Rahul Gandhi will be available in Maharashtra from February 28 to March 1

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February 14, 2014

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi will tour Maharashtra from February 28 to March 1 as part of the party’s campaign for the Lok Sabha polls.

Though his itinerary is still being finalised, the Amethi MP, who is Co-chairman of Congress Campaign Committee for the polls, is likely to tour rural Maharashtra first before visiting Mumbai on March 1.

“Road shows, rallies and interactions are being planned during his visit. The final schedule will be ready in a few days,” AICC General Secretary in-charge of Maharashtra affairs Mohan Prakash told.

He said status quo will be maintained on the Congress- NCP seat-sharing arrangement in the State, where the former will contest 26 Lok Sabha seats and the latter 22.

“Discussions are on for swapping one or two seats. But as of now, its status quo,” he said in reply to a question.

Asked about NCP President and Union Minister Sharad Pawar’s recent comments on BJP leader Narendra Modi and reports of their meeting, Prakash said, “Pawar has already clarified on the issue. He is a senior leader whose secular credentials are not to be doubted. He is not just an NCP leader but a prominent UPA leader.”

Prakash dismissed a recent pre-poll survey which predicted a dismal showing by the Congress in the upcoming elections. “The poll predictions are baseless. Congress will do well on the basis on the UPA Government’s development agenda of the last ten years.”

Raj Thackeray a novice, says Shiv Sena after toll stir

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Afternoon Voice

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February 14, 2014

The Shiv Sena on Friday targetted Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray for leading a failed anti-toll agitation in the state two days ago and labelled him “a novice”.

“There were apprehensions that due to the MNS roadblocks, the entire state would be paralysed and the streets would be deserted… with only the (MNS) activists visible,” the Shiv Sena said in an editorial in the party mouthpiece, Saamana.

“On the contrary, the streets were full of people but agitators returned home before 2 pm!” said the editorial, taking a dig at Raj Thackeray without naming him.

It said the policemen on “bandobast” (arrangement) duty did nothing but kill flies and “many were wondering where is the agitation going on?”

“Never before in the history of the state has any major agitation ended in such a disaster,” the edit piece said.

It also pointed out that the minute the MNS top leaders were placed under preventive detention, the second and third rung leadership collapsed and the agitation fizzled out.

The Shiv Sena’s viewpoint came in the wake of the MNS virtually hijacking its anti-toll agenda and grabbing the limelight with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan assuring concessions on the toll imbroglio that has gripped the state in the past few weeks.

The edit said that all political parties – in the ruling Democratic Front government as well as the MNS – woke up only after the Shiv Sena’s agitation in Kolhapur last month highlighted the contentious toll issue in a big way.

Similarly, referring to the Shiv Sena’s agitation against a Pakistani music band at the Mumbai Press Club, the edit said that its activists proudly spent a few days in jail – unlike the flop show by the MNS.

Hinting at a Congress understanding with the MNS and referring to Chavan’s meeting with the MNS leadership, the edit said that the government has assured it would introduce a new toll regime before the Election Commission’s model code of conduct comes into force.

“The CM has given various assurances like abolishing toll on projects costing Rs. 10 crore and less, removing smaller roads and projects out of the toll ambit and others. Now, shouldn’t Chavan also declare how many seats MNS will contest in the next elections and its candidates?” the edit said in a sarcastic tone.

Adding that the state needed aggressive Shiv Sainiks and there was no place for “drama” in the name of agitation, the Shiv Sena labelled Raj Thackeray as a “novice” whom the people have no option but to forgive.

HC seeks replies from Centre, MSRDC, NHA on PIL on toll issue

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Afternoon Voice

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February 14, 2014

The Bombay High Court today asked the Centre, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the National Highway Authority of India to file replies by March 17 on two public interest litigations on the toll levy, particularly on the busy Mumbai-Pune route.

The state was recently roiled by anti-toll agitations.

The division bench headed by Justice S J Vajifdar also asked the respondents to specify their stand on the manual of specifications and standards for four-laning of National Highways, introduced by the Ministry of Surface Road Transport in 2008. The manual prescribes facilities that a toll plaza must have, including the truck-bay, bus-bay, toilets, rest area and automatic recording of vehicular movement.

The court was hearing the PILs filed by MNS MLA Nitin Sardesai and RTI activist Sanjay Shirodkar. One PIL challenges toll rates while the other alleges non-implementation of the 2008 manual.

Petitioners’ lawyers Srihari Aney and Sayaji Nangre argued that the toll rates were “arbitrary and illegal”, in particular on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and sections of the old Mumbai-Pune Highway (NH-4).

