Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Tuesday

May 7,; 2013

Buzz Political Grapevines

for publication on Wednesday

May 8, 2013

Thanks

R Rajagopalan

New Delhi

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President Pranab Mukherjee saved the UPA2 from a major constitutional crisis

In his brief direction to the Government - said that the confusion created by

the advancement of the financial bill - should have been averted.

Buzz is that President Pranab Mukherjee had to intervene through Speaker Meira Kumar

and explaned to her the consittuional crisis - Should this not be the task of
Union Law Minister Ashwini Kumar? Why did President Pranab Mukherjee

ask Speaker Meira Kumar to come to Rashtrapathi Bhavan ?

Should not the Department of Legislative Affairs in Law Ministry

on alert? Or does it mean that Finance Minister P Chidambaram who is

also a legal luminary-to have anticipated such Constitutional Crisis.

Insiders confirm in Union Ministry of Finance that the ADB meeting

in New Delhi created such a confusion and effectively sorted out by

President Pranab Mukherjee

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

Sharad Pawar in Central Hall on Tuesday was seen introducing his grand children and also

his son in law Sadanand Sule to Prime Minister and also to many of

the MPs Dr Manmohan Singh gave a pat on the grand children enquired their

school and education.

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Central Hall on Tuesday was overflowing with the presence of huge numbers of MPs

Congress, BJP and Left parties have issued three lines whip-not on Food Security Bill

or Land Reforms Bills-but for MPs voting for the election for Finance committees

like PAC-and COPU

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Ashwini Kumar Law Minister was seen escorting Sonia Gandhi from Central Hall

to main gate where Sonia Gandhi was to get into her car. SPG guards did not

allow Ashwini Kumar to get nearer to Sonia Gandhi as they also walked fast

surrounding her. Still Ashwini Kumar managed to speak something, but that

was being closely monitored and overheard by Rajiv Sukhla who also competed

with Ashwini Kumar to walk fast. But none could beat up the brisk walk

of Sonia Gandhi

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BJP MP Yashodhara Scindia created a flutter in Central Hall on Tuesday. She misplaced

Blackberry mobile phone. Began to search the mobile phone below the desks. She

asked the watch and ward to help her. Walkie Talkie messages were flashed, huge

number of Parliament security rushed to Central Hall. To heckle her more Dr Subramanian

Swamy asked Yashodhara whether she was searching UPA Minsters Bansal and

Ashwini Kumar? Finally the high drama ended when a security man found the

phone and returned to Yashodhara.

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

AK Antony spent maximum time in Central Hall on Tuesday a rare scene.

He was seen talking to Kerala Congress MPs . And came Vylar Ravi

both spent talking about the fate of their Ministerial colleagues

Bansal and Ashwini.

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

Buzz in Corridors of power is that UPA is wanting to take a political revenge by

exposing scams about BJP Chief Ministers. Alert BJP MPs are now

busy finding out which agency would UPA2 ask to raid, will it be CBI

or ED or CBDT Income Tax?

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

Sonia Gandhi walked fast to tap the shoulders of Sushma Swaraj in Central Hall

on Tuesday. Best opportunity for phtograph. But in Central Hall clicking camera

is not permitted. But some enthusiatic MPs videoed on their mobile phones

SPG requested the MPs not to telecast or circulate it, as it is a matter of

security concern.

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

Ravi Shankar Prasad Deputy Leader ADMK Leader Dr V Maitreyan and

and Trinamool Congress leader

on Tuesday gave an affectionate shock to the Chairman Rajya Sabha

by threatening that they would stall the proceedings if the Government

brought Food Bill or Land Reforms Bill. Dr Maitreyan even threatened

that they will cross the floor to the treasury benches. and "maar peet" Such was

ki sambhavana hai" -the anger the Opposition had on the Government.

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

Presence of Lakshmi Parvathy wife of NTR

was a great surprise in Parliament on Tuesday when N T Rama Rao statue was unveiled

by Speaker of Lok Sabha. Chandrababu Naidu and Lakshmi Parvathy did not see

each other. Members of the family of NTR were in full strength.

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

Buzz in the Central Hall was all about the 300 pages letter by a Supreme Court

Advocate documented about a senior Union Minister addressed to

P J KUrien Chairman of JPC. Attachments were all about the 2G scam.

And how the Union Minsiter helped a private TV channel to amass

wealth. Much more interesting aspect is that these were in public domain

and the petititoner was drubbed as a mentally disabled legal luminary

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

ends

Saturday, April 13, 2013

GK VASAN HAS REVIVAL PLANS OF TAMIL MAANILA CONGRESS

Revival plan of Tamil Maanila Congress is ready

a turning point in national politics

G K Vasan to resign as Union Minister if Prime Minister

participates in Commonwealth Conference in Colombo

By R Rajagopalan

G K Vasan is restless. Congress cadres in Tamil Nadu do not have clue about

Rahul Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi plans for Lok Sabha polls.

