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Polling begins for 70 assembly seats in Delhi

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delhi_polls

New Delhi: Polling began this morning for the 70-member Delhi Assembly polls in which AAP and BJP appeared to be the main contenders.

The voting began at 8 AM at over 12,000 polling stations, of which 714 have been identified as “critical” and 191 “highly critical”.

A total of over 1.33 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. A total of 673 candidates are in the fray in the contest.

Over 64,000 police personnel had been deployed across the city to ensure free and fair polls.

The BJP, which is out of power in Delhi for the last 16 years, made a gamble by bringing in former Team Anna member Kiran Bedi into the party and made her its Chief Ministerial candidate which is said to have triggered discontent among the party leaders and rank and file.

The BJP strategy has been countered by Kejriwal-led AAP which has put up a spirited campaign in a bid to stop the Narendra Modi juggernaut that has been on a roll ever since the Lok Sabha election victory in May last year.

The Congress, which had ruled Delhi for 15 years till December, 2013 has been projected way behind AAP and BJP in pre-poll surveys. Some opinion polls have given AAP a clear majority while a few have predicted BJP’s win.

The Burari constituency in North Delhi has a maximum of 18 candidates while the Ambedkar Nagar seat in South Delhi has the lowest number of contenders at four.

The Matia Mahal constituency has the largest number of electorate at 3.47 lakh while Chandni Chowk the lowest at 1.13 lakh.

(PTI)

Bukhari's new diktat to Muslims: Vote for AAP in Delhi. Party rejects support

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A file photo of Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Imam of the Jama Masjid.

A file photo of Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Imam of the Jama Masjid.

New Delhi: With less than a day left for Delhi to go to polls, Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari of Jama Masjid has asked Muslims to support the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi Assembly elections.

He appealed Muslims to vote for AAP candidates and help in forming a secular government in Delhi.

AAP however, has rejected Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari’s support for the Delhi polls. AAP says, “We don’t agree with his ideology, people of all religions support us.”

The imam catapults himself in the news during each election by offering support to parties which are either in power or who have popular support.

In 2004, Bukhari had launched a surrogate campaign for the then BJP leader and PM A B Vajpayee. During the Lok Sabha polls, AICC president Sonia Gandhi met Bukhari, triggering a political row. The religious leader then announced his support to the Congress, the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar.

Vikas Yadav, cousin get 30 years without parole for murdering Nitish Katara

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katara-murder-case

New Delhi: Rejecting a plea for death penalty, Delhi High Court today enhanced the sentence for Vikas Yadav and his cousin Vishal from life imprisonment to 25 years without remission for the murder of Nitish Katara and five more years for destruction of evidence in the case.

A special bench of justices Gita Mittal and J R Midha also imposed a penalty of Rs 50 lakh each on Vikas, son of UP politician D P Yadav, and his cousin Vishal for the murder.

The court also increased the jail term of another convict Sukhdev Pehelwan to 25 years, saying all of them will have to undergo rigorous imprisonment without any remission behind bars except for the additional five years.

The judges turned down the plea moved by Nitish’s mother Neelam Katara and Delhi police seeking gallows for the three convicts.

Neelam Katara, who was present during the pronouncement of the order on sentence, later expressed disappointment over rejection of the plea for death penalty but was happy with the enhancement of the sentence.

“I will appeal against the order in the Supreme Court,” she said, adding that she does not require the compensation amount awarded by the court as she feels that no numerical value can be put on the life of her son.

The court, in its over 700-page judgement said that the time spent by Vikas in hospital (October 10, 2011 to November 4, 2011) shall not be counted as period already undergone by him in jail.

It also asked the Centre and the state government to conduct an inquiry into the convicts’ visits to the hospital during their stay in jail.

Vikas, his cousin Vishal Yadav and Sukhdev Pehelwan are serving life term for abducting and killing Katara, a business executive and the son of a railway officer, on the night of February 16-17, 2002, as they opposed the victim’s affair with Bharti, daughter of D P Yadav.

