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Rajini Will Soon be Back Says Dhanush

Superstar Rajinikanth is recovering fast at a Singapore hospital and will be back in Chennai soon, said his son-in-law and actor Dhanush yesterday. "He is responding well to treatment at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. He should be back in Chennai in a week or 10 days. Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre gave him fantastic treatment. They made him fit to travel so he could get better treatment," said Dhanush. Explaining the reason for moving Rajinikanth to Singapore, Dhanush told that the doctors have identified the root cause and it is not an irreversible condition. The superstar is eating well, watching a lot of movies and in a great mood to shop. "If he doesn't return after 10 days that will be because we would be on a family vacation," said Dhanush, adding that Rajini will surely complete 'Raana'. He requested fans to not believe rumours. "He has not undergone a kidney transplant. Soon there will be a statement from the superstar himself," said Dhanush.  

Congress, PRP MLAs Attend Jagan Meeting

Defying the party guidelines and norms, nine Congress and Praja Rajyam MLAs attended the YSR Congress Governing Council meeting even though they were not its members. The YSR Congress chief and Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy yesterday chaired the first meeting of his party's newly constituted Central Governing Council. The meeting decided to take up a month-long membership drive from next week in the entire state including Telangana. Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy said that all the policies and programmes will be unveiled in the first plenary session that will be held in Idupulapaya on July 8 and 9. Speaking to newsmen, Dr D.A. Somayajulu, the adviser to the party said the plenary session alone will decide the party policies on many issues and today's meeting was confined to membership drive only. Referring to the ongoing controversy on moving a no-confidence motion against the government, Mr Somayajulu said that since the party has only one MLA it is not possible for the party to move a motion. However, he said it is for the main Opposition party to move such a motion since it is making a big fuss over the issue on a daily basis.  

After Raja Now It is Maran in 2G Scam

After former Telecom minister A Raja, who is currently lodged in Tihar jail facing corruption charges in 2G Scam, it is the Textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran who is in deep trouble over alleged irregularities in allotment of licences to Aircel during his tenure as communications minister in UPA-1 government. Reports claimed Mr Maran, as communications minister, allegedly forced Aircel to strike a deal with Maxis, which in turn was asked to invest in Sun Direct TV, owned by the Maran family. It was alleged that Mr. Dayanidhi Maran as Telecom minister had granted Aircel high-valued licences in 14 choice circles for just 1,399 crore, against the CAG's projected value of around 22,000 crores. The Justice Shivraj Patil Committee that went into the DoT's procedures in issuing licences to Aircel in 14 choice circles for a lesser amount as per CAG in 2009 found it kept raising "unwarranted" "irrelevant" and "vague" queries to delay the Aircel application, and then cleared it doublequick when Malaysian Tamil tycoon Ananda Krishnan bought control of the company. Soon after, a Krishnan firm invested big money in Sun Direct. BJP raised the issue by asking searching questions involving Dayanidhi Maran's family owned Sun TV Group. The BJP alleged that 74 per cent stake in Aircel was purchased by a Malaysian company Maxis Communication when Mr Maran was telecom minister. BJP spokesperson Mr Ravishankar Prasad said "Mr Maran should explain if Maxis Communication company has made any investment in Sun DTH company or any other of his family-owned companies? Secondly, was this investment done through Astro Group company, which is a subsidiary of Maxis Communication?" Interestingly, the Congress distanced itself by saying Mr Maran should answer the charges himself.

Sushma Swaraj in Karimnagar For Telangana Poru

The Bharateeya Janatha Party is conducting a meeting 'Telangana Poru' at Karimnagar today in support of separate statehood for Telangana. BJP opposition leader in the Parliament Ms. Sushma Swaraj has come here from Delhi to participate in the meeting. From Hyderabad she will lead a 1000 car rally to the meeting venue at Karimnagar. According to party sources, around one lakh people are expected to come to the meeting from various parts of Telangana. Speaking to media about the meeting, senior BJP state leader K Vidyasagar Rao told that Ms. Sushma Swaraj will make it clear in the meeting that no further delay in bringing out T-bill in the Parliament by Congress Party will be tolerated by the people of Telangana. Telangana Poru, in which supporters of a separate state demand from all parties are participating, is being held to put collective pressure on the UPA government to introduce Telangana bill in the ensuing Parliament-session.    

