The Congress High Command has decided to appoint an internal committee to look into the continuous allegations regarding the Polavaram dam and the contractors involved.
The irrigation minister, Mr Ponnala Laxmaiah, returned from New Delhi on Saturday after submitting details on the Polavaram tenders and the progress made till now. He met Mr Ahmed Patel, the political secretary to the Congress president, and few other senior leaders to explain details about the Polavaram project and alternatives suggested by the engineering expert, Mr T. Hanumantha Rao.
Sources close to the minister said that Mrs Sonia Gandhi was upset when she learnt that two contracting agencies had allegedly been paid Rs 250 crore without actually doing any work.
M/S B. Seenaiah and Company and M/S Madhucon Projects, a company owned by Telugu Desam parliamentary party leader, Mr Nama Nageswara Rao, were awarded the project works and paid mobilisation advance during 2005-09. Since both the companies had failed to start the work, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy government had cancelled the work and decided to go for fresh tenders.
The Congress senior leaders in Delhi have apparently expressed their displeasure over the issue and asked Mr Ponnala why the government could not recover the money from the contractors as they had failed to execute the tender.
Sources also revealed that the Governor, Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, has also submitted a report on the Jalayagnam progress and irrigation experts in the party are studying both Mr Ponnala’s report and the Governor’s report to identify the flaws in the programme.
After returning from New Delhi, Mr Ponnala went to the Chief Minister to update him with the details of his visit. It may be recalled that Mr Ponnala Laxmaiah had himself requested Mr K. Rosaiah to appoint an inquiry committee to probe into the allegation levelled by some of the senior leaders in the Congress. The Chief Minister, however, had declined to act on that request and instead had expressed serious concern that the public criticism by a senior leader would dent the image of the party.
In Friday’s Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister made it clear that under no circumstances would the Polavaram design be changed and directed other ministers to defend the government stand on the dam.
Showing posts with label Congress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Congress. Show all posts
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Jagan defers Odarpu yatra by a month
The Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy on Monday evening announced that he would postpone his Odarpu yatra scheduled to start on Tuesday by a month on the direction of the Congress high command.He also added that he was hoping to resume the tour from July 8, the birthday of his late father, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, since he was confident of getting the high command’s permission in the meantime.
With Monday’s statement it is clear that the Kadapa MP wants to buy more time either to convince the party leadership and get clearance, or to “get convinced” to call off the tour indefinitely.
With Monday’s statement it is clear that the Kadapa MP wants to buy more time either to convince the party leadership and get clearance, or to “get convinced” to call off the tour indefinitely.
Gadkari plans to tap Congress vote bank
Call him the BJP’s 10% man if you will. The BJP president, Mr Nitin Gadkari, feels that his party can return to power at the Centre if it can bridge the 10 per cent gap in votes with the Congress.
In its effort to gain that elusive 10 per cent, Mr Gadkari told this newspaper in an interview, the BJP has set aside its Ram Janmabhoomi agenda and plans to reach out to the traditional vote bank of the Congress.
Mr Gadkari said the BJP would adopt “21st century politics”, more aimed at progress and development rather than communal issues. Shifting its focus, the BJP is constantly taking up economic issues, he pointed out.
The party will open its arms to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities, traditional vote banks of the Congress.
“The BJP is 10 per cent votes behind the Congress. The BJP needs to improve upon its strength in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. We have to strengthen the party base by including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities and labour in the unorganised sector,” Mr Gadkari said.
“Our main focus will be on Andhra Pradesh and South India where the problem of water is at its severest,” he said.
“We will take up the issue of linking of rivers and conservation of water to increase production by five times.” He evaded a question on Maharashtra, his home state, going ahead with irrigation projects on the upper Godavari basin, affecting existing projects in Andhra Pradesh.
In its effort to gain that elusive 10 per cent, Mr Gadkari told this newspaper in an interview, the BJP has set aside its Ram Janmabhoomi agenda and plans to reach out to the traditional vote bank of the Congress.
Mr Gadkari said the BJP would adopt “21st century politics”, more aimed at progress and development rather than communal issues. Shifting its focus, the BJP is constantly taking up economic issues, he pointed out.
The party will open its arms to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities, traditional vote banks of the Congress.
“The BJP is 10 per cent votes behind the Congress. The BJP needs to improve upon its strength in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. We have to strengthen the party base by including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities and labour in the unorganised sector,” Mr Gadkari said.
“Our main focus will be on Andhra Pradesh and South India where the problem of water is at its severest,” he said.
“We will take up the issue of linking of rivers and conservation of water to increase production by five times.” He evaded a question on Maharashtra, his home state, going ahead with irrigation projects on the upper Godavari basin, affecting existing projects in Andhra Pradesh.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Congress renominates all 4 retiring MPs to RS
Congress has renominated the four retiring MPs from the state for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.
Mrs Sonia Gandhi herself called the Union minister of state, Mr Jairam Ramesh, the former chief minister, Mr Nedurumalli Janardhan Reddy, the former PCC chief, Mr V. Hanumantha Rao, and former bureaucrat, Mr J.D. Seelam, on Thursday and told them that they would be renominated.
However, another retiring member, Mr Girish Sanghi, lost his chance as the party can only ensure the return of four candidates because of its decreased strength in Assembly. Friday is the last day for filing of nomination papers. Several others who hoped for nomination were left disappointed.
In the Telugu Desam, the party president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, had his way by fielding the industrialist, Mr Sujana Choudhry, and the Warangal corporator, Ms Gundu Sudharani, for the RS seats. The usually secretive Mr Naidu had informed the politburo of his choice of candidates and this kicked off protests.
