Watch senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley speak at the NDA rally took out for demanding a JPC probe in the 2G spectrum scam.
This is a Public Advice Blog of BJP. Website: www.bjpbengal.org
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
BJP youth wing to undertake West Bengal to Kashmir rally
Amravati, Dec 15 (PTI) The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) will soon take out a rally from West Bengal to Jammu and Kashmir and hoist the tri-colour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on March 26 next year to highlight the Kashmir issue and problems faced by the youth in the militant-affected state, a top functionary the BJP youth wing said today.
The rally will be undertaken under the youth wing''s ''India First'' campaign, Poonam Mahajan, National Vice- President of BJYM, who was in the city to address a meeting of BJYM. told reporters here.
Speaking at the meet, Mahajan claimed BJP will come to power at the Centre after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
She said the party should give 50 per cent election tickets to the youth.
The main work of political parties is to serve people, but the Congress-led Government in Maharashtra, over the last ten years, has failed to prevent farmer suicides and was ridden with corruption, Mahajan said.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/bjp-youth-wing-undertake-west-bengal-kashmir-rally-20101215-101700-174.html
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on Saturday said that it would embark on a “national unity march” from Kolkata on January 12 and hoist the Tricolour in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk on the Republic Day.
BJYM president Anurag Thakur said the march would commence on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. “We will hoist the Tricolour at Lal Chowk on January 26. We will take youths from all over the country in the march,” he said.
Thakur, a BJP MP from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, said the march would pass through 11 states, covering a distance of 3,066 km.
He said 32 public meetings and 120 roadshows will be held during the march. He said BJP leaders will take part in public meetings.
“The march will start from the birth place of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and culminate in the state in which he laid down his life,” Thakur said.
He said the march was being held in support of its demands for removing Article 370 of the Constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIKM&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&GZ=T
SAFFRON RALLY
‘Flag march’ from Kolkata to J&K
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on Saturday said that it would embark on a “national unity march” from Kolkata on January 12 and hoist the Tricolour in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk on the Republic Day.
BJYM president Anurag Thakur said the march would commence on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. “We will hoist the Tricolour at Lal Chowk on January 26. We will take youths from all over the country in the march,” he said.
Thakur, a BJP MP from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, said the march would pass through 11 states, covering a distance of 3,066 km.
He said 32 public meetings and 120 roadshows will be held during the march. He said BJP leaders will take part in public meetings.
“The march will start from the birth place of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and culminate in the state in which he laid down his life,” Thakur said.
He said the march was being held in support of its demands for removing Article 370 of the Constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIKM&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&GZ=T
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Rahul’s pro-Lashkar e-Taiba remarks shocked the nation
Senior RSS leader Ram Madhav said that there was a race in the senior congress leadership to project Hindus as terrorists. "It is shocking that there is a race in the senior Congress leadership to indirectly or directly support jihadi terror and to project Hindus as terrorists in this country, that too in gross violation of established diplomatic norms and procedures," said Ram Madhav
According to Wikileaks, Rahul had told US Ambassador Timothy Roemer that growth of radicalised Hindu groups was a bigger threat than Lashkar-e-Taiba.
"Going to a foreign ambassador and talking with him about India's international issues is most shocking. It only betrays utter lack of knowledge of Indian reality as well as lack of knowledge of government diplomatic practices in a person who aspires to be whatever in this country tomorrow," Madhav said.
Friday, December 17, 2010
WikiLeaks: Rahul believes Hindu extremists bigger threat than Muslim militants
New Delhi : In controversial comments, Rahul Gandhi has told US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer that the growth of "radicalised Hindu groups" posed a bigger threat to the country than militant groups like the Lashkar-e-Toiba, according to a leaked American diplomatic cable.
Rahul, during a conversation with the envoy at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence in July 2009 in honour of visiting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also referred to the tensions created by some of the more polarising figures in the BJP such as Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the cable said.
According to a secret US diplomatic cable from New Delhi released by WikiLeaks, the Congress leader shared his views with Roemer on a range of political topics, social challenges, and electoral issues for the Congress party in the next five years.
"Responding to the ambassador's query about Lashkar-e-Toiba's activities in the region and immediate threat to India, Gandhi said there was evidence of some support for the group among certain elements in India's indigenous Muslim community," the cable notes.
"Gandhi, however, warned, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalised Hindu groups, which create religious tensions and political confrontations with the Muslim community," it said.
The cable dated August 3, 2009 which described Roemer's luncheon encounter with Gandhi on July 20, 2009, said Gandhi was referring to the tensions created by some of the more polarising figures in the BJP such as Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
"The risk of a 'home-grown' extremist front, reacting to terror attacks coming from Pakistan or from Islamist groups in India, was a growing concern and one that demanded constant attention," it said.
