Advani’s Yatra mired in cash-for-coverage scam, Congress takes potshots

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday condemned the alleged attempts to bribe journalists covering LK Advani’s yatra and claimed that it has vindicated its stand that the BJP venture was not against corruption but had a “hidden agenda.”

“The attempt to bribe joBJPurnalists is very unfortunate and condemnable. We have always been saying that the Yatra was not against corruption. Whenever Advani has taken out a yatra there has been a hidden agenda," party spokesman Rashid Alvi told reporters here.

Noting that Advani took out the Somnath-Ayodhya Rathyatra in 1990 to capture power at the Centre, he said that when the BJP-led NDA was in power, the party “just forgot about the issue.”

There have been allegations that certain local journalists at Satna in Madhya Pradesh were given currency notes of Rs500 each in an envelope after a press conference by local BJP leaders on the yatra, but the state BJP unit has denied it.

Advani has said he will ask Madhya Pradesh party chief to inquire into the matter.

PM says RTI should not hamper government work

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said a critical look must be taken at the RTI Act and concerns on it discussed and addressed. But he asserted that there would be no dilution of RTI Act. 

“The Right to Information should not adversely affect the deliberative processes in the government,” he said addressing a two-day annual convention of the Central Information Commission here.

“We must take a critical look at it. There are concerns that need to be discussed and addressed,” he stressed.

There have been demands for amending the transparency law by certain sections of government who feel it is “transgressing” into their functioning.

The prime minister highlighted the need to strike a balance between disclosure of information and the limited time and resources available with public authorities.
Amendments to the RTI Act and exemptions given to security agencies from making disclosures under it are expected to be debated at the conference being attended by information commissioners.

Another concern that has been raised is that the Right to Information could end up discouraging honest, well meaning public servants from giving full expression to their views.

Singh made it clear that there “will be no dilution of the RTI Act. We wish to make the Right to Information an even more effective instrument for ensuring transparency and accountability in administration”.

The prime minister said legislation for protection of whistleblowers would be enacted in the next few months to help prevention of violence against those who seek to expose wrongdoings in the public administration.

Accusing the government of being “scared” of the RTI Act, the BJP slammed the prime minister’s statement favouring a “critical look” at the transparency law and warned that any attempt to dilute the act would be opposed across the country.

“Is the government scared now of the RTI Act? The government wants to turn its back towards the Act. The government, which has already lost its credibility, fears that it will be nowhere if this Act survives for a long time,” said BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

He claimed the prime minister was siding with the rhetoric of such organisations which are seeking exemption from the transparency law.

Three day ‘rail roko’ begins in Telangana, 124 trains cancelled

Hyderabad: TRS leader K Chandrashekhar Rao was taken into preventive custody even as the three-day ‘rail roko’ movement over the Telangana agitation began on Saturday.

His daughter and son KTR Rao are also in preventive custoday.

In view of the rail roko campaign, 124 trains were cancelled. Several protesters were detained for trying to block tracks.

Telangana Congress MPs on Friday asserted that they would participate in the 'rail roko' scheduled to be held in the region for three days from Saturday in support of the separate statehood demand, despite appeals from the party not to do so.

While DGP Dinesh Reddy has warned Telangana activists against disrupting rail services or damaging property, the state government has received reports that Telangana activists may resort to violence if stopped.

PM’s post not vacant at the moment: Digvijay to Mayawati

New Delhi: Responding to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati's remark that Congress will make either Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar or Union Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde the Prime Minister to split the Dalit vote ahead of the UP assembly polls, party general secretary Digvijay Singh on Friday said that the PM's post is not vacant at the moment.

Talking to media persons, Digvijay Singh slammed Mayawati for her Rs 685  cr magnum opus park, which was inaugurated by her in Noida today, and said that the chief minister has wasted huge amount of public money.

Earlier, Mayawati accused the Congress of  trying to split the Dalit vote.

"Congress is trying to split the Dalit vote but they are unable to do anything. The party, despite Babu Jagjivan Ram being the right candidate for the Prime Minister, did not make him...

