States News and Discussions

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 18 Feb 2011 11:02

Kerala bribery case: tables turned on Cong MP

New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister and Kerala Congress veteran Vayalar Ravi, responded to the charge that he was one of the recipients of alleged kickbacks in a case involving liquor licences in 1994. He said, "It is clear that the people of Kerala know Vayalar Ravi well and know what he will do and will not do."Congress Member of Parliament K Sudhakaran had first made the allegation that a Supreme Court judge was paid off to overturn a High Court verdict. The judge Justice SR Pandian denied the charge. But now a bar owner in Sudhakaran's constituency claims that it was the MP making the allegations who actually brokered the deal.

"Sudhakaran was in fact a mediator. The judge Pandian was given Rs 15 lakh and the deal happened in Delhi," said bar owner Jose Illikal.

Sudhakaran, however, says that the bar owner is a fraud. "Jose is a fraud. My statement was against a particular judicial officer and not the judiciary. It is unfortunate that P Vijayan named Vayalar," Sudhakaran said.

With assembly elections just a couple of months away, the bribery allegations against the then Congress Chief Vayalar Ravi and the then Chief Minister K Karunakaran, couldn't have come at a better time for the ruling left.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 18 Feb 2011 18:51

If the dmk and INC split, amma will offer some N seats to INC and try to bring INC into the grand alliance she is trying to stitch. For that to happen, N > N_crit, which is going to make amma's determination to be single-handedly hold majority a bit hard. Esp with the commies in her kitty. If that happens, DMK will be washed out like some of the sweeps TN is known for (232-1, 2-230, etc.). She has been wooing DMDK for too long and if the guy stays alone, he will be washed out; if he is with amma + INC, everyone wins; if he is with amma alone, it will be a split too tough to call. The outcome of TN elections is as uncertain (as of now) as the alliance that goes to the vote. That said, from a dig of the local fare, INC is talking too big for its boots. The folks running the show seem to want to go alone/minus DMK baggage because baba has added a few youngistans to the youth vote bank. Yawn, these youngistans hardly vote and are worse than ass-wipe when it comes to elections.

There are only two certain things irrespective of any alliance that can get stitched: Definite short-term loser -- DMK, Definite short-term winner -- INC. My hope is DMK and INC will stay together with N_crit' for INC as close to the 80 they are demanding, and DMDK and amma are together. So that the loser + winner cancel each other, and amma rides home for a regime-change and op clean up of the rooted looting system. When the system is as corrupt as TN, the best thing that could happen is if folks spend 2 of the 5 year mis-rule in cleaning up the other govt's chor network and spend 2 more years establishing their own, leaving only 1 to dump their chor into sweess banks.

PS: If the big chor dies before elections, forget all the 1 lakh 76k crore that everyone talks about, its 1991 redux. I hope the big chor lives to to be a Shah Jahan.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 18 Feb 2011 19:09

Stan,
The news is that the race will be neck-to-neck. The poor population is solidly with DMK due to their house distribution scheme. This TN election probably will be the trend setter for future. It is a real test to see if a regime can survive the democracy test even after large scale loot.

DMDK is behaving like a trojan. He could be INC's chela and that is why Amma seems to be scared. He may take 80 and win along with her but go with INC+PMK+Others post elections putting both DMK and ADMK in the opposition bracket.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 18 Feb 2011 19:27

Muppalla wrote: The poor population is solidly with DMK due to their house distribution scheme.

That is true, but the poor class number is a bit smaller than on an India scale. For Pongal, the govt distributed jaggery and other stuff via PDS and the backside of that sachel had a beaming Mu Ka. picture. I feel that can be sued, but dont know for sure. I also saw the state govt issued free tv, fricking small, but does the job for anyone who has never had a tv before. All these will count when the D-day arrives. EC wants to keep a better tab on cash for vote scheme, fricking a they can or will do it though.

The middle class that can read a newspaper/follow tv other than these Radaan production serials are a bit hit by the sheer numbers that pales even amma's grand show in 95-96. When I was there recently, almost every auto-guy (may that tribe perish) was talking of 1 lakh 76k crore, but thats just Madras/suburbs. DMDK and PMK are two vague ones; one of them is predictable (PMK) and more nuisance than much else.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 18 Feb 2011 20:04

Stan_Savljevic wrote:The middle class that can read a newspaper/follow tv other than these Radaan production serials are a bit hit by the sheer numbers that pales even amma's grand show in 95-96. When I was there recently, almost every auto-guy (may that tribe perish) was talking of 1 lakh 76k crore, but thats just Madras/suburbs. DMDK and PMK are two vague ones; one of them is predictable (PMK) and more nuisance than much else.

