Delhi Police on vigil to check model code of conduct violation
New Delhi: Delhi police is on its toes ahead of the upcoming assembly elections as it has the double responsibility of ensuring that the model code of conduct is not violated and providing up-to-date security at all polling booths when the elections take place. Flying squads are keeping a strict vigil in the city against violation of model code of conduct, like defacing public places with posters, use of money, distribution of illegal liquor, entry of muscle men, among others. The model code of conduct was enforced on October 4 with announcement of the election date. Three flying squads consisting of officials and policemen are on the lookout in each of the 70 constituencies If there is any breach of the model code of conduct, action is being taken and FIR is also being lodged. Every day, a nine-point report is made in all the districts at the DCP or Additional CP level, which is sent to the police headquarters from where a final report is being sent to the State Election Commission. Police is maintaining a hawk eye on printing presses as they have to comply with section 127A of the Representation of the People Act and publish their names and addresses on banners and hoardings. (PTI)
AP CM against creation of Telangana
Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday once again said that he was against opposed creation of Telangana. Speaking to newspersons after making an aerial survey of cyclone ‘Phailin’-hit Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, Mr Reddy said would oppose creation of separate state of Telangana. The Chief Minister who has been openly criticising party high command’s decision said, “We will stop creation of Telangana. People must fight for united Andhra Pradesh.’ The Congress leaders from Telangana have been demanding his removal. Reddy has also been accused of tacitly supporting the government employees’ strike, which they ended last week. (UNI)
Samata Manch mulls alliance of BJP, non-Cong parties
New Delhi: Accusing Congress of failure on all fronts, some former associates of ailing socialist leader George Fernandes are working towards building an alliance of BJP and other non-Congress parties. Shambhu Shrivastava, a former JD(U) leader, said political activists and leaders committed to the socialist ideals of Fernandes will come together under the banner of Samata Manch, which was launched recently, to re-emphasise the “historic significance of non-Congressism in the contemporary context”. About 300 delegates, including a number of erstwhile Samata Party leaders, are expected to participate at a convention here on October 23 on “Current National Scenario and Alternative”, Shrivastava, the manch’s convener, said. Former BJP president Nitin Gadkari will be the guest of honour on the occasion, he said. Among the other Manch leaders to address the gathering are former MP Brahmanand Mandal, former Manipur Chief Minister R B Koijam, former Madhya Pradesh chief of Samata Party Ram Babu Aggarwal, socialist thinker K K Tripathi and former Gujarat minister Parvin Singh Jadeja. (PTI)
BJP MP placed under house arrest
Azamgarh: A BJP MP was placed under house arrest on Sunday for insisting to attend a mahapanchayat called by supporters of reservation policy of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, which was scrapped in July this year, a police officer said. BJP MP from Azamgarh Ramakant Yadav insisted to participate in the mahapanchayat of pro-reservation supporters at Mehta park, following which he was placed under house arrest, Superintendent of Police Arvind Sen said. Later the BJP leader was shifted to an undisclosed location, sources said, adding Yadav’s presence at Mehta park could have led to a law and order problem in the district. Following the incident, pro-reservation supporters raised slogans and held a protest, which led to detention of 50 people, the police official said. In the wake of mahapanchayat, security measures were put in place in and around Mehta park, the official said. In July this year, the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission had scrapped its reservation policy whereby caste-based quotas were introduced in competitive examinations at the preliminary stage itself. The decision came after violent agitations by students of the general category. (PTI)