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Veteran writer Bhalchandra Goswami passes away

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 30 April 2014 | 22.44

JAIPUR: Veteran litterateur and expert on parliamentary and political issues, Acharya Bhalchandra Goswami, today passed away after protracted illness at SMS hospital here.

Goswami (80), popularly known as 'prakhar', is survived by three sons and a daughter, family said.

He was the first deputy secretary in Rajasthan assembly and wrote about 70 books. Goswami was inspired by Ram Manohar Lohiya.

He has received many awards including Rajasthan Sahitya Academy's first critic award for his book 'kahani darshan'.


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Three Bodo insurgents killed in Assam

GUWAHATI: Three Bodo insurgents were killed on Wednesday in a gun battle with security forces in Assam's Sonitpur district, police said.

The three cadres belonged the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) faction opposed to peace talks with the government.

The gunfight took place at Jingia Tinisuti village, police said.

Three pistols, a grenade and incriminating documents were also found.

"We received a tip-off that some NDFB anti-talk faction militants were moving in the area. A joint team of CRPF's Cobra battalion and Assam Police carried out a search today morning (Wednesday)," said Sonitpur superintendent of police Sanjyukta Parashar.

"During the search operation, the militants attacked the security forces leading to a gun battle. Three cadres were gunned down while the rest escaped," she said.

The NDFB's anti-talk faction led by I.K. Songbijit has a strong presence in Sonitpur and in four districts under the Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD) in Assam.


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One killed, 2 injured as security forces open fire on protesters in Srinagar

SRINAGAR: A youth was killed and two others were injured when security forces allegedly opened fire to chase away stone-pelting protesters here on Wednesday, police sources said.

The protests erupted in Nawa Kadal area in interior of the city when security forces were being withdrawn after poll duty, they said.

Bashir Ahmad Bhat, aged 24, was killed and Nazir Ahmad and Haleema were injured when security forces allegedly opened fire to restore law and order, the sources said.

Ahmad was hit by a bullet and was admitted in Soura Medical Institute in a critical condition.

Haleema, who suffered injuries in pellet fire, was being treated at SMHS hospital, the sources said.

Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency went to polls today amid a boycott call by separatists.

The polling was by and large peaceful but as security forces were being withdrawn, stone-pelting incidents were reported from various parts of the city.


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IAF gets new deputy chief amid declining fighter strength

NEW DELHI: Even as the IAF awaits the induction of new fighters to retain its eroding combat edge, Air Marshal SBP Sinha took over as the new deputy chief of the force on Wednesday. An ace fighter pilot commissioned in June 1980, Air Marshal Sinha will have to steer all IAF modernization projects in his new assignment.

The foremost challenge in the crucial post for Air Marshal Sinha, who has clocked over 3,700 hours of flying Hunters, MiG-21s, Mirage-2000s and Sukhoi-30MKIs, will be to ensure that the continuing dip in the number of fighter squadrons in IAF is arrested.

IAF is down to just 34 fighter squadrons (each has 16 to 18 jets) due to progressive phasing out of virtually obsolete MiGs, when it requires at least 44 squadrons to deter Pakistan and China. The force has well chalked out fighter induction projects but they have been hit by long delays.

While it has already inducted over 190 of the 272 Sukhoi-30MKIs contracted from Russia for around $12 billion, IAF's topmost priority as of now is the almost $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project to induct 126 fighter jets.

The long-drawn MMRCA technical and commercial evaluation process began way back in August 2007, with the French Rafale fighter finally emerging the winner in January 2012. But the contract — under which the first 18 jets are to be imported and the rest manufactured under licence by HAL over six years — is still to be inked.

Similarly, IAF still awaits the final operational clearance (FOC) of the Tejas light combat aircraft despite the homegrown fighter being in the making for over 30 years now. As per revised timelines, the first full Tejas squadron in the IOC (initial operational clearance) configuration will be in place at the Sulur airbase in Tamil Nadu only by 2016-2017 at the earliest.

The second Tejas squadron, in the FOC configuration, will come thereafter. The four Tejas Mark-II squadrons, with more powerful American GE F-414 engines, will start becoming a reality from 2021-2022 onwards.


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Lok Sabha polls: Moderate to high turnout in seventh phase of voting

NEW DELHI: Moderate to high turnout marked the polling on Wednesday in the seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections on a day when Narendra Modi sparked a major controversy by violating the election law by making a speech and displaying BJP's poll symbol in a booth.

The fate of some of the top guns of Congress, including Sonia Gandhi, and BJP like Modi, L K Advani, Rajnath Singh and Murli Manohar Joshi and Arun Jaitley were decided in the seventh round that covered 89 constituencies across seven states and two union territories.

The whole of Gujarat with 26 seats and Punjab with 13 seats were among the constituencies which went to polls today in which 13.83 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise.

While Punjab recorded a turnout of 73 per cent, the day's second highest after 81.35 per cent in nine seats in West Bengal, Gujarat witnessed a 62 per cent turnout, a quantum jump from 47.92 percent in the last Lok Sabha polls.

In Gujarat, BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and party veteran L K Advani were among the early voters in Gandhinagar.

However, in an embarrassment for Modi, he violated election laws by displaying BJP's poll symbol 'Lotus' and making a speech after casting his vote in a booth in Gandhinagar, after which an FIR was registered against him by police following a directive of the Election Commission.

Vadodara constituency in Gujarat, where Modi is contesting LS poll for the first time, saw a turnout of 70 per cent. He is pitted against Madhusudan Mistry of Congress.

In Punjab, clashes erupted between Akali Dal and Congress workers in Moga, Khadoor Sahib and Amritsar, leaving 15 people injured.

Among the riveting contests in the state is that between BJP's Arun Jaitley, also making his debut in Lok Sabha poll, and senior Congress leader Amarinder Singh in Amritsar. Ambika Soni, who too is contesting her first national elections, is in fray from Anandpur Sahib.

An estimated 70 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise in Telangana to elect its 119 representatives to the proposed state's first assembly and 17 representatives to Lok Sabha.

Uttar Pradesh saw a turnout of 57.10 per cent in 14 seats where SP, BSP, Congress and BJP are locked in a bitter battle to establish supremacy. Congress, which had done quite well in this region last time, may find the going tough this time but Sonia Gandhi appears comfortably placed to win from Rae Bareli for a third consecutive term.

Polling in seven constituencies in Bihar, crucial for RJD, BJP and JD(U) whose chief Sharad Yadav is in fray from Madhepura, saw a turnout of 60 per cent.

JD(U), which broke ties with BJP in the state on Modi as PM issue, finds an uphill task this time, according to ground reports.

Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, where union minister and NC leader Farooq Abdullah is in fray, saw a turnout of 25.62 per cent, the lowest in today's exercise.

The seventh round saw completion of polling in 438 of the total of 543 constituencies. The exercise was already over in 349 constituencies in the first six phases. Voting in the remaining 105 constituencies will he held on May 7 (64 seats) and May 12 (41) before counting of votes is taken on up on May 16.


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Milind Deora, Sanjay Nirupam among four found guilty of paid news by EC

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 29 April 2014 | 22.44

MUMBAI: An Election Commission panel has held four Lok Sabha election candidates in Maharashtra guilty of resorting to paid news.

In all, 84 complaints of paid news were received by a committee specially set up to keep a watch on paid news.

Complaints against Congress candidates — Union minister of state for shipping and IT Milind Deora (Mumbai South), Sanjay Nirupam (Mumbai North), Vishwajit Kadam (Pune) — and BJP candidate from Pune Deepak Shirole have been found true, sources in the State Election Office said.

The candidates were found guilty by the district committee set up by the poll body to keep a watch on paid news and this decision (of finding four candidates guilty) has been upheld by the state committee of the election office, sources said.

If the charge is established, the news items identified as paid news will be looked as advertisements and will be included in the election expenditure of the candidates, officials said.

Election officials said 801 complaints of violations of model code of conduct were received. FIRs were filed in 75 per cent of the cases.

Jatin Desai, member of the state committee, said the decision of the Pune district committee regarding Anil Shirole and Vishwajit Kadam was upheld by the state committee.

"The candidates have an option to challenge the order of the state committee within 48 hours of the receipt of the order," he said.

Deora and Nirupam challenged the order of the Mumbai district committee and the hearing was held before the state committee.

"Deora's election agent and Nirupam's lawyer told the state committee that they don't want to pursue the matter," Desai said.

Deora and Nirupam will have to pay as per DAVP rates for advertisement in newspapers and the amount will be added in their election expenditure, he added.


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Tamil Nadu engineering college student allegedly kills minor cousin fearing disclosure of his porn addiction

CUDDALORE: Police have arrested a third-year engineering student of a private college in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu on charges of sodomizing and murdering his 13-year-old cousin. The engineering student allegedly killed the boy fearing that the teenager would disclose his pornography addiction to others.

T Tamilvelan, 13, an Class VIII student at a government school in Papanthope village under Kattumannarkoil police station limits, was found dead with his throat slit in a casuarinas grove on April 13. The Kattumannarkoil police registered a case and began investigations.

The police could not make any major breakthrough until they got a vital clue that the deceased boy had been often spotted with his cousin, K Satish, 22, residing in the same locality and pursuing third year engineering at a private engineering college in Ariyalur.

The police detained the student. On sustained inquiries, Satish broke down and admitted that he had murdered his cousin fearing that he would disclose his pornography addiction to others. Satish said he used to watch pornography on his laptop and mobile phone and also used to play it for his minor cousin. He admitted that he used to have sex with his cousin, police said.

Tamilvelan disclosed to his classmates that Satish was addicted to pornography and had large volumes of adult content in his mobile phone and laptop, following which several students started requesting Satish to show them the porn contents.

Enraged over this, Satish decided to eliminate his cousin. He invited Tamilvelan to a nearby casuarinas grove promising to play a porn movie. When they reached the grove, he played a pornographic content in his mobile phone for Tamilvelan and attacked the minor boy. He slit the boy's throat using a knife and in the struggle the teenager bit the fingers of his cousin.

Satish dumped the dead body in the grove and escaped. He visited a hospital in Meensuruti and underwent treatment claiming that a dog had bitten him on the fingers.

The police produced Satish before a local court which remanded him in judicial custody on Monday.


