Congress to announce name Uttarakhand Chief Minister today

With the BSP and some Independent MLAs deciding to extend support, the Congress party, which staked claim in Uttarakhand to form the next government, is expected to announce its chief ministerial candidate on Monday.

Congress has been struggling to decide on who will be its chief minister in Uttarakhand with party leaders huddled in a series of meetings here with aspirants in the race for the top job.

Party sources said PCC president Yashpal Arya may be emerging as a front-runner and a final decision will be taken by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, probably today.

Union Minister Harish Rawat and party MP Vijay Bahuguna, both also staking their claim for chief ministership, had a two-hour meeting with AICC general secretary in-charge for the state Chaudhary Birender Singh and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at the latter's residence here Sunday evening.

Rawat said he met Azad here to put across his views on government formation in the state.

"I have put my views to him. We are not only making an attempt to form a government but to run it as well. I had requested him for a meeting because I could not meet Azad when he went to Uttarakhand," Rawat told reporters.

The meeting came a day after the party's central observers, Azad and Birender Singh, who elicited the views of the party's 32 legislators as also 2 independent MLAs in Dehradun on the leadership issue, submitted their report to party chief Sonia Gandhi.

In the 70-member Assembly, Congress has emerged as the largest party with 32 MLAs and has the support of three independent MLAs and one from UKD. The BSP, having a strength of three members, Sunday pledged its unconditional support to the Congress raising its tally to 39.

"On the direction of Bahen Mayawati ji, our party has decided to give full support to Congress, state BSP president Surajmal told a news agency in Dehradun.

Surajmal said since the party has given unconditional support to Congress, BSP would like to join Congress in forming new government. We will like to share power with Congress, he said.

Election results: Majority eludes Congress, BJP in Uttarakhand

After a hung verdict, both Congress and BJP have staked claim to form the government in Uttarakhand. Both the parties have called their wining candidates to capital Dehra Dun for the legislative party meeting today. The Congress has emerged as the single largest party in the state with 32 seats, ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by a notch in the 70-member Uttarakhand assembly.

The Congress leaders in Uttarakhand have left for Delhi to discuss strategy with their senior leaders. These leaders met the Governor late night but BJP is also not ready to leave the claim.

"We should be invited to form the government and asked to prove majority on the floor of the House where we should be able to prove majority," said BC Khanduri, the incumbent Chief Minister.

But the real power lies with four independent MLAs - Dinesh Dhanai from Tehri, Harish Durgapal from Lalkuwa, Mantri Prasad Naithani, an independent MLA from Deoprayag, and Pritam Singh Panwar, from the Uttrakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) - who are now much in demand.

The first three are ex-Congress MLAs who had quit this year when denied tickets by the party. The UKD had supported the BJP government in 2007, but subsequently split before this election. It too can play a crucial role.

And then there is Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Though routed in the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, it holds the key to the government formation in the hill state where it bagged three seats, losing four from its 2007 tally of seven.

The BJP got 31, three down from last time, while others, including independents, together won four seats. Their support along with the BSP will decide who will lead the next government in the state.

"I would like to have more numbers, at least 37. We will speak to them and see what they want and if they can be accommodated," said Mr Khanduri.

The major setback for the ruling BJP was the loss of Mr Khanduri, who had led the poll campaign with a slogan of "Khanduri hain zaroori". He was defeated by Congress' SS Negi in Kotdwar constituency by over 4,500 votes.

A retired Army officer, Mr Khanduri was re-appointed chief minister of Uttarakhand last September following corruption charges against his predecessor Ramesh Pokhriyal. A known Khanduri bete noire, Mr Pokhriyal, however, won from the Doiwala constituency defeating Congress' Heera Singh Bisht by 1,272 votes.

Meanwhile, the Congress too expressed confidence that they would form the new government.

"The Congress is forming the party on its own, or with a little support," said Vijay Bahuguna, Congress MP from Tehri who yesterday staked claim to form the next government in the state. The Governor is yet to take a decision.

Yesterday, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi had said that "there are some undecided people", indicating that his party would be talking to smaller parties to seek their support.

Mr Khanduri's magic may not have won him his seat, but has kept the BJP in the game. While the Congress met the Governor to assert their position, a lot will depend on which party manages to persuade the remaining MLAs to shore up their numbers.

Rahul Gandhi: Assembly results major blow for Congres

Congress leaders admitted they were stunned as results from five state elections showed the party faced defeats in Punjab and Goa and a poor showing in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress was on top in Uttarakhand but short of an outright majority. The only good news came from Manipur, where the Congress was set to sweep and retain power.

Congress leaders quickly rushed to insulate their star campaigner in Uttar Pradesh and general secretary Rahul Gandhi from criticism, saying that a wide variety of factors were to blame for the multiple disaster.

"We are very surprised, we are shocked," Congress leader and Minister of State for Science and Technology Ashwani Kumar said.

