Abusing Bal Thackeray is ‘spitting at the sun’: Saamana
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena here on Tuesday dismissed Delhi-based publication Tehelka's comparison of the party founder Bal Thackeray with absconder mafia don Dawood Ibrahim...
Assam polls get over Thursday
Guwahati : Over 9.4 million people are eligible to exercise their franchise in the third and final phase of the Lok Sabha polls in...
Sharad Yadav’s comments about women are deplorable
By Shah Alam,
Shahrad Yadav, a Rajya Sabha MP and Janata Dal (United) chief has been in news for some days for his sexist remarks against south Indian women. During a debate in Parliament, Yadav made derogatory remarks against south Indian women and their bodies calling them as ‘saanvli’ (dusky).
He said: “The women of south are beautiful, their bodies...their skin ...They aren’t made like this here. They know dance.”
BJP questions poll-timed fund release by Jharkhand governor
By IANS,
Ranchi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is crying foul over Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibte Razi's move to release a Rs.910 million revival package for Heavy Engineering Corporation, allegedly in violation of the election code of conduct.
The BJP Wednesday demanded an FIR against the governor, who Tuesday released a cheque of Rs.91 crore (Rs.910 million) to Heavy Engineering Corporation Monday as a part of the Rs.250 crore revival package passed by the state government Feb 13, a fortnight before the election code of conduct came into force.
Patnaik refused to speak to Advani before ending alliance
Bhubaneswar, March 9 (IANS) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik refused to speak to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani on phone minutes before announcing the end of the 11-year-old alliance between their parties Saturday evening, it was reliably learnt.
Patnaik, head of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), announced the end of the alliance after his over hour-long meeting with BJP MP Chandan Mitra on the issue of seat-sharing failed. The break has dealt a blow to the prime ministerial ambitions of Advani.
PM wants review on Congress’ stance on Telangana demand
By Liz Mathew, IANS
New Delhi : Faced with the prospect of the Congress losing its vote base in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh if it dithers on its promise to grant it statehood, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is believed to have suggested a review of the party's official stance of delaying bifurcation of the state.
Manmohan Singh is believed to have asked a Congress delegation from Telangana that visited him last week to consult the state party in-charge Digvijay Singh and apprise him of the "ground realities".
Left Fronts ups the ante against power tariff hike in Bengal
Kolkata: Slamming the Mamata Banerjee government for the steep hike in power tariff in West Bengal, the Left Front on Thursday asserted it will...
High Court dismisses MP minister’s plea in ‘paid news’ case
Bhopal : The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed a plea by the state's Water Resources Minister Narottam Mishra questioning the Election Commission's competence...
Delhi government formation: Kejriwal questions Jung’s letter
Ghaziabad : AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday questioned Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung's letter to the president over inviting the BJP to form the government...
It is good Modi isn’t listening to Tamil politicians
By M.R. Narayan Swamy,
Narendra Modi deserves praise for not acting like Manmohan Singh vis-à-vis Sri Lanka.
Thanks to Rahul, Congress is on talent hunt
By IANS
New Delhi : The Congress that has been facing electoral reverses is on a talent hunt - on the advice of general secretary Rahul Gandhi - to pluck out youngsters who can help boost the party's prospects.
A 17-member committee, headed by senior Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, will travel to all the states looking for young men and women from ordinary families who can contribute their bit to the country's oldest political party.
Lok Sabha adjourned as Trinamool MPs create ruckus
By IANS,
New Delhi : Trinamool Congress MPs Thursday disrupted the Lok Sabha proceedings during Zero Hour over the recent political clashes in West Bengal, forcing the speaker to adjourn the house till 2 p.m.
Speaker Meira Kumar asked Trinamool leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay to first give a notice on the issue they wanted to raise when the MPs led by him rose to their feet soon after the question hour.
"Give me a notice. I am in the dark (on the Trinamool's issue) at this moment," the speaker told the agitating Trinamool MPs.
