BJP

Too little and too late, quips BJP

megha — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:30:38 +0530

Dubbing the resignation of Home Minister Shivraj Patil as "too little too late", the BJP which had been gunning for him over a spate of terror attacks in the country, said on Sunday that the whole government had "failed" and should quit.

"It is too little and too late, the resignation of one minister can't be enough. The present circumstances is due to the failure of the whole government," BJP chief Rajnath Singh, who is in Rajasthan, said.

This seems "another unsuccessful tactic" of the government to cool down public sentiments against the government, Singh said reacting to Patil's resignation from cabinet.

The BJP also termed the whole Mumbai incident as a "collective culpable negligence" and demanded that the government should resign.

"It is a collective culpable negligence of the government. The responsibility should also be collective and no government has the right to survive after this," party spokesperson Rajeev Prataap Rudy told PTI.

The resignation also vindicates the BJP charges that the UPA government has been dysfunctional, he claimed.

BJP senior leader and party MP Ravishankar Prasad said, "It is a belated attempt to shield the heat against the UPA government."

It is evident in the light of the preparation by the terrorists preceding the attacks that the government was "callously negligent", he added.

Patil, who had offered to step down in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Saturday night, sent his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday morning.

BJP, Congress slug it out in Delhi

megha — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 10:48:14 +0530

Exuding confidence that the party will come to power in the national capital after a ten-year gap, the BJP said people will root out the Congress government for "failing" to tackle terrorism.

Malhotra, who cast his vote at St Columba's School in Gole Market, said that the people were angry with the Congress government for failing to handle the terrorism issue and "will express their anger in today's voting".

"The government has totally failed to combat terrorism which has made the country a soft target. Terrorists can strike at will at any place. People are angry with the government," Malhotra, who was accompanied by Vijay Jolly, party candidate for New Delhi seat, said.

"Besides, the Congress government has failed on all fronts and surely people want a change. BJP is sure of returning to power in Delhi," the BJP leader said. He blamed the Congress for "politicising" the issue of terrorism.

"Not the BJP but Congress is playing politics on the issue," Malhotra said when asked whether the saffron party was using the recent terror attacks in Mumbai during the polls.

"But, the Mumbai issue is surely going to help the BJP as people will come out in large numbers to vote against the government," Malhotra claimed.

Justifying BJP's advertisement in Saturday's papers that bears a veiled reference to the Mumbai terror strikes, the leader said, "There is nothing wrong in that."

The voting process at Gole Market that began at 8 am also saw some arguments between police and media personnel after the latter was subjected to frisking while entering the polling booth. Later, DCP Anand Mohan asked the police officer involved in the incident to file a report to the election officials on the matter.

Reigning CM Sheila Dikshit too enthused confidence that Delhiites will give Congress a record third consecutive term in power as she exercised her franchise during the polling for the Delhi Assembly elections.

Dikshit also said that the Mumbai terror attacks is not likely to have any impact on Delhi voters and asked not to politicise the issue.

She drove to the polling booth at Nirman Bhavan around 9.30 am and cast her vote. Flashing a "V" sign, she said, "Obviously people will vote for the Congress which has provided better infrastructure and development to the city."

On BJP raising the issue of Mumbai attacks, Dikshit said, "I think people of Delhi like those in other parts, including Mumbai, know how it happened. We have to defend our sovereignty.

"Look at the number of people who died. Our heart goes out for them. This is not a political matter. Don't trivialise and politicise the issue," she said.

As battle with terror rages, Cong-BJP slanging match begins

wali — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:23:01 +0530

Even before the gunbattle with terrorists in Mumbai could end, a slanging match on Friday began between ruling Congress and opposition BJP on the issue of handling of internal security and dealing with terrorists.

BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani accused the intelligence agencies of failing to get a whiff of Mumbai terror attacks, alleging their preoccupation with "Hindu terror" - an apparent reference to Malegaon blast probe – helped the terrorist plot go undetected.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, BJP's anti-terror mascot, sought to upstage Congress by visiting the three Mumbai spots where the operations against terror were on and was promptly branded as a "publicity monger" by the ruling party.

Congress also raked up the Kandahar hijack episode during the BJP rule and alleged release of terrorists in return for safe release of passengers onboard had "brought India to its knees".

It also sought to puncture Narendra Modi's anti-terror plank alleging he had failed to provide manpower for a centrally-funded coastal policing scheme.

AICC spokesman Manish Tewari accused Advani, who is also the Leader of the Opposition, of failing to accompany Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Mumbai, which would have sent a strong signal of a united India against terrorism.

"Advani preferred to go to Mumbai along with Jaswant Singh whose conduct at Kandahar is possibly responsible for what we are facing today", said Tewari at the party briefing.

In a statement, Advani accused the UPA of not being serious about tackling terror. "The government's non-serious approach is reinforced by reports that the Mumbai attackers arrived in the city by the sea route."

BJP moves EC over fuel price cut announcement

tejas — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:59:41 +0530

Angered by Centre's announcement on reduction of petrol prices, the BJP on Wednesday moved the Election Commission demanding action against the Congress and the UPA government for violation of the model code of conduct.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora's statement on reduction of petrol prices after assembly polls amounts to a clear violation of the model code of conduct, BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters in the capital.

A BJP delegation led by Naqvi submitted a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalswami demanding action against the Congress and the UPA government.

Besides Naqvi, BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Balbir Punj were part the delegation.

Deora had earlier said the Government will cut petrol and diesel prices after December 24 when the Assembly elections are over.

Delhi dilemma: Which way will voters swing?

tejas — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:56:39 +0530

The Indian capital, home to 16 million people, is all set to vote in the assembly polls on Saturday. But even as analysts say that genuine issues - namely, development, price rise and terrorism - are on the poll agenda this time, voters don't seem to have made up their minds yet.

In almost all political meetings addressed by both the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) across the city, candidates and their respective political bosses inevitably raise these three issues, also striking a chord with voters.

"This time around where the stakes are high for both parties, they have raised real issues that affect people. The BJP is harping on the failure of the Congress to keep a check on inflation and the mounting terror strikes while the latter is playing its trump card on its developmental record," political analyst G V L Narasimha Rao, who predicts it will be a tight contest, told IANS.

Around 10.7 million people are eligible to cast their votes for elections to the 70-member Delhi assembly. Campaigning will end on Thursday.

