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Two new parties to be launched, while six are merging

  While six Janata parties in the northern India are still struggling to emerge as a single party under one flag and one agenda, former RJD leader and MP Rajesh Rajan alias Pappu Yadav has declared that he is going to launch a new political party titled as ‘Jankranthi Adhikar Morcha’ (JKAM) very soon. He expressed full confidence that his party will emerge as third alternative political party in the state. Details about party logo, flag and agenda will be announced soon. Once the party is launched, then it will take a decision whether to contest the upcoming assembly elections alone or to have an alliance with any party.   Former Bihar CM Jitanram Manjhi, who was shunted out from JD (U) and lost his CM Post to Nitish Kumar, is also gearing to launch a new political party very soon.   Since, Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled between November and December this year, all political leaders in the state are desperately trying to grab that opportunity. The merger of six Janata parties two months ago was also aimed to win the upcoming elections. But, they are unable to formulate their party even after two months, as there is disagreement over who will be the Chief Minister candidate of their party in the assembly elections.   Although, the Congress party doesn’t have any much expectations on these elections it is carefully watching the political situation before making its move. It is trying to strike a deal with the merged Janata parties or even prepared to join hands with either RJ (D) or with JD (U) parties. BJP is also very hopeful to win the assembly elections because of this prevailing political uncertainty in the state.

Special Status to AP likely before June: Sujana Chowdary

  Political parties in the Andhra Pradesh state may be assumed the special status issue as a powerful weapon to corner the ruling TDP and BJP governments rather than treating it as a mechanism that helps the state for a speedy industrial development. Hence, they are taking full advantage of this issue to strengthen and keep their parties intact, to win the hearts of the people and at the same time defame the TDP and BJP governments, by organizing dharnas and signature camps for it.   Obviously, it pushes the NDA government into defense position as it is unable to resolve the complications involved in this process. However, at the same time it is not admitting its inability to grant special status to the AP state, fearing it will further worsens its party situation in the state. According to Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, the 14th Financial Commission is not agreeing to grant special status to the AP state, but he said government is trying to convince it.   Union Minister Sujana Chowdary has revealed some interesting information about this issue. He said, “Most probably, we may get full clarity on special status before end of June. Our government is striving hard to fulfill its promise made to the AP state in this regard.”   Hence, it is to be assumed that the Modi government might have convinced the 14th Finance Commission on this issue. However, it is mandatory to have the consent of Chief Ministers of all states in the country to grant special status to any state including the AP state. Tamilnadu, Odisha Chief Ministers wrote letters to the Centre asking it not to grant special status to the state as it may adversely affect the industrial growth in their states. So, even if the 14th Finance Commission agrees, the Modi government has to convince Chief Ministers of all states for this.   Hence, it is to be understood that the Modi government has set itself a deadline to resolve this issue till June end. In case if it fails to resolve this problem, then it may be preparing to boldly admit the same so as to prevent further damage to the BJP in the state and to clear the confusion about this issue. So, people of the AP state, who patiently waited for one full year have to wait one more month for it.

Mining License of Dharmana’s Company cancelled

    Labour Minister Achchem Naidu said the state government has cancelled mining license of Virgin Rocks Pvt. Ltd Company that belongs to former minister Dharmana Prasada Rao’s son Dharmana Rammanohar Naidu. He said Chandrababu Naidu has promised to return Kannedhara hill area back to tribal families living there and it was done today.”   Virgin Rocks Company was given license for mining in 10 hectares of land in survey No.289 in Kannedhara hill area by the previous Congress government, despite objections from the opposition parties and the 97 tribal families living there.   Soon after, TDP comes into power in the AP State it constituted a sub-committee with ministers to study irregularities taken during last ten years of Congress ruling. It found that Kannedhara hill area is an assigned land and there are total 93 tribal families are living in the 3 villages doing some agriculture work in their 12.85 hectares of assigned lands. Virgin Rocks Company was given license for granite mining operations in their assigned lands with which they were displaced and lost their livelihood.   Hence, the AP government recently cancelled the No Objection Certificate given to the Company and now also cancels its license for mining in that particular area, following the sub-committee report. But, is this action enough to justify the poor tribal families, who badly suffered with the mining operations by Virgin Rocks?

