PolitiClone: April 2011

PAC: Cong pleased; BJP confused, angry

2:20 AM

New Delhi: The turmoil over the draft report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament is turning out to be a case of confusion worse confounded. People, including the media, are not sure as to what is going on in one of the most important committees which scrutinises every rupee that the government spends after the approval of parliament.

PAC: Cong pleased; BJP confused, angry

The UPA government, which is fighting the 2G spectrum issue on several fronts, must be feeling quite relieved at the skirmish inside the PAC along party lines, something that is both unprecdented and unseemly.
Three key questions are doing the rounds.
One, who leaked the draft report? Union information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said she is going to order a probe into the leak of what is considered to be a secret document.
Meanwhile, Congress and the BJP are blaming each other. On Wednesday, PAC member K.Sambasiva Rao of the Congress said that the draft report was being shown on the 'Headlines Today' news channel even before it reached the homes of the members. A Congress spokesperson was less categorical and was curious as to who leaked it. Her assumption, of course, is that it is someone from the BJP. The BJP is certain that it was Congress members who leaked the story because there is no reason for the BJP to do so.

PAC: Cong pleased; BJP confused, angry

Two, who benefits from the leak? The Congress is maintaining strict neutrality and silence over the consequences of the leaked report. Does it make things tougher for the government or can it breathe easy now? Congress members are unable to hide their sense of happiness at the outcome of the leaked report though they are maintaining discreet silence. "It is for the committee to decide," said one of them.
The BJP now wants to use the draft report as a means to corner the government yet again on the 2G scam issue. It is also forced to support PAC chairman Joshi now. The irony is that it was the BJP that had insisted on the formation of the JPC, and the Congress members who had argued that the PAC was already looking into the matter and there is no need for another committee.
The third question is about the status of the draft report and its future. One of the Congress members of the PAC said that the draft report had been rejected on Thursday, and there are no further meetings of the present committee which winds up on April 30 and that it is for the new committee, which starts functioning from May 2, to take a decision.
The Congress-DMK strategy seems to have been to stall the attempt of the Joshi to finalise the report before the term of the present commitee ends and they believe that they have succeeded.

Unpatriotic Vajpayee govt released Purulia accused: Cong

1:24 AM

The Congress on Thursday accused Left parties, especially the Communist Party of India-Marxist, of inaction in taking follow-up steps after Purulia arms drop case accused Kim Davy claimed the incident was the result of attempts by political forces at the Centre to destabilise the then Marxist government in West Bengal .

Amid the poll campaign in the state, Congress general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said that four to five months after the incident occurred, the United Front which was backed by the Left parties was in power at the Centre and Communist Party of India leaders Indrajit Gupta was the Union home minister.

"We would like to know what persons like Prakash Karat , Sitaram Yechury , Gurudas Dasgupta did when Indrajit Gupta was the home minister", he said. He said the National Democratic Alliance was also in power later and they also owe some responsibility. Besides, he said, Davy, who has "suddenly" given the interview, should surrender to the authority.

Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan sought to put the Vajpayee government in the dock alleging it had taken the "most unpatriotic" decision to release another Purulia arms drop accused Peter Bleach, a former British army pilot. "The BJP has not explained why it gave presidential pardon to Bleach and allowed him to go. It has to answer to the nation why it did not take Bleach's case to the logical conclusion despite the fact that he had committed treason," she said.

The BJP denied the Congress charge that it had allowed Bleach to go free when the NDA was in power. "When were the arms dropped? The Narasimha Rao government was there. As far as Bleach is concerned, he was convicted to five or seven years in jail. He was released later. This in no ways explains or justifies that it was collusion between two intelligence agencies and the Indian government encouraged it to destabilise a democratically elected government," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

"We may have our reservations about the Left government in West Bengal but how can the government permit collusion between two intelligence agencies to permit arms drop intended to destablise a democratically elected government," he asked. "If this claim is true, it is very depressing, disturbing, and deeply condemnable."

Purulia case, a political game to destabalise Left: Karat

Left parties said the statement by Davy confirmed that there was "a well-planned conspiracy" in 1995 to use violence to topple the Left Front government in West Bengal.

CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat said, "All investigation at that time showed that this was a conspiracy which had international ramifications and an internal dimension. It was a political game to destabilise the Left Front government by many forces."

"The government should explain why when the British intelligence informed them and this was confirmed by Peter Bleach no action was taken to stop it," Karat said.

His colleague Sitaram Yechury said Davy's statement "completely confirms and vindicates CPIM's assertions over the past 15 years that the arms drop was planned to destabilise the duly-elected Left Front government. There was direct involvement of the Centre in it as was done in the case of Tripura earlier.

"Chidambaram, who has been accusing the Left, must answer as to how the then Congress government facilitated, sanctioned and permitted such a huge arms drop to topple an elected government," Yechury said.

CPI National Secretary D Raja said the then Congress government had tried to implement a "nefarious and sinister design" to topple the Left Front government. "We demand that the government should order a high-level inquiry into this," he said.

Davy, the prime accused in Purulia arms drop case, claimed to Times Now TV channel that the then P V Narasimha Rao government had plotted the operation to destablise the West Bengal government by arming the locals in West Bengal. He also claimed India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) had planned the operation with the help of its British counterpart MI-5 on directions.

The government has rejected Davy's claims.

Mamata accuses CPM of looting crores in West Bengal

12:29 AM

Mamata Banerjee

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee the candidate for Belgachiya-Kashipur assembly constituency during a rally in Kolkata. (PTI)
Kolkata, Apr 22 : Accusing the ruling CPI(M) of having "looted crores" in West Bengal over the last three decades, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today said all "dirty deals" would be probed if her party comes to power.
"When we assume responsibility, all dirty deals and overall financial mess will be looked into," Banerjee said, stressing that democracy and people will be the focus of her party.
In an interview in the midst of her hectic campaigning, 56-year-old Banerjee rubbished charges that black money was used to fund the Trinamool campaign in the state.
"What is the credibility of the CPI(M) and the people making these allegations? The CPI(M) should be the last to talk about corruption," she said when pointed out that the Left has made corruption, especially the 2G and Commonwealth Games scams, a major poll issue.
"Those who have looted crores of rupees from all corners of Bengal in the last three decades are making wild accusations without any basis. The people will decide who is telling the truth and who is making these desperate allegations," she said.
The CPI-M had asked the Election Commission to take measures in checking alleged use of black money by the Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal Assembly elections, saying there was already evidence of use of illegal money in the state.
Banerjee pooh poohed West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's claim that the Trinamool Congress had no policy and that the Left was the only alternative to the Left.
"That is the same Chief Minister who gave us Singur. That is the same Chief Minister who gave us Nandigram. That is the same Chief Minister who is now saying sorry for his previous misdeeds. After Singur I do not think the people will believe him if he says that he is pro farmer and pro worker."
On CPI(M)'s campaign that law and order would deteriorate in the event of the Trinamool and Congress alliance coming to power and that women would not be able to venture out onto the streets, the TC chief said, "This is a regime during whose time innocent girls were raped, mothers lost their sons, daughters their fathers, wives their husbands.
"Netai massacre, Kashipur massacre, Sainbari massacre, the list is long. Thousands of our party workers have been killed. Bengal longs for peace. The people of Bengal know that the shortest way to bring lasting peace is not through the CPI(M)... they will only trust the Trinamool Congress. We will definitely ensure that the law and order situation in the state is good," she said.
Asked if the Railway ministry would continue to remain with the party in the event of her becoming the CM, she replied in the affirmative.
"The Railway Ministry will remain with our party after the elections. So, all projects and plans that were announced will be completed on time," she said.

