Buddha votes for nuclear energy
By IANS
Kolkata : Nuclear energy is important to meet India's growing power requirement, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya said Monday.
"It's a controversial issue but it's true that we just can't avoid the importance of nuclear energy in India. We should switch on to alternative energy resources to fulfil the demands," Bhattacharya said at the National Council meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here.
Emphasising on generation of green power, he said the West Bengal government was slowly progressing on this front.
Ram Sethu widens schisms in Congress
By IANS
New Delhi : Internal troubles in the ruling Congress intensified Monday with another senior leader seeking Culture Minister Ambika Soni's resignation over the controversial Ram Sethu affidavit in the Supreme Court. Soni has already expressed her willingness to quit if the party leadership wanted her to.
Committee to probe corruption allegations in Andhra
By IANS
Hyderabad : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Monday set up a three-member committee to look into the allegations of corruption levelled against some top bureaucrats by former vigilance commissioner R.C. Samal.
While hitting out at Samal for his sweeping remarks against the administration and politicians, the chief minister said the committee to be headed by Chief Secretary J. Harinarayana would go into specific allegations.
Chhattisgarh BJP hopes to cash in on Ram Sethu
Raipur, Sep 17 (IANS) With assembly polls due next year, Chhattisgarh's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is hoping to cash in on the embarrassment to the Congress-led central government, which has withdrawn in the Supreme Court its affidavit questioning Lord Ram's existence.
Top state BJP leaders held a core committee meeting here Sunday night.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, BJP national secretary in-charge of the state Dharmendra Pradhan, state party president Vishnudeo Sai debated the matter along with about a dozen other top politicians of affiliated outfits.
Five Kerala legislators on fast in assembly complex
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 17 (IANS) Kerala's Congress-led opposition Monday intensified its agitation seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into a controversial land purchase by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as five legislators began an indefinite fast in the assembly complex.
Demanding Forest Minister Binoy Viswom's resignation, leader of opposition and former chief minister Oommen Chandy walked out of the assembly stating that five legislators would sit in the foyer on indefinite fast till their demand was met.
If Left has made up its mind, why be part of N-panel: Sibal
By Faraz Ahmad, IANS
New Delhi : Why is the Left taking part in a joint committee with the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to study the India-US nuclear deal if it has already made up its mind to reject it, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal wants to know.
Reacting to Left leader Prakash Karat's statement that "we will not be there to back the deal if the government goes ahead with it", Sibal told IANS: "You ask them what are they doing in the committee? Why ask me? He (Karat) must explain to the people why he wishes to go forward if he has said what he has said."
Meet in Delhi against corporate retailing
By IANS
New Delhi : Leaders of various political parties, including those from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI), will come together at a meeting here Wednesday to find ways to block entry of corporate houses into retail trading.
The meeting will be hosted by the Confederation of All India Traders, said Praveen Khandelwal, the secretary general of the traders' body.
Meet in Delhi against corporate retailing
By IANS
New Delhi : Leaders of various political parties, including those from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI), will come together at a meeting here Wednesday to find ways to block entry of corporate houses into retail trading.
The meeting will be hosted by the Confederation of All India Traders, said Praveen Khandelwal, the secretary general of the traders' body.
Congress to demonstrate against Rajasthan government
By IANS
Jaipur : The Congress in Rajasthan has decided to hold demonstrations and marches in all the district headquarters of the state on Monday and Tuesday to protest the alleged failures of the Vasundhara Raje government.
State Congress president B.D. Kalla said, "We would hold protest marches and demonstrations in all the district headquarters against the failure of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for two days, a day before the state assembly session and on the day when the session starts," Kalla said.
Gandhian Sant Singh dies at 100
By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu: Veteran freedom fighter Sardar Sant Singh Tegh breathed his last at Achariya Shree Chander of Medical Sciences Hospital, here this afternoon. He was about 100 year old.
Sant Singh Teg, a renowned Gandhian and freedom fighter, was born at Hattian Dupatta on April 13, 1907 in Muzaffarabad district of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Jammu: Veteran freedom fighter Sardar Sant Singh Tegh breathed his last at Achariya Shree Chander of Medical Sciences Hospital, here this afternoon. He was about 100 year old.Sant Singh Teg, a renowned Gandhian and freedom fighter, was born at Hattian Dupatta on April 13, 1907 in Muzaffarabad district of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Foreign aid requests should go through MEA
By IANS
New Delhi : Embarrassed over state governments and various ministries approaching foreign nations directly for financial assistance, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has issued special instructions to route such requests only through it.
Pointing out that there have been several instances of central ministers and states seeking financial aid, the MEA has written to all union secretaries and state chief secretaries to instruct ministers and junior officials to make all communications with the foreign countries through the ministry.
Soren criticises government
By IANS
Ranchi : Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren has taken his own government to task. In a letter to Chief Minister Madhu Koda, Soren has criticised the government for allegedly failing to curb rampant corruption.
Soren has pointed out that escalating corruption was hindering development work. "The system of commissions and other forms of corruption are hindering the development of the state," the letter to Koda says.
His letter, sent Saturday, assumes significance as the Koda government completes one year Tuesday.
PM recuperating, advised soft foods
By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is recuperating and might be discharged Monday after his prostrate surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here, medical sources said Sunday.
"The prime minister is getting better very fast. The doctors have advised him to take soft foods like soups," said a source at AIIMS.
The doctors are not allowing anyone other than his family members to visit him at the hospital.
Jailed MP’s ‘Pappu da Dhaba’ opens in Tihar Jail
By Sahil Makkar, IANS
New Delhi : Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Pappu Yadav is set to tickle the taste buds of fellow inmates at Tihar Jail. He has won a canteen contract in the jail - but in the name of another prisoner whom he put up as a front.
"An inmate backed by Pappu Yadav was awarded the canteen contract of Jail No. 3 where the two are lodged. Yadav put up the highest bid in the auction - he won the deal to run the canteen for Rs.60,000 a month," a senior jail official told IANS on condition of anonymity.
Sidhu burns Sonia’s effigy in Amritsar
By IANS
Amritsar : Former cricketer and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Navjot Singh Sidhu Saturday burnt an effigy of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and demanded an apology from the government for filing an affidavit before the Supreme Court questioning the existence of Hindu god Ram.
Sidhu, Lok Sabha MP from the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, led over 100 supporters to the historic Hall gate for a protest demonstration and burnt the effigy.
PM undergoes surgery, has khichdi for dinner
By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was doing well after he underwent a prostrate surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here Saturday, doctors said.
A team of doctors led by N.P. Gupta, head of the department of urology at AIIMS, conducted the operation to treat benign enlargement of the prostrate.
According to a source in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), no visitors were allowed to meet him Saturday and the same restriction will be in place Sunday as well.
Contempt notice to police over Raje’s goddess poster
By IANS
Jodhpur : A court here has issued a contempt of court notice to police for not taking action against those behind a controversial poster depicting Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje as a goddess.
A lower court here Friday issued the notice to the Udai Kothi police station here for not registering a first information report (FIR) after some fans of the chief minister brought out a controversial poster depicting her as a goddess.
Lalu does tight-rope walking on Ram Sethu, n-deal
By IANS
New Delhi : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad did some remarkable tight-rope walking Saturday on the controversy over the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) affidavit on the historical evidence on Lord Ram and Ram Sethu.
While supporting the government decision to withdraw the controversial ASI affidavit, Lalu Prasad also seemed interested in not annoying the DMK, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) partner in the government, which is very keen on completing the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project off the Tamil Nadu coast.
