UPA's Survival On 22nd July? And Aftermath -2

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-ravish+Jul 29 2008, 11:37 AM-->QUOTE(ravish @ Jul 29 2008, 11:37 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->The only spanner in the whole process has been the exhibiting of the currency notes in the House.
[right][snapback]85356[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
In past we've had chappals being thrown in parliament, members getting physically bashed up, suitcase of rupees given as bribes being opened etc.. don't worry, we'll live.

[acharya]

<b>
Serious charge: Congress</b>

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday demanded that the Bharatiya Janata Party “condemn and disown” the statement of senior BJP leader and spokesperson Sushma Swaraj that the blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad were a “conspiracy to divert attention from the cash-for-vote scandal.”

This is a serious and unfortunate charge. It shows that the BJP has no faith in India itself. [By levelling this charge], the party has given a clean chit to every terrorist and every country that is trying to foment trouble in our country,” said Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi.

By not condemning the allegation, the BJP had shown its “true face,” he said.
<b>
We decided to expose masterminds: BJP MPs</b>

Special Correspondent

“Cash was delivered by ‘assistant’ of a top Samajwadi leader”

NEW DELHI: In their petition to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the three Bharatiya Janata Party MPs – Ashok Argal, Mahavir Bhagora and Faggan Singh Kulaste – have alleged they were given a bribe to cross-vote in the recent trust motion and cash totalling Rs. 1 crore was delivered to them by an “assistant” of a top Samajwadi Party leader (both of whom they named) hours before the vote.

Copies of the six-page petition dated July 25 signed by the three MPs were made available to reporters by the BJP here on Wednesday.

The petition states that in the run-up to the trust vote, the names of the three MPs were being mentioned as “soft targets” and “vulnerable” to poaching by the ruling parties and their supporters. “Many power brokers through their intermediaries contacted us but we did not take their approaches seriously. When we were approached directly, we decided to expose the masterminds of the cash-for-votes racket.”

They further said: “We contacted CNN-IBN news channel” which deputed its correspondent Siddharth Gautam “to record the whistle-blowing operation” and “to expose the United Progressive Alliance’s unethical plot to convert its minority Government into a majority Government …”

On June 21, according to the petition, one “intermediary” took them to Meridien Hotel to meet a senior Congress leader, but “this meeting did not materialise.” The same day, they alleged, they received a message from an SP MP who came to Mr. Argal’s residence “past midnight” and promised to accompany them to the Samajwadi Party leader’s residence.

Next morning, two BJP MPs were driven to the residence with the CNN-IBN team “following” their car. There, they alleged, the SP leader spoke to a Congress leader (named in the petition), “who gave his consent to the arrangement” of paying Rs. 3 crore to each of the three MPs.

Further, the three alleged, the SP leader agreed to pay an initial token amount of Rs. 1 crore and offered it to them, but they declined, asking that the cash be delivered to them. That was to be done “within 15 minutes.”

Soon after they returned to the official residence of Mr. Argal, an “assistant” of the SP leader, allegedly arrived with the cash in a “white Gypsy car no. DL-2C-S- 8562.” The petition said the camera team of the CNN-IBN had already fixed secret cameras and recorded the giving of the cash.

Later the same day at 4.30 p.m. “we walked to the table of the Secretary General in front of the Speaker’s Chair [in the Lok Sabha], took out the money from the bags and displayed it before all … as tell-tale proof of the cash-for-votes scandal …”

[acharya]

<b>
Story had loose ends, says TV channel</b>

New Delhi: The television channel that was involved in the sting operation in the ‘cash for vote’ scam, which rocked the Lok Sabha last week, said on Wednesday it did not air the tapes relating to it because the story was not “complete” and had many “loose ends.”
<b>
“Quite simply, we have chosen not to telecast the story yet because we did not feel that the story was complete. Credible journalism is based on accuracy not speed, facts not sensationalism, reportage not allegations and assumptions.

