State News And Discussion - 3

[Guest]

To save party, Congress dumps Telangana

pioneer.com

Pioneer News Service | New Delhi

Angry KCR calls 48-hr bandh; Osmania students on rampage



The Centre on Wednesday succumbed to anti-Telangana protests outside and within the Congress and virtually dashed TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao’s dream of presiding over the destiny of a new State in foreseeable future.



In a carefully-worded statement, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the situation in Andhra Pradesh had “altered” and there was a need for wide-ranging consultations. Justifying the Government’s midnight statement on December 9, 2009, Chidambaram said the decision was made after all political parties had vouched their support for such a move. <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />



He said, “At a meeting of all political parties convened by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on December 7, 2009 a consensus emerged on the question of formation of separate State of Telangana. A statement was made on behalf of the Central Government on December 9, 2009 on receipt of the minutes of the meeting. However, after the statement, the situation in Andhra Pradesh has altered.”



Using the changing political positions of parties to its benefit, the UPA Government said, “A large number of political parties are divided on the issue. There is a need to hold wide-ranging consultations with all political parties and groups in the State.”



Meanwhile, the Home Minister’s statement has shown the flame to a tinder box. Immediately after the Centre’s clarification, Telangana erupted. Leaders of different political parties in the region gave a call for 48-hour bandh in Telangana from Thursday morning but such was the shock and anger of the people that normal life came to a standstill immediately. The BJP, at one end, and the Maoists, on the other, have also given bandh calls.



As thousands of angry students and youth in Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and other places poured in to the streets venting their anger at all the visible symbols of the State Government — burning and damaging as many as 100 buses — politicians of all hues decided to put aside their party affiliations and flags to launch an unprecedented united struggle under a Joint Action Committee. At many places agitators clashed with the police.



KCR, who described Chidambaram's statement as “another betrayal” with people of Telangana was the first MP from Telangana to send his resignation letter to the Speaker followed by his party’s only other MP and film star Vijayshanti.



The police resorted to lathicharge in Agricultural University in Hyderabad. There were also clashes of students of Osmania University in Hyderabad and Kakatiya University in Warangal with the police. Leaders of Osmania University students Joint Action Committee were taken in to custody by the police.



However, there was much celebration amongst Congress MPs from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. The MPs, who met in New Delhi immediately after Chidambaram made the statement, said they have appealed to legislators in the State to withdraw their resignations following the statement.



“We welcome the decision. This will clear the misunderstandings among the people and politicians in the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions about the statehood demand,” senior Rajya Sabha MP JD Seelam said.

UPA is gone nuts. What the hell these guys are doing? Why they let Babu-ban-gaya PM to release statement if they were not sure?

YSR son is doing pretty good job by rocking Mataji boat. <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Guest]

[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/12-Telangana-Cong-MPs-resign-over-Centre-s-U-turn/H1-Article1-489964.aspx"]12 Telangana Cong MPs resign over Centre's U-turn[/url]

[Guest]

[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Andhra-governor-battles-sex-taint/H1-Article1-490467.aspx"]Court bars screening of Andhra governor's alleged sex clips[/url]

The Telugu news channel ABN telecast the pictures saying the man in them was the 86-year-old governor of Andhra Pradesh Narayan Datt Tiwari.

A woman named Radhika sent the girls in return for mining projects she was promised, the channel said. As the promise was not kept, she handed over some pictures taken by her.

The man in the pictures is wearing only a shirt and lying on his back, between two women. The third woman is at his feet.

Tiwari's office called the pictures a “pack of lies” and speedily obtained an order from the high court preventing the channel from running them.

The story had been on air for almost an hour by then. Those who missed, caught it on youtube and news sites.

By early afternoon protests started outside Raj Bhavan.

Telugu Desam leader and former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu called for Tiwari’s resignation saying the governor’s office had been shamed. “If he doesn’t quit,” Naidu said, “he should be sacked.”

“If it’s really Tiwari in the pictures,” said Congress sources in Delhi, “he will have to go.”

Tiwari completed two years as Andhra governor in August. A long time Congress leader, he has been chief minister Uttarakhand and held several senior positions in the Union cabinet.

News channel ABN, which is owned by a popular Telugu daily Andhra Jyothi, also alleged the involvement of an Uttarakhand cadre officer. But did not elaborate.

In the evening, governor’s office issued a statement saying, “The Governor is 86 years old and in the evening of his life. It is sad and unfortunate that constitutional functionaries are dragged into needless controversies.”

