India Politics

India Politics

List of ministers of UP

By TwoCircles.net newsdesk Lucknow: Along with Mayawati, 19 cabinet ministers, 21 Ministers of State with independent charge and nine Ministers of State were administered the oath of office and secrecy as new UP ministers. The cabinet ministers are Naseemuddin Siddique, Sudhir Goel, Ramvir Upadhayaya, Lalji Verma, Indrajit Saroj, Sukhdev Raj, Thakur Jaiveer Singh, Swami Prasad Maurya, Meghram Bhatti, Lakshmi Narain, Rakesh Dhar Tripathi, B S Kushwaha, Jai Narain Rai, Babu Chouhan, Nakul Dubey, Daddu Prasad, Narain Singh, Ram Prasad Choudhary and Dharam Singh Saini.

DMK to decide on new media house today

By IANS Chennai: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi is to chair a meeting of the DMK Administrative Committee here Sunday, and likely on the agenda would be a search for a new media house for the DMK following parting of ways with the Sun media group. The unlisted item on the DMK agenda, party sources said, is likely to be action against the Maran brothers, more specifically expulsion from the party of Maran junior, Union Minister of Telecommunication Dayanaidhi Maran, over the violence in Madurai on Wednesday in which three people were killed.

Mayawati takes oath, inducts 48 ministers

By IANS Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati was sworn in as Uttar Pradesh chief minister Sunday afternoon, her fourth stint in office. She inducted 48 ministers. Clad in a pink salwar kameez, the Dalit leader was administered the oath of office by Governor T.V. Rajeshwar at around 1.30 p.m. at the Raj Bhavan. Among the ministers who took oath were Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Ramvir Upadhyay, Sukhbir Rajbhar, Swami Prasad Maurya, Nakul Dubey, Jaivir Singh and Babu Singh Kushwaha.

Three factors that influenced Uttar Pradesh elections

By Faraz Ahmad, Indo-Asian News Service New Delhi: The decision of the electorate in Uttar Pradesh to give Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati a clear majority in the assembly and an opportunity to rule India's most populous state for five years with no crutches or obstacles has not been an overnight development. The defeat of Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party in the latest election, and also the reverses for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, has not surprised many in the state, whatever the reaction in the national capital may be.

Mayawati, five ministers to be sworn in Sunday

By IANS Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati, who assumes office as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Sunday, will be sworn in at 1 p.m. along with only five other ministers. According to party sources, the BSP chief did not want to begin with a large council of ministers. "More ministers would be inducted in due course once she has settled down," a party source said on conditions of anonymity. BSP members have strictly been told not to speak to the media.

Choosing the Indian President – an intricate procedure

By Liz Mathew, Indo-Asian News Service New Delhi: The election of India's 12th president due in July has generated lively debates in the country. But there are not many who know the hugely complex procedure it involves.

Mayawati to take oath on Sunday afternoon

By IANS

Lucknow : As the clock strikes 1 Sunday afternoon, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati will take the oath as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the fourth time.

CPI-M for a consensus candidate for top post

By IANS

New Delhi : With the Uttar Pradesh elections giving a clear majority to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and its allies have a clear edge in the presidential election and Left parties would prefer a "consensus" on the candidate, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said Saturday.

UPA-Left to meet Wednesday to discuss presidential candidate

By IANS

New Delhi : Amid speculation over the possible candidates for the presidential post, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Saturday said the Left would prefer a "consensus" on the candidate to the country's top post.

Mayawati meets governor, to be sworn in Sunday

By IANS

Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister-designate Mayawati Saturday met Governor T.V. Rajeshwar to stake claim to form the government. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief was invited to form the government and will be sworn in chief minister Sunday afternoon.

Mayawati expected to meet governor today to stake claim

By IANS

Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister-designate Mayawati is expected to call on Governor T.V. Rajeshwar Saturday evening to formally stake claim to form the next government after her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)'s thumping win in the assembly elections.

Sun setting over Sun media and the Marans?

