Achuthanandan visits controversial land deal site
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Sunday visited the piece of land whose purchase by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has created a raging political controversy in the state. Top government and ISRO officials accompanied him.
"I came to see because when a decision is made, I will have to be seized of the issue and just cannot take decisions based on media reports. The visit also means that a decision will be taken soon," said Achuthanandan.
Achuthanandan visits controversial land deal site
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Sunday visited the piece of land whose purchase by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has created a raging political controversy in the state. Top government and ISRO officials accompanied him.
"I came to see because when a decision is made, I will have to be seized of the issue and just cannot take decisions based on media reports. The visit also means that a decision will be taken soon," said Achuthanandan.
Singhvi was a distinguished jurist: PM
By IANS
New Delhi : L.M. Singhvi, who died here Saturday, was one of the most distinguished jurists and constitutional experts in the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Subday.
In a condolence message to Singhvi's son Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Manmohan Singh said: "He was one of our most distinguished jurists, constitutional experts and legal minds. Most importantly, he was a great scholar who had deep understanding of our ethos, our culture and our civilisational values."
Sonia takes on Left over nuclear deal
By IANS
Jhajjar (Haryana) : Congress president Sonia Gandhi Sunday hit out at her Left allies publicly for the first time, saying those opposing the India-US nuclear deal were against the country's development.
In remarks bound to further strain the ties between the Congress and its communist allies, Gandhi told a massive rally here that the nuclear deal was "necessary for the country to keep the pace of development going."
BJP formally ends support to JD-S, Kumaraswamy for elections
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka appeared Sunday headed for fresh elections after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formally ended its 20-month alliance with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and sought immediate polls - a demand promptly echoed by beleaguered Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Pranab meets Basu, Buddha on n-deal
By IANS
Kolkata : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Sunday met communist patriarch Jyoti Basu at his Salt Lake residence in Kolkata amid a stand-off between the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the Left over the vexed India-US nuclear deal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and ruling Left Front chairman Biman Bose were also present during the meeting at Indira Bhavan, the residence of Basu, according to Congress sources.
However, the media were not briefed about the discussions.
Those opposing n-deal are against development: Sonia
By IANS
Jhajjar (Haryana) : United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi Sunday strongly defended the India-US nuclear deal, saying that it was required for the country's development and cautioned people against those opposing the path-breaking agreement.
She said the nuclear deal was necessary for the country's future requirement of power.
Sonia’s credentials to represent Mahatama Gandhi at UN event challenged
NEW YORK, Oct 6 (APP) : An umbrella Indian organization took out a full page advertisement in Saturday’s New York Times questioning the credentials of Congress President Sonia Gandhi to address the U.N. General Assembly on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary which the world body had declared International Day of Non-Violence.
The Forum for Saving Gandhi’s heritage had also held a protest demonstration outside the United Nations on Oct 2, the day Sonia Gandhi addressed the 192-member Assembly.
President condoles Bhosale’s death
By IANS
New Delhi : President Pratiba Patil Sunday condoled the death of former Maharashtra chief minister Babasaheb Bhosale, saying that he was a personality admired by all.
Remembering her close association with Bhosale, who died Sunday in Mumbai aged 86, Patil said: "I had a close association with Babasaheb Bhosale, especially during the time when I was a member of his cabinet when he was the chief minister of Maharashtra."
Raman Singh registers as Ayurvedic practitioner
By IANS
Raipur : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has filed a fresh application to the state's Ayurvedic and Unani Medicine Board to register himself as a permanent Ayurvedic practitioner, official sources said Sunday.
Singh is currently registered as an Ayurvedic doctor with the Ayurvedic Board in Madhya Pradesh, of which Chhattisgarh was a part.
BJP formally ends support to Kumaraswamy
By IANS
Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday formally withdrew support to Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who said he will request the governor to let him prove his majority in the assembly.
A BJP delegation led by B.S. Yediyurappa, who was deputy chief minister, met Governor Rameshwar Thakur and submitted a letter withdrawing support to the 20-month-old ministry.
The meeting with the governor was preceded by a huge rally of BJP workers and supporters in the city.
Modi may find it tough in December assembly polls
By Rajeev Khanna, IANS
Gandhinagar : Five years after his thumping victory, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi faces a tough challenge in upcoming assembly polls whose outcome may well determine the timetable of the next general election.
CPI-M counts the cost of early election
By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS
New Delhi : Firm in its resolve not to compromise on the India-US nuclear deal, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) is quietly counting the cost of early parliamentary elections.
Qazi shoots off another letter to CM, accept resignation
Mehbooba eulogises Cong led coalition in JK
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : As Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti was eulogising the achievements of Congress led coalition government, senior party leader Qazi Mohammad Afzal piqued over the silence of top leadership of both the parties, shot off another letter to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad asking him to accept his resignation from council of ministers.
PM, Sonia hopeful of resolving n-deal spat with Left
By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said he was hopeful of the talks with the Left parties over the India-US civil nuclear deal, even as Congress chief Sonia Gandhi asserted her party was prepared for elections if the communists withdrew support to the government.
"Nothing is inevitable," the prime minister retorted when asked if the failure of talks between the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the Left parties on the 123 agreement with the US meant early elections.
Modi gets a pat from BJP seniors
By IANS
New Delhi : Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi got a pat on his back from senior leaders of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday -- the day he completed six years in office -- for his development initiatives.
Former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, former deputy prime minister L.K. Advani and former union minister Arun Shourie showered praises on Modi ahead of assembly election in the state.
PM, Sonia play down spat with Left over nuclear deal
By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said he hoped for the best from the Left parties on the India-US civil nuclear deal, even as Congress chief Sonia Gandhi maintained her party was ready for elections if it was forced upon the country.
"Nothing is inevitable," the prime minister retorted when asked if the failure of talks between the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the Left parties on the 123 agreement with the US meant early elections.
Corruption overshadows Chhattisgarh government: Uma Bharti
By IANS
Raipur : President of Bharatiya Janshakti Party Uma Bharti alleged Saturday that corruption had overshadowed Chhattisgarh's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and appealed to the voters to "dethrone a government which ditched people".
"Both the Congress and the BJP set records in misrule and corruption in the state. This BJP government has been overshadowed by corruption," she said at a thinly attended rally at Gandhi Maidan here.
I will work for Congress unity: V.C. Shukla
By IANS
Raipur : Vidya Charan Shukla, former union minister who rejoined the Congress for the fourth time last month, said Saturday that he would work for the party's unity and to take it to power in Chhattisgarh.
Talking to reporters here for the first time since rejoining the party, the veteran leader said: "I will work for Congress unity and will soon conduct a state-wide tour with other party leaders to create an atmosphere in favour of the Congress to win the assembly polls next year."
Dirty charges pepper Karnataka divorce
By IANS
Bangalore : Caste-dominated Karnataka politics is set to hit its nadir as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) severed its ties with the ruling coalition partner Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Saturday, leading to charges and counter-charges.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of JD-S, who refused to honour his word to vacate his seat for BJP on Oct 3 as agreed 20 months back, Saturday launched a campaign to discredit Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa of BJP.
