Elections in Maharashtra

[Balwant Dixit]

Cong, along with its ally NCP, returns to power in Maharashtra for the third
consecutive term (seats won =142 out of 288). This is very good news for
the State and its citizens because once again it does not allow the
organizations like Shiv Sena and MNS to get in the posittion of forming a
cabinet to push their highly regional agenda. . These two organizations have
no constructive agenda for all Maharastrians. Their only interest is to
fight among themselves to satisfy their egos. It would have been a
constructive step for BJP to go alone in Maharashtra. BJP won 47 seats but
if it had gone alone it would have won more seats and would have become the
second largest block and with the help of a few independents could
marginalised MNS and Shiv Sena. ..............BND

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Hurt-by-Sena-poll-rout-Thackeray-attacks-Marathi-manoos/articleshow/5156195.cms

Hurt by Sena poll rout, Thackeray attacks Marathi manoos
PTI 24 October 2009, 11:25am IST

PUNE: Upset over Shiv Sena's electoral debacle in Maharashtra, party
chief Bal Thackeray today said it was not "outsiders" but
Maharashtrians themselves who had stabbed him in the back.

Quoting an English newspaper headline ‘MNS gives Cong Raj a hand",
(Raj Thackeray-led MNS helps Congress retain power), the Sena chief
said, "This sums it all".

Striking a cynical note in his first editorial in party mouthpiece
‘Saamna' after the assembly election results on October 22, the 84-
year-old Thackeray said, "There is an evil spirit that is separating
me from you (Marathi people) and not allowing a meeting of minds".

"I do not have any hope that even this writing will have any influence
on your thinking. In fact, I have lost faith in everything, including
Maharashtrians and also God. I am at great pains to make this
statement but I have no desire to hide the truth and indulge in self-
deception," he said.

He wondered as to why the 'Marathi manoos', who turns to Shiv Sena to
serve his interests in all walks of life, failed to vote for the
organisation born for him.

The Sena, which ruled the state in alliance with BJP from 1995 to
1999, finished fourth, winning just 44 of the 169 seats it contested.
BJP bagged 46 seats. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, led by Thackeray's
estranged nephew Raj, severely dented the Sena's traditional Marathi
vote base.

Citing success of regional parties of Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi
in Tamil Nadu, and Narendra Modi, who appealed to the Gujarati "pride"
besides Naveen Patnaik in Orissa, Thackeray said, "it seems that
Marathi people still have not got wiser and their minds are dead."

"I have given vent to my feelings to relieve my anguish. I devoted 44
years of my life for you. I do not know what crime I have committed
and where I have gone wrong. If the dead minds of Maharashtrians are
not going to be resurrected, I should not subject myself to this
agony," the Sena patriarch added.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/MNS-gives-Congress-NCP-their-third-Raj-in-Maharashtra/articleshow/5150762.cms

MNS gives Congress-NCP their third Raj in Maharashtra
Prakash Joshi, TNN 23 October 2009, 01:16am IST

MUMBAI: In the lead-up to the Maharashtra polls, many had wondered
whether Raj Thackeray would help Congress-NCP in as big a way as he
did in the MNS chief Raj Thackeray addresses an election rally. LS
polls by eating into the Sena votebank yet again. By Thursday noon the
suspense was over. Congress-NCP were cruising back to power as Shiv
Sena citadels in Mumbai and Thane crumbled under Raj's assault. By
evening, the Congress leadership might as well have sent the Sena
rebel a "thank you" note.

In a result that has wide-ranging implications for state politics, the
loser's story is almost as important as the winner's. If the ruling
combine beat the incumbency blues, the 144-90 scoreline was the clap
of doom for the Sena-BJP camp. To add to Sena's woes, BJP crept ahead
with 46 seats to its 44.

The revenge drama has seen Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
demolish Sena's prospects by not only splitting the "Marathi" vote but
emerging as the second largest party in Mumbai with six seats and a
staggering 23.35% of the city vote.

MNS polled 5.7% of the state's vote, eating into Sena and possibly NCP
bases. While Sena was the worst hit, losing 3.7% of its support since
May, the Raj effect may have dented others, particularly NCP, which
lost 2.4% of its vote.

Raj Thackeray's appeal has begun to spread, and he could emerge as the
key non-Congress force in days to come. As far as the Congress is
concerned, it remained virtually unscathed, having suffered a dip of
mere 0.1 % in its vote. Significantly, in contrast to Sena, BJP
actually saw a marginal gain of 0.3%.

Emboldened by its improved numbers Congress is raring to seek a
drastic revision of terms of trade with the NCP, and is likely to seek
more portfolios, as well as the important ones it had to cede to
Sharad Pawar last time.

The third straight loss to Cong-NCP may well be aging Sena supremo Bal
Thackeray's waterloo. In an election where he could not campaign, his
son and successor Uddhav Thackeray has been dealt a heavy blow.
Chances of a patch-up seem bleak and Uddhav faces the risk of more
migrations to MNS. An isolated leadership style, a coterie and MNS's
success in tapping the anger over poor or average governance has seen
Sena's vote shift away.

The Raj effect has seen Congress stage a smart recovery with 82 seats.
The scene at CM Ashok Chavan's residence was ringing with the sound of
crackers while a handful of camera crews kept lonely vigil at
Matoshree, Thackeray's residence .The young men on motorcycles zipping
around with MNS flags completed a telling picture of how the power
equations have changed.

Congress is now set to drive a hard bargain with NCP and may want to
reallocate key portfolios like home, finance, irrigation and
education. With MNS playing a decisive role in 60 Mumbai-Thane seats,
Congress has also reasserted itself in Marathwada and Vidarbha
regions. Sena continues to lose ground in Konkan where it has been
weakened by Narayan Rane's exit.

In the final count, Congress secured 82 and NCP 62, just one short of
a simple majority of 145. Sena bagged 44, BJP 46, MNS 13, Third Front
8 and others 33. In the 2004 polls, Congress had got 69, NCP 71, Sena
64, BJP 54 and others 30. This time there were as many as 30
independents.

As was evident, Congess retains the CM's chair. NCP boss Sharad Pawar
who also now faces some tough questions on NCP's future and leadership
said induction of young faces had helped the Democratic Front counter
anti-establishment factors. The discreet support offered to MNS,
changes in CM and deputy CM after 26/11 as well as BJP's infighting at
the nationallevel are seen to have been critical.

The post-26/11 changes saw Pawar shifting Dilip Valse Patil then
energy minister to finance and Jayant Patil from finance to home
department. These changes helped blunt the opposition's attack. Both
Congress and NCP rebels were blessings in disguise as votes that would
have gone to the Opposition were trapped by these rebels.

Congress is expected to hold a meeting of the Congress Legislature
Party (CLP) soon. In a unity show, CM Ashok Chavan, MPCC president
Manikrao Thakare, MPCC president Kripashankar Singh, Union ministers
Sushilkumar Shinde and Vilasrao Deshmukh and Narayan Rane addressed a
joint press conference in the evening.

When some questions were directed at Rane, Deshmukh said, " This is
basically a press conference by the party to thank voters. Rane may
speak in another press conference."

Chavan is hopeful that in view of the good performance in Lok Sabha
and Assembly polls, he would be allowed to continue in office. His
optimism is not completely misplaced as indications suggested that the
central leadership might continue with him. After the 2004 assembly
elections, Shinde was replaced by Deshmukh despite the fact that
parties are usually wary of replacing a Dalit CM. However, he was seen
to have paid the price for NCP emerging ahead of Congress.

NCP state president R R Patil is also all set to convene a meeting of
his party's legislature party to elect a new leader. It is to be seen
whether Pawar continues with Chaggan Bhujbal as deputy CM.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?668327

NCP Sweeps Munde's Bastion Beed
Aurangabad | Oct 24, 2009

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) took sweet revenge of its loss
from Beed Lok Sabha constituency to the BJP four months ago, winning
five of the six Assembly seats in the district, considered a
stronghold of senior leader Gopinath Munde.

The sole BJP winner was Pankaja Munde-Palve, daughter of the party
General Secretary, from his hometown Parali.

Notably, three of the winner of the Assembly seats are the leaders who
had revolted against Munde in the past. These are Prakash Solanke
(Majalgaon), Suresh Dhas (Ashti) and PWD Minister Vimal Mundada
(Kaij).

Jaydutt Kshirsagar (Beed City) and Badamrao Pandit (Georai) are the
two other NCP winners from the district.

In April Lok Sabha polls, Munde had trounced NCP’s Ramesh Adaskar by a
margin over one lakh votes. In fact, the former Deputy Chief Minister
had polled 5,53,994 votes, the highest by any candidate in
Maharashtra.

On the contrary, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and his predecessor and
now Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh have seen their supporters
emerging victorious in their districts.

In Chavan’s home district Nanded, Congress won all the six seats it
contested, while its ally NCP pocketed two. The saffron alliance could
not even open its account in Nanded.

In Latur, Deshmukh home turf, Congress won four of the five Assembly
seats it contested.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?668310

CLP Authorises Sonia Gandhi to Select Maharashtra CM
New Delhi | Oct 24, 2009

Amid reported divisions on the leadership issue, a meeting of Congress
Legislature Party (CLP) today authorised Congress president Sonia
Gandhi to name the new leader who will be Maharashtra chief minister.

Two days after the party stormed back to power for a third time in
row, the newly elected MLAs met under the supervision of central
observers--AICC general secretary incharge of Maharashtra A K Antony,
Rajya Sabha deputy chairman K Rehman Khan and senior leader Digvijay
Singh.

As expected, the meeting first "unanimously" resolved to leave the
decision on who would land the top job to the Congress president after
which the observers elicited the views of the legislators
individually.

"A majority of the newly elected MLAs told us they would abide by the
decision of the party high command while some of them also gave their
preferences (of who should be the next CLP leader). But all agreed to
accept whatever decision Congress president takes," Antony told
reporters after the meeting.

Antony declined to disclose the names discussed at the meeting but
sources said chief minister Ashok Chavan is being considered as
favourite to retain the job.

Before flying to New Delhi with Chavan, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Narayan
Rane, who are also among the claimants for the post, Antony said the
new leader will be announced after consultation with the party
president.

Though many expected today's meeting to be a smooth affair for Ashok
Chavan, the presence of a sizeable number of Deshmukh supporters among
the newly-elected MLAs was understood to have come in the way of a
decision being arrived at.

A day after he almost ruled himself out of chief ministerial race,
Deshmukh, union minister, today hinted at keeping all his options
open, saying he was prepared to accept whatever responsibility the
Congress high command gives him.

"Now, it is upto the high command. I will do whatever the high command
asks me to do. I was made chief minister twice and I resigned (on
being asked by high command)," the Congress' Maharashtra strongman
told reporters.

Deshmukh had told the media after his yesterday's meeting with
Congress president Sonia Gandhi that he was happy being in Delhi,
which many took as an indication that he would continue with his role
in national politics.

Though, Deshmukh said he will remain "a loyal Congress soldier", party
sources said insistence of some of his supporters in the CLP on his
becoming Chief Minister led to consensus eluding today's meeting.

In order to iron out differences and evolve a consensus on the new
leader, Deshmukh, Rane along with Chavan left for New Delhi along with
the AICC observers to meet Gandhi.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?668311

Congress Wants Speaker's Post in Maharashtra
Mumbai | Oct 24, 2009

Riding high on electoral success, Congress, which won 20 seats more
than the NCP, now wants its ally to surrender the Assembly Speaker's
post.

NCP's Krishnarao Rakhamajirao Desai alias Babasaheb Kupekar is the
Speaker, a post that has been with the party since 1999 when the
ruling alliance came to power.

"Senior Congress leader Vilas Patil Undalkar may be the party's choice
for the Speaker's post," Congress sources told PTI.

"He will either be made Speaker or a Cabinet minister," they said.

Since 1999, when the Congress-NCP alliance snatched power from the
Shiv Sena-BJP regime, the Speaker's post has been with the NCP. The
logic was that NCP had won more seats but 'sacrificed' the Chief
Minister's post and in return, it should have got the Speaker's post
and additional portfolios.

In 2004, NCP won 71 seats, conceded the Chief Minister's post to
Congress which had won 69 seats and in return got 24 ministerial
berths out of 42. The Congress was left with only 18 ministries.

NCP may propose Finance Minister Dilip Valse Patil for the Speaker's
post, the sources added.

Congress is staking its claims to the ministries of Home, Energy,
Rural Development and Public Works, presently held by NCP. However, it
is unlikely that the Sharad Pawar-led party may oblige it, the
Congress sources said.

But unlike in 2004, Congress is in no mood to allow NCP to walk away
with most of the key portfolios. "NCP should understand the changed
equations. They can no longer flaunt their 'we have more strength'
card," the sources said.

NCP has already given signals that it is ready to play second fiddle
in the new coalition, with party chief Sharad Pawar indicating that
the Congress will retain the chief ministership, wrangling over which
delayed the government formation last time around.

NCP is also trying to rope in its rebels who got elected to the
Assembly, to muster numbers for use as a bargaining plank with
Congress if needed, the sources added.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?668262

Modest Beginning for MNS in Pune
Pune | Oct 23, 2009

The Raj Thackeray-led MNS opened its account in Pune winning one
assembly seat out of eight in the city and making a strong presence in
two constituencies known to be bastions of the Saffron alliance
comprising Shiv Sena-BJP.

Ramesh Wanjle of MNS defeated his NCP rival Vilas Dangat in
Khadakwasla by over 30,000 votes to register the first win for his
party but two other MNS candidates, although ending up as losers,
sprung a surprise by polling number two votes in the "Yuti"
strongholds of Kasaba peth and Kothrud.

In Kasaba peth, it was widely expected that Rohit Tilak of Congress,
supposedly named by Rahul Gandhi as a representative of the youth
brigade, would give a tough fight to the sitting BJP MLA Girish Bapat.

However, it was MNS' Ravi Dhangekar who surpassed Tilak and came
second pushing him to the third place. Bapat managed to retain the
seat with a modest margin of around 8,000 votes.

A similar story was repeated in Kothrud constituency where Kishore
Shinde of MNS gave neck-and-neck fight to the Shiv Sena candidate
Chandrakant Mokate, former deputy mayor, to finish second and making
light of the challenge posed by former MP and NCP candidate Anna Joshi
who had left BJP on the eve of the election.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?668260

BJP's a Bad Loser: Digvijay Singh
Varanasi | Oct 23, 2009

Congress today ridiculed BJP's allegation that the EVMs were
"manipulated", saying it was looking for a scapegoat following its
loss in the assembly elections to the three states.

"Let me say it, BJP is a bad looser this time," Congress General
Secretary Digvijay Singh said here.

"The people of the country have vindicated in clear terms this time
around that they hate politics of communal passion and violence.

"This is the reason that BJP and like minded parties have suffered
drubbing at the hustings," the party in-charge of the UP affairs said.

On BJP's raising doubts about the credibility of EVMs and seeking to
blame their "manipulation" for the party's poor performance, Singh
said "khisiyani billi khamba noche (BJP was looking for a scapegoat).

Singh said the victory of Congress in Maharashtra, Haryana and
Arunachal Pradesh had reaffirmed the faith of the people in the
party's ideology and leadership of Sonia Gandhi.

Earlier, addressing a press conference he claimed the presence of
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Maharashtra made a big dent into
the BJP and Shiv Sena's vote bank and also affected the Congress.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?668218

Pawar Rules Out Merger of NCP with Congress
New Delhi | Oct 22, 2009

NCP chief Sharad Pawar today ruled out any merger of his party with
Congress but said he will extend all support to its ally.

"(Merger is) out of question... (but) we are ready to assist them
(Congress). We have no issues about leadership, they have the numbers
with them," Pawar said while speaking to a television channel.

When reminded of Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh's comment
about NCP's merger with Congress, Pawar shot back saying, "It was his
personal views. We will cooperate with Congress."

NCP had emerged as the single largest party in the 2004 assembly
elections with 71 while Congress had a tally of 69 seats.

In the results of the Maharashtra assembly elections today, Congress
won 82 seats while NCP bagged 62, their total just one seat short of a
simple majority in the 288-member House.

To a question, Pawar told CNN-IBN, "Don't forget we contested 12 seats
less this time. Also, I surrendered Chief Ministership last time. The
media raise such issues (of merger) for headlines."

He added that Congress has enough internal democracy to choose a Chief
Minister for Maharashtra this time.

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Chavan-confident-says-no-question-of-taking-MNS-support/H1-Article1-469119.aspx

Numbers favour Cong, no question of taking MNS' support: Chavan
Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, October 25, 2009

First Published: 21:04 IST(25/10/2009)
Last Updated: 21:33 IST(25/10/2009)

Set to take over as the Maharashtra chief minister for a second time,
Ashok Chavan on Sunday said the Congress party has more numbers than
its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), this time - making
clear that the Congress would keep key portfolios with itself in the
new government.

"Our strength is more now (than 1999). Aankde badal chuke hain. (The
numbers game has changed)," Chavan told reporters here, hours after he
was chosen by party president Sonia Gandhi to head the Congress
Legislature Party in the state - and as the result be the chief
minister.

In the 288-seat assembly, the ruling Congress-NCP bagged 144 seats -
Congress 81 and NCP 63. In the previous assembly, the Congress had 69
and the NCP 71 members.

Specifically asked about the home ministry portfolio, which in the
previous government was with the NCP, Chavan said, "This has not been
discussed as yet. And I don't think it is proper to talk to you
(media) about it."

Chavan said all formalities of government formation would be finalised
with the NCP after it convenes its legislature party meeting. The NCP
legislators will choose their leader Monday, and he will be made the
deputy chief minister.

"The government formation will be smooth. I don't see any hitches in
it. We have been working in the coalition government and have good
experience," Chavan said when asked if he saw any trouble in
negotiating portfolios with the NCP.

Asked if the Congress will take support of Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra
Navnirman Sena (MNS) to form the government, Chavan flatly said,
"There is no question of taking the support of Raj Thackeray."

The MNS, which made its debut in the state assembly this year, has 13
members in the new house.

Chavan skirted a question on the NCP merging with the Congress, as
proposed by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

"It is an internal matter of the NCP," he said.

Chavan said his second term "is more challenging" and has set
priorities like improving the power sector and economic welfare of
farmers in the state.

"It is a five-day match now, not a one-day or Twenty20," a smiling
Chavan said, adding: "Our priorities are in the manifesto".

"People have voted us to power again with expectations. We will try to
meet them and bring transparency in the governance. Farmers' economic
welfare and completing all the power projects in the state to improve
the power situation and cut on the load shedding is my priority," he
said.

He said the Congress Legislature Party had left the decision to choose
the leader with party chief Sonia Gandhi and his name was formally
announced past midnight.

"We have able leaders in the party who could have been the chief
minister. But Sonia Gandhi reposed faith in me after the results of
the Lok Sabha and assembly polls," he said.

On Narayan Rane, a strong contender for the chief minister's chair,
Chavan said: "He gave me a bouquet and I am taking it back with me to
Mumbai."

About former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, whom he replaced
following last year's terror attacks on Mumbai, Chavan said: "I met
him and we were together last night."

Chavan met several leaders including President Pratibha Patil, former
union home minister Shivraj Patil, and Defence Minister A K Antony,
who is in charge of the Congress affairs in the state, party general
secretary Digvijay Singh and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha K
Rehman Khan. The three were the central observers at the Congress
Legislature Party meeting in Mumbai Saturday evening.

Chavan also said that the date for the swearing-in ceremony has not
been decided yet. "Everything will be finalised soon," he said.

The Congress-NCP combine won the Oct 13 state assembly elections to
form the government for the third time in a row. The MNS, which bagged
13 seats, is credited with eroding the base of the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya
Janata Party and helping the Congress-NCP get more votes.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.dnaindia.com/opinion/report_a-toast-to-the-voters-who-defeated-the-bjp_1303056

A toast to the voters who defeated the BJP
Anil Dharker / DNAMonday, October 26, 2009 1:39 IST

Mumbai: Who is the hero of the Maharashtra elections? If you believe
the electronic media, it was indisputably Raj Thackeray. If you
believe me, it was the voter, at least the 50 per cent who bothered to
turn up. Let me tell you why.

But first, Raj Thackeray. He has undoubtedly had some influence on the
results of these elections, as he did with the Lok Sabha polls earlier
in the year. To start with, the MNS took away six seats from the Sena-
BJP in Mumbai. Then in getting six per cent of the total vote, the MNS
not only won 13 seats in the states but it also hurt the Sena-BJP in
about 20 other seats. But analysts miss one important point: any split
in a political party is bound to hurt one or both of the entities. If
the Congress and the NCP had not fought the election together, the
combine couldn't have formed the government, either this time or
earlier. If you recollect, there was a lot of brave talk of the
Congress going it alone. But this was before the election and it
remained brave (actually foolhardy) talk only. The Congress has learnt
its lesson from previous elections: you contest an election without
seat-sharing arrangements with like-minded parties and you end up
losing what you could have won.

I have heard several Shiv Sena spokesmen blame the MNS factor for its
own poor showing. To hear them talk you would think that the MNS was a
Congress creation or that Raj Thackeray was the villain of the piece.
None of them wants to acknowledge -- or perhaps none of them dares to
say it out loud -- that the MNS breakaway from the Shiv Sena was a
result of the failure of Bal Thackeray to resolve the succession
issue. As one has seen in several family-owned industries, these
issues are never easy to handle, but elder statesmen are supposed to
gain wisdom with their grey hair, which is why several industrial
families have arrived at solutions which have been acceptable to all
concerned. If that didn't happen with the Shiv Sena, it's not the
fault of Raj Thackeray.

When I say the hero of the elections is the voter, I don't mean just
this election but the general election of 2009 and the one before that
as well. These are the polls that coincide with the decline of the
BJP. I am not playing partisan politics here; I am just observing that
the voter has become disillusioned with the BJP's refusal to see India
as a modern nation state. The BJP has floundered because its Ram
Mandir-Hindutva based success went to its head. It forgot that the
voter and voting trends are dynamic, not static. Even the voter who
had earlier been for Hindutva

politics now wanted to move on. The world was changing rapidly around
him and he wanted to be part of that change. That meant a focus on
developmental issues, on policies that promote inclusive growth and do
not
get side-tracked into matters relating to caste and religion. It's
possible I am reading too much in to this; perhaps it's not really a
trend... But something tells me that I am at least partially right.
That, in fact, was the reason LK Advani and company floundered so
much: they felt the scenario was changing but couldn't quite grasp it,
and found themselves out of touch with the electorate.

If this reading is right, the Marathi manoos issue will not be as
important in 2014 as it is now. Even now it's an urban phenomenon, and
that too confined to major cities like Mumbai. If the new Congress-NCP
government that will be formed soon gets its act together and
addresses the issue on a war-footing, it will lose its relevance even
further in five year's time. Perhaps Raj Thackeray will find another
theme then, but that's to be seen in the years to come. As things
stand, it's the electorate which is growing up and it's the political
parties which are failing to keep up.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://news.rediff.com/column/2009/oct/26/tvr-shenoy-on-the-maharashtra-elections.htm

Can the BJP-Sena get their act together?
October 26, 2009 11:15 IST
Tags: Bharatiya Janata Party, Trinamool Congress, Jagan Mohan Reddy,
Shiv Sena, Vilasrao Deshmukh
Email
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UsersWrite a
CommentHow many ministers shall Maharashtra have in the Union
Cabinet?
The Congress, you see, has a tradition. Maharashtra is too big and too
rich a state to be insulted. So, when a Congress chief minister of
Maharashtra is removed for incompetence or electoral failure he cannot
just be put into cold storage. If nothing else, that leaves the ex-
chief minister twiddling his thumbs in Mumbai [ Images ], with nothing
to do but plot against his successor. So the Congress 'high command'
cannily switches the man to Delhi [ Images ].

That is how we got Sushil Kumar [ Images ] Shinde as our Union energy
minister and Vilasrao Deshmukh [ Images ] as the Union heavy
industries minister.

It has been reported that Vilasrao Deshmukh has not moved into his
allotted bungalow because Mani Shankar Aiyar [ Images ] -- who lost
his seat in the last general election -- is refusing to move out. The
heavy industries minister has not raised a ruckus so far since he was
apparently hoping to move back into Varsha, the chief minister's
bungalow in Mumbai.

Both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party [ Images ] had the
decency to follow democratic tradition and announce who their prime
ministerial candidates would be. That gave the people of India the
chance to make their preference clear. Why could they not follow that
healthy precedent when it came to the Maharashtra polls?

It is utter rubbish to claim that MLAs or MPs make the choice.

Neither the Congress, nor the B.J.P., nor even the C.P.I.(M) gives its
legislators that freedom. The BJP leadership asked nobody before
demanding Vasundhara Raje's resignation in Jaipur [ Images ]; the
Congress 'high command' will be equally autocratic in Mumbai,
Chandigarh, and Itanagar.

The same situation prevails in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Rajasekhara Reddy's [ Images ] sudden death has left a vacuum in
Hyderabad.

Jagan Mohan Reddy was supposed to be the heir to the throne but the
Congress leadership does not approve. That leaves K Rosaiah as the man
in charge -- even though one of his first acts was to preside over a
meeting that called for giving the chief ministership to Jagan Mohan
Reddy.

One should note, however, that the Congress's problems pale in
comparison to those of the BJP and the Shiv Sena [ Images ]. This
election means that the allies shall be out of power for close to
fifteen years by the time that the newly-elected Vidhan Sabha's span
ends.

They lost the election despite the drought, the farmer suicides, the
economic downturn and the job losses. Compare that to the way in which
Haryana's voters decided to send a message to the ruling Congress.

It is not the fault of the voters of Maharashtra. Did the BJP and the
Shiv Sena give them any reasons to vote in their favour?

Apologists for the BJP and the Shiv Sena are quick to point out that
they have not been in power at either the central or the state level
for several years. That is true, but they have been in power at the
municipal level for a couple of years now, both in Delhi and in Mumbai
not to mention a raft of smaller towns and cities.

Take a walk down the potholed streets of India's financial capital,
remember how the monsoons flooded the city, get a whiff of the garbage
piling up everywhere, and you will know just how badly the local
government is run.

Yes, the Congress government of Maharashtra has proved incompetent and
ineffective. But how, on the basis of seeing the Brihan-Mumbai
Mahanagar Palika function, can anyone vote for the BJP. and the Shiv
Sena? What kind of alternative do they offer?

By the way, the only reason that the Shiv Sena's Shubha Raul is the
mayor of Mumbai is because the Congress and the NCP decided to fight
each other in 2007. Come 2012, and who knows if the NDA allies can
retain power at least at the local government level?

Again, if Ashok Chavan [ Images ], Vilasrao Deshmukh, and Jagan Mohan
Reddy represent Congress dynasties, it is no secret that both the Shiv
Sena and the BJP have their share of prominent families. Which leads
to the same question, what gives the voter any confidence that a Shiv
Sena-BJP ministry shall differ substantially from the Congress-NCP
alliance?

The best you can say for the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena
is that they have five years to get something right before the next
Lok Sabha and the next Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections.

Tailpiece: Readers may remember that I mentioned Mamata Banerjee's
[ Images ] decision to put up her own candidates in Arunachal Pradesh
in a previous column. I thought the Trinamool Congress [ Images ]
might get a seat or two, but winning five has, I hear, shocked even
the Congress high command. Once Maharashtra is settled, will the
Congress try to placate Mamata Banerjee before the West Bengal
[ Images ] elections?

T V R Shenoy

Showing 1-10 of total 35 messages Pages | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Older
>

BJP - Spent force
by South Indian on Oct 26, 2009 01:47 PM

The problem with them is they still likes to believe that they are all
good and supreme.

Re: BJP - Spent force
by Zeng on Oct 26, 2009 01:47 PM

Soon Your Congress will be Nuked, China is coming.

Re: Re: BJP - Spent force
by Javeed Ali on Oct 26, 2009 01:52 PM
yes, khabri (secret messenger)to china is your sangh pariwar.

Indian Politician Problem Will Be Solved
by Zeng on Oct 26, 2009 01:43 PM |

Indian Politician Problem Will Be Solved - After China Captures New
Delhi.

Message awaiting moderator review

Message awaiting moderator review

congis should be raped!
by guest on Oct 26, 2009 01:41 PM

the election was fixed congis should be kicked out of this country

That is their problem...
by Dravid on Oct 26, 2009 01:33 PM

Who cares! Raj is better than those jokers.

Re: That is their problem...
by Mumbai on Oct 26, 2009 01:41 PM

Today you may be enjoying a acting of this traitor Raj Thakare but u
will realise when u will come to know about real face of Raj Thakare.

BJP will bounce back
by bala sreenivasan on Oct 26, 2009 01:29 PM

BJP-SS combines defeat is mainly due to an anomaly in our electoral
system that overlooks the percentage of votes polled by a party and
considers the number of seats won; It is true that MNS's aggressive
'Maharashtra for Marathas' stand has unfortunately caught the
imagination of even educated Maharashtrians.
What Chiranjeevi did in AP, Vijayakanth did in TN in the last
parliamentary elections, has been done again by the MNS.
BJP needs some one like KN Govindacharya who can effectively work at
the grassroots level and rebuild the party. BJP owes its growth in
Orissa & Bihar to KNG who was unfortunately eased out. BJP leadership
will do well in taking a leaf out of Karunanidhi who despite dismal
electoral performances for 12 long years made a comeback in 1989.
Again starting from 1991 to 1996, he was out of power and his party
had hardly any representation in the assembly. He waited and kept the
party intact. Today, he has ensured the financial security and well-
being of the fourth generations in the family! Optimism imbued with
relentless work will bring back BJP

Re: BJP will bounce back
by Wajid Ali on Oct 26, 2009 01:33 PM
BJP-SS are power hungry only.

