Congress mourns Arjun Singh’s death
By IANS,
New Delhi: The Congress Friday mourned the death of veteran party leader Arjun Singh, terming it a big blow to the nation.
President urged for CBI probe into Nandigram firing
By IANS
Kolkata : Leading intellectuals, including Magsaysay Award winner Mahasweta Devi, have urged President Pratibha Patil to take an initiative for restarting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the March 14 police firing in Nandigram that claimed 14 lives and left over 100 injured.
Three candidates in Gurgaon barred from organising rallies
Gurgaon : Election Commission Friday revoked various permissions given to three independent candidates contesting Haryana assembly elections from Sohana here, a returning officer said.
Tejpal,...
BJP harps on Hindutva, terrorism at Lucknow rally
By IANS,
Lucknow : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday fell back on Hindutva and terrorism, with its president Rajnath Singh harping on the Ram Setu controversy, the Amarnath shrine land transfer row, and parliament terror attack convict Afzal Guru at a rally here.
Speaking at the meeting, which the party termed an 'Expose Corruption' rally, Singh expressed surprise that the central government had questioned the existence of Lord Ram in its defence of the Setusamudram shipping canal project.
Mamata threatens stir over digitisation
By IANS,
Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday threatened to launch a stir if transmission to TVs of people without set-top boxes was blocked in Kolkata from Nov 1.
Big fishes are being spared: AAP
New Delhi : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Wednesday accused the government of sparing the "big fishes" holding black money abroad.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal...
The decline of Dalits in Bihar politics
By Soroor Ahmed, TwoCircles.net,
In election rallies in Bihar recently Narendra Modi would often be seen flanked by two Dalit leaders–– Ram Vilas Paswan...
BJP MLAs thrash independent MLA in J&K assembly
Srinagar: Two ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs thrashed independent MLA Engineer Rashid in the state assembly on Thursday for hosting a beef party...
Jaitley assumes charge of Information and Broadcasting ministry
New Delhi : Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Monday assumed charge of the new ministry of Information and Broadcasting here Monday.
Interacting with the media, Jaitley...
CBI raids Visva Bharati varsity office
New Delhi : The CBI on Tuesday conducted raids at five premises of Visva Bharati University in Shantiniketan of West Bengal's Birbhum in connection...
Mamata condoles Kalam’s death
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the death of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Monday, and called him one of her...
Shiela Dikshit urges women to gain social status
By IANS,
New Delhi: On the eve of International Women's Day, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Monday called upon women to come forward and gain economic and social status through empowerment.
Gloves out in Congress after Punjab defeat
By Jaideep Sarin, IANS,
Chandigarh : It has lost but it is still fighting. Ironical as it may sound, that is the state of affairs in the Punjab Congress these days.
Munda likely next Jharkhand chief minister
By IANS,
Ranchi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Sunday held talks to discuss formation of new government in the state, which is likely to be headed by former chief minister Arjun Munda, party sources here said.
BJP national general secretary Munda, who is a Lok Sabha member from Jamshedpur, arrived in Ranchi Sunday from New Delhi. In the afternoon he held a meeting with Chief Minister and JMM chief Shibu Soren and his legislator son Hemant Soren.
The meeting took place at Shibu Soren's residence and lasted for nearly 45 minutes.
Punjab orders judicial probe into desecration as two killed in clash
Chandigarh : The Punjab government on Wednesday ordered a probe by a high court judge into desecration of Guru Granth Sahib, as a clash...
Assam CM questions BJP’s funding source in state polls
Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday questioned the source of BJP's poll funding in the recent assembly elections during which, he...
Karnataka govt issues show cause notice to IAS officer for praising Tableeghi Jamaat
By TCN News
IAS officer Mohammad Mohsin has been issued a show cause notice by the Karnataka government for a tweet in favor of Tablighi...
Lok Sabha Secretariat celebrates 81st anniversary
By IANS,
New Delhi: The Parliament Secretariat, set up in the British era, turned 82 Saturday and to mark the occasion Speaker Meira Kumar presented awards for meritorious service to officers and staff of the lower house of Indian parliament.
