Our allies will decide on Congress after polls: Karat
By IANS,
New Delhi: Appearing to soften his stand on allying with the Congress, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat has said that a decision on this issue will be taken jointly by Third Front partners after the Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking on the "Devil's Advocate" programme on CNN-IBN telecast Sunday evening, Karat said whether to ally with the Congress if nothing else worked out would be a "joint decision by the Biju Janata Dal (BJP), JD-S (Janata Dal-Secular), AIADMK (and Left parties)".
Bangalore voters’ apathy puzzles candidates, analysts
By Maitreyee Boruah, IANS,
Bangalore : Candidates and political analysts in Bangalore are struggling to find a convincing answer to the apathy of voters in India's tech hub, where only a little over 45 percent of the six million electorate in three Lok Sabha constituencies cast their ballot April 23.
The 2.03 million voters in Bangalore South, touted as a prestigious constituency with the electorate a mix of the educated and rich as well as low-income groups, were the worst - as just 44.73 percent of them turned up at the polling booths.
Government ad against ethos of Constitution: Congress
New Delhi : Slamming the government for an advertisement that depicted an image of the preamble of the Constitution without the words 'secular' and...
I want opposition to remain divided: Buddhadeb
By IANS,
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has said he would always like to see the opposition parties in the state divided.
PM’s foreign trips promote cooperation: Sushma Swaraj
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's engagements abroad have been aimed at promoting cooperation on skill development, advanced medical research and food security,...
Rajnath meets Muslim clerics
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Lucknow: Bhartiya Janta Party President Rajnath Singh, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Lucknow today met top Muslim clerics of the city.
Jaitley announces packages for SCs, STs
New Delhi : Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday announced a mix of welfare plans and financial allocations to uplift people belonging to the scheduled...
Andhra MP arrested at Hyderabad airport, released
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Congress MP from Vijayawada L. Rajagopal was taken into preventive custody by the police at the airport here soon after he landed Monday to launch an indefinite fast to oppose the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. He was released later.
Tension prevailed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad on the city outskirts as Rajagopal's supporters tried to resist the arrest. Some supporters of the MP were also taken into custody. The MP was arrested under Section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Rally for women’s quota bill Thursday
By IANS,
New Delhi: Women's groups across the country Tuesday announced that they would hold a rally in the capital Thursday, which would be attended by Communist leader Brinda Karat and actress Sharmila Tagore, to pressurise the government to pass the women's reservation bill.
"Thousands of women from all corners of the country would participate in the rally which will commence at 11 a.m. from Jantar Mantar and proceed towards the Parliament House," said Annie Raja, general secretary of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW).
Attack against professor not a communal issue: UDF
By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent
Kochi: The UDF yesterday stated that the attack on the professor accused in the question paper controversy should not be seen as a communal problem. In another development to the investigation, police yesterday released the draft picture of two accused in the case. Meanwhile, the DGP said that the state had not thought about handing over the case to the NIA.
CBI must probe religious leader’s death: Achuthanandan
Thiruvananthapuram: Veteran CPI-M leader V.S. Achuthanandan on Monday sought a CBI probe into the controversial death of a religious leader following claims that he...
Time UPA spared India and quit: BJP
By IANS
New Delhi : Terming the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) as 'Ulta Pulta Alliance' or topsy-turvy alliance, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday asked it to "go and spare India".
"The nation is tired and indeed fatigued by the farce, which goes in the name of UPA. It is now finally evident that an alliance of mutually hostile and antagonistic elements like the Congress and the Left based solely upon their common hatred against the BJP is inherently unstable," party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here.
Thakerays are ‘infiltrators’ in Maharashtra from Bihar: Lalu Prasad
By IANS,
Patna : Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Sunday said Bal Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray were originally Bihari, and that they were "infiltrators" in Maharashtra.
Hyderabad to host international seminar on Prophet Muhammed
Hyderabad : An international seminar on the life and ways of Prophet Muhammed will be held here from February 21 to February 23.
Eminent Islamic...
Expatriates have decisive role to play in the future of India: SDPI Chief
By TCN News,
Jeddah : Indian community employed in the Gulf countries have a larger and decisive role to play in shaping the future of India, said A Saeed, National President of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). He was speaking during an impressive reception given to the national leaders of SDPI on their short visit to the Kingdom.
Chhattisgarh Left parties rally behind Anna
By IANS,
Raipur : Left parties took out rallies across Chhattisgarh Tuesday in support of anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare, a statement said.
