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Stop peeping, focus on governance: Sena tells Modi

PTI | Mumbai |

In a vitriolic attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his jibe at Manmohan Singh, bickering ally Shiv Sena on Monday asked him to stop peeping in others' bathrooms, maintain the dignity of his office and concentrate on governance instead of threatening opposition parties by flagging their horoscopes.

"Modi, while campaigning in UP, threatened that he has the horoscope of opposition parties while Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav retorted by saying horoscopes of all are freely available on internet. This is an example of how low the level of campaign has plummeted," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

"At least the PM and the CM should not be a part of such mudslinging. The Chair has immense integrity and the person occupying it should make sure its dignity is upheld," it said.

"What has to happen in UP polls will happen. But the PM should concentrate on Delhi and the CMs on their states. One should not peep into others' bathrooms. This should be avoided," it said, alluding to Modi's 'raincoat' remark targeting former PM Manmohan Singh and the subsequent retort to it by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

The Sena said the use of government machinery by those holding constitutional posts to threaten opposition parties amounts to "political corruption."

"But all these are taking place openly. The PM and the CM, while campaigning, threaten, challenge, make announcements and promises. Under which rule of law could they do this," it questioned.

"You have the Opposition's horoscopes because you are in power. By removing their 'kundalis' (horoscopes), you are in a way abusing your power. You are not elected to power to do this. Your horoscope too will be available to your successors once you step down from power," the editorial said.

On Modi's jibe at Akhilesh Yadav, the Sena said if law and order problems persist in UP and women are unsafe, what are the BJP MPs elected from the state doing about the issue.

Grammys: Bruno Mars, Morris Day, The Time pay tribute to Prince

IANS |

The Time, Bruno Mars and Morris Day paid tribute to Prince at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards here by performing the late singer's popular tracks like "Jungle love", "The bird" and "Let's go crazy".

The performance on Sunday began with the band The Time singing "Jungle love" followed by "The bird". Mars took the limelight at one point when he appeared in full and sparkling purple Prince regalia and later performed "Let's go crazy", busting out some huge guitar solos on a Prince guitar.

It's not just on stage, Prince was remembered by star couple Beyoncé Knowles and Jay Z's five-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter too who stole the show at the 2017 Grammys with an outfit that paid tribute to the late musical icon.

Wearing a pink suit with a ruffled collar shirt similar to looks Prince wore while performing, Blue Ivy sat on her father's lap during the awards show.

Prince was found dead at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota on April 21 last year.

The award gala also saw Adele paying tribute to singer George Michael, who died on December 25, 2016 at the age of 53.

Reliance Defence signs warship repair pact with US Navy

PTI | New Delhi |

Months after India and US signed a key logistics pact, Reliance Defence and Engineering Monday announced an agreement with the American Navy for repair and alteration services for warships of the largest forward- deployed Seventh Fleet operating in the region.

The Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility includes the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean and at any given time there are roughly 50 70 ships and submarines, 140 aircraft and approximately 20,000 sailors under its command.

A statement by the Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) controlled RDEL said it has signed the Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with US Navy.

It added that earlier in January, Reliance Shipyard was qualified by US Navy as an approved contractor to perform complex repair and alteration services for the US Navy's Seventh Fleet vessels operating in the region.

Reliance Shipyard at Pipavav, Gujarat is the first shipyard in India to have received MSRA Certification to undertake servicing and repairing works for the vessels of Seventh Fleet.

It is estimated that the potential business for RDEL will be very high.

The fleet has about 100 vessels of different types, including auxiliaries. Currently, the vessels of US Navy's Seventh Fleet visit Singapore or Japan for such works.

Reliance Shipyard has been selected after a detailed site survey by US Government representatives in end October 2016, the statement said.

After over a decade of negotiations, India and the US had in August last year signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), a tweaked India-specific version of the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), which the US has with several countries with close military-to-military ties.

The pact enables their militaries to use each other's assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, making joint operations more efficient.

LEMOA facilitates the provision of logistical support, supplies and services between the US and Indian militaries on a reimbursable basis and provides a framework to govern them.

This may include food, water, billeting, transportation, petroleum, oils, lubricants, clothing, medical services, spare parts and components, repair and maintenance, training and other logistical services.

