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Vote For BSP-B Media 4 Sarvajan Hitaya Sarvajan Sukhaya -Know your candidates-Directives given not to show laxity in filing F.I.R.s -All Hajis will be allowed to bring Aab-e-Jamjam -Polling agents should not have criminal background: EC-Parties turn ire on EC over poll code-Over 800 candidates in fray for phase II polls in Karnataka-High drama over issue of B Form-Rebels wrest Cong tickets-8 Cong leaders expelled -
Directives given not to show laxity in filing F.I.R.s
Lucknow :April 30, 2008 In compliance of the directives given by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ms. Mayawati during the law and order and development works review meeting held on April 24 last, the State Government has issued the necessary Government Order (G.O.) Through this G.O. effective implementation of development works and law and order would be ensured. According to the G.O. issued by the Chief Secretary Mr. Prashant Kumar Mishra, the Principal Secretaries/Secretaries, D.G.P., Divisional Commissioners and D.M.s have been given explicit orders that the policies and programmes of the government should be implemented effectively so that the needy could be benefited to a larger extent. There should be no slackness in registering F.I.R.s. Besides, there should be no laxity in the implementation of development works and maintenance of law and order, else the guilty would not be spared at any cost. According to the G.O., the officers should remain present between 10 a.m. and 12 noon in their respective offices barring holidays, so that the problems of the people could be disposed off at the earliest. Although these orders had been issued previously, but still the government was receiving complaints that it was not being strictly adhered to in some districts. According to the G.O. teams from the headquarters would be sent to conduct surprise checks and if any laxity in it was detected then stringent action would be initiated against the guilty. The G.O. further states that the officers of the police and administration should maintain better co-ordination to ensure peace arrangements in their areas. The S.O.s should not pressurise the aggrieved party to go for compromise, neither any action should be initiated against the same under sections 107, 116 and 151 of C.R.P.C. The complaints related to the exploitation of SC/ST should be investigated speedily and if the complaint is found correct, then only case should be registered under the SC/ST Act. Besides, review meetings regarding the terrorist activities should be compulsorily held at the district and divisional levels. The G.O. further states that the officers should accord proper respect to the people's representatives. Besides, they should initiate strict action against the white collared criminals, mafias and notorious criminals under the Gangster Act. The officers have been asked to reach the incident site without delay if any untoward happening occurs in their respective district, and initiate proper action. Besides, the media should also be informed with real facts, so that the people get the real picture of the incident. In the Government Order, directives have also been issued for organising Thana Diwas every saturday, to redress the people's complaints in every police station. During thana diwas, all the revenue employees of the revenue villages falling under the concerning police station, police inspector and sub-inspectors, employees of development and electricity departments will remain present compulsorily. Whether the Thana Diwas is being organised on scheduled time or not? The concerning Police Superintendent (rural) /A.S.P. will have to verify at least two police station areas. Besides, D.M./S.P. have been directed for checking at least one police station. For tackling the problem of naxalism, activities should be under taken regarding the economic, social and law and order aspect. It is the need of the hour that the poor people residing in naxal affected areas should join the mainstream of the society. Action in this regard is needed on priority basis. Full attention should be paid for providing maximum benefits of government facilities to the weaker sections of the society. Besides, pension, scholarships to SC/ST, backward, minorities and other eligible people should be provided timely. The Government Order further states that the remaining agricultural land in districts should be allotted to the eligible on priority basis. Besides, if some land is still available, then it should be distributed among the eligible persons. If strongmen have encroached upon the pattas given to the dalits and poor, then effective action should be taken for freeing the pattas from their possession. It should also be ensured that the poor people of Sarva Samaj benefit from the decisions of the government. The Chief Secretary has directed to ensure the availability of electricity without hindrance as per roster in the urban and rural areas. Special attention should be paid for effectively checking on power theft and also on drinking water, health, NAREGA and other welfare programmes. Incidents of theft, dacoity, murder, crimes and rape should be effectively controlled. Small incidents concerning with law and order and communalism should be taken seriously, so that they do not aggravate into a major incident in future. Special attention should be paid regarding the security of the statues of saints, gurus and great persons so that anti-social elements do not cause any harm to these. District Magistrate, Commissioner and the district and divisional level officers of other departments have been directed for making spot verification of development works. Similarly, the S.P. and S.S.P.s have been instructed to monitor the law and order situation in their area. Besides, 10 teams have been constituted for reviewing the police and administrative works of 18 divisions. All the divisional in-charge will visit their respective divisions till the 20th of every month without fail. The Government Order also directs the officers to discharge their duties honestly and with commitment, keeping in view the policy of Sarvajan Hitai, Sarvajan Sukhai so as to provide the people a development oriented system devoid of injustice, crime, fear and corruption. *********
All Hajis will be allowed to bring Aab-e-Jamjam
Lucknow : April 30, 2008 The distribution of the application forms for the Haj pilgrims would begin from tomorrow (May 01, 2008). Now, the applicants would not be required to submit draft, instead they would have to deposit the necessary amount in the account of Central Haj Committee in the branches of the State Bank of India. The Hajis would be allowed to bring 10 litre cans with them this time. These decisions were taken at a meeting of the State Haj Committee held at the guest house of the PWD here today. The meeting was presided over by the State Public Works and Irrigation Minister and Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Nasimuddin Siddiqui. Keeping the district-wise population of the Muslims in mind, the Hajis would be selected on the basis of proportion. Besides, efforts were being made to provide information regarding the places of stay of the Hajis in the Saudi Arab through internet. The Hajis would get the information of their stay in India itself. The Chairman of the Haj Committee suggested that discussions should be held with the senior officers of the bank, so that separate counters for the Hajis could be set up in the branches of SBI. Expressing his dissatisfaction over the working of the Khadimul-Hujjaj, he said that the same should be given proper training, so that they could provide better services to the Hajis and they should also be kept under vigil in the Saudi Arab. The Minister of State for minorities welfare and Haj (Independent charge) Mr. Anees Ahmad Khan alias Phoolbabu expected from the employees and Khadimul-Hujjaj that they should discharge their duties with missionary zeal and and a feeling of service. He suggested the members and officers of Haj committee that they should remain present at Haj House and airport during the take-off of Hajis, so that the problems pertaining to Hajis coming in the way could be solved on the spot. The Minister for Science and Technology and the senior member of the Haj committee Mr. Abdul Mannan and another member Maulana Saif Abbas Naqvi suggested that the rates of food in hotels at Haj House Premises should be fixed during the Haj and rate boards should be fixed at all hotels compulsorily. Likewise, the rates for coolies carrying the belongings should also be fixed, so that the Haj travellers and their associates could not be exploited. The Secretary, State Haj Committee Mr. Laik Ahmad said that the action plan of U.P. State Haj Committee regarding the Haj was appreciated in the meeting of Central Haj Committee held few days ago and it was expected from the other States that they should also prepare their action plan on the same basis. It was decided in the meeting held today that a meeting of other states' Haj Committee members should be organised to consider for providing the maximum facilities to the Hajis. In the meeting the income and expenditure of State Haj Committee for the year of 2007-08 was approved and the estimated income and expenditure for the year of 2008-09 was discussed. On this occasion, the senior member of State Haj Committee and Media Advisor to C.M. Mr. Zameel Akhtar, members Mr. Raees Ahmad, Hafiz Usman, Secretary State Haj Committee Mr. Laik Ahmad, Assistant Secretary Mr. Javed Ahmad and Haj Officer Mr. Tanveer Ahmad were present. *********
Parties turn ire on EC over poll code
Upset over the strict implementation of poll code, parties on Tuesday vented their ire against election officials in the State before the Election Commission and petitioned it to relax the rules on using publicity materials.
The three-member EC, led by Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, held meetings with representatives of political parties at Vidhana Soudha and heard their suggestions and complaints.
'KMF vans ferrying liquor'
Mysore, dhns: Former minister H Vishwanath has alleged liquor is being transported in KMF vans, which are under the control of former minister H D Revanna. Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said milk being an essential commodity, these vans aren't being checked.
Polling agents should not have criminal background: EC
New Delhi, PTI:
The EC said no person having criminal cases pending against him should be appointed as a polling agent. The CEO has been asked to ensure strict compliance and bring all violations in this regard to the notice of all District Election Officers…
In a bid to ensure free and fair assembly polls in Karnataka, the Election Commission has directed that no person with a criminal background should be appointed a polling agent of a candidate.
In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka, where a three-phased assembly poll would be held on May 10, 16 and 22, the EC said no person having criminal cases pending against him should be appointed as a polling agent.
The CEO has been asked to ensure strict compliance and bring all violations in this regard to the notice of all District Election Officers, Observers and other poll-related officials immediately.
The EC had earlier said in a directive to all Chief Secretaries and CEOs of all states that polling agents who were appointed by contesting candidates should ordinarily be resident and electors of polling areas concerned.
Over 800 candidates in fray for phase II polls in Karnataka
Over 800 candidates entered the fray for
the second phase of Assembly elections in Karnataka from ten
districts on May 16, as about 305 candidates filed on the last
In all, more than 305 candidates put in their papers for Raichur,
Koppal, Uttara Kannada, Bellary, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Shimoga,
Udupi, Chickmagalur and Dakshina Kannada districts.
For the third and final phase polling on May 22, as many as 38
candidates had filed their nomination papers, including BJP
candidate B G Patil from Gulbarga north Assembly seat. Ten northern
districts, including Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Bidar,
Dharwad, Haveri and Gadag, would also face the electorate on the
same day.
A high drama was witnessed in Davanagere where the official
Congress candidate Syed Saifullah gifted the 'B' form issued by
party high command in favour of S S Mallikarjun, reportedly under
duress.
Mr Mallikarjun, a former state minister and district Congress
president, who had earlier submitted his nomination papers, handed
over the amended 'B' form to the returning officer. However the
paper submitted by Mr Mallikarjun was likely to be rejected during
the scrutiny on technical grounds.
Earlier, state Congress general secretary Manjunath Bhandari flew
in a helicopter with B form in the name of Mr Saifullah, which the
latter offered it to Mr Mallikarjun.
High drama over issue of B Form
DH News Service, Davangere:
Tension prevailed for over three hours at the Municipal Corporations premises on Tuesday due to the confusion over issuing the B form for Congress candidate from Davangere North constituency.
The party high command had decided to issue the 'B' form to Sayyed Saifulla belonging to the Muslim community. Helicopter, carrying four Congress leaders including KPCC Secretary Manjunath Bandari and AICC Secretary Harindra Mirda landed at ITI College ground at 1.15 pm.
The leaders directly drove to the corporation office and Manjunath Bandari entered into the returning officer's office where he asked as to who is Sayyed Saifulla and told him that the 'B' form had been issued to him. Instead of handing over the 'B' form directly to the returning officer, Bandari held brisk discussions with Saifulla at the corporation office's premises.
Nominations filed
On hearing the news that 'B' form had been issued to Saifulla, supporters of former minister S S Mallikarjun started shouting slogans. Interestingly, expecting the 'B' form, S S Mallikarjun had already filed his nominations as Congress candidate for Davangere North constituency on Monday.
Bandari and other leaders who accompanied him, spoke to the party leaders in Delhi and Bangalore on mobile.
Some Congress workers even attempted to snatch the briefcase which Congress leader Balaraj possessed, containing the 'B' form. When only five minutes were left for the filing nominations, the high command was said to have directed the leaders to issue the 'B' form in the name of Sayyed Saifulla or else fly back to Bangalore.
As per the high command's direction, Bandari wrote Saifulla's name in the 'B' form and handed it over to him. Saifulla, who seemed anxious, wrote Mallikarjun's name under his name. Mallikarjun, who arrived to the spot by that time, was said to have directed Saifulla to strike out his name.
Bowing to the pressure Saifulla removed his name in the form and wrote Mallikarjun's name, which was subsequently submitted to the returning officer.
Rebels wrest Cong tickets
Confronted with widespread rebellion over choice of candidates for various Assembly segments going to polls in the first two phases, the Congress high command has effected changes in some constituencies.
According to sources, the party issued B form to former Minister S S Mallikarjun on Tuesday for the Davanagere North seat after issuing the B form first to Syed Saifulla. The pressure tactics by the former Minister and also his supporters is said to have worked in his favour.
Bowing to pressure the party has also decided to replace B Thippeswamy with H Anjaneya in Holalkere reserved seat in Chitradurga district.
The party has also yielded to pressure from Raichur MP Venkatesh Naik, who had threatened to resign following denial of ticket to his son for the Deodurga constituency. But instead of giving ticket to Venkatesh Naik's son Bhagawantraya Naik, the party has selected Venkatesh Naik himself as the candidate. While the party has chosen former legislator Vadnal Rajanna for the Channagiri seat, for the Puttur seat it has selected Jayanath Shetty.
8 Cong leaders expelled
The State unit of Congress has expelled eight Congress leaders, who have remained in the fray as rebel candidates, for six years from the party.
According to KPCC General Secretary V S Ugrappa, the candidates expelled are: Varthur Prakash-Kolar, Venkataramanappa- Pavagada(SC), Ashok-Gauribidanur, G H Nagaraj-Chikkaballapur, B Raju-Hunsur, Appanna-H D Kote, B M Narendra Swamy-Malavalli(SC), and M Muniswamy-Shanthi Nagar.
Vote For BSP-B Media 4 Sarvajan Hitaya Sarvajan Sukhaya-BSP An Appeal–retired Wing Commander, G B Athri, representing BSP in Padmanabhanagar Assembly constituency-Support of BSP will be crucial, says Kaliveer -EC to review Karnataka poll preparedness today -CEC to monitor poll splurge-Gowda's car seized-Merajuddin booked -Revolt may harm Congress in at least a couple of segments -Denied ticket, three senior leaders desert Congress -Tacit understanding
EC to review Karnataka poll preparedness today
Bangalore, PTI:
Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, Election Commissioners S Y Qureishi and Naveen Chawla would hold separate meetings with representatives of political parties…
The full Election Commission would review here tomorrow the poll preparedness of Karnataka, which goes to elections in three phases next month.
Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, Election Commissioners S Y Qureishi and Naveen Chawla would hold separate meetings with representatives of political parties, expenditure and general observers, regional and deputy commissioners and police officials.
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer M N Vidyashankar said Doordarshan and All India Radio have stopped airing/telecasting songs/films/serials featuring candidates, in observance of model code of conduct
Similar instructions have been issued to private television channels, Vidyashankar said.
He said liquor valued at Rs 65 lakh was seized in Bijapur yesterday, adding, 590 criminal cases pertaining to violation of the code of conduct have been registered in different parts of the state so far.
EC advice
BANGALORE: The Election Commission on Monday instructed the Chief Electoral Officer of the State not to appoint persons having criminal cases pending against them as polling agents for the three-phase Legislative Assembly elections.
CEC to monitor poll splurge
He said according to the final list of candidates for the first phase in which 89 Assembly constituencies are going to the polls, there are 837 contestants, including 398 independents.
The poll expenditure of candidates for the Assembly elections, especially those in the first phase of the hustings, will come under the scanner on Tuesday when the full bench of the Central Election Commission visits Bangalore.
Chief Electoral Officer M N Vidyashankar told reporters on Monday that Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami along with the two election commissioners will hold meetings with representatives of political parties, top police officers, deputy commissioners and election and expenditure observers.
The EC will also review the preparedness for the polls and conclude its day-long visit with a meeting with the Director General and Inspector General of Police to assess the law and order situation in the state.
The police in Bijapur confiscated Rs 65 lakh worth liquor on Sunday, he said and added that so far as many as 590 criminal cases have been filed for violation of model code of conduct.
Vidyashankar said that the Election Commission has directed Doordarshan, AIR and private television channels not to telecast or air films and serials featuring candidates in the fray.
Prominent cine artistes who are contesting elections include Ambareesh from Srirangapatna and Jaggesh from Turuvekere, both on Congress ticket.
Meanwhile, as many as 249 candidates, including former chief minister S Bangarappa, filed their nomination papers for the second phase of polls. Bangarappa filed his nomination from the Shikaripura assembly segment from where BJP chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa is contesting.
As many as 49 nominations were filed from Davangere district.
Gowda's car seized
Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda is the new addition to the list of violators of the model code of conduct.
A Toyota Innova van used by him in Nanjangud, during his visit to inaugurate the JD-S election campaign office, was seized on Monday as prior permission had not been sought to use the MUV. The party had not sought permission to use the vehicle to take Mr Gowda for the inauguration of the party office. The car belongs to Prathap, JD-S candidate from Chamaraja assembly constituency.
Gowda angry
Reacting sharply to the seizure, during his speech at the inauguration of the JD-S election campaign office, he said, "as a former prime minister I have a right to freely move around the country" and also questioned whether he should obtain permission even while moving from hobli to hobli.
"I will not get the car released till the completion of the election. I will travel in another car. I will give a befitting answer to the officials after the election. Whether Rahul Gandhi had sought permission while travelling in various places of the State", he questioned
Merajuddin booked
BIDAR: A case has been booked on Monday against Janata Dal (Secular) State unit N. Merajuddin Patel in connection with violation of model code of conduct. The police said Mr. Patel had put up a banner at the venue of a private function at Hallikhed (B) village of Humnabad taluk on Sunday. He has been booked under violation of the Karnataka Open Places Prevention of Disfigurement Act. Hallikhed village falls under the Humnabad Assembly Constituency from Mr. Patel is contesting. — Staff Correspondent
Poll code violated in Shikaripur?
Mobbed: People greeting the former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa in Shikaripur on Monday.
SHIKARIPUR: Was the large gathering near the tahsildar's office here on Monday a violation of the model code of conduct when the former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa arrived there to file his nomination papers?
It appears so. The police failed in controlling the crowd near the tahsildar's office where the returning officer received the nomination papers. Entry of vehicles or gathering of more than five persons within a radius of 100 metres from the office of the returning officer has been banned. A senior police officer has been made nodal officer and put in-charge of security arrangements in and around the office of the returning officer.
He has to videograph the candidates and their supporters accompanying them and the vehicles used by them. A circular issued by the Police Department has asked the nodal officers to allow only five persons, including the candidate, inside the office of the returning officer.
The incident on Monday could have been avoided if security was tightened in anticipation of a large crowd at the time of filing of nomination papers by Mr. Bangarappa.
After offering puja at the Hucharayaswamy temple, Mr. Bangarappa came to the tahsildar's office in a van. A large number of people followed him raising slogans.
The police stopped the van carrying Mr. Bangarappa near the barricade and asked him to go to the tahsildar's office along with four persons only.
However, the pleas by the police were ignored and the van was taken inside the restricted area and was stopped in front of the tahsildar's office.
Policemen deployed at the entrance to the tahsildar's office had a tough time in controlling the crowd. Mr. Bangarappa was accompanied by Congress leaders Nagarada Mahadevappa and T.S. Mahalingappa, president of the taluk unit of the Samajwadi Party Kabaddi Rajanna and Siddhalingappa.
The crowd outside the tahsildar's office surrounded Mr. Bangarappa's van as he came out of the tahsildar's office. Nearly, 5,000 people had assembled to greet Mr. Bangarappa, who is contesting against the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.
Revolt may harm Congress in at least a couple of segments
Vishwa Kundapura
Former Minister Srinivas Gowda is facing a formidable rebel
KOLAR: Though most rebel candidates have withdrawn from the contest, rebellion is discernible in some constituencies of Kolar and Chickballapur districts. Though the Congress, the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) have heaved a sigh of relief following the withdrawal of rebels from the fray, the latter, who are contesting as independents, seem poised to give sleepless nights to some official candidates.
It was particularly so in the headquarters of the two districts. While R. Varthur Prakash remains in the fray against the former Minister K. Srinivas Gowda, official nominee of the Congress in Kolar Assembly segment, it is G.H. Nagaraj against the Congress candidate S.V. Ashwathnarayan Reddy in Chickballapur constituency.
Despite the Congress' attempt to play down the presence of Mr. Varthur Prakash in Kolar, the latter is considered as a formidable rival to the official candidate. Not heeding the advice of the party leadership, Mr. Varthur Prakash has chosen to remain in the fray saying he will give a tough fight to the three-time MLA, Mr. Srinivas Gowda.
"My social work in the constituency which includes distributing free books to poor students, financial aid to women's self-help groups are the basis for my confidence," says Mr. Varthur Prakash.
Besides, the hold over the Kolar City Municipal Council, which is being ruled by supporters of Mr. Varthur Prakash, is expected to give an edge to the latter in the urban area tilting the balance in his favour, according to political observers.
"Voters are wise and aware about the evils of the role of money power in politics," was the argument put forth by Mr. Srinivas Gowda's camp.
Chickballapur is another constituency where the Congress is likely to feel the heat of rebellion. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) member G.H. Nagaraj, a close relative of MP, R.L. Jalappa, has preferred to remain in the fray as an independent.
Though the withdrawal by another KPCC member, C. Anjanappa, from the fray has provided some respite to the Congress leadership, Mr. Nagaraj's presence is expected to pester it in the constituency.
In Malur too, the former MLA, A. Nagaraj, has raised the banner of revolt.
He is pitted against J. Krishna Sing, official nominee of the Congress. Block Congress president R. Ashok remains in the fray against the Congress candidate N.H. Shivshankar Reddy in Gowribidnur.
Doddachowdappa is the rebel candidate of the Congress in Mulbagal constituency. Social worker S.N. Subba Reddy's withdrawal in Bagepalli too has reduced to some extent the burden of dissidence in the Congress. Likewise, Ramachandrappa's withdrawal in Kolar Gold Field (Scheduled Castes) segment has brought back the smiles on the faces of senior Congress leaders.
The presence of rebels is likely to affect the Congress in at least a couple of constituencies.
Denied ticket, three senior leaders desert Congress
T.V. Sivanandan
Basavaraj Patil Attur joins BJP
Vittal Heroor and Raju Gowda may follow suit
GULBARGA: The Congress suffered a jolt in its bid to recapture its hold in the Hyderabad Karnataka region in the Assembly elections with the resignation of three senior leaders, including the former Ministers, Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli and Basavaraj Patil Attur, and the reported decision of the former MLA from Surpur, Raju Gowda, and the former MLC, Vittal Heroor, who recently joined the Congress after quitting the Janata Dal (Secular), to resign from the party.
Miffed by the rejection of their claims for party ticket, the three leaders decided to part ways with the Congress.
While Mr. Nagamarapalli had sought the party ticket from Bidar after his traditional constituency Aurad was reserved for Scheduled Castes in the delimitation process in Bidar district, Mr. Attur had sought re-nomination from Basavakalyan and Mr. Heroor, a respected leader of the Kabbaliga community, had sought ticket from Afzalpur constituency in Gulbarga district and Mr. Raju Gowda sought the ticket from Surpur constituency.
The four leaders, after getting clear signals that their claims would not be entertained by the party, had decided to resign.
While Mr. Attur has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. Heroor and Mr. Raju Gowda are likely to follow him. Mr. Attur is likely to be nominated as BJP candidate from Basavakalyan.
Mr. Nagamarapalli has not yet decided on his future course of action.
Mr. Heroor has decided to resign from the party after it was made known to him by the party leaders that the party ticket has been given to the former Minister, Malikayya Guttedar.
Mr. Raju Gowda decided to resign after the party indicated that the ticket would be given to Raja Venkatappa Naik.
The resignation of Mr. Nagamarapalli and Mr. Attur, two senior Lingayat leaders, from the Congress is likely to alienate the powerful Lingayat community from the party in the region.
However, not many senior leaders from Congress have ditched it in Raichur or Koppal districts.
Tacit understanding
BANGALORE: BJP chief ministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa on Monday alleged that the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) had entered into a tacit understanding for the elections. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Yeddyur-appa said that the "nature of selection of candidates" by the two parties showed that they had a tacit understanding.
Vote for BSP B Media 4 Sarvajan Hitaya Sarvajan Sukhaya-An "Appeal"-Know your candidates-'BSP to be part of next coalition Government' -BSP is not favouring BJP candidate in Virajpet' -Poll helpline -Mayawati plans to woo Thakurs now -We cannot be bought with saris: women -Denial of ticket to ex-Minister may spell trouble for Congress -Bahujan rath rolls on in State-4 Cong rebels in fray in Bangalore City-Nagamarapalli quits Congress-Yeddy's car seized for poll violation-Bahujan rath rolls on in State-Beware Karnataka - Mayawati is coming!!
Vote for BSP Brothers and Sisters,
But, the pertinent question which arises here is, as to why there is a necessity for the people of the State of Karnataka to cast their votes in favour of the BSP only, rather than voting for the Congress, B.J.P. or their supporting parties? We have to understand this issue very clearly for an outstanding performance.
Due to this kind of unjust behaviour of the governments of Congress, BJP and their supporting parties, the economic condition of people belonging to Bahujan Samaj as well as poor people of "Savarn Samaj" i.e. the upper castes is turning from bad to worse. The malice is still continuing, rendering more and more such people unemployed and live a life under the darkness of poverty.< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
In view of the complexity and seriousness of such kind of problems, these deprived and exploited sections of the people revolted in such a manner to form a separate political party of their own called as (the Bahujan Samaj Party-BSP) under the leadership of Manyawar Shri Kanshi Ram Ji on April, 1984, basing its ideology on policy and progrmmes of Great Baba sahib Dr. Ambedkar. And quiet obviously, with the massive support and cooperation of all the sections of the society, the BSP has acquired a "National Status" and has grown enough to be officially by the Election Commission of India as one of the main national political parties of India.
Similarly, an ambitious "Urban Integrated Development Scheme" has been formulated in the name of "ManyawarShri Kanshi Ram Ji". Under this scheme, small towns and cities of Uttar Pradesh are being developed in a systematic manner and within time bound period. But under both these schemes, all the activities are being speeded up as much as the economic condition of the State allows. These developmental activities could well get further momentum and much speed if the Central Government fulfills its obligations of providing funds for the purpose.
Ambedkar's ideology exists in socio-cultural context
Gandhi could never understand the plight of Untouchables(SCs the Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) because he was not born as one, says VC
— Photo: R. Eswarraj
Espousing ideals: O. Anantharamayya, Vice-Chancellor of Tumkur University, lighting the lamp to inaugurate a function to mark the birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar in Mangalore on Friday.
MANGALORE: The ideas and writings of B.R. Ambedkar provide enough space and political context for most "isms" to exist within the wide canvas of "Ambedkar-ism," opined Vice-Chancellor of the Karnataka State Open University Vivek Rai on Friday.
He was addressing a gathering of students and teachers of the Mangalore University to mark the 117th birth anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution Bhimrao Ambedkar.
Mr. Rai is of the view that, while followers of Carl Marx, Mao Zedong, Mahatma Gandhi and Ram Manohar Lohia are poles apart, they would all find a resonance of their ideologies in the teachings of Ambedkar. "Can there be an ideology based on the teachings of Ambedkar?" he asked.
Lavishing praise on the leader. Mr. Rai said: "The beauty about Ambedkar's ideology is that it manages to exist within the country's socio-cultural context."
He said that Ambedkar's teachings had social, political, theological, anthropological and even scientific soundness.
Speaking on the issue of Untouchables(SCs the Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) emancipation in the country, Mr. Rai said that the greatest impediment to upward mobility of backward castes is globalisation. "Rampant growth of the private sector at the cost of the government sector has led to widespread unemployment among educated Untouchables(SCs the Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) youth," he said.
Expressing solidarity with the views of Mr. Rai, Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University K.M. Kaveriappa said that both Mahatma Gandhi and B.R Ambedkar were great freedom fighters. While one fought for political emancipation, the other fought for the social emancipation of the country's masses. He said that Gandhiji could never fully understand Ambedkar or the suffering of the socially excluded masses of India. "Gandhiji could have understood what it is like being a Untouchables(SCs the Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) only if he was born as one," he said.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor of Tumkur University Anantharamaiah said that Ambedkar was always misunderstood as a leader of Dalits in this country. "He was also a scholar in Science, Mathematics, Sociology, Anthropology, Law, Political Science, Literature, the Vedas and Theology," he said.
Vote For BSP
BSP releases 20-page appeal
The booklet traces the history, ideologies, struggle of the party
The party will distribute 10 lakh copies of the appeal in a door-to-door campaign in State
BANGALORE: Highlighting the achievements of the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has appealed to Karnataka voters to elect its candidates during the Assembly elections.
BSP General Secretaries Veer Singh and P.G.R. Sindhia, on Thursday, released a 20-page appeal by their party President Mayawati to the Karnataka voters. The booklet traces the history of the BSP, its ideologies and struggle and also lists the various socio-economic projects taken up by Ms. Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh.
Explaining the main features of the appeal, Mr. Sindhia said the BSP had urged the Centre to amend the Constitution to extend reservation benefits to below poverty line (BPL) families of the "upper castes". Stating that the BSP was not against any community, he said that for the first time in the country, the Mayawati government had extended reservation benefits to the poor from all castes.
The party activists plan to distribute 10 lakh copies of the "appeal" in Kannada, Hindi, Urdu and English during the door-to-door campaign across the State, he said. Mr. Sindhia said the State unit's manifesto committee was preparing the poll manifesto and would bring it out in a couple of days. The BSP had been growing in strength in Karnataka and prominent people from various castes were joining the party, he said. The party would field film artiste Jai Jagadish from Madikeri and former minister K.H. Hanume Gowda from Hassan.
Monday, Apr 28, 2008
'BSP to be part of next coalition Government'
No party can form government without our support: Sindhia
P.G.R. Sindhia
MYSORE: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will be part of the next coalition government in the State, party's national general secretary P.G.R. Sindhia has said.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Mr. Sindhia said that his party was poised to win a minimum of 50 to 60 seats in the Assembly elections.
"The elections will throw up a hung Assembly and it will not be possible for anyone to form the government by keeping the BSP out", he said.
Notwithstanding the "tall claims" being made by the BJP and the Congress that they will secure a majority on their own and form government, Mr. Sindhia said that it would be a fractured mandate this time.
"In such a situation, the BSP will be playing a crucial role in the formation of the next coalition government", he said.
Mr. Sindhia said that the Congress, the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) had thrown ideologies and principles to the wind for the sake of power, forcing the people not to vote any single party to power.
In contrast to other political parties, the BSP had shown its commitment towards the welfare of all sections of society. The party's popularity had grown gradually over the last few years, he said.
"The BSP's vote share, which was around 2 per cent during the 2004 Assembly elections, is expected to soar to 20 per cent in the coming polls", he said.
Mr. Sindhia said the party's election campaign was expected to receive a boost with party leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati scheduled to campaign in the State from May 5.
She would be addressing election rallies and meetings, beginning with Kollegal in Chamarajanagar district and ending with Bidar, he said.
Responding to queries on speculations relating to the former Union Minister Jaffer Sharief's plans to join the BSP, Mr. Sindhia said that the party leaders had met Mr Sharief in Bangalore four days ago and extended him an invitation to join the party.
Mr. Sharief is impressed with BSP's ideology and had attended a public meeting addressed by Mr. Mayawati in Bangalore a few months ago. "We have extended an invitation to him to join the party. Now, it is left to him to take a decision", he said.
The former Minister D.T. Jayakumar, who was also present at the press conference, sought to expose the "loopholes" in the professed commitment to social justice of the Janata Dal (S).
"For the Janata Dal (S), winning elections comes first and social justice next. The party has thrown the principles of social justice to the winds while distributing ticket for the elections", he said.
Mr. Sindhia said that he had joined the BSP not because he was denied a Janata Dal (S) ticket. "I had sought ticket for a few people in the region, but the party refused to do so", he said.
Mr. Jayakumar added that he would remain with the BSP as he subscribed to its ideology.
BSP is not favouring BJP candidate in Virajpet'
Stop slanderous campaign against me: Kunhi Abdulla
Leaders of minority wings of Congress, JD(S) criticised
'Jai Jagdish should have stayed in BSP'
Madikeri: Kunhi Abdulla, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate contesting from Virajpet, said here on Sunday that he was not contesting to favour the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from the constituency as made out by the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) candidates.
He was speaking to presspersons here.
Mr. Abdulla threatened to take the matter to the Election Commission if the two parties did not stop the "slanderous" campaign against him. Mr. Abdulla said that his presence would affect the prospects of the BJP in Virajpet.
He said that his rival in Virajpet was the BJP candidate and not the Congress or the Janata Dal (S) candidate.
He criticised the leaders of the minority wings of the Congress and the Janata Dal (S) in Kodagu who had claimed that members of minority communities would vote for their respective parties. How these parties could show concern to the minorities now, he said. If the two parties had so much concern for the minority communities, they should have issued ticket to a member of the community to contest in Kodagu, Mr. Abdulla said.
The Congress had betrayed the minority communities in the past, he charged.
On film actor and director Jai Jagdish, who joined the BJP in Somwarpet on Sunday, Mr. Abdulla said that it was a hasty decision. Mr. Jagdish should have stayed in the BSP, he said.
Madikeri election officer had rejected the nomination papers of Mr. Jagdish as the BSP candidate a few days ago.
Mr. Abdulla, who is also the secretary of the State unit of the party, announced that the BSP would not support K.H. Vittal, the party's candidate for Madikeri Assembly constituency. There were many aspirants for the party ticket from Madikeri, he said.
BSP leader P.G.R. Sindhia and the former MLA Krishnappa would address an election rally in Virajpet on Tuesday, Mr. Abdulla said.
President of the Kodagu unit of the BSP Appachu, vice-president P.T. Antony, general secretary Veerabhadraiah and Virajpet taluk unit president Srikant Shet were present.
Poll helpline
Chitradurga: To receive complaints and grievances from people pertaining to Assembly elections, the district administration has set up helpline centres in six constituencies. The numbers are Chitradurga 08194221282, Hiriyur 08193227091, Hosadurga 08199230240, Holalkere 08191207131, Challakere 08195250111, Molakalmur 08198210260. — Staff Correspondent
Mayawati plans to woo Thakurs now
Atiq Khan
LUCKNOW: After wooing Brahmins, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has now decided to cast the net wider to include other prominent castes in her social mobilisation strategy ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections.
The "bhaichara" (brotherhood) committees, which played a significant role in the Bahujan Samaj Party's race to power in the 2007 Assembly elections, will be assigned a greater responsibility.
Role redefined
The BSP president, who held meetings with Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, coordinators and office-bearers on Friday and Saturday, redefined the role of the brotherhood committees. A social brotherhood committee was formed under the leadership of Panchayati Raj Minister Babu Singh Kushwaha.
Informed sources said that for bringing the Thakurs or Kshatriyas into the BSP fold, the State had been divided into two zones — Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh ) and western Uttar Pradesh — under the charge of Cabinet Ministers.
Starting from Sultanpur and Pratapgarh districts, the Thakurs are largely concentrated in the Purvanchal region. The BSP's focus will be on wooing the Thakurs in the eastern part, said a senior Minister on condition of anonymity.
In Uttar Pradesh, Thakurs are considered a "floating vote." In the past, other parties had made vigorous attempts to woo them. A campaign by the Thakur Ministers and MLAs against the Mayawati government in 2003 following the arrest of Kunda MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya and his father Uday Pratap Singh under the Prevention of Terrorist Act preceded the formation of the Mulayam government.
On his release, Raja Bhaiyya was inducted as a Cabinet Minister in the Mulayam regime.
Eight zones
For further expanding the BSP's base, the Chief Minister has divided the State into eight zones and appointed Cabinet Ministers and senior party functionaries as coordinators for each zone.
After dissolving the district units of the party, Ms. Mayawati fixed August 31 deadline for forming new ones.
We cannot be bought with saris: women
venting ire: Members of the AIDWA burning saris, which were distributed by political parties, in Bangalore on Sunday.
BANGALORE: Even as politicians use time-tested methods of doling out freebies to woo voters from the underprivileged classes, voices are being raised against these illegal means of enticement.
On Sunday, a few saris given out to slum dwellers by politicians were burnt by indignant members of the All India Women's Democratic Association (AIDWA) to drive home the point that "women's votes cannot be bought."
K.S. Lakshmi, State General Secretary of AIDWA, said that another manner of luring women voters from poorer classes has been through the use of self-help groups (SHG), which have emerged as the influencing factors in the areas they work out of.
Urging the State Election Commission to be more vigilant, Ms. Lakshmi said that under the cover of religious events and birthday celebrations, politicians and their followers are giving away saris and other freebies.
Denial of ticket to ex-Minister may spell trouble for Congress
M.B. Girish
Gurupadappa has considerable clout in Bidar, Aurad
BIDAR: The denial of Congress ticket to the former Minister Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli is likely to land the Congress party in trouble in the Bidar and Aurad Assembly constituencies.
Mr. Nagamarapalli will be contesting the Bidar seat for the first time, but he has won four times from the Aurad segment which is a reserved constituency now.
He is yet to decide whether he will be contesting as an independent or will join some other party.
The performance of the Congress in Bidar district was dismal in 2004; it lost five of the six Assembly seats.
Mr. Nagamarapalli was the only candidate to win from Aurad.
Sources close to him said: "Chairmanship of the Naranja Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane Limited, Bidar, and the District Central Cooperative Bank, may help Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli to influence voters in Bidar and Aurad constituencies."
The inclusion of 25 villages, which fall under the Janawada Circle, in the Bidar Assembly Constituency has come as a blessing for Mr. Nagamarapalli because the Naranja Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane is located in Janawada Circle.
In Aurad, Mr. Nagamarapalli may play a key role in ensuring the success of any candidate since he had won from there four times — in 1985, 1989, 1994 and 2004. He lost the elections in in 1999, but he is said to have a large number of followers in the constituency.
Mr. Nagamarapalli left the Janata Dal (Secular) and joined the Congress in 1999
Bahujan rath rolls on in State
Taking its slogan of Sarve jana sukhaya sarve jana hitaya forward, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Sunday kickstarted its poll campaign by flagging off a Bahujana Ratha from the Gali Anjaneya Swamy temple on Mysore Road.
The BSP General Secretaries P G R Sindhia and Veer Singh, who flagged off the ratha, reiterated that the BSP was becoming a formidable force in Karnataka. The campaign was launched after the BSP leaders including State President Marasandra Muniyappa performed pooja at the Gali Anjaneya Swamy Temple.
"We are confident that the BSP will play a decisive role in the formation of the new Government in Karnataka," Sindhia, who later left for Mandya and Mysore to start his campaign tour, said.
The ratha, which will be a part of Sindhia's 20-day tour of the State, will pass through all districts and will also be a part of Mayawati's public meetings.
Sharief in touch
Later, Sindhia told reporters that more and more politicians were appreciating the BSP's ideology and principles. "Veteran politician Jaffar Sharief, who has been betrayed by the Congress, has expressed that the BSP's approach is the right approach. From our side, we have invited him to join the party. Our party supremo has also spoken to him. But he is yet to take a decision. Like this there is an undercurrent in favour of the BSP," Sindhia said.
He said he would address public meetings at Mysore, K R Nagar, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Madikeri, Virajpet, H D Kote, Nanjangud, Chamarajnagar, Yelandur, Hanur, Malavalli, Bangalore South, Anekal till May 1.
Later, he would continue the campaign from Hoskote on May 2 till May 21. He would also accompany Mayawati during her four-day tour of Karnataka from May 5, he added.
The EC has directed all political parties to submit their list of 'star' campaigners so that election expenses incurred by them can be included in the name of the party. As 'star' campaigners tour across the State, their expenses cannot be included in their respective names, if they are contesting the elections, official sources said.
As per the EC norms, a candidate can spend only up to Rs 10 lakh for electioneering.
4 Cong rebels in fray in Bangalore City
Despite efforts by the party to quell rebellion, four Congress candidates have remained in the fray in Bangalore City.
Samiulla, who initially figured in the first list of official candidates from Jayanagar, was later replaced with M Suresh. Irate Samiulla has remained in the fray as the rebel candidate. He did not withdraw his nominations despite the party warning all rebel candidates.
Similarly, former Congress MLA Muniswamy, who represented Shantinagar twice, has not withdrawn his nomination papers. Other two rebels are Thambi Dorai (Pulakeshi Nagar) and Rajagopala Reddy (Bangalore South).
Samiulla said the party has cheated him by denying him B-form. "My name was announced in the first list. Someone in the party gave wrong information to the high-command saying a criminal case had been booked against me. As a result I was denied B-form. Forget criminal case, not even a petty case has been filed against me. If some criminal attacks my office and kills two, how can anybody come to the conclusion that I have been facing criminal charges," he asked.
Party leaders approached him requesting to withdraw the nomination papers. "I did not budge under the pressure. Minority people in the constituency are united and all of them are with me. There are about 55,000 votes of minorities in the constituency. As a corporator I have done many development work and earned goodwill of the public. I will definitely win," he said.
Similarly, Muniswamy is contesting as Congress rebel candidate from Shantinagar. He said the Congress had done a blunder by denying him ticket. "I have won from Shantinagar twice. It consists of Tamilian population close to 75,000. Being a Tamilian I was the best choice for the constituency. But the party did not consider my candidature. Now it has to pay price for that," he said.
He said KPCC president Mallikarjun Kharge called him over phone and requested him to withdraw his nomination papers. Bangalore City Congress president J Alexander and others met him at his residence to persuade him. However, he did not change his mind.
Nagamarapalli quits Congress
One more senior Congress leader has resigned from the primary membership of the party.
Former minister Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli on Sunday forwarded his resignation letter to KPCC president Mallikarjun Kharge. Though he has not cited any reason for his decision, sources said he is not happy with the party's decision to field a Muslim candidate from Bidar. Nagamarapalli was a ticket aspirant from Bidar city.
After delimitation, his home constituency Aurad in Bidar district, has become a reserved seat. Nagamarapalli had represented Aurad Assembly constituency for the State assembly for four terms.
Yeddy's car seized for poll violation
Mysore, DHNS: With the strict enforcement of the model code of conduct, prominent political leaders are getting added into the list of violators.
Two cars belonging to former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and former MLC C Ramesh, who recently quit Congress and joined BJP, were seized in Hadinaru village of Nanjangud taluk, in Varuna Assembly constituency limits, on Sunday. They were using vehicles for campaigning without permission from the Election Commission.
Police have arrested one person in this connection.
Madhugiri most sensitive
DH News Service, Bangalore: Madhugiri taluk in Tumkur has been declared as the most sensitive among the 89 constituencies which will go to polls in the first phase of elections.
Chief Electoral Officer M N Vidya Shankar said considering the past history of the place, where voters are lured by corrupt methods by distributing liquor and other gifts, the Commission has declared it the most sensitive and has stepped up vigilance by keeping tabs on 25 entrances of the taluk.
A sum of Rs 4 lakh has been recovered and complaints lodged at Madhugiri where Congress candidate K N Rajanna and JD(S) candidate Gowrishankar, son of former Minister Chennigappa, are contesting.
B Media 4 Sarvajan Hithaya Sarvajan Sukhaya-Ambedkar's ideology exists in socio-cultural context -Vote For BSP-BSP releases 20-page appeal-He promises water supply-Mine millionaires file nominations-EC to review on April 29-'Ignoring minority will prove costly for BJP'-Rebellion still continues in Cong-Manjunath quits JD(S)-Notification issued for final phase of Karnataka election -PARAMILITARY FORCES FOR POLLS-F20 nomination papers filed in Raichur-No ticket for tribal people -Determined to make their votes count -For free and fair elections -Election, expenditure observers arrive -Complaint against Yogeshwar -Mine owners list assets-100 candidates file nominations -Jigani Shankar (Bahujan Samaj Party)-The former Railway Minister and senior Congress leader, C.K. Jaffer Sharief, has reportedly quit the Congress. — PTI -BJP candidate declares assets in dollars -Uproar in Lok Sabha over fertiliser allocation
KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES: SHIVAJINAGAR
Shivajinagar is a busy commercial hub as well as a residential locality.
Mine millionaires file nominations
DH News Service, Bellary:
Bellary is famous for mines. Mine owners possessing helicopters is also well known. On Friday, two more mine owners, who are also crorepatis, filed their nomination papers as Congress candidates.
Anil Lad is officially worth Rs 178 crore and owns a fleet of cars, including a few imported cars. Lad, who recently shifted his loyalty from BJP and joined the Congress, filed his nomination papers from Bellary City constituency on Friday.
Cars in his stable include some of the best names in the world like Audi, Volkwagen, Bentley besides several Indian made cars. Lad and his wife have invested over Rs 6.4 on their cars.
As per the affidavit filed by the mine owner Anil H Lad, his and family income was Rs 177,98,77,391. But he has just Rs 22,669 cash in his name and deposits of Rs 1,84,39,499. His wife has Rs 1,08,668 cash and 2,42,63,344 in deposits.
He has a penchant for jewellery also as he has over Rs1.15 crore worth ornaments. His wife also owns over 21.69 lakh jewellery.
Lad has housing and commercial complex, a house and apartments. In Bangalore, he has a Rs 45 lakh apartment in Malleswaram, Rs two crore worth house in Delhi and Rs 99.7 lakh house in RMV II stage in Bangalore.
He owns mines in Dharmapura and Yeshwantnagar in Sandur taluk, Chintrapalli in Hagaribommanahalli,
Interestingly, he owes to Rs 35,75,11,885 to Bank of India, Indian Bank, ABN Amro, HDFC and ICICI banks.
Anil Lad , accompanied by thousands of party workers, performed pooja the Durgamma temple before filing his papers.
Then, he proceeded towards the corporation office at 12 noon in a procession and submitted his nomination to the Returning Officer B P Adnoor.
Another mine owner H R Gaviappa, who filed his papers as a Congress nominee from Vijayanagar, also figures among one of the richest candidates in the district with declared assets of Rs 89 crore.
Diamond & silver
He appears to have a liking for diamond jewellery as he has Rs 1.47 crore ornaments made out of 21 carat diamonds. Besides, he has 10.5 kg silver articles worth Rs 10 lakh.