Left to set time frame for n-deal review
By IANS
Hyderabad : The Left parties would set a "time frame" for the government to complete evaluation of their concerns over the Indo-US nuclear deal and implications of the Hyde Act, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat said here Saturday.
Stating that the first meeting the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left committee on Sep 11 identified the agenda for discussions at the next meeting on Sep 19, he said the real work was yet to start.
I would have resigned had I been culture minister: Ramesh
By IANS
Kolkata : Tourism and Culture minister Ambika Soni should step down in the wake of a controversial affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on the Sethusamudrum project, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said here Friday.
Asked to spell out the Congress's stand on the issue, the minister told reporters: "I really do not know... I cannot speak on behalf of Soni who is a good friend of mine. But had such an incident occurred if I had been the culture minister, I would have certainly resigned."
I am willing to resign: Ambika Soni
By IANS
New Delhi : Fresh from her return from Japan amid crisis over the government affidavit in the Supreme Court negating Lord Ram's existence, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni Saturday said she was ready to resign.
"I have not felt the need for resigning so far but will do so if the cabinet wants," Soni, in the eye of the storm, told reporters.
Government’s flip-flop sparks war of words in Tamil Nadu
By IANS
Chennai : Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK and the main opposition AIADMK traded arguments over the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) as the central government withdrew its controversial affidavit on the issue before the Supreme Court.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said he did not see anything wrong with the affidavit which expressed doubts whether the Hindu god, Lord Ram, ever existed.
Former Andhra bureaucrat alleges corruption in government
By IANS
Hyderabad : A former Andhra Pradesh vigilance commissioner's allegations against the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and Home Minister K. Jana Reddy of harbouring corrupt bureaucrats have raised a storm in the state with the opposition demanding a probe into the charges.
R.C. Samal, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official who retired as vigilance commissioner a few days ago, alleged that the CMO was promoting and protecting officers who are indulging in corruption or criminal misconduct.
ASI turns ‘Ravan’ in Ram Sethu controversy, blame game begins
By Prashant K. Nanda, IANS
New Delhi : After taking the rap for drafting the controversial affidavit on the Ram Sethu submitted in the Supreme Court leading to the suspension of two of its senior officials, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) believes the ministry of shipping and transport should have formulated and filed the document.
PM undergoes surgery, advised rest for two days
By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh underwent prostrate surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here Saturday morning and has been advised rest for two days.
The prime minister underwent surgery to treat benign enlargement of the prostrate. A team of doctors, led by N.P. Gupta, head of the department of urology at AIIMS, conducted the operation.
Manmohan Singh has been advised two days of post-operative rest at the hospital. He will return home on Monday, an official statement said.
Shiv Sena walks three steps, BJP one, to save alliance
By Shyam Pandharipande, IANS
Mumbai : The question at the end of the day was whether to swim together willy-nilly or sink separately. The leaders of the two saffron allies, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena, seem to have realised that on their own they would only fare worse and thus pulled the two-decades-old alliance back from the brink of a split that appeared imminent a month ago.
Shiv Sena walks three steps, BJP one, to save alliance
By Shyam Pandharipande, IANS
Mumbai : The question at the end of the day was whether to swim together willy-nilly or sink separately. The leaders of the two saffron allies, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena, seem to have realised that on their own they would only fare worse and thus pulled the two-decades-old alliance back from the brink of a split that appeared imminent a month ago.
UPA gets clean chit from US on religious freedom, BJP slammed
By Arun Kumar, IANS
Washington : The US has given India's United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government a clean chit for "generally respecting" right of freedom of religion, but criticised some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled states for enacting "anti-conversion" laws.
A report sent to the US Congress by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice noted that the vast majority of Indians of every religious group lived in peaceful coexistence. However, there were reports of organised societal attacks against minority religious groups, particularly in states ruled by the BJP.
Shiv Sena walks three steps, BJP one, to save alliance
By Shyam Pandharipande, IANS
Mumbai : The question at the end of the day was whether to swim together willy-nilly or sink separately. The leaders of the two saffron allies, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena, seem to have realised that on their own they would only fare worse and thus pulled the two-decades-old alliance back from the brink of a split that appeared imminent a month ago.
Gujarat BJP rebels urge people to defeat Modi
By IANS
Rajkot : Dissidents in Gujarat's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday dared the party leadership as they urged voters in the state to support the Congress party in the forthcoming assembly elections and defeat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
In a show of strength, the rebels organised a rally at the Race Course ground here under the banner of Sardar Patel Utkarsh Sewa Mandal. The mega meet drew between 150,000 and 200,000 people.
BJP wants Ambika Soni to go over Ram Sethu affidavit
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday reiterated its demand for the resignation of Culture Minister Ambika Soni over a government affidavit that challenged the existence of Hindu god Ram.
Refusing to forgive the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), BJP spokesman Prakash Jawadekar said the minister should go because the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which came to the offending conclusion that formed part of the offending affidavit, fell under her ministry.
Congress rebuts ISRO chief on land deal
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The Congress Friday refuted the statement of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G. Madhavan Nair that there was nothing controversial about the purchase of land by the agency at Ponmudi Hills to build an educational institute.
Speaking at the inauguration of the institute at the ISRO centre, near the airport, where the classes would be held until the new building comes up at Ponmudi, 75 km from here, Nair said all formalities for purchasing land had been adhered to.
UPA withdrew Ram affidavit with an eye on poll: Basu
By IANS
Kolkata : The government withdrew from the Supreme Court its affidavit, in which it had expressed doubts about the existence of Hindu god Ram, so that its prospects in the event of a poll are not affected, veteran Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Jyoti Basu said here Friday.
Government withdraws affidavit, seeks time to review canal project
By IANS
New Delhi : The government Friday took back its controversial affidavit that challenged the existence of Hindu god Ram and sought three months to "re-scrutinize" the Sethusamudram shipping canal project.
Making a dramatic U-turn in the same court where it had earlier maintained that there was no evidence to prove the existence of Lord Ram and other characters in the Hindu epic Ramayana, the government Friday said it had "total respect for all religions, and Hinduism in particular, in the context of the present case".
Saffron brigades competing for Ram space
By IANS
New Delhi : The government may have withdrawn its controversial affidavit from the Supreme Court, questioning the historical basis of the existence of Lord Ram, but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the larger saffron brigade is reluctant to bury an emotive issue ahead of what it considers would be mid-term elections.
Leaders of factions of different saffron hues, ranging from the BJP to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to Uma Bharti, are competing to outdo one another to score on this front and grab maximum mileage.
Government pulls back affidavit, gets time to review Sethu project
By IANS
New Delhi : The government Friday withdrew its controversial affidavit that expressed doubts whether Hindu god, Lord Ram, ever existed and told the Supreme Court that it would re-examine the feasibility of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project.
The government also secured a three-month adjournment on the hearing of the petitions challenging the execution of the project that aims to develop a shorter sea route around the Indian peninsula.
Karunanidhi urges Nedumaran to end protest fast
By IANS
Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has urged P. Nedumaran, the Tamil nationalist leader on fast after being stopped from crossing over to Sri Lanka to provide humanitarian aid to Lankan Tamils, to give up his protest as his life was "precious".
"Your life is precious. Please give up the fast," Karunanidhi appealed in a letter to the octogenarian Tamil National Movement leader.