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Uninor woos first time voters with goodies

AHMEDABAD: Uninor has launched a unique digital media campaign,Vote4win, in an effort to reach out to first time voters in the state and encourage them to exercise their right to self governance and choice.

As part of the campaign, the company is encouraging first time voters to upload their selfies on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The company will give out prizes for the best tweet or pictures posted. Besides, interesting info-graphics, tweets, chat and other online activities are being conducted to promote voting in Gujarat.

Jinesh Hegde, circle business head of Uninor Gujarat, said, "Youth today forms a sizeable voter segment with their own set of aspiration from the government. This is their opportunity to communicate directly with forthcoming government by exercising their franchise. Vote4Win is a social campaign created by Uninor to build pride amongst the young voters in our state by being a part of the choice, and share their voting experience.

According to Election Commission of India, the 2014 general elections will see over 1.79 lakh new voters on an average in each constituency. As per the data from the state election commission, 2.38% of the total electorate in Gujarat are first-time voters. The city of Ahmedabad (94,472) has the maximum first time voters followed by Surat (78,414), Banaskantha (54,788), Vadodara (44,342) and Rajkot (40,095).


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About 70 % voting in repolling at 12 booths in Karnataka

BANGALORE: An estimated 70 per cent of the electorate cast their vote in the re-polling held on Tuesday at 12 polling stations across nine Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka.

"We have estimated 65 to 70 per cent voter turnout at re-polling held in 12 polling stations today," Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha told PTI.

"Polling was normal and peaceful," he added. The CEO had recommended re-polling at 11 polling stations due to technical problems in EVMs and polling station at Turuvekere in Tumkur Lok Sabha constituency because of human error committed by election officials.

Re-polling took place in polling stations in Lok Sabha constituencies of Tumkur, Haveri, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Shimoga and Hassan.

All 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka went to polls on April 17 in a single phase, registering an overall 67.28 per cent polling.

CEO had earlier suspended four election officials for trying to handle the voting machine in violation of electoral laws.


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India will burn if Modi becomes PM: Mamata Banerjee 

KOLKATA: Pouring more vitriol on Narendra Modi after the "butcher of Gujarat" jibe by her party, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the country would burn if he became the PM.

"India will go into the dark ages. India will burn if he becomes Prime Minister," Banerjee said at an election rally here, alleging that the person "who pursued divisive politics" could not lead the country.

Claiming that Modi was already thinking that he had become the PM, she said, "He is no tiger. There are many leaders like Mayawati, Jayalalithaa, Mulayamji. They are also tigers. And, the most ferocious tiger is the Royal Bengal Tiger, which is in Bengal," Banerjee said.

"A leader who will lead India has to be like Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji, Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel. Not like a person whose ideology is based on dividing the country on the basis of religion," the West Bengal chief minister said.

Banerjee alleged that a person who was accused of directing riots should not lead a multi-lingual, multi-religious country like India.

On Modi's remarks about a painting by her being sold for Rs 1.8 crore, Mamata said, He should cross check facts before making any comment. Someone is saying something in his ears and he is blabbering it out, it's a pity. The person who can't control his mouth, how can he control the country?"

Banerjee also accused a section of media of playing into the hands of corporate entities to support Modi.

"Please don't lecture me about governance and politics," Banerjee said.


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I am a comrade from the bottom of my heart: BJP candidate

Written By Unknown on Senin, 28 April 2014 | 22.44

LUCKNOW: From Painter, who is handling all the telephonic calls and coordinating with Jansabha organizers to Dileep Singh popularly known as Sardarji, more than 250 comrade friends are handling various election-related works of Kaushal Kishore, Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate from Mohanlaganj parliamentary constituency.

The comrades who owe their political allegiance to the Left parties, are not only openly supporting their friend Kaushal Kishore, but are also confident that he would play an important role in the confluence of the diametrically opposite ideologies of Left & Right. Mohanlalganj would be voting on April 30 to elect its new MP.

Speaking to Times Of India, while campaigning in the Sarojini Nagar assembly segment of Mohanlalganj parliamentary constituency, Kaushal Kishore said, "I am a COMRADE from the bottom of my heart, even now. However, the need of the hour is to focus on economic growth and development of the nation, which has been sidelined to a great extent in the past one decade." He further stated that all of his comrade friends have made his residence in Lucknow's Dubagga their office, and from here, all the movements of the Comrades and non-Comrades, who are a part of the election campaign is being closely monitored.

When asked what difficulties he faced in the political transition from Left to Right, Kaushal Kishore said, "Honestly, there was no problem in the political transition, which I underwent, as my intentions were clear before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party and they are quite clear even after joining the 'party with a difference'. I accepted to be the BJP's nominee from Mohanlalganj, after BJP chief Rajnath Singh approached me, and appreciated the efforts and initiative, I had taken for the people of my constituency."

On the question, whether there exists any remote possibility of Bharatiya Janata Party and the Left parties, Kaushal Kishore was of the opinion that the massive anti-Congress sentiments prevailing in the country will definitely prompt the BJP & Left to have a post-poll arrangement. When pointed, that there have been significant differences between the two in the 15th Lok Sabha, Kaushal said, "If my senior comrades in the Left do not come out of their archaic mindsets, then they will fade into oblivion. The only way, they (Left) can really become a force to reckon with is by joining hands with the BJP."

During his interaction with TOI, the BJP candidate from Mohanlalganj also candidly admitted that his comrade friends are putting in extra efforts to ensure that he is able to win the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. "I have full faith in my Comrade friends, and I know that they are giving more than their 100%," said Kaushal.

On the clash between BJP and Left over Muzaffarnagar riots, which claimed more than 60 lives, Kaushal said that it is the Samajwadi Party, which is responsible for the deadly riots. "And as far as criticizing of BJP leadership by senior comrades including Prakash Karat is concerned, it is their political compulsion," Kaushal informed.

The BJP candidate who campaigned in the areas of Surajpalli, Hanumanpuri, Gauri Vihar, Gauri Gaon and Basant Kheda in Sarojini Nagar assembly constituency on Saturday morning was accompanied by a number of friends, who had either ended their stint with the Left or are still continuing with the Left.

Sardar Dileep Singh, an advocate, is popularly known as Comrade Sardarjee among the election team members of Kaushal. A resident of Vijaynagar, Neelmathaa, Dileep Singh said, "I have been asked to motivate the voters living in the adjoining localities of Neelmatha by Comrade (Kaushal Kishore), and I have already conducted some meetings of the local voters, and soon Comrade Kishore would be addressing the voters." He further added that the 2014 elections would be a make or break elections for the voters as well, and even one vote of theirs could make a significantly swing the election pendulum.

Painter, who is handling the communication department of Kaushal Kishore in a lighter mood, says that comrades have been supporting Kaushal Kishore, and they will continue to do so in future. "Nearly 500 persons with Left leaning from nearly 27 districts of the state are camping in Lucknow, only to ensure that Kaushal emerges victorious from Mohanlalganj." He also urged the voters to ensure that Kaushal triumphs from the constituency with respectable margin. In 2012 assembly elections, Kaushal had lost to SP's Indal Kumar by nearly 2200 votes. Kaushal had then contested on a Rashtriya Communist Party.


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‘Clinching evidence’ to arrest Modi in Ishrat case, Sibal says

AHMEDABAD: Union minister Kapil Sibal raked up alleged fake encounter of Ishrat Jahan on Monday to hit out at Narendra Modi saying the BJP's PM nominee and Amit Shah were being "shielded" despite existence of "clinching" evidence to arrest them.

"I want to ask who is shielding Modi and Shah when, according lawyers like us, there is clinching evidence to arrest them in the case of fake encounter of Ishrat Jahan and three others," Sibal told reporters here.

The hard-hitting attack by Sibal came on the last day of campaigning for the single-phase polls in Gujarat to be held on April 30.

Joining Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi and other leaders in attacking Modi's development model, Sibal said, "... Many models are being talked about in the country now, but this is an encounter model of Gujarat."

Elaborating about "clinching evidence" Sibal said, "There are call records of talk between accused police officer DG Vanzara and the then minister of state for home Amit Shah at the time of encounter and before the encounter that took place on June 15, 2004.

"There are statements of police officers under CrPC 164 pointing fingers at them," the minister said.

Quoting from resignation letter of Vanzara, Sibal said, "Vanzara has said that 'being field officers, they have simply implemented the conscious policy of this government'."

"Clearly, all this could not have happened without Modi's knowledge," he alleged.

"All the pieces have now fallen into place. The highest authority in the state, from the evidence as disclosed, now needs to answer. Courts need to stand up for human rights and deal swiftly against those who, through fake encounters, eliminated people," Sibal said.

Responding to a query that whether the CBI which works under the Central government is protecting Modi and Shah from arrest, Sibal said, "CBI is not working under the Central government".

CBI, investigating the alleged fake encounter of Ishrat Jahan and three others, has not included any political leaders in chargesheets filed by it but has charged police and IB officers for murder and criminal conspiracy among other things.

When asked if any top Congress leader in Central government is "soft" on Modi and Shah and is instrumental in keeping them out of the CBI chargesheet, Sibal replied in the negative.

On the snooping controversy, Sibal said his government will appoint a judge to probe the incident before May 16.

When his attention is drawn to reports in media that some retired judges have declined to head the commission appointed by Centre to conduct inquiry into alleged snooping of a woman architect in Gujarat, Sibal said,"I do not believe in newspaper reports ... Why should I believe in newspaper reports?

On the issue of land dealings of Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra which the BJP has alleged to be dubious, Sibal said, "They are levelling these allegations for the last two years ... Let them conduct inquiry into the issue".

Interestingly, Sibal had earlier said Narendra Modi was a "potential accused" in the Tulsiram Prajapati murder case and sought interrogation by CBI. The BJP had rubbished his allegations then.


