Navaratri Brahmotsavams come to a grand close

Navaratri Brahmotsavams come to a grand close

The nine-day annual religious carnival -- Navaratri Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara concluded on a grand note with the conduct of ‘Chakrasnanam’ on Tuesday.

The processional deities of Lord Malayappa swamy and his two divine consorts along with the idol of Sudarshana Chakrathalwar were carried in a grand procession to the venue-- Sri Varahaswamy temple -- situated on the banks of the holy pushkarini in the wee hours of the day as part of the Pallaki Utsavam where the temple priests conducted several religious formalities.

After the ceremonious conduct of the Snapana Thirumanjanam (celestial bath) to the deities, the priests carried the idol of Chakrathalwar and immersed it in the tank waters thus indicating the culmination of the mega spiritual pageantry. Thousands of devotees who were waiting till then, for the auspicious moment plunged into the pushkarini to take a holy dip.

Earlier, Choornabhishekam was carried out inside the main temple complex followed by special rituals at the Ranganayakula mandapam.

Meanwhile, addressing the media persons at the Annamaiah Bhavan TTD Executive officer L.V. Subramanyam thanked all those who were part of the grand fiesta and expressed his happiness at the celebrations being incident-free.

Dwelling at length, he said that while 4.75 lakh devotees had the darshan of the presiding deity during the last eight days the temple derived a record income of Rs. 18.58 crore – an increase by over Rs. 4 crore when compared to 2010 when the temple had witnessed two Brahmotsavams. Of the total income a major chunk of Rs. 12.93 crore was derived from the temple Hundi by way of offerings by the devotees and the rest from the sale of laddus and darshan tickets.

He expressed his happiness at the large participation of Sri Vari Sevaks and said that for the first time in the temple history over 1,268 including 277 female volunteers rendered services at Kalyanakatta – the place where the pilgrims get their heads shaved in fulfilment of their prayers.

Used luxury cars, a hit with buyers in Hyderabad

Used luxury cars, a hit with buyers in Hyderabad

A garage filled with old, dusty and unused cars of well-known models was a usual sight of a second-hand car outlet until some years ago but in complete contrast are the new clusters of used car outlets which have surfaced in upmarket areas of Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Madhapur and nearby localities. Showcasing SUVs, convertibles, sports and various other models of high-end luxury and imported cars as well as bikes, these showrooms target customers are the growing number of upwardly mobile denizens ranging from students, businessmen, movie stars and even politicians. 

The cars on display typically range in the Rs 25 lakhs - Rs 1.5 crore bracket but their depreciation rate is 30 to 50% and hence the demand in the second-hand luxury market. "An average buyer of these luxury cars usually sells them within a year or two and upgrades to a better car model. This way many second-hand luxury cars are flooding the market," says Abhishek Aggarwal of Ingens, who started this outlet a couple of months ago in Madhapur. His showroom showcases only those used cars that are priced above Rs 15 lakhs. "We have been selling close to 15 cars every month. Recently we sold a used BMW Z4 for about Rs 50 lakhs, and when it comes to bikes we have sold a couple of used Harley Davidson bikes," he said. 

With a minimum maintenance cost of Rs 20,000 to even Rs one lakh annually, car lovers don't mind the 'modest' expense saying they get to own an imported brand for much less than its original price. Usually second-hand showrooms charge a commission from both the buyer and seller but in the case of luxury used cars, they do not charge the seller anything (keeping in mind the huge cost of the vehicle) and the commission is charged from only the buyer which can range anywhere from Rs 30,000 to up to a lakh depending on the car variant. Owners of these showrooms further note that Hyderabad is a fast growing market of luxury cars and stands second to Bangalore in the whole country. 

However, there are also those who feel that this trend is not an easy business model to depend on entirely. "A customer who wants to buy such an expensive used car will take a lot of time to decide. Also, many of these high end and imported cars have very low ground clearance, hence an ideal customer is generally from Jubilee Hills and surrounding areas who end up driving only on these roads which have better maintenance and conditions," said S Ravindra, proprietor, Drive-On cars in Jubilee Hills. 

