India Politics

India Politics

Jaitley launches website against Pratibha Patil

By IANS

New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday intensified its campaign against Pratibha Patil, launching a website and releasing a booklet on its allegations on the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential candidate.

CPI-M publications should work within party ideology: Karat

By IANS

New Delhi : Questioning the decision of its Malayalam mouthpiece Deshabhimani to get financial support from a person of "dubious" reputation, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary has urged party publications to work within the framework of communist ideology and principles.

Kalam gets flak for remarks on politicians

By IANS

New Delhi : President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's comment that people were looking to the judiciary as their only hope has been criticised as unbecoming and improper by politicians of both the Congress and the opposition BJP.

Vice presidential election on Aug 10

By IANS

New Delhi : The election for the post of vice president will be held on Aug 10.

The last date for nominations is July 23 and the papers will be scrutinised the next day, according to an official notification Monday.

The last date for withdrawal of nominations is July 26.

Chandra Shekhar cremated with full honours

By IANS

New Delhi : The body of Chandra Shekhar, who rose from an impoverished childhood to become India's prime minister, was Monday consigned to flames on the banks of the Yamuna river near Rajghat at a state funeral attended by the nation's political elite, socialist comrades-in-arms and hundreds of loyal followers of an essentially lonely politician.

National mourning halts campaign

By IANS

New Delhi : The campaign for the presidential poll took a break Monday with major political parties calling off their programmes following the death of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar.

Poll panel files petition against Jayalalitha

By IANS

Chennai : The Election Commission Monday filed a petition in a Tamil Nadu court against AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha for filing nominations from more than two constituencies in the 2001 assembly elections in the state.

Chandra Shekhar, former PM, cremated with full honours

By IANS

New Delhi : The body of Chandra Shekhar, the man who rose from an impoverished childhood to become prime minister of India, was Monday consigned to the flames on the banks of the Yamuna near Rajghat - a cremation attended by the nation's political elite, socialist comrade-in-arms and hundreds of loyal followers of an essentially lonely politician.

Chhattisgarh assembly pays tributes to Chandra Shekhar

By IANS

Raipur : The Chhattisgarh assembly Monday paid rich tributes to former prime minister Chandra Shekhar who died in New Delhi Sunday.

CPI-M to protest UPA policies, support to continue

By IANS

New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) is unhappy with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government and its policies, but it does not plan to withdraw support to it as it would "only help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the rightwing forces," says a party document.

Ministers doll up houses in impoverished Jharkhand

By IANS

Ranchi : Economically backward Jharkhand may be struggling to fulfil the basic needs of those 54 percent of its population who live below the poverty line, but ministers are busy blowing up millions on renovating their official homes.

Kalam to leave personal touch as he moves out

By Liz Mathew and Sri Krishna, IANS 

New Delhi : With barely two weeks to go before he leaves the presidential palace, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has planned a special farewell party for the Rashtrapati Bhavan staff - the first such gesture from a president. `

Old comrades, diehard socialists pay last homage to Chandra Shekhar

By IANS

New Delhi : There was no mass mourning or emotional hysteria. The mood was sombre and the crowds rather thin.

High court defers hearing on plea against Patil

By IANS

New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Monday deferred till Sep 24 the hearing of a petition asking the Election Commission to cancel the nomination papers of United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) presidential nominee Pratibha Patil.

Kerala assembly adjourns after tributes to Chandra Shekhar

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala assembly was adjourned Monday after condoling the death of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar.

Mamata wishes Basu on his birthday

By IANS

Kolkata : Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee late Sunday met communist patriarch and former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu, who turned 94, and wished him good health.

State funeral for Chandra Shekhar, cabinet condoles death

By IANS

New Delhi : The union cabinet Sunday condoled the death of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar who would be cremated with full state honours near Rajghat Monday.

Presidential poll: legislators can vote from other states

By IANS

New Delhi : Legislators of a state, unable to cast their votes for the July 19 presidential election in their state assembly or parliament, can exercise their franchise in other state assemblies too, the Election Commission said Sunday.

Former PM Chandra Shekhar dead; had appointed Manmohan as adviser

By IANS

New Delhi : Chandra Shekhar, India's 8th (Eds: correct) prime minister who headed a shaky minority government for just seven months in 1990-91 but remained one of the country's most respected politicians, died here Sunday morning after a long battle against bone cancer. He died a week after his 80th birthday.