Meira Kumar and Lok Sabha secretary-general P.D.T. Achary addressed staff of the secretariat on the occasion.
"Meritorious awards for the year 2009 were given to officers and staff of the secretariat in various disciplines," an official statement said.
YSR Congress to protest TDP’s dilution of loan waiver
Hyderabad : The YSR Congress party has called for a three-day protest across Andhra Pradesh from Thursday over the ruling TDP diluting its poll...
Kerala police official shifted, opposition cries foul
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has come under attack from the opposition for frequently shifting a senior police official, considered by many as an upright officer.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rishiraj Singh, recently posted as special officer to tackle illicit liquor menace in the state, has now been given charge of VVIP security.
While the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) criticized Achuthanandan for shunting the IGP out to the new post, the chief minister defended the action.
Rajasthan to withdraw cases against Gujjars
By IANS
Jaipur : The Rajasthan government has decided to withdraw all cases filed against Gujjars during their agitation in May-June demanding tribal status.
"The government announced the step at a meeting held here Friday between senior Gujjar leaders and government representatives," Manju Gujjar, a Gujjar leader told IANS here Saturday.
She said over 42 different cases were pending against 260 people in various parts of the state.
Most of them were registered in Dausa, Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts where the agitation had turned violent.
Buddhadeb’s criticism of shutdowns ‘wrong’: Achuthanandan
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan does not agree with his West Bengal couterpart and fellow Communist Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's criticism of shutdowns.
"Bhattacharjee would not have said so. If he did, he is wrong," Achuthanandan said here Wednesday.
He was responding to reporters' query seeking his reaction to the fellow Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader's comments.
"Bandhs (shutdowns) do not help the country," Bhattacharjee told a business gathering in Kolkata, saying he found siege and shutdowns "immoral".
Mehbooba’s fate to be decided as vote count begins in Kashmir
Srinagar : Counting of votes began on Saturday morning for south Kashmir's Anantnag assembly constituency where Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is one of the...
Mood in Lucknow favours SP-Congress alliance
By Anand Singh
Lucknow, (IANS) : If the sentiments at one of the better known tea stalls here is any indicator, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister...
Kejriwal again sings Manna Dey song
New Delhi : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal capped his speech at his oath-taking ceremony here Saturday by singing a few lines of a...
Ishrat Jahan case: Chidambaram denies he signed affidavits
New Delhi : Under fire from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Ishrat Jahan case, former union home minister P. Chidambaram on Monday...
NCP to support Congress in Goa
Panaji: After dithering for months, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party Sunday finally announced that the two parties would continue their alliance in...
Chhattisgarh: BJP leader among five arrested for attack on church in Narayanpur
On January 2, a mob vandalised a church after around 2000 people, mostly Adivasis held a public meeting in protest in against alleged...
Drugs strain ties between Punjab alliance partners
By Jaideep Sarin,
Chandigarh : The winter chill sweeping Punjab these days is also making the political relations between ruling alliance partners, the Shiromani Akali...
BJP’s regret to Muslims: Too little too late?
By T.R. Ramachandran,
It has taken no less than 12 years for the top BJP leadership to come down a few notches from its...
Around 55 percent voting in first phase of Karnataka polls
By IANS,
Bangalore : About 55 percent of 17.3 million eligible voters Saturday voted in 89 constituencies across 11 southern districts of Karnataka in the first phase of assembly elections. Bangalore recorded the lowest with around 40 percent turnout while Bangalore rural, Tumkur, Chamarajanagar and Chikkaballapur districts saw over 60 percent balloting.
Jaya, Karunanidhi in war of words on terror
By IANS
Chennai : Even as security in Chennai has been beefed up following a high alert, the two main political parties began their own war of words on terror. In response to opposition AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha's accusation that the government was unconcerned despite the intelligence advisory, Chief Minister K. Karuanidhi retorted Tuesday that her statements were aimed to "terrify the people".
Kejriwal should apologise for insult to Mahatma by AAP leader: BJP
New Delhi : The BJP on Saturday sought an apology from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for AAP leader Ashutosh dragging Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit...
