Cartoon courtesy: Missplayers

The Election Commission has not only exceeded its brief but has made a fool of self by asking BJP not to field Varun Gandhi. It is sad if not outright stupid. Former Election Commissioner GVG Krishnamurthy explains why.

The Election Commission has no jurisdiction to take action against Gandhi” for his alleged inflammatory speeches.

The model code of conduct comes into effect only after President Pratibha Patil notifies the elections in the official gazette. Till then Gandhi cannot be considered an Election Commission recognized candidate.

The commission has acted in haste in moving against Gandhi for violation of the model code of conduct under the provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951.

Only the police can move against him under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for inciting communal passions.

As of now Varun is only a probable candidate and an ordinary citizen against whom action can be taken only under the IPC if he makes inflammatory statements.

The Election Commission has no role to play till the notification of elections by the president.

‘Wonder of Wonders’! This time I found this ‘Chamcha in Chief’ in agreement with me though he is still defending ‘Dynastic Scion’ albeit on the other side of political divide. Good going CIC.  You know well how to keep the both sides of bread buttered.

The ‘really actual’ fun will began … of course at our cost…when Shri Shri Naveen Chawala will take over as the ‘CHIEF’ Election Commissioner on April 21st- right in the middle of this election 2009- courtesy the Sonia ‘Maino’ Gandhi’s handpicked Prime Minion and Your President. But then… for some, ‘Dynasty is always superior to Democracy’ despite this sane advice “If we fail democracy, democracy will fail us.”

JAI HO!

BCCI to stage IPL abroad over security issues.

JAI HO!

We a BILLION strong nation comes to standstill because we are a ‘Democracy’!!??

JAI HO?

With Sonia ‘Maino’ Gandhi as ‘Supreme most’ we can not hold a ‘domestic tournament’ even in our Billion strong nation!

JAI HO!

With ‘Economist’ Prime Minion ‘alleged’ to be at the helm of affairs of BILLION strong nation - hardly seen or reported or recognized as - even by the ‘babas and babes’ of Congress; leave alone ‘AAM ADAMI’!!!

JAI HO!

Last but not least three cheers for ‘Your President’ too…

JAI HO! JAI HO!! JAI HO!!!

My dear friend Mallika has posted this video asking who’s ‘Jai Ho’?

Congress Ki Ya Janata Ki?

See this video here and send to as many as you can. Congress might have BOUGHT the copyright and deservedly so. I choose to say ‘Jai Ho’…   

Mallika, JANATA KI HI JAI HOTI HAI OR HOTI RAHEGI.

IS LIYE ‘JAI HO’ JANATA KI.

PI.

 Varun Gandhi on March 4th while attending a ‘workers meet’ in Pillibhit is alleged to have made a speech which has in turn made the Sec –Soc MSM go into a frenzy and their ‘Secular Wailing’ has become unbearably nauseating.   

On Varun’s speech,Sandeep here has made an excellent post and I agree with him somewhat. Here is my take on this issue.  

To start with, Varun’s ‘alleged’ speech CD first. 

• Is it proven beyond doubt that this is what exactly he said?
• Is it proven beyond doubt that this CD was not doctored? After all MSM does not cover itself in glory when the matter relates to fake stings and dubious CDs, doing rounds of News Broadcasters, whenever elections are around.
• Why has the CD been not telecast earlier on 4^th of March when this ‘allegedly communal’ speech was made? Why was the matter delayed till 16^th March?
• Who all were holding this CD for 12 whole days and why?
• MOST IMPORTANT: Who has recorded this speech? On watching this video it is very clear that it was not recorded by a professional cameraman but by someone else. Where is that camera on which this video was recorded?

These are a few pertinent points that need to be considered before Varun is pronounced guilty of ‘hate speech’ and/or ‘inflaming communal passion’ and whatever adjectives MSM is using against Varun Gandhi. 

Furthermore, our country has a constitution with well laid down laws and procedures that need to be followed before pronouncing anyone guilty. So why is there such a great hurry to damn Varun even before his guilt is established? 

Well, the reasons are not difficult to comprehend when we look at the famous players behind this ‘Secular Wailing’!

Here is one Padma Shri Madame’s strongly secular 24X7 news channel chosen to telecast the CD after a gap of 12 whole days!!!! Since March 16^th the Padma Shri’s channel has been engaging the fast dwindling audiences with their secular rant and has already pronounced Varun guilty and just short of hanging him; has recommended all sorts of punishment that range from debarring him from the electoral race to sending him to jail for three years maximum!!!!  

Another Padma Shri of ‘Congress News Network’ has the gall to say, “…we must not allow Varun to get away so easily.”  AUDACIOUS! Pray May I ask him what should be done with you Sir for the role you played in rescuing the Baliddaan Moorti’s handpicked Prime Minion by ‘hiding the tapes’! HUH! 

‘Hamam Mein Sab Nange Hain’, of course! Hiding the tapes then and showing it NOW repeatedly! WOW! Look who is talking!

I am not sure about what Varun is supposed to have said, but if at all he has said what he is ‘alleged’ to have said, then I think that this is what most Hindus have been feeling since Her Majesty inflicted her handpicked Prime Minion on us.

The Muslim first policy and unabashed ‘minority (read Muslims) appeasement’ in the name of Secularism has done no service to either the Muslims or the Hindus but has only helped to widen the gulf. (It is foolish to think that this ‘gulf’ does not or did not exist by mouthing meaningless and hollow platitudes). If it is at all true what Varun is alleged to have said, it is only the manifestation of this simmering anger among the Hindus.  

Now BJP’s confusion. 

BJP’s confusion is pathetic to say the least. Flip Flop! I, for one, hold this opinion that ‘BJP lost 2004 not because of being seen as a Hindu party but for not being a Hindu Enough party’ which could be very simplistic but true nevertheless. I wish the BJP had learned some lessons from the past and not tried to be so enthusiastically ‘secular’.

PI.

Two pointed insinuations are made…

1. The BJP gave in to the terrorists demands and released three dreaded terrorists.

And

2. Jaswant Singh, then Minister for Foreign Affairs, escorted these terrorists to safety.

Factually, yet only superficially, both these things are accurate.

But “WHY THIS WAS DONE?” is what these ‘secularists’ and Media guys have never revealed till date!

Skipping the details of the Kandahar Seize; let me focus on these two points.

1: The BJP surrendered to terrorists and released three dreaded terrorists.

Indeed, it was a shameful surrender. I personally wish that the Government of the Day had shown courage and not surrendered to the terrorist’s demands. But then; if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.

Three terrorists were swapped for the lives of 200 Indians and foreigners. Contrast this with the release of five dreaded terrorists exchanged for Rubaiya Saeed’s release. The government of the late V P Singh accepted their demands and freed the jailed terrorists.

Neither the Secularists nor the Media ever make a mention of this incident! But both ‘Secularist’ and pliant MSM never tire of telling us persistently about the ‘abject’ surrender by the NDA government at Kandhaar!

NOW ISN’T THAT VERY CONVENIENT for both ‘Secularists’ and Se-Soc MSM to evade answering…

How could one Rubiya Saeed ’s life become more important than 200 lives of Indians and foreigners?
 

Was that just because she happens to be the daughter of near separatist-Mufti Md. Saeed – the Union Home Minister in the late VP SINGH’s Govt?

