The return of firebrand former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday may be an attempt of the party leadership to make its circle of leaders more inclusive, but apparently in this new beginning she will have to work hard to make her position felt in the forthcoming election campaign in the state.
Bharti is a Lodhi by caste and considered to have some influence in the Bundelkhand region that includes parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Her return has not enthused some leaders in the party anyway. While an announcement about her return to party fold was widely accepted during the recent National Executive meet of the BJP in Lucknow, it was held back at the last moment because of the Ramdev episode taking the centre stage, and the continuing reservation of some party leaders, especially those from Madhya Pradesh itself.
However, by making it specific that Bharti will be involved fully in the Uttar Pradesh affairs and specially improve the party's prospects in Bundelkhand region, the party has sought to allay any fears that leaders in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh might be harbouring.
Showing posts with label Political Arena. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Political Arena. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
After Ramdev Baba episode, Lokpal bill is in dire straits
The government on Monday rejected Anna Hazare group's demand for televising proceedings of the joint Lokpal Bill drafting committee, asserting that it was ready to go ahead with the Bill with or without participation of the group in future meetings.
It also took offence to abuses heaped on Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal, saying this kind of discourse is not expected from someone claiming to represent civil society. (Swami Ramdev had called Sibal a liar and accused him of conspiring and cheating.) " We reject in the strongest possible terms these allegations.
This kind of language is just not acceptable. We also deal with civil society but never experienced such abuses. We hope that in future this kind of discourse will not be conducted in public," Sibal told a press conference after attending the Lokpal drafting committee meeting, held here despite the group's boycott. He also took on record BJP President Nitin Gadkari's observations questioning how a few nominated members of civil society were riding roughshod over Parliamentarians' rights.
Gadkari had further asked the government not to undermine the Constitution and institutions of democracy by involving the civil society in drafting the Bill as " laws are to be made by Parliamentarians." Rejecting the five issues raised by senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, co- chairman of the Lokpal committee, as " extraneous" to the drafting job, he said drafting of the Bill can not be done by posing questions and answers and that is why the committee was constituted to resolve issues through discussions.
However, if the group continues to boycott the meeting, the five ministers on the committee will continue to work on the draft, make it ready by June 30 and bring it before Parliament in the monsoon session, irrespective of the group's participation, he said.
The panel's next sitting is on June 15 and it is up to the group to attend or not, he said. Sibal taunted the group, saying that, on one hand, it wanted to complete the drafting by June 30 and, on the other hand, it tried to delay the drafting by boycotting the meeting. " The committee's mandate is to sort out issues and give a good draft and not keep exchanging letters," he asserted.
As regards many parties and chief ministers resenting the committee chairman Pranab Mukherjee seeking their views on some ticklish issues on the Lokpal Bill, the telecom minister said the government does not take opinion of parties while drafting Bills. It had done so only because it felt that this was an important legislation and hence why not seek their opinion, since the government was already taking into account the civil society's views.
It also took offence to abuses heaped on Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal, saying this kind of discourse is not expected from someone claiming to represent civil society. (Swami Ramdev had called Sibal a liar and accused him of conspiring and cheating.) " We reject in the strongest possible terms these allegations.
This kind of language is just not acceptable. We also deal with civil society but never experienced such abuses. We hope that in future this kind of discourse will not be conducted in public," Sibal told a press conference after attending the Lokpal drafting committee meeting, held here despite the group's boycott. He also took on record BJP President Nitin Gadkari's observations questioning how a few nominated members of civil society were riding roughshod over Parliamentarians' rights.
Gadkari had further asked the government not to undermine the Constitution and institutions of democracy by involving the civil society in drafting the Bill as " laws are to be made by Parliamentarians." Rejecting the five issues raised by senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, co- chairman of the Lokpal committee, as " extraneous" to the drafting job, he said drafting of the Bill can not be done by posing questions and answers and that is why the committee was constituted to resolve issues through discussions.
However, if the group continues to boycott the meeting, the five ministers on the committee will continue to work on the draft, make it ready by June 30 and bring it before Parliament in the monsoon session, irrespective of the group's participation, he said.
The panel's next sitting is on June 15 and it is up to the group to attend or not, he said. Sibal taunted the group, saying that, on one hand, it wanted to complete the drafting by June 30 and, on the other hand, it tried to delay the drafting by boycotting the meeting. " The committee's mandate is to sort out issues and give a good draft and not keep exchanging letters," he asserted.
As regards many parties and chief ministers resenting the committee chairman Pranab Mukherjee seeking their views on some ticklish issues on the Lokpal Bill, the telecom minister said the government does not take opinion of parties while drafting Bills. It had done so only because it felt that this was an important legislation and hence why not seek their opinion, since the government was already taking into account the civil society's views.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sibal hits back at Jairam on IITs standard
No direct rebuff of Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh lest it shows ministerial bickering and yet Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday spelled out the government's formal position that IITs and IIMs are indeed world- class.
