BJP pits women’s wing chief against Mamata in Kolkata South
By IANS,
Kolkata : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday fielded a woman candidate against Mamata Banerjee for the Lok Sabha's Kolkata South seat after Trinamool Congress snapped ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to team up with the Congress in West Bengal.
BJP sources here said the party's state Mahila Morcha (women's wing) president Jyotsna Banerjee has been nominated for the prestigious constituency.
Left parties responsible for BJP’s growth, alleges Congress
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Congress Tuesday challenged the Left parties claim to being secular and cited their aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party to back the V.P. Singh government in 1989 to say they were "responsible for the BJP's electoral growth".
"The Left parties and their present partners pride themselves on being secular. On the contrary, it may be recalled that they had actively aligned with the BJP in the past. They are, in fact, responsible for the electoral growth of the BJP," the Congress manifesto, released at its national headquarters here, stated.
Would have run roller over Varun: Lalu Prasad
By IANS,
Patna : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Monday said that had he been the country's home minister he would have run a "roller" over Varun Gandhi for his hate speeches against Muslims and bothered about the consequences later.
Speaking at an election rally in Kishanganj in Bihar, Lalu Prasad said: "If I were the country's home minister, and if Varun had said this (inflammatory speeches), then I would have run a roller over his chest, and thought about the consequences later."
Love in the time of elections: Professor launches Prem Party
By IANS,
Patna : The professor who hit the headlines in 2006 for his affair with a student is back. And he's asking for your votes. Matuknath Choudhary launched the Prem Party (Love Party) here with heart as his party symbol and love his poll plank.
Choudhary launched the party Thursday and will be contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Patnasaheb seat as an independent candidate.
After jumping into the fray, Choudhary promised to build a large park here for lovers if elected.
‘Moral policing’ rankles voters in Mangalore
By Maitreyee Boruah, IANS,
Mangalore : At the sprawling campus of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) near this Karnataka town, students are now discussing moral policing rather than their syllabus. While one wants to give a "befitting reply to communal forces", another wants to make Mangalore "safe for everyone".
Mamata demands Buddha’s resignation
By IANS,
Kolkata: After handing West Bengal's ruling Left an electoral drubbing, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Monday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, saying it was democratic ethics to respect and accept the people's verdict.
"The Left is left out from the people. They have lost credibility," Banerjee said when asked to comment on speculation that Bhattacharjee had offered to resign after the ruling Left Front's poor showing in the Lok Sabha polls.
No party placed conditions at UPA meet: Congress
By IANS,
New Delhi : No allies of the victorious United Progressive Alliance (UPA) placed any conditions for cabinet berths at the coalition's meeting held here Wednesday, says the Congress.
"No condition was put by any party. No such discussion took place. There was no point of disagreement in the UPA meeting. This (decision on cabinet members) is the prerogative of the prime minister," Congress spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi told reporters at the party headquarters.
MP becomes 1st state to make public govt. officers’ property details
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Shiv Sena got Rs.5 bn to oppose Jaitapur: Narayan Rane
By IANS,
Mumbai: Industry Minister Narayan Rane Thursday alleged that the opposition Shiv Sena had got funding of Rs.5 billion to stall the 9,900-MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project.
Swamy files FIR against Sonia Gandhi for “inciting hatred against Hindus”
By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,
Rajya Sabha clears research academy bill
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha Wednesday passed a bill that will pave the way for setting up an academy for innovative research in the field of science and technology.
Ready to support any Muslim for chief minister’s post: Raja Bundela
By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
New minister inducted into Himachal cabinet
By IANS
Shimla : The Virbhadra Singh-led cabinet in Himachal Pradesh was expanded Wednesday with the inclusion of legislator Sujan Singh Pathania.
Pathania, who is a legislator from Kangra district, has been given transport and health portfolios. With this, the number of ministers in the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government has gone up to 11.
Elections are due in the state early next year.
Shimla : The Virbhadra Singh-led cabinet in Himachal Pradesh was expanded Wednesday with the inclusion of legislator Sujan Singh Pathania.
Pathania, who is a legislator from Kangra district, has been given transport and health portfolios. With this, the number of ministers in the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government has gone up to 11.
Elections are due in the state early next year.
BJP leaders wished me death: Manmohan Singh
By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said he had the "courage of conviction" to do what he was doing but regretted the attitude of parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that even wished him death.
The prime minister made the stunning revelation in an interview published in India Today. The interview was however conducted over two months ago.
Demand to recall Washington envoy intensifies
By IANS
New Delhi : Angry MPs paralysed parliament Wednesday morning for the second day, vociferously demanding the recall of ambassador Ronen Sen from Washington for his attack on critics of the India-US civilian nuclear deal.
