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Thanks Modiji: CM KCR

  Telangana CM KCR thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for swiftly reacting to his appeal for medical help. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister JP Nadda both have positively responds to his appeal for help to control the Swine Flu disease that grips the twin cities. He said they both promised to send medicines and specialist doctors teams in a day or two to Hyderabad to assist the state government.   He said there is no need to scare about Swine Flu disease. It can be prevented by taking some precautions. He said those people having cold and fever for more than three days should immediately take treatment and avoid coming out of their homes until they are fully recovered. It can prevent spreading of Swine Flu to others said CM KCR. He asked the media not to scare the people narrating about the Swine Flu cases and deaths, instead educate the people about its symptoms, precautions to be taken and about nearest medical treatment. He admitted that so far 19 persons have died with this Swine Flu disease.

Court annoyed for sparing MLAs and MLCs from disqualification

  It is unfortunate to see some constitutional organizations are unable to do their duties on their own, unless the courts are intervened and serve warnings. Whether it is CBI or state government board or an Assembly speaker, it appears there is necessity for a constant monitoring of their activities by the courts.   Congress party MLCs Rajalingam, Bhanu Prasad, Jagadish Reddy and Amos have joined TRS. Similarly, TDP MLAs Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Dharma Reddy and Teegala Krishna Reddy have joined TRS party. But none of them have quit their posts until now. However, the Speaker and Chairman of legislative houses have not bothered to disqualify them despite TDP and Congress party’s appeals and several reminders. So, both parties have dragged them to the court.   The High Court expresses anguish on them both for ignoring the constitutional procedures. It asks the Attorney General of Telangana government to submit their explanation in this regard before 27th of this month.   Now, only two options left for them. Either they all have to quit their posts immediately otherwise let them disqualified. Speaker and Chairman may not afford to prolong their decision any further otherwise they have to appear before the court with explanations for the same. So, all those MLAs and MLCs of TDP and Congress party may quit their posts immediately to avoid this embarrassing situation in the court.

Parliament Budget Sessions Schedule announced

  Parliament budget sessions will commence from February 23rd. They will be held in two phases. During the first phase, Railways budget will be presented on 26th, Financial survey on 27th and the General budget will be presented on February 28th. The first sessions will conclude on March 20th. Again, parliament will assemble on April 20th and the sessions will continue till May 8th.   As promised earlier, Modi government has bring down the inflation and shown some improvement in GDP. Markets are also galloping with profits and international community has acknowledged the visible improvement. The sharp fall of Petroleum prices in the international market has also come as a blessing for Modi government. Although, it doesn't transfer its full benefit to the people by reducing petrol diesel and gas prices, the steady prices of these products make the people feel happy. The additional revenue that it pockets by increasing the excise duty on these products, brings the government an unexpected wealth. So, the  financial condition of the government is also very fair now.    NDA government can also boast about its efforts in implementing Swachcha Bharath, Jan Dhan Yojana, Make in India, Digital India and Samsad Adarsh Gram Yojana etc. programs.   So, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may claim its full credit to his government. Moreover, the subsequent victories in the Assembly elections held in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand and partial victory in Jammu and Kashmir State helps to elevate the NDA government status in the parliament, while the Congress party shrinks further. If, BJP wins Delhi Assembly elections also Congress may not be in a position to criticize the NDA government on any point in the budget. However, all the regional parties in northern India may unite under its leadership to cross swords with NDA government, but they will not be matching to it any way.

Chandrababu to visit Warangal in February

  T-TDP president L Ramana told the media that Chandrababu Naidu will visit Warangal in the next month. His son Nara Lokesh also may accompany him during his visit to the district. Since, this is announced by party president of the Telangana state, it is to be considered as confirmed official announcement. It is not any big secret that Chandrababu Naidu’s tour is intended to strengthen the party in Telangana state.   His tour may help the party or may not, but certainly it may irk the TRS party chief KCR, who is desperately trying to wipe off the TDP from Telangana state. So, he may definitely encourage his TRS party cadres to make protests in his tour. But, it will provide an opportunity to TDP to ask why the TRS is remaining silent when YS Sharmila is conducting Paramarsha Yatra in the Telangana state. Sharmila will resume her Paramarsha Yatra from Devarakonda in Nalgonda district from January 21st. She will visit Hujur Nagar, Kodhada, Miryalaguda, Nagarjuna Sagar and Suryapeta constituencies during her one week tour. So, TRS should come with an answer in case if it plans to make protests in Chandrababu Naidu’s visit.   It would be interesting to know whether Telangana BJP wing will extend its full support to him during his tour or simply stays away. BJP may stay awa from his tour because it is planning to go alone in thenext general elections. If, BJP extends its full support to his tour, then TRS may not dare to create any hurdles in his tour.

