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Krishnam Raju to Join YSRC

The actor-turned-politician who has unsuccessfully contested as PRP candidate to Lok Sabha from Rajahmundry has been keeping away from politics ever since. It is learnt that he is likely to join the YSR Congress and lead the party’s campaign in the pockets of his influence in the ensuing general elections. Talking to the media at Mogalturu, his native village in West Godavari district, Krishnam Raju has said he would be contesting during the 2014 elections. It is learnt that Krishnam Raju has decided to join the Jagan bandwagon and has also agreed to ensure the victory of his candidates in the district and the neighboring East Godavari. It is learnt that he has already spoken to his supporters and former BJP and PRP leaders close to him about the prospects of the victory of YSRC candidates in Kakinada (East Godavari) and Narsapuram (West Godavari) constituencies. Krishnam Raju has  talked to his supporters in Mogalturu on Wednesday where he has announced his decision to re-enter active politics. He told them that looking at the problems faced by the people, he was inclined to once again play an active role in politics.  He has announced that he would be contesting in the next general elections.  

Rayudu at his Best as Mumbai Beat Punjab

After two consecutive defeats, Mumbai Indians got their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign back on track with a thrilling four-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium on Wednesday. Heroics from Ambati Rayudu, who struck a 17-ball 34, helped Mumbai Indians chase down the target of 169 losing six wickets and with a ball to spare for their first ever win in Mohali in five seasons. Rayudu was also adjudged Man of the Match.   Opting to bat first, Kings XI Punjab got a challenging total of 168 for three in 20 overs after stand-in skipper David Hussey struck an unbeaten 68 while David Miller remained not out on 34. While chasing, Mumbai Indians got off to a good start with James Franklin (22) and Sachin Tendulkar (34) adding 52 runs for the first wicket. Veteran Pakistani all-rounder Azhar Mahmood (2-23), who is playing as a British citizen, picked up the openers in his consecutive overs as Mumbai Indians slumped from 52 for no loss to 59 for two. Rohit Sharma came with a brilliant 50 off 30 balls, which was studded with three fours and three sixes, to keep Mumbai Indians' chase on track. It looked as if Kings XI would get an easy win, but things turned in favour of Mumbai Indians in the penultimate over bowled by leggie Piyush Chawla (1-46). Chawla was clobbered for four sixes in his last over by Robin Pietersen (16 not out) and Rayudu, both hitting two each, as 27 runs came off the 19th over and took Mumbai Indians to the threshold of a win.

5 years Jail For Mangali Krishna

Mangali Krishna alias Dantuluri Krishna is one of those warring faction leaders from Rayalaseema region and is linked with various murder and settlement cases. Though most of them are not proved, he is found guilty in a murder attempt case against slain Telugudesam leader Paritala Ravi.   Mangali Krishna is the prime accused in a suitcase bomb planting that was intended to kill TDP leader from Anantapur region, Paritala Ravi. He along with three others is confirmed as offenders behind this conspiracy, by the Anantapur additional sessions court today before they were awarded a sentence of five years imprisonment. The sentence that is to be awarded is reserved for tomorrow. On the other hand TDP leader Gali Muddukrishnam Naidu accused that Jagan is the main culprit behind all these incidents, while Mangali Krishna is his trusted aide.

5.8 magnitude Earthquake Hits Andaman

Earthquake Andaman: An earthquake of 5.8 magnitude on the Richter scale has been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. No damage has been reported so far. Earlier this month, a quake measuring 8.6 in Indonesia was felt all over India, and prompted worries of a tsunami.  Evacuations in parts of the Nicobar Islands were carried out as a precaution.

Singhvi CD : PIL Against Driver Dismissed

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been saved from more embarrassment in the controversial sex CD case. A public interest litigation (PIL) that sought action against Singvhi's driver has been dismissed. The plea argued that action be taken on him for tarnishing the image of lawyers. The PIL was dismissed on the grounds that the Bar Council and courts will not interfere in a private matter between an employer and employee. Singhvi had to step down as Congress spokesperson after his controverial video went viral online.  

