Home Minister P Chidambaram called up Parliament Opposition leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj and BJP General Secretary Anant Kumar detained on Monday on arrival at the Jammu airport by a special aircraft, urging them to return to Delhi as they have made their point.
He was blunt to them that the high moral ground of hoisting the national Tricolour that their youth wing planned at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on the Republic Day should not be allowed to touch low ground of breaking law and order.
The BJP, however, reacted sharply to the orders served on its leaders under Section 144 crPC to leave Jammu and the party's veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani rang up the Prime Minister to lodge strong protest at the kind of treatment given to Jaitley and Swaraj who were the Opposition leaders.
In protest, former BJP President Rajnath Singh went on a fast at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi at Rajghat on Monday night. BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said the fast will continue till January 26 morning.
The BJP also gave a call to the party cadres to organise the protest fast and '' dharna'' at all district headquarters on Tuesday. Even during the Emergency, those taking out rallies were arrested but not treated shabbily with deportation as in Jammu as if they were entering some foreign country, Prasad said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government sealed all entry points in the state after it failed to get support from the neighboring Punjab Government and Himachal Government whose borders meet with the state to halt the " Ekta March." The Himachal Government is ruled by the BJP while Punjab is governed by the Akali Dal- BJP coalition and so it was natural for them to refuse requests of the J& K government.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had deputed his home secretary and the state police chief to talk to BJP leaders at the airport to find a meeting ground. They remained adamant to address a public rally in Jammu before they fly back by the chartered flight by which they came from Delhi.
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Cabinet reshuffle : Get set for game of musical chairs
Mr. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may have a new ministerial team today only as the much talked about reshuffle of Union council of ministers is expected to take place on today. Rashtrapati Bhavan sources, however, said they have not received communication from the government about the swearing- in of new ministers. The PM, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her political secretary Ahmed Patel met on Tuesday to give final touches to the rejig. Since last week, the trio has held five rounds of meetings, fuelling speculation that a substantial party- government shake- up is in the offing.
Sources said if everything goes by the script, the Congress may effect a major revamp of the party, too, on Friday. Sources said incumbents likely to be inducted into the ministry will be informed of it late on Tuesday. Home minister P. Chidambaram is keen to go back to the finance ministry but there is no official word on it.
The revamp will be focused on infrastructure ministries and on giving adequate representation to election- bound states. It will also focus on replacing some non- performing, tainted and ageing ministers with young faces.
K. C. Venugopal, MP from Alappuzha, on Tuesday night confirmed his induction into the ministry. He will replace Shashi Tharoor. The ministerial shuffle was delayed as Sonia was not ready with the blueprint of the reshuffle of AICC and reconstitution of the Congress Working Committee.
Since more than half- adozen ministers are holding dual positions as AICC general secretaries and in- charge of states, a ministerial shuffle has to be synchronised with that of the party. Tribal affairs minister Kantilal Bhuria, steel minister Virbhadra Singh, mines minister B. K. Handique met Sonia on Tuesday, triggering speculation that they may be dropped and given party work.
Minister of state for parliamentary affairs V. Narayanaswamy also met Sonia raising speculation that he may be given an important portfolio such as MoS in the PMO. MPs Janardan Dwivedi and Navin Jindal, and finance minister Mukherjee also met Sonia.
Apart from filling the four vacancies created by the resignation of Prithviraj Chavan, Shashi Tharoor, A. Raja and Meira Kumar, sources said, changes are likely in the ministries of steel, tribal affairs, law and justice, parliamentary affairs, HRD, minority affairs and shipping. Assam is likely to get representation in the cabinet in the form of a replacement for Handique, who has not been keeping well of late. Trinamool Congress is expected to get an additional berth, while the DMK is expected to get a slot in the place of Raja.
Sources said if everything goes by the script, the Congress may effect a major revamp of the party, too, on Friday. Sources said incumbents likely to be inducted into the ministry will be informed of it late on Tuesday. Home minister P. Chidambaram is keen to go back to the finance ministry but there is no official word on it.
The revamp will be focused on infrastructure ministries and on giving adequate representation to election- bound states. It will also focus on replacing some non- performing, tainted and ageing ministers with young faces.
K. C. Venugopal, MP from Alappuzha, on Tuesday night confirmed his induction into the ministry. He will replace Shashi Tharoor. The ministerial shuffle was delayed as Sonia was not ready with the blueprint of the reshuffle of AICC and reconstitution of the Congress Working Committee.
Since more than half- adozen ministers are holding dual positions as AICC general secretaries and in- charge of states, a ministerial shuffle has to be synchronised with that of the party. Tribal affairs minister Kantilal Bhuria, steel minister Virbhadra Singh, mines minister B. K. Handique met Sonia on Tuesday, triggering speculation that they may be dropped and given party work.
Minister of state for parliamentary affairs V. Narayanaswamy also met Sonia raising speculation that he may be given an important portfolio such as MoS in the PMO. MPs Janardan Dwivedi and Navin Jindal, and finance minister Mukherjee also met Sonia.
Apart from filling the four vacancies created by the resignation of Prithviraj Chavan, Shashi Tharoor, A. Raja and Meira Kumar, sources said, changes are likely in the ministries of steel, tribal affairs, law and justice, parliamentary affairs, HRD, minority affairs and shipping. Assam is likely to get representation in the cabinet in the form of a replacement for Handique, who has not been keeping well of late. Trinamool Congress is expected to get an additional berth, while the DMK is expected to get a slot in the place of Raja.
Jagan Reddy set to launch new party in next 45 days
Former Kadapa MP Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy, who resigned from his Lok Sabha seat and the Congress last week, announced on Tuesday that he would float a new regional party that would herald a “ golden era” in Andhra Pradesh.