Krishnaiah also ready to jump fence?

  TDP MLA R Krishnaiah seems is prepared to jump into TRS party very soon. He has been gradually distancing from the party as he is feeling not getting his due respect in the party. He met Telangana CM KCR on Monday to appeal him grant sufficient funds for BC welfare and to discuss other issues related to his BC community. He said that CM KCR has promised him to resolve all the issues raised by him.   However, it may be an excuse to meet CM KCR to discuss about his admission into TRS party. Otherwise, no opposition leader or MLA will meet rival party president with such excuses. But, it is very surprising to see TDP lose him to rival TRS party despite knowing about his strong back ground as BC community leader.   In case, if TDP loses him to TRS, obviously it will send a wrong message to BC community both in AP and Telangana states. If he joins TRS party, it will help TRS party to strengthen its base from grass root level as majority of the BC population concentrated in the rural areas in the Telangana state.   If, Krishnaiah looses interest in TDP for any reasons, then it is wise to choose BJP than the TRS party, because he can’t expect any special treatment in TRS.

Who may win in Delhi elections? BJP or AAP?

  BJP has declared former IPS officer Kiran Bedi as party’s Chief Minister Candidate for Delhi. It takes two decades for Narendra Modi to be nominated as party’s Prime Minister Candidate. Then also he faces many challenges from within and outside, but he managed to overcome all those problems and become Prime Minister of the country. But, Kiran Bedi is quite fortunate to get such a wonderful chance within four days after joining the BJP.   Earlier, during the previous elections in Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal was able to fetch significant number of seats in the Delhi Assembly because there is anti-Congress mood prevailed all over the country and there was dilemma in the BJP over Modi’s elevation. But, now there is no such political vacuum prevailing at Centre and of course there is Modi’s strong influence on the people now. So, there are very fair chances for Kiran Bedi led BJP to win the elections.   So far, it was a fight between Arvind Kejriwal and BJP. But now it is a straight fight between him and Kiran Bedi. She has several plus points when compares to Arvind Kejriwal. Her clean image and good reputation as a former police officer gives her edge over Aam Admi party leader Arvind Kejriwal. She had won several prestigious awards for her honesty and efficiency in duties whereas Arvind Kejriwal is begging the people of Delhi for pardon now for quitting the government within 49 days in his previous term. Moreover, people of Delhi are aware that being a former police officer she can control the crime in Delhi, whereas Arvind Kejriwal may stage dharnas if problems arise.   The most important point is that Kiran Bedi government can give a stable government and also enjoys the full co-operation from the NDA government whereas if Arvind Kejriwal is elected to power he may dedicate his full time to cross swords with Modi government. So, people of Delhi may prefer to elect Kiran Bedi led BJP to power in the upcoming elections slated for February 7th.

TDP MLA ready for jump?

  TDP MLA Prakash Goud from Rajendra Nagar in Ranga Reddy district gives a strong hint to jump fence very soon. He said, “I am ready to join TRS party if CM KCR grants Rs.350 crores funds for development of my constituency and provides drinking water to every house. Telangana government moving in right direction but still there is no progress in supplying of drinking water to every house. If, both my demands are met, I am ready to join TRS otherwise there is no use of changing parties.”   Prakasham Goud was elected from Rajendra Nagar constituency for second time. So, he might be expecting some key post in the party or government if TRS is interested in him. CM KCR may encourage him to join TRS party because he may helpful to the party in the upcoming GHMC elections. Once any leader or MLA makes such a media statement, then it is just a matter of time to jump fence. Though, it is very painful to TDP, it can write him off from the party.