"This calls for very serious reflection and introspection on what went wrong," he added, disappointment writ large on his face.

But he said that the Uttar Pradesh and other state verdicts "are a reflection of how people view various political parties in their states".

Congress chief spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi was downcast.

The results in Punjab, where the Akali Dal-BJP combine is set to retain power, a first in the state for any ruling party, were "extremely baffling", he said.

"I am very disappointed," he added, commenting on the overall outcome of the February-March polling in Manipur, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Goa.

Political pundits and opposition activists heaped scorn on the Congress and its leadership.

A Congress source admitted that the results were "a major blow" and were partly a result of the corruption charges faced by the Congress-led government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"There is no doubt that corruption played a big role in voters' thinking," said the source not willing to be identified.

The source said the Congress also blundered by injecting "communal politics" towards the end of campaign in Uttar Pradesh when it promised to reserve special job quotas for Muslims.

Marxist leader Suhasini Ali said the Congress blundered by not projecting anyone as a possible chief minister even as it sought a clear mandate from voters.

"Then the central government's non-performance and price rise are also factors," she said. "As for the 22 Congress MPs who won in 2009, they were a huge disappointment for their electorate."

Sudheendra Kulkarni of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) underlined that there was "a very strong anti-Congress sentiment" in almost all the states that went to the polls.

Congress-turned-Samajwadi Party politician Shahid Siddiqui said the Congress leadership's "ostrich like attitude" and "refusal to learn" from previous mistakes were major factors.

Minister Ashwani Kumar added: "We (Congress) need to strengthen our organisational structure."

Apart from Uttar Pradesh, where Rahul Gandhi's 200-plus election rallies were expected to give the party a major boost, the Congress was also stunned that it was unable to dislodge the Akali-BJP combine in Punjab.

The Congress-led government was expected to be voted out in Goa but was in the reckoning for power in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand, though not in the manner it would have desired.

Insurgency-hit Manipur was its only saving grace, with the Congress-led government getting an emphatic mandate for five more years, decimating a coalition of several opposition parties.

Goa election results: Congress appears to be heading for a setback in Goa

 In a setback for the Congress party in Goa Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) combine is leading in nine constituencies as per the latest trends.

The ruling Congress party appears to be heading for a setback in state assembly polls in which it is trailing in five seats.

Trends available till 11:30 am show that the Congress is leading in one other seat, while the BJP is leading in six.

Goa Vikas Party (GVP), a regional party, has won two seats, while one independent has emerged victorious.

Ruling Congress, in alliance with Sharad Pawar-led NCP and main Opposition BJP, which has joined hands with regional outfit MGP, are major contenders for power in the tiny tourist state known for its political volatility.

Congress candidate Mauvin Godinho has won the Dabolim seat defeating his nearest rival Premanand Nasnodkar of MGP by a margin of 944 votes, while the party is also leading in Quepem. Its ally NCP is leading in Tivim.

BJP candidate Ramesh Tawadkar was leading in Canocona. BJP sitting MLA Damodar Naik is facing tough fight in Fatorda from independent Vijay Sardessai, who is leading by 996 votes.

Goa Vikas Party has maintained its leading trend in two constituencies in South Goa in the second round.

Congress heavyweight Ravi Naik is facing a tough battle in Ponda.

As many as 215 candidates are in the fray. A record 81 percent polling was reported in the coastal state on March 3.

In 2007 Assembly polls, Congress had won 16 seats, followed by BJP 14, NCP 3, and MGP, SGF and Independents 2 each. UGDP, a regional party, had won one seat.

MGP, Goa's oldest regional party, had joined hands with Congress after the polls five years.

However, this time it withdrew from the Congress-led combine ahead of the polls and forged an alliance with BJP.

Uttarakhand Assembly Elections results 2012: Congress, BJP leading same number of seats in Uttarakhand

A neck-and-neck race is on in Uttarakhand in the 70-member Assembly.

Both the Congress and the BJP were leading in about the same number of seats. The latest trends from Uttarakhand showed that Congress was leading in 31 seats and BJP followed closely with 25.

BSP was leading in five seats while Uttarakhand Kranti Dal-Panwar (UKD-P) was leading in one seat while others were ahead in the rest of the five seats.

Chief minister B C Khanduri was trailing from Kotdwar seat by 90 votes against S S Negi of Congress.

Congress leader Indira Haridayesh was leading with 4000 votes from Haldwani constituency against Renu Adhikari of BJP.

However, state BJP president Bishan Singh Chufal was leading by 688 votes from Didihaat constituency.

Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat said his party will get "comfortable majority" in Uttarakhand to form government on its own.

"As far as chief ministership is concerned, that will be decided by the party. But Congress will form the government in Uttarakhand that I am confident. We will form the government with the quite good margin," Rawat, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, said.