He owes Rs 6.8 lakh crore to State Bank of Hyderabad. Gaviappa's father, H G Ranganagowda, also has an outstanding loan of Rs 7.26 crore.
Besides immovable property in Hospet and Bellary, he has stake in H R G Oil Industries, Ajay Oil Industries, H R Gaviappa Enterprises and Someshwara Builders Private Company Limited and invested overs Rs 21 crores in them.
EC to review on April 29
The full Election Commission (EC) will visit Bangalore on April 29, to monitor the preparations for the assembly elections in the state.
State Chief Electoral Officer M N Vidyashankar told reporters on Friday, that CEC N Gopalaswami and the two election commissioners will meet representatives of political parties on that day. They will also hold meetings with election observers and review the preparations with deputy commissioners and top police officers, he said.
Meanwhile, two deputy election commissioners have started visiting various districts to monitor the preparations, he added. Mr Vidyashankar also said that the EC would treat any advertisements by any party or any candidate - on television or through SMS - as part of their election campaign. Service providers have been directed to produce details about such campaigns, he stated.
A meeting with Election Commission officials and top police officers was also held on Friday to take stock of the law and order situation and deployment of police force - both Central and State - in the run up to the elections and the day of polling.
EC officials have also seized around Rs 1.57 crore cash in Bellary over the last three days, he said. More than 550 criminal cases have been booked so far, for violation of code of conduct.
'Ignoring minority will prove costly for BJP'
BJP MP from Bangalore North H T Sangliana has criticised State BJP for not giving any representation to the minorities in the coming Assembly elections warning that ignoring their aspirations could prove fatal to the party.
"It's the most embarrassing situation for me. I blame the State BJP leadership for ignoring them. This could prove suicidal for them. Members of the minorities have already started deserting the BJP," Sangliana told Deccan Herald.
He added that though he is not for any particular group, caste or community, he finds himself in an awkward situation for not being able to address the aspirations of the minorities, who were looking forward for a BJP ticket. "Everyone has an aspiration to come up in life. There are people in the minority communities who also aspire to enter politics. They approached me and I met both the central and State BJP leaders, but unfortunately, not a single Christian or Muslim has been given a party ticket," he said.
The BJP, he said is fielding Abbas Ali Bohra from Channapatna, which is not his constituency. "They should have retained him in his constituency Mandya. He left the BJP and is contesting the elections as an independent candidate," said Sangliana.
"I blame the State leadership for not suggesting any Christian or Muslim names. Also, they have nominated some candidates in constituencies from where they are bound to lose for reasons best known to them," he added.
The BJP MP said that he would wait and watch for the results before taking any decision.
Rebellion still continues in Cong
Protests and dharnas continued to rock the State Congress on Friday, with hundreds of disgruntled ticket aspirants venting their anger in front of the party top brass.
Soon after leaders, including Digvijay Singh, Prithviraj Chavan, S M Krishna, Mallikharjuna Kharge and others came out of a meeting discussing among others ways to quell the rebellion, a number of discontented aspirants, including several women, gheraoed them.
"You have sold all tickets ditching the honest party workers. Accommodate the workers in the list or face the consequences," they warned. The protesters include former MLA Anjanaiah, Vasanthi Shivanna, Magadi Kamallamma and Sudhakar.
An embarrassed Singh, who has been tasked with pacifying the disgruntled leaders and workers, heard their complaints, but walked away without assuring anything.
Digvijay Singh and AICC Karnataka in-charge Prithviraj Chavan have been making all efforts to control discontentment among the party rank and file over ticket distribution over the last few days in vain.
The party has failed to provide adequate representation to women. Of 170 candidates cleared so far, only nine women have got tickets. A majority of these women have got tickets on basis of sympathy and family background.
So much so that the protesters circulated a copy that listed out women candidates who have got the party tickets based on sympathy and family background to the media. Names of Mamata Nichani, Anupama, Nandini Gowda and Gayatri Devi were mentioned in the list.
KPCC warns
Mallikharjuna Kharge, meanwhile, warned those protesting the party's decision on issuing tickets that disciplinary action will be taken. "Rebel candidates should withdraw their nominations and work for the success of official candidate. Or the party will be forced to take disciplinary action," he stated in the release. The party has selected the candidates based on available information and social justice. The party can issue only 224 tickets.
Hence, there will be number of workers who wouldn't have got an opportunity to contest. "Those who have not got tickets should follow the footsteps of party supremo Sonia Gandhi, who sacrificed the post of prime minister," he said.
Manjunath quits JD(S)
Senior JD(S) leader and former minister D Manjunath has tendered his resignation from the post of the Chairman of party parliamentary board.
Sources said Manjunath had asked the party supremo H D Deve Gowda to give his son a ticket from Holalkere, an allegation Gowda has denied. But it is for this reason that Manjunath has resigned from the post, sources added.
Notification issued for final phase of Karnataka election
The last date for filing of nominations is May 3. Nominations will come up for scrutiny on May 5 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 7.
The process for the third and final phase of polling in 69 assembly constituencies in Karnataka slated for May 22 was set in motion on Saturday with the Election Commission issuing the notificationThe last date for filing of nominations is May 3. Nominations will come up for scrutiny on May 5 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 7.
Eight districts of North Karnataka region, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Bidar, Gadag, Dharwad and Haveri will go to ballot in the phase.
Of the 224 assembly segments which go to polls in three phases, 89 of them in 11 districts will face election in the first phase on May 10 and 66 constituencies in ten districts in the second phase on May 16.
The counting of votes will be taken up on May 25.
PARAMILITARY FORCES FOR POLLS
In a meeting with the Chief electoral officer MN Vidyashankar, Deputy Election Commissioner Jaiprakash, DG, Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation Ltd R Sri Kumar on Friday decided to deploy 225 companies of the paramilitary forces like the BSF, CRPF RPF and the CISF throughout the State for the conduct of fair and peaceful elections.
"We are now in the process of identifying sensitive and hypersensitive constituencies for appropriate deployment of forces," Mr Vidyashankar said.
Mr Sri Kumar has been given an additional charge of overseeing elections and police arrangements in the forthcoming elections, the EC added.
Saturday, Apr 26, 2008
20 nomination papers filed in Raichur
Three candidates file papers in Koppal district
Raichur: As many as 20 sets of nomination papers were filed by 11 candidates from five Assembly constituencies in Raichur district on Friday.
Of them, seven nominations each were filed from Raichur and Lingsugur constituencies, and two each from Manvi, Sindhanur and Maski constituencies.
Eramma of the Bahujan Samaj Party filed nominations from Manvi constituency
100 candidates file nominations
Bangalore: One hundred candidates filed nomination papers on Friday in various constituencies going to the polls in the second phase on May 16.
BJP MP Karunakara Reddy filed his nomination papers from Harappanahalli constituency in Davangere district, while Anil Lad filed his papers from Bellary constituency.
The number of nominations filed on Friday district-wise is: Raichur – 11, Koppal – 5, Chitradurga – 22, Davangere, Chikmagalur and Shimoga – nine each, Uttara Kannada – 11, Udupi – 4 and Bellary and Dakshina Kannada – 10 each, according to officials here. — Special Correspondent
Farming eclipsed by industries
Jigani Shankar (Bahujan Samaj Party)
K.N. Venkatasubba Rao and B.S. Ramesh
Bangalore: Wooing the voters of Anekal (reserved) constituency, which lacks basic amenities such as drinking water and motorable roads, and is choked with industries will prove to be a challenge for the 12 candidates in the fray.
The constituency, before delimitation, comprising the hoblis of Jigani, Begur, Attibele and Sarjapur, besides Anekal kasaba, had 3.5 lakh voters in the 2004 elections. After delimitation, Jigani and Begur hoblis have been excluded from the constituency, and the number of voters has shrunk to 2.37 lakh. Hebbagodi, Attibele, Dommasandra, Bommasandra and Chandrapura remain part of the constituency.
Once considered a bastion of the Congress, the constituency came under the influence of the former Minister, the late Y. Ramakrishna of the Bharatiya Janata Party, since 1994. With the sudden demise of Ramakrishna in 1997, his follower A. Narayanaswamy was elected and is contesting again, hoping to register the party's fourth win in a row.
The Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Bovi community form the majority of the population. The Reddy community, which forms the second largest chunk in the taluk, plays a vital role in local politics.
Earlier, a majority of the population depended on farming. But with the IT boom and the Government acquiring an estimated 5,000 acres for industries, farming has reduced by 70 per cent. People who depended on farming have been deprived of regular employment. This has resulted in an unemployment rate of 40 per cent.
Of the 12 candidates in the fray, voters take only five candidates seriously: A. Narayanaswamy (BJP), Jigani Shankar (Bahujan Samaj Party), B. Gopal (Congress), K.M. Muniyappa (JD-S) and C. Topaiah (JD-U).
Many voters in Attibele, Dommasandra, Mayasandra and Veerasandra areas are not happy with the BJP. They complained that the local BJP leaders did not bother to support the organisations that held a rally in Bangalore to protest against the Government's decision to establish an abattoir near Anekal. Several people in the constituency alleged that Mr. Narayanaswamy had betrayed the constituency's interests to promote his land development activities. They are equally set against the Congress candidate, Mr. Gopal, who defected from the BSP and joined the Congress. They term both Mr. Narayanaswamy and Mr. Gopal "outsiders".
No ticket for tribal people
Shankar Bennur
Independent candidate likely to send a message to leaders
MYSORE: Political representation continues to be a distant mirage for the tribal people. Even after 60 years of independence, none of the forest-based indigenous tribal people have been represented politically in the State, especially from Heggadadevanakote taluk which has the largest population of forest-based tribals.
As anticipated, their hopes have been dashed as none of the mainstream political parties have considered their request for fielding a tribal from H.D. Kote (reserved) constituency. Especially after the visit of All India Congress Committee General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to the taluk, the tribal people had high hopes of realising their dream of political representation.
Like any political party, it, too, came under pressure from party workers and announced former zilla panchayat member Beechanahalli Chikkanna, who belongs to the Nayaka community, as the party candidate from the constituency, reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST). The Bharatiya Janata Party had announced Mysore ZP member Chikkaveeranayak as its candidate. The Janata Dal (S) has delayed announcing the candidate following stiff competition among the ticket aspirants. Appanna, a confidant of former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is learnt to have approached the Janata Dal (S) after the Congress denied ticket to him. Former MLA H.D. Basavaraj and Dodda Nayak are other strong contenders for the Janata Dal (S) ticket.
Former ZP vice-president Jaji Thimmaiah, Budakattu Krishikara Sangha President Somanna, former president of S Begur G.P. Kavera and several others had come forward to contest the election.
Nataraj, a tribal working as resource person in State Resource Centre, had been short-listed along with two others Appanna and Chikkanna. Their names had been sent to the Congress high command in Delhi for approval. But the party chose Chikkanna.
Nayaka representation
Both the Congress and the BJP have given ticket to candidates belonging to the Nayaka community. The Janata Dal (S) may follow suit as the constituency is dominated by Nayaka community with over 50,000 votes.
The delimitation process ensured that H.D. Kote constituency was reserved for STs. It was earlier reserved for Scheduled Castes. Out of the 15 newly-formed ST constituencies in the State, H.D. Kote is the only one where indigenous forest-based tribal people reside.
Some tribal activists are encouraging a tribal person who has done social service in the taluk, to enter the poll race as an Independent candidate. They are mobilising support of the entire tribal community of H.D. Kote.
Determined to make their votes count
R. Krishna Kumar
A group of farmers has decided to hold parties to account
About 25,000 sugarcane farmers have come together
They are based in Chamarajanagar and Mysore districts
MYSORE: An organisation with about 25,000 members, all sugarcane farmers, in Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts, is set to upset the calculations of aspirants in fray in the Kabini command area. The group, which has no political or caste affiliations, will meet here on April 29 to decide their course of collective action during the Assembly elections slated for May 10 in this region.
"As a group we are neither politically aligned nor are we swayed by the populist election manifestos, none of which have been implemented in the past. Our task is only to educate the farmers to see through the false promises and machinations of the political class, which has failed to uphold our collective interests," explained Kurubur Shanthakumar, who is the president of the Kabini Raitha Hitarakshana Samithi and the State Sugarcane Growers Association.
The association plans to list 25 main points pertaining to agriculture, farmers, crop insurance and loans, and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee report, which advocates scientific determination of procurement price, among others.
This will help the farmers ascertain what measures the political parties have in store for them to make life easier for people living in villages before deciding who they will vote for. "If the political parties are serious, we could have expected a convincing answer. But from our experience we know a majority of them have just a passing interest in agriculture and the welfare of the farmers, and this will show in our discussions with them," Mr. Shanthakumar said.
A difficult life
What many of the members find distressing is that life in villages has become more difficult, and people have to run from pillar to post for simple thinks like obtaining a caste certificate, an income certificate, a khata for land, crop loan or even seeds and fertilizers.
"We have a situation where personal loans are sanctioned at the doorstep of the people in cities for purchase of consumer goods. But in villages, farmers, who feed the nation, are denied basic support. Demands for agricultural loans and crop insurance are rejected on the flimsiest of grounds while seeds are seldom supplied in time," said Mr. Shanthakumar.
"Unlike in the 2004 Assembly elections, the delimitation exercise has forced candidates to change constituencies, and some candidates who were on our radar for their apathy towards farmers are not in fray," Mr. Shanthakumar said.
During the 2004 elections the farmers rejected all sitting MLAs from the Kabini command area including M. Shivanna in H.D. Kote, M. Mahadev in Nanjangud, A.S. Guruswamy in Chamundeshwari, Raju Gowda in Hanur, G.N. Nanjundaswamy in Kollegal, K.M. Chikkamadanaika in Bannur and Bharati Shankar in T. Narsipura.
The Congress was brushed aside for its negative image of an urban bias and obsession with information technology. The farmers ensured a clean sweep for the Janata Dal (Secular), which swept the polls in the region.
But the ground reality has not altered while political equations have changed. The group will force political parties to first demonstrate their commitment to farmers before seeking votes.
Quits' Congress
Bangalore: The former Railway Minister and senior Congress leader, C.K. Jaffer Sharief, has reportedly quit the Congress. — PTI
For free and fair elections
In rapt attention: Officers appointed for poll duty at a preparatory meeting in Dharwad on Friday.
Election, expenditure observers arrive
BANGALORE: The Election Commission of India has appointed election observers and expenditure observers for the Assembly constituencies in Bangalore Rural district.
The following observers have arrived. Voters can call them for any election-related complaints, especially violation of the model code of conduct.
The names of the constituencies, the election observers and their telephone and fax numbers are as follows:
Hoskote: V.B. Pyarelal (9916755673 and 23544012); Devanahalli: Ashok Dongre (99167 55714 and 23544016); Doddballapur: B. Thawang Konwak (9916755706 and 23544011); Nelamangala: Pradeep Kumar (99167 02214 and 23544010);
Expenditure observers
The election expenditure observers are:
Doddballapur and Nelamangala: P. R. Lakra (9916756026 and 23544014); and Hoskote and Devanahalli: Jagadish Prashad Jangid (97394 54614 and 23544015), according to an official press note issued here on Friday.
STRICT VIGILANCE: A view of the Deputy Commissioner's office in Mangalore where the police have put barricades to stop unauthorised persons from entering the premises along with those who come to file nomination papers for the Assembly elections.
Preparations on for peaceful polls
'A bandobast scheme being worked out'
Meetings held with police officers of neighbouring States
Belgaum: The district administration and the Police Department are gearing up to conduct free and fair elections in the district.
Addressing presspersons here on Friday, Superintendent of Police Hemant Nimbalkar said that a "bandobast" scheme was being worked out for deployment of forces in the district to ensure that no untoward incident or electoral malpractice occurred till the declaration of election results.
Central forces
In addition to District Armed Reserved Police, platoons of Home Guards, Karnataka State Reserve Police and Central Police Force had been requisitioned, he said.
He said that deployment of forces would depend on the "criticality" of polling stations and other sensitive aspects.
He said that to prevent transport of liquor and other material to be distributed among the voters in the district, he had held meetings with his counterparts at Panjim in Goa and Sangli, Sindhudurg and Kolhapur in Maharashtra on the security measures to be taken in that direction.
Check-posts
He said that 25 check-posts had been set up at 25 entry points on Karnataka's border with other States .
Mr. Nimbalkar said that cellphone messages appealing to vote for a particular party or a candidate would also be treated as a violation of model code of conduct if its receiver lodged a complaint with the police.
The people could SMS their complaints to 9480539100, the Superintendent of Police said.
39 companies of Central forces for Gulbarga
Political leaders told to strictly follow code of conduct
GULBARGA: The Election Commission of India will deploy 39 companies of the Central paramilitary forces in 13 Assembly constituencies in the district a few days before the May 22 elections.
Returning Officer for Gulbarga district and Deputy Commissioner Pankajkumar Pandey told presspersons here on Friday that more forces could be deployed depending on the situation during the campaign and the number of hypersensitive and sensitive polling booths in the district.
According to the initial estimate three companies of the Central forces would be deployed in each of the 13 constituencies, he said and added that hypersensitive and sensitive polling booths would be manned by the personnel of the Central forces. Each company would have three platoons of 90 personnel, he added.
Mr. Pandey said that even if all the hypersensitive and sensitive booths were not manned by the Central forces, the presence of the Central forces along with the personnel of the Karnataka State Reserve Police would ensure peaceful and fair polling on May 22 throughout the district.
Mr. Pandey said that notification for the third phase of elections in the State would be issued on Saturday.
The last date for filing nominations is May 3 and scrutiny of nominations will be taken up on May 5. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is May 7. Mr. Pandey said that four rounds of meetings had been held with leaders of all political parties. They had been told to strictly follow the model code of conduct and directions of the Election Commission of India for filing nomination papers and holding public meetings.
Mr. Pandey said that 66 cases of violation of the code of conduct had been registered and chargesheets had been filed in eight of these cases.
Political parties would not be allowed to hold public meetings on playgrounds of government schools or colleges. Political parties would be allowed to display publicity material at the venue of public meetings only one hour prior to the event and they should be removed within two hours after the meeting, he said. He said that no public meeting would be allowed on roads, particularly in the Super Market area.
Steps had been taken to check the flow of illicit liquor from neighbouring Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh into the State and checkposts had been set up at all entry points, he added.
Election observers appointed
GULBARGA: The Election Commission of India has appointed three officials of the Income Tax Department as expenditure observers for Gulbarga district.
According to Deputy Commissioner Pankajkumar Pandey, who is also the District Returning Officer, Hemantkumar Sarangi has been appointed as expenditure observer for Afzalpur, Jewargi, Surpur and Shahapur Assembly constituencies; Samar Bhadra has been appointed expenditure observer for Gulbarga Rural, Gulbarga South, Gulbarga North and Aland constituencies; and Rajesh Nandan has been appointed as expenditure observer for Yadgir, Gurmitkal, Chitapur, Sedam and Chincholi constituencies.
General observers
Along with them, 13 IAS officials have been appointed as general observers for the 13 constituencies in the district. They are Ashok Kumar (Afzalpur), T.K. Jose (Surpur), Jyoti Ram Gazia (Yadgir), Anita Singh (Chitapur), Ganesh Koyu (Sedam), M.S. Paikra (Gulbarga North), Bhusani Venkatesh (Gulbarga Rural), Santosh Kumar (Jewargi), Daya Shankar (Chincholi), Caralyne Edne (Gurmitkal), Normal Putsure (Shahapur), Anand Singh (Aland) and Kumar Rahul (Gulbarga South).
Returning officers
Mr. Pandey said that senior officials of the State Government had been appointed as returning officers for the 13 constituencies. They are B.K. Hiremath (Afzalpur), T.H.M. Kumar (Jewargi), Devaraj Yadav (Surpur), N. Gangappa (Shahapur), M. Timmappa (Yadgir), J.M. Thippeswamayya (Gurmitkal), V.S. Honamane (Chitapur), Kavita Mannikeri (Sedam), Vijaykumar Nirali (Chincholi), Jagadesh K.G. (Gulbarga Rural), B.M. Risaidar (Gulbarga South), Nagappa Sirasgi (Gulbarga North), and R.S. Yelamalle (Aland).
Chief Executive Officer of the zilla panchayat P.C. Jafar has been appointed as the team leader of the all the officials appointed to supervise the implementation of the model code of conduct in all the constituencies in the district.
The Election Commission has also identified the offices where the candidates can file their nominations in the district. They include tahsil office in Afzalpur town for Afzalpur constituency, tahsil office in Jewargi town for Jewargi constituency, tahsil office in Surpur town for Surpur constituency, office of the Assistant Commissioner in Yadgir town for Yadgir constituency, tashil office in Yadgir for Gurmitkal constituency, tahsil office in Chitapur town for Chitapur constituency, office of the Assistant Commissioner in Sedam town for Sedam constituency, tahsil office in Chincholi town for Chincholi constituency, office of the Assistant Commissioner for Gulbarga Rural constituency, office of the principal, District Training Institute at Jewargi Colony in Gulbarga city for Gulbarga South constituency, Town Hall in Gulbarga city for Gulbarga North Constituency and tahsil office in Aland town for Aland constituency.
All 1,525 polling stations in Hassan district are sensitive
Elaborate security arrangements in place to ensure fair polls
Each paramilitary team will have 135 personnel
192-member mobile striking force for continuous patrol
Getting ready: Superintendent of Police K.V. Sharatchandra flagging off four motorcycles in Hassan on Friday. They will be used for extensive patrolling of the city during the elections.
HASSAN: All 1,525 polling stations in Hassan district have been declared sensitive. Of them, 675 have been categorised hypersensitive and the remaining 850 sensitive.
Superintendent of Police K.V. Sharatchandra said here on Friday that the district police had made elaborate security arrangements to ensure free and fair elections.
Addressing presspersons, he said that according to a request, the Government had decided to send 16 companies of Central paramilitary forces to the district and added that more than 5,000 personnel would be posted for election duty.
Shravanabelagola had 217 polling booths of which 44 were sensitive and 173 hypersensitive. Out of 221 booths in Arsikere, 108 had been declared sensitive and 113 hypersensitive. Belur, which comprised 201 polling stations, had 148 sensitive and 53 hypersensitive booths. In Hassan, as many as 56 booths out of the 211 were sensitive and 155 hyper-sensitive, Mr. Sharatchandra said.
Holenarsipur, which had 216 polling booths, comprised 63 sensitive and 153 hypersensitive ones. Of 220 stations in Arkalgud, 102 were sensitive and 118 hypersensitive. The Sakleshpur (reserved) constituency had 239 polling stations, of which 154 were sensitive and 85 hypersensitive, he added.
Mr. Sharatchandra said rumours that naxalites were active in the Sakleshpur forests were baseless and added that he had held discussions with police officers of neighbouring districts with regard to the issue. The Sakleshpur rural police were also keeping a close watch on the people.
He said two Additional Superintendents of Police, 10 Deputy Superintendents of Police, 43 inspectors, 147 sub-inspectors, 1,042 head constables and 1,972 constables would be posted for election duty.
Mr. Sharatchandra said he had requested the Director-General of Police to send an additional team of 2,000 police personnel from other districts to assist the present force. They were expected to arrive shortly, he added.
He said there would be a 192-member mobile striking force headed by a Sub-Inspector, which would be on continuous patrol. Paramilitary troops would also keep a close watch on the booths. Each team would have 135 members, he said.
Of the 16 companies of paramilitary forces, three each would be sent to Holenarsipur and Hassan, and the remaining five Assembly constituencies would be given two each. Mr. Sharatchandra said 380 anti-social elements in the district had been rounded up as a preventive measure.
Additional Superintendent of Police Umesh Pangam and Deputy Superintendent Rudrappa were present.
65 per cent voters in Gadag have EPICs
HUBLI: Sixty-five per cent of voters in Haveri district have the Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) and a special drive will be conducted till May 15 to cover the remaining electorate.
Addressing presspersons at Gadag on Friday, Haveri Deputy Commissioner N. Sriraman said two teams had been formed in each taluk for issue of EPICs and 9,000 voters had been issued the cards. Elections to the four Assembly constituencies in Gadag district are scheduled to be held in the third phase of the general elections in the State.
There are 6,57,500 voters in the four Assembly constituencies in the district of which 3,36,459 were men and 3,21,041 are women. There are 714 polling booths in the district including 17 auxiliary booths.
Of these, 414 had been identified as hyper-sensitive and 207 booths as sensitive, Mr. Sriraman said.
He said 714 electronic voting machines had been kept ready for the elections in the district and an additional 700 EVMs had been kept ready as a standby measure. As many as 65 sectoral officers would be monitoring the election process apart from enforcing the model code of conduct, he said.
1,072 weapons deposited in police stations
Jamma land holders exempted from depositing guns
Extra vigil on Kerala-Karnataka border
Madikeri: Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil said on Friday that 1,072 licensed weapons in Kodagu had been deposited in various police stations in view of the election on March 10.
He told The Hindu that the police did not insist on Jamma land holders or the "Kodavas by race", who enjoyed exemption from licence for holding arms in Kodagu, to deposit their guns in police stations. The process would continue till May 7. Besides, weapons of those who faced criminal charges or had the background had been taken.
As many as 164 people had been identified with dubious background and the police were keeping extra vigil on them.
A meeting of superintendents of police from Kannur, Waynad, Kasaragod, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu was held in Chamarajanagar on April 13.
The meeting stressed the need for strict vigil on Kerala-Karnataka borders. This was to prevent smuggling of liquor and weapons into Kodagu.
Additional personnel had been posted at border check-posts, Mr. Patil said.
The Inspector General of Police, Southern Range, and his counterpart from Kannur had also held discussions. The police were obtaining records of liquor stock lifted from KSBCL outlets in Kushalnagar and Virajpet. If there was excess stock, such cases would be examined. The Revenue and Police departments were coordinating well in enforcing the model code of conduct, Mr. Patil said.
The police had executed 91 non-bailable warrants since April 5, of the 250 such cases pending in the district. Most of the remaining cases were from Kerala, which the police there would look into, he said.
Troublemakers and communal elements had been identified in Kodagu. If needed, they would be taken into custody as a precautionary measure before the elections, Mr. Patil said.
On beefing up security during elections, Mr. Patil said that he had sought two companies of Central forces. Additional police force from other parts of the State, which would not go to polls on May 10, had been requested.
He said that he had held meetings of police officers in Kodagu on April 6 and 9, who would pass on the instructions given to them to their colleagues in the respective police stations.
As many as 37 police sub-inspectors would be on mobile rounds apart from circle inspectors of police and deputy superintendents of police.
Town Hall grounds out of bounds for poll rallies
Deputy Commissioner has refused permission for its use
Political party representatives plan to request official to rescind the order
EC has banned cable service providers from beaming election-related advertisements
Mysore: Mainline political parties in the fray for the Assembly elections slated for May 10 are peeved over the non-availability of public grounds in Mysore for election rallies.
The Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer P. Manivannan has refused permission for the use of the Town Hall grounds for political rallies. This has put the political parties in a tizzy.
The other grounds in the city are booked for programmes. Some are not centrally located for their use. In the absence of Town Hall grounds, the next option is to use the Maharaja's College Grounds. But it is booked till May 8 for an exhibition.
The other open venues in the city include the Open Air Auditorium at Manasagangotri campus, but the University of Mysore Syndicate Rules prohibit renting it out for any other programme other than cultural events. Hence the open air auditorium has been ruled out.
Similarly, the Exhibition Ground is also booked for "Besige Mela" and that leaves the political parties with JK Grounds. But that belongs to Mysore Medical College and is used only for sports and so is the Oval Grounds opposite the Crawford Hall.
Ideal locale
For political parties, the Town Hall ground was considered ideal as it is centrally-located opposite the city bus stand. Among the slew of political rallies held in recent times there, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party held political and public meetings. The Maharaja's College ground has emerged the favourite venue for all public meetings.
It is a favourite for the sheer number of people that can be accommodated. The Congress, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the BJP kicked off their election campaigns from the Maharaja's College grounds.
A few party representatives plan to meet the Deputy Commissioner to request him to rescind the order.
For the public, however, the strict implementation of the Election Code of Conduct has come as a whiff of fresh air and has spared them the political messages bombarded over loud speakers. While the use of loud speaker is allowed till 6 p.m. extending its use beyond the deadline will require special permission. Under no circumstances will its use be permitted beyond 10 p.m.
The crack down on buntings and banners has also spared the eyesore for the public and major heritage buildings, including K.R. Circle in the heart of the city which used to be the first casualty, has been spared vandalisation.
In a new circular, the Election Commission has prohibited the use of SMS services two days before the polls. Similarly, there is a ban on cable service providers to beam advertisements of political parties and have been warned of legal consequences if they violate the law.
RPF, KSRTC to help check inflow of black money
Black money is transported using human conduit
Road and rail routes are generally used for
MYSORE: The authorities have taken serious note of the flow of money and liquor into the district during the run up to the elections and have sought additional measures to contain them.
The Railway Protection Force and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation staff will be roped in for election-related duties like checking and frisking passengers in trains, railway stations and bus stands within the jurisdiction of Mysore revenue division, to stem the flow of illegal money. They will assist the district administration in this regard. The Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer P. Manivannan has also sought the assistance of the Divisional Railway Manager, Mysore Division, and the Divisional Controller of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation to involve staff in checking and frisking passengers suspected of carrying large sums of money. Mr. Manivannan said there was a huge flow of funds into the district. He pointed out the seizing of a car which carried Rs. 1.2 crore in Mandya and another with Rs. 5 lakh in Mysore.
The decision to seek the Railways and the KSRTC staff's help followed a meeting which discussed various means of flow of money and the methods that could be employed to contain them. The authorities said unaccounted black money is transported using a human conduit through the road and rail routes.
Complaint against Yogeshwar
Bangalore: A chartered accountant has alleged that C.P. Yogeshwar, Congress candidate from Channapatna Assembly constituency, has suppressed certain facts from the affidavits that he filed along with his nomination papers.
In a complaint to the Returning Officer of the constituency, Ravindra Beleyur has said that Mr. Yogeshwar had not given description of the offence for which the cognizance has been taken though he has mentioned that he has been facing charges under Section 177 and 220 of the Indian Penal Code.
The complainant has also alleged that Mr. Yogeshwar had not given the market value of many lands that he owns besides not disclosing complete information of land.
It was based on a similar complaint filed by Mr. Byeleyur that the Karnataka Lokayukta had conducted an inquiry against Mr. Yogeshwar and filed a criminal case against him under Section 177 for submitting false information while declaring his assets and liabilities.
Mine owners list assets
M. Ahiraj and H.S. Narasimha Kumar
Congress candidate Anil lad declares assets of Rs. 147 crore
Bellary/Davangere: What are the assets declared by the millionaire mine owners of Bellary who are contesting the elections?
Anil Lad, contesting as the Congress candidate from Bellary (city) Assembly constituency, has assets worth Rs. 146.96 crore, which include a fleet of automobiles, among which are a Bentley (Rs. 1.72 crore), an Audi AG Volkswagen (Rs. 50.36 lakh) and a Mercedes-Benz (Rs. 35.78 lakh).
According to the declaration of assets made by him while filing his nomination papers in Bellary on Friday, his moveable assets are worth Rs. 81.75 crore and immoveable assets Rs. 65.21 crore. Assets in the name of his wife, Arati A. Lad, amount to Rs. 31.02 crore.
Moveable assets
The moveable assets held by Mr. Lad include deposits in banks and financial and non-banking financial institutions (Rs. 1.84 crore); bonds and debentures (Rs. 12.44 crore); other financial instruments (Rs. 1 crore); motor vehicles (Rs. 3.08 crore); jewellery (Rs. 1.15 crore); and other assets as values of claims and interest (Rs. 62.21 crore).
Among his immoveable assets are agricultural land worth Rs. 5.06 crore; non-agricultural land worth Rs. 48.82 crore; buildings (commercial and residential) worth Rs. 6.70 crore; and houses/apartments worth Rs. 4.61 crore.
Mr. Lad's liabilities, including bank loans have been put at Rs. 35.75 crore. He has already paid income tax of Rs. 1.05 crore and wealth tax of Rs. 40.53 lakh for 2007-08.
G. Somashekar Reddy, brother of Janardhan Reddy, BJP MLC, who is contesting from Bellary (city), has declared assets worth Rs. 27.43 crore (his being Rs. 20.36 crore and Rs. 7.07 crore in the name of his wife). He has a liability of Rs. 19.08 crore, being the loan taken in December 2007. B. Sriramulu, BJP leader and former Minister, who is contesting from Bellary constituency, has declared assets worth Rs. 18.75 crore (Rs. 8.25 crore moveable property and Rs. 10.49 crore immoveable property).
Among his immovable assets are agricultural land in Bellary (Rs. 6.12 crore); non-agricultural land in Bellary and Bangalore (Rs. 1.35 crore); buildings in Bangalore (Rs. 1.10 crore) and Bellary (Rs. 23.58 lakh).
M. Diwakar Babu, former Minister and Janata Dal (S) candidate for Bellary (city) has declared assets worth Rs. 3.35 crore in his name and Rs. 1.28 crore in the name of his wife.
G. Karunakara Reddy, Bellary MP, who is contesting from Harpanahalli Assembly constituency in Davangere, has declared bank deposits of Rs. 2,62,77,261 and land (non-agricultural) worth over Rs. 5 crore in Bellary.
He is building a house at a cost of Rs. 10 crore in Bellary, while he is staying in a bungalow worth Rs. 1.5 crore in Bellary.
Mr. Reddy said he has shares worth Rs. 20,71,000 and other financial instruments such as NSS, postal savings and LIC policies worth Rs. 1,06,12,587.
Mr. Reddy has a Mahindra jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Skoda and Reva cars and a Toyato Qualis MUV.
Upset over selection of candidates
DAVANGERE: Shamanur Shivashankarappa, veteran Congress leader and former MLA , has protested against the "whimsical selection of candidates" in Mayakonda in Davangere and Holalkere in Chitradurga.
In an informal chat with presspersons here on Friday, Mr. Shivashankarappa said that the party had fielded K. Shivamurthy from Mayakonda even though the DCC and the Block Congress Committee had not recommended his name. — Staff Correspondent
BJP candidate declares assets in dollars
KOLAR: Bonds and debentures worth $ 1,70,000, vehicle worth $ 60,000, flat and apartment worth $ 1,75,000 and so on. These figures are not pertaining to any person contesting in the U.S. They are the details of the assets of C. Sonne Gowda, BJP candidate for Kolar constituency.
A green card holder of the U.S., Mr. Sonne Gowda, brother of veteran Janata Pariwar leader and former Minister the late C. Byre Gowda, has emerged richest amongst the candidates of Kolar constituency. As per the affidavit filed along with the nomination papers, Mr. Sonne Gowda's properties including cash, jewellery, bonds etc., amounting to approximately Rs 2.5 crore. One of his flat in the U.S. is valued at about $ 1,75,000 and his wife owns a house worth $ 1 lakh. Mr Sonne Gowda's income includes a bond of $ 50,000 in the USA Government Bank.
According to the details furnished in the affidavit, the former MLA Srinivas Gowda's assets exceed more than Rs 1.22 crore. Mr. Gowda has liability to the tune of Rs. 31 lakh in the form of a loan. Mr. Gowda is in the fray as a Congress candidate seeking election for the fourth consecutive term.
Congress workers protest 'injustice'
BELLARY: Workers of the Congress party staged demonstrations here on Friday in protest against what they termed the inappropriate selection of candidates for three Assembly constituencies in the district." After the resentment of party workers in Kudligi, who opposed the candidature of N.T. Bommanna, similar protests were held in Hospet and Sirguppa constituencies.
In Kudligi, party workers, mostly supporters of the former Minister Bhagirathi Marulasiddanagouda, were of the firm view that S. Venkatesh was a more acceptable candidate and was sure to win. They demanded that he be given party ticket and not Mr. Bommanna. They threatened to boycott the polls if a decision to that effect was not taken.
Sensing trouble, the party high command has reportedly decided to field Mr. Venkatesh. Around 1,000 party workers, including women from Sirguppa Assembly constituency, staged a demonstration in front of the District Congress Committee office in Bellary city demanding ticket for B.M. Nagaraj instead of Ramaiah. They submitted a memorandum addressed to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee in this regard.
In Hospet, the supporters of Deepak Singh, a mine owner, staged a demonstration on Thursday urging the leaders to field him as party candidate from the Vijayanagar Assembly constituency.
There is nothing new in the manifesto," . The BJP had not said anything on amendment of Article 371 of the Constitution, a long-pending demand of the people of backward regions.
Kharge faces protests from supporters of ticket aspirants
KPCC chief mobbed at the helipad on his arrival in Gulbarga
Venting ire: KPCC President M Mallikarjun Kharge being mobbed at the helipad in Gulbarga city on Friday by the supporters of ticket aspirants.
GULBARGA: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president M. Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday faced angry protests by supporters of aspirants who were denied party ticket from the district and was mobbed at the helipad at the District Police Headquarters and in his residence demanding party ticket for their leaders.
Mr. arrived here in the evening by helicopter from Bangalore to participate in a workers' conference of the Chitapur Assembly constituency from where Mr. Kharge is scheduled to contest the elections to the State Assembly. He was welcomed with slogans protesting against the denial of party ticket to Kailash Patil, son of former Chief Minister Veerendra Patil.
Other groups supporting the former Minister A.B. Maalakaraddy and the former MLC Chennareddy Tunnur raised slogans demanding party ticket to their leaders from Yadgir and Gurmitkal Assembly constituencies. As soon as Mr. Kharge alighted from the helicopter, he was literally mobbed by the supporters of these leaders shouting slogans and the police personnel had a tough time to keep away the surging party workers from Mr. Kharge. Mr. Kharge, who did not respond to the protests by the workers, got into the waiting car and sped to his residence. However, the protesting party workers followed Mr. Kharge to his residence to continue their protest. They even tried to disrupt the press conference addressed by Mr. Kharge by raising slogans praising their leaders.
District Congress Committee president Allamprabhu Patil and other leaders urged the protestors to maintain decorum and not to disturb the press conference and later they can voice their grievance to Mr./ Kharge.
Later, the supporters of Dr. Maalakaraddy, Mr. Chennareddy Tunnur, and Mr. Kailash Patil met Mr. Kharge and pleaded for party ticket to their leaders. Mr. Kharge told presspersons that there was very little scope for the party to effect any changes in the names of those who have already been given ticket.
Mr. Kharge sought to downplay the violent reaction in the party in almost all the districts against the selection of the candidates and said this sort of the phenomenon was not new and that it happened during all the elections.
Aspirants
He said told presspersons that for the 224 Assembly seats there were more than 3,700 aspirants and majority of them deserved to get the party nomination.
"Choosing 224 candidates among such a large number of deserving candidates is not an easy task," he said.
They threaten to boycott polls
Farmers in villages bordering the Western Ghats seek a better deal
HASSAN: Many farmers in Hassan, Chikmagalur and Madikeri districts, who have formed the Paschima Ghatta Horata Samiti, comprising people living in 100 villages bordering the Western Ghats, have sought a better deal from the Government. The region has one lakh hectares under cultivation.
Addressing presspersons here on Friday, president of the samiti A.K. Sachadev along with conveners Mallappa, Aswatha, Sanjay and Suresh said that every year this area received rainfall between 150 and 300 inches and that they had suffered from severe crop loss many times.
They said that when H.D. Kumaraswamy was Chief Minister, he had decided to form a committee headed by Principal Secretary (Revenue) Shivanand Jaamdar to study the problems in the villages in the Western Ghats and to recommend solutions.
But, this did not happen. they said.
Crop loss
There were 35 villages in Mudigere taluk of Chikmagalur district, 60 villages in Sakleshpur taluk covering Hanabalu, Vemalakere and surrounding areas, and five villages in Madikeri district that faced heavy crop loss owing to excess rainfall, Mr. Sachadev said.
Traditional crops such as cardamom, coffee, pepper, plantain, areca nut, vanilla and paddy had been destroyed either owing to shortage of rain or excessive rain.
Every year crop loss was common.
This had forced farmers to commit suicide, they said.
Till this day, these villages were not provided any civic amenities, infrastructure, drinking water or education, they said.
They had formed the samiti last year and presented a detailed report of crop loss and other requirements to the Government.
But, no response had been received to their problems.
Mr. Sachadev said that the people in this area had decided to boycott the coming Assembly elections.
They demanded constitution of a separate board called "Paschima Ghatta Abhivrudhi Mandali" for the overall development of the villages.
They demanded that crop loans given to farmers from cooperative and commercial banks be waived and fresh loans be extended at an interest rate of four per cent.
Two former MLAs, Mayor censured
Poll panel pulls them up for code violation
They had attended a function to unveil a statue of Basaveshwara
Explanation given by them was 'not satisfactory'
HUBLI: Taking exception to unveiling of a statue of Basaveshwara in Dharwad by a few politicians, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has censured eight persons, including two former MLAs, mayor and deputy mayor of Hubli-Dharwad.
Those censured by the ECI are the former MLAs Chandrakant Bellad and Vinay Kulkarni, Mayor Radhbai Safare, Deputy Mayor Chandrashekhar Managundi, council members Bharati Patil, Ashok Niduvani, Prakash Godbole and Vijayanand Shetty.
In its order, the ECI stated that the explanation given by these persons in response to notices served by it was "not satisfactory" and the unveiling ceremony was a violation of the model code of conduct.
The Principal Secretary, Election Commission of India, New Delhi, issued notices on April 10, seeking explanation from these persons on the unveiling ceremony held in Dharwad on April 8. These notices were issued following a report submitted by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka based on the recommendations of the district administration.
The district administration had suspended two assistant commissioners following the unveiling ceremony.
The statue was installed on a piece of land of the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation and 50 per cent of the cost of the statue was met by it. However, the unveiling ceremony was organised by a committee formed to install the statue without bringing it to the notice of the corporation and at a time when the model code of conduct was in force.
15 check-posts set up in Haveri
HUBLI: Fifteen check-posts have been set up in Haveri district to monitor the inflow of liquor and other materials intended for distribution during the coming elections.
Addressing presspersons at Haveri on Friday, Deputy Commissioner P.S. Vastrad said adequate preparatory measures had been taken up in the district for conducting free and fair polls. There were 10,03,575 voters in the district which is scheduled to go to polls on May 22 during the third phase. Among them there were 5,29,016 men and 4,74,559 women, he added.
Mr. Vastrad said there would be six election observers in the district and another for keeping a check on election expenditure. Apart from them, six separate teams to ensure strict enforcement of the model code of conduct had already been constituted, he said. The Deputy Commissioner said there would be 1,077 polling booths in the district, which might be reduced or increased after taking into consideration fresh inclusions and deletions in the voters' list.
Congress first list leaves many upset
Govind D. Belgaunkar
Candidates for five constituencies announced
Party workers feel that Suresh Ballal has
been undone
Former MLA K.M. Ibrahim may contest as an independent from Bantwal
MANGALORE: The announcement of candidates for five of the eight constituencies in Dakshina Kannada by the Congress has upset some of the aspirants, particularly former Mangalore Urban Development Authority chairman Suresh Ballal.
The candidates announced by the Congress are: B. Ramanath Rai for Bantwal, Ivan D'Souza - Mangalore City South, U.T. Khader - Mangalore, Moideen Bawa - Mangalore City North and Abhayachandra Jain - Moodbidri.
Supporters' view
Mr. Ballal, who is the president of North Block unit of the Congress, told The Hindu that he had decided to bow to the wishes of his supporters to file nomination as a Congress candidate from Mangalore City North hoping that the party would issue him the Form B.
Form B is essential to get the party's symbol. Mr. Ballal's supporters are understood to be pleased with him as he had been responding to people's problems.
Mr. Ballal had previously contested from the constituency on Janata Dal (S) ticket and had secured third highest number of votes.
Some Congressmen and a few Bharatiya Janata Party leaders believe that Mr. Ballal would have posed a few problems to BJP's candidate and former MLA Yogish Bhat. Mr. Ballal commands respect of people and party workers in the constituency, they say. Moreover, over 60 per cent of the electorate in the constituency are Hindus, who might favour the BJP unless the Congress fields a Hindu candidate.
'Not wise'
Mr. Ballal said that it was not a wise move by the party to field candidates from minorities for the three constituencies in the city as it would help the BJP take advantage of the situation to woo the majority communities.
Mr. Ballal claimed that some of the leaders from Janata Dal (S) and Bahusjan Samaj Party had approached him to join their parties. "But I am committed to contest as a Congress candidate," he said.
Another case
Meanwhile, the decision to field former Minister and district Congress president Mr. Rai from Bantwal has upset former MLA K.M. Ibrahim. Mr. Ibrahim had lost to Padmanabha Kottari of the BJP in 2004 in the erstwhile Vittla constituency although he had won the elections in 1999. With Vittla having been done away with after delimitation, Mr. Ibrahim had sought to contest from Bantwal constituency.
He is likely to contest as an independent, according to sources.
List awaited
The Congress is yet to announce its candidates for Sullia, Puttur and Belthangady constituencies. The party sources said that Mr. Vasanth Bangera should be given ticket to contest from Belthangady.
Mr. Bangera is understood to have joined the Congress from Janata Dal (S) on the condition of being given a ticket.
In such an event, K. Harish Kumat, who contested last elections as Congress candidate there, would be hurt as he was very keen to contest again.
Tough task
B. Raghu is expected to get the ticket from Sullia, reserved for Scheduled Caste. However, the party may find the going tough as there are many aspirants for the ticket.
Friends turn foes in politics
MYSORE: Politics makes strange bedfellows. Yesterday's friends will be today's foes. Mysore region is not an exception to this phenomenon. Thick friends of the 2004 Assembly polls have turned bitter enemies and vice-versa for the 2008 Assembly elections.
