Congress set to launch poll campaign in Kerala
By IANS,
Kochi (Kerala) : The Kerala unit of the Congress plans to launch its campaign for the coming general elections immediately after its three-day state conference, which began here Sunday.
"With the arrival of Congress president Sonia Gandhi Monday to address the conference, the stage would be set to launch our election campaign for the impending Lok Sabha poll," Congress legislature party leader and Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy told IANS Sunday.
SC clears Justice Katju over Gandhi, Netaji remarks
New Delhi: Supreme Court on Monday said that prima facie comdemnation of Justice Markandey Katju by parliament for describing Mahatma Gandhi as a British...
Opposition criticises transport strike in West Bengal
By IANS,
Kolkata: The ruling Communist government affiliate Centre of Indian Trade Unions' (CITU) 24-hour public transport strike in West Bengal Saturday drew a scathing response from the opposition parties who termed it a "political stunt".
"This transport strike is nothing more than a political stunt. If they are so concerned about the common people then why are they not asking the state government to slash taxes on oil prices imposed by the state government?" asked Pradip Bhattacharjee, working president of the state Congress.
Trinamool Howrah candidate Prasun Banerjee’s assets up
Kolkata : Former Indian football captain and Trinamool Congress MP Prasun Banerjee, who is re-contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Howrah, has declared assets...
C.P. Joshi: a quiet performer in Rajasthan politics
By IANS,
New Delhi : C.P. Joshi, a professor of psychology who turned to politics and swung the December 2008 Rajasthan assembly election result in the favour of the Congress, gets a central cabinet berth Friday. Though he comes off as a shy and simple man, he seems quite adept at realpolitik.
Joshi, 58, has won the Lok Sabha elections from Bhilwara constituency in Rajasthan.
As the state unit president of the party, he is credited as the architect of the Congress victory in the assembly elections -- though he himself had lost by just one vote.
Vijayan to gain strength from CPI-M polls
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Pinarayi Vijayan, the strongman of Kerala's ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), appears to be gaining strength from the party's organisational polls now under way.
As the four-stage elections enter the second phase, trends show the dice is heavily loaded in favour of Vijayan, the CPI-M state secretary and a bitter foe of Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.
10 students drown in Arabian Sea near Mumbai
Raigad (Maharashtra): At least 10 college students, including three girls, have drowned in the Arabian Sea at Murud in Raigad district, around 150 kms...
Details of TRS’ merger being worked out: Digvijaya Singh
Hyderabad : Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh said that details of TRS merger with Congress is being worked out.
He told reporters in the national...
No problems with more offshore casinos in Goa: Congress
By IANS,
Panaji : The Congress' Goa unit does not have a problem in opening up the state's coast to several more offshore casinos, as long as the vessels are berthed in the Arabian Sea, a party spokesperson Thursday said.
Addressing a press conference, party spokesman Vishnu Wagh said that the Congress was for the offshore casino industry, as long as the common man was not affected.
One acerbic comment cracks BJP’s Dalit dream in UP
By Mohit Dubey
Lucknow : In politics, fortunes change overnight. They certainly did in Uttar Pradesh within just 24 hours for two players -- the...
Former Odisha CM Gamang quits Congress
Bhubaneswar: Veteran tribal leader and former Odisha chief minister Giridhar Gamang on Saturday resigned from the primary membership of the Congress.
He took the decision...
Trouble in Andhra: anti-Telangana students clash with police
By IANS,
Hyderabad: A shutdown impacted life in most parts of Andhra Pradesh's Andhra and Rayalaseema regions Tuesday with trouble in several areas, including in a university in Anantapur town where students opposed to the proposed Telangana state clashed with police.
At least five people, including two policemen, were injured in the clashes at Sri Krishnadevaraya (SK) University in Anatapur, about 360 km from here, police said.
Students who had been protesting against the move to grant separate statehood to Telangana region pelted stones when policemen tried to enter the campus.
Modi government wants to make ‘dead’ Yamuna navigable
By Gaurav Sharma,
New Delhi : Can you visualise boats sailing on the almost dead Yamuna river in Delhi? The Narendra Modi government is exploring...
Mulayam does not want ministerial berth
By IANS,
Lucknow : Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav Wednesday said he is not a contender for a ministerial seat even if his party decides to join the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition led by the Congress party.
He stated that neither has the UPA government invited the Samajwadi Party nor is his party keen to join the government.
"If at all there is a one percent chance of our joining (the government), then I will not hold any portfolio," Yadav told reporters here Wednesday.
Parrikar likens Advani to ageing pickle, BJP quiet
Panaji/New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manohar Parrikar has likened party veteran L.K. Advani to ageing pickle and said his political innings were "more or less over". Most party leaders preferred to remain silent to the remarks.