"Afraid of BSP's mass base, Congress may make either Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar or Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde as Prime Minister before the Assembly elections," she said inaugurating the controversial Dalit icon park.

Mayawati accused the Congress-led coalition at the Centre of not paying heed to the development of Uttar Pradesh as also her proposal to carve out separate states of Bundelkhand, Poorvanchal and Western Uttar Pradesh.

She also alleged the Centre was not providing the state's share from the central fund.

"Between 2007-08 to 2010-11, a total of Rs 21,385 crore is due with the central government, due to which many projects are stalled," Mayawati said, adding "even a special package demanded by me has been turned down by the Centre".

In 2007 UP assembly elections, Mayawati single handedly won the politically key state. The UP Chief Minister has never made secret of her ambition to become the first Dalit Prime Minister.

Rahul Gandhi special and only guest at Bhutan royal couple's reception

Thimphu: Two days after their fairy tale wedding, King Jigme Khesar Nagyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema were today accorded a ceremonial reception by the Royal Bhutan Army on their first visit post-marriage to the seat of government here, an event where Rahul Gandhi was the only guest.

As the dawn broke in the tiny Himalayan kingdom, the newly-wed walked hand-in-hand to the TashichhoDzong, the office of the King, along with a ceremonial procession of over 100 people, including traditional artistes and red-robe monks.

The couple got married on Thursday in a traditional Buddhist ceremony at an imposing monastic fortress in Punakha, 71 km from here, with Wangchuck crowning his childhood sweetheart Pema, who was educated in India.

Upon their arrival at the Dzong, the royal couple were received by the King's father Jigme Singye Wangchuck and chief monk of the country Je Khenpo. The 'Grand National Flag' was unfurled and the Guard of Honour presented.

The King and his Queen look fresh and relaxed despite making most of their 71-km journey from Punakha to Thimphu on foot yesterday as thousands of people lined up along the roads to greet them.

As thy ascended to the dais, around 50 soldiers of the Royal Bhutan Army marched and accorded Guard of Honour and presented the national flag to the royal couple, who touched it with their both hands.

The ceremony, as part of the royal traditions, was strictly a family and government affair except for the participation of Gandhi, the Congress MP from Amethi, whose family shares a close relationship with the Bhutan royals.

The importance that the royal family attached to the Nehru-Gandhi clan was evident from the fact that Rahul was accompanied to the huge monastic fortress by none other than the present King's father.

Rahul, whose father Rajiv Gandhi was a close friend of the present Bhutan King's father, was introduced to chief monk Je Khenpo and taken near the dais, where members of the royal family had been waiting for some time.

Clad in his trademark white kurta with a black jacket, the 41-year-old Congress leader welcomed the King and the Queen with a 'namaste' and even bowed for a while along with the members of the royal family as a mark of respect to the couple.

With a grand painting depicting Lord Buddha in different manifestations forming the background, the Bhutan army soldiers stood in attention as prayers were held and a ceremonial reception accorded to the couple.

After the brief ceremony, the couple were escorted to the Royal Chambers where the King ascended the Golden Throne and wore the Raven Crown followed by a series of prayers led by monks.

Throughout the nearly 30-minute ceremony, the young Nehru-Gandhi scion stood along with the members of the royal family and was seen chatting with them for almost 20 minutes as they waited for the couple to arrive.

Members of the royal family introduced Gandhi to senior government functionaries and others.

Attack on Prashant Bhushan a conspiracy, role of police should be probed: Kejriwal

New Delhi: Clarifying that Kashmir was an integral part of India and Team Anna’s focus is only on the issue of corruption, Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that the Kashmir issue was used as a smokescreen for attacking senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan.

Bhushan was attacked inside his Supreme Court chamber a couple of days ago by three men, who claimed to be members different right wing organisations.