The cable signed by Roemer says that Gandhi, who was seated next to the Ambassador, was forthright in describing the challenges faced by the Congress party and the UPA government in the months ahead.
In late 2007, US diplomats had described Gandhi: "Widely viewed as an empty suit, he will have to prove wrong those who dismiss him as a lightweight."
"To do so he will have to demonstrate determination, depth, savvy and stamina," it said.
"He will need to get his hands dirty in the untidy and ruthless business that is Indian politics," a diplomat reportedly said in a cable entitled 'The son also rises: Rahul Gandhi takes another step towards top job'.
Other US cables talk of Gandhi's political inexperience and repeated gaffes. They also repeat cutting criticism from political analysts and journalists.
However, the cables reportedly reveal that as Gandhi warmed to the US, the US warmed to him.
In a meeting with another American official last summer, he explained his strategy of targetting rural populations and small towns, impressing his interlocutor.
"(Gandhi) came off as a practiced politician who knew how to get his message across, was precise and articulate and demonstrated a mastery that belied the image some have of (him) as a dilettante," the official said.
In November last year, after a meeting with the US ambassador, a cable to Washington described Gandhi as "an elusive contact in the past" but now "clearly interested in reaching out to the USG (United States Government)".
A cable from February this year describes him as "increasingly sure-footed".
For Roemer, writing after the lunch during which Gandhi had commented on extremism, "the rising profile of young leaders like Rahul Gandhi provides (the USA with) an opening to expand the constituency in support of the strategic partnership with a long term horizon".
When contacted in New Delhi, the US Embassy offered no comments on the WikiLeaks contents.
The United States, which has accused WikiLeaks of stealing its secret cables, has refused to either deny or confirm the authenticity of these cables.
Till as late as August too, senior Congress leader and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had cautioned state police forces, security and intelligence officials against the recently uncovered phenomenon of ‘saffron terrorism’.
"There is no let-up in the attempts to radicalise young men and women in India. Besides, there is the recently uncovered phenomenon of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past. My advice to you is that we must remain ever vigilant and continue to build, at the central and state levels, our capacity in counter-terrorism," he told top police and security officers.
The Congress was quick to cover its tracks after that remark when party spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi clarified later that terror had no colour.
Slamming Rahul, BJP said Congress wants to create a communal strife so that they can have a vote harvest in the coming elections.
"They (Congress) are feeling let down by the corruption scandals and price rise... so they are afraid of losing the elections. This is their old trick...," BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/wikileaks-rahul-believes-hindu-extremists-bigger-threat-than-muslim-militants/726009/0
According to a secret US diplomatic cable from New Delhi released by WikiLeaks, the Congress leader shared his views with Roemer on a range of political topics, social challenges, and electoral issues for the Congress party in the next five years.
"Responding to the ambassador's query about Lashkar-e-Toiba's activities in the region and immediate threat to India, Gandhi said there was evidence of some support for the group among certain elements in India's indigenous Muslim community," the cable notes.
"Gandhi, however, warned, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalised Hindu groups, which create religious tensions and political confrontations with the Muslim community," it said.
The cable dated August 3, 2009 which described Roemer's luncheon encounter with Gandhi on July 20, 2009, said Gandhi was referring to the tensions created by some of the more polarising figures in the BJP such as Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
"The risk of a 'home-grown' extremist front, reacting to terror attacks coming from Pakistan or from Islamist groups in India, was a growing concern and one that demanded constant attention," it said.
The cable signed by Roemer says that Gandhi, who was seated next to the Ambassador, was forthright in describing the challenges faced by the Congress party and the UPA government in the months ahead.
In late 2007, US diplomats had described Gandhi: "Widely viewed as an empty suit, he will have to prove wrong those who dismiss him as a lightweight."
"To do so he will have to demonstrate determination, depth, savvy and stamina," it said.
"He will need to get his hands dirty in the untidy and ruthless business that is Indian politics," a diplomat reportedly said in a cable entitled 'The son also rises: Rahul Gandhi takes another step towards top job'.
Other US cables talk of Gandhi's political inexperience and repeated gaffes. They also repeat cutting criticism from political analysts and journalists.
However, the cables reportedly reveal that as Gandhi warmed to the US, the US warmed to him.
In a meeting with another American official last summer, he explained his strategy of targetting rural populations and small towns, impressing his interlocutor.
"(Gandhi) came off as a practiced politician who knew how to get his message across, was precise and articulate and demonstrated a mastery that belied the image some have of (him) as a dilettante," the official said.
In November last year, after a meeting with the US ambassador, a cable to Washington described Gandhi as "an elusive contact in the past" but now "clearly interested in reaching out to the USG (United States Government)".
A cable from February this year describes him as "increasingly sure-footed".