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Parties can now approach court against false declaration in a candidate's election affidavit

NEW DELHI: Any aggrieved party can directly approach the court against a false declaration in a candidate's election affidavit, rather than having to route the complaint through the concerned returning officer, the Election Commission has clarified. EC on Saturday wrote to all state chief electoral officers, conveying that with affidavits now provided in Form 26 under Section 33A of the Representation of the People's Act, "it will be no longer necessary under the Criminal Procedure Code for the returning officer to move the competent court in relation to any complaint about a false affidavit".
The EC clarification comes in the light of several complaints being received against candidates for making false disclosures in their affidavits. Most complaints have requested EC to either direct the returning officer to move court against the candidate or issue directions to the concerned magistrates to take cognizance of the false affidavits.
Making a false declaration or concealing of information in the affidavit is an offence under Section 125A if the RP Act, punishable with imprisonment up to six months, or with fine, or both.
It be recalled that the Supreme Court had in an order issued last year, ruled that a candidate's nomination papers were liable to be rejected over a blank or incomplete affidavit. The EC recently made e-filing of poll affidavits mandatory, thus ensuring that none of the columns in the affidavits could be left blank.
The new guidelines on affidavits were the reason behind BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's declaring his marital status while filing his nominations from Vadodra and Varanasi.
In June 2004, the EC had said that if complaints are filed before the returning officer on false affidavit, he or she would prima facie satisfy himself about the merits of the complaint before approaching the competent court under Section 177 of the Indian Penal Code, read with Section 195 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The format of the affidavit in Form 26 appended to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, was amended with effect from August 1, 2012, following the Supreme Court order ruling false disclosures in an affidavit as a ground for rejection of a candidate's nomination.


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Only strong SP can stop Modi from coming to power: Mulayam

FATEHPUR: Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday said only a strong Samajwadi Party can prevent Narendra Modi from coming to power and save the country from communal forces.

"If the country has to be saved from communal forces then strengthen SP in Uttar Pradesh as only it can prevent Modi," Mulayam said while addressing an election rally in support of party candidate Rakesh Sachan.

"If SP does not become strong, then no one can stop Modi from coming to the power in the country," he added.

Making a reference to Sachar Committee report, the SP supremo said Muslims, who have made important contribution since independence, were trailing in terms of development.

He alleged that even after receiving the report, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did nothing to improve the condition of Muslims.

Mulayam alleged that none of the government did anything for the welfare of the farmers and if his party forms the government at the Centre then farmers and Muslims would be benefited most.

SP government in the state fulfilled all the promises made in its manifesto within two years, he said, adding that its is upto the people who they want to elect.


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Dalits protest against Ramdev

MYSORE: Various dalit organizations which organized a protest march against the alleged derogatory remarks made by yoga Guru Baba Ramdev not only burnt the effigy of the yoga guru, they even destroyed the nameplate and billboard at Ramadev's yoga centre here on Monday.

Procession of dalits which started from Ballal circle on Monday morning passed through various roads before reaching the DC office to submit a memorandum to the DC on the issue. While the procession was passing through busy Ramaswamy circle , the marchers eyes fell on the hoarding depicting the Yoga guru's picture. Some miscreants pulled down the hoarding besides setting on fire Ramadev's picture . They also destroyed the name plate in front of the yoga centre run by Ramadev's trust located near Jaganmohan palace .
Dalits shouted slogans against yoga guru and leaders who spoke on the occasion alleged that Ramdev has hurt the sentiments of dalits by saying that Rahul Gandhi visits dalits houses for honeymoon. They demanded the arrest of Ramdev who according to them is in the habit of making derogatory remarks against people and inciting communal passions in them.
Meanwhile the Congress workers also staged dharna in front of Gandhi statue at Gandhi square against Yoga Guru. Even the members of various OBC organizations staged dharna at DC office protesting Ramdev's remarks, sending a woman out while having community lunch at a mutt in Udupi for she not being a Brahmin and killing of an innocent at Sringeri by ANF commando.


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ED to summon West Bengal Left leaders now in Saradha scam

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 27 April 2014 | 22.44

NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: Widening its probe into the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has brought under its scanner three leaders of West Bengal CPM for their alleged business association with the schemes launched by the defunct group at some point of time.

Sources said that the agency's Kolkata zonal office was preparing to summon atleast three CPM leaders "to obtain their side of information" in the case in which depositors have raised their grievances for being duped by the group through alleged chit fund operations.

After a five-month long probe, the agency has found some connection of these leaders with Sudipta Sen, the promoter of the Saradha group, and some of his associates, sources in the ED said.

They added that while the Left leaders have not been named in its FIR filed in the case under Money Laundering Laws, the versions of CPM leaders were important before filing of charge sheet or any further action by them.

The central probe agency will soon issue summons to these leaders to "join investigations."

"These leaders have already given their side of the evidence to state investigating agencies after the scam came to the fore and hence it was felt necessary to seek their statements in the money laundering case," ED sources said.

The Rs 2,460 crore chit fund scam in West Bengal involving the Saradha Group came to the fore last year when 80 per cent of the depositors complained that their money still remained unpaid.


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Vadra video: BJP behaving like ‘baffled rats’, Priyanka says

RAE BARELI: In her shrillest attack on BJP which released a video against her husband Robert Vadra today, Priyanka Gandhi said it was behaving like "baffled rats" but she will not be intimidated by such "lies" and will continue to speak against its "destructive" politics.

The BJP reacted by accusing Congress of taking democratic discourse to a new low with its "abusive" politics.

"They are running around like baffled rats. I knew that they will repeat their bunch of lies. There is nothing new in it but let them say whatever they want to. I am not afraid of anyone and will continue to speak against their negative, destructive and shameful politics," Priyanka told reporters after addressing a rally here.

"I will not remain quite and I am waiting for them to say more," she said.

Priyanka was asked about a video and a booklet brought out by BJP on the alleged land deals of her husband which it termed as "Robert Vadra model of development".

BJP has alleged that the "Vadra model" has become successful due to the patronage provided by the Gandhi family to Vadra.

The six-page booklet titled "Damad Shree" refers to the various deals of Vadra in Rajasthan and Haryana.

Reacting to Priyanka's remarks, BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said, "Calling BJP rats is abusive politics. They have taken democratic discourse to such a low and they have now distorted democracy and hurt democracy."

He said when the BJP leaders including Narendra Modi are raising "corruption issues, they are trying to divert the attention of the country from important issues such as price rise and corruption."

The BJP spokesman said by raising the "dubious" land deals done by Vadra, the BJP is not indulging in personal attacks but is taking up the issue of corruption by Haryana government which allowed land use ignoring rules and regulations.

"Gujarat government's policies are not for one person, they are for public welfare whereas the Congress government's policies are personal issues," he said.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said "there was a gross violation of laws relating to land and environment. The influence of the family helped make Vadra big earnings in the deals."

Prasad said, "I do not want to stoop to such level. I did not even ask questions to Priyanka Gandhi. My questions were aimed at Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and we wanted to know that how a person by merely investing Rs 1 lakh can earn Rs 300 crore."

He said this was a textbook case of corruption and "BJP realises that there is nothing personal in it and as far as the language used by her, I am sorry, I don't wish to join the debate."

Meanwhile, addressing a rally, Priyanka said her party's politics was about decentralising power in the country and giving power to everyone.

"There is one more politics these days which is also being advertised that you give your powers and rights to one person, who can take decisions and do everything. This is not our politics and this is wrong politics," she said.

Campaigning for her mother Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka urged the electorate to vote for her party on April 30.

Earlier on Sunday, BJP workers showed flags to Priyanka in Ichauli village and raised slogans.


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Hotelier in Tamil Nadu town allegedly kills teenage boy who refused to have sex with him

CUDDALORE: Police have arrested an alleged homosexual man -- an hotelier -- on charges of murdering a plus one student for refusing to have sex with him at Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu.

Police said K Soorya Prakash, 16, a plus one student at a private school in Chidambaram, had been missing since April 21. His father, Kandasamy, a security officer at Annamalai University, lodged a complaint with the Chidambarm town police after his search for his son turned futile.

The police lodged a missing complaint and launched a hunt for the teenager. In due course, Kandasamy received a call demanding a ransom of Rs 25 lakh. The caller allegedly threatened to kill the teenager if Kandasamy refused to pay the ransom or alerted the police.

Meanwhile, customers visiting the hotel run by M Jawahar Babu, 33, on the ground floor of the same complex where the teenager and parents lived, complained of foul smell emanating from the premises. They alerted the police .

A police team reached the spot on Saturday and on inspection found the dead body of the teenager stuffed in a gunny bag. Police arrested the hotelier.

Inquiries revealed that Babu, who occasionally runs an auto, is a homosexual. He allegedly forced the teenager to have sex, and when the boy refused, he hit him with a log on his head. The boy sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot.

Babu stuffed the body in a gunny bag and hid it in his hotel. Four days after the incident, customers visiting the hotel complained of foul smell. Babu convinced them that the odour was emanating from fish and lobster waste dumped in the backyard of the hotel. However, the customers suspecting foul play alerted the police who arrested.


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Heat wave picks up, Barmer hottest at 45.2 degrees C

JAIPUR: Heat wave conditions on Sunday picked up in north-west Rajasthan with mercury touching 45.2 degrees Celsius in hottest Barmer, a Met office report said.

Mercury has risen by 2 to 4 degrees C at many places in western Rajasthan with dust storms affecting normal life.

Meanwhile, Jalore recorded a maximum temperature of 43 degrees C followed by Jodhpur 42, Kota 41.7, Jaisalmer 41.5, Bikaner 41.3, Chittorgarh 41, Churu 40.8, Ganganagar 40.6, and Jaipur 39.6 degrees C.

However, light rainfall with thunder storm occurred at isolated places in Udaipur division.

Heat wave conditions would further aggravate in north-west Rajasthan in the next 24 hours, according to the met office forecast.


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Former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed's ancestral home gutted

GUWAHATI: The ancestral home of former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and one of the city's landmark was completely gutted along with several other houses at the Lakhtokia area in Guwahati today, official sources said.

The 100-year-old two-storeyed wooden bungalow was charred by a devastating fire that began at 2am and continued to burn till the wee hours when it was finally doused by fire brigade personnel, the sources said adding, no one was injured in the incident.

Many pre-Independence documents, photographs and antique furniture were burnt to cinders in the inferno, family sources said.

The family claimed that the house could have been saved if fire tenders had come on time and with enough water.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi visited the fire ravaged site and interacted with family members of the former President and assured of the state government's support and assistance.

Gogoi also met other affected families and assured them suitable compensation and directed SSP (city) A P Tewari to provide immediate relief to them.