The Congress leader expressed full faith in the wisdom of the people of the state and said that Congress will get comfortable majority. To a question whether he will be made chief minister of the state in case Congress is voted to power, the Congress party leader said, "Harish Rawat is a humble soldier. Our focus is on the future. Congress traditionally does not project a leader where we are not in power".

Congress chief Kripashankar Singh faces arrest on DA case

A day after Mumbai police attached properties of former city Congress chief Kripashankar Singh and his family, Singh faces arrest on today.

The Supreme Court, yesterday, refused to grant Singh any immediate relief to the tainted Congress leader in Disportertnate Asserts cases.

The Bombay High Court had on February 22 ordered the prosecution of Singh for "criminal misconduct" under the Prevention of Corruption Act and attachment of properties owned by him.

Singh’s family members were alleged to have abetted the commission of offence. The High Court also had ordered a probe against Kripashankar's family by the Mumbai Police, directing it to collect documentary evidence regarding all movable and immovable properties of the leader and his family, including his wife, son and daughter-in-law.

The apex court has declined to grant any interim stay or quashing the Bombay High Court order as sought by Singh.

The Mumbai police on Friday attached 12 properties of Singh and his family. The action came days after the police lodged an FIR against Singh and his family members for possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.

"We have attached all the immovable and movable properties belonging to him and his family members in Mumbai," a senior officer involved in the investigations said.

"A huge quantity of documents have also been recovered. Among the movable properities, the seizure includes some cars and other valuables," he added.

Only one of the properties in the metropolis is in the name of Singh, while the rest are owned by his wife, son, daughter and son-in-law, police sources said.

In a display of arrogance, Singh's son Narendra Mohan, yesterday, showed his middle finger to mediapersons.

NRHM scam: UP health official found dead

The NRHM scam in Uttar Pradesh has turned murkier with another health official found dead under mysterious circumstances, the fifth victim in the last one year after the alleged bungling of over Rs.10,000 crore of central funds surfaced.

UP police found the body of Mahendra Sharma, an accountant, lying in a pool of blood with severe injuries on his head and face, from the Pasgawan health centre area in Lakhimpur Kheri district last evening.

52-year-old Sharma has been reported missing since February 7, police said.

The CBI, which is probing the scam, has asked the state police to beef up security of witnesses and suspects.

In 2010-11, two senior doctors associated with the health department were murdered within months of each other. Another official was found dead in a Lucknow jail. In January, a UP Jal Nigam officer allegedly committed suicide because he was being investigated in connection with the scam.

As the news of Sharma's death spread, Congress and BJP slammed the Mayawati government, accusing it of actively colluding in the "massive bungling".

Congress star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi accused the Mayawati government of misuse of funds meant for improvement of health facilities in the state.

BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad said, "the larger issue is the liability of Mayawati herself as the chief minister and the earlier regime of Mulayam Singh Yadav because the entire scam was spread over last about 7-8 years."

Family members of the accountant have accused health department officials of harassment.

Mithilesh Sharma, the wife of the deceased, said that frequent transfers of her husband had depressed him. She also accused health officials of withholding his salary.

Mithilesh alleged that after solemnising their daughter's marriage on November 21 last, when Sharma reported for duty in Pasgawan, he was told about his another transfer.

Meanhwile, the CBI in New Delhi denied having questioned Sharma in connection with the probe.

"CBI has neither questioned nor summoned this person. CBI is in close touch with local police regarding safety concerns of potential witnesses, suspects, etc," a CBI spokesperson said here.

UP polls: Voting starts on dull note, 10 percent polling till 9 AM

Polling for the sixth phase of UP assembly elections covering 68 seats spread over 13 districts started on a dull note today with about 10 per cent of the over 2.17 crore voters exercising their franchise in the first two hours.

"Polling started at 7 AM and 9.73 per cent votes were polled in the first two hours," Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha said.

Maximum 14 per cent votes were polled in Hathras district. Among other districts, 11.7 per cent votes were polled in Saharanpur, 10 per cent in Meerut, 10.7 per cent in Agra, 11.71 per cent in Aligarh, 9.2 per cent in Bulandshahr and 9 per cent in Prabuddha Nagar.

Polling in Noida, Dadri and Jewar assembly seats in Gautam Budhh Nagar was going on peacefully.

In Bhatta Parsaul, which was the centre of the land acquisition row, farmers were seen coming out to vote.

Their leader Manvir Singh Tevatia, who had spearheaded the farmers' agitation, was fighting election from jail. The area falls under Jewar Assembly seat. Congress has fielded Dhirendra Singh from Jewar. He was the man on whose bike Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi had reached Bhatta Parsaul last year.

In Chief Minister Mayawati's native Badalpur village, farmers had lined up to cast their vote. BSP has fielded Satvir Gujjar sitting MLA from here while Congress has fielded Samir Bhatti.