For Roemer, writing after the lunch during which Gandhi had commented on extremism, "the rising profile of young leaders like Rahul Gandhi provides (the USA with) an opening to expand the constituency in support of the strategic partnership with a long term horizon".
When contacted in New Delhi, the US Embassy offered no comments on the WikiLeaks contents.
The United States, which has accused WikiLeaks of stealing its secret cables, has refused to either deny or confirm the authenticity of these cables.
Till as late as August too, senior Congress leader and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had cautioned state police forces, security and intelligence officials against the recently uncovered phenomenon of ‘saffron terrorism’.
"There is no let-up in the attempts to radicalise young men and women in India. Besides, there is the recently uncovered phenomenon of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past. My advice to you is that we must remain ever vigilant and continue to build, at the central and state levels, our capacity in counter-terrorism," he told top police and security officers.
The Congress was quick to cover its tracks after that remark when party spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi clarified later that terror had no colour.
Slamming Rahul, BJP said Congress wants to create a communal strife so that they can have a vote harvest in the coming elections.
"They (Congress) are feeling let down by the corruption scandals and price rise... so they are afraid of losing the elections. This is their old trick...," BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/wikileaks-rahul-believes-hindu-extremists-bigger-threat-than-muslim-militants/726009/0
Thursday, December 16, 2010
BJP slams Central government over steep hike in petrol price
The hike in price of petrol by the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited by Rs 2.95 per litre and the expected hike in price by other oil companies has invited criticism from all quarters.
The youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party in a meeting held in party office in Sector 33 criticized the sharp hike in the petrol prices. The members of the party would be holding a protest demonstration on Thursday.
President of the city unit of BJP, Sanjay Tandon said the government should have adjusted the hike with some amount of calibration of taxes. The hike would have a spiralling impact on all other commodities.
The members of youth wing stated that the common man was already reeling under severe inflation caused by the wrong economic policies of the Congress-led UPA Government, and this hike has come as a further shock to everyone.
National incharge of the Legal and Legislative Cell of BJP Satya Pal Jain said the hike in petrol prices was highly deplorable. “It is an additional burden on the common man. Despite tall claims by the government the prices are rising. Due to scandals worth crores there has been loss to the government exchequer. Instead of taking any action to recover the amount, the people are being burdened. Especially the salaried class is worst affected,” said Jain.With the petrol prices at other outlets being less than that of BPCL, these wore an almost deserted look. The city residents have expressed concern at the impact it would have on their household budgets.
President of the city unit of Janata Party Ajay Jagga condemned the hike in petrol prices. Jagga says, “This is the sixth petrol hike after deregulation. The latest hike comes immediately after the end of the winter session which concluded without any work. The deregulation policy of the UPA government is crushing the common man. The price of petrol will have an impact on the price of other essential commodities as well.”
The youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party in a meeting held in party office in Sector 33 criticized the sharp hike in the petrol prices. The members of the party would be holding a protest demonstration on Thursday.
President of the city unit of BJP, Sanjay Tandon said the government should have adjusted the hike with some amount of calibration of taxes. The hike would have a spiralling impact on all other commodities.
The members of youth wing stated that the common man was already reeling under severe inflation caused by the wrong economic policies of the Congress-led UPA Government, and this hike has come as a further shock to everyone.
National incharge of the Legal and Legislative Cell of BJP Satya Pal Jain said the hike in petrol prices was highly deplorable. “It is an additional burden on the common man. Despite tall claims by the government the prices are rising. Due to scandals worth crores there has been loss to the government exchequer. Instead of taking any action to recover the amount, the people are being burdened. Especially the salaried class is worst affected,” said Jain.With the petrol prices at other outlets being less than that of BPCL, these wore an almost deserted look. The city residents have expressed concern at the impact it would have on their household budgets.
President of the city unit of Janata Party Ajay Jagga condemned the hike in petrol prices. Jagga says, “This is the sixth petrol hike after deregulation. The latest hike comes immediately after the end of the winter session which concluded without any work. The deregulation policy of the UPA government is crushing the common man. The price of petrol will have an impact on the price of other essential commodities as well.”
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
NDA to launch nationwide protests against corruption
New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Tuesday announced a nationwide campaign from Dec 22 to intensify its 'fight against corruption' in the ruling alliance and press for a parliamentary probe into the spectrum scandal.
'The 2G spectrum is a multi-dimensional scam and not just governmental corruption,' Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani, who is also working chairman of the opposition alliance, told reporters.
Seated by his side were Janata Dal-United chief Sharad Yadav, Shiv Sena MP Anant Gite and Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujaral besides opposition leaders in parliament Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj.
The opposition agitation will be launched with a rally here Dec 22, Advani said, adding that it will then move to Mumbai Jan 16.
Similar rallies will be held in Patna, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Rohtak, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Hyderabad and Chennai.
