The Jan Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare, and Baba Ramdev II

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 17 Jan 2012 10:38

Team Anna will support Khanduri - http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120115/j ... 008155.jsp

nawabs · Post by **nawabs** » 17 Jan 2012 11:06

EVM order comes out
http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/ev ... 53104.html

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said that electronic voting machines (EVMs), that have come to be the backbone of elections in India, are not “tamper-proof”.

Giving its ruling on a petition, the HC bench comprising Acting Chief Justice AK Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said it was not impossible to tamper with the EVMs but added that it is difficult to issue any directions to the Election Commission in this regard.

However, the court added that the EC should itself consider a way out of it to put to rest all the doubts.

The petitioner had asked the High Court that either a paper trail be incorporated to record the votes cast through EVMs or return to the old system of paper ballots.

The bench had earlier reserved its verdict on the plea till today.

The petitioner had contended that there was lack of transparency in EVMs.

European countries like the UK, the US and Japan have rejected the EVMs due to their failure and they preferred paper ballots for their elections, the petitioner had said.

Seeking the court's direction, he also said "the EVM's brain, micro controller is being manufactured in foreign countries like Japan, which themselves do not use the machine due to its demerits".

The EC, however, opposed the plea saying that returning to the paper ballots would not be feasible as it would require immense expenditure as there are now over 73 crore voters in the country.

"The machine (EVM) accommodates as many as 64 party symbols and because of electronically organised data, the counting became faster," the EC’s counsel had said.

At the same time,IBN comes out with a different version of the story
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/no-evidence- ... 37-64.html

The Delhi High Court has said that there is no evidence to back petitioner and Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy's plea that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) can be tampered with.

The High Court has called for wider consultations before a decision is taken

and said that it is difficult to issue any directions to the Election Commission (EC) on EVMs as of now.

In his plea, Swamy had demanded that receipts be given for ballots cast on EVMs claiming that the EVM system was not transparent.
Earlier, Swamy and the EC, represented by lawyer Ashok Desai, had concluded the arguments.

"The EC should return to the ballot system to avoid tampering as there was lack of transparency in EVMs at the time of polls," Swamy had said.

Either paper printouts should be incorporated in the EVMs by the EC or it should return to the ballot paper system as EVMs are not tamper-proof, he said.

European countries like the UK, the US and Japan have rejected them (EVMs) due to their failure and they preferred paper ballots for their elections, he had said.

Seeking the court's direction, he also said, "The EVM's brain, micro controller is being manufactured in foreign countries like Japan, which themselves do not use the machine due to its demerits."

The EC, however, opposed the plea saying that returning to the paper ballots would not be feasible as it would require immense expenditure as there are over 73 crore voters.

"The machine (EVM) accommodates as many as 64 party symbols and because of electronically organised data, the counting became faster," Desai, appearing for the EC, had said.

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 17 Jan 2012 12:19

nawabs wrote: At the same time,IBN comes out with a different version of the story
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/no-evidence- ... 37-64.html

Zee News version appears to be more accurate ... there is a video of Swamy on the ibnlive website, and he appears reasonably satisfied.

member_21708 · Post by **member_21708** » 17 Jan 2012 12:35

However, the court added that the EC should itself consider a way out of it to put to rest all the doubts.

fair decision, its now upto EC to prove for once and all EVM's are either hack-proof or revert to paper ballots

"The machine (EVM) accommodates as many as 64 party symbols and because of electronically organised data, the counting became faster," the EC’s counsel had said.

this point is irrelevant, primary objective of election commission is to ensure free and fair elections, before introduction of EVM's EC routinely conducted elections using paper ballots even when there were 100's of candidates.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 17 Jan 2012 13:42

I am not sure how the HC has come to the conclusion. I do not want to support any rumours about EVM. But to make it objectively possible, EVMs should be given to an independent body of the govt to check whether it can be tampered with. I have got a lot of suspicion about EC for keeping these machines for a long time before publishing the results. Actually these machines should used to declare the resultsafter the voting immediately. The way EVMs were carried out and were protected in some parts of India and the way results were kept delayed, all these things are possible during this time by specialised ITth Engrs. What is needed is more transparency rather than secracy and EC should not think that they are accountable to none though their indepdency should be maintained. I do not want EC to decide in future who should be CMs and PMs rather than people and so we need more transparency in this process of electing and declaring the results and also in using EVMs.

