First Ever FIR Against Me, I Won't Forget This Day: Narendra Modi - India

30 apr 2014

First Ever FIR Against Me, I Won't Forget This Day: Narendra Modi

Photo: AFP

Narendra Modi had displayed the BJP symbol and taken a selfie at a polling booth in Gandhinagar

Tirupati: Narendra Modi, who was booked in Gujarat for violation of electoral laws, on Wednesday night said no FIR has ever been lodged against him in his entire life and asserted that he will never forget this day.

The 63-year-old BJP prime ministerial candidate also said that the FIR showed how shaken the Congress is, observing it was facing defeat and was worried that "a person who (once) eked out his livelihood by selling tea" was challenging it.

Addressing a campaign rally in Tirupati, Mr Modi said he has not committed any offence that warranted an FIR and that he only showed a lotus badge to people. Lotus is the symbol of the BJP.

 "To date in my entire life, not even a single FIR has been registered against me, not even for wrong-side scooter driving, and not even for wrong parking. Suddenly today when I landed here I came to know that an FIR has been registered against me...I will never forget April 30," he said.

One can understand if someone points (threatens with) a knife, a pistol or a gun (and FIR is registered). But do you know why FIR was registered against me? Because I showed a lotus to the people," he said.

The Congress was staring at defeat and "the Delhi government" was worried that a person who eked out his livelihood by selling tea was challenging them, he added.

Stoking a huge controversy earlier in the day, Mr Modi displayed the BJP symbol and made a speech in a polling booth in Gandhinagar in violation of electoral laws, following which
police filed an FIR against him.

The police action came after the Election Commission took serious note of the Gujarat Chief Minister's violation of electoral laws, under which no person can display any election matter or address a meeting in a polling booth on the day of election, and ordered filing of an FIR against Modi. 

Just married: Rani Mukerji, Aditya Chopra; Karan Johar attends wedding - India

21  apr 2014

Just married: Rani Mukerji, Aditya Chopra; Karan Johar attends wedding

 

Rani, star of films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Black and No One Killed Jessica , allegedly began dating Mr Chopra in 2008

Actress Rani Mukerji today confirmed that she married Aditya Chopra, the head of Yash Raj Films in Italy last night.

Among the select guests at the wedding was filmmaker Karan Johar, who directed Rani in her breakthrough film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and thereafter in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. Mr Johar tweeted today: And finally.Mr and Mrs Chopra.Love you both.

Uday Chopra, Aditya's younger brother, also tweeted a short while ago: We welcome Rani Chopra to the family.lots of love to the newly weds

"It was a beautiful wedding in the Italian countryside with just a few of our close family and friends with us. The one person I missed terribly was Yash Uncle, but I know he was there with us in spirit and his love and blessings will always be with Adi and me," said the 36-year-old star in a statement.

She added, "I have always believed in fairy-tales and with God's grace my life has been exactly like one, and now as I enter the most important chapter of my life - the fairy-tale continues."

Rani, star of films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Black and Bunty Aur Babli allegedly began dating Mr Chopra, 42, in 2008. He is divorced.

Mr Chopra, son of legendary Bollywood film-maker Yash Chopra, has directed blockbusters likeDilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, and Mohabbatein. 

Suspected militants kill sarpanch, his son in Jammu and Kashmir - India

21 apr 2014

Suspected militants kill sarpanch, his son in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar:  Suspected militants today killed a sarpanch and his son in south Kashmir's Tral area. According to the police, a few men barged into the house of Congress' sarpanch Ghulam Nabi Mir and started firing indiscriminately.

Mr Mir's son was critically injured in the firing, the police said, adding that he was shifted to hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Mr Mir is the second sarpanch who has been killed in the last three days.

A sarpanch affiliated to Opposition Peoples Democratic Party was shot dead by suspected militants in Pulwama district on Thursday.

Two unidentified gunmen knocked at the door of Mohammad Amin Pandith and asked him to come out on the pretext of discussing some poll-related issues, police said.

As soon as Mr Pandith reached the main gate of his residential compound, the suspected militants shot him dead, police said.

Pulwama district, which is part of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency, goes to polls on April 24 in the third phase.

AAP's Kumar Vishwas alleges 'death threat' in Amethi, FIR filed against Congress worker - India

21 apr 2014

AAP's Kumar Vishwas alleges 'death threat' in Amethi, FIR filed against Congress worker

Photo courtesy: AFP

AAP candidate Kumar Vishwas throws flower petals to supporters during his election campaign in Amethi

Amethi: Aam Aadmi Party's Kumar Vishwas, who is contesting against Rahul Gandhi, says he fears a "threat to his life" after a Congress worker was seen in a video talking to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra about killing him.

