorial said such risks were
everywhere, “most from our own people”. “Munde knows Pawar from afar
and us from up close. Hence, we feel that there is no chance of any
tension in the alliance,” it added.
Sid Harth
Raj Thackeray to surrender on Monday
Agencies
Posted: Monday , Jun 29, 2009 at 0917 hrs
Mumbai:
After presenting himself before the court, Raj Thackeray will move an
application saying he was surrendering.
Complying with a Bombay High Court directive, Maharashtra Navnirman
Sena President Raj Thackeray will surrender before a Kalyan court on
Monday in a 2008 riot case in which North Indians appearing for a
railway recruitment examination were assaulted.
After presenting himself before the court, Thackeray will move an
application saying he was surrendering, his lawyer Sayaji Nangre said.
After the court grant his custody, Thackeray will immediately move for
bail.
The HC had on June 16 set aside an anticipatory bail granted to
Thackeray in the same case by a lower court and asked him to surrender
before the court concerned by June-end.
The state Government had filed an appeal in the HC challenging interim
anticipatory bail granted to the MNS leader. Justice Rekha
Sondurbaldota had noted that custodial interrogation of Thackeray was
not necessary at this stage.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/2008-riot-case-raj-thackeray-gets-bail/482677/
2008 riot case: Raj Thackeray gets bai
Agencies
Posted: Monday , Jun 29, 2009 at 1720 hrs
Kalyan (Maharashtra):
Raj Thackeray, who was accompanied by his wife, moved an application
saying he was surrendering.
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray on Monday surrendered before the Kalyan court
and was later released on bail with a surety of Rs one lakh in
connection with a 2008 rioting case in which North Indians appearing
for railway recruitment examination were assaulted by his party
workers.
Prosecutor Ajay Misar said that the court has directed Raj not to make
any provocative speeches that promote enmity between two classes of
society and should not influence the prosecution witness.
The prosecution said that they would be filing the chargesheet in the
case once they get a sanction from the Maharashtra government.
"Raj surrendered before the court today following the Bombay High
Court directive and later we filed for bail on the grounds that the
investigation in the case is complete and the police will not require
his custody for interrogation," Raj's lawyer Rajendra Shirodkar said.
The matter pertains to assault by MNS workers on North Indian youths
who had come to Kalyan in neighbouring Thane district for Railway
recruitment examination on October 19 last year.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hc-sets-aside-rajs-bail-asks-him-to-surrender/477393/
HC sets aside Raj's bail, asks him to surrender
Agencies
Posted: Tuesday , Jun 16, 2009 at 1647 hrs
Mumbai:
Bombay High Court has asked Raj Thackeray to surrender before a
railway court.
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday set aside bail granted to MNS chief
Raj Thackeray by a lower court and asked him to surrender before the
Railway court in Kalyan on June 29. The case for which Raj will have
to appear before Railway court in Kalyan, about 50 kms from Mumbai,
pertains to attack by his party workers on candidates appearing for
railway examination last October.
"The High Court has set aside bail granted to him by Kalyan
magistrate's court, as well as the anticipatory bail given by Kalyan
sessions court," said senior advocate Amit Desai, the special public
prosecutor in the case. "He has been asked to surrender on June 29
before railway magistrate's court, as the Government Railway Police
had sought his custody," he said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/raj-thackeray-misled-not-serving-key-cause/488051/
Raj Thackeray misled, not serving key cause: ex-aide
Express news service
Posted: Saturday , Jul 11, 2009 at 0444 hrs
Mumbai:
A day after switching over from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)
to the Shiv Sena, Shweta Parulkar attributed her move to her growing
discomfort with the hate campaign against migrants, the presence of a
coterie influencing the decisions of MNS chief Raj Thackeray and her
belief that the MNS is not serving the Marathi cause.
Parulkar, who headed the MNS women’s wing till Raj Thackeray dissolved
it, said she was unnerved by the way the Marathi campaign had turned
into a hate-and-violence campaign.
“There was euphoria and excitement with the way things were going last
year for the Marathi campaign. However, I’m not happy with the way
things have gone since then. There was no policy and discussion in the
party,” said Parulkar.
“There were hardly any meetings where policies or ideas were
discussed; it was a coterie around Raj that was deciding everything,”
she said.
She said the coterie influences Raj Thackeray’s decisions.
Incidentally, when Raj Thackeray broke away from his uncle’s Shiv Sena
three years ago, he too said a coterie was guiding the working of the
Sena.
Parulkar, however, gave full marks to both Thackeray cousins when it
came to leadership qualities. She said Raj Thackeray is a person with
great vision but people around him were not thinking about the party.
Also, Parulkar did not express any regrets for being associated with
MNS. The former actress had teamed up with Raj Thackeray when he
formed the MNS.
She said a group within the MNS was working against her during the Lok
Sabha elections, which forced her to rethink about her presence in the
party.
“I was affected when I realised that some people were working against
me during the elections,” said Parulkar, who won over one lakh votes
from Mumbai South Central. “After the elections, it became clear the
MNS candidates had helped the Congress-NCP. The aim of working for
Maharashtrians was not met.”
Parulkar says that despite heading an important party wing, she was
not taken into confidence when the decision to dissolve it was taken.
“There are many things that I came to know from the media. There was
no discussion in meetings. Despite being the president, I was not
consulted when the decision was taken.”
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/murder-case-filed-against-raj-thackeray-in-b/377545/
Murder case filed against Raj Thackeray in Bihar
Agencies
Posted: Friday , Oct 24, 2008 at 1553 hrs
Biharsharif (Bihar), October 24: :
The father of 25 yr-old railway job aspirant has called the MNS chief
a murderer.
The father of 25 year-old railway job aspirant who was allegedly
killed by an MNS mob in Mumbai, filed a murder case against Raj
Thackeray in Bihar on Friday.
Seeking initiation of criminal proceedings against the Maharashtra
Navnirman Sena chief and his henchmen, Jagdish Prasad, Pavan Kumar's
father, filed the case in the court of CJM Abhimanyu Lal Srivastava in
Biharsharif in Nalanda district.
A case has been filed under different sections of IPC including murder
and criminal conspiracy. Three persons have been named as witnesses in
the petition.
While two of them had accompanied the youth to Mumbai as guardians and
were witness to the assault on Bihari examinees by MNS activists on
October 19, another, an acquaintance living in Pune, had received the
body of Pavan after post mortem. The case is likely to be taken up for
hearing on Saturday.
Raj Thackeray, whose alleged inflammatory anti-north Indian tirade has
led to frequent attacks on Hindi-speaking people in Maharashtra, is
facing a number of cases in Bihar.
An advocate, Sudhir Kumar Ojha, has filed a murder and sedition case
against the MNS leader in Muzaffarpur, while a Dalit examinee Raj
Kumar Chaudhary, who suffered a fractured hand in the MNS attack, has
filed an FIR in Vaishali against Thackeray for instigating an MNS mob
to attack Biharis.
Keshav Kumar Sinha, a lawyer, has filed a complaint case against Raj
Thackeray and Shirish Parkar, MNS spokesman, under sections relating
to culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/raj-thackeray-offends-ram-faces-lawsuit/452957/
Raj Thackeray offends Ram, faces lawsuit
Agencies
Posted: Thursday , Apr 30, 2009 at 1050 hrs
Mumbai:
Thackeray has repeatedly called Jethmalani the lawyer of 2001
Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
After sending a legal notice to MNS chief Raj Thackeray, former Union
Law Minister Ram Jethmalani has sent a complaint to the police seeking
a case be filed against Thackeray over his statements.
Jethmalani had sent a legal notice to Thackeray over the MNS leader's
statements calling him the lawyer of 2001 Parliament attack convict
Afzal Guru.
The noted lawyer wrote to the Senior Police Inspector of Shivaji Park
seeking that a complaint be filed against Thackeray under Section 505
of the Indian Penal Code for making statements conducing to public
mischief.
"Amongst other statements, one mischievous statement which he has been
repeatedly making is that I am the lawyer who defended Afzal Guru,"
Jethmalani has written in his complaint.
"It is intended to seek a cheap electoral advantage and cause
misunderstanding about my professional activities and choice of
clients," he has stated in the application.
Jethmalani also said the statements could induce some angry persons to
disrupt public order and Thackeray was attempting to incite hate and
ill-will among different communities.
"We have received the complaint but have forwarded it to the Kherwadi
police station for further investigation. No case has been registered
so far," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone V) Milind Bharambe told.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/raj-thackeray-in-fresh-row-over-cutting-bha/385745/
Raj Thackeray in fresh row over cutting 'Bhaiyya' cake
Agencies
Posted: Friday , Nov 14, 2008 at 2003 hrs
Mumbai, November 14:
A video clip showing MNS chief Raj Thackeray cutting a cake with
inscription 'Bhaiyya' (Mumbai slang for North Indians, especially
those from UP and Bihar), has landed Raj in fresh trouble.
After TV channels began airing an MMS, which shows Raj slashing away
at a large cake with word 'Bhaiyya' in Hindi on his birthday on June
14, 2008, the MNS activist, who had presented the cake, said she had
used the word 'Bhaiyya' as she treats Raj 'like a brother'.
"I had given the said cake. I am baffled over media digging up the
clipping after six months and distorting the meaning of the word",
Rita Gupta said.
MNS spokesperson Shirish Parkar said, "Raj saheb gets hundreds of
cakes on his birthday every year".
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/raj-thackeray-joins-modi-for-pm-chorus/454728/
Raj Thackeray joins 'Modi for PM' chorus
Agencies
Posted: Tuesday , May 05, 2009 at 1201 hrs
Pune:
Raj praised Modi's efforts that contributed to development of Gujarat.
A remark by Maharashtra Navnriman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray
advocating Narendra Modi's candidature for Prime Minstership, has
fuelled speculations on a possible understanding between his party and
BJP in the coming assembly elections in Maharashtra.
Thackeray who gave a talk on "Maharashtra of my dream" at the
industrial township of Nigdi near Pune on Sunday praised Modi's
efforts that contributed to development of Gujarat and said the
country needed a man like him for the top executive job to ensure
rapid progress.
The MNS leader also had good words for BJP state unit president Nitin
Gadkari, who he said was capable of taking Maharashtra forward on path
of development.
Gadkari, however, sought to downplay Thackeray's remarks when he told
a Marathi television channel on Tuesday that BJP's alliance with Shiv
Sena was "strong and intact".
While thanking Raj Thackeray for his comments on him, Gadkari said, "I
am not in the race for Chief Ministership in the state," adding that
in the event of the Sena-BJP alliance getting majority in the assembly
poll, the issue would be decided by the Sena chief Bal Thackeray and
BJP leader L K Advani.
Thackeray's warm posture towards BJP is being seen in the context of
the hard struggle and bargaining that was witnessed between Shiv Sena
and BJP-- the two-decade-old allies in the state-- before the two
parties arrived at an electoral seat adjustment for the present Lok
Sabha poll in Maharashtra.
A bitter exchange of words between Shiv Sena and BJP leaders prior to
seat adjustment had even given rise to a speculation that Shiv Sena
could part ways with BJP and join hands with NCP.
The Sena's open support to NCP president Sharad Pawar as 'Marathi'
Prime Ministerial candidate too drove a further wedge between the
Saffron allies with BJP accusing the Sena of going against the NDA of
which it is a constituent.
The MNS which contested a limited number of Lok Sabha seats on its
own, is expected to try hard to expand its base in the state in the
assembly elections by the year end.
Sid Harth
Cong prepares to force low seat share on NCP
Express News Service
Posted: Saturday , Aug 22, 2009 at 0143 hrs
Mumbai:
The Congress on Friday indicated that it is all set to bully its ally
NCP by reducing the latter’s share of seats in the alliance for the
assembly elections in the state.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Manikrao Thakre
said while the pre-poll alliance with the NCP was expected to be
formalised within three days, the seat-sharing would be based on the
post-delimitation scenario that called for more share of seats for the
Congress.
“Our high command is expected to announce a decision on the alliance
in two-three days,” Thakre said. “But after the delimitation, the
number of seats that our party should contest has increased by nine
that means the NCP’s share of seats would reduce to that extent.
Moreover, the (12) independents supporting our government have agreed
to contest on the Congress symbol. Six of them had defeated NCP
candidates in the last election. (It means the NCP loses six more
seats to the Congress). This is the reality.”
Considering that the Congress had contested 166 (out of the 288)
assembly seats in 2004 and the NCP 122, Thakre’s calculations indicate
that the Congress is all set to dominate the NCP for reducing the
latter’s share of seats to around 100. Thakre’s calculation of
Congress seats (166 seats as per 2004 formula, along with nine due to
delimitation and six independents contesting on the Congress symbol)
takes the party tally to 181 in the seat-sharing exercise and reduces
the NCP’s share to 107.
Meanwhile, the Congress has taken note of political re-alignments on
ideological grounds in the runup to the assembly polls, after the Shiv
Sena-BJP broke its alliance with the NCP in the Pune Municipal
Corporation. The alliance was forged two-and-a-half years ago to keep
the Congress out of power in the civic body. Thakre said the Congress
cadres had been asked to call off local-level alliances with the Sena-
BJP.
Sid Harth
Sena vs Sena: Raj holds key to Mumbai, again
Dhaval Kulkarni
Posted: Tuesday , Sep 01, 2009 at 0450 hrs
Mumbai:
The elections to Mumbai’s 36 Assembly seats will hinge on two
questions: whether Raj Thackeray’s MNS will once again upset equations
for the BJP-Shiv Sena, and whether the Congress and the NCP will forge
an alliance.
The MNS showed its potential in the Lok Sabha elections when it ate
into the saffron vote-bank with its sons-of-the-soil agenda and denied
the Sena-BJP even one of Mumbai’s six seats. The MNS led in five
Assembly segments, the Sena in two and the BJP in five, but the
division of votes helped the Congress-NCP sweep all six seats.
Both the Congress and the NCP would bank on the MNS to take on the
Sena-BJP again. Much will, however, also depend on the nature of the
Congress- NCP alliance, if and when it comes through. They had
contested separately in the 2007 BMC polls and suffered. The Congress
won 72 seats and the NCP 14; the Sena-BJP won 112 and came to power.
The MNS played a lesser role then, winning only seven seats. Since
then, it has come a long way, riding Raj’s anti-migrant outbursts and
the publicity around these.
One loss the Sena is coping with is that of former chief minister
Narayan Rane, who was followed into the Congress by many supporters as
well as Naigaon MLA Kalidas Kolambkar. But the Sena’s toughest
challenge will be from the MNS in the Mumbai-Thane belt, which will
send 60 MLAs to the Assembly and will be crucial for any alliance’s
hopes.
The MNS has also been poaching on the Sena, those it has inducted
including Sena MLA from Mazgaon Bala Nandgaonkar who contested from
Mumbai South and upset five-term MP Mohan Rawale’s hopes.
Many activists are unhappy with the rising standard of living of the
Sena’s elected representatives and office-bearers, and their stakes in
the real-estate business. These activists consider Raj the natural
heir of Sena chief Bal Thackeray. To stay relevant, the Sena will need
to target the MNS strategically.
chhotemianinshallah
Raj Thackeray turns against Tanushree
IANS | Sunday, 30 March , 2008, 10:40
The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken
strong exception to allegations of "indecent behaviour" levelled
against Bollywood actor Nana Patekar by upcoming star Tanushree
Datta.
The MNS has written letters to different associations of cine
producers to 'blacklist' Tanushree for accusing a senior actor like
Nana of bad behaviour during the shooting of an item number for the
movie Horn OK Pleassse on Wednesday.
The organisation, which was recently in the news for its violence
against the north Indians living in Mumbai, has threatened to agitate
against the actress if she does not give an unconditional apology to
the actor, whom it describes as the "pride of Maharashtra".
Meanwhile, producer of Horn OK Pleassse, Sami Siddiqui, filed a
complaint Saturday with the Association of Motion Picture and TV
Programme Producers (AMPTPP) against Tanushree.
He alleged that his production firm, Sunshine Pictures Pvt. Ltd,
incurred a heavy loss because the actress failed to complete shooting
for the item song being filmed on her and Nana.
In his complaint, Siddiqui also stated that the goodwill of his
production firm was tarnished because Tanushree went to the media
saying that she was "coerced" by director Rakesh Sarang and
choreographer Ganesh Acharya to do steps in the item song she did not
feel comfortable doing.
Acting quickly on the complaint, the AMPTPP dashed off a letter to the
actress, asking her to pay a compensation of Rs 65 million. This would
include Rs 15 million to Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. and Rs 50 million
for defaming it in public.
Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. had signed Tanushree for Rs 1.5 million for
the item number to be shot over four days. She had been paid an
advance of Rs 500,000.
According to Siddiqui, he as well as Sarang and Acharya had explained
to Tanushree what her steps would be in the dance number.
"She had agreed to it," Siddiqui said.
"They [Sarang and Acharya] also agreed when she requested them not to
compel her to wear a costume she would not be comfortable with. So we
were surprised when she walked out of the sets on the last day of the
shooting [March 26] after taking part in it for two days," Siddiqui
said on Saturday.
On Friday, Tanushree shot off a letter to the Cine and Television
Artistes' Association (CINTAA) explaining the sequence of events that
led to her stomping out of the sets and the scuffle that subsequently
took place between media persons present on the sets and her
secretary.
In her letter, the actress also referred to the "unbecoming" manner in
which Nana Patekar behaved with her during shooting of the item number
on the first day and why she felt the need to ask her parents and her
secretary to be present during the shoots later.
CINTAA is yet to act on her letter, but it is likely to ask Patekar
for his explanation.
It is rarely that a member of a cine association complains against a
fellow member. In this case, what makes it unique is that an upcoming
star has lodged a serious complaint against a senior member at the
risk of her budding career.
Sid Harth
BJP leaders to discuss Assembly polls preparation
CNN-IBN
Published on Fri, Sep 04, 2009 at 12:39,
Updated on Fri, Sep 04, 2009 at 14:24 in Politics section
BRAIN STORMING SESSION: Party to discuss pre-poll preparations in
order to avoid another debacle.
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Central Election Committee
will meet in New Delhi on Friday to discuss the party's strategy for
the Assembly election coming up in three states of Haryana,
Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh.
The BJP top leadership including President Rajnath Singh and leaders
from the states going to polls will and discuss pre-poll preparations
in order to avoid another debacle.
The Election Commission on August 31 had announced dates for Assembly
elections in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh.
Elections will be held in all the three states on October 13, Chief
Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla announced on Monday.
Counting of votes will take place on October 22.
Filing of nomination papers in all three states will begin on
September 18 and the last date of filing nominations will be September
29. Nominations can be withdrawn till September 29.
These elections are important, as it would be the first major test of
the popularity of the second United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
Government which completed its 100 days in power last week.
The Congress is in power in all three states which where elections are
scheduled. Rising food prices and drought remain as main issues before
the electorate
In Haryana, the government called for early elections after dissolving
the Assembly.
Arunachal Pradesh has 60 Assembly seats, Maharashtra 288 seats and
Haryana 90 seats. There are 82,028 polling stations in Maharashtra,
12,894 polling stations in Haryana and 206 polling stations in
Arunachal.
Sid Harth
BJP announces second list of candidates
Itanagar | Saturday, Sep 5 2009 IST
The BJP in Arunachal Pradesh has announced names of four more
candidates in its second list of nominees for October 13 Assembly
polls in the State.
According to party sources here today, the central election committee
of the saffron party headed by its president Rajnath Singh cleared the
second list of nominees yesterday which include Sambhu Sioungju
(Bomdila-Nafra), Bai Gadi (Liromoba), Dana Pertin (Mariyang- Geku) and
state unit Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) president Chow Ambika
Enling contesting from Namsai constituency.
With the party announcing its first list of 13 candidates on August
16, the BJP is the only party to announce the names of 17 candidates
so far even after announcement of the poll date by the Election
Commission.
The names of the candidates announced in the first list include Mr
Tamiyo Taga from Rumgong constituency. Mr Taga is a former Speaker and
also served as the Education Minister. While two former Ministers,
including party state unit president Tangar Tapak, the candidate from
Pasighat West and Mr Lechi Legi from Itanagar also figured in the
list.
The other candidates include Mr Tana Tagam Tara (Sagalee), Mr Ajit
Nacho (Nacho), Mr Tapen Siga (Daporijo, Mr Lumpak Paksok (Dumporijo),
Mr Katan Kamboh (Tuting-Yingkiong), Mr Tayam Siram (Panging-Boleng),
Mr Oyam Dai (Pasighat East), Mr Wangman Lowangcha (Khonsa East) and Mr
Kapnai Wangcha from Pongchau-Wakka constituency, sources added.
Mr Katan Kamboh would lock horns with Congress leader and former Chief
Minister Gegong Apang.
