contents180.179.170.84/images/kamal_sandesh/ks_may_01_2014_e.pdf · his image has been seriously...

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Fortnightly Magazine

CONTENTS

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Prabhat Jha, MP

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3 Kamal Sandesh May 1-15, 2014

RalliesAssam.............................................................................................. 7Bihar................................................................................................. 8Uttar Pradesh................................................................................. 8Madhya Pradesh........................................................................... 9Tamil Nadu..................................................................................... 10Chhattisgarh................................................................................... 113rd Round of Bharat Vijay Rallies via 3D technology........... 12Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu................................................................. 13

ArticlesCaptain’s defence of Jagdish Tytler – The Devil’s Advocate

By Arun Jaitley..................................................................... 14The shining knights of secularism on the prowl

By Balbir Punj...................................................................... 16Modi wave turning into a ‘TsuNaMo’

By Kanchan Gupta................................................................ 18Fight Black Money at home and abroad

By Joginder Singh............................................................... 20

StatesAndhra Pradesh............................................................................. 29Chhattisgarh................................................................................... 29

Golden words from Aadhyatma................................................ 30


cqf);qäks tgkrhg mHks lqÑrnq"ÑrsArLekn~ ;ksxk; ;qT;Lo ;ksx% deZlq dkS'kye~AA50AA

One endowed with spiritual intelligence can get rid of both positive and negativereactions in this very life, therefore be diligent in the science of uniting theindividual consciousness with the Ultimate Consciousness; in all activities thescience of uniting the individual consciousness with the Ultimate Consciousness issuperlative genius —(Bhagavadgita : Ch.-II, 48)

QUOTES

Akshaya Tritiya : 2nd May, 2014

“The way India has voted, I can say thatthe Mother-Son government is sure to bedefeated. Now we have to look at a strongGovernment” -Narendra Modi

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is a holy day forHindus and Jains. It falls on the third Tithi (lunar day) of Bright Half(Shukla Paksha) of the month of Vaishakha and one of the four mostimportant days for Hindus. The word “Akshaya” means the neverdiminishing in Sanskrit and the day is believed to bring good luckand success. It is believed that if you do charity on this day you willbe blessed. The day is considered auspicious for starting newventures. The legend is that any venture initiated on the auspiciousday of Akshaya Tritiya continues to grow and bring prosperity.

The most popular story regarding the celebration of Akshaya Tritiya is that Lord Karishna and Sudamawere friends during their childhood. Sudama was poor and once he went to Krishna to ask him for somefinancial help as a friend. Sudama didn’t have anything else except the pouch of fried rice and he felt ashamedwhen he gave it to Karishna. But he was overwhelmed by the hospitality shown by Lord Karishna but hecouldn’t ask his friend for financial support which led him to go home empty-handed. When he arrived at hishome he saw that his run-down hut was converted into a palace and his family was wearing royal attire. Sudamaknew that this was the blessing of his friend Krishna who blessed him with more wealth than he needed orcould ever imagine. This is why Akshaya Tritiya is associated with material gains.

In Hinduism, Akshay Tritiya was the day when Ganesha, the god of wisdom, started writing the epicMahabharata to Ved Vyas’s dictation.

This day is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth Avatar oflord Vishnu. According to Hindu tradition, on this day the Treta Yuga began and the river Ganges, the mostsacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven.

It was on this day that Goddess Annapoorna devi was born. Kubera received his wealth and positionas custodian of wealth and property with Goddess Lakshmi on this day, by praying to Lord Shiva. InMahabharata, Yudhishtira receives the Akshaya patra, which he uses to serve food for all the needy in hiskingdom. Goa and Konkan regions, Akshaya Tritiya is considered one of the most sacred days of the year.In Orissa on Akshay Tritiya farmers start ploughing their land and construction of chariots for Rath Yatrabegins at Jagannath Puri. In Bengal, on the day of the Akshay Tritiya, “HalKhata” - a ceremony to start thenew audit book is performed - with the worship of Ganesha and goddess Lakshmi. This day is most auspiciousday for the Jat farming community. Early morning, a male member of a Jat family goes to the field with a shovel.All the animals and birds encountered on the way to the field are omens and predictions for rains and crops.Followers of the Jain religion consider Akshaya Tritiiya to be a holy and supremely auspicious day. It isassociated with Lord Adinatha, also known as Rishabhadeva, first of the twenty-four Tîrthankaras.

~~☯☯☯

~~“We are fully confident that the BJP-led NDAwill cross this magic number — 272. We expectthat the NDA will get approximately 300 LokSabha seats.” -Rajnath Singh

Kamal Sandesh May 1-15, 2014 5

Edito

rial..

.Time to restore dignity of PrimeMinister, credibility of PMO and

integrity of constitution!

People are coming out of their homes and voting in large numbers. While it is atriumph of democracy where participation of voters has increased heavily , highturnout indicates the yearning for change. People want to see change, they are

now not willing to tolerate the hopeless situation in which they are forced to remainunder the Congress led UPA government. Urban and rural voters, male and female, newvoters and older ones, almost everyone is coming out to exercise their franchise, theirright to elect a government which can take India to new heights. “Abki bar – ModiSarkar” and “Modi aane wala hai” are the songs which have made their place in thehearts of the people. The lyrics of the song “Yeh desh nahi jhukne dunga, yeh desh nahimitne dunga” is instilling new confidence in the younger generation who are nowviewing this election as a fight against corruption, misrule and policy paralysis. Anatmosphere of hope has created new fervor strengthening the spirit of democracy whilekindling new aspirations in the hearts of millions of people.

While nation is busy electing its new government, two books which have hit thestand have shocked the nation. What was hitherto considered political accusationsdespite BJP leaders raising it with all sincerity, have become established facts so far asthe content of these books are concerned. “The Accidental Prime Minister: Making andUnmaking of Manmohan Singh”, a book written by Sanjay Baru, former media advisorof Dr. Manmohan Singh makes startling revelations about the manner in which PMOfunctioned during UPA-I government. In his tell-all memoir of his days in PMO, SanjayBaru confirms the overpowerings control that Sonia Gandhi enjoyed in the PMOthrough one Pulok Chatterjee, who was appointed at her behest and used to brief herdaily and seek her directions in important matters. Baru’s observation that “SoniaGandhi’s renunciation of power was more of a political tactic than a response to ahigher calling” speaks volumes of the double standard that Congress indulges in tocling to the power at any cost. It was an open secret that Prime Minster was in officebut without having any power, even without the power to choose his cabinet or toallocate portfolios. The power vested in Sonia Gandhi who became an extra constitutionalauthority exercising her influence through her handpicked coterie in the PMO and inthe name of National Advisory Council. In fact all these revelations are only confirmationof what has already been in the public domain.

“Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other Truths” authored by former CoalSecretary PC Parakh reinforces the image of Dr. Manmohan Singh as weak PrimeMinister having no authority over his cabinet. Parakh who resigned as Coal Secretaryobserved “By continuing to head a government in which he had little political authority,his image has been seriously dented by 2G scam and coalgate.” These two books whichare in fact memoirs clearly indicate that national interest was at risk while extraconstitutional power centre was ruling the roost. These revelations are serious innature as these are brought into the public domain by the people who were in responsiblepositions and one time confidants of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Thesememoirs are in fact insider accounts of the real situation that prevailed in the PMO.

The country is paying the price of extra constitutional authority controlling the


PMO while reducing thePrime Minister to a merefigurehead. Earlier it was oftencomplained that the ‘diarchy’or “Double Power Centre” waspushing the nation to a regimeof policy paralysis, loot andplunder of public money andunprecedented price rise. Butthis impression now needs tobe corrected, it was not twopower centres but single powercentre which was extra-constitutional and enjoyed byCongress President SoniaGandhi. In fact Dr. ManmohanSingh had no power at all, heexercised no authority. All thepowers were vested in SoniaGandhi who controlled thePMO and rendered theconstitutional office of PrimeMinister ineffective. It was thebiggest fraud committed onthe people who aredetermined to throw theCongress led UPAgovernment out of power.

Time has come to restorethe dignity of the post of PrimeMinister, the credibility ofPMO and integrity ofconstitution. The last decadeof misrule has shown us howthe people are made to pay ifconstitution is underminedand constitutional authoritiesare humiliated. The extraconstitutional authoritycombined with a weak PrimeMinster has played havocwith the country. It cannot beallowed to continue. Peoplehave made up their mind.They are coming out in largenumbers to overthrow thisextra-constitutional authorityestablished through fraud anddeceit. People have expressedtheir mind overwhelmingly in

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the six rounds of elections. This momentum needs to be maintained.BJP Karyakartas have huge responsibilities on their shoulders. Wehave to make this change happen, we have to realize the dream of‘Modi Sarkar’ so that the nation is strengthened and led on the pathof recovery and development. People are giving massive support toShri Narendra Bhai Modi and BJP, we have to keep their hope andenthusiasm alive so that the festival of democracy throws a newgovernment which is capable, strong and determined to write a newsaga of peace, prosperity and progress.


RALLIES IN ASSAM

In Delhi there is Mother & Son and in Assamit is Father & Son : Narendra Modi

security of its people, especially the women, wascondemned by Shri Modi who spoke of howfemales from the North-East had been victims ofheinous crimes in Delhi, and also in their state ofAssam. Shri Modi also stated recent figures whichshowed that Assam had figured in the list of topthree states with the most crimes on women. He

spoke of how theCongress had misledthe Nation by creatinga Nirbhaya Fund of Rs.1000 crore, but has notused a penny out of ittill date.

Stating that theCongress’ only focuswas on divisive anddestructive politics,Shri Modi cited how

the division of Telangana andSeemandhra had only brought furtherruin and misery for the people of thesestates. Referring to a similar step takenby the Assam government, and incontext of the violence witnessed inthe State due to conflicts betweenBodos and non-Bodos, Shri Modi said,“Bodo and non-Bodo people are beingdivided by the Congress only for theirown gains. They should take everyone

together,” said Shri Modi.Shri Modi spoke of how the Assam CM would

spread one lie everyday, and stated how a TVchannel recently had exposed the lack of basicamenities in the region. “News Time Assamactually came to Gujarat to verify the lies your CMsaid and they opened the eyes of the people ofAssam,” said Shri Modi.