(IANS)

Through AAP, Delhi’s vast underclass speaks up

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Economic indicators reveal Delhi’s vast and growing inequalities, especially on parameters that the AAP frequently highlights: water, electricity, jobs and living conditions.

AAP

by Devanik Saha, IndiaSpend.com

Delhi’s people are India’s richest. They use the best, most extensive network of roads, and they have one of the highest rates of vehicle ownership in India. The number of companies serving and investing in their economy is growing.

On the face of it, Delhi, the world’s second-most populous city, is one of India’s booming economies. Its 25 million people—according to the United Nations’ department of economic and social affairs, which counts suburbs in other states; the 2011 Census records 16.8 million—are India’s most pampered.

Delhi (82% Hindus, 11.7% Muslim) is an aspirational, hard-working city, built on the collective commercial ethos of Punjabi refugees who streamed in after Independence.

In other words, it appears to be fertile electoral territory for Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which he has re-crafted to represent Indian aspirations for a better life.

So, why is the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)—as the latest opinion polls indicate—set to either defeat the BJP or run it close?

First, a quick glance at some of Delhi’s positive economic indicators:

  1. Dilliwallas have more money than other Indians

Source: Press Information Bureau

  1. Delhi has India’s highest density of roads per 1000 sq km

Source: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

  1. Dilliwallas are among India’s top three vehicle owners (topped only by Goa and Chandigarh)

Source: Data.gov.in

  1. Companies are flocking to Delhi and their investments are rising

Source: Delhi Statistical Abstract

  1. Delhiites are among India’s most educated people

Source: Census 2011

The underclass finds a political voice

But Delhi also has a vast, striving and frustrated underclass, which now appears to be firmly in the AAP camp.

This report explained how 10.2 million people (60% of the population) earn less than Rs 13,500 per month.

A further examination of economic indicators by IndiaSpend reveals Delhi’s vast and growing inequalities, especially on parameters that the AAP frequently highlights: water, electricity, jobs and living conditions.

Here is what our analysis reveals:

Water: Providing 700 litres of free water to every household is one of AAP’s pet promises. There is a wide disparity in water-supply across income groups, the data reveal. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, released in April 2013, stated that 24.8% of Delhi’s households (around 32.5 lakh people) do not receive piped water. Each person gets, on average, 3.82 litres a day, 36 litres less than the minimum 40 suggested by the World Health Organisation.

Electricity: High electricity prices, a favourite AAP topic, are a major concern for many Dilliwalas. The data reveal that locally generated electricity has decreased 49%, while electricity purchased from other states has surged 51.8% over the past five years. This reportexplains how power cuts occur, in spite of distribution companies having surplus power.

Source: Delhi Statistical Abstract

Jobs: Rising unemployment is a big worry among Delhi’s underclass. Statistics reveal that the unemployment rate has increased, with female unemployment doubling over six years.

Source: Delhi Statistical Abstract

Slums: Nearly 15% of Delhi’s households officially live in slums, according to the 2011 Census. This is lower than in other cities such as Mumbai (41.3%) and Chennai (28.5%), but this figure does not include Delhi’s vast, unauthorised colonies, home to one in three Dilliwalas. Unauthorised colonies are not officially categorised as slums but suffer from their infirmities: cramped, unsanitary living, water and electricity shortages.

Source: Census 2011

Image Credit: AamAadmiParty.org

Karnataka high court upholds ban on Praveen Togadia

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Praveen Togadia

Bengaluru: The Karnataka high court today upheld Bengaluru police commissioner’s order on banning entry of VHP leader Praveen Togadia into Bengaluru.

He was to take part in Virat Hindu Samavesha, which will be held at National College grounds on February 8.

Advocate General (AG) Ravivarma Kumar on Thursday had submitted to the high court that Togadia was a dangerous man who could disrupt the communal harmony in the State through his provocative speeches.