Voters have been turning up in huge numbers to attend the numerous political rallies, but many are yet to make up their mind about which party would be best suited to tackle these issues when voted to power.

For many families who live above the bread line in the city, price blips have hurt.

"Even in winter when the prices of vegetables are supposed to be cheap, there is no respite. Everything has become expensive and this has made me worried," says Rajan, 28, who makes a living by selling snacks and tea in a makeshift shelter outside the Holy Family Hospital.

"Political parties have been making promises as always but nobody does anything for the poor. This time I will think hard before casting my vote."

Middle class families feel political parties have raised the best possible issues concerning their lives, but they too seem confused about whom to vote for as nothing changes with a change in government.

"Both the BJP and the Congress promise to fulfil the dream of a good and secure life and they campaign to woo voters accordingly. For me, the issue of security arising out of terrorism and inflation are important questions. But will these dreams ever be translated into action?" queries Mohammed Tariq, 30, a journalist.

Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, while kicking off her first rally in the city over the weekend in northwest Delhi's Mongolpuri, focused precisely on these issues.

"Terrorists have no religion and their only motive is to spread terror and fear in society. Terrorism should not be associated with any religion or community, but some political parties do it as a part of their divisive politics," she said.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikhit, also of the Congress, asked people to vote for her party because of the development works carried out in her two terms and held out the promise of making the capital a "world class" city in her next tenure.

The BJP, on its part, has used every trick in the book - from releasing huge ads in newspapers and local movie channels on the cable network, billboards and FM radio stations - to project itself as the only alternative.

"Terrorism and inflation figure prominently in our campaigns as on both counts the Congress has failed miserably. We will usher in a model for governance where people are safe and secure," said the BJP's chief ministerial candidate V K Malhotra.

BJP, Left condemn Centre's fuel price cut announcement

sitansu — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:00:06 +0530

Both the BJP and the Left parties took exception to Centre's announcement of cut in prices of petroleum products after the Assembly elections, with the BJP threatening to go to the Election Commission for violation of model code of conduct.

"This is a violation of the model code of conduct aimed at wooing the voters ahead of the assembly elections in many states," senior BJP leader and party's Chief Ministerial candidate in Delhi V K Malhotra said.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora earlier said the government will cut petrol and diesel prices after December 24 when the Assembly elections are over.

"The international prices have fallen and there is an expectation that prices need to be reduced. I am also of the opinion that they should be reduced and that will happen after December 24," Deora said.

Asked whether BJP will approach the Election Commission on the issue, Malhotra said the party will file a complaint with the Commission.

"The announcement will certainly benefit the ruling coalition at the Centre and we will file a complaint with the Election Commission," Malhotra said.

However, Malhotra maintained that people in Delhi are fed up with the Congress' "misrule" and stressed that his party will bounce back to power this time after sitting in the opposition for ten years.

"I am confident of getting two-third majority in Delhi as people are fed up with the misrule of the corrupt Congress government," he added.

The BJP on Tuesday termed the Centre's announcement to reduce petrol and diesel prices after the Assembly polls as an attempt to woo voters and said it will take up this "violation of model code of conduct" with the Election Commission.

"This is a violation of the model code of conduct aimed at wooing the voters ahead of the assembly elections in many states," senior BJP leader and party's Chief Ministerial candidate in Delhi V K Malhotra said.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora earlier said the government will cut petrol and diesel prices after December 24 when the Assembly elections are over.

"The international prices have fallen and there is an expectation that prices need to be reduced. I am also of the opinion that they should be reduced and that will happen after December 24," Deora said.

Asked whether BJP will approach the Election Commission on the issue, Malhotra said the party will file a complaint with the Commission.

"The announcement will certainly benefit the ruling coalition at the Centre and we will file a complaint with the Election Commission," Malhotra said.

However, Malhotra maintained that people in Delhi are fed up with the Congress' "misrule" and stressed that his party will bounce back to power this time after sitting in the opposition for ten years.

"I am confident of getting two-third majority in Delhi as people are fed up with the misrule of the corrupt Congress government," he added.

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Govt set to cut petrol, diesel prices

With many players, Madhya Pradesh set for photo-finish

tejas — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:23:38 +0530

The stage is set for the crucial assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress for the first time facing a stiff challenge from various political forces in a state where politics has always been bi-polar.

Polling will be held on November 27 to pick a new 230-member State Assembly with as many as 3,179 candidates fighting it out. There are 35,705,136 eligible voters who can exercise their franchise at 46,812 polling stations.

Besides the two traditional rivals, the BJP and the Congress, in fray this time are three major players - Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Uma Bharti's Bharatiya Jan Shakti (BJS) Party and Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party (SP) - putting up a spirited fight, to the chagrin of the chief opponents.

All these parties will in varying degrees eat into the votes of the BJP and the Congress. Mayawati has put up candidates in all the constituencies, Uma Bharati in 215 and SP in 186 - not to speak of the unprecedented number of 1,374 independent candidates, many of whom are also rebels from the BJP and the Congress.

Leaders of the BJP and the Congress admit they are worried about these players and believe that Uma Bharati, who stewarded the 2003 BJP victory, would be a spoiler for the latter, while Mayawati and SP would have their nuisance value for the Congress.

BSP won two seats in the 2003 elections out of the 157 it contested and the SP nine out of 161 it fought, but both in varying degrees cut into the Congress votes in over 90 constituencies.

While the SP and the BJS are thriving on backward castes, the BSP has a Dalit base to bank upon and all the three parties have tactically fielded their candidates keeping in mind the caste factor.

Going by the candidate list of both main rivals, none has abstained from fielding candidates with charges of corruption.

If the BJP has given tickets to all the 12 ministers facing corruption charges, the Congress has put its stakes on those considered to be tainted during 10 years of its rule from 1993 to 2003.

But, both have been careful not to field any strong candidate against the stalwarts of its rival party, while there are few women candidates of those from minority communities.

The Congress tried to please all its factions in ticket distribution, while the BJP took the risk of fielding new faces and denying tickets to more than four dozen sitting legislators. This led some of them to joining Uma Bharati's Party.

Similar has been the case with the Congress with many of its leaders crossing over to other parties. Most astonishing was the switch over of Congress spokesman Mukesh Nayak to the BJS.