Reacting to the Congress charge that the opposition was responsible for disruption of parliament over its demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the spectrum row, Advani accused the Congress of 'misleading the public'.
Justifying the NDA's disruption of parliament's winter session, he said the loss to the public exchequer to the tune of Rs.1.67 lakh crore in the allocation of 2G spectrum was the biggest scandal in independent India and the government owed an explanation to the people.
'If we had not led the protest and adopted a tough posture, then (Telecommunication Minister A.) Raja , (Maharashtra Chief Minister) Ashok Chavan and Suresh Kalmadi would not have been removed (over corruption charges),' he said.
Advani also took on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who Tuesday said the government will seek to stop leakage of tapped telephonic conversations.
'The 2G scam is a serious issue. Why is the prime minister worried only about that? Are these matters the prime minister should be worried about?'
He said not a single reason had been put forward by Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for not accepting the opposition's demand for a JPC.
'Who all benefited from the scam should be known to the public,' he said.
The BJP leader also claimed that the Congress was isolated in and outside parliament and even from its allies on the issue.
Sharad Yadav later told reporters that the NDA was in talks with other parties to hold rallies jointly in states. The parties included the Biju Janata Dal and Telugu Desam Party, both of which were once NDA allies.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Terror fund trail leads to Calcutta
| IMRAN AHMED SIDDIQUI |
New Delhi, Dec. 11: Officers of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will travel to Calcutta next week to probe the suspected role of the Indian Mujahideen in the extortion calls made to four Calcutta businessmen in February this year. The federal counter-terror agency believes that tracking the extortion calls may reveal the funding route of the Indian Mujahideen, blamed for a spate of strikes across India since 2008, including the recent Varanasi blast. “The Indian Mujahideen has started regrouping after recent setbacks and is desperate to mobilise funds from different sources. The Calcutta probe is primarily aimed at unearthing the money trail,” a home ministry official said. “For the past two years, the National Investigation Agency as well as the CBI, other central agencies and the Delhi police’s special cell have been trying to track the terror outfit’s funding route.” In February, calls demanding Rs 20 crore to Rs 40 crore were made to the offices of two shoe companies in central Calcutta, the owner of a star hotel in south Calcutta and a Howrah businessman, threatening them with abduction unless they paid up. Calcutta police believe the caller was an aide of Indian Mujahideen co-founder Aamir Reza Khan, who grew up in Beniapukur and has a strong network in the Bengal capital. “This is why they chose businessmen in Calcutta,” a Calcutta police officer said. “We traced some of the calls to Dubai and Karachi but after that we could not make any progress in the case.” On the police’s advice, the Bengal government recently sought help from the Centre. Union home minister P. Chidambaram handed the probe over to the National Investigation Agency last month. The Calcutta police have identified the caller as Khurram Khaiyam, an aide of Aamir who heads the Asif Reza Khan Commando Force. Aamir was once an associate of Aftab Ansari and is an accused in the January 2002 attack on the American Center in Calcutta. |
‘When we were in power, no lobbyist had our ear’: SUSHMA SWARAJ
An entire Parliament session and no business done. Won't the opposition be blamed ?
• When Bofors happened, Parliament was stalled for 45 days. Earlier, on two occasions when aJPC was demanded, Parliament was stalled for 15 and 17 days respectively. It gives me great pain that Parliament could not function. But I blame the government entirely for this impasse. Their obstinate and stubborn attitude is responsible.
A JPC has been demanded about four times before this -- twice during Congress’ time and twice during NDA regimes. So both the main parties have demanded it. As the ruling party, both parties have conceded the demand. And if JPC is not an appropriate forum to probe a scandal of this extent, then what is the purpose of having JPC in the rule book? We firmly told the government that today you constitute JPC and tomorrow there will be Parliament. We offered to compensate the loss of hours, but I do not know why government has adopted this negative approach, in spite of its own allies supporting this demand.
Why do you think the government won’t agree to a JPC?
• The only reason that comes to mind is that they don’t want the issue to remain alive. After the House adjourns, the issue gets lost. But if a JPC is constituted, the issue remains alive after every meeting. The chairperson of the JPC briefs the press. Members are privy to documents; even confidential papers come into the public domain. The government did not want such a probe by MPs because that would have been a continuous embarrassment for it.
Why must it be only a JPC probe and nothing else?
• Especially after the Radia tapes, many aspects of 2G have surfaced. Earlier it looked like one man's doing, i.e A Raja. After the Radia tapes’ disclosure, it became evident that lobbying was done even to put Raja in the ministry. There were two telecom lobbies and both wanted their favourite ministers to get the portfolio. Intrigues and manipulation was done through politicians, journalists, other lobbyists -- all these disclosures have put a question mark on the very existence of Indian democracy. All these aspects cannot be probed either by PAC or by the Supreme Court. Only parliamentarians have to sit and discuss and introspect about these new revelations.
