After Rahul, Arjun concerned over lack of party democracy
By IANS,
New Delhi : Barely a month after Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi complained that there was no internal democracy in any political organisation, party veteran and central minister Arjun Singh has echoed the same concern.
In a book titled "Mohe Kahan Vishraam" (Where is the time to rest), a collection of articles on him edited by Kanhaiya Lal Nandan, Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has expressed his concern over "fragmentation" in the decision-making process within the more-than-century-old party.
Goa Crime Branch raids newspaper, printing press in illegal lottery case
Panaji : In a late development, the offices of a local English daily and its printing press were raided by the Crime Branch of...
Rail Budget passed by Lok Sabha
New Delhi: The Railway Budget for 2015-16 was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday with Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu saying a strong push...
CPI-M for political dialogue in Kashmir
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tuesday called for a probe into civilians being killed in firing by security forces and urged the central government to initiate talks with all shades of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir.
Condemning "the senseless killing" in police firing of a young man in Baramulla Monday, the CPI-M in a statement said the government should initiate "a credible inquiry into the circumstances which has led to the deaths of civilians in the recent days".
Restrictions imposed to prevent anti-poll protests in Srinagar
By IANS,
Srinagar : The separatist joint co-ordination committee Friday called for anti-poll shutdown and protests, leading again to imposition of restrictions here, an official said.
The co-ordination committee of both the separatist Hurriyat groups headed by hardliners Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq asked people to observe a total shutdown and hold anti-poll protests in Srinagar city.
The voting for eight assembly constituencies in Srinagar is scheduled for Dec 24 in the seventh and final phase of the staggered elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
BSP to be largest party in fractured UP house: Survey
New Delhi : The BSP, with 169 seats, will emerge as the largest party in a hung Uttar Pradesh assembly after state elections in...
Jaitley to be BJP’s key election manager
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday appointed its general secretary Arun Jaitley as the chief coordinator for its Lok Sabha election campaign.
He will be assisted by general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal, according to a party statement.
Jaitley will also head a seven-member committee constituted to formulate the party's policies.
The BJP also constituted several committees to look after logistics like campaign tours of key leaders, media coordination, publicity and website management.
Celebrations at Lucknow Congress office, gloom at BSP, SP
By IANS,
Lucknow : The scene at the party headquarters here said it all. While it was celebrations and euphoria at the Congress office, the Samajwadi Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) offices in the Uttar Pradesh capital wore a deserted look Saturday evening.
Dancing to the tunes of drums and raising the party's 'Jai ho' election slogan, Congress workers were bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets to celebrate the unexpected performance of the party in Uttar Pradesh.
Jammu and Kashmir hikes legislators’ salary, pension
By IANS,
Jammu : The Jammu and Kashmir assembly Monday passed by a voice vote bills hiking the salary of legislators by 20 percent and their pension by 25 percent.
SC questions government on lack of opposition leader
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Friday questioned the central government over the issue of appointing a leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, and...
I can’t remember how many times I have been attacked…but will continue to fight:...
The attack on Chithralekha is a clear example of how the Communist Party of India (Marxist), while raising its voice against growing intolerance in...
Mumbai Congress slams BMC for ignoring fire safety concerns
Mumbai : The Mumbai Congress here on Tuesday criticised the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation for ignoring fire safety concerns, endangering the lives of both...
JD-U MPs threaten to quit if Maharashtra government is not suspended
By IANS,
New Delhi : Janata Dal-United (JD-U) president Sharad Yadav Thursday said his party's Lok Sabha MPs would resign next week if the central goevrnment did not suspend the Maharashtra government in the aftermath of a series of attacks on people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
He also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the killing of Rahul Raj, a Patna Youth, in a Mumbai bus by police Monday and the lynching of Dharamdev Ramnarain Rai, an Uttar Pradesh youth, the next day.
Advani congratulates Manmohan Singh
By IANS,
New Delhi : Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani Saturday spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and congratulated him on the surprise victory for the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in the national elections.
During the brief conversation, Manmohan Singh thanked Advani, who was prime ministerial candidate for the opposition National Democratic Alliance, and sought both his support and constructive criticism in running the government, an official in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.
Sharif’s India visit: Sand artist creates image on peace
Bhubaneswar : Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Sunday created a sand sculpture on peace in Odisha ahead of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to...
