Turmoil in Bangladesh : India needs to fulfil assurances
23 01 2015
Turmoil in Bangladesh : India needs to fulfil assurances
ASHOK B SHARMA
Peace and development in
India is possible, if there is peace and stability in the immediate
neighbourhood.. India, being the major economy in South Asia is of
course the main driver of growth in the region with its output of about
70%, but the performance of other countries in the region is the
contributing factor.
Notwithstanding the continuing global slowdown, the aggregate
growth in the economy of South Asia had remained steadfast after
suffering an initial dip. It is expected to grow at 4.9% in 2014 as per
latest UN survey and is projected to grow at 5.4%.
Let us not forget that though
India is a major economy in the region, two of its immediate neighbours
– Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are growing at a much faster rate. While
India is slated to grow at 5 odd percentage points, Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh have maintained a strong growth rate of 7.8% and 6.2%.
After the recent political developments in Sri Lanka, the Sirisena
government is on the job of pushing for more political and economic
reforms to ensure the island country’s stability.
Comparatively, the recent
happenings of a series of street protests in Bangladesh that began from
January 5 leading to violence like hurling of petrol bombs, cocktails at
buses and trains, uprooting railway tracks, derailing trains, attacks
on other vehicles and firing at law enforcement offices have raised
definite concerns. The attacks are led by the Bangladesh Nationalist
Party of Begum Khaleda Zia and Jammat-e-Islami who boycotted the January
2014 polls that brought Begum Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League to power.
In reference to the developments across its borders, India has
expressed its intention not to interfere in the matter and has left it
to the government and the people of Bangladesh “to determine what sort
of a society they want and what are the issues that they face.” That
said India wants peace, stability and democracy in Bangladesh.
But India cannot just wash off its hands and remain a mere
spectator. It has to honour its longstanding commitments to Bangladesh
like the Land Boundary Agreement that envisages the transfers of
enclaves and lands in adverse possessions on the 4,156 km border and
also sharing of Teesta waters. The Bill on Land Boundary Agreement is
also cleared by the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee
to be passed in both the Houses of the Parliament. There is a need to
pass this Bill !
Similarly, the sharing of Teesta waters should be immediately
implemented. The main opposition in the country to sharing of Teesta has
come from the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who seems to
have a different political agenda and vote bank politics in mind. It
seems there are similar political forces working in the Indian side in
West Bengal that is preventing Mamata Banerjee from going ahead with the
accord on sharing of Teesta waters.
However, it is the
responsibility of the central leadership of Prime Minister Narendrabhai
Damodardass Modi to overcome the hurdles posed by Mamata Banerjee and go
ahead on sharing of Teesta waters.
Apart from river Teesta,
there are 53 common rivers between the two countries. There should be
agreements between the two countries for adequate water sharing and for
facilitating trans-border water transport.
Peace and stability in
Bangladesh is crucial for peace and stability in the region including
India. Let us not forget the recent Burdwan blast that has Bangladeshi
connection. The Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri had declared to bring
Indian sub-continent, including Bangladesh within the ambit of the
outfit’s operation. Several home grown Bangladeshi militant outfits like
Harkatul Zihad, JMBA, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, Ansarullah, Taleban and Hizbut
Tahrir are already active and are giving Sheikh Hasina challenging
moments.
Dhaka and New Delhi took
significant steps to formalise security arrangements during the visit of
Sheikh Hasina to India in January 2010 by inking agreements on mutual
legal assistance on criminal matters, transfer of sentenced persons and
on combating international terrorism, organised crime and illicit drug
trafficking and also signed a coordinated border management plan.
Subsequently Extradition Treaty was signed in January 2013 between the
two countries. There are two joint task forces in operation, namely for
combating smuggling of fake currency notes and for curbing human
trafficking.
With such agreements in place
the two countries are better placed to handle terrorism. India should
help Bangladesh in tracing the war criminals of 1971 Liberation War if
they are illegally taking shelter in the country. Bangladesh should also
crackdown on insurgent elements, if they are taking shelter on its soil
and operating their activities in northeast India. It should also speed
up the extradition process of the insurgent Anup Chetia.