"Yediyurappa wanted to join JD-S and he was satisfied with a ministership," he told Kannada TV channels.
Jayalalitha finds DMK explanation on shutdown ‘unaceptable’
By IANS
Chennai : Tamil Nadu's opposition leader J. Jayalalitha Saturday said Chief Minister M. Karaunanidhi's explanation for the virtual shutdown in the state Monday -- that the government had little time after the Supreme Court stayed the move -- was "unacceptable".
The ruling DMK had called for the shutdown to press for speedy implementation of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, opposed by Jayalalitha's AIADMK which also opposed the strike call and got a Supreme Court stay on the strike.
JD-S braces for early polls in Karnataka
By IANS
New Delhi : The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Saturday seemed ready to face any eventuality in Karnataka, including possible early elections, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it was withdrawing support to its coalition with JD-S.
JD-S-BJP: A coalition that was set to fall from inception
By V.S. Karnic, IANS
Bangalore : The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition in Karnataka that fell apart Saturday was an unlikely alliance that surprised almost everyone when it took power on Feb 3, 2006.
Here was a case of a son, H.D. Kumaraswamy, a first time member of the assembly who was known more for producing and distributing films, rebelling against his father H.D. Deve Gowda, a powerful politician in Karnataka, to bring down his own party's coalition with the Congress.
All eyes on Congress as BJP dumps JD-S, seeks elections
By IANS
New Delhi/Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday ended its 20-month-old coalition with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in Karnataka and called for fresh elections, terming the latter's refusal to keep its promise and hand over power as "the worst betrayal" in Indian politics.
The BJP made the announcement at a press conference in New Delhi, hours after JD-S chief and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda conveyed his party's decision not to give the reins of office to BJP in violation of a power sharing deal the two parties reached early last year.
Achuthanandan under pressure to order CBI probe
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The opposition Congress in Kerala, led by former chief minister Oomen Chandy, has stepped up its demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the controversial land purchase by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
"On the floor of the assembly Achuthanandan had said that since the deal was between ISRO and Savy Mano Mathew, who sold government land, it was the duty of the centre to initiate a probe," Chandy said.
Congress waits for BJP to meet governor
By IANS
Bangalore : The Congress in Karnataka Saturday said it would decide what to do in the face of a political crisis only after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formally withdrew support to the H.D. Kumaraswamy government.
The party also said that it had left to the high command to decide whether to support the tottering Kumaraswamy-led ministry of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) or opt for early elections in the state.
Achuthanandan under pressure to order CBI probe
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The opposition Congress in Kerala, led by former chief minister Oomen Chandy, has stepped up its demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the controversial land purchase by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
"On the floor of the assembly Achuthanandan had said that since the deal was between ISRO and Savy Mano Mathew, who sold government land, it was the duty of the centre to initiate a probe," Chandy said.
Congress waits for BJP to meet governor
By IANS
Bangalore : The Congress in Karnataka Saturday said it would decide what to do in the face of a political crisis only after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formally withdrew support to the H.D. Kumaraswamy government.
The party also said that it had left to the high command to decide whether to support the tottering Kumaraswamy-led ministry of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) or opt for early elections in the state.
JD-S-BJP break-up shifts focus to Raj Bhavan
By IANS
Bangalore : With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday deciding to pull out of its alliance with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in Karnataka, the focus has shifted to the Raj Bhavan. Governor Rameshwar Thakur has now to decide whether to sack the H.D. Kumaraswamy government or allow the chief minister to prove his majority on the floor of the house.
Rameshwar Thakur, formerly a Congress leader, took over as governor in August when indications were there that the JD-S-BJP coalition government, which came to power 20 months back, was hurtling towards collapse.
BJP to meet Karnataka governor Sunday
By IANS
Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will meet Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur Sunday noon to inform him of the withdrawal of support to the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S).
Ahead of the meeting with the governor, BJP legislators will meet at 11 a.m. to formally endorse the decision taken by the party withdrawing support to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, said BJP spokesperson S. Suresh Kumar.
BJP withdraws support to JD-S, calls for elections
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday ended its 20-month-old coalition with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in Karnataka and called for fresh elections, terming the latter's refusal to keep its promise and hand over power as "the worst betrayal" in Indian politics.
"The parliamentary board has decided to withdraw support to the H.D. Kumaraswamy government," BJP vice president Yashwant Sinha told a news conference here, signalling a virtual collapse of the BJP-JD-S government in the southern state.
BJP withdraws support to JD-S, seeks elections
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday finally withdrew support to the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) government in Karnataka and demanded fresh elections in the state.
BJP leader Yashwant Sinha made the announcement here after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy refused to hand over power to BJP despite a pledge taken 20 months ago when they formed a coalition government.
"We want immediate elections," Sinha said. "We have learnt a lesson, we have to be careful in future (while forming coalitions)."
Ram Sethu issue unlikely to boost BJP prospects
By Amulya Ganguli, IANS
The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) hopes of using the Ram Sethu issue for electoral gains are unlikely to be fulfilled. Like the temple, which is no longer of any electoral value for the BJP, the sethu (bridge) doesn't seem to have been of much use in mobilising voters for the party.
Qazi is still cabinet minister: JK Govt
Azad, one step forward another backward
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad seems to be buckling under the 'weight' of Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who is in New Delhi and meeting the senior Congress leaders, mostly the staunch opponents of once the blue eyed boy of 10 Janpath.
Government tells Left it has had informal talks with IAEA
By IANS
New Delhi : The Indian government told its Left allies Friday that it has had informal dealings over the Indo-US nuclear deal with the IAEA but promised not to go for formal talks without the communists' approval.
The pledge was given at a two-hour meeting top ministers had with leaders of four Left groups that prop up Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's coalition and have warned of serious consequences if the nuclear deal was operationalised.
JD-S, BJP move towards formal split Saturday
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : Coalition partners Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were on the verge of a formal break-up of their 20-month alliance in Karnataka Friday with the JD-S calling for a legislature session on Oct 18 and the BJP setting Saturday as deadline for power transfer to it.
Karnataka crisis: Deve Gowda to meet BJP chief Saturday
By IANS
New Delhi : Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) chief H.D. Deve Gowda will meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh here Saturday to discuss the power sharing issue between the two parties in Karnataka, a JD-S official said Friday, while the Congress said it would wait for the state's ruling coalition to collapse.
Deve Gowda was slated to meet Singh Friday evening but the meeting could not take place as the JD-S Political Affairs Committee meeting started late in the evening, said party general secretary Kunwar Danish Ali here.
Karunakaran to be out of hospital soon
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Former Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran, admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital last Sunday, is recovering and is likely to be discharged within the next few days, family sources said Friday.
The 89-year-old four-time chief minister arrived at the hospital for a routine check-up Sunday. However, the doctors advised that he be kept under medical observation as he complained of breathlessness.
Karnataka BJP sets Saturday deadline to resolve row
By IANS
Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka set Saturday evening as the deadline to resolve the power transfer row with ruling partner Janata Dal-Secular, threatening to call for polls otherwise.
