Parties draft popular actors and cricketers - National News Updates

New Delhi: Lights, camera, elections! With the poll season about to begin, film stars seem to be coming out of the political woodwork as it were —and a few cricketers and political chameleons are joining them in the spotlight as well.

While the induction of Mohammed Azharuddin, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, into the Congress party on Thursday was the latest, the political grapevine indicates that there are more such high-profile political debuts in the offing.

Actor Sanjay Dutt announced his entry into politics by joining the Samajwadi Party (SP), Chetan Sharma, another former cricketer, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with news that Anil Kumble, who just quit international cricket, may follow.

However, Karnataka BJP president D.V. Sadananda Gowda had denied reports that the former national team leg spinner had been offered a ticket by the party.

Ahead of the 2009 general election, which is to take place before May, the ruling Congress party has set the tone by welcoming three former BJP members of Parliament (MPs) from Karnataka, H.T. Sangliana from Bangalore North, Manorama Madhwaraj from Udupi and Manjunath Kunnur from Dharwad South, who had defied their party during the 22 July trust vote in the Lok Sabha and supported the United Progressive Alliance government, to the party on 20 January.

On Thursday, Congress proudly flaunted ex-skipper Azharuddin, who officially joined the party at its headquarters in New Delhi. Although there is no official confirmation, Congress leaders indicated that Azharuddin—who was forced to quit the game following a match-fixing scandal in 2000—would be contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Andhra Pradesh.

Although political leaders admit that the new entrants, especially popular personalities, would boost the morale of workers, political analysts maintain that most of these last-minute inclusions are unlikely to force a dramatic swing in votes towards the parties they have joined.

While Dutt and Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari have announced their decision to fight the elections on the SP ticket from the politically-crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has announced that ace shooter and Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana would contest from the Tehri constituency of party-ruled Uttarakhand.

The flow of leaders to the major parties had become a routine affair just ahead of the 2004 elections, in which the then ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance suffered a surprise defeat. The BJP headquarters at 11, Ashoka Road had almost every week, in the run up to the April-May parliamentary elections, witnessed film stars or other popular personalities pledging support to the party.

While Hindi film star Dharmendra, who joined the BJP on 24 March 2004, contested and won Rajasthan’s Bikaner seat, his colleagues Jeetendra, Suresh Oberoi and Poonam Dhillon, and television actors such as Gajendra Singh Chauhan, who acted as Yudhishtira in the epic mega serial Mahabharat, were recruited to add glamour to the campaign.

The hype had also inspired some of the unhappy lot in the Congress to exit. These include former Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson and a long-term Congress leader Najma Heptullah, former Union minister Arif Mohammed Khan and MP Lakshman Singh, brother of senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

Although political observers criticized the BJP for “overdoing” it in 2004, the process of engaging film stars for their political campaign was done earlier too. Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had persuaded his friend and film icon Amitabh Bachchan to successfully contest the Lok Sabha elections from Allahabad in 1984.

In south India, the experience has been quite different, with charismatic actors emerging as prominent politicians; they include former Tamil Nadu chief ministers M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, and N.T. Rama Rao, former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and founder of the Telugu Desam Party, currently the main Opposition party in the state.

“In election time, it is routine. It works both ways. While political parties are keen to create an election atmosphere and build an image as a sought-after party for the feel- good factor among its rank and file, people who have political ambitions join it,” said Congress general secretary B.K. Hariprasad.

According to the BJP’s Rajiv Pratap Rudy, it could be “strategic moves”.

“As election comes, there could be some new political combinations. The parties welcome new leaders to it on the basis of societal and geographical considerations,” Rudy said. However, he added: “It is not desirable to induct new personalities if they are joining for the purpose of a ticket. If they voluntarily support the party’s ideology, they are welcomed in parties, which have a national outlook and an organizational structure.”

