Telangana live: No Union Territory status for Hyderabad

6.45 pm: Union Cabinet clears Telangana Bill

The Union cabinet has cleared the bill for creation of a separate state of Telangana. According to CNN IBN, the draft Bill was cleared by the Union Cabinet today evening. The Bill mentions that Hyderabad will be the joint capital for Seemandhra and Telangana. It will not be a Union Territory, as was being speculated. The governor has been put in charge of law and order of Hyderabad.

The Bill, which was rejected in the Andhra Pradesh assembly, will now be moved in Lok Sabha.

Sources said that Congress might ask Andhra CM Kiran Reddy, who has been in constant protest, to resign.

11.31 am: TDP MPs protest outside Parliament

After disrupting both Houses of Parliament and forcing an adjournment, TDP MPs have now shifted their protest outside Parliament House.

A special cabinet meeting has been called to take a decision on the Telangana bill.

 

Delhi: TDP MPs protest outside Parliament over Telangana pic.twitter.com/hsY9Ct8DZ8

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 7, 2014

 

11:00 am: Special cabinet meeting on Telangana Bill 

A special meeting of the Union Cabinet is being held today for considering the Telangana bill amid expectations that it will be brought in Parliament next week.

"A special meeting of the Union Cabinet is being held on Friday to consider the Telangana bill", unnamed government sources were quoted as saying by PTI.

The decision for convening a Cabinet meeting on Telangana was taken after a meeting of the Group of Ministers on the vexed issue.

The GoM deliberated on various issues concerning bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

The ministerial panel is believed to have discussed the demands of the Union Ministers from Seemandhra which include making Hyderabad a Union Territory for a limited period and incorporating Bhadrachalam sub-division with residuary Andhra Pradesh.

 

End of updates for 6 February

2.00 pm: Disruptions a facade, says CPI-M

The Congress is allowing Parliament to be disrupted by its own MPs in order to "pass what (bills) they wish to", the CPI-M said Thursday. The party has made the allegation in its journal 'People's Democracy'. An editorial in the journal said it was also important for non-Congress, non-BJP parties to have an "alternative policy trajectory" as their leader and not an individual that would be their future prime ministerial candidate.

12.50 pm:  Bandh calls again in Seemandhra

Government employees in Seemandhra have once again announced an indefinite shutdown of services. This comes after months of repeated shutdowns, strikes, blockades, which have dealt a critical blow to business in the region. Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra's   government offices remained closed on Thursday even as the region's MPs and MLAs protested in New Delhi against the creation of Telangana. 

The Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers' (APNGOs) Association has claimed that over 400,000 employees are participating in the strike in 13 districts, reported Business Standard. The demand of the government employees is that the bill for the creation of Telangana not be tabled in this session of Parliament.

In Seemandhra, it's now back to sit-ins outside the temple in Tirupati,  ahuman chain elsewhere, shutdown of government-run transport services. In 2013, blockade in which employees and teachers had participated lasted almost two months. A bandh has now been called for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

12.10 pm: LS adjourned till tomorrow

Lok Sabha transacted business briefly, for 12 minutes to be precise, before adjourning until tomorrow. Rajya Sabha will resume at 2 pm. In  both houses, the uproar over Telangana continues.

In Lok Sabha, protesting members were holding placards in the well of the house while others were shouting 'Save Andhra Pradesh' slogans.

12:00 noon: Both houses resume, business continues in LS amid din of shuting MPs

Rajya Sabha is adjourned once again, this time for two hours. In Lok Sabha, amid a storm of Seemandhra region MPs shouting, business is being transacted.

Meanwhile, the Telugu Desam Party, whose MPs protested outside Parliament yesterday, have given notice for a no-trust motion against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This is perhaps less embarrassing for the Congress than the fact that its own MPs from Seemandhra have also sought a no-confidence motion.

11.20 am: Backroom calculations continue, rift within TDP possible over support to bill

On Wednesday, TDP MP from Khammam Nama Nageshwara Rao met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Rao reportedly conveyed the message that the TDP's two MPs from Telangana would welcome and support the bill if it is introduced in Parliament. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has held the opinion until now that the interests of the Seemandhra regions must be taken into account even though the creation of Telangana is welcome.

Besides Nageshwara Rao, the other TDP MP from Telangana is Ramesh Rathod from Adilabad. There would be some fissures within the TDP if the duo supports the bill in Parliamen.t

Besides Rao and Rathod, other former MLAs, ministers and leaders of the TDP, all from Telangana, also met the PM  to convey their support to the bill.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirti Azad called the protest by leaders of Telangana and Seemandhra "disruptive".

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>&#39;Dramebaaz&#39; Con-&#39;G&#39; CM of Andhra sits on dharna against Telangana, inside Parl&#39;ment, MP&#39;s protest. Who is disruptive? Noora Qusti continues.</p>&mdash; Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzadMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirtiAzadMP/statuses/431286429625225216">February 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

11.06 am: The reactions until now.

Union Minister Kamal Nath, speaking outside Parliament, said the dilemma of the statehood demand and the protests against the creation of a new state cannot be tackled easily. "You cannot wish it away, you cannot sweep it under the carpet. It has to be debated and voted upon in Parliament," he said.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said: "The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh is sitting on dharna. This is unheard of. The Delhi chief minister started with that antic and now it's being followed by Congress CMs. This is never done."

The Shiv Sena agreed that the protests were unseemly, but Sena MP Sanjay Raut added: "Those who talk of dividing states are betraying the country."

11.00 am: Both houses adjourned, president to meet Telangana leaders 

Minutes after the start of session on Thursday, both houses of Parliament had to be adjourned amid loud protests from Seemandhra region MPs. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha both adjourned until 12 noon.

It now appears that the Group of Ministers who cleared the draft bill on the creation of Telangana will meet again this afternoon in the face of continued opposition to the bifurcation of the state. More amendments, with an eye on making the right noises by the people of the Seemandhra regions, will be made to the bill.

Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee is expected to meet MPs from Telangana at 3 pm today. He will also meet the protesting MPs from Seemandhra at 6 pm.

10.45 am: More amendments to T-bill, Kiran Kumar Reddy on dharna

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister has made it clear to his bosses in the Congress party that he will oppose the proposed bifurcation of the state for the creation of the state of Telangana even if it means disciplinary action against him.

The YSR COngress's JaganmOhan Reddy has upped the ante against the Congress party too.

Police remove Telangana MLAs and MLCs who were obstructing the bus of AP CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy near AP Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday. PTI

The final session of Parliament before Lok Sabha elections this summer has perhaps become the anti-telangana protestors' biggest platform, with demonstration outside Parliament, at Jantar Mantar and in parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Clearly nervous and with the political gains still unclear, the Congress top brass has blinked first -- the bill is not likely to be taken up by the Union Cabinet of ministers today, though there is no indication whether its anticipated introduction in Parliament on Mondya, 10 February will also be deferred. More amendments are to be made in the draft, though a Group of Ministers already okayed the draft on Tuesday. The GoM may now revisit the draft bill, sources told CNN-IBN.

Regardless, protests against the proposed bifurcation of the state are expected to grow to a crescendo today.

The latest delay could be some sort of appeasement for Seemandhra MPs even as discontent within the Congress threatens the party's prospects in the coming elections.