Jagan declared that the name, flag and the constitution of his party would be announced within the next 45 days.
He was addressing a gathering of supporters and YSR followers at Simhadripuram block of Pulivendula in Kadapa district. For the first time, Jagan openly targeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
He said Sonia owed a lot to YSR for bringing the Congress to power in the state and the Centre twice. “ It was because of YSR’s hard work and marathon padayatra in 2003 that the Congress came to power in 2004. It was because of the welfare schemes implemented by him that it came to power again in 2009. It was because of YSR that the Congress could get maximum number of MPs from Andhra Pradesh. It is unfortunate that Sonia has treated the family of such a great leader with contempt,” Jagan said.
He accused Sonia Gandhi of hatching a conspiracy to alienate him from the party and forcibly sending him out. “ The way she treated me and my mother was there for all to see. We went to New Delhi three times to meet the Congress president, but she had not given us appointment for a month,” he said.
But when she tried to split my family using my uncle Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy as a pawn, I ran out of patience. Hence, my resignation,” he said.
He said he would strive to uphold the self- respect of the Telugu people. “ We have to bear with these troubles for just another three years. And we are confident of bringing back the golden rule of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, which would continue for at least three decades,” he said.
According to sources close to Jagan, the party is likely to be announced on January 15. In the meantime, he would hold meetings with his supporters across the state to build a strong cadre base.
Stating that the nation was looking at the ensuing by- elections to Kadapa Lok Sabha seat and Pulivendula assembly seat, Jagan said they were going to be a test for the people’s affection for the YSR family.
Jagan pointed out that he would never try to topple the Congress government.“ I had not done it when I had the support of 150 MLAs immediately after my father’s death, as I always believed in values in politics,” he said.
Jagan declared that the name, flag and the constitution of his party would be announced within the next 45 days.
He was addressing a gathering of supporters and YSR followers at Simhadripuram block of Pulivendula in Kadapa district. For the first time, Jagan openly targeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
He said Sonia owed a lot to YSR for bringing the Congress to power in the state and the Centre twice. “ It was because of YSR’s hard work and marathon padayatra in 2003 that the Congress came to power in 2004. It was because of the welfare schemes implemented by him that it came to power again in 2009. It was because of YSR that the Congress could get maximum number of MPs from Andhra Pradesh. It is unfortunate that Sonia has treated the family of such a great leader with contempt,” Jagan said.
He accused Sonia Gandhi of hatching a conspiracy to alienate him from the party and forcibly sending him out. “ The way she treated me and my mother was there for all to see. We went to New Delhi three times to meet the Congress president, but she had not given us appointment for a month,” he said.
But when she tried to split my family using my uncle Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy as a pawn, I ran out of patience. Hence, my resignation,” he said.
He said he would strive to uphold the self- respect of the Telugu people. “ We have to bear with these troubles for just another three years. And we are confident of bringing back the golden rule of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, which would continue for at least three decades,” he said.
According to sources close to Jagan, the party is likely to be announced on January 15. In the meantime, he would hold meetings with his supporters across the state to build a strong cadre base.
Stating that the nation was looking at the ensuing by- elections to Kadapa Lok Sabha seat and Pulivendula assembly seat, Jagan said they were going to be a test for the people’s affection for the YSR family.
Jagan pointed out that he would never try to topple the Congress government.“ I had not done it when I had the support of 150 MLAs immediately after my father’s death, as I always believed in values in politics,” he said.
Andhra Pradesh cabinet survives major rebel trouble
The new government in Andhra Pradesh finally found its feet as the first meeting of the new Cabinet was held without hiccups. The new government had faced a crisis of sorts after the allocation of portfolios with several disgruntled ministers going into a huddle and voicing their dissent.
There was also heartburn over the fact that about 14 ministries had gone to the Reddy community and the SC/ ST and the minority communities were not given enough representation. The activities of the ‘ disgruntled’ ministers reached a zenith in the afternoon as they decided to stay away from the first cabinet meeting, thus creating doubts about the very existence of the government.
However, the party high command intervened immediately and several frantic phone calls were made to dissident ministers. Chief Minister N Kiran’s friends in the cabinet also persuaded the ‘ rebels’ to calm down and attend the meeting.
Finally, the clouds of doubts that had enveloped the new Cabinet cleared and the meeting took place in the evening. However, Tourism Minister V Vasnthakumar, who had resigned from his post, stuck to his guns and stayed away. Later, Vasanthakumar released a letter in which he stated that he would soon meet party president Sonia Gandhi and explain the reasons for his conduct.
It is learnt that initially at least 10 senior ministers had voiced their unhappiness over their portfolios amid indications that they too could quit. A group of ministers and legislators from Telangana was also up in arms, as Kiran Kumar had not named a deputy chief minister despite an announcement by the central leadership. With different lobbies surfacing, pressure will mount on Kiran Kumar to reallocate the portfolios and appoint a deputy chief minister.
P. Ramachandra Reddy, one of the five ministers dropped by Kiran Kumar, has already sounded a bugle of revolt; he told reporters at Tirupati that he would now work against the chief minister. “ I will show him my strength,” he said. Hectic activity has also begun in the camp of S Jaganmohan Reddy, who recently resigned from the Congress. Jagan, the son of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister . S. Rajasekhara Reddy, is expected to soon float a new party.
There was also heartburn over the fact that about 14 ministries had gone to the Reddy community and the SC/ ST and the minority communities were not given enough representation. The activities of the ‘ disgruntled’ ministers reached a zenith in the afternoon as they decided to stay away from the first cabinet meeting, thus creating doubts about the very existence of the government.
However, the party high command intervened immediately and several frantic phone calls were made to dissident ministers. Chief Minister N Kiran’s friends in the cabinet also persuaded the ‘ rebels’ to calm down and attend the meeting.