Electorates are totally confused by the sudden decision of leaders to change their party affiliation because of denial of ticket. Take C. Basave Gowda and former Minister D.T. Jayakumar — who had taken up the responsibility of building the Janata Dal (Secular) in Mysore region and worked together for nearly two years after the exit of former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and G.T. Deve Gowda — are now contesting against each other in Chamundeshwari Assembly Constituency. While Mr. Basave Gowda is contesting for the Janata Dal (S), Mr. Jayakumar is contesting on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket, after he was denied ticket to contest from Chamundeshwari.
Varuna constituency
Similar is the Varuna Assembly Constituency. Mr. Siddaramaiah and Director General of Police (DGP) (retd) L. Revanasiddaiah are now contesting in the newly carved out Varuna constituency in Mysore district for the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) respectively.
After Mr. Siddaramaiah joined the Congress, both of them became friends. Now Mr. Revanasiddaiah has joined the BJP, as Congress denied him ticket to facilitate Mr. Siddaramaiah.
The situation is no different in Hunsur Assembly Constituency. It was Mr. Deve Gowda who brought Mr. Chikkamadhu, who was allegedly neglected in the Congress to the Janata Dal (S) fold. He made him a MLC. However, after Mr. Deve Gowda quit Janata Dal (S) and joined the BJP, Mr. Chikkamadhu became a prominent leader in the Janata Dal (S). He is now opposing Mr. Deve Gowda in Hunsur. In Narasimharaja constituency, B.P. Manjunath and E. Maruthi Rao Pawar, who were together till recently in the BJP, are facing each other in the elections. Mr. Maruthi Pawar is contesting as an Independent candidate, as the party denied him ticket.Congress candidate from Krishnaraja constituency, M.K. Somashekar, and Youth leader, Raghu Achar, who is campaigning for the Janata Dal (S) candidate were working together just a month ago.
http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/04/24/0804241400_bsp_loksabha.html
Uproar in Lok Sabha over fertiliser allocation
Thursday, April 24, 2008 13:59 [IST]
New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Brajesh Pathak created an uproar in the Lok Sabha on Thursday accusing the government of failing to provide fertiliser to farmers.
Pathak accused Ram Vilas Paswan, the union minister of chemicals and fertiliser, of misleading parliament and giving wrong figures on allocation of fertilisers.
"He has been provided these figures by his bureaucrats. They are giving me false data. If what he is saying is true, then the farmers in my constituency would have got fertiliser," said the BSP MP.
Speaker Somnath Chatterjee tried to pacify him but Pathak shouted at Paswan. Other members joined the chorus, which was countered by the treasury benches
When the situation got out of control, Chatterjee took down the names of those who were shouting and threatened action against them. He warned Pathak, telling him to sit down or he would ask him to leave.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members joined the medley of protests, leading to an adjournment of the house till 2 pm.
Source : IANS
B Media 4 Sarvajan Hithaya Sarvajan Sukhaya-Vote For BSP-BSP releases 20-page appeal -Mr Sharief who was enjoyed a 'cordial' relationship with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayavati and had reportedly made his mind to join BSP and was ready to campaign extensively in the coming elections, BSP sources claimed.Helpline for photo identity cards -No need for EPIC tension, you can use other IDs -Elaborate arrangements in Bellary -100 sectoral officers to monitor enforcement of code of conduct -Criminal cases against those defacing public property -Last link of Janata parivar in Mysore breaks -Prasad Reddy has Rs. 313 crore wealth -Woman accused in criminal case in poll fray -KPCC office ransacked New system of reviewing law and order and development works -Pull your socks up, Mayawati tells officials
Jaffer Sharief threatens to quit Cong
The decision of the senior leader and one of the biggest names among the leaders from the minority community, created ripples in the party which is preparing to face the coming Assembly elections in its strong bid to regain power in the Southern state.
Jaffer Sharief threatens to quit Congress
Bangalore, Agencies:
Protesting the denial of party ticket to his grandson in the next month's Assembly elections in Karnataka, former Railway Minister and Congress leader C K Jaffer Sharief on Friday threatened to resign from the party.
The decision of the senior leader and one of the biggest names among the leaders from the minority community, created ripples in the party which is preparing to face the coming Assembly elections in its strong bid to regain power in the Southern state.< ?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O />
Despite the party accommodating his son-in-law from Raichur segment, Mr Sherief, a permanent invitee of CWC the highest policy making body of Congress, was 'hell bent' on getting a ticket to his grandson Rehman Sharief, but the Congress election committee refused to heed to his demand.
According to sources close to Mr Sharief, who was not available for comment, the disgruntled leader was now contemplating to join Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
Mr Sharief who was enjoyed a 'cordial' relationship with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayavati and had reportedly made his mind to join BSP and was ready to campaign extensively in the coming elections, BSP sources claimed.
Rattled with the sudden turn of events that may hurt Congress badly, Congress leaders including General Secretary Digvijay Singh and others had rushed to the residence of Mr Sharief to urge him not to take any haste decision
KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES: RAJAJI NAGAR
Durgada Raje Gowda BSP
Rajajinagar represents a constituency of contrasts. It has both upmarket localities and areas dominated by slums.
Voters: Total 1,80,006 Men: 93,711 Women: 86,295
Total wards: 7 BBMP wards - Rajajinagar, Kamakshipalya, Basaveshwaranagar,
Shivanagar, Sriramamandira, Prakashnagar, Bhasyamnagar.
Returning officer: Naga Naik. Ph: 9980725393
Helpline for photo identity cards
Bangalore: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has established helpline to accept complaints about issuance of Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) in 21 Assembly constituencies.
The helpline can be contacted on 41757550. Apart from this, the people can also lodge their complaints through 23405403/98451959810, according to a press release.
No need for EPIC tension, you can use other IDs
Old EPICs issued in other constituencies can also be used
Minor discrepancies in the entries to be ignored
Bangalore: Those unable to get elector photo identity cards (EPICs) need not worry about exercising their franchise in the 89 Assembly constituencies which are going to polls during the first phase, as the Election Commission on Wednesday permitted the use of 17 alternative photo identity cards.
However, those who have been issued with the EPICs would be able to vote only when they produce them and failure to do so will result in losing their voting despite having their names on the electoral rolls.
They will not be permitted to use the 17 other alternative identity cards.
Old cards
In its order, the EC has also permitted the use of old EPICs issued in a different Assembly constituency. However, the voter's left forefinger will be checked for the indelible ink mark to ensure that s/he does not vote at two places.
Discrepancies
As a number of complaints have been raised about discrepancies in the entries in the voters' list and the EPICs, the EC has also made it clear that such discrepancies will be ignored. Minor discrepancies in the entries relating to names of elector, father/mother/husband, sex, age or address in the EPIC shall be ignored and the elector will be allowed to cast his vote so long as the identity of the elector can be established by means of that card. Any discrepancies even in the serial number of the EPIC as mentioned in the electoral roll also will be ignored.
Alternative ID cards
The Election Commission will permit the voters, who have not been issued with the EPIC, to vote provided their identities are established by production of following alternative documents: passport; driving license; Income Tax Department's PAN card; service identity card with photograph issued to its employees by State/Central government, public sector undertakings or public limited companies; passbook with photograph issued by public sector banks/post office and Kisan Passbooks (Accounts opened on or before March 31, 2008); student identity card with photograph issued by recognised educational institutions on or before October 1, 2007; property documents with photographs such as pattas, registered deeds; ration card with photograph; SC/ST/OBC certificate with photograph issued by competent authority on or before 31-3-2008; pension documents with photographs such as ex-servicemen's pension book/pension payment order, ex-servicemen's widow/dependent certificates, old age pension order, widow pension order; freedom fighter identity card; arms license with photograph issued on or before March 31, 2008; certificate of disability with photograph issued by the competent authority on or before March 31, 2008; ex-servicemen CSD canteen card with photograph; Sandhya Suraksha Scheme card with photograph issued up to March 31 2008; job card, with photograph issued under NREG Scheme issued up to March 31, 2008; Yashaswini card with photograph.
Elaborate arrangements in Bellary
'The law will be enforced strictly to ensure smooth conduct of elections'
13 Central observers to oversee polling
27 companies of Central forces to be deployed
BELLARY: The Election Commission has made elaborate bandobust for the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections in the State.
In Bellary district, as many as 13 Central observers, nominated by the Election Commission, would be monitoring the conduct of the elections in the district.
Of the 13, nine are general observers (one for each Assembly constituency) and four will monitor the expenditure incurred by the political parties.
In addition, 27 companies of Central police force (three companies for each Assembly constituency) will be deployed in the district. Apart from the Central forces, 3,400 civil police personnel from the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police to the constabulary will be drawn for election duty.
Giving this information at a press conference with regard to poll arrangements, Arvind Srivastav, Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer, and Amrit Paul, Superintendent of Police, made it clear that the law would be enforced strictly to ensure the smooth conduct of elections.
Mr. Paul said that the Central forces were likely to arrive soon and a detailed security map, along with categorisation of the booths, was being prepared for its deployment.
The Central forces would be deployed in some hyper sensitive booths. In booths considered sensitive, both Central forces and the police will be deployed, while in other booths, it will be only the civil police.
He said that 167 cases have been registered, including those of violation of model code of conduct, so far.
In custody
As many as 120 persons with history of disturbing the peace, law and order, have been rounded up and some of them are in judicial custody. Seventeen cases pertaining to liquor has been booked and liquor worth Rs. 5 lakh had been seized in Kudligi and Hadagali taluks.
Mr. Srivastav said that "micro observers" at the booth level would be appointed to oversee the polling process. He said that 1,579 polling booths, including 147 auxiliary booths, would be set up in the nine Assembly constituencies in the district.
As many as 8,531 personnel (four in a booth, including one presiding officer and two polling officers) would be drawn for poll duty.
The list was ready and the selection and deployment would be through computer randomisation. Electronic voting machines (EVMs) would also be allotted randomly.
The sectoral officers have been provided a few EVMs for demonstrations on how to cast a vote, for the benefit of people in their respective areas.
Circulars have been issued to the political parties with regard to the norms to be followed by the candidates while opening offices, display of publicity/campaigning material only in areas earmarked by the local self-governments, obtaining permission for use of vehicles, use of publicity material, flags and the like.
"As per the instructions of the Election Commission, we have taken all necessary steps to conduct free and fair elections in the district," he said.
Some parties yet to select nominees
BIDAR: Leaders of the Congress, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are yet to announce their candidates for the Bidar and the Bidar South Assembly constituencies.
The erstwhile Bidar constituency has been bifurcated into Bidar and Bidar South segments after delimitation. The district will go to the polls on May 22. Notification for the elections will be issued on April 26 and the last date for filing nominations is May 3. Leaders of the three parties are waiting for each other to announce the candidates for the two constituencies.
According to reports, they are also waiting for disgruntled aspirants of the other parties to switch loyalties. The former Minister, Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, and Raheem Khan are the aspirants for the Congress ticket from Bidar.
According to sources in the party, there is pressure on the Congress leadership to issue ticket to a candidate from the minority community from the segment.
The Congress has named Ishwar Khandre from Bhalki constituency and Rajshekar Patil from Humnabad constituency.
All the CMs' sons… and one daughter
Bangalore: It is going to be the former Chief Minister, the late Ramakrishna Hegde's daughter versus former Chief Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's son in Ramanagaram constituency.
Whether the new entrant to politics, Mamata Nichani, pitted against former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, will make a dent is a different issue. But with her entry, the total tally of former chief ministers whose children are trying their luck in the coming Assembly elections goes up to six.
In the fray
Leading the pack of sons in the fray are the children of former Prime Minister and Chief Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. While Mr. Kumaraswamy has already been a chief minister, his brother, H.D. Revanna, has held an important portfolio as the Minister for Public Works.
The late Gundu Rao's son, Dinesh Gundu Rao, is contesting from the Gandhi Nagar constituency as a Congress candidate for the third time in a row. He had worked as a Youth Congress leader as well.
The two sons of S. Bangarappa make for a curious story of brothers pitted against one another, with Kumar Bangarappa fighting on a Congress ticket from Soraba and Madhu Bangarappa likely to fight on his father's Samajwadi Party ticket from the same constituency.
With talk of a Congress-SP alliance getting nowhere so far, this brother-versus-brother contest seems imminent.
S.R. Bommai's son, Basavaraj Bommai, who was part of the huge exodus from the Janata Dal (United) to the Bharatiya Janata Party, has been given a ticket to contest from Shiggaon.
Meanwhile, J.H. Patel's son, Mahima Patel, earlier with the JD(S), has floated his own party, Suvarna Yuga party, and is contesting from Chennagiri.
He has announced that he will go on a month-long fast after filing his nominations on April 28.
Lost chance
On the sidelights of this children's show are those who were aspiring to be part of it but have been left behind. Kailashnath Patil, son of Veerendra Patil, who was an MLA from Chincholi constituency for one term in 1999, but lost in 2004 to Vaijanath Patil, has not been given a ticket since the constituency is now reserved.
It is interesting that while dynasty rule is the norm, sons far outnumber daughters in taking on the mantle.
100 sectoral officers to monitor enforcement of code of conduct
Dharwad district, with seven constituencies, has an electorate of 11,81,460
Notification to be issued on April 26
1,173 polling booths to be set up in the district
Poll preparedness: Deputy Commissioner M.S. Srikar (centre) addressing a press conference in Dharwad on Thursday. Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissioner Narayan Nadamani (left) and Superintendent of Police B.S. Prakash are seen.
DHARWAD: As many as 100 sectoral officers will monitor the strict enforcement of the model code of conduct and create awareness on using the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other election-related issues in Dharwad district which will go to polls on May 22.
Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, Deputy Commissioner M.S. Srikar, Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissioner Narayan Nadamani and Superintendent of Police B.S. Prakash gave information on the preparations for the conduct of free and fair elections in the district.
The district, with seven assembly constituencies — Kalghatgi, Navalgund, Kundagol, Dharwad, Hubli-Dharwad East (SC), Hubli-Dharwad West and Hubli-Dharwad Central — has an electorate of 11,81,460 of whom 5,78,732 are women.
Mr. Srikar said that the sectoral officers, who would be given the responsibility of 10 to 12 polling booths each, would report on any violation of the code of conduct to the Returning Officers.
Notification for the elections in the district would be issued on April 26 and filing of nominations would start on the same day, he said.
The last date for filing nominations is May 3 and scrutiny of nominations will be done on May 5. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is May 7 and counting of votes will be done on May 25.
There will be 1,173 polling booths in the district of which 134 will be auxiliary booths. As many as 1,173 EVMs, along with an additional 15 per cent of the total number of EVMs, have been kept ready.
Mr. Srikar said that 7,734 persons would be deputed as polling officials.
The Deputy Commissioner said that based on the previous records and incidents, polling booths would be divided into two categories — normal and vulnerable. Mr. Nadamani said the process of identifying vulnerable booth in Hubli-Dharwad would be completed soon. Mr. Prakash said that apart from those in Hubli-Dharwad there were 184 hypersensitive booths in the district.
Mr. Nadamani said that two police personnel would be deployed at normal polling booths and Central Paramilitary Force personnel would keep vigil at vulnerable polling booths. To a query, Mr. Srikar said that 53 per cent of the voters in the district had the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) and the process of issuing EPICs in Dharwad, Navalgund and Kalghatgi segments had already begun. In Hubli-Dharwad the process would be begin from May 2.
The Deputy Commissioner said that voters could submit applications for inclusion of their names in the electoral rolls till April 26.
Criminal cases against those defacing public property
Four cases of poll code violation in Dharwad district: Deputy Commissioner
Restrictions on display of publicity material
Officials seize a four-wheeler which did not
have permission for canvassing
DHARWAD: The Dharwad district administration will file criminal cases against those violating the model code of conduct and defacing public property.
Deputy Commissioner M.S. Srikar told presspersons here on Thursday that four cases of violation of the code of conduct had been reported and action had been taken accordingly, including issuing notices to elected representatives.
He said that the reports about the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's stay at the Hubli Circuit House on April 3 and the inauguration of Basaveshwara's statue by former MLAs and Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors of the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) had been sent to the Election Commission of India.
The Election Commission had issued notices to eight persons, he said.
Notices had been issued to three councillors of the HDMC in connection with the inauguration of a road work, Mr. Srikar said. Officials seized a four-wheeler which did not have permission for canvassing, in Hubli on Monday, he said.
According to the guidelines of the Election Commission, permission would not be given to any political party for displaying banners, buntings and other publicity material at public places, he said.
"All the banners and buntings displayed in the district have been removed. Strict action will be taken against those violating the rule, under the provision of the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981," he said.
Political parties would be allowed to display banners and buntings at the venue of the public meetings only two hours before the event, he said and added that they had to be removed within an hour after the event.
A helpline (Ph: 2443939) has been set up on the Deputy Commissioner's office premisesCode of conduct implementation cells had been set up in each of the seven Assembly constituencies in the district, he said.
The phone numbers of these cells are as follows: Navalgund: 08380-229240; Kundagol: 08304-290239; Dharwad: 0836-2233822; Hubli-Dharwad East (SC): 2213833; Hubli-Dharwad Central: 2213860; Hubli-Dharwad West: 2446133; and Kalghatgi: 08370-284535.
Last link of Janata parivar in Mysore breaks
Muralidhara Khajane
BSP candidate from Chamudeshwari, Jayakumar, is still loyal to Janata Dal (S)
D.T. Jayakumar
MYSORE: The last link of the Janata parivar in Mysore district has finally been severed with former Minister D.T. Jayakumar quitting the party and joining the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) as its candidate from Chamundeshwari Assembly Constituency.
Despite the fact that Mr. Jayakumar was senior vice-president and member of the Parliamentary Committee of Janata Dal (Secular), the party decided against fielding him from Chamundeshwari, from where he wanted to contest, and instead favoured C. Basave Gowda, president, Mysore District City Cooperative Bank.
Frustrated with the treatment meted out to him, Jayakumar had rushed to Mysore on Wednesday after discussing with BSP State president Muniyappa, and filed the nomination papers from the BSP.
Though senior leaders, including Siddaramaiah, H.C. Mahadevappa, G.T. Deve Gowda, H.S. Mahadeva Prasad quit the Janata Dal (S) in view of the developments in the last two years, Mr. Jayakumar stayed with the Janata Dal (S) because of his loyalty to the party supremo H.D. Deve Gowda.
It is significant that, despite joining the BSP, Mr. Jayakumar continues to profess his loyalty to the Janata Dal (S) and championed its cause in an interview to The Hindu. Mr. Jayakumar said: "The BSP could win at least 10 seats and support the Janata Dal (S) in forming the Government."
He predicted that the Janata Dal (S) would have a thumping majority in the Assembly elections because of former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's contribution to the State's progress. He said the BSP would not hesitate to support the Janata Dal (S). "I sought ticket for backward communities and the minority in at least five constituencies in Mysore region. The Janata Dal (S) leaders were not prepared for that. I have not deserted the party for not giving me the ticket. Injustice done to backward classes and minority forced me to quit the party and contest from the BSP," he clarified.
"Despite organising the Janata parivar for nearly 25 years, the party humiliated me by not giving me the ticket from Chamundeshwari constituency. I have left the party with great pain and reluctance and in pursuit of protecting social justice," he said.
Though the BJP leaders invited him to contest from Chamundeshwari, he refused saying it was morally incorrect. Similar was the case with the Congress. On whether party leaders dissuaded him from deserting the party, he said that H.D. Revanna met him in the morning and assured him of a berth as Minister if the party came to power.
"How can I believe the words of leaders who have refused to field me in the constituency of my choice?" he asked.
Expressing his confidence in winning from Chamundeswari constituency, he said that his community, who were in large numbers there, would support him, along with voters belonging to backward classes and minority.
Prasad Reddy has Rs. 313 crore wealth
City Bureau
He is BJP candidate from Bommanahalli; D.K. Shivakumar declares assets at Rs. 76 crore
Mr. Reddy owns 14 cars and his real estate property is estimated at Rs. 142 crore
R. Ramalinga Reddy declares assets at Rs. 9.6 crore
D.K. Shivakumar
BANGALORE: G. Prasad Reddy, BJP candidate from BTM Layout, would be undoubtedly the richest among those who have filed their assets in the first phase of elections. His total value could be close to Rs. 313 crore as per the details in his affidavit. He has cash of Rs. 12,38,000 in his name.
He has deposits of Rs. 36,21,730 in 12 accounts in various banks. He has declared Rs. 27,52,165 as a bank balance jointly held with his wife and in his individual account.
Mr. Reddy owns 14 cars estimated at Rs. 1.03 crore, which includes two BMWs and one Honda Accord.
He owns gold jewellery estimated at Rs. 9,17,250 and his wife has 3.1 kg of gold jewellery estimated at Rs. 37,91,300. He has silver articles estimated at Rs. 13,31,000. He has invested capital in partnership firms amounting to Rs. 73,30,600.99. He owns non-agricultural lands worth Rs. 143.62 crore. He holds shares in two commercial buildings which are estimated at Rs. 142.02 crore, including residential apartments spread across in 4,52,094 sq ft which is under construction in Bommanahalli. He owns apartments and houses in Koramangala which are estimated at Rs. 14.77 crore. His wife owns a property in Roopena Agrahara estimated at Rs. 54.10 crore.
Mr. Reddy has declared that he has taken loan on his and on his wife's name at Rs. 18,08,71,872.34 in various banks. He jointly owns a farm house with his wife in Mayasandra worth Rs 60 lakh.
What Shivakumar owns
The former Minister and Congress candidate for Kanakapura Assembly Constituency D.K. Shivakumar has declared his assets to be at Rs. 76 crore.
While Mr. Shivakumar's individual wealth is Rs. 70.75 crore, his wife Usha has cash and assets estimated at Rs. 5.18 crore and children Aishwarya, Abharana and Aakash have gold jewellery estimated at Rs. 22.4 lakh.
The liability of Mr. Shivakumar and Ms. Usha was estimated at Rs. 60 crore.
The affidavit filed before the Returning Officer for Kanakapura constituency along with Mr. Shivakumar's nomination paper states that the former Minister did not complete his graduation.
However, he obtained a postgraduate degree in Political Science from the Karnataka State Open University, Mysore, in 2006.
Mr. Shivakumar's cash and bank deposits account for Rs. 2.88 crore while he has other movable assets including cash advances, claims and so on estimated at Rs. 14.15 crore.
He owns non-agricultural lands in Bangalore and elsewhere estimated at Rs. 47 crore.
He owns a commercial building at Nayandahalli estimated at Rs. 4.6 crore.
The former Minister Ramalinga Reddy contesting from BTM Layout has assets amounting to Rs 9,60, 67,179 which includes money in bank accounts in his name and in jointly operated accounts with his wife, son and daughter, and agricultural lands, non-agricultural lands, houses and apartments.
Mr. Reddy has declared that he has taken a loan of Rs. 2,42,77,522 from his relatives and friend.
Kumar Bangarappa's assets worth Rs 4.8 cr
DH News Service, Shimoga:
Former minister Kumar Bangarappa, Congress candidate from Soraba constituency has assets worth Rs 4,88,61,473 and Rs 1,13,28,243 liabilities.
The total worth of assets in his wife's name stands at Rs 23,28,504.
Kumar Bangarappa has Rs 12 lakh cash, Rs 4,90,481 bank deposits, jewellry worth Rs 7,07,600, Rs 1,74,90,692 claims, agriculture land worth Rs 14,28,899 and buildings worth Rs 2,75,43,801. His wife Vidyullatha is in possession of Rs 3 lakh cash, Rs 18,000 bank deposit and Rs 20,10,504 claim, the total worth of which is Rs 23,28,504.
Among the liabilities, Kumar Bangarappa has borrowed Rs 54,01,905 loan from banks, Rs 2,02,343 tax due, Rs 41,13,995 loan from other sources and Rs 16,10,000 due towards rent.
Ayanur Manjunath, BJP candidate from Bhadravati constituency owns 7 acre land near Ayanur of which one acre is plantation and a house under construction in the same.
He also jointly owns 16 acre land with his wife near Chalikatte. Ayanur Manjunath also has two four wheelers.
Among the liabilities, he has borrowed Rs 18 lakh from banks and Rs 30 lakh from other sources.
Holenarasipura dhns: Former minister and JD(S) leader H D Revanna, who is contesting from Holenarasipur assembly constituency, and his wife are worth crores of rupees.
As per his declaration Revanna has properties - movable and immovable and jewellry worth Rs 6 crore and a loan of Rs 11.70 lakh.
His wife Bhavani has declared Rs 6.3 crore and a loan of Rs 68.95 lakh. While his elder son Suraj is worth Rs 19 lakh, his second son Prajwal has Rs 48.5 lakh and also owns jewellry.
Cong candidate
The Congress candidate Anupama and her son Shreyas are not far behind. Her assets are declared as Rs 4.12 crore that include movable, immovable, jewellry and vehicles.
She also has 2.5 crore in her name and Rs 1. 54 crore in her son Shreyas Patel's name. Her daughter also has 20 lakhs in her name. Anupama has also mentioned a loan of Rs 1. 27 crore.
Mysore, dhns: Its raining crorepatis in Mysore region with many biggies contesting from rural areas declaring their assets to the tune of more than a crore. JD(S) candidate Sundaresh who is contesting from T Narasipura has property worth Rs 9 crore.
Gowda's assets
Former minister G T Devegowda, who quit JD(S) and joined BJP, has declared property estimated at Rs 2.15 crore. Benki Mahadev, former Congress loyalist who joined BJP recently, has assets worth Rs 2 crore.
Former IPS officer Subhash Bharani, who quit a plum job to take a leap into politics is no standing close to all others with property worth Rs 1.21 crore.
Bellary, dhns: Three crorepatis filed their nominations on from Bellary district for the upcoming elections.
Former minister Sriramulu, who filed his papers from Bellary reserved constituency as a BJP candidate, has 19.06 crore assets–Rs 8.51 crore movable assets, Rs 10.55 crore immovable assets.
He owns 12 acre agriculture land valued at Rs 6 crore, Rs 1.25 crore house in Bellary and Rs 10 lakh worth non-agricultural land in Bangalore. He owns a Rs 1.1 crore worth house in Palace Road in Bangalore.
BJP candidate
Somashekhar Reddy, also a BJP, contesting from Bellary city is the richest nominee with a total assests of Rs 29.18 crore. He owns Rs 23.50 crore immovable assets. He owns two apartments in Bangalore and a house in Bellary. Former minister Diwakar Babu, who is contesting as JD(S) candidate, has Rs 4.52 crore assets.
Woman accused in criminal case in poll fray
G. Padmavathi is Congress candidate from Rajajinagar
She is accused of conspiracy, cheating, forgery
BANGALORE: Not just men, even a woman accused in a criminal case is contesting the Assembly elections from Bangalore.
The Congress candidate from Rajajinagar constituency and a three-time corporation councillor, G. Padmavathi, has been charged under three sections of the Indian Penal Code — criminal conspiracy (120B), cheating (420) and forgery for the purpose of cheating (468).
On a complaint by the then Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) Inspector, Muddumahadevaiah, the Ulsoor Gate police registered a case against Ms. Padmavathi and others in February 2001. The case is pending trial.
In the affidavit she filed along with her nomination papers, Ms. Padmavathi has mentioned that she is an accused in the criminal case (crime number 103/2001).
The BMTF had lodged a complaint with the police that the then chairman of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's Appeals Committee, B.T. Srinivasa Murthy, and four councillors, including Ms. Padmavathi, who were members of the committee, had entered into a criminal conspiracy and fraudulently created a document to help a businessman whose building was being demolished by the BMTF.
The BMTF team demolished the fourth floor of Hotel Shiva International in Gandhinagar on December 26, 2000. When the demolition resumed the next day, building owner Somashekar produced a stay order issued by the Appeals Committee on December 22, 2000.
Order forged
During a preliminary inquiry, the BMTF officials found that Mr. Somashekar had not submitted an application to the Appeals Committee and the matter had not been discussed during the committee meeting held on December 22. The committee members had allegedly connived with Mr. Somashekar and forged the stay order to help him, the BMTF said in its complaint.
The committee chairman and the four members were also charged with violating Section 505 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, 1976. Mr. Somashekar is also an accused in the case.
KPCC office ransacked
Supporters angry over denial of ticket to R. Manjunath
Crowd control: Supporters of the former Youth Congress President R. Manjunath who went on the rampage at the KPCC office in Bangalore on Thursday being dispersed by the police.
Bangalore: A large number of supporters of the former president of the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress R. Manjunath on Thursday ransacked the office of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee and obstructed traffic on Queen's Road. They were protesting against the party's failure to nominate him to contest the Assembly elections from Hiriyur constituency in Chitradurga district.
Defeated in polls
Sources in the party said that Mr. Manjunath was defeated in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the past, but he still wanted to contest from Hiriyur. Gita Yadav has been given the B form by the party to contest from the constituency.
The protesters damaged the telephone booth and furniture. One person even tried to commit suicide by strangling himself with a scarf. Sources said that the vehicle carrying Mr. Manjunath almost crashed into the car of the former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh, which was parked on the footpath.
Union Minister of State and Karnataka in-charge Prithviraj Chavan and other leaders were holding a meeting when the supporters of Mr. Manjunath indulged in vandalism.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president M. Mallikarjun Kharge warned of stern action against those who brought discredit to the party by taking the law into their own hands.
Mr. Kharge said that the democratic process had been observed, and several high-level committees, including the Central Election Committee, had approved the lists of candidates after strict scrutiny.
Gave up seat
He said U.R. Sabhapathi, who was nominated to contest from Udupi Assembly constituency, had given up the seat in favour of Pramod Madhwaraj, as stood a better chance against the Bharatiya Janata Party. Mr. Madhwaraj is the son of the former Minister and Udupi MP, Manorama Madhwaraj, who is now a member of the BJP. Mr. Kharge confirmed that Mr. Madhwaraj had been given the B form to contest from Udupi.
Mr. Kharge said that those who were disappointed by the decision of the party to choose someone else should learn a lesson from Mr. Sabhapathi and cooperate in strengthening the hands of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in fighting the BJP. He said no one should think the he or she was indispensable.
Mr. Kharge said B forms had been given to around 50 candidates for the 66 Assembly constituencies in Raichur, Koppal, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Bellary, Chitradurga, Davangere, Shimoga, Udupi and Chikmagalur districts, which would go to the polls in the second phase of elections on May 16.
Protests continue for the second day
Supporters of Ramakrishna, Pawar stage demonstrations
Kharge visiting Gulbarga today
It has generated interest in party circles
IN PROTEST: Supporters of the former Minister, G. Ramakrishna, taking out a procession in Gulbarga on Thursday.
GULBARGA: The protests and the sense of discontent against the denial of party ticket to senior leaders in the Gulbarga district Congress continued for the second day on Thursday with supporters of the former Minister, G. Ramakrishna, taking out a procession and staging a protest in front of the District Congress Committee office for denying ticket to their leader from the Gulbarga Rural Assembly constituency.
Another group of supporters of another Congress leader from Shahabad Subash Pawar also staged an angry demonstration in front of the District Congress Committee office voicing its protest against the denial of party ticket to the leader from Gulbarga Rural Assembly Constituency.
The scheduled visit of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president M. Mallikarjun Kharge to Gulbarga on Friday has generated interest in the party circles.
The leaders, who were denied party ticket in Shahapur, Gulbarga Rural, Gulbarga South and Sedam Assembly constituencies, are likely to meet Mr. Kharge and voice their protests.
Mr. Kharge, who is scheduled to arrive here by helicopter, has no scheduled programmes in the city.
Meanwhile, a crucial meeting of the supporters of the former MLA, Shivashekarappa Patil Sirwal, at Shahapur in which several senior leaders, including the party MLC, Amatappa Kandakur, participated, decided to go by the final decision taken by Mr. Sirwal on the future course of action.
The meeting voiced its anguish over the party's denial of ticket to Mr. Sirwal and preferring a new comer and the former Minister, Sharanabasappa Darshanapur.
Mr. Sirwal told his supporters at the meeting that he had held discussions with both Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge and the former Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, and the two leaders advised him to wait till Friday and not to take any hasty decision which would harm his political future.
"I have still confidence in these two leaders that they will do justice to me and I will wait till tomorrow before taking any final decision on the next course of action," he said.
However, Mr. Sirwal rejected the demand made by a few speakers at the meeting that he should contest as an independent in Shahapur this time and said that this amounted to rebellion against the party's decision. "I have a 30-year association with the party and I do not want to jeopardise it by any hasty decision," he said. Mr. Sirwal said that there were offers from other political parties which had promised him to give party ticket to contest from Shahapur. "I have resisted all these tempting offers in the hope that the Congress will not deny me the opportunity to fight the elections this time [on its ticket]," he said.
However, Mr. Sirwal was not clear whether he would remain in the party or join another as a protest now.
There were unconfirmed reports of the Janata Dal (S) offering the party ticket to Mr. Sirwal this time against the Congress' Mr. Sharanabasappa Darshanapur.
Incidentally, Mr. Darshanapur had contested on the Janata Dal(S) ticket in the last Assembly elections against Mr. Sirwal and won the seat for the party. The Janata Dal(S) is yet to announce its candidate for the Shahapur Assembly constituency.
BJP candidate gets relief
DH News Service,Bangalore:
The High Court on Thursday provided relief to a MLA seat aspirant of Hoovinahadagali, Bellary district, whose candidature is facing hurdle.
L Madhu Nayak, to whom BJP has issued ticket, said in his writ petition that he was working as junior engineer at Bellary Zilla Panchayat and recently obtained voluntary retirement for contesting in the ensuing assembly elections.
He was granted retirement based on his statement of no dues to the government. But, while he was preparing to file nominations, he received a communication saying that "his voluntary retirement application was taken back since he owed Rs 16 lakh to the government," he said.
He contended before the court that his resignation had been accepted earlier and was now returned to stop him from contesting elections.
The Hoovinahadagali assembly elections are scheduled to be held on May 16 and the last date for filing nominations is April 29. Justice L Narayanaswamy said he would stay the order returning Madhu Nayak's resignation subject to the condition of depositing Rs 16 lakh, to which the petitioner agreed.
Following another petition by a Kushalnagar Taluk Panchayat member, the court on Thursday issued stay against exercise of presidential powers by H K Parvathi Harihara, who was recently elected as the TP's president.
The petitioner, H J Kariappa, a Taluk Panchayat member of Congress, who had unsuccessfully contested to the post has challenged the validity of TP's presidential elections held on February 26. He contended that secret voting was held in stead of voting by rising of hands as prescribed by rules, leading to his defeat despite there being more Congress members in the Taluk Panchayat.
Bad mouthing about good timing
Hebbal constituency BJP candidate Katta Subramanya Naidu and Congress nominee H M Revanna got into a fight over the 'Muhuratha' timing for filing the nominations.
On Wednesday, before the office could open and the returning officer could occupy his seat, the premises was crowded with Revanna and Naidu's supporters. Returning officer Virupaksha Mysora had to take police help to make way to his seat. Naidu's supporters, accompanied by a 'Sastri' started pressuring the officer to take the nomination 10:50 am sharp. On the other hand, Revanna and his supporters started fuming saying "Our candidate came first and stand a 'first' chance to file." The returning officer decided in favour of Revanna — first come first serve.
Within seven minutes, both the candidates' completed formalities but left the premises — exchanging and accusing words.
'Cash'ing in on publicity
Political parties do all sorts of tricks to get wide coverage in media during elections. Filing of nomination papers is one such occasion which can offer them wide publicity. Candidates are keen on getting place for their photos of submitting papers in print. Followers of a BJP candidate in Bangalore, on Wednesday, went to the extent of offering cash to a section of media to please them for the coverage. Party workers had brought packets with cash and handed over them soon after the nomination papers were submitted. While a few were seen accepting others yelled at party workers.
Discontent mounting in BJP
Demand for changing candidate for Dharwad segment
HUBLI: The Bharatiya Janata Party ticket aspirants in the district have given an ultimatum to the party high command for changing the candidate for Dharwad constituency.
The development comes close on the heels of Ravi Shiriyannavar's rebellion against Chandrakant Bellad, the BJP's official candidate for Hubli-Dharwad West constituency. Mr. Shiriyannavar has announced that he would contest against Mr. Chandrakant Bellad. Leaders of the Dharwad rural unit of the BJP have threatened to field a rebel candidate if the party leadership fails to change the candidate for Dharwad constituency. The BJP has announced the candidature of the former zilla panchayat member Seema Masuti for the constituency.
Leaders of the rural unit, including its president Sanganagouda Ramanagouda, Mr. Chandrakant Bellad's brother Shivanna Bellad, Prabhu Keshagonda and Sadanand Shivalli, have raised the banner of revolt after meeting senior leaders of the party over the issue. Addressing presspersons on Wednesday, Mr. Ramanagouda gave three days' time to the BJP leadership for giving the party ticket to any male aspirant to contest from Dharwad constituency. "In case our demand is not met we will field an independent candidate," he said. Meanwhile, there is displeasure among some workers over the allotment of the BJP ticket for Hubli-Dharwad East constituency, which is reserved for the Scheduled Castes. The party has announced the candidature of Virabhadrappa Halaharavi. But aspirants such as Chandrashekhar Gokakare still lobbying for the ticket.
On Thursday, BJP Dharwad city unit president Hemaraj Bhandari and 12 BJP councillors of the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation told presspersons that they would support Mr. Chandrakant Bellad's candidature.
Errors galore at EPIC distribution centre
Sudipto Mondal
Names of several people missing in the voters' list
ANXIETY: Residents of Someshwar trying to secure electoral photo identity cards in Mangalore on Thursday.
MANGALORE: The distribution of electoral photo identity cards (EPIC) may provide some comic relief to people with a sense of humour but a strife for those at the receiving end.
When Sajida Bano (26) was informed on Thursday that she had already been given her EPIC, countless thoughts came to her mind.
"I am here in front of you. How can you say that you have already given me the ID card? Has someone impersonated me?" she asked the volunteers at a centre in Someshwar. But before she could complete her sentence, the next person in the queue had replaced her in front of the camera. Ruffled by the incident, Ms. Bano said: "When I approached the front desk, I was given a slip with a number written on it and sent for photographing. At the photography counter, the volunteer entered the number into the computer which showed that ID card could not be generated as voter was not in first residual list."
The Assistant Commissioner and Electoral Registration Officer for Mangalore Sub-Division, Sameer Shukla, said that this message appeared on the computer monitor when a person had already been issued a photo identity card .
But when he was apprised of the plight of Ms. Sajida Bano, he said: "I have got all kinds of complaints so far but this is the first of its kind."
In one hour that this team from
The Hindu spent at the centre, several bloopers emerged, most common were errors in spelling.
For instance, people who fed F.M. Ismael's name in to the system also took the trouble of spelling out his initial alphabets and so his name appeared in the card as, "Ef Em Ismael".
BJP is a house divided in Puttur constituency
Two women contestants file papers as BJP candidates
MANGALORE: The Bharatiya Janata Party's denial to give a ticket to Shakuntala T. Shetty, former Puttur MLA, has split the party cadre in the constituency.
Mallika Prasad, official candidate of the BJP, and Ms. Shetty, have both filed their nominations for Puttur Assembly constituency as BJP candidates.
"The party will issue B form, a document required to be produced to get party symbol from officials conducting the elections, to Ms. Prasad," K. Monappa Bhandary, president, district unit of the party told The Hindu. "There will not be any compromise," he added.
Ms. Shetty told The Hindu that till Thursday, no BJP leader contacted her over issuing of B form to her. "If the party does not issue B form, I will remain in the fray as an Independent candidate. I will not retire. No party leader has explained the reasons for denying the ticket to me," she said.
Amidst reports of party members disrupting the campaign of Ms. Prasad, former MLA from Puttur K. Ram Bhat, was seen openly supporting the candidature of Ms. Shetty. Mr. Bhat was the first to open the BJP's account in Puttur when he won the Assembly polls in 1983. He had won from the same constituency in 1978 under the erstwhile Janata Party banner.
He is said to be the mentor of Ms. Shetty and D.V. Sadananda Gowda, president of the State unit of the BJP. Mr. Gowda won from Puttur Assembly constituency in 1994 and 1999.
In the last six Assembly elections of 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2004, the BJP has been united in Dakshina Kannada, particularly so in Puttur. Mr. Bhat is confident that the party will issue B form to Ms. Shetty. The last date to file nominations in the district is April 29.
New system of reviewing law and order and development works
New system of reviewing law and order and development works Lucknow: April 24, 2008 Thoroughly reviewing the law and order and progress of development works here today, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ms. Mayawati said that the poor people should get total benefits of the schemes formulated for their welfare. Expressing her dissatisfaction over the slow progress of the facilities being provided to the people of the State, she said that it was a government of poor people and not of the capitalists. She said that those sitting in the air-conditioned rooms should go to the field now. The Chief Minister was reviewing the progress of development works and the law and order of the State by holding a meeting of D.M.s, Divisional Commissioners, situation I.G.s, D.I.G.s and other senior officers. Ms. Mayawati said that the meeting had been summoned with a view that the State Government was going to complete its one year in office on 13 May 2008. She said that the meeting had been organised to focus on the welfare of the poor people of the State. The first such meeting was held on May 19, 2007, during which the State Government had spelt out its priorities clearly, she added. The common people, specially those belonging to SC/ST, OBC, minorities and economically backward upper caste people, could not benefit fully during this period, she regretted. The Chief Minister said that during her first tenure in 1995 she had created separate departments for SC/ST, OBC, minorities and disabled. She said that for the poor of the upper caste several schemes had also been formulated, but during the one year period these categories could not be benefited to the extent as targeted. She said that no laxity in it would be tolerated at any cost. Giving strict orders to the senior officers of the police department, Ms. Mayawati said that the police stations should be made totally corruption free and people belonging to the poor sections should get justice. She expressed her dissatisfaction that the SHOs were showing laxity in registering the FIRs of the poor. She said that it was highly regrettable that the SHOs were not registering the FIRs of the poor and they were initiating action against them under pressure of the touts. The Chief Minister said that the redressal of the people's grievances should be accorded top priority and the poor people should be given a proper hearing by the senior officers. She directed the IGs, DIGs and SSPs to dispose of people's problems quickly and arrest the notorious criminals carrying awards on their heads at the earliest. Besides, the should also ensures that the activities of the goondas, mafias and other criminals were controlled strictly and the frequency of incidents of theft, dacoity, murders, kidnapping, rapes was also brought down. She said that effective steps should be taken to maintain harmony and terrorist activities should also be checked. Ms. Mayawati said that the senior officers should remain present in the headquarters from 10 a.m. to 12 noon to listen to the problems of the people. She warned that those not complying with it would be dealt severely. She also directed the officers to compulsorily register FIRs and ensure effective action against notorious and white-collared criminals under Gangster Act and other strict acts. The Chief Minister said that the problem of naxalism was not only a problem of law and order but it was a social problem. The officers of the police and the administration should take necessary action to bring the poor and exploited sections living in the naxal affected areas in the mainstream of the society and development, she said. Those erecting tents on the roads and obstructing roads and also on other public places should be dealt severely, she added. Directing the officers to check the distribution of obscene and objectionable publicity material, she said that it hurt the feelings of other sections of society. She said that the obscene dances being organised in the name of cultural activities in various social functions should be checked. Ms. Mayawati said that in the view of elections in the neighbouring country Nepal, the patrolling at the international borders should be intensified. She further said that in the serious cases of atrocities on SC/ST, investigation should be conducted and effective action should be ensured under the SC/ST Act. Ms. Mayawati said that the State Government was fully committed to the creation of the development oriented atmosphere for free from injustice, crime, terror and corruption. She directed that under social welfare programmes attention should be given for providing all types of pension to the people and scholarships to the children of original inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath, backward and minorities. She said that cottage industries and small traders should be given full security. The Chief Minister said that stern steps should be taken for preventing the forceful realisation of revenue from the small farmers for the payment of loans being taken from banks and private money lenders. Hoardings of food items, spurious drugs and adulterated food items should be checked in the state, she said. Priority should be given to dalits in allotment of pattas and all development works should be completed within the stipulated time in the selected gram sabhas under Dr. Ambedkar Samagra Gramin Vikas Yojna. Ms. Mayawati said that Manyawar Shri Kanshi Ram ji Shahri Samagra Vikas Yojna should be implemented on war-footing. The advantage of relief works running in drought affected areas of Bundelkhand should reach the needy people. She directed to check the power pilferage, realisation of electricity arrears besides ensuring the availability of electricity in the scheduled hours. She also directed for providing special emphasis on drinking water, health facilities and implementation of National Employment Guarantee Scheme. She directed that thana diwas should be organised from 10 a.m. on each saturday for quick and effective disposal of people's problems. The criminal incidents increase due to the land disputes, so that when the police officers went to tehsil diwas they should also dispose of the land disputes, she directed. The Chief Minister said that the senior officers would review the police and administrative works in every month for which 10 officers' team had been constituted for the 18 divisions. For the review of Lucknow division Mr. Vijay Shanker Pandey, for Kanpur division Mr. Arun Kumar Sinha and Mr. Bhagelu Ram Shastri, Agra and Aligarh division Mr. Navneet Sahgal and Mr. Vijay Singh, Meerut and Sharanpur division Mr. V.N. Garg, Bareilly and Moradabad divisions Mr. S.R. Lakha and Mr. Kamran Rizvi, Faizabad and Allahabad division Mr. Netram, Gorakhpur and Azamgarh division Mr. Kunwar Fateh Bhadur, Mirzapur and Varanasi division Mr. Shailesh Krishna, Basti and Devi Patan division Mr. Rakesh Kumar Ojha and Mr. Mukesh Mittal and for Chittrakoot and Jhansi division Mr. Jagannath Chamber had been nominated. Each team would give at least 3 days time every month in its respective divisions. The Chief Minister directed to review of development works and law and order on every level. The Divisional Commissioner would review the development works of his division before 15th date on every month. All district magistrates, C.D.O.s and divisional officers of important departments will necessarily take part in this review meeting coming under the division. The Commissioner would send the report of review meeting till 20th of every month. Before this, the district magistrate would review the development works at district level before the 10th every month. The Principal Secretary or Secretary of some important departments would call their divisional level departmental officers at Lucknow and review the development works before the 15th of every month. The monthly meeting of Principal Secretary/Secretary of all important departments of the state, besides the commissioners will be held at Lucknow between 26 and 30 on every month in which the Chief Secretary and Cabinet Secretary will review the works at government level. Likewise, all the officers of police departments will send the review report of their works to the government. The S.S.P. of each district will review before the 10th of every month and D.I.G. range and I.G. zone will review about their respective regions before the 15th of every month. I.G. zone will send the report of the review till the 20th of every month. D.G.P. and Principal Secretary Home will review the works of D.I.G. (range) and I.G. (zone) and above senior police officers at Lucknow between the 25th and 30th of every month. The Chief Minister said that she would held surprise checking. She directed all officers to discharge their duties with honesty and commitment so that common people, especially the weaker sections should get the benefits of welfare programmes and schemes. The Chairman of State Advisory Council Mr. Satish Chandra Mishra, Cheif Secretary Mr. P.K. Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Mr. Sheshank Shekhar Singh, Chairman Revenue Board Mr. V.K. Malhotra, A.P.C. Mr. R.K. Mittal, Principal Secretary Home Mr. Fateh Bhadur, D.G.P. Mr. Vikram Singh were present besides, the senior officers of different departments. ************
Lucknow: April 23, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Ms. Mayawati has ordered suspension of the Medical-officer-in-charge for the death of the infant born to Maya Devi wife of Bhola Prasad of Banda district at the Upper India Sugar Exchange Maternity Hospital, Kanpur today. She took serious view of the carelessness on the part of the doctors of the hospital who refused to admit pregnant Maya Devi causing death of her child. Expressing deep sorrow over the death of the infant, the Chief Minister announced financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh to Maya Devi's family. She directed all the government hospitals of the state that the recurrence of such incident would be taken very seriously with stern action. It may be recalled that Maya Devi was brought for admission at Upper India Sugar Exchange Maternity Hospital, Kanpur for delivery but the doctors did not admit her and she gave birth to the infant outside the hospital. Later on she was admitted in the hospital, but the new born child died. *******
Friday, Apr 25, 2008
Pull your socks up, Mayawati tells officials
LUCKNOW: Dissatisfied with the progress of development schemes and the law and order situation, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday directed officials to pull their socks up. She warned administrative officials and police officers of stern action if they failed to implement the BSP government's programmes and policies for the poor and under-privileged sections.