He also spoke on other pertinent issues ofinfiltration from the borders, the need to protectnatural resources and the much-required focus onensuring education and skill development to theyouth.

Addressing massive rallies in Barpeta,Mangaldoi and Nagaon in Assam, on 19th

April, Shri Narendra Modi came down heavilyupon the mis-governance of the State and theCentral government, which only believed inspreading lies and misleading the Nation for theirpersonal gains. Shri Modi condemned the divisivepolitics played by them and urged thepeople to elect a government that wouldwork for the development of the State andthe country.

Criticizing the State government forthe lack of development in Assam, inspiteof it being in power for nearly a decade,

Shri Modi spoke of how the ‘Mother-Son’ duo inDelhi and the ‘Father-Son’ duo in Assam had onlybrought ruin to the people who had elected them.The Congress’ blatant lies were exposed by ShriModi who spoke of how the Congress VicePresident was making false claims of givingemployment through NREGA. Shri Modi said thatwhile crores had applied for jobs through NREGA,only few thousands were given jobs. Even inAssam, out of the one lakh families that appliedfor NREGA, only a few thousand people had beenemployed.

The Congress’ apathy towards the safety and


BIHAR

Nation wants to know about RSVPNation wants to know about RSVPNation wants to know about RSVPNation wants to know about RSVPNation wants to know about RSVP(Rahul, Sonia, V(Rahul, Sonia, V(Rahul, Sonia, V(Rahul, Sonia, V(Rahul, Sonia, Vadradradradradra and Priya and Priya and Priya and Priya and Priyanka) modelanka) modelanka) modelanka) modelanka) model

have to look at a strong Government,” said ShriModi.

Shri Modi also criticized the fake alliances inthe State, which were actually created only to defeat

the BJP. “Slowly, we areunderstanding what ishappening behind the sceneshere in Bihar. Some in allianceopenly, some tacitly. Whycouldn’t these parties openly saywe are in alliance to defeat BJP?Behind the scenes, candidates arebeing withdrawn,” said ShriModi.

The significance of all-rounddevelopment of the country,across the borders, was alsoemphasized upon by Shri Modi,who further conveyed the BJP’s

focus on developing every state of the country, beit in the western or eastern province. Affirming theBJP’s commitment towards the development ofAssam, Shri Modi said, “India will becomestronger when our villages are strengthened. Ifone state progresses but the other falls behind, itis not proper.” He also cited the BJP’s focus onensuring employment for the youth.

On 19 April, Shri Narendra Modi addressedrallies in Katihar and Supaul, Bihar, and gave

the clarion call to end the Congress’ misrule. ShriModi also shared his vision for the overall

development of the country, and affirmed thatunder the BJP, equal emphasis would be given tothe growth of villages and cities.

Speaking at the rally, Shri Modi stated that theCongress’ wipe out was definite and the end of themisrule by the ‘Mother-Son duo’ was imminent.“The way India has voted, I can say that the Mother-Son government is sure to be defeated. Now we

On 18th April, Shri Narendra Modiaddressed massive rallies at

Etawah and Kanpur in Uttar Pradeshand affirmed that the time had come tofree the State from the misrule of theSamajwadi Party in State and theCongress at the Centre.

Taking a dig at Samajwadi Partychief Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav, ShriModi said how ‘Netaji’ was unable totake a stand where required. He stated

UTTAR PRADESH

A change in government will change the lives of people


that the SP chief would go ‘mulayam’ (soft) whenrequired to be tough, and vice-versa, and citedhow during the recent riots, ‘Netaji’ had failedmiserably in consoling the kin of those who hadlost their lives.

Giving an example of the misplaced prioritiesof the SP and BSP Shri Modi said, “Some are busyin building Elephant Parks and some are on LionSafari. Sadly, there is no one to worry about thepeople of UP.” He also recalled how UP had askedfor lions from Gujarat, and added that he wouldhave been more happy in giving the cows from Girtoo, so that the suffering cattle-rearers of UP couldbenefit.

Talking further on the misgovernance of theState government, Shri Modi spoke of how, on onehand, sugarcane farmers in the State weredistressed over inadequate payment for theirproduce, and on the other, poor people too had tocarry guns for their safety. “Why are people havingto starve but spend money to buy guns in UP?Why aren’t people protected here. Law & order

must be maintained,” said Shri Modi, as he calledfor the need to tackle the rising crime rate in theState.

Shri Modi also criticized the Congress’inability to empathize with the poor, and said thatfor them ‘poverty’ and the ‘homes of the poor’ wasa source of tourism and an attempt at attention-grabbing. Shri Modi recalled his childhood daysas a tea-seller and affirmed that he very wellunderstood what living in poverty meant. Heassured that working for the poor and marginalizedsections of the society would be a key concern forthe BJP, after it wins.

Citing the recent media reports exposing theIT raids conducted at a meat exporting company,Shri Modi spoke of how reports claimed that thedealings were a big Hawala racket, with theinvolvement of 4 Central government ministersand a leader close to 10 Janpath.

Shri Modi stated that the turnout of people inthe ongoing Elections only affirmed of theCongress’ wipe out after the results.

MADHYA PRADESH

Bless BJP so that BJP can transform IndiaAddressing the ‘Bharat Vijay rallies’ in Betul

and Chhegaon Makhan, Madhya Pradesh,on 18th April, 2014, Shri Narendra Modi affirmedthat the only way to save the Nation from thecorrupt policies of the Congress, was by voting for

the BJP and forming a development-orientedgovernment at the Centre.

Shri Modi appreciated the extensivedevelopment work done by MP Chief Minister ShriShivraj Singh Chouhan and spoke of how the state

was revived from the ruin done during the‘Bantadhaar’ politics by the focused efforts of ShriChouhan, who successfully brought the State outof its tag of ‘bimaru rajya’.

Stating how the Congress’ divisive anddestructive policies had ruined the Nationin the past 60 years, Shri Modi urged thepeople to support the BJP for bettergovernance. He also spoke of how the Nationhad never seen a government as arrogant asthe Congress. Referring to the recentlyreleased book ‘The Accidental PrimeMinister’, Shri Modi stated that the book hadaffirmed that it was the ‘Mother-Son’ duowho took the decisions for the Nation, andnot the Prime Minister.

Shri Modi gave an assurance that theBJP, with its focus on growth and the developmentof all sections of the society, especially themarginalized and oppressed, will undo theCongress’ misdeeds of the past 60 years, in a spanof merely 60 months.


TAMILNADU

This election is for ‘India First’ and to elect adecisive & accountable Govt.

On 17th April, Shri Narendra Modi addressedmassive rallies in Erode, Ramanathapuram

and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, and made astrong pitch in support of the NDA alliance, whichShri Modi said would be ideal for the interests ofTamil Nadu and the youth of the state. Hehighlighted local issues ranging from job creationto improving the local economies and presentedhis vision on how the NDA would solve theseissues.

The lack of development inTamil Nadu, inspite of the vastpotential of its textile industry andfarm products, was hugelycondemned by Shri Modi, who saidthat there was only ‘one Lady’responsible for the mess. Referringto former Environment MinisterJayanthi Natarajan, Shri Modispoke of how this ‘Lady’ had stalledall the infrastructure projects inTamil Nadu, citing the excuses of ‘green projects’.“Crucial infrastructure was delayed, growthstopped and youth lost their jobs. Who isresponsible for this? One lady of Tamil Nadu wasresponsible for delaying lot of infrastructureprojects. This lady of Congress caused huge lossto TN and India. In the name of environment allprojects were stalled and Jayanti Tax was beingimposed. However, this ‘Green’ was not abouttrees but about currency,” said Shri Modi.

Shri Modi also condemned the game of politicsplayed by the DMK and AIADMK, wherein theytook turns to rule the State and simply ruin itsresources rather than working for the progress ofits people. “Till TN is not freed from these 2 mainparties the interest of the people will not be served,”said Shri Modi.

Highlighting the vast potential of Erode’sburgeoning textile industry, Shri Modi stated thatthe city, with its cotton-dyeing, colouring andhandloom sectors, could well become the textileheaven of India, and with the right infrastructure

linkages, could prosper and give employment tomany youth.

Shri Modi appreciated the hard work of farmersof Erode, and acknowledged how this hadcontributed to making their produce preferredacross the country, especially spices like turmeric.

Shri Modi also spoke of how the Centre’sregressive policies had brought the market of thevery popular Sivakasi crackers to a near-end, and

given the crackers from China an opportunity tocapture the local market.

In Kanyakumari, Shri Modi spoke of thetremendous tourism prospects for the region, andstated how a double-line railway betweenKanyakumari and Tamil Nadu could give amassive boost to the influx of tourists. “Scope ofdevelopment in TN is immense. Kanyakumarialone can play such a big role. We can make sucha Kanyakumari that the entire India will comehere. This can be developed into a tourist spot,”said Shri Modi, even as he further added howdeveloping the tourism sector would directly leadto the creation of employment opportunities forscores of people.

Speaking on how unemployment remains abig concern in Tamil Nadu, Shri Modi quotedfigures which proved that the employmentexchange of TN had given opportunities tonegligible number of youth in the past. He citedGujarat’s efforts at empowering the youth throughskill development and employment generation, and


assured that the focus for BJP was on goodgovernance and development, and thereby enablejob creation. “We will reorient the economy in away that job creation will be at the centre. NationalMulti Skill Mission will be created, and Tourismand labour intensive manufacturing will bepromoted,” said Shri Modi.