A First Information Report or FIR has been filed against Congress worker Vinod Mishra. Mr Vishwas also wanted to file the FIR against Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders, his supporters say, but it was not registered.

In the video, Mr Mishra, a Congress worker from Amethi, is seen stopping Priyanka Gandhi on the road and complaining about harassment by Kumar Vishwas and AAP workers. He is heard saying that he would "shoot" Mr Vishwas if nothing was done about it.

Priyanka Gandhi says "no, no don't talk like that. Come and meet me at the Munshiganj guest house." The video was reportedly taken on Tuesday, when Priyanka was on a campaign tour of her brother's constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Kumar Vishwas says the video is proof of a conspiracy being planned against him.

"Rahul-Priyanka close aide threatens to KILL me. Priyanka invites him to guest house to discuss," he tweeted.

He later told reporters that he was "afraid that my workers and I may be attacked. They can go to any length."

The Congress accused Mr Vishwas of twisting the episode to run a false campaign against the Gandhis. "It is obvious that Priyanka called the man to talk some sense into him.  Kumar Vishwas is interested only in cheap publicity," said the party's Meem Afzal. "I am sure he will even harm his own party one day."

Open letter written by Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar, Vishal Bhardwaj appealing voters to choose a secular party - India

20 apr 2014

Read: Open letter written by Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar, Vishal Bhardwaj appealing voters to choose a secular party

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Mumbai: More than two dozen well known film and music personalities have appealed to the voters to elect a secular party in the Lok Sabha election. Govind Nihalani, Vishal Bhardwaj, Imtiaz Ali, Shubha Mudgal, Swara Bhaskar have signed an open letter urging the voters to "vote for the secular party, which is most likely to win in your constituency".

Here's full text of their open letter

Dear Fellow-Indians,

A file photo of Imtiaz Ali.

The best thing about our country is its cultural diversity, its pluralism - the co-existence of a number of religions and ethnicities over centuries, and hence the blooming of multiple streams of intellectual and artistic thought. And, this has been possible only because Indian society has prided itself on being essentially secular in character, rejecting communal hatred, embracing tolerance.

Today, that very sense of India is vulnerable. The need of the hour is to protect our country's secular foundation. Undoubtedly, corruption and governance are important issues, but we will have to vigilantly work out ways of holding our government accountable to that. However, one thing is clear: India's secular character is not negotiable! Not now, not ever.

As Indian citizens who love our motherland, we appeal to you to vote for the secular party, which is most likely to win in your constituency.

Jai Hind!

Yours

Imtiaz Ali (Writer-Director: Highway, Jab We Met)

Vishal Bhardwaj (Writer-Director: Omkara, Maqbool)

Govind Nihalani (Director: Tamas, Ardh Satya)

Saeed Mirza (Director: Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai)

Zoya Akhtar (Writer-Director: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)

Anand Patwardhan (Documentary Film-maker: Jai Bhim Comrade)

Vijay Krishna Acharya (Director: Dhoom 3)

Kabir Khan (Director: Ek Tha Tiger)

Kundan Shah (Director: Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro)

Nandita Das (Director-Actress: Firaaq, Fire)

Hansal Mehta (Director: Shahid)

Anjum Rajabali (Writer: Raajneeti, Satyagraha)

Shubha Mudgal (Singer-Musician)

Swara Bhaskar (Actor: Raanjhana, Tanu Weds Manu)

Aditi Rao Hydari (Actor: Murder 3, Rockstar)

Mahesh Bhatt (Director-Producer: Saaraansh, Jannat)

Anil Mehta (Cinematographer: Lagaan, Jab Tak Hai Jaan)

Saket Chaudhary (Writer-Director: Shaadi Ke Side Effects)

Rakesh Sharma (Documentary Film-maker: Final Solution)

Vinay Shukla (Writer-Director: Godmother)

Kamlesh Pandey (Writer: Rang De Basanti)

Robin Bhatt (Writer: Chennai Express, Krish 3)

Aneesh Pradhan (Tabla Maestro)

Sanjay Chhel (Writer: Rangeela, Yes Boss)

Sameer Anjan (Lyricist: Dhoom 3, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai)

Imteyaz Husain (Writer: Parinda)

Rajesh Dubey (TV Writer: Balika Vadhu)

Vinod Ranganath (TV Writer: Shanti, Swaabhiman)

Jalees Sherwani (Lyricist: Dabang)

Amitabh Shukla (Film Editor: Lagaan)

Sukant Panigrahi (Art Director)

Surabhi Sharma (Documentary Film-maker)

Anusha Khan (Producer)

Bishwadeep Chatterjee (Sound Designer: 3 Idiots)

C.K. Muraleedharan (Cinematographer: 3 Idiots)

Dr Manasee Palshikar (Screenwriter-Teacher)