Dasara shopping brings back buzz in markets

Dasara shopping brings back buzz in markets

Festive fervour gripped the city on Tuesday as denizens thronged marketplaces to purchase various items required for puja on Dasara. Shop owners at major market areas in the city including Begum Bazaar and Monda market reported sales increasing to three times the normal figures. 

This year, lanes and bylanes in many localities and even city arterial roads had vendors selling marigolds, the piles of yellow and orange flowers setting the perfect festive mood for the season. The lanes of Begum Bazaar and Monda market were buzzing with activity all through Tuesday. 

At least 500 vendors selling flowers and other puja items lined the streets of Monda market on both sides while the narrow lanes of Begum Bazaar were crowded to the brim. Y Rajashekhar, a shop owner at Monda market said, "Sales on the day before Dasara are three times more than the average sales on a regular day. From Monday itself the crowds started increasing and by Tuesday night, around 10,000 people would have visited the market." Fruit vendors too reported sales going up by no less than 100% on Tuesday. Smaller markets in localities across the city too were busy through the day, allowing denizens to purchase the necessary items from nearby, saving them a trip to the bigger markets. 

Textile and readymade garment traders said that sales during this time were double the sales on other days with business this year being at least 20% more than Dasara last year. The festive boom was evident at sweet shops in the city with denizens purchasing sweets in bulk for distribution. M Nagarjuna of Almond House said, "Sales have gone up by at least 10% this season and the special festive gift box with an assortment of 12 varieties of sweets is the fastest moving item. Apart from over the counter sales, many companies have also placed bulk orders for distributing them among employees." 

At Dadu's Mithai Vatika sales have nearly doubled as vendors said that around five tonnes of sweets were already sold in the past few days' adding that sales were up by 20% when compared to last year. With Ayudha Puja falling on Tuesday, vehicles on streets were decorated with flowers. 

On Dasara, denizens worship goddess Durga and spend the day visiting temples and with family while feasting on traditional delicacies.

Hyderabad to be a world-class city

Hyderabad to be a world-class city

Greeting the people of the state on the occasion of Dasara, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said on Tuesday that Andhra Pradesh was a happening state and that Hyderabad would become a world-class city once the Outer Ring Road is completed and the Hyderabad Metro Rail becomes operational. 

However, what he has chosen to omit is that the wait could be a very long one as while the ORR could be completed by a maximum time of mid-2014, it would take at least another five years for the metro rail to become a reality. "We have successfully conducted the Global Biodiversity meet participated by delegates from over 170 countries. The World Allergy Doctors' Conference and World Agricultural Congress will by hosted by Hyderabad while World Telugu Conference will take place in December in Tirupati. Andhra Pradesh is an eventful state and with the completion of ORR and metro rail, Hyderabad will become a world-class city," he said. 

Kiran Kumar said he has extensively toured eight districts through Indiramma Baata and stayed in the rural and interior areas and interacted with a cross section of people like farmers, tribals, students, SHG women, youth etc. He could study the ground realities and take remedial measures and sanctioned many a programme as per the desires of the people. "Our state is endowed with rich natural resources and a long coastline. It is industrially strong and is one of the biggest agricultural producing state contributing to the nation's food security. It is also one of the tourists' paradise in the country," the CM said.

Andhra to give additional LPG cylinders only to poor

Andhra to give additional LPG cylinders only to poor

Dashing the hopes of middle-class families, the Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday announced that three additional cooking gas cylinders at subsidized rate will be given only to consumers under the 'Deepam' scheme. About 40 lakh families belonging to weaker sections would thus get a total of nine cylinders every year at subsidized rate.

The state government has limited its Dussehra gift only to consumers under 'Deepam' scheme, which was launched in 1999 to distribute cooking gas connections to women in rural areas and below-poverty-line families. The state has a total of 1.6 crore cooking gas connections. Civil Supplies Minister D. 

Sridhar Babu told reporters that the three additional cylinders for 'Deepam' consumers would put an additional burden of Rs 634 crore on the state exchequer.

He said the government had not yet taken a decision on whether to continue Rs 25 subsidy being given on each cylinder since 2009. The state government is already spending Rs 250 crore per annum towards this subsidy, which was introduced to partially absorb Rs 50 hike. The subsidized cooking gas cylinder in the state is currently priced at Rs 402.

