AAP, police clash at Delhi dharna

A scuffle on Monday broke out between AAP supporters and policemen outside Rail Bhawan where Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was holding a dharna along with six ministers demanding action against policemen who refused to raid an alleged drug and prostitution racket last week.

The incident occurred when police disconnected Mr. Kejriwal’s audio system prompting angry response from the AAP supporters.

The police pushed some of the supporters when they tried to break barricades.

In the evening, a number of AAP leaders including Sanjay Singh and former journalist Ashutosh were seen having heated arguments with police for allegedly beating a number of their supporters including Model Town MLA Akhilesh Tripathi.

They also claimed that Transport Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj had been detained by police, which denied it.

In a tweet, Mr. Kejriwal said Mr. Tripathi was beaten up by the police “brutally”. An AAP leader said Mr. Tripathi had to be admitted to a hospital.

Leave of Delhi Police personnel cancelled

The Centre cancelled the leave of all Delhi Police personnel in view of coming Republic Day function and deployed around 4,000 personnel for the sit-in protest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

“A huge burden on Delhi police at this sensitive time. All leaves are cancelled, definitely don’t need abuse and diversions at this time,” Minister of State for Home R.P.N. Singh wrote in microblogging site Twitter.

The leave was cancelled to provide foolproof security in the run up to and during the coming Republic Day function, he said.

Mr. Singh said around 4,000 security personnel have been deployed in and around the site of dharnas of Kejriwal.

“If CM (is) serious about safety of Delhi, let these cops go back to policing,” Mr. Singh said.

Rail Bhawan dharna

Earlier on Monday, in an unprecedented face-off with the Centre, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday began a dharna in front of Rail Bhawan calling himself an “anarchist” and asking “honest” police officials to take leave and join his protest demanding action against some of their colleagues.

Defying prohibitory orders in force in the high-security area near the seat of power, Mr. Kejriwal accompanied by six of his ministers, came down hard on the Centre for the current situation arising from their demand for action against officials who refused to raid an alleged drug and prostitution racket in an area in South Delhi.

“Some people are saying that I am an anarchist. I am spreading disorder. I agree I am an anarchist. Today, I will create anarchy for Shinde,” he said in an impromptu address to his party MLAs and supporters at the dharna site from where police asked him to shift to nearby Jantar Mantar.

He asked honest officials among the police force to take leave and join him in the agitation demanding Delhi police be brought under his government, a demand rejected by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

The 45-year-old Mr. Kejriwal said he has come prepared to stage dharna for at least 10 days and would continue the agitation further if need be.

Earlier in the morning, Mr. Kejriwal along with his supporters attempted to go to North Block housing the Home Ministry to lodge their protest. However, they were stopped near the Rail Bhavan as the nearby Vijay Chowk and the entire Rajpath were sealed for the Republic Day rehearsal that was going

Five killed in 6 serial bomb blasts at Modi rally

[caption id="attachment_9494" align="alignleft" width="292"] An injured being carried by policemen after serial bomb blasts during BJP's Hunkar rally at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Sunday. Photo:Ranjeet Kumar[/caption]

Hours before the multiple explosions, a crude bomb went off in a newly constructed toilet at the Patna railway station, two km from the BJP’s ‘Hunkar rally’ venue.

Five people died from blast injuries and 66 others were being treated for these injuries, according to Vimal Karak, Deputy Superintendent of Patna Medical College Hospital.

Five low intensity blasts occurred on the outer periphery of the Gandhi Maidan, Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami told PTI in Delhi. One bomb went off before the Eliphistine cinema hall on the western side of the rally venue, police said. Tens of thousands of people had gathered at the rally venue.

Immediately after the explosion at the railway station, bomb disposal swept the area and recovered two more crude bombs, Railway Superintendent of Police Upendra Kumar Sinha said.

One security personnel was injured while defusing a bomb recovered from the toilet, he said.

People were seen rushing the injured to the hospital as the explosions sparked panic.

At the rally, plumes of smoke billowed from a couple of sites even as BJP leaders, including Mr. Modi, addressed the crowd.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts and appealed for calm. He spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and asked him to speedily probe the blasts and ensure that perpetrators are punished.

“The Prime Minister has condemned the blasts in Patna and called for urgent steps to identify and take action against those responsible,” a PMO statement sai

The Home Ministry sought a report from the Bihar government on the explosions and has sent teams of National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) to the state.

“I can’t say whether it was a terror attack or political conspiracy. Only after the investigation, we will be able to tell anything,” Union Minister of State for Home R P N Singh said.

Mr. Modi later said he was saddened at the blasts. “Blasts in Patna are deeply saddening and unfortunate. Condolences with families of deceased and prayers with injured. I appeal for peace and calm,” the Gujarat Chief Minister said in a tweet.

Hours after the blasts, one live bomb was found at Gandhi maidan and it was being defused, police said. The entire maidan was also being searched thoroughly.

Mr. Singh said besides the Prime Minister, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had also spoken to the Chief Minister.

Four persons have been detained from different areas of Patna and are being questioned by police, according to Patna SSP Manu Maharaj.