Re: Re: BJP will bounce back
by viajaya laxmi on Oct 26, 2009 01:53 PM

U maean to say congis are not power hungry or they are not taking any
decissions feeding chicken biriyani to afzal and kasab thats why they
are good. sude-secularist

Re: Re: BJP will bounce back
by bala sreenivasan on Oct 26, 2009 01:38 PM

As if your Congress is not after power. Power is the first priority
when you enter politics.What did Congress do to the nation after being
in power for 60 years?

Message deleted by moderator

Re: BJP will bounce back
by PS on Oct 26, 2009 01:47 PM

It is difficult for BJP to bounce back
They dont have a good organizer like Pramod Mahajan and Shri Vajpayeji
also have made exit from politics.
Frankly speaking,Advani is not trustable and capable and he is not a
man having vision like Shri Vajpayeji.
After Pramod Mahajan,there is no one in BJP who can hold its party
members together.
It is difficult for BJP to bounce back.All party members are
frustrated and panicked now.

Re: BJP will bounce back
by rajsing mohapatro on Oct 26, 2009 01:35 PM

When there was law to arrest Raj cong instead of doing that encouraged
him and fundeded his election campaign at the cost of northies live.
But the Irony it wins in north as well. Really electorate awarness is
needed and that responsibility lies on media but when media has sold
out all its value then what can anyone do.

Re: BJP will bounce back
by jaykumar j on Oct 26, 2009 01:33 PM

Bala,
BJP need not have to learn from DMK there national leadership are very
well focused what to do and what to not. In Mahrastra it was Gopinath
Munde's adamant nature cost BJP a lot. As BJP didn't wanted to
interfere in Munde work they kept quite.

Re: Re: BJP will bounce back
by PS on Oct 26, 2009 01:49 PM

Truly said
Munde was dreaming to become CM instead of organizing strategy for his
party.
This costed BJP-SS alliance in this elections.

Re: BJP will bounce back
by vinod vinod on Oct 26, 2009 01:35 PM

BJP will be finished in the next elections. no use of your points
hHAHAHAHAHA

Re: Re: BJP will bounce back
by himanshu sharma on Oct 26, 2009 01:52 PM

r u a muzzie..

Re: Re: BJP will bounce back
by jaykumar j on Oct 26, 2009 01:37 PM

Stop day dreaming Vinod.

easy ...
by SAURABH SINGH on Oct 26, 2009 01:28 PM

throw uddhav out of chairperson post get in raj & SS-BJP will be
undoubtly come to power ...

Re: easy ...
by Mumbai on Oct 26, 2009 01:39 PM

BECAUSE OF YOU PEOPLE WHO PROMOTE OR PRAISE A TRAITOR RAJ THAKARE ALL
THIS HAPPENING IN STATES. UDHAV IS MUCH MUCH BETTER THAN RAJ THAKARE
IN ANY CLASS. HE IS REAL REAL RELATIONSHP SON OF BAL THAKARE...

should
by vinod vinod on Oct 26, 2009 01:28 PM

BjpShouldReconisderTheIdelogyOfH!ndutv@,
TheyShouldAskForgivnessForTheBabariMasjidAct.
RssShouldNotControlBjpTheyShouldHireMuzziesIn
TheirPartyAndShouldGiveMoreChancesToMuzzies
AlsoRssVhpBajrangDalShouldBeBannedPermanantly
AndFinallyTheyshouldConsiderBHARATMATAMOTHERINDIASONIYJAEE
AsTheIndianOneAndNotForgeinPerson
ThenOnlyTheyCanWinTheElectionsElseTheyWillBe
history...............hHAHAHAHA

Re: should
by jaykumar j on Oct 26, 2009 01:29 PM

Vinod,
For babri masjid first person who must ask sorry is Rajiv Gandhi and
not BJP. He only opened main gate of Masjid in 1987 and closed under
muslims pressure.

Re: should
by rajsing mohapatro on Oct 26, 2009 01:33 PM

So Raj and BJP spread hatre what did ur dream leader do. He
orchaestrated 1984 and openly said when big tree falls earth
shakes.Why his party is not communal?????????????????

Re: Re: should
by vinod vinod on Oct 26, 2009 01:34 PM

congress is the most secular party in the entire world.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/poor-show-in-city-a-wake-up-call-for-cong-ncp/533385/

Poor show in city a wake up call for Cong, NCP
Ajay Khape
Posted: Oct 26, 2009 at 0603 hrs IST

Pune Until the Assembly polls, they had lost no opportunity fighting
against each other. However, the Assembly election results in the city
have come as a wake up call for the NCP and the Congress to join hands
in the city lest they lose control over the Pune Municipal
Corporation.

The upsurge of Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS in the city, going by their
performance, has forced the NCP and Congress to seriously brace for an
unfavourable situation that may arise against them in the PMC. “We
came to power in PMC as the single largest party in the 2007 civic
polls. It had also indicated the growing strength of the party in the
city, but the outcome of recent polls has something else to say,” said
NCP city chief Jaidev Gaikwad.

Though there is no threat to the Congress-NCP stronghold, he said time
had come for both to come together in the civic body to retain hold
over the city. “The NCP and Congress have been at loggerheads for the
last few years and this has had its impact on performance of both the
parties in the assembly polls. It’s time to join hands now.”

Of the eight seats in the city, the Shiv Sena and BJP won two seats
each while the MNS opened its account with one. One seat went to NCP
while the Congress managed to win two seats, one less than it had won
in 2004. “The Congress-NCP should have won maximum seats in the city
going by the strength in the local civic body. The Congress from the
beginning applied pressure tactics on the NCP and took into kitty
seats that were favourable for the NCP,” Gaikwad said, adding that the
NCP was stronger in Shivajinagar and Hadapsar constituencies.

He admitted there were problems between the two parties during the
Assembly poll as cadres did not wholeheartedly participate in the
campaign of each other’s candidates. Stating that senior leaders of
both the parties have buried their differences, Gaikwad said Congress
and NCP will work together in the civic body. “This will ensure party
cadres join hands and power remains with the two.”

Congress managed to win two of the four seats it contested and
retained Pune Cantonment seat while Shivajinagar seat went to a
sitting MLA who had won the seat in 2004 on a Shiv Sena ticket. “The
city has always been a stronghold of the Congress. We proved it during
LS polls,” a Congress leader said.

City Congress chief Abhay Chhajed said several factors led to fewer
candidates winning. “Delimitation along with local politics had an
adverse effect on performance. We hope to change the situation after
the Congress and NCP work together at local level.”

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?col=indiadiary&file=/2009/10/26/columnists/indiadiary/4974314&sec=India%20Diary

Monday October 26, 2009
No reason to do the victory dance
INDIA DIARY By COOMI KAPOOR

There were surprises galore in the recent provincial elections and
political parties’ actual performance in government might have become
irrelevant to the outcome.

INSCRUTABLE are the ways of the Indian voter.

Just when the ruling United Progressive Alliance of Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh was expecting to receive a shot in the arm from
provincial elections, the actual outcome left it rather dissatisfied.

Though managing to retain power in all three states which went to the
polls in mid-October, the Congress Party failed to improve its
performance despite a badly fragmented Opposition.

Defying all predictions, the Opposition was far from being humiliated.
In other words, voters in the assembly polls gave all political
parties a lot to think about.

Of the three states, the result in Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast
was a foregone conclusion. In­variably, the voters in the small
northeastern border state tend to go with the ruling party at the
centre.

This time, too, the verdict was one-sided, in favour of the ruling
Congress Party. Indeed, Arunachal Pradesh barely registers on the
antennae of most Indians.

Sending but only two members to the 542-strong Lok Sabha, it seems so
far away, physically and mentally, to the vast majority of Indians
that the only time it figures in the national consciousness is when
its status as part of India is disputed by neighbouring China.

It was the outcome in Maharashtra which held much significance. Here,
the outgoing coalition of the Congress Party and the Nationalist
Congress Party (NCP) of Union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad
Pawar was seeking to retain power.

The alliance managed to pip the rival Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) alliance, thus earning the right to rule Maharashtra for another
five-year term.

Once the leader in factory output, with its capital Mumbai serving as
the commercial hub of the country, Maharashtra had fallen behind in
all economic indices in recent years.

More than 40,000 farmers had committed suicide in the last two decades
due to drought, crop failures, debt burden and other such problems.

Manufacturing was on the decline. There was record unemployment,
especially among blue-collar workers due to the closure of textile
mills in Mumbai and the conversion of mill lands into lucrative
residential and commercial complexes.

Even the civic infrastructure in Mumbai was near breaking-point.
Worse, the much-vaunted cosmopolitan culture of Mumbai was under
severe attack from politicians of all hues, and not just from the
votaries of the “Maharashtra-for-Maharashtrians” movement of the
breakaway Shiv Sena faction.

In competitive electoral politics, every political formation had
openly championed the narrow, chauvinistic sentiment, threatening to
curb the presence of non-Maharashtrians in all spheres of economic
activity.

Yet, the ruling Congress-NCP coalition managed to retain power because
of the sharp divisions in Opposition ranks.

The fight for succession in the Shiv Sena family between Uddhav, the
son of founder-president Balasaheb Thackeray, and the latter’s nephew,
Raj Thackeray, had caused a vertical split in the Opposition camp.

Raj’s rival outfit, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, not only cut into the
votes of the Sena-BJP combine in a number of constituencies but
surprisingly won a handful of seats of its own.

So, while the Congress-NCP would retain power by default, the actual
winner in Maharashtra was the rabid regionalist Raj. In his very first
assembly election, his party managed to win a sizable number of seats.

Raj’s exceedingly good performance is a cause of concern for liberal,
cosmopolitan sections unless, having established a toehold in state
politics, he moderates his stand.

A bigger surprise for the ruling Congress Party was the outcome in
Haryana. Here, outgoing Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was
widely expected to enjoy a cakewalk due to disunity among the anti-
Congress groups.

Yet, the result shocked the Congress Party. The main Opposition group
in the state, Indian National Lok Dal of former chief minister Om
Prakash Chauthala, surprised itself by winning more than 31 seats in a
House of 90.

Now, even as Hooda with 39 seats is certain to form the government
with the help of footloose legislators, the fear of instability will
haunt the state, especially with the traditionally fickle loyalties of
most Haryana politicians.

The broader message of the 2009 assembly poll lies in the complete
disarray in Opposition ranks.

The main Opposition group, BJP, is in the throes of a leadership
crisis. Riven by dissensions, the party has yet to recover from its
defeat in the May parliamentary poll.

While admittedly there is considerable Opposition space in the polity,
it is notable that no party at the centre or in the state has ever won
a majority with 50% or more of the votes polled — several regional
players have sought to fill it. A far more disturbing lesson is that
actual performance in government may have become irrelevant to the
electoral outcome. By all accounts, the Hooda government in Haryana
did a fairly good job in the last five years.

Yet, the party failed to win a clear majority. The fragmented
Opposition nonetheless put up a grand show, with Chauthala doing
exceedingly well against all odds.

On the other hand, the Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra made a
hash of things but still managed to pip the Opposition in the first-
past-the-post electoral system to retain power. Yes, Opposition
disunity helped the Congress-NCP. But then the discerning voter, as
the ultimate arbiter in any democracy, is supposed to rise above
factors of caste, class, identity, and so on to plump for the best
available option. Or maybe it is the least bad among the alternatives
on offer which eventually gets the nod from voters. Either way,
results of the assembly elections have given no single formation a
reason to do a victory jig.

...and I am Sid Harth

[dhananjay]

On Oct 23, 7:14 pm, "Balwant Dixit" <***@pitt.edu> wrote:
> Cong, along with its ally NCP, returns to power in Maharashtra for the third
> consecutive term (seats won =142 out of 288).  
congress and its ally?
ally?

till last month they were going to fight against each other due to un
expected seats in LS elections? The indi candidates are mostly of NCP
fighting against congress which amount to 10-15. Its sharad pawar's
gameto get seats beyond seat sharing formula if the formula is not
acceptable but compromised. Like this time NCP was given much less
seats than in 2004 still they got 65+ with these indi they maintained
the presence making separate fighting of congress in state a Day
Dream.

If congress provides Maharashtr any national space (and Face, popular
jokes pun at hicommand),
then they are welcome to test their strength in coming BMC elections.

Congress has two state units (only for maharashtr state one for
maharashtr pradesh other for mumbai pradesh!!!)

how much regional they are?
they dont evenconsider a pan maharashtr mindset in its 50th year of
making
forget nationalistic views on issues.

>This is very good news for the State and its citizens
Come here and distribute laadu pedha.

>once again it does not allow the organizations like Shiv Sena and MNS to get in the posittion of forming a
> cabinet
It did not allow the congress (alone) and NCP (alone) and Sena (alone)
and BJP (alone)
almost 60% did not vote.

Tally is 145 min, no one gets it. If tomorrow sharad pawar withdraws
from govnt, can congress get in cabinate to push its migrant centric
agenda?

> no constructive agenda for all Maharastrians.
ALL maharastrians? you mean marathi right?

some one has to care for them isnt it? is it illegal to do so in
nation where sikhs, muslims, tamils, bengali, telugu, kashmiri,
harayanvi run local welfare centric politics for state assembly
atleast agree to marathi centric politics in maharashtr will you?

>Their only interest is to fight among themselves to satisfy their egos.
Whatabout fight between sharad pawar and sonia gandhi in 2000 state
assembly elections? when they united after election results? may be
their ego f**ked each other and they lived happily ever after?


>It would have been a constructive step for BJP to go alone in Maharashtra.  
BJP has plans for that. But it does not have leaders like balasaheb to
back core ideas of hindu nation under attack from pseudo secular
minority appeasement.

BJP without advani and thakre in state assembly is a party of gujrati
merchants.

>BJP won 47 seats
Shivsena won 47 too.

> if it had gone alone
Hey ram.

>it would have won more seats
so they rejected this idea that what they will do with these more than
47 seats?


>and would have become
what sir? what would BJP become if they fight alone in state assembly
elections?

>the second largest block
you mean they would win more than NCP and shivsena ?


>and with the help of a few independents
like abu aazmi

>could marginalised MNS and Shiv Sena
MNS and shivsena are parties run under idealogy of marathi first as
per their leader's persona (jahaal(radical), mawaal(peacful)).
BJP's munde objected in public the use of two political outfits by
congress for state maharashtr and demanded removal of mumbai pradesh
committee. He is in line of marathi first.

Munde has a base in non urban areas while Sena and MNS identify the
agitating minds of marathi mass in their own land.
Remember that it was munde and thakre who won BJP and sena all the 131
MLAs in 1995 removing congress for first time in state's history.
Shivsena was first to give state a Brahmin and mumbaikar CM in Manohar
Joshi (also mumbaikar and konkani CM after AR antuley in Narayan Rane)

No one wants to see the trend on rise where some kripabhaiyya some
nirupam some mayawati and some lalu aazmi paswaan kumar singhs occupy
daily life of marathi mass.

Wait and watch.

Last note on constructing agenda of congress for last two terms they
could not finish a single flyover from santacruz to chembur. Rahul
Gandhi flyover may be in coming 10 years!
CM chavan said he will make state free of loadshading (reached till
mulund now) in 3 years!!
doesnt he understand 3 years < 10 years (2000-2009)? Prakash Jawdekar
said that at times NarayanRane left CM office in 1999 forfacing
elections their govnt used to "Sell" electricity to Goa and Karnatak!!

Its set back to Marathi mass as rightly said by Udhdhav and no one
should doubt leadership abilities of thakre brothers anymore.

Dhananjay

[Sid Harth]

http://shobhaade.blogspot.com/2009/10/open-letter-to-raj-thackeray.html

Monday, October 26, 2009
Open letter to Raj Thackeray...

Open letter to Raj Thackeray.... From one 'Marathi Manoos' to
another...

Dear Raj,

Wah! Kya baat hai. You’ve done it. Proved a point. And succeeded in
your main objective, which - whether or not you acknowledge it – was
to ‘show Uddhav.’ Well, you’ve certainly ‘shown’ your cousin Uddhav.
Now what? That is the key question. And why just Maharshtra, the rest
of India has its eyes on you.So, let me, as a bonafide daughter of the
soil, spell it out clearly. Treat it as an important piece of
communication from one ‘marathi manoos’ to another.
The main job ahead of you is to de-demonise yourself. Baring your
teeth, has served its original purpose – which was to get yourself
noticed. And subsequently, to get yourself acknowledged as someone who
means business. You walked the talk, went for the jugular, advocated
violence, condoned your workers who indulged in shocking goondagiri,
and created an ever- widening chasm between ‘outsiders’ and those you
defined as the ‘asli’ marathi manoos . You were well aware of the
provocative and dangerous message you were sending out. My guess is,
that was your intention. Within a startlingly short time, you made
national headlines and got India talking about you. From being viewed
as just a discarded nephew of an ageing Tiger, you transformed
yourself into a terror… even a menace. Civil society across the board
condemned your brazen tactics, your aggressive, crude ways. I guess,
you had the last laugh …. you had achieved one of your key objectives,
which was to stake a claim to Balasaheb’s formidable legacy.You didn’t
care a damn what anybody thought or even that your ‘dhamkis’ were
being seen as ‘Goonda Raj’. You seemed to revel in the ‘Attila the
Hun’ reputation, even as sane thinking citizens reviled you and found
themselves reeling at the audacity of it all. Virtually overnight, you
became the Gabbar Singh of politics. ‘Kitney Aadmi The’ became a
familiar chant, as the body count of defenceless, innocent victims
attacked by your foot soldiers went up. You remained remorseless and
unrepentant, shocking critics still further. A monster was born.
Aata kai, Raj?
Do you want to perpetuate the Monster’s reign? It would be entirely
short-sighted and fool hardy to do so. The ‘marathi manoos’ by nature
is not pro-violence. No right thinking person is. A lot of us are
distressed, embarrassed and ashamed that the ‘marathi manoos’ is
getting a bad name, thanks to a small section of individuals who
adhere to these undemocratic methods. Accepted that the legitimate
grievances of the ‘marathi manoos’ deserve to be heard, addressed and
resolved. But certainly not through the means advocated by you.Your
party’s impressive showing in the recent assembly elections should not
be taken as an endorsement of your methods. All that the win signals
is the fact that in certain pockets of Maharashtra you have
successfully tapped into people’s frustrations. But from this point
on, people expect you to deliver on basics – and that cannot happen
through politics of destruction, exclusion and hate. You are a smart,
intelligent, thinking person. You have proved you have the pulse of
your people. The same people will now be looking at you to come up
with programmes and solutions that spell growth and progress. Think
you are up for it, Raj?
After a certain point, your differences and volatile relations with
your cousin are non-issues. We don’t really care or give a damn,
whether you and he are at logger- heads or ‘katti’. That’s your
problem.We are more concerned with the quality of constructive
criticism your people will provide in the assembly. The actual
contribution your legislators will make.In other words what the MNS
will bring to the table in its ‘new’, ‘improved’ avatar. Even the
Tiger eventually changed his stripes in Maharashtra. What you may
inherit down the line will be a totally transformed party – such as it
may exist, post-Balasaheb. A true player knows how and when to
leverage advantage. Your time to do that is now. Exploiting fear
psychosis serves only a limited purpose, as Narendra Modi has
discovered. Exploit your charisma instead. Work for the people of
Maharashtra. Win their love, and more importantly, their respect.
You, my dear Raj, have a terrible reputation. But this is your chance
to redeem yourself. Don’t squander it.
Yours sincerely,
‘Marathi Mulgi’, Shobhaa
Posted by Shobhaa De at 11:29 AM
34 comments:
Madhavi said...
do u really consider yourself 2 b marathi mulagi, i differ. de
demonosing. who labelled him demon, people like u,english press hindi
channels.for lalbg/paral marathi manus he is saviour hasn't he showed
it legitimately through ballot box.violance,brutal majority of cow
belt is it going to listen to marathi cause if not otherwise.much more
to say constraint of space

October 26, 2009 12:27 PM
Raj said...
Read this letter in TOI this morning and I salute you for writing
this. This has the common man's voice inside and appreciate the same.
I think we all would like to see him focusing on growth and
development. He needs a rebranding.

R Nair

October 26, 2009 12:30 PM
ms said...
ahem, mz de. you are not manoos, the very point he is making. to be
one you have to be 20th generation marathi, or maybe 1000th. you have
to feature in the line-up of evolutonary human, somewhere between cro
magnon magnon and cro magnon. see, you can spend your entire life
devoted to making maharashtra a "maha" rashtra, giving it your BSTT
(blood, sweat, toil and tears) and singing endless songs in its
praise, penning trillion words extolling its greatness. but you lose
out in the end. you are still an "outsider", not a manoos or a mulgi.
go figure. i am reminded of an ancient ghazal:
"jab chaman ko lahu ki zaroorat thi,
sabse pehle hamari
hi gardan kati.
ab ye kehtay hain humse, ai ehley chaman,
ye chaman hai hamara, tumhara nahi"

October 26, 2009 12:39 PM
ashok said...
It was amusing to read the ‘open letter’ from Shobha De in the Times
of India issue of Oct 26, 2009. Claiming oneself marathi mulgi and a
bonafide (?) representative of marathi manoos is an indication of the
opportunistic attitude displayed by another pseudo-elite citizen of
India.

I saw a film wherein the oppressed & upright elder brother says Jaao
pehala uska sign le aaoo… while replying to his younger brother’s
sermons on life. When the younger his unable to see the elder’s point
of view, he takes the protective cudgels of mere paas ma hai…. A clear
diversion from the agonies of purpose. Providing sermons on civilized
ways of behaviour from the protective walls of aristocracy is a sign
of feudalistic ungratefulness and are displayed by those who are only
bothered of exploiting the situation so as to be close to the centers
of power…… a bane of Indian society.

As a normal marathi manoos I am appalled by the attitude of Ms De, in
trivializing the issues raised by Raj and camouflaging the non-
performance of the people in power by associating the noble efforts of
MNS with ‘goondaraj’, usurping the legacy of the respected Tiger and
comparing to the Attila the Hun (who’s he?) and Gabbar Singh. She has
proved the ‘crab story’ associated with the marathi manoos. Revered
leaders of marathi orgin, the great Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj,
Sadashivrao Peshwa at Panipat, Lokmanya Tilak, Veer Savarkar, CD
Deshmukh, Balasaheb Thackrey to name a few in the past and now Raj
have had to struggle against both the people in power as well as their
brethren to prove their noble actions. The exasperation of Balasaheb
in the recent Samna is understandable and pardonable to a certain
extent.

Ms De has elaborately criticized and demeaned the success of Raj and
MNS but has not given any suggestions or pointers or plans that can be
reviewed, discussed and if found suitable implemented. Only sermons
and not action plans. Should one question her what needs to be done, I
am sure the answer would be - give me power and I shall prove it or
lets live with yours, mine & ours. It is a pity that persons of
eminence can only find fault with others actions and provide no
solutions.

Let her know that only when exploitation becomes unbearable, one gets
aggressive and resorts to violence. The marathi manoos has borne the
inconveniences for a long time with the hope of improvement with
democratic & civilized means….albeit in vain. I am sure Ms De has
answers / justification to some of the following questions:
1. If rules for all citizens be same, then
a. why should marathi manoos in Mumbai subsidize the municipal
amenities provided to the ever-growing slums in the city, live with
water shortage, filth and terrorizing hawkers.
b. why health concerns of Peddar Road residents considered more
important than Mohammed Ali Road residents while constructing fly-
overs
c. why changes to property tax system are stalled by south-Mumbai
residents
d. why No-hawking zones are mostly in the elite areas of Mumbai
2. Why Ambe Valley was created by Sahara in Maharashtra but failed in
UP
3. Why Hindi film-industry could not develop and flourish in New
Delhi?


I feel the only answer to all these is that the marathi manoos has
always been tolerant, acceptable and diligent. These virtues have been
misused, exploited and systematically subverted for the benefit of
others. So, Ms De, marathi mulgi as you claim yourself to be, if you
have any empathy towards the struggles & travails of the marathi
manoos then support else let us not call you …et tu brute

October 26, 2009 12:42 PM
kala said...
Once Taliban gets hold of Pakistan's nukes, there will be neither
Delhi nor Mumbai to speak of. The foolish goats are fighting amongst
themselves blissfully ignoring the big cat that is waiting to destroy
them. Madhavi, there are sizable marathi manoos in Karnataka, Goa,
Madhya Pradesh and cowbelt also. Think of them before you spew venom
on helpless people who are being exploited by the big fish. Living in
India and speaking against other Indians is against the spirit of our
constitution.

October 26, 2009 12:45 PM
kala said...
ashok, what are you talking about?
Bollywood has and is providing employment to hundreds of marathi
people along with others.
Those who are living in slums are providing various services to Mumbai
in various capacities and as such they can be provided with some water
and electricity.
Mumbai is where it is today because of gujaratis, parsees, sindhis,
south Indians, north Indians besides our own marathis. So everyone has
the right to reap the fruits as we are all Indians in the first place.
Just because you are angry, you will beat up and kill the helpless
taxi driver, vegetable vendor and the doctor. Dont forget that our
marathi manoos are also everywhere and highly vulnerable.

October 26, 2009 12:55 PM
Sparkling said...
Good one there!
But I only hope against hope that he reads this and understands it
well enough in a smart, intelligent and thinking manner. To be honest,
he hasn’t revealed any of these adjectives as of date. Serious! Oh, he
has charisma, he sure has! Mainly in that ‘shock and awe’ manner
(didn’t mean to insult Danny Crane here!) endured by his poor
victims.
Have you ever thought that he just might misconstrue his win as a
result of his demonic tactics? The guy is in denial, Shobhaa…he needs
a shrink!

But I’ll still toast you to your optimism. Cheers!

October 26, 2009 12:57 PM
ashok said...
kala, b4 making a sweeping statement and just blurting out the oft
repeated statements by politicians, it is necessary to understand the
focus of the issue and if possible, brood over the questions raised.

One should reap the fruits for which you toil. Dont suck and be
parasites.

October 26, 2009 1:02 PM
Babu said...
Hi Shobhaji aka Marathi Mulgi

Congrats! Nice post. In less than 24 hours you discovered that you are
a Marathi Mulgi while in your previous post you were wondering whether
you are a Marathi? So plz do share this secret guidlines of
considering someone as a Marathi n outsider. Now you are safe in
Maharashtra.

Regarding the de-demonising of Raj Saheb it looks bit difficult from
the previous violence n atrocities...but lets hope for the best.

Regards
movies in bhopal
movies in chennai
movies in Cochin

October 26, 2009 1:26 PM
Aparna said...
Kudos to you Shobhaa.
I loved your perception (and interpretation) of Raj when you were
talking to Anuradha Sengupta on a television show last night.
This open letter seems to be an extension of that brilliant (and
brave) expression.
Post election, Raj appears to be a different (did I say, sensible?)
person .
when he shunned all those probing, pregnant question about Shivsena's
debacle, I was amazed to watch him on the screen.
Instead of the usual barks and roar, he was (again sensibly) talking
about the MNS's future course of action and the blue print in making.
It seems to be a welcome change.
You predicted something last night on the same TV show.
A future of Raj, the phenomenon.
You said, he is a shrewd person and will shed his violent skin after
he is done with MAKING HIS PRESENCE FELT.
I wish you luck, Shobhaa...May you be proved right.

Another Marathi Mulgee,
-Aparna Velankar

October 26, 2009 1:37 PM
kala said...
Only shobhaa is safe. But her children by de are half bengali and may
be only half safe. That is the equation our marathis will be
discussing. Purity of blood and ethnicity. When we die and if at all
we go to some other world, we must ensure there are separate places
for separate creeds and one big place for the mixed ones like me and
Shobhaa's 2 children. Clean up operations and then everyone can live
happily everafter.

October 26, 2009 1:38 PM
Gajendra said...
I beg to differ with your de-demonizing statement and also the "work
for the people of maharashtra" statements.........

I feel his motive cannot be questioned at all....

I am with him.

The media is an arse !!!

October 26, 2009 2:26 PM
Dewesh Singh said...
Ok Intelligent people ! hold your horses down and stop wasting your
time here in typing essays, whatever you type here is not gonna make
any difference at all, This is India meri jaan. :)

October 26, 2009 2:46 PM
Renu said...
After a long time a hard hitting true post!..The divisive
personalities should not be encouraged anywhere in the country..India
belongs to everybody.

The day Mr. raj asks all non maharashtrians to go, he should be
prepared to take back all the maharshtrians living in other parts of
the country...otherwise its like India Pakistan Partition only solving
no purpose.

October 26, 2009 2:48 PM
Eidothia said...
Good Post. And very apt to suggest he use this time to reinvent
himself and work for the masses even if in the name of Marathi
Manoos!

But saddenned to see other educated folk take such a narrow standpoint
and support regional politics and elicit a divide. I lived in
Maharashtra for almost 3 years and can never forget the spirit of the
people or place. It was a pleasure.

