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HS Brahma to succeed CEC VS Sampath

  Hari Shankar Brahma (64) a retired IAS Officer of 1975 Andhra Pradesh batch will succeed the outgoing Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath, who is retiring tomorrow. HS Brahma has served the state government of Andhra Pradesh as senior level officer for a long period before moving into central services.   He served as Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad for 3.5 years. Then as Commissioner (Transport) & Ex-officio Secretary (Transport, Road & Building) for 2.5 years. Later he served as Commissioner & Ex-officio Secretary (Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs) for 5 years and then as Principal Secretary (Environment, Forest, Science & Technology) of Government of Andhra Pradesh. He has been serving as Election Commissioner since August 25, 2010. He will hold office as Chief Election Commissioner till April18, 2015.

Cantonment Elections eye opener for TDP, BJP

  Secunderabad Cantonment Board elections can be considered an eye opener for TDP and BJP as they both couldn’t fetch a single seat out of the 8 seats. TRS won four seats and its rebels pocket two seats which can be credited back into TRS account. Even the Congress party also settles with one seat like independent. Especially, BJP should be alarmed with these cantonment elections as it has big ambitions to win GHMC and 2019 general elections.   TDP and BJP should realize what happens if they go solo in the upcoming GHMC elections. Both parties should treat the verdict as an eye opener and plan accordingly. TRS may claim that the verdict is reflecting the general opinion of the people on Telangana government and its Chief Minister KCR’s seven month ruling. However, it can’t assume that the same verdict will be repeated in the GHMC elections also. There are several other factors that may decide the fate of the five major players-TRS, TDP, BJP, MIM and the Congress party. So, Cantonment elections are just an alarm for all political parties.

Producer VB Rajendra Prasad passes away

  Veteran director and producer VB Rajendra Prasad (82) passes away at Isha hospital in Hyderabad on Monday night. He was ailing with health complications since last few weeks. Noted actor Jagapati Babu is his son. Rajendra Prasad was born on November 4th, 1932 in Gudiwada of Krishna district. Actually, he plans to become actor but becomes director and producer. He even penned stories to two films.   He delivered several super hit movies Dasara Bullodu, Bangaru Babu, Asthiparulu, Annapoorna, Aradhana, Atmabalam, Akkachellellu, Barya Bharathala Bandham, Captain Nagarjuna, Ramakrishnulu etc. he made majority of his films with late Akkineni Nageswara rao. He won national award for his Anthasthulu movie and film Fare Award for the samein year 1965. He was also honored with prestigious KV Reddy award in 2000 and Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2003. He spent his last days in the service of god and the devotees in the temple in film City, Hyderabad.

Delhi Elections: Last chance for Rahul Gandhi?

  Delhi Assembly is forced to go for re-elections within a gap of 14 months only and the then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has to be blamed for it. He steps down from his post with silly reasons within 49 days of assuming charge of the Delhi government. Ever since, President’s Rule was imposed on Delhi and it will come to an end on February 15th.   So, the Chief Election Commissioner VS Samapth has announced the elections schedule for Delhi Assembly on Monday. Notification will be issued on January 14th, last date for filing nominations-January 21st, Scrutiny of nominations-January 22nd, Withdrawal of nominations-January 24th, Polling-February 7th, Counting of votes and Results declaration-February 10th.   There are total 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly. The main contest will be between BJP and AAP. Congress party led by its vice president Rahul Gandhi may as usually settle with third place. And again the war would be between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal. They both have already started crossing swords and spitting fire against each other in the public meetings.   Modi’s allegation is that Arvind Kejriwal is an anarchist, who doesn’t fit for the CM Post has proved it during his 49 days of ruling. Arvind Kejriwal claims that he has reduced the corruption in the Delhi government within a short period of 49 days, but BJP couldn’t do it even after 7 months ruling. Since, they both are known for their excellent communication skills, they may have to sweat a lot to win the elections. However, many survey reports are clearly indicating that BJP will come to power with an absolute majority, because people of Delhi do not want to make another experiment with Arvind Kejriwal again.   In fact, these elections should be considered as a last chance for Rahul Gandhi to prove his leadership qualities as he is expected to succeed his mother Sonia Gandhi as party president very soon. If, he could lead his party to victory in these elections, there may be no ‘banner- rising’ against him otherwise he has to give way to someone else to succeed his mother as the party president.

