Will consider PM post if party MPs select me after General Elections: Rahul Gandhi

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January 23, 2014

Amidst clamour among Congress workers that he should be named the Prime Ministerial candidate, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said he would definitely consider it if the party comes to power and the elected representatives select him for the post.

“In Congress, elected MPs select the PM. After elections if our party comes to power and the MPs select me then I will definitely consider it,” Rahul told on the second and last day of his two-day tour to his parliamentary constituency Amethi.

He was asked whether he would be ready to bear the responsibility of the top post.

Rahul said even Manmohan Singh was selected by the elected representatives as in Congress there is no system of selecting the PM candidate before polls.

“To select a PM is the right of the MPs and it should stay with them. Selecting a PM nominee before polls is not a democratic system, but part of personality cult,” he said.

At the CWC meeting held recently, party Chief Sonia Gandhi rejected demands by leaders from various states to anoint Rahul the PM candidate before elections, saying there has been no such tradition in the party.

Rahul told in Amethi that “democracy is not strong enough” in Uttar Pradesh and there is too much of personality cult.

“There is too much of personality cult in Uttar Pradesh. In BSP Mayawati distributes the ticket and in SP only one family distributes it. In UP there are only MLAs and they do not have freedom to work properly,” Rahul alleged.

When told that even Congress is being run by Gandhi family, he said the party was not run by 10 Janpath and has maximum democracy.

“Democracy is not strong enough in UP. Without associating people, neither the democracy will get strong nor development will take place in the state. I am confident that I will bring Congress government in the state,” he added.

Evading direct reply to a question that the party was levelling allegations against the state government, but why it was not opposing it, Rahul said recently the party staged demonstrations against the SP regime and even the state president Nirmal Khatri faced lathis.

Rahul alleged that while the previous Mayawati government halted the entire development of Amethi, the current SP regime overlooked the area on power and road front.

“UP was deprived of development from the last 30 years and unless Congress government comes the situation will remains the same,” he said.

Dismissing allegations that development work has been neglected by him in his parliamentary constituency, Rahul said, “We constructed a number of national highways in Amethi due to which this area will be connected with prominent cities in the next five years and industries will be set up.”

Somnath Bharti holds on with Kejri power; Congress meets LG

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Afternoon Voice

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January 23, 2014

Despite the growing chorus of opposition to Somnath Bharti, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday remained disinclined to take action against the controversial state law minister.

Kejriwal met Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung on Thursday morning. He later said the meeting was a routine one, and added that there was no discussion on or about Bharti.

“It was a routine meeting. There was no discussion on SomnathBharti,” he said.

Hours after Kejriwal’s discussions with Jung, a delegation of Delhi Congress leaders led by state party chief Arvinder Singh Lovely also headed to Raj Bhavan and demanded that LG should intervene and direct Delhi Police to act according to the law.

Later talking to reporters, Lovely said, “LG has assured that he will see to it that impartial probe takes place. Our support to AAP is on 18 issues, if they drift from any of those issues then will think over withdrawing support.”

Kejriwal has been reluctant to take action against Bharti and has defended him even after a Ugandan woman, who was among the four women assaulted in a midnight raid in south Delhi, accused him of having led the group of AAP workers that barged into her house and attacked them.

“We were attacked on Wednesday night by Indians, who were led by Somnath Bharti. We were harassed and hit with sticks they were carrying. They told us to leave the country or else they will kill us one by one,” the woman said.

Besides Bharti, the four women have identified some of his supporters. In their complaint, the women said that they were slapped, molested and subjected to racial slurs. Bharti and his supporters have also been accused of illegally detaining the Ugandan women and forcing them to undergo medical tests.

The Delhi Police, which had earlier filed an FIR against “unknown people”, will have to book Bharti in the case as the Ugandan woman has named him in her statement before the magistrate.

Meanwhile, a fifth Ugandan women has also approached a Delhi court seeking action against Bharti on similar charges.
Acting on her plea, the court has sought a report from Delhi Police and listed the matter for January 25.

Clearly, Bharti is on shaky ground but Kejriwal has, so far, backed him firmly but the whole episode has hit AAP’s image.

Bharti attracted more ire after he said that he would spit on the faces of BJP leader ArunJaitley and senior lawyer Harish Salve for being critical of him.

One of AAP’s main demands during its two-day dharna was the suspension of the Malviya Nagar station house officer for alleged inaction in the raid case.

The party, which later settled for paid leave as ‘punishment’ to the police officer, seems unwilling to take action against Bharti, which may help in ensuring fair probe in the case.