Mayawati sacked cops to make money, alleges Mulayam
By IANS
Lucknow : Stung by the mass dismissal of 6,000 policemen recruited in the last two years of his regime, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Friday fired his first major salvo against state chief minister Mayawati.
He alleged the dismissals of the policemen were "engineered", and accused the chief minister of using the sack order as a means to "mint money".
Kerala chief secretary’s protest leave rocks assembly
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Secretary Lizzie Jacob's decision to go on long leave, apparently hurt by a remark by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, rocked the state assembly Friday.
On Wednesday Achuthanandan said Jacob had erred in not informing the state government about the construction of a helipad for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit at Ponmudi, where the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had purchased a controversial plot of land to build an educational institute.
Adams’ Bridge- Faith Verses National Interest
By Syed Ali Mujtaba, TwoCircles.net
The case of "Adams' Bridge", a mythical barrier situated south-east of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, India, connecting Talaimanar coast of Sri Lanka has snowballed into a faith verses national interest controversy. The Supreme Court of India is hearing a public interest litigation petition on the multi core Sethusamundram canal project that involves dredging of a sea channel cutting across the Adams' Bridge across the Gulf of Mannar.
The case of "Adams' Bridge", a mythical barrier situated south-east of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, India, connecting Talaimanar coast of Sri Lanka has snowballed into a faith verses national interest controversy. The Supreme Court of India is hearing a public interest litigation petition on the multi core Sethusamundram canal project that involves dredging of a sea channel cutting across the Adams' Bridge across the Gulf of Mannar.
Elections could be held early: minister
By IANS
New Delhi : There could be early elections but they would have nothing to do with the India-US civil nuclear deal, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Prithviraj Chavan said here Friday.
"Elections are scheduled for 2009. But it could be earlier also," he told reporters on the sidelines of a discussion on the Doha round meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
"Elections are a political process and we would wait for the opportune moment," he said.
Kerala chief secretary goes on protest leave
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala's Chief Secretary Lizzie Jacob Thursday decided to go on a long leave, apparently hurt by a remark by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan in a cabinet meeting Wednesday.
Achuthanandan Wednesday said that Jacob erred in not informing the state government about the construction of a helipad for the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Ponmudi, where the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has purchased a controversial land.
Uma Bharti to file FIR on Ram Sethu muddle
By IANS
Bhopal : Bharatiya Janshakti president Uma Bharti Thursday said she would file a police complaint against those involved in submitting to the Supreme Court a government affidavit on the Sethusamudram project which claimed there were no "historical records" to prove the existence of Lord Ram or the Ram Sethu.
Bharti said she would reach New Delhi on Sep 22 with thousands of party workers and lodge a first information report (FIR) at the police station nearest to parliament.
BJP seizes on government faux pas to seek apology
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday smelt political opportunity in the government's apparent faux pas over a judicial affidavit that said there was no historical evidence to prove the existence of Lord Ram. The BJP sought the government apology for "hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus".
Both Mayawati, Mulayam out to woo Brahmins
By IANS
Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and her predecessor and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav may be arch political rivals, but now they seem to be pursuing a common goal - to woo upper castes in general and Brahmins in particular.
This was amply demonstrated at respective press conferences addressed by the two leaders here Thursday.
Launching the ambitious Dr. Ambedkar Integrated Rural Development Scheme - her own brainchild - Mayawati emphasised how she intended to insure the vital interests of those belonging to upper castes as well.
Left to submit nuke deal note Friday
By IANS
New Delhi : The Left parties are to submit a detailed note regarding their objections on the India-US nuclear deal to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left committee Friday.
A meeting of four Left parties, led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), finalised the note here Thursday. The government is expected to respond to their note by Monday.
Advani seeks Sonia’s apology for Ram affidavit
By IANS
New Delhi : Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani has asked Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apologise to Hindus for filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court denying the historical existence of Lord Ram and hurting the sentiments of Hindus worldwide.
He held Sonia Gandhi personally responsible for this saying, "formally the prime minister but actually the Congress president is responsible. We don't accept their plea that the Congress president is angry therefore they are submitting a counter-affidavit. This is a false tactic."
Karunanidhi creates caste-based reservations for minorities
By T.S.V. Hari, IANS
Chennai : The Tamil Nadu government has cleared the decks to promulgate an ordinance that will make way for the introduction of reservations for Christians and Muslims of Backward Caste denominations to the extent of 3.5 percent each from Sep 15, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi announced here Thursday.
Sep 15 is the birth anniversary of DMK founder late C.N. Annadurai.
Uma Bharti to lodge FIR against perpetrators of ‘stupid’ affidavit in Sethu Samudran Canal...
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: The Bharatiya Jan Shakti, (BJS), the breakaway political outfit of Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), led by its president Ms Uma Bharti will file FIR, (First Information Report), in New Delhi along with thousands of its workers against all those who were responsible of submitting an affidavit in the Sethu Samudran Canal project case in the Supreme Court of India on behalf of the Central Government saying the existence of Lord Ram was of doubtful nature.
Sonia intervenes, government to redraft ASI affidavit
By IANS
New Delhi : Congress president Sonia Gandhi's intervention Thursday made the government act quickly to save itself from the mess it created by its affidavit on the Sethusamudram canal project. It announced Thursday afternoon that it would file a fresh affidavit before the Supreme Court, removing the controversial remarks on Lord Ram.
Congress sources said Gandhi has sought an explanation from the government over the references that have "hurt the sentiments" of the people and urged it to take remedial measures immediately.
We have made up our mind on n-deal: Karat
By IANS
New Delhi : The possibility of a compromise between the government and its Left allies appears increasingly bleak with top Communist leader Prakash Karat Thursday saying that the communist parties have "made up their mind" to block the India-US civil nuclear deal and would not support the government if it went ahead with it.
Karat also contended that the government was "determined to go ahead with the deal" despite a majority in parliament opposing the contentious deal which aims to "draw India into a military alliance with the US."
Government retracts Lord Ram reference in Sethu affidavit
By IANS
New Delhi : Admitting that it has gone wrong in referring to Lord Ram as a mythological figure in an affidavit filed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on the Sethusamudram Canal Project, the government Thursday said it would file a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court.
Addressing a press conference here, Law Minister H.R. Bharadwaj said Lord Ram "cannot be a subject of debate".
"It has created wrong impression," he said, adding that the government would file a fresh affidavit removing the paragraph with controversial references on Friday.
BJP threatens countrywide stir on Sethusamudram project
By IANS
Agartala : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday threatened to launch a massive countrywide agitation to prevent New Delhi from going ahead with the Sethusamudram project off the Tamil Nadu coast.
"We shall launch a nationwide agitation to force the central government to withdraw the affidavit submitted before the Supreme Court and seek apology to the people for hurting the sentiments of the people," BJP president Rajnath Singh told journalists here.
Congress begins relay strike against ISRO land deal
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 13 (IANS) The Congress-led opposition in Kerala Thursday began a relay strike in the assembly to intensify their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) purchasing forestland for an education institute.
Demanding that Forest Minister Binoy Viswom be removed, Congress leader and former chief minister Ooomen Chandy walked out of the assembly stating that four legislators would sit in the foyer through the entire proceedings of the day's session.
Advani calls up PMO to protest Ram Sethu affidavit
By IANS
New Delhi : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Wednesday called up the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to register protest against a government affidavit before the Supreme Court saying epics were not historical records that could prove the existence of Lord Ram.
"When Advani called up, the prime minister was not available. So the leader of opposition talked to the prime minister's media advisor Sanjay Baru," BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad told IANS.