Jr.NTR returns to TDP?

  Reports appear in the media stating that young tiger Jr.NTR has renewed his membership in TDP during his recent visit to Nimmakur in Krishna district. He has been staying away from TDP, ever since YSRCP has created a rift between him and the party with its flexi banner idea during before last year. Till now, neither he nor the party leadership have taken any initiative to reduce that gap, instead some wrong moves made by his father Hari Krishna has further widens that gap. So, he was not invited to take part in the campaigning in the general elections otherwise he would have played key role.   His absence has not affected TDP anyway, but the distance with the TDP costs him very dearly. His movie market was adversely affected with it whereas in the past, he used to enjoy an unconditional support from the TDP cadres along with his fans in making his films grand success. Although, Jr.NTR declared that he is with TDP and will remain with it till his last breath, he couldn’t get their support. So, he appears to be renewed his party membership again to convince that he is firm on his stand. But, the best way is to straightaway approach his uncle Balakrishna and seek his help to overcome his problems. In fact, if Jr.NTR maintains a successful track record, it not only benefits him but also to TDP as well. So, Balakrishna also may convince the party leadership to extend its full support to him as ever before.

Doesn’t he know there is a court case on RFC?

  Telangana CM KCR giving a clean chit to Ramoji Film City, obviously draws severe criticism from rival parties. Telangana PCC President Ponnala Lakshmaiah said “It is not first time or last time for KCR to change his stand on any issue. Yet, he always boasts himself that he is man of principles. TRS leaders also admit that he often change his stand. He gave clean chit to Ramoji Film City even while a land encroachment case is going on in the courts. Doesn’t he know about it?”   Actually, CM KCR, who is known for his hatred toward Andhra Media has suddenly soften his tone on media baron Ramoji rao, who is known as a strong supporter of TDP. This change in his attitude was seen only after he returns from New Delhi after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with whom Ramoji Rao also met prior to him. Then only, he takes pains to meet Ramoji rao at his Ramoji Film City. CM KCR was all praise to him and to his RFC and also to his proposed Om City. But, many Telangana leaders couldn’t digest this sudden change in his stand, but no one dares to question him about it.   Now he also found a very nice excuse for his new stand. He said that he will welcome any entrepreneur, who comes forward to invest in the state, let him be from Andhra or Maharashtra or Tamilnadu state. Then why there should be any objection to welcome Ramoji Rao, who had built RFC which is glorifying Hyderabad’s name and planning to build 'Om City' with huge investment?”   It is true that no state can afford to chase away any investor. But, earlier KCR and his team have scared them like anything during agitation period and post bifurcation also. But, now he is stating that he will welcome entreprenurs even from the AP. Since, KCR is known for changing his stand often, even Ramoji Rao can’t assure that he will remain firm with his stand over his RFC.

Four YCP MLAs from Nellore likely to jump fence?

  While, Jagan Mohan Reddy is day dreaming to become CM and rule the state for next 30 years, his party leaders are slipping away from his party foreseeing no hope for it in the future. Four MLAs from Nellore district are likely to jump fence anytime to join TDP.   They are Gudur MLA Pasham Sunil, Kavali MLA Ramireddy Prathapkumar Reddy, Sarvepalli MLA Kakani Govardhan Reddy and Sulloorpeta MLA Sanjeevaiah. They are said to be in touch with the Minister Narayana. Once, they get nod from the CM Chandrababu Naidu they may jump fence.   Earlier, MLA Pasham Sunil when in the TDP has become Gudur Municiapal Chairman. So first he may take initiative to join the TDP and his close friend Sanjeevaiah may follow him into TDP. The other two MLAs also may jump fence after later. Actually, the downfall of the party in Nellore district begun after its mayor Abdul Aziz has left the party and joined TDP.

