John Abraham to feature in and produce biker film

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March 27, 2019

John Abraham is set to star in and produce a biker film.

The untitled film is currently in pre-production and will be directed by Rensil D’Silva.

John said that the story of the film revolves around motorcycles, his longtime passion, which the actor first showcased onscreen in the 2004 blockbuster “Dhoom”.

“I decided to develop a film on riders and their love for motorcycles in-house two years ago. A lot of research and time has been spent on the subject since then.

“I’m happy to have Ajay Kapoor and Rensil on board for this project. I am especially excited that we will film the action sequences in the Isle of Man, the home of racing on real roads,” the actor said in a statement.

D’Silva, who directed 2009 film “Kurbaan”, said that directing an adventure film on bikes with John is a dream come true for him.

“I’ve grown up on films like ‘Days of Thunder’ and ‘Top Gun’ and it’s a dream come true to make an adrenaline pumping, emotionally charged bike racing film like this with John,” the filmmaker said.

Kyta Productions, the banner behind John’s last “Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran” and his upcoming espionage thriller “RAW (Romeo Akbar Walter)”, is attached to co-produce.

Ajay Kapoor of the production house said that he is excited to collaborate with the actor’s JA Entertainment again.

“I know how passionate John is about motorbikes. It has been a pleasure collaborating with him and his production company so far on all our projects, and it will be an absolute treat to see him play a biker now! We look forward to our other collaborations with him in future too,” Kapoor said.

Then remaining cast of the film is currently being locked and the film will go on floors in July.

Citizens’ apathy towards elections — Do cast your valuable vote!

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S. Krishna Kumar

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March 27, 2019

The Chief Election Commissioner had announced the dates for the general elections to be held nationwide. The “Festival of Democracy” (Elections), will be spread over April and May 2019, in seven phases.

A few politicians have already started creating controversies around the dates being fixed like citing a particular community cannot vote due to Ramzan and so on. It must be noted at the outset that conducting general elections of great magnitude in a country like India is certainly not a joke. It requires meticulous planning and coordination and making several arrangements to conduct the elections peacefully in as many states. India is a very vast country with diverse custom and culture and as many religions existing for years and decades and having extreme climatic conditions too. There is no dearth of festivals and events as one festival or the other keep coming up almost every month. Add to this, there are several political parties – national and regional — and thousands of political leaders contesting the elections.

In our country, even during the festival time – be it Ramzan, Navaratri, Diwali or Christmas, people do prioritise their work, business, trade, profession, and go to their respective places of work/offices. Even schools nowadays have greatly reduced the number of vacation holidays. So, it’s wrong to say that “election dates” clash with that of a festival and so on. After all, the job of casting a vote by standing in the queue for a couple of hours should not be cumbersome at all. Will one not spend hours in a Mall or food stall during a festival period?

Indian democracy is alive and kicking in our “Mahan Bharat”. It’s, in fact, a Herculean task to conduct elections in a big country like India especially considering the situation the country faces today like terror attacks, internal law and order, and so on. In this context, we should applaud the efforts taken by our Election Commission and its officers and staff, in making all the preparations beforehand and conducting the elections in a systematic manner and peacefully.

However, what is rather painful is the percentage of voters casting their votes, is never encouraging. We have seen in many elections, how even in the prosperous cities and localities, the percentage of voting have been much lower than the average figures. In fact, in the localities which have the “upper strata of people”, the percentage of votes cast, has always been quite low. Whereas, the voters in the villages and urban areas have always turned out in large numbers to cast their votes!

I, therefore, have a suggestion or an idea. Why not link budget allocation to the percentage of votes polled? Thus, if an area votes 20 per cent, they will get only 20 per cent (or proportionately) and cannot crib later. The motto should be — no vote, no money, no amenities. If this is not practical, link it to supply of water, electricity, provision of infrastructure, and so on.

I also feel voter apathy is existent because they have no connection with their corporator or MLA or MP and feel that their votes will have no effect — things would anyway continue to remain the same….they feel! If the elected representatives have better connections with the people, some amount of the voter apathy could be reduced.