Bhatti had once served as MLA from Dadri and his father Mahinder Singh Bhatti was twice MLA from here.BJP has fielded Nawab Singh Nagar, who was twice elected MLA from here in the past. Samajwadi Party has fielded Raj Kumar Bhatti as candidate.

In Noida, which has become an assembly seat for the first time, residents seemed enthusiastic. Earlier Noida was part of Dadri assembly seat and rural voters used to decide the winning pattern here.

Mahesh Sharma is BJP candidate from Noida while VS Chauhan is Congress candidate. Om Dutt Sharma is BSP candidate while Sunil Choudhary is the SP candidate.

Polling is underway in assembly seats in Saharanpur, Prabuddha Nagar, Meerut, Bagpath, Ghaziabad, Panchsheel Nagar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Muzaffarnagar, Mathura, Mahamayanagar and Agra.

More than 2.17 crore voters are expected to cast their votes to decide the fate of 1103 candidates, including 86 women.

The CEO said that polling was being held at 22,137 polling stations at 12181 centres, of which 3188 centres and 4892 stations have been marked as sensitive.

To keep a tight vigil on polling process, 1015 video cameras and 2353 digital cameras have been installed. In the 2007 assembly polls, 46.58 per cent votes were polled for 67 seats of which BSP got 35, BJP 12, RLD 10, SP 3, Congress 2 and others 5.

All the political parties including Congress, SP, BSP, BJP and RLD have done hectic campaigning in the Jat land of the state.

This phase would test the popularity of Congress' alliance with Ajit Singh led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) which has stronghold in the western region of the state.

‘Congress win or Prez Rule, no other option in UP’

Even before the Congress could steer away from the storm created by the statements by its leaders on the issue of Muslim quota, another senior party leader has created a fresh controversy.

Union Coal Minister and Member of Parliament from Kanpur, Sriprakash Jaiswal said on Today that if the Congress fails to secure a majority then the only other option appears to be the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.

“"Those who lack confidence are looking for alliance ....Congress will not forge any alliance,” Jaiswal told reporters.

"If Congress gets majority then it will form the government...if some seats are short then there is no option other than President's rule," he said.

Jaiswal said that results of UP polls would be "shocking" and Congress would get majority.

The fifth phase of voting for the Assembly elections in the state is currently underway; counting of votes is scheduled to be held on March 6.

The opposition has latched on to his comments. Both the Samajwadi Party and the Bhartiya Janata Party have decided to take the matter to the Election Commission, while the Bahujan Samaj Party termed the Jaiswal’s comment as sign of Congress’ desperation.

“Congress is restless that is why they are making statements like this. On the threat that they would impose President's rule, I appeal to the electorate not to poll in favour of Congress as the party is not understanding the importance of their votes,” BJP leader Uma Bharti said.

Her party colleague Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the ‘people of the state are not voting to elect a Governor’.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said that Congress will not win given their poor track record on corruption and price rise. “People are looking at Samajwadi Party, I am confident that our party will come to power,” he said.

President Barack Obama: Millionaires should pay 30 percent in taxes

President Barack Obama said Tuesday that the US middle class deserves tax cuts, while people with incomes above $1 million per year should pay at least 30 percent in taxes.

"Congress needs to make the Buffet rule a reality," the president said. "This is common sense. If you make more than $1 million a year, you should pay a tax rate of at least 30 percent."

The Buffet rule was inspired by the complaints of billionaire investor Warren Buffet, who said last year that he is taxed at a lower rate than his secretary.

In his speech, Obama thanked citizens who brought pressure to bear so that an agreement could be achieved in Congress between Democrats and Republicans to extend the payroll-tax cut for 160 million workers.

The president said that Congress should not stop there and now has to approve a law so that the victims of the mortgage bubble can refinance their debt, given that banks are now enjoying historically low interest rates.

He also called for measures to support small and medium businesses who want to export their products instead of favouring those who send their production operations offshore.

Obama, who is seeking re-election in November, urged Americans to continue pressuring their representatives in Congress to make advances in the economy and improvements for the working class.

"Americans do not have the luxury of putting off tough decisions," he said. "There is a lot more we can do if we want to build an economy where every American can have a chance to find a job."

Mulayam may support Congress to oust BJP

Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today said that he is willing to support the Congress in Uttar Pradesh after polls if he sees the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coming to power.

"There is a wave in favour of SP, which is going to form the next government in the state...If I see BJP coming to power, our party can support Congress in the state to prevent communal forces," Mr Yadav told an election rally at Hamirpur.

The Congress, though, appeared lukewarm in its response to the SP's offer. The question is "premature and unnecessary at this point of time", party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury told reporters in reply to a volley of questions on the issue at the AICC briefing here.

Noting that the Congress' attitude on the issue was going to be "wait and watch", she said that "there has been no pre-poll pact between Congress and the Samajwadi Party. We have not arrived at post poll scenario as yet. We still have most phases of the polling left."

