Allahabad HC orders transfer of Kanpur SSP; asks doctors to end strike

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March 5, 2014

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday ordered judicial probe into the 28th February Kanpur incident, which led to the doctors’ strike in Uttar Pradesh.

Taking suo moto cognisance of the incident, the High Court ordered transfer of SSP, Kanpur, Yashaswi Yadav.

The HC also directed the striking doctors to return to hospitals and continue their work.

Taking suo motu cognisance, the Lucknow bench comprising justices Imtiyaz Murtaza and Devendra Kumar Upadhaya clarified that the order of transfer is only to resolve the situation and should not be taken as a “stigma” on the officials, while requesting the doctors to resume their duties immediately.

The HC’s order comes after there was no positive outcome of the talks between Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and a team of doctors last night.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced to go on an all-India strike from Thursday.

The IMA gave a 48-hour ultimatum to the Akhilesh Yadav government to fulfil its demands– arrest of SP MLA Irfan Solanki allegedly involved in the Friday clash, action against SSP Yashasvi Yadav and withdrawal of charges against 24 junior doctors, who were granted bail last night but refused to come out of jail.

An IMA delegation yesterday President Pranab Mukherjee seeking action against Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kanpur Yashaswi Yadav and the legislator.

Patients across Uttar Pradesh continued to suffer as the strike by doctors entered its sixth day. Junior doctors and other medical practitioners have struck work in many parts of the state following arrest of two dozen junior doctors in Kanpur after a scuffle with a Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator.

Congress still open for an alliance with TRS: Digvijay Singh

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Afternoon Voice

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March 5, 2014

Congress on Wednesday said that it is still open for an alliance with K Chandrasekhar Rao’s Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) even after it ruled out the possibility of its merger with the grand old party ahead of the upcoming General Elections.

AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh tweeted this morning, “We are happy on 2nd June dream of statehood for Telangana will come true, now we must fulfill the promises made to Telangana & Seemandhra.”

On the issue of TRS ruling out a merger with Congress, Singh posted, “TRS ruling out merger is an issue with them. Would have welcomed merger as it was promised. We are opened for an alliance also.”

Through his tweets, Singh also rejected accusations of policy paralysis within the Congress-led government.

“Our government has brought the maximum number of bills and you say there’s policy paralysis,” his tweet said.

Singh also attacked AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who he said had betrayed his mentor Anna Hazare.

“Arvind Kejriwal is a product of Anna Hazare’s agitation and he has already ditched Anna. No one knows Arvind Kejriwal’s ideology. Sometimes he makes pro-corporate statements, sometimes against them,” Singh said.

The reactions from the senior Congress leader came days after TRS led by KCR ruled out any possibility of merger with the grand old party ahead of the upcoming General Elections.

Addressing party members on Monday, Chandrasekhar Rao said, “No merger with Congress under any circumstance.”

Rao was critical of the attitude of the Congress and the Centre saying even before the ink on the President’s assent to the AP Reorganisation Bill had dried, the UPA government had come out with an Ordinance giving a special category status to the residuary state while denying it to the new state of Telangana.

This, he said, was an undemocratic move which would be challenged in the Supreme Court. He also said that the TRS had cooperated in the passage of the bill because it did not want to be seen as an obstacle in the creation of the new state.

Jayalalithaa’s alliance with Left almost over, say sources

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Afternoon Voice

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March 5, 2014

Less than a fortnight after 11 parties stitched up a third front to take on the Congress and the BJP in the general elections beginning next month, it is coming apart at the seams with J Jayalalithaa refusing to give in to ally Left’s demand for six seats in a seat-sharing pact in Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu chief minister has told the CPM and CPI that she is willing to give them only a seat apiece to contest in her state. The Left parties had in February announced that they were extending to this year’s elections, their alliance with her AIADMK in the assembly elections three years ago.

On her 66th birthday last week, Ms Jayalalithaa seemed to have forgotten that pact when she released a list of party candidates for all the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and the one seat in Puducherry. But she later said there would be changes to factor in her seat-sharing deal with the Left.