It’s easy to sound self righteous but wasn’t there lobbying etc when the NDA was in power?
• No, never. Secondly, when this proposal was made, the DMK said they wanted the JPC probe from 1998. I immediately intervened and accepted the proposal and told Pranabda that you accept the terms and have
the JPC. If we had anything to hide, we would not have accepted it. Let it cover the entire NDA period.
So, are lobbyists a new breed in Indian politics?
• Yes, to this extent it is new. Even in the US where lobbying is legitimate, they don't influence portfolio distribution and government policy formation. They only tell their interests to some MPs and want them to pursue it.
Would you support legitimate lobbying in India?
• Politics is an instrument of public service. We do n’t become MPs to further some corporate group's interests. I am not in favour of lobbying in any manner.
Do you think you’ll be able to carry on playing up the corruption issue when Parliament ends?
• When we go to the public, the issue of corruption will widen and include CWG, 2G, Adarsh, corruption in Assam, in Arunachal, NREGA and more... those that people can easily connect with. We are chalking out our programme for three months before the Budget session. We will roll out our plans on December 14. Not just metro cities but districts and tehsils would be covered so that the issue percolates down to the common man.
Might the stalemate spill over to the Budget session then?
•The strategy for the Budget session will be chalked out before that. Today, the strategy is for the intervening period. Things will take a turn depending on what happens during this period. After all, new revelations are coming up every day.
There are charges of corruption against the BJP’s CM in Karnataka so you can’t be too highminded. How will you deal with this?
Arunji (Jaitley) has been assigned the duty to oversee Karnataka affairs. He is very well versed with the other opposition parties’ views and privy to documents. I am sure he will set things right.
Karnataka CM Yediyurrappa named you as one of the party leaders who worked against him. What do you say?
• He never complained against me. He contradicted this in writing.
How has it been to interact with Sonia, Rahul Gandhi and Pranab Mukherjee?
• My experience has been good. Especially with the leader of the House (Mukherjee), the comfort level is very high because when I was parliamentary affairs minister, he accompanied me in a parliamentary delegation abroad. The respect that I showed to him during that time is still remembered by him and he mentions it quite often. That is reflected in his attitude while dealing with me. Soniaji's comfort level has also increased lately because in both my constitutional positions, earlier as parliamentary affairs minister and now as LoP, I have given her full respect that is due to her. Rahulji has been very respectful towards me.
Times of India, 12 Dec 2010, P-18
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wikileaks: Cong tried religion card for poll gains: Mulford
Ex-Envoy Heaps Scorn On ‘Crass Opportunism’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: Former US ambassador David Mulford made a bleak assessment of the Congress’s “crass political opportunism” and its preparedness to “stoop to old caste/religious-based” politics after 26/11, saying, according to US cables published by Wikileaks, the party fanned the view that Hindutva forces were behind the attack.
In a December 20, 2008 cable, Mulford referred to former minorities affair minister A R Antulay’s controversial suggestion that the death of Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare could be linked to his investigation of radical Hindu groups.
After initially distancing itself from the claim, Mulford said, the Congress had chosen to play along. “The Congress party, after first distancing itself from the comments, two days later issued a contradictory statement, which implicitly endorsed the conspiracy,” said the cable. While noting that cooler heads ultimately prevailed, he added that some Congress leaders were tempted to play identity politics.
While Mulford’s views of the Congress succumbing to votebank calculations is highly unflattering, he seems to have misread the situation as Antulay had been hauled up immediately after his remarks and had to swiftly clarify. The Congress had sensed the possibility of a backlash ahead of the general elections, which were just three months away.
Reacting to the reports, the Congress said the matter was a communication between an ambassador and his government and would have to be verified. “The ambassador sends a secret report...somebody claims to have found out. Nobody has authenticated that. For any party to say something on this will not be responsible,” said Janardhan Dwivedi, AICC media in-charge.
‘Congress chose to pander Muslims’ fears’
New Delhi: The Congress chose to play dumb about the Wikileaks revelation of former US envoy David Mulford’s cables on how the party tried to fan the view that Hindu radicals were behind 26/11, saying the “secret communication” wasn’t authenticated. But it might have squirmed a bit at Mulford’s view that former minority affairs minister A R Antulay’s comments had fed the belief of those in the Indian Muslim community, who “believe they are unfairly targetted by law enforcement and that those who investigate the truth are silenced”.
