Vajpayee may canvass for BJP in Himachal
By IANS
Shimla : Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is likely to canvass for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh in next month's assembly elections, party sources said.
Vajpayee was earlier not scheduled to visit the state due to reported ill health but the sources said he had recovered.
The state is scheduled to go to polls in two stages. While polling will be held for three tribal seats Nov 14, voting for the remaining 65 assembly seats will take place Dec 19. The results will be declared Dec 28.
Mizoram refugees in Tripura may move apex court
By IANS
Agartala : Thousands of tribal Reang refugees from Mizoram, currently sheltered in camps in Tripura, have threatened to move the Supreme Court seeking repatriation of more than 33,000 people back to their home state.
The Reang refugees, also known as Bru, have been sheltered in six north Tripura camps since October 1997 following ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos in Mizoram.
Mizoram is reluctant to take back the refugees, prompting them to seek the apex court's help.
Tamil Nadu actors may come together in politics
By IANS
Chennai : Three leading film stars from Tamil Nadu may be getting together to try form a new political front.
Actor Sarath Kumar, a Nadar community leader and two-time MP, said: "A united front can rule Tamil Nadu much better than single parties."
The other actors he hopes to team up with are Vijayakanth, who has already formed a political party called DMDK, and Karthik.
Sarath Kumar was with the DMK for a decade and then switched loyalty to the AIADMK for a brief while before the May 2006 assembly elections.
Is the BJP’s hold on Gujarat overrated?
By Amulya Ganguli, IANS
Since Gujarat was advertised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a laboratory for its experiments with Hindutva, the ideology that accords primacy of place in Indian society to Hindus, an electoral outcome in the state has considerable importance for the party. While the BJP's success will show that the saffron agenda is alive and kicking, a setback will mean much more than a similar failure in any other state.
EC censures Congress, BJP leaders
By IANS
New Delhi : The Election Commission (EC) censured Congress leader B.K. Hari Prasad and the president of the Gujarat unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Purshottam Rupala for violating the model code of conduct in the state.
The EC has also sent a notice to Minister of State for Railways Naran Rathwa for violating the code in operation for the Gujarat election Dec 11 and 16, the election commission officials said Friday.
Uttar Pradesh seeks court nod to prosecute Mulayam
By IANS
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Friday issued notice to former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh and 26 others on a plea by the state government to prosecute them for wrongly misappropriating residential plots in the upscale Gomati Nagar area in Lucknow.
A bench of Justice C.K. Thakar and Justice Altmas Kabir also issued notice to Yadav's brother Shivpal Singh Yadav and several other political bigwigs and bureaucrats, including former chief minister's special secretary Anita Singh and principal secretary Anil Kumar.
Ronen Sen apologises again, may be let off
By IANS
New Delhi : India's envoy to the US Ronen Sen, who had angered the MPs with his now famous "headless chicken" remark, may be let off as he tendered another unqualified apology before the Rajya Sabha privileges committee Friday.
Sen, whose remarks were seen as describing critics of the India-US nuclear deal as "headless chicken", has earlier apologised to the Lok Sabha committee when it summoned him on Oct 29.
Court stays privileges move against Jayalalitha
By IANS
Chennai : The Madras High Court Friday stayed the proceedings of the Tamil Nadu assembly's privileges committee, which had asked opposition AIADMK party leader J. Jayalalitha to appear before it on a complaint by state minister M.K. Stalin.
The AIADMK chief Thursday moved the Madras High Court against the privileges committee's summons.
Karat backs decision to deploy central forces in Nandigram
By IANS
Kolkata : Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat Friday supported the West Bengal government's decision to requisition central security forces to control the spiralling violence in Nandigram.
"The recurrence of violence shows that there is no peace and administrative control in Nandigram. The situation can't be allowed to go on like this. I think the state government has rightly sought the centre's help in this issue," Karat told a press conference after the party's state committee meeting here Friday.
PMK proposes third front in Tamil Nadu
By IANS
Chennai : The PMK, which supports the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, Friday said it would float a new political front with the Congress and other parties to fight the DMK and the opposition AIADMK during the 2011 assembly elections.
PMK founder-leader S. Ramadoss told reporters: "We are certain of capturing power because the two parties have failed on all counts. In recent times, the DMK regime's record on maintenance of law and order has been pathetic. Therefore, the new formation is a historic necessity."
Karat stresses parliamentary discussion on N-deal
By IANS
Kolkata : Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat reiterated Friday that the Left wanted a discussion on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in the upcoming winter session of parliament.
"We would like to discuss the issue in the session that will start Nov 15. In the last session it was not possible. The main thing is to have the parliament discuss the agreement so that we get an opportunity to participate in the discussion," Karat told reporters at the CPI-M state headquarters here.
Rahul seeks advice from young leaders
By IANS
New Delhi : Hoping to strengthen the party ahead of next general elections, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi has asked select young party secretaries and Youth Congress leaders to submit in writing their ideas on how to go about it.
The Amethi MP, who has been meeting select groups of young Congress leaders in the last two days, asked them to give their response as soon as possible.
Sudanese student contests JNU elections to restore democracy back home
By Prashant K. Nanda, IANS
New Delhi : Khalid Abdallah, a 29-year-old Sudanese student of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), is contesting the prestigious student union election this year to learn politics in India and restore democracy in his north African nation.
"Like Pakistan, my country is suffering from dictatorship. People in Sudan need efficient people to restore democracy and my contest in JNU elections is a step in that direction," Abdallah told IANS.
President’s rule may persist in Karnataka
By IANS
New Delhi : The Manmohan Singh government appears to be in no hurry to make up its mind on President's rule in Karnataka, with the cabinet meeting Friday not taking up the issue for discussion.
"Karnataka never figured in the cabinet... it need not come up in the cabinet. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has to deliberate on this," Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyranjan Dasmunsi told reporters after the cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister.
Rabri Devi arrested for protesting attacks on journalists
By IANS
Patna : Bihar opposition leader Rabri Devi was arrested here Friday along with several Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislators for disrupting law and order during a shutdown called by the party to protest against the attacks on journalists by ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) legislator Anant Singh and his henchmen.
This is the first time that Rabri Devi, a former chief minister and wife of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, has protested aggressively on the roads against the two-year-old National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Nitish Kumar.
Jaswant Singh caught in opium controversy
By IANS
Jaipur : It's the proverbial storm but in a milk cup. And Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh is in the middle of it over allegations that guests at a feast hosted by him in Rajasthan's Barmer district were offered saffron milk laced with opium. His party colleagues are denying this.
The feast known as 'riyan' in Jaswant Singh's home in Jasol, Barmer, took place Wednesday and has already acquired a political hue.
According to tradition, saffron milk laced with opium is usually served in a riyan.
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.
Has ULFA been hit by ‘conflict fatigue’?
By Syed Zarir Hussain, IANS
Guwahati : Northeast India's most potent separatist group, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), appears to be on the back foot following a spate of surrenders of its cadres, indicating that like most people in Assam, the fighters in the outfit too could be hit by 'conflict fatigue'.
Shutdown in Bihar to protest attacks on journalists
By IANS
Patna : A day long shutdown called by the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar Friday to protest against the attacks on journalists by ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) legislator Anant Singh and his henchmen affected normal life in the state with clashes between protestors and the police.