We need to work to demystify these elected posts and make them more accessible to people from all walks of society, ready to serve in these posts. Only then will there be a better exercise of electoral rights.

Let us remember that it is our prime duty to exercise our franchise in the “great general elections” to elect ‘our representatives and the lawmakers (MPs)’. So, do not take advantage of the weekend and the holiday on the election day. It’s just once in five years. Do not forget to cast your valuable vote. Exercise your fundamental right.

It’s your vote that will decide the “fate” of the nation!

Jai Hind!

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Letters to the Editor: March 27, 2019

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Web Team

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March 27, 2019

Curb necessary over misleading ads!

Today’s era belongs to social media and it takes only a few minutes to spread the matter all over the world, let it be news, video, photo; through social media. Its adverse effect is that even posts, which are wrong, false or rumours; which can disturb social harmony, are spread like fire; therefore, APP’S like ‘What’s APP, twitter etc. tried to bring improvement in their APP’S and put curb over the same to some extent; but it has been observed that there was no control over misleading advertisements shown on websites. Many misleading advertisements are seen on various websites such as reducing weight in 10 days; growing hair on bald head; the assurance to cure incurable diseases; solving domestic problems; earning money by playing games ‘online’; working from home and earning millions of rupees etc. Such advertisements are also seen in a few newspapers. Many people, falling prey to these misleading advertisements, are conned and losing thousands of rupees. It is, therefore, felt that efforts should be made to stop such misleading advertisements; just as measures have been taken for keeping watch on fake posts spreading rumours, through social websites!

Jagan Ghanekar

Heat wave takes a toll

Heat has set in and several cities especially Mumbai is sweltering under heat waves in the month of March. Rich people can enjoy the comfort of Air Conditioner in their homes and in their cars while travelling whereas middle-class and lower middle class go for taking a frequent bath to beat the heat and take watermelon and fruit juices to beat the heat. So far, we have not felt the shortage of Power and Water. It is better to take precautions while travelling out in the hot sun. We can get fresh air by keeping the windows open instead of keeping it closed all the time. Save water for summer season should be our main motto.

Anandambal Subbu

Lavishing promises

Congress President Rahul Gandhi had promised that 20 per cent poor families in this country would be given Rs 72,000 per year if his party was elected to power. Now, taking a retreat, Congress has given a clarification that the scheme was meant only for women. These poor families also know that promises given during election period are only verbal bubbles. Every day, there is a new promise. There is no uniformity in making announcements. The Election Commission should impose a ban on making such announcements. How did people remain poor despite electing them to power for more than 60 years? Leaders became rich and poor people became poorer. A few Congress leaders had even claimed that enough quantity of food was available at a minimum cost which is like making a mockery of poor people and people have not forgotten this. They are now promising Rs 72,000 per year for poor families. People should take these leaders to task for making such promises. So many millions of people in this country have to sleep with half-filled stomachs or empty stomach. Jokes can be cut only on a full stomach. Is it not shameful? It has been the experience under Indian democratic rule that only promises are showered on people and in reality, they get nothing but disappointment. Therefore, poor people have no hopes from anyone. If you are giving something, why blow trumpets about them before giving? Why nothing was given earlier even after gaining power?

Kishor Auti

Will unscientific ideology ever come to an end?

Mortal remains of Goa Chief Minister and former Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar were kept at Kala Academy of Goa, for people to pay their last respect. Later, the premises were purified. Manswi Prabhune, a social worker, strongly criticised this incident and she feels that it was a serious blunder to do such thing at the government level. Goa’s Art and Cultural Minister Govind Gawde has ordered an inquiry into the incident since it was wrong to encourage unscientific things in government premises according to him. It has been proved that rituals, as prescribed in Hindu Dharma, are totally based on science. One needs to study these matters before expressing views. Even at the individual level, the ritual of purification of the house is performed after the death of a family member in that house which is called as ‘Udak-Shanti’. If Kala Academy was purified according to this ritual, what is wrong with it? Most of the social workers opposed to customs and traditions followed under Hindu Dharma by claiming them to be unscientific. They are, however, not ready to study this science to know the truth.