Sid Harth
Stars may douse BJP fire
HT Correspondent
New Delhi, September 05, 2009
First Published: 00:33 IST(5/9/2009)
Last Updated: 00:37 IST(5/9/2009)
With “inauspicious” shrad period beginning from Saturday and the RSS
playing a watchdog role, top BJP leaders expect a breather to their
inner party turmoil.
Even the BJP’s central election committee, which met Friday evening,
released just four names of candidates for the by-polls in UP. Senior
leader Lalji Tandon failed to get ticket for his son for Lucknow west
seat.
The names of BJP candidates for the polls in Maharashtra and Haryana,
where the BJP stakes are higher, are to be announced only after the
inauspicious period, which ends September 17.
Party officials recall that VK Malhotra’s candidature as the party’s
chief minister candidate for Delhi was decided during the shrad
period, and the BJP fared poorly in the polls.
The tussle between BJP chief Rajnath Singh and former Rajasthan Chief
Minister Vasundhara Raje is supposed to have an astrological angle to
it.
While Raje’s astrologers advised her to delay her resignation as
Leader of Opposition till end of this month, Singh’s pundits had told
him to secure her exit before September 4.
Raje failed to turn up for a meeting with senior Venkaiah Naidu, which
was supposed to secure her resignation letter. Instead, she sent her
son to explain that she was running a viral fever.
RSS chief meets Vajpayee
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday met former Prime Minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee to inquire about his health.
It was his first meeting with Vajpayee since he succeeded KS Sudarshan
as Sangh chin March this year. It also came after Bhagwat met a number
of BJP leaders who sought his help following the Lok Sabha debacle,
accentuated by Jaswant Singh’s expulsion. “He (Mohan Bhagwat) enquired
about his health...discussed the political situation in the country,”
Vajpayee’s secretary NC Jhingta said.
Sid Harth
RJD, LJP Petition Governor Demanding Dismissal of Nitish Kumar
Press Trust Of India
Patna, September 05, 2009
First Published: 20:47 IST(5/9/2009)
Last Updated: 20:49 IST(5/9/2009)
Asserting that serious constitutional crisis has cropped up following
a Bihar court's order in a murder case summoning Nitish Kumar,
opposition RJD and its ally LJP on Saturday demanded immediate
dismissal of the Chief Minister if he did not quit on his own.
A joint delegation of the leaders of RJD-LJP combine petitioned the
Governor in Patna on Saturday evening seeking immediate dismissal of
Nitish Kumar.
Emerging from a brief meeting with the Governor D Konwar, the leaders
of the alliance, including RJD spokesman Shakeel Ahmed Khan told
reporters at Rajbhavan that Konwar gave a patient hearing and assured
the delegation of looking into the matter.
In the joint petition signed by several RJD-LJP legislators, the
alliance said a serious constitutional crisis was created in the
aftermath of order of a Bihar court, after taking cognizance against
Kumar under Section 302 of IPC, summoning him to present his side on
September nine.
He also reminded Kumar of the instance when Lalu Prasad as well as
other senior ministers in his cabinet had to resign following summons
from the court under cognizable offences.
"If Kumar fails to resign on his own, the constitutional propriety
demands that the CM be dismissed", the petitioners urged the Governor.
Sid Harth
The man only death could stop
Varghese K. George, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, September 04, 2009
First Published: 01:16 IST(4/9/2009)
Last Updated: 01:18 IST(4/9/2009)
After the 14th Lok Sabha polls were over in Andhra Pradesh in April
this year, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy— landlord by legacy, medical
doctor by profession, devout Christian by faith —headed for Shimla on
vacation.
“We thought, either he was winning hands down, as he was predicting,
or he was set for a long vacation,” recalled Union minister Ambika
Soni who knew him closely for more than a decade. “Central leaders
were bit sceptical about his claims.”
After YSR was proved right, he went to Bethlehem — the birthplace of
Jesus — in Israel on pilgrimage, during which he also prayed at
Jerusalem’s wailing wall, a Jewish holy site. Not many knew the man
regarded as one of India’s most efficient chief ministers carried a
Bible, was a devotee at the Hindu shrine of Tirupati as well and
started his day with a prayer.
After a famous padayatra (walk) in 2003 that covered 1,400 km across
Andhra Pradesh, YSR broke as many coconuts at Tirupati. The Gods, and
his people, willed him to power in 2004, sweeping aside the Telugu
Desam Party (TDP) from a 10-year reign.
By 2008, AP’s economy was on steroids, growing at more than 10 per
cent. He distributed the fruits of AP’s growth to its poorest through
more than 100 welfare schemes, most named after his idols, Indira and
Rajiv Gandhi. Free power, education, health and housing now spread
across the state.
“All these schemes were his own ideas, based on the demands that the
people made to him,” said Congress MP Arun Kumar, a close associate.
Known as a straightforward and frank man, YSR either met a demand, or
explained in detail why it couldn’t be done. At the end of each month,
he would send a report to Congress president Sonia Gandhi about his
achievements and failures.
In the early 1980s when YSR was a 30-something MLA impatient for
change, he grew close to two other equally impatient Congress men:
former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former minister Rajesh Pilot.
All three were friends, all died at the prime of their careers.
“He was a farmer who could understand industries too,” said Rajesh
Pilot’s son, Sachin, now a union minister, who had known YSR as a
child.
“He made sense of India’s variety.”
Minister Soni termed YSR’s ability to connect with people
“incredible”. He knew at least 10 people by name in each of Andhra
Pradesh’s 1,000 blocks. It was this common touch that brought the
Congress back to Andhra Pradesh, there the TDP had become the dominant
party.
In his 30-year career, YSR never lost an election.
When his charm did not work, YSR displayed a streak of ruthlessness,
evident as he consolidated power and sidelined colleagues who did not
fall in line. That was a trait he acquired in the volatile Rayalaseema
region that had become notorious for its factional wars. His family
had mining rights in the region and his father Raja Reddy died a
violent death in 1998.
YSR went to bed early and awoke by 4 am. By the break of the day, he
would have finished a series of phone calls and a fitness session of
yoga and cycling, followed by two litres of water, a few cups of green
tea and the newspapers.
Unlike his predecessor, friend and rival Chandrababu Naidu, he stayed
away from the national media.
His opponents accused him of some abuses of power, particularly linked
to the business empire of media, mining and cement industries built by
his son Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. That did not dent the public support
YSR enjoyed as he became one of the rising stars of Indian politics.
As his compatriots said, only death could have stopped him.
Sid Harth
On his own terms
Barkha Dutt
September 04, 2009
First Published: 22:36 IST(4/9/2009)
Last Updated: 22:40 IST(4/9/2009)
Despite his huge popularity and iron grip over Andhra Pradesh, Y S R
Reddy was probably not known that well beyond the confines of his own
state. But the man, who defied skeptics and the dares of anti-
incumbency to deliver 33 Lok Sabha seats in this election, may have
ironically preferred it that way. It’s this that made YSR an unusual
politician for his times. Though sudden, violent death almost always
gives birth to treacly and over-sympathetic obituaries, he was
important for what he represented.
Like the Congress chief ministers of yore, he was among a handful of
current regional politicians in the party (Sheila Dikshit and Ashok
Gehlot to a much more limited extent are the only other names to cross
my mind) who derived his authority directly from the people of his
state, and not necessarily from New Delhi.
And yet, as you could tell from listening to an emotional Sonia
Gandhi, he had both her ear and her trust as well. It was possibly
because — as she said herself — he always delivered what he promised
and returned the Congress to power after a gap of ten long years. In
the next couple of days you will hear a lot of the cliché, ‘powerful
satrap’, in the media. But it’s accurate. Because he was a doer. YSR,
often authoritarian, sometimes ruthless, always stubborn and
determined was able to live politics largely on his own terms.
If you look at some of the other big daddies of Andhra Politics —
Narasimha Rao was possibly shrewder; Chandrababu Naidu definitely had
better branding and N T Rama Rao had loads more charisma. So, why is
it that Y S R Reddy, a doctor-turned-politician, became the formidable
force that he did? In that answer may lie a clue to the economic
philosophy the Congress could increasingly seek to define itself by
across India.
YSR took Chandrababu Naidu’s emphasis on industrialisation and
modernisation and married it with mass contact programmes that always
kept him in direct contact with his voters. In 2003, it was his 1,500-
kilometre padyatra through the poorest districts of Andhra Pradesh
that set the stage for dislodging the seemingly invincible Naidu. The
state was so used to seeing its chief minister hotfooting his way
through remote corners that when his chopper went down in the forests
of Nallamalla, party leaders argued that if there was anyone who had
the gumption to be able to make it out of a dense jungle, it was him.
So, while Naidu may have caught Bill Clinton and the world’s eye, YSR
adroitly walked the space between policy-making and populism. He
swiftly understood that economic growth had to be used as an engine to
deliver on welfare. So, if his government passionately advocated
information technology, it gave as much attention to agriculture.
Healthcare insurance, rice for two rupees a kilo, housing for the poor
— these schemes were often launched personally by the man who came to
be known as the Flying Chief Minister because of the number of hours
he spent criss-crossing the state.
No surprise then, that in this election, the centerpiece of
Chandrababu Naidu’s own campaign was the issue of farmer suicides. But
even that didn’t work. YSR held his own against the heavyweight
combine of the TRS-TDP and the Left. It’s no coincidence that the
NREGS (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme), now widely
acknowledged as a game-changer in Indian politics, was launched from
the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The state remained one of
the best executors of the NREGS. And it’s this focus on the rural
poor, while still trying to push economic growth that makes the YSR
legacy significant.
On a national scale, Manmohan Singh may have been the architect of
liberalisation. But the Congress, especially one that will be defined
by Rahul Gandhi in the future, seems increasingly determined to use
the benefits of that engine to power the villages. Whether you term
that centrist or socialist, election results, both nationally and in
Andhra Pradesh, underline the strategic smartness of such a philosophy
as well.
It’s probably the security that he derived from his voters that helped
YSR ride the storm of the many controversies that engulfed his tenure.
Though politeness often forbids complex evaluations of those who die
tragically, there are enough people in Andhra Pradesh who will tell
you that YSR was not necessarily a very nice man. There were serious
corruption allegations (Satyam), complaints about intolerance of
criticism in the media, unseemly outbursts against the opposition in
the state Assembly and even chilling stories of combativeness.
But, every time, YSR was able to fend off his opponents precisely
because of his direct relationship with his voters. There’s a lesson
for all politicians in that. Parallels could be drawn between his
sometimes dictatorial style with, let’s say, a Narendra Modi who has
also tried to give a masculine, unbending face to his administration.
But there’s one important difference: YSR managed to be tough without
ever playing divisive politics. He managed to hold the factional,
caste-driven state together without once shaking the communal
faultlines.
YSR Reddy may not have been the most charismatic politician. But both
in his complexity and his philosophy for governance lie important
lessons for what voters love, hate and forgive in their leaders.
Sid Harth
First Published : September 20, 2007
Last Modified : September 23, 2007
STAY UPDATED
The manner in which the Ram Setu issue threatens to erupt into a major
political debate should serve as a wake-up call for the government.
Common perception is that the UPA government is partisan and concerned
only with matters relating to minority communities. This needs to
change. In fact, the need of the hour is to use Indira Gandhi's
political strategy, and move the focus from caste and community to
weaker sections and the downtrodden. The Congress and its allies need
to understand that being secular is no different from addressing the
concerns of all communities, including Hindus, writes Pankaj Vohra.
'Setu no national monument'FULL COVERAGE
New Delhi, March 05, 2008
First Published: 03:17 IST(5/3/2008)
Last Updated: 08:55 IST(5/3/2008)
The UPA government-appointed expert committee on the Sethusamudram
Shipping Canal Project has rejected the demand to declare it as a
national monument, as its findings conclude that the Ram Setu is not a
man-made structure, and has said the implementation of the project
will bring economic gains to India.
In its report submitted to the Centre, a copy of which has also been
filed in the Supreme Court, the committee headed by S Ramachandran
said the Setu should not be brought on the World Heritage List, as
urged by petitioners including
Janata Party leader Subramanium Swamy.
The committee concluded that most social apprehensions regarding the
bridge are based on "assumptions and presumptions" and are not based
on facts or scientific data.
Contrary to popular belief, the committee said the Ram Setu, also
known as the Adam's Bridge, is a natural structure. It favoured the
project as the "water route on the Palk Strait would bring economic
boom to India, particularly in south India."
Having been forced to withdraw its earlier affidavits denying the
existence of Ram and Ramsetu as man-made, the Centre had on Friday
filed a fresh affidavit that skirted the controversial issue of
faith.
"The Union of India is of the belief that it should not be called upon
to respond to issues of faith, except in recognizing their existence,"
the Centre said in its affidavit.
The court is scheduled to consider the Centre's request to vacate the
order restraining it from damaging the Setu along with the committee's
report on Wednesday.
"To cite a few historical instances, the Suez Canal project and Panama
Canal project have been implemented and expanded in the regions of
Egypt and Central America. In fact, these vital water routes have
allowed Egypt and Central America to grow and reap huge economic
benefits," the report said. Similarly, the Sethusamudram project would
be
beneficial to the country, the report stated.
The committee denied that dredging of Adam's bridge is influencing the
physical, chemical and biological parameters of the Palk Strait.
According to the findings there is no adverse effect in the region.
"The field data on fish landings from March to September 2007 showed
no decrease in fish catch, instead a marginal increase was noted," the
report added.
The committee has also referred to a study by a German scientist to
conclude that Ram Setu is a natural structure.
Let Setu project go ahead, govt will tell SC
Aloke Tikku and Saroj Nagi, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, February 28, 2008
First Published: 10:53 IST(28/2/2008)
Last Updated: 01:31 IST(29/2/2008)
The centre will ask the Supreme Court to lift its interim stay order
on the Rs 2,600-crore Sethusamudram canal project, but play safe on
the origins of the bridge to avert a possible attack from the Sangh
Parivar, or lose a coalition partner in the DMK.
The Centre has firmed up its affidavit, expected to be filed in the
Supreme Court on Friday, seeking a go-ahead for the project.
The 90-page affidavit was finalised at a meeting of the Cabinet
Committee on Political Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh on Thursday. This was the CCPA’s second meeting this week on the
affidavit, reflecting its cautious approach in tiding over months of
intra-ministerial differences.
The affidavit is in response to a petition opposing the project since
it would damage the Ram Setu, a cluster of sand formations that Hindus
believe enabled Lord Ram to reach Lanka.
Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni was virtually isolated on the
issue but in a balancing act — that seeks to reconcile her differences
with Shipping Minister T.R. Baalu of the DMK — the government has
decided to tell the court that it cannot comment on whether the Ram
Setu is man-made or natural. There has been no archaeological survey
and therefore it was not possible to make a conclusion.
Sources said the affidavit ay bring on record the emotive and
religious significance that the Ram Setu holds.
The affidavit will trace the project origin and the NDA’s role in
clearing it. It will attach the experts opinion and maintain that the
PILs filed in the court were mala fide in intention.
Senior DMK leader Veerasamy protests Vedanti's "fatwa" on Karuna
Press Trust Of India
Chennai, September 22, 2007
First Published: 19:55 IST(22/9/2007)
Last Updated: 16:10 IST(23/9/2007)
Taking strong exception to a reported "fatwa" by a former MP Ram Vilas
Vedanti for beheading DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi for his anti-Ram
remarks, a Senior DMK leader Arcot N Veerasamy on Saturday said he
would hold a black flag demonstration in front of BJP offices in Tamil
Nadu if Vedanti did not withdraw his remarks.
"If anybody says that a minister should not indulge in such
activities, I will quit as a minister as post is not important to us,"
Veerasamy, who is also the electricity minister said in a statement.
He claimed that Vedanti had said the Swamjis at Ayodhya would give
gold to the weight of the man, who beheaded Karunanidhi.
"The blood of self respect movement is running in our body. We will
make them understand that we will not tolerate any offensive remarks
about our leader," he said.
India was a secular state and Tamil Nadu was prepared to answer the
remarks of those, who were running a political party using a religion,
he said.
"If a person, who was a MP belonging to a party, which was exploiting
the name of Ram to incite communal feelings, does not withdraw his
remarks immediately, I, along with DMK volunteers will picket the BJP
offices in the state. If being a minister comes in the way, I will
quit," he said.
He asked the party volunteers to give a fitting answer to those, who
had fixed a price for their leader's life.
Senior VHP leader and former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti had in Ayodhya
on Friday taken strong exception to Karunanidhi's utterances against
Lord Ram and said no one has the right to question the existence of
Ram.
War of words between Karunanidhi and BJP on Ram hots up
Karunanidhi refuses to withdraw remarksSeptember 20, 2007
Press Trust Of India
Chennai/Bangalore, September 19, 2007
First Published: 21:43 IST(19/9/2007)
Last Updated: 17:09 IST(22/9/2007)
The spat between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and BJP and
VHP leaders over his controversial anti-Ram remarks grew shrill on
Wednesday after the attack on his daughter's home and on a state
transport bus in Bangalore that left two dead.
Karunanidhi, who stuck to his stand that no one called Lord Ram had
existed, said "we welcome opposition but we won't be cowed down." His
remarks were believed to be responsible for the twin attacks last
night.
Asserting that his remarks including his poser as to which engineering
college did Ram study had been blown out of proportion, the DMK
strongman told a TV channel the burning of a Tamil Nadu state
transport bus near Bangalore showed the "true culture of Ram Sewaks."
Referring to the attack on his daughter Selvi's house at Bangalore, he
said "I treat these things like a speck of dust. I only welcome this
kind of opposition."
Hitting out at Karunanidhi , BJP general secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad
once again dared him to make such "sacrilegious" comments about other
faiths and Gods as he did towards Lord Ram.
"Why this arrogance on the part of Karunanidhi. He is asking for Lord
Ram's engineering certificate. Can he ask the same question about
other religions ?," Prasad said while addressing the BJP state council
meet in Tirunelveli.
BJP leader V K Malhotra said in Delhi that Karunanidhi should not have
made the remarks against Ram especially since the DMK was a major
constituent of the ruling UPA.
VHP leader Ashok Singhal condemned the remarks and said the outfit
will launch protests.
As security was beefed up on Hosur road linking Bangalore to the Tamil
Nadu border after the burning of the bus, Karnataka Chief Minister
Kumaraswamy urged people not to encourage this type of incidents.
Sid Harth
Bright prospect
“MNS will bleed the Shiv Sena in the polls”
The elections to the state assemblies of Maharashtra, Haryana and
Arunachal Pradesh, announced by the Election Commission, would have
created greater interest in a different political environment. They
are to be held on October 13 and the results will be announced on
October 22. The first assembly elections after the UPA government came
to power at the Centre, being held in two important states, could have
given an indication of the people’s response to the new government,
especially because the Congress and the BJP will be contending for
power in Maharashtra and Haryana. But the state of disarray in the BJP
is likely to make it difficult for the party to put up a good fight
against the Congress. In Haryana, Congress chief minister Bhupinder
Singh Huda has confidently opted for early elections after the party’s
good showing in the Lok Sabha elections. The alliance between the BJP
and the Indian National Lok Dal was routed in May. The two parties
parted ways last week, making it all the more easy for the Congress to
come back to power. The BSP, and former chief minister Bhajan Lal’s
Haryana Janhit Party, which have formed an alliance, are marginal
players in the state.
In politically more important Maharashtra too the Congress will not be
too worried. The split in the Shiv Sena votes, caused by Raj
Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, helped the alliance of the
Congress and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party in the Lok
Sabha elections. The MNS will continue to bleed the Shiv Sena in the
assembly elections too. The Sena’s partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP), has been weakened by the party’s post-poll turbulence. The
Congress-NCP alliance is short on mutual trust and may be roiled by
seat-sharing problems but its rival has bigger problems. However, it
only had a narrow lead in the Lok Sabha election in terms of both
seats and vote share and therefore a stiff contest cannot be ruled
out.
It is not known why Jharkhand, which is under President’s rule for the
last eight months, has been denied the chance to elect a new Assembly.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had told Parliament in its last
session that elections in the state would be held by October. The
Centre would be acting unfairly to the people of the state if it trie
to promote the narrow interests of the Congress and the Jharkhand
Mukti Morcha by dilly-dallying on elections.
Sid Harth
New leader for AP: Rosaiah leaves it to Congress high command
Hyderabad, Sep 5 (IANS):
Amid the battle for finding a successor to the late Y S Rajasekhara
Reddy, Andhra Pradesh's caretaker Chief Minister K. Rosaiah on
Saturday said he would abide by the decision of the party's central
leadership on choosing a new leader in the state.
''It is up to the high command to decide who should be the new leader.
I will abide by whatever decision it takes on the issue,'' Rosaiah
told reporters on his first day in office as Chief Minister.
He was asked if he would refuse to take the post in view of the
growing demand for making YSR's son Y S Jaganmohan Reddy the next
chief minister.
Rosaiah, who is also the state finance minister, said he would not
like to say anything on his choice for the top post.