AP Liquor Scam: ex-Collector, 11 Others Arrested

The Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested an ex-collector and 11 others in connection with the liquor scam in Andhra Pradesh. N Nageshwar Rao, former Collector and District Magistrate of Khammam and others have been accused of not initiating any action on the cancellation of licenses of 16 liquor shops in Khammam. The ACB had on March 4, arrested four officials of the Excise Department on charges of processing files and manipulating records, thus playing an active role in handing over the control of business of these 16 liquor shops to the liquor syndicate led by Nunna Venkata Ramana, who is presently under judicial custody. Though the revenue divisional officer (RDO) of Khammam, in his report, established several manipulations and fabrications of the records and inclusion of another person's name other than the successful bidder in respect of these 16 shops and recommended criminal action. However, Nageshwar Rao, despite getting the report, kept quite without taking any action for the cancellation of all the licenses in accordance under sections of the AP Excise Act, the ACB release said. ACB has also arrested several excise and police officials since March this year for their alleged links with the liquor mafia.  

Sukma Collector Kidnap: Deadline Ends Today

Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon's kidnap by the moists has caused high tension in Chhattisgarh as the deadline put by the abductors ends at 5 PM today. However, reports coming in from the Maoists stronghold of Bastar said the deadline could be extended. Alex Paul Menon, a 2006 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was abducted at gunpoint Saturday by rebels from a forested location, about 500 km south from here, when he was interacting with tribals. The Maoists shot dead his two guards who resisted his abduction. "Tension is running very high at police headquarters here and in the IAS community as well. But the worst period is for the family of Menon, mainly his wife Asha who is going through a phase of mental trauma," a senior official with home department said. The only relief, he said, was that Maoists had allowed one of the three proposed mediators - Manish Kunjam - Tuesday to carry medicines for Menon, who is an asthma patient, to their hideout in Sukma. Manish Kunjam, the former Chhattisgarh legislator and well known Communist Party of India leader in troubled Bastar region, had collected medicines from Asha Menon from her official residence at Sukma and reached Chintagufa area Tuesday evening. He then went into the jungle to hand over medicines to Menon, who reportedly needs urgent medical attention. Maoists are demanding that Chhattisgarh's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime set free its eight key jailed colleagues - Marakam Gopannam, Nirmal Akka, Devpal Chandra Shekher Reddy, Shanti Priya Reddy, Meena Chowdhary, Korasa Sunny, Markan Sunny and Asit Kumar Sen - and had set April 25 as the deadline. In a message sent to media houses, Maoists proposed Hyderabad-based Prof Haragopal as a mediator after Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan and Kunjam refused the offer. Haragopal is said to be the man who played a crucial role in the release of Malkangiri district collector R Vineel Krishna in February 2011 when he was held hostage by Maoists in neighbouring Odisha.

Maoists likely to Release Odisha MLA Tommorow

The Naxals on Wednesday have agreed to release abducted BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka on Thursday at 10 am in Koraput, Orissa. The decision of his release was taken in the 'peoples' court'. BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka kidnapped on March 24 has been released on grounds of assurance that he would resign if the demands made by naxals are not met. Earlier, there was some indication with the state government that the people's court would be held in Narayanpatna area on Wednesday, sources said. Narayanpatna area remained cut off from the rest of the state since Friday because of road blockades put up by the Maoists and a 'Maoist week' called from Wednesday.

Bhanu Kiran Sent to 9 Days CID Custody

The sixth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court at Nampally on Tuesday remanded M Bhanu Kiran, the prime accused in the murder case of Gangula Suryanarayana Reddy alias Suri, to nine days police custody.   While remanding Bhanu Kiran to police custody from April 25, the court directed the officials of Crime Investigation Department to interrogate him before his lawyers or his family members from morning 10 to 4 pm. In the petition filed before the sixth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, the CID officials said that Bhanu's custody would enable the agency to know the other conspirators in Suri's murder case apart from verifying the properties that he acquired illegally and sought 15 days custody of Bhanu Kiran. However, the court granted 9-days custody and asked the CID officials to produce him in the court after the expiry of his custody. Nearly 15 cases relating to extortion, land grab and cheating registered across the State are pending against Bhanu Kiran, the officials said.

