BJP seeks UP governor’s help to remove all cases of Muzaffarnagar riots

Lucknow: Taking exception to UP government's proposed move to withdraw cases against Muslim leaders in Muzaffarnagar riots, BJP today asked Governor BL Joshi to press the government to withdraw all cases, including those lodged against its leaders, in connection with the violence.

Alleging that the government's move would disturb communal harmony in the state, the party submitted a memorandum to the Uttar Pradesh Governor, demanding his immediate intervention in the matter.

A file photo of the riots. AP

In its memorandum, BJP alleged that on the basis of reports lodged against 4,000 people in connection with the violence, police was "terrorising and financially harassing them" and the government was not concerned with that, BJP's chief spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.

The delegation was led by state president Laxmi Kant Bajpai.

Demanding that the cases be withdrawn, Pathak pointed out that cases had been lodged against BJP MLAs Suresh Rana, Sangeet Som and a dozen others in similar sections (as lodged against Muslim leaders).

He said these cases should also be withdrawn. The BJP leader said the government was not clarifying why opinion of the law department and the District Magistrate was sought on these cases.

Riots in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas, which began in the last week of August last year, claimed over 60 lives and left thousands homeless. Several cases of inciting violence with inflammatory speeches have been lodged against religious and political leaders.

The party also alleged that the power tariff was highest in the state, but the UP Power Corporation Limited has once again started process to hike it.

It demanded that the government give a package of Rs 15,000 crore to UPPCL through the finance corporation.

PTI

Don’t make unneeded remarks or face explusion: Karunanidhi raps Alagiri

Chennai: Amid strains in DMK's first family over leadership squabbles, party chief M Karunanidhi today issued a veiled warning to his Madurai-based son MK Alagiri, saying those who went against party diktat would be expelled.

Miffed at Alagiri's reported remarks against DMK's possible tie-up with the Vijayakant-led DMDK for the Lok Sabha polls, Karunanidhi said he himself had as party "president," expressed joy over a possible alliance between the two.

There were reports that Alagiri had suggested against a DMK-DMDK tie-up and if these were true then "there is no connection between them and DMK," Karunanidhi said, seeking to distance himself from Alagiri's remarks.

It was upto the Executive and General Council or the "authorised high command" to decide on alliance prospects, he told reporters here.

PTI

Alagiri's remarks were in contrast to the statement made by him welcoming DMK-DMDK alliance, and this was "not only regrettable but also condemnable," Karunanidhi said.

"I make it clear that those who make such unnecessary contrasting remarks and thus try to affect party discipline, whoever they are, disciplinary action will be initiated against them and they will be expelled, even from party membership," he said, adding, this decision applied to all DMK members at all times.

Karunanidhi's warning comes a day after Alagiri's younger brother Stalin snubbed him at Tiruchirappalli, welcoming his party's alliance with DMDK besides quipping that he doesn't read such "unnecessary news items," when asked about Alagiri's reported views against any tie-up with Vijayakant's party.

Differences between Alagiri and Stalin are well-known with both sparring on the issue of who is the political heir apparent to Karunanidhi.

While the 90-year-old DMK chief had at times hinted that Stalin could well be his successor, Alagiri had challenged that, saying he would not accept anyone other than Karunanidhi as his leader.

The DMK chief alleged that a section of media were against a DMK-DMDK alliance. The tie-up, he claimed, would be in the interest of the welfare of the people of the state.

Such media organisations were trying to "divert" people away so that the alliance did not fructify, he said, adding, they were therefore carrying "mischievous" reports about the senior leaders of the respective parties.

Without naming anybody, he claimed some journalists were unable to digest his remarks that he would be happy if DMDK came forward for an alliance with his party and were therefore levelling a volley of criticism (against DMK).

DMDK emerged the principal opposition in the state assembly, edging DMK to the third place in the 2011 polls which it fought in alliance with AIADMK.

But the two parties turned bitter opponents later with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa regretting the tie-up.

PTI

Fundamentalist forces a threat to society: Digvijaya on Muzaffarnagar

Bhopal: Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh today said he was strongly against fundamentalist forces of all kinds as they are a threat to the society.

"I have always held the view that fundamentalist forces, whether they represent Hindus or Muslims, pose the same amount of threat to society," Singh told reporters during an informal chat.

Digvijaya Singh. PTI

The Congress leader said this when he was asked to comment on the arrest of two terrorists, who had links with LeT, from Mewat region of Madhya Pradesh recently.

On the Professional Exam Board (PEB) scam in Madhya Pradesh, he said the recent probe would yield no results unless the masterminds behind it were apprehended.

The state Congress unit had earlier alleged that the STF was going soft on former state minister Laxmikant Sharma on the instructions of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The scam relates to manipulation of selection process for government jobs for which exams were conducted by the MP Professional Examination Board (MPPEB).

