Published: Wednesday, Nov 10, 2010, 2:36 IST
By Harish Gupta | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_congress-acted-against-tainted-leaders-to-take-steam-out-of-opposition_1464508
With swift action against Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, the Congress has managed to take the steam out of the opposition’s aggressive intent in Parliament. What was expected to be a stormy session may turn out to bedocile, at least temporarily, after the party’s tough decision on the two scandal-tainted leaders.
The BJP-led opposition had enough ammunition to put the government on the defensive, in the form of issues like the Adarsh housing society scandal, Commonwealth Games (CWG) corruption and the 2G spectrum scam. The government has managed to nullify it for the moment.
It has conveyed to the opposition that it is ready for any form of inquiry, discussion or debate in Parliament on the CWG and the 2G spectrum allocation. Union telecom minister A Raja could not be sacked at this juncture as the Supreme Court is seized of the matter. The CAG had already sent its report to the finance ministry for its views on the spectrum scam.
On the CWG scandals, it conveyed that it has ordered a probe at various levels and is keen on cleaning up the sports bodies. It might even flaunt the Delhi high court ruling which upheld the notification curtailing the tenure of office-bearers to three terms or 12 years, whichever is lower.
What might trouble the BJP a bit is the alleged involvement of some of its leaders in the CWG scam.“We are not running away from debate and action. But do not hold the house to ransom on the basis of conjecture,” was the refrain of the government.
The BJP, on its part, may not go hammer and tongs at the government given the bonhomie between the parties in recent times. It was evident on Monday when Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi were invited for tea by senior BJP leader LK Advani at his chamber in the parliament house.
The 15-minute meeting established a good rapport between the leaders and it was evident in BJP’s lack of aggression in the Lok Sabha today.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, has decided that the Lok Sabha should function as per schedule and the question hour be held. Observers feel the main opposition is taking its time as the Union government is basking in the success of US president Barack Obama’s visit to the country. Moreover, since the prime minister is leaving for the G-20 summit tomorrow, it is not the opportune time to launch an attack.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
City’s youth gives Obama a taste of what’s next: The Pakistan question
Published: Monday, Nov 8, 2010, 2:30 IST
By Mihika Basu & Harish Gupta | Place: Mumbai, New Delhi | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_city-s-youth-gives-obama-a-taste-of-what-s-next-the-pakistan-question_1463583
US president Barack Obama had to summon all his fabled oratorical skills when a 19-year-old girl from a Mumbai college shot point blank the question he had been able to evade since his arrival in the country.
“Why is Pakistan so important an ally that America has never called it a terrorist state so far?” asked Afsheen Irani, a second year student from HR College, during Obama’s interaction with students at St Xavier’s college on Sunday.
As the US president stitched together an answer, it left nobody convinced, least of all the political leadership in India. While parties have held back official comments for the moment, their disappointment was palpable.
Obama ended up almost reiterating what Pakistan has been stating in its defence all along. “There are more Pakistanis who have been killed by terrorists inside Pakistan than probably anywhere else,” he said, adding the Pakistan government understands the potential threat that exists within its own borders.
He said India had “the biggest stake” in a successful and stable Pakistan.
“The history between India and Pakistan is incredibly complex and born out of much tragedy and violence. So, it may be surprising, but I am absolutely convinced that the country that has the biggest stake in Pakistan’s success is India. If Pakistan is unstable, that’s bad for India. If Pakistan is stable and prosperous, that’s good for India,” he said.
The president was at his diplomatic best when he said Pakistan is an enormous country which is strategically important not just for the US, but for the world. It has some extremist elements, but they are not unique to Pakistan, he added.
“The Pakistan government is aware of it. We have been engaging aggressively with them to communicate that we want nothing more than a stable, prosperous and peaceful Pakistan,” said Obama.
He added that “we will work with the Pakistani government in order to eradicate this extremism that we consider a cancer within the country that can potentially engulf it.” Obama, however, admitted that the “progress (by Islamabad) is not as quick as we would like it to be”.
While nudging India to begin a dialogue with Pakistan, first on less controversial issues and then on larger ones, Obama, however, ruled out US becoming part of India-Pakistan bilateral talks. “The US stands to be a partner and friend, but cannot impose the process,” he said.
He was quick to add that he would “discuss counter-terrorism and other issues in greater detail when I meet with the prime minister (Manmohan Singh)” giving hope that the joint statement may make some suitable amends to the stated position.