Ms. Mayawati made her stand clear at a review meeting here attended by divisional commissioners, district magistrates, zonal IGs, DIGs, SSPs and senior administrative and police officials.
Ms. Mayawati was particularly concerned at benefits of welfare measures not accruing to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Backward Classes, religious minorities and the economically poor among upper castes. She also took note of corruption at police stations. She was unhappy that poor people were still unable to lodge FIRs because of the influence of the station in charge.
B Media 4 Sarvajan Hithaya Sarvajan Sukhaya-Vote For BSP-List of BSP candidatesJayakumar joins BSP -Over 1,000 in the fray -Congress workers ransack party office -Protest -Police seize liquor worth over Rs. 1 crore across State -Saris seized in Bellary -Body set up for Bundelkhand-Son rises, party sets
Jayakumar joins BSP
BANGALORE: The Janata Dal (Secular) today saw the departure of a long term associate in D.T. Jayakumar, who has joined Bahujan Samaj Party.
Mr. Jayakumar had demanded from party ticket to contest from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysore. But the party's workers in Chamundeshwari wanted a local leader to be given ticket from that constituency.
Speaking to The Hindu, State president of the party Merajuddin Patel said Mr. Jayakumar was offered Varuna constituency by the party where Mr. Siddaramaiah was contesting, but Mr. Jayakumar insisted on Chamundeshwari from which the party had already fielded Basavegowda.
Mr. Patel said: "It is true that the JD(S) felt sad at his departure from the party, but elections cannot be fought on prestige issues and neither are they fought on the basis of personal convictions. There is a code of discipline within the party which every worker and leader has to abide. But Mr. Jayakumar, despite being a long standing worker and leader of the party, did not consider it important to follow the party discipline."
Mr. Patel said the party has made way for a new candidate in the place vacated by Mr. Jayakumar.
Over 1,000 in the fray
BANGALORE: More than 1,000 candidates have filed their nomination papers for 89 constituencies in 11 districts that are going to polls in the first phase of the Assembly elections on May 10.
Many prominent leaders, including BT Srnivas BSP candidate from CV Raman Nagar assembly constituency
the former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramiah, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting M.H. Ambareesh, the former Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Mamata Nichani, daughter of the former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde, were among the 619 candidates who filed nominations on Wednesday, the last day for filing nominations for the first phase of elections. The district-wise break-up of the number of nominations filed on Wednesday is as follows: Tumkur (61); Kolar (70); Mysore (138); Hassan (33); Ramangara (63); Bangalore Urban (78); Bangalore Rural (31), Kodagu (19); Chickballapur (31); Mandya (56); Chamarajangar (39) and Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (81). Scrutiny of nominations will be done on April 24 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is April 26.
Fifty-two candidates filed their papers on Wednesday for the second phase of polling that will be held on May 16. Eight candidates each from Bellary and Koppal constituency, seven each from Chitradurga and Shimoga, six from Davangere, three from Uttara Kannada, one from Udupi, two from Chikmagalur and five each from Bellary and Dakshina Kannada districts filed their nominations.
98 papers received in Chamarajanagar
CHAMARAJANAGAR: Fifty-nine nomination papers were filed in Chamarajanagar district by 41 candidates on Wednesday. Twelve nominations were filed in Hanur, nine in Kollegal and 10 each in Gundlupet and Chamarajanagar. With this, 98 nominations have been received.
H.S. Mahadev Prasad of the Congress, S. Shibasappa of the JD (S), C.S. Niranjan Kumar of the BJP, Venkataramana Shetty and Krishnamurthy of the BSP, Dakshayanamma of the SP and L. Nagappa of the Kannada Chaluvalai Vatal Paksha filed papers for Gundlupet seat on Wednesday. Parimala Nagappa of the BSP, R. Narendra of the Congress, Lakshmana of the JD(S), Nagaraju of the RPI and Lakshmi of the SP filed their papers for Hanur seat
K. Siddaraju, Parashiva Murthy, B.K. Shivakumar, Reshma Banu, Selvaraju, Preethan and Ponnachi Mahadevaswamy also filed their papers for Hanur seat as independent candidates.
A.R. Krishnamurthy of the JD(S), R. Druvanarayan of the Congress, N. Mahesh of the BSP, K. Narayan of the SP have filed papers for Kollegal (SC) seat. C. Puttarangashetty of the Congress, M. Shivakumara of the JD(S), Rangaiah of the SP, G.M. Gadkar of the BSP, A.M. Mahesh Prabhu of the Karnataka Sarvodaya Paksha, Esrabulla Khan of the Bharatiya Sahayog Congress filed papers for Chamarajanagar seat. K.P. Mahadevaswamy, Raju, Lakshmana Shetty and Puttaraju filed their papers as independent candidates.
It is 15 from Madikeri, seven from Virajpet
Veena Achaiah of the Congress is the only woman
Scrutiny today; last day for withdrawal is Saturday
Madikeri: As many as 22 persons, including one woman, have filed nomination papers in the two Assembly constituencies in Kodagu, according to information received here on Wednesday.
Of this, 15 persons filed nomination papers in Madikeri constituency and seven in Virajpet. Veena Achaiah, Congress nominee, is the only woman candidate to file nomination papers in Kodagu.
Congress candidate, B.A. Jivijaya, and Janata Dal (S) candidate, K.N. Vasanth, filed nomination papers in Madikeri on Wednesday.
Film actor-director, Jai Jagdish, filed nomination papers as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate while K.S. Vittal filed nomination papers as BSP candidate and also as an independent. Both Mr. Vittal and Mr. Jai Jagdish have submitted B forms to the election officer, Akram Pasha. Confusion would be cleared on Thursday, it was said.
Others who filed nomination papers from Madikeri on Wednesday as independents were H.D. Sannappa, K.P. Appaiah, K.P. Thammaiah, B. Vishwanath, Sabjan, H.S. Lokesh and H.T. Vasanth.
M.P. Appachu Ranjan of the BJP and Santosh Kumar as an independent filed their nomination papers on Tuesday. Earlier, B.M. Thimmaiah and I.P. Bhaverappa filed their nomination papers as independents from Madikeri, taking the number of candidates to 15 from that constituency. Of the seven candidates in Virajpet, Ms. Veena Achaiah (Congress), K.G. Bopaiah of the BJP, Giri Uthappa of the Samajwadi Party and Mohammad Ali (independent) submitted their nomination papers in Virajpet to the election officer, Mantye Swamy, on Wednesday. C.S. Arun Machaiah of the Janata Dal (S), Kunhi Abdulla of the BSP filed nomination papers earlier while B.G. Raghunath Naik filed nomination papers both as a Congress rebel and independent from Virajpet.
Scrutiny will take place on Thursday and the last date for withdrawal is April 26.
The police enforced the code of conduct in a strict manner. A maximum of five candidates only were allowed to reach the election offices.
Meanwhile, Expenditure Election Observer to Kodagu, B.S. Nunwal, arrived here on Wednesday and held discussions with Deputy Commissioner K.R. Niranjan and Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil.
Mr. Nunwal also met with Reena Ray who arrived here as an observer (Madikeri) a couple of days ago.
Micro-observers to ensure fair elections
Union Government staff to be appointed
They will report directly to the ECI
MYSORE: The Election Commission has decided to deploy micro-observers in the polling booths in the district in order to ensure free and fair elections.
Deputy Commissioner and district election officer P. Manivannan said micro-observers will oversee the proceedings inside the polling booths and report directly to the Election Commission of India.
This is being introduced for the first time in the State and the authorities plan to rope in Union Government employees, including those from the Railways and the postal department. There are 2,133 polling booths spread over 11 Assembly constituencies, and hence, that many micro-observers will be deployed.
According to a note issued by the Election Commission of India, the role of the observers in ensuring independent, free and fair elections is being strengthened by the deployment of micro-observers. These micro-observers will directly work under the control and supervision of the general observer. Though it has been stated that gazetted officers will be eligible to be deployed as micro-observers, the authorities are also free to rope in Group 'C' employees and above if their numbers are not sufficient.
The task of micro-observers is to observe that election process is being carried out in a free and fair manner and there is no vitiation of any kind. They will be specially trained to ensure that the ECI instructions with regard to polling agents are adhered to, conduct of polling agents, and their complaints.
Congress workers ransack party office
Stage protests against denial of ticket to their leaders
Police arrest 15 on charge of destroying property
Chitradurga: Upset over their leaders being denied party ticket, several Congress workers ransacked the party office, damaged public property and staged protests in Chitradurga and Challakere town on Wednesday.
The first incident took place in Challakere when the supporters of the former MLA D. Sudhakar staged a protest outside the party office before damaging furniture and breaking the windowpanes.
Later, they stopped a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus and threw stones at it. The protesters burnt tyres outside the house of Mr. Sudhakar. The police, who tried to control the mob, arrested 15 people on the charge of destroying public property. Later, all of them were released on bail.
Mr. Sudhakar told presspersons that he was not responsible for instigating the violence, and added that it was a spontaneous reaction on part of his supporters. He said he disapproved of the decision of the Congress to field actor Shashikumar Nayak from Challakare.
He said he had recommended the names of Srinivas, Raghumurthy and Eeranna, but the party did not consider them. A similar incident took place in Chitradurga town where several supporters of the former MLA H. Anjaneya held a protest march. Mr. Anjaneya, who recently joined the Congress after quitting the Janata Dal (Secular), had sought to contest from Holalkere. But, the Congress chose to nominate district youth president B. Tippeswamy.
KOLAR: Expressing displeasure over changing of the candidate, supporters of BJP leader Ramraju staged a protest here on Wednesday. Though Ramraju's name was cleared by the BJP leadership earlier, it effected a last minute change and reportedly issued "B" form to Sonne Gowda to contest from Kolar constituency. Irked over the development, the supporters of Ramraju gathered at Mekke circle and raised slogans against BJP leadership. Mr. Sonne Gowda is the brother of the former Minister the late C. Byre Gowda. — Staff Correspondent
Preference to youth still a distant dream in Congress
Rahul Gandhi's State visit has little impact on the party
There is hardly any new face in the list
of candidates
The Congress is in the grip of veterans
MYSORE: Billed as an inspiration for the youth in the Congress, the hype surrounding Rahul Gandhi's visit to Mysore in March left an impression among party workers that the youth brigade indeed had a future in the Congress.
As the visit came in the run-up to the Assembly elections, the Congress workers hoped that the change was in order and the old would give way to the new.
But less than a month after Mr. Rahul Gandhi's visit to the Mysore region and his much-publicised speeches emphasising the imperatives of giving preference to youngsters in the Congress, it is back to square one within the party, which is virtually in the grip of veterans slogging it out in public.
The squabbling in the party has resulted in an exodus of aspiring leaders to the rival camp, and the old timers are calling the shots.
This is a far cry from the high expectations raised by Mr. Rahul Gandhi who promised greater representation to the youth in the party.
A party leader from H.D. Kote said: "We feel cheated as the party has refused to pay heed to the words of Mr. Rahul Gandhi to encourage youngsters, but is keen on promoting individuals lusting for power."
There is hardly any new face in the list of candidates announced by the Congress from Mysore and the youngest of the lot is Tanveer Sait who has been allotted ticket to contest from Narasimharaja constituency.
The other familiar faces include the former Mayor Vasu, who will contest from Chamaraja; the former MLA M.K .Somashekar, a follower of Siddaramaiah, who too quit the Janata Dal (Secular) and will contest on Congress ticket from Krishnaraja. The former Union Minister V. Srinivas Prasad, who returned to active politics after a break and recently joined the Congress, has been given ticket to contest from Nanjangud reserved constituency.
One imagined that youngsters in the Congress would plead forcefully for a fair representation, but such hopes have been dashed.
The emphasis is on perceived ability to win seats, and hence, veterans have been preferred over youngsters.
While the youth brigade in the Congress is silent, some of the veterans have raised a banner of revolt against the party leadership over the allotment of ticket.
Veteran Congress leader and former Minister M. Mahadev, who remained steadfast to the party, saw himself being over-shadowed by Mr. Siddaramaiah and quit the party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.
L. Revannasiddaiah, a senior member of the party and retired Director General of Police, too quit the Congress on being denied ticket to contest from Varuna where Mr. Siddaramaiah is contesting as a Congress candidate. The former Minister M. Shivanna, who was elected from H.D.Kote, was keen on contesting from Nanjangud. But he has been sidelined and the Congress preferred to allot ticket to Mr. Srinivas Prasad. Hence, Mr. Shivanna raised a banner of revolt and explored his chances in the BJP.
He may contest as a "rebel" candidate from Nanjangud.
Contrary to the belief that the youth would be more vociferous in seeking greater representation for them, it is veterans who are flying the banner of revolt while the relatively young in the party have gone into hibernation.
Protesting Congress workers lock party office in Raichur
Demand ticket for Raja Amareshwara Naik from Raichur Rural constituency
Opposition: Congress activists setting tyres on fire in front of the district unit office of the party in Raichur on Wednesday.
Raichur: Tension prevailed for a while on the District Congress Committee office premises here on Wednesday after a group of party workers staged a dharna and locked the office in protest against the denial of the party ticket to the former Minister Raja Amareshwara Naik.
Mr. Amareshwara Naik had sought the party ticket from the Raichur Rural Assembly constituency (earlier Kalmala segment) from where he had won in the 1999 elections.
The district committee had included the name of Mr. Amareshwara Naik in list sent to the party high command for selecting the candidates.
However, on Tuesday, the party announced Raja Rayappa Naik, Mr. Amareshwara Naik's cousin, as its official candidate for the constituency.
This has disappointed the followers of Mr. Amareshwara Naik. About 1,000 party workers, led by Babu Rao, general secretary of the State unit of the farmers' wing of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), staged the dharna.
They shouted slogans against Venkatesh Naik, Raichur MP, holding him responsible for the denial of ticket to Mr. Amareshwara Naik. They demanded that district unit president of the party A. Vasanthkumar should bring pressure on the party high command to nominate Mr. Amareshwara Naik as the official candidate from Raichur Rural constituency.
When there was no response from the party leaders who were inside the office, the protesters burnt tyres in front of the gate and locked the main door.
Mr. Vasanthkumar appealed to the protesters to withdraw their agitation as the decision on Mr. Rayappa Naik's candidature was taken by the party high command. The protesters ended the dharna after Mr. Vasanthkumar assured them that he would take up the issue with the party high command.
Later, speaking to presspersons, Mr. Rao said that they were surprised at the candidature of Mr. Rayappa Naik. Mr. Amareshwara Naik's supporters suspected that the Raichur MP was behind this, he said.
He said that the supporters would take out a protest march from Ambedkar Circle to the Congress office on Thursday and resort to indefinite fast in front of the office until Mr. Amareshwara Naik was nominated from Raichur Rural segment.
Unhappiness over ticket distribution
SHIMOGA: Dissidence over the distribution of ticket by the BJP and the Congress in Shimoga district continues unabated with sections of their workers openly expressing unhappiness much to the discomfiture of the leaders of their parties.
The re-nomination of Beluru Gopalakrishna as the BJP candidate for Sagar constituency has angered a section of Brahmins who are demanding that U.H. Ramappa be nominated as the party candidate.
Expressing their unhappiness at a meeting at Sagar on Wednesday which was attended by Mr. Ramappa, the leaders of the Brahmin community decided to take a delegation to the party's leaders, including B.S. Yeddyurappa and D.V. Sadananda Gowda, seeking a change in the candidate already announced by accommodating Mr. Ramappa in Gopalakrishna's place.
There is a resistance to the candidature of Hartalu Halappa too as the BJP candidate from Sorab constituency from the local unit of the party on the ground that Mr. Halappa is an outsider.
Barring these two constituencies, the BJP has no problem as far as candidates selected for the other five constituencies in the district are concerned.
There seems to be no end to the confusion in the Congress camp. The only constituencies where it has been done without any hitch are Sorab and Sagar for which Kumar Bangarappa and former Minister Kagodu Thimmappa have been re-nominated.
While the Congress is yet to announce its candidates for Shimoga city, Shimoga Rural (reserved) and Shikaripur constituencies, the BJP has nominated K.G. Kumaraswamy as its candidate for Shimoga Rural constituency.
Police seize liquor worth over Rs. 1 crore across State
Twelve have been injured so far in poll-related incidents
Bangalore: Nearly Rs. 14 crore in cash and liquor worth over Rs. 1.15 crore, has been seized across the State by the State police so far.
Over 2,000 cases have been booked in relation to the violation of the election code of conduct. Related violence resulted in injuries to 12 persons and loss of property has been estimated at over Rs. 50 lakh.
Speaking to presspersons here on Wednesday, the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police K.R. Srinivasan said that the police have also seized cash amounting to Rs. 13.97 crore, which, allegedly was meant to be distributed among the voters.
While 29 cases have been registered under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Representation of People's Act with regard to the distribution or attempt to distribute articles to induce voters, Rs. 75 lakh worth of property has been seized, he added. The department, he said, has so far warned 4,484 history sheeters to keep peace across the State, while 1,977 cases have been booked under the preventive sections.
An estimated 155 cases have been booked under the Prevention of Disfigurement of Public Places Act and 626 cases for violation of the Karnataka Excise Act.
So far, the department has seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), spirit and illicit liquor worth Rs. 1.15 crore.
He said: "Criminal cases numbering to 353 have been registered under the IPC, Karnataka Excise Act and RP Act throughout the State in election-related cases."
Mr. Srinivasan also said that 12 persons have been injured in election-related incidents. This includes the cases registered in connection with the protests, dharna against parties, attack on their party offices, attack of public transport, and many more. So far, property worth Rs. 50.6 lakh has been damaged in election-related incidents.
Helplines for candidates
Following threatening SMSes received by the candidates contesting in the Assembly elections, the State police has introduced four phone lines to probe into the messages that are received on mobile phones of candidates. The new phone numbers to which messages can be forwarded to are 94806 90069/ 70/ 71 and 72.
Quick aid
Mr. Srinivasan said: "Candidates can forward the threatening and objectionable messages that they receive, along with the details."
If the messages are forwarded, it will help the department to apprehend the persons who send such messages, he added
Saris seized in Bellary
Prize catch: The bundles containing saris that were seized from a godown in Bellary on Wednesday.
BELLARY: The Brucepet police on Wednesday raided a transport godown behind Sangam cinema and seized 92 sari bundles valued at about Rs. 20 lakh.
Additional Superintendent of Police F.A. Trasgar said the sari bundles had come from Hyderabad and were booked in the name of several individuals without proper addresses. Each bundle contained 180 saris.
He said that 142 boxes containing liquor were also seized from a farm house in Hosahalli police station limits in Kudligi taluk. The value of the seized material was put at around Rs. 1.42 lakh.
BIDAR: People can contact the helpline setup at the Deputy Commissioner's office on Ph: 222755 for election-related information.
Voters can get confirmation on the inclusion of their names in electoral list, change in polling booths and other election-related information through the helpline, a press release said here on Wednesday.
— Staff Correspondent
Code Violation whom to contact
Have you come accross the instances of violation of code of conduct, mainly related to illegal banners, hoardings, posters, among others by workers of political parties?
If yes, then tip off the membersof the Task Forces constituted to initiate action against such cases. The nodal officers of the Task Force and member from the police departmentcan be contacted through the following phone numbers.
C.V. Raman Nagar Prakash (EE) 9448137831
K.S.Nagaraj(Police Inspector) 9448537577
K.R.Puram Prakash Kumar 25617051/ 9845100283
Mahalakshmi Layout Keera nayak (EE) 9880001628
Ramakrishna(Pl,Mahalakshmi Layout) 9448150945
Malleswaram NP Chandrasekar(EE) 22975610
Mohammed Aslam(Pl,Malleshwaram) 9900902525
Hebbal Lakshmeesha(EE) 998044418
Pulikeshinagar Maradi rangappa (AEE) 9448432772
Rajesh (Police Inspector, DG Halli) 9902422332
Congress list surprises many
Party announced names for seven of 13 segments in Gulbarga district
Vaijnath Patil denied ticket from Gulbarga South
GULBARGA: A revolt is brewing in the Congress over the denial of party ticket to senior leaders, including three-time MLA Shivashekarappa Patil Sirwal, the former Minister Vaijnath Patil, who sought ticket from Gulbarga South, and the former Minister and two-time MLA G. Ramakrishna.
Supporters of the former Minister Qamarul Islam have not taken it kindly in not clearing his name for the Muslim-dominated Gulbarga North constituency. An uneasy calm prevailed among the supporters of Mr. Islam over the reports that the party was considering to field sitting Gulbarga Lok Sabha member Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi from the constituency.
There were several surprises in the candidatures announced for seven of the 13 Assembly constituencies in the district, including the selection of the former Mayor Chandrika Parameshwar to contest from Gulbarga Rural constituency rejecting the candidature of the former Minister and two-time MLA from Kamalapur G. Ramakrishna, which has been abolished and amalgamated in the newly formed Gulbarga Rural Assembly constituency, which has been reserved for Scheduled Castes.
Ms. Parameshwar is daughter of the former Rajya Sabha MP and Madiga community leader the late Gundappa Korwar. Although Mr. Ramakrishna, who also belongs to the Madiga community, had lost the Kamalapur seat to BJP leader and former Minister Revu Naik Belamgi, there was a possibility of him being retained in Gulbarga Rural constituency since he was a popular leader and had the necessary resources to fight the elections.
The denial of ticket to Mr. Sirwal from Shahapur was on cards after his political rival Sharanabasappa Dharshanapur joined the Congress under the leadership of the former Deputy Chief Minister M.P Prakash.
Another surprising announcement is the denial of party ticket to Vaijnath Patil, who wanted to contest from Gulbarga South constituency.
HD Kumaraswamy criticised Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary for stating that the JD(S) would not cross two-digit figures in the elections. The voters would prove him wrong, he added.
Congmen oppose ticket to Hegde's daughter
The decision by Congress High Command to field former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde's daughter Mamta Nichani against former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy in Ramanagara has met with strong resistance from a section of local Congress leaders.
When Mamta went to Ramanagara on Wednesday, a group of workers led by former Taluk Panchayat member Manjula Maridevaru strongly protested against the High Command's decision.
They raised slogans against Nichani and other leaders and demanded that a local candidate be given ticket in place of Mamta Nichani. Former MLA from Ramanagara C M Lingappa, who has already filed his nomination for the seat, has decided to bow in favour of the official Congress candidate
"I have filed my nomination as an independent candidate, but I will withdraw my nomination on April 26 and support whoever is being fielded as candidate by the Congress party," Lingappa said adding that he was not upset over the denial of ticket.
Ramesh turns rebel
Former mayor P R Ramesh, who has been replaced by R V Devaraj as Congress candidate for Chikpet constituency, has rebelled against the party. He has decided to enter the fray as an independent candidate.
Mr Ramesh fumed at the party leadership for dropping him from the list following pressure from Mr Devaraj.
"The party has let me down at the last moment. I have served the party at various capacity for over 25 years. My name was announced in the first list and I was about to be handed over the B-form on Monday. But now following pressure, Devaraj has been given ticket. My followers want me to fight against the injustice and I have decided to enter the fray," Ramesh stated.
Body set up for Bundelkhand
Siddharth Kalhans / Lucknow April 24, 2008
Amidst its political battle with the Congress over Bundelkhand, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government in Uttar Pradesh has created a separate corporation for the development of the region.
Besides, UP Chief Minister Mayawati has removed the commissioner of Jhansi who had met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the issue of non-implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The Bundelkhand Development Corporation is the first such body in the state. Its priorities include starting new projects for the development of the region, helping in setting up of industries and providing safe drinking water.
Son rises, party sets
The Congress has, of late, been palpably distracted from its immediate task of preparing for the coming electoral battle. The reason for losing its sense of priorities is linked to its obsession with promoting Rahul Gandhi as the new leader
The Congress is getting increasingly trapped into spending most of its energies inflating the Rahul Gandhi balloon, instead of focussing on the coming Lok Sabha election. Over the past few months, both the party leadership and the grassroots organisation have been palpably distracted from their immediate task of ensuring as many seats as possible in the imminent electoral battle. Clearly, the reason for losing a sense of political priorities is linked to the current obsession gripping the party to somehow build the image of the young prince.
Nothing illustrates better the current waste of political zeal than the recent caper by Mr Gandhi in the backwaters of Uttar Pradesh. Now this is a State where the Congress has virtually extinguished itself and it is too late for the party to even partially revive itself before the general election.
Unfortunately for the Congress, the Gandhi family's past links with Uttar Pradesh continues to conjure up the delusion of the party's relevance in the country's largest State. This led Mr Gandhi to launch a needless campaign against the resident political deity, Ms Mayawati, which has brought the Congress no advantage but eminently suited the BSP supremo's national ambitions.
Ms Mayawati has swiftly picked up the gauntlet thrown down by the young Gandhi knowing that the conflict amplified by media hype across the country will only add to her national stature.
On the other hand, the Congress has not only ended up with egg on its face in Uttar Pradesh, losing all the by-elections, most of them ignominiously. By pitching Mr Gandhi against Ms Mayawati, the Congress has lost vital Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath votes in adjoining States like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi because like her or not, Ms Mayawati is an icon among the Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath community in these States, particularly the younger lot. This is suicidal at a time when the Congress needs every vote possible in what could turn out to be a very open ended Lok Sabha election next year.
There is also considerable confusion on who is calling the shots in the Congress at the moment. At times, it is the emerging figure of Mr Digvijay Singh that seems to dominate with his confrontationist in-your-face campaign against the BSP regime in Uttar Pradesh, propelling Mr Gandhi's antics in the State. But the backroom manoeuvres of Ms Priyanka Vadra - a political hothead from all accounts - are believed to also cast a long shadow on the Congress. It remains to be seen how all this aggressive posturing gels with the status quo politics of Ms Sonia Gandhi.
To compound matters, there also seems to be a fair degree of uncertainty in the Congress high command on how far to pitch Mr Gandhi's image. The growing chorus of Congress cheerleaders demanding Mr Gandhi be projected as the next Prime Minister suggested at one point that the party had decided to go in for a drastic change of leadership. But the sudden shift of gears by the official announcement of Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Nathrajan, clearly sponsored by Ms Gandhi, that the Prime Minister's position was not vacant and that Congressmen should not behave like sycophants indicates that the mother is still reluctant to push the son directly into the firing line.
There is little doubt that the electoral outcome of next month's Karnataka Assembly election and later of Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi this winter will determine how much the Rahul Gandhi balloon will be blown up. If the Congress wins everything in sight, the aggressive build-up of the young prince will continue full steam ahead. On the other hand, adverse results even in some of the State Assembly elections could provoke the Congress president to quickly withdraw the Gandhi scion from leading the battle lest he get badly burned by an electoral debacle in the Lok Sabha election.
With less than a year left, the Congress is caught in an unenviable dilemma on whether to adopt a risky aggressive or a pragmatic defensive one. However, this kind of low key approach would hardly build up Mr Gandhi's image as the dynamic young leader of the party.
The obvious confusion within the Congress leadership on whether to blow hot or cold about the elections has severely handicapped the party's abilities to take advantage of a similar crisis of leadership in its principal opponent, the BJP. Under normal circumstances, the disarray within the BJP, most recently underlined by the revolt of Mr Gopinath Munde in Maharashtra, should have given a major leg up to the Congress's electoral ambitions. But caught in two minds about how to prepare best for the coming elections, the Congress continues to look downcast even as its traditional rival flounders around in its own organisational morass.
With both the Congress and the BJP in a state of disorder, the door appears to have been opened for BSP but politically more virile party that has no-nonsense strategies to maximise whatever strengths on the ground it has. Indeed, there is already a buzz across the political spectrum anticipating an unprecedented political scenario where the three national political poles so far, the Right-wing BJP, centrist Congress and the Left Front may no longer play the role of the main mover and shaker. It would be indeed a major irony of history if even as the Congress debates on whether to project Mr Gandhi as the next Prime Minister or not, the very parameters of Indian politics are in the process of being re-defined.
B Media 4 Sarvajan Hithaya Sarvajan Sukhaya-Vote For BSP-BSP, a deciding factor in State-Know your constituency-C V Raman Nagar Assembly Constituency (Reserved for SC) -Nominations open for II phase of polling -Fleet of buses, funds for JD(S), all in Rs 1 crore!-K R Puram candidate pays Rs 14 lakh tax!Rebellion brews in Congress over allotment of party tickets for polls -BSP disrupts parliament over Uttar Pradesh relief package-Dasmunsi tries to placate irate BSP members (From the Corridors of Power)-BSP brings Parliament to a standstill over Bundelkhand issue-U.P. probe into land allotment for Amar Singh begins
BSP, a deciding factor in State
The State Unit of Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is gearing up to face the coming Assembly elections. Also, Mayawati's 20-page appeal to the voters as to why they should vote for the BSP will be released shortly, the BSP General Secretary P G R Sindhia said in Bangalore on Tuesday.
Addressing press persons he said it was heartening to note that several veteran politicians were accepting the party's ideology.
"There is no doubt about the BSP becoming a deciding factor in the formation of the new government in the State," he said.
Reiterating that the BSP was working towards becoming "an inclusive party," Mr Sindhia said many people from the 'upper castes' were also planning to join the party.
The BSP, he said, was the first national party that had recognised the Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath Christians as a marginalised class, he added.
Know your constituency
C V Raman Nagar Assembly Constituency (Reserved for SC) is a house of reputed institutions like Defence Ministry's DRDO, LRDE, ADE and other departments and several software firms. It is a new constituency owing to fresh delimitation of constituencies, and comprises six wards under BBMP.
Airport ward, Jeevanbhima Nagar, Benniganahalli, C V Raman Nagar wards which earlier belonged to Varthur constituency; and Hoysalanagar and Sarvagnanagar wards that earlier beloned Bharathinagar constituency form C V Raman Nagar Constituency.
In previous Palike elections, JD(U)'s Munireddy, BJP's Pratima Raghy, congress' Reena Janardhana had won from Jeevanbhimanagar, Sir C V Raman Nagar and Airport wards, respectively. Congress party's G Amuda, Munivenktatappa and Indiara had won from Hoysala Nagar, Benniganahalli and Sarvagnanagar wards, respectively.
BJP has fielded former MLA S Raghu as its candidate. Congress candidate is K C Vijaykumar and JD(S) aspirant is Manohar.
Total number: 2,19,473
Male: 1,13,524
Female: 1,05,949
Padmanabhanagar Assembly constituency is one of the new constituencies carved out of the erstwhile Uttarahalli Assembly Constituency, which was one of the largest constituencies in the country.
Although it apparently seems developed, not only its outskirts but central areas also lack many basic amenities. The roads just half a kilometre inside the main road lack asphalting and there is problem for drinking water. Despite all this, land rates have reached skies similar to other parts of city, while at some places, a few tanks have vanished.
This constituency comprises of Padmanabhanagar ward, Ganesha Mandira ward, both were being represented by BJP corporators earlier and Yediyur ward which was with Congress. Previous to the last term, JD(S) corporator Padmavathi Gangadhara Gowda from Yediyur had climbed the mayor's post.
However, since after the formation of BBMP, it cannot be said that same parties have retianed strength. Hence there is equal opportunity for all.
JD(S) National president and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda's house and office is in this constituency. Hence it is a prestigious constituency for JD(S) and other parties have also taken this seriously.
The candidates: JD(S) - M V Prasad Babu(Kabaddi Babu) who had represented state in national Kabaddi and the country in Asiad Olympics. BJP - former health minister R Ashok. Congress - Dr Gurappa Naidu.
Nominations open for II phase of polling
Nominations to the second phase of assembly elections scheduled for May 16, began on Tuesday, with the issuance of notification by the Election Commission
A total of 66 assembly constituencies in 10 districts will go to polls in the second phase.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Chief Electoral Officer M N Vidyashankar said a total of 1.10 crore voters - including 52.02 lakh women - will be eligible to vote during the second phase.
The last date for filing nominations is April 29, scrutiny of nominations will be held the next day, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 2.
About five candidates filed their nominations during the day in the constituencies going to the polls in the second phase.
Assembly segments in the districts of Raichur, Koppal, Uttara Karnataka, Bellary, Chitradurga, Davangere, Shimoga, Udupi, Chikmagalur and Dakshina Kannada will go to the polls in the second phase.
In a bid to prevent tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Election Commission has decided to supply EVMs at random to polling stations.
Vidyashankar said the EVMs would be randomised on the basis of each constituency, as well polling stations.
The authorities have completed the process of certification of the Electronic Voting Machines. The EC has instructed completion of the process of randomisation in the presence of representatives of political parties and election observers, he added.
Meanwhile, as many as 100 candidates on Tuesday filed their nominations for the first phase, taking their total number to more than 400. Wednesday is the last day for filing of nominations for the May 10 polls.
Fleet of buses, funds for JD(S), all in Rs 1 crore!
He owns a fleet of buses and is said to be one of the major financiers of JD(S). But Chamarajpet JD(S) candidate is just over Rs 1 crore worth, according to an affidavit filed by him along with nomination papers for the upcoming polls.
As per the affidavit, Zameer's total movable assets is around Rs 7 lakh. This includes bank balance of Rs 51,000, Rs 20,000 in the form of bonds and another Rs 5,000 as NSS and jewellery worth Rs 45,000. Besides, his wife Bibi Zohara has Rs 10,000 cash and jewellery worth Rs 2.38 lakh.
Interestingly, the affidavit does not have any information on the total worth of the vehicles, especially buses and four-wheelers, that are registered in the name of National Travels, a city-based transport company, to which Zameer is one of the partners. According to the affidavit, Zameer does not own any vehicle.
As per immovable assets, he owns a flat in Sadashivanagar worth Rs 45 lakh and another in Shivajinagar worth Rs 35 lakh. The affidavit also states that he has advanced Rs 13.20 lakh towards a property.
He has stated in the affidavit that he is facing charges under section 468, 471 and 420 of IPC and the IV ACMM court has taken cognizance of it. But the police is yet to frame charges on him pertaining to these cases.
Zameer, who represented Chamarajpet constituency in the dissolved assembly, is a close associate of former CM H D Kumaraswamy. He was also the minister for Wakf for some time
K R Puram candidate pays Rs 14 lakh tax!
Former Congress Minister A Krishnappa, who has filed his nomination from K R Puram constituency, has declared that he files an annual income tax of Rs 14,52,917.
According to the affidavit which the minister has submitted to K R Puram Returning Officer M Ashok along with his nomination papers, the above mentioned tax includes the Rs 2,05,830 filed as income tax by his wife Manjula.
The affidavit states that Krishnappa owns property worth Rs 7,28,85,000. This includes property worth Rs 2,09,25,000 registered in his wife's name. That apart, Krishnappa has a total bank balance of Rs 26,94,619; and his wife's bank account has a sum of Rs 2,06,937.
Krishnappa owns agricultural land in K R Puram Hobli and Kolar District, and non-agricultural land in Devasandra and Basavanapura villages of K R Puram Hobli in Bangalore.
That apart, he owns commercial buildings in Devasandra, Kalkere and Basavanapura villages and residential buildings in K R Puram, Devasandra and Hennur-Banaswadi Layout.
Krishnappa has a debt of Rs 95,79,600. He owes this amount to Syndicate and Punjab National Banks. Besides this, his wife Manjula owes Rs 9,85,377 to Syndicate Bank.
BANGALORE: Election observers have been appointed in Bangalore Rural district. V.P. Pyarelal (Hoskote), Ashok Dhongre (Devanahalli) Tewang Konwak (Doddaballapur) and Pradeep Kumar (Nelamangala) have been appointed election observers. P.R. Lakre will be the observer for expenses in Doddaballapur and Nelamangala Assembly constituencies and Jagadish Prasad Jangid will be the observer for expenses in Hoskote and Devanhalli Assembly constituencies. — Staff Reporter
Foolproof methods
New beginning: A first-time-voter getting her photo identity card in Shankaripuram in Hassan on Tuesday. Women in large numbers turned out to collect theirs.
For the right vote
Preparations: People turned out in large numbers to collect their photo identity cards in Gulbarga city on Tuesday.
Poll observers for Uttara Kannada
SIRSI: The Election Commission has appointed observers the six constituencies in Uttara Kannada district. They are, H.S. Mallik for Sirsi, Rashmi Varma for Kumta, Sumit Mallik for Bhatkal, Pramodkumara Patnaik for Haliyal, Sujata Chaturvedi for Karwar and Shakuntala Gamalin for Yellapur.
The Election Commission also appointed two accounts officers: Sandeep Dahiya for Kumta, Bhatkal and Sirsi constituencies and Rajesh Parde for Karwar, Haliyal and Yellapur constituencies.
As many as 654 polling booths in the district have been classified as sensitive and 150 as very sensitive.
Congress workers oppose party candidate
They are against N.T. Bommanna contesting from Kudligi
Many of them want Venkatesh to be fielded instead
KUDLIGI (BELLARY DISRICT): Around 5,000 Congress party workers held a meeting on Tuesday and opposed the candidature of the former MLA N.T. Bommanna, for elections to the Kudligi Assembly constituency.
They blamed senior party leader and MLC K.C. Kondaiah for recommending Mr. Bommanna's name knowing well that party activists did not approve of him. Mr. Bommanna represented Kudligi for two consecutive terms in 1985 and 1989 as a Congress candidate.
Party hopping
After being defeated in the 1994 elections, he hopped from one party to another and antagonised party workers. He has now returned to the Congress and is likely to be chosen to contest from Kudligi.
Effigy burnt
In disapproval, party workers burnt the effigy of Mr. Kondaiah on Tuesday. Kudligi constituency has been reserved for Scheduled Tribes. Mr. Bommanna belongs to the Valmiki community.
The followers of the former Minister and senior Congress leader Bhagirathi Marulasiddanagouda, had chosen to support Venkatesh, who, according to them was an able candidate.
The meeting, attended by several leaders from Gudekote "firka," Hosahalli "firka" (which were part of the erstwhile Kottur Assembly constituency prior to the delimitation exercise) and Kudligi "firka," including Gundmunugu Thippeswamy, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) member, Cinema Siddanagouda, Venkanna, Rajendra Prasad, Basheer Sab and Gudekote Rajanna, decided not to vote in favour of the Congress if the party fielded Mr. Bommanna.
They suspected that large amounts of money had changed hands for enabling Mr. Bommanna to be chosen, and felt that Mr. Kondaiah was instrumental in the exercise.
Mr. Thippeswamy said he would resign from the KPCC if the party did not field Mr. Venkatesh.
The party workers however, decided to defer the decision on whether to field Mr. Venkatesh as a rebel candidate, as a few more leaders had to be consulted in this regard.
'Give us water'
Janata Dal (Secular) workers on the campaign trail were in for a big surprise when villagers of Shettikere gave them handbills recently instead of the other way around.
At every house that they visited they were given a handbill that read: "We want water, not a colour TV or rice at cheaper rates or a sari or shirt-piece."
The people of Shettikere and surrounding villages have decided to give these handbills to all political party workers coming to them for votes. The handbill is printed in the name of Shettikere and Suttamuttala Gramastharu.
Congress workers' protest blocks road
Demand that their leaders be nominated by the party to contest Assembly elections
— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.
Backing their leader: Supporters of R.V. Devaraj staging a protest in front of the KPCC office in Bangalore on Tuesday demanding that he be nominated to contest the Assembly elections from Chickpet constituency.
Bangalore: The police had to be called in to disperse the crowd in front of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office on Queen's Road. Followers of R.V. Devaraj, who has been denied a ticket to contest from Chickpet constituency, were blocking the road during peak hour on Tuesday morning.
Around the same time, Congress workers from Rajajinagar and Mahalakshmi Layout constituencies also arrived, demanding that their leaders, Puttaraju, former Deputy Mayor of Bangalore, and Nagaraju be given ticket.
Decision today
The Congress high command has withheld its decision to nominate P.R. Ramesh, former Mayor of Bangalore, whose request to contest from Chickpet constituency had been approved. He has not been given the B form for filing his nomination papers. A final decision on the nominee will be taken on Wednesday.
Mr. Devaraj, a close associate of the former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna, gave up the Chamarajpet seat, which he won in the 1999 elections, to allow Mr. Krishna to contest from there in the 2004 elections. Though he was accommodated in the Legislative Council, he resigned from the Council to contest the byelection following the resignation of Mr. Krishna after he was appointed Governor of Maharashtra. But Mr. Devaraj lost to Zamir Ahmed Khan of the Janata Dal (Secular).
Now that parts of the old Chamarajpet constituency have been included in Chickpet constituency after the delimitation process, Mr. Devaraj has sought to be nominated from Chickpet.
Owners of shops and establishments on J.C. Road, where Mr. Devaraj's office is situated, and surrounding areas, which form part of Chamarajpet constituency, downed shutters in support of his candidature. Sources said that the party was in a fix on nominating a candidate for the Jayanagar Assembly constituency. It had announced in the first list of candidates that Samiullah would be the nominee. But the decision had to be kept in abeyance following serious reservations expressed by party workers and members of the public, sources said.
A large number of Vokkaligas in the party have reportedly urged the high command to field Mr. Krishna. The party, sources said, may ask the veteran Congressman to contest from either Maddur or Jayanagar.
The Vokkaligara Vedike of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee has criticised the high command for not fielding Mr. Krishna.
Vokkaligas and OBCs resent low representation
OBC Cell chairman Ananth leaves Congress, joins the BSP
They are protesting against unfair Congress seat distribution in the first phase of elections
'Congress paying lip service to Other Backward Classes'
Bangalore: The resentment by the Congress aspirants deprived of ticket to contest in the Assembly elections is snowballing into a major crisis. The latest to join the protest are the Vokkaligara Vedike and the Backward Classes Cell of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, who have protested against low representation to them in the first phase of elections in 11 districts.
Addressing separate press conferences, the cell chairman L.R. Ananth alleged that not a single person from the weavers and Vishwakarma castes has been accommodated by the Congress. He announced that he was joining the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). He said that the National General Secretary of the BSP, P.G.R. Sindhia had assured five seats to weavers in the elections, including Chickpet, where he would contest. Kadur Chandramma of the Janata Dal (S) also joined the BSP.
He said that though it was "painful" to sever relations with the Congress after 35 years of association with it, he had no option. The Congress, he alleged, was paying "lip service" to the Other Backward Classes, particularly the minorities from among them.
The vedike president T.V. Maruthi and C.R. Narayanappa, members, All India Congress Committee and G.C. Chandrasekhar, member of KPCC said that there was a gradual erosion of the number of seats to the Vokkaligas. In early 1970s, the caste used to get 65 seats and it had dwindled to 28 in the first phase of elections, while the number of Vokkaligas had gone up by 1.5 per cent and 95 constituencies were dominated by them, they said. The number of Lok Sabha seats for the community had shrunk to five from nine.