"I would not have worked with five chief ministers by doing whatever I
like. If the high command asks me to jump into the Hussain Sagar (the
lake opposite state secretariat), I will do it," he said.
The 77-year-old leader was apparently unhappy over the manner in which
some ministers and legislators were trying to pitch for Jaganmohan
Reddy as the next leader.
"They may convey their feelings to the high command but pressurising
somebody to pass a resolution is not proper," he said, refusing to
elaborate.
Rosaiah's remarks are significant as there is confusion on whether the
first cabinet meeting chaired by him on Thursday evening passed a
resolution urging Congress president Sonia Gandhi to name Jaganmohan
Reddy the next chief minister.
Some ministers loyal to YSR's family had claimed so after the cabinet
meeting. The next day, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) office
sent a copy of the letter purportedly written by the cabinet to party
chief Sonia Gandhi, informing her that the cabinet passed a unanimous
resolution and urging her to name YSR's 37-year-old son as chief
minister.
The letter had names of all 36 members of the council of ministers,
including Rosaiah, but carried no signatures.
Some ministers and legislators supporting Jaganmohan Reddy's
candidature have threatened to split the party if he was not named the
next chief minister. The lobby claimed the support of 122 out of 155
legislators. The central leadership has reportedly expressed its
displeasure over the threats and pressure tactics.
The CLP will meet after the seven-day mourning period is over to elect
a new leader but it is likely to go by the choice of the central
leadership.
Apart from Jaganmohan Reddy and Rosaiah, central ministers S Jaipal
Reddy, D. Purandareswari and Pallam Raju and state Congress chief D
Srinivas are the likely contenders for the chief minister's post.
YSR, his special secretary, chief security officer and two pilots were
killed when the helicopter carrying them from Hyderabad to Chittoor
crashed in bad weather in Nallamalla forests in Kurnool district on
Wednesday morning.
Sid Harth
Security unconsciousness
By Gayathri Nivas
To err is human but for politicians and celebrities to slip up
repeatedly is even more human.
Never blame the dead, they say. They are wrong. For, there are
valuable lessons to learn from the mistakes committed by the dead, in
life. Consider the King of Kadapa, the late chief minister of Andhra
Pradesh Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who earned the prefix ‘late’ far too
early for his and his Congress party’s liking. Riding the pinnacle of
political success, he did just what many predecessors of his ilk have
done and paid dearly with their lives. It can be called a state of
“security unconsciousness”, a pathological condition that afflicts the
rich, famous and powerful. YSR’s was a similar affliction.
It is an irony that he set out to monitor drought relief operations in
beating rain, that too by helicopter. Even if he had alerted his
security personnel barely two hours before his fateful heli-hop, he
would have been forewarned of the inclement weather enroute to his
destination.
For a politician of his vintage, he must have also been fully aware of
the dangers of flying a helicopter in bad weather and, most likely,
ignored safety and security advice. And last but not the least, as an
elected representative of the people for nine terms, he should have
taken responsibility not just for his own life, but also that of his
officers and the pilots accompanying him.
Unanswered question
But, he seems to have thrown all these precautions, literally, to the
winds. For, the repeated question raised by the bitterly crying wife
of Andhra Pradesh’s Principal Secretary K Subramanyam, who went down
with YSR, is why did the chief minister’s entourage have to fly if the
weather was bad?
Finding the answers will be an exercise in futility unless and until
politicians as well as officers choose to learn from this tragedy and
practise it as an important lesson in personal and public safety.
Congress leader Renuka Choudhury put it succinctly to a mediaperson:
“We politicians should realise that our power cannot overrule
inclement weather.”
To err is human; for politicians and celebrities, not to understand
security compulsions and err repeatedly, is even more human. There are
any number of instances of how power had the power to make people do
what they shouldn’t and wouldn’t normally do.
Iron Lady Indira Gandhi, the late prime minister, ignored an
Intelligence Bureau note, not to hire Sikh bodyguards after the Blue
Star Operation to flush out Sikh extremists from the Golden Temple in
Amritsar. She was gunned down by her Sikh securityguards at point
blank range.
Her son and successor Rajiv Gandhi, also assassinated, was on the hit
list of the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka for sending the Indian Peace
Keeping Forces to assist the island government in its anti-Tamil
operations. He had explicit security advice not to allow anyone get up
close to him - that is within ten feet of him in public functions.
During an election rally at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu in 1991,
people’s mad frenzy apparently made him frenetic. He fell to a suicide
bomber, who first garlanded him and bent down to touch his feet. The
lady bomber’s ‘deadly obeisance’ set off bombs strapped to her
abdomen.
Kannada film thespian Rajkumar overlooked threat perception from
forest bandit Veerappan and visited his Gajanur farm house on the
Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border unescorted, to fulfill an “irresistible
urge”. He was kidnapped and held hostage in the Sathyamangalam forest.
It took the two State Governments and a heavy toll on the Kannada film
industry to secure his safe release.
Abroad, American President John F Kennedy and more recently Pakistan
leader Benazir Bhutto, similarly erred to die. Kennedy was shot dead
while waving to the crowds from the open hood of his convertible,
while Benazir, flushed with her comeback success after a prolonged
exile in London, made two uncalled for stops to greet her supporters
when she was targeted. She got out of her bullet proof car, got in and
again rolled down the glass of her car window when a bullet splinter
fatally struck her.
Security consciousness
All these accidents, preventable or otherwise, go to show that VVIPs
suffer from very low security consciousness in the lap of runaway
success and popular support.
Senior Congress leader S M Krishna blamed the same popularity bug for
even the verbal excesses politicians indulge in, when egged on by huge
audiences. Varun Gandhi’s hate speech against Muslims during the Lok
Sabha elections is one such verbal misadventure.
Why just politicians, even the media is not free from this popularity
malaise. While reporting YSR’s tragedy, the media conveniently forgot
the other four passengers of the ill-fated helicopter and their
grieving families, except for making sparing and few and far between
references. No state honours either for the officers, who followed
their leader in death in the call of duty; and no suicides and shock
deaths at their sudden loss, as being reported in the case of YSR.
Hierarchy of tragedy
YSR’s disappearance and death was solved in less than 24 hours with
the Central and Andhra governments pulling out all stops. He has been
laid to rest and a state mourning is on. In remote Devar Nimbargi
village in Indi taluk of Karnataka’s Bijapur district, four-year-old
Kanchan fell into an uncovered defunct borewell on Monday last, nearly
36 hours before YSR’s heli-mishap. The Army and district
administration have been battling to rescue her, but in vain. With
their child’s fate hanging in the balance, her daily wager parents do
not know whether to laugh or to cry.
Death is a great leveller, they say. They’re wrong once again.
Inequality pursues us after life too. So, the sooner our leaders learn
to respect safety and security norms, the better for all of us.
chhotemianinshallah
Sena dares Govt over arrest warrant against Thackeray
Updated on Saturday, September 05, 2009, 23:50 IST
Mumbai: Shiv Sena on Saturday dared the government to arrest party
chief Bal Thackeray after a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued by
a Bihar court against the Sena supremo for allegedly making
uncharitable and inflammatory remarks against Biharis in party
mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
"The Sena chief was arrested earlier and the government has seen what
happens when he is arrested. I don't think they will commit the
mistake again," Thackeray's son and Sena executive president Uddhav
Thackeray said, reacting to the development.
"We have not received the warrant. We have learnt of the development
through media," Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said.
"The party will comment on the issue only after receiving and going
through the copy," Gorhe said.
Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate (Bhojpur) Rakesh Pati Tiwari
ordered issuance of the warrant after Thackeray failed to appear
before him in compliance with his July 7 order on a complaint filed by
advocate Rajesh Kumar Singh in the court in 2008 accusing Thackeray of
making comments against Biharis in 'Saamana'.
Bureau Report
chhotemianinshallah
Andhra succession race continues in quiet earnest
Prasad Nichenametla and Tasneem Nashrulla, Hindustan Times
Hyderabad, September 05, 2009
First Published: 23:52 IST(5/9/2009)
Last Updated: 00:52 IST(6/9/2009)
The shrill campaign to install Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s son Jagan Mohan
Reddy, 36, as the new chief minister of Andhra Pradesh went partially
underground on Saturday, following media criticism of the unseemly
haste with which it was launched and a perceived cold shoulder from
the party high command.
“This is not the right time. We’ll decide on the issue only after the
mourning period ends (on September 9),” said law minister Veerappa
Moily who was sent by the Congress leadership to oversee the political
situation in Andhra Pradesh after Reddy’s death.
Result: Congress MLAs who were due to assemble in the state assembly
to press their “Jagan for CM” demand, backtracked and denied any such
plans.
“No such meeting was ever planned,” Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Congress
chief whip in the Andhra Pradesh assembly, told HT. “We’re only
assembling to pay homage to the departed leader.”
Off the record, an MLA said the meeting had been called off following
“unofficial advice” from a senior leader. “The aim of the meeting was
to bring everyone (read: dissenters) in line,” he said.
Jagan Mohan, meanwhile, spent the day at his family estate,
participating in religious ceremonies connected to his father’s death.
But a senior Congress Rajya Sabha MP, who is orchestrating the
campaign to install Jagan Mohan as chief minister, hasn’t given up
yet.
Thirty-three of 54 Congress Members of the Legislative Council (upper
house in some states) passed a “unanimous” resolution backing Jagan
Mohan.
Mohammad Jani, deputy chairman of the council, said 20 other MLCs
“could not attend the meeting as they were travelling, but gave their
consent over telephone”. This resolution will be conveyed to the high
command.
Meanwhile, citizens mounted pressure on television channels, which
have been fanning the mood of gloom by playing sad songs, to change
tack.
A senior employee in Andhra Pradesh’s leading regional news channel
said, “On Friday, we received a number of calls, emails and SMSes from
viewers requesting us to stop playing these emotional songs.”
Some people have blamed the melancholic atmosphere being created by
these broadcasts for the spate of alleged suicides that have been
reported from across the state following Reddy’s death.
“But doctors and psychiatrists said songs, which can alter people’s
moods, cannot force them to commit suicide or die of grief,” he said.
“So, our solution to this problem is: ‘Just watch television on
mute.’”
chhotemianinshallah
BHOPAL | Sunday, September 6, 2009 |
BJP concerned about poor, farmers: Tomar
Staff Reporter | Bhopal
BJP State president and Lok Sabha member Narendra Singh Tomar has said
that the BJP Government showed concern for the villagers, poor and
farmers immediately after coming to power. There is no difference
between the words and deeds of the BJP Government, he said.
Campaigning for the party candidate from Gohad, Sobran Singh Jatav,
Tomar said a budgetary allocation of Rs 3,500 crore was made for rural
development when he was the Rural Development Minister of the State.
The Government has accorded respected and provided social security to
the farmers, he said.
He said the BJP had always considered the compensation in the event of
natural calamities as insufficient and, therefore, had struggled while
demanding more compensation from the previous Congress Government. The
party workers had even faced canes but to no avail. After coming to
power, the BJP Government increased the compensation by four times, he
added.
Tomar said the State Government’s scheme of giving loan to farmers at
3 per cent interest rate was praised throughout the country. The
irrigation capability of the farmers has also witnessed remarkable
increase, he said. BJP national secretary and Rajya Sabha member
Prabhat Jha, also campaigning in Gohad for the BJP candidate, said
development had become a decisive issue in the by-election. He claimed
that the voters had made up their mind to vote for the BJP. CM’s
simplicity and Tomar’s generosity had won the hearts of the people of
the State, which will ensure BJP’s victory in the by-elections, he
claimed.
bademiyansubhanallah
BJP confident of winning bypoll to Dwarka assembly seat
STAFF WRITER 19:20 HRS IST
New Delhi, Sep 5 (PTI) BJP today exuded confidence of winning bypoll
to the Dwarka assembly constituency in the city, saying spiralling
prices of essential commodities will ensure defeat of the Congress in
the seat.
"We are confident of our victory in the bypoll to the Dwarka assembly
seat. People are really angry with the ruling party for the
skyrocketing prices of essential commodities," senior BJP leader
Jagdish Mukhi told reporters here.
The BJP has fielded Praduman Rajput from the seat while Congress has
given ticket to MCD councillor Tilottama Sharma.
Bypoll to the constituency will be held on September 10.
Rajput had contested the last year's assembly elections too from the
same seat where he was comprehensively defeated by Congress' Mahabal
Mishra.
The seat fell vacant as the sitting MLA Mahabal Mishra was elected to
the Lok Sabha from Delhi West parliamentary constituency.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/266649_BJP-demands-immediate-steps-for-redressal-of-grievance
BJP demands immediate steps for redressal of grievance
STAFF WRITER 19:47 HRS IST
New Delhi, Sep 5 (PTI) Expressing concern over serving of inflated
electricity bills by private power distribution company BSES,
opposition BJP today demanded immediate steps for redressal of the
"genuine grievance" of nearly 90,000 consumers.
Senior BJP party leader V K Malhotra said the defective bills should
be corrected immediately and the doubts of the consumers should be
removed in a satisfactory way.
Delhi BJP president O P Kohli said the process of correcting the
defective bills should be simple and convenient so that the consumers
do not have to run from pillar to post.
The BSES said around 90,000 of their 25 lakh registered consumers
received a "higher" electricity bill in the month of August due to an
inadvertent glitch in the their billing system.
bademiyansubhanallah
Modi announces Saraswati Yatra, Gunotsav on Teachers day
By our correspondent
Ahmedabad, DeshGujarat, 5 September, 2009
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi felicitated 35 teachers from
across the state and addressed over one crore students of various
schools through video conferencing on Teachers’ Day today morning.
Modi announced state government’s initiatives such as Sarswati Yatra
for literacy, 100-hour contribution movement for youths, and
‘Gunotsav’ in schools on 11-12-13 November this year.
Chief Minister interacted with the students for more than hour.
Students from remote village schools asked questions to the Chief
Minister.
Teachers were honored for their outstanding contribution to the field
of education. Each of them was given a cash reward of Rs 21,000 and a
certificate by the Chief Minister in a felicitation function held at
Tagor hall in Ahmedabad. Some teachers contributed their entire cash
reward to Chief Minister’s girls education fund.
Chief Minister’s speech was broadcast live in 7,600 primary schools
and 4,391 secondary schools which have computers with LCD screens, 410
colleges and 90 self-financed institutes and 62 government
polytechnics.
Modi’s address was also broadcast live on 8000 e-gram panchayats and
local cable services.
bademiyansubhanallah
NTR's daughter too in AP CM race?
PTI 5 September 2009, 05:44pm IST
NEW DELHI: Union Minister D Purandeswari on Saturday appeared to be
not ruling herself out of the race for Andhra Pradesh Chief
Ministership.
Purandeshwari, daughter of the late N T Ramarao, the first non-
Congress Chief Minister of the state, merely remarked "everything
depends on the high command" when asked whether she was in the race.
"The high command is competent enough to take a decision," she said
initially when asked about who could be the next chief minister.
Purandeswari's remarks were significant as they came amid the stepped
up campaign by supporters of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy for making him the
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh to take the place of his father.
bademiyansubhanallah
Tightrope walk ahead for BSY
Chief Minister of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa. (File photo: Express)Arun
First Published : 04 Sep 2009 04:30:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 04 Sep 2009 09:06:34 AM IST
The Bharatiya Janata Party has been facing serious crisis at the
centre after the party’s debacle in May 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
Pressure has mounted on leaders like LK Advani and Rajnath Singh to
resign.
The BJP, whose official website says it is the ‘party with a
difference’, has become a party with only differences.
The crisis in the party has reached such a level that its mentor the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has to openly take note of the
developments in the party. The RSS chief had to interfere to resolve
the controversy and suggest a change of leadership. He has also
indicated that young blood should be infused into the party and the
average age in the party should remain at 55 to 60 years.
In a diametrically opposite situation, Chief Minister of Karnataka
Yeddyurappa appears to be in a comfortable position and is growing
stronger by the day.
Every incident appears to be turning in his favour one after the
other, particularly after the Lok Sabha elections in which the BJP won
impressively in as many as 19 Constituencies in the state improving
the tally from 16 in the previous Lok Sabha.
He successfully snubbed a group of leaders within the party who
complained that he had been forcing his decisions on them and the
party. Internal democracy has collapsed, they had complained. But
Yeddyurappa silenced them by agreeing to form a core committee to take
all political and policy decisions.
Renukacharya was silenced after serving him a show cause notice as to
why he should not be suspended from the party for his indiscipline and
anti-party activities.
This notice was served immediately after national president Rajanath
Singh warned the leaders in Bangalore that he would not tolerate
indiscipline. But, Yeddyurappa has not formed the core committee nor
the party had initiated any action against Renukacharya.
After losing the bye-election Somanna resigned as cabinet minister.
Another minister D Sudhakar is also expected to resign within a week
since the CBI has chargesheeted him in the Special Court. Yeddyurappa
however seems to have plans to keep the two posts vacant to have
control over dissident activity within the party.
Though Yeddyurappa seems to have control over the situation and is
improving his political strength everyday, he is walking on a tight
rope. Any wrong move any moment may mar his political prospects.
With the death of Andhra CM YS Rajashekhara Reddy, the Reddy brothers
in Bellary may have become weak.
But, if YS Jaganmohan Reddy, the Lok Sabha member from Kadapa and the
son of YSR becomes the next CM of Andhra Pradesh the Reddy brothers
will grow stronger.
According to insiders, when some of the leaders complained that
Yeddyurappa was bulldozing over others, Jagadish Shettar maintained
silence because he hoped to become a minister again. He had already
hinted the leaders that he does not like to continue as the Speaker of
the Assembly.
But then he did not want to antagonise Yeddyurappa. Had he joined the
team then, it could have become very difficult for Yeddyurappa to
control the situation.
Now, if Yeddyurappa prolongs the cabinet expansion for any reason, it
is definitely probable that Jagadish Shettar will team up to demand a
cabinet berth. In that case there are chances of all the disgruntled
persons in the BJP coming together and working against Yeddyurappa.
The dissidence within the party appears to have been silenced. But it
is a temporary phenomenon and the situation may explode anytime.
Yeddyurappa needs to plan his moves carefully before taking any
decision.
bademiyansubhanallah
Maharashtra Elections | Who will campaign where?
Now that the BJP needs some real kick-ass action to remain in the
fray, will their chief of histrionics, Narendra Modi campaign for the
BJP in Maharashtra? Will he be able to match the voice of the Shiv
Sena tigers or the power of Pawar? That remains to be seen.
Other than a few candidates from the BJP, there isn’t much to write
home about the party. But the rural areas will think and vote
otherwise. There is a lot of action going on in the outskirts of
Mumbai and Pune and the Shiv Sena has a big role to play in it. Will
the Gandhi scion end up campaigning for the Congress here? Will his
charisma be able to match the expectations of the public in general,
especially those reeling under drought like conditions, farmer
suicides and power wars between the power companies?
Except for a few shining examples like Priya Dutt, Kirit Somaiya,
Deshmukh and younger guns like junior Deora, none of the contesting
candidates really have any story to tell.
To make matters worse, the BJP has just come out with a dossier on how
the Congress NCP combine has failed in governance and other factors.
The BJP calls it a charge sheet with all the misdemeanors of the
Congress highlighted, in fields such as agriculture, industry, power,
infrastructure and every possible detail available. So, with these
kinds of revelations, who are we to believe?
On second thought, is Manmohan Singh really as good as he is made out
to be? Or is just a case of limitation? Is whatever the Congress doing
enough for the country? From all the parameters that emerge, we can
safely say that no party is doing enough and that none of the policies
or ideologies is working.
Neha Singh
Maharashtra Elections | Schedule Announced for Elections in
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Elections will be held on October 13th, 2009. The much
awaited announcement of the Election Commission on the schedule for
Maharashtra Elections is finally out. The Chief Election Commissioner
announced the schedule for the Maharashtra Elections.
Here are the important dates in the Schedule for the Maharashtra
Elections:
- Maharashtra Assembly Elections will be held in a single phase on
October 13.
- The counting of votes cast for Maharashtra Assembly will take place
on October 22.
The Chief Election Commissioner also announced that Electronic Voting
Machines(EVM) will be used in the Maharashtra Elections.
The electoral battle in Maharashtra Elections in 2009 will be fought
in 288 assembly seats.
Keep watching this space for more updates on Maharashtra Elections and
sign up for our regular emails.
http://blogs.mybandra.com/2009/09/04/maharashtra-elections-required-a-strong-opposition/
Maharashtra Elections | Required - a strong opposition!
So, who’s going to stand up to the Congress NCP monopoly in
Maharashtra? The BJP seems to be losing the plot and is trying very
hard to get its act together. India needs a strong opposition team to
set the record straight.
Liberal politics seems to be meeting with its end. Right winged,
narrow parties with a social agenda and some revolutionary tactics
will probably be the order of the day. The Shiv Sena - BJP combine in
Maharashtra still has a strong footing especially in rural areas. They
have taken up some serious issues like development, education, AIDS,
industrialization etc on themselves.