Odisha assembly passes new Lokayukta bill
By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : The Odisha assembly Friday unanimously passed a bill to set up a Lokayukta in the state which will bring under its...
Advani condoles demise of Jain sage
By IANS,
Jaipur: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday condoled the demise of Acharya Sree Mahapragya, the 10th acharya of the Jain Swetambar Terapanth Samaj.
The 90-year-old sage died Sunday at Sardarshehar in Rajasthan's Churu district after a cardiac arrest.
"The news of the sudden demise of Acharya Mahapragya has come as a shock to me and millions of others all over the world," Advani said in his condolence message.
Muslim MLAs spar with Sena MLA for false allegation of 100 missing youths joining...
By A Mirsab, TwoCirlces.net,
Mumbai: Maharashtra assembly witnessed sharp criticism from Muslim MLAs over the baseless statement of Shiv Sena MLA Rahul Patil in...
Alva quits Congress post, meets Sonia to explain position
By IANS,
New Delhi : Congress leader Margaret Alva Tuesday resigned as general secretary of the party, the morning after she met Sonia Gandhi to explain her stance on the controversy following her allegation that party tickets were sold during the Karnataka polls.
The party's Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) had threatened action against the 66-year-old leader.
Tamil Nadu Minority Minister, N. Mariyam Pitchai dies in road accident
By IANS,
Tiruchirapalli: N. Mariyam Pitchai, Tamil Nadu's minister for environment and pollution control and minorities welfare, died in a road accident near here Monday morning, officials said.
PDP Locks Civil Secretariat in Srinagar
By Agence India Press Bureau Report
Srinagar: The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday locked the gates of civil secretariat which houses the Chief Minister's office, as a protests gesture against the civilian killing during police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) action since June 11.
Peoples Democratic Party Legislators led by their party president Mehbooba Mufti today locked the main entrance of civil secretariat of Srinagar and sat on a dharna. This was to give the government a taste of the siege which it has laid around every citizen of Kashmir.
CPI-M bringing outsiders to create disturbance: intellectuals
By IANS,
Kolkata: A section of city-based intellectuals, owing allegiance to the opposition Trinamool Congress, Tuesday alleged that the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) was bringing in cadres from outside to create trouble and destabilise the voting process.
"The CPI-M is bringing in cadres from outside to create disturbances on the day of polling. They do not want the polls to be carried out in a peaceful manner," noted painter Suvaprasanna said.
Sonia makes ‘courtesy call’ on president, vice president
By IANS
New Delhi : Congress president Sonia Gandhi, recuperating after being hospitalised for a breathing problem, made a "courtesy call" Monday on President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari.
According to a Rashtrapati Bhavan source, it was "just a courtesy call after the New Year".
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson was admitted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Jan 1 with chest infection and breathing problems. She spent six days in hospital.
Although discharged on Jan 6, she has been avoiding official engagements and meetings.
Mamta demands Nandigram discussion, Lok Sabha adjourned
By IANS
New Delhi : The Lok Sabha was adjourned for half an hour Wednesday after Trinamool Congress chief and parliamentarian Mamta Banerjee disrupted the proceedings by raising the issue of violence in West Bengal's Nandigram.
Banerjee, who led a protest march to Jantar Mantar Wednesday morning, came to the Lok Sabha around 12.30 p.m. and wanted to raise the Nandigram issue immediately.
Lalit Modi now drags Varun into row
New Delhi : Former IPL chief Lalit Modi has said BJP MP Varun Gandhi met him in London "a few years ago" and offered...
Modi’s business brand is ‘crony capitalism’, says Chidambaram
New Delhi : Finance Minister P. Chidambaram Monday criticised BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi saying that his brand of liberalism is “crony capitalism”...
Time to get Bengal’s dues: Mamata on Modi meet
Kolkata : Ahead of her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been seeking a waiver on...
Government should provide support to grassroots innovators: President
New Delhi : President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday received a copy of the book ‘Grassroots Innovation' and said the "government should provide institutional support...
Pathetic Plight of Muslims in electoral politics of Madhya Pradesh
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Muslims have not, in comparison to their demographic strength, been adequately represented in Parliament or most of the state assemblies. Madhya Pradesh state is no exception to this phenomena.