Finally, the clouds of doubts that had enveloped the new Cabinet cleared and the meeting took place in the evening. However, Tourism Minister V Vasnthakumar, who had resigned from his post, stuck to his guns and stayed away. Later, Vasanthakumar released a letter in which he stated that he would soon meet party president Sonia Gandhi and explain the reasons for his conduct.
It is learnt that initially at least 10 senior ministers had voiced their unhappiness over their portfolios amid indications that they too could quit. A group of ministers and legislators from Telangana was also up in arms, as Kiran Kumar had not named a deputy chief minister despite an announcement by the central leadership. With different lobbies surfacing, pressure will mount on Kiran Kumar to reallocate the portfolios and appoint a deputy chief minister.
P. Ramachandra Reddy, one of the five ministers dropped by Kiran Kumar, has already sounded a bugle of revolt; he told reporters at Tirupati that he would now work against the chief minister. “ I will show him my strength,” he said. Hectic activity has also begun in the camp of S Jaganmohan Reddy, who recently resigned from the Congress. Jagan, the son of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister . S. Rajasekhara Reddy, is expected to soon float a new party.
Gadkari son wedding bash begins, entire Nagpur invited
It is said to be the biggest wedding Nagpur has ever seen with the whole town being ‘ invited’ to the reception. On Thursday, BJP chief Nitin Gadkari’s son Nikhil would marry Rutuja Phatak and while the wedding is said to be only open to close family members, the reception is said to be a grand affair with around two lakh people expected to attend.While Nikhil (24) is an MBA and heads the Purthi group of industries that is mainly into power projects and sugar mills, Rutuja ( 22) is a Sanskrit student pursuing her MA. The marriage is an arranged one with the girl’s family being said to be middle- class.
The VIP guest list is said to be too long — BJP leaders like L. K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and others have confirmed that they would be coming to give blessings to the bride and groom. The whole Sangh Parivar, like top RSS and VHP leaders will be there. Besides, nine BJP chief ministers have been invited.
However, all eyes are on whether Congress president Sonia Gandhi who has also been invited will attend the function. Gadkari’s close aides said she might not attend the reception considering that Narendra Modi and many Sangh leaders would be present.
However, others Congress allies like NCP chief Sharad Pawar would be there. Ditto goes for Amar Singh. Singh here would also bump in to his on/ off friend actor Amitabh Bachchan. Around a 100- odd MPs, actors from the Indian film industry, top industrialists and businessmen are also likely to attend.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil, too, have been invited.
The wedding will also raise eyebrows in the BJP as well as the Sangh Parivar for the latter has always stressed on austere living. The wedding, which is said to be a ‘ low- key’ affair, itself will see around 2,000 close family and friends present at the Rajwada palace, the venue.
The reception for ‘ VVIPs’ will be held at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Cricket Ground lawn at Jamtha on Friday. The venue is apt as over 20,000 VVIPs are to be expected.
On Saturday, more than two lakh people are expected to attend another reception hosted for party functionaries and other ‘ commoners’ from Nagpur and across Maharashtra.
Chiranjeevi rejects Sonia offer to join Congress
Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) chief K. Chiranjeevi on Monday turned down the offer to join the N. Kiran Kumar Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh.The PRP president received a surprise call from the Congress high command late on Sunday evening, inviting him to join the Reddy government.
After discussing with his party colleagues for on Monday, Chiranjeevi decided it was not in the party’s interest to join the cabinet at this stage since there was no immediate threat to the government. He later conveyed the decision to the chief minister.
“ We will continue to play the role of a constructive Opposition. If such a situation arises — when the Congress government falls short of majority because of resignation of Congress MLAs in support of Jaganmohan Reddy — we will think about extending support. But, there is no question of joining the government for three or four ministerial posts,” PRP spokesman B Vedavyas said.
According to PRP sources, a majority of leaders in the party’s political affairs committee felt joining the cabinet at this stage would send a wrong signal.
Seniors like Kotagiri Vidyadhar Rao advised Chiranjeevi to watch the developments for two- three months so that “ we can have better stakes if the Congress’s position worsens further”.
Rosaiah Resigns, Kiran Kumar Reddy is the new prospective Andhra CM
The summon by the Congress high command, earlier this week, to Rosaiah has taken a new turn as according to the latest news, Rosiah is resigning from the position of CM. As expeceted, congress has gone for an overhaul of the party which also includes leadership change in the state. So now, the question come who can be the next CM once Rosaiah is gone.
If sources are to be beleived, Kiran Kumar Reddy has the brighest chances to get the prestigious post of CM of Andra Pradesh. Kiran Kumar Reddy hails from Chittoo is young and energetic, also contains the best ingredients to tackle Jagan.
Second in line after Kiran is Geeta Reddy, who hails from Telangana. If she gets the chance to lay her hands onn that chair of CM of Andra, she would be first woman CM of AP, however considering the reservation factors and historical credits, chances for Geeta Reddy are slim however bright for Kiran Reddy.
If sources are to be beleived, Kiran Kumar Reddy has the brighest chances to get the prestigious post of CM of Andra Pradesh. Kiran Kumar Reddy hails from Chittoo is young and energetic, also contains the best ingredients to tackle Jagan.
Second in line after Kiran is Geeta Reddy, who hails from Telangana. If she gets the chance to lay her hands onn that chair of CM of Andra, she would be first woman CM of AP, however considering the reservation factors and historical credits, chances for Geeta Reddy are slim however bright for Kiran Reddy.
Nitish takes a dig at Lalu before Bihar Election Results
Counting of votes for the 243- member Bihar assembly election will be taken up across the state amid tight security today.
The eagerly awaited results will determine whether the Nitish Kumar- led NDA government gets an opportunity to govern the state for the second consecutive time or the Opposition led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad and the Congress manages to put an end to his eventful fiveyear tenure.
