BJP-backed candidate wins Telangana MLC seat

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BJP-backed candidate wins Telangana MLC seat

BJP-backed candidate AVN Reddy on Friday won the election to the Telangana Legislative Council seat from the Mahabubnagar-Rangareddy-Hyderabad Teachers’ constituency.

Reddy secured 13,436 votes, crossing the required quota of 12,709 ballots to emerge victorious.

He was declared elected after 21 rounds of counting, defeating his nearest rival G. Chennakesava Reddy of the PRTU.

AVN Reddy had contested as the candidate of the BJP-affiliated teachers’ union.

According to returning officer Priyanka Ala, a total of 25,868 votes were polled, and a candidate needed to secure 12,709 votes to be declared the winner.

As no candidate secured more than 50 percent of first preference votes, counting of second preference votes was taken up.

Out of a total of 21 candidates, 19 were eliminated when the counting was stopped on Thursday night.

AVN Reddy was leading by 943 votes over Chennakesava Reddy. Polling in the constituency spread over nine districts was held on March 13.

A total of 90.40 percent of polling was recorded. According to officials, a total of 29,720 voters had exercised the franchise.

K’taka to witness high-voltage campaign by PM Modi, Rahul

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K’taka to witness high-voltage campaign by PM Modi, Rahul

As Karnataka is heading for the Assembly elections, major political parties are vying with each other to make an impact on voters. The ruling BJP and opposition Congress are roping in their top leaders in the coming week intensifying the competition. Through these programs, both parties are showing off their strength.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Davanagere on March 25 and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address a mega public rally in Belagavi on March 20.

The Vijaya Sankalp Yatra launched by the BJP on March 1 from four directions of the state is congregating at Davanagere on March 25. The program is being organized in a 400-acre ground behind JMIT college and the party is hoping that a minimum of seven lakh people will attend the rally. The party senior leaders have been asked to gather a 10 lakh crowd for the program.

Following the repeated visits of PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Congress is getting Rahul Gandhi to be in the state on March 20. He will attend the ‘Yuva Kranthi Convention’ at Belagavi and leaders are striving to make it a historic rally. The Belagavi city of Karnataka has hosted the first AICC session and Rahul Gandhi is attending a public rally for the first time after the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka.

Yogi govt to release booklet highlighting achievements

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Yogi govt to release booklet highlighting achievements

Exploring the Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s schemes and fulfillments of his government, The Uttar Pradesh government shall be announcing the booklets on March 25.

The one booklet, which has covered the projects by chief minister Yogi Adityanath in the state, will announce soon, and for every individual constituency, booklets are also making an announcement in Lucknow.

Based on the Yogi Adityanath projects like the former’s related schemes, laws, and women empowerment, which were down still in a state, Two to 5 minutes Short films are also preparing by a special team to show on March 25.

“The films will be shown on display screens and LED screens across the state. Most of these screens are located in large cities, including Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Agra, Varanasi, and Prayagraj. The films will be screened all day.

“The chief minister will hold a press conference in Lucknow, where he will recount the works done by the government in the past six years and especially over the last year and this will be telecast live across the state and on social media,” said an official in the chief minister’s secretariat.

The booklets will be made available at all gram panchayats, libraries, and government offices.

“The book will have two sections, one on achievements of the past six years and the other on achievements of the past year. Works done by each department in all the Assembly constituencies are being put together. It will also focus on BJP’s Sankalp Patra issued before the Assembly elections and how many of those promises have been fulfilled,” the official said.

Kavitha to skip ED probe in Delhi excise policy case

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Kavitha to skip ED probe in Delhi excise policy case

K. Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who was all set to join the investigation of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case, is likely to skip the summon.

Sources said that she gave a letter to the ED on Wednesday saying her issue was pending before the Supreme Court and hence she needs time.

During her first appearance, she was reportedly confronted with Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Pillai, who had represented the South Group which allegedly gave kickbacks of Rs 100 crore to the AAP leaders allegedly used during the Goa Assembly polls.

Pillai has reportedly said that he was Kavitha’s associate.

On Wednesday, the ED recorded the statement of Buchchi Babu, the BRS MLC’s former auditor and also a member of the South Group.

Kavitha has maintained that she has never met former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has been arrested by the CBI and the ED in connection with the case, claiming that her name was being unnecessarily dragged into the matter.

According to the ED, Kavitha is also one of the representatives of South Group in the excise policy case.

