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State, Center Politics Over Arunima Sinha Tragedy

Arunima Sinha alias Sonu lost her leg after she was pushed out of the Padmavat Express near Bareilly by three men trying to snatch her gold chain when she was traveling to Delhi to appear for a CISF examination. She was lonely in her tragedy, but now politicians are making a beeline for Sonu and the cameras. The Railway Ministry, Union Ministry of Sports, UP Government - all are willing to extend help to the maimed volley ball player. There's nothing unusual or uncalled for in helping out a fellow human being. But the way the politicians are trying to hog limelight from this tragic event is most disgusting. Sonu had undergone a second surgery at Lucknow's Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU) on Sunday following an infection in the amputated limb. The surgery was carried out a day after she was shifted to Lucknow from the Bareilly District Hospital after her condition worsened. Besides an infected limb, her heamoglobin count had dipped because of excessive bleeding. UP chief minister Mayawati took the decision and got Sonu shifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). But the Uttar Pradesh chief minister's move was influenced not by medical factors but was the culmination of a political tug of war between the state government and the Centre over Arunima's treatment. Apparently trying to scuttle the Congress party's plan to capitalize on the critical condition of the volleyball player, Mayawati took the decision exactly at the same time when Union sports minister Ajay Maken was speaking in Lucknow. At first glance, the decision seems to have been driven by purely medical reasons. But what has prompted Mayawati to take the decision at the nick of the moment was Union sports minister Ajay Maken's visit to Lucknow. He met the ailing athlete and assured her family members that the sports ministry would take care of all her expenditure and there is no need to shift her anywhere else as she is being provided with the best treatment there itself. But Mayawati felt otherwise and got Sonu shifted to Delhi. Sonu has a job at least on paper and her family is hopeful that the help will continue to pour in even when the cameras stop rolling. Albeit, she is now shifted to Delhi's AIIMS for better medical care and let's all hope for her speedy recovery.  

Amar Sing Launching New Political Party

Senior politician Amar Singh, who has been expelled from Samajwadi Party, is shortly going to launch a new political party. Amar Singh's younger brother Arvind Singh said that the new party's name would be 'Rashtriya Lokmanch'. The process of getting the new party registered and allotment of symbol is in the final phase at the Election Commission of India. He said that it was expected that the party would be formally constituted by the month end after registration with the Election Commission. Arvind Singh termed the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to hand over the proposed Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences at Azamgarh to private sector as an injustice to the people of Poorvanchal. He also announced the name of Manoj Yadav as Rashtriya Lokmanch's candidate from Sikanderpur seat for the 2012 state Assembly elections.

Name Game in Kadapa By-elections

Name game in the ensuing Kadapa byeletions has become an interesting part of campaigning by the parties opposed to recently founded YSR Congress Party. In their bid to defeat YS Jagan Mohan and Vijayamma, the ruling Congress party and main opposition TDP are leaving no stone unturned. Though the name game trick is a very old one, the parties opposed to Jagan are banking on the illiterate voters in the district. They surmise that by filling the ballot paper with too many similar names, the voters will get confused and that would benefit them. In Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, where Jagan Mohan Reddy is seeking re-election, a total of 57 nominations remained after the end of withdrawal time. Out of the 57 candidates, 10 Jagan Mohan Reddy are there in the fray. In Pulivendula Assembly constituency, out of 32 contestants there are 6 Vijaya Laxmis and 1 Jagan Mohan Reddy. Senior politicians say that there is every possibility of some voters getting confused and may vote for some other Jagan Mohan Reddy instead of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. In Pulivendula also, presence of the name Jagan Mohan Reddy will create a similar confusion. Sources say, the Jagan camp is a bit worried because of this name game and have decided to counter it by familiarizing the party symbol more rather than the names among the electorate.    

