BJP seeks apology from Bigg Boss participant Ajaz and Salman Khan over Modi remark

  



BJP  has sought a written apology from actor Ajaz Khan for calling its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi a "thief" -- and also from Salman Khan.

After registering a complaint against Ajaz at the Samta Nagar police station, party leader Sandeep Upadhyay now expects a written apology from the former "Bigg Boss-Saath 7" contestant.

Upadhyay, president of the BJP youth wing in North Mumbai who filed the complaint against Ajaz, said the apology must come within a week or "serious action" would follow.

"We want Ajaz and Salman Khan to give a written apology within a week or else serious action will be taken. We have also sent a letter to Colors Channel," Upadhyay told IANS.

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5 INSPIRING MEN WHO CHANGED THE GAME IN 2013.

2013 saw a few good men stand up and not only deliver but also inspire change. While their fields are different and their achievements varied, there is little doubt that these men upped the ante and changed the game for their peers. Here are the best of men whose accomplishments inspired us in 2013.

Arvind Kejriwal

© BCCL

At a time when the idea of clean politics and accountable politicians belonged to the realm of escapist Bollywood films like Rang De Basanti and Nayak, Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party sweeped the notion of the dream being just a dream with a spectacular showmanship that made Kejriwal the new Chief Minister of Delhi. While the real test of his leadership will begin now, the way he changed the political prologue of the elections was one of the best things we saw all year. And if well begun is half done, then Kejriwal has already done more than his bit to infuse politics with some much needed idealism.

Pope Francis

© wikipedia

For years, the pontificate was seen as a old relic with even older values. But Pope Francis changed all that with a slew of statements and actions that has made him the most loved Pope of the past decade. His popularity stems from the fact that Pope Francis is one of the most forward-looking Pope who has openly embraced atheists and LGBT community members, topics once considered anathema to the Church. His humbleness is another asset that he has used to great effect to make his point on various topics since assuming the mantle of Pope.

Jeff Bezos

© wikipedia

Jeff Bezos has always been considered a bit of a maverick in the tech world. Nobody doubts his ambitions though. It peaked in September this year when he bought one of America's most revered names in journalism The Washington Post. At a time when newspaper readership is declining and ad revenues are hard to come by, Bezos' belief in journalism has the potential to redefine the way the world of news is seen.

Raghuram Rajan

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With the Indian economy facing huge tremors from onion prices and the value of the rupee declining to alarmingly low levels, Raghuram Rajan took over as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in September 2013. Within days, the rupee climbed to a level of respectability and the economy began developing a few green shoots. In the complex world of finance, Rajan's seemingly handsome good looks also helped him win over female fans with Shobhaa De openly drooling over him and calling him a sex symbol. Sex and sensex - Rajan has astutely managed the two and one can only hope his dream run with the Indian economy continues.

Rafael Nadal

© Facebook

Consider a sportsperson who has been forced out of competitive tennis because of a career-threatening injury and then chart Rafael Nadal's incredible, almost phoenix-like rise to the Number 1 player in tennis to truly know how he impacted the game in 2013. From taking tentative steps back in tennis courts after being laid low with injury to winning the French Open for the record seventh time and keeping alive his aggressive brand of sportsmanship, Nadal proved with his comeback why he's one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

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PM Manmohan Singh to hold press meet on Jan 3, PMO clarifies he won't quit.

For the first time in nearly five years, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address a formal press conference at 11 am on January 3 amid speculation that he could announce his resignation to pave way for Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi taking over the reins of the party.

However, the Prime Minister's Office has dismissed speculation that Singh will be stepping down ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to take place in the next three-four months.


According to a news report published in a leading English daily, Singh will address a press conference on January, 3 wherein he is likely to announce his decision of not seeking a third term.

In a major shift from his earlier stand of keeping the option of seeking a third term open, Singh has reportedly conveyed to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi that he wants to step aside. While most Congress leaders, including finance minister P Chidambaram, have been pitching for Rahul Gandhi to be declared as the party's PM nominee ahead of the General Elections, a formal decision in this regard is expected at the AICC session on January 17.

At the press conference, which is likely to set the tone for the Congress election agenda in 2014, Singh is likely to clear air about accusations by the political rivals of not having done enough in his two terms and talk about his works in the past 10 years. He might also officially opt himself out of the prime minister's race after the 2014 elections.  

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An aakashvani Narendra Modi doesn't hear himself: Time to move over Rahul Gandhi, deal with threat of being Kejriwal-led.

Is Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi stuck with his barbs aimed at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and choosing to ignore he needs to move on? 

