Advani’s yatra enters scam-hit Karnataka

October 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Oct 30 (IANS) The anti-corruption yatra of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani entered scam-hit Karnataka Sunday as he flew into this tech hub from Kerala.

“Advani arrived here by a special aircraft from

Kochi along with the party’s national leaders M. Venkaiah Naidu, Ravi Shankar Prasad and H.N. Ananth Kumar while his vehicle is on way to Mangalore from north Kerala,” a party spokesman told IANS here.

Though Advani will go to Mangalore Monday morning to resume his pan-Indian Jan Chetna Yatra through the coastal districts of the state over the next two days before crossing into Goa, the BJP’s state unit took out rallies in various cities to drum-up support to the party’s crusade against corruption and for good governance.

“All cabinet ministers of the state, including Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, party’s state unit office-bearers and national leaders will participate in the public rally-cum-meeting at the National College grounds in Bangalore late Sunday,” the spokesman said.

“There are no differences either in the government or the ruling party over the war against corruption,” he added.

With the BJP’s first chief minister in south India, B.S. Yeddyurappa, and the ruling party’s other tainted lawmakers Katta Subramanya Naidu, S.N. Krishnaiah Shetty and Y. Sampangi in the central jail on the city’s outskirts for their alleged involvement in graft cases and land scams, the party’s leaders have resolved to expose the multi-crore scams of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) central government and in the Congress-ruled states.

Another former BJP minister, G. Janardhan Reddy, is also cooling heels in the Chanchalguda jail in Hyderabad since Sep 5 for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore mining scam in the state and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements were made for the public meeting in Bangalore to maintain law and order.

“We have deployed about 1,500 personnel, including senior officials, at the venue to supervise the security measures and ensure peaceful conduct of the public rally,” Bangalore police commissioner Jyothi Prakash Mirji told reporters.

A dozen closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) have been installed across the sprawling grounds and vehicular traffic restricted to prevent grid lock.

In a related development, the opposition Congress took out a huge procession in the city and held a protest meeting against Advani’s yatra with about 1,000 party cadres and supporters sporting black badges.

“The BJP and Advani have no moral right to go on a nationwide yatra against corruption when its state leaders and lawmakers are steeped in corruption and half-a-dozen of them are behind bars,” state Congress president G. Parameshwara said.

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Cong fields Sharma from Rajasthan

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, June 5 — Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, whose Rajya Sabha term ended two months back, is being fielded for the Upper House from Rajasthan. Sharma had to get reelected within six months to continue as minister. As the Congress cannot get him reelected from his home state, Himachal Pradesh, Sharma is being shifted to Congress-ruled Rajasthan. The party also fielded Ask Ali Tak, a Muslim, and Narendra Budhiana, a Jat, for the other two seats in Rajasthan. The BJP fielded former Lok Sabha member V.B. Singh from the state.

“The party president has been authorised to decide the candidates for the second seat in Rajasthan, the third seat for Karnataka, one seat from Jharkhand and the third seat from Orissa in consultation with the state prabharis,” said BJP leader Ananth Kumar. This means that it will have to negotiate with the JMM. The names of Hema Malini, Najma Heptullah and Smriti Irani are doing the rounds for the second Rajasthan seat.

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Advani skips party convention

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Uttan (Maharashtra), June 6 (IANS) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday skipped the ongoing two-day party convention being held here due to ill health, a party official said.

Advani was scheduled to make a concluding speech Sunday afternoon but his trip was postponed at the last minute, the official told IANS.

In his place, opposition leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj was to make the concluding remarks on the charter of ‘National Convention on Good Governance’.

The convention has been a closed-door affair, conducted in the sylvan surroundings of Uttan, a village on the Arabian Sea coast, around 40 km north of Mumbai.

The morning session Sunday was addressed by senior party leaders M. Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar, among others.

A total 83 delegates were invited for what is billed as the ‘first of its kind convention involving so many state leaders on the vital issue of good governance’.

Besides party president Nitin Gadkari, who was present on the opening Saturday, the convention was attended by five chief ministers of BJP-ruled states. However, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Kumar could not make it as he lost his father a day before the event.

Two deputy chief ministers, including Sushilkumar Modi from Bihar and 73 ministers, besides the party chiefs of eight states also marked their attendance.

