Lokpal will be 'new Gaddafi': Shiv Sena

NEW DELHI: On the eve of introduction of a new Lokpal bill in Parliament, Shiv Sena today appealed to political parties to stop a "new Gaddafi" from taking birth.

Declaring that creation of the Lokpal was not the only way to eradicate corruption, Party General Secretary Sanjay Raut said that the passage of the bill could lead to the ombudsman controlling the nation.

"Stop a new Gaddafi from taking birth in the interest of the nation and Parliamentary democracy," the MP said.

Claiming that Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thacakrey was the first party chief to come out against the creation of the Lokpal to maintain supremacy of Parliament and its representatives, he said that other parties needed to follow suit.

Shiv Sena, he said, has always fought against corruption and has staged agitations on the issue. He claimed that Team Anna member Kiran Bedi has "no moral right" to agitate on the issue of corruption due to her alleged "acts of omission and commission".

He also took a dig at Anna Hazare's plans to shift the venue of his proposed fast from Delhi to Mumbai in view of the intense cold in the capita . He said that MPs have been attending Parliament in spite of the cold and have even extended the winter session.

No Anna effect: Cong, NCP sweep Maha civic polls

Mumbai: It is a big sweep for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress in the Maharashtra civic polls with the parties winning as many as 80 local bodies.

The opposition parties, Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to bag just 14 civic bodies.
The results suggest that anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and his campaign failed to have any affect on the elections.

The result is also interesting as the NCP and the Congress were not in an alliance in many regions.

Panel probing May breakdown goes easy on Spanco

NAGPUR: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray maybe sparring with anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare but the effect of his campaign is clear on the party. Deputy mayor and district party chief Shekhar Sawarbandhe said the party will give preference to candidates who are honest and have no criminal background for the NMC elections. Sawarbandhe, who himself has a post graduate degree, said that this time candidates must at least be a tenth class pass.

Sena has started preparations for civic polls. "Collective leadership and alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party will steer us to victory in civic election. A team of state unit recently visited the city and finalised the action plan for the polls. The party has started accepting forms from candidates," Sawarbandhe told TOI.

The ruling BJP-Shiv Sena are busy planning strategy and as is the Congress that has already held several meetings in the presence of state ministers and leaders in the city.

"We have a started mass communication programme. Our corporators and party leaders are working at ward levels to strengthen the network. There is no leadership crisis in the party. We are united and committed to retain power in NAGPUR municipal corporation," Sawarbandhe said.

In last civic polls, Sena had won from eight seats though it contest from 12. This time, the party is eyeing more seats, claimed the deputy mayor. The party has a strong base and committed voters in Nagpur, he said. "The response to the gatherings reflected the feelings of the masses. We are encouraged by the support and will continue our work ahead of the polls," he said.

The Congress and NCP's performance in both state and Centre has been dismal and the BJP-Shiv Sena has gained strength in city. The recent fuel hike will also help the alliance win votes, he added.

Interested candidates can collect the forms from the party office near Reshimbagh from 7 pm to 9 pm, he said, adding they will be accepted till November 15.

Anna Hazare's fast was like five-star event: Bal Thackeray

MUMBAI: Bal Thackeray was locked in a war of words on Friday with Anna Hazare who was warned not to indulge in 'enmity' and pick up a fight after the Gandhian mocked Shiv Sena chief's old age.

"You are younger to me. This childishness does not behove you," Thackeray (85) said after the anti-corruption crusader riled the Sena supremo over his remarks at the Sena's annual Dussehra rally here on Thursday.

During his speech, Thackeray had termed 74-year-old Hazare's anti-corruption movement a 'joke.' "Anna, corruption will not end in this country. Big fish are involved in this. Your net will get torn, but these fish will not be caught," he said.

Responding to the Sena chief's remarks, Hazare had mocked Thackeray's growing age. In a statement issued here on Friday, Thackeray said, "we can give a befitting reply to what Anna has said, because we are not Gandhian. Because you mentioned my rising age, let me tell you that you are younger to me and this childishness does not behove you." "Don't unnecessarily have enmity with us," Thackeray warned Hazare.

Thackeray on Thursday took potshots at Hazare saying his 13-day fast in Delhi in September looked like a "five-star" event. "It was a five-star fast...Do not make a mockery of (issue of) corruption," he said. "Anna, you are trying honestly to fight corruption, but the corruption would not go away this way..." Thackeray had said. He referred to the huge arrangements at the fast venue, Ramlila Ground in Delhi, including the arrangement for "meals for 35,000 people".