The farmer suicides in Maharashtra seem to have stirred up the
conscience of the nation. Added to that is a year of drought,
recession, unemployment and rising prices. We have to see how the
government is going to bail us out of all these impending issues.
Added to that is the Satyam debacle, under which the state is reeling.
Although the past quarter saw a rise in earnings, foreign trade and
the Sensex, the picture on the whole stands gloomy.
In the rural states in Maharshtra, there is lots of power shedding and
some towns and districts still lack basic amenities. What is
heartening is that the travel industry is gaining momentum, despite
the serious threat of swine flu. Also the hospitality, hotel and
catering, airline, road and rail services are thriving with more
private players entering the market.
In most developed countries, government intervention is normally not
sought on issues of trade and business. But in India, the government
has done well to protect the indigenous market and also bring in
foreign direct investment. This is a challenging balancing act that
the government in the State will have to enact. Let’s vote for
development, growth and elimination of poverty instead of caste, creed
and gender, for a change.
Neha Singh
bademiyansubhanallah
BJP’s Muslim leaders: Their induction in party is an RSS strategy
Submitted by admin4 on 5 September 2009 - 2:36pm. ArticlesIndia
PoliticsIndian Muslim
By Kulsum Mustafa,
Eyesores or cynosures, they are for keeps. The saffron robed Muslim
leaders are now an inseparable part of the Hindutava campaigner
Bharatiya Janata Party. And it is not by chance but because of a well
thought-out Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) strategy that these
‘opportunist Muslim’ leaders have been allowed to prosper in the
party.
Periodic news about a move to show the door to two senior national
Muslim leaders and former ministers of BJP - Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
(Uttar Pradesh) and Shahnawaz Hussain (Bihar) turn out to be nothing
but mere speculation. The two had been ‘strategically’ inducted into
the saffron party, not by the BJP but by the parent RSS. Removing them
now after they have spent years in the BJP is almost unthinkable and
against the strategy.
As for Husain and Naqvi, after spending over two decades in the party
there is no political life for them outside the BJP. The so-called
secular parties like the Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi
Party cannot afford to touch them even with a barge pole.
It was Vishwa Hindu Parishad senior leader and former Member of
Parliament, Ram Vilas Vedanti who kicked up the issue. Known for his
strong anti-Muslim views, he suggested that the two ‘show boys” from
the minority community be shown the door. According to him they have
proved to be a big hurdle to Hindus accepting the party whole-
heartedly.
Vedanti suggested this as the BJP evaluated the party’s poor
performance in the general elections held in the country in May 2009.
The VHP leader felt that the expulsion would be greatly welcomed by
the majority community as it would lead to the ‘purification of the
party’. Vedanti is said to have substantiated his views by saying that
the BJP’s very formation was meant to protect the rights of the Hindus
and the presence of Muslim members proved to be a big hindrance to
attaining this goal.
A great supporter of Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi, who whipped up an anti-
Muslim hysteria, Vedanti said that Varun’s wings were clipped at the
instance of these Muslim leaders in the party. Vedanti has demanded
the resignation of party president Rajnath Singh for his lack of
support to the Hindu cause. He demanded that Gandhi be given charge of
BJP in Uttar Pradesh.
He said BJP will get mass support if it openly declares that it will
ensure the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya not due to any court
order but because it is the will and the wish of the Hindu majority in
the country.
But though many may have shared Vendanti’s views none would speak out
considering that a strong and concentrated move is on by the BJP to
garner the support of the Muslims towards the BJP.
Rashtriya Muslim Manch (RMM) – an outfit set up in Delhi under the
guidance of senior Hindu leader Indrish – has been especially created
for the purpose. Headed by Mohammed Afzal, it is housed at the
residence of senior BJP leader and ex-Union minister Satyanarain
Jatiya. Former Central Haj committee chairman Tanvir Ahmed is a member
of this body. The sole purpose of RMM is to project a good face of the
BJP among the Muslims.
RSS only makes the obvious more clear. If Naqvi and Husain need the
BJP, the BJP needs them even more.
bademiyansubhanallah
YSR and Muslims
Submitted by admin on 4 September 2009 - 7:22pm. ArticlesIndia
PoliticsIndian Muslim
By Ayub Khan
The tragic death of Y.S.Rajashekhara Reddy is undeniably a loss for
Andhra Pradesh's Muslim community. Among all the current chief
ministers he stands out for taking proactive measures to improve the
socio-economic status of the Muslim community.
Among his prime contributions for the Muslim community was the
extension of limited reservations for Muslims in the state which has
benefited many a student. His interest in return Waqf properties was
also applauded by the Muslim community. He was personally involved in
returning to the Waqf Board 50 acres of prime land belonging to Dargah
Hazrat Baba Sharfuddin which had been encroached by a state
corporation. The present value of this land stands at Rs. 350 crore.
Such measures had led the senior most Muslim leader of Hyderabad
Maulana Aquil Husami to remark that, 'we have never seen such a chief
minister.'
He had also sanctioned a Rs.2,000 crore special package for the
development of Old City. YSR was also instrumental in solving the
issue of sanctioning houses for the ex-servicemen of the old Hyderabad
Army. This problem had been languishing in cold storage for more than
forty years until YSR revived it at the urging of the All India Majlis-
e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. He enjoyed a close relationship with the AIMIM
and most of his minority development projects were urged on by the
latter's leadership.
However, despite his close relationship with the Muslims YSR's
government's actions were not always in tune with the sentiments of
the community. His government was unable to control the reckless
actions by the police in the aftermath of the Makkah Masjid bomb
blasts. Many innocent Muslim youth were rounded up for apparently no
fault of their own. He was similarly unable to prosecute the
perpetrators of the Bhainsa riots last year who had burned a Muslim
family to death. Many blamed his then home minister for the lapse but
being the CM he was also held partly responsible.
YSR also did not take any effective measures to improve and groom the
Muslim leadership in the Congress party. Last elections saw two
Congress stalwarts Fareeduddin and Ali Shabbir losing their seats. In
the case of Fareeduddin it was alleged by some that he was
deliberately denied a seat in his hometown and moved to Hyderabad
where he lost to a BJP candidate. It was alleged that YSR had done so
at the urging of a mining tycoon from Karnataka who had wanted the
lone BJP member in Andhra Pradesh to reclaim his seat. (http://
chiru.in/2009/03/29/ysr-supporting-bjp-kishan-reddy/)
In earlier allegations, YSR was also accused of trucking in rioters,
during the reign of the late Chief Minister Chenna Reddy, from
Rayalaseema to foment communal trouble in the Old City. The supposed
motive was to create instability in the Chenna Reddy government. He
always denied it and was given a clean chit by an enquiry commission.
Whatever the veracity of such accusations the YSR in the role of the
Chief Minister has been a friend for the Muslim community---warts and
all. It remains to be seen how the new Chief Minister of Andhra
Pradesh will tread the path paved by YSR or digress from it. If YSR's
son Jaganmohan Reddy assumes the office then one expects that he
continues his father's legacy. Jaganmohan Reddy is also on friendly
terms with AIMIM's leadership.
.These benefits are the
Submitted by ABU SALMAN (not verified) on 6 September 2009 - 12:44am.
These benefits are the visible but we don’t want to gaze his negative
attitudes towards Muslims Community. Yes he dares to bring legislation
for reservation to Muslims. This is not ultimate, because the issue
yet to decide by Court. We have not to ignore the Police harassment to
Muslim Youths in his regime. Several Muslim youths picked up and
tortured viciously and handed over them to other state police. We have
not forgotten the apathy condition of Moulana naseer and Shaheed
Mujahid Saleem. Moulana and three sons jailed for no crime. He got
bail recently from Apex Court after five years in Gujrat’s Jail. A.P
Police failed to bring killer Gujarat police Officer Narendar Ameen
against him a case of Murder booked.
We thanked him for returning 50 acres land belongs to Dargah Hzt Baba
Sharfuddin ,but we forget that the entire land belongs to that Wakf
Institution is not 50 acre but 2235 acre. He returns only 50 acre out
of 2235 acre. Moulana Hameeduddin Aaqil appreciated him on returning
50 acres. He also criticized him on Eiduz zuha at Eidgah Mir Aalam for
torturing Muslim youths. He portrayed him as one eye camel who chews
the leaves of one side. Very few knows that he ordered to transfer
more than 1122 acre lands to Hindujas for 1999 rates that is Rs 2.25
lakh per acre where the actual value was 60 lakh per acre. Eventhough
we find him a good administrator for muslim.
reply.YSR- A pro-active to the problems of Muslim Community
Submitted by P.M.Pareethu Bava Khan (not verified) on 5 September 2009
- 11:51pm.
On analyzing the performance and relationship of YSR with Muslim it
can be seen that he was very pro-active and positive in his approach
in identifying problems and finding solutions to them in a pragmatic
and result oriented manner. There is no doubt that he has been a good
friend of Muslim community and sincere in in his deeds as compared to
many of the leaders and administrators now eminent in the political
scenario of India.The tragic death of Y.S.Rajashekhara Reddy is
undeniably a loss for Andhra Pradesh's Muslim community.
P.M.Pareethu Bava Khan
Secretary General,
Unity for Social Development, Kerala
Trivandrum
reply.political relationship and muslims
Submitted by TAMEEMUDDIN HUMBLE (not verified) on 5 September 2009 -
4:20am.
It is the capability of secular leaders that they have good relations
with muslims for political reasons and it could not be understood that
they have good image of community in their minds and will take stand
for justice whenever a time calls it.
reply.It is true. But important
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 5 September 2009 - 5:20pm.
It is true.
But important thing is that we have too look only how the community
benefits it.
It is fact that the muslim community got something from YSR whatever
may be his intention, and we should thank for that.
bademiyansubhanallah
Column: A Curious Case of Indian Politics
September 4, 2009 Visionmp.com news service
…Mayawati reinforcing her base, Advani not letting his Iron Man image
shatter, Prakash Karat favouring Vijayan over CM Achuthanandan, show
us politicians’ ambitions for future, fears of past, practicality of
present, detachment from displeasures of past-present duo. They want
most advantageous position, but losing public trust…
Saurabh Dharmeshwari
Post poll political scene in India has been a story of disappointment
hitherto. Of the big two, the familiar scamps in starched cotton and
patterned saffron, one is content with spoils of power and other
shaken, muddled up with aftermath of defeat. The lady reconciler of
dalits, the messiahs of poor, their trade brand Lal Salaam
unfortunately, or, accidentally, seen in Lalgarh, and the socialites
having a friend circle replete with capitalists and elites, all those
who fought unsuccessfully for a non-BJP, non-Congress alternative for
country’s good, as they put it, are today self-righteous, strung by a
common thread.
In the recent months marked by party-political turbulence and personal
ambitions, much light fell on certain parties and politicians; take
for instance BJP and LK Advani, CPM and Pinarayi Vijayan- VS
Achuthanandan, BSP and Mayawati etc. At a point, I thought we were
being both tortured and entertained. The particular instances are the
two latest controversies on Kandhar Hijack episode and Mayawati’s
statue installation.
Maywati cozily forgets that erection of living personality’s statue is
grounded on the single premise that the person is not just unmatched
in his field but conforms to higher standards set by his or her
predecessors, something we cannot certainly think of Mayawat in her
field, and this all is neither done on a large scale as a big
business, nor is it sponsored by tax payers’ money.
Though still in court, it’s within anybody’s caliber to judge the
right side of the case that UP government’s statue installation is; so
my concern here is not that if public money can be splurged, morally,
in the face of hunger and poverty, on statues of dalit icons – whom a
political party claims – even if approved by a state cabinet as the
Supreme Court has ruled legal. Of late, there’s one more package of
torturous entertainment. Living persons’ statues can be installed, and
so Mayawati’s, UP government tells the court, like Atal Bihari
Vajapayee’s (to my mind, he is the unparalleled personality of his
field), Amitabh Bachchan’s (ditto about him), and those of stars and
cricketers of the West (all celebrated for their unmatched expertise).
I think you share my doubt that Mayawati’s stature (if she is
considered an unparalleled living dalit in her field) is anywhere near
what BR Ambedkar’s was when he was alive (His statue was not installed
in his life time perhaps).
Yes, in her attempt to become a living goddess, Maywati cozily forgets
that erection of living personality’s statue is grounded on the single
premise that the person is not just unmatched in his field but
conforms to higher standards set by his or her predecessors, something
we cannot certainly think of Mayawat in her field, and this all is
neither done on a large scale as a big business, nor is it sponsored
by tax payers’ money. There’s one more foolish justification,
Kansiram, her mentor, wanted her statue to be erected by the side of
his. Mayawati is being too assertive on the issue.
I’ve taken up this topic in this column for the state she rules has
been a political trend setter in the country, has the maximum bearing
on national politics, is one where netas’ activities influence the
masses most and form an opinion among them. Lately, in spite of all
the wrongs associated with Mayawati’s venture, it has drawn huge
support of dalits in her favour, who are treating the matter as one of
dalit pride. They are impressed by her, by her venture, and by her
zeal of tiding over any legal opposition by lopsided arguments as her
government has produced.
We no longer see in her the leader who successfully brought together
dalits and Brahmins in 2007, or one who was decently in race for prime
ministership. She is merely achieving strengthening of dalit sense in
dalits, mobilizing votes, and setting wrong examples.
While Mayawati’s whole episode has to do with her personal ambition,
with her political career, LK Advani’s unvarying shyness from the
truth of Kandhar hijack episode is relatively beyond comprehension, in
particular, at the dusk of his political career. Everybody knows it
doesn’t matter if Advani was aware of freeing the three terrorists in
exchange for passengers of the plane, or whether he had protested
against the decision, but merely for the sake of upholding his
artificially created, false image of Iron Man (he has wept in public,
Iron Man does cry even in solitude), he is not owning up the truth.
With nothing more to be achieved in politics, what purpose does a
drama of sticking to false image serve, which coming generations would
laugh at?
Though Indian politicians, unlike their counterparts in the West, are
not known to admit their faults at any point of time in their life, LK
Advani could have at least set a precedent by doing so and undo some
of the unpleasant patches that his political career has.
Jaswant Singh had raised the issue during Lok Sabha elections, too,
the same remarks with a little difference: Advani protested against
release, that is to say, Iron Man didn’t bend. It caused no
befuddlement in BJP then but invited criticism from the Congress.
Priyanka Gandhi termed it ‘all political talks’ to save Advani’s face.
Advani preferred silence. However, this time around BJP, taking a U-
turn, opined that Jaswant cannot be trusted. Sadly, saffron party
doesn’t understand that a simple confession is the most respectable
way out of the issue.
Besides these two controversies of securing the future by Mayawati and
defending the past by Advani, there is a controversy more relevant to
the present. Pinarayi Vijayan and Kerala Chief Minister VS
Achuthanandan fight in Kerala and CPM’s unjust stand on the issue.
Prakash Karat ignored many comrades and took a prejudiced decision on
infringement of party discipline by the two, chastising Achuthanandan
by suspending him from politburo, and leaving Vijayan untouched.
Whether there is factionalism inside or Karat could end infighting by
acting against both is not my concern, but the biased stand that he
took in favour of Vijayan on Graft Scam needs attention. Karat, or the
CPM, has taken the stand that SNC Lavalin scam is politically
motivated and nobody in the party should go against this party line.
The whole episode breaks two myths about the CPM. One, it’s one of the
most democratic parties in the country, for handling of Pinarayi-
Achuthanandan fight is purely discriminatory and undemocratic; two,
it’s an anti-corruption outfit (except Vijayan, no party leader ever
ran a corruption case). Vijayan seems more powerful within the
organization than Chief Minister Achuthanandan.
The whole episode breaks two myths about the CPM. One, it’s one of the
most democratic parties in the country, for handling of Pinarayi-
Achuthanandan fight is purely discriminatory and undemocratic; two,
it’s an anti-corruption outfit (except Vijayan, no party leader ever
ran a corruption case). The case, unlike Mayawati’s or Advani’s, is
about the present, Vijayan seems more powerful within the organization
than Chief Minister Achuthanandan and so Karat went with him, I guess.
The last is one who regrets both the past and the present. Amar Singh,
overlooked by the UPA, is upset for receiving criticism within his
party for extending support to the Congress last year on nuke deal.
For him, that was a historic blunder. Now he wants BJP, SP’s biggest
rival, not to disintegrate for the sake of democracy.
Mayawati reinforcing her base, Advani not letting his Iron Man image
shatter despite the party he built getting demoralised, Prakash Karat
favouring Vijayan over CM Achuthanandan and Amar Singh, while
extending support to the existing UPA government, banking on a
beleaguered, rival BJP, is a curious case of Indian politics, showing
us politicians’ personal ambitions for future, fears of past,
practicality of present and detachment from displeasures of past-
present duo. In these aforementioned instances, politicians want to
retain seemingly most advantageous position, but losing public trust
and self-image.
The ambition, the fear, the discrimination, the disappointment, and
the spoils of power – all this present a bleak picture of Indian
political stage at the moment. Like most sensible people, I’m long
past harbouring any illusion of practice of morality, or,
righteousness from our netas or their organizations.
Sid Harth
Great Indian Banyan: Modi magic all the way
6 September 2009, 02:38am IST
The pracharak is all. No one had envisaged this eight years ago, least
of all the BJP. Then, the party was in crisis in Gujarat. Under
pressure to replace chief minister Keshubhai Patel, the BJP's national
leadership chose to sideline politicians such as the late Haren Pandya
and former chief minister Suresh Mehta. A general secretary called
Narendra Modi was sent from Delhi instead. His instructions were to
take over. He did. The rest is history. And the future?
Perhaps. Gujarat politics has revolved around Narendra Modi ever
since. He has emerged stronger with every internal attempt to unseat
him. Even in the cadre-based BJP it seems, the culture of the cult is
in.
Succession is not an issue. It might almost be a dirty word. A senior
BJP leader admits the party "has always failed to make successions
smooth, be it in Gujarat or elsewhere. Keshubhai was abruptly removed
twice - first in 1995, when Suresh Mehta was made the CM after
Shankersinh Vaghela opposed Patel's leadership, and then in 2001, when
Modi replaced him". But he makes a pertinent point when he asks, "Why
blame the state units? See what's happening in the party
headquarters."
Analysts say the Gujarat Congress faced a similar situation in 1985
when the late Amarsinh Chaudhary, then considered a dark horse,
replaced Madhavsinh Solanki as chief minister. "There was a time when
the state saw six chief ministers in four years, starting 1994. Most
changes effected by Congress, BJP and Rashtriya Janata Party (RJP)
were abrupt," says an analyst.
No one has been groomed to step into Modi's shoes but the Sunday Times
has zeroed in on four BJP leaders who could succeed him. Most of them
have good experience in governance, are close to the Sangh and have
played important roles in the government over the past 10 years:
Vajubhai Vala (70): The finance minister has been a member of various
state cabinets for almost 14 years. A Karadia Rajput, he also headed
the party's state unit and can keep the BJP flock together. The
veteran is close to various sections of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar.
The only thing that could go against him is his age.
Anandiben Patel (66): The state revenue minister has many things going
for her. She has been a minister since 1998; belongs to the powerful
Patel community, which is the BJP's core support group and enjoys wide
support from MLAs. But not many approve of her abrasive style.
Amit Shah (45): The minister of state for home has been the most
important member of Modi's team. He has age on his side and is well-
networked within both the BJP and Sangh Parivar. Even the party high
command acknowledges his trouble-shooting capabilities. But, he is not
as popular among the cadres as some of his likely rivals for the top
job.
Purshottam Rupala (57): A Patel leader, Rupala has emerged stronger
after he was made president of the BJP's state unit. He has
administrative experience - Rupala was a minister during Modi's first
stint - and is close to party workers. The downside: Under him, the
BJP has not performed particularly well in the recent Lok Sabha
elections and some local body polls.
- Harit Mehta
Sid Harth
Great Indian Banyan: Nothing but Maya
6 September 2009, 02:42am IST
In 2004, as the Taj corridor scam rocked UP, there were rumours that
chief minister Mayawati could be arrested. In the middle of the chaos,
the BSP prepared a contingency plan. Mayawati named her successor: An
unassuming Rajya Sabha MP called Gandhi Azad. "Azad would carry my
message to people in my absence," Mayawati told BSP leaders in
Lucknow. Soon enough, a clarification was issued. "Azad will only
function as a bridge between her (Mayawati) and the party cadre and
people in her absence," said BSP spokesman Sudhir Goyal. Azad, a Dalit
from Azamgarh, prudently downplayed his “appointment" as well,
stressing that “I am an ordinary soldier of the party. A soldier only
knows what the command is, and it is the commander who knows the
reasons behind it." As the Taj crisis blew over, it became clear that
there was only commander in the BSP and no lieutenant could assume her
role in a hurry.
