UP polls: Arvind Kejriwal fails to cast vote as name missing from voters' list

Kejriwal was expected to cast his vote at a polling station in Indirapuram area, but he left in the morning for Delhi to catch a flight for Goa.

However, some persons protested against his action which prompted Kejriwal to return to the polling booth.

However, his name was missing in the voters' list.

"I have a voters identity card. My name was in the voters' list on the earlier occasions," he said.

Some voters who were inconvenienced by the media glare on Kejriwal outside the polling booth also shouted slogans.

Asked about him initially deciding not to cast his votes, Kejriwal said the Team Anna programme in Goa was finalised a month ago and at that time, they did not realise that the voting day and campaigning programme would clash.

Source:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/UP-polls-Arvind-Kejriwal-fails-to-cast-vote-as-name-missing-from-voters-list/articleshow/12067458.cms

Anna Hazare donates award money to trust

Anna Hazare  along with Justice Santosh Hegde,Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade and 25 other luminaries, were honoured by Sitaram Jindal Foundation with the Jindal Prize and S R Jindal Prize at a glittering felicitation ceremony held at New Delhi on Thursday February 23.

Anna was awarded SR Jindal Prize for his contribution to rural development. He was given Rs 25 lakh and a citation at a function. However he decided to donate the money to Hind Swaraj Trust which helps in managing expenditure incurred on wedding of youngsters.
 “When I was 26-year-old I had decided to live and die for the country. I left my home and did not return. I have no bank balance and all the awards I have received have gone to the Hind Swaraj Trust. The interest earned from the money goes into the expenditure incurred on wedding of youngsters. This award (Rs.25 lakh) will also go to the trust.” Hazere said

He further said that he does not accept money from hands that are tainted. “Recently I refused to accept an award because the person did not have a clean track record. This award has been presented to me by an incorruptible person and a clean organisation.” 

APJ Abdul Kalab  who received S. R. Jindal Prize of Rs.1 crore for science and technology, also announced that he was donating the entire money to four charitable organisations. 


Source :http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2925463.ece
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=130380
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/delhi-anna-hazare-to-receive-rs-25-lakh-award/232840-3.html

Lokpal Aftermath: 1.0 (Right to Reject)

 | Anna hazere to tour country to advocate Right to Reject before 2014 general assembly election  |

Anna today (24 Feb, 2012) revealed that he would undertake a nationwide tour before the 2014 General elections to advocate the voters' " right to reject" unwanted candidates.
"After the Jan Lokpal Bill, I will undertake a nationwide tour prior to 2014 General elections to plead for the 'right to reject' of voters," he told reporters at the city airport after his arrival from Delhi.
Hazare said the presence of "goondas" in politics posed a threat to the democratic process in the country.
"The voters should have the option of rejecting unwanted candidates while exercising their franchise and asking for a repoll," said the activist, who later left for his native village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/anna-hazare-to-tour-country-to-advocate-right-to-reject/articleshow/12019727.cms

Anna is fit and ready to resume fight

Anna on saturday announced he is now fully fit and will resume fight for Janlokpal 

TIMELINE

• Earlier on January 3 Anna was admitted to a  Sancheti hospital in Pune for viral infection
• Then on  January 29  he complained amout cough, backache and swelling in hands
  for which he was addimted in Medanta Medicity 
• On January 31 he on his demand was shifted to Jindal  Ayurvedic Hospital for Ayurvedic Treatment
• He remained at  Jindal hospital till Feb 19(saturday) and informend about his recovery  Datta Awari(Hazare's associate at Ralegan Siddhi)
• Hazare returned to his native village Ralegan Siddhi around 8.30 pm on  Feb 19

Awari said the villagers noticed a marked improvement in his health and theAnna has fully regained his strength. "I am fully fit and ready to fight now, was his first remark after reaching the village," Awari said
Awari said Hazare has been put on a strict diet comprising various types of juices, millet and barley water.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Hazare-says-he-is-fit-and-ready-to-resume-fight/articleshow/11943772.cms
http://janlokpalbillcenter.blogspot.in/2012_01_01_archive.html
http://janlokpalbillcenter.blogspot.in/2012/01/anna-is-ill.html 