Advani had only a couple of more years left in active politics, the former Goa chief minister told a local news channel Monday.
AIADMK fields former advocate general for Rajya Sabha
Chennai: AIADMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa has announced that the party would field former advocate general A. Navaneethakrishnan as its...
Lok Sabha okays land bill amid opposition protests
New Delhi : The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the contentious land acquisition bill amid a walkout by opposition parties even as the government...
Congress seeks removal of ‘pro-RSS/VHP’ poll officers
New Delhi : The Congress Monday claimed that several election presiding officers in BJP-ruled states are affiliated with tge RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and...
Bangalore’s youth want ‘winners’ to perform
By IANS,
Bangalore : With the Karnataka results out, the young voters of India's IT hub are impatient to see the winning candidates work for the overall development of the city.
Of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, three are in the capital - Bangalore Central, Bangalore South and Bangalore North. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has swept the Lok Sabha polls in Bangalore.
Proposed Goa airport only a land scam, alleges AAP
Panaji : A proposed airport at Mopa plateau is nothing but a land scam orchestrated by politicians from both the Congress and the BJP,...
Herbal Park, a metaphor for today’s India
By Jaspal Singh,
During a recent journey down the Shivaliks along the Jamuna river, we soon crossed the ranges to be in the plains, on...
Congress getting closer to Kanthapuram to check IUML’s supremacy
By TCN Staff Reporter,
Unfortunate that women are not safe even in woman-ruled states: Gadkari
Kolkata : Stressing on the need for women empowerment, union minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said it was unfortunate for the country that women...
Gujarat Congress moves SC against NOTA
New Delhi, (IANS): The Gujarat unit of the Congress on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the decision to introduce None of the Above (NOTA)...
Exit polls predict edge for Congress in Himachal
By IANS,
New Delhi: The Congress appears to have an edge over the BJP in sweepstakes to form the next government in Himachal Pradesh, according to the outcome of exit polls released Monday.
Re-polling underway in two Delhi booths
By IANS,
New Delhi : Re-polling was underway Sunday in two polling booths in south Delhi's Chhattarpur area that had both recorded an unbelievable 98.5 percent voter turnout, officials said.
"In polling station numbers 64 and 64 A, the assistant returning officer told me that the voter turnout was 98.5 percent on Thursday. Upon inspecting closely, we found that the voter turnout for males in these polling stations was 100 percent," said an Election Commission official.
The poll panel observed "duplicate polling" in the booths Thursday and ordered re-polling.
Sidhu at the centre of Akali Dal-BJP shadow boxing
By Jaideep Sarin,
Chandigarh : In the last couple of months, the "time-tested" ruling alliance of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party...
BJP, AAP busy with sloganeering, dharna: Sonia Gandhi
New Delhi : Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in a sharpened attack on the BJP and the AAP, Sunday accused the parties of "doing nothing"...
Congress burnt Joshi’s house for political mileage, claims BSP leader
By IANS,
New Delhi : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra Thursday said Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi's house in Lucknow was "conveniently" ransacked and set ablaze by members of her own party to divert attention from the derogatory remarks she had allegedly made against Chief Minister Mayawati.
Ruling reserved on plea against Mumbai Congress chief
By IANS,
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court Thursday reserved its order on a writ petition seeking a probe into allegations of corruption against Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh.
Hyderabad varsity fracas: NHRC notice to HRD ministry, state government
New Delhi : Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports that there was “an emergency like situation” in the University of Hyderabad, the NHRC...
In their gloomy isolation after Memon hanging, Muslims turn to Owaisi
By Saeed Naqvi
In the night of the tyrants,
Who calls my name from afar?
I must climb the scaffolding of the gallows to see beyond...
Madhya Pradesh BJP swamped by protests over poll tickets
By IANS,
Bhopal : Heavy police force has been deployed at the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Madhya Pradesh state office in Bhopal since Tuesday following growing protests over its selection of candidates for the forthcoming assembly elections.
Supporters of more than a dozen legislators have so far turned up from their respective constituencies to lodge their protest against the party decisions. The polls to the 230-seat state assembly are scheduled for Nov 27.
The sex scandal that led Omar Abdullah to quit
By IANS,
Srinagar : It's a scandal that tainted the entire gamut of the Jammu and Kashmir establishment -- politicians, ministers, police and paramilitary officers as well as bureaucrats. On Tuesday, the 2006 sex scam resurfaced after the opposition linked the otherwise "Mr Clean" Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to the massive racket.