PM doesn’t have to comment on truce violations: Rajnath
New Delhi : Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not have to comment on the ceasefire violations by...
Rajeev Kumar takes over as new Kolkata Police chief
Kolkata : Indian Police Service officer Rajeev Kumar on Wednesday formally took over as the new police commissioner of the city, replacing Surajit Kar...
Kejriwal begins road show
Ghaziabad: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal kicked off his road show Saturday from the party's office here and is slated to reach...
West Bengal opposition’s anti-industry stand decried
By IANS,
Kolkata : Supporting the industrial drive of the ruling Left Front government in West Bengal, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) - the peasants' wing of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) - Wednesday slammed the opposition parties for agitating against the economic development of the state.
"We strongly condemn the stand of some political parties that are opposing the industrial progress of the state. Industry is important in terms of bringing economic reforms in our society," AIKS state secretary Samar Baora told IANS.
RJD, JD-U likely to merge ahead of assembly polls
Patna : Former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) are likely to merge ahead of...
Manjhi’s self-interest, political hara-kiri, an alarm bell
By Md. Mudassir Alam for TwoCircles.net,
Bihar has witnessed a very chaotic crisis in the recent time, which in turn has directly or indirectly affected the common people of the state. With the resignation of Jitan Ram Manjhi, the self-proclaimed political superman of Bihar from the CM’s post all types of speculations came to an end.
“Why would he come to India if he was a terrorist?” asks family of...
By Amit Kumar, Twocircles.net
On November 16, Jameel Ahmed was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad from Sikar on charges of helping the Islamic...
Rahul says he won’t be PM, pushes for inclusive India
By IANS,
New Delhi : Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Thursday denied he was in the race to be the prime minister, and came out strongly in favour of an inclusive India.
Poll panel gives ‘other’ identity rights to eunuchs/transsexuals
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Election Commission Thursday decided to allow eunuchs and transsexuals to indicate their sex as 'Other' in the electoral roll.
"Enumerators and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) shall be instructed to indicate the sex of eunuchs/transsexuals etc. as 'O' if they so desire, while undertaking any house-to-house enumeration/verification of any application," the poll panel said in a statement here.
The decision also applies to all other forms used by the Election Commission in which the sex of the elector has to be written, including IT-based formats and website.
Charged with murder, rape, Dera chief’s support sought for polls
By Jaideep Sarin, IANS,
Sirsa (Haryana): Despite being charged with serious crimes like murder and rape, controversial Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief, Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, is much sought after by political leaders and candidates in Punjab.
The fortified sect headquarters on the outskirts of this town, 300 km from Chandigarh, continues to be a place of activity not only for followers of the sect but for politicians of various hues as well, given his influence in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
No land acquisition without farmers’ consent: Badal
New Delhi : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday said that no land should be acquired from farmers without their proper consent.
Speaking...
BJD divided house after leader’s arrest, suspension
Bhubaneswar : Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) appeared to be a divided house following suspension of senior leader Pravat Tripathy, who was arrested...
Election panel asked to hold by-polls in Telangana
By IANS,
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh High Court Wednesday asked the Election Commission to hold by-elections to two assembly seats in Telangana along with 10 other seats going to polls July 27.
The court passed the orders on a petition by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) challenging the decision of the Election Commission not to hold by-polls to Sircilla and Vemulawada assembly constituencies in view of some election petitions pending in the court.
The Election Commission June 21 announced an election schedule for 10 assembly seats but not in these two seats.
Election panel briefs observers for Haryana, Maharashtra polls
By IANS,
New Delhi : Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Navin Chawla Saturday held a meeting with 470 observers and advised them to take steps to ensure free and fair assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra.
Polls in Haryana, Maharashtra and Arunchal Pradesh are scheduled for Oct 13 and counting will be on Oct 22. The meeting with the observers for Arunachal Pradesh was held Friday.
Police call Tharoor’s domestic help for questioning
New Delhi : Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's domestic help, Narayan Singh, interrogated by Delhi Police twice earlier, was Thursday called for questioning, police said.
The...
Mobile phone key mode of campaign in poll-bound Mizoram
By Sujit Chakraborty, IANS,
Aizawl : Text messages on mobile phones are the most popular mode of seeking votes in Mizoram, which goes to the polls early next month to elect a new state assembly.