“Our rigorous editorial protocol demands that even a hidden camera shoot is absolutely water-tight. In this particular story, there were many loose ends that needed to be cross-checked, corroborated and investigated further before the story could be aired,” the channel, CNN IBN, said in a press statement.</b>

The channel said last week there had been speculation, based on hearsay and conjecture, over the sting operation conducted by it to expose allegations of bribery in the run-up to the trust vote in the Lok Sabha.

It said that even before it could complete the process of investigation, three BJP MPs made allegations in Parliament of having been bribed and displayed cash in the House.

In the politically surcharged circumstances, the statement said, the channel felt the more appropriate step would be to provide the recordings made till date to the Speaker.
<b>
“All the raw, unedited footage was placed before the Speaker within 24 hours of the Parliament fracas. Not a single frame has been edited in any form. The Speaker has subsequently ordered an inquiry, which media reports suggest, is to be completed by the 11th of August.

“We will fully cooperate with the Parliamentary panel and provide them all information available with us. At the same time, as we have informed the Speaker’s office, we reserve the right to telecast the story as and when we believe we are in a position to do so.” — PTI</b>

[acharya]

<b> It was Sushma’s personal view: BJP</b>

Special Correspondent

Party distances itself from her conspiracy allegation

Sushma herself says her views are personal

Party clarification comes after NDA allies make known their stand

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Wednesday distanced itself from the views of its senior leader Sushma Swaraj that the Ahmedabad and Bangalore blasts were the result of a “conspiracy” by the Centre “to consolidate” Muslim votes.

Ms. Swaraj herself ‘clarified” on Wednesday that what she said was her personal view and in no way reflected the views of the BJP or the National Democratic Alliance. Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar also said it was indeed her “personal” view.

The clarification has come after leaders of NDA constituents — Prabhunath Singh (Janata Dal–United), Anant Geete (Shiv Sena) and S.S. Dhindsa (Akali Dal) — completely disassociated their parties from Ms. Swaraj’s allegation that since the blasts occurred within four days of the trust vote in the Lok Sabha, there was “circumstantial evidence” of a conspiracy by the Centre.

On July 28, she said: “It [the blasts] is a conspiracy to divert attention from the cash-for-votes scandal and to bring back the Muslims who had gone away because of the pro-American nuclear deal.” She described the timing of the blasts as “circumstantial evidence.” Asked whether she was pointing at the Centre, she said: “Let the Centre understand what I said…. I stand by what I have said.”

For two days, the BJP was silent. In the meantime at least two leaders — BJP general secretary Vinay Katiyar and vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi — virtually reiterated the views expressed by Ms. Swaraj.

On Wednesday, Mr. Javadekar said Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani had described the terrorist attacks as an attack against the nation. Asked whether the BJP was speaking in two voices, he said: “We do not speak in two voices.”

[acharya]

<b>Sushma’s remark invites Gujarat Muslim ire</b>
Syed Khalique Ahmed
Posted online: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 2338 hrs Print Email

Ahmedabad, July 30: BJP leader Sushma Swaraj’s remark that “blasts are an attempt by the UPA Government to win over Muslim votes which got divided over pro-American deal pursued by it” has invited strong reactions and condemnation from Muslims in the state.

BJP silent on Sushma claim blasts a plot to shift vote-note focusNo question, Govt must go: BJPPM main target, Advani drags in Amarnath into debateAs it pushes for UPA ouster, unease in BJP over the rise and rise of Maya
<b>
Angry over her remark made at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday, Muslim leaders here asked if Swaraj meant by her comments that “Muslims throughout the country were happy at the blasts and would return to the Congressfold now”.

Condemning Swaraj in the strongest terms, former professor of Physics at M S University and Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) president J S Bandukwala said, “It appears Sushma is out of her mind. If this is the type of leadership the BJP has at national level, no one can save the country.”</b>

“Frustration over her party’s failure to grab power during the trust vote seems to have motivated her to make such an irresponsible statement,” said Hanif Lakdawala of NGO Sanchetna. “With UP Chief Minister Mayawati emerging as an alternative to lead the non-Congress parties at the national level, the BJP has virtually become isolated and reduced to pariah status. That is why it is using a language to provoke communal sentiments and divide society on religious lines to gain benefits in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls,” said Lakdawala.