People like Raj Thackeray thrive on media attention, just like any
anti-social elements and the best way to kill this is not provide it
with any attention. The whole thing eventually either dies or the
people at the helm of it re-think their ways and adapt themselves.

October 26, 2009 3:09 PM
parwatisingari said...
http://naagarika-parwatisingari.blogspot.com/ in my blog mee
marathi..? i have it all.

October 26, 2009 4:05 PM
uthamanarayanan said...
First I appreciate the courage of writing , that too a writing about
political personalities, however bad the path and trajectory of the
persons concerned, since we have seen how a news paper can be burnt
down and the enquiry, cases,..... atlast lives lost innocently is lost
for ever.This is demockery..... sorry madam democracy.
In Tamil Nadu one gentleman by name E.V.R.Periyar was responsible for
the upliftment of suppressed class whose followers are ruling Tamil
Nadu still... this gentleman was a Kannada speaking man.One of the
past Chief Ministers shri.Omanthur Ramasamy Reddiar was telugu
speaking man.M.G.R is known to all who was a Malayalee by birth.This
is Tamil Nadu and we are the real Indians not the Hindi speaking
sectarian or Marathi speaking narrow minded so called leaders.We have
here a large population of marathi speaking people who even not
visited Maharashtra once in their life time, they know only to speak
marathi in its own variation with mixed tamil.People are innocent and
this idiotic leaders think people are ignorant ..... which is not a
fact.

October 26, 2009 4:40 PM
cmpershad said...
"And why just Maharshtra, the rest of India has its eyes on you."

Please dont spread the canrad of hatred in other states... as it is,
we have enough of divisions on the basis of caste, creed.... and even
sex:)

October 26, 2009 4:57 PM
G.RAMACHANDRAN said...
MS.SHOBHAA DE: YOUR CALLING YOURSELF "AS A BONAFIDE DAUGHTER OF THE
SOIL' DRIPS WITH THE ARROGANCE OF A RABID REGIONAL BIGOT". I AM A
TAMILIAN BORN, BROUGHT UP, EDUCATED,WORKED,AND LIVING A RETIRED LIFE
IN MAHARASHTRA. SO WHAT AM I? A PRETENDER? DON'T BOTHER TO ANSWER
MS.DE. THE LIKES OF THACKERAYS ARE THE CHILDREN OF YOUR WAY OF
THINKING AN PHILOSOPHY (IF ONE CAN CALL IT THAT.)

October 26, 2009 5:10 PM
Nagesh said...
@ ASHOK -- First of all I applaud your unparalleled writing skills
with a touch of frustation. It pretty much depicts your sufferings
since possibly your chidhood. May I ask you that where the hell were
you before Raj Thakre came into picture. Its a pity that well educated
people like you have been falling trap to this politics .May I ask you
some corresponding questions in response to your utter stupid list of
questions
1. Why is Indian Parliament not in Mumbai
2. Do u think Mumbai is a legacy of morons like u, If u think so then
have a seperate nation and Erase Part III of Indian constitution from
ur so called MArathi constitution and please dont call yourself
Indians, Rest of India will be happy to see you as Marathis, isolated
and happy in ur own backyard.
3. People from Mumbai and so called cities , when they go abroad they
call themselves "DESIZ" .. and that Desi behaviour is more of a North
Indian UP Bihar behaviour... stop boasting of sth that u r not worth
of...
Live peacefully .. or may be just go and join MNS and strive for
existence...

October 26, 2009 5:18 PM
Madhavi said...
well well it was interesting reading. i still stand upright for my Me
Marathi stand. AT THE OUT SET LET ME SAY PROUDLY THAT I AM INDIAN AND
DO NOT HAVE DEVISIVE IDEAS[that's not viable technically that apart]
'STILL'! i uttered my first words in marathi way back in 50s. that is
my window to the world. expression of my very being.i came to know
about india i.e. Bhaarat when i went to school at the age of 5. after
a huge gap of 365 into 5 days. in those days pakistan was East and
West. there is no East Pakistan now. Neither is USSR. did the
languages change because of that.In Bangla Desh people were same
culture was same,On the contrary very division was on the basis of
De's sasuralwali language!the point is :'NATION IS A CONCEPT, LANGUAGE
IS REALITY'
example,i say INDU VATTU KARMENA!
if said accented every body will vouch that it's MADRASI.No each word
has different meaning. INDU in Gujrati is egg, VATTU in Kannada is
number, KARMENA in marathi is I am ill at ease.the point is: for
phonetic utterances created by larynx using different frequencies,
culture gives the meaning that dates back to centuries.so why should
not i be proud of it. MY CULTURE IS EXTREMLY RICH. and if my marathi
interests are scuttled in conglemeration i.e. india i do have every
right to fight for my right whether in assembly or on streets.

October 26, 2009 5:26 PM
G.RAMACHANDRAN said...
Well Lady, what you are saying is that immaterial of the environment
in which I am born, brought up, educated, worked and retired, it is
where my parents have originated makes what I am? Then please go back
to the GHATS lady and stay in the deep jungles and please do not join
a civilised society

October 26, 2009 6:00 PM
ashok said...
Mr Nagesh....You have proven my point which i mentioned in the 2nd
para of the post about diversion of topic when flummoxed.

October 26, 2009 6:04 PM
Nagesh said...
Mr Ashok ... I thought u are doing the same .. u need to be a bit more
thoughtful .. i m sure u possess a high degree of intellect .. but
using it is highly recommended

October 26, 2009 6:10 PM
*Aham* said...
Mazhe Priy Marathi Mulgi De,

mala tumhi raj la pathavlele patra aavadle. visheshkarun, tumhi
dillela sallah, ki atta shaitaan naahi maanus banun jantechi sewa
kara.

dhanyavaad, amche manogat mandoon, rajchi PUNGI vajavli.

aapla,

TamBrahm Marathi Maanus Harish

October 26, 2009 6:25 PM
krish said...
hi...thr

Am guilty of not being so regular on the blog spot now for sum
time ....missed ya anyway ....so loads of catching up to do.......hope
you are in good sprits.....

Comming to this topic .....i agree when u say this was a ploy by Mr
Raj to be noticed and talked about in the public domain......every
political guy has done it over the years.....but whats more important
is how they correct their ways after basking all the
glory .... ....many still dont wann change their old
ways ...........and about actual contribution of the
legislators......is to be seen.....About mumbai ..i love this city as
you do....and my heart bleeds to see the way its geting molested day
in and out...........lets see if Mr CM can deliver at least 10
percent .......sory to be cynical but thn you knw how the system
works......

Promice to be regular ........and yes wann know about your date with
miss sawant..... luv and luck

Kris

October 26, 2009 6:35 PM
Hussain said...
you written what a common thinking ,
these type of family politics and regional politics will affect common
man's life , as a citizen of india we know inida is one its not
maharastra or some other state, no one should divide like we have
right to work to live any where in india..
thank for writing this message

October 26, 2009 7:08 PM
G.RAMACHANDRAN said...
A GUN IS NOT AN ARGUMENT".
-ATLAS SHRUGGED,Ayn Rand

Because it does not have the premise of right to life and its defence.
It remains only as a weapon in the hands of whoever holds it for the
moment. Why will Mr.Raj Thackeray for whom the premise of existence
does not exist at all throw it away? Without NON MAHARASTHRIANS he
will be a ZERO.

October 26, 2009 7:44 PM
санжог said...
I don't understand why are some people so angry about Shobha's post.

As a matter of fact her post is quite optimistic. She just wants to
point out that it's time to move on...asking the powerful politicians
to use their powers wisely for benifit of all and for greater good.
Now that they have proved their machoistic point," nobody can touch
us".

I don't know much about politics or anything..but I see her point. It
is our duty to remind the politicians in a positive way to not forget
their objectives.

October 26, 2009 7:52 PM
Ashutosh said...
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBORINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG..got
it!!

October 26, 2009 7:58 PM
Another Kiran In NYC said...
Raj does need to step up to Phase 2 in his climb up the ladder. No
question about it.

As a marathi mulgi I ask that everyone who lives in Maharashtra and
wants to call themselves Maharastrian atleast learn to speak good
Marathi. Support the language. Then I might atleast begin to consider
you a Maharashtrian. Just living in a place dosent cut it. At least
make the attempt! And schooling is no excuse. A language is alive when
it is spoken... so speak it.

It totally disgusts me that so much pride is displayed by the denizens
of Mumbai... in saying they speak no marathi or poor marathi and that
marathi is only for thier bai log... and that for them Bombay could
never be Mumbai. Is that being Maharashtrian? Yeah close friends and
intellectual people who should know better and lecture others about
the symbolism of culture and politics and film tell me that. But then
they swear that they are Maharashtrians when the topic of MNS rears
its head!

What the hell is this? The Russian Czar's court where the aristocracy
took pride in speaking only French. Yeah, we know how that ended up.


Atleast honor the culture that you want to claim by way of any
success.

Did you know that in recent years there are whole villages on the
Konkan coast populated by Bengali speaking fishermen? Are they
Maharashtrians too? This is not just anecdotal evidence, this is
statistical!

Recently in Pune I was in a Rickshaw and gave directions to a
Rickshawala in Marathi. Hey in Pune, I can speak my mother tongue if I
want to. The man turns around and says to me... "Hum Mohammedan hai.
Hum Marathi nahi bolengey. Tum Hindi mein bolo." I asked him where he
was from and how long he has been in Pune and working as a Rickshaw
wala. He said he was from Ratnagiri area and has been a rickshawala
for 12 years in Pune. And he wont speak Marathi in a majority marathi
speaking area in a customer service related profession? Hello! And the
idiots among us, actually give in to those demands and think its
either fashionable or patriotic to do so.

Language is a big part of the culture of success. So just living in
Mumbai doesnt cut it. Live the culture of success!

October 26, 2009 8:35 PM
ZB said...
I have no words, but salute your courage. If i were to write this it
would mean nothing. But you have guts. Thanks SD, really appreciate
your thoughts.....We love you for nothing.

October 26, 2009 8:54 PM
maglomaniac said...
Hi Shobhaa,
Now this is what we call a wonderful post.
Actually you made me wait long enough to read such an insightful post.
I totally completly wholly agree with your interpretation of Raj
Thackery.
Marathi manoos,what the hell.
And not only him I am pained at the countless educated "INTELLECTUAL"
people even here in the comments section who revel in this Marathi
Manoos stupidity.
Fools have you people forgotten that there are already enough reasons
for us to be at war with ourselves.
have you people forgotten the usless Babri masjid demolition,the
Godhra carnage,subsequent Gujarat riots,attack on pub going women.
Are these not enough to increase animosity,that you want to create
enemity even on the basis of place we were born.
How stupid of you to say that people are using Mumbai's water and
resources,cause there would be your children too going to other places
to study and for other reasons.Should they be labelled outcasts???
Or rather killed stupidly by a raging moronic mob withot a head but an
even more stupid leader at their helm.
A Marathi manoos or an aam manoos all would be right if we are at
peace with ourselves and believe that we are human beings first even
before being Indians.

~Harsha

October 26, 2009 8:59 PM
BALLU said...
Sub: - Your article in TOI dated 26.10.2009 –Open letter to RAJ.

I am not surprised by the contents of your article. The use of Word
like “Gondaraj”, “Dhamkies” etc. clearly shows your prejudice towards
the issue raised by the MNS. Expressing discontent over issues
affecting survival does not mean Dhamkis/ goondaraj. I hope you must
aware of the Darwins Theory- fittest survives. This is battle is for
survival for ordinary people of Maharashtra and we are not expecting
any thing from intellectual people to support our struggle to counter
lobby of the north states. This is battle for scare economic resources
and there is nothing stupid in the same.

Before commenting on your article, I want to make it clear that, you
are living in the Society mostly termed by us as High Class society ,
wherein , people use their contacts/influences/status, in case of
difficulties, to get rid of problems. We term this as “Arm twisting
tactics” or “alienation tactics” “grudge” adopted by your society
towards local people. We treat this as DADAGIRI/Dhamkis by so called
high class people of Mumbai. You must have received lot of
congratulatory messages for this article from your friends and
admires.

It is fact that even after independence of India in 1947 and adoption
of constitution of India in 1950, the level of development (Economic/
social/cultural/equal distribution of resources) attained by the north
states of India is dismissal. People of Maharashtra worked hard to
achieve overall growth. We got matured political/social/cultural
leadership, that helped us to direct efforts to improve welfare of
people of maharashtra. The provisions of constitution are equally
applicable to all parts of India. Then why these states failed to
achieve growth achieved by western states. “We the people of
India---“mean constitution. But conveniently we mean Maharashtra and
not lobby of North India.

However, the lobbies of these states are using constitutional
provisions to prove that MNS is anti national. The MNS wants
development for people of maharashtra as per constitutional provisions
but these lobbies portrays the demand as anti constitution. This is
ridiculous. We will appreciate and help them to achieve higher and
more equal growth rate using same constitutional provisions. Bur
Political/Social/Cultural leadership of these states never wanted to
achieve equal development in their states and clandestinely following
the feudalism and ensured concentration of power and wealth. To
distract attention from these hidden agenda, there is cry that MSN is
anti national.

The poor people of these states have to migrate to other states just
to earn source of living. Are not these poor people Indians? What
steps theses states are taking to provide source of livelihood to its
own people? We will appreciate your efforts in this area , to educate
your society that people living in these states are also have right
under constitution, to live as proud Indian and not as slaves of
feudalism. Political leadership of these states wants control but not
responsibility towards its people.

The failure of political leadership is these states will harm overall
development of India. MNS wants to achieve “fifth generation” growth
in Maharastra and certainly people of Maharastra will be their
priority and there should not be any objection from intellectual
people lto this agenda.

I just complete the reply abruptly. But try to understand that the
north states failed to offer quality standard of living to people
staying in these states (Who are also Indians) and instead of trying
to achieve growth, they are trying to control economic resources of
Maharastra and certainly this is not acceptable.

FROM- ARVIND

October 26, 2009 9:04 PM

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Assembly-polls-09-Split-opposition-helps-Congress-cement-lead-over-wilting-BJP/articleshow/5150770.cms

Assembly polls '09: Split opposition helps Congress cement lead over
wilting BJP
TNN 23 October 2009, 01:12am IST

NEW DELHI: Congress 3, Rest 0. With this stunning result in the latest
political superbowl, the Congress on Thursday fortified its "top dog"
status, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi during an election rally.

while pushing the main opposition party, BJP, into its gravest
political crisis in over two decades. New kids too appeared on the
block — Raj Thackeray and Om Prakash Chautala — who are likely to be
important in their areas of influence but bit players nonetheless in
the bigger political canvas.

Congress may have survived a scare in Haryana and will retain power in
the state with the help of either independents or Kuldip Singh
Bishnoi's Haryana Janhit Congress (6 seats), but it sailed back in
style in Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh. All three CMs — Ashok
Chavan in Maharashtra, B S Hooda in Haryana and Dorjee Khandu in
Arunachal — are likely to be renominated by the party leadership.

Overall, the party bosses would be very pleased with the outcome
because it marks not just the shrinking of BJP, but also puts other
sources of trouble for Congress, like the BSP and Sharad Pawar's NCP,
on the back foot. If the Lok Sabha polls settled the Number One slot
for the party, Thursday's verdict confirmed that the gap between Sonia
Gandhi's outfit and BJP is growing. In fact, some political pundits
felt Congress could well be on the way to regaining its pre-1996
status when as the key player in most states, it could be fought only
by a united opposition.

Some riders are in order. The win in Maharashtra has been facilitated
by Raj Thackeray playing spoiler again — on a bigger scale. In
Haryana, the party failed to get a majority despite a three-way split
of anti-Congress votes. The resurrection of Chautala shows the
resilience of old-fashioned politics and should be sobering for those
who feel traditional political tools — caste/community — have lost
salience.

Still, Congress' pre-eminence seems obvious when contrasted with the
BJP's continued decline. This is the second time since 2004 that the
party and its partner, Shiv Sena, have failed to capitalise on the
unremarkable performance of the Congress-NCP government in
Maharashtra. BJP is already the third or fourth fiddle in UP; does a
similar fate await it in Maharashtra? If it does, this would have huge
implications for the party in Lok Sabha polls.

Finally, the two other winners of these elections: Chautala and Raj
Thackeray. While Chautala will be the main anti-Congress force in
Harayana, Raj Thackeray's cracking show is expected to speeden the
drift of Sainiks towards him and throw Raj up as the real successor to
Bal Thackeray. While the process is on, the Congress will reap further
gains from a deepening Sena divide. And that's bad news for BJP.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.livemint.com/2009/10/26211910/BJP-Shiv-Sena-tensions-set-to.html?h=B

Posted: Mon, Oct 26 2009. 9:19 PM IST
Economy and Politics

BJP, Shiv Sena tensions set to escalate after election defeat

While the BJP is yet to formally make an announcement to this effect,
senior leaders are signalling the intent clearly

Santosh K. Joy

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite being the junior
partner in the alliance, is poised to stake a claim to the post of
leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra assembly.

If it follows through with its intent, it will set the stage for a
face-off with its senior and oldest ally, the Shiv Sena, in
Maharashtra at a time when their relations are already under strain.
The BJP move comes after it registered a superior win record.

While the BJP is yet to formally make an announcement to this effect,
senior leaders are signalling the intent clearly.

“It’s logical. Democracy is the game of numbers,” said senior BJP
leader Arun Jaitley, when asked if his party would stake such as
claim.

Jaitley and general secretary Ananth Kumar have been appointed
observers to elect a leader of the legislative party in Maharashtra. A
meeting of the BJP lawmakers is scheduled on Friday in Mumbai.

Similar views have been expressed by state leaders as well. “As per
the rules, we have more number of MLAs (members of legislative
assembly) after the ruling alliance. So it is obvious we will get the
post of leader of opposition in the assembly,” state BJP general
secretary Vinod Tawade told PTI.

The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance was stranded at the below-100 mark out of
288 seats in the recently held assembly polls in the state. The BJP
won 46, two more than the Shiv Sena, while it contested 119 seats—50
less than what the Shiv Sena contested.

Despite several attempts by Mint, Shiv Sena leaders could not be
reached for a response.

The BJP could decide upon its senior state leader and Jalgaon MLA
Eknath Khadse for the post of leader of the opposition.

“By 2012, the elections in Bihar would be over and BJP would have a
better option to chose between MNS (the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena)
and Shiv Sena, according to the situation,” said Navneet Deshpande,
writer and columnist for Sakaal, a Pune-based Marathi-language
newspaper. “An abrupt change of ally is not possible, but to create a
situation towards that has already begun.”

An analyst said any sudden decision of a change of ally could damage
the BJP’s credibility. “It is tough to switch the ally in Maharashtra,
although it may wish at some point in time. It damages the party’s
credibility,” said Vivek Kumar, associate professor at Delhi’s
Jawaharlal Nehru University.

PTI contributed to this story.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://thefastertimes.com/india/2009/10/26/congress-sweeps-state-elections-but-was-it-victory-by-default/

Mon, October 26, 2009WORLD

India Congress Sweeps State Elections. But Was It Victory By
Default?
October 26, 2009
Jeremy Kahn

India’s ruling Congress Party and its allies have swept all three of
last week’s state elections in a vote that was seen as a referendum on
party’s performance since returning to power for a second term in
June. Congress had already controlled all three states - Maharashtra
(which includes the city of Mumbai), Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh —
but its repeat hat trick has dealt another blow to the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP), the Hindu nationalist force that had been
Congress’s main opposition. The BJP has been reeling since Congress
won an overwhelming mandate in the May general elections. The party
has been riven with internal divisions and has seen a number of high-
ranking members purged as a result.

One of the internal debates within the BJP is whether to present
itself primarily as a secular center-right party that favors free
market reforms and moving India closer to the West, or primarily as a
Hindu nationalist party that emphasizes communally divisive issues.
Well, in Maharashtra where the BJP is allied with Shiv Sena, a party
known for its extreme stance against both Muslims and immigrants from
outside the state, the politics of xenophobia seem to have failed.
Shiv Sena had its worst election showing in two decades. It was so bad
that Balasaheb Thackeray, the controversial Shiv Sena leader, accused
the Marathi people of stabbing the party in the back. That’s quite a
twist. The party did especially badly in and around Mumbai, which had
been Shiv Sena’s traditional stronghold.

The question now is what lesson will the BJP draw from this defeat?
Will it reinforce the moderate, pro-business reformers within the
party — the very group that seems to have been hit worse in the recent
party in-fighting? Or will the party continue its self-destructive
turn toward ever more radical and fringe communalism? If it does, the
BJP days as a national party that can seriously challenge the Congress
may be over.

(Although it should be noted that the vote was not an entirely
resounding blow against communalism: One of the reasons that Shiv Sena
did so badly is that in many constituencies its traditional vote bank
was split by the rising popularity of an equally xenophobic and
extremist party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Samithi, which is led by
Bal Thackeray’s nephew Raj Thackeray.)

The Congress meanwhile will be cheered by the election results, which
will be read as an endorsement of its policies so far. But in India it
is always dangerous to draw insights into national politics from state
elections, which are usually decided on local issues. So Congress
ought not to become complacent. Just twelve months ago, the
conventional wisdom was that the Congress was a moribund party that
would have to be lucky to win another term. Now the CW has swung 180
degrees. But it could just as quickly swing back again. One sign of
trouble: in Haryana, the Congress and its allies managed to hang on to
power but lost substantial ground, resulting in a hung assembly. This
lead one leading Indian paper to call Congress’s showing “victory by
default.”

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/bjp-stakes-claim-for-oppn-leader%5Cs-post-in-maharashtra/76758/on

BJP stakes claim for Oppn Leader's post in Maharashtra
Press Trust of India / Mumbai October 26, 2009, 14:55 IST

The BJP, which got two more seats than ally Shiv Sena in the
Maharashtra Assembly poll, has staked claim on the post of the Leader
of Opposition in the Assembly, held by the latter for the last 10
years.

With 46 of its candidates elected in the polls, the BJP stood at the
third position in the state, while the Sena was relegated to the
fourth position with 44 candidates.

"As per the rules, we have more number of MLAs after the ruling
alliance. So it is obvious we will get the post of Leader of
Opposition in the Assembly," state BJP general secretary Vinod Tawade
told PTI.

However, there has been no discussion on the issue in the party and
between the allies so far, Tawade said.

The Sena is also facing an embarrassment with the defeat of its leader
Ramdas Kadam, who was Leader of the Opposition for the past five
years. In BJP, Jalgaon MLA Eknath Khadse's name is being discussed for
the position.

However, the Sena is not ready to let go of the post easily. It is
seeking the support of four candidates of the PWP, who won with its
backing and a former Sena activist Vivek Pandit, who won Independent
from Vasai in Thane district.

Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray is holding a meeting with
newly-elected MLAs today to decide on the issue.

The BJP has also convened its first meeting on Friday which will be
addressed by BJP general secretary Gopinath Munde and state president
Nitin Gadkari.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_sharad-pawar-snubs-ajit-chhagan-bhujbal-is-deputy-cm_1303568

Sharad Pawar snubs Ajit; Chhagan Bhujbal is deputy CM
Shubhangi Khapre / DNA Tuesday, October 27, 2009 2:02 IST

Mumbai: Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party
(NCP), gave the thumbs down to the elevation of his nephew Ajit Pawar
as deputy chief minister, overruling a majority of voices in the 62-
member NCP legislature party that met on Monday.

Instead, Pawar Sr opted for status quo, and nominated Chhagan Bhujbal
for the post, causing an uproar in his party. Upset supporters of Ajit
Pawar demanded that they be heard by the party high command and said
their views could not be dismissed by undemocratically forcing a
decision down their throats.

The decision to nominate Bhujbal was explained later as a way of
giving weightage to OBCs, but Ajit Pawar loyalists interpreted it as
an indirect way of keeping the road clear for Pawar Sr's daughter,
Supriya Sule, to emerge as the key leader in the party. To keep Ajit
Pawar's supporters in check, it was, however, suggested that Bhujbal
was deputy chief minister only for the next two years, and there could
be scope for changes when, and if, Bhujbal was sent to the Centre.

The NCP legislature party meeting, which began around 1pm at the party
office in Mumbai, saw a clear wind in favour of Ajit Pawar. Soon after
the meeting, the latter faced the media with a smile, discarding his
angry young man image. "Yes, I am also in the reckoning," he said.
However, the first signal that he wouldn't get the job came during the
meeting itself, when the central observers declined to do a headcount.

About half a dozen ministers, who saw a threat to their power from
Ajit Pawar, took a cautious line and said it would be best to leave
the decision to Sharad Pawar. Senior minister Dilip Walse-Patil said:
"My loyalty is to 'S' (Sharad Pawar) party. I will not name any
individual." MLAs loyal to Ajit Pawar retorted: "We also would like to
indicate our loyalty to 'A'(Ajit Pawar) party. Why don't you take a
vote?" they asked the central observers, who included civil aviation
minister Praful Patel, party general
secretary Tariq Anwar, and DP Tripathi.

At one stage, slogans were raised, "Ek vada, Ajit dada" and "Vikas ka
vada, Ajit dada," much to the embarrassment of the central observers.
Sensing things were getting out of hand, they insisted on a middle
path and said Sharad Pawar should be empowered to take a decision. A
one-line resolution was moved to ensure this.

Praful Patel, who played the role of trouble-shooter, later
underplayed the dissent and said Ajit Pawar had also given his support
to Bhujbal. However, the junior Pawar was not present on the dais when
the party made the announcement after 5pm. The central observers
defended the decision to nominate Bhujbal and said that in doing so
they were balancing the caste equation. "The Congress has preferred
Ashok Chavan, who represents the Maratha community, as chief minister.
We have chosen Bhujbal, who represents the Other Backward Castes
(OBCs)."

The argument sounded a bit thin to the Ajit Pawar camp, which pointed
out that before 26/11, both the chief minister (Vilasrao Deshmukh) and
deputy chief minister (RR Patil) were Marathas.

A senior NCP general secretary said Praful Patel and Ajit held a 20-
minute meeting where the latter was told that Bhujbal would hold
charge as deputy chief minister for just two years. Thereafter, the
NCP would hand over the post to him. But supporters of Ajit Pawar
described the move as a political ploy to clip his wings as he had
total remote control of the organisation. The other contender in the
race for deputy chief minister, RR Patil, accepted the decision with
grace. He offered a bouquet to Bhujbal and gave him his best wishes.

A senior cabinet minister, speaking on condition of anonymity,
regretted this decision to sideline Ajit Pawar. "It is an unfortunate
development. He would have been a tough task-master who could have
countered the Congress' efforts to corner the NCP." The Congress would
like the NCP to merge with itself.

The decision on Bhujbal has set tongues wagging. "This is a clear
indication that Pawar does not want to promote his nephew (Ajit) as
heir apparent when generation next daughter Supriya Sule (an MP) is
emerging as a new power centre."

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://www.merinews.com/article/saffron-alliance-washed-out-in-marathwada/15786850.shtml

Saffron alliance washed out in Marathwada

Amongst the 46 seats in Marathwada, Congress bagged victory at 18 and
NCP gained 12. About 11 seats were added to Congress' account as
compared to seven in 2004 polls while NCP is benefited by one, taking
tally to 12.

CJ: Mahesh Joshi Tue, Oct 27, 2009 10:04:22 IST
Views: 22 Comments: 0Rate: 0.0 / 0 votes

Maharastra News : Thane-Belapur Highway Project nearing completion
CONGRES-NATIONALIST Congress Party combine has emerged as the largest
party in Marathwada and washed out the two decades Saffron bastion in
the region that includes 46 assembly seats in eight districts.
Congress front’s strength has surprisingly doubled while the Shiv Sena–
Bharatiya Janata Party has lowered down at nine from 25 in 2004
polls.

Amongst the 46 seats in the region, Congress bagged victory at 18 and
NCP gained 12. About 11 seats were added to Congress’ account as
compared to seven in 2004 polls, while NCP is benefited by one, taking
tally to 12. The Congress alliance tally has rose to 30, about double
then 18 in 2004. Saffron alliance was at worst performance in their
stronghold. Despite the Congress wave across the state in 2004 polls,
it was in gain in the region with 25 seats. However, Sena’s tally has
lowered by seven seats with loss of seven. BJP has slashed down to two
from 11 in 2004 polls. Saffron alliance tally is settled down to
nine.

Congress totally washed out Sena–BJP in Ashok Chavhan’s Nanded
district, where Congress retained six amongst nine seats. NCP bagged
two while one seat was won by NCP rebel in Naigaon. Ashok Chavan
lodged spectacular victory by margin of 1,07,000 votes against the
nearest Sena rival Bhimrao Kshirsagar who succeeded to get only 6,404
votes.

Saffron alliance also lost presence in Hingoli district where Congress
recorded victory at two seats and one by NCP. Maharashtra Youth
Congress chief Rajeev Satav won the Kalamnuri seat by defeating Sena’s
Gajanan Ghuje. Bhaurao Patil of Congress won the third Hingoli city
seat.

Sena is no more in Latur and BJP retained just one seat. Amongst the
total six seats, four were bagged by Congress and one each by BJP and
Republican Left Democratic Front (RLDF). Amit Deshmukh, son of Union
Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was amongst the prominent candidate who
defeated Kayyum Qadri of Bahujan Samaj Party and Sena’s Pappu
Kulkarni. In the other significant fight in Nilanga, Shivajirao Patil
Nilengekar (Congress) defeated Sambhaji Patil of BJP.

