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Karnataka CM Selection today

  The victorious Congress party in Karnataka will go through a much painful exercise today of electing its Chief Minister for the state. This affair will be handled by AICC observers-Union Ministers Jitender Singh, AK Anthony, AICC general secretary in-charge of the state Madhusudhan Mestry, Screening committee chairman Luiznho Faleiro.   The front runners for the top post of the state are-senior leader Siddaramaiah and union minister Mallikarjuna Kharge. There are several others like KPCC president RV Deshpande, former working president of KPCC DK Shivakumar, senior leaders Shivashankarappa and TB Jayachandra. KPCC Chief G.Parameshwara, who was also among the front runners, was left behind in the race after he was defeated in the elections. Union minister SM.Krishna’s name was also surfaced in this list, but faded away in course of two days time.   Siddaramaiah, who is considered as the most favorable candidate for the CM post is facing stiff competition from Mallikarjuna Kharge. While, Karge followers are trying to eliminate Siddaramaiah by underlining his ‘outsider’ tag for taking plunge into Congress in year 2006, Siddaramaiah group plays sympathy card by announcing that this will be his leg of his political career, after which he wants to retire. The general belief is Siddaramaiah likely to be elected to CM post in today’s crucial meeting.   Congress has won a comfortable majority of 121 seats out of 224 members. Hence, there are no out side pressures on it in this top game.

T-issue ignored in Rahul’s first meeting with MPs

  State political affairs in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad has ensured a smooth run for the Rahul Gandhi’s first ever meeting with state Congress MPs with his briefing ahead of the meeting, otherwise which is expected to be rocked by the Telangana MPs who come prepared to cross swords with their counterparts of Seemandhra in the meeting held on yesterday.   Azad has prescribed the topics of the agenda of the meeting other than burning Telangana issue. Hence, this meeting was wholly dedicated to registering complaints on CM Kiran Kumar Reddy’s functioning style and to discus the necessary steps to be taken to ensure victory for the party in the forth coming elections. This unites the Seemandhra and Telangana MPs, who gave their suggestions and views to party vice president Rahul Gandhi.   Rahul Gandhi have noted down the complaints lodged by the Telangana MPs V.Hanumantha rao, Madhu Yashky, Ponnam Prabhakar, Manda Jagannadham and others made against Kiran Kumar Reddy about his provocative statements and style of functioning. All of they have just reminded him to give a serious thought on Telangana issue. Their one and half hour long meeting was a smooth affair, thanks to Ghulam Nabi Azad’s good briefing.

YSRCP upset with court’s verdict

  Jagan Mohan Reddy’s family members and his party cadres were very much disappointed with Supreme Court’s decision of not granting bail to him. Konatala Ramakrishna, who is angry with Jagan for admitting Dadi Veerabhadra rao into party and even hinted to leave the party is also very much upset with the court’s decision.   He said “CBI is merely repeating its master-Congress party’s words in the court like a trained parrot as said be the court. Even after lashed by the Supreme Court, it couldn’t shrug off its die-hard habits of dancing to the Congress tunes.”   He asked the party cadres to maintain calm following the instructions by party honorary president Vijayamma.   Another leader of the party, Ambati Rambabu has said “Congress party has believed that our party will winds-up if it keeps our party president in jail for few months. But, our party remain intact and even strengthens. Of course, the court’s decision is very disappointing to us. I appeal the party cadres to re-dedicate themselves to party and work hard to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming elections. Even, Jagan Mohan Reddy has predicted all these developments well before he was sent to jail one year ago. But, he reveals his extreme will power to face situation like this. People will definitely teach a lesson to Congress party in the next elections.”

Jagan to stay 4 more months in jail

  Supreme Court, which kept its decision in reserve over Jagan Mohan Reddy, Vijayasai Reddy and Nimmagadda Prasad’s bail petitions, has dismissed their and cancels interim bail granted to Vijaysai Reddy.   Ashok Bhan representing the CBI has said that at least 4-6 months time needed to complete investigation and to file charge sheets in Jagan Mohan Reddy and others cases. He argued that letting the trio roam free on bail will impact the investigation, which has reached crucial point. Supreme Court agreeing with CBI’s arguments has dismissed the bail petitions of all three and asked Vijayasai Reddy to surrender himself before the court at the earliest. Hence, Jagan Mohan Reddy has to stay in jail for at least next 4-6 months.   The only relief Jagan had in today's court verdict is the court has told him that he can apply for bail in the lower court, if the CBI fails to complete its investigation within 4 months and file charge sheet in his case.

