Hydrerabad dual capital

January 1, 2010





TWO MAJOR STUMBLING BLOCKS
FOR THE ROAD MAP ON TELANGANA


FIRST IS HYDERABAD DUAL CAPITAL FOR 7 YEARS ?
SECOND WILL ANDHRA ASSMEBLY PASS RESOLUTION?




Sources in the Union Home Ministry is preparing points for the ROAD MAP
a draft paper on formation of the Telengana state for the meeting with leaders of Andhra Pradesh parties here on Tuesday.

It proposes a Union Territory status to Hyderabad alike Chandigarh and an unanimous resolution by the state assembly to proceed further for carving out the new state, a top source privy to the first draft disclosed.

Yet to be finalised is the time-frame as to whether Hyderabad should be a Union Territory for seven years or ten years, the source said, stating that Home Minister P Chidambaram will have the final say on whether to mention any time-frame at all or not.

Chandigarh was made a common capital of both Punjab and Haryana at the time of trifurcation of old Punjab state in 1966 and the dispute over who gets it finally and who sets up a new state capital remains undecided even after 44 years. The Home Ministry may, therefore, propose a timeframe to avoid this difficulty.

Chidambaram will also decide whether the "internal note" being prepared by the Centre-States division in the Home Ministry is circulaed in the meeting as the Centre's viewpoint or used only as a background material by him while talking to the Andhra leaders.

Union Home Secretary GK Pillai is personally going through the background material being collected by the division while a joint secretary has been designated to coordinate with the eight political parties invited to the meeting on January 5.

Expecting the participants to be not more than 50, the ministry intends to hold the meeting in its conference hall of North Block itself. As an alternative, a conference room in the Vigyan Bhawan has also been booked.

Inquiries with the AICC headquarters showed that the Congress will be represented in the meeting by Chief Minister K Rosaiah, and Andhra PCC chief D Srinivasa. It is still not clear whether senior party MP K S Rao, who has emerged as a spokesman for the non-Telengana faction will also be included.

###

new delhi corridor gossips

new delhi political gossips (31-12-2009)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Central security agencies in Delhi are  tzizy. 

Seniors are much worried lot of 

a possible  sting operation on a select few Union Ministers.

Being planned by regional political parties with the assisstance

of crew of  TV news channels. If such sting  

is successful, certainly it is an embarrassment for 

Dr Manmohan Singh dispensation.

Fresh from the controversy of Narain Dutt Tiwari, in internal

briefing meetings  of the security agencies, learnt lessons from

the tactics played at Hyderebad Raj Bhavan, the intelligence agency

have now obtained  additional instructions to their juniors/

and put them on a 'high alert'   Strategic locations

are now identified and seluths are keeping such safe houses

under close watch, by deploying plain clothesmen.

to ensure prevention of any regional language  TV camera crews 

taking videos of a sting operations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Government adopts austerity measures. To travel by

economy and cattle class.But on the other side, 

Government has  processed a file to create six more 

Secretaries to Government of India.Presently these six posts 

are being held by Additional Secretaries.Like Secretary

of Central Vigilance Commission, Secretary of 

Chief Information Commissioner, Diretor General of
Foreign Trade and Secretary Department of Justice.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Calls are now being made from Raisina Hills to various

Raj Bhavans and Chief Ministers to accommodate 

in case of a provision the suggestive names for the

post of Vice Chancellor and Chancellor of Central 

Universities. A major  scandal if breaks out, 

many skeletons of course would tumble out

------------------------------------------------------------------

42 Secretaries to Government of India are retiring

in 2010. Begining from P V Bhide Revenue Secretary

in January -though he is likely to get three months extension

as he is busy with 2010 Union Budget, 

Other Secretaries of Petroleum, Rural Development

Heavy Industries, Power, Planning Commission, Urban Development

Agriculture, Mines, Tourism, Steel, Health, Civil Aviation and Environment.

shall demit office from January 2010 to December 2010.

It is another major problem to be tackled by Dr Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister. He has to select seniors to these slots

a difficult task.Mainly because, the key allies like DMK

Trinamool and NCP will bring their choices of Babus

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ends

Centre is appreciative of Andhra Governor

31-12-2009




CENTRE ACTED ON GOVERNOR'S
ADVICE: UNDERSTOOD GROUND REALITIES

From Our Bureau

NEW DELHI: Centre adopted a cautious approach on Telangana after
detailed ground reality report from Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL
Narasimhan that the Centre need not buckle under regional parties'
pressure to hurry with any announcement on creation of the separate
Telengana state.

Centre was all these months were kept under dark by the
former Governor ND Tiwari,to interact with the top opposition
leaders in Andhra Pradesh to assist facilitation between
GOvernment and Opposition.

According to highly placed Union Home Ministry sources
in North Block the governor sent three top secret fax reports to the
Home Ministry after meeting leaders of all parties and this led to the
Prime Minister abandon the idea of taking a snap decision in the Union
Cabinet meeting Tuesday evening for defusing the Telengana tension.

Narasimhan's long stint with the Intelligence Bureau, including three
years as its chief, came handy for him to make a quick political
assessment and advise the Centre that the Telengana stir will taper off
and the only need is not to rush with any action that gives a handle to
the agitators.

Sources in North Block which houses Union Home Ministry said the
Governor has provided a new perspective to the Telengana issue that
came as a turning point for the Centre to pursue for the time being the
line he suggests.

They said Dr Manmohan Singh already holds Narasimhan in high esteem,
exuding confidence in the Cabinet meeting that he would be able to
defuse the crisis in Andhra Pradesh that erupted on the Telengana
issue.


Narasimhan may also not like to move as his 86-year old mother is in
Raipur Raj Bhawan, while the PM wants him to remain there to guide the
anti-Maoist onslaught being mounted in the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh
by the central forces and the state police.

Sources in Union Home Ministry said that three fax reports are
basically a gist of his discussions with the political leaders on
Monday and Tuesday and his own analysis. His assessment is that any
immediate announcement on Telengana will only strengthen the main
opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and not the Congress.

According highly placed Union Home Ministry sources
soon TRS (Telengana Rastra Samithi) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao left the
Raj Bhawan in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Narasimhan called up National
Security Adviser MK Narayanan, PM's Principal Secretary TKA Nair and
Union Home Secretary GK Pillai to give his assessment that the ground
reality is not as grim as viewed by the Centre to hurry into some
decision.

Union Home Ministry sources also said his reports cover his
interactions with 14 leaders of political parties, including Congress,
TDP, TRS, Left ahd BJP and the possible scenario on the Sunday bandh
call given by TDP and TRS. Advantage to him is that he can talk to them
in Telugu.

Narasimhan started off his meetings with the political leaders after
first talking to Chief Minister K Rosaiah and senior ministers on the
state government's priorities. He is in regular telephonic contact with
Rosaiah, interacting at lest thrice in a day.

Union HOme Ministry sources said he has assured the Prime Minister that
he would stay put in Hyderabad at least up to Sunday to help the Chief
Minister tackle the bandh.

One of his reports exclusively deals with the law and order situation
in the state. He prepared the report after taking a briefing from the
IB joint director posted in Hyderabad, wanting to know about safety and
security of the central government installations which are too many in
almost all districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Among those who called on him on Wednesday included Congress MP Jagan
Mohan Reddy, son of the chief minister killed in a helicopter accident.
The Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police were instructed
by him on Wednesday to keep the Raj Bhawan in loop on all important
events and developments.

Those who know Narasimhan personally say he has maintained the habit he
developed during his tenure with the IB to dictate salient points of
discussions with every political leader and bureaucrat he meets and
keep them on file.

###

andhra governor

Andhra Governor  ESL Narasimhan 

briefs New Delhi with his first day experience

By R Rajagopalan

New Andhra Governor ESL Narasimhan 

on Monday appraised  PMO  and Union Home Ministry 

of his first day in Raj Bhavan at Hyderabad.

Centre leadership heaved  a sigh of relief with ND Tiwari

arriving in Delhi at 930 am on Monday,  while at the same time

ESL Narasimhan was being sworn in. Smooth transition,

without any controversy.