However, he expressed confidence that no rational person would buy her idea. He urged senior BJP leaders to condemn her statement and also restrain her from making such senseless remarks in future.

Joining the issue, leading advocate Hashim Qureshi said, “Swaraj’s statement was an indication how frustrated the BJP leaders felt after the trust vote and were trying to use religious sentiments for political dividends.”

While demanding an impartial investigation into the blasts by the CBI, Qureshi said investigators should also interrogate certain elements from the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal because some activists of these outfits had been found to be involved in Coimbatore, Nanded and Thane blasts.

“Moreover, the Indo-US nuclear deal has nothing to do with Muslim support to the Congress. Muslims in UP and Bihar had withdrawn their support to the Congress long back and voted for regional leaders like BSP, SP and RJD,” Qureshi added.
<b>
Advocate Sofia Khan said linking the Indo-US nuclear deal with Muslims was an attempt to communalise society. “What Swaraj has stated displays her political immaturity. It is really shameful that she is attempting to cash in politically from the blasts when both Hindus and Muslims have suffered from it and the law and order agencies are having a tough time in ensuring peace and harmony,” said Sofia.
</b>

[acharya]

<b>Emergency rule in India imminent as the country gets ready to revolt against MP bribery and intimidation – trade unions and the Left gear up for protests – what will the Indian Military do?</b>
Surjit Khanna
Jul. 24, 2008

No one can even imagine what will happen in India in the next several months. The UPA Government led by Congress party is now a puppet and Amar Singh is the de facto new Prime Minister. But sources say Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh have other plans. They are looking beyond using Amar Singh and company. They want to push for reforms to teach the Left parties a ‘good lesson.’

Trade unions affiliated to the Left parties on Wednesday opened fire at the UPA Government and announced a day-long strike on August 20 to protest against the proposed financial sector reforms and privatization.

The announcement by CITU, AITUC and half a dozen other trade unions came a day after government won the floor test in Parliament that was necessitated due to withdrawal of support by Left parties. Congress affiliated INTUC and Sangh Parivar's BMS are not party to the agitation.

India can revolt in certain regions. Congress party plans the same tactics they used in late seventies as it becomes very clear in the next several weeks that the Government has no life beyond bribery and intimidation.

The emergency rule suspending all political activities in India is imminent as Sonia Gandhi realizes her ‘India Ambition’ is a legacy right now.

The Congress party and its leaders know very well that they can never return to power after what they have done. The country will unite beyond all political differences to throw them out from power once forever.

They have the Indian President Prativa Patil in their quarters. She will call the three Military Chiefs to suspend the political freedom in India just like the Congress party did under late PM Indira Gandhi after losing the election unexpectedly. In late seventies the Indian Military refused to go against political freedom of common Indians. But this time it is a different Indian Military. The generals are hungry for power and dollar/euro.

Here comes the real test for the Indian Military for the sense of patriotism and political freedom of the country. Can the Military really stop the Congress party this time under a different Gandhi born in Italy?

[Guest]

Acharya, Please post the URL as well. It will help lazy folks like me to post elsewhere.

[acharya]

go to this URL

http://indiadaily.com/pol.asp

[acharya]

<b>Temple sacrifice for trust vote victory</b>
http://www.telegraphindia.com//1080729/j.../index.jsp
OUR BUREAU

Guwahati/Bhopal, July 28: When it comes to the numbers game, none can beat the Samajwadi Party. Whether at the temple of democracy or at a temple to a goddess.

Samajwadi MLA Kishore Samrite has sacrificed 13 buffaloes and over 200 goats at the Kamakhya temple since July 20, to ensure victory in the trust vote and then to “express gratitude” when it was achieved.

The sacrifice will continue till July 30, the MLA from Madhya Pradesh said today. By then 15 buffaloes and 317 goats would meet their end, said Samrite’s priest Ranjeet Sarma, who added that the MLA was offering the Dasamahavidya Puja.

Samrite had arrived in Guwahati a day before the trust vote and rented a room near the temple. He said he had acted under orders from the party high command.

