Nearly two dozen farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra in the past three weeks due to massive loss of crops, a report has claimed.
The Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, a farmers’ advocacy group, claims that 22 farmers have ended their lives in three weeks, mostly in the Vidarbha and Marathawada regions. Nine of these deaths took place in just the past three days, after a prolonged and unusual hailstorm destroyed acres of crops, the group says.
The Maharashtra government has not confirmed these grim statistics.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has asked for Rs. 5,000 crore from the Centre but farmers say they don’t expect quick relief; the process involves a report from the state government, followed by a spot assessment by a central team, before any money is sanctioned.
Sources say even this amount may not be enough to compensate for the loss of crop spread over at least 16 lakh hectares.
Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region is often described as ‘suicide country’ with reports of a farmer suicide every eight hours even till two years ago.
Ahead of next month’s general election, the tragic deaths have fueled a political blame-game. The opposition Shiv Sena has alleged that the Congress and NCP, which co-govern Maharashtra and are allies at the Centre, are using the election code of conduct as an excuse for inaction.
“I blame the system. Farmers have no godfathers. Should we talk of rules when people are dying?” said the Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut.
The poll code of conduct bans any political party from making announcements that may influence the voter.
Senior NCP leader and union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said, “I appeal to people that we will find a solution in spite of the Model Code of Conduct. We cannot resolve this in a day. There will be delays. But we will resolve it by talking to other parties.”
This time voting would be cast between rural and urban population, between traditional voters and educated voters, between Hindu and secular voters. Rahul Gandhi cannot be future Prime Minister of this country because Congress has always sidelined important, popular and fair leaders who have public following. People really respect some of the senior Congress leaders irrespective of party liking and disliking, whereas they find Modi as an alternative, now. Those who really dislike BJP are now willing to vote for the party, just because of Modi. BJP is zero without Modi and Congress is zero without Gandhi family. They follow because of their loyalties towards family. Probably, Congress is commiting the biggest mistake by promoting Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate.
Rahul Gandhi is in learning stage and he has to learn many things about politics from his Gurus, Sonia Gandhi (she walked the political path with Indira and Rajiv Gandhi) and Manmohan Singh as he claimed that he has two gurus in politics. He is saying that the most important quality in a politician is intent. If the intent is not correct then nothing can be achieved, but unfortunately none of the Congress ministers including Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi have a clear intention towards this country. Whenever Rahul reaches for speeches in different states, he changes his Gurus. Sometimes he claims to follow Mahatma Gandhi and sometime he says he follows his mother and Manmohan Singh. He was in Punjab and recently he insulted Prime Minister over the ordinance aimed to protect the interests of convicted MPs and MLAs, may be this is the reason he tried making it up by parsing MMS. Mother is every child’s teacher, Sonia can be his teacher by birth but as such in Indian politics, there is nothing much that Sonia has contributed to set an example. Rahul need to grow, he has just began to approach people by addressing masses without reading his script. Just being an angry man or using harsh terms, he cannot be proved as aggressive Prime Ministerial Candidate. He and his family members are being followed by secular Hindus.
The basic variance between Modi and Rahul
Modi speaks extempore and always talks about national issues addressing the growth of his state. Most of the time, he attacks Congress for its political errors. He informs the masses keeping them ahead. Nowadays, Rahul tries to talk without paper but somewhere lacks the vocabulary to make his voice reach out to people, though Congress has a solid vote bank. Modi could win by the strong Hindu votes; Hindu can’t be vote bank but definitely are in majority. There are many published poll surveys, but these surveys do not sound relevant as Indian election process is indirect. Main stream media, talk about Modi as a leading candidature of Prime ministerial job but getting this prediction for granted would be foolishness. As, we all know, BJP might be a single largest party but without alliance it cannot form government at the centre and many alliance parties already sidelined themselves over Modi elevation. He might be the best choice but, BJP doesn’t have strong foothold. BJP has its grip over restricted states like Gujarat, MP, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Bihar. It has no faithful collaborator other than Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and Akali Dal in Punjab. The fact is that, it would not be very difficult to predict Modi nor Gandhi has India’s approval. Both are projected big by their keyboard samurais on social network. Moreover, there is no comparison between Modi and Gandhi. One is a seasoned politician who has seen decades here and another one is born into a political family and just took his baby steps here. Choice between these two is not much complex or even easy for common people.