A troubled and trouble maker CM Kejriwal

  Arvind Kejriwal proved to be very conflict Chief Minister of Delhi. Even in his second innings as Chief Minister, he is facing many problems and also stirring one problem or the other from the day one he takes charge of the government.   There was severe crisis situation in his Aam Admi Party as two of his senior leaders Prashnath Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav have raised banner against him opposing his dictator ship in the party. Immediately, they were shunted out from the party’s National Executive Body. Arvind Kejriwal has used his resignation letter to his party convener post as a weapon to push them out from the executive body. But still, the problem the problem persists and awaiting a solution.   Recently, Kejriwal had a setback in the Supreme Court over his decision to monitor the media reports. Now he becomes busy crossing swords with none other than Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung.   Lt. Governor has appointed Shakuntala Gamlin, a 1984-batch IAS officer serving as Chief Secretary, Power of Kejriwal’s government as the additional charge of Chief Secretary of Delhi as the present Chief Secretary KK Sharma went to US on some personal work. Hence, Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung gave the additional charge to the senior bureaucrat Shakuntala.   Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who came to know about it fumes upon the Lt. Governor for appointing Shakuntala as Chief Secretary without his knowledge or consent. Hence, he asked Shakuntala not to take charge of as Delhi Chef Secretary. Hence, she writes the Lt. Governor that she can’t take the additional charge as Chief Secretary of Delhi as she is facing allegations in BSES discoms issue.   Arvind Kejriwal argues that Lt. Governor has violated the constitution and GNCT of Delhi Act and the Transaction of Business Rules. But, the Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung also gave him a fitting reply stating that he is the representative of State Authority in Delhi under Article 239 AA of the Constitution of India and has the rights to appoint Chef Secretary. Perhaps, their cat fights may continue till the Chief Secretary KK Sharma returns from his US trip.

KCR Takes Charge over TDWC Board

  Gearing upon the government pet project, TS Government on Thursday released a GO inducting Chief Minister KCR as Chairman, his son KTR as vice-chairman for Telangana’s prestigious water grid project (TDWC).   Government also constituted committee comprising ten more directors from various departments of Telangana along with KCR and KTR. Prestigious water grid project intends to provide safe drinking water to all the households across the state, laying an underground pipeline of nearly 1000kms with 24 huge grids connecting all the villages in the state with a mammoth budget 27,000 crores.   Recently, Telangana water grid project also won HUDCO award for taking up such a great program which could serve crores of people. - Srikar. palwai

Is that why he don't want to contest in the elections?

  Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu declared that he or any of his family members will not contest in any upcoming elections. The timing of his statement appears to be strengthening the media reports about his chances to be made as vice-president of India. However, he or no one has acknowledged the media reports. But, his vast experience as a parliamentarian and minister makes him quite eligible to occupy that highest position, which would be a life time achievement for him.   However, both Telugu states badly need his services as Urban Minister, especially the AP state that is to be reconstructed from scratch. If he can extend his full co-operation and financial support to the AP and Telangana states in his capacity as Urban Minister, it would give him more satisfaction, name and fame than that he gets from occupying vice-president post. If he becomes vice-president of the country, then the AP state can’t any favors from his successor like before.

Governor to Inaugurate “Swacch Telanagna- Swacch Hyderabad”

  Governor ESL Narasimahan is going to launch a prestigious 1000 crore campaign “Swacch Telanagna- Swacch Hyderabad” today from HICC in Hyderabad at 3pm.   In a mission to make Hyderabad a clean city, Hyderabad would be divided in to 425 divisions each covers over a stretch of 1.5km, guided by about 6000 mentors includes governor, ministers, elected representatives, IAS and IPS officers.   After the formal inauguration, a power point presentation will be given to all the participants over the campaign. Thereafter all mentors will be visiting respective segments and interact with the residents.   It is also reported that the program will be in effect from tomorrow 7pm as all the teams steps down into work and will be carried till 20th of May. - Srikar. Palwai

Dist. In-Charge Ministers appointed in AP

  Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has finalized the names of district in-charge ministers today. They will be accountable for all round development of their districts. However, they were given charge of other than their home districts. Srikakulam: Paritala Sunitha, Vizianagaram: Palle Raghunatha Reddy, Visakhapatnam: Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, East Godavari: Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, West Godavari: Ayyanna Patrudu, Krishna: Prattipati Pulla Rao, Guntur: N. China Rajappa, Prakasham: R Kishore Babu, Nellore: Sidda Raghava Rao, Chittoor: P Narayana, Ananthapur: Kamineni Srinivasa Rao, Cuddapah: Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Kurnool: Achchem Naidu.