Counsel for governor’s office Ravishanker Jandhyala said, "There is absolutely no truth in the alleged news story, which is nothing but sensation mongering."

“We will definitely file a defamation case,” he said, adding, “I issued a notice in the afternoon (to the channel).”

But the channel said it was ready to defend its story.

“We have evidence (to back) what we have shown,” Vemuri Radhakrishna, editor in chief of Andhra Jyothi, told Hindustan Times.

“Let them serve defamation notice … we are even ready to deal with the issue in the courts,” he added.

“The footage shown is very recent (and) we got it from the victims,” he said.

I think, this is hoax and blackmail.

Is there any connection between ABN and YSR's son?

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OegTOBNK1fs"]youtube link [/url]

looks like photoshop.

[Guest]

[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Sleaze-tape-costs-Andhra-governor-his-job/H1-Article1-490849.aspx"]Sleaze tape costs Andhra governor his job[/url]

On Saturday, though, the governor, a Congress veteran, resigned from his position after a directive from the Congress party headquarters. He cited “health problems” for quitting.

The fate of Tiwari, 86, was sealed after a meeting between Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party leaders Pranab Mukherjee, A.K. Antony and Ahmed Patel decided he must go.

..



The governor’s position is therefore important at this time, [size="5"]since further instability could lead to President's Rule. The new appointee "will have to be a dynamic person",[/size] a Congress leader said.

[Guest]

[url="http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20091227/814/tnl-ap-loses-property-worth-over-rs-250.html"]AP loses property worth over Rs 250 cr over Telangana issue[/url]

As Andhra Pradesh boils over the Telangana issue, public and private properties worth over Rs 250 crore were destroyed by protesters in all the three regions of the state so far, government sources said.



Adding the loss caused to businesses because of the seemingly unending spate of shutdowns in Telangana, the figure could be a few hundred crores of rupees more.



Of the total loss to properties, about 80 per cent was caused in Telangana region alone where people demanding a separate state have been more "violent," the sources said. As many as 52 public and 28 private properties were burnt while 62 public and 114 private properties were damaged in the violence that broke out in Telangana region from November 29 to December 9, after TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao began his indefinite fast demanding separate statehood for Telanagana

[Capt M Kumar]

[quote name='Mudy' date='26 December 2009 - 02:22 AM' timestamp='1261773845' post='103133']

[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Andhra-governor-battles-sex-taint/H1-Article1-490467.aspx"]Court bars screening of Andhra governor's alleged sex clips[/url]



I think, this is hoax and blackmail.

Is there any connection between ABN and YSR's son?

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OegTOBNK1fs"]youtube link [/url]

looks like photoshop.

[/quote]

Supporting the move, Anil Joshi, who is heading HESCO, an NGO working for the welfare of the Himalayan region, said all the scandals during the Tiwari's tenure in Uttarakhand should be probed. Tiwari is also accused of distributing ministerial-level posts to nearly 300 politicians. And of using his discretionary fund which caused enormous loss to the state exchequer.



There is also the issue of allocating 76 government-owned horticulture gardens almost free of cost, part of the alleged acts of the former Tiwari government, which are now being probed by the BJP government. "We will now try to speed up these probes," said a top government official.



Business Standard

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article....id=3500852

[Guest]

Bhuma couple seeks Rayala Telangana state

Decrease text sizeIncrease text size

January 2nd, 2010

By Our Correspondent

Nandyal (Kurnool)



Jan. 1: Former MP Bhuma Nagi Reddy and Allagadda MLA Shobha Nagi Reddy said Rayala Telangana state should be by merging Rayalaseema and Telangana regions if the state division was imminent. The Bhuma couple along with their followers celebrated New Year at their residence in Allagadda on Friday.



Speaking on the occasion, they said there was nothing wrong for leaders of Telangana region to demand a separate state and alleged that the policies of the Congress and the Telugu Desam (TD) were responsible for the present unrest in the state.

The Bhuma couple said it was proper for presidents of all parties to attend the state-level all party meet in New Delhi on January 5. They demanded that the Centre elicit opinion of people in the state on formation of Telangana state and work for restoration of peace in the state. They urged students to stage protests in a peaceful manner.



The Bhuma couple said Rayalaseema was more backward than Telangana and added that they would oppose merger of Rayalaseema with Andhra region in case of state division. They said either Gre-ater Rayalaseema or Rayala Telangana be formed. They welcomed the Praja Rajyam president, Mr K. Chiranjeevi’s statement supporting unified state.



They alleged that situation worsened due to the inefficiency of the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, and urged parties to take a clear stand on the issue.