The saffron party's election campaign in the five state Assembly polls was overtly marked by the Gujarat chief minister's personal attacks against Gandhi. The success of Modi's clever use of witticism and an aggressive political rhetoric was manifest in the party reaping rich dividends in the poll results. 
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Guharat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.




However, a week in the life of politics is a very long time. In this case, it has been more than three since the results to five Assembly polls were declared on December 8. 

Aakashvani in Ranchi 

After continuously referring to Rahul Gandhi as 'Shahzada' in his political rallies, Modi termed Gandhi's recent outburst against his own party's government in Maharashtra on the Adarsh society scam as 'aakashvani' on Sunday. 

Referring to the recent meeting Gandhi had with Congress chief ministers after which he announced that he had asked the Maharashtra government to reconsider its rejection of a judicial commission report which has indicted several former Congress chief ministers in the Adarsh scam, Modi said, "The people responsible for this mess...they do aakashvani and then go and hide. It appears they have nothing to do with whatever (Adarsh scam) happened in the first place." 
Narendra Modi addressing his Ranchi rally.
Narendra Modi addressing his Ranchi rally.

"We are familiar with the idea of aakashvani in the puranas but while these forced people to think, the ones coming from Delhi have exposed the deceitfulness of the Congress party," Modi said in Ranchi. 

Modi's silence on AAP intentional? 

Is Modi unwittingly refusing to acknowledge the change or intentionally choosing to ignore the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) effect?

The surprise entry of Arvind Kejriwal's AAP into Delhi's power circle as well as the political scene of the country has changed much and promises to change much more. 

The BJP has been tacitly acknowledging this change in its silent appreciation and clever appropriation of the electoral ways of the new entrant. It began with the saffron party copying from AAP's its novel way of putting posters on the rear of the auto-rickshaws in Delhi. Secondly, it did away with its decades old practice of issuing party manifesto before polls and went online, like the AAP, to solicit people's opinions and suggestions before they finalised their manifesto. 
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Anna Hazare
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.



Thirdly, after the initial shock at the Delhi poll results, the saffron party decided to say no to the lure of power despite having spent a good decade-and-a-half in Opposition. That, too, when it had bagged the highest number of seats in the national capital. Such a move by the party is in sharp contrast to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee leading the shortest ever 13-day government in the aftermath of Lok Sabha elections in 1996. The party's game-plan than its saying no to power would put it on a par with the AAP on the moral pedestal boomeranged when the AAP decided to form the government in Delhi with Congress backing it. 

Time Modi woke up to Kejri challenge 

While the BJP's secret admiration of Kejriwal is writ large in the party clandestinely adopting the AAP's poll practices, the party's PM nominee chooses to be caught in a time warp and is ignoring the new realities.   

With a platform in Delhi to showcase its ability to convert its utopian poll promises into realty, the AAP, even with a 25 per cent rate of success, can change the country's poll scenario in the remaining five months before India goes to Lok Sabha polls in 2014. 



It can make the 2014 General Elections tripartite. More than this, AAP's little success in Delhi, and riding on that, its immense popularity spreading throughout the country like wildfire can force the Congress to save face in repeating its Delhi model in the Lok Sabha also, besides providing many secular parties, including the Left, an opportunity to rally behind someone with political freshness. 

While Modi referred to 'aakashvani' in Ranchi, he might be refusing to hear a real one reverberating right on the country's political scene. In launching the same-old personal attacks on Rahul Gandhi which in all probability have outlived their utility, Modi might be barking up a wrong tree. 

He needs to wake up to the Kejriwal challenge which has already threatened to take the poll thunder away from him. 

He needs to invent a new poll rhetoric and save himself from being 'Kejriwalled' in the long run.   

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Modi at Ranchi rally: Rahul Gandhi only coming out with akashwani.

BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi Sunday targeted Rahul Gandhi again, saying while nothing is being done to check price rise and corruption, the Congress leader has been only coming out with "akashwani" (celestial voices).

Modi's made these remarks at a rally in Ranchi apparently referring to the Congress Vice-President's meeting with Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states in Delhi on Friday during which he asked them to check prices and implement the Lokayukta Act on the lines of Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill.

Gandhi had disapproved of the Maharashtra government's decision to reject the Adarsh Commission's report on the society building scam.

"In ancient times, people heard akashwani (celestial voices) that came as if they (voices) were not concerned about the happenings around....Today, there is akashwani that CMs will do this, CMs will do that. People who are involved in corruption....if there is honesty in the words of people who do akashwani, then they should respond as to how corruption developed under Congress in Jharkhand," Modi said without naming Gandhi.