Rahul was connected with Congress as he has been a part of UPA-I & II. Till today in last ten years, he failed to bring changes in the party. How he will create magic now? How can an intelligent Indian trust Congress or Rahul who in spite of being in power did only fake promises. They separated states, look at burning Andhra Pradesh. They divided society in the name of minority appeasement, recently he addressed Dalits. Every time they divide people over caste, creed, religion and state. Rahul or his Guru ‘Maiyya’ have not given any remarkable contribution towards this country. They passed many bills, but when times come for execution then files landed in disaster. Aadhar card is one of the greatest examples. Crores of rupees were wasted on these projects. Name any one party which has done extraordinary for this country on national and state level? The 2014 General Election is very vital for the nation.
Recently, Rahul spoke about Food Security Bill, Right to Education and Right to Information Act. But, whenever the RTI was filed against Sonia Gandhi and Robert Vadra, same Congress refused to co-operate. Taking decision and actually executing that are two different aspects. In India, many people starve even today. No food, shelter or security are provided to them. Streets are overcrowded with beggars and poor people. Women are abused, young girls are getting raped, and lots of corruption is practiced in almost every government sectors. God knows, what Congress has actually done for people than keeping the bills in file?
Rahul not only lacks experience but also promotes dynasty politics. A majority of people are looking for a clean and capable government. Narendra Modi has proved himself. Modi scores on merits, he did his best at economy, clean government and comprehensiveness of all in his leadership. Gandhi has one quality and that is dynasty. It is upto you people to choose your leader.
You think only you are watching television? Maoists too are viewing TV and taking advantage of the loopholes present in our governance system. They see that “Netas” are busy campaigning for themselves and police are offering security to them so it is the right time to assault them. They will kill the policemen to demoralize the force and eliminate those engaged in constructive activities. Shatrughan Sinha should be sent to Bastar to say “Khamosh” to Maoists instead of trying to contest Lok Sabha election.
Right from the day one, I have been saying that AAP leaders are crooks and they have been using Anna Hazare to gain popularity. They had used television channels to promote their selfish interests and are now criticizing them. The duty of channels is to educate the masses and not merely air news. Anna Hazare has made a mockery of himself by his variable endorsements. He had stated that Mamata is good but he does not support the party. What sense does it make? The views and attitude of Kiran Bedi are more mature as compared to Hazare.
Ram Kripal Yadav can be easily criticized but he will not keep sulking for life. He shifted loyalties and is contesting against Misa Yadav. Both, Misa and her mother should be defeated. Murli Manohar Joshi should have vacated the Varanasi seat for Modi and sought governorship, or the Vice-chancellor’s post.
Look at the manner in which AAP is issuing tickets. The ticket allocation process is quite contrary to what they have professed. AAP had issued ticket to an actor immediately after joining the party. Where has the referendum process vanished? My dear friends, you need to view these things clearly and vote accordingly. In Maharashtra, there is a possibility of division of Marathi votes between MNS and Shiv Sena. I was quite impressed with Aditya Thackeray when I saw him in a recent conclave. He needs proper grooming to eliminate needless aggression and cultivate pragmatism.
It is very important for political parties to behave in a responsible manner. Many BJP stalwarts in UP and Delhi have become old and has already enjoyed the fruits of the office. They must now work for the development of the party, shedding personal ambition, in true “Hindu” spirit of renunciation. “Marte dam tak kursi ke liye lalayit rehna Bhartiya sabhyata nahin hai”. AAP has been accusing media as it has become frustrated. Media had given extensive coverage to the rallies held by AAP, Kejriwal’s oath taking ceremony in Delhi which made him feel that he has become a great leader. “Itni zyada coverage ke baad to koi bhi pagal ho jayega”.
Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, moved Gujarat High Court on Tuesday against a lower court order accepting SIT’s clean chit given to Narendra Modi, others in 2002 Gulbarg Society riot case.
“We have challenged the metropolitan court’s order which validates clean chit to Chief Minister Narendra Modi,” social activist Teesta Setalwad told PTI here.
The petition filed before the High Court demands to make Narendra Modi and 59 others accused on the charges of criminal conspiracy behind the riots.
“The Metropolitan Judge has simply accepted the contentions in the closure report of SIT without considering substantive arguments of the applicant (Zakia),” the petition reads.
On December 26 last year, metropolitan magistrate BJ Ganatra had rejected Zakia Jafri’s protest petition challenging the SIT clean chit to Modi.
On February 8, 2012, the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) had filed a closure report and given a clean chit to Modi and others.
“SIT has not conducted free and fair investigation against the accused number one (Modi),” the petitioner alleged.
