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Politics of alliance rules trouble-torn J&K
Elect, eject with democratic ease
Poll panel may raise expenditure cap to
Rs 70 lakh for LS seat
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STOCK-TAKING: Ashok Tanwar Sirsa
Dikshit accuses Kejriwal of witch-hunt
STOCK-TAKING: Pratibha Singh mandi
Jats, Khaps plan to seek politicians’ support
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Politics of alliance rules trouble-torn J&K
Srinagar, February 16 The National Conference and the Congress have been the major players in the elections over the past several decades. The People's Democratic Party (PDP), which came into being in 1999, has made its mark in the previous three Lok Sabha and two Assembly elections. With the National Conference having pre-dominant presence in the Valley having three Lok Sabha seats, it is going to face stiff resistance from the opposition PDP in the forthcoming elections. However, it depends upon the possible pre-poll alliance between the two coalition parties — the National Conference and the Congress. The two parties entered a coalition when none of the major players — the National Conference, PDP and the Congress — got a clear majority after the 2008 Assembly elections. After several hiccups, the Omar Abdullah-led coalition government completed five years in January. The Congress high command and the National Conference leadership have kept political pundits confused over the possible alliance ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. There are, however, clear indications that the two parties will go together in the Lok Sabha polls. During the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress and the National Conference shared seats in six constituencies. The National Conference won the three seats of Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla in Kashmir and an Independent ally won the Leh seat of the Ladakh region. The remaining two seats of Jammu and Udhampur in the Jammu region went in Congress’ kitty. The two parties had a one-to-one fight against the Opposition PDP in three constituencies of Kashmir and the BJP on two seats of the Jammu region. The Opposition PDP launched by former Union Home Minister and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in 1999 has made inroads into the bastions of the National Conference, particularly in Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 from her home constituency of Anantnag. The PDP has its representation in 12 of the 16 Assembly constituencies of four districts in South Kashmir — Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian — that constitute the Anantnag constituency. Be it the PDP or the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, the parties have struck alliance with the UPA at the Centre. Similarly, the Congress entered into an alliance with the PDP to form a coalition government in the state in 2002, while it joined hands with the NC after the 2008 elections. However, going by the divergent attitude of the Muftis with the Abdullahs, there is the least possibility of any alliance between the PDP and the National Conference. The National Conference headed by Union Minister Farooq Abdullah has already named the contestants from the three Valley seats. They include Farooq Abdullah from Srinagar, Mirza Mehboob Beg from Anantnag and Shariefuddin Shariq from Baramulla, all sitting MPs. The PDP has announced to field Tariq Hameed Qarra from Srinagar and Mehbooba Mufti from Anantnag.
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Elect, eject with democratic ease
New Delhi, February 16
In the past three decades, attempts at reforming the electoral system have been lackadaisical, leaving the Election Commission of India
(ECI) a mute spectator as only Parliament is empowered to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Reports of a slew of committees on electoral reforms have been glossed over. Now, the Law Commission is again studying electoral reforms and has invited suggestions. Issues like keeping criminals away from politics were being debated for two decades until the Supreme Court, in July 2013, enforced automatic disqualification for those convicted. Now, the Law Commission will again discuss this automatic disqualification clause. Political parties have suggested three models relating to disqualification, arguing that some cases could be of political vendetta and should be dealt differently. Addressing the issue of criminals in politics, the NN Vohra Committee in October 1993 warned: "Various crime syndicates and mafia have developed muscle and money power and links with government functionaries, political leaders and others to be able to operate with impunity." The Association of Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch
(ADR-NEW) says there are 162 (about 29 per cent) elected MPs in the 15th Lok Sabha with criminal cases pending against them. Of these, 76 (about 14 per cent) MPs have serious charges against them. The number has gone up since 2004. The Election Commission had sent a recommendation to the government in 1998 asking that candidates be disqualified even prior to conviction for serious offences. The proposal was repeated in 2004 but ignored by Parliament. The issue of state funding for elections has also been hanging fire. In 1988, the Indrajit Gupta Committee recommended: "State funding of elections is fully justified - constitutionally, legally and also in larger public interest." Almost 14 years later, the matter is still under debate. The BJP and the Congress submitted that elections should be funded by the state. A Group of Ministers headed by AK Antony has already suggested state funding to curb black money. The paid news phenomenon has also emerged over the past seven-eight years. Several newspapers are writing good projection reports of selective candidates while ignoring the others. Political parties today control TV news channels and those not toeing the line are blacked out using the cable TV operator. The Press Council of India has recommended that Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, should be amended to declare any incidence of paid news as a punishable electoral malpractice. During Assembly elections in five states in November-December, 2013, the Election Commission of India expressed its displeasure at Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi for their separate remarks during electioneering, but could do little. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice submitted its report on Electoral Reforms-Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Anti-Defection Law on August 26, 2013. Addressing the issue of adhering to the model code of conduct, it suggested that the model code of conduct be given statutory backing and the commission's power to derecognise political parties on account of violation of the code and should be incorporated in the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Parliamentarians have sought hike in the expenditure ceiling limit. "The actual expenditure on elections has been more than the ceiling fixed by the ECI and it is alleged that candidates have been concealing election expenditure. The committee recommended that the election expenditure needs to be substantially enhanced." It went on to question judicial interference in the working of the house related to anti-defection law: The anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule of the Constitution) states that the Speaker/Chairman of the legislature is the final authority to decide on the disqualification of a legislator. However, in 1993, the Supreme Court struck this down and said: "Disqualification is subject to judicial review by High Courts and the Supreme Court. The Parliamentary Committee said: "It was of the view that the government should get these judgements of the Supreme Court reviewed." Among other issues pending are the wrong rejection of nomination papers by the returning officer, an error can only be challenged in the High Court, as an election petition, after the election results are declared. The ECI has also suggested the 'Right to Recall', which may be impossible to implement. Toothless tiger Attempts at reforming the electoral system have been lackadaisical, leaving the Election Commission of India a toothless tiger as only Parliament is empowered to amend the Representation of People's Act, 1951. Reports of a slew of committees on electoral reforms have been glossed over. Now, the Law Commission is again studying electoral reforms and has invited suggestions. Issues like keeping criminals away from politics were debated for two decades until the Supreme Court in July 2013 enforced automatic disqualification for those convicted. Now, the Law Commission will again discuss this automatic disqualification clause.
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Poll panel may raise expenditure cap to
Rs 70 lakh for LS seat
New Delhi, February 16 Sources said the EC had worked out a formula based on Cost Inflation Index by virtue of which the expenditure limit for candidates contesting a Parliamentary constituency will go up from the current Rs 40 lakh in bigger states to Rs 70 lakh this time around. Smaller states such as Goa have less expenditure limits as candidates have lesser areas to cover during campaign. As per the formula worked out by the Commission, the rise for Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies will be to the extent of 1.75 times the current figures, sources told PTI. While the EC is yet to write to the Law Ministry to raise the expenditure limits, sources said discussions had been held and a final decision in this regard would be taken this
week.