"If it (power transfer) is not resolved by Saturday evening, then we will decide on steps to go to the people for their mandate.
"This is the deadline we have set for ourselves and told our party central leaders," Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa of the BJP told Kannada TV channels in New Delhi.
Economy chugs on despite Karnataka political impasse
By V.S. Karnic, IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka's political soap opera has everyone in its grip. The administration is at a standstill and the man on the street in the IT capital asks for the latest twist in the drama that shows no sign of early resolution. But the economy chugs on, though the investment climate may be vitiated.
The usually buzzing corridors of the stately 'Vidhana Soudha' (state secretariat) are nearly deserted, officials switch on TV channels or their cell phones rather than attend to their files.
JD-S for special session amid election clouds
By IANS
Bangalore : Upping the ante, Karnataka's ruling Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Friday decided to hold an assembly session Oct 18 in what appeared to be a challenge to its estranged partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to press for early elections.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy held a cabinet meeting attended by only his party ministers - all 17 BJP ministers resigned Tuesday - and decided to approach the governor to summon the legislature Oct 18, apparently to prove his majority in the wake of his refusal to transfer power to the BJP as agreed to 20 months ago.
Karnataka special assembly session on Oct 18
By IANS
Bangalore : The Karnataka cabinet Friday decided to call a special assembly session on Oct 18 to resolve the stalemate over transferring power from the Janata Dal-S (JD-S) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The cabinet meeting was held in the absence of the 17 BJP ministers who have quit seeking immediate transfer of power to their party.
All the 17 BJP ministers had resigned Tuesday, the day H.D. Kumaraswamy's 20-month tenure as chief minister ended.
Karnataka special assembly session on Oct 16
By IANS
Bangalore : The Karnataka cabinet Friday decided to call a special assembly session on Oct 16 to resolve the stalemate over transferring power from the Janata Dal-S (JD-S) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The cabinet meeting was held in the absence of the 17 BJP ministers, who have quit seeking early transfer of power to their party.
All the 17 BJP ministers in the state government had resigned Tuesday, the day H.D. Kumaraswamy's 20-month tenure as chief minister ended.
Azad unleashes terror, Mehbooba runs for cover
Speculations over expansion –reshuffle send ministers in tizzy
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : The unleashing of another master-stroke against bete-noire but the coalition partner Peoples Democratic Party, by the Congress chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad with handing over the charge of Housing and Urban Development to Minister of State for Forests Aijaz Ahmed Khan, has sent the top leadership of PDP running for cover, with party president and fire brand leader of the party.
Rahul is exception as he belong to the Nehru Family: Bhim Singh
By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Chairman Jammu Kashmir National Panthers party Prof Bhim Sing today informed Mr. Rahul Gandhi that there was nothing fresh for any political activist to learn that he has been elevated as a general secretary of the Indian National Congress to look after the youth and the students’ affairs.
Left not to withdraw support over El-Baradei visit
By IANS
New Delhi : The Left parties will meet ahead of discussions with the government on the India-US civilian nuclear deal Friday but are "not likely to withdraw support" over the talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief during his visit here next week, Left sources said late Thursday.
El-Baradei visit not provocation enough for withdrawing support: Left
By IANS
New Delhi : International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed El-Baradei's visit here next week, during which informal talks are likely on a safeguards agreement on the India-US civilian nuclear deal, is not "provocation enough" to withdraw support to the government, Left sources said late Thursday.
The reaction was in response to media reports that the Left was upset over El-Baradei's visit to India and would withdraw support to the government.
JD-S sets terms, BJP says deal non-negotiable
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Thursday said the Bharatiya Janata Party could not be trusted to maintain peace and communal harmony in Karnataka even as the BJP maintained their 20-month-old power transfer deal was not negotiable.
Chief Minister H.D Kumaraswamy met Governor Rameshwar Thakur in the evening to inform him of the political developments in the wake of all 17 BJP ministers submitting their resignations to him Tuesday to force him to transfer power to the BJP.
Gujarat BJP dissidents ready to leave party
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is trying to put up a brave front in the face of Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's refusal to hand over power to it, Thursday faced a bigger crisis in its stronghold Gujarat with former state chief minister Suresh Mehta and other dissidents threatening to leave the party.
Shukla’s supporters swarm airport
By IANS
Raipur : Hundreds of supporters of former union minister Vidya Charan Shukla, waiting to receive him at the Raipur airport Thursday went berserk, broke the security ring at the airport and swarmed the runaway as soon as the aircraft carrying the 79-year-old political leader landed here.
This was Shukla's first visit to the city after he rejoined the Congress last month.
He was returning on a Congress banner after a gap of three years. He left the Congress party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just before the 2004 general elections.
JD-S sets tough terms for power transfer, BJP undecided
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Thursday set near impossible conditions for transferring power in Karnataka to its coalition partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which deferred taking any decision ahead of Saturday's meeting between the two parties' presidents.
JD-S president H.D. Deve Gowda and his son, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, in their speeches at a party meeting here questioned the BJP for its Hindutva ideology and asked if it would maintain communal harmony in the state.
BJP defers Karnataka decision till Saturday
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday deferred any decision on the stand-off over power transfer in Karnataka till Saturday even as it said there could be no negotiations on the power sharing agreement with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S).
AIADMK moves apex court with contempt plea against Karunanidhi
By IANS
New Delhi : Tamil Nadu's opposition AIADMK party Thursday moved the Supreme Court seeking initiation of contempt to court proceedings against state Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and union Shipping Minister T.R. Baalu for enforcing a shutdown in the state ignoring the apex court's order banning it.
Court adjourns hearing on petition against Karunanidhi
By IANS
Chennai : The Madras High Court Thursday adjourned to next week hearing on a plea seeking the removal of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for his remarks against Hindu god Ram.
The petition was filed by one Ramathangarasu, president of the Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Jana Shakti Party (BJSP), Uma Bharti's outfit. It was heard by a division bench of Justices S.J. Mukhopadhaya and N. Paul Vasanthakumar.
Kumaraswamy to meet governor
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was set to meet Governor Rameshwar Thakur Thursday evening to apprise him of political developments amid a row over the proposed power transfer.
It would be his first meeting with the governor in the wake of Tuesday's resignation by 17 ministers of the coalition partner, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Election Commission seeks information on Gujarat police transfers
By IANS
Ahmedabad : The Election Commission has sought details on transfers of 41 senior police officers in Gujarat last week, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswamy said here Thursday, adding the state police should not be used in security arrangements for the forthcoming assembly polls.
Gopalaswamy, along with election commissioners Navin Chawala and S.Y. Qureshi, was on a two-day visit of the state where assembly elections are due by December.
Achuthanandan promises to repair roads soon
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, Thursday assured people that the roads across the state would be repaired and repaved before Oct 15.
"Before 15th of this month, all the repair work would be undertaken because if there is any more delay then the rains would be back and road repaving work would be impossible," Achuthanandan told reporters after attending a meeting of top public works department (PWD) officials here.