Minister Jupalli Submitted Resignation to Governor

Endowments minister Jupalli Krishna Rao, who suspended his Telangana Praja Abhiyan Yatra in Mahaboobnagar district after he was counselled by a delegation of PCC representatives on May 22, has submitted his resignation to the AP Governor Sri ESL Narasimhan. Mr. Krishna Rao has already submitted his resignation to chief minmister Kiran Kumar Reddy on March 3. Jupalli's yatra was strongly opposed by Information minister Ms. D K Aruna, also from the same district. The information minister was apparently miffed because Krishna Rao had not informed her about his plans and said that he had no business to mobilise support in her constituency without her permission and knowledge. She also alleged that the padyatra in her constituency was meant to rally forces opposed to her. Accordingly, she obstructed Jupalli's yatra on 22 May and a delegation of PCC representatives counselled both and subsequently Jupalli suspended his yatra for a week. As Krishna Rao is intent on his yatra, he garnered support of Telangana MPs - Madhu Yashki Goud, Gutta Sukhender Reddy, Manda Jagannadham, G Vivek, K Keshava Rao and K Rajagopal Reddy. Now Jupalli wants to resume his yatra. It now depends on the discretion of the Governor to accept Jupalli's resignation or not. As per convention, the chief minister has to recommend to the Governor to accept the resignation. But Kiran Kumar Reddy hasn't conveyed his recommendation so far, even though Jupalli had submitted his resignation three months ago. It is to be seen whether the CM recommends it now or the Governor takes decision on his own.    

Baba Ramdev Opposes Anna Hazare on PM Issue

Differences appeared to have cropped up in the civil society over the demand for inclusion of the Prime Minister and higher judiciary in the Lokpal Bill with Baba Ramdev opposing such a move. The yoga guru,  wondered at a press conference in Sehore how top positions like the Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India could be brought under the ambit of Lokpal. Baba Ramdev, who lent support to Anna Hazare in his campaign against corruption when he went on a fast at Jantar Mantar, however, refused to call off his own fast from June 4 till government conceded all his demands. Reacting to Baba's comments, Arvind Kejriwal, one of the members of the joint committee on drafting the Lokpal Bill, said they would try to convince him about inclusion of the Prime Minister in the Lokpal ambit. He said probably the yoga guru may not be aware of the full implications of the issue and they would try to convince him why it was necessary.  

TDP MP Venugopala Reddy Wants to Quit

Narasaraopet TDP MP Mr. Venugopala Reddy, for sometime now, has been targeted by some senior leaders in the party branding him as a 'covert MP'. Upset by this, the MP offered to quit from Lok Sabha as well as the party. He met party chief Chandrababu Naidu late on Sunday and expressed his desire to quit. Expressing anguish over the allegations levelled against him, the industrialist-turned-MP made it clear that there was no point in continuing in the position if the party does not have faith in him. Taking serious objection to the allegations that he has been in touch with YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy, the MP reportedly told Naidu that he was unnecessarily being targeted by a former minister and some other leaders.  