Sehwag at his Best as Delhi Beat Pune

The Delhi Daredevils captain, Virender Sehwag, smashed 87 off 48 balls to lead his side to an eight‑wicket win over Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League. Chasing 147, Delhi lost Mahela Jayawardene (18) but England's Kevin Pietersen partnered Sehwag in an 89-run stand to put the Daredevils well on course at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium. Pietersen (27) departed to Rahul Sharma in the 12th over, before Ross Taylor joined the chase with an unbeaten nine to lead the visitors home with four overs left. The win puts Delhi two points clear at the top of the IPL table with a game in hand.

AP Byelections Schedule Announced

The Chief Election Commission of India (CEC) has announced byelection schedule for 18 assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha constituency in Andhra Pradesh. The byelection notification will be issued on 18 May and polling will be held on 12 June, 2012.              

Kidnapped Chhattisgarh Collector Health Deteriorates

According to government sources, the maoists kidnapped Sukma collector Alex P Menon's health is deteriorating. More details about his health will be known once the team that has left with medicines comes back. Sources also told that the government's efforts in the state will suffer a setback if the demand to release hardcore Naxals is met. The negotiations between the Chhattisgarh government ant and the maoists is getting delayed as two of the mediators named by maoists - Manish Kunjam Nad Prashant Bhushan have refused to mediate citing various reasons. Freshly the government named SK Mishra, former chief secretary of Chhattisgarh and Nirmala Buch, former chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh, as the mediators. The third mediator, former SC/ST commission chief BD Sharma said he was ready to mediate on the issue, adding, "I am waiting for the proposal of the state government." Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh government sent medicines for the abducted IAS officer through Kunjal after Menon's captors released a statement to the local media saying the Collector, who is an asthma patient, was critical. They asked the mediators to bring medicines for him. According to reports, intelligence officers from three states reached New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the hostage crisis with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.  

4 Congress Union Ministers May Quit to Strengthen Party

At least 4 senior Congress leaders may quit their ministerial posts shortly in a major reshuffle at the Center. The ministers - Gulam Nabi Azad, Jairam Ramesh, Vyalar Ravi and Salman Khursheed -- informed Sonia Gandhi about their wish to to give up their ministerial portfolios to strengthen the organisation in view of the party's poor results during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. However, the party high command hasn't taken any decision so far. Jairam Ramesh had earlier quit as minister in 2008 before Lok Sabha elections. He has handled the Congress election manifesto and could be a very important person when next Lok Sabha election takes place in 2014. 

Bhanu Kiran Purchased 200 Acres in Vijayawada

Investigations by CID officials in Bhanu Kiran case revealed that he along with Mangali Krishna had purchased 200 acres land in Vijayawada. The land was purchased in the name of Hyderabad based Shouri Real Estates and other proxy names. According to CID sources, Bhanu and Mangali Krishna threatened Vijayawada land owners using Suri's name and acquired 200 acres land at a very low cost. They use to pay @ 25000/ per acre and get the land registered in the name of Shouri Real Estates, Hyderabad. When inquired, it was found that Shouri Real Estates is a bogus company and no such company exists on the address given at Hyderabad. Bhanu also facilitated purchase of lands in Vijayawada for several Telugu film personalities. The police is very minutely probing every detail and it is expected that many more startling facts will come out soon.      

