CONGRESS TO TARGET SUBURBAN FIVE STAR HOTELS

THE ASIAN AGE (JUN 2004)

By Skimmy Gupta

Suburban five star hotels will witness morchas and protests by Congress workers on the pretext of employment to local people. The drive against these hotel authorities started with around two hundred congress workers staging a morcha at Grand Hyatt Mumbai at Santacruz to pursue their demand for employing local people into their management.

The workers further insisted that local residents should be on the priority list of all five star hotels in the city. The leaders of the Congress party feel the upcoming hotels ignore the need for employment of local people and instead employ migrants from other states. The morcha demonstrators threatened to take out more protests till their demands are not fulfilled by hotel management. Congress leaders will themselves check the list of local people employed by these hotels.

Mr Baldev Khosa MLA Congress from North West constituency says “ I was shocked when the management at Grand Hyatt told that they employ degree holders for house keeping jobs. This is an insult to all the hotel management degree holders and also an excuse not to give jobs to locals.” He further alleged that their criteria of higher qualification for other jobs is not sufficed by many local people.”We will see that justice is metted with the local people. We have decided to take out morchas against all the hotels in the suburbs who are ignoring young people and not providing them enough job oppurtunities.”adds Khosa.

The demonstrators informs that they have prepared a list of local people possessing all the credentials and qualifications needed for job at Grand Hyatt . Mr Kamruddin Merchant District President Congress says, “We will hand over the list and the hotel management will have to seriously consider it. We will check the claim by authorities of Grand Hyatt of employing local people.”

Mr Sanjay Nirupam, Shiv Sena leader feels “No wonder the Congress are following Sena initiated policy of getting jobs for locals. But what is definition of local people? We fought for Maharashtrians and other people of the state. All of a sudden they have risen to the welfare of local citizens. It is merely an election stunt. They must ensure their morchas actually provide jobs to local people.”

Mr Merchant reveals “The road leading to the hotel is also causing lot of problems to residents of near by areas .We have told them to repair the road leading to their hotel within 4 days and make it available for public use.”

Mr A.Srinivasan, Vice President-Juniper Hotel who interacted with Congress people at Grand Hyatt clarifies “Their main demand was to employ local people and we are already following that norm. We need people and are open to jobs .If people are up to the required credentials, then jobs will be provided to them.”

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Suburban temperament for ‘Juhu’ meeting

THE ASIAN AGE(APR 2004)

By Skimmy Gupta

Lot of eagerness and an air of anxiety reigns over residents of suburban Mumbai.The voter population of North West Mumbai Constituency will finally get a chance to barge their demands to their candidates. The "Meet Your Candidates" event organized on Saturday, 17th April at St. Joseph's School Ground, Juhu will witness sitting MP Sunil Dutt and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Nirupam answer people’s questions. The meeting is organized by citizen groups from the entire constituency extending from Bandra to Jogeshwari comprising of H-West Ward, H-East Ward, K-West Ward and K-East Ward. Also representatives of NGOs, Alms, housing cooperatives and mandals are expected to attend this event.

Associations from Bandra to Jogeshwari including Bandra Residents Association, Khar Residents Association, JVPD Tenants and Residents Association have already started conducting inter meetings to shortlist their list of demands and problems at the forthcoming meeting. Major issues likely to be raised include civic problems, property tax, paper leak, TDR destruction, lack of gardens /open spaces, details of MP funds.

Utsal Karani, secretary, Federation of Tenants Associations of Suburban Mumbai informs “We will be conducting various meetings with residents of Juhu this week to shortlist the main problems concerning our constituency. The candidates will have to answer strong questions trustfully to satisfy people at large and give details of every penny spend from the MP fund .The major issue concerning the most suburban people is TDR issues. It has further given rise to inadequate civic facilities in form of water supply, drainage system. Other issue we will oppose is newly implemented property tax. The property tax in Juhu area of Rs.2 per sq.ft is pretty high.”

Shyama Kulkarni, Chairperson of H- west Citizen’s Trust at Bandra says “Politicians have been making fool of us since a long time and we have not realized it. We are frustrated with the system as choice of candidate is limited. We need to equip ourselves with information about the candidate and their visions about future of Mumbai.Since MP funds are tax payers money, it is important to monitor that this money is not frittered away to create votebanks. It must be used to benefit all sections of the society.”