Chandra Shekhar to be cremated near Rajghat

By IANS

New Delhi : Former prime minister Chandra Shekhar will be accorded a state funeral Monday with his cremation slated to take place near Rajghat next to the memorials to former presidents Zail Singh, Shankar Dayal Sharma and K.R. Narayanan on the banks of the river Yamuna.

Tamil Nadu leaders condole Chandra Shekhar’s death

By IANS

Chennai : Political leaders in Tamil Nadu Sunday condoled the death of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar, saying it was a "mammoth loss to the nation".

Chandra Shekhar brought Singh into government for first time

By IANS

New Delhi : It is a little known fact that before then prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao brought Manmohan Singh into the cabinet as finance minister in 1991, it was his predecessor Chandra Shekhar who inducted him into the administration as his economic adviser a year earlier.

Kalam condoles death of Chandra Shekhar

By IANS

New Delhi : President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Sunday condoled the death of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar saying the country had lost a personality who contributed to nation building.

Former PM Chandra Shekhar dies; had appointed Manmohan as adviser

By IANS

New Delhi : Chandra Shekhar, India's 8th (Eds: correct) prime minister who headed a wobbly coalition government for just seven months in 1990-91 but remained one of the country's most respected politicians, died here Sunday morning after a long battle against bone cancer. He was 80.

Uma Bharati to protest canal project, police slaps case

By IANS

Tiruchirapally : Bharatiya Janashakti Party leader Uma Bharati has announced plans to lead a march from Rameswaram to Ayodhya to protest a canal project that could destroy the Ram Setu or Adam's Bridge in south India.

Former PMs and friends pay tribute to Chandra Shekhar

By IANS

New Delhi : The tributes were rich and heartfelt Sunday as leaders across the political spectrum condoled the death of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar and expressed their anguish over a void that would be "difficult to fill".

Jyoti Basu turns 94, urges opposition to back industrialisation

By IANS

Kolkata : Communist patriarch Jyoti Basu turned 94 Sunday and urged the opposition at a function here to back the state government's industrialisation policy, saying what the Left government was doing was "not bad after all".

Uma Bharti plans march to protest canal project

By IANS

Tiruchirapally : Bharatiya Janashakti Party leader Uma Bharti has said she will lead a march from Rameswaram to Ayodhya demanding that the Ram Setu or Adam's Bridge in south India be protected and given heritage status.

An angry young man of politics till the end

By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS

New Delhi : Chandra Shekhar, who was a committed socialist and a rebel all through his life, became prime minister in 1990 by conspiring against the very government he had helped to form the previous year.

Patil in Kashmir, Azad assures full support

By IANS

Srinagar : Pratibha Patil, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential nominee, visited Jammu and Kashmir Saturday as Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad pledged full support to her.

Pratibha Patil in Chandigarh to meet legislators

By IANS

Chandigarh : Pratibha Patil, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential nominee, arrived in Chandigarh Saturday afternoon to meet legislators and MPs from Punjab and Haryana ahead of the July 19 election.

NDA demands probe into Patil’s ‘misuse’ of MPLAD funds

By IANSNew Delhi : Allegations that United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nominee for President Pratibha Patil had misused funds from the MP Local Area Development...

Presidential campaign gets murkier, BJP targets ‘foreigner’ Sonia

By IANS

New Delhi : Even as ruling alliance presidential candidate Pratibha Patil Saturday visited Jammu and Kashmir for campaigning, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) targeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin.

My election will be a victory of citizens: Patil

By IANS

Hyderabad : Pratibha Patil, presidential candidate of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Friday said her election to the highest office of the country would be a victory of "crores of citizens of the country".

Tough times for NDA as Shekhawat suffers day of setbacks

By IANS

New Delhi : The opposition National Democratic Alliance's hopes of giving ruling alliance nominee Pratibha Patil a tough fight in the presidential poll received a double jolt Friday - from the Election Commission and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Vajpayee targets nuclear task force, slams US’ Hyde Act

By IANS

New Delhi : Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Friday charged that the government's decision to set up a task force on non-proliferation was aimed at "bringing India's policies in conformity with the Hyde Act" passed by the US Congress and which would impact upon New Delhi's freedom to conduct a nuclear test.

Come clean on charges, Congress tells Shekhawat

By IANS

New Delhi : In a counter-attack, the ruling Congress Friday asked Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who is fighting the presidential poll as an independent backed by the opposition, to come clean on the "serious allegations" in the media against him.