Various exit polls have forecast a resounding victory for Nitish. But his rivals have rejected the findings of the polls, saying they were meant to influence the authorities.
Lalu also accused a section of the media of playing partisan role in the election and went to the extent of saying that some of the media persons were vying for the Rajya Sabha ticket from Nitish. A visibly angry Lalu said the media had failed to report on the election in a free and fair manner and would face a loss of face after the poll results.
“ It is a dangerous trend for democracy that the media has become a party to the game of poll battle,” Lalu said.But Nitish said Lalu’s criticism of the media following the results of the exit polls was not justified.
“ In my opinion, Laluji has remained in the maximum focus of the media over the years,” Nitish said. “ I think he has been the poster boy of the media.” He said that Lalu himself was responsible for the situation he was in today. Refusing to be swayed by the exit poll results, Nitish said he is waiting for the results of the polls like an ordinary citizen.
The stage is set for the counting of votes for the 243 assembly seats and Banka Lok Sabha by- election. The votes will be counted at 42 centres spread across the state. Altogether 3,523 candidates, including 308 women, are trying their luck in this election. Of these, the Congress had fielded its candidates from all the seats while the Janata Dal- United (JDU) and the BJP had put up 141 and 102 candidates, respectively.
The RJD and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) had 168 and 75 nominees in the six- phase election spread over one month.There are 1,324 Independent candidates in the fray as well.
The final results of the assembly polls are expected to be announced by afternoon while the trends will start coming in around 10 in the morning.
Prominent among those whose fate will be decided on Wednesday are former chief minister Rabri Devi — she is contesting from Raghopur and Sonepur — besides a host of NDA ministers like Ashwini Choube, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Prem Kumar, Damodar Rout, Renu Kumari, Awadesh Narayan Singh, Nand Kishore Yadav, Renu Kuhwaha, Narendra Narayan Yadav, Hari Narayan Rai and Gautam Singh.
The state presidents of JD- U, RJD, LJP and the Congress — Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Pashupati Kumar Paras and Mehboob Ali Kaiser, respectively — are also in the fray.
Late MP Digvijay Singh’s widow Putul Kumari is contesting as an Independent from Banka in the Lok Sabha by- election necessitated by the death of her husband earlier this year. The Nitish government held its final cabinet meeting on Tuesday and decided to recommend dissolution of the state assembly on Wednesday. The Nitish government had come to power in Bihar in November 2005 after the NDA won 143 seats, bringing to an end the 15- year long tenure of the Lalu- led RJD.
The eagerly awaited results will determine whether the Nitish Kumar- led NDA government gets an opportunity to govern the state for the second consecutive time or the Opposition led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad and the Congress manages to put an end to his eventful fiveyear tenure.
Various exit polls have forecast a resounding victory for Nitish. But his rivals have rejected the findings of the polls, saying they were meant to influence the authorities.
Lalu also accused a section of the media of playing partisan role in the election and went to the extent of saying that some of the media persons were vying for the Rajya Sabha ticket from Nitish. A visibly angry Lalu said the media had failed to report on the election in a free and fair manner and would face a loss of face after the poll results.
“ It is a dangerous trend for democracy that the media has become a party to the game of poll battle,” Lalu said.But Nitish said Lalu’s criticism of the media following the results of the exit polls was not justified.
“ In my opinion, Laluji has remained in the maximum focus of the media over the years,” Nitish said. “ I think he has been the poster boy of the media.” He said that Lalu himself was responsible for the situation he was in today. Refusing to be swayed by the exit poll results, Nitish said he is waiting for the results of the polls like an ordinary citizen.
The stage is set for the counting of votes for the 243 assembly seats and Banka Lok Sabha by- election. The votes will be counted at 42 centres spread across the state. Altogether 3,523 candidates, including 308 women, are trying their luck in this election. Of these, the Congress had fielded its candidates from all the seats while the Janata Dal- United (JDU) and the BJP had put up 141 and 102 candidates, respectively.
The RJD and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) had 168 and 75 nominees in the six- phase election spread over one month.There are 1,324 Independent candidates in the fray as well.
The final results of the assembly polls are expected to be announced by afternoon while the trends will start coming in around 10 in the morning.
Prominent among those whose fate will be decided on Wednesday are former chief minister Rabri Devi — she is contesting from Raghopur and Sonepur — besides a host of NDA ministers like Ashwini Choube, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Prem Kumar, Damodar Rout, Renu Kumari, Awadesh Narayan Singh, Nand Kishore Yadav, Renu Kuhwaha, Narendra Narayan Yadav, Hari Narayan Rai and Gautam Singh.
The state presidents of JD- U, RJD, LJP and the Congress — Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Pashupati Kumar Paras and Mehboob Ali Kaiser, respectively — are also in the fray.
Late MP Digvijay Singh’s widow Putul Kumari is contesting as an Independent from Banka in the Lok Sabha by- election necessitated by the death of her husband earlier this year. The Nitish government held its final cabinet meeting on Tuesday and decided to recommend dissolution of the state assembly on Wednesday. The Nitish government had come to power in Bihar in November 2005 after the NDA won 143 seats, bringing to an end the 15- year long tenure of the Lalu- led RJD.
Congress high command summons Rosaiah against Jagan
The Congress high command on Monday summoned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah to New Delhi, amid speculations that it might go in for an overhaul of the party, including leadership change in the state.
The central leadership is all set to take disciplinary action against party MP from Kadapa YS Jaganmohan Reddy, whose media houses carried reports openly targeting party president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Rosaiah was in the Puttaparthi town of Anantapur district to attend the birthday celebrations of religious leader Sathya Sai Baba, along with the PM, when he received the call from Sonia's political secretary Ahmed Patel.