Kerala Assembly continues to fume, days proceedings ends in 15 minutes

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Kerala Assembly continues to fume, days proceedings ends in 15 minutes

The day’s proceedings in the Kerala Assembly on Thursday ended in 15 minutes time after the Congress-led Opposition demanded action against two treasury legislators and a few Watch and Ward staff who had misbehaved with the opposition women MLAs.

On Wednesday, the opposition legislators staged a siege at the Speaker’s office located next door to the floor of the Assembly, to protest against him. Following this the Watch and Ward staff were called to disperse the protesting MLAs.

In the melee, a few opposition legislators were injured, which included K.K. Rema.

On Thursday morning just before the Assembly proceedings began, Speaker A.N. Shamseer held a meeting of the party leaders and requested both sides to ensure things are brought under control.

In the meeting, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan were engaged in a war of words with each taking on one other, leaving others amused.

Satheesan said the right of the opposition to present leave for adjournment motion is being rejected outrightly to which Vijayan said it was not possible to allow the presentation of adjournment motion for anything and everything and the two continued to take on one another for some more time.

When the House assembled, Shamseer said what happened in the House complex and before the office of the Speaker was something unheard and unseen before in the history of the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

“Such things should have never happened and the happenings were shot on mobile phones and that was not acceptable. We could have used technology that is available to jam recordings on the mobile, but we did not use it. So I request all should cooperate,” said Shamseer.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said, “It was true that things might have gone out of hand, but all we did was to stage a democratic protest before the office of the Speaker.

“But the peaceful democratic protests were spoiled by two treasury bench legislators and a few Watch and Ward staff. We demand action against them.”

And, when the Question hour began, the opposition legislators trooped into the well and then shouted slogans before the dais of the Speaker.

Unable to proceed, the Speaker then suspended question hour and rushed through the proceedings of the House before adjourning the House for the day.

K Kavitha to appear before ED in Delhi excise policy case today

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K Kavitha to appear before ED in Delhi excise policy case today

BRS MLC K. Kavitha is scheduled to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday in connection with the central agency’s probe into the Delhi Excise Policy scam case.

This will be her second appearance before the ED after she was grilled earlier on March 11.

Before joining the probe on Thursday, Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, will also hold a press meeting at her home in the national capital.

A woman deputy director-level official will record her testimony under section 50 of the PMLA.

During her first appearance, she was reportedly confronted with Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Pillai, who had represented the South Group which allegedly gave kickbacks of Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders allegedly used during the Goa Assembly polls.

Pillai has reportedly said that he was Kavitha’s associate.

On Wednesday, the ED recorded the statement of Buchchi Babu, the BRS MLC’s former auditor and also a member of the South Group.

There are possibilities that the central agency might confront Kavitha on Thursday with Buchchi Babu, according to sources.

Kavitha has maintained that she has never met former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has been arrested by the CBI and the ED in connection with the case, claiming that her name was being unnecessarily dragged into the matter.

According to the ED, Kavitha is also one of the representatives of South Group in the excise policy case.

LS adjourned amid protests; Minister says Rahul insulted Speaker

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LS adjourned amid protests; Minister says Rahul insulted Speaker

Lok Sabha on Wednesday was adjourned for the day till Thursday amid chaotic protests by both treasury benches and the opposition members.

As soon as the Lower House reassembled at 2 p.m., treasury members started raising slogans, seeking an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on democracy during a speech in London last week.

The opposition members led by the Congress, stormed into the well of the House with placards, seeking a probe by a joint Parliamentary committee (JPC) in the Adani matter.

Parliamentary affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that Rahul Gandhi through his comments on members not being allowed to speak in Parliament has insulted the Speaker directly.

He said that even the Indian diaspora from several countries has criticized Rahul Gandhi’s comments that democracy is threatened in India.

“Rahul Gandhi has cast aspersions on India. He has insulted the country. It is the height of insult as he has blamed the Speaker by saying that members’ mikes are switched off when they try to speak,” Joshi said.

Trinamool Congress, which had earlier skipped the opposition parties’ meeting earlier in the day, and had said that it would raise its own issues in Parliament, also lent passive support to protests by the Congress.

Trinamool members were seen standing near their seats as were members from the Samajwadi Party, BSP, JD(U), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), and NCP, during the protests by the Congress members.

Amid the continuous bedlam, Bhartruhari Mahtab, who was in the Chair, adjourned the House till Thursday.

This is the third day in a row when the Lok Sabha has failed to transact any business owing to protests.