"I have no authority to rule it in or rule it out", she said but insisted that party leaders including Sonia Gandhi have made the party's stand against any alliance clear.

On whether Mr Yadav's offer was a virtual admission that his party was not getting majority on its own, she said it seems so.

The Congress is keeping its cards close to its chest on the issue of alliances in UP as it does not want to give an impression that it is a 'B team' of any other party.

Asked by a reporter if the Congress would like to go with Mulayam or Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati in the post-poll scenario, Chowdhury sarcastically replied, "When the time will come, the party will consult you."

BJP leader Arun Jaitley warned Cong playing dangerous minority card game

Accusing the Centre of trying to divert people's attention from major issues of corruption and development by offering reservation to minorities within OBC quota, BJP leader Arun Jaitley today warned the Congress that it was playing a "dangerous game".

Jaitley alleged that the Congress was dividing the country on communal lines for its petty political ends.

"They are trying to divert the attention people of Uttar Pradesh from the major poll issue of corruption and development and have started singing about social reservation for minorities out of OBC quota thus playing a dangerous game," he told reporters.

Jaitley termed the Akali-BJP government's five year tenure in Punjab as a "golden period" of the state, stressing that it was not a political alliance between the two parties but it a "real social alliance at the grass root level".

Lashing out at the Congress leaders, he said that the performance of the Badal government in Punjab was a contrast with the non-performance of the UPA government at the Centre. "They can compare very easily," he said.

Jaitley favoured a strong Lokpal at the Centre and an equally strong Lokayukta in the states.

In reply to another question, he said that cracks have started appearing in the UPA which had raised a question mark over the life span of the government at the Centre.

Uma Bharati: Maya, Mulayam, Rahul should fear me

A ‘Phoenix’, always rises from the ashes, is the most apt description for the well known firebrand saffron leader Uma Bharati. She has been chosen as the face of BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. In a candid chat with news Swati Chaturvedi on her programme Kahiye Janab, BJP’s star campaigner in Uttar Pradesh, Uma Bharati talks about the “merciless government” of Mayawati, increasing crime graph in the state and her intentions to serve the people of UP and lots more.

Swati: You have started a new journey in politics. Congress labelled you as ‘Pootna’ and later you said that you are like Rahul’s ‘aunt’. So what’s your say about your ‘nephew’?

Uma: When Nitin Gadkari announced my name as the BJP candidate from Charkari Assembly seat, I was very hurt by Rahul Gandhi’s reaction. It was a personal attack.

Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi had once called me as his younger sister when I was a Parliamentarian. Recalling this incident, I never imagined that Rahul would allow the use of such indecent language against me. He should remember the culture of the family from which he belongs to. So I cleared the air by calling a press conference.

Poverty and backwardness in UP are at its extreme. The condition of Amethi and Raebareli is very bad and same is the condition of any of the VVIP constituencies. In such a state, if the leaders get personal and furnish war of words, then what will happen of the development of the state? So it was necessary to end this war of words.

Swati: In various election campaigns, Congress is attacking Mayawati’s government and vice-versa but BJP is nowhere in the scene. What is your say?

Uma: If you look in a broader perspective, BJP is the number one party in Uttar Pradesh. As in every village of UP you can find two party worker of BJP, whereas there are many villages where there is not even a single party worker from BSP or SP. The density of population also affects the voters’ turnout. This time we have taken special care on distribution of tickets so that BJP gets maximum number of votes.

Swati: According to analysis BJP stands last in the race of 2012 Assembly elections in UP. Please explain?

Uma: Without taking the name of the magazine, I would like to recall what it wrote after doing a pre poll survey in UP. It said “BJP will evolve in Uttar Pradesh in a surprising manner”.

In my opinion Congress are hand in glove with both SP and BSP in UP. That’s precisely the reason for the party to act selectively like CBI being used. Actually, Congress, BSP and SP have joined hands against BJP.

Swati: So can I say that I am speaking with the next Chief Minister of UP?

Uma: I am not at all an aspirant for the post of CM. I just want to become the ‘Chaukidar’ of the state and put UP back on the developmental track. When it comes to fighting polls on the backdrop of development, I’m the pioneer in it. In Madhya Pradesh, I was the first leader whose poll issues were electricity, road and water.

Swati: Keeping senior leaders like Vinay Katiyar and Rajnath Singh at bay, Nitin Gadkari has chosen you as the BJP candidate from Charkari assembly and still you don’t want the CM’s chair. If you are fighting elections then why don’t you want to stay with the voters?

Uma: If my party has chosen me for this task then I will definitely do it. I will rigorously work for the development of the state.

Swati: Nitish Kumar is the face of BJP in Bihar, Narendra Modi in Gujarat, Shivraj Singh in MP. So don’t you think voters of UP must also get to see the face of their leader here?

