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BJP to share manifesto on Monday, the day voting begins

By
Afternoon Voice
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On Monday, India starts voting for its next government but the BJP, expected to win the most seats, has yet to release its manifesto. Party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed today that the party’s national agenda will be unveiled on April 7, the day the first voters cast their ballots.

Some political observers have attributed the delay to internal differences within the party, which is being led by prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

“The main reason (for the delay) is that almost every senior leader who was made part of the manifesto drafting committee is fighting the election, and has been in his or her respective constituency, making it difficult to devote time to the document,” a BJP leader said on condition of anonymity on Thursday.

Opinion polls say Mr. Modi, the 64-year-old chief minister of Gujarat is the frontrunner for the country’s top job. He is running on his credentials as a hands-on leader and economic reformer.

“A party and leader which claims great administrative and managerial competence is unable to release its manifesto in time,” Priyanka Chaturvedi, spokeswoman for the ruling Congress party, tweeted on Thursday.

“Why is BJP unable to produce even a manifesto on time?” she added.

The mammoth nine-phase election starts on April 7 and concludes on May 12, with counting on May 16.

The ruling Congress party released its manifesto on March 26, pledging to create millions of jobs and new social schemes if it is voted back into power for a third consecutive term.

‘Don’t think with your heart’: advice for Varun Gandhi from mother Maneka

By
Afternoon Voice
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Varun Gandhi, who had to issue a clarification after his praise for estranged cousin Rahul Gandhi’s work in Amethi upset the BJP, has received advice from his mother Maneka – “use your brain more than your heart.”

Maneka Gandhi said, “I have myself gone to Amethi and there is no development there. Nobody should comment on something unless you see it with your own eyes. Some people might have told him that good work has been done in Amethi and he said it. It is not right.”

Varun, 34, the BJP’s candidate from Sultanpur, landed in trouble after he told a group of activists on Tuesday, “I want to bring in a new form of politics. We need small-scale industries, the kind of self-help groups that Rahul-ji has set up successfully in Amethi, though I haven’t seen his work personally.”

Hours later, reportedly questioned by his party, he tweeted, “It should NOT be seen as an endorsement of any political party or candidate.”

Maneka Gandhi said Varun had told her that “people asked him to say this.”

His comments were embraced by Rahul, 43, who is running for Parliament from Amethi for the third time in a row. “What Varun is saying is right…I am very glad that others are appreciating the work I’ve done in Amethi,” the Congress vice president said in Raebareli yesterday.

When Varun, an MP from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, shifted to Sultanpur this time, he ruled out campaigning against Rahul in neighbouring Amethi, a constituency represented in the past by both their fathers, Sanjay and Rajiv Gandhi. Varun spoke of “lines of decency I would never cross.”

Varun and Rahul are the grandsons of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Amethi officials reject Rahul Gandhi’s residence proof application

By
Afternoon Voice
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In a major embarrassment for Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, his application for proof of residence in Amethi has been turned down by the SDM. The SDM has said that there is no proof that Rahul resides in Amethi or even occasionally stays there.

This comes even as Rahul Gandhi has been the incumbent Amethi MP for the past 10 years and is contesting this year again from the constituency, which is known to be a Congress bastion.

Rahul needs a proof of residence to apply for a bank account. Rahul needs a bank account in Amethi as per the Election Commission’s poll expense rules, which were notified in 2011.

His rival in Amethi and Aam Aadmi Party candidate Kumar Vishwas had taken a swipe at Rahul in January saying he would build a house in Amethi and live with the people, unlike “Yuvraj” who stays in ‘Rajmahal (palace)’.

Stating that he would not leave Amethi, Vishwas had said, “I am a servant and not Yuvraj. I will build a house here to stay.”

“He (Rahul) claims that the people of Amethi are his family… But he stays in ‘Rajmahal’ and travel by air while the people here do not have roof over their head… Which type of family relation is this?” Kumar Vishwas had asked.