“The puja was offered for the victory of the UPA government, the progress of the Samajwadi Party and to see Mulayam Singh Yadav become Prime Minister after the next general election,” he said.

The People for Animals (PFA) erupted in anger today, saying it was unbecoming of a lawmaker to participate in an ancient, blood-soaked ritual.

The PFA has sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to put a stop to the “madness”. Copies were sent to Sonia Gandhi and Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi.

The organisation held a march in the city protesting against “this act of cruelty in the name of religion”.
<b>
State PFA chairperson Sangeeta Goswami said: “It is indeed a great shame that when the country is moving towards nuclear power, some of our politicians have gone back to those days when illiteracy reigned.”</b>

When Samrite was elected to the Assembly, a big feast had followed in his hometown. In the presence of Mulayam’s son Akhilesh, the MLA is said to have sacrificed 108 goats in Balaghat.

[acharya]

Were blasts a plot to distract attention from the trust vote?

Till now result:
Yes 59.57%
No 37.23%
Can’t Say 3.19%

http://www.expressindia.com/

http://offstumped.nationalinterest.in/2008...a-modi-gets-it/

[Shambhu]

Re 189:

"The People for Animals (PFA) erupted in anger today, saying it was unbecoming of a lawmaker to participate in an ancient, blood-soaked ritual."

Abe blood soaked ritual, go and visit any slaughterhouse. Do the animals there feel any less pain just because your ubercivilized @$$ eats the flesh up with a fork and knife? If you want to stop blood-soaked rituals, start with the "meat industry".
<!--emo&:blow--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blow.gif' /><!--endemo-->

[ravish]

Surjit Khanna’s article is full of wishful thinking not worth commenting upon. In the next few months we may see new political alignments and much of this will depend upon the outcome of the power struggle within the BJP. The intensity of the power struggle is visible. The BJP’s quick move in distancing itself from the statement made by Smt Sushma Swaraj clearly indicates the amount of distrust that is prevailing amongst the top leaders of the organisation. It is high time that the old timers should give way to the younger generation in the party , who can give a clear direction to its followers.

At present, we find that all political parties are trying to keep their option open for a political line up ; depending upon the outcome of the next general election. Today, we find that Shri Amar Singh had a meeting with Miss Mamata Banerjee. There are already talks of a possible tie up between the BJP and Congress, in case the same is needed to prevent any major political adventure by the BJP leadership in Utter Pradesh. It will be interesting to see what will be actual political line up on the run to the next general election and thereafter. It appears that the BJP as got the feeling that a pure Hindu religious agenda will not make any real impact of the electorate.

[acharya]

<b>Why CNN-IBN did not telecast trust vote sting</b>
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/why-cnnibn-did...69990-3-p1.html

CNN-IBN

TimePublished on Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 10:33, Updated at Thu, Jul 31, 2008 in Nation section
<b>
THE MONEY TRAIL: In the cash-for-vote story, there were many loose ends that needed to be cross-checked. </b>

In the last week, there has been speculation over an alleged ‘sting’ operation conducted by CNN-IBN to expose allegations of bribery in the run-up to the trust vote in Parliament.

Since the speculation is based on hearsay, conjecture and mere guess-work, we at CNN-IBN, the country's leading English news channel, feel that it is necessary to set the record straight. As a journalist-driven organisation, we value our credibility and independence above all else.

We have always striven to raise the bar of journalism, to ensure that the highest standards and procedures are followed at all times.

The 'sting' operation conducted by our investigation team was part of this commitment to ensure that the public interest is enhanced. Our team had begun the investigations at least a week before the trust vote and the 'sting' was to be part of a wide-ranging investigation across the political spectrum into allegations of horse trading.

Moreover, the 'sting' operation we conducted was unique in that neither were we participants, nor were we engaging in 'entrapment' by offering cash, nor were we under a false identity.

We were, as is accepted in practices in the international press, 'flies on the wall', simply recording an alleged bribery operation, without interfering in it at any stage.

Why have we not telecast the story so far? Quite simply, we have chosen not to telecast the story yet because we did not feel that the story was complete.