Opposition UDF meets Kerala governor in Lavalin scam
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Congress-led opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) submitted a memorandum to Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai that details the SNC Lavalin corruption case in which Communist Party of India-Marxist's (CPI-M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan is an accused.
AAP keeps poll promise; halves power tariff, gives free water
New Delhi : The AAP government Wednesday halved the power tariff for up to 400 units per month and said it would supply 20,000...
TRS workers court arrest to protest free zone
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Activists of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) Wednesday courted arrest here to protest a recent Supreme Court order declaring Hyderabad a free zone for police recruitment.
TRS president K. Chandrasekhara Rao, senior leaders and scores of party workers were arrested by police at Indira Park here as they tried to take out a rally demanding that the government take steps to bring a constitutional amendment to revoke the court order.
The apex court's order overturned the earlier practice of reserving government jobs for the residents of Telangana region.
How and why Sheila Dikshit crushed BJP in Delhi?
By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS,
New Delhi : Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's amiable personality and a largely efficient administration are being credited for the Congress party's surprise - and thumping - victory in the assembly elections in the national capital that has left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a state of shock.
A day after the Congress edged past the BJP 3-2 in five state elections, with only some months left for new parliamentary polls, BJP insiders were still fumbling to explain the silent wave that helped the Congress crush an overconfident BJP.
59.4 percent turnout in 5th phase of UP polls
By IANS,
Lucknow: The fifth round of polling in UP's seven-phased assembly elections in 49 constituencies Thursday witnessed a 59.4 percent turnout, an official said.
BJP women leaders to protest in Lucknow against BSP
Lucknow : Women workers, supporters and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would be staging a sit-in and demonstrate in the state capital...
No cabinet expansion before trust vote: Maharashtra CM
Mumbai : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Wednesday said his cabinet would be expanded only after the ensuing vote of confidence in the assembly...
अमन का दुश्मन ज़हरीला रामभक्त गोपाल गिरफ्तार
जिब्रान उद्दीन। Twocircles.net
पिछले साल नागरिकता संशोधन अधिनियम के विरोध के दौरान जामिया मिल्लिया इस्लामिया में एक छात्र को गोली मारने वाला हिंदुत्व कार्यकर्ता...
Contrasting moods at two Tamil Nadu swearing-in ceremonies
Chennai : Saturday's swearing-in ceremony of J. Jayalalithaa and the previous one of O. Panneerselvam showed contrasting moods of AIADMK members.
On Saturday, the mood...
Haryana BJP legislator denounces party’s alliance with Chautala
By IANS,
Chandigarh : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator in Haryana, Ram Kumar Gautam Friday lashed out at the party's decision to enter into an alliance with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in the state.
"BJP's alliance with INLD is a big blunder in the history of Indian politics. INLD leader Om Prakash Chautala is a corrupt man and has a criminal background. Many hard core criminals are working in the state under his aegis," Gautam said at a press conference here.
Mayawati beckons voters to do a ‘UP’ in Karnataka
By Fakir Balaji, IANS,
Kollegal (Karnataka) : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati Monday appealed to the electorate of Karnataka to vote for her party in the assembly elections and install the first BSP government in south India.
BJP ahead in 10 of Chhattisgarh’s 11 seats
By IANS,
Raipur : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was leading in 10 out of Chhattisgarh's 11 Lok Sabha seats as votes were being counted Saturday. The state's ruling party is looking to repeat its performance in the 2004 parliamentary polls.
Ghulam Ali’s concert at Lucknow Mahotsava on: Official
Lucknow: Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, who on Wednesday announced he was cancelling all his scheduled concerts in India, will, however, go ahead with...
Modi had him projected as PM by plan?
By TwoCircles.net Reporter,
Ahmedabad: Even as the controversy rages over Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi having been described as “future prime minister of the country” by a set of industrialists during the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors summit-2009 (VGGIS) here on January 12-13, state congress leaders reacted saying that Modi's bid to project himself as prime ministerial candidate by using industrialists at the government sponsored function was nothing but an act of desperation to wash out his crimes of 2002.