Federal Structure issue shadowed toothless condition of Lokayuktas

ANALYSIS While many of the  parties like  BJP,  CPM  and Trinamool  are opposing  Chapter 3 from lokpal which is imposing Center's Lokayukta bill on states saying that Lokayukta bill prepared by states will go in vein if  center's  Lokayukta bill is imposed on them. .{ Lokayukta in simple words is state-level Lokpal/corruption watchdog}

But this opposition has almost shadowed following poor facts about State Lokayuktas Bills

1. Out of 28 states only 19 have Lokayukta instituted.
2. Of 19 merely 3 lokayukta are OK(not even good)
3.  Most of the state lokayukta bills can't investigate Governer, Chef Minister and legislatures.
4. Some lokayuktas like of Andhara Pradesh have been restricted to look into Government's procedural lapses and  delays
5. Recommendations made by institution are not accepted actively.
6. In some states even Lokayuktas (investigators) are not appointed

Some pitiful Examples of state lokayuktas

• In W.Bengal the lokayukta only have two group D people as staff!
• In Karnataka, no one is holding the post
•  Gujrat was not appointed with Lokayukta for eight years from 2003 until in 2011 Kamla Beniwal appointed issed an ouder
• In Rajasthan, lokayukta don't have investigation agency of its own

Only Uttrakhand have reasonable Lokyukta.

After all this opposition (who form government in states) are trying to defend such flawed and weak sate made lokayukta bills.
Its true that Feudal system should be respected but using it to defend flaws and corruption is quite different.This shows state government doesn't want to take pains to renew their flawed lokayukta bills or to set up new lokayuktas
This decision of making lokayukta a state defined creation is wrong as it will make Lokayukta different in every state as well as will make it vulnerable to become a state based weak bill leading to difficult usage of bill in multi-state corruption cases|

Points from: India Today (Feb, 20)

T.Anna: to begin campaign in Goa on Feb 28

• India Against Corruption activists and members of Team Anna are scheduled to visit the Goa from February 28 to March 1.
• Team Anna's core group members Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi will make a trip to Goa as part of their visits to the poll bound states.
• Goa representative in the IAC national committee Dinesh Vaghela said, as Anna Hazare is receiving medical attention, he will not be able to make a trip to the state.
•  IAC Goa is planning to hold meetings across the state and felt most constituencies would feel some impact of the anti-corruption movement on voting.

IAC Goa coordinator Satish Sonak was of the view that in this election, the impact of money power would decrease as "the voter is realizing that selling his vote is the root cause of corruption."

He also felt the voter turnout would increase this time, as people have realized that "bad things happen because good people don't do anything (go and vote)."

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Team-Anna-members-to-visit-Goa-from-Feb-28/articleshow/11919821.cms

UP Election Campaign:Rae Bareli

SEE FULL SCHEDULE OF UP Election Campaign here

 Team Anna mobilized public opinion in the family stronghold of Rae Bareli on Feb 13 . Four months ago, Anna Hazare's team had claimed sweeping support in Rae Bareli and Amethi for the Jan Lokpal bill after taking a referendum on people's opinion on whether they would vote for those who oppose the legislation.

Team Anna, which began its campaign in Uttar Pradesh on February 5, have been asking people to take a vow that they will not back candidates making false promises but support those who are answerable to them in future.

Though Anna Hazare himself has not been campaigning, his team members Manish Sisodia and Rakesh Rafiq will be among the speakers addressing a rally on Monday afternoon in Rae Bareli, which is UPAchairperson Sonia Gandhi's constituency.

The anti-graft team, which has already held ten rallies under the banner of India Against Corruption, across the state, is expected to address around a dozen more rallies in the state. The team is expected to visit Kanauj on February 14 and proceed to Farukkhabad the same day.