In likelihood that Togadia may deliver provative speech at the Hindu convention, the Bengaluru police commissioner issued orders banning Togadia from entering Bengaluru between February 5 and February 11. The decision has been met with much criticism from right wing groups and religious leaders, and also the opposition BJP, which crippled the House proceedings for two consecutive days and even staged a walkout.

BJP walks out of Karnataka Assembly against ban on Togadia

Earlier, on Wednesday the BJP MLAs raised objection in the Karnataka Assembly to the ban on VHP leader Praveen Togadia entering Bengaluru, leading to the adjournment of the House repeatedly.

BJP leader R Ashoka raised the issue as the House met for the day and questioned the government’s intention behind the action and called it an attempt to “suppress” the majority, leading to a heated argument between BJP and Congress MLAs.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah intervened to say government would not allow anything that disturbs peace in society. This further angered BJP members.

The Speaker said he would give permission to raise the issue during Zero Hour and Question Hour should be allowed to function smoothly, to which members agreed.

(Agencies)

8-year-old girl's body found in shed; rape and murder suspected

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rape-case

Bengaluru: The body of an eight-year-old girl was found in a shed in an industrial area of Hoskote Taluk in the city.

The body was spotted on Thursday evening. Police suspect the girl was raped and murdered.

A police officer, B Ramesh, said that a man was playing with the girl and took her to the shed on Thursday afternoon, and assaulted her.

The CCTV footage adjacent to the shed confirms a man taking the girl in the abandoned shed.

A search operation has been launched for the suspected murderer. An FIR has been filed against the unknown person under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

The child’s parents had come to Hoskote Taluk from Hubli in north Karnataka in search of work.

(Agencies)

Election to be quashed if crimnal record not disclosed: SC

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Supreme Court India

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday ruled that suppression or non-disclosure of information about serious crimes by a candidate at the time of filing nomination interferes with the voters’ right to make an informed choice and the election of such a candidate is liable to be set aside.

When there is non-disclosure of the offences pertaining to heinous or serious offence or offences relating to corruption or moral turpitude at the time of filing of nomination paper, it creates an impediment in the free exercise of electoral right by a voter, said a bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Prafulla C. Pant.

“As a candidate has the special knowledge of the pending cases against him where cognizance has been taken or charges have been framed and there is non-disclosure on his part, it would amount to undue influence. Therefore, election is to be declared null and void by the Election Tribunal under Section 100(1)(b) of the 1951 Act,” the court said.

“Concealment or suppression of this nature deprives the voters to make an informed and advised choice as a consequence of which it would come within the compartment of direct or indirect interference or attempt to interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote by the electorate, on the part of the candidate,” Justice Misra said pronouncing the judgment.

Making it clear that disclosure of criminal antecedents by a candidate was a statutory obligation, the court said: “Disclosure of criminal antecedents of a candidate, especially, pertaining to heinous or serious offence or offences relating to corruption or moral turpitude at the time of filing of nomination paper as mandated by law is a categorical imperative.”

“The question whether it materially affects the election or not would not arise in a case of this nature,” said the court as it dismissed an appeal by Krishnamurthy who was elected as the president of Thekampatti panchayat in Mettupalayam taluka of Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore Oct 13, 2006. Krishnamurthy involved in eight cases relating to embezzlement.

The validity of Krishnamurthy’s election was challenged on the ground that he had filed a false declaration suppressing the details of criminal cases pending trial against him and, therefore, his nomination deserved to be rejected by the returning officer.

The Election Tribunal after examining all the material set aside his election holding that Krishnamurthy’s nomination papers should have been rejected and he could not have contested. It also ordered re-election for the post of the president of Thekampatti panchayat.

Hearing Krishnamurthy’s appeal, the Madras High Court agreed with the ultimate conclusion of the tribunal but for a different reason.