Mulford notes that Congress “...made the cynical political calculation to lend credence to the conspiracy even after its recent emboldening state election victories. The party chose to pander to Muslims' fears, providing impetus for those in the Muslim community who will continue to play up the conspiracy theory.” TNN 12 Dec 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
BJP threatens gherao over land acquisition
Demands White Paper on the project to set up a township at Rajarhat on the outskirts of the city
KOLKATA: The Bharatiya Janata Party announced here on Friday that it would lay siege to the office of the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) chaired by the Housing Minister, Gautam Deb, unless the company releases a White Paper revealing every detail related to acquisition of land for the project to set up a township at Rajarhat on the north-eastern fringe of the city.
The announcement came a day after supporters of the Trinamool Congress held a demonstration outside the HIDCO office.
BJP supporters held symbolic protests during the day with a plough and bullocks, planting paddy in front of the HIDCO office, demanding that the interests of the farmers in Rajarhat not be compromised.
‘Not against township'
“We are not against the land acquisition or against the setting up of a township. But we want that the farmers be given their due,” said Rahul Sinha, president of the State unit of the BJP.
Mr. Sinha alleged rampant corruption by supporters of the Trinamool Congress and the CPI (M) in the process of acquisition and asked the State Government to reveal all details about the prices at which land was bought and then sold. They also sought clarity on those who have lost their land.
The issue has snowballed into a major controversy since Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee held a public rally at Rajarhat last month alleging that the CPI (M) was responsible for forcible land acquisition.
However, Mr. Sinha claimed that the Trinamool Congress' was a “sham” protest as several contractors associated with the party were among the syndicates that were supplying material for the construction at Rajarhat.
“If the State Government does not bring out a White Paper on the matter by the end of this month, we shall lay siege to the HIDCO office,” Mr. Sinha said.
শান্তিতেই হিডকো অভিযান বিজেপি-র
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| "HIDCO GHERAO" BY BJP (PHOTO: BARTAMAN PATRIKA) |
রাজ্য রাজনীতিতে প্রাসঙ্গিক থাকার জন্যই বিধায়ক-শূন্য এই দল বর্তমানে হিংসাত্মক আন্দোলনের কৌশল নিয়েছে। কিন্তু এ দিন তাদের কর্মসূচি বিনা অশান্তিতে মিটে যাওয়ায় রাজনৈতিক শিবিরের একাংশ মনে করছে, বিজেপি সাময়িক ভাবে ওই কৌশল থেকে সরে দাঁড়াল। তবে অন্য অংশের ব্যাখ্যা, এ দিন নিউটাউনের যে এলাকায় বিজেপি-র কর্মসূচি ছিল, তা এতই নির্জন যে, সেখানে হাঙ্গামা বাধালে জনতার মধ্যে বিশেষ ‘প্রভাব’ পড়ত না। সেই কারণেই তারা এ দিন ওই রাস্তায় হাঁটেনি।
এ দিন বিজেপি-র বিক্ষোভ সমাবেশ ছিল রাজারহাটের জমি-কাণ্ড নিয়ে শ্বেতপত্র প্রকাশের দাবিতে। তাদের অভিযোগ, রাজারহাট- নিউটাউনে কৃষিজমি অধিগ্রহণ থেকে শুরু করে বিভিন্ন ফ্ল্যাট ও অন্যান্য প্রকল্প তৈরি পর্যন্ত গোটা প্রক্রিয়ায় সিপিএম এবং তৃণমূল সমান ভাবে জড়িত। এবং সে জন্যই তৃণমূল এত দিন রাজারহাট নিয়ে নিশ্চুপ ছিল। বিজেপি-র রাজ্য সভাপতি রাহুল সিংহ বলেন, “সিঙ্গুর-নন্দীগ্রাম আন্দোলনের পর ভোটে সাফল্য পেয়ে তৃণমূল নেত্রী বুঝেছেন, এ রাজ্যে জমি বিষয়টা ভাল চলছে। আর কেন্দ্রীয় সরকারের শরিক হয়ে মূল্যবৃদ্ধি বা তাদের একের পর এক কেলেঙ্কারি নিয়েও তাঁর পক্ষে কার্যকরী প্রতিবাদ করা সম্ভব নয়। তাই তিনি সদলে রাজারহাট-নিউটাউন জমি-কাণ্ড নিয়ে আন্দোলনের নাটক করছেন।” যার প্রতিবাদে রাহুল এ দিন তাঁদের সভা-সংলগ্ন একখণ্ড জমিতে গরু-লাঙল সহযোগে ‘প্রতীকী’ ধান চাষ করেছেন।
