Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Monday, 16 January 2012
NTR son throws tinsel hat in ring
Nandamuri Balakrishna pours milk on a statue of NTR
VV Balakrishna
Last Updated : 15 Jan 2012 08:28:33 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Nandamuri Balakrishna, actor son of legendary actor and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder N T Rama Rao, is all set to jump into electoral politics in 2014. Balakrishna has been campaigning for TDP for several elections now. However, Balakrishna recently declared that he would join the fray in the Assembly elections besides taking up the responsibility of campaigning for the TDP in the 2014 elections.
“I will contest in the elections. It is up to the party to choose the Assembly segment for me,” said Balakrishna, who is known for his punchy dialogue on screen and has an enormous fan following in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, where the TDP is facing stiff opposition from YSR Congress Party.
Balakrishna’s daughter is married to Nara Lokesh, son of TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu. He may contest from Hindupur Assembly segment in Anantapur, the seat that sent his father to Assembly and made him the chief minister. Balakrishna is also helping Naidu to make vaastu changes to NTR Bhavan, the TDP headquarters, against bad luck.
Playing the role of Lord Rama in his latest movie Sri Rama Rajyam, Balakrishna tried to recreate the magic of his late father N T Rama Rao who had essayed both mythological and social characters with aplomb and won over Telugu hearts.
Balakrishna now wants to play NTR’s ace—self-respect of Telugus. A day after Balakrishna declared that he would jump into electoral politics, he said he decided to become active in politics only to protect the self-respect of Telugus. The current political situation in the state compelled him to jump into electoral politics, Balakrishna said.
He participated in a motorcycle rally from Kodali to Ghantasala and unveiled NTR’s statue there. Addressing a public gathering, Balakrishna declared that he would remain in active politics for the rest of his life. “I will protect the self-respect of Telugus like my father did,” he averred.
He alleged that the pride of Telugus was pledged in Delhi streets in the Congress regime. “I will strive hard to fulfil the aspirations of my father,” he said. Balakrishna recalled the development schemes and welfare programmes launched by NTR as chief minister. “NTR took daredevil decisions like abolishing the Patel Patwari system,” Balakrishna said. There is no one who can compare with NTR in the film industry, Balakrisha said, alleging that the 32 Congress MPs from the state did nothing for Andhra Pradesh.
“You see how many MPs of the DMK got the ministerial berths in the Union Cabinet with their strength of mere 18. Our MPs could not get even a good Cabinet post,” he said. In an indirect reference to the Praja Rajyam, he said the parties that were floated with the slogan of social justice were finally merged with the ruling Congress for the selfish interests of the founders.
Reminding his father’s popular Rs 2-a-kg-rice scheme, he said NTR supplied quality rice. The rice being distributed to the poor under Rs 1-kg scheme was inferior. Balakrishna said people were eagerly waiting for the TDP to come to power in the state as it would only solve their growing problems.
'Militant' struggles to be CPI's new path
Express News Service
Last Updated : 07 Jan 2012 11:24:45 AM IST
HYDERABAD: With cold response from the CPM to moves for unification of the two Left parties, the fourday CPI national meeting has decided to build a strong party and change the nature of its agitative programmes.
"We will build more militant agitations focusing on urban middle class, youth, peasants and the working class," a National Council member told Express. The CPI held the National Executive and National Council meetings for four days here and prepared a draft political resolution to be adopted at its National Congress scheduled to be held at Patna in March.
"We did not discuss unification of Left parties. It will not be there on the agenda of the National Congress either," a senior CPI leader said, indicating that the merger of the Left was a mirage and the CPI wanted to grow on its own. It may be recalled that CPI had been insisting on Left unification, to which the CPM has remained cool.
The council reviewed the Programme Document, which was adopted here in 1992. It was not satisfied with its implementation in the last 20 years and saw the need for making some changes to it. The party decided to go in for militant form of agitations. "It does not mean that we are reverting to armed struggles. We will fight in a democratic manner," clarified another senior leader. "Changes to the Programme Document will be finalised soon. The draft will be placed before the 21st congress at Patna. It will be circulated to the cadre and their suggestions will be taken," senior leader D Raja said.
"We will have another exclusive session after the National Congress to adopt the updated Programme Document," added another leader. "We want to focus on landrelated issues, food security, unemployed youth and urban middle class. The political draft resolution mainly focused on these issues," party general secretary AB Bardhan said. "To build the struggles, we need a strong party. So, we have decided to build the party also," he added.
The CPI also explored the possibility of building struggles in the era of neoliberal policies with focus on growing unemployment. As the merger of the Left parties is not on the agenda of the CPI for at least now, the party has decided to wage joint struggles with all the Left and democratic forces. When the new general secretary takes charge after March, he will have difficult tasks on hand like building the party and popularising the party among youth and women.