Congress core group meets to discuss nuclear deal
By IANS
New Delhi : Senior Congress leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party president Sonia Gandhi, met late Monday night to discuss the Indo-US nuclear deal and the Left parties' objections to it, and are believed to have decided to go ahead with talks with the UN atomic agency.
Mamata laments lack of cash, claims discrimination
Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the central government of discrimination in cash disbursement among different states and...
Nirupam denies attack on daughter
By IANS
Mumbai : Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam Tuesday denied reports that supporters of Raj Thackeray had attacked his 12-year-old daughter.
"My daughter is absolutely safe and sound, and such reports will only spark more trouble and more violence," Nirupam, the party spokesperson, told IANS.
Reports about the supposed attack surfaced soon after some 500 activists of Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which is engaged in a campaign against north Indians in the state, staged a noisy protest outside the Nirupam's Andheri East office.
Delhi HC notice to CBI over Chautala’s poll campaign
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the CBI on a plea complaining that former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash...
Advani cosies up to RSS, flaunts swayamsewak badge
By Rakesh Mohan Chaturvedi, IANS
New Delhi : The launch of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani's autobiography has renewed bonding between him and his mentors in the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).
The bitterness that had soured relations between Advani and the RSS on more than one occasion when the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was in the saddle in Delhi may now belong to the past.
Modi hits back at Abdullahs, blames family for Pandits’ exodus
New Delhi: A day after National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah said those who vote for Narendra Modi should "jump into the sea", the BJP...
Don’t club cricket with diplomacy, says Sushma Swaraj
By IANS,
Chennai : Cricket should be treated as a game, and sports and diplomacy should not be mixed, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj said here Thursday.
Cash-for-vote case: Amar Singh, five others charge sheeted
By IANS,
New Delhi : Delhi Police Wednesday filed a charge sheet in a court here against six people, including former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, in the cash-for-vote scandal.
BJP trashes AAP’s charges of horse-trading
Kolkata : BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Monday said AAP's horse-trading allegations were a desperate attempt by the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to be...
Sharif, other SAARC leaders arrive for Modi swearing-in
New Delhi : Leaders of neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, arrived in the national capital Monday to attend the swearing-in ceremony...
Bandh near total success in Goa: BJP
By IANS,
Panaji: The shutdown against the hike in petroleum prices was a near total success in Goa, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday said.
Addressing reporters in Panaji, state BJP president Laxmikant Parsenkar said that barring two incidents where two BJP activists were arrested in Ponda, north Goa, the bandh was peaceful, but overwhelming.
"The bandh was near total and unprecedented. People voluntarily participated in the bandh. This is an emphatic statement against the anti-people policies of the government," Parsenkar said.
डेल्टा मेघवाल के पक्ष में उतरी मुस्लिम महासभा
अफ़रोज़ आलम साहिल, TwoCircles.net
नोखा (राजस्थान): डेल्टा मेघवाल की लड़ाई अब किसी एक वर्ग या जाति की लड़ाई नहीं रह गई है. यह इंसाफ़ की...
दिल्ली दंगा : अदालत ने माना, निष्पक्ष नही है जांच,पुलिस पर लगाया जुर्माना
आकिल हुसैन।Twocircles.Net
दिल्ली की कड़कड़डूमा कोर्ट ने दिल्ली दंगे से संबंधित एक मामले में सुनवाई करते हुए दिल्ली पुलिस पर 25 हज़ार रुपए का जुर्माना...
Manjhi seeks secret ballot to prove majority
Patna : Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Monday said he was ready to prove his majority in the assembly and requested Governor Keshri...
Opposition parties condemn dissolution of Arunachal assembly
Guwahati : Opposition parties in Arunachal Pradesh Friday condemned the dissolution of the assembly by the governor and termed it a most undemocratic move.
Governor...
India’s Leftist Allies Pull The Plug Over Nuke Deal
By P. Vijian, Bernama,
New Delhi : India's leftist parties Tuesday threatened to withdraw support for the main ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) after the government decided to pursue the controversial nuclear deal with the United States.
