Fali Nariman refuses to be part of Lokpal selection, fears that the best will be overlooked

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February 27, 2014

Senior lawyer Fali Nariman has refused to participate in the process of selecting India’s first ever Lokpal, or national anti-corruption ombudsman, weeks after a controversy over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s nominee for the Lokpal selection committee.

“I decline the honour. In my humble view this is no way in which an institution as vital and as important as the Lokpal (should) be constituted,” Mr. Nariman said in a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office. He had been asked to join the Lokpal Search Panel last week.

The search panel is a second layer in the process of selecting a Lokpal, and is to work under the Lokpal Selection Committee headed by the Prime Minister.

Mr. Nariman said he feared that in this selection process, “the most competent, the most independent, and the most courageous will get overlooked.”

Earlier this month, the BJP had opposed the Prime Minister’s choice of Supreme Court lawyer PP Rao as a jurist for the Lokpal selection committee.

The Lokpal Bill, passed by Parliament last December, provides that the national ombudsman and his team will be selected by the selection panel comprising the PM, Lok Sabha Speaker, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India or his nominee and a fifth member, a jurist, picked by these four.

Fashion designing student alleges rape by uncle at Delhi’s Gymkhana Club

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Afternoon Voice

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February 27, 2014

A 19-year-old fashion designing student has alleged that she was raped by her uncle in Delhi. The girl has lodged a complaint with the police in which she has said that the incident took place on February 13 at the Gymkhana Club in Chanakyapuri area.

The girl filed the complaint on February 19. She said that her uncle Sandeep Kohli, who lives in Lucknow and is a professional photographer, came to Delhi for some work. He is a friend of the girl’s father.

He called her to meet at the Gymkhana Club, where he raped her and also threatened her with dire consequences if she told anybody about the assault, the girl alleged.

A case of rape has been registered based on her complaint and a police team was sent to Lucknow, but Kohli could not be traced. The police has now got non-bailable warrants from the court.

TDP asks Centre not to fix Telangana formation date in haste

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Afternoon Voice

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February 27, 2014

Telugu Desam Party requested the Centre not to fix an “appointed date” for formation of Telangana state in haste and wait till the Supreme Court fully disposes petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill.

“Many petitions are pending in the Supreme Court against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Constitutional and legal experts have already expressed the view that the AP Reorganisation Bill is unconstitutional. Let the Supreme Court first pronounce whether or not the Bill is constitutional,” TDP politburo member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said in a statement.

Only the Supreme Court was empowered to determine whether any law passed by Parliament is legal and constitutional, the Leader of Opposition in AP Legislative Council pointed out.

Noting that the AP Reorganisation Bill was not an ordinary one, Yanamala said the Centre should tread cautiously while sending it to the President for assent.

“The Centre should not hurriedly fix the appointed date for the new state to come into being. It should go ahead only after the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Bill,” Yanamala said.

Mr Khurshid’sunparliamentary comment

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Lopamudra Ghosh

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February 27, 2014

Various spokespersons of different political parties issue some unwanted comments which enables them to garner negative publicity. While taking a political stand, they often hit out with personal attacks against leaders belonging to other political parties which present them in a bad light. While such comments do not necessarily tarnish the image of their party or land them in jeopardy if they can defend their stand with their war of words, educated people are smart enough to understand their motive behind such objectionable statements. They also understand their obligation of having to defend their party and hit out at the opposition. The recent attack on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi by Union Minister for External Affairs Salman Khurshid was one such example.

Khurshid has called Modi politically impotent due to his inability to handle the 2002 Gujarat riots. The carnage that killed hundreds of innocents belonging to the Hindu and Muslim community has left a permanent scar in the minds of people and is a blot in our political history. However, Khurshid must understand that one gains nothing from scratching old wounds as it would increase the intensity of hatred in the minds of the people. Perhaps he wants to gain political mileage out of this issue. The Congress seems to harp on the 2002 riots as their potential weapon of preventing Modi from coming to power in 2014 elections. Targeting the 2002 riots coupled with BJP’s Hindutva ideology would make Congress hit the birds’ eye as it would prevent one community from voting against him. So Congress, seeped in corruption, is playing the Godhra riots card.

