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Does AAP deserve victory in this election?

BJP is attacking Arvind Kejriwal personally through political advertisements in Delhi’s newspapers. Really, this shows the lows of politics. Earlier, Saffron party had attacked Kejriwal and his children; however, today they have crossed their limits. In the ad, published in Hindi, BJP said, “Republic Day is regarded by many as a national festival and they feel proud about it. However, your troublemaker community was ready to disrupt it.” The saffron party’s taunt reference was to Kejriwal’s threats of disrupting Republic Day Parade last year and his complaint that he was not invited this year to the celebrations.

Like him or hate him, surely one has to acknowledge his efforts and the daredevil challenges Kejriwal takes. Be it taking on capitalists like Ambanis and Adanis or taking on Modi in Varansai. The kind of political moves, he and AAP have made are so unorthodox that BJP is not able to counter it, while they have effectively defeated Congress and other regional political parties. BJP has nothing against him, they have only one issue of quitting the power in 49 days and that’s the only thing they bring up. BJP is running away from debating with AAP on Delhi’s issues. Perhaps, this is their ‘good governance’? It is upto Delhi’s residents to decide who will govern them. They will not choose Congress as they have experienced them in the past.

AAP has experience of 49 days. They had also done nothing in these days of ruling. They used the old tactics and surrendered themselves which has already proved fatal for Delhi. AAP’s 70 point programmes with its experience are next to impossible to achieve. People are more concerned about ‘alternative political system’, and it is quite necessary in terms of development especially in democratic nation. India as a nation definitely needs alternative dimensions in political system. We have seen Congress’ rules for more than 67 years and certainly Delhi should go with Arvind Kejriwal. They should not go with Kejriwal for his past credentials but to choose a new alternative vertical in Indian democratic diplomacy system.

Kejriwal had sufficient reasons to quit in 49 days. Even though, I subscribe to his views and sympathise with him as a person who practices politics in a different – unconventional way. The first reason to quit the government was that he had no absolute majority in Delhi Assembly. He had to bear the support of Congress which I feel he was reluctant to take and the second reason was he had to take on Narendra Modi. Perhaps, this proved to be a wrong step. Nevertheless, many voters, who loathe the corruption and communalism of BJP, will perhaps forgive him for such lapses. Whether Kejriwal will form the next government in Delhi or not, but one thing is for sure, he will succeed in taking the steam out of Modi waves.

AAP’s transparency in funding is about to bring in a huge difference. It cuts the root cause of all kinds of evil. Janlokpal Bill for which they are fighting can prevent even Arvind Kejriwal from indulging in corruption. ‘Right to Recall’ is a Brahmastra that voters can use against any leaders who forget their responsibility to the people who elected them. AAP thus have come up with solutions for kinds of problems we face since independence.

Recently, in a political rally PM said that, the only Jaributi (the proven medicine), for all problems in India is ‘Vikas’ (Development). He quoted an example that, if you try to inflate the tyre of a bicycle, and if one of the portions of tube becomes like a balloon, will you call it all round development? I wonder, why PM had not mentioned anything on eradicating corruption. In the above example, I ask, if there is a puncture in the tube, then can anyone ever think of having an inflated tyre? Same has happened so far in India, after 67 years of Independence. All the benefits of progress made in various areas have been nullified and eaten away by corrupt leaders, who have taken away the big chunk and benefits and stashed this huge money in banks abroad. Therefore, we are still a poor country. Many of the citizens in this country are even away from the basic needs of life. Modi, we respect you but please don’t suggest to vote on the basis of luck factor instead of competencies and skills. Modi himself knows that local BJP leadership does not have any match with competencies of Kejriwal and AAP (that’s why you brought whole BJP Army from India to Delhi for election week).

Irony is that, BJP is maintaining that there is still a Modi wave but they induced Kiran Bedi in the party and made her CM candidate to get wave to the shore. Such shallow and hollow statements will not cut any ice with the voters. Anyways, it’s right time to bring the right man to power and not to get fooled by fake promises and baseless allegations.