Mrs Sonia Gandhi herself called the Union minister of state, Mr Jairam Ramesh, the former chief minister, Mr Nedurumalli Janardhan Reddy, the former PCC chief, Mr V. Hanumantha Rao, and former bureaucrat, Mr J.D. Seelam, on Thursday and told them that they would be renominated.
However, another retiring member, Mr Girish Sanghi, lost his chance as the party can only ensure the return of four candidates because of its decreased strength in Assembly. Friday is the last day for filing of nomination papers. Several others who hoped for nomination were left disappointed.
In the Telugu Desam, the party president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, had his way by fielding the industrialist, Mr Sujana Choudhry, and the Warangal corporator, Ms Gundu Sudharani, for the RS seats. The usually secretive Mr Naidu had informed the politburo of his choice of candidates and this kicked off protests.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Jagan to resume tour to Telangana after by-elections
Congress MP from Kadapa Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy on Friday asserted that he would resume his tour of Telangana districts as part of the “Odarpu Yatra” after the by-elections to 12 Assembly seats.
Talking to reporters here after he was escorted back by the police in wake of his arrest in Wangapally in Nalgonda district, Mr. Reddy said there was no going back on his promise of continuing his yatra.
The MP said what he could understand from today's incidents was that the TRS was afraid of his tour because of the impending by-elections. “Let the fear haunt them, I will certainly visit Telangana districts after the by-elections,” he said.
Undeterred by the violent incidents that rocked Mahabubabad in Warangal district and other parts of the State, Mr. Jagan told reporters that he would not be cowed down by the threats held out by the pro-Telangana forces particularly, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti.
Justifying his decision to tour Warangal to call on the families of those persons, who died after untimely death of his father, Mr. Jagan said the TRS had needlessly politicised his tour. “I never said it is political visit. I wanted to call on the families who lost their dear ones. Why should it hurt the TRS?” he said.
'Fulfilling promise'
He maintained that he was fulfilling the promise he had made at Pavurallagutta that he would visit all the families of those who died of shock. “The Telangana issue was not there when I had made this promise. It is strange that the TRS objects to my visit now,” he said. He also made a fervent appeal to his supporters and the Congress workers to observe restraint. “As soon as I realised that some Congress workers indulged in violence, upset over my arrest, I appealed to them to remain calm,” he remarked.
Keywords: Telangana, Congress
Congress MP from Kadapa Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy on Friday asserted that he would resume his tour of Telangana districts as part of the “Odarpu Yatra” after the by-elections to 12 Assembly seats.
Talking to reporters here after he was escorted back by the police in wake of his arrest in Wangapally in Nalgonda district, Mr. Reddy said there was no going back on his promise of continuing his yatra.
The MP said what he could understand from today's incidents was that the TRS was afraid of his tour because of the impending by-elections. “Let the fear haunt them, I will certainly visit Telangana districts after the by-elections,” he said.
Undeterred by the violent incidents that rocked Mahabubabad in Warangal district and other parts of the State, Mr. Jagan told reporters that he would not be cowed down by the threats held out by the pro-Telangana forces particularly, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti.
Justifying his decision to tour Warangal to call on the families of those persons, who died after untimely death of his father, Mr. Jagan said the TRS had needlessly politicised his tour. “I never said it is political visit. I wanted to call on the families who lost their dear ones. Why should it hurt the TRS?” he said.
'Fulfilling promise'
He maintained that he was fulfilling the promise he had made at Pavurallagutta that he would visit all the families of those who died of shock. “The Telangana issue was not there when I had made this promise. It is strange that the TRS objects to my visit now,” he said. He also made a fervent appeal to his supporters and the Congress workers to observe restraint. “As soon as I realised that some Congress workers indulged in violence, upset over my arrest, I appealed to them to remain calm,” he remarked.Tuesday, May 25, 2010
PM shows total command
As the UPA -II completes a year in power, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has metamorphosed into a smart politician who is firmly in the saddle and completely in command.
On Monday, it was the consummate politician and not a veteran bureaucrat who deftly tackled tricky questions thrown at him by the media, ranging from his retirement, his reported differences with the UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, allegations against the allies and bickering in the cabinet.
Glimpses of Dr Singh's transformation from a disciplined bureaucrat to a canny leader had flashed past during the no trust move against the UPA-I. After Monday’s press meet, it became evident that he was no longer the ‘reluctant politician,’ a term that he chose to describe himself two years ago.
The soft-spoken leader has accomplished what his oratorical predecessor, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, could not do. He successfully completed his first term in power and continues to be at the helm of affairs even in the second term.
And his confidence could be gauged from the way he handled the lengthy media conference on Monday (something which ‘political’ Prime Ministers don’t usually dare to) revealing his thoughts on price rise, Maoist violence, spectrum issue, and foot-in-the-mouth ministers, to name a few ticklish subjects.
There was no chest-thumping and he termed the first year of UPA-II as a period of "reasonable achievement" with “room for achievement and better outcomes." He agreed that "price rise continue to be a matter of deep concern”.
At the same time, he deftly played down the differences between his ministers and added that policy matters be better discussed inside the cabinet rather than outside. It was a loud and clear message that there would be zero tolerance for those who cross the line.
Interestingly, he trod a middle path when asked about his future. While saying that he would not retire till he accomplished “unfinished tasks,” Dr Singh also indicated that he was willing to make way for “younger generation, if the party so desires.” It was carefully balanced, leaving the Congress happy and the opposition wringing its hands.
The Prime Minister had to reply on the controversies surrounding the DMK telecommunication minister, Mr A. Raja, on the spectrum issue which has much to do with the arithmetic in Lok Sabha. So he restricted himself to assuring that “corruption would be dealt with at any level.”
Despite facing much criticism, he also reiterated his belief on the need to have the best possible relations with Pakistan, but added the rider that the neighbour had to ensure that it “will not allow its soil to be used for terrorism.”