Middle class has to go to booths and vote. Even when there is all round anger it is atmost 40 to 50% only votes. Lower classes will be almost voting to the tune of 75-80%. These are all brought to the booths. The day election is declared from that day onwards this entire block's daily needs are on the payroll of the DMK/INC. Things like daily wage, food etc. The way this block is organized is by means of creating a leader for every 30 persons. The leader is paid more and he ensures that all the 30 under him will vote.

A friend of mine and I checked all the Assembly constituencies based on 2009 LS result. DMDK got a solid 10 - 13% votes acorss the board irrespective of regions. He is up from 8% that he got in 2006.

The belief is that DMDK's vote is all due to EVM manipulation in couple of booths per constituency. Jaya is conducting a survey to see the real strenth of DMDK before giving him his 80 seats. She want to not give more than 30 to him.

The ADMK strategist feel that INC-40, PMK-30 and MDMK-30 will put them very close to power in case of DMK split post MuKa. The consensus seems to be that Vijaykanth is a pure and simple INC creation.

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 18 Feb 2011 20:20

Muppalla garu...see what I said here: http://forums.bharat-rakshak.com/viewto ... 92#p803392

TN in some aspects is like AP when it comes to cine-artists and politicians. As long as JJ and MuKa live, Vijaykanth will be just like Chiru. He might be called (or calls himself) as "black MGR" but that will not fetch him much. There will never be another NTR or MGR. When it comes to State politics, INC or BJP are not the masters. It is either DMK or AIADMK.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 18 Feb 2011 21:47

SwamyG wrote:TN in some aspects is like AP when it comes to cine-artists and politicians. As long as JJ and MuKa live, Vijaykanth will be just like Chiru. He might be called (or calls himself) as "black MGR" but that will not fetch him much. There will never be another NTR or MGR. When it comes to State politics, INC or BJP are not the masters. It is either DMK or AIADMK.

This is no more true. INC is the real master currently. The off repeated phrase that "INC has nothing in TN" is not valid atleast from 2004 onwards.

The state parties are effectively checkmated by dividing their traditional voters. INC is able to effectively use directly or indireclty the parties like PMK and DMDK. The day you have four effective Dravidian parties namely, DMK, ADMK, PMK and DMDK irrespective of their strengths, it is end of independent regionalism. The masters like INC though irrelevant from a percentage point are the ones who are calling shots.

Just imagine the situation in TN where both DMK and ADMK are potentially getting ready to stand for just 120 to 140 seats out of 240 seats.

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 18 Feb 2011 22:57

^^^
I partially agree from the sense INC has made more inroads into TN than say BJP. Rumors are circulating about how Rahul's role in increased TN membership in INC - one rumor had it at least 10,000. But it is still the DK type parties controlling, it is not to say things will not change. INC and EJ is changing the social fabric.

S.V.Sekar a noted comedian, was with AIADMK; then he ran into rough weathers and was thrown out. After being independent for some time. He joined INC. So what is big about him? Nothing, just that he is a brahmin and is founder of FEBAS. TAMBRAS had not supported FEBAS last time I checked. FEBAS has been asking for 7% reservation for Brahmins in TN. He claims to have cordial relationship with both JJ and MuKa. But I would have expected him to join BJP. So if his reading of the situation is right, then BJP has no chance, hence he joined INC. He claims he wrote an email to Rahul baba....ityadi and the rest is history.

So after the two goons party, INC has more clout definitely. And being the national party it can play both these State parties. Anthe.

Sridhar K · Post by **Sridhar K** » 20 Feb 2011 23:50

My few cents based on my reading of the local media/gossips/kazhaga kanmanigal

DMDK vote share has been increasing gradually. Vijaykanth is quite popular is B and C centers and quite a doer. According to many, unlike Rajini who just talks, Vijaykanth does/did a lot to people at various levels including the movie fraternity. He was the president of the movie union and he turned it around from absolute bankruptcy into something profitable. One thing I like about him is that he is a nationalist. When has president, he collected good amount of money by organizing movie based events and donated to the Kargil relief fund. Don't think that his vote share is coming from the congress. IIRC, DMDK has taken away a lot of votes from PMK and other smaller parties. Earlier, alliance with PMK was very crucial for DMK/ADMK but ever since the advent of DMDK, PMK is a spent force and no wonder Amma/ Dr. Artise treat PMK with contempt.