It’s getting tougher for Shekhawat, Patil dismisses charges

By IANS

New Delhi : The opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Friday seemed to be losing hope of giving a tough fight to ruling alliance nominee Pratibha Patil in the presidential poll even as she dismissed the charges against her as attempts to malign her.

Mulayam says no to Shekhawat, Shiv Sena adamant on Patil

By IANS

New Delhi : Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who is contesting for president as an independent backed by the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), received a jolt Friday as the Samajwadi Party declined to support him in the July 19 election.

House adjourned over contradictory statements on Tata land

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala assembly was adjourned Friday when the opposition Congress asked Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan to pinpoint the location of the 1,280 acres in Munnar that the government claimed to have recovered from the Tata group.

Indian Vice Presidential poll on August 10

By NNN-PTI

New Delhi : The election for the post of Vice President will be held on August 10 to elect a successor to incumbent Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

The election will be held close on the heels of the Presidential poll on July 19 in which Shekhawat is locked up in a straight fight with UPA-Left nominee Pratibha Patil.

According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the notification for the Vice Presidential poll would be issued on July 9.

Kerala promises Pratibha Patil 100 percent votes

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram : The ruling Left in Kerala and the Congress Thursday set aside their rivalry to support Pratibha Patil, assuring her of 100 percent votes from the state in the July 19 presidential poll.

Patil’s the right choice: PM

By IANS

New Delhi : Dismissing again all charges against Pratibha Patil as "unsubstantiated", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential candidate was the "right choice" and an "outstanding candidate".

BJP persists with charges as Patil visits southern states

By IANS

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram : Ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nominee Pratibha Patil arrived in Kerala Thursday as part of her cross-country campaign to become India's first woman president even while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued to insist that she was unfit to occupy the nation's highest post.

Vice presidential election Aug 10

By IANS

New Delhi : Election to the vice president's post will be held on Aug 10, the Election Commission announced Thursday.

BJP’s campaign against Patil demeaning: CPI-M

By IANS

New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) says the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stooped to a new low with its "mudslinging" against Pratibha Patil, the ruling United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) presidential nominee.

Presidential poll campaign kicks off in Karnataka

By IANS

Bangalore : Galvanised by United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) presidential nominee Pratibha Patil's impending visit to Karnataka Friday, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have stepped up efforts to gather votes from legislators.

Karunakaran turns 89

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram : Veteran politician and former Congress leader K. Karunakaran turned 89 Thursday.

Congress-Left: at war in Kerala, but united front for Patil

By Liz Mathew, IANS

New Delhi : At war in the state and allies at the centre, the Congress in Kerala is readying for an agitation against the Left government on corruption even as the two parties prepare to welcome their presidential nominee Pratibha Patil in Thiruvananthapuram Thursday.

Presidential candidates settle down to campaigning

By IANS

New Delhi : United Progressive Allliance (UPA) nominee Pratibha Patil and Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, backed by the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), got down to some serious campaigning in the Indian presidential election as the deadline for withdrawal of candidature ended Wednesday.

All allegations are motivated: Patil

 By IANS

New Delhi : Pratibha Patil, the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential nominee, Wednesday denied allegations of wrongdoing against her, saying they are "motivated".

No official vehicles for presidential campaign

By IANS

New Delhi : The Election Commission Tuesday prohibited Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Pratibha Patil, rival candidates for the July 19 presidential poll, from using any government machinery including vehicles or aircraft for their election campaign.

Congress gathers ammunition against Shekhawat

By IANS

New Delhi : In a move to counter the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) stepped up campaign against its presidential nominee Pratibha Patil, the Congress plans to launch an attack against the opposition-backed candidate, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

Supreme Court dismisses plea against Patil’s candidature

By IANS

New Delhi : The Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking directions to the Election Commission to cancel the nomination papers of United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) presidential candidate Pratibha Patil on the ground that she was in debt to the public exchequer.

BJP campaign against Patil dilutes democratic norms: UPA

By IANS

New Delhi : The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Tuesday condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led opposition's "smear campaign" against their presidential candidate Pratibha Patil and said it was destroying "the very sanctity of the constitutional process".

Mayawati handpicks efficient officials to head administration

By Sharat Pradhan, IANS

Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh has got a new chief secretary and a new police chief, and both men say they are determined to put the country's most populous state on the fast track after Chief Minister Mayawati promised not to interfere in their functioning.

Finally, Indian communists take to caste mobilisation

By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS

New Delhi : After asserting for decades that only class matters, Indian communists are finally organising the poorest of the poor, the Dalits in particular, along caste lines.