"Sending text messages through mobile phones is the main mode of campaigning this time. Candidates are also sending their election symbols through SMS to make the voters aware," said Vanlalremruata, a senior journalist and campaigner for inexpensive poll campaigns.
The election to the 40-seat Mizoram assembly is scheduled for Dec 2 and the results are expected Dec 8.
Kashmir Valley calm, PDP backs out of all-party meet
By IANS,
Srinagar: The Kashmir Valley remained calm Sunday as a separatist shutdown closed markets and stopped public transport here, but the efforts to bring normalcy to the region received a setback with opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) choosing to stay away from an all-party meet called Monday by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the violence in the state.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti stood her ground and turned down Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's request to attend the all-party meeting.
RJD releases list of 25 candidates from Bihar
By IANS,
Patna : The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Monday announced the names of 25 candidates from Bihar, with party chief Lalu Prasad contesting from two constituencies in the April-May parliamentary elections.
The RJD is contesting 28 out of Bihar's 40 seats, leaving 12 seats for its ally Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) of Ram Vilas Paswan. Candidates for the remaining three seats - Madhepura, Patna Saheb and Maharajganj - would be announced later, the RJD chief said here.
Sanwar Lal Jat: professor is favourite of locals (Profile)
Jaipur : Sanwar Lal Jat, the new member in Narendra Modi's council of ministers, is a former commerce professor and a favourite of locals.
Born...
BJP manifesto release against poll code, Congress tells EC
New Delhi : The Congress moved the Election Commission over the BJP manifesto released Monday, saying that it was violation of the model code...
BJP-backed independent leads in Jharkhand by-poll
By IANS
Ranchi : In what could be a blow to Jharkhand's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) backed independent candidate Indersingh Namdhari was Tuesday leading in the Daltonganj assembly constituency.
Owaisi advocates for transformation in parliamentary procedures
By A Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Stressing upon the need of proper utilization of parliament to resolve problems of people, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)...
Cabinet will decide on caste-based census: PM
By IANS,
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday said the government had not taken a decision on caste-based census and the issue will be deliberated in the cabinet.
"I made a statement in parliament in which I said that we shall take into account the views expressed in parliament by various sections of opinion and that I will ask the cabinet to consider that. That process is on," Manmohan Singh said replying to a question on the issue during his press conference marking the first anniversary of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's second term..
‘Mafia putting black money in media’
By IANS,
New Delhi : Criticizing the growing deterioration in news content of the electronic media, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sumitra Mahajan said in the Lok Sabha Thursday there was need to curb the mushrooming of news channels as mafia were using ill-gotten money to finance them.
"The print and electronic media are considered the fourth pillar of democracy but now some mafia are putting their black money in them," said Mahajan. She criticized the falling standards of news reportage and said anything and everything was being passed off as "breaking news".
Modi calls Antony, Kejriwal Pakistan agents, says Congress rattled
Jammu/New Delhi/Bulandshahar: Traversing across three states and over 700 km, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Wednesday launched a sharp attack against both the...
Campaigning ends in Delhi for Thursday’s polling
By IANS,
New Delhi: Campaigning for the seven Lok Sabha seats of Delhi that go to the polls Thursday in the penultimate phase of elections ended Tuesday evening with party leaders putting in last ditch efforts to attract voters.
Before campaigning ended at 5 p.m, the Congress' star campaigner Rahul Gandhi addressed the media in the morning and a rally in northeast Delhi in the afternoon.
Congress candidate from the New Delhi seat Ajay Maken went to meet Vice President Hamid Ansari at his residence, seeking his vote.
Gujarat model will burst after election: Rahul
Ranchi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said Tuesday the Gujarat model of development would burst after the Lok Sabha election - as the BJP's...
Jharkhand gets into poll mode, elections from Nov 27
By IANS,
New Delhi/Ranchi : Elections to the Jharkhand assembly would be held in five phases from Nov 27 to Dec 18, the poll panel announced in the capital Friday as political parties in the state began gearing up for the voting.
Votes would be counted on Dec 23, Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla told reporters in Delhi.
Voting in the first phase Nov 27 will be held in 30 of the 81 assembly constituencies. The second phase will be held Dec 2 when polling will be held in 15 seats, Chawla said.
BJP rubbishes Rahul’s allegation against PM
New Delhi : The BJP on Wednesday dismissed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's allegation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking money from the...