Baba Ramdev to go on Hunger Strike

After Anna Hazare's campaign, more trouble is brewing for the government. Baba Ramdev is threatening to launch his campaign against corruption. "These are complex issues. Talks will have to continue. Constitutional form has to be given to a strategy to tackle corruption. I will go on fast on June 4," said Baba Ramdev on Tuesday. The yoga guru will start his hunger strike this Saturday to compel the government to bring back the black money stashed away in foreign banks. Fearing a repeat of the Anna movement, the government is trying to persuade Baba Ramdev to call off his hunger strike. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convened a Cabinet Committee on Politcal Affairs meeting on Monday to discuss how to prevent Baba Ramdev's proposed agitation. Some ministers are in touch with Baba Ramdev to stop him from going on fast. Sources say the government is worried that Ramdev too may have the same public response as Anna Hazare did earlier. Earlier this week, the government set up a committee on the black money issue as this is one of issues raised by Baba Ramdev. All this comes against a backdrop of deadlock between the government and social activists over the inclusion of the prime minister and the judiciary in the Lokpal bill.  

Lok Pal Panel Stuck in Deadlock

Severe differences cropped up in Lok Pal drafting committee with ministers in the draft panel not agreeing to the social activists demand to bring PMO and higher judiciary in to the ambit of the Lok Pal. Talks between the government and social activists seem to have headed for a collapse after both the parties disagreed on all key issues. For a draft bill that was high on hope and ambition, this meeting was almost an anti-climax, heading towards a deadlock. While the social activists insist on bringing PMO, scrutiny of the Higher Judiciary and acts of MPs inside Parliament under the purview of Lok Pal, the government says everything has to be within the ambit of the consttution. Anna's men want Lokpal should be empowered to probe the Prime Minister and Higher Judiciary, the group of ministers say no, preferring self-regulation instead. Lokpal should be empowered to probe misconduct of members of Parliament within the house, group of ministers says no to investigate conduct within the house. Lokpal wants power to probe all bureaucracy, but government is in favour of including higher bureaucracy only. Lokpal wants investigative wings of the CBI, the CVC to be merged with it, the group of ministers say no. With the group of ministers stating unanimously and unambiguously their position, Anna's men also made it clear that non-inclusion of these offices are non-negotiable. For now the joint drafting committee has decided to write to the state governments for its opinion. Even if the stalemate is averted, it is very unlikely that the June 30 deadline for drafting of Lok Pal Bill will be met.

Kin of Congress Leaders Thronging Jagan Camp

Whatever might be the reasons, political equations in the state are fast changing with more and more kin of the Congress leaders making a beeline to Jagan camp. Even several ministers in Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet have openly aligned themselves with YSR Congress president Jagan Mohan Reddy. The exodus is likely to continue further and intensify as well. So far, at least the kin of 40 Congress leaders including several ministers are sailing with Jagan Mohan Reddy. In East Godawari district, Animal Husbandry minister Vishwaroop's son Krishna has joined YSR Congress, while state co-operation minister Kasu Krishna Reddy's son Mahesh Reddy is an active member of the YSR Congress and is in fact tipped to get the Narsaraopet assembly ticket from Jagan's party in Guntur district. Roads and buildings minister Dharmana Prasada Rao's brother Krishna Das has already joined the YSR Congress and his wife Padma Priya is to head the YSR Congress in Srikakulam district. Dharmana's son Ram Manohar Naidu is expected to join Jagan very soon. Forest minister S Vijayarama Raju's nephew recently joined the Jagan camp and was a chief organiser of the Odarpu Yatra in Vizianagaram district last week. Not to be left behind, in Rayalaseema region, Health Minister D L Ravindra Reddy's cousin Gangadhar Reddy recently joined the YSR Congress. Government whip Sivarami Reddy's cousin and Mantralayam MLA Bala Nagi Reddy is with the Jagan camp. Revenue minister N Raghuveera Reddy's daughter recently visited Jagan in Idupulapaya and is tipped to join the YSR Congress. In Kurnool, former minister S V Subba Reddy's son S V Mohan Reddy is moving closely with the Jagan camp despite the Congress rewarding him with an MLC ticket recently. Likewise, former minister Shilpa Mohan Reddy's brother Shilpa Chakrapani Reddy joined the YSR Congress much to the embarrassment of the Congress in Kurnool district. Mithun Reddy, the son of former minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy, an arch rival of Kiran Kumar Reddy, has also joined the Jagan camp. The growing strength of YSR Congress in the State is also becoming a matter of concern for Congress high command as well. Union minister Panabaka Lakshmi's husband Panabaka Krishnaiah is expected to join hands with Jagan soon. Former chief minister Nedurumilli Janardhan Reddy's elder brother Neduramalli Padmanabha Reddy have also joined YSR Congress and started chiding his brother for not doing so in spite of keeping idle nowadays. According to sources, the kin of many more ministers and Congress leaders are set to join the Jagan party in the coming weeks. In this situation, in stead of showing pseudo-confidence, the chief minister should try to avoid any kind of show of strength such as no-confidence motion and put a check to more MLAs and Ministers joining the YSR Congress, say the observers.  