While both houses resumed their normal functioning in the post-lunch session, considerable time was lost early on as Left MPs joined those from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other parties to demand action against Sen, who is considered one of the architects of the path-breaking nuclear agreement.
Congress favours central rule, polls in Karnataka
By IANS
Bangalore : The Congress favours the president's rule in Karnataka and early polls to the assembly after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrew its support to the H.D. Kumaraswamy government, a senior party leader said Sunday.
"The only alternative is imposition of the president's rule and go for elections," Congress spokesperson V.S. Ugrappa told IANS after a meeting of senior party leaders ahead of the arrival of Prithviraj Chavan, AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka affairs.
Indian govt must clear Iran sanctions issue – Indian Communist Patry
By NNN-PTI
New Delhi : Maintaining that Washington was seeking Indian companies comply with its sanctions against Iran, the CPI(M) Friday asked the UPA government to make it clear that these "unilateral" actions would not be taken by India.
The government "must break its silence and speak out against the US stance towards Iran. (It) should clearly state that such sanctions will not be applied by India," the party Politburo said in a statement here.
Kumaraswamy tells BJP to keep off its agenda
By IANS
Bangalore : Former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Saturday told the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to keep off its "agenda" if it wanted their proposed alliance government in the state to last long.
"If the BJP follows its agenda, then we are free to decide our course of action," Kumaraswamy told a local TV channel within hours of submitting to Governor Rameshwar Thakur a letter extending support to a BJP-led government in the state.
Snap polls likely after N-deal deadlock: Mayawati
By IANS
Chandigarh : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Sunday called upon her party cadres to be prepared for early general elections thanks to the deadlock between the Congress and the Left parties over the India-US nuclear deal.
Mamata dares CPI-M, seeks CBI probe into convoy firing
By IANS
Kolkata : Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Monday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged firing on her convoy in Nandigram Sunday.
Reacting angrily to the comments of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders that she was faking a firing on her car, Banerjee said: "Let the CBI probe the matter to find out the truth. There was firing from a house on us and the bullet was of .303, which is used by the cops."
CPI-M condemns central minister’s Nandigram remarks
By IANS
New Delhi : Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) MPs Tuesday took strong exception to Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi's remarks that Nandigram in West Bengal was hit by "CPI-M-led state sponsored massacre".
Buddhadeb justifies reprisal attack
By IANS
Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya Wednesday justified his virtual endorsement of the armed capture of Nandigram by "our men".
A defiant chief minister said: "I stick to what I have said. They (Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee supporters) have been paid back in their own coin.
AICC salutes overseas Indians
By IANS
New Delhi : The ruling Congress party Saturday lauded the "hard work and toil" of millions of Indian workers in West Asia, who have been a major source of remittances to their families in India.
In its omnibus resolution, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session also congratulated the "initiatives" by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs for the welfare of the Indian workers in West Asia.
A testing time for Congress-DMK ties
By Papri Sri Rakan, IANS
Chennai : With Congress president Sonia Gandhi terming coalition politics in Tamil Nadu as a "challenge", there is speculation here of some shift in the party's alliances in the state.
While the expression of concern by the Congress leadership is seen as a go ahead to the state Congress to take an aggressive stand against the DMK, the Congress is fighting shy of taking on the state's ruling party - yet.
Parliament adjourned following uproar over Nandigram
By IANS
New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day while the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m. Tuesday following disruption by a determined opposition over the violence in West Bengal's Nandigram.
While the Rajya Sabha was adjourned immediately after it met, the pandemonium continued for 20 minutes in the Lok Sabha before Speaker Somnath Chatterjee was forced to adjourn proceedings.
Congress criticises Badal’s model school plans
By IANS
Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's ambitious plan to open large number of 'adarsh' (model) schools across the state has received flak from the opposition Congress party.
The Congress Wednesday demanded that Badal, instead of wasting nearly Rs.10 billion of public money to fulfill his dream since 1979, should rather concentrate on providing half of that amount to put the 19,000 existing schools in the state in proper shape.
Himachal second phase poll notification Friday
By IANS
Dharamsala : The notification for the second phase of elections for the remaining 65 constituencies of the Himachal Pradesh assembly will be issued Friday, the chief electoral officer of the state said here Thursday.
The first phase of the elections was conducted Nov 14 and some 62 percent of the voters cast their ballot. The polling in three seats - Kinnaur, Bharmaur and twin valleys of Lahaul & Spiti - was held five weeks before the rest of the state, as these areas tend to get snowbound early in winter.