Osmanabad was amongst the key constituency in the state with MP
Padamsinh Patil’s son and minister of state Rana Jagjit Sinh was in
fray against the slain Congress leader’s son Omraje Nimbalkar (Sena).
Omraje wrested this seat from the traditional NCP bastion by defeating
Rana Jagjit Sinh. Out of total four seats in the district, two were
bagged by Sena and one each by Congress and NCP.

There was much curiosity in contest of five seats in Jalna district.
In the tough fight, minister Rajesh Tope defeated Sena’s Arjun Khotkar
in Ghansawangi seat. An independent Suresh Jethliya dragged out
victory at Partur seat against Babanrao Lonikar of BJP. Despite the
BJP MP, his wife Nirmala Danve loss Bhokardan seat to Chandrakant
Danve. Out of five seats, two were retained by NCP, one each by
Congress, Sena and Independent.

Parbhani was once again emerged as Saffron stronghold, where two out
of four seats were retained by BJP and one each by Congress and
independent. BJP’s stronghold in Beed was foiled by NCP with
unpredictable victory at five out of six seats. Except Pankaja Munde
Palve, no BJP candidate managed to won.

For the first time, MNS has managed to open an account in the region
with one seat in Kannad of Aurangabad district won by Harshwardhan
Jadhav. RLDS succeeded to bag victory in Ahmedpur of Latur district.

Tally of independents has grown to five by one seat as compared to
2004 polls. Amongst Sena rebel Pradeep Jaiswal lodged significant
victory from Aurangabad central seat. Prashant Bumb was seeking ticket
from BJP, but later contested as independent from Gangapur of
Aurangabad district and won. The fourth rebel that recorded victory
from region is Sitaram Ghandat of Gangakhed in Parbhani district. He
defeated Dr Madhusudan Kendre of BJ who is son-in-law of Gopinath
Munde’s brother.

Marathwada Statistics – Total seats 46
Congress alliance: 30 (+12), Sena alliance: 9 (-16)

Year 2004 2009
Congress 07 18 (+11)
NCP 11 12 (+1)
Shiv Sena 14 07 (-07)
BJP 11 02 (-9)
RLDS 00 01 (-1)
MNS 00 01 (-1)
Independent 03 05 (+1)

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Cong-wants-top-portfolios/articleshow/5166287.cms

Cong wants top portfolios
Prafulla Marpakwar, TNN 27 October 2009, 03:32am IST

MUMBAI: Chief minister Ashok Chavan has been told explicitly by the
Congress high command to get the cream of portfolios in Maharashtra
for the
party.

In 1999, when the Congress-NCP alliance wrested power from the saffron
combine, it had adopted the Shiv Sena-BJP formula on the subject.
Then, urban development and revenue departments were allotted to the
Sena, while home and most of the departments, particularly those
associated with infrastructure, were granted to the BJP. In the 2004
assembly polls, since the NCP secured more seats that the Congress, it
was allotted 24 berths in the cabinet, besides the Speaker's post,
while the Congress got 19. Further, all the key portfolios were
granted to the NCP.

Now the Congress high command has taken the view that since the party
has secured 20 more seats than the NCP and, in addition, has the
support of 18 independents, the 2004 formula has no relevance and that
it should get home, public works, irrigation, power and finance as
well as the Speaker's post. "We are insisting on these posts, and we
are sure the NCP will agree,'' the minister said.

However, NCP MP Govindrao Adik and civil aviation minister Praful
Patel have made it clear that there will be no change in the formula,
particularly on the sharing of portfolios. "We have no communication
from the Congress either on the strength of the cabinet or on
portfolios. As such, it will be wrong to comment on it,'' Patel said.

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Did-BJP-vote-help-Shekhawat-win/articleshow/5166067.cms

Did BJP vote help Shekhawat win?
TNN 27 October 2009, 04:01am IST

NAGPUR: Congress' official nominee from Amravati assembly con-
stituency Rajendra (Raosaheb) Shekhawat won a by a margin of around
5600 votes against sitting MLA and party rebel Sunil Desh-mukh. In
this closely watched contest that drew top media attention what went
almost noticed was the dismal performance of the BJP candidate Dr
Pradeep Shingore who could not even save his security deposit. Of
course, this dip in the BJP vote has raised many an eye-brow.

There is buzz in Amravati that there is more than what meets the eye
in this decline of the BJP fortunes in a seat which has at least
35,000 committed votes of BJP. The party has won assembly polls here
twice in the past and its saffron sibling Shiv Sena has repeatedly
returned to Lok Sabha in last three terms including in the elections
six months ago. Jagdish Gupta is the BJP stromngman in Amravati. He
won the assembly seat for the party in 1990 defeating Congress
candidate Pushpa Bonde. That year he got 35,319 votes.

In 1995, Gupta was again the BJP candidate and he defeated none other
than Raosaheb's father Devisinh Shekhawat by a massive mar-gin of
around 53,000. This time BJP polled 71,845 votes while senior
Shekhawat had to be content with mere 18,150 votes. In 1999, even when
Gupta was defeated by Congress nominee Sunil Deshmukh, the BJP still
garnered no less that 47,400 votes while Deshmukh got 57,270 votes. In
2004, BJP's Gupta was defeated again by Deshmukh but even that year he
got 49,435 votes while the Congress secured 81,697.

The needle of suspicion has been pointing towards Gupta who was not
given the party ticket this time and the party chose to field an old
loyalist city doctor Pradeep Shingore. It is widely suspected instead
of campaigning for the party candidate, Gupta ensured that a sizable
number of Hindi-speaker voters in the city ranging from Marwari
business community to migrants from Uttar Pradesh who otherwise find
BJP as natural choice, voted for Shekhawat.

It is alleged that Gupta killed two birds with one stone. He settled
score with Deshmukh, who had defeated him twice and was emerging as an
invincible leader in the district. Besides, a weaker candidate like
Shekhawat is easy to deal with in future than Deshmukh who would have
only got stronger with a win this time.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_shiv-sena-bjp-floats-revival-hope-on-water_1304012

Shiv Sena-BJP floats revival hope on water
Sandeep Ashar / DNA
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 2:59 IST

Mumbai: The Sena-BJP alliance has decided to use the water scarcity
issue to win back the support of the city voters.

The saffron combine which leads the BMC, has decided to hold meetings
in municipal wards where grievances of the citizens on water shortage
will be heard. The decision was taken at the civic standing committee
meeting on Tuesday.

The first such meeting, which will involve members of the standing
committee, other corporators, civic officials from the water
department and aggrieved citizens, will take place at the K(East) ward
office on Thursday morning.

Ashish Shelar, BJP leader in the BMC, who was the first to demand the
holding of such a meeting, said that this was the first time that the
standing committee will meet officially outside the civic
headquarters.

Standing committee chairperson Ravindra Waikar said that similar
meetings will also be held in the eastern suburban wards and in the
island city.

An acute shortage of rainfall this monsoon has forced the corporation
to introduce year-long cuts. The civic body has proposed a 30% cut in
supply hours throughout the city during the winter. The proposal
states that this will be brought down to 25% during the coming summer
months. The proposal will be put up for discussion on Wednesday.
While the introduction of the cuts was a foregone conclusion,
corporators present at the standing committee on Tuesday came down
heavily on the administration for failing to devise a full-proof
action plan to deal with the crisis.

Meanwhile, acknowledging that the water problems could grow in the
days to come, the civic body has proposed to launch a dedicated
helpline to solve water grievances. Additional municipal commissioner
Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar said that the helpline will be launched on
November 1.

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/351741_BJP-confident-it-will-get-Oppn-leader-s-post-in-Maha

BJP confident it will get Oppn leader's post in Maha
STAFF WRITER 18:25 HRS IST

Mumbai, Oct 28 (PTI) Being the single largest party after ruling
Congress-NCP alliance, BJP is projecting senior leader Eknath Khadse
for the post of Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly,
though its ally Shiv Sena is in no mood to part with it.

Sena Executive president Uddhav Thackeray's statement that "numbers
won't determine who gets to hold the post" seems to have no impact on
BJP, which is projecting Khadse for the post.

According to a senior BJP leader, Khadse's name is likely to be
declared at the meeting of newly elected party MLAs here on Friday.

"As per the rules, we have more number of MLAs after the ruling
alliance. So, it is obvious that we will get the post of Opposition
Leader in the Assembly," state BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawade told
PTI.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/352135_Cong--NCP-begin-power-sharing-talks

Cong, NCP begin power sharing talks
STAFF WRITER 20:32 HRS IST

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) Having settled the leadership issue in
Maharashtra, Congress and the NCP today began talks on the sticky
issue of sharing of portfolios here amid reported differences,
especially over who gets gets key ministries like Home, Finance and
Power.

NCP sources said that party general secretary Praful Patel held talks
with Ahmad Patel, political secretary to Congress President Sonia
Gandhi. Praful was authorised by NCP leadership to hold the parleys.

The NCP stand that it would not like to part with the key portfolios
which Congress was eyeing was again outlined by its senior leader P A
Sangma. "In the area of number of ministers there could be room for
negotiations but not in the area of portfolios," he said.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/tussle-over-home-ministry-delays-maharashtra-government-formation_100266996.html

Tussle over home ministry delays Maharashtra government formation
October 29th, 2009 - 1:00 am ICT by IANS -
Mumbai Oct 28 (IANS)

A tussle between the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
over the crucial home ministry is delaying the swearing-in of the new
government in Maharashtra, party sources said Wednesday.
While the Congress is desperate to have the home ministry in its
kitty, the NCP is in no mood to oblige.

The NCP has even threatened to extend only “outside support” if the
bigger coalition partner Congress goes ahead and keeps the ministry,
Congress party sources said.

In informal talks between the leaders of the two parties, the NCP made
it clear that it could concede the post of speaker of assembly (which
falls in its share) to the Congress, but it would not compromise on
its claim over the home ministry, a NCP leader said.

In 1999 and 2004, when the two parties entered into an alliance, the
home ministry remained with the NCP, while the chief minister’s post
was with the Congress.

NCP general secretary P.A. Sangma Wednesday reiterated in New Delhi
the party’s known stand.

“There could be some room for negotiations over the number of
ministers, but not about portfolios,” he asserted.

Mumbai Congress chief Kripa Shankar Singh, one of the important
negotiators, expressed optimism that the pending issues between the
two partners would be sorted out by Thursday evening.

“We had a detailed discussion on the issue here today (Wednesday) and
we shall have another round of talks tomorrow (Friday) in New Delhi.
Things are progressing quite well,” Singh told IANS.

When asked specifically how much progress has been achieved, Singh
said: “It is not a single party government, it is an alliance
government. I can say with certainty that everything shall be
finalised to swear-in the new government by Monday.”

However, he declined to comment on the present status of the home
ministry and other departments like finance and public works
department which the Congress wants from the NCP.

Read more:
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/tussle-over-home-ministry-delays-maharashtra-government-formation_100266996.html#ixzz0VGXpSOI7

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/352831_NCP-will-never-align-with-Shiv-Sena-BJP--Bhujbal

NCP will never align with Shiv Sena-BJP: Bhujbal
STAFF WRITER 14:25 HRS IST

Mumbai, Oct 29 (PTI) NCP Legislature party leader in Maharashtra
Assembly Chhagan Bhujbal today said his party will never align with
the Shiv Sena-BJP for the sake of power.

He was speaking to reporters in the temple town of Pandharpur after
offering prayers on the occasion of 'Kartiki Ekadashi'.

The comments came in wake of senior party leader NCP leader Ajit
Pawar's interview to a national daily that Shiv Sena-BJP made an offer
to him to join them and get the Chief Minister's post.

Meanwhile in Mumbai, Senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi said that
the saffron alliance was not averse to Ajit Pawar's name since NCP and
Sena-BJP under Ajit's leadership have ruled the Pune Municipal
Corporation for many years.

He said NCP will have to snap ties with the Congress before talks of a
fresh alliance can happen.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://blog.taragana.com/n/ncp-will-not-give-up-portfolios-in-maharashtra-sangma-209830/

NCP will not give up portfolios in Maharashtra: Sangma

By IANSOctober 28th, 2009 NEW DELHI - As the Congress and the
Nationalist Congress Party leaders meet here Wednesday to finalise
portfolios’ allocation in Maharashtra, NCP general secretary P.A.
Sangma said the party will not concede portfolios like home, finance,
power and public works it held in the previous government.

The Congress-NCP combine held on to power for the third time in the
state when results were announced Oct 22. But the NCP (62) returned
with lesser numbers than the Congress (82).

Sangma said that the NCP is willing to work with the Congress on the
basis of 1999 formula, when the combine first came to power.

According to portfolio-sharing formula agreed then, the Congress was
given the chief minister’s post while the NCP held the post of the
deputy chief minister and some key portfolios including home, finance,
power and public works.

The point of discussion would be on “number of ministers”, as the NCP
has lesser number of lawmakers this time than the Congress, Sangma
told reporters here.

Expressing confidence that all issues would be resolved through
discussions at the highest level, Sangma said: “We are going to rule
Maharashtra for the next five years.”

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has authorised union Civil Aviation Minister
Praful Patel to hold talks with senior Congress leaders, Sangma said.

He said NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who has been chosen for the deputy
chief minister’s post in Maharashtra, wanted to play a role in the
national politics.

“Bhujbal had said he had spent over 30 years in state politics and
wanted to move to national politics,” Sangma said.

“The party would think of a new deputy chief minister whenever he is
shifted to the national politics,” he said.

Asked about the reports that the post of deputy chief minister would
be rotated among NCP leaders, Sangma said Pawar had said there would
be no such thing.

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/355377_Khadse-elected-BJP-group-leader-in-Maharashtra-Assembly

Khadse elected BJP group leader in Maharashtra Assembly
STAFF WRITER 19:47 HRS IST

Mumbai, Oct 30 (PTI) Senior Maharashtra BJP leader Eknath Khadse was
today unanimously elected the party's group leader in the Assembly.

BJP General Secretary Gopinath Munde announced Khadse's re-election to
the post after a meeting of the BJP legislature party here.

All 46 newly-elected MLAs of the BJP were present at the meeting,
which was also attended by senior leaders Arun Jaitley and Anant
Kumar.

Khadse, tipped to be Opposition leader in the 288-member House, as BJP
has two more MLAs than its ally Shiv Sena, said he would take all
Opposition parties together and raise people's issues in the Assembly.

Criticising delay by Congress in forming the government despite
finalisation of names for posts of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief
Minister, Khadse said "if the ruling alliance was concerned about
people, they would have formed the government by now.

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/message-board_is-the-sena-bjp-s-marathi-signboards-order-necessary_1305021

Is the Sena-BJP's Marathi signboards order necessary?
Friday, October 30, 2009 16:51 IST

In an attempt to debunk the MNS's Marathi manoos platform, the Shiv
Sena-BJP-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday
ordered that all shops display their names prominently in Marathi on
their signboards.

The order, issued by the office of the chief inspector of shops and
establishments, also said the nameplate in the Devnagari script must
precede lettering in any other script. It said penal action would be
initiated against those who failed to comply with the order in 60
days.

This means almost all signboards will have to be redone across the
city. While most shops and establishments do use the Devnagari script,
this appears in smaller print compared to the main English signboards.
Now, this will have to be reversed.

In fast-evolving metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, has it become
necessary to take such steps for citizens to retain an essence of our
culture? Or is this mere political one-upmanship that inconveniences
shop-owners and limits freedom of expression?

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://www.dnaindia.com/opinion/column_with-allies-like-this-the-congress-doesn-t-need-enemies_1305548

With allies like this the Congress doesn't need enemies
Sidharth Bhatia Saturday, October 31, 2009 20:36 IST

The sorry spectacle of the Congress and its coalition partner the NCP
squabbling for seats reminds us of the arguments between the Congress
and its allies after the Lok Sabha elections in May. Then it was the
DMK which was upset over the portfolios it was allotted. Now it is the
NCP.

The relationship between the Congress and the NCP in Maharashtra has
been tough, but somehow they managed to last 10 years so one would
have thought that both sides knew each other well and government
formation would be a smooth affair. Instead, both are digging their
heels in over the number and the type of ministries that each will
get.

An additional wild card in the confusion is Ajit Pawar who is blowing
hot and cold over his own status within the NCP. Conspiracy theories
naturally abound about his erratic behaviour, and one of them is that
all this drama is being manipulated behind the scenes by the canny
Sharad Pawar who wants to let the Congress know he has other options.
At any time such diabolical moves from the Maratha chieftain would be
par for the course, but this time round such suspicions may be off the
mark.

What is more plausible is that nephew Pawar himself is raising a
banner of revolt against uncle Pawar. Ajit has been chafing ever since
the emergence in politics of Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule,
reading correctly that his pre-eminence in the party is in danger.
Hence his public postures that he has had offers from the Shiv Sena
and BJP to form the government if he can bring over sufficient MLAs
with him. (Interesting coincidence --that is exactly what Sharad Pawar
did in 1978 when he walked out of the government and joined hands with
the Janata Party.)

Nor is Ajit Pawar alone in pondering over his long-term prospects;
many others in the NCP feel they would be better off in the Congress.
Some want both parties to eventually merge while others are ready to
jump ship right now. They question the logic of the NCP as a separate
party. But if and when this happens, NCP bigwigs may become bit
players in the Congress. This worries Pawar who is charting out a
smooth course for his daughter.

These complications will continue even when the government is finally
formed. Ajit Pawar may have swallowed his pride for now and issued the
pro-forma statements about being a loyal soldier of the NCP, but he
will not stop plotting. The Congress on the other hand will be looking
at possible defections from the NCP if not an actual split. And the
Sena and the BJP, keen to make up for their humiliating losses, will
try and bring down this government. An interesting five years lie
ahead.

The NCP is just one of the many bothersome Congress allies. Consider
the sulking Mamata Banerjee, a master at screwing things up as much
for herself as for others. She is more interested in humiliating the
CPM than in managing her ministry. Within the Cabinet, she is prepared
to fight established government policy if it affects her popularity
with her constituents.

But her naive and dangerous flirtation with the Maoists is treading on
dangerous ground. The manner in which she tried to shield the Maoists
after the hijack of the Rajdhani last week will not go down well with
people since it shows a minister more obsessed with petty politics
than with governance. Is it surprising that the Centre continues to
back the CPM in West Bengal on this issue?

The case of the DMK, which went into tantrum mode regularly during
UPA-1, is even more worrying. It has continued that tradition this
time round too. It is hardly a secret that the DMK demanded and got
the telecom ministry. And we have seen how the ministry has been
handled. Throwing out minister Raja would be the correct thing to do,
but the government has been reduced to defending him.

All this must make Sonia Gandhi think hard. She is trying to instil
some systems and benchmarks in the Congress, but she has little
control over her allies. Trinamool, DMK, NCP have added numbers but
little else. Hardly any of their ministers have shown any great
aptitude for governance. She might yearn for Lalu Prasad, impeccable
ally and good minister; his own rash act in deserting the Congress
cost him dearly. Even if she wants to, Gandhi cannot include him in
government.

It's a strange situation for the Congress -- it has very little to
worry about from the traditional opposition parties, the BJP and the
Left, but its own alleged friends and partners are giving it sleepless
nights. The long-term strategy therefore will have to be to become
strong enough to win on its own steam. In Maharashtra it will do so by
co-opting and breaking the NCP. At the national level the party is
rebuilding itself brick by brick. That is how it used to be under
Indira Gandhi and Rajiv. For the Congress, the next few years are
about going back to the future.

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_opposition-to-seek-president-s-rule-in-maharashtra-bjp-group-assembly-leader_1305743

Opposition to seek president's rule in Maharashtra: BJP group assembly
leader
PTI Sunday, November 1, 2009 15:05 IST

Mumbai: The BJP-Shiv Sena Opposition in Maharashtra will seek
imposition of President's rule in the state if the new government is
not in place by November 3, when the tenure of the present assembly
expires, a senior BJP leader said today.

"If the new ministry is not sworn in by November 3, we will meet
Governor S C Jamir and demand President's rule in the state," Eknath
Khadse, BJP's group leader in the Assembly, told PTI.

"The Congress-NCP leaders are delaying formation of the new government
despite the October 22 results giving them the mandate to rule,"
Khadse said.

Criticising the delay by Congress in forming the government despite
finalisation of names for posts of chief minister and deputy chief
minister, Khadse said "if the ruling alliance was concerned about
people, they would have formed the government by now."

Asked if there were differences between the alliance partners over the
Opposition leader's post in Assembly, Khadse said "the tradition is
that the post is held by the party with the maximum seats."

In the 288-member House, BJP has 46 MLAs and Sena 44. However, Sena is
in no mood to part with the post. Sena executive president Uddhav
Thackeray's recent statement that numbers won't determine who gets to
hold the post has only increased confusion, although many feel Khadse
will occupy the post.

Khadse was elected group leader at a meeting of the newly-elected MLAs
of BJP here on October 30. The meeting was attended by senior leaders
Arun Jaitley and Ananth Kumar.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Politics/Nation/Congress-and-NCP-struggle-to-form-govt-in-Maha/articleshow/5186874.cms

Congress and NCP struggle to form govt in Maha
1 Nov 2009, 2226 hrs IST, PTI

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Ten days after it came back to power, the Congress-
NCP alliance struggled to form a government after another round of
planned portfolio-sharing talks between the two parties tonight failed
to take place in Mumbai.

Leaders of the Congress and the NCP held meetings of their respective
parties in Mumbai to find a way out of the portfolio sharing impasse
but gave no signs of quickly breaking the stalemate holding up
government formation.

NCP is demanding 50 per cent of the total 42 portfolios while the
Congress wants the number of ministries to be proportionate to the
strength of the allies in the Assembly and key ministries like Home
which was with NCP.

Leaders of Congress and NCP were scheduled to meet at 'Varsha', Chief
Minister-designate Ashok Chavan's official residence. But NCP
Legislature Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal said the NCP team would not
be going to 'Varsha' to continue the talks. The talks were to be
initially held in New Delhi but later shifted to Mumbai.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Manikrao
Thakre and Mumbai unit chief Kripashankar Singh were at Chavan's
residence.

When contacted, Thakre said NCP leaders informed him that they were
yet to conclude their internal deliberations on the issue of portfolio
sharing.

"We will wait for them," Thakre said. The delay in government
formation triggered calls by BJP leader Eknath Khadse that the BJP-
Shiv Sena opposition alliance will seek imposition of President's rule
in the state if the new government is not in place by November three,
when the tenure of the present Assembly expires.

But Chavan has dismissed suggestions of a Constitutional crisis in the
state if the new government was not sworn-in by Tuesday.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Politics/Nation/Sena-moves-to-protect-rural-base-as-Raj-closes-in/articleshow/5187518.cms

Sena moves to protect rural base as Raj closes in
2 Nov 2009, 0255 hrs IST, Abhiram Ghadyalpatil, ET Bureau

MUMBAI: The recent assembly poll results showed the Maharashtra
Navnirman Sena (MNS) fast closing in on its chief rival Shiv Sena in
major urban centres. Post elections, indications are that the battle
between the brothers extends to the semi-urban and rural parts as
well. The next couple of months would see Uddhav and Raj Thackeray
fighting it out in the rural constituency.

For the Sena, which has established itself fairly well in almost all
parts of Maharashtra, revisiting the rural parts is essential in the
wake of its worst performance since 1995 polls. Also, it wants to
consolidate in regions MNS has not reached yet. MNS is looking at the
rural constituency to become a state-wide player and undercut the Shiv
Sena.

Shiv Sena’s legislative party leader Subhash Desai told ET that Uddhav
would soon tour the state for a first-hand analysis of the results. He
denied Uddhav’s renewed insistence on the rural reconnect has anything
to do with Raj’s proposed rural foray. “The Sena’s campaign in rural
parts has been a continuous process for about three decades now. The
electoral setback has not deterred us from speaking again to our core
constituency, which is as much in rural parts as in the urban,” Mr
Desai adds.

Senior MNS leader and legislator Shishir Shinde says since the
demarcation between the rural and urban Maharashtra is getting
blurred, it was essential for MNS to make a pan-Maharashtra appeal.
“Almost 53% of Maharashtra is urban and the percentage is increasing.
But it is not that we are powerful only in urban parts. A
predominantly rural constituency of Kannad in Marathwada has elected
MNS nominee,” Mr Shinde says. He points out that Raj was the first to
declare his rural Maharashtra tour, much before Uddhav did.

“The Sena is clearly feeling threatened by MNS and hence this emphasis
on rural areas again. Why does the Sena feel the need to return to
rural areas now when it has existed for more than 40 years,” he
questions.

But political observers are sceptical of MNS’ rural focus. Political
thinker and author Suhas Palshikar feels the Raj-led party is unlikely
to strike a chord in rural Maharashtra on the issue of Marathi
identity.

“The Marathi card has a resonance in Mumbai and other urban parts
because there is a competitive aspect to the cosmopolitan life here.
The urban parts are not predominantly Marathi-speaking and here the
Marathi community has a sense of competition, which can be exploited.
In rural Maharashtra, the population is almost 100% Marathi. So, MNS
is unlikely to get any success exploiting this issue because there is
no sense of competition,” Mr Palshikar says.

But Mr Shinde points out that the MNS campaign in rural Maharashtra
will also be focused on development issues.
Interestingly, senior Sena leader Diwakar Raote, who has been
championing the cause of farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada for two
decades, welcomes MNS to take up the agrarian cause. “Rural
Maharashtra is full of crises and I would welcome any party or
organisation to take up those problems, provided the ultimate
intention is to help the farmers,” Mr Raote says.

“They will be addressing the same audience but for different reasons.
The next five years are going to witness an intense competition
between the Sena and MNS. While MNS has almost matched the Sena’s
performance in urban parts, the Sena has somehow managed to hold on to
its rural base. It is this sense of competition and insecurity that is
driving back the Sena to rural Maharashtra. It’s urban dominance has
been challenged by MNS and the fight will unfold soon for the rural
control,” a senior BJP leader said.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/message-board_is-the-congress-ncp-alliance-wasting-time-over-a-non-issue_1306155

Is the Congress-NCP alliance wasting time over a non-issue?
Monday, November 2, 2009 16:08 IST

A stalemate over portfolios between the Congress and the NCP continues
to delay the process of government formation in Maharashtra, more than
10 days after the ruling coalition stormed back to power in the
assembly elections.

Apart from home, the Congress wants power, finance, or rural
development. The party is also eyeing the assembly speaker's post. The
party has also ruled out sticking to the 1999 formula of equal sharing
of portfolios.

The ruling combine has time till tomorrow for the new government to be
sworn in. The term of the outgoing legislative assembly expires
tomorrow and the opposition Shiv Sena-BJP has demanded imposition of
president's rule in the state if the new government is not in place.

Shouldn't the newly elected government be dealing with far more
weighty issues facing the state? Or is the haggling necessary to make
sure the best candidates get the most important portfolios?

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_baba-blesses-cm-s-residence-even-as-netas-seek-divine-help_1306011

Baba blesses CM's residence even as netas seek divine help
Shubhangi Khapre / DNA Monday, November 2, 2009 1:53 IST

Mumbai: Chief minister designate Ashok Chavan hosted Sathya Sai Baba
at his official bungalow, Varsha, in Malabar Hills on Sunday. The
corridors of power turned into a pilgrimage centre as top politicos
and the prominent citizens of Mumbai thronged to seek the spiritual
leader's blessings.

The godman -- who was also the "spiritual guru" to Chavan's father,
former chief minister SB Chavan -- reportedly went around on his
wheelchair to bless every room of the sprawling bungalow. A closed-
door special puja was also conducted in the drawing room, which was
attended by Chavan's family members.

A senior minister in the previous cabinet said, "Chavan asked his guru
to bless every nook and corner of the bungalow to ensure his five-year
tenure is hurdle-free." Another eyewitness, also a minister-in-
waiting, said, "It is a matter of faith. We believe his presence in
Varsha will resolve the government formation deadlock between the
Congress and the NCP."

Though a large number of politicians are followers of the guru from
Puttaparthi, this is the first occasion when the official bungalow of
a Maharashtra chief minister has hosted such a spiritual ceremony. The
fragrance of fresh flowers and incense sticks enveloped the place. A
senior Congress leader said, "It was like a big celebration, with a
lavish spread of strictly vegetarian food including South Indian,
North Indian, Gujarati and Maharashtrian cuisines."

Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel, deputy chief minister
designate Chhagan Bhujbal, former Union minister Shivraj Patil and
Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh, along with his family
members, were present.

Later in the evening, NCP leader Jayant Patil invited the Baba to his
Royal Stone bungalow at Peddar Road for high tea and puja.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_praful-meets-pawar-deadlock-over-govt-formation-continues_1305795

Praful meets Pawar, deadlock over govt formation continues
PTI Sunday, November 1, 2009 17:37 IST

Mumbai: Civil aviation minister Praful Patel, who is the chief
negotiator on behalf of the NCP for government formation with the
Congress in Maharashtra, today met party chief Sharad Pawar.

Patel, who was on a two-day trip to Turkey, met Pawar at his
residence, sources close to Pawar said.