Gordon D’Souza, AGNI-Coordinator for the event states “The event will consist of the presentation of AGNI Citizens Charter .The candidates will be given an opportunity to speak for 10 minutes on their plans for the constituency and their response to the Citizens Charter. The purpose of the meeting is to help people know their candidates so that they can make an informed choice at the elections. We would like hear how candidates plan to address the problems and needs of this constituency and what they have achieved in public life.”

Ramaben Shah,a housewife at Juhu is excited to face the candidates at the meeting. She says “Finally, they will show us their faces after five years .It seems so filmy. Anyway we do not have a choice. We will certainly put forward our issues strongly this time. ”


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WAR OF WORDS AT BANDRA MEETING

THE ASIAN AGE(APR 2004)

By Skimmy Gupta

The candidates for the important parliamentary seat of North West Mumbai faced a barrage of questions by the people. ‘Meet your Candidate’ electoral meeting was coordinated by AGNI (Action for Good Governance and Networking in India) on Saturday evening at St. Joseph’s Convent, Bandra.The meeting was aimed for three candidates standing from the North West constituency: Sanjay Nirupam (Shiv Sena), Satyadev Dubey (Independent) and Sunil Dutt (Congress) to interact with local public and voters. About 300- 350 residents from Andheri to Bandra attended the meet.

The candidates were grilled to embarrassment so much so that Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Nirupam had to repeatedly apologize for vandalism acts of Singhania hospital in Thane, city library and other institutions by his party workers. Local MLA Baba Siddique representing Congress candidate Sunil Dutt was keener on provoking the opponent rather than answering questions with conviction and authenticity. Even senior citizens raised some crucial civic problems in their respective areas with lot of rage and despair. Though both the candidates diplomatically kept on blaming each other but the visible fireworks coupled with threats by Baba Siddique to walk out was the highlight of the meeting.

Gerson D.Cunha convenor of AGNI and Baba Siddique also attacked each other in cold war. A meeting meant for interaction between candidates and public turned into petty blame game on each other. As usual general public was left in lurch by false promises by these candidates. The public bombarded the politicians with a barrage of questions ranging from encroachments, water problem, sewerage, subways, flyovers, attendance of MPs in parliament to vandalism on hospitals and cricket pitches by Sena workers.

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Nirupam also apologized by folding his hands for various acts of vandalism by Shiv Sena activists in the city .He said, “I promise to solve people’s civic problems if elected.”But he also raised the question of Sunil Dutt not attending parliament for his ill health as he said “But how could he shoot for the movie Munnabhai MBBS?”

Local MLA Baba Siddique kept on harping the construction of joggers parks and helping various housing associations in the suburbs under guidance of Sunil Dutt. He focused on the work he had done rather than Sunil Dutt. But when asked to show Dutt’s use of the MP fund, Siddiqui started talking instead of funds used by Dutt from the Nargis Dutt Foundation.

Shyama Kulkarni, trustee, H West Ward Citizens Trust who also coordinated with AGNI for this meeting said “The candidates must take back all the emotions of the people during this meeting. They must think to solve people’s problems to have a potential chance of winning from this constituency. Althoguh the meeting was quite volatile; it highlighted common man’s expectations from their candidates. Also they have full right to demand the use of MP funds for area development

Independent candidate Satyadev Dubey said “I am only concerned about slum areas of Behrampada as they live in pathetic conditions. I will donate all MP funds to that area only.”But he was shocked when a person in audience remarked “There is no one from Behramapada and you want to waste all funds on one area only.”This resulted in laughter for audience and embarrassment for Dubey.

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NIOS CHILDREN PROTEST, PARENTS CALL FOR ELECTION BOYCOTT

THE ASIAN AGE (APR 2004)

By Skimmy Gupta

‘India Shining, Not with us’, ‘Make our future do not break it’,’6000 Mumbai children marginlised’ and such banners held by children was a highlight at Agni’s ‘Meet Your candidate’ event at Juhu on Saturday evening. About 100 students appearing for this year’s National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) board exams voiced their strong protest against the sudden postponement of exams. Irate parents also staged a dharna against North West Mumbai candidate and MPs Sanjay Nirupam to intervene in the matter. The delay could mean a loss of one year for about 6000 children appearing from Mumbai this year. The parents angry at NIOS authorities have collectively called to boycott the forthcoming elections.

The board exams scheduled to begin on 12th April at various centres were infinitely postponed to indefinite date. Several out of school children with ailments like dyslexia and learning disabilities prefer NIOS.The curriculum is a curtailed compared to regular one and also enables children to join mainstream college. NIOS authorities have already rescheduled the exams dates twice this year much to the inconvenience of students.