বস্তুত, সিঙ্গুর-নন্দীগ্রামের মতো রাজারহাট আন্দোলনের ফসলও তৃণমূল একাই ঘরে তুলুক, তা বিজেপি চায় না। ওই ফসলে ভাগ বসানোর উদ্দেশ্যেই তারা দু’টি কৌশল নিয়েছে। এক, রাজারহাটের জমিহারাদের প্রতি তাদের দরদই ‘আসল’ এবং বাকিদেরটা ‘নকল’—এটা দেখানো। দুই, রাজারহাট এবং সমগ্র জমি অধিগ্রহণ বিতর্কে মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের বক্তব্যের ‘অসারতা’ প্রমাণ করা। যে কারণে এ দিন বিজেপি-র প্রাক্তন রাজ্য সভাপতি তথাগত রায় সিপিএমের চেয়ে তৃণমূলকেই বেশি বিঁধেছেন। তাঁর প্রথম প্রশ্ন, “অধিগৃহীত জমিতে বাড়ি তৈরি হয়ে গিয়েছে। মানুষ থাকতে শুরু করেছেন। এত দিন পরে তৃণমূল নেত্রী সরব হলেন কেন? তিনি কি চান, ওই বাড়িগুলি ভেঙে জমি অনিচ্ছুক কৃষকদের ফিরিয়ে দিতে?” এই প্রেক্ষিতেই তথাগতবাবু জানান, তাঁরা জমি অধিগ্রহণ বা নগরায়নের বিরোধী নন।
তাঁর কথায়, “ধরা যাক, কারখানা, রেলপথ বা রাস্তার জন্য এক লপ্তে কিছুটা জমি দরকার। জমি দিতে কেউ রাজি হলেন। কেউ হলেন না। সে ক্ষেত্রে অনিচ্ছুকদের অংশ বাঁচিয়ে কি সাপের মতো এঁকেবেঁকে কারখানা বা রেললাইন বা রাস্তা হবে?” মমতার প্রতি তথাগতবাবুর দ্বিতীয় এবং তৃতীয় কটাক্ষ, “জমিদাতারা ন্যায্য ক্ষতিপূরণ পাচ্ছেন না জমি অধিগ্রহণের পুরনো আইনের জন্য। আর সেই আইন সংশোধন আটকে আছে মমতার জন্য। তা ছাড়া, উনি ওঁর রেলে জমিদাতাদের চাকরি দিয়ে নজির গড়ুন না! সকলে না হয় ওঁকে দেখেই মডেলটা শিখবে!”আনন্দবাজার পত্রিকা ২৫ অগ্রহায়ণ ১৪১৭ শনিবার ১১ ডিসেম্বর ২০১০
Thursday, December 9, 2010
CPI(M), Trinamool involved in Rajarhat land scandal:Rahul Sinha
Kolkata, Dec 7 : Giving a twist to the CPI(M)-Trinamool Congress tussle over the allegation of Rajarhat land scam, the BJP today alleged that both the parties were involved in it.
But, in what could make the CPI(M) smile even facing the Opposition charge of corruption, West Bengal BJP president Rahul Sinha alleged that the reason the Trinamool was raising the issue for a movement was to divert the people's attention from its own 'misdeeds'.
''Not only has the ruling party forcibly captured land at Rajarhat. The Trinamool Congress was also involved in the scam,'' he alleged.
''Some of the Trinamool members have got land there. Now they are trying to divert the people's attention from the scandal,'' he said.
Now that the Singur-Nandigram issues have become things of the past, it was also an attempt of the Trinamool to kick up a new issue afresh, Mr Sinha charged.
Announcing a novel way to put the BJP in the political scene, at present seized with the imposing presence of the Trinamool, the main opposition in the state, and the ruling Left Front leader CPI(M), Mr Sinha also announced that its workers would cultivate paddy in 'Jyoti Basu Nagar', the Rajarhat township area on December 9 in protest against the 'land scam'.
Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee has recently alleged that land for the Rajarhat township, coming up on the city's outskirts, had been acquired either forcibly or at throwaway prices, while HIDCO, a state-run nodal agency for the project, sold the developed land at exorbitant prices.
Alleging that numerous local people had been rendered homeless or without job, the Trinamool Congress also announced the decision to gherao HIDCO office on December 10.
The state government, however, denied all the allegations, saying it has all the documents of a transparent procedure which went by the rule.
''Not only has the ruling party forcibly captured land at Rajarhat. The Trinamool Congress was also involved in the scam,'' he alleged.
''Some of the Trinamool members have got land there. Now they are trying to divert the people's attention from the scandal,'' he said.
Now that the Singur-Nandigram issues have become things of the past, it was also an attempt of the Trinamool to kick up a new issue afresh, Mr Sinha charged.
Announcing a novel way to put the BJP in the political scene, at present seized with the imposing presence of the Trinamool, the main opposition in the state, and the ruling Left Front leader CPI(M), Mr Sinha also announced that its workers would cultivate paddy in 'Jyoti Basu Nagar', the Rajarhat township area on December 9 in protest against the 'land scam'.
Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee has recently alleged that land for the Rajarhat township, coming up on the city's outskirts, had been acquired either forcibly or at throwaway prices, while HIDCO, a state-run nodal agency for the project, sold the developed land at exorbitant prices.