Mr. Goswami said the Centre will give all assistance to the Bihar government. He said it was up to the state government to decide on what kind of arrangements were to be made for the rally.

Mr. Nitish held a meeting with Chief Secretary A.K. Sinha, Director General of Police Abhyanand and Principal Secretary Home Amir Subhani on the law and order situation in the wake of the serial blasts.

He also cancelled his scheduled tour to Munger where he was to address an international yoga conference.

Mr. Nitish’s carcade was ready at his 1, Anne Marg residence to leave for the airport to fly to Munger when the visit was cancelled, sources in the chief minister’s office said.

He was scheduled to go to Munger and from there to Rajgir to attend a two-day JD(U) convention in Nalanda district.

“The chief minister’s programme at Munger to attend an international yoga conference has been cancelled in view of the blasts in Patna,” Munger DM N K Singh told PTI.

Krishna, an eyewitness, said the gathering was first told that the tyre of a vehicle had exploded after the first explosions went off near the rally venue.

“But it didn’t seem so. I went there to check. I knew they were bomb blasts. The sound of the blasts was too loud,” he said.

PM condemns blasts, appeals for peace

Condemning the blasts in Patna just ahead of Narendra Modi’s rally, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed for peace and asked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to urgently identify and take action against the perpetrators.

The Prime Minister spoke to Mr. Kumar soon after the blasts to enquire about the situation and impress upon the need for immediate and firm action.

He assured the Bihar Chief Minister of all help from the Centre in the investigation.

“The Prime Minister has condemned the blasts in Patna and called for urgent steps to identify and take action against those responsible,” a PMO statement said.

“He appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm,” it added.

~hindu

Dr. Singh, during his telephonic call to Kumar, called for “immediate and firm action”.

BJP inching closer to naming Narendra Modi as PM candidate

[caption id="attachment_8943" align="alignleft" width="229"] modi - file photo[/caption]

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Thursday appeared to be inching closer towards an announcement of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate even as efforts continued by party chief Rajnath Singh to bring on board leaders who want the decision to be deferred till the assembly polls.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources said that the decision on Modi's elevation would be announced "soon" and could happen on Friday.

Rajnath Singh said that all senior leaders were being consulted on the issue and sought to downplay reservations of senior party leader LK Advani on declaring Modi as prime ministerial candidate.

"No one is miffed with anyone. ..We will decide after talking to everyone and will make the announcement at the appropriate time," Rajnath Singh told reporters here.

Earlier, former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi made a veiled criticism of Advani.

"Advaniji has failed to gauge the public mood. Advaniji himself declared Atalji as PM candidate. Now also he could have done the same for Namo (Narendra Modi)," Sushil Modi tweeted on Wednesday night.

Party sources said that apart from Advani, Sushma Swaraj, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, also wants the decision on projecting Modi to be deferred till assembly polls to five sates later this year.

Narendra Modi is the chief of party's campaign committee for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

GVL Narasimha Rao, a member of BJP's national executive, said the party leadership was trying to reach a consensus and admitted there were leaders who did not favour Modi.

However, he indicated that the party was willing to make the announcement despite the reservations of these leaders.

"Hope there is consensus in parliamentary board. If not, the majority decision will prevail," Narasimha Rao said.

Party sources said Rajnath Singh met Sushma Swaraj in a bid to pave the way for the announcement.

He had earlier met Advani and party leader Murli Manohar Joshi.

BJP has maintained that a decision on prime ministerial candidate would be taken by the parliamentary board.

Party sources said a meeting of the parliamentary board may be convened on Friday. They said Rajnath Singh may also decide to make an announcement on Narendra Modi after consulting members of the board individually.

"What the party would be doing tomorrow is only formalising a decision taken," a party leader said.

Those pushing for Narendra Modi's elevation as prime ministerial candidate feel that it will help build momentum against the Congress and help crystallise people's mood in favour of the party.

But Sudheendra Kulkarni, who was close to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee besides Advani, on Thursday accused Narendra Modi of polarising his own party and questioned his ability to head a stable central government.

"A socially polarising leader has polarised his own party. Can he run a smooth, stable and effective government at the centre? Think seriously," he tweeted.

~toi

BJP slams Rahul Gandhi's 'sermon' on Lokpal Bill

NEW DELHI: Asking Rahul Gandhi not to give "sermons" but to persuade the Prime Minister to bring changes in Lokpal Bill, the BJP on Friday slammed his speech in Parliament saying it closes the way for ending Anna Hazare's fast.


"We don't want Rahul's sermons. It is surprising that he is giving sermons to the nation but his party under Manmohan Singh is dill-dallying on a strong Lokpal issue. We urge him stop sermonising and persuade Prime Minister to bring changes in the Lokpal Bill," senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar said.

Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley was equally dismissive of Gandhi's speech in which he proposed making Lokpal a constitutional body like the Election Commission.

"When you have no solution to offer you talk of systemic changes," Jaitley said.

His counterpart in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said, Gandhi's speech "closes the way for ending Anna's fast."

She also made clear her displeasure at Speaker Meira Kumar giving 15 minutes to Gandhi to give his "sermon" in the House when he was not scheduled to speak on Friday.