"In view of the PM's (prime minister's) announcement, the time has come to withdraw our support," Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat told reporters.
Surgical strikes should not be a political issue: Bihar CM
Patna : JD-U President and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday targeted thed BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking credit of...
Why a Hindutva-vadi should not be the Prime Minister of India
An open letter to RSS Sarsanghchalak, Shri Mohan Bhagwat
By Shamsul Islam
To,
Shri Mohan Bhagwat ji,
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak,
Namaskar.
22 days of hunger strike and counting; fate of 8000 Kashmiri youths stays in...
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net,
Srinagar : The fate of 8000 National Youth Corps members of Jammu and Kashmir stays in...
SP legislator booked for manufacturing moonshine
By IANS,
Lucknow : A Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator in Uttar Pradesh has been booked for allegedly being involved in supplying and manufacturing illicit liquor in the state, police said Monday.
Vijay Mishra, who represents the Gyanpur assembly seat in Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi district, about 250 km from here, was booked Sunday night.
The case against Mishra was registered following a joint drive by police and excise officials at a hideout in Bhadohi, during which some people were arrested with illicit liquor, police said.
States should replicate Gujarat model: Modi
By IANS,
Kolkata : Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said other states could benefit by adopting his growth model.
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.
If PM had quit after Rahul incident, UPA regime would have collapsed: Baru
New Delhi : If Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had quit last year when Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi publicly trashed the ordinance to save...
Curbs on rallies: Court seeks political parties’ views
By IANS,
Kolkata : The Calcutta High Court Thursday asked all political parties for suggestions to avoid public inconvenience caused by rallies staged on city roads.
Lok Sabha disrupted over scrapping of Amethi food park
New Delhi : The Lok Sabha was briefly disrupted on Wednesday over the issue of scrapping of the Amethi food park, with the Congress...
Arvind Kejriwal holds Janata Darbar in Ghaziabad
Ghaziabad : About 1,000 people met Delhi's new Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his Kaushambi office here Wednesday to apprise him about their problems.
While...
ABVP, Bajrang Dal ‘purify’ statue garlanded by JNU leader Kanhaiya
Patna : A group of ABVP and Bajrang Dal activists in Bihar's Begusarai district washed the statue of renowned poet Dinkar with 'gangajal' on...
Pre-poll surveys in Kerala predict sweep by Congress-led front
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : With just five days to go for the Lok Sabha elections, three pre-poll surveys in Kerala predict a sweep by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) but the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is still hopeful of good results.
The first prediction that came out Thursday was The Week-Zee Voter durvey, which said the UDF is likely to win 15 seats and the LDF five.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan responded Friday evening by saying that the party won 18 seats in the 2004 elections and will win all 20 this time.
Ram temple, early polls dominate BJP meet
By Rajeev Khanna, IANS
Bhopal : Sensing an early general election, the three-day national executive meet of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ended here Sunday after highlighting issues like Ram temple, national security and national sovereignty.
Reiterating its stand on the Ram temple, party president Rajnath Singh said that if the BJP was returned to power with absolute majority, it would legislate, if necessary, for constructing a temple at Ayodhya.
Desire to ride luxury car leaves man behind bars
Hyderabad : The desire to ride an Audi sent a youth behind bars in Hyderabad as police arrested him for stealing the luxury car.
Police...
Fifth phase of general elections 2009
By IANS,
New Delhi : The fifth round of the 2009 general elections is scheduled for May 13. Here are some facts about the poll to be held across seven states and two union territories.
Total parliamentary constituencies - 86
States and union territories going to poll - Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh and Puducherry
Total voters - 107.8 million
Total candidates - 1,432
Women candidates - 93
Polling stations - 121,632
Total polling officials - 500,000
Manjhi meets Bihar governor
Patna : Bihar Chief minister Jitam Ram Manjhi met Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi here Friday.
An official told IANS that Manjhi met the governor ahead...
Four opposition legislators in Bengal join Trinamool
Kolkata : Giving a jolt to the opposition parties in West Bengal, three Congress legislators and one of the CPI-M Monday joined the ruling...