Telangana Congress leaders detained during ‘chalo Raj Bhavan’ march

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Telangana Congress leaders detained during ‘chalo Raj Bhavan’ march

Congress leaders and scores of workers in Hyderabad were detained on Wednesday when they tried to march toward Raj Bhavan to “expose” the relationship between the Adani group and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Tension prevailed at the busy Khairatabad crossroads as police stopped the Congress rally which started from the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) office at Gandhi Bhavan and was heading towards Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor.

Police had erected barricades to stop the protesters. There were heated arguments between police officers and Congress leaders who raised an objection to the police action. As the protesters tried to push through the barricades, the police used force to stop them and detained them.

Those detained included Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, senior leader Mallu Ravi, TPCC working president Anjan Kumar Yadav, and leaders of women, youth, and student wings of the party.

The Congress had called for chalo Raj Bhavan to “expose” the relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani.

The protesters carrying party flags and placards reading ‘save LIC’ were raising slogans against the “anti-people” policies of the BJP-led government at the Centre.

Addressing the protesters at Khairatabad crossroads, Vikramarka alleged that the “Prime Minister was trying to shield Adani, who is involved in scams of billions of rupees”.

“The BJP would continue to destroy Constitutional institutions, public sector companies, and the lives of people until it is voted out of power,” he said.

By rejecting the opposition’s demand for setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the “Adani scam”, the Prime Minister was trying to “protect” Adani, the Congress leader alleged.

“He (Modi) is trying to protect those who are looting the country’s wealth while we are striving to protect the public assets,” he said.

Stalin urges PM to intervene in release of 16 fishermen from TN in Lankan custody

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Stalin urges PM to intervene in release of 16 fishermen from TN in Lankan custody

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the release of 16 fishermen from Tamil Nadu who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

In a letter to the Prime Minister on Tuesday, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister requested him to initiate diplomatic steps to ensure the release of the fishermen.

“This is the third incident of attack/arrest of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan nationals/Navy within a month and as you are aware, these fishermen are solely dependent on their fishing activity for livelihood and such frequent incidents shatter the livelihood of poor fishermen and also create a fear psychosis in the minds of poor fishermen from Tamil Nadu.”

He said that 102 fishing boats are in the custody of the Sri Lankan Navy as of the date and added that six fishing boats that were released by Sri Lanka are yet to be repatriated to India. Stalin, in the letter, requested the Prime Minister to initiate “necessary diplomatic steps to secure the early release of all 16 fishermen and 102 fishing boats that were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy.”

The Chief Minister also recalled his earlier letters addressed to the Union External Affairs minister who had taken up the matter with the Sri Lanka government and despite all the efforts such incidents are continuing.

PM holds meeting with key cabinet ministers in Parliament

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PM holds meeting with key cabinet ministers in Parliament

Amid protests by treasury benches in Parliament over Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s democracy comments in London which have disrupted proceedings in both houses, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a meeting with his cabinet ministers.

According to sources, the meeting was attended by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, I&B Minister Anurag Thakur, Parliamentary Affairs and Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi, Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar, and Law Minister Kiren Rijiju.

The meeting is learned to have discussed the strategy for the ongoing Budget session, whose second part resumed on Monday after a month-long break.

On Monday, both Houses were adjourned without transacting any business as BJP members sought Rahul Gandhi’s apology in Parliament and engaged in noisy protests.

With opposition members also protesting over the Adani issue, proceedings of both Houses were disrupted.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Lok Sabha was adjourned amid protests by both treasury benches and opposition members.

Earlier on Monday, a meeting of Congress MPs under the chairmanship of party president Mallikarjun Kharge had also taken place at the party’s Parliamentary Party office in Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the session.

Budget to give new momentum to women-led development: PM

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Budget to give new momentum to women-led development: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that this year’s budget will give new momentum to the efforts of women-led development.

Addressing a post-budget webinar on “Economic Empowerment of Women”, he said that the “country is seeing this year’s budget as an auspicious beginning for achieving the target of a developed nation by 2047”.

“The results of efforts for women empowerment are visible and we are feeling a revolutionary change in the social life of the country.”

The Prime Minister informed girls’ enrolment in science, technology, engineering, and maths is at 43 percent today, which he claimed was more than countries like the US, UK, and Germany.

Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana, Modi said that the scheme has given women a new voice in the economic decisions of the household.

The Prime Minister reiterated that in the last nine years, the country has moved with a vision of women-led development.

He added that India has taken these efforts to the global stage as it is figuring prominently in the G20 meeting presided over by India.