Mounting attack on the Congress vice president, Vishwas said, “Rahul used to tell tales of development in Amethi but it is not seen anywhere here… He used to lure people by only assurances but now people have started understanding the reality. Now he is resorting to a lot of gimmicks.” Trying to corner Rahul over the issue of corruption, the AAP leader had said he used to talk about corruption but forgot that maximum number of corruption cases came to the fore in the government “patronised” by him.

Smriti Irani, who is the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Amethi, had also attacked Rahul saying there has been no development in Amethi under Rahul.

Productive mobilization of the citizens

By
Mahendra Singh
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If you notice carefully, the youth have become frustrated as they are unemployed. Secondly, there is a lack of system to harness their talents and satisfy their desire to contribute for the nation building activities. They want to participate but there is no one to channelise their energies and fructify their potential. The most important task of the next government is to develop citizenry to make them more responsible, disciplined and economically productive. Right now there is lack of discipline.

No one thinks about the nation or kids who need to attend school by boarding a bus. Autorickshaw Union leader Sharad Rao says, you can’t call me for discussion on phone. Stringent action must be taken against such leaders. The governor, the chief minister, the police commissioner and District Magistrate must visit his house and forcibly bring him to Hutatma Chowk and ask him to clarify his stand over this issue. It is a pity that our governor is merely ornamental. He must exercise his authority on such occasions.

Many times, I commute by BEST buses and notice several young boys and girls happily boarding the bus, buying a ticket and safely alighting. I really appreciate the competence of these small kids who attend their school by travelling in bus on their own and return home unaided safely. The bus strike had created lot of hardships for poor kids who were appearing for examination in this awful hot atmosphere. The strike called by the BEST drivers and conductors is illegal and the union leader must be punished. But who will take action against them? That precisely is the misfortune of our country and the next government must instill discipline as an emergency measure.

Our constitution needs to be amended to eliminate the post of governors. They don’t perform any job. They are supposed to step in to tackle such chaos but they remain insensitive. The Chief justice of the High Court can perform the functions of the governors. People say that India will disintegrate or become like Pakistan if Modi becomes PM. Leaders like Shazia Ilmi must first be drafted to perform national service by donning military uniform and join the forces on the border and not waste time on television channels. She should refrain from issuing unwarranted comments about the future of our nation. India will remain united under Modi’s leadership and we as citizens will see to it, otherwise what the purpose of our birth is?

A security threat riding the two-wheeler

By
Afternoon Voice
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The two-wheeler without petrol! An engine based vehicle like a bicycle! A two-wheeler in the hands of all the people! These were the notions which were emerged during the introduction of electric
two-wheelers. The manufacturers promised of an emergence of a developed cycle with engine in the form of electric two-wheeler. But, is the vehicle really people friendly? The vehicle in a way has brought a security threat along with its marketing. The vehicle does not need any licensing and documents which leads to a number of security problems for the country. The minors who are not qualified to be issued a driving license are riding this vehicle with immaturity which is causing huge accidents.

Moreover, the vehicle is based on the electric battery which can switch off at any time because of low charging. Such sudden shut downs of these vehicles are increasing traffic jams in the metropolitan
cities. Moreover, the country is facing a severe crisis of scarcity of electricity due to low rain and water storing facilities which has also reduced the production of electricity. The government is
striving hard even to provide consumer electricity and is regularly increasing the load shedding and power cuts. Then, is it reallypossible to meet the demand of such commercial electricity if the
sector is electrified?

The most severe consequence of these vehicles is about the surge in crimes. Triple riding has become most common among these vehicles which is a violation of the traffic rule. It is further helping the
activities of the gangsters who ride in numerously engaging in the criminal activities like murders, chain snatching etc. The recentterrorist attacks witnessed the fixing of bombs in the cycles which
will surely perpetuate soon to these vehicles, as they are of high speed and easily mobile. Moreover, these vehicles can be easily drivenwithout much energy at good speed from place to place, which helps the criminals for a fast escape.

The vehicle has become a boon for the criminals, as the riders even do not need any licensing or address proof. The police and security providers cannot even trace these vehicles, as they do not
include even a number plate. Though it is called as an advanced cycle, the vehicle includes the engine which separates it from the group of cycle. Moreover, the rider need not even to peddle or use strength to ride this vehicle. It acts so naturally as similar as a Scooty run through petrol. Inspite of these disadvantages, a question arises that, is the government sleeping?