Media reports embarrasses NDA government

  NDA government had an embarrassing situation with the timing of some media reports about Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) involvement in helping Maithripala Sirisena to become Sri Lanka President while unsettling the former president Mahindra Rajapaksa. Some reports that appeared in the international media when the foreign minister of Sri Lanka Mangala Samaraweera has arrived to New Delhi to have a meeting with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj over strengthening bilateral relations between two countries.   According to the reports, Indian government has transferred its diplomat out from Sri Lanka upon the suggestion of President Rajapaksa for allegedly helping Maithripala Sirisena during pre-poll period to become President of the country. Indian government wants him to succeed President Rajapakse because its relations with Rajapaksa are straining for allowing two Chinese Nuclear Submarines to dock in Sri Lanka port and frequent arrests of Indian fisher men by Sri Lankan coast guard etc. issues, according to reports.   However Syed Akbaruddin, spokesman of Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the reports. He said they are just imaginary. He said “No diplomat from Sri Lanka has been transferred before completion of his/her three years term and whoever transferred in September last year from Sri Lanka has completed three years. It is not true that any Indian diplomat has intervened in the Presidential elections. If anyone has evidences for their allegations they can come open and show them to the world.”

High Court objects Telangana G.O. on FAST

  Telangana Chief Minister KCR’s brain child scheme ‘FAST’ (Financial Aid to Students of Telangana) hits the wall again. The High Court strongly objects such ideas by the government. It asks why the government has sets 1956 as the reference year to determine nativity of a citizen living in the state. It asks whether the government is following the Indian constitution of some other mechanism to rule the state. It told the state government that all its policies should be strictly in accordance to the constitution and any deviations are not allowed. It asks why the government has failed to counter even when it was given three chances? It told the state government to file its counter without fail or this would be its last chance.   Earlier, the High Court has made it clear that it will not allow the state government to show any discrimination between Andhra and Telangana students based on this nativity point. Hence, Telangana government that wants to reimburse the fees to only to Telangana students couldn’t grant scholarships in accordance to its G.O. on FAST due to objections raised by the High Court. So, there is some unrest observed in the students for not getting their scholarships.

Finance Minister Jaitley meets accused Jayalalitha!

  Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has met former CM of the Tamilnadu state in her Poes garden residence on Sunday. Though the AIADMK party termed it just a courtesy call, their meeting has led to speculations and also drawing severe criticism from opposition parties. BJP that plans to spread its wings to all the southern states has tried to form an alliance with her AIADMK party before the general elections, but she turned down its request. BJP has found the main opposition party in the state DMK was also reluctant to have an alliance with it. So, it couldn’t set its foot in the state during general elections.   But, it appears is wisely making moves now to strike a deal with AIADMK party taking advantage of Jayalalitha’s prevailing situation. A special court in Bangalore has convicted her in disproportionate assets case. The court sentenced her 4 years jail term and levied Rs.100 crore fine to her. Though, she secured bail, she was forced to quit her CM Post because of the court verdict.   Currently, Karnataka High Court is handling her case and if it also agrees with the special court’s verdict, she will be in troubles again. Moreover hardly she has two months’ time left for her bail period. Later, she may have to return to jail, if the Supreme Court refuses to extend her bail period.   So, BJP may found this is the right time to mould her in its favour. She also has no other options left but to join hands with the BJP to bail herself out of these problems. BJP may be expecting her full support to win the state assembly elections in 2016. She can’t afford to reject BJP’s proposal in her prevailing situation. If she rejects, there is DMK party that is also in miserable situation may ready to join hands with the BJP.   BJP is also trying to woo the other political parties like PMK, DMDK parties simultaneously. BJP President Amit Shah, who came to Chennai on Sunday to attend a marriage function of his party leader’s daughter, has met Vijayakanth, the president of DMDK party and also Anbhumani, the president of PMK party. He is reported to be sought their parties support to his party candidate in the upcoming bye-elections of Srirangam constituency. So, it appears BJP has kept all its options open to set its foot in the Tamilnadu state.

Senior Congress leader Paladugu died

  Senior Congress leader and MLC Paladugu Venkat Rao (75) pass away on Monday early morning at Apollo Hospital. He was ailing with health problems since last few months. He was elected as MLA from Nuziveedu for twice and also worked as rural development minister in N. Janardhan Reddy cabinet in 1978.   Paladugu was born in Gogulampadu village in Musanuru Mandal of Krishna district. He joined youth Congress in 1968 and has served the party till his last breath. He was continuing as MLC from 2007 till his death. His body will be brought to party head office in Hyderabad for paying tributes by his party leaders and others. His funeral ceremony may be performed at Hyderabad today.

Doesn’t he know why Chandrababu went to Delhi?