Talking to mediapersons here, Kejriwal said that the attack on Bhushan and the scuffle between Team Anna members and supporters of the three attackers outside the Patiala House Court on Thursday was part of a conspiracy to distract the attention of the peopke from the issue of corruption.

“Kashmir is an integral part of India. The Kashmir issue is a complicated one and should be resolved according to the Constitution,” Kejriwal said.

Denying any rift in Team Anna, Kejriwal rejected reports of Prashant Bhushan’s exit from Anna’s team and said that the lawyers remains an important part of the squad.

He also questioned the role of Delhi police during the whole Bhushan attack episode and demanded a probe into the matter.

Meanwhile, the three men who had launched an assault of Bhushan were granted bail by the court on Friday.

Shiv Sena's ultimatum to Team Anna: Sack Prashant Bhushan in 24 hours

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Friday demanded that Team Anna "sack" senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan for his "anti-India remarks" within 24 hours, a party official said.

Party spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut told media-persons that Bhushan’s "treacherous" statements on Jammu and Kashmir cannot be tolerated and Team Anna should first sack him from its organization. “After this, the union home ministry should book him for treachery and initiate appropriate proceedings against him,” Raut demanded.

His statement came after Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray lauded the persons who assaulted Bhushan in his Supreme Court chamber last Wednesday. The attack was in retaliation to Bhushan’s comments advocating ‘plebiscite’ in Kashmir, which has raked up a controversy. Thackeray also said that if Bhushan is a lawyer why is he ‘representing’ Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.

The 74-year old Anna Hazare responded by distancing himself from Bhushan’s controversial comments and reiterating that Kashmir was “an integral part” of India.

“Kashmir is an integral part of India. Bhushan has given his personal opinion and Team Anna is not in agreement with the views,” Hazare told media-persons in his native village Ralegan-Siddhi.

Later, Team Anna, while stressing that Bhushan was airing his personal views on Kashmir, denied any moves to remove him from the anti-corruption panel.

Kashmir integral part, Prashant Bhushan too: Anna Hazare

New Delhi: Terming his team member Prashant Bhushan’s views on Kashmir as “wrong”, Anna Hazare said Kashmir is an integral part of India.

Reiterating Hazare’s view that the senior advocate’s remarks on Kashmir were his own, Team Anna cleared said Bhushan is an “integral” and “inseparable” part of their group.

They also hinted at possibility of a deeper “conspiracy” behind attack on Bhushan on Wednesday which was followed by bashing of their supporters outside a Delhi court on Thursday. They said it needs to be probed in detail and these actions could be to divide their team and affect the Lokpal movement.

“Today our core committee met and we discussed several issues including our member Prashant Bhushan’s remark on Kashmir. He is an inseparable and integral part of our team. However, his views on Kashmir are his personal views,” team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal said through Anna Hazarewas not present in  the meeting physically, they were talking to him on phone constantly.

Asked about their view on whole issue including Kashmir, Kejriwal read a statement which said: “IAC stands for unity and integrity of India. We believe Kashmir is an integral part of India. Kashmir is a complex problem and should be solved through peaceful means and dialogue within the four walls of our constitution.”

A controversy over Bhushan’s continuance in the team broke out when Anna while talking to mediapersons in Ralegan Siddhi said Bhushan’s remarks were his own and the team doesn’t agree with it. “Woh aage jaake hum log tay karenge, rakhna (hai) nahi rakhna (We will decide later whether he will be in the team),” Hazare told reporters. Kejriwal said the confusion started because during this interaction some one asked him if Bhushan would be removed from the team.

Kapil Sibal pitches for US varsities to open shop in India

Washington: As the first ever high-level Indo-US education summit gets underway, India today pitched for famed American universities to "reach out" to the country, with the visiting minister Kapil Sibal saying that tie-ups would yield high economic returns.

Making a strong case for US institutions of higher education to partner with those in India, the Minister for Human Resource Development said it is time that the US institutes of higher learning realise that the "way to move forward in education is to come to India, to collaborate and set up institutions and reach out to people."