Coming back to the comment, Khurshid has no iota of repentance as he believes that this particular word expresses his anguish best. While speaking to the media, he justifies his stand saying that if there is a better word in the dictionary to express his anguish, he is willing to use that word. Accused of his comment being unparliamentary, Khurshid makes yet another personal attack saying he is not a doctor, he has not physically examined him but knows that he lacks strength to do what he could have done. While that is true, a leading journalist asked him a pertinent question. The question was, does he describe the 1884 riots as also Congress’ political impotence? One needs to look at both these incidents with a similar mindset. Khurshid’s defense that since the leader in concern is no longer alive whereas Modi is alive so he is raising a question has weight. However, one cannot deny the fact that he is only trying to instigate the masses against BJP.

Rahul Gandhi condemned Khurshid’s statement. Manish Tewari said that Congress believed in decent politics. Whatever the case may be, blame game will continue in politics.

How authentic are opinion polls?

By

Prakash Jha

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February 27, 2014

Opinion poll is one of the vital tool to gauge the public opinion, but a question which arises here is whether survey conducted by opinion poll agencies are authentic or not? Several journalists are aware that opinion polls are fabricated but none of them are willing to report about it.

Even though people are literate but still many of them are unaware about opinion polls. There are two types of polls namely opinion poll and exit poll. Opinion poll is a survey of public opinion from a particular sample. Under opinion poll questions are being asked about how seats a party will win the forthcoming election. The feedback given by the people is recorded. Exit poll is conducted after the election when voters step outside the booth after casting their votes. Let me explain you how opinion poll is being manipulated by agencies.

Recently, a news channel had conducted a sting operation claiming to show how opinion polls could be doctored at the behest of political parties. In the sting operation, the channel had aired how agencies conducting the survey can manipulate the opinion poll by charging lumpsum money. The sting operation raises a very serious question about the veracity of opinion poll. In the sting operation video it was shown that many agencies were willing to manipulate the opinions poll results in lieu of lumpsum money. Several top level agencies which conduct survey for several reputed news channels and newspapers. The media houses publish the results of same survey.

I was surprised to know that the same poll survey is prone to manipulation as per the needs of the political parties. One company’s survey can be easily used by its counterpart. The biggest lie would be uncovered by the sting operation conducted by news channel. Sting operation reveals that India’s reputed opinion poll agencies are misleading the people and are running the Ballot-game. I would like to thank the news channel for unveiling the truth before the masses by conducting sting operation.

Opinion polls might influence the common man and have tendency to change the outcome of the result. If such things continue in the same manner then it doesn’t augur well for our country. If the opinion poll results show that BJP is likely to win more seats then whether it can be considered as authentic? This sting has unveiled the reality of opinion polls which until now was only known to journalists. From now onwards, people won’t rely on opinion polls and will use their own judgement while voting. Finally, opinion polls are very important aspect and ban should not be imposed on it. The Election Commission of India must regulate opinion polls.

People are nicer to me now, says Kate Winslet

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Afternoon Voice

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February 27, 2014

Kate Winslet has confessed that she feels that people are nice to her now, as the media hype about her relationship with co-star Leonardo DiCaprio has lessened.

The ` Titanic` star, who had a hard time coming to terms with the rumours, said that in her opinion the tabloids were harsher before, Universal Pictures India reported.

The 38-year-old actress said that the tabloids treat stars with more respect when they get old, but the young stars are treated like “loose bait”.

Winslet added that the paparazzi know they can get in there somehow, but when one is older, they know that they can`t do quite as much damage.

‘Friends’ star Lisa Kudrow loses $1.6 mln in lawsuit filed by ex-manager

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Afternoon Voice

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February 27, 2014

`Friends` actress Lisa Kudrow has lost 1.6 million dollars in a lawsuit filed against her by her former manager Scott Howard.

