JD(S) isn’t happy with the Congress’ efforts to being Sumalatha into electoral politics as this could be a stumbling block for Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Gowda who wants to contest from Manyda.

After the death of rebel star Ambareesh, a void has been created in the Mandya Congress. With hundreds of Ambareesh fans demanding that his wife Sumalatha contest from the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, the question is – will she? On Friday, hundreds of Ambareesh fans gathered outside Sumalatha’s residence in Bengaluru and requested her to contest the Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate.

Speaking to the media after interacting with the fans, Sumalatha said, “Ambareesh’s fans were very supportive when he contested elections. Even after his death, they are offering to support me. I had never given a thought about entering politics or contesting elections in the past. Seeing the amount of respect they have for Ambareesh and me, I do not want to disappoint them. However, this is not an easy decision to make and I feel like I still need to think about it,” Sumalath said.

The actor also said that she had not yet held talks with leaders of any political party. And if she decides to contest, Sumalatha is unsure whether she wants to be a Congress candidate and get embroiled in the tension on ground in Mandya between JDS and Congress.

“Ambareesh was with the Congress and I am yet to talk to the leaders from the party. I don’t know if I will contest the elections but if I do, I will contest from Mandya. Ambareesh had worked for the people of Mandya and our family will continue to do the same. I am humbled by the support the people have shown me and I do not want to disappoint them,” Sumalath added.

According to Congress sources, the party lost a lot of votes during the 2014 Lok Sabha election as Ambareesh did not campaign actively for the Congress candidate. “When Ramya lost by a small margin, it was only because Ambareesh’s voter base did not vote for the Congress. With the pre-poll alliance in place, Sumalatha will be a neutral choice. If the JD(S) does not agree to field Sumalatha as the alliance’s candidate, then it would spell trouble for them. If she contests then it would be beneficial to Congress as Ambareesh was a Congress loyalist,” the source added.

However, JD(S) insiders say that the party is not happy with the Congress’ move to bring Sumalatha into electoral politics as it would then become difficult for Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Gowda to enter the fray.

“Kumaraswamy wants Nikhil to contest simply because his nephew Prajwal Revanna is contesting this time. Although Deve Gowda is not inclined towards offering Nikhil a ticket, the chances of him getting one would become lesser if Sumalatha decides to enter electoral politics. It would be worse if she contested as an independent as it would split the vote bank,” the source added.

Nasheman News : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Sunday accused the Union government of “bias” in its financial aid granted to drought-hit states.

“Drought relief sought by Karnataka was Rs 2,434-crore. However, only Rs 949.49-crore has been approved, while Maharashtra has been given Rs 4,714.28-crore,” Parameshwara said in a tweet.

“The appalling favouritism by the Central government is something that must be condemned by all,” he added.

The state had pegged the losses incurred due to the drought situation in 100 sub-districts (taluks) in 24 of the state’s 30 districts at Rs 16,500-crore and sought a Central government relief of Rs 2,434-crore.

With 151 of its 355 taluks hit by drought, Maharashtra had sought Rs 7,962-crore financial aid from the Union government and was granted Rs 4,714.28-crore on January 29.

“The Union government must be free of bias and treat all states equally. We demand immediate response and measures towards rectifying this. Karnataka must be assisted in managing the drought crisis and helping the farmers,” Parameshwara alleged in another tweet.A

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy earlier also accused the Centre of “preferential” treatment to states in approving drought relief.

“We will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh to place our demands for drought relief again,” Kumaraswamy earlier said.

Congress state unit president Dinesh Gundu Rao termed it as the Centre’s “step-motherly” treatment towards Karnataka in his letter to the Prime Minister on Sunday.

On January 29, the Central government had approved funds of Rs 7,214-crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to six states and the Union Territory of Puducherry, which were affected by drought and floods.

Apart from the funds granted to Karnataka and Maharashtra for drought, Rs 900.40-crore was approved for Andhra Pradesh as drought relief, Rs 127.60-crore to Gujarat for drought, Rs 317.44-crore for Himachal Pradesh for floods and landslides, Rs 13.09-crore to Puducherry which faced cyclone and Rs 191.73-crore to Uttar Pradesh for floods.

            Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, Aide-de-Camp, Chief of the Air Staff chaired Training Command Commanders’ Conference held at Headquarters Training Command, Hebbal on 01 February.

            Chief of the Air Staff accompanied by Mrs Kamalpreet Dhanoa, President Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) were received by Air Marshal  RKS Bhadauria Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, Aide-de-Camp, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command and Mrs Asha Bhadauria, President,  Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional).