Neither the ministry of external affairs nor the home ministry nor the prime minister’s office was ready give a response to Obama’s comment. Minister of state Jyotiraditya Scindia told a TV channel that “we should wait for some more time before forming any opinion”.
The Congress, too, maintained a studied silence and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued a virtual gag order on its leaders, prohibiting them from making any comments on Obama and Pakistan.
While Prakash Javdekar, BJP spokesman, said that ahead of Sushma Swaraj’s meeting with Obama, the party would not make any comments, it was clear that the leader would raise the issue in a big way in her 20-minute scheduled meeting.
A large number of defence and security experts denounced Obama’s views on Pakistan and terrorism. Ajeet Doval, a former Intelligence Bureau chief who handled Pakistan, former army chief VP Malik and defence expert Maroof Raza made clear their disapproval.
As for Irani, she seemed to be sympathetic to the compulsions of Obama. “He was very diplomatic in his reply, but understandably he had a lot of limitations as he is the president of US. He couldn’t possibly take a stand,” she said.
By Mihika Basu & Harish Gupta | Place: Mumbai, New Delhi | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_city-s-youth-gives-obama-a-taste-of-what-s-next-the-pakistan-question_1463583
US president Barack Obama had to summon all his fabled oratorical skills when a 19-year-old girl from a Mumbai college shot point blank the question he had been able to evade since his arrival in the country.
“Why is Pakistan so important an ally that America has never called it a terrorist state so far?” asked Afsheen Irani, a second year student from HR College, during Obama’s interaction with students at St Xavier’s college on Sunday.
As the US president stitched together an answer, it left nobody convinced, least of all the political leadership in India. While parties have held back official comments for the moment, their disappointment was palpable.
Obama ended up almost reiterating what Pakistan has been stating in its defence all along. “There are more Pakistanis who have been killed by terrorists inside Pakistan than probably anywhere else,” he said, adding the Pakistan government understands the potential threat that exists within its own borders.
He said India had “the biggest stake” in a successful and stable Pakistan.
“The history between India and Pakistan is incredibly complex and born out of much tragedy and violence. So, it may be surprising, but I am absolutely convinced that the country that has the biggest stake in Pakistan’s success is India. If Pakistan is unstable, that’s bad for India. If Pakistan is stable and prosperous, that’s good for India,” he said.
The president was at his diplomatic best when he said Pakistan is an enormous country which is strategically important not just for the US, but for the world. It has some extremist elements, but they are not unique to Pakistan, he added.
“The Pakistan government is aware of it. We have been engaging aggressively with them to communicate that we want nothing more than a stable, prosperous and peaceful Pakistan,” said Obama.
He added that “we will work with the Pakistani government in order to eradicate this extremism that we consider a cancer within the country that can potentially engulf it.” Obama, however, admitted that the “progress (by Islamabad) is not as quick as we would like it to be”.
While nudging India to begin a dialogue with Pakistan, first on less controversial issues and then on larger ones, Obama, however, ruled out US becoming part of India-Pakistan bilateral talks. “The US stands to be a partner and friend, but cannot impose the process,” he said.
He was quick to add that he would “discuss counter-terrorism and other issues in greater detail when I meet with the prime minister (Manmohan Singh)” giving hope that the joint statement may make some suitable amends to the stated position.
Neither the ministry of external affairs nor the home ministry nor the prime minister’s office was ready give a response to Obama’s comment. Minister of state Jyotiraditya Scindia told a TV channel that “we should wait for some more time before forming any opinion”.
The Congress, too, maintained a studied silence and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued a virtual gag order on its leaders, prohibiting them from making any comments on Obama and Pakistan.
While Prakash Javdekar, BJP spokesman, said that ahead of Sushma Swaraj’s meeting with Obama, the party would not make any comments, it was clear that the leader would raise the issue in a big way in her 20-minute scheduled meeting.
A large number of defence and security experts denounced Obama’s views on Pakistan and terrorism. Ajeet Doval, a former Intelligence Bureau chief who handled Pakistan, former army chief VP Malik and defence expert Maroof Raza made clear their disapproval.
As for Irani, she seemed to be sympathetic to the compulsions of Obama. “He was very diplomatic in his reply, but understandably he had a lot of limitations as he is the president of US. He couldn’t possibly take a stand,” she said.
CAG may say whatever, he’ll have to help VK Shunglu
Published: Wednesday, Nov 3, 2010, 2:44 IST
By Harish Gupta | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_cag-may-say-whatever-he-ll-have-to-help-vk-shunglu_1461460
Prime minister Manmohan Singh has given a free hand to the VK Shunglu committee to probe alleged corruption in organisation of the Delhi Commonwealth Games (CWG).