Thrice as tall as Qutab Minar, Vrindavan to get world’s tallest temple

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Afternoon Voice

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March 5, 2014

Thrice as tall as Qutab Minar, Uttar Pradesh famous pilgrimage site Vrindavan is all set to get the world’s tallest temple towering 70-storey long with marvelous infrastructure in its work plan.

The temple will be located alongside Yamuna River in the Mathura region. Nearly 60 acres of land has been allotted for the religious site which be constructed in four phases. The foundation stone will be laid on March 16.

The authorities have set aside Rs. 150 crore for construction of temple during its first phase. Moreover, as per the plan, temple’s guest house will contain 500 rooms.

Modern day Kurukshetra

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Afternoon Voice

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March 5, 2014

Whenever we come across news like son and father sharing women we are hurt and surprised that how some men can come up with ideas like these and why women remain silent? Why do we feel like criticising a person who has lost all his wealth by investing in the share market? Most of us don’t agree with the concept of surrogacy and instead opt for a child born out of wedlock. We also make fun of the son or daughter of tycoons are employed with other companies for meagre salaries and criticise teachers for commercialising education. A mother who disowns her children to begin a new life. We pity those newly born babies who are abandoned near the garbage or gutter with no hospitals located nearby. They have to suffer on account of the mistakes committed by their parents who have abandoned them. At the same time, we should not expect too much from god as he only helps those who helps themselves.

We have already come across these incidents in Mahabharata. Though Mahabharata happened after Satiyug and before Kaliyug the scenario has not changed. Two groups existed during those times, Kauravas and Pandavas just like Congress and BJP exist today. These parties lack the qualities possessed by Kauravas and Pandavas.

Their battle field which was known as Kurukshetra is nothing but modern Delhi today. Only miniscule changes have occurred but the fights continue to occur but they have become more modernised.
Draupadi is considered as goddess by us but she was considered as a characterless woman because according to laws a woman was only allowed to have relationship with four men and not five. She was dragged by other men none of her husbands could rescue her. It took her almost 14 years to take revenge, so the condition of women is no different. Even though Lord Krishna had come to rescue Draupati but today’s woman are totally helpless and are likely to be raped.

Dronacharya one of the best teachers had taught 105 students the about advanced warfare and military arts. However, his own teaching was responsible for taking the lives of his students. On the other hand, today teachers demand exorbitant fees yet there is no assurance that students will clear examination. Today many students attempt suicide as their future remains bleak.

Despite being intelligent, Yudishther also ate his father’s flesh to enrich his knowledge gambled all his wealth. He indulged in gambling activities and also put his wife Draupati and brothers at stake.
The sperms of Pandavas and Kauravas never belonged to their biological father still they are considered to be children of their mother’s husband. These men were fond of their children and provided them all the necessities in life.

Karna had to face humiliation because his mother Kunti abandoned him to conceal all sins committed by her during the puberty stage. His father never intervened in this matter despite possessing divine powers.

Triangular fight for Mumbai North-West constituency

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Afternoon Voice

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March 5, 2014

The Congress party fielded Member of Parliament Gurudas Kamat from Mumbai North-West constituency for contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The MNS not declared their candidate for this constituency. Shiv Sena had fielded its Gajanan Kirtikar once again but he was defeated in 2009 Lok Sabha election. Aam Aadmi Party has allotted a seat to Mayank Gandhi. This time a cut throat completion will exist between all the four parties. If MNS fields strong candidate from the Mumbai North-West then it will make Kamat’s task easier. Since Kamat had performed better work in his constituency, he will prove to be a tough competitor for Shiv Sena’s Gajanan Kirtikar.