Uma: In my opinion every leader should get a chance to become CM. The age-long dynastic rule within BSP, SP and Congress must be broken. This nepotism gives birth to the psychology that the picture of CM candidates in various elections should be clear. Dynasty rule is a burden on the democracy.

Swati: If you have left the ambition to become the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh then which factor is motivating you to fight the elections?

Uma: I want to eliminate poverty, corruption and hunger from the state. People of UP should choose MLAs and then they must choose a CM amongst them.

Swati: Was there any pressure on you to fight the UP elections?

Uma: I faced many problems after I quit BJP and understood that I may be a big name but without BJP I am nothing. I learnt a lesson that in a separate party, I would be facing lot of troubles and won’t be able to contribute to the society in a generous way.

BJP is a big platform for me. My ideologies will get fulfilled only within the party, nor outside or with any other party. So, I decided while re-entering the BJP that I will work on the path of my ideology whether I have to fight elections or not. Which post I should be given in the party will be the prerogative of party President.

Swati: Where lies your heart, in Uttar Pradesh or in Madhya Pradesh?

Uma: While talking to you, my heart is with ‘Ganges’, which flows from UP to Uttarakhnad to Bihar to West Bengal. For now I have slowed down my ‘Ganga andolan’ but will not allow anyone to do politics on it.

Swati: Inside BJP there are many who fear you. Since you are not confining yourself to UP and eyeing for a larger role, where do you find yourself standing in the national politics?

Uma: I am not dangerous… so no one has to fear me. But through your show I want make it clear that Mayawati, Mulayam Singh and Rahul Gandhi should be scared of me. I could be a danger to them.

Swati: Any message for Digvijay Singh?

Uma: Digvijay Singhji had challenged me and had told me that if he loses the MP elections then he will quit politics and promised to retreat to Himalayas, so please tell him to keep his words.

Swati: You made corruption as the main poll plank. BJP stood with Anna on the issue of Lokpal. But in a sudden turn of event your party had inducted Babu Singh Kuswaha?

Uma:This is an internal matter of the party on which I don’t want to comment.

Swati: Lastly what’s your say on Mayawati’s governance in Uttar Pradesh so far?

Uma: Mayawati is never available for the masses. Her government has been the most insensitive government so far. Corruption and crime is on peak under her rule. To support my concerns, I would like to give some examples:

A 14-year-old girl, Sonam belonging to a minority community was raped inside the police station and was murdered later. The case was further made worsen when the postmortem report said that it was a case of suicide. In another case, a Dalit young man named Vipin was shot by the cops, inside the police station. Shiru Nisad, belonging to a backward community was also tortured by the police.

So, the ‘elephant’ has smashed everyone in the state. Mayawati’s government is merciless. I simply wonder how a female can be so insensitive and cruel.

Priyanka Gandhi is expected for the coming assembly in UP

Priyanka Gandhi is expected to hold important meetings with the states Congress office bearers on Monday, officially kicking off the election campaigning for the coming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

She is also likely to visit Amethi and Rae Bareli, pocket-borough of Nehru-Gandhi family, later today.

This became clear after the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee included her name to the Election Commission in the list of party leaders and personalities, who are likely to campaign for the party in the state.

"Priyanka's name figures along with that of other senior leaders like her mother AICC president Sonia Gandhi for whom the party has sought car passes from the Election Commission for campaigning," Congress sources said.

Reports also claim that Priyanka might lead the campaign in Amethi and Rae Bareli districts, which are represented by her brother Rahul and mother respectively in the Lok Sabha.

"It is to facilitate her (Priyanka's) visit, in case she decides to visit the state during electioneering for the coming elections, and ensure that there is no problem in making arrangements for it at the last minute," they said.

Priyanka, 39, had taken primary membership of the Congress in 2004 but has remained away from active politics. The sources said there is a demand for Priyanka Gandhi from all over the state but she is expected to confine herself to Rae Bareli and Amethi districts.

As Rahul will be busy with campaigning in other parts of state and Sonia is likely to divide her time among all the five states where assembly elections are scheduled, Priyanka would take care of these two districts.

"She has a personal rapport with the people of these two constituencies and it is like a second home to her," the sources said, adding that she had been a frequent visitor to these areas and had also taken part in campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls.

It will be a seven-phased poll in Uttar Pradesh between February 4 and 28.

Five-day election tour of Rahul Gandhi will end today

After attacking the ruling BSP government in Uttar Pradesh and targeting the opposition BJP in the past few days, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi will on Friday hold a rally in Saharanpur.

Saharanpur rally will mark the end of Rahul Gandhi’s five-day election tour of Uttar Pradesh, where Assembly Elections will be held between February 4 to 28.

Addressing a rally in Pilibhit on Thursday, the Congress leader made a scathing attack on BJP as the district is the political turf of his cousin Varun Gandhi, who is the Lok Sabha member from that constituency.