And for once the mission oriented-bureaucrat came to the surface when asked about the legacy he would leave behind. “I have a task to accomplish. It is for the historians to pronounce judgments.” Vintage Manmohan Singh
On Monday, it was the consummate politician and not a veteran bureaucrat who deftly tackled tricky questions thrown at him by the media, ranging from his retirement, his reported differences with the UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, allegations against the allies and bickering in the cabinet.
Glimpses of Dr Singh's transformation from a disciplined bureaucrat to a canny leader had flashed past during the no trust move against the UPA-I. After Monday’s press meet, it became evident that he was no longer the ‘reluctant politician,’ a term that he chose to describe himself two years ago.
The soft-spoken leader has accomplished what his oratorical predecessor, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, could not do. He successfully completed his first term in power and continues to be at the helm of affairs even in the second term.
And his confidence could be gauged from the way he handled the lengthy media conference on Monday (something which ‘political’ Prime Ministers don’t usually dare to) revealing his thoughts on price rise, Maoist violence, spectrum issue, and foot-in-the-mouth ministers, to name a few ticklish subjects.
There was no chest-thumping and he termed the first year of UPA-II as a period of "reasonable achievement" with “room for achievement and better outcomes." He agreed that "price rise continue to be a matter of deep concern”.
At the same time, he deftly played down the differences between his ministers and added that policy matters be better discussed inside the cabinet rather than outside. It was a loud and clear message that there would be zero tolerance for those who cross the line.
Interestingly, he trod a middle path when asked about his future. While saying that he would not retire till he accomplished “unfinished tasks,” Dr Singh also indicated that he was willing to make way for “younger generation, if the party so desires.” It was carefully balanced, leaving the Congress happy and the opposition wringing its hands.
The Prime Minister had to reply on the controversies surrounding the DMK telecommunication minister, Mr A. Raja, on the spectrum issue which has much to do with the arithmetic in Lok Sabha. So he restricted himself to assuring that “corruption would be dealt with at any level.”
Despite facing much criticism, he also reiterated his belief on the need to have the best possible relations with Pakistan, but added the rider that the neighbour had to ensure that it “will not allow its soil to be used for terrorism.”
And for once the mission oriented-bureaucrat came to the surface when asked about the legacy he would leave behind. “I have a task to accomplish. It is for the historians to pronounce judgments.” Vintage Manmohan Singh
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
MIM, TD, Congress bag 1 seat
The Congress, the Telugu Desam and the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musli-meen bagged one seat each in the MLC elections held for the Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy local authorities’ constituencies.
The counting of votes was taken up on Monday morning. It was a cakewalk of sorts for Mr M.S. Prabhakar, the Congress nominee who secured 69 votes, and Mr Syed Amin Jafri, the Majlis nominee who got 55 votes.
The Opposition TD candidate, Mr E. Mallesam, got one vote as the party decided to boycott the polls on Friday. In the Ranga Reddy local authorities’ constituencies, the TD nominee, Mr P. Narender Reddy won the seat defeating Mr Kasani Gyaneswar of Congress by a margin of 48 votes.
The counting of votes was taken up on Monday morning. It was a cakewalk of sorts for Mr M.S. Prabhakar, the Congress nominee who secured 69 votes, and Mr Syed Amin Jafri, the Majlis nominee who got 55 votes.
The Opposition TD candidate, Mr E. Mallesam, got one vote as the party decided to boycott the polls on Friday. In the Ranga Reddy local authorities’ constituencies, the TD nominee, Mr P. Narender Reddy won the seat defeating Mr Kasani Gyaneswar of Congress by a margin of 48 votes.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
TD wants to kill my party: Chiru
The Praja Rajyam chief, Mr K. Chiranjeevi, has ruled out any tie-up or merger of his party with the Congress.
He also expressed anger at the comments made by the Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Praja Rajyam. “He (Mr Naidu) and his party’s top leaders are now busy poaching leaders from my party,” said Mr Chiranjeevi. “They want to finish my party but these desertions won’t affect it.”
Mr Chiranjeevi, who is undertaking a 15-day tour of select coastal districts from Wednesday in favour of the Polavaram project, told this correspondent on Monday that he was not worried about the future of his party and saw no reason for changing his style of functioning. “The PR will remain a third alternative in state politics,” he said.
He dismissed media reports predicting the merger of his party with the Congress. “In what way will it help the party?” he asked. “We will get some posts? I don’t bother about them. I will run the party as it is now, unmindful of what will happen in future.”
The Praja Rajyam chief added that his party had no obligation to contest all elections. “When we feel that we have the potential we would certainly contest,” he said.
He also expressed anger at the comments made by the Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Praja Rajyam. “He (Mr Naidu) and his party’s top leaders are now busy poaching leaders from my party,” said Mr Chiranjeevi. “They want to finish my party but these desertions won’t affect it.”
Mr Chiranjeevi, who is undertaking a 15-day tour of select coastal districts from Wednesday in favour of the Polavaram project, told this correspondent on Monday that he was not worried about the future of his party and saw no reason for changing his style of functioning. “The PR will remain a third alternative in state politics,” he said.
He dismissed media reports predicting the merger of his party with the Congress. “In what way will it help the party?” he asked. “We will get some posts? I don’t bother about them. I will run the party as it is now, unmindful of what will happen in future.”
The Praja Rajyam chief added that his party had no obligation to contest all elections. “When we feel that we have the potential we would certainly contest,” he said.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Congress flays Chandrashekhar Rao for attacking state chief
TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao today came under criticism from state Congress leaders for attacking APCC president D. Srinivas.
