We are not against congress but for Lokpal

Today News: Team Anna Member refused to comment if they were from Congress or any particular political party.

On Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal being attacked, the PM said, "In a democracy there is no place for violence. Therefore any act of violence is to be condemned and on that point I am clear that nothing is gained by pursuit of violence." The PM said, "I would hope that he would not use language at times which appears to be intemperate. I think in politics it is better to avoid harsh words."  

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday blamed corrupt political parties for the attack on him during a public gathering in Lucknow. However he refused to comment if they were from Congress or any particular political party.

Why Team Anna was campaigning against the Congress in UP instead of the Mayawati government, which had not spoken in support of Jan Lokpal Bill, Kejriwal reiterated that the team was not anti-Congress.  

He said that the campaign was not against the Congress, but was to ensure a strong Lokpal Bill, adding that everything was being done to put pressure on the ruling party. Kejriwal further said that putting such pressure was very legitimate in a democracy.

Backing the yatra taken up by Team Anna, he said that there was no harm in taking it up, clarifying that they were not asking people go against the Congress. He further said that the team would wait for the winter session, following which Anna Hazare would himself request to the people in December or January.

Government bows to Anna Hazare

News Today: On Monday Law minister Salman Khurshid said Team Anna's proposal was being looked into by the government. Anna's next course of action, which the Gandhian has already said would be to press for electoral reforms.

Khurshid said the proposal could be placed for consultation at an all-party forum on electoral reforms. The minister, however, admitted the right to recall was a difficult provision but said the government was working on that, indicating it has not been put in cold storage because of opposition.

"We have a strong lobby that is questioning us on the need to introduce the right to reject," Khurshid said at the Asian forum for global governance.

A number of other proposals of electoral reforms were also up for discussion. Among it is a suggestion to introduce a provision wherein voters can reject a candidate and decide not to cast a vote.

But Quraishi said it would lead to frequent elections. " Our main fear is that if we start rejecting all candidates, we will have another election.

"The CEC said efforts should be taken so that tainted candidates do not take part in elections. But the proposal was met with stiff resistance from political parties on the grounds that false cases are often framed against politicians.

"We are only saying that at least those candidates be barred, who have serious charges like rape, kidnapping, murder and dacoity against them which would lead to imprisonment of more than five years and cases against whom are pending for more than six months prior to elections and against whom charges have already been framed by the court," Quraishi said.

Kashmir is inseparable part of India - Anna Hazare

Today's Current News: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare told that we did not support the words which told by Prashant Bhushan. He did not ask anyone in the team before making the statement. And he told that it is his personal view alone and i am not agree with that point.

Mr. Hazare said "If anyone needs to be removed form the team, the core committee will decide together." He pointed the eradication of corruption and fighting for the Jan Lokpal Bill were his team's sole agenda. "We will not talk about any other issue."

Kashmir is an important, inseparable part of India, and having any other opinion about his is not acceptable. I am ready to give my life for kashmir.

Hisar witnesses political colours of Dussehra

The Vijaya Dashami here saw political colours, as supporters of Anna Hazare and members of India Against Corruption, Congress workers and INLD activists reached the venue of  Ravana Dahan at old college ground to spread their respective messages.

Interestingly, Congress candidate Jai Prakash, had arranged high-tech gadgets here by installing big LCD screens and DJ sound to canvass votes for Congress, while INLD supporters distributed pamphlets in support of Ajay Singh Chautala.

High drama was witnessed when the audience tried to stop them from doing this, but they did not pay any heed and continued their work. Soon, the `'Anna factor'' came into play when IAC members were welcomed by the audience.

"We welcome the supporters of Anna Hazare, because he is not political. Parties indulging in such kind of pomp and show during Ramleela is very strange for us and not appreciated by the public," said Umesh Pandey, a city resident. Another resident, Rameshwer Singh said, "The meaning of Ramleela has changed in this election. It's not good that they are playing politics during Vijaya Dashami."

There is a village near Delhi, which does not burn the effigy of Ravana as the residents believe that the Sri Lanka ruler spent his childhood here.

We are victims of Congress politics, says Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Team Anna is a "victim of Congress politics", said activist Arvind Kejriwal Thursday, a day after talks between the government and activist Anna Hazare's group ended in a deadlock.

"We have become victims of internal politics of Congress. How many rounds of talks we have had with senior leaders like Kapil Sibal and Chidambaram but nothing has happened till now. Whom will we talk to?" Kejriwal said, even as Hazare's fast entered its tenth day Thursday.

There was no breakthrough Wednesday night in the talks between the government and Hazare's team for an anti-corruption law.

