Delhi BJP slams AAP decision on on power bill waiver

New Delhi: The BJP today slammed the Delhi government's decision to allow a waiver on the pending electricity bills of those consumers who took part in an AAP agitation saying that the move would be "unfair to taxpaying, law-abiding citizens."

"So many people took part over the last four years in the 'Bijli Andolan' initiated by BJP. Why is the benefit of the waiver being given to a select group only... All those who fought against power companies should have been included," said Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel.

Vijay Goel. PTI

He was speaking at the launch of the party's 'Ek note- Kamal par Vote' campaign in the Naveen Shahdara and East Delhi district units of BJP.

The Arvind Kejriwal government today announced that consumers who did not pay their electricity bills as part of AAP's power agitation will have to shell out only half of their total dues, a decision which will cost the exchequer Rs 6 crore.

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Modi has ‘little knowledge’ about Article 370, says Omar

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today questioned "silence" of Narendra Modi to his challenge of a debate on Article 370 and said those who want its abrogation have little knowledge about it and are "deceiving" people as polls are nearing.

Omar Abdullah. AP image

In a passionate defence of the portion of Constitution, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said it is working as a bridge between the state and rest of the country. He was speaking at Legislative Assembly here today. "He (Modi) remained silent," Omar said over his challenge to hold a debate on Article 370 "anytime, anywhere" he chooses to.

Omar claimed that the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee "never demanded" abrogation of Article 370. "When there was time to abrogate Article 370 then you did not do it. Now that elections are being held, again you want to rake up the issue for vote bank politics-- it is irony that Modi comes to Jammu and says hold a debate on Article 370," he said.

"If they want a debate on Article 370 with me, let them tell me where and when they want to talk about it. Even if they want to hold the debate in Ahmadabad, we are ready for the debate anytime," Omar had said at a public rally in
Srinagar on December 6.

Regarding discussion over the Article as called by Modi, Omar said,"I was a fool that I said I was ready to hold discussion."

"Big misunderstandings get created in the minds of people, particularly those whom we have more expectations. Those (Modi) who dream of sitting on the big chairs in the country, also do not have knowledge about Article 370, what is it," Omar said.  Modi, in a December rally at Jammu, had called for discussion over it whether it was beneficial to state or not. "Article 370 is working as a bridge (between JK and rest of the country). Through that bridge, JK is connected to rest of the country," he said.

"They will say that due to Article 370 there is a discrimination with womenfolk and that people from outside cannot buy land under Article 370. They have little knowledge about it and that you do not know Article 370 and the state
subject laws," Omar said.

"Although, people from outside cannot buy land in JK but it has nothing to do with Article 370. It is not a programme of this state. You cannot blame Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for it," the chief minister.

"If people from outside cannot purchase land in Jammu and Kashmir, it was the decision of the then Maharaja of the
state, it was because that the people of Jammu at that point of time feared that rich people from Punjab will buy them, it is a decision much before independence and we have preserved it and will preserve it," Omar said.

"I tell to all the people that unless and until the flag of National Conference and Congress will keep high, nobody can dare to scrap the Article 370 and those people who want to scrap it, are only deceiving people and doing nothing else," he added.

"It (Article 370) is a very sensitive relation between state of Jammu and Kashmir and rest of India, sensitive not because we are emotionally weak, not because we do not consider JK to be part of this country or considering ourselves lower than any other part of the country. Sensitive because of the relations of this state with the rest of the
country through an act of Constitution-- Article 370".

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Has AAP stumbled before it even begins in Madhya Pradesh?

Bhopal: A look at the list of its office–bearers can give an onlooker a fair idea as to why the Aam Aadmi Party is floundering before it has even taken root in Madhya Pradesh. A good 40 percent of its state executive members come from the Rewa-Satna belt of Vindhya Pradesh.