He, however, added that India too has to "reach out" and create an environment for US universities to set up base in the country.

"You have a higher education structure which is the envy of the world, it has been at the front of all knowledge creation. US has the best academics all over the world. It is time for you to reach out, collaborate with us because in that process you will participate in not just helping us solve our problems but helping us solve the problems of the world," he said at an event on India-US education opportunities organised by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

The day long education summit on October 13, to be co-chaired by Sibal and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will see participation by over 300 higher education leaders, government and private sector representatives.

Sibal pointed out that investing in the Indian education sector makes good economic sense for the US as the return on investment in India is much higher as compared to any other country.

Sibal further added that if 200 million children in India do not get an opportunity to go to college or have jobs then the "prospects of what they are likely to do are mind-boggling and frightening."

Apart from imparting education, it has to be ensured that a large part of the potential workforce of the world is empowered so that they can be "fruitfully" employed.

Sibal said as the world grapples with problems of climate change, poverty and food security, technology and research will play a key role in finding solutions to these problems.

As the centre of economic activity shifts to Asia, solutions to these problems must also happen in Asia, especially in India and China, which are home to about a third of the world population, he added.

"Your model that kids should fly across the Atlantic to go to Harvard, Stanford or Yale is not a good economic model because your investment per dollar gives you a very small return. The same investment in India in collaboration with an Indian institution will give you much higher return," Sibal said.

While only 100,000 Indian students are currently studying in the US, Sibal said India has over 200 million students who need quality education.

"So instead of having 200,000 people come to the US, you can actually with the same money empower a million kids in India. There is need to change the mindset of people in the education sector."

To address the education needs of the young in India, the country would need another 1000 universities and 55,000 colleges in the next 10 years when the number of children going to college increases from the current 16 million to 45 million.

"India cannot build 1000 universities on its own. So we will perforce have to create an environment in which private sector investment, FDI and public-private partnership will be channelled into the education sector."

The mindset of the Americans that students should come to the US to study is the "wrong way of going about it" because the global economy and solutions are not going in that direction.

Capital flow will not be directed to developed economies, which have reached saturation point, Sibal said, adding that capital will flow to countries with opportunities.

"There are opportunities galore in India in every part of its economy, be it infrastructure or education" and billions of dollars of investment is projected to be made in these sectors.

PM writes to Anna, says political consensus needed for right to reject

New Delhi: Declaring government's commitment to a strong Lokpal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said Anna Hazare's demand for 'Right to Reject' provision in electoral law needs political consensus.

Even as Hazare came out against the Congress in the Hisar Lok Sabha bypoll, the Gandhian and the Prime Minister exchanged letters on Lokpal and measures to fight corruption and other issues like electoral and judicial reforms in the last 20 days.

"As you are aware, we are committed to enacting a strong Lokpal law and we hope that we will succeed in this in the near future. However, our government is working on a broad agenda to fight corruption and bring in administrative reforms," Singh said in a letter to Hazare written yesterday.

He was replying to Hazare's letter of September 21 in which he had flagged several issues including Lokpal, electoral reforms and strengthening of grass roots institutions.

"In this several legal, administrative and technical aspects will be included. Establishment of the Lokpal is part of this broad agenda," Singh said.

Referring to Hazare's demand for including the provision of right to reject candidates through the option of 'none of the above' in the voting system, saying in a democratic society a political consensus was necessary on such issues.

"Our government is actively considering various proposals related to electoral reforms. Among the proposals being considered is the 'right to reject' which you have mentioned.

"In a democratic society, a political consensus is necessary on some issues. We want to discuss several proposals on electoral reforms with all political parties and act on proposals on which there is broad agreement," Singh said.

Hazare had demanded in another letter dated September 23, that the Prime Minister should write to Chief Ministers of all Congress-ruled states to pass a Bill for establishment of a Lokayukta.

Hazare maintains that the government had promised him during his fast at Ramlila grounds that Lokayuktas would be set-up in states.