Affirming that the Elections 2014 were about

‘India First’, Shri Modi spoke of how the Nationwas now looking forward to having a decisiveand accountable government at the Centre.Recalling the close association the land ofKanyakumari shared with Swami Vivekananda,Shri Modi said, “This land has a close relationwith Swami Vivekananda, who dreamt of India’syouth making India a Vishwa Guru.”

CHHATTISGARH

Country is fed up with divisive politics,it wants development & politics which can unite

Addressing a massive gathering at Surguja,Bilaspur and Durg in Chhattisgarh on 20

April, Shri Narendra Modi stronglycondemned the divisive politics of theCongress that had ruined the Nation, andaffirmed that the people were ready tovote them out and bring in a new

government that was stable and strong.Speaking on how the people were tired of the

false promises of the Congress, Shri Modi statedthat this was the most important reason why thepeople had been rejecting them in various states,and in some cases, for more than 2 terms.

Addressing these rallies Shri Narendra Modihighlighted the misgovernance under the Congress

particularly towards the farmers of the country.He remarked that despite the Union Agriculture

Minister hailingf r o mM a h a r a s h t r athe condition ofthe farmers inthat state is verypoor.

Condemningthe CongressP r e s i d e n t ’ srecent statementmade in Amethi,wherein sheurged the

people of Amethi totake care of her son,as he took care of theNation, Shri Modiquestioned that if the‘Son’ was incapableof taking care ofAmethi, how hewould take care ofthe entire Nation.

Shri Modistated how women were witness to heinous crimesacross the Nation, and exposed the false claims ofthe Congress, wherein they made corpus funds forwomen’s welfare but never used them. He alsospoke of recently released figures by the Centralgovernment which stated that out of the first 10states witnessing most number of crimes againstwomen, 7 were Congress ruled, and 3 were


Congress allies.Shri Modi further stated how even the Prime

Minister of the country was unheard in his ownoffice, while the Congress President was the finalauthority in all matters of national importance.This, Shri Modi said, had been clearly stated in therecently released book ‘The Accidental PrimeMinister’.

In Bilaspur, Shri Modi spoke of how the Centralgovernment had stalled many initiatives of the BJP

leaders in the region, since they were unconcernedof the State’s development. Shri Modi also recalledShri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s initiative to formChhattisgarh, and spoke of how Dr. Raman Singhhad taken the State forward in the developmentjourney.

Shri Modi spoke of how the Elections 2014were about the Nation wanting to punish thosewho had ruined the Nation, and electing agovernment that would take the Nation forward.

3rd Round of Bharat Vijay Rallies via 3D technology

For youth, 2014 elections are not about a newgovernment but about their future

already voted and people have voted in largenumbers braving the scorching heat. First timevoters and women voters are showing immenseenthusiasm. All this voting shows Congress’departure is certain. The focus is now on a stronggovernment.”

On theappointmentof CVC, herecalled thatit was Leadero fOppositionin the LokSabha andBJP leaderwho raisedseveral valido b j e c t i o n sbut despitethat the UPAdid not listenand it wasthe Courtsthat finally

had to intervene. “Sonia ji, you have nothing leftto tell the people that is why you are saying allthis,” Shri Modi pointed.

During his speech Shri Modi made a strongappeal to the people of India to bless the NDAwith over 300 seats so that the nation gets a stronggovernment that has the space to clear the deepmess left behind by 10 years of UPA misrule.

Shri Narendra Modi addressed people acrossIndia during the 3rd round of Bharat Vijay

Rallies on 17 April 2014. Lakhs of people across13 states attended the rallies in the various venuesto hear Shri Modi. Appealing to the youth of India,Shri Modi said that the 2014 Lok Sabha elections

are not only about who will form the Governmentbut also about their own future.

He added that even if a week is wasted inthe lives of our youngsters it is considered awaste.

Expressing joy over the high turnout in thevoting held across India so far, Shri Modi stated,“After today’s phase a large section of India has


BJP national president ShriRajnath Singh on 19 April,2014 ruled out the possibility

of a post-poll alliance and exudedconfidence that the NationalDemocratic Alliance (NDA) wouldsecure 300 Lok Sabha seats.

Interacting with media personsahead of an election rally atThanjavur in Tamil Nadu, he said,

“We are fully confident that theBJP-led NDA will cross this magicnumber — 272. We expect that theNDA will get approximately 300 LokSabha seats,” he said.

Asked about the comparisonof development in Tamil Nadu andthe Gujarat, Shri Rajnath said theGujarat development was not amyth because the Rajiv GandhiFoundation headed by Smt. SoniaGandhi appreciated thedevelopments in Gujarat in 2008.

He said the BJP-led NDAalliance had emerged as a majorpolitical force in the state. “In TamilNadu, the political power has beenchanging hands between the DMK

and the AIADMK. Now, the BJP-led NDA with five political partieshas emerged as a major politicalforce in Tamil Nadu. Definitely, thisalliance will provide an alternativeto the people of Tamil Nadu and thealliance will win 20 seats in thestate,” Shri Rajnath Singh said.

He accused both the DMK andthe AIADMK of indulging in

political vendetta. Hesaid both parties werenot concerned aboutthe state’sdevelopment. “Dueto lack ofdevelopment in TamilNadu, unemploymentis very high. There isno room for goodgovernance andd e v e l o p m e n tbecause the DMKand the AIADMKbelieve in vendetta.Until Tamil Nadu isfreed from the

clutches of the DMK and theAIADMK, the people in the statewill continue to suffer,” he said.

On Jayalalithaa’s recentaccusation that the BJP was biasedon the Cauvery issue, he said theissue would be resolved bydialogue between Tamil Nadu andKarnataka.

BJP President said a BJP-ledgovernment at the Centre wouldaddress the Sri Lankan Tamil issue.“The Congress led UPAgovernment lacks diplomatic skillsin handling sensitive issues like theSri Lankan Tamil issue. The BJPbelieves that the provision ofdevolution of power and the

political settlements are crucial forthe bilateral relations between SriLanka and India. The dialoguebetween the Sri Lankan governmentand the Tamil Nadu government isvery crucial for the peace process.The BJP believes that the SriLankan government should createconducive atmosphere forresumption of dialogues and we willwork after coming to power at theCentre,” he said.

Answering a question aboutthe continuing attack on Tamil Nadufishermen by the Sri Lankan Navyhe said, “We are also concernedabout the fishermen in Tamil Nadu.The security and the safety of thefishermen is also a major issue ofconcern for the BJP-led NDA. Wewill definitely discover new methodsto minimize the risks to our fishermencommunity. We have alreadydecided that if the BJP-led NDAcomes to power, we will form anational fishermen commission toresolve the major issues of fishermennot only in Tamil Nadu but in otherStates of the country”.

Calling the UPA an‘Unprogressive Alliance,’ ShriSingh said, “UPA’s government willbe remembered for its misrule. Hefurther said the BJP has announcedShri Narendra Modi as PrimeMinisterial Candidate, but theCongress remains like a Shipwithout captain. Rahul Gandhi ismost a visible face in the campaign.But his unimpressive performancecompelled Congress president Smt.Sonia Gandhi to come forward todefend his son, but despite that theCongress Ship will sink soon” hesaid.

Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

BJP led NDA will secure 300 LokSabha seats : Rajnath Singh


1984 will always go downas the year of bad memories.The massacre of innocent

Sikhs following theassassination of Smt. IndiraGandhi remains a black spot onIndian democracy. The fact thatthe innocents can be killed inthousands is terrible. What isworse is that the guilty wentunpunished.

The collusion of the statewas visible. None of the rioterswere fired upon by the police.They were given a safe passageto loot and kill. For years, theFIRs were not registered. Noarrests were made. The violencewas politically rationalized bythe then Prime Minister Mr. RajivGandhi. Justice RanganathMishra’s Commission,appointed by the Congressgovernment, provided a cover upfor the state sponsored violence.After his retirement, this judgewas rewarded with the RajyaSabha nomination by theCongress Party. It is only theNDA government whoappointed Justice NanavatiCommission of Inquiry whichcame out with the truth. Sincethen investigating agencies havetried to prosecute many of thoseinvolved in the riots.

It is for the investigating andjudicial process to find out thetruth. Why has CaptainAmarinder Singh become the“Devil’s Advocate” and decidedto offer a clean chit to Jagdish

Tytler? Is he trying to prejudgethe guilt of a person who isperceived to be involved in theriots? Is his personal andpolitical relationship moreimportant to the Captain thanthe interest of the victims?Another Misstatement

The Captain has charged mefor appearing for “Dow Jones”against the Bhopal gas victims.

Dow Jones has nothing to dowith either the Union Carbide orBhopal gas tragedy. It is a leadingAmerican financial company.Dow Jones incidentally owns theWall Street Journal. The name ofthe lawyer who appearedagainst Bhopal gas victims isAbhishek Manu Singhvi, who isthe chief spokesperson ofCaptain Amarinder Singh’spolitical party. I have advisedand appeared for thousands ofclients as a part of myprofessional commitment. Ifpersons or a company not

involved in the tragedy, wantedto have the benefit of my advice,it is my professional ethics as alawyer to give them the correctlegal advice. This is what I havedone.India’s VulnerableDefence

As the election campaignproceeds, I have come acrosshundreds of ex-servicemen who

live in every part of the country.They served India through itscrisis. They are patriotic andwelled intention citizens. All ofthem are concerned with theissue of “one rank one pension”which has been a long standingdemand of ex-servicemen.

