Date: Tuesday, 17 March, 2009, 9:19 PM
Dear Colleagues,
The Jantar mantar venue contiues to be under the charge of local team from Gurgaon.
Visits
Gen Satbir, Gen Pravesh Renjen and Col Bhardwaj visited Varanasi today. It was a saisfying visit with all attendees expressing appreciation for the IESM pursuit of a just cause and resolved to join the Movement.
Political Shenanigans
During the morning tele contact with the BJP they mentioned that instead of Mr Advani, some other senior BJP leader would come to Jantar Mantar. I told him that we do not normally let politicians use our IESM forums. (You might be aware that during our rally at India Gate on 27 May 2008, When Mr George Fernades arrived uninvited and wanted to ‘address’ us, I sent him away from the pavement only). I further added that we were making an exception in case of Mr Advani keeping in mind his special status and the firm support expected for our cause. Any other leader will not have the same impact. He suggested that we visit Mr Advani’s residence in large number for ‘media opportunity’. This I politely declined. I also pointed out that as gleaned from media reports Mr Advani has merely said that they will include OROP in their manifesto, and this is no different from the Congress manifesto. I clarified that this would not inspire confidence among the ESM community. I reiterated that we want a committal announcement that if voted to power they WILL implement OROP within a specified timeline.
From Around the Country
Brig Harwant has announced his candidature from Chandigarh as an independent. The media reports say that various parties have taken note of it. Even opponents have sympathised with the cause for which he is contesting. Analysts have said that the sitting Congress candidate Mr Bansal would be the main loser. Even Bansal’s political spokesperson has not criticised OROP; merely saying that being an issue of the Central Government, it would not affect local voting pattern. Best of luck to Harwant and other ESM like him.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
Filling the submarine gap
2 days ago
No comments:
Post a Comment