Credible journalism is based on accuracy not speed, facts not sensationalism, reportage not allegations and assumptions. Our rigorous editorial protocol demands that even a hidden camera shoot is absolutely water-tight.

In this particular story, there were many loose ends that needed to be cross-checked, corroborated and investigated further before the story could be aired.

As it transpired, even before we could complete the process of investigation, three BJP MPs made allegations in parliament of having been bribed and displayed cash in the House.

In the politically surcharged circumstances, we felt that the more appropriate step would be to provide the recordings we had made till date to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as the appropriate constitutional authority.

All the raw, unedited footage was placed before the Speaker within 24 hours of Parliament fracas. Not a single frame has been edited in any form.


The Speaker has subsequently ordered an inquiry, which media reports suggest, is to be completed by the 11th of August. We will fully co-operate with Parliamentary panel and provide them all information available with us.

At the same time, as we have informed the Speaker's office, we reserve the right to telecast the story as and when we believe we are in a position to do so.

As part of the process of due diligence, we also consulted several constitutional experts, including the country's former solicitor general and leading jurist Mr Harish Salve.

Mr Salve has strongly validated our editorial call in a written opinion. He writes, and I quote, "I have reviewed the tapes as also a transcript created from the tapes. I would not like to describe in detail what I have seen, since the matter is pending investigation, but in my considered view the investigation was incomplete and therefore airing the tapes at this stage would necessarily involve arriving at some 'inferences'. The investigation by the channel was not ready for telecast in the sense to be a cast iron story (which such stories should be), it did require some more enquiry into certain matters, which could have been done but was rendered impossible by the fact that on the afternoon of 22nd July itself, the three MPs raised this issue in parliament and then went on to make public the fact that this has been recorded by CNN IBN. Obviously, after this fact became publicly known, all sources of information dried up."

Mr Salve adds, "The question to be considered is should the channel air the tapes as they are, without suggesting inferences, so that the unnecessary gossip as to its contents (as well as the innuendo as to the motives in not telecasting the tapes) is quelled, or should the channel await the completion of the enquiry under way by the parliamentary panel set up the Hon'ble Speaker in response to a complaint received by him. In my view, the channel should await the results of the enquiry, atleast until a period of a fortnight or so is over... I believe that the Speaker has requested the panel to conclude its enquiry within a fortnight or so. If the report is received within the expected time, the matter would again be in the public domain and the channel can then review the situation and decide whether to telecast the tapes."

We would like to reiterate that at CNN-IBN we remain committed to quality and independent journalism. Our commitment is to the truth.

Truth that cannot be partial, inconclusive or sensational, but one that must adhere to exacting standards of fairness and accuracy.

[Guest]

Ravish,
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->There are already talks of a possible tie up between the BJP and Congress, in case the same is needed to prevent any major political adventure by the BJP leadership in Utter Pradesh. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If BJP ties why with Congress in UP, what's to happen of Amar/Mulayam and SJP? Especially given the recent coziness between two.

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->It appears that the BJP as got the feeling that a pure Hindu religious agenda will not make any real impact of the electorate.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Congress doesn't think so, see their flip-flop on the Rama Setu issue. Given the consumer sentiment, BJP will be best served by highlighting the failings of past 50 months.

[acharya]

<img src='http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/30/images/2008073099991001.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[acharya]

<b>
BJP announces 'boycott' of CNN-IBN</b>

New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Thursday announced "boycott" of the CNN-IBN and its affliated channels, saying it was "deeply dismayed" over its decision not to telecast the sting operation on the 'cash-for-vote' scandal.

"The BJP has been compelled to decide that it will boycott CNN-IBN and channels related to it till such time as the unedited tapes of the 'notes-for-votes' scandal are telecast," senior party leader M Venkaiah Naidu announced here.

He said till the tapes are telecast, no BJP functionary in Delhi or in the states will appear on the CNN-IBN programmes, whether in the studios or outside.

"The BJP believes that the channel's decision to withhold the tapes from the public seriously compromises the freedom of press," he said and regretted that instead of upholding the right to information, "CNN-IBN has resorted to the suppression of truth".

