Hollywood: 2014

Friday, January 17, 2014

Nelson Mandela laid to rest

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62 Indians shortlisted for one-way trip to Mars

London: Over 1,000 aspirants, including 62 from India, have been shortlisted for an ambitious private mission to send four men and women on a one-way trip to Mars in 2024 to establish a permanent colony on the red planet.

The Netherlands-based non-profit organisation Mars One announced the selection of 1,058 candidates from the applicant pool of over 200,000 hoping to establish human life on Martian soil.

The applicants came from over 140 countries and more than 20,000 Indians had applied for the first round.

According to SPACE.com, of those who made the first cut, 297 are from the US. Canada is the second best represented country with 75 candidates, followed by India with 62 and Russia with 52.

Mars One co-founder Bas Lansdorp described the shortlisted candidates as "first tangible glimpse into what the new human settlement will truly look like."

"We're extremely appreciative and impressed with the sheer number of people who submitted their applications.

However, the challenge with 200,000 applicants is separating those who we feel are physically and mentally adept to become human ambassadors on Mars from those who are obviously taking the mission much less seriously," Lansdorp said.

All applicants were notified via e-mail of their application status. For those who were not selected in this round, there is still a chance they could reapply at a later date, which has not yet been determined, Mars One said.

"The next several selection phases in 2014 and 2015 will include rigorous simulations, many in team settings, with focus on testing the physical and emotional capabilities of our remaining candidates," Norbert Kraft, Chief Medical Officer of Mars One, said.

"We expect to begin understanding what is motivating our candidates to take this giant leap for humankind. This is where it really gets exciting for Mars One, our applicants, and the communities they're a part of," said Kraft.

Mars One plans to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars. Crews of four will depart every two years, starting in 2024. The first unmanned mission will be launched in 2018, the organisation said on its website.

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AK Antony calls for unity in Congress

Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress in the state has begun preparing for the elections with a call for party unity by Defence Minister A.K. Antony and the ground being prepared for Ramesh Chennithala to join the Oommen Chandy government.

At the same time, the draft election manifesto prepared by the KPCC has suggested giving ‘relief to the kitchen’ by providing 12 LPG cylinders to all the families at subsidised rates.

Antony urged the Congress leaders and the government to work unitedly in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He asked the party leaders to settle the differences of opinion within the party itself without allowing them to reach dangerous levels.

He was addressing the party workers after receiving a copy of the election manifesto prepared by the three-member sub-committee set up by the KPCC.

Antony warned that if partymen can’t remain united, they should get ready to perish.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala may join the Chandy government to try to avoid a drubbing for the party in the Lok Sabha elections.

Warning KPCC leaders who are embroiled in group politics, Antony said that if they remained united, they could reap rich dividends.

The problems in the party should be solved collectively. “Unity is important for strengthening the party. If we move unitedly, the New Year will be the party’s. The party should create a conducive environment to face the New Year challenges,” he said.

When reporters asked him about the possibility of Chennithala joining the cabinet, he said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Chennithala were the apt persons to answer it.

Congress sources told DC that it is with this agenda that Chennithala has been trying to bring in many leaders of ‘I’ camp to the KPCC executive before January 10.

The highlight of the KPCC’s manifesto prepared by KPCC general secretaries Dr Sooranad Rajasekharan, Satheeshan Pacheni and Sajeev Joseph is ‘relief to the kitchen.’

All the families will be given 12 LPG cylinders at Rs 500 per cylinder in a year.

It will also be ensured that cylinders are delivered to the consumers within seven days of the date of booking.

Another recommendation is that the government should regulate the prices of petrol and diesel. Also, all the families whose monthly income is less than Rs 10, 000 and who own a two-wheeler should be given 10 litres of petrol in a month at 25 percent below market price.

Next: Antony flays frequent disruption of Assembly

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Our batsmen know their roles: Penney

Durban: India's fielding coach Trevor Penney was hopeful about eking out a draw against South Africa, saying his batsmen know very well what is required of them even as the visitor's face a daunting task to save the second Test.

India still trail South Africa by 98 runs with eight wickets in hand but they need to bat out of their skins against a fiery South African pace battery on the final day to save the match.

"The mood in the dressing room is just normal. Our batsmen know what their roles are and who the South African bowlers are. They have studied them and played against them. So we need to dig deep and fight the day out," Penney said last night after South Africa reduced India to 68 for two on the fourth day.

"We have played good cricket over the last couple of weeks and the team is very upbeat about the possibility of trying to bat out (the final day)," he added.

India lost one more wicket yesterday than they would have wanted when Shikhar Dhawan was out caught by Faff du Plessis, with the fielder pulling off a stunning catch at short mid-wicket.

"At this particular stage, he wasn't very happy because the light was poor and they could have come off at any stage. I think he was pretty disappointed," said the coach, describing Dhawan's mood.

Earlier in the day, Jacques Kallis stroked his way to his 45th Test hundred in his last match to put South Africa in a dominating position.

India delayed the second new ball, bowling 146 overs with the first one, playing for time in this rain-curtailed match.

"It is a bit more variable with the old ball. We just wanted to test with reverse swing as well, that was the main reason. It didn't really allow the new batsmen to settle down, as we were relying on reverse swing and thought that was the best strategy," Penney said.

Asked specifically, if the pacers were tired after their outing in Johannesburg, he replied in the negative.

"We batted a quite a long time in this match and then the rain began to show up in the first couple of days. So the bowlers have also had a break. It is just that the South Africans batted well in that middle period, especially Jacques who dug in for a lot of balls. He just defended and then scored off the loose balls," Penny said.

India's stand-out bowler was left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja who returned with his best-ever figures in a Test innings, taking 6-138.

Apparently, spin could play a factor on the final day if the weather opens up and the conditions are dry.

"Jadeja bowled a lot of overs and got his wickets. But it didn't really spin, not every ball. I think we have the batsmen to deal with that," said Penney.

"Normally, the seamers are South Africa's biggest threat, aren't they? We have to see them off in the morning and obviously when the reverse swing comes into play. So even if we start well, the guys need to watch out as the day goes on," he warned the Indian batsmen.

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AAP effect: BJP says no to criminals

AAP supporters celebrate after party convener Arvind Kejriwal was sworn in as Delhi Chief Minister in Patiala - PTI

New Delhi: Witnessing the emergence of the untainted outsider Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP has decided not to give tickets to leaders with criminal records or charges.