The BJP has included the“one rank one pension” issue asa part of its manifesto. We arecommitted to implement this.The Congress has beenrepeatedly bluffing the ex-servicemen on this issue. A fewyears ago, the Finance Minister

Captain’s defence of Jagdish Tytler –The Devil’s Advocate

By Arun Jaitley

The collusion of the state was visible. None of the rioters werefired upon by the police. They were given a safe passage toloot and kill. For years, the FIRs were not registered. Noarrests were made. The violence was politically rationalized bythe then Prime Minister Mr. Rajiv Gandhi. Justice RanganathMishra’s Commission, appointed by the Congress government,provided a cover up for the state sponsored violence. After hisretirement, this judge was rewarded with the Rajya Sabhanomination by the Congress Party. It is only the NDAgovernment who appointed Justice Nanavati Commission ofInquiry which came out with the truth.


announced, in the course of hisbudget speech, that this demandhad been accepted. Subsequently,we found out that the acceptancewas only in respect to a veryminiscule category and not all ex-servicemen. This year again, in thebudget speech, the FinanceMinister announced theacceptance of this demand.However, again the ex-servicemenhave been bluffed. No notificationhas been issued to giveenforcement effect to this demand.

What is of equal concern is alsothe lack of India’s defencepreparedness. Our defenceprocurement has hugely suffered.The Raksha Mantri A.K.Antony’sfailure to take decisions is primarilyresponsible for this. Today thegeostrategic realities of India’shave changed. A Pakistan - Chinamilitary axis has come in toexistence. China’s increasedassertiveness and Pakistan’sunpredictability in borderrelations calls for India never tolower its guard. However,modernization of defenceequipment is woefully lacking.Obsolete technologies have to bereplaced with the state of the arttechnologies. The gap betweenIndia’s military superiority overPakistan has somewhat narroweddown. No country with 15000 kmsof international border can affordto rely on obsolete technologies. Therecent tragedies involving Indiansubmarine flags the issue ofobsolete Naval fleet. WhereasChina continues to strengthen itsborder infrastructure, we haveneglected ours.

As a “nation first” party, theBJP is committed to be firm ondefence preparedness.

(The write is Leader ofOpposition, Rajya Sabha)

Opinion polls show NDA will win275 seats

NDTV’s opinion polls, ‘The Final Word’, claim that NDAwill win 275 seats, crossing the half-way mark of 272with a comfortable majority. BJP’s share of the tally is

expected to be 226 seats with the rest coming in from allies —old and new — such as Telugu Desam Party.

The UPA is supposed to lose out badly with just 111 seatsfor the coalition and a mere 92 for Congress, probably its worstperformance.

Almost all the opinion surveys so far have come up withsimilar results in favour of NDA, but the last two by CNN-IBNand NDTV have been rather categorical in announcing BJP asthe clear winner while polling is still on.

The prediction of a BJP victory is based on the assumptionthat it will do exceedingly well in the Hindi heartland. Forinstance, the channel has claimed that BJP will win 51 out of thetotal 80 seats in UP, and along with its allies it will bag 24 outof the 40 seats in Bihar.

NDA’s gains in the second most electorally important stateof Maharashtra would also be substantial: 37 out of the 48 seats,according to the channel’s pollsters.

BJP is expected to sweep Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. But the surprise victories arepredicted from Odisha, Seemandhra region of Andhra Pradesh,Telangana and a considerable share of seats in Karnataka.

The pollsters have projected a tally of 15 out of 25Seemandhra seats, three out of 17 in Telangana and seven outof 21 in Odisha for BJP and its allies. They claim the party willwin about 12 seats in Karnataka.


Uttar Pradesh ChiefMinister AkhileshYadav has been quick

to come to the defence of his mostvoluble and controversialMinister, Mohammed AzamKhan. A contender with theShahi Imam of Delhi’s JamaMasjid for leadership of theMuslim community of the State,Mr Khan claimed that it were theMuslim soldiers of the IndianArmy who captured the Kargilheights to drive out Pakistaniinfiltrators in 1999, and not theHindu soldiers.

Mr Khan also demandedthat more Muslims should berecruited in the Army. Theobvious shadow of communaldivide introduced into the ArmedForces by such talk naturallyraised an outcry across thecountry. The ElectionCommission has now taken noteof Mr Khan’s remarks.But is MrKhan an odd man out in thiscircus? On the contrary, he has afair amount of competition in thearena, which is now chargedwith election fever. In this period,every party is competing to proveits ‘secular’ credentials.

Whether it is Congresspresident Sonia Gandhi courtingthe Shahi Imam in Delhi orTrinamool Congress chiefMamata Banerjee pandering to

Muslims in West Bengal or rivalRJD and JD(U) leaders, LaluPrasad and Nitish Kumarrespectively, competing forMuslim votes in Bihar, nearly allpolitical parties are seeking todividing the electorate oncommunal lines. Ironically, thisdivisive politics is played in thename of ‘secularism’.

In fact, the regional partiesare lesser sinners in this sordidgame. The ball was set rolling bythe Congress a long time ago. TheRajiv Gandhi Government’s

decision to overturn the SupremeCourt judgement in the ShahBano case in 1986 stoked theflames of communal politics inthe country.

More recently, PrimeMinister Manmohan Singh’sinfamous statement thatMuslims have the first claim onnational resources — obviouslya crude and unabashed attemptto reclaim the minority vote-bankfor his party — was in line withthe trend set by Rajiv Gandhi.

The Congress has lost itselectoral sheen, thanks tomassive corruption, inflationand the manner in which it hascompromised the security of thecountry and demeaned the officeof the Prime Minister.No wonderthe electorate is disenchantedwith the Congress andCongressmen can read thewriting on the wall. To make upfor the loss of public support,they are falling back on their oldwar cry: “Secularism is indanger”.

The entire politicalestablishment wears the lapel of‘secularism’. Its daily discoursein this election campaign hasrevolved around the communaltouchstone. The ‘secular’campaign starts with thedubbing of whatever the BJP orits leader Narendra Modi says,

Whether it is Congresspresident Sonia Gandhicourting the Shahi Imam inDelhi or Trinamool Congresschief Mamata Banerjeepandering to Muslims inWest Bengal or rival RJD andJD(U) leaders, Lalu Prasadand Nitish Kumarrespectively, competing forMuslim votes in Bihar, nearlyall political parties areseeking to dividing theelectorate on communallines. Ironically, this divisivepolitics is played in thename of ‘secularism’.

The shining knights ofsecularism on the prowl

By Balbir Punj

Faced with the possibility of having less than 100 seats in the Lok Sabha,its worst tally since Independence, the Congress is presenting itself as asaviour of the minorities. But Muslims have spurned the helping hand

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in communal-secular terms.Even a cursory look at the

reports from Varanasi revealshow the anti-BJP forces from theCongress, the Bahujan SamajParty and the Samajwadi Partyview everything from this angle.Phrases like ‘polarisation of theelectorate’ have become the dailychant of the anti-BJP campmembers.

They ask: Why is Mr Modicontesting from Varanasi? Theyanswer: It is to polarise voters.Why is the BJP giving so muchimportance to Varanasi? It is topolarise Hindu votes. It goes onlike this, with our ‘secular’politicians seeing communalismat every step.

Equally unfortunate is theinability of senior leaders of allparties to keep the electionrhetoric within bounds. TheBJP’s Murli Manohar Joshiperhaps spoke for many evenoutside his party when heappealed that “all senior leadersshould show restraint whilespeaking in public and choosetheir words carefully”. ElectionCommission member HCBrahma has called the 2014campaign the “worst” in the past30 years that he has beenconducting elections, as aGovernment officer at variousplaces and now as a regulator.The exercise of choosing a leadercan never be a one-horse race ifit is to be meaningful.

Also the task of governing,after the noise has settled andthe grind of fulfilling thepromises has begun, requires ahigh degree of accommodationbetween the different politicalparties who will adorn thebenches in the two Houses ofParliament.

When the Rajiv GandhiGovernment found itself unableto run Parliament, despite itstwo-thirds majority in the LokSabha, it was a warning formany future Governments. PrimeMinister PV Narasimha Rao, onthe other hand, was able to steerthe Government for a full five-year term even though he headeda minority dispensation.

The Congress-led UPA

regime had a wider mandatewhen it came back to power in2009 with more than 200 seatsin the Lok Sabha, as comparedto its smaller strength in 2004.Yet it could not achieveconsensus in its second term likeit had done the first time. For allpolitical parties, these arepointers on how to run aGovernment irrespective of themajority or minority numbers.

As some analysts havepointed out, the UPA2’s failurewas largely due to the regimelosing its moral authority — bothwithin and outside Parliament.The same could have also beensaid about Rajiv Gandhi’sGovernment before and after theBofors scandal.For PrimeMinister Singh, otherwise a

much-respected economist, themoral authority was lost withina year of re-election after the 2Gscam broke. Despite being awareof the controversy around themis-allocation of 2G spectrumlicences by the DMK’s A Raja,Mr Singh did not put his footdown.

Had the Prime Ministertaken the lead and removed ARaja from Government as soonas he found about themanipulation, without waitingfor the Comptroller and Auditor-General’s report, UPA2 mayhave managed a consensus inthe Lok Sabha and retained itscredibility outside Parliament.

There is no need to go to thepre-poll opinion surveys to getthe feel of Congress’s absoluteinability to inspire the people’sconfidence in its governancerecord. It is because of thiscountrywide loss of credibilitythat the Congress, which haswon large majorities in the last65 years, will, in a best casescenario, sit in Lok Sabha withjust around 100 MPs.

No wonder, the panic in theparty is showing in the languageof its leaders who are pushingthe single-point agenda ofsecularism. The other day, aMuslim cleric said it well whenhe listed hundreds of riots thathave taken place under theCongress’s rule over the decades,including the demolition ofhouses of worship. He also listedthe promises to his communitythat the party had made but notfulfilled. The loss of credibilityfor the Congress is across theboard. Even the community itclaims it wants to save isrejecting its hand of help.

(The writer is BJP Nationalvice-President)

Had the Prime Minister takenthe lead and removed A Rajafrom Government as soon as

he found about themanipulation, without waiting

for the Comptroller andAuditor-General’s report,

UPA2 may have managed aconsensus in the Lok Sabha

and retained its credibilityoutside Parliament.