He has also made it clear that the cabinet secretariat would provide special funds for the investigation. The committee can decide its own procedures and appoint as many advisors and consultants as required.
In a fresh notification, after the one issued a fortnight ago, the cabinet secretariat gave more powers to Shunglu. The two-page notification makes it clear that all agencies of the state, including comptroller and auditor general (CAG), central vigilance commission (CVC) and the CWG organising committee, will cooperate with him.
The fact that copies of the notification have been marked to CAG and CVC makes it clear that even if these bodies are autonomous, they ought to cooperate. This deflates CAG Vinod Rai’s claim that he is not to share anything with anybody as he reports only to parliament.
The notification, however, does not give any clue under which law the Shunglu committee with the status of a Supreme Court judge has been constituted.
Such committees have been constituted before — Manmohan Singh had earlier formed the Justice RS Pathak Committee to probe the oil-for-food scam in which then external affairs minister Natwar Singh was an accused and former prime minister the late Rajiv Gandhi had set up a similar committee to probe allegations against then Haryana chief minister Bhajan Lal. But the Shunglu committee’s mandate is much bigger considering its 10-point inquiry.
As if this was not enough, the committee has been
given the power to look into “any other areas considered relevant”.
Surprisingly, sports will be the nodal ministry to provide all the assistance it needs in terms of administrative and manpower requirements. But necessary “budget provisions for the expenditure relating to the committee will be provided by the cabinet secretariat.”
By Harish Gupta | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_cag-may-say-whatever-he-ll-have-to-help-vk-shunglu_1461460
Prime minister Manmohan Singh has given a free hand to the VK Shunglu committee to probe alleged corruption in organisation of the Delhi Commonwealth Games (CWG).
He has also made it clear that the cabinet secretariat would provide special funds for the investigation. The committee can decide its own procedures and appoint as many advisors and consultants as required.
In a fresh notification, after the one issued a fortnight ago, the cabinet secretariat gave more powers to Shunglu. The two-page notification makes it clear that all agencies of the state, including comptroller and auditor general (CAG), central vigilance commission (CVC) and the CWG organising committee, will cooperate with him.
The fact that copies of the notification have been marked to CAG and CVC makes it clear that even if these bodies are autonomous, they ought to cooperate. This deflates CAG Vinod Rai’s claim that he is not to share anything with anybody as he reports only to parliament.
The notification, however, does not give any clue under which law the Shunglu committee with the status of a Supreme Court judge has been constituted.
Such committees have been constituted before — Manmohan Singh had earlier formed the Justice RS Pathak Committee to probe the oil-for-food scam in which then external affairs minister Natwar Singh was an accused and former prime minister the late Rajiv Gandhi had set up a similar committee to probe allegations against then Haryana chief minister Bhajan Lal. But the Shunglu committee’s mandate is much bigger considering its 10-point inquiry.
As if this was not enough, the committee has been
given the power to look into “any other areas considered relevant”.
Surprisingly, sports will be the nodal ministry to provide all the assistance it needs in terms of administrative and manpower requirements. But necessary “budget provisions for the expenditure relating to the committee will be provided by the cabinet secretariat.”
Work quietly, Chidambaram advises interlocutors
Published: Tuesday, Nov 2, 2010, 2:03 IST
By Harish Gupta | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_work-quietly-chidambaram-advises-interlocutors_1460872
Union home minister P Chidambaram has cautioned the interlocutors not to give a “ball-by-ball commentary about their dialogue” with various sections of society.
The remarks came a day after Dileep Padgaonkar, one of the three interlocutors, announced on television that some militants may present a peace plan to them on their next visit to the state.
Perhaps Chidambaram’s patience ran out when reports came in that the trio was not working in harmony with each other. All three — Padgaonkar, Ansari and Kumar — are moving in different directions after they failed to evolve a common strategy and methods on the dialogue process.
But even before they could achieve anything, the three started sharing with the media details about their activities. It was clear from day one that Padgaonkar and academician Radha Kumar are not working in harmony.
MM Ansari, a retired information commissioner, had virtually been made redundant. However, the trio put up a brave face when they appeared in a TV show together. Dilip Padgaonkar even gave a detailed account of his talks with separatists groups in jail.
It is no secret that the interlocutors had been appointed at the behest of the prime minister.