Bangladesh has adopted Vision
2001 Document to transform the country into a middle income, science
and technology based society and a Digital Bangladesh. It has miles to
go. Cooperation with India and it’s all round connectivity in the region
including India, Nepal and Bhutan as stipulated by Sheikh Hasina is
crucial. The Palatana Power Project in Tripura and export of 100 MW
power to Bangladesh is an unique example of power cooperation. Also
there are three border haats to facilitate land route trade, namely at
Kalaichar (India)-Baliamari (Bangladesh), Balat (India)-Dolora
(Bangladesh and the latest one linking Purba Madhugram in Bangladesh.
The two countries can explore the possibilities of reviving old road and
rail links that were in vogue in the British colonial regime.
Bangladesh can explore possibilities of investing in generation of
hydro-power in north-east India and subsequently its export.
Peace and stability in
Bangladesh is crucial for the progress of both India and Bangladesh
While the cooperation under SAARC is held up in hostage due to political
differences between India and Pakistan, the prospects of sub-regional
cooperation under BIMSTEC looks brighter. Here peace and stability in
India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand is
vital. India should, therefore, play a proactive role in bailing out
Sheikh Hasina by honouring its commitments.
(Ashok
B Sharma is renowned Columnist writing on strategic and policy issues
in many Indian and foreign newspapers and magazines. He frequently
writes in The Daily Observer of Bangladesh. He can be reached at ashokbsharma@gmail.com His mobile phone no +919810902204)
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Categories : Opinion, Politics
124TH OFFSHORE SECURITY COORDINATION COMMITTEE MEETING
23 01 2015
1. The 12th meeting of the Offshore Security Co-ordination
Committee (OSCC) was held at Mumbai on 23 Jan 15, under the Chairmanship
of Vice Admiral AG Thapliyal, AVSM & Bar, Director General Indian
Coast Guard, to review the preparedness and effectiveness of the
security of India’s offshore installations.
2. Addressing the meeting, Vice Admiral AG Thapliyal, AVSM & Bar, Chairman of OSCC underlined the need for stringent offshore security measures in view of the emerging threats at sea so as to ensure India’s energy security. The Chairman highlighted the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination and attributed the successful interception of a suspicious boat by the Indian Coast Guard on the midnight of 31 Dec 14, to the seamless coordination between various agencies. As a result of this, a major infiltration bid which could have posed serious threat to national security was averted by ICG based on credible intelligence input. The Chairman also highlighted the need for preparedness in view of the threat from adrift derelict vessels especially during the monsoon season
3. The agenda of the meeting agenda comprised of various issues pertaining to offshore security, inter-agency coordination, unregulated fishing around ODAs and establishment of Safety Fairways to facilitate safe passage of shipping traffic in the vicinity of Offshore Development Areas.
4. The OSCC was constituted by the erstwhile Ministry of Petroleum, Chemicals and Fertilizers in 1978, to ensure smooth and effective functioning of offshore security arrangements. The OSCC is the apex body for reviewing and evaluating Offshore Security in India. The Committee was revamped and expanded in 2006 under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The Committee comprises of members drawn from the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, IB and ONGC meets every six months to examine issues related to the safety and security of offshore assets.
2. Addressing the meeting, Vice Admiral AG Thapliyal, AVSM & Bar, Chairman of OSCC underlined the need for stringent offshore security measures in view of the emerging threats at sea so as to ensure India’s energy security. The Chairman highlighted the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination and attributed the successful interception of a suspicious boat by the Indian Coast Guard on the midnight of 31 Dec 14, to the seamless coordination between various agencies. As a result of this, a major infiltration bid which could have posed serious threat to national security was averted by ICG based on credible intelligence input. The Chairman also highlighted the need for preparedness in view of the threat from adrift derelict vessels especially during the monsoon season
3. The agenda of the meeting agenda comprised of various issues pertaining to offshore security, inter-agency coordination, unregulated fishing around ODAs and establishment of Safety Fairways to facilitate safe passage of shipping traffic in the vicinity of Offshore Development Areas.
4. The OSCC was constituted by the erstwhile Ministry of Petroleum, Chemicals and Fertilizers in 1978, to ensure smooth and effective functioning of offshore security arrangements. The OSCC is the apex body for reviewing and evaluating Offshore Security in India. The Committee was revamped and expanded in 2006 under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The Committee comprises of members drawn from the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, IB and ONGC meets every six months to examine issues related to the safety and security of offshore assets.