Fast forward to 2008. Mayawati suspected there was a conspiracy to
assassinate her and the succession charade was played out again. "I
have named my successor. He is 18 to 20 years younger to me, is not
from my family and he is from my chamar community. What is he and
where he stays, I have given everything in the letter in the sealed
envelope," Mayawati said, setting off a ludicrous guessing game across
the state. After much confusion, there was general agreement that the
person in question was none other than BSP vice-president Rajaram, who
seemed to fit the description. But Rajaram, like Azad, quickly
clarified that he was not the "successor", not the chosen one. But it
was too late. He was sacked as the party’s vice-president.
The message is clear. No one can replace Mayawati, nor should they
dare to hope they can. The BSP may rule India’s biggest state and
aspire to take over Delhi but the very word "successor" makes party
members nervous. No one wants to go on record with talk about
succession. A BSP MP admits, "It’s sad because Mayawati was cultivated
by Kanshiramji for years. He took her around the country and
introduced her to the people. But she is not nurturing anyone. If
something happens or if she moves to Delhi, the party will collapse in
UP." He ends with the damning criticism: "She is behaving like a
Congress leader." There is only one slot for one person at the top in
UP: Mayawati. The BSP has a few other notables, such as Satish Mishra
and Naseemuddin Siddiqui, but Mayawati has made it clear her successor
will be a Dalit. Who that Dalit might be is anyone’s guess. In
Mayawati’s UP, even the guessing game is risky.
In other northern states - Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana -
politics is more or less a family business and there are clear lines
of succession. The Abdullahs and Muftis in J&K, the Badals in Punjab
and the Chautalas and Bishnois in Haryana have their own succession
plans where politics and people have little role to play. In UP, the
plan is sealed in an envelope.
– Shobhan Saxena
Sid Harth
Great Indian Banyan: The last patriarch
6 September 2009, 02:41am IST
It was a turning point in Dravidian politics. In February 1969, C N
Annadurai, DMK founder and then chief minister of Tamil Nadu died,
plunging the party into a crisis at the very height of its success.
The natural choice to succeed him was V R Nedunchezhian, industry
minister and one of the DMK’s founding members. But hectic political
manoeuvring and the backing of the leading celluloid icon of the day,
M G Ramachandran, saw young Muthuvel Karunanidhi, 45, take over as
Anna’s successor. Karunanidhi, then public works minister, used his
clout to overrule any move towards a leadership election within the
legislature party.
Cut to 2009. The DMK is in power in the state and has two leaders -
octogenarian chief minister Karunanidhi and his 56-year-old son M K
Stalin, Tamil Nadu’s deputy chief minister. Stalin is being
assiduously groomed to take over the reins of both party and the state
administration. But Karunanidhi’s grip on the party remains absolute;
his authority unquestioned.
Panrutti Ramachandran, veteran politician, erstwhile MGR loyalist and
current presidium chairman of the DMDK, actor Vijayakanth’s party,
says, "In the DMK, Karunanidhi nips any emerging leadership in the
bud, thereby controlling the party as a monolithic organization."
Over the decades, little seems to have changed within the Dravidian
political culture. Both the main parties, which alternately ruled the
state since 1967 - DMK and AIADMK - have firmly suppressed any
leadership challenge. In 1993, the DMK expelled Vaiko (now leader of
the MDMK), seeing him as Stalin’s rival for youth wing leadership.
Meanwhile, Jayalalithaa remains the AIADMK’s sole leader. ‘Amma’ has
faced little dissent within the party, with members preferring to make
sycophantic obeisance rather than other demands. Ramachandran is blunt
about the cult of supreme leader. "Jayalalithaa too followed
Karunanidhi’s strategy, distancing old-timers who were close to MGR as
well as leaders of some stature." But "monolithic outfits", he says,
will always die; "they will disintegrate after their leaders."
However, political analyst Cho Ramasamy argues that "a leader has
always emerged after the sudden death of a previous one".
Neighbouring Karnataka and Kerala are a stark contrast to Tamil Nadu’s
"no-leader-but-the-leader" politics. Here, national parties play a
bigger role and politics is somewhat influenced by the central
leadership. Congress in Kerala, as in any other state, faces
dissidence and factionalism but internal feuds are the bane of the
Left parties as well. In Karnataka, both Congress and BJP leaders have
been criticized for failing to groom a second-rung leadership.
– Jaya Menon
Sid Harth
Great Indian Banyan: No comrade like Jyoti Babu
6 September 2009, 02:40am IST
India's longest-serving chief minister bowed out of office in 2000.
Nine years on, the Left Front in West Bengal is still trying to fill
the vacuum left by Jyoti Basu.
Why is this the case? There is a clear line of succession in the Left
Front government and the CPM hierarchy in Bengal. State commerce and
industries minister Nirupam Sen is the designated Number Two in the
cabinet and is also a politburo member, just like chief minister
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. But it is another question if Sen, who
recently underwent angioplasty, can handle the burden of the
government and the party at a time of crisis. The truth is the CPM has
had no one after Jyoti Basu deftly to manage both government and the
party.
Three years ago, the pressure started to build on the CM. The state
CPM had just lost its charismatic second-generation leader Anil
Biswas. His successor as state party secretary, Biman Bose, started to
stress the need for 'collective functioning' and state secretariat
members Madan Ghosh and Shyamal Chakrabarty began to help Bose run the
party. Senior ministers Nirupam Sen, Surjya Kanta Mishra, Asim
Dasgupta and Asok Bhattacharya started to take on additional
responsibility within government because some colleagues, such as
Gautam Deb (housing) and Mrinal Banerjee (power), were ailing. Today,
Deb is restored to health and is one of the party's most prominent
second-rung leaders, apart from Mohammed Salim.
It is not quite so cut and dried in neighbouring Bihar. Here, none of
the three major forces - JD (U), RJD, and LJP - has a well-developed
second-rung leadership. This is largely because party leaders are
unwilling to loosen their hold over the organization. Each party is
basically run on the strength of the supreme leader's charisma and
influence over certain caste and religious groups, which he claims to
represent. In Jharkhand too, JMM's Shibu Soren seems in no hurry to
find a successor, particularly after son Durga's death recently.
In neighbouring Orissa, Naveen Patnaik's control over the party that
is named after his father has been absolute since its birth in 1997.
There is no talk of a likely successor and with stalwarts like Bijay
Mahapatra and Dilip Ray expelled from the Biju Janata Dal, Patnaik's
command is unchallenged.
In the north-east, regional parties find it equally difficult to find
new leaders. In Assam, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta remains the Asom Gana
Parishad's most influential leader after he rejoined the party last
year. And the Mizo National Front may find it hard to replace
Zoramthanga, who succeeded its founder, the legendary Laldenga.
– Prasenjit Mund
Sid Harth
Party of poor grapples with riddle of riches
JAYANTH JACOB
New Delhi, Sept. 5: The CPM is considering a proposal to extend down
the line a rule that functionaries should declare assets to the party
at a time the Vedic Village controversy has dredged back questions
about the lifestyles and acquaintances of some comrades.
The suggestion comes in the wake of allegations that the unaccounted
wealth of some leaders, especially those at the local level, was one
of the issues that alienated voters in Kerala and Bengal during the
Lok Sabha polls.
In Bengal, the wealth of local CPM leaders had come under the glare
after Maoists vandalised an ornate house of the party’s zonal
committee secretary, Anuj Pandey, in Dharampur near Lalgarh. The Vedic
Village controversy had strengthened the perception that CPM leaders,
while preaching austerity, were not immune to the charms of luxurious
lifestyles.
If approved, the proposal will become part of a draft being drawn up
to rectify mistakes. The draft document tops the agenda of a two-day
politburo meeting that began in Delhi today.
Apart from Bengal and Kerala, the Andhra Pradesh unit of the party had
also faced charges that comrades were being swayed by “bourgeois”
tendencies and “lifestyle deviations”.
Now, only functionaries from the top till CPM state committee members
have to declare their income to their respective committees. This
practice is proposed to be extended to the local level.
Even if the proposal is approved — a smooth sailing is not a foregone
conclusion as a Kerala leader had kicked up a storm by saying
communists couldn’t be expected to survive on vada, black tea and
beedi, three fixtures that symbolised the frugal lifestyles of
comrades of a bygone era — the declaration will stay away from the
public eye. Right now, only the assets of those who contest elections
are made public.
“One issue that has been worrying the party is the life-style
deviations and consumerist tendencies affecting party functionaries.
It is a major issue at the local level as these leaders are the first
contacts for the people to judge what the party and its leaders stand
for. So there is a thinking to make them declare assets. But it’s a
proposal that, along with others, will be discussed at the politburo
and the central committee before the final call is taken,” a politburo
member said.
“People do talk when local leaders in a village live in big houses,
attend big parties and travel in luxury cars,” he said.
Functionaries playing a role in real estate projects and acting as
brokers is another issue the party is confronting in Bengal and Kerala
— a far cry from benign professions like teaching that was the
mainstay of its leaders once.
Sid Harth
Sari the sole ‘S’ factor
- After poll defeat, Jha resumes shooting with disclaimer
RASHEED KIDWAI
Katrina Kaif in Bhopal on Saturday. (Saeed Faruqui)
Bhopal, Sept. 5: From reel to real, then back to Rajneeti. But Prakash
Jha’s dip into politics seems to have reaffirmed a lesson in this
season of the Jaswant Effect: it’s risky to take chances with
political personalities, historical or contemporary.
The filmmaker may be bitter with the Congress after his recent poll
defeat but denied that the plot of his film Rajneeti, whose shooting
resumed here today, had any relation to the lives of Rajiv and Sonia
Gandhi.
The film portrays a touching love story featuring Katrina Kaif and
Ranbir Kapoor. Katrina, who plays Indu, loses her father and then her
husband, forcing her to take up the family mantle of politics.
Similarly, the boyish charm of Ranbir and his dimples have reminded
many of Rajiv Gandhi.
Jha denied that the character played by Katrina had “anything to do
with Sonia Gandhi”. An edge crept into his voice: “Except that both
are good-looking and wear saris, nothing is common between the two….
Let people speculate.”
Jha’s refusal to take a leaf out of Jaswant’s Jinnah book came on a
day a fourth “J” — sidelined Congress leader Ajit Jogi — spoke of how
he had included Rajiv Gandhi among his childhood heroes in his soon-to-
be-published book.
But Rajiv, obviously, has nothing to do with one of the heroes of
Jha’s film, so it must be a coincidence that Ranbir’s character S.
Pratap — who studies in the US and hates politics though he is from a
political family — is sucked into politics before losing his life.
Perhaps Jha’s caution stems from his experience of naming his villain
Sadhu Yadav — after Lalu Prasad’s now-estranged brother-in-law — in
his 2003 film, Gangaajal. That turned Sadhu into his enemy.
When Jha contested Bihar’s West Champaran seat in the last general
election as the Lok Janshakti Party nominee, the Congress insisted on
fielding Sadhu, who ran a vitriolic campaign and cut heavily into
Jha’s votes.
Jha, however, accepted his film did have a relation to current Indian
politics. “It’s a modern-day Mahabharat that explores the grimy world
of politics in the Hindi heartland of India,” he said.
Not that at least one player is untouched by Bollywood rajneeti, far
away from the heartland. Katrina today declared she would “never ever”
act with Viveik Oberoi, the remark appearing to have come straight
from boyfriend Salman Khan’s script.
Salman’s antipathy for Viveik is well-known and, in a recent
interview, he said he had asked Katrina not to work with one “idiot”.
The actor said he would not mind Katrina working with John Abraham or
Shah Rukh Khan.
As Katrina spoke against Viveik, Jha nodded his approval. Viveik was
supposed to have acted in Rajneeti alongside Ajay Devgan, Nana
Patekar, Ranbir and Naseeruddin Shah, but Viveik’s publicist Dale
Bhagwagar said the actor couldn’t find the dates. Viveik, apparently,
is fully booked for a Karan Johar production.
But if Indu had nothing to do with Sonia, nor had Salman anything to
do with Katrina’s boycott of Viveik. “I take my own decisions and
Salman has nothing to do with it,” Katrina said.
Sid Harth
Rosaiah packs punch in Jagan praise
G.S. RADHAKRISHNA
K Rosaiah
Hyderabad, Sept. 5: The son has many qualities of his father, but is
too “young” to lead, interim Andhra Pradesh chief minister K. Rosaiah
said today.
The statement appeared to be a carefully crafted reply to the
concerted campaign for elevating Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy’s son
Jaganmohan amid indications that the Congress high command had frowned
on the open jockeying for the 36-year-old.
Union minister and party in-charge of Andhra affairs M. Veerappa Moily
is understood to have told Jagan loyalists to defer their campaign
till the weeklong mourning for the late leader was over.
Rosaiah struck soon after, seeking to nip the coronation clamour for
Jagan when he told a television channel that YSR’s son was “very young
to head the state”.
“Jagan is very young but has many qualities of his father,” the 77-
year-old veteran said. “(But) the high command will think in different
angles before taking final stock of the situation.”
The interim chief minister’s comments came a day after all 35 members
of Rajasekhar Reddy’s cabinet, including Rosaiah, and over 120 of the
156 party MLAs had signed a memorandum appealing for Jagan’s
appointment.
Jaganmohan Reddy
Highly placed sources said the high command could persist with Rosaiah
as an interim arrangement for a few months till elections were over in
Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh and Haryana next month.
As Jagan is an MP, the high command, the sources added, could ask him
to get elected from Pulivendula, his father’s Assembly seat.
The sources said this would help the leadership delay a decision and
avoid friction in the state.
Other sources hinted that the young MP could be accommodated in the
central cabinet, which would also help avert a face-off with the pro-
Jagan group.
Some senior Congress leaders are said to have objected to “comparing
Jagan with Rajiv Gandhi”, who became Prime Minister after Indira
Gandhi’s assassination in 1984.
“One cannot compare Jagan with Rajiv Gandhi. Rajiv earned the people’s
support because of the sacrifices made by his family for the nation,”
Rajya Sabha MP V. Hanumantha Rao said.
Rosaiah’s comments to the television channel came hours after
Hanumantha Rao’s remarks.
Rosaiah has already sent to the high command for approval the names of
all those who were in the YSR cabinet as a fresh council has to be
sworn in. Legal experts said the members would have to take oath
afresh.
An attempt to hold an impromptu meeting of the legislature party and
pass a resolution in favour of Jagan was thwarted at the last minute
by the high command, and the organisers had to convert the meeting
into a padayatra (march) and a memorial gathering.
“We are not going to do it (choose a new chief minister) during the
mourning period,” PTI quoted Congress central leader Moily as saying.
“Let the mourning period be over. Then we will apply our mind. Till
that time we are not going to apply our mind on the successor.”
While YSR’s funeral took place at his family estate in Pulivendula,
his admirers held similar rituals in at least 16 places across the
state.
Portraits of the late chief minister, who died in a helicopter crash
on Wednesday, were taken out in processions in places like Karimnagar,
Warangal, Rajahmundry, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram and later “buried”.
Sid Harth
Rural plan scandal
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Durgapur, Sept. 5: Leaders of a CPM-run Burdwan rural body who
allegedly furnished bogus work and wage details for Rs 11 lakh under
the rural job scheme, paid only Rs 2.5 lakh to villagers in two
months.
Burdwan district authorities revealed the figures while probing the
irregularities in the implementation of the National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme in Baidyanathpur and Kendra villages.
An FIR was lodged today against four persons — one of them the Kendra
panchayat chief, Bhagabat Ruidas.
“We have come to know that the money under the rural job scheme was
withdrawn showing bogus work between April and July…. CPM panchayat
functionaries had made false entries of work in the cards of around
200 villagers that they had kept with them,” said an official.
chhotemianinshallah
42 convicted in fodder scam case
Press Trust Of India
Ranchi, August 25, 2009
First Published: 21:53 IST(25/8/2009)
Last Updated: 21:55 IST(25/8/2009)
A special CBI court on Tuesday convicted 42 persons in a case
pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 13.69 crore from the Gumla
Treasury by submitting fake invoices in the 1990s.
The case is related to the infamous fodder scam.
The court handed out three year prison terms to eleven convicts and
fined them between Rs 50,000 and Rs 25 lakh.
The court will pronounce the quantum of sentence against the remaining
31 tomorrow.
Delivering the judgement, the court of AH Ansari acquitted two other
accused, ex-Animal Husbandry official
Sunil Kumar Sinha and supplier Ajay Verma.
Among the convicts are former regional directors of the AHD Junul
Bhengraj, K N Jha, former assistant director
Dr KM Prasad and former travelling veterinary official KB Lal.
The remaining convicts are low-ranking government employees and fodder
suppliers. This is 34th of the 53 cases related to the fodder scam
which has ended in conviction.
The Rs 950 crore scam was unearthed during RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's
chief ministerial term in 1996. Prasad is also facing trial in five
fodder scam cases.
chhotemianinshallah
Inauguration of website : On 27-01-2009 at Sartaj Hotel, Ranchi
Inaugural Statement of Mr. Saryu Roy
Fodder Scam investigation and Trial Blatant Violation of Article 14
and other Articles under part III of the Constitution of India aimed
at Brutal Butchery of Justice by Mr. Kadalkarai Arumugham, I.A.S.
(Retd.).
Dedicated to the Cause of Justice and to the Tormented and Departed
Souls of :
Late Mr. Harish Khandelwal who committed suicide in May 1997.
Mr. A. K. Tudu who was found dead in his ward in Beur Jail on
28-4-1998.
Mr. Bholaram Toofani, who succumbed to his self inflicted stab
injuries.
Mr. Chandradeo Prasad Verma who died of shock to learn that he would
have to undergo the ordeal of going to Ranchi Court within a week
again.
Mr. P. K. Jaiswal who died in judicial custody for want of medical
care.
Mr. O. P. Gupta who also died in judicial custody for want of medical
care.
Mr. Vinod Chirania who committed suicide after hearing his
conviction.
Mr. Bishun Swaroop Agarwal who died in judicial custody for want of
medical care.
Dr. Chandra Bhushan Dubey who died of illness caused by depression.
Dr. Shyam Bihari Sinha who died in a pathetic and mysterious
condition.
All of them lost their lives fighting the mighty CBI.
As on 01-08-2008 there were 2,18,000 items on FODDER SCAM in the
GOOGLE website. They are all news items gathered from various sources.
But none of them gives the total picture of the scam. This website is
an attempt to inform the Nation about the suppressed facts about the
fodder scam, its motivated investigation by the CBI and the trial only
shielding and supporting the criminal misdeeds of the CBI officers.
The CBI investigation was predetermined, blatantly partial and
torturous aimed at ruining the lives of selected individuals and at
the same time protecting the real culprits. The trial protected the
unruly CBI officers, adding untold misery to the lives of 1000s of
innocent persons, resulting in Judicial Dishonesty bordering on
Judicial Arrogance, Judicial Tyranny and Judicial Terrorism.
The only exceptions were Mr. Justice B. P. Singh of Patna High Court
and later Supreme Court Of India, Mr. Justice Altamas Kabir, Former
Chief Justice, Jharkhand High Court, presently Supreme Court of India,
Mr. Justice B. P. Sharma, Mr. Justice D. P. Sinha of Patna High Court
and Mr. Justice Chandramouli Kumar Prasad of Patna High Court and
later Acting Chief Justice and Mr. S. K. Pathak, learned Special Judge
(CBI) Patna and Mr. H. P. Chakravarthy Special Judge, (CBI) Ranchi who
ensured justice without any prejudice towards the accused in spite of
pressure from CBI through various methods particularly by
sensationalizing the cases through Press.
FORCED SUICIDES AND TORTURED DEATHS
Forced Suicides
Mr. Harish Khandelwal : The first victim to the physical and mental
torture of the CBI investigation was Late Mr. Harish Khandelwal.
Unable to gear the torture he committed suicide by throwing himself
before a running train at Dhanbad railway station in May 1997. A press
report that had appeared at that time may be seen at the next page.
The State CID had prepared Charge sheet years ago, but the has been
kept pending foe want of sanction for prosecution from the Director,
CBI as revealed by the brother of Mr. Harish Khandelwal.
First, the case was registered as U.D. Case No. 18/97. Later, the
Dhanbad GRPS started investigation into the matter and registered
another Case No. GRPS 29/97.
Mr. Vinod Chirania : Mr. Vinod Chirania Committed suicide by jumping
from the top of his house in Kolkatta after reaching his home in
Kolkatta immediately after the judge declared him guilty. Two press
reports and a letter his elder brother Mr. Om Prakash Chirania sent to
the P.M. may be seen after the press report about Mr. Harish
Kandelwal.