Certainly yes, a separate department RTO is working as the regulating controller of the vehicles and their registrations. Why is the RTO not monitoring these vehicles? Nowadays, these electric
vehicles are outnumbered throughout the country, as they are easily accessed, purchased and utilized. But also, the department seems least concerned about these vehicles. Moreover, the vehicles can be even
brought by a non Indian without any restrictions as no documentation is required. India as a third world country facing a severecrisis of criminal activities like smuggling, terrorism, murders etc
which can be carried out with an easiest mobility through the usage of these vehicles. Why is the government overlooking the security trouble?

The country is witnessing a simultaneous and consistent terrorist attacks from the last decade, among which the terrorists are using an intelligent method of being inside the country as commons and
fulfilling their brutal aims. These vehicles though seem so simple are helping such activities for an easy travel and mobility through out the country without any permit or licensing. At least the government and the RTO department must wake up now before the disaster takes place by providing a license facility to the electric vehicles and keeping records of the riders of these vehicles with the details of their exact address and identity proofs akin to other two-wheelers. A strict rule must be framed pertaining to the age limit of the riders also. Because, it is better to make prevention before
the occurrence of destruction.

Pramesh Jain

No permanent friends or foes in politics- Bala Nandgaonkar

By
Afternoon Voice
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Bala-NandgaonkarThe relations between Shiv Sena and MNS have strained ever since BJP leader Nitin Gadkari had met MNS supremo Raj Thackeray to urge him to not field too many candidates for the Lok Sabha election as it would only benefit the Congress-NCP alliance. Uddhav had been attacking the BJP and had asked the party to clear its stand on MNS party. A war of words has been going on between Shiv Sena and MNS over this issue too.

Defending Gadkari’s meeting with Raj Thackeray, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said, “Gadkari did meet Raj Thackeray. But what is wrong in that? There are neither permanent friends nor foes in politics,” he said. Replying to a question on MNS’ poll prospects in the Lok Sabha polls, Nandgaonkar said, “MNS will win at least five seats in the upcoming elections and I will be one of them.”

Nandgaonkar also targeted the Shiv Sena and said that Marathi vote bank is not a monopoly of any party. “Marathi vote bank is not any party’s monopoly. Had that been the case, Shiv Sena would have still been ruling in Maharashtra,” he said.

The MNS MLA, also expressed confidence that his party would do well on at least five out of the ten seats it is contesting in Maharashtra.

When asked whether MNS has fielded candidates to make a dent into Sena’s traditional vote bank, he said, “We are not fielding candidates to eat into Shiv Sena’s vote bank at all. We are fighting on our own and fielding those candidates, who either have a good chance of winning or being at least in the runner up position. There are several seats where Sena has fielded candidates, but we have not.”

The MNS legislator is pitted against sitting Congress MP Milind Deora, Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant and Aam Aadmi Party’s Meera Sanyal.

Nandgaonkar has represented the Mazgaon constituency in the state Assembly for three terms since 1995. He had also handled the office of Maharashtra’s Home Minister (Rural) in 1999 for four months.

Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar too came forward in support of MNS leader Raj Thackeray. In a facebook post Pawar mentioned that Raj had built his party from the grassroots level while Uddhav had only inherited a party built by his father. He also took a jibe at Uddhav and criticised his inability to run the Shiv Sena after Balasaheb Thackeray’s demise which has resulted into the downfall of the party.

“It is Raj’s prerogative to decide whom to support after the national election and no one can advise or question his decision,” Pawar said in his post.

BEST employees call off strike after talks with government

By
Afternoon Voice
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best-strikeThe strike by bus drivers and conductors in Mumbai, protesting against a new roster that called for longer working hours, has been called off after they arrived at a solution with the management over the implementation of the new computerised scheduling system.

“The matter has been resolved. The implementation of the new computerised scheduling system has been postponed till June 1. However, as pilot project the system will be implemented at the Malad depot to see what difficulties arise,” BEST counsel MPS Rao said.