Patel left for Delhi after meeting Pawar. He will be in Chandigarh
tomorrow and then proceed to Delhi in the evening, they said.

The government formation process in the state is deadlocked with NCP
demanding equal sharing of portfolios and wanting to stick to the 1999
formula, while Congress which bagged 20 more seats than the NCP wants
key posts of home, finance, power and rural development.

Besides, Congress is also eyeing the post of Legislative Assembly
speaker.

The two coalition partners who rode back to power for the third
consecutive term in the elections, the results of which were declared
last week, have broadly agreed to a 22:20 formula, sources said,
adding that if the NCP does not part with home, it will have to give
power and finance to the bigger ally.

The term of the outgoing assembly ends on November 3. Maharashtra
Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Manikrao Thakre said the
Cong-NCP may stake claim to form the next government tomorrow.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article42263.ece

New Delhi, November 2, 2009
Congress-NCP fighting over plum posts: BJP
PTI

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar. File photo: G. Krishnaswamy

BJP on Monday accused the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party
(NCP) of fighting over “plum” portfolios when people of Maharashtra
were suffering due to rising prices and power shortage, saying if a
new government is not formed by November 3, President’s Rule could be
imposed in the state.

“If is most unfortunate that while people of the state were suffering
from spiralling prices and power shortage, Congress and NCP have
failed to form a new government due to tussle over bagging plum
portfolios,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said on Monday.

Asked whether BJP would press for imposition of President’s Rule in
the state if the stalemate continued, he said “as per rules, if no
government is formed till November 3, President’s rule could be
imposed.

Mr. Javadekar said the present political situation in Maharashtra was
contradictory to the set democratic norms. .

“They have betrayed the people’s mandate...they have ignored
democratic norms,” he charged.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/newdelhi/Cong-NCP-fight-a-post-poll-drama-BJP/472210/H1-Article1-472336.aspx

Cong-NCP fight a post-poll drama: BJP
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, November 03, 2009

First Published: 19:00 IST(3/11/2009)
Last Updated: 19:01 IST(3/11/2009)

BJP described as "post-poll political drama" the failure of the
Congress-NCP alliance to reach an understanding on formation of a
government in Maharashtra and said this was an insult to the people's
mandate.

"This is post-poll political drama of the pre-poll alliance between
Congress and NCP. Since the votes secured by them is a result of the
division of Opposition votes, they are not able to digest the fact
that they have got a majority," BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
said.

Today is the last day for forming a government in Maharashtra as the
term of the outgoing assembly comes to an end. BJP has already stated
it would approach Maharashtra Governor S C Jamir and demand imposition
of President's Rule in the state.

Naqvi said the manner in which Congress and NCP were "fighting on the
streets" was an insult to the people's mandate.

Congress and NCP have differences over who should become Chief
Minister and Deputy Chief Minister as well as over sharing of cabinet
berths.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Cong-wants-NCP-to-reciprocate-LS-gesture/articleshow/5194306.cms

'Cong wants NCP to reciprocate LS gesture'
Prafulla Marpakwar, TNN 4 November 2009, 03:07am IST

MUMBAI: In June 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inducted NCP
president Sharad Pawar and senior NCP leader Praful Patel into the
Union cabinet, allotting them the same portfolios they held earlier,
despite the NCP's poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls. Congress
leaders now say they can't understand why the NCP can't be similarly
gracious-especially since it has again performed poorly-and help the
ruling alliance form the state government quickly.

"Our party is unhappy about the way the NCP is reacting to the process
of government formation. We expected that in view of a clear mandate
the government would be formed quickly, but over 10 days have passed
and we are unable to form the government. Governor S C Jamir has also
stepped in to expedite the process,'' a senior Congress leader said.

In 2004, the NCP had 10 MPs and Manmohan Singh inducted three of its
members-Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel and Suryakanta Patil-into the Union
cabinet. Pawar got agriculture, Patel got civil aviation (independent
charge) and Patil got rural development.

In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, the NCP ended up with eight MPs, but
Pawar and Patel retained their portfolios and P A Sangma's daughter
Agatha was inducted in place of Patil, who had lost the polls.
"Despite the NCP's dismal performance, its portfolios were kept
intact. We were therefore expecting that after the assembly polls the
NCP would ensure the government is formed quickly. Unfortunately, it's
not happening,'' the Congressman said.

In the 2009 assembly polls, the Congress secured 82 seats as against
the 69 it got last time; the NCP got 62 seats as against 71 it won
earlier. The Congress is now suggesting that it's minister strength
goes from 19 to 24 (including the chief minister) and the NCP goes
from 24 to 19. It also wants the NCP to give up home, finance,
irrigation and PWD. "Our demand is not exorbitant; it's reasonable in
view of the changed circumstances. But the adamant NCP does not want
to return the gesture. As a result, we are at the receiving end due to
a failure to form the government,'' he said.

Deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal has said, "There is no reason to surrender
portfolios to the Congress.'' Bhujbal has also threatened that the NCP
will only support the government from outside if a solution isn't
reached.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Sena-MP-asks-Ajit-to-quit-NCP-and-form-govt/articleshow/5190786.cms

Sena MP asks Ajit to quit NCP and form govt
Ambarish Mishra, TNN 3 November 2009, 12:58am IST

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena has urged NCP leader Ajit Pawar to quit the
Congress-NCP alliance and form a government on his own, and has
suggested that the powerful NCP chieftain team up with the Sena-BJP to
pull the rug out from under the Congress's feet.

In a signed article in the party's mouthpiece Saamna on Sunday, Sena
MP Sanjay Raut said Ajit should revive the Progressive Democratic
Front (PDF) experiment of 1978 and walk out on the Congress to form a
non-Congress government with the help of the opposition. The PDF
experiment was scripted by Ajit's uncle, NCP chief Sharad Pawar,
immediately after the Emergency.

Claiming that Ajit enjoys the support of 50 of the 62 NCP MLAs, Raut
said Ajit cannot fulfil his ambition of becoming the chief minister if
he continues to be in the Congress-NCP alliance. Raut further added
that Ajit enjoys the backing of Sharad Pawar, and further indicated
that Pawar Senior may topple the Congress-NCP government should it
take office. In this exercise Ajit would be Sharad Pawar's key front
man. Raut is a close confidante of Sena CEO Uddhav Thackeray and also
has excellent equations with Sharad Pawar.

While the stalemate continues over the formation of the Democratic
Front (DF) government, the opposition Sena-BJP combine has got into
aggressive mode, slamming the ruling alliance for its prolonged spat
over portfolios.

Eknath Khadse, the BJP legislature party leader, said the saffron
combine would demand President's Rule if the Congress-NCP failed to
form a government in the next two days. Raut said, "The DF partners
are squabbling over portfolios, while urgent problems of the state are
not addressed.''

Sena chief Bal Thackeray will address a meeting of Sena MLAs at Sena
Bhavan on November 5, sources said.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Saffron-allies-call-delay-revolting-disgusting/articleshow/5194308.cms

Saffron allies call delay 'revolting, disgusting'
Ambarish Mishra & Somit Sen, TNN 4 November 2009, 03:05am IST

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena-BJP alliance came down heavily on the ruling
Congress-NCP combine on Tuesday for the prolonged dispute over
portfolios, which has resulted in a delay in forming the government.

Senior Sena leader Manohar Joshi told TOI, "Although voters gave a
clear verdict in favour of the Congress-NCP, the alliance's leaders
are squabbling over plum portfolios when Maharashtra is suffering in
every field. It is both revolting and unfortunate that the ruling
Democratic Front is not sensitive to the people and their problems.''

Added Sena MLA Subhash Desai, who will be leader of the opposition,
"The manner in which the Congress and NCP are fighting over portfolios
is disgusting. Mantralaya has come to a standstill and government
schemes are not moving. However, the Congress-NCP is completely
oblivious to people's problems.'' Stating that the Sena-BJP has
written to Maharashtra governor S C Jamir, Desai said, "A delegation
of saffron leaders will call on Jamir at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday
morning.''

When contacted, senior BJP leaders said it was shameful for the
Congress-NCP not to form a government for 12 days. "It seems the party
is not bothered about serving the people,'' said BJP city chief and
MLA Gopal Shetty, who added that the government should have been
formed a week ago. BJP legislature party leader Eknath Khadse said the
Congress-NCP has lost interest in the voters. "During the elections,
they ran door to door to seek votes. But now that they are in power,
they are busy chasing chairs of important portfolios,'' he stated.

MNS MLA Shishir Shinde said that while Marathi MLAs were fighting over
key posts in Maharashtra, two Patels (read Ahmed Patel and Praful
Patel) were deciding their fate in Delhi. "They have no right to delay
government formation. It is an insult to lakhs of voters across the
state,'' he said. He added that the state was also yet to appoint a
new director general of police. "We have a sorry state of affairs in
Maharashtra.''

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/nov/041109-Congress-NCP-Governor-Sena-BJP-Chaggan-Bhujbal-S-C-Jamir-Ashok-Chavan.htm

Flicker of hope for Sena-BJP
By: Varun Singh Date: 2009-11-04 Place: Mumbai

Saffron parties want to cash in on Congress-NCP deadlock and demand
Governor invites them to form government in state

The failure of the Congress and NCP to reach a consensus on government
formation in Maharashtra has brought fresh life into the depleted Sena-
BJP alliance.

After deputy chief minister Chaggan Bhujbal (NCP) said it is ready to
offer outside support to the government till the portfolio-sharing
issue is resolved, the Sena-BJP wants Governor S C Jamir to invite
them to form the government.

'Give us a chance'

Madhav Bhandari, BJP spokesperson, said, "We are the biggest alliance
right now and if given a chance, we can form the government."

It's Our Berth Right: Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan and Governor S C
Jamir discussed issues regarding the formation of government at Raj
Bhavan yesterday.

Added a senior BJP leader, "With 90 MLAs, our tally is bigger than any
other party in the Assembly. The Congress and NCP have 82 and 62 MLAs
respectively.

If given an opportunity, we will form the government." The leader,
however, admitted that the alliance is woefully short of the magical
figure of 145.

The Sena-BJP is relying on Independents and smaller parties like the
Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) and those from the Third Front to
form the government.

The PWP has four MLAs whereas there are 20 Independents. And there is
the possibility of smaller parties breaking away at the last moment.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Finally-Maharashtra-likely-to-get-a-govt-on-Friday/articleshow/5197912.cms

Finally, Maharashtra likely to get a govt on Friday
TNN 5 November 2009, 01:06am IST

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: After intense negotiations, NCP and Congress have
reached a broad understanding on the portfolio allocation which is
likely to be sealed on Thursday. This should put an end to the
uncertainty that has prevailed since the declaration of results on
October 22.

Sources said the two parties may swear in 20 ministers each, leaving a
berth on each side to be filled later. The move is significant because
of Congress's insistence that it should get at least one ministry more
-- in keeping with its superior numerical strength -- than the
partner.

Though there are indications that the NCP may agree to the demand, the
concession may be delayed to pre-empt any perception that it blinked
first.

The allies stepped on the gas for a closure of the protracted
discussion because of the growing disquiet among people over the delay
in government formation and the effort of Shiv Sena and BJP to cash in
on it.

Maharashtra Govrenor S C Jamir was seen as reflecting the sentiment
when he told a delegation of Shiv Sena-BJP leaders that he was "very
anxious to have an elected government installed in Maharashtra as soon
as possible".

The widespread criticism of haggling over portfolios was also seen as
the principal goad for chief minister Ashok Chavan's statement on
Wednesday that a government would be in place in 48 hours. The remark
came 13 days after the assembly results.

While the details on give and take are not clear, sources said NCP on
Tuesday night held a meeting and decided to end the hard bargaining
over portfolios. The party felt it should move towards resolution,
leaving contentious issues aside. This contrasted with the earlier
insistence that all contentious issues needed to be sorted out before
the party joined the government.

The decision came after it proved a point over Congress with Bhujbal
creating an uproar by saying NCP will support the government from
outside if Congress did not agree to 1999 formula of powersharing.

Sources said NCP may give one extra portfolio to Congress. The
ministries of rural development and tribal welfare are the bone of
contention as they are in the NCP quota but have been demanded by
Congress on the ground that its leadership has a special commitment to
tribals and rural poor.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/leaders-demand-action-against-raj-thackeray/539182/0

Leaders demand action against Raj Thackeray
Agencies

Posted: Monday , Nov 09, 2009 at 1706 hrs
New Delhi:

SP MLA Abu Azami reacts (inset) after being attacked by MNS MLAs.

Azmi slapped by MNS MLA for taking oath in Hindi

Leaders of several political parties from Hindi-speaking states and
the CPI on Monday came down heavily on MNS whose members punched SP
MLA Abu Asim Azmi for taking oath in Hindi and demanded action against
Raj Thackeray for trying to divide the country on grounds of
language.

They also termed the incident in the Maharashtra Assembly as "anti-
national and unconstitutional" and said the country could disintegrate
if divisive forces were not checked.

Condemning the attack on Azmi, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said his
party leader had done the nation proud by taking oath in the national
lanaguage. "I would like to congratulate Azmi for maintaining the
honour of the national language by taking oath in Hindi," he told
reporters in Lucknow.

Reacting to the incident, RJD chief Lalu Prasad said in Patna that if
efforts were not taken urgently to check divisive forces, the country
could disintegrate.

"If India splits, it will be because of elements like Raj Thackeray.
If urgent steps are not taken to keep such elements under check,
nobody can save the country from disintegration," Prasad said, asking
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take strong to stop such acts.

His ally and LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan said, "Hindi is our national
language and Raj Thackeray and others responsible for the assault on
Azmi must be arrested immediately."

Echoing similar sentiments, CPI leader D Raja said everyone had the
right to take oath in the language he wants.

Raja said the design of the MNS to create division on various grounds
like language was "highly condemnable" and criticised the silence of
the Congress and the NCP on the issue.

Demanding a ban on MNS, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar called for
legal action against the legislators involved in the "unlawful act".


"It is a highly condemnable act ... Stern legal action under the
Criminal Procedure Code should be taken against the MLAs of the MNS,"
he said in Patna.

"We respect Marathi ... But at the same time it is intolerable to
allow people to show disrespect to Hindi – our national language," the
JD(U) leader said.

SP General Secretary Amar Singh said the MNS chief was known for
hooliganism. "We cannot tolerate insult to the national language," he
said.

Raj Thackeray had last month warned that his party legislators would
ensure that all MLAs in Maharashtra took oath in Marathi.

An unrepentant Ram Kadam, the MLA who slapped Azmi, said, "We
repeatedly requested Azmi to take oath in Marathi as a token of
respect for the language and 11 crore people of Maharashtra, but he
would not listen. We were left with no option but to convey our
feelings in the language he understands."

Questioning the status of Hindi as national language, MNS spokesman
Shirish Parkar asked, "Is it spoken in south India where local
languages are the medium of communication.

Azmi has always taken up the cause of the people from Uttar Padesh and
hurt Maharashtrian pride."

Comments (3) |

JINGOIST AND CHAUVANISTIC MNS
By: NIRANJAN | 09-Nov-2009

WHAT CONSTRUCTIVE WORK HAS MNS DONE FOR MARATHI MANOOS? EXCEPT
INDULGING IN GOONDA GARDI IN THE NAME OF MARATHI MANOOS, THEY HAVE
DONE NOTHING CONCRETE OR WORTHWHILE. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE PEOPLE
WHO ELECT SUCH GOONS. IT IS THE SAME CASE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, IN UP,
BIHAR, ORISSA ETC. OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM AND DEMOCRACY ARE GOING TO
POT!

Most of the state CMs will be in dock
By: A Bharatpremi | 09-Nov-2009

If action is taken on MNS, many of our Chief Ministers who have forced
their state language on people in a worse manner will have to be taken
up similarly.

Language issue
By: Amar Prateek | 09-Nov-2009

I urge the Congress led UPA government to take urgent action.Such
divisive forces will lead to the disintegration of the country if
action is not taken...

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

Abu Azmi slapped by MNS MLA for taking oath in Hindi
Agencies

Posted: Monday , Nov 09, 2009 at 1739 hrs
Mumbai:

MNS legislators man-handled Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for taking
oath in Hindi.

Maharashtra House suspends four MNS MLAs for 4 years

In an unprecedented incident, MNS MLAs on Monday attacked Samajwadi
Party legislator Abu Azmi inside the state assembly for taking oath in
Hindi and not in Marathi marking a violent debut for Raj Thackeray's
party in the House.

Stung by what Chief Minister Ashok Chavan called as
"goondagardi"(hooliganism) by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena never
witnessed in the House, the Assembly acted tough and passed a
resolution suspending four MNS members from the House for four years
within hours after the chaos. The MLAs were also accused of
misbehaving with a woman MLA.

The resolution moved by parliamentary affairs minister Harshvardhan
Patil to suspend Shishir Shinde, Ramesh Vanjale, Ram Kadam and Vasant
Geete was approved by voice vote.

Stating that hooliganism will not be tolerated, Chavan also did not
rule out action against MNS chief Raj Thackeray saying this will be
taken if the video footage of his reported comments outside the
Assembly showed he had instigated his party MLAs.

The three-year-old MNS, which returned 13 members to the House, all
first timers, unleashed chaos during the oath taking by the new MLAs
in a turbulent start to the maiden session of the 12th state
Assembly.

The proceedings in the backdrop of the so-called diktat by Raj
Thackeray that all members must take oath in Marathi or face
consequences went on smoothly until Azmi's turn came when he was
manhandled by MNS members who pushed and punched him for insisting
that he will take oath only in Hindi.

Ram Kadam allegedly slapped and hit Azmi on the chest and shoulders
while Ramesh Vanjale snatched the microphone and uprooted the podium
as a result of which the paper from which he was reading out his oath
fell.

As Azmi began reading out the oath in Hindi, the MNS members tried to
shout him down and asked him to switch over to Marathi. When Azmi
remained defiant, they menacingly advanced towards him.

The SP leader, who picked the paper up and continued reading out the
oath, was seen engaged in a heated argument with the MNS legislators
as the House was drowned in din leading to a 30-minute adjournment.

As Azmi was being roughed up, some MNS members were seen carrying
banners and shouting pro-Marathi slogans. MNS MLAs surrounded Azmi
from all sides when the House had hardly been adjourned.

Ashok Chavan and energy minister Ajit Pawar rushed to calm the frayed
tempers.

Speaking to reporters outside the House, an unfazed Azmi defended his
decision of taking oath in Hindi and said he had done nothing to
warrant such action by the MNS MLAs.

But an unrepentant Ram Kadam justified his action saying Azmi's
insistence on taking oath in Hindi betrayed his lack of respect for
Marathi language and people.

The incident evoked widespread condemnation across the political
spectrum with demands being made for stern action against the erring
MNS MLAS.

Ashok Chavan said Constitution of India allowed members to take oath
in any language. The four suspended members will not be allowed to
enter the premises of the Assembly in Mumbai and Nagpur, he said.

Buoyed by the impressive Assembly debut of his party, Raj had recently
announced his legislators would ensure that all MLAs took oath in
Marathi taking the politics of regional chauvnism straight to the
Assembly.

"If any MLA does not take oath in Marathi, the House will see what
happens," Raj had threatened. Raj issued a reminder today, asking all
287 MLAs in the House to take oath in Marathi.

255 Comments |

50 years of Maharashtra
By: Harshal | Monday , 9 Nov '09 20:28:26 PM Reply | Forward

This is the year when we complete 50 years as united Marathi State
(though the parts of Central Province which had sizable Marathi
speaking people and other chunk of sizable equidistant people). The
Oath in Marathi was supposed to commemorate this. Abu played it to his
gallery by defying it, Manase played it to their gallery by opposing
it violently. Both Congress and NCP were aware of this, and did not
stop it so that they can ask rightfully for the North Indian votes in
coming BMC election. Shivsena and BJP do not know how to tackle this.
This is the politics of this. Well, the suspension was due, and it
happened. One thing that needs to put in perspective is the sequence
of events. Section of media is saying that Abu showed chappals to
Manase MLAs and they reacted. If that is the case, and people are
saying they saw the footage, then he too deserves the suspension. With
these suspensions, I hope that, the Assembly will be able to carry out
its business in much peace and tranquility.

ALL 13 MNS GOONDAA MLAS SHOULD BE ARRESTED
By: babu.rangeela | Monday , 9 Nov '09 20:26:03 PM

Its shame on goondaism of MNS, People are fools for electing these 13
gondass of MNS, Shame on COWARD, IMPOTENCE congress govt,Hindi is also
national language and should be regarded in high esteem, is Hindi is a
Bangladeshi language?

selfish non maharashtrian
By: vishal sawant | Monday , 9 Nov '09 20:25:34 PM

todays act is shameful , mns should respect to constitution.But these
non maharashtrian come in maharashtra studied here, work here and
planned future, had they ever thought to go in their state and do
developement. NO , BCOZ THEY ARE SELFISH. They forget constitution
said first preference for job should go to regional people then other.
We still have national language issue , south indians banned hindi and
they used enlish as national language , had any north indian politian
raised this issue ? bcoz they now power of south indian . if u r new
in maharashtra then we can understand that u dont know marathi, but if
u r leaving since 4 to 5 yrs then its shameful . we maharashtrian
never go in other state and fight their , bcoz we know first we have
developed our state , but non maharasthrian forget this bcoz they are
selfish , if these people have little self esteem , they should think
to go their state and do development there . jay hind jay bharat

A National Shame
By: LK | Monday , 9 Nov '09 20:10:17 PM

Marathis are consistently prooving to be the most racist community in
india by silently supporting the goons of Raj Thackrey, Bombay....errr
Mumbai no longer wins the heart of an Indian..shame on you by
talibanizing the whole Marathi Manus issue, this red tape is not going
to last too long, hatred always begets hatred, by disrespting Hindi
which is indeed the common link among we all Indians MNS has insulted
all of them, these kind of regional parties are not doing anything
good to the forth comming generation, is EC listening ??

Marathi
By: Kumar | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:50:13 PM

I am a maharashtrain and I am reading lot of venom by English speaking
Hindi people.I do not know whether they are against Raj Thakare or
want to support Abu Azmi.The factual position is that this a political
battle played by politicians from UP and Bihar.No marathi is against
hard working Bhaiyya, but totally opposed to political ambitions of
Azmi,Krupashankar Singh,Lalus, Nirupams and company.My rquest to my
freinds from N.India is that pl.find out the antecedents of these
people whom they are supporting.and find out what they have done for
the place from where they have come.See how Krupashankar singh made
millions using N.Indian vote bank and how they are fooling
N.Indians.Do they have any love for Hindi? Absolutely No.It is a ruse
used by these people to put people against one another.And who gives
two hoots to Raj Thakare.He is a creation Of congress because even
Maratha congressman from western Maharastra feel threatened by
political clout of N.indians politicians.

Democracy
By: Shailendra | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:44:31 PM

I would disapprove if not despise of such behaviour by MNS Members and
when I state this,it is not because of the physical assault or the
Hooliganism that errupted at the ceremony but because it had nothing
to do with the Marathi Pride agenda that MNS has taken up for so
long.Mr. Thackarey had many a times stated that he is up for marathi
up bringing and that he is not the enemy of Non-Marathis however this
action by his MLAs is in total contarvention of this stand. Further as
a Marathi I suppose this was a Miserable show on their part because
Marathi Up-bringing doesnot mean pulling some one down . It merely
means upgrading Marathi and its followers ..That is just my opinion.

RAJ should be punished
By: Ashok Patel | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:35:21 PM

Not only shameful, but a subject to think and decide to take action
against whoever are against the national spirit. The first thing
everybody in this country should understand they are ' Indian' and it
is there there responsibility to honor the national spirit with
'Rastra Bhasha' and ' Rastra Geet' The regional political prties like
MNS, and other whoever in other region trying to concil their
political power on the base of reginalism and religious. 'RAJ' is one
of them who have desire to come on national front with the help on
'GOONS'. Look at USA, the country have residents of almost almost all
country in the world. But all of them have to respect country first.
We the Indian Nationals after 60 years, not understanding the
importance of national spirit, and unity. I think this is a time of
taking a hard action to prevent such regional and religious GOONS,
Punish them so that such parties in any part of country learn lesson.

be selfishfree
By: vishal | Monday , 9 Nov '09 20:33:43 PM

dear ,u think u r true nationalist ? so tell me why other state people
come in maharashtra and settled down here ? have u people ever thought
to do work in ur state ? have people ever thought to go in bihar and
developed living condition ? did people know why south indians are
against hindi? did people know they dont obey hindi as national
language ?have people ever fight against them? think before saying
anything

THUGS OF NAV NAVNIRMAN SENA
By: M Arun | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:33:47 PM

THE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR OF MNS LEGISLATORS IN IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BY THE
PEOPLE OF INDIA THE SAMWADI PARTY'S DELIBERATE PROVOCATIVE BEHAVIOUR
TO INCITE VIOLENCE SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED. BOTH HAVE TO BE PUNISHED.
PEOPLE FROM BIHAR, UTTAR PRADESH, & OTHER HINDI SPEAKING REGIONS NEED
TO LEARN OTHER INDIAN LANGUAGES & ENGLISH TO BROADEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE
TO BUILD A STRONG INDIA AND SHOULD SHUN SELF-CENTRED POLITICIANS WHO
SHOULD BE BRANDED AS THE WORST ENEMIES OF THE INDIAN REPUBLIC.

pravasi
By: johna | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:32:21 PM

Pathetic..Are we in the 21st century? Thought we were free since 1947
as a nation united??In over Half a century the religious fanatics and
the politicans made India more divided than united.The averge working
person is poor and the 5 percent or so politicians and religios goons
dictate the norms. Thought "Bombay" (Mumbai) was the gateway to
India.The young generation must wake up and revolt against these
traitors to make the country united.Can we just look as an "India" not
as marathi or punjabi or gujarathi? If anyone out there has that
"Indian" feeling,please wake up and smell the coffee before it is too
late..

Azmi
By: Rammohan | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:31:19 PM

I think he bought that hit. I am south Indian and I think these big
shots shall respect the local sensitivities. If in Bihaqr will they
allow oath in Tamil and in Tamil Nadu will they allow oath in Hindi.
No one even dare to do that. Mahrastrian soft attitude is the reason,
next state this problem will have is Karanataka where all languages
are freely used other than Kannada and it will get boiled one day.

CommentsPost comment255 Comments |Far more important issues to deal
By: Indian first | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:30:20 PM

As a citizen of India, I strongly think there are far more important
issues which need to be dealt with, than asserting languages as the
national language or not. The political parties can think about
providing safer environments to women, children, senior citizens,
better roads, cleaner environs, easier education based on true
merit ...there are so many important things to discuss and implement.
How worthwhile is the struggle for language? Language is a means to
convey our thoughts, it is just a medium ... no language should
overpower the other.

MNS attack abu azmi
By: Saurabh Agarwal | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:24:32 PM

I will term this incident good for India. We all are living in false
beliefs of single nation. We fight for regionalism, religion, casteism
and no. of other ism, and show hollow unity to world. Its high time we
should create a law where only a person belong to particular state can
get a job in that state, can bought a property in that state, and
person belong to other states can travel to that state only after
getting visa frm that state, and that to have certain limit.

Aren't Maharastra part of Indian territory?
By: Firdaus | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:18:45 PM

Taking law in own hand and assulting or abusing some one for any
reasons is illigal under Indian constitution for whatso ever be the
reasons. Here, we are seeing law makers or hooligons, not abided by
teh law and hitting someone even though that person is excersising his
fundamental rights that it to in National Language of India.MNS have
another option to run a movement demand for a referundum on making it
compulsory that person only certified as Marathi by MNS can enter into
the assembly? With the same reasoning of Thakeray Company, they
shoould not be allowed to go out of Maharastra and not be allowed to
be treated by any doctor who is not Maharastrian.We whould surely
start taking steps to ban the political or other outfits who try to
mislead people on relegion, race, region be it more Muslaims, Hindu or
any one.

Marathi Asmita
By: Parag | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:10:00 PM

By rule all Maharashtra state govt.employees must pass the litracy
taste for Marathi language, all schools has got Marathi as coupalsory
language also. If the pepoles who are elected,staying in Maharashtra
since so long time & making the image to serve local peoples. They
must pass the Marathi litracy Tast or else must be disqualified from
their post as they cant serve for local man. Some one must teach this
& so MNS has taken a lead to start the era. But still the way thaey
have chosen was very rough.

Abu Azmi slapped
By: kuldeep | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:09:39 PM

Shame On MNS. All these MLAs and thier conspirators must be booked and
made to pay for their acts.. There are lot of marathis living and
working outside Maharashtra... Why Raj does not travel outside and
experience the consequence of mindless actions.

where are we heading
By: Manish | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:07:36 PM

Where are we heading with all such dirt being spread around by dirts
like Raj thakeray and his goons. Today an MLA has been slapped, what
about tomorrow his goons will thrash people on road for speaking in
Hindi. Day after that someone will get thrashed in Bangalore for not
speaking kannada. Is there a well defined list of things one should do
"to give respect to local culture"?? I hope if Raj thackeray makes
such a list it will contain bowing in front of his house for all those
who are in mumbai.