The campaign has largely remained focussed on the ruling BJP making claims to good development work and the Congress disputing it with allegations of corruption against Shivraj Singh Chouhan's government.

The chief campaigners of the Congress included bigwigs Digvijay Singh, Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Suresh Pachauri who criss-crossed their respective regions. The BJP banked largely on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who addressed more than 200 public meetings and emerged the main campaigner.

In absence of any palpable wave either in favour or against any party, the campaign has remained sluggish and the candidates spent more time on door-to-door canvassing, telling the electors what their respective parties would do if voted to power.

Among the few populist measures, the BJP promised the people food grains at subsidised rate of Rs 3 per kg, farm loans at low interest rate of 3 percent and uninterrupted power supply if it is re-elected.

The Congress, besides telling the electorate about "the prevailing corruption in the present government", promised a bonanza to farmers and poor people like interest free farm loans and free electricity, among other things.

Jolly seeks Dikshit's vote, blessings

tejas — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:31:09 +0530

In an unique election stunt, BJP candidate Vijay Jolly on Tuesday went to the residence of his electoral rival Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit here to seek her vote.

Jolly, the BJP candidate for New Delhi constituency, drove to Dikshit's 3-Motilal Nehru Place residence on Tuesday morning along with his wife and two children to seek her "blessings".

"I have come here to seek the blessings of Sheilaji and also to request for her vote as she is a voter of this constituency," he told reporters as he posed with Dikshit for the shutterbugs.

Jolly said he was thankful to the Chief Minister for sparing her time for him though she was busy with campaigning for Congress candidates for the November 29 Delhi Assembly elections.

"I believe in the politics of affection and respect. Being younger to her, it is my right to seek her blessings for my success," said the one-time sitting MLA from Saket constituency, who has shifted this time to the newly created New Delhi Assembly seat.

During his meeting, Jolly claimed, he also took up the grievances of common people living in the constituency like lack of potable water in New Delhi, traffic problem and increasing prices of essential commodities.

"I am happy that she took notice of that. This is the healthy form of democracy as opposition is having a dialogue with the ruling party," he said.

"I have been a hardcore critic of hers both inside and outside during the last ten years and I am confident to give her a strong fight in this elections," Jolly added.

Water, farmers' issues on top of voters' minds

tejas — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:56:51 +0530

For voters in this part of Rajasthan, it is water and farmers' issues which seem to be on the top of their minds as they ponder over whom to elect in the December 4 assembly polls.

A severe shortage of drinking water and the Vasundhara Raje government's handling of the farmers' agitation for water seem to be influencing the electorate in the assembly segments of Dantaramgarh and Sikar.

The CPI(M), which only has one representative in the assembly, hopes to strike a chord with the voters, raising the issue of development and the difficulties faced by farmers.

The party's candidate from the Dantaramgarh constituency of the Shekahwati belt, Amraram, hopes to woo voters with the promise of development.

"The Raje's administration killed 100 farmers by allowing the police to fire to contain the farmers' uprising," he alleged, adding "We are the only party which represent farmers and workers of the state. It is time for change," Amraram, the only MLA representing his party in the current assembly, said during one of his campaign speeches.

Making a pitch to voters, the party is telling the voters that it had "ensured that Raje's government rolled back many of its anti-people decisions".

CPI(M) contestant from the Sikar constituency Abdul Qayyum said, "We ensured that nobody has to work overtime under the NREGA scheme. We also ensured that the government pays the minimum wage of Rs 100 to everyone."

In this semi-arid district and Jhunjhunu, there are six pending irrigation canal projects and 11 drinking water supply lines. The major sewage line project is also pending.

"The result is that more than 1,000 hectares of farming land receives inadequate water with much difficulty. Owing to the fact that there is no separate sewage line, our irrigation water is contaminated with sewage.

The sand ensures that sewage also seeps into the water table below the ground, which we drink," said Ramesh Shekhawat, a farmer.

Some voters like 62-year-old Ramni Devi, a resident of Chakmithai village, told PTI, that she and her son had approached the village headman complaining about the lack of water when their crop got destroyed during September this year.

"However, we were advised to contain our emotions and the sarpanch cited the example of four farmers being shot dead during the same month for taking more water for irrigation. We do not want to live in a regime of fear," she said.

Three-time sitting MLA from the Sikar constituency Narayan Singh Chaudhary of the Congress also blamed the Vasundhara Raje administration for the pending projects in the area.

"I had brought it several times to the Chief Minister's notice and that of the state irrigation minister but every time they gave me a false assurance that the issue will be resolved. This is nothing but politics by Raje," he said. For the BJP, it is a tough fight in this region, which has been a Congress stronghold.

The saffron party's contestant from Dantaramgarh Pushpa Kanwar is a first timer. Her husband had lost when he fought in the last assembly polls.

BJP's state spokesman B K Lakhawat said that the party was highlighting development issues because that was the "reality" in the state.

"In the Shekawati belt, new roads are being constructed, renovation of school buildings done and the work on new irrigation channels have been initiated. Voters know what is good for them."

The Lotus hopes to bloom in the desert on the strength of "development and progress", Lakhawat said.

Advani best for BJP but not for country: Govindacharya

tejas — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:54:13 +0530

L K Advani was chosen as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial nominee because of a lack of talent in the party, says former BJP general secretary K N Govindacharya.

He says Advani is not the "natural leader" of the Hindutva movement and blamed former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the "economic mess" today.

"The choice of Advani is the best available for the party, but not necessarily for the country. The reservoir from which to pick up is so poor that he emerges as the best," Govindacharya, once a blue-eyed boy of Advani, said during the course of an interview.

He had quit the BJP in 2000 to go on study leave and recently re-entered politics by accepting to become the sarvesarva (overall in charge) of Uma Bharati's Bharatiya Jan Shakti (BJS) party on the eve of the Madhya Pradesh elections.

Advani was "not the natural leader of the Hindutva movement", said Govindacharya, adding: "He became the wrong leader of the right movement. His convictions and moorings are different. 'Bharat' for him starts with the Constituent Assembly debates. He was influenced by the concept of nation states of Europe and the West, and not by the concept of geo-culture."

The biggest dilemma of the BJP today, Govindacharya elaborated, was that Advani wanted to move in one direction, adopt a different line and cut away from the past, but was not able to do so because he needed the Sangh Parivar.