कुतुबमीनार पर पूजा की मांगी थी अनुमति,रद्द
स्टाफ रिपोर्टर।Twocircles.net
दिल्ली के साकेत अदालत ने कुतुब मीनार परिसर में पूजा शुरू करने का अनुरोध वाली एक याचिका को ख़ारिज कर दिया है।...
Jamshedpur court seeks clarification on Thackeray warrant
By IANS,
Ranchi : A Jamshedpur court Monday sought a clarification from Mumbai Police on the execution of its warrant against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who had been arrested and soon freed on bail in Mumbai Saturday.
Attempt to undermine secularism: testing waters!
Words Socialism and Secularism missing in BJP Government ads
By Ram Puniyani,
Words are not mere words; they do indicate our values and the...
CPI-M tries to patch up with church in Kerala
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Stung by one of its worst electoral reverses in Kerala, the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday made overtures to the Catholic church with whom the communists have had many run-ins during the three years in power.
Education Minister M.A. Baby and Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi spent an hour with Major Archbishop Baselios Mar Cleemis Catholicos, a senior bishop of the Malankara Catholic Church here.
The visit comes three days after Catholicos publicly said the church is ready for talks with the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Join Congress, Rahul tells Tamil Nadu’s young farmers
By IANS,
Chennai : Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Wednesday exhorted young farmers in Tamil Nadu to join the party, saying it was not just for moneyed people.
He was in Thanjavur as part of a three-day tour of the state to strengthen the Congress' youth wing. He is meeting a cross section of the young people, including students, fishermen, farmers, doctors, and workers.
At a meeting of young farmers and other youths in Thanjavur, he said the impression that only moneyed people could come up in the party would be changed. He urged them to join the party.
AAP fields Shastri’s grandson in Allahabad
New Delhi : The AAP Wednesday announced that former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's grandson Adarsh Shastri will contest the Lok Sabha election from...
Modi among three BJP winners with highest vote share
New Delhi : Only three candidates - all from the BJP - polled a vote share of over 50 percent during the recently concluded...
‘बिजनौर के नौशाद की गिरफ्तारी अखिलेश सरकार के मुस्लिम विरोधी चरित्र का ताज़ा उदाहरण’
TCN Staff Reporter
लखनऊ : आज से ठीक एक साल पहले बिजनौर का नौशाद पूरे 8 साल 9 महीने जेल में रहकर आतंकवाद के आरोप...
Raman Singh skips BJP meet as mother passes away
By IANS,
Raipur : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh skipped the three-day Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive meeting that began in Nagpur Friday as his mother passed away at a private hospital here.
Sudha Singh, 84, died early Friday at the Ramkrishna Care Hospital where she had been since mid-December after she slipped into a coma at her native town Kawardha, some 125 km from here.
She is survived by two daughters and three sons, including the 56-year-old Raman Singh. Thousands of people attended the funeral in Kawardha in the afternoon.
Political parties in India’s Silicon Valley embrace technology
By Maitreyee Boruah, IANS,
Bangalore : It is probably fitting that political parties in India's IT hub are embracing technology as they reach out to the Gen-Next in their own language over the Internet and through SMS.
The latest to join in wooing voters through e-technology is Janata Dal-S, the party which till recently believed in the mantra of direct interaction with the janata (public) through rallies and door-to-door campaigns, mostly in rural areas.
JD-S in its latest avatar will interact with its voters through its official website, to be launched soon.
Jamir takes additional charge as Maharashtra governor
By IANS
Mumbai : Goa Governor S.C. Jamir Sunday morning took additional charge as Maharashtra governor at the Raj Bhavan here after he was administered the oath of office by Bombay High Court Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar.
Jamir, 77, was appointed by President Pratibha Patil after the resignation of governor S.M. Krishna last week. Prior to his arrival at the Raj Bhavan, Jamir was given the ceremonial Guard of Honour by the Mumbai Police.
Campaign cacophony ceases in Maharashtra
Mumbai : The month-long election cacophony ended in Maharashtra Monday evening for the 288 assembly seats and lone Lok Sabha constituency Beed, which go...
SC extends Jayalalithaa’s bail
New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Friday extended the bail of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa and others till the Karnataka...
Whither women’s security in Akhilesh’s Uttar Pradesh?
Being a woman and moving around in Akhilesh Yadav's Uttar Pradesh seems to be a mortally scaring thought.