Muslim expectations from AAP Government
ZakatIndia's letter to Arvind Kejriwal
Dear Sri Arvind Kejriwal Ji,
Congratulations for your party's second victory in Delhi.
We promise that we the office bearers & members of Zakat Foundation of India shall never seek any personal favor from you or your government for ourselves or any other well placed individual.
Government committed to modernising armed forces: UPA report card
By IANS,
New Delhi : The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government said Tuesday it was continuing to focus on the modernisation of India's armed forces and ensuring the country's defence preparedness.
"Another area being accorded high priority is the development of roads and infrastructure in the high altitude areas," the government said in its report card of UPA-2 after completing one year that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released here Tuesday.
Set up epigraphy institute in Tamil Nadu: Karunanidhi
By IANS,
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi Monday requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to set up the proposed Indian National Institute of Epigraphy in the state.
In a letter to Singh, Karunanidhi, appreciating the government's decision to set up a national level institute for epigraphy, said: "The government of Tamil Nadu is willing to allocate land for the establishment of Indian National Institute of Epigraphy."
He said Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of inscriptions - around 100,000 - of which 60,000 are in Tamil.
Expecting positive steps from government on JPC: Nitin Gadkari
By George Joseph, IANS,
7th Pay Commission: 33 lakh government employees threaten to go on strike
New Delhi : With widespread resentment against the “meagre” pay hike announced in the 7th Pay Commission, as many as 33 lakh central government...
40 percent voting in Madhya Pradesh by afternoon
Bhopal: Nearly 40 percent voting was recorded by afternoon in the 10 Lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, which went to polls Thursday, officials...
UP told to axe security to 288 people
Lucknow : The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to withdraw, within 10 days, security provided to...
Congress blocks trains in Punjab for farmers’ cause
Chandigarh: Congress leaders and activists in Punjab blocked trains at some places in Punjab on Saturday, demanding the state and central governments take immediate...
BSP wins Hardoi by-election in Uttar Pradesh
By IANS,
Lucknow : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) nominee Nitin Agrawal Tuesday won the Hardoi state assembly by-election, defeating his closest rival Sukh Sagar Misra of the Samajwadi Party in a virtually straight contest.
Agrawal polled 65,533 votes as against 41,611 by Misra.
While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not fielded any candidate, Congress nominee Mithilesh Singh Chauhan put up a poor tally of just 5,737 votes.
Nitin's victory was a foregone conclusion as this seat has been a pocket burrough of his father Naresh Agrawal who held it for seven successive terms.
Kejriwal to tour Haryana from Friday
New Delhi : AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal will embark on a three-day election tour of Haryana starting Friday, a party leader said.
The Aam Aadmi...
Advani has to go, Rajnath will follow, RSS tells BJP
By Arun Anand, IANS
New Delhi : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has decided to bring in sweeping changes in the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that would see veteran leader L.K. Advani and party president Rajnath Singh step down from their posts, RSS sources said Saturday.
The expected upheaval is meant to bring an immediate end to the ugly internecine fighting in the BJP and to ensure it does not deviate from its known ideology "for the sake of power", the sources told IANS.
Sombre Gujarat Congress in introspective mode
By IANS
Ahmedabad : A day after its humiliating defeat in the Gujarat assembly polls, the Congress Monday was in self-introspection mode, admitting to mistakes rather than playing a blame game.
"I take full responsibility for the defeat," said Bharatsinh Solanki, the state unit president who was in charge of the election campaign.
"We have not been able to connect with the electorate effectively," Solanki told IANS Monday.
Asked if there was any rural-urban divide in the voting pattern, he confessed: "No, we have lost across Gujarat."
Bihar students write open letter to RJD, urge to break silence on incarceration of...
TCN News
Bihar: Scores of students of Bihar have a written an open letter to Tejashwi Yadav, the President of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and...
Telecom firm staff seek BJP activists’ arrest
By IANS
Raipur : Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) staff Friday held a demonstration and sought arrest of activists of the youth wing of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party who had ransacked their office.
Scores of BSNL Employees Union members went to Jai Stambh chowk and held demonstration for hours, accusing the BJP youth wing cadre of "crossing limits" Thursday by storming into BSNL office at Khamhardih area, assaulting a general manager, and damaging office property.
Around 50 percent polling in Rajasthan
By IANS,
Jaipur : Around 50 percent polling was reported Saturday in bypolls from Rajasthan's two assembly constituencies of Todabhim and Salumber where the main battle is between the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"The polling, which was completely peaceful, should be in the region of around 50 percent," an election department official told IANS, adding that the final percentage would only be known late in the evening.