कश्मीरी नागरिकों के ख़िलाफ़ हिंसा से देश के दुश्मनों को फायदा
TCN News
उत्तर प्रदेश में कई सामाजिक संगठनों की बैठक में शामिल सामाजिक कार्यकर्तों द्वारा पुलवामा की घटना पर दुख प्रकट किया. वही पुलवामा की...
BJP to sneak in casino policy in Goa budget session: Congress
Panaji : The BJP will use the short five-day Goa assembly budget session to sneak in the casino policy that allows for transfer of...
Come clear on funding scam: Javadekar to AAP
New Delhi : Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said Tuesday the AAP needed to come clear as to why it accepted funds from "dubious...
Modi returns after successful US visit
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to the capital Wednesday after his "hugely successful" visit to the US.
During the visit, the Indian-American...
Three cheers for Rahul Gandhi, says triumphant Congress
By Prashant K. Nanda and Khalid Akhter, IANS,
New Delhi : As the Congress Monday surprised analysts and emerged victorious in three out of five states, senior party leaders hailed Nehru-Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi for rejuvenating the organisation and swinging young voters in its favour.
"Wherever Rahul Gandhi campaigned, he attracted the young generation. He has an appeal among the youth of this country," Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmad told IANS.
Meghalaya chief minister to take legal action against truckers
By IANS,
Shillong : Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma Thursday said he will take legal action against a truckers' body for accusing him of abetting extortion along the national highway 62 in the state.
"I am resorting to legal action against the accusations of truckers," Sangma told journalists in the wake of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj's assurance to truckers that she would raise the issue in the forthcoming monsoon session of parliament.
Mallika Sarabhai writes to Amitabh Bachchan
My dear Bachchanji,
Greetings from a Gujarati.
You are indeed a fine actor. You are an intelligent man and a shrewd businessman. But should I believe in your endorsements?
Let’s take a brief look at what you proclaim you believe in (albeit for huge sums of money). BPL, ICICI, Parker and Luxor pens, Maruti Versa, Cadbury chocolates. Nerolac paints. Dabur, Emami, Eveready, Sahara City Homes, D’damas, Binani Cement and Reliance.
And now Gujarat.
Karnataka to consult legal experts on Lokayukta ouster
Belagavi (Karnataka) : The Karnataka legislature would consult legal experts on the opposition's move to oust the state Lokayukta over corruption charges against the...
Modi calls for increasing executive-accountability
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called upon the political parties in parliament to work towards increasing accountability of the...
Buddhadeb, Mamata talks on Singur land row break down
By IANS,
Kolkata : The Tata Nano land row remained unresolved with opposition Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and the West Bengal government failing to agree Friday evening on the acreage to be given to farmers to compensate for agricultural land "forcibly" acquired for the small car project in Singur.
Banerjee walked out of talks with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in the evening here, apparently upset over the government offering the "unwilling farmers" a mere 70 acres within the factory site against her demand of "at least 300 acres".
Amitabh is nation’s pride: BJP
By IANS,
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday said Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan was the "nation's pride" and had every right to be the chief guest at the inauguration of a sea-link in Mumbai.
The BJP's support for the actor, who is brand ambassador for the party-ruled Gujarat, follows a controversy over Bachchan's being chief guest at the inauguration of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link extension Wednesday.
Congress has edge in assembly polls, projections show
By IANS,
New Delhi: If the assembly elections in the three states Tuesday were seen as the first major popularity test since the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress is set to consolidate its top position, going by the early projections made by IBN-Lokmat and Star News-Nielson.
The Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance is likely to win in Maharashtra, according to IBN-Lokmat Times projections.
According to these projections, the ruling Congress-NCP alliance will win 135 to 145 seats in the 288-member assembly with the Congress garnering 75-85 seats and the NCP 55-65 seats.
Advani’s comments on EVMs stretch of imagination: Congress
By IANS,
New Delhi : The ruling Congress party Sunday dismissed as a "stretch of imagination" Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani's comments that India should revert to the ballot paper for elections unless adequate safeguards are in place against malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Advani told The Sunday Express that ballot papers should be reintroduced in the state assembly elections scheduled later this year unless the Election Commission is able to ensure foolproof functioning of EVMs.
Don’t wish to vote? Say it with Code 49-O
By IANS,
New Delhi : If you are dissatisfied with the work done by political leaders and believe none of the candidates deserve your vote, then don't just sit at home during Thursday's Lok Sabha polls. Come out and let election officials know just that.
Like the 40 odd villages of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, you too can go to the polling booth and express your disapproval by exercising your right not to vote.
BJP protesters demand Delhi law minister’s sack
New Delhi : Demanding the dismissal of Delhi's Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar, who is alleged to have furnished a "fake" provisional certificate of...