"You had assured that order will be issued to Congress-ruled states for setting up Lokayuktas. According to the assurance, written orders should be sent to Chief Ministers of all Congress-ruled states," Hazare had said.

In his reply dated October 7, Singh drew Hazare's attention to the in-principal agreement in Parliament on August 27 on establishment of Lokayukta in states.

"This consensus in Parliament has also been sent to the Standing Committee so that it can consider them during their deliberations. I hope you will agree with me that before going ahead we should first let Parliament complete the process of enacting a Lokpal law," Singh said.

Jan Chetna Yatra: Why starting from Bihar? Congress asks Advani

Ranchi: Congress has sought to ask L K Advani and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to clarify why Bihar was chosen for the BJP leader?s Jan Chetna Yatra instead of Gujarat or other BJP-ruled states.

"L K Advani should clarify his choice of state for his yatra. If, according to him, Bihar government is free of corruption, does it mean other BJP-ruled states like Gujarat have corrupt governments?" asked AICC spokesman Shakeel Ahmed.

"And Nitish Kumar should explain to the people for allowing L K Advani to start his yatra from Bihar. He (Kumar) has always distanced from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi following the infamous Godhra incidents. Has the Bihar chief minister forgotten that Advani is one of the charge-sheeted persons in the Babri Masjid demolition?" he said.

Ahmed, who was here to attend the 'shardh' of Rajya Sabha member Ramdayal Munda, was reacting to media query on Advani embarking on his sixth career yatra, flagged off by Nitish Kumar, from Sitabdiara, the birth place of Jayaprakash Narayan.

Advani embarked on a 'Yatra' to focus on the black money issue, Congress has sought to point out how BJP had done precious little in the matter when it was in power and to project by contrast how the UPA has been "pro-active".

Party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters that in its endevaour to tackle the menace of black money, the UPA government had in the last two years amended the Double Taxation Avoidance agreements with 81 countries and effected Tax Information Exchange agreements with four countries known to be tax havens.

Besides, he said the Directorate of Transfer Pricing detected mispricing of Rs 34,145 crores during the period and Directorate of International Taxation collected taxes to the tune of Rs 33,784 crores for cross-border transactions.

Tewari said 9920 pieces of information regarding details of assets and payments received by Indian citizens in foreign countries were being investigated.

The CBDT detected concealed income of Rs 18,750 crore, he said adding that under relevant agreement, France provided information of 69 Indians having bank accountings there from which an unaccounted income of Rs 397 crore was unearthed.

The concerte actions of the UPA showed that the issue of black money cannot be tackled by "mere tokenism and symbolism as was being done by BJP, as against the hard and resolute" action of the UPA.

"There is a world of difference between words and deeds," he added.

Court defers Sanjiv Bhatt bail plea till October 7

A court in Ahmedabad on Wednesday deferred the hearing on Sanjiv Bhatt's bail plea till October 7.

Till then, Bhatt would remain in judicial custody.

Earlier, in a setback to the Gujarat government, a local court had rejected its application against arrested IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt and said it would hear his bail plea.

Gujarat government had opposed the hearing on the grounds that Bhatt's revision remand application was pending.

Session Judge V K Vyas said he was of the opinion that Bhatt's bail application should be heard, even if the remand application was pending in another court.

In an unusual move, Principal District Judge of Ahmedabad district court G N Patel on Tuesday had informally suggested “a compromise formula” to suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt while hearing a government revision application seeking his remand.

He proposed that Bhatt go on police remand for about three-four hours, “answer all their questions” and then get released on bail in the evening.

Bhatt rejected the proposal outright, telling the court: “If you pass a judicial order on my remand, I’m ready to go to police custody for 14 days. But I will not go with the police even for four minutes by striking a compromise. I will not strike a compromise with liars and criminals.”

His fight was on principles, he added.

Bhatt, who had accused Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of complicity in 2002 post-Godhra riots, was arrested on September 30 following a complaint by a police constable, K D Pant, who had worked under him during the 2002 riots.