AIB Roast: Complaint filed against Karan Johar, Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh for using abusive language

AIBPolice have initiated an inquiry into a complaint against filmmaker Karan Johar, actors Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, which alleged that the trio had used “filthy and abusive language” on AIB Roast event held in Mumbai.

According to the written complaint by Akhilesh Tiwari, President of Brahman Ekta Seva Sanstha in Mumbai, filed at Sakinaka police station on Monday, the trio, along with other performers allegedly passed abusive and offensive remarks against one another and even at the audience during an episode of the AIB Knockout, a comedy show, police said. The episode, which was uploaded on YouTube and other websites last week, has gone viral.

In his four-page complaint at Sakinaka police station, Tiwari sought a criminal complaint against Johar, Kapoor and Singh as well as the show organiser, among others.

“I have handed over a letter to Sakinaka police demanding a criminal complaint be lodged against these so-called youth icons Karan Johar, Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. The show, which can be seen on YouTube and other websites, was extremely abusive and it is not only ruining the clean image of the Indian culture & women, but is also misleading today’s youth,” said Tiwari.

The 43-year-old complainant claimed that the programme was organised in south Mumbai on December 20 and was uploaded on websites last week. “I sought action against the event organisers and other performers as well, who passed dirty comments with such audacity. The police action would be a deterrent to them so that they would not dare to do such acts publicly in future,” he said.

Prasanna More, Senior Inspector at Sakinaka police station, said, “We have received the written complaint. We are inquiring into the matter. Once we reach a conclusion, appropriate action would be initiated, if required.”

The show started off with Karan Johar announcing, “Let the filth begin.” Other performers had cracked jokes at audience that included actors Deepika Padukone,Sonakshi Sinha and Alia Bhatt, the complaint said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra government also ordered an inquiry into the three-part AIB Knockout videos. “Officials of the Culture Department will examine the videos for the content. If found vulgar, further action will be initiated,” Cultural Affairs Minister Vinod Tawde said.

The first video of the three-part AIB Knockout on YouTube cautioned users – “following video is filthy, rude and offensive”. Roasts is a relatively new genre for Indians watching insult comedy online or during live performances.

The AIB Knockout on YouTube had social media buzzing with their roast of Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh with Karan Johar officiating as ‘roastmaster’ in front of 4,000 people at Worli in Mumbai.

Graft allegations against Bhujbal; SC rejects plea against HC order

BhujwalThe Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea filed against a Bombay High Court decision ordering a SIT probe into graft allegations against former Maharashtra PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal and others in connection with contracts awarded to some private firms.

“No. We will not entertain it,” a bench comprising Chief Justice HL Dattu and Justice AK Sikri said.

The bench was hearing an appeal filed by Iram T Shaikh against the December 18 order of the High Court on a PIL filed by Aam Aadmi Party there.

Senior advocate Abhishek M Singhvi, appearing for Shaikh, said that the high court entertained a PIL filed by a party (AAP) which wanted to gain political mileage out of judicial proceedings.

The high court had ordered a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into the allegations of money laundering against NCP leader and former minister Bhujbal, his son Pankaj and nephew Sameer in connection with certain contracts awarded to private firms.

It had said that the SIT will conduct an “open inquiry” into the allegations and the probe should be over by February 28.

The high court had also said that if the probe is not completed by February 28 then an interim report be filed before it.

SIT will comprise officers of Enforcement Directorate and the state anti-corruption bureau, it had said.

AAP, in its petition, had alleged that as PWD minister in the previous Congress-NCP government, Bhujbal had awarded contracts to certain private firms and in return, kickbacks were paid to his institute, Mumbai Education Trust.

Recently, Maharashtra Government had given a nod to an ACB probe into allegations against the NCP leader with regard to construction of New Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi.

Centre concerned about crop damage by wild animals: Javadekar

Prakash (2)The Union Government is concerned about the damage caused by wild animals to the crops in the field, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said.

“If the state government sends a proposal to find a solution to the menace, the Centre will consider it with sympathy,” the minister said, speaking at a meeting of Maharashtra BJP Kisan Morcha (farmer wing).

“Crop damage in the state is caused by elephants, wild boars and monkeys,” the minister said. “The Centre is concerned that crop gets damaged and farmers suffer losses,” he said.

