0 Team Anna says regretful for 'Shikhandi' comment

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday apologised to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the 'Shikhandi' remark made by Prashant Bhushan.

"Some people had raised questions about the language used by Prashant Bhushan. We apologise for that. There's the difference of opinion on Prashant Bhushan's 'Shikhandi' remark in Team Anna," he said.

According to Team Anna, the allegations were levelled based on a CAG report, which threw light on irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks, when PM Singh held the coal portfolio.

"There is no need for a change in the law to auction coal blocks but the Prime Minister's Office insisted and proceeded with giving away the coal blocks. This has led to huge loss to the country," said Arvind Kejriwal.

"We would be happiest if the allegations against the Prime Minister are proved wrong. But for this, there should be an investigation. According to CAG report, there has been a scam. The Prime Minister may not have been the beneficiary but someone has taken the benefits and that needs to be Probed," he added.

Meanwhile, another Team Anna member, Manish Sisodia added fuel to the already raging controversy by saying that he deserved to spend the rest of his life in jail rather than quitting public life if the allegations against him were proved.

PM Singh said that he would leave public life if found guilty.

"Why is the Prime Minister avoiding probe in the coal scam? The Prime Minister says if the allegations are proved, he will quit public life. Why doesn't he say that he will spend the rest of his life in prison if the scam is true? This means the Prime Minister is confessing that politicians can evade and live a life of luxury despite carrying out huge corruption," said Manish Sisodia.

"I will give up my public life if allegations are proved against me. My long public career as Finance Minister, as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and now as Prime Minister has been an open book," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Thanks: news.oneindia.in/2012/05/30

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0 Sachin's Rajya Sabha nomination doesn't get popular support

The reactions varied to batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's nomination to the Rajya Sabha, with some welcoming the move and others critical of his new role, which will deprive him from playing. Social activist Anna Hazare, who is in Mumbai for a two-day trip for consultations on the Lokayukta bill, welcomed the move. However, he mentioned that he is more interested in a corruption-free nation more than anything else at this point.

Information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni in New Delhi on Thursday hailed the nomination of Sachin Tendulkar for Rajya Sabha saying it was a "very good step"

She appreciated UPA's initiative in nominating Tendulkar as a member of RS saying, "Whenever Congress is in government, it has always nominated such personalities, which leads to an enviornment of energy and encouragement in the country."

Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray also reserved his comments. “Whether or not the Congress gives Tendulkar a Rajya Sabha seat or not, it is between them. I do not want to say anything about this,” he said.

However, Congress MP from north Mumbai Sanjay Nirupam welcomed the move. “Sachin deserves every bit and more. He also deserves a Bharat Ratna. I whole heartedly welcome this decision,” he said.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Madhav Bhandari, however, said: “As a fan of Tendulkar, I will welcome this move, but as an observer of politics, it will be like keeping him away from his biggest passion - cricket. I also see this as a trick to keep Tendulkar from a Bharat Ratna.”

Commoners, on the other hand, were baffled even at the possibility of Tendulkar as a Rajya Sabha member.

“I am perplexed. Who recommended him? What were they thinking? And tell me what will he do on that position? Sachin is a good cricketer and let them stay in the field of cricket and achieve greater heights,” said Deep Vora, a software professional.

Agreed another Mumbaikar Raghavendra BR, a musician. “Sachin is an achiever in his own right. But I don't quite agree with him being nominated for Rajya Sabha, especially, with his busy schedule,” he said.

“Sachin never seemed to have any inclination towards politics or working of the parliament. I wonder if he has the time to get political, given that his passion for Cricket is so strong. However knowing the personality that he is, I am sure he could do a lot of good to cricketing in India,” said Ajinkya Raut, a dentist and a cricket fan.

Majority of tweets on the social networking website, Twitter, trashed the player's nomination for the RS seat.

Hashtags like #UnfollowSachin, If Sachin and RS MP trended thoroughout the night criticising the idea of the nomination. However there were also those who welcomed Congress party's decision.

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