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Mr Khurshid’sunparliamentary comment

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?

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

Kate WinsletKate 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

Lisa Kudrow`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’

katyperyKaty 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

Michelle-KeeganReality 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

BJP-creditIn 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.

Mishap hits Navy submarine INS Sindhuratna; 7 sailors injured, two missing

INS-SindhuratnaAt least seven sailors were seriously injured on Wednesday in a mishap involving the Russian-origin Kilo Class submarine INS Sindhuratna, 40 nautical miles off the coast of Mumbai.

This is the tenth accident involving an Indian Navy warship and the third submarine mishap in the last seven months.

INS Sindhuratna was involved in an exercise along the Mumbai harbour when a leakage in the battery compartment of the submarine occurred, resulting in seven Naval personnel suffering suffocation.

The Navy personnel, who were rendered unconscious due to smoke, were airlifted to the naval hospital INS Ashwini in Mumbai for treatment.

Two Navy officers, who were on board during the incident, are missing.

Meanwhile, a Board of Inquiry under a senior officer has been ordered to ascertain the reason behind the mishap.

It is learnt that a senior naval officer of the submarine wing was present on Sindhuratna when the incident took place.

Around a month ago, INS Sindhughosh had a close shave when it entered the Mumbai harbour during a low-tide phase and was about to run aground.

INS Sindhurakshak sank in the Mumbai harbour last year, killing all 18 personnel on board. Defence Minister AK Antony then sought a detailed report from the Navy on the issue.

Earlier this month, INS Airavat, an amphibious warfare vessel, ran aground after which the commanding officer was stripped of his command duties.

After the sinking of the INS Sindhurakshak, another mishap involved INS Betwa, which was damaged after it collided with some underwater object.

India’s leading minesweeper, the INS Konkan that was undergoing repairs in Vizag, caught fire and suffered major damage to its interiors. The Pondicherry-class minesweeper was getting a refit at a dry dock when the incident occurred.

The naval headquarters is concerned over the spate of mishaps in the Western Command and had even summoned Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha on the issue.

HC Allows AAP to Amend PIL Challenging MoU on Land Allotment

Bombay-HCThe Bombay High Court permitted the Aam Aadmi Party to amend its PIL to challenge the MoU signed between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Mumbai Cricket Association over allotment of a land in suburban Kandivali.
The PIL filed in September last had challenged the allotment of land and the terms and conditions therein.

The petitioner today informed a division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sanklecha that while the allotment was made in February 2003, a MoU was signed between BMC and MCA on January 8, 2014.

“The MoU has been signed on the same terms and conditions that the petition had challenged. We would like to amend the petition and challenge the MoU,” a lawyer appearing for the petitioner said.
The bench allowed the amendment and posted it for hearing after four weeks.

According to the PIL, the land admeasuring 39,950 square metres was allotted to MCA for training of youngsters in cricket but the association was using it for commercial purposes.

Sharad Pawar, the then president of MCA had in February 2003 written a letter to the BMC seeking allotment of land in suburban Mumbai for organising coaching of youngsters in cricket.

The corporation wrote a reply immediately saying that it was considering allotting the plot to MCA and on February 10, 2003, the allotment was sanctioned on adoption basis whereby the MCA could only maintain, beautify and manage the plot and not construct anything except a store room and watchman chowkie.

In April 2004, the MCA sought the agreement to be converted to caretaker basis which would enable it to develop gymkhana, club, stadium, swimming pool, recreation ground and so on. This was granted in May 2005 and a caretaker agreement was executed on June 11, 2012.

“Open spaces are property of citizens and are being arbitrarily and manipulatively given away to organisations owned by politicians. There has been no application of mind while allotting the land to MCA.

Municipal plot cannot be given on lease, adoption or caretaker basis to any private party. The civic body has allotted a huge chunk of land on a mere request made by SharadPawar instead of calling for tenders,” the PIL alleges.

Khadse criticises government over law and order failure

KhadseLeader of Opposition Eknath Khadse criticised the ruling Congress-NCP alliance over law and order and intelligence failures saying the state Home Minister came to know about Satyapal Singh joining BJP after his sudden resignation as Mumbai Police Commissioner.

Initiating the debate on the interim budget in the Legislative Assembly, Khadse said state Home Minister R R Patil had no information of the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s political moves.

“If the intelligence gathering is so poor on this count, how can we expect strong intelligence network to tackle terrorism?” he asked.

There is unrest in the police force due to political interference in transfers and promotions, he alleged.

“Do you know two additional DG rank police officials are quitting soon?” he asked and questioned whether Vijay Kamble and Ahmed Javed were sidelined for Mumbai Police Commissioner’s post because they belonged to particular caste and religion.

Khadse also lashed out at the government for failing to nab the killers of social activist Narendra Dabholkar.

He said the Adarsh commission report was property of the legislature and the revised ATR by the government, after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s intervention, should have been tabled in the legislature.

He also wanted to know when the government would act against former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

The state’s debt is now Rs. 2.93 lakh crore and will be Rs. 3.04 lakh crore next year; he said and demanded a white paper on state finances.

Khadse also expressed concern over the rise in Naxal menace and atrocities against women.