Hundreds of activists belonging to the opposition were arrested for disrupting law and order. There were reports of clashes between supporters of the strike and the police at several places across the state.
Jayalalitha moves court against privileges panel summons
By IANS
Chennai : Tamil Nadu's Leader of Opposition J. Jayalalitha Thursday moved the Madras High Court against summons from the assembly's privileges committee.
Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin had on Oct 18 raised a privilege issue against Jayalalitha, complaining that the AIADMK chief had alleged the day before in the media that he was plotting to kill her before the next assembly elections.
Following Stalin's reference, the privileges committee summoned Jayalalitha to appear before it Friday.
Karnataka celebrates formation day on subdued note
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka celebrated its 51st formation day on a low key with the state under president's rule amid political uncertainty and an overcast sky taking the zing out of the usually colourful festivities in this capital and other places across the state.
At several places in the region known as the Hyderabad-Karnataks area -- comprising Bellary, Koppal, Gulbarga, Raichur and Bidar districts in north Karnataka -- celebrations were boycotted in protest against alleged lack of development there.
Government denying justice to paddy growers: BJP
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday attacked the government for not granting a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs.1,000 per quintal for paddy, terming it a "short-sighted" decision.
Accusing the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of denying justice to paddy growers, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters here: "This is not only a betrayal of the paddy growers but also is a short-sighted decision, which will ultimately hurt the food security of the nation in future.
Stabilise markets, Sensex boom is senseless: CPI
By IANS
New Delhi : The Communist Party of India (CPI) Thursday asked the government to take urgent corrective measures to stabilise stock market operations and prevent "accumulation of huge wealth" by few at the cost of the common people.
Himachal government violated poll code: BJP
By IANS
New Delhi : Accusing the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh of violating the model code of conduct, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday asked the Election Commission to stop it from transferring ownership of some power projects to private parties ahead of assembly polls.
Bihar’s ruling legislator beats up journalists, arrested
By IANS
Patna : Several journalists were injured and some had their cameras smashed when a legislator of Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) party and his bodyguards attacked them with sticks and stones in retaliation for their protest against his assault on two media persons.
JD-U legislator Anant Singh, a known 'bahubali' or muscleman in the state, and four of his henchmen have been arrested for the assault on media persons. However, the arrests were made only five hours after the attack.
Andhra Pradesh celebrates 51st formation day
By IANS
Hyderabad : Andhra Pradesh Thursday celebrated the 51st anniversary of its formation as the linguistic state, but regional parties in Telangana observed 'betrayal day' to protest the region's merger five decades ago with Andhra Pradesh on the basis of common language.
Meetings and rallies across the state marked the day to recall the services of leaders who fought for the formation of a common state for all Telugu-speaking people.
Karnataka crisis not discussed at CCPA meeting
By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) but did not discuss the crisis in Karnataka, indicating that a decision on revocation of President's rule in the state may take a little longer.
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said a pointed "No" in reply to a question on whether Karnataka came up for discussion at the CCPA.
Karnataka crisis not discussed at CCPA meeting
By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) but did not discuss the crisis in Karnataka, indicating that a decision on revocation of President's rule in the state may take a little longer.
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said a pointed "No" in reply to a question on whether Karnataka came up for discussion at the CCPA.
BSP government equates Ambedkar memorial to Taj Mahal
By IANS
Lucknow : The extravagant expenditure on the multibillion rupee Ambedkar memorial to honour the Dalit icon may have Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati in a bind, but her officials Thursday unhesitatingly equated it with the Taj Mahal.
Cornered over unanswered queries under the Right to Information (RTI) Act on public funds being spent on projects to commemorate ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) icons B.R. Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram, an official of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) unwittingly drew a parallel between the two.
Bihar legislator attacks journalists, arrested
By IANS
Patna : Ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) legislator Anant Singh and his henchmen assaulted two journalists here Thursday, and then attacked a whole group of newsmen when they went to Singh's house to protest the original assault. Several journalists were injured. The lawmaker and four of his followers have been arrested.
Anant Singh -- who is facing over two dozen criminal cases including charges of murder, kidnapping, extortion and threat -- and his henchmen first beat up NDTV correspondent Prakash Singh and cameraman Habib Ali when they went to his house.
NGOs initiate poll campaign against BJP in Gujarat
By IANS
New Delhi : A large number of social organisations in Gujarat have begun networking among themselves to start a non-political election campaign against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state ahead of the December assembly polls.
12 in fray for Nov 14 polls in three Himachal seats
By IANS
Shimla : A dozen candidates are left in the fray for the Nov 14 polls to the three Himachal Pradesh tribal assembly seats of Kinnaur, Bharmaur and Lahaul and Spiti.
Wednesday was the last day for withdrawal of nominations for the three seats in mountainous regions, where polling is being held early due to threat of snowfall.
The remaining 65 assembly segments will go to polls Dec 19. All the results will be declared Dec 28.
Shutdown hits normal life Kerala on 51st formation day
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : A shutdown called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday to protest the alleged callous attitude of the central government towards railway development in Kerala affected normal business on the occasion of the state's 51st formation day.
Justifying the call for a shutdown on the day of President Pratibha Patil's visit to the state, BJP's state unit president P.K. Krishnadas Wednesday said his party had announced plans for the shutdown a month ago.
Koda’s gaffe – follow footsteps of ‘late Sonia Gandhi’!
By IANS
Ranchi : With his foot firmly in the mouth, UPA's man in Jharkhand, Chief Minister Madhu Koda, got just a wee bit confused at a function to mark the 23rd death anniversary of late prime minister Indira Gandhi by paying tribute to her daughter-in-law and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi instead.
India to host grand global meet on federalism
By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS
New Delhi : From heads of state and government to experts and activists, around 1,000 people from the world will take part in an international conference on federalism here next week.
Conference leaders say the Nov 5-7 meet - the fourth in a series organised by the Canada-based Forum of Federations - will provide a platform for exchanges of ideas that can prove useful to countries in turmoil such as Sri Lanka.
Sonia calls for fight against ‘anti-social forces’
By IANS
New Delhi : Terming the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002 as anti-human, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi Wednesday urged the nation to fight "anti-social forces" to protect secular and democratic values.
Presiding over the 22nd Indira Gandhi National Integration Award function here, she congratulated award winners J.S. Bandukwala and Ram Puniyani for their work to maintain communal harmony in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992 and sectarian strife in Gujarat in 2002.
CBI challenges Bihar plea against Lalu acquittal
By IANS
New Delhi : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Bihar government's plea before the Patna High Court against a trial court order acquitting Railway Minister Lalu Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi in a corruption case.
The CBI approached the apex court contending that the Nitish Kumar government was not legally empowered to move the high court against the order of acquittal of the Yadav couple by the state's designated CBI court as the crime had been probed by it.
Uttar Pradesh initiates law to end “jungle rule”
By IANS
Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati formally initiated enactment of a new anti-crime law Wednesday with the stated aim of ridding the state of "organised crime" that has seriously impeded its overall growth,
Shortly after tabling the UP Control of Organised Crime Bill (UPCOCA) at the state assembly, Mayawati told a press conference that a special law was required for "curbing, controlling and trampling organised crime in the state".
BJP rejects PM’s plea for ‘reasonable time’ in Karnataka
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party Wednesday virtually rejected Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's plea to give Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur "reasonable time" to decide on the party's claim to form new coalition ministry with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S).