[Capt M Kumar]

In this period, Bihar - traditionally a laggard state that actually saw a 5.15% negative growth in 2003-04 - is the second fastest growing state, just a shade behind Gujarat's well-publicized growth of 11.05%.



The latest CSO data gives out this dramatic story of Bihar on steroids. This high growth period also coincides with Nitish Kumar taking up the reins as chief minister from Lalu Yadav. It can, therefore, be said that good governance can work miracles for even the most backward of states. Not just Bihar, most of the traditionally backward states, including Orissa, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, have done well in this period, indicating a more inclusive growth at an all-India level.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/biz/i...405973.cms <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[ramana]

Looks like Maywati's BSP captured 31 of the 36 MLC seats that went for polling in UP. The seats are elected by village panchayat members. UP Legislative Council has 100 seats with BSP now controlling 54 seats.

Of the 100 seats only 36 are by direct elections from village panchayat members. The rest are elected by graduates, etc and nominated from artists etc.

[Guest]

Mayawati is smart politicians, she need some visionary to help her growth, she is able to attract weaker section of society but educated class despise her.

[Guest]

Maharashtra bars 'outsiders' from getting new taxi permits

pioneer.com

IANS | Mumbai

In a controversial move, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday made it mandatory for new applicants for taxi driver's permits to be domiciled in the state and to be able to read, write and speak Marathi.



The decision will not affect the existing 35,000 permit holders but will be applicable for the 24,000 fresh permits that will be issued over the next six years.



The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan here Wednesday afternoon.



The move would effectively debar a large majority of people from outside Maharashtra, especially north Indians, for whom a quick and lucrative employment option is plying taxis here.

Why they are doing this? Why they are insecure? If other states retaliate same way.

They should stop making non Marathi movies in Maharashtra. On one side they promote non marathi and other side they kick others.

[Guest]

Legal north indians ready to work hard = not welcome.

Illegals from neighboring nations living on welfare promoting secessionists tendencies welcomed with red carpet.

"Yeh hai mumbai meri jaan.."

[Guest]

[url="http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/23/sena-candidate-beats-azmis-son-in-mumbai-by-poll.htm"]Sena candidate beats Azmi's son in Mumbai by-poll[/url]

Shiv Sena [ Images ] candidate Rupesh Mhatre won the by-polls held in Bhiwandi (East), Mumbai [ Images ], by a margin of 1,676 votes on Saturday.



The by-poll was held after Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi resigned from the seat as he had also won from Mankhurd in Mumbai in the state assembly polls that were held in October.



Azmi had fielded his son Farhan Azmi [ Images ] to retain the seat for the party. But the presence of Muzaffar Hussain of the Congress split the Muslim votes and hampered Farhan's chances.



The by-poll held on January 20 had witnessed a voter turnout of 42 per cent.



Rupesh Mhatre is a Bhiwandi-based Sena functionary who was given a ticket for the by-poll instead of former Bhiwandi Member of Legislative Assembly Yogesh Patil. In the October 2009 Maharashtra [ Images ] state assembly elections, Sena had fielded Patil, who was defeated by Azmi.

Wow , this is surprise.

[Guest]

[url="http://www.telegraphindia.com//1100131/jsp/nation/story_12048866.jsp"][b]Rs 1-lakh rider to bail after public asset damage[/url]

Hyderabad, Jan. 30: Andhra Pradesh High Court has passed a landmark order to nudge students away from violent protests, asking a Telangana agitator to deposit Rs 1 lakh as compensation for damage to public property if he wants bail.



The single-judge bench’s order to college boy Mallikarjun yesterday came less than a year after the high court held political parties liable to pay damages for loss of property during bandhs and demonstrations.



Justice B. Chandrakumar made it clear that the intermediate student, arrested for violence during the Telangana agitation, must shell out this sum over and above the bail bond. He did not fix the bail surety amount, which is usually around Rs 5,000.



Lawyers said Mallikarjun would lose the Rs 1-lakh deposit if he was later found guilty but would probably get it back if acquitted of violence —but added they were not entirely sure because the order was unprecedented.



Mallikarjun has been in a Hyderabad jail for 37 days after he and other students of his college (affiliated to Osmania University) in Mahboobnagar went on the rampage on December 10.[/b]



Police had shown footage of students throwing stones and torching buses to successfully oppose his bail application in the trial court, following which he had appealed in the high court.