  AP CM Chandrababu Naidu’s media statement made at New Delhi two days ago has led to a debate back in the state. He said that we not even have enough money to pay the salaries of the employees. He said this to highlight the poor financial situation of the state so as to convince the central government to release the funds that are due to the state.   However, people of the state are aware that there is lot of improvement in the financial condition during last seven months of his ruling due to several measures taken by his government. Otherwise, he wouldn’t cleared the 20 per cent of the crop loans and grants Rs.300 crores for distributing essential commodities package to poor people during Pongal festive session.   However, AP PCC president Raghuveera Reddy flays him for trying to fool the people and the employees with his statement. Ignoring the purpose of Chandrababu Naidu’s visit to New Delhi, he asked why he is not insisting the NDA government to implement the promises made to the state in the AP Reorganization Bill-2014. Raghuveera Reddy appears to be criticizing CM Chandrababu Naidu merely to get media attention as people hardly feel the presence of his Congress party in the state.   In fact, he becomes one man army for the party in the state. Neither any leaders of the state nor its national leaders are taking any initiative to save the party in the state. So, Raghuveera Reddy now and then comes out of his shell and criticize the Chief Minister or the government just to remind the people about his existence in the state politics.

Eight members of Censor Board resigned

  The Censor Board Chief Leela Sampson’s resignation in protest against Centre’s interference and pressures has triggered a controversy between the board members and the Centre. Eight members out of the 23 in the board also have resigned today for the same reasons. Sampson alleges that the political bureaucrats in the government are controlling the board members. She said there is total interference on every small and big film. However, I&B minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has condemned the allegations made by the board members. He demands them to come up with a solid proof to strengthen their allegations. It all begins with overruling of Censor board objections on film ‘Messenger of God’, made by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) has cleared the movie, whereas the censor board has believed that the film is encouraging conservatism among the people of the country. Actually, the term of the Censor Board members has expired in 2014 itself. However, the members were given extension for many months until now. So, the Central government also has promptly approved their resignation letters. Academician Ira Bhasker, AICC secretary (Hindi dept) Pankaj Sharma, TV journalist Rajeev Masand, actor Arundhati Nag, filmmaker Shahji Karun, theatre personality M K Raina, TV producer Nikhil Alva and Lora K Prabhu are among the resigned.

Hung Assembly in Delhi also?

  Assembly elections for Delhi will be conducted on February 7th. So, it is opinion poll time. A latest survey conducted by AC Nielsen in the 70 constituencies in Delhi reveals that a hung assembly is likely as BJP may get 34 seats, Aam Admi party (28) and the Congress parties (8) may retain their seats out of 70 seats of the Delhi Assembly. The survey report predicts that there will be no room left for independents in these elections.   The same agency, has found people of Delhi are in full support to BJP because they were under Modi’s influenceduring a survey conducted in December last year. Then it predicts 45-46 seats for BJP thus giving a clear majority. But, now it found the people of Delhi have drifted towards Aam Admi party once again.   According to survey BJP will have a shortfall of two seats to form the government. BJP seems is trying to improve its electoral chances by roping in former IPS Officer Kiran Bedi and veteran actress Jayaprada into the party. No doubt, Kiran Bedi’s admission into the BJP may alter the political strengths and equations in the elections. Kiran Bedi is clearly hinting that she will be the BJP’s Chief Minister Candidate. She has proposed a six point formula to address the major problems of Delhi people. If, BJP declares her as its CM Candidate, then Aam Admi party’s seats tally may come down.

Is that why Centre is hesitating to help AP state?

  Seven months were over but the central government has not granted any huge amount to the AP state. Not even the Rs. 550 crores Hudhud cyclone relief operations and Rs.16,000 crores that it promised to grant to the state to meet the deficit budget. So, CM Chandrababu Naidu is trying to pursue the Union Ministers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for early release of funds.   Although, Venkaiah Naidu has come with a nice excuse of ‘bad financial condition of the Centre due to UPA government’s mischievous ruling’, there may be some other reasons also for the delay. Recently, BJP leader Purandeswari flays the ruling TDP government for claiming full credit of implementing several welfare schemes that were funded by the NDA government.   So, even if the Centre grants huge funds and extend its full co-operation to the state government in constructing the Capital city and Polavaram Project, TDP may claim its full credit. BJP that is planning to emerge as alternate political power in the state and contest the 2019 general elections alone may not let the TDP government claim full credit on these two projects.   So, unless TDP is willing to share the credit with the state BJP leaders, NDA may not liberally grant funds to the AP state. If, TDP note down this point and involve the state BJP leaders also into its programs, then they also may recommend and insist their high command to liberally grant funds to the AP state.