Kamat was alloted a seat in the 2009 Lok Sabha election but party members were unhappy with his nomination. After securing 2,53,899 votes Kamat defeated Gajanan Kirtikar who had secured 2,15,484 votes, whereas MNS candidate Shalini Thackeray secured 1,23,000 votes. AAP leader Mayank Gandhi will be contesting election from this constituency. If Mayank Gandhi secures more votes then it will have an adverse impact on Kamat’s performance.

The Mumbai North-West Lok Sabha constituency is regarded as the Congress bastion. Prior to the 2009 general election Sunil Dutt had a strong foothold over areas like Andheri (W), Andheri (E), Versova and Jogeshwari. Sunil Dutt had defeated the Shiv Sena candidate Madukar Sarpotdar by a margin of 85,539 votes in the 1999 Lok Sabha election. During that period, the NCP didn’t have an alliance with the Congress. Shiv Sena had fielded Sanjay Nirupam against Sunil Dutt in the 2004 Lok Sabha election as the former lost election by 87,000 votes. After Dutt’s demise, his daughter Priya Dutt was issued a ticket to contest election from this constituency. She defeated Shiv Sena candidate Sarpotdar by a margin of 1,72,000. After the delimitation excercise carried out in 2009 Andheri (E), Andheri (W), Jogeshwari, Versova and two more areas of Dindoshi and Goregaon have been included in the Mumbai North-West constituency.

Kamat defeated Shiv Sena candidate Gajanan Kirtikar in the 2009 Lok Sabha election despite the prevalence of infighting within the party. Since Kamat is close to Sonia Gandhi he will be issued a ticket from the same constituency. He has already started campaigning from his constituency. The MNS is likely to field Sachin Pilgoakar from the Mumbai North West constituency. If AAP comes up with a good performance then it will create troubles for Kamat.

Six assemblies exist in the Mumbai North-West constituency. The sitting MLAs from this constituency include Ravindra Waikar Shiv Sena, MLA from Jogeshwari, Suresh Shetty, Congress MLA from Andheri (E), Rajhans Singh Congress, MLA from Dindoshi, Subash Desai, Shiv Sena MLA from Goregoan, Ashok Jadhav Congress MLA from Andheri (W), Baldev Khosla Congress, MLA from Versova.

Performance of candidates in the 2009 Lok Sabha election

Gurudas Kamat- 2,53,899
Gajanan Kirtikar – 2,15,484
Shalini Thackeray- 1,23,000

Parvez Khan

Tough battle for North East Mumbai Constituency

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Afternoon Voice

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March 5, 2014

The Nationalist Congress Party sitting MP Sanjay Dinanath Patil has been alloted a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha election from north East Mumbai constituency. The Bhartiya Janata Party was planning to field Marathi candidate Poonam Mahajan against him. Due to presence of sizeable number of Gujarati population Kirit Somaiya was allotted a ticket from this constituency. NCP’s Sanjay Dinanath Patil, BJP’s Kirit Somaiya and AAP’s Medha Patkar will compete with each other from north East Mumbai. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is yet to declare their candidate but Shivajirao Nalavde from corporate field is likely to be issued a ticket.

The Congress was emerging stronger from the North East Mumbai constituency but the party relinquished the constituency to NCP in the year 2009. Sanjay Patil NCP MLC, Kirit Somaiya from BJP and Shishir Shinde MNS MLA are competing for this seat. Sanjay Patil has emerged victorious from the constituency by securing 2,13,505 votes whereas Kirit Somaiya managed to win 2,10,572 votes and Shishir Shinde won 1,15,148 votes. Sanjay defeated Somaiya with a margin of 2,933 votes. NCP has fielded Patil with an expectation that he will put up a better show this time too. AAP has fielded Medha Patkar from the north East Mumbai constituency.