Petitioners also object to toll levy on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway though the construction of the new road is not yet complete. The state and Mhaiskar Infrastructure and M/s Ideal Road Builders, who are in public-private partnership to construct the road, should not collect the toll, they demand.

“The manner in which the toll is imposed upon the general public travelling on the said Highways is most arbitrary, unreasonable, unfair and unconstitutional.”

“The public at large has to pay the toll fees with respect to the facilities which are not completed by Mhaiskar Infrastructure and M/s Ideal Road Builders,” petitioners contend.

The State and the MSRDC have a primary responsibility for providing good roads for transport. Since they were unable to construct and maintain quality roads, they decided to appoint private individuals/companies for building, operating and maintaining roads by imposing toll, petitioners say.

Youth stabbed to death by brother on affair with married woman

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Afternoon Voice

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February 14, 2014

A youth was allegedly stabbed to death by his elder brother following a brawl between them at Dadar in Central Mumbai over a married woman, with whom the victim had an affair, police said.

The 21-year-old accused, Navin Goswami, stabbed his brother Jituraj (20) thrice on his back with a knife after an argument between them turned violent on Ranade Road in Dadar at 10.30 PM last night, said Deputy Police Commissioner Dhananjay Kulkarni.

Jituraj succumbed to his injuries following which Navin, who works as a manager at an ice cream parlour in Dadar, was arrested, the officer added.

According to police, Navin and Jituraj, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh, had been staying in Bandra.

Navin discovered that Jituraj had been having an affair with a married woman from Uttar Pradesh. As Navin objected to this, he called up the woman’s husband and informed him about the affair, police said.

The woman’s husband severely reprimanded her over the matter, and when Jituraj came to know about it, he rushed to Navin’s shop last night and began arguing with him.

The argument turned violent when Navin in a fit of rage picked up a knife and stabbed Jituraj on his back thrice on the road, causing him fatal injuries, police added.

The victim was rushed to nearby Shushrusha Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries, police said.

The accused was arrested on the charges of murder by Shivaji Park police and further probe is on.

Maha-Yuti would turn into grand wrestling arena: Sachin Sawant

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Afternoon Voice

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February 14, 2014

Taking a dig at the ‘Maha-Yuti’ (grand alliance) of the opposition parties including the Shiv Sena and BJP, Maharashtra Congress today said the grouping would turn into a “grand wrestling arena” as the elections come nearer.

Referring to the reported differences between the alliance members over the Maadha Lok Sabha seat, state Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said it is inevitable when people with differing ideologies come together only for power.

Sawant pointed out that recently the senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari had himself rubbished the alliance’s promise of ‘toll-free’ Maharashtra.

Cancel Raj Thackeray’s bail: Railway Police

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Afternoon Voice

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February 14, 2014

In a move that may spell trouble for MNS president Raj Thackeray, Government Railway Police have approached the court at Kalyan, seeking cancellation of the bail granted to him in a case related to his party’s violent agitation against north Indians in 2008.

“The Kalyan Railway Police have moved the Railway court seeking cancellation of bail and the next date of hearing is March 1,” said M D Pawar, Assistant Commissioner of GRP.

MNS is currently in the midst of an agitation against toll levy on roads in the state.

According to the police, when Thackeray was granted the bail, one of the conditions put in by the court was not to disturb ‘public peace and tranquillity’.

“However, MNS workers had resorted to violence and vandalism against toll booths after Thackeray said in a speech in the last week of January that his party workers should not pay the toll,” said a GRP officer.

GRP’s contention is that this amounts to breach of the bail condition.
The application was moved in the first week of February.

The case against Thackeray is related to MNS workers’ attack on north Indian candidates who had come to Kalyan in neighbouring Thane district for railway recruitment examination on October 16, 2008. He is accused of instigating the attack.

NCP leader opposes Raj Thackeray’s idea to divert Shivaji memorial funds

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Afternoon Voice

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February 14, 2014

A NCP leader on Friday criticised MNS chief Raj Thackeray for his reported suggestion to the Maharashtra government to divert the Rs. 100 crore meant for the Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial in the Arabian Sea, and use it to provide relief to commuters who pay toll.

Expressing shock over Thackeray’s suggestion to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan during his meeting with him, Vinayak Mete said, “Raj, who garlands Shivaji’s image on stage at every public meeting of his, has shown his real views on the great Maratha king.”

“The MNS leader should realise that Shivaji’s countless followers have been working for years to make the Shivaji memorial a reality. Who has given the right to Raj to insult Shivaji, who is akin to god for people of the state,” Mete said.

“The suggestion by Raj shows how much respect he has for Shivaji Maharaj,” Mete said.