ESL Narasimhan in his first fax message to 

PMO and to North Block which houses Union Home 

Secretary GK Pillai office

said that his discussion with the Chief Minister

and the DGP, Chief Secretary gave him the 

satisfaction of the capacity to handle the

law and order in Hyderabad. 

ESL Narasimhan also expressed appreciation to the

best handling of the law and order situation by

the Chief Minister K Rosaiah.

Governor ESL Narasimhan also listed out to

PMO and to Union Home Minister on the

issues related to Telanagna bandh

and assitance from Delhi.

Officials in North Block confides that

there is a Governor to quickly react to the

local issues, as he is familiar with Telugu

and interacted with almost all political party

leaders.

Governor  is believed to have sought 

extra para military forces to meet the

January 3, 2010  the Bandh called by 

pro Telangana activists. 

Governor ESL Narasimhan told New Delhi that he plans

on Tuesday and Wednesday  to have meeting with 

Chief Minister K Rosaiah and his  council of Ministers to evolve 

contingency plans for January 3, bandh.

ESL Narasimhan also intends to have meeting

with TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu and also with

Prajarajyam Party Chiranjeevi on Wedensday.

Narasimhan also planned to return to

Chhatisgarh, next Monday January 4 2010, after the bandh

as by that time a full time Andhra Governor 

appointment is expected.

ends

Andhra governor speaks out

27-12-2009

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW TO 

VAARTHA 

"MY PRIME TASK IS TO ENSURE LAW AND ORDER IN

ANDHRA PRADESH"

SAYS  NEW GOVERNOR ESL NARASIMHAN in an exclusive chat

with  VAARTHA

By R Rajagopalan

"My prime task is to ensure law and order in Andhra Pradesh

especially on Tuesday when there is a Bandh declared"

is the comment of  ESL Narasimhan new governor of Andhra Pradesh 

in an exclusive telephone interview to VAARTHA 

Chief Minister K Rosaiah is meeting me soon after the

swearing in ceremony was over. at 10 am.

"I will have one to one meeting with the Chief Minister

Rosaiah. And then meet the senior Andhra Ministers."

" I have asked Director General of Police and Chief Secretary to 

meet me at 1230 at Raj Bhavan with other senior officials

to understand the state law and order. said ESL Narasimhan to

VAARTHA

" I being a police officer know very well of the law and order problem"

especially during Bandh days" said ESL Narasimhan 

Monday morning being a :Vaikunta Ekadasi" an important day

for Iyengar Brahmin, ESL Narasimhan intends to have dharshan

and enter Vaikunta Vasal at the Srinivasar Temple in Hyderabad

at 5 am

Governor Narasimhan intends to stay in Hyderabad for three days,

till the Tuesday bandh is over.

governor is arriving at hydreabad by a special aircraft

at 2100 hours

On Monday  he will be on fast would not eat outside food

ESL Narasimhan being too orthodox, he would

be on "Ekadasi fasting" 

That is why he is not accepting Lunch or Dinner from

the State Administration.But on Wednesday ESL Narasimhan

would meet the entire Andhra cabinet over Lunch

ends

esl narasimhan governor of andhra pradesh

27-12-2009

Monday morning 1130 swearing ceremony at Hyderabad

ESL NARASIMHAN GIVEN ADDTIONAL CHARGE AS

GOVERNOR OF ANDHRA PRADESH

By R Rajagopalan

ESL Narasimhan has been given additional charge of Governor of Andhra Pradesh

President Prathibha Patil has just signed the orders in Kochi.

Narasimhan is expected to arrive in Hyderabad by a special flight from Raipur tonight

and he is likely to be sworn in at 1130 am at Hyderabad Raj Bhavn

Chirsite Fernandes Secretary to President who is with her in Kochi spoke to Governor

Narasimhan. Subsequently a fax is expected at Raj Bhavans in Hydrabad and also in Raipur

President orders will be communicated to the Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh

and also to Chief Minister K Rosaiah,.

Joint Secretary in the Union Home Ministry will now complete other formalities like

issuing Gazzette notification and other formalities.

Narasimhan who is an Indian Police Service officer of 1968 senority 

presently he is Governor of Chhatisgarh. and retired as Director of Intelligence

Bureau three years ago.

Narasimhan is fluent in Telugu and his main task is to coordinate the Telangana Bandh

and bring peace. This is his brief from the political leadership.

ends

New Andhra Governor on Monday

---exclusive ---

New Governor for Andhra?

Decision on Monday

Centre rattled on 

Governor   Narain Dutt Tiwari

video exposure

By R Rajagopalan

Centre is shocked over the exposure of a video clipping

allegedly involving Governor Narain Dutt Tiwari in a 

compromising position with two women.

Enquiries by this correspondent with top administrative and

intelligence seluths  suggest  that the Centre might take a political

decison on Monday. Till such time it is  "wait and watch" 

Decision on Monday?

With Sonia Gandhi away from New Delhi on Christmas vacation

with her sister and grand children, the fate of Narain Dutt Tiwari

will hang till Monday.Prime Minister nor Home Minister can speak

on this issue , as it involves a Governor. Sonia may consult on

Monday evening, with Prime Minister and a decision may be

announced. Center does not want to rush now, as Opposition parties

in Andhra like TDP gave a color to the Governor controversy. Hence

Centre will decide on Monday.

Till such time an alternate name was identified and discussed

between Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister, the fate of ND Tiwari

still hang in balance. Therefore, political sources told this

correspondent, that selection of a politician to the volatile

state like Andhra Pradesh, who can informally handle the

state politics has to be chosen. 

Possible names for Governor of Andhra Pradesh

Shivraj Patil, Dig Vijay Singh or to give additional

charge to a neighbouring state Governor and get

more breathing space.

Sonia embarrassed

This issue is a major embarrassment for AICC especially Sonia Gandhi.

Because rehabilitation of ND Tiwari as Governor was taken at a 

political level. He was a nuisance to Uttarakhand and also a claimant

for a Central Ministerial berth.

How PMO reacted?

Prime Minister Office, Union Home Ministry both were 

briefed through a three pages note by the intelligence bureau 

reveals the seriousness of the issue.

The report said the video and photos are genuine. Sources

of the video was also found out by the security agencies.

The video and photos are not morphed. The IB unit in Hyderabad

was put to use which is already over worked by the Telangana

agitation and the senior official handling this also proceeded on leave.

Rajiv Mathur the director of intelligence bureau briefed

TKA Nair Principal Secretary to PM and also P Chidambaram

on the Governor ND Tiwari.

What does the report reveal?

The informal conversations  between senior official of the Union Home

Ministry Delhi  with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and

also Secretary to Governor of Andhra Pradesh at Hydrabad, 

were useful to prepare the report for Prime Minister Office.

It revealed that actions of Governor was not monitored by the

security agencies, but as a precaution that the adversaries of

ND Tiwari in Uttarakhand politics might play a havoc with him

Hence a security protection was accorded to Tiwari. From those

informal reports it was gathered that Governor had a habit

of straying out of the official programmes. And causing much

anxiety to the security guards. From time to time the IB reported

to political leadership about the extra curricular activites of the

consitutional heads. One paragraph has been devoted on the

role of local police network helping the videographer and media.

AP High Court stay gave  a breathing space to think politically

A breathing space not only for North Block which houses Union Home

Ministry but also for Raj Bhavan Hyderabad is the stay given by the

Andhra Pradesh High Court, not to telecast further the video.

Though High Court stayed, telecast of nasty videos,

the  You Tube, Twitter and Face Book all

electronic mails filled with this 'nasty photos and videos of

85 year old Narain Dutt Tiwari sex with two women"

TDP office  made CD and circulated it in Delhi

These distribution were done much before the High court

order was pronounced. 

ends

President cancel Hyderabad stay

exclusive news break story

Due Telangana violence

PRESIDENT PRATHIBHA PATIL

STAY AT  HYDERABAD

RASHTRAPATHI NILAYAM

DEFERRED?

By R Rajagopalan

President Prathibha Patil stay at Rashtrapathi Nilayam

from December 28 for a ten days has been deferred

due to the on going violence in Hyderabad demanding

Telangana.