"The prime minister is likely to return Advani's call sometime tomorrow morning," he added.
Paswan suggests fixed term for parliament
By IANS
New Delhi : Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) president and Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has suggested a fixed five-year term for parliament.
He has suggested a vote of confidence along with a vote of no confidence to circumvent the dissolution of the house in the event of a prime minister losing the trust vote in parliament.
BJP, AIADMK again coming together
By IANS
New Delhi : Jayalalitha's AIADMK, part of the recently launched "third front", is heading for a return to the main opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The decision on AIADMK rejoining the NDA is likely to be announced on Sep 20 when Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani "may drop in" at Jayalalitha's residence in Chennai "to say hello and share a cup of coffee", said a BJP senior leader working on reviving the alliance that died eight years ago.
Andhra Congress leader’s son sent to jail in murder case
By IANS
Hyderabad : A city court Wednesday remanded Venkat Rao, son of senior Andhra Pradesh Congress leader K. Keshava Rao, in judicial custody for two weeks in connection with the murder of Venkat's business partner.
Venkat, who was arrested by police from a hospital Monday, was produced before a magistrate at the Nampally Criminal Court, which sent him to judicial custody till Sep 26.
All UPA legislators in Jharkhand to get minister rank
By IANS
Ranchi : Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, to keep his fellow legislators in the ruling United Progressive Alliance well humoured, is planning to elevate those not in the cabinet to the posts of chairpersons of state boards and corporations.
The appointments, which carry ministerial trappings, are the anniversary gifts. The UPA government completes a year in office on Sep 17.
Pawar, Chidambaram get awards for parliament performance
By IANS
New Delhi : Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram are among four MPs chosen for the outstanding parliamentarian awards that will be presented by President Pratiba Patil Thursday.
Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sushma Swaraj will also receive the award at a function in parliament's central hall.
Karat urges PM to help notify tribal bill
By IANS
New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Wednesday sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention to notify a law aimed at protecting the rights of tribals over forest land and resources.
In a letter to the prime minister, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat alleged that the government's delay in issuing a notification of the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill 2006 was "inexplicable" as it was passed by both houses of parliament in December last year.
Pranab Mukherjee to decide Reliance gas pricing
By IANS
New Delhi : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will take a final decision on the controversial gas pricing formula suggested by Reliance Industries for discoveries in the Krishna-Godavari basin.
The decision to leave the matter to Mukherjee was taken after the high-powered committee set up under him by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met for the fourth time here Wednesday, officials said.
Orissa hit by VHP’s rail, road blockade
By IANS
Bhubaneswar : Thousands of activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Wednesday blocked roads and stopped trains in several places across Orissa to protest the Sethusamudram canal project in Tamil Nadu that they say will destroy a 'bridge' held sacred in Hindu mythology.
Activists blocked roads across the state from 8 a.m. and the strike has been successful, Omprakash Mohanty, a BJP leader, told IANS.
Sensitise children to save water: president
By IANS
New Delhi : President Pratibha Devisingh Patil Tuesday underscored the need for an extensive awareness campaign to sensitise people about water being a valuable commodity and to use it wisely.
In a valedictory address at the National Water Congress 2007 in the capital, the president said: "Our efforts to save every drop of water, by using it sensibly, would go a long way in improving water availability."
She emphasised the need to make children "water-literate" so that they understand that water is a valuable commodity and should be used carefully.
BJP, Sena mend ties; Advani meets Udhav
By IANS
New Delhi : In an effort to mend their ties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday reinforced its long-standing alliance with the Shiv Sena but denied that it was because of the prospect of an early general election.
Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani Tuesday hosted lunch for Shiv Sena executive president Udhav Thackeray in the capital. Also present were former Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi, BJP president Rajnath Singh, party general secretary and former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Gopinath Munde and some other senior party leaders.
N-deal panel to discuss Hyde Act implications
By IANS
New Delhi : The joint United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left panel on the India-US nuclear deal held its first meeting Tuesday with the government identifying the issues that need to be discussed. These include the implications of the Hyde Act and the 123 agreement on the country's foreign policy and nuclear programme.
N-deal committee meets, decides to discuss Hyde Act implication
By IANS
New Delhi : The joint United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left committee on the India-US nuclear deal held its first meeting Tuesday after weeks of sparring and decided on the framework of discussing the agreement and its impact on the country's foreign policy and independent nuclear programme.
The 15-member committee, with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee as its convenor, decided to discuss "the implications of the Hyde Act" on the 123 agreement and the country's self-reliance in nuclear energy during its upcoming meetings.
Apex court restores Karnataka MLA’s seat
By IANS
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Tuesday restored the Karnataka assembly seat of Congress legislator Y. Nagappa, suspending a Karnataka High court order that had set aside his election in April 2004 on grounds of alleged malpractices.
A bench comprising Justices B.N. Agarwal, P.P. Naolekar and D.K. Jain also issued notices among others to Karnataka-based advocate S. Prasanna Kumar, on whose petition the high court had set aside Nagappa's election last week.
The court stayed the high court's order on a petition by Nagappa.
‘Rank-holders’ await party ticket to Mysore civic polls
By V.S. Karnic, IANS
Bangalore : Naseema Khan, a middle-aged Mysore housewife and mother of two, is overjoyed. So are 29-year-old advocate S. Rekha and 52-year-old J.N. Lakshmana, a freelance journalist, and not without reason. They are among the top 10 rank-holders from a novel eligibility test to "select" candidates for a civic body poll.
All three will be contesting the Mysore City Municipal Corporation polls for the first time, provided the political parties give them ticket.
Chaos in Kerala assembly over minister’s role in rape case
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala assembly witnessed chaotic scenes Tuesday over state Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi's alleged involvement in a rape and murder case in 2004.
Gang rape victim Shari, a teenager, had died in mysterious circumstances in a private hospital in Kottayam in 2004. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, then the leader of the opposition, had claimed that the health of the girl deteriorated after a VIP visited her.
Third front collapsing, Amar wants to stick to Left
By IANS
New Delhi : Yet another 'third front' seems to be folding up within two months as the Samajwadi Party, a United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) constituent, rejected ally AIADMK's demand to keep distance from the Left parties.
"If some friends in the UNPA feel strongly about our friendship with the CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist), then it is for them to decide. You please go and ask (AIADMK chief) Jayalalitha. We are not willing to leave the Left parties," Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh told reporters here.
MPs play the blame game as parliament ends abruptly
By IANS
New Delhi : Acrimony, agitations and adjournments. Another parliament session ended ahead of schedule with little work being done and political parties blaming one another for the impasse.
The monsoon session, which began on Aug 10 and was scheduled to go on till Friday, ended abruptly Monday four days earlier, the third consecutive parliament session to do so.
While ruling party MPs blamed the opposition for making "unjustified" demands and creating a ruckus in the house, the opposition blamed the government's "insensitivity" for the early adjournment.
Samajwadi Party fields Chandra Shekhar’s younger son for his seat
By IANS
New Delhi : Former prime minister Chandra Shekhar's younger son Neeraj Shekhar will be contesting the Ballia Lok Sabha constituency - fallen vacant due to the death of his father - on the Samajwadi Party ticket, the party said Tuesday.
Chandra Shekhar, who had represented the same constituency for over a decade from the Samajwadi Janata Party, died July 8 after prolonged illness.
He is survived by two sons - Pankaj and Neeraj. There were reports that both were keen to inherit their father's political legacy.