He said Congress leaders were doing the same today.



Attacking Congress, Modi said the ruling party at the Centre has become a "liability" and a "crisis" for the country as it has lost connection with the masses.

"Congress party, its governments and its leaders cannot listen to the voices of the people....People today want development, not division, they want opportunity, not political opportunism, they want security, not poison of communalism," he said.

Modi and BJP chief Rajnath Singh being garlanded at the rally. (Photo: PTI)

'Congress must answer why is Jharkand still poor?'

Modi also blamed the Congress for the lack of development in Jharkhand in an election rally in state capital Ranchi on Sunday.

"If the details of the natural and geological resources and skilled manpower that the state has are presented to the world's economists and if they are asked if a state has such vast wealth, what should be the financial situation of the state? 

"There will be only one answer. This state can be compared to the wealthy nations of the world. Then why is a state with such resources poor? Why is poverty growing in the lap of a rich state? 

"The party, which after independence who took over the reins of the country, its leaders, and its governments has to answer for this," the BJP's prime ministerial candidate said at the packed Vijay Sankalp rally.

Former Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda (L) felicitates Narendra Modi (centre) during a rally in Ranchi on Sunday. BJP chief Rajnath Singh is on the right.
'Is this vision?' 

Modi then said the Congress did not support the creation of Jharkhand from Bihar but the BJP-led NDA government okayed its creation. 

"The sultanate in Delhi never heard the voice of Jharkhand for 50 years. It was Atal-ji (former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee) who heard the voice of the people. We will be always thankful to him," the Gujarat Chief Minister said. 

He attacked the JMM-Congress government in the state for failing to provide electricity and clean drinking water to the people and for halting industrial growth. 

"There is so much coal is the state and you have to buy power from outside. Is this vision?" he said.

Modi cited examples of how he managed to turn around a sick industry in Gujarat and provided clean water through taps in the state. 

"People sitting in Delhi, who for 50 years were not ready to accept you, will you benefit from them in the next 13-15 years? Can you trust those sitting in Delhi? Can they change the future of the youth? Absolutely not!" he said.



"Youth today need opportunity, not political opportunism," Modi said.

Promising central aid to Jharkhand if the BJP came to power in 2014 at the Centre, Modi asked the crowd to "lay down all the 14 Lok Sabha seats from the state on the feet of (BJP chief) Rajnath Singh".

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10 WORST INDIAN POLITICIANS OF ALL TIME

                          

independence Day is here – and our hearts grow with innocent pride about being Indian and all that jazz. Let us throw some cold water of introspection this time around – and see how far these politicians have taken us ahead.

1. Lalu Prasad Yadav

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Lalu’s obsession for power and limelight is known to all. He also has a huge liking for ‘fodder’, so much so that he is the supposed mastermind of the 9.5 billion rupees worth fodder scam that hit Bihar under his regime. From pushing Bihar to the dark zone to using an Osama lookalike for his election campaign, Lalu has done all that and much more to reign alone in politics.

2. B.S. Yeddyurappa

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The man who ushered in the first BJP government in the South is also the face of many blatant corruption cases that hit Karnataka. Accused of having aided his sons in raking up huge land deals, BSY had to go to prison and also subsequently lost his chief minister position in the state.

3. Rahul Gandhi

�� BCCL

The scion of the Congress government, Rahul Gandhi is all talk, no … well, you get our drift. If it weren’t for our country’s political nepotism, a figure like him would not stand a chance. He has made quite a show of visiting poor farmers and listening to their woes, but there has been absolutely nothing to show for it. To say “Poverty is a state of mind” is not being philosophical, Rahul baba, it is being ignorant.

4. M. Karunanidhi

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One of the biggest scams in recent times worth crores was the 2G scam – and M Karunanidhi’s pivotal role has been discussed to death. Probably the most corrupt chief minister down south, Karunanidhi is well aided by his family in his multiple exploits. Don’t be fooled by his disarming smile or the temple being erected in Tamil Nadu in his honor.

5. Mayawati

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Talking of monuments, how can we forget our very own Mayawati? The meteoric rise in her and her party’s fortune reeks of corruption. And then she goes ahead puts up her own statues across Uttar Pradesh. Her only redeeming action was the crackdown on the police recruitment scam under the previous Mulayam Singh government.

6. Digvijay Singh

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One of the most hated poster boys of the Congress government, Digvijay Singh runs his mouth almost always – putting himself and his party in an awkward situation. After the Mumbai blasts, Singh said, “India is better than Pakistan where blasts take place every day, every week.” He is regularly called by the media as the most faithful dog of Congress. We rest our case.