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Telangana wasn't possible without Congress efforts: PM

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 26 April 2014 | 22.44

BHONGIR: In a veiled attack on TRS, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said though smaller parties are trying to take credit for the formation of Telangana, it would not have been possible without the "hard work" put in by the Congress.

Addressing his maiden election rally here in Telangana after the bifurcation bill was passed in Parliament, Singh said it was Congress party's efforts in the face of hurdles and objections that made the separate state possible.

Highlighting that the policies and programmes of the new government in the new state would have a bearing on the future of the state, he said Congress alone can ensure the prosperity and development of Telangana.

"I would like to tell you today that Congress alone can rise up to your expectations. We have the experience in carrying out development work. We know about taking up development by taking all sections of the society along and most important thing is we respect the feelings of Telangana people," he said.

Singh said Telangana can be put along with other developed states in the country.

Noting that Hyderabad would have an important role in faster development of Telangana, he said successive Congress governments have made efforts in making the city a modern one, the Prime Minister added.

Singh assured that the Congress government in Telangana would work for rapid development in all spheres and also create new opportunities for employment generation.

The Prime Minister also said, "We have taken care of necessities of both the states post division of Andhra Pradesh. I have announced a special package in the Parliament for the successive state of Andhra Pradesh. Our wish is that both the states create a new record in prosperity."


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BJP backs 'saint' Ramdev, yoga guru sorry for Rahul remark

NEW DELHI/VADODARA: The BJP came out in defence of yoga guru Ramdev on Saturday over his remarks that Rahul Gandhi goes to dalit for "honeymoon", and said he is a "saint" whose words should be viewed in the context in which they were made and not as per the perception of Congress leaders.

"Ramdev is a saint. When he selects words like honeymoon, which is an English word, the context should be understood and its usage seen and not be misconstrued ... It did not have the kind of meaning as Congress leaders were viewing it as per their own perception," BJP spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain said.

Another BJP leader Udit Raj, a dalit, said Ramdev has not said anything "wrong" against dalits and his intention against them was also not "wrong".

"The word honeymoon is viewed in different contexts. There is honeymoon between parties, people and used for the business community. It is also used to say that (Arvind) Kejriwal's honeymoon has ended. It should be seen in this context and no wrong meaning should be construed to Ramdev's words," he said.

Udit said the word honeymoon has a wider meaning and does not have just one meaning but many, and he being a dalit leader would have himself opposed him if Ramdev would have said something wrong.

"The meaning of the word and the intention behind its usage should be viewed in the right context. Ramdev is not of those kind that he would use such words in a bad context. His intention towards dalits is not wrong," he said. He said by merely eating or sleeping in the houses of dalits does not change their lives as projected by Gandhi.

"Why does Rahul Gandhi not invite dalits to his own house," he said, questioning why Congress has not been able to uplift dalits despite being in power for so long in India.

On the FIR against Ramdev, Udit Raj, who is BJP candidate from Northwest Delhi constituency, claimed Congress is unnerved at the fact that dalits were supporting BJP.

Asked why BJP was clarifying on Ramdev who was not even a member of the party, he said, "even though this matter is personal, we need to give a clarification as Ramdev has been supporting BJP. That is why it is our duty to support him. So there was a need to clarify from BJP side."

Ramdev regrets comment

In the eye of a row over his comment against Rahul Gandhi, Ramdev on Saturday expressed regret to the dalit community, but claimed his remarks were "misrepresented".

Ramdev, however, insisted the Congress vice-president visited homes of the poor for "publicity stunt, picnic or tourism".

"The statement I made has been misrepresented. The term honeymoon period is over is commonly used in political language. I tried to use it in that sense," Ramdev claimed.

"I had no intention to insult honourable Rahul Gandhi or dalit community. But this is also true that Rahul Gandhi goes to houses of poor and uses that opportunity as publicity stunt, picnic or tourism," he said, adding: "I express regret if the use of that term has hurt the feelings of any community, especially dalit community."

Ramdev was here to attend a yoga camp organized by his Bharat Swabhiman Trust.

The yoga teacher, who has been openly targeting the Congress and backing BJP's prime ministerial hopeful Narendra Modi, has been booked by Uttar Pradesh police for his remarks against Rahul Gandhi made in Lucknow on Friday.

"He goes to dalits' houses for honeymoon and picnic. Had he married a dalit girl, then his luck could have clicked and he would have become the Prime Minister," Ramdev had said.


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Acute shortage of essential commodities in Leh

LEH: Leh is facing acute shortage of essential commodities like vegetables and edible oil due to delay in opening of roads connecting it with rest of the country.

Both the Leh-Srinagar and Leh-Manali highways had been closed since December last year following heavy snowfall.

The Leh-Srinagar highway is usually open by first week of April, but this year due to snowing and inclement weather the highway is still not open causing hardships to common people in procuring essential commodities.

Apart from groceries, others items like baby milk and diapers are also scarce, say residents.

"We are forced to procure these daily use necessities by air route at a very high cost," they say.

Keeping in view the May seven Lok Sabha polls in Ladakh, the government is trying its best to open the Leh-Srinagar highway by first week of May.


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Amitabh Bachchan recalls his family roots in Pakistan in letter to ex-PM Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain

ISLAMABAD: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has thanked Pakistan's ex-prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain for inviting him to visit Pakistan and assured him that he will cross the border if he gets the opportunity.

"Thank you for your letter of March 21, 2014, and for your kind words expressed in it," Bachchan wrote in a letter dated April 18.

In the letter, the Bollywood icon has recalled his family's roots in Pakistan. "My mother's ancestral roots go back to Lyallpur now Faisalabad, where my mother was born and to Lahore Government College where she spent her educational life," he said, adding that his grandfather had been a prominent lawyer in the port city of Karachi.

"My father was also in a revenue ministerial post for the erstwhile Punjab government now in Pakistan," he wrote.

The actor thanked Pakistanis for the support and affection which they have extended him over the years. "I have very vivid and emotional memories of well wishers from Pakistan who prayed for my recovery during my injury on the sets of "'Coolie'", he said.

"I am most grateful to you (Shujaat Hussain) for your kind invitation and shall most certainly keep this in mind whenever there is an opportunity to visit your country," the letter read. He also apologized Shujaat for the delayed response to his invitation.

Shujaat Hussain, heading his own faction of Muslim League, had sent the invitation letter to Bachchan through actor Raza Murad who had visited Pakistan. He had invited Bachchan to help eliminate tensions between the two countries through his visit.


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Pitting brother against brother won’t help BJP’s ambitions: PM’s nephew

INDORE: A day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's half-brother Daljeet Singh Kohli joined Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) at Narendra Modi's rally in Amritsar, Singh's nephew Mandeep Singh Kohli maintained in Indore on Saturday that the saffron party had pitted brother against brother to counter Congress candidate Capt. Amrinder Singh's wave in Amritsar.

Mandeep Kohli was in city to attend a private function where he spoke to media. Levelling allegations of skanky politics on Modi, he said, "BJP is losing the fight in Amritsar. So it is trying to create rift between brothers. This is petty politics of saffron party's PM-in-waiting Narendra Modi," said Kohli.

On being asked about BJP's offer to join the party, he said, "I had received a call from my uncle's son to join BJP, which I refused. We are with Congress and will remain with it."

Commenting on the latest development, he said it will not hamper Congress prospects in Amritsar as Daljeet is not politically prominent. "Capt. Amrinder Singh will win. BJP is taking measures to save its seat in Amritsar," said Kohli.


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Advisory directs people travelling to polio-affected nations to get themselves vaccinated

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 25 April 2014 | 22.44

MANGALORE: Planning to travel to any of the seven nations still affected by polio? Or coming from a holiday or work from Kenya, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, and Ethiopia, then please get yourself a shot of the polio drops.

With India already declared a polio free nation thanks to the annual pulse polio campaign, the government is not willing to take any chances of allowing the polio virus to take roots in this country. The polio drops are available at the offices of district health and family welfare offices. People after getting themselves administered this vaccination can get a certificate that is valid for one year from the date of vaccination.


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Kidnapped Indians return unharmed from Bangladesh

AGARTALA: Two tribals, who were kidnapped by Bangladeshis from Nripendranagar, a border village in South Tripura district, last evening have returned unharmed following a flag meeting between the BSF and Border Guards of Bangladesh on Friday, police said.

A group of people from Sonapur village of Noakhali district of Bangladesh raided a rubber plantation at Nripendranagar last evening and kidnapped two tribals identified as Uttam Tripura (28) and Haradhan Tripura (26), the sources said.

Five others, who were working in the plantation along with them managed give a slip and reported the matter to BSF.

Police said a flag meeting was held between the border guards of the two countries on Friday, following which the Indians were returned unharmed.


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Quota for Muslims triggers storm

NEW DELHI: A Congress promise of reservation for backward Muslims on Friday kicked up a row with BJP calling it a "last desperate" act on its part to get some votes, a charge rejected outright by Congress which said it has not come out with any supplementary manifesto.

"Congress has not come out with any sub-manifesto," party spokesperson and law minister Kapil Sibal said on Friday maintaining that the issue of sub-quota for backward Muslims is pending in the Supreme Court and as long as the matter is not resolved there the party cannot do anything.

"These are only suggestions made in the process of public consultation. We have put it before people. When Congress comes to power, we will take it forward. These are suggested policies and programmes, which have come up at the open manifesto consultation process.

"These are suggestions for consideration, when the government comes to power. When we are open to it, we have a right to consider it as and when the Supreme court decides it. This is the best possible way. There is nothing wrong with that...There is no appeasement ...We must respect the sentiments of the public," Sibal said.

He was asked about reports that the Congress has put on its website a sub-manifesto in a fresh minority pitch promising quota reservation in jobs for backward Muslims.

When told that that these are not mere suggestions as Congress had announced a minority sub-quota before the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh as well, the Union minister said, "Yes, we had announced it even in UP but the matter is pending in the Supreme Court. How can we do it unless the Supreme Court decides it"

He added that in some states like Andhra Pradesh reservation has been made for backward minorities. The matter is now pending with the Supreme Court.


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BCCI recommends Ashwin for Arjuna Award

MUMBAI: Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who won the Cricket Board's Polly Umrigar Trophy best player award in 2012-13 season, has been recommended by the BCCI for the Government's prestigious Arjuna Award this year.