All is well for India with Sri Lanka

  Sri Lanka former president Mahindra Raja Pakse has been admired by people of his country for making the country free from the clutches of the LTTE. At the same time, many countries in the world, especially the people of Tamilnadu state in India hate him like anything for brutally killing thousands of innocent people including women, children and aged persons during that operation. Several Human Rights Organizations all over the world are also strongly condemning his brutal massacre of the innocent criticizes.   However, he never bothered about their outcry or regrets for his mistake. So, the political parties in the Tamilnadu state and the people were used to make protests whenever he lands in Tirupati. However, they all are quite happy to see him got defeated in the hands of Maitripala Sirisena during the Presidential elections held recently in Sri Lanka.   In fact, they believe that he has punished himself for his brutal mistakes by convening elections two years ahead of his term. Their joy can be seen with some Tamil fishermen sending greetings to the new president Maitripala Sirisena for his election as the President of Sri Lanka.   India is quite disturbed to see Sri Lanka allowing China to dock its two nuclear missile carrying submarines in its port. India has been strongly objecting for it, but the former president Rajapakse simply ignored its objections. So, the change of guard in Sri Lanka is to be seen as a blessing for India as well because now there would be no unrest over continuing relations with Sri Lanka and also the Indian government can try to convince the new president to revoke his government’s decision of docking Chinese submarines.

What is he mean by setting target-70 to AP leaders?

  BJP president Amit Shah has not only sets huge target of enrolling 45 lakhs new members for the party leaders of the AP state but also sets 70 MLAs target for 2019 general elections, which clearly hints about his intentions. But, at the same time it is also indicating that he still would like to go along with TDP in 2019 general elections. If, the state BJP leadership could make it to that number, then it can demand its alliance partner TDP for more seats or can go alone to the elections.   Earlier, he told the media that his party will role red carpet to any leader who respects the party leadership and its policies. So, the target-70 might be about attracting other party leaders or MLAs. Amit Shah has given them necessary guidelines on how to achieve that target. But, they are reported to be told him that may not be able to reach his target of enrolling 45 lakhs new members in the state.   They may have their own reasons and problems for it, but Amit Shah has make their eyes open. He told them that BJP has managed to reach the targets in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal despite the state governments there are strongly resisting its efforts, whereas in the AP, BJP is part of the state government and also its alliance partner. Hence, the state BJP leaders have to strive hard to reach his targets, if they are really serious about their tall claims.

T-Congress is in deep sleep?

