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BJP has no dream for Delhi: Rahul
Cong rebel spoils Shastri’s chance in Mehrauli
Going tough for Cong in Kondli
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Star campaigners launch a charm offensive
Mixed response on MLA in Kasturba Nagar
I don’t need a stress-buster: Sheila
It’s advantage BSP in Rohtas Nagar
UP Chief Minister and BSP president Mayawati with her party candidates during an election rally at Sultanpur in New Delhi on Wednesday. Tribune photo
BSP makes dent in Cong vote bank
South Indian leaders woo natives
GK seat has mixed voter base
Stop airing news on local channels, cable operators told
CIE stresses student-centric learning
Student gangraped in Ghaziabad
‘Indo-Russian trade to cross $10 m’
Rs 1 lakh withdrawn in net banking fraud
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Delhi Poll Scene
New Delhi, November 26 Addressing his first rally in Delhi, Gandhi attacked BJP for focusing only on Congress government’s weaknesses, while he said that tremendous development has taken place in the city under the leadership of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. The young Congress leader said that the opposition BJP does not have any dream for Delhi. “Each and every banner of BJP says only about Congress, as they do not have anything to say about themselves. They have not planned any developmental projects for Delhi,” said Gandhi. “We have two governments working in Delhi, one at the state level and the other at the Centre. Every government works for a “dream”, as we have to make the capital city a world-class city, but BJP is just watching our dream. They have not made any of their own,” he said. Commenting on BJP’s chief minister-designate VK Malhotra’s recently launched website, Gandhi said that their manifesto does not signify any work for Delhi. “I visited Prof. Malhotra’s website to check out their election campaign. Out of 10 pages in their manifesto, at least five were dedicated to criticizing Congress government,” said Gandhi. On his tour to different states countrywide, he said that BJP is not performing well in Madhya Pradesh. “I went to MP and saw that people are not happy with the government and that is why terrorist activities are taking place there,” said the Congress leader. Delhi chief ministerial candidate Sheila Dikshit claiming to form a third consecutive government in the Capital also addressed the rally where she listed developments, including Bhagidari, Rajiv Rattan Awas Yojana, construction of flyovers, roads, Metro etc.
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Cong rebel spoils Shastri’s chance in Mehrauli
New Delhi, November 26 There are four main candidates running for the Mehrauli assembly seat. Apart from Shastri and Satbir, there is Sher Singh Dagar of BJP and Ved Prakash of BSP. After delimitation, Mehrauli constituency includes some areas of Chattarpur and Mahipalpur. Jats comprise a substantial 16 per cent of the total 1,42,658 votes of the constituency. Out of seven villages that fall under Mahipalpur, six are Jat-dominated. The election looked almost one-sided towards Congress before the party chose to field former state health minister Yoganand Shastri from Mehrauli instead of the former Delhi mayor and councillor of the area Satbir Singh. A seasoned politician Satbir Singh is now contesting the assembly seat against Shastri as an independent candidate. Even though his claims of winning the election do not cut much ice, Satbir is expected to manage enough local votes to be able to make it tough for Shastri. Shastri on the other hand, seems to be trying to woo the Jat votes. “The majority of Jats are with us. I am going to get 50 per cent of the total votes of this constituency and the rest 50 per cent would be divided between the other candidates,” said Shastri, who won his last election from Malviya Nagar. Congress also claimed that Stabir was not going to get more than 2,000 votes. “We will retire from politics if he gets more than 2,000 votes,” said Shastri’s campaign coordinator. Another big chunk of votes in Mehrauli lies in the schedule casts votes. Both Shastri and BSP candidate Ved Prakash are contending for these 15 per cent votes. Meanwhile, a property dealer and BJP candidate Sher Singh Dagar, who belongs to the local Jat community himself, seems to be gaining confidence. With his developmental promises and political equations in his favour, his claims of winning the Mehrauli seat do not look like a far cry. |
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Going tough for Cong in Kondli