"Yes, Ashwin has been recommended for the Arjuna Award before the April 30 deadline. No other cricketer has been recommended (for the awards)," said Ratnakar Shetty, BCCI General Manager (Game Development).

The cricketer to get the Arjuna Award was Virat Kohli last year. A total of 46 cricketers, including women, have been conferred the sporting honour.

Ashwin became the fastest bowler in 80 years to complete 100 wickets in his 19th Test last November against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium here, the farewell game of Sachin Tendulkar.

The 27-year-old Chennai-born tweaker overtook the previous Indian record of one of the members of the famed spin quartet - off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna — to reach the 100- wicket mark in one fewer Test.

Ashwin, who is also a useful batsman, has taken 104 wickets in Tests, 106 in 79 ODIs and 25 wickets in the same number of T20 internationals.


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Thudersqualls likely over Gangetic Bengal in next 2 days: MeT department

KOLKATA: Heatwave condition continued to prevail in the southern districts of West Bengal on Friday, even as the weatherman held out some hope of the situation abating with thundersqualls predicted in isolated places over Gangetic West Bengal in the next two days.

Temperatures in the southern districts hovered over 40 degrees celsius, with the metropolis recording 41.2 degrees celsius, the highest in a decade for the month of April, according to the Met department.

Holding out hope for the parched land, the MeT department said, "Thudersqualls with wind speed reaching between 50 to 60 km per hour accompanied with lighting and hail may occur at isolated places over Gangetic West Bengal."

The same has been predicted for the next two days. The Met department, however, said heatwave condition may also prevail at isolated pockets of Gangetic West Bengal for the next two days.

Meanwhile, power demand peaked on at 1,88 MW in the city, the highest this year, sources in the power utility CESC said.


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Coal scam: Enforcement Directorate registers money laundering, forex violation case

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 24 April 2014 | 22.44

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered money laundering cases against those firms which are under the scanner of CBI, including Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) and Rathi Steel and Power.

ED officials said that post-registration of the cases, the agency has issued directions to its various zonal offices across the country to initiate investigations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the financial dealings of the firms which have also been booked by CBI in this case.

During the same investigation, the ED probe will also look into the issue of foreign exchange "contravention" by these firms which have now been asked by the agency to furnish relevant documents.

The firms against whom the cases have been registered include Castron Technologies Ltd, Jharkhand Ispat Private Limited, Pushp Steel and Mining Pvt Ltd, JSPL, RSPL, Grace Industries, Jharkhand Ispat, Green Infrastructure, Hindalco, BLA Industries and Nav Bharat Power Private Limited.

The agency, according to sources, has taken cognizance of the over 17 FIRs filed by CBI in this case and it will investigate if these firms laundered illegal money and generated "proceeds of crime" in the entire process of coal allocation.

The probe by both the agencies in this case is being monitored by the Supreme Court.

CBI registered the FIRs after it conducted three preliminary enquiries related to coal block allocations between 2006 and 2009, 1993 and 2004 and projects given under a government scheme.

According to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), an estimated loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crores was caused to the national exchequer in the coal block allocation scam.


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Sonia betrayed country by not becoming PM in 2004: Rajnath

KATHLAL: BJP president Rajnath Singh on Thursday accused Congress president Sonia Gandhi of "betraying the country" by not taking up the post of the Prime Minister in 2004.

"In 2004, Congress got majority, but Sonia Gandhi did not become the Prime Minister. Is this not a betrayal?" Singh said at a campaign rally at Kathlal in Kheda district.

"Manmohan Singh's (former) media advisor Sanjaya Baru has written a book called 'Accidental Prime Minister'. Manmohan Singh is an accidental Prime Minister. He (Baru) has categorically written that the Centre was not being run by Prime Minister, but it was being run from 10 Janpath (Sonia Gandhi's residence)," Singh said.

"Sonia is super PM who is running this government." The BJP chief also took a dig at Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra, saying "we have witnessed many corruption scams.... 2G, 3G, CWG and Jijaji (borther-in-law)".

"When somebody asked Pandit (Jawaharlal) Nehru if India will ever become strong, he replied that we are engaged in 'rashtra-nirman' (nation-building). Even today we are seeing advertisements of Bharat-Nirman by Congress. How long will this Bharat-Nirman continue?" Singh asked.

"There was a time when Indira Gandhi used to say that Jan Sangh (predecessor of BJP) was trying to oust her when she was trying to oust poverty. Indiraji wanted to remove poverty, but to the date poverty hasn't been removed."

He also alleged that Congress had not fulfilled any promise it made.


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Congress 'pits' Vajpayee against Modi on WhatsApp

INDORE: Congress party after using pictures of Atal Bihari Vajpayee on its official website to remind people about 2002 riots in Gujarat, is at it again. A day before polls, Congress has circulated another picture of Vajpayee on WhatsApp urging voters not to vote for Narendra Modi.

The picture shows Vajpayee with folded hands saying 'Modi is arrogant and proudy' and urging voters not to vote for him.

Crying foul over the use of Vajpayee's picture against BJP, city BJP president Kailash Sharma said it shows ideological bankruptcy of Congress. After judging public outrage against it, Congress leaders are resorting to such unsavoury acts.

Downplaying the issue, Congress spokesperson Narendra Saluja said party has nothing to do with it. However, he stressed Vajpayee wanted to remove Narendra Modi from the post of Gujarat CM after the 2002 riot. Modi is a dictator who will divide the country, he said.

After the end of campaign mobile application WhatsApp has turned into a battle ground before polling. Supporters of both the parties are sharing information, photographs and videos to make last minute effort to woo voters. Interestingly, all messages and pictures are based on Modi with the only difference being that BJP supporters are coming up with contents and photographs in support of Modi while Congress supporters are trying to portray Modi as communal and a dictator.


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90 more candidates qualified for Civil Services 2012

NEW DELHI: As many as 90 candidates, who were put on a reserved list, have been declared qualified for Civil Services Examination, 2012 by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

998 candidates were declared qualified by the UPSC for the 2012 examination in order of merit for appointment to IAS, IFS, IPS and other central services, as against 1,091 vacancies, results of which were declared in May last year.

The Commission, in accordance with Civil Services Examination Rules, was also maintaining a consolidated reserve list in order of merit below the last recommended candidate under the respective categories.

As sought by the Department of Personnel & Training, the UPSC has now recommended 90 candidates which include 67 General, 22 Other Backward Class (OBC) and one Scheduled Tribe (ST), to fill up the remaining posts based on the Civil Services Examination, 2012, a release issued today by the government said.

A list of these candidates is available on the UPSC website — www.upsc.gov.in.

"The recommended candidates will be communicated directly by the DoPT," it said.

Of the 998 successful candidates — 753 male and 245 female — 457 were in General (including 23 physically challenged) category, 295 OBC (including nine Physically challenged), 169 SCs (including two physically challenged) and 77 STs.

There were 1,091 advertised vacancies — 550 General, 295 OBC, 169 SCs and 77 STs — for Civil Service Examination 2012.

UPSC conducts Civil Services Examination to select candidates for prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages — preliminary, main and interview.


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Mulayam 'defends' Azam by citing Muslims who "saved borders"

UNNAO: Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday seemed to defend party leader Mohd Azam Khan on his controversial remark over Kargil war by making a reference to contribution of Muslims in "saving Indian borders".

Citing the example of martyr 'Abdul Hamid', Yadav said in an an election rally, "There is contribution of Muslims in saving Indian borders. In 1965 Indo-Pak war Abdul Hameed had played a crucial role...When we say it, nothing happens...But when Azam talks on this matter, a lot of hue and cry is being raised".

Azam, who has been banned by the Election Commission from campaigning for his provocative speech, had earlier during a rally in Ghaziabad said that "Kargil was won by Muslim soldiers".

Yadav also said that the contribution of Muslims in development of India could not be ignored.

"Who used to make Banarasi sarees, jewelleries, brass utensils...All by muslims..There is contribution of Muslims in development and that cannot be overlooked," he said.

Drawing attention to the Sachar Committee report that found that the condition of Muslims was "not good" and they are "backward", Yadav alleged that nothing concrete had been done for them.

Asking people to unite to fight against communalism, Yadav claimed only SP could stop BJP from its communal agenda.

"Those responsible for riots in Gujarat are in the fray and they should be defeated...SP had been fighting against communalism and only this party could stop BJP...We will not let them spread their communal agenda", Yadav said.


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Modi's jibe at Priyanka: Only Gandhi family grew strong in 60 years

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 23 April 2014 | 22.44

KALOL (Gujarat): Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a dig at Priyanka Gandhi over her remarks that attacks on her family made her stronger, saying it has been "going strong" for the last 60 years and now it's time to build a strong nation.

"You say that we will become strong...you (Gandhi family) are going strong for the last 60 years," the BJP prime ministerial candidate said at a rally in Kalol town of Gandhinagar district in Gujarat. BJP veteran L K Advani is contesting from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat.

"But, the issue today is how to make our nation strong. When you want to make yourself strong, we (BJP) want to build a strong nation. For us, there is nothing supreme than the people's voice," Modi said without taking any names.

Modi was apparently referring to Priyanka's statement on Tuesday that opposition BJP was wrongly targeting her husband on his alleged inappropriate land deals, but the attack will make her strong.

"When you watch TV, what do you see? Harsh words, humiliation of my family. A lot of things are said about my husband. I feel pained. I feel pained, not for myself, also not because you are humiliating somebody...the truth is not being told."

"The more they try to humiliate, the more will be my determination to fight back, the more they try to work for my downfall, the stronger I will get up," Priyanka said at Rae Bareli.

Modi accused Congress of diverting people's attentions from real issues with wild allegations.

"On every question we raised, they just levelled more allegations against me. When nothing worked, Congress leaders brought in the issue of misuse of CBI. I think that Congress has lost their ability to put up an issue-based fight," he said.

The Gujarat chief minister also accused the 'mother-son' duo of 'looting' the nation.

"Don't you think that after looting the nation, black money is stashed in foreign banks? Should we bring that money back?", he asked to which the the audience replied in affirmative..." yes..yes".

"Yesterday, Supreme Court lambasted the UPA government for not forming an SIT to bring that money back in India," he said and alleged that the central government is hiding something from people."


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AAP leader Somnath Bharti beaten up in Varanasi

NEW DELHI: AAP leader Somnath Bharti was allegedly beaten up by BJP workers in Varanasi on Wednesday.