The government's decision has disappointed consumers from middle-class families as they were hoping across-the-board hike in number of subsidized cylinders following a directive from Congress' central leadership to the party-ruled states. Haryana, Maharashtra, Assam and Delhi have already announced three additional cylinders to consumers at subsidised rates.

The central government had last month announced that a consumer would get up to six subsidised cylinders a year. Consumers would have to pay Rs.894 for every additional cylinder. The oil companies have also declared that consumers would get three subsidized cylinders between Sep 13, 2012 and March 31, 2013.

Shilparamam laps up Conference of Parties windfall

Shilparamam laps up Conference of Parties windfall

The biggest beneficiary of the recently concluded Conference of Parties (CoP-11) could have been Shilparamam, the traditional crafts village located at a stone's throw away from the event's venue in Hitex. According to officials, the place saw an increase in footfall during the event which ended on October 19. Records reveal that around 3,000 foreign delegates had visited the crafts park in the last two weeks.

In view of the biodiversity meet, which lasted 19 days, more than 400 additional stalls were set up in the bazaar and stall-owners reported almost a 20% jump in business. "Some of the stall-owners have made profits ranging anywhere between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakhs, thanks to the various delegates of the biodiversity meet," said a Shilparamam official.

The night bazaar at Shilparamam, which had received a lukewarm response ever since it was inaugurated in February this year, also came alive with several delegates thronging the stalls after the daily wrap up. The bazaar was kept open till 1am during CoP-11. Various programmes organised on the eve of the biodiversity meet also helped draw local visitors to the village, officials said. To the officials' surprise, around 14,000 visitors made it to the bazaar over the last weekend.

GS Rao, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Shilparamam, said, "In connection with CoP-11, we had organised close to 44 cultural programmes at the bazaar. That apart, we had also planted 24,700 plants. We had in fact, set up close to 50 stalls highlighting the importance of the biodiversity of the region."

Officials said that, thanks to the meet, the infrastructure at the bazaar had been improved. "We have also added a cultural centre at the bazaar," Rao said. Authorities have decided to continue the cultural programmes and plan to run the additional stalls till December.

Only Chiranjeevi can save Congress

 Only Chiranjeevi can save Congress

Three months after creating a flutter with his remark that people of Andhra Pradesh want to see Chiranjeevi as chief minister, endowments minister and former PRP leader C Ramachandraiah was at it again.

He said if Chiranjeevi was not given due importance, the Congress party would bite the dust in the next elections. Not stopping at that, he padded up for his former PRP leaders, demanding that they be given due importance while filling up nominated posts for strengthening the Congress party. He said a particular community has already deserted the Congress and if efforts are not made to woo them back, the Congress faces a bleak future. He said Chiranjeevi's hands should be strengthened. "The party will automatically gain if Chiranjeevi is at the helm," he told newsmen here on Sunday. He said if efforts were being made to weaken his leader, the loser would be Congress only.

Ramachandraiah had caused a commotion on July 28 in Dwaraka Tirumala near Eluru by asserting that the people of Andhra Pradesh wanted to see Chiranjeevi as their chief minister. Ramachandraiah had also assured the Kapu community members that the wish of the people (to see Chiranjeevi as CM) would be fulfilled soon. Earlier, the minister visited Vakula Matha temple at Peruru Banda near Tirupati.

He said all the problems relating to the ancient temple would be sorted out and the temple restored.

Telangana activists soften stand on Chandrababu padayatra

Telangana activists soften stand on Chandrababu padayatra

With pro-Telangana agitators climbing down from their strident posturing, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu will have a smooth passage into Telangana region when his padayatra enters Rajoli in Mahbubnagar district on Monday afternoon. After making all the noise in the last few days, the Telangana JAC's threats fizzled out. In what could be a match-fixing, TJAC will now organise a token protest only and won't stop Naidu from entering Telangana. 

With the TRS also playing neutral, the TDP camp is buoyant. Several TDP leaders, including 30 party MLAs from the region, would be at hand to receive Naidu at Rajoli. TJAC had earlier planned to organize a protest rally at Rajoli demanding that Naidu make his stand clear on the separate statehood issue. 