The party set a new deadline of Wednesday evening for Thakur to invite the BJP/JD-S combine leader B.S. Yeddyurappa and threatened to take the 129 supporting legislators to President Pratibha Patil in New Delhi Thursday if he fails to accede to their demand.
PM asks BJP to give Karnataka governor ‘reasonable time’
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday told a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation that Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur be given "reasonable time" to decide on their claim to form government along with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S).
"The prime minister suggested that the governor be given reasonable time. But we told him that four days have passed since we handed over the letter (to form a) government headed by B.S. Yeddiyurappa," BJP vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after a 30-minute meeting with Manmohan Singh.
Now a road to Priyanka Vadra’s house site
By IANS
Shimla : Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's daughter Priyanka Vadra's proposed countryside house near the Indian president's summer Retreat near here has now got a road.
However, permission is awaited from the president to allow her to build a house in this high security zone near the Retreat some 15 km uphill from here.
A visit to the spot has confirmed that a two-kilometre winding road has been freshly built in place of the original mule path.
Karat praises PM, but adamant on N-deal stance
By IANS
New Delhi : After months of a bitter stand-off over the India-US civil nuclear deal, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat has said he appreciates Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's "unquestioned integrity" over the pact but there would be no going back on the Left's stance.
Karat's praise of the prime minister comes after the government came perilously close to falling over the differences between the Left and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) on the deal.
Parliament may debate N-deal after all
By IANS
New Delhi : Parliament may be closer to debating the India-US civil nuclear deal, with most parties that had been opposing a discussion now appearing amenable to it.
A free and frank exchange of views could take place in the upcoming winter session of parliament.
In the last budget session, the Left parties sought a debate on the issue. But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalled the proceedings, insisting on a Lok Sabha debate under Rule 184, which requires voting at the end of the discussion.
Trinamool agitation shuts down West Bengal
By IANS
Kolkata : Most parts of West Bengal shut down Wednesday as a dawn-to-dusk protest by the Trinamool Congress over the continuing violence in Nandigram evoked near total response across the state.
In most parts of the state, including Kolkata, shops and business establishments were closed while train services were hit badly.
However, flights operated normally, said airport director V.K. Monga. Kolkata's metro service also functioned as normal.
Modi is not an issue, nor our target, says Congress
By Liz Mathew, IANS
New Delhi : He may be under attack from his own party. But the Congress says that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will not be an issue in the coming assembly elections in the state.
"Modi is no longer an election issue. He is not our target either. He has already been exposed very badly," asserts B.K. Hariprasad, the Congress general secretary in charge of Gujarat.
Thakur in no hurry to send report on Karnataka, BJP to protest
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur Tuesday ignored the urging of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) combine to be invited immediately to form the government, and said he would send his report to the central government on the situation in a day or two.
The governor was also apparently upset with BJP-JD-S' plan to start an agitation from Wednesday if he did not invite the combine to form the ministry by Tuesday evening, and summoned state BJP leaders to the Raj Bhavan (his official residence) for a talk.
Modi ‘pressurising’ businessmen for funds: Congress
By IANS
Ahmedabad : The Gujarat unit of the Congress Tuesday alleged that Chief Minister Narendra Modi was "pressurising" industrialists to cough up large sums of money for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election fund, and urged the Election Commission to monitor this through an "independent agency".
Arjun Modhwadia, Leader of Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, alleged that Modi was bent upon collecting millions of rupees for the party fund.
UPA the worst example of coalition, says Advani
By IANS
New Delhi : The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is an example of what a coalition government should not be and it would not last till 2009, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani said Tuesday.
Speaking after releasing the Dr Mookerjee Smriti Nyas souvenir 'Sankalp' here, Advani said if coalition governments are here to stay for some time, then the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government (of which Advani was a part) was "the best example of how coalitions should run and the UPA is an example of what coalitions should not be".
Assembly by-poll held in Madhya Pradesh’s Lanjhi
By IANS
Bhopal : A by-election was held in the Maoist-affected Lanjhi assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district Tuesday with over 70 percent votes polled.
There are 19 candidates in the fray, but the main contest is between Dhareshwari Bhatere of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bhagvat Bhau Nagpure of the Congress.
Among other candidates are Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) candidate Badhuram Devgadhe, Janta Party's Kankar Munjare, and Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) nominee Rajeshwar Choudhary.
Sonia Gandhi to kick off Gujarat campaign Saturday
By IANS
Mumbai : Congress president Sonia Gandhi will kick off her party's campaign for the Gujarat assembly elections with a women's rally at Anand, in south Gujarat, on Saturday.
The rally assumes significance in the wake of the political upheavals in the state following last week's Tehelka sting operation that alleged state complicity in the 2002 sectarian violence in which more than 1,000 people were killed. The state is ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Advani remembers Mahajan as a ‘great manager’
By IANS
New Delhi : Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani paid glowing tributes to late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan, remembering him as a "great manager", on his 59th birth anniversary Tuesday.
Advani was the chief guest at a function in Saket locality in south Delhi where a road leading to the PVR cinema complex was named after Mahajan.
"Pramod was a great manager, be it administration, politics, oratory or any other issue," Advani told a modest gathering of Saket residents.
Nandigram flares up again, journalists attacked
By IANS
Nandigram : The turf war between the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Trianmool Congress backed anti-land acquisition group Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) has led to fresh violence at Nandigram in West Bengal in the aftermath of five deaths in fighting and explosions over the weekend.
"The gun battle is raging in Satengabari and Ranichak areas. It began Monday night but we have no report of any injury," an official of the Nandigram police station told IANS.
The BUPC claimed that the CPI-M had torched 10 houses Tuesday.
Major bureaucratic reshuffle in Rajasthan
By IANS
Jaipur : In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the Rajasthan government transferred 45 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officials.
Of the 19 IAS officials transferred late Monday evening, B L Arya has been made divisional commissioner of Jaipur in place of Madhukar Gupta, who has now been made the managing director of the Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation.
Tripura offices hit by strike
By IANS
Agartala : Government and semi-government offices and educational institutions remained closed in Tripura Tuesday due to a nationwide strike called by the central and state government employees and teachers in support of their 12-point demand.
"The strike was total and peaceful with an estimated 100,000 central and state government employees, teachers and other workers taking part in the strike in the state," said Ashes Debroy, a member of the Tripura Employees Coordination Committee.
Worried BJP may approach Patil over government formation
By IANS
Bangalore : An anxious Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to approach President Pratibha Patil if Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur does not invite its leader B.S. Yediyurappa to form the government Tuesday.
The BJP and its estranged partner Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) had Monday presented 129 legislators to Thakur to establish their hold over the 225-member assembly. Just hours later, the governor allotted work to his three advisors, appointed to assist him in governing the state now under president's rule.
Karunakaran blows hot again, but Sonia is cool
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Will he or won't he? The speculation about K. Karunakaran getting back in the Congress mounts with the former Kerala chief minister signalling his intent by showering praise on party president Sonia Gandhi, who, however, has yet to agree to meet him.
During his recent visit to Delhi, the veteran Congress member, who parted ways with the party two years ago and set up the Democratic Indira Congress-Karunakaran (DIC-K) and later joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), said categorically that he accepted Sonia Gandhi as his leader.
