Kiran Bedi vs Arvind Kejriwal: This is one battle Delhi will love

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi has finally joined the BJP in the run up to Assembly elections in Delhi. A self-confessed admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ‘leadership qualities’, Bedi will give the saffron party the face it was craving for a long time now.
At the press conference in the presence of party president Amit Shah and Union Minister Arun Jaitley, she did mention how she was neglected for the post of Delhi police commissioner despite her eligibility. Perhaps, this was the beginning of her strained relationship with the Congress which was running the government then.
Now that Amit Shah has made it clear that she will fight the upcoming elections, Delhi is staring at a intriguing contest between Bedi and her one-time colleague at India Against Corruption Arvind Kejriwal.
It’s a remarkable political shift for Bedi who was once the face of anti-corruption campaign led by Anna Hazare and Kejriwal. After her ghonghat act during the Lokpal movement which was apparently to mock BJP’s indecisiveness in its stand on the Bill in Parliament, Kiran Bedi’s journey as a political activist has come a full circle.
Soon after Bedi joined BJP, Kejriwal tweeted he was happy that she has joined politics. This perceived bonhomie apart, realpolitik is also about hard fought battles and often acrimonious exchange of words. The two veterans have fought many battles together on the road. The real test now lies ahead as they are likely to take on each other. If it does happen, this lip-smacking fight has all the ingredients of a Bollywood potboiler. Two friends setting out on a mission but ending up as rivals. But don’t they say there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics.
What is she bringing to the table for BJP? A proven track record as an honest police officer and an understanding of the functioning of the government machinery. But the larger question is will she be able to halt Kejriwal rerun of the last elections?
Well, the jury is still out. Watch this space.

AAP fundraiser gets an ‘overwhelming response’

Party functionaries claim they raised Rs. 1.75 crore for Delhi Assembly polls

Arvind Kejriwal, National Convener of Aam Aadmi Party, launched a fund-raising campaign in Bengaluru on Sunday a day after the campaign for Delhi Assembly elections picked up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attack on AAP.

Mr. Kejriwal’s campaign in the city is expected to have mopped up “at least Rs. 1.75 crore” according to party functionaries. At the time this report was filed, Prithvi Reddy, Karnataka in-charge of the AAP, said: “We are still tabulating results and we are sure of having raised funds totalling Rs. 1.75 crore and expect it to be more.”

Majority of the funds was collected on Sunday by the nearly 200 AAP supporters, who were specially invited to have lunch with the ‘mufflerman’. Majority of those who attended lunch were city-based techies and entrepreneurs.

Karnataka had contributed Rs. 2.5 crore to the AAP’s funds for the Lok Sabha elections. Besides this, an identical sum was collected to meet its election expenditure in Karnataka as well. Response to Sunday’s fundraiser, the party claimed was “overwhelming” and showed that Bengaluru remained a strong support base of AAP.

While over 1,000 people had enrolled for selfies with Mr. Kejriwal. However, only 25 of them were lucky to pose for a picture with him and they were chosen through a draw of lots.

A confident Mr. Kejriwal averred at a public function in the city that he was overwhelmed with the response he received here. “Your response has boosted the level of my blood,” he said.

Kejriwal sidelights

Supporters chanted ‘Paanch Saal’ Kejriwal as they welcomed Arvind Kejriwal to a thunderous applause

‘Welcome Mufflerman’ placards greeted him at the venue.

Kejriwal refused to accept a muffler from a supporter. The same muffler was used to hold the mike as it was giving out a mild electricity shock due to lack of proper grounding.

Volunteers were seen cleaning the corridors of the college where the public function was held.

AAP supporter Manjunath, a person with physical disability, drove all the way from Ramanagaram on his three-wheeler to listen to Mr. Kejriwal.

He was carried on a chair to the third floor, the venue of the programme, as the building does not have an elevator.

Defamation case: Delhi court slaps fine of Rs 10,000 on Nitin Gadkari

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for his failure to comply with its order in a criminal defamation case filed by him against former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Gomati Manocha observed that Gadkari had not complied with the court's order regarding filing of an affidavit three days before the scheduled hearing on Saturday.

The court said the affidavit was to be supplied to Kejriwal's counsel three days in advance but the same was done on Saturday only.

The court said the affidavit was to be supplied to Kejriwal's counsel three days in advance but the same was done on Saturday only.

in these circumstances, one last and final opportunity is being given to lead complainant evidence subject to cost of Rs 10,000," the magistrate said and fixed the matter for March 21, 2015.

During the hearing, senior advocate Pinki Anand, appearing for Gadkari, told the court that they have supplied the copy of the affidavit to be filed to advocate Prashant Bhushan, who has been appearing for Kejriwal on December 18.

But, advocate Rishikesh, who appeared for Kejriwal, told the court that he has been supplied the copy of the affidavit today only.

After Gadkari's counsel told the magistrate that they have furnished the affidavit on court's record on December 18, the magistrate said the court master was denying the same.

"The file was not taken up. How was this affidavit filed without even knowledge of this court? If you were filing an affidavit then it has to come on the record of the court. Ahlmad (court master) is denying that affidavit has been filed before him," the magistrate said.

As the court imposed the cost on Gadkari, his counsel said it was "unfair" as the affidavit was received at Bhushan's office on December 18 itself.

"You cannot take the court for a ride. I am saying that compliance has not been done. Do not create a ruckus in the court. The order has been passed and you can challenge it," the magistrate told lawyers appearing for Gadkari. The matter was listed for cross-examination of Gadkari.

Kejriwal far ahead of modi

New Delhi:Who do you think is the most important personality of the year 2014? Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, Arvind Kejriwal, Narendra Modi or Kapil Sharma? Who is the person who made this year memorable? He or she can be from any field or genre. ABP News now gives you a chance to pick the one person who stood out the most in 2014.

 After first day of the poll, Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal is leading ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the ABP News Vyakti Vishesh poll. According to the data we received till 8 PM on Wednesday, Narendra Modi with 18.93 per cent vote, is on second position while the AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister is on top position with 72.33 per cent votes. India’s Nobel prize winner Kailash Satyarthi is on third rank with 1.79 per cent votes. Bollywood’s Dabangg Salman Khan is on fourth rank with 1.5 per cent support while Shah Rukh Khan is on fifth spot with 1.3 per cent votes.

 If you haven't voted so far then here is a golden chance to participate in the ABP News poll and make your favourite person win the ABP News Vyakti Vishesh of 2014. How to vote for the Vyakti Visheshof 2014- All you have to do is go to abplive.in/vv2014and vote for your favourite personality from the ten short listed by us. So hurry and vote now, lest your choice gets left behind.