The High Court is likely to conduct the hearing on Zakia’s petition on March 20.
On 28 February, 2002, following the Godhra train carnage, 68 people, including former MP Ehsan Jafri, were killed by a mob at Gulbarg Society here during the riots.
In her petition, Jafri had contended that Gulberg massacre was cold-blooded conspiracy by Modi and others to facilitate state-wide communal violence. She also claimed her husband made frantic calls to the police and even to Narendra Modi, who refused to send help.
Besides Modi, 58 others were given a clean chit by the SIT.
Following the petition by Jafri, the SIT had strongly defended its investigations and termed the protest petition a ‘piece of fiction’.
Over a thousand people were killed in 2002 Gujarat riots.
BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Gandhinagar constituencies; it was announced by the Gujarat unit of the party on Tuesday.
Addressing a press briefing, Gujarat BJP unit spokesman Vijay Rupani said, “The state unit has approved LK Advani’s name from the Gandhinagar constituency and will send its recommendation to the party office in Delhi.”
Rupani further said that the state unit wants Narendra Modi to contest Lok Sabha polls from Gujarat although he is also contesting from Varanasi.
The announcement from the Gujarat BJP unit has finally ended suspense over party veteran Advani, who was keen to contest from the Gandhinagar constituency which he presently represents. There were speculations that Advani might be asked to contest from Bhopal this time.
After careful deliberations, the party had recently declared Modi and Rajnath Singh’s name for the Varanasi and Lucknow constituencies respectively.
BJP’s next list of candidates for Lok Sabha elections is also likely to lift the veil on party’s prime ministerial candidate Modi’s second seat.
According to Gujarat BJP sources, Modi is most likely to contest from the Ahmedabad (East), though Baroda and Surat are also being discussed.
The fifth list of BJP candidates will be declared on March 19 in which Gujarat, Rajasthan will be taken up along with the 22 remaining seats of UP and five seats of Madhya Pradesh. Other pending seats from various states are also likely to be announced after this meeting.
An upbeat Gujarat unit of the BJP has been claiming that the party could win 20-22 of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state as Narendra Modi is the party’s prime ministerial candidate. BJP won 17 seats in 2009.
Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav will contest from the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat, besides Mainpuri which he presently represents in Parliament.
“Due to demand of party leaders and workers, SP supremo will contest from both Azamgarh and Mainpuri seats,” party’s national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav said.
The Samajwadi Party had earlier declared Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Balram Yadav as the party’s candidate from Azamgarh, which has a sizable number of Muslim and Yadav population.
Speculations were rife regarding Mulayam’s candidature from the Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency, but senior party leader Shivpal Yadav had earlier denied it saying that there was no such proposal.
In the 2009 elections, Mulayam won the Mainpuri seat by a margin of over 1.6 lakh votes. And BJP’s Ramakant Yadav won the Azamgarh constituency by nearly 50,000 votes. SP candidate Durga Prasad Yadav came third in the constituency behind BSP’s Akbar Ahmad Dampi.
An Italian court has barred India from encashing bank guarantees worth over Rs. 2,360 crore of AgustaWestland as part of the penalties imposed on it after scrapping of the Rs. 3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal.
India has decided to file an appeal against the decision of the Italian court, a Defence Ministry spokesperson said.
India has already encashed bank guarantees of around Rs. 240 crore deposited in banks in India but it is yet to recover the bank guarantees deposited in banks of Italy. An Italian court in Milan yesterday accepted a plea by AgustaWestland’s parent company Finmecannica to stop India from encashing over Rs. 2,360 crore (Euro 278 million).
“With this measure, the Court granted the requests made by the companies of the Finmeccanica Group, recognising the manifestly abusive enforcement of the guarantees made by the Indian Defense Ministry, given the vagueness of the complaints made in relation to alleged breaches of contract,” Finmeccanica said in a statement.
“The Milan court has confirmed the ruling made last January, prohibiting…The payment of collateral of more than EUR 278 million deposited in relation to the contract,” it said.
India terminated the Rs. 3,600 crore deal on January 1 for procuring 12 VVIP AW-101 choppers for the IAF on allegations of payment of kickbacks and involvement of middlemen in the acquisition process by the Anglo-Italian firm.
The Italian court had put a stay on India’s effort to encash the bank guarantees in an earlier hearing on January 8.
After the cancellation of the contract, India had also decided to go in for arbitration with the Anglo-Italian firm and the two sides have nominated their members in this regard.