Jayanagar and Basavanagudi, they said, were Vokkaliga-Brahmin constituencies, but they had been given to others, including one to a Scheduled Caste (Bhovi), though the latter category had 36 reserved seats. They took objection to shifting the former minister Ramalinga Reddy, who belonged to the Vemana Reddy caste to B.T.M. Layout, depriving another seat to the Vokkaligas by giving it to a Muslim.
Mr. Narayanappa and Mr. Maruthi, alleged that Vokkaligas were gradually being driven out of their ancestral town. Such a trend was resulting in the erosion of the Congress base in the Old Mysore districts and it was time for the party to "wake up", they said.
The Vokkaliga leaders demanded that at least 53 seats should be given to them, commensurate with their population in the State.
Salam Bangalore !
Rebellion brews in Congress over allotment of party tickets for polls
The prospect of a rebellion loomed large over the Congress party Karnataka in the wake of the release of first list of candidates for 84 assembly constituencies scheduled to go polls in the first phase of assembly polls next month.
Former Federal Minister C K Jaffer Sharief, who returned to Bangalore from New Delhi on Sunday, convened a meeting of his supporters at a resort on the outskirts of the City after the party leadership denied a ticket to his grandson Rahman Sharief from a constituency in Bangalore.
Reacting to Congress leadership's decision against providing party tickets to the kin of senior Congress leaders, Sharief said the party should follow the same yardstick across the country.
Sharief, who has been named as the Chairman of the Congress party's manifesto committee for the ensuing assembly polls in Karnataka, has expressed deep sense of hurt and dissatisfaction over the party's decision to deny his grandson a party ticket.
Sharief, who has convened a meeting of his followers, is understood to be under tremendous pressure to quit the Congress and join other parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) or the JD (S).
Similiarly, hundreds of Congress workers went on a rampage in Turuvekere in Tumkur district, stoning vehicles and setting fire to party flags in protest against the denial of ticket to cine star Jaggesh.
Jaggesh, who lost the 2004 polls as a Congress candidate, was hopeful of winning the polls during the ensuing polls. In the wake of the Congress party's decision to deny him a ticket, Jaggesh threatened to resign from the party and contest as an independent.
Similiarly, former Federal Minister Ambareesh, who is also upset over the selection of candidates, has threatened to enter the fray from Srirangapatna assembly constituency though the Congress has already named Ravindra Srikantaiah as its official nominee.
Meanwhile, trouble is also brewing for the Congress in S M Krishna's native Mandya district, where several unsuccessful aspirants have threatened to quit the party and join hands with the BJP
Former MLAs L R Shivarame Gowda, M S Athmananda, Kempe Gowda and Prakash, besides Madhu Made Gowda, all of whom were denied Congress tickets, met in a hotel in Bangalore and decided to explore possibilities of joining hands with the BJP.
BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the party leadership will discuss the matter as the BJP does not have good candidates to field in Mandya district.
BJP-JD(U) alliance in tatters
Neena Vyas
JD(U) demands that it be given 25 seats; BJP ready to offer only 10
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (United) alliance in Karnataka has been virtually abandoned with the JD(U) on Friday releasing its first list of candidates for 24 seats. The BJP has already declared 185 candidates in three lists.
Senior JD(U) leaders here indicated that the JD(U) would contest around 40 to 50 seats. And by no means would it be a "friendly contest". "Aar paar ki ladai hogi" (it will be a fight to the finish), sources said.
Five rounds of talks between the two parties have yielded no breakthrough, with the BJP ready to offer only four seats from the list of 25 initially given by the JD(U). It was also admitted that the JD(U) would have settled for some specified seats where the party had credible candidates. Although at one point the BJP seemed ready to part with 10 seats, except for four the rest were seats the JD (U) did not want.
Over several decades the original Janata Dal has split several times. But party leaders cannot forget that it was a force in Karnataka, with several Chief Ministers from the Janata family — Ramakrishna Hegde (1983), S.R. Bommai (1985), H.D. Deve Gowda (1994) and J.H. Patel (1996).
Said a senior JD(U) leader, "The Janata Dal was the main opposition party in Karnataka for many decades. Its base was among the Lingayats, the Vokkaligas, Kurubas, other backward castes and Muslims. It is this base that the BJP has slowly captured and reduced our space."
Punjab example
The party expected "big brother" BJP to be more generous, as the Shiromani Akali Dal was to the BJP in Punjab despite the fact that in the 2000 Assembly elections the BJP had won just four of some 20 odd-seats that it contested. "In Karnataka the BJP is pointing out that we won only five of 25 seats we contested in alliance during the last Assembly elections. Was that logic used against them by the Akalis in Punjab? Also, in the last Assembly elections in Karnataka, the BJP contested 198 seats, winning less than 40 per cent."
What has disconcerted the JD(U) leadership is that after BJP's president Rajnath Singh himself announced that there would be a BJP-JD(U) alliance in Karnataka, the BJP State unit has worked to completely sabotage it, offering terms that were simply not acceptable.
At the moment the mood in the JD(U) is sombre. It is ready to hit back in Bihar where it has an upper hand. And the BJP's grouse is that in a spate of some 12 years the party has become the junior partner in Bihar where the JD(U) has grown at its expense. "In 1995, the then Samata Party (which later became the JD-U) had only six seats when the BJP had 36 in the Bihar Assembly," said a BJP leader.
BSP disrupts parliament over Uttar Pradesh relief package
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) forced adjournments of both houses of parliament Tuesday over its demand for a Rs.800 billion development package for Uttar Pradesh and maintained its long-standing proposal had nothing to do with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's recent visits to parts of the state.
'Our demand is not 15 days or a month old. We first made the demand for a special package of Rs.800 billion for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions of Uttar Pradesh in June 2007. This demand has nothing to do with any individual or leader from any political party,' Satish Chandra Mishra, BSP MP and national general secretary of the party, told reporters.
BSP MPs disrupted proceedings of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha soon after the two houses met for question hour. They raised slogans against the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and alleged discrimination against Uttar Pradesh.
In the Rajya Sabha, the BSP members left their allotted seats and were heard shouting 'Uttar Pradesh ke saath bhed bhav band karo, band karo!' (Stop discriminating against Uttar Pradesh).
The presiding officers in both houses tried to pacify the members but were forced to adjourn proceedings when the protesters remained unrelenting.
In the Lok Sabha, BSP launched a veiled attack on Gandhi for 'politicising' issues related to farmers in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and demanded a discussion about the plight of farmers of Bundelkhand.
Visiting the region Friday, Gandhi led protesting farmers and forced officials to hear their complaints about the rural job guarantee scheme, a flagship programme of the Manmohan Singh government.
Failing to pacify the BSP MPs, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee adjourned the house till 12 p.m.
Later the MPs displayed placards and raised slogans at the entrance of the parliament building, accusing the government of failing to stop the price rise.
Mishra said Uttar Pradesh had been ruled for 57 years since independence by the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) and other non-BSP governments and they were responsible for widespread poverty and backwardness in Bundelkhand and Purvanchal.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: 'Constructive suggestions for the development of any region are welcome. But there should be no political motive behind them.'
He argued that the Planning Commission had made 'unprecedented allocations' to Uttar Pradesh.
'To press for more funds the state should take up the issue with the Finance Commission as per the norm. It can also ask for the Backward Area Regional Fund,' Singhvi suggested.
But Mishra countered the argument that enough funds had been provided and the state had failed to fully utilize them.
'It is wrong to say that we have not been able to utilize the funds allocated to the state. I have all details which show that this is untrue,' he said.
BSP, which gives outside support to the UPA government, has given two months to the ruling coalition to sanction the funds, threatening to withdraw support if the demand was not met. It has 17 members in the Lok Sabha.
The BSP MPs' move to stall parliament proceedings is being seen as an indicator of the sharpening differences between the Congress and the BSP.
Dasmunsi tries to placate irate BSP members (From the Corridors of Power)
New Delhi, April 22 Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi Tuesday tried in vain to plead with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) members not to disrupt question hour in the Lok Sabha. He was seen placating the BSP members, who had given notice to suspend question hour to take up the problems of drought in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh.
When question hour began, the BSP members got to their feet and used lung power to force anadjournment of the house for almost an hour.
Dasmunsi held the parliamentary affairs portfolio till recently
BSP brings Parliament to a standstill over Bundelkhand issue
Stepping up pressure on the United Progressive Alliance government, Mayawati'''s Bahujan Samaj Party on Tuesday forced brief adjournments in both the Houses of Parliament, demanding an immediate financial package of Rs 80,000 crore for Uttar Pradesh.
Stop politics in name of Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal," the BSP members shouted in the Lok Sabha while demanding assistance for development of the two backward regions.
The BSP has raised the pitch on the issue in recent days with UP Chief Minister Mayawati threatening to withdraw support to the Centre if it failed to provide the package and bring down prices of essential commodities.
As soon as the new members took oath and Speaker Somnath Chatterjee read out a message on Earth Day, BSP member Brajesh Pathak demanded suspension of the Question Hour to take up discussion on the plight of farmers in Bundelkhand.
Newly sworn-in members of the BSP Akbar Ahmad Dumpy and Kushal Tiwari also joined the noisy protests, prompting the Speaker to take a swipe at them for their behaviour on the first day.
The Speaker, however, refused to suspend the Question Hour saying the matter could be taken in the Zero Hour. The BSP members continued with their slogan shouting and amid the din, Chatterjee adjourned the Lok Sabha for 50 minutes till noon.
When the House reassembled, BSP members raised slogans and later staged a walkout.
Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha where BSP member S C Mishra demanded a discussion on the 'burning issue' of drought in the region. Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the Rajya Sabha for 15 minutes as BSP members indulged in slogan shouting, disrupting the proceedings.
Mishra and other BSP members continued to raise slogans after the Upper House met again. The Chairman refused to accede to their demand, asking them to raise the issue during the Zero Hour. The unhappy BSP members then staged a walkout.
Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008
U.P. probe into land allotment for Amar Singh begins
Plot allotment in posh Lucknow area was made by Mulayam government
Probe being held by Principal Secretary, Urban Development
First allotment made under Economically Weaker Section scheme
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated an enquiry into allotment of a plot to Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh in the posh Gomtinagar area here.
The probe, ordered by Chief Minister Mayawati on Monday, is being conducted by S.R. Lakha, Principal Secretary, Urban Development. The proceedings commenced on Tuesday after files were submitted to him by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA).
The plot was allotted to Mr. Singh under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scheme. He applied for a small plot in 1993 when Mulayam Singh was Chief Minister.
Subsequently, a 35-square metre plot was allotted to him under the scheme in the Vikas Khand area by the LDA.
According to LDA rules, for the benefit under the scheme, the applicant's annual income has to be less than Rs.12,000.
Later, the allotment at Vikas Khand was cancelled and a 288-square metre plot was provided to Mr. Amar Singh in the prime Vipul Khand location. Some time later, a 354-square metre plot was allotted at Vipul Khand after cancelling the earlier allotment.
The fresh allotment was made during Mr. Mulayam Singh's regime when Mr. Amar Singh was Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Development Council.
Part of bungalow
Informed sources said the 354-square metre plot formed part of the 708.50-square metre plot at Vipul Khand on which Mr. Amar Singh's bungalow "Aishwarya" has been constructed.
The house warming ceremony was held at February-end this year. Mr. Mulayam Singh, actor Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Bachchan and Samajwadi MP Jayapradha were present.
Vote For BSP B Media 4 Sarvajan Hithaya Sarvajan Sukhaya-BSP gains in Uttar Pradesh at BJP's cost -New battle ground drawn in UP?-Mayawati issues 'final' warning to UPA-Observing the formalities -BSP is widening its base, says Sindhia -Parimala's entry into BSP queers poll pitch -Deadline has expired -Rahul playing politics over Bundelkhand, says Mayawati Enquiry report to be submitted to government in 15 days -Focus should not be only on e-Governance but also on Good Governance - Chief Secretary -Officers directed to arrest culprits immediately -power tariff unchanged for rural domestic and private tube wells (for irrigation purposes) -It is our resolve to complete Dr. Ambedkar's Mission—Mayawati -C.M. pays floral tributes to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's Statue -C.M. greets people on Ambedkar Jayanti-C.M. greets people on Ram Navmi -Decision to be implemented strictly in higher educational institutions : Chief Minister -Know your constituencies
BSP is a formidable force, asserts Sindhia
BANGALORE: The ideology of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has been accepted in the State, and in a short time the party has emerged as a formidable socio-political force, according to party general secretary P.G.R. Sindhia. He was speaking at a function organised here on Saturday to welcome senior leader and former MP H.N. Nanje Gowda into the party.
Mr. Sindhia said the party was positioning itself to be a "deciding factor", and no party would be in a position to form the Government without the help of the BSP, which had emerged as a party of "all people".
The party had followed the directions of the Election Commission in letter and spirit, he said, adding that the BSP was a party with a "clean slate". "We are not for capturing power by using wrongful means," Mr. Sindhia said.
Mr. Nanje Gowda said he would play the role of an adviser to the party.
Three other leaders who joined the party on Saturday were Salingaiah, a leader of the Valmiki community; Muneer Sait, former president of the Chitradurga Janata Dal (S) minority cell; and B.G. Patil, former MLA and former Haveri Zilla Panchayat president. Party general secretary in charge of Karnataka Veer Singh and State party president Marasandra Muniyappa were present.
BSP gains in Uttar Pradesh at BJP's cost
Sunday, 20 April , 2008, 10:22
New Delhi: The results of the Uttar Pradesh byelections have shown the plummeting electoral graph of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the country's most populous State.
The BJP's showing in the April 16, 2008 poll was dismal with the exception of the Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency where it ended the runner up. The winner there was Akbar Ahmad Dumpy of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which swept the byelections.
The BSP won all five byelections, the results of which were declared on Wednesday. It won two Lok Sabha and three Assembly seats.
The results came as no surprise to Uttar Pradesh watchers. The BJP's vote percentage has been steadily coming down since the 2002 Assembly elections.
The BJP secured 25.31 per cent votes in 2002. This figure went down to 22.17 percent in the 2004 General Elections. It fell further to 19.62 per cent in the last Assembly elections in May 2007.
In contrast to the BJP graph, the BSP's fortunes have been getting better and better.
According to figures made available by the Election Commission, the BSP got 23.19 per cent votes in the 2002 Assembly polls, 24.67 per cent in the 2004 General Elections in Uttar Pradesh and 30.43 per cent in May 2007.
Thanks to such overwhelming support, Mayawati formed a government on her own in Uttar Pradesh.
The latest performance of the BJP illustrates its plight. It secured only 1.35 per cent votes in the Muradnagar Assembly constituency, situated in western Uttar Pradesh and a stronghold of the party till recently.
The BJP got 3.5 per cent of votes in the Colonelgunj Assembly constituency and 5.03 per cent in Bilgram.
In January 2008, the Ballia Lok Sabha seat, which fell vacant following the death of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar — was won by his son Neeraj Shekhar on the Samajwadi Party ticket.
While the BJP made much of the BSP failing to win the seat, the real loser was the BJP, which lost its security deposit after gaining less than 4 per cent votes.
As against the BJP, the Samajwadi Party's votes have remained more or less at the same level. In 2002 it secured 26.27 per cent, in 2004 this went up slightly to 26.74 per cent and it dipped in 2007 to 26.07 per cent.
The Congress remains in a dismal State in Uttar Pradesh.
It secured 8.9 per cent of votes in 2002. This went up a little to 12.04 per cent in 2004. But in 2007 this fell back to 8.84 per cent.
Naturally, few BJP leaders want to discuss the mess in Uttar Pradesh, the State that sends the maximum number of members to the Lok Sabha and whose control is crucial for anyone wanting to rule India.
When IANS buttonholed BJP spokesman and Rajya Sabha member Prakash Javadekar on the BJP's expectations in Uttar Pradesh, his reply was: "Next week I am going to Uttar Pradesh and we will identify 50 good seats where we can work."
New battle ground drawn in UP?
NDTV Correspondent
Sunday, April 20, 2008:
The Congress-BSP turf war in Uttar Pradesh seems to have intensified in recent times.
Rahul Gandhi's increased frequency of visits in UP, the state once Congress party's bastion, has further infuriated UP Chief Minister Mayawati.
Rahul Gandhi has been wooing Dalit voters in the state, who now form the biggest chunk of Maya's vote bank. His repeated attack on the UP chief minister also fueled the fire.
The Congress, which has been desperately trying to restore its lost pride in the state, openly warmed up to Mayawati before the Assembly polls but the resounding success of the Dalit leader in the elections that followed poured cold water on Congress' plans.
A disappointed Congress, which did very badly in the assembly polls under Rahul Gandhi, realised that without UP, the party's prospects at the Centre were dim.
Congress strategy to field the Gandhi heir in UP politics led to a little sense of insecurity for Maya. She, in order to keep her base intact started attacking Rahul. Now the two parties are engaged in regular verbal duel.
Though, Rahul has been visiting various parts of the state espousing the cause of farmers, Dalits, minorities and OBCs, but the recent by-election results in the state show that Maya's influence does not seem to stop.
Mayawati in her own inimitable style has now demanded that the Centre giver her special package for drought hit Bundelkhand region or else she will withdraw support from the UPA government at the Centre.
The situation seems to have come to a flash point and it is likely that Mayawati will withdraw support any time soon.
Now it has to be seen how it affects at the national level as well crucial state of UP. Right now, BSP seems to have the edge but the Congress is trying hard to revive its past glory in the state, which returns maximum MPs to Parliament.
Is Mayawati's prime ministerial ambition coming in the way for a truce between Congress and BSP?
Is Congress ready to accept the fact that the days of its dominance are gone, and that an assertive Dalit leader like Mayawati should be given the chance to rule the country.
Mayawati issues 'final' warning to UPA
Saturday, April 19, 2008 (Lucknow)
A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was out campaigning on the streets of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has hit back at him.
She asked Rahul to use his influence to get Rs 80,000 crore sanctioned for development in UP or else she was prepared to withdraw support to the Congress at the Centre.
''For the last time, I am warning. If the Centre does not give us aid or control rising prices in two-three months, we will pull out of the government. We will send a letter to the President and we will start an agitation,'' said Mayawati.
Rahul's overtures towards Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath in Bundlekhand, which is a BSP stronghold, seem to be hitting too close to home and the chief minister has decided not to hold back.
''Congress' yuvraj should use his influence to get Rs 80,000 crore sanctioned for Uttar Pradesh. I am telling Congress and its yuvraj that instead of these theatrics for Bundelkhand, he should focus on constructive politics,'' she said.
Almost 21 per cent of voters in Uttar Pradesh are Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath , who once voted for the Congress. But a majority are now with Bahujan Samaj Party.
Now both parties are fighting hard to try and win over these votes and Rahul has made it clear he is coming back.
Not surprisingly, the Congress got support from an old rival in Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh.
The Maya-Rahul fight has clearly risen another decibel and it's unlikely that the levels will go down before the general elections
Observing the formalities
Handover: (From left) Chief Electoral Officer M.N. Vidyashankar receiving the A form from BSP general secretaries Veer Singh and P.G.R. Sindhia and State party president M. Muniyappa in Bangalore on Thursday.
BSP is widening its base, says Sindhia
BANGALORE: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Thursday received a boost when a large number of people from the backward classes and minorities joined the party. They included members of the Uppara and Balijiga communities and Dalit Christians.
Party general secretaries Veer Singh and P.G.R. Sindhia and State party president Marasandra Muniyappa were present on the occasion.
Mr. Sindhia told journalists later that the BSP was working towards becoming "an inclusive party". He many people from the 'upper castes' were also planning to join the party. The BSP, he said, was the first national party that had recognised the Dalit Christians as a marginalised class. The party would field Dalit Christian candidates in certain constituencies.
Members of the Muslim, Brahmin, Balijiga, Gondali, Golla, Idiga, Achar, Tigala, Kshatriya, Ganiga, Besta, Shinta and Koli communities, who were under-represented in the political field were joining the party, Mr. Sindhia said.
One of the leaders of the Dalit Christians, Mariswamy, said there were no less than 25 lakh Dalit Christians spread over 35 constituencies in the State.
They were concentrated in Sarvajnanagar, Pulikeshinagar, K.R. Puram, C.V. Raman Nagar, Shivajinagar and Jayanagar in Bangalore city. They also had a large presence in Chamarajanagar, Kollegal, Tumkur, Kolar, KGF, Bangalore rural, Hassan, Sakleshpur and Bidar.
Parimala's entry into BSP queers poll pitch
Laiqh A. Khan
Dalits form a substantial chunk of the electorate in Hanur
Her decision has taken many people in the region by surprise
Parimala Nagappa
MYSORE: Wife of the former Minister H. Nagappa and Janata Dal (Secular) MLA in the dissolved Assembly Parimala Nagappa's recent entry into the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has queered the electoral pitch in Hanur Assembly constituency situated on Karnataka's border with Tamil Nadu.
Though Ms. Nagappa appeared to be on good terms with the Janata Dal (Secular) leadership, her sudden decision to join the BSP ahead of the coming Assembly elections has taken many people in the region by surprise.
Ms. Nagappa, who announced her decision to join the BSP in Bangalore after meeting party supremo Mayawati, said she was forced to quit the Janata Dal (Secular) owing to the "changed election scenario."
After joining the BSP, Ms. Nagappa slammed the former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for his failure to keep the promise on transfer of power to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Ms. Nagappa regretted that the Janata Dal (Secular)-BJP Government failed to order a CBI probe into the mysterious death of her husband in notorious forest bandit Veerappan's captivity.
But, political observers attributed Ms. Nagappa's move to the inclusion of certain Dalit dominated pockets into Hanur Assembly segment from the adjoining Kollegal constituency during the recent delimitation exercise as well as the perceived disenchantment among sections of the Lingayats with the Janata Dal (Secular) over the issue of transfer of power.
Ms. Nagappa apparently felt that her continuation in the Janata Dal (Secular) was not politically expedient to seek re-election from Hanur, an Assembly constituency dominated by Lingayats, the community to which she belongs. The addition of Palya and Satyagala hobli, which has a strong presence of BSP, into Hanur Assembly segment is believed to have lured her to join the Mayawati-led party.
Apart from Lingayats, Dalits form a substantial chunk of the electorate in this sprawling constituency encompassing the jungles on the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu that used to be notorious forest outlaw Veerappan's area of operation. Vokkaligas, Kurubas and Minorities form the rest of the electorate.
The Congress was never an option for Ms. Nagappa as she was continuing her late husband's tradition of opposing that party. Mr. H. Nagappa, who was a Janata Dal leader, had been a political rival of the former Minister the late Raju Gowda, a Congress leader.
As a Janata Dal (Secular) candidate, Ms. Nagappa had put it across Mr Raju Gowda's son, Narendra, who was fielded as a Congress candidate during the 2004 Assembly polls. Ms. Nagappa, who rode a sympathy wave during the 2004 Assembly elections, is now expected to find the going tough in the coming polls.
Though the Congress has not yet announced its candidate, the party is expected to re-nominate Mr. Narendra. Ponnacchi Mahadevaswamy, who had tried to mediate with Veerappan during the abduction of. Mr Nagappa, is also in the race for Congress ticket.
Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (Secular) will find it difficult to find a replacement for Ms. Nagappa to contest from Hanur. Though a businessman,Vishnu Kumar,has sought the Janata Dal (Secular) ticket, the local Kannada organisations had raised objections to his candidature on account of his Tamil Nadu origins.
The BJP, which had decided against fielding any candidate during the 2004 polls as a gesture of sympathy to Ms. Nagappa, is planning to field a candidate from the constituency this time. BJP leader of Hanur.B. K Shivakumar is believed to be a front-runner in the race for the party ticket.
Madiga sangha to support BSP
Bangalore: The Karnataka Madiga Sangha has declared its support to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the coming elections because the Congress, the Janata Dal (S) and the Bharatiya Janata Party has failed to give "adequate representation" to the community while choosing their candidates.
President of the Sangha H.C. Prakash told journalists here on Thursday that the Madiga population in the State is 85 lakh, and the BSP should give proportionate representation to the community. — Special Correspondent
35 candidates file nomination papers
BANGALORE: Thirty-five candidates, including 28 independents and nominees of smaller parties, filed their nomination papers in different constituencies on Thursday for the first phase of the Assembly elections to be held on May 10.
Two candidates each from the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, one each from the Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Janata Dal (Secular) filed their papers.
K.S. Puttanaiah of the Karnataka Sarvodaya Paksha and C.S. Puttaraju of the Janata Dal (S) filed their nomination papers for Melkote constituency in Mandya district. H.C. Shivaramu of the Karnataka Sarvodaya Paksha also filed his papers for Melkote constituency. Gowramma of the CPI(M) filed her nomination papers to contest from K.R. Puram constituency in Bangalore city.
Three candidates filed their papers to contest from Mulbagal constituency in Kolar district.
They are M. Munivenkatappa (Congress), N. Srinivasa and S. Krishnappa (both independents).
No nominations today
Nomination papers for the Assembly elections will not be accepted on Friday (April 18) as it is a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
According to the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, nomination papers cannot be accepted on a public holiday, states an official press release.
Rahul playing politics over Bundelkhand, says Mayawati
"Instead, he should focus on strengthening Congress"
— PHOTO: PTI
STERN WARNINg: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati addressing a press conference in Lucknow on Saturday.
LUCKNOW: A day after Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati accused him of playing petty politics over the Bundelkhand issue.
Instead of politicising the issue of the region's backwardness, the Congress "yuvraj" (Mr. Gandhi) should devote his energy towards strengthening the Congress (in Uttar Pradesh) and the United Progressive Alliance government, the Chief Minister told journalists here on Saturday.
The price rise, which affected the people, was a far more important issue for the Congress and the Centre to tackle. The Bahujan Samaj Party chief advised Mr. Gandhi to rise above party politics and as an MP from the State should plead with the Centre Uttar Pradesh's case for a Rs.80,000-crore special package.
Ms. Mayawati threatened to finally withdraw support for the UPA-led government at the Centre if the package was not released in 2-3 months, and remedial measures were not taken to check price rise. Thereafter, the BSP would launch a countrywide agitation against the Congress-led government.
With Bundelkhand emerging as the new battleground for the Congress and the BSP, Mr. Gandhi's four-day visit to the backward region of the State and his meeting Dalit households added a new dimension to the face-off between the two parties.
Ms. Mayawati placed the onus for the region's backwardness on the 40 years of Congress rule in the State.
The BSP chief termed Mr. Gandhi's forays into the drought-hit region naatak baazi (drama) and depicted him as a leader divorced from ground realities.
She said inflation could cause the downfall of the UPA government.
The Chief Minister said that despite the absence of the special package, her government had launched several measures to mitigate the sufferings of the people of Bundelkhand.
Deadline has expired
BANGALORE: No more chance to enrol yourself as a voter this time. The provision to fill application under Form 6 to include names in voters' list has been stopped from April 16 till the completion of the election process, said B.S. Ramprasad, District Electoral Officer of the BBMP Electoral District
The deadline to receive application has ended on Wednesday and the names of those who have submitted the applications with correct information will be included in the voters' list, he added.
Enquiry report to be submitted to government in 15 days
Lucknow : April 21, 2008 A news item was published in the Indian Express Lucknow edition on April 06, 2008 that during the regime of the then Chief Minister Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mr. Amar Singh was allotted a 35 metre plot in the lower income category. It was also mentioned in the news item that in place of this Mr. Amar Singh was allotted another plot of 708 sq. metres in Vipul Khand in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow on which Mr. Singh constructed a house named Aishwarya. Taking the cognizance of the news, the State Government decided to order an enquiry into it. The State Government has asked the Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department Mr. S.R. Lakha to hold an enquiry into the facts contained in the news. Mr. Lakha will submit his enquiry report to the government within 15 days.
Focus should not be only on e-Governance but also on Good Governance - Chief Secretary
Lucknow, Dated 17-04-2008 The Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Prashant Kumar Mishra said that the State Government is effectively implementing the e-Governance in the State, with its top priority to Information Technology (IT). He said that, Information and Communication Technology should be used for the development of citizens, so that they could get the information and various services with ease. He said that the all procedures should be simplified and made transparent so that e-Governance could act as vehicle for better delivery of services to citizens and economic empowerment of the state. The Chief Secretary was today inaugurating a day-long State level e-Governance Workshop at hotel Taj Residency. This workshop was organized by the Department of Information Technology and Electronics (IT&E), GoUP. While addressing the invitees and participants of the workshop, as Chief Guest, he said that the electronic delivery of services to citizens from the "Jan Sewa Kendra" is becoming the prime need of present times. He said that the role of Information Technology in good governance could not be ignored, in present era. While referring to the continuous efforts being made for the promotion of IT in the state, Mr. Mishra said that e-Governance is a step in the right direction. He said that, for e-Governance to succeed and create a fruitful impact, it is imperative that the scheme on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model should be formulated. He also said that we should focus not only on e-Governance but also on Good Governance through e-Governance and all the e-Governance schemes must be citizen centric and should be available according to needs of the citizens. While stressing front-end delivery system to citizens, he said that, work is underway in the rural areas of the state for establishment of 17,909 Jan Sewa Kendras with the purpose of providing government and other various services. Through these Kendras 55,000 employment opportunities would be created in the rural areas. He also said that with the establishment of these Kendras, the public would not only become free from visiting the government offices time and again but would get information and documents at their door steps. The Chief Secretary said that the success of the e-Governance schemes, especially of the Jan Sewa Kendra, entirety depends on the interest shown by the departments whose citizen centric services have to be delivered through these Kendras. For this, the back office computerization work for various services by these departments should be taken up on a war footing. Mr. Mishra said, for the success of schemes like Jan Sewa Kendra, the role of district administration is very important. He called upon the Commissioners and the District Magistrates to provide full cooperation in the implementation of this scheme. He directed the Principal Secretaries and the Head of the Departments for the digitization and computerization, as well as the training of employees. He also instructed for amendment of the relevant government orders to provide these services to the common man through e-Governance. He said that the prime objective of this workshop is that the various stake holders, which include the government departments and private institutions, understand their roles properly so that the scheme could be implemented hassle-free. The Principal Secretary, I.T. & Electronics, Mr V.N. Garg while discussing the e-Governance vision said, for the successful implementation of the scheme the departments will have to adopt internal capacity building and introduce business process re-engineering on their conventional procedures. He said that for the success of e-Governance, the departments should take ownership of this scheme and their services through it and for this, a system would have to be evolved and implemented in which the accountability of the department is clearly defined as a stakeholder. He said that the e-Governance agenda of every department should be such where the citizen receives the maximum benefit and services are delivered at a fast pace through internet, exempting the citizens from visiting government offices. Mr. Garg said that the main role of Department of IT&E is to assist the various departments in implementing e-Governance. Under e-Governance, the GoUP is initiating three Core Infrastructure Schemes. These are – Jan Sewa Kendra, State Wide Area Network (SWAN) and State Data Centre. He said that for providing better services to the rural communities, the state has been divided into 07 zones for the establishment of 17909 Jan Sewa Kendras through 04 Service Centre Agencies selected, viz. M/s SREI Infrastructure Ltd., M/s 3i Infotech Ltd., M/s Comet Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and M/s CMS Computers Ltd. Mr. Garg said that through these Kendras, rural youth will get an opportunity of employment. He said that through these Jan Sewa Kendras citizen centric services of Revenue, Home, Urban Development, Panchayati Raj, Medical & Health, Administrative Reforms, Food and Civil Supplies, Social Welfare, Women Welfare and Child Welfare, Disabled Welfare, Election, Rural Development, Small-scale Industry, Labour, Stamp and Registration, Transport, Agriculture, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Higher Education, Technical Education, Medical Education, Energy Education, Finance (Treasury Department included), Planning, Commercial Tax, Cooperatives, Backward Classes Welfare, Minority Welfare, Cane and Sugar Mill Industry departments would be delivered in the first phase. Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner, Mr. Atul Kumar Gupta in his address said that with the establishment of Jan Sewa Kendras, the governance and development of IT would get a new dimension in the State and this scheme will also provide employment opportunities at a very large scale. Mr. Gupta while elaborating the role of various government departments said that the various Government to Citizen (G2C) services of various departments have been identified and Department of IT&E has been informed about these services. For the delivery of G2C services through Jan Sewa Kendras, he emphasised on computerization of offices and services at District/ Tehsil/ Block levels. He advised the DMs to organize and participate in sensitization workshops involving various departments and other stakeholders so as to generate awareness about this scheme among the public. He said that the state government has declared the Centre for e-Governance, U.P. as the Designated Agency for the implementation of this scheme. M/s Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) has been selected as the National Level Service Agency (NLSA) by the Government of India for facilitating state government in this scheme. Chairman, Board of Revenue, Mr Vinod Melhotra while addressing the concluding session of the workshop said that there is an immense potential for the development of IT in Uttar Pradesh. While discussing the importance of e-Governance in the state he said that the schemes should be implemented in such a manner so that the common public reaps maximum benefit out of it. He hoped that this workshop would facilitate the officials to utilize all this information and knowledge for transferring the benefits of e-Governance to communities. Additional Secretary, Department of IT, Government of India, Mr. R. Chandrashekhar while discussing the National e-Governance Plan said that with the establishment of CSCs, the rural citizens would get the real benefit of e-Governance. While outlining the measures adopted by the Union Government for the development of IT, he said that the Central Government would render all assistance to the development of IT in the State. He called upon the officers to work with dedication for providing the real benefit of e-Governance scheme to the public. At the workshop, Dr. Dinesh Tyagi, CEO, IL&FS as NLSA explained the technicalities and integrities of Jan Sewa Kendrs to all the officials. The workshop was attended by Principal Secretaries/Secretaries, Head of Departments as well as Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates. Earlier, Special Secretary, Department of I.T. & Electronics and Managing Director, UPDESCO, Mr. Sanjay Prasad welcomed the dignitaries and participants attending the workshop. ———–
Officers directed to arrest culprits immediately
Lucknow : April 17, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Ms. Mayawati today undertook surprise visit to Bavankhedi village under Hasanpur police station in Jyotiba Phule Nagar (Amroha), where the family members of Shri Shaukat Saifi, a lecturer in Kisan Inter College, were done to death by slitting their throats. The lecturer was also killed by the culprits. The Chief Minister met Shabnam, the only survivor of the lecturer's family, and consoled her. She assured the affected family that the police and the administration would make all-out efforts to nab the actual culprits. She announced financial assistance of Rs. Five lakh to the family members of the deceased. Besides, she also ordered to set up a police chowki in the village immediately and posting of one S.I. and two women constables for the security of the family. Expressing her grief over the incident, the C.M. directed the officers of the police and the district administration to arrest the culprits at the earliest no matter how influential they were. She asked them to register cases against the culprits under tough Sections, so that none of them could take advantage and escape the long arm of law. Ms. Mayawati said that the S.P. of Jyotiba Phule Nagar had constituted teams to nab the criminals. The police were leaving no stone unturned in arresting the guilty. The officers of the police and administration reached the spot immediately after receiving the news of the incident. The I.G. Police Bareilly Zone, D.I.G Police Moradabad Range and S.P. visited and inspected the spot. The inspector in-charge of Hasanpur has been placed under suspension with immediate effect by the D.I.G. Moradabad Range. Besides, sub-inspector Karan Singh, constable Vijai Pal and Tahir Raza have also been suspended by the S.P. with immediate effect. The C.M. said that the senior officers of the police carried out thorough inspection of the place of incident yesterday. Shaukat Saifi's relatives were also interrogated. Besides, details of the calls of suspected persons were being analysed. She also directed the police administration to ensure that such incidents did not recur in future. It may be recalled that on the intervening nights of 14/15 April, Shri Shaukat Saifi, his wife Smt. Hashmi, son Anees and his wife Anjum and their son Arshad, Sajid and Rabia were killed by slicing their throats by some unidentified persons in their house. Km. Shabnam, who was sleeping at the roof at that time, unidentified escaped the incident. Several media representatives, Cabinet Secretary Mr. Shashank Shekhar Singh, I.G. Zone Bareilly, D.I.G. Moradabad, Divisional Commissioner, D.M. and S.P. and other senior officers of the district administration were present on the occasion. ******
power tariff unchanged for rural domestic and private tube wells (for irrigation purposes)
Lucknow : April 16, 2008 The U. P. Government, while making its stand clear regarding a news item that appeared in a section of press quoting the Chairman of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), said that through the tariff order issued by the SERC the energy charges for the small and medium industries had been raised from Rs. 3.90 per unit to Rs. 4.30. Thus, it was a mere 10.5 per cent increase in the tariff, while the news papers had exaggerated it to 22 per cent, which was totally false and baseless. Likewise, the news item reports 17 per cent increase in the power tariff for the heavy industries, which was incorrect. In fact, the increase in the power tariff for heavy industries below 11KV had been between 12 to 14 per cent, while for consumers above 11KV it was between 2 to 7 per cent. The SERC had amended power tariff for various categories of the consumers for the year 2008-09. According to it the power tariff for the rural domestic light/fan had not been increase. The energy charges had been kept at Re. 1.00 per unit as earlier. There is no increase in the power tariff rates of the private tube wells (for irrigation purposes). The energy charges have been kept at 74 paise per unit as earlier. ******
It is our resolve to complete Dr. Ambedkar's Mission—Mayawati
Lucknow : April 15, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ms. Mayawati today announced to make Aligarh a new division, Kasganj a new district to be known as Kanshi Ram Nagar, Soron a new tehsil and setting up of a separate I.G. Police Zone in Agra Division at a three-day long Bhim Nagari function organised at the Kotali Bagichi Deori road in Agra . Giving information about the decisions of the State Government, she said that the creation of a new police zone would ensure better law and order in the Agra area. It would also accelerate the pace of development works in the region. She said that the Aligarh division would include Mahamaya Nagar, Etah, Aligarh and newly constituted Kanshi Ram Nagar districts with Aligarh as its headquarters. Agra division will now have four districts Mathura, Agra, Firozabad and Manpuri. Likewise, the headquarter of the I.G. Police Zone would be at Agra. She further stated that the newly constituted district of Kanshi Ram Nagar would include tehsils of Kasganj, Patiali and newly created Soron tehsil with its headquarter at Kasganj. Similarly, the Kasganj tehsil of Etah district would be reorganised and Soron tehsil would be created which would include Soron and Sahawar development blocks. Likewise, the eight villages of the Patiali block of Etah would now be included in the Jaithara block. The Nidhauli Kalan block of Etah district, which is presently in the Etah tehsil, would now be included in the Jalesar tehsil. She said that the Agra Police Range was currently under the Kanpur zone which is quite large and also includes Agra Police Range and Jhansi Police Range besides Kanpur. It was getting very difficult to control the law and order of Agra from Kanpur. She said that with the creation of this new zone it would become easier to take effective action against the criminals. She said that there was an increase in the criminal activities in the Agra Range and keeping it in mind the I.G. Police zone had been set up in Agra division. The Chief Minister laid foundation/made announcement of various schemes related to infrastructure facilities of Agra at the Bhim Nagari Mahotsava. She laid the foundation of a Rs. 30 crore housing project for construction of 1240 houses for the poor in Agra city. She said that the Agra was world famous for Taj Mahal and the State Government was committed to provide world class infrastructure facilities to this city. That's why the foundations of various important scheme related to drinking water, sewer, houses for poor, education, health, energy, tourism and transportation had been laid. As many as Rs. 82.70 crore would be spent on drinking water, Rs. 21.62 crore on sewer arrangements in several areas and Rs. 15 crore for setting up a 132 KVA power sub centre at Bhim Nagari. Besides, two power sub stations of 33 KVA costing Rs. 2 crores each would be set up at Kurgawan and Sadhan villages of Agra district respectively. Moreover, a Government Girls Inter College would be set up at the Nainanajat development block Baroli Aheer at a cost of Rs. 98.51 lakh. A primary health centre (P.H.C.) would be set up at Simari village of Baroli Aheer at a cost of Rs. 77 lakh and the Agra-Jalesar road would be widened and strengthened at a cost of Rs. 13.55 crore. Rs. 5.5 crore would be spent to construct new building of police station for tourists in Agra. Ms. Mayawati also made several announcements for the all round development of Agra, which included Agra Water Supply Project for carrying water from Ganga canal to meet the challenges of drinking water problem of Agra city. It would be implemented very soon. The project would cost Rs. 1,076 crore. Besides, 20 rural localities of the Fatehpur Sikri area of the Agra district would be provided drinking water facilities under the Accelerated Rural Drinking Water Supply Project. The project would cost almost Rs. 90 lakh. She said that in Uttar Pradesh Footwear Industries mainly function through cottage industry in which leather and raxine are being used. The poor people got employment in large numbers in these industries. Many artisans belonged to Agra. For encouraging the artisans engaged in footwear industries. The rate of VAT which is presently 4 percent on the leather and raxine footwear costing up to the maximum of Rs. 300 has been abolished with immediate effect. For the sale facilities of products of small artisans shoe mandi would be constructed in Agra. She said that with a view to encourage the trade of leather footwear a leather park would be established in Agra in 250 acre of land costing Rs. 100 crore. The Chief Minister also announced that people would get rid of pollution created by Khattaghar situated at Nagla Rambal. It will be closed and the area would be beautified. A modern Khattaghar would be constructed after the sanction of Union Government with the cost of Rs. 31 crore. She said that in all the colonies of Bhimnagari area of Agra sewer line would be laid down costing Rs. 59.53 crore. She also announced that sewer line would laid down in Malin Bastis, beside the railway line with the cost of Rs. 5.73 crore and Rs. 9000 financial aid would be given to the each unit of the families living below the poverty line in these Malin Bastis for construction of toilets in houses. Besides it, Dr. Ambedkar park of Agra would be beautified after the sanction of Union Government with the expenditure of Rs. 5 crore. Ms. Mayawati also announced the construction of 5000 houses at Nehraich and Shashtripuram for the families living below the poverty line and residing in hutments. She said that with the view to improving the transport system of Agra city three railway bridges will be constructed on MG Marg between Collectorate and Ravli temple, from Rohta to Unkata and from Guru Ke Taal to Hari Parvat road. She said that the old stretchy bridge on Yamuna and the bridge situated near Arnota on river Kutangan would be re-constructed. For encouraging the handicrafts industries, the shilp gram, which was being run for three months so far would be run the whole year now. She announced to upgrade Panchsheel Inter College to the degree college level and sanctioned an amount of Rs. 1 crore to the college management. She paid her homage to the luminaries of social change, who struggled very hard for providing rights of equality to dalits and backwards. ********
C.M. pays floral tributes to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's Statue
Lucknow : April 14, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Ms. Mayawati paid floral tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on his 117th birth anniversary at Hazratganj near GPO by offering flowers at his statue. On this occasion, PWD Minister Mr. Nasimuddin Siddiqui, Chairman U.P. Advisory Council and MP Mr. Satish Chandra Mishra, Media Advisor Mr. Jamil Akhtar, Cabinet Secretary Mr. Shashank Shekhar Singh, Chief Secretary Mr. Prashant Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary Information Mr. Vijay Shankar Pandey, Principal Secretary Home Mr. J.N. Chamber, Principal Secretary to C.M. Kunwar Fateh Bahadur and Secretary to C.M. Mr. Navneet Sehgal and other senior officers were present. ********
C.M. greets people on Ambedkar Jayanti
Lucknow : April 13, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Km. Mayawati has extended her heartiest felicitations and good wishes to the people of the State on the birth anniversary of the architect of the Indian constitution and messiah of weaker sections and the exploited, Bharat Ratna Bodhisattva Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. In a message issued here today, the Chief Minister said that Dr. Ambedkar strived for the cause of dalits, backward, have-nots, minorities and the exploited people. He was responsible for inclusion in the constitution, the provision of equal opportunities to all irrespective of their caste and creed. Every section of society should take inspiration from, his sacrifice and struggle. Dr. Ambedkar always favoured creation of an egalitarian society where there was no place for social ills. The Chief Minister said that great men did not belong to any particular caste or ideology. Their thoughts and messages were meant for the entire human kind. She said that on the occasion of his birth anniversary we should take resolve to follow the path shown by him. It would be a true homage towards him, she added. *********
C.M. greets people on Ram Navmi
Lucknow : April 13, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Km. Mayawati has extended her heartiest felicitations and good wishes to the people of the State on the occasion of Ram Navmi. In a message, the Chief Minister said that Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram is being adored by crores of people and he is a source of inspiration to them. His life taught us to fight injustice and remain with justice like rock. The ideals and values which he cherished in his life time needed to be emulated by us. The Chief Minister said that Shri Ram always stood for democratic norms and welfare of every section of society. We could translate ideal of Ram Rajya by establishing social system based on equality. She said that the message of peace and mutual harmony of Shri Ram was still relevant. *********
Decision to be implemented strictly in higher educational institutions : Chief Minister
New Delhi: April 10, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Km. Mayawati has hailed the historical decision taken unanimously by Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court through which it upheld reservation facility for the O.B.C. candidates in the central higher educational institutions. Through this decision, the bench upheld the law providing 27 per cent reservation to the O.B.C. candidates in the central higher educational institutions. She said that the State Government fully agreed with the decision and welcomed it. She said that this decision had legitimised the reservation facility provided to the O.B.C. candidates in the higher educational institutions. This reservation arrangement would be strictly implemented in the admissions in the higher educational institutions of Uttar Pradesh, she pointed out. The C.M. was addressing media representatives here today. She said that apart from that, she would also write a letter to the Government of India requesting it to provide reservation facility to the economically poor among backward classes, religious minorities and upper caste people in the higher educational institutions and ask to amend the Constitution. She said that the Centre was being requested to take immediate action in this regard. She assured the Government of India on behalf of her party and the State Government that if the Union Government took any step in this direction, the State Government would support it to the hilt. Km. Mayawati said that U.P. had already been ensuring reservation in higher educational institutions which conformed to today's decision of the Supreme Court. After today's decision of Supreme Court it was the responsibility of Centre to ensure the reservation to O.B.C. in admission in all higher educational institutions run by Union Government. Besides, the implementation of the system of reservation should be ensured in such states where it had not been implemented so far. As far as the question of keeping creamy layer among the O.B.C.s out of reservation facility was concerned, the Central Government should re-define creamy layer in view of galloping prices lest the genuinely socially and economically weak candidates belonging to the O.B.C.s were deprived of the reservation facility, she added. **********
Know your constituencies
Mahalakshmi layout is a new constituency in Bangalore City created after the delimitation.