Another BJP leader, who did not want to be identified, said they were keen to welcome prominent Muslim leaders and film stars to ensure a broader political appeal. “The BJP was then known as a Hindu party. We needed recognized people and leaders to appeal to the electorate. But the strategy did not work well,” admitted the leader.

N. Bhaskara Rao, political analyst and chairperson of New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Media Studies, was of the view that popular personalities joining party could help it to create a hype and boost morale. “But it does not help the parties in a big way in terms of votes. Because one instance or development does not bring votes.”

Supreme Court reschedules RCA election by a week on March 1 - National News Updates

New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday rescheduled the elections for the faction-ridden Rajasthan Cricket Association from February 22 to March 1 and paved the way for the group led by its President Lalit Modi to file their nominations.

The Modi faction succeeded in getting an order that the election to the 21-member executive committee will be held under the unamended constitution in terms of the apex court order of February 11, 2005.

The apex court did not alter with the process already undertaken for holding the elections by RCA Secretary Subhash Joshi, who recently parted ways with Modi and has the support of former Chief Kishore Rungta.

The Modi faction accepted the decision of the RCA on the appointment of Justice N M Kasliwal, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, as Observer/Chairman for conducting the election.

"We are of the view that the elections could be held on March 1, 2009 as per the steps already taken by the RCA," a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam said.

The Bench said that the nominations already filed and held valid will be taken on record and those who want to file their nominations now can do so within three days.

Election Commission bans exit, opinion polls

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Tuesday banned the publication or telecast of opinion or exit polls 48 hours before the last hour of polling in single-phase balloting.

In cases of multi-phase elections or elections announced simultaneously for different states, the poll panel banned the publication of exit and opinion polls in the period starting 48 hours before the close of first day of voting till the end of last day of balloting, reports IANS.

The commission ordered the implementation of its guidelines close on the heels of the Supreme Court clarifying last month that it never prevented the poll panel from implementing its guideline on publication or telecast of exit and opinion polls.

"The Election Commission is free to frame its guidelines to regulate publication of exit polls," a bench of Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam held on Jan 19 said.

In its order banning the telecast or publication of exit or opinion polls, the commission said that they will not be disseminated or propagated in any form including through "any pamphlet, poster, placard, handbill or any other document".

The poll panel had first banned publication or telecast of exit polls during the 1998 elections. But it withdrew its guidelines regulating the publication of exit polls in 1999 following an adverse remark from the apex court.

A lawsuit pending since 2004 has sought a ban on exit polls on the ground that they impair free and fair conduct of elections by swaying the voting patterns.

The apex court had made critical observations against the poll panel's power to ban publication of exit polls saying it involved citizens' right to speech and expression guaranteed by the constitution.

Last month, the Election Commission sought clarification on the apex court's observation saying it was wrong to assume that regulation of opinion and exit polls would amount to interference with the right to information guaranteed by the constitution.

The Election Commission counsel said that banning publication of exit polls for a limited period after the announcement of election schedule and till the day of voting for the last phase of the poll will "only be a reasonable restriction in the larger interest of the democracy".

Following this submission, the apex court clarified that it had never prevented the poll panel from implementing its guidelines to regulate the publication or telecast of exit and opinion polls.

The Rajya Sabha has already amended the existing electoral laws to provide for banning publication of exit polls but the bill is yet to be ratified by the Lok Sabha..

Election Commission bans exit, opinion polls

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Tuesday banned the publication or telecast of opinion or exit polls 48 hours before the last hour of polling in single-phase balloting.

In cases of multi-phase elections or elections announced simultaneously for different states, the poll panel banned the publication of exit and opinion polls in the period starting 48 hours before the close of first day of voting till the end of last day of balloting, reports IANS.

The commission ordered the implementation of its guidelines close on the heels of the Supreme Court clarifying last month that it never prevented the poll panel from implementing its guideline on publication or telecast of exit and opinion polls.

