Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal calls MPs robbers, rapists

Key Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal’s comments here on Saturday terming the Parliamentarians 'robbers' and 'rapists' have sparked off a huge controversy with the entire political class coming down heavily on the noted social activist.

In a public awakening programme here yesterday, Kejriwal said all types of bad elements including robbers and rapists have overpowered Parliament.

“The fight would be to overhaul Parliament's character, which has become a big problem for us - the people of India,” Kejriwal said.

"We should have no illusions about any change happening after the (UP) elections. The final outcome will be that the public would be defeated. Now, the fight initiated to bring the Jan Lokpal Bill has been widened to change the entire system," he added.

Kejriwal, scathing in his criticism of political parties, said: "All political parties are corrupt. They are fighting to grab the seat to loot. They are not concerned for the growth and the development of the country. Today, the Congress is crying for not being able to loot the state exchequer. Otherwise, it had ruled the state for about 40 years in the past.

"The BJP is also in the same bracket. It did nothing to check corruption in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himanchal Pradesh and Karnataka. All the political parties are fighting for their share in the loot," he said.

The remarks did not go down well with the political circle and politicians from different parties have strongly criticised Kejriwal for showing disrespect to Parliament.

The BJP, which has been supporting Team Anna, too came out with strong words against the RTI activist.

“I haven't seen his comments, but if he has made such remarks, it's unfortunate,” party spokesperson and MP Prakash Javadekar reportedly said.

“It could be seen as an attempt to denigrate Parliament and MPs will raise this matter during the upcoming Budget Session. People who denigrate Parliament are denigrating democracy,” the BJP leader added.

CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said Kejriwal’s comments are nothing but to denigrate Parliament.

Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi told that such comments against Parliament are unfortunate.

“Such remarks are an insult to the Parliament, which would weaken the democracy,” Alvi said, adding that it’s all being said for cheap publicity.

Reacting to Kejriwal’s comment RJD has said that it will bring privilege notice against Kejriwal during the budget session of Parliament.

"Kejriwal has not only insulted Parliamentarians, but Parliament and the electorate as well by referring to the MPs as rapists, murderers and looters at an election rally at Ghaziabad yesterday," RJD general secretary Ram Kripal Yadav said.

"Kejriwal has lost his mental balance and needs to be sent to a mental asylum," he said and urged the Centre to immediately arrest him on sedition charges.

However, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev backed Kejriwal, stating that though the activist's choice of words could be objected to, his contention was "absolutely right".

"There can be objection to the language or words used by Kejriwal but his contention is absolutely right," Ramdev said at a news conference after observing a day-long fast against illegal mining and corruption in Goa.

"There is no doubt in what Kejriwal said. When we can elect MPs then why can't we have a right to speak against them," he said.

Indian men's hockey team book 2012 London Olympics berth

On a day when their favourite cricketers let them down in the tour Down Under, Indian hockey stars turned it into a Super Sunday for the fans after winning the final of the FIH Olympic qualifier.

Goal machine Sandeep Singh netted five and completed the second hat-trick of the tournament in the process to give India a perfect evening and a ticket to 2012 London Olympics. Tactical accuracy and the lightning pace displayed by Michael Nobbs men undone a sorry France. The scoreline of 8-1 in favour of the hosts said it all.

India attacked from the word go but were deprived of space as the French fullbacks defended stoically. Their frustrations were furthered when French custodian Matthies denied a sure shot goal in the 15th minute. But two minutes thereafter India scored the decisive goal. A cross from Manpreet found a taker in the form of Birendra Lakra in the French goalmouth who fired it in swiftly with a reverse flick. The atmosphere was electric.

Vociferously cheered by the crowd, Indians went searching for another goal. Sandeep stepped in to increase the lead in the 19th minute. It was Sandeep’s 12th goal in the event, a figure he had set as his target. He scored four more and was adjudged Player of the Match.