GK Vasan is therefore revived his plans to launch Tamil Maanila Congress

by submitting his resignation from Dr Manmohan Singh Cabinet- to show solidarity

with the sentiments of Tamils for the attrocities of Sinhala Rajypakshe Government.

GK Vasan did not deny about his plans to quit Ministry, when this correspondent asked

but said thousands of Congress workers seek AICC intervention either Rahul Gandhi

or Sonia Gandhi should visit Trichy, Tanjore, Tinnelveli and Chennai to estimate

the anger of Congress cadre against AICC

GK Vasan had undertaken eight districts tour in March and April. Vasan observation

of interacting with not only Congress cadre but also with common voters are that

general perception - a groundswell is against UPA and Congress.

Reasons for GK Vasan to weild this political threat.

Rahul Gandhi recently suspended Yuraj the elected Youth Congress President

This Yuraj is the staunch supporter of G K Vasan,

* Sonia Gandhi,Rahul Gandhi or for that matter Prime Minister not giving importance

to Tamil Nadu Congress. Especially to GK Vasan group.

* GK Vasan group feels that P Chidambaram is being encouraged by AICC and

ignore Vasan

* growing demand to replace TNCC Chief Ganadesikan, who is also a staunch

supporter of GK Vasan,

*AICC rejects TNCC office bearers list and ignore GK Vasan camp

in the past two years Office bearers not appointed

*GK Vasan failed to get assurance from his recent meetings with

Pranab Mukherjee- Rahul Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh on

getting major role for his group in TNCC.

*A K Antony,Gulam Nabi Azad,Ahmed Patel and Digvijay SIngh

all know the mind of GK Vasan-but they are helpless and clueless

of Rahul Gandhi mindset about future of Tamil Nadu Congress.

AIADMK is indirectly sending feelers to Vasan camp to split Congress

But Vasan is resisting-

Congress has 5 MLAs in Tamil Nadu assembly. And four are GK Vasan supporters

There is a political threat- that these four MLAs might vote for Jayalalitha candidate

in the ensuing Rajya Sabha elections in June. And politically these four MLAs

will get protection from ADMK-

Anger, animosity, distrust amongst Congress cadre- DMK walking out of UPA

added to the political future of Vasan. It is to be seen how Vasan

will win over some of DMK supporters in his camp-to convert themto ADMK.

These are the main reasons for GK Vasan political moves to launh Tamil Maanila Congress

First June Rajya Sabha polls will be a test case- if 4 MLAs vote with Jaya

second in November if Prime Minister attends Colombo CHOGM meet-he will quit

and launch TMC to be in time for facing Lok Sabha polls-

ADMK is sending feelers for five Lok Sabha seats-and 35 MLAs seat in 2016 assembly polls

If Vasan launched TMC it will certainly be a turning point in national politics

ends

BUZZ

NEW DELHI POLITICAL GRAPEVINE SNIPPETS

embargoed for publication on Sunday April 14, 2014

Thanks

R Rajagopalan

New Delhi

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

1928 born Motilal Vora the senior most and aged 84 ,

leader of Congress is the lone voice which can be heard in 10 Janpath.

The only one Congress leader who can straight walk across straight to the

dining hall of 10 Janpath is Motilal Vora. Mother son and daughter talk to him

in confidence. Which are issues of party and personal too. Vora confirmed

to his close sources that Priyanka Gandhi entry into Lok Sabha from

Rae Bereli is almost certain. Motilal ji also opines that Sonia Gandhi

will not contest Lok Sabha due to her health reasons.

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

Madusudan Mistry Gujarat Congress leader is considered to be close to Rahul Gandhi.

Insiders buzz it out saying that Mistry will be Political Secretary to Vice President AICC
Rahul Gandhi-somewhat similar role that Ahmed Patel is now decorated with Sonia Gandhi.

Old timers in AICC say that Rajiv Gandhi brought Vincent George-then Mallu importance

grew up to the tilt. Now the same elders comment that Gujju domination is more

on 10 Janpath. Be it Ahmed bhai or Mistry bhai-both trying to compete each other.

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

135 seats is assured for Congress in Karnataka out of 224 strength of the

Assembly. Congress ticket distribution is almost over. Madhusudan Mistry

is a dominant player- in all internal meetings Mistry is bringing out choicest

blessings in negative fromat against Ahmed Patel. On money matters

Mistry is categorical that only Ahmed Patel will endorse the package.

"My job is to distribute tickets continues Mistry-but actual power is

with Ahmed bhai as he distributed Goddess Lakshmi" says close friend

of Mistry.