Any Answer? No, both MSM and their Secular Political Masters are conveniently silent on this matter.

200 Indians and foreigners v/s ‘one’ kidnapped daughter- (a kidnap that is alleged to have been stage-managed) - of ‘Secular’ Union Home Minister under the aegis of the Secular Most (now dead and forgotten Jai Chand of modern times).

I do not notice any outrage on the release of these five terrorists in exchange to Rubiya; whereas all hell breaks loose whenever IC 814 is mentioned! Mind you, release of these ‘five terrorists’ started the endless avalanche of terror not only in Kashmir but all overIndia.

Any person with any IQ (surely not including secularists, media, baba, babes, men and women of Congress) would concede that in the absence of any ‘No Negotiation with Terrorists’ policy, releasing these terrorists was imperative.

And why was it ‘imperative’?

A relentless hype created by the media to put pressure on the Govt of the Day. At ‘whose’ behest…is something that needs to be investigated.

The Media kept the pressure on the Govt and images of infuriated and agitated relatives of the hostages were beamed 24X7 on news channels.

Media invited experts of all hues and shades – I particularly remember watching a psychiatrist describing graphically the trauma these ‘hostages’ might be going through at that point of time. Now what effect that would have had on the psyche of the near and dear ones of these hostages is simply unimaginable – this was something that neither my late mother and I could bear. I do not hold the relatives of these hostages guilty; I often wonder whether I would have reacted any differently had my kith or kin been there? Frankly, I do not know.

Did MSM wait and ponder then?

I dare the MSM to release the tapes of those days when they petrified the already nervous and anxious relatives of the captives and hyped up the gruesome incident beyond all limits!

Will the Congress admit that they did send their goons guised as relatives of the hostages and vandalized the press conference of Atal Ji – then Prime Minister of India?

Will the apostle of ‘secularism’ Barkha Dutt and champion of ‘Saint Hood’ Rajdeep Sardesai ever release those tapes showing what really transpired? No, both Padma Shri awardees have been rewarded well in advance. They will never ever do anything that would question their commitment to ‘secularism’. After all, ‘Namak Halali’ by itself is a highly valued virtue in the ‘Service of Her Majesty’. HUH!

We have just recently witnessed the legendry wisdom of Sec –Soc MSM on display during the recent Mumbai Massacre. 

WHATEVER IT TAKES: To rake in mullah; TRPs, Padma Shris…

Well, things were not much different in December 1999 either. The only difference was that, many of these ‘eminent’ journalists were then part of one ‘Shop’ named Media House. Now they have their own kiosks and each one is trying to get his ‘share of loot’.

COMING TO MY SECOND POINT:

Jaswant Singh, then Minister for Foreign Affairs, escorted these terrorists to safety.

Amazing, isn’t it, that the BJP led NDA government could be so stupid and naïve to send Jaswant Singh to Kandahar!

Wait, I am not saying that it was stupid to go to Kandahar. It was the most prudent thing for Jaswant to do under the most trying circumstances. I have strong reasons to believe so.

First do keep in mind that.

1. 200 lives were in the hands of the ‘Islamic Butchers’ and they had already taken the life of Rupin Katyal a passenger on that hijacked flight.

2. The aircraft was in Kandahar and the Talibaan Govt (if any) was directly controlled by the Pakistani ISI.

3. The Talibaan never subscribed to any Geneva Convention nor did they ever have any respect for any rule or law. Hence to expect them to behave like a ‘Civilized Govt’ leave alone ‘sympathetic and cooperative’ was the most foolish thing to do!

4. The Aircraft was surrounded by rocket launcher wielding, Kalashnikovs carrying Talibaan fanatics.

Under the circumstances the ABV did the right thing by sending Jaswant Singh – then Foreign Minister of India, an astute diplomat and a senior man in the Cabinet -

1. To safely escort the 200 passengers and crew back home.
2. To oversee, supervise and if required, take appropriate on the spot decisions, especially when the highjackers and or their master in Islamabad and Kandahar could have raised any new demand.
3. What was the guarantee and who was willing to give - that the Taliban’s would have released the hostages or not blown up the plane even after the ‘terrorist’ were released? Isn’t it to Jaswant’s credit that nothing of this sort happened and other causalities were averted?
   

God forbid if any of the above mentioned had happened, I bet that the Secularists and their cohorts in MSM would have made such a hue and cry that the Govt would have been lynched on the streets of India. After all just after the Mumbai Mayhem, the same MSM launched a ‘vicious’ campaign against all Political Classes. This was clearly to divert the public ire against UPA and to be spread over all political classes.

Secularists and MSM have perfected the art of spreading the canard as gospel truth in the name of ‘secularism’.

But I will be less than honest to say that BJP and their leaders are alone to be blamed for the mess they find themselves in on this issue. What seemed like a prudent decision, with the right intention, at that moment in time, has become an ‘albatross’ around their neck and their being defensive on the issue is pathetic.

I wonder at times what good is their collective political acumen if they cannot put these things into perspective! What amazes me greatly is the fact that what occurs to a layman like me, does not occur to these legal luminaries in BJP!!!

Finally…

I am ready to excuse any political party since they are directly responsible /answerable to the Indian public. Good or bad as they are; is decided by the voting public. My grouse is against these so called opinion makers. Their role – though very crucial in any or for any vibrant democracy – is assumed / consumed by some self-serving, highly biased, politically motivated and ‘Self Importantly Busy Bodies’.

THIS IS TRULY SAD AND PATHETIC. 

PI

 

 Minutes after Obama was declared as ‘President Elect’ I had predicted this…

 India is heading for elections and four states will chose the same or new set of Jokers for another five (maximum – as we have seen Govt being toppled on weekly basis in some states) and as Indian Politics is a ‘theatre of absurd’ beyond par.

Get ready for a Sec Soc media campaign for a Muslim Prime Minister. 

 Indian politicians and so called ‘Sec Soc’ Main Stream Media surprises me no more I knew exactly what spin would be given to the Obama’s win. One need not be a soothsayer or political pundit to predict how these secular Jihadis and their fellow travelers see and react.

Barabarindian has posted a nice post on this. Do Read. 

PI.

 IT’S BARACK OBAMA FOR AMERICA 

Ok Good for Americans, this is what democracy is all about. Who am I to complain? 

Obama must thank the Sec Soc Indian Media too, for unleashing the relentless campaign for his candidature, some times I wondered; if Indian Sec Soc media were going to elect US President? :) 

Anyway, Americans have elected what they wanted. Good Luck to them.

As for the impact of his Presidency might have on Indo US relations. I leave that to the experts, who know much better. I am as Political Innoncent about all thisas my other Billion strong Indian brothers and sisters are, yes barring all knowing MSM and ‘Secularists’ and their bed fellows.

But what I can foresee happening in India … 

1. Hysterical Sec Soc Media claiming it as the victory of liberals over Nationalists. And will be used to preach us to follow US and defeat Communal forces. 
2. End less ‘Big Fights’ and ‘We the People’ or ‘Verdicts’ etc. apparently celebrating Obama win but spinning the win in to: to preaching India to stand against ‘Communalism’.
3. Mulayam, Laloo, Paswaan would start putting ‘his’ huge posters in election rallies with bold Barrack ‘Hussein’ Obama in green and in Urdu. 