“The AAP impact on BJP is that no ticket will be given to bahubalis or criminals. In short, there will not be another Kushwaha experiment in the party,” a senior BJP leader said.

Controversies followed after the BJP had admitted former BSP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha, who was sacked by the then chief minister, party supremo Mayawati, after his name surfaced in the National Rural Health Commission (NRHC) scam and in connection with the murders of two chief medical officers of the family welfare department.

BJP levels bribery charge against Virbhadra Singh, calls it 'test' for Sonia, Rahul

Top BJP leaders felt that if Kejriwal was not effectively countered, India could see a repeat of V.P. Singh’s emergence in electoral politics in 1989. Party strategists pointed out that dalits and Muslims in India were moving rapidly towards the AAP.

The combined vote bank of dalits and Muslims is nearly 35 per cent, which is enough to tilt the balance.

In UP, called the 'gateway to Delhi', the combined strength of dalits and Muslims is around 35 per cent with 20 per cent Muslims and 15 per cent dalits. Besides this, the AAP is already attracting the youth and middle class, which was the BJP’s target vote bank.

In Haryana, the BJP-INLD and Haryana Janhit Congress are coming together to counter the AAP’s rapidly growing influence in the state. The ruling Congress in Haryana, reeling under the Robert Vadra controversy, is looking at options on how to extricate itself from the mess.

Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal arrives at Koshambi metro station. Kejriwal boarded the metro on Monday to take oath as Delhi Chief Minister at the Ramlila Maidan in the national capital as hundreds of people jostled with each other to board the train with him. There was no place to stand in the Metro premises and people were falling over each other as Kejriwal arrived to board the train.

Kejriwal waits for the train at Koshambi station. Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and other AAP supporters took the metro train around 11 a.m. Before boarding the train, Kejriwal said, "It is a beginning. The second fight for independence. Till this country gets freedom from corruption, famine and injustice, this fight will continue. It is the victory of the common man."Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung with Arvind Kejriwal and other cabinet ministers at a procession before oath ceremony at Ramlila maidan in New Delhi. "We will start our work the moment our swearing in ceremony is finished", said Kejriwal.Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung administers the oath of office and secrecy to Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's seventh CM, who is Delhi's youngest CM too, at Ramlila maidan in New Delhi. 45-year-old Kejriwal, a former revenue service official, who scored a stunning debut in electoral politics winning 28 of the 70 seats promises a corruption-free govt and new style of governance without arrogance of power.Kejriwal speaks after taking oath as Delhi Chief Minister. "We were born to remove the arrogance of big parties. We should be wary that no other party has to take birth to dismantle us". On the confidence motion on the floor of Delhi Assembly next week, Kejirwal said his party was not bothered about its fate as "we are not here to grab power".Kejriwal after taking oath as Delhi Chief Minister. "It is not Kejriwal who took oath today but it is the common man. It is the victory of the common man," he said, adding "the road to truth is not easy but full of thorns and we will face all future challenges". Kejriwal during the oath taking ceremony in New Delhi. In his 20 minutes long speech, Kejriwal said, "We don't have solutions to all problems. We don't have a magic wand to solve problems immediately. The fight is very long and we will need the support of people to end corruption in the capital and the country. The main problems in the country arise due to dirty politics and we have to clean it."Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung administers the oath of office and secrecy to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi Chief Minister and party leaders Manish Sisodia, Somnath Bharti, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Girish Soni, Rakhi Birla and Satyendra Jain as cabinet ministers during the oath-taking ceremony at Ramlila maidan in New Delhi.Kejriwal with cabinet ministers Manish Sisodia, Somnath Bharti, Rakhi Birla, Satyendra Jain, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Girish Soni waves after they took oath as ministers administered by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung. "Whether we pass or fail in the test of confidence motion, we are ready to face elections, if we fail. The people will vote us with a huge majority," Kejriwal said to the a huge crowd at the Ramlila Maidan.Arvind Kejriwal signs a document after being sworn-in as Delhi Chief Minister, at Ramlila maidan in New Delhi. Kejriwal had said that AAP's fight is not over till the country is free of corruption.Arvind Kejriwal, center, pays respect at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi after being sworn in as the chief minister of Delhi, in New Delhi. Tens of thousands of people cheered as the anti-corruption crusader who heads a new political party vowing to uproot graft from Indian politics was sworn in as the chief minister of India's capital.Arvind Kejriwal pays his respect at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi after being sworn in as the CM of Delhi. "I don't believe that all bureaucrats are corrupt. I will not hesitate in admitting that most officers are honest. It is also a challenge before the bureaucracy to deliver a corruption free regime," Kejriwal said.Arvind Kejriwal, center, leaves after paying respect at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. "We had lost all hope and thought that politics is hooliganism and corruption. But in Delhi Assembly elections, people have proved that politics can be done with honesty, elections can be fought and won with honesty," Kejriwal said.A supporter holds a broom, the party symbol of Aam Aadmi Party and greets Arvind Kejriwal, inside car, after the latter was sworn in as the chief minister of Delhi. "I used to suggest Anna Hazare that if we want to clean the system, then we will have to get down in this 'dirty politics'. Hazare was opposed to entering into politics. I told him that we will have to enter it to clean it", said Kejriwal.Arvind Kejriwal addresses the media after assuming the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi in New Delhi. As per decision of first meeting of the cabinet presided by CM Arvind Kejriwal, no minister or official in Delhi Government are allowed to use red beacon, or personal security or escort car. Security to be allowed based on threat perception, Delhi cabinet decides.Arvind Kejriwal talks on a phone as he is seated to assume the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi in New Delhi.Arvind Kejriwal drinks water as he sits to assume the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi in New Delhi.Delhi CM Kejriwal with cabinet ministers before the start of the cabinet meeting at Delhi Secretariat in New Delhi.

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CPI to President: More seats needed in Telangana

Hyderabad: The CPI on Monday urged President Pranab Mukherjee to take steps to increase the number of Assembly seats in the new Telangana state to 153 from the present 119 in the T-Bill.

The party also urged the President to add another 50 seats in the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.

CPI state council secretary Dr K. Narayana, who met the President at Rashtrapathi Nilayam, sought his intervention on the policy of political parties making promises in election manifesto and dumping them subsequently.

Describing the stalling of proceedings on T-Bill in Assembly and Council as undemocratic and unconstitutional, Dr Narayana said these parties were pursuing selfish and opportunistic policies.

The Congress, TD and the YSRC which often declare that they honour Parliamentary democracy but have practically have become a hurdle for the smooth functioning of state Assembly, he charged.