Konatala summons followers to Hyderabad

  Senior YSRCP leader Konatala Ramakrishna has summoned his followers to Hyderabad to discuss about Dadi Veerabhadra rao’s entry into party and to decide about their reaction for it. He may meet Jagan Mohan Reddy today evening or tomorrow morning after discussing the issue with close aides. He will convey their opinion about Dadi’s entry to him and even if Jagan prefers Dadi stay in the party, then Konatala Ramakrishna and his followers may quit the party.   Congress minister Ganta Srinivasa rao has welcomed him into party. But of late, it came to know his followers are also objecting Konatala’s entry into Congress party. However, Srinivasa rao has asserted them that he will take a decision only if Konatala approaches him and after discussing the issue with them.

Botsa pats self for victory in Karnataka

  PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana pats the Congress party for winning the Karnataka elections. Speaking to media he said “The verdict reveals that people have voted against corruption in the state. There is self rectification mechanism in our party that identifies our mistakes and rectifies. That is how we give a clean and transparent government to the people wherever we are elected to power. The entire credit goes to our president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh. Especially, Rahul Gandhi has leads the party to victory with his excellent strategy. We thank him for it. I am confident that we will repeat the feat back in the state also as we are heading with several welfare schemes for the people of the state. This is the beginning of our victories down the south and will continue in the forthcoming elections too.”   If, Botsa is really honest about his words and wants the people consider it seriously then, Congress will lose all the forth coming electoral battles as he too very well knew how the state and central governments were surrounded in scams and corrupt cases. .

CBI becomes parrot in cage: SC

  The 3 member Supreme Court bench led by Justice RM Lodha, which took-up CBI director Ranjit Sinha’s 9page affidavit that details the interference and influence of political executives into its coal mine allotment’s report, has lashed at all the concerned officials, bureaucrats of the government, CBI and the law minister Ashwini Kumar.   The court has opined the CBI has becomes a parrot in the cage and it needs to be freed immediately. It directs the government to bring necessary amendments in the existing laws to free the CBI from government grip before 10th July, otherwise warns that the court itself will make the CBI free.   The court expressing its anguish on CBI has said “CBI is intended to investigate and not interact with political executives. It has committed a grave mistake by allowing the politicians and bureaucrats to share and alter its report. All of they have changed the central theme of the report as they wished. CBI director will be made responsible for this entire conspiracy. We order the CBI and the government to bring back the DIG Ravikantha Mishra back to CBI from IB and entrust this coal mines investigating job to him, who earlier has handled it. None from the government, including CBI lawyers are allowed to interfere in the CBI’s investigating. If, CBI needs some experts’ help, the court will provide assistance. If, the government fails to implement our orders, we will be obliged to constitute a special investigating team (SIT) to investigate the irregularities taken place in coal mines case.”   However, the court didn’t take any action against anyone, who has lied to it over sharing and tampering of the CBI report. This gives a great relief to the UPA government, which is standing on the receiving end all these days.

Congress wins Karnataka elections

  As predicted, Congress has won a comfortable majority in Karnataka Assembly elections. Congress has crossed the magic figure 113 by winning 121 seats out of 223 seats in the house. BJP has paid very dearly for its mistakes, ignorance and mishandling the party and government in the state. It has just won 40 seats. JD(S) led by Kumara Swamy is also made a fair show by winning 39 seats. But, it is former CM Of the state Yedurappa, who had a humiliating defeat in the hands of Karnataka people. His KJP has just won 6 seats only. Independents have won total 17 seats in this election. Would the Congress fall short of the majority, certainly they would have played key role as King Makers. However, they can still extend their support to Congress party and cling to it until their turn comes as the political situation in the state is always used to uncertain.

Karnataka Elections results-Latest Updates

    Party                   Lead                       Won                    Gain/Loss    Congress 106 11 +38 Magic Number to form Govt. 113 JDS 41 2 +14 BJP 35 1 -75 KJP 11 0 +11 Others 17 1 +12  

Counting begins in Karnataka polls

  Counting begins at 36 Centers in Karnataka Assembly Polls sharply at 8am today morning and the leads start flowing in. Congress is leading in 26 constituencies closely followed by BJP-17, JDS-6, KJP-3 and others leading in 3 constituencies. The magic number to form the government is 113 out of 223 seats in the house. Senior Congress leader Siddaramaih, who is in the CM race, assures that his party will cross the magic figure and form the government on its own.   However, according to latest reports Congress may fall short of few seats to absolute majority. Hence, it may seek support from JDS to form the government. KJP floated by former CM of the state, Yedurappa seems lost in this race which made tall claims of sweeping the elections. Therefore he is also offering his party support to Congress party. Although, BJP is still speaking hopeful it understood that defeat is inevitable.