He has been accused of threatening a public servant, fabricating false evidence and wrongful confinement.

Pant has alleged that Bhatt had threatened and made him sign a "false" affidavit about a high-level meeting called by Modi on February 27, 2002 after the Godhra train attack in which 59 persons were killed.

According to Bhatt, Modi is alleged to have said at the meeting that the Hindus should be allowed to vent their anger and that Muslims should be taught a lesson.

India to launch world’s cheapest tablet PC today

New Delhi: India is set to unveil world's cheapest table computer today.

Created for use by students, the anticipated $35 (Rs 1,750) tablet will first be made available to college goers.

At a function in Delhi in September, HRD Minister Sibal had said: “The tablet would be launched by October in a bid to let children go beyond the boundary of classroom and teachers to acquire knowledge through IT. Soon, a 35 dollar computer will be made available to every child in school. The tablet shall help enhance the quality of learning of children…This is not just a dream, it is a reality.”

Developed as part of the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the tablet computer is designed in India as a low cost but full functioning device.

It aims to link 25,000 colleges and 400 universities through e-learning programme.

The tablet with sport a 7” colour LCD/TFT display and run on Google's Android platform.

It with have WiFi connectivity for internet access and cloud storage, 256 MB of RAM, a 2GB SD memory card and a 32 GB expandable memory slot.

Other features include PDF reader, video conferencing facilities, multi content viewer and two USB ports.

The cheapest tablets available globally are at about $99 for an HP TouchPad and $199 for Amazon's Kindle Fire.

'Ugly power tussle' in BJP irks RSS: No PM candidate right now?

Mumbai: The RSS has conveyed its displeasure over race within the BJP for the prime ministerial post. What has irked the RSS top brass is the ugly power tussle within the party for top slot which would demoralise the cadre and come as a major hurdle in strengthening the organisation.

Highly placed sources in the party revealed to DNA, "The RSS has urged the party president Nitin Gadkari not to project any candidate for the prime ministerial post at this moment. And instead there should be attempts to consolidate the organisation through reverting to the basic ideology on which the party was founded."

Sources were quick to point out that RSS and BJP are making fresh attempt to revert to its stated motto: 'Nation comes first; Party next; Self last'.

All the BJP offices dotted across the states have been in no uncertain terms told to clean the dust and project the motto in bold. A senior BJP-RSS leader said, "One can understand BJP is a political organisation and individuals are bound to nurture ambitions. But what has amazed us is the quarrel over top slot even before ascertaining the electoral strength.

"Even if the atmosphere is conducive for the BJP-led coalition to prop to centre stage the in-house factionalism will mar the prospects. We have to guard against such dangers."

The political managers in the BJP told DNA, "At a function held recently the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has set the stage by clearly stating BJP has not taken any decision to project any candidate for prime minister."

According to insiders, "Gadkari has decided to convey to the cadre to work for consolidation of the BJP using the anti-Congress wave in the country."

Shortly after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's fast which lent the credence to the theory of his positioning for top slot and RSS' rejection of Advani's candidature for PM post triggered a debate within the organisation in hushed voices.

Sanjiv Bhatt’s wife writes to Chidambaram for husband’s safety

New Delhi: As support for the suspended Gujarat IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt grew with people protesting his arrest, his wife Shweta Bhatt sought intervention of Home Minister P Chidambaram in ensuring safety of her husband.

Worried over Sanjiv’s safety, Shweta has written a letter to the Home Minister. In the letter, Shweta has expressed fear that more such false cases might be slapped against Sanjeev Bhatt.

In the letter, Shweta pointed that her husband was shifted to the City Crime Branch which has bad reputation of fake encounters.

She wrote that the branch was directly under the control of the present Chief Minister.

Speaking to media, Shweta Bhatt said that her husband was being targetted for speaking the truth.

She said that she fears for Sanjiv's life as the state police has been acting in a vindictive way. Shweta said that the police officers took her husband on the context of questioning her and arrested him.