Centre for all-party meet on electoral reforms
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/214 ... toral.html

kmkraoind · Post by **kmkraoind** » 17 Jan 2012 14:06

I have a noob question. Are EVMs are EMP proof, what happens if there are powerful EMP bursts (non-nuclear) in the vicinity of EVM storage area after elections.

niran · Post by **niran** » 17 Jan 2012 15:28

^^^ microwaved EVM perhaps.

VinayB · Post by **VinayB** » 17 Jan 2012 20:49

vikramd wrote:
However, the court added that the EC should itself consider a way out of it to put to rest all the doubts.
fair decision, its now upto EC to prove for once and all EVM's are either hack-proof or revert to paper ballots

The next parliament session will see honest economist crowing about how 2g, skullduggery with LokPal bill in RS etc did not matter because 'hey we won elections'. Just like how he crowed buying MPs of other parties with cash did not matter, after 2009 elections.

and there will be people who will still cheer the honest economist.

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 19 Jan 2012 09:24

Anna Hazare-Baba Ramdev set to campaign against Congress in Uttarakhand - http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 547480.cms

sukhish · Post by **sukhish** » 19 Jan 2012 12:09

I think Anna and his party will qualify for free RSS membership

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 19 Jan 2012 12:11

sukhish wrote:I think Anna and his party will qualify for free RSS membership

RSS membership is free for everybody. Its not like buying Kangress tickets in UP election.

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 20 Jan 2012 19:57

Probe against S M Krishna to continue

When is magoo -shree planning to resign ?

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 21 Jan 2012 11:11

From twitter:

@PTI_News Press Trust of India
Delhi court reserves order for Feb 4 on Subramanian Swamy's plea for prosecution of Home Minister P Chidambaram in 2G case.

Will this be (yet another) black letter day in recent history? Who knows? I'm hoping for the fireworks onlee...

rumor is BTW, that if PC has to quit then who better than Diggy to take his place as HM. The phamily needs reeeally trusted people in the HM kursi....

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 21 Jan 2012 11:31

PM adds heft to oust-BJP campaign in Uttarakhand - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 574750.cms

Maino has also had a rally in Haridwar ... Kangis are going all out in Uttarakhand. Probably because they have to fight Khanduri's Lok Ayukta bill. Foul play not ruled out.

sum · Post by **sum** » 21 Jan 2012 22:21

NAC ki beti chimes in ( after having pretended to be with Anna all these days. Mostly was used as a double agent like Agnivesh):

Hazare's movement lacked ideological tethering: Aruna Roy

WTF does ideological tethering mean?

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 22 Jan 2012 10:41

For whatever it is worth - could be a psy-op

Hazare’s silence

There is a protracted silence on the part of Anna Hazare which is demoralising the activists of the Jan Lokpal movement in Delhi, who were banking on Hazare taking a proactive approach in the ongoing Assembly elections. Hazare has not issued any statement ever since he fell ill and called off his fast on December 27. Hazare’s poor health is not the only reason for concern for the activists. They suspect that the Congress has used the services of a Pune-based industrialist, a close associate of former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, and a group of Hazare’s Maharashtrian friends to influence him. When People Against Corruption leader Arvind Kejriwal went to Ralegan Siddhi to meet Hazare, he got only a 30-minute audience, although he had hoped to hold discussions for half-a-day. Most cryptically, Hazare told him to prepare for 2014.

http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/902441/

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 22 Jan 2012 21:10

http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=748606

In a bid to project a non-partisan face, Anna Hazare and his team today shot off a series of letters to leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi and BJP president Nitin Gadkari, trying to put them on the mat on the Lokpal issue ahead of Assembly polls in five states.

UP Chief Minister Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav were the other recipients of letters signed by Hazare and his team members Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi.

While in the letter to Singh, signed only by Hazare, the Prime Minister is asked to show some courage to withdraw the "weak" Lokpal Bill and bring a stronger one, the one to Gandhi asked the Congress leader whether his party will dare bring a law on the lines of "strong" Lokayukta law in Uttarakhand.

Gadkari was questioned as to why his party did not insist on Nitish Kumar government in Bihar in which it is a partner bringing a strong Lokayukta law like the one passed by BJP government in Uttarakhand. He was also asked why BJP changed tracks on bringing Lokayuktas through Lokpal bill.

Team Anna also found fault with BSP chief Mayawati for not opposing the bill in the Standing Committee and staging a walkout in Lok Sabha which, they alleged, helped the UPA government pass it in the Lower House.

Yadav, on the other hand, "strongly" opposed the bill in the Standing Committee but walked out in Lok Sabha, the Team Anna letter to him said while asking him to clear whether he would go with Congress or BJP after the UP elections.