Protests against Sonia’s UN visit, overseas Congress unfazed
By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York : A host of organisations have planned protests against Congress president Sonia Gandhi representing India at the UN in New York Oct 2, even as the Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC) here said that "disagreements in a democracy are a healthy sign".
India's ruling Congress chief is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly, which has acknowledged Mahatma Gandhi's birthday as International Day of Non-Violence.
Overseas Congress unfazed by protests against Sonia visit
By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York : The Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC) has reacted with indifference to protests planned against Sonia Gandhi representing India at the UN on Oct 2 - Non Violence Day - on grounds that she was a "contradiction to Mahatma Gandhi".
India's ruling Congress chief is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly, which has acknowledged Mahatma Gandhi's birthday as International Day of Non-Violence.
BJP on slippery ground in Jharkhand
By IANS
Ranchi : Being thrown out power and losing three Lok Sabha by-elections all within a year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is finding the going tough in Jharkhand with even alliance partner Janata Dal-United (JD-U) doubting its credibility.
"We should review the performance of the alliance and chalk out our future course of action," said JD-U legislator Radha Krishna Kishore, voicing his party's concern over the future of the partnership.
Government assesses Maoist violence
By IANS
New Delhi : With Maoist violence again flaring up in parts of the country, the central government Monday took stock of the worsening situation in Maoist-hit states and the developmental schemes being carried out there.
A meeting on the issue, chaired by union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, was held here and attended by secretaries and other senior officials of the ministries and departments of tribal affairs, rural development and primary education and environment and forests and panchayati raj.
Poll panel blames DMK MP for delay in prosecuting Jaya
By IANS
New Delhi : Ticked off by the Madras High Court for failing to promptly register a case of electoral malpractice against former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalitha in 2001, an embarrassed Election Commission Monday sought to put the blame for its failure on DMK parliamentarian C. Kuppuswami.
In an affidavit, the commission told the Supreme Court that before the poll panel could begin prosecuting Jayalalitha in 2001, DMK MP Kuppuswamy had moved the Madras High Court for a direction to prosecute her.
Dasmunsi slams opposition for house disruptions
By IANS
New Delhi : Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi Monday said the opposition appeared to be continuously disrupting parliament proceedings and preventing a debate on the Indo-US nuclear deal "for fear of its own exposure" on its relations with the US when it was in power.
Now political parties disrupt, they don’t debate: Pranab
By IANS
New Delhi : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Monday there was a discernible "change of attitude and approach" among political parties that were now ready to paralyse parliament frequently instead of debating differences on the floor of the house.
"Earlier, differences were aired through arguments and articulations. Now it is done by paralysing or obstructing (the proceedings)," he told reporters, pointing out that MPs would use "zero hour" to raise their differences and concerns.
Congress suspends Gujarat legislator
By IANS
Ahmedabad : The Gujarat unit of the Congress party Monday suspended its legislator Shanker Varli for six years after he attended an official function chaired by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Gujarat Congress president Bharat Solanki announced the suspension but gave no reason for the decision.
Varli, the legislator from Vapi in south Gujarat, along with Manish Gilitwala, the Congress legislator from Surat, had last month attended a state government-organised convention on fisheries, where Modi was also present.
Both houses of parliament adjourned sine die
By IANS
New Delhi : Both houses of parliament were Monday adjourned sine die, brining down the curtain on a stormy monsoon session four days ahead of schedule, amid opposition protests to demand a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the India-US nuclear deal.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die as the opposition showed no signs of relenting on its demand. The ruckus created by opposition MPs to support their demand has meant that hardly any business was transacted in parliament in the last one week.
Government rushes through bills in Rajya Sabha
By IANS
New Delhi : Two Bills were passed and another seeking improvement of living conditions of workers of the unorganised sector introduced in the Rajya Sabha Monday, even as a slightly thinned out opposition continued stalling the proceedings for the fifth consecutive day.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and AIADMK members' slogan shouting actually helped the government once again to complete some official business, including moving a bill on the unorganised sector not listed on the agenda despite protests by the Left members.
Andhra Congress chief offers to resign
By IANS
Hyderabad : Congress party chief in Andhra Pradesh K. Keshava Rao offered to resign Monday, a day after his son was charged with allegedly killing his business partner.
Keshava Rao, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP, told reporters that he decided to resign to facilitate an impartial probe into the incident. He added that he would go to New Delhi soon to submit his resignation to party president Sonia Gandhi.
"I don't want to interfere with the probe and hence I have decided to tender my resignation," he said.
Parliament adjourned over JPC demand
By IANS
New Delhi : Both houses of parliament were adjourned till 12 noon Monday as opposition demands for constituting a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the India-US civilian nuclear deal stalled proceedings.
In the Lok Sabha, the opposition raised the demand as soon as the house met and in the din, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi was heard saying that the government could not form a JPC to discuss a bilateral agreement as the constitution did not provide for this.
JPC demand on nuclear deal stalls parliament
By IANS
New Delhi : The Lok Sabha was adjourned twice Monday as opposition demands for constituting a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the India-US civilian nuclear deal stalled proceedings.
The house, which was first adjourned till 12 noon, was adjourned till 4 p.m. when it reconvened as opposition MPs refused to let the house function.
Before that, however, the government managed to secure approval for a bill to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934 with Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel pushing the measure through.
Blast rocks Srinagar ahead of Sonia’s arrival
By IANS
Srinagar : A powerful blast rocked the old city of Srinagar Monday, hours before Congress president Sonia Gandhi was scheduled to arrive here, injuring five women personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Police said separatist guerrillas detonated a pre-planted improvised explosive device (IED) near the high-security Srinagar Central Jail at Kathidarwaza, seven km from city centre Lal Chowk, as a CRPF vehicle carrying troopers passed the area.
JPC demand on nuke deal stalls parliament
By IANS
New Delhi : Opposition demands for constituting a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the India-US civilian nuclear deal stalled proceedings in the Lok Sabha Monday, forcing the adjournment of the house till 12 noon.
The opposition raised the demand as soon as the house met and in the din, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi was heard saying that the government could not form a JPC to discuss a bilateral agreement as the constitution did not provide for this.
UPA-Left panel on n-deal to work out modalities Tuesday
By Faraz Ahmad, IANS
New Delhi : The first meeting Tuesday of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left parties' panel to examine the implications of the India-US civil nuclear deal is unlikely to take up any substantive issues but will work out the modalities of the joint mechanism.
Advani’s role not peripheral in Babri Masjid demolition: Anupam Gupta
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi: Anupam Gupta, lawyer for the Liberhan Commission blamed L. K. Advani for the destruction of the Babri Masjid on 6th December 1992.
In an interview given to the news magazine Outlook, Gupta said that “it is inconceivable that the masjid could have been demolished without the movement preceding it.”
Jayalalitha criticises Amar Singh over N-deal panel
By IANS
Chennai : AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha Sunday criticised fellow United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) leader Amar Singh of the Samajwadi Party for stating that the government could set up some mechanism other than a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to look into the Indo-US nuclear deal.
In a press release, Jayalalitha said, "The UNPA has not taken such a standpoint on the nuclear deal stand-off with the UPA government," and added, "The views of Amar Singh would have to be treated as those of his own and his party's alone."
DMDK lambasts Karunanidhi government in Tamil Nadu
By IANS
Chennai : Actor turned politician Vijaykanth, the president of DMDK, Sunday accused the Karunanidhi government in Tamil Nadu of indulging in "large scale corruption".
