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Ram Charan Marriage: Sonia, Rahul Gandhi May Not Attend

Ram Charan Upasana Marriage: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi are unlikely to attend the marriage of popular hero Ram Charan Teja, son of megastar Congress MP K Chiranjeevi. Both Sonia and Rahul are believed to have conveyed to Chiranjeevi that they might not be able to make it to the wedding, but extended their best wishes to the young couple.     Union home minister P Chidambaram will attend the marriage on behalf of Sonia and Rahul, along with several other union ministers from New Delhi. Chidambaram would land in Hyderabad on Wednesday night itself and would be there till Thursday night. He would also hold talks with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to discuss the by-elections and their possible results. Apparently, Sonia and Rahul are not happy with the Congress party’s performance in the by-elections and they would be put to an embarrassing situation if they come to Hyderabad for the sake of wedding. That is why, they have decided to keep away from Hyderabad.

Swami Nityananda Surrenders in Court: Sent to Remand

Swami Nityananda, who was on the run to escape arrest for a couple of days, has surrendered himself in the Ramnagar district court on Wednesday afternoon. the court remanded him to 1 day judicial custody. Two separate cases have been registered against Nityananda earlier by the police. One is for his followers assaulting a media reporter and the other one is about an NRI lady alleging that the godman has raped her for five years. Meanwhile, police is continuing searches at his Bidadi ashram. Reports say that the police have so far found number of CDs, ganja and condom packets in the ashram. Police has also found some 15-16 year old girls staying at the ashram and they are being questioned now. More details are awaited.

Fire Accident at Kukatpally Exhibition

There was a huge traffic jam on the main highway that links Hyderabad to Mumbai after a massive fire broke out at the Kukatpally exhibition grounds here this morning. By about 10:30 am, the fire was put out. Fire-fighting operations and a large crowd of curious onlookers had blocked the arterial road. Some 60 stalls and four lorries parked on the grounds were gutted. Property loss is estimated at close to five crore rupees. Locals say there were not adequate fire safety measures, leading to the accident. Since it was early hours, there were no visitors to the exhibition ground and no casualty has been reported.   Four lorries were burnt and 75 exhibition stalls were destroyed in the fire, the exact cause of which is not known yet. Reports said the incident happened because adequate fire safety measures were not taken at the exhibition ground.    

AP Bypolls 2012: Lagadapati Predictions After Voting

Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal, who has undertaken 'Prajahitha Yatra' campaign in all the bypoll-constituencies, has come out with some interesting predictions. Speaking to media from Delhi, he said that the outcome of these bypolls has benefitted the Congress extensively. He said that the Congress which is famous for its internal bickerings, got more strengthened by thse bypolls. This will definitely will help the party in coming out victorious in 2014 General Elections. Lagadapati said that Congress has fair chances of winning 1 to 3 seats and these wins will certainly boost morale of the cadre in a big way. He said the main opposition Telugu Desam Party has 0 to 2 seats chance, meaning either it will not win at all or at the most can win 2 seats. The lion's share of 15-16 seats will be bagged by YSR Congress party, he said. He added, "The YSRCP has done a mistake by bringing Vijayamma to the fore in these bypolls. It was the only 'sympathy-card' the YSRCP had, which they have spent now. They are now left with nothing to go to the public in 2014."      

AP Bypolls 2012: Over 80 Percent Voting Recorded

According to Chief Election Commisioner VS Sampath, over 80 percent voting has been recorded in the polling held today (12-06-2012) for 1 Lok Sabha and 18 Assembly constituencues in Andhra Pradesh. The bypolls are seen as crucial for YSR Congress Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is currently in CBI custody over a disproportionate assets case, and the Congress. Jagan Reddy is in the Chanchalguda prison and will remain there as his custody was extended till 25 June on Monday. The Assembly seats including one in Telangana fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress rebels who joined Jagan's party. The Tirupati Assembly seat fell vacant following Praja Rajyam Chief Chiranjeevi's election to the Rajya Sabha. These are also the first elections to take place after the recent hike in fuel prices and the YSR Congress chief's arrest. The question is will he be able to dent the Congress' fortunes even as he sits in prison?