By Papri Sri RamanIANSChennai : The violence in Madurai in which three people were killed seems to have heralded the eclipse of the Sun...

BSP wins 206 seats in Uttar Pradesh

By IANS

Lucknow : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Friday emerged victorious with a simple majority, pocketing 206 seats in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly, according to the tally late Friday night.

Nurture creative leaders for growth: Kalam

By IANS

New Delhi : For a prosperous and developed India, it is imperative to nurture creative leaders, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said Friday.

Karunanidhi felicitated by allies, friends

By IANS

Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M. Karunanidhi was felicitated by a host of national leaders and party cadres at a mammoth function here Friday night to celebrate his 50 years as a state legislator, putting to rest all speculation about his support base and health.

Amar Singh cause of Samajwadi Party defeat: Mulayam’s ex-confidant

By IANS

New Delhi : One major factor contributing to the Samajwadi Party's humiliating defeat Friday in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections was its general secretary and spokesman Amar Singh, said an erstwhile confidant of party president and outgoing chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Mayawati Uttar Pradesh leader again, attributes win to social change

By Sharat PradhanIANSLucknow : Saying her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had ushered in social change in Uttar Pradesh, three-time chief minister Mayawati Friday steered...

Rajnath Singh concedes defeat

By IANS

New Delhi : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh Friday accepted his party's defeat in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

Mayawati to order probe into destruction of official records

By IANS

Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh chief minister-designate Mayawati Friday said she would order a high-level probe into the destruction of official records in the office of Azam Khan, minister in the outgoing government, once she is sworn in the chief minister.

UPA-BSP could jointly back Congress candidate for president

By Faraz Ahmad

IANS

New Delhi : The victory of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections has come as a shot in the arm for the Congress party, which is being cornered by the Left, particularly on the question of the impending presidential elections.

Party ideology has won the day: Mayawati

By IANS

Lucknow : A triumphant Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, who is poised to become chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the fourth time, Friday promised a crime-free government and said the results were a victory for her party's ideology.

Priyanka managed votes, Rahul did not

By IANS

New Delhi : Call it the Priyanka magic if you will! Two parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh where Congress president Sonia Gandhi's daughter Priyanka toured during the election campaign have reaped the only benefits for the party.

Results pour cold water on BJP’s resurgence plans

By Faraz Ahmad

IANS

New Delhi : The Uttar Pradesh assembly election results Friday have poured cold water on the Bharatiya Janata Party's plans to return to power in Delhi after "conquering" Lucknow.

Refurbished BSP takes power on its own in Uttar Pradesh

By Sharat PradhanIANSLucknow : Three-times chief minister Mayawati Friday steered the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to a spectacular victory in Uttar Pradesh, demolishing everyone...

Gandhi siblings’ magic worked in Rae Bareli, Amethi

By IANS

Lucknow : The charisma of the Gandhi siblings - Priyanka and Rahul - did work, at least in the family pocket borough of Rae Bareli-Amethi where seven of the 10 assembly seats under these two parliamentary constituencies were bagged by the Congress party.

With Mayawati in, Uttar Pradesh bureaucrats in a flap

By IANS

Lucknow : With Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati poised to return to the helm in Uttar Pradesh, the state's bureaucracy, especially those who were known to be close to outgoing Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, are nervous.

List of winners in UP assembly election

 Winners of UP assembly election 2007, 402 seats declared:Ac No. Ac Name Party Candidate Name 1 Seohara Bahujan Samaj Party YASH...

Mulayam resigns, criticises poll panel

By IANS

Lucknow : Mulayam Singh Yadav Friday resigned as Uttar Pradesh's chief minister and blamed the Election Commission for his party's defeat, saying it had been "running a parallel government" in the state.

Left disappointed, but happy over BJP loss

By IANS

New Delhi : The Left parties were Friday mauled in Uttar Pradesh, a state where they were once a major political force, but rejoiced over the decimation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Amar Singh goes underground

By IANS

New Delhi : With his party leader having conceded defeat in Uttar Pradesh, the always-ready-with-a-quote Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh Friday for once made himself inaccessible.