Dissolve Karnataka assembly, hold polls, demands Congress
By IANS
New Delhi : The Congress party Monday asked the central government to dissolve the Karnataka assembly and hold fresh elections to prevent "horse trading" and avoid "the huge and irreversible prejudicial impact" of the "unholy" alliance upon the state.
"The Congress calls upon the central government and the governor to dissolve the assembly forthwith and allow the state to proceed to election to prevent imminent horse trading," the party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said here.
BJP, JD-S confident of forming government in Karnataka
By IANS
Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Monday said they had received a positive response from Governor Rameshwar Thakur to their claim to form the government in Karnataka, and that they were expecting to be invited soon.
"The governor told us he will immediately apprise the central government of the developments and take all constitutional steps for installing a popular government," state BJP chief D.V. Sadananda Gowda told reporters as his JD-S counterpart Merajuddin Patel stood by.
No threat to UPA government, says Karat
By IANS
Chennai : There is no threat to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, said Left leader Prakash Karat here Monday evening after discussing the Indo-US nuclear deal with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
"There is no threat to the UPA government," the Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary told reporters.
He said the Left wanted a common approach to the Indo-US nuclear deal during the coming parliament session.
Gujarat riots probe panel to examine Tehelka tapes
By IANS
Ahmedabad : An inquiry commission probing the 2002 communal violence in Gujarat Monday said it would examine the footage of a sting operation conducted by the Tehelka newsmagazine.
The expose, telecast last week, purportedly shows the state's public prosecutor Arvind Pandya casting aspersions on the two-member commission.
Pandya is shown telling an undercover reporter that while Justice G.T. Nanavati was after money, Justice K.G. Shah was "our man".
Chandy questions police probe into cop’s killing
By IANS
Kottayam (Kerala) : The police probe into a cop's killing in a college campus here last week has lost its credibility after serious lapses due to "some vested interest", former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy said Monday.
Assistant sub-inspector Elias, 47, was killed Friday when he was hit on his head with a piece of wood during clashes between two rival students' unions at the Changanacherry Nair Service Society College.
JD-S rebel still hopeful of Congress nod
By IANS
Bangalore : Senior Karnataka Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader M.P. Prakash Monday said he was still hopeful the Congress leadership would support his bid to form a coalition government.
"The Congress high command has not announced its final decision on my efforts. That means the channels with that party are open," Prakash told reporters after meeting Governor Rameshwar Thakur.
He said he had not staked claim to form the government as he did not have the numbers right now. "I will do so if there is any change in the situation," he said.
Mamata dares CPI-M, seeks CBI probe into convoy firing
By IANS
Kolkata : Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Monday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged firing on her convoy in Nandigram Sunday.
Reacting angrily to the comments of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders that she was faking a firing on her car, Banerjee said: "Let the CBI probe the matter to find out the truth. There was firing from a house on us and the bullet was of .303, which is used by the cops."
Apex court notices to Mulayam on CBI plea
By IANS
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Monday sought replies from former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family members on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea that it needed to register a regular criminal case against them for corruption.
The bench of Justice C.K. Thakkar and Justice Altmas Kabir issued notices to Yadav, his parliamentarian son Akhilesh Yadav and his wife Dimple Yadav, and other son Prateek Yadav, seeking their replies on the CBI plea within four weeks.
BJP, JD-S efforts face hurdles from Congress, Prakash
By IANS
Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Monday paraded 126 supporting legislators in front of Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur to convince him to invite the combine to form a new ministry, but a rebel JD-S leader and the Congress tried to block their moves.
Hours before the legislators' parade, senior JD-S leader and former home minister M.P. Prakash met Thakur and urged him to reject their claim as his party's support to the BJP was "illegal and invalid".
At mass rally, government goes for panel on land reforms
By IANS
New Delhi : Bowing to the demands of thousands of tribals and farmers who marched for nearly four weeks, the government announced Monday it was setting up a committee to suggest land reforms and fast track courts to settle land disputes.
Impressed by the resolve of the protestors who walked all the way from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh to the national capital, Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh told a 25,000-strong rally at the Ramlila ground here that the government was accepting their demands.
Ronen Sen apologises before parliamentary panel
By IANS
New Delhi : India's ambassador to the US Ronen Sen Monday tendered an unqualified apology before the privileges committee of the Lok Sabha over his remarks that were seen as describing critics of the India-US nuclear deal as "headless chicken".
"Ambassador Sen appeared before the committee and gave his statement and evidence along with his explanation (of his comments)," V. Kishore Chandra Deo, the Congress MP who heads the 15-member Lok Sabha committee, told IANS.
Notice to Karunanidhi, Baalu on contempt to court plea
By IANS
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Monday issued notices to DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and union Surface Transport Minister T.R. Baalu, among others, for defying court orders against a state-wide shutdown Oct 1.
A bench of Justices B.N. Agarwal and P.P. Naolekar issued notices on a petition by the DMK's arch political rival AIADMK after being convinced that the actions of Karunanidhi and his officials amounted to a contempt of court in disobeying the court's Sep 30 order against the shutdown.
Lalu sees his sons as cricketers, not politicians
By IANS
Patna : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad may have introduced his wife into politics, but he does not want that career for his two sons. They, he has said, are budding cricketers.
"I will not allow them to join politics," he declared.
Upbeat about the massive turnout at his Chetawani (warning) rally in Patna Sunday, Lalu Prasad introduced before the crowd of supporters his two sons, for the first time, as cricket players.
CEC to visit Gujarat from Tuesday
By IANS
New Delhi : Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N. Gopalaswamy will visit parts of central and south Gujarat for three days from Tuesday to review preparations for the Dec 11 and Dec 16 assembly elections.
According to Election Commission sources, the CEC will meet the district election officers from Navsari, Valsad and Dangs at Surat Tuesday.
On Wednesday he will hold meetings with officers from Vadodara, Dahod, Panchmahals, Narmada and Bharuch districts. This meeting will be held at Vadodara. The CEC will return to Delhi late Nov 1.
I did not kill Pramod Mahajan, says Pravin
By IANS
Mumbai : Pravin Mahajan, accused of killing his elder brother and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan, Monday reiterated that he was innocent.
Recording his statement before the Sessions Court Judge S.P. Davare here, Pravin termed as false the testimony of his sister-in-law Rekha Pramod Mahajan that he had demanded Rs.10 million from the late leader and trespassed into his flat at Worli in south-central Mumbai on April 22, 2006.
BJP, JD-S present support letters to governor
By IANS
Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Monday presented Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur individual letters from 121 legislators supporting the formation of a coalition government.
State BJP chief D.V. Sadananda Gowda and his JD-S counterpart Merajuddin Patel gave the letters to the governor.
The two parties also plan to parade the 121 legislators before Thakur at 5.30 p.m. Monday.
Of the 121 legislators, 79 belong to the BJP and 42 to the JD-S. For a majority in the 225-member assembly, 113 votes are required.
Parliament vs PM
The Government should observe democratic propriety and pay heed to the majority in Parliament
By V. P. Singh (Former Prime Minister of India)
BJP, JD-S prepare for show of strength in Karnataka
By IANS
Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Sunday decided to go for a show of strength at the Raj Bhavan Monday and urge Governor Rameshwar Thakur to invite their coalition to form a government in Karnataka.