7. Suresh Kalmadi

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While other politicians stew in their bubbling pots of corruption unseen by world media, overachievers like Kalmadi reach for the stars. The entire Commonwealth Games was a farce that lined the pockets of this former politician with thousands of crores. In the rarest of events, the man was sent to jail after being tried for his crime, only to be out after nine months.

8. Madhu Koda

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Painting another grandiose picture in the corrupt and criminal Indian politics is former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda. Koda and his buddies collected over 4000 crore rupees by allotting mining contracts across Jharkhand. This scam, although of huge proportions, was not enough to keep him in jail, and he was recently granted bail.

9. Narendra Modi

�� BCCL

One of the biggest prime ministerial candidates in the upcoming elections, NaMo is hated as much as he is apparently loved. From the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002 to the farce about his development model in Gujarat, despite thousands of poverty-stricken people – Narendra Modi is controversy’s child. Like others, we too wonder how he recognized the 15,000 Gujaratis he rescued from the Uttarakhand floods this year.

10. C.C. Patil

�� BCCL

Our politicians set new records for the world. CC Patil here was caught watching porn on his mobile phone while the state legislative assembly was in session. If that is how attentive our leaders are when apparently important decisions are being taken, well – is it any wonder that the country is going to the dogs?

And these are only the top 10 – the Indian political system is thick with more pests than you can count on your fingers. This Independence Day, let’s get our country in perspective and once again, realize how important each of our votes is.

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2002 Gujarat riots: Order on Zakia Jafri's plea against clean chit to Narendra Modi today.

 A Magistrate court in Ahmedabad is likely to pronounce its order on Zakia Jafri's petition against the closure report of Special Investigation Team which gave a clean chit to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 58 others in connection with a 2002 communal riots case on Thursday.
Magistrate B J Ganatra had earlier said he would deliver the order on October 28, but it was deferred to December 2, and then to December 26.

Arguments got over in September 2013.


Jafri, whose husband and former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri was among 69 people killed in the Gulbarg Society massacre here during the 2002 , contends that Modi and others should be tried for their role in the conspiracy which facilitated the state-widpost-Godhra riotse violence.

SIT, appointed by the Supreme Court, probed Jafri's allegations against Modi and others, and filed a final report on February 8, 2012, which said there wasn't sufficient evidence to prosecute them.

SIT counsel R S Jamuar argued before the court that no direct or circumstantial evidence supporting Jafri's allegations was found, while her lawyers argued that SIT ignored the relevant evidence and shielded the main culprits.

About a thousand people were killed in the riots. 

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Corrupt Congress, BJP ministers will face action: AAP

  


The AAP Tuesday justified its decision to take outside support from the Congress to form a government in Delhi while warning both the BJP and the Congress of action against its corrupt ministers.

In a two-minute video posted on social networking sites, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said: "We'll take action against any previous corrupt ministers of the Congress and the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)."

Assuring the people it would implement all the 18 promises, the party said it did not "think of the Congress or the BJP" but "only of the common man" and its focus was on solving people's problems.

Justifying its decision to take outside support from the Congress, the party said it had asked 26 lakh Delhiites whether to take support or not of that party and the majority said "yes".

"People told us to form the government and prove that we can deliver. They asked us to run the government for as long as we could. We bow to their decision," AAP founder-leader Arvind Kejriwal said in the video.

Explaining how a minority government worked, AAP assured people that neither any ministry would be given to the Congress nor would it be part of the government.

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Will pass Jan Lokpal Bill in 15 days, says Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday promised to bring Jan Lokpal Bill in 15 days and termed the rule as "wrong" which makes it mandatory for a state to seek the Centre's nod to pass a law.



"We will bring Jan Lokpal Bill within 15 days...The Constitution says Delhi Assembly can formulate laws except on some issues mentioned in the state list. The state cannot make any law in violation of the Centre's law," Kejriwal told reporters.

"In 2002, the Transaction of Business Rules was amended. It was added that the state government, while introducing any law, will take permission from the Centre.

"This (rule) is wrong. It used to happen under British rule where Indian government used to take permission from London," Kejriwal said.

"In Delhi, we have an elected government, so it is absolutely wrong. We will overcome every hurdle. We will not sit quite," said Kejriwal adding the "crisis" is created by the opposition and is not a constitutional "crisis".



Kejriwal also claimed his party will overcome every challenge in implementing the promises made to the people of Delhi.

"We expect many obstructions to come in the government's way but we will take them head on. Earlier they had challenged us to fight election. Then they said aam aadmi cannot run government. We will run government in a better manner," he said.