The bill is being brought before the Cabinet despite legislators of Andhra Pradesh rejecting it last week. The Andhra Pradesh Assembly's feedback is, however, not binding on the Centre, the referral to the state itself being only a Constitutional requirement and a formality.

"The party has become a hostage to the divisive forces. The problem is if we quit Congress, nothing is going to stop. We want to tell the party leadership that whatever they are doing is not correct. It will harm everyone," Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal told CNN-IBN during a panel discussion, giving the Seemandhra perspective. Rajagopal is from the Congress faction that wants to keep Andhra Pradesh united. Reddy also urged President Pranab Mukherjee to "use his powers" to stop the creation of Telangana. reddy met Mukherjee on Wednesday afternoon. The Congress party appears keen to have the bill passed during the current session of Parliament, the last before elections, in order to make way for still-unclear electoral gains in Telangana.

Jan Lokpal Bill: Why Kejriwal’s letter to L-G is a declaration of war

With his blistering letter to Lieutenant Governor reminding him of his "oath of loyalty to the Constitution and not to any party or the Home Ministry", Arvind Kejriwal has turned the ongoing legal debate over Delhi Jan Lokpal bill into an all out political war with the UPA.

Kejriwal claims his letter is in response to what he describes as "leaks to the media" of the Solicitor General's opinion sought by the L-G on the constitutionality of introducing a bill in the Delhi Assembly without the Centre's approval. The AAP government proposes do just that with the Jan Lokpal bill.

Arvind Kejriwal. AFP

The Solicitor General is believed to have informed the L-G that such a bill would be "unconstitutional." (The L-G is the Centre's representative in the state).

The letter can be read as an attempt by Kejriwal to redirect the debate over the Jan Lokpal bill back in AAP's favour and turn it into an Aam Admi Party versus corrupt parties scenario. The Delhi Chief Minister has practically accused the L-G of playing politics at the behest of the Centre, asking him how a legal opinion on the Jan Lokpal bill could have been sought even before the Cabinet had sent him copy of the bill.

"I fail to understand on which bill you have sought the Solicitor General's opinion... you could have consulted me and discussed the finer points of the bill with me. Instead, the Solicitor General"s opinions have appeared directly in the media," writes Kejriwal in his letter to the L-G.

Relying on the opinions of a former chief justice and three senior counsels to defend his government's stance, Kejriwal has, in turn, called the Centre's order (Transaction of Business of the government of NCT, 2002) requiring its prior permission before a bill is introduced in the Delhi Assembly as being "clearly unconstitutional in our view".

"Following the opinion of the legal experts, the Delhi Cabinet has passed a resolution on February 3 asking the Home Ministry to
withdraw its executive order...the Delhi government refuses to accept it," Kejriwal has told the L-G in his letter.

Kejriwal's counter-offensive should be viewed in the context of the Delhi Congress's strategy, which has been insisting that while it is for the Jan Lokpal Bill it will not support a bill that is "illegally" introduced in the Assembly.
(The Congress is providing outside support to AAP minority government.)

The face-off over the Jan Lokpal bill is best understood in terms of what each party is trying to achieve in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress party doesn't want to be rolling out the red carpet for the AAP government to turn the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill into a massive public event ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Yet any opposition to the Jan Lokpal Bill is bound to be exploited by AAP to its political advantage. For a party that grew out of an anti-corruption movement, there couldn't be a more fitting issue over which to be brought down. And so while Congress may use the 'illegal' procedure argument for not supporting the bill, it knows that AAP would gladly play the martyr and use every opportunity to blame the Congress for bill not going through.

Kejriwal therefore uses his letter to launching a direct political attack against the UPA, writing to L-G, "I'm aware that you seem to be under immense pressure from the Congress and the Home Ministry...I'm also aware that pressure will be mounted on you not to allow the Jan Lokpal bill from being introduced in the Assembly because if the bill is passed many of them will be behind bars. I know that people will use your office for false and selective leaks to de-fame me and my government."

With his three-page letter to the L-G, Kejriwal has not only sought to dismiss the solicitor general's opinion but also accused the L-G, the Home Ministry and the Congress of political conspiracy to keep the Aam Admi Party from passing the Jan Lokpal bill.

With Kejriwal hankering to play the martyr over the Jan Lokpal bill, the UPA seems to be in the unenviable position where is damned if it gives in and is damned if it doesn't.

Delhi govt pushing Jan Lokpal in unconstitutional manner: BJP

New Delhi: BJP today slammed the Delhi Government for its attempts to get the anti-corruption legislation Jan Lokpal passed "unconstitutionally" and suggested it to strengthen existing Lokayukta in the state to check graft.

"This government is pushing Jan Lokpal deliberately in an unconstitutional manner re-strengthening the fact that AAP favours anarchy and pays scant regard to the constitutional authorities," BJP state president Vijay Goel said.

Arvind Kejriwal. AFP

"There is already a Lokayukta in Delhi and a Lokpal Bill has been passed by Parliament. There is no need for the AAP govt to push for Jan Lokpal Bill. Instead it should focus on strengthening the existing Lokayukta for which there is enough scope and need. This would help to curb the corruption effectively," he said.

Goel also met Delhi Bar Council officials to push for its demand for cancelling license of Law Minister Somnath Bharti.

"The next date for the hearing has been fixed for 7 March," a
release issued by Delhi BJP President's office said.

PTI

Why India’s shift to the Right is all theory, no thought

This must be a burden or gift of history, depending which way you look at it. We Indians are prone to theorising a lot. We draw big picture scenarios out of scattered developments with limited impact and presume everything else in the vastly diverse country easily fits into the construct. We conveniently forget that there are too many moving parts, too many conflicts, too many contradictions and too many asymmetries that make India what it is. The complexity of heterogeneity renders any grand, overarching theory inadequate.

The obsession with theories would not be problematic if it did not come at the cost of common sense. Take politics for instance. To even an untrained observer, it is confusions galore out there. Against this backdrop, the proposition that the Indian politics has taken a decisive rightward shift because people are disillusioned with Left and the Left of the Centre politics stretches credulity. A whole lot of people in the country, barring perhaps the educated and the indoctrinated, don't vote for ideologies - they are not simply aware of these. They vote for parties and candidates, and in India they have a penchant for throwing out non-performing ones. This, however, is conditional upon the rival party being strong enough.

RSS. PTI image

The Indian Right itself is a complex beast. If one personifies Right winger as a communal Hindu with a jingoistic trait who believes staunchly is promoting private enterprise, then such an entity is not acceptable to the voter. He has been rejecting it for the last several decades. If he is about economy alone, well, the Right is hardly any different from the rest. If you care to notice closely, the BJP governments that won the latest round of elections have been as populist - the welfare schemes that the non-BJP governments are being blamed for - as their non-BJP counterpart in the country. If it's about promoting industries, other states have been doing that as well.

Thus the Indian voter moving Right is a flawed assumption. The Indian voter could be changing preference, but the change is hardly along ideological lines. Is the rising popularity of Narendra Modi a vote of confidence for ideology? Well, no. He is busy positioning himself as a centrist leader, not someone like the personification of the Right wing ideology we created earlier. It is a different matter that extreme views of all hues have decided to take a ride on the Modi bandwagon.