Congress changes tune again on Sonia remarks
By IANS
New Delhi : In another volte face, the Congress Monday said party president Sonia Gandhi's controversial "merchant of death" remark was not aimed at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi but was a reference to the "political failure" of the system.
"She was referring to the political failure of a system (Gujarat administration) and its functioning," party spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed told reporters here.
BJP may get 100-105 seats: analyst
By IANS
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to win the Gujarat assembly election bagging 100-105 seats in the house of 182, political analyst Mahesh Rangarajan said Sunday.
Rangarajan, however, said while analysing the counting trends from across the state that this tally might change.
The BJP won 127 seats and the Congress 51 in 2002.
Cabinet decides to notify redrawing of constituencies
By IANS
New Delhi : the government Thursday decided to implement the delimitation panel's recommendations that will redraw parliamentary and legislative assembly constituency maps across the country.
The new maps, drawn to reflect India's latest demographic profile, also mean that many leaders will have to look for new seats now.
"The cabinet decided to recommend to the president to notify the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission," Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters.
BJP demands farm loan remission up to Rs.50,000
By IANS
New Delhi : Stating that farmers were not getting remunerative prices for their produce, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday asked the government to write off all agricultural loans up to Rs.50,000 as a one-time measure to help farmers reeling under debt burden.
The party also asked the government to accept the recommendations of the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) about the minimum support price (MSP) for various crops.
Patil promises increased connectivity in northeast
By IANS
New Delhi : President Pratibha Patil Monday said the government was committed to improving air connectivity in the northeast by upgrading 18 airports, with green field airports in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing the joint session of parliament, Patil said the special accelerated roads development programme in the region (SARDP-NE) with a funding of Rs.430 billion had been formulated to construct, improve and widen roads in the region.
Voting begins for Nagaland assembly polls
By IANS
Kohima : Voting began Wednesday in the northeastern state of Nagaland for the 60-member assembly amid tight security with the Congress party and the Nagaland People's Front (NPF) led regional combine as the main challengers.
An election official said people in large numbers attired in their traditional tribal costumes lined up polling booths much before voting began at 7 a.m.
"Voting has begun with people turning up in large numbers already," a state election official said. The polling ends at 4 p.m.
UPA meet on women’s reservation bill after March 20
By IANS
New Delhi : The ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) will try to evolve a consensus among its partners to bring a bill that guarantees 33 percent seats for women in parliament and state assemblies.
The UPA will convene a meeting of its allies on the issue after March 20 when parliament takes inter-session break, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the Rajya Sabha Wednesday.
"Parliament will be dispersing March 20 for the inter-session recess. Soon after that I will hold this meeting," Manmohan Singh said.
Shibu Soren cleared of murder charge in 1975 massacre
By IANS
Ranchi : Former union minister Shibu Soren was Thursday acquitted of a murder charge in connection with the massacre of 11 people in a Jharkhand village in 1975.
A fast-track court in Jharkhand's Jamtara district acquitted Soren and six others, while convicting 14 people for the lynching of 11 people including nine Muslims by a mob in Chirudih village of Jamtara district Jan 23, 1975. One suspect is still absconding.
Apex court refuses to advance Meghalaya trust vote date
By IANS
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Wednesday refused to advance the date set by Meghalaya Governor S.S. Sidhu for the new Congress government to prove its majority on the floor of the state assembly.
Congress leader D.D. Lapang was Monday sworn-in as chief minister even after a combine of parties led by P.A. Sangma, a former Lok Sabha speaker and leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), claimed the support of 31 members in the 60-seat legislature.
The governor had given 10 days to Lapang to prove his majority support. The Congress has 25 legislators.
CPM warns govt against military collaboration agreement with US
By IRNA
New Delhi : Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat has warned the United Progressive Alliance government against going ahead with the Military
Collaboration Agreement with the United States and losing the country's stature of a non-aligned nation.
Seven Ministers inducted into Indian Cabinet
By APP
New Delhi : The Indian Cabinet was expanded on Sunday when seven Ministers took oath of office.
M S Gill, Jyotiraditya Scindia, former Chief Election Commissioner, Jitin Prasada, V Narayanasamy, Rameshwar Oraon and Santosh Bagrodia and RJD MP Raghunath Jha were among the new Ministers who took oath.
M S Gill, who was elected to Rajya Sabha from Punjab on a Congress ticket, has been made Minister of State with independent charge.
Government must justify its existence: CPI
By IANS,
New Delhi : Communist Party of India (CPI) MP Gurudas Das Gupta Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for its failure to rein in inflation.