Congress not to join Kavitha’s one-day hunger strike in Delhi

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Congress not to join Kavitha’s one-day hunger strike in Delhi

Congress will not participate in the one-day hunger strike called by BRS MLC K. Kavitha on Friday at the Jantar Mantar, said party leader Jairam Ramesh.

Kavitha, on Thursday, while praising Sonia Gandhi for pushing the Women Reservation Bill during the UPA’s tenure criticized the party for “arrogance” on the issue of the alliance, and added that the Congress “should be a team player”. She had said that she had spoken with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary K.C. Venugopal to send a representative to the protest.

The BRS said that they have got confirmation from AAP – Sanjay Singh and Chitra Sarwara; Shiv Sena (Uddhav) delegation; Akali Dal – Naresh Gujral; PDP – Anjum Javed Mirza; NC- Dr. Shami Firdous; Trinamool Congress – Sushmita Dev; JD(U)- K.C. Tyagi; NCP – Dr. Seema Malik; CPI – Narayana K.; Sitaram Yechury – CPI(M); Samajwadi party – Pooja Shukla, RJD – Shyam Rajak; and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal.

Earlier, she had invited 18 political parties, including the Congress to join the one-day hunger strike to press the demand for the Women’s Reservation Bill. She said around 6,000 people will be present and her organization, Bharat Jagruti Manch has reached out to like-minded parties and organizations.

Case registered after Tikait family gets threat call

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Case registered after Tikait family gets threat call

A case has been registered against an unknown caller after the family of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesman Rakesh Tikait allegedly received a call threatening to blow him up and his family for their “anti-government campaign”.

Akshay Sharma, SHO, Bhairakalan police station, said: “A case has been under Section 507 of the IPC and an investigation is underway to identify the caller.”

The BKU spokesman’s nephew, Gaurav Tikait, had received the call on Wednesday night.

Gaurav, son of the organization’s chief Naresh Tikait, said: “Initially, I didn’t take it seriously and disconnected the call.”

He said he took it seriously after the person called again and said: “Rakesh Tikait is going around the country and you people are campaigning against the government.”

Panel on OBC quota for municipal polls submits report to UP CM

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Panel on OBC quota for municipal polls submits report to UP CM

The five-member dedicated OBC commission that was set up to look into the issue of reservation for the other backward classes (OBCs) in the Uttar Pradesh urban local bodies polls, has submitted its 350-page report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The report has been submitted about three weeks ahead of the Supreme Court’s stipulated deadline of March 31.

According to a government spokesman, on the basis of this report, the OBC reservation for the civic polls would be done afresh in all the 75 districts of the state, paving the way for the much-delayed civic polls.

All five members of the OBC commission met Yogi Adityanath at his official residence on Thursday evening to submit the report.

The panel is headed by Justice Ram Avtar Singh, a retired High Court judge. Its members include Chob Singh Verma and Mahendra Kumar, both retired IAS officers, Santosh Kumar Vishwakarma, former additional legal advisor, and Brajesh Kumar Soni, former additional district judge.

Kavitha praises Sonia, invites 18 parties to join 1-day hunger strike

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Kavitha praises Sonia, invites 18 parties to join 1-day hunger strike

A day ahead of the hunger strike here to demand for the introduction of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the current session of Parliament, BRS leader K. Kavitha on Thursday praised Sonia Gandhi for pushing the bill during the UPA tenure.

Kavitha has invited 18 political parties, including Congress to join the one-day hunger strike to press the demand. She said around 6,000 people will come and her organization Bharat Jagruti Manch has reached out to like-minded parties and organizations.

“I salute Madam Sonia Gandhi for having backed the Women’s Reservation Bill despite leading a coalition govt at the Centre,” she said.

Kavitha said she has spoken to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary K.C. Venugopal to send a representative to the protest.

The BRS leader, who is pushing for the women’s reservation bill, has to appear before the ED in the Delhi excise policy scam case. She has written to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that she will appear before the agency on March 11.

Kavitha has written the letter in response to the notice issued by the ED asking her to appear before it on March 9.

The daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Kavitha had earlier apparently requested a week’s time to appear, but the ED rejected her request, and subsequently, she sent another letter.

A statement in this regard was issued from Kavitha’s office late Wednesday night.

“I, being a responsible Indian citizen, and as a woman of this Nation wish to exercise my rights provided under the law,” she wrote.

“Further, I fail to understand why I have been summoned at such short notice. It seems that certain political motives have been masquerading in the name of investigation. I categorically say that I have nothing to do with the present investigation.