New Delhi, November 26 Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Dushyant Kumar Gautam and Chander Prakash Singh of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are contesting against the sitting MLA. People belonging to scheduled caste and other backward classes live here in majority. Besides, a sizeable number of Muslims also live here. The Congress has always been victorious. But civic amenities have remained a problem. There is neither proper drainage system nor roads. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has not made proper water supply. As a result, people here depend on ground water that is not worth drinking, said Deepak, a resident of the area. He further added said that anti-incumbency and civic amenities were the major factors that had forced the electorate to think of a change. People have made their mind to vote for the candidate who can develop the constituency. He explained that the BJP was an alternative in Delhi. Ram Kumar, who originally belongs to eastern Uttar Pradesh and has been living in the area for many years, said that BSP candidate C.P. Singh could be more helpful, as BSP chief and UP Chief Minister Mayawati had promised to develop the area where the poor live. “We have given many chances to Amrish Singh Gautam but the result has been depressing. Even today Kondli is a place with hardly any electricity, road and water,” said Sneha Gupta, 23. While the market association said that it was planning to vote for the BJP or the BSP. However, no trader came open in favour of any party. Nasir Khan, a fourth class employee in a government department, said that there was a tough fight between the BJP and the BSP. The BSP is trying to garner votes by promising the uplift of poor and homeless people. From door to door campaigning to organising rallies and making several promises, each candidate is trying to make his place in the heart of people but residents of Kondli now want a change which improves their living standards. “For the first time we are fighting elections with progress and development as the main issues. Congress and BSP cannot stand by us. I am, confident that BJP will win in Kondli,” asserted Dushyant Gautam. Amrish Gautam said, “I have been representing the constituency for the past 10 years and have always raised local issues. Whatever work is seen here is done by me. I am confident that people will vote for me.” Chander Prakash Singh said, “Step motherly treatment has been given to the area by the Congress as well as the BJP governments. This time people will give befitting reply to both the parties by voting in favour of the BSP.” |
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Star campaigners launch a charm offensive
New Delhi, November 26 They tried to woo their voters with various kinds of sops and promises. If Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally at Tahirpur in East Delhi, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate addressed public gathering at Rithala, Matiala, Chandni Chowk and Ballimaran. Film star Raj Babbar addressed public meetings in favour of the Congress in Gandhi Nagar, Rohtas Nagar, Nand Nagari, Kondli. Shatrughan Sinha addressed a BJP public meeting in Adarsh Nagar. Smiriti Irani, a popular face of tele-serial industry, along with BJP national secretary, Vijay Goel, did padyatra in Chandni Chowk constituency in favour of Parveen Khandelwal. Besides, union ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde, Subodh Kant Sahai, Sri Prakash Jaiswal, Kapil Sibbal addressed various meetings in walled city, Trans-Yamuna area and West Delhi. Besides, senior Congress leaders Rajesh Khanna and Rasheed Alvi also addressed seven to eight public meetings. To counter the Akali Dal that has alliance with the BJP, the Congress called leader of opposition, Punjab Assembly, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. She addressed a public meeting at Tilak Nagar where Sikh voters constitute 34 per cent of the total electorates and Punjabi 25 per cent. Congress has fielded Anita Babbar and BJP’s candidate is O. P. Babbar. BJP is not lagging behind. It has called Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi who addressed public meetings in Najafgarh area, Matiala, Uttam Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Nangloi Jat, Madipur and Tri Nagar. Former Chief Minister of Delhi, Sushma Swaraj also addressed a meeting in Greater Kailash constituency. Another senior leader of the BJP Murli Manohar Joshi addressed public meetings in Tri Lokpuri and a few other constituencies in East Delhi. Ravi Shakar Prasad and Rajiv Pratap Ruddy also addressed meetings. Apart from this, chief ministerial candidate of both the parties had hectic campaigning schedule. Instead of devoting time in her own constituency, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit campaigned in Patel Nagar and she had five to eight meetings in Trilokpuri, Mustafabad, Kondli, Seemapuri and Rohtas Nagar constituencies