Building weirs was one of the ways to increase water level in the state, Javadekar said. “I will personally look into it if there are problems as far as environmental clearances are concerned,” he added.

State BJP Kisan Morcha president Dnyanoba Munde informed the minister that the Morcha’s target was to enrol 11 lakh BJP members by March-end.

Coast Guard wants hoverport off Mahim creek; CM agrees

Maharashtra Government has given “in principle” nod to build a hoverport around the Mahim creek after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today took a boat ride to examine coastal security and take stock of measures put in place to thwart any 26/11-type terror attack.

The proposal to establish hoverport was put forward by Coast Guard to further intensify patrolling around the coast of Mumbai, which saw a major sea-borne terror attack in 2008.

“The Chief Minister (accompanied by Coast Guard) today took a boat ride from Girgaum to Mahim and then to Vashi to take a stock of coastal security measures.

“The Coast Guard (during the exercise) put forward a request to build a hoverport around the Mahim creek to enhance security in the Arabian Sea,” an official from the Chief Minister’s Office said.

“The Coast Guard officials stressed the need to have a Quick Response Team (QRT) deployed at the hoverport along with an SOS system, that will further strengthen marine security. The CM has given in principle approval to the hoverport project,” he added.

The Government possesses 15-acre land around the creek off Mahim, North Central Mumbai. Of this, 10 acres will be given to the Coast Guard, the official said.

“The Chief Minister will chair a meeting with Coast Guard officials and the Collector on February 4. At the meeting, the Coast Guard will submit a detailed report on Mumbai coastal security. He (Fadnavis) will also look into the nitty gritty of deploying QRT.”

The Chief Minister’s boat ride focused on getting inputs from the Coast Guard about the security apparatus.

“The Coast Guard said there are still some landing points, which are not sufficiently monitored on a daily basis. They also said it becomes a bit difficult to track all the fishing boats and yachts in the sea in the absence of a definite marking mechanism. All these issues will be looked into detail on February 4,” the CMO official added.

Journalist, unionist Vasant Pradhan dies

Vasant Pradhan, a veteran Marathi journalist, trade unionist and Gandhian, passed away on Sunday following old age related problems, his family said on Monday.

He was 90 and is survived by his wife, lawyer Kisan, daughters Justice Nishita Mhatre of the Calcutta High Court and Deepti Pradhan, a scientist at Yale University, US, musician son Aneesh and daughter-in-law, classical vocalist Shubha Mudgal.

He breathed his last at his home in Khar and the funeral shall be performed here Tuesday.

Born June 16, 1924, he plunged into the Indian freedom struggle at the age of 18 and was jailed during the Quit India Movement.

Later, under the guidance of a senior journalist, the late G.M. Chitnis, he started his media career with Chitra, a Marathi daily which he later headed.

In 1956, Pradhan and his wife Kisan launched a Marathi eveninger Zunjar which ran for 10 years, but shut down following various obstacles.

He joined the Loksatta Marathi daily in 1969 and continued till his retirement in 1984.

Pradhan was active with the Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Employees Union and had faced action for his union activities, but was associated with it for 15 years after his retirement.

Besides his media career, Pradhan authored several books on labour laws and was considered an authority on the subject by workers and the industry comprising small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He also served as the president of the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Library, honorary Secretary of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, and president of Gandhi Films Foundation in Mumbai.

State panel to suggest changes in Labour laws

In order to give a boost to its ‘Make in Maharashtra’ and ‘Digital India’ campaigns, the state government has decided to constitute a six-member committee to amend and simplify labour laws to expedite industrial development.

The panel, to be headed by state labour commissioner, includes development commissioner (Industries), additional secretary of labour, additional secretary of law and judiciary department, deputy labour commissioner A L Lakaswar (Nagpur) and deputy labour commissioner (administration).

The committee has been asked to submit its report within a month.

“On the lines of ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Central government, the state has adopted ‘Make in Maharashtra’ and ‘Digital India’ missions in the state. To support this mission, there is a need to make amendments in labour Acts and rules to make them simple,” a Labour Department official said.