SEE FULL SCHEDULE OF UP Election Campaign here

Source: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-02-13/news/31055259_1_rae-bareli-team-anna-anna-hazare

Anna Hazare wants 3 BJP ministers(who caught watching porn) to be removed

Anna Hazere demanded the three BJP ministers who were caught watching porn inside Karnataka assembly be dismissed from the House. In a statement, Hazare said political parties were full of such people and these leaders are "dirtying the sacred temples -- Parliament and state assemblies -- of our democracy".

"Today, parties are competing with each other in giving tickets to such people. Parties are full of such people. They are dirtying Parliament and state Assemblies. The future of the country is not safe in their hands.

"They (ministers) have to be removed from assembly as they have insulted the assembly. They have insulted the Constitution. They should be send to jail," Hazare said.

Source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-08/india/31037290_1_karnataka-ministers-karnataka-assembly-anna-hazare

RSS blamed Anna for not recognizing BJP's role in campaign

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Sunday slammed social activist Anna Hazare for failing to acknowledge that its workers had played an “active role” in his nationwide crusade against corruption last year, though the Sangh itself was not part of the civil society agitation.

“It is a fact that the Sangh workers in individual capacity did play an active role in the anti-corruption crusade by the civil society headed by Hazare... It baffles me as to why the former did not acknowledge the fact,” RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat told reporters.
Though the RSS had not directed its workers to join the civil society’s crusade on corruption, a large number of them did take an active part in the agitation throughout the country on their own volition, he said.

Editor's View: Actually Anna had many times blamed rss in several manners like Anna said bjp' rathyatra a "Nautanki" , he also said that  if congress is graduate in terms of corruption then BJP is post -graduate in being corrupt. And maybe that's why rss is angry with Anna.
I want to ask rss why Anna should acknowledge rss role when there is no role played by RSS!
RSS appeared just a opportunist in the Anna's campaign and nothing else! 
Moreover even BJP didn't brought Lokpal during its tenure. It even changed colors in parliament last year. 
Then why rss is blaming Anna for not acknowledging BJP!!
 
Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2863182.ece

Team Anna begins campaign in UP

Team Anna begin its campaign in poll bound Uttar Pradesh. awaring voters of their rights and power and contribution of vote in bringing strong lokpal.

Team Anna's campaign in the state began on February 5 in Ghazipur and Balia districts. They are demanding voters not to vote politicians that don't support a strong lokpal.

Team had already campaigned in Uttrakhand (bjp ruled) and Punjab (bjp ruled).

"Members of Team Anna have been asking people to take a vow that they will not back candidates making false promises but support those who are answerable to them in future," said the statement.
Manish Sisodia, Kiran Bedi, Kumar Vishwas and other members of India Against Corruption will campaign in the state. 

SCHEDULE

• According to Team Anna's campaign schedule shared with reporters, volunteers of India Against Corruption have so far addressed five big public meetings in areas including former prime minister Chandrashekhar's Balia constituency. They have also covered constituencies of Basti, Gonda, Faizabad and Barabanki in the first phase.
• While a public rally is scheduled be held in Azamgarh on February 8, Team Anna will campaign in Chanduali and Varansi on February 9.
• Team Anna will address a rally on February 10 in Allahabad where as it will reach Rai Bareli on February 13.
• The team will visit Kanauj on February 14 and proceed to Farrukhabad on the same day to address people.
• The team will also visit Mainpuri and Etwah on February 15 and Jhnasi on February 16.
  

Source:http://ibnlive.in.com/news/team-anna-begins-antigraft-campaign-in-up/228144-3.html

Lokpal Bill to come in Rajaya Sabha in Budged Season

Lokpal Bill is expected to be brought again for consideration in the Rajya Sabha during the second phase of the Budget session of Parliament. "The bill is on the live register of the Rajya Sabha and it will now be taken up only in the second phase of the Budget session," an official said.

Budged season will begin on March 12 and its second part will  be held from April 24 to May 22.
Season will begin with joint sitting of President Parthiba Patil and members of both the Houses of Parliament.