of East Delhi. These constituencies have maximum voters of Muslims, scheduled caste and OBC in which BSP candidates can make dent. She is scared of this development, a senior Congress leader said. Chief ministerial candidate of the BJP, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, is going in a very planned manner. Every day he has meetings with various committee members. He addresses public meetings in his constituency as well as in others. Today he had meetings at Shahpur Jat village, Chirag Dill Chowk, padyatra in DDA flats in Kalkaji and a public meeting in Bhogal area of Jangpura constituency. Akali Dal Badal candidate Manjinder Singh Sirsa contests from Jangpura. One of his campaign team members said that so far Malhotra had addressed 700 public meetings. Bahujan Samaj Party has only one star campaigner that is its supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mayawati. She has addressed three rallies – Trilokpuri in east district, Mangolpuri in west district and Ali Gaon in south Delhi. Thousands of people attended the rallies which had made Congress leaders restless. |
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Mixed response on MLA in Kasturba Nagar
New Delhi, November 26 There are those from Amar Colony and neighbouring Dayanand Colony who feel Congress has not delivered when it was needed most and has failed on several fronts, including inflation, and security. Harkishen, a resident of Amar Colony, D block, says, “The Congress has done development work no doubt, but the Capital is still bearing the brunt of price-rise, corruption in the bureaucracy, transport chaos etc.” Similarly, Ratan Shah from Sadik Nagar feels that the Congress has failed to address the issues of the common people and only directed its effort towards making infrastructural growth. Then, Samar Singh from Nirmal Puri has problems with Congress candidate Neeraj Basoya, who he thinks, is an outsider and has several criminal cases pending against him. However, there are few people who are nonchalant on the ‘best party win aspect’ like Premchand from Andrews Ganj and Mamta Kohli from Hudco Place who feel that Congress has contributed in the Capital’s upgradation on various fronts. Both stressed the fact that electorate generally looks for change. The Congress contestant Neeraj Basoya managing to get the ticket the second time after the election office rejected his candidature in 2004, says, “The people here want a change as the sitting party’s candidate could not meet their demands and redress their grievances. They want the Congress to take the reins here in Kasturba Nagar as well as in the whole Capital. It’s under the Congress tenure that Delhi has attained the status of a revenue-surplus state. Everything is before the people, and they are sensible enough to go for a path that would usher in further growth and prosperity of the Capital as well as the country. The youth of Delhi strongly feel that only a Congress rule can give them a prospective future.” On the other hand, unfazed BJP nominee confident of his party making to the seat claims that no one has reported any anti-incumbency against him so far. He said, “The people of the entire constituency have expressed faith and support in me and my party, and the reasons are quite obvious. During my last two stints as MLA from this area, I have taken care of almost all the important issues that concern the people. There has been no shortage of electricity, water supply has been increased and sewage lines have been replaced. Moreover, we have taken note of every problem that bothers the people of the area.” The veteran BJP nominee started his campaign early in the morning from Sapna Cinema Park, Defence Colony Park and Lodhi Garden, where it held informal interactions with around 350 morning walkers consisting mostly of senior citizens. Then, he continued with padyatra visiting areas of Sadik Nagar, South Extension Part-II and finally, ended the day’s campaigning with a public meeting at Bapu Park in Kotla, where BJP star campaigner Shatrughan Sinha addressed a gathering of about 200-250 people from the nearby villages. The actor-turned-politician said with his usual thundering manner that such a party which thrives on divisive politics, and whose leaders have constantly tried to create tension among various factions of society on caste and communal lines ought to be chucked out. “It’s the BJP which can actually bring real development of Delhi, since it understands the issues that are of significance to the people of Delhi,” urged the BJP mascot. The sitting MLA said, “During the last ten years, the area has seen high level of development, and we would carry the same—Vikas kiya hai, vikas karenge— Our aim is to meet and reach to the last member of the constituency.” Meanwhile, BJP