Konatala looks toward Congress

YSR Congress party senior leader Konatala Ramakrishna, who initially has asked his party cadres to maintain calm over Dadi Veerabhadra rao’s arrival into party has now come open before media and said “One has to abide by party high command decision. If can’t, then he has to leave the party saying good bye.”   “I have asked our party high command not to let him join our party as we are facing problems with him since decades. But, they decide otherwise. We don’t think we can adjust and work with him for a long time. No political party survives if it fails to honor its cadres’ opinions. If, our party ignores our appeals, then I will discuss with my cadres and take a decision. I would like to abide my followers’ decision,” said Konatala Ramakrishna to media on yesterday at Anakapalli.   Though, there was ‘Mulaqat’ chance for him to meet Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday, he preferred not to meet him as he doesn’t want to be convinced by him over Dadi’s arrival into party. He ruled out the media reports about returning to Congress fold. But, media is abuzz with the news about his proposed meeting with Congress high command at New Delhi today. TDP also sends its leaders to invite him into party.   Konatala is expecting MP ticket for himself and MLA ticket for his brother Lakshmi Narayana at Anakapalli constituency and MLA ticket for Gandi Babji from Pendurthi in Vizag west constituency. Probably Congress may meet his first two demands but may not give any assurance to his last one, as there are several contestants within at Pendurthi constituency. Konatala may clear the air within couple of days.   However, so far no reaction was observed from either Vijayamma or from any of the senior leaders of the party over Konatala’s appeals and protests, which hints the party has lost interest in him.

NTR statue unveiled peacefully

  The high tension drama that takes place till yesterday evening over invitation letters to attend NTR’s statue unveiling function at Parliament has come to an end with all the family and party members attending the function today. With this the longstanding dream of Telugu people has become true.   Speaker Meera Kumar has unveiled the statue installed near 12th gate of Parliament house, where DMK leader Murasoli Maran’s statue was also placed. Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh, Vice president of India Hamid Ansari, Susheel Kumar Shinde, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jaipal Reddy, Pallam Raju, Chiranjeevi, Purandeswari, Killi Kriparani, Ponnam Prabhakar, Gutta Sukendar Reddy, Lagadapati Rajagopal are few among the Congress leaders who attend the function. However, Sonia Gandhi has abstains to the function.   LK Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Murali Manohar Joshi, Mulayam Singh, Sarad Yadav, Sitaram Yechuri, Faruq Abdullah and some others from opposition parties have graced the function. Balakrishna, Harikrishna, Jr.NTR, Lakshmi Pranathi, Lakshmi Parvathi, Daggubati Venkateswara rao and family members of Nara Chandrababu have attended this function. Jayaprada and Mohan babu also attend this function.

Acceptance Selected for Cannes

Acceptance Selected for Cannes  

Did Rly.Min.Bansal caught in the cross fire

  An interesting story pops-up about Railway minister Bansal’s nephew Vijay Singli’s Rs.10 crore bribery case.   Mahesh Kumar, a member of Railway Board, who wants to be transferred into a lucrative Rail Board Electrical division has offered Rs.10 crores to Vijay Singli, who assured him for transfer. CBI has nabbed both Vijay Singli at his Chandigadh Office and Mahesh Kumar at Mumbai airport on last Friday and booked cases against them. Immediately, opposition parties start rocking the Parliament demanding for Railway Minister Bansal’s resignation or expulsion from the government. However, the ruling Congress party has refused to succumb to their demands.   While a political fight is pitched-up in the parliament, an interesting story pops-up narrating some flash back story for the CBI arrests.   Actually, CBI Director Ranjit Sinha and Mahesh Kumar have worked together in Indian Railways during 2008-11. Then, Ranjit Sinha has served as the Director General of Railway Protection Force. However, gradually differences crops between them and both of they keep complaining against each other with the then Railway minister Mamata Benarji. She favors Mahesh Kumar. Therefore, Ranjit Sinha has been shunted to Indo Tibetan Boarder Police.   However, later he was fortunately transferred to his present position in CBI. Ever since, Ranjit Sinha has engaged a special team behind his enemy Mahesh Kumar, which keep tracking all his activities and also taps his phone calls. Finally, Ranjit had his turn to take revenge on his enemy Mahesh, when he approached Vijay Singli for his transfer into electrical board, who strikes a deal of Rs.10 crores for the job. Mahesh Kumar virtually walked into trapped laid for him by Ranjit Sinha. We all are aware about rest of the story.

Law and Railway ministers spared

  The Congress party core committee which met yesterday has decided to standby its Law Minister Aswhwini Kumar and Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal who were tangled in two different cases. There was a general belief that Congress party is going to expel both the ministers, as they were involved in serious crimes that tarnished the party image. However, Congress core committee has preferred to keep them on board as they both are not proved guilty in any of the cases until now.   While Law Minister Ashwini Kumar is allegedly tampered the CBI reports on irregularities taken place in coal mines allotments, Railway minister’s name surfaced in Rs.10 crores bribery charges of his nephew Vijay Singhli recently.   Perhaps, this reminds us the same situation back at Andhra Pradesh, where Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is supporting the ministers, who were charge sheeted by CBI in Jagan Mohan Reddy disproportionate assets cases.