Reacting to the remarks, Hazare told reporters in Ralegan Siddhi that "whatever he (Thackeray) felt right, he said. We will do whatever we think is right". One should have the power to "bear insults", he added. The Sena had supported Hazare's anti-graft agitation earlier, and Thackeray's grandson, Aditya, had met the Gandhian during the fast.

Bal Thackeray calls Hazare's fast 'five-star'

MUMBAI: In a veiled attack on Anna Hazare, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Thursday said his fast looked like a "five-star" event, a comment which left the social activist unfazed.

"It was a five-star fast...Do not make a mockery of (issue of) corruption," he said.

"Anna, you are trying honestly to fight corruption, but the corruption would not go away this way..." Thackeray said at a Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena at Shivaji Park here.

He referred to the huge arrangements at the fast venue, Ramlila Ground in Delhi, including the arrangement for "meals for 35,000 people".

Reacting to the remarks, Hazare told reporters in Ralegan Siddhi that "whatever he (Thackeray) felt right, he said. We will do whatever we think is right".

One should have the power to "bear insults", he added. The Sena had supported Hazare's agitation earlier, and Thackeray's grandson, Aditya, had met Hazare during the fast.

Sena leader equates Hazare, Thackeray with Phule

Jalna (Maha): Senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi on Wednesday sought to equate Anna Hazare and Sena chief Bal Thackeray with legendary social reformer from Maharashtra Jyotiba Phule.

Phule had worked for social causes and against casteism. Hazare and Thackeray were working on the similar lines, the former Chief Minister said here in central Maharashtra.

Joshi was speaking after unveiling a statue of Phule at Jalna Municipal Council (JMC).

The former Lok Sabha Speaker said there was a misconception that Phule was against the Brahmins. The social reformer was against people who exploited weaker sections of the society.

Phule had worked for free and compulsory education to all. He had also worked against superstition and religious rituals, Joshi said.

RPI leader Ramdas Athavale, speaking on the occasion, hinted at his party's alliance with the Sena-BJP combine in the next Assembly elections.

The Sena-BJP alliance will come to power in the state in next polls scheduled in 2014, Athavale stated.

Anna Hazare fights defamation case in Bombay HC

MUMBAI: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has moved the Bombay high court seeking the quashing of defamation proceedings initiated against him in 2003 by Jalgaon politician Sureshdada Jain.

When the matter came up for hearing before the division bench of Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice P D Kode, the former recused himself, saying that he had earlier appeared as an advocate for Jain.

Additional public prosecutor Jayesh Yagnik submitted that the trial is nearing conclusion in a Jalgaon court and only Hazare's statement remains to be recorded.

The petition filed by Hazare pertains to defamatory statements Hazare made at a press meet in May 2003 in Jalgaon. Based on news reports, Jain filed complaints against Hazare at Jalgaon and Mumbai. The judicial magistrate issued criminal proceedings against him.

Hazare's petition sought that the complaints at Jalgaon and Mumbai be clubbed and tried simultaneously. His advocate, Rajeev Bhatt, argued that "two different complaints have been lodged based on the same news report.

Social activist Anna Hazare has moved the Bombay High Court urging quashing of defamation proceedings against him initiated in 2003 by Jalgaon politician Sureshdada Jain. Jain was then NCP minister and is now Shiv Sena MLA.

When the matter came up for hearing before the division bench of Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice P D Kode, the former recused himself saying he had earlier appeared as an advocate for Jain.

Before this, Additional Public Prosecutor Jayesh Yagnik submitted that the trial in a Jalgaon court is nearing conclusion and only Hazare's statement under Section 313 (examination of accused) of the Criminal Procedure Code remains to be recorded.

The petition filed by Kisan Baburao (71) alias Anna Hazare pertains to defamatory statements he made at a press-meet in May 2003 in Jalgaon. Based on the newsreports, Jain filed complaints against Hazare at Jalgaon on June 5, 2003 and at Mumbai on June 23, 2003. The judicial magistrate issued criminal proceedings against him. The petition stated that courts in Mumbai and Jalgaon recorded Hazare's statement in August and December 2003. The Aurangabad bench of the High Court directed the trial to be expedited in Jalgaon. The petition stated that there has been no progress of the trial in Mumbai.

In his petition, Hazare has stated that Jain has deliberately chosen to proceed with the trial at Jailgaon and not in Mumbai. It also Jain is pursuing the trial at Jalgaon first and not in Mumbai to see what defence Hazare takes before the court and will "accordingly fill lacunae in the complaint" before the Mumbai court. Hazare stated that because of such tactic, he will be deprived of an opportunity of fair trial in both courts.

Hazare's petition also alternately sought direction for complaints at Jalgaon and Mumbai to be clubbed and simultaneously tried His advocate Rajeev Bhatt argued that "two different complaints have been lodged based only on the same news report."