Explaining the functioning of the committee, the official said, “the committee will take stock of existing labour Acts and rules and will suggest the recommendation on how to simplify them.”

According to a Government Resolution (GR) issued recently, the committee will look into legislations like Industrial Disputes Act (1947), Factories Act, Contract Labour Act (1970), Industry Act 1948 (related with registration and licenses), Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Act (1948), Payment of Wages Act (1936), Maharashtra Labour Welfare Fund Act (1953), Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act (1971) to name a few.

Other laws the panel will look into are Maharashtra Industrial Relations Act (1946), Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (1986).

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had on Friday said the state government would work on the reforms proposed by the previous government, which failed to take-off.

“For now, we are only working on (labour) which the previous government had suggested but did not implement. If we only succeed in doing this much, we will succeed in doing a lot of good work for the state,” he said.

HC seeks to know steps taken to modify furlough, parole rules

The Bombay High Court sought to know the steps taken by Maharashtra government for modifying parole and furlough rules and asked the government to file an affidavit.

The division bench headed by Justice V M Kanade was hearing a public interest litigation challenging frequent leaves of absence obtained by Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt who is serving a sentence in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

Public Prosecutor Sandeep Shinde said a committee had been formed to review the rules. He himself was part of this committee but could not attend its last meeting, he added.

He would read the minutes of the meeting and inform the court next time, Shinde said.

The petitioner Tushar Pabale sought an inquiry into grant of repeated parole and furlough to Dutt in 2013-2014. Nikhil Choudhary, Pabale’s lawyer, alleged that prison authorities had misused their power.

According to the Maharashtra Prison Manual, “a prisoner, who is sentenced to imprisonment for period exceeding one year but not exceeding five years may be released on furlough for a period of two weeks at a time for every year of actual imprisonment undergone,” he pointed out.

The court directed Choudhary to put additional details on record within a week. The next hearing would be after three weeks.

Little Hearts Marathon in Mumbai Feb 8

Mumbai will once again be playing host to the annual ‘Little Hearts Marathon’ this Feb 8 to raise awareness about preventing cardiac diseases in children, an official statement said on Monday.

It is an annual initiative by ‘Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children’ (BJWHC) in association with ‘Shri Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust’ to help children who are suffering from such illnesses.

The marathon will commence from the Siddhivinayak Temple ground at 8 a.m. Sunday (Feb 8) and will conclude at the Wadia Children’s Hospital.

The marathon is expected to have over 10,000 kids coming together to lend a helping hand to the disadvantaged kids, the statement said.

Aditya Thackeray, chief of Yuva Sena, the youth wing of Shiv Sena, will flag off the Marathon as chief guest of the event.

Mayor of Mumbai Snehal Ambekar will be the special guest and will boost these kids for the noble cause. They will be accompanied by prominent Bollywood personalities and dignitaries from a variety of fields.

Little Hearts Marathon aims to engage the community in a healthy and fun event, which will help raise funds for setting up a cardiac centre at BJWHC and in turn will reduce the costs and waiting times for cardiac surgeries for the underprivileged kids.

“Today, the unhealthy lifestyle choices that lead to cardiovascular disease often begin in childhood and adolescence, so preventive measures for tackling heart disease must begin at this crucial age. Need of the hour is to promote healthy diet and physical activity amongst the new generation and provide a second chance to children who are already suffering from cardiac diseases,” Minnie Bodhanwala, chief executive officer of BJWHC said.

Last year, over 5,000 children participated in the Marathon along with their parents. Kids who participated last year are thrilled to participate this year again — as this Marathon is for the children, run by the children and towards the benefit of the children, the statement added.

Government will take steps to boost coastal security: Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra government will take necessary measures to boost coastal security, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday.

Fadnavis was speaking after reviewing coastal security during a boat ride between Girgaum Chowpatty and Vashi, along with senior state government and Navy officials.

He directed officials to implement measures to strengthen coastal security and take steps to curb illicit sea trade and avert terrorists sneaking in via sea.

Fadnavis also reviewed mangroves in Airoli area, adjoining Navi Mumbai.