Bharti was manhandled during a television show at the Assi Ghat area of Varanasi.

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal had filed his nomination papers from Varanasi earlier today.

According to reports, the windows of the former Delhi law minister was smashed and his driver was also attacked.


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India successfully test fires indigenous Akash missile

BHUBANESWAR: India on Wednesday test fired its Akash surface-to-air missile from a defence base in Odisha, an official said.

The indigenously developed missile, with a 27-km range and an effective ceiling of 15km, was test fired from the Integrated Test Range of Chandipur in the coastal district of Balasore, 230km from here.

"It was a trial by the Indian Air Force," test range director M V K V Prasad told IANS.

The 700-kg all-weather missile can carry a 60-kg warhead at speeds of up to Mach 2.5. It can operate autonomously and simultaneously engage and neutralize different aerial targets.

It can be launched from static or mobile platforms, enabling flexible deployment by the armed forces.

Developed by DRDO, Akash is being produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited as the nodal production agency with the involvement of Bharat Electronics Limited and a large number of other industries.


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Hate speech: BJP leader Giriraj Singh to surrender before court tomorrow

PATNA: Facing arrest for his controversial statements, senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said he will surrender before the court on Thursday but did not say whether he would do so in Jharkhand or Bihar.

"I will surrender before court tomorrow... I have respect for law, judiciary and the Election Commission," he said.

When asked, he said, "I will not reveal where I will surrender."

Three FIRs — two at Deogarh and Bokaro in Jharkhand and one in Patna — were lodged against him at the behest of the Election Commission, which has barred him from campaigning in the two states in the wake of his April 18 controversial remarks that those opposing BJP PM nominee Narendra Modi should go to Pakistan, and that the Centre was giving subsidy for export of beef while taxing those who reared cows.

The third FIR was lodged at the Airport police station here two days ago for repeating the same remarks publicly on April 20. Patna district administration had issued notice to Singh and sought his reply within 24 hours, which he did after expiry of the deadline.

The city police have confirmed that a police team from Jharkhand led by an officer of the rank of deputy superintendent of police is on its way here to arrest Singh in compliance with a non-bailable warrant issued by a court there.

"We will extend all cooperation to them (Jharkhand police)," city superintendent of police Jayant Kant said.

Singh said he was aware that a police team from Jharkhand armed with arrest warrant against him had left for Patna.

Singh, a former minister in the Nitish Kumar government who contested on BJP ticket from Nawada on April 10, alleged he was singled out for punishment though a number of leaders from various political parties like Azam Khan (SP), Shazia Ilmi and Prashant Bhushan (AAP), Akbaruddin Owaisi (AIMIM) were "going around scot-free" despite their controversial remarks.

Singh's statements had provoked outrage from various political quarters, including his own party.


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Modi, Kejriwal become Time's 'most influential' people thanks to dodgy poll and online fan club

WASHINGTON: The American humorist Erma Bombeck once quipped that she stopped trusting opinion poll surveys after reading that 63 per cent of women had affairs during their lunch hour; she said had never met a woman in her life who would give up lunch for sex.

Jokes aside, her caustic observation has hardly stopped the media from plying dodgy polls, an exercise that has become even more vigorous with the arrival of the online media, where public opinion can be gathered in an instant with the click of a mouse.

One such poll conducted by Time magazine this week has resulted in two Indian politicians — Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal — making it to the top of "TIME 100 annual lists of the most influential people in the world." Apparently, they are more "influential" than singer Katy Perry who is in third place, followed by Justin Bieber at fourth, neither of whom are particularly vital to the daily life of Americans. As another American commentator joked about the will of the people: It wasn't that long ago that we were swept away by the Macarena. Time's own Person of the Year, Pope Francis, is in 25th place.

Time magazine explained that though the final TIME 100 list of the most influential people of the year worldwide is ultimately chosen by the editors, the magazine "seeks the input of readers in an online poll." But those who monitor the polls say the exercise is essentially flawed. It can be manipulated by a volunteer force of fanboys (and fan girls) sitting behind a computer and clicking away; each click records as a vote.

Dallas-based multi-faith peace activist Mike Ghouse says he did exactly that to confirm his suspicion, clicking several times from the same computer to record multiple votes. "This is a serious issue of integrity of the Time Magazine," he said in an email. "Can Time audit its computers to determine how many clicks have come from the same computer?"

Ghouse recorded the following observations on his blog: When Modi reached a record number of votes at 867,341 by 5:54pm on April 21, 64% of them said YES to include him on the TIME 100 where as 36% said NO. The Kejriwal warriors and the secular Indians hit the gas to the floor, and gave 489,582 votes and 78% of them said YES while 22% said NO.

Modi Sena (army) would not take that kindly, and flipped Kejriwal down to 28.9% YES and 71.1 NO today at 3:00pm. Things turned around immediately, and the Kejriwal Warriors went to war big time, and pulled Modi down to 53.5% at 5:04pm PM today, and lifting Kejriwal to 54.6% YES.

It was a war, you could clearly see who side was on the offensive, and each side has slaughtered the other at different times.


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Anti-incumbency an issue in Kashmir only if voter turnout is higher

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 22 April 2014 | 22.44

SRINAGAR: Large parts of Srinagar turned into a swamp yet again as it rained continuously last week. They have since turned into a dustbowl thanks to a few sunny days. On the flipside, the power supply has improved. But the traffic jams are perennial among myriad problems dogging the city.

These civic issues would have been as glaring in the national elections had not the ruling National Conference (NC) contested the last assembly polls purely on the 'Bikli, Sadak and Pani' issues while insisting they would have no bearing on the larger Kashmir issue. There has been little progress in capitalizing on almost negligible militant violence on the development front. On the other hand, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act remains and so does the Public Safety Act for administrative detention.

Experts say anti-incumbency is an issue, but it would not matter if the voter turnout is not higher. The anger against the government's failures could push the voting percentage that has been dismal in the Lok Sabha elections. "Azadi as a sentiment remains strong. But the people want civil liberties and development in the short term which may bring people to the polling booths," said Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari.

There is little to suggest that in at least Kashmir's political nerve centre of Srinagar, where it is difficult to imagine that the constituency is going to the polls next week at least in the urban areas, there is not even a single party flag or banner in the city centre or along the upscale airport road.

"People may vote. But we are going to boycott it," said Gowhar Ahmad, referring to his neighbourhood, Baghi Mehtab, in Srinagar.

But the mood in Srinagar can be deceptive and does not necessarily reflect the feelings particularly in the rural areas, where patronage networks of unionist parties are deeper. "I am going to vote due to the broken promises and because lower turnout helps elect unpopular people," said an Anantnag businessman, who did not wish to be named.

Experts say this has forced the NC to fall back upon its autonomy plank while it has done little for it since the BJP government rejected it over a decade back. The party leaders have been speaking like a broken record warning people against voting for PDP, which they say means supporting BJP prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi. The BJP leader has become a virtual bogeyman for the ruling party.

"Modi is a nonissue in Kashmir. BJP is perceived to have done much more for Kashmir and the Congress nothing in the last 10 years," said Bhukhari. "Even article 370 is not an issue. You need three-fourth majority to revoke it and if you do that it nullifies J&K's accession with India as in very clear under the Article 1 of the state's constitution."

NC leader Tanvir Sadiq insists this election is not about civic issues. "It is a good versus evil election. Modi is even talking about abrogation of article 370. We will speak about Bijli, Sadak, Pani when it comes to assembly elections. Now the priority is to prevent BJP from coming to power and bringing back the Congress to power."

The PDP is undeterred by the NC's attempts to corner it by making its secret alliance with the BJP its main campaign plank. "Modi is a non-issue. The NC is trying its old trick of playing with emotions and substituting it with issues. We want to bring back Kashmir back into the national discourse," said PDP leader Nayeem Akhtar.


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PIL on Modi's marital status dismissed by Madras high court

CHENNAI: Madras high court has refused to entertain a PIL which sought legal action including criminal action against BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for having submitted false affidavits with regard to his marital status all these years.

The first bench comprising acting Chief Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh dismissed the PIL on Tuesday saying the PIL was not at all maintainable, and that the issue raised by it could be dealt with by the Election Commission of India alone.

The PIL, citing Modi's nomination papers earlier this month, said that though he had contested several elections before, he had, for the first time, declared that he had a wife by the name Jashodaben. Noting that the wedding took place way back in 1967 and the couple lived separately within a few months of the marriage, the PIL by Varaaki said that suppression of this information by Modi all these years was an offence punishable under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, besides the Indian penal Code.

The PIL-petitioner said he had submitted a representation to the Election Commission on April 20 seeking appropriate legal action, including criminal action against Modi for having filed false affidavits. Since there was no response from the commission, he was forced to approach the high court, he said.

Rejecting his plea, the first bench pointed out that the petitioner had submitted a representation to the Election Commission on April 20, and approached the high court for action the very next day. It said, "We do not find any reason to entertain this writ petition, as the issue raised is to be dealt with by the Election Commission alone. Writ petition is dismissed."


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Is Congress worried for Rahul Gandhi in Amethi?

AMETHI: Is the Congress getting the jitters in Amethi, a high-profile constituency long considered a pocket borough of the Gandhis? While no Congressman openly talks about it, senior leaders concede in private of an "opposition onslaught" that was "worrying if not frightening".

They are emphatic that incumbent MP Rahul Gandhi will win a third term, but they are haunted by a rare spectre of a narrowed down margin of victory for the Gandhi scion.

And it is not without reason that Rahul's mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi held her first election rally in 10 years in Amethi last week.

Striking an emotional chord, Gandhi asked people to repose their faith in Rahul whom she "gave to them in 2004".

"Like Indira ji gave Rajiv ji, my husband, to you many years back, I gave Rahul to you in 2004 and hope your love for him will continue," she said at the rally.

This is very unlike the Gandhis who in the past have only held a road show prior to the nomination and leave the campaigning to local leaders and Rahul's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The "once-in-a-decade" rally of Sonia Gandhi has caught the attention of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who has since been taunting the first family of Indian politics, saying when Rahul has failed to take care of Amethi, how can he look after the country?

"Sonia ji is seeking votes for her son on an emotive note...things are clear hence," Modi said at several rallies in the northeast.