“As stated, being a social worker and having prior commitments, I had already planned my schedule for the upcoming week, and the abrupt rejection of my request seems to be motivated by reasons best known to you, which demonstrates that it is nothing but ‘political victimization’,” Kavitha said.

Goa CM orders FIRs against those lighting fires in forests

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Goa CM orders FIRs against those lighting fires in forests

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday directed government officials to register FIRs against those miscreants, who light a fire in forest areas intentionally.

Sawant on Tuesday held a high-level meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority and ordered a thorough investigation into the forest fire that spread in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary in the last six days.

Apart from fire in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, fire incidents from other places in the coastal state have also been reported.

“Fire incidents are taking place at various places. I have instructed officials to register an FIR against those who lit fire intentionally. We will not tolerate such cases,” the Chief Minister said.

He added that along with forest officials, police and fire personnel are keeping a strict vigil on such incidents.

“We will take strict action. Monitoring of the situation is going on,” Sawant said.

The state government has taken the help of the Navy and succeeded in controlling the fire in some areas.

“People who lit the fire in their cashew plantation to clean the areas should stop such practices, or else we will take action against them. Action would be taken against forest guards if they are found negligent in carrying out their duties. A thorough investigation in connection with such cases will be conducted. We will not tolerate the loss of forest,” the Chief Minister added.

Sources informed that the forest department is yet to assess the loss due to fire incidents and instead has focussed on controlling the fire.

Unprecedented: Congress on V-P Dhankhar attaching personal staff in RS committees

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Unprecedented: Congress on V-P Dhankhar attaching personal staff in RS committees

The Congress has termed the appointment of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s personal staff in Rajya Sabha committees as “unprecedented” and said this shows the lack of confidence in the existing staff.

Digvijaya Singh, the Congress Rajya Sabha MP, said on Thursday, “Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar appoints his staff on Standing Committees Yes it is unprecedented. But the explanation given is also quite inappropriate. Doesn’t it reflect Chairman Rajya Sabha’s lack of confidence in the existing staff of the RS Secretariat?”

“VP is Chairperson of Council of States Ex-officio. He is not a Member of the House like a Vice-Chairperson or Panel of Vice-Chairpersons. How can he appoint personal staff on Parliamentary Standing Committees? Would this not be tantamount to institutional subversion? Manish Tewari, Congress Lok Sabha MP said.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s personal staff was attached to Parliament committees according to an order by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat on Tuesday.

The attachment is in 12 standing committees and eight departments related to the standing committees.

According to the Tuesday order, “following officers have been attached With the committee mentioned against their names with immediate effect and until further order.”

The OSD to the V-P, Rajesh N. Naik has been attached to the Important Business Advisory Committee which decides Parliament business, and in the General Purpose Committee and the committee on Home Affairs.

Another OSD Abhyuday Singh Shekawat has been attached to the House Committee which allows accommodation to the MPs, and along with it he has been attached to the petitions and Health committee.

Kaustubh Sudhakar Bhalekhar is attached to the Transport, Tourism, and Rules committee. Dinesh D. has been attached to the personnel and law committee.

Senior Personal Secretary to the Vice President Aditi Chaudhary has also been given a place in the committee of Subordinate legislation, women, and Education.

Sanjay Verma, APS to the V-P has been attached to the government assurance committee. And, personal secretary Sujeet Kumar is in the Commerce committee.

Charges on Skill Development project baseless: says TDP

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Charges on Skill Development project baseless: says TDP

Andhra Pradesh’s main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has said that the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led state government is leveling baseless charges against the earlier TDP regime with regard to the Skill Development project.

TDP MLA and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Payyavula Kesav announced that his party will wage a legal battle to bring the facts to light.

Kesav asked whether the Crime Investigation Department (CID), which is claiming that funds have been deposited with the accounts of the TDP leaders, can give the details to whose accounts the funds were deposited, when, and from where.

Claiming that the project was aimed at paving a bright future for the youth, he alleged that Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy destroyed it and is shamelessly making baseless charges against the TDP.

“If Siemens organization commits a mistake how the former Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, is responsible for that,” Kesav asked and pointed out that the same Siemens organization had entered into agreements with six state governments before signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Andhra Pradesh.

“Are the chief ministers of all these six States partners in this corruption charge?” he questioned the Jagan Government.

It is almost four years since Jagan Mohan Reddy came to power why all these years he is keeping silent and why the Chief Minister could not decide anything on this matter, Kesav asked.