If the findings of opinion pollshold true on counting day,India would at long last be

free of not only the Congress butalso its hand maidens

Opinion polls may not be anaccurate means of estimatingexactly how many seats eachpolitical party will get in anelection, that too a generalelection spread over more than amonth, but they can be useful ingauging the popular mood. Thefindings of the latest round ofopinion polls, conducted bydiverse agencies for variousclients, confirm what has longceased to be a debatable point inthis summer’s election:

Narendra Modi is leadingthe race, with others trailing waybehind, and could push the BJP’stally to well above the much-talked about figure of 220. True,between the first phase of pollingon Monday and the last phasein mid-May much could change— the imponderable is known tohave happened in the past, mostnotably in 2004 when despiteopinion polls predicting a hugevictory for the NDA led by AtalBihari Vajpayee, the BJP lostpower to the Congress. A decadelater, the reverse should happen.

Such is the intensity of thesurge of support for the BJP’sPrime Ministerial candidateNarendra Modi that it would notbe an overstatement to suggestthat what was a NaMo wave hasturned into a tsunami — thesocial media refers to thisamazing phenomenon as‘TsuNaMo’ — that threatens to

demolish and drown thoseopposing the chaiwallah fromGujarat. This could well turn outto be true and we could yetwitness a re-run of the 1977‘lamp post’ election whenvirtually everybody contestingon a Janata Party ticket won thepolls, riding the crest of amassive anti-Congress, anti-Indira Gandhi wave. This time,they would coast to victory ridingthe crest of the Modi wave.

Those who have spent thepast decade berating, defamingand slandering Modi in the hopeof containing the rise of apolitician and the emergence ofa leader the like of whom Indiahas never seen, are nowstruggling desperately to clutchat any straw that may comefloating their way. This is nolonger a battle to stop Modi’smarch to Delhi; for them it’s abattle of survival. If the DelhiDurbar, which kept them inclover, falls, they will be leftwithout a lifeline. The worst fearof the pink champagne Delhielite, the pseudo-Leftcommentariat and the fakeliberal intelligentsia of not onlybeing shown up asinconsequential but gettingkicked out of the free-loaders’banquet hall known as Lutyens’sDelhi, is rapidly, inexorably,coming true. This is a nightmarebeyond their wildestimagination.

The calculation of theCongress and harlots on itspayroll, many of themmasquerading as ‘journalists’

Those who have spent thepast decade berating,

defaming and slanderingModi in the hope of

containing the rise of apolitician and the

emergence of a leader thelike of whom India has

never seen, are nowstruggling desperately toclutch at any straw thatmay come floating theirway. This is no longer a

battle to stop Modi’smarch to Delhi; for themit’s a battle of survival. Ifthe Delhi Durbar, which

kept them in clover, falls,they will be left without alifeline. The worst fear ofthe pink champagne Delhi

elite, the pseudo-Leftcommentariat and the fakeliberal intelligentsia of notonly being shown up as

inconsequential butgetting kicked out of thefree-loaders’ banquet hallknown as Lutyens’s Delhi,

is rapidly, inexorably,coming true. This is a

nightmare beyond theirwildest imagination.

Modi wave turning into a ‘TsuNaMo’By Kanchan Gupta

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and ‘editors’ of 24x7 newschannels, others pretending tobe ‘thinkers’ at think-tanks andat least one claiming to be“India’s most well-knownhistorian”, all of them opedistswho firmly believed their bunkwould mould mass opinion, has

gone horribly wrong. They hadcalculated that this electionwould be a referendum on‘secularism’, they had banked ondefeating Modi by portrayinghim as a threat to what theyflaunt as their ‘idea of India’, theyhad hoped time-worn clichéswould sufficiently motivatevoters to keep a corrupt Congressin power in order to keep acommunal BJP out of power.Clearly they horriblymiscalculated. The deeply-flawed strategy of turning the2014 general election into aschool auditorium debate on thevirtues of Nehruvian secularismhas left the Congress stillstruggling to get off the startingline with Modi sprinting tovictory and preparing to mountthe victory stand.

Common sense wouldsuggest that even at this stagethe Congress and its handmaidens would re-strategise and

formulate new tactics, if not totrip Modi but to at least stop himfrom grabbing all the medals.Strangely, that has nothappened. Instead, what we arewitnessing is a reinvigoratedattempt to push the secular-communal debate to the

centrestage of the campaign. Notunexpectedly, nobody isimpressed: This election is notabout judging who is moresecular and who is morecommunal, but who can deliverjobs and ensure there’s food onthe table.

It’s the economy, stupid, saysthe writing on the wall. Whatthe Congress reads is best leftunstated.

And so we have the sorryspectacle of Sonia Gandhimeeting the Shahi Imam ofDelhi’s Jama Masjid, known asa land-grabber, a hafta-collectorand a racketeer in theclaustrophobic confines of OldDelhi beyond whose walls thepeddler of Muslim votes neitherwields influence nor commandsfear. Even around Jama Masjidthere are few who would haveflattering words for him. TheShahi Imam has obliged SoniaGandhi by appealing to Muslims

Among the millions who will be voting for the first time thissummer are Muslim youth whose aspirations are the sameas those of Hindu, Christian and Sikh youth — they wanta better life, they want a better India. In a sense, if Modidoes succeed in sweeping the polls, which is now seen asa foregone conclusion, he would have also redefined the‘idea of India’ — a country that now values development,growth and prosperity over bogus socialism andfraudulent secularism.

that they should avoid “splittingthe secular vote”, which is atonce laughable andcondemnable. Laughablebecause it is an absurdity tosuggest that Muslim votes aloneare ‘secular’ and condemnablebecause faith and politics

invariably produce atoxic cocktail.

Not that SoniaGandhi, the Shahi Imamand the tired, rag-tagarmy of secularism’sfoot soldiers are alone inmaking a last ditchattempt to stall thestorming of the gate. TheEconomist has weirdlysought to influenceIndian voting as hasThe Guardian, raising asnigger or two among

the voting classes. Theircollective appeal is to exercisethe veto and not the vote as Indiagoes to polls. It is unlikely thatmuch will come out of thisappeal: India’s Muslims are nolonger a community nursingimaginary grievances or piningfor the Mughal era. Among themillions who will be voting forthe first time this summer areMuslim youth whose aspirationsare the same as those of Hindu,Christian and Sikh youth — theywant a better life, they want abetter India.

In a sense, if Modi doessucceed in sweeping the polls,which is now seen as a foregoneconclusion, he would have alsoredefined the ‘idea of India’ — acountry that now valuesdevelopment, growth andprosperity over bogus socialismand fraudulent secularism.

(The writer is BJP NationalExecutive Member)


On March 26, the SupremeCourt rejected the UnionGovernment’s plea to

recall the court’s order to set upa Special Investigation Team,headed by its two former judges,to monitor investigations relatingto black money and the flight ofunaccounted amounts to foreignbanks.

The court also slammedsuccessive Governments at theCentre for “doing nothing tobring back the black moneystashed away in tax havensabroad”. Indeed, it was onlyafter six decades ofindependence, that at least onecitizen came forward, in 2011,and complained that the Indianeconomy was being destroyeddue to black money park in taxhavens abroad.

The court said: “There willbe a body (SIT) because you havefailed. Were you not awarewhere the black money isdeposited? You know it verywell… Even if you have takensteps, this court being the highestcourt and the constitutionalcourt can pass such an order”.

The Government has anumber of agencies to deal withthe problem of black money, likethe Directorate General ofEconomic Enforcement, theDirectorate of RevenueIntelligence and the office of theChief Commissioner of IncomeTax and even the Central Bureauof Investigations. But they are allparts of the larger Governmentmachinery, and most of themcannot act on their own.

For instance, the CBI has totake permission from the UnionGovernment before starting aninquiry against officers of thelevel of Joint Secretary and above.In 2013, the Union Cabinet haspassed a resolution extendingthis shield to retired officials fromthe above ranks as well.

Politicians often think thatthe people are fools and theelectorate does not see throughtheir empty promises. Oneexample of this is theannouncement by the Congressthat it will appoint a specialenvoy to track black money. Butthe Congress-led Government atthe Centre has done little withthe information it receivedregarding people who havestashed black money abroad.This is despite the fact that it haspeople from the Revenue andIntelligence services postedabroad in important IndianEmbassies. Surely, they are doingsome work.

Apart from black moneyhidden in foreign shores, there

is also black money floatingaround inside the country. It iscommonly known that almostnothing moves in theGovernment before the palms ofbureaucrats are greased at alllevels. This brings us to thequestion: What is the point ofwasting time in requesting othercountries to cooperate with Indiaon the black money issue whenwe will do so little to resolve theissue at home?

Take, for instance, propertytransactions. Having taken aGovernment loan of Rs80,000 in1977 and another of Rs40,000from an IAS/IPS cooperativesociety, I built a house inBangalore. I wanted to sell itbefore retirement, as I was keenon settling down in either Punjabor Delhi. When I received an offerof Rs1.40 crore, I promptlyagreed to the sale. But the buyersaid he would pay one crore incash and only Rs40 lakh bycheque. Without a secondthought, I rejected the deal andsaid that I would take everythingby cheque and pay all taxes.

He was surprised and triedto persuade me to change mymind, but I was clear that I wouldnot touch black money andensure that every tax penny goesinto the Government treasury.When he persisted, I shared withhim an Urdu proverb: “Kya isumar hum khaak mussalmanhonge!” (I cannot convert to someother ideology or religion at thisage). Eventually, I had to waitfor two years before I sold thehouse to a nationalised bank for

Fight Black Money at home and abroadBy Joginder Singh

There is talk aboutbringing back Indian

funds illegally stashed inforeign banks. But whatabout the dirty money

floating inside the localeconomy, particularly in

sectors such as realestate?

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Rs73 lakh which was half themarket price — and I still had topay taxes on the transaction.Such stories are the norm in thereal estate world.

The Government has tocreate an atmosphere in thecountry wherein there is no needto bribe others to get legitimatework done. Passing new lawshere is not the solution as they

only create new bottlenecks andclog the process of business.