Lalu challenges Nitish to call fresh Bihar polls
By IANS
Patna : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Sunday challenged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to dissolve the state assembly and hold elections, accusing him of betraying people with false promises of a crime-free Bihar and failing to provide good governance.
Addressing a massive rally here, Lalu Prasad and his wife, former chief minister Rabri Devi, also called upon the people to uproot the anti-poor National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government for its failures on all front.
Key US official discusses n-deal with Buddhadeb
By IANS
Kolkata : US Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. Sunday met West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and discussed the India-US civil nuclear deal, which has been opposed by the communists, especially the latter's Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).
"The chief minister and I discussed the civil nuclear deal. The US believes it will help India meet its energy and environmental objectives. We remain committed to the deal," Paulson Jr. said in a statement Sunday night.
JD-S rebel leader holds up new ministry formation
By IANS
Bangalore : Political uncertainty in Karnataka may prolong as Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) rebel leader and former senior minister M.P. Prakash Sunday challenged the party's move to support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in forming a government.
Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) rebel leader and former senior minister M.P. Prakash may play spoilsport in the early formation of the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-JD-S coalition government in Karnataka.
Advani blames infighting for BJP’s falling graph
By IANS
Lucknow : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday blamed continued infighting among the party's rank and file for its plummeting political fortunes in Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing the party's state executive here Sunday, Advani predicted the next Lok Sabha election would be held in the "first half of 2008".
What provoked him to focus on infighting was apparently the absence at the meet of party vice-president and former chief minister Kalyan Singh, who now appears to have been nearly written off by the party leadership.
Snap polls likely after N-deal deadlock: Mayawati
By IANS
Chandigarh : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Sunday called upon her party cadres to be prepared for early general elections thanks to the deadlock between the Congress and the Left parties over the India-US nuclear deal.
BJP seeks CBI probe in campus killing of a cop
By IANS
Kottayam (Kerala) : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Kerala have said that only a probe by a central agency would reveal the real culprits in the murder of a police official in a college campus here Friday.
Sub-inspector Elias, 47, was killed when he was hit by a piece of wood on his head during clashes between two rival students unions at the Changanacherry Nair Service Society College.
Pawar for NCP-Congress tie-up for general elections
By IANS
Aurangabad : Union Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar Sunday expressed a desire to forge an all-India alliance with the Congress party during the next parliamentary general elections, whenever they are held.
Addressing mediapersons in Aurangabad, Pawar said that the alliance at the national level would work on the lines of its partnership with the Congress in Maharashtra.
The Congress-NCP is into its second power-sharing term under the banner of the Democratic Front in Pawar's home state.
Ronen Sen faces parliamentary panel Monday
By IANS
New Delhi : India's ambassador to the US Ronen Sen will face the privileges committee of the Lok Sabha Monday over his controversial "headless chicken" remark about critics of the India-US nuclear deal that stirred some Left MPs into demanding his recall.
This will be perhaps the first time a top diplomat will appear before the privileges panel.
Congress MP V. Kishore Chandra Deo heads the 15-member Lok Sabha committee.
Sen will appear before the Rajya Sabha privileges committee on Nov 2.
Karnataka developments a sordid spectacle: CPI-M
By IANS
New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has described the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coming together again to form a government as a sordid spectacle.
The CPI-M politburo stated, "The coming together again of the BJP and the JD-S to stake the claim to form the government in Karnataka is a sordid spectacle. The rank opportunism of the JD-S leadership and the unprincipled lust for power of the BJP have betrayed the aspirations of the people of Karnataka."
CPI-M demands plan to tackle Maoist violence
By IANS
New Delhi : Condemning the killing of 18 people in Jharkhand by Maoist rebels Friday, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has asked the central government to immediately draw up a plan for coordinated action by security forces to check the radical leftwing violence.
"The menace of terrorist violence by the Maoists has spread in Jharkhand without the state government and security forces being able to effectively check it," the CPI-M politburo said in a statement Sunday.
For BJP, there will be heavy price to pay in Karnataka
By IANS
Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may take power in Karnataka to rule a south Indian state for the first time, but this is bound to cost it politically.
Political sources outside the BJP say that the party's image will be dented with it deciding to go with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) after calling the latter names for not honouring an earlier power sharing arrangement.
This, the sources said, could dent the BJP's prospects of capturing power in the sprawling state on its own in the future.
Threats unfortunate, Power Greedy Mufti to stick: Dr Abdullah
By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Holding Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ministers directly responsible for failure of government in the state, former chief minister and chief patron of National Conference Dr Farooq Abdullah today said that the greed for power will never allow Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to pull out of the coalition.
Nandigram erupts again, fresh violence claims three lives
By IANS
Kolkata : Fresh violence erupted and three more people were killed in West Bengal's Nandigram area Sunday as activists of the ruling Left Front and members of a group opposing land acquisition clashed again in a turf war in the area.
Although the government scrapped a proposed industrial complex in Nandigram seven months ago following villagers' stiff opposition to take-over of their lands, the area continues to witness sporadic violence in the run-up to panchayat (local executive) election next year.
Talks with Chinese leadership “very fruitful”: Sonia
By NNN-PTI
Xi'an (China) : Congress President Sonia Gandhi has described her talks with the top Chinese leadership as "very fruitful" as she toured this culturally-rich city in the west of the Communist nation.
"I had the opportunity and privilege to meet with the Chinese leadership and had very fruitful talks, exchanging views on a number of important topics of interest to the two countries," Gandhi said during a meeting with the Communist Party of China (CPC) Secretary of Shaanxi Province, Zhao Leji, here in western China after visiting two historical sites.
Massive turnout for Lalu’s Patna rally
By IANS
Patna : Hundreds of thousands of people have arrived here from across Bihar Sunday to attend Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's rally - the first after he was ousted from power in 2005.
The massive turnout of people, mostly from rural areas of Bihar and Jharkhand, looks like a celebration of sorts - almost all roads are packed with crowds.
Land Cruisers, gold crown and Mayawati
By IANS
Chandigarh : She spoke about her empty treasury, but when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati came to Chandigarh, she did everything in style.
The chief minister flew into the city in a private jet Saturday. Her convoy was made up of seven to eight Toyota Land Cruiser Prados - two of them bullet proof. All of them were brought to the city from Lucknow.
City residents had never seen such display of luxury, not even by the chief ministers of Haryana and Punjab.
No cheap foodgrains for Bengal’s non-poor
By Faraz Ahmad, IANS
New Delhi : The central government has said it cannot meet West Bengal's demand to provide cheap foodgrains to above poverty line (APL) people in the state which is witnessing riots over the shortage of subsidised wheat and rice.
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said in a letter to Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, "It is not possible to increase the allocation of rice and wheat to the state of West Bengal for the APL category of households."
No cheap foodgrains for Bengal’s non-poor
By Faraz Ahmad, IANS
New Delhi : The central government has said it cannot meet West Bengal's demand to provide cheap foodgrains to above poverty line (APL) people in the state which is witnessing riots over the shortage of subsidised wheat and rice.
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said in a letter to Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, "It is not possible to increase the allocation of rice and wheat to the state of West Bengal for the APL category of households."
People want Sethu project to go ahead: Karunanidhi
By IANS
Chennai : The people of Tamil Nadu "will not accept" any decision to halt the controversial Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said Saturday.