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Categories : Environment, Legal, Media, Transport
WEST BENGAL WILL FAVOUR SINGLE TAX-SINGLE AUTHORITY GST- DR. AMIT MITRA
23 01 2015
23rd January, 2015
West Bengal Finance Minister Dr.Amit Mitra while addressing a large
gathering of trade leaders of all over the Country spelled out in clear
terms that dual GST will not be acceptable to Government of West Bengal
as instead of simplifying it will further complicate the taxation system
and small businesses will not be able to comply with complexities and
therefore a Single Tax and Single governing Authority is the only way
out to simplify and rationalise the indirect tax structure. He was
speaking at All India Trade & Industry Convention held yesterday at
Asansol in West Bengal jointly by the Confederation of All India Traders
(CAIT) and Federation of South Bengal Chamber of Commerce &
Industry. Trade Leaders of more than 18 states of the Country
participated in the Convention.Addressing the huge gathering, he said that small businesses in the Country is life line of the economy and as such greater focus must be given to this sector in terms of policy support and providing better business avenues to them. ” The small businesses comprising of entire non corporate sector is providing about 94% employment in the Country and is making more than 45% contribution to national GDP and therefore greater emphasis needs to be laid on this sector in terms of ensuring growth in Indian economy”-said Dr. Mitra.
While spelling out various actions taken by the West Bengal Government to provide relief to traders, he said that West Bengal is the first state in the Country which is having e-taxation system thereby reducing the contact between traders and officials to minimal which has also resulted into rein in the corrupt practices. There is no Check Post or Octroi in West Bengal which provides free movement of goods between the State. He also said that the West Bengal Government is opposed to FDI in Retail and assure the convention that West Bengal Government will take necessary actions to check E Commerce business in the State.
Earlier, CAIT Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal called upon the West Bengal Finance Minister to draw support policies for the non corporate sector including trading ciommunity since the issue has been included as a fundamental in preamble of recently formed NITI Aayog by the Central Government. He also said that a seprate financial system for the non corporate sector is need of the hour as Banks have failed to provide financial assistance to trading community in last 67 years post Independence which has prompted Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley to declare formation of a viable financial architecture for SMEs in his speech of Budget-2014. Considering the magnitude of contribution being given by the non corporate sector in GDP, employment, domestic manufacturing and exports, the time has come when focus of development should be shifted from Corporate to Non Corporate Sector-said Khandelwal.
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Categories : Business
23
01
2015
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Categories : Uncategorized
The Dean
Faculty of Social Sciences at South Asian University
New Delhi cordially invites you to the
‘Contributions to Contemporary Knowledge Lecture – 2015′
Gandhi as a Global Thinker:
Legacies of the Anti-Colonial Revolution
By
Keith Hart
Centennial Professor of Economic Anthropology
Department of International Development, London School of Economics
and
International Director
Human Economy Program, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Chaired by
Sugata Bose
Gardiner Professor of History
Harvard University
Date and Time
Thursday, 29 January 2015; 06.00 PM
Venue
The Multi Purpose Hall
India International Center
New Delhi
Faculty of Social Sciences at South Asian University
New Delhi cordially invites you to the
‘Contributions to Contemporary Knowledge Lecture – 2015′
Gandhi as a Global Thinker:
Legacies of the Anti-Colonial Revolution
By
Keith Hart
Centennial Professor of Economic Anthropology
Department of International Development, London School of Economics
and
International Director
Human Economy Program, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Chaired by
Sugata Bose
Gardiner Professor of History
Harvard University
Date and Time
Thursday, 29 January 2015; 06.00 PM
Venue
The Multi Purpose Hall
India International Center
New Delhi
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Categories : Uncategorized
UN Women seminar
23 01 2015UN WOMEN seminar on equity focused and gender responsive evaluation
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Categories : culture, Education
Arvind response to the notice by the Election Commission
23 01 2015
My response to the notice by the Election Commission on a complaint by the BJP Delhi unit.
BEFORE THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD
NEW DELHI
SUBJECT: COMMENTS AND EXPLANATION ON THE COMPLAINT DATED15/01/2015 FILED BY SH. SATISH UPADHYAY, PRESIDENT, BHARTIYAJANTA PARTY, DELHI PRADESH
In respect of the matter referred to above the following is submitted for the Commission’s kind perusal:
1. It is respectfully submitted that the allegations levelled against me in the complaint are malafide and motivated. It is apparently a counter blast by the Complainant and/or his Party to distract the people by diverting attention.