In short Barrack ‘Hussein’ Obama wave will soon take over India and mind you Barrack ‘Hussein’ Obama is what Secularists will start calling him and soon the Sec Soc MSM would join the cacophony. 

India is heading for elections and four states will chose the same or new set of Jokers for another five (maximum – as we have seen Govt being toppled on weekly basis in some states) and as Indian Politics is a ‘theatre of absurd’ beyond par.

Get ready for a Sec Soc media campaign for a Muslim Prime Minister. 

Now any good leader who has the capability irrespective of religion, cast, creed or sex has the legitimate right to aspire for any post. But the communal socialism that has been become the operating word for ‘secularism’ here in India, demand for a Muslim Prime Minister will be the new bench mark for being more secularists among the ‘secularists’. 

So shall we have a or any ‘Muslim’ as a Prime Minister soon? We might…

1.      In case both BJP and Congress fail to muster up enough nos to stake a claim or command a say.

2.      Regional parties would get together and form a rag tag, many of them do not see eye to eye with each other  – expect then a or any ‘Muslim’ being made as  PM in the name of ‘secularism’. After all we had a Gowda too as PM.

Is Obama good for India? Time will only tell

Is Obama factor good for India? My guess is as good as yours. 

PI.

My heartiest congratulation to Sushil Kumar for winning Bronze in wrestling. I am very happy for Sushil, his family, his coach, friends and all Indians.

Kudos!

Jai Bhiwini!

Bhiwini is a small town in the ‘hinterland’ of Haryana. Bhiwini is largely known as ‘City of Temples’ or WAS known as, until yesterday. Bhiwini from now on will be known as ‘Indian Nursery of Boxing Champs’.

Winners, Coaches and the Boxing team from Bhiwini deserve a standing ovation for their superb performance.

Pugilist Vijender Kumar…

Has secured ‘Bronze’ already and I wish him all the luck and urge to “Go for the GOLD”. God willing you WILL SURELY WIN.

I am glad that Abhinav, Sushil and now Vijender have given us some thing to smile in these torrid times. My Personal congratulations to each of them and wish them ‘ all the very best’ for future too.

Having said this, I still reiterate what I said in my earlier post ‘Congratulations Abhinav Bindra’ that these Brave Winners have won and done us proud ‘not because of Indian Sport Administration’ – they have won DESPITE the Indian Sport Administration.

Why I am saying this? Have a look at this…

Gopi who?, asks Gill

Indian sportspersons, other than cricketers, may be crying for recognition, and not without reason. Even the country’s Sports Minister MS Gill on Tuesday failed to recognise former All-England champion shuttler and current national coach Pullela Gopichand.

The incident happened when Gopichand and his ward Saina Nehwal - back from the Beijing Olympics - went to pay a courtesy visit to the sports minister. While Gill greeted Saina heartily, he failed to recognise Gopichand when the latter shook hands with him.

“Who are you?” the minister asked Gopichand, leaving all those present dumbstruck and quite embarassed.
Gopichand, however, took the ministerial lapse sportingly, and introduced himself as the national coach.
Asked about the incident by mediapersons, he said: “It’s ok. I didn’t feel bad.”

The rot in Indian Sport Administration starts from the Top! I do not know weather to ‘Cry’ or ‘laugh’!

Abhinav, Sushil, Vijender who won and all those who put up ‘credible and competitive’ performances need all the appreciation and encouragement.

Winners do need and deserve all the cash awards and rewards. Their win proves empathetically that India does not lack either in Talent or in Determination. It further proves that if only we had provided better facilities our ‘medal tally’ would have at least been more respectable in proportion to our Nation’s size and population.

If London 2012 should be really “Chak de India” moment, then let us get back to drawing table and set our priorities right. Or least, learn some few many lessons from the ‘Bhiwini Brigade’.

Prudent Indian.

Yesterday in this post I had said,

Now, this is my third and hopefully last post in the ‘honor’ of Padamshri Rajdeep Sardesai and his Congress News Network…

But I did not know then that would be writing another one, yet again that too so soon.

Yesterday three most crucial witnesses deposed before the ‘Parliamentary Committee’ probing the charges of ‘Cash- for- Votes – Scandal.

These three are…

Shri Sudheendra Kulkarni: Shri Kulkarni is an important aide to Shri Advani and is a regular columnist for Indian Express. Shri Kulkarni felicitated the CNN IBN commissioned ‘Sting Operation’.

Shri Sohail Hindustani: The man who played the role of ‘middleman’ between Amar Singh, Ahmed Patel duo ( both Vote Managers) and three BJP (Whistle Blowers) MPs. Sohail and CNN IBN team planned and executed the ‘Sting Operation’ commissioned by Rajdeep’s Channel CNN IBN.

Sanjeev Saxena: Man who delivered 1 Crore Rs. To three whistle blower BJP MPs.

Thanks to my dear friend Offstumped for publishing the ‘Detailed Written Statements’ as made by TWO most Important witnesses before the Parliamentary Committee probing the Cash-For-Votes-Scandal.

Read at Offstumped full written statement of Shri Kulkarni.

Read at Offstumped full written statement of Sohail Hindustani.

I am posting some snippets from the statements of Shri Kulkarni and Shri Sohail. Full read of statements for clear understanding is highly recomended.

My commentary is as usual in ‘communal color’.

Shri Sohail Hindustani

213 A, MS Flats Quarters

Opposite R.M.L. Hospital

Baba Kharak Singh Marg

New Delhi – 1100 001

To

The Honourable Speaker

Lok Sabha

New Delhi

Subject: Witness statement in the ‘Cash-for-Votes’ scandal in Parliament on July 22, 2008 involving Shri Amar Singhji, General Secretary of the Samajwadi Party, Shri Ahmed Patelji, Political Secretary to the Congress President, and Shri Reoti Raman Singhji, MP and Samajwadi Party leader

… Around this time, I came to know from the “market” that a large number (over 15) of BJP and NDA MPs were being targeted by Shri Ahmed Patelji, Shri Amar Singhji and other leaders of the Congress and Samajwadi Party. I felt that the victory of Dr. Manmohan Singhji’s Government through defections from the BJP was neither good for the country nor good for the Party I support.

It is a known fact that many Congress CMs were camping in Delhi for the management of Votes. Read this…

I contacted Shri S.P. Guptaji, an IAS officer of Haryana cadre who works closely with Shri Bhupinder Singh Hoodaji, Chief Minister of Haryana. He is the chief administrator of the Housing Board of Haryana. He was with me for over an hour at the coffee shop of the India Islamic Centre. He took the list of MPs from me and said, “I don’t want any money in this deal. But if your list of MPs is pucca, I will take you to meet Shri Hoodaji and Shri Ahmed Patelji, who will discuss the deal with you.”

How and when Shri Kulkarni enters in the picture…

On July 21, at around 11.30 am, I phoned Shri Sudheendra Kulkarniji, a senior BJP activist who was OSD in the PMO when Shri Vajpayeeji was the Prime Minister. (His mobile number is 98109 33222). I have considerable respect for him due to my acquaintance with him when he used to live in the party full-timers’ rooms in the BJP headquarters at 11 Ashoka Road. He now works with Shri Advaniji. Therefore, I felt that he was the right person for me to convey the message that over a dozen BJP MPs were being approached by Congress-SP leaders.