"Manmohan Singh government must justify its existence. It seems there is no government in place. Things have been left to market forces," said Das Gupta, initiating a discussion in the Lok Sabha on rising prices.
"The government is out of place," he said.
Shutdown in Kerala town following arrest of RSS men
By IANS,
Kannur (Kerala) : The Thalassery assembly constituency in Kerala's Kannur district observed a shutdown Monday in response to a call by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to protest the arrest of three activists Saturday.
The three RSS activists were held in connection with the murder Jan 26 of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) member Jijesh.
The dawn-to-dusk shutdown was peaceful except for an incident where BJP-RSS supporters smashed the windscreen of a car, police said.
Police cane-charge BJP workers in Jharkhand, 20 injured
By IANS,
Ranchi : At least 20 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were injured in a police baton charge in Jharkhand Monday as the activists tried to cross barricades and reach the chief minister's residence to protest spiralling prices of essential commodities.
Nearly 5,000 BJP workers clashed with the police near the Governor House here as they tried to march towards the chief minister's residence. The BJP workers were led by Jamshedpur legislator Raghubar Das.
PM ‘waiting for the finals’ on his government’s popularity
By IANS,
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is “waiting for the finals” to find out the popularity of his government that completed four years Thursday.
“Waiting for the finals,” he quipped when reporters asked him how he rates his government.
Talking on the sidelines of an anniversary dinner hosted by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at his 7, Race Course Road residence, Manmohan Singh listed “an accountable government” as its single most achievement of the four years.
Amar Singh tells CPI-M not to strengthen ‘communal forces’
By IANS,
New Delhi : Seen as crucial to solving the political imbroglio over the India-US nuclear deal, the Samajwadi Party Tuesday told the CPI-M not to do anything that would strengthen "communal forces" and said it did not see anyone as an "enemy".
Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh, who met Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury, said his party was willing to consider "new facts" on the nuclear deal.
Storm in UNPA over Congress-Samajwadi ties
By IANS,
New Delhi : India's already shaky Third Front was in ferment Thursday over the decision of one of its key members, the Samajwadi Party, to prop up the Congress-led government.
Leaders of the Samajwadi Party, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) were locked in seemingly stormy discussions at the residence of Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh over the future of the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), which came up last year to take on both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam to contest Lok Sabha election
By TwoCircles.net reporter,
Tiruchirapalli: Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) will make formal inauguration of the Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (MMK), its newly-floated political party, at the party's state conference at Chennai after the rainy season.
Addressing a press conference here on 6th July TMMK president M H Jawahirullah announced it and said efforts were on to register the MMK with the Election Commission. He further said the party would contest in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.
Left says PM forcing them to end support to government
By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian Communist leaders Monday said they had no option but to withdraw their support to the government after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vowed to go ahead with the India-US nuclear deal.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and its three Left allies, which had asked the government to clarify by Monday its stand on the deal, will meet Tuesday morning to decide their next move.
India’s Left withdraws support to government
By Xinhua,
New Delhi : India's Left parties announced to withdraw support to the ruling United Progressive Alliance government Tuesday after failing to resolve their differences over the India-U.S. civilian nuclear deal.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Prakash Karat made the announcement at a press conference at the party headquarters here.
Karat said the decision would be formally conveyed to the President Pratibha Patil on July 10.
Left withdrawal was expected: Kerala Congress chief
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : The Congress party in Kerala Tuesday said it wouldn't be surprised if the Left parties now teamed up with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after having withdrawn support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
Terming the withdrawal of support by the Left as "expected", state Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala told reporters here: "Don't we know these Left (parties) better than anyone else? And don't be surprised if the Left decides to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)."
PM confident of trust vote, upbeat about n-deal
By IANS,
New Delhi : As the clock ticks away for the trust vote set for July 22, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday expressed confidence about winning it and said the nuclear deal would “in no way impinge” on India's strategic programme nor compromise the country's foreign policy.
"People of India understand the significance of the nuclear deal. The nuclear deal will in no way impinge on India's strategic programme," Manmohan Singh told senior editors from the electronic media at a breakfast meeting at his 7 Race Course residence.
Somnath in Hyderabad for eye check-up
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee arrived here Wednesday night for an eye check-up at a city hospital.
Chatterjee, who arrived from Delhi, headed straight to the Raj Bhavan from the airport. He refused to speak to mediapersons.
After a night halt at the Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the state governor, the Lok Sabha speaker will visit the L.V. Prasad Eye Hospital Thursday for the check-up. He underwent an eye surgery at the hospital last month.
Andhra Pradesh assembly Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy called on Chatterjee at the Raj Bhavan.