Speaker may Disqualify 3 TD MLAs

Disqualification motion against 3 TDP MLAs is to be initiated by the officiating Speaker Nadendla Manohar, it is learnt. This decision has been taken after an exhaustive meeting between officiating Speaker N Manohar and advocate-general A Sudarshan Reddy yesterday. Though details of the meeting were not made public, it is learnt that the advocate-general has submitted the legal position on the issue in writing, apart from clarifying on several constitutional issues involved in the process. The TDP, during the recent budget session, had sought the disqualification of three party MLAs - Y Balanagi Reddy, N Prasanna Kumar Reddy and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy for violating the party whip. Rlying to the query, Mr. Manohar said that the meeting with the advocate-=general has given him clear picture about the difference between a 'resignation' and the 'disqualification'. The pending applications pertaining to the 3 MLAs will be processed. Significantly, the TRS party was mounting tremendous pressure on the Dy. Speaker to to accept the resignation of Srinivas Reddy, who had openly defied the party and allied with the TRS. Now it is to be seen, whether the MLAs' resignations are accepted or will be disqualified.

Sai Baba Can't be Shifted Within Two Weeks

No less than Dr. A N Safaya, director of Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS) made a shocking statement that it is not possible to shift Baba to the ashram in Prashanthi Nilayam in two weeks, as announced earlier by the Satya Sai Central Trust. Still shocking was the statement by the Satya Sai super-speciality doctors that they were totally in the dark about Saibaba's health prior to March 28, when Baba was admitted there in a critical condition. Dr. Safaya said "Saibaba would not be shifted back to Prashanthi Nilayam in two weeks' time as announced by the Sai Central Trust. "I have no idea about trust's plans to shift him to the ashram. We will not allow him to be shifted as his condition is serious." This contradicts the trust's recent release which claimed that Saibaba would be discharged and brought back to Yajurveda Mandir in the ashram.  

AP CM on land Allotting Spree

AP Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is on a land allotting spree nowadays. A couple of days ago, US based energy company Brighton was allotted with 800 acres in Visakhapatnam district, while another 85 acres have been allotted to VV Med, a Pharma company in Srikakulam district. It's surprising, the chief minister who made the tall claims about reining in the industrialists and promoters of infrastructure projects and hinted at reviewing land allotments to various projects, is going ahead allotting lands, as if in a hurry, say the observers. As per sources, the promoters of infra projects like airports and ports have started approaching the government to clear their respective projects and more allotments of land may take place in near future. Why the government has chosen to ignore the irregularities and clear these projects at this juncture is a million dollar question. Within days after taking a tough stand against employees resorting to unconventional agitations, the Chief Minister retreated and kept the controversial GO 177 in abeyance. "In fact, Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy was picked up over Mr. Rosaiah by the party high command as the latter failed to enforce discipline in the administration and initiated no steps to control agitations," said a senior leader of the party, while expressing doubts whether the CM is heading towards a 'winding-up process'!  

Anna Hazare For Not Sparing Bhushans if Guilty

Social activist, who is spearheading the movement for a stronger Lok Pal Bill said "Punish Bhushan if he is guilty". The social activist, Mr Anna Hazare earlier in the day asserted that Mr Shanti Bhushan should continue on the panel, but action should be taken against him if found guilty. "If found guilty, he deserves to be punished but if not, he is innocent." Mr Hazare, however, claimed he had been told that the CD, carrying audio clippings of purported telephonic conversations, was doctored. When asked, what would be his stand if Parliament rejected the Lokpal Bill drafted jointly by the government and representatives of the civil society, Anna said, "We will have to accept it. We believe in democracy." On the August 15 deadline for passage of the Bill, he said: "There can be some flexibility once we are convinced that the Bill is on the right track." However, he felt that it could be possible for Parliament to take a decision on the Bill within a month.  