Tortured Deaths
Mr. A. K. Tudu : Mr. A. K. Tudu was Treasury Officer and was an
accused. He was a patient of severe Asthma and was in the jail
hospital from the day he was sent to judicial custody. His financial
condition was such that he could not apply for bail. Some of the jail
inmates taking pity on him requested Mr. Jenardhan Rai, senior
Advocate to apply for his bail. When he asked Mr. Nagenar Rai, his
junior to prepare the application, his junior asked who would pay the
fee. On this Mr. Janardhan rai told him none would pay ant fee and we
should do every thing on our own. Accordingly the bail application was
filed. Mr. Tudu was so weak that he was lifted by his son and brought
to the court located in the first floor of the building. The inhaler
fell down and Mr. Tudu was not able to even pick it up.
Pointing out the condition of Mr. Tudu, Mr. Jenardhan Rai pleaded for
bail saying that bail might be granted so that he could dia among his
family members as death was immanent The petition was heard on
21-04-1999 and as no order was being passed Mr. Nagendar Rai reminded
Mr. S. K. Lal the Judge for order on 23-04-1999. No order was passed.
On 28-04-1999 Mr. Tudu was found dead in his ward in the jail hospital
Mr. S. K. Lal passed an anti dated order rejecting the bail Copy of a
Condolence Resolution passed on 28-04-1999 may be seen here.
Enlarge Press Clipping
Mr. Bola Ram Toofani : Sri. Bola Ram Toofani, Minister of caste and
late Cabinet Minister, AHD was a veteran freedom fighter. He was
Mehethar (Scavenger) by caste and taking the guise of his caste
profession, he used to carry bomb in the bucket of night soil during
the freedom struggle. Even after becoming Minister he lived a simple
life, never wore even pressed clothes, and there was not even a slight
change in his life style / standard of life of his children His son
who owned and managed a ‘paan shop’ was still managing the the same
‘paan shop’ even during the tenure of his father as Minister and now
also owns and manages the same 'paan shop' for his living. Sri.
Toofani can be called any thing, say, simpleton but not corrupt and
dishonest. Accused if being a member of a conspiracy to loot
government treasury, he felt so much upset that he tried to commit
suicide by piercing a knife into his stomach. Though he survived the
attempt to commit suicide, he never recovered from the shock and died
a dejected man.
chhotemianinshallah
chhotemianinshallah
BJP faces trouble in ranks over Lucknow West bypoll nominee
Express News Service
Posted: Sunday , Sep 06, 2009 at 0230 hrs
Lucknow:
Around 150 BJP members, including office-bearers of the Lucknow
Mahanagar unit, on Saturday submitted their resignations from their
posts after the party announced Amit Puri as its candidate for the
Lucknow West Assembly bypoll.
Vice-president of the city unit, Ram Avtar Kannaujiya, along with 150
supporters, submitted his resignation to the president of the Lucknow
Mahanagar unit Pradeep Bhargava, who sent it to the party’s
organisational secretary Nagendra.
The Assembly constituency went vacant after the sitting MLA Lalji
Tandon won the parliamentary elections from Lucknow seat. Tandon
reportedly wanted to field his son Ashutosh Tandon Gopal from this
seat, but had to retreat after a section of party members protested.
Finally, on Friday evening, Puri’s name was announced. A firebrand
leader, Puri is said to be close to BJP president Rajnath Singh and
had earlier contested as an Independent candidate from Lucknow East
Assembly constituency after being refused a party ticket. He has just
returned to the party and now he has been fielded from Lucknow West.
The workers who resigned en masse alleged that Puri has nothing to do
with the Lucknow West area and does not participate in any party
programmes.
Munna Mishra, a corporator who submitted his resignation from the post
of zonal president, said, “He is not from this Assembly seat. We will
not support any outsider for this seat.”
State BJP president Ramapati Ram Tripathi said the party’s high
command would take a decision on this.
bademiyansubhanallah
Govt should ask US to reduce farmers' subsidy: BJP
STAFF WRITER 18:27 HRS IST
New Delhi, Sept 6 (PTI) With talks on Doha Round starting this week,
BJP today said India should pressurise developed nations to reduce
subsidy to farmers before asking it to lower tariff.
"The developed countries, including the US, grant huge subsidies on
farm products to protect the interests of their farmers. Unless there
is a significant reduction in subsidy by the developed countries, why
should we consider lowering of (our) tariff," BJP spokesperson Ravi
Shankar Prasad said here.
There were no indications that the developed countries will reduce the
subsidy, Prasad said, adding crores of Indians are engaged in
agriculture and the government should safeguard their interests.
Officials will resume talks on Doha Round on September 14 in Geneva
for global trade agreements. It was deadlocked since July 2008 but the
chief trade ministers have agreed for talks during last week's Delhi
meeting.
Govt should ask US to reduce farmers' subsidy: BJP
BJP drive focuses on rural areas
TNN 5 September 2009, 04:58am IST
JAIPUR: In a revamp mode since the Lok Sabha elections, the on-going
membership campaign has given the right platform for the state BJP to
change things at the grassroots levels. Making efforts to strengthen
its membership, the state BJP aims to increase its number of members
by over 80% and reach out to rural people.
Known to be an urban party, the state BJP, specially the youth wing,
will target the villages in the remote rural areas across the state
over the next fortnight. As part of the membership campaign, the
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has launched Yuva chale gaon ki aur'
programme, under which 200 members of the wing would spend a night or
two at the villages.
"The idea is to find an entry in the villages and reach out at as many
people as possible. As the rural area in the state is most populated,
we have decided to focus on them specially,'' said Ashok Lahoty,
president of the state Yuva Morcha. The idea of reaching out to the
rural masses has been quite appreciated by everyone and state
president Arun Chaturvedi has himself volunteered to participate in
the campaign and spend a night at some village.
This is for the first time that the emphasis is on the villages almost
as much as the urban areas. According to sources in the party, it is
also for the first time that the party is aiming to cut across caste
lines by not opting for a community-based membership and by launching
the drive even for the poll-booth committees. "The idea is to reach
out at as many people as possible, people from different castes and
background,'' adds Lahoty.
Chaturvedi too agrees that the party is focusing in reaching out at as
many people as possible. "We have not set a target in terms of figures
this time, rather the approach is to cover maximum ground. The party
is trying to set its feet even in areas where it had not reached
earlier,'' said the state party president.
The membership drive is also focused in strengthening the party's poll-
booth committees by increasing the number of members. "This is the
first time that we are having membership drive for our poll-booth
committees. We believed that if we managed to have a team of 20
members at the booth level, we would have far better access to the
voters and their problems,'' says Chaturvedi, adding that the drive is
on across the 486 mandals in the state.
Despite the fact that the senior leaders claim that the emphasis is
not on increasing the numbers, sources confirm that the party is
aiming to increase the figures by over 80%. The membership drive will
continue till September 15 and has pushed back the announcement of the
new committees of the state BJP.
I am CM by accident, says Narendra Modi
PTI 5 September 2009, 11:12pm IST
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, during
his interaction with the students on Teacher's Day, said that "he
became CM by accident as he never desired for any post in life."
During the interaction, which was broadcast live in over 8000 schools
and colleges across the state, a student asked Modi how he became
Chief Minister.
Replying to the query, Modi said, "It was an accident. I never desired
for any post. I was man working for organisation of the party, which
gave him this responsibility."
He added that whatever he does, he does with full commitment.
On terrorism, he said it is a global phenomena and enemy of humanity.
According to him, threat of terrorism can be diminished by doing more
humanitarian works and every enlightened citizens can play a role in
it.
"Secondly, we all must cooperate with security agencies, authorities
and follow the security rules, which will reduce the threat of
terrorism," he said.
He also talked about his school days and the role of teachers in
shaping the future generation.
According to him mother and teacher are the most influential
personality in one's life.
On the occasion, Modi felicitated 35 teachers from across the state
for their outstanding performance in the field of education.
The awardees were given a cash reward of Rs 21,000 and a certificate.
Modi's speech was broadcast live in 7600 primary schools and 4391
secondary schools which have computers with LCD screens, 410 colleges
and 90 self-financed institutes and 62 government polytechnics.
Moreover, the interaction was also broadcast live on 8000 e-gram
panchayats and local cable services in the state and around 1.5 crore
students heard Modi.
Modi had started this new tradition of direct interaction with the
students last year when he addressed and interacted via video
conference.
'BJP sees LK as a failure, so projecting Modi as PM'
TNN 27 April 2009, 04:36am IST
NEW DELHI: Congress has termed as 'theatre of the absurd' the attempt
by some influential BJP leaders to anoint Gujarat chief minister
Narendra Modi as a would-be prime ministerial candidate in the middle
of general elections.
"These BJP leaders are projecting Modi as a future choice because they
see Advani as an utter failure," party spokesman Kapil Sibal said.
Sibal added, "The unseemly haste in coronating Modi even before the
poll process is over is only a desperate move by these leaders to make
themselves relevant in the politics of their party." Describing Advani
as both "uninspiring and confused", Sibal claimed that all the issues
the BJP's PM candidate had raised failed to click.
Is Narendra Modi a stronger PM candidate than Advani?
Will witty Narendra Modi have the last laugh?
Bharat Desai & Harit Mehta , TNN 27 April 2009, 10:42am IST
AHMEDABAD: If comedy kings Raju Srivastav, Navjot Singh Sidhu and
Shekhar Suman are invading the political stage, Gujarat chief minister
Narendra Gujarat CM Narendra Modi being garlanded by party workers
during an election rally in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo) Modi is intruding
on their comic space.
While a creative Modi has spun one-liners, hate has been missing from
his stinging speeches. Instead, satire is his favourite weapon against
his targets these days. His barbs at the Gandhi family and Congress
are laced with wit, humour and repartee. If Congress has refrained
from provoking or reacting to Modi, the CM has invented ways of
hitting the headlines.
Coming handy are his early lessons in theatre and his ability to
connect with the audience. Academic records at his school in Vadnagar,
and some teachers are alive to authenticate that, show that though an
average student, Modi used to excel in theatre.
Those who have seen Modi from close quarters say this election has
unmasked a new aspect of the leader - his humour. Call it part of his
image makeover excercise to wish away the taint of the 2002 riots, but
he has clearly conceded the hate space to Varun Gandhi, if some
detractors in the party wanted it this way.
What Varun was saying in Pilibhit last month matched what Modi had
spoken during the Gujarat Gaurav Yatra in Chanasma before the December
2002 Assembly elections, tapes of which were sent then to the Election
Commission. Even then, Modi was careful with his words while he
aroused hate.
He could have endorsed Varun's venom. Instead, in a TV interview, he
casually brushed the issue aside saying it was sub-judice. "There is a
shade of A B Vajpayee in Modi this time. Vajpayee's speeches were full
of wit, which endeared him to the voter,'' said a senior BJP leader,
adding that there was a coarseness in Modi's humour which the common
man would find more appealing.
Riot of laughter
* O Ba, O Ma
When terrorists attacked Mumbai, Congress leaders rushed to the US.
They should have gone to Pakistan. In the US, they pleaded O Ba, O
Ma... please save us
* Budhiya
Terminology to describe Congress as a 125-year-old party. This sent
Modi's TRPs soaring
* Gudiya
Priyanka Gandhi, who reacted to Modi. Since then, the Gandhis are
silent
* SRP is after me
S for Sonia, R for Rahul and P for Priyanka. In this age of SMS,
abbreviations are an in thing, he says
* Not MAR but RAM
Before Congress could say MAR (Modi, Advani and Rajnath), Modi put it
in their mouth. He said they should respect seniority. "They should
have called us RAM (Rajnath, Advani and Modi). But something stops
them from saying RAM
* Kapadwala, Dabbawala, Gas Batlawala
Congress troika of Shankersinh Vaghela (textiles minister), Naran
Rathwa (railway minister) and Dinsha Patel (petroleum minister)
* Middlemen Congressmen
Congress manifesto promised wheat at Rs 3 a kg to the poor, Modi joked
that Gujarat government was selling wheat at Rs 2 a kg. The Congress
would buy wheat from Gujarat at Rs 2 per kg and sell it for Rs 3 per
kg.
*Soniaben's homework
She mixes up the script. The other day, she spoke in Jetpur about
Sujalam Sufalam. This speech was to be read out at Kheralu which has a
Sujalam Sufalam project.
EDITORIAL COMMENT | Modi A La Mode
16 January 2009, 12:10am IST
On the face of it, there can't be anything wrong with India Inc taking
up a 'Modi for prime minister' chorus. When Anil Ambani, Sunil Mittal
and other industrialists lauded chief minister Narendra Modi at an
investors' summit in Gujarat, they were perfectly within their rights
to do so. Industrialists, too, are citizens of the country and they
have the right to express their political preferences. If they find
that the Gujarat government has established a business-friendly
atmosphere they can't be prevented from saying so. Or, to take a more
cynical view of things, in a country where politicians still call the
shots, it is part of an industrialist's job to praise politicians in
order to smooth the way for enterprise.
There is, however, reason to question the judgment of some
industrialists that Modi is ideal PM material. They don't often land
up in Bihar, for example, and praise chief minister Nitish Kumar as
the PM-in-waiting. Yet Nitish has done a more commendable job, in many
respects, than Modi. While Modi has built on an already established
entrepreneurial culture in prosperous Gujarat, Nitish has taken a sick
state like Bihar and attained a fair measure of success in improving
matters. In terms of the CEO analogy that was freely bandied about at
the summit, it's a better CEO who can take over a sick company and
nurse it back to health.
More to the point, however, the CEO analogy for prime minister is
overdrawn, because a corporation isn't a nation. A corporation is a
structured and hierarchical organisation, but a nation is an
association of equals. When asked about his Hindutva, Modi said he
only saw himself as the leader of five crore Gujaratis, which projects
cultural homogeneity in his current base of support. Yet the prime
minister of a pluralist and heterogeneous democracy like India needs
to be comfortable with diversity and dissent, a point on which Modi
has hardly distinguished himself.
Gujarat's anti-Muslim riots of 2002, which inflicted great damage on
the nation, are a case in point. It's difficult to hail Modi as an
apostle of governance when such an utter collapse of governance
happened on his watch. As a result, he was even denied a visa when he
attempted to visit the US. It's difficult to conceive of a prime
minister who will be so unacceptable in foreign countries that he
could be refused entry. Modi has deficiencies to address before he can
be considered for PM. Not that he can't work his way up to the post.
But he has work to do.
bademiyansubhanallah
North Indian village boy shared J8 summit experience
By Alka Pande
Feature Article | Thu, 16 Jul 2009
|
The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day
after the revolution. - By: roylexi.com
Feature Article : "The Author's/Authors' views do not necessarily
reflect those of ModernGhana.
Education till class twelfth should be compulsory for each child in
India.
- Each village in the country should have not only primary schools but
also higher secondary schools.
- Teachers should teach with affection and support so that students do
not feel scared of them in putting up their queries.
These are the suggestion which fourteen year old Narendra Kumar put
forward in the J8 Summit in recently concluded in Rome. As the acronym
suggests, J8 is the junior version of G8, in which children prepare a
proposal of what they expect from their respective governments.
Narendra was one of the three young boys who had been chosen to
represent India at the J8 summit in Rome. The other two boys were from
Tamil Nadu (south) and Orissa (north east). After coming back from the
summit, Narendra shared his once in a life-time experience with the
media persons and elaborated upon some of his suggestions at the
summit.
A student of class eleventh, Narendra belongs to a remote village in
the most populous north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The village
Grampure Gosai, located in Rae Bareli – the parliamentary constituency
of UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Chairperson and All India
Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi – has no electricity.
Narendra and boys and girls like him have always studied in the dim
light of kerosene lamps.
The selection of Narendra for this prestigious event dates back to
November 2008 when UNICEF held a Children's Assembly in the state of
Uttar Pradesh. The village children held a mock assembly in the real
hall of Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly, in which Narendra was
unanimously chosen to act like Speaker. His talent was spotted by a
state-based voluntary organisation Lokmitra – working for right of all
children to free education with quality and equality.
Both, UNICEF and Lokmitra polished the inherent talent of Narendra to
take it to a level enabling him to represent this most backward
northern state of India. Since Narendra could neither understand nor
speak fluent English, a Lokmitra representative accompanied him to
Rome and assisted him as an interpreter.
What makes Narendra's achievement worth mentioning is his humble
background. His father is a labourer in the village earning measly
daily wages. The village has no electricity and no other facility like
clean drinking water or medical and health services.
Coming from a family of 12 members, Narendra has four brothers and
five sisters, of which six siblings are older to him. Incidentally,
Narendra is the first one in his family to have reached and cleared
class eleventh and most probably he is the first one in the village to
have visited another country. A follower of Sonia Gandhi, Narendra
wants to become a teacher because he feels that education is an
essential tool for empowerment.
Alka Pande
(The author is a senior Journalist, and a member of Citizen News
Service (CNS) Writers' Bureau) Source: Alka Pande
bademiyansubhanallah
Indian National Congress & Nehru-Gandhi Family
By Tanveer Jafri
Feature Article | Tue, 14 Apr 2009
The action of prayer causes a reaction by God to produce an answer. -
By: Samuel Yao Ablordeppey
Since the freedom struggle, the Indian National Congress has played a
crucial role. Under the flag of the Congress & the leadership of
Mahatma Gandhi, while the people from all states, regions, religions &
communities got India freed from the British rule, the same Congress
is also the witness of the unfortunate tragedy of the partition of
India. Notwithstanding the assumption of India-Pakistan partition as
religion based, the leaders of the Congress, showing their
magnanimity, succeeded in maintaining the secular character of the
nation as was before partition. The secular credentials of the
Congress established by Mahatma Gandhi were carried on by Pundit
Jawaharlal Nehru & other Congress leaders.
Nehru, the first Prime Minister of free India was so much influenced
by the principles of secularism & communal harmony of Gandhi, that
being belonging to a high caste Brahmin family, the former had full
faith in all the religions. He used to go to Temples, Mosques,
Gurudwaras, and Churches etc. He had the interest in studying the
sacred texts of all the religions. An Islamic scholar used to visit
Anand Bhawan, his Allahabad situated home, to teach him Arabic &
Persian. His father, Pundit Motilal Nehru named his house Anand
Bhawan, in consultation with the famous poet Akbar Allahabadi. The
secular credentials of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru are evident from the
fact that he got married her only daughter Indira Nehru to a
Zoroastrian Feroz Gandhi.
Born in a Zoroastrian family in 1912, Feroz Gandhi was married to
Indira Nehru in 1942. Since then, she was being called as Indira
Gandhi. They had two children. Rajiv Gandhi, the elder son was born in
1944 & after two years, in 1946, Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son was
born. Notwithstanding being son-in-law of the first Prime Minister,
Feroz Gandhi had independent thoughts. He was a journalist, writer & a
social worker. In 1952, in the first general elections, Feroz Gandhi
contested from Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh) & won. He even criticized the
government on issues, he didn't agree. After his death in 1960, Indira
Gandhi took over her husband's election constituency & maintained it.
As Pundit Nehru, showing his secular credentials, got her only
daughter married in a Zoroastrian family, following the same
tradition, Indira Gandhi too got married her both sons according to
their wishes. Elder son, Rajiv Gandhi was married to Edvige Antonia
Albina Maino (Sonia Gandhi), an Italian born Roman Catholic. Younger
Son, Sanjay Gandhi was married to Maneka Anand, a Sikh girl. Time
passed, and once again putting aside the hurdles of caste & religion,
Sonia Gandhi got her daughter Priyanka Gandhi married to Robert Vadra,
a Punjabi boy. Robert's mother is a Christian & father, a Punjabi.
Anyhow, what I mean to say is that if we attempt to analyse any member
of the Nehru-Gandhi family on the basis of caste or religion, we would
not be able to draw any conclusions. The larger fact is that even
today most of the Indian people are supporters & well wishers of this
family & this family enjoys great respect & affection. On one hand,
some communal organizations continuously try to divide the nation on
the basis of caste & religion; on the other hand, notwithstanding the
assassinations of the Prime Ministers like Indira Gandhi & Rajiv
Gandhi, the same family is continuously engaged in promoting the
secularism & brotherhood. Though after the death of Rajiv Gandhi, the
Congress received the huge setback, but by the entry of Sonia Gandhi,
the Congress has been revitalised. Indeed in the 2004 general
elections, the Congress party returned to the power. Besides hard
work, Sonia Gandhi had to face the low grade accusations from her
opponents. The whole world witnessed that when after 2004 general
elections, the Congress elected her as the leader of the Congress
Parliament Party & none of the allies had any objection of her
becoming the Prime Minister, at the same time, some leaders of the
opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised the issue of her
foreign origin & as a result, she had to reject the post of Prime
Minister. This was the first ever incidence in the Indian politics,
when a person is first called by the President to form the government
& the same person, instead of becoming the Prime Minister, recommends
the name of some other person for the post of Prime Minister. She
recommended the name of Dr. Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister & he
became the Prime Minister of India in 2004.
The good thing in the last decade is that both the children of Sonia
Gandhi; Rahul Gandhi & Priyanka Gandhi have become mature enough in
politics. In fact, Rahul Gandhi was elected the Member of Parliament
in 2004 from his father's constituency Amethi. This time Rahul is
going to contest the second election of his life. The Congress, which
has been weakened from the last two decades, has much hope from these
two young faces. Rahul Gandhi wants to carry on the science &
technology revolution, started by his father. He has a team of young
Member of Parliaments, who are fully devoted for the overall
development of the nation.