There is no need to purify Miramar sea-coast (where last rites were performed) because ‘Surya Narayan’, who is the main source of maintaining and nurturing the whole Universe, purifies natural places and water reservoirs. It has, however, become a practice to start criticising without understanding the truth.

Sandeep kate

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Ravi Kishan to contest Lok Sabha polls

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Web Team

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March 27, 2019

Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan who joined the BJP in 2017 stated that he will be contesting Lok Sabha polls. “I will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The party will take a decision on the seat” Kishan told agencies.

The actor has sung a song “Tu jeet ke liye bana” dedicated to Prime minister Narendra Modi. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had launched the video at his official residence.

Kishan had contested 2014 Lok Sabha polls on Congress ticket from Jaunpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh. He managed to secure only 4 per cent votes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation

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Web Team

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March 27, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the nation two weeks prior to the commencement of polling in the country. The Seven phased elections in the country will begin on April 11 and conclude on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

He said, “Today is March 27. A while ago India achieved a historic feat. India today registered itself as a space power. Till now three countries of the world America, Russia and China had this achievement. India is the fourth country to have achieved this feat.”

“Mission Shakti is an important step towards securing India’s safety, economic growth and technological advancement. Today we have enough satellites that are contributing in various segments such as agriculture, disaster management, communication, weather, navigation etc,” he added.

“India has entered its name in elite space power. An anti-satellite weapon A-SAT successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit,” he said.

EC issues notice to railway, aviation ministries over usage of PM Modi’s photo on tickets

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Web Team

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March 27, 2019

The Election Commission on Wednesday asked why the railway tickets and boarding passes carrying PM Modi’s photograph are not removed. The EC has asked Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu to submit a reply within three days.

On March 15, Congress had filed a complaint with the EC against BJP for putting hoardings of Prime Minister Modi at petrol pumps, railway stations and airport despite the Model code of conduct is in force.

Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister stated that he had received a boarding pass containing photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while travelling on Go Air flight.

Congress suffers leadership crisis

By

Suraj Chandran

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March 26, 2019

With few days remaining for the Lok Sabha polls, Congress party lacks the leadership to steer them in the right direction. The Congress party is yet to recover from its worst performance in 2014 Lok Sabha polls in both the state and the Centre. Congress, which is trying to revive itself, faces a tough task ahead to challenge BJP’s attempt to retain power at the centre.

Former Congress MLA Ashok Jadhav said, “BJP is trying to expose the rift prevalent within Congress which is unjustified. BJP had got a majority but they only made propaganda of the country’s development but failed to fulfill their promises made during the 2014 election.”

Congress lacks dynamic leaders to represent it in Latur and Pune constituency. The party is struggling to choose candidates for these two constituencies. Latur was once known as Congress party’s bastion as former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh used to contest polls from this constituency. After Deshmukh’s demise, the party is yet to find a leader who can step into his shoes. Congress is yet to name a candidate for contesting the Pune Lok Sabha seat.

Senior Congress leader Shivajirao Moghe expressed, “Groupism is prevalent not only during this year’s election but every election. However, later on, the leaders forget everything and start working. Groupism is prevalent in every party.”

The infighting within Congress has not helped the party’s cause. Grassroot level workers are unhappy with Congress president Rahul Gandhi who remains inaccessible to them. Rahul who succeeded his mother as Congress President has failed to motivate party workers as they seem to be confused about their role within the outfit. The party is facing a leadership crisis both at the central and state level.

Congress MLA Chandrakant Raghuvanshi said, “The greedy leaders from Congress have quit the party but the key leaders continue to work for the party. Groupism is present in Maharashtra but Dhule and Nandurbar leadership has links with the Gandhi family. I don’t think that BJP will gain due to the rift prevalent within the Congress party.”