TJAC chairman M Kodandaram defended their `strategy' to mellow down on Naidu's yatra. He said Naidu was undertaking the padayatra to highlight people's problems in the state. "We don't want to obstruct the padayatra. If we try to stop him, it would lead to unnecessary trouble and dilute the Telangana cause. We have decided not to stop him, but will stage a protest demanding clarity on Telangana," he said. He called upon people to demand from Naidu as to where does his party stand on Telangana during the entire stretch of his padayatra in the region. 

On the other hand, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which initially had planned to obstruct Naidu's walkathon, revised its plans, fearing it would only give mileage to the TDP. "As a political party we have decided not to protest and we leave it to the people's conscience to question Naidu on his anti-Telangana stand," said TRS legislator T Harish Rao. 

Buoyed by the developments, TDP leaders of Telangana are gearing up to receive Naidu in a big way.

Raheja Mindspace project faces ACB probe

Raheja Mindspace project faces ACB probe

Paving the way for an anti-corruption bureau probe into the alleged irregularities in the Raheja Mindspace project in Madhapur here, Justice Raja Elango of the high court on Friday dismissed the criminal revision petitions filed by Neil Raheja, project chief, Ravindranath, general manager of the project, IAS officers BP Acharya (former MD of APIIC) and K Ratna Prabha, and senior IPS officer M Gopikrishna (both were with the information technology and communication department at the relevant point in time).

Earlier, following a complaint by an advocate, the ACB court directed the police to register a case and inquire into the matter. This was later stayed by the HC following a petition by Raheja and others. The HC on Friday delivered its judgment dismissing their pleas questioning the order of the ACB court entertaining a complaint and directing the investigation into the circumstances leading to the reduction of the shares of the government in the Raheja joint venture. The judge rejected the plea that the court erred in directing the investigation against the beneficiaries or the officials. He reasoned that there was no reason to interfere with the order at the investigation stage.

Minister's conviction stayed: Justice Raja Elango on Friday stayed the conviction and sentence awarded to minister K Parthasarathy by economic offences court in the FERA violation case. The imposition of penalty itself was stayed earlier by the high court. Friday's HC order gave the minister the much-needed respite as the conviction too was stayed till November 10 when the matter is to be taken up for final hearing. The criminal court had sentenced him for failure to pay the penalty amount.

Allow Bathukamma on Tank Bund: Andhra Pradesh HC

Allow Bathukamma on Tank Bund: Andhra Pradesh HC

Justice KC Bhanu of the high court on Friday directed the Hyderabad police to allow Batukamma festival celebration on Tank Bund on Oct 23 between 5 pm and 10 pm. The judge further directed the authorities to ensure that the traffic was diverted via the Lower Tank Bund. The judge made the order following a writ petition filed by K Kavita of Telangana Jagriti complaining that the police had refused permission for the event.

Naidu charges YSR of 'Murder Politics'

Naidu charges YSR of 'Murder Politics'

The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, alleged that Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy encouraged murder politics during his rule.

On the 17th day of his Vastunna Mee Kosam padayatra, Mr Naidu started from Ankallu village in Adoni mandal and reached Leather Mill on the outskirts of Yemmingar, on Thursday.

Addressing public meetings at Kotekallu and Yemmiganur, Mr Naidu alleged that YSR had plotted murders of his opponents. The TD alleged that YSR had introduced welfare schemes to divert attention of people from his crimes.

Mr Naidu alleged that over 100 persons lost their lives in Anantapur district due to YSR. Fruit trees were also felled in hundreds of acres, the TD chief alleged.

Mr Naidu said while YSR had encouraged murders his son Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had earned a lot of money through corrupt means. He alleged that Mr Jagan was also encouraging faction feuds after YSR's death.

The TD chief said that those helped Mr Jagan were in jail and warned that those indulging in faction murders would end up in jail.

Mr Naidu reiterated that he would sign the first file on waiver of farm and handloom loans if came to power. He promised 24-hour power supply even in villages.

The TD chief promised nine-hour continuous power supply to agriculture. He reminded people that the TD had provided irrigation water to lakhs of acres by constructing projects like Telugu Ganga, Srisailam Right Branch Canal and Guru Raghavendra Project.

