Devender Goud to fight it out on Telangana

Telugu Desam deputy leader in the Assembly and senior MLA T Devender Goud is understood to have decided to fight it out with his boss N Chandrababu Naidu on taking a stand on the formation of separate Telangana.

Desam sources say Goud is bringing pressure on Naidu to take a positive stand on Telangana, as every political party is now reconsidering its view on the issue. He even went to the extent of telling mediapersons in Warangal the other day that the party was seriously deliberating the issue of separate Telangana and would soon take a decision.

It looks like Devender Goud is taking the Telangana issue as an alibi to shift loyalties to Chiranjeevi. He reportedly told Naidu that even the Megastar is likely to take a positive stand on Telangana and therefore, the TD cannot remain in isolation. "So better take a quick decision, or else, the Telangana leaders in the party would have no future," he is learnt to have told the TD president.

Chiranjeevi Wants To Confuse People and Win?

Mega star Chiranjeevi has the ways and means of floating a political party and sustain it- Electoral victory or defeat notwithstanding. But the film actor, who is regarded as the Badshah of the Tollywood, has been dillydallying the issue and is in deep political dilemma on his future political plans.

Why? The answer is quite simple. Whether one likes it or not, the mega star is not mustering enough will-power and self-support to announce his political intentions. Or in other words, he is not politically strong enough to take a step this way or that way. The film star has set his eyes on the seat of the chief ministership and wants to grab it any way. But his dilemma is that he may have to bite the dust if he faces political and electoral defeat in the May 2009 elections. He wants a straight victory, which is very difficult to predict these days. The last celluloid person who could make political and electoral waves in the country was late NT Rama Rao. After him there's no charismatic leader enough to capture the hearts of voters.

The mega star knows this fully well. So he is releasing political trailers quite often dropping a hint or two about his political and electoral intentions. In the meantime, his brother Pawan Kalyan too had released a trailer about his plans to join the BSP.

This is all nothing but to confuse the voters. A confused voter cannot decide for whom he should vote. Chiru wants to win the polls through confused voters and not through enlightened electorate, as political analysts put out.

Chiranjeevi Tremors In TDP and Goud As Dy CM

Chiranjeevi tremors are shaking TDP. The much worried person is now Devender Goud who is about to hit Warangal with the event 'BC Garjana' on 23 rd of this month. Now the task on the shoulders of Devender Goud is to control the BC drain towards Chiranjeevi. BC Vote bank has been very crucial for TDP all these years and now that is going to affect in big way.

Inside sources say that almost all the cell phones of all party leaders are busy since this evening as they were discussing further plans to combat Chiranjeevi wave. The coming days will prove to be testing time for many political parties all over the state, say political analysts.

TDP leaders know that it is the opposition party that suffers when a new party comes into light. TDP is bound to lose lot of seats for Chiranjeevi's party and above all that there are chances that many of BCs would jump into Chiranjeevi's party from TDP. Inside sources say that Chandrababu sent a feeler from Gujarat that Devender Goud may jump out with Chiranjeevi.

That is true indeed. Inside sources say that Devender Goud is holding negotiations with Allu Aravind putting a few conditions. "I come along with you. I need Dy CM seat when we come into power. If separate Telangana materializes, I need complete hold on the region"-is the tentative dialogue of Devender Goud with Allu Aravind. The response of Aravind is yet to be known. On the other hand TRS is planning to come into negotiation with Chiranjeevi to share Telangana seats on 60:40 bases (60% for Chiranjeevi and 40% for TRS). Let us see what happens.

Nannapaneni Plays Drama With PJR's Death

Senior TD leader Nannapaneni Rajakumari has nothing to do with the internal affairs of the ruling Congress. As one belonging to the main Opposition Telugu Desam, Rajakumari has every right to comment on public issues but not on the internal fighting in the Congress, unless she has some ulterior motives or political considerations.

