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That is how KCR convinced L&T to continue the Metro?

  Few days back, during his visit to Vijayawada city, Metro Guru Sreedharan politely rejected the AP government’s proposal to connect Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri cities with Metro Rail stating it is not viable. Then, he also stated that many countries in the world are running the metro trains considering them as a social responsibility and not because there are huge profits in that business. One may recall that L&T Company that takes-up the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project also has expressed same opinion in its letter written to Telangana government two months ago. It even also prepared to quit the second phase of this project for the same reasons.   However, it is interesting to see it quite convinced to continue the project after sitting in a meeting with Telangana CM KCR. It not only agreed for the proposed changes in line alignments but also reported to be prepared to extend this project to 200 km further in the city. It may justify its decision as CM KCR has assured to bear the additional burden that will arise out of realignment. But, in context of Sreedharan’s observations about Metro viability, is it wise to extend this project to 200 km further anyway?   Earlier, in its letter written to Telangana government, it also asks it to provide some additional source of income to compensate the Metro losses. Media reports that the company representatives have reminded this point to CM KCR in their latest meeting. They reported to be appealed him to let their Company take part in building the express high ways, sky ways and the high rise towers like Petronas that CM KCR is proposing in Hyderabad city.   So, obviously a doubt arises in anyone’s mind that whether KCR has unleashed these big dreams to compensate the company losses or just to ensure that L&T Company complete the Metro Rail Project without raising an eye brow in future?

Tendulkar suggestions to Kandriga villagers

  Former cricket star and Rajyasabha MP Sachin Tendulkar, who adopts Puttam Khandriga village in Nellore district, visited it on Sunday. After taking part in several programs conducted in the village, addressing the villagers he said, “I have adopted this village responding to the call given by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I Promise you all that I will develop this village as one of the best villages in our country. I began the first innings here by adopting this village. So, it is villagers turn next to play the second innings. You have to take part in the cleaning and development activities of your village. I believe women are behind everyone’s success. They make lots of sacrifices for their families. So, I am dedicating my Bharata Ratna Award to all mothers in this village. I appeal them to teach the children how to maintain hygiene. Everyone in the village should put sincere efforts to keep the village clean. It ensures you good health.”

AP Assembly sessions may be conducted in Nagarjuna University

  The next AP Assembly sessions are likely to be conducted at Nagarjuna University in Guntur. Speaker Kodela Shivaprasada rao accompanied by Assembly staff and some others will visit the University on Monday. Government is planning to conduct the Assembly sessions in the last week of this month or in the December first week. These sessions may continue for six to ten days only.   Last time, the main opposition party in the house YSR Congress party, has tried to corner the ruling party on its budget and the law and order situation in the state. This time it take-up land acquisition and the crop loans waiver issues to cross swords with the state government in these sessions.

Did Jagan destroy his party in Vizag?

  Earlier, when Jagan Mohan Reddy was in jail, his sister Sharmila and mother Vijayamma have strained a lot in keeping the party intact and they were quite successful in their efforts. But, the party seems is falling apart in Vizag after its defeat in the elections.   Actually, it begins with closing doors on the most trusted Congress MP Sabbam Hari, who was prepared to join YSR Congress party. Would he allow Sabbam to join the party then, probably the party situation may be somewhat different from present.   Next, he rolled red carpet to Dadi Veerabhadra rao, ignoring the objections of his most trusted leader Konathala Ramakrishna. It creates a wide gap between the party leaders in the district, including Konathala.   Then, ignoring Konathala’s good advice, Jagan fields his mother Vijayamma from Vizag, but later realized Konathala was correctly assessed. Party honorary president’s defeat from Vizag has left another deadly blow on the party. It shatters the confidence of district leaders. Instead of waking-up, Jagan get rid of his trusted leader Konathala, suspecting his hand behind Vijayamma’s defeat.   Before his termination from the party, Dadi Veerabhadra rao also left the party. The latest news is Chokkaku and Vamshi Krishna Yadav from Vizag city both are prepared to quit the party anytime. They both met Minister Ganta Srinivasa rao on Friday, probably to join TDP. So, party president Jagan Mohan Reddy is to be blamed for the present situation in the district.