"Corruption has doubled in the current regime from what it was earlier. Food, clothing, shelter, education and health for all should be the priority of the government," Vijaykanth said at a gathering here to induct 2,000 people into his party.
Congress-led UPA could win snap poll
By IANS
New Delhi : The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) would easily retain power if a snap parliamentary poll is held now, though the Left allies' strident stand on the India-US nuclear deal poses some political uncertainty, a survey has indicated.
10 injured in Left clashes with police in Hyderabad
By IANS
Hyderabad : At least 10 persons were injured, one of them seriously, when hundreds of workers of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) clashed with the police while trying to lay siege to state revenue minister Dharmana Prasad Rao's house here.
Tension prevailed in the high security Ministers' Quarters in the upmarket Banjara Hills neighbourhood as CPI-M activists, mostly women, broke the police barricades and entered the VIP zone in an attempt to lay siege to the minister's house. The area has houses of several state ministers.
PM wants review on Congress’ stance on Telangana demand
By Liz Mathew, IANS
New Delhi : Faced with the prospect of the Congress losing its vote base in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh if it dithers on its promise to grant it statehood, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is believed to have suggested a review of the party's official stance of delaying bifurcation of the state.
Manmohan Singh is believed to have asked a Congress delegation from Telangana that visited him last week to consult the state party in-charge Digvijay Singh and apprise him of the "ground realities".
Left warns UPA against ties with US
By IANS
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Sep 8 (IANS) Warning the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) against strategic ties as well as the nuclear deal with the US, the Left parties Saturday asked the government to choose between Washington and their Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for governance.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat said the time has come for the UPA leadership to decide and tell people whether it would abide by the commitment to the US or to the CMP.
Broadcast bill unlikely in monsoon session
By IANS
New Delhi : With the government accepting the demand of broadcasters and stakeholders for more debate on the proposed Broadcast Bill at a meeting here Friday night, it is almost certain that the controversial bill will not be tabled during the monsoon session of parliament that ends Sep 14.
PMK criticised DMK government for ‘inequitable development’
By IANS
Chennai : Underling the strained ties between the allies, the PMK Saturday criticised Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK for its "inequitable" industrial policy and suggested an alternative roadmap for the state's development.
The M. Karunanidhi government's industrial policy is "inequitable and jobloss-driven", PMK chief S. Ramadoss told the media here.
"The rich get richer, poor get poorer and there is nothing for the development of the common man," he said for the current development model.
It’s almost final: no broadcast bill in monsoon session
By IANS
New Delhi : After broadcasters, editors and cable operators raised a host of issues over the government's proposed broadcasting bill at a meeting with Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi Friday night, it is now almost certain that the bill will not be tabled during the ongoing monsoon session of parliament that ends Sep 14.
Achuthanandan is protecting land mafia: Chandy
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala's Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy Saturday accused Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan of protecting land mafia in the state after the latter ruled out any probe into the controversial purchase of forestland by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Achuthanandan was scared of initiating an inquiry, Chandy told reporters in his hometown Kottayam, 150 km from here.
Ban on campus polls in Uttar Pradesh questioned
By IANS
Lucknow : Students' unions and political parties in Uttar Pradesh are questioning Chief Minister Mayawati's "undemocratic" decision to ban students' union elections in all universities and affiliated colleges in the state on the ground they were "vitiating" the atmosphere and creating law and order problems.
Several former office bearers of the Lucknow University Students' Union are upset with the decision announced late Friday and some former academicians, including a vice chancellor, have questioned the move.
Congress students’ wing sweeps Delhi University polls
By IANS
New Delhi : The ruling Congress in Delhi got a boost a few months ahead of scheduled assembly polls when its students' wing National Students' Union of India (NSUI) swept the election to the prestigious Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) Saturday.
Though the traditional position of DUSU elections as a bellwether of the capital's politics is now in question with only 25 percent of the students bothering to vote on Friday, the victory did not stop frenzied celebrations at north and south campuses and around various colleges.
Students, parties oppose Mayawati ban on union elections
By IANS
Lucknow : Students and political parties in Uttar Pradesh are up in arms against Chief Minister Mayawati's "undemocratic" decision to ban student union elections in all universities and affiliated colleges in the state.
Several former office bearers of the Lucknow University Students Union are upset with the decision announced late Friday and some former academicians, including a vice chancellor, have questioned the move.
ISRO land deal finalised by Congress government: Achuthanandan
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Friday sought to turn the tables on the opposition over the controversial purchase of forestland by Indian space agency ISRO, by stating that the deal was struck during the earlier Congress regime in 2005.
Achuthanandan said: "The deal for purchase of land by Savy Mano Mathew (who in turn sold it to ISRO) took place in March 2005 and the documents for the land were made out by him in June 2005 when Oommen Chandy and then revenue minister K.M. Mani were controlling the affairs here."
DMK, Left oppose Ramadoss’ rural service proposal
By IANS
Chennai : Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss may have good intentions but even in his home state Tamil Nadu, his allies the DMK and the Left parties are opposed to his suggestion that medical college students be given their degrees only when they complete a year's service in rural areas.
Ramadoss' proposal was criticised Friday by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi even as the minister announced the country's first 200-acre medical park, to be set up in Chengalpet, outside Chennai, as a major manufacturing centre for high-end medical hardware.
Ban exit, opinion polls, urge Rajya Sabha MPs
By IANS
New Delhi : Cutting across party lines, several MPs in the Rajya Sabha Friday urged political parties to jointly approach the Supreme Court to ban exit and opinion polls as these interfered with the election process.
"A ban on these polls is vital for cleaner polity in the country," said former chief election commissioner (CEC) and Rajya Sabha member M.S. Gill.
"A decision on this has been lingering in the apex court for too long," he said, making a plea to all political parties to unite and "push the matter".
Government not to give up treaty-making power
By IANS
New Delhi : The central government Friday told the Lok Sabha that it had no plans to dilute its treaty-making power and let parliament regulate and control it.
"The government does not propose any amendment to the constitution regarding international treaties and agreements to come into effect only after they are ratified by the parliament," Minister of State for Law and Justice K. Venkatapathy told the lower house in a response to a query.
Exorcise ghosts of the past, says PM
By IANS
New Delhi : In what appeared to be an allusion to the ongoing debate on the civilian nuclear deal with the US, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday called for exorcising the ghosts of the past "so that India may truly make its tryst with destiny".
"The world is looking at India with renewed hope, as it did in the first decade after Independence. This is, I believe, India's moment, let us not dither; let us not shy away in fear of some ghosts in our mind so that India may truly make its tryst with destiny," the prime minister maintained.
CPI-M urges all MPs to ponder on n-deal implications
By IANS
New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday urged parliamentarians to "seriously" consider the India-US nuclear deal and whether it would bind the country in a relationship that goes against its national sovereignty and independent foreign policy.
Taking their war against the nuclear deal with Washington a step ahead, the CPI-M released an open letter for members of parliament listing its apprehensions and concerns over the agreement.
Rajya Sabha passes bill amidst opposition din
By IANS
New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha Friday passed a bill in a record 10 minutes even as the opposition continued to disrupt the proceedings, demanding that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) be set up to examine the India-US nuclear agreement.
Shipping and Transport Minister T. R. Baalu secured the passage of the Carriage by Road Bill together with amendments of 18 clauses of the initially proposed bill that has long-term implications for truckers and road transporters.
Achuthanandan running away from ISRO land scam: opposition
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The Congress-led opposition Friday accused Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan of rescinding on his promise to make a statement on the controversy around Indian space agency ISRO purchasing forest land in Kerala.