BJP poll manifesto silent on special status for Kashmir
By IANS,
Jammu : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday released its manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir elections beginning Monday, but the document, which talks tough on dealing with terrorism, made no mention of Article 370 of the Indian constitution that grants special status to the state.
The 16-point manifesto focuses mostly on the alleged discrimination against Hindu-majority Jammu region at the hands of Jammu and Kashmir's dominantly Muslim rulers.
CPI-M takes pro-AAP line in Delhi commentary
New Delhi: In a pointer to a possible political realignment, a commentary on Delhi in a CPI-M journal has endorsed the AAP line that...
No demolition in Delhi, orders AAP government
New Delhi : There will be no demolition in the national capital, said an official source Monday.
The source said that the decision was taken...
Kejriwal blames Modi government for court violence
New Delhi : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday blamed the central government for the violence that took place in the Patiala House...
Mamata apprises Shinde about West Bengal’s problems
By IANS,
Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday met Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and apprised him about the problems of the state.
Rajya Sabha disrupted again, adjourned for the day
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha witnessed disruptions again Wednesday over proposed Telangana statehood and a variety of other issues, paralysing proceedings.
The first...
Rahul Gandhi among 324 candidates for 17 Lok Sabha seats
By IANS,
Lucknow : Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's electoral fate will be decided in the second phase of the country's 2009 general elections Thursday.
As many as 324 aspirants are in the fray for 17 Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha seats that go to polls in the second of the five-phase voting.
MP: Christians observe ‘black day’ after youth convention called off on Bajrang Dal’s objection
Participants of the convention were forcefully stopped by the right-wing extremist group and were taken to Moghat Police Station after a ruckus.
TCN Staff Correspondent
BHOPAL...
Infosys ex-honcho Balakrishnan seeks to change system
By Fakir Balaji,
Bangalore : Former Infosys idol V. Balakrishnan is determined to use his clean image to fight "the corrupt system" but finds the...
Address female infanticide first, then women’s quota: Akali MP
By IANS,
New Delhi : It was her maiden speech in parliament and Speaker Meira Kumar didn't mind giving her an extra two minutes. Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur surprised many with her poise as well as passionate anger over female infanticide and the plight of farmers in Punjab.
"More than 2,000 female babies are killed everyday," the graceful Kaur informed Lok Sabha (lower house), asking members to address the shameful practice of killing of unborn female foetuses.
Notice to centre for imposing president’s rule in Meghalaya
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Wednesday sought the government's justification for imposing president's rule in Meghalaya despite the state's ruling alliance having won a March 17 trust vote.
A bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan also issued notice to the state government on a lawsuit by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader P.A. Sangma and deposed Meghalaya chief minister Donkupar Roy challenging the imposition of president's rule.
Modi, Advani have misconceptions about their age: Priyanka
By IANS,
Amethi (Uttar Pradesh) : Countering Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's comment that the Congress party was a "budhiya" (old lady), Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's daughter Priyanka Gandhi said Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani have misconceptions about their age.
UP elections: Elephant moves slower as Cycle picks up pace
By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,
Incumbency encumbers Maya as Mulayam picks up momentum in UP.
Rajya Sabha – the backdoor entry?
By IANS,
New Delhi : Is the Rajya Sabha a backdoor entry into parliament as opposed to the Lok Sabha? It's not just the Bharatiya Janata Party that has used such a taunt against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who represents Assam in the upper house.
M.K. Stalin, Tamil Nadu's minister for rural development and local administration and the son of chief minister M. Karunanidhi, is the latest to hurl this jibe at his archrival, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss.
‘Criminals attended Kerala home minister’s reception’
By IANS,
Kozhikode : The Kerala unit of the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Tuesday alleged that a businessmen embroiled in a controversial land deal had hosted the reception of the marriage of Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son last week.
The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha president, K. Surendran, said here that businessman Savy Mano Mathew, who is involved in the controversial Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) land deal, had hosted the April 12 wedding reception of Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son.
Bihar legislator arrested for hate speech
By IANS,
Patna : An independent legislator in Bihar was arrested Tuesday on charges of making an inflammatory speech at an election meeting, police said.
Pradeep Joshi, leader of the Rashtriya Hindu Seva Dal, is an assembly member from Dhri-on-Sone constituency of Rohtas district. He was arrested in Dehri-on-Sone town, about 150 km from here.
Delhi Police lodges FIR against Uttarakhand BJP leader Harak Singh Rawat
New Delhi : Delhi Police has lodged a first information report (FIR) against Uttarakhand BJP leader Harak Singh Rawat for allegedly raping a...