Even if the experts' committee appointed by the government okayed a realignment of the proposed canal, the people will not accept the stalling of the project, "in the name of something that does not exist", he said, alluding to the criticism from some Hindu groups.
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.
BJP set to rule Karnataka, governor seeks letters
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : In a dramatic turnaround Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday came together to stake claim to form a coalition government in Karnataka just three weeks after falling apart over power transfer. The governor sought individual letters from legislators supporting the combine.
The move paves the way for the installation of the first BJP chief minister in south India, with the BJP-JD-S combine claiming the support of 126 legislators in the 225-member Karnataka assembly.
Mayawati doles out Rs.3 mn for Chandigarh Press Club
By IANS
Chandigarh : It is raining largesse from all sides for the Chandigarh Press Club, as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati announced a grant of Rs.3 million to the club on her visit to the city Saturday.
Mayawati's benevolence to the club got the better of the Rs.2.5 million grants announced separately by chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana to the club earlier.
"I will give you a cheque for this amount before leaving the club premises," she said.
Mayawati keeps poll, n-deal cards close to her chest
By IANS
Chandigarh : Keeping every one guessing about her next move on crucial issues, including the India-US nuclear deal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Saturday ruled out allying with any party if an early general election was held.
"About the nuclear deal issue, our party (Bahujan Samajwadi Party, BSP) will make its stand known once a discussion on this matter is held in parliament," Mayawati said.
Karnataka goes BJP way, thanks to Gowda
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made up dramatically Saturday after three weeks of war, with JD-S president and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda announcing support to a BJP government led by B.S. Yediyurappa.
The move paves the way for the installation of the first BJP chief minister in south India, with the BJP-JD-S combine claiming the support of 126 legislators in the 225-member Karnataka assembly.
Mahatma Gandhi divided India on caste lines: Mayawati
By IANS
Chandigarh : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Saturday caused a flutter by saying that Mahatma Gandhi had divided the nation on caste lines whereas Dalit leader B.R. Ambedkar had strived to unite all sections of society.
Addressing a meet-the-press programme at the Chandigarh Press Club on her maiden visit to the city as chief minister, Mayawati minced no words to say that the father of the nation, who is credited for leading India's non-violent struggle to end the British rule in the country, had divided the country.
Karunakaran wants to join Congress, son defiant
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Even as K. Karunakaran wants to go back to the Congress, his son and state Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president K. Muraleedharan has said he will not join the party.
"Let me make one thing very clear. Even if Karunakaran returns to the Congress party, I and the state unit of the NCP under no circumstances will return. If he wants he is free to join the Congress, I will never go," Muraleedharan told reporters here Saturday.
BJP set to form Karnataka government as JD-S pledges support
By IANS
Bangalore : The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Saturday dramatically announced it would back a BJP-led government in Karnataka and said the move had the blessings of party chief H.D. Deve Gowda, just three weeks after it refused to hand over power to coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the government led by it collapsed.
The move paves the way for the installation of the first BJP chief minister in south India, with the BJP-JD-S combine claiming the support of 126 legislators in the effectively 224-member Karnataka assembly.
‘Vote barbarians out of power’: JIH to Gujaratis
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Mumbai: Calling it a “historical sting in the Indian journalism” Jamaat-e-Islami Hind congratulated the Tehelka team that got on camera confessions of key players of Gujarat genocide of 2002.
Though it was a common knowledge about involvement of people like Babu Bajrangi but investigation was deliberately derailed to protect all the accused. Tehelka in its 6 months under cover investigation were able to get many Sangh Parivar leaders to detail their involvement in anti-Muslim program and captured it on spy-cam.
One killed in Nandigram violence, gun battle rages
By IANS
Kolkata/Nandigram : A villager was killed while several people were injured in a gun battle between activists of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and an anti-land acquisition group in West Bengal's trouble-torn Nandigram Saturday.
"One person was killed in fresh violence. The number of the injured is not immediately known but several were injured," East Midnapore Superintendent of Police G.A. Srivinas told IANS.
"The gun battle between the two groups is still raging. The situation is tense," he said Saturday afternoon.
President to inaugurate Lake Conference in Jaipur
By IANS
New Delhi : President Pratibha Patil will inaugurate the 12th World Lake Conference in Jaipur on Monday.
Environment experts from around the world will attend the World Lake Conference - named Taal 2007. The conferences have been held every two years since 1985 under the aegis of the Japan-based International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC) Foundation.
"They will discuss ways in which lakes can be conserved," an official statement said.
This is the first time that the conference is being held in South Asia.
JD-S leader cries foul as party makes up with BJP
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : As the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Saturday expressed its support for a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Karnataka, senior JD-S leader M.P. Prakash in New Delhi urged Governor Rameshwar Thakur not to honour his party's letter of support.
Prakash told a hurriedly called press conference in New Delhi that the JD-S letter of support has "no validity" and hence the governor should not act on it.
Sonia meets top Chinese official
By Xinhua
Beijing : Congress president Sonia Gandhi Saturday met Liu Qi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The two stressed strengthening of exchanges between the two countries, especially through young people of each country visiting the other.
Liu, also secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, said China hopes to enrich the contents of its strategic partnership with India.
Separatist shutdown affects life in Kashmir
By IANS
Srinagar : Normal life was affected Saturday across Kashmir following a shutdown called by separatist politicians and guerrilla groups to protest against the Indian Army's presence in the valley.
The Indian Army had first arrived in the Kashmir valley on Oct 27, 1947 at the invitation of the then ruler of the erstwhile princely state.
While shops in uptown and old city areas of Srinagar remained closed, traffic moved normally throughout the valley.
Small groups of protesters gathered in the old city areas of Srinagar and pelted stones on passing traffic.
BJP blames centre, Jharkhand for bloody Maoist attack
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday blamed the central and the Jharkhand governments for the bloody Maoist attack in the state in which 17 people, including BJP MP Babulal Marandi's son, were killed.
"There is no government in Jharkhand to protect its citizens. The chief minister (Madhu Koda) is too busy securing his own position and the ruling coalition is busy with rallies. It is so unfortunate that the people are left out in the lurch," senior BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told IANS here.
Indian govt must clear Iran sanctions issue – Indian Communist Patry
By NNN-PTI
New Delhi : Maintaining that Washington was seeking Indian companies comply with its sanctions against Iran, the CPI(M) Friday asked the UPA government to make it clear that these "unilateral" actions would not be taken by India.
The government "must break its silence and speak out against the US stance towards Iran. (It) should clearly state that such sanctions will not be applied by India," the party Politburo said in a statement here.
RJD hires 35 trains, paints Patna green for Lalu rally
By IANS
Patna : The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has hired 35 trains and its supporters have literally painted Patna green ahead of their party chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's rally here Sunday.
The railway minister has booked 35 special trains to ferry supporters to Patna for his rally.
RJD leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan said his party was paying Indian Railways for the special trains. "The railways will earn a hefty amount from running these special trains. It is not free of cost," he held.
JD-S and BJP to form government in Karnataka again
By IANS
Bangalore : The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Saturday decided to support a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Karnataka with B.S. Yediyurappa as chief minister.
Former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the JD-S gave a letter to BJP state party chief D.V. Sadanand Gowda here Saturday expressing his party's support to Yediyurappa as chief minister.