  Telangana Congress leaders often used to wake-up very late. Before they wake-up, TRS president convinced the people of Telangana that he and his party deserve the credit of Telangana state formation. Then only, T-Congress leaders’ have jumped into action carrying Sonia Gandhi photos in hands. But, they realized it was too late to claim the credit. So, it has been deposited into KCR’s account.   Even, then they couldn’t find time to claim their due share of Telangana state creation, because they all are preoccupied with lobbying for T-PCC President Post and party tickets to their near and dear ones in New Delhi. By the time they all wake-up, KCR and his leaders have been tapping the Telangana sentiment by making provocative statements against Andhra employees, people and politicians.   Then the T-Congress leaders were in a big dilemma whether to defend the Andhra people settled in Hyderabad or to sing chorus with KCR. But, they made a wrong step by criticizing KCR that helps him to claim himself as the lone savior of Telangana.   During the peak of the elections campaigning period, all the T-Congress leaders were busy crossing swords with their newly elected PCC President Ponnala Lakshmaiah, instead of joining him to cross swords with their rival parties. Then they woke-up to hear that they were defeated in the elections.   People may expect that they will realize their mistakes and do some teamwork to strengthen the party. If they did so, they won’t be eligible to be called as true Congress men. So, they continue their cat-fights for T-PCC President Post and other small posts in the party, while ignoring that TDP is gaining political mileage by criticizing TRS government failure to handle the power crisis situation and on farmers’ suicides. Then only they also kick start a bus yatra to console the bereaved family members of the farmers.   CM KCR and his ministers were engaged in a bitter fight with the Andhra Pradesh government over sharing of power and water and many other issues. But, then the T-Congress leaders were in deep sleep. So, TRS government not only able to divert the attention of the people from its failures onto these cat-fights with AP government but also emerges as the only savior of them. Even, then T-Congress leaders fail to wake-up from their deep sleep. Their party high command has to press panic alarm in their ears about the miserable party situation.   But, Shabbier Ali the vice-president of the party of Telangana state only wake up from his sleep and rest of the leaders are still dozing.Probably, they may be inspired with their party vice president Rahul Gandhi, who take a nap in the Loksabha sittng in the back benches.   Shabbier Ali, pulls out a lengthy list of promises made by the CM KCR and shouted at him when and how he will full all his promises. Then he shouts at AP government for creating hurdles in Telangana state development and asked AP CM Chandrababu Naidu to leave the city at the earliest. He may be expecting that it will be enough to ensure his party wins the GHMC elections. Hope he will not return to his bed again before GHMC elections commencement.    

Shabbier Ali straight question to CM KCR

  Telangana Congress leaders, who until now are indulged in a cat-fight for PCC president Post, have diverted their attention on to the TRS government and it’s Chief Minister KCR, after being warned by their party high command of serious action.   State Congress vice-president Shabbier Ali has come up with a lengthy list of CM KCR’s promises and asked him when and how he will implement all those tall promises and from where he tap huge funds for them.   He reminds him about his promises of cleansing Hussein Sagar Lake, high rise builds around it, developing Vinayak Sagar, world’s tallest building at Indira Park, elevated express high ways in Hyderabad city, another airport on the north side of the city.   Constructing Film city, Sports city, Educational city at Rachakonda, Thermal power plant in Nalgonda district, Textile park in Warangal, New building for Ravindra Bharathi, converting Adilabad district into another Kashmir, developing Yadagirigutta like another Vatican city, India’s tallest Hanuman statue on it.   He also reminds him about his tall promises of developing Kareem Nagar like New York City, developing Hyderabad like Silicon Valley, developing Hyderabad city into hardware and IT hub, shifting of Chanchalguda jail, Race course and military camps from the city limits, creating four new districts and formation of technology development bank etc.   However, he also forgets hundred other promises like crop loan waiver, pensions to all deserved, two bed room houses to people below poverty line, three acres of land to each family of SC, ST and tribals, regularization of 125 square land to the poor people in the twin cities.   There are some serious missions like Mission Kakateeya, fees reimbursement to Telangana students under FAST scheme, Hyderabad metro project completion, uninterrupted power supply within three years and many more. So, CM KCR and the concerned ministers have to answer all these questions if they have any idea about how and when their government is going to fulfill all these promises.

Governor’s Rule in J&K State likely

  The stalemate in Jammu and Kashmir State is still continuing as the two major players People’s Democratic Party and BJP couldn’t come to consensus on alliance. PDP need to be blamed for it as it sets several conditions that are against the Indian government policy. It demands resume talks with Kashmiri separatists Hurriyat leaders and Pakistan government. It also demands with drawl of special powers to the armed forces in the valley. PDP wants to Chief Minister Post to itself for full term and wants the BJP settle in the back seat. None of its terms are acceptable to the BJP. So, it refuses to extend its support to the PDP.   While the stalemate is continuing, Omar Abdullah who is running the government as a care-taker Chief Minister has informed the Governor NN Vohra that he can’t continue any further as he sees no scope of government formation in the near future. So, Governor recommends the Home Minister Rajnath Singh to impose Governor’s Rule in the state immediately keeping in view of the stalemate and the crisis situation at boarders. Hence, Central government may take a decision very soon.