"He had assured the assembly Wednesday that he would, after verifying everything, make a statement on whether the issue raised by me was right or Forest Minister Binoy Viswom was right. Today he has run away, failing to make a statement, which means that my statement is right," Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy told reporters here.
Sonia in New York on Oct 2 for Non-Violence Day
By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York : India's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi will be in New York for two days next month in connection with the UN observing Oct 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, as International Day of Non-Violence.
The day before, on Oct 1, Gandhi will also attend a reception hosted in her honour by the Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC) at Manhattan's Marriott hotel.
JPC demand stalls parliament again
By IANS
New Delhi : Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned Friday after the opposition disrupted proceedings demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the Indo-US nuclear deal.
While the Lok Sabha was adjourned twice, the upper house was adjourned for an hour in the morning.
In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee paid tribute to former MP Tarakeshwari Sinha who died last month. Soon after, opposition leaders began shouting slogans like "We want JPC" and "JPC lao desh ko Bachao" (Set up JPC, save the nation).
Congress MP ‘caught’ with two women in Haryana rest house
By IANS
Narwarna (Haryana) : In an embarrassing brouhaha, a Congress MP was found in a government rest house here with two women - with local residents claiming suspicious activity but police stating that they were his relatives.
Sirsa MP Atma Singh Gill found himself in a spot Thursday night when local people surrounded the rest house on the outskirts of this town and the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) and police officials opened his room.
Parliament adjourned over JPC demand
By IANS
New Delhi : Both houses of parliament were adjourned for an hour Friday after the opposition disrupted proceedings demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon.
In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee paid tribute to former MP Tarakeshwari Sinha who died last month. Soon after opposition leaders began shouting slogans like "We want JPC" and "JPC lao desh ko Bachao" (Set up JPC, save the nation).
MP-wrestler Dara Singh’s son held for assaulting wife
By IANS
Chandigarh : Amrik Singh, son of Rajya Sabha MP and legendary wrestler-actor Dara Singh, was Friday arrested here for allegedly assaulting and outraging the modesty of his own wife.
Amrik was arrested with three others, including his maternal uncle and lawyer, following a complaint made by his wife Amrita Randhawa.
He has been charged with outraging the modesty of his wife, assault and trespass, a police official investigating the case said.
Congress, Left criticise BJP for ‘disruptive’ politics
By IANS
New Delhi : The Congress and Left parties Thursday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was indulging in disruptive politics and denying parliament opportunities to debate major issues like the nuclear agreement with the US and a report on the socio-economic condition of Muslims.
"It is a never-do-anything opposition. It comes, disrupts and departs. They have become a national disruptive alliance," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.
Mamata parts ways with NDA, BJP not surprised
By IANS
Kolkata/New Delhi : After months of keeping the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leadership on the edge, Trinamool Congress (TC) chief Mamata Banerjee Thursday finally took the plunge and severed her nine-year long association with the opposition grouping.
Banerjee did not explicitly state her reasons for the final break-up, except asserting that her party would "try to help" minorities. She also said her party would "go it alone for now".
UPA-Left committee findings binding on government: CPI
By IANS
New Delhi : The findings of the 15-member United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left committee on the India-US nuclear deal will be binding on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government, the Communist Party of India (CPI) said Thursday.
Dismissing Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal's remarks that the government would not be bound to accept the views expressed by the Left representatives in the committee, CPI national secretary D. Raja said the government would have to take into account the communist concerns before the deal is operationalised.
Government offers opposition ‘mechanism’ to study n-deal
By IANS
New Delhi : The government, after rejecting the opposition demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to study the implications of the India-US nuclear deal, Thursday offered it any other "mechanism" including one similar to a committee of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the Left parties.
Mamata severs ties with National Democratic Alliance
By IANS
Kolkata : In a surprise announcement Thursday, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee formally severed ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). She cited no reasons, but said her party would "try to help" minorities and go it alone for now.
"I want you to know that we have severed our ties with the NDA," Banerjee said, addressing a Madrassa Students Union here.
Karunanidhi strangling democracy: Jayalalitha
By IANS
Chennai : Tamil Nadu leader of opposition J. Jayalalitha Thursday accused Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi of attempting to "intimidate" her and said he was "strangling" democracy in the state.
Jayalalitha was reacting to Karunanidhi's comments a few days ago that she should "draw punishment under criminal law" for alleging that the government was ignoring reports from the Intelligence Bureau.
"Karunanidhi fears losing power and is afraid of the growing support" for AIADMK, she said.
Kerala Assembly witnesses uproar over ISRO land deal
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala assembly witnessed chaotic scenes Thursday as the opposition again raised the issue of the controversial land purchased by the Indian Space Research Institute (ISRO) for setting up an institute.
Former minister and Congress leader K.C. Venugopal sought leave to move an adjournment motion to discuss the alleged attack on state Congress president Ramesh Chennithala during his visit to the controversial land in Ponmudi Wednesday.
Vote and earn Rs.1,750, says Chhattisgarh party
By Sujeet Kumar, IANS
Raipur : A political outfit in Chhattisgarh has offered to pay Rs.1,750 every month to those who cast a vote in its favour. But there's a catch: it will make the payments only if it comes to power!
Chhattisgarh Vikas Party, a party formed in February last year that promises justice to the indigenous inhabitants of the state, has rolled out several attractive promises to voters in Chhattisgarh that is going to assembly polls in late 2008.
Parliament adjourned for the day over JPC demand
By IANS
New Delhi : Both houses of parliament were adjourned for the day Thursday following persistent commotion raised by the opposition MPs who were demanding a joint parliamentary committee to examine the Indo-US nuclear deal.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which met at 2 p.m. after two adjournments, were adjourned for the day with the opposition National Democratic Alliance continuing to disrupt proceedings. The houses were first adjourned till 12 noon, and then again till 2 p.m.
Parliament adjourned again over JPC demand
By IANS
New Delhi : Continuous din by the opposition demanding a joint parliamentary committee to examine the Indo-US nuclear deal led to a second adjournment of both houses of parliament Thursday.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned again till 2 p.m. after both houses met at 12 noon after the first adjournment.
MPs protest five-nation naval exercises
By IANS
New Delhi : MPs of the Left, Samajwadi Party and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) shouted slogans and held a sit-in outside the main entrance of Parliament House Thursday morning to protest the ongoing five-nation naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal.
Almost 50 MPs took part in the 15-minute protest and raised slogans like "UPA government should come to its senses" and "Stop ties with imperialist forces".
Parliament adjourned over JPC demand
By IANS
New Delhi : Both houses of parliament were adjourned for an hour Thursday morning after the opposition disrupted proceedings demanding a joint parliamentary committee to go into the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon.
As the Lok Sabha met, newly-elected Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP from Jamshedpur Suman Mahto, wife of slain MP Sunil Mahto, was administered the oath.
MPs protest naval exercises outside parliament
By IANS
New Delhi : MPs of the Left, Samajwadi Party and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) shouted slogans and held a sit-in outside the main entrance of Parliament House Thursday morning to protest against the ongoing five-nation naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal. The US is one of the five.
Almost 50 MPs took part in the 15-minute sit-in and raised slogans like "UPA government should come to its senses" and "Stop ties with imperialist forces".
Probe ordered against former Kerala minister
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala government Wednesday decided to institute a judicial inquiry into a controversial land deal involving T.U. Kuruvilla who Monday resigned as public works minister following charges of fraud.