Telangana Cong MPs Suspended For 4 Days

The issues of separate Telangana and price rise today rocked the Lok Sabha on the first day of the second part of the Budget Session of Parliament. As soon as the House made obituary references to former members Dinesh Pratap Singh and N K P Salve, Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) and other members of Left parties were on their feet demanding suspension of Question Hour and a discussion on price rise. Congress members from Telangana region rushed to the front rows, raised slogans and waved placards demanding a separate state. They did not relent even after Home Minister P Chidambaram, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and Congress whip Ranee Narah persuaded them to go back to their seats. finally 8 Congress MPs from Telangana region have been suspended from Lok Sabha for 4 days. Those suspended are Ponnam Prabhakar, Madhu Yaskhi Goud, M Jagannath, K R G Reddy, G Viveknanda, Balram Naik, Sukender Reddy Gutha and S Rajaiah.      

Bhanu Confessions: 3 Top Officials Names Surfaced

The prime accused in Maddelacheruvu Suri murder case, Bhanu Kiran has reportedly confessed to the police that he bribed two revenue divisional officers (RDO) and one sub-collector with money and women to carry out his illegal activities, especially land dispute settlements. Bhanu is said to have confessed to CID personnel that he settled land disputes in Kukatpally, Raidurgam, Miyapur and Narsingi police station limits in and around Hyderabad. Among those who sought his help in this matter was Telugu film producers C Kalyan. Another person who collaborated with Bhanu was another shadow Telugu film industry figure, Singanamala Ramesh. CID officials suspect that Bhanu amassed wealth amounting to Rs 800 crore through land settlements. The assets were registered in the name of proxies. Bhanu took over the Rayalaseema factionist’s land settlement activity when Suri was lodged in jail. “I offered huge bribes and procured prostitutes to the two RDOs and the sub-collector in Ranga Reddy district to get information from them,’’ Bhanu is said to have confessed. The CID officials are planning to grill the two RDOs and the subcollector soon. Bhanu is also said to have intimate relations with at least three top heroines in the Telugu film industry.  

Collector Abduction: Bhushan Endorses Maoist Demands

Supreme Court lawyer and Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan though refused to mediate on behalf of maoists in Sukma Collector Alex P Menon's case, but endorsed the maoist demands as justified. Bhushan said that he would not mediate on the issue. "No, I am appealing to the Maoists to unconditionally release the collector. I agree to most of their demands which are justifiable but the collector should not be used as a bargaining chip," he told when asked if he would act as a mediator. "Menon is an innocent officer. If the government is serious about addressing the root causes of Naxals, I am quite happy to be part of any negotiations then," he said. After the Chhattisgarh government offered to hold talks to secure the release of the Sukma district collector, Maoists last night named three mediators, including former National SC/ST Commission chairperson BD Sharma and president of All India Adivasi Mahasabha Manish Kunjam. But Kunjam has also declined the Maoists offer citing regional circumstances and party obligations. They said only the three persons named by them will be allowed to negotiate in Tarimetla village and asked them to accept the invitation to act as mediators. The Maoists also termed Menon's health as critical and asked the mediators to bring medicines along with them. The Maoists asked the government not to indulge in "delay tactics" as Menon's health was deteriorating.  

Jeevitha Rajasekhar to Join BJP

Actors Jeevitha and Rajasekhar, the husband and wife duo, today announced that they would be joining Bharatiya Janata Party. The couple has been in politics for a long time and been associated with several parties right from Telugu Desam Party to Congress Party to YSR Congress Party. Known for never sticking to one party for more than year to two, Jeevitha and Rajashekar announced that they will take formal membership of the national party in the presence of the party's national leader Venkaiah Naidu.

Collector abduction: Anti-Naxal Operations Suspended in Bastar

All anti-Naxal operations in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh have been suspended as demanded by the Maoists who have abducted IAS officer and Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon,sources said. The state government has asked the security forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations not to conduct any offensive against the Maoists in the Bastar region till he is freed by the extremists. The decision has been taken to ensure safety of the 2006 batch IAS officer, who was abducted by the Maoists on Saturday when he was holding a meeting as part of the government’s Special Gram Suraj Abhiyan.