Kejriwal will take oath as Delhi Chief Minister on Saturday at Ramlila Maidan here, capping his party's stunning electoral debut in the December 4 Assembly polls.

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Kejriwal: Delhites will get 700 litres free water within 24 hours of govt formation

  

  

Delhi chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal today said, the entire power distribution in the capital will be audited and the people of Delhi will get 700 litres free water within 24 hours of AAP taking over power. 

Speaking to mediapersons outside his home in Kaushami, Ghaziabad, Kejriwal said, swearing-in on Dec 26 may not happen, as he was yet to get intimation from the Lt Governor's office. 

"We have started working on 18 major points, have met the officials, and the work has begun", he said. 

On AAP MLA Vinod Kumar Binny's displeasure, Kejriwal said, "I think everything is now okay. He came and told me he did not want any post, and that he had joined AAP for a mission. He has said, he is not dissatisfied."

On the differences in Congress over extending outside support, Kejriwal said: "It's their problem. We are forming the government based on issues. They had promised unconditional support. 

"BJP had also said it would give issue-based support. We will place all the 18 issues before the Assembly. We do not have an alliance with any party."

Kejriwal said, I will personally invite Anna Hazare to attend out swearig-in ceremony.

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AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to be sworn-in as Delhi Chief Minister on December 28, six other ministers from his Cabinet too will take oath.

Aam Aadmi Paty leader and Delhi Chief Minister candidate Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet will now take the oath on December 28 i.e. Saturday in Delhi. 

Invitations will be sent to Anna Hazare, Santosh Hegde and Kiran Bedi. The venue of the swearing-in ceremony has not been finalised yet. 

Reports suggest that the swearing-in ceremony is most likely to take place at Ramlila Maidan instead of Raj Bhavan. 

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal had said the swearing-in ceremony of a new government is not likely to take place on December 26 as proposed earlier. He even denied having any rift within the party on the issue of cabinet berths.



Kejriwal, set to become Chief Minister of Delhi, asserted that AAP has not firmed up an alliance with Congress as the support given by it was based on its 18-point agenda. There has been dissenting voices in Congreess over support to AAP.

Talking to media, Kerjriwal indicated that a number of announcements will be made on fulfilling key promises of the party like cutting power tariff and ordering auditing of the private power distribution companies immediately after assuming charge.
Arvind Kejriwal and Vinod Kumar Binny
Arvind Kejriwal and Vinod Kumar Binny

A day after Laxmi Nagar MLA Binny, a ministerial aspirant, walked out of a meeting at Kejriwal's house after coming to know that he was not among the probable ministers, Kejriwal said the legislator was not interested in a ministerial berth.

"Binny came to me last evening. He told me he does not want a ministerial berth and that he was here for a mission.

Binny said he has conveyed to the media that he was not upset," said Kejriwal.

Binny, on his part, stated that he was not angry and that there was no rift in the party. "There is no rift between me and the party. There is nothing that I was angry about after being denied a post in the ministry," he told PTI.

As Binny walked out of the party meeting yesterday, senior party leaders Sanjay Singh and Kumar Vishwas went to his residence late last night and held parleys to pacify him.



On the oath-taking ceremony, Kejriwal said, "We have not got any communication from Lt Governor's office on swearing-in ceremony. So it not possible to hold the ceremony tomorrow as there is not much time left." 

The AAP leader said he was working on portfolios to be given to six MLAs whose names were recommended to Lt Governor to be included in his cabinet.

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Patna blast suspect's family among others invited to Modi rally

  

Jharkhand BJP leaders today reached out to the family of Patna blast suspect Imitiaz, inviting them to their prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s rally here on December 29.

BJP is extending invitations to every family in Jharkhand requesting them to turn up at the rally.  

“Under the leadership of senior BJP leader C P Singh, party men went to the house of Imitiaz and gave the invitation to his father,” party leader and former Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Raghuvar Das said.

“The residents of the locality where Imitiaz belongs said they would certainly participate in the rally as they would like to wash the stain that has been attached to the area following the Patna blasts,” Das said, quoting the residents.  

Das was seen distributing the invitations to MLAs present in Jharkhand Assembly on Friday.

C P Singh said Imitiaz’s father assured that he would definitely come to listen to Modi in his rally at Dhurwa, very close to his locality.

The NIA had on December 18 took Imitiaz to his locality as part of its investigations into Patna and Bodh Gaya bomb blasts.

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Is Narendra Modi as PM nominee actually helping BJP?