Dr. Artiste has caused so much anguish to Vijayakant and his party. His party functionaries have been a victim of so many katta panchayats . There were also rumors as late as last week that the alliance will be announced during the wedding of Vijaykanth's close relative where Amma was invited but did not happen. On the other hand, it is rumored that he took money from the Congress to go alone thereby splitting the anti dmk vote away from Amma. For people echoing the same line of thought, he has done it this time as well. His alliance call is going to be the key.

If you look at Vijaykant's speeches, it is always targeted towards DMK but he hardly speaks a word against the congress, which basically fuels the suspicion that he is a INC creation. Personally, I am not sure that Vijaykanth is Chiru's equivalent in TN with respect to being a INC creation because

a) Congress has always been a strong player in AP and could plant a trojan in Chiru but INC is a hardly a force in TN without DMK's machination. Heck, except for Chiddu there is hardly any congress leader who is popular. Even Chiddu had to take help from Dr. Artise for the his election results/manipulation . His son is hand in glove with the Maran's on the parallel business empire they have built, Media, real estate, SEZ, Cement companies, etc. Agree with SwamyG and Stan that Cong is talking too big for it boot.

b) The other line of thought that Vijaykanth i a clever guy who is in for a long haul. He is ready to wait for his time. He may have taken money from the group to go alone but will use the money coming in to build his party and wait for the next election.

Added later:
A few more points to ponder for the BR gurus. DMK is not a single homogeneous entity. There are three major groups. Currently holding them together amidst the fratricidal war is the Dr. (Con) Artiste .
1) Dr. Artise's second wife and co. including the daughter.
2) Media group + President of youth wing at 60 years aka deputy cm.
3) Goonish Son based out of Madurai

A King is part of group 1 and so is Dr Artiste TV channel. This is group under attack from center's action whilst groups 2 and 3 are happy about it. Group 2 is close to the Congress especially the media group which is closer to SG and also partners with Chiddu Son. This group may be using the whole scam to sideline group 1 and create a space for themselves in post Artiste world.

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 21 Feb 2011 15:28

Baba Ramdev is called 'bloody' Indian by Arunachal MP Dr Ering

http://www.dailypioneer.com/319083/BJP- ... amdev.html

BJP angry over Cong MP's slur on Ramdev
February 21, 2011 4:03:18 PM

PNS | New Delhi

The BJP took strong exception to Congress MP from Arunachal Pradesh Ninong Ering “threatening” Baba Ramdev with dire consequences if he continued with his tirade against corruption.

Patanjali Yoga Peeth, Haridwar, media adviser SK Tijarabala claimed the MP also used abusive language.

“He is calling me bloody Indian.... In India I am being called a bloody Indian... This has happened for the first time,” said Ramdev, pointing to Ering, who stood near the dais.

“Ering’s comments are utterly irresponsible and seditious. He has abused Baba Ramdev. We condemn this outburst. Ramdev is a revered figure,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 22 Feb 2011 03:05

Politics party update on TN picture:

http://www.politicsparty.com/TAMILNADU_ ... S_2011.php

He thinks AIADMK is gaining and INC is making mistakes.
Need to be verified and reviewed.

He thinks by early March we will know the margin of loss for DMK based on Vijaykanth tying up or not with AIADMK.

And that will have its own dynamic.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 22 Feb 2011 10:32

Muppalla wrote:quote="SwamyG"TN in some aspects is like AP when it comes to cine-artists and politicians. As long as JJ and MuKa live, Vijaykanth will be just like Chiru. He might be called (or calls himself) as "black MGR" but that will not fetch him much. There will never be another NTR or MGR. When it comes to State politics, INC or BJP are not the masters. It is either DMK or AIADMK.quote

This is no more true. INC is the real master currently. The off repeated phrase that "INC has nothing in TN" is not valid atleast from 2004 onwards.

The state parties are effectively checkmated by dividing their traditional voters. INC is able to effectively use directly or indireclty the parties like PMK and DMDK. The day you have four effective Dravidian parties namely, DMK, ADMK, PMK and DMDK irrespective of their strengths, it is end of independent regionalism. The masters like INC though irrelevant from a percentage point are the ones who are calling shots.