Former Pak envoy to US questions Islamabad’s Kashmir policy

PTI | Washington |

Questioning Pakistan's decades- old Kashmir policy, a former top envoy of the country has said even resolving the issue would unlikely address the challenge of terrorism, sectarian conflict or the Taliban abandoning its goal of establishing an "old Islamic order" in Afghanistan.

"Even if Kashmir is resolved how would that end sectarian terrorism, because sectarian terrorism is about killing people who do not have same religious sect as you have. How would resolving Kashmir stop the Taliban, who are aimed at creating their old Islamic order in Afghanistan," former Pakistani ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani told a Washington audience on Friday.

"So sometimes … making this a hyper nationalistic argument on the side of Pakistan and a very simplistic (one) that we have no choice in Pakistan's approach in America …

We want both sides to actually rethink their positions," he said.

He said this during a discussion on a report, released by nearly a dozen top American thinktanks, that urges the Trump administration for a tougher line against Pakistan, involving both pragmatic engagement and consequences for uncooperative behaviour.

'A New US Approach to Pakistan: Enforcing Aid Conditions without Cutting Ties'- co-authored by Lis Curtis of The Heritage Foundation and Haqqani of the Hudson Institute- stops short of recommending declaring Pakistan a 'state sponsor of terrorism'.

Authored by a group of eminent US-based Pakistan experts, it calls for a sharper, clear-eyed US policy approach towards Pakistan.

"Pakistan needs to do a little introspection that can we continue this for ever and ever and still have credibility," Haqqani said about Islamabad's continued support to terrorist activities against its neighbours.

During the discussion, Haqqani was joined by Curtis and Christine Fair, a Georgetown University scholar and South Asia expert.

Fair, in her intervention, said Pakistan was "obsessed with trying to illegally occupy" other's territory.

The discussion witnessed acrimonious scenes when a group of pro-Pakistani people, including officials from the Pakistan embassy here and journalists, tried to disrupt the event.

One of the individuals was forced to leave the venue, as he repeatedly tried to disrupt the proceedings. While leaving, the individual accused Haqqani of being a "RAW agent."

Have a heartfelt, warm relationship with Murthy: Sikka

PTI | New Delhi |

Vishal Sikka, the embattled chief of Infosys, on Monday said he has always shared a "heartfelt, warm relationship" with the company's co-founder NR Narayana Murthy.

The comments come at a time when there has been a lot of buzz around some of the founders flagging concerns about governance lapses at Infosys and issues like hike in Sikka's compensation to $11 million and huge severance pay doled out to former executives, Rajiv Bansal and David Kennedy.

Asked about his relationship with the founders, Sikka said: "My relationship with the founders? It is wonderful. I meet Mr Murthy quite frequently…I have always had a heartfelt warm relationship with Mr Murthy, probably meet him 4-5-6 times a year." 

He added that he, however, hasn't met the other founders off late.

Describing Murthy as an "incredible man", Sikka said the two usually discussed topics like quantum physics and technology whenever they met.

"The other day he was telling me about the Paris Metro and how he worked on the Paris Metro in the 1970s before he started Infosys, and it had this whole ideas about automation and autonomous driving and all," he reminisced.

Sikka, speaking at Kotak's Chasing Growth Conference in Mumbai, said the "drama" going on in the media is very "distracting".

"It takes away our attention but underneath that, there is a very strong fabric that this company is based on. And it is a real privilege for me to be its leader," he added.

Sikka is scheduled to meet media representatives this evening along with some of the Board members.

Infosys, on its part, has denied any governance lapses and said it has made "full disclosures" on all developments.

Another issue that some of the former senior executives have raised is the huge cash pile of $5.25 billion that Infosys has.

Asked about his views on the matter, Sikka said his "official" answer is that the Board, from time to time, will consider capital allocation policies and when there is something to report, the company will do so.

"The unofficial answer is, you look at the circumstances over the next 4-5 years, what you need the capital for and then decide. In our case, it is the strategic growth initiatives, capital for building infrastructure and then acquisitions," he said.

Based on how that mix changes over the next 5 years, one takes a decision on how the cash is utilised, he added.

Class five exams to be conducted by separate board in Rajasthan

PTI | Ajmer |

Class five examinations in Rajasthan will now be conducted by a separate board starting this year, state education minister Vasudev Devnani has said.

The examinations will start from March 30. As is the case with the Class 10 boards exams, the questions papers for all class five students will be the same, Devnani told reporters here on Sunday.