While accusing the BJP of making only "false and hollow promises", with the sole intent of serving its short-term political gains, Rahul Gandhi appealed to the people to vote for the Congress which alone could insure a bright future for them.

"While the BJP's unreliable character was known to all, it was once again amply demonstrated in the Lok Sabha Tuesday, when in sharp contrast to its earlier categorical assurance, the party declined to support the Lokpal bill," he said.

In Bareilly, Gandhi also chose to take on the Samajwadi Party. "Ever since the UPA government has announced 4.5 percent reservation for Muslims, Mulayam Singh Yadav has become jittery, which is reflected in his new found demand for raising the Muslim reservation to 18 percent," he said.

Terming it as Mulayam Singh's "lip service", he said, "I would like to see if Mulayam Singh Yadav is going to endorse this in his party's election manifesto."

He earlier flayed Uttar Pradesh Chief MInister and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati for perpetuating large-scale corruption, which he termed as the cause of Uttar Pradesh's backwardness and poverty.

Union government set to announce Muslim reservation

In a bid to woo Muslims ahead of the Assembly Elections in five states, the Union government is set to announce reservation for the minorities on Today.

According to reports, the Union Cabinet will meet this evening to discuss the contentious issue and a decision is likely to be taken.

Sources claim that the UPA government is hurrying the decision over the issue in the wake of Assembly Elections in five states, the dates of which may be announced on December 23, after which the model code of conduct will come into effect prohibiting the government to make any announcements.

It should be noted that the contentious issue of Muslim reservation has been in constant limelight with the Congress leaders continuously indicating that the government is serious about the issue.

Earlier, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid had announced that the government will bring the reservation for minorities soon.

Speaking at a public rally in Kanpur along with Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, Khurshid had said, “Government is serious about bringing reservation for minorities. A decision in this regard will be taken soon.”

Maintaining that the government must fulfill the promises it made, Khurshid had earlier said, "We are elected to do what we promised. Before the five years are out, we must fulfill our promises."

Khurshid had said the government would soon take a decision on providing reservation for "backward Muslims" by including them in the 27 per cent OBC quota and a proposal in this regard would soon come up before Cabinet.

However, Khurshid has assured the OBC communities that they will not be deprived of their rights even if backward Muslims are accommodated in the 27 per cent quota fixed for them.

Govt Vs Team Anna on Lokpal Bill

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Wednesday outrightly rejected the Lokpal draft prepared by the government and said that he will go ahead with his fast and 'jail bharo' agitation from December 27.

Speaking to reporters on the Lokpal issue, the 74-old Gandhian said, “The UPA government has cheated all of us on the Lokpal issue and the people of this country will teach a lesson to it for failing to bring a strong anti-graft legislation to curb corruption.”

Anna said the ombudsman would not be strong and effective if the premier investigation agency was not kept under it.

"If the CBI is outside then how will the Lokpal be strong. This system will save corrupt politicians. If CBI comes under Lokpal then P Chidambaram would be in jail. You are saving corrupt politicians and say it is a strong Lokpal," he said.

Rejecting the bill, Anna also took strong exception to government bringing a separate Citizens' Charter Bill, saying a common man will have to run from pillar to post to get his grievances redressed under the proposed system.

"It is cheating people who will teach them a lesson," Hazare said.

"How can the Lokpal be effective when Citizens Charter is out of its purview? A person will have to go through various levels for redressal of his grievances.What to do? It’s like fooling people," he said.

The activist said he will visit all five poll-bound states and let people know about the misdeeds of the government. "Ahead of General Election, we will visit the whole country and tell people about the government," he said.

Endorsing Anna’s viewpoint, his close aide Kiran Bedi said, “By rejecting the demands made by the civil society, which included bringing the PM and the CBI under the purview of the Lokpal, the government has drafted a weak anti-graft legislation that will be of little help.”

The former IPS officer said, “By narrowing the ambit of the Lokpal and changing the charter of the CBI, the government is increasing its discrepancies and making it more vulnerable. So far, we had been demanding the inclusion of the CBI in Lokpal but now onwards we will launch a campaign to save the probe agency.”

Bedi also made a scathing attack on the opposition parties, especially the BJP, for changing its stance on the Lokpal issue.

She also dared the main opposition party to join hands with Team Anna if it is so serious in fighting corruption in public life.

Referring to Advani’s campaign against the black money, Bedi said, “Will Advani ji join his campaign against black money with Anna’s campaign against corruption?”

Clearly, the Team Anna has upped the ante against the UPA government for not delivering what it promised to weed out corruption.

Another key Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal also slammed the government for drafting a weak Lokpal Bill.

“The draft bill prepared by the government will do more harm than good. A weak Lokpal will be of no help to the common man. All efforts should be made to block its passage in the Parliament,” he said.

Kejriwal also charged the government to be involved neck-deep in corruption so it lacks the will to fight corruption.