[acharya]

<b>Cong condemns BJP for boycotting CNN-IBN</b>

New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Friday condemned BJP for boycotting news channel CNN-IBN for not airing the tapes of the cash-for-votes scam.

"This is wrong. We condemn it," Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters here.

Replying to a question on the saffron party's decision, Ahmed said the press and media is the fourth pillar of democracy.

"Pressurising and demoralising it is not proper," he said, adding as a responsible political party, the BJP should think about it.

He said it was the prerogative of the media to show what it deems fit.

"The channel itself has issued a statement that there was no conclusive evidence. This should be accepted," Ahmed added.

[Capt M Kumar]

<!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo--> NEW DELHI: Refusing to resign from the post of Speaker as asked for by the CPM, Somnath Chatterjee had argued that the position he was occupying was above party politics and that he would resign when he thinks it is right.

But for more than four years that Chatterjee has been occupying the Speaker's post, he has not only been renewing his party membership but has also been duly paying the levy of 5% of his monthly salary to the party. As per the CPM constitution, party members earning Rs 8,000 or more a month have to pay 5% as levy to the party. Chatterjee's levy was also received in the month of July.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/N...how/3307987.cms

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/343911.html
<b>MPs on sale</b>

If there is a hung Parliament next time and a coalition government whose survival hangs by a thread, do not be surprised if New Delhi becomes a bigger bazaar of horses than it was when Dr Manmohan Singh won the vote of confidence on July 22. The price of the horses will be far higher than the unbelievable benchmark set by the managers of the UPA's victory last week. CPI leader A B Bardhan had disclosed that Rs 25 crore was the "ongoing rate" for each opposition MP being purchased by the UPA. Getting moneybags to provide Rs 1,000-2,000 crore for buying MPs is no longer beyond the realm of possibility. Corporate houses wanting to protect or promote their business interests will open up their war chests to be used by their paaltu (kept) politicians.<b> ( these can be western and foreign govts. and corporate houses who can buy the indian parliment/ Govt to get their interests served, promoted and  protected- as they know very well that India still has plentiful of natural resources and big unexplored market)</b> There will be wheeler-dealers galore, from small-time fixers to big-time racketeers, some with dubious international connections. In short, the mandate of the people at the time of polling will have no bearing on the kind of government that might come into being with the help of defections, both wholesale and retail.
In other words, Indian Parliament will be on sale from now onwards.

Those who disbelieve should see what happened in Parliament on July 22. Three BJP MPs — Ashok Argal, Mahavir Baghora and Faggan Singh Kulaste — displayed inside the House wads of currency notes, allegedly paid to them by Amar Singh, general secretary of the Samajwadi Party, as a token amount of Rs one crore for abstaining from the trust vote. In a petition submitted to the Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, they have claimed that they acted as whistle-blowers to expose the 'votes-for-notes' conspiracy to save Dr Manmohan Singh's Government. They have also claimed that CNN-IBN, a TV news channel, conducted a sting operation to record their whistle-blowing operation and also promised to telecast the recorded tape "soon" after the display of currency notes inside Parliament. The channel has not telecast the tape till today. Instead, it has chosen to hand over the tape to the Speaker, who has constituted a committee to probe the MPs' complaint against Amar Singh, Ahmed Patel, political secretary to the Congress president, and one more MP.

Who is telling the truth? The three BJP MPs or Amar Singh, who has denied the allegations? This columnist seeks the indulgence of this newspaper to make an important disclosure: as a political activist determined to fight corruption in public life, I assisted the three BJP MPs in their whistle-blowing operation. I was a witness to most of what they have stated in their petition to the Speaker and vouch for its authenticity. I was with the CNN-IBN team almost from the beginning to the end of its sting operation and have witnessed its recording of the operation. I have no hesitation in affirming that the channel has double-crossed the whistle-blowers by flouting its own solemn assurance to telecast the tape before the trust vote was taken on July 22. I am willing to depose before the inquiry committee and ready to face any punishment if found guilty.