Tejashree Seth, a resident of Juhu is also quite upset. Her son was to be appear for the exams with the help of the writer. She complains, “Most writers are on holidays as most board exams are over. During rescheduling of NIOS exams, who will write for my child? His career is at stake.” Another parent Santosh Goradia states “My son Pranav suffers from occasional fits. He had prepared for the exams despite his ill health. He will now have to do the same hardship all over again. Why vote when the education system is so unpredictable and rude towards career of thousands of students.”

Sumaiya Syed,a NIOS student said, “I was shocked to learn about the postponement just few hours before the scheduled exams. All other board exams of CBSE, ICSE are over and their results will be out. Our results will get delayed and thus pose a big hurdle in attaining admissions to colleges.”Vibha Patole, a Bandra student feels “Elections seem to be the main cause for the postponement. But authorities were aware of elections dates and exam dates since a long time. Why should we suffer at the hands of such last minute changes?”

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Nirupam present at the event assured the parents to submit him the entire matter in writing .He further added “I will look into the matter after the elections.” Few parents further argued “After elections most elected MPs elope from the scene.” Another parent said, “It means that our children’s career is in the dark till election hysteria is over.”

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CATHOLIC COMMUNITY NEED A CHANGE

THE ASIAN AGE (APR 2004)

By Skimmy Gupta

The local catholics extended their community support to Sena candidate Sanjay Nirupam at special meeting held at Pioneer Hall, Bandra on Thursday night. Prominent personalities of local catholic population from Bandra and neighboring areas strongly urged the public of North West Mumbai Constituency to implement a change. Majority of Catholics supporting Congress since past 20 years as strong voter base have now shifted their loyalty to Sena-BJP alliance.The representatives of various catholic areas highlighted the ignorance of their community problems by sitting Lok Sabha MP Sunil Dutt and further wished to bring Sanjay Nirupam to power.

Former World Billiards Champion Mr. Michael Ferreira said, “Time has come to elect young, commited, energetic and result oriented candidates. Sanjay fits the bill perfectly. We seriously do not need 70 plus candidates from our constituency.”

Ms.Sybil Sequeria, renowned social activist and Bandra resident appealed to the audience to go for a change. She said “Sunil Dutt ran to Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray in his son Sanjay Dutt’s Bomb blast case .How can he help us? Sunil Dutt has hardly done anything in the area and not been able to even protect heritage spots. The area has gone from bad to worse during his tenure as MP and many residents are migrating from Bandra.It is time to bid him good-bye and bring in young man Nirupam with innovative ideas.”

Rajya Sabha MP Mr.Sanjay Nirupam said, “It is a surprise that Catholic people have themselves decided to go for a change. It has further added to my responsibility to deliver good results. I am happy to see growing support in this community and if elected will take care of peace, communal harmony and their problems with honesty and commitment.”

Congress corporator and vice-president of Bombay Catholic Sabha, George Abraham, has already announced his support for Sena’s Sanjay Nirupam.He said, “Nirupam had debated seven most important issues of our trade union in Parliament .So we have collectively decided to stand by Sanjay Nirupam.”

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Sanjay ‘Munnabhai’ Dutt woos voters

THE ASIAN AGE (APR 2004)

By Skimmy Gupta

The brief campaigning by actor Sanjay Dutt for his actor-father Sunil Dutt on Sunday took everyone by surprise. This is the first time Sanjay is campaigning for his father during these elections. Donning a white shirt, Sanjay climbed atop the vehicle and urged crowd to vote for Sunil Dutt who is pitted against Sanjay Nirupam of Shiv Sena. Sanjay not only gave ‘Jadoo ki jhaphi’ to his father but also asked votes in his 'Munnabhai style' .The popular actor immediately struck a chord with the voters and his fans in North West Mumbai Consitutency.Congress leaders reveal that Sanjay's campaign was not a pre-planned one and he turned up for campaigning due to time off his shooting schedule.

Before the start of the campaign, Sena chief Bal Thackeray had reportedly summoned Sanjay to his Bandra house and requested him to campaign for Nirupam.However, the actor turned down the offer stating that he would stick to his old policy of being out of campaigning. Thackeray had reportedly been sympathetic to Sanjay who was earlier held in 1993 bomb blast case.