"Around 80,000 to one lakh new members are being inducted into the party every year. There are youth among them. It is not true that youth are not getting attracted to the CPI," deputy general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said. Sources hinted at the possibility of Raja replacing Bardhan as party general secretary at the Patna congress.
Last Updated : 07 Jan 2012 11:24:45 AM IST
HYDERABAD: With cold response from the CPM to moves for unification of the two Left parties, the fourday CPI national meeting has decided to build a strong party and change the nature of its agitative programmes.
"We will build more militant agitations focusing on urban middle class, youth, peasants and the working class," a National Council member told Express. The CPI held the National Executive and National Council meetings for four days here and prepared a draft political resolution to be adopted at its National Congress scheduled to be held at Patna in March.
"We did not discuss unification of Left parties. It will not be there on the agenda of the National Congress either," a senior CPI leader said, indicating that the merger of the Left was a mirage and the CPI wanted to grow on its own. It may be recalled that CPI had been insisting on Left unification, to which the CPM has remained cool.
The council reviewed the Programme Document, which was adopted here in 1992. It was not satisfied with its implementation in the last 20 years and saw the need for making some changes to it. The party decided to go in for militant form of agitations. "It does not mean that we are reverting to armed struggles. We will fight in a democratic manner," clarified another senior leader. "Changes to the Programme Document will be finalised soon. The draft will be placed before the 21st congress at Patna. It will be circulated to the cadre and their suggestions will be taken," senior leader D Raja said.
"We will have another exclusive session after the National Congress to adopt the updated Programme Document," added another leader. "We want to focus on landrelated issues, food security, unemployed youth and urban middle class. The political draft resolution mainly focused on these issues," party general secretary AB Bardhan said. "To build the struggles, we need a strong party. So, we have decided to build the party also," he added.
The CPI also explored the possibility of building struggles in the era of neoliberal policies with focus on growing unemployment. As the merger of the Left parties is not on the agenda of the CPI for at least now, the party has decided to wage joint struggles with all the Left and democratic forces. When the new general secretary takes charge after March, he will have difficult tasks on hand like building the party and popularising the party among youth and women.
"Around 80,000 to one lakh new members are being inducted into the party every year. There are youth among them. It is not true that youth are not getting attracted to the CPI," deputy general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said. Sources hinted at the possibility of Raja replacing Bardhan as party general secretary at the Patna congress.
Friday, 6 January 2012
4Day CPI National Meet in Hyderabad
V V Balakrishna
Last Updated : 03 Jan 2012
HYDERABAD: Around 100 top leaders of the Communist Party of India will gather here for four days from Tuesday to find out antiageing formula for the 87yearold party.
The main task before the national executive and the national council of the party is to discuss the policies and change of guard in a bid to reinvigorate the party. The draft proposals to be made at the fourday deliberations will be discussed and approved by the party's 21st congress to be held at Patna in March.
The party, at its 15th Congress held here in 1992, adopted a Programme Document. It has decided now to make some changes to it in keeping with the changes in the country's economy and politics in the last 20 years. "It is almost 20 years since we adopted the Programme Document in Hyderabad. We want to update the document in tune with the changing situations," party general secretary AB Bardhan said.
"The change in the country's economic policies brought about several changes like emergence of new classes in the country. Around 24 crore workers are working in the unorganised sector. The issues relating to working class, peasants and farmers should be addressed from a different perspective taking the changed situation into consideration," CPI deputy general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said.
However, the 87yearold party is also facing problems due to ailing leader like Bardhan. He wanted to step down as general secretary in 2007 but the party said 'no'. The next Congress in March may find a replacement for him. Till now Sudhakar Reddy has been perceived as as a natural choice for the post but the top brass is believed to be searching for another comrade to take over the mantle. Asked whether he would replace Bardhan, Sudhakar Reddy said, "I have been facing health problems for five months. If my heath is good in the next two months, the party may consider my candidature."
Last Updated : 03 Jan 2012
HYDERABAD: Around 100 top leaders of the Communist Party of India will gather here for four days from Tuesday to find out antiageing formula for the 87yearold party.
The main task before the national executive and the national council of the party is to discuss the policies and change of guard in a bid to reinvigorate the party. The draft proposals to be made at the fourday deliberations will be discussed and approved by the party's 21st congress to be held at Patna in March.
The party, at its 15th Congress held here in 1992, adopted a Programme Document. It has decided now to make some changes to it in keeping with the changes in the country's economy and politics in the last 20 years. "It is almost 20 years since we adopted the Programme Document in Hyderabad. We want to update the document in tune with the changing situations," party general secretary AB Bardhan said.