Both communalism, imperialism dangerous: CPI-M
By IANS
New Delhi : Equating communalism with imperialism, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has said that while it supports the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in order to fight communalism, it is opposed to the government's leaning towards 'imperialist' US.
"The CPI-M and the other Left parties had extended outside support to this UPA government precisely to prevent the communal forces from holding the reins of state power," the CPI-M said in an editorial in the latest issue of party mouthpiece 'People's Democracy'.
Karnataka drama on, Kumaraswamy calls cabinet meet
By IANS
Bangalore : Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) president H.D. Deve Gowda said Thursday he will meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Rajnath Singh Saturday in a final bid to save their coalition in Karnataka even as Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy announced a cabinet meeting Friday which the BJP is set to boycott.
Sethusamudram will only help LTTE, alleges Swamy
By IANS
Lucknow : Janata Party chief and former union minister Subramanian Swamy said here Thursday that the Sethusamudram shipping canal project would only help the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its sympathisers, posing a security problem for India.
Addressing a press conference, Swamy said: "Apart from the mythological aspect, because of which it is being opposed by millions, the project would also pose a security threat to India."
J&K coalition politics in turmoil
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar: The unleashing of another master-stroke against bete-noire but the coalition partner Peoples Democratic Party, by the Congress chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad with handing over the charge of Housing and Urban Development to Minister of State for Forests Aijaz Ahmed Khan, has sent the top leadership of PDP running for cover, with party president and fire brand leader of the party.
Mehbooba Mufti refusing to meet anybody from the party on her returns from New Delhi well informed sources told News Agency of Kashmir.
Deve Gowda to meet Rajnath Saturday
By IANS
Bangalore : Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) President H.D. Deve Gowda will meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Rajnath Singh in New Delhi Saturday morning in a last attempt to save their coalition in Karnataka.
"I will have frank discussions with the BJP national president. If there is an understanding, it is fine. Otherwise, each party has a right to take its own decision," Gowda told his party's state executive committee meeting here ahead of Friday's political affairs committee (PAC) meeting in New Delhi.
Bihar politicians with crime links await verdicts
By IANS
Patna : For Bihar politicians with criminal background, it is pay-up time and the state is abuzz with rumours about the next head in the line of legal fire after former parliament member Anand Mohan Singh was sentenced to death Wednesday.
India FDI review draft to be ready this month, says Minister
By NNN-PTI
New Delhi : The Indian government is reviewing the norms governing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and a draft of the new policy will be ready this month, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said Monday.
"The draft (of the new policy) will be ready during this month," he told reporters on the sidelines of an export award function here.
Kumaraswamy calls cabinet meet Friday, BJP to stay away
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy Thursday sprang a surprise on his squabbling coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by calling a cabinet meeting Friday though 17 BJP ministers have resigned seeking early transfer of power to their party.
"The cabinet meeting will be held 9.30 hours Friday," a spokesperson for Kumaraswamy said.
He said he had no information on the agenda for the meeting, but there was speculation that Kumaraswamy may decide to seek a meeting of the state assembly to prove his majority on the floor of the house.
I can break my promise: Kumaraswamy
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy Thursday said he was ready to break his deal on transferring power to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the interests of people and his party, the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S).
A section of the BJP was ready to align with the JD-S, he said, addressing the party's state executive committee meeting here in the afternoon.
Kumaraswamy came to power 20 months ago with a power-sharing deal with the BJP and he was to transfer power to the ally Wednesday, but the matter has been embroiled in a crisis this week.
Eating mutton on Oct 2 may land Jharkhand MP in court
By IANS
Ranchi : Members of both the ruling and opposition parties have threatened to move court if Jharkhand Transport Minister Enos Ekka is not sacked as he allegedly ate mutton during a feast to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti.
Gandhi Jyanti is celebrated as International Non-Violence Day and the sale of meat and poultry on Oct 2 is officially banned in India. Enos Ekka is in the eye of a storm as he participated in a feast where mutton was served in his home district of Simdega on Oct 2.
Death for former MP isn’t effective justice: experts
By Rana Ajit, IANS
New Delhi : India's first death penalty to a former MP and a former minister is just "symbolic deterrence" for criminals in politics as it isn't a case of effective justice, coming as it does 13 years after the murder and will take another five years to reach the higher courts, say experts.
Reviving Congress? Rahul has a long, long way to go
By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS
New Delhi : Rahul Gandhi is taking his work as Congress general secretary seriously, but insiders and analysts warn he has daunting obstacles to overcome if his aim is to dramatically rejuvenate the party.
All political parties including ruling Congress preparing for mid-term polls
NEW DELHI, Oct 3 (APP): All political parties, including the ruling Congress in India are preparing for mid- term polls.The Indian daily “The Asian Age” reported on Wednesday “there is a certainty within the Left, BJP and the Congress that a mid-term poll is now inevitable, even if the civilian nuclear energy deal is delayed by a few months.”
Meanwhile, the Left parties had renewed its threat to the Congress-led government not to operationlise the Indo-US nuclear deal, otherwise it would withdrawal support from the government.
Karnataka row thickens, parleys shift to Delhi
By IANS
Bangalore : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh stepped in Wednesday to save the Karnataka coalition, calling up his Janata Dal-Secular counterpart H.D. Deve Gowda, who, however, responded cautiously.
"Our decision will depend on the one the JD-S national executive will take in Delhi on Oct 5," Deve Gowda said after taking the telephone call from Rajnath Singh.
Ram was key to Mahatma’s philosophy: Rajnath to Sonia
By IANS
New Delhi : Saying that Ram was integral to Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh Wednesday asked Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to drop her surname if her party did not believe in the existence of the Hindu god.
Singh said that the Congress was putting a question mark on Gandhi's ideals by questioning Lord Ram's existence - a reference to an affidavit the central government filed before the Supreme Court last month before withdrawing it.
Rajnath in poll gear, accuses UPA of ignoring rural India
By IANS
New Delhi : Accusing the Congress-led UPA government of ignoring rural India, BJP president Rajnath Singh said Wednesday the people were looking towards his party to take the country in the right direction.
Addressing representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Kisan Morcha here, Rajnath Singh said mid-term elections were imminent and asked the gathering to get ready for initiating change in the government at the centre.
Karnataka row shifts to Delhi; BJP hopeful, JD-S defiant
By IANS
Bangalore/New Delhi : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh Wednesday hoped the power transfer crisis in Karnataka would be resolved through talks, though the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) accused it of "not respecting the coalition dharma".
According to the agreement between the two parties 20 months ago, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the JD-S was to hand over reins of the office to the BJP on Wednesday. He, however, has refused to do so, leading to all the BJP ministers in his cabinet submitting their resignation on Tuesday night.
Former MP, ex-minister get death for killing bureaucrat
By IANS
Patna : A Patna court Wednesday awarded death sentence to three politicians including a former MP and a former minister and life imprisonment to four including a sitting legislator and a former MP in a case related to the murder of Gopalganj district magistrate G. Krishnaiya in 1994.