If student does not clear the exam he will got one more chance after a month. Clearing the examination is compulsory for advancing to the next class, Devnani said. Students are not failed up to fifth class at present.

The class eight examination in the state has also been conducted by a separate board for the last three years.

Devnani said to increase in quality in education in rural areas, the state government has decided to appoint a Panchayat Extension Officer in every Gram Panchayat from the next session starting June 17.

There are more than 9,800 gram panchayats in the state.

At present, only one Block Education Officer is working in every Panchayat Samiti.

The education minister also said that the education department has proposed to government for establishing a State Council of Education, Research & Training (SCERT) that will function similar to the NCERT.

Devnani also said the student uniforms will be changed in all government schools of the state from the new session.

Three lakh bicycles will be distributed to every girl child studying in 9th class in March. 27,000 laptops will also be distributed to students who topped 8th, 10th & 12th Board examinations.

The minister said that a new Education Law 2017 has also been proposed to the government.

Class five exams to be conducted by separate board in Rajasthan

PTI | Ajmer |

Class five examinations in Rajasthan will now be conducted by a separate board starting this year, state education minister Vasudev Devnani has said.

The examinations will start from March 30. As is the case with the Class 10 boards exams, the questions papers for all class five students will be the same, Devnani told reporters here on Sunday.

If student does not clear the exam he will got one more chance after a month. Clearing the examination is compulsory for advancing to the next class, Devnani said. Students are not failed up to fifth class at present.

The class eight examination in the state has also been conducted by a separate board for the last three years.

Devnani said to increase in quality in education in rural areas, the state government has decided to appoint a Panchayat Extension Officer in every Gram Panchayat from the next session starting June 17.

There are more than 9,800 gram panchayats in the state.

At present, only one Block Education Officer is working in every Panchayat Samiti.

The education minister also said that the education department has proposed to government for establishing a State Council of Education, Research & Training (SCERT) that will function similar to the NCERT.

Devnani also said the student uniforms will be changed in all government schools of the state from the new session.

Three lakh bicycles will be distributed to every girl child studying in 9th class in March. 27,000 laptops will also be distributed to students who topped 8th, 10th & 12th Board examinations.

The minister said that a new Education Law 2017 has also been proposed to the government.

Nifty consolidates at 4-month highs; BoB drops 8%

Statesman News Service | New Delhi |

Broader markets started the week on a flat note on Monday as traders hesitated to extend aggressive long positions despite a modest uptick across Asia.

Cautious mood prevailed in the first two hours of trade on the National Stock Exchange as investors cherry picked private banks and software stocks while pressing heavy sales on Bank of Baroda and some realty shares. Public sector Bank of Baroda was under the spotlight, down 8 per cent, on very heavy volumes as third quarter profit halved versus the second quarter and non performing assets rose when compared with the year-ago period.

The Nifty quoted flat at 8,792 points and practically no major index, except for the PSU banking benchmark, showed strong activity on either side of the price equation.

Here are the major events of the trading day so far:

* Hindalco, Kotak Bank, Eicher Motor, Yes Bank and Tata Steel gained 1.4-2.4 per cent on the index and were among 25 shares rising on the Nifty.

* Bank of Baroda, Idea Cellular, Aurobindo Pharma, BHEL and Coal India fell 1.8-8.3 per cent and were among 27 gainers on the Nifty.

* The Sensex dropped 23 points to quote at 28,311 points on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Tata Steel was the top gainer. ICICI Bank was the top traded stock and Coal India dropped the most on the Sensex.

* Bank of Baroda was the top traded stock by value with Rs 309 crore worth of shares changing hands on the NSE. More than 1.75 crore shares were traded. Infosys and Yes Bank saw heavy trader interest as well.

* Suzlon, Idea Cellular and Crompton Greaves were among the list of most actively traded shares tracked by volume.

* Activity was mild in the wider market where the Nifty 100, 200 and 500 indices traded flat. Modest losses were seen on the mid cap and the small cap space.

* Bank of Baroda led the PSU banking index down 2.6 per cent, making it the top loser in the sectoral space. Traders eked out meagre gains on the software, media, metals and private banking indices.

* Venky's, Coromandel International, Supreme Industries and Subros Ltd. were some of the stock that hit fresh highs on the market.

* Overall, the bears were in full command of sentiment on Dalal Street where 1,019 shares fell versus 573 that rose.