India's vanishing Communists

1:06 AM

Red and buried

Two state elections bring India’s once-powerful Marxists to their knees

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA

The people’s flag is deeply shred
RED flags flutter. Hammers and sickles are daubed in lurid colours by the roadside. Placards of plump, bearded leaders—Marxist answers to Father Christmas—are propped near coconut palms. At an election tour in the southern state of Kerala, crowds of Communists are putting on a dutiful show of support. Yet few expect to see their party back in office next month.
The comrades are out to hear Prakash Karat, their grey-haired general secretary who counts, by the geriatric standards of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), as relatively youthful. He sets no hearts racing. At rally after rally desultory applause meets his comments on food inflation and graft, promises of subsidised rice and swipes at the “bourgeois” Congress party.
His message is dated. India’s economy is racing ahead and the bourgeoisie is thriving. A claim that “only India’s 59 dollar-billionaires” are prospering rings false: anyway, many in the audience are too busy fiddling with their mobile phones to pay it much heed. Keralites prosper from globalisation: one-in-four households has a relative toiling in the Gulf. “We are a consumption state, cashing 20,000 crore rupees ($4.5 billion) each year from migrant relatives” points out Gopa Kumar, a professor at the local university.
Voting took place on April 13th and the Communists are likely to be kicked out. Christians and Muslims, with nearly half Kerala’s population, have swung against them over a botched attempt to cap fees at privately run religious schools. Keralites, India’s best educated people, are famously crotchety and like to boot their incumbents out. The Reds have run the state for 28 of the past 54 years, mostly alternating with the Congress party since 1957, when Kerala became the world’s first parliamentary state (tiny San Marino aside) to vote communists into office.
More painful is their pending defeat in West Bengal, which, with 91m people, is bigger than Germany. The Communists have run it non-stop since 1977, with large majorities. That spell should end after a staggered series of polls that began on April 18th. Over 80% turnout that day and long queues of voters in the north suggest Bengali voters are hungry for change.
A high-ranking party leader concedes “the odds are against us”: people are fed up with the chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, better known as “Buddhababu”. The Marxists held West Bengal mostly thanks to farmers, who have long been grateful for land reforms in the late 1970s. But hostility to business, the collapse of textile factories, and labour and capital flight have all battered industry.
As Bengalis grew desperate for jobs beyond the paddies, so Buddhababu shifted, telling outsiders after 2006 how fond he was of trade and asking investors like Tata Motors to set up in the state, once the capital of India’s car industry. But his efforts got nowhere. Bungled attempts to grab land, and protests by farmers, scared Tata and others away.
His fate looks likely to be sealed by a pact between the Congress and Trinamul Congress parties who have united (just about) behind the national railways minister, Mamata Banerjee. If the Communists lose, the only remaining Red state will be little Tripura, a poor and neglected patch of 3.6m people wedged behind Bangladesh in the far north-east. That marks a dramatic collapse in fortunes. Just three years ago the Communists had a power-sharing deal with the national government and were strong in parliament and state assemblies.
Their failures are mostly local. Mr Karat admits to feeling “boxed in”. The party cannot appeal to identity politics, because the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) draws Hindu nationalists and regional leaders such as Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh rally low-caste backers. And judged on policies, the Communists are being squeezed by Congress’s left-leaning plans for an expanded welfare state.
Tactically, too, they have erred. They could have joined the Congress-led national government in 2004, promoted young leaders and taken charge of welfare, argues Ramachandra Guha, author of a book on modern Indian history. Instead, invoking Lenin—whose white marble bust still adorns the party headquarters in Delhi—they sat outside, first backing, then trying to topple the government over a civil-nuclear deal with America. They could also have campaigned harder against corruption. “They are probably the only politicians in India who don’t have Swiss bank accounts,” suggests Mr Guha. But social activists, judges and the BJP got there first.
Their influence has mattered. They urged hostility to America in the Cold War and statist policies that choked economic growth for decades. More helpfully, they pushed literacy and women’s rights, and opposed “untouchability” and the caste system. A battering at the polls, when results are published on May 13th, will not quite finish them off: younger leaders with more flexible ideas may be back in office in a few years’ time. But a curtain, of sorts, is falling on Indian Communism.

Govt committed to tackling corruption: Manmohan

12:41 AM

New Delhi, April 21, 2011

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presenting ‘PM’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration’ for the year 2009-10 to Varsha Vishwajeet Bhagat, Director, ETC during the Civil Services Day, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: Ramesh Sharma

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presenting ‘PM’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration’ for the year 2009-10 to Varsha Vishwajeet Bhagat, Director, ETC during the Civil Services Day, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: Ramesh Sharma
Admitting that there is little public tolerance now for the prevailing state of affairs on corruption, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said that his government was committed to facing this challenge boldly as people expected swift and exemplary action.
Dr. Singh also said that government hoped to introduce the Lokpal Bill on which a committee of Ministers and representatives of civil society are working during the monsoon session of Parliament.
Addressing IAS, IFS, IPS and other senior bureaucrats, the Prime Minister did some plain speaking. “There is a growing feeling in the people that our laws, systems and procedures are not effective in dealing with corruption,” he said, asking them to contribute in the fight against corruption.
“We must recognize that there is little public tolerance now for the prevailing state of affairs. People expect swift and exemplary action and rightly so,” Dr. Singh said inaugurating the Civil Services Day.
Recalling his earlier statement that corruption was an impediment to faster growth and hurts the poor the most, the Prime Minister said, “it’s a challenge that we must tackle boldly and we stand committed to doing so.”
He noted that the issue of ethics and transparency in governance was a subject which has attracted a great deal of attention in recent days.
"Be honest and fearless"
The Prime Minister said he expected the civil servants to be honest and fearless in advising the political leadership. Hoping to see renewed energy from each one of them in the fight against corruption, he said,”I expect you to be honest and fearless in advising your superior authorities, especially the political leadership.
“Those of you who serve in senior positions would do well to also encourage your subordinate officers in this direction,” he said.
Dr. Singh said that the government’s aim was to strengthen the legislative framework, revamp administrative practices and procedures and fast track a systemic response to fight corruption.
A Group of Ministers is looking into the legal and administrative measures and he expected its recommendations to be available soon, he said.
Observing that two bills relating to judicial accountability and protection of whistle blowers have already been introduced in Parliament, Dr. Singh said that the government would soon ratify the United Nations Convention on Corruption.
“We are committed to bringing more transparency in public procurement and to ensuring that disinvestment of public utilities and allocation of public resources are done in a manner that best safeguards the interests of the asset-owning public,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said that people value the work done by honest and dedicated civil servants and look up to them.
He asked the civil servants to work to strengthen the trust and faith which people still have in civil servants.
Left-wing extremism
The spontaneous support of the people of Malkangiri, when the Collector of the district was kidnapped by Left-wing extremists, “is a pointer to the extent of goodwill that well meaning civil servants can achieve”, he said.
Noting that the core of the Civil Services was sound and rooted in values of integrity and fair play, Singh said, .
“it is a pity that instances of individual waywardness, of lack of moral courage and of surrender to pressures and temptations tarnish the image of Civil Services and lead to immense criticism and dissatisfaction“.
He said that Civil Services as a whole should set the highest standards of probity and integrity in public and personal life and create an atmosphere and a work ethic which encourage honesty and integrity.
“Disapproval and even ostracization by peers and colleagues can be a powerful deterrent for those who tend to stray from the path of rectitude”, the Prime Minister said.
Turning to the security scenario, Singh said though the overall security situation has been reasonably satisfactory in the past few months, there was no room for any relaxation of vigil.
Combating Left Wing extremism, meeting terrorist challenges, countering insurgency in parts of the North-East and maintaining communal harmony would be government’s priorities, he said.