Karnataka power transfer row shifts to Delhi
By IANS
Bangalore : Senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka headed for Delhi Wednesday while Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) president H.D. Deve Gowda is likely to be in the national capital Thursday night to make one more attempt to save their coalition government from collapse.
The JD-S was expected to hand over the reigns of power to BJP on Wednesday according to their agreement 20 months ago but Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy refused to step down Tuesday, leading to a crisis in the state.
Sonia Gandhi to return Thursday
By IANS
New Delhi : Congress president Sonia Gandhi returns home Thursday after a three-day visit to New York where she addressed the UN General Assembly on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.
Gandhi, whose veiled remarks about opposition to the Indo-US nuclear deal to a gathering of NRIs in New York created a furore here, is expected to take a decision on what stand the party will take in Karnataka where the JD-S and the BJP are locked in a power struggle.
BJP has not withdrawn support to Kumaraswamy government: Rajnath
By IANS
New Delhi : Holding out hope for the impasse in Karnataka where his party and the Janata Dal-S (JD-S) are locked in a tussle for power, BJP president Rajnath Singh said Wednesday that his party had not withdrawn support to the government even though its ministers have resigned.
Addressing reporters here, the BJP president said he "was hopeful of a solution to the Karnataka crisis".
The BJP's parliamentary board will be meeting Oct 4 to discuss the future course of action in Karnataka.
Congress mulls supporting JD-S rule in Karnataka
By IANS
New Delhi : With the Congress' role becoming crucial to avoid an early poll in Karnataka, the party may extend outside support to let the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) remain in power but a final decision is likely to be taken after party president Sonia Gandhi returns from New York.
Minister faces flak for eating meat on Gandhi Jayanti
By IANS
Ranchi : Jharkhand minister Enos Ekka is facing flak for eating meat at a feast held on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.
Ekka participated in a feast at Pakartand village in his home district Simdega where mutton was served on Oct 2.
District superintendent of police Martin Porus and other officials also participated in the feast.
Ekka was a guest at a football match that followed the feast in Simdega, 170 km from state capital Ranchi.
The Congress has decided to launch an agitation against the minister, demanding his dismissal.
Sonia attends UN events on International Day of Non-Violence
By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York : Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of India's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), took part in a few events here commemorating, for the first time, Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary as the International Day of Non-Violence.
On Tuesday, she addressed an informal plenary session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) where she underlined that the Mahatma's methods of non-violent action were as relevant in today's fast-paced and globally interlinked world as they were in his times.
Protest held against Sonia Gandhi’s UN visit
By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York : Even as United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi was holding meetings at the UN headquarters here, a couple of hundred people held a peaceful protest nearby against her representing India at the world body's first observance of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary as International Non-Violence Day.
A highlight of the two-hour protest Tuesday was a dramatisation in which one person dressed up as Sonia Gandhi was shown knifing another person dressed up as Mahatma Gandhi.
BJP ministers in Karnataka quit
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka's 17 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, resigned from the state's coalition government late Tuesday after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy refused to transfer power to the party on the conclusion of his 20-month term.
Notice to Bachchan over poll campaign claim
By IANS
Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh's Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Tuesday asked Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan to explain the basis of his claim that there was less crime in Uttar Pradesh - his line from the TV commercial as part of the Samajwadi Party's election campaign earlier this year.
The notice was issued on a petition by Brij Bhushan Dubey, a resident of Ghazipur town in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
All BJP ministers in Karnataka resign
By IANS
Bangalore : All Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers in Karnataka Tuesday resigned after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy refused to step down and transfer power to that party following their 20-month-old agreement.
Yashwant Sinha, BJP vice-president who oversees the party's affairs in Karnataka, told reporters here that all 18 ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediurappa, had sought appointment with Kumaraswamy late Tuesday to hand over the one-line resignation letters.
BJP supporter threatens suicide over Ram Sethu issue
By Sanjay Sharma, IANS
Bhopal : A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter Tuesday climbed a 500-foot-high electricity tower here and threatened to commit suicide if the Ram Sethu was damaged to build a shipping canal. He was later persuaded to come down.
As a group of BJP activists and supporters were returning after participating in a demonstration against the Sethusamudram project, Vinod Palia, 35, climbed an electricity tower on the VIP road around 2 p.m. before anybody could realise what he was up to.
India’s silence on Myanmar
By Mike Ghouse
Listening to the news about upheaval in Myanmar made me saddened with our civilization, particularly, our role in the world. Respect for human life is declining; the terrorists are one side killing hundreds and the civilized nations on the other hand killing millions. This has to stop for our own good.
Race on for ticket to Lok Sabha by-poll in Goa
By IANS
Panaji : Hectic lobbying is on among aspirants for the Congress ticket for the Lok Sabha by-election from the Marmugoa (South Goa) constituency even as state political heavyweight and Public Works Minister Churchill Alemao is campaigning to get the nomination for his 27-year-old daughter.
All-out efforts started in the Congress camp for the party ticket soon after the poll was announced, but all eyes are on Alemao, whose resignation as Congress MP from the seat has led to the fresh poll.
Ambedkar’s RPI divided on eve of its golden jubilee
By Shyam Pandharipande, IANS
Nagpur : Even as the constitution drafted by Dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar continues to guide India's destiny and helps keep the republic intact, his followers remain splintered. They have planned separate golden jubilee functions of the party of his dream here Wednesday.
Kumaraswamy refuses to resign, rebuffs BJP
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy refused to resign Tuesday as sought by his coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) so as to pave the way for the transfer of power Wednesday.
Rejecting the BJP deadline, Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) told reporters he had not received any communication from the ally seeking his resignation by Tuesday and transferring power to his deputy B.S. Yediyurappa of BJP.
Slain IAS officer’s wife seeks death for guilty politicians
By IANS
Patna : Uma Krishnaiya, wife of slain Gopalganj district magistrate G. Krishnaiya, has demanded that the seven Bihar political leaders who were held guilty for his death by a Patna court on Monday be sent to the gallows.
"They deserve no less punishment than the death sentence. The court should award capital punishment to them to send a message to society," Uma, in her 40s, told IANS over phone Tuesday from Hyderabad where she lives with her two daughters.
Karunakaran’s condition better
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Former Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran, who was admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital here Sunday after he complained of breathlessness, is recovering, doctors attending on the 89-year-old leader said Tuesday.
The four-time chief minister arrived at the hospital for a routine check-up on Sunday. However, the doctors advised that he be kept under medical observation for respiratory problems and cough.
Differences strengthen democratic process: Sonia
By IANS
New York : There was no need to get alarmed by opinions expressed by coalition partners, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi told a gathering of NRIs here in what appeared to be a reference to the Left's opposition to the Indo-US nuclear deal.
"It is important to listen to all points of view, which only strengthens the democratic process and helps us arrive at a consensus," she stated.
Gandhi is here to address the UN General Assembly on the occasion of International Non Violence Day. Her son and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is also accompanying her.
Rajiv had foreseen that brain drain was brain bank: Sonia
By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York : The trend of NRIs returning home to start business ventures, to join companies or teach at universities has proven the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi right, his widow and chief of India's ruling Congress party Sonia Gandhi said here.