Chidambaram did not have much of a role in their selection. While Padgaonkar and Ansari enjoy the confidence of the UPA, Radha Kumar has the added advantage of being close to the prime minister. It is a different matter that controversies seem to follow Kumar, mostly due to her strong views.
Recently, her employment was terminated by Jamia Milia University. After 10 days, she got the interlocutor’s job.
Clearly, the panel had no clue they will be put under Chidambaram, which is probably why they went to TV channels even before briefing Chidambaram.
Finally, Chidambaram flew to the Valley, took stock of the situation and cautioned the interlocutors to “work quietly”.
By Harish Gupta | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_work-quietly-chidambaram-advises-interlocutors_1460872
Union home minister P Chidambaram has cautioned the interlocutors not to give a “ball-by-ball commentary about their dialogue” with various sections of society.
The remarks came a day after Dileep Padgaonkar, one of the three interlocutors, announced on television that some militants may present a peace plan to them on their next visit to the state.
Perhaps Chidambaram’s patience ran out when reports came in that the trio was not working in harmony with each other. All three — Padgaonkar, Ansari and Kumar — are moving in different directions after they failed to evolve a common strategy and methods on the dialogue process.
But even before they could achieve anything, the three started sharing with the media details about their activities. It was clear from day one that Padgaonkar and academician Radha Kumar are not working in harmony.
MM Ansari, a retired information commissioner, had virtually been made redundant. However, the trio put up a brave face when they appeared in a TV show together. Dilip Padgaonkar even gave a detailed account of his talks with separatists groups in jail.
It is no secret that the interlocutors had been appointed at the behest of the prime minister.
Chidambaram did not have much of a role in their selection. While Padgaonkar and Ansari enjoy the confidence of the UPA, Radha Kumar has the added advantage of being close to the prime minister. It is a different matter that controversies seem to follow Kumar, mostly due to her strong views.
Recently, her employment was terminated by Jamia Milia University. After 10 days, she got the interlocutor’s job.
Clearly, the panel had no clue they will be put under Chidambaram, which is probably why they went to TV channels even before briefing Chidambaram.
Finally, Chidambaram flew to the Valley, took stock of the situation and cautioned the interlocutors to “work quietly”.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Adarsh Society scam: Ashok Chavan battles for survival
Published: Saturday, Oct 30, 2010, 12:25 IST | Updated: Sunday, Oct 31, 2010, 1:05 IST
By Harish Gupta & Shubhangi Khapre | Place: New Delhi, Mumbai | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_adarsh-society-scam-ashok-chavan-battles-for-survival_1459784
The writing seems to be on the wall for Ashok Chavan. It appears that he will not be let off without punishment for his alleged role in ‘depriving’ Kargil war heroes and war widows of their rightful allotment of flats in the Colaba property meant for them.
The Centre’s hand has been forced by the Congressman’s involvement in a matter compromising a nationally sensitive issue, and it has taken a tough stand against their one-time blue-eyed boy.
Barely a year after Chavan was reinstated as chief minister of Maharashtra, he finds himself politically isolated. A beleaguered Chavan offered to resign after an hour-long gruelling session with party supremo Sonia Gandhi over his role as beneficiary of the controversial Adarsh Housing Society project in Mumbai in which several politicians, former defence services chiefs and other influential people have been allotted flats.
“I have offered to resign and now it is up to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take a decision,” a visibly tense Chavan told reporters on emerging from 10 Janpath on Saturday.
He was revenue minister at the time the decision to give the land to the society was taken, in 2003; a 31-storey building was later built on this land, said to have been meant for Kargil war heroes and widows.
Sonia Gandhi has constituted a panel comprising finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and defence minister AK Antony to look into Chavan’s role. Sources say this gives the Maharashtra chief minister a temporary breather, at least of 10 days.
However, he has been asked to stay put in the capital to facilitate completion of inquiry.
Even though an inquiry panel has been formed to ascertain Chavan’s exact role in the scam, initial investigations have revealed that the chief minister could not convincingly explain why only three applicants connected to the Kargil war were allotted flats, and why three flats were given to members of his extended family.
Further, the Congress believes it cannot have a tainted chief minister in an important state like Maharashtra. Most significantly, they feel Chavan has compromised the Congress’s image by triggering a ‘war’ between the navy and army personnel over the housing scam.
The inquiry could be a long process because Antony will have to find out whether the land was actually meant for the Kargil martyrs and whether it belonged to the defence ministry in the first place.