Modi leads Kejriwal in Varanasi
Varanasi : BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is leading from the Varanasi seat, ahead of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, in the Lok...
AAP fires up Punjab’s politics towards new trajectory
By Jaideep Sarin
Chandigarh: Whenever assembly elections are round the corner in Punjab, political fireworks are expected. This time is a little...
Rights groups condemn ‘pressure’ against USCIRF to report on religious persecution in India
In a letter to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom on April 10, several rights-based organizations and individuals said the commission must...
Sanjay Dutt keeps mum, but others oppose his political foray
Mumbai, June 2 (IANS) Ever since Bollywood's embattled star Sanjay Dutt casually remarked to the media that he would like to contest Lok Sabha elections due next year, speculation is rife in the tinsel town, as well as in political circles, about his political ambitions.
As IANS earlier reported, the buzz about his joining the Samajwadi Party spread after state unit president Abu Asim Azmi told the media that the party would give him a ticket to fight the election if he decides to join them.
Opposition parties seek concise plan for disaster management
New Delhi : Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha Tuesday asked the central government to avoid "knee-jerk" reactions and have a "concise" plan to...
Jharkhand panchayat polls: 59,585 file papers for first phase
By IANS,
Ranchi : A total of 59,585 candidates have filed nomination papers for the first phase of panchayat polls in Jharkhand, an official statement said Thursday.
Mayawati-Congress battle is all over Dalit votes
By Rajeev Ranjan Roy, IANS
New Delhi : She may be the queen of Dalit politics. But Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati appears rattled by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's determined attempts to woo back Dalits who once voted en masse for the country's oldest party.
Mayawati's threat to withdraw support to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) unless it announces a special economic package for the betterment of the Bundelkand region is a reflection of her fears, say political analysts.
Advani parroting our terminology: Congress
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Congress Friday lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani for parroting the Congress terminology in his hurry to become prime minister.
"In a hurry to be the prime minister, Advani is using our terminology, especially the four terms: inclusive growth, scholarships for the needy, improvement in agriculture and rural development," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters here.
Kashmir issue unfinished agenda, says Nawaz Sharif
Islamabad: Pakistan does not see Kashmir dispute as a geographical or border issue, but an unfinished agenda of the 1947 Partition plan, Prime Minister...
Atrocities on Dalits have increased under Modi regime: Rahul Gandhi
Lucknow : Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Friday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over increasing attacks on Dalits and price rise, and accused him...
Buddhadeb woos farmers, harps on industry
By IANS
Kolkata : Sharpening his attack on the "retrograde" opposition stymieing the progress of West Bengal, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya Sunday said the state still has a lot to achieve in agriculture and big industries are as important to provide employment to thousands of educated youths seeking jobs.
Third Front constituents will go back to BJP: Vayalar Ravi
By T.G. Biju, IANS,
New Delhi : The "so-called secular forces" associated with the Left parties in the name of Third Front will "definitely go back" to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) group after the Lok Sabha polls, warned senior Congress leader and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi.
Andhra chief minister’s personal attack on Naidu sparks furore
By IANS
Hyderabad : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's personal attack on opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu in the state assembly Monday sparked a furore, and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) activists immediately took to the streets demanding an apology.
The chief minister made a scathing attack on the TDP president during a heated debate on the issue of mining lease to Obulapuram Mining Corp (OMC) owned by Rajasekhara Reddy's friend and the arrest of TDP leaders in Anantapur district.
Bihar probes its dubious Class 12 toppers, one doesn’t appear
Patna : Bihar's Class 12 'topper' in Arts, Rubi Rai, who said political science is all about cooking, will face stern action for failing...
Sonia was hostile to Narasimha Rao: Natwar book
New Delhi : Although she made him the prime minister after her husband died, Sonia Gandhi didn't like P.V. Narasimha Rao who felt she...
Brisk voting underway in Kerala
By IANS,
Thiruvananathapuram : Brisk voting was underway in all of Kerala's 20 Lok Sabha constituencies Thursday morning, where the main contest is between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
Heavy polling was reported in cities across the state and especially in the coastal areas, with more than five percent votes having been cast in cities and four percent in rural areas at the end of the first hour.
Congress-Lalu spat goes up one notch
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Congress may be projecting Manmohan Singh as its prime ministerial candidate but key ally Lalu Prasad Tuesday put a spoke in the wheel by saying the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) would choose its prime minister only after the elections.