"If he had had the courage, he could have split the party and stuck to his line, come what may. At the time of the Jinnah controversy, I had sent him a message - have the courage to follow your convictions and take the issue to the people," said Govindacharya referring to Advani's controversial endorsement of the secularism of Mohammed Ali Jinnah during his 2005 visit to Pakistan.

Announcing his return to active politics last week, Govindacharya had said he intended to forge a new political platform which is "pro-Bharat" and "pro-poor" and try to bring ideology and idealism back into political functioning.

Vajpayee "irrelevant"

Govindacharya hit out at the Gen X leaders in the BJP and said that "pragmatism and careerism" characterised them. "As far as ideology and idealism are concerned, these will not just be put on the backburner (by them), they will be nowhere. (Under them), it will not be politics of conviction but of convenience. And it will be a no-holds-barred battle between them, each using their unique weapon to fight."

He described Vajpayee as "irrelevant" today.

"He did what he could to retain power at any cost. Barring Pokhran, what more can be attributed to him? In that (Pokhran) he picked up courage; otherwise be it Kargil or any other thing, he did not act. He opened the floodgates for foreign investment. He is equally responsible for the economic mess we see today - the rise of unemployment, disparities and a consumerist culture," Govindacharya said, without mincing his words.

He continues to be a swayamsevak (worker) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Asked if he had the Sangh's blessings in what he was doing, Govindacharya replied: "I don't know. I haven't asked. But I have always kept them informed about what I am doing."

Govindacharya said he saw no difference between the Congress and the BJP. "I call the Congress the tiranga party and the BJP doranga Congress. That is why they favour bipolar polity, so that they can rule by turn."

When it came to power in 1998, the BJP had aroused hopes that it could deliver, he said. But it had traversed the same road as the Congress. This has led to "a deep sense of disappointment" in the country and to "failing systems and a failing state". If the situation was not addressed, "we will see anarchy grow".

"That, I feel, is the BJP's biggest negative contribution which it does not understand. It is not just about the internal damage to the party."

Playing with fire

He did not see the BJP coming to power in 2009. "Today the Congress and the BJP between them have 282 seats (in the Lok Sabha). It will come down to 250. The government (in 2009) will be more unstable, opportunistic and corrupt. We will see a difference between the pre-poll alliances and the post-poll alliances, with bids being made by parties and individuals."

Asked if the BJS could join hands with the BJP again, Govindacharya said: "That does not seem likely. Dekha jayega (We'll see). Values and issues would be a deciding factor. They will not listen to us about values and issues. How pro-poor will they be on, say, land rights for tribals. Agar aajayenge bhi, tho bahut kashta denge (Even if we join hands, we will give them pain)."

Speaking of the probe into the September 29 Malegaon blasts pointing to the involvement of Sangh leaders, Govindacharya said: "There is no question of the Sangh being involved. It is a bit like America making a case for attack on Iraq by talking repeatedly about it having weapons of mass destruction. They never found the weapons but they captured the country. We are playing with fire, at the cost of national solidarity."

Govindacharya said he agreed with BJP president Rajnath Singh when he had said that a Hindu could not be a terrorist.

"A white crow or a black swan - this itself is contradictory. The issue is entirely different. As a society, it (the Hindus) acts in self-defence. The total society is pitted against an intolerant faith, and it does not know how to tackle it. That is the crisis today. The state does not come to its rescue, it is into petty politics. The proselytizing religions are a danger to the (Hindu) cultural identity. Minorityism will never result in the upliftment of minorities. For that a more sincere effort is needed."

Congress blames Advani for "delay" in Afzal's hanging

megha — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:48:12 +0530

Seeking to turn the tables on BJP's attempts to "politicise" terror, Congress on Monday held senior BJP leader L K Advani responsible for the "delay" in hanging Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

Advani as the Home Minister from 1998-2004 "failed to deal" with any clemency petitions and this is the reason for the "delay" in hanging Afzal, party spokesman Manish Tiwari told reporters and asked "why didn't Advani fulfill his responsibility..."

"The situation is that law does not allow the government to deal arbitrarily with one clemency request pending since 2006, at the will of the BJP, without dealing with the one pending since 1998", he said.

The Congress also accused the saffron party of adopting double standards on terror as also human rights issues alleging that its "silence" in connection with the torture of young men in Andhra Pradesh who were later released was a proof.

He also made it clear that the Congress was not interested in raising with the Election Commission the "communal" statement made by BJP in this regard. A BJP leader had reportedly said if Afzal was a Hindu, he would have been hanged.

Tewari also dismissed suggestions that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was giving less importance to the concerns expressed by Congress leaders on the Batla House encounter issue as compared to the issues raised by Advani in the Malegaon blast case.

On the issue of the Batla House inquiry, he said the National Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of it and served a notice to Delhi Police in this regard.

The NHRC, he said, has the option of transferring the matter to the CBI if it finds something amiss like they did in the case of Tehelka revelations.

BJP 'misleading' electorate, alleges Congress

megha — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:34:31 +0530

With barely five days to go for the Delhi assembly election, the Congress on Monday ridiculed BJP's poll campaign, saying the saffron party was "misleading" the electorate to capture power in the national capital.

Strongly criticising BJP 'Mehengi Padi Congress' (Congress rule proved costly) punch line, senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily said only a party "without commonsense" could have thought of such an "irresponsible advertisement."

"They are lying. There is no clarity in it. A party without commonsense only could frame such a phrase," Moily said referring to the saffron party's campaign punch line in the national capital.

Moily sounded confident of Congress' victory for a third consecutive term in the city, noting that Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has provided the "cleanest government" ensuring "development with human face".

"Congress is going to come to power with a big bang. We are in the highest comfort level," he said addressing a press conference. Dikshit is one of the best Chief Ministers in the country, he said.

Moily, who is also AICC's media department chairman, said the poll message from the Congress is very clear and it was explicitly spelt out by party President Sonia Gandhi when she said "the people of Delhi have to make a choice between the politics of development and politics of hate."

He said only Congress could provide a stable Government in Delhi as during BJP's tenure, chief ministers were changed at random.

Moily said Dikshit in her 10-year tenure did not face even a single allegation of scam which is very rare in today's politics.