Just look at who else is involved…

In the afternoon, at around 1.30 pm, Shri Guptaji phoned me and asked me to meet him at Claridges Hotel. He promised to arrange my meeting with Shri Ahmed Patelji. As we were having soup in the restaurant, two persons came to meet us — Shri Lovely Singh (son of Shri Buta Singhji, former Home minister and Governor of Bihar) and Shri Aman Arora, who was introduced as Shri Lovely Singh’s friend. They came in a black-coloured Honda CRB car.

Incidently Shri Buta Singh was ‘instrumental in JMM Bribery Scandal too ( PV Narsimha Rao Govt Trust Vote. Circa: 1993.) This reminds of an interesting saying in Northern India

Pita Par Poot (Son), Jaat (breed) Par Ghoda,

Bahut Nahin Tu Thoda Thoda.

Whistle blowers and CNN IBN.

Late in the afternoon of July 21, Shri Kulkarniji introduced me to three BJP Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha) — Shri Ashok Argalji, Shri Mahavir Baghoraji and Shri Faggan Singh Kulasteji. Shri Kulkarni also told me that a team from CNN-IBN was coming soon to work closely with the three MPs, record their whistle-blowing operation and telecast it.

The rendezvous with Ahmed Patel…

As mentioned earlier, Shri Lovely Singh had arranged my meeting with Shri Ahmed Patelji at 7.30 pm at the latter residence on Willingdon Crescent. Since the CNN-IBN team had not yet arrived, I requested for the meeting to be rescheduled. I was then informed that I could bring the MPs to meet Shri Ahmed Patelji to Le Meridien Hotel.

CNN IBN suppressed the Truth…

I am constrained to state here that, in CNN-IBN’s August 11 telecast of its sting operation on the ‘Cash-for-Votes’ scandal, the channel hid the information from its viewers that the visit to Meridien Hotel was to meet Shri Ahmed Patelji. The channel also showed no clips of the Congress leaders whom the two BJP MPs and I met in the hotel lobby.

All set to ‘Sting’…

Apart from Shri Argalji and Shri Kulkarniji, I met two other persons from CNN-IBN there. One was Shri Saif Kidwai, who introduced himself as a producer, and a colleague of his whose name I do not know. Shri Siddharth Gautam of CNN-IBN told us that instead of going out to meet anybody with hidden cameras, it was better to invite the person to a safe room since the quality of recording would be much better. Accordingly, his team fitted cameras behind curtains in the drawing room in Shri Argalji’s house, and a listening device in an adjoining room.

CNN IBN team who recorded the ‘Sting’…

During this meeting, I was partly inside Shri Argalji’s drawing room and partly in the adjoining room where Shri Siddharth Gautam, Shri Saif Kidwai, Shri Sudesh and the fourth member from the CNN-IBN team were listening to the conversation in the drawing room. Shri Kulkarniji was also present in the adjoining room.

Here enters the ‘King Maker’ and his ‘management skills’ are apparent and all this ‘Dealing Wheeling’ only because Amar Singh Ji Maharaj was working in the best interest of India and was so impressed with the merits of ‘Nuclear Deal’ that too after just an hour long meeting with NSA. Come on do not kid me, PLEASE.

Shri Amar Singhji welcomed the three of us warmly and treated us to dates and dry grapes. He was wearing white pyjama and a kurta of sky-blue colour. Thanking me for bringing the two MPs to meet him, he claimed that he had already “managed” the support of 275-285 MPs to ensure the survival of the UPA Government. Nevertheless, since Shri Reoti Raman Singhji had arranged the meeting, he would pay Rs. 3 crore to each MP if they abstained from the trust vote. At this point, Shri Argalji and Shri Kulasteji mentioned to him that they had one more BJP MP willing to abstain. Shri Amar Singhji told them that he would pay the same amount to Shri Baghoraji.

After this, Shri Amar Singhji spoke to somebody and informed that person that three more BJP MPs had agreed to abstain from voting. Once the conversation was over, he told us, “Aap ke baare mein main ne PM ko bata diya hai.” (I have informed the PM about you.) He then phoned Shri Ahmed Patelji from his mobile and said, “I have three more Kamals (Lotuses) here.” He made the two MPs speak to Shri Ahmed Patelji. From the conversation I could make out that Shri Amar Singhji and Shri Ahmed Patelji were working in a coordinated manner.

Shri Amar Singhji offered to pay the MPs a token amount of Rs. one crore and asked them to carry it with them. Shri Argalji and Shri Kulasteji said, “Hum nahin le jayenge. Bahar mediawalen khade hain.” (We won’t take it with us since mediapersons are standing outside your house.) Shri Amar Singhji then promised to send the amount with his assistant, Shri Sanjeev Saxena, within 10-15 minutes. The remaining amount of Rs. 8 crore, he assured them, would be paid to them after the trust vote

As we were coming out of his drawing room, I told Shri Amar Singhji, “Thakur Sahab, aap Thakur ho kar Marwadi ki tarah baat karte ho. Teen karod to bahut kum rakam hain.” (Thakur Sahab, being a Thakur you are talking like a Marwadi. Three crores is too small an amount.) He smiled at me and said, “Aap der se aaye. Raat ko MPs ko le aate to Ahmedbhai bhi yahin pe the.” (You came late. If you had brought the MPs last night, Ahmed Patel was also here and they would have met him.” I then asked him, “Thakur Sahab, mera kya hoga?” (What about my share?) He said, “Aap ka saamaan hum ne Golf Course mein rakha hai. Vahan jaa ke utha lena.” (Your amount is kept at Golf Course. Pick it up from there.)

While entering Shri Amar Singh’s house, I had seen Shri Siddharth Gautam and his colleague Shri Saif Kidwai. Also present were reporters and cameramen from several other TV channels. While I was inside Shri Amar Singhji’s drawing room, Shri Siddharth Gautam (his mobile no. is 98996 92321) phoned me on my mobile (9999996060) and said, “Please tell me what time you are leaving Shri Amar Singh’s house, so that I’ll be ready to shoot your car coming out of the house. I want to tell you that a lot of other mediapersons are also standing here.” This can be checked from my mobile call records and those of Shri Siddharth Gautam. We left Shri Amar Singh’s house at 10.48 am.

We left Shri Amar Singhji’s house to return to Shri Argal’s house at around 10.30 am. Within 15 minutes, his assistant Shri Sanjeev Saxena, accompanied by a well-built person, arrived at 4 Ferozshah Road in a white Gypsy car no. DL-3C-S-8562. The number was noted by a member of Shri Argalji’s staff. Before ushering Shri Saxena and his colleague (who was carrying two pistols hidden behind his clothes) into the drawing room, I told him, “Meri Shri Amar Singhji se baat karao, yeh maal bahut kum hai. Hum is par sauda nahin karenge.” (Make me speak to Shri Amar Singhji, because this amount is too small. We’ll not do not do the deal at this rate.”) Shri Saxena put the call through to Shri Amar Singhji, who told me that he would double the rate to Rs. 6 crore per MP. “If this is acceptable, the deal is on. Otherwise, I’ll ask my man to return immediately.”

I have ‘quoted’ some interesting – hereto un-known facts, do read the full statement. Now here are some highlights from Shri Kulkarni’s written statement.