This is the first major convention of the BJP being held in Maharashtra after Gadkari, who hails from Nagpur, took over as party chief last year.

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BJP to form government in Jharakhand with JMM, AJSU support

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 8 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government will head the coalition government to be formed with the support of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) party in Jharkhand.

On Saturday morning, putting an end to the stalemate over the formation of a new government in the State, BJP President Nitin Gadkari held meeting with Hemant Soren, son of Shibu Soren, the JMM chief, as well as Sudesh Mahato, chief of the All Jharkhand Students Union”s (AJSU) here on Saturday morning.

The leaders decided that the BJP, JMM and AJSU would be the three coalition partners to form the new BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Jharkhand.

“We have had a healthy discussion with all the prominent leaders of the parties. We have decided to form the government under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party because the state needs a strong coalition government. And we have tried to save the state from the President”s rule,” said Hemant Soren.

BJP spokesperson Ananth Kumar also told reporters that the party is hoping to form a stable government to keep the State away from President”s Rule.

“In Jharkhand, under a BJP-led government and NDA rule, we are expecting to form a stable government. We have to form and run a progressive government. All the coalition parties have also decided that we will finish the remaining tenure. And we hope to run a people”s government,” Kumar said.

BJP will choose the new chief minister for the State.

The leaders of the coalition parties, however, will meet on May 10 for further discussions in this matter.

It may be recalled that the BJP had withdrawn support to Shibu Soren”s JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand on April 28 after he voted for the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government during a cut motion brought up by the opposition in Lok Sabha on April 27.

Shibu Soren and Hemant Soren had subsequently written apology letters to BJP leaders, expressing their preference at remaining aligned with the BJP.

BJP leadership had recently held talks with its Jharkhand allies – the regional Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), the Janata Dal (United), and others.

The JMM-BJP coalition government was formed in Jharkhand about four months ago. (ANI)

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Gadkari unveils new BJP team, a mix of old and young

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday unveiled new president Nitin Gadkari’s leadership team, a mix of the young and the old with a view to win the next Lok Sabha battle.

Determined to put the stamp of Gen Next on the party, Gadkari named TV star Smriti Irani, ex-cricketer Navjot Singh Siddhu and MP Varun Gandhi as three of 15 secretaries in the National Executive.

A total of 121 members were named including 13 vice-presidents, 10 general secretaries, 15 secretaries and one treasurer.

‘It is a very fine blend of experience and youth, one which will surely infuse hope among the cadre,’ Ravi Shankar Prasad, who was named the chief spokesman, told reporters.

In line with the BJP’s constitution, the office bearers include 13 women, or a third of the total. In all, there are 40 women.

The National Executive members include veterans including former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former deputy prime minister L.K. Advani and former party presidents Murali Manohar Joshi, Bangaru Laxman, M. Venkaiah Naidu and Rajnath Singh besides Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, leaders of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively.

The Parliamentary Board, which will pick candidates in elections, has 12 members including Vajpayee, Advani, Gadkari, Joshi, Naidu, Rajnath Singh, Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj.

Bollywood star Hema Malini, a crowd puller, was named one of 11 vice presidents along with veterans Shanta Kumar, Kalraj Mishra, Bhagatsingh Koshiyari and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, one of the rare Muslim faces in the party leadership.

Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje made it to the 10-strong general secretaries in the company of veteran Ananth Kumar, Arjun Munda as well as war-horse Ram Lal, who remains the powerful organisational head.

Smriti Irani, Varun Gandhi, Muralidhar Rao (a former head of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch) and Arati Mehra were named secretaries along with Santosh Gangwar, Siddhu and Kirit Somaiyya.

Himachal Pradesh Forest Minister J.P. Nadda, named a general secretary, said in Shimla: ‘We will try to strengthen the party by expanding its cadre, their ideological grooming and making it fit to rule the country and give the best possible governance.

‘Our president has laid down the roadmap and we will try to implement it across the country. Our main priority would be to form the next government at the centre.’

Added party MP Prabhat Jha: ‘The team is a cocktail of age and experience. New faces have been given an opportunity.’

Party sources said Gadkari, who took charge in December after Rajnath Singh stepped down in the wake of infighting, had accommodated a variety of interests by placating warring lobbies.