Asked whether Delhi should be given full statehood, Moily said there should be a special status for Delhi as it is facing constraints on the law and order and urban development departments.

Highlighting achievements of the Delhi Government, Moily said Delhi is a revenue surplus state and inflation in the national capital has been the lowest as compared to other metropolitan cities.

"The inflation was 6.1 percent in Delhi whereas it was 8.2 percent in Mumbai and 7.4 percent in Kolkata in the month of August," the former Chief Minister of Karnataka said.

Noting that Delhi was one of the first states to implement the Right to Information Act, he said the capital city spent 52 percent of its plan outlay on social sectors.

Enlisting achievements of the Congress Government, he said Delhi is the first state to make pulses available under PDS at reasonable prices.

"Delhi is one of the greenest capital cities in the world which is also home to world's largest network of CNG fuelled buses," he said.

Rejecting BJP's allegation that Congress did not do anything to improve educational infrastructure in the city, Moily said concerted efforts were initiated to develop the city as a knowledge hub.

"As part of this initiative, the government established four new universities in the last 10 years," Moily added.

BJP communalising terrorism, alleges Congress

megha — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:39:49 +0530

The Congress party on Monday charged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with trying to "communalise terrorism" to distract people's attention from the "real issue of its non-performance" in BJP-ruled states going to the polls.

“The BJP is trying to communalise terrorism. It is trying to protect those accused in the Malegaon blasts.

"The BJP is doing all this as a concerted effort to distract people's attention from the real issue of its non-performance in the states ruled by BJP,” Manish Tewari, Congress spokesperson, said at a press conference in New Delhi.

The Congress also targeted Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia in the wake of media reports that he was involved in the formation and funding of Abhinav Bharat, a radical Hindu organisation. It cited alleged confessions to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by Lt Col Prasad Purohit, one of those arrested for the Malegaon blast.

“I think Pravin Togadia was against the narco-test of those accused in the Malegaon blast because he was apprehensive that if the tests are done then the truth will be revealed, as has been now by a newspaper,” Tewari said.

Tewari also said that the high turnout of voters in Jammu and Kashmir showed that people's faith is being restored in the Indian democracy and this was mainly because of the development works carried out by the Congress-led government in the state.

“People of Kashmir have rejected separatism and negative politics. The high percentage of voters in Jammu and Kashmir shows that people there want constructive politics.

"This faith has been restored mainly because of the development works done during the Congress-led government in alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party,” Tewari said.

Jammu and Kashmir witnessed 65 percent polling during the second phase of the seven-stage election despite a boycott call by Muslim separatists and the winter chill, officials said.

Congress confident of victory in MP

megha — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:32:32 +0530

The Congress on Monday sounded confident of victory in the upcoming assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh and alleged that rampant corruption during previous government's rule will make the people to vote out BJP.

"An atmosphere is being created in favour of Congress as the polling date is drawing nearer. I can firmly say that a responsible government of the party will be formed in the state with full majority," Congress state president Suresh Pachouri said.

Pachouri said that voters were unhappy with the incumbent government on issues such as corruption, unemployment and malnutrition among others.

The Congress leader said the people will not accept Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as he was allegedly indulged in corruption during his tenure as head of the government in the state.

He also accused the incumbent government of failing to implement recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.

"If the Congress comes to power in Madhya Pradesh, it will implement the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations and remove the discrepancies in the Fifth Pay Commission on priority," Pachouri told PTI.

Taking on the government on the employment front, he accused the ruling BJP of failing to provide enough jobs in the state.

On Congress not coming out with the name of its chief ministerial candidate for the November 27 polls, Pachouri said the issue of leadership in the state does not come from the high-command as it will be decided by the legislators after the polls.

Uma Bharati gives jitters to BJP in MP

megha — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:01:28 +0530

Expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharati, known for her firebrand Hindu radicalism, is putting her personal appeal and oratory skills to best use in a vengeful effort to defeat the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh in the November 27 assembly elections.

Bharati says, "I will retire to Kedarnath in the Himalayas if the BJP wins in Madhya Pradesh". Her concern is not victory for her Bharatiya Jan Shakti (BJS) party, but defeat for the BJP.

Though her party does not boast of a strong organisation, her widespread personal appeal is giving jitters to the ruling party. More so after her September 24 show of strength in state capital Bhopal, which stunned the BJP. The panic only increased with the Hindu ascetic criss-crossing the state, drawing huge crowds.

Bharati set off her election campaign with a bang, her crowd-pulling and oratory skills at her best. There were religious preachers, peasants and poor labourers, besides a large number of women at her 'Suraaj Sankalp Rally' (rally for better governance).

The rally's impact threw political circles into intense speculation about the damage she could cause to the BJP in the polls. This is the first election in which Bharati has pulled out the sword against her mother party after being expelled in 2004.

Her party has fielded 215 candidates in the poll to the 230-seat assembly.

If she has been persistently attacking her once-revered BJP and its prime minister hopeful L K Advani, she puts the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government in the dock for its "non-performance."

At all her public interactions, she says the BJP and the Congress are aiding and abetting terrorism. She says Madhya Pradesh has become a safe haven for activists of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and that the BJP has done little to check them.

Her charge-sheet against the BJP alleges rampant corruption and adds it is similar to that of the Congress. She speaks of hunger, malnutrition, collapse of the health machinery, scarcity of drinking water and electricity, bad roads and "the worst ever" law and order situation.

Still, the firebrand leader steers clear of predicting victory for her party. Her only concern is to defeat the BJP.

The cause of worry for the BJP is that in an intensely fought election where there is no palpable wave for or against anyone, an adverse swing of even one to 2.5 per cent could impact the prospects of the party's candidates in almost half of the constituencies.

For instance, as many as 87 seats were decided by a swing below 1.5 percent in the 1998 elections when there was no wave. The victory margin was below 5,000 votes in over 140 constituencies, below 3,000 in 87 and less than 1,000 in 28. In 1998 the state assembly had 320 seats since Chhattisgarh had not been carved out of it then.

The 2003 elections were different for there was a palpable wave against the Congress' Digvijay Singh government and Bharati was in the BJP, which bagged 172 seats.

Against this backdrop, the BJS is all set to be a spoiler for the BJP. Then, there are at least 50 constituencies which have a large number of voters from the Lodhi caste, to which Bharati belongs. Another problem for the BJP is that those it denied nomination are contesting on the BJS ticket in more than a dozen constituencies.