Patil, Shekhawat locked in straight fight in Indian Presidential poll

By NNN-PTI

New Delhi : The July 19 Presidential poll will witness a straight fight between UPA-Left nominee Pratibha Patil and NDA-backed independent Bhairon Singh Shekhawat after all other nomination papers were rejected Monday.

All the four sets of nomination papers of Patil and two sets of Shekhawat were found valid on scrutiny, Lok Sabha Secretary General, P D T Achary, who is also the Returning Officer, announced at a press conference.

He said all other nomination papers were rejected on scrutiny. 

Patil faces legal hurdles before presidential election

By IANS

New Delhi : United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential nominee Pratibha Patil faces legal hurdles ahead of the July 19 election with the Supreme Court to hear Tuesday a petition seeking cancellation of her nomination, even as a similar plea was made in the Delhi High Court.

Shekhawat won’t tour; NDA to mobilise support

By IANS

New Delhi : Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the presidential nominee backed by the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), will not leave the capital to campaign but NDA leaders will tour the country and mobilize support for him.

Raman Singh takes back old critic in cabinet expansion

By IANS

Raipur : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh re-inducted Amar Agrawal, a known critic of the government, to his council of ministers and took in another face while dropping a senior minister in a minor expansion of the ministry Monday.

Supreme Court stain for Pratibha, battle lines are drawn

By IANS

New Delhi : The field was formally set Monday for a straight contest for India's presidential elections, with the authorities rejecting all applications except those of Pratibha Patil and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the nominees of the country's two main coalitions.

BJP wants presidential candidates to declare assets

By IANS

New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday asked the Election Commission to direct the presidential candidates to declare their assets and details of any criminal cases registered against them.

Legal hurdle crops up to Pratibha Patil election as President

By IANS

New Delhi : The Supreme Court Monday decided to hear Tuesday a petition seeking cancellation of the United Progressive Alliance government's presidential candidate Pratibha Patil's nomination paper for the election on grounds of her allegedly being in debt to the public exchequer.

Chhattisgarh cabinet reshuffled

By IANS

Raipur : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh Monday reshuffled his council of ministers, dropping a cabinet minister and adding two new faces.

Patil’s candidature as president Challenged

By IANS

New Delhi : The Supreme Court will hear Tuesday a petition challenging the candidature of Pratibha Patil as president of the country on the ground that she was in debt to the public exchequer and others.

Its Patil vs Shekhawat in the fight for Rashtrapati Bhavan

By IANS

New Delhi : The fight for the president is a straight contest between the United Progressive Alliance's Pratibha Patil and Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, it was confirmed Monday after all others in the fray were ruled out during scrutiny.

Presidential candidates should declare assets: BJP

By IANS

New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday asked the Election Commission to make it mandatory for presidential candidates to declare their assets while filing nomination papers.

Religious sentiments will not work in Gujarat this time: Shankersinh Vaghela

By Faraz Ahmad, IANS

New Delhi : Will the Congress be third time lucky as Gujarat goes to polls before the year-end? Shankersinh Vaghela, former chief minister and now a union minister, is confident it will be and feels "religious sentiments" will not win elections any more.

Patil breaks silence, says charges false

By IANS

Chennai : Pratibha Patil, India's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate for the July 19 presidential poll, Sunday broke her silence on the allegations levelled against her, terming them "false, malicious and baseless".

Charges false, malicious and baseless: Pratibha

By IANS

Chennai : Pratibha Patil, the presidential nominee of India's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Sunday broke her silence on the allegations levelled against her, terming them "false, malicious and baseless".

UPA common minimum programme unsatisfactory, says Bardhan

By IANS

Nagpur : Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A.B. Bardhan said Sunday that implementation of the common minimum programme (CMP) of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was wholly unsatisfactory.

I was only Left leader who knew Pratibha Patil: Bardhan

By IANS

Nagpur : Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A.B. Bardhan Sunday said he was the only Left representative who knew United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential candidate Pratibha Patil at a UPA-Left meeting that finalised her candidature.

Kerala CPI-M to take corruption charges ‘seriously’

By IANS

Malappuram (Kerala) : Kerala's ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Sunday said it was viewing "very seriously" the allegations of corruption levelled against Deshabhimani, the party's mouthpiece.

Mizoram Rajya Sabha member not to support Shekhawat

By IANS

Aizawl : The lone Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram, Lalhmingliana has said that he would not support Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in the ensuing presidential polls for his alleged "indifference" towards issues concerning the northeast region.