Sources said the central leadership summoned Rosaiah to discuss the possible fallout in the event of expulsion of Jaganmohan Reddy from the party. He is expected to leave for Delhi on Tuesday.
There were also speculations that Rosaiah might offer to step down as chief minister in the wake of Jagan’s attack.
“ Sonia Gandhi might go in for a change of guard if she thinks Rosaiah may not be able to tackle Jagan after his expulsion.
The situation that is likely to emerge in Telangana, following submission of Srikrishna Committee report after December 31, will be another factor,” sources said.
Party sources said if the high command asks Rosaiah to continue, he would seek permission to reshuffle his cabinet.
At present, he is continuing with the cabinet appointed by his predecessor Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, despite a couple of ministers openly supporting Jagan's leadership.
Meanwhile, Jagan’s followers, under the banner of Jagan Yuva Sena, took out demonstrations in several parts of the state. They burnt effigies of Jagan’s detractors, including that of the chief minister.
The central leadership is all set to take disciplinary action against party MP from Kadapa YS Jaganmohan Reddy, whose media houses carried reports openly targeting party president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Rosaiah was in the Puttaparthi town of Anantapur district to attend the birthday celebrations of religious leader Sathya Sai Baba, along with the PM, when he received the call from Sonia's political secretary Ahmed Patel.
Sources said the central leadership summoned Rosaiah to discuss the possible fallout in the event of expulsion of Jaganmohan Reddy from the party. He is expected to leave for Delhi on Tuesday.
There were also speculations that Rosaiah might offer to step down as chief minister in the wake of Jagan’s attack.
“ Sonia Gandhi might go in for a change of guard if she thinks Rosaiah may not be able to tackle Jagan after his expulsion.
The situation that is likely to emerge in Telangana, following submission of Srikrishna Committee report after December 31, will be another factor,” sources said.
Party sources said if the high command asks Rosaiah to continue, he would seek permission to reshuffle his cabinet.
At present, he is continuing with the cabinet appointed by his predecessor Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, despite a couple of ministers openly supporting Jagan's leadership.
Meanwhile, Jagan’s followers, under the banner of Jagan Yuva Sena, took out demonstrations in several parts of the state. They burnt effigies of Jagan’s detractors, including that of the chief minister.
Subramanian Swamy is no friend of 2G Raja
Thankfully for Indian journalists, Subramanian Swamy, who is in hot pursuit of former telecom minister A. Raja in the 2G spectrum scam, doesn’t often break into Mandarin — a language he is fluent in.The 71- year- old Janata Party leader is at equal ease in Hindi, English and, of course, Tamil. And this has helped the Harvard economist survive many a storm ever since he entered the quicksand of Indian politics in 1975, when he rose as a diehard opponent of the Emergency.
Else, it was hard to visualise someone, who lacks the charisma of some of his contemporaries, winning parliamentary elections from places as diverse as Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
There aren’t many who would take on Swamy on his economics which he picked up in the company of giants like Simon Kuznets and Paul A. Samuelson. But still fewer can dare to take on the Tamil Brahmin on the political turf because he is deft at giving a real tough time to his opponents. It is said of the former law minister that if he speaks 10 sentences exposing a conspiracy or a scandal, only two could be true.
But that’s fair enough given that when Swamy hits, he hits really hard. A lot lies behind his eversmiling face too and most of it is unpredictable. At times, Swamy shines as a proponent of Hindutva and then excels as a bitter critic of Sonia Gandhi. If that were not enough, he has also been a vocal opponent of the LTTE and a crusader against the possible misuse of EVMs.
An authority on the comparative study of India and China, Swamy is said to have convinced Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping to open the pilgrimage route to Kailash Mansarovar through Tibet.
Though married to Supreme Court advocate Roxna, Swamy has often chose to argue his cases without the help of lawyers. His two daughters — one of them a TV journalist — know that quite well! ’
Prithviraj Chavan replaced Ashok Chavan as Maharashtra New Chief Minister
When it seemed like Maharashtra agriculture minister Balasaheb Thorat with clean image going to bag the title of Maharashtra Chief Minister, Congress again played a triumph card and announced today that Prithviraj Chavan will be the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra.Three names were considered for the post — minister of state in the PMO’s office Prithviraj Chavan, Mukul Wasnik and Maharashtra agriculture minister Balasaheb Thorat, however in the end, Chavan emerged as the winner. The only trouble with Chavan was his willingness to take up the assignment as his names has been recommended for the post at every leadership meet over the last eight years.
He reportedly told some party members that he is better off in the PMO as the Maharashtra Congress is ridden with factionalism and a host of other problems."It’s a thankless job. You are always on tenterhook because of the various Congress factions. There is also the headache of ensuring that the coalition partner, Nationalist Congress Party, is kept happy", one of the senior Congress leader said.
However, Prithviraj Chavan has taken up the new assignment and would be required to handle all the stuff and keep party high command and Maharashtrians content.
Obama speech in Indian Parliament is a welcome change
US President Barack Obama’s rousing speech in Parliament on Monday, though filled with pronunciation gaffes, should go down as one of his landmark speeches. It was strong, spoke to India as a partner and an equal, but also had some strong words of advice for a nation that is now getting its due on the world stage.
India must listen to the wise words of President Obama not because he is supposedly the second most powerful person in the world, but because it laid out a clear path for India’s policy making and the objectives it is supposed to achieve. His strong rebuke of India’s hesitance to remark on human rights abuses anywhere in the world saying it is that particular internal issue should be heeded. India cannot call itself a champion of democracy when it does not condemn the murder of democracy in other countries.
Obama also made some strong statement on India’s inclusion in the United Nations Security Council as a permanent member and indeed on the issue of bringing the perpetrators of 26/ 11 to justice. These are not tall words that mean little.