That is the only factor that can possibly save Chavan as Kargil is an emotive issue for Sonia Gandhi. Also, since the Congress had exposed the role of NDA defence minister George Fernandes in the ‘coffingate’ and other scandals, the party cannot be seen as protecting Chavan.
However, the changes in Maharashtra will not take place in isolation whatever the pressures. Even if Chavan has to be sacrificed, he won’t be shown the door like former chief minister AR Antulay. The focus will then shift to other top Congress leaders and military generals who have also cornered flats.
The party has fixed no time-frame for completing the probe. “The Congress has appointed a two-member committee and any development in this matter will take place only when they submit their report. No timeline has been set to submit this report,” the chief spokesperson of the party, Janardan Dwivedi, said.
Chavan spent the last Diwali wondering whether he would be re-nominated as chief minister though the party had returned to power. This Diwali too, he is expected to spend his time wondering if he would survive after Diwali as the chief minister.
Paid news hearing looms
Since the assembly elections in 2009, chief minister Ashok Chavan has been dogged by a controversy over ‘paid news’. A complaint to the election commission of India was that identical news praising the chief minister and his government were flashed across several newspapers during the election period. The paid news hearing, which was scheduled for this week, has been postponed to next month.
By Harish Gupta & Shubhangi Khapre | Place: New Delhi, Mumbai | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_adarsh-society-scam-ashok-chavan-battles-for-survival_1459784
The writing seems to be on the wall for Ashok Chavan. It appears that he will not be let off without punishment for his alleged role in ‘depriving’ Kargil war heroes and war widows of their rightful allotment of flats in the Colaba property meant for them.
The Centre’s hand has been forced by the Congressman’s involvement in a matter compromising a nationally sensitive issue, and it has taken a tough stand against their one-time blue-eyed boy.
Barely a year after Chavan was reinstated as chief minister of Maharashtra, he finds himself politically isolated. A beleaguered Chavan offered to resign after an hour-long gruelling session with party supremo Sonia Gandhi over his role as beneficiary of the controversial Adarsh Housing Society project in Mumbai in which several politicians, former defence services chiefs and other influential people have been allotted flats.
“I have offered to resign and now it is up to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take a decision,” a visibly tense Chavan told reporters on emerging from 10 Janpath on Saturday.
He was revenue minister at the time the decision to give the land to the society was taken, in 2003; a 31-storey building was later built on this land, said to have been meant for Kargil war heroes and widows.
Sonia Gandhi has constituted a panel comprising finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and defence minister AK Antony to look into Chavan’s role. Sources say this gives the Maharashtra chief minister a temporary breather, at least of 10 days.
However, he has been asked to stay put in the capital to facilitate completion of inquiry.
Even though an inquiry panel has been formed to ascertain Chavan’s exact role in the scam, initial investigations have revealed that the chief minister could not convincingly explain why only three applicants connected to the Kargil war were allotted flats, and why three flats were given to members of his extended family.
Further, the Congress believes it cannot have a tainted chief minister in an important state like Maharashtra. Most significantly, they feel Chavan has compromised the Congress’s image by triggering a ‘war’ between the navy and army personnel over the housing scam.
The inquiry could be a long process because Antony will have to find out whether the land was actually meant for the Kargil martyrs and whether it belonged to the defence ministry in the first place.
That is the only factor that can possibly save Chavan as Kargil is an emotive issue for Sonia Gandhi. Also, since the Congress had exposed the role of NDA defence minister George Fernandes in the ‘coffingate’ and other scandals, the party cannot be seen as protecting Chavan.
However, the changes in Maharashtra will not take place in isolation whatever the pressures. Even if Chavan has to be sacrificed, he won’t be shown the door like former chief minister AR Antulay. The focus will then shift to other top Congress leaders and military generals who have also cornered flats.
The party has fixed no time-frame for completing the probe. “The Congress has appointed a two-member committee and any development in this matter will take place only when they submit their report. No timeline has been set to submit this report,” the chief spokesperson of the party, Janardan Dwivedi, said.
Chavan spent the last Diwali wondering whether he would be re-nominated as chief minister though the party had returned to power. This Diwali too, he is expected to spend his time wondering if he would survive after Diwali as the chief minister.
Paid news hearing looms
Since the assembly elections in 2009, chief minister Ashok Chavan has been dogged by a controversy over ‘paid news’. A complaint to the election commission of India was that identical news praising the chief minister and his government were flashed across several newspapers during the election period. The paid news hearing, which was scheduled for this week, has been postponed to next month.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)