“On the party rally stage, Raj garlands Shivaji’s statue and also bows before it. However, when it comes to the funds for memorial, he adopts selfish attitude,” Mete, who heads the “Shivsangram” organisation, said.

Mete, who is the founder president of the outfit which has been fighting for reservation for Marathi people, said, “Maharashtra won’t tolerate this and Shivsangram activists will launch a stir against the MNS leader.”

MPCC spokesperson Sachin Sawant also condemned Raj Thackeray’s suggestion, saying, “It is unfortunate that the suggestion comes from people who have all along practised politics in the name of Shivaji.”

Last week, the Maharashtra cabinet approved a proposal to allocate Rs 100 crore for installation of a statue of the warrior king off the Mumbai coast, which is expected to be the tallest in the world.

HC asks CIDCO to act against debris dumping in lakes

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Afternoon Voice

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February 14, 2014

Observing that the state already has very less number of open spaces left, the Bombay High Court directed CIDCO to inspect and take action against those who are dumping debris on lakes and ponds off Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai.

A division bench of Justices S J Vazifdar and B P Colabawala was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO ‘Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society’ alleging that debris and other wastes are being dumped on mangroves and lakes on Palm Beach Road, despite an earlier high court order prohibiting such activities.

The petitioner pointed out to the court that several endangered birds visit the lakes and it becomes a tourist spot. But now with debris being dumped, the lake will be filled up.

“There are already so less (number of) such beautiful spots left in our state. Why is the authority not taking action? They are bound by law to stop such illegal activities. We direct the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) to inspect the sites and take action in accordance with law,” the court said.

The court also issued notice to the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) and directed it, Cidco and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to file their affidavits within two weeks.

HC to hear on Feb 21 PIL on appointment of top cop for Mumbai

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Afternoon Voice

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February 14, 2014

The Bombay High Court decided to hear on February 21 a public interest litigation seeking immediate appointment of the new Police Commissioner for Mumbai, following the exit of IPS officer Satyapal Singh.

Petitioner Ketan Tirodkar, a former journalist, mentioned the petition before the division bench headed by Justice S J Vajifdar.

The petition contends that morale of the police force was down as the Commissioner’s post was lying vacant since February 1 after Singh, who wanted to join the politics, took voluntary retirement.

Tirodkar has referred to media reports suggesting that that the appointment has got entangled in the feud between the ruling coalition partners Congress and NCP, both of which are trying to push their own candidates. “If such appointments are made for political considerations, then the people will have to pay a heavy price,” the PIL says.

It also seeks an explanation from the state government for dropping a post of Director General of Police in 2012-13 and allowing Satyapal Singh to continue as Mumbai Police Commissioner while denying him promotion as a DGP.

It also seeks a direction to the government to submit minutes of meetings held since January 31 to pick the new city police chief and furnish list of ‘eligible candidates’.

Arvind Kejriwal resigns as Chief Minister over Jan Lokpal Bill

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Afternoon Voice

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February 14, 2014

“This seems like our last session,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in the Delhi assembly after his plans to introduce the anti-graft Jan Lokpal Bill in the Delhi legislature failed. He resigned soon after. In a major embarrassment for him, other parties had voted that the Jan Lokpal bill had not been tabled, minutes after he asserted it had.

Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP and the Congress of blocking his bill in retaliation after he ordered an FIR, or police complaint, against Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani over gas prices.

“The Constitution does not require us to take permission for the Jan Lokpal Bill. We will fight on the streets. We are not here to save our government, but save the nation from corruption,” Mr. Kejriwal told the house.

Legislators from other parties shouted angrily as he said he was tabling the proposal to set up an ombudsman agency to investigate corrupt government officers.

The BJP and the Congress said Delhi’s constitutional head, the Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, has vetoed the bill and it should not be taken up for consideration because it does not have his assent.
The union government’s lawyers say that’s obligatory partly because the ombudsman agency Mr Kejriwal is proposing will be funded at least in part by funds from the centre.

The protests in the assembly forced the Speaker to call for a vote. The majority rejected the tabling of the proposal.

“I reject the Centre’s illegal directives,” a combative Mr. Kejriwal declared, rejecting the opinion that the bill must be sanctioned by the Lieutenant Governor or the Centre before it is reviewed by the state legislature.

Supporters gathered at the AAP office cheered as they watched the live telecast of the Chief Minister’s address.

After the assembly adjourned, Mr. Kejriwal drove to his office in his Wagon R. He had said he would resign if he is prevented by other parties from introducing the bill.

Mr. Kejriwal has said that the Jan Lokpal bill is the heart of his party’s agenda and is essential to cleanse the polity of deep-rooted graft.