Taj Mahal city celebrates BSP win

By IANS

Agra : Boisterous celebrations broke out Friday in the Dalit areas of Agra as it became clear that Dalit Queen Mayawati is all set to become chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for a fourth time.

Gloom in party offices – sans BSP

By IANS

Lucknow : As jubilation gripped Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) offices across Uttar Pradesh Friday, a pall of gloom descended on offices of the Samajwadi Party and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

The words that set Mayawati dreaming

By IANS

Lucknow : Exactly 29 years ago, when she was just out of college and busy preparing for civil services, Mayawati was told by a man she considered her friend, philosopher and guide: "So you wish to become DM (district magistrate)? Follow my path and you will become CM one day."

Congress congratulates Mayawati, pats Rahul

By IANS

New Delhi : Finding a silver lining in the dark election clouds, the Congress Friday expressed satisfaction over the Samajwadi Party's defeat in Uttar Pradesh and patted Rahul Gandhi for an "inspiring" campaign - despite not improving its performance since the last polls.

BSP crushes everyone to take power in Uttar Pradesh

By Sharat PradhanIANSLucknow : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) created history Friday with an amazing electoral victory in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state,...

Reddy asks Stanford University to open Hyderabad campus

By IANS

Washington : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who is on a visit to the US, has asked Stanford University to set up an offshore campus in Hyderabad, promising to provide all necessary infrastructure.

Mayawati, a timid, reserved student in college

By IANS

New Delhi : For a woman who has taken Uttar Pradesh by storm and inspires fear and awe among her political opponents and supporters alike, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati's alma malter still finds it difficult to comprehend how the "timid" girl managed to reach where she is today.

BSP ranks rejoice in victory

By IANS

Lucknow : Celebrations erupted here Friday as Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supporters took to the streets following the election win that would make party chief Mayawati chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the fourth time.

Mulayam to resign at 3 p.m.

By IANS

Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav will submit his resignation to Governor T.V. Rajeshwar at 3 p.m. Friday.

Congress congratulates Mayawati

By IANS

New Delhi : The Congress party Friday congratulated Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati for her victorious showing in the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Uttar Pradesh’s thumbs-up to BSP stun Mulayam, BJP

By Sharat PradhanIANSLucknow : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was poised to take power in India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh after pulling off...

BSP to make it ‘on its own’

By IANS

Lucknow : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) said Friday that it was confident of taking power on its own in Uttar Pradesh as counting of votes in the assembly elections showed it would end up as the single largest party.

New-face BSP racing ahead in fractured Uttar Pradesh

By IANS

Lucknow : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) of three times chief minister Mayawati was inching towards becoming the single largest outfit in the Uttar Pradesh assembly Friday as counting of the millions of votes got underway in the country's most populous and politically crucial state.

BSP racing ahead in Uttar Pradesh

By IANS

New Delhi : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) made major gains Friday and was set to become the single largest outfit in the Uttar Pradesh assembly, with a badly bruised Congress limping in the distant fourth spot.

BSP ahead in Uttar Pradesh

By IANS

New Delhi : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was leading the political pack as counting of the millions of voters cast in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections began Friday.

BSP ahead in Uttar Pradesh

By IANS New Delhi: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was leading the political pack as counting of the millions of voters cast in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections began Friday. According to officials, the BSP was leading in 19 of the 55 seats where trends were available. The Samajwadi Party was a close second with 16 and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at 13. The Congress, which had expected to improve upon its 2002 showing, was doing badly, leading only in three seats.

Karunanidhi asks for CBI probe; opposition demands his resignation

By IANS

Madurai/Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Thursday sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the attack on a newspaper office in Madurai by supporters of his son Azhagiri that left three people dead even as opposition parties demanded his resignation.