SHAMEFUL
By: J P SHAH | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:07:11 PM

Real Marathi manoos would hang his head in shame for having elected
such persons as their representatives. This is by no means Marathi
Asmita. Our democracy will fade away sooner than later. India urgently
needs reform process for its politicians who would otherwise harm the
common Indian more than Pakistani terrorists, who attack once in a
while.

Kick those MNS MLAs out of the Assembly House! – Part 2
By: Sujeet Ramanna, Bombay | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:05:54 PM

I think Abu Azmi should continue like this and I am sure all the MLAs
of MNS will be suspended and that will be sweet music to everyone
%u2019s ears in this city! Cause it will be good riddance to bad
rubbish!. These people who want to divide this city in terms of
language should be dealt firmly with! Of course the shameless R R
Patil is back (that too on the eve of the 26/11 anniversary!), he will
just make non-sensical statements like %u2018Badi badi shehron mein
choti choti batein hoti rehti hain%u2019 shaking his head like a
bobblehead doll when confronted by attacks by these MNS goons. And
will arrest some innocent bar girl or some other stupid moral policing
move to show that he is working as a Home minister of this state and
will hide under his mom%u2019s skirt when a 26/11 like attack happens.
The days of the fascist and the divisive forces of this country are
numbered. Lets rise against these stupid people!

Next Operation Bluestar countdown begins?
By: Ajay Nath | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:50:46 PM

Does next Bhindarwale has reincarnated in bombay(or sorry mumbai)? I
appeal all Indians either they are intellectuals, media personality,
or person of any walk of life that should equivocally condemn this
incindent of national shame and start boycotting this stooge of
regionalism. I appeal Election Commission of India that they
immediately ban this anti-national party and appropriate legal should
be taken against the perpretrators of this crime.

Operation Bluestar won't Happen to Hindus
By: Jas | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:56:57 PM

No such operation would take place in India against Raj as he is a
Hindu. Such action are taken against minorities only in modern India.
People like Thackereys and many other self-proclaimed nationalist are
alive only becasue they are Hindus. Otherwise there is no good reason
why fair and self respecting nation would not eliminate such elements.
I know it sound crude, but sadly it is the truth that majority of
Hindus are quite comfortable with.

Enemies of Hindustan
By: Bharat | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:51:52 PM

When ugly incidents such as this takes place, the PM, who is the de
facto ruler of the nation should immediately intervene and order a
cabinet meeting to make legislation on such matters. The actions of
MNS will lead only to disintegration of the country. The issue needs
to be investigated whether MNS is receiving money from enemies of the
nation whose malicious intention will be break-up of the country. PM
is requested to declare that anywhere in India the OATH/PLEDGE could
be taken either in Hindi, state language or English. Everybody has the
right to choose one. MNS MLAs involved alongwith their leader should
be thrown into jail for atleast 10 years without bail or parole, and
no case should be conducted in courts to avoid waste of time and
energy. Such punishments should serve as warning to those who have
plans to engage in such anti national activities. Jai Hind.

Right or Wrong
By: Anmol | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:50:36 PM

What and who is right and what and who is wrong will only be told by
time. The actions of today will be mirrored a few years later. That is
the time when we would retrospect as things would have unfurled and
laid themselves bare. The Pakistani Mujahideen were heroes when they
were fighting the USSR a few years back and today they are despised.
Time the great leveler has laid them in the open for every one to see
Thats why what Rajs goons are doing and what Abu Azmis action reaps -
we will come to know only later and we will have all the time to
regret/be happy in leisure After all when Bhindrawale came to
limelight we never knew that what a threat he would become to Hindu
Sikh unity

Tragedy
By: Sudhir Dube | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:49:55 PM

My self called this Tragedy that we people of UP & Bhiar Doent have
same that a people giving Bad words not bother to slap us also. But
our State Chief Minister is or other Politician whoever are they right
now working or Earlier they had worked but they are so worst that they
had not made any progress in the state the people will stop
migrating.Now I want to tell only one thing that all the young blood
has to come together for the Development of U.P. This is the time my
freinds when we will wakeup and for what we are waiting now. comeon
freind this is the time to ask the politician what they are preaching
on their top of their voice. This is not a mistake of Raj this is our
mistake that we doesnt have an mind to thing. where the world is going
and we are receiving an Insult from this people. Is this is right and
how long we are going to bear all this. A time will come when raj will
realise at present he is a frog in a well roaming around in that only.
Mr. Raj another world is their.

LAND OF GODSE, LAND OF TRAITOR RSS, LAND OF THOOKAREYS
By: Indiahamsabka Nahi kisi ke Baap ka | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:46:21
PM

I JUST REFER TO THE COMMENTS MADE IN INDIA TODAY 15 YEARS AGO. THESE
SUPPORTERS OF THACKARY FAMILY SHOULD KNOW THAT THACKARY'S ARE MIGRANT
IN MAHARASHTRA. BAL THACKARY TOLD MARAHTAI MANOOS AS "TRAITORS". BAL
ALSO SAID "RAJ IS JINNAH" ALL THESE REFERENCES ARE SUFFICIENT TO PROVE
THAT THE SUPPORTERS OF RAJ AND THACKARY FAMILY MUST BE KICKED OUT IN
TO ARABIAN SEE.

Shame
By: Sushant | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:43:22 PM

Its very simple friend, if i m in other state i have respect there
religion , culture & language. We have different states with different
languages, if a person like Abu azmi who can take oath in marathi,
that means he dont know marathi or he has done the same to hurt
someones feelings. If he dont know marathi he cant understand help the
local crowd how he can understand there problems. Is he really there
to help the local people or the tourist/ outsiders who think that
mumbai is mayanagari.I beleive he he is human being and he has the
right to express his feeling in any language, but if he elected for a
perticular state than he must be proved to be maharashtrain(person who
states in maharasthan). I will respect each any every person who will
respect my language and my culture no matter from which state he is.
This is call true indian. Dont make it political issue

Really?
By: Doesitmatter | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:42:43 PM

Another example of extremism. I guess a deliberate attempt to sabotage
the peace in the state, not to mention putting another stigma of MNS.
How far can MNS go with this wild, uncivilized behavior? Does the
youth care that MNS slapped a representative of the common man? Have
they yet again showed that they belong to the uneducated masses who
have some how achieved a place in politics and they can now show off
their power? Would taking an oath in Marathi improve the inflation
rate? What message are we giving out here, not only to the rest of
India but the world which is keeping India and Mumbai especially,
under a constant microscope? That we are racist towards our National
Language. So people in the West or Australia, keep being racist with
us, because that is how we like to break bread each day. Such a shame!

About low grade politician
By: fakhrealam | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:40:10 PM

What a shame full status for our politicians they were slaping each
others it is not good to slap samajwadi president and MLA for taking
oath in Hindi. Hindi is first language of India and indian must know
hindi first then their regional language of mother toungue. Hindi is
not any another country language it is pure Indian language.

MNS- THREAT To INDIA
By: Aquarian 08 | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:38:21 PM

MNS should be taken as a threat to India and be banned. Such people
have no right to live in the country. Wonder how utilise their limited
energies in just thibking & planning the most absurd things-are they
totally insane??

English, not Hindi should be the National Language
By: Desi Pundit | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:35:54 PM

This is one time I can find fault with MNA people. Regional languages
should not be suppressed or insulted in favour of Hindi. Just because
some low life%u2019s make just over 50% of the population of India,
doe not mean they should impose their language on the rest of people
of India in the name of national language. English is the only
language that would be acceptable as national language to all regions
of India, if at all India has to have a 'National Language'. It may
not make the jingoists of BJP/RSS ilk happy but India should not care
about those idiots in the first place. P.S- Only if Punjabis could do
something like this to the SOBs who live in Punjab and claim their
mother tongue is Hindi.

Is there any other alternate???
By: rajesh | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:30:15 PM

We should respect to all regional as well as our national languages.
This mishap could have been avoided easyly. I think it was a planned
game. MNS should opt for Gandhigiri, people will give more support &
respect... But they should not take law in their hand.

Divide and Rule
By: Indian | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:26:48 PM

This was expected from Raj. His language rhetorics catapulted him to
prominence in Maharashtra politics. Expect more such acts in time to
come as it would definitely help people like Raj, who want to derive
political mileage by errecting a language barrier among people.

Abu Azmi Slapped
By: beekay | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:26:36 PM

Why action against Raj Thackeray and none against Dar Ul Uloom who
says no to Vande Mataram? First straighten them. Has Mr Azmi raised a
word against his kinsmen? Why only anti-Marathi? Why not anto Dar Ul
Uloom?

mns slapping azmi
By: roosevelt | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:25:25 PM

i read some comments blaming karnataka govt.u r all idiots ur so
called mumbai is the biggest slum in india.lokk at our bangalore and
our people's attitude before commenting on us u manhhoos idiots

marathe nd kasab
By: ashutosh | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:24:56 PM

what the hell marathe have done for nation , poor ugly looking dark
bevara , drink beatwife and sleep. u can bark from your ouse ifu have
guts why dnt u fought u kasab , these idiot marthe police were
shivering whenterrorist attacked , t be only saved by north nd south
Indin Commandoes, Marathe Manoos ur not manav but silly mouse:)

MNC Slapping
By: Kumar | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:24:00 PM

This kind of extreme regionalism for political gains is the biggest
enemy of the nation as India. Such periods of regionalism was the
reason for plundering the country by Uzbecks(Babur-Mughal),Persians
(Shersha),Pathan(Ahmed Shah), Brits(East India Co),Dutch,
Potughese...etc. Raj and MNC are antinational, he has no interest in
Marathi(Hmself from MP), but his political gain to outsmart his uncle
and Udhav.

why was he slaped?
By: DEEPAK | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:18:58 PM

The reason to slap him was because he delivered the speech in our
national language or because he didnt use his regional language of
state..why was he slaped?

are we forgetting that we are indian first !!!!!!!
By: yoggita | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:10:30 PM

Its amazing how in India, some politician can play with the sentiments
of simple indian people and use them to create partitions .The same
way around 58 years back Mr Jinnah in the name of religion played with
the sentiments of people and was able to create Pakistan. Are we
forgetting that we are first Indians .... I emphasise Indians .... all
of those people who in any way instigate or impose regional feelings
on people should be made to remember that Maharashtra means A great
place... hoping also of great people ( not such small minded people
who cannot accomodate others).

Stop taking IDOl of southern states
By: neeraj | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:04:03 PM

maharashtrian should not take the example of southern states such as
k'taka west bangal and tamilnadu of over-respecting regional pride
over the national one . Otherwise mumbai will loose its identity and
might get succembed to level chennai or kolkata

Hi Ram
By: Prabir Chakraborty | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:01:58 PM

On this day, 9/11, when Barlin wall came down, world became united
against religious terrorism, here is an Indian terrorist going scot
free even after assaulting the core value of this country. Just watch,
nothing is going to happen to Raj or his hungry street dogs. The whole
country is hostage to this kind of anti socials. I am telling, the
fellow who unseated the rostrum is the elected one from Kharagwasla,
Pune. He is the one who dons 2Kg on himself from his honestly earned
money. God only can save this nation.

This is our(Middle and lower class people of U.P.
By: Ashish | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:01:42 PM

Thank you All, This is our(Middle and lower class people of U.P. &
Bihar) fate. All powerful Indians (including Politicians, Higher class
and top officials of U.P & Bihar) have equal rights to slap us and
mock us. There is No Industrialization which can boost U.P. & Bihar
economy.Politicians are not responsible for this, We the people of f
U.P & Bihar are responsible. Because We have a corrupt system. We
cannot talk in a language of regionalism because it is feared that it
will destroy fabric of India. Wherever we go we need to learn their
language. Why in U.P. and Bihar they don't teach other indian language
excepting Hindi if young workforce will migrate as laborer in other
part of India.

his is our(Middle and lower class people of U.P.
By: Prashant | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:37:22 PM

Yes Ashish u are right... U are responsible for it bcoz u dont unite n
fight against the system which made UP n Bihar Poor.. u guys still
vote Mayavati, Mulayam singh and lalu prasad. this is totaly ur fault.
No matter how much u cry for situation in UP n bihar.. u r responsible
for the bad condition of these states. History has shown us many
times, when rulers are not doing justice to their own people, they r
thrown out out their palaces. Why u all cant unite and fight to change
ur own fate.. Y u guys need to go to other states and disturb their
stability...

What are you scared of?
By: AJ | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:26:06 PM

Indian Constitution allows every Indian to practice any legal trade,
purchase land or reside in the Union of India. 'disturb stability'- if
every outsider decides to walk out of any state, so will the
prosperity you harp upon. The only fame wanjle had before this was to
wear over 2 kgs of gold. otherwise he is as uncouth as any bihari or
UP's politician

Cheap Politics
By: janta | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:57:26 PM

All are doing CHEAP Politics............... MNS is exploiting
regionalism to his advantage and for getting into power.

What Ever done by MNS candidate is very much right
By: umakant Mohorikar | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:52:10 PM

If you are reseiding in maharashtra you have to speak marathi becuse
marathi is mothertoung of marashtra in other state all peoples giving
respect to their mothertoung,marashtra state giving respect to all
language it dosent mean that any body can come and insult our marathi
language for the same learn lesson from marashtra navanirman sena

Arrest Goondaking Raj Thakre
By: Ibrahim | Monday , 9 Nov '09 19:12:45 PM

Umakant Bhav, you might have forgotten that the Hindi is our national
language and marathi is a regional language. Just you think, which is
weighing more? In the Assembly hall no one insulted marathi language
and taking oath in Hindi language is pride to our country as such it
is national language. Please stop your useless writing in the future.

This is a NATIONAL SHAME.
By: Yajnavalkya | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:50:48 PM

And lately we're seeing such tendency too often, too unrestricted. May
lord shower his blessings full of tolerance and amity on us.

Abu Azmi knows marathi
By: adaamin | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:49:41 PM

It was wrong from the part of Abu Azmi to take oath in Hindi, when he
knew Marathi. He was just indirectly challenging MNS.

Re: Abu Azmi knows marathi
By: Neeza | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:43:22 PM

If the constitution allows to take oath in any language it lists, why
should MNS dictate terms. Last November when Mumbai was under seige
where was this MNS and Raj. The people who sacrificed their life in
this crisis was not Marathi's alone. We were together as a country
then. Now what happened?

Stop this all plz....
By: Marathi manus | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:48:21 PM

Azmi , Raj n all others ... no one wants to do anything for
Maharashtra ...to hl with hindi n to hl with marathi n to hl with any
other language .. why to fight? .. dosent mtr who is speaking which
langauge and who is doing what .. its all bullshit

it was told earlier
By: amrut karke | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:48:10 PM

Its was told earlier that it should be in MARATHI.. if ur working for
particular state n representing it, u should know that regional
language. As some of saying its national shame,then where is ur shame
when paki are attacking directly ground zero attack.. where ur shame
disappears.. u should proud what ur n where u r.

Gunda vs Gunda fight goes to Assembly
By: AJ | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:47:20 PM

Abu and Raj are both Gundas of different nature and adopt different
tactics. While Abu is known for his links with Anti-Nationals sitting
in other country and Raj hits and beats his own Nationals on issues
which arouses hate against him. This incident is a serious wake-up
call for the Indian voters to be sensible and review on their
decisions on sending such kinds of legislators in the Assembly. The
incident is a shame to us the voter themselves and no one else.

Mr. Azami you are true Indian
By: majid | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:43:51 PM

Raj Saheb looks lookes like pakistani. His party acts are always
against national unity.

Shameful act!!
By: Gaurav Mehta | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:41:13 PM

I am just surprised to see educated people like you all are actually
jusifying this in any way. What is unque abt our country is that it
accepts people from different backgrounds, regions, religions et all.
I think more tha anything else, we are Indians first, and then
anything else. What happened today in Maharashtra goes against the
spirit of being an Indian. You guys should be ashamed of justifying
this in any way, what so ever.

serious problem
By: zafrul hassan mujib | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:40:54 PM

If govermwent of india will not take serious action over this insident
it will become serious problem on futrue cancell the member ship of
MLA,s it is not a insult of Abu Azami it is a insult of national
language.

Why there is no outrage
By: AKK | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:39:21 PM

Raj thakre is only partly to blame. Main problem is Congress, only
party who controls power in the country now do not believe election
are means to implement the policy and develoment agenda you believe
in. Instead they believe elections as end to be achieved by any means.
What ever happens to the country as consequence does not matter. Even
Rahul Gandhi is concentrating on winning elections in different states
instead of paying attention to Governance by his party. In the first
40 years of Congress monopoly at least media and intellectuals kept
check on Government. But in this second inning of single party rule of
congress media and intellectual have given Govt a pass. It is very
grim situation now. Any body can do any thing to put large communities
through hardships just to win election and Congress will let it go
since it helps them. And no one dare them. Though I am not a fan of Mr
Amar Singh but it seems only he is the mard left in ploitics or media.

Ban MNS
By: Abhijit | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:36:05 PM

Time has come to ban MNS as SIMI was banned. These are anti-national
activities and any organisation or individual involved should be
banned. I agree with the argument that a legistlator in Maharastra
should know marathi but taking oath in a language is matter of
personal choice. Jinna spoke in English when he address Pakistani
nation for the first time in 1947. Does that make him any less
relevant in the minds of pakistanis. MNS is a goonda party and it
needs to be banned.

The Other Man
By: Rafat S. Chowdhary | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:29:07 PM Reply |
Forward

Hats off to MNS and all the Marathis. This is so outrageous that a man
is speaking Hindi- his mother tongue, how dare is he. Its a sorry
state of sensibilities. They have taken the neo age jingoism to an all
time high level. They are the true son of the soil. They should be
awarded Bharat Ratna if our jurisprudence is not potent enough to
prosecute them. Indian Gov. should announce Rewards for slapping Hindi
speaking fellows in each and every part of India. Enforce and promote
local languages. Go back to medieval times. There's a common language
required any country to prosper. Forget it. Every single dialect of
the smallest region should be recognized and to avoid communication
gap Every Indian should learn at least 1,652 languages.

One More Ugly Raj Game.
By: Dilip | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:20:14 PM

Please don't divide INDIA, if MNS really concern about the language or
they feels that makes the difference then close the MNS party and
start teaching the Marathi to every body but don't comment any
violence that never solves the purpose.

Right Move
By: Suriil Valeya | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:18:39 PM

Is hindi our National Language? because in one of the news channel
they were reporting that Raj Thackeray has said that it is not. And i
sincerely feel that people like Ram Vilas Paswan, Laloo, Nitish Kumar
should keep their mouth shut. Instead of eating 'gay bhaise ka chara'
they should had worked for the development of their state and in the
direction of generating employment. If they had been honest there was
no need for people from UP and Bhihar to come here and get
humiliated.

MNS and its Raj
By: Giri | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:18:14 PM

What is this nonsense going on in Maharashtra? How long will the so-
called government tolerate this Goonda "Raj" and this uncivilised and
brutal behaviour and lawlessness? This moron should be imprisoned for
life under hard labour!

Really?
By: Does it matter | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:16:49 PM

Another example of extremism. I guess a deliberate attempt to sabotage
the peace in the state, not to mention putting another stigma of MNS.
How far can MNS go with this wild, uncivilized behavior? Does the
youth care that MNS slapped a representative of the common man? Have
they yet again showed that they belong to the uneducated masses who
have some how achieved a place in politics and they can now show off
their power? Would taking an oath in Marathi improve the inflation
rate? What message are we giving out here, not only to the rest of
India but the world which is keeping India and Mumbai especially,
under a constant microscope? That we are racist towards our National
Language. So people in the West or Australia, keep being racist with
us, because that is how we like to break bread each day. Such a shame!

Really?
By: Does it matter | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:15:15 PM

Another example of extremism. I guess a deliberate attempt to sabotage
the peace in the state, not to mention putting another stigma of MNS.
How far can MNS go with this wild, uncivilized behavior? Does the
youth care that MNS slapped a representative of the common man? Have
they yet again showed that they belong to the uneducated masses who
have some how achieved a place in politics and they can now show off
their power? Would taking an oath in Marathi improve the inflation
rate? What message are we giving out here, not only to the rest of
India but the world which is keeping India and Mumbai especially,
under a constant microscope? That we are racist towards our National
Language. So people in the West or Australia, keep being racist with
us, because that is how we like to break bread each day. Such a shame!

where was raj thakrey when thane bridge fell, and where was his sena
when taj terror attack occurred
By: mumbaikar | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:14:54 PM

this is just a way to show there presence. They do not love marathis,
they love power. They dont think about the consequences that their own
marathi people might face in other states. And surprisingly some well
educated people who have posted here are supporting them. Why doesnt
MNS dare to challenge shahrukh,amitabh,aamir to go out? they are
marathis?. Its time we should understand what they are upto, otherwise
someday people who are supporting them would be betrayed by their own
msn leader

Raj is not the determining authority. This is India and every body
can pledge in Hindi
By: Shine | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:14:27 PM

This is shame to Congress for standing with folded hands. Why they are
not replying to MNS. Raj thackery is a mad man and not a patriot he
has to go School first for understanding that Maharashtra is one of
the state in india.

MARATHI MANOOS
By: NIRANJAN | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:08:16 PM

HAS MNS EVER DONE ANYTHING CONSTRUCTIVE? EXCEPT GOONDAGARDI IN THE
NAME OF MARATHI MANOOS THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. WHO DIED AND GAVE THEM
THE RIGHT TO SPEAK FOR ALL MARATHI MANOOS? IT IS ALSO THE FAULT OF THE
PEOPLE WHO TOLERATE AND SOME EVEN ENCOURAGE SUCH CHAUVANISTIC AND
JINGOISTIC ATTITUDES BY ELECTING THEM. THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN
TALIBANI!

DISRESPECT OF NATIONAL LANGUAGE
By: SAMEER | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:07:31 PM

HINDI IS INDIA'S NATIONAL LANGUAGE. AND NO LANGUAGE IS ABOVE THAN
THIS. HOW RIDICULUOUS!!! AND DISGUSTING THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING
PUNISHED TO SPEAK THEIR NATIONAL LAGUAGE. WHERE ARE SO CALLED
DESHBHAKT?????????

This is just the Start
By: leens | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:05:18 PM

Everyone noticed the violence, rebel from MNS team in the Assembly.
However no one comments on the revolt by Abu Azmi on speaking Marathi
in Maharashtra. He has the Guts to go against the rule of the land.
Can you do so in Australia/ Germany / China . What MNS is trying to do
here is just save our local language from diminishing. We are not
asking the President / Prime Minister to take an oath in Marathi. Due
intimation and advice was given to the concern to take oath in
Marathi. Going against it was not only an Insult to Maharashtrian but
also the State Image in the country. No one should be spared from it.
If MNS leader is punished for the same then Abu Azmi should also be
penalized adequately for the insulting the state law. Also all other
states where such violence is created due action needs to be taken on
all such parties for the violence. This is just the Start and this
will not STOP

True Nationalist
By: Shaikh Azher Yousuf | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:05:17 PM

It's a very unfortunate incident, which is hurting our nationalist
feelings. I suggest to Raj appreciators to investigate his past, I
guess he got his school education in English medium.There is no
question of pride in promoting one's language, you should use it in
your homes. National language must be promoted in every state
otherwise this kind of people may divide our already divided beloved
country on religious lines this kind of mindset further disintegrate
the unity. I am Maharashtrian but still wish that Raj should stop this
kind of selfishness, and waste his leadership qualities in this kind
of trivial things. Because promotion of marathi in uncivilized manner
will not serve cause of marathi it will create hatred towards
maharashtrians in rest of India. Because Raj will not dare to promote
marathi in this way in other states if this new MLA has little courage
he should show it at least in Delhi bound railway compartment while
traveling. So Mr Raj stop doing impractical things.

Time has come - Lets Divide India and Give MNS and others a chance
By: Shashikant Kumar | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:04:35 PM

If Indian politics is to be ruled by directives of MNS and Raj Thakray
let assume that Maha goes to Sena and MNS. Is that what verdict people
of Maharashtra has given? Its near mockrey of constitution by enraged
members of assembly. We would not act since we have set precident in
states not to accept India as Nation and Hindi as National Language.
We fell short in democracy after 61 years of Independece. Shame on the
political system to give shelter to such ideologies. Then blame only
Naxals or terrorists for war against nation? Also add some parties and
persons aiming at sanctity and decorum of our constitution. What you
can except from parties like MNS, Sena and BJP? Divide the country
again on the basis of ideologies and division, create seperate sub
nationalities and let these goons and self styled speakers of social
voice and concern act on it.

Thugs ruling in Assembly
By: T Raman | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:04:30 PM

People who voted for these MNS thugs should put their head down in
shame. These thugs may kill some one in the assembly in the name of
Marathi !! People will pray the price for having voted for these
Fanatics..

Interesting
By: Mehta | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:03:21 PM

Interesting to see that while Abu Azmi faced ire for taking oath in
Hindi,Baba Siddiqui did not face such opposition when oath taking in
English.I suggest making English as National language,hopefully MNS
would be ok with that?

Slap him not in government premises!
By: Prasad | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:02:37 PM

If this MLA Abu Azmi (what was his name before Azmi was borne to his
wife?) knew Marathi, he insulted the people of Maharashtra by not
speaking in the tongue of that land. Even if he did not know Marathi,
he should have read from Hindi or Arabic script. If Abu Azmi does not
know Marathi, then on what special considerations he was elected as
MLA? How doe he want to communicate with his electorate? Even if Abu
Azmi is indeed an arrogant idiot owing allegiance to Saudis, slapping
him in legislature building can not be condoned. That is unIndian. He
should have been slapped harder immediately outside of the building! I
find Azmi guy worse than Thackery guy. One deserves the other.

Idiotism of MNS
By: Hasan Abidi | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:02:16 PM Reply | Forward

Hindi is the national language of India and every year Hindi weeks are
organized all over the country to promote work in Hindi. Stopping
someone in speaking a language of his/her choice is criminal offence
and the GUNDAS of Raj Thackrey be punished and all those Marathis are
working in hindi heartland of UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, MP,
Jharkhand, Chattisgarh should be thrown out. Butr all such things are
again provocative as country belongs to all and hence no body can
punish other. Just thrash Raj Thackrey and suspend MNS from taking
parts in the proceedings of the State Assembly and UNion Government
should impose a ban on such idiotic and hypocrites who devide society
sometime by religion, sometime by region and sometime by language. If
appropriate actions and steps are not taken, it would much delayed and
country may be disintegrated in the name of language and region.

Shameful Incident...
By: Aditya | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:01:55 PM

Why has Hindi suddenly become taboo in our Assembly? Just because some
people do not have a stronger political agenda with respect to
development and progress, language is a bigger problem! Our country
was built on principles of unity in diversity! Lets not forget the
country is free and fair to all Indians, be it Marathi or any other
region. Nobody, or no state is more important than our country as a
whole.. This sort of politics and propaganda will only take our
progress backwards. Being a Maharashtrian myself, I am ashamed that we
think we need the help and support of parties and cheap politics to
compete as equals among other deserving Indians in Maharashtra. I
believe Merit and not Marathi should be the yardstick in measuring
actions and results. And worse of all we do not need to compare
ourselves with others. Lets rise above the other states and being a
good example of harmony and progress instead of cry-babies, insisting
somebody stole our lollypop!

mns
By: sam | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:59:31 PM

mns should slap him one more in the assembly

A Slap on Maharahstra
By: Y | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:13:16 PM

This is not a slap on Abu Azmi, but a slap on the Indian-ness of
Maharashtra and its people. I am a marathi and if someone feels that
being a Marathi Manoos entitles them to chase everyone away and force
people towards dis-integration, then all I would say is 'I feel sorry
for the state and our people'. Probably all Marathi manoos from other
states of India and every country of the world should come back and
dare not cross the border. Raj Thakre and MNS, I hope you do realise,
that you are creating a dark future for Maharashtrians everywhere.

100% great shot
By: amol bore | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:57:31 PM

what MNS has done till today is absolute correct. If we are staying in
Maharashtra we have to obey their rules & regulations. If Abu Azmi
cant speak Marathi so he dont have rights to stay in Mumbai. So what
MNS MLAs has done to Abu Azmi i would like to tell that it was 100%
great shot just like what Sachin Tendulkar played against Australia.
Keept it up...........

100% wrong act
By: OP | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:14:43 PM

By your logic if any one don't want to respect Hindi, the national
language, should not leave in India. Where will you go. :) You can
tolrate English as your fathers language but not hindi.

Perfect Action
By: Swami | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:56:58 PM

abu azmi deserves this. He shouldn't have gone against Marathi
language. It is totally wrong that Hindi is our national language.
There are 14 languages listed in the constitution as our national
languages including Marathi, Hindi, Tamil etc. Would he ever dare
speaking or taking oath in Hindi in any of the 5 southern states? If
he does not want to speak in the local language despite staying in
Maharashtra for more than 25 years why is he staying and contesting
from Maharashtra? Marathi is the Raaj-Bhaashaa (Official language of
the Maharashtra state) and he must repsect it. What MNS has done is
right.

F***K MNS and maharashtra
By: asdf | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:55:34 PM

You are bi dividers of the country. Poor , timid thinking.. Thats why
you are jelous of everything. Because you cant tolerate success of
india and others. And you are killing your self with such differences.
MNS is blot on earth and maharashtra and nation.