He insisted at the daily press briefing by the GoM (Group of Ministers) that the government's clarification should not be viewed as an adversarial proceeding as there can be differences in the government position and personal views. Instead of debunking Jairam who has triggered a heated debate with his controversial remarks on Monday, Sibal went on to say that debate is always welcome.
He admitted that "Our institutions might not have gained the critical mass to change the global scientific discourse, but the faculty was not to be blamed for that."The US spends $250 billion on research while India spends only $8 billion, he pointed out.
Brushing aside a volley of questions on the pathetic state of higher education and research in IITs, Sibal said, "The subject today is whether the faculty can be blamed for this or not. I am saying the faculty can't be blamed." This is a categorical rejection of Jairam's contention which the IITs and IIMs themselves had protested against.
Asked if the Government felt compelled to come out with a clarification because the faculty members were upset and complaining, Sibal said, "Every faculty member does not have my mobile number, but yes those who have called up." Asked if this was an ideal situation that the Government has to spend time in explaining ministerial goof- ups, he shot back, " This is a democratic country and ministers are entitled to their views."
He went on to clarify: " There is a general perception that the calibre of contributions by the scientific community do not match the global standards. The recent comment made by a minister should be seen in the light of that generality. But the situation may not be exactly the same.
He insisted at the daily press briefing by the GoM (Group of Ministers) that the government's clarification should not be viewed as an adversarial proceeding as there can be differences in the government position and personal views. Instead of debunking Jairam who has triggered a heated debate with his controversial remarks on Monday, Sibal went on to say that debate is always welcome.
He admitted that "Our institutions might not have gained the critical mass to change the global scientific discourse, but the faculty was not to be blamed for that."The US spends $250 billion on research while India spends only $8 billion, he pointed out.
Brushing aside a volley of questions on the pathetic state of higher education and research in IITs, Sibal said, "The subject today is whether the faculty can be blamed for this or not. I am saying the faculty can't be blamed." This is a categorical rejection of Jairam's contention which the IITs and IIMs themselves had protested against.
Asked if the Government felt compelled to come out with a clarification because the faculty members were upset and complaining, Sibal said, "Every faculty member does not have my mobile number, but yes those who have called up." Asked if this was an ideal situation that the Government has to spend time in explaining ministerial goof- ups, he shot back, " This is a democratic country and ministers are entitled to their views."
He went on to clarify: " There is a general perception that the calibre of contributions by the scientific community do not match the global standards. The recent comment made by a minister should be seen in the light of that generality. But the situation may not be exactly the same.
Monday, March 14, 2011
MNS woos voters with cheap meals
With an eye on Thane polls next year, Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is leaving no stone unturned in reaching out to common man.
Shalini Thackeray, vicepresident of MNS women's wing, inaugurated Panchamrut project. The project is being carried out in association with a trust, Savitri Prathishthan. The meals will be prepared and packed by home makers at the centralized kitchen at Kopri. It will reach the final consumer through direct sale of food packets or in the form of tiffins, which will be made available at key areas in the city such as railway station, court areas, municipal corporation, markets etc.
Addressing a gathering of women activists, Shalini Thackeray said that through 'Panchamrut', the MNS wanted to empower women folk and at the same time provide food at subsidized rates to common man.
According to the Panchamrut plan, the packed breakfast will be provided at railway stations at a nominal rate of Rs 15. "Quality and hygiene will be of prime importance for the project. The food provided by us will be home made since it will be cooked by home makers who are adept at making food," said Anuya Misal, President, MNS women's wing, Thane city.
On the feasibility of the project when numerous 'poli bhaji' centres exist in the city, Misal said poli bhaji centres only provide with two meals. Through this project, we are providing people with numerous choices right from breakfast, meals, snacks and other traditional food products for children.
Shalini Thackeray, vicepresident of MNS women's wing, inaugurated Panchamrut project. The project is being carried out in association with a trust, Savitri Prathishthan. The meals will be prepared and packed by home makers at the centralized kitchen at Kopri. It will reach the final consumer through direct sale of food packets or in the form of tiffins, which will be made available at key areas in the city such as railway station, court areas, municipal corporation, markets etc.
Addressing a gathering of women activists, Shalini Thackeray said that through 'Panchamrut', the MNS wanted to empower women folk and at the same time provide food at subsidized rates to common man.
According to the Panchamrut plan, the packed breakfast will be provided at railway stations at a nominal rate of Rs 15. "Quality and hygiene will be of prime importance for the project. The food provided by us will be home made since it will be cooked by home makers who are adept at making food," said Anuya Misal, President, MNS women's wing, Thane city.
On the feasibility of the project when numerous 'poli bhaji' centres exist in the city, Misal said poli bhaji centres only provide with two meals. Through this project, we are providing people with numerous choices right from breakfast, meals, snacks and other traditional food products for children.
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