While Shanta Kumar, Naqvi, Bijoya Charavarti and Karuna Shukla, who is related to Vajpayee, have been retained as vice-presidents, the new vice-presidents include Katiyar, who is closely identified with the Ayodhya temple movement, Kalraj Mishra, Purushottam Rupala and Kiran Ghai.

Piyush Goyal has been appointed the treasurer in place of Ramdas Agarwal.

The spokespersons include Nirmala Sitharaman, Shahnawaz Hussain, Tarun Vijay, former editor of RSS mouthpiece Panchjanya, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Prakash Javdekar and Ramnath Kovind.

Sources close to Gadkari said that all states and all sections had been represented in the new team.

But not everyone appeared to be happy.

A BJP leader told IANS on the condition of anonymity that the new team was ‘no great shakes’ and that Varun Gandhi’s appointment would only widen the gulf vis-a-vis the Muslim community.

‘I don’t see a clear ideological direction,’ said the leader. ‘He has only tried to keep everyone happy.’

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Karnataka Housing Minister resigns following defeat in by poll

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Aug 31 (ANI): Karnataka Housing Minister V. Somanna resigned from the state cabinet on Monday following his defeat in the recent by polls to the state assembly.

Somanna handed over his resignation to the Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa.

“I will take a decision on accepting his resignation after consulting the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief D.V.Sadananda Gowda and national general secretary Ananth Kumar and the party high command,” Yeddyurappa told reporters after receiving the resignation letter.

Somanna, who was earlier, elected from the Govidrajnagar constituency in Bangalore resigned from his seat as well as from the Congress Party to join BJP in February.

Subsequently Somanna was rewarded with a cabinet birth in the Yeddyurappa Government.

Somanna who is known for his innovative election strategies, tasted maiden defeat in his political career against debutant Priyakrishna of Congress in the by polls on August 18.

The two-day southern region meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) held in Davangere in central Karnataka on Sunday asked Yeddyurappa to seek the resignation of Somanna.

The BJP is reward Somanna with another post as the elections to the Brihat Bangalore Municipal Corporation (BBMC) are on the cards. Somanna played a crucial role in party’s victory in all the three Lok Sabha seats in Bangalore in the 2009 general elections.

Somanna is the third minister to resign from the Yeddyurappa government during the last one-year. Earlier S.K. Bellubbi, and Krishnayya Setty resigned from cabinet to make way to accommodate new faces in the cabinet. (ANI)

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Breakfast meeting between Advani, RSS chief

August 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug.30 (ANI): Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat had a breakfast meeting with senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K.Advani on Sunday morning, and it is believed that both discussed a proposed succession plan for the latter.

The meeting ended a short while ago, even as the leaderships of the two parties reiterated that they were united in working on solutions to end the present crisis in the BJP.

Sunday’s breakfast meeting between Advani and Bhagwat was the second between the two. They had earlier met on Saturday afternoon for about two hours at the RSS headquarters in Delhi – Keshavkunj to discuss various issues.

Saturday’s meeting took place amid reports that the RSS has readied a succession plan for the BJP. However, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters at a press conference that no succession plan was discussed.

The RSS is believed to have told the BJP leadership to set its house in order. In a sign that this is being given serious thought, top brass of the BJP met at Advani’s residence yesterday morning for about two hours and briefed him about their discussions with Bhagwat on Friday.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj joined other party colleagues – Arun Jaitely, Ananth Kumar and M.Venkaiah Naidu at the residence of Advani to reportedly discuss a viable succession plan.

It is reliably learnt that though there are no immediate plans to change in the top leadership, a succession plan is being readied in consultation with the RSS.

Sources said the RSS has firmly asked BJP leaders to end the infighting in the party and reach a consensus on a new party chief.

The decision to call Jaitley and Swaraj together to a meeting at the RSS headquarters is seen as very significant, as they are the leading contenders for the party leadership, sparking speculation that a power-sharing arrangement might have been arrived at.

Jaitley looks the front-runner for the party chief”s job while Swaraj is tipped to take over from Advani as Leader of Opposition. If implemented, the party could see Naidu becoming Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, a post currently held by Jaitley.

The RSS has felt that if the factionalism is not quickly resolved, the issue could prolong till the end of the year.

Sunday’s breakfast meeting took place even as senior Rashtriya Swayam Sewak (RSS) leader Madan Das Devi told a press conference on the same day that he was confident about the BJP taking appropriate steps to resolve all of its problems.