Also, the Government has tobe willing to investigate its ownbureaucrats, as the lattergenerate much black money fromtheir corrupt practices. When Ijoined the Indian Police Service,I used to walk to my policestation in Mysore, as even at thelevel of Assistant Superintendentof Police Probationer, my salarywas not enough even topurchase a bicycle.

I had to hire my first cyclefor Rs10 per month, and eventhat was difficult to maintain asmy salary was only Rs350 permonth. Later, I purchased a cyclefor which I had to make a Rs50down-payment and paid the restwith Rs15 over 10 months.Today, even Class Fouremployees believe that it isbeneath their dignity to walk towork or travel by publictransport.

Recently, I asked abusinessman why he generatesblack money and does not paytaxes. He told me that he needsto pay bribes to get his workdone, and nobody accepts bribesin cheque! There are several suchexamples across the country. Nowonder, corruption in India hasbecome a major issue thatadversely affects the economy.

Another source of corruptionin India are the Government’sentitlement programmes and

Another source of corruption in India are the Government’sentitlement programmes and social welfare schemes suchas the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural EmploymentGuarantee Scheme and the National Rural Health Mission.Here too, excessive regulation, complicated taxes andlicensing systems, numerous Government departmentswhich function in an opaque manner and enjoy widediscretionary powers, end up in complicating the situation.

social welfare schemes such asthe Mahatma Gandhi NationalRural Employment GuaranteeScheme and the National RuralHealth Mission. Here too,excessive regulation,complicated taxes and licensingsystems, numerous Governmentdepartments which function inan opaque manner and enjoywide discretionary powers, endup in complicating the situation.

Occasionally, after proddingby the apex court, theGovernment gives theimpression that it is tackling theproblem.But the matter isforgotten till the next date ofhearing. The Government mustremember that good governancecannot be imported from outside.It has to take up cudgels onbehalf of the people and ensurethe effective delivery ofservices.

(The writer is former CBI Director)

40 nations of the World prefer "Modi for PM"OFBJP claimed that not only citizens of India but citizens of Indian

origin in 40 nations of the world prefer "Modi 4 PM".OFBJP Convenor Shri Vijay Jolly stated NRIs (Non Resident

Indians) settled in USA, UK, France, Japan, Germany, Israel, Italy, China,Canada, Mexico, Russia, Guyana, Bahamas, Surinam, Trinidad Tobago,Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Norway, Demark, Sweden, Finland,Switzerland , Iceland, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Armenia, Taiwan, Poland,Portugal, Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand,Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau, Nepal, Mauritius, Sri Lanka,Bhutan, Mauritius, Turkey, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain,Qatar, Reunion Islands, Madagaskar, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana,Tanzania, Uganda etc. have pledged their support to " BJP & MODI "in Indian parliamentary polls. Their first choice is Modi 4 PM. It is widelybelieved that opposition in India led by BJP shall sweep the Indian polls.OFBJP unit members are actively engaged in contacting registered voters,family members & friends in India thru direct cash calling cards, emails,text messages, internet, facebook, google hang outs, run for unity, chaipe charcha from all over the globe. The recent successfully organizedprograms were organized in Canada, New Zealand, US & Nigeria statedOFBJP Convenor Vijay Jolly.


Rahul Gandhi’s accusationagainst GujaratGovernment for doling out

vast tracts of land at Rs 1 is adeliberate attempt to defame GujaratGovt. and Modi. This showsexasperation of the Congress.

Rahul Gandhi should do hishomework proper before pointingfingers at others. The fact of thematter is that some industries weregiven land at Rs. 1 during Congresssupported regime of Shri ShankarSingh Vaghela and not by the BJPGovt.

Modi is raising vital issues likeinflation, corruption andunemployment. Congress has noanswers to these important issues.Therefore, Congress is making falseand baseless allegations with theintention to confuse the voters.

Before leveling baselesscharges Rahul Gandhi shouldanswer following 3 questions :

He should tell the nation as tohow much land has been given tohis brother-in-law and under whatprice formula?

He should also clarify as tohow the land was allotted in thevicinity of the Rashtrapati Bhawanto one of the companies related tohis brother-in-law?

Rahul Gandhi should alsoanswer as to how the Coal Blocksand 2G Spectrum licenses wereallotted to the Congressmen andineligible companies?

All the state Governments allotland to the industries at aconcessional rate as a state policyto increase production andemployment. Till it is implementedin transparent manner nobody has

It was full of hypocrisy. Shetalked about giving power to thepeople but has deprived the PM ofhis powers, which stands exposedby two recent books written by theformer aides of the PM, ManmohanSingh.

She charged others of beingdivisive and communal but the trackrecord shows that the Congress isthe most communal and divisiveparty.

3. Congress should answerthe questions raised by former CoalSecretary, P.C. Parakh regarding thecoal block allotment through hisbook. BJP’s stand is vindicated bythis first person account as to howthe Congress manipulated theprocess of coal block allocation andrejected a proposal of competitivebidding.

It is established that the coalblock allocation was non-transparent and due diligence wasnot followed deliberately to benefithand-picked congressmen andothers.

17billion tonnes of coalreserves worth 50 lakh crore weredistributed on platter to 140 privatecompanies. The CBI investigationwas launched by the CVC on thebasis of complaint of 2 BJP MPs.Government tried to influence theinvestigation and indulged into amassive cover up of the scam.

Rahul should do hishomework properly : Javadekar

The relevant questionswhich need to be answered bythe govt. are as follows :

• Whether it is not true thatthere was a quid-pro-quoarrangement through whichthe decision was arrived atoutside the government andconveyed to the PMO?

• Why comparative appraisalwas not carried out of all theapplications?

• Why the reasons ofallotment to a particularparty and reasons forrejecting other applicationswere not recorded?

• Why PM did not overrule theobjections by his ministersfor the competitive bidding?

• How relevant files wentmissing?

• Why government did notacted against the officersfrom the Coal Ministry andthe PMO, who tried toinfluence the CBI report?

a point to object. The present GujaratGovernment has implemented itsindustrial policy in a transparentmanner.

2. Smt. Sonia Gandhi’s appealon television yesterday was afarewell speech of an exhaustedCongress. It was clear display of aneffort to create a fear psychosisamongst the voters about the BJPand Sh Modi. It also connotes ashift of campaign leadership fromRahul Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi anda tacit admission that Rahul has notclicked.


On April 12 BJPN a t i o n a lSpokesperson Smt.

Nirmala Sitharaman reactingon former media advisor ofPrime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh ShriSanjay Baru‘s book on UPA-IIsaid “Today marks the end ofthe 4th phase of the electionsto the 16th Lok Sabha. Steadilywith each phase of the electiongetting completed, the turnoutat the polling boothsreinforces the prevailingpublic perception that thepeople of India are coming outfor a change in government.In addition people of Indiahave started viewing the BJPled NDA which now has 25political parties all standingfor a Congress MuktaBharat.”

“The BJP came up with amanifesto 2014 which placedimportance for jobs and jobcreation. It marked issueswhich need urgent andimmediate attention to restorethe confidence in the IndianEconomy and to reduce theburden on the shoulders of theIndian citizen. Shri Modi hashighlighted periodically onthe three ‘D’s – DemographicDividend, Democracy andDemand. For example he hasemphasized on Congress’poverty tourism as opposedto BJP’s idea of promotetourism to remove poverty.Fine tuning this idea to suit

region the 2T idea wasemphasized inDarjeeling – Tea &Tourism. The BJP is alsotalking of building 100urban centres buildingon the satellite town &twin cities. There andmany more. Thus the BJPis speaking of providinga positive andcontractive alternative.’

She added,“Whereas, the rulingCongress party as Indiareaches mid-stream inthis polling season israttled. It stands exposedwith no answers to anyof the question beingraised by the BJP. Hencethey have resortedpersonalised attack onShri Narendra Modiwhere no issue exists.”

She drew theattention of the Congressparty to introspect onthese issues. She said“They need to answer thepeople of India on theirfailures in the pastdecade. The questionsraised on failure tocontrol prices, providejobs, manage theeconomy etc. Aconstrictive and issuebased political discourseis the need of the hour.People of India needanswer from theCongress.”

People need answer fromCongress : Nirmala Sitharaman

She said “With this background evenas the election is on going, a book writtenby Shri Sanjay Baru has raised importantissues. All of these need answers; answersparticularly from Smt. Sonia Gandhi. SmtSitharaman raised 5 questions :• Where cabinet files shared with Smt.

Sonia Gandhi as is mentioned in thebook?

• Was any deal on Siachen finalised bySmt. Sonia Gandhi, along with Gen. J.J.Singh?

• For the PM to answer : Did the PM refuseto take daily briefings from theIntelligence agencies, the first PM to doso, if at all. Did this not have a bearingon our security situation.

• Did the PM forfeit his prerogative to decideon who would be in his cabinet. Was the‘2G frame’ A. Raja appointed at the behestof Smt. Sonia Gandhi?

• Did the PM knowingly overlookcorruption by his colleagues as alleged inthe book. 2G, CWG and Coalgatehappened because of this?

BJP seeks reply from Congress on issues raised in Baru's book


If you win, you will inherit a sickly economy. Anew government will have short-termpressures to lift investor mood and medium-term pressure to lift actual investment. Whatare your plans for these most critical areas?

I agree that the new government will inherit aneconomy in a very bad shape. I do not knowwhether it was by design that the UPAgovernment has left the economy in a shapethat is worse than ever before. Probably, it isthe Congress’ way of making it difficult forsuccessor governments to work. The NDAgovernment had demitted office in 2004 leavingthe GDP growth rate in excess of 8.5%. Indiawas poised to attain double digit growth rateand the economy looked in great shape withinflation being under control. UPA hasmismanaged the economy.

When UPA is going out of power, the GDP growthrate has gone down to 4.5%, inflation is at anall-time high and the mood is of pessimism.