The issue now is the death of former legislator and senior Congress leader P Janardhan Reddy. He died in the very presence of Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy though the latter was not aware of the fact that PJR had suffered a massive heart attack. Rajakumari is the only political leader in the State who has been blaming Rajasekhar Reddy for the death of Janardhan Reddy. She alleges that medical facilities were not provided to the former Khairatabad legislator immediately. "The chief minister's ambulance was very much available on hand but it was not utilized", she said.

So Rajakumari has a grouse against Rajasekhar Reddy and hence she has been repeating this issue wherever she goes. All this is because of the greater Hyderabad municipal elections.' Make PJR hero and YSR villain and get political mileage for the Telugu Desam' is the strategy now. Will this strategy of Rajakumari work?

In the evening, a television channel conducted an SMS poll asking the viewers opinion on Nannapaneni’s drama at PJR’s residence. And 90 per cent of the viewers condemned Nannapaneni’s vitriolic attack on YSR!

Is Narendra Taking foolish Decisions?

Former Union minister A Narendra is now changing colors fast. Yes, we are talking about the political colors. But he does not want to quit his membership to the Lok Sabha. What would be the Reason? He says he did not quit the LS membership when he resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party before joining the Telangana Rashtra Samithi. "When I did not resign then, why should I now," he questions.

Strange political logic indeed! Only the likes of Narendra could offer such reasons or excuses to survive in politics.

He also says the TRS is not a political party but a platform to achieve separate Telangana State. So when he had shifted from the BJP to the TRS and now to the BSP, he feels that he had just changed platforms and not political organizations. So the question of anti-defection law does not apply to him.

Narendra, who did not talk about the "welfare" of Christians and Muslims when he was in BJP and TRS, now wants proportionate political representation to be given to them. He says he will take up political positions in BSP which does not attract the provisions of the anti-defection law.

Narendra is going to join BJP in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP Chief Mayawati. It is to be seen how the two leaders will go hand in hand and whether Narendra will be able to sustain the "authoritarian" attitude of Mayawati. He says Mayawati has promised him separate Telangana and hence decided to sail with her. We may get a thought, 'who is Mayawati, after all, to talk about Telangana and promise the division of Andhra Pradesh'. What political status or following does she enjoy in the State? BSP as things stand will not be able to capture power either at the Centre or at the State and thus her "promise" of separate Telangana has to be taken with a pinch of salt. And Narendra has gulped this "salt" many a time in the past.

Usha: 'What Chiranjeevi Can Do To AP?'

3 letters have started a new epoch in AP politics in 1983. It is needless to say that those letters are N T R. People praised to the skies that the era is going to be Rama Rajyam. Entire state was in mass hysteria. The screen god became the Chief Minister as a cake walk. But was there Rama Rajyam? If giving rice for Rs 2 a kilo can be termed as Rama Rajyam, yes that was Rama Rajyam. If giving a yellow shirt and green knickers for Rickshaw pullers were Rama Rajyam, yes, NTR's era was a Rama Rajyam. If announcing prohibition initially but later setting up Government Liquor Hubs with a great nomenclature 'Varuna Vahini' can be termed Rama Rajyam, yes that was Rama Rajyam. On a whole, it's the faith, following and mania those decide the righteousness of a person of leaders. N T R brought identity for Telugu and 'Telugu vari atmagouravam' in international scenario. That is true and holds no dispute. N T R brought that identity and confidence for 6 Cr-population. As a successor Chandrababu also brought identity for Andhra Pradesh as a hub for world standard software technology. One cannot raise finger in that aspect.

But no body is immune to vote bank politics. Be it NTR, Chandrababu, YSR -everybody is bending for vote bank politics. Indian political scenario is in such a miserable position that Rs 2 kilo rice is still a vote pulling mantra. Politicians are becoming millionaires, multi millionaires and reaching unbelievable height sin acquiring properties. But still they are pulling common man votes by throwing Rs 2 kilo rice. Which politician could become a statesman and change this scenario? People know only one thing. Chandrababu earned Rs 10,000 Cr in his political career. YSR earned a few thousand crores in his era. Jayalalitha is worth Rs 5000 Cr in Tamilnadu. Chidambaram is also worth Rs 2000 Cr as per grapevine. The funniest part is that many of Chowdharys are patting themselves saying Babu has Rs 10,000 Cr property and Reddy's are putting glowing faces saying YSR has Rs 20,000 Cr. What about the common man? He is still running for Rs 2 kilo rice. Where is development? Where is welfare? Elections have become a child's play in India.