Warning the Prime Minister that the fight for a strong anti-corruption ombudsman will not end till Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed, Hazare said in his letter, "You are 80-year-old now. The country has given you everything. Now people are asking something in return. Show some courage."

"You have put your government on stake for nuclear bill, which was wrong. Show some courage to bring Lokpal to fight corruption. We don't know whether Congress will give you another chance as Prime Minister but if you do this, the country will always remember you," he said.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 22 Jan 2012 23:35

Anna Hazare letter to the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Man Mohan Singh

http://www.scribd.com/doc/79001356/Letter-to-PM

Team Anna letter to Rahul Gandhi...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/79001363/Lett ... hul-Gandhi

Team Anna letter to Mulayam Singh...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/79001343/Lett ... ayam-Singh

Team Anna letter to Nitin Gadkari...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/79001348/Lett ... in-Gadkari

Team Anna letter to Mayawati (Bagwati?)...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/79001327/Letter-to-Mayawati

Vashishtha · Post by **Vashishtha** » 23 Jan 2012 01:22

Warning the Prime Minister that the fight for a strong anti-corruption ombudsman will not end till Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed, Hazare said in his letter, "You are 80-year-old now. The country has given you everything. Now people are asking something in return. Show some courage."

"You have put your government on stake for nuclear bill, which was wrong. Show some courage to bring Lokpal to fight corruption. We don't know whether Congress will give you another chance as Prime Minister but if you do this, the country will always remember you," he said.

OUCH!!! for MMS.. This is blatant insult!!! hahaaaa!!!

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 24 Jan 2012 04:31

Black Money: India to knock at Swiss door for details in HSBC Geneva accounts
http://articles.economictimes.indiatime ... d-accounts

Govt needs to monitor the private Banks and their activities particularly in supplying money for a political group during election and also supplying money to terror groups. There is no system to monitor private bank activities in India and also Indian accounts overseas.

Black money: Enforcement Directorate helped Hasan Ali Khan cover tracks

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mone ... 68968.html

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 25 Jan 2012 12:51

x-post from EVM thread:

EVM case judgment is up on the web - http://lobis.nic.in/dhc/AKS/judgement/2 ... 792009.pdf

If interested in exploring how to take this further, please email at pranav dot brf at gmail. Thanks.

vijayk · Post by **vijayk** » 25 Jan 2012 20:43

http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/s ... 120124.htm

In this special Rediff.com series, we dwell into the psyche of voters, the personalities of leaders and the socio-cultural lives of the people of Uttar Pradesh.

The series begins with Arundhati Dhuru, a Lucknow resident.

Originally a Mumbai native, Dhuru is a leader of the National Alliance of People's Movements. With her husband, Magsaysay Award winner Dr Sandeep Pandey (this is same terrorist supporting, Islamic terrorist/PAKI supporting SCUM, Wagah Candle kisser who walked to the border) , she has been deeply engaged in education, grassroots empowerment and issues related to food security. She spoke to Sheela Bhatt.

'The BJP will do well in towns and cities'

Most probably, we will see the BSP lose seats, but still in the reckoning. The SP and BJP will be in second and third positions; the Congress may end up last.

The BJP will do well in the towns and cities. The traders support the BJP. I see a lot of polarisation taking place. It is obviously helped by (Congress General Secretary) Digvijay Singh and (senior Samajwadi Party leader) Azam Khan.

This controversy about Salman Rushdie and the Deoband's reactions may add to the BJP's gains.

In Uttar Pradesh many people are talking about the Peace Party started by Dr Mohammad Ayub. Probably, the BJP will gain out of it. It is going to help the BJP in the polarisation of voters on communal lines.

In Jaunpur people were talking about it (the Peace Party). I found it difficult to tell people that it is actually going to divide Muslim votes. And that will help primarily the BJP only.

All these so-called NGOs, NACs are out to play communal games, incite major communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims to help CON DIE-nasty... The plan is to scare the MUSLIMs into voting for CON scums.

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 25 Jan 2012 23:57

And so it begins

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 629992.cms

Ramdev asks people to vote for BJP and CPI

He said in response to the letters sent by him to all political parties asking for their acceptance on seven points including declaring black money stashed in foreign banks as national assets and others, only two parties-- BJP and CPI gave their acceptance.