Deshmukh lauds cops’ sacrifice, announces compensation
By IANS,
Mumbai : Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh Thursday lauded the "supreme sacrifice" made by 14 police personnel who were killed in shoot-outs with terrorists here. He announced a compensation of Rs.500,000 for the next of their kin.
"They were great officers who have have become martyrs and sacrificed their lives for the country. The people of Maharashtra will never forget their supreme sacrifice," Deshmukh said.
Sonia, Rahul’s absence will not hinder alliance: Mamata
By IANS,
Kolkata: Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee Sunday said the alliance with the Congress will not be jeopardised by Congress president Sonia Gandhi and its general secretary Rahul Gandhi's inability to jointly campaign with her before the third phase elections in West Bengal.
"Why they are not coming, I cannot say," she told a journalist during a meet-the-press at the Kolkata Press Club here.
Banerjee said she has addressed joint rallies with Sonia Gandhi in Murshidabad district and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Howrah.
Mani Ratnam’s son a ‘Red volunteer’ at CPI-M meet
By Liz Mathew, IANS
Coimbatore : The Communist Party of India-Marxist's (CPI-M) congress here has an unusual "Red volunteer" - 16-year-old Nandan, son of noted filmmaker Mani Ratnam and south Indian actor-director Suhasini.
A Class XI student at the Chennai International School, Nandan is one of the enthusiastic volunteers whose job is to maintain discipline and decorum at the gathering at the SRN auditorium complex.
The shy Nandan has caught the media attention but mostly prefers to be away from the limelight. And some senior comrades are very protective about him.
BJP has no positive agenda, says Kejriwal
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was resorting to personal attacks as the BJP had no positive agenda for the upcoming Delhi assembly polls,...
Congress cautions CPI-M on ‘politics of murder’
Kozhikode (Kerala):The Congress Saturday told the opposition CPI-M it would meet the same fate it has in West Bengal if it party does not...
Maywati blames UPA for BSP’s rout in Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow: BSP supremo Mayawati Saturday blamed the Congress for her party's rout in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha polls. She said supporting the...
Election Commission unhappy with Malhotra’s reply to notice
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Election Commission Sunday expressed its “displeasure” with the reply of V.K. Malhotra, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) chief ministerial candidate for Delhi, to its notice on violating its instructions.
On Nov 10, the poll panel served a notice to Malhotra for violating the model code of conduct on use of vehicles and had asked him to reply by Nov 11. It said more vehicles than permitted were used when Malhotra went for filing his papers.
Left yet to take a call on presidential polls: Biman Bose
By IANS,
Kolkata : The Left parties would take a decision on the presidential candidate after the "national picture" became clearer, West Bengal Left Front chief Biman Bose said here Thursday.
Immunity does not apply to Modi, says American Justice Center in legal brief
US Court directs State Department to respond by December 10th to AJC's "Memorandum of Law" challenging assertions of immunity.
By TCN News,
Washington DC:...
Chiranjeevi’s party is daydreaming, says Naidu
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu Friday said the Praja Rajyam party launched by Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi was "daydreaming" by claiming that it was the only political alternative to the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh.
"They are daydreaming by sitting in the four walls of their office," the former chief minister said in his first remarks criticising the party launched by the actor on Aug 26.
Re-polling ends peacefully in Bihar
Patna : Re-polling at 30 polling stations in Bihar ended peacefully Sunday with a voter turnout of 55 percent, an official said.
State's Additional Chief...
Government encouraging blasphemy: Rajnath
By IANS
Chennai : Accusing the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of "encouraging blasphemy", Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh Wednesday urged it to disassociate itself from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's remarks against Hindu god Ram.
The government was adopting double standards on blasphemy, he said, pointing out that a Congress government had banned Salman Rushdie's book 'Satanic Verses' in the 1980s but now it was not restraining Karunanidhi from commenting on Ram and hurt Hindu sentiments.
40 BJP cadres join Congress in Chhattisgarh
By IANS,
Raipur : Forty cadres of Chhattisgarh's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday joined the Congress in the industrial district of Raigarh, the Congress said.
Maya celebrates 100 days in style
By IANS
Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Wednesday celebrated the completion of her 100 days in office, even as critics saw a virtual return of the feudal cult at a grand celebration event.
Amid unprecedented security at the Ganna Sansthan auditorium, officials joined leaders of her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in singing her praise during the two and a half hour event.
What does axing of NSA talks mean to Kashmiris
By Sheikh Qayoom
Pakistan's decision to call off the NSA-level talks with India proves an old maxim for the people of Jammu and Kashmir:...
Bouquets pour in for Patil, sombre atmosphere at Shekhawat home
By IANS
New Delhi : Jubilant supporters of Pratibha Patil, set to become India's 13th president, began their celebrations by beating drums and sending bouquets to her residence here. In contrast it was very quiet at the home of her rival, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, as the counting for the presidential poll was underway.