While union home ministry records show that rape cases in India's most populous state of over 200 million people, which sends the largest number of 80 lawmakers to the national parliament, have seen a quantum jump of 55 percent over the previous year, the state government and the police force, possiblyl the largest in the country and pathetic by all standards, continues to drag its feet in one-line statements and knee-jerk reactions of setting up teams and taking the PR route of "CM blasted officials, probe is in the right direction".
Modi will fuel communal disharmony, says Mayawati
Nashik (Maharashtra) : BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was a man "with all the potential to ignite communal disharmony across the subcontinent", BSP...
Trinamool activists block West Bengal ministers from hospital
By IANS,
Kolkata: Two West Bengal ministers were Monday allegedly stopped from entering a hospital in the state's Siliguri town by a group of opposition Trinamool Congress activists, and were later escorted in by police.
State Health Minister Surya Kanta Mishra and Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Ashok Bhattacharya, both belonging to the state's ruling Left Front major Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M), were obstructed by slogan-shouting Trinamool workers who were staging a sit-in before the office of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital superintendent.
MNS plans `Hatt Puja’ to counter Bihar’s Chhath Puja
By IANS,
Mumbai : The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will start a 364-day 'Hatt Puja' (Determination prayer) campaign June 14.
This move, which is to begin on the birthday of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, is to `oppose' Bihar's one-day 'Chhath Puja' festival.
Haji Arafat Sheikh, party vice president, said: "They can perform Chhath Puja for one day and the remaining days we will conduct Hatt Puja. Through this campaign we will get justice for Maharashtra."
बस्तर में सुरक्षा बल और माओवादी मुठभेड़ में पिसती आम आदिवासी जिदंगियां, दूधमुंही बच्ची...
Poonam Masih/ TwoCircles.net
बस्तर। छत्तीसगढ़ के बस्तर में माओवादी और सुरक्षा बलों के बीच होने वाली मुठभेड़ अब एक आम घटना बन गई है। माओवाद...
Telangana Congress to wait for panel on separate state
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Congress leaders from Telangana Monday said they would take a decision on their continuance in all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed to agitate for a separate Telangana state, only after the central government forms a committee on the issue.
A day after the central leadership directed party leaders to disassociate themselves from the JAC, state leaders Monday held a meeting here to take a decision on the issue.
Apex court permission eases Mayawati’s dream project
By IANS,
Lucknow : The Supreme Court Friday permitting demolition of the multi-crore Gomti Nagar sports complex here has paved the way for Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati's dream project - the Rs.1,200 crore Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal.
For expanding the Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal (Ambedkar Social Change Centre) across 123-acres, the government has already started demolishing the 28-acre old Ambedkar sthal in Gomti Nagar comprising a museum, a library and an administrative building, after the apex court permission April 21.
Thackeray cousins moving towards unity?
Mumbai : Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray Thursday revealed he recently discussed a possible political alliance with estranged cousin and Shiv Sena chief...
Bihar Elections: “Our plight will not change without political representation,” Dom community members decry...
By Sami Ahmad, TwoCircles.net
Bihar: Nearly 100 years ago, well-known Bhopuri poet Hira Dom wrote a now famous poem in ‘Achhut Ki Shikayat (Protest of...
CPI-M to take on Congress, BJP in Lok Sabha poll
By IANS,
Kolkata : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) will aim to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress in the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll, the party's general secretary Prakash Karat said here Tuesday.
The decision was taken in the three-day Central Committee meeting which concluded here Tuesday.
Mayawati to address eight election rallies in Himachal
By IANS
Shimla : Bhaujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati will address at least eight election rallies in Himachal Pradesh beginning Sunday, a party spokesman said here Friday.
Polling is taking place in three tribal assembly seats of the state on Nov 14 due to the threat of early snowfall in Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and Bharmaur.
The second phase of polling for the remaining 65 assembly seats will be held on Dec 19. The results will be declared on Dec 28.
Omar Abdullah congratulates Kejriwal
New Delhi : Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal as his party headed for...
Kumaraswamy tells BJP to keep off its agenda
By IANS
Bangalore : Former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Saturday told the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to keep off its "agenda" if it wanted their proposed alliance government in the state to last long.
"If the BJP follows its agenda, then we are free to decide our course of action," Kumaraswamy told a local TV channel within hours of submitting to Governor Rameshwar Thakur a letter extending support to a BJP-led government in the state.