As far as perception-related issues are concerned,thankfully we have our track record to fallback upon. Therefore, it would be much easierto handle perception-related issues. We will

have to immediately get on the job and comeout of the present state of policy paralysis andlack of decision-making.

We are very clear that we want a government thatdoes not shy away from taking decisions. Wewould like a stable policy framework andwhatever incentives and tax structures arethere should be made known to investorsupfront. There should be credibility, clarityand continuity in both policy formulation andits implementation.

You are perceived to be investor-friendly.However, your party is opposed to big reformssuch as FDI in multi-brand retail. Don’t youthink this will depress foreign investorsentiments? What happens to companies likeTesco, whose JV with the Tatas has alreadybeen approved by the Centre?

While we have expressed our reservations on FDIin multi-brand retail, our party manifesto isvery clear that we welcome FDI in all sectors.Wherever we think that FDI can help ingenerating jobs for the youth and growth inemployment, we will encourage the same. Asregards individual cases, any decision will

I believe in delegation, decentralizationand empowerment : Narendra Modi

As the largest democracyof the world votes to elect itsnew government, people areeager to know the policiesand programmes of BJP.Recently representatives ofEconomic Times have talkedto BJP Prime Ministerialcandidate Shri NarendraModi on a range of issues,from political to economic.Emphasizing a stable policyframework he said thatcredibility, clarity and continuity is required as the economy has dipped further underCongress led UPA government and a mood of pessimism prevails in the country. He said thathe believes in Team work and the concept of delegation, decentralization and empowerment.Excerpts:

Interview


depend upon the merits of the case as revealedby its details. However, we are equallycommitted to take care of investor sentimentsand to ensure that we do not send any messageof uncertainty and lack of continuity indecision-making process which is likely toadversely impact the confidence of investorsin general and foreign investors in particular.

You have said you don’t believe in 100 daysperformance targets. But first perceptions areimportant. How do you plan to make yourfirst perception?

I don’t think with my own track record of morethan 12 years as the chief minister of a strongand vibrant state and the track record of thesix years of NDA rule, I am under much of apressure of perception management.

Central policy has many stakeholders and vestedinterests. What are your plans to tackle this,do you have any fundamental reform inmind? You have said there has to be a TeamIndia, one office can’t run the country — howwill you create that Team India?

I think the Team India is already there. As a chiefminister, I have experienced first hand theproblems that the state governments face vis-a-vis the Centre. I fully understand theexpectations of the state governments. Thus, Iam better placed to work closely with the chiefministers.I also believe in delegation, decentralisationand empowerment. We should work with theprinciple that a work that can be done at alower level should never be escalated to ahigher level.

On land issues, the Centre has much less freedom— will you make a special effort to clear upthe land for industry? If so, how?

As of now, it is the states who are taking the leadin implementation of projects and bringingabout growth and development. The Centre inthe last 10 years has only ended up delayingprojects on one or the other pretext. Apart froman all-pervasive policy paralysis coupled witha lack of decision-making ability, it has alsobeen large-scale corruption in the guise ofenvironment protection which has beenresponsible for project delays. If the Centre

can become a facilitator, then a healthycompetition between the states is going to takecare of issues related to project implementation.Regarding the issue of land for industry, weare very clear that a win-win solution ispossible and industrial investment need notcome at the cost of sacrificing the interest offarmers. Right now we are having a situationwherein due to procedural delays the farmersare not getting adequate and timelycompensation and the projects are also nottaking off in time, leading to project delaysand cost overruns.So it is a lose-lose situation today. This is dueto the Congress party’s belief in symbolismand lip service to the interest of farmers. We will move towards the system of speedyand more transparent process where the firstpriority will be to give adequate compensationto the farmers to their satisfaction andprotecting the interest of the farmers. At thesame time, there will be equal emphasis ontime-bound project implementation.I seriously think that in the end the additionalamount paid to the farmers on enhancedcompensation will be less than the moneysaved by timely implementation of projects.

Relations between BJP and Congress havenosedived, but won’t you need Congress toget Parliament to support policy-making? Doyou plan to reach out if and when you are inpower?

I do not think it is a correct assessment that therelations between BJP and Congress havenosedived. It is natural during elections forpitched battles to be fought. In the last 10 years,the BJP has supported several initiatives of theCongress; be it the Food Security Bill or theLand Acquisition Bill, Lokpal Bill, Telanganaetc. Today, all mature politicians understandthe importance of working together on issuesof vital national importance.

We hear that if you win you plan to run a smallergovernment. If that’s true, how small willyour government be... Do you have a financeminister on mind?

I think these questions are premature. It would beappropriate that we wait till 16th May before


getting into these discussions. How will a Modi government be different from

earlier ones? How will your cabinet bedifferent? Will you go for a government oftechnocrats?

Again, let’s wait till 16th May.We also hear you want the Centre to focus only

on areas listed out in the central list, whileleaving the states to work on the states list.Will you please elaborate?

I have been a firm believer in the federal structureof our country as enshrined in the Constitution.

While any BJP-led government will never doanything to trample upon the authority of thestates, we would also not shy away from ourresponsibility to play a role in coordinatingthe efforts of the states wherever needed.

Cabinet ministers frequently underperform andPMs frequently look helpless when theyunderperform. Will you set targets forministers, set goals and hold ministersaccountable?

As I have said, I believe in team work and collectiveresponsibility. I believe that all the members ofa team should be given specific responsibilitiesand empowered to discharge thoseresponsibilities.

Needless to say, accountability has to be there inany such arrangement and it also includesme. When we work as a team, every memberincluding the captain has to be accountable tothe team. Further, in democracy ultimateaccountability is to the people.

You have had difficult relationships with othercountries after 2002, especially with the US.Will you travel to the US ever?

These are all figments of the imagination of certainpeople. I have always had the best relationswith various countries. In fact, more than 100countries participated in the last VibrantGujarat Investors Summit-2013. In any case, Iam clear that issues between countries are fartoo important to be even remotely influencedby individuals or events.

How many seats will BJP win this poll as peryour assessment?

This is an unprecedented election we are seeing.

In every way this election is going to be difficultto predict even for psephologists. However, Ihave travelled the length and breadth of thecountry and the tremendous groundswell ofsupport that I have seen makes me confidentabout a few things. Firstly, this election we are going to see thehighest turnout and the largest participationof young voters.Secondly, the sentiment against the Congressparty is very strong. The Congress party is notonly staring at a certain defeat, but also goingto fall to its lowest tally in independent India’selectoral history. I would not be surprised ifthe Congress fails to attain double digit scorein any state and almost certainly it is not goingto reach the triple figure mark nationally. Thirdly, this is the first election in which anti-incumbency feeling is present along withoverwhelming positive vote for change. Thus,I see the BJP and the NDA both achieving theirbest performances ever. Now, it is almostcertain that the pre-poll alliance of NDA willget a clear majority.

What is Narendra Modi the person like? Whatmotivates him, what does he dislike? Whatdoes he want to be remembered for?

You can call me a workaholic. It is most oftenworking and the possibility of positivelyimpacting the lives of millions which motivatesme. I am stickler for punctuality and discipline.Therefore, at times I don’t like it when myschedules get delayed.It is probably too early in the day for me to bethinking about what I would like to beremembered for.

You have been critical in your speeches aboutManmohan Singh.. Is there anything that youwould give him credit for?

I would certainly give Dr Manmohan Singh a lotof credit for the work he did as finance ministerin the Narasimha Rao government. Even asprime minister, he may have been able to dosome good work had he been given theauthority and independence to function.That, however, is in the realm of history now.I certainly respect him as an individual.

(Courtesy : Economic Times)


The nine phases vote- thelongest election in thecountry’s history- in 16th

Lok Sabha election began on 7th

April 2014 and will conclude on12 may. In this 2014 generalelection, the electoral populationis 81.45 crores, the largestin the world. There is anincrease of 10 croresnewly eligible voters. Thisalso will be the longestand the most expensivegeneral election in thehistory of the countrywith the ElectionCommission of Indiaestimating that theelection will cost theexchequer INR 35 billion,excluding the expensesincurred for security andindividual politicalparties.

The first five phasesof polling in the lok Sabhasaw a significant rise invoter turnout.

According to finalfigures released by the ElectionCommission (EC) on April 16,there was an 8 percentage pointincrease in turnout in the 111constituencies that went to pollson April 7, 9, 10 and 12,compared to turnout at the sameconstituencies in the 2009general elections.

While the total aggregateturnout for these constituenciesin the ongoing polls was 68.29%,the figure stood at 60.39% for thesame set of constituencies in2009. Turnout in 11 of the 13states and union territories

where polling is complete sawan increase from 2009. Theseinclude Goa, Delhi, Haryana,Kerala and Chandigarh.

Goa, Tripura andChandigarh have registered theirhighest turnout ever. The only

two states where the polling iscomplete but which registered alower turnout are Meghalayaand Sikkim.

Political analysts say thehigh turnout could be because ofyoung voters—52% of the 814million-strong electorate is 18-to-40 years old.

According to ECNortheastern states, includingArunachal Pradesh, Meghalayaand Sikkim, as well as Goa,Chandigarh and Lakshadweepsaw more women vote than men.

The first four phases also

saw an increase of 28.81% in thetotal absolute numbers of voters.

The highest increase inturnout was for Goa at 76.83%, ajump of more than 20 percentagepoints from the last generalelection. The state registered

turnouts of 58.77% in 2004 and55.28% in 2009.

Delhi, whose voters are oftenportrayed as apolitical andapathetic to elections, registereda turnout of 65.09% as opposedto the 51.85% in the 2009 LokSabha elections and a dismal47.09% in 2004. In Haryana too,the final turnout was 71.86% incomparison to 67.49% and65.72% in 2009 and 2004 LokSabha elections.