Bengal’s CPI-M leaders in court for contempt case
By IANS,
Kolkata : Three leaders of West Bengal's ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), including state general secretary Biman Bose, appeared before the Calcutta High Court Tuesday in connection with a contempt of court plea against them.
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice S.S Nijjar and Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh, asked Bose as well as Central Committee members Shyamal Chakraborty and Binoy Konar to file an affidavit within eight weeks on why a contempt case should not be initiated against them.
JDS helps Congress bag Karnataka council chairperson post
By IANS,
Bangalore : Janata Dal-Secular headed by former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda Tuesday helped Congress bag the post of chairperson of the Karnataka legislative council dashing ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's hopes of having its nominee elected.
In the 75-member house with five seats vacant, BJP has 23 members, Congress 29, JDS 13, Janata Dal (United) 2, and Independents 2. The acting chairperson also belongs to JDS.
Kishore Kumar Mohanty elected Orissa speaker
By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : Kishore Kumar Mohanty, a leader of Orissa's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), was Tuesday elected as speaker of the state assembly.
"I will try my best to ensure the smooth functioning of the house, taking the confidence of the members of both the ruling and opposition parties," Mohanty said.
He was elected by voice vote after the Congress party boycotted the voting saying it had not been consulted by the BJD.
The ruling coalition Monday proposed his name for the post. The Congress did not field any candidate.
BJP will support UPA if it introduces terror law, says senior party leader Venkaiah
By NNN-PTI,
Mumbai, India : Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said the party will extend support to the UPA Government if it came up with a stringent law against terrorism.
"They (UPA) repealed POTA and TADA... But an extraordinary situation needs an extraordinary law.... If the UPA could muster the political will to introduce a stringent law, we will extend support," he said on Wednesday.
EC seeks support of media in curbing paid news
New Delhi : The Election Commission has sought the support of media houses to ensure that the coming Lok Sabha polls remain free of...
BJP’s Babul Supriyo determined to repay his admirers
By Anurag Dey,
Asansol (West Bengal) : He left a lucrative job at a multinational bank to pursue his first love - singing. And after...
Modi ‘wave’ at India TV Studio, Editorial Director resigns in protest
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Qamar Waheed Naqvi, Editorial Director of India TV has resigned in, purportedly in protest of a “staged interview,” with the BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Rajat Sharma’s famous programme “Aap Ki Adalat.”
UP advocate general hauled up for campaigning for SP
Lucknow : The Election Commission has indicted the advocate general of Uttar Pradesh for using the state chopper and addressing an election rally favouring...
Lok Satta’s alliance with BJP: Gandhi and Ali Brothers?
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net
BJP supporters are proud to tell the fact that BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is a coalition of 30 parties. Consider the...
Discussion on voting patterns in India and ‘tactical’ voting of Muslims
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Institute of Objective Studies organised a discussion on “Voting Patterns in India with Reference to Tactical Voting by Muslims” on February 27 in the Capital.
EC probing BJP’s ‘communal party’ tag in Tripura school books
Agartala : The Election Commission of India is probing the BJP being tagged a "communal party" in the textbooks of government schools in Left-ruled...
AAP’s Bhopal candidate Rachna Dhingra finds support at MIT
By TCN News,
Boston, USA. Supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) from the Greater Boston area gathered to screen award winning documentary (on the Bhopal disaster) Bhopali on Sunday April 6th at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The event was organized by the Boston chapter of University Students for Aam Admi Party (us4AAP), an organization with chapters in more than 100 campuses, and AAP - New England who have been actively working on supporting AAP candidates in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in India.
Thambidurai as LS deputy speaker: Jayalalithaa thanks Modi
Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support to AIADMK's M. Thambidurai's election as deputy...
Polls for 5 Assemblies: A mid-term ‘referendum’ for UPA-II?
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
‘Right to recall’ elected politicians only hope for Muslim community
By Aziz A. Mubaraki,
Do Muslims ever follow ‘Imams’ in elections?
By Ashfaque Khan,
Self-proclaimed tellers of the imagined Muslim Vote Bank are not going to influence voting behaviour in any significant way.
CPI-M opposes binding pact with EU
By IANS,
New Delhi : The CPI-M Wednesday urged the Indian government not to conclude any binding agreement with the Europen Union before discussing them with Indian stakeholders.
Congress candidate files papers for Himachal bypolls
By IANS,
Shimla: The Congress Monday took the lead in filing nomination papers for the bye-elections in two assembly constituencies of Himachal Pradesh.
"Manjit Singh Monday filed the papers for the Rohru constituency," the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anil Khachi told IANS.