Allocation for women and child development ministry slashed
New Delhi : The allocation of the women and child development ministry has been slashed by 44 percent in the budget for 2015-16 presented...
Assam records 23 percent polling in four hours
Guwahati : Nearly a quarter of Assam's electorate on Monday voted in the first four hours of the first round of assembly elections to...
Samajwadi Party to honour Abu Azmi in Lucknow
By IANS,
Lucknow:The Samajwadi Party (SP) will Monday honour its leader Abu Asim Azmi who was recently attacked by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) legislators in the assembly at Mumbai for taking his oath in Hindi and not Marathi.
SP -- led by Mulayam Singh Yadav -- Saturday resolved to honour Azmi, the recently elected party legislator from Maharashtra.
"Azmi upheld the prestige of the national language in the anti-Hindi environment prevailing in Maharashtra," party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said here.
Kerala legislators join to increase paddy cultivation
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Legislators of the Kerala assembly Monday initiated a campaign to save paddy fields from being used for other purposes, as agricultural land area in the state has drastically come down from 347,000 hectares in 2000-01 to 276,000 last year.
Cutting across their political differences, the 141 legislators of the assembly have chipped in Rs.1,000 each as capital for cultivating 10 hectares of land for paddy.
Amid BJP stunner, Kashmir heads for hung assembly
By Sheikh Qayoom,
Srinagar/Jammu : Jammu and Kashmir was Tuesday headed for a hung assembly with the BJP putting up a spectacular show in the Hindu-majority Jammu region and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) proving the leader in the largely Muslim Kashmir Valley.
Kerala won’t raise retirement age: Chandy
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Thursday said the government had no plans to raise the retirement age of government employees.
Key Maharashtra Police post to combat terrorism downgraded
Mumbai: A key post created in the Maharashtra Police to combat terrorism and the Maoist menace in the state after the 26/11 Mumbai terror...
Shibu Soren – popular politician despite corruption, murder taints
By Nityanand Shukla, IANS,
Ranchi : He is a politician to the core, known as a champion of the poor and hugely popular despite being dogged by bribery allegations. Shibu Soren, who became Jharkhand's chief minister for the third time Wednesday, will also face two murder cases not long after getting the top post in the state.
Popularly known as 'Guruji', the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief took to politics after battling for years moneylenders who exploited members of his poor and largely impoverished tribal community.
From where will funds for loan waiver come? asks Advani
By IANS
New Delhi : Welcoming the Rs.600 billion loan waiver announced for farmers, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Monday asked the government from where it proposed to get the huge amount.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Advani sought clarifications from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about from where would the money come.
Northeast can’t be developed from Delhi: Modi
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India's northeast cannot be developed from Delhi and that he was deputing central government...
40,000 border residents in J&K migrate amid warlike situation
Jammu (IANS): Over 40,000 border villagers were forced to migrate from their homes as the Pakistan Rangers continued targeting civilian and defence facilities in...
Hooda’s ‘Goa bungalow’ in controversy
By IANS,
Panaji : An under-construction bungalow allegedly owned by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Goa's Assagao village has triggered a controversy. However, Hooda's media adviser has rubbished the talk about Hooda owning the property.
Residents of Assagao, a quiet village 20 km from here known for old Portuguese-styled homes, have alleged that panchayat (village council) officials had been bribed to allow irregularities like illegal hill cutting and illegal construction of a swimming pool worth crores of rupees in an already water-starved village.
AIM supports UPA on nuke deal
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter,
New Delhi: The Association of Indian Muslims of America (AIM) announced its support for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of India. UPA govt which has staked its survival on the nuke deal with the US is facing opposition from the Left Front.
Modi invites suggestions on new institution
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday invited suggestions on the new institution that would replace Planning Commission through a special "Open Forum"...
Shekhawat moves out of Vice President’s residence
By IANS
New Delhi : Former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Monday shifted into Rajasthan House in the capital as the bungalow allotted to him is being renovated.
His shift enables his successor Mohammad Hamid Ansari to move into the Vice President's residence. Ansari is currently staying at Haryana Bhavan.
Shekhawat resigned from the vice president's post soon after losing the presidential elections to United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pratibha Devisingh Patil last month.
Rahul’s meeting with farmers put off till Saturday
New Delhi : Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's multiple meetings with farmer leaders have been "deferred" till April 18, a party leader said on Friday.