Mr. Rao had hit out at Mr. Srinivas for not submitting a report in favour of separate Telangana to the Srikrishna Committee citing objections from Congress leaders from non-Telangana regions.
“Submitting report to the Srikrishna Committee is an internal matter of our party. Why should Chandrasekhar Rao talk about it?” senior Congress MLA S. Sailajanath told reporters.
The Committee was appointed by the Centre to examine the situation in Andhra Pradesh over the Telangana issue.
“Chandrasekhar Rao is making allegations against Mr. Srinivas only to prove his existence. He (TRS president) tried to please Mr. Srinivas to have an electoral alliance with Congress for the 2004 elections. How can he forget those days?” state Health Minister and Congress’ Hyderabad unit president D. Nagender asked.
Describing Rao as an “untrustworthy person”, Mr. Sailajanath alleged that the TRS president spoke against the issues which he is highlighting now.
“He (Rao) tries to project himself as champion of Telangana. He says various agreements like six-point formula and Hyderabad, which were meant to benefit Telangana, have never been implemented. But in 1996, he spoke against such agreements on the floor of the House as a TDP MLA,” he said.
Mr. Rao had hit out at Mr. Srinivas for not submitting a report in favour of separate Telangana to the Srikrishna Committee citing objections from Congress leaders from non-Telangana regions.
“Submitting report to the Srikrishna Committee is an internal matter of our party. Why should Chandrasekhar Rao talk about it?” senior Congress MLA S. Sailajanath told reporters.
The Committee was appointed by the Centre to examine the situation in Andhra Pradesh over the Telangana issue.
“Chandrasekhar Rao is making allegations against Mr. Srinivas only to prove his existence. He (TRS president) tried to please Mr. Srinivas to have an electoral alliance with Congress for the 2004 elections. How can he forget those days?” state Health Minister and Congress’ Hyderabad unit president D. Nagender asked.
Describing Rao as an “untrustworthy person”, Mr. Sailajanath alleged that the TRS president spoke against the issues which he is highlighting now.
“He (Rao) tries to project himself as champion of Telangana. He says various agreements like six-point formula and Hyderabad, which were meant to benefit Telangana, have never been implemented. But in 1996, he spoke against such agreements on the floor of the House as a TDP MLA,” he said.
Congress seeks 'adjustment' with Trinamool for Kolkata civic polls
Senior Congress leader and party in-charge of West Bengal K. Keshav Rao met Trinamool Congress chief and Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee here Friday to seek seat-sharing “adjustment” between the two parties ahead of next month’s Kolkata civic body elections.
“I conveyed to her what the party wants. There is need for adjustment,” Mr. Rao told reporters.
Trinamool Congress, the dominant opposition party in the state, has offered the Congress 25 of the 141 seats in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections, much below the 51 the Congress had demanded. Party leaders in West Bengal have conveyed their resentment to the central leadership over this.
The Trinamool Congress Wednesday announced candidates for 116 seats in the corporation.
Mr. Rao said his meeting with Banerjee was also about some pending rail projects in Andhra Pradesh.
He said the seat adjustment talks will be held by the local Congress units in consultation with the state leadership, and the Congress central leadership will not interfere. “My advice to PCC (Pradesh Congress committee) is to see that the jot (combination with Trinamool Congress) runs smoothly,” he said.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation will go to the polls along with 80 other municipalities in the state May 30. The seat sharing is expected to have a bearing on the understanding between two parties for other municipalities.
“I conveyed to her what the party wants. There is need for adjustment,” Mr. Rao told reporters.
Trinamool Congress, the dominant opposition party in the state, has offered the Congress 25 of the 141 seats in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections, much below the 51 the Congress had demanded. Party leaders in West Bengal have conveyed their resentment to the central leadership over this.
The Trinamool Congress Wednesday announced candidates for 116 seats in the corporation.
Mr. Rao said his meeting with Banerjee was also about some pending rail projects in Andhra Pradesh.
He said the seat adjustment talks will be held by the local Congress units in consultation with the state leadership, and the Congress central leadership will not interfere. “My advice to PCC (Pradesh Congress committee) is to see that the jot (combination with Trinamool Congress) runs smoothly,” he said.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation will go to the polls along with 80 other municipalities in the state May 30. The seat sharing is expected to have a bearing on the understanding between two parties for other municipalities.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Congress, TRS clash at Patham
Praja Patham turned into a high voltage event at Yaradapalli village under Shankarapatnam mandal with Telangana joint action committee (JAC) leaders and Congress activists indulged in a free for all before being arrested on Monday.
As pro-Telangana leaders and activists tried to prevent Manakondur MLA A. Mohan of the Congress from attending the gram sabha, the Congress workers also resisted their attempts with equal gusto.
Both sides entered into verbal duels and then resorted to scuffles.
According to sources, when TRS and JAC activists rushed towards the MLA, his supporters too swung into action and prevented them from coming near Mr Mohan. Efforts by police to separate warring sides proved futile for a while.
Enraged by the violent protests by TRS men, Mr Mohan launched a tirade against the TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao using harsh words.
Reacting to the demands by TRS leaders that he resign from his post, the Congress MLA questioned them why Mr KCR and MLC Naradasu Laxman Rao had not quit their posts. “What did Rajender achieve by resigning time and again?” he said.
Heated exchange between the two sides deteriorated into an outright hurling of expletives against each other forcing the police to take the protesters as well as Congressmen into custody.
As pro-Telangana leaders and activists tried to prevent Manakondur MLA A. Mohan of the Congress from attending the gram sabha, the Congress workers also resisted their attempts with equal gusto.
Both sides entered into verbal duels and then resorted to scuffles.
According to sources, when TRS and JAC activists rushed towards the MLA, his supporters too swung into action and prevented them from coming near Mr Mohan. Efforts by police to separate warring sides proved futile for a while.