As even the worst rivals scramble to extend support to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi in the quaint hope of partaking an iota of the stupendous public goodwill that the new entrant has earned in a mere 11 months of its existence; in another power circle, it appears, pillar-after-pillar is falling even before the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has erected the castle of his immense political ambitions. 

In a latest, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has advised the Gujarat chief minister to not be too preachy about Maharashtra and instead mind his own business - in not exactly the same words and yet in a tone no less acerbic. 


At his mega rally in Mumbai on Sunday which was attended by over three lakh people, Modi had hit out at the state's unstable politics, saying, "In these years, Gujarat had 14 Chief Ministers. But in Maharashtra, 26 Chief Ministers were elected. Now tell me, what kind of politics would this state be having?" 

Responding to this, Thackeray Junior - who recently got back his mojo and came out of his iconic late father's shadow by showing vocal rivals in the party, including veteran Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi, their place at the party's Dussehra rally - wrote in the party's mouthpiece Saamna that lakhs of Gujaratis choose to make Maharashtra their home and that many Maharashtrians are on the Forbes list of the richest Indians. 

In a curt one-liner which sounded more like caution that advice, Thackeray told the Gujarat chief minister: "Don't worry about Maharashtra." 

Shiv Sena's equation with Modi has been far from cordial. The party was disappointed at not being invited to Modi's rally at the Bandra-Kurla Complex grounds on Sunday. This was exacerbated with the fact that Modi did not make even a mention of Thackeray in his speech. 

Even though party president Rajnath Singh showered lavish praises on Sena founder Bal Thackeray, Modi's silence on the iconic leader piqued the Sena no end. 

Referring to the impressive crowd at the rally venue, Modi had said: "No one has had the fortune to witness such large crowds in Mumbai. There is a sea of humanity as far as I can see." According to political observers, this comment was a dig at Sena, whose public gatherings are usually crowd-pullers. 

Even when the BJP had announced Modi as its PM nominee in September, though Shiv Sena had backed its ally's decision, it was not without the party making it clear that Modi was not its first choice. Sena said it would have preferred Sushma Swaraj. 

Ever since the saffron party cleared Modi's name to be the party's PM nominee riding roughshod over party veteran LK Advani's long-standing PM ambitions, the party had to witness its long-term crucial allies frittering away. 

Janata Dal (United) anticipated Modi's rise as the party's PM nominee and broke the 17-year-old alliance with the saffron party on June 16. In a press statement, the JD(U) said: "It (the Goa announcement of the chairmanship of the electoral campaign committee of the BJP) has not left a shadow of doubt that this is a mere ceremonial prelude to his (Modi's) nomination as the PM candidate. All efforts within the BJP to suggest care and moderation in the process were smothered by the authoritarian cult and imperious disdain." 

Earlier, in its national council meeting in April, the party called for a candidate (to lead the National Democratic Alliance) with "acceptable high secular credentials with no rough edges or divisive characteristics". 

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's going away came as a shock for the BJP since together the BJP and JD(U) had emerged as an unsurpassable force in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Of the 40 LS seats here, in 2009, the JD(U) had contested 25 seats and won 20, while the BJP had won 12 of the remaining 15. 

More recently, the AIADMK announced its decision to go it alone in 2014 LS polls. Making its chief J. Jayalalithaa's prime ministerial ambitions clear, it was resolved at a general meeting of the party in Chennai that there have been PMs from other states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, etc, and this is the time when somebody from Tamil Nadu must lead the country. 

Jayalalithaa said a curt 'no' to the recent overtures of Modi who met her many times in the recent past and she refused to enter into a pre-poll truck with the saffron party. Jayalalithaa knows she has very strong poll prospects in the state and wants to dictate terms with whoever needs her support in the post-poll scenario. With an impressive number in the Lok Sabha, she can easily lead a Third Front to government formation. 

Former PM Deve Gowda also backed her claim to prime ministership recently. 

In August, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) made it clear that it would tolerate no criticism of Modi. RSS pointsperson for BJP, Suresh Soni, who was instrumental in getting Modi appointed as campaign chief of the BJP at the Goa national executive, told RSS office-bearers in Lucknow that the people of the country had taken Modi to be their prime minister and they were now duty-bound to support him and bring good governance back. The RSS asked the BJP to act tough on leaders who criticise Modi. 

With Lok Sabha elections still a good five months away and political equations in the country fast changing with curious developments in Delhi heralding the rise of an alternative politics while many regional players exploring the possibility of a Third Front, it remains to be seen if Modi's being at the helm of affairs helps the BJP improve its tally in the LS or lets important allies fritter away thus resulting in the cumulative loss of the party's prospects in the Lok Sabha.