Priyanka Gandhi, who always denied active participation in politics,
has also indicated of her entry into active politics. Time will tell
whether in the wake of repeated targeting of Nehru-Gandhi family by
the fundamentalist forces, the Congress would be able to get back its
lost entity. But one thing is clear that the work done by this family
in presenting the secular & vibrant image of India at international
level is indeed incomparable. Perhaps this is the reason that when any
person of this family goes to any part of the country, the crowd of
thousands of people gathers, just to get a glimpse of touch. It can be
said that if the tradition of secularism & communal harmony is the
hallmark of the Nehru-Gandhi family & it is being followed generation
to generation.
BY TANVEER JAFRI COLUMNIST
MEMBER: HARYANA SAHITYA ACADEMY
1630/11, Mahavir Nagar, AMBALA CITY (HARYANA) (INDIA)
PHONE: 0091-171-2535628, Mob: 0091-98962-19228,
EMAIL; tanveer...@gmail.com , tanvee...@gmail.com ,
tanveer...@gmail.com
Source: Tanveer Jafri
bademiyansubhanallah
CHANDIGARH | Sunday, September 6, 2009
Alliances are opportunistic and unethical, says Hooda
Abhijit Prashar | Chandigarh
Unperturbed over the BJP and the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) coming
together, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday said that
the Congress would have their last laugh in the coming assembly poll,
as the people of the State have already rejected the entire Opposition
in the Lok Sabha poll held earlier this year by inflicting a complete
drubbing to them. He termed the alliance opportunistic and unethical.
He said, “These parties have come together not because of any joint
political ideology but due to their hunger for power. It is an
opportunistic alliances and not one which will stay for a long time.
They will also fail like other alliances in the state. The biggest
alliance in Haryana right now is between the Congress and the people
of the state.”
The Chief Minister spoke to the media after a four-hour-long meeting
of Haryana Congress Manifesto Committee at HPCC office here, saying
that such alliances would meet the same fate as the earlier ones in
the State. Hooda said, “We deliberated on various issues prevailing in
the state at the moment like education, youth welfare, women
empowerment among others and based on our discussions today we would
send our recommendations to the party high command.”
“We have decided the manifesto would be carried forward from our
election manifesto of 2005, based on the good work done by the
Government,” he added.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/200606/Congress-faces-problem-of-plenty.html
CHANDIGARH | Sunday, September 6, 2009
Congress faces problem of plenty
Nishu Mahajan | Chandigarh
Bubbling with confidence emanating from the development works done in
the State, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is facing an arduous
task of selecting candidates for the coming assembly election, as he
is flooded with requests for tickets.
With a conducive environment, none of the sitting Congress legislators
is willing to drop his candidature, while the runners-up of the last
election too are girding up their loins to take an entry to the
assembly.
The party also needs to change the strategy in view of the BJP and the
Haryana Janhit Congress, coming together to contest the ensuing
assembly poll.
The problem of plenty also emanates from the fact that quite a large
number of leaders from Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Haryana
Janhit Congress (HJC) have joined the Congress, and they are building
pressure on the party leadership to contest the coming election.
“Yes, we are facing the problem of plenty. There are many claimants to
contest the poll from one seat, but we will ride over this smoothly.
We will put up the best candidate in every constituency,” said a
senior Congress functionary.
Sources said that a lot of altercations were going around within the
party over the issue of ticket distribution. If the senior party
leaders are not ready to compromise with their choices for seats, the
new entrants too do not want to give up the seats they want to contest
from.
Source said many Ministers are not very pleased with the way the party
is planning to go about in the upcoming assembly elections. “There is
a lot of opposition from within the party Ministers who want tickets
to be issued to their favorite candidates,” they said.
Sources also added that Chief Minister Hooda is not ready to
compromise with the quality of candidates and their winnability, as
“he does not want take any risk, despite the fact that he led the
party to an astounding victory in the last Lok Sabha election.”
“The party legislator's performance is being evaluated and tickets
would only be given to the deserving candidates on the basis of work
and not on the basis of pre-eminence,” admitted a close aide to Chief
Minister Hooda.
He admitted that the leaders from the Opposition have joined the
Congress in a desire to get tickets to contest the upcoming assembly
elections. “Only the deserving candidate among them will get the
ticket,” he said.
As informed by the sources, Congress is not going to overlook the
import of caste factor in the coming election. Though accused of being
tilted towards Jat community, which has nearly 25 per cent population
in the State, the Congress leadership is mulling to give due
representation to other communities as well.
bademiyansubhanallah
Youth should give 100 hours to make Gujarat literate
2009-09-06 08:11:03
Gujarat Global News Network, Ahmedabad
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to youth to spare
100 hours in a year for the cause of making Gujarat fully literate in
its Golden Jubilee year next year. He said that if one literate person
taught at least one person, the target would be achieved easily.
Modi addressed students in the state through video conference from
Tagore Hall in Ahmedabad. Government claims that his message reached
more than ten million students on Teachers Day. He also gave best
teacher award to 35 teachers.
Modi announced that in November this year state would launch a
programme to improve the quality of education. He asked retired
talented teachers to come forward to guide teachers so that the state
had improved educational level.
For news in Hindi see our Hindi daily Chaupal Chronicle
bademiyansubhanallah
BJP upset over good governance in Jharkhand: Singhvi
STAFF WRITER 17:23 HRS IST
Ranchi, Sept 6 (PTI) Accusing the BJP of indulging in "political
melodrama" for its decision to quit 'en masse' from the assembly to
press for early elections in Jharkhand, now under President's rule,
the Congress today said the move showed that the BJP was "upset over
good governance".
"Every one knows elections for Jharkhand will be held by December and
we are into September now. Still the BJP is indulging in political
melodrama as it is scared of the good governance in the state," AICC
spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi, told newsmen here.
Reacting to the BJP's decision, he said it reflected the party's
"impatience" to wait for polls and asked the saffron party as to why
it did not take such a decision when President's rule was imposed in
January.
"In fact, the BJP welcomed President's Rule then, but now it is trying
to create sensationalism," Singhvi said.
bademiyansubhanallah
BJP MLAs' decision to quit a gimmick: Congress
TNN 5 September 2009, 11:15pm IST
RANCHI: National Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi has
termed the BJP MLAs' decision to resign en masse from the Jharkhand
assembly a "political gimmick". The state BJP MLAs decided to quit en
masse from the state assembly to protest the delay in holding assembly
elections in the state.
The BJP core committee on Saturday announced that all MLAs would
resign from the assembly "as the EC has been delaying the elections in
Jharkhand to favour Congress". The party was demanding dissolution of
assembly and holding of elections along with Haryana, Arunachal
Pradesh and Maharashtra in October.
Singhvi, who arrived here on a two-day visit on Sunday to take part in
functions of the party, will inaugurate the one-day conference of
party's legal and human rights wing.
"Elections are decided by the EC after taking into consideration
several factors. I feel that in a state like Jharkhand, elections
cannot be conducted during the festive season when people are busy
celebrating Durga Puja, Chhat and Diwali," Singhvi said, adding: "I
don't feel that delay in elections by few weeks can benefit any
party."
In response to a query on rising discontent in the party state unit,
particularly against JPCC chief Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu, he said these
things happen in any democratic set up.
"I am sure that party will emerge stronger in the days to come," he
said. Singhvi also admitted the failure of the Union government to
control hoarding of essential commodities had led to artificial
shortage resulting in increase in price.
"The Union government is working on different strategies and we hope
that prices will be controlled very soon," he added. He also
reiterated the stand of the party to bring back black money stashed in
foreign banks.
CPI to contest around 20 seats in Assembly polls
TNN 5 September 2009, 11:22pm IST
RANCHI: CPI will contest 20 of the 81 seats in the coming Assembly
polls in Jharkhand. The decision was taken at a central committee
meeting of the party here on Saturday. Senior leaders like general
secretary A B Bardhan and Bhuvneshwar Prasad Mehta also attended it.
"The party was willing to contest 20 to 22 seats. The final decision
on the exact number of seats, however, will be taken after
consultations with other Left parties," said Mehta.
Sources said the party's main plank will be poor implementation of
NREGA schemes and declaring Jharkhand famine-hit. The party also plans
to launch massive demonstrations throughout the state to demand that
the state be declared famine hit.
"The state has been declared drought-hit by the government. But it is
not sufficient as many are deprived of the benefits as they do not
have BPL ration cards," said a source.
"We will demonstrate all over the state and make the government aware
of the plight of the poor, who are deprived of the benefits as they do
not have valid ration cards," the source added. Once the state is
declared famine-hit, everyone, irrespective of carrying a BPL ration
card, will get free foodgrain and can avail of various government
schemes.
The poor have been holding demonstrations almost everyday, demanding
that the government issue BPL ration cards at the earliest.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cops-hold-health-camp-in-Maoist-den/articleshow/4976854.cms
Cops hold health camp in Maoist den
Manohar Lal, TNN 5 September 2009, 11:09pm IST
RANCHI: Smiles returned to the young faces of Maoist-dominated
villages in Latehar where bloodshed and mine blasts were a routine
affair till recently. Police organized a medical camp at Serum and
Manika villages, housing more than 1,000 families, on Saturday to mark
Teacher's Day.
"Unexpectedly, people came out in hordes and doctors from Balumath
primary health centre and Sadar hospital had a tough time diagnosing
them," said Latehar SP Kuldeep Diwedi. "It was a huge success as
around 600 people were treated at the two-day camp and free medicines
distributed among the villagers," he added.
A young lot of villagers did not lose the opportunity to defeat
police. For, a 12-over cricket match at a nearby school saw the former
beat an SP XI by 30 runs.
"Young village boys were very good with the bat and ball and they
outplayed the SP XI team, comprising police and scribes, in every
respect," said Diwedi, adding that for juniors under standard VII, a
football match was organized.
"We had a whale of a time these two days and we enjoyed every moment
of it," said Surender Yadav (17) who played for the villagers XI. When
asked whether any official used to come to the area earlier, he said
it is a long time that anyone dared to enter the village even during
daytime especially after Maoists struck roots in the area.
"It's good that the SP saheb has come forward with such a noble
approach. Around 2,000 people from nearby villages gathered and
cheered the locals as well as police personnel during the matches,"
said Yadav.
At Manika block, six policemen, including a sub-inspector, died in a
mine blast on January 17, while a mobile tower was blasted on August
25 during the two-day Maoist bandh.
Sid Harth
West Bengal Assembly By-Elections: Yet another Defeat for the
Communists
By Goutam Gupta
Kolkata
22-August-2009
Protests Against Political Violence in West Bengal.
Leftist candidates suffered a severe drubbing in two Bengal assembly
by-elections. One candidate even lost her security deposit after
polling just 14% votes.
It is a bad omen for the Left while the opposition parties are charged
up with the result. In both Sealdah and Bou Bazar constituencies.
Trinomul Congress candidates did extensively well in those elections
while the leftists faced a crushing defeat .
Election observers say that exactly this result was expected after Lok
Sabha election where Congress anf Trinomuul Congress came up with
flying colors.
chhotemianinshallah
The rise and rise of Jaganmohan Reddy
7 Sep 2009, 0357 hrs IST, Urmi A Goswami, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, son of the late YSR Reddy, who is
just 100-day-old in politics, may not inspire confidence in many as
heir to father’s throne, yet 120 of the 154 Congress MLAs of the state
have projected the 36-year-old to be the next CM.
The clamour for ‘Jagan as CM’ began even before YSR’s body was back to
Hyderabad. By the time YSR’s funeral took place, it would appear that
an entire machinery had been cranked to catapult this political novice
to the top job. Through the night there were reports of suicides and
shock deaths across the state, and then Jagan’s publicised appeal
asking people to be patient, as his father would not have liked it.
With every move, the effort was to present Jagan as YSR’s true
political inheritor.
As leaders and ordinary folks made their way to pay their last
respects to YSR, a teary-eyed Jagan stood occasionally turning to the
people making a silent appeal to keep calm. It would seem that all
this was part of the ‘Jagan as CM’ project, where the political novice
and grieving son would emerge as the new focus of power in the state.
As the powerful YSR’s son, Jagan has controlled the levers of power in
the state. Political rivals have documented allegations of how in the
five years of YSR rule big business interests benefited. They allege
that Jagan through his business empire was at the centre of the power
patronage edifice. The vested interests in the state want Jagan at the
helm. A change in the state’s leadership could upset their applecart.
Jagan’s political existence, and it has been alleged even his business
empire, was almost entirely the outcome of his father’s largesse. His
formal entry into politics in the 2009 Lok Sabha election, too was a
carefully crafted one. He contested from the Kadappa constituency, a
seat that was represented by his father for four terms and his uncle
YS Vivekananda Reddy twice.
Over the first five years of YSR’s rule, Jagan concentrated on
building up the business empire. From three infrastructure companies,
the empire grew to holdings in 18 companies. Senior politicians in the
state have been surprised at Jagan’s financial growth over the last
few years.
Even within Congress, there are those who point out that Jagan was
virtually nowhere on the business firmament when YSR became chief
minister in 2004. Over the course of the next five years he emerged as
an industrialist. Companies held by Jagan include the media company
Jagati Publications, Bharathi Cements and Sandur Power Company.
The young Reddy may be a political novice but no stranger to
controversy. Political rivals have alleged links to the Satyam and
Maytas scam and more recently to the Reddy brothers and illegal mining
in the Anantapur mining belt in the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border.
There are allegations that individual and institutional investors in
Jagan’s companies and newspaper were rewarded with contracts for a
SEZ, port development and land for infrastructure development. TDP,
which has charged the Congress government in the state with
corruption, documents the manner in which Jagan’s business empire was
at the heart of this patronage edifice.
A political novice he may be, but Jagan realises that an open bid for
power would be frowned upon by the Congress high command. Hence, his
appeal on Sunday, some 72 hours after the “Jagan for CM” campaign was
rolled out, to “stop such activities by going to the media, signature
campaigns, using of banners, placards demonstrations for my leadership
as the successor of our beloved departed leader”.
In an indication that he is not opting out of the race, Jagan went on
to add, “this is not the time or the occasion” to carry on such a
campaign. Making the right noises, Jagan described himself as “loyal
and disciplined Congress worker... disciplined soldier of Congress.”
But be it the demand by legislators to make Jagan the CM or his
response to the crowds as his father’s body lay at rest, the message
that was being sent to New Delhi was that the 36-year-old first-time
MP was YSR’s political heir. It is this that Jagan sought to convey in
his “public appeal” as well, when he said, “our high command knows and
more particularly our beloved leader Sonia Gandhi respects the
feelings of lakhs of Congress workers and she knows too well what is
good for all of us and what is good for our state and people.”
chhotemianinshallah
Cracks in Maoist based farmers' organization, 20 held hostages
6 Sep 2009, 1948 hrs IST, Nageshwar Patnaik , ET Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: Cracks have developed in Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha
(CMAS), a strong body of Maoist-backed farmers in Koraput district.
The CMAS activists of Bandhugaon and Narayanpatna blocks, who fought a
pitched battle on Saturday, again came to face to face on Sunday
morning and torched at least 20 houses, officials said.
The trouble started after tribal farmers belonging to Narayanpatna
CMAS unit attacked and destroyed 14 lemongrass processing plants in
Bandhugaon. In retaliation, the CMAS members of Bandhugaon launched
attack on several villages in Narayanpatna block and took 40 people as
hostage. They demanded that they would release the hostages only after
the Narayanpatna CMAS activists apologised and paid compensation for
the damage done to the lemon processing units and destruction of
houses.
According to police, 20 of the 40 hostages were released on Sunday
afternoon. “Around 20 hostages – most of the women and children – were
released on Sunday. We are keeping a close watch on the situation.
Since the warring groups have blockaded all roads leading to the area,
we find it little difficult in mobilizing police force,” a senior home
department official said.
The cracks, according to Laxmidhar Sahu, a Koraput based veteran
researcher who has been studying the Naxal movement since for over
three decades, will further complicate the law and order situation in
South Orissa.
“After police action on frontline Naxal leaders and frequent raids on
their camps, the Maoists in south Orissa have been continuing their
activities through Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh. Now that cracks have
developed in the organisation, it will have serious repercussions on
the law and order situation,” Mr Sahu said.
chhotemianinshallah
Cong, NCP play 'who blinks first'
7 Sep 2009, 0341 hrs IST, Aarthi Ramachandran, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: The countdown to the October 13 Maharashtra assembly
elections might have begun but Congress and NCP are trying to wear
each other down in attempt to get the upper hand in seat-sharing talks
which are yet to begin formally.
Congress is set to hold a meeting of its state election committee in
Mumbai on Monday to set the agenda for selection of candidates to all
288 assembly segments in the state. This will be followed by
discussion at the district-level to build up momentum ahead of the
elections, Congress sources said.
Congress’ move to get on with its candidate selection process comes
two days after NCP invited applications for all 288 seats. The two
parties are engaged in a game of pressure and counter-pressure
strategies though there are indications that the informal talks are on
at the top level.
“This is a game of who blinks first. This time round (unlike in 2004
Assembly polls) Congress has decided that if it’s a choice between
blinking and going it alone, we will go it alone,” a Maharashtra
leader said. Sources said that the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress
Committee (MPCC) had suggested that NCP be made an offer of 100-105
seats, down from the 122 it contested last time. NCP has rejected this
offer, sources said, indicating that the central leadership of
Congress was ready to relax the offer to about a 110 seats.
However, NCP is not willing to climb down from its claim of 122 and
therefore negotiations were poised at a “touch and go” point at the
moment, state Congress sources said. Congress had contested on 166
seats in the 2004 polls. So far, the only meetings that have happened
are between Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, who is part of
a team of central observers to Maharashtra, and NCP chief Sharad
Pawar.
MPCC chief Manikrao Thackeray has also met NCP leader Praful Patel.
However, these initial meetings were set to be followed up with formal
discussions between the NCP leadership and AICC in-charge of
Maharashtra A K Antony. But this has not happened.
The reason cited by Congress for the delay in the commencement of
formal negotiations is the untimely death of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as
well as the death of Union minister Vayalar Ravi’s wife Mercy, which
necessitated Mr Antony to make a trip to Kerala for the funeral.
But, actual explanation lies with the Congress’ refusal to budge from
firm posture on seat-sharing in the wake of “changed ground realities”
post Lok Sabha polls when the party outdid NCP winning 17 seats to the
other party’s seven.
Congress leaders have said delimitation, and NCP’s poor performance in
the Western Maharashtra and Marathwada call for a re-look at the seat-
sharing formulae of the 2004 assembly and 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
The next two days are crucial for NCP-Congress alliance talks with the
last date for the filing of nominations set for September 25.
chhotemianinshallah
BJP to apprise Home Minister
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 06, 2009: A three member team of BJP State unit
leaders, led by its president Dr H Borbabu, has left for Delhi today
to apprise and give a detailed account of the July 23 killings to the
Union Home Minister.
The other members of the team are former Chief Minister Wahengbam
Nipamacha and ex-MLA Meinam Bhorot.
The state unit team, together with the BJP Parliamentary team, which
visited Imphal in the wake of the Khwairamband incident would call on
the Union Home Minister on September 7.The joint team would give a
detailed account of the July 23 incident to the Home Minister.
Earlier, it was planned that a joint team of the opposition parties of
Manipur would present their cases regarding the July 23 twin killings
to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.
But the plan has been abandoned due to other schedules of the
political parties.
Subsequently, the BJP team went to New Delhi on its own.
Nevertheless, leaders of some other opposition parties currently
putting up at Delhi may also join the BJP during the meeting the Home
Minister and the Prime Minister, BJP state unit's general secretary Th
Shyamo said.
The BJP team would be submitting a memorandum to the Union Home
Minister demanding removal of Okram Ibobi from the post of Chief
Minister as he, being the Home Minister too, is morally responsible
for the fake encounter, intervention of the Central Government and
imposition of President's Rule in Manipur taking account of the
prevailing law and order situation and punishment of all those guilty
for the fake encounter.
Pointing the abject failure of the Ibobi led Govt on all fronts, the
BJP team would urge upon the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to
impose President's Rule in Manipur.
The team would also meet leaders of various national and international
human right groups and apprise them about the excesses committed by
security forces in the state.
As the July 23 fake encounter has been exposed both in local and
national media with hard evidence, the party leaders would be
demanding to book the guilty police commandos under IPC 302 for
killing Ch Sanjit and Rabina and injuring five other persons.
Even as the joint team has confirmed their appointment with the Home
Minister, they are yet to receive official permission to meet the
Prime Minister.
chhotemianinshallah
No let up in protest against 7/23
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 06, 2009: The mass movement launched in the
aftermath of the July 23 incident, demanding justice has been
continuing in different parts of the State without any let up.