Supreme Court Rejects Chiranjeevi Son-in-law Bail Plea

The Supreme Court today dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of G R Sirish Bharadwaj, estranged younger son-in-law of Praja Rajyam president and Telgu mega star Chiranjeevi, facing a dowry harassment case. A vacation bench of justices G S Singhvi and Chandramauli Prasad, rejecting the plea of Sirish's counsel that bail be granted as the two families were seeking an amicable settlement, asked the accused to surrender before the court concerned in Hyderabad. Srija, youngest daughter of Chirajneevi, married Shirish in 2007 amidst high drama against the wishes of her family, so much so that the couple rushed to the Delhi high court and obtained police protection. The couple also held a press conference to denounce Chiranjeevi's alleged attempt to break the marriage. However, four years down the line, the marriage turned out to be a disaster with Srija filing a complaint of dowry harassment against Shirish and her mother. After the trial court and the AP high court refused to grant bail, Shirish had approached the supreme court.  

Kanimozhi Bail Plea: Put on Hold

The bail plea of DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi, who was arrested and jailed in 2G scam, has been put on hold by the Delhi High Court. She has been behind bars at Tihar Jail for more than two weeks now. The court heard the pleadings of Kanimozhi's lawyer today and reserved its orders on the bail plea. Kanimozhi's lawyer argued that Kanomozhi had nothing to do with spectrum allocation and that Rs. 214 crore given to Kalaignar TV was not a bribe but a loan, duly returned with interest through cheques. He also submitted to the court that the five corporate officials - Sanjay Chandra, Vinod Goenka, Gautam Doshi, Hari Nair and Surendra Pipara were just officials of a company, whereas Kanimozhi's case is entirely different. Kanimozhi's lawyer today argued that her case is different from that of the five corporate honchos - Sanjay Chandra, former MD, Unitech Ltd and Unitech Wireless, Vinod Goenka, MD, DB Realty and Swan Telecom (now Etisalat), Gautam Doshi, Group MD, Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) and Hari Nair and Surendra Pipara, Senior Vice Presidents, ADAG - as they were named in the very first chargesheet and they are officials of telecom companies. Kanimozhi had moved the High Court after the special CBI court had dismissed her bail pleas and ordered her arrest on May 20. Justice Ajit Bharihoke, after hearing detailed arguments on the bail application of Kanimozhi, said the order on her pleas would be pronounced later.

TDP Deceiving People Over T-issue: TRS

Taking strong objection to the Telangana resolution passed by Telugu Desam Party at its just concluded Mahanadu, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi termed it as nothing more than deceiving the people of the region. It blamed the TDP for washing its hands off by putting the onus entirely on the central government. Speaking in the Press conference, TRS MLA Koppula Eashwar said that by stating that it was left to the Centre to take a decision, the TDP conveniently tried to absolve itself of the responsibility to achieve Statehood for the region. "It was public knowledge that only the Centre can form the State. However, the leaders of TDP debated at Mahanadu as if they have discovered something new. It amounted to deceiving people of the region," said Mr. Eashwar. Another TRS MLA T. Harish Rao said TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu never mentioned throughout Mahanadu proceedings that the latter's party would stick to its earlier resolution supporting separate Telangana. Mr. Naidu only harped on his achievements during his nine-year rule. TRS polit buro member G. Sravan Kumar accused the TDP leaders of launching an attack against KCR as they were no way near the latter in the struggle for Statehood. The TRS students' wing president Balki Suman said the TDP leaders played to the tunes of Mr. Naidu at the Mahanadu. The TDP exposed that it had no concern for students who ended up their lives for separate Telangana.