Enraged by the violent protests by TRS men, Mr Mohan launched a tirade against the TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao using harsh words.
Reacting to the demands by TRS leaders that he resign from his post, the Congress MLA questioned them why Mr KCR and MLC Naradasu Laxman Rao had not quit their posts. “What did Rajender achieve by resigning time and again?” he said.
Heated exchange between the two sides deteriorated into an outright hurling of expletives against each other forcing the police to take the protesters as well as Congressmen into custody.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Cong says Rahul denied permission to garland Ambedkar statue
As BSP and Congress play the Dalit card on the birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar, the district authorities here today told Rahul Gandhi that he could garland the Dalit icon’s statue only after Mayawati’s party function got over.
Congress Legislative Party leader Pramod Tewari said his party had sought written permission from the district administration for 39-year-old Rahul to garland Ambedkar’s statue here.
“We had sought written permission but were denied the same,” he said.
However, District Magistrate Kunwar Vikram Singh said, “We have not denied permission but we will allow the garlanding of the statue by Congress leaders only after the BSP’s function ends here.”
The BSP’s function here is scheduled from 10 am to 4 pm while the Congress function is planned from 10 am to 2 pm.
Both the Congress and BSP are preparing to play their Dalit card on the 119th birth anniversary of Ambedkar and both the parties have organised functions at a short distance of each other in this district. The Ambedkar statue in question is in the middle of the two places.
Tight security arrangements have been made in the district with the AICC general secretary scheduled to flag off Chetna Yatra (awareness drive) to mark 125 years of party’s establishment, and BSP planning to stage a demonstration against “wrong policies” of the UPA government and “short comings” in the Women Reservation bill.
On the directives of Mayawati, a battery of senior leaders, including state cabinet ministers, will stage a demonstration, they said.
Ambedkar Nagar, which has a sizeable Dalit population, holds significance for the BSP as it had been represented by Mayawati thrice in Lok Sabha in 1998, 1999 and 2004.
Congress Legislative Party leader Pramod Tewari said his party had sought written permission from the district administration for 39-year-old Rahul to garland Ambedkar’s statue here.
“We had sought written permission but were denied the same,” he said.
However, District Magistrate Kunwar Vikram Singh said, “We have not denied permission but we will allow the garlanding of the statue by Congress leaders only after the BSP’s function ends here.”
The BSP’s function here is scheduled from 10 am to 4 pm while the Congress function is planned from 10 am to 2 pm.
Both the Congress and BSP are preparing to play their Dalit card on the 119th birth anniversary of Ambedkar and both the parties have organised functions at a short distance of each other in this district. The Ambedkar statue in question is in the middle of the two places.
Tight security arrangements have been made in the district with the AICC general secretary scheduled to flag off Chetna Yatra (awareness drive) to mark 125 years of party’s establishment, and BSP planning to stage a demonstration against “wrong policies” of the UPA government and “short comings” in the Women Reservation bill.
On the directives of Mayawati, a battery of senior leaders, including state cabinet ministers, will stage a demonstration, they said.
Ambedkar Nagar, which has a sizeable Dalit population, holds significance for the BSP as it had been represented by Mayawati thrice in Lok Sabha in 1998, 1999 and 2004.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Congress, NCP activists clash during Navi Mumbai municipal polls
A scuffle broke out on Sunday between activists of the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) over bogus voting during elections to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).
Police resorted to lathicharge at the Sanpada voting centre in the satellite city and detained 25 people for rioting and bogus voting, a police official said.
The Congress and the NCP, allies at the State and Centre, are fighting the election to the corporation in the neighbouring city separately.
Navi Mumbai is considered a stronghold of Excise Minister and NCP leader Ganesh Naik, who is aiming at bringing his party to power in the 89-member body for the third time.
Besides the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition, the MNS , the Samajwadi Party and the Republican Party of India (RPI)-Left combine are also in the fray.
Police resorted to lathicharge at the Sanpada voting centre in the satellite city and detained 25 people for rioting and bogus voting, a police official said.
The Congress and the NCP, allies at the State and Centre, are fighting the election to the corporation in the neighbouring city separately.
Navi Mumbai is considered a stronghold of Excise Minister and NCP leader Ganesh Naik, who is aiming at bringing his party to power in the 89-member body for the third time.
Besides the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition, the MNS , the Samajwadi Party and the Republican Party of India (RPI)-Left combine are also in the fray.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
RS selection in ‘outsider’ row
he Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, is yet to decide on whether or not to field more ‘outsiders’ in the Rajya Sabha elections from the state.
Six seats from the state are going to be vacated by June this year and biennial poll schedule will be announced next month. Out of the six vacancies, five are from the Congress. But the ruling party may only be able to send four this time, and that too with the support of Majlis and Praja Rajyam. And two seats will go to Telugu Desam kitty.
The five retiring members, including one ‘outsider,’ the Union minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh, and other leaders from the Congress, are eagerly waiting for the decision of the Congress president in this regard.
Meanwhile, there is talk in Delhi that Mr Rahul Gandhi is not keen on ‘outsiders’ being sent to Rajya Sabha from various states. He feels that the RS should really represent the states.
When contacted, Mr Ramesh said that he did not know any thing about his re-nomination. “It is all left to the Congress president, I will abide whatever she decides,” he said.
The Union minister for law, Mr Veerappa Moily, who is in charge of party affairs in AP, also said that no guidelines had been framed so far. “We will take a decision when the notification is issued; there is no hurry,” he said.
Sources said the Congress might not prefer to re-nominate those members who had already served two terms in the RS. This means that the former Chief Minister, Mr Nedurumalli Janardhan Reddy, and the former state minister, Mr V. Hanumantha Rao, are out.