Yediyurappa was deputy chief minister in the earlier JD-S-BJP coalition government.
Kumaraswamy is likely to meet Governor Rameshwar Thakur at 4 p.m. to submit the letter of support.
Public transport hit in partial Kerala shutdown
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala witnessed a partial shutdown in seven of its 14 districts Saturday, with public transport badly hit, as it gears up for a state-wide shutdown called by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Nov 1.
Six districts in north Kerala were observing a shutdown Saturday called by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) -- a part of the opposition United Democratic Front -- to protest what it termed the callous attitude of the civil aviation ministry about the development of Kozhikode airport.
Sonia meets senior Chinese official
By Xinhua
Beijing : Liu Qi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said here Saturday China hopes to enrich the contents of its strategic partnership with India.
Liu, also secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Gandhi is in China for a five-day visit at the invitation of the CPC. Besides Beijing, she will visit Xi'an, capital of northwestern Shaanxi Province, and China's economic hub Shanghai.
The Left has limited stake in India’s development
By Amulya Ganguli, IANS
Although the Indian communists are using an ideological cover to explain their opposition to the nuclear deal, there may be another explanation for their obdurate stand. It is the depressing realisation in their ranks that they will never play a major role in Indian politics. As such, they seem to have only a limited stake in India's development.
Indian Americans outraged, demand Gujarat govt dismissal
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
17 Indian organizations and several prominent NRIs based in US & Canada are calling for the immediate dismissal of the state government in Gujarat. Their demand follows the revelation yesterday by news magazine Tehelka that many top Sangh parivar leaders linked to the current Gujarat administration admitted to their active role in the massacre and ethnic cleansing of Muslims in 2002 in Gujarat. The exposé reveals active participation of key state institutions including police forces and judiciary in the anti-minority pogroms.
Apex court surprised over political rivalry in Kerala
By IANS
New Delhi : The intense political rivalry in Kerala between the ruling Left Front and the Congress Friday surprised even the Supreme Court.
The rivalry left the apex court wondering what had made the state government challenge in the apex court a state high court order giving Rajya Sabha Congress member P.J. Kurien a clean chit in a private complaint of rape against him.
As the Kerala government's appeal against the state high court order came up for hearing, a bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan expressed surprise, saying, "Is it not unusual?"
BJP may not stall winter session on n-deal
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not likely to stall parliament over the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal in the winter session of parliament beginning in the second week of November.
BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad gave a clear indication Friday of a change of tone and tenor in the party.
Asked whether the BJP would allow a debate to be held this time, Prasad said, "We are all for a debate."
CBI hints it has a case against Mulayam
By IANS
New Delhi : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Friday indicated to the Supreme Court that it needed to register a regular criminal case against former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family members for possessing assets exceeding their legal income.
The agency gave the indication in an application submitted to the court's registry.
Poll panel takes action in Gujarat, Himachal
By IANS
New Delhi : Expressing displeasure over violation of the poll code, the Election Commission Friday issued notice to a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator in Gujarat along with the vice chancellor and pro-vice chancellor of Saurashtra University.
Gujarat goes to polls in December this year.
TRS chief termed a ‘drunkard’ by TDP leader
By IANS
Hyderabad : Former film actress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Roja describing Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president K. Chandrasekhara Rao a "drunkard" at a public meeting here Friday provoked the regional party into staging a strong protest and demanding an apology from her.
Roja, president of the women's wing of the TDP, made the remark at an all-party meeting organised as part of an anti-liquor agitation by a non-governmental organisation here.
React to US sanctions on Iran: CPI-M tells UPA
By IANS
New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government to break its silence and speak out against the US' "unilateral" economic sanction against Iran.
"These unilateral sanctions should not find acceptance in the international community. The UPA government must break its silence and speak out against the US stance towards Iran," the CPI-M politburo said in a statement here.
Sonia’s tough task – reading Deve Gowda’s mind
By V.S. Karnic, IANS
Bangalore : Congress president Sonia Gandhi has a difficult task on hand in deciding whether to form a government with Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in Karnataka, as both her party and the JD-S are a divided lot on the issue.
She also has to be an astute mind reader to decipher what JD-S president and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda is up to. This is something many Indian politicians have tried to do in the past, and failed.
Lalu advises Nitish Kumar to snap ties with BJP
By IANS
Patna : Railway Minister Lalu Prasad advised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to immediately snap ties with communal forces like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if he intended to be a "secular leader".
The comments of Lalu Prasad, who is the president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), came after an undercover operation, conducted by Tehelka magazine, caught Hindu activists saying on camera that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had "sanctioned" the 2002 riots in which more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed.
Tehelka exposé will have ‘no effect’: BJP
By IANS
Ahmedabad : Hindu activists alleging in an undercover operation that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi sanctioned the 2002 riots would in no way affect the prospects of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the assembly elections, says state party chief Purushottam Rupala.
Elections in the state will be held on Dec 11 and 16.
CPI-M demands action against Gujarat violence accused
By IANS
New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday demanded that the central government and law enforcement agencies move "expeditiously" to see that the guilty in the 2002 Gujarat communal violence were punished.
Pointing out that the graphic details of the massacre of the minority in Gujarat by the perpetrators in the Tehelka-Headlines Today exposé was shocking, the CPI-M politburo said the footages - shown in the sting operation - have confirmed that the violence was state sponsored.
One police official killed as rival student unions clash
By IANS
Changanacherry (Kerala) : An assistant sub inspector of police was killed in a clash that broke out between two rival student unions at a college here.
Elias died while trying to bring the situation at the Changanacherry Nair Service Society College under control Friday, when he was hit by a piece of wood inside the campus.
The situation in the campus has been tense for a week, with repeated clashes between the Students Federation of India -- student wing of the Communist Party of India-Marxist -- and the student wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Coalition, clan: Badal tries to keep flock together
By Jaideep Sarin, IANS
Chandigarh : Having been chief minister four times in Punjab may have given octogenarian Parkash Singh Badal enough experience of being in power. But his latest term in office - just eight months of it - has forced him to stretch himself to keep his coalition government, clan and even the party together.
Keshubhai hardens stand against Modi, BJP
By Faraz Ahmad, IANS
New Delhi : As Gujarat inches towards elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former chief minister Keshbubhai Patel is breathing fire at Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his own party.
Even as BJP national leaders parrot that they have high regards for Patel, the veteran politician is stepping up his war against Modi, the man who replaced him as Gujarat's ruler seven years ago.
Patel has just gone on record to describe Modi as a modern day Ravana.
Politicians ‘no national assets needing protection’: court
By IANS
New Delhi : Politicians are not national assets that need to be protected, the Delhi High Court observed Thursday, adding that the security cover given to political leaders was often a nuisance for the common man.
"If there is a threat to the lives of the politicians, they should remain in the confines of their homes and offices," a bench headed by Justice T.S. Thakur said.
Deve Gowda rules out tie-up with Congress, party men persist
By IANS
Bangalore : Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) president H.D. Deve Gowda Thursday ruled out forming a government in alliance with the Congress in Karnataka to avoid early polls.
But despite this, some of his party colleagues continued to press ahead with their efforts to woo the Congress, the former ally, for possible government formation.
"The issue is still open," senior state JD-S leader M.P. Prakash said Thursday in an unusual variance from his party president's line.