The...
Ensure safety of Kanhaiya Kumar, SC to Delhi Police chief
New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that it will be the personal responsibility of Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi to ensure...
‘Talks postponed as Trinamool did not follow Gandhi’s advice’
By IANS,
Kolkata : The talks to end the stalemate on the Tata's Singur plant were postponed from Friday morning to 4 p.m. as the Trinamool Congress-led opposition did not act on the West Bengal governor's suggestion to temporarily suspend protests and allow normalcy on the Durgapur Expressway, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said here.
Jayalalithaa convicted in disproportionate assets case
Bangalore/Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was convicted Saturday in a Rs.66 crore disproportionate asset case by a special court here.
Following this, Jayalalithaa,...
Kashmir cricket body ousts Farooq as president
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA)on Monday voted out former chief minister and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah as its president.
Manzoor Wazir...
BJP seeks stay on appointments, complains against PM’s media advisor
New Delhi: The BJP Saturday urged the poll panel to ask the UPA government to put all major appointments on hold till a new...
Where is Sanjay Dutt, fume residents of Lucknow locality
By IANS,
Lucknow : They had waited with flowers and garlands since early morning to welcome him, but when Bollywood star and Samajwadi Party candidate from Lucknow Sanjay Dutt failed to show up in their neighbourhood by noon Wednesday, the residents fumed.
Sanjay was to visit the congested Ganne Wali lane in the Aminabad locality where his father Sunil Dutt had lived with a family for four years till 1951. But security reasons kept him away.
Mamata assures action over varsity officials’ assault
Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday assured strong action over the assault of two university officials in Nadia district, while the...
Come clean on military ties with US: CPI-M
By IANS,
New Delhi : The CPI-M Saturday asked the government to come clean on military ties with the US after an Amercian commander claimed that US special forces were stationed in India.
Modi to take oath Tuesday
By IANS
Ahmedabad : Narendra Modi will take oath for the third time as Gujarat chief minister Tuesday, which is veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday.
Modi, who Sunday led the BJP to victory in Gujarat once again winning 117 of the 182 seats, will take the oath of office at 12.39 p.m., considered an auspicious time.
The grand ceremony is likely to take place either at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the same ceremony was held in December 2002, or in capital Gandhinagar.
Bhajan Lal disqualified from assembly seat
By IANS
Chandigarh : Former Haryana chief minister Bhajan Lal was Tuesday disqualified from the Adampur assembly seat in Haryana under the Anti Defection Law.
Speaker Raghubir Singh Kadian passed the order. Bhajan Lal was elected from the seat in February 2005.
7,000 judges to be appointed soon: minister
By IANS
Agra : The government is considering a proposal to recruit nearly 7,000 judges to help clear the backlog of pending cases in various courts, said union Law Minister Hansraj Bhardwaj here.
"These judges will be appointed right till the block level. Those seeking justice will not come to the courts but the judges will go to them," Bhardwaj told reporters Friday on the sidelines of 10th meeting of Parliament's Consultative Committee on Hindi.
Bhardwaj said the follow-up on the rural courts legislation will be completed before mid-2008.
Mamata denies appointment with US ambassador
By IANS,
Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has denied that she was scheduled to meet US ambassador to India Nancy Powell, who...
Modi condoles Murli Deora’s death
Mumbai : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday condoled the death of veteran Congressman and former union minister Murli S. Deora here and described him...
Trinamool expels Arabul Islam
Kolkata: Cracking the whip after intra-party factional clashes that left two dead in South Parganas district, West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress Tuesday expelled its...
Singhvi CD issue his private affair, says Khurshid
By IANS,
New Delhi : Law Minister Salman Khurshid Tuesday said the controversial CD allegedly featuring Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi is his private affair.
‘Akhilesh Yadav government’s fall imminent’
Agra : The fall of Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh is imminent, Lok Sabha member from Agra city Ram Shankar Katheria said Wednesday.
The...
BJP challenges opposition to debate over special category status to Andhra
New Delhi : Accusing the opposition parties for criticising the union government over special category status to Andhra Pradesh despite its announcement of a...
Sonia asks partymen to drop royal titles
By IANS,
New Delhi : Congress president Sonia Gandhi has called upon her partymen to drop all monarchical titles accompanying their names, which the party has already done in its records.