A Special Task Force (STF) of state police is carrying out investigations.

The STF has filed FIRs against 130 people including Sharma, who has been linked to irregularities in selection of teachers.

Digvijay also said he was not surprised at yoga guru Baba Ramdev and BJP's Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi sharing a common platform.

"All sort of people including those holding fake passports and degrees share the platform with Modi, who has no problem in touching their feet," he said.

Modi had recently attended an event organised by Ramdev, who had demanded abolition of all kinds of taxes and pitched for a single 'Banking Transaction Tax' if the BJP leader becomes Prime Minister.

PTI

Congress likely to reshuffle media team after 17 Jan AICC meet

New Delhi: Four to five new faces from the Hindi belt as well as some other states could be inducted as AICC spokespersons while the 36-member list of television panelists from Congress could witness a thorough rejig this month.

AFP

Sources said that the changes are planned to take place after the January 17 AICC meeting, which will be held amid a growing clamour in the party for projecting Rahul Gandhi as Congress' Prime Ministerial candidate.

The exercise is part of the Congress Vice President's plan to revamp the media strategy of the party ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls.

Two national workshops were organised a couple of months back by AICC at the national level to finetune Congress' media strategy and pick up talents from states for projecting the party better in television and print media and also augment the social media platform.

Similar workshops have been organised in various states, where the party has now put in place dedicated media teams as Congress plans to go to the polls highlighting the achievements of UPA in last ten years.

The party is also working on a strategy to hardsell its flagship schemes like food security, direct benefit transfer, new land bill, Lokpal Bill, RTI, MNREGA and other legislations aimed at social inclusiveness and fighting corruption.

In the recent days, Haryana Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala, Mahila Congress chief Shobha Oza, television panelist Sanjay Jha and former spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi have addressed the official briefing of the party from the AICC podium leading to specualtion about their induction as the new spokespersons of AICC.

The two workshops of the party organised to bring in media talents from within Congress have also thrown up some names, who could find their inclusion in the new list of media panelists. The party has given indications of a larger role in its media strategy being played by Congress chief spokesperson from Bihar Premchand Mishra and MLA from Madhya Pradesh Mukesh Nayak.

The sources said that the issue of the reshuffle in the media team is still under discussion and the names have not been finalised as yet. The focus will be to find out bilingual spokespersons, who could speak both English and Hindi fluently and disseminate the party's viewpoint on various issues with clarity.

PTI

No, the AAP story is not a ‘triumph’ of India’s middle class

At a time when Westminster-style democracy is facing an existential crisis in its own backyard with more and more people, especially the middle class, opting out of mainstream politics in England, the apparent resurgence of political activism in India symbolised by the Aam Aadmi Party's plucky political debut is surely significant.

But sceptics with slightly longer memories of the Indian political scene than the television soundbite era allows may be forgiven for taking some of the post-AAP claims with a pinch of salt. To my mind, the most extraordinary of these is crediting the urban middle class with the "flowering" and "coming-of-age" of Indian democracy supposedly represented by AAP.

The fact is that the middle class is part of the problem because of which Indian politics reached such a pass that we needed a brand new party to re-energise it. The real heroes, on the other hand, are the millions of working class Indians who have kept the show going for 60 years by religiously turning up to vote at every election seeking change through the ballot box when the middle class, feigning 'alienation' stayed home.

AFP

It is a universal middle class trait to portray itself as an agent of progressive change, though in reality it is instinctively status-quoist, pushing for reform only when it suits its own interests.

In Britain, middle class "disengagement" from politics is this season's biggest story after some of the country's most high-profile middle class public figures, including the celebrity comedian and broadcaster Russell Brand, proudly confessed to not voting in elections because they find the choices "unappetising".

It has echoes of the Indian middle class's political behaviour historically marked by large-scale absenteeism at elections and an aversion to "dirtying" its hands. The middle class is also reluctant to rock the boat or push for any political or economic change whose consequences are not predictable. The comatose state of the Indian Left is an enduring illustration of the middle class voters' risk-averse approach.

So, the post-AAP wave of self-congratulation (metaphorical hi-fives, and "we-did-it") sweeping the middle class redoubts sits oddly with its role in propping up a reactionary political culture. There is only one issue on which the middle class has ever taken a stand: price rise.

That's the one safe platform on which any political party can hope to win enough middle class votes any day. Indira Gandhi famously bounced back into power in 1980 in what came to be known as "onion elections" fought on the agenda of containing the runaway rise in the price of onion. Again, in 1998, the Bharatiya Janata Party lost the Delhi elections to the Congress on the issue of onion prices.

So long as the middle class is assured of a decent wage, cheap onions, a semblance of social mobility and not-too-much corruption it is happy to keep its head down without worrying too much about larger issues such as the nature of polity or future of democracy. It is only when the normal rhythm of its daily life is threatened that it is jolted into action; and there is a scramble to jump on to the nearest passing bandwagon offering change.