2. I deny the allegations of the Complainant in toto. The information disseminated during the press conference was based on cogent and reliable material available in public domain and ground perception among the local public at large.
3. I draw the attention of this Commission to the following documents:
a. Copy of the press release dated 14.01.2015;
b. Download from the website www.mca.gov.in showing list of the companies in which Mr. Satish Upadhay is a director;
c. Download from /www.bsesdelhi.com/docs showing the Complainant’s company in the list of approved electricity services vendor at serial no. 97 having vendor code 232306;
d. Download from indiaMart.com containing proclamation of the Complainant’s company about being the blue eyed chip of BSES which is a prominent electricity services company in Delhi at loggerheads with public over fast electricity metres;
e. Download from election watch showing acknowledgement by the Complainant that he owns substantial interest in the company named therein;
f. Copy of letter no. 610 dated 09.10.2014 with copy of letter dated 25.09.2014 regarding the two TIN nos. of the same company in question;
g. Copy of form no. 26AS of the company in question; (dim on print)
h. Copy of allottees of shares in New Delhi Communication Network ltd.
Perusal of above shows up the falsehood and malafide of the allegations levelled by Sh. Satish Upadhay against me. These are self explanatory.
The press conference only raised these questions to bring the actual situation to the knowledge of the general public. The conflict of interest of the Complainant is patently obvious. The brouhaha by the Complainant is a vain attempt to save face.
I submit that the Model Code of Conduct is brought into force to ensure that the public is not misled. This includes the responsibility of every political party or its worker to disclose upfront all information in respect of issue where the same is in conflict with electorate’s collective interest. Unfortunately, this was not done by the Complainant both personally or in his capacity as the Pradesh President of his Party.
Electricity is one such domain.
The Complainant ought to have disclosed the position on his own. In fact the Complainant has failed the people of Delhi. Even his own party has not fielded him at this election. Unfortunately, till date the moot question asked from them awaits their answer i.e. The Complainant and his Party make it clear as to what will be their stand in respect of the matters when our government after the instant election would be expected to critically examine and audit the functioning of DISCOMS to insulate public interest from poaching by vested interest?
It is intriguing that Sh. Ashish Sood has not signed the complaint and nor Sh. Satish Upadhay has provided any authority from Ashish Sood authorizing Sh. Satish Upadhay to make any allegation on his behalf.
The allegation tacitly suggesting as if I have invented the information contained in these public documents and documents in public domain is untrue to the knowledge of the Complainant. I deny each and every innuendo, allegation, imputation and attribution to me therein.
It is the duty of every citizen to place in public domain any information showing such conflict. The Model Code of Conduct does not work against such information. Disclosure of such information as can show up such conflict of interest with public interest only goes to promote the Model Code regardless of anybody’s discomfort with the same.
In my view People and Public good alone matters. Any conflict of interest with Public good cannot be kept out of public eye especially when Public is in process of electing its representatives.
In fact the complaint seeks to make light of this cardinal principle as well as the Model Code which cannot be allowed. The crocodile tears of the complainant are self serving.
Further the information provided by the NCNL Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. to the Indiamart.com belies the assertions made by Shri Satish Upadhyay in his complaint including his claim that his company does not do business with BSES anymore. The complaint is liable to be dismissed as the Complainant has not come to this Commission with clean hands. It is pertinent to mention that I have not learnt that the Complainant has taken any action against Indiamart.com.
The essence was that a person and a Party that encourages any person to lead the election campaign seeking votes for a right to Govern, whereby such person having vested business interests with companies having billions of rupee stake annually in enterprise falling in domain of such Governance (Delhi Government has 49% partnership with BSES 51%), ought to disclose such interests to the electorate when such public offices are sought by it. I honestly believe that the Model Code of Conduct certainly does not work against such a premise.
It is now a fact that BJP now has a new campaign leader for the forthcoming elections after revelation of the above information and even the Complainant is now not given a ticket to contest the forthcoming elections. Obviously, there is no substance in the complaint. The same is liable to be dismissed.