“We (RSS) are hopeful that the crisis in the BJP will be resolved. The RSS is assured that the BJP will overcome all problems. We all think that a large party such as the BJP has the capability of being given new direction and end its problems. Important BJP leaders met leaders of the RSS. Shri L.K.Advani and other senior BJP leaders met us. We discussed issues of national importance, party issues etc. They have assured us that the problems of the party will be resolved,” he said.

At Sunday’s breakfast meeting Bhagwat was accompanied by Madandas Devi, and it is expected that discussions on a new roadmap for the BJP, including a possible change of leadership, will continue.

Sources said the BJP will most likely announce a succession plan on Sunday. It is indicated that individual responsibilities in the party would be finalised in the coming weeks.

There were indications that BJP could come out with some statement tomorrow, but RSS sources said nothing spectacular could be expected.

Advani is reportedly under pressure from rebels to step down as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

Various names are under consideration, including Arun Jaitely, Sushma Swaraj and Bal Apte. However, both the RSS and the BJP have maintained that they were not discussing any succession plan. (ANI)

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Advani’s meeting with RSS chief ends

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug.29 (ANI): Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani’s nearly two-hour-long meeting with Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat ended on Saturday a short while ago.

Sources, however, did not reveal what had been discussed at the meeting.

Advani had arrived at the RSS’s Delhi headquarters – Keshavkunj – at around 3 p.m. for a meeting with Bhagwat.

The meeting took place amid reports that the RSS has readied a succession plan for the BJP, a plan that could facilitate an end to the internal crisis ravaging the party’s rank and file. However, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters at a press conference that no succession plan has been discussed.

The RSS is believed to have told the BJP leadership to set its house in order. In a sign that this is being given serious thought, top brass of the BJP met at Advani’s residence this morning for about two hours and briefed him about their discussions with Bhagwat on Friday.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj had joined other party colleagues – Arun Jaitely, Ananth Kumar and M.Venkaiah Naidu at the residence of Advani to reportedly discuss a viable succession plan.

It is reliably learnt that though there are no immediate changes in the top leadership, a succession plan is being readied after discussions with the RSS on Friday night.

Sources said that the RSS has firmly asked BJP leaders to end infighting in the party and reach a consensus on a new party chief.

The decision to call Jaitley and Swaraj together to a meeting at the RSS headquarters is seen as very significant, as they are the leading contenders for the party leadership, sparking speculation that a power-sharing arrangement might have been arrived at.

Jaitley looks the front-runner for the party chief”s job while Swaraj is tipped to take over from Advani as Leader of Opposition. If implemented, the party could see Naidu becoming Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, a post currently held by Jaitley.

The RSS has felt that if the factionalism is not quickly resolved, the issue could prolong till the end of the year. (ANI)

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Advani arrives at RSS headquarters to meet Bhagwat

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug.29 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior BJP leader L.K.Advani has arrived at the RSS’s Delhi headquarters – Keshavkunj – for a meeting with its chief Mohan Bhagwat.

The meeting is taking place amid reports that the RSS has readied a succession plan for the BJP, a plan that could facilitate an end to the internal crisis ravaging the party’s rank and file.

The RSS is believed to have told the BJP leadership to set its house in order. In a sign that this is being given serious thought, top brass of the BJP met at Advani’s residence this morning for about two hours and briefed him about their discussions with Bhagwat on Friday.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj had joined other party colleagues – Arun Jaitely, Ananth Kumar and M.Venkaiah Naidu at the residence of Advani to reportedly discuss a viable succession plan.

It is reliably learnt that though there are no immediate changes in the top leadership, a succession plan is being readied after discussions with the RSS on Friday night.

ources said that the RSS has firmly asked BJP leaders to end infighting in the party and reach a consensus on a new party chief.

The decision to call Jaitley and Swaraj together to a meeting at the RSS headquarters is seen as very significant, as they are the leading contenders for the party leadership, sparking speculation that a power-sharing arrangement might have been arrived at.

Jaitley looks the front-runner for the party chief’s job while Swaraj is tipped to take over from Advani as Leader of Opposition. If implemented, the party could see Naidu becoming Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, a post currently held by Jaitley.

The RSS has felt that if the factionalism is not quickly resolved, the issue could prolong till the end of the year. (ANI)

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BJP top brass meets Advani, immediate change in party leadership ruled out

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug.29 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) top brass met senior leader L.K. Advani at his residence late on Friday night for almost two hours.