Representational image of AAP volunteers. Reuters image

Such imbalance wouldn't have been met with furrowed brows if people from the Vindhya region themselves had not complained about the AAP team's composition. The state convenor, Abhay Verma, has been accused of promoting caste and region-based politics by packing the state executive with cronies.

Though Verma denies the charges, complaints are piling up in Bhopal from his home village. The sarpanch and village elders have levelled charges of corruption and atrocities against poor tribal people, while Verma headed the village panchayat in Puraini in Rewa district.

Members have raised questions over whether Verma should  screen the candidates for Lok Sabha while charges of irregularities are still pending against him. A member of Rewa district unit, Dr PL Tripathi, has accused Verma of corruption. He says the state unit has not been uploading accounts on the party website. The state treasurer Sandeep Mukherjee, however, says the accounts are now handled by the central committee.

The central committee took over the exercise after some executive members were accused of selling the membership registration forms for ten times their actual price of Rs 10.

The AAP drew a quick and spontaneous response in the state after its success in Delhi. It reached a membership of over half a million in just about three months. The central leadership would take a final call on the candidates. The exhaustive application form seeks to check the candidates' credentials thoroughly. The party also conducts confidential enquiries about the candidates, says the party Lokpal for the state, Arun Gurtoo, former Director General of police in Madhya Pradesh. Gurtoo was invited to join the party but preferred to stay out of politics and help by sorting out issues that needed adjudication.

Most murmurs of protest are over positions being offered to new members while older ones who joined the movement before the formation of the party are ignored, says Gurtoo.

Some members who stick to the strict regimen of personal conduct as prescribed in the constitution, resent the deviations allowed in the case of new members. The prudish impulse is to brand the new members corrupt. Since the party is treading on the toes of the conventional parties like BJP and the Congress, the resentment among some members is attributed to the machinations of rival parties. At least three office-bearers including a spokesperson, Kamal Shrivastava, have quit posts over allegations of hobnobbing with other parties. Verma, however, denied any wrong-doing on Shrivastava's part. "He has only quit the post due to personal reasons and not the party," said Verma.

AAP was able to rope in prominent persons who made a mark in the public life and bureaucracy. Among the first who pledged to work for the party without contesting any elections are: retired IAS officer RR Gangarekar, retired IFS officer Dr Ram Prasad, Jain Samaj secretary Chandra Kumar Jain and advocate Rajesh Jain.

The Congress was jolted when its state secretary Kamal Ajmera resigned to embrace the fledgling party. Ajmera said unchecked factionalism in Congress forced him to take the decision. Retired judge RC Chandel, a state BJP member, and two NCP members also switched camps. Former state chief secretary SC Behar has offered to work at the token salary of one rupee to help the AAP government draft the swaraj (self-rule) legislation in Delhi.

The new arrivals are not without baggage. This led to mutual distrust even though the party played it down. AAP's state working committee member Sharad Singh Kumre said, "Since members of UPA allies and mainstream political parties have joined us, it would take some time to know each other. But to say there is factionalism in the party would be unfair. AAP believes in politics that transcends region, language, caste and community," sayid Kumre.

The party is no longer charging the registration fee of Rs 10 from new members after complaints regarding issuance of fake receipts came to light. However, there is a question mark on the party's prospects in the state as most surveys have predicted a strong wave in BJP's favour. No survey gives more than five seats to AAP in Madhya Pradesh.

Why attacking Modi on Adani is a political masterstroke by AAP

That the Aam Aadmi Party would take a hard line against BJP's prime minister candidate Narendra Modi was evident when it launched a fresh campaign against corruption by naming top politicians. The initial list, which did not have Narendra Modi's name, was amended in a day just to add the name of the Gujarat Chief Minister. A fresh attack on NaMo initiated by AAP ideologue Yogendra Yadav brought it into the open, now that the AAP is not going to spare anyone in a battle which is being projected as a triangular fight between the AAP, Congress and BJP.