Rs.551 crore loan to pay municipal workers’ salaries: Kejriwal
New Delhi : Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced a loan of Rs.551 crore for payment of salaries to striking workers of two...
Karunanidhi resigns as Tamil Nadu chief minister
By IANS,
Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Friday resigned from the post after his DMK-led alliance was routed in the assembly polls.
India is ruled by Kerala: PMK leader Ramadoss
By IANS,
Chennai : PMK leader S. Ramadoss said Wednesday that with nearly one-third of secretary-level posts in the central government being held by Malayalis, the "country is ruled by Kerala" and because of this Kerala usually "swings things in its favour".
"Kerala is the smallest among 30 large Indian states. But it is said out of 53 secretary-level posts at the centre, 19 are held by Keralites. Given this, people are wondering whether it is the central secretariat governing the whole country or it is the state secretariat of Kerala," Ramadoss said.
Mamata alleges CPI-M sponsored violence in West Bengal
By IANS,
Kolkata: Accusing the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) of "state-sponsored terrorism", West Bengal's main opposition party Trinamool Congress Thursday called upon the people to stand up and protest against the "atrocities" by Left parties.
"Despite violence by the CPI-M cadres, we will get a very good response in the ballot box in the fourth-phase election. The CPI-M will be defeated," Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee told reporters here.
AAP gets Rs.15 million in 10 days
New Delhi : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has received nearly Rs.15 million ($246,000) as donations in the first 10 days of March from...
Patna’s air 5 times above safe levels, 2.5 times worse than Delhi’s
By Rohan Bapat
In 2016, the air in Bihar’s capital, Patna, was classified the world’s sixth-most polluted in a World Health Organisation (WHO) ranking of...
Pranab opts out, Anand Sharma to attend ARF meet
By IANS,
New Delhi : With a trust vote looming in parliament next week, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is also a leading political manager of the ruling coalition, has decided to send junior minister Anand Sharma to Singapore to attend a ministerial meeting of the Asean Regional Forum.
Mukherjee was slated to attend the crucial ARF meeting in Singapore July 21-24. But with the government battling for survival after the Left parties withdrew their support last week, he decided to send Sharma for it, official sources said.
Former Uttar Pradesh minister defects from BJP to BSP
By IANS,
Agra : Ram Babu Harit, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister in Uttar Pradesh and three-time legislator, has shifted to the state's ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in an apparent move to be its nominee from Agra during the next poll.
He accepted the party membership Friday evening in the prsence of senior BSP leaders including the national general secretary Naseemuddin Siddiqui, S.P. Singh Baghael, Ram Vir Upadhyaya, and Narayan Singh Suman.
RSS agenda similar to Hitler’s: CPI-M
Thiruvananthapuram: The RSS-Sangh Parivar agenda is similar to what Hitler pursued, a CPI-M leader said on Monday.
Addressing reporters here, politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan said...
एनआरसी का असम के बच्चों पर असर, उनकी शिक्षा हो रही है प्रभावित
एनआरसी की अंतिम लिस्ट से बाहर कर दिए गए 19 लाख 6 हज़ार 657 लोग खुद को भारतीय साबित करने की क़वायद में जहां...
Poll panel rejects Bengal’s plea on transfer of officials
Kolkata:The Election Commission of India Tuesday dismissed the appeal of the West Bengal state government to reconsider the poll panel's directive regarding removal of...
List of 22 agreements inked by India, Bangladesh
Dhaka : India and Bangladesh on Saturday inked 22 agreements, including on extending a $2 billion Line of Credit to Bangladesh, and on India...
Travellers from Uttar Pradesh cancel Mumbai trip
By IANS
Lucknow : Targeting of Uttar Pradesh migrants by activists of the Maharastra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has not only forced many to rush back to their homes here, but those planning to go to Mumbai were also cancelling their trips.
Sure enough, if migrants from Uttar Pradesh were heading for their safer homes, there were many who chose to abandon their plans to visit Mumbai - the city they consider as "no longer safe" for them.
Proving guesses wrong, Kashmiris voted for good governance
By IANS,
Srinagar : Life was normal across the Kashmir Valley Tuesday, a day after large participation of voters in the first phase of the staggered assembly polls left political pundits and many Kashmiris surprised.
At least 64 percent of electorate exercised their franchise Monday despite boycott and shutdown calls by separatist leaders.
They rejected the boycott appeal and voted for civic amenities -- jobs, better roads, electricity and healthcare -- the daily needs which cannot wait till the larger Kashmir isssue is resolved, say analysts here.