President Patil conveyed her decision to the Union Government

anticipates a political embarrassment for Rosaiah Government.

Fresh alleged sex scandal involving the Governor of Andhra Pradesh

speeded up the process of deferring the President stay at Rashtrapathi Nilayam

Rashtrapati Nilayam  is one of the three official 

retreats of the President of India. 

It is located in a suburb called Bollarum on the outskirts of 

the south Indian city, Secunderabad.

Because this residence is in a region far removed from the 

national capital, New Delhi, it is held to be indicative of 

the role that the President plays in unifying a diverse nation.

It has come to be known as President's Southern Sojourn. 

It is occasionally used as a guest house for visiting dignitaries.

ends

perform or perish says Nitin Gadkari

24 Dec 2009

PERFORM OR PERISH, NEW BJP CHIEF'S MANTRA

From Our Bureau

NEW DELHI: The 52-year old Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday formally took over as the new Bhartiya Janata Party president, declaring himself as a management guru committed to run with a team of performers as his new office-bearers and say "Namaste" to those who fail.

The team will be constituted in consultation with the state party chiefs and leaders of various BJP morchas (frontal bodies). Once organising general secretary Ramlal identifies them, he will constitute the team and decentralise powers to let the office-bearers act like self-starting engines, without his interference.

He also announced to evolve an internal performance audit mechanism in the states where the BJP is in power to ensure "good governance" at every level.

Gadkari conducted his first 90-minute long Press conference at the party headquarters here like a typical RSS "Bauddhiki" (class) as if giving clarifications to the cadres and presented himself alike the social reformers who think century to century and not poll to poll.

VIKAS & SEVA: He asked every BJP member to actively associate with at least one "Vikas" (development) and "Seva" (service) project in his or her area of work. His clear message to them was: "Politics cannot be a battlefield for power. Rather, it should be an instrument for socio-economic reform and nation building."

Then why BJP still hobnobbing to get into power in Jharkhand despite verdict against it? He said the party never shirks responsibility and hence his predecessor Rajnath Singh has been empowered to handle the Jharkhand issue. He also made it clear that victory or defeat in polls is a collective responsibility and no individuals will be blamed.

His prime task during the 3-year tenure will be "political and organisational planning" in consultation with all in a spirit of collective leadership to rebuild mutual trust. He welcomed anybody in the party criticise him but he won't tolerate indiscipline. "Either convince me or get convinced," will be his rule to handle critics.

OLD AGENDA: He talked of his commitment to "Antyodaya" (priority to the last person, the most deprived, in the queue), but no word on Ayodhya or Article 370 abolition or uniform civil code and hence he was asked if he was relegating them after years as prime agenda. Gadkari quipped that he was not deviating from the party's ideals. "No need to say issues do not change when the President changes."

The very first question shot at him was on Congress scion Rahul Gandhi dining at Dalits' houses and he dismissed it saying: "Karne dijiye. Meri Shubh kamnayen. (Let him do. My good wishes.)" One reason behind installing Gadkari as the president is also to counter the build-up of Rahul by Congress.

OLD GUARDS' RETURN: In Nagpur, he had talked on Sunday to rope back the party leaders like Govindacharya (former general secretary) and Uma Bharti and Kalyan Singh(former chief ministers). Asked how soon, he quipped that no proposal has come from them and the party will definitely consider if they seek a re-entry.

Asked if he will not be overawed by so many party stalwarts in Delhi, Gadkari said his experience in the last two days is different. It can happen only in BJP where an ordinary worker who once pasted party posters on walls could rise to be the President and all stalwarts declaring that they stand behind him.

In reply to another question, he denied the BJP in Maharashtra became leaderless because those like him and former CM Gopinath Munde shifting to Delhi. He said he has not yet quit as the Maharashtra BJP President but the successor will be decided in consultation with top seven, eight leaders of the state. And so far as he being an MLC, he has "already left Vidhan Parishad mentally."

Morally he can not aspire to get into the Rajya Sabha when he asks partymen not to use politics to build own career and so he has decided "suo moto" not to occupy any position nor to contest polls. Asked if that means he will also keep out MPs and MLAs from his team of office-bearers, he said they will be picked up as per their organisational skill to perform and not otherwise.

NO RSS HAND: Stoutly denying the RSS hand in his selection as the BJP President and it playing a crucial role in the party's decisions, Gadkari said he was the Maharashtra BJP president for four years and got no orders from RSS nor did it interfere. "Whenever we require, we talk to them (RSS) and that is all."

Asked if he would talk to senior BJP leaders and former union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie wanting the RSS to take over reins of the BJP, Gadkari said the RSS neither wants to take over the party nor does it dictate. Not all in BJP belong to the 'Sangh' (RSS) and there are those like whom who have accepted the Sangh "vichar" (ideology), he said.

RAJASTHAN IMBROGLIO: He also denied to have come under pressure of leaders like former chief minister Vasundhara Raje to put off the Rajasthan BJP president's election slated on Thursday. "No pressure. It is wrong," he asserted, pointing out that he and other leaders like M Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitley sat with the state leaders for six to seven hours as he wanted to put a "full stop" to the problem and the solution ultimately emerged at 9 pm.

"All will contest the Panchayat elections (in Rajasthan) unitedly and there will be a collective discussion with all leaders in the next two to four days," he added.

In his introductory remarks, he said BJP is and remains an "India First" party with nationalism or nation building as its ideological foundation. "The BJP remains committed to genuine secularism (Sarva Dharma Sama bhav), not vote-bank secularism. It brooks no distinction or discrimination between citizens of India on the lines of caste, religion, language, region or ethnicity. India belongs to all, and all belong to India."

He talked of galvanisation of the party organisation at all levels and striving for its geographical expansion to make it further strong and unified as his first priority. He also vowed to the party's stand of zero-tolerance towards terrorism and Naxalism "inspired by anti-national foreign ideology of Maoism."

He also asked his well-wishers not to offer him flowers or garlands but put the money they may be spending in a box put before his office for "Kisan Sahayata Kosh" that he had started while in Nagpur for the benefit of families of the Vidarbha farmers who have committed suicide. 

###

one liner on Telangana December 24, 2009

One liners on Telangana

Thursday ( December 24, 2009)

By R Rajagopalan

** Not a mention about the Telangana in the 

today's Union Cabinet

**  Pranab Mukherjee, AK Antony and P Chidambaram

did not attend today's cabinet meeting held at 7 Race Course Road

Presided over by PM.

** Many Union Ministers from Southern States were 

murmuring about the 'dark mid night-statements' on Telangana

by Union Home Minister.

**  Jaipal Reddy was quiet. Looking worried, as Hyderabad is 

burning. He gave a sad look to other Union Ministers.

** K M Chandrasekhar Union Cabinet Secretary is on a

two days visit to Hyderabad, a scheduled meeting.

fixed a fortnight earlier.

** Ambica Soni Union Minister in chaste Punjabi language

was giving kind words to her senior cabinet colleagues who

put the Telangana issue again on the lead news in all TV Channels.

** Second State Reorganisation Commission (SSRC)  is likely on Saturday

** A Committee of Secretaries will be first appointed to draft a

terms and references for the SSRC

** Three sitting Judges of Supreme Court are now under consideration

for members of the SRC.

23 Dec 2009

FLY TRICOLOUR AT NIGHT, 
ILLUMINATED AND ON TALL POLE

From Our Bureau

NEW DELHI: You can not fly the national flag at night, provided it is well-illuminated and put on a really tall flagpole.

A decision to this effect has been conveyed by the Home Ministry to industrialist-turned Congress MP Naveen Jindal, who had earlier won a court battle in 2002 for flying the Tricolour as a fundamental right of every citizen.

In a letter to him, the Ministry said it had examined his proposal to allow the flag flying at night by installing giant flagpoles to fly it day and night.

Jindal had moved the Ministry in June, seeking permission to fly mammoth-sized national flags on monumental flagpoles during night by relaxing the Flag Code of india that allows the Tricolour flown “as far as possible between sunrise and sunset.

