Chiranjeevi can’t become CM: Lagadapati

Congress MP from Vijayawada Lagadapati Rajagopal has said that there was no chance for Rajya Sabha member K. Chiranjeevi to become chief minister of the State.

Speaking to the media here on Monday, Lagadapati predicted that Chiranjeevi would get a berth in the Union Ministry in the next cabinet expansion. The Prime Minister may induct Chiranjeevi in his Cabinet shortly.

Wives of APSP cops end dharna on DGP’s assurance

Wives of constables of APSP VIII Battalion ended their dharna on the third day at Kondapur here on Monday on the assurance of the Director General of Police V. Dinesh Reddy.

The police families continued their dharna on the third consecutive day on Monday. The DGP himself entered the scene and held discussions with the protestors and assured them of solution to all their demands. Satisfied with the DGP’s assurance, the police families withdrew their dharna immediately.

Ex APYC chief seeks against ‘covert’ ministers

Former AP Youth Congress President TJR Sudhakar on Monday called on PCC president B Satyanarayana and presented a memorandum mentioning the names of seven ministers and other MPs, MLAs and MLCs accusing them of covertly working for the YSR Congress party.

YSRC threatens agitation over gas row

Criticising the Centre of ignoring the State interests by diverting the gas quota to Maharashtra, YSRCP has said that it would take to agitation if the allocation is not revoked.

“Petroleum Minister S Jaipal Reddy has mortgaged the self-pride of the State as such an irrational decision cannot take place without his knowledge. Should the Centre fail to reverse its decision to divert our gas quota, we will take the issue to the people,” party spokesperson Janak Prasad told reporters here on Monday.

10 cops suspended in gamblers’ escape case in AP

Ten police personnel were suspended in connection with escape of as many as 14 gamblers from police custody in Nandigama town of Krishna district, police said on Sunday.

The 14 were among the 42 gamblers who were arrested on July 22 after a raid at a holiday resort in Kanchikacherla mandal, however, they had given a slip to the police escort party while being produced before a court in Nandigama, they said.

RSS leader comes in support of Keshubhai Patel

Senior RSS leader Pravin Maniar has decided to support Keshubhai Patel in the upcoming state Assembly elections scheduled to be held by year end.

Maniar, while talking to reporters here said today that he has decided to support Keshubhai Patel, who is going to form a new party soon along with BJP rebels like Kanshiram Rana and Suresh Mehta.

Keshubhai and Kanshiram had yesterday resigned from BJP’s primary membership and announced to form a new party soon.

–Agencies

Priyanka may be heading for active role in politics

Priyanka Gandhi may be heading for an active role in politics and is said to be set to take charge of her mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s Rae Bareli Parliamentary constituency.

There was no official word on the issue but AICC office bearers including party general secretaries insisted today that Priyanka has always interacted with the people of the constituency in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh and “there is nothing new” in the move.

–Agencies

TECOM Investment officials meet AP minister

A delegation of Dubai-based TECOM Investments today held discussions with Andhra Pradesh Information Technology Minister Ponnala Lakshmiah on investment opportunities in the IT sector.

During their meeting with Lakshmiah, TECOM Investments CEO Abdul Latif Almulla and other officials discussed the development of IT sector in Andhra Pradesh and the opportunities the state holds for large overseas IT and electronic infrastructure developers, an official release said.

–Agencies

Ramdev asks Sonia to control Cong leaders

As he prepares for his indefinite protest with a three-day “self introspection” preceding it, yoga guru Ramdev today asked Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to rein in party leaders accusing them of crossing limits and warned against any conspiracy to damage his agitation.

He said he is going to the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhai Patel in Gujarat where he will spend the next three days for “self introspection”.

–Agencies

Section of media became part of Anna’s movement: Katju

Criticising the media for its coverage of Anna Hajare’s agitation, chairman of Press Council of India Markendya Katju today said that many journalists were swayed by emotion and became “part of the movement” instead of reporting objectively.

Speaking at a seminar here on “Anna Hajare’s movement and media”, Katju said that a large section of the print and electronic media was swayed by emotions and acted irresponsibly.

–Agencies

HC directs Govt to take decision on Khadeer’s release in six weeks

The Andhra Pradesh High court on Friday directed the state government to consider within six weeks the representation of convicted constable MA Khadeer seeking release by way of a pardon by the state. A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice PC Ghose and Justice Vilas V Afzalpurkar made this order while hearing a plea filed by Khadeer’s wife Sabera Begum who alleged that the authorities were discriminating against her husband in the matter of according pardon.

Abu Salem seeks stay on trial in extortion case

Extradited underworld don Abu Salem today moved a Delhi court seeking stay on his trial in an extortion case after dismissal of India’s appeal against the cancellation of his extradition by Portugal?s Constitutional court.

In his application to Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vidya Prakash, Salem demanded that his trial be stayed as its “continuation after termination of the authorisation granted for his extradition is against the law, justice and without jurisdiction.

–Agencies

AP CM, Governor congratulate Saina

Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu tonight congratulated shuttler Saina Nehwal on winning the bronze medal in badminton at the London Olympics.

“You have made India in general and Andhra Pradesh in particular proud by winning the bronze in badminton at the Olympics,” they said in separate congratulatory messages.

–Agencies

Teachers must help sharpen skills of students:Dy CM

Deputy Chief Minister C. Damodar Rajanarasimha here on Saturday opined that the government has responsibility to ensure facilities in the government colleges.

Speaking at a seminar on the “Role of Government Degree Colleges in Promoting Inclusive Growth”, the Deputy Chief Minister observed teachers have responsibility to improve skills of the students. The disparities between private and government educational institutions would lead to societal inequalities, he added. There was a dire need to stop this phenomenon and every one had responsibility in this regard.

Shankar Rao hints at major changes in party, Govt

Former minister Dr P Shankar Rao on Saturday predicted major changes in the State Congress and the government soon after the completion of Vice President’s election.

Taking to the media persons in the Assembly premises, Dr Shankar Rao said that several developments have been taking place in New Delhi and they were a clear sign of High Command contemplating to strengthen the party and the government at the center and States. The developments at the center would also have an impact in the State where the Party and the Government would witness big changes very soon, he said.

Wives hold protest for constable husbands

Tension prevailed at the APSP 8th Battalion main gate at Kondapur when wives of constables staged a protest march condemning the harassment of their husbands by the commandant.

Raising slogans against Battalion Commandant Ramesh Naidu’s high handedness and alleged harassment, hundreds of wives of constables staged a dharna at the main gate and accused him of not sanctioning leave to the constables. They alleged that the commandant was seeking Rs 500 for sanction of leave for their husbands.

KCR threatens to intensify ‘T’ agitation from Aug 20

Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday announced that he would intensify his agitation for Telangana statehood from August 20.

Addressing the felicitation programme of Telangana Employees’ Joint Action Committee chairman Swamy Goud and others, who retired from their service recently, at Ravindra Bharathi, Chandrasekhar Rao called upon all the employees and activists to get ready for intensifying agitation. He said that he took this decision as the Centre failed to announce favorable decision on Telangana State and testing the patience of Telangana people.

Andhra CM visits MRO facility at Rajiv Gandhi Airport

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today visited the Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

This is the first visit by the Chief Minister to the facility, which was inaugurated in March this year.

Home Minister Sabitha Indira Reddy, Major Industries Minister J Geeta Reddy and Infrastructure Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao accompanied the Chief Minister, a release said.

–Agencies