As campaigning ended for the second phase of balloting April 23 - the first phase of the five-stage process was on April 16 - Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherje took umbrage to Lalu Prasad's remark, but Manmohan Singh brushed it aside.
Amit Shah elected BJP president for full term
New Delhi: Amit Shah, a confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was on Sunday elected the BJP president for a full three-year term, retaining...
Basu welcomes Mamata’s decision for talks with Tata Motors
By IANS,
Kolkata : Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) patriarch Jyoti Basu Friday welcomed the decision of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for talks with the Tata Motors over the Singur land row.
"It's good that she's ready for talks with the Tata Motors. I welcome her gesture," Basu said after attending the CPI-M state secretariat meeting here.
He said: "We have no objection if she (Banerjee) wants to have dialogues and sort out the issue with the Tata Motors' authority."
Ideology as a cover for political agenda: New ICHR Chief is a Communal Ideologue
By Ram Puniyani,
Electoral and political arena is only one of the grounds through which political agenda of vested interests is achieved. Capturing of people’s mind, the ideological propagation, is the foundation on which political agenda stands and perpetuates itself. That’s how the change in History text books or teaching a communal version of History is a necessary part of sectarian nationalism in many South Asian countries. In Pakistan the communal elements teach that foundation of Pakistan begins with the victory of Mohammad bin Kasim in Sind in eight century! One knows that the basic difference in the kingdoms and nation states is too gross to be glossed over like this but any way if communalists have the levers of power, like education, in their hands anything can be manipulated and presented in a form which indoctrinates the large section of population. That’s how when the NDA Government came to power last time around (1999), one of its action was changing the history books to bring in the communal version of the past. This time around with BJP led NDA coming to power with bigger majority, matters are going to be worse off if one looks at what is being planned in the arena of education in particular.
BJP wins Gujarat’s Vadodara LS seat
Ahmedabad : Bharatiya Janata Party's Ranjan Bhatt Tuesday won the Vadodara Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat, defeating Congress candidate Narendra Rawat.
The bypoll to this...
BJP slams Dikshit for ‘poor’ industrial growth
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday accused Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit of neglecting industrial growth of the capital during 10 years of her rule.
"Not a single new industrial growth area has been developed in Delhi by the Sheila Dikshit government," Delhi BJP president Harshvardhan told reporters ahead of next month's assembly polls here.
CBI arrests Mumbai Income Tax official for bribery
New Delhi : A joint commissioner posted with Income Tax department in Mumbai was on Friday arrested for allegedly accepting Rs.5 lakh in a...
BSP MP granted bail in maid torture case
New Delhi: A court here Saturday granted two months interim bail to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) parliamentarian Dhananjay Singh, accused for torturing his maid.
However,...
JMM, Congress hold closed-door talks on Jharkhand
By IANS,
Ranchi : The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress have started closed-door talks to form an alternative government in Jharkhand after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formally withdrew support to the Shibu Soren-led government Monday.
BJP leaders Monday met Jharkhand Governor M.O.H. Farook and handed over a letter affirming withdrawal of the party's support to Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who also heads the JMM.
Manish Tewari expresses regret to Hazare
By IANS,
New Delhi : Congress spokesman Manish Tewari Thursday expressed regret to Anna Hazare over his comments slamming the social activist for alleged corruption.
Oman ambassador-designate meets Kerala CM
Thiruvananthapuram: Indian ambassador-designate to Oman Indra Mani Pandey on Monday called on Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and said the embassy in the sultunate...
SP parliamentary board sets aside merger with Ansari’s party
Lucknow : Bowing to the wishes of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) on Saturday took a u-turn on the...
BJP ally RLSP not invited to NDA meet in Bihar
Patna : Ahead of the Bihar assembly polls, BJP ally RLSP was on Saturday not invited to a meeting of the NDA in...
Enemies of peace raising superficial issues in J&K: Mehbooba Mufti
Srinagar : Those raising non-issues like allotment of land for a Sainik Colony in Kashmir are actually enemies of peace and development, Jammu and...
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.
All eyes on Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat
Ahmedabad : The stage is set for polling in all the 26 Lok Sabha constituencies in Gujarat, and the fortunes of a number of...
Getting regular threats from Islamic fundamentalists: Kerala MLA
Thiruvananthapuram : IUML legislator K.M. Shaji said he has reported 10 cases of threats that were made to him for the strongly progressive stand...
Underworld don threatens Jamiat functionary after BJP demands ban on Jamiat Ulema
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Mumbai: Days after the BJP MLA Ashish Shelar demanded a ban on the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind due to its legal support to accused in terrorism cases, under world don Ravi Pujari has threatened to kill Gulzar Azmi, a senior functionary in Jamiat.