These words were an assertion of India’s growing influence on the world state and the American President’s acceptance of the same. India cannot remain isolated in a South Asian or an Asian environment when the rest of the world, especially China, takes great strides forward on various issues.
By dehyphenating India and Pakistan, the US has told the world that it should not judge India with its relationship with its troublesome western neighbour.
That alone is a big step forward.
India must listen to the wise words of President Obama not because he is supposedly the second most powerful person in the world, but because it laid out a clear path for India’s policy making and the objectives it is supposed to achieve. His strong rebuke of India’s hesitance to remark on human rights abuses anywhere in the world saying it is that particular internal issue should be heeded. India cannot call itself a champion of democracy when it does not condemn the murder of democracy in other countries.
Obama also made some strong statement on India’s inclusion in the United Nations Security Council as a permanent member and indeed on the issue of bringing the perpetrators of 26/ 11 to justice. These are not tall words that mean little.
These words were an assertion of India’s growing influence on the world state and the American President’s acceptance of the same. India cannot remain isolated in a South Asian or an Asian environment when the rest of the world, especially China, takes great strides forward on various issues.
By dehyphenating India and Pakistan, the US has told the world that it should not judge India with its relationship with its troublesome western neighbour.
That alone is a big step forward.
Chavan fate to be decided after Obama trip
The Congress brass is likely to take a decision on Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan’s continuance in office only after US President Barack Obama’s India visit ends on November 9.
Apart from Obama’s visit, the TINA factor (ie, there is no alternative) is said to be helping the CM, who had offered to resign three days ago after the Adarsh Housing Society scam broke.
Sources said Chavan has handed over a report to the party brass detailing the involvement of other party bigwigs in a bid to clear the taint on him. The CM, who is expected to attend the AICC session on Tuesday, is understood to have communicated to a senior leader that it was okay with him if the high command decided to sack him but added the matter may not end there.
Sources said Chavan implied that he had acted based on orders from (heavy industries minister) Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was forced to quit as chief minister in the wake of 26/ 11.
The Deshmukh camp, in turn, suspects Chavan furnished certain documents to select journalists on Sunday to drag him into the controversy. Deshmukh also hit back through the media, alleging that Chavan had agreed to amend certain bye- laws when he was revenue minister.
According to sources, the party high command has issued a gag order against both leaders.
Amid these developments, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday held consultations with finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and defence minister A. K. Atnony, who are probing the scam. Sources said developments in Maharashtra and Tuesday’s AICC session were discussed at the meeting.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai North and Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam has alleged the involvement of Shiv Sena and NDA ministers in the scam.
He demanded an inquiry and claimed the first clearance for the project was given by Shiv Sena ministers in the NDA government in 1999. Then the environment minister was Sena leader Suresh Prabhu while the defence minister was George Fernandes.
Apart from Obama’s visit, the TINA factor (ie, there is no alternative) is said to be helping the CM, who had offered to resign three days ago after the Adarsh Housing Society scam broke.
Sources said Chavan has handed over a report to the party brass detailing the involvement of other party bigwigs in a bid to clear the taint on him. The CM, who is expected to attend the AICC session on Tuesday, is understood to have communicated to a senior leader that it was okay with him if the high command decided to sack him but added the matter may not end there.
Sources said Chavan implied that he had acted based on orders from (heavy industries minister) Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was forced to quit as chief minister in the wake of 26/ 11.
The Deshmukh camp, in turn, suspects Chavan furnished certain documents to select journalists on Sunday to drag him into the controversy. Deshmukh also hit back through the media, alleging that Chavan had agreed to amend certain bye- laws when he was revenue minister.
According to sources, the party high command has issued a gag order against both leaders.
Amid these developments, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday held consultations with finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and defence minister A. K. Atnony, who are probing the scam. Sources said developments in Maharashtra and Tuesday’s AICC session were discussed at the meeting.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai North and Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam has alleged the involvement of Shiv Sena and NDA ministers in the scam.
He demanded an inquiry and claimed the first clearance for the project was given by Shiv Sena ministers in the NDA government in 1999. Then the environment minister was Sena leader Suresh Prabhu while the defence minister was George Fernandes.
Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) Election Result : Shiv Sena - MNS neck to neck
The first phase counting of Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) Election 2010 are on and there is no clear picture on the winner of these results. As per the latest news, poll turn out was around 46% and out of 107 seats, Congress has won on 14 seats where as arch rivals Shiv Sena & MNS are going neck to neck with 12 & 11 seats respectively.
As per the sources, 4 leaders Ram Kadam; MNS MLA from Ghatkopar; Ramesh Walanj; MNS leader from Pune; Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena leader and Sanjeev Naik, MP, NCP were found to be present in Kalyan Dombivli, after which police immediately issued notices to them asking them to leave the city.
BJP has 4 seats, NCP bagged 1 where as independent candidates have 4 seats so far. Counting is still going on and updated results would be out shortly. More than Shiv Sena or MNS, Congress has been the surprising element so far as the recent Adarsh Society scam have been the talk to town and the current CM with all the previous chief ministers could not stop their names to be involved in the scam.
As per the sources, 4 leaders Ram Kadam; MNS MLA from Ghatkopar; Ramesh Walanj; MNS leader from Pune; Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena leader and Sanjeev Naik, MP, NCP were found to be present in Kalyan Dombivli, after which police immediately issued notices to them asking them to leave the city.
BJP has 4 seats, NCP bagged 1 where as independent candidates have 4 seats so far. Counting is still going on and updated results would be out shortly. More than Shiv Sena or MNS, Congress has been the surprising element so far as the recent Adarsh Society scam have been the talk to town and the current CM with all the previous chief ministers could not stop their names to be involved in the scam.