“The government’s decision to bring a separate Citizen Charter proves the point that it is not serious in fighting corruption. The CBI should have been brought under the purview of the Lokpal, but the government is not willing to do so. This means its intentions are not clear,” the RTI activist concluded.

Reactions from Team Anna came shortly after UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi Congress president Sonia Gandhi batted for the anti-graft legislation cleared by the Union Cabinet and asked the civil society and the Opposition to accept it.

Sonia Gandhi: Anna should accept ‘our strong Lokpal’

Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday told party MPs that Congress was ready to fight for lokpal and women's bill, reports said. The opposition and Team Anna should accept the government's draft bill, she added.

Congress has fulfilled its poll promises on food security and Lokpal, Sonia Gandhi said.

BJP is yet to reconcile to fact that UPA has got people's confidence and is spreading canards about differences between Congress and government, she said.

Gandhi interacted with party MPs on Wednesday amid challenges galore for the party and the government in the New Year.

Not yielding to Anna Hazare's demands, the government is understood to have decided to keep CBI out of the purview of the proposed Lokpal. The CBI itself had said that it does not want to come under the purview of the Lokpal. To bring the investigating agency under Lokpal’s ambit, amendments will be needed for which the government is not ready, as is being said.

The Congress Parliamentary Party meeting on Wednesday morning was the first such meeting to be addressed by Gandhi in the last few months as the Congress President had skipped the monsoon session in July-August on account of being ill.

Gandhi, who is also UPA chairperson, had gone abroad for surgery for an unspecified ailment at that time.

The CPP meeting is also being held at a time when the lokpal bill is being debated intensely.

She asked the MPs to work hard, expressing hope that the Congress will win the upcoming Assembly polls in five states.

Union Cabinet clears food security bill

The government today cleared the Food Security Bill that seeks to give legal entitlement of cheaper food to over 63 per cent of the population that will cost an additonal subsidy of Rs 27,663 crore.

According to estimates, the implementation of this would result in higher food subsidy by Rs 27,663 crore taking the overall figure to about Rs 95,000 crore.

The Bill, considered to be the pet project of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, was announced in the election manifesto of the Congress Party in 2009 general elections.

Since September, 2009 the empowered Group of Ministers, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, has been deliberating on it.

The government would require 61 million tonnes of foodgrains to provide food security as against 55 million tonnes required now under the PDS.

Besides cheap foodgrains to the poor, the Bill also seeks to provide minimum three kg of foodgrains per month per person under general household category at rate not exceeding 50 percent of the Minimum Support Price.

The government has also made a special for pregnant women and lactating mothers, children, destitutes, homeless and people under starvation among others.

In rural India, up to 75 percent of the people will be covered, with at least 46 percent under priority households (which is same as below poverty line families in the existing public distribution system).
    
Up to 50 percent of people will be covered in the urban centres, with at least 28 percent under priority category.  Talking to reporters after the meeting, Thomas said it has been decided to introduce the Bill in this session.

"It was discussed and approved unanimously. Whatever, we had proposed has been approved," he said.

Prices of subsidised foodgrains are much lower than the rate at which these are currently supplied to poor through ration shops.

Under present PDS, 35 kgs of wheat and rice per month per family is supplied to 6.52 crore BPL families at Rs 4.15 and Rs 5.65/kg, respectively.

General category would get at least 3 kg of grains at a rate not exceeding 50 percent of the minimum support price.

At present, about 11.5 crore APL families get at least 15 kg of wheat and rice per month at Rs 6.10 and Rs 8.30/kg, respectively.

Thomas had said yesterday that the total financial liability to implement the law would be Rs 3.5 lakh crore, as funds would be required to raise agriculture production, create storage space and publicity among others.


The NAC had recommended legal entitlement to subsidized foodgrains to both priority and general households, covering at least 75 percent population. However, the PMEAC had opined that this was not feasible.


The objective of the proposed law is "to provide for food and nutritional security...by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices, for people to live a life with dignity".

Going by the stated objective, there is a provision of meals to special group such as destitutes, homeless, person living in starvation and disaster affected persons.

That apart, there is a great focus on nutritional support to women and children in the bill.

"Pregnant women and lactating mothers, besides being entitled to nutritious meals, will also receive maternity benefit at Rs 1,000 per month for six months," Thomas had said, adding that children up to eighth class would get meals.

Aiming to empower women, the bill proposes to issue ration card to the eldest female member of the family.

Among the other key provisions, the bill stipulates that the Centre would reimburse in cash in case of short supply of foodgrains to States because of fall in production on account of natural calamities such as drought and floods.

In case of non-supply of foodgrains or meals to entitled person, the concerned State would be required to provide 'food security allowance'.

The bill provides for penalty up to Rs 5,000 to be imposed on public servants or authority by the National and State Food Commissions if found guilty of non-compliance with the relief recommended by DGRO.