Financial Condition is not that good: Venkaiah Naidu

  Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is trying to convince the Centre for release of funds to the state before closure of the current financial year. He will meet Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today for the same purpose. But, one can’t ignore the recent statement made by the Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu.   He said “Financial situation of the Centre is also not that good because the previous UPA government has destroyed the financial condition before leaving the power. It may take some time for the Centre to recover and extend its help to the states. However, NDA government will extend its full support to the AP state and fulfill all the promises made to it in the AP Reorganization Bill-2014.”   CM Chandrababu Naidu is proposing to build a world class capital city that needs Rs.1-1.50 lakh crores. Centre has promised to bear 90 per cent of the funds for the Polavaram Project that may runs into thousands of crores. It is also supposed to grant Rs. 16000 crores funds to meet the state deficit budget. IIT, IIM, AIMS, constructing industrial corridor between Vizag and Chennai, smart cities projects etc. also need lakhs of crores of funds release from the Centre.   Though some of them can be completed in phases during next four and half years, huge funds are to be released at the earliest for the construction of Polavaram Project and Capital city. CM Chandrababu Naidu can’t ask for excuses or can’t afford to prolong these two projects because he wants to retain his power after 2019 general elections also by fulfilling these two promises that he made to people of the state.   So, obviously he may have to pressurize the Centre for release of funds to complete these two projects at least. BJP that is planning to emerge as alternate political power in the AP state has to prove that it is committed for the development of the state otherwise it not only creates a negative impression among the people but also may strain its relations with TDP. So, BJP also can’t ignore Chandrababu Naidu’s appeals. But, Minister Venkaiah Naidu’s statement is clearly hinting that it is not that easy. So, NDA government may need a year or so to set right the financial condition back on to its track and start funding the state. But, can the AP government wait till that long? So, TDP and BJP may have to find some alternate method to ensure development activities in the state go smoothly.

Will Centre grant special status to the AP state ever?

  AP CM Chandrababu Naidu has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the union ministers today. Later speaking to media said that he appealed them to implement the promises made to the state in the AP Reorganization Bill-2014. He reminds them about the balance amount to be released for Hudhud cyclone relief works. He said that he also appealed the union ministers to grant funds for conducting Godavari River Pushkaralu. He will meet other ministers also on Friday before returning to Hyderabad.   However, it is not clear whether the union ministers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have made any commitment to him on any issue raised by him. CM Chandrababu Naidu may be feeling both his hands tied with the delay taking place in implementing the promises made to the state by the Centre as he couldn’t proceed ahead with any of the projects.   Although, Centre is positively responding to his appeals, the pressures from other states may be forcing it to hold back its decision. For example, Tamilnadu is objecting granting of special status to the state while Bihar and Telangana states are also demanding for special status. Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha states are objecting Polavaram project. Centre has promised to provide sufficient funds to build capital city-Naya Raipur for Chattisgarh state, but it couldn’t fulfill its promise until now. If, it grants any huge funds to the AP state, obviously Chattisgarh state also may demand for huge funds for the same purpose. Many such obstructions may be holding the Centre from implementing the promises made to the state in the AP Reorganization Bill-2014. So, it may take some more time to implement all its promises.

Union Minister Naqvi arrested

  Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was arrested by Patwai police in Rampur of Uttar Pradesh state along with 19 others on Wednesday and produced before Rampur court. They were convicted for barging into Patwai police station breaching prohibitory orders during 2009 general elections. The court sentenced him one year jail term however he was released on bail immediately.

HS Brahma to succeed CEC VS Sampath

  Hari Shankar Brahma (64) a retired IAS Officer of 1975 Andhra Pradesh batch will succeed the outgoing Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath, who is retiring tomorrow. HS Brahma has served the state government of Andhra Pradesh as senior level officer for a long period before moving into central services.   He served as Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad for 3.5 years. Then as Commissioner (Transport) & Ex-officio Secretary (Transport, Road & Building) for 2.5 years. Later he served as Commissioner & Ex-officio Secretary (Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs) for 5 years and then as Principal Secretary (Environment, Forest, Science & Technology) of Government of Andhra Pradesh. He has been serving as Election Commissioner since August 25, 2010. He will hold office as Chief Election Commissioner till April18, 2015.