Chhattisgarh election factsheet
By IANS,
Raipur : Factsheet regarding second phase of assembly elections to 51 seats in Chhattisgarh Thursday:
Number of voters: 8,816,808
Number of women voters: 4,332,262
Number of male voters: 4,481,786
Number of service personnel voters: 2,760
Total candidates: 687
Women candidates: 58
Constituency with most candidates: Bhatgaon (29)
Constituency with least candidates: Pathalgaon (7)
Parties contesting all 51 seats: BJP, BSP
Largest constituency in terms of voters: Kasdol
Smallest constituency in terms of voters: Manendragarh
Total polling stations: 10,314
Will always be considerate to Kerala diaspora: Chandy
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Thursday said his government will always be considerate to the needs, demands and views of the Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs).
Why I participated in the Yuva Hunkar rally
Text and photos by Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net
The Yuva Hunkar rally, which took place in Delhi today, saw a sizeable participation from people from all...
PMO changes Twitter handle, BJP cries foul
New Delhi: The Prime Minister's Office Tuesday changed its Twitter handle, six days before BJP leader Narendra Modi takes oath as the next...
Modi pays tribute to C. Rajagopalachari
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday paid tribute to the great freedom fighter C. Rajagopalachari on his 136th birth anniversary.
"I offer my...
Revoking Achuthanandan, Pinarayi’s suspension welcomed
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday decided to revoke the suspension of Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and state unit secretary Pinarayi Vijayan from the politburo, a move on expected lines that was welcomed here.
The two top leaders were suspended from the party's decision-making body in May after they continued to trade personal charges despite warnings from the central leadership.
The decision to revoke the suspension was taken Monday at the party's politburo meet in Kolkata.
Congress leaders non-committal on Rahul’s return from leave
New Delhi : Over two weeks after the Congress said its vice president Rahul Gandhi was on leave of absence to reflect on the...
Legal immunity for Modi challenged, group announces reward for serving summons
Washington: Challenging US officials' contention that Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoyed immunity from lawsuits in US courts, a US-based group announced a $10,000 reward...
Patel would have made Kashmir ‘complete’ part of India: Naidu
Hyderabad : Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said that had Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel been given a free hand, Kashmir would...
Centre returns nine bills to Delhi government
New Delhi : The central government has returned to the Delhi government nine bills passed by the Delhi assembly, official sources said on Friday.
“Nine...
Country needs PM with six-inch brain: JD-U’s Bihar leader
Patna : In the wake of the Pathankot terror attack, Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United on Monday took a dig at Narendra Modi, saying the...
RSS sends Muslim delegation to Srinagar for peace talks
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Thursday flagged off a 30-member Muslim delegation to campaign for peace in Jammu and Kashmir where protests for and against the transfer of land to the Amarnath temple trust has led to much violence.
The Muslim delegation, called the Rashtravadi Muslim Manch (RMM) or the Nationalist Muslim Front, a group backed by the Hindu outfit, was flagged off from the Red Fort.
Rajya Sabha again adjourned over price rise
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the second successive day Wednesday with the opposition demanding a discussion on rising prices of essential commodities under a rule that requires voting.
The trouble began when the house assembled at 11 a.m. with S.S. Ahluwalia and other members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding that the discussion be held under rules 167 and 168 and not as a short duration discussion as the government had agreed to.
Public transport hit in partial Kerala shutdown
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala witnessed a partial shutdown in seven of its 14 districts Saturday, with public transport badly hit, as it gears up for a state-wide shutdown called by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Nov 1.
Six districts in north Kerala were observing a shutdown Saturday called by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) -- a part of the opposition United Democratic Front -- to protest what it termed the callous attitude of the civil aviation ministry about the development of Kozhikode airport.
Achuthanandan refuses to join Vijayan’s rally
By IANS,
Kochi : Differences within the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), the main party in Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front, surfaced once again when Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Monday said he would not participate in a statewide march led by fellow Marxist leader Pinarayi Vijayan.
"No, No, I have said what I have to say to the party leadership and I don't have to share that with the media," Achuthanandan said here when reporters repeatedly asked him if he would take part in the march.
JMM decides to stick to UPA
By IANS,
Ranchi : The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Monday announced that it will remain part of the United progressive Alliance (UPA) and fight the Lok Sabha election in alliance with its partners.
"The JMM is a part of the UPA and it will remain in the UPA. The JMM, Congress and RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) will fight together in the Lok sabha election," Hemlal Murmu, a JMM Lok Sabha MP, told IANS on phone from New Delhi.