A sitting judge of the Kerala High Court will head the inquiry, the state cabinet decided at its meeting here.
After the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) last week indicated ordering a probe, Kuruvilla submitted his resignation to Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Monday.
Hooda expands cabinet, reshuffles portfolios
By IANS
Chandigarh : Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda expanded his cabinet Wednesday evening by inducting two new faces and reshuffled portfolios of some ministers.
The two new ministers, Mange Ram Gupta and A.C. Chaudhari, were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor A.R. Kidwai at the Governor House here.
Both had been ministers in the state in 1990s.
‘Chak De! India’ gets tax exemption in Haryana
By IANS
Chandigarh : Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Chak De! India" will now enjoy an exemption on entertainment duty for two weeks across theatres in Haryana following an order by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda Wednesday.
The chief minister and some of his ministerial colleagues had watched the blockbuster at a local multiplex here last week.
The film has been exempted from the liability of paying entertainment duty under the Punjab Entertainment Duty Act.
Parliament ruckus on N-deal may force early adjournment
By IANS
New Delhi : Political oneupmanship and continuous interruptions by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led opposition over the India-US nuclear deal may force early adjournment of parliament's ongoing monsoon session.
With a belligerent BJP steadfastly opposing the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) decision to form a 15-member committee to examine the nuclear deal, several important issues on the agenda like the government's contentious decision to import wheat, a report on the socio-economic condition of Muslims and the nuclear pact, may have to wait.
CPI-M flays wheat import at high prices
By IANS
New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Wednesday condemned the government's decision to import nearly 800,000 tonnes of wheat at Rs.1,600 per quintal.
"When the production of wheat increased by six million tonnes to nearly 75 million tones this year, there was absolutely no justification for such an import. It will only benefit the MNCs in European countries who have got a lucrative price," the party said in a statement.
Opposition demands parliamentary panel on N-deal
By IANS
New Delhi : Both houses of parliament were adjourned repeatedly Wednesday over opposition demands for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to study the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, saying the nuclear issue was "no family affair" of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the Left.
Azad gives clean chit to Qazi, asks him to continue
By IANS
Srinagar : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has rejected the resignation of senior People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Urban Development Minister Qazi Muhammad Afzal.
Qazi had Tuesday tendered his resignation from the council of ministers after Azad stripped him of the forest portfolio.
In a dramatic turn of events, the chief minister wrote a letter to Qazi late Tuesday not only rejecting his resignation but also giving him a clean chit.
Communists start second anti-naval exercise rally from Chennai
By IANS
Chennai : The Left parties Wednesday began a rally from Chennai to Eastern Naval Command headquarters at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to protest the five-nation joint naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal and the Indo-US nuclear deal.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M) Prakash Karat and his counterpart in the Communist Party of India (CPI) D. Raja led the rally.
Lok Sabha adjourned over nuclear deal
By IANS
New Delhi : The Indo-US nuclear deal was again the focus of ire in the Lok Sabha Wednesday with the opposition and the Samajwadi Party noisily demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe and an exasperated speaker adjourning the house.
Speaker Somnath Chatterjee adjourned the house for half hour till 11.30 a.m. after the protesting MPs disrupted question hour over their demand for a JPC to address their concerns on the controversial deal.
PDP minister resigns from J&K cabinet; Fresh clouds of controversy over coalition sky
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : The clouds of uncertainty and controversies have once again started hovering over the skies of coalition alliance in Jammu and Kashmir. Qazi Muhammad Afzal, Minister for Housing and Urban Development Department and `Man Friday' of former chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed tendered his resignation from the state cabinet, here today.
UPA-Left panel on n-deal ‘in a day or two’
By IANS
New Delhi : Even as the Left parties warned against going ahead with the India-US civil nuclear deal, the government Tuesday said a joint committee to examine the deal will be formed "in a day or two" but was silent on the composition of the panel.
"It will be formed in a day or two," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who has emerged as the main trouble shooter for the government, told reporters here on the margins of a conference of editors of the IBSA countries comprising India, Brazil and South Africa.
No threat to India’s sovereignty: Paswan
By IANS
New Delhi : There is no threat to India's sovereignty and integrity from the US or any other country, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) president and Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said Tuesday, allaying the Left parties' apprehension.
"However, our Left friends also have a point. They have a history of opposing the US and they have a case there," he told reporters, replying to queries on the India-US civil nuclear deal.
Jammu and Kashmir minister Qazi Afzal steps down
By IANS
Srinagar : Qazi Muhammad Afzal, senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and housing and urban development minister, Tuesday resigned from the cabinet after he was divested of the forest portfolio following corruption charges.
Speaking to IANS, Qazi said: "I was divested of the forest portfolio by the chief minister without assigning any reason and without taking my party high command into confidence. So, I have decided to step down on moral grounds."
Bengal communists join march against Indo-US naval exercise
By IANS
Kolkata : Leaders and activists of West Bengal's ruling Left Front Tuesday set out for Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to join a protest gathering there against five-nation joint naval exercise, also involving the navies of India and the US, in the Bay of Bengal.
The group, comprising 85 members from all constituents of the Left Front and led by Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A.B. Bardhan, will reach Visakhapatnam Sep 8 via Kharagpur in West Bengal, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in Orissa and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh.
Jaya, Karunanidhi in war of words on terror
By IANS
Chennai : Even as security in Chennai has been beefed up following a high alert, the two main political parties began their own war of words on terror. In response to opposition AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha's accusation that the government was unconcerned despite the intelligence advisory, Chief Minister K. Karuanidhi retorted Tuesday that her statements were aimed to "terrify the people".
Jharkhand to hike former legislators’ pension
By IANS
Ranchi : The Jharkhand government is planning to bring a bill in next session of the assembly to increase pension and other facilities for the former legislators.
Former legislators who at present get a monthly pension of Rs.3,000 will get Rs.8,000. The annual increment will be hiked from Rs.500 to Rs.800.
According to official sources, while at present the former legislators enjoy travelling allowances up to Rs.100,000, it would be doubled at Rs.200,000 if the proposed bill is cleared by the assembly.
Uma Bharti castigates BJP, calls it a ‘party of hypocrites’
BJP has already cashed Hindutva cheque
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: Bharatiya Jan Shakti, (BJS), president Ms Uma Bharti has said that Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), has gone down in the eyes of the people which has ignored the principles of character and honesty and indulged into corruption unhesitatingly, thereby making its claim of a party with a difference sound hollow to the core.
‘UPA, Left committee on Indo-US N-deal in a day or two’
By IANS
New Delhi : A committee to examine the India-US civil nuclear deal, with members drawn from the constituents of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Left parties, will be formed within a couple of days, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here Tuesday.
"It will be formed in a day or two," the minister, who has emerged as the main troubleshooter for the government, told reporters on the margins of a seminar here, when asked when the names of the panel members would be announced.
Jaitley meets rebel BJP leader ahead of polls
By IANS
Gandhinagar : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley, visiting Gujarat to placate party rebels ahead of the assembly elections later this year, met former chief minister and BJP leader Keshubhai Patel Monday.
Jaitley, in charge of the party's Gujarat affairs, conferred with Patel, who has emerged as the rallying point of dissidents. The meeting at Patel's residence lasted an hour at the end of which Jaitley said they discussed the strategy for the assembly polls.
UPA, Left differences deepen over ties with US
By IANS
New Delhi : Refusing to bury its differences with the government over the India-US nuclear deal and the strategic relations between the two countries, the Left Monday openly attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his proximity with Washington.