Does the AAP represent a great idea? Again, this theory is suspect. The party does not exist beyond its single-point programme: taking on corruption. This itself is not new; political outfits, civil society outfits have been raising the issue of corruption for decades. The only fresh element in AAP's approach is its determination and proclivity to be reckless. Its efforts are laudable, but political parties are supposed to be much more than a single-point agenda. People's democracy is alright but it would be premature to judge its success since the party have not had a long enough run yet.

No party is born with an evil agenda. However, all of them get bureaucratic and distant from people once they get bigger. Corruption creeps in. The AAP is likely to go the same way if it exists long enough. We still don't know whether the party is an idea or just a programme. Moreover, we are yet to understand whether it is more than its noise value.

The biggest challenge for any party in India is to survive within its diversities. All parties are coalitional in nature and they prosper or perish depending on how they manage the conflicting and competing interests within their ambit and outside. The frequency with which the people change governments in the country is reflective of the fact that they subscribe to no ideology and are more pragmatic than sentimental in electing their representatives. Theories are good on the ears, if only they reflected reality!

Lok Sabha polls: BJP finalising 2nd list of candidates in Maha

Mumbai: BJP in Maharashtra today began the process of finalising its second list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.

Even though no names were finalised, party sources said senior leader Kirit Somaiya and Yuva Morcha leader Poonam Mahajan were in the running for Mumbai North East, while Gopal Shetty and Hemendra Mehta for Mumbai North parliamentary constituencies in Mumbai.

Representational image. AFP

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Eknath Khadse, his counterpart in the council Vinod Tawde, senior leaders Sudhir Mungantiwar, Pandurang Phundkar, Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar and Atul Bhatkalkar were prominent among those present at the meeting, which was chaired by state unit chief Devendra Fadnavis.

The 15 seats are Pune, Baramati, Mumbai North, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North Central, Latur, Wardha, Nanded, Ahmednagar, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Solapur, Sangli, Dhule and Nandurbar.

A team of observers comprising Tawde, Khadse and Mungantiwar had toured the 15 constituencies in the last few days, interviewed aspiring candidates, discussed political situation in the constituencies and party strategy.

Tawde told reporters that that party leaders will meet again next week to take a final decision on the list of candidates to be forwarded to the central parliamentary board.

Raju Shetty's Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtana and Mahadev Jamkar's Rashtriya Samaj Party, both new allies of BJP, are staking claim for the Maadha Lok Sabha seat. Jamkar had contested the 2009 poll against Sharad Pawar.

The party has already finalised its list of candidates for 10 seats, including Gopinath Munde for Beed and Nitin Gadkari for Nagpur.

PTI

Digvijaya Singh demands NIA probe into Aseemanand tapes

New Delhi: Latching on to reports that Swami Aseemanand had claimed that RSS leadership "sanctioned" some terror acts, Congress leader Digvijay Singh today demanded that NIA must act on the issue and expressed annoyance why it had not interrogated Sangh leader Indresh Kumar so far.

"This is very incriminating evidence on which the NIA must act. NIA must take into possession the recorded tapes of the interview of Swami Aseemanand," Singh said.

Digvijaya Singh. AFP

His remarks came amid a political controversy over a purported "interview" given by Aseemanand to a magazine in which he reportedly claimed that the RSS leadership had sanctioned the "Hindu terror conspiracy" that included the blasts in Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid and Ajmer Sharif.

Singh, a known detractor of RSS, at the same time said that he was not saying that all Sangh activists are involved in such acts "but some of the fringe elements are involved".

"Aseemanand has been an RSS activist...The BJP has not contradicted as yet his involvement in the terror act. It's a fact that Sangh activists have been charged in Malegaon, Modasa, Ajmer Sharif and Samjhauta Express blasts.... NIA had chargesheeted such elements.

"It's not for the first time tht Aseemanand has made the statement. Even earlier he had said that all these attacks had happened in the knowledge of the Sangh leadership. But for the first time he has named the RSS chief," the Congress general secretary said.

RSS spokesman Ram Madhav has described as "concocted" Aseemanand's purported interview with the "Caravan" magazine in which he made the claim that the RSS leadership had sanctioned the "Hindu terror conspiracy" that included the blasts in Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid and Ajmer Sharif.

Noting that he had heard the "defence" of the RSS and BJP leaders about how the interview could be done inside a jail, Singh said, "they are questioning the process.... In a number of Supreme Court judgements, the judges have held that even an evidence collected in an illegal manner cannot be ignored in judicial process."

Singh also attacked Centre's investigating agency NIA for not interrogating Indresh Kumar.

PTI

SC issues notice to Congress, NCP, TMC on flag issue

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today issued notice to Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and Trinamool Congress on a PIL seeking to restrain them from using party flags resembling and similar to the Indian National Tricolour.

A bench of justices B S Chauhan and J Chelameswar also sought response from the Centre and the Election Commission on the issue of framing guidelines to restrain parties from imitating the tricolour.

Indian flag. Reuters image

The court passed the order on a PIL filed by Jamshedpur- based social activist Amarpreet Singh Khanuja who pleaded that the apex court must direct the Centre to take immediate steps to stop all political parties from imitating the National Flag.

He submitted that Congress is using a "colourable imitation" of the National Flag with the only difference being that the party was using the 'hand' symbol in place of the Ashok Chakra.

Similarly in case of NCP and TMC, he said the parties were using 'watch' and 'flowers and grass' respectively in place of the Ashok Chakra.

"The common man of this country recognises the tricolour as a symbol of national integration and unity and identifies itself with the tricolour and the political parties should not be allowed to use flags resembling and similar to the Indian National Flag," he said.

The petition sought issuance of appropriate writ, order or direction to the Central Government/Election Commission to frame appropriate rules, regulations and/or guidelines with respect to grant of permission regarding use of National Flag or its colourable imitation by any person.

PTI

Congress, party supported nominee BPF win Assam RS polls

Guwahati: Congress nominees, including Sanjay Sinh, whose entry into the fray evoked protests as he was from Uttar Pradesh, and a ruling party-back candidate won the three Rajya Sabha seats in Assam today.

Congress state president Bhubaneswar Kalita and Lok Sabha MP from Sultanpur Sanjay Sinh, bagged 32 of the 125 votes and party supported candidate Biswajit Daimary 29, sources in the office of the Assembly principal secretary, the returning officer, said.

Parliament of India. Reuters

Combined opposition supported candidate eminent journalist Haidar Hussain lost securing 26 votes.

Of the 126 members, 125 cast their vote with one MLA of the opposition AIUDF, Ataur Rahman Majarbhuyan, remaining absent.

Six votes, including one of Congress, were rejected.

Kalita and Daimary are sitting Congress and Bodo Peoples' Front (BPF) MPs whose terms end in the Upper House on 9 April.

The other Congress winner Sanjay Sinh, is a resident of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and his entry had sparked off protests by political parties and organisations such as the AASU, KMSS and AJYCP.

Haidar Hussain was supported by the BJP and minority-dominated All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and regional party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).

The current term of sitting members Kalita, Daimary and AGP's Birendra Prasad Baishya would end on 9 April.

There are seven Rajya Sabha seats from Assam with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also representing the state in the Upper House.

PTI

BJP forced Congress to defer Communal violence Bill: Mulayam

Lucknow: Extending support to communal violence Bill, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today said he was disheartened that it was "put on hold" in Parliament by the Congress, which buckled under the pressure of communal forces like BJP. He said the Bill should be passed in the current session of Parliament.