Kerala Election Results 2010 on www.trend.kerala.gov.in
Kerala Municipal Corporation election results has provided major setback to the ruling Left Democratic Front after the opposition Congress - led United Democratic Front (UDF) won two out of the four city corporations.
In Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam Corporations, both fronts are engaged in a neck-and-neck race. The election result of the crucial Kozhikode corporation will be announced on October 31, however in village panchayats, the Left Front continued to maintain an upper hand.
All the information related election results can be checked on the election official website on www.trend.kerala.gov.in. The counting held at 216 counting centres at block and corporation or municipality levels. Around 1.23 crore voters casted their votes in the second stage for the 12,374 positions in 698 local self-government bodies.
In Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam Corporations, both fronts are engaged in a neck-and-neck race. The election result of the crucial Kozhikode corporation will be announced on October 31, however in village panchayats, the Left Front continued to maintain an upper hand.
All the information related election results can be checked on the election official website on www.trend.kerala.gov.in. The counting held at 216 counting centres at block and corporation or municipality levels. Around 1.23 crore voters casted their votes in the second stage for the 12,374 positions in 698 local self-government bodies.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani & Arundhati Roy Comments may book them for sedition
Jammu & Kashmir separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and activist Arundhati Roy could be booked for their anti- India speeches in Delhi last week. A case has been made out in this regard but action will be taken only after a political consensus is reached, informed government sources.
“ Delhi Police have got legal opinion that a case under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which is sedition, is made out against the speakers at the Convention on Kashmir at LPT Auditorium near Mandi House on October 21. A criminal case can hence be lodged. But we are waiting for a political decision on this… as it might be construed in certain political quarters that unnecessary importance and leverage is being given to such elements by way of this action,” a source in the government said on Monday.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is out of the country on a tour and a decision could perhaps be taken after he returns. Under sedition, if convicted, one can get a sentence of up to life imprisonment. The IPC does not apply to J& K but since Geelani made the speech in Delhi, he can be charged under IPC, the source said.
Geelani has already been put under house arrest following his return to Srinagar. Delhi Police, though, are hesitant to register a case against Geelani and Roy and will only carry out the order if they get the nod from the Centre.
“ Delhi Police have got legal opinion that a case under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which is sedition, is made out against the speakers at the Convention on Kashmir at LPT Auditorium near Mandi House on October 21. A criminal case can hence be lodged. But we are waiting for a political decision on this… as it might be construed in certain political quarters that unnecessary importance and leverage is being given to such elements by way of this action,” a source in the government said on Monday.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is out of the country on a tour and a decision could perhaps be taken after he returns. Under sedition, if convicted, one can get a sentence of up to life imprisonment. The IPC does not apply to J& K but since Geelani made the speech in Delhi, he can be charged under IPC, the source said.
Geelani has already been put under house arrest following his return to Srinagar. Delhi Police, though, are hesitant to register a case against Geelani and Roy and will only carry out the order if they get the nod from the Centre.
Bihar Elections - Opinion Polls favors Nitish Kumar
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has reason to smile on the eve of the first phase of Assembly elections. All the prepoll opinion surveys show that the ruling Janata Dal (United)- Bharatiya Janata Party alliance will retain power in the state.
Three such exercises — conducted by Star News-A C Nielson, The Week-C Voter and the Sahara News Network — have shown the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government way ahead of its rivals. What’s more, Nitish has emerged as the most preferred chief ministerial candidate of Bihar’s 5.5-crore electorate.
According to the Star-Nielson poll, a landslide victory awaits the JD (U)-BJP alliance with a staggering tally of 170 seats in the 243- member Assembly. It has been predicted that the JD-U and BJP will get 120 and 50 seats, respectively.
The survey shows that the Rashtriya Janata Dal-Lok Janshakti Party combine is in for a near-rout as it will manage to bag only 34 seats together. It says Lalu Prasad’s RJD will win only 28 seats — well below the 54-mark that it had reached last time — while his alliance partner Ram Vilas Paswan’s party will have to be content with just six seats. The opinion poll, however, has predicted 22 seats for the Congress, which had won only nine seats last time.
To get a simple majority in Bihar, a party or an alliance needs 122 seats. The poll also says that 73 per cent voters were satisfied with the performance of both the state government and the CM.
Thankfully for Lalu and Paswan, The Week-C Voter survey does not predict a huge victory for the NDA. It says that the JD (U)-BJP alliance will fall short of a simple majority by 11 seats, but manage to stay ahead of the RJD-LJP as well as the Congress. The survey has predicted 61-67 seats for JD-U, which had won 89 seats in the previous Assembly polls in 2005. It says that the BJP, which had won 55 seats last time, will get between 49 and 55 seats.
The survey, however, says that the RJD will improve its 2005 tally of 54 seats to 70-76 seats, while the LJP will get 7-13 seats. The survey points out that the antiincumbency factor could be behind this, but it also states that the popularity of Nitish has not diminished because of this.
The Week-C Voter survey says that Nitish remains the most preferred chief ministerial candidate, with 57 per cent people voting for him. Lalu is a distant second with only 21 per cent. Unsurprisingly, the opinion polls have elicited a sharp reaction from Lalu. “The surveys are manipulated,” he said.
Three such exercises — conducted by Star News-A C Nielson, The Week-C Voter and the Sahara News Network — have shown the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government way ahead of its rivals. What’s more, Nitish has emerged as the most preferred chief ministerial candidate of Bihar’s 5.5-crore electorate.
According to the Star-Nielson poll, a landslide victory awaits the JD (U)-BJP alliance with a staggering tally of 170 seats in the 243- member Assembly. It has been predicted that the JD-U and BJP will get 120 and 50 seats, respectively.