"There were strong indications that Annaji could be evicted from Ramlila Maidan early morning today (Thursday). As the issue was publicised nothing was done," Kejriwal told reporters here.

Hazare has been on fast since Aug 16, the day he was arrested and taken to Tihar Jail. He was released the same day, but he refused to leave. He shifted to Ramlila ground Aug 19 where he has been continuing with his fast.

Govt may relent, put Prime Minister under Lokpal

NEW DELHI: Anxious to resolve the standoff with the Anna Hazare group over Lokpal, the government appeared set to relent on placing the Prime Minister within the jurisdiction of the anti-graft ombudsman. "We don't have any problem in placing PM within the scope of Lokpal," senior government sources indicated.

Parliament discussing only about the legislation approved by the Standing Committee, the re-think on including the PM in Lokpal is a significant concession as well as a tactical move to break the logjam. The government has taking fast steps in the process to draft a Grievance Redressal Bill which deals with corruption faced by the common man it getting licences and other clearances. The draft of the proposed law is expected to be put up for public discussion by this weekend.

The PM within Lokpal is taking help end Congress's isolation in Parliament. The BJP, Left and other parties like the DMK are opposed to keeping the PM outside the Lokpal's purview.

New Delhi: Anna Hazare's health was in bad condition, whose fast entered eighth day on Tuesday. Doctors have advised Anna Hazare, not to venture into the Sun as it could have a negative impact on his health. The doctors examined Hazare at the Ramlila Maidan, where he is sitting on an indefinite fast demanding a strong Lokpal Bill, late in the night. His health was little weak.. BP is in normal condition. His eyes are watery. A close aide Kiran Bedi said that his kidney was "infected" while another aide Arvind Kejriwal denied it. Though doctors have been maintaining that Hazare's health is fine, his close associates expressed worries over the health condition of the 73-year-old anti-corruption crusader. He lost over 5kg weight by fasting..

When asked about the August 30 deadline set for passing the Bill, Sisodia said Hazare has announced it and it is for him to decide the future course of action.

"There is no change in our stand. Formal talks have not yet begun," Sisodia said. Sisodia said a close aide of spiritual leader Baiyyuji Maharaj, who has emerged as a mediator, went to meet Hazare last night to submit a fresh proposal to end the standoff between the fasting activist and the government. However, the aide could not hand over a letter from Maharaj to Hazare as he was sleeping, Sisodia added. "The aide had come to meet Anna in the night.

As Anna was sleeping, volunteers did not allow a meeting and the aide left without handing over the letter...," Sisodia said.Earlier, a close aide of Maharaj claimed that the spiritual leader had a detailed meeting with Union Ministers Kapil Sibal and Salman Khurshid following which the fresh proposal was sent to the Gandhian. Maharaj, along with Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Umesh Chandra Sarangi, both of whom are known to Hazare, have been roped in by the government to initiate back-room negotiations to end the fast by 73-year-old Hazare demanding a strong Lokpal.

We are open to reasoned debate on Lokpal Bill, says PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a Kolkata function on Monday saying that the government was open to a reasoned debate on it even as noisy crowds swelled in various protest zones of the country. And also he told that there was no “magic wand” to solve corruption, a statement that suggests the government is far from a comprehensive strategy on the Anna phenomenon.

Prime Minister said the government was taking so many steps to tackle corruption and that will come up in Proper ways to stop it. Strong procedures are needed to eliminate it....

I have asked a Group of Ministers to look into this issue and I am confident we will come up with a systemic solution,' he said.

Cautious Prithviraj Chavan says Anna Hazare stir will end soon..

 Exercising caution, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Sunday said the ‘unrest’ in Delhi will end soon. The CM was making an oblique reference to the ongoing stir by Anna Hazare, demanding a strong Lokpal Bill.

“The use of technology can help bring transparency in administration and tackle corruption,” Chavan said, while speaking at the inauguration of Rajiv Gandhi Academy of e-Learning at Shiv Darshan in Pune.

“Soon all government processes and procedures too will be done through internet, which will help curb corruption,” he added.

Meawhile, deputy chief minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar said the NCP wants a strong Lokpal bill.

He said the deadlock on the Lokpal Bill will be resolved through dialogue between the Centre and Team Anna.

When asked whether the Prime Minister and the judiciary should be brought under the purview of the Lokpal as demanded by Team Anna, Pawar said: “That will be explained by our senior leader (read NCP chief Sharad Pawar) only.”

“Let people decided whose bill they most like and I hope that the Union government will take a right decision,” he added.