The actor also addressed two meetings in North-West Bandra for Sunil Dutt. Sanjay Dutt said “ I had not met my father since past two months .I just arrived after a film shoot and came to know that he was addressing a rally in Santacruz.So I just went there to meet him. That’s it.”

However Suresh Shetty MLA and minister of state for medical education informs “It was a surprise that Sanjay Dutt came to the rally and joined his dad .He also participated with Sunil Dutt’s padhyatra for couple of hours and few meetings at Bandra .I think he had some free time from shoots and he thought to woo the voters.”

The actor just completed Ajay Chandok’s much awaited comedy ‘Nehle pe dehla’ “All the media reports about me campaigning aggressively for my dad are false. I am too busy with my shooting schedule and I will not campaign for my father.” added Sanjay Dutt .

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GOVINDA ATTACKS RAM NAIK

THE ASIAN AGE (MAR 2004)

By Skimmy Gupta

Actor Govinda has reacted very strongly against the remarks made by his opponent Ram Naik. Five-time winner from the North Mumbai parliamentary constituency, Ram Naik has accused Govinda of violating Election Commission code by canvassing in local trains and buses. Govinda an elected Congress candidate from North Mumbai contesting against sitting MP and petroleum minister Ram Naik of BJP reacted “I traveled to my village and the temple after taking a proper local train ticket .So where is question of violating the code of conduct? I have yet not started my campaign and had just gone to meet my old friends in Virar, perform Devi Darshan and get the blessings of people. I have been born in that area .If people respect me, what is Naik’s problem?”

The actor further adds, “Before coming into films, I have traveled by local trains for almost 20 years .In my new role of politician, I am just interacting with common man on train about his problems. Why is my train ride been made a big issue? Maybe they do not have any strong allegations against me. These are political gimmicks to demotivate me, discourage me and scare me from political arena.”

“As an elder, Ram Naik must not stoop to such cheap allegations. He is trying to confuse public because he has nothing to convince people. He should focus his energies in doing some work. Previously on one occasion he has also questioned my film star status into politics. Filmstars Shatrughan Sinha and Vinod Khanna have been ministers in BJP cabinet and lately BJP has roped in many Bollywood and TV stars .How can he make such a remark against me?” questions Govinda

Questioning Ram Naik’s claim of implementing good work in the constituency, he said “Bad roads, open sewerages, bad odour are common sights in his constituency. There is no good hospital and people have to travel all the way to Bandra for treatment. The commuter traffic in local trains has increased to a great extent. Its better if Naik solves these serious issues rather than indulge in this blame game and time pass talks.”

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SUNIL DUTT TO SERVE NOTICE TO NIRUPAM

THE ASIAN AGE (JUN 2004)

By Skimmy Gupta

Actor and MP Sunil Dutt played the final trump card before Mumbai goes to polls on Monday. The veteran politician gave a fitting reply to false accusations of his poor attendance in Parliament by rival Sena canditate Sanjay Nirupam. Sanjay Nirupam at his various rallies and public meets across North West Mumbai Constituency repeatedly accused Dutt of attending only 13-15 days in his tenure as MP.Sunil Dutt produced an official document from Secretary’s office of Parliament, Delhi mentioning Dutt’s attendance as 99 days in a period of last four and half years. Dutt is also planning to serve a legal notice to Sanjay Nirupam for misleading people and maligning image of Congress candidate.

The actor elected from this suburban constituency of Mumbai since past four terms feels that election campaigning this year has stooped to personal attacks and false accusations. He says, “My constituency people are aware of my development work done by me in my tenure. The highlighting of my Parliament attendance and my bad health without knowing the actual facts was done in bad taste. I am also consulting my legal advisors to complain to Election Commission over this matter.”

Dutt informs that his ill health due to accident at Nepal and chopper crash near Mumbai paralyzed him for almost three and half years.”However I made sure to attend Parliament for 99 days from 10/10/99 to 05/02/2004 as against 15 days campaigned by Sanjay Nirupam.My rival should have got the facts right and told people the real reason of my absence.”


SALMAN KHAN WISHES SUNIL DUTT FROM RUSSIA
Couple of days ago actor Salman Khan called up Sunil Dutt from Russia. The actor wished good luck to Dutt for forthcoming elections and said that he could have personally wished him if he was present in Mumbai.

Dutt further stated “Certain sections of Christian, Muslim and other communities seem to shift towards rival camp. It does not make a difference, as some are shifting loyalties and not all. I believe in democracy and people have full right to exercise their personal choice. The citizen must be aware of the candidate’s profile, past performance and ability to deliver good results before casting their vote.”