TRS chief claims PM invited him to rejoin government

By IANS

New Delhi : Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president and former union labour minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao Thursday claimed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked his party to rejoin the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

Ahead of Goa polls, high sales of two-wheelers noted

By IANS

Panaji : In the run-up to the June 2 Goa assembly elections, the Election Commission has directed the local authorities to keep watch on the distribution of goods like motor cycles, two-wheelers and TV sets by candidates after noting an abnormally high sale of such goods in the state recently.

Dikshit’s ‘migrant’ remarks stall parliament

By IANS

New Delhi : Both houses of parliament were rocked Thursday by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's remarks on people migrating to the national capital from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as well as an attack on the media in Tamil Nadu.

Differences of opinion in CPI-M over team to protect Munnar

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram : The simmering difference between arch rivals Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and party secretary Pinnarayi Vijayan surfaced yet again in the naming of three officials by Achuthanandan for protecting the picturesque hill station in Munnar from encroachers.

Sheila apologises over controversial remarks

By IANS

New Delhi : Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Thursday apologised over her remarks that people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were migrating to the national capital and making life difficult.

All except BSP await a fractured verdict in Uttar Pradesh

By Sharat Pradhan

IANS

Lucknow : With counting of votes Friday for the crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, most parties are resigned to a fractured verdict - except for the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) that is expecting its leader Mayawati to form the next government.

Sheila Dikshit hauled up by Congress

By IANS

New Delhi : Senior Congress party leaders Thursday took serious exception to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's remarks a day earlier that people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were migrating to the national capital and making life difficult.

PM begins consultations on next president

By IANS

New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has begun exploratory discussions on the forthcoming elections for the next president, but no specific name has emerged, his aides said Thursday.

Colourful function in parliament to mark 1857 uprising

By IANS

New Delhi : It was a journey down history as MPs and other dignitaries were held spellbound by virtuoso performances from Jagjit Singh and Shubha Mudgal Thursday at the Central Hall of parliament that evoked the spirit of the freedom fighters of 1857.

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day over Dikshit’s remarks

By IANS New Delhi: The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day Thursday over Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's remarks about the number of people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar migrating to the capital. MPs from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were up on their feet as soon as the house observed a one-minute silence to pay tribute to freedom fighters on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the first war of independence. There was chaos as all the members were shouting and BJP MPs asked for Dikshit's resignation.

Yasin Malik urges Vajpayee to support peace process

By IANS Srinagar: Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik has urged former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to support the ongoing India-Pakistan peace process and focus on the permanent resolution of the Kashmir issue. The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief has written a letter asking Vajpayee to lend support to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in seizing the opportunity to move forward boldly and creatively (on Kashmir issue). "When I met Prime Minister Singh, I re-emphasised the recommendation of Kashmiris' representation and inclusion in the peace process.

Many more ‘Shahabuddins’ await comeuppance

By Imran Khan Patna: As far as Bihar is concerned, it is just one Shahabuddin down with many more to go. A number of criminals with political links - charged with murders, kidnaps and extortions - are in line for legal retribution. The life sentence handed to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Mohammed Shahabuddin, for the kidnapping of a political activist in 1999, has brought the state known for lawlessness a ray of hope that similar punishments await others of his ilk.

PM files Rajya Sabha nomination from Assam

By IANS

Guwahati : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday filed his nomination papers seeking re-election for a fourth straight term to the Rajya Sabha from his adopted home state of Assam.

PM to file Rajya Sabha nomination from Assam

By IANS

Guwahati : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is all set to file his nomination papers Wednesday seeking re-election for the fourth straight term to the Rajya Sabha from his adopted home state of Assam.

BSP to get up to 168 seats in Uttar Pradesh, says survey

By IANS

New Delhi : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is expected to win 152 to 168 seats, perhaps more, in a fractured 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly, a survey said Wednesday following the close of staggered elections.

BJP not being discriminated against in 1857 celebrations: Aiyar

By IANSNew Delhi : Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar Tuesday said the Congress party was not discriminating against the Bharatiya Janata...