"We are disheartened that the Bill has been put on hold in Parliament... We protest and condemn the move... This Bill has been put on hold under pressure of communal forces in a haste," Yadav told reporters while addressing a press conference here. "Demands of Muslims should be considered and the Bill should be passed in the current session," he said.

Mulayam Singh. Agencies.

On February 5, Opposition had scuttled introduction of the communal violence prevention bill in the Rajya Sabha, contending that Parliament does not have the competence to legislate this law as it will violated the spirit of Federalism. Later, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien deferred the Bill in view of the "mood of the House" after the move was opposed by BJP, CPI-M, AIADMK, DMK and SP.

Earlier, BJP had also taken a jibe at the government for its "failed attempt" to bring the Bill, saying its strategy to give a "facelift" to its "sinking" image has fallen flat. BJP claimed the ruling party deferred the bill as it feared defeat. Yadav alleged that Congress always bowed to the pressure of communal forces and its "intentions were never clear".

"When government will table the Bill in Parliament, it will get passed... This is not a simple matter... Why government has backtracked from it," he asked. "Congress has put the Bill on hold under BJP pressure," he said. Asked whether his party would withdraw support to the UPA
government, Yadav said,"Why should we withdraw support... Now only one-two months are left."

Asked whether SP government in the state would bring a similar Bill, Yadav evaded a direct reply, saying, "Riots are controlled with strictness. In Muzaffarnagar, we took strict measures and even ordered firing." The SP chief also claimed that Third front would get a majority in Lok Sabha polls. "The third front will get majority in Lok Sabha polls... It will, however cannot be formed before elections," he said.

Yadav also evaded questions on fielding of candidates from Rae Bareli and Amethi constituencies represented by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

IANS

Centre clears draft Telangana bill, Hyderabad joint capital

A special Union cabinet meeting today cleared the draft Telangana Bill paving the way for the government to place it in Parliament. There are expectations that the bill will be introduced in Parliament next week.

"A special meeting of the Union cabinet is being held on Friday to consider the Telangana bill," unnamed government sources were quoted as saying by PTI earlier in the day.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy. PTI

The decision for convening a cabinet meeting on Telangana was taken after a meeting of the Group of Ministers on the vexed issue.

The GoM deliberated on various issues concerning bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The ministerial panel is believed to have discussed the demands of the Union ministers from Seemandhra which include making Hyderabad a Union Territory for a limited period and incorporating Bhadrachalam sub-division with residuary Andhra Pradesh.

In a repeat of yesterday and the day before, as soon as Lok Sabha met today, members from Andhra Pradesh cutting across party lines began shouting slogans for and against creation of Telangana and entered the Well forcing a washout for the third consecutive day.

In the Rajya Sabha, chairman Hamid Ansari said, "For several days now, we have been in a situation where we are being forced to witness deviations of decorum of House when members rush into the Well. I wish to inform the members that this will now be reflected precisely in the proceedings of the House." He said this after TDP members rushed into the Well carrying banners that read 'Save Andhra Pradesh' to oppose creation of Telangana.

The Telangana issue has become increasingly volatile politically with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy camping on a Delhi street to protest against the possible bifurcation of the state. Upset with the behaviour of its own chief minister, sources in the Congress have said that the party might ask Reddy to put in his papers.

Recently, the Andhra Pradesh assembly failed to come to a conclusion over the creation of Telangana.

With PTI input

Union cabinet clears draft Telangana bill

A special Union cabinet meeting today cleared the draft Telangana Bill paving the way for the government to place it in Parliament. There are expectations that the bill will be introduced in Parliament next week.

"A special meeting of the Union cabinet is being held on Friday to consider the Telangana bill," unnamed government sources were quoted as saying by PTI earlier in the day.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy. PTI

The decision for convening a cabinet meeting on Telangana was taken after a meeting of the Group of Ministers on the vexed issue.

The GoM deliberated on various issues concerning bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The ministerial panel is believed to have discussed the demands of the Union ministers from Seemandhra which include making Hyderabad a Union Territory for a limited period and incorporating Bhadrachalam sub-division with residuary Andhra Pradesh.

In a repeat of yesterday and the day before, as soon as Lok Sabha met today, members from Andhra Pradesh cutting across party lines began shouting slogans for and against creation of Telangana and entered the Well forcing a washout for the third consecutive day.

In the Rajya Sabha, chairman Hamid Ansari said, "For several days now, we have been in a situation where we are being forced to witness deviations of decorum of House when members rush into the Well. I wish to inform the members that this will now be reflected precisely in the proceedings of the House." He said this after TDP members rushed into the Well carrying banners that read 'Save Andhra Pradesh' to oppose creation of Telangana.

The Telangana issue has become increasingly volatile politically with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy camping on a Delhi street to protest against the possible bifurcation of the state. Upset with the behaviour of its own chief minister, sources in the Congress have said that the party might ask Reddy to put in his papers.

Recently, the Andhra Pradesh assembly failed to come to a conclusion over the creation of Telangana.

With PTI input

Live: Union Cabinet clears Telangana Bill

11.31 am: TDP MPs protest outside Parliament

After disrupting both Houses of Parliament and forcing an adjournment, TDP MPs have now shifted their protest outside Parliament House.

A special cabinet meeting has been called to take a decision on the Telangana bill.

 

Delhi: TDP MPs protest outside Parliament over Telangana pic.twitter.com/hsY9Ct8DZ8

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 7, 2014

11:00 am: Special cabinet meeting on Telangana Bill 

A special meeting of the Union Cabinet is being held today for considering the Telangana bill amid expectations that it will be brought in Parliament next week.

"A special meeting of the Union Cabinet is being held on Friday to consider the Telangana bill", unnamed government sources were quoted as saying by PTI.

The decision for convening a Cabinet meeting on Telangana was taken after a meeting of the Group of Ministers on the vexed issue.

The GoM deliberated on various issues concerning bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

The ministerial panel is believed to have discussed the demands of the Union Ministers from Seemandhra which include making Hyderabad a Union Territory for a limited period and incorporating Bhadrachalam sub-division with residuary Andhra Pradesh.

 

End of updates for 6 February

2.00 pm: Disruptions a facade, says CPI-M

The Congress is allowing Parliament to be disrupted by its own MPs in order to "pass what (bills) they wish to", the CPI-M said Thursday. The party has made the allegation in its journal 'People's Democracy'. An editorial in the journal said it was also important for non-Congress, non-BJP parties to have an "alternative policy trajectory" as their leader and not an individual that would be their future prime ministerial candidate.

12.50 pm:  Bandh calls again in Seemandhra

Government employees in Seemandhra have once again announced an indefinite shutdown of services. This comes after months of repeated shutdowns, strikes, blockades, which have dealt a critical blow to business in the region. Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra's   government offices remained closed on Thursday even as the region's MPs and MLAs protested in New Delhi against the creation of Telangana. 

The Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers' (APNGOs) Association has claimed that over 400,000 employees are participating in the strike in 13 districts, reported Business Standard. The demand of the government employees is that the bill for the creation of Telangana not be tabled in this session of Parliament.