CPI also sought reconstitution of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II with a new chairman, setting up of regional development councils in backward Rayalaseema, north

Andhra, and allotment of special funds to backward Mahbubnagar, Anantapur, Nalgonda, Adilabad, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Prakasam.

While welcoming Polavaram project as national project, the CPI demanded similar status to Pranahita-Chevella, setting up of inter-state water management boards for the

maintenance of projects & canals with statutory powers, allotment of required gas, oil and coal to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states as per norms prescribed.

“Serious observation be made on a political party which express two opinions in two different regions simultaneously. A political party cannot take different political

lines in and outside legislative bodies. We feel that such unhealthy trends be curtailed by your esteemed intervention for the smooth functioning of the Assembly.

Members should have freedom of expression and come to certain conclusion within stipulated period,”?he said.

Dr Narayana said leaders of these parties who are humiliating the T-Bill had met him.

“We do not know what they had talked to you. But everyone knows what they addressed to the media. Sir, you should take a serious note of what is transpiring in the state Assembly, and find out a scientific solution to the needs of all,”?he added.

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Loyal mantris aim to save party

Picture for representational purpose only.

Hyderabad: Some Seemandhra ministers who are loyal to the party high command are planning to form a team of “true Congressmen” who will stand by the party.

Ten Seemandhra ministers form the core group, who will meet after January 3 to discuss their future course of action.

The main agenda of the team is to strengthen the party in the Seemandhra region and fight for development of the region in the wake of the state’s bifurcation. Though the team will oppose the bifurcation, they will remain loyal to the party.

In the second step, true Congressmen from among Seemandhra MLAs will be identified.

The ministers who see themselves as “true Congressmen” are Botsa Satyanarayana, Kondru Murali, P. Balaraju, Thota Narasimham, Kanna Laxminarayana, Dokka Manikya Varaprasad, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, M. Mahidhar Reddy, N. Raghuveera Reddy, and Ahamdullah. Union minister Panabaka Laxmi is also part of the group.

These ministers feel that the Congress in the Seemandhra region is not in such a bad position as assumed by some of their colleagues.

They believe that if they work hard to strengthen the party, the Congress could perform well in the coming general elections.

The plan is to conduct huge public meetings in the Seemandhra region. While YSRC chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu are touring the Seemandhra region and addressing public meetings, no one is countering them from the Congress.

In the meeting that will be held after January 3, the venues and other details will be discussed, Murali told reporters.

He said if some ministers and MLAs from Seemandhra leave the Congress, it will not damage the party in any way as there are 200 to 300 second line leaders in every Assembly constituency.

He clarified that they will continue to oppose the bifurcation and demand that a resolution in favour of united AP?be passed in the Assembly and there is no compromise on that but they want a discussion on the Telangana Bill in the Assembly because if there is no discussion the Centre may think that they have supported the Bill.

Meanwhile, Union ministers Panabaka Laxmi and Killi Kruparani said that if anyone wants to leave the party, they are free to do so as there are many leaders to fill in their places.

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Maharishi Vidya Mandir group chairman arrested on rape charges

Chairman of Maharishi Vidya Mandir School Group, Girish Chandra Verma being produced in district court after being arrested for allegedly raping a woman teacher, in Bhopal on Monday - PTI

Bhopal: Chancellor of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic University, Girish Chandra Verma was arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting a former woman employee for several years, police said today.

Verma, also the chairman of Maharishi Vidya Mandir School Group, was arrested last evening on the complaint filed by the victim about nine months back, they said.

He was arrested amid high drama as his security guards offered stiff resistance against police action. Verma was picked up from his sprawling 10-acre ashram on the Bhojpur road here and taken to the Jehangirabad police station for recording his statement, officials said.

He had earlier been summoned to the Mahila Thana in Bhopal for questioning two days back, police officials said. City Superintendent of Police Saleem Khan said Verma has been charged under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC

Exactly a year ago, a 23-year-old physiotherapy student was gang raped on a moving bus in Delhi. That led to a national outrage with people questioning inefficiency of the government to provide security to women. There was such anger with protests across the nation that anyone would have thought it would be the last rape in the nation. That wasn't to be.

Safety of women in the national capital was questioned, and in fact that was one of the reasons why chief minister Sheila Dikshit and the Congress suffered a humiliated defeat at the hands of political newcomer Arvind Kejriwal and his party Aam Aadmi Party. Political implications apart, the December 16 gang rape made headlines in international media, exposing how insecure women are in India. Despite the magnanimity of the most brutal rape of the country, very little has changed in one year.The conviction rate for rape is a mere 27 per cent which is why rapists aren't scared.The four accused in the December 16 rape case, gym instructor Vinay Sharma (20), bus cleaner Akshay Thakur (28), fruit-seller Pawan Gupta (19) and Mukesh Singh (26) were awarded death penalty as the court felt it was a rarest of rare cases. Main accused Ram Singh was found dead in jail while another is a minor.Notwithstanding pressure, the Central government in April amended the Anti-rape bill, which now provides life-term or death sentence for rape convicts. According to the new law, an offender can be sentenced to rigorous imprisonment that is not less than 20 years. The law also fixed age for consensual sex at 18 years. One thing that has changed is, none will take things lying down. But it doesn't mean that the incidents have gone down. Shockingly, a rape is reported every 20 minutes in India. A young girl's sexual harassment complaint resulted in the arrest of Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal. The girl was bold enough to report against her boss, putting her career at stake. Neither death sentence nor new law has acted as a deterrent. The number of rape cases in Delhi have almost doubled. Till November this year, 1,450 cases of rape cases were registered against 706 in 2012. There is an element of positivity about it, as police say that more women are coming forward to report rapes. But as Indian women are known for, not all aren't comfortable reporting about rape.The only mistake of a 23-year-old software engineer, who was kidnapped and raped in a cab Hyderabad, was that she trusted the cab drivers to take her to her hostel. But she ended up being raped.Unlike the Tehelka journalist, this girl was scared to report it, she filed a false complaint that there was an attempt to rape her. But the incident came to light when the police arrested the cab drivers, who admitted to raping her.Rapes are tarnishing the image of the country as a whole. Internationally, India is perceived as the rape capital with governments of foreign countries warning women against travel to India.A photojournalist was gang raped when on duty in Mumbai. That wasn't the first time for the accused, who thought when others didn't complain why would she? Experts debate if raping is a psychological problem? Most of the rapists won't have any remorse or guilt feeling. In many cases, they deny the crime or feel what they did wasn't wrong.There is a need for a systemic social change and the solution doesn't lie in the law, but in changing the mindset of people.