AP By Elections 2012 Latest Updates

AP By polls 2012: 50% polling was reported till 1pm in the by-elections to one Lok Sabha constituency and 18 Assembly segments in Andhra Pradesh amidst stray incidents of violence in some areas including Kadapa, the parliamentary constituency of arrested YSRC chief Jaganmohan Reddy. There were also reports of voters boycotting the poll process in nine villages.     With the weather cooling down, voters queued up in good numbers at polling booths from 0700 hrs. State Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal said 50 per cent voting was reported on an average in these constituencies till 1 PM. Workers of YSR Congress, Telugu Desam and Congress reportedly clashed at a few polling booths while a woman voter, waiting to cast her vote in a polling booth at Ongole, died of cardiac arrest. In Rayachoti constituency in Kadapa district, stones were pelted at the local TDP leader's house leading to some tension. In Railway Kodur in Kadapa district, clashes were reported between YSRC and Congress workers. War of words between YSR congress and Congress resulted in stone pelting, in which three persons sustained minor injuries and polling was stalled for two hours in the polling station. Police rushed to the  polling booth and dispersed the mob. Police also kept MLC B Chengal Rayulu at Kodur under house arrest. Also, YSR Congress leaders Janakiramaiah and Subba Reddy were arrested while they were allegedly distributing money to lure the voters on the polling day at Madhavaram village in Siddhavatam mandal, police said. In the Polavaram ST Assembly segment, voters were reportedly boycotting the poll process in nine villages seeking solution to their long-pending problems. In Nellore Lok Sabha constituency also, people are boycotting elections in two villages. The elections are considered crucial as they are expected to have a bearing on the future of YSR chief Jaganmohan Reddy, who has been arrested in connection with a disproportionate assets case.  

EC Removes 2 Election Officers

The State Election Commission's axe fell on 2 election officers in Ongole constituency for siding with YSR Congress Party. The presiding officer and micro observer placed at PVR School polling booth in Ongole are found canvassing for YSR Congress Party candidate. This has been detected through Web Casting System from Hyderabad by the EC officials. Chief Election Commissioner Mr. Bhanwarlal immediately passed orders to remove the erring official duo. This is the first time that election officers are being removed through web casting system. Two officials from the local Collectorate have since been posted in place of the suspended officers.      

Voting in Progress Peacefully: Bhanwarlal

Voting in 18 assembly constituencies and 1 lok sabha constituency on Tuesday (12 June 2012) is going on peacefully, announced state election commissioner Mr. Bhanwarlal from the secretariat. By 11 AM, a highest of 33% in Udayagiri and in Parakal constituency a lowest of 11% votes have been polled. The voting percentage at 11 AM is: Parakal: 11, Narasannapeta: 28, Payakaraopeta: 23, Ramachandrapuram: 28, Narasapuram: 29, Polavaram: 28, Prathipadu: 24, Macharla: 22, Ongole: 21, Udayagiri: 33, Rajampeta: 29, Koduru: 21, Rayachoti: 26, Allagadda: 23, Yemmiganur:30, Raidurgam: 27, Ananthapur: 21, Tirupati: 27 and in Nellore Lok Sabha constituency 28% polling has been registered. Barring few technical glitches and incidents of clashes between Congress and YSR Congress activists in Ongole and Rly. Koduru, no ontoward incidents have been reoported so far. Otherwise the polling is going on peacefully.    

Details of AP Bypolls - 2012

Here are the details of bypolls being held for 18 assembly seats and one lok sabha seat in Andhra Pradesh on 12 June 2012. These byelections have been caused because of the disqualification and resignations of MLAs and 1 MP from these costituencies. The MP and MLAs, who originally belong to Congress party have opted to shift their loyalties to newly found YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party. Some of them, who voted in favour of the no confidence motion against the government moved by Telugu Desam Party were disqualified, while few others resigned and joined Jagan's party. The counting of votes will take place on 15 June and all results are expected to be released by evening on the same day.      