Just imagine the situation in TN where both DMK and ADMK are potentially getting ready to stand for just 120 to 140 seats out of 240 seats.

When it comes to TN since 2004, there has been significant conversions especially of poorer sections of society since 2004. Christians constitute around 12%(up from traditional 6%) of the pouplations and mainly in sections of society which vote regularly. I have seen some Tamil Pamplets of Chruches which poorer people attend stating that people should vote for Secular parties a.k.a INC.

Combine this with Muslim population of 8% in the State. Since, these 2 sections of society are organised, atleast the poor, lower middle class voters are actively guided to vote for INC.

Now consider that 40% of India ( mainly Middle class and upper class) do not vote, this becomes a very significant factor in Favour of INC.

So this assembly elections, I expect INC to do very well. For all the claims of secularism, INC relies on Organised religions where voters are told whom to vote to come to power.

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 22 Feb 2011 23:12

^^^^
Hmmm....so the minorities are up in TN? That is 20% of the population. EJs have been pouring money into TN for years now. I read about Churches springing up everywhere.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 23 Feb 2011 01:22

INC is not a small factor even interm of vote percentage. This is the myth that I beleive a lot of folks are believing. Take 1989 INC votebank as baseline and do some pluses and minuses. They had solid 15% when they went alone after MGR's death. Since then they are always in coalition. Remove urban, brahmin votes from INC but add all the Christian and Muslims. It will roughly be the same for INC.

That is why I will not ruleout INC as myth in TN.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 23 Feb 2011 01:42

Here is the percentages from 2009. INC percentage is extrapolated from 1989 elections with some adjustments. Even if you give a 4% swing from DMK to ADMK there is no gaurantee for ADMK to win unless INC or/and DMDK goes alone. Taking it positively from ADMK perspective, DMK will lose irrespective of any combinations except it goes in allaiance with INC. It will be a deathwish for DMK without INC.

Code: Select all

----------------------------------------------------
             2009      2011
----------------------------------------------------
admk         25.5      29.5 (expected + 4% swing)
cpi           3.0       3.0
kongu         1.9       1.9
gounder       1.0       1.0
vaiko         3.0       3.0
ADMK+        34.4      38.4
   
dmk          25.0      21.0
pmk           5.5       5.5
vck           1.3       1.3
DMK+         31.8      27.8
   
INC          14.8      14.8
dmdk         10.0      10.0
INC+         24.8      24.8
   
independents  6.0       6.0
bsp           1.0       1.0
bjp           2.0       2.0
----------------------------------------------------
Total       100.0     100.0
----------------------------------------------------

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 23 Feb 2011 03:41

Aditya_V wrote:So this assembly elections, I expect INC to do very well. For all the claims of secularism, INC relies on Organised religions where voters are told whom to vote to come to power.

INC might do well but not because they are supported by minorities.

Around here in the extreme South the INC is considered an upper community party. Also the Lanka factors poisons the image. No way minorities vote for INC. Too much bad blood there. The INC's base has always been the poorer rural vote. The lifetime 'Kai' voters. This is the AIADMK base as well. When Congress does well AIADMK suffers and vice versa. DMK and INC should stand together. It is the DMK vote the gets the INC seats around here.

Its going to come down to Jayalalitha. If it looks like she could win there are entire segments of the population that will turn out just to vote against her. On the other hand the women vote for her with out question. It might depend on the women's turn out in many sections of this election.

Not to be forgotten is what these guys are fighting for. Easily one of the richest states out there. That is just the interim budget mind you. $20 billion.

I remember a time in the 80's when the entire state budget was Rs 1,600 crores.

Total revenue receipts have been estimated at `79,413 crore including `30,371 crore through commercial taxes and total revenue expenditure has been estimated at `78,974 crore. “The revenue deficit will be completely wiped out by the end of the 2011-12 financial year and there will be a revenue surplus of `439 crore,” Mr Anbazhagan said.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 23 Feb 2011 03:50

SwamyG wrote:^^^^
Hmmm....so the minorities are up in TN? That is 20% of the population. EJs have been pouring money into TN for years now. I read about Churches springing up everywhere.