Yadav, who had earlier told Firstpost that a "phenomenon like Modi can be countered only with positive development work" has definitely changed his stance since. His recent attack on Modi on Twitter shows that with Modi too, AAP has retreated to their tried and tested way of attacking individuals. "What is the exact relationship between Modi and Adani group? How has Adani become super rich in just 10 years?" Yadav had tweeted.

Narendra Modi. PTI

A party insider points out that the rising Modi phenomenon had to be tackled this way. "No one has spoken about Modi's link with the Adani group before this, but it's very important to raise the issue of the Adani group's relation with the Chief Minister of Gujarat," the party member said.

One thing should be noticed in this case, that while Yadav on Twitter accused Modi of keeping the convict Babulal Bokharia in his government, Yadav, the AAP's chief political strategist, however, refrained from directly attacking Modi for his the 2002 riots.

According to observers this is a clever move by the AAP, which has brought questions like industrial corruption and children's death to the fray while bypassing the issue of riots. "Through the last decade every single person in Indian politics has spoken against Modi relating him to the riots and it has only resulted into a polarisation, from which Modi has only gained. But no political party talks about the connection with the Adani group. In the name of industry changing the purpose of land usage is rampant in Gujarat, but congress has never spoken about these corruptions. The Aam Aadmi Party by raising these questions will definitely set precedents for a refreshing positive approach to politics," says an editor of a Gujarati daily.

"Even a cursory glance at rural districts like Narmada or Bharuch will show how the shining Gujarat model has been stumbling and wobbling in these interiors, where children death because of malnourishment is not an uncommon thing. So raising these issues are very important. By not attacking Modi directly for his role in the riots, AAP has managed to prove that it is not practising the line of politics that the Congress has been preaching," he explained on the condition of anonymity.

There are points of view though, which believe that the recent attacks on Modi linking him with Adani or Reliance as Prashant Bhusan had done a few months back, will affect the support it garnered from the corporate class. "Right after its Delhi win Delhi when people like Mira Anyal or Captain Gopinath joined AAP, it showed that the party was filling the void of a market oriented but clean political outfit. But the recent attacks on Adani or the Reliance may take away that support from the Aam Aadmi Party," says political analyst and journalist Kumar Ketkar. Ketkar however, believes that at the same time it will fan the middle class or working class sentiment against the corporates.

As for the attack on Modi for his possible involvement in industrial corruption, Ketkar thinks it is a master stroke by AAP. "The best thing they could do is not attacking the BJP or Modi for the riots. Congress has pigeonholed Modi as someone non-secular. If AAP had done the same thing, they again would have been branded as the B-team of the Congress. At the same time AAP would lose the sympathising Hindu votes that they had garnered as a result of anti-incumbency," explains Ketkar.

That the Aam Aadmi party is not merely a B-team of the Congress has already been successfully projected by the party when it managed to implicate heavyweights like Veerappaa Moily or Sheila Dikshit for their alleged roles in corruption. The recent incidents of AAP ruffling the feathers of both the BJP and the Congress shows that the party is challenging the status quo in Indian politics, believe experts.

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Sena sharpens attack on Raj Thackeray over toll agitation

Mumbai: Sharpening its attack on MNS chief Raj Thackeray over his agitation against toll collection, the Shiv Sena said it had "predicted" the outcome of today's stir.

Raj Thackeray. PTI image

"The Sena mouthpiece Saamana had yesterday made some comments (about Raj Thackeray and his toll stir). What happened today was exactly on the lines of the Saamana editorial," Sena leader Neelam Gorhe told PTI. The 'Saamana' editorial had likened the MNS to a "drama troupe" and charged that the Congress-NCP were adding wind to its sails. It pointed out that the MNS agitation against toll in 2012 had slowed down and added that it had been revived just before the Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Raj had refused to comment on the editorial. "Those who do not have a case of killing a mosquito lodged against them must not talk on this issue," he had said, when asked about allegations of him being hand in glove with the government.