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Govinda worth 12.45 crores

THE ASIAN AGE (APR 2004)

By Skimmy Gupta

Actor Govinda contesting from the North Mumbai parliamentary constituency is worth Rs.12.45 crores. Movable assets worth Rs.9.15 crores and immovable assets including property amounting to 3.3 crores in actor’s name are declared in his nomination papers. The total assets of ‘Hero No.1’ and his family amounts to Rs.15.05 crores. The affidavit filed before the returning officer at the suburban district collectorate reveals that Govinda’s wife Sunita has moveable assets worth Rs 2.32 crores and his two kids Sunil have Rs 28.99 lakhs worth of such assets. The ‘Virar ka chokra’ also declared three cars Ford Endeavor, Mitsubishi Lancer and Maruti Zen.

The actor’s has bank deposits of Rs 3.51 crores. The details of investments include Rs 2.8 crores in RBI and ICICI bonds and jewellery worth Rs 1.85 crores. Among his wife’s assets is Rs 1.02 crores in the bank and jewellery worth Rs 32 lakhs. While the couple has Rs 83 lakhs in cash, most of the money has been deposited with various banks and financial institutions or has been invested in bonds, debentures, LIC policies or the PPF/NSC.The affidavit mentions outstanding amount of Rs.2.5 crores against FDR of Rs.3 crore at State Bank of India, Santacruz.

Govinda also possesses has an agricultural plot at Bawe Diwali in Raigad measuring 1.34 hectares currently valued at Rs 2.1 lakh, a (1979 sq.ft) bungalow at Ruia Park Juhu worth Rs 1.43 crores and another bungalow at Madh Island measuring (2485 sq.mt) and currently valued at Rs 1 crore. Govinda resides at (1400 sq.ft) flat worth Rs.70 lakhs at Juhu and owns a (380 sq.ft) office at SantaCruz .

The affidavit mentions the actor charged in PCR case 52/1997 under section 500,502 and 294 of IPC has been ordered a stay by High Court Ranchi.

Govinda donning the role of politician was confident while filing his nomination papers He said “ I am feeling the same excitement when I signed my first movie. I have declared all my assets as per Election norms as I have nothing to hide. I wish my mother were alive to bless me on this auspicious day. I am missing her”

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VILLIANS & POLITICS

The Asian Age (Mar 2004)

By Skimmy Gupta

Popular Bollywood actors/actresses, models and TV artists engaged for campaigning by various political parties will add glamour and hype to the forthcoming elections. Bollywood villains assert the fact that presence of Bollywood stars will act as major crowd pullers. The baddies of Hindi film industry feel that even their own presence can help gather huge numbers during the election campaigning. Popular filmstars with a ‘positive’ public image will undoubtedly pull larger crowds. However, they strongly believe that actual votes will be cast due to party’s credibility and not mere ‘starry’ appearance of filmstars.

Actor and villian Ranjeet feels “Filmstars can only pull the crowds during election campaigning as their glamour and glitz can easily gather 200-300 crowd at any place. But the actual work has to be done by the party themselves. Congress has approached me but I am busy with my school. But I do campaigning wherever I am required. The main reason of filmstars who have joined politics is that most of them are retiring and some are under the pressure of ruling party. Politicians want huge crowds to convey their messages to public through filmstars .The image of Indian Politicians has been tarnished in the past so filmstars might induce some hope in eyes of public. Filmstars must do some constructive work for the society and not merely portrayed as crowd pullers.”

Bollywood actor Shakti Kapoor, better known for his villain roles recently announced his participation in forthcoming elections for Congress. He says “Without understanding anything about Indian Politics filmstars are joining different parties to hog the limelight. Unless they can convey the message of the party seriously ,they are of no use and can only gather crowds. Also some actors who do not know anything about politics but skip from one political party to another. I have a soft corner for Nehru family and people have forgotten about this family, which has sacrificed their life for the country. It is people’s choice to vote for their party. No politician has been able to make a mark like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi is no less than a mother India. A widow, she has been targeted as a foreigner but is dedicatedly working towards India’s progress.

Prem Chopra, a popular villain of yesteryear’s Hindi blockbusters says “Bollywood stars campaigning for different parties will definitely be crowd pullers. The stars can help rope in crowds but actual vote conversion depends of a party’s credibility and performance. Political parties have offered me to join their organizations but at present I am not associated with any party. Everyone has its own individual perception.”