No other option for people besides Sena: Uddhav

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January 14, 2014

The Shiv Sena which has been losing its foothold in Maharashtra is trying to revive itself in the state. Sena activists reverted back to their aggressive style of politics by vandalising toll booths in Kolhapur district. Subsequently, the party president Uddhav Thackeray said that people of Maharashtra don’t have any other option besides voting for Shiv Sena. Taking a leaf out of AAP’s book, Uddhav also added that his party will always work for the welfare of the common man. He also added that Sena will work 80 per cent for welfare of people and will only indulge in 20 per cent politics.

How can a party which follows politics of hate work for the welfare of the common man? On the other hand, the Congress party said that the Shiv Sena is always known for making tall promises but fails to fulfil them.

Sachin Sawant, Congress spokesperson said, “The statements made by Uddhav Thackeray about people of Maharashtra don’t have any other option besides Sena is unjustified. This might be the reason that the party has not returned to power in the state. The party is unaware of the ground realities. The Congress has undertaken several developmental works for the welfare of masses hence they will vote for our party in the Lok Sabha election scheduled to be held shortly.”

Shiv Sena will observe January 23 as the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena supremo late Balasaheb Thackeray and a massive rally will be held in the city. On this occasion, Sena activists will take oath to work for Shiv Sena for lifetime. Henceforth, this day will be celebrated as the party oath day (Pratigya Divas).

The Sena chief also added that the party will win the upcoming Lok Sabha and state assembly election. He said there is a wave against the Congress in the country.

When asked about the statement issued by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supremo Raj Thackeray that BJP’s prime ministerial Narendra Modi to quit the post of Gujarat chief minister if he aspires to become the PM of India, Uddhav replied, “I want Modi to become Prime Minister of India. I don’t have any issues pertaining to Modi continuing with the chief minister’s post.

“We are here to serve people and can do it in a better way by being in power. Our four-and-a-half years of rule in Maharashtra was the best,” he said, recalling that Congress leaders promised free electricity to farmers before elections and scrapped the decision after winning it.

Medha Patkar supports AAP, says its time for new wave in politics

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Afternoon Voice

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January 13, 2014

Activist Medha Patkar announced her support for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and said that it is time for “new wave in Indian politics”.

The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NAB) leader said that she will continue to support AAP on various issues and endorses the policies of the party.

She said that in the name of politics, corruption has increased and the people are being looted.

“The AAP was born out of an agitation against corruption. This struggle is for ‘satya’ (truth), not ‘satta’ (power). The exact nature of our collaboration shall be decided at a meeting in Delhi later this week,” Patkar told mediapersons.

Nirupam, Dutt lead protest for Reliance power tariff cut

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Afternoon Voice

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January 13, 2014

Congress MPs Sanjay Nirupam and Priya Dutt Monday led a protest morcha outside the Reliance Energy office in suburban Kandivli, seeking reduction in power tariffs in the metropolis.

“We will not rest till the company takes measures to lower the tariff,” Nirupam said addressing the protesters who raised slogans branding Reliance Energy Chairman Anil Ambani as a “thief”.

Dutt said there should be uniform power tariff in Mumbai and suburbs. “If the tariff is not lowered, the agitation will spread and more of our colleagues will join the stir,” she said.

The MPs have been demanding a tariff cut with Nirupam even threatening to go on an indefinite fast.

A Group of Ministers headed by Industries Minister Narayan Rane had recommended 10 to 20 per cent cut in power tariffs.

Nirupam had written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan demanding a cut in power tariff, asking if the AAP government in Delhi can do so why the same can’t be done in Mumbai and Maharashtra.

Nirupam had also written to Anil Ambani asking him to be present during the agitation to address the public and explain his company’s position.

Among the demands are for certain charges like the fixed charge and regulatory asset charge to be withdrawn by the company.

Shiv Sena lashes out at Uttam Khobragade for calling Marathi media ‘casteist’

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Afternoon Voice

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January 13, 2014

Uttam Khobragade, the father of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, has been slammed by Shiv Sena in its mouthpiece ‘Saamna’ for criticising Marathi media and calling it ‘casteist’.

The Sena reportedly said that the retired IAS officer has “erred” by bringing up the issue of caste.

The editorial reportedly stated, “It is his mental bankruptcy.”

