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Rosaiah Awaits Appointment Letter as Governor

Former chief minister K Rosaiah has been appointed governor of Tamil Nadu on Thursday, as has been expected for some time. Sources said President Pratibha Patil has already cleared the file though a communication to this effect is yet to be received from the Rashtrapathi Bhavan. Mr. Konijeti Rosaiah is the senior most Congress leader in the state and has had an illustrious span of political career for the past five decades. As Finance minister during the YS Rajasekhara Reddy era, Rosaiah was catapulted to the CM's post in the wake of the sudden death of YSR in October 2009, he remained in power till November 2010 when the Congress high command brought in N Kiran Kumar Reddy to succeed him. The Congress sources claimed that Rosaiah was promised gubernatorial post but due to various factors including the fact that his name figured in an ACB case with regard to a piece of land in Ameerpet, his appointment got delayed. The ACB had last week given him a clean chit.    

Lokpal Debate in LS May Take Place Tomorrow

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pavan Kumar Bansal said that a debate on all versions of Lokpal Bill is likely to be held tomorrow. The modalities for the charter is currently being worked upon. However, he said, "No notice has been given for discussion on Jan Lokpal Bill as yet." According to sources, Anna Hazare is likely to break his 11-day fast the moment a resolution on a strong Lokpal is passed. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has met the Prime Minister reportedly to discuss the Lokpal Bill issue. On the other hand, the government has asked Team Anna to redraft its Jan Lokpal Bill. The discussion in Parliament will be held under Rule 184 which entails voting. A motion will be brought to facilitate a combined discussion on the Lokpal Bill, the Jan Lokpal Bill brought out by Anna Hazare as well as the drafts prepared by activist Aruna Roy and Jai Prakash Narain, said the sources. A decision in this regard was reached during hectic parleys within the government and discussions held by Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee with Parliamentary Affairs minister Pawan Bansal and Law minister Salman Khurshid. While the exact wording of the motion is not immediately known, sources said the discussion could take place on the Jan Lokpal Bill in the shape of a "document" and its salient features, after which the records of the debate are expected to be sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee examining the Lokpal Bill.          

Anna Hazare Health Update: 11th Day-26 August

India Against Corruption crusader, the 74-year-old Anna Hazare's fast entered 11th day today, Friday (26-08-11). The doctors who examined Anna this morning said he lost 7 kg of weight but he appears to be healthy. "He has lost seven kg till now. His blood pressure and heart beat are okay. He seems to be healthy. He is holding up," Dr Ravi R Kesliwal, who examined Hazare, told. Dr. Kesliwal said that doctors were constantly monitoring his health. Anna had a good sleep last night and and his condition seems to be 'stable'. However, he has lost 7 kg of weight and doctors say though he appeared to be healthy and 'stable', there is reason to worry.       

Jaganmohan Reddy's MP chickens out?

Hari is Congress MP from Anakapalli in Visakhapatnam district and Rajamohan Reddy hails from Nellore. Both Rajamohan Reddy and Hari went to speaker Meira Kumar's chamber together where only the former submitted his papers.   Reddy informed the speaker that he was resigning to register his protest against the 'witch-hunt' unleashed against Jagan and his late father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy by the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh. Reddy's resignation came close on the heels of 26 legislators owing allegiance to Jagan quitting over the same issue. Surprisingly, Hari came back without putting in his papers. When asked, he said he would tender his resignation probably next week or before the end of the Parliament session. He, however, did not cite any reason for postponing the decision to resign from his membership. Denying reports of change of heart, he said: "I would resign before the closure of this Parliament session. This could be my last session as Congress MP." He also said he was waiting for another Congress MP to put in his papers. "There are 50-50 chances that the MP could quit along with me," he said. He, however, refused to elaborate further and name the MP.

Team Anna Ready To Talk Directly With Govt

Team Anna was open to further talks with the government on a Lokpal Bill, advocate Prashant Bhushan said on Thursday, a day after the third round of talks between civil society members and the government ended in a logjam. "It's not that we are not willing to talk to the government" Bhushan told a news channel.   When asked about the government's proposal to bring in a new bill, Bhushan said: "We've travelled a long way since then but the question is what is the content of that bill?" Anna Hazare is ready to negotiate directly with the Government. Report say that the government has agreed to almost 80 per cent of his demands and this is the right time to talks directly with the Government. He is reportedly ready to talk to any leader from Maharashtra, including Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. Aides of the 74-year-old Hazare, whose fast for a strong anti-corruption bill entered day 10 on Thursday, had said on Wednesday night after the talks with the government that they were "back to square one".