Mamata's fantasies for Bengal

4:13 AM

TMC promises golden age; will make Kolkata like London, ports like Singapore, Darjeeling like Switzerland, Digha like Goa!

Mamata's fantasies for Bengal

If Karl Marx wrote the 'Communist Manifesto', Mamata Banerjee has just written the 'Anti-Communist Manifesto'.
The grand vision statement for West Bengal released recently, her party Trinamool Congress' manifesto, is a bevy of promises of a 'counter revolution' against the "oppressive, exploitative and authoritarian party-Cadre misrule" of the Left, mainly the CPI(M).
The 'Vision Statement" is a please-all document with a plethora of seemingly grandiose schemes for the usual suspects - farmers, minorities, workers - with one 'minor' omission. It is absolutely silent how this "revolution" is to be achieved.

Plus, what must be worrying the voters going to the polls is her exalted track record of being high on promises and dismal in delivery.
Sample these potential 'revolutions' from Mamata:
"The next revolution in manufacturing in the country should be led by West Bengal".

"(We will) set up an industrial hub in each district".

"(Our) basic industrial strategy is to create massive employment through development of the manufacturing sector".
"(We) will endeavour to convert Darjeeling and adjoining Alipore Dooars area into Switzerland of the East and Digha into Goa of the East Coast".

"All India Trinamool Congress' job is to benchmark Kolkata with the best cities in the world. Why should Kolkata not be comparable to London?"
"(We will) prepare a vision document to make Kolkata a national and international financial hub".
"(We will) restart (the) Kolkata Stock Exchange".
"(We will) develop an action plan to enhance infrastructure available at the Kolkata, Haldia and Sagar ports and to make these world class facilities matching Singapore and Hong Kong".
Without a doubt, laudable objectives. But what was the Tata Nano factory in Singur trying to do?
Exactly what Ms Bannerjee promises to do - create massive employment through the setting-up of a manufacturing facility which promised turn that area into a mini auto-city, with a total investment of almost Rs 2,000 cr.
Yet, who created the conditions for violence at Singur, even encouraged it, to drive the Tatas out of West Bengal?

Mamata's fantasies for Bengal

Why would the voters of West Bengal think that she would deliver on any of these grandiose and pious ambitions, given her dubious track-record.
Take her stint as the Union Railway Minister, for instance. Under her, Indian Railways is on the verge of bankruptcy reeling under a net deficit of about Rs 2,500 cr. Freight, the real revenue earner for the railways dropped by a whopping Rs 700 cr in the last financial year.
In her first budget as the railway minister, she announced the laying of 1,000 km of new railway lines every year, she has not even delivered 100 km. She has mostly been an absentee minister with reports of files piling up for her attention at Rail Bhawan. She has used the Railways as her fiefdom to seemingly distribute largesses to the state of West Bengal without a concern for the viability for institution or the integrity of her office.
Exactly what she denounces the Left for doing - doling out patronage and goodies to the party cadre and sympathisers; without regard to the integrity of finances of the state, or the interest of the exchequer.
Will a stint as the Chief Minister of West Bengal be any different? An overwhelming majority of MSN readers do not think so.
Asked in an online poll, if they think "Mamata Banerjee will prove to be better for Bengal than the Left?", 65 per cent or 10, 781 MSN readers, "No, she is only hype, as her poor record at railway ministry shows".
Only 29 per cent or 4,853 voters out of a total said, "Yes, she is people-oriented and will bring development" to the state. Six per cent or 931 voters said that they did not have an opinion either way.

Mamata's fantasies for Bengal

This, of course, does not hold a brief for the efficacy of more than three decades of Left Front rule in Bengal. In most parameters, West Bengal, which was once one of the foremost states in India, has become a basket case.
A sampling of the data on the state's development index would bring home the case.
In 1975-76, share of manufacturing in West Bengal's economy was 19 percent. In 2008-09, it has fallen to an abysmal 7.4 percent. In roughly the same period, Gujarat's had moved up to 29.6 per cent.
Agriculture plummeted from a growth of 17.3 percent during 1966-76 to a worrying 7.8 percent during 2001-07.
Kolkata airport is least developed among the metros. In 2008-09, total aircraft movements at Mumbai airport was 2,27,694, at Delhi 2,17,391, and 115,911 at Chennai. Kolkata airport brought up the rear with only 81831 aircraft movements in 2008-09.
Shockingly, West Bengal is ranked 32nd (out of the 35 states and UTs in India) in education in the country, with an Educational Development Index (EDI) value of 0.494 in 2008-09.
However, the point is if Mamata Banerjee's stint as the CM be any different; make a change; and be faithful to the unquestionable genius of the people of Bengal.
The record says no. Will CM Bannerjee prove us wrong?
Source: India Syndicate

Amar Singh: Many in Hazare's camp are tainted

1:06 AM

New Delhi: With the war over the alleged fake CD reaching the Supreme Court, former Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Amar Singh on Monday challenged former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan to produce the voice samples.

Amar Singh dares Bhushans over controversial CD

"If the Bhushans have proof, they should show it. I have enough proof. The truth needs to be exposed," Singh told reporters here.
Claiming that there are four or five versions of the controversial CD, he also questioned the forensic tests run on the CD by the Bhushans.
"Anna Hazare must not allow his people to mislead him," Singh added, claiming that the letter written by the veteran social activist was drafted by others.
Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare has written a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi drawing her attention to the ongoing campaign being led by the party leaders against civil society members of the Lokpal Bill Joint Drafting Committee.
The former Samajwadi Party MP earlier handed over a copy of the controversial CD to the Delhi Police.
"I have complete proof. Many in Hazare's team are tainted. I have submitted four sets of audio CDs to the police," Singh told reporters outside the Indraprashtha Police Station here after submitting the CD.
Shanti Bhushan, the co-chairman of the Lokpal Bill Committee, earlier today moved Supreme Court seeking criminal contempt action against Amar Singh.
The former law minister accused Amar Singh of fabricating the CD to force Justice G S Singvi recuses from hearing 2G scam and Singh''s tape cases pending before a bench headed by him.

Amar Singh dares Bhushans over controversial CD

Bhushan also sought setting up of a special investigation team to investigate the crime of fabrication of CD, which was meant to defame him.
Shanti Bhushan''''s advocate son Prashant Bhushan claimed last evening that the CD controversy is a conspiracy to discredit the civil society members of the Lokpal Bill Drafting Committee, and the doctoring of the CD has the backing of some powerful people.
He also said that he sent the CD to two private labs, which say that it is doctored.
Citing the alleged experts, Prashant Bhushan said the CD is a cut-and-paste-job and there are six places where the ''''it'''' has been edited.
He said that parts of the Amar-Mulayam conversation are from the Amar Singh tapes, recorded before February 2006, and which Bhushan submitted to the Supreme Court for an inquiry.
Anna Hazare had on Sunday rubbished allegations accusing Shanti Bhushan, who is the co-chairman of the Lokpal Bill joint drafting committee, of being involved in a CD controversy, and backed his presence on the panel.
"The CD is bogus. This is the report we have received. I heard this first thing in the morning. Now Shanti Bhushan is facing the court. If he is guilty, he should be punished. But, if he is not guilty and if someone is trying to deliberately spoil his reputation, then it is not right. How can I guarantee for anyone? I have just been introduced to Shanti Bhushan," said Hazare.
"Such allegations will be levelled against us," he added, when asked whether Bhushan should continue as a member of the joint drafting committee.