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

A report pending with AICC President. It is about impact of revival of

Tamil Maanila Congress by G K Vasan. AICC is concerned about the

real estate that TNCC owns-estimated somewhere around 700 - 750 crores

in the heart of Tenampet in Chennai. 153 small shops around this Tenampet

Grounds fetch huge rentals. GK Vasan is a Trustee in the TNCC owned

real estates. In categorical terms GK Vasan conveyed that he would

better resign as Trustee of TNCC real estates than to create legal

complications for AICC. Reason his father G K Moopanar samadhi

is in the precints of "Tenampet Tidal" When AICC suspects its own leader

walking out-intentions are political insiders say it is financial.

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

"War Room" it is a main power centre in New Delhi next to 10 Janpath.Situated

in 15 Gurudwara Rekab Ganj Road in New Delhi few metres from Parliament House

Three days in a week Rahul Gandhi visits this war room. To discuss 2014 poll

prospects. Alliances are made in this War Room. How to win over Mayawati

whose Bungalow is just opposite to War Room Election datas are more found in the war room..

Can Nitish Kumar be wooed? Will Jayalalitha join UPA? Strategies are planned

executed. Ten to fifteen Union Minsters visit this war room when Rahul Gandhi

holds "real battle field formulating carpet bombing". An estimated study of 400 parliament

constituencies are done by this War Room experts. Their analysis is that

Congress will win in 85 to 90 seats out of 400, the remaining 150 AICC does not

have organisation nor candidates. Such is grapevines fumes out of war room

a real disturbing feature.

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

ends

Thursday, January 31, 2013

25-1-2013

TRANSCRIPT OF CHAT WITH R RAJAGOPALAN IN IBN LIVE

ON TELANGANA

(This transcript in IBN live had 7500 hits )

Click this web link

http://ibnlive.in.com/chat/view/r-rajagopalan/1453.html

Chat

R Rajagopalan

Political analyst & Bureau Chief, Vaartha

Jan 25, 2013 | Closed

The Telangana impasse

The Congress is divided over bifurcating Andhra Pradesh and creating a new state of Telangana. Several party leaders have questioned the timing and need for creating Telangana, sources say. So where does the statehood issues currently stand?

19 questions answered

This chat is over. Thanks for joining.