The retired bureaucrat had called Marathi media ‘casteist’ after questions on Devyani’s flat in controversial Adarsh Housing Society were raised during a press conference.

Uttam Khobragade reportedly got angry and lashed out at the Marathi media.

The reaction from the retired IAS officer came after the Marathi newspapers and television channels questioned several senior political leaders, including former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, in the alleged Adarsh Housing Society scam.

However, Uttam Khobragade has denied allegations of wrongdoing against him.

NCP to finalise LS candidates on Jan 21

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Afternoon Voice

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January 13, 2014

NCP will announce candidates for the Lok Sabha elections on January 21 and will retain majority of the sitting MPs, the party said today.

Union Agriculture Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar today met party leaders in Maharashtra to discuss probable candidates for the elections.

The meeting was held at Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s official residence ‘Deogiri’ and was attended by all party leaders and ministers.

State NCP president Bhaskar Jadhav said majority of the sitting MPs would be retained.

“Since Sharad Pawar is not seeking re-election, a new candidate will be selected for Maadha Lok Sabha seat. Barring three to four seats, we have almost reached consensus on the list of candidates,” he said, adding that the final list of NCP candidates would be announced on January 21.

“We hope to have a meeting with Congress leaders regarding swapping of few seats before January 21,” he said.

Jadhav expressed confidence that the NCP will double its number of seats than the previous time. In 2009, the party won eight out of the 22 seats it contested.

He said it was in the interest of the Congress-NCP coalition to announce the names of candidates at the earliest so that preparations can begin to ensure victory.

Jadhav said it would announce its list of candidates even if there was no meeting with the Congress.

As part of the preparations for the Lok Sabha polls, Pawar apprised the meeting of the political situation in the country and what strategy the party needs to adopt, he said.

Meanwhile, party sources said Ajit Pawar will not contest the Lok Sabha polls. However, names of ministers like Chhagan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil, Ganesh Naik, Suresh Dhas and Jaidutt Kshirsagar are being considered.

Sources said NCP wanted discussions with Congress regarding Jalgaon, Buldhana, Kolhapur, Hatkanangale and Maval seats which it contested and Aurangabad, Jalna and Raigad which the Congress had contested.

AI likely to sell four flats to a national bank

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Afternoon Voice

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January 13, 2014

National carrier IndiaAir India is in the final stages of striking a deal with a leading public sector bank for selling four flats at the posh Sterling Apartments on the Peddar Road in South Mumbai.

The deal, if gets through, is expected to fetch Rs 100 crore to the carrier’s coffers, sources close to the development said.

“We are finalising the deal with the bank. We are hopeful of raising around Rs 100 crore from the sale of these four flats,” Air India sources here.

The sources, however, did not divulge the name of the bank Air India is negotiating but added, “we are negotiating with a public sector lender.”

Air India had last year floated bids for e-auctioning of the four of its six flats at the posh Sterling Apartments on the Peddar Road in South Mumbai, measuring around 8,100 sq ft carpet area.

As per the financial restructuring and turnaround plan approved by the Cabinet in early 2012 when it had bailed out the carrier with Rs 30,000 crore in doles, Air India is required to raise Rs 5,000 crore over the next 10 years through asset monetisation, and its biggest asset is the iconic Air India building in the tony Nariman Point area of the city.

Earlier, State Bank of India had lent a helping hand to the carrier in assets monetisation programme by leasing four floors in its 23-storey erstwhile headquarters at Nariman Point business centre.

Rs 425-cr QNet scam: Cops freeze Boman Irani son’s bank account

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Afternoon Voice

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January 13, 2014

Mumbai Police, probing the alleged role of Danesh Irani, son of actor Boman Irani, in the Rs 425-crore scam allegedly spearheaded by a multi-level marketing firm QNet, has frozen his bank account, blocking his Rs 25 lakh, a senior police officer today.

The bank account of Danesh has been frozen, the officer said adding that, “Two fixed deposits were linked to his bank account. Cash and FDs collectively valued at Rs 25 lakh were found in the account.”
The scrutinisation of Danesh’s bank account revealed that about Rs 40 lakh had been received from QNet (over a period of time) in 2013, the officer added.

“We are verifying to ascertain as to what sort of job he had performed, for which the QNet paid him about Rs 40 lakh,” the officer said adding that Danesh would be summoned soon.