Patil to begin presidential campaign from Chennai

By IANS

Chennai : United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pratibha Patil begins her campaign for presidential elections here Sunday with a rally that thousands of women are expected to attend.

CPI-M has unleashed ‘state terror’ in Bengal: Mamata

By IANS

Singur (West Bengal) : Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Saturday said the Buddhadeb Bhattacharya government in West Bengal has unleashed "state terror" to suppress people's resistance against forcible land acquisition for industry.

Presidential hopeful has Mahatma Gandhi as proposer

By IANS

New Delhi : As many as 84 candidates have filed their nominations by Saturday for the July 19 presidential elections, though many of them appeared to be non-serious, naming Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters as their proposers and seconders.

Congress, BJP accuse Jharkhand ministers of corruption

By IANS

Ranchi : The Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jharkhand have accused the ministers in the state's Madhu Koda led government of indulging in corruption.

Kerala CPI-M meets over corruption charges

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala's ruling Communist Party of India- Marxist's (CPI-M) two-day meet, which began Saturday, is likely to be a stormy affair with allegations of two corruption scandals having surfaced against Deshabhimani, the party's mouthpiece.

Election Commission should penalise Jaya for perjury: DMK

By IANS

New Delhi : The DMK Friday petitioned the Election Commission to penalise AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha for committing "perjury" in giving false evidence while filing nomination papers for the 2001 Tamil Nadu assembly polls.

Congress debunks BJP booklet against Pratibha Patil

By IANS

New Delhi : The Congress Friday termed as "baseless and useless" a booklet released by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the ruling alliance's presidential candidate Pratibha Patil.

Election Commission created hurdles: Karunanidhi

By IANS

Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Friday lambasted the Election Commission after results of the Madurai West assembly by-elections were declared here, saying the poll panel had "put hurdles" in the way of fair polling in the constituency.

Advani asks UPA to drop Patil as presidential nominee

By IANS

New Delhi : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Friday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to replace Pratibha Patil as the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential candidate with a "more suitable person."

Congress resorting to pressure tactics in presidential poll: NDA

By IANS

New Delhi : The opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Friday filed a complaint with the Election Commission accusing the Congress of using "pressure tactics" to get support for its presidential candidate Pratibha Patil for the July 19 election.

Congress wins Madurai by-election

By IANS

Madurai : Congress candidate K.S.K. Rajendran, backed by Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, Friday won the Madurai West assembly by-election, routing the AIADMK by over 31,000 votes.

Congress wins Madurai by-election

By IANS

Madurai : Congress candidate K.S.K. Rajendran, backed by Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, Friday won the Madurai West by-election, defeating the AIADMK by over 31,000 votes.

Ageing Akali Dal to be given corporate makeover

By Jaideep Sarin, IANS

Chandigarh : The 87-year-old Akali Dal, Punjab's dominant political party that has long been identified with blue-turbaned Sikhs in flowing white beards, looks set for a radical corporate-style makeover thanks to a new breed of second-generation politicians.

Uma Bharti terms BJP leaders anti-women

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal, June 28: Stormy petrel of Indian politics Ms Uma Bharti, the former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh who was expelled from the Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), and now heads her own political outfit Bharatiya Jan Shakti, (BJS), has hit out at the BJP president Rajnath Singh and leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha LK Advani and accused them of having "an anti-women mindset". 

Aiyar heads to Pakistan for grassroot diplomacy

By Manish Chand, IANS New Delhi: Taking a break from big-ticket issues like Kashmir and Siachen, India and Pakistan will brainstorm and share notes on local governance when Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar goes to Lahore Saturday with a contingent of parliamentarians, academics and chiefs of local bodies. "The idea is to promote a better understanding between local governance institutions and grassroots activists of both countries. It's an important initiative," Aiyar told IANS.

New surrender policy for Jharkhand Maoists

By Indo-Asian News Service Ranchi: The Jharkhand government is drafting a new surrender policy for Maoist guerrillas to lure the rebels away from violence. The new policy is being prepared to remove the shortcomings of the previous one, which failed to get Maoist rebels in the state to surrender. According to government sources, the new policy deals with the surrender of the Maoist rebels, vocational courses for them and different categories of rewards.

Each penny of my assets accounted for: Mayawati

By IANS

Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, who disclosed her assets at Rs.52 crore (Rs.520 million) this week, Wednesday said "each penny" was accounted for.