Exit polls give clear edge to BSP

By IANSNew Delhi : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was projected as the clear winner at the end of the seventh and final phase...

Who’s the best minister of them all?

By IANS

Chennai : An opinion poll on the best union minister here has added to the rift between the DMK and its ally PMK, and its first victim could be the Reliance group.

BJP may support AGP for Rajya Sabha in Assam

By Faraz Ahmad

IANS

New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning to revive its fraternal relations with former ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in Assam with an eye on the forthcoming presidential elections.

PM in Assam to file nominations for Rajya Sabha elections

By IANS

Guwahati : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here Tuesday on a two-day visit to file his nomination papers for biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha from his adopted home state of Assam.

Mammoth Uttar Pradesh election ends – most peacefully

By Sharat Pradhan

IANS

Lucknow : India's most staggered election ended in Uttar Pradesh Tuesday in peace with 50 million people voting in all to pick a new government in the country's most populous and politically most crucial state.

Cancel Shahabuddin’s Lok Sabha membership: CPI-ML

By IANS

Patna : Soon after a Bihar court Tuesday sentenced Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Mohammed Shahabuddin to life imprisonment for murder, the Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) has demanded the cancellation of his Lok Sabha membership.

Sadhus turn out in large number to vote in Ayodhya

By IANS

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) : While the bells tolled in this ancient Hindu temple town, hundreds of saffron clad sadhus began their morning Tuesday on a rather unusual note - by queuing up outside polling booths to cast their vote in the last round of the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Smooth and steady polling underway in Uttar Pradesh

By IANS

Lucknow : Steady polling was underway in eastern Uttar Pradesh Tuesday, the last day of the seven-phased elections that began more than a month ago on April 7.

PM to file nomination for Rajya Sabha polls in Assam

By IANS

Guwahati : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives in Guwahati Tuesday on a two-day visit to file his nomination papers for biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha from his adopted home state of Assam.

Sharad Yadav takes exception to superstar status of Big B, demands tainted ‘holy’ men’s...

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net Bhopal: Sharad Yadav, president of Janata Dal (United), has taken exception to Bollywood superstar Big B Amitabh Bachchan being described as the 'Star of the Millenium'. Talking to newsmen here, Yadav said only political leaders could create history and not film stars. Meanwhile, Yadav has demanded immediate arrest of all the seven 'Babas' (spiritual Hindu saints) exposed in a TV channel's sting operation offering to launder black money on commission through their respective endowment trusts.

Curtains set to fall on Uttar Pradesh elections

By IANS

Gorakhpur : Polling for India's longest election ends Tuesday to pick a new government in the country's most populous state Uttar Pradesh, the verdict tipped to cast a shadow on national politics.

Uttar Pradesh enters last phase of elections

By IANS

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) : This one is for the record books - 17.8 million voters exercise their franchise Tuesday in what is not only the largest round of the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh polls but an end to the longest election ever held in the country.

Parliament adjourned over Gujarat killings

By IANS

New Delhi : The issue of staged police killings in Gujarat rocked both houses of parliament Monday, forcing them to be adjourned for an hour.

Another bandit queen takes aim at parliament

By Sharat Pradhan

IANS

Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) : She used to be an outlaw and like the slain Phoolan Devi, whom she calls her icon, former dacoit Seema Parihar too is seeking to enter the Indian parliament.

Four Congress legislators in Andhra Pradesh suspended

By IANS

Hyderabad : The ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh Sunday suspended four legislators for causing the defeat of party candidates in legislative council elections and issued a show cause notice to another for criticising the party and the government.

Somnath emerging as frontrunner for next president

By Faraz Ahmadice

IANS

New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee is emerging as a frontrunner for the post of the next president of India despite formal denial by his office that he was a candidate.

Long wait ahead for TRS to rejoin UPA

By Faraz Ahmad

IANS

New Delhi : With suspected involvement of several Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) politicians in a people smuggling scandal, the party may have to wait a little longer to return to the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the centre.