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ashok Chavan too is facing a herculean task to revive the party as his name had cropped up in the Adarsh scam. Chavan had to step down from the chief ministerial post after his name was involved in the scam. He will be contesting polls from Nanded constituency.

Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said, “Although Vikhe Patil’s son has joined BJP, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil is still with Congress. Nobody has quit the party from Mumbai. Sanjay Nirupam has voluntarily stepped down from the post of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee Chief to make way for Milind Deora.”

“Rahul Gandhi has fulfilled the agricultural loan waiver promise made to the farmers. He has also promised to launch a minimum income scheme for the poor. Whenever tickets are issued, candidates express their displeasure. BJP’s Rajendra Gavit has quit the party to join Shiv Sena. Nobody is taking note of internal rift present within BJP,” he added.

The defection of candidates too is not helping the party’s cause. Former Congress president of Satara district in the agriculturally prosperous western Maharashtra region Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar joined BJP in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a public event. Nimbalkar is not the only leader who changed sides and shocked the Congress party in Maharashtra. In a recent development, Congress MLA from Aurangabad Abdul Sattar met CM Fadnavis and Maharashtra’s Cabinet Maharashtra Girish Mahajan and discussed his plans of quitting Congress in the upcoming polls.

Senior Congress leader Kalidas Kolambkar, a close associate of former chief minister Narayan Rane, is likely to join BJP this month. He is a five-time MLA from Wadala. Congress party leader and seasoned Municipal Councilor from Ghatkopar Pravin Chedda joined BJP in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis. Maharashtra’s leader of opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil’s son Sujay joined BJP earlier this month. Sujay joining BJP is seen as a major setback for Congress in the state.

Sanjay Nirupam was replaced by Milind Deora as the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee Chief on Monday. The party had taken this decision due to internal strife in Mumbai Congress. Senior leaders were unhappy with Sanjay Nirupam and wanted him to be replaced with Milind Deora.

Congress can’t form Govt solely on its own

By

Vaidehi Taman

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March 26, 2019

Looking at the leadership challenges and political crunch in Congress, its comeback to power in 2019 seems to be difficult. Maharashtra is a state in the western region of India and it is India’s third-largest state by area. It has over 112 million inhabitants and its capital, Mumbai, has a population of approximately 18 million. Nagpur is Maharashtra’s second capital as well as its winter capital. The politics of the state is dominated by the numerically strong Maratha-Kunbi community. The first time the state has Brahmin Chief Minister of BJP. There are national and regional parties in the state serving different demographics such as those based on religion, caste, urban, and rural residents. The Indian National Congress has dominated the politics of Maharashtra since its inception in 1960 and also of predecessor states such as Bombay. Once, Maharashtra became a bastion of the Congress party producing stalwarts such as Yashwantrao Chavan, Vasantdada Patil, Vasantrao Naik, and Shankarrao Chavan. Sharad Pawar has been a towering personality in the State and National politics for nearly 40 years. During his career, he has split the Congress twice with significant consequences for the state politics. The Congress party enjoyed a near unchallenged dominance of the political landscape until 1995 when the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured an overwhelming majority in the state to form a coalition government. After his second parting from the Congress party in 1999, Sharad Pawar formed the NCP but joined a Congress-led coalition to form the state government after the 1999 Assembly elections.

Prithviraj Chavan of the Congress party was the last Chief Minister of Maharashtra under the Congress-NCP alliance that ruled until 2014. For the 2014 assembly polls, the two alliances between the NCP and Congress and between the BJP and Shiv Sena respectively broke down over seat allocations. In the election, the largest number of seats went to the Bharatiya Janata Party, with 122 seats. The BJP initially formed a minority government under Devendra Fadnavis but Shiv Sena entered the Government and therefore the alliance government now enjoys a comfortable majority in the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha. In between Sena and BJP, both were at the verge of parting from each other and Sena was aggressive on BJP. However, finally, they both know if they don’t come together, they have no future to make it in power. On the other hand, once the most dominant political party, INC started sinking as their prominent leaders like Vilasrao Deshmukh and Gurudas Kamat passed away; the remaining leaders from Sanjay Nirupam to Milind Deora have their political differences. Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan got in power fight, Sushil Kumar Shinde and his daughter are silent, and Narayan Rane switched his loyalties to BJP. Kripashankar Singh is invisible in power play. If you look at the overall scenario, from rural to urban Maharashtra, Congress has leadership crises. They don’t have strong representation to retain power.