Hidden Struggles of Aspiring Doctors in India: Navigating Competition, Corruption and Infrastructure Challenges
Shriya Sharma, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: Medicine has historically stood as one of the most esteemed professions worldwide. The allure of perpetual learning and the fulfilment derived...
233 foreign boats apprehended since 2011: Parrikar
New Delhi: Around 233 foreign boats and 1,686 foreign crew were apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard between 2011-15, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said...
Bihar’s ‘Osama’ to contest against Modi from Varanasi
Patna : Meraj Khalid Noor, popularly known as Bihar's Osama bin Laden due to his uncanny resemblance to the late Al Qaeda leader, Friday...
For BJP, euphoria of last May seem far away
By Amulya Ganguli
Till the quicksand of indiscretions enveloped Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had the advantage over its principal...
Violence during BJP candidate’s victory rally in Gujarat
By IANS,
Junagadh (Gujarat) : A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate's rally to celebrate victory in the Lok Sabha elections turned violent as members of two communities clashed in this Gujarat city and threw stones at vehicles, police said.
The rally in Junagadh, about 250 km from Ahmedabad, was in support of Dinu Solanki, who has won from the Junagadh constituency. Protesters were reportedly supporters of Congress candidate Jashu Barad, police said.
Shiv Sena leader for revoking Muslims’ voting right
Mumbai/New Delhi : Voting rights of Muslims should be revoked to stop vote bank politics, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has said in an...
UPA divided over agitation over reduction of tribal seats
By IANS
Ranchi : The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in Jharkhand is divided over launching an agitation to protest the Delimitation Commission of India's (DCI) recommendation to reduce the number of tribal seats in the state.
Two injured, 200 arrested in Jharkhand shutdown over domicile policy
Ranchi : Two people were injured as protesters hurled petrol bombs on a truck during a protest called on Saturday by the Jharkhand Mukti...
Look who’s learning Hindi – Chandrababu Naidu
By Mohammed Shafeeq, IANS
Hyderabad : He goes through two Hindi newspapers every day and even has teachers to help him pick up the language. Now that N. Chandrababu Naidu is looking for a larger role in national politics, the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister is dead serious about learning Hindi.
Hailing from southern India, that too from the Rayalaseema region where Telugu is the dominant language and even Urdu is not spoken unlike in state capital Hyderabad, it is not an easy task for him.
Advani, Modi, virtual Vajpayee to campaign for assembly polls
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is banking on the troika of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, veteran leader L.K. Advani and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to capture votes in the Oct 13 assembly elections in three states.
Vajpayee, 84, has not been well for a while and did not contest the April-May Lok Sabha elections. So the party will use the audio CDs and cassettes of his recorded speeches and poems for campaigning in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh.
No comments contrary to party line, BJP cautions leaders
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday "cautioned" its leaders against making comments "contrary to the party line" that might affect its...
UP leader Obaidullah Azmi rejoins Congress
New Delhi : Former Nationalist Congress Party leader Obaidullah Khan Azmi on Sunday rejoined the Congress, which said his presence will benefit the party...
Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) demand release of Varavara Rao, all political prisoners
TCN News
Over 30 organizations under the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) have released a statement demanding the immediate release of veteran poet Varavara Rao...
Nehru’s legacy belongs to nation: Naidu
Hyderabad : Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu Friday paid rich tributes to Jawaharlal Nehru and said the legacy of India's first prime...
Amar Singh wants PM to clear doubts on n-deal
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Samajwadi Party Wednesday took another step to firm up its ties with the Congress by praising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a man with an "exceedingly clean image" and urged him to clarify "doubts" about the India-US nuclear deal.
The prime minister must "clear the doubts of the country, parliament and political parties", Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh told reporters after an hour-long meeting with National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan.
Vote for Modi to eradicate corruption: Vijaykant
Dharmapuri (Tamil Nadu) : People should vote for BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in order to eradicate corruption across the country, said DMDK...
All party visit: Government for consensus, opposition wants AFSPA removed
New Delhi : On the eve of an all-party delegation's Kashmir trip, the government on Saturday said members were free to hold talks with...