Mr Naidu alleged that the Congress leaders, who had spent Rs 75,000 crore on Jalayagnam could not supply irrigation water to even one additional acre. He alleged that the Congress leaders earned a lot of money with Jalayagnam.

Mr Naidu alleged that the YSR Congress was eager to merge with the Congress with an eye on power. He warned that people would be forced to sell their properties if either of the Congress came to power again and urged people to teach a lesson to both the parties.

Mr Naidu conducted padayatra for 90 km in five days in Kurnool district. He entered the district at Chippagiri in Alur constituency and reached Yemmiganur on Thursday.

The TD chief toured Alur, Adoni and Yemmiganur constituencies in the district. After covering 40 kilometres in two constituencies for three days, he would enter Mahbubnagar district at Sunkesula barrage.

Cylinders black marketed for Rs 1000

Cylinders black marketed for Rs 1000

With the festival season in the offing and the restriction on subsidised gas cylinders, the black market in domestic gas cylinders is thriving and the price of a cylinder has shot up astronomically .

A subsidised cylinder costing `400 is being sold for `1,000 or even more in the black market. The black market price earlier was a more modest `600. Delivery boys are collecting the price of non-subsidised cylinders to supply subsidised cylinders in black.

Thousands of consumers in the city possessing unauthorised cylinders depend on the black market to purchase refills. Today, they have to fork out much more for the cylinders that they get after haggling with the delivery boys to whom they hand over their empty cylinder and obtain refills on the spot by paying.

The delivery boys adjust such refills by delaying delivery for genuine customers.

With demand increasing, genuine consumers are lodging complaints with agencies saying they have received an SMS stating that their cylinder has been delivered though they have not received it.

T-JAC calls for boycott of Nov 1 celebrations

T-JAC calls for boycott of Nov 1 celebrations

Declaring November 1 as a 'Day of Revolt' (Vidrohi Dinam), the Telangana Joint Action Committee (T-JAC) on Thursday in Hyderabad called upon the T-ministers to boycott the state formation day observed on this day. The steering committee of T-JAC, which met at the office of TNGO (Telangana Non-government Officers), resolved to ask the ministers not to attend any government function on November 1. The committee also appealed to the students to not participate in the state celebrations and called upon the people of the region to observe 'Black Day' on the occasion.tnn

"Apart from protesting the government's procrastination on Telangana, we want to demonstrate our anguish against filing of cases against Telangana activists by the police. While demanding the government to take back the cases, the T-JAC has decided to observe November 1 as Vidrohi Dinam," said Prof M Kodandaram, chairman of T-JAC.

The T-JAC also demanded that TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and YSR Congress leader YS Sharmila, both of whom have embarked on a statewide walkathon, to clarify their stand on Telangana before entering the region lest they would be greeted with protests.

Naidu, who started his padayatra on October 2 from Hindupur in Rayalaseema, is now travelling in Kurnool and expected to enter Mahbubnagar in Telangana next week. Sharmila started her yarta on foot on Thursday from Idupulapaya in Kadapa.

"We have decided to ask these two leaders to clear their stand on Telangana before they enter the region," said V Srinivasa Goud, secretary of Telangana Employees JAC.

While it was expected the steering committee to be convened in the presence of TRS president K Chadrashekar Rao, the absence of the party leaders in Thursday's meeting was conspicuous. As this puts water on the speculations that the KCR and Kodandaram, who were at loggerheads, mending fences, T-JAC leaders said the TRS leaders would attend the subsequent meetings when the long term plans for the agitation would be discussed. "Thursday's meeting was focused on plans for November 1, and no political parties were invited. The TRS along with BJP, CPI and New Democracy Party will attend the next meetings," said Srinivasa Goud.

Telangana ministers to meet Sonia soon

Telangana ministers to meet Sonia soon

Amidst the consistent discouraging utterances of AICC senior leaders on Telangana, Congress ministers from the region are planning to meet the high command and brief it about the political situationin the region.