In Seemandhra, it's now back to sit-ins outside the temple in Tirupati,  ahuman chain elsewhere, shutdown of government-run transport services. In 2013, blockade in which employees and teachers had participated lasted almost two months. A bandh has now been called for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

12.10 pm: LS adjourned till tomorrow

Lok Sabha transacted business briefly, for 12 minutes to be precise, before adjourning until tomorrow. Rajya Sabha will resume at 2 pm. In  both houses, the uproar over Telangana continues.

In Lok Sabha, protesting members were holding placards in the well of the house while others were shouting 'Save Andhra Pradesh' slogans.

12:00 noon: Both houses resume, business continues in LS amid din of shuting MPs

Rajya Sabha is adjourned once again, this time for two hours. In Lok Sabha, amid a storm of Seemandhra region MPs shouting, business is being transacted.

Meanwhile, the Telugu Desam Party, whose MPs protested outside Parliament yesterday, have given notice for a no-trust motion against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This is perhaps less embarrassing for the Congress than the fact that its own MPs from Seemandhra have also sought a no-confidence motion.

11.20 am: Backroom calculations continue, rift within TDP possible over support to bill

On Wednesday, TDP MP from Khammam Nama Nageshwara Rao met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Rao reportedly conveyed the message that the TDP's two MPs from Telangana would welcome and support the bill if it is introduced in Parliament. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has held the opinion until now that the interests of the Seemandhra regions must be taken into account even though the creation of Telangana is welcome.

Besides Nageshwara Rao, the other TDP MP from Telangana is Ramesh Rathod from Adilabad. There would be some fissures within the TDP if the duo supports the bill in Parliamen.t

Besides Rao and Rathod, other former MLAs, ministers and leaders of the TDP, all from Telangana, also met the PM  to convey their support to the bill.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirti Azad called the protest by leaders of Telangana and Seemandhra "disruptive".

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>&#39;Dramebaaz&#39; Con-&#39;G&#39; CM of Andhra sits on dharna against Telangana, inside Parl&#39;ment, MP&#39;s protest. Who is disruptive? Noora Qusti continues.</p>&mdash; Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzadMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirtiAzadMP/statuses/431286429625225216">February 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

11.06 am: The reactions until now.

Union Minister Kamal Nath, speaking outside Parliament, said the dilemma of the statehood demand and the protests against the creation of a new state cannot be tackled easily. "You cannot wish it away, you cannot sweep it under the carpet. It has to be debated and voted upon in Parliament," he said.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said: "The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh is sitting on dharna. This is unheard of. The Delhi chief minister started with that antic and now it's being followed by Congress CMs. This is never done."

The Shiv Sena agreed that the protests were unseemly, but Sena MP Sanjay Raut added: "Those who talk of dividing states are betraying the country."

11.00 am: Both houses adjourned, president to meet Telangana leaders 

Minutes after the start of session on Thursday, both houses of Parliament had to be adjourned amid loud protests from Seemandhra region MPs. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha both adjourned until 12 noon.

It now appears that the Group of Ministers who cleared the draft bill on the creation of Telangana will meet again this afternoon in the face of continued opposition to the bifurcation of the state. More amendments, with an eye on making the right noises by the people of the Seemandhra regions, will be made to the bill.

Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee is expected to meet MPs from Telangana at 3 pm today. He will also meet the protesting MPs from Seemandhra at 6 pm.

10.45 am: More amendments to T-bill, Kiran Kumar Reddy on dharna

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister has made it clear to his bosses in the Congress party that he will oppose the proposed bifurcation of the state for the creation of the state of Telangana even if it means disciplinary action against him.

The YSR COngress's JaganmOhan Reddy has upped the ante against the Congress party too.

Police remove Telangana MLAs and MLCs who were obstructing the bus of AP CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy near AP Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday. PTI

The final session of Parliament before Lok Sabha elections this summer has perhaps become the anti-telangana protestors' biggest platform, with demonstration outside Parliament, at Jantar Mantar and in parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Clearly nervous and with the political gains still unclear, the Congress top brass has blinked first -- the bill is not likely to be taken up by the Union Cabinet of ministers today, though there is no indication whether its anticipated introduction in Parliament on Mondya, 10 February will also be deferred. More amendments are to be made in the draft, though a Group of Ministers already okayed the draft on Tuesday. The GoM may now revisit the draft bill, sources told CNN-IBN.

Regardless, protests against the proposed bifurcation of the state are expected to grow to a crescendo today.

The latest delay could be some sort of appeasement for Seemandhra MPs even as discontent within the Congress threatens the party's prospects in the coming elections.

The bill is being brought before the Cabinet despite legislators of Andhra Pradesh rejecting it last week. The Andhra Pradesh Assembly's feedback is, however, not binding on the Centre, the referral to the state itself being only a Constitutional requirement and a formality.

"The party has become a hostage to the divisive forces. The problem is if we quit Congress, nothing is going to stop. We want to tell the party leadership that whatever they are doing is not correct. It will harm everyone," Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal told CNN-IBN during a panel discussion, giving the Seemandhra perspective. Rajagopal is from the Congress faction that wants to keep Andhra Pradesh united. Reddy also urged President Pranab Mukherjee to "use his powers" to stop the creation of Telangana. reddy met Mukherjee on Wednesday afternoon. The Congress party appears keen to have the bill passed during the current session of Parliament, the last before elections, in order to make way for still-unclear electoral gains in Telangana.

Now, Modi pitches for transfer of outsourcing jobs to the North East

New Delhi: Against the backdrop of complaints of harassment of people from North East in Delhi, BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today pitched for transfering outsourcing jobs to the region so that the youth from there do not need to leave their towns and villages.

He said youngsters in the North Eastern states are generally tech-savvy with good command over English, making them suitable for digital outsourcing jobs from cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad in their own villages and towns.

Narendra Modi. AFP

Addressing a digital communication summit through video conferencing, Modi said outsourcing jobs are not a "rocket science" and moving them out of big cities to smaller towns, particularly in the North East, will make the country more competitive in the global market which has been seeing a "job war".

"The people from the Northeast have good command over English. They go out from their home in search for jobs. Why should the North East students go to Bangalore to do outsourcing jobs," he said.

His comments assume significance as people from North East have been complaining of harassment in Delhi against the backdrop of killing of a youth here last week.

Modi said he dreamt of a digital India which empowers its citizens through technology and stressed the need for moving to mobile governance.

He said a lot needs to be done for e-governance in India for which time can not wait.

"We are talking about technology. At least our national capital should have wi-fi connectivity. I am working to have wi-fi connectivity in the Gujarat capital," he said.

At a time when corruption is a big issue, he said, "technology intervention" can play a key role in tackling it by ensuring transparency.

Mentioning communication biggies like Facebook, Microsoft, Yahoo, Modi said India should also take a lead in entrepreneurship and big companies aided by governments should set up a corpus to encourage it.

PTI

Bluestar: Sikh students group asks Akali Dal to break BJP ties

Amritsar: Sikh students federation today asked the SAD to break ties with BJP over L K Advani's alleged support of the Operation Bluestar.

Representational image. Reuters

"It is well known that besides British government's support, Indian army's action was also supported by L K Advani and BJP," the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) said in a memorandum to the Akal Takht Jathedar.

In his book "My Country, My Life", Advani takes credit for having a hand in Indian government's military action in June 1984, they said.

The AISSF memorandum urged Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh to "declare" that BJP was equally responsible for the army invasion, and direct  Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) to sever all ties with the BJP, and issue a directive to SAD (Badal), SGPC and DSGMC to stop using the incidents of June 1984 to further their political interests.