Nifty consolidates at 4-month highs; BoB drops 8%

Statesman News Service | New Delhi |

Broader markets started the week on a flat note on Monday as traders hesitated to extend aggressive long positions despite a modest uptick across Asia.

Cautious mood prevailed in the first two hours of trade on the National Stock Exchange as investors cherry picked private banks and software stocks while pressing heavy sales on Bank of Baroda and some realty shares. Public sector Bank of Baroda was under the spotlight, down 8 per cent, on very heavy volumes as third quarter profit halved versus the second quarter and non performing assets rose when compared with the year-ago period.

The Nifty quoted flat at 8,792 points and practically no major index, except for the PSU banking benchmark, showed strong activity on either side of the price equation.

Here are the major events of the trading day so far:

* Hindalco, Kotak Bank, Eicher Motor, Yes Bank and Tata Steel gained 1.4-2.4 per cent on the index and were among 25 shares rising on the Nifty.

* Bank of Baroda, Idea Cellular, Aurobindo Pharma, BHEL and Coal India fell 1.8-8.3 per cent and were among 27 gainers on the Nifty.

* The Sensex dropped 23 points to quote at 28,311 points on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Tata Steel was the top gainer. ICICI Bank was the top traded stock and Coal India dropped the most on the Sensex.

* Bank of Baroda was the top traded stock by value with Rs 309 crore worth of shares changing hands on the NSE. More than 1.75 crore shares were traded. Infosys and Yes Bank saw heavy trader interest as well.

* Suzlon, Idea Cellular and Crompton Greaves were among the list of most actively traded shares tracked by volume.

* Activity was mild in the wider market where the Nifty 100, 200 and 500 indices traded flat. Modest losses were seen on the mid cap and the small cap space.

* Bank of Baroda led the PSU banking index down 2.6 per cent, making it the top loser in the sectoral space. Traders eked out meagre gains on the software, media, metals and private banking indices.

* Venky's, Coromandel International, Supreme Industries and Subros Ltd. were some of the stock that hit fresh highs on the market.

* Overall, the bears were in full command of sentiment on Dalal Street where 1,019 shares fell versus 573 that rose.

Keep radio active and vibrant: PM on World Radio Day

PTI | New Delhi |

Radio is a wonderful way to interact and those working in this industry should keep the medium active and vibrant, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the occassion of World Radio Day on Monday.

The prime minister extended his greetings to all radio lovers and to those working in the industry.

"Greetings on World Radio Day. I congratulate all radio lovers and those who work in the radio industry and keep the medium active and vibrant."

"Radio is a wonderful way to interact, learn and communicate. My own Mann Ki Baat experience has connected me with people across India," Modi said on Twitter.

All episodes of 'Mann Ki Baat', his monthly address on radio, can be heard at – narendramodi.in/mann-ki-baat, the prime minister said.

Keep radio active and vibrant: PM on World Radio Day

PTI | New Delhi |

Radio is a wonderful way to interact and those working in this industry should keep the medium active and vibrant, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the occassion of World Radio Day on Monday.

The prime minister extended his greetings to all radio lovers and to those working in the industry.

"Greetings on World Radio Day. I congratulate all radio lovers and those who work in the radio industry and keep the medium active and vibrant."

"Radio is a wonderful way to interact, learn and communicate. My own Mann Ki Baat experience has connected me with people across India," Modi said on Twitter.

All episodes of 'Mann Ki Baat', his monthly address on radio, can be heard at – narendramodi.in/mann-ki-baat, the prime minister said.

Hyderabad Test, Day 5: India need 5 wickets to win

Can India finish off the Tigers or will there be a miraculous escape?

SNS | New Delhi |

Bangladesh lost two wickets in the first session of the final day in the Hyderabad Test, bringing them to a total of 202/5 at lunch, with India needing five wickets to win the one-of Test with plenty of time remaining in the tie.

Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah were at the crease in the morning session and while they initially frustrated the Indian bowlers, Shakib fell to the guile of Ravindra Jadeja for just 22 runs to give India a vital breakthrough.

Bangladeshi captain Mushfiqur Rahim walked in next and the early signs were promising for the visitors before inexplicably he went for a high-risk shot off Ravichandran Ashwin, attacking the off-spinner to perish on 23. The short batsman had hit a well-composed century in the first innings but his shot selection was extremely poor at a time when Bangladesh needed to conserve their wickets rather than think about the target of 459, their skipper lost simply lost his head.