India’s total voter turnoutwas under 60% in the past twogeneral elections—58.19% in

People come out in large numbersto elect new Government

Five phases out of nine phases General elections completed


2009 and 58.07% in 2004.The 5th Phase was biggest of

the nine-phased Lok Sabha pollswas held in 12 states covered 121constituencies. While there wasnearly 79 per cent polling inrural districts of West Bengal,around 65 per cent polling wasrecorded in Karnataka. The IThub Bangalore saw just above50 per cent polling. TheKarnataka capital didn’t evenhave bad weather conditions,pointing to voter apathy in thecity’s four seats.

An estimated 65 per cent ofthe 4.62 crore voters in Karnatakaexercised their franchise onApril 17 for 28 Lok Sabha seatsin the single-phase polls. Nearly79 per cent votes were cast at theclose of polling in the first of thefive-phase Lok Sabha electionsin West Bengal, whichdetermined the electoral fate of47 candidates. The 19constituencies in Maharashtrawhere polling was held on April17 in the second phase of LokSabha elections in the staterecorded an average 61.7 per centturnout.Around 62 per cent ofthe electorate voted in the secondphase of polling in six Lok Sabhaseats in Uttar Pradesh. 54 percent votes were cast in sevenparliamentary seats in Bihar.Amaximum 54 per cent voting wasrecorded in Buxar andJehanabad Lok Sabha seats.Around 62 per cent of theelectorate voted in the secondphase of polling in six Lok Sabhaseats in Jharkhand amid Maoistviolence that left five persons,including 4 CRPF men, injured.Around 65 per cent voter turnoutwas recorded in three Naxal-hitLok Sabha constituencies ofChhattisgarh where Maoists

Why the rush on Lokpalappointments, asks BJP

The BJP has launched a scathing attack on the UnitedProgressive Alliance government’s attempt to appoint the firstLokpal, calling it a violation of the Election Commission’s ModelCode of Conduct. Meanwhile the party had also written to theElection Commission asking that the process be halted. Shri R.Ramakrishna, National Convener, BJP Election Cell, wrote to theEC , asking Election Commissioner V. Sampath to put on holdall major appointments until a new government was formed.

In a letter Shri Ramakrishna maintained that governmentwas trying to hurry major appointments during the electionsand cited the case of the new Naval chief’s appointment. “Welearn that something similar is cooking in respect of the Armychief, where the present incumbent is due to superannuate inJuly, 2014. We also hear that there is some hurried activity inhastening the selection process of the Lokpal. It may be recalledthe process of selection got aborted by the exit of the eminentjurists and as such the whole selection process currently standsvitiated. These are not desirable trends in a healthy democracy,”Shri Ramakrishna said.

The EC on Sunday could not confirm receipt of the letter andhad no decision to announce. Prime Minister Manmohan Singhhad written to members of the Selection Committee on April 11,asking if they were available to meet in the last week of April.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri ArunJaitley asked if it was proper for the UPA “on the eve of itsdeparture” to rush through the appointment of the Lokpal.

targeted a polling team but therewas no casualty. An estimated70 per cent voters exercised theirfranchise for the simultaneoussecond and last phase of theelections to 11 Lok Sabha and 77assembly constituencies inOdisha on April 17. A moderate54.41 per cent polling wasrecorded in Madhya Pradesh forten Lok Sabha seats amid rains,intense heat conditions and pollboycott in some villages. Firstphase of polling in 20 Lok Sabha

constituencies in Rajasthanended with 63 per cent voterturnout. In Manipur Innerconstituency, the turnout was animpressive 80 per cent and it waslikely to go up further.

Udhampur Lok Sabhaconstituency in Jammu andKashmir recorded over 69 percent polling

The elections will see theremaining voting take place on24 April, 30 April, 7 May and 12May.

~~~~~~~☯☯☯~~~~~~~


Andhra Pradesh

Modi wave marks end ofCongress era : Venkaiah Naidu

Owing to the stronger wave in favour of BJPand Prime Ministerial candidate ShriNarendra Modi the “Congress era” will

soon come to an end, said former BJP NationalPresident Shri M Venkaiah Naidu whileinteracting with media persons in Hyderabad.

“The only way forbetter future of thecountry is BJP comingback to power and ShriNarendra Modibecoming PrimeMinister. Because, wehave got the credibility,we have got the abilityand we could provide

the stability. That’s why this confidence amongthe people.

“The Congress era is coming to an end. Thedynasty is over. It is good news for the country.The BJP era will start and Shri Narendra Modi’sera also is beginning,” he said.

Hitting out at Congress vice-president RahulGandhi for reportedly promising to provide roofsto all, Shri Naidu said, “Who prevented you fromgiving roof in 50 years, who prevented you fromgiving security, food security, women’s reservation,bringing down prices, bringing back black money,to stop suicides of farmers, not giving employmentin 50 years? What are your answers? He asked.”

He said the allegation by Congress that BJPwas spending Rs 10,000 crores on elections isabsurd as the expenditure made by the party isknown to Election Commission. “Congress shouldnot spread canards. The affairs of BJP remainedtransparent,” he said.

The allegation made by Congress that BJP hadtried to scuttle the Telangana bill in Parliament isnothing but a lie, Shri Naidu said. “Right fromSonia Gandhi to Jairam Ramesh, they are tellinglies. BJP support only enabled Telangana bill to bepassed in Parliament. The delay has to beexplained by Congress and TRS, which was apartner with Congress,” he added.

Chhattisgarh

Rahul’s vision limited to‘balloons and toffees’ : Raman Singh

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi’svision is “limited to balloons and toffees”and his only USP in politics is that he

‘belongs to the Gandhi family’, says Chhattisgarh’sChief Minister Dr. Raman Singh.

Referringto Congress’poor results inthe stateswhere Rahulhad led thep a r t y ’ sAssembly pollcampaigns, hes a i d ,“Congress ’sdebacle inrecent Assembly polls (in Chhattisgarh, MadhyaPradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi) has proved that heis very immature when it comes to politics.

In an email interview he said, “His only USPis that he belongs to the Gandhi family”. He saidthat Congress would not be able to cross double-digit figure in the Lok Sabha elections even if itdeclared Rahul to be its prime ministerial candidate.

Asked which was the best development modelout of the ones being followed in Gujarat, Bihar,Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Dr. Singh saidno fixed model could work for the people of thecountry.”For a complex and diverse country likeours, there can’t be a fixed model. Any model whichadds to the all-round development of a state isgood,” Dr. Singh said, adding that he was readyto implement the successful schemes andprogrammes of other states in Chhattisgarh.

“Other states, too, are emulatingChhattisgarh’s food security model. Our soleobjective is to see Chhattisgarh among the top threedeveloped states of the country,” he said. On theremarks of Congress General Secretary DigvijaySingh, he said “Digvijay Singh was a leader withtremendous potential, but alas, he has reducedhimself to such a stage that even in his own party,his remarks are not taken seriously,” he said.

State ReportsState ReportsState ReportsState ReportsState ReportsFrom Our CorrespondentsFrom Our CorrespondentsFrom Our CorrespondentsFrom Our CorrespondentsFrom Our Correspondents


When Gurudev formedhis forest university,he called it the Yoga-

Vedanta Forest University. Hewanted both Yoga and Vedantato be taught—Vedanta primarilybeing the philosophy, Yogaprimarily being the practice.However, in his teachings,Gurudev concentrated primarilyon practice or doing. Indeed,he didn’t have too muchpatience with those whospent too much time onphilosophy; sometimes hereferred to them as dry-Vedantins.

So too with us. Theimportant thing is topractice, not spend toomuch time on philosophy.And yet Gurudev did call itYoga-Vedanta, becausethere is also an importancein developing ourunderstanding, even if itseems somewhat esotericand unnecessary comparedto our normal practices.Because the truth is, unlesswe develop some understandingof what we’re seeking, even if wediscover it, we won’t likely beable to recognise it.

Therefore, every morningwhen he comes here, while PujyaSwami Chidanandaji alwaysends up by telling us to do somepractical Yoga, he always beginsby offering worshipful homageto the Supreme Reality. In otherwords, he lifts our minds up toThat which is beyond our minds.And frequently in offeringworshipful homage he describes

the Supreme as unknowable andunthinkable. Therefore, our firstunderstanding must be thatwhat we are is, in the finalanalysis, unknowable,ungraspable to the mind.

What is it then that we canknow about God? Brahman isdescribed as Existence-Consciousness-Bliss. God we

cannot know, but we can beaware of our existence. We knowthat we exist, or we say “I am.”And Swamiji has told us thatthere is no harm in “I am.” Holdon to your existence. It is onlyafter “I am” that we get intotrouble. The problem is when weidentify with lower forms andforget our sense of pure existence.

This unfortunately is ourplight. We who are ultimatelyunknowable, we who can knowourselves as Existence-Consciousness-Bliss, have lost

ourselves in identification witha body and mind. What is thepurpose of understanding this?It is to recognise that the purposeof all our spiritual practices is tolead us back to that sense ofexistence, that sense of pure “Iam” or the conscious presence.

Therefore, we should askourselves the question, “When I

am repeating God’s name,am I getting that sense ofPure Existence?” Weprobably are, but it is notrecognised, and so we justrepeat God’s namemechanically withoutrecognising that its purposeis to lead us back to our senseof existence.

This is the purpose ofall our spiritual practices.When we’re studyingVedanta, it isn’t just to addmore information to ourbrain, but rather to recognisethe pure existence that it istrying to show us. RamanaMaharshi said that theenquiry of Who am I? is a

direct route back to our sense ofexistence, our sense of “I am.”

Therefore, while bothGurudev and Swamiji want usto concentrate on doing, on ourpractices, it is important torecognise what their purpose is,which is to lead us back to oursense of existence, our sense of“I am.” And it is from that pointthat we can ultimately recogniseour true source, which is beyondwords, beyond thoughts, but isthe Reality.

Courtesy : Divine Life Society

Golden Words from Adhyatama

The Importance of UnderstandingBy Sri Swami Atmaswarupananda

contents180.179.170.84/images/kamal_sandesh/ks_may_01_2014_e.pdf · his image has been seriously...

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