LS Prez Urged KCR To Shift Kalabharathi Elsewhere

  Loksatta party founder Jaya Prakash Narayana on thursday has taken a row over the government proposal to build “Kalabharathi Auditorium” at NTR grounds in Hyderabad.   He also added, “Save NTR Stadium and save Indira park has been gaining huge response from all corners of the state and all the opposition parties are against building Kalabharathi at NTR grounds”.   He also decried the way both government had dealt with RTC strike and urged not to take unilateral decisions. If the governments were ready to accept demands of RTC employees, why lakhs of common people were forced to face problems for a week? _Srikar. palwai

AIADMK Legislatures To Meet On may 22

  After a major fightback in the disproportionate assets case, The most awaited AIADMK legislature party meeting will be held at party headquarters in Chennai at 7am on may 22.   All 151 MLAs have been asked to attend the meeting, according to the party’s press release.   Beleaguered Jayalalitha, who remained indoors even after acquitted by the Karnataka High court in the disproportionate assets case, is likely to regain the chief minister position after the party elects her as the leader of the legislature party the same day.   The High court on May 11 acquitted her for lack of evidence to establish that she had possessed disproportionate assets value of Rs. 53.6 crore as held by a special court, which in its September 27, 2014 verdict had convicted and sentenced her to four years of imprisonment. - Srikar. Palwai  

Rahul Consoles Distressed Rajesham's Family

  Rahul Ghandhi has reached to koritikal of Adilabad in early hours of Friday to console the bereaved families in Telangana. Rahul started kishan sandesh yatra from koritikal where he consoled Rajesham’s family who killed himself due to acute crisis for money. He also offered one lakh rupees as the financial assistance to his family on behalf of congress party. On his mission to console and offer some solace, he will meet five bereaved families covering five villages over a stretch of 15km. Rahul’s walkathon will cover Koritikal, Lakshmanchand, Pottupalli, Rachapur and Vadayala villages, then attends a Raithu Sadhassu in Vadayala for 3 hours and bring curtain down for the day. He is also accompanied by several congress leaders such as Jana Reddy, Shabbir Ali, Digvijay Singh and others.

India-Pakistan T-20 Matches in December?

  The prevailing uneasy situation between India and Pakistan has seized the scope for cricket matches between two countries for a long time. But, according to latest information, T-20 matches between two countries teams’ likely to be conducted in December this year. BCCI wrote a letter to Government of India seeking permission to conduct T-20 matches between the two countries and it formally agreed for its proposal. If, everything go smooth as expected, the first match is likely to be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in coming December.   Pakistan government also has to accept to BCCI’s proposal forwarded to it through its Cricket Board. BCCI is persuading the government to allow it to conduct T-20 matches in India, but many political and diplomatic factors need to be taken into consideration by both governments before taking any decision in this regard. Hence, both governments and BCCI has to put lot of efforts to make it happen. However, Cricket lovers in both countries argue that it will help to ease the tensions between two countries and may bring the situation to normalcy again.

Rahul to begin Padayatra in Adilabad shortly

    Congress party vice-president Rahul Gandhi will begin his padayatra from Koratikal village in Ananthapur district around 8 AM today. He will cover 15 km distance in his padayatra passing through Lakshmanchanda, Pottupalli, Rachapalli, Wadiyaal and Padyal villages in the district. During his padayatra he will meet bereaved family members of farmers’ committed suicides due to financial problems. It is learnt that he will give Rs.1 lakh amount or cheques to each family as financial assistance on behalf of Telangana Congress leaders. Rahul Gandhi is expected to reach Padyal village between 3 to 4 pm in the evening, where he will conclude his padayatra with a speech addressing the farmers and party cadres. Later, he will return to New Delhi. He directly reached Nirmal town in the district on yesterday evening from Nanded in Maharashtra. Elaborate security arrangements were made for his one day visit in the district. Although, it is a padayatra intended to highlight the farmers’ problems and fight against land acquisition bill, Telangana Congress party leaders have richly decorated Nirmal town and on the 15 km stretch that he is passing through with party flags, banners and even installed huge cut outs.  