PM not up to expectations, support to be reviewed: CPI

By IANS

New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has not measured up to the expectations of the Left parties, which would "seriously consider" the question of supporting his government after the presidential elections, said Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A.B. Bardhan.

Murdered woman’s family wants Amarmani Tripathi defeated

By Sharat Pradhan

IANS

Maharajganj (Uttar Pradesh) : Powerful Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi has had a nasty surprise as he tries to win election from jail - the mother and sister of poetess Madhumita Shukla whom he is accused of murdering after being her friend for years are campaigning to defeat him.

Post-Nandigram, I contemplated quitting: Buddhadeb

By IANS

New Delhi : West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has admitted he had contemplated resigning in the aftermath of the Nandigram killings, but maintained a Tata car project in Singur that was also targeted by anti-land acquisition groups would proceed on schedule.

Congress revival in Uttar Pradesh will take time: Rahul

By IANS

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) : Congress star campaigner Rahul Gandhi admitted in this Uttar Pradesh town Saturday that the revival of his party in the state would take some more time.

PM’s election to Rajya Sabha serious impropriety: MP

By IANS

New Delhi : An MP from Kerala believes that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision to be re-elected to the Rajya Sabha instead of the Lok Sabha is a "serious constitutional impropriety".

128 file papers for Shimla civic polls

By IANS

Shimla : A total of 128 candidates have filed nominations for the May 23 Shimla municipal corporation elections, officials said Saturday.

The Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are contesting all the 25 wards in the Himachal Pradesh capital. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) will contest 12 seats.

The Congress has controlled the corporation since it was set up in 1986.

People’s issues must replace communalism as political agenda

By TwoCircles.net staff reporter

Lucknow : Some concerned citizens like Acharya Jugal Kishore Sharan Shashtri and Sandeep Pandey and non-governmental organisations, Ayodhya Ki Awaz, NAPM and People's Political Front have expressed concern over communalism in politics and underscored the need for replacing communalism with the issues confronting people as political agenda.

Uttar Pradesh’s last leg has more criminals

By IANS

Lucknow : The final round of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh assembly elections Tuesday will see more criminals than in any previous leg since the staggered polls commenced April 7.

MPs recall Madhu Dandavate’s humour

By IANS

New Delhi : When late prime minister Indira Gandhi called upon the nation to do "soul searching" at the height of the Emergency in 1975-77, one man who went about lifting every shoe available to see its 'sole', in mocking humour, was her jailed critic Madhu Dandavate.

BJP misses Mahajan ‘very much’, says Naidu

By IANS New Delhi : A year after he died most dramatically, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) admitted Friday that it "very much" missed Pramod Mahajan, a veteran who was at home as much with the corporate world as with politics. "We miss him very much, specially his organisational capabilities and political acumen," former party president M. Venkaiah Naidu told IANS. Naidu and his other colleagues admitted that the shooting of Mahajan in April last year by his brother and his eventual death in May 2006 had left a vacuum that the party had not been able to fill up.

BJP, DMK MPs clash on Sethusamudram project

By IANS New Delhi : Parliamentarians Friday were locked in verbal battle for the second day over the Sethusamudram canal project off the Tamil Nadu coast, which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) maintains would destroy an ancient bridge that once linked India and Sri Lanka. While the BJP MPs, led by deputy leader V.K. Malhotra, wanted the government to stop the project, the DMK MPs refused to allow the opposition to raise the issue in the Lok Sabha.

Mayawati marching ahead after sixth phase of polls

By IANS New Delhi : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) continues to lead in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections after the sixth phase of polling Thursday with the ruling Samajwadi Party improving its position to come second, exit polls by NDTV news channel showed. The BSP is projected to bag 19-23 of the 52 seats for which elections were held Thursday with its tally likely to touch 120-130.

Is Vajpayee quitting politics?