"The Congress president has made this suggestion to the partymen. All the monarchical titles have been removed from the party's records, but she (Sonia) believes they should not use them even in their personal life," party general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi told reporters Monday evening.
Dravidian land all set for battle for power
By IANS,
Chennai : Amid charges of big-time corruption, Tamil Nadu is set for assembly elections Wednesday, its result bound to cast a shadow on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's ruling coalition.
Polling sluggish in Bastar’s Maoist dominated areas
Jagdalpur : Voting was sluggish in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency's Maoist-dominated forested areas, but the urban centres reported brisk polling. Balloting was peaceful.
A Chhattisgarh...
Year after journalist Siddique Kappan, 3 others were booked under UAPA on way to...
Even after a year has passed in the arrest of journalist Siddique Kappan and three others under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA),...
Third legislator quits Jharkhand assembly
Ranchi: Another Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislator contesting the Lok Sabha polls has resigned from the assembly, said an official Saturday.
The official told IANS...
Sanjay ‘undecided’ about politics; he was consulted, says Amar Singh
By IANS,
New Delhi : Confusion reigned Thursday on Sanjay Dutt's political debut. While the Bollywood star maintained he has not taken a decision on joining politics, Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh said he had announced Dutt's name for a party ticket only after consulting him.
"I have still not decided about joining politics," Dutt, who is in Kashmir shooting for Rahul Dholakia's "Lamhaa", told TV channels.
However, Amar Singh denied having announced Dutt as a party candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow without consulting the actor.
Advani, Rajnath have to change seats in Lok Sabha
By IANS,
New Delhi: Yet another awkward moment awaits Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which recently saw a change in guard following a series of pitfalls, when veteran leader L.K. Advani and former party president Rajnath Singh have to change their seats in the lower house of Parliament.
On Dec 18, Advani handed over the baton of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha to Sushma Swaraj and assumed charge as the first chairman of the BJP Parliamentary Party. Sushma was earlier the deputy leader of BJP in Lok Sabha.
He will now have to leave his seat in the Lok Sabha for Swaraj.
BJP legislator breaks mike in Delhi assembly
New Delhi: The last day of the budget session in the Delhi assembly witnessed uproar on Tuesday when a BJP legislator broke the mike...
Farooq Abdullah elected to Rajya Sabha
By IANS,
Jammu : National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah and his party colleague Mohammad Shafi Uri were Friday elected to the Rajya Sabha.
Abdullah polled 27 votes while Uri got 25. Abdullah is also a member of the state legislative assembly.
On Feb 6, union Water Resources Minister Saif-ud-Din Soz and former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad (both of Congress) were declared elected unopposed.
UPA directly responsible for price rise: CPI-M
By IANS,
New Delhi : Condemning the government's refusal to reconsider the decision to increase fuel prices, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Sunday charged the Congress-led government with being "directly responsible" for the rise in food prices.
The CPI-M also slammed the government for not reconsidering the steps being taken to deregulate petrol and diesel prices, saying "the the deregulation of prices are meant to help the private oil companies and put the people at the mercy of a market-controlled by the multinational oil companies and the domestic corporates".
Pratibha Patil heading for big win
By IANS
New Delhi : Ruling alliance nominee Pratibha Patil was heading for a huge victory, winning more than the expected votes even in opposition ruled states as counting for the presidential poll in seven states was over till Saturday afternoon.
In the seven states for which the votes of legislators are being counted, Patil won 67,7710 votes leaving her rival Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, an independent backed by the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with just 35,670 votes.
The votes of MPs will be taken up late afternoon.
Rajya Sabha passes GST bill
New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the relevant Constitution amendment bill to pave the way for the introduction of a pan-India...
Rajnath assures Delhi Police of help in modernising force
New Delhi : Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday assured Delhi Police of providing all possible help to modernise the force.
"I discussed with the...
Karnataka opposition continues protest against illegal mining
By IANS,
Bangalore: The Karnataka assembly Thursday passed six bills amidst slogan shouting and tearing of copies of bills and other legislative papers by the protesting Congress and Janata Dal-Secular legislators who have been stationed inside the assembly premises for the fourth day demanding a CBI probe into illegal mining.
Those supposed to govern UP are abusing each other: Amit Shah
Saharanpur : BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday attacked the ruling Samajwadi Party over the ongoing feud in the Yadav family, saying those responsible...