camp in Kasturba Nagar is targeting to have 8,000 to 10,000 votes in its kitty, and feels that the candidature of Satish Basoya of BSP won’t cause much damage to its chances, and it is the Congress which would lose a few seats that it could have otherwise hoped for. The game of accusations and rivalry, politics of development and hate is likely to continue till November 29, when the constituency would see voting taking place at 164 polling stations out of which 35-40 booths are believed to be sensitive. The election in-charge of Sushil Choudhery, Ashwini Gupta informed that his party has covered almost the entire area of Kasturba Nagar since its campaign began about a fortnight ago and would be covering the remaining isolated pockets tomorrow. |
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I don’t need a stress-buster: Sheila
New Delhi, November 26 “It is a hectic schedule no doubt, but I don’t really need a stress-buster simply because I don’t get stressed. I enjoy what I do,” said Dikshit, wearing a grey sari with a red border and a brick red shawl, over a conversation at 3, Motilal Nehru Marg, her official residence. An early riser, a typical day for the two-time Chief Minister starts at 5 am. “I work for 14-15 hours everyday and not just during the campaigning period. In the first half I meet my party workers and take a round of my constituency. Then from 5 pm to 10 at night I go campaigning in different constituencies. My day generally ends at 11 pm but that depends on the schedule,” Dikshit said. — IANS |
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It’s advantage BSP in Rohtas Nagar
New Delhi, November 26 A tour of the constituency easily gives a better glimpse of more vocal BSP cadre than their more formidable rivals in Congress and
BJP. The mood at BSP party office in Welcome area is upbeat, with the last day of canvassing tomorrow, the cadre here is quite sure of the victory. “Wait and watch. The BJP and Congress would get the shock of their life. Public here are more concerned about water and bread than flyover and terrorism. To sort out problems of the area is our only agenda. God willing, people will vote us this time around,” says Jamil Ahmed, a BSP worker at the party office. While Babu Ram Sharma, sitting MLA from Congress and Alok Kumar, an ex-MLA from BJP consider the other as the chief rival in the constituency, Lokesh Dikshit of BSP is slowly and steadily building up support for himself. “We have seen Congress and
BJP. I will vote for BSP this time. The BSP candidate is only talking about our road, water and electricity issues unlike the others who show us big dreams and then disappoint us. Lokesh Dikshit has appealed me more,” says Jay Vir
Tyagi, an ex-servicemen residing in Ashok Nagar. However, the biggest factor which goes in the BSP favour is that its traditional vote bank of SC and Muslims comprises more than 50,000 voters in a 1,65,000 voter constituency. Add to it about 11,000 OBCs and the reason for BSP to be glad is obvious. “Surely, if the BSP is able to garner its traditional vote bank alone, the BJP and Congress which are vying for the votes of Brahmins, Panjabis and Vaishya will be in trouble,” says O P Singh, a retired professor staying in Ashok
Nagar. The constituency which has 12 candidates in the fray, with all the chief rivals Babu Ram Sharma, Alok Kumar and Lokesh Dikshit being Brahmins, has about 28,000 Brahmins, 24,000 Panjabis and 16,000 Vaishya community members. These communities have traditionally shuttled between Congress and BJP and the division of votes between the two will be advantage
BSP. “The development work which our government has done in the last ten years and my own work for the people of this constituency have been acknowledged by the people. Our public meetings are drawing huge crowds which have demoralized the opposition. As far as BSP is concerned, it has no base in Delhi,” says Sharma. While development is the mantra for the Congress, BJP candidate Alok Kumar believes that incumbency factor along with inflation would cause Congress doom. Although it can be folly to predict election results, the BSP surely has become a hard nut for the BJP and Congress to crack in Rohtas Nagar constituency. Whatever the outcome, the triangular fight is being keenly watched. |
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BSP makes dent in Cong vote bank
New Delhi, November 26 Congress candidate Veer Singh Dhingan who has been winning elections from Seemapuri constituency for the last two times is asking votes in the name of development work. He is devoting most of his time in padyatras and public meetings. He is specially concentrating in Muslim and scheduled caste areas. However, BSP candidate Lallan