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Live: AAP to form government in Delhi, Kejriwal to be sworn-in as chief minister at Ramlila Maidan.

13.03 pm: After meeting Delhi L-G Najeeb Jung, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said:
- Lt Governor of Delhi will forward my letter to the President
- I have copnveyed to Delhi's L-G AAP decision to form government




12. 30 pm: AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal meets Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on government formation in Delhi.
- We will fulfil all the promises made in the manifesto.

Kejriwal to take oath as Delhi Chief Minister on December 26 at Jantar Mantar
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) founder leader Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said they are ready to form the government in Delhi.

Aam Aadmi Party's founder-leader Arvind Kejriwal will become the chief minister of Delhi, a party member said here Saturday.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal interacts with supporters in New Delhi on Sunday, December 22, 2013. (Photo: Chandradeep Kumar)

AAP leader Manish Sisodia said that Kejriwal, under whom the party won 28 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly, "will be the chief minister".

"We fought the elections under his leadership and it is the opinion of all the 28 MLAs that he (Kejriwal) will be chief minister (of Delhi)," said Sisodia.

Sisodia spoke of Kejriwal becoming the chief minister after the AAP announced it will form the government following a referendum that it conducted in Delhi.

Kejriwal, who led his party's stunning electoral debut, said that the AAP "is ready to form the government".

He said he will meet Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.

The AAP had bagged 28 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party had emerged as the single largest party by winning 31 seats while the Congress had stood a poor third with eight seats.

The BJP decided not to form the government, following which AAP leaders met Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and sought 10 days time. The AAP then held a referendum to know from the people whether or not they should form a minority government.

11.40 am: By backing AAP, Congress is doing a back door entry, says BJP leader Harshvardhan.
BJP leader Harshvardhan.
BJP leader Harshvardhan.

11.35 am: Kejriwal's party has compromised with corruption by announcing decision to form government in Delhi with Congress support:

11.34 am: We wish AAP so that they can serve the people of Delhi

11.30 am: Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit congratulates Kejriwal on his decision to form the government.

We have not promised unconditional support to AAP: Sheila.

11.27 am: AAP swearing-in ceremony to be held at Ramlila Maidan on December 26.
Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit
Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit.

11.22 am: AAP to form govt in Delhi, swearing-in ceremony on December 26.

10.37 am: Final decision after going through entire data of referendum, says Gopal Rai.

09. 55 am: It is a big day for nation's politics: AAP leader Manish Sisodia.

09. 20 am: AAP's Political Affairs Committee meet begins in Kaushambi. 

09. 15 am: We will inform people about our decision soon after PAC meet: Kejriwal tells media on Monday.

8.00 am: It's all set to be official before noon: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will form a government in Delhi, with crucial support from one of its two main enemies, the Congress.

Arvind Kejriwal, the former civil servant who led AAP to a shock victory of sorts, has already said his oneyear- old party would fulfil its strong manifesto, declaring some of the things in it can be implemented within hours of forming the government.

AAP has thus begun with breaking one of its very first promises, which was to not form an alliance with either the BJP or Congress. The overwhelming public response - via SMS, IVRS, emails, and at public meetings - in favour of taking support from the Congress to form a government in Delhi has pressured AAP enough for it end the suspense and speak of a final announcement on Monday.
AAP has promised 700 litres free water 
AAP has promised 700 litres free water

In a sort of re- election, AAP's elected members went back to their constituencies and held public meetings to decide if the party should form a minority government.



The weekend just gone by alone saw 272 videographed public meetings where the people were asked if the Congress' help should be taken. According to party sources, an overwhelming majority, almost 80- 90 per cent, of the people said AAP should form the government.

"We have held public meetings in all the wards. The promises made by Arvind ji were read out to the public and they were then asked to raise their hands if they wanted AAP to form the government by taking support of the Congress. Almost everywhere, barring a few places, people were in favour of AAP forming a minority government. However, we will be able to make an announcement only on Monday after going through all the video recordings," an AAP spokesperson said on Sunday.
Kejriwal
Kejriwal addresses supporters in Sarojini Nagar.

"There are around 1.19 crore voters and we have collectively received around 10- 12 lakh responses, which in a way give an indication of the view of the electors," Kejriwal said on Monday.

Kejriwal's words find support in a Mail Today-CVoter snap poll on Saturday that revealed that 57 per cent of Delhi residents want AAP to form the government. It also showed that a repoll would see AAP as the victor.