Earlier on Saturday, Bhatt's wife had alleged that he was under threat and was not being allowed to meet his lawyer.

Meanwhile, a local court here has issued notice to the Gujarat government on the bail plea of Bhatt, who was arrested on Friday on the basis of an FIR lodged against him on charges of threatening and fabricating evidence.

Gujarat Court reserves order on remand revision of Sanjiv Bhatt

Ahmedabad: A local court on Tuesday reserved the order on Gujarat government's remand revision application of arrested IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, for October 7.

The state government had on Monday challenged in the sessions court here, a magisterial court order denying remand of Bhatt, arrested for allegedly threatening and forcing a constable to sign a false affidavit.

Sessions Judge GN Patel hearing the case reserved the order after hearing both the parties.

During the hearing Bhatt's lawyer IH Sayed contended that the revision remand application of the state government was not maintainable in law. He cited Supreme Court judgement which said that granting or rejecting of bail was an interlocutory order and there cannot be revision of that order as per section 397(2) of the CrPC.

Sayed said in view of the apex court judgement, the government application is not maintainable and should be rejected.

On the government side, public prosecutor Pravin Trivedi argued that the state government has right to seek revision of the remand once it is rejected.

After the order was reserved, Bhatt who was present in the court told the judge that he would like to assist it and remain present during pronouncement of the order. But he was told that his presence was not required. The judge also asked the jail authorities not to bring Bhatt on October 7.

Anna urges people to vote against Congress if Lokpal bill not passed

Ralegan Siddhi: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday addressed media at Ralegan Siddhi and put Congress on notice on the Lokpal issue, saying they will campaign against it in election-bound states if the Centre fails to get his version of the anti-corruption bill passed in Parliament's Winter Session. Team Anna has announced that they will tour the country to educate people on Jan Lokpal Bill.

To begin with, Hazare said, he will appeal to voters in Hisar Lok Sabha constituency in Haryana where bypolls are scheduled on October 13 not to vote for the Congress candidate as the party was "deliberately" not bringing the Jan Lokpal bill. 

"If the Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed in the Winter Session, then I will name the Congress and ask people not to vote for it in the Assembly polls scheduled in five states next year," he said addressing a press conference in his native village, 50 km from Pune.

He announced that he would begin his tour of five election-bound states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur between October 13 and 15. 

Anna Hazare, while talking to reporters, has asked the people of India to support and campaign for those politicians who are not facing corruption charges.

Anna said: "I will appeal to people not to vote for Congress in five election-bound states if it does not bring Jan Lokpal Bill in Winter Session."

Anna Hazare has also announced to begin fast in Lucknow just before assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh if Jan Lokapal Bill is not brought during Parliament's Winter Session.

"I will tell people of Haryana not to vote for Congress," Anna Hazare, further, added.

"If Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed by Winter Session, will begin 3-day fast in Lucknow," said Anna Hazare.

"I will appeal to voters in poll-bound Hisar in Haryana not to vote for Congress as it deliberately did not pass Jan Lokpal Bill," he said while talking to reporters.

Anna Hazare even talked about Sanjiv Bhatt's arresting in Gujarat and said: "Gujarat government has done wrong by sending Bhatt to jail. He has all rights to speak and file affidavit."

On the question of getting support from the BJP leaders Hazare said that those people who were saying I was supporting the BJP were not mentally fit.

"If they pass the bill in this winter session then I will tell people vote for the right candidate," said Anna.

There are three elections scheduled in the next three years. The first is the municipal corporation election, after which there is the state assembly poll, and finally the Lok Sabha election.

According to India Against Corruption, Anna Hazare will start visiting states where elections are to take place. He may visit Hissar in Haryana or will issue a recorded message specially for the people of Hissar.

Anna on Tuesday said that Congress was the only major party which didn't issue a letter in support of Janlokpal.

Thus Anna has decided to ask people not to vote for congress in Hissar.

"Then he will also visit a few places in UP and the other states where elections are to be held," said IAC.