Howard had sued the 50-year-old actress in 2008 because she had refused to pay him over 50,000 dollars in fees from her earnings from the American sitcom,reportedly.

The jury awarded Howard 1.6 million dollars for past and future economic losses.

Howard said that Kudrow had stopped paying him when they split after 16 years of working together.

Katy Perry and John Mayer call it quits ‘amicably’

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 27, 2014

Katy Perry and John Mayer have reportedly split up on good terms.

A source close to the situation told Us Magazine that the `Who You Love` hit makers have parted ways, but the break-up was mutual and there is no bad blood between them.

According to the insider, the split was extremely amicable and the singers remain close friends.

Another source had previously told the publication that Perry`s hectic tour schedule was one of the contributing factors to the breakdown of their relationship.

Couldn’t be away from her for long: Wright on Keegan

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Afternoon Voice

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February 27, 2014

Reality TV star Mark Wright is so much in love with his fiancee Michelle Keegan that he cannot stay away from her for a long time.

“The moment I met her I was completely different,” Wright said.

Wright had to stay away from Keegan for three months to work on his own TV show and it drove the 27-year-old insane and forced him to take a week`s break and proposed to her, reportedly.

The couple dated for almost six months before getting engaged in Dubai in September 2013.

“I was desperate to see her, I missed her so much and that`s when I realised, `f****** hell, this is intense`. I couldn`t be away from her for that long, so I thought I`m going to get on this flight and propose.

“I flew Michelle to Dubai and that`s where I told her I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I`ve got now, for the first time in my life, what I`ve always wanted and what every boy dreams of – affection in a relationship, love, best friend, a girl I fancy…everything rolled into one,” Wright said.

Parole guidelines review
BJP steps into take credit

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 27, 2014

In order to check the misuse of the parole facility the government is planning to make amendments in the prison manual. The government has been receiving flak for granting parole to actor Sanjay Dutt for more than 30 days the third time since March 30. The incident had triggered a debate across news channels and social media. Even though RR Patil had proposed changes in the Prison manual act but the Bharatiya Janata Party has come forward to take credit for it. Convicts will have to mandatorily serve additional term to cover up for the number of days availed to escape jail. A convict can avail maximum 90 days’ parole.

BJP spokesperson Shaina NC took credit for the government’s decision to amend the Prison Manual Act. She said, “The BJP had intervened in this matter which prompted RR Patil to make changes in the parole granted to convicts. We had criticised the government’s decision to grant parole to Sanjay Dutt just because he is an actor. The laws should remain the same for everyone. Finally, the government has taken the right decision in the interest of the common man.”

The saffron party had earlier filed PIL in court pertaining to granting parole to Sanjay Dutt and why special treatment is being provided to him?

When AV contacted Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant about the parole issue he remained tight lipped about it. He said, “If the government is reviewing the parole guidelines then I would like to welcome it. I don’t want to comment about Sanjay Dutt as the laws are framed for everyone without discrimination.”

Speaking about the government’s decision to extent Sanjay Dutt’s parole Home Minister R R Patil said, “We cannot interfere in the sanctioning of parole. As per the rules, if a panel of doctors issues a certificate of any illness and convicts produce it to avail parole, it will have to be granted.”
“However, to ensure individuals are not misusing the parole to escape jail, the new rules will incorporate a clause whereby it will be mandatory to complete the scheduled tenure” he added.
“If a convict has to serve six years’ term, and if he has availed 250 days’ parole beyond the sanctioned limits, he will have to serve additional 250 days.”

BJP state President Devendra Fadnavis criticised the state government’s lenient attitude towards Sanjay Dutt. He said, “The government is granting special privilege to Sanjay Dutt just because he is an actor and possess political connection. BJP strongly condemns this impartiality and the state government is planning to review the parole policy just because our party had raised objections against it.”

Sanjay Dutt was convicted by the Supreme Court for illegal possession of arms in relation to the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case and was sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment. He had served 18 months of his jail term earlier and had surrendered himself to the TADA court on May 18th, 2013 to serve the remaining punishment.