China retrieves to original position

  The stalemate over China incursion into Indian Territory at Laddak on 15th April has ended with commanders of both sides striking a chord during their recent flag meeting held at borders. China troops, which invade 19km into Indian Territory, have retrieved to their original positions on Saturday night around 7.30.   China has agreed to roll back to its original position, after India agrees to vacate its army out posts arranged at Doulat Beigh point. Hence, both the army out posts were removed around 7.30 pm yesterday and returns to their original positions simultaneously.   India rubbishes China’s objections over constructing permanent bunkers and airway strip near LAC and its demands to dismantle them. China has found itself arguing on wrong point, when India also pointing out China’s hyper activities along the borders, raised objections. Finally, the tension was defused after both sides have strikes a chord and roll backs to their original positions simultaneously.   Though, the UPA government claims full credit of these developments and describes victory for its foreign policy, it is to be noted that China is still claiming the sovereignty over the peace of land that it invaded. China has intentionally played this game to prove its dominance over its counterpart and strategically retrieves keeping in view of its President’s forthcoming visit to India to avert embarrassment to him. But, foreign affairs analysts believed that China has retrieved due to one day extension in Dr.Manmohan Singh’s tour program to Japan scheduled for end of this month, where China is also having a conflict with Japan over Cenka islands, which is claiming as its own.

LP flays Purandeswari for ignoring her

  The unveiling of NTR’s statue at Parliament premises scheduled for 7th May has again triggered controversy as TDP president Chandrababu Naidu and widow of NTR Lakshmi Parvathi have not received any invitation letters from speaker Meera Kumar. While, TDP is still maintaining silence on this sensitive issue, Lakshmi Parvathi hits media condemning Union minister D.Purandeswari and the Speaker Meera Kumar for ignoring her.   She said “Purandeswari and Meera Kumar do not deserve to be in their posts as they both do not know how to respect the wife of late NTR. Particularly, I blame Purandeswari for this fault. She simply ignores me, who stands in her mother’s position. She has intentionally avoids sending invitation letter to me. Even if she invites me now, I am not going to attend the function. I will write letters to Sonia Gandhi, Purandeswari and to Meera Kumar condemning their negligence in this regard. Since, I don’t want to disturb the function I will not attend it now, but I will go there in a later period to garland my husband’s statue. Then, I will stage a protest before the statue.”    

Dadi is an unwanted guest in YSRCP

  Konathala Lakshmi Narayana, brother of Konathala Rama Krishna a senior YSR Congress party leader has held a meeting in Anakapalli yesterday opposing the entry of Dadi Veerabhadra rao into the party. Hundreds of Konathala followers have attended this meeting and openly protested Dadi’s entry into party. Konathala speaking to media has sharply criticized Dadi for taking plunge into YSRCP.   “Dadi Veerabhadra rao is an opportunist political leader. He betrayed his mother party, which gave him name and fame. He snapped his 30 years of relations with it merely to ensure party ticket to his son Ratnakar in the forth coming elections. The man who cheated his mother party can’t be relied at all. He has abused our party leadership and party like anything. We have faced lots of problems from him during all these years while his stay in TDP. We are not ready to take his words. We don’t want him come into our party. Even if prefers to join, we are not ready to work with him. He should reconsider his decision about joining our party. We also appeal our party high command to put such opportunist political leaders at a safe distance, otherwise they will ruin the party.”   Indeed it was humiliating welcome for Dadi, who takes plunge into YSR Congress party with great aspirations. Even his followers have staged protest at his house on Saturday condemning his decision and categorically told him that they are leaving him. Dadi is now in such a situation that neither he can return TDP nor can stay in YSR Congress party. It is interesting to watch how he and his party high command will react to these unpredicted developments.

Congress is leading in Karnataka

  All the exit poll survey reports conducted by various groups have confirmed that Congress party is leading in Karnataka Assembly elections held on Sunday. According to leading survey agencies-CNN/IBN, Headlines Today, Aaj Tak reports that Congress party is going to win seats between 114-120, BJP-50-55, KJP-7-11, others 14-20 in the Assembly. This indicates that people of Karnataka have rejected BJP and its extension KJP floated by former Chief Minister Yedurappa which have been ruling them since last one decade due to their corrupt activities. BJP had lost more than 50% votes during these elections. Around 60% voting was recorded on yesterday polling.