Amar Singh dares Bhushans over controversial CD

It was earlier reported that Shanti Bhushan has approached the Delhi Police seeking investigation into circulation of a CD purportedly having his conversations with political leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh, alleging they were fabricated.
Bhushan alleged that a journalist approached him for his comments for a news story on the CD, which purportedly had his conversations with the leaders.
The CD has audio clippings of a phone conversation allegedly between Shanti Bhushan, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh about influencing a judge.
It, however, remains a mystery as to who circulated the CD.
Chidambram assures 'fair' probe into CD row
Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday said the government will hold a "free, fair and thorough" investigation into charges against lawyer Shanti Bhushan linking him to a controverial CD.
"I have been assured by Delhi Police that there will be a free, fair and thorough probe. The CD will be examined in at least two different labs for separate reports," Chidambarm told reporters here.

Amar Singh dares Bhushans over controversial CD

The controversy involving Bhushan continues to rage even after his son and Lokpal civil society panel member Prashant Bhushan called the CD fake.
The CD has a purported conversation between Shanti Bhushan and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav claiming a judge could be bribed.
Prashant Bhushan has questioned the authenticity of the CD.
"The CD is fabricated as we have got it subjected to forensic examination from two of the topmost forensic labs specialising in audio analysing," he said.
He theatened to file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court in a day or two.
Source: Agencies

Functioning of railways shows how Mamata will rule Bengal: BJP

1:05 AM

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday hit out at Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee saying the functioning of the railways shows how she will rule West Bengal if she comes to power.

Functioning of railways shows how Mamata will rule Bengal: BJP

"If Mamata Banerjee promises good governance for West Bengal, it is very important to see how the railways, the department under her is functioning," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
"Her silence on the Arunima (Sinha) incident is an example of bad governance," he said, referring to the volleyball player who lost a leg after falling from the train while resisting a robbery attempt.
The minister's "silence" on the fire accident in the Mumbai Rajdhani Express was also criticized by the spokesperson. Three coaches of the train caught fire early Monday morning but no one was injured.

Functioning of railways shows how Mamata will rule Bengal: BJP

Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, in alliance with the Congress, is the main rival to the ruling Left alliance in West Bengal where the first phase of assembly elections was held Monday. Banerjee is also the chief ministerial candidate of the party.
She has been on the opposition's target for paying more attention to state politics than railways.
Talking about the BJP's prospects in the polls, Prasad said the party will emerge as a third alternative in the West Bengal.
"The people of West Bengal are dissatisfied with 30 years of CPI-M and its alliance's rule, we believe our performance will be good and we will emerge as a third alternative in the state," he said.
Source: IANS

Worth Rs 400 cr, but does not have a car

7:06 AM

Jagan's wealth: assets declared in 2009: Rs 61 cr; declared in 2011: Rs 391 cr; increase: 641%

Worth Rs 400 cr, but does not have a car

Hyderabad: The declaration by YS Jaganmohan Reddy that he has assets worth Rs 391 crore, compared to Rs 61 crore in 2009, has kicked off a political storm. Reddy has also declared that his wife has assets worth Rs 55 crore, up from Rs 16.09 crore that she had in 2009.
Reddy, son of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, made the mandatory declaration to the Election Commission (EC) he prepares to stand for election from the Kadapa Lok Sabha. His earlier declaration was made in 2009 when he successfully contested from the same seat.
Jagan has also declared liabilities of Rs 2.4 crore while his wife has claimed liabilities Rs 3.3 crore. This means Jagan's net assets stand at Rs 388.33 crore, having grown more than six times in just two years, while Bharathi's net assets are at about Rs 47.27 crore, a three-fold increase.
In May 2009, Jagan contested as a Congress candidate from Kadapa, while father YSR Reddy went on to win a second term as AP chief minister. YSR Reddy died in a helicopter accident in September 2009. Late last year, Jagan quit the Congress, which also meant his resignation as MP. Earlier this year, he floated the YSR Congress party.
If elected, Jagan's new declaration would make him the richest MP in India.

Worth Rs 400 cr, but does not have a car

There are have been allegations that Jagan benefited from several crucial decisions made when YSR Reddy was the chief minister, particularly in the allotment of thousands of acres of land to SEZs and other private developers.
Yet, as of now, Jaganmohan's opponents are not going overboard in their criticism, perhaps with the intention of seeking the EC's intervention on Jagan undervaluing his assets. Sources said that Jagan's declaration does not list many of his other assets.
"Imagine a person with Rs 400 crore not having a car," a Congress leader quipped.
One of the key non-disclosures being pointed out is about his media operations. Jagan owns Sakshi, a Telugu daily, and Indira Television, which manages the Telugu news channel Sakshi. The media establishment has not been valued nor included in the list of assets.
Similarly, there are also questions about the non-disclosure of the profits Jagan made by selling 51 per cent of his holding in Bharathi Cements to the French major Vicat. According to the transaction details, Jagan is believed to have made about Rs 1,598 crore by selling majority holding in Bharathi Cement.

Worth Rs 400 cr, but does not have a car

Interestingly, the residual of his holding in the cement company too has been calculated at the face value while the Vicat deal pegged the value of each share at about Rs 671 crore.
He is also believed to possess properties in Bangalore and Hyderabad, valued at Rs 400 crore and Rs 50 crore respectively.
DL Ravindra Reddy, the Congress's candidate from Kadapa for the upcoming elections, alleged that several other properties have not been declared by Jagan. "The (Jagan's) declaration speaks for itself. This election is going be a battle between integrity and corruption," he said, adding that Jagan was penniless in 1999.
Meanwhile, the Congress is saying that Jaganmohan should explain to the people how he manage to acquire so much wealth. "With this affidavit, the entire state is shocked and people have their doubts on how he got so much property in such a short time," Congress spokesman Tulsi Reddy said.

Worth Rs 400 cr, but does not have a car

Incidentally, a state minister has even approached the Andhra Pradesh high court, seeking a probe into Jagan's wealth.
The TDP has termed as "meager" the assets declared by Jagan and alleged that he was hiding much more wealth. Party general secretary Varla Ramaiah claimed that two houses of Jagan in Hyderabad and Bangalore alone were worth Rs.450 crore.
"Even if one goes by his latest affidavit, his assets have gone up 400 times in only six years. No Indian industrialist has made such a huge wealth in a short span of time," said Ramaiah.

Besieged at home, a different Manmohan abroad

7:04 AM

New Delhi: Manmohan Singh may be disparaged at home as weak by opposition parties and civil society, but when the prime minister is abroad he is a different man - brimming with confidence and transforms into what Newsweek described as the "leader that other leaders love".