The enhanced limits come in the wake of political parties making a strong pitch in this regard at a recent meeting with top officials of the poll body. Parties have argued that current limits were too meagre as compared to the rise in prices on account of inflation. For Assembly constituencies, however, the maximum proposed expenditure limit is likely to be Rs 28 lakh for bigger states against the current limit of Rs 16 lakh. The limit is much less for smaller states such as Goa and some hill states and those of the North East. The expenditure limit for each Parliamentary constituency in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections was Rs 25 lakh for bigger states and was revised in 2011 to Rs 40 lakh. Sources say candidates in their expenses returns filed with the poll body have been under reporting. At present, a majority of the candidates have declared barely half the expenditure they are allowed to incur by the EC, sources said. Justifying enhanced limits of poll expenditure, EC officials said rising inflation needed to be factored into expense caps. Officials also hoped the move would encourage candidates to declare their poll expenses truthfully in the interest of greater transparency. Sources said the raise in poll expenses also came in the wake of demands from states such as Nagaland, where there were 68 Assembly constituencies in one Parliamentary seat. Candidates have argued that they have to travel far and wide to cover all segments of their constituency and thus there was a need to raise the limits. — PTI
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STOCK-TAKING: Ashok Tanwar Sirsa His recent appointment as Pradesh Congress Committee chief for Haryana might turn the tide in his favour Sushil Manav Tribune News Service
Sirsa, February 16
Appointed Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief for Haryana by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on February 10, Tanwar had "landed" in Sirsa as a surprise nominee of the Congress high command in 2009 Parliamentary polls. He was supported largely because of his apparent "closeness" to party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. But this time, if the party decides to field him again, Tanwar will have to seek votes on his performed in the past five years. But his sudden elevation as the PCC chief just ahead of the polls will help him have an edge over his rivals. Tanwar claims that he has done his best for the constituency in terms of bringing development projects, raising issues in Lok Sabha and being accessible to the electorate. The projects
"In my five-year term, I have brought central and state development projects worth Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 crore to Sirsa, including the Rs 23,502-crore nuclear power project at Gorakhpur. I have brought development in the fields of education, healthcare, industry, railways, highways and employment, besides other sectors," Tanwar said. "The Apparel and Textile Designing Centre of the Ministry of Textile in Sirsa is providing job-oriented training to the poor youth. Twelve skill development centres started under the MPLADS are providing skill-based training to the youth. The British Council centres here are honing the communicative skills of the youth," Tanwar said. Performance in Parliament
Tanwar's member homepage on Lok Sabha's website reveals that he participated in seven debates and asked 207 starred and un-starred questions in Parliament. The debates in which Tanwar participated are discussion on Railway Budget, presentation of 227th report of the standing committee on human resources development on the Copyrights (Amendment) Bill 2010, debate on a situation arising out of increase in atrocities on SCs and STs moved by Gopinath Munde and a discussion on action plan for displaced persons from Pakistan moved by Arjun Meghwal. "I also raised the issue of taming river Ghaggar, which has been causing floods in Haryana and Punjab and keeping a
tab on increasing pollution in the river," Tanwar said.
MPLADS funds
As per the information available under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Tanwar has recommended Rs 19.76 crore, sanctioned Rs 17.5 crore and spent Rs 14.3 crore out of Rs 19 crore released from his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds so far and with 75.26 per cent utilisation, is placed at the seventh position among the 10 MPs from Haryana. "The figures uploaded on the website are of the previous month and my performance has improved after that," the MP said. "My funds have largely gone towards community development programmes, 120 gaushalas functioning in the constituency, purchasing water tankers for providing potable water to residents, sanitation schemes, innovative schemes in education, providing electricity to dhanis etc," says Ashok Tanwar. Sirsa Deputy Commissioner J Ganesan said: "The MP takes keen interest in development activities in the constituency and on the expenditure on development activities from his MPLADS funds. So far, no other MP has been as accessible to people as Ashok Tanwar." Indian National Lok Dal's Sita Ram, who contested the 2009 Parliamentary electtion against Tanwar, however, is not amused by the Sirsa MP's claims. "His claims about bringing projects worth Rs 40,000 crore to Sirsa are nothing but a bundle of lies. He has done nothing for Sirsa. Chaudhary Devi Lal University started during the INLD regime is fund-starved. The Gorakhpur nuclear power project, he is claiming to have brought from the Centre, is in fact against the wish of local residents, as it will not only create water crisis for farmers, but will also become a permanent threat," the two-time MLA from Dabwali assembly constituency added.