Rabies Deaths on The Rise in AP

Rabies death toll in the State rises to 10 with the death of a 16 year old boy in Khammam district and a 70 year old man in Guntur district yesterday. Incidents of rabid dog bites are being reported for the past three weeks in the state. During the last 24 hrs. stray dogs bit 10 persons in Vejendla village of Chebrolu Mandal in Guntur district. So far, most of the deaths have been reported from East Godawari district. The 16 year old boy, Challa Babu from Danavaigudem under Khammam rural mandal, was bitten by a stray dog while carrying food for his father on 2 May. He was shifted to the Khammam government hospital the same day but was denied treatment and anti-rabies vaccine. He was given only a TT injection and was told to go to the urban health centre for further treatment. But the boy was reportedly not admitted to the urban health centre. Instead, he was taken to a private hospital in Khammam on Saturday where the doctors said he was suffering from rabies and his chances of survival were slim. He succumbed to the disease on Sunday while being treated at the hospital. The district collector, Mr Siddartha Jain, ordered an inquiry into the boy’s death. While three more cases of rabies were detected in Khammam district, rabid dog bites have injured at least 13 people in Medak district in the last two days. So far, eight people have died of rabies in East Godavari district, most of them at the Kakinada government hospital in the last three weeks. With the death of 16-year-old Balu, rabies deaths have now spread to the Telangana region. In Medak district, seven people were bitten by the same dog at Gopalapuram village on Sunday while six others suffered dog bites at Siddipet on Saturday. Most of them were shifted to Fever Hospital in Hyderabad, said the DMHO, Dr C. Ranga Rao.    

Dushta Shakti Cause For Revolt Against NTR: Naidu

It is over sixteen years that former chief minister and incumbent Telugu Desam chief Mr. Chandrababu Naidu revolted against his father-in-law, then chief minister Mr. N T Ramarao and dethroned him. All these years Naidu never spoke or regretted about the revolt, but broke his silence only at the end of just concluded TD Mahanadu at Gandipet. He said that the revolt was only to save the party and Andhra Pradesh. Referring to the incident that took place in 1995, Naidu said a "dushta shakti" (referring to Lakshmi Parvati) tried to destroy the party, and to protect the party from the "evil force," he had to revolt and split the party. I never thought even in my dreams that I will revolt against NTR. For me, NTR was not just a fatherin-law, but a god whom I worshipped. But he was facing problems having come under the influence of the evil force and hence we were left with no other option to save the TDP. We tried all means to check her influence and save the party but failed. Then, left with no option, we had to effect a leadership change and form the government (in 1995) in a democratic manner with the support of more than 200 MLAs," he said. The 1995 revolt by Chandrababu Naidu against his father-in-law was then supported by NTR family as well. Incidentally, Mr Harikrishna, the TD chief's brother-in-law, had a couple of years ago called his stepmother, Ms Lakshmi Parvathi a dushta shakti and the same was repeated by Mr Naidu now.