            Chief of the Air Staff appreciated the changes made in the training syllabus to make it more operational oriented. The pilots passing out after HAWK Training will be fit for operational roles. The airmen training has also (been)  enhanced with more emphasis on security training, cyber security and management of social media. The Technical Training pattern ensures that Air Warriors are ready to undertake operational roles in an enhanced technological environment. The focus has been on improvement in infrastructure for training requirements and sports facilities.

            During the visit, Chief of the Air Staff also inspected an impressive Guard of Honour presented by the Air warriors of Headquarters Training Command and interacted with all  Air Warriors and civilian staff of Headquarters Training Command.

            Mrs Kamalpreet Dhanoa, President AFWWA chaired the Board of Management Meeting which was attended by all the Board Members. Mrs Kamalpreet Dhanoa, inaugurated the newly renovated Blooming Buds Play School and appreciated the excellent infrastructure created for tiny tots. She also interacted with the wives of Air Warriors and reviewed all the welfare measures undertaken by Headquarters Training Command.

Nasheman News :Swaraj India’s Vice President, Anupam, who leads a nationwide youth movement against unemployment, was assaulted in south Delhi on Friday night by two bike-borne assailants who attacked him with a sharp weapon injuring him, police said on Sunday.

The incident occurred near a busy market in East of Kailash area where two unknown bike-borne assailants attacked Anupam.

“When Anupam resisted, one of them attacked him with a blade-like object. The assailants managed to escape with his mobile phone. He suffered a deep cut below his right eye,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal said.

Anupam leads a nationwide youth movement ‘Yuva Hallabol’ against unemployment. He had called a youth summit on January 27, joining hands with over 60 youth representatives across the country against depleting job opportunities in the country and to expose corruption in recruitments.

“We have detained some suspects in the case after scanning the CCTV footages. We are interrogating them,” said Biswal.

[Nasheman news] Kolkata In a virtual no-holds-barred clash between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central and West Bengal governments, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee began a sit-in here on Sunday accusing the Centre of attempting a coup to destabilise the state after an ugly face-off between the CBI and the state police over the federal probe agency’s bid to grill city police commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with the Ponzi scheme scam case.

The showdown started after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers showed up near the official residence of Kumar, a day after CBI sources said they were “looking for” him, and claimed he might be arrested if he failed to respond to the CBI’s summons.

Kumar, a 1989 batch IPS officer, headed the Special Investigation Team set up by the Banerjee government after the Saradha ponzi scam came to light in 2013, a year before the CBI took up the case on Supreme Court order.

On Sunday, the evening drama began as a group of CBI officers approached Kumar’s Loudon Street residence, but were stopped by city police personnel, who also forcibly took five federal probe agency officers to a police station.

The Chief Minister, who had extended support to Kumar earlier in the day, rushed to his house and was closeted with other top officers, including state police Director General Virendra.

A visibly angry Banerjee came out of Kumar’s residence after over an hour, and alleged that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was giving instructions to the CBI at the behest of Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.

“I am sorry to say National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is giving instructions to the agency. He is implementing what PM Narendra Modi is asking for,” Banerjee said.

“I will start a dharna (sit-in) at Dharamtala area to save institutions, constitution and the federal structure of the country. This is a satyagraha,” she said.

Minutes after she began the sit-in, the police commissioner and other officers, state ministers and Trinamool leaders joined her, and scores of ruling party activists converged in the area from Kolkata and nearby districts.

Banerjee said a meeting of the state cabinet would be held on Monday at the sit-in venue to ratify the state budget slated to be presented during the day.

Banerjee said she would skip Assembly proceedings, but the House would continue as usual.

Banerjee also alleged CBI officers came to Kumar’s residence without any search warrant to conduct a secret operation.

“You are coming to the commissioner’s residence without any warrant to conduct a secret operation. It is (nothing but) instruction from Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.”

“There is a constitutional break-down and they are trying to organise a coup to destabilise the state. They are trying to run a parallel administration,” she told reporters outside the Commissioner’s house.

“I have come here because I have a constitutional and personal responsibility to give protection to my forces,” she said.

In a rare exhortation, Banerjee appealed to all security forces to be together and condemn the attitude of the Modi government.

She called the developments a ‘blow’ to the country’s federal structure, and claimed that the Supreme Court in its judgement had said both central and state agencies can discuss mutually if they have any queries.

Addressing the media at the sit-in venue, Banerjee said a large number of opposition leaders have telephoned her to back her movement.

“Leaders of various opposition parties, including Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Mayawati (BSP), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Chandrababu Naidu (TDP), Omar Abdullah (NC), Ahmed Patel (Congress) and M K Stalin (DMK), have called me to extend their solidarity and support,” she said.