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Dikshit accuses Kejriwal of witch-hunt
New Delhi, February 16 The 75-year-old Congress leader has just moved to a modest private apartment she has rented in the heart of the capital in sharp contrast to the sprawling government bungalow that was her home for about a decade. She now gets time to watch movies and is planning to work on interiors of the apartment herself. Dikshit is careful with her words but her bitterness at the rout of her party and her own defeat comes through clearly. She recalls her achievements in terms of power, education, roads and hospitals, pointing out that the pass percentage in government schools was about 97 per cent, highest in the country. The Aam Aadmi Party had made promises of free water, cheap electricity, housing and jobs only to 'backtrack from them'. Kejriwal had ordered the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Delhi Government to lodge an FIR into the alleged corruption in the streetlight project of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in which CAG had indicted Dikshit. "I have done nothing wrong. It is witch-hunting," she said. On another case pertaining to allegations of her misusing the public funds ahead of the 2008 Assembly polls, she said: "The FIR was lodged following BJP leader Vijender Gupta's complaint, which had already been decided by the President of India, who said there was no case since she was a CM.” Now, they (AAP) have brought it from Chief Minister to an individual thereby forcing her to defend herself, Dikshit said, expressing her anger over the AAP's move. The AAP government on Friday had moved the Delhi High Court to withdraw the appeal of previous Congress dispensation against a lower court order to lodge an FIR against Dikshit in the case. Severely critical of Kejriwal, Dikshit refused to give her opinion about the AAP leader saying it 'may be too strong'. On whether the AAP will make an impact in the Lok Sabha polls, she said Kejriwal would try to replicate the 'Delhi experiment' in other parts of the country, but the question would be whether the country was looking for 'anarchy' or was it striving to ensure good governance and development. "I am sure that 99.99 per cent Indians would say that they would like to have a stable government. They would like to have a government that follows the Constitution and rule of law," she said, adding that the party would fight for a comeback when the Assembly polls take place in the city.
— PTI
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STOCK-TAKING: Pratibha Singh mandi HP CM’s wife says she has extensively toured her constituency and redressed people’s grievances Dharam Prakash Gupta Tribune News Servcice
With support of the state and the Central governments, people in the constituency had high expectations from her. Though she claims that she had pursued many projects for the benefit of her constituency and the state during her six-month stint, many of her projects are yet to begin. Unemployed local youth regret that even though Virbhadra Singh remained Mandi MP and the Union Cabinet Minister for more than four years, he failed to set up any major industrial project in the area. The political couple is also being criticised by BJP leaders for allegedly seeking "unexplained loans" amounting to several crores from a businessman and allegedly concealing facts regarding details of Pratibha's assets in her affidavit submitted to the returning officer (Election Commission) while filing her nomination. In defence, Pratibha said: "This is the Opposition's sinister campaign against our family to discredit us. We have given legal and political reply to all these allegations." On ground
During her short tenure, the MP claims to have taken up several issues concerning Himachal Pradesh in general and Mandi constituency in particular with the Central Government and in Parliament. Pratibha said: "I had met the PM and many Central ministers to seek funds for Kinnaur that was ravaged by floods. I had taken up the issue of railway line extension from Baddi to Chandigarh and Bhanupali to Bilaspur with the Railway Minister, secured funds to speed up the work of the ESIC Medical College by meeting the Labour Minister, met the Civil Aviation Minister to restore regular flights to Kangra, Bhuntar and Shimla and also pleaded the Centre to extend industrial package to the state." Local residents feel that it is difficult to meet the MP except during her tours to the constituency. However, Pratibha said: "After taking oath on September 5, I have been extensively touring my constituency and have covered almost every Assembly segment except Banjar, which I would be visiting shortly."
Performance in Parliament
The MP had asked 11 questions in Parliament. "Since I took oath in the middle of Parliament session, only 11 of my 38 questions asked could be taken up," Pratibha said. "I had raised a question related to the Water Resource Ministry and one pertaining to the Environment Ministry to secure a grant of Rs 240 crore for the state," she said.