Besieged at home, a different Manmohan abroad

For the past few months the prime minister has been under bitter attack from critics who accuse him of silence over corruption scandals besieging his government.
But when he meets foreign leaders, Manmohan Singh wins praise for his innovative economic ideas as well as his modesty and honesty. When he speaks, they listen with rapt attention to the ideas of the economist considered as the mastermind of the economic reforms that set off India's economic boom.
That was evident at Sanya, in China, where he addressed the plenary of the 3rd BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit on Thursday.
"There was a pin drop silence. They listened to him with rapt attention when he was speaking on the rapid socio-economic transformation of the BRICS nations and those of the developing world," said an official who travelled with the prime minister on his five-day two-nation trip, including Kazakhstan.
The official who wished not to be named said the ideas the prime minister voices at any international fora are closely monitored, and that is why the leaders world over describe him as a "close friend and valued adviser".

Besieged at home, a different Manmohan abroad

Newsweek in its article on the 2010 world ranking of leaders placed Manmohan Singh at the top, and said the prime minister's "unassuming personal style really inspires awe among his fellow global luminaries".
The official told IANS that the reason world leaders look up to Manmohan Singh for ideas is because "he maintains his sincerity and humility" despite presiding over one billion people for so long.
"The Indian economy has done so well, he is a great administrator, and modest, reasonable and tolerant. This all scores for him," he said.
Returning Saturday from what he himself described as a "fruitful" foreign trip, Manmohan Singh while speaking to journalists onboard his special plane was all smiles - quite a rare sight - and countered every questions confidently with one liners.
"Well, I am not disturbed. I have always believed that if winter comes, can spring be far away," the prime minister said, when was asked if he felt disturbed by the criticism at home.
Muted laughter preceded his one liner when he was asked what would be the five things he would like to achieve in the relations with Pakistan -- one of his favoured priorities.
"Well, I think five is too much... if I can succeed in normalising relations between India and Pakistan, as they should prevail between two normal states, I would consider my job well done," he said.
Source: IANS

Hazare writes to Sonia about campaign against joint panel members

7:03 AM

Anna Hazare today wrote to Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the "smear" campaign launched against civil society members of the joint drafting committee on Lokpal Bill and asked her to advise her "colleagues" not to try to derail the process of drafting of law.

Hazare writes to Sonia about campaign against joint panel members

In a two-page letter to Gandhi, he complained against a party General Secretary, apparently Digvijay Singh who has been attacking his campaign, of making many statements which were "factually wrong" and asked her whether she approved them.
He also refereed to an unnamed minister, who is part of the the ten-member joint committee on the bill, and charged him with making false statements that the civil society representatives have "succumbed" to government's pressure and "diluted" the law.
As the war over the alleged fake CD involving eminent lawyer and panel co-chair Shanti Bhushan intensified, he said "the developments of the last few days have been a cause for concern.
"It seems that the corrupt forces in the country have united to derail the process of drafting an effective anti-corruption law through the joint committee. Together we have to defeat their designs," Hazare said.

Hazare writes to Sonia about campaign against joint panel members

He said one of their strategies is to "smear the reputations" of civil society members in the committee.
"Whereas I am of the view that the people working for public must be subjected to public scrutiny, however, when blatantly false accusations are made, fabricated CDs are planted, then one feels that the purpose is not an honest public scrutiny but to tarnish reputations.
"They have not even spared me, even though I have lived a simple life following on the path of truth. However, I am happy that despite all their efforts, the vested interests could not dig out anything of substance. This has only raised the reputations of civil society members in the eyes of public," he said.
The Gandhian said smear campaign of vested interests seemed to be back firing and people could see through what was happening.
He warned that the country was in "no mood" to wait any longer to have a strong anti-corruption law and expressed fears about the consequences if the process was "derailed" as people were "very agitated".

Hazare writes to Sonia about campaign against joint panel members

Lokpal Bill drafting committee members Prashant Bhushan (right) and Arvind Kejriwal addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday.

Hazare wondered what would be the outcome if the government nominees in the committee were subjected to "similar scrutiny or witch hunt".
"Those in power have much more to explain. However, we don't want to divert the attention of the people from Lokpal Bill to individual mud-slinging, which seems to be the objective of the people behind this smear campaign," he said.
Government has on April eight agreed to form a joint committee to draft a strong Lokpal Bill following the fast- unto-death protest by Hazare, who along with four other members of the civil society were made members of the panel.
Hazare's letter to Gandhi comes in the backdrop of the circulation of a CD purportedly containing conversations between eminent lawyer and panel co-chair Shanti Bhushan and political leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh on "managing" a judge in a case.
Referring to Digvijay Singh, the 73-year-old Gandhian said as party General Secretary, he has been making many statements in the media in the last one week.
"I assume that he has the support of the party to make such remarks. Most of these statements are factually wrong, which makes one believe whether his only intention is to create confusion, mislead people and derail the ongoing discussions in joint committee. Do you personally approve of his statements?" Hazare said.
He aslo alleged that one of the ministers, who addressed the media on Saturday after the joint committee meeting said it was "good".

Hazare writes to Sonia about campaign against joint panel members

But later, Hazare said, the minister held a "private informal debriefing session" at his house and "falsely accused" the civil society representatives of having succumbed to government's pressure within the committee and that the civil society have diluted the law".
"This was completely false statement because there were no discussions at all on the law within the committee. His informal debriefing created confusion in the minds of people across the country. It appears that this debriefing was meant to send a message to public that we have been influenced," he said.
Hazare said they had "apprehended such mischievous conduct" and that was the reason why they have been demanding video recordings of the proceedings and their release immediately after each meeting.
"India has suffered immensely due to corruption. This is a historic moment when the whole country seems to have come together to demand effective action against corruption. I would urge you to advise your colleagues not to try to derail the process of drafting the law," he said.
Source: PTI

Narendra Modi takes on PM for not voting in Assam polls

6:11 AM

New Delhi: Never a man to miss a political opportunity, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday, using the occasion of Dr BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary.

"I am pained that India's PM Dr Manmohan Singh, who is a voter in Assam, did not go to Assam to vote in the crucial Assembly elections. This is painful news for the people of this country, and more so on the occasion of Dr Ambedkar's birth anniversary," Modi said.

The Congress has shot back saying the Prime Minister is a very busy man.
"It doesn't take much intelligence to understand that the PM is busy with a lot. So the Gujarat Chief Minister's comment is devoid of substance," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said.
Polling was held in Assam on Monday. Dr Manmohan Singh is a Rajya Sabha MP from Assam and both he and his wife Gursharan Kaur are registered voters in the Dispur Assembly constituency.

Modi said Dr Ambedkar had given India its Constitution, and it was on the basis of the Constitution that we had the right to vote. And this right was the "essence of democracy", a right Dr Singh had not exercised.

Ice cream parlour sex case is Kerala poll issue

5:46 AM

Kozhikode: A two-decade-old sex scandal in Kerala, dubbed the "ice cream parlour" case in which the image of a well-known opposition politician took a beating, is now adding to the poll heat in the state.

Ice cream parlour sex case is Kerala poll issue

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan is making the case the main plank for his Left Democratic Front's (LDF) electoral battle against the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Wednesday's assembly polls.
The scandal broke out in the 1990s, when Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and former state minister P.K. Kunhalikutty was named in a sex racket being run under the garb of an ice cream shop.
The media coined the term "ice cream parlour sex case" and Kunhalikutty's image was tarnished. The IUML is a part of the Congress-led UDF.
In 2006, a court closed the case.
In the run-up to the state elections, which the UDF believes it will win with ease, the issue picked up heat as Kunhalikutty's co-brother K.A. Rauf called a press conference and made startling allegations against the five-time legislator.
In a flash, Achuthanandan ordered a re-investigation into the case and asked Additional Director General of Police Vinson M. Paul to begin a probe.