By IANS New Delhi : Is Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee quitting politics? An editorial in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) mouthpiece 'Panchjanya' may say so, but not his party. "Relieve me of active politics. It's enough, let me go," the magazine quoted the former prime minister as saying, and inferred that he wants to quit politics. It described him as a "pragya purush" (man of wisdom).

Rahul Gandhi launches another impressive road-show

By IANS Ballia/Ambedkarnagar/Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh) : Congress star campaigner Rahul Gandhi Thursday kicked off campaigning for the seventh and final phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls with another impressive road show drawing charmed crowds. Starting his campaign in Ballia in the state's eastern corner, Rahul undertook a whirlwind tour of several adjoining areas including parts of Azamgarh and Ambedkar district that go to polls on May 8.

Millions vote in Uttar Pradesh’s penultimate round

By IANS Lucknow : Millions voted Thursday in the sixth and penultimate round of staggered assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, but even by evening officials were calling the polling "low". Although balloting picked up after a slow and hesitant start despite the relative cool of the morning, only a third of the 16.3 million in this round had voted in the first eight hours - till about 3 p.m. Polling ended at 5 p.m.

Manmohan’s development concerns finds takers in Uttar Pradesh

By R.B. Singh IANS Gorakhpur : He is not such a big draw as the youthful Congress MP Rahul Gandhi nor does he possess the fiery demagoguery skills of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati. But Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has in his own fashion been able to leave his imprint in election rallies in Uttar Pradesh. After making almost half-a-dozen appearances in various parts of the state in a period of a month that has attracted modest crowds, Singh, unlike the other star campaigners, has been able to reach out to audiences by raising his pet topic of development.

INTUC’s 60th foundation day celebrations

Elites ate up 60 Kg cake, workers drench in open

By News Agency of Kashmir

 

Canal row disrupts Lok Sabha

By IANS New Delhi : The Lok Sabha was adjourned for 15 minutes Thursday following a row between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Tamil Nadu MPs over a shipping canal that will cut sailing time between India's west and east coasts. V.K. Malhotra of BJP raised the issue during the zero hour, questioning the government's unwillingness to explore an alternative canal route instead of the present one that is expected to destroy remains of an ancient footbridge that once linked southern India with Sri Lanka.

Slow polling underway in Uttar Pradesh

By IANS Lucknow : Notwithstanding the relative cool of the morning, polling was slow in the first few hours Thursday in the sixth and penultimate round of Uttar Pradesh's staggered elections. The turnout in the first two hours -- since 7 a.m. -- was only about 6 percent in the 52 constituencies spread across the nine districts of Varanasi, Allahabad, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Sonbhadra and Kaushambhi. Officials were optimistic that the voter turnout would improve as the day progressed.

Amarinder returns to Punjab to rousing welcome

By IANS, Rajpura (Punjab) : Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh returned to the state he ruled till two months ago, to a rousing reception from Congress workers and over 20 legislators Wednesday. Covered with garlands and standing on an open jeep at the head of the cavalcade, Amarinder reached the Shambu barrier, 10 km from here, in the afternoon with Congress supporters raising slogans hailing him.

Congress unravels another scam; Mayawati also blamed

By IANS, New Delhi : The Congress party Wednesday accused the Uttar Pradesh government of yet another scam, alleging that there had been false claims for fertiliser subsidies from Lucknow between 1994-2000. But this time the party has pointed fingers at the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) too. The Congress, which has been soft towards BSP supremo Mayawati during the campaigning for five phases of state polls, alleged that all the non-Congress parties, including BSP and Samajwadi Party - had been hand in glove to conceal a Rs.10 billion fertiliser scam by the then BJP government.

Maoist affected areas in sixth phase of polls

By IANS, Lucknow : The highly sensitive Maoist belt of Uttar Pradesh will be among the 52 constituencies voting in the penultimate phase of the seven-phase assembly polls Thursday. Of the 100,000 personnel of the central paramilitary forces and provincial armed constabulary (PAC) detailed for the phase, 10,000 have been posted in and around the 680 villages where Maoist rebels hold sway in the three districts of Mirzapur, Chandauli and Sonbhadra.