It all began around 6 p.m., when CBI officers, led by its deputy superintendent Tathagata Bardhan, were spotted near Kumar’s residence, but within a few minutes some senior Kolkata police officers rushed there and were seen having animated discussions with the federal team.

A little later, another CBI team reached the spot.

Meanwhile, a strong city police team was seen near the CBI’s state headquarters at CGO Complex in the Salt Lake area. However, they left after a couple of hours.

The drama intensified near Kumar’s residence around 7 p.m., as three deputy commissioners of city police and some officers of the anti-rowdy section reached the spot, following which there ensued a scuffle between the CBI team and cops.

The five CBI officers including Bardhan were bundled into three vehicles and taken to the Shakespeare Sarani police station.

They were released later in the night.

CBI Joint Director Pankaj Srivastava said his officers went to Kumar’s residence to question him, but were stopped from entering the house.

Meanwhile, the Central Reserve Police Force troopers have been deployed at the CBI headquarters at CGO Complex as also at its city office Nizam Palace.

Trinamool spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien said his party would raise the matter in Parliament on Monday.

[Nasheman news] New Delhi The Rajya Sabha was on Monday adjourned till 2 p.m. amid ruckus, minutes after it met for the day.

Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu announced that he has rejected notices given by some opposition members under Rule 267 (suspension of business) on various issues as the Upper House met. 

This drew vociferous protests from the Opposition and some members even trooped to the Chair’s podium.

Amid the ruckus, Naidu adjourned the House till 2 p.m.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien gave notice on the alleged “excesses of CBI against federal governments” while Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Manoj Jha gave notices on other issues.

[NASHEMAN NEWS] Kolkata Hailing the interim budget proposals by Union Finance Minister Piyush Goyal as “courageous” , Bengal industrialists on Friday said it would provide a growth stimulus through consumption boost, but at the same time, they were disappointed with absence of any rebate in corporate tax.

“The proposal should augur well for the Indian economy by providing a growth impetus through a boost in consumption as well as an inclusive framework designed to benefit agricultural and rural communities, unorganised sector workers as well the middle class, ITC Chairman Sanjiv Puri said.

The budget presentation has been “significant” though it’s an interim Budget, as it presents a roadmap for future India which is poised to become a $5 trillion economy in 5 years and aspires to become a $10 trillion economy in the next 8 years thereafter, said Ambuja Neotia Group Chairman Harshavardhan Neotia.

He said they have by and large kept close to the fiscal deficit target and only allowed a slippage of 0.1 per cent primarily to provide the much required support to small and marginal farmers facing distress.

Bharat Chamber President Sitaram Sharma, stated that budget has trended the expected path of “a populist election year budget promising pro-poor, pro-farmer and pro-‘middle class without any direct proposal to expand industrial, manufacturing and economic activities” .

“The absence of any rebate in Corporate Tax does not provide any kind of hope for the Industry as no relevant measure has been proposed in favour of industrial development. Interest subvention of 2 per cent on loans up to Rs. 1 crore will provide modest relief to the MSMEs as the budget remained silent on stating any means for enhancing capital formation,” Sharma said.

From real estate’s point of view several noteworthy announcements have been made including no tax on notional rent if you own second house, no TDS on rental income up to Rs 2.4 lakh per year, capital gains tax exemption added to new house under Section 54 within limit of Rs 2 crore, Neotia said.

Terming that the budget as a courageous policy statement of the country’s long-term development journey, RP Sanjiv Goenka Group Chairman Sanjiv Goenka said, “The budget this year has shown the courage to attack all the ailments simultaneously.”

Despite a large number of welfare programmes for different sections of the society, fiscal deficit has not been allowed to go beyond 3.4 per cent of the GDP, he said, adding that sectors such as infrastructure, FMCG and agriculture are to be benefitted.

Indian Chamber of Commerce President Rudra Chatterjee said, Padhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi promising Rs 6000 per year for farmers owning upto 2 hectares of land wouldA help in providing structured income support to poor landholders to procure seeds, machineries and other input.

The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi programme, the move to set up 1,00,000 digital villages and the increase in allocation to rural infrastructural development will indeed go a long way in enabling empowerment of rural communities, Puri said.

According to Sharma, at a point when the government commits to provide direct income benefit to small and marginal farmers on one hand and waive Income Tax on the other, “it remains quite a concern as to how the fiscal deficit target can be reached in the next fiscal”.

“The salaried class have been granted full income tax exemption upto INR 5 lakh pa with higher standard deduction. We consider it to be a bold step to provide more disposable income in the hands of middle class. Interest subvention and government procurement support is definitely a boost to MSMEs,” Chatterjee said.A