Ice cream parlour sex case is Kerala poll issue

The Congress dubbed the move as "cheap politics".
"Is there anything new in this issue? This is being used for cheap political gains. Today, it has reached a stage where Achuthanandan as chief minister is misusing his powers. On the eve of the polls, the real issue of development is not being discussed because his government has nothing to show. It is instead banking on old written off cases to dramatise the election campaign," said Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Oommen Chandy.
Achuthanandan retorted: "Corruption and sex cases are part and parcel of the social fabric of the state. What is wrong if these issues are discussed?
"Corruption, equality in gender and atrocities against women are certainly election issues. It is a pity that Congress leaders like (A.K.) Antony, Chandy and (Vayalar) Ravi have to dance to the tunes of people like Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi who have not been part of any political struggle but hold big posts," he said.
But Kunhalikutty, 59, is unperturbed and confident of a victory. The former minister lost for the first time in 2006 from his pocketborough of Kuttipuram in Malappuram district.
"I know my electorate well and also what the outcome would be," he said.
Source: IANS

Advani hits out at anti-politician stance of Hazare supporters

5:41 AM

New Delhi: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Tuesday came out in defence of former party colleague Uma Bharti who was turned away from Jantar Mantar by supporters of Anna Hazare and said the anti-politician stance of some social activists as a "disservice to democracy".

Advani hits out at anti-politician stance of Hazare supporters

"I am of the view that those who revel in spreading a general climate of disdain about politics and politicians are doing a gross disservice to democracy," Advani wrote on his blog.
"There is no dearth of analysts who hold that the popularity of these two personalities has a lot to do with the fact that they shun political personalities," Advani wrote, referring to Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev.
"No wonder the news that Uma Bharti was turned away from Jantar Mantar, the venue of Anna Hazare's fast was very prominently publicized. It was done by some who claimed to be Anna's followers," he wrote.
Uma Bharti was booed away from Jantar Mantar by supporters of Anna Hazare during his fast there last week to demand a strong anti-corruption bill. Hazare later apologised to Uma Bharti.
"It is an index of Anna's innate decency, and his disinclination to believe that all politicians are corrupt that when he learnt about this he publicly apologized to Uma," said Advani.
"Despite the shortcomings of Indian democracy we still have conscientious and upright politicians in the country and it is they who still give people optimism and confidence for the future," he added.
Source: IANS

`Rahul an Amul baby, PM has hangover

1:47 AM

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Sunday hit back at Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for his jibe at the Communist Party of India (Marxist) stalwart on his age, calling him an “Amul baby.”

`Rahul an Amul baby, PM has hangover'

"Rahul Gandhi is an Amul baby. He has come to Kerala to campaign for Amul babies," Achuthanandan said in Palakkad while addressing election rallies.
Taking a dig at 87-year-old Achuthanandan, Gandhi (40), projected as the youth face of the Congress, had said at a campaign meeting in the State on Saturday that if the Left Democratic Front (LDF) was re-elected, Kerala would have a 93-year-old as Chief Minister in five years' time.
Responding to the jibe, Achuthanandan said he began his political career as a 16-year-old and, quoting a Malayalam poem, said he had spent his youth without bowing before the "vassals of the corrupt order."
Countering the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's criticism that the Left rule had done serious damage to Kerala and West Bengal, the old CPI(M) warhorse said Singh should not have talked with the "hangover of a former IMF officer."

`Rahul an Amul baby, PM has hangover'

Singh's claim that the Centre had generously supported Kerala sounded like the Americans' claim in the past that they had been providing food items for schoolchildren in India, he said.
"It was part of the federal system that part of the taxes collected from the States was devolved on them. It was by glossing over this principle that the Prime Minister was making such claims at meetings," he said.
While some United Progressive Alliance (UPA) partners indulged in corruption, Singh was saying he was helpless, he said. It was on account of the "massive" corruption under the UPA rule that Gandhian Anna Hazare launched his campaign demanding an effective Lokpal Bill, he said.
Achuthanandan said Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who came to canvass for the UDF candidates, also used the opportunity to hurl charges at the LDF which were far from true.
She had claimed that it was UPA's policies that stopped farmers' suicides in Kerala. Then how come Congress governments in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra could not stop farmers' suicides in those States, he asked.
Source: PTI

'Madurai mafia' undermining democracy: Bardhan

1:13 AM

Coimbatore: Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A.B. Bardhan Wednesday said the "mafia" centred in the temple town of Madurai is undermining Indian democracy by bribing voters.

'Madurai mafia' undermining democracy: Bardhan

Referring to the seizure of cash by the Election Commission (EC) supposedly meant for bribing the voters, Bardhan said: "They (DMK and Congress) are using several crores to bribe the voters. It is mainly the mafia centred around Madurai which is responsible for this."
He was speaking at the first all-party election rally led by the AIADMK front held in Coimbatore, around 500 km from Chennai.
Referring to the Rs.64 crore scam in the procurement of Bofors gun a couple of decades back, he said there was a time when the Congress government was thrown out of power due to the Bofors scam.
"But today corruption under the UPA (United Progressive Alliance)-DMK combine scams run into several lakh crores," Bardhan said.
He said the Congress was not interested in bringing back the money stashed away in Swiss banks as it belonged to its own leaders and the members of the DMK.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat said the Tamil Nadu assembly elections are important not only for the people of the state but also for the Indian people.
He said the DMK has brought shame to the state by engineering the Rs.1.76 lakh crore 2G spectrum scam.

Rahul – political dude or dud?

1:28 AM

While Rahul Gandhi is young India’s hope, old horses in the Cong are not ready to run with him

Rahul – political dude or dud?

In the forthcoming Assembly elections, the mystery called Rahul Gandhi is getting bigger and, shall we say, nastier. He has already triggered both jubilation and a fallout - depending on which side of the age barrier one is -- in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. By jettisoning greenhorn political paratroopers from his backyard in Delhi to the poll-mode front yard of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the young Gandhi has stirred both a revolution and revulsion.
Rahul has quietly sent in his list of candidates for the polls to the two states - all young and aspiring Youth Congress leaders. Many established leaders have been pushed to the wayside, throwing a question mark on the April 13 elections.
Kerala, where the chances of the Congress-led UDF are bright, has 24 Youth Congress candidates `sponsored' by the AICC general secretary. This is a substantial number considering that the Congress is fighting only 81 seats. In Tamil Nadu, he has sent 10 names. The Congress is contesting 63 seats in TN.
In Kerala, senior partymen are upset at the political paratroopers. They cannot openly revolt and have to ensure that they work hard and see to it that the Youth Congress candidates win. Rahul Gandhi is also going to spend considerable time campaigning in Kerala to prove a point - that the time for change has come in God's Own Country.
But the youth in Kerala are elated. Said 27-year-old Hibi Eden, the chief of National Students' Union of India and a candidate from Erankulam: "Rahulji has done exactly what his late father Rajivji did 20 years ago in the 1991 elections. Rajivji gave tickets to 35 fresh faces including my late father George Eden. It made a lot of difference."
Hibi, incidentally, is the youngest candidate in Kerala.

Rahul – political dude or dud?