Satish Misra to quit government: Mayawati

By IANS

Lucknow : Satish Chandra Mishra, a close political aide of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, is to quit as minister without portfolio in the state government in order to help establish the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) more firmly among upper castes across India, Mayawati disclosed Wednesday.

A lady resigned, but why couldn’t a tall man: Dasmunsi

By IANS

New Delhi : The ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Wednesday urged Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to draw a lesson from its candidate Pratibha Patil and resign his post to contest the presidential elections.

Azharuddin denies he is entering politics

By IANS

Bangalore : Former India cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin Wednesday visited the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) office here to wish his friend and former medium pacer Dodda Ganesh who was joining the party, but denied he was joining politics himself.

Azharuddin denies speculation over entering politics

By IANS

Bangalore : Former India cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin Wednesday visited the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) office here to wish his friend and former Karnataka bowler Dodda Ganesh joining the party, denying speculation that he may be joining the same party.

Azharuddin denies he is entering politics

By IANS

Bangalore : Former India cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin Wednesday visited the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) office here to wish his friend and former medium pacer Dodda Ganesh who was joining the party, but denied he was joining politics himself.

"My presence at this function has no meaning other than wishing my 'brother' Ganesh on his new role," Azharuddin said, adding there was no other significance to his presence at the function.

Rs. 10 million corruption case rocks Kerala assembly

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram : A Rs. 10 million corruption case involving former Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader K. Venugopal rocked the Kerala Assembly Wednesday.

Poll panel directs action against Jayalalitha

By IANS

New Delhi : The Election Commission Tuesday asked Tamil Nadu's chief electoral officer to take action against former state chief minister and AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha for violating the Representation of People's Act (RPA).

Achuthanandan, Vijayan suspension endorsed

By IANS

New Delhi : The highest decision-making body of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tuesday endorsed the suspension of Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and state committee chief Pinarayi Vijayan from the party's politburo.

Congress, CPI-M target Shekhawat over Natwar

By IANS

New Delhi : Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, contesting the presidential election as an independent candidate, Tuesday came under strong attack from the Congress and the Left after Congress leader K. Natwar Singh proposed his nomination.

65 percent voting in Madurai by-election

By IANS

Madurai : About 65 per cent voters cast their ballot Tuesday in the by-election to Tamil Nadu's Madurai West assembly seat, with voting remaining largely peaceful.

Rift in Sena-BJP ties over presidential polls

By IANS

New Delhi/Mumbai : The over two-decade long association between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its loyal ally Shiv Sena came under severe strain over the Sena's decision to back ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pratibha Patil, but the BJP leadership played down the rift.

Congress seeks Natwar’s disqualification from Rajya Sabha

By IANS

New Delhi : The Congress Tuesday sought the disqualification of former external affairs minister K. Natwar Singh as Rajya Sabha member after he proposed the name of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, backed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), for the presidential election.

Alliance with BJP to stay: Shiv Sena

By IANS

Mumbai : The Shiv Sena Tuesday said its ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will continue despite its support for the United Progressive Alliance's candidate Pratibha Patil for the presidential elections next month, even as strains in the 22-year-old alliance of the two pro-Hindu parties were becoming apparent.

Hooda hints at Haryana ministry expansion

By IANS

Chandigarh : Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda Tuesday said his ministry would be expanded after next month's presidential election.

Disgusted BJP to review ties with Sena over Shekhawat

New Delhi, June 26 (IANS) Stung by the Shiv Sena decision to back the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pratibha Patil for the Indian presidency, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday vowed to review its relations with its oldest ally after the July 19 presidential polls. Expressing unhappiness over the Shiv Sena move to support Patil over her Maharashtra origins, BJP spokesperson Sushma Swaraj said the development had "saddened" the party. But she refused to say categorically if the BJP would severe its long-standing links with the Shiv Sena.

Ex-cricketer Ganesh joins JD-S, Azhar to follow?

By IANS

Bangalore : As Dodda Ganesh, a former medium pacer from Karnataka, Wednesday joins the ruling Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) party, speculation is rife that former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin may follow suit.

Brisk voting in Madurai

By IANS

Madurai : Brisk polling was underway Tuesday in Tamil Nadu's Madurai West assembly seat, with the DMK-backed Congress taking on the AIADMK.

BJP meet restricts discussion on Uttar Pradesh polls

By IANS

New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at its national executive meeting Monday discussed the party's defeat in the crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly elections earlier this year, but did not allow several senior leaders to participate in it.