PTI

Cong deferred communal violence Bill under BJP pressure: Mulayam

Lucknow: Extending support to communal violence Bill, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today said he was disheartened that it was "put on hold" in Parliament by the Congress, which buckled under the pressure of communal forces like BJP.

He said the Bill should be passed in the current session of Parliament. "We are disheartened that the Bill has been put on hold in Parliament... We protest and condemn the move... This Bill has been put on hold under pressure of communal forces in a haste," Yadav told reporters while addressing a press conference here.

Mulayam Singh Yadav. PTI image

"Demands of Muslims should be considered and the Bill should be passed in the current session," he said. On February 5, Opposition had scuttled introduction of the communal violence prevention bill in the Rajya Sabha, contending that Parliament does not have the competence to legislate this law as it will violated the spirit of Federalism.

Later, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien deferred the Bill in view of the "mood of the House" after the move was opposed by
BJP, CPI-M, AIADMK, DMK and SP. Earlier, BJP had also taken a jibe at the government for its "failed attempt" to bring the Bill, saying its strategy to give a "facelift" to its "sinking" image has fallen flat.

BJP claimed the ruling party deferred the bill as it feared defeat. Yadav alleged that Congress always bowed to the pressure of communal forces and its "intentions were never clear". "When government will table the Bill in Parliament, it will get passed... This is not a simple matter... Why government has backtracked from it," he asked.

"Congress has put the Bill on hold under BJP pressure," he said. Asked whether his party would withdraw support to the UPA government, Yadav said,"Why should we withdraw support... Now only one-two months are left".

Asked whether SP government in the state would bring a similar Bill, Yadav evaded a direct reply, saying, "riots are controlled with strictness. In Muzaffarnagar, we took strict measures and even ordered firing".

The SP chief also claimed that Third front would get a majority in Lok Sabha polls. "The third front will get majority in Lok Sabha polls... It will, however cannot be formed before elections," he said.

Yadav also evaded questions on fielding of candidates from Rae Bareli and Amethi constituencies represented by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

PTI

No death penalty for Italian marines: reports

The Home Ministry today revised sanctions to prosecute the two Italian marines who are accused of killing two Kerala fishermen. However, CNN-IBN reports that, they can't be slapped with death penalty by the court.

The Italian marines accused of killing to Kerala fishermen. PTI

Earlier reports had suggested that the marines may escape death penalty because the Home Ministry has agreed to not press for capital punishment against them.

The ministry was of the opinion that the duo, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, should be tried under anti-terrorism Suppression of Unlawful Acts against safety of Maritime Navigation And Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act but the provision for death penalty should not be invoked.

However, Italy's special envoy Staffan de Mistura earlier said that his country would "forcefully oppose" any move by Indian authorities to press charges against the two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen under an anti-terror law that carries the death penalty or to postpone a court decision.

The two marines facing trial in India for allegedly killing two Indian fishermen after allegedly mistaking them for pirates and opening fire on their trawler. Latorre and Girone were guarding the privately owned Italian-flagged oil-tanker MT Enrica Lexie off the coast of Kerala 15 February, 2012.

With agency inputs

Centre acting unilaterally on Telangana: Chandrababu Naidu

Hyderabad: The Congress leadership and Centre are going ahead unilaterally on the Telangana issue against all democratic principles, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu alleged here today.

"This issue is not a personal issue of Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh), Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi. This issue concerns 9 crore Telugu people. They cannot sit in Delhi and decide. You call stakeholders from both sides, discuss and then decide the issue," he told reporters here.

Chandrababu Naidu. IBNLive image

"I am asking the Prime Minister, 'did you speak on this issue even once?' I am asking Sonia Gandhi, 'have you given a statement about it?' I am asking Rahul Gandhi, 'you want to become the Prime Minister of this country. You are not talking about it. Is it not a national issue?'" he said.

Alleging that the Centre was violating the federal spirit in regard to the issue, he questioned the government's decision to bring in the Telangana Bill in the extended budget session of Parliament, which is meant for passing the vote-on-account budget.

"I am demanding... 'Do justice to both the regions. You want to give Telangana, convince Seemandhra people. You want to keep united Andhra (Pradesh), convince Telangana people.' In democracy, there must be discussion and, finally, you have to bring consensus," Naidu said.

The Telugu Desam Party was founded to fight for the welfare of Telugu people, Naidu said, stressing that he wanted
the bifurcation issue to be sorted out amicably.

"They are misusing Article 3. Article 3 was never imposed or used in earlier stages. There were commissions, committees, States Reorganisation Commission in bifurcation of states.

Even when three states were given by BJP... (former Bihar chief minister) Lalu Prasad Yadav differed once. He was then convinced. But you are not doing any such thing," he said.

He also claimed that there was "match-fixing" between Congress, TRS and YSR Congress.

PTI

Left Front cross-voting miffs CPI(M)’s Mollah

Kolkata: Outspoken veteran CPI(M) leader Abdur Rejjak Mollah today expressed outrage over cross-voting by some Left Front legislators in favour of Trinamool Congress during the Rajya Sabha elections in West Bengal today.

Representational image. AFP.

"Today's cross-voting among the Left members showed that riff raff have entered into the parties for which this schism has surfaced," Mollah told reporters after casting his vote in the Assembly.

"This is a warning signal and time has come to drive them away," Mollah said. Two Forward Bloc and one RSP members voted in favour
of Trinamool candidate Ahmad Hassan.

PTI

Don’t bow to pressure from Congress: Kejriwal writes to L-G

After his party colleague Ashutosh hit out at the national capital's Lieutenant Governor over the Jan Lokpal issue, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also wrote a letter to Najeeb Jung questioning the reason behind seeking the Solicitor General's opinion on the matter and urging him to be impartial.

Kejriwal started his letter by saying that he had always respected Jung but the incidents of the last few days had caused him 'great pain', and apologised for saying anything that might seem offensive.

The Chief Minister said that he was surprised by media reports on the Jan Lokpal Bill given that they had sent the draft bill only yesterday.

"Even if you had to seek an opinion you could have discussed the matter with me and I would have shared the copy with you and explained the details. Instead the Solicitor General's opinion was given directly to the media," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal has argued that the Lieutenant Governor should allow the Jan Lokpal Bill in the assembly. PTI

The AAP leader pointed out that a high powered committee drafted the bill and opinions were sought from every department of the government before draft bill was prepared.

"How has the Solicitor General declared the bill as unconstitutional without reading it?" Kejriwal asked.

The Chief Minister said it wasn't unconstitutional to produce the bill in the state legislature.

"Excluding three topics the Constitution allows the Delhi Assembly to legislate on all issues," he said.

Kejriwal cited a specific article of the constitution which said that if any legislation passed by the Delhi Assembly coincides with a Central law then it would require the president's assent, but that would be only after it was passed by the state assembly.

"Nowhere in the constitution does it say that the nod of the central government is necessary before the bill is produced in the assembly," he said.

The Chief Minister said that the Union Home Ministry had passed an order instructing that legislation to be introduced in the Assembly should first be cleared by the Centre.

"It is clear that this order of the Union Home Ministry is unconstitutional. The jurisdiction of the Delhi Assembly has been decided by the constitution. Can the Central government curb that jurisdiction by passing a order," Kejriwal said.