The worry for Congressmen does not seem misplaced too.

Considering the near rout of the Congress in Amethi in the 2012 state assembly elections, the candidature of Kumar Vishwas by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Smriti Irani of the BJP has also made the electoral contest tough.

Faced with a strong anti-incumbency sentiment across the country, the party is now worried that the two glib talking contestants would take the sheen off from the Congress 'yuvraj'.

Leading the charge is poet-turned-politician Kumar Vishwas who has been camping in Amethi for the last three months, ever since the AAP set its eyes on the VVIP constituency.

Having rented a house for himself here, Vishwas calls himself the frontrunner and says that "history will be written May 16" when the votes are counted.

"I am the real 'ummeedvaar' from here as people have ummeed (hope) from me alone," Kumar Vishwas said.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) has been MP from this place for 10 years, look at the state of roads and the grim power scenario," he says as a handful of people listening attentively to him clap in agreement.

He goes on to attack Rahul's brother-in-law Robert Vadra, saying how Robert's rags-to-riches story was a slap on every sane thinking, law-abiding citizen of the country.

Worry for the Gandhis, as admitted by Priyanka to close aides, says a source, is also the presence of thousands of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) activists who are camping in the villages trying to win them over for the BJP candidate.

Smriti Irani, a favourite TV bahu is also sweating it out, staying at a one-room accommodation.

She is largely pinning hopes on the "Modi wave" and is appealing to the women in the countryside, assuring them of "acche din aane waale hain" (Good days will come soon) if the BJP is voted to power.

Priyanka, who is the campaign manager of her brother, has sent an SOS to her mother Sonia Gandhi of "increased RSS activity" in the area, forcing Sonia to hold her first election rally in Amethi in a decade.

Not ready to take any chances, the party has also rejigged the local party hierarchy. Kishori Lal Sharma has once again been given the charge of election management, while party strategist Manoj Mattoo has once again been roped in.

Senior Congress leader Chandrakant Dubey, hitherto holding charge of Rahul's campaigning, has been given other tasks to attend to.

A trip to Amethi, specially the pot-holed roads in the countryside, is enough to suggest that all talk of development in the constituency is far from reality.

People from Delhi and other places are quick to point out the back breaking journey and powerless nights in the villages of Amethi. And this is what the opposition parties are out to capatilise on.

As the people vote May 7, the fear among the Congressmen is of the dent on the Gandhi halo.


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Is Congress worried for Rahul Gandhi in Amethi?

AMETHI: Is the Congress getting the jitters in Amethi, a high-profile constituency long considered a pocket borough of the Gandhis? While no Congressman openly talks about it, senior leaders concede in private of an "opposition onslaught" that was "worrying if not frightening".

They are emphatic that incumbent MP Rahul Gandhi will win a third term, but they are haunted by a rare spectre of a narrowed down margin of victory for the Gandhi scion.

And it is not without reason that Rahul's mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi held her first election rally in 10 years in Amethi last week.

Striking an emotional chord, Gandhi asked people to repose their faith in Rahul whom she "gave to them in 2004".

"Like Indira ji gave Rajiv ji, my husband, to you many years back, I gave Rahul to you in 2004 and hope your love for him will continue," she said at the rally.

This is very unlike the Gandhis who in the past have only held a road show prior to the nomination and leave the campaigning to local leaders and Rahul's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The "once-in-a-decade" rally of Sonia Gandhi has caught the attention of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who has since been taunting the first family of Indian politics, saying when Rahul has failed to take care of Amethi, how can he look after the country?

"Sonia ji is seeking votes for her son on an emotive note...things are clear hence," Modi said at several rallies in the northeast.

The worry for Congressmen does not seem misplaced too.

Considering the near rout of the Congress in Amethi in the 2012 state assembly elections, the candidature of Kumar Vishwas by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Smriti Irani of the BJP has also made the electoral contest tough.

Faced with a strong anti-incumbency sentiment across the country, the party is now worried that the two glib talking contestants would take the sheen off from the Congress 'yuvraj'.

Leading the charge is poet-turned-politician Kumar Vishwas who has been camping in Amethi for the last three months, ever since the AAP set its eyes on the VVIP constituency.

Having rented a house for himself here, Vishwas calls himself the frontrunner and says that "history will be written May 16" when the votes are counted.

"I am the real 'ummeedvaar' from here as people have ummeed (hope) from me alone," Kumar Vishwas said.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) has been MP from this place for 10 years, look at the state of roads and the grim power scenario," he says as a handful of people listening attentively to him clap in agreement.

He goes on to attack Rahul's brother-in-law Robert Vadra, saying how Robert's rags-to-riches story was a slap on every sane thinking, law-abiding citizen of the country.

Worry for the Gandhis, as admitted by Priyanka to close aides, says a source, is also the presence of thousands of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) activists who are camping in the villages trying to win them over for the BJP candidate.

Smriti Irani, a favourite TV bahu is also sweating it out, staying at a one-room accommodation.

She is largely pinning hopes on the "Modi wave" and is appealing to the women in the countryside, assuring them of "acche din aane waale hain" (Good days will come soon) if the BJP is voted to power.

Priyanka, who is the campaign manager of her brother, has sent an SOS to her mother Sonia Gandhi of "increased RSS activity" in the area, forcing Sonia to hold her first election rally in Amethi in a decade.

Not ready to take any chances, the party has also rejigged the local party hierarchy. Kishori Lal Sharma has once again been given the charge of election management, while party strategist Manoj Mattoo has once again been roped in.

Senior Congress leader Chandrakant Dubey, hitherto holding charge of Rahul's campaigning, has been given other tasks to attend to.

A trip to Amethi, specially the pot-holed roads in the countryside, is enough to suggest that all talk of development in the constituency is far from reality.

People from Delhi and other places are quick to point out the back breaking journey and powerless nights in the villages of Amethi. And this is what the opposition parties are out to capatilise on.

As the people vote May 7, the fear among the Congressmen is of the dent on the Gandhi halo.


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Narendra Modi says he will reach out Muslim 'brothers'

NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he would reach out to Muslim "brothers" like any other citizen of the country and made it clear that the contentious issues of Ram temple and Uniform Civil Code would be addressed within the Constitutional framework.

The BJP's prime ministerial candidate underlined that he sees all Indians as one and it is his "responsibility" to reach out to all sections of the society, which includes Muslims.

"As chief minister of Gujarat, I have tried to connect to six crore people of the state as much as possible. Now I have been entrusted with the national responsibility. I will use all efforts at my command to reach out to 125 crore people. This is part of my responsibility and I must do it.

"It may mean walking 100 steps. I may walk three steps, five steps or seven steps, that is a different matter. But it is my responsibility that I must make demonstrative efforts to reach out to every citizen of the country," he said.

He was responding on ABP News channel's 'Ghoshnapatra' programme when pointed out that he appeared to have started establishing contact with Muslim community.

Asked specifically whether his effort to reach out to every citizen included Muslims, Modi replied, "I will never go by this terminology of yours. Even if you drag me, I will not. I will meet my countrymen. I understand only one language that they are my countrymen, they are my brothers. You may see with whatever colour you want, Modi will not go into that colour."

He went on to add, "even if I lose elections, let it be so, I have no problem. But the country has been destroyed by this language, the mindset of you people and I will never own that mindset. And you please stop such attacks on my freedom."

Modi was referred to the issues of Ram temple and Union Civil Code, which have been a major point of contention between BJP and Muslims, and asked whether he would implement these unfulfilled subjects of BJP agenda considering his 'tez tarrar' (fiesty) image.

"The country does not run by 'tez tarrari' (fiestyness) but by the Constitution. Fiestyness is for elections but not for running the country," the BJP's prime ministerial nominee said, making clear that he would abide by the Constitution on these issues.

He was also asked whether his work as Prime Minister would have "RSS imprint" since he has been groomed by it.

"Let me tell you, I have to run the government. A government runs according to the Constitution. I believe that a government has only one religion — India first. A government has only one holy book — our Constitution. A government has only one kind of devotion — towards nation. A government has only one style of functioning — 'sabka sath, sabka vikas' (cooperation of all, development of all).

When referred to 2002 riots, the Gujarat chief minister said he has "stood the test" and was "ready for any test" but would "never surrender before lies and political motives."

He said, "...Till 2007, I have spoken a lot on this issue. Whether you like it or not, I will not succumb to you (on the issue)."

Attacking the UPA government, he said it "dragged" him to the Supreme Court on the issue and "now I should not speak as SC should be influenced."

He, however, referred to the questioning he faced on the matter from the investigators.

"Till now, no CM has been grilled by policemen for nine hours. It was done on the orders of Supreme Court. SC has seen the video of that recording. I have stood that test and even in future, I am ready for any test," he added.

Asked about the statement by BJP leader Giriraj Singh that those opposing Modi should go to Pakistan, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate said "nobody can agree with that (statement)."

To buttress his point that he would not be vindictive, Modi said, "After election victory of 2002, I went to thank the electorate of Maninanagar (in Gujarat). There, I said 'this government is of those who have elected it, this government is also of those who voted against and this government is also of those who did not go to vote'."

Asked about different voices in BJP over whether action should be taken against Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra in connection with alleged inappropriate land deals, Modi made it clear that he would focus on development rather than such issues which will be dealt with by the law as deemed fit.

"We get elected for five years and for five years should we roam around with this mess or do some good work? My personal belief is that my energy should not go into this, that my energy be utilised for positive and good work. Otherwise, five years is very less time. If we get entangled in this, what good work can we do," he said.

Citing his "track record" as chief minister of 14 years, he said it "shows that I have never opened any file against anybody. I believe that one gets entangled in such things and cannot do good work. I have only focussed on positive initiative. I do not even keep information about old cases. It is for government, let them do."

At the same time, he said, "Nobody is above the law. Imagine if there allegations against Modi and he is the Prime Minister. Should the case not be pursued just because he has become the PM. It should not be so that it should be stopped. I am not above the law. I am not answering the question you asked. So do not mix up."

On the controversy over the 'marriage' section of his affidavit and whether he expected it, he said, "I do not get surprised by anything. There is nothing in my life. They (rivals) have no issue so they will continue to do it."

The question related to his mentioning for the first time that he has a wife, over which he is facing attack from Congress.