Mallikarjun’s lawyer told the high court its order would set a dangerous precedent, and that his client wasn’t rich enough to pay it anyway. The student is from a family of petty traders and farmers and is studying on a social welfare scholarship. The judge later adjourned the bail hearing to Monday.



The government had arrested 310 students in connection with the Telangana protests but let off 298 without booking them in cases. Of the remaining 12, eight have got bail from the lower courts and four, including Mallikarjun, are in jail....

....

Good, it will discourage student to become pawn of politicians.

[Guest]

70 Korean companies have evinced interest to set up manufacturing facilities in Gujarat with a total investment of $ 1.5 billion

[Guest]

‘Will float Thakur, OBC front, won’t quit RS’

pioneer.com

Pioneer News Service | New Delhi

After expulsion from the Samajwadi Party on Tuesday, Amar Singh indicated he may float a front of “Thakurs” and the backward castes by turning the Lok Manch into an ‘umbrella’ of several political and non-political groups.



“They (Thakurs and backward castes) are approaching me to give face (to their voice). Yadavs have become Chief Ministers (of UP) three times…. the SP should declare an educated Muslim or a leader from the most backward castes as the next CM (from the party),” Singh said in an interview to a television channel and added that he is "readily agreeable to be their face."



On question about what led to his expulsion from the SP with which he had an association for 14 years, Amar said it was barbs of Mulayam's brother Ram Gopal Yadav which led him to resign from the party.



"It (Ram Gopal's barbs) was not once, twice or thrice but four times," he said.

Another castist for more appeasement.

[Guest]

[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/india/War-of-words-between-Sena-and-Rahul-Gandhi-hits-new-low/Article1-504727.aspx"]Bal Thackeray attacks Rahul, calls him 'frustrated'[/url]

Strongly criticising AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday hit a new low making personal attacks on the Nehru-Gandhi family saying that the “prince of the Congress” is a frustrated bachelor and that Mumbai may belong to all Indians but how can it belong to his “Italian mommy”? <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



An editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamna, said, “The ‘Prince of Congress’ has lost

mental balance as he is still single despite advancing age and it is in this

frustration he has insulted Marathi people and Maharashtra.”

...



Even former prime minister and Rahul’s great grandfather Pandit Nehru had to apologise for his anti-Marathi remarks in the late 60s, Thackeray said and advised Rahul against doing the same.

“Mumbai does belong to all, but first it belongs to Maharashtra and Marathi people. If anyone is going to murder this truth, he will have to face consequences."

[ramana]

Nehru was already dead in 1964. So how can he be there in late 60s? 8)

Even former prime minister and Rahul’s great grandfather Pandit Nehru had to apologise for his anti-Marathi remarks in the late 60s, Thackeray said and advised Rahul against doing the same.

To me this small states carving/new parties is like the creation/carving of new kingdoms in the olden days.

[ramana]

Also watch the game in Tamil Nadu of convict Nalini's petition for release. The facts are:

- Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence on four people including Nalini for the Rg assasination case

- 2000 the TN Governor Fatima Beevi commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment for Nalini on humanitrain grounds. She had a small child.

- Nalini in 2009 asked for early release

- The Prison Advisory Board is making its recommendation and is on tis way to the TN



TN CM says no state level action for national level implications.



This drama is related to the situation in SL after LTTE defeat, INC prospects in TN, Gandhi family's desire to appear to be Tamil group pasand.



The decision will be based on whether Andhra Pradesh splits. If AP splits then INC will claim credit for making TN the largest South Indian state and hence should be voted to power.And that puts the kabash on DMK which is in transition phase with MK's retirment plans. And if AP is split there will be local moves to try same tactics in other states - Maharastra, TN, WB UP.



PC has given his game in his booklet on small states.

[Guest]

[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Varun-equates-Pawar-with-Ravana-Mayawati-with-Surpnakha/H1-Article1-506088.aspx"]Varun equates Pawar with Ravana, Mayawati with Surpnakha[/url]

In an apparent reference to Union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Varun Gandhi on Saturday equated him with mythological demon king Ravana and said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is his sister Surpnakha.

"A pair of brother and sister is responsible for the inflation in our country. While the Ravana is a minister and sits in Delhi, his sister -- a chief minister -- sits in Lucknow," Varun said, addressing a rally in the Shikarpur town in Bulandshahar district, around 400 km from Lucknow.

Varun accused the two leaders of being "mainly responsible" for inflation in the country and said that both "indulge in blame game when it comes to containing inflation."

The young BJP leader had last year courted controversy for his communally incendiary speeches against the Muslim community.

<img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />