SC notice to centre, UP over journalist’s killing
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the central and the Uttar Pradesh governments on a plea for CBI probe into...
Rajya Sabha TV appointments: HC seeks RS, Centre response
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses from Rajya Sabha secretary and the Centre on a PIL on alleged irregularities...
No BJP-RSS conflict on conversions, says Venkaiah Naidu
Hyderabad : Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu Sunday there is no conflict between the BJP and the RSS over the issue of religious...
Congress advises Telangana leaders to be patient
By IANS,
New Delhi: Caught in a bind over demands for carving out a separate state of Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh, the Congress Wednesday called for patience on the "emotive" issue.
Text of Shashi Tharoor’s statement
By IANS,
New Delhi : Following is the text of Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor's statement, clarifying his position on the Kochi franchise of the Indian Premier League, in the Lok Sabha Friday:
I am grateful to you for the opportunity to set the record straight on my role in the recent issues relating to the IPL Kochi cricket team, which have raised by Honourable Members of the Opposition.
TDP, Left demand probe against Andhra Pradesh chief minister
By IANS,
New Delhi : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Left Friday demanded a probe against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy for alleged complicity in Rs.70 billion fraud at Satyam Computers.
"He has abused and misused his power. Reddy has violated as many as six acts with the scam," N. Chandrababu Naidu, TDP chief, told reporters.
Sitaram Yechury, politburo member of Communist Party of India-Marxist and A.B. Bardhan, general secretary of Communist Party of India, also joined the call for a probe against Reddy.
‘No One Will Trust Them Anymore’: Jamaat-e-Islami Faces Backlash for Electoral Shift
Mohammad Aatif Ammad Kanth, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar: The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was founded in 1941 by Syed Abdul Ala Maududi. Inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood, the organisation was...
Restore budget for women and child developmednt: Maneka Gandhi
New Delhi : Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Sunday urged Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to restore part of the budgetary allocations...
Chiranjeevi loses from Palacole, wins Tirupati
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Telugu superstar and Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) president K. Chiranjeevi lost the assembly elections from one constituency but was elected from the other.
Chiranjeevi, whose party failed to make its mark in the elections, lost from Palacole in his native West Godavari district in coastal Andhra. He was defeated by B. Usha Rani of the Congress by over 5,000 votes.
Chiru, as he is popularly known among his fans, won Tirupati seat in Chittoor district in Rayalaseema region. He defeated B. Karunakar Reddy of the Congress by over 10,800 votes.
Victims of rights violations unite for fair polls in Bengal
Kolkata : Deploring the Mamata Banerjee government's "attack on democracy" in West Bengal, several victims of human rights violations Sunday urged the EC to...
KPCC orders not to go for BJP help to get to power in local...
By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Pakistan Army chief’s Kashmir comment highly provocative: Modi
New Delhi : BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has termed the comments on Kashmir by the Pakistani Army chief as "highly provocative" and...
Tytler decision good, but justice is pending, says shoe attacker
By IANS,
New Delhi : Jagdish Tytler's decision not to contest the Lok Sabha election has not made Jarnail Singh feel victorious. The journalist who chucked a shoe at Home Minister P. Chidambaram in protest maintains that justice still needs to be done.
"I am not feeling victorious. This (Tytler's move) may be good politically, but still justice needs to be done," Singh told IANS here Thursday.
Third Front will be only alternative political platform: CPI-M leader
By IANS,
Kolkata : The newly formed Third Front would be the only alternative to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the near future, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Mohammed Salim said here Friday.
"The Third Front will be the only alternative political platform for people who do not support the Congress or the BJP at the centre," Salim told reporters while attending the party's weekly state secretariat meeting here.
UP advocate general hauled up for campaigning for SP
Lucknow : The Election Commission has indicted the advocate general of Uttar Pradesh for using the state chopper and addressing an election rally favouring...
UP identifies 14 lakh under-nourished children
Lucknow : The Uttar Pradesh government has identified 14 lakh "extremely under-nourished children" and has begun intensive monitoring to ensure that they get proper...
Every booth in Bengal assembly polls to have central police
Kolkata : The Election Commission on Thursday said central police forces would guard all polling booths during next year's West Bengal assembly elections and...
उलझ गया है कि यूक्रेन में छात्रों की वापसी का मामला, परिजनों में निराशा
मुहम्मद आसिम। Two circles.net
यूक्रेन की विनिशिया मैडिकल यूनिवर्सिटी में पढ़ने वाली छात्रा अस्मिता इस समय काफी चर्चा में है। अस्मिता दिल्ली की रहने वाली...
Braving heat, over 4.5 mn vote in Bihar
Patna: Braving the scorching summer heat, over four and a half million people - more than half of the electorate - Monday voted in...
Congress’ Kashmir manifesto promises more power, autonomy
By IANS,
Jammu : A day before Jammu and Kashmir goes to poll Monday to elect its new 87-member state assembly, the Congress promised its people more powers, comprehensive dialogue, and a federal set-up.
The promise of more autonomy, dispute resolution mechanism and restructured state Constitution to allow greater federalism was held in the Congress's manifesto for the seven-phase state election. The first phase of balloting begins Monday morning.
Baalu’s business interest in Sethu project: Swamy
By IANS,
New Delhi : Former Union Minister Subramanian Swamy Monday alleged in the Supreme Court that Union Transport Minister T.R. Baalu is trying for expeditious implementation of the Sethu Samundram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) to further his family business interests.
In a fresh application filed in the apex court, the former minister alleged that Baalu has family interest in both fishing and shipping and building a shorter navigational sea route around India's southern peninsula would greatly benefit his family business.
Israel to help ‘reduce’ farmer suicides: Maharashtra CM
Mumbai : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said senior Israeli leader Shimon Peres has agreed to mobilise the country's technology to help...
AIADMK activists pray for ‘Amma’
Chennai : Even as the world celebrates Mother's Day on Sunday, AIADMK leaders and activists are praying that Monday should turn out to be...
Indian, Chinese armies hold joint tactical exercise in Ladakh
Jammu: The Indian and Chinese armies have held their first joint tactical exercise in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior defence...
Abhey Chautala wins Haryana’s Ellenabad seat
By IANS,
Ellenabad (Haryana) : Abhey Singh Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) Saturday won the crucial by-election for the Ellenabad assembly seat in Haryana.
Chautala won by nearly 6,200 votes over his Congress rival Bharat Singh Beniwal.
Congress demands special package for drought-hit farmers
New Delhi : The Congress Thursday sought a special package for farmers affected by floods and drought in the country.
Speaking during a special discussion...
BJP’s new ‘evidence’ a work of fiction: Congress
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Congress Monday termed as a "work of fiction" what the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) presented as "fresh evidence" in the cash-for-vote allegation and said it was a "desperate attempt" to divert attention from the government's trust vote victory.
"We reject the new allegations as desperate antics of bad losers," Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan said here.
Assam parties angry over poll during Bihu, want schedule changed
By Syed Zarir Hussain, IANS,
Guwahati : Major political parties in Assam are angry with the schedule of the two-phased parliamentary election announced for the state as it coincides with Bohag Bihu, the Assamese New Year, and will appeal to the Election Commission (EC) later Tuesday to review the poll dates.
Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami Monday announced the schedule for Lok Sabha elections in the country with the two-phased polls in Assam scheduled for April 16 and April 23.
Mayawati’s claim of ousting criminals an eyewash: Congress
By IANS,
Lucknow : The Congress Wednesday termed as mere "eyewash" Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's claim about expelling 500 partymen with criminal antecedents and challenged her to "first throw out outlaws holding the status of minister in her government".
In a statement here, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said: "The fact is that despite her repeated declarations over the past few days, her party is yet to release the list of names of expelled partymen.
"Let her declare the names and positions they were occupying in the party," he said.
BJP meet will discuss differences — within
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Executive meets in Mumbai Thursday-Friday with plenty on the agenda, a key issue being how to bring order to its own house.
Karat should step down: Chatterjee
By IANS,
New Delhi : Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat should consider quitting the post owning responsibility for the party's dismal show in the Lok Sabha polls, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, who was last year expelled from the party, said here Saturday.
"I can't advise him (Karat) because I am no longer in the party, but if his conscience permits he should consider (resigning)," said Chatterjee.
Mamata tells PM: roll back petrol prices
By IANS,
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to roll back the hike in petrol prices.
BJP chargesheet accuses Congress of corruption, price rise
New Delhi : The BJP charged the Congress with corruption, destruction of economy, price rise and messing with the foreign policy in a chargesheet...
Congress, Trinamool walk out of Lok Sabha
New Delhi : Congress and Trinamool Congress members walked out of the Lok Sabha on Friday demanding the suspension of or an apology from...
Delhi HC blast: Court upholds 3 year remand for minor
New Delhi : A Delhi court on Wednesday upheld a Juvenile Justice Board order sentencing a minor involved in the 2011 Delhi High...
Paresh Rawal apologises for odd-even violation
New Delhi : BJP's parliament member and Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal on Monday apologised to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for violating the odd-even motor...
NDA government creating ‘fake controversy’ on Ishrat Jahan affidavits: Chidambaram
New Delhi : Former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi-led NDA government of creating a "fake controversy" around the...
Sonia said ‘no’ to Karnataka government formation bid
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Congress party has taken a conscious decision not to attempt to form a government in Karnataka, where the Bharatiya Janata Pary (BJP) has emerged as the largest party but three short of a majority, as party president Sonia Gandhi declined to give the go-ahead.
"Had the Congress president given us the green signal, we would have got our chief minister sworn in before Wednesday. We could easily have paraded 114 MLAs before the governor," said a senior Congress leader, who was involved in the Karnataka elections.
Modi not summoned by SIT March 21; will cooperate: BJP
By IANS,
Ahmedabad: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday said there was "no basis" fot reports that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had been summoned March 21 by a panel probing the 2002 communal riot cases and affirmed that Modi would cooperate fully with the Supreme Court-appointed panel.
"There is no basis to say that he (Modi) was summoned by the SIT (Special Investigation Team, appointed by the Supreme Court) on March 21. These are all baseless stories," senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said here.
Zero turnout in 21 Jharkhand polling booths
By IANS,
Ranchi : Not a single vote was cast in 21 polling booths during the second phase of the assembly elections in Jharkhand's Maoist strongholds, officials said Thursday.
"Not a single voter turned out on 21 polling booth in the second phase of the polls," said Ashok Kumar Sinha, joint chief electoral officer.
"There is no provision for repolling in such booths," Sinha told IANS.
Forensic report is confidential; it’s evidence’: Misinformation and Media Leaks Tarnish R.G. Kar Medical...
Utsa Sarmin, TwoCircles.net
Kolkata: The brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s state-run R.G. Kar Hospital has sparked widespread outrage and...
Won’t be intimidated by BJP, RSS’ cult of violence: Congress
New Delhi, (IANS): Condemning the "potentially fatal" attack on party Vice President Rahul Gandhi's cavalcade in Gujarat, the Congress on Saturday said it won't be...
Will Lalu-Nitish reunion thaw ice between Maya-Mulayam in UP? Unlikely
By Mohit Dubey,
Lucknow : Will RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's political embrace with arch rival Nitish Kumar in Bihar be replicated by Mayawati and...
PM pays tribute to Rajendra Prasad on birth anniversary
New Delhi :Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to India's first President, Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary.
"Tributes to Dr. Rajendra Prasad...
To remember violence against Dalits & Christian Adivasis, NSF to commemorate Kandhamal Day on...
The National Solidarity Forum (NSF) on August 25 will remember the victims of targeted violence against Christian Adivasis and Dalits that occurred in Odisha...
Kalyan Singh launches new party on birthday
By IANS,
Lucknow : Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh Tuesday marked his 77th birthday by announcing the formation of his new Jan Kranti Party (JKP), which will have a "new agenda" and would be led by his son Rajvir Singh.
While Kalyan Singh, who had left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) twice, did not elaborate on the "new agenda" and evaded media questions on whether the party will follow "Hindutva", Rajvir Singh said: "Hindutva would definitely be the party's ideology... In fact, both Hindutva and nationalism would be our ideology."
Government stands by Lt. Gen Suhag’s appointment as army chief, Congress wants Gen. V.K....
New Delhi : Defence Minister Arun Jaitley Wednesday said the appointment of Lt. Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag as the next Indian Army chief is...
Former Gujarat speaker Dhirubhai Shah dead
By IANS
Ahmedabad : Former Gujarat assembly speaker Dhirubhai Shah, who has been ill since suffering a heart attack at his daughter's wedding in January 2005, died at his residence here Tuesday. He was 56.
Shah, elected speaker in March 1998, had been in coma intermittently for three long years. He was the youngest speaker in Gujarat when he took charge in March 1998.
A leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he was appointed chairman of the Gujarat Finance Commission in November 2003.
With Modi posters, BJP turns Delhi saffron
New Delhi : Following its impressive victory in the Lok Sabha election, the BJP has painted the national capital saffron with posters, hoardings and...
Basu still on ventilator, blood pressure fluctuating
By IANS,
Kolkata : Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) patriarch Jyoti Basu, in hospital since Jan 1 following a pneumonia attack, continued to be on ventilator support with no change in his condition since last evening, a hospital medical bulletin said Thursday.
"His condition had deteriorated Wednesday morning and he was put on ventilator support. By Wednesday evening he showed some improvement. Today there was no further improvement in his condition," a bulletin from the AMRI Hospital said.
Muslim’s role will be crucial in LS poll of 2014
By Abdul Hannan Siwani Nadvi,
Keeping Lok Sabha poll 2014 in minds; political parties are busy in their campaign to grab voter's attention to secure their votes in their favour.
Not good if I have to probe all complaints: PM
By Minu Jain, IANS,
On Board Air India One: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Saturday that it was not good for the system if he or his office were to look into all complaints.
Akali Dal politician in key appointments post
By IANS,
Chandigarh : Ruling Shiromani Akali Dal legislator Harish Rai Dhanda was Friday appointed the chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC).
Mayawati request for CBI probe turned down
By IANS
New Delhi : The central government has turned the down the Uttar Pradesh government's request for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into various cases of alleged irregularities during the previous regime headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav.
The Department of Personnel had sought the opinion of the CBI on the cases referred to by the state government, including the irregularities in the police recruitment, but the investigating agency did not deem them fit for investigation, CBI sources said Wednesday.
AAP might take time to slash power tariff
By Gaurav Sharma,
New Delhi : Cut in power rates - the one promise that AAP's common supporters expect it to deliver at the earliest...
NITI Aayog meeting: Congress keeps options open
New Delhi : The Congress is yet to take a stand on its chief ministers participating in the July 15 meeting of the...
Uttar Pradesh bypolls end peacefully
By IANS
Lucknow : By-elections to the two parliamentary and three state assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh concluded peacefully Saturday.
According to state chief election officer A.K. Bishnoi: "About 45 percent of the 3.7 million voters turned out to exercise their franchise and no untoward incident was reported from any of the constituencies."
Voters turned out in large numbers in two of the three assembly constituencies but polling remained low in both the Lok Sabha constituencies.
Uttar Pradesh announces new transfer policy
By IANS,
Lucknow : The Samajwadi Party (SP) government in Uttar Pradesh Thursday announced the transfer policy for the year 2012-2013.
AAP names Bharti, 21 other candidates
New Delhi : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Thursday became the first to name candidates for the coming Delhi assembly elections, the list of...
Rahul Gandhi to vist Amethi
By IANS,
Lucknow: Rahul Gandhi will visit Amethi Feb 5, his first trip to his constituency after being elevated as Congress vice president, an official said Saturday.
Madhya Pradesh MLAs vote for 3 Rajya Sabha seats
Bhopal : Madhya Pradesh MLAs on Saturday voted for the three Rajya Sabha seats from the state for which there are four candidates. The...
Petition filed to Home Ministry on video of Muslim man forced to praise Modi
By TCN News,
A video posted on YouTube under the name of "Krishna Prasad" shows a Muslim man being coerced into saying "Narendra Modi hamara...
Borders of four states to be sealed before polls
By IANS,
Agra : The borders of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana will be sealed 24 hours before polls in these states, police officers of the states decided at a meeting here.
Agra is a district in Uttar Pradesh that borders the other three states. Senior police officers from these neighbouring districts in these states attended the meeting, where it was decided that the borders would be closed every time, 24 hours before any of these districts went to the polls this month and the next.
Not bought assets after becoming chief minister: Jayalalithaa
By IANS,
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Monday declared in the assembly that she has not acquired any new asset since she assumed office in May.
Coal case: Madhu Koda to be charged with criminal conspiracy
New Delhi : A court here on Tuesday ordered that former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and eight others be charged with criminal conspiracy...
Congress attacks Odisha government over killings of tribals
Bhubaneswar : The Congress party on Sunday attacked Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over the "killing of innocent tribal people in the name of...
Anti-Kudankulam protest to echo in parliament: Activist
Chennai : An activist-cum-politician Saturday said the Kudankulam issue would be raised in parliament after AAP members get elected following the Lok Sabha polls.
The...
BJP forces day-long adjournment on Ansari decision
By IANS,
New Delhi : Rajya Sabha chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari's move to discipline All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhgam (AIADMK) member V. Maitreyan Thursday provoked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to force an adjournment of the upper house for the entire post-lunch session.
In the process it also prevented the scheduled discussion on "working of the human resources development ministry."
Ansari had created history of sorts earlier during Question Hour when he made Maitreyan "withdraw" from the house for persistent defiance of the chair and disrupting its proceedings.
Body recovered, toll in Kerala Left-BJP clash up to five
By IANS
Kannur (Kerala) : Tension persisted here Friday with a body being recovered, taking to five the toll in the violence that broke out between cadres of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) two days ago.
The body of Kallai Aneesh, 30, was found on the roadside at Panoor near Thalassery in Kannur district. He is believed to be an activist of the CPI-M.
The BJP is observing Friday as a 'protest day', alleging that the CPI-M has unleashed a violent campaign in Kannur district against the saffron party.
Poll promise is bribery, says crusader
By Venkatachari Jagannathan, IANS,
Chennai : Cheap rice, free TV, free power, free stove, cash dole... With just a week left for the start of the Lok Sabha polls, it's open season for promises. But hold on, says S. Subramaniam Balaji; this is "bribery", so it's against the law.
Most recently, Balaji, an advocate here, has shot off a complaint to Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami asking the poll panel to disqualify all Telegu Desam Party (TDP) candidates from the parliament and Andhra Pradesh assembly polls.
BJP wasting no time to make Mumbai terror poll issue
By IANS,
Jammu : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now harping on the terror attacks in Mumbai to seek votes in the Hindu-dominated Jammu region, pushing all local issues to the backburner.
"The Congress cannot protect you. They could not save innocent lives in Mumbai, how can they make your future secure here," thundered Nirmal Singh, party's former state unit president and contestant from Gandhi Nagar Assembly constituency at a rally in Jammu.
New CPI-M politburo holds first meet in Kolkata
By IANS,
Kolkata : The first meeting of the new politburo of the Communist Part of India-Marxist (CPI-M), formed at the 19th party congress in Coimbatore, was held here Tuesday.
"It was the first meeting of the new politburo. The main issue of the meeting was price rise. We have planed our future moves on this issue," politburo general secretary Prakash Karat told reporters after the meeting.
"The politburo's role in forthcoming elections in states like Karnataka and panchayat elections starting from May 11 in West Bengal has been discussed too," he said.
I will resign in a day or two: Shibu Soren
By IANS,
Ranchi : Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who lost an assembly by-election earlier this week, said Saturday he would resign "in a day or two".
Before attending the central committee meeting of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Soren told reporters: "I will resign from the post of chief minister in a day or two after ensuring the formation of an alternative government".
Soren will also visit Delhi to discuss the name of his successor.
Soren Thursday lost the Tamar assembly by-election by 9,062 votes to Jharkhand Party candidate Raja Peter.
Rahul attacks BJP for divisive politics, on delayed manifesto
Sirsa/New Delhi : Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Sunday launched a multi-pronged attack on the BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, accusing...
Police may be asked to probe pepper spray episode
By IANS,
New Delhi : Delhi Police may be asked to probe the use of pepper spray by an MP in the Lok Sabha, police...
Tandon confident of retaining Vajpayee’s ‘legacy’
By IANS,
Lucknow : Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Lalji Tandon, who has been declared the party's official nominee for the Lucknow parliamentary constituency, is confident of retaining the political "legacy" of his mentor former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who held this prestigious seat for five consecutive terms.
"I will carry forward Atalji's legacy by retaining this seat," Tandon told IANS over telephone from New Delhi from where he proposes to arrive here Monday afternoon.
Sad day for Indian democracy: Chauhan
By IANS,
New Delhi : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan Tuesday hit out at the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for allegedly indulging in horse-trading and trying to bribe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs to shore up its numbers in the house.
Describing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government as a “minority government”, he lashed out at Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Amar Singh and Congress' Ahmed Patel who allegedly offered the bribe money to three BJP MPs - Ashok Argal, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora. The first two are from Madhya Pradesh.
Congress’ Varanasi candidate flaunts party symbol at booth
Varanasi : Ajay Rai, Congress candidate from Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi parliamentary constituency, Monday courted controversy when he walked into a polling station to vote...
Solar scam accused threatens ‘sleepless nights’ to politicians
Kochi : Saritha Nair, key accused in the solar panel scam in Kerala and now out on bail, Monday said she will give "sleepless...
Nothing wrong in AAP’s foreign funding: Centre to HC
New Delhi : The central government Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) foreign funds were investigated and nothing...
Andhra Pradesh: Speaker accepts no-confidence motion
By Mohd Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Congress heading for near clean sweep in Haryana
By IANS,
Chandigarh : The ruling Congress in Haryana had established convincing leads in nine of the state's 10 Lok Sabha seats at midday Saturday as counting trends continued to pour in.
The Congress was leading in Gurgaon, Rohtak, Kurukshetra, Sirsa, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, Ambala, Karnal, Sonipat and Faridabad.
Former chief minister Bhajan Lal of the newly floated Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) was leading in Hisar seat over his rivals from the Congress and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).
Rane supporters burn Saamna copies
By IANS,
Mumbai : Supporters of Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane Thursday evening burnt copies of Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna in Thane, protesting an article on the Congress leader.
The newspaper's morning edition carried a report from New Delhi about a media conference addressed by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.
Deshmukh reportedly made some light remarks about Rane, who defected to the Congress from the Shiv Sena about four years ago. He has been vying for the chief minister's post for long and has made several trips to New Delhi to stake his claim.
Poll expense on rise – from Rs.104.5 mn to Rs.13 bn
By IANS,
New Delhi : Since India's first Lok Sabha elections in 1952 to the last round in 2004, poll expenses have shot up from Rs.104.5 million to Rs.13 billion. And this time, for the April-May exercise, the figure is likely to be even higher, says official data.
"The provisional expenditure in the last general elections in 2004 was around Rs.1,300 crore (Rs.13 billion) and is expected to increase further in this year's Lok Sabha elections," says a reference handbook for the 2009 polls issued by the Press Information Bureau.
Prime accused in attack on BJP leader arrested
Lucknow : The Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested from Muradnagar the prime accused in last month's murderous attack on senior BJP leader Brijlal Teotia,...
Young politicians should be promoted, says Kunal Kapoor
By IANS,
Chandigarh : Strongly advocating the need for youth power in Indian politics, Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor Thursday appealed to youth to act as a positive catalyst in the political system of our country.
"Youngsters are our future and they should come forward to cleanse the politics as everybody says that it is a dirty game but nobody comes forward to take the responsibility. Young politicians should be promoted by our leaders," he told media persons here.
AIADMK cadres expelled for interacting with Natarajan
By IANS
Chennai : AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalitha has expelled eleven party cadres from Tiruchirapally for hobnobbing with M. Natarajan, the estranged husband of her long-time companion N. Sasikala.
Natarajan is a former Tamil Nadu government official. He was Jayalalitha's manager in the late 1980s and his wife got close to the AIADMK leader at the time. Natarajan parted ways with both Jayalalitha and Sasikala in the 1990s.
Jayalalitha Monday stripped the 11 AIADMK men of their party posts and primary memberships for interacting with Natarajan.
Violence mars fifth phase of Kashmir polls
By IANS,
Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir) : The fifth phase of Jammu and Kashmir's staggered elections Saturday was marred by violence in Pulwama constituency as anti-poll protesters came out on the streets and clashed with police, leading to injuries on both sides and the death of a protester, officials said.
The first four hours saw moderate voting in the six south Kashmir constituencies of Tral, Pampore, Pulwama, Rajpora, Shopian and Wachi.
In the clashes in Pulwama, 13 people, including three anti-poll protesters and 10 security men, were injured.
Police to step in only if beef fests turn violent: Kerala minister
Thiruvananthapuram : Police don't have a mandate to prevent the holding of 'beef festivals', and will intervene only if they turn violent and...
POTA a failed law, we need a strong terror law: Rahul Gandhi
By IANS,
Jalandhar (Punjab) : Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Wednesday took on those demanding a strong anti-terror legislation in India, saying that "POTA was a failed law".
Advocating the need to have a "strong terror law" in the country, Gandhi said that instead of having a law like POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) "which was ineffective", what was required was "a strong political will from the government".
PM takes decisions in democratic manner: Venkaiah Naidu
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives ample opportunity to his cabinet colleagues and takes all decisions in a democratic manner, Parliamentary Affairs...
Vice president, PM greet president on her birthday
By IANS
New Delhi : Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were the first dignitaries to greet President Pratibha Patil who Wednesday celebrated her 73rd birthday - the first in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Manmohan Singh, accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur, visited the president with a bouquet of roses. Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna were among a battery of people who greeted Patil on the day.
Proud that my name is registered with Rohit Vemula’s struggle for caste-less society: A...
Intro: I am one of the arrested students of UoH in connection with protest for justice for Rohith Vemula. We were arrested and...
Anti-Thackeray protests in Bihar, trains targeted
By IANS,
Patna : Angry mobs, comprising mostly students, Wednesday set ablaze three trains, disrupted railway traffic and damaged public property in various parts of Bihar in protest against assaults on Biharis by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists in Maharashtra.
The police said the protesters targeted Patna, Jehanabad, Barh, Khusrupur, Fatuha, Saharsa, Ara, Sasaram, Purnia and Bhagalpur railway stations.
Poll dates out but Maharashtra alliances still not sealed
By IANS,
Mumbai : A day after the Lok Sabha election schedule was announced, major political parties in Maharashtra have still not managed to firm up their alliances for the polls.
Even as the election ball is set rolling, the two main combines - the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena - are still grappling with finalizing their respective alliances.
Though sources in the respective parties are hopeful that everything will ultimately prove "positive", doubts still linger.
Congress-called shutdown hits parts of Tripura
By IANS,
Agartala : Over 400 Congress activists were arrested in Tripura Tuesday as they tried to enfore a 12-hour shutdown in parts of the state to protest an alleged attack on their legislator by cadres of the ruling the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), police said.
Many shops and businesses establishments, government offices and educational institutions remained closed, while traffic was thin in Sabroom and Sonamura sub-divisions in south and western Tripura, according to police.
BJP MP praises MISA
By IANS,
New Delhi: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP stunned the Rajya Sabha Wednesday when he lavished praise on the defunct and much-reviled Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) that had helped restore order during the 1975-77 Emergency, and said "something like this is needed now".
"MISA worked very well during the Emergency. There should be an act like this. Something like this is needed now," the BJP's Rama Jois said while participating in a short duration discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the internal security situation in the country.
BJP questions minority quota in Samajwadi Pension Scheme
Lucknow : The BJP Wednesday accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) government in Uttar Pradesh of flouting laid-down norms and provisions of the Indian Constitution...
‘Political uncertainty a bad omen for economy’
By Rajeev Ranjan Roy, IANS,
New Delhi : The current bout of political uncertainty in India could not have come at a worse time, with experts fearing that the fluid political situation will not help in checking inflation.
Experts feel the government has not been able to concentrate on the economic situation arising out of zooming inflation that hit a 13-year high of 11.63 percent for the week ended June 21.
‘Soojh-boojh’ ki sarkar, not ‘suit-boot’, Jaitley tells Rahul
New Delhi : Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi for his 56-day sabbatical, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's...
Facing accusation of capitulation, Yeddyurappa talks tough
By IANS,
Bangalore : Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Tuesday insisted that he has not surrendered to money power to save his chair.
"Yeddyurappa is not a person who bows to money and muscle power," he said in Mysore, about 130 km from here, after praying at the Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi hills.
He was responding to reporters' questions as to whether his authority as chief minister had been weakened by the compromise formula worked out by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central leaders to make dissidents give up their demand for his removal.
BJP corporator booked for molesting minor girl belonging to minority community; family seeks protection
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Mira Road (District Thane, Maharashtra): A BJP corporator from the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has been booked for allegedly molesting a minor girl here.
The girl is a 13-year-old, class 7 student, belonging to a minority community.
BJP threatens to block Dhaka-Kolkata train to protest Bangladesh killings
Kolkata : The BJP on Friday warned of carrying out a sustained protest movement on the Indo-Bangladesh border and stop the Dhaka-Kolkata train if...
‘इन दलों को चोर-चोर मौसेरे भाई की संज्ञा दें तो ग़लत नहीं होगा’
राजीव यादव
भारतीय लोकतंत्र में सांप्रदायिक हिंसा राजनीतिक दलों के लिए आवश्यकता बन गयी है. वर्तमान समय में कथित गौवध सांप्रदायिक हिंसा का कारण है,...
Parrikar asks Hazare to find a Lokayukta for Goa
By IANS,
Panaji : Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said here Tuesday that social activist Anna Hazare should identify a judge willing to take charge as Lokayukta.
TRS defers decision on resignations over Telangana tussle
By IANS,
Hyderabad: The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), which is heading the agitation for a separate state to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh, Saturday decided to postpone its decision to submit resignations of all its elected representatives, following an appeal by the all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC).
TRS parliamentarians, all its 10 members of the Andhra Pradesh assembly and lone member of legislative council will now wait for the decision of the JAC before submitting their resignations to the respective speakers.
No question of patch-up, Lalu used disrespectful words: JD-U
New Delhi, (IANS): JD-U leader K.C. Tyagi on Wednesday said the decision of forming the Grand Alliance government in Bihar was "a mistake" and ruled...
Modi government is pro-Israel: CPI-M
New Delhi : The CPI-M Thursday accused the government of taking a pro-Israeli stand by refusing to discuss the Israeli air raids on Gaza...
Preserve ecology at Rohtang: Sonia
By IANS,
Solang (Himachal Pradesh) : Congress president Sonia Gandhi Monday asked the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to protect the Himalayan ecology while constructing the nearly nine-km long Rohtang tunnel in Himachal Pradesh.
"Expanding roads, constructing tunnels and building bridges are important, but the BRO need ensure that these activities do not damage the ecology," Gandhi said after inaugurating the work of the tunnel that is coming up at an altitude of over 13,000 feet in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas.
Third Front takes off, Congress, BJP say nothing to worry
By IANS,
Tumkur (Karnataka) : Left and regional parties from across the country Thursday launched a Third Front at a massive rally here as an alternative to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the general elections beginning next month but the two national parties asserted the grouping would not hurt their poll prospects.
IUML to hold meeting over India-US nuclear deal
By IANS,
Malappuram : The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has called a meeting of its leaders here Thursday to discuss the India-US nuclear deal, state general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty said Tuesday.
He said the Left decision to withdraw support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government would only help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Kunhalikutty said his party would make its stand clear on the nuclear deal after the meeting.
‘Modi turning Gujarat into high-debt state’
Ahmedabad, Dec 14 (IANS) Finance Minister P. Chidambaram Friday lambasted Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for turning Gujarat into a "highly indebted state" and imposing on the state's future generations a crushing debt burden of Rs.940 billion ($23.8 billion).
He said this "Gujarat model of development" based on debts was totally "unacceptable" because such growth is not "inclusive" and shows "scant respect for the poor".
Congress mounts pressure on Rajasthan CM, BJP backs Raje
New Delhi/Jaipur: Stepping up pressure for resignation of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over her help to former IPL chief Lalit Modi, the Congress...
Congress fields NRI, Vaghela’s son in Gujarat poll
By IANS
Ahmedabad : C.K. Patel, a US-based hotelier, and Mahendrasinh Vaghela, son of Textile Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela, will contest the Gujarat assembly polls next month on a Congress ticket.
Patel, executive director of the National Federation of Indo-Americans, will contest from the Himmatnagar constituency, about 70 km from Ahmedabad and close to his native place of Vaghasi.
He was largely instrumental in organizing Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams' India visit in September.
EC warns Beni Prasad against passing remarks on Modi
New Delhi: The Election Commission Thursday warned Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma that he would be restricted from campaigning if he makes any more...
BJP keen to spread wings, meets in Bengaluru
Bengaluru : Riding high on becoming the world's largest political party, the BJP's national executive committee began its meeting here on Friday to take...
Arrangements for vote count
By IANS,
New Delhi : All eyes are on Saturday's vote count. A glance at the arrangements the Election Commission has made for the mammoth exercise across the country:
* Total counting centres: 1,080
* Total counting halls: 4,260
* Counting staff deployed: approximately 60,000
* Secure arrangements for counting agents of candidates to witness the counting procedure.
* A micro-observer at every table
* Random checking of electronic voting machines (EVMs) by recounting of two counted machines after every round by micro-observers.
Mamata must stop Modi from changing land acquisition act: Patkar
Kolkata : Social activist Medha Patkar Friday said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee must "stop" changes in the land acquisition act, slated to...
Qazi shoots off another letter to CM, accept resignation
Mehbooba eulogises Cong led coalition in JK
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : As Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti was eulogising the achievements of Congress led coalition government, senior party leader Qazi Mohammad Afzal piqued over the silence of top leadership of both the parties, shot off another letter to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad asking him to accept his resignation from council of ministers.
Maha Assembly budget session begins; Malegaon bail issue to be raised
By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
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...
Chandrababu Naidu in touch with UNPA leaders
By IANS,
Hyderabad : With the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) heading for a split over the India-US nuclear deal, Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu was Saturday busy holding consultations with leaders of the alliance's constituents.
Naidu, who is away in north coastal Andhra as part of his ongoing state-wide 'yatra', got in touch with Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) president Omprakash Chautala and other leaders.
High Court upholds Ahmedabad civic poll process
By IANS,
Gandhinagar : The Gujarat High Court Friday dismissed a petition challenging the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation election process as violating the constitution.
A division bench of Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi, while pronouncing its reserved order, said that the provisions implemented by the state authorities were valid.
The bench noted that the state rules and the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation Act, 1994 were in harmony with the constitutional provisions.
Firing heard inside Pathankot air base
Pathankot (Punjab): Occasional sound of firing could be heard from inside as search and combing operations by security forces continued at the Indian Air...
Munde’s body brought home, last rites Wednesday
Mumbai : The body of union minister Gopinath Munde, who died in a road accident in New Delhi Tuesday, was brought to Mumbai by...