एकता से पहले विविधता के लिए दौड़ें
By रवीश कुमार,
राजनीति में जो लोग परिवारवाद में लिंग-आधारित प्रगतिशीलता खोज रहे हैं, उन्हें इस मसले को ठीक से देखना चाहिए. राहुल गांधी के उपाध्यक्ष बनाए जाने पर कई लोगों को लिखते बोलते सुना है कि सोनिया ने भी बेटे पर ही भरोसा किया. बेटी प्रियंका को आगे नहीं बढ़ाया. जैसे प्रियंका गांधी वाकई किसी हाशिये पर रह रही हों. सोनिया गांधी प्रियंका गांधी को ही कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष बनातीं तो क्या परिवारवाद प्रगतिशील हो जाता? लोकतांत्रिक हो जाता? सिंधिया परिवार के नाम पर तो वसुंधरा राजे और ज्योतिरादित्य दोनों हैं. गोपीनाथ मुंडे की दो-दो बेटियां राजनीति में हैं. उसी बीजेपी के टिकट पर जो परिवारवाद को अपनी सुविधा के अनुसार मुद्दा बना देती है मगर इस चतुराई से कि वो सिर्फ गांधी परिवार तक सीमित रहे. महाराष्ट्र चुनाव में एक बेटी को विधायक का टिकट और एक को सांसदी का टिकट देती है. सवाल कांग्रेस को गांधी परिवार से आज़ाद कराने का तो है ही लेकिन क्या इससे कांग्रेस वो कांग्रेस बन जाएगी? क्या हिन्दुस्तान की कोई पार्टी आज़ादी के पहले की कांग्रेस बन सकती है? किस पार्टी में तब की कांग्रेस की तरह नेतृत्व और विचारधारा के स्तर पर इतनी विविधता बची है?
‘If you want to govern India, constitutionally make it a Hindu Rashtra’: Togadia
VHP leader also demands Uniform Civil Code to prevent Muslims from marrying four times
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Wardha (Maharashtra): Aimed at intimidating the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia has dared the Modi government to “constitutionally recognize India to be a Hindu Rashtra” if it wants to continue governing the country.
Is AAP emerging as viable alternative for Muslims?
By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net,
More than ever Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seems to be emerging as a credible alternative, a party with difference in real sense of the term, from the two national parties, the Left Front and host of regional parties for voters across the social spectrum. What has been interesting and remarkable change for the party though is its perception amongst the Muslim community, which is gradually warming up to the new party.
AAP legislator Manoj Kumar detained for assault
New Delhi: In yet another embarrassment for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), its Kondli legislator Manoj Kumar was on Thursday detained for questioning by...
Gandhi slams Nitish’s development claims
By IANS,
Patna : Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Thursday launched a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying no development has taken place in the state.
Mulayam quotes Kalam to say n-deal in national interest
By IANS,
New Delhi : Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav quoted former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to say that the nuclear deal was in India's interest as the party veered around to supporting the Manmohan Singh government in its political standoff with its Communist allies that has put a question mark on the government's future.
"Abdul Kalam told us the nuclear treaty is in the interest of the nation," Yadav told newspersons Thursday. He added: "Without the interest of the nation there is no politics."
Will Obama, Modi walk the talk when they meet?
By Arun Kumar,
Washington : Will US President Barack Obama take Narendra Modi for a casual walk across the street to Bombay Club in the...
Did not make hate speech: Amit Shah
New Delhi : BJP leader Amit Shah Sunday denied making a hate speech in Muzaffarnagar, for which the EC pulled him up, adding there...
Next general election unlikely before April
By Rajeev Khanna
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) India's next parliamentary election cannot be held before April 2008 because the Election Commission will not be ready until then to conduct the gigantic exercise, according to experts.
Politicians are already getting into election mode as tensions between the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the Left over the India-US nuclear deal show no signs of abating, making an early election inevitable.
BJP-RSS turning Malda ‘criminal’ issue to ‘communal’: Trinamool
Kolkata : Accusing the BJP parliamentary team of trying to go to Kaliachak in Malda district to fuel "communal tension", West Bengal's ruling Trinamool...