Barring labour minister Danam Nagender and marketing minister M Mukhesh Goud, all the Telangana ministers are expected to go to Delhi and stay put there till they get an appointment with party president Sonia Gandhi. Panchayat raj minister K Jana Reddy has already left for the national capital, while a few more ministers are expected to join him on Friday. The T-ministers will present a memorandum to the party president. On Monday, the Telangana ministers met the Prime Minister when the latter was in Hyderabad in connection with CoP-11. As the occasion did not provide them an ample time to discuss the issue, they told the PM that they wanted to meet him personally to discuss the issue. Telangana zealots are demanding the resignation of the region's ministers in protest against the delay by the Centre in taking a decision on the separate state issue. They hope the resignations would spur the Congress to act as per the aspirations of the people.

TJAC had openly said that it would target the T-ministers and force them to resign from the cabinet. The T- ministers want the party high command to clear the air on the Telangana ahead of the next phase of agitation being taken up by TJAC.

Meanwhile in New Delhi, Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said no decision had been taken either on Telangana or convening an all party meeting to discuss the issue. Emerging from Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he had a 30-minute long meeting with president Pranab Mukhejee, Shinde did not spell out as to how long it would take to conduct next all party meeting on Telangana.

In another development, former PCC president D Srinvas met Sonia Gandhi on Thursday to discuss the political situation in the state, especially the Telanana issue. Srinivas, however, avoided the media after meeting Sonia.

APSMFC scam accused to be grilled by CID

APSMFC scam accused to be grilled by CID

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) sleuths on Thursday took into their custody four persons arrested in the AP State Minority Finance Corporation (APSMFC) scam.

Armed with court orders, a team of CID officers arrived at Chanchalguda jail in the morning and took Chunduri Venkata Koti Sai Kumar, N Venkata Raman, Naveen Sagar and Kesav Rao into custody.

The accused were shifted to the CID headquarters at Lakdi-ka-pul. According to sources, the CID officials later raided the house of Kesav Rao from where they seized Rs 3 lakh cash and some documents.

The Nampally criminal court had on Wednesday granted the police seven-day custody of the accused.

They quartet is said to have swindled Rs 54.47 crore meant for scholarship and other schemes of the APSMFC.

The Sixth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Nampally while granting the police custody had directed the CID to produce them in court on October 25.

Akbaruddin Owaisi attack case: Five surrender

Akbaruddin Owaisi attack case: Five surrender

The five accused in the Chandrayangutta MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi attack case surrendered on Thursday before the Nampally Criminal Court following the recent Supreme Court directions.

The apex court had recently cancelled bail granted to Hasan Yafai, Abdullah Yafai, Awad Yafai, Esa Yafai and Saif Yafai, all named accused in the Akbaruddin case, by the lower court. Based on the apex court's directions, the five surrendered before the Nampally Criminal court and were sent to judicial remand till October 29.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had cancelled the bail of prime accused Mohammed Pahelwan along with two others.

The Central Crime Station (CCS) officials had declared 14 persons as accused, of which eight are in jail and five out on bail.

Another accused Ibrahim Younus Yafai died in the attack in Barkas after he suffered a bullet injury.

In connection with the incident, the Chandrayangutta police a few days ago registered a murder case against MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, Malakpet MLA Ahmed Balala, gunman Jani Mia and party corporator Mansoor Awalgi and named accused in the murder of Ibrahim Younus Yafai.

Two senior leaders quit Congress

Two senior leaders quit Congress

MP A Indrakaran Reddy and former MLA Konery Konappa resigned from the Congress on Thursday. Indrakaran Reddy said he had decided to quit protesting the party's indifferent attitude towards the separate Telangana demand. Former MLA from Sirpur (T) constituency Konappa also announced his resignation from the party at a press conference at Kagaznagar. At a meeting organised by his followers and party workers

Indrakaran Reddy said he had decided not to continue in the Congress which he alleged was playing with the sentiments of Telangana people. He said he would consider joining another political party after undertaking a padayatra. A former Adilabad MP, Indrakaran also served as MLA twice from Nirmal constituency.

Rumours are doing rounds in the district that Indrakaran Reddy has prepared the ground to join the YSR CP and was waiting for a suitable time. Sources said both Indrakaran and Konappa had contacted the Jagan party leaders.

Congress sources said there were two groups in the district Congress led by MLC Premsagar Rao and another by Indrakaran Reddy. With Premsagar Rao gaining an upper hand, Indrakaran was feeling stifled and, in all probability, he would join hands with Jagan, insiders said.