Dump your sh*t marathi in hell
By: Dalia | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:54:57 PM

Marati manos as they call themselves should also keep on talking
Marathi when they travel abroad or outside Maharastra, they will know
how many people can understand it. MNS are another bunch of rotten
marathi rogs, shame to call them the citizens of Democratic India.

Mr. Azmi you asked for it
By: Aam Admi | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:52:10 PM

As a responsible member of assembly Mr. Azmi should have taken the
oath in Marathi first and then repeated in Hindi. But instead he chose
to challenge it openly against MNS. If you challenge any Marathi
Manoos, do you think he will take it sitting down!! Mr. Azmi you asked
for it and only you are responsible for this ruckus. Dont make a
political issue of it.

Eliminate Goondagiri
By: Hindustani | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:09:52 PM

I strongly deplore such acts of vandalism & cheap publicity! Marathi
Manoos is not about terrorising vulnerable people & damaging social
harmony. Also few of u have written abt the courage of such Marathi
Manoos led by a idiot called Raj thackrey the i would like to question
the courage when 26/11 happened ! Where were all the Marthi Manoos
those few days..Why could u save Amchi Mumbai?? It was an operation
led by soldiers from entire country who shot those terrorists! Stop
revelling in false glory u idiots! U all are a gagng of criminals &
State Govt should finally wake up & do something concrete about this.

MNS and Marathi Mannos
By: Zahid Ahmed | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:48:47 PM

Pure crap and rubbish. If that is marathi mannoos feels, then
certainly kashmiri muslims and christians from North east India are
more Indians. Marathi Manoos desreves to charges of treason.

Are U Aam Aadmi?
By: Taps | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:55:55 PM

Mr Aam Aadmi, will you have the guts to turn our all MNC from
Maharastra as they do business in English and not Marathi?? U can't..
Even your daily bread comes from that money.. Ur farmers are dying and
U care for only one Psycho calling for taking oath in Marathi.. He is
giving you Marathi pill and eating your money.. check it out..

This news is dangerous!
By: Vinayak Kadam | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:52:04 PM

NO one said a single word when a Minister in karnataka lost his
ministry for he didn't know KANNADA! If above statement is true then
no body here has teh right to say anything about Raj Thackery!

Can you do this in German or France Assembly?
By: Hemant | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:51:33 PM

@Abhonsale - Living in a country w/o being able to localize is
different than being part of the assembly. If you are representing
Maharashtra, you should speak Marathi. Period.

Marathis should be slapped in other states if they speak in Marathi
By: Gopal Tendulkar | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:50:45 PM

This is the message given by MNS...and also that they do not respect
our national language. SOBs all.

reply
By: Rutu | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:13:57 PM

@Gopal Tendulkar. Sir I guess you have selectively read the message.
The message that MNS has given is, "Do not disrespect cultures at your
work place.." I am a marathi and I would prefer being slapped to wake
me up if I do so in any other assembly..!

think many times before doing anything to Marathi's
By: marathi | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:02:10 PM

Can nonMarathi's afford to do it? What will happen if Marathi's repeat
Germany in Maharashtra? What will happen if Marathi's revolt against
the Indian occupation of Maharashtra?.think many times before doing
anything to Marathi's.

think many times before doing anything to Marathi's
By: marathi | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:01:50 PM

Can nonMarathi's afford to do it? What will happen if Marathi's repeat
Germany in Maharashtra? What will happen if Marathi's revolt against
the Indian occupation of Maharashtra?.think many times before doing
anything to Marathi's.
Hindi and its Usage

By: SR PBHUSHAN | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:58:28 PM

I have question Mr.Raj Thackrey How can Sachin talks in Hindi.Why you
are not opposing Him.Why you have not given the same treatment for
Him.what Abhu azmi got.
slap
By: sdad | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:58:20 PM

slap this guyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Only if they speak in the assemblies
By: Hemant | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:55:46 PM

Will Mulayams and Laools agree to someone in their assembly speaking
Marathi? Raj is not against people at ground level. He wants the
respect for local issues at top level.
raj saheb's children studying in bombay scottish school, why not
marathi school

By: ganesh | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:50:24 PM

raj saheb's children studying in bombay scottish school, why not
marathi school

Reply To Mr.Ganesh
By: Umakant Mohorikar | Monday , 9 Nov '09 18:08:04 PM

Mr.Ganesh dont come to anybodys personalmatters you just think about
yourself if you wants to learn in bombay scottish school you can also
take the admission it dosent means that raj or his childerns not
giving respect to their mothertoungh
Abu Azmi slapped by MNS

By: manoj | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:49:21 PM

I strongly support what MNS candidate did. Abu azmi just wanted this,
otherwise he would not have gone against warning of MNS. He should
know the result of going against marathi in maharashtra. "Jai MARATHI
Jai MNS'.

Amazing
By: aa | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:49:17 PM

It never ceases to amaze me that I live in the same country as you do.
Jai ho

Bad politics
By: Yash | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:46:51 PM

The action by the MNS people is not at all justified in view of the
Nationality as such actions not only deteriorate the feeling of "we
are united"but promotes the bad and narrow politics for the
people ,whose thoughts are not at all in overall interest of national
integrity but may be a reason for the hate for other marathi brothers
scattered all around the World.

ae bhai
By: MARATHI MANOOS | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:56:12 PM

So you are going to treat marathi people scaterred all over the world.
Don't dare to irritate us in name of fake unity.You are just snatching
our oppurtunities.If you really feel proud of hindi then go and live
in bihar and up.

ae bhai
By: MARATHI MANOOS | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:55:33 PM

So you are going to treat marathi people scaterred all over the world.
Don't dare to irritate us in name of fake unity.You are just snatching
our oppurtunities.If you really feel proud of hindi then go and live
in bihar and up.

Why Maharastrians in and out of Maharastra
By: richautumn | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:45:24 PM

Well if marati people think their culture, language is important why
they are going out of the state to work? why they are allowing forein
industries in Maharastra. Being a Indian Iam asking the people who are
visiting every day for business purpose not to travel there. Not to
allow incoming flights to their states neither busses nor trains
should not allow to pass out of maharastra. Then I will appreciate so
called these policians who is making money with their dirty politics
to develop the Maharastra. We the Indians are involved to develop the
country.We can live work any where under the constitution. If these
Sena talking about muslim Pakistan why his maharastrians working in
Middle East? May I ask the people who is working out side India
against their pride of maharastrian. Go and see in Middle East Marathi
drivers cleaning shaikh's wife dirty cloths.Now reply me the guiz who
is supporting MNS MLA who slapped the other MLA for the sake of
Marathi.

Mns
By: kassim | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:20:01 PM

pls correct your statements, not a single marati manus is driver &
cleaning clothes of sheikh wifes but people like u islamic
fundamentalist surrender your female for sake of funds from them.

Oath in Marathi in Maharashtra
By: Chandramohan Shinde | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:45:12 PM

If one looks at earlier news items on this incident without any bias,
one will find that the hornet nest was stirred by Abu Azmi himself by
declaring in the media that he will take oath in Hindi. It was his
publicity stunt.MNS got a point to prove itself to be the sole
protector of Marathi in Maharashtra assembly and they used it well. In
the past, Azmi threatened to import people with lathis from Azamgarh
and challenged local sentiments. He is not a saint, the whole nation
has seen him snatching papers of Women's Reservation Bill from members
in the parliament.

Awsome Pateiotism
By: Sachin Palekar | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:43:48 PM

MNS godfather of Maharashtrions. Not for saving them but devide them.
Infuse vandalism in them. If MNS is a true Maharashtra Patriot let
them concentrate to develop maharashtrians life. They have voted them
in the expectation of Education, Infrastructure developments,
stabalizing the Food grain prices. Let them help poor to come up in
the country and earn money for their daily needs. Gundagardi anybody
can do. MNS is not looking to help Maharashtrians but they are going
to destroy them. Only they need Money not Maharashtrians Improvement.
That is only a face wash in the name of Maharashtrians. Wake up True
Maharashtrians. Nobody has real partiotism. Only they are looking
their safety and we are at receiving end. Our families safety is our
safety. Do not any politician those who are promising more than what
they can do.

MNS is Correct
By: indian | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:43:05 PM

Hindi fellows try to give hindi flavor to Nationalism. First improve
living conditions in Cow Belt area

Raj did right
By: suraj | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:40:03 PM

Well I support Raj as it is extremely necessary to preserve the
identity of Marathi Manoos and Maharashtra. If you go to southern part
of India, you will find only regional laguage everywhere, not even
english. I would like to ask others whether they are ashamed to learn
the regional language of Maharashtra.

To good MNS
By: Ady | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:40:01 PM

At last marathi Manus jaga jhala

what wrong has MNS done?
By: MANDAR | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:39:33 PM

Why everyone is making fuss over the act of MNS? NO one said a single
word when a Minister in karnataka lost his ministry for he didn't know
KANNADA.But when MNS demanded that each MLA should take oath in
MArathi,then these hypocrites cried foul.i was listening ti a reort by
NIKIHL WAgle ,the editor in chief of IBN-LOKMAT.He said that such
violent act is not justified in Maharashtra.In democracy one should
defeat the opponent in the battle of thoughts.Those who are unable to
do this,opt for the way of violence.BUT MR.Wagle,ye "lato ke bhoot
bato se nahi mante" .In marathi there is proverb "CHMABHRACHYA DEVALA
KHETARACHI PUJA". Same is true for ABU AZMI and all these Hyppocrites.
MR azami its time you should learn some respect for the land which is
livelihood.

MNC is correct
By: Indian | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:39:30 PM

If Marati is not respected in Maharastra then where it will get
respect. Refusing to take oath in regional language is Hindi Fanatism.
This Hindi fanatics want destroy marati, telugu, tamil , kannada. They
want to dominate india and use term " National Langauge " as weapon
There are 25 national languages in india.

hum honge kamyab?????
By: ARVIND SHARMA | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:39:03 PM

Dear Mr. Ganesh one could understand your feelings on the issue of
Marathi Manoos but the manner in which contingent of MNS MLAs have
protested does not deserve to be appreciated. What kind of message is
being sent out by this act? Anyhow, blame could not only be attributed
to MNS, they might have the reasons to raise its voice for safeguards
of Marathi Language, Marathi culture and preference in job for locals.
But since MNS now has become an officially part of democratic system
they have to behave in a manner, which is supposed to do from People
%u2019s Representative. But the flip side of the coin is that the both
MNS and Mr. Abu Azmi living and surviving in a notion, where they both
knows that no one will know, hear and discuss them until they are made
such kind of nautanki and statements. For example you just see today
all the news websites carrying this story at top space and tomorrow
whole country will get to know about the person who slapped Mr. Azmi
and at the same time Mr. Azmi

raj thakrey so scared
By: Adhish Pratap Singh | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:37:26 PM

if raj thackrey hs real guts can he go in u.p and can establish
himself for a week even.language is noones paternal property.scared
mns are just idiots and rats who cn bark only in maharashtra.dare to
cm in u.p..pls dn u useless people.raj thackrey is just a donkey
trying to project himself as lion.

Me Marathi
By: Yogesh | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:57:53 PM

We don't need to go to other states to show that we are lion and stay
We have develop out State So you Fucckers comes here to Suck our ass

Wrong perception
By: Ganesh | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:36:33 PM

All those who have commented here ignore the intent behind this. Abu
Azmi had plainly denied taking the oath in Marathi. It's not that he
wanted to honour Hindi. His sole intention was to show that he can get
away with the disrespect he has shown to Marathi. There have been
instanes in Maharashtra assembly when MLA's have taken oaths in
languages other than Marathi. But there was never such opposition. The
reason is that nobody demonstrated the intentions that Abu Aazmi has.
He is a true anti national. He had earlier talked about importing
10,000 gundas from Azamgarh with lathis for hooliganism. It is since
then, this oppsition has started. Please note, this not against Hindi,
but it is against the arrogance and audacity of Abu Azmi. He
thoroughly deserves it.

Maharashtriyan
By: U R | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:36:23 PM

this incident shows that some marathi manus is still in maharashtra
fighting for privillage of marathi. it is easy to talk about negetive
about rajsaheb. the feelings of rajsaheb can be understand only those
who suffers from all these problesm

MNS RULES
By: Amit | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:36:00 PM

what is harm in speaking in an local language marathi? you were
elected by the locals of that state. Speaking in marathi is the least
thing they should do. I don't care even this is term as racism. MNS
RULES FOREVER.

hum honge kamyab?????
By: ARVIND SHARMA | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:34:09 PM

Dear Mr. Ganesh one could understand your feelings on the issue of
Marathi Manoos but the manner in which contingent of MNS MLAs have
protested does not deserve to be appreciated. What kind of message is
being sent out by this act? Anyhow, blame could not only be attributed
to MNS, they might have the reasons to raise its voice for safeguards
of Marathi Language, Marathi culture and preference in job for locals.
But since MNS now has become an officially part of democratic system
they have to behave in a manner, which is supposed to do from People
%u2019s Representative. But the flip side of the coin is that the both
MNS and Mr. Abu Azmi living and surviving in a notion, where they both
knows that no one will know, hear and discuss them until they are made
such kind of nautanki and statements. For example you just see today
all the news websites carrying this story at top space and tomorrow
whole country will get to know about the person who slapped Mr. Azmi
and at the same time

Good Start up
By: sapna kanade | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:32:32 PM
Good start up guys. Keep it up. Jai MNs.

Be ready for another Partition
By: Saurabh Anand | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:30:55 PM

The ongoing incident occurring in Maharastra by the so called son of
the soil, is going to have the another fragmentation of this nation.
Last time we had the division on the basis of religion. This time when
the division is going to take place then a small region will call it
self as an independent nation. May be i am exaggerating but if such
kind of things are not taken in iron hand manner then such kind of
divisive elements will create big threat to the nation. Please think
about the nation above such petty politics. Don't behave like the
Britishers who once created the two nations.

A Maharashtrian from Germany
By: A Bhonsle | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:30:32 PM

I am not surprised by this incident as MNS wants to come back a
largest party in next elections. I expect Raj will be "Bhindrawale" of
next decade. I as a Maharashtrian lived in several parts of the world
during last 20 years and came across many Indians from Maharashtra,
who hopelessly failed to utter a single word of German or French even
making their living out of this land. I do not say that they did this
with purpose but it is not so easy as said: This is true not only for
Maharashtrians in general but also for most of the Indians living in
non English speaking countries. They also fail to adopt to local food
and social values miserably. DO you think all Indians (Maharashtrians)
should be slapped and kicked out of each and any part of the world? I
guess so if I see comments from my feloow Marathi (Indian) brothers
and sisters. I think such myopic thinking can only come from people
who possibly never ventured out of their village to earn a living or
have no idea of the global world

A Maharashtrian from Germany
By: Subash Nair | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:47:01 PM

Mr Bhonsle,you have not understood what raj wants to say, anybody who
respects marathi, and marathi culture is maharashtrian,but people like
azmi is so stubborn that they wont learn marathi means this is what he
deserves secondly you stay in german,hope you too have learnt german
language y bcoz u need to learn to stay back in germany... thats all
raj wants to say..respect loge to respect milega
Well said Bhonsle
By: Sat | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:06:58 PM Reply | Forward
well said Bhonsle, if these freak marathi manoos could improve their
lives working overseas, do you think that only their language is the
criteria by which they earn? Where else is marathi spoken in the
World? What is the percentage of population in India itself understand
this kai zalo re language? Only illiterate people sits with these type
of issues.
I am too a well travelled acroos the world in last 25 years
By: MARATHI IN KOLN | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:46:51 PM Reply | Forward
Dear Mr. Bhonsle, In your language "such myopic thinking" can not come
only from people who possibly never ventured out of their village. But
IT IS COMING FROM A PERSON WHO HAS TRAVELLED FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE US
FOR LAST 25 YEARS. MAINLY INTERACTING WITH "WHITES" AND "LOCALS" AND
NOT WITH OTHER INDIANS. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT GERMANY? WHY WAS HITLER
BORN? THE SAME PAIN AS MARATHI PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH, GAVE BIRTH TO
HITLER. AND WHAT WRONG HAS HAPPENED TO GERMANY? EVEN TODAY THEY RULE
THE WORLD AND NOT AMERICANS. NAME A PRODUCT CATEGORY AND THE BEST
PRODUCT IS LINKED TO GERMAN PERFECTION AND PRIDE. NOT TO "CHEAP" COST.
SAME WITH MARATHI PEOPLE. WE GIVE "BEST" QUALITY BUT THESE NON-MARATHI
BUGGERS ARE SPOILING OUR ECONOMY. IF WE ARE ALLOWED TO WORK
INDEPENDENTLY, 2ND GERMANY WILL BE IN MAHARASHTRA.

only in India
By: A Sanghvi | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:30:13 PM

Why has the MSN guy who slapped Abu, not been arrested for assault?
Doesn't the law prevent one person from assaulting another? Imagine if
MNS can beat up an MLA, what will they do to a non-politician! I'm not
saying whether MNS's agenda (of Marathi Manoon first) is right or
wrong ... but they have no right to manhandle anyone or destroy
other's property.
All politicians from shud be arrested then!
By: Vinayak Kadam | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:49:11 PM Reply | Forward
If this is physical assault and MNS legislator should be arrested then
this is a everyday situation in assesmblies of Bihar and UP and all
still all leaders from these states are happily living their life...
and that is what MNS is trying to avoid...If you dont want this to
happen everyday in Maharashtra assesmbly then these guys shud start
respecting the values of the state they are trying to represent! We
dont want Maharashtra to convert to Bihar!
Take Maharastra Away
By: Shashikant Kumar | Monday , 9 Nov '09 17:15:53 PM Reply | Forward
I ask people supporting this kind to make attempt to take Maha away
from India. Is'nt it part of India. You have not owned it..yet. Maha
has worst political situation then Bihar..do not take services of a
Bihari for granted. We as a country are dependent on each
other...power you are burning in Maha comes from our coal, steel,
food,etc we have given to nation at the cost of state. We biharis are
pillar of nation building who have take the toll on constructing
India. Otherwise how punjab would have produced wheat, maha would have
their taxis and bhaji pav. Guys lets not target each other else things
can turn worse and you know Maha'tra is not India. Get your peice of
land seperate from nation and talk of stopping who you want or do not
want in your place...Luv

jo
By: jojo | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:27:12 PM

this is a insult to all the people of india,maharashtra is a part of
india not an independent country ,without the backing of other
states,maharashtra is a complete zero.....be human set good examples
to others, a big shame..indeed.....

Great Stuff
By: Abu Azmi | Monday , 9 Nov '09 16:26:43 PM

If MNS guys slapping abu azmi for not speaking marathi is anti
national... then what abt going against the National Song ? is it
patriotic ? why dosent anybody speak against that ?

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-blames-Cong-NCP-for-rise-of-MNS/articleshow/5213082.cms

BJP blames Cong-NCP for rise of MNS
TNN 10 November 2009, 03:20am IST

NEW DELHI: With regional politics over the use of Marathi touching a
new low in the Maharashtra assembly, BJP on Monday condemned the
attack on SP's Abu Azmi and accused the Congress-NCP combine of
allowing Raj Thackeray-led MNS to "emerge in the shape that it has".

Seeking an explanation from the ruling Congress and NCP for tacitly
supporting MNS and its aggressive pro-Marathi politics in the past,
BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP from the state Prakash Javdekar
said, "BJP strongly condemns this attack on democracy but Congress and
NCP owe an explanation because their tacit support has allowed MNS to
grow into what it is today. They have created a monster just for
political purpose -- to divide Opposition votes."

Azmi was heckled in the assembly by MNS MLAs for taking oath in Hindi.
The MNS had stated earlier that all MLAs should take oath in Marathi.

MNS has 13 MLAs. Azmi is the lone SP MLA in the House. Four MNS MLAs
were suspended for four years after the incident.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/MNS-lawmakers-turn-into-lawbreakers-in-Assembly/articleshow/5213683.cms

MNS lawmakers turn into lawbreakers in Assembly
Ambarish Mishra, Yogesh Naik & Clara Lewis, TNN 10 November 2009,
12:41am IST

MUMBAI/THANE: The 12th legislative assembly of Maharashtra got off to
a violent start on Monday when four Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)
MLAs manhandled Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Abu Asim Azmi for
taking the oath of office in Hindi and not in Marathi. The tussle
between Azmi and MNS chief Raj Thackeray on the Hindi-Marathi issue
had begun last week.

The incident, which has tarnished Maharashtra's credentials as a
progressive state committed to moderate politics, sent shock waves
through political circles. By the end of the day, the state assembly
passed a resolution suspending the four legislators - Shishir Shinde,
Vasant Gite, Ramesh Wanjale and Ram Kadam - for unruly behaviour,
manhandling Azmi and ``misbehaving'' with PWP MLA Meenakshi Patil, a
senior lady member.

The suspension will last for four years, a severe penalty which has no
precedent in the annals of the Maharashtra legislature. Minister for
legislative affairs Harshavardhan Patil (Congress) moved the
resolution which was passed by a majority vote.

The state legislative assembly began its three-day special session
convened for oath-taking on Monday. As Azmi strode up the dais and
began to take the oath in Hindi, MNS MLA Ramesh Wanjale rushed to the
lectern and tried to snatch the microphone from him. Wanjale was soon
joined by his three colleagues. Unfazed, Azmi went through the oath-
taking exercise amid chaos.

The assembly began to resemble an `akhada' as Kadam and Gite began to
chase Azmi, while Meenakshi Patil, Baba Siddique (Congress) and
Harshavardhan Patil tried to shield him. In the melee that followed,
Gite and Kadam manhandled Azmi, while the assembly looked on stunned.
The suspension resolution came up at the end of the day as tempers in
the assembly ran high.

The incident was telecast live, which led to violent protests from
Samajwadi Party activists in Azmi's assembly constituencies Bhiwandi
and Shivaji Nagar-Mankhurd. Counter-protests by MNS activists briefly
created a fear psychosis in several parts of the city.

The drama began when the ministers were being sworn in. Nandgaonkar
had tried to raise the issue of Azmi's taking oath by way of a point
of propriety, saying that certain members were trying to take the oath
in Hindi in violation of Article 220 and 385. However, protem speaker
Ganpatrao Deshmukh said the issue was not a propriety issue, and did
not allow him to speak.

Azmi was preceded by his colleague Abdul Rashid Tahir Momin who took
the oath in Marathi. When it was Azmi's turn, he started in Hindi. ``I
had told the speaker that I would take the oath in Hindi as I don't
know Marathi. I did not object to Tahir's taking the oath in
Marathi,'' he said, adding that the Constitution allowed a member to
take the oath in any Indian language. ``I have a high respect for
Marathi and Marathi people. Marathi is like my mother,'' he added for
good measure. As soon as Azmi began speaking, the unseemly scuffle
began, with legislators looking on, shocked.

After the assembly, which was adjourned for 30 minutes, reconvened,
chief minister Ashok Chavan moved a notice of motion denouncing the
incident.
``There can be ideological differences but these can be ironed out
through a dialogue. Such behaviour is unbecoming of this House,'' he
said. Chavan called for strict action against the legislators. Deputy
chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal too supported the motion. He described
the incident as an ``insult to the House''. Subhash Desai, Shiv Sena
group leader, while calling for upholding Marathi pride, also called
for strict action.

Even as he rebuked the MNS MLAs for the Azmi episode, BJP leader
Eknath Khadse pleaded with the chair to take a lenient view and hand
down a milder version of punishment. Sena MLAs kept a studied silence
on the issue. Home minister R R Patil told the assembly, ``No one will
be allowed to take the law into his hands, and stern action will be
taken against hooligans.''

Azmi accused Raj Thackeray of holding the entire state and the
assembly to ransom on a divisive issue. ``I
am very happy with the punishment given to the four MLAS but I will be
more happy if they are sent to jail. I am thinking of filing a case
against Raj Thackeray for insulting the national language. I want him
and his MLAs to be immediately arrested,'' he remarked. Raj refused to
speak on the issue when TOI called him up. ``I will comment at the
appropriate time,'' he said.

After the scuffle, Baba Siddique of the Congress took the oath in
English, while Anne Shekhar, also of the Congress, did so in her
pidgin Marathi and earned a round of applause. Girish Bapat of the BJP
took the oath in Sanskrit.

MNS group leader Bala Nandgaonkar, in the assembly, expressed regret
and asked for forgiveness for the incident. He, however, added that
Azmi had provoked the MNS legislators, by ``gesturing with his legs
which angered our MLAs. Azmi manhandled Shinde. He too should be
punished,'' said Nandgaonkar. The MLA denied that his colleagues had
manhandled a woman legislator. ``No one deliberately pushed her
around. It happened accidentally,'' he said.

The four MNS legislators, however, remained defiant. MLA Shishir
Shinde said he didn't care for suspension, and reminded the House that
Indira Gandhi's MPship was suspended by the then Janata Party regime
and yet she returned to the Lok Sabha with a thumping majority in a by-
election. He also took a dig at the Shiv Sena, saying that the party,
which claimed to support the cause of Marathi, did not support the MNS
legislators. ``This shows that their self-proclaimed love for Marathi
is not true,'' he said.

Shinde and Ram Kadam did not take the oath. Kadam told mediapersons,
``To me and my party, the Marathi language and culture matter more
than suspension. I will face a thousand such suspensions on the issue
of Marathi.'' He also accused Fardeen Azmi, Abu Azmi's son, of issuing
a threat to him in the precincts of the Vidhan Bhavan.

After word spread about the assault on Azmi, violent protests from
Samajwadi Party activists in Azmi's assembly constituencies Bhiwandi
and Shivaji Nagar-Mankhurd ensued. SP activists went on the rampage,
stoning MSRTC buses. In Dombivli, a predominant Marathi-speaking town,
MNS activists flooded the streets, raised slogans against Azmi and
attempted to burn an effigy of him. Seven SP activists and 25 MNS
activists have been arrested. MNS leader from Dombivli Rajesh Kadam
has given a call for a day-long bandh on Tuesday to protest against,
what he claims, was an attempt to belittle Marathi in Maharashtra and
to express solidarity with the four MNS MLAs.

Mumbai joint commissioner (law and order) Himanshu Roy told TOI on
Monday night that the security was tightened in the city as well as in
sensitive areas.

‘‘Security cover to political leaders who can be targeted has also
been increased,’’ he said, indicating that cover to Raj Thackeray and
Azmi has been stepped up.

Mumbai police commissioner D Sivanandhan cancelled leave of all senior
officers and deployed them in sensitive places. Azmi said, ‘‘I have
told all my supporters to maintain peace. But what can I do, if they
react?’’ On his part, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said, ‘‘We have told
all our men to maintain peace.’’.

Times View

The Maharashtra assembly is right in deciding that the hooliganism by
some MNS legislators needs to be dealt with in a manner that sends out
a strong message. Linguistic chauvinism is not new, but when an MLA
can be roughed up inside the House for taking his oath in Hindi, it is
clear that new depths have been plunged and drastic action is
required. However, we can’t agree that the action taken in this case
is apt.

Suspending four MLAs for four years amounts to leaving their
constituencies unrepresented in the assembly for almost the entire
term of this House. That’s a punishment to the electorate as well, and
we see no reason why the voters must be punished. It would have been
far better to expel the MLAs and have by-elections in the
constituencies.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Shiv-Sena-men-would-have-made-tandoori-of-Azmi-Bal-Thackeray/articleshow/5215102.cms

Shiv Sena men would have made 'tandoori' of Azmi: Bal Thackeray
IANS 10 November 2009, 01:46pm IST

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has held Samajwadi Party leader
Abu Asim Azmi "responsible" for Monday's mayhem in the Maharashtra
assembly and said his party men would have made a "tandoori" or roast
of somebody like Azmi for having hurt Marathi pride.

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamna, Thackeray said that
though elected from Maharashtra, Azmi took the oath as legislator in
Hindi and not Marathi, and therefore he was beaten by the Maharashtra
Navnirman Sena (MNS) lawmakers.

Stressing that the Sena was born on the issue of Marathi pride,
Thackeray said in the past the Shiv Sena has carried out many such
campaigns against the use of Hindi and English in the state
legislature, especially by its senior member Diwakar Raote.

"If somebody like Azmi had come in Raote's hands, he would have made a
'tandoori' out of him, and removed his skin," the editorial declared.

"That (Marathi pride) has been the Shiv Sena's philosophy always and
would also remain in the future," he noted.

However, Thackeray lashed out at the MNS for the violent behaviour of
its legislators inside the assembly.

He said that nobody can support the violence and pandemonium created
by the MNS members in the assembly Monday.

"The proceedings of the assembly or parliament must be carried out as
per rules and decorum, it cannot be reduced to an 'akhada' (wrestling
pit) or a vegetable market."

Azmi was slapped and pushed by MNS legislators inside the assembly
Monday for flouting the party diktat of taking the oath as legislator
only in Marathi.

Reacting to Thackeray's views, Samajwadi Party state president Abu
Asim Azmi said that Bal Thackeray was "approaching the last stages of
his life and has lost his mental balance".

"In fact, despite all his efforts the Shiv Sena could not come to
power again and he is feeling very upset, so he talks anything," Azmi
said here Tuesday.

The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine lost the
Maharashtra assembly elections held Oct 13.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Why-did-Maha-assembly-suspend-not-expel-MLAs/articleshow/5213936.cms

Why did Maha assembly suspend, not expel MLAs?
Manoj Mitta , TNN 10 November 2009, 03:34am IST

NEW DELHI: The nature of the sentence imposed on the four MNS MLAs has
raised eyebrows because their suspension for four years would hurt the
people of their constituencies as well, given that they would have no
representation in the House for most of its tenure.