Will Chiranjeevi change this scenario? Can he start a new epoch that stands impressive and inspiring? Can he become a real life Muta Mestri and Tagore for AP? Then his entry into politics would certainly make great sense.

Vizag to be developed on par with Kolkata, Chennai

Visakhapatnam: The coastal city of Visakhapatnam would be developed on par with Kolkata and Chennai, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Thursday while promising the people to look into their demand for setting up an international airport in the city.

Addressing a public meeting, the prime minister also assured them that he would look into the demand for establishing in Visakhapatnam an Indian Institute of Management.

Stating that the city was emerging as a key industrial centre, Singh held out an assurance of all assistance from the central government to improve the civic infrastructure.

While agreeing to look into the demand for an international airport, the prime minister said efforts would be made to operate round-the-clock flights from the existing airport. "As far as making the airport operational for 24 hours is concerned, the ministry will be asked to operationalise this at the earliest opportunity," he said.

The existing airport is under the control of the Indian Navy, which has its eastern naval command headquarters here. Flights from this airport are operated only during daytime and the airport also faces the problem of frequent flooding during rains.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, in his speech, urged the prime minister on behalf of the people of the state to sanction an international airport for the city.

Manmohan Singh, who was here to inaugurate the Indian Science Congress, also interacted with members of women self-help groups and lauded their efforts to fight poverty.

Earlier, he allayed fears about the future of state-owned Bharat Heavy Plate and Vessels (BHPV) Limited. He told a delegation of ruling Congress party leaders that the cabinet decision on making BHPV a subsidiary of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited was final and there was nothing to worry over it.

The delegation led by former chief minister and Visakhapatnam MP N. Janardhan Reddy called on Singh late Wednesday.

The prime minister also told the delegation that Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited would be merged with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, to solve the raw material problem faced by the latter.

The delegation demanded setting up of an Indian Institute of Management and other premier educational institutes, separate railway zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters, and expeditious setting up of a Knowledge City on the city outskirts, and a petrochemical complex near Achuyutapuram.

Political Talk: Chiranjeevi Party In March-2008

Chiranjeevi has fixed muhurtham for announcing his party in March 2008. He expressed his decision to enter active politics today in a function that was held on the name of his father Late Konidela Venkat Rao.

Many film celebrities and political friends have attended the function and had lunch. Chiranjeevi appeared without moustache and Nagababu with tonsured head in the name of their father.

Chiranjeevi discussed about his political ideas with his close friends in that occasion.

Chiranjeevi's Long Discussion With Dasari

Mega Star Chiranjeevi discussed with Dasari Narayana Rao for more than 15 minutes in standing posture. Chiranjeevi was seen standing and discussing with Dasari while the latter was having lunch in the ceremony of Late Konidela Venkat Rao.

The details of the discussion are not known as none approached them during the silent talk.

It was only Ghattamaneni Adi Seshagiri Rao who was sitting beside Dasari during that talk. Sources, off late, say that the discussion was about politics, announcing new party and association with Congress.

Chiranjeevi Fans Shout With Spirit

Chiranjeevi fans have burnt crackers at a few places in AP just after listening to the news that their star has given a positive statement regarding his political entry. A few fans have made rounds on bikes shouting 'Twinkle Twinkle Mega Star-Mega Star Chief Minister'. It is not even the announcement of party but Chiranjeevi has just given a positive statement. And the fans have started celebrations.

"It's just Chiru gali. It will become tufaan in a few days", shouted a fan when media asked his opinion.

The fans are now happy that their star that has been silent all these days has opened his mouth now.

Rumors: Chiru taking political tuitions?

Even as Megastar Chiranjevi’s political entry has remained a mystery for the political observers, rumours continue to make rounds as to how Chiranjeevi is making preparations for his new party.