KCR unleashes big dreams for the people

  No one understands whether Telangana CM KCR is day dreaming or trying to distract the people showing his colorful day dreams. Just two days back, he unleashed a big dream of building 100 storied sky scrapers around Hussein Sagar Lake to enhance the brand image of Hyderabad city. He even asked the concerned officials to start working on this project and prepare the required proposals.   People are clueless from where he will tap that lakhs of crores of rupees or if there is anyone ready to build sky scrapers like Petronas Towers for him.   Today, he woke-up with another great dream. It is constructing Express Highways and Elevated Sky ways around Hyderabad city. He also gave a route map for them. He proposed elevated Express Highways at Pared Grounds, Thumkunta, LB Nagar, Hayat Nagar, Uppal and Ghatkesar areas. Similarly, Express Highways will be constructed connecting LB Nagar and Miyapur, Uppal and High-tech city. He said during the first phase, 2000km long skyways will be constructed. He estimated that these projects may cost the government around Rs. 25 to 30, 000 crores only.   Even the central government hesitates to declare such a massive programs, but not Telangana CM KCR. He is reiterating that miracles are going to take place within next three years. Let us hope so.

Cong. MLA to join TRS on Sunday

  Political parties that love to roll red carpet to leaders of other parties to admit them into their parties, find fault when the other parties apply the same yard stick to their leaders. Those, who jump fence shower praises on their new party boss and sharply criticize their ex-boss and his party. This becomes a ritual in our ugly political system that is fast loosing values. But, all these political parties never bother to intimate or take the consent of the people, who vote for them. People vote for a leader seeing his party back ground also. So, it becomes their duty to intimate the people before switching parties. But, they never think they are accountable to people, who vote for them. People also become habitual to see them jumping like frogs, because there is no ‘Recall’ option in our democratic system.   Coming to point, the ruling TRS party is successful in attracting one more MLA from Congress party. Two others are also just waiting for their turn to jump the fence. The latest admission is Chevella MLA K Yadaiah. He announced that he will join TRS party on Sunday. Congress MLA Mallu Batti Vikramarka fumes upon them for sitting in the ruling party benches even before joining the TRS party. He appealed the Speaker Madhusudhanachary to disqualify them immediately or else will think about other options.   However, he also may be aware that there were no such instances in the past that a Speaker, who also belongs to ruling party has ever disqualified the MLAs joining his own party. So, Vikramarka can’t expect any action against them. The way representatives feel not accountable to people, the same way they are not accountable to their parties also. So, political parties should not regret for such migrations, instead they also habituate to such things like the people did.

Dadi haunts Konathala like a ghost?

  There were wide spread speculations that former YSR Congress party leader Konathala Rama Krishna is going to join BJP. However, even two weeks after no such development takes place. But, still political analysts are very sure about his entry into BJP.   Prior to his departure from YSR Congress party, his political rival Dadi Veerabhadra rao also quits the party. He, who once stated that there is no respect for him in the party, has sent feelers to TDP for his readmission stating he regrets for leaving the TDP. However, TDP has not considered his request so far. In case, if TDP ignores his appeal for readmission, then ultimately he also has to look toward BJP, the only alternative left for him in the state.   Earlier, Konathala Ramakrishna has strongly objected Dadi Veerabhadra rao’s entry into YSR Congress party, but Jagan Mohan Reddy rolled red carpet to Dadi ignoring his objections. So, it was the beginning of his down fall in the party and the rift between party and him lead to his resignation. In this context, Konathala may dislike to see Dadi Veerabhadra rao also knocking the BJP doors.   Dadi seems to be haunting him like a ghost. If so, he may face the same problems even after joining BJP. Let us see, whether Konathala can get rid of Dadi or not. If can’t he has to check-in with TDP.

Cong and YCP safeguarding farmers’ interests or their own?

  Congress and YSR Congress parties both have formed committees to fight against their common enemy-ruling TDP government on land acquisition issue for the capital city. Their committees are visiting the ear marked villages and trying to provoke the farmers to go against the government. They are quite successful in dividing the villagers on the party lines. However, they both claim that they are just trying to ensure farmers’ interests are safeguarded and not creating hurdles in the land acquisition process. But, obviously they both are making the job tough for the state government.   YSR Congress President Jagan Mohan Reddy welcomes the state government’s proposal to set-up capital city at Vijayawada, his party is now obstructing the land acquisition process in the name of safeguarding farmers’ interests. But, if seen in the contest of his fake Samaikyandhra agitations, his latest Delhi visit to meet union ministers for Hudhud relief fund etc. one may definitely suspect his party honest on this issue also.   The same way, Congress honesty on this issue is also to be suspected that divides the state ignoring lakhs of people’s appeals. So, when it doesn’t care for so many people, then how anyone can believe it is caring for a handful of farmers?   So, it appears both these parties have grabbed this sensitive issue for their political survival and not for the farmers’ sake. If, they could stop the farmers from handing over their lands to the state government, then it can’t go ahead or can step back on its decision. It will be badly struck with this issue and no surprise even if it is forced to shift the capital to somewhere else. Probably, this is what the Congress and YSR Congress parties are expecting to happen.   They will have edge over the government in either case. Even if the government decides to shift the capital city to some other place, still they both can have a chance to claim the credit of safeguarding the farmers’ interests. So, one can understand whether they are safeguarding the farmers’ interests or their own.