The opposition has alleged that the dharna was an attempt to save Bharti.

By using different yardstick when it came to his own minister, Kejriwal has exposed himself to criticism of not being willing to admit any wrongdoing by AAP leaders.

Congress has nothing to sell, nothing to show to electorate of India: Arun Jaitley

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Afternoon Voice

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January 23, 2014

Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley slammed the Congress on Thursday and said that the party had nothing to sell and nothing to show to the electorate of this country.

Jaitley took on Union Finance Minister, P Chidambaram and Law Minister, Kapil Sibal and said that both of them had decided to speak out after UPA government had displayed a lack of will to fight in an adverse political scenario.

The BJP leader said that Chidambaram, who was in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum, was expected to market the Indian economy but instead chose to speak on Modi.

Jaitley said, “He questions the BJP’s ability to administer the national economy. The audience still had fair memories of management of India’s economy between 1998 and 2004. Not many critical mentions are there for that period,” adding, “Coincidentally, on the day that he chose to speak about the BJP and Narendra Modi at Davos, Moody’s has come out with its India report which is highlighted in the media. Its reporting indicates that the Industry is today waiting for a political change led by Narendra Modi for a major turn-around to take place.”

Reacting to Sibal’s blog wherein he had dubbed Gujarat CM and BJP’s PM candidate for 2014 General Elections as a ‘salesman par excellence’, Jaitley wrote, “Kapil Sibal in his customary style has chosen to talk down on the Opposition. His blog refers to Narendra Modi as a ‘salesman’ and Arvind Kejriwal as a ‘showman’. He and the Finance Minister have not only overlooked the fact that Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa are today regarded as one of the better administered states where the GDP growth is much higher than the national average though three of them have earlier been in the Bimaru category.”

On the criticism of BJP by Sibal for re-inducting former Karnataka CM back into the party, Jaitley said that BS Yeddyurappa was asked to resign as soon as the chargesheet was filed. “This caused a split in its Karnataka unit and eventually cost it the state government. Today he has unconditionally joined the party. A few charges against him have been quashed by the High Court and in the balance the trial is not proceeding,” he wrote.

Politicians have lost their self respect

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Afternoon Voice

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January 23, 2014

I seriously don’t know what is wrong with all the politicians these days. No matter whether it is Narendra Modi, Somnath Bharti, Arvind Kejriwal or Rahul Gandhi their actions are understood as we have been witnessing these baseless stunts during the onset of every election. What is wrong with the leaders of Shiv Sena? It seems that they have lost their self-respect and have become greedy for money and power which could only maintain their standards as politicians but have degraded our culture and are not following the rituals of Hindutva.

Chandrakant Khaire (62) a veteran Shiv Sena leader and Lok Sabha member had touched the feet of 24 year old Aditya Thackeray at a public function held in Aurangabad recently. Aditya who leads the Sena’s youth wing named Yuva Sena has already setup an extremely bad example of selfdom and haughtiness. He could have stopped Chandrakant Khaire and should have touched the latter’s feet to prove that he was wrong. However, Aditya didn’t resist when Khaire touched his feet.

On the other hand, leaders like Chandrakant Khaire had touched Aditya’s feet not because he had respect for him. He might be craving for a ticket for contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha election. If he was denied a ticket then he won’t have done this drama. Such kind of leaders is only making a mockery of democracy and parliament. He might have licked his shoes too.

Seriously what a shame!!! … Hail of shame. Physical slavery may be on its way out mental slavery is not. Khaire should be given basic briefing about Indian culture and rituals.

And youngsters like Aditya Thackeray should understand that respect or honour can never be claimed forcefully or with the family influence. Try to stand on your own feet and be what you are.

Balasaheb Thackeray’s demise has already saddened us. It’s not only about the tears but his death has almost left a void in politics. Even though his son Uddhav Thackeray has succeeded him but he lacks his charisma. We could only suggest Aditya Thackeray to kindly mind his actions. He must work hard to maintain the legacy of Bal Thackeray. He must consider himself lucky to be a part of such a great dynasty.

Just Google and you may come across this answer
Why do we touch feet?

Touching feet of elders or saints is a unification of point of SHRADDHA and KARUNA .

‘SHRADDHA’ reduces ‘ego’ and lowers emotions along with
solar plexus chakra .

‘KARUNA’ activates HERT- CHAKRA of the saints or elders.