According to grapevine, Chiranjeevi has already started taking tuitions from a well-known political science professor on various subjects – ranging from Constitution of India to political history of Andhra Pradesh to the sociological set-up in the State and its impact on the electoral system to the administrative mechanism, so as to have a thorough understanding of all the subjects. He is of the view that he should not be taken for a ride by other politicians when he actually enters the politics. He wants to know how the bureaucracy is taking the party in power for a ride and how corruption is so deeply rooted in the system.

Interestingly, he is also mastering the art of facing the media and of course, media management, so that he would not make any controversial remarks that would spoil his image. For that, he is said to be attending “mock press conferences” and “mock media interviews” regularly and practicing as to how answer queries from the media, however embarrassing they might be.

This is what we hear from that camp. By the way, the tuitions have come to a halt, following the death of Chiranjeevi’s father Konidela Venkat Rao. They might be revived after a few days, sources say.

All Party Leaders For Chiru's Father's Ceremony

While Chiranjeevi's political entry is making big news in entire state and creating tensions for many parties, on the other hand almost all the party leaders have participated in the ceremony of Late Konidela Venkat Rao organized by Chiranjeevi fans on large scale at Subrahmanya Maidanam in Rajahmundry. Leaders of TDP and Congress are seen collectively at that event as per sources.

The event went on in large scale where the religious leaders of Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Christians have come to do prayers for the peace of Konidela Venkat Rao's soul. 'Annadanam' for poor people was conducted by Chiranjeevi fans on this occasion.

That was the following of Late Shri Konidela Venkat Rao in Rajahmundry.

Mumbai molestation victims recount horror

MUMBAI (PTI): Recounting the tale of horror, one of the victims of the New Year Day molestation case here described how the hooligans pinched and groped her, while the woman's husband narrated how he felt when around 50 people were trying to get at his wife and cousin.

In an interview to a city tabloid, she said, "I just want to get over the horror. I want to stop seeing my face on TV. When we came out of the hotel (early) on January 1, I did not sense any trouble. But when we were walking, the crowd just kept getting closer."

"They touched my butt and pinched me. They also began grabbing my cousin sister-in-law. People just watched as my husband tried to protect me," she said.

"I believe Mumbaikars are not willing to stop and help people in trouble."

Her husband told the newspaper, "We are the victims. We were at J W Mariott from 9 PM on December 31 and at around 2 AM we (he, his wife and two cousins) decided to leave (the hotel) and take a rickshaw back to hotel Royal Gardens."

"Just as we stepped out, we saw a group heading towards us. They reached us and immediately began grabbing my wife. Since we were walking against the crowd it was difficult to move ahead. But then it got worse. It seemed like the whole crowd was on my wife and my cousin," he recalled.

"Then somebody pushed all of us on the ground. It seemed like they were 50 people around...all trying to get at my wife and cousin."

The victim's husband said "my brother and I tried to fight the crowd, but they were too many. That's when some photographers started clicking us."

"All of a sudden from the crowd, there emerged a man wearing a red T-shirt who tried to help us and started shouting for the police. The cops arrived in a few minutes and the crowd thinned out," he said.

"I told the police that my wife and cousin were molested. They put us in their vehicle and took us to the Juhu police station from where we were put in an auto and we went to our hotel."

Explaining the reason for not filing a police complaint, the victim's husband said, "We could not identify any of the molesters as it happened too fast. For the record neither the police nor the J W Mariott hotel should be blamed."

"We are all based in California and I got married just a day before this horrible incident. I have been coming to Mumbai for the last five years, but this experience on New Year has changed my perception about Mumbai," he added.

"We don't want to be bothered by the media and want to enjoy whatever is left of our vacations. And yes, I want to thank the man in the red T-shirt (who helped us)," he added.

Mayawati sends feelers to actor Chiranjeevi

NEW DELHI: Both Sonia Gandhi and Chandrababu Naidu have reason to worry. Mayawati has grand plans for Andhra Pradesh.

The BSP chief is exploring a Dalit-OBC-minority-Brahmin alliance in the state before the next Lok Sabha polls. She has sent feelers to Telugu actor Chiranjeevi and Telengana Rashtra Samiti chief Chandrashekhar Rao for an electoral alliance. TRS is currently aligned with the UPA.