At the risk of being a party-pooper, I would suggest that Delhi's middle class plumped for AAP not to revolutionise politics, but because the party's agenda happened to resonate with its own immediate concerns around corruption, price rise and transparency. Besides, some see AAP as a vehicle to launch their own political careers.

It is true that today the Indian middle class is much larger and more aspirational. Perhaps even more angry than before.

But whether it has finally decided to use its deep anger to change the face of Indian politics, as being claimed, remains debatable. There have been similar flashes in the pan before-- only for the middle class to revert to its default comfort zone after the event.

Jayaprakash Narayan's call for "Total Revolution" in 1974 against corruption, rising prices and social injustice brought large sections of the middle class –students, teachers, journalists, lawyers, rights activists—on to the streets in what remains perhaps the biggest show of people's power in independent India. In 1977, the middle class turned out to vote with its feet against Indira Gandhi to punish her for imposing the emergency.

That was the last time we saw middle class political activism on a notable scale—until Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign which then morphed into AAP.

It is being said that the younger generation of middle class professionals -- AAP 's backbone-- is different and genuinely yearning for change. Well, we shall see but, meanwhile, the breathless celebration of middle class political activism has a whiff of the way fickle-minded cricket fans react when Team-India pulls off a shock victory after a long lean season.

Barely weeks ago, the mood was so gloomy that it seemed Indian politics could go only one way—downhill. Suddenly, we are led to believe that India is on the cusp of a new dawn because a group of street fighters has won a local election in one corner of the country.

As I pointed out in these columns recently, the European experience of what has come to be known as the phenomenon of the political "lone-ranger" tells us not to get too excited. The public anger over the global economic crisis spawned nearly a dozen AAP-style parties across Europe, all making spectacular debuts only to end up as just one more mainstream entity.

Guess who their core supporters were?

In Amethi, AAP to fight Rahul Gandhi on development issues

Amethi: Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday said despite being regarded as a VVIP constituency, Amethi is lagging far behind in the race of development and the party will contest the coming Lok Sabha elections from the seat on the issue of development.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi.

"Despite the constituency being represented by Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi, farmers here have to face hardships in getting a sack of fertiliser, roads are in a bad shape, government tubewells are out of order and it is corruption all around," national spokesman of AAP Sanjay Singh said in Amethi.

He said that the people of Amethi were fed up with the dynasty politics and now want development.

"AAP is with the people, and their issues are our issues. We will contest the coming elections on the issues of people, that is development of Amethi," Singh said, adding that Kumar Vishwas (likely to be AAP's nominee from the seat) will address party's rally here on 12 January.

Singh was in Amethi to hold meeting with AAP workers with regard to the preparations for 12 January rally.

PTI

Live: LeT in Muzaffarnagar plot to vindicate Rahul, says Azam Khan

3.13 pm: LeT in Muzaffarnagar plot to vindicate Rahul, says Azam Khan

SP leader Azam Khan today alleged that the reports of LeT terrorists present in Muzaffarnagar was a plot to vindicate Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

"This had to happen, we knew they would do everything to make their 'yuvraj's' statement true," Khan alleged.

2.51 pm: Cong, BJP fight over reports of LeT men in Muzaffarnagar

Amid reports that suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists had approached Muzaffarnagar riot victims to recruit men to their module, Congress today said it has proved right Rahul Gandhi's assertions that Pakistan's ISI was working to lure the riot-hit while BJP asked the government to explain facts of the "LeT operation".

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh said the report has lent credence to Gandhi's remarks on riot victims at an election rally in October last, which had invited flak from opposition parties.

"If this information is correct that some people from LeT had gone to relief camps to lure refugees, then it proves right what Gandhi had said," Singh told reporters.

According to a media report, two Haryana clerics arrested last month for their suspected links to Lashkar-e-Toiba, and another LeT operative, had allegedly visited Muzaffarnagar relief camps and sought to recruit men to their module.

Targeting BJP, Union minister Manish Tewari said, "Those who believe in the politics of polarisation, who believe in the politics of communalism should become cognizant of the damage which they do to the idea of India".

However, BJP demanded that the home minister explain the "facts", terming the present situation as "unacceptable", "This shows how well-entrenched the network of LeT and other such outfits supported and funded by Pakistan are in UP... What action they have taken on their own. It is a national issue. Nobody is nabbed, nobody is traced. This is unacceptable," party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

Now the UP government and the Centre must answer, he said, adding the BJP had sought to know from the Centre as to what action it had taken on its own after Gandhi had spoken about it.

SP leader Naresh Agarwal said Muzaffarnagar had become a "political pawn" for many parties but added that he was not aware of the facts of the case.