Congress sources, meanwhile, said the party is in touch with Bharati to chalk out a strategy to checkmate the BJP in some 50-odd constituencies where the latter is considered to be on a weak wicket.

It's development vs corruption in Rajasthan

megha — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:59:49 +0530

Anti-incumbency, the Gujjar issue, corruption and development are set to hog the campaign in the December 4 Rajasthan assembly elections.

The state assembly has 200 seats, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) now having 121 legislators and Congress 53.

It has always been a two-party contest in the state, but Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is pulling out all stops to make a dent in the votes of both the major parties. The BSP is fighting for all 200 seats and may prove a spoiler.

The BJP is wooing the voters by showcasing the development works by the Vasundhara Raje government since she assumed power on December 8, 2003.

"We are campaigning on two counts, our government's achievements and failure of the central government to check the price rise and terrorism," said state BJP vice president Arun Chaturvedi.

"We are going to tell voters about the work our government has done. We have set a record of sorts in employment generation, the state's economy has drastically improved and social infrastructure, including education, has been strengthened," he said.

State party president Om Prakash Mathur said, "There is no anti-incumbency. We are heading for a landslide victory."

The opposition Congress is bracing up to corner the BJP on "corruption and the deteriorating law and order situation in the state".

"There has been no development. What are they (BJP) talking about? The voters this time are not going to be fooled", said K C Chaudhary, a senior Congress leader of Rajasthan.

Former state Congress president B D Kalla said the law and order situation has completely slipped out of hands in the state. He said all section of society were feeling insecure ever since the BJP came to power.

"Under this government, the dalits, minorities and women are more scared," Kalla said. "The mafia is into land grabbing, illicit liquor and even tourism; they all move about freely are freely".

"Development has indeed taken place, but there has been development only of the land mafia," Kalla asserted. The government is working against the interests of labourers, farmers and common people, the Congress leaders say.

The Gujjar problem will be a major election issue. The two agitations in 2007 and 2008 by Gujjars for reservation under tribal status that left 68 people dead have hurt the sentiments of the community, primarily into cattle rearing in the desert state.

Gujjars, who constitute 5 to 6 percent in Rajasthan's population of over 56 million, are at present classified among other backward classes (OBC) in the state and their voting preference this time is not clear.

The community had voted the BJP in 2003 with the hope that the party would give it reservation as Scheduled Tribes.

Now, not all Gujjars are happy with the BJP government's decision to offer them five percent reservation under special category. The community seems divided.

A faction in the community led by Col. (retd) K S Bainsla, the self-styled Gujjar leader and convener of Gujjar Arakshan Sangarsh Samiti, has appealed to the community members to vote for the BJP.

The other faction owing allegiance to the Akhil Bhartiya Gujjar Sangarsh Samiti has given a call to oust the BJP from power.

Similarly Jats, another dominating community in Rajasthan, are also undecided on which party to support.

The community plays a dominant role in at least 50 of the 200 constituencies in the state and has traditionally been voting for the Congress.

But in the 2003 elections they went with the BJP, angry over the Congress not projecting a chief minister from the Jat community.

Poll panel notice to BJP over Madhya Pradesh manifesto

wali — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:57:39 +0530

The Election Commission on Saturday slapped a notice on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its manifesto for the Madhya Pradesh polls contains photographs of former president APJ Abdul Kalam and of the Supreme Court in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

The Commission received reports from the Madhya Pradesh chief election officer (CEO) Saturday that the BJP manifesto for the elections to the Madhya Pradesh assembly contains some photographs showing, among others, "certain senior serving government officers, former president of India Dr APJ (Abdul) Kalam and several government buildings including Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and Hon'ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur", the panel said in the notice.

It noted that Para 1(4) of the Model Code of Conduct specifically states that "all parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are 'corrupt practices' and whereas, obtaining assistance of government officers for furtherance of prospects of your party is a corrupt practice coming within the ambit of section 123 (7) of Representation of Peeople Act, 1951".

It reminded the BJP that "Part-VII of the Model Code of Conduct provides that the party in power shall ensure that no cause is given for any complaint that it has used it's official position for the purpose of its election campaign".

Noting that publishing photographs of hovt officers and government buildings are a "clear violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct", the Election Commission asked the BJP to remove these from the manifesto and submit a complaince report by Nov 24.

It also asked the party to explain by November 25 its move as also why action should not be taken against it.

The BJP is the ruling party in Madhya Pradesh, where polling will be held on November 27.

Triangular fight in Morena, Sheopur districts

megha — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:42:54 +0530

The eight Assembly segments in Morena and Sheopur districts are witnessing a triangular fight in November 27 polls with ruling BJP, principal Opposition Congress and Mayawati-led BSP as main contenders.

The delimitation of constituencies has created a new political situations for the parties.

While the Congress is trying to cash in on the anti-incumbency being faced by the BJP, the BSP is looking to expand its base in Madhya Pradesh after capturing power on its own strength in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

The Morena-Sheopur Lok Sabha constituency has always been influenced by the royal Scindia family and the two districts were swayed by Vijayraje Scindia of the BJP and her son Madhavrao Scindia of the Congress.

But after their death, other parties had been making inroads into the two districts in the Chambal region.

In Sheopur constituency, the sitting BJP legislator Durgalal Vijay is locked in a contest with Brijraj Singh Chouhan of Congress and Babu Rawat of BSP.

The second constituency in Sheopur district is Vijaypur, where the Congress nominee is former Minister Ramniwas Rawat who is facing tribal leader Sitaram Adivasi, contesting an election for the first time.

Vijaypur was earlier reserved for tribals but after the delimitation, it has become a general category seat.

In Morena's Sabalgarh segment, the BJP, in a rather strange decision, has given ticket to sitting MLA Meharban Singh Rawat although the constituency has never elected the same person twice in a row.

The BJP has never been able to win Jaura constituency in Morena district. The Congress has been regularly winning the seat barring in 1993 and 1998 when the BSP had emerged victorious.

Aindal Singh Kansana, who had won from Sumavali in 1993 and 1998 on a BSP ticket, is now the Congress nominee.

The BSP has emerged as a strong political force in Chambal and is aiming to bag a few seats in the region to emerge as a significant player in the state.