The apex court, while dismissing the appeal by Krishnamurthy, said: “Ex consequenti, the appeal, being sans substance, stands dismissed with costs, which is assessed at Rs.50,000.”

(IANS)

Rajnath promises to examine visa denial to Vatican officials

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Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: Under attack for denial of visa to two Vatican officials, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today promised to examine the issue and take necessary action.

This was conveyed by Singh to a delegation of Christian leaders who called on him at his North Block office here.

“The Home Minister told the delegation that he would ask the concerned officials to give a report as to why the visa was denied to the Vatician officials,” a Home Ministry official said.

The two Vatican officials, who were to address the 27th national assembly of the ongoing Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) in Bengaluru, have been denied visas.

The decision to issue or deny visa is taken taken by the Foreigners’ Division of the Home Ministry. So far, there is no official communication from the Home Ministry as to why the visa was denied to them.

CCBI deputy secretary general Stephen Alathara claimed that the duo had applied for visas in December 2014 and were awaiting response from the Indian government.

However, on the travel day they were informed that their visa applications had been rejected due to technical reasons.

Vatican officials were to arrive in Bengaluru on Tuesday for the conference between February 3 and 9. It is being attended by 140 bishops from different parts of the country.

Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, and Archbishop Protase Rugambwa, president of the Pontifical Mission Societies and Adjunct Secretary to the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, were key speakers at the conference on the ‘Liturgy and Life’ session. The CCBI now plans to hold the session through video conferencing.

(PTI)

Bengaluru sub-inspector suspended for permitting Owaisi public function

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Asaduddin Owaisi Bhatkal

Bengaluru: A sub-inspector has been suspended by the Bengaluru City Police Commissionerate for permitting All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi to hold a public function in Shivaji Nagar, here on February 8.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is organising its Virat Hindu Samavesha on the same day.

As per procedure, permission for such public meetings should be given by an officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police or above. Moreover, the sub-inspector had not informed higher-ups about the program, which shows negligence on his part, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Satish Kumar.

The sub-inspector attached to Commercial Street police station had given permission based on a request by the local unit of MIM. A senior police officer cancelled the permission and asked the MIM to select another date before drawing attention of senior officers.

AIMIM withdraws plea

Meanwhile, AIMIM on Thursday withdrew its petition questioning cancellation of permission to hold a public meeting in Shivaji Nagar on February 8.

The petition was withdrawn after the State pointed out that an application in terms of licensing order 2005, related to controlling of public places, was required to be filed for organising a public event. The court has given AIMIM the liberty to make an application to the competent authority as per law to organise a meeting on a different date.

(Agencies)

CM Siddaramaiah turns down CM Ibrahim’s lottery proposal, says govt has sufficient money

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Photo: IE

Photo: IE

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told the Legislative Council on Thursday that the State government will not re-introduce lottery in Karnataka.

The announcement came following criticism from his own party leaders that it will not be wise to bring back lottery which was earlier banned due to its ill effects on the lower middle-class and the poor people of the State.

Janata Dal(S) member Basavaraj Horatti drew the chief minister’s attention on State Planning Board Deputy Chairman C M Ibrahim’s recommendation for re-introducing lottery.

Horatti also said it was not a good move and also reminded the chief minister that it was he who had banned lottery in the State when he was the deputy chief minister in the Dharam Singh government.

Siddaramaiah said: “I read in the newspapers about the recommendation of the Board. But so far there is no proposal before the government regarding re-introducing lottery scheme in the State.”

Siddaramaiah mentioned that Ibrahim frequently visits Kerala and learnt about some kind of lottery where the money generated is utilised for healthcare.

“There is no need to rely on lottery for healthcare scheme. The government is in a position to sanction funds,” Siddaramaiah added. Leader of the Opposition in the Council K S Eshwarappa said the proposal is aimed at generating Rs 500 crore to provide healthcare and suggested that the government should allocate the amount for the scheme.

(Agencies)

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