The survey shows that the Rashtriya Janata Dal-Lok Janshakti Party combine is in for a near-rout as it will manage to bag only 34 seats together. It says Lalu Prasad’s RJD will win only 28 seats — well below the 54-mark that it had reached last time — while his alliance partner Ram Vilas Paswan’s party will have to be content with just six seats. The opinion poll, however, has predicted 22 seats for the Congress, which had won only nine seats last time.
To get a simple majority in Bihar, a party or an alliance needs 122 seats. The poll also says that 73 per cent voters were satisfied with the performance of both the state government and the CM.
Thankfully for Lalu and Paswan, The Week-C Voter survey does not predict a huge victory for the NDA. It says that the JD (U)-BJP alliance will fall short of a simple majority by 11 seats, but manage to stay ahead of the RJD-LJP as well as the Congress. The survey has predicted 61-67 seats for JD-U, which had won 89 seats in the previous Assembly polls in 2005. It says that the BJP, which had won 55 seats last time, will get between 49 and 55 seats.
The survey, however, says that the RJD will improve its 2005 tally of 54 seats to 70-76 seats, while the LJP will get 7-13 seats. The survey points out that the antiincumbency factor could be behind this, but it also states that the popularity of Nitish has not diminished because of this.
The Week-C Voter survey says that Nitish remains the most preferred chief ministerial candidate, with 57 per cent people voting for him. Lalu is a distant second with only 21 per cent. Unsurprisingly, the opinion polls have elicited a sharp reaction from Lalu. “The surveys are manipulated,” he said.
Bihar election campaign in Durga Puja pandals
Durga Puja was celebrated with gaiety under the shadow of assembly polls in Bihar this year. Most of the state leaders who used to visit puja pandals every year stayed away from the festivities this time.
With the first phase of the elections scheduled to be held on October 21, leaders like Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan preferred to address election rallies in different parts of the state.
Nitish, in fact, chose to stay in the Kosi region for six days. Lalu and Paswan also remained busy in canvassing support for the candidates of their alliance rather than paying obeisance to the Goddess at any pandal in Patna.
As a result, the puja festivities were quieter here than the last year. But the puja organisers did not forget to depict the poll campaign scenario through various cartoons put up at different pandals.
Apart from showing the rat race of Bihar politicians for the chief minister’s chair, the cartoons also showed the high- voltage drama enacted by the ticket hopefuls at different party headquarters. The puja revellers made a beeline for all those pandals where such cartoons had been put on display.
With the first phase of the elections scheduled to be held on October 21, leaders like Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan preferred to address election rallies in different parts of the state.
Nitish, in fact, chose to stay in the Kosi region for six days. Lalu and Paswan also remained busy in canvassing support for the candidates of their alliance rather than paying obeisance to the Goddess at any pandal in Patna.
As a result, the puja festivities were quieter here than the last year. But the puja organisers did not forget to depict the poll campaign scenario through various cartoons put up at different pandals.
Apart from showing the rat race of Bihar politicians for the chief minister’s chair, the cartoons also showed the high- voltage drama enacted by the ticket hopefuls at different party headquarters. The puja revellers made a beeline for all those pandals where such cartoons had been put on display.
AIADMK Supremo Jayalalithaa Rally in Madurai, Telecast on Jaya TV
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) supremo Jayalalithaa will address a protest rally against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Madurai today.The temple town is the bastion of the DMK strongman and union chemicals minister MK Alagiri. There have been about a dozen death threats to Jayalalalitha to stay away from Madurai but she has ignored them.There is heavy security in place in Madurai.
A 1,000-strong squad of 'Black Cats' comprising AIADMK workers from here would provide 'foolproof' security to their leader. Ahead of the assembly polls next year Jayalalithaa is already on campaign mode.
She is trying to strengthen her party following a series of desertions by AIADMK leaders and her party's drubbing in the assembly by-polls. The group consists of 1000 people. The force will accompany Jayalalithaa from the airport to the venue and will give her full proof security. Meanwhile, State administration has strengthened security around the temple town fearing political clashes.
Jaya TV had also received a threatening phone call, reportedly from a supporter of the banned LTTE outfit, warning Jayalalithaa that she would be killed if she visited Madurai.
The AIADMK chief had received fourteen threatening letters and one phone call since the receipt of the first letter by Jaya TV on August 28. The government had already handed over the investigation of the threat letters to the CBI.
Aditya Thackeray : Sena grandson makes his debut
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray may have criticised the Congress for encouraging dynastic politics, but his grandson Aditya made a subtle official entry into the political arena.Aditya will lead the newly formed youth organisation Yuva Sena. Sena functionaries said the move was designed to counter Raj Thackeray, who is popular among the youth.
In many ways, Aditya’s entry was unspoken but the signals were clear. This was the first time he was seen seated next to his grandfather at the Sena’s annual rally in Shivaji Park.
In a symbolic gesture, Aditya kneeled down before his grandfather and accepted a sword from him. The sword was later unsheathed for the benefit of the crowd and the press.
Aditya’s entry has been hastened because of a realisation in Matoshree that Uddhav has not been effective in combating his cousin Raj, whose Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party has been steadily eating into Sena votes.
“ Aditya’s entry will ensure that even after Bala saheb , the party’s reigns will remain in the hands of Uddhav and his family,” a Sena leader said.
Thackeray, however, denied he was promoting ‘dynastic politics’. “ I didn’t bring my son ( Uddhav) into politics. The party had made the decision.
I am against dynastic politics and will not allow it in the Sena,” he said.
Thackeray also lambasted the Congress, calling it a party of eunuchs for having accepted Sonia Gandhi, an Italian, as chief. He also lambasted Rahul Gandhi and Omar Abdullah saying they were not fit to lead.
The Sena chief also spoke on Rohington Mistry’s book Such a long Journey . “ The ban was right as the book was objectionable. It contained passages that were vulgar,” he said.
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