Shri Sudheendra Kulkarni…

Sudheendra Kulkarni

17 Balwantrai Mehta Lane

New Delhi – 110 001

August 14, 2008

To

The Honourable Speaker

Lok Sabha

New Delhi

I am submitting the following written submission to you as an eye-witness in the “Cash-for-Votes” scandal that rocked Parliament and shocked the nation on July 22.

Shri Kulkarni has been consistent and unequivocal in his ‘criticism and condemnation’ of the way ManMohan Singh ‘managed’ the confidence of MPs.

Consequent to the withdrawal of the Left parties’ support to the UPA Government on July 8 over the Indo-US nuclear deal, I was deeply agitated by the unethical and fraudulent manner in which the UPA Government started to cobble up majority support. Well before the ‘Cash-for-Votes’ scandal broke out on July 22, I gave expression to my angry feelings and agitated thoughts in two columns. (‘From ‘Lal Salaam’ to Dalal Salaam’, July 13, 2008 and ‘Polluting Parliamentary Democracy’, July 20, 2008) After the scandal broke out, I wrote about it in three consecutive columns. (‘Where is the Proof?’ Asked the PM, July 27 2008; ‘Parliament on Sale’, August 3 2008; and Solzhenitsyn, Lies and Videotape, August 10, 2008).

Much of what Shri Kulkarni say in this written statement is in agreement and corborates well with what Sohail Hindustani deposed before the Parliamentary committee probing the which I feel personally is: The molestation of democracy if not out rightly ‘rape attempt’.

 

Shameful indeed it is to know how the supposedly ‘Mr. Clean and Honesty Personified ‘ManMohan Singh’s government stooped down to secure majority of the house.

Possibly, PM might not have been aware of things – but then it reflects on his leadership and ability to head a government of a Billion strong Nation. Then, Morality and Politics had divorced long time back, isn’t it?

But the most shocking thing is the role played by the Media House. Media prides in self as ‘Watch Dogs’ of Society. And when the man whom you ‘trust’ to safe guard you, stabs in your back and becomes an accomplice in crime – in this case betraying the trust first than suppressing the facts of the case – WHAT YOU CALL SUCH PERSONS AS…?

George Shelley explains…

He who promises more than he is able to perform, is false to himself;
and he who does not perform what he has promised, is a traitor to his friend.

 

Prudent Indian

Now, this is my third and hopefully last post in the ‘honor’ of Padamshri Rajdeep Sardesai and his Congress News Network, called so euphemistically CNN IBN. A couple of days back Padamshri’s beautiful wife and senior editor of Congress News Network (CNN IBN); Sagarike Ghose wrote an ‘angry piece’ in another Congress rag called ‘The Hindustan Congress Times’. Sandeep my friend noticed that as ‘Revenge of the Turd’ , as Sandeep said…

How dare the BJP, till now the favorite whipping boy of the secular media, call his (Rajdeep’s) bluff by demanding accountability? That is the source of Turdesai’s impotent anger.

So far, Media has been a holy cow and Media – especially the ‘Secularist English Media’ had reserved all the ‘probity’ and right to question only to themselves. In their infinite and extremely elastic ‘ethics’ they arrogated selves with the power to slander others (like they did in Aarushi murder case), to cast apprehensions on others, to ‘Brand Individuals and Political parties’ with tags like communal etc. Freedom of speech degenerated to ‘Freedom to Abuse’. Their Channels and Papers became useful ‘extended organs’ of one or another Political Outfit. For long, this MSM high jacked the ‘Public Discourse’ and set the tone and tenor of the debate.

These worthies decided that ‘Hindus’ were communal and any body with even a sympathetic look in their eyes for Hindus and/ or a voice for them, should be branded as ‘Communal’, thus must be ridiculed, abused, sneered at and must be ‘hauled up over coals’. They perfected the art of ’secularizing’ every thing and anything and any and every body who could abuse Hindus in more and more ‘innovative’ abuses and ‘innuendos’ were invited to studios and encouraged to spew venom against Hindus in general and BJP, RSS in particular. If a riot broke out, they smelt an opportunity to increase their TRPs simultaneously, ensuring a PADAMSHRI for some ‘Teastas’ and self.

I dare both  Padamshri Rajdeep 'Bhai'  and  Padamshiri Barkha 'Ben' to release the tapes of their reporting from Gujarat post Godhara. DOES RIGHT TO INFORMATION APPLY TO YOU? But then Bhai Rajdeep, who otherwise would spend millions to get a ‘Tehelaka’ or ‘Cobra’ do stings and air those, conveniently when election were on, sat on tapes he him self (his channel) recorded ! “The Journalist” in quest of some ’secularism more’ or something else Rajdeep? Khushwant Singh, know how awards are won and he did tell us.

Objectivity, fairness, Pursuance of truth all fell by the way sides and got replaced with lure of titles and lucre. Rajdeep himself has admitted ‘The Journalist started demanding more’. From here on, the fall of MSM was inevitable. Cash-For-Votes-Hide-The-Tape proved ‘Rajdeep Correct’: Hamam Mein Sab Nange Hain. (OR BILKUL NANGE: My Emphasis)

Let me make it clear. I have nothing personal against Rajdeep or Barkha (both Padamshris  awarded by 'Your President' ), neither have any personal axe to grind. Since these two ‘eminent journalists’ heads the two big News Networks and hogs the maximum spotlight, they are equally responsible – in equal proportion if not more – for all the ‘omission and commissions’ too.

Matters get worst when one such ‘Padamshri’ transparently colludes with the ‘molesters of democracy’ in disrobing the democratic spirit of the Mother India. Moreover, the other Padamshri arrogates to her the role of ‘Peace Broker’ and ‘wittingly or unwittingly’ provides the services/forum to the ‘venom spewing anti national Hurryiats and their ilk’ on prime time!

This is what I object to. Media prides self as the ‘vanguard’ of people’s interest! They demand and get ‘privileges’ and most of times, claim immunity too for the noble cause of ‘finding facts’ and telling the ‘truth’. Ah! Of late, Media has ‘successfully’ managed to get caught cheating and obfuscating the facts… First Rajdeep with his active role in Cash-For-votes-Hide-The-tape-Scandal and then other’s blatant one sided (clearly ‘pandering to Anti Nationals’) Kashmir reportage to contrasting reportage on Jammu blaming RSS, BJP and others for what clear to every one is:The popular and Spontaneous outrage of Hindus against the ‘ever increasing’ Muslim appeasement in the name of ‘Secularism’ and denial of rights to Jammuiets in the name of ’spurious’ Kashmiriat. Any one with an iota of common sense can see the difference.

As I said earlier, arrogant and power drunk MEDIA believes they are above scrutiny, if asked to account for their acts, they get mighty offended. Angry write ups follows and they seek to discipline the ‘errant bloggers’ like your truly, for their persistent questioning them.

BUT then, yes we will keep an eye on you as well, that is watching the watch dogs. You like it or not, damn I care.

Mr. Arun Jaitley has thrown some more light on the ‘Molestation of Democracy’ scandal. In a strongly worded ‘rejoinder ’ he has put both ‘Husband – Wife' team in the place, they rightfully belong to, i.e in the dock.

I have merely highlighted some more facts as they emerge out from this ‘rejoinder’.

Prudent Indian.