"Rajiv Gandhi had foreseen that the so-called brain drain from India was actually creating a brain bank," the chairperson of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) explained to a gathering of NRIs here Monday. Rajiv was also right about promoting information technology, she added.
Ambedkar golden jubilee fails to reunite RPI factions
By Shyam Pandharipande, IANS
Nagpur : Even as the constitution drafted by Dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar continues to guide India's destiny and helps keep the republic intact, his followers remain splintered. They will hold separate golden jubilee functions of the party of his dream here Wednesday.
It’s raining promises in Andhra Pradesh
By Mohammed Shafeeq, IANS
Hyderabad : The Congress government in Andhra Pradesh has decided to re-introduce the Rs.2 a kg rice scheme, which catapulted Telugu Desam party (TDP) founder N.T. Rama Rao to power in the early 1980s.
In a no-holds-barred competition of populist promises in anticipation of early elections, the state cabinet approved the scheme late Monday. It is expected to benefit 18.2 million people living below the poverty line and put an additional burden of over Rs.10 billion annually on the public exchequer.
Karnataka set for face-off over transfer of power
By IANS
Bangalore : Political uncertainty gripped Karnataka Monday with the ruling coalition partners Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) bracing for a showdown on their transfer of power pact.
With the BJP serving an ultimatum to the JD-S either to transfer power by Wednesday or face snap polls, the latter continued to flip-flop on the agreement reached between the two parties 20 months ago.
BJP rules out haggling over power transfer in Karnataka
By IANS
Bangalore : The political scenario in Karnataka worsened late Monday night with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruling out negotiations with coalition partner Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) on the transfer of power.
The BJP simply asked the JD-S to redeem its pledge, made 20 months back when the two parties entered into a coalition arrangement.
Senior BJP leader Yeshwant Sinha, in-charge of the party affairs in Karnataka, told reporters there was no scope for negotiating the power transfer with the JD-S.
Sonia to speak on Mahatma’s ideals at UN
By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York : Congress president Sonia Gandhi will Tuesday address the UN General Assembly (UNGA) when it formally declares Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary as International Day of Non-Violence.
Gandhi, accompanied by her son and newly appointed Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, arrived here Sunday night.
JD-S to decide on Karnataka on Oct 5
By IANS
New Delhi : The possibility of Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy handing over power to his deputy B.S. Yediyurappa of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday receded further with his party the Janata Dal-Secular announcing Monday that it would decide on the issue only on Oct 5 in New Delhi.
JD-S general secretary Kunwar Dansih Ali told IANS here: "Any decision regarding Karnataka will be taken by the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) only on or after October 5."
Karunanidhi cuts short fast after apex court threat
By IANS
Chennai/New Delhi : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Monday cut short his fast, started in support of the Sethusamudram canal project, after the Supreme Court threatened to have his government dismissed as the state was crippled with an unannounced general strike.
CPI-M breathes fire over n-deal but hints at compromise
By IANS
Kolkata : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday again warned the government not to proceed with the India-US nuclear deal but admitted that attempts were on to end the row that has led to political instability.
Both CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat and former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu said after a three-day central committee meeting that the party was united in its opposition to the nuclear deal.
We are committed to Gandhi, Nehru, Patel’s principles: Congress
By IANS
New Delhi : Claiming credit for getting Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary declared as International Non-Violence Day by the United Nations, the Congress party Monday said it remains wedded to the principles of 'GNP' - Gandhi, Nehru and Patel.
Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said that it was an initiative undertaken by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in January this year that was later supported by 122 organisations from 91 countries that saw Oct 2 being observed as International Non-Violence Day.
Guarded Congress response to apex court observation on Tamil Nadu
By IANS
New Delhi : The Congress was Monday guarded in its reaction to the Supreme Court's criticism of the Tamil Nadu government for not complying with its stay on the daylong shutdown it had called. The party said it would not react to oral observations by the apex court.
BJP demands Baalu’s sack from union cabinet
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday demanded immediate dismissal of Shipping Minister T.R. Baalu from the union cabinet for his "adverse comments on the judiciary" when he allegedly criticised the Supreme Court's ruling on the DMK's protest plans in Tamil Nadu.
Darjeeling autonomous council bill in winter session
By IANS
New Delhi : The union cabinet Monday cleared the introduction of two bills in parliament to create an autonomous, self-governing council for the Darjeeling hill areas in West Bengal under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution.
The cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, cleared the introduction of the bills to amend Articles 244 and 332 and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to create the council, to be called Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC).
Rights activists oppose pre-poll Gujarat police transfers
By IANS
Ahmedabad : Civil society activists in Gujarat will represent to the State Election Commission on the transfer of 41 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers announced by Gujarat government ahead of assembly polls.
Don’t proceed with n-deal, CPI-M warns UPA
By IANS
Kolkata : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday again warned the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government against proceeding with the India-US nuclear deal till it was discussed in the winter session of parliament.
"Our politburo has been authorised by the central committee to see that the UPA government does not proceed with the nuclear deal. This is a unanimous decision," CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat told reporters at the conclusion of the party's three-day central committee meeting here.
Unnithan says factionalism increasing in Kerala Congress
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Congress politician turned actor Rajmohan Unnithan Monday has alleged that factionalism, which plagued the party a few years ago, is rearing its head again.
CPI-M revokes suspension of Achuthanandan, Vijayan
By IANS
Kolkata/Thiruvananthapuram : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) central committee Monday revoked the suspension of Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and state unit secretary Pinarayi Vijayan from the politburo, bringing relief to the party cadres in the southern state.
Supreme Court threatens DMK government with dismissal
By IANS
New Delhi : Furious with the Tamil Nadu government for not complying with its order banning a shutdown, the Supreme Court Monday threatened to have it sacked and initiate contempt of court proceedings against Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the state chief secretary.
Rattled Karunanidhi ends fast after Supreme Court fire
By Papri Sri Raman and T.S.V. Hari, IANS
Chennai : Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi hurriedly cut short a fast called to demand early completion of the Sethusamudram canal Monday and rushed to office after the Supreme Court threatened to have his government dismissed for letting Tamil Nadu get crippled with an unannounced general strike.
Revoking Achuthanandan, Pinarayi’s suspension welcomed
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday decided to revoke the suspension of Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and state unit secretary Pinarayi Vijayan from the politburo, a move on expected lines that was welcomed here.
The two top leaders were suspended from the party's decision-making body in May after they continued to trade personal charges despite warnings from the central leadership.
The decision to revoke the suspension was taken Monday at the party's politburo meet in Kolkata.
UPA government defends Karunanidhi against Supreme Court
By IANS
New Delhi : The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government Monday strongly backed ally and beleaguered Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, under attack from the Supreme Court for violating its order banning a shutdown in the state.
As pressure mounted on the chief minister - who Monday launched a fast along with several cabinet ministers in Tamil Nadu where life came to a virtual standstill as the DMK demanded completion of the Sethusamudram shipping canal - support came in the form of union Information Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.