Mahalakshmi layout is a new constituency in Bangalore City created after the delimitation. Parts of erstwhile Uttarahalli, Rajajinagar and Yelahanka Assembly constituencies have been merged to form the constituency.
The Congress has strong base in the constituency. In the previous council of the BMP, four wards - Mahalakshmipura, Nandini layout, Geleyara Balaga and Nagapura were represented by the Congress members. M Shivaraj who won from Kamalanagar as an independent candidate had later joined the Congress.
Chandramma of the JD(S) represented Vrushabhavathi Nagar.
The Congress has decided to field former MLA N L Narendra Babu from the constituency. R V Harish who recently joined the BJP from the Congress is contesting from the constituency. The JD(S) has not yet selected its candidate. The party's city wing general secretary T Veeresh and another leader Gopalaiah are main contenders of the JD(S) ticket.
Narendra Babu contested from Rajajinagar constituency in the previous elections and won. This time he chose to contest from Mahalakshmi layout.
The constituency is a mix of both developed and underdeveloped; rich and poor people and educated and illiterates. It is basically an industrial area consisting textiles, food industries, multinational IT companies, call centres and BPOs.
It consists of a good number of parks and playgrounds. Supply of drinking water is not a major problem in the constituency.
Vote For BSP -World Wide E-Training For Creation of Good, Positive Radiant and Wise Rulers Chosen by Good, Positive, Radiant and Wise Voters-Shivajinagar has the lowest number of voters -It's an EPIC struggle indeed-Moral Science for Children-Five Changes
BANGALORE: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Sunday launched its election campaign with clear instructions to party workers not to resort the unethical means of electioneering, but stick to the principles of the party. The party organised a State party workers' meet, which was attended by the office-bearers of different district units.
The party has sent a signal through the workers to the voters not to write off the BSP as a party belonging to certain class or group, but a party of all people. General secretary of the party Veer Singh said that the campaign should not involve mud-slinging, but deliver to the voters the true philosophy of the party.
Mr. Singh said the party workers have to influence the voters not to sell their votes.
National general secretary of the party P.G.R. Sindhia said BSP president Mayawati had given the freedom of choosing the candidates to the State unit. He said that the manifestoes of the parties were only facades and none of the parties carried out the promises made in their manifestoes. The BSP has done away with charting a manifesto and has planned to release a 20-page "concept paper," which would spell out of the philosophy of the party.
World Wide E-Training For
Creation of Good, Positive Radiant and Wise Rulers
Chosen by Good, Positive, Radiant and Wise Voters
Advise on Good Governance
The basis of religion is morality, purity and faith forever
While that of politics is power
Aims and Objects
Reformation of individuals of the society suggesting some general principles through which the society can be guided towards greater humanism, improved welfare of its members, and more equitable sharing of resources
A good and just political system guarantees basic human rights and contains checks and balances to the use of power as an important condition for a happy in society. Complete freedom can be found in any system only in minds, which are free. To be free, people will have to look within their own minds and work towards freeing themselves. Freedom in the truest sense is only possible when a person uses Self imposed Rule of Law to develop his character through good speech and action and to train his mind so as to expand his mental potential and achieve his ultimate aim of enlightenment.
While recognizing the usefulness of separating religion from politics and the limitations of political systems in bringing about peace and happiness, there are several aspects of the Buddha's teaching which have close correspondence to the political arrangements of the present day.
Firstly, the Buddha spoke about the equality of all human beings long before Abraham Lincoln, and that classes and castes are artificial barriers erected by society. The only classification of human beings, according to the Buddha, is based on the quality of their moral conduct. Secondly, the Buddha encouraged the spirit of social -co-operation and active participation in society. This spirit is actively promoted in the political process of modern societies. Thirdly, since no one was appointed as the Buddha's successor, the members of the Order were to be guided by the Dhamma and Vinaya, or in short, the Rule of Law. Until today very member of the Sangha is to abide by the Rule of Law which governs and guides their conduct.
Fourthly, the Buddha encouraged the spirit of consultation and the democratic process. This is shown within the community of the Order in which all members have the right to decide on matters of general concern. When a serious question arose demanding attention, the issues were put before the monks and discussed in a manner similar to the democratic parliamentary system used today. This self-governing procedure may come as a surprise to many to learn that in the assemblies of Buddhists in India 2,500 years and more ago are to be found the rudiments of the parliamentary practice of the present day. (Historians maintain that one of the world's first democratic republics with an elected assembly of representatives flourished here in the 6th century B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis. And while Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held political sway over the Gangetic plain, Vaishali was a rich center for trade and industry.) Vaishali has a past that pre-dates recorded history. It is held that the town derives its name from King Vishal, whose heroic deeds are narrated in that around the time Pataliputra was the centre of political activity in the Gangetic plains, Vaishali came into existence as centre of the Ganga, Vaishali is credited with being the World's First Republic to have a duly elected assembly of representatives and efficient administration A special officer similar to 'Mr. Speaker' was appointed to preserve the dignity of the Parliamentary Chief Whip, was also appointed to see if the quorum was secured. Matters were put forward in the form of a motion which was open to discussion. In some cases it was done once, in others three times, thus anticipating the practice of Parliament in requiring that a bill be read a third time before it becomes law. If the discussion showed a difference of opinion, it was to be settled by the vote of the majority through balloting.
Equality of all human beings
While recognizing the usefulness of separating religion from politics and the limitations of political systems in bringing about peace and happiness, there are several aspects which have close correspondence to the political arrangements of the and guides their conduct.
Present day.
Firstly, about the equality of all human beings, it is based on the quality of their moral conduct. Secondly, encouragement of the spirit of social -co-operation and active participation in society. This spirit is actively promoted in the political process of modern societies. Thirdly, the members of the good, positive, radiant and wise Order were to be guided by the Rule of Law. Until today such member of the is to abide by the Rule of Law which governs
Consultation and the democratic process.
Fourthly, encouragement the spirit of consultation and the democratic process. This is shown within the community of the Order in which all members have the right to decide on matters of general concern. When a serious question arose demanding attention, the issues were put before the wise and discussed in a manner similar to the democratic parliamentary system used today. This self-governing procedure may come as a surprise to many to learn that in the assemblies in India 2,500 years and more ago are to be found the rudiments of the parliamentary practice of the present day. (Historians maintain that one of the world's first democratic republics with an elected assembly of representatives flourished here in the 6th century B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis. And while Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held political sway over the Gangetic plain, Vaishali was a rich center for trade and industry.) Vaishali has a past that pre-dates recorded history. It is held that the town derives its name from King Vishal, whose heroic deeds are narrated in that around the time Pataliputra was the centre of political activity in the Gangetic plains, Vaishali came into existence as centre of the Ganga, Vaishali is credited with being the World's First Republic to have a duly elected assembly of representatives and efficient administration A special officer similar to 'Mr. Speaker' was appointed to preserve the dignity of the Parliamentary Chief Whip, was also appointed to see if the quorum was secured. Matters were put forward in the form of a motion which was open to discussion. In some cases it was done once, in others three times, thus anticipating the practice of Parliament in requiring that a bill be read a third time before it becomes law. If the discussion showed a difference of opinion, it was to be settled by the vote of the majority through balloting.
Moralization and the Responsible use of Public Power
The Buddhist approach to political power is the moralization and the responsible use of public power. The Buddha preached non-violence and peace as a universal message. He did not approve of violence or the destruction of life, and declared that there is no such thing as a 'just' war. He taught: 'The victor breeds hatred, the defeated lives in misery. He who renounces both victory and defeat is happy and peaceful.' Not only did the Buddha teach non-violence and peace, He was perhaps the first and only religious teacher who went to the battlefield personally to prevent the outbreak of a war. He diffused tension between the Sakyas and the Koliyas who were about to wage war over the waters of Rohini. He also dissuaded King Ajatasattu from attacking the Kingdom of the Vajjis.
The Buddha discussed the importance and the prerequisites of a good government. He showed how the country could become corrupt, degenerate and unhappy when the head of the government becomes corrupt and unjust. He spoke against corruption and how a government should act based on humanitarian principles.
The Buddha once said, 'When the ruler of a country is just and good, the ministers become just and good; when the ministers are just and good, the higher officials become just and good; when the higher officials are just and good, the rank and file become just and good; when the rank and file become just and good, the people become just and good.'(Anguttara Nikaya)
Buddha's Rule for Good Government
In the Jataka, the Buddha had given to rules for Good Government, known as 'Dasa Raja Dharma'. These ten rules can be applied even today by any government which wishes to rule the country peacefully. The rules are as follows:
1) be liberal and avoid selfishness,
2) maintain a high moral character,
3) be prepared to sacrifice one's own pleasure for the well-being of the subjects,
4) be honest and maintain absolute integrity,
5) be kind and gentle,
6) lead a simple life for the subjects to emulate,
7) be free from hatred of any kind,
8) exercise non-violence,
9) practice patience, and
10) respect public opinion to promote peace and harmony.
Regarding the behavior of rulers, He further advised:
- A good ruler should act impartially and should not be biased and discriminate between one particular group of subjects against another.
- A good ruler should not harbor any form of hatred against any of his subjects.
- A good ruler should show no fear whatsoever in the enforcement of the law, if it is justifiable.
- A good ruler must possess a clear understanding of the law to be enforced. It should not be enforced just because the ruler has the authority to enforce the law. It must be done in a reasonable manner and with common sense. — (Cakkavatti Sihananda Sutta)
To be censured is the ruler who conducts himself as a robber of the public
In the Milinda Panha,it is stated: 'If a man, who is unfit, incompetent, immoral, improper, unable and unworthy of kingship, has enthroned himself a king or a ruler with great authority, he is subject to be tortured' to be subject to a variety of punishment by the people, because, being unfit and unworthy, he has placed himself unrighteously in the seat of sovereignty. The ruler, like others who violate and transgress moral codes and basic rules of all social laws of mankind, is equally subject to punishment; and moreover, to be censured is the ruler who conducts himself as a robber of the public.' In a Jataka story, it is mentioned that a ruler who punishes innocent people and does not punish the culprit is not suitable to rule a country.
Long live His Majesty
The king always improves himself and carefully examines his own conduct in deeds, words and thoughts, trying to discover and listen to public opinion as to whether or not he had been guilty of any faults and mistakes in ruling the kingdom. If it is found that he rules unrighteously, the public will complain that they are ruined by the wicked ruler with unjust treatment, punishment, taxation, or other oppressions including corruption of any kind, and they will react against him in one way or another. On the contrary, if he rules righteously they will bless him: 'Long live His Majesty.' (Majjhima Nikaya)
The Buddha's emphasis on the moral duty of a ruler
The Buddha's emphasis on the moral duty of a ruler to use public power to improve the welfare of the people had inspired Emperor Asoka in the Third Century B.C. to do likewise. Emperor Asoka, a sparkling example of this principle, resolved to live according to and preach the Dhamma and to serve his subjects and all humanity. He declared his non-aggressive intentions to his neighbors, assuring them of his goodwill and sending envoys to distant kings bearing his message of peace and non-aggression. He promoted the energetic practice of the socio-moral virtues of honesty, truthfulness, compassion, benevolence, non-violence, considerate behavior towards all, non-extravagance, non-acquisitiveness, and non-injury to animals. He encouraged religious freedom and mutual respect for each other's creed. He went on periodic tours preaching the Dhamma to the rural people. He undertook works of public utility, such as founding of hospitals for men and animals, supplying of medicine, planting of roadside trees and groves, digging of wells, and construction of watering sheds and rest houses. He expressly forbade cruelty to animals.
Buddha - a social reformer
Sometimes the Buddha is said to be a social reformer. Among other things, He condemned the caste system, recognized the equality of people, spoke on the need to improve socio-economic conditions, recognized the importance of a more equitable distribution of wealth among the rich and the poor, raised the status of women, recommended the incorporation of humanism in government and administration, and taught that a society should not be run by greed but with consideration and compassion for the people. Despite all these, His contribution to mankind is much greater because He took off at a point which no other social reformer before or ever since had done, that is, by going to the deepest roots of human ill which are found in the human mind. It is only in the human mind that true reform can be effected. Reforms imposed by force upon the external world have a very short life because they have no roots. But those reforms which spring as a result of the transformation of man's inner consciousness remain rooted. While their branches spread outwards, they draw their nourishment from an unfailing source — the subconscious imperatives of the life-stream itself. So reforms come about when men's minds have prepared the way for them, and they live as long as men revitalize them out of their own love of truth, justice and their fellow men.
Nibbana
The doctrine preached by the Buddha is not one based on 'Political Philosophy'. Nor is it a doctrine that encourages men to worldly pleasures. It sets out a way to attain Nibbana. In other words, its ultimate aim is to put an end to craving (Tanha) that keeps them in bondage to this world. A stanza from the Dhammapada best summarizes this statement: 'The path that leads to worldly gain is one, and the path that leads to Nibbana (by leading a religious life)is another
Theories on Governance
The Ten Royal Qualities
First, let it be explained as to why the term 'royal' has been used to denote these qualities. There are two reasons for it. First and foremost it is to emphasise the exalted nature, or the greatness of the qualities. Secondly, it is because these qualities are most relevant and necessary for the exercise of leadership.
Before we get on to the ten qualities, let us get a simple definition of what a leader is, of what leadership means. If a person by his ideas, his perceptions, his decisions, have an impact or bearing or an influence on others lives, on the welfare of other beings then such a person is a leader. A leader also will have to determine his objectives and realise those objectives. However, the essence of leadership, is to show the way. From that standpoint we find that there is leadership in a home, in welfare institutions ,in educational institutions, professional institutions in business, in industry and commerce, in Temples, Hermitages, other places of worship, in a village, in a town, in a city or in a country. So there is leadership to be found in all these institutions and at various levels. Wherever there is a grouping of beings, there is always a requirement for leadership.
Proximate and Root causes
Now in the process of learning through numerous educational institutions, professional institutions and through on-the-job training process we come to acquire certain perceptions and certain skills about leadership and the attainment of objectives. Such learning has its relevance, but it also has its limitation. Being learned is a necessary condition for the fulfilment of objectives for a leader. However, learning is only a proximate cause for the realisation of those objectives. Often we find, in spite of much learning, much training and much effort that results don't match our anticipation. Sometimes the results end up in disaster. This is because whilst great effort and concentration has gone towards the fulfilment of those necessary proximate causes, insufficient attention has been paid to the fulfilment of certain essential root causes. < ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Learning is a necessary cause, a necessary condition. However, there are certain other essential conditions at root level which must be established, developed and made much of, for the realisation of wholesome aspirations, of wholesome objectives. A leader must acquire, develop and make much of such root conditions. These ten royal qualities of leadership, go to make up, those root conditions. It is the foundation on which he builds up his path. If the foundation is weak, needless to say the results, will not be in accordance with one's anticipations. If however, the foundation is strong, the root causes are well established, those necessary proximate causes also will fall into place with effortless ease and most of all the results of one's effort will be in accordance with one's anticipations. Through that process one can be content that not only has one achieved one's own objectives but it has also been for one's own welfare and most of all for the welfare of others too, because welfare of others must always be foremost in the mind of a leader.
Brief outline of ten royal qualities and thereafter how they get developed. There are ten such qualities.
Dana - Gifting
Parithyaga - Sacrifice
Sila - Virtue
Thapasa - Austerity
lrju - Uprightness
Murdu - Soft
Avihimsa - Non-harm
Akrodaya - Non-ill will
Kanthi - Forbearance
Avirodita - Non-conflict
Dana means gifting. This means that you gift necessary requisites for the sustenance of human life. Not only to human life but sometimes to other types of beings too. Then we also have occasions when one devotes ones time and energy to certain wholesome deeds. That is also a mode of gifting. Then there is the gift of truth, where one assists others to realise the true nature of things. That is the highest of all gifts.
Parithyaga
Parithyaga means sacrifice. Here one sacrifices one's wealth, one's comforts, one's time, one's energies, one's pleasures for the welfare of other beings. It is totally sacrificed for the welfare of others.
Economic Teachings of the Buddha
Certain modern schools of thought like Marxism regard the economic domain as the primary determinant of social existence and dismiss everything else as mere superstructure, a secondary overlay resting on the material substratum.
Contrary to this view, the Buddha recognizes that there are many interdependent spheres of human activity. These cannot be subjected to any simplistic reduction, but must be seen as interrelated and mutually efficacious. The Buddha took note of the importance of economics in human life and he held that for people to be capable of personal and spiritual progress, the economic foundation has to be secure.
In many sutta's the Buddha has pointed out that poverty can lead to the decline of moral values - to stealing, lying, murder, etc., and eventually to complete social chaos. He teaches not only that economics largely determines man's moral condition, but also that the government has a responsibility to correct any extreme economic injustice. He advises the king to look after the economic well being of his subjects. He says that the king has to give seed to the farmers for their crops and feed for their cattle, capital to the merchants and businessman to conduct their business, and jobs to the civil servants, etc.
Buddhism promotes economic wellbeing in society by its stress on the virtue of generosity. The Buddha teaches all his disciples, whether monks or laymen, to practice giving, to be generous and bountiful. The wealthy in particular have an obligation to give to the poor, to help and assist the poor.
The things that can be given have been minutely classified as follows:
The basic requirements are:
Dwelling places
Secondary objects:
Utensils, lights, seats etc.
The Buddha especially praises, the giving of food
The Buddha especially praises, the giving of food. He says that if people knew the benefits of giving food, they would not sit down to a single meal without sharing it with someone if there is an opportunity for them to do so. He says one who gives food gives the following five things and in return receives these five as its karmic result.
He gives :
Life (long life )
Beauty (good complexion)
Strength (physical health)
Intelligence (mind is able to function properly)
Specific advice to laymen
The Buddha gave the following advice to a group of lay people as conducive to their happiness here and now.
(a) Energy and diligence
You have to be energetic and diligent in performing your job whether it is farming, a trade, business or a profession.
(b) Security
You have to protect your wealth.
(c) Good friendship
Associate with true friends, with wise and virtuous people who will help you and protect you, and guide you in Dhamma.
(d) Balanced livelihood
You should not be too bountiful, spending more than your means allow, and you should not be niggardly, clinging to your wealth. Avoid these extremes and spend in proportion to your income.
Buddha gave Advice For Long Term Benefit
Then he gave them advice for their long term benefit: as (a) faith and confidence in spiritual values, (b) generosity, (c) moral discipline and (d) wisdom.
Right Livelihood
The Buddha laid down four standards of right livelihood to which a lay follower should conform.
He should acquire wealth only by legal means.
He should acquire it without violence.
He should acquire it honestly.
He should require it in ways which do not harm others.
Prosperity and Happiness The Buddhist View
Many people, including Buddhists, believe that Buddhism spurns the acquisition of material comforts and pleasure and is concerned only with spiritual development. The attainment of Nibbana is, indeed, the goal. However,
The Buddha's attitude towards material wealth
The Buddha was very much alive to the fact that economic stability is essential for man's welfare and happiness.
In the Anguttaranikaya (A.II. (69-70) the Buddha mentions that there are four kinds of happiness derived from wealth. They are:
1) Atthisukha - The happiness of ownership.
2) Anavajjasukha - The happiness derived from wealth which is earned by means of right livelihood, i.e. not dealing in the sale of harmful weapons, not dealing in the slaughter of animals and sale of flesh, not dealing in the sale of liquor, not dealing in the sale of human beings (e.g. slavery and prostitution) and not dealing in the sale of poisons.
3) Ananasukha - the happiness derived from not being in debt.
4) Bhogasukha - the happiness of sharing one's wealth. This kind of happiness is an extremely important concept in Buddhism.
Although the Buddha saw that economic stability was important for man's happiness, he also saw the harmful side of wealth. Rather, he saw that man's natural desires and propensities are such that wealth provides ample scope for these propensities to surface and indulge themselves. Yet, it appears, desires can never be fully satisfied for it is stated in the Ratthapalasutta (M.II.68) "Uno loko atitto tanhadaso." The world is never satisfied and is ever a slave to craving. The Dhammapada (vs. 186-187) also points out this insatiability in man. "Na kahapana vassena titthi kamesu vijjati…" Not by a shower of gold coins does contentment arise in sensual pleasures.
The Buddha's prescriptions for prosperity and happiness
The Buddha's prescriptions for prosperity and happiness have been always laced with liberal doses of ethics.The following pages try to make this connection.
On another occasion the Buddha said, " Grass is to be sought for by those in need of grass. Firewood is to be sought for by those in need of firewood. A cart to be sought for by those in need of a cart. A servant by him who is in need of a servant. But, Headman, in no manner whatsoever do I declare that gold and silver be accepted or sought for. "(S.IV 326) The meaning is very clear from these statements. Wealth is to be sought not as an end in itself but as a means to an end, for attaining various objectives and fulfilling duties.
The Andhasutta (A.I. 128-129) presents an apt analogy where we can locate the ethically ideal position. The Buddha says there are three types of persons to be found in the world: The totally blind, the one who can see with one eye, and, the one who can see with both eyes. The man who is totally blind is the one who can neither acquire wealth nor discern right from wrong. The one who can see with one eye is the man who can acquire wealth but cannot discern right from wrong. The one who has perfect sight in both eyes is the ideal individual. He can acquire wreath and also discern what is right from wrong. The Buddhist view is that the ideal man is the man who is wealthy and virtuous.
The Buddha Classified People
In another analogy (S.I.. 93ff) the Buddha classified people into the following categories:
Tama (dark) to Tama (dark)
Tama (dark) to Joti (light)
Joti (light) to tama (dark)
Joti (light) to Joti (light)
The tama person is poor and may or may not possess good qualities such as faith and generosity. The Joti person is rich and may or may not possess good qualities such as faith and generosity. The Tama person who does not possess good qualities who is mean and devoid of faith will go from darkness to darkness. The Tama person who has faith and is of a generous disposition will go from darkness to light. The joti person who is devoid of faith and generosity will go from light to darkness. The Joti person who has good qualities will go from light to light.
Sometimes wealth causes certain people to be miserly. The Buddha has remarked that riches "that are not rightly utilized run to waste, not to enjoyment" and compares such a person to a lake of pure water lying in an inaccessible savage region. (S.I. 89-90).
How should one acquire wealth in a way that will conduce to prosperity and happiness?
People from various walks of life and of varying temperaments came to the Buddha to ask him all kinds of advice. The people of Veludvara and Dhigajanu Vyaggapajja of Kakkarapatta, for instance (on separate occasions) visited the Buddha and requested him to teach them those things which would conduce to their happiness in this life as well as the next.
Dhiajanu Vyaggapajja (like the people of veludvara) confessed to enjoying life thoroughly. "Lord" he said "we householders like supporting wives and children. We love to use the finest muslins from < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Benares and the best sandalwood, deck ourselves with flowers, garlands and cosmetics. We also like to use both silver and gold." (A.IV 280)
With great compassion did the Buddha give Vyaggapajja (as he did the people of veludvara on another occasion) a comprehensive prescription for the attainment of prosperity and happiness without ever deprecating the life of sensuous enjoyment Laymen like to lead. It is in this sutta that the Buddha advocated four conditions which if fulfilled would give one prosperity and happiness. They are:
Acquiring Material Wealth
1. Utthanasampada - achievement in alertness. The Buddha has described this quality as skill and perseverance and applying an inquiring mind into ways and means whereby one is able to arrange and carry out one's work successfully.
2. Arakkhasampada - achievement in carefulness,
3. Kalyanamittata - having the companionship of good friends who have the qualities of faith, virtue, generosity and wisdom.
4. Samajivikata - maintaining a balanced livelihood. This last condition requires one not to be unduly elated or dejected in the face of gain or loss but to have a good idea of one's income and expenditure and live within one's means. A man is advised not to waste his wealth like shaking a fig tree to get one fruit, thereby causing all the fruits on the tree, ripe and unripe, to fall on the ground and go waste. Nor is one advised to hoard wealth without enjoying it and die of starvation.
This advice with regard to acquiring material wealth is followed up with four conditions for one's spiritual welfare which would ensure one a happy birth in the next life also. They are: Having the qualities of faith, (saddha) virtue, (sila) charity (dana) and wisdom (panna)
Balance Between Material and Spiritual Progress
A careful look at the two sets of four conditions clearly show that the principle underlying them is that one should maintain a balance between material and spiritual progress. Directing one's attention to one's spiritual welfare along with one's daily activities having to do with acquiring wealth acts as a break to ever-increasing greed. The purpose of restraining greed or sense desires is to develop contentment with less wants. Amassing wealth for its own sake is condemned by the Buddha. When wealth is not shared and is used only to satisfy one's own selfish aims, it leads to resentment in society. When this sutta is carefully considered the connection between ethics and happiness becomes apparent.
Further in the sutta, wealth is likened to a tank of water with four outlets through which the water is liable to flow out and go waste. These outlets are what dissipates wealth, viz., debauchery, addiction to liquor, gambling and keeping company with evil doers. The four inlets which keep replenishing the supply of water in the tank are the practicing of the opposites of what has been mentioned above such as abstaining from debauchery, etc.
According to the Alavakasutta (Sn. p.33) wealth is acquired by energetic striving, amassed by strength of arm and sweat of brow.
Dhananjanisutta
The Buddha has also observed that in acquiring wealth one should not be deterred by cold, heat, flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, creeping things, dying of hunger and thirst but that one should be prepared to endure all these difficulties. (M.I. 85) In short, being idle and shirking hardships is not the best way to succeed in gaining prosperity.
Earning wealth through selling intoxicating liquor, harmful weapons, drugs and poisons or animals to be killed are all condemned. They fall into the category of wrong livelihood (A.III 206.) One's livelihood must be earned through lawful means, non - violently (S.IV 336). In fact, the Buddha has stated that the wealth of those who amass it without intimidating others, like a roving bee who gathers honey without damaging flowers, well increase in the same way as does an anthill. (D.III 188)
In the Dhananjanisutta (M.II. 188) ven'ble Sariputta states that no one can escape the dreadful results of unlawful and non - righteous methods of livelihood by giving the reason that one is engaged in them to perform his duties and fulfill obligations. The Dhammikasutta of the Sutta nipata states "Let him dutifully maintain his parents and practice an honourable trade. The householder who observes this strenuously goes to the gods by name Sayampabhas."
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2008
Shivajinagar has the lowest number of voters
Bangalore: Shivajinagar Assembly constituency has the lowest number of voters among the 21 constituencies of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike electoral district.
The size of this constituency has been enhanced following delimitation as three more wards of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike are included to this in addition to the existing three wards.
Sampangiramanagar (ward 77), Vasanthnagar (78) and Shivajinagar (79) wards were part of this constituency prior to the delimitation exercise.
Bharathinagar (80), Ulsoor (81) and Jayamahal (92) wards, which were spread in the erstwhile Jayamahal and Bharathinagar constituencies, were included during delimitation process.
This constituency comprises areas such as Kumara Park East, Jayamahal Extension, Bharathinagar, Shivajinagar and parts of Ulsoor.
Vidhana Soudha is part of this constituency.
Shanthinagar
This assembly constituency was reserved for Scheduled Castes prior to the process of delimitation.
Now it is a general constituency and has the highest sex ratio among the 21 constituencies of the BBMP electoral district.
Six wards of the BBMP, Neelasandra (ward no 69), Shanthinagar (70), Austin Town (71), Domlur (72), Jogupalya (75) and Richmond Town (ward no 76) are part of this constituency.
While Neelasandra was in the Uttarahalli constituency prior to delimitation, parts of Koramangala (67), which were in this constituency prior to delimitation, are now shifted to the neighbouring BTM Layout.
Ashoknagar, Langford Town, Richmond Town, Ulsoor, Cambridge Layout, Domlur, Agaram, Victoria Layout, Viveknagar, localities around M.G. Road and St. Mark's Road are part of this constituency.
It's an EPIC struggle indeed
If a voter wants to get an electronic photo identity card (EPIC) in Bangalore City, then he or she needs to be blessed with loads of luck…
This was the impression gained when Deccan Herald did a reality check at three EPIC centres on Monday.
Thousands have been queuing up for EPICs at the many counters in the City every day, while only a few hundreds get them by the end of the day.
Officials of Macro Infotech, which has been awarded the contract to issue EPICs, remained unavailable for any comments on the campaign.
About a thousand people had queued up at 8 am on Monday, though the centre was to open at 9 am.
People stood in two depressingly long queues: one for obtaining counterfoils confirming the existence of voters' names in the voters' list, and the other for EPICs.
As against the over 3,000 voters who flocked the centre, hardly 500 cards were issued. Hundreds were seen returning after looking at the serpentine queues.
Tax inspector Srikanth manning a counter, said: "The agency has provided only a single laptop with web camera for taking photographs. At least five cameras are required."
Bharatinagar
Only 300 of the 1,500-odd who queued up for EPICs, were successful in obtaining the cards. But people who came in the afternoon were issued counterfoils for use the next day.
Returning empty-handed, BBM student Mohammed Dawood said: "I had a holiday today and came for the ID. But, the waiting was in vain. They want me to come tomorrow which is difficult."
Those who came to the EPIC centre at Income Tax Regional Training School on Crescent Road were greeted by a small poster which read: "For Voters' Photo Session, visit Corporation Office (Devanga School), near Ulsoorgate Police Station, Sampangiramanagar, from 14-04-2008 to 17-04-2008."
Location shift
Students Priyanka and Ankita were seen rushing out in search of the new venue. A person working at the premises, said that the EPIC drive was conducted at the school on Saturday and Sunday, before being shifted.
Mythili, a resident of Munishwara Layout in Yelahanka constituency, waited for hours on Sunday and till afternoon on Monday, only to be told that her name did not figure in the voters' list in the computer. "Although my name is in the hardcopy of the voters' list, it is not there in the computer," she fumed.
After a five-hour futile wait, Khizar Ahmed of Austin Town, said: "My name has not been included in the voters' list although I had applied for it in August 2007."
Chief Electoral Officer M N Vidyashankar said the EPIC drive was affected on Sunday due to power disruption in many areas. "Otherwise, there has been no problem," he claimed.
On long queues, he said he has directed officials to instal additional systems at all centres.
Five Changes< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Before there were schools and school-learning; when elders were teachers and children were wise; when learning was understanding and applying what you understood, not just repeating what you could memorize; and when time was free, and working was no different from dancing or singing or telling stories . . .
. . . one morning, some children gathered at their favorite meeting place, in a green meadow, under a large tree, where they met with an elder of their community who asked them the question, "If you could make a wish what would it be?"
The first child spoke, "I wish for the health and well-being of my family and friends, and of everyone in my community; and that we always remember to support and appreciate each other."
The second child said, "My wish is that I will do all that I can to develop my skills and abilities. That I am creative and energetic and kind."
A third child spoke, "My wish is that we treat people from elsewhere as we would treat each other, even if they seem different or weird. That we remember to speak up for them when others forget."
Then the fourth child spoke, "My wish is for the Earth. That we respect all species, and the air and soil and water."
A fifth child said, "My wish is that we remain always curious about the unknown, that we are trusting of the mysterious and open to the promise of the yet-to-be-revealed."
The elder asked the children if they believed that wishes can come true.
The children answered, "Yes, we believe that they can."
Then the elder asked, "How does that happen. How can it be that wishes come true?"
"By keeping on wishing. & Imagining! & Working!" said one.
"Though our intention and passion," said another.
"By our love," said another. "By trusting life,"
Then the elder said: "Remember that you are unique, that life has never expressed itself as it now expresses itself through each one of you.
"Remember that each of us is always changing and that things become real by your willingness to adapt and learn from those changes.
"Even the things we feel and believe most strongly are constantly in process.
"CHANGE is at the very foundation of things, even those things that appear to be most solid."
Vote For BSP -Do not resort to unethical campaign, BSP workers told
Do not resort to unethical campaign, BSP workers told
Vote For BSP-BSP contesting all seats -Watch out for bogus voting, EC tells staff
Sunday, Apr 13, 2008
BSP contesting all seats
Sindhia releases first list, party to circulate a 20-page appeal
THE FIRST LIST: BSP general secretary P.G.R. Sindhia releasing the party's first list of 50 candidates in Bangalore on Saturday. Veer Singh (left), MP; M. Muniyappa, BSP State unit president, and Trisul Pani Patil, BSP State general secretary, are with him.
BANGALORE: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will contest all 224 seats in the coming elections to the Legislative Assembly.
Releasing the first list of 50 candidates here on Saturday, the BSP national general secretary P.G.R. Sindhia said the party national president and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati will tour the State in three phases starting from May 5.
Mr. Sindhia said the party would circulate a 20-page "appeal" issued by Mayawati in lieu of a party manifesto. The appeal would be printed in various languages spoken in Karnataka and would be given at the doorstep of voters by the party workers in the State.
Asserting that the party had a vision for the State, Mr. Sindhia said: "The party follows a philosophy and even in the elections, the party will not waver from it. We have no political enemies but we do have an ideology to follow which makes us different from the other parties."
He said: "We will post a surprising result in the elections and we have the means to do it. we have invisible voters who are motivated by our philosophy." Mr. Sindhia said Ms. Mayawati would address eight public meetings in the State. On May 5, she would speak in Chamarajanagar, on May 12 in Bellary and Chitradurga, and on May 17 and 18 in Bidar and Gulbarga.
The party would launch its campaign on April 13 at its party office which would be attended by all district level presidents and office-bearers.
The party leaders, including Mr. Sindhia, would start touring the State from April 19. Mr. Sindhia and State general secretary Pani Patel would tour 80 constituencies together. BSP State unit president Marasandra Muniyappa would tour 80 other constituencies.
Following is the list of BSP candidates: N. Mahesh (Kollegal-SC), Shamsuddin M. Patil Ganihar (Sindhagi),Vaijanath Suryavamshi (Aurad-SC), Sridhar Kalaveer (Sakleshpur-SC), R. Muniyappa (Mahadevapura-SC), M. Muniyappa (Devananalli-SC), Jigani Shankar (Anekal-SC), Parimala Nagappa (Hanuru), V. Srinivasan (Pulikeshinagar-SC), Sayyad Zulfikar Hashmi (Bidar), Mundargi Nagaraj (Hagaribommanahalli-SC), Sayyad Roshan Mullah (Shiggaon), Chandrakantha Gaddagi (Gulburga Rural-SC), D. Shobha Bellary (Hubli-Dharwad East-SC), Babusaheb Kasimnavar (Kalghatgi), Umesh Hegade (Yellapura), Panduranga Swamy (Holalkere), Venkatesh Nayak (Molakalmuru-ST), Varaprasad (Mandya), R. Manjunath (Bangalore South), J. Jayappa (Shikaripura), M.V. Kotresh (Soraba), A. Appayyanna (Byatarayanapura), Vishwanath. C (Mahalakshmi Layout), G. Bette Gowda (Yeshwanthpur), A. Papanna (BTM Layout), M.S. Mukram (Channapatna), Obanna Poojar (Chellakere-ST), H.J. Kantharaju (Hiriyur), Mohan Kumar (Hosadurga), Umesh (Turuvekere), Lingaraju (Tiptur), D. Muralidhar (Koratagere), V. Narayanaswamy (Bangarapet-SC), R.S. Kumar (Malur), Sajjad (Kolar), H. Narayanappa (Mulabagilu-SC), N. Muniswamy (Chintamani), Suresh (KGF-SC), Murugan (Gandhinagar), S.K. Sajid Ahmed (Hebbal), K.P. Narasimharaju (Shantinagar-SC), Venkatesh (Bommanahalli), Vivek Menon (Sarvajnanagar), Srinivasa Murthy (Chamarajanagar), Nisarga Nagaraju (Malleswaram), K.V. Srinivasappa (Rajajinagar), Hennur Srinivas (Pavagada-SC), Guruppaji (T. Narasipura) and Mahadevappa (Nanjangud).
Watch out for bogus voting, EC tells staff
From Shruba Mukherjee, DH News Service, New Delhi:
The Election Commission is understood to have warned its Karnataka-bound poll observers about the possibilities of bogus voting and appeasement of voters with liquor and money, especially in northern Karnataka during the forthcoming Assembly elections.
In a special briefing session for the 224 general and 61 expenditure observers here on Saturday, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami reportedly cautioned them about 'troubled spots' like Udupi, Dharwad as well as some localities around Bangalore.
Apprehending that the strong mining lobby in northern Karnataka might spend huge sums of money during the elections, the CEC asked the Expenditure Observers to report to the EC every third day on the expenditure incurred within their assigned constituencies.
Working on reports that a number of breweries in neighbouring Goa have got huge orders, the CEC asked the observers to be particularly careful about the supply of liquor in Karnataka before and during the polls. To prevent overflow of liquor to the poll-bound state, the EC has also asked the Goa-Karnataka border to be sealed.
Peculiar problems
Since Karnataka would be the first state to go to polls with delimited constituencies the CEC also mentioned about some peculiar problems particularly in Municipal Corporation areas as there would be too many polling booths within a small area.
There would also be 3,000 auxiliary poll stations in and around Bangalore and Mysore and the observers would have to take special care about those centres, he said adding that they would have to train the static micro-observers who would be deployed inside the polling stations to observe and ensure the purity of the polling process.
Central Government/Public Sector employees would be utilised to the extent possible as Micro observers and they would be deployed along with the Central Forces. The observers were also asked to ensure that the process of displaying publ-icity material of the parties at public places was transparent as the local authorities might be biased in favour of certain parties.
He also assured the observers that their reports to the EC on the discrepancies or irregularities during the poll process would not be accessible through Right to Information Act as in that case their security would be at stake.
The observers would reach the allotted consti-tuencies one day before the last day of nomination and stay there till the end polls.
STATE POLLS
*EC worried over strong mining lobby
*State told to seal border with Goa to prevent liquor flow
*Observers must train micro-observers to be deployed inside booths
*Observers must ensure transparent publicity material display
*Observer reports not to be made public
BSP's first list
Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will show surprising results in the coming elections and will be one of the deciding factors in the formation of the State government, the BSP National General Secretary P G R Sindhia said in Bangalore on Saturday.
Speaking to presspersons he said the party supremo Mayawati would participate in the election campaigning and tour all over the State for four days. She would address public meetings on May 5 in Chamarajnagar, on May 12 in Bellary and Chitradurga districts, on May 17 in Belgaum and Dharwad districts and on May 18 in Bidar and Gulbarga districts.
Releasing the first list of 50 candidates, Sindhia said workers who had served the party for the last 15 years including three former legislators had figured in the list. The second list would be released in the next three days, he said.
NRI joins BSP: Vivek Menon, a businessman who has returned from the US, joined the BSP.
Kollegal (SC) - N Mahesh, Sindgi - Shamshuddin M Patil Ganihar, Aurad (SC) - Vaijanath Suryavamshi, Sakleshpur (SC) - Sridhar Kaliveer, Mahadevapura (SC) - R Muniyappa, Devanahalli (SC) - M Muniyappa Koramangala, Anekal (SC) - Jigani Shankar, Hanur - Parimala Nagappa, Pulkeshinagar (SC) - V Srinivasan, Bidar - Syed Zulfikar Hasmi, Hagri Bommanahalli (SC) - Mundargi Nagaraj, Shiggaon - Dr Syed Roshan Mulla, Gulbarga Rural (SC) - Chandrakanta Gaddagi, Hubli - Dharwad East (SC) - D Shobha Bellary, Kalghatgi - Babusaheb Kasimnavar, Yellapur - Umesh Hegde, Hollallkere - Panduranga Swamy, Molkalmur (ST) - Dr Venkatesh Nayak, Mandya - Varaprasad, Bangalore South - R Manjunath.
Shikaripura - J Jayappa, Soraba - M V Kotresh, Byatarayanapura - M Appayanna, Mahalalakshmi Layout - C Vishwanath, Yeshwanthpur - G Bettegowda, BTM Layout - A Papanna, Channapatna - M S Mukaram, Challakere (ST)- Dr Obanna Pujar, Hiriyur - H K Kantaraju, Hosdurga - Mohan Kumar, Turvekere - Umesh, Tiptur - Lingaraju.
Korategere (Reserved) - Dr D Muralidhara, Bangarapet (Reserved) - V Narayanaswamy, Malur - Dr R S Kumar, Kolar - Sajjad, Mulbagal (SC) - H Narayanappa, Chintamani - N Muniswamy, KGF (SC) - Suresh, Gandhinagar - Murugan, Hebbal - S K Sajid Ahmed, Shantinagar - K P Narsimharaju, Bommanahalli - Venkatesh, Sarvajnanagar - Vivek Menon, Chamarajnagar - Srinivas Murthy, Malleswaram - Nisarga Nagaraju, Rajajinagar - K V Srinivasappa, Pavagada (SC) - Hennur Srinivas, T Narasipura - Guruppaji, Nanjangud - Mahadevappa
Vote For BSP-Decision to be implemented strictly in higher educational institutions : Chief Minister-BSP first list in three days: Sindhia -Poll panel's opinion on Janata Darshan sought -P.G.R. Sindhia complains to poll panel -Parimala Nagappa joins BSP-BSP to field 20 Brahmins-'Identity crisis' for BBMP voters-Places for receiving nomination papers
BSP first list in three days: Sindhia
Party to launch campaign tomorrow
To field candidates in all constituencies
Bangalore: The State unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party will launch its campaign for the coming Assembly elections on April 13 and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayavati will participate in the party's election meetings on four days.
Going to the polls with its simple declaration "Sarvajan Sukhaya — Sarvajan Hitaya," the party will field candidates from all the 224 Assembly constituencies, the former Minister and campaign committee chairman P.G.R. Sindhia said here on Friday. The places where Ms. Mayavati would attend meetings were yet to be decided.
Addressing presspersons, Mr. Sindhia said the first list of candidates for the first phase of elections would be announced in three days. The party workers would distribute a 20-page appeal by Ms. Mayavati to over 10 lakh households during the campaign.
Mr. Sindhia alleged that parties were indulging in distribution of money, saris and rice to voters and they were also hoarding liquor to be supplied to them. Mr. Sindhia said that he had complained to the Election Commission urging it to initiate action against the violators of the model code of conduct.
Mr. Sindhia reiterated his stand that he would not contest in the elections and that his Kanakapura constituency has been merged with Sathnur and Ramanagara constituencies. However, he would undertake a month-long election tour.
He hoped that the percentage of votes for his party would reach double digit in the coming elections and a large number of Muslims and Brahmins have become supporters of the party
Poll panel's opinion on Janata Darshan sought
Model code of conduct is not clear on the issue
Governor did not hold Janata Darshan since April 2
Officials told not to deliver speeches on Ambedkar Jayanti
BANGALORE: The office of the State Chief Electoral Officer has sought the opinion of the Election Commission on holding of Janata Darshan by Governor Rameshwar Thakur on Saturdays.
Mr. Thakur had not held the Janata Darshan since the announcement of the schedule for the Legislative Assembly lections in the State on April 2.
Sources said the model code of conduct was not clear on the issue of holding of Janata Darshan by the Governor. "We have written to the Election Commission and waiting for the reply," an official said.
No speeches
Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao and officials of the Social Welfare Department have been instructed not to deliver speeches on Ambedkar Jayanti on Monday in view of the enforcement of model of code of conduct.
The officials have been instructed to only garland the statue of Dr. Ambedkar on that day.
Similarly, Union Ministers have been instructed against participating in official functions of the Government in the State.
Union Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan and Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal did not participate in two functions organised in the city last week on account of model code of conduct.
Two suspended
Two officials of the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation have been suspended for violating the model of code of conduct. The two officials participated at a programme to unveil a statue of Basaveshwara in Hubli recently. The matter has been referred to the Election Commission for action, the official said.
New airport
Asked about the model of code of conduct coming in the way of the inauguration of Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli, the official said the Bangalore International Airport Limited has not approached the Chief Electoral Officer on the issue. "We will take stock of the issue only after the BIAL approach us," the official said.
Service voters
There are 60,000 voters in the State serving in Defence forces.
The voters categorised as "service voters" have been given freedom to exercise their franchise from the place of their convenience in the country.
To ensure that every official on election duty casts vote, the Election Commission has decided to introduce a new system of postal ballot — Registered Post Acknowledgement Due — in the coming elections in the State.
According to the new system, persons deputed on election duty, including police personnel, would cast their voters through registered post, instead of the old certificate of posting. The new system would be effective and each and every person on election duty will get an opportunity to vote, the official said.
Officials on election duty would have to fill-up Form 12 in which they would furnish details of the constituency they belong to and their respective departments.
They would also have to provide a copy of their appointment letter and electoral photo identity card, if any.
A postal ballot will then be given to the personnel, who will mark their preferences. The respective Deputy Commissioners will collect the ballot papers; sort them out based on the constituency they belong to and despatch them to those constituencies through registered post, the official said.
P.G.R. Sindhia complains to poll panel
Bangalore: General secretary of the Bahujan Samaj Party P.G.R. Sindhia has complained to Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami over election norms being flouted in some pockets of the State.
He said while some political parties were distributing money to people attending public meetings, some were distributing rice to voters.In another instance reported in Channapatna, a prospective Congress candidate who is the owner of an apparel unit at the place had stored 650 saris to woo voters. This has since been confiscated by the local Tahsildar.