The five states that went to polls in early 2017 is a classic example of how the voters behave across different regions. In UP and Uttarakhand in the northern region, the voters are more religious and caste conscious. Just the mention of Kabristan and Shamshan, or giving tickets to 99 Muslim candidates larger than their proportion of the population in the state or electricity during Ramzan and load shedding during Diwali can surcharge the sentiments and emotions of the people to polarise. Though polarisation took place on both the sides, the Muslim votes got divided between SP and BSP, whereas BJP became the major recipient of the Hindu votes. Similarly, in Maharashtra, selection of issues is very important for them. Congress being tied to NCP, through the alliance, had very narrow leeway to act. Independently, Congress does not count much in Maharashtra. Actually, Congress was more a drag on the alliance than contributing to the cause of victory. In Goa and Manipur, although Congress is the largest party by getting the highest number of seats, BJP got the highest number of votes. Hence, in the general election, the votes count more. Also, having more alliances, BJP is in a better position in these states. Congress secured victory in Punjab purely because of Captain Amarinder. Congress may do well even during 2019 in Punjab. However, UP alone is six and a half times that of Punjab. Hence, to be relevant in the 2019 general election, by itself is very difficult for Congress.

Dalits in Maharashtra, who constitute a large section of the voters, may be moving away from the UPA and looking at other parties. This was evident when the Ramdas Athawale-led Republican Party of India (RPI) struck an alliance with the BJP-Shiv Sena, and Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar hinted that he isn’t giving any commitment to the Congress in Maharashtra. Political analysts say that this election, the Dalit community may not support one leader like in the past, but instead vote for convenience. Appeasement of Muslims automatically generates polarisation of the Major community. The atmosphere gets surcharged and Hindus in considerable proportion unite. In this rocket age, messages get transferred so fast; the information reaches all over within minutes to far-flung areas. One should be careful in choosing words while delivering speeches or the actions of leaders should be carefully crafted. If you remember a visit by Sonia to Imam of Delhi that made waves sending wrong signals resulting in the rout of Congress in 2014. This impression has got rooted in the minds of the people. It is very difficult to be erasing the same. The leadership vacuum is perceived to be another issue plaguing the party. The party is felt to be devoid of leaders capable to hold high offices. The entire leadership is believed to be of average or below average caliber. Rahul is certainly not the one the people will be happy about.

The downfall of INC can be seen from the beginning of the UPA 2. The amount of corruption and other related things (price rise, inflation, reservation, unemployment, etc.) they did, this was ought to happen. Congress will not be able to form the government on its own strength (or for that matter, neither BJP). Congress’s traditional allies are strong partners prone to do back seat driving and political blackmail. So, they will be doing the running and Congress will be titular.

We all know that no political party is less corrupt and no party will ever fulfill its 100 per cent of the promises. We have to find out the best among worst and it’s been clear from the current ongoing scenario as “all the birds of the same feather are flocking together”. No party dares to stand and fight against BJP on their own. They have to unite with their rivalries in order to gain power which clearly reflects that this alliance is not for the sake of the country but for their own.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Not beneficial for country if people vote emotionally: BJP

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Web Team

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March 26, 2019

The BJP wanted people to vote on the basis of performance of the government and not on emotional issues, a senior party leader said here on Tuesday.

Addressing reporters, BJP national vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also said that voting on the basis of whipped up emotions did not augur well for the country.

“The party feels performance of the government should be the political discourse. We want people to start thinking and talking about government performance and not about any sentimental issue.

“It is not beneficial for the country if people vote on the basis of emotional issues and (vote) on the basis of performance of government,” he said.