Prasad, who is contesting assembly election for the first time, is making dent in the Congress vote bank. “There were no electricity meters in the leprosy colony before the Congress rule. Now we are supposed to pay the bill which was paid by Samaj Kalyan Board. This is sheer harassment whereas the sitting MLA of Congress is just watching the game forgetting his promises,” said Zakir Ahmed, hardly managing to pay his electricity dues. “Seemapuri was a backward area before the Congress rule but now it has started improving. There has been a good change. Congress holds a strong position here,” said Amar Kumar, 21, resident of Nand
Nagri. “Slum dwellings hinder the development as a whole. BJP is promising to do something about it. It would be a tough fight between Congress and
BJP,” said Sudha Misra, a resident of the area. “Congress misrule will come to an end now. It could be BJP or
BSP. Let’s see which party can win over the voters,” said Shehzad Khan, a tea stall owner in Sundar
Nagari. “I had done a lot for the advancement of the area. People have put their trust in me and I am sure that Congress will win the Seemapuri seat again,” said Veer Singh
Dhingan. “Main focus of our election propaganda is on local issues and problems. We believe in hard work rather than making promises. Moreover people of Muslim community are also supporting us,” said Chandrapal Singh, BJP candidate. “Though Seemapuri is a Delhi assembly constituency, it looks like a village with no basic facilities. Roads are broken and parks not maintained. MCD is just not concerned,” said Kulwant Singh, a senior citizen who has been protesting against the mismanagement of parks. “Once the party wins elections, it becomes unconcerned about the problems. We wish to form a government which cares for the betterment of society,” said Shahid
Hussain. “BSP candidate Lallan is standing for the first time in elections so his popularity is much less than that of the Congress and the BJP candidates. Congress has provided a good government here but let’s see what happens,” said Kulwinder
Chadha. Lallan Prasad said, “I am contesting for the first time but people are supporting me as they have seen Congress and BJP in different tenures. Now I hope they will vote in favour of the third party that is
BSP.” |
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South Indian leaders woo natives
New Delhi, November 26 The votes of South Indians are crucial in constituencies like R.K. Puram, Seemapuri, Shahdara, Kondli and Vikaspuri, say the leaders of both the Congress and the BJP. However, the two parties have not given tickets to leaders from the South. Also, many of the approximately 1.5 million odd South Indians living in Delhi are not enrolled in the voters’ list.
— IANS |
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GK seat has mixed voter base
New Delhi, November 26 Here, 70-75 per cent of the posh colonies comprises middle-class and 10-15 per cent is from the backward and marginalised sections from Jamradpur, Khidki Extension and Shahpur
Jat. |
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Stop airing news on local channels, cable operators told
Gurgaon, November 26 Referring to the decision given by Punjab and Haryana High Court in the case CWP No. 3688/2008- Satellite TV Channels Association vs State of Punjab and others, the Gurgaon (north) SDM, J.S.Sangwan, has issued notices to all cable operators functioning in Gurgaon to follow the Act, failing which they would have to face action as per provisions of the Act. In the notices served to the cable operators, the SDM has stated that relaying of news and advertisement strips on the local cable channels was in contravention of the Cable Act and these should be stopped with immediate effect. As per the notice, every cable operator should be registered with the competent authority under section 2 (A) II for relaying programmes received through satellite. The licence obtained after registration should be displayed in front of the office of the cable operator. The SDM has directed the cable operators to produce the licence obtained by them in his office, otherwise legal action would be initiated against them after confiscating the equipment. As per the provisions of the Act, it is mandatory for the cable operators to telecast a regional Doordarshan channel, in addition to the two Doordarshan channels on prime band. This means that the cable operators in Gurgaon will now have to telecast Doordarshan Hisar Channel on prime band, it being the only regional channel of Haryana. According to Section 6 of the Act, the programmes relayed through the cable should confirm to the programme code and the cable operator should publish the number of customers and rates charged from them for showing programmes on cable network. Not only this, the cable operators are required to maintain