At Hebbal in Bangalore, a prospective BJP candidate has opened a free dosa camp, and at Basavanagudi, morning walkers were being provided free breakfast by a prospective Congress candidate.
Parimala Nagappa joins BSP
Parimala Nagappa, widow of former minister H Nagappa who was killed in captivity by forest brigand Veerappan, quit the JD(S) and joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Friday.
Announcing her decision to join the BSP at a press conference in Bangalore, Parimala said that "she was forced to quit the JD(S) in the changed election scenario."
Parimala, who met BSP supremo Mayawati at New Delhi on April 9, said she was joining the party as she liked the BSP's ideologies. "I am joining the BSP as it is also the wish of my followers and workers of Hanur constituency in Chamarajnagar district," she said.
BSP National General Secretaries Veersingh and P G R Sindhia and State President Marasandra Muniyappa, who welcomed her to the party, said she had joined the party without pre-conditions. "Our leader Mayawati has welcomed her into the party and we are happy to have her with us," Sindhia said.
Along with Parimala, Andappanavar (Congress), Devadutt, Jabbar Pasha and Bannur Kumar of JD(S) also joined the party. "Many more members are expected to join the party soon," Sindhia added
BSP to field 20 Brahmins
Mayawati's BSP has decided to field Brahmin candidates in 20 of the 224 constituencies that it will contest in the State.
"There is a wrong impression that our party is only for the Dalits. It is for all and that is why our election slogan is Sarvejana Hitaya Sarvejana Sukhaya," the BSP National General Secretary P G R Sindhia said in Bangalore on Friday.
Addressing reporters he said the party was firm on contesting on its own in all the 224 constituencies and will not enter into alliance with any party.
The BSP MP Veersingh said the party would follow the party supremo's principles of "jaat todo aur samaj jodo" (shun casteism and unite society) in Karnataka elections. "We will give a fair representation to all castes and communities in our party list," he said.
Seat sharing
BSP State President Marasandra Muniyappa said the party would earmark 30 per cent of the seats for Lingayats and Vokkaligas, Other Backward Classes (37 per cent), Dalits (23 per cent) and Muslims (12 per cent).
The first list of candidates and the party's manifesto would be released in the next few days, he said.
Sindhia also has plans to distribute a 20-page booklet informing people why they should vote for the BSP.
The party would begin its campaign on April 13 after a meeting of all district leaders in Bangalore on that day. Mayawati would participate in the campaigning for all the three phases of elections in Karnataka, Muniyappa said.
Muniyappa reiterated that he is not going to contest the assembly elections.
'Identity crisis' for BBMP voters
Hundreds of voters who were waiting to get their photo identity cards were upset on Friday as the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which had announced that it will start a drive to issue voters' photo identity cards from Friday, did not commence the process.
Deccan Herald was flooded with calls from its readers, who complained that they were being misled by BBMP officials with regard to the issue of photo identity cards. "When we enquired with the BBMP PRO about the confusion, he said the cards would be issued at a later stage, and could be used only for the next elections. If it is not for the coming elections, what was the hurry in making the announcement?" asked Anil Kumar from Nagarabhavi.
Vasant Kumar from Koramangala said he received the same response from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. "We do not know why these officials make announcements when they are not sure of implementing them," he asked.
Bangalore District Electoral officer B S Ramprasad said that though the process of issuing the cards had begun on Friday, the cards would actually be issued from Saturday. Late on Friday night, the Palike sent a list of locations where voters can get the photo cards on a continuous basis from April 12 to May 5.
The cards will be issued in the following places on Saturday, between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm.
Rajarajeshwarinagar: Govt Tamil Primary School, Peenya Plantation, HMT; K N Geetha Kannada Lower Primary School, Lakshmidevinagar.
Mahalakshmi Layout: Govt Middle School, BDA Building, Krishnandanagar Slum; East West Nursery and Primary School, 13th Cross, Mahalakshmi Layout.
Malleshwaram: Govt Model Primary School, 3rd Main, Mathikere; Indian Preparatory School, 4th Cross, Maruti Badavane, Malleshwaram.
Shivajinagar: BDA Office, Sankey Road; Corporation Girls School, Narayana Pillai Road.
Shantinagar: Govt Higher Primary School, Appareddy Palya; Shantiniketan Nursery and Primary School, 5th Cross, Bazaar Street, Neelasandra.
Rajajinagar: Anganwadi Centre, 9th Cross, Indiranagar Slum; BBMP Ward Office, Sharada Colony, Basaveshwaranagar.
Govindrajnagar: Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, 10th main, Binny Layout, 2nd Stage; 38th Ward Office, Nagarabhavi Main Road.
Vijaynagar: Karnataka Vidya Samsthe, C Block, Kempapura Agrahara; Nammura Model Primary School, 1st Main Road, Deepanjali Nagar; Govt Lower Primary School, Opp BEO Office, North Side.
Anekal: Guru Bhavan; Govt Higher Primary School, Hebbagodi
Places for receiving nomination papers
The Bangalore Urban district deputy commissioners on Friday issued an order earmarking places for receiving nomination papers from candidates for seven assembly constituencies falling in the district.
The names of constituencies and places where nominations will be received are:
Yelahanka, Bangalore North taluk panchayat office; Byatarayanapura, Bruhat Bengalore Mahanagara Palike Joint Commissioner's office in Byatarayanapura; Yeshwanthpura, Bangalore North taluk office on KG Road; Dasarahalli, BBMP Joint Commissioner's office in Dasarahalli; Mahadevapura, BBMP Joint Commissioner's office in Mahadevapura; Anekal, taluk office of Anekal; Bangalore South, office of deputy divisional officer, Bangalore South taluk.
From April 16
As per the calendar of events announced by the Election Commission, nomination papers will be received from April 16 between 11 am and 3 pm for the first phase of polling scheduled for May 10.
The last date for filing of nominations is April 23.
Vote For BSP-P.G.R. Sindhia complains to poll panel -Mayawati urges quota for poor among FCs -Police seize gifts stored for voters -Mahalakshmi Layout is a new Assembly constituency -Parties warned against defacing public property -Relief for anti-Sikh riot victims
Mayawati urges quota for poor among FCs
New Delhi Bureau
NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati told journalists here that the government should redefine the concept of creamy layer in view of the runaway prices so that the Other Backward Classes, who were socially and economically backward, were not denied the benefits of reservation.
She urged the government to bring in a constitutional amendment to extend reservation in Central educational institutions to the economically backward sections among the forward communities (FC) and the minorities. The BSP would support the government in Parliament, she promised.
PTI reports:
Terming the apex court judgment as "historic and important," Ms. Mayawati demanded that the Centre ensure implementation of the quotas in higher education institutes.
States where such institutes cannot implement quotas should be provided help to do the same, she said.
"We will ensure full implementation of OBC reservation in U.P."
Police seize gifts stored for voters
3,000 wristwatches, 1,100 saris and lorry-loads of tiles
Steps taken to curb inflow of liquor from other States
225 companies of Central police forces for State
BANGALORE: In a crackdown on illegal storage of goods kept for distribution during the election campaign, the State police have seized 165 boxes containing 3,000 wristwatches in Chickballapur, 1,100 saris in Ramanagara and lorry-loads of tiles in Mangalore. The police have registered criminal complaints against the accused for violation of the model code of conduct, State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M.N. Vidyashankar, told journalists here on Thursday.
The seizures were made on the directions of the electoral officers concerned. Several minor cases of violation of the model coded of conduct were reported from different places and action had been taken. All Returning Officers had been directed to strictly implement the model code to ensure free and fair elections, he said.
A statue of a leader was unveiled in the jurisdiction of the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation after the model code of conduct came into force. The matter had been reported to the Election Commission for suitable action against the people concerned, he said.
Curbs on liquor flow
To check the illegal inflow of liquor from neighbouring States, Mr. Vidyashankar said the State's borders had been sealed from Wednesday, and the Deputy Commissioners concerned had been asked to step up vigilance to check the transportation of liquor. They had been instructed to take steps to prevent illegal inter-State and intra-State liquor transportation during the election campaign and on polling day. Generally, huge quantities of liquor were brought in from Goa on account of lower prices in that State, he said.
Superintendents of Police in the border districts would hold a meeting to strengthen vigilance and check the transportation of liquor. Similarly, the State's Director-General and Inspector-General of Police would hold a meeting in Bangalore with his counterparts from neighbouring States. A high-level meeting of Home Secretaries of Karnataka and the neighbouring States would be held in New Delhi, said Mr. Vidyashankar and R. Ramaseshan, Officer on Special Duty in the Election Department.
To ensure security in each of the polling booths, 225 companies of Central police forces will be deployed for each phase of the Assembly elections. The elections will be held on May 10, 16 and 22.
Strict vigil
The Election Commission would also monitor the use of vehicles by political parties and their candidates and the use of posters, banners and buntings for campaigning to ensure compliance with the directions issued by the commission, he said.
Mahalakshmi Layout is a new Assembly constituency
Krishnaprasad
BANGALORE: It is a new Assembly constituency created by carving six wards of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which were spread in Rajajinagar, Yelahanka and the erstwhile Uttarahalli constituencies after the delimitation.
Mahalakshmipuram (Ward 10), Nandini Layout (12), Geleyarabalaga (13), Nagapura (14), Kamalanagar (16) and Vrushabhavathinagar (Ward 17) are the BBMP wards included in this constituency.
Areas such as Kanteeravanagar, Krishnanandanagar Slum, Srikanteshwaranagar, Mahalakshmi Layout, Nandini Layout, Ganesha Block, AGB Layout, J.C. Nagar, and a few localities adjacent to West of Chord Road, Basaveshwaranagar, Kamalanagar, Rajajinagar 1st Block and 1st N Block, Kurubarahalli, parts of Kamakshipalya, Isckon temple and surrounding areas form part of this constituency. Voters can contact Electoral Registration Officer, BBMP office, Seshadripuram, near Bhashyam Park (ph: 22975632/9844196460) for any complaints.
The electoral boundary of this old Assembly constituency of Bangalore has been redefined by inclusion of three different wards of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) while excluding two of the five wards which were part of this constituency prior to delimitation.
While Yeshwanthpur (ward 3) and Dattatreya Temple (6) have been excluded and added to Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Gandhinagar constituencies respectively, three other adjoining wards – Gayathrinagar (ward , Subramanyanagar (9) and Palace Guttahalli (99) have been incorporated in this constituency. Earlier, Gayathrinagar and Subramanyanagar wards were part of Rajajinagar constituency and parts of Palace Guttahalli were in Jayamahal constituency.
Malleswaram (ward 7), Mathikere (4) and Kodandaramapura (ward 5) have been retained in this constituency while a few parts of Mathikere ward that were earlier with Yelahanka constituency.
The prestigious Indian Institute of Science is one of the prominent land marks of this constituency.
Voters can contact Electoral Registration Officer, BBMP office, 16th Cross, Kodandaramapura, Vyalikaval, Malleswaram (ph: 22975634/9980113235).
Parties warned against defacing public property
Campaign material to be allowed only in earmarked spaces
Amount spent should be shown in election expenditure
BANGALORE: Based on the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981, the Election Commission (EC) has issued directions to political parties on writing on walls and putting up hoardings, buntings, posters and banners on public property. It has said that the amount spent on campaign material should be included in the candidates' accounts on election expenditure.
In a three-page letter, Election Commission Secretary K.F. Wilfred, has asked State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M.N. Vidyashankar to take immediate action against any political party/association/candidate/person for defacement/disfigurement of any property in violation of the law. "Immediate action should be taken to prosecute the offender and also to get the illegal defacement removed."
The commission directed the CEO to strictly enforce the directions impartially while granting permission to put up hoardings and posters. It said steps should be taken to ensure that display of election matter was permitted only in earmarked spaces and that there was no indiscriminate allotment of space for the same.
Under the Act, candidates or parties have been asked to submit photocopies of the written permission obtained by them from the competent authorities in each case to the Returning Officer or an officer designated by him for the purpose.
Candidates and parties should also give information about the village/locality/town where the advertisement is displayed, details about the extent of space consumed and the expenditure incurred or likely to be incurred for the purpose.
Candidates should furnish information to the Returning Officer or the authorised officer within three days of obtaining permission, for verification by the election authorities.
Political parties have been asked to display flags, banners or posters only two hours prior to a public meeting at the designated venue. All campaign material must be removed within an hour of the meeting.
With regard to vehicles, the Election Commission has allowed posters, flags or any other campaign material to be displayed only on vehicles used in the election campaign, for which a permit has been granted to the candidates.
The permit in original has to be displayed on the windshield of the vehicle.
The commission has asked the CEO to bring these directions to the notice of the District Election Officers, Returning Officers and all other election-related authorities, political parties and candidates.
Relief for anti-Sikh riot victims
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday will begin distribution of relief to those affected during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Varanasi. A Home Department spokesman said here on Thursday that Special Secretary (Home) D.K. Gupta would preside over the function in Varanasi. On Saturday, he would hear the affected families.
Early this month, the government constituted a committee to expedite settlement of claims. The team would visit the districts where the riot claims had not been settled and assessment of property loss not made.
According to the latest data, over 6,000 claims have been settled in the State. Around Rs. 13 crore was distributed under the rehabilitation package.
About half a dozen cities in Uttar Pradesh witnessed rioting and arson following the assassination of the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. Kanpur was the worst-affected.
Vote For BSP-Mayawati calls Rahul Gandhi a hypocrite-BSP to go it alone in Karnataka polls
http://www.linkingpeopletogether.com/?p=955#comment-2141
Mayawati calls Rahul Gandhi a hypocrite
Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati at a public rally Wednesday called Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi a "hypocrite" and alleged that the Congress ruled the country for nearly four decades by "fooling" Dalits.
She said the congress is jittery because of the expanding base of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and therefore sent Gandhi to act as a friend of Dalits.
Mayawati said that Gandhi is following the old tradition of his party and reiterated that he takes a bath to "purify" himself after touching Dalit children.
Commenting on her personal enmity with Mulayam Singh Yadav, the chief minister said if she had been maintaining personal enmity, Yadav would have been in jail now.
She was addressing a rally in Murad Nagar assembly constituency, where a by-election is being held after Independent MLA Raj Pal Tyagi quit his seat to join the BSP.
Ms Mayawati listed the achievements of her government in one year of rule in the state and said the government had initiated welfare measures for every section of society.
Ms Mayawati is seen as the next prime ministerial candidate of the Bahujan Samaj Party, which heads the UP Government..
According to agency reports from Hardoi/Gonda (UP), continuing her attack against Mr Gandhi for his "new-found love for SC/STs(Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) ", Ms Mayawati repeated her allegation that he was "purified with special soaps and incense sticks after every time he visits the houses of SC/STs(Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) ".
"I have come to know through my sources that every time the Congress' yuvraj (prince) visits SC/STs(Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) houses, he is purified with special soaps and incense sticks," Ms Mayawati alleged while addressing a series of election meetings here.
She alleged that the Congress' love for SC/STs(Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) was "merely an eyewash" as the party had not done anything for them during its rule at the Centre and in the state.
Ms Mayawati termed the Congress "anti- SC/STs(Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) " and charged it with neglecting the needs of UP in the Union Budget.
She also referred to her demand for a special package of Rs 80,000 crores from the Centre and said the latter had not responded to the demand.
'Why did he wash when he ate with us?'
That's the shock expressed from the Unseeable Untouchable Scheduled Caste the Original Inhabitant of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath house and other thatch-and-mud one-room dwellers where Rahul stopped by, after which, the Gandhi son would have 'purified'himself
That's the reply from the Unseeable Untouchable Scheduled Caste the Original Inhabitant of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath house where Rahul stopped by, after which, according to Maya, the Gandhi son would have 'purified' himself
"We respect our leader Mayawati" says 60-year-old Ram Sahay Kori, the head of the household, who works as a daily-wage farm labourer in this Amethi village.
It was Mayawati who has said she will ensure we get the land. Mayawati runs the state .
As the congress party had not done anything for them during its rule at the Centre and in the state and neglected the needs of UP in the Union Budget.
Her demand for a special package of Rs 80,000 crores from the Centre had to be responded.
Mayawati is the symbol of his community's empowerment.
Ask the family about Mayawati's remark
"Jo khana hamare saath khaya
Tho wo wapas ja kar kyon nahaya"
0.01% Digvijay singhs, Abhishek Singhvis, Sangh Parivars,Muqhtar Abbas Naqvis,Rajnath Singh or any BJP leaders, Nehru and Devegowda dynasties!
Tolerate Ferozes, Sonias, Roberts and Anitas!
Are there instances!
Where they had allowed Unseeables!
and Untouchables!
Inside their kitchens!
Ate and shook hands!
They would have to purify washed their houses!
In special soaps!
With <Ganges waters!
As they did when untouchables !
Garlanded their leaders!
Or did they got married their sisters and daughters!
To the unseeable and Untouchable boys!
But for the sake of Votes!
And For merely eye wash do gimmicks!
By staying for a day in their thatch-and-mud one-room huts!
Those the 0.01% created and maintained for over 60 years!
As moon light saha bandhi bhojans!
Without the knowledge that in arrack shops!
Without caste, creed and colours!
Get-to-gether to lick the single dry leaves!
That carried the gravy of mutton chops!
After stay to purify they wash themselves!
With Ganges Waters!
99.99% Sarvajan samaj knows!
the value of their Votes!
And there wont be any more wastes!
Have decided to make Mayawati their future Prime Minister by casting their votes!
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080046387
BSP to go it alone in Karnataka polls
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 (New Delhi)
The Bahujan Samaj Party will go it alone in the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka with party supremo Mayawati chalking out a detailed schedule for campaigning in the poll-bound state.
''We will be contesting on all 224 seats. We have decided against any coalition as we cannot afford to lose our vote base to any other party,'' party leader Ambed Rajan told PTI.
Mayawati is scheduled to take up campaigning in the state with one rally each for ten seats. The campaign is scheduled in three phases, beginning from April last week, he said.
According to sources, party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Veer Singh has been deputed by Mayawati to oversee her rally arrangements and ticket distribution.
''The distribution of tickets would be as per the proportional representation of different communities. All sections, backward, Dalit, upper caste, minorities etc would be given due weightage,'' he said.
The party plans to play the ''king maker'' role and claims to own the ''key'' to the seat of power after the elections.
''This time the balance of power will be decided by us. The key would remain with us,'' he said.
Next month's Karnataka Assembly polls would be a test case for the BSP and the Congress,BJP,JD(S) to show who has more following among the Sarvajan Samaj i.e. the entire people.< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Contrary to popular perception that it is a party of the SC/STs(Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has decided to field Sarvajan Samaj candidates in 75 per cent of the constituencies in the Assembly elections.
With the SC/STs(Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) -Brahmin combination working wonders for it in the recent Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP is all set to adopt a similar strategy in Karnataka too.
BSP chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati will hold a meeting with party leaders from Karnataka in New Delhi on Wednesday to finalise the list of candidates and discuss the poll strategy.
The list of candidates for the constituencies that go to polls in the first phase on May 10 will be announced before April 11, BSP State president Marasandra Muniyappa told The Hindu here on Tuesday.
The party is firm on contesting on its own in all the 224 constituencies. It will not enter into alliance with any party. "The Congress tried to strike an alliance with us. But we did not agree," Mr. Muniyappa said.
Party ticket
The BSP would field Brahmin candidates in 20 constituencies. "I am sure that no other party will issue ticket to so many candidates from the Brahmin community. Like the SC/STs(Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath), the Brahmins too have been 'used and dumped' by political parties," he said.
To ensure that all castes and communities got fair representation, the BSP would earmark 30 per cent of the seats for Lingayats and Vokkaligas, 37 per cent for Other Backward Classes, 23 per cent for SC/STs(Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath), and 12 per cent for Muslims, Mr. Muniyappa said. "We are trying to bring in an understanding between the 'upper' and the 'lower' castes," he said.
Referring to the party's strength in Karnataka, Mr. Muniyappa said the BSP had a strong presence in all the districts except Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
The BSP had held public meetings in 23 of the 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in the State. It had received good response from all sections of society, he said.
Mr. Muniyappa said that nearly 3,000 people from the Brahmin community had recently joined the party in Karwar.
Leaders from other political parties would soon join the BSP, he said.
In the 2004 Assembly elections, it made a serious impact on the results in several constituencies.
The party garnered sizeable SC/STs(Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is the Great Prabuddha Bharath)votes, and this resulted in the defeat of Congress candidates in nearly two dozen constituencies.
The BSP, however, managed to win some seats during the recent elections to urban local bodies. The BSP opened its account in the Legislative Assembly when its candidate, Syed Zulfikar Hashmi, won the 1994 elections from Bidar.
Mayawati to campaign in Karnataka
P. Sunderarajan
NEW DELHI: With the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) deciding to go it alone in the coming Assembly elections in Karnataka, the party supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mayawati, has drawn up a detailed schedule for campaigning in the State from the end of this month.
Speaking to The Hindu, the national treasurer of the party, Ambeth Rajan, said Ms. Mayawati would lead the campaign, addressing rallies in different parts of the State at the rate of one rally for every 10 seats. The rallies will be held in three phases from the last week of this month, to coincide with the three-phase polling process. The exact dates would be announced soon.
Buddhists protest vandalism
VISAKHAPATNAM: Several Buddhists staged a protest at Bavikonda on Wednesday protesting against damage caused to a monument and demanded steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
"It's a disgrace that miscreants chose to break the ancient bricks hurting the sentiments of peace loving Buddhists," Subba Rao, local president of the All India Leh Buddhists' Association, said.
G. Arjun, an orthopaedician in King George Hospital, said the monument should be handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India.
Rani Sarma, an INTACH activist, now camping in the US, condemned vandalism said the site was significant as five relic caskets were unearthed in the mahastupa. One of these, said to be of Lord Buddha himself, was displayed in a museum at Hyderabad and was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama.
Assembly polls: EVMs to have Braille option
Karnataka Bureau
— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy
plea: Disabled people meeeting State Chief Electoral Officer M.N. Vidyashankar in Bangalore on Wednesday.
BANGALORE: The Election Commission will issue directions to State Chief Electoral Officer M.N. Vidyashankar to ensure that all electronic voting machines (EVMs) to be used in the Assembly elections in the State have a Braille option. Over 50,000 EVMs will be used for polling in the State.
Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami told The Hindu that EVMs with Braille option had been used in a few States.
"It should not be a problem to ensure that Braille number strips are pasted on the EVMs to be used in the polling stations in Karnataka as well," he said.
His reaction came following a petition by a delegation of Karnataka Angavikalara Rajya Okkoota on Wednesday to Mr. Vidyashankar seeking a Braille option in the EVMs, and ramps for the disabled at polling booths.
"Now that this matter has been brought to our notice, suitable directions will be issued. Visually impaired people need not be dependant on any assistance while voting," Mr. Gopalaswami said.
On the demand for ramps to enable disabled persons to get into polling stations on their own, he said, "Polling stations will have ramps. This is mandatory."
N.P. Ramachandra, Ramanagara district unit secretary of the okkoota who met Mr. Vidyashankar, said that disabled persons were usually manhandled by agents of political parties.
"It hardly costs Rs. 5 to insert Braille features on the EVMs. But it helps a visually challenged person to be independent of others while making a choice," he said.
'Want our vote? Include us in poll manifesto'
Separate budget for agricultural sector demanded
'Agriculture should be given industry status'
BANGALORE: It looks like political parties cannot get away with making vague poll promises to farmers this time. Learning from bitter experiences, some of the farmers' organisations have cautioned political parties that they will boycott them in the coming Assembly elections if they do not spell out concrete proposals for the welfare of farmers. They want a separate manifesto for the agricultural sector.
The State Sugarcane Growers' Association, the National Sugarcane Growers' Association and Tur Dal Growers' Association are among those who have decided to analyse the poll manifesto of each of the political parties and create awareness among the people about their worth. Addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Wednesday, farmers' leaders and representatives of the organisations — Kuruburu Shanthkumar, K. Prabhakara Reddy, Basavaraj Ingin and Basavaraj Tambake — said that they would appeal to farmers to desist from supporting political parties that fail to come out with concrete proposals for farmers' welfare and agricultural development. Their main demand: a separate budget for the agriculture sector, both at the State and national level. They also demand that agriculture should be given the status of an industry and that it should be included in the joint list of subjects of the State and the Union Government. Mr. Shanthkumar wondered why industrial status could not be given to agriculture when 60 per cent of the people are working in the agricultural sector.
They demanded representation to farmers' associations in the government bodies which are looking into farm policies, farm produce prices and management of agricultural affairs.
Other demands included implementation of the recommendations of the agricultural commission and extending farm loans at an interest rate of 4 per cent.
K.R. Puram has the largest number of voters
BANGALORE: K.R. Puram is a new Assembly constituency in the Greater Bangalore region and it has the largest number of voters among the 21 constituencies. Carved out from the erstwhile Varthur Assembly constituency (which no longer exists) and a few parts of Hoskote Assembly constituency, it has predominantly urban characteristics.
All wards of the erstwhile K.R. Puram City Municipal Council, and wards 3 to 11 of Mahadevapura City Municipal Council, which includes Sanna Thimmanahalli, Medahalli, Bhattrahalli, K.R. Puram, Ramamurthy Nagar, Doorvaninagar, Chikkabasavanapura, Devasandra, Vijnanapura, A. Narayanapura, Singayyanapalya, Annayyanapalya, Mahadevpura, Benniganahalli, Vibhuthipura and Vimanapura.
As many as 10 villages, K. Narayanapura, Kottanur, N. Nagenahalli, Kyalasanahalli, Geddalahalli, Horamavu Agara, K. Channasandra, Kalkere, Horamavu and Chalkere, that were included within the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike limits when the Greater Bangalore area was formed, are also part of this constituency.
Six polling booths from Bhattrahalli and Shegehalli of Hoskote Assembly constituency have been included in this segment, which is part of Bangalore North Parliamentary constituency. HAL Airport and ITI Colony are prominent land marks of this new constituency.
Rajarajeshwarinagar
This constituency, comprising Peenya Industrial Area and Bangalore University, has been formed mainly by carving out many areas of erstwhile Uttarahalli Assembly constituency and some portions of Rajajinagar, Yelahanka and Malleswaram constituencies.
Jalahalli, Siddarthnagar, Bahubalinagar, Laggere, Jai Bhuvaneshwarinagar, Sunkadakatte, Srigandada Kavalu, Hoskere Halli, BEML Layout 3rd stage are some prominent areas of Uttarahalli constituency that have been moved to this constituency.
Goraguntepalya area (nine polling booths) of Rajajinagar constituency, Poornapura area (four polling booths) of Yelahanka, and Muthyalanagar, Mohan Kumar Nagar, B.K. Nagar, Gokula Extension 1st Stage 1st Phase, parts of Yeshwantpur, and of Malleswaram constituency are included in this constituency.
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's HMT, Yeshwantpur and Peenya Industrial Area wards; erstwhile Pattanagere City Municipal Council's wards 1 to 13, 16 to 18, 20 and 23 to 27; and erstwhile Dasarahalli City Municipal Council's wards 30 to 32, and 26, have been accommodated in this segment during delimitation. Jnanabharathi, Rajarajeshwarinagar, Peenya and Yeshwanthpur Industrial Areas are prominent land marks.
B MEDIAS 4 IDEAS-For The Gain of the Many and For the Welfare of the Many Vote For BSP-BSP to field 20 Brahmin candidates -Mayawati renews attack on Congress, Centre -BSP to try its hand in Maha-Student to pay costs for getting admission on rejected ST certificate
B MEDIAS 4 IDEAS-For The Gain of the Many and For the Welfare of the Many
BSP to field 20 Brahmin candidates
K.V. Subramanya
The party will go it alone in all the 224 Assembly constituencies
Mayawati to hold meeting today to finalise candidates' list
Dalit-Brahmin combination worked wonders
in Uttar Pradesh polls
BANGALORE: Contrary to popular perception that it is a party of the Dalits, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has decided to field non-SC/ST candidates in 75 per cent of the constituencies in the Assembly elections.
With the SC/ST-Brahmin combination working wonders for it in the recent Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP is all set to adopt a similar strategy in Karnataka too. BSP chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati will hold a meeting with party leaders from Karnataka in New Delhi on Wednesday to finalise the list of candidates and discuss the poll strategy.
The BSP would field Brahmin candidates in 20 constituencies. "I am sure that no other party will issue ticket to so many candidates from the Brahmin community. Like the SC/STs, the Brahmins too have been 'used and dumped' by political parties," he said.
To ensure that all castes and communities got fair representation, the BSP would earmark 30 per cent of the seats for Lingayats and Vokkaligas, 37 per cent for Other Backward Classes, 23 per cent for SC/STs and 12 per cent for Muslims, Mr. Muniyappa said. "We are trying to bring in an understanding between the 'upper' and the 'lower' castes," he said.
Mr. Muniyappa said that nearly 3,000 people from the Brahmin community had recently joined the party in Karwar. Mr. Muniyappa said that the BSP's poll prospects would not be affected in any way because of its former State president B. Gopal joining the Congress. Leaders from other political parties would soon join the BSP, he said.
Impact on results
Although the BSP did not win a single seat in the 2004 Assembly elections, it made a serious impact on the results in several constituencies.
The party garnered sizeable SC/ST votes, and this resulted in the defeat of Congress candidates in nearly two dozen constituencies.
The BSP, however, managed to win some seats during the recent elections to urban local bodies. The BSP opened its account in the Legislative Assembly when its candidate, Syed Zulfikar Hashmi, won the 1994 elections from Bidar. However, Mr. Hashmi's victory was mainly because of his clout and the then political situation in Bidar.
Mayawati renews attack on Congress, Centre
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday renewed her attack on the Congress and said the Union Budget for 2008-09 had completely ignored the development needs of her State.
Addressing an election meeting at Bardahi Bazar in Karnailganj Assembly constituency in support of the Bahujan Samaj Party candidate, the Chief Minister appealed to the electorate to wreak vengeance on the Congress. She blamed the Congress for State's backwardness. By ignoring the State's demand for a Rs.80,000-crore package, UP had been pushed back on the development ladder, she charged.
The Chief Minister said separate packages for health, power, water and employment had also not approved by the Central Government, and nor had funds been allotted for the State's development.
Stating that despite the resource crunch the development initiative had not been abandoned by her Government, Ms. Mayawati added that integrated development of over one lakh revenue villages would be undertaken under the Ambedkar Rural Integrated Development Scheme.
The Chief Minister said separate letters had been sent to the UPA Government for inclusion of 13 Most Backward Classes in the list of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and on the trifurcation of the State.
The Chief Minister rejected the accusation that her government had targeted the criminals belonging to a particular caste. Had it been the case, then former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh would have been behind bars, she remarked.
She charged the Samajwadi Party with involvement in the "conspiracy" to dismantle the Ambedkar Park. Assembly by-elections in Karnailganj (Gonda district), Muradnagar and Bilgram are slated for April 12.
BSP to try its hand in Maha
By OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, April 8: The Bahujan Samaj Party now wants to set its sights on Maharashtra, which currently has a fluid political situation, to try out its successful social engineering formula of "sarvjan samaj" which it tested in Uttar Pradesh.
Senior party leader and Rajya Sabha member Ambeth Rajan said on Tuesday, "BSP supremo Mayawati's growing popularity can be felt in the state, where parties like the Shiv Sena have started promoting their dalit cadres to hold significant posts."
He said that even parties with dalit support base are now showing indications of tying up with "non-secular" parties in Maharashtra.
"The Republican Party of India (RPI) is a divided house in Maharashtra with several factions. It is our duty to set the house in order. We need to unite the backward communities first," Mr Rajan said. The RPI has been the traditional dalit party in Maharashtra but its several factions has made it ineffective, feel political experts.
The party leader said that the BSP is taking each community at a time and concentrating on those belonging to the Scheduled Castes first.
This process, he said, would be conducted in a phased manner at the national level as the party wants to have a pan-India presence.
Student to pay costs for getting admission on rejected ST certificate
J. Venkatesan
If he fails to pay, government may recall engineering degree
He should not seek further benefit on ST claim
He can't retain financial benefits extended by State
New Delhi: Taking a serious view of a student obtaining an engineering degree by producing a rejected ST certificate, the Supreme Court has directed him to pay the Maharashtra government expenses it incurred towards his fee, scholarship or any other concession.
He was permitted to pursue the course under the ST quota on Bombay High Court directions, a Bench consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice R.V. Raveendran pointed out. It asked the State to calculate the expenses and raise a demand for payment. If he failed to pay the dues within six months, the government might recall his degree. "If no amount is found due or if the amount determined and demanded is paid by the appellant, he may be permitted to retain the degree."
Writing the judgment, the Chief Justice said: "There may be cases where it will not be proper to permit the student to retain the degree obtained by making a false claim. One example is where candidates secure seats by producing forged or fake caste certificates. There may be cases, where knowing full well that they do not belong to the ST/SC, candidates may make a false claim that they belong to an ST/SC. There may also be cases where even before the date of admission, caste certificates might have been invalidated on verification by a scrutiny committee."
In this case, there was no allegation that the appellant forged or faked the caste certificate. As he was admitted to the engineering degree nearly 13 years ago, he should be permitted to retain his certificate on condition that he would not seek any further benefit by claiming that belonged to a Scheduled Tribe. Further, he could not retain the financial benefits extended by the State by way of expenses incurred for his professional degree, the Bench said.
Yogesh Ramachandra Naikwadi sought admission claiming that he belonged to Mahadeo Kol, an ST. The scrutiny committee rejected his claim in March 1995. However, the High Court by an interim order directed the State to admit him under the ST quota. But in March 2006, it asked the State to recall his degree. He filed the present appeal against this judgment.
B MEDIAS 4 IDEAS-For The Gain of the Many and For the Welfare of the Many Vote For BSP-Centre not cooperating with U.P., says Mayawati -Parties may focus on farmers' problems in poll manifestos -Poor response to government plan to empower Scheduled Castes
Centre not cooperating with U.P., says Mayawati
Chief Minister terms Rahul's "new found love" for SC/STs(Original Inhabbitants of Jambudvipa thst is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) eyewash
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Monday accused the United Progressive Alliance government of not cooperating with the State government and blamed the regimes of the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party for the State's backwardness.
Addressing an election rally at Sant Kabir Nagar in the Khalilabad Lok Sabha constituency, Ms. Mayawati termed Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's "new found love" for the SC/STs(Original Inhabbitants of Jambudvipa thst is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) eyewash. Referring to Mr. Gandhi as the Congress "yuvraj' (crown prince), she said his recent visit to SC (Original Inhabbitant of Jambudvipa thst is the Great Prabuddha Bharath) households in Uttar Pradesh was a political exercise aimed at wooing that section. She said the Congress leader underwent "shuddhikaran" (cleansing) after he ate food from their vessels.
Ms. Mayawati said the UPA government did not respond to her government's demand for a Rs.80,000-crore package, and added that it was not concerned about the welfare of the SC/STs(Original Inhabbitants of Jambudvipa thst is the Great Prabuddha Bharath)and other deprived sections. The non-Bahujan Samaj Party governments had done nothing for the development of the State.
Reiterating her support for the trifurcation of the State into Purvanchal, Bundelkhand and Western Uttar Pradesh, Ms. Mayawati said she had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue. She said the BSP support base was expanding in the country and expressed optimism that the next Prime Minister would be from her party.
Addressing another election meeting at the S.K.P Inter College in Azamgarh, Ms. Mayawati attributed the rampant corruption and price rise to the economic policies pursued by the UPA and NDA governments at the Centre. The development of the country had come to a standstill due to the policies of those governments, she said.
Parties may focus on farmers' problems in poll manifestos
Nagesh Prabhu
257 farmers committed suicide between
April 2007 and February 2008
Rs. 1 lakh compensation given to families
of 53 farmers
BANGALORE: In an attempt to win over the dominant farming community in the coming elections to the Legislative Assembly, political parties are likely to frame their poll strategies focussing on the plethora of problems haunting the agricultural sector, including the continuing suicides by farmers.
This is an issue that has been of pressing concern for all political parties for the past few years. With suicide cases being reported almost every day from across the State, all major political parties — the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (Secular) — are likely to come out with strategies and formulas in their election manifestos to address this issue and thereby attract the rural vote.
While in power, however, the same parties have not been able to prevent this phenomenon. All parties "chase" farmers for votes and promise them everything, R.S. Deshpande, Professor of Agriculture, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, told The Hindu.
Despite a good monsoon last year, suicides by farmers continued. As many as 257 farmers' suicide cases were reported from 29 districts between April 2007 and February 2008. Of these, 194 cases have been placed before a committee set up to sanction compensation to the next of the kin of the farmers. The committee rejected the claims in 65 cases and awarded compensation of Rs. 1 lakh to the families concerned in 53 cases. The remaining cases are pending before the committee, according to sources in the Agriculture Department.
Various factors caused these suicides. Besides the steep fall in prices of commodities in the recent past, the farmers have been adversely affected by the recent untimely showers that destroyed paddy, coffee, jowar, cotton and other crops. They are also unhappy with the procurement prices, particularly for sugarcane, offered by the Government.
The number of farmers committing suicide has seen a decline from 2000-01, when 2,360 farmers ended their lives. As many as 708 suicide cases were reported in 2003-04, 271 in 2004-05, 163 in 2005-06 and 343 cases in 2006-07. As many as 1,742 cases have been reported from 2003-04.
In 2007-08, highest number of suicides have been reported from the districts of Bidar and Chikmagalur (27 each), followed by Hassan (24), Chitradurga (19), Belgaum (18), Mandya (16), Tumkur (12), Shimoga and Kogadu (11 each) and Gulbarga, Gadag and Bellary (10 each). No suicide cases have been reported from Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Urban, Ramanagara and Chickaballapur districts, official sources said.
Poor response to government plan to empower Scheduled Castes
The response to the government's ambitious initiative to empower Scheduled Castes through the Special Component Plan (SCP) has not found many takers with just a handful of ministries allocating funds for it.
According to the Planning Commission, only around 15 ministries have allocated funds for the SCP.
'It was only six ministries during 2005-06, and 12 in 2006-07. Though the number varies from year to year, the response to the SCP is not encouraging,' a senior plan panel official, requesting anonymity, told IANS.
Some of the ministries that allocated funds are the human resource development, science and technology, health and family welfare, rural development, labour and employment, and small, micro and medium enterprises.
'None of them, however, earmarked funds for the SCP in proportion to the Scheduled Castes' population of 16.2 percent,' the official added.
'For instance, the ministry of human resource development allocated 12.9 percent of funds for SCP in 2005-06, while the ministry of rural development 10.40 percent. It was less than two percent in the case of others.'
'It should not be less than 15 percent under any circumstances,' he said.
With many ministries failing to earmark SCP funds, it has raised eyebrows among those entrusted with enhancing the socio-economic status of SCs and they are seeking immediate corrective measures.
'The ministry of social justice and empowerment, the nodal agency for the welfare of SCs, must initiate corrective measures. It is a fact that that majority of ministries do not earmark SCP funds,' Buta Singh, chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), told IANS.
The key person in the plan panel overseeing the welfare of SCs countrywide in the capacity of a member, Bhalchandra Mungekar, admitted that the SCP funds were not being adequately earmarked.
'The problem is with the central ministries, and not with the state governments. It is true that a good number of them are not earmarking SCP funds. We are looking into the matter seriously,' Mungekar told IANS.
The SCP came into being in 1979 to achieve an overall development of SCs by raising them above the poverty line. The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) report 2004-05 says 36.8 percent SCs in rural areas belong to the BPL category, while 39.9 percent in the urban areas.
The poverty line is currently pegged at the monthly per capita expenditure of Rs.327.56 in rural areas, and Rs.454.11 in urban areas.
The ministry of social justice and empowerment puts the onus on the plan panel to see the ministries and states comply with the SCP norm.
'Only the Planning Commission can ensure that the ministries earmark adequate funds for the welfare for SCs under the SCP programme,' an official, wishing not to be named, said.
Group clash between Dalits and 'caste' Hindus in Srirangapatna
Many houses belonging to the Dalits were damaged
Four constables on duty were injured in
the stone-throwing
MYSORE: The ugly face of caste discrimination raised its head at Jakkanahalli near Srirangapatna in Mandya district when the Dalits were prevented entry into a temple by "caste" Hindus resulting in a group clash on Monday.
What began as a minor altercation among members of the Dalit community and the "caste" Hindus escalated into full-fledged violence involving over 300 people. The police were forced to lob seven rounds of tear gas shells and resort to lathi charge to quell the mob.
The genesis of the violence can be traced to simmering discontent among the "caste" Hindus and the Dalits, who are a minority in Jakkanahalli. District officials said there are nearly 500 houses in the village, of which 100 belong to the Dalits.
The "caste" Hindus had imposed a ban on the Dalits entry into the local Chamundeshwari temple four years ago following which the latter had desisted from venturing near the temple.
However, a few members of the community met the Deputy Commissioner of Mandya recently, who said that they had every right to worship in the temple as it belonged to the Muzurai department.
Puja performed
The Dalits performed puja at the temple early in the day to mark Ugadi and to usher in the New Year in a traditional manner. Police said things were normal until the afternoon when a few women belonging to the "upper caste" took objection to the presence of the Dalits in the temple.
This resulted in a verbal altercation between them.
This soon snowballed into a major confrontation with the entry of the men folk and violence engulfed the village. The mob indulged in stone throwing as a result of which many houses belonging to the Dalits were damaged. Four constables on duty, too, were injured in the stone throwing. An appeal to disperse did not yield any result and the police resorted to a lathi charge and lobbed tear gas shells at the mob to bring the situation under control.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police of Mandya G. Ramesh visited the spot and ordered additional security for the village.
Two platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and one platoon of District Armed Reserve (DAR) have been stationed in the village. Mr. Ramesh said the situation was under control and no further violence has been reported following the incident late in the afternoon.
Cases registered
Police have registered three cases in connection with the incident and two persons have been taken into custody for questioning. Meanwhile, leaders belonging to the Dalit Sangharsh Samithi have condemned the incident.
A peace meeting is expected to diffuse the tension and resolve the simmering discontent among the people of the village.
B MEDIAS 4 IDEAS-For The Gain of the Many and For the Welfare of the Many VOTE FOR BSP-Stringent steps for smooth polling -Code binding on Governor -Videographers to monitor candidates -Cell to monitor poll code violation set up -U.P. bans liquor shops in Dalit areas -Senior IPS officer suspended -Delimitation eliminates two constituencies in Gulbarga - Stringent action to be taken against hoarders, traders charging more in the name of VAT -To counter price rise, Mayawati keeps a sharp eye on traders-UPPCL evaluating bids for two thermal power plants
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1727514,00.html
Queen of the Original Inhabitant of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath
Thursday, Apr. 03, 2008 By SIMON ROBINSON
It was an image dripping with symbolism — and cake crumbs. When Mayawati Kumari, Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, turned 52 in January, aides and civil servants took turns to finger-feed her scoops of a 115-pound (52 kg) chocolate birthday cake at a party in the state capital Lucknow. The image of mostly high-caste men feeding a Original Inhabitant of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath (Scheduled Caste "Untouchable") woman was an incredibly powerful one in a country where discrimination based on caste has been banned for more than half a century but where many of the old barriers and prejudices endure. That may have to change — and fast. Mayawati's message on her birthday, as it has been since her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won a clear majority in India's biggest state 10 months ago, is that she will use her popularity there to become an important player on the national stage at the next general election. Given the fractured nature of Indian politics, that poll, due by early 2009 at the latest, is unlikely to produce any single winner. If Mayawati and the BSP can win 40 or 50 seats in the 552-member lower house — a real possibility given that Uttar Pradesh's 110 million voters elect 80 of those members — she would be well placed to decide which of India's two big parties, the Indian National Congress and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, should lead a new government, or perhaps even wangle the premiership for herself.
The fact that Mayawati is seriously discussed as a possible next Prime Minister is evidence of how far she has come. Born one of nine children to a low-level civil servant and an illiterate mother, Mayawati used her street smarts and the affirmative-action programs designed to help India's downtrodden to study teaching and then law. She joined the BSP in 1984 and, as the head of unstable coalitions, went on to become Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister for three brief stints before last year's breakout victory when the party won outright.
That unlikely coalition, key to Congress's decades of dominance in Indian politics, is now working for Mayawati. "The difference with Congress is that they were using Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath but keeping them on a bottom level, whereas we are all on an equal platform with a Original Inhabitant of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath leader at the top," says Satish Chandra Mishra, the BSP's secretary general. "That is getting a tremendous response around the country."
What sort of a national leader would Mayawati make? It is difficult to pin down her policies, says political analyst Swapan Dasgupta, is building a $100 million park to commemorate BSP founder Kanshi Ram. She also wants to spend billions of dollars on a highway running beside the Ganges and has plans for a shopping mall next to the Taj Mahal. Such huge projects appeal to her supporters not only because they provide thousands of jobs but because, they project an image of Original Inhabitant of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath power and wealth.
In the past couple of months, as speculation has turned to the possibility of an early election, Mayawati has held a series of rallies around the country and has begun testing her political weight, perhaps to see how far she can go. On her birthday, both Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was in China at the time, had made sure to call Mayawati to wish her well. After all, they might need her support in a matter of months.
Enforce code strictly, EC urged
BANGALORE: Political parties in the State have told the Election Commission to strictly enforce the model code of conduct during the run up to the three-phase Legislative Assembly elections to be held on May 10, 16 and 22.
The Congress has appealed to the commission to allow the Government to execute ongoing development projects in the State till an elected government was in place.
Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, Election Commissioners S.Y. Quraishi and Navin Chawla held a two-hour meeting with leaders of the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Janata Dal (S) (JD-S), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and heard their views .
Later, the commission held a meeting with Deputy Commissioners and top officials of various departments. Chief Electoral Officer M. N. Vidyashankar was present.