Sahasrabuddhe’s statement came amid allegations by the Congress and other Opposition parties that the BJP was using martyrdom of soldiers killed in the Pulwama terror attack, and subsequent Balakot aerial strike to shape the poll narrative around populist nationalism.

Sahasrabuddhe termed Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s minimum income scheme promise as a classic example of the “maximum populism”.

“The Congress has already lost its credibility. The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh is implementing its loan waiver haphazardly, which is also incomplete,” the BJP leader said.

Gandhi on Monday assured to roll out a minimum income guarantee scheme under which Rs 72,000 will be paid annually to the poorest families, if the Congress is voted back to power after forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Meanwhile, the BJP leader further said the upcoming contest between the BJP and the Congress is between the politics of performance versus the politics of “paranoia”.

Impact of parties other than big four to be limited in Maha

By

Web Team

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March 26, 2019

Several minor parties are unable to get themselves assimilated into the two grand alliances in Maharashtra, led by the BJP-Shiv Sena and Congress-NCP combines respectively, might not have much of an impact in the April-May Lok Sabha polls, believe analysts.

Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh’s 80, and will see four phase voting on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

Among these, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, has already opted out of the Lok Sabha polls, planning to concentrate on the Assembly polls later this year to stay relevant in state politics.

The Aam Aadmi Party is also in two minds about jumping into the Lok Sabha battle with its state chief Sudhir Sawant claiming he was waiting for orders from Delhi (central leadership) on poll participation in Maharashtra.

The Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party, like their Uttar Pradesh counterparts, have tied up in Maharashtra and the latter’s state in charge Ashok Singh said his party would contest four seats while the BSP would field candidates in 44.

Prakash Ambedkar’s Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and the AIMIM, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, have come together to form the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) and its vote-snatching impact is likely to be felt in a few seats by the Congress-NCP alliance.

The VBA is contesting in all 48 seats of the state, with Ambedkar trying his luck from Solapur constituency.

An upbeat Ambedkar said, “We are going to make our presence in state politics in a big way. About 50 per cent of the voters (comprising Dalits and Muslims) are with us. All other parties, be it the NDA or the Congress-NCP combine, are fighting for the rest 50 per cent.”

While the VBA wanted retired High Court judge B G Kolse Patil to be fielded from Aurangabad seat in alliance with the Congress-NCP, a lack of agreement nixed the plan.

“There was no point in going with the Ambedkar-led VBA, because it is going to help the BJP-Sena alliance,” said Justice (retired) Kolse Patil, also national general secretary of the Janata Dal (Secular).

The Republican Party of India (Athawale) is with the NDA though the BJP-Sena refused to heed its chief Ramdas Athawale’s request for a Lok Sabha seat from Mumbai.

Other major RPI factions, like the People’s Republican Party headed by Jogendra Kawade and the Republican Party of India (RPI Gavai) have joined the Congress-NCP grand alliance comprising 56 political outfits.

The Swabhimani Shektari Sanghatana will fight two Lok Sabha seats in partnership with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, including in Hatkanangle held by its chief Raju Shetti.

The Communist Party of India (CPI), once a force to reckon with in the country’s commercial thanks to its sway in unions across industrial sectors, has this time failed to forge an alliance with the Congress-NCP.

The Left outfit plans to field candidates in Parbhani and Shirdi Lok Sabha seats.

“Only the Congress-NCP alliance can pose a challenge to BJP and Sena. Though we failed to ally with the Congress, we would want the Congress-NCP to win. Except, of course, in the two seats we are contesting,” veteran CPI leader Prakash Reddy told agencies.

An outfit like the recently-launched National Women’s Party (NWP) is struggling to even find candidates thoughts its chief Swetha Shetty told agencies that it will fight from 10 seats in the state.

Political observer Prakash Bal Joshi said smaller parties would have minimal impact in Maharashtra and the main fight would be between the BJP-Sena and Congress-NCP alliances.

“These smaller parties will not play any major role in the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra. At most, they might help their respective fronts add some votes,” Joshi said.