Delhi Police should do what it should but let there be no politics over it, he said.

Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said such attempts by terror outfits was not a new thing.

"Pakistan's ISI and India's bhajpayees (BJP) rejoice whenever there is communal trouble in India. ISI wants money from Muslims countries in the name of helping Muslims of India. So they earn money. Whenever there is communal disturbance, BJP gets vote," he charged.

Both ISI and BJP are on the same page as far as creating communal trouble in this country is concerned, he alleged.

Though Rahul Gandhi's remark on Muzaffarnagar riot victims was criticised, it was a true statement, he said.

BJP President Rajnath Singh said the whole issue should be thoroughly probed with all the seriousness the matter deserves.

1:55 pm: Delhi Police says LeT didn't contact Muzaffarnagar riot victims

The Delhi Police says that they had registered a case after getting intelligence inputs and during the course of investigations had arrested two individuals.

He said that two individuals from Muzaffarnagar, identified as Zameer and Liyaqat, had met with the accused and had been told to carry out kidnappings in order to raise money to build a mosque.

"I want to clarify that Liyaqat and Zameer are not Muzaffarnagar riot victims. They live in the area but are not riot victims," SN Srivastava from the Delhi Special Cell said.

He said that the statements of the two youth had been recorded before the magistrate and said that he was not aware if the kidnapping and other crimes were planned to avenge the communal riots in some way.

1:15 pm: Manish Tewari says parties should introspect

Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari has said that parties propagating communalism should introspect in light of the revelations by the Delhi Police. He also took a moment to defend Rahul Gandhi.

"I don't think that whatever the honourable Congress vice president said needs any substantiation by any investigative agency. The fact is when you have a polarised environment, when you have a breakdown of communal harmony, forces which are inimical to India do try to fish in troubled waters," he said.

Unfortunately the core question remains over why Intelligence Bureau officials were briefing the Congress Vice President despite him holding no official position. Gandhi has chosen to dodge the topic completely after talking about it during election rallies and even the BJP seems restrained its

12:45 pm: Uttar Pradesh official says they weren't told anything

Times Now reports that the Uttar Pradesh police has already dismissed the claims by their Delhi counterparts and has said that there was no attempt made to recruit youth from the Muzaffarnagar relief camps.

12:00 pm: Samajwadi Party says they are willing to investigate Delhi Police claims

The Samajwadi Party says that the report if true shouldn't be politicised and says they will investigate any allegations that the Delhi Police forwards them.

"A criminal is a criminal. If there are criminals there then Delhi Police should take action, it should not be politicised," party MP and senior leader Naresh Aggarwal said.

"If the Delhi Police gives information to the UP government then we will definitely investigate the matter," he said.

How believable the Delhi Police's claims are, however, will only be known after a court of law hears the matter.

11:45 am: Give Rahul Gandhi credit, says Digvijaya Singh

Representational image. PTI

If Congress leader Digvijaya Singh is to be believed we need to be giving Rahul Gandhi credit for his skills on knowing what is happening in Muzaffarnagar.

"If it is true that the LeT has elements in the Muzaffarnagar relief camps and are recruiting and indoctrinating people, then it supports what Rahul Gandhi said weeks back. He should be given credit for his statement," Singh told reporters.

11:30 am: BJP says Central government should clarify

"This is a serious security lapse. The UP government and home ministry should clarify on this issue," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told ANI. 

Incidentally, the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had mocked the Congress leader for his claim and said that the claim was one that was spread by an IPS official seeking a ticket from the party.

11:00 am: Delhi Police find Muzaffarnagar residents who verify Rahul Gandhi's claims

Nearly three months after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi courted controversy after claiming that Intelligence officers had told him about Pakistan's ISI trying to recruit angry Muslim youth from Muzaffarnagar, a group of men living in the riot-hit district's relief camps have reportedly told investigators that two imams had approached them to join a Lashkar-e-Toiba module.

The two clerics were arrested last month in Haryana. The men they approached reportedly turned witnesses and have given statements against them, according to The Indian Express.

The men, who recorded their statements in front of a magistrate in Patiala court in Delhi on Monday, are residents of relief camps in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli.

"They are believed to have told investigators that the two imams from Mewat -- Hafeez Rashidi and Shahid -- allegedly made numerous visits along with a senior LeT operative, currently on the run," according to the report.

The men have reportedly told investigators that the clerics tried to radicalise them and were offered a good lifestyle and money for their families in return.

The two imams are reportedly linked to top Lashkar man Javed Baluchi.

The relief camps of Muzaffarnagar have remained a deeply politicised issue with the state government now standing accused of being unable not only to handle the growing humanitarian crisis in the camps where about 4,000 people still live but also of playing politics on which villages the victims would return to. Over 60 people were killed in the Muzaffarnagar riots that broke out in August last year.