He said that if every law to be passed by an Assembly needed to be cleared by the centre it was questionable why elections were held for state assemblies.

"This is a direct attack on the people of Delhi and the autonomy of the Delhi Assembly," he charged.

The Chief Minister said that the government had already taken the view of four eminent jurists and they had also agreed that the Union Home Ministry's view is unconstitutional.

Based on the opinion of the jurists the government wrote to the Centre seeking that the order be withdrawn and decided they would not follow the order, Kejriwal said.

"I wanted to update you on these matters but before that the opinion of the Solicitor General was leaked to the media," he said.

He said that all the forces of corruption in the political sphere were ganging up against the AAP and were using small matters to defame the AAP.

"I know you are under pressure from the Congress and the Ministry of Home Affairs. You will be pressurised to disallow the session of the Delhi Assembly in the Indira Gandhi stadium, you will be pressurised to not allow the Delhi Jan Lokpal to be introduced in the assembly. Because they know that if this bill is passed many of them will go to jail," Kejriwal wrote

They will try to defame me through your office by selectively leaking information, he alleged.

He told the Lieutenant General that he had taken oath of loyalty to the Constitution and loyalty to any party or Ministry of Home Affairs.

"I am not leaking this letter, I am making this letter available to the public," Kejriwal said.

Letter written by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to hon&#x27;ble Lieutenant Governor on the issue of...

Khap panchayats are like NGOs, part of culture: Hooda

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today equated Khap Panchayats with organisations like NGO, saying that they are part of state's culture.

"Khap Panchayats are like NGO as we have Resident Welfare Associations... they are part of our culture," Hooda said, while addressing media here after holding a cabinet meeting here today.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda. IBNLive image

He was responding to Finance Minister P Chidambaram's recent statement calling Khap Panchayats a retrograde organisation, saying, "it is not part of India's culture".

Asked about whether the interview of Swami Aseemanand done by Caravan magazine in Ambala jail was in accordance with the law, Hooda said jail authorities must have given requisite permission for the same.

"Necessary permission must have been given (for interview) by jail authorities... permission could have been given to advocate," Hooda said in his reply.

Caravan magazine had claimed that its reporter had interviewed Aseemanand inside Ambala jail during visiting hours for over two years. It had claimed that Swami Aseemanand had accused top leaders of RSS, including chief Mohan Bhagwat, of knowing his terror plots and had approved them.

Hooda further said that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi would visit Ganaur in Sonipat district on February 11 to seek and incorporate views and suggestions of farmers coming from several states in the Congress' election manifesto for coming Lok Sabha elections.

Rahul would also lay foundation stone for a horticulture market coming up at Ganaur, he said. Asked about the state budget, Hooda said the state government would present a full budget during the coming assembly session starting from February 17.

"There is not going to be any vote on account. We will present full budget," Hooda said, adding that it would be for
common man and the farming community. Asked whether he was invited for Punjab government's upcoming agriculture summit at Mohali, Hooda said, "Haryana has highest yield in agriculture... (it) is self sufficient."

PTI

Arvind Kejriwal promises fare hikes to Delhi autodrivers

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today announced annual revision of Auto fares based on inflation, provision for training of drivers by transport department and relaxation in some of the rules for them.

On 1 April every year, government will revise auto fares, he said addressing a meeting of thousands of auto drivers at Burari.

Arvind Kejriwal. PTI

There are nearly 80,000 autorickshaws running in the capital. The Aam Aadmi Party had acknowledged their role in its electoral success and promised to address their grievances.

"If inflation increases, auto fares would then be hiked. If inflation declines, auto fares would be reduced by the government," the CM said.

He announced that traffic police and transport department would only seize autos which don't have license, permit and fitness.

"We have got to know that under rule of 66\192 A, traffic police seize autos is driver is not in proper dress and other minor violations. But, traffic police would now only seize those autos which don't have license, fitness certificate and permit," Kejriwal said.

The Chief Minister also raised the issue of autodrivers turning away passengers and misbehaving, two of the most frequent complaints.

"I request auto drivers not to refuse taking passengers. With passengers' travelling, you (auto drivers) earn money and your families survive. If an auto driver is going to his house after work at night, then I request him to place a plate of "No Service" in front of their vehicle. Such autos don't deserve fine for refusal," he said.

"We have got to know that some auto drivers misbehave with passengers and tourists. Our government has now decided to train auto drivers in which they would be taught how to behave with passengers and foreign passengers. Transport department will soon begin giving such training to auto drivers," said.

He said as per rules, auto drivers have to install meters and GPS along in their vehicles, due to which they have to shell out around Rs 17,000.

"Auto drivers can now install just GPS first in the vehicle. There would be no provisions of installing the two devices together in their autos," Kejriwal added.

PTI

Don’t bow to pressure from Centre on Jan Lokpal: Kejriwal writes to L-G

After his party colleague Ashutosh hit out at the national capital's Lieutenant Governor over the Jan Lokpal issue, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also wrote a letter to Najeeb Jung questioning the reason behind seeking the Solicitor General's opinion on the matter and urging him to be impartial.

Kejriwal started his letter by saying that he had always respected Jung but the incidents of the last few days had caused him 'great pain', and apologised for saying anything that might seem offensive.

The Chief Minister said that he was surprised by media reports on the Jan Lokpal Bill given that they had sent the draft bill only yesterday.

"Even if you had to seek an opinion you could have discussed the matter with me and I would have shared the copy with you and explained the details. Instead the Solicitor General's opinion was given directly to the media," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal has argued that the Lieutenant Governor should allow the Jan Lokpal Bill in the assembly. PTI

The AAP leader pointed out that a high powered committee drafted the bill and opinions were sought from every department of the government before draft bill was prepared.

"How has the Solicitor General declared the bill as unconstitutional without reading it?" Kejriwal asked.

The Chief Minister said it wasn't unconstitutional to produce the bill in the state legislature.

"Excluding three topics the Constitution allows the Delhi Assembly to legislate on all issues," he said.

Kejriwal cited a specific article of the constitution which said that if any legislation passed by the Delhi Assembly coincides with a Central law then it would require the president's assent, but that would be only after it was passed by the state assembly.

"Nowhere in the constitution does it say that the nod of the central government is necessary before the bill is produced in the assembly," he said.

The Chief Minister said that the Union Home Ministry had passed an order instructing that legislation to be introduced in the Assembly should first be cleared by the Centre.

"It is clear that this order of the Union Home Ministry is unconstitutional. The jurisdiction of the Delhi Assembly has been decided by the constitution. Can the Central government curb that jurisdiction by passing a order," Kejriwal said.

He said that if every law to be passed by an Assembly needed to be cleared by the centre it was questionable why elections were held for state assemblies.

"This is a direct attack on the people of Delhi and the autonomy of the Delhi Assembly," he charged.

The Chief Minister said that the government had already taken the view of four eminent jurists and they had also agreed that the Union Home Ministry's view is unconstitutional.

Based on the opinion of the jurists the government wrote to the Centre seeking that the order be withdrawn and decided they would not follow the order, Kejriwal said.

"I wanted to update you on these matters but before that the opinion of the Solicitor General was leaked to the media," he said.

He said that all the forces of corruption in the political sphere were ganging up against the AAP and were using small matters to defame the AAP.