Government Tries to Pacify T-employees

The government issued orders yesterday implementing several of the demands made by Telangana employees, who are agitating against the GO 177 issued to enforce the "no work, no pay" policy. Telangana employees have objected to posts in institutions that are outside the purview of the GO 610 being filled by non-Telangana employees and insisted on the "fair share" principle as one of the pre-conditions to withdraw their non-cooperation agitation last month. The state government has, for the first time, agreed to strictly implement the "fair share" principle in deputations and transfers to those institutions, including the Secretariat, that are outside the purview of zonal regulations. The chief secretary, Mr S.V. Prasad, issued orders to strictly implement the "fair share" principle in all appointments made through deputation or by transfer in offices of heads of departments, state level institutions, special offices, major development projects and the Secretariat. He also directed the HMWS&SB to take employees on deputation only from Hyderabad district or Zone VI, depending on the cadre to which the post belonged. The government also made it clear that the zonal regulations would apply to all the urban development authorities in the state and made it mandatory for the urban local bodies to allow deputation only from the same local area. Meanwhile all parties and organisations from Telangana demanded that GO 177 be withdrawn or else they will intensify their agitation against the government.  

Satya Sai Baba to be Shifted to Prashanthi Nilayam

Sri Satya Sai Central Trust announced that if Baba's health continues to improve, he could be shifted from the hospital to his residence in Prashanti Nilayam in a fortnight. The Trust that runs the multi-crore properties and programmes of the Baba said that Baba's residence is being readied to ensure it has facilities for follow up medicare and emergency services. Suffering from multi-organ failure since March 28, Baba's condition was serious for many days. In the latest review, doctors say his condition is stable and he is responding satisfactorily but slowly to treatment. Devotees have been demanding that the Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences release pictures of Baba to assure them that he is undergoing treatment, but the doctors rejected the demand. The devotees are possibly influenced by various speculative reports in vernacular dailies, one of them being that Baba is being held captive. The Sri Satya Sai Central Trust was forced to state that Baba's health status was under constant review by the Trust. It assured all devotees that the Baba was recovering thanks to the spontaneous upsurge of prayers, bhajans, namasmarana, and candlelight processions. "If the progress continues to be stable and satisfactory as at present, it might be possible to shift him from the hospital to his residence in about a fortnight." the trust announced.  

CM Allots Land to U S Company

AP CM Kiran Kumar Reddy allotted 800 acres of land to a U S based Brighton Energy Corporation Limited even before his much talked about new land policy is being prepared. The company will be given land in D.L. Puram and Vempadu villages in Nakkapalli mandal of Visakhapatnam district to set up a manufacturing facility for the nuclear power plant components. The Chief Minister had recently announced in the Assembly that the previous governments showed bias in land allotments. He held the indiscriminate and unscientific approach in fixing the extent of land responsible for the unrest among people. Patting himself for exhibiting a firm resolve to formulate a comprehensive and scientific new policy, the Chief Minister said any future allotment would be made in strict accordance with the policy. For reasons best known to him, the CM gave his nod to allot 800 acres to the US company. The major industries minister, Dr J. Geetha Reddy, said the allotment was approved by the CM keeping in view the track record of the company. The company would invest 2,900 crore and provide direct employment up to 2,500 skilled persons and indirect employment to many more through the proposed support factories.

Case Against SKC Panel Members

A criminal case is to be filed against Sri Krishna commission members. A criminal court in Nampally on Friday directed the Punjagutta police to register a case against the members of justice Srikrishna committee. K Sudhakar, the 14th additional chief metropolitan magistrate made this order after hearing a private complaint moved by Valiur-Rehman, a Hyderabad-based advocate and general secretary of Telangana people's forum, who sought the prosecution of all the members of the committee because their actions were found to be unconstitutional. Keeping chapter VIII of the committee's report as secret is beyond the scope of the committee, Rehman said in his complaint. Moreover, raising apprehensions about possible communal riots in the event of the creation of Telangana is nothing but cheating the four crore people of the region, he said. Citing the judgment of the A P High Court earlier, found fault with the actions of the committee, the complainant said that the committee has crossed its brief and traveled beyond the terms of reference given to it.