Union Civil Aviation Minister K Vyalar Ravi, a Rahul loyalist, says the `boys' are all fighting in the Communist stronghold, not from safe Congress seats.
While in Kerala caste politics is not rampant, in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, where caste equations are strong, Congress leaders are upset with Rahul's boys. They are not able to see the logic behind why Jyothimani, a Gounder, has been fielded in the Thevar majority Karurur seat. Or Mahendran from Peravurarani without the backing of Union Minister G K Wasan.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu are going to be a big challenge for Rahul. There is a growing feeling in the Congress in Delhi that Rahul Gandhi is not prime-minister material and is committing one blunder after another, starting with Bihar.
All this has thrown a huge shadow of doubt on the future of a Rahul Gandhi as India's next prime minister. He has very few years to prove his theory of a young, `clean' and energetic brigade taking over the reins of the Congress. After all 2014 is not far off.
The recent WikiLeaks too has shown how many in the Congress consider Rahul as impervious and a man who prefers to furrow a lonely path without as much caring for seniors.
The US Embassy cables have given a 'brutally frank' assessment of Rahul saying that the "the heir-apparent of the Gandhi family dynasty," made a series of political gaffes in 2007 and this has loyalists cast a doubt on his ability.
According to an assessment by the United States Embassy in New Delhi, as published in The Hindu, loyalists are hoping that Priyanka steps in before the 2014 elections.

Rahul – political dude or dud?

In a cable sent on April 23, 2007, Charge d'Affaires Geoffrey Pyatt said: "Congress insiders complain that he (Rahul Gandhi) is a neophyte who does not have what it takes to become Prime Minister. Their hopes have now shifted to yet another member of the Nehru dynasty, Rahul's sister Priyanka, as they await her entry into politics." (The Hindu).
Here are a few of Rahul's gaffes: On April 15, in a speech at a campaign rally, he had said: "I belong to the family which has never moved backwards, which has never gone back on its words. You know that when any member of my family had decided to do anything, he does it. Be it the freedom struggle, the division of Pakistan (???) or taking India into the 21st Century."
And on Babri Masjid: The structure "would have been protected had a member of the Gandhi family been in power."
Last year, Rahul created a storm by saying that Hindu extremists posed a greater threat to India than Muslim militants.
In WikiLeaks cables released by `The Guardian' on Dec 17, Rahul is reported to have met US ambassador to India Timothy Roemer in a luncheon meeting. In the meeting, he had warned Roemer that although "there was evidence of some support for [Islamic terrorist group Laskar-e-Taiba] among certain elements in India's indigenous Muslim community, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalised Hindu groups, which create religious tensions and political confrontations with the Muslim community".
The cable goes on to say: "Responding to the Ambassador's query about Lashkar-e-Taiba's activities in the region and immediate threat to India, Rahul said there was evidence of some support for the group among certain elements in India's indigenous Muslim community. However, Gandhi warned, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalized Hindu groups, which create religious tensions and political confrontations with the Muslim community."

Rahul – political dude or dud?

Rahul is seen as a man who is 'out of touch' and has 'no close friends or advisors' because he often strays from his briefs and script given by his team. He is seen by some as 'arrogant and rude and doesn't accept guidance from anyone.'
The Cable goes on to say that a few feel that Rahul 'has no future, no talent for politics and will never be PM, as he has done nothing for the past three years.' Even if Congress wants to make Rahul PM (in 2014), it would not be able to do so. This is because the party will not have an absolute majority and must rely on its coalition partners to stay in power.
The Comment section of the cable, cattily titled 'Son Set' and quoted in The Hindu, expressed this view: "In any event, regardless of the outcome of the UP elections, Rahul has made an uneven entry into active politics. While crowds at his "road show" events are often large, Rahul has not yet demonstrated that he has the charisma required to make it in Indian politics."
In an earlier cable dated October 17, 2006, an official said: "Heir apparent Rahul Gandhi continues to languish with little popular support, but we are told that his mother remains determined to install him as PM at the 'appropriate' time."
But has Rahul's moment already come and gone? Is he a political dude or a dud? Wait for the results in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This will give a fair indication on the `future PM of India'.
Source: India Syndicate

End Congress rule, Sarkar tells Assam electorate

12:09 AM

Sushanta Talukdar
— Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

Polling officials carry Electronic Voting Machines and other election materials for the remote Boithalangso constituency on the eve of the polling in Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Sunday. Barpeta Road (Assam): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Sunday urged the people of Assam to ensure the victory of Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidates in the coming polls for strengthening the voice in the Assembly against the “anti-people” policies of both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Mr. Sarkar was addressing an election rally in support of CPI(M) candidate for the Sarbhog Assembly constituency Manoranjan Talukdar here.

The Chief Minister said the basic difference between the governance in the Left-ruled Tripura and the Congress-ruled Assam was that in Assam, people do not get essential commodities under the Public Distribution System (PDS), while in Tripura, the government not only provided PDS items regularly through ration shops, but also mounted pressure on the Centre to increase the quantity of PDS goods to the State.
Mr. Sarkar accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi of shedding crocodile tears for people of Assam but doing nothing to provide relief to them from the sky-rocketing prices. He pointed out that even after 64 years of Independence, during most period of which Congress ruled the State, people of the country did not enjoy food security.
The Chief Minister has been addressing election rallies in lower Assam for the past three days, urging people launch a crusade against the “anti-people” policies of the ruling Congress. People should take note of the fact that except the CPI(M) and other Left parties no party cared to wage struggles for the poor, middle class, toiling people both inside and outside Parliament and Assemblies.
The rally was also addressed by sitting CPI(M) legislator from the Sarbhog constituency and party's Assam State secretary Uddhab Barman, senior State CPI(M) leader Hemen Das, besides the party candidate. Both Mr. Das and Mr. Barman cautioned people against the “communal politics” of the BJP. There was no difference between the Congress and the BJP on economic policies and both the parties pursued anti-people policies to protect the interests of big capitalists and imperialist forces, they said.

Troubleshooter Pranab wants to become PM

12:21 AM

Pulling the Cong govt’s chestnuts out of the fire often, Pranab wants to be PM from 2012 to 2014 in return

Troubleshooter Pranab wants to become PM

No more a smiling matter: Faced with bleak assembly-poll prospects in UP and in Andhra Pradesh that are critical to gaining national power, Manmohan Singh is not making it any easier for Sonia Gandhi to enthrone Rahul Gandhi in 2014.

Sonia Gandhi's leadership of the Congress is facing two major problems, one or both of which may be insurmountable.
Manmohan Singh has proved a non-asset in securing the Congress moral and political high-ground vis-à-vis the BJP/Left opposition. No sooner than the 2G JPC was conceded, Wikileaks turned adverse floodlight on the PM's corrupt 2008 parliament confidence-vote victory and his shameful pro-Americanism.
Faced with bleak assembly-poll prospects in UP and in Andhra Pradesh that are critical to gaining national power, Manmohan Singh is not making it any easier for Sonia Gandhi to enthrone Rahul Gandhi in 2014. Manmohan Singh's liabilities are beginning to overshadow his loyalty to the Sonia Gandhi family, and even the BJP suspects the same.
Arun Jaitley insinuated that Manmohan Singh's "birthright" taunt flung at LK Advani was actually directed at the dynastic succession being planned for Sonia by her son.
The second major problem for the Sonia Gandhi leadership is Rahul Gandhi. So far, it was whispered by Congress party managers that Rahul Gandhi is not prime-minister material. One Congress general secretary calls him "murkh", which does not decently translate into English. Now, Wikileaks has added credence to those whispers, with quotations from Congressmen that they are awaiting Rahul's exit and Priyanka Vadra nee Gandhi's, entry into politics.
So far as this writer can tell, Sonia Gandhi is not ready to withdraw Rahul from the PM race, having planned an entire future for him. But Rahul Gandhi's much-advertised unsuitability for prime-ministership keeps the crisis from resolution, and keeps growing.