If the BSP-TRS-Chiranjeevi alliance fructify it would become a formidable force in the state upsetting traditional players — the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Mayawati is holding a rally in Hyderabad on January 6, while Chiranjeevi’s supporters are organising a “backward caste garjana” rally in Warangal on January 19 to lure backward castes from TDP and Congress.

Chiranjeevi, who has mass appeal across the state — akin to late NTR, is planning to launch a political outfit and an announcement to this effect may be made in February or March.

The actor belongs to the Kappu community, which is considered backward in some districts, forward in some and “other caste” in others. The Kappus constitute over 10% of the state population. The Dalits also has an equal representation. Overall, the BCs constitute over 50 per cent of the population. The proposed alliance would trigger realignment of social forces weakening the forward castes.

Six killed, 15 injured in Vijayawada temple stampede

At least six people were reportedly killed and 15 others were injured in a temple stampede at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday morning.

The incident occurred when a large number of devotees thronged the Durga ghat near Kanakadurga Temple to perform prayers on the occasion of 'Bhavani Deeksha'.

According to police, devotees pushed each other to move ahead, which resulted in a stampede, in which five women and a child was killed.

The injured have been admitted to the local government hospital. The condition of one injured woman is stated to be serious.

Vijayawada MP L Rajgopal and MLA Devineni Rajasekhar met the injured in the hospital.

Blaming the temple authorities for the incident, State Endowment Minister J Ratnakar Rao has ordered a departmental inquiry.

The government has announced one lakh rupees ex-gratia payment for the kin of those killed and 10,000 for each of the injured. (ANI)

City Buzz: Crude bomb found near NTR Garden

Hyderabad: A crude bomb, with about 50 grams of explosive material stuffed into it, was found near a popular tourist spot near the state secretariat in the heart of the city on Wednesday.

The bomb, kept in a tiffin box, was found in a dustbin near NTR Garden which is at a stone's throw distance from Lumbini Park which was rocked by a terror bombing four months ago.

The recovery of the bomb a day after re-opening of the popular laser show at Lumbini park sent the police into a tizzy.

City Police Commissioner Balwinder Singh said that such type of bombs were generally used in Rayalaseema region often plagued by violent clashes between rival political groups.

''We have taken up the investigation and security has been tightened further at the Secretriat and public places,'' Singh said.

A security guard at the popular tourist spot found the bomb in a dustbin on a pavement and informed the police who later defused it, police said.

Meanwhile, the bomb disposal squad said the bomb contained 50 grams explosives and cycle ball bearings.

The famous laser show in the Lumbini Park here, the scene of the deadly terror bombings on August 25 last year, reopened yesterday amid tight security measures.

Over 40 people had lost their lives in the bomb blasts at the Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat Bhandar, a popular eatery, on August 25.

Five killed in stampede at Andhra temple

Hyderabad (IANS) At least five devotees were killed and 15 others were injured in a stampede Thursday at a temple on Indirakiladri hill in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada town, police officials said.

Those killed include four women and a child. The injured have been admitted to the government hospital in Vijayawada, about 280 km east of here.

Police said the mishap occurred around 5 a.m. during the annual Bhavani Diksha rituals at Durga Malleswari temple. More than 100,000 devotees had congregated on the hill for the last day of the rituals.

Vijayawada police commissioner C.V. Anand said the stampede occurred when thousands of devotees tried to surge towards the temple for a look at the deity.

He said police had warned the temple authorities on several occasions in the past that lack of proper arrangements could lead to a tragedy but they failed to take necessary precautions. He pointed out that the movement of devotees was limited to one road on the hill, leading to chaos during the rituals.

Vijayawada MP L. Rajagopal and legislator D. Nehru met the injured in the hospital. Nehru has announced a compensation of Rs.100,000 each to the kin of those killed and Rs.10,000 to each of the injured.

The temple near the river Krishna attracts thousands of devotees from all over Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states.