His plea was that it is a common practice worldwide for massive national flags to be flown day and night on monumental flagpoles of 100 feet and above in height. He cited examples of countries like Malaysia, Jordon, Abu Dhabi, North Korea, Brazil, Mexico and Turkmenistan.

The only condition that the ministry put for flying the national flag at night is that there was adequate arrangement for its proper illumination at night with backup in case of power failure and that the flag be replaced immediately as soon as it gets damaged.

After almost a decade long legal battle, Jindal got the Supreme Court's verdict in 2002, allowing every citizen to fly the national flag with respect, dignity and honour, thus making it a fundamental right. He had gone to court challenging directions to remove the Tricolour hoisted at his factory premises.

###

--

GOVERNOR ASKS UNION HOME MINISTER NOT TO VISIT MAOIST INFLICTED AREAS

23-12-2009

EXCLUSIVE

Governor of Chhatisgarh
asks Union Home Minister not to visit
Dandewada Naxal inflicted areas

By  R Rajagopalan

In an unusual way the Governor of Chhatisgarh ESL Narasimhan wrote to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to resist the temptation of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to visit Naxal affected areas in Raipur and Dandewada on January 7, 2010 During this visit P Chidambaram shall undertake  padayatra on Jan 7, 2009

This is the first time that a Governor stops the official visit of
a union home minister.

ESL Narasimhan is a former Indian Police Service officer of

Andhra Pradesh cadre. Now a Governor of Chhatisgarh.

In a two pages letter to Prime Minister ESL Narasimhan,
said that during operations, such a high dignatory visit would
hamper the strategies and tactics.

P Chidambaram has plans to spend one night with the NGOs
in Naxal affected areas in Chhatisgarh.

ESL Narasimhan having spent 35 years in Intelligence Bureau
and held Director of IB before moving into Raipur Raj Bhavan
Hence Governor knows the operational difficulties in such
Maoisit inflicted areas in his state.

Contacted to speak to Governor or the senior PMO office
for reaction, ADC to Governor said that Governor refuses
to speak to media. Such was blunt reply. However, Union Home Ministry in North Block confirmed the receipt of a letter
from ESL Narasimhan to Prime Minister, as they had received
a copy for advance information. But refused divulge the details.

Meanwhile, Operation Anti-Red Terror has been set into 

motion with some 80,000 highly-armed personnel drawn 

from three central paramilitary forces and thousands of 

state policemen fanning out to take on the Maoists in the

three most Naxal-affected districts in central India 

. The districts where the offensive is being unleashed 

are Kanker and Rajnandgaon districts in Chhattisgarh, 

and Gadchiroli in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra

The task assigned to them is to drive out the Maoists 

and free the areas under their influence, so as to 

allow government agencies to launch development 

works and restore law and order.

Officials in New Delhi asserted that a 

clear-cut line has been given to the forces to avoid 

violent conflicts unless they become imperative..

"If they retreat we are not going to hunt and kill them. 

They may, however, not retreat peacefully so we are 

prepared for any attacks. The forces have been 

specially trained to tackle guerrilla-type strikes,

 as we do not expect them to get into a head-on 

confrontation, especially when we have pushed in 

a large number of forces to outnumber them," a 

top official who is coordinating the operation said.

The Central Reserve Police Force, Border 

Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police 

and state police are carrying out the operation jointly.

In the first phase, the forces will move deep into 

the interiors of the forest areas to set up their 

outposts. Once they establish themselves, they 

will venture further into remote areas to mount 

an onslaught to cleanse the area of Maoists.

The official said the offensive will include house

 to house searches but there will be no violence 

unless the forces are attacked. Even their 

response will be limited to drive out those

 mounting the attacks, he said.

"Once we clean out the areas, the district 

administration will step in with development

works. Our task is limited to neutralising the 

Maoists who are not allowing the government 

staff to do any work in the areas under their 

control, and to drive them out," the official added.

###

###

andhra congress MPs are bitter , unhappy and developed hatred on each other

22-12-2009

ANDHRA CONGRESS MPS 

A GREAT DRAMA IN CENTRAL HALL

By R Rajagopalan

**

High drama was enacted by many Congress MPs hailing

from Andhra Pradesh.

Veerappa Moily and Ahmed Patel were writing and rewriting

a draft resolution. But any word added or removed told a different

meanings.At each of the stage English words played a 

crucial role.

**

Tuesday Central Hall of Parliament the scene

cannot be described in words. Not even in video.

**
Andhra Pradesh Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs say around 25-30

those who are present in Delhi were all seen in Parliament.

**

Andhra Pradesh Congress MPs were the worried lot. keeping a vigil on the other. 

with a mistrust, mischief look, cutting jokes having a tense facial expression.

* "

Eat slowly" do not rush" said Veerappa Moily  on seeing Panapakkam Lakshmi

and Purandeswari  who were rushing to finsh their Lunch. This happened in Central Hall

In one corner of Central Hall in sofa seated were Ahmed Patel,

Veerappa Moily, Keshav Rao, Sarve Satyanarayana, Nandi Yellaiah

Girish Sanghi, V Hanumantha Rao. Later T Subbirami Reddy joined.

**

KS Rao was restless who gathered Rayalaseema and Andhra MPs

at Pawan Kumar Bansal Minister chambers. KS Rao literarily

'locked up" in Bansal room, many MPs included, Jagan Reddy

Dr KVP Rao, A Venkatrami Reddy, Rayapatti Sambasiva Rao

Panapakkam Lakshmi, Purendeswari,

** Chinta Mohan and Rayapatti Sambasiva Rao were 

seen with a grim face and seated with angry. They refused

to take Lunch provided by K S Rao. One MP joked

are you following like Lanco Rajagopal not to eat.

** Moily and Ahmed Patel mission is to bring a 

solution after consulting Rayalaseema and Telanagna 

Congress MPs.

** Moily drafted a resolution, but that was not agreed

upon by KS Rao. Because the word 'process of formation'

was the opening sentence.

**Keshav Rao and  V Hanumantha Rao are the two

key personalities for Telangana. Ahmed Patel

used to cut jokes with these two. Asking why

there was a 'jagada' at all. 

**

N Janardhan Reddy was guiding KS Rao with 

suitable language for the draft resolution.

** While Keshav Rao and V Hanumantha Rao argue

that they are from Telangana and are open for any solution

or resolution. Because on December 9, 2009

we got assurance from Home Minister. 

You cannot go back on this wordings now.

**

It was a pathetic scene. Each MP from  Telangana region

were happy and had broad smile on their faces when

discussed with Ahmed Patel and Veerappa Moily

the two powerful personality representing AICC and Union

Law Ministry.

**

Moily is the in charge of Andhra , hence he had double role.

One as Observer for andhra and the other hat is Union Law Minister

**

The Railway Canteen which serves the Lunch and snacks for MPs

in Central Hall, had a roaring business, with many of the Congress

MPs from both regions Rayalaseema, Telangana and Andhra were

eating vegetarians as well as Non vegetarian items.

Bearers of the Railway canteen also had a huge tip off from these MPs

as today is also the last day of Winter session. Generally almost all

MPs give tips

Ends

40 years before what Indira Gandhi spoke on united andhra pradesh

40 years before what

INDIRA GANDHI SPOKE

ON 

UNITED ANDHRA PRADESH

EMAILS LIKE THIS ARE NOW 

SENT IN HUGE NUMBRES BY

RAYAPATTI SAMBASIV RAO MP

 POINTS IN 

THE SPEECH MADE 

ON 21^STDECEMBER 1972 IN LOK SABHA

 BY INDIRA GANDHI

ON 

UNITED ANDHRA PRADESH 

--------------------------------------------

      THE PRIME MINISTER MINISTER OF ATOMIC ENERGY, MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS, MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND MINISTER OF SPACE (SHRIMATI INDIRA GANDHI) :  MR. SPEAKER, SIR, THERE IS REALLY NOT MUCH NEED FOR ME TO SPEAK AS MY COLLEAGUE, SHRI CHAVAN, HAS BROUGHT            A COOLER AND CALMER ATMOSPHERE TO PREVAIL IN THE HOUSE AND HAS DEALT WITH THE REALLY IMPORTANT POINTS.  BUT SOME HON. MEMBERS EVEN OF THE OPPOSITION HAD EARLIER EXPRESSED THE OPINION THAT IT MIGHT BE MISUNDERSTOOD IF I DID NOT CLEARLY STATE OUR VIEWS ON SOME POINTS WHICH HAVE BEEN MENTIONED HERE BEFORE.  THEY ARE NOT NEW, NEVERTHELESS, THEY THOUGHT                  I SHOULD DO SO AND THAT IS WHY I HAVE GOT UP.

      PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES MANY IMPORTANT ISSUES WHICH ARE HIGHLY EMOTIONAL, AND THE MULKI RULES HAVE BECOME ONE SUCH ISSUE.  MATTERS WHICH INVOLVE REGIONAL FEELINGS QUITE OFTEN DO AROUSE THE EMOTIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY AS IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES, AND WE CERTAINLY CANNOT IGNORE THE EMOTIONS OF THE PEOPLE.  BUT I SHOULD LIKE TO STRESS WHAT CHAVANJI HAS SAID, THAT NO SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND WHILE THE ATMOSPHERE REMAINS CHARGED WITH EMOTIONS.  ANY SOLUTIONS, ANY ANSWER, HAS TO BE FOUND IN A VERY COOL, CALM AND RATIONAL MANNER.

      THEREFORE, ALTHOUGH I WAS ALSO, AS WERE MANY OTHER HON. MEMBERS, TOUCHED BY THE EMOTIONS EXPRESSED BY HON. MEMBERS, BY THE DIFFICULTIES OF OUR FRIENDS FROM TELENGANA AND FRIENDS FROM OTHER PARTS OF ANDHRA PRADESH, WE WERE CERTAINLY TOUCHED BY THE DIFFICULTIES AND EMOTIONS – I SHOULD VERY RESPECTFULLY SAY TO THEM THAT ALL THESE MATTERS HAVE TO BE THOUGHT OF NOT IN TERMS OF EMOTION BUT IN TERMS OF CALM AND COLLECTIVE THOUGHT.  AND NOT IN TERMS OF TODAY OR TOMORROW OR THE DAY AFTER BUT OF WHAT IT WILL MEAN TO THEM AND THE COUNTRY TEN YEARS HENCE, 20 YEARS HENCE, A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE.

      NATURALLY, IF YOU PUT TO THE PEOPLE THAT A PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT HAS AFFECTED THEIR EMPLOYMENT, IT HAS AFFECTED THEIR RIGHTS THEY WILL BECOME EMOTIONAL.  ANY BODY WILL BECOME EMOTIONAL.  “I DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE GONE TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE AND SAID, “LET US SIT DOWN AND THINK ABOUT IT, WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL IT MAKE IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT IN TERMS OF THE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE TELENGANA REGION, FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE OTHER DISTRICTS OF ANDHRA PRADESH” ?   SO, I DO NOT THINK THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN FULLY AND SQUARELY PUT BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE THERE.  THEREFORE, THE REACTION TODAY HAS TO BE ALSO VIEWED IN THAT LIGHT”.

      “THE STATE OF HYDERABAD WAS THE LARGEST OF THE OLD PRINCELY STATES.  ONE HON. MEMBER HAS SAID AND RIGHTLY THAT IN THIS STATE THERE WERE INDIVIDUALS, THERE WERE FAMILIES OF VERY HIGH CULTURE.  BUT FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THERE WAS POVERTY, THEY HAD NOT HAD OPPORTUNITIES OF EDUCATION OR SOCIAL WELFARE OR OF PUBLIC HEALTH OR ANY KIND OF AMELIORATION OF THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS.  WHEN THE COMPOSITE ANDHRA STATE CAME INTO BEING ALL SECTIONS OF THE PEOPLE RECOGNISED THAT FOR GREATER COHESIONS CERTAIN SPECIAL MEASURES OF A TRANSITORY NATURE WERE NECESSARY.  THE LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE UNANIMOUSLY ARRIVED AT A GENTLEMEN’S AGREEMENT WHICH WE ALL ACCEPTED”.

      “SO, THERE WAS THIS AGREEMENT.  NOW, REGARDLESS OF ANY AGREEMENT WE ALL KNOW THAT EVEN WITHIN A FAMILY THERE ARE DIFFERENCES AND DISPUTES.  THERE IS NO STATE IN INDIA WHICH DOES NOT HAVE BACKWARD AREAS.  RELATIVELY BACKWARD AND ADVANCED AREAS EXIST NOT ONLY IN ALL STATES BUT IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE SAME STATE.  IN THE ANDHRA REGION MANY MEMBERS HAVE DRAWN ATTENTION TO AREAS SUCH AS RAYALASEEMA AND SRIKAKULAM. THE TELENGANA REGION, MAY BE A BACKWARD REGION BUT IT DOES HAVE BETTER-OFF AREAS”.

      “MERELY BECAUSE AN AREA IS COMPARATIVELY BACKWARD IS NOT REASON ENOUGH FOR TAKING DRASTIC OR IRREVERSIBLE DECISIONS.  WHERE WILL THIS PROCESS END?  I AM NOT AT ALL AFRAID OF THIS BEING CATCHING; THAT IS NOT THE POINT.  BUT WHERE DOES ANY ONE DRAW THE LINE ?  WILL EACH DISTRICT WANT TO BE SEPARATE ? SOME PEOPLE HAVE ADVISED THE DIVISION OF U.P. WHERE TO DIVIDE INTO TWO, THREE, FOUR, INTO HOW MANY AREAS DO YOU DIVIDE IT?  DO YOU GO BACK TO THE OLD, VERY SMALL STATES, PRINCELY STATES; DO YOU GO BACK TO THAT?  SOMEWHERE A LINE HAS TO BE DRAWN.  YOU CANNOT JUST SAY THAT BECAUSE OF BACKWARDNESS THERE SHOULD BE DIVISION. AS CHAVANJI HAS RIGHTLY POINTED OUT, ECONOMIC BACKWARDNESS CAN GO ONLY THROUGH HARD WORK AND THE EFFORT OF THE ENTIRE NATION.

      WHILE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE SPECIAL HARDSHIP OF THE BACKWARDNESS OF ANY SPECIAL HARDSHIP OF THE BACKWARDNESS OF ANY SPECIAL GROUP OR ANY SPECIAL AREA.  I DO NOT THING THAT ANYONE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DEVELOP A VESTED INTEREST IN BACKWARDNESS”. 

      “I SHOULD LIKE TO RE-ASSURE HIM THAT THIS IS NOT AT ALL THE CASE I DO NOT WANT TO GO INTO THE DETAILS OF THIS”.  BUT I THINK HIS FEARS ARE UNFOUNDED.  WE HAD ALSO TO COUNTER THE PAST ASSURANCES GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF TELENGANA AREA WITH REGARD TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND ALSO THEIR PRESENT NEEDS.  WE HAVE NOT AT ALL GONE BACK ON ANY ASSURANCE GIVEN AND I SHOULD LIKE TO RE-ASSURE THE HON. MEMBERS THAT WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THEIR PROBLEMS.  BUT WE FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT THE WAY OF SOLVING THEM.  “IN FACT, AS I SAID ON AN EARLIER OCCASION, MERELY TALKING OF SEPARATION IS NOT AN END OF THE PROBLEM.  IT IS THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER VERY BIG PROBLEM, NOT FOR OTHER STATES BUT ALSO FOR THAT AREA; THAT STATE ITSELF”. THE DECISIONS WHICH WE ANNOUNCED ON THE 27^THNOVEMBER, 1972 WERE IN THE RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST BY THE LEADERS OF THE STATE; THEY THEMSELVES HAVE SAID THAT WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING.