"The Election Commission is free to frame its guidelines to regulate publication of exit polls," a bench of Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam held on Jan 19 said.

In its order banning the telecast or publication of exit or opinion polls, the commission said that they will not be disseminated or propagated in any form including through "any pamphlet, poster, placard, handbill or any other document".

The poll panel had first banned publication or telecast of exit polls during the 1998 elections. But it withdrew its guidelines regulating the publication of exit polls in 1999 following an adverse remark from the apex court.

A lawsuit pending since 2004 has sought a ban on exit polls on the ground that they impair free and fair conduct of elections by swaying the voting patterns.

The apex court had made critical observations against the poll panel's power to ban publication of exit polls saying it involved citizens' right to speech and expression guaranteed by the constitution.

Last month, the Election Commission sought clarification on the apex court's observation saying it was wrong to assume that regulation of opinion and exit polls would amount to interference with the right to information guaranteed by the constitution.

The Election Commission counsel said that banning publication of exit polls for a limited period after the announcement of election schedule and till the day of voting for the last phase of the poll will "only be a reasonable restriction in the larger interest of the democracy".

Following this submission, the apex court clarified that it had never prevented the poll panel from implementing its guidelines to regulate the publication or telecast of exit and opinion polls.

The Rajya Sabha has already amended the existing electoral laws to provide for banning publication of exit polls but the bill is yet to be ratified by the Lok Sabha..

Election Commission bans exit, opinion polls

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Tuesday banned the publication or telecast of opinion or exit polls 48 hours before the last hour of polling in single-phase balloting.

In cases of multi-phase elections or elections announced simultaneously for different states, the poll panel banned the publication of exit and opinion polls in the period starting 48 hours before the close of first day of voting till the end of last day of balloting, reports IANS.

The commission ordered the implementation of its guidelines close on the heels of the Supreme Court clarifying last month that it never prevented the poll panel from implementing its guideline on publication or telecast of exit and opinion polls.

"The Election Commission is free to frame its guidelines to regulate publication of exit polls," a bench of Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam held on Jan 19 said.

In its order banning the telecast or publication of exit or opinion polls, the commission said that they will not be disseminated or propagated in any form including through "any pamphlet, poster, placard, handbill or any other document".

The poll panel had first banned publication or telecast of exit polls during the 1998 elections. But it withdrew its guidelines regulating the publication of exit polls in 1999 following an adverse remark from the apex court.

A lawsuit pending since 2004 has sought a ban on exit polls on the ground that they impair free and fair conduct of elections by swaying the voting patterns.

The apex court had made critical observations against the poll panel's power to ban publication of exit polls saying it involved citizens' right to speech and expression guaranteed by the constitution.

Last month, the Election Commission sought clarification on the apex court's observation saying it was wrong to assume that regulation of opinion and exit polls would amount to interference with the right to information guaranteed by the constitution.

The Election Commission counsel said that banning publication of exit polls for a limited period after the announcement of election schedule and till the day of voting for the last phase of the poll will "only be a reasonable restriction in the larger interest of the democracy".

Following this submission, the apex court clarified that it had never prevented the poll panel from implementing its guidelines to regulate the publication or telecast of exit and opinion polls.

The Rajya Sabha has already amended the existing electoral laws to provide for banning publication of exit polls but the bill is yet to be ratified by the Lok Sabha..