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Row over Pravin Togadia's 'anti-Muslim speech', EC seeks report

Written By Unknown on Senin, 21 April 2014 | 22.44

NEW DELHI/RAJKOT: Congress and several other parties on Monday came down heavily on Pravin Togadia for "spreading venom" through his reported remarks that Muslims should be stopped from buying property in Hindu areas and said that the VHP leader should be "hospitalised" for treatment.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has sought the recording of the speech made by Togadia in Bhavnagar on Saturday.

"They (EC officials) are in the process of acquiring the recording of the statement made by Togadia and after listening to it they will decide the future course of action," Bhavnagar district collector and returning officer P K Solanki said in Rajkot today.

While NDA ally Shiromani Akali Dal said the Indian society has no place for such people, RSS dismissed the report, saying that "no swayamsevak thinks on such divisive lines."

"He always spreads venom, you know that. And he belongs to that category of people in this country who do not believe in the unity and the integrity of India. What can you say about people like this?," Congress leader and Union minister Kapil Sibal said.

"It (statement) spreads venom and it is for the authorities to decide," he said.

Togadia had reportedly joined a group of VHP and Bajrang Dal members in a street protest in Rajkot on Saturday outside a house purchased by a Muslim businessman. Togadia reportedly told the gathering to take forcible possession of the house.

Condemning the statement, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said, "I think Togadia should be given treatment. He should be hospitalised.

"In this country, if Hindus stay in a Hindu area and Muslims in a Muslim area, and they are not allowed to buy property in each other's areas, it will be against the Constitution," Alvi said.

Naresh Gujaral of Shiromani Akali Dal said while he is not aware of what Togadia has exactly said, India has survived because of its democracy.

"Democracy can survive only if there is accommodation and acceptance for each other....We can't be rigid about these things and anybody who speaks this kind of language has no place in our society," he said.

Denying the reports that Togadia has made such a statement, RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said, "I have spoken to Praveen Togadia. He completely denies making such comments. It is fabricated.

"No Swayamsevak thinks on such divisive lines. They think of all people as one. One people, one nation," he said.

Slamming the statement, JD(U) leader K C Tyagi said, "Togadia seems to be influenced by Taliban mentality....No action has been taken against him due to a weak government".

Fatehpuri mosque's Mufti Mukkaram said the VHP leader should be arrested immediately.

The "government should take action against him. The Election Commission should also take action against him. This is conspiracy to spread riots. He should be booked for spreading communal tension," he said.

CPM lashed out at the VHP leader for his "hate speech" and sought his immediate arrest, saying that Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who also holds the Home portfolio, should take this action.

"As the home minister of Gujarat, Modi should himself act (against Togadia) for his hate speech. If he doesn't, then it is clear that Togadia said all this with his blessings," CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said.

Yechury's party colleague Brinda Karat demanded the immediate arrest of Togadia, saying, "This shows the Modi style of governance of giving protection to those who should be behind bars for his hate speech and communal statement in Bhavnagar."

Yechury said that under the 'Gujarat model', "there has already been compartmentalisation of areas in the state for Hindus and Muslims. This is ghettoisation of India and is the real Gujarat model which is the real danger."

He also demanded immediate action against Togadia by the Election Commission and the law and order machinery.


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​Govt approves voluntary retirement of superseded Vice Admiral in Navy

NEW DELHI: The government, on Monday, approved the "voluntary retirement" of Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, who had put in his papers after Admiral Robin Dhowan superseded him to become Navy chief last week, even as the Army commanders' conference kicked off amid uncertainty over its own line of succession.

Defence minister A K Antony accepted Vice Admiral Sinha's request — sent soon after Admiral Dhowan was appointed as the chief on April 17 — for hanging his boots as the Western Naval Command (WNC) chief with "immediate effect".

Six months senior to Admiral Dhowan, Vice Admiral Sinha's continuance in office had become untenable in the rigidly hierarchy-conscious armed forces. Similar resignations had taken place when Lieutenant general SK Sinha had been overlooked by the government to make General AS Vaidya the Army chief in 1983, and Air Chief Marshal SK Mehra had become IAF chief by superseding Air Marshal MM Singh in 1988, as earlier reported by TOI.

The Navy is now headed for a reshuffle in its top brass, with the two crucial posts of vice-chief and WNC chief becoming vacant. The force's line of succession, of course, has also gone for a complete toss, with present National Defence College commandant Vice Admiral Sunil Lamba now slated to succeed Admiral Dhowan as the Navy chief in May 2016.

The defence ministry felt that Vice Admiral Sinha had to take his share of the blame for the recent string of warship mishaps under the WNC. This came after Admiral D K Joshi owned "moral responsibility"for the accidents and quit as the Navy chief on February 26 — a resignation which was accepted by the MoD with unseemly haste.

But the MOD's junking of the seniority principle has sparked some concern in military circles because successive governments have almost always stuck to it in appointing service chiefs. The chain of seniority in Indian military is considered virtually sacrosanct, with supersession being exceptionally rare.


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TRS is only interested in power: Rahul

MAHABUBNAGAR (Andhra Pradesh): Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is interested only in power and urged people to vote for his party to ensure development and prosperity in Telangana.

Addressing an election meeting in this town in Telangana, he accused the TRS of going back on its promise to merge it with the Congress after formation of Telangana state.

"They had also said that a Dalit will be the first chief minister of Telangana. They forgot their promises. They will also forget the promises they are making to you," he said.

Addressing his first public meeting in Telangana region after the parliament passed the Telangana bill in February, he said the TRS had no role either in drafting the bill or passing it in parliament. He alleged that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to stall the bill.

Gandhi said the 60-year-old dream of Telangana people would come true on June 2 with the formation of Telangana state.

"Without the Congress and without Sonia Gandhi this dream could have never been fulfilled," he said.

Advising people to dream big, he asked them to bring Congress to power both at the centre and in the new state of Telangana to change their lives.

"If you bring Congress to power, we will develop Telangana because Congress knows how to rule, how to achieve development and how to make all sections of people part of the development," he said.

Gandhi said Congress alone could ensure social justice, protect secular values and carry along all sections of people. He targeted the BJP saying the party pit Hindus against Muslims and work only to benefit few businessmen and industrialists.

"They want two India. One for poor and another for rich. We want one India where all people should enjoy the fruits of development," he said.

"Today, the clothes you wear, the wristwatch and footwear you use, all carry made in China label. I dream of a day when all these items carry made in Telangana and made in India labels. I also want to see a day when people in other countries use mobile phones and cameras, they carry made in Telangana and made in India stickers," he said.

Claiming that the UPA government during last 10 years lifted 15 crore people out of poverty and empowered poor through revolutionary schemes like rural employment guarantee, food security and right to education, he said if UPA came to power in 2014, it will give three more powers to people.

Rahul said the Congress would ensure a house for every poor, free healthcare to poor and pass a bill in parliament for 33 percent reservation for women.

He said the women self-help movement, which is strong in Andhra Pradesh, would be extended to other states and 2,000 police stations would be set up exclusively for women.

Former union minister S. Jaipal Reddy, who is contesting from Mahabubnagar Lok Sabha constituency, Congress candidate from Nagarkurnool Nandi Yellaiah, party candidates from 14 assembly constituencies in Mahabubnagar district, and Telangana Congress chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah were also present.


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J&K's ruling party makes rival PDP’s ‘understanding’ with Modi main electoral issue 

SRINAGAR: The BJP has token presence in Kashmir, where it is better known for its strident opposition to Jammu & Kashmir's cherished special status. Yet its prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, appears to loom large over the Lok Sabha election campaign here even as there are no physical signs of it. The ruling National Conference (NC) has made its arch foe People's Democratic Party (PDP)'s ambivalence towards Modi and 'communal forces' a major and acrimonious election issue.

The NC sharpened its attack on the PDP since Mehbooba Mufti declared her party was ready to work with the BJP. Her reference to 'strong leadership of a national party' at the helm in New Delhi would be 'good for Kashmir' was construed as her approval for Modi.

A month later, she was more categorical and hoped Modi 'would follow in the footsteps of ex-PM Atal Bihar Vajpayee' and questioned whether anyone resigned after the Muzaffarnagar or the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. This along with her criticism of the NC's ally, the Congress, for its failure to pass the anti-communal violence bill was seen as the BJP leader's another endorsement. "He (Modi) has stated that he would pursue Vajpayee's policy on Kashmir. That is a welcome sign.''

Chief minister Omar Abdullah and his father, Farooq Abdullah, have since made the alleged BJP-PDP understanding the centrepiece of their campaign. They have been highlighting the 2002 Gujarat pogrom, BJP's Hindutva agenda, Modi's refusal to implement minority scholarship programmes etc. to corner the PDP.

This is seen as an attempt to divert attention from their government's dismal performance on governance and conflict resolutions fronts besides countering goodwill Vaypayee appears to enjoy here due to his conciliatory policies. This is contrasted with the Congress-NC alliance's failure to capitalize on them. The militant violence may have been almost negligible but Kashmir continues to be a tinderbox as more people have been killed in security forces firings on unarmed protesters since 2009.

Omar, who continued to be a minister in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance despite the 2002 pogrom, described Mehbooba and her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, as 'Amit Shahs' of Modi in the state at a rally last week. He called Modi 'godfather of Muftis' at a separate rally in Shangus on Sunday in his continuing focus on their alleged nexus, which he has maintained is aimed at dividing 'the society on communal lines'.

"The PDP is an open supporter of the BJP and wants Modi to be the Prime Minister despite his communal record and open animosity towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir,'' he said at a rally in the Muftis stronghold of Anantnag.

Omar maintained voting in favour of the PDP is akin to supporting Modi. "The Muftis owe their political existence to the BJP and it founded the PDP, '' he said. He reminded the people about the 'stigma Modi carries'. "He has not even expressed regret for the innocent killings in Gujarat.''

In Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah cautioned people against the PDP's 'machinations to strengthen 'Modi's communal hands'. "Every vote cast against the NC-Congress candidates would be a direct endorsement of Modi and would strengthen his nefarious plans,'' he said. "PDP is hand in glove with the BJP and is working tirelessly to make Modi the prime minister.''
The father-son duo virtually echoed similar rhetoric at their rallies in Kokernag and Chadoora in sorth and central Kashmir on Monday.


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