Chandrababu Naidu had transformed Hyderabad city into an IT Hub and after the bifurcation, he also wanted to provide better job opportunities to the youth and thus the TDP government entered into an agreement with the Siemens organization, he added.

Referring to a report that the chairman of Siemens, Suman Bose, had benefited some politicians, Kesav asked in which way it is related to Chandrababu.

Siemens is a German-based company and it has offices in over 160 countries.

After learning that it is training the youth in Gujarat and after studying its activities, Chandrababu signed the MoU with the company, Kesav explained.

Stating that a document relating to Siemens is being produced before the public, he said Jagan, his Ministers besides the other ruling party leaders should respond after going through the paper.

The agreement entered into with Siemens clearly defined what it should do and what its sister concern, Design Tech should do, he stated.

Sending a strong warning to the ruling party leaders that they will have to pay a very heavy price if they make baseless charges and spread cooked-up stories against the TDP, Kesav felt that the YSRCP has brought onto the scene the Skill Development project issue only to divert the public attention from the ongoing investigation into the murder of Vivekananda Reddy, the paternal uncle of Jagan.

The Chief Minister is now worried as the YSRCP MP, Avinash Reddy, was summoned by the CBI in the case and thus leveling such charges against the TDP to divert the public and media attention, Kesav observed.

BJP getting rattled by series of lectures: Tharoor & Gogoi defend Rahul

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BJP getting rattled by series of lectures: Tharoor & Gogoi defend Rahul

The Congress on Thursday while defending Rahul Gandhi’s lectures in the UK attacked the BJP, saying that the party was rattled.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, “It is embarrassing to see the entire BJP machinery including senior ministers, media channels, and unofficial spokespersons getting rattled by a series of lectures by @RahulGandhi. All the Indians living in the UK who have attended these events have been extremely positive.”

The BJP has continued its attack on Rahul Gandhi while Congress has defended his statement on every issue.

Shashi Tharoor has too defended Rahul Gandhi’s statement on foreign policy, “What’s wrong w/what @rahulGandhi said? That foreign policy must serve national self-interest; our overriding priority is the domestic transformation the nation is undergoing, so our foreign policy should support that. That’s essentially one of my own arguments in “Pax Indica”,” he said in a tweet.

Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed Rahul Gandhi during a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, had said, “What happens to you when you visit abroad? All dignity, all decency, democratic shame, you forget everything. Now, when the people of the country neither listen to you nor understand you, you go abroad and lament that India’s democracy is in danger.

Prasad further stated, “Rahul Gandhi is saying that speaking is not allowed in India but he kept on speaking a lot in Bharat Jodo Yatra, abusing the PM. He gave a long speech in the Parliament itself. Now, what can be done in this that the people of India neither listen to him nor understand him.”

During his recent visit to London, Rahul Gandhi said at an event that the “US and Europe are not doing enough to restore democracy in India” as they are “getting trade and money” from the country.

Trinamool to raise LIC, SBI and cooking gas price hike issues in Parliament

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Trinamool to raise LIC, SBI and cooking gas price hike issues in Parliament

Trinamool Congress is all set to corner the Centre in the upcoming Parliament session on several issues, including investments by SBI and LIC in private entities besides the recent hike in the cooking gas price.

According to sources, the decision was taken at a closed-door meeting here on Wednesday evening. Chaired by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the meeting saw participation of the party’s national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, and the party leaders in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha — Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Derek O’Brien.

Although there was no official briefing on the proceedings of the meeting, one of the party Lok Sabha members said on condition of anonymity that the chief minister directed the party leaders in both houses to brief the respective MPs to debate on investments made by LIC and SBI in private entities.

“The second major issue that we have been asked to focus on during the three-day Parliament session that gets underway on March 13, is how the Union government arbitrarily resorted to hiking the price of cooking gas immediately after the polls for the three northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland,” the Lok Sabha member added.

If time and situation permit, he added, the party MPs have also been asked to be vocal on other issues like denial of central dues to the state government and purported actions of the Union government that are contrary to the federal democratic system of the country. “The Women’s Reservation Bill is yet another issue that we have been asked to raise,” the party MP said.

However, Chief Minister Banerjee has given strict instructions to the party MPs not to voluntarily raise the issue of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) taking Anubrata Mondol to New Delhi in connection to the cattle-smuggling scam.

Sources said that the party leadership has for the time being decided to take a low-key approach in the matter, at least in the public domain.

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