Will AAP's Delhi gamble pay off in Lok

Sabha polls?

NEW DELHI: In jettisoning office in less than two months of forming a government, the Aam Aadmi Party
hopes that quitting will lead to gains if the feisty outfit's its populist announcements and pledge to fight
corruption pay off.

But as AAP moves to launch an audacious Lok Sabha campaign, the political greenhorn who humbled
both Congress and BJP will also have to answer questions about its commitment to governance and if it
has the vision to be a long-term player.

On Friday, the AAP leadership seemed to be riding high as supporters cheered every word of chief
minister Arvind Kejriwal's resignation speech, indicating the party support among its core remains intact.
AAP also seems to retain the support of Delhi's poorer and disadvantaged sections who see Kejriwal as
ready to fight for their cause.

Mukesh Ambani to become Lok Sabha
election issue?
NEW DELHI: Friday's attack by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Mukesh Ambani looks set to
catapult the industrial heavyweight into a talking point this coming Lok Sabha elections.

Kejriwal's latest salvo came on Friday, when he accused both political parties - Congress and BJP - of
playing into the hands of Ambani, against whom the AAP government had filed a criminal case some
days ago over a gas pricing row.

Kejriwal, who was giving his "resignation" speech to party workers, said, "Mukesh Ambani had once said
that Congress is his shop and he can buy anything from them...Since the last 10 years he was running the
UPA government."

Kejriwal also attacked the BJP for its close relations with Ambani. "Mukesh Ambani is behind Modi also.
From where does Modi get so much money? Modi moves in helicopters. From where does he get money
to conduct such huge rallies? When we raised fingers against Mukesh Ambani, Congress and BJP joined
hands," Kejriwal said as he addressed hundreds of party workers outside the AAP headquarters late on
Friday night.

Kejriwal's consistent attacks on Ambani are reminiscent of the 1970s, when Congress leader and former
PM Indira Gandhi used the same strategy to attack her opponents. In 1971-72, Gandhi had contested
elections by dubbing her opponents as "agents" of industrial houses of the time. Slamming them for
being lackeys of a capitalist master, the idea was to showcase the nexus between her opponents and the
capitalist industrial lobby - much like Kejriwal is doing now.


Telangana fight far from over, signals Union
minister K S Rao

NEW DELHI: Union textiles minister K S Rao said he would block the Telangana statehood bill in
Parliament when it is next taken up, raising doubts if the suspension of Seemandhra MPs would
facilitate smooth passage of the contentious bill.

Although BJP's decision to support Telangana has brightened the prospect of the AP Reorganization Bill
getting passed, Rao's defiance made it clear that neither this nor the suspension of 16 MPs was a
guarantee for passage of the legislation. Rao who had on Wednesday defied Congress chief Sonia
Gandhi's urgings to brandish a "united Andhra" placard, made plain his rebellious intent once again on
Friday. "I will block the bill. I am a minister but I am also an MP and accountable to my constituents," he
said.

Wet Valentine's-Day is 2nd coldest in Feb
since 1971
READ MORE Valentine's-Day|Light rain|Bay of Bengal
NEW DELHI: Couples had another excuse to snuggle up to each other on Valentine's Day,
which turned out to be wet and chilly. The maximum temperature plunged nine degrees below
normal to 14.6 degrees Celsius, making it the second coldest day for February since 1971,
according to IGI's Met department.

ndian 'arms dealer' on CBI radar held in UK
Rolls-Royce bribery case
Alleged arms dealer Sudhir Choudhrie and his son Bhanu were arrested in the UK on Wednesday for
their alleged involvement in a bribery scandal involving Rolls-Royce company.

According to preliminary information, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) of the UK is investigating
allegations that Rolls-Royce, which makes aircraft engines, turbines etc, paid bribes in China and
Indonesia to secure contracts, and that Choudhrie was the intermediary for the payments.

The SFO had on December 23 confirmed that its director had opened a criminal investigation into
allegations of bribery and corruption at Rolls-Royce. The investigation took a dramatic turn on
Wednesday with the arrest of Choudhrie and his son.

US to let banks do business with licensed pot
shop
WASHINGTON: The Obama administration on Friday sought to lessen the fear of prosecution for banks
doing business with licensed marijuana companies, further encouraging US states such as Colorado and
Washington that are experimenting with legalizing the drug.

The justice and treasury departments outlined the policy in writing to federal prosecutors and financial
institutions nationwide. The guidance stopped short of promising immunity for banks, but made clear
that criminal prosecution for money laundering and other crimes was unlikely if they met a series of
conditions, officials said.