Opposition grills government over Israeli firm building hospital
By IANS,
Panaji : Opposition parties in Goa Thursday questioned the state government's logic of allowing an Israeli defence equipment manufacturer to build a super specialty hospital under the public-private-partnership (PPP) model.
Speaking during question hour in the assembly, leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar said the Israel-based holding company, M/s Elbit India Hospitals Limited (EIHL), only had a marginal stake in health care.
Rahul Gandhi heads to Amethi, silent over Joshi’s remarks
By IANS,
Lucknow : Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi headed to his parliamentary constituency Amethi Friday but preferred to maintain silence on the alleged derogatory remarks made by Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi against Chief Minister Mayawati and Joshi's subsequent arrest.
After arriving at the Amausi airport here in the morning, Gandhi drove to Amethi in Sultanpur district without answering any queries by mediapersons on the issue.
Strict action against CPI-M office attackers: minister
By IANS
New Delhi : Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil Monday warned of criminal proceedings against those who had attacked the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) headquarters here.
Patil did not name anyone but told the Rajya Sabha: "Anybody who has committed a crime will be proceeded against. You can rest assured this will be done."
Accept amendments for strong Lokpal, says Mulayam
By IANS,
New Delhi : Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav Tuesday urged the government to accept amendments proposed by opposition parties to make a strong Lokpal.
BSP goes it alone in Left-ruled West Bengal
By IANS,
Kolkata : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), one of the formidable political forces that formed the Third Front along with Leftists at the centre, has not entered into any electoral tie-up with its allies in Left-ruled West Bengal.
It will contest all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, BSP chief Mayawati said here at a political rally Tuesday.
Govt targeting Hindu leaders without evidence, says Rajnath
By NNN-PTI,
Raipur, India : Main opposition BJP today accused the Congress-led UPA government of "targeting" Hindu religious leaders by linking them to incidents of bomb blasts without "sufficient evidence".
The opposition party also came to the defence of Yogi Adityanath, BJP MP from Gorakhpur, whose name reportedly figured in the investigation into the Malegaon blasts case.
"Linking Adityanath to the (Malegaon blast) case is not procedural but political," BJP chief Rajnath Singh told reporters here.
Chandy will go Jayalalilthaa way if cases properly probed: Achuthanandan
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will go the same way as J. Jayalalithaa if the numerous cases in which he allegedly has...
Tripura militants have camps in Bangladesh: CM
Agartala: Terrorist outfits of Tripura have camps in Bangladesh, though they have no hideout in the state currently, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said.
"Militant outfits...
Will do ‘more work for minorities’: Gadkari
By IANS,
New Delhi, : Expanding the organisational base of the beleaguered Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by reaching out to minorities and Dalits is the first priority of its new chief Nitin Gadkari.
But Gadkari, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member, doesn't want to tamper with the BJP's ideology.
"There will be no ideological change (in the party) because of my arrival," he categorically said, at his first media conference after being nominated as the BJP president last week.
Shiv Sena candidate forgets to sign nomination form
By IANS,
Mumbai : A question mark hangs over the candidature of senior Shiv Sena leader Gajanan Kirtikar for the Lok Sabha poll from Mumbai North-West constituency after he reportedly committed errors while filing his nomination, a party source said.
According to the source, Kirtikar, a minister in the former Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state, is said to have committed at least five serious blunders, including forgetting to sign the form.
Kirtikar's rival candidates from the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) have demanded his papers be rejected.
Left parties protest fuel price hike in Tripura
By IANS
Agartala : The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in Tripura Thursday held protest demonstrations against hike in prices of petrol and diesel.
"Similar protest demonstration would be organised on Friday," said Gautam Das, state spokesperson of CPI-M.
"The Left parties gave an alternative proposal to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) central government to increase the excise and customs duty of petroleum products and avoid increasing the prices of fuel. But they did not listen to us," he said.
Two killed in Congress, TDP clashes in Andhra Pradesh
By IANS
Hyderabad : At least two people were killed in the clashes between workers of the ruling Congress party and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh's Prakasam district Thursday.
The clashes occurred in Akka Chrevulu in Prakasam district in south coastal Andhra, about 400 km from here.
The police said one TDP activist was killed and another injured when a group of Congress workers allegedly attacked them when they were on their way to a local court.