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iPhone users 'more quick witted' than other smartphone lovers

London: A new mental agility test has suggested that iPhone users are smarter than those with other smartphones.

A brainteaser by Ladbrokes found iPhone users answered seven questions in 94 seconds while those on Google Nexus phones were next on 99 seconds, the Daily Star reported.

Blackberry owners were found to be the slowest, as they took an average 118 seconds to complete the test.

Meanwhile, the fastest individual time was 47 seconds from a Samsung user.

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Left parties in Tamil Nadu looking to rejuvenate in 2014

Picture for representational purpose only.

Chennai: ‘Enroll the young’ is the new mantra of the Communist parties in Tamil Nadu for 2014.

After the Che Guevera T-shirts and Facebook campaigns, comrades here have decided to increase the membership of young men and women in their party to succeed in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and also to change their ‘peasant-class’ identity into a vibrant young party in the state and national political podiums.

Senior leaders in CPI and CPM told DC that they have initiated a head count of young people in their party and charted plans to improve the numbers.

Raising their voices on gender issues, price rise and the economic policies of the Union government, both the Left parties supported several initiatives by the State government in Tamil Nadu, thereby strengthening their alliance with the AIADMK for the 2014 poll.

Organising innumerable protests on issues like untouchability, mismanagement in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and drought relief for delta farmers, CPM party men collected Rs.14 lakh as relief fund for the dalits in Dharmapuri, whose houses and property were vandalised in a mob attack by PMK men in late 2012.

Apart from this, the CPM filed a public interest litigation and ensured that the dalits were given Rs 7 crores for rehabilitation.

As several honour killings were reported, both the parties conducted mass awareness programmes, encouraging inter caste marriages.

Known for their integrity and simplicity, the Left parties brought out irregularities at grassroot-level government offices, which once again strengthened their anti-corruption plank.

It is generally alleged that money power plays a dominant role in ascending in other political parties.

But there are scores of examples of commonest comrades being able to get party tickets for elections to the state assembly and Parliament from the Left parties.

There are many examples – Leema Rose, a brick kiln worker, who won in the Thiruvattar constituency in 2006, carried out her work sincerely as an MLA.

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Gold hits 4-month low; plunges below Rs 30,000

New Delhi: Gold prices dipped below Rs 30,000 per ten grams level for the first time in over four months in the national capital on Thursday on stockists selling against fall in demand at prevailing higher levels.

Gold dropped Rs 275 to Rs 29,900 per ten grams, the level last seen on August 14. However, silver added Rs 310 to Rs 44,000 per kg on increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers.

In Mumbai, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity traded lower at Rs 29,940 and Rs 29,800 per ten grams, respectively, while silver enquired at Rs 44,440 per kg.

Traders said stockists selling against fall in demand at prevailing higher levels mainly pulled down gold prices. They said sentiment also turned bearish in the absence of any direction from overseas markets following closure for ‘Christmas’ and ‘New Year’ holidays.

In Delhi, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity tumbled by Rs 275 each to Rs 29,900 and Rs 29,700 per ten grams, respectively. It had gained Rs 125 yesterday. Sovereign held steady at Rs 25,100 per piece of eight grams.

On the other hand, silver ready strengthened by Rs 310 to Rs 44,000 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 130 to Rs 44,120 per kg. The white metal had gained Rs 140 in last trade. Silver coins, however, held steady at Rs 84,000 for buying and Rs 85,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

While in the world market Gold is headed for a near 30 percent drop this year as the United States Federal Reserve is set to begin unwinding its stimulus measures ending a 12-year rally.

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NCP backs Rahul's stand on reconsideration of Adarsh report

New Delhi: NCP today backed Rahul Gandhi's pitch for reconsideration of Maharashtra government's decision rejecting a judicial panel's report on Adarsh scam which had indicted some senior Congress leaders, including former Chief Ministers.

"We will support any decision to review the state cabinet's decision. The decision to reject the report was apparently taken in a haste....It was not proper to reject the commission's report. There is a need to review it," NCP MP and senior party leader Tariq Anwar told PTI.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had on Saturday indicated that the Maharashtra government would reconsider its decision to reject a judicial commission's report on Adarsh housing scam, a day after Rahul Gandhi ticked off the state government over the issue.

Disapproving of the Maharashtra government's decision to reject the report, Rahul Gandhi had said on Friday, "Personally, I don't agree with that decision. They (Maharashtra) should reconsider that".

The very next day when asked about the rejection of the Adarsh scam report by the Maharashtra Cabinet, Sonia Gandhi had said, "That has been decided....and I think it is going to be resolved."

Noting that the Congress high command has instructed its leaderhip in the state to review the decision, the NCP leader said that "it's a right decision (to review the report). The line taken by the Congress Vice President is very correct that it should be reconsidered."

Anwar also recalled that Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has already said that he will consult his cabinet colleagues on the matter. "A meeting of Maharasthra Cabinet is going to be held to take up the matter," he said.

Congress and NCP have an alliance government in Maharashtra which is headed by Congress' Chavan.

The report of the two-member commission headed by retired high court judge J A Patil has indicted several politicians including three former Chief Ministers for "blatant violations" of statutory provisions in the Adarsh housing project.

On December 20, the Maharashtra government had rejected the report.

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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

BJP not Hindutva party: Vellappally Natesan

Alappuzha: SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has come out in support of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi saying that if Modi comes to power, the country will not be ruined.

He told reporters in Kottayam on the sidelines of a function on Sunday that the BJP was no longer a Hindutva party.

“The BJP has reinvented itself shedding its hardcore saffron agenda to a great extent. In fact, the misdeeds of those in power have contributed to the popularity of Modi,” said Natesan.

“The people feel that the Congress rule is a failure. In Kerala, the government functions against the Congress party’s stance. The government has a hidden agenda to break the unity among Hindu communities. The mood of the people is against the UPA and the Congress will face severe reverses in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election,” he said.

This is for the second time Natesan has applauded Modi after he was made the prime ministerial candidate.

Earlier, when Modi attended the Mata Amritananda Mayi’s 60th birth anniversary in September, Natesan had said that Kerala should end its attitude of ‘untouchability’ to Modi. “Why Kerala should have imposed untouchability on Modi that was never shown to Advani,” he had asked.