Shekhawat files nomination, Sena backs Pratibha

By IANS

New Delhi : Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Monday filed his nomination papers for the presidential election as an independent candidate supported by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), even as one of its key constituents decided to back Pratibha Patil, the nominee of India's ruling coalition.

BJP reiterates opposition to Sethusamudram

By IANS

New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday reiterated its opposition to the ambitious Sethusamudram project to develop a shipping canal that it fears will damage an ancient bridge mentioned in Hindu epic Ramayana.

Shiv Sena MP tonsures head to protest land compensation

By IANS

Nagpur : Newly elected Shiv Sena MP Prakash Jadhav tonsured his head in public Monday to protest against land acquisition for the proposed expansion of the Sonegaon airport here.

Shiv Sena supports Pratibha Patil

By IANS

Mumbai : United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pratibha Patil's chances in the July 19 presidential poll brightened as the Shiv Sena, a constituent of the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Monday declared its support for her.

Shiv Sena supports Pratibha Patil

By IANS

Mumbai : United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pratibha Patil's chances in the July 19 presidential poll brightened as the Shiv Sena, a constituent of the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Monday declared its support for her.

Prestigious Madurai West by-poll on Tuesday

By IANS

Madurai : The by-election to the Madurai West assembly seat on Tuesday will see a straight fight between the Congress candidate, backed by the DMK, and the AIADMK.

CPI-M questions clearance for USS Nimitz, Chennai port on alert

By IANS

New Delhi/Chennai : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday questioned the government's decision to permit the nuclear-powered USS Nimitz, the world's largest aircraft carrier, to anchor at Chennai port and sought an explanation for this.

Badal takes on opponents, recalls emergency rule

By IANS

Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Monday took on his political opponents, particularly the Congress, asking them to do some "soul searching" as he recalled their role during the "traumatic experience of the emergency rule".

Presidential poll turns expensive, thanks to parleys

By IANS

New Delhi : Choosing the country's president once used to be the cheapest election process - requiring just some ballot papers and a few officials to conduct the poll. But with the hype created over this year's election and the political confusion, it is heading to be an expensive affair.

BJP’s image has suffered, admits Rajnath

By IANS

New Delhi : Conceding that the image of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a disciplined party has suffered in recent times, its president Rajnath Singh Monday asked party cadres not to become "instruments" of the media and to keep organisational matters within the party.

Left candidate for vice-president not ruled out

By IANS

Hyderabad : The Communist Party of India (CPI) Monday said it would prefer a non-Congress candidate for the vice-president's post and did not rule out Left parties fielding their own nominee.

BJP to review its electoral reverses in Uttar Pradeshx

By  IANSNew Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will formally review its shocking defeat in the recently held Uttar Pradesh assembly elections at...

CPI-M meet to decide fate of suspended politburo members

By IANS

New Delhi : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) begins a crucial three-day meet Sunday to decide important matters, including the fate of two prominent Kerala leaders - Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan - who were suspended from the politburo.

“Enough is enough “: President Kalam

By NNN-PTI New Delhi : President A P J Abdul Kalam today said he decided against running for a second term as he did not want to be "party" to a political process and damage the name of Rashtrapati Bhavan. "In five years time in Rashtrapati Bhavan we have all worked for transforming it into a people's bhavan. Rashtrapati Bhavan has become a people's bhavan today. I believe it should be an example for the nation. It should not get degenerated. That is why I said enough is enough," he said in an interaction with PTI journalists at its headquarters here.

It’s mud slinging, say G.N. Patil’s supporters

By IANS

Jalgaon (Maharashtra) : United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential candidate Pratibha Patil's brother G.N. Patil rushed to Delhi for a damage control exercise following allegations that she was protecting him in a murder case even as his supporters here defended him Saturday.

Pratibha Patil files nomination as BJP launches vicious attack

By IANS

New Delhi : Pratibha Patil, the candidate of India's ruling coalition, Saturday filed her nomination papers for the July 19 presidential election in which she is pitted against Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) questioned her moral right to hold the country's highest office.

BJP asks Patil to respond to charges

By IANS

New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday asked the ruling alliance's presidential candidate Pratibha Patil to give a "satisfactory" explanation to the charges against her of shielding her brother who faces murder allegations as well as her involvement in a loan default case.

12 independents also file nomination for presidential poll

By IANS

New Delhi : When the ruling alliance's presidential candidate Pratibha Patil filed her nomination Saturday for the July 19 poll, hers was not the first name. There were 12 nominations already filed by independents.