proper record of the programmes shown by them in a register, which should be kept safe at least for a year. There are rules for advertisement on cable TV channels, which state that the advertisement should not be mixed with any other programme and it should be clearly distinguishable. This means that the use of lower part of screen to carry static or moving captions alongside the programme is illegal and in contravention of Section 10 of the Advertising Code. The advertisement carried in the cable service should not offend morality, decency and religious sentiments of the subscribers. In the advertisement code under Section 7 of the Act, the subsection 3 of the code states that “No advertisement shall be permitted, the objects whereof are wholly and mainly of a religious or political nature; advertisements must not be directed towards any religious or political end”. But it is seen that the cable operators violate these provisions of the Act with impunity. Hence, the district administration has taken steps to make the cable TV operators abide by the Act. |
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CIE stresses student-centric learning
New Delhi, November 26 Experts inform that learning autonomy is the ultimate goal of student-centric learning. This is not the same as independent learning which focuses on an individual. Autonomous learning applies both to groups as well as to individuals. Autonomous learners take responsibility for their learning and develop strategies that enable them to learn both on their own and collaboratively. The workshop gave Indian teachers access to the latest research from the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education as well as the current thinking on student-centric education. “Student-centric learning emphasises sharing and clarifying learning intentions and success criteria with students at the outset, engaging them in questioning and dialogue to provoke thinking and feedback,” commented Sue Swaffield, senior lecturer from the CIE. The CIE team stressed that peer and self-assessment formed an integral part of student-centric learning. Peer and self-assessment involves students assessing their own or their peers’ work with marking schemes, criteria and exemplars. This is a skill that needs to be developed in students with regular practice. Student-centered education is about developing learning and focusing on practices that enable learners to reflect upon and understand their own learning processes and develop ways of regulating them. |
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Student gangraped in Ghaziabad
Ghaziabad, November 26 The 20-year-old student of Chaudhary Charan Singh University Meerut was raped by the two youths late on Tuesday night at Arthala locality in Sahibabad. According to the circle officer (CO) border S.P. Singh, the woman was abducted from the narrow lane behind her Sanjay Nagar house by two men of the same locality. They took her on a motorcycle to an abandoned room behind the Arthala `pir’ and raped her. The victim’s family members, who were looking for her, heard her screams from the room. They broke open the door and found the two youths molesting her. A scuffle took place in which one rapist managed to escape while the other was caught. Sonu was arrested while Saleem is absconding, said Singh. A case under Sections 374 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Act has been registered. The medical test has confirmed rape, Singh added. — IANS |
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‘Indo-Russian trade to cross $10 m’
Greater Noida, November 26 “The trade between two countries having old and strong friendly relations will grow beyond 10 million US dollars by 2010 per annum. Russian President will be visiting India in near future,” Barisovitch said. The Russian minister was speaking at the Russian National Exhibition at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida on Tuesday. |
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Rs 1 lakh withdrawn in net banking fraud
Noida, November 26 On getting a complaint, Sector-20 police has started the investigation. Computer engineer Dhiraj Manchanda, employed in a BPO company in Sector-59, Noida, came to know of his loss on Tuesday from his bank, ABN Amro Bank, Sector-18 branch. The amount had been transferred to another account through net banking in two installments of Rs 50,000 each. Last month over Rs 1.50 crore had been withdrawn through net banking from the account of Pawan Agarwal, proprietor of PPS Company. Six persons were arrested by Noida police in this connection. Out of Rs 1.50 crore, only Rs 52 lakh has been recovered by the police so far. |
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New Delhi, November 26
New Delhi, November 26