Alleging that numerous local people had been rendered homeless or without job, the Trinamool Congress also announced the decision to gherao HIDCO office on December 10.
The state government, however, denied all the allegations, saying it has all the documents of a transparent procedure which went by the rule.
--UNI
Monday, December 6, 2010
প্রাসঙ্গিক
ফরওয়ার্ড ব্লকের মহিলা সংগঠন অগ্রগামী মহিলা সমিতি-র সর্বভারতীয় সম্মেলন উপলক্ষে স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রামে মহিলাদের ভূমিকার উপরে প্রদর্শনী ধর্মতলায়। উদ্বোধনী অনুষ্ঠানে গিয়েছেন ফরওয়ার্ড ব্লকের দেবব্রত বিশ্বাস, অশোক ঘোষ। আচমকা পুলিশ এসে জানাল, বিজেপি-র একটি প্রতিবাদ মিছিল আপাতত এস এন ব্যানার্জি রোডে আছে। ধর্মতলায় মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর কুশপুতুল পোড়াতে আসছে তারা। আগের দিনই বিজেপি-র ‘মহাকরণ অবরোধে’ ব্যাপক হাঙ্গামা হয়েছে। পুলিশের এত্তেলা পাওয়া মাত্র গান-বাজনা-ফিতে কাটা ইত্যাদি দ্রুত শেষ করে অশোকবাবুদের গাড়িতে তুলে ফেরত পাঠানো হল। অনুষ্ঠানেও তুরন্ত যবনিকা! সাধে কি বিজেপি নেতারা বলছেন, রাজ্য রাজনীতিতে তাঁরা সাঙ্ঘাতিক‘প্রাসঙ্গিক’ হয়ে উঠেছেন!
আনন্দবাজার পত্রিকা, ২০ অগ্রহায়ণ ১৪১৭ সোমবার ৬ ডিসেম্বর ২০১০
আনন্দবাজার পত্রিকা, ২০ অগ্রহায়ণ ১৪১৭ সোমবার ৬ ডিসেম্বর ২০১০
মোদী-হত্যার ছক কষেছিল লস্কর জঙ্গিরা
গুজরাতের মুখ্যমন্ত্রী নরেন্দ্র মোদীকে হত্যার পরিকল্পনা ছিল লস্কর ই তইবার। গত বছর ১৯ জুন মার্কিন বিদেশ মন্ত্রকের একটি গোপন কেব্ল-বার্তায় বলা হয়েছিল, শফিক খাফা নামে লস্করের এক নেতা এ জন্য ছক কষছিল। ভারতে হুসেন এবং সমির নামে দুই লস্কর-জঙ্গি ছিল তার শাকরেদ। শুধু তা-ই নয়, কেরল এবং তামিলনাড়ুতে ঘাঁটি গেড়ে দক্ষিণ ভারতে হামলা চালানোর পরিকল্পনাও ছিল তার।
পিটিআই-এর খবর, সংবাদ ওয়েবসাইট উইকিলিকস এই কেব্ল-বার্তা ফাঁস করেছে। গত বছর গোয়েন্দাদের থেকে খবর পেয়ে মার্কিন বিদেশ মন্ত্রক এই কেব্ল-বার্তা পাঠিয়েছিল, সতর্ক করা হয়েছিল ভারতকেও। পাকিস্তানের জঙ্গি সংগঠন লস্কর বিজেপি নেতা লালকৃষ্ণ আডবাণী এবং নরেন্দ্র মোদী-সহ বিজেপি এবং আরএসএস-এর শীর্ষ নেতাদের খতম করার পরিকল্পনা করেছিল বলে ভারতীয় গোয়েন্দারাও এর আগে খবর পেয়েছিলেন। এখন মার্কিন বিদেশ মন্ত্রকের কেব্ল-বার্তায় তারই সমর্থন মিলল।
ওই বার্তায় বলা হয়েছিল, জুনের শেষে তিনটি কাজের জন্য প্রস্তুতি নিচ্ছিল শফিক। এক, মোদীকে হত্যা করা, দুই, দক্ষিণ ভারতে প্রশিক্ষণ শিবির খোলা। বাকি কাজটি সম্পর্কে নিশ্চিত করে বলা নেই। তবে সেই কাজে গাড়ি ব্যবহার করতে হত। ওই কেব্ল বার্তা থেকে বোঝা যাচ্ছে, শ্রীলঙ্কায় একটি কেন্দ্র খুলে ফেলেছিল লস্কর। এবং নেপালেও ভাল ভাবে জাল ছড়াচ্ছিল।
২০ অগ্রহায়ণ ১৪১৭ সোমবার ৬ ডিসেম্বর ২০১০
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