India’s pace and their crowd’s loud cheer troubled French players but silenced them for once when Simon Martin-Brisac deflected off Sebastian in the 23rd minute. Sreejesh, who came in place of Bharat Chetri, looked stunned. India retaliated in the 26th minute, a typical Sandeep converted a short corner to up the ante for the hosts while France caved in.

After leading by three goals to one at the end of first half, the men in ‘white’ made it 4-1 in the 38th minute through Sandeep. The referee had a field day as the final saw tension flare between the two sides and a number of referrals, most of which benefitted India. India’s penalty conversion rate was near perfect on Sunday as six out of eight goals came through penalty corners. On sparse occasions they were tested, Indian defense held fort tenaciously.

Apart from Lakra, Raghunath and SV Sunil got themselves into the score sheet, which was monopolized by Sandeep.

Karnataka BJP BS Yeddyurappa’s deadline to BJP ends today

With Karnataka BJP strongman BS Yeddyurappa remaining defiant after being rebuffed by BJP chief Nitin Gadkari in his bid to regain chief ministership, all eyes are on the former chief minister's birthday bash Monday as he is expected to take a "drastic" decision whether to continue in the party or not.

Yeddyurappa turns 69 today and has extended invitation to all his supporting legislators to attend a lunch hosted by him at his residence. He also has hosted a dinner party to mediapersons where he is expected to divulge his next political step.

Yeddyurappa will be visiting Siddaganga Mutt pontiff Shivakumar Swamy in Tumkur in the morning and offer worship at a nearby temple.

After attending a function orgainsed by Backward Class Forum near Railway Station, Yeddyurappa would head to his residence to hold a meeting with his supporters including legislators and MPs, sources close to him said.

Some BJP leaders are expecting Yeddyurappa to bid adieu to the BJP which he had built in the state over the years. Yet another section expects Yeddyurappa to wait for the outcome of March 3 core Committee meeting convened by BJP President Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi. The former Chief Minister has already said he and his followers would not attend the meeting.

Instead of attending the Delhi meeting, Yeddyurappa had said he would discuss the issues with his supporters on February 27 and thereafter convey the decision to the central leadership.  

BJP sources told that Yeddyurappa has to await acquittal in various cases against him before he can be considered for chief ministership or state party presidentship.

Major avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir; 11 soldiers dead, 8 still trapped

Two major avalanches hit Sonmarg and Davar in Jammu and Kashmir last evening, killing eleven soldiers. While eight soldiers died after an Army camp in Davar was buried under the snow, three were killed in Sonmarg. The snow also buried a large number of Army shelters.

Eight bodies have been recovered so far from Davar. Eight soldiers are still trapped at Davar.

The Army has launched rescue operations in both the places. Due to heavy snow in Davar, no helicopter movement is possible, the Army said, adding that they expect large number of fatalities.

A car bomb blast in Baghdad, shootings killed 35 people

A swift series of bombings and shootings killed 35 people across the Iraqi capital early Today in attacks that mostly appeared to target police, officials said.

In the worst attack, a car bomb went off near a security checkpoint in Baghdad's downtown shopping district of Karradah killing nine people. Twenty-six people were wounded in that attack, including four policemen, the officials said.

A news agency’s footage of the scene showed blood-covered people walking away, and storefronts at several nearby shops were damaged. A gray cloud of smoke hung over the blast site where cars were charred and crumpled.

At least eight more bombs exploded during the morning across Baghdad, killing 18 more people.

And on opposite sides of the capital, gunmen with silenced pistols killed a total of eight policemen at security checkpoints, officials said.

The casualties were confirmed by Baghdad hospital officials. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to release the information.

The violence did not stop at Baghdad. Attacks in Baqouba, Kirkuk and in Salahuddin provinces were also reported in the relentless string of assaults that unfolded over a two-hour period.

Officials in Baqouba, 35 miles (60 kilometres) northeast of the capital, said a suicide bomber blew up his car outside a police station near a market. Two people were killed and eight wounded.

In the ethnically mixed city of Kirkuk, 180 miles (290 kilometres) north of Baghdad, two police patrols hit roadside bombs. Twenty policemen were injured in the attacks, said police Major General Sarhat Qadir.