CBI May Be Arrest BP Acharya Soon

HYDERABAD: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned senior IAS officer and home secretary BP Acharya for more than four hours on Wednesday leading to speculation that the premier investigation agency will arrest him shortly.   Basing the interrogation on clinching evidence of Acharya's involvement in the Emaar Properties case, CBI sleuths took the high ranking IAS officer to an unidentified place and grilled him thoroughly. Though CBI joint director VV Laxminarayna would not confirm Acharya's questioning, other sources said that the top babu was indeed quizzed in detail by CBI sleuths. Acharya was questioned with clear evidence of his involvement in the Emaar scam. Acharya too cooperated with the officials and volunteered information that the agency was seeking. The CBI officials showed him the documents they seized from APIIC, Emaar offices and asked him the sequence of events that led to controversial decisions. CBI sleuths also confronted Acharya with former Emaar director Vijaya Raghavan's confessional statement and asked him what he had to say. Vijaya Raghavan has been cooperating closely with the CBI and sources said that he "has spilled the beans in his statement." BP Acharya is prime accused in Emaar properties case in which CBI has already filed an FIR and submitted a report on the progress of investigation to CBI special court. After obtaining permission of the CBI special court, sleuths are now focusing on questioning of accused. Sources said that arrests will follow in both cases within a week.

PM Writes to Anna: Govt-Anna Deadlock May End

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh took the initiative in the wake of deteriorating health of fasting Anna Hazare. He wrote a conciliatory letter to Anna, which brought the Govt. and Anna Team to the negotiating table within hours. The Prime Minister offered to place Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill before the parliamentary standing committee and urged him to end his fast. Dr. Singh’s letter to Hazare said, "I have maintained that your and our objective is identical. At worst, our paths and methodologies may differ." The letter, which started with the PM expressing "increasing concern" over Hazare's health, pointed out that the government was responsible to the will of the people as represented by Parliament. After the talks with Finance minister Pranab Mukherji, Team Anna negotiator Arvind Kejriwal told mediapersons that the government had no objection to bringing the PM under the purview of the lokpal and to consultations with Team Anna to strengthen the draft judicial accountability law.                  

T-issue Mellowed With Anna Fervour Catching up

Separate Telangana issue, which was giving tenterhooks to the ruling as well as other parties in the state, seems to be mellowed with Anna Hazare protest gaining momentum across the state. At least for the time being, the separatist movement got pushed into the background. Many T-leaders, particularly from the Telugu Desam, are pitching for Hazare and have put the T-issue on the back burner. In fact all Opposition - parties the TD, CPI, CPM, Forward Block, and BJP - have jumped on the Anna bandwagon seeing how it has captured the public mood. Mr Jogu Ramanna, the rebel TD member, who who has been in the forefront of the T-agitation, is seen these days sporting the newly popular Gandhi topi and participating in dharnas in Adilabad district in support of Anna Hazare. The TD’s T. Devender Goud and the CPI’s Narayana, who sat in dharnas for Telangana, were seen together at an all-party dharna in support of Hazare. Especially for the TD chief Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, Hazare's campaign is a blessing, as it has turned the spotlight away from the Telangana and Seema andhra agitation. Even the TRS chief, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, was forced to come out in support of Anna Hazare when the Gandhian was arrested. While Mr Chandrababu Naidu is relieved that Anna had taken the spotlight away from the Telangana debate, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao too can now manage to keep the T-issue burning till 2014 General Elections.  