Kerala leaders mourn the loss of comrade Surjeet
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Veteran Communist leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet, who died in New Delhi Friday after a prolonged illness, was remembered fondly here not just by his comrades in Kerala's government but also by the opposition Congress.
Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan said he had been fortunate to be associated with Surjeet for more than five decades.
"I recall the association that I had with him fondly. When our party here in the state went through troubled times, the timely intervention that he made was very crucial. His loss is irreparable," said Achuthanandan.
BJP for good ties with US, but India first
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday said it was for good relations with the US but not at the cost of India's own interests.
"The party stands for good relations with the US. However, India's interest is paramount," senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
He was speaking to reporters before the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) gave a waiver to India, putting the India-US nuclear deal on the fast-track.
Prasad raised concerns over Democratic US presidential candidate Barack Obama's statement that Pakistan was using American aid for waging war against India.
We’ve over academised our schools, colleges: Sitharaman
New Delhi : Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that schools and colleges in the country have been "over academised" with more concentration on the...
BJP, Congress admit coalitions are to stay
By IANS,
New Delhi : A day after India's parliamentary election schedule was announced, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday admitted they needed allies to win.
"We are confident the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) will come into power with full majority," said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP's vice-president and election strategist.
He, however, conceded that a coalition government was a reality in the present scenario.
"The scene after the election results is still unclear and no single party can form a government without alliances," Naqvi added.
Millions vote in seventh phase of Indian election
New Delhi : Barring the Kashmir Valley, millions voted Thursday across a dozen states in India to elect 117 MPs even as the BJP's...
VHP welcomes court order for FIR against Akhlakh’s family
New Delhi : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday welcomed the court order to lodge an FIR against family members of Mohd Akhlaq,...
Terror, money laundering infrastructure in Bengal under Trinamool: BJP
Kolkata : In the wake of police busting a fake currency printing racket in West Bengal, the BJP on Tuesday said the state under...
How CBI caught Buta Singh’s son
By IANS,
New Delhi: It was meticulous planning that helped the Central Bureau of Investigation catch former central home minister Buta Singh's son Sarabjot alias Sweety Singh allegedly receiving bribe. Here is how the agency did it:
It started with a corruption complaint by Ramraj Patil, a civil contractor for the Nashik Municipal Corporation, filed before the CBI Mumbai branch a fortnight ago.
The tragedy of Assamese Muslims: dubbed foreigners in their own country
By An Indian Muslim for Twocircles.net
Advocate Aman Wadud highlighted the plight of Assamese Muslims in a series of Tweets, that went viral on Wednesday.
Apart...
Cabinet okays banking laws amendment bill
By IANS,
New Delhi : The cabinet Thursday okayed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill seeking to raise voting rights ceilings in private banks.
Serious flaws in AP Govt. compensation list of Muslim youths
By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Soren’s son to be Jharkhand chief minister?
By IANS,
Ranchi : Outgoing Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren said Saturday that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had picked a successor, and party sources identified him as his son Durga Soren.
Shibu Soren said a decision had been taken as to who would be the next chief minister of the state in the wake of his own defeat in a by-election he needed to win to hold on to the post.
The chief minister was speaking to reporters after a meeting of his party's Central Committee. He, however, declined to reveal the name of the prospective chief minister.
Jaitley, BJP leaders pay tributes to Shekhawat
By IANS,
New Delhi : Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) presidents Rajnath Singh and Venkaiah Naidu and party spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad Saturday condoled the demise of former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, saying he was an inspiring leader.
Jaitley said that Shekhawat was a social reformer who worked for ending the practise of sati in the country.
"He believed in clean conduct and kept personal relations above politics," he said.
Ready to debate with Amit Shah: Kejriwal
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal Saturday said he was ready to debate with BJP president Amit Shah if the party...
Goa home ministry to decide on loud parties
By IANS,
Panaji : By an order issued Tuesday, Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik has divested the powers of the district administration to allow parties in coastal Goa where loud music can be played.
The home department, which has been criticised by the opposition for allegedly protecting rave parties -- often disguised as parties with music -- in the beachside villages of Goa, in the controversial order has however excluded weddings and all traditional festivals from the order.
The Zakir Naik controversy and liberal hypocrisy
By Umair Azmi for TwoCircles.net
On Saturday, July 9, page 11 of The Indian Express was dominated by Dr. Zakir Naik. In what...