While Mahmudullah (58*) and Sabbir Rahman (18*) remain on the crease, there is a slight chance of hope that the visitors can somehow manage to bat out the remainder of the final day.

With just five wickets remaining, however, the odds are firmly in India’s favour as they look to tighten the screws on the Tigers who need to score 257 runs if they are to script a famous victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

Hyderabad Test, Day 5: India need 5 wickets to win

Can India finish off the Tigers or will there be a miraculous escape?

SNS | New Delhi |

Bangladesh lost two wickets in the first session of the final day in the Hyderabad Test, bringing them to a total of 202/5 at lunch, with India needing five wickets to win the one-of Test with plenty of time remaining in the tie.

Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah were at the crease in the morning session and while they initially frustrated the Indian bowlers, Shakib fell to the guile of Ravindra Jadeja for just 22 runs to give India a vital breakthrough.

Bangladeshi captain Mushfiqur Rahim walked in next and the early signs were promising for the visitors before inexplicably he went for a high-risk shot off Ravichandran Ashwin, attacking the off-spinner to perish on 23. The short batsman had hit a well-composed century in the first innings but his shot selection was extremely poor at a time when Bangladesh needed to conserve their wickets rather than think about the target of 459, their skipper lost simply lost his head.

While Mahmudullah (58*) and Sabbir Rahman (18*) remain on the crease, there is a slight chance of hope that the visitors can somehow manage to bat out the remainder of the final day.

With just five wickets remaining, however, the odds are firmly in India’s favour as they look to tighten the screws on the Tigers who need to score 257 runs if they are to script a famous victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

Adele wins top awards at Grammys

PTI |

Beyonce may have dazzled with her power-packed performance but the night belonged to British singer Adele, who walked away with major prizes — Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year — in a surprise upset at the 2017 Grammys.

Adele won in all the five categories that she was nominated for including Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album, triumphing over Beyonce, who was the front-runner in the race with nine nods for "Lemonade" out of which she won just two – Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best Music Video.

The 28-year-old "Hello" singer, who suffered technical issues the second year in a row at the ceremony, acknowledged Queen Bey, as Beyonce is popularly known among fans, in her speech.

"All us artists adore you. You are our light. My queen and my idol is Queen B. I adore you," Adele said to Beyonce.

"The way you make my friends feel, the way you make my black friends feel is empowering," Adele said while accepting Album of the Year.

Beyonce may have lost out the top trophy to Adele during the 59th annual Grammys, but her performance on "Love Drought" and "Sandcastles" was the highpoint of the ceremony, as the pregnant singer revealed her baby bump.

At the end of her nine-minute-long fiery performance, the star grinned and blew kisses to her rapper husband Jay Z and five-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, who were cheering her from the audience.

Indian tabla player Sandeep Das was part of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble Sing Me Home which won the Grammy in the World Music category that also included sitarist Anoushka Shankar's Land of Gold.

Yo-Yo Ma's Sing Me Home features tunes composed or arranged by different global artists as it examines the ever-changing idea of home.

"It is third time lucky for us. I am very proud of who I am and where I come from be it culturally or musically. I wish there were more acknowledgement from my own country for the music that is deep-rooted and in our blood," Sandeep told PTI over the phone from LA just after his win.

Chance the Rapper became a first Black rapper to win the Best New Artist since 1999 at Grammys. The 23-year-old star picked up the trophy for his third official mixtape, Coloring Book.

The music star took home Best Rap Album as well as Best Rap Performance for No Problem with 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne.

Adele wins top awards at Grammys

PTI |

Beyonce may have dazzled with her power-packed performance but the night belonged to British singer Adele, who walked away with major prizes — Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year — in a surprise upset at the 2017 Grammys.

Adele won in all the five categories that she was nominated for including Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album, triumphing over Beyonce, who was the front-runner in the race with nine nods for "Lemonade" out of which she won just two – Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best Music Video.

The 28-year-old "Hello" singer, who suffered technical issues the second year in a row at the ceremony, acknowledged Queen Bey, as Beyonce is popularly known among fans, in her speech.

"All us artists adore you. You are our light. My queen and my idol is Queen B. I adore you," Adele said to Beyonce.

"The way you make my friends feel, the way you make my black friends feel is empowering," Adele said while accepting Album of the Year.