Happy birthday Uma Bharati, Govindacharya

By Faraz Ahmad, IANS New Delhi : It promises to be two days of celebrations for Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) former mascots Uma Bharati and Govindacharya, with the dissident sanyasin's birthday falling on Thursday and her ailing close aide's on Wednesday. Uma Bharati, who heads the Bharatiya Janshakti party, celebrates her 48th birthday Thursday amid talk of her rejoining the BJP. But before that, her political guru and best friend, the one time BJP ideologue K.N. Govindacharya will party in his temporary home in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj.

One year without Mahajan

By IANS Mumbai : Sans Pramod Mahajan, neither his family - struggling with son Rahul's drug controversy and murder proceedings against brother Pravin - nor his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have found the past 12 months an easy ride. Like BJP, many other parties, including its saffron alliance partner Shiv Sena, continue to miss the articulation of the GenNext leader, whose life was cut short by his own brother a year ago.

BSP may not have its way with upper castes, says book

By IANS New Delhi : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) may be desperately trying to broaden its base by roping in Hindu upper castes it once despised, but it may not necessarily succeed, a new book says. But if it does emerge as a party enjoying core Dalit support as well as the backing of a broad spectrum of others in the society, the BSP will bring about a radical change in Uttar Pradesh.

Rahul draws huge crowds in Varanasi

By IANS, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) : Congress star campaigner Rahul Gandhi was given an enthusiastic welcome in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi as he undertook a grand road show here Tuesday, the last day of campaigning for the sixth phase of the staggered Uttar Pradesh assembly election Thursday. People cheered him all along his journey through the narrow lanes and by-lanes of this crowded city. They showered rose petals on him as they lined both sides of the road and flung garlands at him from windows and balconies of houses and from rooftops.

Mayawati guns for Mulayam, promises jail for ruling ‘duo’

By Raj B. Singh, IANS, Lucknow: With tiresome regularity she targets Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav and his able lieutenant Amar Singh at every election rally swearing to send them to "jail" as her top priority. And Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati's gambit seems to be working. "Uttar Pradesh is being ruled by a corrupt and evil government led by Mulayam Singh which has ruined all systems of governance as well as the law and order machinery," Mayawati thundered at an election rally in Bahraich last week.

Campaign tale of two Allahabad families – and their ‘bahus’

By Sharat Pradhan, IANS, Allahabad : It is the Gandhis versus the Bachchans in this historic Uttar Pradesh town in these crucial campaign days, with the political dynasty vying with the glitter of Bollywood to attract voters. And the eminent daughters-in-law of both families are using every sentimental trick in the book to strike a chord.

Adopted home state to return PM to Rajya Sabha

By Syed Zarir Hussain

Guwahati, May 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's adopted home state of Assam is all set to re-elect him for a fourth straight term in the biennial elections for Rajya Sabha May 24. "It would be a mere formality for the prime minister to get re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from one of the two seats in Assam," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS on telephone from New Delhi. The prime minister is one of the two MPs from Assam whose term ends June 14. The second Rajya Sabha MP from Assam is Indramoni Bora from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

I do not eye Indian Muslims with suspicion: Uma Bharti

By Pervez Bari

TwoCircles.net 

 

Bhopal: Stormy of Indian politics Ms Uma Bharti, who floated her own political outfit Bharatiya Janshakti, (BJS), after being expelled from rightist Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), has said that she does not eye Indian Muslims with suspicion.

 

More criminals in the next phase of Uttar Pradesh poll

Lucknow, May 1 (IANS) As the staggered Uttar Pradesh assembly election heads for the sixth and penultimate phase May 3, the number of contestants with criminal background is only going up. Against 115 alleged outlaws in the fifth phase April 28, the next phase on Thursday has 138 such people out of the 785 candidates in the fray for 52 seats across nine districts, largely in the state's eastern part.
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