Complainant Gurupreet Singh Anand, who had filed an FIR against the QNet in August last year, has recently approached the probing agency, Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW), with a two-page complaint giving the details of alleged links of Danesh.

Gurupreet has also alleged that Boman Irani and former world billiards champion Michael Ferreira had participated in the promotional events.

Gurupteet had claimed that he shared Danesh Irani’s QNet membership details with the investigators and his account had shown that he carried out Rs 18 crore worth transactions and because of which he received substantial amount of commission.

The EOW has already issued a look out notice against Ferreira (75), QNET founder Vijay Eswaran and his three business associates after they did not turn up for questioning despite the summons served to them.

Govt asked to clarify on policy of no construction near jails

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Afternoon Voice

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January 13, 2014

Observing that security of jails is the responsibility of state authority and it is not proper to put restrictions on private constructions in the vicinity, the Bombay High Court today asked the government to clarify if its policy of no construction upto 500 meters around a jail would apply to ongoing constructions.

The Maharashtra government had on December 4, 2013 issued a Government Resolution stating that no construction would be allowed upto 500 meters around any jail in the state. The policy was issued with security of prison inmates in mind.

A division bench of Justices N H Patil and V L Achiliya was today informed about this policy decision and also that stop work notices have been issued to 13 buildings which are being presently constructed in the vicinity of the Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by Ramesh Upadhyay, an accused in the Malegaon 2008 blast case, raising concerns about existing and under-construction high-rises that pose a security threat to the inmates of Taloja jail.

The bench was informed that the 13 buildings are beyond the earlier buffer zone of 182 meters from the jail but were within the new 500 meters zone. The court then sought to know from the government if the GR would have a prospective effect or would also effect any ongoing construction.

“You (government) need to take some urgent steps and clarify this. Otherwise private persons are at a loss. They will continue investing in properties and one day the construction will be bull dozed,” the court observed.

The court, while directing the government to hold meetings and clarify this, also asked CIDCO to file an affidavit giving details of the 13 buildings on January 20.

The court also asked the government to consider the jail issue with as much priority as it gives to other public projects. “The basic needs of the prison inmates also have to be met. You (government) need to balance this,” court said.

HC asks magistrate to decide on report in whistleblower case

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Afternoon Voice

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January 13, 2014

The Court Bombay High Court today asked the magistrate in Maval taluka of Pune district to decide on the closure report filed by police in case of alleged forgery and cheating in land deals exposed by slain whistleblower Satish Shetty.

The direction was given by Justice N A Patil who asked the magistrate in Maval taluka to reconsider the C-Summary (closure report) and decide on it.

The matter has been posted after two weeks.

Earlier, the court had asked the state to file an affidavit explaining on what basis it had filed a closure report and had concluded that no offences have been attracted under IPC in this case.

CBI had moved the High Court seeking to quash an order of the Maval magistrate accepting the closure report filed by the police. In its petition, the central agency sought reinvestigation into alleged bogus land deals.

According to CBI counsel H R Venegaonkar, huge tracts of land were acquired by the state government from villagers near Lonavala for Mumbai-Pune Expressway, which became operational in 2002. However, these lands were fraudulently sold in bogus deals by IRB Developers.

CBI argued that once the land was acquired by the government for the highway project and compensation paid to the villagers, the property was vested in the state and could not be given away or returned to the original owners.

The agency pleaded that entries in 7/12 extracts (a revenue document of land ownership) were interpreted to mean the land was returned to the villagers and IRB purchased the same from them through bogus sale deeds.

The police closed the case by filing a C-summary report in a court at Lonavala in Pune district. It concluded that the deals did not attract offences under IPC because they were made between the parties due to “misunderstanding” that the land had been returned to the villagers, CBI said.

It was also alleged that RTI activist and whistleblower Satish Shetty was killed after he exposed these land deals.