However, the probe of the specific complaint by the three BJP MPs is a side issue. The real issue is that the outcome of July 22 has convinced ordinary people in India that horse-trading was responsible for saving the UPA Government, and that it could well become a permanent feature of politics at the Centre. What could be the consequences of this mass perception? Won't it make more and more people cynical about politics and politicians? Won't it make even those political parties, such as the BJP, which speaks of probity in public life, susceptible to thinking that the only way to beat the wheeler-dealers of a rival party is to have smarter and more resourceful wheeler-dealers of their own? What will happen to our democracy if most political parties come under the vice-like grip of wheeler-dealers and corrupt leaders, who, in turn, function as per the scripts prepared by their masters?

Last week's developments have forewarned us about an even more ominous portent — the possibility of Naxalism coming to our towns and cities. As an extremist political opinion, it openly rejects the system of parliamentary democracy, calls it a sham and has pledged to overthrow it by violent means. About 100-odd districts in India are already said to be under considerable Naxal influence. Is there any wonder if, in the aftermath of the "cash-for-votes" scandal in New Delhi, Naxal groups increase their influence to 200-odd districts, including our main urban centres? Once the institutions of democracy lose their sanctity and legitimacy in the eyes of the people, the descent to anarchy can be very quick. Make no mistake about what Naxal groups will tell our angry and frustrated youth: "Look at the dirty games these political parties play in the name of democracy. How can you trust them to work for you? What is the value of your ballot when those who get elected with your votes are up for sale to the highest bidder? Therefore, shun the path of the ballot and join our path of the bullet."

Difficult days are ahead for Indian democracy. Therefore, the time to act for you, me and all democracy-loving people, is NOW.

If there is a hung Parliament next time and a coalition government whose survival hangs by a thread, do not be surprised if New Delhi becomes a bigger bazaar of horses than it was when Dr Manmohan Singh won the vote of confidence on July 22. The price of the horses will be far higher than the unbelievable benchmark set by the managers of the UPA's victory last week. CPI leader A B Bardhan had disclosed that Rs 25 crore was the "ongoing rate" for each opposition MP being purchased by the UPA. Getting moneybags to provide Rs 1,000-2,000 crore for buying MPs is no longer beyond the realm of possibility. Corporate houses wanting to protect or promote their business interests will open up their war chests to be used by their paaltu (kept) politicians.


There will be wheeler-dealers galore, from small-time fixers to big-time racketeers, some with dubious international connections. In short, the mandate of the people at the time of polling will have no bearing on the kind of government that might come into being with the help of defections, both wholesale and retail.

In other words, Indian Parliament will be on sale from now onwards.

Those who disbelieve should see what happened in Parliament on July 22. Three BJP MPs — Ashok Argal, Mahavir Baghora and Faggan Singh Kulaste — displayed inside the House wads of currency notes, allegedly paid to them by Amar Singh, general secretary of the Samajwadi Party, as a token amount of Rs one crore for abstaining from the trust vote. In a petition submitted to the Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, they have claimed that they acted as whistle-blowers to expose the 'votes-for-notes' conspiracy to save Dr Manmohan Singh's Government. They have also claimed that CNN-IBN, a TV news channel, conducted a sting operation to record their whistle-blowing operation and also promised to telecast the recorded tape "soon" after the display of currency notes inside Parliament. The channel has not telecast the tape till today. Instead, it has chosen to hand over the tape to the Speaker, who has constituted a committee to probe the MPs' complaint against Amar Singh, Ahmed Patel, political secretary to the Congress president, and one more MP.

Who is telling the truth? The three BJP MPs or Amar Singh, who has denied the allegations? This columnist seeks the indulgence of this newspaper to make an important disclosure: as a political activist determined to fight corruption in public life, I assisted the three BJP MPs in their whistle-blowing operation. I was a witness to most of what they have stated in their petition to the Speaker and vouch for its authenticity. I was with the CNN-IBN team almost from the beginning to the end of its sting operation and have witnessed its recording of the operation. I have no hesitation in affirming that the channel has double-crossed the whistle-blowers by flouting its own solemn assurance to telecast the tape before the trust vote was taken on July 22. I am willing to depose before the inquiry committee and ready to face any punishment if found guilty.