Bombs in the town of Tuz Khormato outside Kirkuk, wounded three guards outside the office of a Kurdish political party. And south of Baghdad, eight policemen were wounded by a roadside bomb in the town of Madain, said Mayor Jalal Baban. Madain is about 14 miles (20 kilometres) southeast of the capital.

Widespread violence has decreased since just a few years ago when Iraq teetered on the brink of civil war. But bombings and deadly shootings still happen almost daily.

Iraq's police are generally considered to be the weakest element of the country's security forces. Earlier this week, 20 policemen and recruits were killed by a suicide bomber outside the Baghdad police academy that angry residents blamed on political feuding that is roiling Iraq.

The country has been besieged by political turbulence that began the day after US troops pulled out of Iraq, when an arrest warrant was issued for Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi on charges he commandeered death squads targeting security forces and government officials.

Al-Hashemi, the country's highest-ranking Sunni, has denied the charges that he described as politically motivated, and blamed the Shi’ite-led government of trying to unseat him.

Experts worry the case will hike Iraq's already-simmering sectarian tensions.

Katrina Kaif going for Arranged Marriage

Well…this news is going to break a number of hearts for sure! Katrina Kaif has made up her mind to get married to the person of her mother’s choice.

The hottie, who was earlier in love with her mentor Salman Khan, was also allegedly in a relationship with her ‘Raajneeti’ co-star Ranbir Kapoor. But the pretty girl seems to have had enough of the men from the Tinsel Town.

According to a leading tabloid, Katrina has indeed asked her mother to look for a suitable match for her.

Talking to the tabloid, a friend of the actress said, “Katrina has told her mother to find her a guy. She has decided to go with whatever `momma says`.”
Apparently, Katrina was not surprised when rumours of her reconciliation with Ranbir Kapoor started doing the rounds recently. And in order to clear the air, the actress came up with this decision of hers.

“Katrina is done with Ranbir. She didn`t want to spend time with him and that`s why decided to opt out of Ayaan Mukerji`s film. In fact, Katrina will not consider offers to be cast opposite Ranbir in the near future,” the friend of the actress added.

According to Katrina’s friend, the actress is in no mood to date anyone from the industry anymore. She is looking for a non-Bollywood person to play her real life partner.

“No looking for or falling in love in the film industry for Katrina. She has learnt the hard way that love is a rare commodity in the industry. She wants to avoid any more emotional stress in the future and just focus on her work. No emotional involvement with co-stars, no matter what the temptation," said the friend.

If you have really made up you mind for an arranged marriage, we are with you girl.

Here’s wishing you all the very best. May you get the best guy in the world!kat

Fishermen killing: Kerala Police to conduct a search operation of Italian ship

The Kerala Police is expected to conduct a search operation on the Italian merchant vessel Enrica Lexie, which has been anchored in the harbour here in connection with the killing of two Indian fishermen by the ship’s guards in high seas last week.

The Kerala High Court is also expected to take up the petition filed by the two Italian guards seeking the quashing of the FIR filed against them. The two Italian guards -- Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone – have submitted that Kerala Police have no authority to conduct investigation in the case and courts in India have no jurisdiction as the incident occurred beyond its territorial waters.

The marines, suspected to have shot dead the fishermen, took the legal recourse after they were arrested by the state police capping days of hectic negotiations between Indian and Italian officials on the issue of submitting them to Indian authorities.

Italy has been maintaining that the incident occurred outside Indian territorial waters and the marines’ action was taken assuming the fishing vessel to be carrying pirates.

The court has also admitted a petition by the family of one of the deceased fishermen seeking Rs 1 crore compensation and directed the owners of Italian vessel Enrica Lexie to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 25 lakh.

Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Steffan de Mistura has arrived in Kerala to hold talks with the state government.

Mistura had met his counterpart Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur in New Delhi yesterday to find a way out of the imbroglio India government stood its ground that law will take its course.