Thousands of members of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport or BEST bus drivers and conductors had gone on strike yesterday against the new system, causing huge distress during rush hour yesterday, as stranded commuters tried to get to work, school and other places.

Many schools have examinations at this time and harassed parents had to depend on other, more expensive public transport to get children to school on time.

BEST moved the high court yesterday, which ordered the protesters to call off their strike and report to work by 5 pm. It also brought in more private buses and those from state roadways to ease the situation.

The BEST runs a fleet of 3,380 buses on 335 routes and ferries over 40 lakh passengers daily in Mumbai and its suburbs of Navi Mumbai, Thane and Mira Road.

These buses are also the main connecting service for Mumbai’s local trains, considered the city’s lifeline.

BEST workers fear that their duty hours will increase from eight to 12 hours in a new computerised schedule that came into effect on April 1.
It has around 22,000 drivers/conductors who ply buses on more than 500 routes daily.

War of words continues as Uddhav accuses Raj of backstabbing Bal Thackeray

By
Afternoon Voice
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A day after Raj Thackeray targeted Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, the latter has hit back at the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, accusing him of backstabbing late Bal Thackeray.

Uddhav, Raj’s estranged cousin, had expressed his views in Shiva Sena’s mouthpiece ‘Saamna’ on Tuesday and asked would a person, who backstabbed his later father Bal Thackeray listen to him, so what’s the point in giving a call.

Shiv Sena chief’s response came after Raj said on Monday that if Uddhav’s party wanted his cooperation, it could have just called for a meeting, and there was no need to make statements like “we are ready to shake hands”.

The MNS chief said that former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari also asked him not to field candidates for the Lok Sabha election, but he politely refused.

According to him, both Gadkari and Gopinath Munde later told him that it was Uddhav who was not willing to cooperate with him or accept the MNS in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Uddhav categorically stated that his joining hands with MNS has nothing to do with this elections, in an apparent reference to latter’s claim that MNS was close to sealing a deal with the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking about his cousin Raj, Uddhav also said, “When he (Raj) quit Shiv Sena, he blamed me. So would he have returned with just a phone call from my side?

Verdict in photojournalist gangrape case likely today

By
Afternoon Voice
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nikamA sessions court trying the Shakti Mills photojournalist gangrape case is likely to pronounce its verdict on Thursday on the fate of three common convicts, who have been charged under a fresh rape section, which entails death penalty.

“The court completed recording the deposition of three witnesses who were recalled on Tuesday. It will start hearing the final arguments tomorrow after which the verdict may come out,” Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.

The court had last month framed an additional charge under section 376 (e) (punishment for repeated offence of rape) of IPC which attracts the maximum penalty of capital punishment.

Kasim Bengali, Vijay Jadhav and Mohammed Salim Ansari are the common accused who are also convicted in the telephone operator gangrape case. The 18-year-old telephone operator was gang raped on the premises of Shakti Mills in July last year a month before the photojournalist was brutalised on August 22.

Meanwhile the court heard in-camera one of the accused who said that he wanted to say something. The three men have already been sentenced to life imprisonment in the tele-operator gangrape case.

According to prosecution, this qualifies them for punishment under the amended section in the photojournalist gangrape case.

The 22-year-old photo journalist of a magazine was gang raped by Vijay Jadhav, Kasim Bengali, Salim Ansari, Siraj Rehman and a minor boy when she had gone to the Shakti Mills compound in the Central Mumbai with a male colleague on an assignment.

The Bombay High Court had last week refused to interfere with the sessions court’s decision to frame a fresh charge for repeat offence of rape.

16 live bullets found near Taj hotel, probe on

By
Afternoon Voice
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The Mumbai Police on Wednesday recovered 16 live bullets near the Taj hotel in Colaba. The bullets were found in a parking lot near the hotel.

The police said the bullets appeared to be 2-3 years old. A police investigation is on.

The Taj hotel was targeted by terrorists during the 26/11 terror attacks. Nearly 31 people, most of them foreigners, lost their lives in the attack.

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