YSR Congress Founder Jagan or Basha

With the question arising, who is YSR Congress founder - Jagan or Basha?, the Kadapa byelections have become more curious. One of the contestants for Kadapa Lok Sabha seat Akbar Mahaboob Basha lodged a complaint with chief electoral officer Bhanwar Lal claiming that he was the real founder of the YSR Congress party. Basha in his complaint said that Jaganmohan Reddy was 'illegally' using his party's name. Basha, a resident of Kadapa town filed his nomination papers from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency on the first day of notification (April 11). Basha contends, "I am the founder of the YSR Congress party and I am contesting on behalf of my party."  He said he had applied to the Election Commission for registration of YSR Congress in 2009 and the case was pending in court. The CEO said that he would forward the petition given by Basha to the Election Commission. Replying to a question, Bhanwar Lal said the issue of party would be sorted out during the scrutiny of the nominations.  

Kadapa Byelections: Do or Die For CM

Kadapa byelections have become a 'do or die' situation for the chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy. The Congress high command is reported to have told him that only a victory for the ruling party in the two seats would reflect his abilities to lead the party till the 2014 general and assembly elections. Invariably, the chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is now taking the Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula assembly bypolls a bit more seriously. Kiran Kumar Reddy returned to Hyderabad from Delhi a couple of days ago after having consultations with the party high command. He is said to have presented to them a report on the strengths of the Congress and how the party was geared up to overcome the deficiencies in the election. But the mobilisation of ministers and the efforts to win back many loyalists of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and a couple of Telugu Desam leaders into the fold of the Congress did not greatly impress Sonia. The CM was told that nothing short of a victory would be required from the state Congress and his leadership, and on this victory would depend whether he would lead the party in the next elections, the sources said. As per sources, what makes Kiran Kumar worried is the internal assessment of the party that shows winning in Kadapa and Pulivendula seats is very tough for the Congress party. Moreover, the high command has given him a free hand in running the affairs of the state, hoping that he wouldn't disappoint them.  

Radia Statements in 2G Scam Rattle Sharad Pawar

During the investigations in the 2G scam by CBI, corporate lobbyist Niira Radia has made a startling statement, though without evidence, that Union Minister Sharad Pawar was controlling the controversial DB Realty, the parent company of Swan telecom company that has been charge sheeted in the case.  Radia has however submitted in her statement that she didn't have any documentary or other evidence to substantiate her allegation against the Union Minister. As a witness in the 2G case, Radia affirmed having made this statement basing on the general perception in Mumbai as well as outside, that D B Realty, directly or indirectly is controlled by Pawar and his family members. she also said that Swan telecom promoter Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka, MD of D B Realty are the key persons in the firm. Whether evidence or no evidence, this was enough to rattle maratha strongman and he reacted sharply rubbishing Radia's claim saying "I have no financial interest in this company. DB Realty and that telecom company I have no relations at all. I have no financial, not one 'naya paisa' interest in that company." Radia didn't stop at that, in her statement, had also said that Pawar might have pursued the matter with Raja for getting UAS licence and dual technology to Swan as well as to Anil Ambani Reliance Communications. She also told CBI that her company had given 10 percent sweat equity to former TRAI chairman Pradeep Baijal. Meanwhile, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications Pvt Ltd headed by Radia, issued a statement on reports relating to her testimony to CBI. "Corporates with vested interest are circulating statements related to an ongoing trial, unverified transcripts, white papers, and other documents with questionable authenticity. The whole exercise quite clearly is to divert attention from real issues. For the record, it is stated that right context of the conversation can be established only when the statement is looked at in totality," the release said. Now, it can only be said on completion of probe in to the 2G scam, who is diverting whose attention, why Sharad Pawar's name cropped up in between and whether he had at least a 'naya paisa' in it or not!