He was the only candidate from a political party who has filed papers till now.
�ccording to Khachi, Ashok Kumar Somal filed his papers for the Jawali constituency as an Independent candidate.
BJP resolves Karnataka muddle, Sushma to play key role
By IANS,
New Delhi/Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party Sunday ended the two-week-old crisis in its first government in Karnataka by assigning a key role in the state affairs to senior party leader Sushma Swaraj in return for dissidents dropping their demand for removal of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.
Ruckus in Lok Sabha over slur by Trinamool MP
By IANS,
New Delhi: A slur by Trinamool Congress member Sudip Bandyopadhyay against veteran CPI-M leader Basudeb Acharia triggered noisy opposition protests disrupting the Lok Sabha Tuesday.
Left party MPs staged a sit-in near Speaker Meira Kumar's podium demanding an apology from Bandyopadhyay, who was not present in the house when it resumed at 5.30 p.m. after two disruptions earlier over the Mumbai train strike.
The slogan-shouting MPs refused to return to their seats despite the speaker repeatedly trying to pacify them and requesting them to allow the house to function.
Mayawati’s mission 2012 – no contesting by-elections now
By IANS,
Lucknow : Chief Minister Mayawati says the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will not contest any more by-elections for now - her party triumphed in the Domariyaganj assembly bypoll - as she wants to focus on the Uttar Pradesh polls in 2012.
"Henceforth, we will not contest any by-election until 2012 because I want everyone to remain focused on the next state assembly elections," Mayawati said in a circular issued late Monday night.
BJP resolutions a bundle of lies: Congress
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Congress Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of making false charges against the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in resolutions adopted at its national executive meeting at Patna, saying "its averments were a bundle of lies".
Congress spokesman Manish Tewari, referring to points made in the BJP resolutions, said here that it was wrong to say the central government was pauperizing the states.
All party meeting on Kashmir Monday
By IANS,
Srinagar : The all-party meeting convened by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to find a way to tackle the crisis in the valley began here Monday afternoon with the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) staying away.
Ruling National Conference chief and union minister Farooq Abdullah, the father of the chief minister, is amongst those attending the meet that started at 3 p.m. State Congress chief Saif-ud-din Soz is also participating along with other leaders of the ruling National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance.
JMM supporter shot dead in West Bengal
By IANS,
Kolkata: An activist of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) was shot dead by unknown assailants in a Maoist-dominated area of West Bengal's Purulia district, police said Tuesday.
The bullet-ridden body of Srikanta Hansda was found in a jungle near Maa Kapali village in Bandwan area.
Police suspect that Hansda was killed by the Maoists while JMM leaders alleged that he was shot dead by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) activists.
TDP’s ‘Muslim declaration’ has placed the community on cloud nine
10% quota in job and education; 8% quota in assembly; Rs 2500Cr in annual budget
By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Andhra high court dismisses Jagan’s bail plea
By IANS,
Hyderabad : The Andhra Pradesh High Court Thursday rejected YSR Congress Party leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy's bail petition in an illegal assets case.
Bihar opposition leader gives up security
By IANS,
Patna : Bihar's opposition leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui has given up his security personnel and urged the government to deploy them to maintain law and order.
Cop beating: Court to hear legislators’ bail plea Monday
By IANS,
Mumbai : A court here Friday adjourned, to Monday, the bail plea of two Maharashtra legislators, who were arrested for beating up a policeman three days ago.
CPI for all-party meet to discuss Lankan Tamil tangle
By IANS,
Chennai : The Communist Party of India (CPI) has called for an all-party meeting Monday to deliberate upon possible solutions for the Sri Lankan Tamil tangle.
Invitations have been sent to all political parties in Tamil Nadu to discuss means to stop the civil war and prevent the loss of innocent civilians' lives, a party press release said Saturday.
Meanwhile, over 11 Tamil refugee families from Sri Lanka comprising the old and the infirm, as also women and children surrendered to police in Rameshwaram, 600 km south of here, police said.
Stop all travel between India and Pakistan, BJP tells government
By IANS,
New Delhi : India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday asked the government to stop individuals from travelling between this country and Pakistan and also sought the recall of the Indian high commissioner from Pakistan.
"Travelling between the two countries should be stopped altogether except in cases of grave emergency," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here.
India Friday issued an advisory to its citizens against travel to Pakistan following the reported arrest of several Indians in the country, who had been charged with terrorism.
TRS set to join TDP-Left alliance in Andhra Pradesh
By IANS,
Hyderabad : The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) appears all set to join the 'grand alliance', headed by Andhra Pradesh's main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and including the Left parties, for the ensuing elections to the assembly and the Lok Sabha.