EXPLANATION IN REGARD TO PARA 9 OF THE NOTICE
In Para 8 of the notice the Commission has expressed that it is prima facie of the view that by making the statement as mentioned in Para 6 of the complaint I have violated sub-para (1) of Para 1 of the Model Code of Conduct and have called for my explanation.
At the outset I respectfully submit that the malafide and false content, purpose and intent of the Complaint has been shown. I urge that the prima-facie view formed may be reconsidered. I hold the Model Code in highest esteem and cannot fathom to violate it. I have not violated the code at all leave alone wilfully, seriously or blatantly. The Complainant is venting his frustration. It is the Complainant who has violated the model code by wilfully, falsely and blatantly making frivolous allegations in the garb of instant complaint with oblique motive to save face at expense of the public spirited process of this Commission. It is an abuse of the process of this Commission which ought to be viewed seriously.
I draw the kind attention of this Commission to the press reports dated 28.10.2014 and 3.11.2014 published in the Indian Express.
Perusal of the press report dated 28.10.2014 above shows that a mob left the premises of Mr. Sunil Vaid, a Party worker of the Complainant’s Party, just before the abhorable incident.
A further perusal of these press reports informing the general public about the police reports demonstrate that the remarks during the press conference were based upon information available in public domain. The comments were made in respect of past events and not to give rise to any fresh event. These were in nature of an opinion which I feel every citizen has a right to hold and express based on bonafide impressions drawn from information in circulation in public domain. The complainant has magnified the remarks. The remarks made at a press conference to media and not to a congregation of persons from a particular community about past events and inferences drawn therefrom are liable to be understood as an expression of a view and are understood as such. These remarks contain no potency to aggravate any existing differences or strength to create any mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic. People are wiser and their sensitivity tolerance has to be viewed in light of the fact that they do not form mass view based on such expression of views on past events. Moreover it was not an address to a congregation of people rather it was a press conference as mentioned above.
It is further submitted that the there is no proof or material disclosed by the Complainant to show that any mutual hatred, discord or tension got created between different communities and people of Delhi as a consequence of the such remarks at the press conference.
Recently one MP of BJP, Ms Sadhawi Niranjan was seen calling all those who don’t vote for BJP as “HARAMJADA” in a public meeting and those who vote for BJP as “RAMJAADA”. It is well known that this proclamation was fully detested and there was a political and public outcry. The attack on the church close to this statement gives rise to the possibility of linkage between the two which has not been ruled out as yet. Inference from these developments as a common man is at the root of the impression voiced by me. Further, there is no evidence anywhere to indicate any fall out thereof as alleged. The Complainant is making a mountain out of mole hill. Incidentally, the said MP still continues to hold her Ministerial office.
My innocent and honest bonafide opinion expressed about past incidents especially when cogent and reliable information in that regard was already in circulation in public domain cannot be appreciated with a narrow outlook. The Complainant who has been shown to have approached this Commission with unclean hands is magnifying the same with ulterior motive to mislead this Commission. In my humble submission the honest and well meaning process of this commission cannot be allowed to be abused as endeavored by the Complainant.
It is therefore respectfully requested that in view of my comments and explanation above this Commission may graciously be pleased to dismiss the complaint and withdraw the Notice under response.
New Delhi (Arvind Kejriwal)
Dated: January 22,2015 National Convener, AAP
BEFORE THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD
NEW DELHI
SUBJECT: COMMENTS AND EXPLANATION ON THE COMPLAINT DATED15/01/2015 FILED BY SH. SATISH UPADHYAY, PRESIDENT, BHARTIYAJANTA PARTY, DELHI PRADESH
In respect of the matter referred to above the following is submitted for the Commission’s kind perusal:
1. It is respectfully submitted that the allegations levelled against me in the complaint are malafide and motivated. It is apparently a counter blast by the Complainant and/or his Party to distract the people by diverting attention.
2. I deny the allegations of the Complainant in toto. The information disseminated during the press conference was based on cogent and reliable material available in public domain and ground perception among the local public at large.