CPI-M has taken unanimous decision on n-deal: Basu
By IANS
Kolkata : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) central committee meeting has taken a unanimous decision on the India-US nuclear deal, party patriarch Jyoti Basu said Monday while refusing to spell out the decision.
"We have taken a unanimous decision on the nuclear deal. There is no difference of opinion on the issue," he said on the concluding day of the three-day central committee meeting of the party here.
Karunanidhi ends fast after Supreme Court strictures
By IANS
Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi cut short his fast to demand completion of the Sethusamudram canal around 11 a.m. Monday and rushed to office after the Supreme Court threatened to dismiss the government for not adhering to its ban on a state-wide shutdown.
While several ministers and central leaders of the DMK-led ruling coalition continued with their fast in the capital, the 83-year-old Karunanidhi ended his hunger strike after over three hours.
Supreme Court threatens dismissal of Tamil Nadu government
By IANS
New Delhi/Chennai : Enraged over the non-compliance of its order banning a general shutdown in Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court Monday threatened the dismissal of the state government and warned that contempt of court proceedings may be initiated against Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the state chief secretary.
What next in Karnataka? The confusion persists
By IANS
Bangalore : The power transfer drama in Karnataka continues its twists and turns. While Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) legislators hope to convince H.D. Kumaraswamy to continue as Karnataka Chief Minister Monday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may direct its ministers in the coalition government to quit if he reneges on his word to hand over power Oct 3 as agreed in February 2006.
Chennai affected as Karunanidhi starts fast over Sethu canal
By IANS
Chennai : With thin attendance in schools and offices and fewer-than-usual buses on the roads here, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi began a daylong fast with several cabinet colleagues Monday to demand the completion of the Sethusamudram shipping canal.
The DMK fast formally began outside the Government Guest House in Chepauk in Chennai at 8 a.m., a day after the Supreme Court restrained the ruling coalition from going ahead with a shutdown on the issue.
Vakil vomits venom against PDP; Says Cong to fight next election alone
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : Accusing Peoples Democratic Party for creating hurdles so as to destabilize coalition government in the state, Senior Vice President Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee and MLC Abdul Gani Vakil Saturday said that Congress will fight 2008 Assembly Election in the state alone.
“As far now no decision has been taken to forge alliance with any political party”, he said while addressing party workers at Kupwara, today.
Court stay on strike is people’s victory: Jayalalitha
By Xinhua
Chennai : The Supreme Court's stay on the shutdown called by Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK in support of the Sethusamudram shipping canal project was "the greatest victory for the people", AIDMK chief J. Jayalalitha said Sunday.
In a statement, the leader of the opposition demanded the dismissal of the DMK government saying the strike call that was stayed and the protest fast the DMK had called for in its place Monday were "a Goebbelsian attempt to divert the attention of the people".
Deve Gowda favours status quo in Karnataka
By IANS
Bangalore : Putting their agreement aside, Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) president H.D. Deve Gowda Sunday asked coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to allow his son H.D. Kumaraswamy to continue as Karnataka chief minister even after Oct 3 or be prepared for early elections in the state.
Deve Gowda met BJP vice president Yashwant Sinha in the evening, after making him wait since Saturday, and drew his attention to the results of Friday's civic body elections in which the JD-S had emerged as the largest party.
Karnataka power transfer in limbo
By IANS
Bangalore : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha Sunday failed to win over Janata Dal-Secular (JD-s) President H.D. Deve Gowda's nod for power transfer in Karnataka Wednesday, putting their 20-month deal in limbo.
Buoyed by the impressive show of the JD-S in Friday's civic body polls, Deve Gowda reportedly told Sinha that the present arrangement with his son H.D. Kumaraswamy as chief minister should continue, party sources said.
Karunakaran hospitalised
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Former Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran was admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital here Sunday after he complained of breathing problems.
The four-time chief minister, Karunakaran, 89, arrived at the hospital for a routine check-up. However, the doctors advised him to be kept under medical observation for respiratory problems and cough.
The veteran leader has been out of active politics after merging his party - launched after quitting the Congress - with the Nationalist Congress Party.
Son in tow, Sonia to address UN, NRIs
By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York/New Delhi : Accompanied by Rahul Gandhi, the newly appointed general secretary of the Congress party and her son, chairperson of India's ruling United Progressive Alliance Sonia Gandhi is visiting the US. But virtually nothing is known about her engagements beyond the two already announced.
She is arriving in New York primarily to address the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Oct 2 and for the formal declaration of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday as International Day of Non-Violence.
Sonia Gandhi and her son Sunday left New Delhi for New York.
JD-S leads tally in Karnataka civic polls
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka's ruling Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Sunday bagged more than 1,300 of the 4,920 seats in civic body polls across the state but its partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was a distant third with over 900 seats.
JD-S won 1,314 seats, the Congress 1,284 and BJP 942, while the rest were taken by independent candidates, according to results for 4,084 seats that were out by 7 p.m.
A jubilant Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said his party's performance showed it was no longer a rural-based party.
JD-S, BJP to hold separate meetings Monday
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka's squabbling ruling partners, Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will hold separate meetings Monday to decide their moves amid a row over their proposed power transfer Wednesday.
On Sunday, the JD-S called a meeting of its legislators Monday evening while BJP ministers will meet during the day.
The two meetings will follow talks between BJP vice-president Yashwant Sinha and JD-S president H.D. Deve Gowda scheduled for late Sunday evening.
BJP’s Sinha continues to wait for Deve Gowda
By IANS
Bangalore : Ahead of their proposed power transfer in Karnataka Wednesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice-president Yashwant Sinha Sunday continued to wait for a meeting with Janata Dal-Secular chief H.D. Deve Gowda, even as the JD-S was set to emerge the biggest gainer in the just-over municipal polls.
Sinha waited for an appointment with Deve Gowda as results from the polls to the 209 civic bodies in the state, held Friday, showed the battle for supremacy was between JD-S and the Congress with the BJP taking the beating And the third place.
Shipping ministry wants Gopal Subramanium out of Sethu case
By Faraz Ahmad, IANS
New Delhi : The union shipping ministry, headed by DMK's T.R. Baalu who is keen on seeing the Sethusamudram canal project through, is upset with Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium for withdrawing from the apex court its affidavit on the project, and has asked that the law officer be taken off the case.
JD-S exploits BJP’s eagerness for power in south
By V.S. Karnic, IANS
Bangalore : The biggest roadblock to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) desire to install its first chief minister in southern India is none other than former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda.
Exploiting BJP's keenness to come to power in the south, its ruling partner Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) has deftly played its cards using every opportunity to dominate if it gives up the chief minister's post to BJP Oct 3.
Congress deplores Myanmar violence
By IANS
New Delhi : The Congress party has deplored the violence unleashed on innocent monks and civilians in Myanmar.
Party spokesperson M. Veerappa Moily Saturday said the unleashing of violence by the Junta regime has deeply saddened all those who have faith in peace, democracy and human rights.
"The evolving situation in Myanmar is a cause of deep concern. It is important that an 'inclusive approach' is followed by the authorities for negotiating all issues. Unilateral resort to violent means is wrong and must be avoided," he said.