Gandhis come and go: KCR

  Congress party vice-president Rahul Gandhi will be arriving to Hyderabad on Thursday evening to conduct a padayatra in Adilabad district on Friday. He will cover 15 km distance in his padayatra and meet the bereaved family members of the farmers, who committed suicides due to financial problems. When media asked Telangana CM KCR to respond his padayatra, he reacts quite unusually stating that “Gandhis come and go. It makes no difference to anyone.”   Generally, he and his TRS leaders very sharply react whenever TDP President Chandrababu Naidu visits the Telangana state. But they are simply ignoring Rahul Gandhi’s padayatra in the state that is intended to highlight the farmers’ suicides issue. Perhaps, KCR and his party leaders might be thinking that Rahul Gandhi’s padayatra will leave no impact on the people or helpful to his Congress party anyway.

SC allows AP to operate APSCHE

  Responding to the petition filed by the Andhra Pradesh government that challenges the High Court verdict on seizing of its rights on the AP State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), the Supreme Court has allowed the AP government to operate the APSCHE and conduct entrance exams in the state as usually. PP Rao, representing the AP government in the apex court, argued that the High Court’s verdict may leave its impact on the other organizations as well in the combined capital. Hence he appeals the court to suspend the High Court’s verdict, but the court refused to do so. Later, it served notices to the Centre and to the Telangana government asking them to file counter in this case and adjourned the case to four weeks. Kapil Sibal and Abhisehk Singhvi have represented the Telangana government in the Supreme Court.

Ramalinga Raju released from jail

  Ramalinga Raju and seven others were released from Charlapalli jail on Wednesday evening after submitting security bonds as sureties as ordered by the Nampalli court. The court has granted them bail on Monday, but they have to stay in the jail till today as there was delay taken place in receiving the bail orders from the court. The court has adjourned their case till next month.

RTC Strike called off in both states

  The nine days’ long RTC strike in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states was called off by its union leaders today as both governments have agreed to their demand for 43 percent fitment. The AP government has agreed to pay 43 per cent fitment to its employees despite its poor financial condition. Telangana CM KCR has granted an additional 1 per cent that is 44 per cent to his employees thus making them quite happy. The visibly delighted union leaders thanked him and called off their strike. They have asked the employees to join duties from today itself.   Both governments have agreed to implement this increment from June. Telangana CM KCR said that RTC fares will be gradually increased to avoid huge burden on the people and on the RTC as well. Andhra Pradesh Labour Minister Achchem Naidu has announced that there are plans to increase RTC fares right now. Around 62, 000 workers of the AP state will be benefited with this increment.   Although it seems all is well in the end, common man has to carry this entire burden developed due to delay in taking this decision by the governments.

IIM Visakhapatnam is facing teething problems

  The IIM Visakhapatnam is one among the 6 IIMs granted by the Centre to different states during last few months and it is first to start functioning from its temporary campus allotted in the Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. IIMV is the 14th in the IIM family. IIM Bangalore is assigned as its mentor until it is completely established in its permanent campus in the Gambheeram village located in the outskirts of Visakhapatnam city.   Actually, classes for PGP (MBA) are supposed to commence from August 2015 at its temporary campus in AU with 60 students’ capacity. But, due to lack of hostel accommodation for students, faculty, computer labs, and class rooms, the intake of students was reduced from 60 to 40 in the first batch. The students have to make their own arrangements for accommodation as the AU has expressed its inability to provide accommodation to the IIMV students.   Many such teething problems are there awaiting the first batch of students. It may take a couple of years to construct the permanent campus in the 300 acres of vast land in Gambheeram village. Until then, the IIMV management has to find alternative solutions to all its teething problems. But, indeed it is really a great news to hear that classes in IIMV will commence from this acadamic year itself as promised by the Chief MInister Chandrababu Naidu and Union HRD Minister Smrithi Irani.

Use ESMA Act on RTC employees: HC

  The High Court bench comprising Justice KC Bhanu and Justice MS SK Jaiswal seriously reacts on the RTC employees’ for continuing strike despite its objections. The court has issued show-cause-notices to the RTC unions for contempt of court. It turned down their plea for one more day time to take a decision on discontinuing the strike as both state government have invited them for talks today. The court recommends the AP and Telangana governments to apply Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) against the striking RTC employees and take appropriate disciplinary action immediately.   It also asks the RTC management to make alternative arrangements for running the RTC busses using contract employees’ services. The court asked the governments to file criminal cases against the RTC employees if they try to obstruct the bus services. It asks both governments to submit detailed reports about the loss occurred due to the RTC employees strike and about the efforts to resolve this problem.   However, RTC employees are stating that they are not afraid of court orders or arrests. They will continue their strike until both governments agree to their their demands.