Amit Shah’s analysis about TRS, BJP strengths and weaknesses

  BJP president Amit Shah educates his party leaders of the Telangana state about how the TRS party was able to win and why the BJP was defeated in the elections. He told them that TRS won the elections merely basing upon Telangana sentiment and with the strength of few leaders, although it has no strong foundation.   He told them that TRS is moving close with MIM only to win the hearts of the Muslim community. It is encouraging other party’s leaders and some individuals to join it to strengthen itself and to weaken its rival parties in the state, instead of strengthening its foundations from grass root level.   BJP is winning in north India because it has strong foundation from grass root level and a dedicated workforce. A political party must have dedicated workforce and certain goals to achieve anything, but TRS lacks both. So, it would not be difficult to defeat such party if BJP strengthens its foundations from grass root level,” said Amit Shah.   He discussed with his party leaders about the party strengths, weaknesses, party strategies implemented by it during elections period and analyzed the reasons for the party defeat. He gave them necessary guidelines to strengthen the party in the state and to face the upcoming GHMC elections. If, BJP leaders could follow what he is saying and implement his ideas, probably BJP may emerge as a strong alternative in both states.

Is Jagan playing mind games with TDP?

  It seems YSR Congress party president Jagan Mohan Reddy is playing mind game with TDP once again. Recently, his party MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy brings the farmers of Penumaka and Nidamarru to Hyderabad to meet him. Then he assured them that his party will fight with the state government on their behalf to stop it from taking their lands.   Those farmers who met him at Hyderabad, have come to Vijayawada today to meet BJP president Amit Shah to appeal him to tell the state government not to take their lands. Generally, farmers won’t think about such ideas unless they are encouraged by some political parties or leaders. They went to Hyderabad only because CP MLA’s initiative. Even, farmers of rest of the villages also went to Hyderabad to meet CM Chandrababu Naidu because of TDP leaders’ initiative. So, YCP that assures them to fight for their cause might have encouraged them to meet BJP President Amit Shah.   Amit Shah’s purpose of visit to the state is to strengthening the party. So, he may not refuse to meet the farmers. If he is convinced with their arguments and suggests the AP government to think over their appeal, TDP can’t afford to turn down his suggestion. But, at the same time it also can’t agree to his suggestion. So, it may create an awkward situation between the two parties. YCP may be playing mind game with both parties grabbing this opportunity.   But, Amit Shah can handle this kind of mind games very easily. He may take a memorandum from the farmers and hand it over to his party minister Kamineni Srinivas, who is known to be very close aide of AP CM Chandrababu Naidu.

13th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas inauguration at Gandhinagar

13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas  

Can Sharmila save the YSRCP in TS?

  YS Sharmila, who was entrusted the difficult task of strengthening the party in Telangana state, is gearing for second round of Paramarsha Yatra from January 21st. This time she will visit bereaved family members during her seven day visit in the Nalgonda district and remaining families in February. YSR party working president Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has announced this today.   But, the question is that can she save and strengthen the party in Telangana merely with her Paramarsha Yatras, when one by one all its leaders are quitting the party? Hardly there are any leaders left for the party in the Telangana state. The only one MLA Payam Venkateswarulu is also ready to bid good bye to the party very soon.   Earlier, she takes pains to walk 3000 km in both states to strengthen the party. However, her efforts wasted with her brother Jagan Mohan Reddy’s peculiar strategies. YSRCP was virtually wiped off from Telangana state after her brother Jagan jumps out of it overnight and catches Samaikyandhra agitation. Although, his agitations are intended to win the hearts of the people of AP state and to bag their votes in the general elections, his idea proved to be fatal for the party in the Telangana state. There are no leaders for the party and people of the state also not believe it now.   So, YSRCP’s plan to return to the state in this prevailing situation obviously making the people suspect about intentions and plans. TRS party’s silence over her Paramarsha Yatras and her cool approach towards it is also raising those suspicions.