AICC session in Delhi on Nov 17
By IANS
New Delhi : The ruling Congress party will hold its party session on Nov 17, a move that is seen as an attempt to gear up the organisation in the wake of the possibility of an early general election.
In the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session, which will be held at the Talkatora Stadium in the capital, the party is expected to pass resolutions on political, economical and foreign polices.
Sonia begins China visit of ‘great importance’
By IANS
Beijing : Congress president Sonia Gandhi arrived here Thursday on a five-day visit, with Beijing saying it attached "great importance" to the trip by the head of India's ruling coalition.
Gandhi will become the first foreign leader to meet China's next generation of leadership following the Communist Party of China (CPC) Congress that concluded Sunday.
Karnataka headed for early polls
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka Thursday appeared headed for state assembly elections 20 months ahead of the due date as the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) formally gave up on cobbling a coalition with the Congress, though efforts at government formation will continue till the assembly is dissolved.
The 225-member assembly is under suspended animation and the state under the president's rule after the collapse of the JD-S-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy of JD-S on Oct 8 over their power transfer row.
Left, third front to finalise strategy against UPA
By IANS
New Delhi : Taking forward their move to form a non-Congress non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alternative, the Left Thursday announced it would work with the third front parties to oppose the ruling coalition over the India-US nuclear deal.
The Left leaders, who held separate meetings with the third grouping, the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), said they were on the same platform on "people's issues".
Nitish finds his muse in Sher Shah Suri
By IANS
Patna : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has found his inspiration in Sher Shah Suri, the 16th century founder of the Suri dynasty known for initiating path-breaking reforms.
"Sher Shah Suri is my idol. He is my inspiration," said Nitish Kumar, who has been trying to put Bihar on the path of development, after visiting the Muslim ruler's tomb in Sasaram, about 150 km from here, Wednesday.
"We all respect and remember him for his developmental work," he said.
As Sonia visits Beijing, BJP raises Chinese intrusions
By IANS
New Delhi : Even as Congress president Sonia Gandhi went on an official visit to China, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday raised the issue of intrusion by Chinese troops into Indian territory in recent times.
BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters here: "This fact has also been categorically confirmed by the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), who has stated that over 140 such intrusions have taken place over the last one year in the regions of both Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir."
Karunakaran praises Congress, Sonia as he seeks return
By IANS
New Delhi : Stepping up his overtures to the Congress, former Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran Thursday heaped praise on the party and its president Sonia Gandhi. But son K. Murlidharan sounded a jarring note.
Karunakaran, who left the Congress two years ago to form the Democratic Indira Congress-Karunakaran (DIC-K) and later joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), argued that the Congress was the only party with a national spread although it has weakened "a bit" in some places.
Court asks DMK to provide Jayalalitha ‘full protection’
By IANS
Chennai : The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide full 'Z category' protection to former chief minister J. Jayalalitha and give details of the security being accorded to her.
Justice K. Suguna asked the state government to provide the AIADMK leader "full protection as provided under the Z Plus category" and to file an affidavit giving details before the next hearing on Oct 26.
US deadline on N-deal is an insult: CPI-M
By IANS
New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Thursday said the reported deadline set by the US to make the India-US nuclear deal operational was an insult to Indian democracy.
The party insisted in an editorial in its central organ People's Democracy that only the majority in parliament should decide the fate of the contentious deal.
Left-UNPA meetings continue on anti-N-deal strategy
By IANS
New Delhi : The Left Thursday continued discussions with Third Front leaders to give final shape to its strategy against the India-US nuclear deal and to push Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government to a corner on the issue.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat met Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh Thursday morning at his party headquarters here.
No government with Congress, says JD-S
By IANS
Bangalore : Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) president H.D. Deve Gowda Thursday ruled out forming a government with the Congress, scotching rumours that the two parties might get together to rule Karnataka for a second time.
Addressing a crowded press conference here, the former prime minister also demanded dissolution of the assembly and early elections in the state - under President's rule since earlier this month.
Mayawati denies patronage to book eulogising her as goddess
By IANS
Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Wednesday flatly denied any association with a book that eulogises her as a "living goddess".
Reacting to a report on a TV channel showing excerpts from the book, titled "Mayawati - Ek Zinda Devi" (Mayawati - A Living Goddess)" authored by M.L. Dosad, the chief minister told a specially convened press conference here: "I wish to make it clear that I have nothing whatsoever to do with either the author of the book or its publisher.
Mayawati suggests changes in mid-day meal scheme
By IANS
Lucknow : Alarmed by incidents of sickness among children after they had mid-day meals in schools, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh suggesting drastic changes in the mid-day meal exercise carried out by the central government.
"I have suggested to the prime minister to provide pre-cooked food to children under the central government's scheme," she told mediapersons here Wednesday.
Congress stands ‘like a rock’ behind PM, attacks BJP
By IANS
New Delhi : Rejecting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) charge of Manmohan Singh being a weak prime minister, the Congress Wednesday said it and other United Progressive Alliance (UPA) constituents "stand like a rock" behind him. The party said Manmohan Singh's government would go down in history as "a mature and stable" administration.
JD-S-Congress government formation faces Deve Gowda hurdle
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : Senior Karnataka Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader M.P. Prakash Wednesday won the backing of former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for his efforts to form a government with the Congress, but now faces the daunting task of convincing his party president H.D. Deve Gowda.
Prakash, home minister in the Kumaraswamy ministry that fell early this month after ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrew support, Tuesday met Congress leaders in New Delhi for talks on government formation to avoid early polls to the state assembly.
BJP slams UPA for ‘vote bank’ politics
By IANS
New Delhi : Accusing the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of resorting to vote bank politics, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday attacked the Jharkhand government for according Urdu the status of the second official language in the state.
Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters here that there are more Bangla speaking people residing in Jharkhand as compared to those speaking Urdu.
Badal changes tune, says alliance with BJP `eternal’
By IANS
Chandigarh : After preaching 'coalition dharma' to his Akali Dal's ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Wednesday tried to mend fences with it. He said despite momentary ideological differences, the alliance is "eternal".
Badal made the statement while inaugurating a modern bus terminus, built at a cost of Rs.140 million and named after freedom struggle martyr Bhagat Singh, at Jalandhar city.
EC notice to Congress, BJP leaders in Gujarat
By IANS
New Delhi : The Election Commission has issued show-cause notices to Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Gujarat unit president Purshottam Rupala for violating the model code of conduct after they reportedly traded charges using 'un-parliamentary' language in the assembly election campaign.
The two leaders have been asked to reply by Friday noon.
35 trains to ferry supporters for Lalu’s rally Sunday
By IANS
Patna : Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has booked nearly three dozen special trains to ferry supporters to Patna for his rally here Oct 28.
With three days left for Lalu's rally, leaders of the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition fear a show of strength from the RJD chief, who is known for organising massive rallies to deliver political messages to his supporters and rivals alike.
Speculation mounts on JD-S/Congress government in Karnataka
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : The buzz over the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) coming together again to form a government in Karnataka mounted Wednesday after senior JD-S leader M.P. Prakash said his talks with the Congress over government formation were positive.
The former home minister of the state returned to the Karnataka capital Wednesday after an unannounced visit to Delhi where he met union Home Minister Shivraj Patil for an hour Tuesday, reportedly to discuss the contours of the new arrangement.