Politics: What YSR has "achieved" thus far

The State has ushered into the New Year. As people look forward for a bright future during 2008, Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy look backwards at the achievements of his government. Rajasekhar has completed three and a half years in power and let's see what he himself says about the achievements his government had made thus far.

1. The Congress government waived arrears of power bills related to agricultural consumption to the tune of Rs.1,192 crore on May 14.

2. Free power to the farmers from the first day (May 14th 2004) of YSR in power. Started "Jala Yagnam" to build 26 Major irrigation projects and 6 medium irrigation projects with the expenditure of 56,000 crore investment. FAB (Electronics, Semi Conductor) City to Andhra Pradesh.

3. Distribution of Lands to poor farmers with the "Indira Prabha" programme.

4. Science City Proposal in Ananatapur with 1,00,000 Crores investment.

5. Inter national Airport to Hyderabad.

6. The Congress government launched a new scheme by name Rajiv Yuva Shakthi to provide wage employment and self employment by spending 1000 crore. Birla Institute of Technology (BITS) to Andhra Pradesh.

7. For low-income urban population, government has launched an innovative housing scheme "Rajiv Gruhakalpa". American Consulate to Andhra Pradesh. 25 Paise interest to Dwacra Group Women.

8. Vizag Steel Plant Expansion. Adidas shoe company to Nellore district. Successfully getting highest amount of money from Central Finance commission since three years, for the 2007 year 30,000 crore and 2006 year 20,000 crore.

9. Completed Jhanjavathi Project for Vizianagaram district. Successfully launched "Rajiv Internet Village" to promote technology to villages.

Out of 117 election promises made in 2004, works pertaining to 74 were completed, 19 were are various stages of progress and 24 are pending.

And with elections fast approaching, Rajasekhar Reddy is busy seeking publicity for his schemes and completing the pending works.

Screen Talk: Film actors to be felicitated

Kakinada: As part of the Yanam festival, film actors ANR, Krishnam Raju, Kaikala Satyanarayana, Anjali Devi, Sarada, Devadas Kanakala, R. Narayana Murthy and Saradhi will be felicitated at GMC Balayogi stadium at Yanam on January 6.

Sobha Raju will render Annamacharya sankeertans the same day.

Songs competitions will be held to mark the occasion. A sum of Rs. 36 lakhs has been allocated for the event, according to official sources.

BSP may have an edge over Chiru’s party in Telangana

Hyderabad: Former Union minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader A Narendra’s reported decision to join the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) may give the BSP an edge in Telangana over actor Chiranjeevi’s proposed political party as the actor is said to take a decision on the issue only after assessing the mood in Andhra, from where he hails.

Mayawati would be arriving in the city on January 6 to relaunch the party in Andhra Pradesh. The party’s efforts to enter AP in the late 80s was a miserable failure as it could not attract a single mainstream political leader. Since then, the BSP has not tried to set foot in the state in a big way though the party won the Paderu assembly constituency in Visakhapatanam district in 2004.

Fact Sheet: Purandershwari logic impresses Sonia

If the New Delhi sources are to be believed, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development D Purandareshwari is all set to get the prestigious post of AICC spokesperson, a post which was held by seniors like S Jaipal Reddy, Ambika Soni and Kapil Sibal.

According to these sources, the Congress high command is more than happy with for her vitriolic attack on the Telugu Desam party and its supremo N Chandrababu Naidu. While the Congress thinktank is breaking its head as to how to erase the impression among the people that Rs 2 a kg rice scheme was only a Telugu Desam scheme introduced by its founder-president N T Rama Rao and therefore, it would help only the TD in the elections, Purandareshwari is making efforts to to delink NTR from the TD. She is trying to convince the people that Naidu is not a successor of NTR and that if at all there is anyone, who is implementing the policies of NTR, it is only Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.

Purandershwari's logic has convinced the high command, though Sonia Gandhi initially did not like her to involve NTR's name in the Congress politics. But after realizing its impact on the Congress prospects, she felt Purandareshwari is right. And soon, Sonia is expected to appoint her in a key post in AICC, preferably, the Congress spokesman, sources say.