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BJP hopes to ride Modi wave to Parliament from Tamil Nadu

Narerndra Modi was a failry frequent visitor to Tamil Nadu in 2013. Here he is seen in conversation with political strategist and journalist ‘Cho’?Ramaswamy. — DC

Chennai: The BJP appears to be no longer an outcaste in Tamil Nadu politics and with the increase in its stock, the saffron party need not have the sinking feeling of going solo in the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Despite lacking the traditional vote bank, compared to the major Dravidian parties that have created these over the years, the BJP here hopes to ride on the Modi wave to Parliament from here.

As the party steps into 2014, it cannot forget the shock over the killing of two of its leaders within a year, including state general secretary V. Ramesh.

It hopes to make it to the national capital thanks to its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi who set the ball rolling by addressing a massive conference at Tiruchy.

The party is confident of winning a good number of seats on its own, and also with the help of the PMK, which could help in garnering Vanniyar votes, and the MDMK, too, by whipping up Tamil sentiments.

Another significant player, actor-politician Vijayakanth, is likely to join the BJP camp soon, says a senior leader in the party.

The southern states could help the party reach the magic number of 272+ seats that it requires on its own, and the alliance that it cobbles together would ensure the formation of the government after the general elections in 2014, feels the think-tank in the party.

The BJP believes that it can reclaim its footprints in the region and even expand through its allies.

It hopes to win more numbers in addition to Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Tirupur and the Nilgiris Lok Sabha constituencies that the BJP had won in the 1998 and 1999 Lok Sabha polls.

Presently, the rank and file of the party is going from village to village, highlighting Modi’s achievements, Congress misrule, need for a regime change at the Centre, besides popularising the lotus symbol, through its novel campaign: Veeduthorum Modi, Ullamthorum Thamarai (Modi in every household and lotus in every heart).

Through this padayatra, targeting to cover about 12,618 village panchayats, the party hopes to get closer to people, especially the rural voters, in the state with the hope of a breakthrough in the state. Saffron party, once an also-ran in the state, is no more a political outcaste.

Next: ‘Modi in every household, Lotus in every heart’ claims saffron brigade

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We have high hopes on Bangalore: AAP

Bangalore: Kundan Singh, founder member of Aam Aadmi Party and coordinator of an awareness rally in the city on Sunday, spoke to Deccan Chronicle at length on the plans of the party in the Karnataka after its stupendous success in Delhi.

Also read: Prashant Bhushan meets VS Achuthanandan, seeks guidance

How was the response to the bike rally on Sunday?

We had sent out messages to all our members and volunteers through mail, Facebook and Twitter. We expected around 200 bikes, but we were surprised to see around 250 two-wheelers and 50 cars at the Freedom Park, the starting point. Around 600 people took part in the rally and many of them joined on the way as we went to different parts of the city. We had distributed data entry forms to all pillion riders, who collected basic information from the people who joined us on the way. We collected information from 2,000 people.

Is AAP’s strategy different in Bangalore, as compared to Delhi, to get the support of the people?

Most of the people in Bangalore are tech-savvy and connected online, and it is a big advantage. We have working committees in all the 28 assembly constituencies of the city. They have groups of aam aadmis who have taken the responsibility of leading the political revolution.

How is AAP planning to attract supporters?

We have started our membership drives in crowded areas, like malls, Metro stations and public places. Since all of us are working professionals, we make sure that we spend at least two to three hours every day for the party. To make people aware of the struggle against corruption, our volunteers have started performing street plays. As we have learned from Delhi elections, door-to-door campaign is the best way to connect with people and we have started it in all assemblies constituencies of the city, which traditional political parties do only 15 days before the elections.

How many new party members have joined in the city after the Delhi phenomenon?

We are conducting registrations in three ways: Our members go on drives to register people from public places using a Rs 10 membership form, we have offices in seven assemblies to register new people and registration through our website www.aapkarnataka.org. Since the Delhi elections, a large number of people are registering on our national website. As Karnataka was only the second state to have the highest number of donors, we believe that we have a large number of supporters here. The existing volunteer base of 12,000 has swelled to 20,000 plus after the Delhi results.

What are party's short-term and long-term goals in Bangalore?

We are not focused only on the 2014 elections. We have not yet decided on how many seats we could contest from in Karnataka, but we will go for maximum number of seats. We believe in the concept of Swaraj and we will form our manifesto based on the needs of the people when we go for door-to-door campaigning.

In Delhi, we had 70 manifestos for all 70 assembly constituencies and they were decided by the people from respective localities. In Bangalore, we have different segments of people, so we are working on categorising their problems and will finalise the manifestos later. We are trying to know what the people want and how we can work for it together.

How many techies have enrolled themselves into the party?

We have separate Facebook pages for different assembly constituencies. We have a separate Google group in each assembly constituency to communicate with each other on local events. We have named our BTM assembly Facebook page as Namma BTM, AAP Ka BTM. We have a separate Whatsapp group for each assembly constituency. We have a common Facebook page for the entire city, which is AAP Bangalore, and for the state, AAP Karnataka. We have Facebook pages for other districts too.

Is AAP targeting Bangalore after Delhi?

Besides a large number of people donating for AAP, a big group of volunteers from the state went to Delhi for campaigning. Data entry work, responding to mails and queries, web moderation, email moderation as well as offline support like writing post cards to Delhiites and calling campaign for Delhiites happened from Bangalore.

As Bangaloreans have already participated and supported AAP in Delhi elections, we hope that we will make this political revolution a huge success in the city.

How is the coordination happening between Delhi and Bangalore?

Party national executive members, like Prashanth Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, recently visited Bangalore after the Delhi elections to ensure that whatever happened in Delhi should repeat in Bangalore.

Next: New age parties turn city political

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Telangana bill to be tabled in parliament in February: Reddy

New Delhi: Union Minister Jaipal Reddy on Wednesday said the Telangana statehood bill would be tabled in Parliament in the first week of February.

Briefing reporters here, Reddy, who is a senior Congress leader from Telangana region, said he was confident the bill would be passed.

"I am not only a cabinet minister but also a senior parliamentarian. I have my own assessment," he said. Asked about the change in portfolio of a Andhra Pradesh minister, which has kicked up a political storm in the state, he said any move by the (state) government and the Chief Minister are irrelevant to constitutional process.

"The wisdom of those doing this is limited," he charged without naming Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy who effected a minor reshuffle of portfolios by allocating Legislative Affairs to S Sailajanath from Seemandhra region, as an addition to the School Education portfolio he has been holding.