Highlights of the India Interim Budget 2009

–> All efforts made to deliver on commitments
–> Sustained growth at over 9 Percent in last 4 years
–> Per capita income grew 7.4 Percent during UPA regime
–> Gross domestic savings rate at 37.7 Percent , gross capital formation at 14.2 Percent
–> Tax–> GDP ratio at 12.5 Percent in 2007–> 08, close to fiscal correction target
–> Domestic investment rate over 39 Percent in FY08
–> Growth drivers –> agriculture, services, manufacturing, construction
–> Outlook for food grain production encouraging for coming year
–> Exports grew at annual average rate of 26.4 Percent during last 4 years
–> December industrial growth fell 2 Percent (YoY)
–> GDP growth of 7.1 Percent makes India the secondfastest growing economy
–> Have taken steps to encourage private investments in infrastructure via PPP
–> Approved 37 infrastructure projects worth Rs 70,000 crore between August 08-January 09
–> 54 central infrastructure projects of Rs 67700 crore sent for final nod to PPP panel
–> Initiative for providing refinance to banks for long term credit to project
–> IIFCL to raise Rs 10000 crore, has approval for an additional Rs 30000 crore
–> IIFCL to refinance 60 Percent of their projects
–> Extension of export credit for labour intensive exports
–> FDI inflow at USD 23.3 billion during April-November 2008
–> Attention given to agriculture sector, plan allocation up 300 Percent in 4 years
–> Government implementing revival agriculture package in 25 states worth Rs 13500 crore
–> Government will continue to provide interest subvention for agriculture in FY10
–> Farm debt waiver of Rs 65,300 crores covering 36 million homes
–> Government to provide interest subsidy to farmers in FY10
–> Outlay on higher education up 900 Percent in 11th 5 year plan
–> Annual ad hoc grants have been increased by 50 Percent (YoY)
–> FY09 revised estimates of spending at Rs 9 lakh crore vs Rs 7.5 lakh crore
–> FY09 plan expenditure revised to Rs 2.8 lakh crore from Rs 2.4 lakh crore
–> Government revises FY09 fertiliser subsidy to Rs 44863 crore
–> FY09 food subsidy revised to Rs 10960 crore
–> FY09 fiscal deficit seen at 6 Percent of GDP versus estimate of 2.5 Percent
–> FY09 revenue deficit at 4.4 Percent of GDP versus estimate of 1 Percent
–> FY10 spending seen at Rs 9.53 lakh crore
–> FY10 budgetary support seen at Rs 2.85 lakh crore
–> Rural jobs scheme to get Rs 30100 crore in FY10
–> JNNURM spending seen at Rs 11842 crore for FY10
–> Allocation of Rs 40900 crore for Bharat Nirman Scheme
–> Interest subvention for some export loans extended
–> Additional plan expenditure has to increase by 0.5–> 1 Percent post polls
–> FY10 non–> plan spend est at Rs 6.68 lakh crore
–> Major subsidy spending for FY10 seen at Rs 95,500 crore
–> FY10 budget revenue deficit seen at 4 Percent , fiscal deficit at 5.5 Percent
–> FY10 gross tax revenue seen at Rs 6.71 lk crore
–> Allocation of Rs 8,000 crore for mid–> day meal scheme
–> Rs 13,100 crore allocated for elementary education
–> FY10 gross market borrowing seen at Rs 3.2–> 3.3 lakh cr
–> No tax changes in interim budget

Indian Railway budget highlights

Following are the highlights of the Indian Railway Budget 2009-10

* Fares reduced by Re 1 for ordinary trains travel costing up to Rs 50 per ticket for journey above 10 km.

* Second class and sleeper class fares cut by two per cent for tickets costing Rs 50 and more.

* A/C First Class, II and III tiers and A/C Chair Car fares cut by two per cent.

* As many as 43 new trains to be started in 2009-10.

* Frequencies of 14 trains to be increased and another 14 to be extended.

* Plan outlay kept at Rs 37,905 crore.

* Gross traffic receipts estimated at Rs 93,159 crore, an increase of Rs 10,766 crore from last fiscal.

* Passenger traffic estimated to grow by 7 per cent.

* Freight loading targeted at 910 MT, up by 60 MT from last year.

* 25 surveys proposed comprising 14 new lines, of which three for gauge conversion and eight for doubling projects.

* Pre-feasibility study for bullet trains being pursued at 6 stretches, including Delhi-Amritsar and Delhi-Patna.