BJP seeks PM’s justification on CBI closing Tytler case
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday condemned the closure of a 1984 anti-Sikh riot case against senior Congress leader and former union minister Jagdish Tytler by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying the probe agency had become a "tool" to save the Congress and its leaders.
Party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad has sought from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the justification for closing the case.
BJP minister resigns to defuse crisis, JD-S not impressed
By IANS
Bangalore : The power transfer crisis in Karnataka deepened Saturday with ruling partners Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking a tough stand even as BJP minister B. Sriramulu, whose murder attempt charges against the chief minister brought the coalition to the brink, resigned.
Sriramulu, tourism minister, flew to Bangalore from Bellary in a chopper and submitted the resignation letter to his party leader and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in the evening.
No threat to UPA till joint mechanism in place: Congress
By IANS
New Delhi : The Congress party said Saturday that there is no threat to the central government until the joint mechanism with the Left on the Indo-US nuclear deal is functional and there is no violation of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) agreed upon by the two sides.
Congress spokesperson M. Veerappa Moily said here that the talk of any threat to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is premature.
DMK, allies call bandh Monday on Sethu issue
By IANS
Chennai : The ruling DMK and its allies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will go ahead with a strike call on Monday demanding implementation of the Sethusamudram canal project, but said essential services would not be affected.
The DMK and its allies have called for the protest to impress upon the central government to get the Supreme Court stay on the canal project off the Tamil Nadu coast vacated.
Meanwhile, the AIADMK has moved the apex court seeking a direction to restrain the DMK and its allies from observing the bandh.
Congress intensifies stir over charge against Scindia
By IANS
Bhopal : Madhya Pradesh Congress Saturday staged a sit-in here to protest against registration of a criminal case against their party MP Jyotiraditya Scindia and threatened to launch a statewide agitation on the issue.
The incident occurred at the 'bhoomi pujan' or inauguration of construction work of a road under the Prime Minister's Rural Road Scheme, better known as Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, in Shivpuri on Thursday.
BJP digs in heels, to tell JD-S to honour word
By IANS
Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka Saturday decided to press ruling partner Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) to honour its word on power transfer and not use Tourism Minister B. Sriramulu's remark about chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy as a ruse to go back on the commitment.
Sriramulu, a strongman in iron-ore rich Bellary district, claimed early this week that an attempt on his life had been made at the behest of Kumaraswamy.
India asserts its firm commitment to NAM
By NNN-PTI
United Nations : India has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement and stressed its "enduring relevance" in the current international situation.
Participating in the closed door interactive discussion on "concrete measures to strengthen the capacity for action," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee pointed out that the strength of the Movement has historically been its inclusiveness which enabled to take into account the diverse interest in the 118-member group.
Congress wants judicial or CBI probe into ISRO land scam
By IANS
Kozhikode : Dissatisfied with a vigilance inquiry into the controversial land purchase by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Congress party Saturday demanded either a judicial or a CBI probe.
"We reiterate that only a judicial or a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe will reveal the truth into the mysterious role of ISRO in this land scam," state Congress president Ramesh Chennithala told reporters here.
FIR against legislator for Raje’s goddess poster
By IANS
Jodhpur : A first information report (FIR) has been filed against a local legislator of the ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) and a designer for bringing out a poster depicting Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje as a goddess, police said Saturday.
The FIR was registered Friday after a lower court here Sep 14 issued a contempt notice to a police station here for not registering an FIR despite its earlier direction.
Sriramulu to resign to defuse Karnataka row
By IANS
Bangalore : Karnataka Tourism Minister B. Sriramulu, whose statements against Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy have brought the ruling coalition to the brink of break-up, is likely to step down.
"The minister will submit the resignation Saturday evening to Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa," a close aide of Sriramulu told IANS.
"The resignation letter will be a two-line affair," he said when asked whether Sriramulu will explain in the letter the reasons for alleged murder attempt against Kumaraswamy.
Deve Gowda goes on pilgrimage, makes Sinha wait
By IANS
Bangalore : Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) president H.D. Deve Gowda Saturday flew to Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu to visit temples as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders met here to decide their strategy to woo him ahead of their proposed power transfer in Karnataka due Oct 3.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of JD-S, who is to make way for a BJP leader next week, was also away in Puducherry to attend a function to hand over houses for Tsunami victims built by a leading pontiff of Karnataka.
Both were expected back in the city in the evening.
Indian Finance Minister cautions investors against volatile stock market
By NNN-PTI
New Delhi : Finance Minister P Chidambaram Friday cautioned investors against high volatility in the stock markets, which extended gains for the ninth consecutive trading session Friday.
"My advice to investors is that they should do their homework. And if they cannot do their homework they should trust those (mutual funds) who do their home work. And for speculators, I have no advice," Chidambaram said.
Indian govt extends Rural job scheme to entire country
By NNN-PTI
New Delhi : Two days after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to extend the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to the entire country, the government Friday announced its extention to all districts.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, according to PM's media advisor Sanjaya Baru.
The move has come at a time when there is talk of possible mid-term polls.
We will not compromise on n-deal: Jyoti Basu
By IANS
Kolkata : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) will not compromise its stance on the India-US nuke deal, veteran party leader Jyoti Basu said Saturday.
"There is no question of compromising on our stand on the nuclear deal. We have already made our stand very clear on the issue," Basu told reporters after emerging from the central committee meeting at the state party headquarters on the Alimuddin Street.
The four-day CPI-M politburo and central committee meeting began here Friday with the India-US nuclear deal figuring high on the agenda.
Sharad Yadav shows non-implementation of OBC quota
By IANS
New Delhi : More than a decade and half after the government accepted the Mandal Commission report providing for reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs, OBC representation in the central government services remains dismal, Janata Dal-United president Sharad Yadav has said.
Why Mayawati’s ‘no’ to Reliance, ‘yes’ to others? Industry ashks
By IANS
Lucknow : The shutting of Reliance Retail within 24 hours of its launch in Uttar Pradesh has led industry leaders to ask why the company was singled out by Chief Minister Mayawati, who has openly given the nod for similar other ventures, including Spencer's of the RPG group.
When a necklace becomes a pain in the neck
By Jaideep Sarin
Chandigarh, Sep 29 (IANS) What started as a move to have a ceremonial necklace for the mayor of Chandigarh has turned out to be a pain in the neck for the municipal corporation here with local councillors striking a completely discordant note over the issue.
The move by nominated councillor Kuldip Singh Chandpuri - a retired army brigadier and Maha Vir Chakra recipient on whose heroics the Bollywood blockbuster 'Border' was made nearly a decade back - was shot down Friday by elected councillors who termed the idea as "unnecessary and wasteful".
Government to unveil more pro-poor schemes soon: PM
By IANS
New Delhi : Barely hours after extending the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) scheme to the entire nation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday said more such schemes for under privileged people would be unveiled over the next few weeks.
The government Friday extended its flagship pro-poor NREG programme to guarantee 100 days of work to each rural family from 330 selected districts now to the entire country.