Among those who met Advani were Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar.

Sources claimed that despite RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat chalking out a succession plan for the BJP, there are no immediate plans to ring in changes in the leadership.

The RSS succession plan is reported to have been discussed during the meeting.

BJP leaders were reluctant to reveal to the media what exactly transpired at the meeting claiming that it was a routine meeting.

The other issue that came up for discussion was Jaswant Singh’s charge that Advani knew about and was in favour of exposing the cash for vote scam that hit Parliament in July last year, as the UPA Government was seeking a vote of confidence.

Firing a fresh salvo, Singh said Advani was “at the centre” of the cash-for-votes scam drama enacted in the Lok Sabha last year.

“It’s a great sense of pity. Here was a man who was consumed by an ambition to be Prime Minister, and that desire made him commit so many mistakes. Do you know this whole wretched thing of money for votes is a classic example of wrong decision-making and it’s extremely troubling that he did not stand up and say no? Advaniji was at the centre of this whole drama,” he told Outlook magazine.

Singh was referring to the episode when three BJP MPs displayed bundles of currency notes totaling Rs.10 million, claiming they were being offered as bribe to support the government.

Singh said the facts were clear and he stumbled on to the whole thing when Sudheendra Kulkarni, a former aide of Advani, brought a very strange looking fellow to his house.

“I was not consulted but I was appalled that Advaniji was giving the MPs the go ahead to display money in Parliament,” he said adding that Advani had two choices — either to take the money to the Speaker or into the House. But he told the MPs to display the money in Parliament.

The options left for Advani are to break his silence and publicly clarify his stand to take on his detractors or else resign as Leader of Opposition and end his political career, leaving the BJP to battle the crisis.

Advani could also stay on till BJP presidential election in December to chart out a comprehensive succession plan.

It is clear that the fault line in the BJP have widened with a number of senior leaders rebelling against the party high command. With some much infighting there seems to be three distinct camps within the BJP – the Rajnath Camp, the Advani Camp and the Vajpayee Camp. (ANI)

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Keen contest in South Bangalore

April 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Apr 15 (ANI): Candidates contesting in Bangalore south constituency are talking about change and making a difference in their aggressive campaigning ahead of general elections.he fight in the constituency is directly between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Ananth Kumar and the Congress party’s Krishna Byre Gowda. However, Captain Gopinath, contesting as an independent, is also very popular and has the capability to cause an upset.

Youth icon of the Congress party, Gowda is campaigning day and night. He is appealing to the people to vote for him, so that he can bring about a change in the constituency.

Contesting against Ananth Kumar, a political heavyweight, who has won four consecutive elections from Bangalore south, Krishna is confident about his victory. He says that he has been elected to the state legislature thrice and people know about his work.

“People want change. Ananth Kumar, present parliamentarian from Bangalore south constituency seems to have lost connection with people,” said Gowda.

In the meantime, four-time parliamentarian from south Bangalore constituency, Ananth Kumar has also been campaigning aggressively. He has been reaching out to the people and discussing his plans of bringing about further change in the constituency.

Ananth Kumar is confident about his and his party’s prospects in the forthcoming general elections.

“The mood is upbeat. It is victory written on the wall for BJP for Advani, everywhere from Bangalore south to entire Karnataka and the country,” said Ananth Kumar.

In a battle between two big national parties, Captain Gopinath, the owner of Deccan Charters, is also contesting as an independent.

Although he was being offered electoral tickets by political parties, he decided to contest as an independent and is confident of his victory. He says that he has big developmental plans, if he is elected.

“The non-voting community is the largest vote bank because out of 19 lakh only eight lakh voted in the last elections. So 11 lakh did not vote and also among the people who are voting, barring the way parties are going for dalits and Muslims and giving money and liquor. I must win this election by uniting them because by uniting them I will have the largest vote bank,” said Gopinath.

Another candidate fielded by Regional Janta Dal (Secular) and Third Front is a low profile man Professor Radhakrishna. He is campaigning with few of his followers and has his hopes pinned on the students community.

He thinks that, Deve Gowda’s name and backing of his student community will make him win. By Jaipal Sharma (ANI)

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Hoping for fifth win, BJP leader wooing voters with theatre and music

April 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, April 4 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary H.N. Ananth Kumar has embarked on a novel method to woo voters. The four-time MP, contesting from Bangalore South constituency for the fifth consecutive time, is holding street plays to the beat of folk music to reach out to the people.