3. I draw the attention of this Commission to the following documents:
a. Copy of the press release dated 14.01.2015;
b. Download from the website www.mca.gov.in showing list of the companies in which Mr. Satish Upadhay is a director;
c. Download from /www.bsesdelhi.com/docs showing the Complainant’s company in the list of approved electricity services vendor at serial no. 97 having vendor code 232306;
d. Download from indiaMart.com containing proclamation of the Complainant’s company about being the blue eyed chip of BSES which is a prominent electricity services company in Delhi at loggerheads with public over fast electricity metres;
e. Download from election watch showing acknowledgement by the Complainant that he owns substantial interest in the company named therein;
f. Copy of letter no. 610 dated 09.10.2014 with copy of letter dated 25.09.2014 regarding the two TIN nos. of the same company in question;
g. Copy of form no. 26AS of the company in question; (dim on print)
h. Copy of allottees of shares in New Delhi Communication Network ltd.
Perusal of above shows up the falsehood and malafide of the allegations levelled by Sh. Satish Upadhay against me. These are self explanatory.
The press conference only raised these questions to bring the actual situation to the knowledge of the general public. The conflict of interest of the Complainant is patently obvious. The brouhaha by the Complainant is a vain attempt to save face.
I submit that the Model Code of Conduct is brought into force to ensure that the public is not misled. This includes the responsibility of every political party or its worker to disclose upfront all information in respect of issue where the same is in conflict with electorate’s collective interest. Unfortunately, this was not done by the Complainant both personally or in his capacity as the Pradesh President of his Party.
Electricity is one such domain.
The Complainant ought to have disclosed the position on his own. In fact the Complainant has failed the people of Delhi. Even his own party has not fielded him at this election. Unfortunately, till date the moot question asked from them awaits their answer i.e. The Complainant and his Party make it clear as to what will be their stand in respect of the matters when our government after the instant election would be expected to critically examine and audit the functioning of DISCOMS to insulate public interest from poaching by vested interest?
It is intriguing that Sh. Ashish Sood has not signed the complaint and nor Sh. Satish Upadhay has provided any authority from Ashish Sood authorizing Sh. Satish Upadhay to make any allegation on his behalf.
The allegation tacitly suggesting as if I have invented the information contained in these public documents and documents in public domain is untrue to the knowledge of the Complainant. I deny each and every innuendo, allegation, imputation and attribution to me therein.
It is the duty of every citizen to place in public domain any information showing such conflict. The Model Code of Conduct does not work against such information. Disclosure of such information as can show up such conflict of interest with public interest only goes to promote the Model Code regardless of anybody’s discomfort with the same.
In my view People and Public good alone matters. Any conflict of interest with Public good cannot be kept out of public eye especially when Public is in process of electing its representatives.
In fact the complaint seeks to make light of this cardinal principle as well as the Model Code which cannot be allowed. The crocodile tears of the complainant are self serving.
Further the information provided by the NCNL Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. to the Indiamart.com belies the assertions made by Shri Satish Upadhyay in his complaint including his claim that his company does not do business with BSES anymore. The complaint is liable to be dismissed as the Complainant has not come to this Commission with clean hands. It is pertinent to mention that I have not learnt that the Complainant has taken any action against Indiamart.com.
The essence was that a person and a Party that encourages any person to lead the election campaign seeking votes for a right to Govern, whereby such person having vested business interests with companies having billions of rupee stake annually in enterprise falling in domain of such Governance (Delhi Government has 49% partnership with BSES 51%), ought to disclose such interests to the electorate when such public offices are sought by it. I honestly believe that the Model Code of Conduct certainly does not work against such a premise.
It is now a fact that BJP now has a new campaign leader for the forthcoming elections after revelation of the above information and even the Complainant is now not given a ticket to contest the forthcoming elections. Obviously, there is no substance in the complaint. The same is liable to be dismissed.
EXPLANATION IN REGARD TO PARA 9 OF THE NOTICE
In Para 8 of the notice the Commission has expressed that it is prima facie of the view that by making the statement as mentioned in Para 6 of the complaint I have violated sub-para (1) of Para 1 of the Model Code of Conduct and have called for my explanation.
At the outset I respectfully submit that the malafide and false content, purpose and intent of the Complaint has been shown. I urge that the prima-facie view formed may be reconsidered. I hold the Model Code in highest esteem and cannot fathom to violate it. I have not violated the code at all leave alone wilfully, seriously or blatantly. The Complainant is venting his frustration. It is the Complainant who has violated the model code by wilfully, falsely and blatantly making frivolous allegations in the garb of instant complaint with oblique motive to save face at expense of the public spirited process of this Commission. It is an abuse of the process of this Commission which ought to be viewed seriously.