20% of minorities may be too much. It may be a total of 15%. But they may not be evenly spreadout. Couple of districts having a large number but other districts may not have significant population.

suryag · Post by **suryag** » 23 Feb 2011 07:19

Isnt caste a more overarching factor than religion in TN especially in the southern districts. INC used to derive most of its votes from Nadar community due to Kamaraj and they still get this community votes by and large, I think actor Sarat Kumar made an attempt at wooing this section but was not very successful.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 23 Feb 2011 09:48

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar ready to introduce Right to Service Bill

But then, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar is ready to introduce the Right to Service Bill during the Budget session of the assembly that began on Tuesday. The Bill seeks to weed out graft and bring about transparency in governance.

The draft Bill proposes to make it mandatory for state officials to get the work of the common man done within a specific timeframe or face a penalty of up to Rs 5,000.

The chief minister has already held two rounds of meetings over the draft Bill.

"Under its provisions, public utility services will be provided to the people within a stipulated timeframe," he said. "If government employees or officials fail to ensure that, they will have to pay penalty."

Nitish said people would no longer have to run around offices greasing the palms of employees to get their work done once the Right to Service Act was enacted in the state.

According to sources, the state government may also constitute a State Public Service Delivery Commission for achieving the objectives of the proposed Act. The draft Bill includes all those services for which people run from pillar to post for days.

The Bill proposes to impose a fine of Rs 250 per day that can go up to Rs 5,000, which will be deducted from the salaries of the defaulting employees.

The Bill also has provisions for the aggrieved party to go for appeal. Any person, whose application is rejected or who is not provided the service within the stipulated time limit, may file an appeal to the first appeal officer within 30 days.

The first appeal officer may order the designated officer to provide the service within the specified period or reject the appeal, after which the person can go for a second appeal.

wow or wow or what?

Here's some specifics:

Quick service

* 7 days police verification for passports
* 3 days postmortem report
* 30 days new electricity connection
* 4 hours electricity fault repair in urban areas
* 24 hours electricity fault repair in rural areas
* 30 days scholarships in academic institutions
* 30 days caste, income, residential certificates (15 days if recommended by employee)
* 30 days licence to open retail shop for seeds
* 30 days driving licence, renewal
* 60 days new ration card
* 45 days new holding tax

Jai ho and all that.

Shri Nitish Kr may well emerge as the second Vajpayee that will pave the way for an NDA return to power. Of course, I'm majorly disappointed that my hero, whose-name-we-don't take, has effectively been barred fro PM-ship by the rather successful psec shenanigans against him, but I'd be happy to see Nitish as PM and if apna hero getting the Home, defence and agriculture ministries only. Only. Jai ho.

kmkraoind · Post by **kmkraoind** » 23 Feb 2011 10:56

Probably, Nitish Kumarji should add land surveys, layout approvals, registration, driving licenses and permits to this list. If it is success and stays for more than one year, then we can proudly says, not everything is lost in this country and "Magadha is leading back the nation."

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 23 Feb 2011 12:04

Talking about TN elections, has anyone else been noticing the Rogue SUV convoys with 'Kai' symbol party flag driving around in Chennai, I have had a couple of Run ins with them, even the DMK and AIDMK or TMMK( red and Green with Star) flag SUV's seem to behaving much better on the roads.

Do these guys think if they put thier flag on the SUV that they own the roads. Bl**** Bas*****.

Anyway which party does fromer Actor 'Karthik" represent, he was asking for a Holiday on Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Dever B'day?

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 23 Feb 2011 12:08

Muppalla wrote:
SwamyG wrote:^^^^
Hmmm....so the minorities are up in TN? That is 20% of the population. EJs have been pouring money into TN for years now. I read about Churches springing up everywhere.
20% of minorities may be too much. It may be a total of 15%. But they may not be evenly spreadout. Couple of districts having a large number but other districts may not have significant population.

No I think 20% is correct, Muslims form around 8% of society and Traditionally Christians form another 8%. In the last 4-5 years it is entirely feasaable out of the mainly poor people anther 4-5% have converted- this is not a problem. Problem is that some of these new day chruches are actually telling thier followers which party they should vote for. i.e thier religion is being used by Politicians as a political tool.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 23 Feb 2011 12:11