Rail Budget disappointing and detrimental to national interests: WPI
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Welfare Party of India strongly criticized the maiden rail budget of Modi government presented by Union Minister Sadananda Gowda. Party General Secretary Dr.S.Q.R.Ilyas said the budget will end in complete surrender of the largest public sector unit of the country into the hands of private players. Welfare Party of India totally disagrees with the notion of the new Rail Minister that PPP and FDI are the only sources for resource mobilisation.
Hindutva Extremists Operate with Impunity in Cong-ruled Himachal Pradesh? Elderly Muslim Shopkeeper Assaulted Amid...
TCN News
In a disturbing incident, an elderly Muslim shopkeeper was violently attacked by a Hindutva mob in Himachal Pradesh, which has witnessed a rise...
‘Your diplomatic insights were invaluable’: Modi to Vice President Ansari
New Delhi, (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the diplomatic insights of Vice President Hamid Ansari, a career diplomat, as the Rajya Sabha...
Sajjad Lone votes in ancestral town
By IANS,
Baramulla : Sajjad Gani Lone, who is fighting elections for this Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir, Wednesday voted in his ancestral town of Handwara.
People's Conference chairman Sajjad and his mother came to the government girls' higher secondary school in Handwara around 9 a.m. and cast their vote. Handwara is the ancestral town of Sajjad's family and his father, the slain separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone.
"My participation in the elections is a change of strategy. I am confident the people will vote for me," Sajjad said after casting his vote.
No progress in bringing back Kashmiri Pandits to state: Omar
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said one more year had passed but no progress had been made in...
Chiranjeevi may do an NTR by contesting three seats
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi Sunday hinted that he may contest from three assembly constituencies, one each in the three regions of Andhra Pradesh.
If the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) president does that, he will be repeating history. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder and matinee idol N.T. Rama Rao used to contest from three constituencies to drive home the point that his popularity spans the entire state.
Talking to reporters, Chiranjeevi said he might contest from one assembly seat each in Andhra, Rayalseema and Telanagana regions.
Sanjay Dutt declines to comment on political plans
By IANS,
Srinagar : Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt Friday declined to comment on his reported decision to join politics as he was presently preoccupied with his shooting schedule.
"I am presently here shooting for 'Lamhaa' and would not like to comment on politics at the moment", Dutt told media persons here.
Dutt Thursday became the latest Bollywood star to join politics with the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party naming him as its candidate from the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency in the general elections scheduled this year.
Modi’s cabinet to take oath Friday
By IANS
Ahmedabad : Ministers in the new Gujarat cabinet will take their oath at 9 a.m. Friday. The cabinet will have 12 ministers, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources said Wednesday.
There has been no official announcement about the number of ministers. The sources said the number of cabinet ministers would be increased later.
The cabinet is expected to have many new faces.
Ruckus in Kerala over attack on Chandy
By IANS
Kozhikode (Kerala) : Kerala witnessed political ruckus Saturday over an attack on opposition leader Oommen Chandy at Kasargod, about 650 km from state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
The alleged CPI-M activists pelted stoned stones at Chandy and Congress activists Friday while they were attending a party meeting at Uduma in Kasargod district. The Congress leaders had to cancel the function because of the attack. Chandy, however, escaped unhurt.
Bharat Jodo Yatra: Rahul Gandhi hoists national flag at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk
The Kanyakumari to Kashmir yatra started from the southern tip of the country on September 7 and will culminate today in Srinagar after...
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.
NHAI to build Bengaluru-Chennai expressway: Gadkari
Bengaluru : A world-class expressway would be built by NHAI between Bengaluru and Chennai to reduce travel time, save fuel and trigger economic activity,...
AAP in touch with Congress to stop BJP
Ghaziabad : AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday said his party was in touch with Congress and other legislators to prevent the BJP from forming...
बीजेपी की तीन रेणु, तीनों हारीं
TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
पटना: भाजपा ने इस बार बिहार चुनाव में रेणु नाम की तीन महिला उम्मीदवारों को चुनाव में उतारा था, लेकिन यह तीनों...
Modi invokes Lord Ram in Faizabad, Congress complains
Lucknow/New Delhi: BJP leader Narendra Modi Monday invoked the name of Lord Ram in a Lok Sabha election speech and urged the people to...
Bengal BJP leaders to brief Modi on state situation during his visit
Kolkata : A team of West Bengal BJP leaders will brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation in the state during his visit...
Manohar Joshi stable after angioplasty
By IANS,
Mumbai: Former Lok Sabha speaker and Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi was in stable condition Monday after undergoing angioplasty at the Lilavati Hospital here, a hospital spokesman said.
"Manohar Joshi underwent successful angiography and angioplasty. He is reported to be well," said the spokesman.