Troubleshooter Pranab wants to become PM

Manmohan Singh's liabilities are beginning to overshadow his loyalty to the Sonia Gandhi family, and even the BJP suspects the same.

The qualities that got Manmohan Singh the job from Sonia Gandhi were his personal honesty and his Gandhi-family loyalties. But the country has had enough of him. Key sections of the Congress are unwilling to fight his battles, especially as they relate to his pro-Americanism.
Pulling the Congress/government's chestnuts out of the fire time after time is Pranab Mukherjee, and he wants to be PM from 2012 to 2014 in return. The PM's Advani potshot may even have been directed at Pranab Mukherjee, and their rivalry is longstanding.
When Sonia and Manmohan Singh divided the leadership, her control over domestic politics was formidable. This gave her the confidence to give him the government, secure that she ultimately controlled it. But Sonia's political charm is fading (related to the law of diminishing returns, plus UPA failures). And Manmohan Singh is no help. He has no control over the government and he can make no contribution to politically stabilising the Congress and giving it the upper hand on the long road to 2014. So what's to be done?

Troubleshooter Pranab wants to become PM

So far, it was whispered by Congress party managers that Rahul Gandhi is not prime-minister material. One Congress general secretary calls him "murkh", which does not decently translate into English.

Given Pranab Mukherjee's obvious political skills, vast experience as finance, defence and foreign minister, and apparent prime-ministerial qualities, he should succeed the PM, who can be promoted as president of India next year.
Manmohan Singh will not go easily. But insiders say he is far from well, and he brings no equity to the Congress any longer. He is again embarked on the fatal project of peace with Pakistan that threatens to engulf the government and party in fresh controversy.
Pranab Mukherjee brings baggage certainly. Positioning himself as Indira Gandhi's successor post her assassination cost him politically, perhaps even the prime ministership. It could come to assail his run for PM again. But on the flip side, Pranab Mukherjee could manage the opposition to a degree that government becomes functional again.

Troubleshooter Pranab wants to become PM

Pulling the Congress/government's chestnuts out of the fire time after time is Pranab Mukherjee, and he wants to be PM from 2012 to 2014 in return.

It has to be accepted that the artificial split of party and government (with Sonia managing one and Manmohan the other) has not worked, and nobody could be a better bridge between the two than Pranab. With the 2G JPC constituted and angry UPA allies waiting to backstab the Congress, someone like Pranab Mukherjee would fit the bill.
But whether Pranab comes or Manmohan Singh stays, the future of a Rahul Gandhi as PM looks darkly clouded. Even the rosiest poll verdict of 2014 (a fairytale by today's reckoning) cannot make it easy for Rahul to run the country. If he throws up his hands and says no, there are any number of takers. But what about Sonia Gandhi's plans for Rahul? Will circumstances precipitate Priyanka Vadra's entry?
These are some of the tricky questions and conceivably insurmountable problems facing a declining Congress leadership today.
(NV Subramanian is editor of www.newsinsight.net and a Delhi-based political and strategic analyst)

Free Assam of Bangladeshis: Narendra Modi

9:44 PM

By Prasanta Mazumdar

Lumding: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in poll-bound Assam on Friday, alleged Congress of playing vote-bank politics and urged people to vote for development and bring BJP to power.

The firebrand chief minister alleged that the Congress, during elections, would bring in a whole lot Bangladeshis and send them to constituencies where the party was sure to lose.

He appealed voters to free Assam of the clutches of the Bangladeshis saying that the day was not far when Bangladeshis would rule the state.

“Punish the Congress and bring the BJP to power if you want development. This election I have seen the wind blowing in favour of BJP. Teach the Congress a lesson by sinking the party,” Modi said.

Also playing the development card Modi said, “Assam has everything — water, coal and other natural resources yet the state couldn’t prosper because of the lack in leadership quality.”

He said despite sufficient rainfall and huge stockpile of coal, people in the state were forced to lead a cluttered existence and spend endless days in darkness.

“In Assam, power cut is not news, restoration of power is news,” he quipped. “Gujarat doesn’t have as much water as Assam yet the state has reached a point where it can provide 24 hours uninterrupted power to people,” he said.

Modi said if those in power had the will and wisdom there was no valid reason for the state to not prosper. “The situation in Gujarat was the same but things started to look up after the BJP came to power,” he said.

Clash of titans in first phase of Assam polls

9:29 AM

Clash of titans in Assam assembly first phase polls Guwahati, April 1 (PTI) The first phase of Assam assembly polls on April 4 will witness a clash of titans with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi from Congress, many of his cabinet colleagues, BJP state president and AGP leaders in the fray.Gogoi is contesting from his home turf of Titabar in Upper Assam for a straight third term posing a tough challenge to seven other contestants from BJP, AGP, CPI, NCP, AIUDF, Trinamool Congress, besides an independent.Among the 485 candidates contesting 62 of the 126 assembly seats, the top leaders in the fray include ministers Bharat Chandra Narah, Gautam Roy, Pradyut Bordoloi, Ajanta Neog and Prithibi Majhi.Narah, the cultural affairs minister is seeking relection for a sixth term from Dhakuakhana (ST), from where he was elected for the first time in 1985 as an AGP nominee.Roy, the Excise minister is contesting for the sixth term from Katlicherra, while Power minister Pradyut Bordoloi is seeking a third term from Margherita.PWD minister Ajanta Neog and Labour minister Prithibi Majhi are in the fray again from Golaghat and Lahowal, respectively, while Speaker Tanka Bahadur Rai is contesting for the third time from Barchalla.BJP state president and sitting MLA Ranjit Dutta is seeking re-election from Bihali in Sonitpur district competing with four others from Congress, AIUDF, CPI-ML and an independent.AGP''s prominent leaders battling it out are its former president Brindabon Goswami, Padma Hazarika, Sahidul Alam Choudhury, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee and Atul Bora.Goswami, a former minister, is locked in a multi-cornered contest with seven others, including Congress, AGP, BJP and Trinamool Congress.Hazarika is seeking re-election from Sootea constituency, former All Assam Students Union president Atul Bora from Bokakhat, Sahidul Alam Choudhury from Algapur for the sixth time and AGP spokesman Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee is locked in a multi-pronged contest in Dhekiajuli.The other heavyweights are veterans Govindra Chandra Langthasa of Congress, Promode Gogoi and Dhrupad Borgohain of CPI.Langthasa (78) is recontesting in a quadrangular battle at Haflong (ST) for a sixth term.79-year-old CPI national council member and former minister Promode Gogoi, who has been an MLA for various terms since 1957, is contesting the prestigious Sibsagar seat.Sitting MLA Dhrupad Borgohain is fighting to retain his Nazira constituency, where former chief minister Hiteswar Saikia''s son Debabrata Saikia is trying his electoral fortune for the first time.An accused in the multi-crore Rupees N C Hills District Autonomous Council scam, Mohet Hojai, has also joined the poll fray from jail as an Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) contestant from Haflong (ST).