Channel Tunnel Vision

The political class is subject to permanent critical scrutiny. We are accountable to the electorate. So we must be constantly under the spotlight. As another pillar of democracy, the media, however, are accountable to no one. Sagarika Ghose’s assertion that the BJP’s urban space “will melt faster than the holy lingam at Amarnath” (Psst… We’ve finally lost it, Aug. 13) is a case of reckless assertion of hope over reality. As Senior Editor of CNN-IBN, Ghose is understandably angry with the BJP. Her channel has recently suffered a self-inflicted loss of credibility. If, like political parties, the media were exposed to the same level of scrutiny, how would CNN-IBN’s role in the ‘Cash for Votes’ issue be judged?

The channel’s participation in the ‘sting’ was entirely voluntary. Its editor has publicly asserted that its interest in a sting was prompted by AB Bardhan’s claim that MPs were being lured with Rs 20 crore to side with the UPA in the June 22 trust vote. The three BJP MPs were merely whistle-blowers. The channel was told that the MPs had been approached by those managing the UPA’s survival strategy and if it wished to expose corruption, it could undertake a sting. CNN-IBN chose its own team and used its own equipment. It recorded the three sequences: the interaction with Samajwadi Party MP Revati Raman Singh; the arrival and departure of the MPs to Amar Singh’s residence; and Amar Singh’s associate Sanjeev Saxena’s visit to Ashok Argal’s house to deliver the money.

After the sting was completed, strange things began happening. First, CNN-IBN claimed that the tapes were not of ‘telecastable’ quality — a spurious claim in the light of their subsequent showing. Then the channel claimed it didn’t have enough time to complete the investigation. The reality was far grimmer. The channel abandoned all pretence of any investigation and focused on finding fault with the existing evidence. Pious assertions couldn’t conceal the fact that the channel was embarrassed by its own story.

Yet, faced with immense public criticism and loss of credibility, the channel decided to telecast the tapes on July 26. I was approached the previous day and agreed to participate in a programme at 8pm. Shortly before the proposed telecast, CNN-IBN informed me that the ‘Speaker’s office’ had requested the channel not to telecast the tapes. The Speaker later asserted that it was for the channel to decide whether to telecast or not.

The most pertinent question in the ‘Cash for Votes’ controversy was: on whose behalf did Sanjeev Saxena deliver the money to the MPs? It is an established fact that he did deliver cash. The channel was in possession of the sms that Saxena had sent to its own reporters on July 20 inviting them for Amar Singh’s press conference at 7 pm that day. It concealed this message.

The car in which Saxena travelled was registered in the name of a company controlled by Amar Singh’s family member. The number of the car was noted by the CNN-IBN team and given to me both by a member of the team and the MPs. Subsequently, the CNN-IBN reporter publicly denied knowledge of the car.

These two evidences in possession of CNN-IBN were further proof of Saxena having come on behalf of Amar Singh. In view of the CNN-IBN having abandoned the investigation, the BJP investigated the Saxena-Amar Singh link and produced it as corroborative evidence. More corroborations have followed.

Meanwhile, CNN-IBN sought to create a perceptible equality and moral equivalence between the bribe-giver and the whistle-blower. Was it interested putting the collusive sting on par with its own genuine recordings? Amar Singh’s utterances in the programme telecast by the channel gives me the uneasy feeling that the tapes which were withheld from the public were privately screened for him. Why else would he confidently reveal in a pre-recorded comment what is on the tapes and what is not?

I am clear that it is for CNN-IBN to decide its own programming. But there is a fundamental difference in the relationship of a whistle-blower and an investigator. When a whistle blower alerts an investigator, the investigated material is held in trust for public interest by the investigation. It does not become the private property of the investigator. This is the misconception the channel suffered from.

The channel’s freedom of expression may include the right to conceal. It may include the right to abuse the BJP. Yet, it seems to end where Amar Singh’s nose begins.

Arun Jaitley is Rajya Sabha MP and General Secretary, BJP

Finally on August 11^th, 2008 Padmashri Rajdeep Sardesai choose to share the here-to hidden tapes of Cash-For-Votes-Scandal.

What was so ‘auspicious’ on this day? Well, only Padmashri Rajdeep Ji know and can answer. BUT, why did he not telecast the tapes on 22^nd July the day MMS BOUGHT the confidence of MPs and lost the Trust of Nation? Are, still not clear. But Padmashri Ji did give following reason for not airing those. He Said and I quote…

“Why have we not telecast the story so far? Quite simply, we have chosen not to telecast the story yet because we did not feel that the story was complete. Credible journalism is based on accuracy not speed, facts not sensationalism, reportage not allegations and assumptions. Our rigorous editorial protocol demands that even a hidden camera shoot is absolutely water-tight. In this particular story, there were many loose ends that needed to be cross-checked, corroborated and investigated further before the story could be aired. … […]

This is what forced Padamshri Rajdeep Sardesai to with hold telecasting sting…

1. Story was not complete.

2. As per his channel’s strict and ethical standards, the sting did not come true to their standards.

3. And finally most importantly, HE needed some more time to investigate the charges further.

Laudable Indeed! Well, skeptics in any case knew why tapes were with held, as you’re truly too wrote here why? Many people still gave Padamshri Rajdeep Sardesai a ‘benefit of doubt’, believing him for the mentioned reasons excuses, cited above.

Since the fateful July 22^nd, 2008 all of sudden there were spurt of CDs released. ‘A circus of absurd’ was unleashed in the capital of World’s Largest Democracy. Democracy; which was ashamed on July 22^nd!

… Teri CD… Meri CD… Us Ke CD… Kis ki CD

Meri CD Teri CD Se Tez Hai.

Tu Jhootha Mein Sacha….

For full 20 days, every body was accusing every body else and Mr. Padamshri – except for once – kept a Sphinx like silence. Then came August 11^th, 2008. World awaited with ‘baited breath’ to know these modern day Dushashans (Amar and Co.), Durdoyans (Laloos, Shibhus,Mulayams,Paswans), Bhishams (who presided over humiliation of democracy, who else than ManMohan and Dada?), Dhritshashtra Mata (Ma Sonia Maino ) etc, who disrobed ‘Democracy’ that day Rajdeep.

For full two hours and thirty minutes, I just sat watching, infect after tapes ran through once - which showed what I knew already, was expecting Mr. Padamshri to enlighten me with his some more NEW findings… but I kept waiting and the MR. Padamshri wound up the program and left for home… leaving me wondering, what the fuck is/was all this fuss all about!

If this is what Rajdeep ‘had been hiding’ or was it all he had to say? Then he could very well have aired these tapes on July 22^nd too!

What Rajdeep showed on 11^th was no surprise at all, look here just after a week on 31^st July Cash-For-Votes-Hide-The-Tape-Scandal this humble your truly had published the dates and time wise details of what had happened. FULL 12 days AHEAD OF Mr. Padamshri’s ‘Whatever it Takes’ journalist driven channel!

Now there are two moot questions which still remain unanswered and once again the whole sting operation is open to speculations and – as Rajdeep grudge against– ‘innuendos’ too.

Mr. Padamshri you with held tapes for more than 20 days, yet you reached to NO conclusion (as you said then, that you with held tapes for since it were inconclusive on 22^nd)?

Mr. Padamshri, you also neither substantiated the charges nor refuted them! It still is as ‘loose ended’ as it was on 22^nd July!