BJP hopes to break no-win jinx in Kerala
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has not won a single assembly or Lok Sabha seat in Kerala till now, is hoping to break the jinx in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The BJP's central election committee Monday announced 18 candidates for the April-May Lok Sabha elections, of whom six are from Kerala.
Party leaders feel there is a change in the perception of the Kerala voter and the youngsters would vote for the BJP this time.
Sonia Gandhi lauds Kashmiris for poll participation
By IANS,
Srinagar : Those who advocate violence should learn from the people of Jammu and Kashmir who expressed their faith in democracy by participating in the state assembly polls, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi said Saturday while inaugurating the new Srinagar International Airport here.
"Those sowing seeds of hatred among communities are actualy friends of none. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have expressed faith in democracy by participating in the assembly polls from which those who believe in violence should learn a lesson," she maintained.
Defamation case filed against union minister in Chhattisgarh
By IANS,
Raipur : Chhattisgarh's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ajay Chandrakar has filed a defamation case against Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Planning V. Narayanasamy for allegedly accusing him of corruption.
Congress to sing ‘Jai ho’ on campaign trail
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Congress is seeking to ride on the popularity of the Oscar-winning song "Jai ho" and released campaign CDs Friday set to its catchy music whose rights it has purchased.
The CDs focus on the country's development under the Congress. The lyrics, set to the song from the film "Slumdog Millionaire" that won eight Oscars, end with a catchline - "Aam admi ke badhtey kadam, har kadam par Bharat buland (With every step forward that the common man takes, India will reach its pinnacle of glory)".
Congress open to post-poll alliances to retain power
By IANS,
Bangalore : The ruling Congress, which has pre-poll alliances in eight states across the country for the coming general elections, is open to post-poll alliances to remain in power even in a coalition set-up, a senior party leader said Wednesday.
Gogoi under pressure to drop non-performing ministers
By IANS,
Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is facing a rebellion of sorts from within his ruling Congress party with legislators seeking a reshuffle in the cabinet and dropping of "non-performing" ministers.
"A group of 27 legislators submitted a signed memorandum to the chief minister requesting him to effect a cabinet reshuffle by dropping inefficient ministers and inducting new faces," Raju Sahu, a Congress legislator representing the Chabua assembly constituency in eastern Assam, told IANS Thursday.
Trinamool MP tries to cross PM’s convoy
By IANS,
New Delhi : A heated argument Thursday broke out between Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee and security personnel when he tried to cross the security cordon laid for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh near parliament.
Highly placed security sources told IANS that Banerjee was in his car and wanted to go to parliament at the same time when the security cordon for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's convoy had already been laid. The incident occurred at the Vijay Chowk around 12.25 p.m.
Kalam not to contest presidential polls
By IANS
New Delhi : The presidential race Tuesday appeared to have narrowed down to a straight contest - between United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pratibha Patil and National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-supported independent Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's office signalling his disinterest in a second term.
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.
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.
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."
Pan-India coverage for rural job guarantee scheme
New Delhi, Sep 28 (IANS) Call it the Rahul Gandhi effect - the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme will cover the entire country and not just the 330 districts where it is currently operational, it was announced Friday.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and attended, among others, by Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, an aide in the Prime Minister's Office said.
"The government has approved the extension of the scheme to cover the entire country," the aide added.
Kumaraswamy quits, governor for President’s Rule
By IANS
Bangalore : H.D. Kumaraswamy quit as Karnataka chief minister Monday evening, and the governor is learnt to have recommended President's Rule in the state late in the night.
Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), who lost majority as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pulled out of the 20-month-old alliance after his refusal to honour word on power transfer to it, met Governor Rameshwar Thakur late Monday evening and submitted his resignation.
PM disappointed with allies over N-deal
By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday expressed disappointment with his allies for not fully standing by him when he came under attack from the Left over the Indo-US nuclear deal.
The prime minister bared his heart at a meeting of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), including top leaders of the major Congress allies, at his residence, informed sources told IANS.
"The prime minister voiced his disappointment to Lalu Prasad, Sharad Pawar and T.R. Baalu over their public statements against the nuclear deal," the source said.
No government with Congress, says JD-S
By IANS
Bangalore : Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) president H.D. Deve Gowda Thursday ruled out forming a government with the Congress, scotching rumours that the two parties might get together to rule Karnataka for a second time.
Addressing a crowded press conference here, the former prime minister also demanded dissolution of the assembly and early elections in the state - under President's rule since earlier this month.