AP By Polls 2012: Voting Begins For AP By Elections

AP By Polls: Voting has begun for the crucial by-elections to 18 assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha seat in Andhra Pradesh. As many as 46 lakh voters are expected to exercise their franchise at 5,413 polling stations set up in the Nellore Lok Sabha constituency and 18 assembly segments, spread over 12 districts in the state.   The polling will be held from 8 am to 5 pm. Election authorities say elaborate arrangements have been made for the polling. 50,000 polling personnel including 138 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling, State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Bhanwar Lal told reporters on Monday.

Jagan Judicial Remand Extended Another 14 Days

Kadapa MP and YSRC president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's judicial custody has been extended for another 14 days till 25 June. The CBI produced Jagan Mohan Reddy in the special CBI court at Nampally on Monday, as his judicial remand was coming to an end today. The agency today told the court and sought permission that they intend to administer narco tests on the MP to elicit further  information pertaining to the case. Strangely, the CBI today chose to bring Jagan to the court in a van, in which ordinary prisoners are usually brought. On reaching the court, a furious Jagan expressed his anguish to the court and told that though he is a sitting MP and president of a recognised party, the CBI is delibrately trying to demean him by bringing him in the prisoners van. He threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike in jail protesting over the incident. However, the court directed the agency to arrange for a special vehicle to take him back to the jail.      

Campaigning Ends For Andhra By Polls 2012

Andhra By Polls 2012: A bitter campaign came to an end Sunday in the Nellore Lok Sabha and 18 Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly constituencies for Tuesday's by-poll, which are being seen as a semifinal before the 2014 general elections. At the stroke of 5 p.m., all the political parties and candidates stopped canvassing while the Election Commission ordered all non-locals to leave the constituencies.     State Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal has directed police to search all hotels, lodges, guest houses, function halls and residential schools in the constituencies spread over 12 districts to ensure that no non-local stays there. The election authorities have banned distribution of voter slips by political parties, sending of bulk SMSes, publication or broadcast of opinion or exit polls. The by-elections are witnessing a keen contest among ruling Congress, main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are major contenders in Parkala, the only assembly segment going to polls in Telangana region.  

Jagan CBI Questioning Completed For The Day

Kadapa MP and YSR Congress president, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's questioning by CBI on the first day of his second term CBI custody has been completed. It is well known that the High Court on Friday has given a 2 day custody of Jagan to CBI for further questioning in the illegeal assets case. As directed by the court, CBI took custody of Jagan from Chanchalguda jail at 10 AM and brought him their head office at Kothi. The interrogation started at 10.30 AM and lasted till 5 PM in presence of two advocates of Jagan. The CBI reportedly grilled Jagan mainly about the investments brought in to Jagati Publications. Laterr he was taken back again to Chanchalguda amidst tight security.  

AP High Court Extends Jagan CBI Custody by 2 Days

The High Court of Andhra Pradesh on Friday extended CBI custody of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in the disproportionate assets case. The CBI had sought the court for extension of Jagan custody on the plea that he didn't cooperate with the investigation during the five days custody period that ended yesterday. The court took the agency's plea into consideration and granted 2 day custody - on 9, 10 June. The court stipulated that Jagan is to be questioned from 10.30 AM to 5 PM in the presence of two advocates. The court also permitted the CBI to give the three chargesheets filed in the case so far to Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Jagan to be Quizzed Through Video Conference

Five days CBI custody of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has eneded yesterday and he is to be produced in CBI court today. But owing to security reasons, it has been decided that the CBI will quiz him through video conference. Jagan too has agreed for the video conference, inform the sources. However, police have made elaborate security arrangements at Nampally courts as a precautionary measure in case Jagan changes his mind at the last moment and opts to attend the court. The CBI has also sought the high court yesterday for further three days custody of Jagan. The high court will hear the plea in a short while from now.      