Protest rally taken out in Lamsang to protest the July 23 incident
As part of the ongoing movement, spearheaded by the Apunba Lup, a
large number of people took out a protest rally in Lamsang.
Notably, late Thokchom Rabina's 2 year old son was present among the
protesters.
The protest rally started from the residential gate of late Rabina.
The protesters used large posters displaying the photographs of the BT
Road incident, published by Tehelka.
The protesters shouted different slogans like "We condemn Khwairamband
killing", "Stop State terrorism", "Punish guilty commandos", "Repeal
black laws", "Resign, Okram Ibobi", "Release Apunba Lup activists
etc".
As the protest rally approached Lamsang Oil Service, the protesters
were blocked by a police team.
After a short altercation between the protesters and police there, the
protesters were driven back by police.
On the other hand, a protest demonstration was also staged at the
residential gate of Chungkham Sanjit at Khurai today.
Denouncing the July 23 killings, a sit-in-protest was staged today at
Pukhao Naharup Lai Lampak under the aegis of the All Pukhao Meira
Paibi before taking out a protest rally.
The protesters shouted similar slogans like "Punish guilty police
commandos", "Repeal AFSPA from Manipur", "Stop fake encounters" etc.
One youth who was taking part in the protest rally said, "my elder
brother Koijam Rajen of Pukhao Naharup Makha Leikai was found dead in
1997 after he was picked up by a combined security team from the home
the previous day.
"As usual, the combined force came up with the false claim that my
brother was killed in an encounter", he lamented.
Demanding an immediate halt to such fake encounters, the bereaved
brother appealed to all concerned not to cause such misery to any
family.
Protest demonstrations demanding justice in the July 23 fake encounter
case were also staged at Phoijing community hall, Sagoltongba Lansonbi
Bazar, Yurembam, Chingtham Leikai Pandol Keithel, Heirangoithong
Volley ground, Mongshangei School Leirak, Lamlong Bazar Jiribam,
Langthabal Phura Makhong, Langthabal Lep Thong Ahanbi, Heirangoithong
Ningthemcha Karong and Kakwa Makha Nameirakpam Leikai.
chhotemianinshallah
BJP team goes to Delhi
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 06, 2009: BJP state unit president Haobam Borbabu
led team have left for New Delhi today to join the party's
Parliamentary team members who visited the state last month to assess
the 23 July BT Road killing to apprise the situation to Prime Minister
Dr Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on tomorrow.
Manipur BJP team including former Chief Minister W Nipamacha and
National executive member M Bhorot would pressurise the Prime Minister
and Home Minister for the ouster of Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi and
the dismissal of his Secular Progressive Front ministry in the state.
"We would apprise Manipur's prevailing situation including
lawlessness, fake encounters and large scale extortions by the
miscreants", BJP's organising secretary for the northeast
Chandrasekhar Rao told correspondent over phone.
BJP had been demanding imposition of President's Rule in Manipur in
the wake of 23 July alleged 'fake encounter' that killed one young
pregnant lady and a former militant which sparked widespread public
protest.The protest still on even though state government announced a
judicial probe into the incident saying there's no need for any
inquiry as the Tehelka magazine reveals the facts in their
photographs.
BJP's national spokesperson Prakash Javedkar led Parliamentary team
will be meeting Union Home Minister on September 7
afternoon.Appointment with the Prime Minister is also likely to be
granted soon,party sources added.
Vice-president Bijoya Chakraborty, BJP Assam State president R
Deka,BJP North East in-charge Chandrasekhar Rao,BJP Manipur unit
president H Borababu,former Manipur Chief Minister W Nipamacha and
former MLA and National executive member Meinam Bhorot Singh will also
accompanied the party's national spokesman.
BJP had opined that 23 July BT Road killing was a 'fake encounter' and
they are demanding resignation of state CM dismissal of the ruling
front.The leaders of opposition parties also demanded immediate
resignation of the CM to have a free and fair probe.
chhotemianinshallah
CityState BJP chief election: Rana, Kathiria are front-runners
Party wants someone from Saurashtra, preferably a Patidar, to revive
its fortune in the region and state
By Dilip Patel
Posted On Monday, September 07, 2009 at 02:47:50 AM
TOP CONTENDERS :Rajendrasinh Rana (top) and Vallabh Kathiria
Former Union minister Vallabh Kathiria and Lok Sabha member
Rajendrasinh Rana have emerged as the front-runners for the job of the
Bharatiya Janata Party state unit president. The party is debating the
successor of Purshottam Rupala whose term gets over later this month.
Party leaders are understandably tight-lipped, but sources say that
only these two leaders fit in the criteria that the party has
internally finalised to select the next president. The criteria are
the next chief should be from Saurashtra, especially Rajkot, and
preferably a Patidar. Besides, he or she should have had a firm
grounding in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideology.
Both Kathiria and Rajendrasinh Rana are from Saurashtra. While
Kathiria is from Rajkot, Rana is from Bhavnagar. The party’s search
for a leader from Saurashtra has been prompted by the reverses in the
parliamentary election in the region. It lost the Rajkot constituency
to Congress after holding it for five terms. The slide continued when
the party lost the Junagadh Municipal Corporation election to the
Congress.
Party think-tank attribute these losses to Leuva Patidars’ turning
their back on the party.
Kathiria is the best known Leuva Patidar leader after former chief
minister Keshubhai Patel and this might work in his favour. He is a
Keshubhai loyalist and was expelled from the party for rebellion.
Kathiria apologised and returned to the party.
Rupala, who is a Rajya Sabha MP would like to have a second term for
himself, but not only did the party leadership deny him that, but also
entrusted him with the responsibility to woo the Leuva Patidars.
Confirming the initiation of the election process, state unit general
secretary Bhikhu Dalsania said, “We have begun the process and we will
have the new chief in office by December.”
According to Rupala, the election is held in five stages. “We have
started the first step, that of enrolling new members. In the next
stage we will form committees at booth, taluka and district levels.
The central leadership will be informed of this and the polling will
take place after forming a state level committee. A central observer
will oversee the election,” he said.
Bhagwat discusses expansion plan
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday had a closed door meeting in
Maninagar with Sangh workers to discuss expansion of its activities in
Gujarat. Bhagwat is on a two-day visit of the state.
He also met “pracharaks” from various districts. He was scheduled to
address a public meeting near Adalaj later at night.
chhotemianinshallah
Columns&programId=1073755417&contentId=5930248
It can't get more banal
Illustration: Bhaskaran
THE SEXES
By Shobhaa De
Thirumathi (Mrs) or Selvi (Miss)? That is the question. Jayalalithaa
has been on the warpath against her old political foe, Karunanidhi,
for mis-addressing her. She, being an unmarried lady, resents being
referred to as ‘Thirumathi’ by the DMK boss and calls it a ‘dig at her
womanhood’. The old man insists it is his way of getting back at her
for consistently calling the DMK a ‘minority government’ (well, the
numbers corroborate the DMK’s minority status; so where’s the
problem?). I don’t get it—is it insulting to be addressed as a married
lady? If unmarried Jayalalithaa does not mind being called
‘Amma’ (mother), why is she making such a big deal out of the
Missconfusion? Unless, of course, there is a deeper implication that
only insiders are aware of.
Given Jayalalithaa’s intelligence and inherent shrewdness, it is
rather disappointing to read her peevish, antiquated views on the
subject. Does that tag really matter in this age? Most professional
women have switched to the more neutral ‘Ms’ over a decade ago, in any
case. In the 21st century, a woman’s marital status is of very little
consequence in the workplace. And it ought to have zero relevance,
particularly when it comes to career politicians. Look at the
privileged positions of Mayawati, Jayalalithaa, Mamata Banerjee and
other single ladies heading their own parties. It is understood they
are wedded—but to their individual causes. Again, nobody has ever
bothered about Sushma Swaraj’s spouse (I’m sure the good man exists)
or questioned Meira Kumar’s marital status. So, why is Amma frothing
at the mouth about the Thirumathi label? Modern women have the choice
to accept or reject the tag, minus any ‘natak’. God! The games
politicians play.
Our mangalsutra culture may be alive and well on those cheesy TV
soaps, but in real life, women are definitely not hung up on flashing
their black beads—the most visible symbol of wedded bliss.
Increasingly, young brides are opting to do away with such adornments
and even prefer to hang on to their original surnames without the
bridegroom taking offence. Most official correspondence has scrapped
separate categories that compel women to reveal their marital status.
About time, too. Men have always been exempt from similar scrutiny—Mr
so-and-so gives nothing away, and nobody asks whether or not the
bounder is married. Few Indian men wear wedding bands. And
unfortunately, there is no male equivalent for a mangalsutra, sindoor
in the parting of the hair or a red bindi on the forehead for men? Not
unless those chaps are Rohit Bal’s models. Red for danger! The most
obvious warning, which says, “Stay away. Property of….” Men do not
need to proclaim the same—they have always been free agents! Which is
why it is doubly annoying when a political stalwart decides to quibble
over a non-issue.
Is ‘Thirumathi’ a put-down? Jayalalithaa seems to think so. She is
obviously a determined ‘bachelorette’ who does not want to be clubbed
with other official ‘thirumathis’. Fair enough.
Perhaps there are some significant cultural cues that I’m missing. Why
is Amma sooooo angry? Tell me! Why is she encouraging her party
members to stage a protest? What ‘humiliation against women and
womanhood’ is she talking about?
There are two options—either women should ask for those discriminatory
categories to be dropped forthwith (I hate filling in immigration
forms for this very reason—why should I provide my husband’s name, my
father’s name? Is my husband being asked for mine?), or we should come
up with a separate tag for married men—‘Mister’ is too damn all
encompassing. What about ‘Monster’? I love it! Shall we take a vote
on that?
www. shobhaade.blogspot.com
chhotemianinshallah
'Congress-NCP government has plundered Maharashtra'
Q&A: Prakash Javadekar
Aasha Khosa / New Delhi September 6, 2009, 0:02 IST
Prakash Javadekar, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and spokesperson,
speaks to Aasha Khosa about the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance’s chances in
the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra. Excerpts:
BJP is going to face elections in Maharashtra with an image that it is
a perpetually squabbling party. How will you overcome this?
The BJP surely had some internal problem, which surfaced recently and,
in turn, was exaggerated. However, on the ground, voters make their
choice on the basis on their perception about the effectiveness of the
incumbent government and that of the opposition.
The fact is that Maharashtra, for the past ten years, has had its
worst government. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the
Congress have been behaving as if they are rival camps, though they
have been running a government for all these years. This government
has plundered the state and put it on a backward path.
But why do you believe that voters will chose the BJP-Shiv Sena within
months of rejecting it in the Lok Sabha elections?
All over the country, the voters’ reaction is different for Lok Sabha
and Assembly elections. In the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress and the
NCP combine had got 38 per cent votes while our alliance got 36 per
cent. So, turning around the situation is not such a big challenge. In
1999, the state polls coincided with the Lok Sabha elections.
Interestingly; the BJP’s share of votes in the Lok Sabha elections was
39 per cent while we got just 31 per cent votes in the Assembly
elections. The difference of 8 per cent gave us a clear idea that the
voter thinks differently for national and state elections. So, we
cannot link our performance in the Lok Sabha elections with the
forthcoming Assembly polls.
Besides, the Lok Sabha elections have thrown up a new trend. Parties
whose chief ministers worked their way through peoples’ hearts won.
The parties whose chief ministers did not work hard lost, be it the
BJP or the CPI(M). We are sure that since the Maharashtra chief
minister’s performance has hit rock bottom, people are going to punish
him this time.
The presence of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) of Raj Thackery
must be worrying you since it played spoilsport for the BJP-Shiv Sena
in the Lok Sabha elections. Are you devising any strategy to tackle
it?
We recognise the vote-splitter role of the MNS. However, we also feel
that a couple of thousand voters who voted for the MNS in the hope
that it would emerge as a new alternative would have realised the
consequences of their choice. It was due to their votes that the
Congress won. Also, because of their votes, non-Maharashtrians won. I
must emphasise that the MNS is not the only vote-splitter. In fact, a
new front comprising 11 parties has come up and is chanting the anti-
Congress tune. The defeat of dalit leader Ramdas Athawale has shaken
all factions of the Republican Party of India. The new conglomerate is
openly saying that it wants to avenge the defeat of a dalit leader by
seeing to it that the Congress loses. Then, of course, there is the
BSP. I am trying to bring home the point that vote-splitters will
create problems for all and not only for the BJP.
Though the BJP and the Shiv Sena alliance is intact, differences over
seat-sharing continue. How serious are these differences?
Our alliance has decided to field candidates on all 288 seats.
However, there are a few problems on a couple of seats. This problem
has come up due to delimitation of constituencies and it is taking us
time to select candidates for a few seats. The differences are not
serious and will be sorted out very soon.
Are you projecting any chief ministerial candidate in Maharashhtra?
Our leader Gopinath Munde has always maintained that Uddhav Thackerey
(of the Shiv Sena) is our chief ministerial candidate. But at a formal
level, we have not taken any stand on this. We will leave this issue
open and take a call after the results. The principal that the party
with the largest the number of legislators should get the chief
ministerial post will be followed. Balasaheb Thackerey and LK Advani
will take the final decision on this.
Maharashtra has different political zones and it is said that each one
behaves differently in elections. Can you explain this?
The state has six political zones and in each place the voters’
behaviour is different. Of these, Mumbai-Thane is an urban belt with
66 Assembly seats. In Vidarbha, the issue of suicide by cotton farmers
is central. Then there is Marathwada, where no economic activity has
taken place. Price rise and unemployment are issues that are affecting
people all over the state.
So, price rise and farmers’ plight will dominate your party’s poll
campaign.
We are going to place before the voters a comparison between
Maharashtra and Gujarat, both of which were created in May 1960, and
show them how the former has progressed on all fronts while the latter
has ceased to be a front-runner. Gujarat was a small and
unrecognisable state when it was formed. But able leadership has
changed its profile to India’s most progressive and developed state.
Maharashtra, in our times, was a food and power surplus state. Food
prices in the state were low. In our regime, 400 gangsters were shot
dead, which brought peace. The Congress-NCP government has failed to
add to the state’s infrastructure. The Nasik highway is incomplete
after ten years while the NDA, during its rule, completed the Pune
express highway in just four years. The issue of Bangladeshi intruders
is topical in Mumbai-Thane.
Bal Thackerey recently wrote in Samna against LK Advani. Are you going
to ignore his comments?
Actually, Balasahebji has expressed sympathy with the BJP and its
leaders when we are facing internal problems. He wondered why the BJP,
despite having such good and capable leaders, was in this state today.
He was obviously not happy with what was going on in the BJP. But
then, Samna is like any other newspaper which has the right to
criticise us. Why should we take offence at its editorial freedom?
chhotemianinshallah
CBSE Class X exams optional from 2011
Press Trust of India / New Delhi September 7, 2009, 18:02 IST
In a path-breaking move that will cheer lakhs of students across the
country, the government today announced that Class X examinations of
the CBSE will be optional from the next academic year (2010-11) while
the grading system will be introduced this year itself.
Over 8 lakh students appearing for their Class X exams in March 2010
have to take Board exams for which the results will be declared
through grading system.
From 2011, the grading system will continue but the Board exams will
become optional.
The Class X examinations of CBSE will be abolished from 2010-11 while
the grading system will be introduced from 2009-10 (current academic
year), Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters
here.
"After the Board examination is abolished in 2011 (for Class X),
students will have choice to take the Board exam on demand for
transfer (to another school) or entry into pre-university institutes,"
Sibal said.
The exam on demand is also available to students who want to continue
in the same school, he said. Under the new system, students who wish
to continue in the same school after Class X, need not take Board exam
from 2011.
On the grading system, he said it will be a "continuous, comprehensive
evaluation" which will be good for the students. However, along with
grades, students can also ask for their percentile.
The new system will be based on nine-point scale, starting from A1
(exceptional) up to E2 (unsatisfactory).
chhotemianinshallah
Sid Harth
President’s rule on BJP agenda
- Party MPs to meet PM in Delhi today on Ibobi Singh’s ouster,
engineers held for rebel links
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Rabina Devi’s son at the protest rally in Imphal on Sunday. Picture by
Eastern Projections
Imphal, Sept. 6: The Manipur unit of the BJP today shifted its
campaign against the Okram Ibobi Singh government to the national
capital with a three-member delegation heading for Delhi to campaign
for imposition of President’s rule in the state.
Protests, however, continued unabated against the July 23 firing in
Imphal.
Accompanied by four BJP MPs, who visited Manipur last month to assess
the situation, the delegation led by party president Haibam Borobabu
Singh would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apprise him of the
situation in the wake of the July 23 shootout in Imphal which claimed
the lives of Rabina Devi and Ch. Sanjit.
“The four BJP MPs who visited Imphal last month and the state team
would be urging the Prime Minister tomorrow at 3pm to impose
President’s rule in Manipur as the Ibobi Singh government has not only
failed to protect life and property of the people but also indulged in
fake encounter killings,” BJP general secretary Th. Shyamo Singh
said.
On August 18, four BJP MPs, headed by party spokesman Prakash
Javedkar, arrived in Imphal and took stock of the situation in the
wake of the incident.
While visiting the houses of Sanjit and Rabina, the delegation
promised help in seeking justice for them. Javedkar had told
reporters, “Ibobi Singh has no moral right to continue in office. He
must go. We will fight for justice in the case.” Bijoya Chakraborty,
Raman Deka and Rajen Gohain had accompanied him.
After meeting the Prime Minister, the BJP team would be meeting the
home minister, other ministers and leaders of the NDA and other
Opposition parties to seek help in dethroning Ibobi Singh.
“Our leaders will also report the Manipur situation to national and
international human rights groups during their visit to Delhi. They
will stay there for some time to ensure the success of the campaign,”
Shyamo Singh said.
The BJP has been taking part in street protests by holding sit-ins in
support of the Apunba Lup’s demand for Ibobi Singh’s resignation and
punishment of the personnel involved in the firing incident.
Apunba Lup’s protest against the Imphal city incident continued
unabated. A group of women under the banner of the Apunba Lup launched
a poster campaign in the Wangkhei area in Imphal West today. They
pasted posters containing photographs of Sanjit and Rabina with
various slogans on walls and shops in the Wangkhei and Palace Gate
areas.
Before breaking up, the women protesters shouted anti-Ibobi Singh
slogans.
Two and a half-year-old Thokchom Russel, the son of Rabina, joined the
chorus of “punish police commandos” and “resign chief minister Ibobi”
shouts at Lamsang in Imphal West as a part of the ongoing protest by a
joint action committee today.
Lamsang residents held a number of protest rallies since the incident,
but this is for the first time that the child took part in any rally.
In an unrelated development, MPP workers and residents of Yumnam
Leikai in Imphal West today staged a sit-in against the arrest of
party general secretary Y. Khemchand Singh.
The police arrested Khemchand from his Yumnam Leikai residence in
Imphal West on Friday for firing in the air with his licenced gun at
Singjamei in Imphal West on Thursday night when a group of people
tried to block his vehicle.
Sid Harth
BJP MLAs quit in poll push
SUMAN K. SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, Sept. 6: A day after the BJP’s core committee took a quit
resolution, party MLAs today resigned en masse to mount pressure on
the Centre for early Assembly elections in the state.
Its NDA partner, the JD(U), is also planning to follow suit.
The MLAs — who tendered their resignation to state party president
Raghubar Das — also plan to meet President Pratibha Patil, demanding
early House polls apparently buoyed by the overwhelming response it
received in the Lok Sabha elections in the state.
The BJP core committee had yesterday decided that party MLAs should
quit in protest against the Union government’s decision to “sit over
the election issue”.
Stating that the decision had prior approval of the party’s central
leadership, Das said he had received the resignations of all 21 party
MLAs. “We will submit it to the Speaker as soon as we get a nod from
the BJP parliamentary board,” he said. The board is meeting on Monday
evening, he added.
Das said that home minister P. Chidambaram had cheated on the people
by going back on his statement in Parliament to hold elections after
monsoon and so they were forced to take the step.
The Congress, however, said the mass resignation proved that the BJP
was “upset over good governance” under President’s rule. AICC
spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: “Everyone knows Jharkhand
elections will be held by December. The BJP is indulging in political
melodrama as it is scared of good governance.”
Das shot back saying the BJP would rally on October 11 to expose the
“misdeeds” under President’s rule.
Meanwhile, state JD(U) president Jaleshwar Mahto said he had apprised
party chief Sharad Yadav of the BJP’s decision. ‘There is no
justification for the MLAs to remain members of such a House who had
no business to discharge,” he said. The JD(U) has three members.
CPI demand
The CPI has demanded that the advisory council be scrapped and
replaced by an all-party panel to ensure effective administration. CPI
general secretary A.B. Bardhan said in Ranchi that the IAS-dominated
council was “completely de-linked from people”.