APIIC-Emaar Scam: Ambati Kin Among The Beneficiaries

Ambati Rambabu, considered a staunch loyalist of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, was APIIC chairman during the tenure of late YS Rajasekhar Reddy. He might be feeling happy to see that so far his name hasn't been included in the FIR filed by CBI in the APIIC-Emaar scam, though his brother cornered a villa at the Emaar Hills Township Pvt Limited (EHTPL) at a throw away price. According to Emaar properties reports, Ambati Murali Krishna, brother of Ambati Ram Babu, bought a villa apparently using his brother's influence on EHTPL. According to Emaar properties reports, Ambati Murali Krishna was allotted plot no B-3 spread over an extent of 1,113 square yards at a throwaway price of Rs 5,000 per square yard when the actual market value prevailing at that time was not less than Rs 40,000 per square yard along with other high-profile buyers like industries minister J Geetha Reddy, former PCC chief D Srinivas, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu's daughter-in-law Nara Brahmani, several bureaucrats, film stars and others. Advocate T Sriranga Rao, who earlier made Ram Babu a respondent in the ACB court in the APIIC-Emaar scandal, alleged Ram Babu benefited from Emaar by getting a villa registered in his brother's name. "There are several influential persons who got the villas registered in their names by officially paying just Rs 5,000. However, the actual market value was more than Rs 40,000 at that time. As a result, APIIC lost several thousands of crores," says Mr. Ranga Rao.

Anna Health Condition: Day 9 at Ramlila Maidan

Stating that his health was fine, Anna Hazare alleged that the government had no intention of fighting corruption. Speaking at the Ramlila Maidan on day nine of his fast, Hazare, 74, said the government was corrupt and did not want to pass a strong Lokpal bill. "Yesterday, three people from our side went to talk to the government, but even today they don't have the intention of ending corruption," Hazare said. Anna further said that his health was fine. "On the ninth day of fast, my health is totally fine. Only my weight has reduced by six kg. There is nothing to worry about," he said. The doctors have been expressing concern over Hazare's condition as his vital parameters are fluctuating and ketone (produced by the body in a state of starvation) levels are increasing in blood. He was also suggested a glucose drip but he refused saying his conscience did not allow it. "I am getting energy from you," the activist told people.

Anna Hazare's Speech on Day 8 at Ramlila Maidan

Anna Hazare's fast against the government introduced Lok Pal Bill has entered 8th day. Addressing the huge gathering at the venue, Ramlila Maidan, Anna said that he's quite healthy enough to continue the fast till government brings in the stronger Jan Lok Pal Bill. There's nothing to be worried, as the team of doctors attending on him are taking every care. Anna said that he has faith in them and is confident that they will not allow him to die before the goal is achieved. Anna in his speech, asked the people to maintain restraint and not to resort to any kind of violence. He said that non-violence is the strongest weapon and a single incidence of violence by the protesters will give an opportunity to the goverrnment to curb the hitherto non-violent agaitation.            

Rallies Supporting Anna Hazare Held in USA

Thousands of Indian Americans across US have come out in support of social activist Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption in India with rallies, parades, sit-in protests and fasts. In New York, activists carrying "Remove corruption, save India" signs along its 10-block Madison Avenue route turned the annual India Day parade, the biggest Indian parade in the US, Sunday, into a protest march against corruption in their homeland. Bollywood celebrities Rani Mukherji, Gulshan Arora, Pandit Jasraj, several other stars and Brahmakumaris have participated in the rally. Similar parades, rallies and protests have also been conducted at Washington, Los Angeles and New Jersey.      

Anna Health Condition: Day 8 at Ramlila Maidan

India Against Corruption crusader Anna Hazare's indefinite fast at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi has reached 8th day. Doctors attending on Anna said that there is nothing to worry immediately about his health. Hazare has lost 5.6 kg since he began his fast on August 16. He is weaker but there was no problem right now, his close associate Manish Sisodia told mediapersons. "There is no need for hospitalisation. He has lost 600 grams in the past 24 hours. His weight is 66.4 kg, a drop from 72 kg. His blood pressure is 124/82. His pulse rate is 84 per minute. Anna told me that he is feeling fine," Sisodia said on Tuesday morning. Traces of ketone were also found in his blood. In the wee hours of the day, Sisodia said doctors have advised Hazare not to venture out in the sun as it could have a negative impact on his health.      

Deadline on Pub Timings: A Mere Eyewash!

A couple of weeks ago the police swoop down on a popular night spot at Durgam Cheruvu for staying open way past their deadline. Revelers, most of them employees of various private companies in and around Hi-Tec City, were rounded up and they were asked to deposit their official identity cards or mobiles phones with the police. They collected their I-cards and phones from the police station the following day. The whole exercise was meant to instill fear among both pub owners and revelers against breaking the deadline rule but as it turns out most watering holes are back in business of partying until 4 am. After all, with pub crawls the latest rage in town, a police raid is not as scary as the prospect of cash registers ringing through the night. Within a week of the raid, many pubs were seen open till late night, throwing out all deadlines and also the fear of police-baton!  