Nara Lokesh says Rowdies are ruling TS!

  TDP leader Nara Lokesh seems has gone a bit extreme with his comments on Telangana CM KCR. He compares KCR with Hitler and his ruling as rowdies’ ruling. He tweets TRS goondas attacked on his party leader Revanth Reddy’s house. Lokesh also tweets that ‘while Chandrababu Naidu is trying to promote the Andhra Pradesh state into world economic forum, it is unfortunate to see KCR and his team is promoting hatred among the people.   His Tweet in his own words: Revanth Reddy attacked by TRS goons. Government run by rowdies, Law & Order out of control. #HitlerCM is ruling!   While our leader @ncbn was busy promoting AP at the India World Economic Forum, KCR & Co were promoting hatred. Really unfortunate!!!   If, Lokesh would have used the diplomatic language to criticize CM KCR and his TRS leaders, no one may have a chance to point out his language, but many may find fault for using word ‘rowdy rule.’ If he observed how his party seniors have reacted to the same situation, he can understand how to frame his words carefully to avoid embarrassing situation.   T-TDP President L Ramana, Ravula Chandrashekar Reddy and others have stated, “We condemn TRS cadres attacking on our party leader Revanth Reddy’s house. Such practices are not allowed in democratic system.”

Gannavaram Farmers reveals a new point

  Congress and YSR Congress parties have been trying to provoke the farmers in Tullooru Mandal that was earmarked for constructing the capital city. Both parties have formed committees and visiting the villages for this purpose. However, they both claim that they are trying to safeguard the farmers’ interests.   Recently, state government has agreed to give them 1200 square yards of developed land per acre to each farmer in the capital city, apart from yearly Rs.25, 000 per acre compensation and other benefits. So, many farmers in the ear marked villages are reported to be satisfied with the new package offered under the land pooling system. Yet, YSR Congress party committee headed by its leader Dharmana Prasada rao is visiting the villages to know their opinions as it believes that the local TDP MLAs and leaders are forcing the farmers to surrender their lands to the government.   However, a latest development reveals that farmers are happy with the package declared by the government. Government plans issues a notification for 406 acres of land acquisition in Ajjampudi, Budhavaram, Davajigudem and Kesarapalli villages in Gannavaram mandal to expand the present Gannavaram domestic airport into an International airport.   However, the farmers of these four villages, who assembled at a grama sabha yesterday, have demand the government to give them the same package that is offered to farmers in Tullooru Mandal. This reveals that the package offered to farmers in Tullooru Mandal is very attractive one and farmers are satisfied with it. If, the package is not fair, farmers in Gannavaram mandal would not demand for it. So, it is clear that opposition parties are trying to provoke the farmers and creating hurdles in the land acquisition process, even when the farmers are willing to offer their lands to the state government under land pooling system.

TRS continues blame games

  Telangana state Finance Minister Etela Rajendar responding to Congress floor leader K Jana Reddy’s criticism on his maiden budget, reacted very sharply. He said “Despite granting Telangana state, Congress party has been rejected by the people. Because, they believe you have shown no interest to resolve their problems all these years. Instead, you served the Andhra rulers of your party to safeguard your political interests, even when they neglect our irrigation projects.”   Etela arguments can be justified to some extent because it is true that none of the T-Congress leaders have ever insisted their governments to complete the pending projects. But, the same brush can be applied to TRS party also because it also never stressed on these points as it is preoccupied with its Telangana agitations. There are several representatives of TRS in the undivided AP Assembly. So, they also have equal chance to ask the government why it is showing discrimination towards Telangana region.   It can demand the government to address the fluorosis problem that turns curse for the people of Nalgonda district, but it didn’t. It can stress the government address the problems of farmers, handloom and Beedi workers, but it didn’t. It never asked the government to set-up new power generation plants in the region.   It focused all its concentration on how to win the elections, with whom to make alliance, when to snap ties and how to attract the other parties’ leaders into party. It always tried to prove the AP government is guilty rather than pressurizing it to resolve all problems like this. So, in other words, it tries to drive the previous governments in wrong direction, probably to achieve its goal.   TRS that is blaming the Congress party now for everything, once was prepared to merge with the same party. If its plan to merge with Congress is to be justified, then how can blame it? So, TRS can’t simply transfer the blame onto previous governments. It also failed to safeguard the interests of Telangana people, but comes to power tapping Telangana sentiment in the people. Even today, it is not ready to recognize hundreds of martyrs, on whose graves it rose to this position.