Beyonce may have lost out the top trophy to Adele during the 59th annual Grammys, but her performance on "Love Drought" and "Sandcastles" was the highpoint of the ceremony, as the pregnant singer revealed her baby bump.

At the end of her nine-minute-long fiery performance, the star grinned and blew kisses to her rapper husband Jay Z and five-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, who were cheering her from the audience.

Indian tabla player Sandeep Das was part of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble Sing Me Home which won the Grammy in the World Music category that also included sitarist Anoushka Shankar's Land of Gold.

Yo-Yo Ma's Sing Me Home features tunes composed or arranged by different global artists as it examines the ever-changing idea of home.

"It is third time lucky for us. I am very proud of who I am and where I come from be it culturally or musically. I wish there were more acknowledgement from my own country for the music that is deep-rooted and in our blood," Sandeep told PTI over the phone from LA just after his win.

Chance the Rapper became a first Black rapper to win the Best New Artist since 1999 at Grammys. The 23-year-old star picked up the trophy for his third official mixtape, Coloring Book.

The music star took home Best Rap Album as well as Best Rap Performance for No Problem with 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne.

Time to reject MCD, recall Delhi government: Swaraj India

IANS | New Delhi |

Swaraj India on Sunday said the time has come to reject the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, recall the Delhi government and reform the Lt Governor's working style.

In a 'Jawab do Hisab Do' rally called at Ramlila Maidan here, the participants drawn from all 272 municipal wards termed the governance of Delhi very distressing and raised slogans of "Teen Sarkar, Teeno bekaar" as they expressed their no-confidence against all three – the MCD, Delhi government and the Lt Governor.

At the rally, 11 different issues impacting the people of Delhi – youth and employment, women safety, liquor and addiction, sanitation, rural Delhi, street vendors, JJ colonies, unauthorised colonies, auto and taxi, transport and contract employees – were identified.

Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav said: "Today, we have gathered at the historic Ramlila Maidan, which has proven its power to form governments and if time demands, overthrow them as well. 'Jawab Do, Hisab Do' is a demand from the common citizens of Delhi seeking accountability and answers from its government.

"Not merely the state government, agencies that report to the centre – Delhi Police, DDA (Delhi Development Authority) continue to underperform. Sanitation and cleanliness are in a state of disrepair. Pollution levels pose a dangerous threat to all residents. 'Teen Sarkaar, Teeno Bekaar' is the disillusioned city's cry of agony." 

Reminding the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of the 'Right to Recall' that the party had demanded at this very venue, Yadav said that on Sunday the people of Delhi had exercised that right to express no-confidence in them.

"Swaraj India will collaborate with honourable, committed and selfless candidates to contest the municipal elections in all 272 wards. Our message would be 'Saaf Dil. Saaf Dilli'," he said.
 

Time to reject MCD, recall Delhi government: Swaraj India

IANS | New Delhi |

Swaraj India on Sunday said the time has come to reject the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, recall the Delhi government and reform the Lt Governor's working style.

In a 'Jawab do Hisab Do' rally called at Ramlila Maidan here, the participants drawn from all 272 municipal wards termed the governance of Delhi very distressing and raised slogans of "Teen Sarkar, Teeno bekaar" as they expressed their no-confidence against all three – the MCD, Delhi government and the Lt Governor.

At the rally, 11 different issues impacting the people of Delhi – youth and employment, women safety, liquor and addiction, sanitation, rural Delhi, street vendors, JJ colonies, unauthorised colonies, auto and taxi, transport and contract employees – were identified.

Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav said: "Today, we have gathered at the historic Ramlila Maidan, which has proven its power to form governments and if time demands, overthrow them as well. 'Jawab Do, Hisab Do' is a demand from the common citizens of Delhi seeking accountability and answers from its government.

"Not merely the state government, agencies that report to the centre – Delhi Police, DDA (Delhi Development Authority) continue to underperform. Sanitation and cleanliness are in a state of disrepair. Pollution levels pose a dangerous threat to all residents. 'Teen Sarkaar, Teeno Bekaar' is the disillusioned city's cry of agony." 

Reminding the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of the 'Right to Recall' that the party had demanded at this very venue, Yadav said that on Sunday the people of Delhi had exercised that right to express no-confidence in them.

"Swaraj India will collaborate with honourable, committed and selfless candidates to contest the municipal elections in all 272 wards. Our message would be 'Saaf Dil. Saaf Dilli'," he said.