The retiring members, Mr J.D. Seelam, and Mr Girish Sanghi, are confident of being renominated.
Six seats from the state are going to be vacated by June this year and biennial poll schedule will be announced next month. Out of the six vacancies, five are from the Congress. But the ruling party may only be able to send four this time, and that too with the support of Majlis and Praja Rajyam. And two seats will go to Telugu Desam kitty.
The five retiring members, including one ‘outsider,’ the Union minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh, and other leaders from the Congress, are eagerly waiting for the decision of the Congress president in this regard.
Meanwhile, there is talk in Delhi that Mr Rahul Gandhi is not keen on ‘outsiders’ being sent to Rajya Sabha from various states. He feels that the RS should really represent the states.
When contacted, Mr Ramesh said that he did not know any thing about his re-nomination. “It is all left to the Congress president, I will abide whatever she decides,” he said.
The Union minister for law, Mr Veerappa Moily, who is in charge of party affairs in AP, also said that no guidelines had been framed so far. “We will take a decision when the notification is issued; there is no hurry,” he said.
Sources said the Congress might not prefer to re-nominate those members who had already served two terms in the RS. This means that the former Chief Minister, Mr Nedurumalli Janardhan Reddy, and the former state minister, Mr V. Hanumantha Rao, are out.
The retiring members, Mr J.D. Seelam, and Mr Girish Sanghi, are confident of being renominated.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Bandh in Chhattisgarh to protest Maoist massacre
Roads were deserted, schools were closed and shops downed shutters across many parts of Chhattisgarh on Thursday as the opposition Congress began a daylong shutdown to protest the massacre of 76 troopers by Maoist guerrillas.
Roads wore a deserted look not only in the state capital Raipur but also in the second most populous town in the state, Bilaspur. In Durg and the industrial towns of Korba, Raigarh and Bhilai too, vehicles remained off roads.
According to reports coming in from the State’s Maoist stronghold of Bastar region, the shutdown hit life in the five districts — Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Bastar and Kanker.
Schools remained closed across the state while shopkeepers downed their shutters as a mark of protest.
Chhattisgarh State Congress president Dhanendra Sahu told reporters here that the strike was called to protest the flawed policies of the State’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) that resulted in the killing of 76 troopers on Tuesday in the biggest ever attack carried by Maoists.
Hundreds of Maoists trapped over 80 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers on a hilly stretch, some 450 km south of Raipur, in Dantewada district and went on a killing spree using pressure bombs and automatic weapons.
About a dozen industrial bodies, including the Chhattisgarh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have extended support to the shutdown to express their solidarity with the deceased security personnel.
Roads wore a deserted look not only in the state capital Raipur but also in the second most populous town in the state, Bilaspur. In Durg and the industrial towns of Korba, Raigarh and Bhilai too, vehicles remained off roads.
According to reports coming in from the State’s Maoist stronghold of Bastar region, the shutdown hit life in the five districts — Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Bastar and Kanker.
Schools remained closed across the state while shopkeepers downed their shutters as a mark of protest.
Chhattisgarh State Congress president Dhanendra Sahu told reporters here that the strike was called to protest the flawed policies of the State’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) that resulted in the killing of 76 troopers on Tuesday in the biggest ever attack carried by Maoists.
Hundreds of Maoists trapped over 80 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers on a hilly stretch, some 450 km south of Raipur, in Dantewada district and went on a killing spree using pressure bombs and automatic weapons.
About a dozen industrial bodies, including the Chhattisgarh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have extended support to the shutdown to express their solidarity with the deceased security personnel.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Congressmen oppose DS bid
The Pradesh Congress Committee president, Mr D. Srinivas, who wanted to enter the AP legislature through the Legislative Council is facing stiff opposition from local Congressmen who want the seats for themselves.
They want Mr Srinivas to contest from his native Nizamabad Urban Assembly seat which is going for bypolls in the next few months. According to Gandhi Bhavan sources there are at least 30 Congress leaders from the city aspiring for a Legislative Council seat. The poll notification for these seats are expected to be announced by the Election Commission anytime after April 10.
There is going to be elections for three Legislative Council seats from Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts and the Congress, MIM and the Telugu Desam are slated to win one each. The elections are likely to be unanimous.
Some Congressmen have already told the party high command that if a PCC chief himself opts out of the race from his native Assembly bypoll to take the Council route it would send a wrong message to other candidates who will be in the fray for bypolls to 12 Assembly seats.
The Congress MLAs from the city are also opposing Mr Srinivas entry as they are afraid that their chances of becoming a minister will get jeopardised in the next Cabinet reshuffle.
Two ministers in the present Cabinet are also afraid that the PCC chief’s entry will be a threat to their continuance in the Rosaiah ministry. A senior Congress MLA, Dr P. Shanker Rao, is already eyeing a Cabinet berth in the reshuffle claiming seniority and being a Dalit. Another strong contender for berth is former minister, Mr Marri Shasidhar Reddy, who is considered to be close to the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah.
They want Mr Srinivas to contest from his native Nizamabad Urban Assembly seat which is going for bypolls in the next few months. According to Gandhi Bhavan sources there are at least 30 Congress leaders from the city aspiring for a Legislative Council seat. The poll notification for these seats are expected to be announced by the Election Commission anytime after April 10.
There is going to be elections for three Legislative Council seats from Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts and the Congress, MIM and the Telugu Desam are slated to win one each. The elections are likely to be unanimous.
Some Congressmen have already told the party high command that if a PCC chief himself opts out of the race from his native Assembly bypoll to take the Council route it would send a wrong message to other candidates who will be in the fray for bypolls to 12 Assembly seats.