Australia sounds high alert for India

  Earlier, the US government has alerted India about possible terrorists’ attacks on Delhi international airport, on some hotels and bridges in Delhi. It helps the police and investigating agencies to nab two suspected persons from Noida and one from Bangalore. They revealed that around ten terrorists roaming in New Delhi to make explosions on Republic Day.   Now Australian government sounds also an alert. It warns a possible Mumbai type terror attacks on Mumbai very soon. Australian government asks its citizens to cancel their trips to India especially to Mumbai and Kashmir. According to some reports, some unidentified persons have pasted notices in some places in Mumbai that terrorists will attack on January 10th. So, police are conducting thorough search in all metro cities. But, people all over the country also should stay high alert.

Why BJP has failed in Telangana?

  BJP President Amit Shah is very upset with the poor performance by his party Telangana leaders. He seeks their explanation for not taking active part in the party membership enrolment drive. He sets them a target of 30 lakh members which is beyond their reach. He asked why they have failed to cash in the credit of creating separate state, when BJP has supported it. Amit Shah asked the party leaders to do teamwork to win the GHMC Elections. BJP President Amit Shah is very upset with the poor performance by his party Telangana leaders. He seeks their explanation for not taking active part in the party membership enrolment drive. He sets them a target of 30 lakh members which is beyond their reach.   But, everyone knows that BJP-TDP combo couldn’t win because of the strong Telangana sentiment created by the TRS president KCR. Even, the Congress party that carves the Telangana state couldn’t withstand his pressures. So, there is no use of blaming any BJP leader.   Although, appears to be very strong in the Telangana state, none of its leaders are no way matching to CM KCR and his talkative family members. Hardly, there are one or two leaders in the BJP, who can speak effortlessly on any issue. So, first BJP has to identify such strong leaders, who can withstand and face CM KCR. So if it could identify and encourage such leaders in the party then they may create a strong work force for the party otherwise Kishan Reddy alone can achieve nothing.

Purandeswari found fault with TDP government

  Former Union Minister and BJP leader Purandeswari has found fault with AP government. She objects the state government for claiming full credit of implementing various welfare schemes and projects in which the NDA government is also contributing funds.   Addressing the party workers at Pedanandipadu in Guntur district, she said “NDA government is also funding for old age pension schemes implemented by the state government. It is also providing huge funds to all states for constructing latrines for every poor family. It is funding 90 per cent cost of the Polavaram Project in the AP state. It has granted uninterrupted power supply pilot project to the AP state. But, the state government is claiming full credit of all those welfare schemes and projects. So, BJP workers should campaign about our party and central government contribution in such programs and projects.”   There is a general opinion among the people of the state that NDA government is not helping the state as it was expected to be. For example, even seven months after formation of state and central governments, several promises like Railway Zone, Special status, industrial corridor from Vizag to Chennai etc. are were not granted till date. People think that the state BJP leaders are also not taking any initiative to stress their party high command to fulfill all the promises made to the state in the AP Reorganization Bill-2014.   Their ignorance or failure to highlight such points mentioned by Purandeswari helps to develop negative opinion among the people. This kind of negative feeling against NDA government is very harmful to BJP’s political interests in the state. If, BJP is really serious to strengthen itself and emerge as alternate political power in the state, all its leaders should campaign about the central government contribution in the state development.   In fact, her criticism is not intended to hurt the TDP but a wake-up call to the state BJP leaders. The ruling TDP government also should realize that it should share the credit of developing the state with the BJP to avert such criticism from its alliance partner and that will encourage them to pressurize the central government.