Maharashtra Congress asks for petrol prices roll back
By IANS,
Mumbai : The Congress' Maharashtra state unit Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to roll back the steep, Rs.7.50 per litre hike in petrol prices.
Catch them young is Congress-BJP motto
By Monobina Gupta, IANS,
New Delhi : In an era of competing strategies, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are scouting for talented young men and women and a brand new slogan that would give the two rivals a cutting edge in the coming assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Youth, the watchword in the parties, has sent their head hunting leaders to the dustbowls of the country. The chosen ones among them, handpicked by the leaders, are headed to New Delhi to get that decisive stamp of approval from the central leadership before wading into the political waters.
Goa opposition MLAs clueless in Delhi
By IANS
New Delhi : Goa's opposition legislators, who are currently in the capital, seemed to be clueless about their future course of action as they had not even sought a fresh appointment with President Pratibha Patil.
Some legislators of the opposition Goa Democratic Alliance (GDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had arrived here Tuesday to meet Patil and urge the dismissal of the Congress-led government in the state.
New Delhi : Goa's opposition legislators, who are currently in the capital, seemed to be clueless about their future course of action as they had not even sought a fresh appointment with President Pratibha Patil.
Some legislators of the opposition Goa Democratic Alliance (GDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had arrived here Tuesday to meet Patil and urge the dismissal of the Congress-led government in the state.
Man found hanging from tree near Parliament
New Delhi : A 39-year-old man, identified as Ram Dayal Verma was found hanging from a tree near Parliament House on Thursday morning.
The man...
Hindu Right stoking intolerance (Column: Political Circus)
By Amulya Ganguli
The BJP's castigation of the non-Muslims who complain of intolerance comprises words like "manufactured paper rebellion", "fake dissent", Nehruvian, Leftist and...
Special polio immunisation drive for Hyderabad, Rangareddy in Telangana
New Delhi : The Health Ministry on Wednesday said that a special immunisation drive needs to be taken up in Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts...
Jharkhand gears up for first phase of poll Wednesday
By IANS,
Ranchi/Jamshedpur: Security forces tightened their cordon in Jharkhand on the eve of the first phase of assembly polls, fearing largescale disruption by Maoist insurgents.
In the first phase Tuesday, 26 of the 81 assembly seats in the state will go to the polls.
Altogether 470 candidates are in the fray, of whom 212 are Independents and 34 are women. Godda, JMM founder Shibu Soren's constituency, and Tundi have fielded the maximum number of 25 candidates each. Jugsalai in East Singhbhum has only 11 candidates - the lowest number from one segment in the first phase.
Former mafia don Arun Gawli to contest on BSP ticket
By IANS,
Mumbai : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Friday announced a merger with former mafia don and Maharashtra legislator Arun Gawli's party Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS).
Gawli would also contest the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha seat on a BSP ticket, BSP state president Vilas Garud said, adding that the ABS chief has already given a letter of consent to merge the two parties.
"It is as good as done. We have also decided to nominate him as the party candidate from Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency in the forthcoming parliamentary elections," Garud told IANS.
Four killed as third phase of Bengal polls ends
By IANS,
Kolkata : At least four political activists were killed in a clash in Murshidabad and around 145 people were arrested across West Bengal as the third and final phase of the local body elections concluded Sunday.
The voting for panchayat election took place at about 15,000 polling booths in seven districts - Birbhum, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Murshidabad, South Dinajpur, North Dinajpur and Cooch Behar. In all, there were a total of 11.6 million eligible voters in these districts.
According to state election commission officials, around 50 percent votes were cast till 5.30 p.m.
Youth Congress leader joins Trinamool
Kolkata : Defections from the Congress party in West Bengal continued with Youth Congress state president Shaumik Hossain Friday joining the ruling Trinamool Congress.
Announcing...
CPI-M to support pro-industry Singur farmers
By IANS,
Kolkata : Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Shyamal Chakraborty Tuesday said his party has decided to stand by the Singur farmers who willingly gave their farmlands for the Tata Motors small car factory in Hooghly district.
BJP suspends Bihar MLC arrested for eve teasing
Patna : The BJP on Sunday suspended its legislator Tunnaji Pandey after he was arrested for allegedly eve teasing a minor girl in a...
Kerala governor’s address leaked, minister’s resignation sought
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The Congress led opposition Wednesday demanded the resignation of Law Minister M. Vijayakumar after two newspapers carried highlights of the governor's address to the Kerala Assembly before it was read out in the assembly.
The resignation of Law Secretary P.S. Gopinathan has also been sought.
Talking to reporters after Kerala Governor R.L. Bhatia read out the V.S. Achuthanandan government's policy, leader of the opposition Oommen Chandy said the leak was a serious offence.