      “I STAND VERY FAMILY FOR AN INTEGRATED STATE, BUT I SHOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT SO FAR AS THIS MATTER IS CONCERNED, EVEN HAD THERE BEEN TWO STATES, IT WOULD HAVE MADE NO DIFFERENCE TO THIS BILL BECAUSE IT DEALS MAINLY WITH THE PROBLEM OF THE TWIN CITIES AND ALSO THE REST OF TELENGANA.  THAT PROBLEM WOULD REMAIN NO MATTER WHAT OTHER THINGS YOU DO BECAUSE A LARGE NUMBER OF NON-MULK IS THERE.  UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN IN THE SPEECHES HAVE SOME LITTLE BITTERNESS CREPT IN.  IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MANY STATES WE HAVE, YOU STILL WILL BE NEIGHBOURS AND YOU STILL WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ONE ANOTHER IN A HUNDRED AND ONE THINGS.  THINKING THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE SEPARATED, YOU CAN GET RID OF THESE PEOPLE OR WE HAVE GOT RID THIS PROBLEM IS A VERY FACILE WAY OF THINKING.  OUR EXPERIENCE HAS NOT SHOWN THAT THIS COMES TRUE”.

      “RECOGNIZING THE FACT THAT THE CAPITAL BELONGS TO BOTH REGIONS, THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO REPEAL THE MULKI RULES IN THE TWIN CITIES THREE YEARS EARLIER THAN IN THE REMAINING TELANGANA REGION.  EVEN DURING THE INTERVENING PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CAPITAL ARE BEING EXTENDED AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES EXPANDED FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE OTHER REGIONS OF ANDHRA PRADESH ALSO”.

      “A THIRD POINT WAS THAT TELENGANA IS NOT THE ONLY BACKWARD AREA IN THE STATE”.

      “SIR, PARLIAMENT REPRESENTS THE WILL OF THE WHOLE NATION.  ITS DUTY IS NOT MERELY TO GO INTO THE RIGHTS AND WRONGS OF A SITUATION BUT ALSO TO VIEW PROBLEMS FROM THE NATIONAL POINT OF VIEW, SHRI CHAVAN HAS STRESSED THIS POINT.  BUT I WOULD LIKE TO REPEAT IT.  WHILE ALL OF US HERE ARE ELECTED FROM PARTICULAR CONSTITUENCIES, ONCE WE ARE HERE IN THIS HALL.  I THINK WE SHOULD CONSIDER OURSELVES NOT AS MERELY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ONE LITTLE AREA BUT AS THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WHOLE COUNTRY AND THE ENTIRE PEOPLE OF INDIA.  AND EACH PROBLEM HAS TO BE VIEWED FROM THAT ANGLE”.

      THE VERY FIRST ARTICLE OF OUR CONSTITUTION DECLARES THAT INDIA IS A UNION OF STATES.  EACH STATE HAS HAD A LONG CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL TRADITION AND EACH STATE HAS BECOME A POLITICAL ENTITY IN ITS OWN SPECIAL WAY.  ANDHRA PRADESH HAS BEEN A DISTINCTIVE CULTURAL UNIT FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.  THE NAME HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE EARLIEST BUDHIST WRITINGS.  ALL THE PARTS WHICH NOW CONSTITUTE ANDHRA PRADESH HAVE BEEN UNDER ONE UMBRELLA FOR LONG PERIODS OF HISTORY.  LET US NOT LOOK AT JUST THE IMMEDIATE PERIOD OF HISTORY.

      PERHAPS, IT WAS THIS LONG HISTORY WHICH INSPIRED THE TELUGU SPEAKING PEOPLE WHEN THEY YEARNED AND STRUGGLED FOR SEVERAL DECADES TO FORM A UNIFIED ANDHRA PRADESH.  MAY I CITE A LITTLE BIT OF MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE?  I HAPPENED TO BE TOURING PARTS OF THE SOUTH JUST BEFORE THE REPORT OF THE STATES REORGANIZATION COMMISSION WAS MADE PUBLIC AND MY EARS ARE STILL REVERBERATING WITH THE FUL-THROATED CRIES OF VISHAL ANDHRA.………… (INTERRUPTIONS).  IT WAS REALLY THE WILL OF THE TELUGU-SPECKING PEOPLE WHICH PREVAILED OVER THE PROPOSAL OF SOME PEOPLE TO RETAIN THE OLD HYDERABAD STATE”.   

      “THERE ARE SOME THINGS WHICH ARE PART OF OUR NATIONAL LIFE.  IT IS TRUE THAT THE QUESTION OF LINGUISTIC STATES WAS VERY MUCH A PART OF THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT.  THERE WAS NO GETTING AWAY FROM IT.  THE UNITS OF EVERY PARTY WHICH WAS IN EXISTENCE AT A TIME, WERE FORMED ON THE BASIS OF LANGUAGE IN SPITE OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES HAVING DIFFERENT AREAS.  THERE IS AN OVERALL RATIONALITY IN THE FORMATION OF OUR VARIOUS STATES AND WE SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO BREAK THIS FOUNDATION OF RATIONALITY IN MOMENTARY PASSIONS.  AS I SAID AT THE BEGINNING WE SHOULD CONSIDER THE FEELINGS OF PEOPLE BUT IT WOULD BE VERY WRONG FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BE SWEPT AWAY BY FEELINGS.  WE MUST SEE WHAT IS IN THE LARGER INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES.  WE ARE NOT SAYING THAT THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF TELENGANA SHOULD BE SACRIFICED FOR OUR INTEREST OR FOR THE INTEREST OF OTHER PARTS OF INDIA.  BUT THE GOVERNMENT MUST THINK IN A VERY CALM MANNER ABOUT THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF THAT VERY REGION AND SEE WHAT WILL SERVE THEIR INTEREST BEST”.

      “I AM SURE THAT NO TELUGU-SPEAKING PERSON WHETHER HE LIVES IN THE COASTAL REGION OR IN RAYALSEEMA OR IN TELENGANA WILL EVER DO ANYTHING EVEN IN ANGER OR IN DESPERATION WHICH IS NOT IN THE LARGER INTEREST OF THEIR ENTIRE STATE AND ALSO IN THE INTEREST OF THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.  I CAN UNDERSTAND THE EMOTIONS OF OUR FRIENDS HERE.  THIS HAS BEEN A PERIOD OF GREAT AGONY FOR US ALL TO WATCH THE DEVELOPMENTS IN ANDHRA PRADESH AND THE TRAGEDIES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.  I ALSO SHOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY DEEP SYMPATHY WITH THE PARENTS AND FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES.  BUT WE MUST LOOK AT THIS MATTER IN THE LARGER P0ERSPECTIVE”.

advani ensures no jagada between gadkari and munde

21 Dec 2009

LK ENSURES BJP CHIEF NOT TROUBLED BY OLD WAR WITH MUNDE

From Our Bureau

NEW DELHI: The Bhartiya Janata Party's patriarch Lal Krishna Advani on Monday shifted party general secretary Gopinath Munde(60) to the parliamentary responsibility as deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.

The move is to protect new president Nitin Gadkari from being sucked into the old Maharashtra turf war, lest a new infight breaks out in the party even before he formally takes over.

At the same time, Advani gave no parliamentary responsibility to his own protege Ananth Kumar, a Bangalore MP, so as to sound Gadkari that he is available to continue as one of the national general secretaries in the new dispensation.

Though Munde was present at the coronation of Gadkari at the party headquarters here on Saturday, the latter reportedly sounded Advani during Sunday breakfast meeting that he will not be able to accommodate Munde in the new party set-up to avoid any trouble.

Sources said he sought Advani's help to contain Munde, bringing to his knowledge stories he was planting in the Marathi media that he may even join the Congress than to work under a junior's leadership. Munde is not only senior to Gadkari in the party as also in terms of age but he was also the deputy chief minister when the latter was just a cabinet minister in the BJP-Shiv Sena government.

Advani used the BJP parliamentary party constitution amended unanimously on Friday that takes away powers of the leaders of Opposition to appoint the party's deputy leader and chief whip in the two Houses and puts them in his hands as its chairman.

Immediately after his anointment to the new post, Advani had appointed his deputy leader Sushma Swaraj to be the new Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha and declared Arun Jaitley to continue in that position in the Rajya Sabha. He completed remaining appointments on Monday.

A BJP release says Advani has appointed Ramesh Bais, a former union minister of state from Chhattisgarh, to continue as the chief whip of BJP in the Lok Sabha. Similarly, Surinder Singh Ahluwalia continues to be the deputy leader of party in the Rajya Sabha and Maya Singh the chief whip.