The twists in the AAP tale haven't ended, though. Kejriwal, who insisted on Monday that he remains personally against forming a government with Congress support, may not be chief minister of Delhi after all. The buzz in AAP circles is that Kejriwal has set his sights higher to the Lok Sabha, and his close aide Manish Sisodia could well be the man to step into Sheila Dikshit's shoes.

Another twist is that it's not just the Aam Aadmi who wants AAP to form the government; many party leaders are also in favour. According to party workers close to senior AAP leaders, some elected MLAs have conveyed to Kejriwal that he should take Congress support and come to power. " There is a feeling inside the party that Kejriwal should take outside support because that is the only way to come to power and fulfil our promises," said an AAP member on the condition of anonymity. Another was less charitable. " It's making a virtue of a necessity," he said.

The Congress support is unconditional, but the words of its leaders are ominous. Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely has said his party's decision to extend outside support to the AAP was only to avoid putting the burden of a fresh election on the common man. " AAP won 28 seats by misleading the people of Delhi. We want to see how they can implement the manifesto," Lovely has said.

It was after conducting four public meetings on Sunday that Kejriwal gave his clearest hint yet that Delhi would see an AAP- led government when he said that the party will fulfil its strong manifesto promises.

Kejriwal said he would meet Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung on Monday at 12.30 pm.

"Though we got an overwhelming participation during our public meetings and about 80 per cent of them said the party should form the government with outside support, the final decision would be taken after a meeting of Political Affairs Committee.

I would be meeting the LG on Monday at 12.30 pm," said Kejriwal.

According to party sources, 80-90 per cent of people said the AAP should form the government

BJP on Sunday slammed AAP's move to seek public opinion for forming a government with Congress support, calling it a farcical referendum and a camouflage for political opportunism and wondered if the party's volte face marks the end of alternative politics promised by it. 

REALITY CHECK

Reduction of electricity tariff and review of meters: If AAP forms government, they will have the authority to order a special audit of electricity companies in Delhi.
Arvind Kejriwal
According to party sources, 80-90% of people said the AAP should form the government

Regularisation of unauthorised colonies: This is already in progress after the last Congress government gave the go- ahead for regularisation of unauthorised colonies. All AAP has to do is to continue with it. None of the other two parties can do anything about it.

Thousands of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters said that they wanted Arvind Kejriwal to form next government in Delhi. (Photo: Chandradeep Kumar)

Passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill: This condition is again immaterial, considering the passing of the Lokpal Bill in Parliament. The Kejriwal- led party has already criticised the provisions of the Lokpal Bill passed in Parliament.

Opening 500 government schools: The trifurcated Municipal Corporation of Delhi has already promised in their 2013 budget the construction of 100- 150 new schools in their respective zones.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal said his party has a vision for the people of Delhi in New Delhi on Sunday, December 22, 2013. (Photo: Chandradeep Kumar)

Distribute 700 litres of water every day to all households in the Capital: Until 2006, the Delhi Jal Board used to give 6,000 litres of free water every month to homes in Delhi but the policy was discontinued as it resulted in massive losses to the utility provider.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal interacts with a woman supporter in New Delhi on Sunday, December 22, 2013. (Photo: Chandradeep Kumar)

Also, the availability of water is in no way in proportion to the demand and supply of the city.

ARVIND KEJRIWAL'S 18 DEMANDS

1. To bring an end to the VIP culture in Delhi.

2. Passing of the Jan Lokpal Bill - the version for which Anna Hazare held fasts.

3. Swaraj in Delhi: People will take decision directly in mohalla sabhas, which will be held in every locality and colony.

4. Complete statehood for Delhi; central government's hold on DDA and police should end.

Supporters greet Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi on Sunday, December 22, 2013. (Photo: Chandradeep Kumar)

5. Special audit of all power companies in the Capital from the time they were privatised.

6. Electricity meters should be checked.

7. Availability of water to every household in the Capital.

8. Regularisation of unauthorised colonies.

9. Clean and affordable houses for those living in slums.

10. Support to give regular jobs to those working on contractual basis.

11. Infrastructural facilities like roads, electricity, water and basic facilities to ordinary trader and simplification of VAT system.

12. No FDI in retail should be allowed in Delhi.{mosimage}

13. Providing facilities and subsidies to farmers in the villages in the Capital.

14. Opening 500 government schools, stopping donations in private schools and making the fee system transparent.

15. Opening new government hospitals with better facilities.

16. Special security units for women and all harassment cases need to be tackled within three months.

17. Setting up enough courts and appointing judges so that all cases are dealt with within six months.

18. Support from the municipal corporations on all these issues.     

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