Some BJP leaders said that the speech reflected that Gandhi differs with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Lokpal issue and Hazare's fast.

While Singh had been full of praise for Hazare in his speech on Thursday and this led to the Lok Sabha passing an unanimous resolution requesting the Gandhian to end his fast, Gandhi made no such gesture and even questioned such methods of protest.

Ananth Kumar alleged that the current stalemate on Lokpal issue and Hazare's fast was "due to the Congress and the UPA led by Manmohan Singh".

"Yesterday, the entire house and Manmohan Singh expressed concern over Anna's falling health but government is still dragging its feet on the issue. The government Lokpal Bill is totally malafide," Kumar said.

The BJP leader said his party wants "a strong and effective" Lokpal on the lines of Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by the Anna Hazare and his team.

"BJP has clarified its stand. We are for a strong and decisive Lokpal on the lines of Jan Lokpal Bill," he said.

BJP supports Anna's Jan Lokpal Bill, asks govt to withdraw its version

NEW DELHI: Opening up its cards for the first time on Anna Hazare's agitation, the BJP on Thursday came out in support of his Jan Lokpal Bill saying it should be made the basis of discussion in Parliament over creation of an effective ombudsman and asking the government to withdraw its version of the legislation. 

"The BJP supports Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by Team Anna. It should be introduced in Parliament. We will make it as the basis of discussion. The government's Lokpal Bill has gone to the parliamentary standing committee. The government can withdraw its bill with the opposition's consent," BJP president Nitin Gadkaritold a press conference at the party headquarters here.

He said he was worried about Anna Hazare's health and urged the Prime minister to take immediate steps to end the current impasse and help the Gandhian end his 10-day fast.

"BJP is with Anna Hazare on the issue of corruption and supports his movement. But the way the situation is deteriorating, it is not good for the nation. Keeping in view the interest of the nation and Anna's health, I appeal to the Prime Minister to take immediate steps. I hope a positive response from the government," Gadkari said.

The BJP leader also said the party was further discussing the Jan Lokpal Bill and would hold a meeting of its parliamentary board - the party's top decision-making body, later this evening.

The three sticking points on which the government and Team Anna have locked horns are likely to be taken up during the BJP parliamentary board meeting.

The BJP president said, "We pray to Anna to end his fast, as we are concerned about his health. The government should take steps to help Anna end his fast."

He said Anna's Jan Lokpal Bill be made the basis of discussion in Parliament and BJP will support it. Don't go into procedures. If the government gives any written assurance to Anna on this, then Anna should decide on ending his fast. It is the demand of the common people in society and nation's interest."

The BJP chief also denied allegations of "match-fixing" with the government and said the question now was the appointment of Lokpal.

On Anna's demand for keeping the Prime Minister under the Lokpal, Gadkari said the BJP is clear in its position that the top post should come under the purview of the ombudsman.

"Whether Prime Minister comes under the Lokpal or not, BJP has made it's position clear. BJP supports bringing the Prime Minister under Lokpal. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had first supported this."

Gadkari, however, said, "It's (bringing PM under Lokpal) detailed part, could be worked out after discussion in Parliament. I am sure a good solution will come out which should be implemented. There should also be a discussion on bringing the Judiciary under the Lokpal."

He said the issue is now between government and Anna Hazare. "Taking in view the situation arising out due to corruption, we ask for an immediate solution."

Victory for Anna Hazare, Lok Sabha to discuss Jan Lokpal tomorrow

NEW DELHI: Anna Hazare's major demand is set to be met with the government on Thursday deciding to have a discussion in the Lok Sabha on Friday on the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Sources said the discussion will take place on the 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.

It was, however, not clear immediately whether the debate would be held under Rule 193 or Rule 184, which entails voting.

The decision in this regard was reached during hectic parleys within the government, which included Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh's meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Subsequently, Singh held consultations with senior ministerial colleagues Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony.

The decision to hold the discussion marks meeting of a major demand of Hazare who said only then he would decide on ending his 10-day fast.

Anna Hazare has made three demands to the Prime Minister--- citizen's charter, lokayuktas in all states with Lokpal powers and inclusion of lowest to highest bureaucracy.

During the discussion, members will be free to speak on Aruna Roy's version of Lokpal Bill as also another version.

In view of the discussion, Parliament will have a sitting on Saturday, the sources said. 

Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal also held a meeting with Mukherjee on the issue of discussions.The meeting took place soon after Hazare reacted to Parliament's appeal to end his fast and demanded that it discuss from tomorrow three key issues on Jan Lokpal and create an agreement first.

He has warned that if the Parliament failed to do this, he will not end the fast.

Bansal also had a meeting with law minister Salman Khurshid apparently to work out the format for such a discussion. East Delhi MP Sandip Dikshit, who also been involved in negotiations with Team Anna, was also present in the meeting.

The meetings took place on a day when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the Lok Sabha that Parliament will find effective ways and means to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill, along with the government version of the Bill, Aruna Roy's Bill and the paper presented by Jaiprakash Narayan. He also made an appeal to the Gandhian to end his fast.