* Dividend payable to general revenues kept at Rs 5,304 crore for 2009-10.

* Ordinary working expenses budgeted at Rs 62,900 crore to cover the full year impact of 6th Central Pay Commission.

* Work on diesel and electric locomotive factories at Marhoura and Madhepura targeted for early start.

* Construction of rail wheel factory at Chapra on.

* Bharat Wagon Ltd, Mokama and Muzaffarpur transfered to the Railways Ministry.

* Transfer of wagon units of Burn Standard at Burnpurand Howrah to Railways Ministry is also under consideration.

* Number of accidents came down to 194 in 2007-08.

* For the fiscal 2008-09, plan outlay revised at Rs 36,773 crore.

* Implementation of 6th CPC likely to cost Rs 9,000 crore more on staff cost and Rs 4,500 crore on pension in 2008-09.

* Freight loading target retained at 850 MT, passenger growth estimated at 7 per cent for 2008-09.

* Dividend payable to general revenues for 2008-09 kept at Rs 4,711 crore.

* Cash surplus before dividend for 2008-09 projected at Rs 19,320 crore.

* Ordinary working expenses raised to Rs 55,000 crore and appropriation to pension fund to Rs 10,500 crore in 2008-09.

Lok Sabha polls between April-May: Election Commission

The next general elections in India will be held in April-May this year, S Y Quraishi, election commissioner of India said here.

After delivering a lecture on 'J&K Elections 2008', at the India House last evening, Quraishi said, "We, in the Election Commission, have not yet discussed the final dates, but it will be held between April 8 and May 15”.

The Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Shiv Shanker Mukherjee, was present on the occasion.

Narrating the problems faced by the Election Commission in holding the 7-phase elections for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Quraishi said the 61.5 per cent turnout despite adverse weather conditions justified their decision to go ahead with the poll, which was fair and transparent.

"The Indian election commission has the highest credibility," he asserted.

General election in India is the largest electoral exercise in the world involving 671 million voters.

Noting that India is the only country in the world to introduce the Electronic Voting Machines at such a large scale, he said the system has ensured that the "secrecy of vote is not compromised."

Answering a question, he said the State Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir were not linked to the Kashmir problem. "It (the dispute) should be resolved through negotiations," he said.

Quraishi said "our experience is that while the party in power is almost invariably unhappy with us, the opposition parties love us. But once the opposition party becomes the ruling party the roles get reversed."

He said both the ruling and the opposition parties realise, especially when they are no longer in power, how much they stand to benefit from EC's interventions.

Terrorist Attacks - What analysts have to Say.

Indian Government is bombarded by analysts on the terror attacks. Year 2008 was dreadful for India. Today's attacks were like US 9/11 for India. 

Terror attack in indian financial capital Bombay/Mumbai. Terror Attack on India. Its India 9/11. Attack on Taj, Trident, Oberoi Hotels. Taj hotel is the symbol of India.

Historic election leads to historic newspaper selloff

The Washington Post says it sold out within hours of going on sale today, even though it increased its retail distribution by 30 percent. The Post is planning to print another 150,000 copies of a commemorative edition that will go on sale this afternoon. The Chicago Tribune is also among the papers going back to press to satisfy demand.

The New York Times is printing an extra 50,000 copies of today’s paper for the local market after completely selling out, according to spokeswoman Catherine Mathis. (See the Romenesko journalism blog for more details about heavy press runs at other U.S. newspapers.)

Here’s more from Mathis:

We increased our print run for single copy by about 35% but know first hand that some vending machines and newsstands are selling out. … In 2004 we saw an increase in sales of around 50,000 copies the day after the election and based on what we’ve seen today, we expect to significantly surpass those sales. We also plan to increase our print run for single copy sales tomorrow, although not as much as today.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/05/AR2008110502795.html?hpid=topnews

Historic election leads to historic newspaper selloff

Intrade - Realtime Electoral Vote Predictor