‘SHRADDHA’ increases receptivity of the person, while
‘KARUNA’ Start to discharge energy from HEART CHAKRA towards
the person who is receptive with ‘SHRADDHA’
This technique is also applicable in divine puja.
If their is no SHRADDHA towards god,
Devotees can’t get “KARUNA” [Energy of blessings] from God.
Thus,

When we touch the feet of elders /saints with ‘SHRADDHA’
We receive energy of ‘KARUNA’ / blessings from them.”

FBI offers probe in Jiah’s case

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Afternoon Voice

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January 23, 2014

As SurajPancholi was arrested for abetment of suicide, but Rabia Khan seeks re-investigation of Jiah’s case. Lawyer alleges that FBI has offered help to probe the case.

Even though the Mumbai Police has registered a case of abetment to suicide against AdityaPancholi’s son SurajPancholi but Rabia Khan, mother of Jiah Khan is not satisfied with the probe as FBI is likely to intervene in this case. The investigation agency will offer help to Rabia Khan in this hour of crisis. Rabiya alleged that despite possessing concrete evidence about Jiah’s murder police have converted the case into abetment of suicide.

Talking to AV, Advocate Dinesh Tiwari said, “The America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation is willing to help us for resolving this case. FBI has approached Rabiya Khan.”

A police official from Oshiwara Police Station said, “While conducting investigations we didn’t receive any clues to confirm that victim was murdered. Hence we booked Suraj under the case of abetment of suicide.”

Rabiya, nonetheless is not convinced with the findings of the probe and would approach the High Court to demand a re-probe into this matter.She had moved the Bombay High Court in October, 2013 alleging that her daughter was murdered and sought a CBI probe. Following this, the court had asked police to record her statement on those lines, collect material given by her and probe the murder angle.

Alleging shoddy investigation by the police to help Jiah’s boyfriend, Rabiya had said that the deceased actor may have been hanged after being killed in order to make it look like suicide.

Her petition in the High Court had cited reasons to support this theory. She had contended that a person who commits suicide would have eyes popping out and tongue protruding which was not the case in Jiah’s death.An injury was noticed on right side of her lips and a mark on her left arm as if someone had held her tightly.

Rabiya Khan said, “A tissue was found inside the nail of Jiah, police not acted on it as it was major evidence.”

Advocate Dinesh Tiwari further added, “We will seek assistance from the FBI if the Mumbai police doesn’t conduct a re-probe into this matter.”

A police officialon the condition anonymity said, “We have not received any circular from Jiah Khan’s family about seeking assistance from FBI in this case. We are performing our job efficiently and allegations made against us are baseless.”

QNet scam: Ferreira files anticipatory bail plea

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Afternoon Voice

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January 22, 2014

Former world Billiards champion Michael Ferreira has filed for anticipatory bail in a local court in connection with the Rs 425-crore scam allegedly committed by a multi-level marketing firm QNet, in which he claimed to hold shares.

“Ferreira filed an anticipatory bail plea in the sessions court yesterday, which will come up for hearing later today,” his spokesperson Harish Kumar said here.

He also said that Ferreira has challenged the lookout notice issued by the Mumbai Police against him on January 2.

In the second week of December, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the city police, probing the QNet scam, had served summons to 75-year-old Ferreira, directing him to appear before them to quiz him about his association with the scam-hit company. However, he had not turned up.

The EOW has arrested nine team leaders of the QNet so far for allegedly duping investors by offering to sell products like magnetic disks, herbal products and holiday schemes through fraudulent practices.

QNet has also been accused of using the banned binary pyramid business model for their multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes to entice investors. The accused have been charged with cheating and forgery under relevant sections of the Prize, Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act 1978.

The lookout notice is a circular issued against a person when he/she is wanted by police either for questioning or for the purpose of arrest in any case.

It is circulated at all immigration checks at international borders (like International airports or sea ports) and as soon as the person is spotted, the authorities concerned are notified.

Ferreira, who was abroad on December 17, had said he would appear before the investigators as soon as he returns to India. He had also defended the controversial company.

Police said that they were not aware if the Padma Bhushan awardee was back in Mumbai or still abroad.

The winner of the World Amateur Billiards Championship had also described as “outrageous, malicious and untruthful” the allegations against him of defrauding people through QNet.

Arvind Kejriwal stands for ‘Chosen Madness’, says NCP

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Afternoon Voice

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January 22, 2014

Dubbing AAP leaders as “symbols of arrogance”, NCP on Wednesday dared Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to write a single line letter to Congress requesting it to withdraw its support.

“If Kejriwal has the courage and the guts, he will write a single line letter to Congress to withdraw its support to his government,” NCP spokesman D P Tripathi told reporters mounting a scathing attack on the AAP leader and his colleagues.