Is YSRCP providing weapons to TRS?

  It is not a big secret that TRS and YSR Congress parties enjoy a good rapport among them, though neither of them ever takes pains to define the secret behind their strong relationship. People are also aware that their common enemy is TDP and its president Chandrababu Naidu. So, if seen the recent developments it seems they are exchanging their weapons to hit at their common enemy TDP.   YSR Congress party has snatched the Heritage Milk’ issue, when it is chipped by TRS party MLAs in their state Assembly. It spits venom on TDP over this milky issue. Then, in return it offers a weapon to TRS by raising a question in the Telangana Assembly about the tribal people living in the seven mandals that were merged with AP state few months back. YSR party asked the Telangana government, if it can relocate the tribal people in Telangana state.   Despite knowing that the seven mandals are no long belong to Telangana state and the government has no responsibility of the tribal people, YSR party MLAs raise this question in the Telangana Assembly. Probably it is to provide a weapon to TRS to attack the AP government. It also highlights a point that AP government that promised to take care of the tribal people is now ignoring them. Actually, if YSR Congress party is so concerned about their welfare, it should raise this question in AP Assembly but not in the Telangana Assembly.

AP’s First solar Power Plant commissioned

  Even while, Telangana state badly struck with power crisis, due to lack of proper efforts by the state government, so far it couldn’t get any help form the Centre. But, the AP state which overcomes its power problems within five months due to sincere efforts put by the state government and its Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.AP State is also getting sops from the Centre that helps the state to become surplus-power state in the near future.   Union Minister for Energy Piyush Goyal, who is quite impressed with AP government’s efforts, has agreed to grant Rs. 1350 crores from the National Green Energy Fund to the state for construction of evacuation lines for solar and wind power projects in the state.   The Coal ministry has ordered the Western Coal Fields Ltd in Maharashtra to supply and additional amount of 1 million tons of coal to Thermal Power Plants in the state, which have been facing severe coal shortage till last three months.   Andhra Pradesh state government while putting sincere efforts to get all possible help from the Centre, it is also strategically making long strides in power generation sector. The state first ever solar thermal power plant with 50 mw capacity was commissioned on yesterday in Ananthapur district. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. have established this solar thermal power plant in an area of 600 acres in Nagula Puram village in Peddavadaguru mandal of Anantapur district with Rs.848 crores, under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM).

TRS catches the seven mandals issue again

  TRS party that strongly objects the Centre’s decision of merging the seven mandals of Kammam district with AP state, in the later period simple switched off its agitation plans for the same. But, now and then it is wisely utilizing that issue to highlight the injustice it met over this issue and to strengthen its argument that Centre is showing discrimination towards Telangana state.   So, it once again got a chance to raise this issue when YSR Congress party MLAs T Venkateswarulu and P Venkateswarulu asked the Telangana government to take care of the tribal living in the seven mandals, who are ignored being by both governments.   Replying to his appeal, Telangana Finance Minister Etela Rajendar said his government can’ take that responsibility, as the seven mandals are now part of Andhra Pradesh state. He said however his government is still providing power supply to the seven mandals with humanitarian approach. He said it’s unfortunate that Centre has merge the seven mandals using its powers. He said that his government will again appeal Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke his government’s decision on this issue.   Actually, TRS government has expressed a great concern for the tribal living in the seven mandals, till they were merged with AP, but not now. Although it is justified, if it could extend some help to the tribal, who want to be identified as people of Telangana, they would be happy with it. However, since it is AP government’s duty to take care of the tribal, YSR Congress party should ask it, instead of asking Telangana government.

YSR party rubbishes the media reports

  YSR Congress party leader Dharmana Prasada rao, who is heading the capital committee formed by the party to protect the interests of farmers and agricultural labour in the ear marked villages, speaking to media “We strongly condemn the reports published in a section of media stating that our party is creating hurdles in the land acquisition process for the capital city construction. I would like to remind them that our party president Jagan Mohan Reddy has welcomed the state government’s decision to build the capital city in Vijayawada. So, there is no meaning in writing such reports against us, he said.”   “We just want to ensure the interests of farmers and agricultural labour is protected. We also welcome the farmers who want to offer their lands to the state government for this purpose. But, being the main opposition party in the state, we can’t simply ignore their interests, if they have any problems or objections in handing over their lands to the government. So, we will definitely visit all the ear marked villages and try to know their opinions, demands, problems and objections if any. We will not step back fearing the media reports,” said Dharmana.   Congress party also formed a committee headed by its senior leader C Ramachandraiah for the same purpose. But, when it visits the ear marked villages, the committee members have faced very ugly situation there. If the committee is formed to safeguard the interests of the farmers, then the farmers should welcome them, but they fumes upon them. Why? Now, YSR Congress party is also going to try its hands, probably to taste the same experience? Let the farmers decide its fate.