Rajdeep Sar, you had full 20 days and had you or/and your channel CNN IBN so wanted, you could have easily ‘sought and got’ the phone records of Sanjeev Saxena and Guru Amar Singh and for sure, could have either established the ‘alleged allegations’ made by Shri Arun Jatiley or refuted them unequivocally! STRANGE you needed this PI’s suggestion to apply common sense!

One more thing, you said some thing about ‘Credible Journalism’- what ever this means – and said it was another factor for you to ‘decide’ to not to air tapes on 22^nd, as promised to ‘whistle blowers’. Forgive me Rajdeep for my ‘cynicism’; I am reproducing a small portion from my last post published in your honor.

Rajdeep your own words…

Another reason for the problem is the changing self-image of the journalist, and his role in a democratic system. For a long time the journalist’s role was seen to be that of an independent observer of events. But observation alone can be rather tedious and not very financially productive either. So, over the years, the journalist has chosen to move from the margins of the fourth estate to being firmly on the centre stage, closer to the first estate (read first family Soinia ‘Maino’ Gandhi’). Ideological corruption is as much a part in this process as anything else. A journalist can get close to a political party (read Congress), business house (read Reliance Anil Ambani Group) or an individual ( read Guru Amar Singh) in a manner that compromises his (read the journalists) independence. Having acquired that proximity (with Congress and the Maino family), the journalist can then use his clout on a larger scale, playing kingmaker in cementing political alliances (By STILL not telecasting tapes) at the centre or in providing the (Help winning the political and/ or pay masters) link between a minister in the Union cabinet (?) and a business house (we all know, who.) in need of a favor. (Yes, do tell us please, is to serve the greatest cause of saving Hindustan from Communal forces?!)

Who is this ‘The Journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai?

STRANGE, you did not answer this too brother!

Anyway, why you with held telecast when it mattered most or why you did telecast tapes defying all the reasons excuses you offered then… is only for Madame Sonia, Dr. MMS, Guru Amar Singh Ji, Anil Ambani or/and Amreeka to comprehend. J For a lesser mortal like me, I am still just as ignorant even today as I was on 22^nd July.

Since I am neither a journalist nor a lawyer not even a well known one… what ever I say does not affect you – rather why should to you – or matters. So I take leave of you SAR, but before I leave, do want to tell you what your own ‘fraternity’ has to say about all this… good or bad, settle among selves… and yes, if you settle debates over some ‘drinks’ and feel like inviting me too! SAR, let me tell you my choice. I prefer Bacardi ‘on the rocks’. Cheers!

Why Mr. Padamshri did not air tapes on 22^nd July?

Francois Gautier explains why.

There was a deafening silence on the role of Rajdeep Sardesai and his channel CNN-IBN’s role in helping the Congress win the vote. Sardesai sat on a sting tape which clearly showed someone who was close to Amar Singh handing over a crore to BJP MPs. If the tape had been aired it would have immediately led to the postponement of the trust vote and the UPA would have ultimately lost it. Instead, he handed it over to the Speaker only at 5 pm, knowing that it would be too late and that most likely Somnath Chatterjee would avoid taking immediate action.

Why did Mr. Padamshri telecast on 11^th August, 2008?

Do Read this. An excellent analysis by ‘Ramanajum’ at THE HOOT.

Finally, this is what Eminent jurist Fali S Nariman said.

He said: “This particular episode could have been released immediately and if it was not released immediately on legal advice then I believe it should have awaited the results of the Parliament committee’s investigation”.

J

Ek Sher arz hai Chacha Ghalib ka, Mulihija farmayeen…

Har Ek baat Pe Kahete Ho Ki, Tou Kaya Hai!

Tum he Kaho, Ki Yeh Andaz-e- Guftogo Kaya hai?

Ragoon Mein Dod-ne Phirney Ke Hum Nahin Kayal.

Jo Ban Ke Aankh Se Na Tapka Ta Lahoo Kaya Hai?

Chaltey Chaltey…

Ja Ko Rakhe Sonia, Maar Sake Na Koi.

PadamShri Pradan Kare. Jug Roye Tou Roye.

On a very serious note Rajdeep…

Rajdeep if you are really truthful to your own profession, you should find out Sanjeeve Saxena as soon and urgently as possible and take full care that no harm is reached to him since he is a very important and crucial link to the truth. The TRUTH you are professionally bond to unearth and tell the world. I hope you have not forgotten the ‘Shashi Nath Jha’ murder. I am sure you have fairly good idea about how did ‘witnesses’ either mysteriously disappeared or managed to get self killed under some ‘errant/drunk’ truck driver’s wheels. Remember Fodder Scam Sir?

Remember, When Draupdi was ‘disrobed and humiliated’, Sri Krishan saved her ‘honor’. This time it is Democracy being ‘disrobed, humiliated and being molested’, lest it is ‘raped’ too, do your Kartavya. Or else, you your self too will not be able to pardon self, leave alone us.

Prudent Indian.

My heartiest congratulations to Abhinav Bindra for winning the Gold Medal in 10meter Air Rifle event. It is indeed a rare feet. Abhinav richly deserves all the attention and felicitation.

Kudos Abhinav! And very good luck for future, may you keep on doing us proud for the long time to come.

Amen!

Of course it is indeed a mater of pride for all Indians and I do not want to spoil the party, yet I am hardly in a mood to go on the celebration binge since One Individual Indian has won One Gold Medal, in an Individual Event in past 28 years!

Just as I am punching keys, my TV set tuned to some so called ‘News Channel’ is blaring out “Chak De India…Chak de India….” every 30 seconds punctuated with another 30 seconds of commercial break!

Though nothing wrong in praising Abhinav for this ‘achievement’ but what the fuck is “Chak de India” all about? What is this ‘euphoria’?

Is winning an Individual Gold Medal in 28 years for a BILLION PLUS nation is “Chak De India’!

Or is it that we know that we did not expect any Indian to go this far because we know how ‘pathetic’ our record in International Sport arena has been!

Is this “Chak de India” moment? Just because, one Individual through his own efforts excelled in an individual sport, not because he is an Indian but because his “Despite Being an Indian”!

“Blood Stained Olympic” is still on and I pray and hope to be ‘Pleasantly Surprised’ with many many more ‘rebuffs’ to my embedded cynicism. Nevertheless, I am just as optimistic as any of you are.

Let us reflect collectively. Is an ‘Individual Brilliance’ a moment for “Chak De India” celebrations or collective National Shame! I leave this to you.

Hundredths time I heard them again “Chak de India”…- other NEWS CHANNELS are equally ecstatic if not more- I am not sure if it really mean “Chuck India”!

Congrats to Abhinav once again, and time for other Indians to ponder.

PI.

Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. Power is simply to either ‘Grant an Undeserved Favor or Snatch a Rightful Right’. Right?

How the barbs thrown at others come back ‘haunting you’! In other words, when you dug a pit for others, you too might fall in that – some day!

We all have been passed on for generations this ‘Time Tested Wisdom’ that, “Lies have no feet. To cover up ‘a’ lie told; you invent another Hundreds of Lies. Eventually, you end up get caught in a web of your own lies’.

CNN IBN commissioned sting (cash for vote scandal) has made a storm not only in political circles but has been a hot topic among the media and many speculations are doing the rounds, ever since the eminent journalist Shri ‘Bharat Vibhushan’ Rajdeep Sardesai refused to air the tapes.