Indrakaran had lost the Nirmal assembly constituency to Prajarajyam Party candidate Maheshwar Reddy in 2009 general elections. He also contested in 2010 byelections from Sirpur (T) constituency and was defeated by Telangana Rashtra Samithi candidate Kaveti Sammaiah.

He took out a rally with over 3,000 supporters in Nirmal protesting government's inaction on Telangana.

I am not hungry for Power

I am not hungry for Power

Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu assured farmers of providing sustained assistance to bail them out of losses if his party was voted to power in 2014 elections.

He promised to waive their loans provide adequate water for irrigation through the high-level canal (HLC) of Tungabhadra.

On the 15th day of his yatra, Naidu said that drought conditions were prevailing in Kurnool district constantly. “This is pushing farmers into more debts,” he said.

Hyderabad cricketers get raw deal in selections

Hyderabad cricketers get raw deal in selections

Hyderabad cricketers get a raw deal once again in the selections for Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and the Challenger Trophy tournaments.

Hyderabad Ranji opener P. Akshath Reddy was second in the Ranji Trophy performers list (openers category) with 670-plus runs. Wicket-keeper batsman Ibrahim Khaleel holds the world record for the highest number of victims (14) in first-class cricket which he achieved last season in Guwahati in Ranji Trophy. Left-arm spinner Lalith Mohan heads the list of wicket-takers amongst spinners in the South Zone Ranji Trophy last season with 26 victims. Ahmed Quadri is one of the most consistent off-spinning all-rounders in domestic cricket itself.

And, Hyderabad Ranji captain D. B. Ravi Teja was also amongst the lead scorers with 520-plus runs last season. But, ironically, except for Akshath Reddy, who was in the squad but not in the playing eleven against East Zone in the match now on, no one else figures from Hyderabad in the South Zone squad for the on-going Duleep Trophy.

For these plain figures don’t matter really when the big-wigs sit for selection of the Zonal team. The other interesting aspect is that Lalith Mohan, who is rated the third best spinner overall in Ranji Trophy last season and was also named in the India’s next eleven by the Neo-Cricket TV panel of experts. But, he doesn’t seem to fit into the scheme of things for the zonal selectors!

For the record, the chairmen of the senior selection panels (from Hyderabad it is Hari Mohan this time) from each of the State Cricket Association in the South Zone attend the zonal selection meetings.

“We have to admit that we have little say in the zonal selections,” admits a senior HCA official on condition of anonymity. There is the other argument too.

“If HCA officials say that they are helpless in these matters, it is a disgrace. How can two States share all the slots in the playing eleven of a South Zone team? Is HCA there only to conduct the leagues and Ranji Trophy matches. Who else should take care of the players’ who naturally dream of going to places based on their performances,” argues another official.

Murder case booked against Akbaruddin Owaisi

Murder case booked against Akbaruddin Owaisi

The Chandrayangutta police has registered a murder case against MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, Malakpet MLA Ahmed Balala, gunman Jani Mia and MIM corporator Mansoor Awalgi. They are accused in the murder of Ibrahim Younus Yafai who was shot dead in Barkas last year. 

On September 4, Awadh Bin Younus Yafai, the brother of the deceased, lodged a complaint of conspiracy and murder against the MIM legislators with the police commissioner. "The police had sought legal opinion from additional solicitor general of India and following his views, we registered a case of murder and criminal conspiracy against Akbaruddin Owaisi and others ," Chandrayangutta inspector A Srinivas Rao said. 

Awadh in his complaint had alleged that on April 30, 2011, gunman Jani Mia came to his residence in Barkas and asked the family members to meet Akbaruddin Owaisi at the MIM local party office. When they reached the venue, they saw Owaisi carrying a gun in his hand. An altercation followed over some issues following which Owaisi caught hold of Ibrahim Yafai's collar with his left hand while holding the gun in the right. In an attempt to free himself, both Yafai and Owaisi fell on the ground. Awad said then he heard a gun shot and Owaisi still holding the gun in his hand. Cases were booked on October 8 against seven people including MLAs Akbaruddin Owaisi, Ahmed Balala and Barkas corporator Mansoor Awalgi.