Civil Supplies Minister D Sridhar Babu, belonging to Telangana, was divested of the additional portfolio of Legislative Affairs and given charge of Commercial Taxes Department.

The portfolio re-jig seemingly sought to alter the regional equations at a time when the state legislature is set to take up a crucial debate on the draft AP Reorganisation Bill-2013, referred to by the President, from January 3.

Jaipal Reddy sought legislators to express their opinion about the Bill in the assembly. "If you do not discuss, it is the loss of the assembly," he added.

The President had given time till January 23 for the legislature to return the draft bill after due deliberations.

After keeping mum for sometime, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has once again raised voice against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh to form a separate Telangana. He cautioned millions of farmers in Seemandhra and Telangana regions of the serious consequences of division of the state.

According to him, the bifurcation was done without addressing key issues of water, power and infrastructure, which could lead to deficit and bigger problems. He fears the lapses in water distribution would erupt.In Andhra Pradesh, the dams located in one region serve the needs of other region. For example, Srisailam dam is located in Rayalaseema, but it serves the irrigation needs of Rayalaseema, Telangana and Andhra regions. So, Kiran is worried as how can that waters be shared. Telangana comprises 68 pc of the catchment area of the Krishna river and 79 pc catchment area of Godavari river. Utilising these resources for the development of the region will be a big challenge for the state.Andhra Pradesh's major rivers include Godavari, Krishna and Pennar. According to the Krishna tribunal award, Maharashtra gets 560 tmc feet of water, Karnataka 700 TMC and Andhra Pradesh 811 TMC. The Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar dams are central to the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh. (1 TMC equals 28.3 billion litres).The Nagarjunasagar dam is right on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and caters to the irrigation needs of Andhra and Telangana. Kiran feels the new state would badly hit irrigation projects.Godavari is less exploited as compared with Krishna and most of the water flows into the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari Waters Disputes Tribunal in 1975 awarded 1,480 TMC to Andhra Pradesh, but proponents of separate Telangana are demanding more than 60 pc of that water share.As for agriculture is concerned, Seemandhra regions are better irrigated and account for 60 pc of total crops cultivated in Andhra Pradesh. Telangana has over 65 pc agriculture pumpsets. But with Telangana expected to face at least 40-50 pc power shortage, the irrigation projects will be affected.Currently in Andhra Pradesh, the power generation is only 57 million units per day against a demand of 115 MU. Though Telangana boasts of major coal deposits, Seemandhra has more gas-based stations with higher installed capacity of power. The Ramagundam thermal power station is in Telangana but is controlled by the Centre.Kiran accused TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao of misleading farmers with a promise to bring 10,000 MW from Chhattisgarh since the installed capacity of the neighbouring state was only 6300 MW.Before bifurcating the state, the Centre, Kiran feels, must have clarity on the status of Hyderabad, which several people from Seemandhra made their home after the formation of AP decades ago.Even as APNGO members are protesting against shifting of the secretariat employees to Seemandhra, Kiran rejected the TRS statistics and said out of 18,856 employees identified as non-locals under GO 610, 9,174 were repatriated and 4,062 were exempted as per the rules.As the capital of united AP for nearly 60 years, Hyderabad city has witnessed enormous growth and transformed into a large metropolis. In the process, many other regions of the State have been neglected. People from Andhra and Rayalaseema are heavily dependent on Hyderabad for health facilities, education and employment opportunities.

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Michael Schumacher in critical condition after skiing accident

Paris: Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher was in critical condition after undergoing brain surgery following a skiing accident in the French Alps on Sunday, doctors said.

The Grenoble University Hospital Center said the retired racing driver arrived at the clinic in a coma and underwent immediate surgery for a serious head trauma.

It was not clear whether the 44-year-old Schumacher was still in a coma but the hospital statement, which was signed by a neurosurgeon, an anesthesiologist and Marc Penaud, the hospital's deputy director, said ``he remains in a critical condition.''

Schumacher fell while skiing off-piste in Meribel earlier on Sunday and hit his head on a rock, according to a statement from the resort. Resort managers said he had been wearing a helmet and was conscious when rescuers first responded to the scene.

Earlier in the day, the Meribel resort said Schumacher had been taken to Grenoble for tests and authorities said his life was not in danger.

But the situation began to appear more serious when the resort said that orthopedic and trauma surgeon Gerard Saillant had traveled from Paris to the hospital in Grenoble to examine Schumacher. German news agency dpa said it was Saillant who operated on Schumacher when he broke his leg during a crash at the Silverstone race course in 1999.

In an email to The Associated Press, Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm said the champion German driver was on a private skiing trip and ``fell on his head.''

``We ask for understanding that we cannot give running updates on his condition. He wore a helmet and was not alone,'' Kehm said. Schumacher's 14-year-old son was skiing with his father when the accident happened, the resort said.

As news of the accident spread, Formula One drivers used social media to wish Schumacher a quick recovery.

His former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, who recovered from life-threatening injuries sustained at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2009, wrote on Instagram: ``I am praying for you my brother!! I hope you have a quick recovery!! God bless you Michael.''

The Twitter feed of Germany's Adrian Sutil, who drives for Sauber, read: ``I hope Michael Schumacher will get well soon! All my best to him and his family.'' Romain Grosjean of Lotus tweeted: ``All our thoughts to Schumi and his family! Hope you will recover soon (hash)legend (hash)Schumi.''

Support also came from leading German sports personalities, ranging from the NBA to soccer. Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki said his thoughts were with Schumacher, while Lukas Podolski, who plays for Arsenal in the English Premier League, tweeted: ``Bad news from Switzerland: please get well soon, Michael Schumacher. All the best for you, my friend! (hash)getwellsoon (hash)MichaelSchumacher.''

In addition to the crash at Silverstone, Schumacher was hurt seriously in a motorcycling accident in February 2009 in Spain when he suffered neck and spine injuries. He recovered sufficiently from those injuries to make a comeback in F1.

Schumacher initially retired from F1 in 2006 after winning five straight titles with Ferrari following two earlier ones with Benetton. He returned to the sport in 2010 and drove for three seasons for Mercedes without much success before retiring again last year.

Moulson reported from Berlin. AP Sports Writer Nesha Starcevic in Frankfurt contributed to this report.

Cannot predict Schumacher's fate: Doctor

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Kiran Reddy’s bouncer, min shunted

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy stirred a hornet’s nest on New Year’s Eve by stripping minister and Telangana loyalist D. Sridhar Babu of the legislative affairs portfolio and allocating it to staunch integrationist Dr S. Sailajanath.