Congress leader and former Minister R.V. Deshpande told presspersons after the meeting that the party had appealed to the commission to allow the Government to execute ongoing development projects in villages, towns and cities till the completion of election process. On erection of banners and buntings in public places, he said the party had requested the commission to provide guidelines to be followed during the campaign and appealed to it to take all steps to ensure free and fair elections.
Election Commission may ensure that such an appeal does not favour the Congress Party and the Code bind on Governor
The BJP delegation, led by MLC Ganesh Karnik and JD (S) delegation led by party's State Working President C. Narayaswamy, met the commission too. Mr. Karnik said the BJP urged the commission to supply error-free electronic voting machines.
Election Commission may give details of the Chip and source code of the same used in the electronic voting machines to all representatives of the policical parties and to the media for total transparency.
Mr. Narayanaswamy said the Janata Dal (S) since a large number of voters had not been provided identity cards, the Janata Dal (S) leader requested Mr. Gopalaswami to publish a list of documents one of which the voters had to carry on the polling day.
CPI(M) State Secretary V.J.K. Nair said he briefed the commission on errors in the revised electoral rolls and issue of identity cards.
The commission may issue directives to BBMP and the assistant Revenue officers to verify the applications for the request for inclussion of names in the voters list at the time of submission and clear them on the spot without keeping it pending and avoid rejection of the same at a later date without informing the voters.
Since the EC has agreed on the following:
EC to launch special campaign for inclusion in electoral list
On the menace of bogus voting, the commission has asked the deputy commissioners to take steps to monitor the movement of people from Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu into the State on the polling day. It has also instructed the deputy commissioners to take steps to prevent illegal inter-State and intra-State liquor transportation during election campaign and voting and appealed to political parties to desist from using campaign material made of plastic.
Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, Mr. Gopalaswami said the commission had asked district electoral officers to organise a special campaign on April 8, 9, 11 and 12 to enrol voters left out during the preparation of the final list of voters. There was provision for inclusion of names in the electoral rolls till the last date for filing of nomination papers. Instructions had been given to booth-level officers to look into the list of photo identity cards issued by it.
Triple Gem Study Circle notes that it is dishearting to find that the EC could not issue photo identity cards to all the voters. EC claims that 65% of Karnataka voters in general and 17% of Bangalore in particular have been issued.And the voters list is faulty.Large number bogus voters have been included and many voters names have been removed from the voters list and hence the direction by the EC to enrol voters till the last date of filing of nomination papers.
EC must order for re-election, if even a single voter is left out during the preparation of the final list of voters, since it is the fundemental right of the voter to call himself as a citizen in a Democratic Nation.
A beautician knows how many facials/hair dressing or shaving could be done in a day. After spending crores of public money with the most latest ifrastructure and taking so many days, the EC could issue only 17% photo identy cards to the IT savy Bangalore voters.
Helpline for voters
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike has launched an exclusive helpline to help the people to register complaints on the delimited voters' list and complaints related to election.
The helpline can be contacted on 22132914
during office hours. People can either contact the helpline or the offices of jurisdictional assistant revenue officers tr register their complaints, said the press release.
feedback@eci.gov.in
ceo_karnataka@eci.gov.in
The CPI State Council Executive member M.C. Venkataramu urged the Election Commissioners to declare the polling day as paid holiday to enable public and private undertaking employees to cast their votes.
The commission members would discuss with Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao and Director-General and Inspector-General of Police K.R. Srinivasan about arrangements to be made for the Assembly elections, on Saturday, according to the official sources.
Stringent steps for smooth polling
EC tells deputy commissioners to act tough against poll malpractices
BANGALORE: The Election Commission has decided to take certain stringent measures to ensure free and fair polling in the State after taking stock of the situation here in the past two days.
To check electoral malpractices, including distribution of liquor and bogus voting, the commission has instructed the district electoral officers to keep a vigil on transportation of liquor and entry of people into Karnataka from neighbouring States in the run-up to the elections.
Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami and Election Commissioners S.Y. Quraishi and Navin B. Chawla, who arrived here on Friday, held meetings with leaders of various political parties and officials concerned on the arrangements being made for the elections to be held in three phases on May 10, 16 and 22.
On the use of money power during the elections, he said: "We cannot sniff out cash. But we will keep a watch on it."
The commission had seized a large amount of cash during the elections in Goa and Tripura, he added.
Mr. Gopalaswami said that one of the major concerns of political parties was the model code of conduct with regard to use of banners and posters. The commission would study the Karnataka (Prevention of) Defacement of Public Properties Act and three of its amendments and issue a clarification to political parties on Monday. However, the commission had allowed the political parties to put up hoardings, buntings and posters during public meetings and remove them after the meetings.
As an environment-friendly measure, Mr. Gopalaswami appealed to political parties not to use campaign material made of plastic. A grievances cell would be established in all districts to report any violation of model of code of conduct, he said.
On the demand to declare polling day as paid holiday to enable employees in the public and private sectors to exercise their franchise, he said the State Chief Electoral Officer, M.N. Vidyashankar, had been asked to hold a meeting with the authorities concerned on the matter. Industries such as IT and BPO had been exempted from declaring holiday. But they should give time for employees to exercise their franchise, he added.
Code binding on Governor
BANGALORE: The actions of the Governor during the run-up to the Assembly elections are also under observation given the fact that the State is under President's rule and the administration is carried on in the name of the Governor.
Under the model code of conduct, Governor Rameshwar Thakur cannot participate in public functions and make policy announcements. The model code of conduct is intended to ensure a level playing field to all political parties.
A similar situation prevailed in Bihar when Assembly elections were held in that State some time ago when Buta Singh was the Governor.
Sources told The Hindu that the Governor had to consequently refrain from policy announcements.
Videographers to monitor candidates
MYSORE: The election officials will deploy videographers to monitor the activities of candidates contesting the coming Assembly elections in Mysore district.
Disclosing this to presspersons here on Saturday, Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan said the Election Commission had given its approval for the proposal to monitor the activities of candidates, particularly their financial transactions. If there was suspicion on a particular candidate, he or she would be monitored round the clock, he said.
The election authorities will establish a control room and the public can call 1913 to lodge complaints about electoral malpractices. "The election officials will reach the spot, if it's in the city, in five minutes. If the spot is in rural areas, the officials will take no more than 20 to 30 minutes to reach there," he said.
Mr. Manivannan said that 600 companies of paramilitary forces would be deployed in Mysore in addition to police personnel to ensure free and fair elections. Also, the district administration had requisitioned for 300 wireless sets to be given to election officials and the assisting security personnel, he said.
Cell to monitor poll code violation set up
DHARWAD: The Dharwad district administration has set up an election code of conduct cell. Deputy Commissioner M.S. Srikar has said in a press release that any detail pertaining to the election code of conduct could be obtained from the cell. Deputy tahsildar V.H. Kalmath will be in charge of the cell. Mr. Srikar said that the public or political parties could approach the cell in case of violation of the code of conduct.
The cell would deal with such cases immediately.
Complaints can be registered on Ph: 0836-2233840 or the election helpline number 2443939. Mr. Srikar said that action would be taken against those violating the code of conduct.
U.P. bans liquor shops in Dalit areas
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Government has put a ban on opening liquor shops in and around areas having Dalit population in a bid to prevent them from turning into alcoholics, a senior official said on Saturday.
"No new liquor shops will be opened in areas having Dalit population and the existing shops will be relocated," the official said here, referring to an order passed by the State Excise Department.
Senior IPS officer suspended
Lucknow: A senior IPS officer was on Saturday placed under suspension by the Uttar Pradesh Government for allegedly not co-operating with the State Anti Corruption Organisation (AOC) in its inquiry against him.
DIG, Police Training College, Moradabad, Ramendra Vikram Singh was suspended for not cooperating with the AOC in its probe into the Police and PAC recruitment scam, Home Department sources said here.
Mr. Singh was among 25 IPS officers who were suspended by the Government in connection with the scam happened in 2005 and 2006. Over 22,000 police personnel were allegedly recruited without following norms during the previous Samajwadi Party regime.
Delimitation eliminates two constituencies in Gulbarga
Gulbarga, UNI:
According to official sources, Kamalapur and Shahabad constituencies, which were earlier reserved for Scheduled Castes(SC) in the district were eliminated…
The Delimitation process had eliminated two Assembly constituencies in Gulbarga district of Karnataka, while two new constituencies were created in the district.
According to official sources, Kamalapur and Shahabad constituencies, which were earlier reserved for Scheduled Castes(SC) in the district were eliminated. The areas under the constituencies would be included in reserved constituencies of Gulbarga Rural and Chitapur and Gulbarga South. The Gulbarga City Constituency was divided into Gulbarga North and Gulbarga South.
Stringent action to be taken against hoarders, traders charging more in the name of VAT
Lucknow : April 06, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Government has directed all the Divisional Commissioners/D.M.s to keep an eye on the inflation, which was constantly going up. It has come to the notice of the Government that there was an irrational rise in the prices of commodities of daily use and in some places VAT was being misused to charge increased prices, though after the implementation of VAT the tax rate on 436 commodities had decreased, while the same remained unchanged on 1,376 articles. There was hardly any increase in the prices of commodities of daily use. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister, Km. Mayawati had expressed concern over the rise in the prices of various commodities and said that it was affecting the consumers directly and held the Union Government responsible for rising inflation. She said that the Union Government had failed to check the rising prices, while the State Government was making all possible efforts to control them. The Government of India has conceded the fact and owing to the C.M.'s concern, the custom duty on cement, steel and few other consumer goods has been brought down. The Government of India has also directed its ministries to take necessary action in this regard. Thus, it is clear that owing to the wrong policies pursued by the Government of India, inflation had risen to this level. It may be recalled that the Union Finance Ministry had requested the Cabinet Committee on Prices (C.C.P.) that it should issue a notification and authorise all the related ministries to invoke Section 18 (G) of the Industrial Development and Regulation Act, 1951, to control prices of cement, steel etc. This section was earlier used in the year 1970 because of the serious condition of price rise, and now, similar conditions existed for its use. Owing to rising prices the rate of inflation had gone up to 6.68 per cent in the current fiscal. The commodities of daily use like—atta, maida, suji, besan, gur, khandsari, bura, jowar, bajra, makka, jau, daliya, honey, lamps and lanterns using kerosene have been exempted from VAT by the State Government. The tax rate on edible oils, vanaspati, refined oil, pulses, tea, kitchen utensils, matches, hosiery, milk food, sweets, namkeen, spices, jam, jelly etc. had been decreased. On the remaining food grains, the tax rates have been kept same as earlier. After the introduction of VAT, the prices of the commodities should have come down instead of going up. Expressing serious concern over the rising prices of the commodities, the State Government has directed the officers to control the prices immediately and keep an eye on the causes of the price rise. The officers have been asked to monitor the prices of the commodities of daily use. Besides, it should also be ensured that the traders were charging correct rate of tax under the VAT and they were also issuing cash memo/bills. The Commissioners and the D.M.s have been asked to ensure that the traders did not charge tax on an increased rate. This should be regularly monitored and those found guilty should be booked under the proper legal provisions. The State Government has directed all the Divisional Commissioners and D.M.s to constantly monitor the rising prices and if artificial shortage, stockpiling or incorrect realisation of taxes was detected, then punitive action should be initiated against the defaulters under the law. In such cases, action through the enforcement units of the related departments should also be ensured. *******
Lucknow : April 04, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Km. Mayawati held a high level meeting here today and took decisions in the larger interests of the potato growers. The State Government has decided to purchase potato at a cost rate of Rs. 250 per quintal by setting up purchase centres in 29 prominent potato producing districts of the State under the market intervention scheme. These centres would be set up through NAFED and State Government owned agencies like—P.C.F., U.P. Agro and Horticulture Production, Co-operative Marketing Federation. Giving this information, a State Government spokesman said that this scheme would be implemented in Saharnpur, Meerut, Bulandshahar, Aligarh, Mathura, Agra, Firozabad, Moradabad, Farrukhabad, Etawah, Bareilly, Faizabad, Basti, Gonda, Lucknow, Barabanki, Mainpuri, Etah, Budaon, Ghaziabad, Kanpur Dehat, Kannauj, Jaunpur, Varanasi, Ghazipur, Muzaffarnagar and Hardoi districts in the first phase. Under this scheme, the above mentioned agencies were being provided adequate working capital for purchasing potato. If, these agencies suffered any losses, then the State Government of India would share the burden on 50:50 basis. The spokesman said that the Chief Minister, with a view to encouraging the export of potato, has also decided to give a subsidy of 25 per cent or Rs. 25 per quintal whichever is less, on the transportation of potato being exported to a distance beyond 500 kms within the State or outside. It would be admissible for the potato growers and traders on the presentation of the Nine-R certificate issued by the State's Mandi, along with the original copy of the truck or railway receipt for sending potato to its destination and marketing certificate of its destination. Claims for subsidy would be presented before the District Horticulture Officer. With an objective of encouraging the export of potato, it has also been decided that a transport fare subsidy of 40 per cent or Rs. 100 whichever is less would be paid to the potato grower on the transport fare of potato to the storage place situated near the docks. Likewise, a 20 per cent subsidy would be applicable on the storage of the potato produced in the State in foreign cold storages. It could be claimed from the office of the District Horticulture Officer by presenting necessary documents. The spokesman said that a control room has been set up in the Horticulture Directorate keeping the interests of the potato growers. Its telephone numbers is 0522-2202822. It will be available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Likewise, all the districts have also been directed to set up such control rooms. D.M.s have been directed to constitute a team of senior officers and verify the storage situation in the cold storages of their respective districts, so that full capacity could be utilised. Besides, the Commissioners and the D.M.s have also been directed to ensure that if the cold storages of their respective districts had fully utilised their capacity then the produce should be sent to the nearby districts were the storage capacity was available. The D.M.s have also been asked to review the storage charges fixed by their owners and if any fault was detected then action should be initiated under the section 29 (3) of the U.P. Cold Storage Act. ******
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/To-counter-price-rise-Mayawati-keeps-a-sharp-eye-on-traders/293392/
To counter price rise, Mayawati keeps a sharp eye on traders
Posted online: Monday , April 07, 2008 at 12:06:03
Lucknow, April 6 Waking to the serious political consequences of the galloping inflation, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has warned the traders against creating artificial shortage by hoarding essential commodities.
Expressing serious concern over the rise in prices of essential commodities, the chief minister on Sunday directed the divisional commissioners and district magistrates to keep a close watch on the price situation.
She directed the officials to ensure that traders were not overcharging under the cover of VAT and were issuing cash memo to the consumers.
She advised tough legal action if traders are caught hoarding and in other unlawful acts.
The chief minister, however, reiterated her charge that Congress-led UPA government has singularly failed to curb the inflation that was threatening to reach double digits.
In comparison, the Uttar Pradesh government was doing its best to bring down the prices of essential commodities.
The Centre, she claimed, has reduced the customs duty on cement, steel and other consumer goods following the concern voiced by the Uttar Pradesh government.
"Myopic economic policies of the UPA government are to be blamed for the present inflation is evident from the fact that the Centre has directed ministries concerned to take effective measures for reducing the inflationary pressure in the economy," the chief minister added.
Refuting the Opposition Samajwadi Party's allegation that the prices were rising due to the implementation of VAT, the chief minister said the charge was baseless as the tax on 436 items has been reduced.
No change has been effected in tax rates on 1,376 items.
In fact, with the implementation of VAT, prices of essential commodities must have come down instead of rising.
Wheat flour and other wheat products, coarse grains, kerosene oil, lantern, lamp, edible oils pulses, hosiery products, sweets, snacks, species and other food items have been exempted from VAT, she pointed out.
UPPCL evaluating bids for two thermal power plants
It is reported that public private partnership model in the power sector has started to take shape in the power starved Uttar Pradesh with technical bids to develop 2 power plants with a generating capacity of 3,300 MW under evaluation. As per report, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited is evaluating the technical bids submitted by nine companies to set up 2 ultra mega thermal power projects at Bara and Karchhana respectively in Allahabad district.
Mr Avnish Awasthi MD of UPPCL said that while the technical bids were being evaluated. To tide over the persistent power crisis in UP, the state government has proposed to ramp up its total power generation capacity by over 10,000 MW in the 11th Five Year plan.
UP government is setting up 1,980 MW and 1,320 MW thermal plants respectively at Bara and Karchhana based on super critical technology by adhering to a tough bidding process. The technical and financial bids would together form the criteria for the award of the critical projects.
Four companies Jindal Steel & Power Limited, NTPC, Lanco Infratech and Reliance Power submitted their bids for the Bara project. The Karchchna plant had Calcutta Electric Supply Co, Jindal Steel & Power, JSW Energy, Reliance Power and Lanco Infratech as bidders.
UP has to import power from the central sector and other states to fill the demand supply chasm, which widens during summers every year. Recently, the state signed up an agreement with the hill state of Himachal Pradesh for supply of power during the coming months.
UPPCL has also undertaken the renovation work for its existing plants on a massive scale to tide over the power crisis and taken several steps to check the rampant power pilferage and theft, besides line and distribution losses. The power sector in UP has long been a laggard with no capacity addition in the last several years, while the demand has grown by leaps and bounds.
B MEDIAS 4 IDEAS-For The Gain of the Many and For the Welfare of the Many-Farmers need long-term relief: Mayawati-Mayawati's tax relief based on merit: Satish Misra -Allegation of posting minority community officers on insignificant posts baseless -No irksome campaign: EC-EC to launch special campaign for inclusion in electoral list-The helpline can be contacted on 22132914-Enforce code strictly, EC urged -Election Commission may give details of the Chip and source code of the same used in the electronic voting machines to all representatives of the policical parties and to the media for total transparency.The commission may issue directives to BBMP and the assistant Revenue officers to verify the applications for the request for inclussion of names in the voters list at the time of submission and clear them on the spot without keeping it pending and avoid rejection of the same at a later date without informing the voters.
Farmers need long-term relief: Mayawati
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram's massive loan waiver plan has failed to impress Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, who said the move would not provide any long-term relief to the poverty-ridden farmers.
Talking to reporters here Saturday, Mayawati said: 'The waiver of Rs.600 billion ($15 billion) farm loans will not provide any long term benefit to the farmers.
'It would have made much more sense if the government had done something more meaningful for the poor farmers who are actually being oppressed by local money-lenders, who continue to fleece them with impunity.'
Mayawati was also disappointed with the denial of a special economic package that she had been repeatedly demanding for the poverty-ridden Bundelkhand region where many farmers were forced to commit suicide.
'I am going to send yet another letter to the prime minister to review my demand for a special package of Rs.860 billion ($21.5 billion) for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions of Uttar Pradesh,' she said.
Mayawati's tax relief based on merit: Satish Misra
From correspondents in Uttar Pradesh, India, 03:01 PM IST
Terming the centre's appeal against the Income Tax appellate tribunal's order favouring Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati as 'politically motivated', Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) Satish Misra Thursday said the clean chit by the tribunal was given 'purely on merit'.
In a two-page statement, Misra said: 'The two immovable properties and Rs.200,000 cash received by Mayawati as gift from her well-wishers and followers is exempt from income tax and has wrongly been included by the assessing officer in the taxable income of the chief minister. It is a politically motivated case.'
In the statement, Misra said: 'The appellate commissioner of income tax had quashed the assessing officer's order and later, after the income tax department went in for higher appeal, even the IT tribunal upheld the appellate commissioner's order.'
He added: 'It is a pity that even after losing twice, the income tax department was out to pursue the case through a writ petition before the Delhi High Court.'
Referring to the notice issued Wednesday by the Delhi High Court in this regard, he said: 'It is just a routine notice and does not in any way affect the orders of the tribunal, which continues to hold good.'
Accusing the centre of having double standards, Mayawati said: 'The central government has not cared to take up similar cases against union ministers Laloo Prasad Yadav and Pranab Mukherjee.' She termed the IT department's latest move an attempt to target her.
Allegation of posting minority community officers on insignificant posts baseless
Lucknow: April 01, 2008 During the present regime of B.S.P. Government no administrative or Police officer has been posted on the basis of caste or religion. The Government is working on the principle of Sarvjan Hitai, Sarvjan Sukhai for the welfare of Sarva-Samaj. Allegation of muslim officers not being posted as district magistrates in some circles is being unnecessarily highlighted depicting mean mentality and narrow mindedness. In fact the district magistrate of Pratapgarh Mr. Mohd. Mustafa, Vice-Chairman of the Kanpur Development Authority belonging to the U.P. cadre of the Indian Administrative Service is the only D.M. level officer. The post he is holding at present is very important from the administrative point of view. Mr. Mustafa who has served as the district magistrate of Pratapgarh, has been nominated by the Government of India for training for which he will proceed shortly. On the formation of the present Government he was asked by the Government to take over as a district magistrate of some important district, but he had appealed that he did not wanted to be posted as district level officer now. He was posted as Vice-Chairman on his request. Against this backdrop, the allegation that no administrative officer of muslim community has been posted as district magistrate in B.S.P. Government, is totally false and a tool for bad publicity. Another officer of Indian Administrative Service, Mr. Kamran Rizvi is also posted on the significant post of Cane Commissioner. Thus, the allegation that the officers belonging to minority community have been posted on insignificant posts by the B.S.P. Government, is baseless and made to malign the Government. The fact of the matter is that State Government does not discriminate against anybody on the basis of caste or religion and it is working for the socio-economic uplift of all sections of society by providing equal opportunities. *********
Lucknow : April 01, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Government, while reacting to certain statements of some individuals against it appearing in the media on the issuance of notice by a Barabanki court against Mr. Amitabh Bachchan s/o Late Harivansh Rai Bachchan under Indian Stamp Act, said that the action in this case was being undertaken as a normal judicial procedure at the district level. The State Government has not interfered into the process. In a press release, issued on behalf of the State Government, it has been said that certain persons were distorting the facts to malign the image of the Government and also intend to gain some cheap publicity in the process. The truth is that it is a normal practice at the district level, in which no action at the level of Chief Minister is required. The Government and the administration did not even take notice of such a petty and routine matter. There was no connection between this matter and the decision of the Supreme Court given in the favour of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. It is customary that the Revenue Officer and the Sub-Registrar verify the sale deed (bainama) and if any discrepancy in revenue paid is detected then notice is issued to the concerning party. According to the report received from the D.M. Barabanki, the sale deed (bainama) of the land situated in village Daulatpur, Pargana Mohmmadpur, Tehsil Fatehpur, district Barabanki was executed on 13 July 2007 last. The Tehsildar of Fatehpur (Barabanki) presented a report regarding the aforesaid bainama on 10 January 2008. The report mentions that the land had one old pepal tree and 155 khajoor trees on it, but there was no mention of these trees in the bainama. On the basis of this report, on March 7, 2008 the A.D.M. (Finance and Revenue)/Collector Stamp Court ordered to file a case in this connection under sections-47 A/33 of the Indian Stamp Act and on the same day the above court issued a notice to Mr. Bachchan and fixed March 31, 2008 as the date for appearance. On the fixed date Mr. Vinay Kumar Shukla appeared in the court on behalf of Mr. Bachchan. The Court has fixed May 5, 2008 for filing the reply of the notice. ******
No irksome campaign: EC
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to act tough against extravagant and bothersome electioneering.
The EC will soon issue detailed guidelines on using publicity materials in the State to prevent political parties and candidates from causing public nuisance in their bid to woo voters.
The full bench of the EC, including the Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, after holding a closed-door meeting with all political parties on Friday at Vidhana Soudha, is learnt to have directed the Office of Chief Electoral Officer (OCEO) to prepare the guidelines in two days.
Though representatives of all parties requested the EC that they be given a free hand in using publicity materials, the EC is learnt to have refused. In turn, it has assured to issue the guidelines for the purpose.
Soon after the announcement of the polls on Wednesday, the OCEO started cracking the whip and launched a drive to pull down publicity materials put up in public places. The OCEO has been initiating action as per the provisions of Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act 1981.
The Act bans putting up of banners, buntings, cut-outs and other publicity materials in public places. As for private properties, one has to take prior permission from the respective local body by paying a stipulated fee. On violation, one can be punished with imprisonment up to six months or with fine up to Rs 1,000 or both. Despite the presence of stringent law, political parties have been violating it. This time round, the EC has decided not to tolerate any public nuisance, sources said.
The parties, however, wanted some relaxation. "During elections, a candidate has to publicise himself to voters. Hence, an opportunity should be given to do it. A blanket ban on using publicity materials will curb this opportunity… We also agree that there should not be any extravagant use of publicity materials," R V Deshpande of the Congress told reporters after meeting the EC.
BJP's Ganesh Karnic said candidates should be allowed to make judicious use of publicity materials. Representatives of JD(S), NCP, CPI, CPM and BSP, who met the EC, too felt that they should be allowed to use publicity materials.
EC DIKTAT
* EC may clamp down on ostentation & extravagance
* To issue detailed guidelines
* Parties, however, seek flexibility
Bangalore, UNI:
The Election Commission has instructed all the district electoral officers in Karnataka to launch a special campaign for inclusion of eligible names, omitted from the final list of electoral rolls published recently.
The Election Commission (EC) has instructed all the district electoral officers in Karnataka, going to the polls in three phases from May ten, to launch a special campaign for inclusion of eligible names, omitted from the final list of electoral rolls published recently.
Speaking to newspersons here today, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswamy said the EC had asked the district electoral officers concerned to hold such a special campaign. Eventhough the final list of electoral rolls had been published, there was provision for the inclusion of names until the last late for filing of nominations. The EC had also instructed booth level officers to assess the list of Photo ID Cards issued by it, he said.
Congress leader and former Minister R.V. Deshpande told presspersons after the meeting that the party had appealed to the commission to allow the Government to execute ongoing development projects in villages, towns and cities till the completion of election process. On erection of banners and buntings in public places, he said the party had requested the commission to provide guidelines to be followed during the campaign and appealed to it to take all steps to ensure free and fair elections. The BJP delegation, led by MLC Ganesh Karnik and JD (S) delegation led by party's State Working President C. Narayaswamy, met the commission too. Mr. Karnik said the BJP urged the commission to supply error-free electronic voting machines.
CPI(M) State Secretary V.J.K. Nair said he briefed the commission on errors in the revised electoral rolls and issue of identity cards. The CPI State Council Executive member M.C. Venkataramu urged the Election Commissioners to declare the polling day as paid holiday to enable public and private undertaking employees to cast their votes.
Fragment of the 6th Pillar Edicts of Ashoka (238 BC), in Brahmi, sandstones. British Museum.
Silver punch-mark coins of the Mauryan empire, bear Buddhist symbols such as the Dharmacakra, the elephant (previous form of the Buddha), the tree under which enlightenment happened, and the burial mound where the Buddha died (obverse). 3rd century BC.
Bilingual edict (Greek and Aramaic) by king Ashoka, from Kandahar - Afghan National Museum. (Click image for translation).
April 14 1891 – December 6 1956
SERVE JAN
That Is Entire People
Bahujan Samaj Party !
Now upgraded to Sarvjan after the Treaty !
To Serve Jan ie.,The Entire People as a Duty !
Under the able leadership of Honourable C.M. of U.P.& Would Be P.M. Mayawati
Mayawati seeks quota in private sector
"Bringing all communities together is the only thing which will work"
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati being greeted by supporters
Mayawati: Original Inhabitant of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath 'queen', now Brahmin messiah
We will play key role: BSP leader
BELLARY: Veer Singh, general secretary of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and in charge for Karnataka, while predicting that there would be a hung Assembly after the elections, said that his party would hold the key to the formation of the government in the State.
"BSP will play a crucial role," he said while speaking to presspersons in Hospet on Wednesday.
Mr. Veer Singh was here to participate in the district level convention of party workers. Stating that BSP was gaining ground in the State, he said that the party would contest all the 224 Assembly seats and would not have any tie-up with other political parties.
He expressed confidence that the party would win around 70 seats.
The BSP leader said the party was making efforts to mobilise the support of all communities. Mr. Veer Singh hinted that Rajashekara Murthy, Janata Dal (S) leader, was likely to join BSP soon.
EC to review election preparations
BANGALORE: The Election Commissioners will visit the State on Friday to review poll preparations ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections to be held in three phases on May 10, 16 and 22.
The full Bench of the commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, will hold a meeting with political parties, the State's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Deputy Commissioners of districts and other officials on Friday and Saturday, CEO M.N. Vidyashankar told presspersons here today.
During the two-day visit, the commission will discuss with Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao and Director-General of Police K.R. Srinivasan and other top officials on the manpower, security and other arrangements to be made for the elections, he said.
The CEO said Rs. 65 crore would be required to meet the election expenses. The State Government had already released Rs. 40 crore. If required, another Rs. 15 crore would be sought from the Government for meeting the expenses, he said.
The CEO has cautioned political parties and candidates not to put up banners and buntings on government buildings and in avenues. Criminal cases would be filed against political parties who were found violating the model code of conduct, he added.
The Deputy Commissioners had been instructed to remove such banners and file cases against the president and general secretary of the party responsible for it.
Election field wide open in State: Psephologists
From K Subrahmanya,DH News Service,New Delhi:
The first take of psephologists is each of the three contenders for power the Congress, JD(S) and BJP could be waging its own battle to convince the wary Karnataka voter.
The poll battlefield in Karnataka is wide open and as the Election Commission rang the poll bell on Wednesday none of the three major political parties vying for power in the state seems to enjoy any distinctively perceivable advantage at the outset of the election race, according to leading psephologists.
The first take of psephologists is each of the three contenders for power – the Congress, JD(S) and BJP – could be waging its own battle to convince the wary Karnataka voter. The Congress is up against the voters' anger over price rise – seemingly price rise is the single most dominant issue, say GVL Narasimha Rao of the Development and Research Services.
If the Congress has to defend itself on the inflation issue, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's JD(S) could be compelled to come clean with the voter who apparently believes that the party was a factor of instability during the life of the dissolved assembly, according to Yashwant Deshmukh of C-Voter.
Deshmukh, whose C-Voter has done several survey in past elections all over the country, finds that the BJP was yet to convince the voter that it can provide a credible alternative in the state.
Much as the party might have had perceived advantage of over the other two parties until a few weeks ago, Deshmukh as well as Rao reckon that the battle ground was an open one with no frontrunner at the start of the race.
Both Deshmukh and Rao also sought to dispel a belief in political circles that the BSP wildcard in the battle could only damage the Congress prospects. While much would depend on the kind of candidates the BSP would field, the pollsters said that their past findings had shown that Mayawati's party can harm the prospects of other parties in the contest as much as it can harm that of the Congress. Thus, at the very outset of the battle it would erroneous to conclude that the BSP card would swing the balance in for or against any of the three major contestants, they believe.
But in general the psephologists, who have been at the receiving end of criticisms for their far-off-the-mark predictions in some past elections, are a cautious lot as they head for Karnataka in the coming weeks.
It is only the Triple Gem Study Circle that pridicted more than 200 seats for BSP in the UP elections.Now it predicts more than 140 seats in the Karnataka elections.
Besides the two psephologists, Yogendra Yadav of the Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies admitted that psephological predictions in the forthcoming state assembly elections would be a far more challenging task. The reason is that Karnataka is the first state to go to polls under the newly delimited constituencies. In India constituencies have not been delimited since psephologists started doing serious poll surveys in the mid-1980s. The last time the constituencies were delimited was over 30 years ago in the midst 1970s.
For one, when seat projections for different parties are made, psephologists use data from past elections as a basis for seat projections. Not having past data would pose a serious challenge for making seat forecasts, said Yadav who is already at work to deal with the new situation. Deshmukh said psephologists would have to cover as many of the 224 newly delimited assembly constituencies as possible to be in any position to make credible seat projections based on the vote percentages they would get from the sample surveys.
Power and prejudice
Uttar Pradesh has been spared the spectre of a caste conflagration by the timely defusion of the crisis set off by Mahendra Singh Tikait's incendiary casteist remarks against Chief Minister Mayawati. The mercurial farmer leader, who surrendered to a local court and apologised for the slur, realised the futility of continuing a confrontation from an indefensible position. But the provocation was grave, and there was no question of not proceeding against the Bharatiya Kisan Union leader under the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Had Mr. Tikait turned himself over to the police quietly, there would have been no cause for the use of tear gas and other administrative measures. Instead he lent tactic support to the violence of his followers. Mr. Tikait's surrender, and the Chief Minister's reciprocal instructions to her officers to go easy on the farmer leader, have prevented the situation from spiralling out of control. Yet law and order is only the physical manifestation of a problem whose roots are endemically social. The situation bristles with irony. Mr. Tikait's barbs were aimed at a leader whose independent rise to the stewardship of a majority government has been hailed as a victory of Original Inhabitant of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath (SC)power and secondarily of a clever social mobilisation strategy.
If Ms Mayawati, in her 'sarvajan' avatar and with all the resources at her command, cannot escape casteist vilification, how much worse must be the fate of ordinary Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath(SC/STs)? For an idea of their daily ordeal, consider Mr. Tikait's atrocious what's-this-fuss-all-about reaction at the time of his arrest: "This is the type of language we generally use in this belt." Anti-Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath(SC/STs)prejudice is not specific to U.P. In neighbouring Haryana, dominated by the powerful Jat community — Mr. Tikait is a Jat leader — this often takes the form of extreme violence against Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath(SC/STs). Even southern States have not been strangers to intermediate caste venom directed at Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath(SC/STs). It is not that the law is inadequate to tackle the problem. Between them, the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (PCR Act) and the SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989, cover a wide definition of atrocity. But no law can 'uplift' a wronged community in the absence of a socially enlightened polity. As of 2004, the rate of conviction in cases disposed of under the Indian Penal Code was 40 per cent. It was 8.03 per cent under the PCR Act and 15.71 per cent under the SC/ST (POA) Act. That both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party should find themselves on the wrong side in l'affaire Tikait is a distressing symptom of this malaise.
Employees of the Government Safai Karamchari (Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath (SCs)) shout anti-United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government slogans during a rally held tp protest the privatisation of cleaning services at government offices in New Delhi on Friday. AFP
B MEDIAS 4 IDEAS-There has been a substantial increase in the number of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes seats after delimitation with potential advantage to Bahujan Samaj Party -Congress, BJP accused of betraying Dalits Three-phase poll in Karnataka -Mayawati slams Opposition parties for backing Tikait -Tikait 'surrenders', out on bail -Take action against Tikait-Distortion of facts is an effort to gain cheap publicity by maligning C.M.'s image -Allegation of posting minority community officers on insignificant posts baseless Rescue operation of army and administration commendable : Mayawati
B MEDIAS 4 IDEAS
There has been a substantial increase in the number of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes seats after delimitation with potential advantage to Bahujan Samaj Party
Congress, BJP accused of betraying Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath (SC/STs)
List of candidates to be announced after Ugadi
BSP to contest all 224 As
BSP holds district-level convention in Hospet
sembly constituencies
HOSPET: Veersingh, Uttar Pradesh MP and general secretary of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has criticised the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for betraying Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath (SC/STs) and backward classes. He appealed to the people not to vote for them in the coming Assembly elections in the State.
Addressing a district-level convention of BSP workers here on Wednesday, Mr. Veersingh said the BSP was emerging stronger owing to its policy of inclusive welfare. He urged the people to repose confidence in the party and bring it to power in the State.
Electoral baits
"Today the BSP has spread its roots outside Uttar Pradesh. With the kind of support it has been enjoying, I am confident that it will capture power at the Centre," he said. He asked the people not to fall for the "electoral baits" offered by the BJP and Congress.
Senior party leader P.G.R. Sindhia said the party had decided to give representation to candidates from all sections of society in the coming elections.
Making it clear that the BSP would field its candidates in all 224 Assembly constituencies, he said that 30 seats would be given to Muslims, 70 seats to the backward classes, 30 seats to women and some to the forward community as well.
The election manifesto has promised free rice, sugar and kerosene to the poor, government jobs for unemployed youth, unemployment stipend of Rs. 3,000 a month, enhancement in pension, monthly allowance of Rs. 1,000 to the visually challenged and reservation of jobs in the private sector.
Stating that the list of candidates was in the process of being finalised, he said it would be announced after Ugadi.
Mr. Sindhia said the party had already decided to field Mundargi Nagaraj, BSP leader in the district, from Hagari Bommanahalli (reserved) constituency. "Unlike other parties, the BSP wants to give good governance and ensure welfare of all sections of society," he said.
Raw deal
Criticising the Congress for giving a raw deal to the Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath (SC/STs) , Mr. Sindhia said the Congress would continue to do so by not making Mallikarjun Kharge its chief ministerial candidate.
Vote bank
"The Congress has been using Mr. Kharge as a tool to gain the support of the Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath (SC/STs) . But, I am sure Mr. Kharge will never be made Chief Minister," he said.
M. Muniyappa, State unit president of the party, presided over the function. M. Jayanna, Syed Zulfikar Hashmi, Mundargi Nagaraj and Panduranga were present on the occasion.
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Three-phase poll in Karnataka
New Delhi: The Election Commission on Wednesday announced a three-phase poll to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly. It will be held on May 10 in 89 constituencies, on May 16 for 66 seats and on May 22 for the other 69. Votes will be counted on May 25.
The Model Code of Conduct comes into immediate effect and will apply to all candidates, political parties and the State and Union Governments.
Karnataka was placed under President's Rule on November 20, 2007. The Assembly was kept under suspended animation and it was dissolved on November 28.
Announcing the schedule after a Full Commission meeting here, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, flanked by Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and S.Y. Quraishi, said that as per the Supreme Court judgment the election would have to be held within six months of the date of dissolution. Accordingly, the process would be completed before May 28. However, President's Rule would have to be extended beyond May 20 for a few days, until the new government was formed.
All constituencies were delimited anew in accordance with the Delimitation Commission order. Thirty-six seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and 15 for the Scheduled Tribes. As per the poll rolls, there are 4,00,77,666 electors — 2,03,99,338 men and 1,96,78,328 women.
Mr. Gopalaswami said the coverage of the Elector's Photo Identity Cards was around 62 per cent and the Commission had issued instructions for continuing the campaign for increasing it. At all polling stations, numbering 39,758, electronic voting machines would be used.
He said: "Based on the assessment of the ground situation, Central Police Forces and State Armed Police drawn from other States will be deployed during the election. The CPF and SAP will be used for safeguarding the polling stations and for providing security to electors and polling personnel. Besides, wherever needed, the CPF will be deployed in advance for area domination."
"The Commission has been issuing instructions from time to time with regard to advance preventive measures to be taken by the District Magistrates and police authorities to maintain law and order and to create an atmosphere conducive to free and fair elections. The Commission will be monitoring the ground situation closely and will take appropriate measures to ensure peaceful, free and fair polls."
Elections to 224 assembly constituencies in Karnataka will be held on May 10, 16 and 22. The counting of votes will take place on May 25.
In the first phase 89 constituencies in 11 districts of Tumkur, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Bangalore City, Bangalore Rural, Ramanagar, Mandya, Hassan, Kodagu, Mysore and Chamarajnagar will go for polls.
Sixty six assembly segments in 10 districts will go to polls during the second phase on May 16.
The districts where polling will be held on May 16 are: Raichur, Koppal, Uttara Kannada, Bellary, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Shimoga, Udupi, Chikmagalur and Dakshina Kannada.
In the final phase on May 22, eight districts encompasing 69 assembly constituencies in Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Bidar, Gadag, Dharwad and Haveri will go election.
The EC has bifurcated constituencies in Karnataka into three categories - Old Mysore districts, North-Karnataka- Central Karnataka-Coastal areas and North Karnataka region.
re: Which three issues will dominate the Karnataka assembly polls?
1.Healthy seeds to the farmers
2.Loans to all those who wanted to start their own ventures
3.Government employees to do their jobs honestly
by distributing the wealth of the State to all sections of the society
Posted by Jagatheesan Chandrasekharan @ 4/3/2008 10:37 PM
Mayawati slams Opposition parties for backing Tikait
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday justified her decision to delay taking action against Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Mahendra Singh Tikait, saying Ms. Mayawati said the police and administrative officials had been asked to exercise patience.
Mr. Tikait was charged with making a derogatory reference to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati at a farmers' rally in Bijnor on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference after Mr. Tikait surrendered in the Bijnor court and was later released on bail, Ms Mayawati slammed the Opposition parties extending their support to the BKU leader and took exception to the remark of Union Minister of State for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal that the BKU leader should not be arrested. She said the Minister should resign on moral grounds. She also demanded the resignation of chairman of the National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission Buta Singh for his silence on the issue.
Ms. Mayawati said that in all likelihood Mr. Singh had been asked to keep mum by the Congress. Stating that the party's view on the SC/ST Act displayed its anti-Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath mentality, she said the manner in which the Congress, the BJP and their supporting parties supported Mr. Tikait showed that they wanted to prevent the implementation of the SC/ST Act.
She declared that the SC/ST Act would be strictly implemented in Uttar Pradesh, but at the same time it would be ensured that the Act was not misused.
Compromise formula
Mr. Tikait's surrender and/or arrest followed Tuesday night's parleys between the BKU leaders and IG, Railways, Gurdarshan Singh, who was sent by the State government to assist the Muzaffarnar district administration. Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Harendra Mallik, who belongs to Muzaffarnagar and acted as the mediator, told The Hindu from Bijnor that a compromise formula had been worked out.
Accordingly, it was decided that the BKU leader would surrender and would be released on bail, Mr. Mallik said. He denied that Mr. Tikait was arrested.
Later, addressing a hastily convened press conference, Director-General of Police Vikram Singh said he had been instructed by the Chief Minister that since the BKU leader had apologised no further action should be taken against him. He said Mr. Tikait had been released on bail and would leave for his village soon.
Regarding a fresh case under Section 307 of the IPC being filed against the BKU leader, Mr. Singh said there was no question of his arrest as investigations would be conducted first.
Tikait 'surrenders', out on bail
LUCKNOW: Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Mahendra Singh Tikait on Wednesday "surrendered" in the Bijnor court and was later released on bail. He had been charged with making a derogatory reference to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati at a farmers' rally in Bijnor on Sunday. A case was filed under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
However, Ms. Mayawati said the BKU leader was arrested, adding the law would take its course. She said Mr. Tikait had apologised for his remarks.
Describing the BKU leader as a commoner (mamooli sa aadmi), she told a press conference here that he had the audacity to make a casteist remark against a "Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath Chief Minister."
Take action against Tikait
It is extremely offending if an opponent to a woman leader makes casteist and sexist remarks against Mayawati. Unconstitutional remarks made by Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Mahendra Singh Tikait against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has to be condemned. The U.P. government should take immediate action against him. Such politics should be condemned. Some principles have to be restored to politics.
The traditional thinking in India was dominated by patriarchal values. The system was discriminatory against women and children. Women were often made to think they were less than the others. They were made to believe that they should be good housewives, mothers of sons and good cooks.
This culture, according to the experience of generations of women, was that of imprisoning women. The idea of what a woman should or should not do and that she should live within the boundaries was nothing but incarceration.
Even when a woman was violated, it was always the victim who was blamed for her predicament and not the violator. Why should womens' wings be clipped?.
Life was equally stressful for men and women in modern society, where they were expected to conform to certain stereotypes. These stereotypes we are asked to accept as part of being modern should be rejected.
The All India Democratic Women's Association has strongly condemned the "abusive, casteist, anti-Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa that is The Great Prabuddha Bharath and anti-women tirade" of Mr. Tikait against Ms. Mayawati.
The AIDWA has called upon all women's organisations and other democratic forces to denounce such debased politics. The AIDWA demands strict action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the guilty.
Distortion of facts is an effort to gain cheap publicity by maligning C.M.'s image
Lucknow: April 01, 2008 During the present regime of B.S.P. Government no administrative or Police officer has been posted on the basis of caste or religion. The Government is working on the principle of Sarvjan Hitai, Sarvjan Sukhai for the welfare of Sarva-Samaj. Allegation of muslim officers not being posted as district magistrates in some circles is being unnecessarily highlighted depicting mean mentality and narrow mindedness. In fact the district magistrate of Pratapgarh Mr. Mohd. Mustafa, Vice-Chairman of the Kanpur Development Authority belonging to the U.P. cadre of the Indian Administrative Service is the only D.M. level officer. The post he is holding at present is very important from the administrative point of view. Mr. Mustafa who has served as the district magistrate of Pratapgarh, has been nominated by the Government of India for training for which he will proceed shortly. On the formation of the present Government he was asked by the Government to take over as a district magistrate of some important district, but he had appealed that he did not wanted to be posted as district level officer now. He was posted as Vice-Chairman on his request. Against this backdrop, the allegation that no administrative officer of muslim community has been posted as district magistrate in B.S.P. Government, is totally false and a tool for bad publicity. Another officer of Indian Administrative Service, Mr. Kamran Rizvi is also posted on the significant post of Cane Commissioner. Thus, the allegation that the officers belonging to minority community have been posted on insignificant posts by the B.S.P. Government, is baseless and made to malign the Government. The fact of the matter is that State Government does not discriminate against anybody on the basis of caste or religion and it is working for the socio-economic uplift of all sections of society by providing equal opportunities. ********
Rescue operation of army and administration commendable : Mayawati
Lucknow: March 27, 2008 The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Km. Mayawati has congratulated the army men and district administration for taking out and saving the life of two and a half years old Vandana, who fall in bore-well in Tehra-Hullait Pura village in Agra district. Appreciating the heroic efforts of army, the Chief Minister said that it had always provided the security to people and property at the time of emergencies with exemplary courage and understanding. Km. Mayawati has also appreciated the police and local citizens, besides the district administration for their cooperation in this matter. She said that the manner in which the whole rescue operation was carried out was commendable and the army and administration deserved laurels for it. **********