my question is to R Rajagopalan sir will congress get benefit in 2014 if it separate telengana from AP Asked by: PRINCE SANGHI
No benefit to Congress - Even if Telangana is assured- aam aadhmi will not believe Congress. Congress will be reduced to two digits in the 2014, as Congress is losing Organisation, voters and aam aadhmi imaginations. Therefore even if Telangana is born - Congress will struggle to cross two digits.
The big question is what will happen to HYDERABAD. ur views pl Asked by: Srikanth
Hyderabad is the crucial issue, which blocks solutions. No central leader would like to give Hyderabad on a silver plate. It is too sensitive. In fact a senior Union Minister told me that Hyderabad, Nothing will happen to Hyderabad as long as UPA2 is in power.
Do you think Andhra will be back on track at least after 2014 polls? Asked by: Surya
I do not think so. Andhra Pradesh politics is very peculiar. Especially in the past fifteen years or so. With TDP in NDA and YSR striving hard to get 35 MPs for Congress in 2004 and 2009 now issues are complicated. And andhra will neve be back on track even in 2019... But my understanding is that Lok Sabha polls are in September 2013 this year. And not in 2014 next year
What makes you say 'Smaller states are necesary in India'. Smaller states only help in making few parts of the state even poorer and only help political class become richer. Let's step back and ask what did political class do in thier constinuencyAsked by: Sri@India
With success of Chhatisgarh and Uttarakhand, I am drawn towards smaller states. Of course there are political issues. but for development of the economy, infrastructure and public awareness-a concerted effort to be made by Centre to go in for smaller states. But with utmost care. We lost 20 years. and should not lose more time.
Isn't the best way is to go out for " second state reorganization committee". This way not only Telangana, but also Vidharbha, Gorkhaland and other demands can be relooked and states reorganised. Asked by: S ESHWAR
No clarity and straightforward thinking in AICC. The best opportunity AICC missued during Srikrishna Commission and its report. SRC will take longer time. India is in for multiparty-coalition era-with this backdrop I do not envisage smaller states. Like Gorkhaland, Vidharba etc.
Why cant Congress grant Telangana, as politically it will give mileage to Congress in Telangana? If it won't give, it will be wiped out in AndhraPradesh because of Jagan and Telangana factor. So, Wouldn't it be wise for COngress to give Telangana and get mileage atleast in Telangana region, as any way, it is going to lose for Jagan in the rest of Andhra Pradesh. Asked by: Pawan
Congress thinks in short term. Say February 2013 Union Budget session should be successful. For example when FDI in retail voting was to be done, Central Congress leaders thought that 15-20 Andhra MPs will vote against UPA2. Therefore Andhra Congress MPs have become Lord Venkateswra for senior Congress leaders. Each day prayers and short of touching the feets of Andhra Congress MPs. Such was behaviour of Central Congress leadership. Therefore Congress is a divided house, they will not declare Telangana. More than Telangana AICC is scared of kins of YSR and their popularity. Especially after YSR entered alliance with MIM
People who doing telangana agitation were equating this agitation with freedom struggle which we did 66 years ago with britishers, then are seemandhra people behaved like britishers Asked by: Rags@India
Certainly it is an emotive and sensitive issue. Government of the day should carefully consider these aspects. But when we have dual leadership era, like Sonia on one side, Dr Manmohan Singh on the other, - there will not be a freedom struggle like situation. I do not see division of Andhra in next five years.
Is it Hyderabad and its money or are these people really concerned about Telangana? My view is that the bifurcation will lead to more plunder, given the current levels of corruption being witnessed. Whats your take? Asked by: Srikanth
You may be right. But from my view. As we are now in a growth path-on GDP and in other spheres-smaller states are must. For developments. But central political leadership are not sincere. To achieve smaller states - we miss stature of Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Indira Gandhi. To take bold decisions. In present context separation of states should be carefully dealt.
If congress delays decision further tehre is every chance of seemandhra going to Jagan and TDP and telangana to BJP.Congress will be biggest loser.Do you agreeAsked by: irfan
I certainly agree. For this one has to blame it on Congess leadership. Eagerly waited for the Chintan Shiver in Jaipur to come out with policy statement on Telangna. Nothing happened. Now a great expectation that Rahul GAndhi will certainly bring a solution on Telangana. In practical purposes-it is high time that Rahul GAndhi should begin his elevated position as Vice president with a tour to all three regions in Andhra ... Will he do it?
For gaining political mileage politcis based on religion is bad for the country, then how is this statehood of telangana different? which has created animosity between people who are speaking same language, culture but just different in slang thats allAsked by: Rags@India
This is a political ploy. To whip up the emotions and sentiments of the people. That is why Congress is now using such tactics. In the next Lok Sabha Polls- I am of the view that Congress would be reduced to single digit from Andhra. And considerable defeat in state assembly.
Does the congress stand to win more seats by splitting the state? Asked by: AC
When Congress does not have a proper resolute- how can it forecast of winning more seats. If this trend continues about the suspense on Telangana- as an observer of Andhra politics for many years- can sum up that Congress will end up with single digit seats in Parliament. and do not expect more seats.
If congress is dead against AP divsion why doesnt it say openly Asked by: gautham
How can Congress go back. It has given assurances during 2004 YSR padayatra- subsequently Abdul kalam assurance to Parliament in his joint session address. that Telangana will be created. But later developments caused immense set back to Congress- that is why Congress is withdrawing from its commitment.
Muslims are not against telangana as is being prjected or congress fearing MIM consequences Asked by: syed hamidullah
Congress is fearing MIM. Especially after it got alliance with Jagan Reddy. Congress is not bothered about whether Hindu or Muslim are against Telangana. Otherwise, will the same Congress fill the Union Ministry during its shuffle - fill all Congress MPs in it. especially Chiranjivi. with a heavy portfolio
why congress party playing with telangana issue ? Asked by: venkat
Congress wants to keep the Telangna issue alive. There are contradictions amongst the Congress MPs leaders..
Sir, why is the congress party reluctant to announce Telangana as by doing so, they will sweep the Lok sabha elections from Telangana and Rayalseema will anyways go with Jagan Reddy? Asked by: Ankit
Congress is so scared of Andhra Congress MPs Congress leaders feel that they will either resign or vote against UPA during Budget session or during the Lok Sabha votings on cut motions
Hi Sir, Good Afternoon, Bifurcating Andhra Pradesh and creating a new state of Telangana will it help BJP and suites Narendra Modi makes inroads or it's going to be Congress political blunder. Thanks & Regards Jagannath Asked by: Jagannath Pujar
NDA had political will to create smaller states. Whether it will help Modi or not-certainly it will cost Congress much.
Will congress ever grant telanagna Asked by: irfan
No I do not think so. Congress is duping K Chandrsekhar Rao and he in turn duping the Telanganites. with false hopes and day dreams
Is congress for telangana or is it for integrated state according to you Asked by: irfan
Congress does not have a resolution on Telangana. Just to win the elections and it claims to create-but retreats as it wins the polls Congress will not create Telangana- that is a firm decision, but are afraid of sharing in public as it will lose votes
do ou really feel that if telengana comes, would there be any different in way of living? Asked by: sai
Smaller states are the necessity for India. But to create such, needs a political will. UPA2 lacks it. UPA2 is divided on smaller states