In a late night development on Tuesday, the Chief Minister recommended the change of portfolios to Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan. The CM’s decision comes just before the state Assembly is be reconvened to “resume” debate on the AP Reorganisation Bill 2013, from January 3.

The ministry is very crucial at this juncture because the minister plays a decisive role in the running of the session.

Apparently to keep Sridhar Babu happy, the CM allocated commercial taxes in addition to civil supplies, which Sridhar Babu is handling.

The commercial taxes portfolio, the bread earner for the government, has been with successive Chief Ministers since 2009.

The CM created a new portfolio, “Language” (development), and allotted it to tourism minister Vatti Vasanth Kumar. Sources said this was done to make it appear that the changes were routine.

Once a trusted lieutenant of Kiran, Sridhar parted ways with him soon after the Congress Working Committee decided in favour of the T state. Lately, the two were at loggerheads over proroguing the Assembly and differences reached a peak in the just-concluded Assembly Session wherein Mr Sridhar announced that the Assembly had initiated the debate on the T Bill in contrast to the CM’s claims that the debate was yet to begin.

Kiran’s decision not democratic

Sources close to the Chief Minister said that he was upset with Sridhar Babu over the Assembly secretariat circulating a two-page “report on the decisions of the Business Advisory Committee” taken on December 17 to all MLAs. The report was issued in the name of the Chief Minister who, at a media conference, had feigned ignorance.

The Chief Minister’s decision is expected to evoke sharp criticism from within the Congress and outside and the Telangana ministers were already up in arms against the decision.

Senior Congress leader D. Srinivas described the Chief Minister’s decision as undemocratic and a timid act while Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao refused to attach any significance to it stating that proceedings in the Assembly were irrelevant to the state’s division as per the Constitution.

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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Simpson, Hockley to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame

Dubai: Former Australia captain Bob Simpson and ex-New Zealand women cricketer Debbie Hockley will be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in a special function to be held in Sydney on Thursday, the world body said today.

Hockley will become the fourth female player after Belinda Clark (Australia), Enid Bakewell and Rachael Heyhoe-Flint (both England), and second cricketer from New Zealand after Richard Hadlee to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, the ICC said in a statement.

Simpson will overall become the 72nd male and 20th from Australia after Richie Benaud, Allan Border, Don Bradman, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Neil Harvey, Dennis Lillee, Ray Lindwall, Rodney Marsh, Keith Miller, Bill O'Reilly, Steve Waugh, Victor Trumper, Clarrie Grimmett, Frederick Spofforth, Alan Davidson, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Hockley, born on November 7 1962 in Christchurch, made her international debut in January 1979 when she featured in the third Test against Australia in Melbourne. In December 2000, she announced her retirement after the final of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in Lincoln in which New Zealand beat Australia by four runs.

In a career spanning 22 years, Hockley played 19 Tests in which she scored 1,301 runs with four centuries and seven half-centuries, and 118 ODIs in which she mustered 4,064 runs with four centuries and 34 half-centuries. With her inswing bowling, she took five Test and 20 ODI wickets.

Reacting on her inclusion into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, a delighted Hockley said: "I am very proud that my contributions to New Zealand cricket in the time I played have been deemed worthy of this honour. I'm very much looking forward to the Induction ceremony in Sydney, and the fact that my parents have been invited to attend the function will make it even more special."

Simpson, born on 3 February 1936 in Marrickville, Sydney, played 62 Tests and two ODIs for Australia from 1957 to 1978. His 4,869 Test runs include 10 centuries and 27 half-centuries, with his highest score of 311 coming against England in the fourth Ashes Test of the 1964 series at Old Trafford, Manchester.

With his leg-spin bowling, Simpson captured 71 wickets, including a career-best five for 57 against England in the 1963-64 Ashes in Sydney. In 1965, Simpson was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year.

Simpson retired in January 1968 after the Sydney Test against India, but returned at the age of 41 in December 1977 to lead Australia in the home series against India and away series against the West Indies. While Australia beat India 3-2, it lost 3-1 to the West Indies, with Simpson's final Test at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, ending in a draw.

Overall, Simpson captained Australia in 39 Tests, winning 12 and losing 12.

In 1985-86, Simpson was appointed as Australia coach and when he handed over the baton to Geoff Marsh after the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996, Australia was back as a force to be reckoned with. During Simpson's tenure, Australia won the ICC Cricket World Cup 1987 and reached the final of the 1996 tournament (both held in the subcontinent), won four consecutive Ashes (1989, 1990-91, 1993, 1994-95) and ended the West Indies’ 15-year unbeaten run in Test cricket in 1995, in its own backyard.

Simpson served as an ICC Match Referee in the three-Test series between India and Sri Lanka in India in 1997, and then worked as India's consultant coach in 1998-99 that also included his involvement with the side during the ICC Cricket World Cup 1999.

Upon hearing the news of his induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, Simpson said: "It is a huge honour for me to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

"To be inducted in the elite group in Sydney, which I consider the headquarters of Australia cricket, and in front of the people I have known or who have seen me play or been associated with the game here, will make it perfect.

"I would like to thank all the living members of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and the voting academy, for considering me worthy of this honour. The very prospect of being in the exalted company of some of the greatest achievers in cricket fills me with great pride and joy."

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Congress, BJP should support AAP over public issues: Binny

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Ghaziabad: Ahead of the vote of confidence in Delhi Assembly tomorrow, Aam Aadmi Party legislator Vinod Kumar Binny today said the BJP and Congress should support the government over issues pertaining to the people.

"There are several public-related schemes which we are yet to implement. We have asked both Congress and BJP to support us, so that we are able to fulfil all public-related promises," he told reporters here.

Binny said Kejriwal has a throat infection and has been advised rest. "Despite this, Kejriwal would go to Delhi Assembly today. He will leave for Delhi Legislative Assembly from his house around I PM", he said.

Talking to reporters outside Kejriwal's residence, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said, "We have formed government in Delhi keeping 18 issues in mind. If AAP wins confidence vote, Kejriwal-led government would work on such issues".

Asked if AAP has 24 hours left to run the government, Singh said, "We don't know what would happen when the confidence motion comes up in the Assembly tomorrow".

The first session of the Delhi Assembly begins today and will continue till January 7 during which the Arvind Kejriwal-led government will seek a vote of confidence on the floor of the House. In the 70-member assembly, AAP has 28 MLAs, eight short of a majority.