Miffed With Chiranjeevi PRP Leader Refuses to Join Cong

Upset with Chiranjeevi's attitude, former legislator Vangaveeti Radhakrishna did not join the Congress along with his supporters on Monday. Radhakrishna, son of Kapu warlord late Vangaveeti Ranga, was one of the few leaders who left the ruling Congress to join PRP before the last general elections. Sources said Radhakrishna was disappointed with the response of Chiranjeevi in ensuring him the party ticket for the next elections. Chiranjeevi is believed to have told Radhakrishna to join Congress unconditionally saying that he would think about his political future at an appropriate time. With Malladi Vishnu being the lone Congress legislator from Vijayawada city, Radharishna suspects that it could be difficult for him to get the party ticket. PRP nominees Vellampalli Srinivas and Yalamanchili Ravi are legislators from the city and they are likely to get re-nominated in the next elections. With his chances of getting a ticket from the Congress looking remote, Radhakrishna skipped the merger meeting held in Hyderabad. Though his political aides advised him to negotiate with YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy, Radhakrishna is yet to take a decision as the district incharge minister Galla Arunakumari, with whom he has good rapport, has reportedly cautioned him against taking hasty decisions.

TDP Decides to Move No-trust Motion

Speaking to media at Warangal, Telugu Desam Party senior leader Kadiam Srihari said that the Kiran Kumar Reddy led Congress government in the state has fell in to minority with Jagan-loyal MLAs submitting resignations. He demanded that the chief minister resign immediately as he has no moral right to continue in the post. Mr. Srihari appealed to the governor to dissolve the Congress government immediately as Kiran had lost the majority members' support. He asked the governor to convene a special session of the assembly for moving the no-confidence motion against the Kiran government. He said party president Chandrababu Naidu had decided to move the no-confidence motion as people of the state were fed up with Kiran government's policies and its failure to provide able administration. He said Chiranjeevi merged his PRP into Congress with a view to making riches.

Bukhari Tells Muslims to Keep Distance From Anna

The Shahi Imama of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari has called upon Muslims to stay away from Anna movement saying his war cry - Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai - are against Islam. "Islam does not condone the worship of the nation or land. It does not even condone worship of the mother who nurtures a child in her womb for nine months. How can Muslims then join his stir with a war cry that is against the basic tenets of their religion. I have advised them to stay away from it," Bukhari told. Bukhari, who is not perceived to be close to the Congress, may have inadvertently voiced the very concerns that Congress leaders have been expressing off record about how Anna's stir has isolated Muslims. The call has also reignited the debate of Vande Mataram being anti-Muslim which had surfaced when it had become the war cry in 1905 for protesters agitating against the partition of Bengal. The Shahi Imam is critical of the movement also because he feels that communalism and not corruption is the bane of the country. "If Anna had included communalism in his agenda, I would have felt more convinced about his intentions," he said.

Anna an Angel: Sri Sri Ravishankar

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also joined Hazare at Ramlila Maidan to extend his support to the Gandhian. As Hazare's fast reaching to its seventh day, hundreds poured into Ramlila Maidan to express solidarity with the 73-year-old Gandhian who began his indefinite fast in police custody on August 16. Click Here to Read Special Article by ABK Prasad: http:tinyurl.com/3qve5kq Speaking at the Ramlila Maidan, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar said that Anna is an angel from heaven who has come to save this nation from the corruption. Entire nation is supporting Anna in this cause and went on to add "This is the first of its kind in the recent history, when not even a single event of violence has taken place so far though such a large agitation against corruption is going on." As per the sources, the government has also initiated move for back-channel negotiations by roping in Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Umesh Chandra Sarangi and spiritual leader Bhaiyyuji Maharaj. Both had a meeting with Hazare and his team yesterday.    

Cong-PRP Merger 22 August 2011 - Video

The Praja Rajyam Party has formally merged with Congress Party today ata grand function held at Gandhi Bhavan, Hyderabad. PRP founder and chief Mr. Chiranjeevi, who took Congress membership in presence of Rahul Gandhi at Delhi on 20th, has been given a red-carpet welcome by the state Congress members and senior leaders. In the well attended function, PRP MLAs formally took the Congress membership in presence of the chief minister K Kiran Kumar Reddy, PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana, MPs T Subbirami Reddy, Undavalli Arun Kumar, V Hanumantha Rao and many senior leaders.