She had fight for the rights of people working in slums hence she has become popular in the slum pockets of Mankhurd, Govandi and other constituencies. Thus it seems that she can give tough fight to other candidates from this constituency. If MNS fields strong candidate from this constituency then Sanjay Patil will benefit out of it. Kirit Somaiya was defeated in the 2009 Lok Sabha election as MNS had played spoilsport. Since Kirit had to face defeat hence Pramod Mahajan’s daughter Poonam Mahajan was keen to contest election from this constituency. Pramod Mahajan had emerged victorious from this constituency in the year 1996. Kirit Somaiya had exposed several scams in which the NCP and Congress party were involved hence the party planned to offer ticket to him from this constituency. However, many Marathi party workers belonging to the BJP are upset with this decision. Somaiya had to bear the brunt of the conflict which had arisen in the party.

There are six assembly seats in the north East Mumbai constituency. BJP have won 2 seats, MNS have bagged 3 seats whereas Samajwadi Party had won one seat. Sardar Tara Singh, BJP MLA from Mulund, Shishir Shinde MNS, MLA from Bhandup (West), Mangesh Sangle MNS, MLA from Vikhroli, Prakash Mehta BJP MLA from Ghatkopar (E),Ram Kadam, MNS MLA from Ghatkopar (W), Abu Azmi SP, MLA from Mankhurd. Even though the MNS and BJP had a strong foothold in this constituency NCP candidate Sanjay Patil managed to win. If MNS fields an able candidate then it will create troubles for Kirit Somaiya. If AAP candidate Medha Patkar manages to win more than 50,000 votes then it pose problems for Sanjay Patil. It seems that there will be cut throat competition among parties in this election.

Lok Sabha 2009 election results

Sanjay Dina Patil (NCP) -2,13,505
Kirit Somaiya (BJP) – 2,10,572
Shishir Shinde (MNS) -1,95,148

Parvez Khan

Despite apology, Sahara’s Subrata Roy, 2 directors sent to Tihar jail till March 11

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Afternoon Voice

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March 5, 2014

It was a day of hectic and dramatic developments in the Supreme Court which heard the Sahara case on Wednesday. Subrata Roy along with two other company directors have been sent to judicial custody till the next date of hearing on March 11. The detention of the fourth respondent, Vandana Bhargava has not been ordered as she has been given a concession for being a woman Director.

The SC has asked the Sahara group to come up with a proposal to repay the money it owes to its investors.

The SC in its judgement said that Sahara maintained an “unreasonable stand throughout the proceedings before SEBI, SAT, High Court and even before this Court. Sufficient opportunities have been given to Sahara to fully comply with those orders and purge the contempt committed by them but, rather than availing of the same, they have adopted various dilatory tactics to delay the implementation of the orders of this Court.”

“Non-compliance of the orders passed by this Court shakes the very foundation of our judicial system and undermines the rule of law, which we are bound to honour and protect. This is essential to maintain faith and confidence of the people of this country in the judiciary. Documents and affidavits produced by the contemnors themselves would apparently falsify their refund theory and cast serious doubts about the existence of the so-called investors. All the fact finding authorities have opined that majority of investors do not exist,” the judgement said adding that the preservation of market integrity is extremely important for economic growth of the country and for national interest.

“Maintaining investors’ confidence requires market integrity and control of market abuse. Market abuse is a serious financial crime which undermines the very financial structure of this country and will make imbalance in wealth between haves and have nots,” the SC said.

Subrata Roy, who was called a thief and had black ink thrown on him by a lawyer from Gwalior while he was being taken to the court, will have to come up with a time bound proposal to repay Rs 19,000 crores. With the apex court already having confiscated large parts of Sahara land bank, new assets will also have to be offloaded.

There is a possibility that Sahara’s off shore investments like Groverhouse hotel in London and a hotel in New York could also come under the hammer.

It is to be seen whether the court’s observation will force the SEBI to examine the “30 truck load” of documents showing existence of depositors in Sahara’s companies.

The SC’s insistence on a cheque or Demand Draft to clear the dues could be the court’s way to tighten the screws on Sahara to ascertain whether the business empire is based on “genuine money”.

Earlier in the day, an emotional Roy folded hands and tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court as he appeared in the court after ignoring summons for over two years. The SC in turn admonished him saying, “We respected you, you failed to respect us.”