"The change in the country's economic policies brought about several changes like emergence of new classes in the country. Around 24 crore workers are working in the unorganised sector. The issues relating to working class, peasants and farmers should be addressed from a different perspective taking the changed situation into consideration," CPI deputy general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said.
However, the 87yearold party is also facing problems due to ailing leader like Bardhan. He wanted to step down as general secretary in 2007 but the party said 'no'. The next Congress in March may find a replacement for him. Till now Sudhakar Reddy has been perceived as as a natural choice for the post but the top brass is believed to be searching for another comrade to take over the mantle. Asked whether he would replace Bardhan, Sudhakar Reddy said, "I have been facing health problems for five months. If my heath is good in the next two months, the party may consider my candidature."
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Antyodaya to be BJP’s poll plank
Last Updated : 17 Dec 2011 10:32:30 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The BJP will go back to its basic political and economic philosophy propounded by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya with an aim to regain power in 2014 when the general election is due. The three-day fast organised by BJP secretary P Muralidhar Rao, which concluded here on Friday, was the beginning of implementing the Upadhyaya’s philosophy to woo artisans and weaker sections in the country.
BJP president Nitin Gadkari, who addressed the concluding meeting at fast camp, said: “Deendayal Upadhyaya said that the last man in the society too should get food, shelter and clothes. Then only can our dream to see a developed India be realised.”
Stressing the need for implementation of the principle of Antyodaya, which stands for eradication of poverty and provision of basic needs of every family, Gadkari said only Antyodaya could correct the current imbalances in the country.
By chanting the Antyodaya of Uapadhyaya, Gadkari also recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s words that development of the country was possible only with the development of villages.
“Gandhi wanted maximum production employing maximum number of persons. But Jawaharlal Nehru pressed for maximum production ignoring the employment aspect,” Gadkari said while rejecting the Nehruvian model of economy.
“I am congratulating Muralidhara Rao on undertaking a three-day fast for the betterment of weavers. This is just a trailer. The full movie will be released soon,” Gadkari said, while indicating that Upadhyaya’s philosophy would be the guiding force for the BJP.
“Do not make rounds to Delhi to get party tickets. BJP is not here to see a particular person as MP, PM or CM. It is here to bring about a change in society. Go to the poor and work for them. Then only will the party recognise you,” he told party leaders.
Asserting that the NDA would regain power in 2014, Gadkari wanted the people of state to choose between the UPA and the NDA.
“There are only two forces in national politics _ UPA and NDA. You decide whether you will support the corrupt Congress or dynamic BJP,” Gadkari said and alleged that the Congress had been looting the country and even Hyderabad was not spared.
Muralidhar Rao said that his fast for weavers was just a beginning and it would be continued in future to implement Deendayal’s Antyodaya. “BJP is dedicated to the welfare of weaker sections and artisans,” he added.
Sometime back, Gadkari had attended a programme organised by Muralidhar Rao in Visakhapatnam on fishermen. The current three-day fast for weavers was a success as a large number of weavers and others thronged the venue on the concluding day.
Several senior BJP leaders including Nirmala Sitaraman, Parliament member Balbir Punj, vice-president Purushottam Rupala, senior leaders Bandaru Dattatreya and K Laxman, state unit president G Kishan Reddy, Tamil Nadu unit president Ponnu Radhakrishnan, and Samata Party leader Jaya Jaitely were present.
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
With 17 more MLAs, Jagan laughs last
Jagan in a jubiliant mood.
VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
Last Updated : 11 Dec 2011 09:17:29 AM IST
CHENNAI: The Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-backed no confidence motion may not have toppled the government, but the rebel has emerged as the real winner. Everyone knew that N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s government would defeat the motion, but nobody expected that the victory would come at the cost of 17 MLAs.
The very next day, Jagan addressed a news conference, hailing the decision of the MLAs as historic. He was very upbeat over landing 17 MLAs and went on to challenge the Congress to disqualify all of them at one go. “Both the Congress and TDP candidates would lose their deposits in the by-elections,” he said.
Jagan further added that, “There is no opposition in the state. The ruling Congress was deviating from Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s agenda. So, the YSRC will win all the seats with a record majority.”
Despite the ongoing CBI probe into his assets, Jagan was pulling huge crowds during his Odarpu Yatra (to console the kin of those died of shock after the sudden demise of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy).
Now, the task before Jagan is to prove that he is a strong force in the state. He should ensure victory for all his 17 MLAs. If Congress and TDP wins any seat, Jagan’s popularity would be at stake. As of now, the Jagan camp is confident that they would sweep the elections and all the 16 Congress MLAs would re-enter the Assembly on YSRC ticket. But others think that it might not be a cake walk for Jagan Mohan Reddy. “It is a triangle contest. Anything may happen,” observed a TDP leader. The moot question is, will Jagan deliver the goods to his loyalist MLAs?