TD T-leaders Not to Campaign in Kadapa

Telugu Desam leaders belonging to Telangana region aren't going to campaign for the party in Kadapa byelections. Telangana Telugu Desam leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy not only told party president Chandrababu Naidu that he will not campaign in Kadapa, but also asked other TD T-leaders to refrain from doing so. Dr Nagam said that he would not campaign for the party in the Kadapa bypolls and asked other T-leaders to do the same to show solidarity over the Telangana movement. Mr Chandrababu Naidu had drafted over 100 party leaders, MPs, MLAs and MLCs for the campaign. Mr Revanth Reddy, who was among the first TD Telangana leaders to campaign in Kadapa, now says, "I am not going to campaign in the Kadapa bypolls. We need to intensify the Telangana movement hence I am not going to campaign. It is unfair on the part of other Telangana leaders to campaign." This clearly shows that the differences going on between Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy and the party chief Chandrababu Naidu have widened further. Dr Nagam has been rubbing the TD president the wrong way for some time now, and this forced Mr Naidu to check him. He did not allow Mr Reddy a second term as Public Accounts Committee chief.

City Girls To Benefit by Rajiv Gandhi Plan

Around 1500 girls in the city will benefitted the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls called 'Sabala'. The scheme was launched State-wide by the Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy yesterday. The scheme seeks to strengthen the health of girls by providing nutritious food, a facility so far extended only to pregnant women. According to ICDS project director, Ms K. Rajyalakshmi, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) identifies girl children between 11 and 18 years of age and constitutes "Kishora Samuhams" each comprising 15-30 girls. Each anganwadi centre will have a "Kisora Samuham". Three girls will be picked from each group as Sakhi and Sahelis and will be trained by the ICDS department in how to conduct themselves and take care of their health. The three will in turn train the group members and the girls outside the group if any. In a tie-up with Employee Generation and Marketing Mission (EGMM), the ICDS department will provide the girls training in skill-based jobs like DTP and BPO if they have completed Intermediate, facilitating their economic empowerment.  

Vimalakka Talks TUF on Lanco Hills

Telangana agitation takes a new turn as Vimalakka talks TUF on Lanco Hills. Leading around 100 Telangana United Front activists, Vimalakka barged in to Lanco Hills Towers yesterday and hoisted Telangana flag and declared the Lanco Hills as "Telangana Hills". The police arrested Vimalakka and the agitators for trespassing into Lanco Hills at Manikonda, rioting with deadly weapons and for assaulting security guards and breaking tube lights. The agitators asked "Andhra Kuberas", the developers who had bought the properties at Lanco Hills to clear out and hand them over to "native Telanganites". This is the first time ever since agitation for a separate Telangana has started a decade ago by K Chandrasekhar Rao led Telangana Rashtra Samithi. In spite of several parties agitating for a separate Telangana state, never before in the past ten years, private properties belonging to settlers from andhra region were attacked. Time and again KCR and other Telangana protagonists have been assuring that interests and properties of settlers in Telangana, particularly in Hyderabad, will be safeguarded. Observers say that either Telangana movement has gone out of TRS control or some vested interests are trying to subvert the movement.

Kanishtha Dhankar is Miss India World 2011

Kanishtha Dhankar is Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2011 - In a grand gala function held in Mumbai last night Kanishtha Dhankar was declared Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2011. The other two runner ups who got lucky at the mega event were Hasleen Kaur (Pantaloons Femina Miss India Earth 2011) and Ankita Shorey (Pantaloons Femina Miss India International 2011). The jury members included Kangna Ranaut, Dino Morea, Fardeen Khan, Urmila Matondkar, Ritu Kumar, Shiamak Davar, Leander Paes, Tarun Mansukhani and Sajid Nadiadwala. The event was a gala affair with smashing performances from Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonakshi Sinha, Malaika Arora Khan and Hard Kaur.  

2G Scam Accused Raja Complains About Jail Food

2G Scam Accused Raja Complains About Jail Food - former Telecom minister A Raja and other accused in 2G scam, who are presently lodged in Tihar jail, complained about quality of the food served to them in jail to the CBI Special Judge. Supported by his personal secretary RK Chandolia and former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura, who are also in judicial custody along with him, Raja told the judge that "The food served to us is not of good quality." Raja co-accused Shahid Usman Balwa's lawyer also complained to the judge about the food. The foursome, Raja, Chandolia, Behura and Swan Telecom promoter Balwa are in judicial custody in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation scam. Responding to the complaints made in unison, the Judge issued orders that they be provided food as per the provisions of the jail manual.