Investigation on Shashi Tharoor wife’s murder case nearly completed

  The police investigation on the mysterious murder case of the senior Congress leader Sashi Tharoor’s wife Sunanda Pushkar by the Delhi police is reported to be reached the crucial stage now. She was found dead in her room No: 345 in the Leela Palace hotel on January 17th this year, where she and her husband have camped during their stay in New Delhi. Although, initially police have believed it was a suicide case, later, during their investigation, they have found it was a murder case.   Police of Sarojini Nagar Delhi (south), have summoned the hotel staff yesterday and grilled them with questions for more than an hour. According to the deputy commissioner of police (south) Premnath, the investigation has reached the final stage and may conclude very soon. If, the police find any involvement of her husband Shashi Tharoor in this case, it not only lands him in big troubles but also his Congress party for allowing him to continue in the party. However, it is prejudice to suspect him or anyone as the police have not completed the investigation yet.

Maharashtra Governor injured, Five MLAs suspended

  The Shivsena and Congress MLAs in an attempt to stop the Maharashtra Governor CH Vidyasagar rao from addressing the house have staged a dharna in front of the main entrance yesterday. However, when he tried to enter the house, he was minor injured in a clash between the MLAs and his security persons. He is very angry for the misbehavior of the MLAs. He asked the Speaker of the house to take appropriate action against those MLAs, who involved in this incident. So, the newly elected Speaker of the house Haribahu Bagde, suspended the five Congress MLAs from the house for two years for misbehaving with the Governor.   Congress has strongly condemned his decision for barring the peoples’ representatives for two years from the house. The five MLAs facing charges are also argue that they are not involved in this incident, but BJP government wanted to eliminate them from the house with political motivations. They owe to fight against the Speaker’s decision till he lifts the ban on them. They said will go to people to garner their support and to fight against the government, if the Speaker do not lift the ban on them immediately.   Political parties in the country have strongly condemned this incident and also agree that action to be taken against the involved. But, they do not expect such a severe action against the elected representatives. So, the Speaker also may revoke his decision, but in the meantime, it provides a great opportunity to opposition parties to blame the ruling BJP government that it starts pressurizing its MLAs to attract them into party.

Central team to visit Hudhud affected areas soon

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted Rs.1000 crores as Hudhud relief fund and Rs.450 crores out of it was already released. Efforts for the release of balance amount are on. A central team is coming for a three day visit to the affected areas on 25th of this month to assess the damage.   The cash strapped AP government that has been asking for the central assistance for its various projects, is not in a position to allocate huge funds for the relief and reconstruction operations. So, it insists the central government to send a team to assess the loss occurred to the north coastal AP districts and release the funds appropriately, in addition to the funds promised by Prime Minister Modi.   The other factor that makes the Centre to send its team to affected areas may be Modi’s promise to convert Vizag into a smart city. It is the most affected with Hudhud cyclone. CM Chandrababu Naidu has promised the people of the city that he will take it as a challenge and rebuild the city from scratch in par with international standards. He also assured them that works like laying of underground electrical cables replacing the electrical polls, developing greenery, setting-up high-end educational and IT institutes will begin very soon.   So, the state government may guide the central team to prepare their reports accordingly after assessing the damage so as the funds to be released by the central government for cyclone relief can serve multipurpose.

Haribahu elected as Maharashtra Assembly Speaker

  Shivsena that declares war against its ally BJP in Maharashtra, finally seems has cooled down and withdraws its candidate Vijay Auti from the Assembly Speaker race. Congress party also dropped from the race. So, Haribahu Bagde of ruling BJP government has been unanimously elected as Maharashtra Assembly Speaker. So, BJP expects, Shivsena will support its government when it seeks vote of confidence of the house a short while from now.   Whether, Shivsena extends its support to Devendra Fadnavis lead BJP government or not, it has the backing of Congress ally NCP and ten independents. So, BJP can easily cross the magic figure of 144 out of 287 members in the house. If, Shivsena sticks to its stand, then one day or the other day it many of its MLAs jump into ruling BJP government to enjoy the power. So, Shivsena may not afford to sit in the opposition benches. It may extend its support to BJP and join its government.