Insisting that neither the Home Minister Sushil kumar Shinde nor the Centre committed any wrong while dealing with the demand of AAP, he said that the “only fault” was that of the Delhi police for its failure to arrest the “lawless Law Minister” of Delhi.

Dubbing AAP leaders as “symbols of arrogance”, who lack “decency, decorum and morality”, Tripathi said the Delhi Law Minister could have been immediately arrested under 11 counts including for obstruction of public servants.

Taking exception to the way Kejriwal has talked about Sushil Kumar Shinde, who is the Home Minister of India,Tripathi said that the CM in Delhi stands for “Chosen Madness” as he has “trampled upon justice, rule of law and the Constitution”.

Asked if Kejriwal becomes Prime Minister, he remarked it will be “Permanent Madness”. The NCP leader also said that Kejriwal’s statement– that two police officers have been sent on leave is the victory of people of Delhi– are “unimaginably foolish remarks”.

Tripathi claimed that there was a “fall in the credibility” of AAP within one month’s of coming to power in Delhi.

Options of Pawar becoming PM open, indicates NCP

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Afternoon Voice

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January 22, 2014

NCP on Wednesday was non-committal on whether SharadPawar will work in a UPA government headed by Rahul Gandhi but indicated all options of the party supremo becoming prime minister are open depending on “circumstances”.

“Till now the Congress has not declared its prime ministerial candidate. A leader heading the Congress campaign (does not mean PM candidate)… There is a difference between the two,” party spokesman D P Tripathi told reporters.

Asked what will Pawar do if Rahul is made the PM candidate, he said, “There are no ifs and buts… Let them do, then only we will react.”

However, he said it was for the Congress to elect its leader. On being asked whether the NCP was in favour of prime ministership for Pawar, Tripathi said the party does not have the numbers.

“We are a national party, but we are aware of our limitations… We are a small party with a very big leader. Parliamentary democracy is a numbers game,” he said.

“It all depends upon circumstances, options will always remain open,” he said in reply to questions on the issue. To a query whether the NCP was putting pressure on the Congress through such replies, Tripathi said, “If their pressures had worked, then there would have been lot of good (in the UPA).”

NCP is the second largest party in the Congress-led UPA and the two are also sharing power in Maharashtra since 1999 soon after Pawar parted ways with the Congress on the issue of foreign origin of Sonia Gandhi.

Tripathi also demanded that a meeting of the UPA Coordination Committee should be convened soon as a session of Parliament is nearing and plans to bring a lot of anti-graft bills are on the cards.

The NCP has already announced that Pawar will contest the RajyaSabha elections this time and will file his nomination in Mumbai on January 24.

Tripathi said Pawar is the only leader in the country who has successfully contested LokSabha and assembly polls since 1967.

Auto drivers threaten agitation post RTO ‘hurdles’

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Afternoon Voice

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January 22, 2014

Auto drivers backed by some agents and union members have threatened of agitation alleging that regional transport officials are deliberately creating hurdles while passing their vehicles during annual fitness checks. The Regional Transport Office (RTO), they alleged, arbitrarily cite norms and refuse to grant fitness certificates.

An RTO agent alleged that the officials deliberately cause problems while passing their vehicles. A delegation of some union members and agents accompanied by MLA RajanVichare met the Thane RTO recently to sort out the problems.

“We have been told to replace some parts of autos and that too at the last minute and they have also included some last minute norms about not having pressure horns and halogen headlights. We should be given some margin for doing so,” said an agent who was part of the meeting.

“We have been taking action against those vehicles that have installed pressure horns and bright headlights which is against the law. We are following all the rules prescribed in the books,” said a senior RTO official.

NMMC felicitates students for excelling in sports

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Afternoon Voice

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January 22, 2014

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) had organized an event to felicitate three students for their accomplishment in sports. The event was inaugurated by Mayor Sagar Naik.

Nerul resident Vaibhav Raskar, a 10th standard student had won the state wrestling award ‘Kumar Kesari’ in the year November 2013. Another Shubham Vanmali (18), who braved turbulent waters in the Arabian Sea to successfully cross the 35km course from Dharamtar in Alibaug to Gateway of India in eight hours and one minute. The pilot boats and navigators were struggling for over an hour to direct him to the route to Gateway due to poor visibility.

Vanita Balsubramanian, a handiciaped girl was awarded by the President of India as a ‘Role Model’ in the year 2013. All of them were felicitated under the presence of House leader Anant Sutar, opposition leader Dilip Ghodekar, Mayor Sagar Naik, Deputy Mayor Ashok Gawde and Mahapalika Commisoner A.L. Jahad.