Lokpal Bill was passed in Lokshabha on December 27, 2012 where government had a majority. Moreover many parties walked out of parliament during voice vote which made passage easier.

However Lokpal was chocked in Rajaya Shaba on december 30 where opposition parties had majority.

SOME BACKGROUND

1. The opposition had charged the government with running away from a vote because of lack of majority in the House.
   
2. The government had then stated that the bill was "alive" and would be taken up in the Budget session for passage.   
3. By May this year, the strength of the Congress and its allies is expected to rise slightly in the Upper House after biennial elections in several seats. The UPA does not have a majority in the House earlier when lokpal was discussed.
4. SEE MORE about incident ON   http://janlokpalbillcenter.blogspot.in/2011/12/lokpal-chocked-in-rajaya-sabha.html
   

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Lokpal-Bill-to-come-up-in-Rajya-Sabha-during-Budget-session/articleshow/11797195.cms

Anna is still more popular than any other political figure: Survey shows

Those who thinks that Anna has lost the political and popularity grip will bite the dust, because latest survey ‘The Mood of Nation’ conducted by India Today reveals that Anna is n Top in people’s mind.

This survey is conducted across 19 states and 98 randomly selected parliamentary constituencies  with 12,648 voters/responders.

1. During survey 63% agreed that Lokpal presented by Government is weak and supported Anna’s Janlokpal version. 
2. When asked who will they vote for if both Anna and Rahul Gandhi were to contest election then 60% favoured Anna and only 24% took Rahul 
3. When asked who is their role mode then Anna  got the highest percentage(14%) beating Sachin Tendulkar(6%), Rajiv Gandhi(4%) , Amithab Bacchan(3%) Virender Shevag (3%), Narendra Modi(2%), MS Dhoni(2%)

Apart form this this survey also showed that next parliament election could see a PM from neither Congress nor BJP, parties other than these have better chance to form majority in parliament.
It showed that public's support for Congress has declined and now Bjp and Congress have support that is almost equal to each other but smaller than other parties.
SOURCE: INDIA TODAY ( February 6,2012 edition of magazine )
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/gallery/india-today-poll-mood-of-the-nation-2012/1/6443.html#photo10

Supreme Court justified Lokpal's concept during 2G case

In its verdict 2G case Supreme Court has set a limit of three months for deciding on sanction for prosecution of corrupt public servants. Court said  there should be a set time frame, and added that all matters of sanction should be decided within three months. 
The SC also slammed the Prime Minister’s Office but gave Manmohan Singh a clean chit for the delay in deciding on the prosecution of then telecom minister A Raja in the 2G spectrum case. 

Commenting on verdict Kiran Bedi (member of Team Anna) said that this verdict justifies one of the concept of their Janlokpal regarding time limit.
“Supreme Court has exactly said what we have asking and fighting for, what people have been asking, everything to be time bound.  (1.)But in Jan Lokpal Bill, there was supposed to be no sanction for prosecution.
(2.)If there is evidence, the CBI starts its investigation and nobody interferes in its investigation. This is what the Jan Lokpal Bill was.
(3.) Secondly in Jan Lokpal Bill, it was time bound trial and through number of special courts as needed, so within the maximum period of less than two years, a case is decided,” Bedi told media in Jaipur.

Prashant Bhushan said the verdict would give a boost to the struggle against corruption.

“They have firstly again highlighted how big a menace corruption is in society and we need to tackle it on a war footage. Secondly, even when a private complainant makes a complaint and seeks sanction of the government against a public servant, the government must read the complaint on the same footing as a chargesheet filed by the CBI seeking sanction and must deal with it within the time frame prescribed in Vineet Narayan’s judgement which is within four months,” he added.

Editor's View: Its true that every case related to corruption should be investigated and then decided within appropriate time limit. And Janlokpal Bill contains strong demands of Time Bound independent investigative measures.

Source:http://truthdive.com/2012/02/01/Supreme-Court-vindicated-one-of-our-key-demands-Kiran-Bedi.html
http://www.morungexpress.com/editorial/76096.html