MP Cong rejects BJP's charge of discrimination by Centre

sitansu — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:24:37 +0530

The Congress in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday dismissed as "baseless and fictitious" the ruling BJP's charge that the UPA Government at the Centre was giving a step-motherly treatment to the state.

State Congress President Suresh Pachouri said that the advertisements published by BJP in Saturday's newspapers charging the Centre with discrimination against Madhya Pradesh are wrong.

He said that both the Chief Minister and State BJP President Narendra Singh Tomar, a former minister, were aware of the facts about Central funds but are still trying to mislead the people.

The Congress leader said as per the figures disclosed by the state government, Madhya Pradesh, during 2007-08, had received twice the Central fund than in 2003-04.

Pachouri said although Madhya Pradesh was getting more funds under the Congress-led UPA, the Chief Minister and the State BJP were deliberating distorting facts.

"The Union Government had given much more funds to Madhya Pradesh under Centrally-sponsored schemes in the last five years than during 1999-2003 when BJP-led NDA was in power," he said.

Delhi set for star-studded election rallies

manoj — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:19:49 +0530

It will be a battle for prestige for parties on Sunday when poll-bound Delhi will witness star-studded election rallies organised by BJP's ally SAD, Congress and BSP, which are trying their best to ensure impressive turnout.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi will sound election bugle from Mangolpuri in Outer Delhi while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP chief Mayawati will address a rally in Trilokpuri in East Delhi.

Another mega rally on the anvil is of BJP's ally SAD chief Prakash Singh Badal who will woo Punjabi and Sikh voters in the city.

Onkar Singh Thapar, chairman of election campaign committee of SAD rubbished idea that three rallies in a day would affect the crowd turnout.

"Our voters will rally behind the SAD; there is no doubt about it. BJP will come to power, and our all for SAD candidates will win with handsome margin," Thapar said.

The Congress is banking on leaders from unauthorized colonies, which are under threat this time from Mayawati's BSP.

The lower ranks of the Congress have been told that a crowd of 40,000-50,000 is a must for a show of strength.

"The stakes are high, with Mayawati-led BSP making things tougher this assembly polls in Delhi. In fact, the strength of crowd will be the litmus test for the political parties, indicating the mood of the voter's mind ahead of November 29," a senior Congress leader said.

However, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee Chief JP Agarwal said that the party is confident of their rally's success, as "time-tested voters have always rallied behind the Grand Old party."

"No doubt a larger crowd would boost the morale of the cadres. But we don't have to worry, our traditional voters will come to hear our high command irrespective of any other rally," he added.

Criticising the BJP for spreading 'rumours' of BSP eating into the Congress votebank, Agarwal said that "we have done enough for the welfare of people, particularly poor and Dalits. So where is the question of outsider Mayawati pulling away our people?"

BSP supremo Mayawati has also asked party workers to mobilise voters and ensure that they do not let the party down on D-day.

Congress is heading for the most crucial assembly election seeking a third term in the Capital while BJP is attempting to unseat the incumbent government and make a comeback after ten years.

However, it will be the BSP, which after having shown impressive results in the municipal election, will play a critical role in deciding the political fortune of the national capital where the BJP and Congress have so far been major players.

Hindu Mahasabha raps BJP over Malegaon

megha — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:47:46 +0530

Apparently distancing itself from the Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur episode, the Hindu Mahasabha has said it does not support terrorism by anyone and accused the BJP of "encashing" on Hindu sentiments by coming out in support of the Malegaon blast accused.

"The BJP is encashing on religious sentiments of Hindus again for their politics. Earlier they had encashed on the Ram janmabhoomi issue and this time it wants to encash on Malegaon and sentiments about arrest of Hindu religious leaders," said Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) spokesperson Pravin Sharma.

"We are tired of BJP and Sangh Parivar befooling Hindus over one issue or the other. Now they are seeking funds from people on the pretext of providing legal aid to the Malegaon blast accused. We strictly condemn the act and the accused involved in the act," he said.

Maintaining that ABHM is not supportive of the Malegaon blast and other acts of terrorism, he termed BJP as "an opportunist political party playing politics over terrorism".

"Please ask the BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal, RSS and Abhinav Bharat as to what contribution they have made for Hindus and Hindutva so far," the ABHM, which is contesting in some assembly seats in Delhi and Rajasthan, said.

On the other hand, national president of ABHM, Chandra Prasad Kaushik, alleged the BJP was working to pit Hindus and Muslims against each other over "irrelevant terrorism issue" so that L K Advani can become the prime minister.

Reacting to the ABHM's allegations, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said "what is the use, what is the political significance? Had these charges been made by the Congress we would have reacted."

Reacting to media reports that the ABHM is keen on providing legal assistance to the Malegaon blast accused, Kaushik denied such claims as "false and baseless projections of our ideologies.

"We do not support terrorism by anyone on this land, rather we are keen to prepare the youth for protecting our borders," said Kaushik.

Denying its hardline stand against minority communities, ABHM national youth secretary Umesh Tyagi claimed his organisation is actively involved in promoting inter-caste and inter-religious marriages.

"We will take legal action against anyone who claims to be collecting funds in our name for assisting the Malegaon blast accused," said Tyagi.

The ABHM had 17 MPs in the parliament during 1952, later in 1962 it created space for Jan Sangh and allowed it to flourish as a political party under the RSS.

"That was a historical mistake as the RSS befooled us when we said we want to divert our attention to social service and entrust politics with them. Over the years they have removed from the base ideologies and betrayed us," Kaushik told PTI.

The organisation, which states its motto is to 'Hinduise' politics and militise Hindus (rajniti ka hindukaran aur hinduo ka sainikaran), wants to get back into the mainstream through participation in assembly and Parliament elections now.

Eminent leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and current Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee's father, N C Chatterjee were associated with the ABHM as office bearers.

BJP expels 17 Rajasthan rebels

manoj — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:50:09 +0530

Taking a tough stand on dissidence in the party, the BJP on Friday expelled 17 rebels in Rajasthan, which include 10 MLAs.

Party sources say that they have been expelled for anti-party activities. The BJP had earlier claimed that 21 rebels had withdrawn their nominations.

The expelled leaders include former Cabinet minister Kirorilal Meena and former MP Vishvendra Singh.

Meena was denied a ticket by the party and has now filed nominations as an independent from two seats — Todabheem and Sawai Madhopur.