However, the probe of the specific complaint by the three BJP MPs is a side issue. The real issue is that the outcome of July 22 has convinced ordinary people in India that horse-trading was responsible for saving the UPA Government, and that it could well become a permanent feature of politics at the Centre. What could be the consequences of this mass perception? Won't it make more and more people cynical about politics and politicians? Won't it make even those political parties, such as the BJP, which speaks of probity in public life, susceptible to thinking that the only way to beat the wheeler-dealers of a rival party is to have smarter and more resourceful wheeler-dealers of their own? What will happen to our democracy if most political parties come under the vice-like grip of wheeler-dealers and corrupt leaders, who, in turn, function as per the scripts prepared by their masters?

Last week's developments have forewarned us about an even more ominous portent — the possibility of Naxalism coming to our towns and cities. As an extremist political opinion, it openly rejects the system of parliamentary democracy, calls it a sham and has pledged to overthrow it by violent means. About 100-odd districts in India are already said to be under considerable Naxal influence. Is there any wonder if, in the aftermath of the "cash-for-votes" scandal in New Delhi, Naxal groups increase their influence to 200-odd districts, including our main urban centres? Once the institutions of democracy lose their sanctity and legitimacy in the eyes of the people, the descent to anarchy can be very quick. Make no mistake about what Naxal groups will tell our angry and frustrated youth: "Look at the dirty games these political parties play in the name of democracy. How can you trust them to work for you? What is the value of your ballot when those who get elected with your votes are up for sale to the highest bidder? Therefore, shun the path of the ballot and join our path of the bullet."

Difficult days are ahead for Indian democracy. Therefore, the time to act for you, me and all democracy-loving people, is NOW.

Write to: sudheenkulkarni@gmail.com<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[acharya]

SONIA CONG SCARED OF PARLIAMENT SESSION
POSTPONING PARLIAMENT TO SURVIVE IN GOVT

SONIA TRIES TO KEEP DEAD MANMOHAN GOVT ALIVE
By P.R.SIDDHARTHA
31 JULY 2008



MANMOHAN GOVT HAS NO MAJORITY

The Manmohan Government is a Minority Government.

The Lok Sabha has a Total of 543 MPs.
1 MP from the Kerala Congress Thomas is on orders from the Supreme Court in an Election Petition and cannot vote.

25 MPs Cross-Voted, Abstained and thus Violated the Party Whip during the Confidence Vote on 22 July 2008 and have thus ceased to be MPs.

Thus the current Total Voting Strength of the Lok Sabha is:
543-1-25=517 MPs ONLY.

The Majority Figure is 259 MPs.

The Manmohan Government got 275 votes but out of that 20 MPs are now Disqualified.
The Manmohan government is now supported by a Total of just 255 MPs.

The Manmohan Government is thus short of 4 MPs.<b>

The Manmohan Government is a Minority Government.

MANMOHAN GOVT WILL LOSE NO CONFIDENCE MOTION

If the Parliament Session is held then the Opposition will bring a No-Confidence Motion against the Manmohan Government.
</b>
The Combined Opposition has 256 MPs.

The No Confidence Motion is likely to be moved by Lok Dal president Ajit Singh or Telugu Desam Party. Then the Communists, Mayawati’s BSP, Regional Opposition Parties, BJP and BJP Allies will all Vote against the Government.
<b>
The Manmohan Government will lose the No Confidence Motion.

Manmohan Singh will Resign.

SONIA POSTPONING PARLIAMENT SESSION

The Sonia Congress is sure of losing the Government if the Parliament Session is convened.</b>
The Parliament must meet for a Monsoon Session in July-August.

The Manmohan Government is scared of being DROWNED DEAD in a Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Technically speaking the Lok Sabha Session must be convened every SIX Months. Now the Parliament must be convened before 21 January since it met on 22 July. The sonia Congress is using this Excuse to postpone the Parliament Session to survive in Power, as long as possible.

The Manmohan Government is therefore under the Temptation to postpone the Lok Sabha Session to the winter to avoid losing the Government just Now.

There will be Nationwide Shame for the Sonia Congress if the Parliament is Postponed to keep a Dead Manmohan Government Alive.