MPLADS funds
The MP has disbursed Rs 4.08 crore allocated to her under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds. She said: "I have spent Rs 4.5 crore in construction of roads, foot bridges, community buildings, youth centres, school buildings and public toilets in Seraj, Nachan, Balh, Sunder Nagar, Darang, Mandi Sadar, Sarkarghat, Ani, Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti, Bharmour and Rampur segments." Additional Deputy Commissioner Mandi Gopal Chand said: "The MP had been making proper use of the funds received under the MPLADS and also held a review meeting." About her performance, Pratibha said: "I got only a few months to perform and hadn't promised any special projects, but assured the electorates that I will develop the constituency; I think I have performed fairly well and people would repose faith in me again." BJP's Jai Ram Thakur, who had lost to Pratibha in the by-elections, said: "It is right that the MP had a short stint but people had a lot of expectations from her. Though she had made tall promises during the election campaign, she failed to fulfill all." The BJP leader said: "She failed to get funds for MGNREGA schemes, couldn't bring any project to tap the tourism potential in the area, failed to bring any specific development plan for Mandi town and no progress has been made on the railway extension project and national highway project." Bhupinder Singh, a Yuva Mandal activist from Bagsiad in Seraj constituency, said: "The MP has failed to bring any scheme for the local youths' benefit. Meeting her has always been difficult." Dhaneshwari Sharma, retired college principal and social activist from Kullu, credits MP for the expansion of Bhuntar Airport and opening of the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology in Kullu. Where she stands
Entered LS in 2004 Constituency break-up 17 Assembly segments, including three tribal areas In Parliament Attendance 100% Raised issue of grant of
Rs 240-crore Questions asked 38, but only 11 were taken up as she took oath in mid session MPLADS funds Granted
Rs 5 crore Utilised Rs 4.08 crore Under process Rs 92 lakh Unspent Nil
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Rahul takes a dig at Oppn, says it does not respect women
Tumkur, February 16 Rahul said the Congress would strive to pass the Women Reservation Bill in Parliament to ensure that there were more women in the legislature. The opposition, on the other hand, “does not respect women”, he said. “There is no place for women in the ideological organisation (read RSS) that guides them (read BJP). Whatever their leaders (RSS leaders) say and do when it comes to women issues is known to all. Less one speaks about it, better it is,” he said, adding that India could never be a superpower without empowering its women . Noticing huge presence of men in the rally, Rahul said it was the same in the Congress where men push out women. “At the time of distribution of tickets for elections also, men were generally preferred over women,” he said. “I want to change this. I want more women to come to meetings, get prominence in the organisation and get more tickets during elections,” he said. Underscoring the positive changes that come with empowerment of women, he said those Indian states where women enjoyed greater freedom and power were progressing at a much faster rate than those where women faced suppression. He said he wanted women to overcome their fears and take the lead.
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Jats, Khaps plan to seek politicians’ support
Jind, February 16 Khaps today formed a special 15-member committee for the purpose and decided to organise a "Kisan Mahapanchayat" on February 27 in Jind to announce their future course of action. "All politicians visit country farmers only during elections. But this time, we have decided to raise our demands in a better way. We have started our process of pressing political parties to support us," said Tek Ram Kandela, convener of the Rastriya Sarv Jat Khap Panchayat, after a meeting at Jat Dharmshala here. Many senior leaders of various Khaps, including Rakhi Barah, Chahal, Benain and Khera, were present at the meeting. All leaders were disappointed with the alleged delay by the Union and Haryana Governments in acceptance of their demands. Their demands include implementation of the Swaminathan report, waiver of all debt of farmers and special national budget for farming sector of the country. Farmers have prepared a special charter of demands and faxed it on Sunday to UPA chief Sonia Gandhi, BJP president Rajnath Singh, Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the state office of the INLD.
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Conducting elections has been a ticklish issue in the post-militancy era in Kashmir. Separatist organisations continue to boycott the poll process, resulting in a thin voter turnout in Lok Sabha, Assembly and panchayat elections.
The root cause of corruption is the Congress. If Cong leaders are not corrupt, then why are they worried over black
money? — Narendra Modi, Gujarat CM
If BJP thinks that it has won on the basis of opinion polls, then what’s the need to contest the
elections? — Nitish Kumar, Bihar CM
He claims to have brought a national-level football academy at Dariyapur, gymnasium in 300 villages, AstroTurf at Jeewannagar, 12 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, 11 Aarohi Schools, a Kendriya Vidyalaya, a Kisan Model School, new government colleges at Ratia and Ellenabad, a Centre of Excellence for fruit, new water channels for irrigation, halting of six trains in Sirsa, four-laning of the highway, new over bridges, new drinking water projects for Sirsa, Fatehabad, Narwana and other towns during his tenure.
Mandi, February 16
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