###

andhra congress MPs create flutter in Central Hall

ANDHRA CONGRESS MPS DOMINATED CENTRAL HALL ON MONDAY

*By R Rajagopalan

N Janardhan Reddy briefed Ahmed Patel in Central Hall on the

prevailing situation in Rayalaseema and Andhra Pradesh

*

K S Rao was also conveying his views to Ahmed Patel and to

Janardhan Diwedi in Central Hall. 

*

NJR was seated in the third row in the Central Hall, Ahmed Patel

stood up and greeted the senior leader NJR and went to a corner

* Jagan Reddy was in Central Hall, today is his birthday. Many

went near him and greeted. But he is not celebrating this year.

*

PM was looking at the very dark mostauche of Narasapuram 

Congress MP K Bapiraju.

*

Monday is the day of Andhra Congress MPs in Central Hall.

*

KS Rao gathered all Congress MPs from Central Hall of Parliament 

N Janrdhan Reddy, Panapakkam Lakshmi, Bapiraju, Ananta Venkatarami Reddy

Suryaprakash Reddy, Undavalli Aruna Kumar.Dr KVP Rao

*

KS Rao had taken all the Andhra Congress MPs from Central Hall to

Prime Minister chambers that is room number 9 inside Parliament House.

*
Without a prior appointment, these Andhra MPs had "gate crashed"

Prime Minister to convey the grave situation in the Rayalaseema 

and Andhra disticts.

*

Prime Minister gave a patient hearing to these remarks.

Also said that he would discuss with the other colleagues.

" I am not the only one who is handling this, we have to discuss

this issue, tomorrow we shall take a decision" said the Prime Minister

*

"We cannot go back to our constituencies Sir this is the factual

postion."This is the cry of all Rayalaseema and Andhra MPs 

who are presently in Delhi telling this to many of the senior leaders

like Makkal Lal Fotedar.

* TV newschannels are also available in Central Hall. The screaming 

headlines were L RAJAGOPAL MISSING. On seeing this Ahmed Patel

and Janardhan Diwedi and Moti Lal Vohra were making a sarcastic comments.

* There were two Janardhans in Central Hall

similarly  two Sambasiva Raos.

One is from andhra NJR the other is from UP.

Janardhan Diwedi who writes the speeches for Sonia

and he is also the chairman of Media committee of AICC

*Janardhan Diwedi was telling many of the MPs that

Congress has been consistent. It always supported

Telangana. Our resolutions, were the same maintaining

the same stance. Never we deviated from Telangana.

*

Congress has exposed TDP and BJP on this issue

said Janardhan Diwedi. To this there were murmurs

from Rayalaseema Congress MPs.

*

When NJR called Sambasiva Rao , the two KS Rao and RS Rao

both turned and went near to NJR.

*

KS Rao phoned to almost all Rayalaseema and Andhra Congress MPs

to rush to Central Hall as PM was available in town.

ends

chinese honey trap on a RAW officer in Beijing

19 Dec 2009

TRIBUNAL COMES TO RESCUE OF SACKED RAW OFFICER

From Our Bureau

NEW DELHI: The Central Administrative Tribunal has come to the rescue of a top RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) sleuth summarily dismissed without inquiry for his alleged escapades with a suspected Chinese woman spy while posted in China in 2007-08.

Even while holding the officer, M M Sharma, Senior Scientific Assistant, as "not reliable for holding sensitive or superior positions," the 2-member Tribunal headed by Vice-chairman Justice M Ramachandran asked the government to review the penalty of denial of pension or even compassionate allowance.

The tribunal asked the government to bear in mind that "a former officer of the government of India is not to bear a begging bowl for his livelihood, he may have a family to support and the advanced age may bring him financial responsibilities. It directed the government to communicate its decision to the aggrieved officer within four months.

It pointed out that Sharma was dismissed just two years before his retirement while there were no adverse reports against him in his service records.

Even while recording that the government did not produce files concerning Sharma, the tribunal said: "We do not think it might be necessary for us to go through such files as we feel that even the circumstances as now available are sufficient for us to hold that there essentially was no arbitrariness in the government's approach." It, however, noted that "it may not be possible to gather what, in fact, prompted the President to come to a decision to dismiss him."

The government counsel had repeatedly taken the plea during hearing that the inquiry was not held before dismissing the officer as disclosure of the classified secret materials was not in the interest of security of India. Counsel indicated that the officer had given access of his computer to the Chinese woman enabling her to read secret documents.

"By permitting free hand to a person who was having a position in the Communist Party of China to peruse the documents without any restraint was shocking," the tribunal noted, agreeing with the government counsel.

Sharma, who was posted with the Indian mission in China on July 2, 2007 was recalled in May, 2008 and put under suspension on September 5, 2008. He was subsequently dismissed on December 22 last year.

As submitted by him before the tribunal, he became a victim of rivalry between two women. One was Chen Yu Cui engaged by him as a house maid while at Thayuan to attend to the household duties as he had left his family in India. The other one is Maggie, introduced to him by a colleague staying with him to teach him local language.

Sharma averred in the question-answers that Maggie was a person of lose character but he decided to establish close links with her to get some classified information of prime importance of China as she was a worker of the Communist Party of China and regularly attended official meetings of the party. He also admitted that the chief of mission had cautioned him to "go slow and be very careful."

According to Sharma, the two women fought and Maggie wanted the maid immediately removed while the main wanted to ban Maggie's entry in the house. He did not oblige Maggie and so she complained to the mission that he had illicit relations with the maid, resulting in an inquiry. Sharma told the Tribunal that he reduced frequency of meetings with Maggie but did not completely stop the association with her because he very much wanted to gather useful information from her.

He was subsequently recalled. He told the Tribunal that he was not given any reasons whatsoever why he was called back and the suspension and consequent step of dismissal had come to him as a shock. His plea was that had the inquiry been held, he would have known the allegations against him and explained his position as there was nothing alarming about his conduct.

###

-- 

MYSTERY OF HEADELY - AN ANALYSIS

17 Dec 2009

MYSTERY OF HEADLEY -- AN ANALYSIS

By Jal Khambata/R Rajagopalan

NEW DELHI: In a detailed analysis of the "tactical implications of the Headley case," global online intelligence agency Stratfor says David Coleman Headley had worked for FBI as a terrorism informant following the 9/11 attacks and is reportedly again cooperating with the U.S. Government since after his arrest in Chicago on October 3.

If Headley were reporting to the FBI, it could also explain the very specific warnings that the U.S. government gave to the government of India about plans to attack hotels in Mumbai in September 2008. India initially increased security measures at these sites, but the measures were dropped before the attacks were launched in November.

Scott Stewart traces all the details that have emerged about Headley to write this report for Stratfor. A week after arrest, Headley was charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiring to commit terrorist attacks outside the United States and providing material support to terrorist organisations.

Since the arrest, there have been almost daily disclosures of new information regarding his activities and those of his co-conspirators. These new details have emerged during court proceedings and from leaks by U.S., Indian and Pakistani government officials.

On Dec. 7, new federal charges were filed against Headley alleging that he had conducted extensive surveillance against targets in Mumbai that were attacked during the November 2008 armed assault in that city, which resulted in the deaths of some 170 people. Headley reportedly became an informant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after being arrested and charged with smuggling heroin into the United States from Pakistan in 1997 and moved on to FBI after 9/11.

From the information that has emerged so far, it appears that Headley, who was born Daood Gilani in 1960 in Washington to a Pakistani father and American mother, worked as a surveillance operative and operational planner for the Pakistan-based militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihad e-Islami (HUJI). In 2006, Headley legally changed his name from Daood Gilani to David Coleman Headley, anglicising his first name and taking his mother’s maiden surname. He apparently did this to disguise his Pakistani heritage and Muslim faith while traveling to places such as India and Denmark.

Details of this case will continue to emerge as the court proceedings against Headley and his co-conspirators progress, but the information released to date reveals a great deal about Headley and about LeT and HUJI.