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 26 Jan 2012 00:32

That article from Rediff is red herring. you don't need Arundhati Dhuru to tell that BJP will do good in Urban areas and Banias will vote for BJP.
What is wrong is, her irrational fear that MS vote will get divided. It won't. As the modus operandi is, the community elders (usually the Ulema) will take a call 24-48 hours before election on whom to vote and the message will be propagated similarly. Only at some places (few and far), will the 'elders' not agree and you have some split with different groups going in different directions.
Her fear and sympathies betray her loyalty.
rgds,
fanne

vijayk · Post by **vijayk** » 27 Jan 2012 01:53

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/sahar ... 120126.htm

See! The corruption has penetrated the deepest levels of media. I think this is another game being played by CON, secular media out to destroy BJP and give CON party another term.

Sahara's 'sensational' UP polls survey creates ripples

Can you imagine that in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh [ Images ] assembly election Bharitya Janta Party can get almost 24 per cent votes to come second in the four-cornered contest between ruling Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party, Congress and BJP?

Can you imagine the situation where all efforts of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi [ Images ] could fail and it can come fourth in the upcoming election?

Can you foresee that Chief Minister Mayawati [ Images ] can lose power in a disgraceful defeat?

In a highly controversial and sensational survey done by Lucknow-based Sahara India [ Images ] Parivar, Mulayam Singh Yadav-led SP would get the highest percentage of votes of around 26 per cent?

SP will be followed by BJP, and BSP would come third with fewer votes if compared to BJP, the survey noted.

The survey known as "Sahara Survey" in New Delhi [ Images ] gave less than 15 per cent votes to the Congress party.

Since last two weeks this survey has created a sensation in New Delhi amongst the top leadership of both the Congress and BJP.

Subrata Roy Sahara, chairman of Sahara Pariwar, has met BJP president Nitin Gadkari [ Images ] recently to apprise him of the survey which gives BJP massive increase of 7 per cent votes compared to the election of 2007.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 27 Jan 2012 01:57

vijayK garu, BJP coming second in UP is a possibility. In UP with a little difference u can come first or third. Please post these in Assembly elections thread in GDF

member_21708 · Post by **member_21708** » 27 Jan 2012 09:35

Black money: India signs multilateral agreement
New Delhi, January 26, 2012 | UPDATED 20:42 IST

India has signed a multi-lateral agreement to check tax evasion.

Taking another step towards combating blackmoney, India has signed a multi-lateral agreement with economic powers like France and Germany to check both tax evasion and avoidance.

The agreement, convention on mutual administrative assistance in tax matters, is a multilateral agreement of 31 other nations which "promotes international co-operation while respecting the rights of taxpayers ."

The agreement has been signed under the aegis of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a top global financial body, at its headquarters in Paris recently.

A Finance Ministry official said the agreement was signed by CBDT official and Joint Secretary in foreign tax division of Finance Ministry Sanjay K Mishra along with OECD Deputy Secretary General Rintaro Tamakio.

"The convention provides for administrative co-operation between the parties in the assessment and collection of taxes with a view to combating tax avoidance and evasion," an OECD statement said in this regard.

By joining the agreement, India and other 31 signatories, according to OECD, "send a strong signal that countries are acting together to ensure that individuals and multinational enterprises pay the right amount of tax, at the right time and in the right place."

"India has moved very quickly since its commitment to the convention at the November G20 ceremony in Cannes and I expect it will be the first non-OECD G20 country for which the updated convention is in force", Jeffrey Owens, Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration said in a statement on Thursday.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/blac ... 70685.html

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 27 Jan 2012 18:53

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 639144.cms

Spelling out that his next phase of agitation would be to achieve "power for the people", veteran social activist Anna Hazare today said time had come for the masses to enjoy the fruits of democracy.

"Today power is concentrated in Mantralaya (secretariat)in Mumbai or in Delhi. There is a need for decentralisation of power," Hazare said after unfurling the tricolour at the Republic Day celebrations in his village here in western Maharashtra.

"Anna has indicated that so far the fight was for a strong Lokpal. That would continue. However, today he spoke about broadening the movement and making it a campaign to achieve decentralisation of power," the Gandhian's aide Datta Awari told PTI.

The meaning of the word Republic is "power to the people".However, that is not the case today, Hazare said.

Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, who attended the programme, said that he would provide free training to Ralegan youth at his acting institute in Mumbai. Kher had also attended Hazare's fast in Mumbai last month.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 27 Jan 2012 19:19

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r44vxGPwSqQ

Anna Hazare's message for rebuilding republic... 26 January 2012.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 27 Jan 2012 19:48

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU07Rkbb ... re=related

Anna Hazare's Election Message... 2012.

member_21708 · Post by **member_21708** » 28 Jan 2012 16:44

Anna Hazare to be admitted to Gurgaon hospital

New Delhi, January 28, 2012 | UPDATED 14:51 IST
Suffering from ill health, activist Anna Hazare will be brought to the national capital on Sunday and admitted to Medanta Hospital in suburban Gurgaon in Haryana, an associate said on Saturday.

"Because of the hard antibiotics that were being administered to him, Anna ji has had some side effects," the associate said.

"He will stay in Medanta for two days, and then will be shifted to Jindal Naturecare Institute of Bangalore," he added.

Hazare, 74, was admitted to a hospital at the end of December, after breaking his fast in Mumbai as he suffered from chest infection.

He was discharged from Pune's Sancheti Hospital on January 8 and was recommended at least a month's rest by the doctors.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/anna ... 71009.html

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 28 Jan 2012 20:23

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJEit06IO5g

Mridul Dubey voices his original composition ...

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 29 Jan 2012 12:54

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x4cKN6_Ua4

Arvind Kejriwal elaborates on their election strategy, their experience so far and the way forward...

sanjeevpunj · Post by **sanjeevpunj** » 29 Jan 2012 21:43

Anna ji is not keeping great health at the moment. Lets wish him the best of health.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 19 Feb 2012 02:37

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-pU0D-RKQQ

Anna Hazare - Back with a bang @ Art of Living Ashram in Bangalore 2/17/12

member_21708 · Post by **member_21708** » 24 Feb 2012 14:01

Sonia Gandhi refuses to divulge her I-T returns citing 'privacy'
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/soni ... 75058.html

Public figures like sonia should make their income and tax returns public. Reluctance to reveal such matter shows is she afraid her corruption will be revealed. Money looted from India is sitting in her swiss bank accounts, which needs to be brought back and lokpal bill should be passed to do so.

member_21708 · Post by **member_21708** » 24 Feb 2012 15:16

The Big Secret: What’s really there in Sonia’s tax returns?

So, let’s get this straight. Even the Prime Minister discloses his assets every year, but Sonia Gandhi, the real power behind the throne, will not?

And, Mrs Gandhi, you’re so wrong that there isn’t any public interest in knowing details of how well you’re doing. There palpably is.

Of course, in normal circumstances, such details come under the realm of confidential information. But in a democracy such as ours, in the interests of transparency of government, there ought not to be high walls surrounding the personal assets of our elected leaders. Even if they are only puppeters who pull the strings.

So, Mrs Gandhi, will you please go public with the details now? And also let us know what “security risks” are involved in making such information public.

http://www.firstpost.com/india/the-big- ... 23773.html

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Feb 2012 15:22

its highly unlikely any illegal money stashed away abroad would be declared assets here and come under income tax!

the embarassment is more likely to the 'legal' sources of income of the First Family ... even the Yuvraj earns a fair amt as the owner of several cos and JVs iirc.

sum · Post by **sum** » 24 Feb 2012 15:57

vikramd wrote:The Big Secret: What’s really there in Sonia’s tax returns?
So, let’s get this straight. Even the Prime Minister discloses his assets every year, but Sonia Gandhi, the real power behind the throne, will not?

And, Mrs Gandhi, you’re so wrong that there isn’t any public interest in knowing details of how well you’re doing. There palpably is.

Of course, in normal circumstances, such details come under the realm of confidential information. But in a democracy such as ours, in the interests of transparency of government, there ought not to be high walls surrounding the personal assets of our elected leaders. Even if they are only puppeters who pull the strings.

So, Mrs Gandhi, will you please go public with the details now? And also let us know what “security risks” are involved in making such information public.
http://www.firstpost.com/india/the-big- ... 23773.html

Now what is the deal with Firstpost and the G-khandaan?I have never seen any other outlet even coming close to the kind of aggressive articles on the first family!!

This resembles what the BJP leaders have to endure from all the other media outlets who scrutinize every small move even a peon in the BJP office makes!!

rajkumar · Post by **rajkumar** » 24 Feb 2012 21:44

sum wrote:Now what is the deal with Firstpost and the G-khandaan?I have never seen any other outlet even coming close to the kind of aggressive articles on the first family!!

This resembles what the BJP leaders have to endure from all the other media outlets who scrutinize every small move even a peon in the BJP office makes!!

The answer is very simple. The big media houses can sense the wind changing and as such are aligining themselves with the expected winners of the next general election.