The editorial had scoffed at Raj's threat daring the government to arrest him for the protest. "...once this arrest is done, the Congress-NCP's audience will applaud him," the newspaper, which has Raj's estranged cousin and Sena president Uddhav Thackeray as the editor, had said.

"The Salim-Javed of the Congress-NCP have written the script of this drama," it said, pointing to reports that a senior minister had intervened to get Raj the SP College grounds in Pune for his Sunday rally. "The Sena feels that Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan should take policy decisions on the toll issue," Gorhe said. "He should show the political will needed to resolve the matter. The state government must come out with an immediate three point plan for reducing burden due to toll on people. It should scrap toll collection where enough money has been collected. It should remove toll on roads covering small distances," she said.

"The opposition alliance and Sena president Uddhav Thackeray have assured people a toll-free Maharashtra. We are confident that we will be able to fulfil our promise when we come to power," the Sena leader said.

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Kejriwal assures envoys of security to Africans in Delhi

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today assured envoys of 30 African countries that his government is taking all steps to ensure that there is no discrimination against citizens of those countries living in Delhi.

Kejriwal, who hosted a reception for ambassadors and high commissioners of African countries here, gave this assurance in a response to concerns raised by some diplomats. Zimbabwean Ambassador and Dean of the African Diplomatic Core Jonathan Wutawunashe requested him to take robust measures for ensuring that recent incidents are not repeated in the capital.

Arvind Kejriwal. PTI image

Nigerian Ambassador Ndubuisi Vitus Amaku, who is also deputy dean of African Diplomatic Core, urged Kejriwal to give a public assurance that there will be no discrimination against citizens from African countries.

The Kejriwal-led government was in the eye of a storm following its Law Minister Somnath Bharti midnight raid to bust an alleged sex and drug racket in a South Delhi locality. Bharti had accused some foreign nationals of being involved in a drug and prostitution racket.

"Delhi is home to citizens from across the world and his government is committed to showcasing the national capital as a city where law-abiding people from different parts of the country and the world live together peacefully," Kejriwal told the ambassadors and high commissioners.

"India and Africa share the mutual desire to expand economic cooperation and trade and investment linkages between them," Kejriwal said referring to the multi-dimensional nature of the relations between India and African countries.

Kejriwal also sought the diplomats' views and suggestions against the backdrop of some incidents in recent days in
Delhi. The reception was attended by the top diplomats from 30 countries and senior bureaucrats of Delhi government. Ambassador Wutawunashe also wanted the procedures related to Value Added Tax (VAT) be simplified in the national capital, to which the Chief Minister replied the process for that has already been started.

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Union Health Secy Keshav Desiraju transferred

New Delhi: In a reshuffle ahead of the elections, the Union Health and Family Welfare Secretary Keshav Desiraju has been transferred to Consumer's affairs ministry.

Some more senior officers in the separtment are likely to be shifted ahead of the general elections.

Representational image. Ibnlive

When asked about his transfer, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "These are administrative things. I don't think people should get into it. Officer's and Ministers' portfolio's change, it is a regular affair. He is a capable officer."

According to sources, Azad was not happy with Desiraju's performance of late.

Desiraju, a 1978-batch IAS officer from Uttarakhand cadre, was appointed a year ago as the Health Secretary.

He had joined the Ministry as an Additional Secretary in 2010, after completing his tenure as the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand.

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LS polls: Cong-NCP to begin campaigns from 23 Feb

Mumbai: With Congress-NCP finalising their seat sharing arrangement in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, both coalition partners will now embark on a joint campaign with a public rally here on 23 February.

Congress sources said the rally will mostly be held in Mumbai and will be attended by leaders of both parties.

Representational image. Reuters

A joint campaign committee is likely to be set up in the next few days to plan election and campaign strategy and holding of joint public meetings, sources informed.