Jyoti Dogra (Actor:

Joy Sengupta (Actor)

Kauser Munir (Lyricist: Dhoom 3)

Mazahir Rahim (Screenwriter)

Nishant Radhakrishnan (Film Editor: Satyamev Jayate)

Preety Ali (Producer)

Priyanka Borpujari (Screenwriter)

Rajashree (Filmmaker-Teacher)

Ruchika Oberoi (Film-maker)

Rukmini Sen (Screenwriter and TV Journalist)

Sameera Iyengar (Theatre activist)

Sharad Tripathi (Screenwriter)

Shivani Tibrewala Chand (Playwright)

Siminatini Dhuru (Activist)

Sona Jain (Film-maker)

Tushar Gandhi (Activist)

Teesta Setalvaad (Activist)

Javed Anand (Activist)

AAP's Kumar Vishwas alleges 'death threat' in Amethi, FIR filed against Congress worker - India

19 apr 2014

AAP's Kumar Vishwas alleges 'death threat' in Amethi, FIR filed against Congress worker

Photo courtesy: AFP

AAP candidate Kumar Vishwas throws flower petals to supporters during his election campaign in Amethi

Amethi: Aam Aadmi Party's Kumar Vishwas, who is contesting against Rahul Gandhi, says he fears a "threat to his life" after a Congress worker was seen in a video talking to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra about killing him.

A First Information Report or FIR has been filed against Congress worker Vinod Mishra. Mr Vishwas also wanted to file the FIR against Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders, his supporters say, but it was not registered.

In the video, Mr Mishra, a Congress worker from Amethi, is seen stopping Priyanka Gandhi on the road and complaining about harassment by Kumar Vishwas and AAP workers. He is heard saying that he would "shoot" Mr Vishwas if nothing was done about it.

Priyanka Gandhi says "no, no don't talk like that. Come and meet me at the Munshiganj guest house." The video was reportedly taken on Tuesday, when Priyanka was on a campaign tour of her brother's constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Kumar Vishwas says the video is proof of a conspiracy being planned against him.

"Rahul-Priyanka close aide threatens to KILL me. Priyanka invites him to guest house to discuss," he tweeted.

He later told reporters that he was "afraid that my workers and I may be attacked. They can go to any length."

The Congress accused Mr Vishwas of twisting the episode to run a false campaign against the Gandhis. "It is obvious that Priyanka called the man to talk some sense into him.  Kumar Vishwas is interested only in cheap publicity," said the party's Meem Afzal. "I am sure he will even harm his own party one day."

In midst of election, another insider's book deals blow for Congress - India

14 apr 2014

In midst of election, another insider's book deals blow for Congress

Former coal secretary PC Parakh releasing his book 'Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and Other Truths' in New Delhi on Monday

New Delhi: A new book accuses Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of being weak and unable to stamp out corruption on his watch, the second recent attack by an insider that undermines the Congress party as it seeks re-election despite trailing in opinion polls.

PC Parakh retired as Coal Secretary in 2005. His book, released on Monday, called "Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and Other Truths" claims that the PM's inability to take on vested interests led to the scandal dubbed "Coal-Gate" in which ineligible firms were allegedly granted valuable coal licenses without a fair bidding process, costing the government hundreds of crores, according to the national auditor.

This is the second book in the last week to portray Dr Singh, prime minister since 2004, as a well-intentioned man of high personal integrity but one often unable to assert his authority.

The other, by Sanjaya Baru, a former media adviser to Singh, was greeted with glee by the BJP. The book, released on Friday, claims that the Prime Minister allowed his authority to be undermined by Sonia Gandhi, the president of the Congress party.

The BJP under prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is expected to emerge as the largest party in the election that ends on May 12, although surveys conducted before voting began last week suggest it is unlikely to win an outright majority and will need to form a coalition with other parties.

The Congress is headed for one of its weakest ever showings, the same polls showed.

In his book, Mr Parakh says that Dr Singh, though keen to introduce open bidding, could not tackle resistance from coal ministers in his administration. Mr  Parakh said he himself came under pressure from people interested in acquiring coal blocks.

"Pressures come in the form of enticements such as post-retirement assignments, partnership in business, bribery, blackmail or pure intimidation. Pressures also come from friends and relations," Mr Parakh writes in the book.

"Some can resist these pressures. Others succumb," he said, adding that at no time did the prime minister's office make recommendations or exert pressure in favor of any party.

The Congress said today that the book was a hatchet job. "It is all orchestrated. Narendra Modi's money is flowing in good measure these days," said party leader Digvijaya Singh.

The PM has consistently denied his government did anything wrong, blaming the delay in introducing competitive bidding on resistance from coal-rich states ruled by opposition parties.