Singh, who has already joined the Congress, was dissatisfied as his wife Divya Singh was denied a ticket from Deeg-Kumher.

The primary membership of the expelled leaders has also been suspended with the clause that they cannot rejoin before six years.

Singhal meets Modi to convey his displeasure

tejas — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:16:44 +0530

VHP President Ashok Singhal on Friday met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to convey his concerns about the demolition of large number of temples in Gandhinagar and arrest of fellow leader Ashwin Patel under sedition charges.

Singhal has been trying to broker peace between the saffron outfits which are at loggerheads, sources in the BJP and VHP said.

However, after the meeting Singhal refused to talk to reporters waiting outside the CM's residence.

"The VHP leader has conveyed his displeasure over the issue of demolition of temples in state capital and also arrest of Ashwin Patel," Secretary of VHP Ranchhod Bharwad told PTI.

On Thursday, after visiting the sites where temples were demolished, Singhal had criticised the BJP Government, saying that it was repeating the act of Mohammad Gazani, who had destroyed a number of temples in medieval Gujarat.

The state government authorities are on demolition spree in Gandhinagar as in past one month more than 200 'illegal' temples have been razed here, Bharwad said adding, "temples are being demolished in other parts of the state also."

Whereas, VHP State Joint Secretary Ashwin Patel was arrested on the eve of Diwali for sending defamatory SMSes.

BJP feels it has the winning slogan for Delhi election

tejas — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:08:31 +0530

Mehengi Padi Congress (Congress at what cost?)! With prices of food items touching a new high ahead of assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) feels the slogan will help it take power in the national capital after 10 long years. And strategists at The Hive, a communications agency that served the BJP well in Gujarat and Karnataka, says the message plays on people's insecurities.

Already, the BJP message is being spread through the print media, radio and television.

Senior BJP leader and party general secretary Arun Jaitley, who is in charge of the election campaign in Delhi, told IANS: "The objective of the campaign is to convince the voters, who are unhappy with the Congress, to vote for the BJP."

"Certainly, we have a very good chance of winning" the Nov 29 elections, he added.

After three months of thinking and planning, The Hive coined the snappy slogan, on the lines of its Jeetega Gujarat war cry that did wonders for the BJP and Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat.

BJP leaders say Mehengi Padi Congress sums up the popular mood vis-a-vis the Congress - particularly on the economic front.

With tomatoes at Rs 40 a kg, potatoes at Rs 20 a kg and even the humble singhara (water chestnut) at Rs 20 a kg, the mehengi slogan sums up the price situation aptly, says R P Singh, a director at The Hive.

"When we coin a slogan, we keep in mind that we have (just) 15-20 days to ram home the message to the electorate. It has to be apt and short and convey what we are trying to say succinctly," Singh told IANS.

The inflationary trend did not exist during this year's electoral battle in Karnataka in May which the BJP won, taking power in a southern state for the first time. The Hive team has made the most of it.

"If we talk about price rise, we have to think if it is really pinching people. This time the Congress has proved to be mehengi, and the message goes home to the electorate," Singh said.

Hive members were briefed thoroughly by the BJP brass in charge of the elections in Delhi, and planning out the strategy began three months ago, said Singh.

The agency, which is into strategic planning and media handling, has a team of 19 members headed by Sushil Pandit, CEO and one of the directors, involved in the BJP campaign.

The team members hold regular brainstorming sessions with Jaitley, Delhi chief ministerial candidate V K Malhotra and Harsh Vardhan, the Delhi BJP chief.

Pandit revealed what the BJP wanted from them. "As a client they sought my perspective on how to go about the whole thing, their handicaps and strengths, what to highlight and what to avoid, and what to take advantage of," he said.

"We build a campaign platform and make sure that it is favourable to the party and appeals to the voters. Issues that do not work must stay out."

According to an agency insider, two hard-hitting short films the Hive made for the BJP on terrorism and on the Congress "appeasement of a particular community" were rejected by a panel made up of officials from the Election Commission and the information and broadcasting ministry.

The Hive has also bagged the BJP campaign for Rajasthan, which goes to the polls Dec 4. The issues for both states are the same, though in Delhi the BJP is in the opposition and in Rajasthan it is the ruling party.

"The biggest issue is the everyday lives of the people. Inflation, the economic downturn and terrorism touch everyone, and that is what we are stressing on," Pandit told IANS.

Modi's temple demolition irks VHP, Congress alike

tejas — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:20:57 +0530

The Narendra Modi government's drive against temples encroaching streets in this Gujarat capital and elsewhere has invited the wrath of the opposition Congress and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) alike.

The Congress has expressed its surprise that small temples located on common plots of housing societies were being targetted in the name of development while the government glossed over encroachments by big temples and religious preachers.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad calls it an attack on Hindu culture and alleges that only the temples were being targetted and illegal structures of other communities were not being touched.

"It is worrisome that over 250 temples located on common plots of housing societies, which are no hindrance to anyone, are being demolished," said Gujarat Congress president Siddharth Patel.

"Our objection is that the big fish are left untouched while small temples are targeted," Patel told IANS on Thursday.

"Thousands of square metres of illegal land is with religious preacher Asaram Bapu on which he has built structures, but the government is oblivious to this."

Gujarat VHP president Dilip Patel told IANS: "This is a vicious attack on Hindu culture and beliefs."

"Hindu faith is dependent upon small and big temples. A poor man cannot go for pilgrimage for want of funds. His spiritual world revolves around the small temples that are close by," he said.

Patel accused the Modi government of targeting only Hindu shrines. Some temples in Gandhinagar existed even before the city came into being and they do not disturb public convenience, he said.

Gandhinagar District Collector Sanjeev Kumar, meanwhile, told IANS that the drive against illegal religious structures had been going on for a month and encroachments in the form of shanty towns were also being removed.

He said the 250 demolished structures also included slum constructions.

Protests were reported from Surat city, some 300 km from the state capital, when people of Palanpur Patia area complained of high-handed behaviour by a police inspector helping a team of the local municipal corporation in demolishing a temple.

The locals submitted a memorandum to Surat Police Commissioner R M S Brar against the inspector, R H Hadiya. Brar told IANS that the inspector was trying to disperse the mob which pelted stones at the municipal corporation's team.