The Congress MLAs from the city are also opposing Mr Srinivas entry as they are afraid that their chances of becoming a minister will get jeopardised in the next Cabinet reshuffle.
Two ministers in the present Cabinet are also afraid that the PCC chief’s entry will be a threat to their continuance in the Rosaiah ministry. A senior Congress MLA, Dr P. Shanker Rao, is already eyeing a Cabinet berth in the reshuffle claiming seniority and being a Dalit. Another strong contender for berth is former minister, Mr Marri Shasidhar Reddy, who is considered to be close to the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Property buyers vulnerable
The endowments minister, Mr Gade Venkata Reddy, on Monday said there was no provision in the existing laws to prevent registration of the same property to multiple buyers.
He was replying to a question posed by the Congress member, Dr D.L. Ravindra Reddy, in the Assembly.
There were proposals to amend the Registration Act empowering the state to identify and stop multiple registrations, the minister said adding that the Centre had also been considering certain initiatives in this regard.
Dr Ravindra Reddy said several innocent people, particularly those in the capital and its surroundings, were put to great financial loss.
Meanwhile, the state Assembly on Monday guillotined (passed) the demands for grants of 40 departments without any debate.
The guillotine was applied at 2 pm after briefly suspending the short discussion on rise of prices of essential commodities. The Speaker took up demands for voice vote and guillotined the same. Though the House took up discussion on demands of all the welfare subjects, it remained incomplete and the government did not give its reply to the discussion.
The Speaker interrupted the Praja Rajyam member, Ms Sobha Nagireddy, at 2 pm stating that it was mandatory for the House to pass the demands withing the time frame. Even as the Speaker was putting the demands for voice vote, the senior Telugu Desam member, Mr R. Chandrasekhar Reddy, blamed the ruling party for forcing guillotine of demands.
The ruling party members shouted back and accused the TD of wasting precious time of the House.
The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, before leaving the House for the day briefly interacted with the media and said it is unfortunate that the demands of grants had to be approved without discussion in the House though the ruling Congress was particular about it. They said the Opposition was bent upon wasting time.
He was replying to a question posed by the Congress member, Dr D.L. Ravindra Reddy, in the Assembly.
There were proposals to amend the Registration Act empowering the state to identify and stop multiple registrations, the minister said adding that the Centre had also been considering certain initiatives in this regard.
Dr Ravindra Reddy said several innocent people, particularly those in the capital and its surroundings, were put to great financial loss.
Meanwhile, the state Assembly on Monday guillotined (passed) the demands for grants of 40 departments without any debate.
The guillotine was applied at 2 pm after briefly suspending the short discussion on rise of prices of essential commodities. The Speaker took up demands for voice vote and guillotined the same. Though the House took up discussion on demands of all the welfare subjects, it remained incomplete and the government did not give its reply to the discussion.
The Speaker interrupted the Praja Rajyam member, Ms Sobha Nagireddy, at 2 pm stating that it was mandatory for the House to pass the demands withing the time frame. Even as the Speaker was putting the demands for voice vote, the senior Telugu Desam member, Mr R. Chandrasekhar Reddy, blamed the ruling party for forcing guillotine of demands.
The ruling party members shouted back and accused the TD of wasting precious time of the House.
The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, before leaving the House for the day briefly interacted with the media and said it is unfortunate that the demands of grants had to be approved without discussion in the House though the ruling Congress was particular about it. They said the Opposition was bent upon wasting time.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Manmohan responsible for price rise, says BJP
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has failed to control the spiralling prices of essential commodities and the United Progressive Alliance government is insecure and has misplaced priorities, according to Bharatiya Janata Party's national spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad
“Mr. Singh, who is regarded as a noted economist, has completely failed to control the rampant price rise of essential commodities. Why is it that there is always a price rise whenever there is a Congress-led government at the Centre?” said Mr. Prasad said here on Sunday.
“Prices of essential commodities remained under a tight leash when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was in power for six years,” he claimed.
“The government is insecure and has misplaced priorities. It is more concerned instead with banal issues such as attacking actor Amitabh Bachchan for sharing the same podium with Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan,” he said.
Headley issue
Terming the Centre's stand on the Headley affair vapid and a “gross failure of diplomatic initiatives” on its part, Mr. Prasad said, “Headley has named four Pakistani officers as part of the 26/11 conspiracy. Why are only the Karachi and Lahore angles being looked at and the Pakistan Army establishment's direct role in the terrorist strike being ignored.”
“During the course of his two-day dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi smugly hailed a Pakistan-U.S. ‘partnership'.
So, does the U.S. now endorse Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism in this ‘alliance',” he said.
Naxal challenge
On the Centre's armed operations to combat naxalism, he said he endorsed an armed offensive against naxals, but the nature of challenge must be well understood and the police action well coordinated.
“Naxals do not believe in capturing power by using constitutional means. They believe that power flows from the barrel of a gun,” he pointed out.
“Mr. Singh, who is regarded as a noted economist, has completely failed to control the rampant price rise of essential commodities. Why is it that there is always a price rise whenever there is a Congress-led government at the Centre?” said Mr. Prasad said here on Sunday.
“Prices of essential commodities remained under a tight leash when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was in power for six years,” he claimed.
“The government is insecure and has misplaced priorities. It is more concerned instead with banal issues such as attacking actor Amitabh Bachchan for sharing the same podium with Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan,” he said.
Headley issue
Terming the Centre's stand on the Headley affair vapid and a “gross failure of diplomatic initiatives” on its part, Mr. Prasad said, “Headley has named four Pakistani officers as part of the 26/11 conspiracy. Why are only the Karachi and Lahore angles being looked at and the Pakistan Army establishment's direct role in the terrorist strike being ignored.”