Modi and minorities

By

Vaidehi Taman

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January 13, 2014

Congress alleged thatRSS workers wearing burkhas were present at NarendraModi’s public rally in Goa.Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson BabuAzgaonkar said: “RSS workers were given burkhas specially tailored and they were seated at the rally to make it appear that minority community members were attending his rally in large numbers.”He also named two BJP party leaders who Azgaonkar said were responsible for tailoring nearly 5,000 burkhas for the meeting.Over one lakh people, an unprecedented number in Goa, attended Mr Modi’s public meeting held on the outskirts of Panaji. Modi and minority isthe biggest issue in our country, after Gujarat riots he is been labelled as Muslim haters. In between, he tried his level best to correct his image too, by taking a bold step;Modi called on BJP to unite with the minority community, saying that if around 25% of minority voters had supported the saffron party in his state, the same could be possible in other parts of the country. India needs leaders who unite the communities rather than divide them. Whether he wants to become PM or not, it is always better to connect with each and every person. Particularly with the blames he got, it is necessary to connect with minority in particular. No doubt that Muslims in Gujarat have voted for him and many Muslims in India too are fond of him, in Hyderabad rally we have seen the Minority attendance.

The change is predictable, people are going to vote for him decelerating all the barriers of religion, caste or creed and this will be the biggest game changer for him and for the BJP. Those who are still in misperception about Modi must rethink his thrice win in Gujarat which couldn’t have been without his confidence in Muslim voters. In fact it will give him extra push. His Muslim voters in Gujarat should come forward to campaign for him on national level. Now if they come forward then the situation would move in favour of BJP.
Muslims at large are conditioned and guzzled with the impression that they belong to secular parties or they should go with Congress. There are many political parties who have equally treated them as any other Indian without bifurcating them to minorities or vote bank politics. There is a stable government in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh; these two chief ministers are secular and they just want development in their states. Whatever development work is done in these states is for the people of the state, not for any particular religion or people. In these states, both Hindu and Muslims are given equal status and opportunities. BJP always attacked Congress for their so called minority card politics. Many Muslims have supported BJP and brought revolution in elections in the past. Some of them sabotaged the notion that Minorities are the vote bank for Congress. But in the recent past, that too after 2002, wrong political agenda and incorrect way of campaigning has damaged the election scenario. There should be no such terminology called as Minority in a modern day India. Development is for Indians irrespective of their religion, caste, language, and domicile. Whether you are Hindu, Christian, Muslim, and Sikh or of any other religious background, you are Indian. Indians are special and the development story belongs to you.The development has to be in the form of Education, Food, Health and Infrastructure in the same order of priority. In five years of time, there should be no village without electricity or drinking water. There should be no child below the age of 14 not going to school. If we are able to achieve this, then we are talking about true development.

Setting out “272-plus” as the ambitious target for BJP, Modi seemed to elaborate that governance should not discriminate and emphasised that the only “prayer book” for any government was the Constitution. The emphasis was seen as an attempt to correct or soften a hard saffron image. He asked his party not to exclude sections among minorities who remain unrepresented and are searching for an identity of their own. Modi made very strong statement that no one should divide communities but ensure all sections are represented.The Gujarat example may rile his rivals, but Modi insisted that BJP benefits from a significant section of Muslim voters who have been convinced of the party’s credentials. The approach has shown results in local body elections with the election of Muslim councillors.

Mosi said there is a particular section of society which has been used by Congress for political gains and is vulnerable to the ruling party’s shenanigans. This section should be brought on board. Modi set out some specifics before a meeting of national office-bearers, state presidents and state organising secretaries. He said there was a need to form constituency level plans to track local issues so that anti-incumbency against the Congress could be fully exploited. He said BJP needed to identify opinion makers at the local level and make sure they were associated with the BJP campaign. Young voters were clearly a target constituency given the efforts made by the Election Commission to add new voters and encourage them to cast their votes. Modi said BJP did not have much time to get its act together as the countdown for the LokSabha elections was ticking away. Supplementing the presentation by IT expert Rajesh Jain, Modi also stressed the importance of social media in forming opinion, at least in urban areas. Modi’s minority pitch seems to hinge on the assessment that there are large sections which have failed to benefit from the sops promised to them and who need not be seen as “out of bounds” for the BJP. It is not about what happened in 2002, it is about what is going to happen after 2014. We have witnessed a great leader who led a state with one of the fastest growing states with a growth rate of 10 percent. India needs such a leader and its important Muslim voters support him. The party which has ruled this country for a long time and has wrongly given the impression that they are the messiahs of the minorities should be kicked out only for bad governance. Elect good candidates who can deliver results for all of us. Let’s see where this new found love of Modi makes him Prime Minister of this country or not.