Congress stunned in Chhattisgarh, but gets new hero
By IANS,
Raipur : The Congress, which returned to power in style in New Delhi, suffered a shocking defeat in Chhattisgarh at the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But the party has nevertheless got a new hero in Charandas Mahant, who bagged the lone Korba seat in the state.
Shibu Soren to propose new names for Jharkhand chief minister
By IANS,
Ranchi : Former chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren Wednesday said he will visit New Delhi next week and propose two new names for the chief ministerial candidate to the UPA government.
JMM had earlier proposed to make Champai Soren the chief minister of Jharkhand, which was rejected by the Congress and Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) in the coalition government.
Digvijay blames state governments for rising prices
By IANS,
Lucknow: Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh Tuesday blamed the nationwide rise in the price of essential commodities on state governments.
BJP pulls out of Soren government in Jharkhand
By IANS,
New Delhi/Ranchi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday withdrew support to the Jharkhand government, saying that Chief Minister Shibu Soren has "betrayed" it by voting against the Tuesday's cut motion in the Lok Sabha.
Announcing the withdrawal of support, BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar said the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief had "behaved in a dubious manner and voted against the cut motion".
KCR keeps his promise; Mehmood Ali becomes first Deputy CM of Telangana
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Hyderabad: Taking oath on the name of Allah in chaste Urdu Mohammed Mehmood Ali, a dairy farm baron from old Hyderabad became the first Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana.
Rahul Gandhi condoles Vinod Mehta’s death
New Delhi : Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday condoled the death of prominent journalist and writer Vinod Mehta.
In his condolence message, Gandhi...
Modi will never bring black money to India: Sharad Yadav
Patna : JD-U president Sharad Yadav Friday said the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is betraying the people and the country...
Karat, Yechury hold talks with Prachanda
By IANS,
New Delhi : CPI-M leaders Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury Tuesday met visiting Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and discussed bilateral relations between India and Nepal as well as the peace process in the former Himalayan kingdom.
Prachanda, a former revolutionary who became the first prime minister of a republican Nepal nearly a month ago, told the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders that he wanted to boost relations between New Delhi and Kathmandu.
Congress leader shot at in Ghaziabad
Ghaziabad: A Congress leader was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at him here Thursday, police said.
The incident took place around 7.30 p.m in...
Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die Friday at the end of the budget session of parliament that started on February 22.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the house sine die after the members, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley and Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan recalled contribution of 51 members who will retire over the next three months.
Online survey on Modi government: 43% find performance ‘below expectations’
New Delhi (IANS): The Modi government hasnt scored too well on farmers issues, jobs and prices of essential commodities at the end of its...
Dhumal, ex-English teacher, to rule Himachal
By IANS
Shimla : Prem Kumar Dhumal, a former English lecturer who took to politics two decades ago, is set to be the new chief minister Sunday of Himachal Pradesh - for a second time.
An unassuming man who easily mingles with people, Dhumal confidently led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a facile win in the hill state, one of India's hottest tourist destinations.
BJP leaders point out that even at age 63, Dhumal has the ability to remember by name people he has been introduced to.
Rajya Sabha panel holds Justice Sen guilty of corruption
By IANS,
New Delhi : A three-member committee formed by the Rajya Sabha to enquire into a impeachment motion against Calcutta High Court judge Soumitra Sen has held him guilty of corruption.
BJP ‘high command’ key to new Karnataka government’s stability
By V.S. Karnic, IANS,
Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central leadership faces a piquant situation of having to do a Congress act to prevent the party's first government in Karnataka and south India from falling apart in view of the slender majority in the state assembly and the possible dissatisfaction among ministers over portfolios.
‘Achche din’ promise turning into nightmare: CPI-M
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promised "better days" (achche din) are "turning from illusions into a nightmare", the CPI-M said in an...
450 government schemes named after three people: Advani
By IANS,
New Delhi : What is in a name, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani asked Wednesday, taking objection to government schemes and institutions being named after members of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Government schemes and institutions should be kept away from party politics, Advani said while speaking in the Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks to President Pratibha Patil's address to the joint session of parliament.
Punjab, Chandigarh record 65 percent polling
By IANS,
Chandigarh : Nearly 65 percent polling was recorded for nine parliamentary seats in Punjab and one seat in Chandigarh Wednesday as the fifth and final round of voting ended.
Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer Kusumjit Sidhu said the highest polling of 69 percent was recorded in the newly-created border constituency of Khadoor Sahib.
There were 11.6 million eligible voters in Punjab and 522,650 voters in the union territory of Chandigarh for Wednesday's polling.