A Raja Adapts to Tihar Jail Routine

Former Telecom Minister Andimuthu Raja is cooling his heels in Tihar jail since last three months for his suspected involvement in 2G Spectrum scam. Though initially his face was wrought with sullenness and shock, now he seems to be much relaxed and adapted to the jail's routine life. He is keeping himself busy with friendly chats with fellow inmates, morning walks and Badminton sessions in the evenings. The Tihar jail sources say, "Unlike many other high-profile accused stationed in Tihar, Raja seems to have adapted to jail life easily in a short period. Initially, in the first week, he was not talkative or interacting with other inmates, but now he seems to have become friendly with the other inmates in his ward. Most of his new-found friends are serving life sentences and he seems to stick to the routine." A total of 12 of the 14 people chargesheeted by the CBI in the 2G scam, including top bureaucrats and corporates, are lodged in Tihar. Raja is stationed at Jail Number One in Ward Number Nine. Raja's day begins with a one-hour walk from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. inside the ward premises.  He has become so friendly with the other 14 inmates in his ward that he even shared his home cooked food with them on several occasions. Apart from watching television and reading newspapers and books, Raja also plays badminton with the inmates in the evening. The jail official also said Raja is much more disciplined as compared to others. According to the source, Raja has stopped getting home-cooked food for the past few days. "He is eating jail food and he has complained about its quality. Raja seems hooked to snacks from the Tihar canteen, which he shares with fellow inmates as well," says the source.

Sushma Swaraj to Lead Telangana Poru Car Rally

Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj will lead a car rally from Hyderabad to Krimnagar on 31 May 2011 in support of 'Telangana Poru' meeting aimed at mounting pressure on the Centre for introduction of T-Bill in the Parliament. Party spokesman Naraparaju Ramchander Rao said on Sunday that Sushma Swaraj and other national leaders would address the meeting. Speaking to media, Mr. Naraparaju Ramachander Rao said "Our party MPs will support the Telangana bill in the Parliament whenever the Centre introduces it and same is conveyed to the UPA government." Rao informed that the party had extended invitations to all supporters of Telangana cutting across the party lines and added that the T-JAC had already announced its support to the meeting.

Two More Drug Peddlers Arrested

Acting on a tip-off, the Banjara Hills police have arrested two more drug peddlers on Sunday at around 1.30 pm. The police seized 25 gms. of cocaine, two cell phones and bikes from Sarfaraz Sayeed, alias Pappu, 28, Shaukat Mallick, 37, of Malakpet near Basavatarakam Cancer Hospital on Road Number 10, Banjara Hills. According to the Banjara Hills police, Sarfaraz had procured cocaine from one Rolano of Mumbai and was supplying it to customers in the city for Rs 4,000 a gram with the help of his associates including Shaukat. Preliminary investigation revealed that several 'socialites' were reportedly in the customer list of the duo. Sarfaraz was earlier arrested by the Banjara Hills police in October 2010, along with Kenyan national Steveroxy and another associate Hyder Raza and 140 grams of cocaine was seized from them. Police are analysing call details from cellphones of the duo and the preliminary analysis revealed that several actors, models, fashion designers and businessmen were also in the list. According to sources, the list of customers mainly includes some Tollywood personalities and others from affluent families.  

Bellary Reddy Mining Iron or Gold!

Going by the following details, one would invariably wonder whether the Bellary Reddy is mining iron ore or struck gold somewhere in his mines. As per the details submitted to Karnataka Lokayukta, the Karnataka tourism and infrastructure minister Gali Janardhana Reddy sits on a gold chair worth Rs 2.2 crore, offers pooja to gold idols worth Rs 2.58 crore and wears a belt worth Rs 13.15 lakh. The gold plates, bowls, spoon, fork and knife at his house is worth Rs 20.87 lakh. G Janardhan Reddy filed the details of his assets and liabilities (up to March 31,2010) on 25-06-2010. The list of jewellerry he owns runs into three full pages and is worth crores. He has several sets of gold bangles, yellow sapphire stone, ruby, gold articles, pendants, necklaces, earrings, mens jewellery, rings and gold idols. The worth of the silver articles, most of them are tableware and pooja items, runs into tens of lakhs. The household articles, like air conditioners, TV sets, furniture too run into lakhs. Excluding the agricultural land, buildings and ancestral property, Janardhana Reddy has assets worth Rs 153.49 crore. His salary amounts to Rs 31.54 crore, while his business income is Rs 18.30 crore.