Muppalla wrote:Here is the percentages from 2009. INC percentage is extrapolated from 1989 elections with some adjustments. Even if you give a 4% swing from DMK to ADMK there is no gaurantee for ADMK to win unless INC or/and DMDK goes alone. Taking it positively from ADMK perspective, DMK will lose irrespective of any combinations except it goes in allaiance with INC. It will be a deathwish for DMK without INC.
Code: Select all
----------------------------------------------------
             2009      2011
----------------------------------------------------
admk         25.5      29.5 (expected + 4% swing)
cpi           3.0       3.0
kongu         1.9       1.9
gounder       1.0       1.0
vaiko         3.0       3.0
ADMK+        34.4      38.4
   
dmk          25.0      21.0
pmk           5.5       5.5
vck           1.3       1.3
DMK+         31.8      27.8
   
INC          14.8      14.8
dmdk         10.0      10.0
INC+         24.8      24.8
   
independents  6.0       6.0
bsp           1.0       1.0
bjp           2.0       2.0
----------------------------------------------------
Total       100.0     100.0
----------------------------------------------------

How is DMDK in INC+, is Vijaykanth allied with CONgress? This is news to me?

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 23 Feb 2011 12:27

is it me or everybody knows that Patvi Kunwar/Raj Kunwar is no more making public appearances.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 23 Feb 2011 18:02

Aditya_V wrote: How is DMDK in INC+, is Vijaykanth allied with CONgress? This is news to me?

They did not. I had just put a combination to show that anycombo will fail and ADMK will win. The only combo that can defeat ADMK or ADMK+DMDK is INC+DMK and hence they will work it out.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 23 Feb 2011 18:12

Mupulla, are you sure that DMDK will retain its 10% support, but you are right DMK + Congress seems to be a winning combination, unless there a huge swing against Congress + DMK, no way they are going to loose.

In any election there will be persons no matter what will support a Party and in TN case I think DMK- around 20% of those who vote and Congress 13% of those who vote. Based on past elections around 31% is enough for a majority so looks like Congress - DMk combine will win. With 15% of the vote in 2009, one can say COngress is justified in asking for 90 seats, infact they should bid for a 100 seats.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 23 Feb 2011 18:29

Aditya, I did not do any predictions. I just took 2009 LS percentages. The only things I did was seperating out the percentages of those in coalitions to just get the baseline. We should start predicting only after some survey comeout and also after coalitions and seats are finalized. The one assumpion is a 4% swing towards ADMK. That is just an expectation.

At this time we should assume that DMDK will retain it 10% as it rose from 8% in 2006 to 10% in 2009. Another important factor is he is having a 8 to 9% in most of assembly constituencies across TN. He is not some sub-regional factor based on 2009 LS results. EC website has a very good data view. They have taken the LS results and presented it with Assembly view.

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 23 Feb 2011 19:28

Baba in Arunachal

Baba Ramdev asking chin to behave. He says not Arunachal but Tibet is disputed territory. China, instead of asking our PM/Prez to not visit Tawang, should stop their Prez, PM etc visiting Tibet.

We will take back our Mansarovar and Kailash from you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36VjPaVxLoA

***

Arunchal School Students singing Ham Sab Bhartiya Hai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC21-qjZtkM

***

Hamari Pooja Alag par Poorvaj Ek Hai

Buddham Sharanam Gachchhami

Yogam Sharanam Gachchhami

Rashtram Sharanam Gachchhami

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsTPP2JBZkU

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 23 Feb 2011 22:26

Aditya_V wrote: Anyway which party does fromer Actor 'Karthik" represent, he was asking for a Holiday on Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Dever B'day?

The Big Thevar had been the mega-leader in Forward Bloc, the same bloc started by Netaji. From what I have seen somewhere, the Big Thevar was a staunch theist and he did nt wanna associate with the riffraff in *MK, thus Forward Bloc. Karthik is now in FB himself (after hopping over multiple parties) and a Thevar too, hence the statement. After the Big Thevar's demise, the Thevars voted en masse for the ADMK. Some of the oldies in this segment apparently still deliver the MGR vote, god knows how true that is. There was a period when the Thevar vote was split among many, but with the VCK and other riffraff coming forth over the last decade+, the Thevars are again voting en masse. That seems to be a claim.

Rupesh · Post by **Rupesh** » 25 Feb 2011 07:23

DMDK to ally with AIADMK for state polls

CHENNAI: It's official. Actor-turned-politician Vijayakant-promoted DMDK has decided to ally with Tamil Nadu's major opposition party AIADMK to fight the ensuing assembly polls against the ruling DMK, which is supported by the Congress.