Jalil Parker, respiratory and pulmonary consultant, said Joshi's angioplasty lasted an hour.
"He is recovering and is reportedly keeping well. He has a history of heart problems. He will be discharged in a day or two," said Parker.
Former Uttar Pradesh top cop joins the BJP
Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh's former director general of police (DGP) Brijlal Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its primary member.
On joining the...
Hooda government has fulfilled all promises: Sonia Gandhi
By IANS,
Karnal (Haryana) : Saying that the state has made all-round progress, including "phenomenal development" in the field of education, Congress president Sonia Gandhi Sunday asked the people of Haryana to return the Congress to power in the interest of progress and peace.
"I am sure that people will vote for development, peace and security in Haryana and will negate all those powers who devastated this state during their tenure earlier," Sonia Gandhi told a gathering in this Haryana town, 100 km from Chandigarh.
MP ministers welcome the SC order on Vyapam probe
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh ministers on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to hand over the probe in the Vyapam scam to the CBI.
Defending Chief...
बिहार में एक ही चुनावी चिन्ह कहीं आपको चकरा न दे
TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
पटना: बिहार चुनाव में कुछ पार्टियों के चुनाव चिन्ह को आपको भ्रम में डाल सकते हैं. क्योंकि बिहार के इस महासंग्राम में...
I am Mulayam’s Hanuman: Amar Singh
By IANS,
Lucknow : Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Amar Singh Wednesday said he is party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's Hanuman, thus comparing himself to the monkey god and the party chief to Lord Ram. He also referred to Chief Minister Mayawati's rule as 'Ravan raj'.
Amar Singh, along with Sanjay Dutt, Jaya Bachchan and Rampur MP Jaya Prada, was in the city to address a rally in the city's Chowk locality in support of party candidate Bhukal Nawab in the Nov 7 by-poll.
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.
Police claim arrest of prime accused in Bulandshahr violence
Lucknow, Dec 27 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday claimed to have arrested the prime accused in the killing of police inspector Subodh...
Rebel BJP leader files papers as independent in Goa by-poll
By IANS,
Panaji : Former state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Suresh Amonkar has filed his nomination for North Goa's Pale assembly by-election as an independent candidate.
The by-election has been necessitated by the death of Congress legislator Gurudas Gauns. The polling is on Nov 26.
Amonkar, a two-time legislator and minister in the last BJP government, was denied party nomination this time. The state BJP instead has fielded a comparatively raw candidate in Pramod Sawant.
No FDI in multi-brand retail in Delhi: AAP government
New Delhi : The Arvind Kejriwal government on Wednesday said it will not allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail in the national...
CPI-M demands Amit Shah’s resignation
By IANS,
New Delhi: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday said Gujarat minister Amit Shah should quit in view of a chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the alleged fake shootout of Sohrabuddin Sheikh.
"The CBI investigation should be perused seriously," CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat said, while giving details about a three-day meeting of the party's central committee that ended here Friday.
Hectic UPA parleys on president, DMK prefers ‘winnable’ Shinde
By IANS
New Delhi : The search for India's next president intensified Monday among partners of the ruling United Progressive Alliance with Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK signalling its support for Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.
Five injured in clashes with security forces in Kashmir
Srinagar : At least five people were injured on Friday when security forces allegedly opened fire on an angry mob protesting the deaths of...
Left not keen on Patil as presidential candidate
By IANS
New Delhi : Amid signs that Home Minister Shivraj Patil would be the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) presidential candidate, the Left Tuesday appeared to be mounting pressure on the ruling coalition to change its choice.
Andhra cabinet clears Rs.2,358 crore e-governance project
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh cabinet on Saturday approved the Rs. 2,358 crore e-Pragati project, a comprehensive framework for providing e-services to the citizens.
The project,...
आसिफ मेवाती के हत्यारों के पक्ष में पंचायत,हजारों की भीड़ जुटी
स्टाफ़ रिपोर्टर । Twocircles.net
हरियाणा के मेवात में जिम ट्रेनर आसिफ़ की माब लिंचिंग मामले में पकड़े गए आरोपियों के समर्थन में हिंदू समाज...
Karunakaran, aides stay away from Congress meet
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Veteran Kerala leader K. Karunakaran, who returned to the Congress fold a few months ago, and his aides did not attend the party's executive meet here Friday as they failed to get any post in the party's state unit.
Asked why Karunakaran and his supporters were not allotted posts, state party president Ramesh Chennithala said the decision had to come from the All India Congress Committee.