With the election model code of conduct banning candidates from indulging in extravaganza or paraphernalia, the 49-year-old MP is holding a street theatre fest, Ranga Yatre, under the guise of creating social awareness.

Kumar has roped in Mukhyamantri Chandru, a cine-artist and BJP member in the state legislative council, for organising the plays to the beat of folk instruments ‘jaggalige’ and ‘tamate’.

As part of his poll campaign, Kumar has chosen the historic Town Hall in downtown to stage the plays. About 30 artists will perform for over a week to highlight social ills such as corruption and the danger of terrorism and tell the electorate to vote for the BJP.

‘Street plays have been a wonderful medium to reach out the people. Through song and dance, I want to appeal to voters of my constituency to re-elect me for the development of south Bangalore,’ Kumar said. The plays got under way Thursday.

‘The plays are not just to woo voters but to carry messages against ills like corruption and terrorism afflicting the country,’ Kumar noted.

Veteran filmmaker T.S. Nagabharana and comedian-turned politician Jaggesh appealed to the people to vote for the BJP.

Artists from the Kannada film and theatre circles present at the event were Tara, Madan Patel and Malathi Sudheer.

Chandru, who is also president of the Kannada Development Authority (KDA), while speaking on the occasion, said: ‘The Congress has failed to meet the aspirations of the people, especially the ‘aam admi’. The economy is in doldrums. A spate of terror attacks has taken a toll. The country needs a strong party like the BJP. So vote for the BJP.’

The prestigious south Bangalore, home to the educated middle class and techies in thousands, is set for a close contest. Kumar is being challenged by Congress candidate Krishna Byre Gowda, who is also president of the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (KYCC), Janata Dal-Secular nominee and educationist K.E. Radhakrishna and retired army pilot and aviation entrepreneur Captain Gopinath as an Independent.

A member of the KYCC has dubbed the Ranga Yatre as a stunt by the BJP, saying the party has lost touch with voters and was using theatre to gain cheap publicity.

Bangalore South is among the 17 of the state’s 28 constituencies that will go to the polls in the first phase April 23. The remaining 11 will go for voting in the second phase April 30.

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No pressers for ministers: EC

April 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

NEW DELHI: In a decision that will make it difficult for the Prime Minister, Union ministers and chief ministers to hold press briefings, the
Election Commission has advised the cabinet secretariat and state chief secretaries to ensure that they avoid holding press conferences.

Instead, EC has said the practice of issuing press releases may be resorted to. However, in case a press conference becomes unavoidable in public interest, it should be conducted by an official. Deputy Election Commissioner JP Prakash confirmed that Prime Minister and chief ministers also come under the purview of this advisory.

In another decision, unsatisfied with the reply given by Congress leader Imran Kidwai, EC has asked Chandigarh CEO to file case against him under section 125 of the Representation of People’s Act. Kidwai is alleged to have given a communal speech in Chandigarh asking Muslims not to vote for BJP.

Even as Kidwai continues to feel the heat, EC has sent a notice to BJP MP Ananth Kumar Hegde for allegedly making a communal speech. It is alleged that Hegde made a statement during the campaign that “if Muslims do not stop violence, it will be difficult to celebrate Id-e-Milad.” He has been asked to reply by Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, the EC’s decision on BJP leader Jaswant Singh’s cash for vote case, the Commonwealth Games advertisement issue and home minister P Chidambaram’s political statement from an official forum will be taken on Monday.

Prakash also said that for the first time EC will set up facilitation centres for voters in polling stations. These centres will be in addition to those provided by political parties and candidates. Officials will have electoral roll in alphabetical order. CEOs have also been asked to set up toll-free helplines. For visually challenged voters, EC will for the first time be providing Braille-enabled EVMs.

To help displaced people, EC has made special arrangments. Kashmiris living in Delhi due to militancy in J and K will have special booths for them. In Chhattisgarh, thousands of people are living in 23 Salwa Judum camps and in Kandhmal, Orissa also thousands of victims of anti-Christian violence are living in six camps. Prakash said EC has provided four companies of RAF in Kandhmal. EC will also organise transport and toll-free helplines in these areas.

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