NO SMALL TIMER: First, it is evident that Headley was not merely a low-level cannon fodder-type operative. Most of the men who attend jihadist training camps are taught basic infantry and guerrilla-warfare skills such as hand-to-hand combat and how to fire an AK-47 and throw a hand grenade.

A handful of the best and brightest of these students are then selected to attend additional training in advanced combat skills that often include terrorist tradecraft, which is the set of skills required to conduct a terrorist attack. Terrorist tradecraft includes things like surveillance, bombmaking and covert communications and is quite distinct from basic infantry skills.

In his Dec. 7 indictment, Headley reportedly attended LeT training camps in Pakistan in February and August of 2002 and in April, August and December of 2003. This indicates that Headley progressed far beyond basic militant training, and it is likely that he was taught during his later training sessions the tradecraft required to conduct pre-operational surveillance for terrorist attacks and to participate in the operational planning for such attacks.

One element of terrorist tradecraft that was evident in the indictment and the Oct. 11 criminal complaint is Headley’s careful use of language and of multiple methods of communications, including the use of cell phones and using long-distance calling cards, e-mail communication (using a variety of accounts) and face-to-face briefings.

For the most sensitive communications and planning activities, Headley traveled to Pakistan to meet in person with LeT and HUJI leaders, a very secure way to communicate. He also had numerous phone and e-mail conversations in which he discussed the status of his work or planned reconnaissance trips.

CODEWORDS: During such conversations, he would use terms to disguise the true objective of his work. For example, when referring to attack plans, Headley and his alleged co-conspirators reportedly called them “investment plans” or “business plans,” and when discussing the plot against Jyllands-Posten, the newspaper that published the Mohammed cartoons, Headley and his co-conspirators referred to it as the “Mickey Mouse Project,” the “MMP” or “the Northern Project.”

Headley also used a common militant communication method of creating messages and then saving them in the drafts folder of a Web-mail service rather than sending the message. The person creating such a message can then provide a colleague with the user name and password for the Web-mail account, which enables the second person to log on and read the communication in the draft folder without an e-mail having been sent. This procedure is referred to as an “electronic dead drop.”

In addition to facilitating communication, these dead drops can be used to save notes that a terrorist operative does not want to physically carry on his person for fear of being caught with them. In September, we noted that Najibullah Zazi used this method to send his bombmaking notes from a training camp in Pakistan to himself rather than risk physically carrying the notes into the United States, where they could have been found during a search of his belongings.

According to the Oct. 11 criminal complaint, before leaving Pakistan for the United States in December 2008, Headley used this process to save a list of taskS he had received for his surveillance work in Denmark. The list, which was entitled “Mickey Mouse,” included the following entries (presented here as contained in the complaint, verbatim and unedited):

    * Route Design (train bus air)
    * Cross (cover authenticator)
    * Trade? Immigration?
    * Ad (Lost Luggage) (Business) (Entry)?
    * King’s Square (French Embassy)
    * YMCA
    * Car Trip + Train Option (Nufoozur Rehman) (Weekend?)
    * Residence for clients
    * Complete Area Coverage (P.S. e.t.c.)
    * Countersurveillance (magic eye)
    * NDC option; Lunch + coffee spots
    * Security (armed?)
    * Foreman residence
    * Zoom; Entry and exit method in the house
    * Feasible plan
    * On return, procurement of machinery
    * Uniform
    * Mixed fruit Dish
    * Cell phone and camera
    * Border Crossing
    * City Guide Map
    * Alternate Investment
    * Got Papers? (Clients)
    * Make Visiting Cards

Included are all the items listed in the complaint to demonstrate the depth of the surveillance work he was tasked with by his contacts in Pakistan. These responsibilities included determining the best way to get the attack team (“clients”) into the country, finding them a place to stay, procuring weapons (“machinery”) and conducting thorough surveillance of the newspaper and its surroundings. This would have included security in the area, counter-surveillance activity and closed-circuit television cameras in place. Headley may also have been tasked with locating the residence of the newspaper’s editor.

According to the Oct. 11 federal complaint, Headley traveled from Chicago to Copenhagen in January 2009 to conduct surveillance of the Jyllands-Posten offices in Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark, and to photograph and videotape the surrounding areas. He then traveled to Pakistan, where he met with his co-conspirators to brief them on his surveillance operations and to construct a plan for the attack.

Following his return to Chicago, Headley traveled back to Copenhagen in August 2009 to conduct additional surveillance (presumably to address issues that arose during the operational planning session in Pakistan). During this second trip, Headley made some 13 additional videos and took many photos of the potential targets and the areas around them.

5 MUMBAI TRIPS: In the Dec. 7 indictment, the U.S. government alleges that in order to conduct surveillance for the Mumbai attacks, Headley made five extended trips to Mumbai: one in September 2006, two in February and September of 2007 and two in April and July of 2008.

During each of these trips Headley reportedly took pictures and made videos of various targets, including those attacked in November 2008. He also reportedly traveled to Pakistan after each of these trips to brief his co-conspirators there and to provide them with his maps, sketches, photos and videos. In March 2008,

Headley and his co-conspirators reportedly discussed potential landing sites for a team of attackers who would arrive by sea in Mumbai, and he was instructed to take boat trips in and around the Mumbai harbor and make videotapes of the area, which he allegedly did during his visit to India in April 2008.

During much of his surveillance activity, Headley identified himself as an employee of the immigration services company First World, but there is no evidence that Headley ever worked for that company. There is also no information in the documents released so far that would explain how Headley paid for his extensive international travel, much less earned money to cover his day-to-day expenses.

Finally, there is the issue of Headley’s alleged work as a DEA and FBI informant (which could help explain at least some of the financial mysteries discussed above). Given the demonstrated — and considerable — nexus between heroin trafficking and terrorism funding for the jihadi groups operating in Pakistan and Afghanistan, such a crossover of an informant from narcotics to terrorism is no surprise — especially following the incredible push by the U.S. government to recruit human intelligence sources with links to the jihadist world following the 9/11 attacks.

DOUBLE AGENT?: At present, it is very difficult to ascertain if Headley was a double agent who was really reporting to LeT and HUJI the entire time he was ostensibly working for the U.S. government or if he was merely a rogue informant who was playing both ends against the middle for his own personal benefit. Such rogue sources have been seen in jihadi cases before. If Headley was either a double agent or a rogue source, there may be some significant blowback for the U.S. government as further revelations are made about the case.

This case also has some significant protective intelligence implications, and it underscores much of what Stratfor have been saying about surveillance and countersurveillance for several years now.

While Headley is a U.S. citizen and changed his name in order to camouflage his heritage and religious affiliation, he conducted an inordinate amount of surveillance activity by himself.

Conducting a surveillance operation with only one person is among the most difficult — and risky — activities that any surveillance operative can be tasked to perform. Any time a person conducts surveillance he or she is vulnerable to detection. That vulnerability is mitigated somewhat if the surveillance is conducted by a team of individuals and the team members can take turns exposing themselves to potential counter-surveillance.

Doing a solo surveillance operation means that the surveillance operative is forced to show his face time and again to anyone watching.

Furthermore, activities such as taking photographs and making video recordings are far riskier than simply observing a target. Having one single surveillance operative visit two offices of the same newspaper and then take dozens of photos and make 13 video recordings of the offices — in a one-week span, no less — is terrible surveillance tradecraft.

Had someone been conducting counter-surveillance on one of the targets Headley was studying — or, better yet, counter-surveillance of more than one of these potential targets — the assets almost certainly would have noticed his abnormal behaviour. American tourists may frequently take photos and shoot videos while visiting foreign capitals, but they do not take the time to capture extensive still and video images of newspaper offices.

Even people who have conducted thousands upon thousands of hours of surveillance would have a hard time creating cover for action and status that would justify that much surveillance activity — especially when the surveillant is a foreigner and working alone. The only rational explanation for why Headley was not noticed while conducting his surveillance is that nobody was looking.

The use of an American citizen to conduct surveillance once again illustrates the importance of focusing on the “how” of terrorist attacks and not just the “who.” And when considering the actor, the focus must be placed on his or her behavior, not just nationality or religious creed.

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