CBI Summons India Cements MD Srinivasan in Jagan Case

The CBI investigating the Jagan illegal assets case has summoned BCCI chief and India Cements managing director N Srinivasan to appear before it next week. CBI is probing the alleged investments made by Srinivasan's company India Cements in the companies promoted by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy during the tenure of his father YS Rajshekhara Reddy as chief minister. The CBI has also asked officials of some other cement companies to appear for questioning, they said. Sources said the cement companies could be asked about water and limestone allocations made during the tenure of Rajashekhara Reddy as chief minister. The CBI, in its three charge sheets filed against Jagan and others, has alleged that he and his father had hatched a conspiracy to defraud the government with Jagan influencing Rajasekhara Reddy in doling out certain favours to various investors, who made investments in Jagan's businesses. Jagan is currently in judicial custody till June 11 and has been questioned by the CBI.

Jagan Case: CBI Court Adjourns Hearing ED Plea

The special CBI court at Nampally on Thursday adjourned hearing on a petition of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), seeking permission to question the jailed Kadapa MP and YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The ED sought permission of the court to examine Jagan, who is accused in three high profile cases including a case relating to amassing of illegal wealth. The special CBI court adjourned the hearing on the ED petition to June 14. The court also adjourned the hearing on the petition of industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad, who is also in jail in the same case. The ED sought permission to question the accused in two other cases - illegal mining by Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) and Emaar Properties case. IAS officers B.P. Acharya and Y. Srilakshmi and industrialist Koneru Prasad have also filed objections to the ED's petition. Meanwhile, the court also directed CBI to provide copies of second and third chargesheets of Jagan case to ED. It also agreed to provide a copy of supplementary chargesheet in Emaar case to ED. The orders came after CBI conveyed to the court that it has no objection to the copies being given to ED. It was not clear if the ED would file a separate petition to take custody of Jagan for questioning. The central agency is likely to question Jagan for alleged violation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The ED has already taken copies of two chargesheets filed in the OMC case and one each in Emaar and Jagan cases.  

Jagan Case: CBI Grilling Minister Ponnala

Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah on Thursday appeared before the CBI in connection with a case pertaining to alleged illegal assets involving Kadapa MP and YSR Congress president YS Jaganmohan Reddy. The CBI, which had summoned the minister, is examining him at their Kothi office over Government Orders (GOs), issued during 2004-09 by the Irrigation department, when he was the Major Irrigation minister in the cabinet of late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, on supply of water from rivers Krishna and Kagina to some cement firms, which in turn allegedly made investments in Jagan-owned businesses. Ponnala is among the six Andhra Pradesh ministers who were issued notices by the Supreme Court in March, seeking their stand on the charge about their alleged role in the case against Jagan. CBI has so far examined three ministers in this regard and now Ponnala is the fourth minister. Earlier, ministers Dharmana Prasada Rao and home minister Sabita Indra Reddy had been questioned by the CBI, while another minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana has been arrested and is in Chanchalguda jail. Meanwhile, the CBI is continuing interrogation of Jagan for the fifth day at their Kothi office after taking his custody from the Chanchalguda Jail where he is under judicial remand till June 11. His five-day CBI custody period will expire today.            

Jagan's CBI Custody Ends Today

YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy will be produced before Andhra Pradesh High Court as his CBI custody in the disproportionate assets case ends on Thursday. The court is also expected to hear his petition seeking permission to use print and electronic media from jail to campaign for the upcoming bypolls.   Relating to his illegal assets case, the custody extension of state’s Excise Minister M Venkataramana will also come up for hearing, while state IT minister Ponnala Laxmaiah is due to appear before the CBI for questioning today. The Kadapa MP, who was arrested by the agency on May 27 in the disproportionate assets case, is under judicial remand till June 11 and lodged at Chanchalguda jail. The AP High Court had last week given Jagan's custody to CBI for five days till June 7.