I draw the kind attention of this Commission to the press reports dated 28.10.2014 and 3.11.2014 published in the Indian Express.
Perusal of the press report dated 28.10.2014 above shows that a mob left the premises of Mr. Sunil Vaid, a Party worker of the Complainant’s Party, just before the abhorable incident.
A further perusal of these press reports informing the general public about the police reports demonstrate that the remarks during the press conference were based upon information available in public domain. The comments were made in respect of past events and not to give rise to any fresh event. These were in nature of an opinion which I feel every citizen has a right to hold and express based on bonafide impressions drawn from information in circulation in public domain. The complainant has magnified the remarks. The remarks made at a press conference to media and not to a congregation of persons from a particular community about past events and inferences drawn therefrom are liable to be understood as an expression of a view and are understood as such. These remarks contain no potency to aggravate any existing differences or strength to create any mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic. People are wiser and their sensitivity tolerance has to be viewed in light of the fact that they do not form mass view based on such expression of views on past events. Moreover it was not an address to a congregation of people rather it was a press conference as mentioned above.
It is further submitted that the there is no proof or material disclosed by the Complainant to show that any mutual hatred, discord or tension got created between different communities and people of Delhi as a consequence of the such remarks at the press conference.
Recently one MP of BJP, Ms Sadhawi Niranjan was seen calling all those who don’t vote for BJP as “HARAMJADA” in a public meeting and those who vote for BJP as “RAMJAADA”. It is well known that this proclamation was fully detested and there was a political and public outcry. The attack on the church close to this statement gives rise to the possibility of linkage between the two which has not been ruled out as yet. Inference from these developments as a common man is at the root of the impression voiced by me. Further, there is no evidence anywhere to indicate any fall out thereof as alleged. The Complainant is making a mountain out of mole hill. Incidentally, the said MP still continues to hold her Ministerial office.
My innocent and honest bonafide opinion expressed about past incidents especially when cogent and reliable information in that regard was already in circulation in public domain cannot be appreciated with a narrow outlook. The Complainant who has been shown to have approached this Commission with unclean hands is magnifying the same with ulterior motive to mislead this Commission. In my humble submission the honest and well meaning process of this commission cannot be allowed to be abused as endeavored by the Complainant.
It is therefore respectfully requested that in view of my comments and explanation above this Commission may graciously be pleased to dismiss the complaint and withdraw the Notice under response.
New Delhi (Arvind Kejriwal)
Dated: January 22,2015 National Convener, AAP
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Categories : Business, Legal, Media, Politics
Shanti Bhushan: Kiran Bedi will make a very good CM
23 01 2015
Shanti has expressed Arvind to leave post of convener, as per constitution of AAP the convener has immense power which was suggested by daughter of Shanti based in US to have strong and different constitution to Arvind for his AAP.
Arvind’s fastidious, imbalance and irrational approach nature is known to his friends, media but Arvind too knows he uses to get the instant fame for himself at the cost of naive & poor quality of media all in the ambit of comforts of money.
Shanti praising, Kiran Bedi, declaring that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s chief ministerial candidate would give Delhi a very clean and efficient government.
The senior AAP leader came out in Kiran Bedi’s support and called the move by BJP to project Kiran Bedi as Delhi chief ministerial candidate as a masterstroke.
Shanti Bhushan told ANI: ‘It is a master stroke by the BJP to bring Kiran Bediji and declare her party’s CM candidate. Kiranji made a huge contribution to ‘India Against Corruption’, She would provide a very clean and efficient administration.’
He added that all was not well within the AAP and even stated that the party should be happy if the former IPS officer becomes the chief minister of Delhi.
“AAP was born out of a crusade against corruption, so they should be happy if a member (Kiran Bedi) of the same crusade becomes chief minister. I think everything is not right in AAP, the party is not being run on lines it was expected to run or what it was established for,” said Bhushan.
The senior leader also called for a reorientation within AAP stating they must stress on “reforming political system and improving political standards”.
While Kiran Bedi thanked Bhushan for his support, the AAP was quick to defend itself.
“Ours is a democratic party, he has every right to express his opinion. But party does not subscribe to his opinion, Kiranji has shown political opportunism and somersault on her part,” said party spokesperson Ashutosh.
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