Bypolls: TDP assessing Its prospects
VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
Last Updated : 13 Dec 2011 08:20:07 AM IST
HYDERABAD: As the Congress is preparing to disqualify 16 of its MLAs who voted against its government on the no-confidence motion in the Assembly on December 5, by-elections for about 25 Assembly seats in the state will be held in due course. Already, seven seats are vacant in the Assembly.
The Telugu Desam, the main opposition party, is considering the by-elections as a ‘wmini-general election’ to test its popularity and prepare itself for the 2014 general election. As such, it has started assessing its electoral prospects. Its think-tank estimates that the party will wrest some seats from the ruling party in the Andhra region and check the surge of YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
The TDP has been wary of contesting by-elections ever since it lost the recent by-elections by huge margins. It suffered humiliating defeats in the Telangana region last year when by-elections were held for 12 Assembly seats. Initially, party chief N Chandrababu Naidu did not favour the party contest the by-polls which were fought on the Telangana plank but relented at the last minute under pressure from some leaders from the region. Result: All TDP candidates lost their deposits.
Later, this year, by-elections were held for the Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly seats. Though not sure of victory, the party fielded its candidates in both the constituencies, which are the strongholds of YSR’s family, as a policy to oppose the YSRC’s corruption. The party lost the two seats by huge margins. Its candidate was pushed to the third place in Pulivendula.
The outcome of the two by-elections made the main opposition party despondent and introspect on its strengths and weaknesses. Said a party leader: “We do not know whether to contest by-elections or not. It will be a tricky situation either if we enter or keep off a by-poll battle.”
Some senior leaders are, however, of the view that YS Jagan was thoroughly exposed by the CBI probe and his public image got a beating. “If voters are guided by local issues like caste, candidate’s profile and corruption, the TDP will be in an advantage,” said a leader from Telangana.
“In a triangular contest, the Congress’ votes will be divided between Congress and YSRC. The division of Congress votes will be an advantage to TDP. There is no Jagan or YSR wave in Andhra now,” claimed K Sivaprasada Rao.
But, Telangana continues to be a lump in TDP’s throat. It is in such a helpless situation that it is still struggling to find potential candidates to contest elections. “We have no candidates for Mahaboobnagar, Kollapur and Nagarkurnool seats,” admitted an MLA from the region.
Express News Service
Last Updated : 13 Dec 2011 08:20:07 AM IST
HYDERABAD: As the Congress is preparing to disqualify 16 of its MLAs who voted against its government on the no-confidence motion in the Assembly on December 5, by-elections for about 25 Assembly seats in the state will be held in due course. Already, seven seats are vacant in the Assembly.
The Telugu Desam, the main opposition party, is considering the by-elections as a ‘wmini-general election’ to test its popularity and prepare itself for the 2014 general election. As such, it has started assessing its electoral prospects. Its think-tank estimates that the party will wrest some seats from the ruling party in the Andhra region and check the surge of YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
The TDP has been wary of contesting by-elections ever since it lost the recent by-elections by huge margins. It suffered humiliating defeats in the Telangana region last year when by-elections were held for 12 Assembly seats. Initially, party chief N Chandrababu Naidu did not favour the party contest the by-polls which were fought on the Telangana plank but relented at the last minute under pressure from some leaders from the region. Result: All TDP candidates lost their deposits.
Later, this year, by-elections were held for the Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly seats. Though not sure of victory, the party fielded its candidates in both the constituencies, which are the strongholds of YSR’s family, as a policy to oppose the YSRC’s corruption. The party lost the two seats by huge margins. Its candidate was pushed to the third place in Pulivendula.
The outcome of the two by-elections made the main opposition party despondent and introspect on its strengths and weaknesses. Said a party leader: “We do not know whether to contest by-elections or not. It will be a tricky situation either if we enter or keep off a by-poll battle.”
Some senior leaders are, however, of the view that YS Jagan was thoroughly exposed by the CBI probe and his public image got a beating. “If voters are guided by local issues like caste, candidate’s profile and corruption, the TDP will be in an advantage,” said a leader from Telangana.
“In a triangular contest, the Congress’ votes will be divided between Congress and YSRC. The division of Congress votes will be an advantage to TDP. There is no Jagan or YSR wave in Andhra now,” claimed K Sivaprasada Rao.
But, Telangana continues to be a lump in TDP’s throat. It is in such a helpless situation that it is still struggling to find potential candidates to contest elections. “We have no candidates for Mahaboobnagar, Kollapur and Nagarkurnool seats,” admitted an MLA from the region.
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