"I know you are under pressure from the Congress and the Ministry of Home Affairs. You will be pressurised to disallow the session of the Delhi Assembly in the Indira Gandhi stadium, you will be pressurised to not allow the Delhi Jan Lokpal to be introduced in the assembly. Because they know that if this bill is passed many of them will go to jail," Kejriwal wrote

They will try to defame me through your office by selectively leaking information, he alleged.

He told the Lieutenant General that he had taken oath of loyalty to the Constitution and loyalty to any party or Ministry of Home Affairs.

"I am not leaking this letter, I am making this letter available to the public," Kejriwal said.

Letter written by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to hon&#x27;ble Lieutenant Governor on the issue of...

Kejriwal-led AAP not a factor in Bihar, says JD(U)

Patna: A day after one of its leaders joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) quitting the government as well as the party, the JD(U) today dismissed the Delhi-based party as a factor in Bihar in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

"The AAP led by the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is not a factor in Bihar," JD(U)'s state unit president Bashistha Narayan Singh told reporters.

A file photo of AAP supporters. Shruti Dhapola/Firstpost

"The AAP will find it difficult to attain its success in Bihar," he said, without elaborating further.

On Parveen Amanullah joining the AAP, Singh said that it was little surprising because she had reasoned her quitting the government and party in order to concentrate on social works.

One cannot force a person to stay, Singh said defending the party's decision against going out of the way to pester her against her decision to quit the party and the government.

Amanullah, a 55-year-old social activist-turned-politician quit the JD(U) and government two days ago and joined the AAP yesterday.

About JD(U)'s preparations for the general elections, Singh said that the process for selection of candidates for Parliamentary polls will commence after the conclusion of the ongoing Sankalp rallies on 16 February.

With the JD(U) appearing keen to join the third front with 11 like-minded parties ahead of the elections, the state unit JD(U) president said that his party was hopeful of forging alliance with the CPI and CPI(M).

Meanwhile, a senior BSP leader Shyam Lal Kushwaha, who had unsuccessfully contested the Buxar parliamentary seat in 2009, joined the JD(U) here.

A party hopper, Kushwaha was with the BJP and the Samata Party earlier and is perceived as an influential leader in Buxar and its adjoining districts.

The JD(U) was likely to give him ticket for the Buxar Parliamentary seat after its dissident leader and the outgoing Rajya Sabha MP Shivanand Tiwari declined the offer.

PTI

Complaint on Kejriwal: Court says it would record pre-summoning evidence

New Delhi: A Delhi court today said it would record pre-summoning evidence from 10 March on a criminal complaint filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly giving "misleading information" in his affidavit filed ahead of the assembly elections.

Metropolitan Magistrate Swati Katiyar heard the arguments of the counsel appearing for the petitioner, an NGO, and posted the matter for 10 March.

Arvind Kejriwal. AFP

"Submissions heard. Record perused. Put up for pre- summoning evidence on March 10," the court said.

The complaint, filed by NGO Maulik Bharat Trust, through its office bearers alleged that Kejriwal had "wilfully misled" the Election Commission of India by concealing his correct address and suppressing the market value of his property.

During the hearing today, advocate Rahul Raj Malik who appeared for the NGO, argued that the affidavit was filed by Kejriwal before the competent authority at Jam Nagar house here which falls under the jurisdiction of this court.

The court, after hearing the submissions, said that it would record the pre-summoning evidence on the next date of hearing.

The petition alleged "wilful concealment and suppression of correct address and value of the aforesaid property amounts to commission of a criminal offence under section 125A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 punishable with six months of imprisonment and/or fine or both".

"The aforesaid facts and circumstances clearly make out a case of blatant violation, suppression, misleading facts and information not only from the electors but also from Election Commission of India...," the petition said.

PTI

Congress’ advice to Modi: Snap ties with RSS

New Delhi: As BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi reaches out to Muslims through a business conclave for them in Gujarat, Congress today said if he is really keen on taking everyone along, then he should severe ties with RSS. Rubbishing BJP's attempts to woo Muslim community, Law Minister Kapil Sibal said BJP seemingly has "one face for the elections while there are various other faces working behind the scene."

Narendra Modi. Agencies.

"If they want to take everyone along, then they should change their policies. Modi should say he has no links with RSS," Sibal told reporters. Modi inaugurated a three-day business conclave in Ahmedabad today, to provide a platform for Muslim entrepreneurs to network with their Hindu counterparts.

To buttress his points that "BJP has many faces" Sibal cited the controversial interview of Swami Aseemanand, an accused in the Samjhauta Express and other blast cases, in which he claimed that the RSS had "sanctioned" the terror acts.

PTI

If you want to connect to Muslims severe ties with RSS: Cong tells Modi

New Delhi: As BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi reaches out to Muslims through a business conclave for them in Gujarat, Congress today said if he is really keen on taking everyone along, then he should severe ties with RSS.

Rubbishing BJP's attempts to woo Muslim community, Law Minister Kapil Sibal said BJP seemingly has "one face for the elections while there are various other faces working behind the scene."

Narendra Modi. AFP

"If they want to take everyone along, then they should change their policies. Modi should say he has no links with RSS," Sibal told reporters.

Modi inaugurated a three-day business conclave in Ahmedabad today, to provide a platform for Muslim entrepreneurs to network with their Hindu counterparts.

To buttress his points that "BJP has many faces" Sibal cited the controversial interview of Swami Aseemanand, an accused in the Samjhauta Express and other blast cases, in which he claimed that the RSS had "sanctioned" the terror acts.

PTI

AAP will have to pay heavy price for deviating from path: Ramdev

Nagpur: Stating that the fledgling Aam Aadmi Party has drifted from its path, yoga guru Ramdev today criticised the party for allying with the Congress despite vehemently opposing it earlier.

Now, AAP will have to suffer the political consequences for "handing over its 'jhadu' (AAP's election symbol broom) in the hands of Congress," he said.

Baba Ramdev. AP

"The Aam Aadmi Party has deviated from its path while talking of fighting corruption and changing the entire system for which it will have to pay a heavy price," Ramdev told reporters here.

Claiming to be one of the founders of the anti-corruption movement led by activist Anna Hazare in 2010, he said it subsequently led to the formation of the AAP.

Dismissing the possibility of emergence of third front during the forthcoming general elections, he said they neither have policies nor leadership.

He said that he would launch a nationwide campaign for ensuring victory of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha polls on sidelines of a grand yoga camp which will be organised in New Delhi on 23 March in which top religious leaders and lakhs of people will participate.

Ramdev also said that from 1 March, he would launch a door-to-door campaign to motivate people and create awareness about Modi. Yoga workers would visit around 500 houses everyday and send SMSes to voters as a part of campaign for Modi, he said.

He exuded confidence that a government led by Modi will eradicate corruption and bring back the black money stashed abroad.

A team led by BJP's former national president Nitin Gadkari was preparing a vision document which will focus on free education to people, he said.

Ramdev said he wants a National Farmers Commission for protecting the interests of farmers and streamlining farm prices in the country.

The yoga guru also demanded that authorities should order deposition of higher denomination currency notes dated before 2013 in banks only and people should not be allowed to exchange it.

The Reserve Bank had recently decided to withdraw all currency notes issued prior to 2005, including Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations, after March 31 in a move apparently aimed at curbing black money and fake currencies.

PTI