“During the course of his two-day dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi smugly hailed a Pakistan-U.S. ‘partnership'.
So, does the U.S. now endorse Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism in this ‘alliance',” he said.
Naxal challenge
On the Centre's armed operations to combat naxalism, he said he endorsed an armed offensive against naxals, but the nature of challenge must be well understood and the police action well coordinated.
“Naxals do not believe in capturing power by using constitutional means. They believe that power flows from the barrel of a gun,” he pointed out.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Pallam’s convoy kills five
Five persons died and over 10 suffered injuries when the escort vehicle of the minister of state for defence, Mr. M.M. Pallam Raju, hit an autorickshaw at Chodipallepeta in Kakinada region of East Godavari district on Thursday morning.
Police admitted the injured persons to nearby hospitals at Kakinada and Tuni. The condition of two of the injured is said to be critical.
There were seven women passengers in the autorickshaw. Five of them boarded it at Konapapapeta to go Yellayyapeta of Tondangi mandal and two others joined in at Chodipallipeta village.
As the autorickshaw was moving towards Yellayyapeta on the beach road at around 11.30 am, the minister’s convoy came from the opposite direction and an escort vehicle hit it.
Three passengers of the autorickshaw died on spot, another died on the way to a hospital, and two others were admitted to the government general hospital here. Those sitting in the escort vehicle were also injured in the mishap and were rushed to nearby hospital at Tuni in the district. The minister was unhurt, and the driver of the autorickshaw is absconding.
The dead were identified as Ms T. Vijayalakshmi, 30, Ms S. Satyavathi, 56, Ms T. Nallamma, 35, and Ms T. Poleramma, 37, of Konapapapeta of U. Kottapalli mandal, and A. Ratnam, 70, of Chodipallepeta.
After hearing about the incident, hundreds villagers rushed to the spot and blocked the minister and his convoy for more than two hours, demanding exgratia.The Tondangi police has registered a case under Section 304 (A) for causing death by negligence.
Police admitted the injured persons to nearby hospitals at Kakinada and Tuni. The condition of two of the injured is said to be critical.
There were seven women passengers in the autorickshaw. Five of them boarded it at Konapapapeta to go Yellayyapeta of Tondangi mandal and two others joined in at Chodipallipeta village.
As the autorickshaw was moving towards Yellayyapeta on the beach road at around 11.30 am, the minister’s convoy came from the opposite direction and an escort vehicle hit it.
Three passengers of the autorickshaw died on spot, another died on the way to a hospital, and two others were admitted to the government general hospital here. Those sitting in the escort vehicle were also injured in the mishap and were rushed to nearby hospital at Tuni in the district. The minister was unhurt, and the driver of the autorickshaw is absconding.
The dead were identified as Ms T. Vijayalakshmi, 30, Ms S. Satyavathi, 56, Ms T. Nallamma, 35, and Ms T. Poleramma, 37, of Konapapapeta of U. Kottapalli mandal, and A. Ratnam, 70, of Chodipallepeta.
After hearing about the incident, hundreds villagers rushed to the spot and blocked the minister and his convoy for more than two hours, demanding exgratia.The Tondangi police has registered a case under Section 304 (A) for causing death by negligence.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Congress, TD fail to discuss quota in time
The Congress and the Telugu Desam MLAs on Tuesday wasted the time of the Assembly by limiting their speeches to accuse each other of denying justice to Muslims and patting themselves for uplifting the community.
Participating in a short discussion on four per cent reservation to Muslims, the members of the two parties spoke on several issues except the reservation issue, though the debate was meant to provide concrete suggestions to the government in the run up to the hearing in the Supreme Court.
There was an uproar in the House with Congress member, Mr Mastan Vali accusing the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, of being “shameless” for receiving Mr L.K. Advani’s rath yatra, which was conducted against Muslims.
He said the TD had no moral right to talk about Muslims as Mr Naidu had joined hands with Hindutva forces. For the first time, the Congress member finished his speech without mentioning the contribution of the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy in implementing Muslim reservations.
Ironically, the TD members did not react immediately after Mr Vali’s comments. They realised the essence of the Congress member’s comments half an hour later after the Majlis floor leader, Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi, came into the House and objected to Mr Vali’s remarks.
Mr Owaisi asked why the Congress member should use unparliamentary language against Mr Naidu. There was a din in the House when the TD member Mr Revanth Reddy referred to communal riots in the state capital before the advent of the TD in 1983, demolition of Babri mosque under P.V. Narasimha Rao’s rule and Shilanyas at Ayodhya being allowed by the then PM Rajiv Gandhi.
Participating in a short discussion on four per cent reservation to Muslims, the members of the two parties spoke on several issues except the reservation issue, though the debate was meant to provide concrete suggestions to the government in the run up to the hearing in the Supreme Court.
There was an uproar in the House with Congress member, Mr Mastan Vali accusing the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, of being “shameless” for receiving Mr L.K. Advani’s rath yatra, which was conducted against Muslims.
He said the TD had no moral right to talk about Muslims as Mr Naidu had joined hands with Hindutva forces. For the first time, the Congress member finished his speech without mentioning the contribution of the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy in implementing Muslim reservations.
Ironically, the TD members did not react immediately after Mr Vali’s comments. They realised the essence of the Congress member’s comments half an hour later after the Majlis floor leader, Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi, came into the House and objected to Mr Vali’s remarks.
Mr Owaisi asked why the Congress member should use unparliamentary language against Mr Naidu. There was a din in the House when the TD member Mr Revanth Reddy referred to communal riots in the state capital before the advent of the TD in 1983, demolition of Babri mosque under P.V. Narasimha Rao’s rule and Shilanyas at Ayodhya being allowed by the then PM Rajiv Gandhi.