Representatives of the DMDK and the AIADMK met at the latter's party headquarters Thursday to explore a poll alliance.

"Yes, in principle we want to ally with AIADMK. Today (Thursday), we had just a preliminary meeting with AIADMK's representatives. We have not discussed any seat sharing details," DMDK presidium chairman Panruti S. Ramachandran told IANS after the discussions.

Queried about the rumours of DMDK's demand of 41 Assembly seats and one Rajya Sabha seat he said: "There is no credence to such rumours. We did not discuss details. In principle we want to go together with AIADMK in the ensuing assembly polls."

On the issue of DMDK's vote share going down if it aligns with AIADMK, Ramachandran said: "Ours is not like any other party based on caste, creed or religion. Our base is youth. We represent the youth. As per our estimation we will get around 15 percent vote share if we stand alone."

Asked whether the DMDK would lose its identity and become like several other small parties forced to align with DMK or AIADMK, he said: "The people of Tamil Nadu want a change in the government. Suppose we stand alone, that does not give the people a hope. But by entering into an alliance there people have the hope of voting out the present government."

Now we can be certain that Amma will be back in Power.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 25 Feb 2011 08:01

News from media-blacked-out states come only on twitter seems like, and perhaps, the vernacular media maybe.

Here's some tweet fest:

Taiwan and Gujarat are made for each other: Narendra Modi in this meeting while discussing Taiwan Park near Ahmedabad http://bit.ly/eYcOBP

http://bit.ly/fUO0Mk - DGP of Mah D Sivanandan says - Crackdown on oil mafia only for the media, we don't have powers. retiring in 4 days

http://bit.ly/eLbH9o Farzana from Gujarat to represent Guj in national weight lifting tourney. She also happens to be a cop

http://bit.ly/eF4Ozu Guj bans tests and interviews for admission in primary schools

svenkat · Post by **svenkat** » 25 Feb 2011 09:00

I dont think DMDK is that powerful.Vijaykanth and Jaya share an uneasy relationship.Vijykanth is a telugu speaker.That puts him at a disadvantage,though nobody talks about it.It helps preserve the myth of a monolithic dravidian movement,which is crumbling.There is no natural synergy between Jaya and VK or for that matter between Jaya and anyone else.

Jaya+VK can invite a reaction.They 'might' be seen as a 'non-tamizh' alliance particularly in North tamizh naadu.Yes there are many who hate PMK who might like to vote any anti-PMK alliance but PMK is now crumbling.Yesterday a DMK minister put it in its place.A DMK+Congress alliance can represent many of the caste interests which are present in TN as in any other Indian state,not withstanding all the rhetoric we hear.

The 2G spectrum did not hurt Tamizhnaadu.Only if Cong deserts DMK,is DMK sure to lose.Otherwise,the result is in balance.

Also,no community votes in a monolithic manner.This might contradict what I wrote earlier.There are different factions,interests but importantly coalition and alliances to further interests.This is the reality that India will face tommorrow(if it is not already facing it today) if present minoritysm+ 'social justice' continues.The centrifugal tendencies are ever present in our polity.

Also,regarding muppallajis table,the Kongu Vellalas are also called as Vellala Gounders.They are not different entities.An outfit claiming to represnt them,Kongu Munnetra Kazhagam(ostensibly it is for the development of the Kongu region-Coimbatore,Erode and Tiruppur districts) has been floated,according to the grapevine, with the blessings of DMK.Its aim is to split anti-DMK votes which might/could return to ADMK.

Corruption is a major issue,but not the only one.Jaya or VK or Congress are not going to anything very different.This is known to everyone in TN.So it is ultimately down to the stronger coalition.There are no big ideological issues involved.

Ofcourse,there is the outside possibility that Jayalalitha+VK will usher in a new age where people in public life will not try to prove who is more 'pacchai tamizhan' or 'karuppu tamizhan' or 'Adi tamizhan',but continue the process of making TN a modern society within Indian Union while being fully respectful and conscious of the tamizh heritage.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 26 Feb 2011 00:14

Bengal has Hobson's choice.

Its either the murderous Communists or the crazy Mamata Bannerji.

However the need is to get rid of Commie rule.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 27 Feb 2011 08:38

Back home to Bihar

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/back- ... ar/755303/

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 28 Feb 2011 09:24

Samajwadi Party supports Baba Ramdev

(Hindi)
http://www.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-swam ... 90532.html

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 28 Feb 2011 10:21

Must read treatise by Sushil Modi (BJP top-gun in Bihar) on centre-state relations. Must read, IMHO.