The Anglo-Italian firm has already supplied three choppers to India and the delivery of the remaining nine was put on hold after Defence Minister AK Antony ordered a CBI probe into the corruption allegations after the arrest of Finmecannica’s former CEO Guiseppe Orsi and AgustaWestland’s former head Bruno Spagnolini in Italy in connection with the probe going on there.
Notorious poacher Sansar Chand, who was accused of killing tigers and other animals in Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, died on Tuesday in Jaipur.
The wildlife smuggler was suffering from lung cancer and other ailments and was admitted to the SMS Hospital here on March 14, hospital sources said.
Sansar Chand, who was around 60, was facing trial in cases related to wildlife and was brought to Alwar from Tihar jail hospital for a hearing in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on March 14.
After hearing in the case of a tiger’s killing in 2005, he was admitted to Alwar district hospital from there was referred to SMS on the same day.
The next hearing in the case was scheduled, his counsel Ashok Sharma said.
Sansar Chand, his associates and relatives were considered responsible for the killing of all tigers in Sariska. He was also accused of smuggling body parts of the wild animals.
BJP will field former Army chief VK Singh from the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency, party sources said on Tuesday.
A formal announcement on General (Retd) Singh’s candidature is likely to come in the next two to three days, the sources said.
BJP had two days ago offered the former Army chief, who has recently joined the saffron outfit, to contest the upcoming elections from Ghaziabad, after the sitting MP and party president Rajnath Singh was nominated from Lucknow.
“On this offer, Singh had asked for two days to reach any conclusion. Singh accepted the party’s offer and he would now contest from the Ghaziabad seat,” a senior BJP leader said on condition of anonymity.
The sources said Muzaffarnagar riots-accused BJP leader Sangeet Som’s name was also considered for the seat, but it was later dropped.
General (Retd) Singh will now have a face-off with Aam Aadmi Party nominee Shazia Ilmi and Raj Babbar of Congress.
Yesterday, the former Army chief had to face the heat from a section of BJP workers when he visited Ghaziabad.
Around half-an-hour after he reached the party’s office in Ghaziabad yesterday evening, some workers started raising slogans against him. There was also heated arguments between supporters of the former Army chief and his “rivals”.
Asked about his candidature, General (Retd) Singh had said, “I will contest elections from wherever the party would ask me to.”
As actor Kirron Kher arrived in Chandigarh to begin campaigning as the BJP’s candidate, protesters waved black flags and shouted slogans to signal their disapproval. Her husband Anupam Kher had to dodge eggs.
The protests were not sponsored by her rivals, model and actor Gul Panag of the Aam Aadmi Party or Congressman and sitting MP, Pawan Kumar Bansal. These were members of the BJP, who are disgruntled that the party chose to field Ms. Kher, who arrived at the party headquarters to slogans of, “Kirron Kher go back”.
Local leaders like Chandigarh BJP president Sanjay Tandon, former MP Satya Pal Jain and former Union Minister Harmohan Dhawan were keen on being fielded and they are cut up at Ms. Kher’s nomination. The protesters were mostly supporters of Mr. Dhawan.
Ms Kher, 58, immediately sought to dispel notions that she is an “outsider” parachuting in days before the elections. “I am the daughter of Chandigarh, it’s my hometown. I will persuade all those who are protesting,” and added, “If Bansal says I am an outsider, ask him why didn’t he take good care of Chandigarh.”
Anupam Kher said his wife, who makes her electoral debut, “will give a good fight. She is a Punjabi kudi (lass) and has done a lot of work for the party.” Four BJP workers have been rounded up by cops for allegedly throwing eggs at the actor.
Ms Kher was named by the BJP to contest from Chandigarh only a couple of days after the AAP announced it was fielding the 35-year-old Gul Panag, who, like Ms Kher, possesses a deeply dimpled smile. Social media is replete with quips on how the lack of that attribute puts the Congress candidate Mr Bansal, who has won this seat four times, at a disadvantage.
What has the sitting MP on the back foot, is the shadow of controversy. He had to resign as Railways Minister last year after his nephew Vijay Singla was accused in the Rs. 10 crore cash-for-post bribery scam in his ministry.
Mr Bansal was not named in the CBI’s chargesheet, but eyebrows have been raised at the Congress’ decision to renominate him.
Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, moved Gujarat High Court on Tuesday against a lower court order accepting SIT’s clean chit given to Narendra Modi, others in 2002 Gulbarg Society riot case.