Congress probes leaders caught with sex workers
By IANS
Bhopal : The Congress has initiated a probe following a TV channel showing footage of a birthday bash of its Madhya Pradesh leader with sex workers as guests that led to the suspension of two key party officials.
Two state Congress leaders, general secretary Govind Goyal and legal cell convenor J.P. Dhanopia, were suspended from the party after they were caught on camera with Bedia dancers at Goyal's birthday function held at a party office Nov 12.
Bhajan Lal, son and their ‘tea party’
By Jaideep Sarin, IANS
Chandigarh : It is a move that could impact the course of Haryana politics in the coming days.
As 'dissident' father-son duo - former chief minister Bhajan Lal and his MP son Kuldeep Bishnoi - prepare the ground for their rally in Rohtak town Dec 2, speculation is rife in the state's ruling Congress on whether the duo will finally call it quits from the party.
When asked about a new party being floated by Bhajan Lal, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda joked, "My information is that a tea party is being formed!"
No Delhi plans for Modi: Naidu
By IANS
Ahmedabad : Narendra Modi, who led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to an emphatic win in Gujarat, would not shift to national politics in the near future, party leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said Monday.
"Modi is a dynamic leader. The party has given him the task of Gujarat. It will decide in future if he will shift to the national level," he told reporters here.
He said Modi's victory, third consecutive win for the party in the state, had boosted the morale of the organisation.
CPI-M workers torch rivals’ houses in Nandigram
By IANS
Kolkata : Members of the ruling Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M) have allegedly torched houses of members of anti-land acquisition group Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) Thursday at trouble-torn Nandigram in West Bengal's East Midnapore district.
After yearlong hostility in Nandigram, about 150 km from here, guns had fallen silent since mid-November 2007 after the CPI-M cadres regained control of the area which witnessed unprecedented violence over a proposed special economic zone (SEZ), including a chemical hub.
Rabri dares Thackeray, says will perform Chhath in Mumbai
By IANS
Patna : Daring Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, Bihar's Leader of Opposition Rabri Devi Monday said she will join her husband Railway Minister Lalu Prasad in performing the Chhath Puja in Mumbai.
"I will join my saheb (Lalu Prasad) in performing Chhath Puja in Mumbai," Rabri Devi told newspersons here.
Lalu Prasad last month said: "If possible, I will go to Mumbai to perform Chhath Puja."
Bombay Should Be Changed To Mumbai: Sena
By Bernama,
Mumbai : Issuing a stern warning, Shiv Sena Party Chief Bal Thackeray Wednesday asked the all the institutions in the city with the name Bombay as prefix to change it to Mumbai, failing which the party would target them, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
"If the supporters of Bombay keep harping their tune, then the 'Bombaywallahs' will be forced to flee," Thackeray said in an editorial in the political party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
BJP to demand trust vote if Left withdraws support: Advani
By IANS,
Kanpur : The main opposition BharatIiya Janata Party (BJP) will demand a trust vote in parliament if the Left parties withdraw support to the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the India-US nuclear deal, the party's prime ministerial aspirant L.K. Advani said here Friday.
"We would press for the government to seek a confidence vote in the event of the Left withdrawing its support," he declared while kicking off the BJP's Lok Sabha poll campaign from the historic Phoolbagh Maidan in this Uttar Pradesh town.
NDA would do everything to oust UPA government, says BJP President
By NNN-PTI,
Bhopal : BJP President Rajnath Singh said that NDA would do everything to oust the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.
He, however, made it clear that BJP would not "adopt unfair means" in this regard and requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to resign and seek fresh mandate.
"NDA will attempt that UPA Government did not win the confidence vote. But we will not adopt unfair means in this regard," he told reporters here.
Pranab opts out, Anand Sharma to attend ARF meet
By IANS,
New Delhi : With a trust vote looming in parliament next week, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is also a leading political manager of the ruling coalition, has decided to send junior minister Anand Sharma to Singapore to attend a ministerial meeting of the Asean Regional Forum.
Mukherjee was slated to attend the crucial ARF meeting in Singapore July 21-24. But with the government battling for survival after the Left parties withdrew their support last week, he decided to send Sharma for it, official sources said.
Karnataka’s development blueprint for 2020 ready: Yeddyurappa
By IANS,
Bangalore : The first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in southern India has drawn a comprehensive development blueprint to transform Karnataka into a model state by 2020, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said here Friday.
Addressing a huge gathering to mark the 62nd Independence Day celebrations, Yeddyurappa said the blueprint was aimed at removing regional imbalance in the state and ensure equitable development.
UP Muslims reject Congress’ ‘farce’ on Batla, reservation
By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,