The final list of seats to be contested by both parties will be declared by 15 February.

Party sources said even though NCP has declared that it will not give up Kolhapur Lok Sabha seat, congress has not given up its claim on Kolhapur as well as Hingoli. Sitting Independent MP Sadashiv Mandlik has joined the Congress and will be contesting again from Kolhapur.

Similarly, swapping of Raigad constituency with NCP is open for discussion, sources added.

Sources said efforts will be taken to ensure better coordination and reduce rebellion among the two coalition partners.

"Given the perception of anti-congress wave in the country, it is in the interest of both parties that their numbers increase to boost the national tally," sources added.

NCP sources had said yesterday that swapping of one or two seats would be done only if there is consensus failing which both parties would contest on the same seats it did last time.

"We have demanded Raigad and offered Hatkanangale to the Congress," state NCP chief Bhaskar Jadhav had said.

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Modi launches ‘Chai pe charcha’ campaign to bring back black money

Ahmedabad: Narendra Modi today said he was committed to bring back black money stashed abroad and assured people that if BJP is voted to power, he would set up a task force, amend laws and distribute the money brought in as
"gift" among honest tax-payers.

Narendra Modi. AFP image

"The whole country is worried about black money. It is an anti-national activity... For bringing back this black money, you require a political will. I give an assurance to my countrymen that when we will form a government in Delhi, we will create a task force and if necessary will amend the laws," the BJP's prime ministerial candidate said as he launched the party's much-hyped "Chai pe charcha with NaMo" (a discussion over tea with Modi) campaign.

"We will bring back each and every penny deposited abroad by Indian citizens. I am committed to this because this money belongs to the poor people of India and no one has the right to do this kind of anti-national activity," he said answering a query in this regard.

Modi was interacting with people here as part of "Chai pe charcha with NaMo", where he answered questions from the public from across the country on the theme of good governance.

The programme has been coined by BJP using the 'tea-seller' barb hurled at Modi by rivals to reach out to voters across the country and engage with him. The Gujarat Chief Minister launched the first such programme today where he interacted with public at tea stalls and answered queries on good governance. The programme was simultaneously held at 1,00 locations across 300 cities across the country.

"It is the prime responsibility of the government to bring back black money. Only the next government will be able to do this and this is my personal commitment," he said. As an incentive, he said, whatever such money is brought
in, 5 to 10 per cent of it will be given as a "gift" to those salaried class who earned fixed income and honestly paid taxes," he said.

"I will distribute this 5 to 10 per cent amount to all those who have fixed incomes and are regular tax payers," Modi
said, in an apparent bid to woo the salaries class and employees ahead of elections. He stressed on good governance saying the common man expects nothing from the government except good governance, which has become a casualty now, and said this trust needs to be re-established.

Modi said bad governance was like diabetes that brought many other ailments with it. He lamented that even small nations have developed, but India has not made its mark like them in the world. Hoping to brew success with 'chai pe charcha', Modi said politics has changed and is not the same as in the past.

"Today, public demands accountability and every elected represented has to remain connected with the public," he said. He said in tune with the changing times, systems in democratic institutions should also change and they should run on democratic principles. Citing examples from the past, he talked about Sher Shah Suri for developing infrastructure, Todar Mal for land records and Chanakya for a good taxation system.

Quoting Chanakya, he cited the example of a honey bee which extracted nectar from flowers without causing any harm to them and said taxation should be such that it causes no hurt to the tax-payer.

Modi answered queries on a host of other issues like deteriorating law and order in Uttar Pradesh, bad conditions in Bihar to skill development, green energy and involving professionals in governance. To a question on deteriorating law and order, he said, " I agree with your concern. Law and order should be the first priority for good governance. But sometimes the Centre and states fight over small issues after an incident takes place. We should work together and make use of technology in checking crime, including terrorism."

He suggested the creation of a common network of technology with the help of the Centre to fight terror.

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