AAP has the support of 8 MLAs of Congress, which is expected to see across the half-way mark. BJP has 31 members and its ally Akali Dal 1. AAP yesterday named first-time MLA M S Dhir as its candidate for Speaker's post.

Senior Congress MLA Mateen Ahmad will be the pro-tem speaker. A pro-tem Speaker presides over proceedings relating to taking of oath by new members and other business till the election of Speaker.

Pages12next ›last »Tags: Aam Aadmi PartyVinod Kumar BinnyBJPCongressArvind Kejriwal Meet Aam Aadmi Party winners: Politicians with a difference

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Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Admi Party (AAP) is certainly a party with a difference, not just for its ideology. Its candidates are political novices--- a former IAS officer, businessmen, an ex-NSG commando, bank officials, teachers and journalists, who

1/27Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Admi Party (AAP) is certainly a party with a difference, not just for its ideology. Its candidates are political novices--- a former IAS officer, businessmen, an ex-NSG commando, bank officials, teachers and journalists, who quit their jobs to bring in a change. Here are those who won against veteran politicians in Assembly polls.

Tech graduate to founder of AAP, the political journey of AAP founder Arvind Kejriwal, a graduate of the IIT, Kharagpur, began few years ago. But he proved the might of the common man this polls by winning huge votes against three-time CM Sheila

2/27Tech graduate to founder of AAP, the political journey of AAP founder Arvind Kejriwal, a graduate of the IIT, Kharagpur, began few years ago. But he proved the might of the common man this polls by winning huge votes against three-time CM Sheila Dikshit, thereby ushering a revolutionary change in Indian politics.

3/27Commando Surender Singh, who was with the Army for 14 years, fought Kargil War. As part of the commando team deployed at Hotel Taj during 26/11 terror attacks, he fought the terrorists bravely, but was critically injured and lost his hearing ability, because of which he had to quit the Army.

4/27A journalist by profession Manish Sisodia, 41 (Patparganj) has worked for a private news channel and All India Radio prior to turning an RTI activist. He was in jail with Anna Hazare in their fight against corruption.

5/27IIT and law graduate Somnath Bharti, 39, (Malviya Nagar) was the one who fought for 8 innocent boys, whom the police tried to to falsely convict after the December 16 Delhi gang rape. An active Janlokpal movement, owns a house in his wife's name.

6/27Raju Dhingan, 40 (Trilokpuri), was with the CISF before entering politics. He also provides free training to youth in body building.

7/27Girish Soni, 49, (Madipur) is XIIth pass and a businessman. He owns a flat, a car and a scooter.

8/27Rakhi Birla, 26, (Mangolpuri) is a journalist with a private news channel. Apart from that she works in collaboration with few social institutes and works for the causes of Valmiki community.

9/27This is the third victory for Vinod Kumar Binny, 40, (Laxmi Nagar), a firm believer in the concept of Swaraj. Twice he has won as an Independent candidate. He owns shares worth Rs 5 lakh and a car.

10/27There were attacks on the life of Akhileshpati Tripathi, 29, (Model Town) when he fought against corruption in Rationing and black marketing in Oil in his constituency. Tripathi, who fearlessly fought corruption, has been involved in social welfare activities since his student life.

11/27Veena Anand, 47 (Patel Nagar) is a social activist and a member of Jan Lokpal Andolan.

12/27Somdutt Sharma, 36, (Sadar Bazar) draws his inspiration to fight against the system from his college days. As a student union leader he had won the Khalsa college polls twice. He is a cricket player and also aids poor students for their education. (Pic: Youtube)

13/27For over a decade, Sanjeev Jha, 24 (Burari) has been making efforts to provide free education to children from backward areas of Delhi. He has established an organization 'Navpallav' which assists people coming from other states to find jobs in Delhi

14/27For Dinesh Mohaniya, 36, (Sangam Vihar), social service began in his college days. When he himself was a student, he taught street kids. When Anna's movement began, he joined it.

15/27Manoj Kumar, 35, who won from Kondli doesn't have a degree. A Xth pass, Manoj, has been a member of International human rights commission.

16/27Rajesh Garg Rohiniwala, 50, (Rohini) is a former Congress leader, whose wife fought an election on Congress ticket. Despite being in Congress, Rajesh had joined the Jan Lokpal Andolan.

17/27Dharmendra Singh Koli (Seemapuri) is the youngest AAP MLA. A day after his victory, he was booked on charges of molestation and rioting on a complaint by Congress worker Veer Singh Dhinghan who was defeated by him polls. Koli has termed it an attemt to malign his image.

18/27Bandana Kumari, 39 (Shalimar Bagh) is fighting for the cause of poor women's rights. She is also the convenor of a social organization 'Nayi Pehal' which creates awareness on women empowerment.

19/27Jagdeep Singh, 42 (Hari Nagar) lost his father in the massacre of 1984 Anti-Sikh riots. He runs an insurance business and regularly visits hospitals and helps patients.

20/27Mahendra Yadav, 50 (Vikaspuri), a social worker, quit BJP in 2012.

21/27Madan Lal, who won from Kasturba Nagar, is a Master in Law and owns two houses and three flats.

22/27Satyendra Kumar Jain, 49, (Shakur Basti), a graduate, is associated with Sparsh, the organisation that works for the welfare of mentally challenged children. He quit CPWD as he couldn't tolerate corruption.

23/27Ashok Kumar Chauhan (Ambedkar Nagar) is a cricketer and a social worker. He has three flats in his name

24/27Prakash, 25, (Deoli), a commerce graduate, quit an MNC as an assistant manager has been running awareness campaigns educating people on opening accounts, getting voter cards, etc.

25/27Maninder Singh Dhir (Jangpura), a post graduate, is the recipient of President's award for social work. He voluntarily retired as assistant manager from State Trading Corporation of India ltd. and is now doing own business. (Dhir's photo was not available)

26/27Jarnail Singh's (Tilak Nagar) first job gave him a salary of Rs 500. Today he owns a water purifier company.

27/27Harish Khanna, Timarpur, a university teacher, has a Master's degree in arts and is also a PhD. Related articles B.S. Yedyurappa not ready for merger Sonia reaches out to Sushma on food bill PM has no differences with Sonia Gandhi; Cabinet reshuffle likely Sting operation against AAP leaders; Conspiracy, says Kejriwal Write a comment Your name Your Comment (Minimum 30 Characters) * CAPTCHAThis question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.