Yesterday CNN IBN issued a long statement – after 10 whole days – explaining why they (CNN IBN) did not telecast the sting.

Statement starts with, “In the last week, there has been speculation over an alleged ‘sting’ operation… […]

Mind the use of word ‘alleged’ in the opening sentence! Now read this,

“The ’sting’ operation conducted by our investigation team… […]

Huh!

“Why have we not telecast the story so far? Quite simply, we have chosen not to telecast the story yet because we did not feel that the story was complete.Credible journalism is based on accuracy not speed, facts not sensationalism, reportage not allegations and assumptions. Our rigorous editorial protocol demands that even a hidden camera shoot is absolutely water-tight.In this particular story, there were many loose ends that needed to be cross-checked, corroborated and investigated further before the story could be aired. … […]

Pray tell me Rajdeep, since when you have assumed the role of being an investigative agency head? And do tell us how many ‘sting operations’ aired at CNN IBN had been proved ‘complete’ and conclusive’?

The hoot asks, “Is it the job of a TV channel to provide proof to any Constitutional authority, in this case the Speaker, before telecasting the news to its viewers?” Any answer, Bharat Bhushan Rajdeep Sardesai SAR?

The statement says, “As it transpired, even before we could complete the process of investigation, three BJP MPs made allegations in parliament of having been bribed and displayed cash in the House… […]

I am taking liberty to publish the sequence of the events and let us see what Rajdeep has to offer.

Following is the sequence of events, as told by ‘ A Confidential Source’. Let me make it clear. I am under no obligation to disclose my sources, (Isn’t it Rajdeep? J What you enjoy as ‘the privilege’ to with hold naming sources, I too reserve the same)

This is what ‘most probably’ had happened on Monday, 21^st July 2008 and Tuesday, 22nd July 2008.

•Monday 11.30 am: After an unnamed “intermediary” approaches the three BJP MPs, party trouble-shooters contact the CNN-IBN. Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora are driven to the Le Meridien Hotel, supposedly to meet Congress leader Ahmed Patel. They are wearing button cameras provided by the channel. But there is no sign of Patel in the hotel.

•Monday 1.30 pm: An unnamed “contact” informs the three BJP MPs that SP MP Reoti Raman Singh would meet them at Ashok Argal’s residence at 4, Ferozeshah Road. The drawing room is fitted with bugging devices and the CNN team is listening in an ante-room. Reoti Raman Singh claims Amar Singh is the person who will finalise the deal.

•Tuesday 9 am: Argal and Kulaste go to Amar Singh’s house in Lodi Road. The MPs do not wear button cameras. They are filmed entering and exiting the house.

•Tuesday 2 pm: At 4, Ferozeshah Road, the three MPs get a visitor called Sanjeev Saxena who is allegedly carrying “advance” money for them. The hidden cameras are in place. In Saxena’s presence, the MPs remove the bundles to check the notes. After Saxena leaves, the CNN-IBN reporter interviews each MP. The serial numbers of the Rs 1,000 notes are filmed as proof that the cash delivered is the bundle taken to Parliament.

CNN IBN had an understanding with the ‘whistle blowers’ to air the tapes before ‘Trust Vote’ on that fateful day, Rajdeep did have a look on tapes (a fact he doesn’t deny but so evasively confirms in an interview to rediff.com

“Did you supervise the story?

My two reporters did the job. I may have had a look. Said Rajdeep.

As far as this your truly know or can ascertain, The Editor in Chief would have had no problem airing the tapes had the sting limited to BJP MPs accepting the bribe offered, but for new found ally and Ahmed Patel featuring in, He decided against it.

After all, Bharat Vibhushan was not rewarded for nothing! Time to pay back Rajdeep? We all know how awards are won, right from the horse’s mouth.

Rajdeep’s channel says, “We would like to reiterate that at CNN-IBN we remain committed to quality and independent journalism. Our commitment is to the truth. Truth that cannot be partial, inconclusive or sensational, but one that must adhere to exacting standards of fairness and accuracy. … […]

Wow! But for your so Nobel thoughts; Sweet Heart! J, who will judge what truth is? YOU, AMAR SINGH, MADAME or DADA? And how many times before your channel had assured all ‘that’ before airing all the ‘stings’ you did air so far?

Rajdeep, I have a nasty habit of reading ‘between the lines’. You are a busy and NOW too important a man, I won’t accuse you if you have forgotten what you said on June 26th, 2001 in a seminar.

(Reading between the lines… with my usual ‘Communal’ and biased yet true interpretations)

Rajdeep your own words…

Another reason for the problem is the changing self-image of the journalist, and his role in a democratic system. For a long time the journalist’s role was seen to be that of an independent observer of events. But observation alone can be rather tedious and not very financially productive either. So, over the years, the journalist has chosen to move from the margins of the fourth estate to being firmly on the centre stage, closer to the first estate (read first family Soinia ‘Maino’ Gandhi’). Ideological corruption is as much a part in this process as anything else. A journalist can get close to a political party (read Congress), business house (read Reliance Anil Ambani Group) or an individual ( read Guru Amar Singh) in a manner that compromises his (read the journalists) independence. Having acquired that proximity (with Congress and the Maino family), the journalist can then use his clout on a larger scale, playing kingmaker in cementing political alliances (By STILL not telecasting tapes) at the centre or in providing the (Help winning the political and/ or pay masters) link between a minister in the Union cabinet (?) and a business house (we all know, who.) in need of a favor. (Yes, do tell us please, is to serve the greatest cause of saving Hindustan from Communal forces?!)

Who is this ‘The Journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai?

You say very too often, “Hamam Mein Sab Nange Hain”, Aree Bhai Aap Kahan Hain?

Rajdeep, simply telecast these tapes ‘unedited and uninfluenced’ with out a second delay lest it is confirmed, that you are all but what you claim to claim here,

“…we value our credibility and independence above all else… […]

It is not only you and CNN IBN whose credibility is at stake; it is of the entire media. Especially the always sermonizing, ‘holier than thou’ 24X7 channels. We have not forgotten how you guys played ‘havoc’ with the lives of Aarushi’s parents. We are in no mood to let you play that again with the very basic and fundamental principal of Democracy and to know what happened is our basic and fundamental right.

Telecast those tapes and let Billion Strong Prudent Indians judge. Period.

Prudent Indian.

STOP PRESS: An Important update from Yossarin. Boycott CNN IBN

Update: Offstumped snubs Rajdeep.

CNN-IBN Boycott - Many Sins

Excellent post must read.

So what Mr. Sardesai is saying is that his channel is really about the same old intellecutual arrogance and elitism of the so called “progressive liberals” who think they know what is right for us and hence will sit in judgement on what ought to be dished out to as news and opinion and what ought not. [...]

Another Update: A convenient forgetfulness. Francois Gautier.

There was a deafening silence on the role of Rajdeep Sardesai and his channel CNN-IBN’s role in helping the Congress win the vote. Sardesai sat on a sting tape which clearly showed someone who was close to Amar Singh handing over a crore to BJP MPs. If the tape had been aired it would have immediately led to the postponement of the trust vote and the UPA would have ultimately lost it. Instead, he handed it over to the Speaker only at 5 pm, knowing that it would be too late and that most likely Somnath Chatterjee would avoid taking immediate action.