The Centre cannot hold on

Haven't seen too many more eloquent, grounded, knowledge-able arguments in favor of devolution of greater financial powers to the states.

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 01 Mar 2011 02:55

Bribeless in Bihar

Bureaucrats in India’s most corrupt state are facing the heat from their own chief minister

The vehicle inspector did not realise then that he was the first prey caught in a new anti-corruption drop-trap devised by the state government and hailed as a model for other states to follow. Kunwar had been booked under a new law allowing for summary confiscation of property of government officials found to be having more assets than their income justified.

In its first innings, the administration locked up 54,000 people in a bid to break the criminal-politician nexus that had plunged Bihar into such an anarchic mess — a place that everybody knew where it was but nobody wanted to go, even those who had fled from their ‘native place’ for greener pastures. The third axis in the unholy nexus was the government official for whom the general public is the golden goose.

Unlike big deals where money is often received and stashed in numbered accounts in safe havens or as stocks and bonds, in Bihar the nature of corruption is localised. Ill-gotten money hardly leaves the country and is invested mostly in real estate or gold. That means empowered officers can easily help track it down.

It was clear to Nitish Kumar that merely catching a culprit was not enough. A major handicap was that under the Prevention of Corruption Act, vigilance officials had to get clearance to prosecute an errant bureaucrat from his own department. That took time. He realised that the only way to deter corruption was to take away the wealth itself — ASAP. Kumar put his then attorney general P.K. Sahi on the job. (Sahi would go on to become Nitish Kumar’s minister in the second term).
After consulting experts and studying the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Sahi prepared a draft bill by the end of 2008 and it was passed by the Bihar Assembly in February 2009. It then languished in the union home and law ministries for a year. The delay often prompted Bihar politicians to snigger that the Centre did not want Nitish Kumar to have one more feather in his cap. “The Centre kept asking for one clarification after the other. The delay meant that we could not swing into action before the state elections and the CM himself had to repeatedly follow-up with the Centre,’’ says Sahi. The Bihar Special Courts Act, 2009, was eventually signed into law by the President in March 2010.

The Bihar law is not a pioneering one. That credit goes to Orissa, which passed a similar law in 2008 and also set up two special courts. However, it was challenged in court and until recently its validity was uncertain

What are the state congress govts doing.

The vigilance department files a declaration with a special court that the target has amassed unexplained wealth. The special courts then conduct speedy trials and decide within six months whether the property should be confiscated or not. The property would be returned with interest (at 5 percent annually) if the person is acquitted.
The Prevention of Corruption Act does not provide for attachment of property and instead has a provision enabling a judge to also impose a fine depending on the value of the ill-gotten property.

Former CBI director Joginder Singh says the nation should follow Bihar. “If the property of the accused is confiscated in advance, it will make a huge difference. This will help serve as a deterrent to officers and also ensure that the accused are not able to influence investigations using money,” says Singh, who has investigated several high-profile cases of corruption, including the fodder-scam in which Lalu Prasad Yadav was prosecuted.

Magadha should lead the way!!

Hindi daily Prabhat Khabar reported that over Rs. 100 crore had been withdrawn from banks in the capital, Patna, in the fortnight following the confiscation of Kunwar’s property. A top bank official confirmed that there has been an increase in withdrawals from bank branches across the city but was unsure whether panic-driven officials were behind the trend.

Kudos to NK for showing the way. Hope it percolates to the entire system so that it survives him in future.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 02 Mar 2011 02:18

^ That +5% interest if acquitted shows the transparency in the system.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 06 Mar 2011 00:17

DMK to pull out of UPA government
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WyqTgun ... r_embedded

This is not good for Congress and DMK as both will loose a lot seats that they are holding in TN. This is going to bring down UPA govt in the centre too.

If DMK is an issue Congress has to think about AIADMK to ride on. Otherwise Congress defeat will be much more than expected.

Even DMK BJP possible connections can lead to a repeat of BJP DMK NDA as it was done before. This will be a good surprise if Congress fail to make use of time and alliances.

Rampy · Post by **Rampy** » 06 Mar 2011 04:36

^^^ AIADMK will not go with congress, if it does they will loose all the adv they had because of 2G. They might go after the electiion but still. But we have to see if UPA even survives before May.