Since the violent attack on fellow legislator Abu Azmi constituted
“contempt in the face of the House”, the Maharashtra Assembly was
entitled to dispense with a formal inquiry and punish. But then, the
very fact that it was taking action then and there might have held it
back from awarding the maximum possible penalty of expulsion. The
decision to suspend them for four years serves two purposes. It sends
out a stern but salutary message. Second, since it is only suspension,
the House has the discretion to revoke it any time before the lapse of
four years if the MLAs tender an apology and give an undertaking of
good behaviour.

In any event, the assault on Azmi for taking oath in Hindi warranted
action by the Assembly, especially because of the immunity enjoyed by
legislators in the courts for anything they do on the floor of the
House.

In its controversial verdict in the JMM bribery case in 1998, the SC
went to the extent of ruling that bribe-taking MPs were not liable to
be prosecuted for corruption if they had cast votes on the basis of
that inducement.

Thus, the police cannot book the errant MLAs for assault or any other
criminal offence since they had committed it in the House. As a
corollary, the suspended MLAs are unlikely to receive any relief from
the courts if they challenge the action of the House on procedural
issues like the denial of the right to defend themselves. Article 212
of the Constitution says, “The validity of any proceedings in the
Legislature of a State shall not be called in question on the ground
of any alleged irregularity of procedure.”

Though contempt action is normally taken on the basis of an enquiry
conducted by the privileges committee, legislatures have the
discretion to do whatever it deems fit. As the SC said in 1974 in
State of Karnataka vs Union of India, “A House of Parliament or State
Legislature cannot try anyone directly, as a court of justice can, but
it can proceed quasi judicially in case of contempt and take up
motions concerning its privileges and immunities as it only seeks
removal of obstructions to the due performance of its legislative
functions.”

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Hindi-oath-row-Petition-filed-in-SC-against-MNS-chief-Raj/articleshow/5215142.cms

Hindi oath row: Petition filed in SC against MNS chief Raj
PTI 10 November 2009, 01:53pm IST

NEW DELHI: A writ petition was today filed in the Supreme Court
seeking registration of an FIR against MNS chief Raj Thackeray for
assaulting SP MLA Abu Azmi in the Maharashtra Assembly for taking oath
in Hindi instead of Marathi.

The petition filed by one Salek Chand Jain also sought a direction to
the Election Commission to de-recognise the MNS for sparking violence
"throughout the country" by whipping up parochial feelings.

Sugreve Dubey, counsel for the petitioner, made an impromptu mention
of the petition before a Bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan,
Justices P Sathasivam and B Sudershan Reddy.

The Bench directed the petitioner to file the same through the
registry.

Referring to the assault of SP Party MLA on the floor of the house by
MNS MLAs, the petition claimed the incident has provoked country-wide
violence in the name of language and regionalism, thus threatening
national unity.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Parties-intellectuals-condemn-attack-on-Azmi/articleshow/5213928.cms

Parties, intellectuals condemn attack on Azmi
Mohammed Wajihuddin & Bella Jaisinghani, TNN 10 November 2009, 03:26am
IST

MUMBAI: Eminent citizens, including those who champion the Marathi
cause, scholars and secular activists are outraged at the MNS MLAs’
‘‘unconstitutional’’ behaviour. Calling the attack on Abu Asim Azmi an
insult to Hindi, India’s official language, and an assault on the
constitution, they warned against the Balkanisation of India.

‘‘Are we going Pakistan’s way? Can’t these short-sighted politicians
see that Pakistan is breaking because the rulers there failed to
assimilate people of different languages and cultures?’’ asked Urdu
poet-lyricist Nida Fazli. Fazli recalled late Hindi writer
Kamleshwar’s famous novel ‘Kitne Pakistan’ (How Many Pakistans), which
depicts the flaws of homogenising a land.

Historian Sharda Dwivedi slammed the MNS MLAs for ignoring more
pressing issues. ‘‘I am a Maharashtrian, but I am against imposing my
language on others. At a time when more than half of Mumbai lives in
slums and farmers are committing suicide, some politicians are engaged
in a dangerous linguistic war for political mileage,’’ she said.

Veteran Gandhian Vasant Pradhan, who in 1956 was dismissed as editor
of a publication named ‘Chitra’ for advocating the cause of Samyukta
Maharashtra, said this was not how the cause of Marathi must be
fought.

‘‘I find it a dangerous trend. People indulging in politics of
oneupmanship should be condemned since it is not in the national or
state interest,’’ said columnist-author Shobhaa De.

Marathi columnist Arun Tikekar said that by stopping Azmi from taking
the oath in Hindi, the MNS had harmed the cause of Marathi itself.
‘‘As a Maharashtrian, I hang my head in shame. It’s an attempt to make
Maharashtra and Marathi insular,’’ he said.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://jaibihar.com/bjp-keeps-quiet-then-condems/14276/

BJP keeps quiet, then condems

News Desk - November 10, 2009

NEW DELHI — BJP today condemned the attack on Samajwadi Party MLA Abu
Azmi by MNS in the Maharashtra assembly for taking oath in Hindi and
also sought an explanation from Congress and NCP for tacitly
supporting the Raj Thackeray-led party in the past.

BJP strongly condemns this attack on democracy but Congress and NCP
owe an explanation because their tacit support has built up MNS to
what it is today,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

“They have created a monster just for political purpose — to divide
opposition votes,” Javadekar, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from
Maharashtra, said.

However, the party failed to explain why its members chose to abstain
from voting when the resolution for the suspension of MNS goons was
moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Patil.

(With inputs from agencies)

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/tussle-over-home-ministry-delays-maharashtra-government-formation_100266996.html

Tussle over home ministry delays Maharashtra government formation
October 29th, 2009 - 1:00 am ICT by IANS -
Mumbai Oct 28 (IANS)

A tussle between the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
over the crucial home ministry is delaying the swearing-in of the new
government in Maharashtra, party sources said Wednesday.
While the Congress is desperate to have the home ministry in its
kitty, the NCP is in no mood to oblige.

The NCP has even threatened to extend only “outside support” if the
bigger coalition partner Congress goes ahead and keeps the ministry,
Congress party sources said.

In informal talks between the leaders of the two parties, the NCP made
it clear that it could concede the post of speaker of assembly (which
falls in its share) to the Congress, but it would not compromise on
its claim over the home ministry, a NCP leader said.

In 1999 and 2004, when the two parties entered into an alliance, the
home ministry remained with the NCP, while the chief minister’s post
was with the Congress.

NCP general secretary P.A. Sangma Wednesday reiterated in New Delhi
the party’s known stand.

“There could be some room for negotiations over the number of
ministers, but not about portfolios,” he asserted.

Mumbai Congress chief Kripa Shankar Singh, one of the important
negotiators, expressed optimism that the pending issues between the
two partners would be sorted out by Thursday evening.

“We had a detailed discussion on the issue here today (Wednesday) and
we shall have another round of talks tomorrow (Friday) in New Delhi.
Things are progressing quite well,” Singh told IANS.

When asked specifically how much progress has been achieved, Singh
said: “It is not a single party government, it is an alliance
government. I can say with certainty that everything shall be
finalised to swear-in the new government by Monday.”

However, he declined to comment on the present status of the home
ministry and other departments like finance and public works
department which the Congress wants from the NCP.

Read more:
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/tussle-over-home-ministry-delays-maharashtra-government-formation_100266996.html#ixzz0VGXpSOI7

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/351741_BJP-confident-it-will-get-Oppn-leader-s-post-in-Maha

BJP confident it will get Oppn leader's post in Maha
STAFF WRITER 18:25 HRS IST

Mumbai, Oct 28 (PTI) Being the single largest party after ruling
Congress-NCP alliance, BJP is projecting senior leader Eknath Khadse
for the post of Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly,
though its ally Shiv Sena is in no mood to part with it.

Sena Executive president Uddhav Thackeray's statement that "numbers
won't determine who gets to hold the post" seems to have no impact on
BJP, which is projecting Khadse for the post.

According to a senior BJP leader, Khadse's name is likely to be
declared at the meeting of newly elected party MLAs here on Friday.

"As per the rules, we have more number of MLAs after the ruling
alliance. So, it is obvious that we will get the post of Opposition
Leader in the Assembly," state BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawade told
PTI.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/352135_Cong--NCP-begin-power-sharing-talks

Cong, NCP begin power sharing talks
STAFF WRITER 20:32 HRS IST

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) Having settled the leadership issue in
Maharashtra, Congress and the NCP today began talks on the sticky
issue of sharing of portfolios here amid reported differences,
especially over who gets gets key ministries like Home, Finance and
Power.

NCP sources said that party general secretary Praful Patel held talks
with Ahmad Patel, political secretary to Congress President Sonia
Gandhi. Praful was authorised by NCP leadership to hold the parleys.

The NCP stand that it would not like to part with the key portfolios
which Congress was eyeing was again outlined by its senior leader P A
Sangma. "In the area of number of ministers there could be room for
negotiations but not in the area of portfolios," he said.

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_shiv-sena-bjp-floats-revival-hope-on-water_1304012

Shiv Sena-BJP floats revival hope on water
Sandeep Ashar / DNA
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 2:59 IST

Mumbai: The Sena-BJP alliance has decided to use the water scarcity
issue to win back the support of the city voters.

The saffron combine which leads the BMC, has decided to hold meetings
in municipal wards where grievances of the citizens on water shortage
will be heard. The decision was taken at the civic standing committee
meeting on Tuesday.

The first such meeting, which will involve members of the standing
committee, other corporators, civic officials from the water
department and aggrieved citizens, will take place at the K(East) ward
office on Thursday morning.

Ashish Shelar, BJP leader in the BMC, who was the first to demand the
holding of such a meeting, said that this was the first time that the
standing committee will meet officially outside the civic
headquarters.

Standing committee chairperson Ravindra Waikar said that similar
meetings will also be held in the eastern suburban wards and in the
island city.

An acute shortage of rainfall this monsoon has forced the corporation
to introduce year-long cuts. The civic body has proposed a 30% cut in
supply hours throughout the city during the winter. The proposal
states that this will be brought down to 25% during the coming summer
months. The proposal will be put up for discussion on Wednesday.
While the introduction of the cuts was a foregone conclusion,
corporators present at the standing committee on Tuesday came down
heavily on the administration for failing to devise a full-proof
action plan to deal with the crisis.

Meanwhile, acknowledging that the water problems could grow in the
days to come, the civic body has proposed to launch a dedicated
helpline to solve water grievances. Additional municipal commissioner
Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar said that the helpline will be launched on
November 1.

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Did-BJP-vote-help-Shekhawat-win/articleshow/5166067.cms

Did BJP vote help Shekhawat win?
TNN 27 October 2009, 04:01am IST

NAGPUR: Congress' official nominee from Amravati assembly con-
stituency Rajendra (Raosaheb) Shekhawat won a by a margin of around
5600 votes against sitting MLA and party rebel Sunil Desh-mukh. In
this closely watched contest that drew top media attention what went
almost noticed was the dismal performance of the BJP candidate Dr
Pradeep Shingore who could not even save his security deposit. Of
course, this dip in the BJP vote has raised many an eye-brow.

There is buzz in Amravati that there is more than what meets the eye
in this decline of the BJP fortunes in a seat which has at least
35,000 committed votes of BJP. The party has won assembly polls here
twice in the past and its saffron sibling Shiv Sena has repeatedly
returned to Lok Sabha in last three terms including in the elections
six months ago. Jagdish Gupta is the BJP stromngman in Amravati. He
won the assembly seat for the party in 1990 defeating Congress
candidate Pushpa Bonde. That year he got 35,319 votes.

In 1995, Gupta was again the BJP candidate and he defeated none other
than Raosaheb's father Devisinh Shekhawat by a massive mar-gin of
around 53,000. This time BJP polled 71,845 votes while senior
Shekhawat had to be content with mere 18,150 votes. In 1999, even when
Gupta was defeated by Congress nominee Sunil Deshmukh, the BJP still
garnered no less that 47,400 votes while Deshmukh got 57,270 votes. In
2004, BJP's Gupta was defeated again by Deshmukh but even that year he
got 49,435 votes while the Congress secured 81,697.

The needle of suspicion has been pointing towards Gupta who was not
given the party ticket this time and the party chose to field an old
loyalist city doctor Pradeep Shingore. It is widely suspected instead
of campaigning for the party candidate, Gupta ensured that a sizable
number of Hindi-speaker voters in the city ranging from Marwari
business community to migrants from Uttar Pradesh who otherwise find
BJP as natural choice, voted for Shekhawat.

It is alleged that Gupta killed two birds with one stone. He settled
score with Deshmukh, who had defeated him twice and was emerging as an
invincible leader in the district. Besides, a weaker candidate like
Shekhawat is easy to deal with in future than Deshmukh who would have
only got stronger with a win this time.

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Cong-wants-top-portfolios/articleshow/5166287.cms

Cong wants top portfolios
Prafulla Marpakwar, TNN 27 October 2009, 03:32am IST

MUMBAI: Chief minister Ashok Chavan has been told explicitly by the
Congress high command to get the cream of portfolios in Maharashtra
for the
party.

In 1999, when the Congress-NCP alliance wrested power from the saffron
combine, it had adopted the Shiv Sena-BJP formula on the subject.
Then, urban development and revenue departments were allotted to the
Sena, while home and most of the departments, particularly those
associated with infrastructure, were granted to the BJP. In the 2004
assembly polls, since the NCP secured more seats that the Congress, it
was allotted 24 berths in the cabinet, besides the Speaker's post,
while the Congress got 19. Further, all the key portfolios were
granted to the NCP.

Now the Congress high command has taken the view that since the party
has secured 20 more seats than the NCP and, in addition, has the
support of 18 independents, the 2004 formula has no relevance and that
it should get home, public works, irrigation, power and finance as
well as the Speaker's post. "We are insisting on these posts, and we
are sure the NCP will agree,'' the minister said.

However, NCP MP Govindrao Adik and civil aviation minister Praful
Patel have made it clear that there will be no change in the formula,
particularly on the sharing of portfolios. "We have no communication
from the Congress either on the strength of the cabinet or on
portfolios. As such, it will be wrong to comment on it,'' Patel said.

...and I am Sid Harth

[Sid Harth]

http://www.merinews.com/article/saffron-alliance-washed-out-in-marathwada/15786850.shtml

Saffron alliance washed out in Marathwada

Amongst the 46 seats in Marathwada, Congress bagged victory at 18 and
NCP gained 12. About 11 seats were added to Congress' account as
compared to seven in 2004 polls while NCP is benefited by one, taking
tally to 12.

CJ: Mahesh Joshi Tue, Oct 27, 2009 10:04:22 IST
Views: 22 Comments: 0Rate: 0.0 / 0 votes

Maharastra News : Thane-Belapur Highway Project nearing completion
CONGRES-NATIONALIST Congress Party combine has emerged as the largest
party in Marathwada and washed out the two decades Saffron bastion in
the region that includes 46 assembly seats in eight districts.
Congress front’s strength has surprisingly doubled while the Shiv Sena–
Bharatiya Janata Party has lowered down at nine from 25 in 2004
polls.

Amongst the 46 seats in the region, Congress bagged victory at 18 and
NCP gained 12. About 11 seats were added to Congress’ account as
compared to seven in 2004 polls, while NCP is benefited by one, taking
tally to 12. The Congress alliance tally has rose to 30, about double
then 18 in 2004. Saffron alliance was at worst performance in their
stronghold. Despite the Congress wave across the state in 2004 polls,
it was in gain in the region with 25 seats. However, Sena’s tally has
lowered by seven seats with loss of seven. BJP has slashed down to two
from 11 in 2004 polls. Saffron alliance tally is settled down to
nine.

Congress totally washed out Sena–BJP in Ashok Chavhan’s Nanded
district, where Congress retained six amongst nine seats. NCP bagged
two while one seat was won by NCP rebel in Naigaon. Ashok Chavan
lodged spectacular victory by margin of 1,07,000 votes against the
nearest Sena rival Bhimrao Kshirsagar who succeeded to get only 6,404
votes.

Saffron alliance also lost presence in Hingoli district where Congress
recorded victory at two seats and one by NCP. Maharashtra Youth
Congress chief Rajeev Satav won the Kalamnuri seat by defeating Sena’s
Gajanan Ghuje. Bhaurao Patil of Congress won the third Hingoli city
seat.

Sena is no more in Latur and BJP retained just one seat. Amongst the
total six seats, four were bagged by Congress and one each by BJP and
Republican Left Democratic Front (RLDF). Amit Deshmukh, son of Union
Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was amongst the prominent candidate who
defeated Kayyum Qadri of Bahujan Samaj Party and Sena’s Pappu
Kulkarni. In the other significant fight in Nilanga, Shivajirao Patil
Nilengekar (Congress) defeated Sambhaji Patil of BJP.

Osmanabad was amongst the key constituency in the state with MP
Padamsinh Patil’s son and minister of state Rana Jagjit Sinh was in
fray against the slain Congress leader’s son Omraje Nimbalkar (Sena).
Omraje wrested this seat from the traditional NCP bastion by defeating
Rana Jagjit Sinh. Out of total four seats in the district, two were
bagged by Sena and one each by Congress and NCP.

There was much curiosity in contest of five seats in Jalna district.
In the tough fight, minister Rajesh Tope defeated Sena’s Arjun Khotkar
in Ghansawangi seat. An independent Suresh Jethliya dragged out
victory at Partur seat against Babanrao Lonikar of BJP. Despite the
BJP MP, his wife Nirmala Danve loss Bhokardan seat to Chandrakant
Danve. Out of five seats, two were retained by NCP, one each by
Congress, Sena and Independent.

Parbhani was once again emerged as Saffron stronghold, where two out
of four seats were retained by BJP and one each by Congress and
independent. BJP’s stronghold in Beed was foiled by NCP with
unpredictable victory at five out of six seats. Except Pankaja Munde
Palve, no BJP candidate managed to won.

For the first time, MNS has managed to open an account in the region
with one seat in Kannad of Aurangabad district won by Harshwardhan
Jadhav. RLDS succeeded to bag victory in Ahmedpur of Latur district.

Tally of independents has grown to five by one seat as compared to
2004 polls. Amongst Sena rebel Pradeep Jaiswal lodged significant
victory from Aurangabad central seat. Prashant Bumb was seeking ticket
from BJP, but later contested as independent from Gangapur of
Aurangabad district and won. The fourth rebel that recorded victory
from region is Sitaram Ghandat of Gangakhed in Parbhani district. He
defeated Dr Madhusudan Kendre of BJ who is son-in-law of Gopinath
Munde’s brother.

Marathwada Statistics – Total seats 46
Congress alliance: 30 (+12), Sena alliance: 9 (-16)

Year 2004 2009
Congress 07 18 (+11)
NCP 11 12 (+1)
Shiv Sena 14 07 (-07)
BJP 11 02 (-9)
RLDS 00 01 (-1)
MNS 00 01 (-1)
Independent 03 05 (+1)

...and I am Sid Harth

[chhotemianinshallah]

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_bjp-journal-says-sena-overstated-its-strength_1310899

BJP journal says Sena overstated its strength
Kiran Tare / DNA Friday, November 13, 2009 3:58 IST

An article published in the state Bharatiya Janata Party's house
journal Manogat may lead to a new controversy over its relations with
the Shiv Sena. The article stated that while the BJP had done well in
the assembly polls, the Sena faced a setback.

"The BJP had made a compromise in the assembly elections to keep the
alliance intact with the Sena. But the poll results showed which party
was stronger," stated the article.

While the BJP contested 119 seats as per the pre-poll pact, the Sena
contested 179 and failed to enter double figures in any of the six
regions of Maharashtra. "Taking all this into consideration, it is
clear that the Sena's strength was less than what its leaders
proclaimed," the article said.

Highlighting the MNS factor, the article stated, "Many BJP candidates
lost by narrow margins. The MNS was the reason for that. Otherwise one
could have seen a stronger BJP."

The poll results in Mumbai, Thane and Konkan have been analysed in the
writeup. "The inroads made by the MNS, a huge setback to the Sena, and
the lesson taught to Narayan Rane by the people of Konkan, make up the
new triangle in political developments in this region," it said.

A source said the article was indicative of the mood in the party. "We
are happy after the party acquired the position of main opposition in
the state," the source said. "It is an analysis of the poll results."
The source, however, said the BJP did not intend to hurt its ally with
the writeup. No member of the Shiv Sena could be contacted.

...and I am Sid Harth

[bademiyansubhanallah]

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=318&page=29

November 22, 2009
Open Forum

A study of Maharashtra election-II
A final analysis of debacle
By AK Bhattacharya

Exploiting emotional content of elections to neutralise media-induced
hallucination

Before getting into the tactics, first a little description of a
"benevolent" leader. This leader need not have charismatic appeal.
Charisma is limited in time and across social groups; film actors can
be charismatic, so was Raj Thackrey - we are looking for something
deeper; if charisma is there, so much the better. A benevolent leader
is one whom the people instinctively feel to be one of their own -
which means he/she should be from the right social groups, he (she)
should have neither an overtly intellectual or a physically weak
appearance, and most importantly, he should be associated with a
perception of kindness and magnanimity - what in our languages we
would call a hriday samrat.

Now returning to the issue of strategy and tactics. I would put them
crisply, point wise:

(1) In any election for State or national assembly, identify a
benevolent (as described above) leader to lead the campaign.

(2) If trying to dislodge an adversarial government, this leader
should try to channelise and amplify people’s anger and promise
feasible deliverances.

(3) If defending an incumbent government, this leader should be able
to rightfully defend his government’s performance.

(4) And here is the new element - points 1-3 will be usually
insufficient to exploit the emotional trait to its full potential -
introduce Hindutva into the campaign through grassroots level workers
as explained below.

Why Hindutva? Because it has all the ability to complete the emotional
circle and has profound tactical value far beyond that.

The role of Hindutva
When trying to dislodge a government - which will perforce be a
sickular government as all non-BJP parties are sickular - raise
injustices done to Hindus by the incumbents along with promises on
temples, tirthasthanas and ashrams (maths). In case of national
elections or of states lying on international border, raise geo-
political issues (a component of Hindutva) like failures on terrorism,
fight against internal and external enemies, transforming the country
into an economic powerhouse, a proud, confident Bharat leading the
world and talking to the US and China in equal terms instead of mewing
and squeaking before them, etc. Take care to raise emotional and
cultural issues dear to vanavasis and dalits. Also care should be
taken not to get into minority-bashing mode - this is not Hindutva at
all.

When defending an incumbent government, there should be sufficient
Hindutva-related deliveries to demonstrate for earning the trust of
the people. And also new areas to be promised.

Hindutva should be moulded according to local requirements. For
example, in Maharashtra, the torture of Hindu sadhvis and others could
have been a major issue. In Jharkhand, the complete dominance of
minorities - particularly Christians - in all fields during
President’s rule is a major issue. All the State’s universities have
only minorities as VC’s. All the top Congress leaders - including
State unit president and acting president - are minorities. The
Congress has simply assumed that Hindus are goats - who cares for
their sentiments? There are countless other examples beyond the scope
of this note.

Now we come to the second - and more profound - tactical utility of
Hindutva apart from completing the electoral emotional make-up. Just
imagine what the media will do when the BJP starts raising Hindutva
related issues. The media is not pro-Congress or anti-BJP,
fundamentally it is anti-Hindutva and its hatred for BJP flows from
the latter’s association with Hindutva. When the BJP starts raising
Hindutva issues, the media’s anti-BJP campaign will get more and more
shrill. When BJP becomes more stridently pro-Hindutva, the media will
lose its balance and start screaming to its limits. And at that point
the people will start questioning the intentions of the media. And
then half the battle will be won. Suddenly all the issues that the
media had obfuscated from the public - inflation, joblessness,
unprecedented corruption, terrorism - the public will start seeing in
a different light. In other words, you are forcing the media to expose
both itself, and its clandestine symbiotic relationship with the
government, before the public. The sweet faces of Priyanka and Rahul
repeatedly flashed on TV screens will start tasting bitter.

When this happens you will suddenly find sections of the media
breaking ranks and becoming politically neutral. For those who were
earlier associated with the Ram Janamabhoomi movement, this sequence
of predicted events was actually observed in practise. A lot of Hindi
newspapers in UP were initially anti-BJP, in the early phase of that
movement. TV and radio were in complete government control,
pugnaciously sickular and anti-BJP. As the movement gathered pace and
the jails started filling up with thousands of karsevaks, sections of
the media broke - literally like the air-resistance "breaks" between
two electrodes as you increase the potential difference - and became
pro-Hindu. And they remained pro-Hindu till May 2009.

To implement this plan in practise, two important elements are
needed:
(1) All our spokespersons should be blatantly, pugnaciously harsh in
dealing with the media. Aggression and anger should be their
hallmarks. All spokesmen who cannot be harsh should be removed. And
only official spokesmen - no freelancers - should go before the media.
More importantly, never get into the trap of discussing Hindutva
before the media. The latter will try to repeatedly force the
impression that Hindutva is Muslim and Christian bashing. They should
be told that this is not Hindutva. Then what is it? Find out yourself
and then talk about it - should be our answer.

(2) The BJP right from the national president to the mandal worker
should be clear in its intentions and stick to its guns - we are
provoking the media to make them lose credibility before the people.
We are trying to expose the media-Congress nexus and split their
ranks. If you lose focus it is easy to fall into a trap.

Even as we play out all the above tactical steps, we must continue in
parallel to slowly but surely increase our net influence over the POM,
which is a constructive, strategic, long-term mode of work in the
Sangh tradition.

Thus openly espousing the cause of Hindutva - something we have shied
away from since around 2000 (note that a mention of Hindutva in a
presidential speech is not equal to espousing its cause) - will serve
two major advantages. One, a direct electoral advantage by
complementing the people’s emotional make-up in all electoral battles.
And two, striking at the heart of the mechanism that converts our
electoral system into a half-democracy - public opinion manipulation
through mass hallucination created by media - by major attenuation of
the media’s ability to hallucinate people and manipulate opinion.

Since we started with the Maharashtra elections, let us see what went
wrong vis-à-vis the four-step process highlighted above.

Final analysis of Maharashtra debacle
First, there was no benevolent leader leading the campaign.
Officially, the Shiv Sena and its leader Uddhav was leading it - but
for the very fact that he seemed to be embroiled in a fight with his
brother (again note how cleverly the media highlighted this aspect),
the impression of benevolence was neutralised. Gopinath Munde would
have been a far better person to lead this campaign. In fact, in 1995
when we had dislodged the incumbent he was indeed the leader of
opposition. Fortunately, he is likely to be so again, and right from
the start he should function as the centre of the opposition campaign
- and not a frail man sitting in Mumbai, writing knife-sharp comments
in his Saamna. Once the first step of the process remained unattained,
the other steps got automatically blocked.

Second, absence of Hindutva at the grass roots level - both from the
SS and the BJP - though there was plenty of potential for the same.
Again contrast this with the situation in 1995. And what happened to
our emotional content in the electoral battle? Both its possible
components - a benevolent leader and Hindutva - remained stillborn
right at start. And the thesis advanced by our leadership post-2000 -
good performance begets repeat governments and poor performance throws
them out - in this our theoretically perfect democracy in Bharat that
is India - fell flat on its face.

And in the process generated strategic and tactical analysis and
rethink, which contains the seeds for a more powerful, resurgent BJP
leading a transformed and glorious Bharat to even greater glory and
world domination - for the world can only be saved by a dominance of
the Hindu civilisation.

Conclusions
(1) Analysis of a string of past elections culminating with
Maharashtra proves that what prevails in India today is only half-
democracy - only the nature of manipulation has metamorphosed from
gross physical malpractice in the past to subtle opinion-manipulation
through foreign-controlled media-induced mass hallucination in the
present.

(2) Bearing in mind the burden of point 1, there exists a unique
feature of Indian democracy that still facilitates its potential
functionality as a vehicle for national transformation, provided that
feature can be identified and used with proper strategy and tactics.

(3) That unique feature is the preponderance of emotion in mass yet
noiseless decision making by the electorate - and this feature has
been proved repeatedly, without exception, across all elections.

(4) This emotion can be harnessed by a benevolent leader who
personifies burning issues (which could be, but need not all be, good/
poor performance by the incumbent) as well as by a heightened
consciousness of Hindutva. In the absence of an emotional harness good/
poor incumbent-performance has only minor impact on electoral result -
this being a major deviation from the party’s central view that had
crystallised over the last five years.

(5) The heightened consciousness of Hindutva serves a second tactical
purpose - to perforce provoke reaction from the media which when
driven harder will entrap the latter to expose itself and thus uplift
the blanket of imposed hallucination from the people.

(6) In all future elections to State and national assemblies, BJP
should fight under one (for an election) benevolent leader who
personifies the burning issues and with the right depth and content of
Hindutva which needs to vary according to location.

Only in this way it is still possible to functionalise our half
democracy into a vehicle of national transformation.

(Concluded)

(The writer can be contacted at 5, Straight Mile Road, Northern Town,
Jamshedpur, Jharkhand-831 001.)

...and I am Sid Harth