UPA defends Patil against allegations, criticises NDA

By IANS

New Delhi : The ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Saturday came out in defence of its presidential candidate Pratibha Patil against allegations of shielding her brother in a murder case and involvement in a financial fraud.

UPA defends Patil against allegations, criticises NDA

By IANS

New Delhi : The ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Saturday came out in defence of its presidential candidate Pratibha Patil against allegations of shielding her brother in a murder case and involvement in a financial fraud.

Parliament session likely to begin in August

By IANS

New Delhi : The parliament's monsoon session, slated to begin in July, is now likely to commence in August to enable visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to address parliamentarians.

Patil files nomination for presidential election

By IANS

New Delhi : Seated between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pratibha Patil Saturday filed her nomination to fight the presidential election in which she will be pitted against Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

Pratibha Patil files presidential nomination

By IANS

New Delhi : Pratibha Patil, the candidate of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Saturday filed her nomination papers for next month's presidential election.

Loan allegations against Pratibha Patil false: Congress

By IANS

New Delhi : Close on the heels of allegations Friday that United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential candidate Pratibha Patil's brother was involved in a murder, another report said a sugar factory owned by her in Maharashtra had defaulted on bank loans. The Congress stated that Patil "did not have any connection with the allegations".

BJP to protest Maharashtra government’s failure on all fronts

By IANS

Nagpur : The Maharashtra unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has resolved to launch a 'chale jao' (quit power) agitation against the state government for its 'dismal failure on all fronts' in its eight-year rule.

BJP to protest Maharashtra government’s failure on all fronts

By IANS

Nagpur : The Maharashtra unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has resolved to launch a 'chale jao' (quit power) agitation against the state government for its 'dismal failure on all fronts' in its eight-year rule.

Now NDA seeking third front support for Shekhawat

By IANS

New Delhi : With President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam deciding not to contest a second term Friday, the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) sounded optimistic that the Third Front would support its candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat against United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nominee Pratibha Patil.

BJP ready to go it alone in Maharashtra

By IANS

Nagpur : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit leadership Friday asked its cadres to be prepared to fight the next Maharashtra assembly elections on their own strength.

Kalam says he will not contest again

By IANS

New Delhi : President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Friday firmly turned down requests to contest the presidential election next month, saying he did not want his office to be "dragged into unseemly politics."

Kalam says he will not contest again

By IANS

New Delhi : President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Friday firmly turned down requests to contest the presidential election next month, saying he did not want his office to be "dragged into unseemly politics."

Kalam’s ‘no’ to contest, Pratibha sibling faces murder charge

By IANS

New Delhi : President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam declared Friday that he would not seek a second five-year term even as ruling coalition candidate Pratibha Patil was accused of shielding her brother who allegedly killed a man two years ago.

Kalam not to contest presidential election

By IANS

New Delhi : President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Friday said he would not seek a second five-year tenure, informed sources said.

Woman claims Pratibha Patil’s brother killed husband

By IANS

New Delhi : The presidential election took an ugly turn Friday with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parading a woman who claimed that her husband had been murdered by United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) nominee Pratibha Patil's brother.

PDP favours continuing alliance with Congress

By IANS

Srinagar : Jammu and Kashmir's People's Democratic Party (PDP) says it would like to continue its alliance with the Congress despite differences over crucial issues.

CPI-M encroachment allegations echo in Kerala assembly

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram : Allegations of Kerala's Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) headquarters here using more than the land allotted to it reached the state assembly Friday, with the party admitting that it had received complaints of encroachment.

Panthers Party demands dismissal of coalition government in J&K

By News Agency of Kashmir Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), after pulling out from congress led coalition last week, today demanded dismissal of the government for its failure to redress people's problems. Four-member group of legislators Earlier, headed by its president called on Governor S K Sinha at Raj Bhavan and submitted a formal letter of withdrawing support to coalition government.

DMK’s Anbazhagan to be India’s vice president?

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Jayalalitha heads to the capital to lobby for Kalam

By IANS

New Delhi : Former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalitha arrives in the capital Friday to strengthen her United National Progressive Alliance's (UNPA) efforts to mobilise support for a second term for President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

President accepts Pratibha Patil’s resignation

By IANS

New Delhi : President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has accepted the resignation of Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil, the presidential candidate of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Left parties.

DMK may bid for Anbazhagan as vice president

By IANS

Chennai : Tamil Nadu may lose the distinction of having one of its citizens as India's president. But it may acquire its first vice president if Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has his way.

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