Sahara proposed to sell off properties from Wednesday to make payments to SEBI and give bank guarantees within 3-4 months. The Supreme Court though, did not budge and rejected the proposal.

Appealing to the Supreme Court to keep in mind the sprawling Sahara business empire and the 12 lakh employees working in its various enterprises, Roy claimed in the court that he never had a blot on him in his 37-year-long career.

BJP woos MNS, Uddhav fumes

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Afternoon Voice

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March 4, 2014

In order to avert the division of Marathi votes, former BJP Chief Nitin Gadkari had met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray. The MNS had played spoilsport in the 2009 Lok Sabha election by splitting the anti-Congress votes which paved way for the Congress-NCP’s victory. Ever since Gadkari met Raj speculations are rife whether Raj will join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)? The saffron party has been trying to woo the MNS to consolidate its vote bank. Gadkari, who is said to enjoy a good rapport with Raj Thackeray, met him at a suburban hotel in Mumbai and appealed him to abstain from contesting the Lok Sabha election to prevent the division of anti-Congress votes.

“I discussed with the MNS chief the ways to get rid of the Congress government. There is no reason for Uddhav Thackeray to be annoyed over my meeting Raj… I meet everybody including Congress people” Gadkari said.

Sources from BJP claimed that that party is worried that if the MNS contests the upcoming Lok Sabha election then it will affect the saffron party’s poll prospects. Hence the party is trying their best to lure the MNS. The MNS might ally with the BJP-led coalition for the Maharashtra state elections, due in October.

This is not the first instance when Nitin Gadkari has approached Raj Thackeray to join NDA. Earlier, Gadkari had attended the ground-breaking ceremony of Goda Park, which is said to be the dream project of Raj Thackeray, in Nashik where MNS is at helm with the support of BJP and convinced him to join an alliance with NDA.

On the other hand, Shiv Sena is unhappy with the Gadkari and Raj meeting as it would prove to be detrimental to the BJP-Sena alliance.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, “There is no room for another party in the alliance. We had extended our hand when MNS had refused it. As an alliance, we are strong enough to defeat the Congress government. If senior leader from BJP meets Raj for forming an alliance then it will have an adverse affect on the Mahayuthi alliance.”

Moreover, even BJP party workers too were unhappy with Gadkari’s meeting with Raj Thackeray. The BJP’s Core Committee meeting was cancelled because sources claimed that Gopinath Munde is upset with Nitin Gadkari after he met Raj.

Home Minister RR Patil criticised Gadkari’s meeting with Raj. He asked if the MNS forms an alliance with NDA then what message will BJP send to the voters of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar who were targetted by the MNS over the Marathi Manoos issue.

NASEOH honours school children

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Afternoon Voice

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March 4, 2014

National Society for Equal Opportunities for the Handicapped, India, and better known as NASEOH organized a function here to appreciate and recognize the efforts of school children for collecting and contributions to help NASEOH.

Well known television and stage actor Sooraj Thapar was the Chief Guest for the occasion and handed over various awards for students and schools from across Mumbai and Thane. Aneel Murarka, Managing Director, Mirachem Industries and Committee Member of NASEOH was the Guest of Honor of the function.

“Mr. Murarka has been supporting the center since last many years through his generous contributions and helping us organizing our activities,” said Mrs. Hansa B. Mehta, President, NASEOH in her address.

“It is our duty to give it back to the society when we earn through our business. It gives me immense satisfaction that I could do something for the cause of differently able people,” said Mr. Murarka.
“I am glad to know that Aneel is helping more than 35 colleges across Mumbai through his CSR activities and it is a very good gesture,” said Mr. Thapar.

This year’s contribution of schools from Mumbai and Thane crossed over Rs 11 Lakh. Incidentally, Mr. Murarka’s son, Master Sidhaant Murarka from Oberoi International School was crowned as ‘Collector Emperor’. Like father, like son! Way to Murarkas.