Asked whether he would support a clean candidate from Congress even if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed in the Winter Session, Hazare said he will appeal to people to vote for candidates other than from Congress.

"What is the purpose of a clean candidate if the party is not right? Is Manmohan Singh not clean? The problem is that he is remote-controlled," he said.

2G: Chidambaram faces PAC heat after bitter FM note

New Delhi: Continuing the attack on P Chidambaram, senior BJP leader BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who is also chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, indicated on Monday that the Union home minister may be called before the PAC.

“As and when the PAC takes up the 2G Spectrum issue in the wake of new documents released by the finance ministry to the PMO, it is free to examine any one, including Chidambaram,” Joshi said.

Seeking Chidambaram’s removal from the Union cabinet, Joshi said the government is trying to reduce the importance of the finance ministry’s note to the prime minister’s office and mislead the Supreme Court, Parliament and the public.

The party demanded that finance minister Pranab Mukheree spell out the inferences in his note to the PMO where he disagrees. Taking a dig at law minister Salman Khursheed for his defence of Mukherkee and Chidambaram, Joshi said: “Salman may be a good lawyer, but he cannot defend a defenceless case.”

The BJP also tried to point out the differences among the UPA ministers by listing out the latest dispute between deputy chairperson of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and rural development minister Jairam Ramesh.

Comparing the UPA ministers with a Scandinavian rodent, Lemming, known for its mass suicide tendencies, senior BJP leader LK Advani said: “One can say the same thing about the UPA government today.”

CBI files case against firm owned by Janardhana Reddy's wife

Bellary: The CBI on Monday registered cases against two mining firms including Associated Mining Company owned by arrested former minister G Janardhana Reddy's wife Aruna Lakshmi, and conducted searches in Bellary, Bangalore and Davanagere in connection with illegal mining.

Raids were also conducted on the premises of Kudligi MLA B Nagendra while a case was booked against Deccan Mining Company, which has business links with AMC, highly placed CBI sources said in Bangalore.

The cases were filed consequent to orders of the Supreme Court, which directed CBI to investigate illegal mining in Karnataka on basis of a Central Empowered Committee report.

CBI is already investigating illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh. Janardhana and his brother-in-law, the Managing Director of Obulapuram Mining Corporation (OMC), were arrested on August 5 from Bellary and have been lodged in Chanchalaguda prison in Hyderbad since then.

CBI teams led by Superintendent Subramanay Rao conducted searches at offices of AMC and Jindal Steel Works in Bellary.

They also raided the premises of Kudligi MLA B Nagendra, a close associate of Janardhana Reddy, offices of Deccan Mining Syndicate Company in Bangalore and the residence of Davanagere Zilla Panchayat CEO Muthaiah, who was earlier Deputy Conservator of Forest in Bellary.

The authorities brought under the scanner bank accounts of Muthaiah, who has been facing allegations of aiding illegal mining by Reddy brothers.

Muthaiah is one of key officials indicted by the Lok Ayukta report on illegal mining.

Sources said several documents were seized during the searches.

Vigilance raids at ex-DMK minister's residences

Chennai: Officials of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption on Tuesday searched the residences of former DMK minister MRK Panneerselvam and his relatives in Cuddalore, Chidambaram and Chennai.

The searches at the residences of Pannerselvam and his relatives come a few days after DVAC officials conducted searches at former labour minister TM Anbarasan's house in Kundrathur here, police said.

Panneerselvam handled the backward communities and health portfolios during the previous DMK regime and is the party's strongman in Cuddalore district.

He unsuccessfully contested the April 13 state Assembly polls against Sorathur Rajendran of AIADMK in Kurinchipadi constituency in Cuddalore district.

DVAC had on September 31 arrested former higher education minister K Ponmudi in Chennai in connection with a land grabbing case.

Former ministers Veerapandi S Arumugam, KN Nehru and NK KP Raja were also arrested on charges of land grabbing in the crackdown launched by the Jayalalithaa government on land grabbing.