AAP got en bloc vote of those on the edge
New Delhi : Ram Mali from Tughlaqabad and Aparna in Devli voted for the 'kamal ka phool' (the lotus symbol of the BJP) in...
Sentencing in Gulberg case put off yet again
Ahmedabad : The hearing on the quantum of punishment to the 24 convicts of the 2002 Gulberg Society massacre here, which left killed 69...
Kerala Assembly proceedings stalled over student protests
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala Assembly session that began Monday witnessed some stormy scenes as the opposition repeatedly stalled proceedings over the "violent" suppression of student protests last week against the contents of the Class 7 social studies text book.
Immediately after the question hour, the opposition led by Congress leader K.C. Venugopal sought permission for an adjournment motion to discuss the "brutal police attack" on student agitations across the state in the past week.
From 9 Ashoka Road to 7 Race Course Road: A PM-elect’s journey
New Delhi : From an outhouse of an MP's bungalow adjoning the BJP headquarters at 11 Ashoka Road to 7 Race Course Road, the...
Left MPs silent in parliament during opposition din
By IANS
New Delhi : After two days of verbal duels with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, the Left MPs were silent in the Lok Sabha Monday, indicating the Left's willingness not to blow up the issue for the time being in the parliament.
However, in order to register their apprehensions and reservations over the nuclear agreement, the MPs from the four Left parties walked out of both houses of parliament while Manmohan Singh was at the end of his statement on the deal.
Mulayam keeps Congress on tenterhooks
By IANS,
Lucknow : Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has apparently decided to keep the Congress party and the Manmohan Singh government on tenterhooks by holding his cards on the nuclear deal close to his chest.
Asked to comment on his party's stand on the issue in view of the unabated differences between the Congress and the Left parties, Mulayam told IANS Monday, "Well, any decision in this regard will be taken by our third front - the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA).
UPA government would not allow Mizos to starve: Sonia
By IANS,
Aizawl : United Progress Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who visited famine-hit areas in Mizoram, has asked the state's Mizo National Front (MNF) government not to misuse central funds meant to combat famine.
"I have been told by villagers in remote areas that the central famine funds had never reached them," Gandhi told a gathering late Saturday near Lengpui Airport near here.
The Congress president was on a daylong visit to the poll-bound northeastern state of Mizoram to assess the ground reality of the famine situation caused by bamboo flowering.
Smells fishy! Tiger prawns star in Goa legislators’ study report
Panaji : On a study tour to soak in the grandeur of the British Grand Prix, guess what caught the fancy of Goa's lawmakers...
Divine battle in Kullu Dussehra has chief minister stepping in
By Vishal Gulati, IANS,
Ram Vilas Paswan and the politics of symbolic secularism
By Ayub Khan,
Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan now appears to have settled in comfortably with Narendra Modi and the NDA alliance. It was quite a turnaround for the Dalit leader who had quit the Vajpayee led alliance over the 2002 Gujarat massacres. He had then become a martyr to the secular cause and was much applauded at home and abroad for the ‘principled stance.’ That step also gave a temporary fillip to his long held ambition of becoming the first Dalit prime minister of India. But those plans again failed to take of as another contender, ‘dalit ki beti’ Mayawati, grew in both influence and power across the country and not just in her home state. Despite the failure in achieving his ambitions he remained relevant by making right noises at the right time and as a consolation was made a minister in the UPA government.
Muslim MLAs raise questions of Waqf land irregularities in Maharashtra assembly; state govt to...
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Nagpur: As the assembly winter session is in progress here the Muslim MLAs are not losing any opportunity in raising...
New peak-caps, jackets for Seva Dal volunteers
By IANS,
New Delhi : Congress Seva Dal volunteers will no more don white Gandhi caps while helping out at disaster-hit sites, but white cricket caps and jackets - thanks to an image makeover.
The Seva Dal workers will, however, retain their identity in the same old white shirt-trouser and the Gandhi cap as their uniform code for formal functions. The new white peak-cap and jacket will be worn when they are out on "ground work", especially while helping victims at disaster sites.
Lok Sabha adjourned sine die
By IANS,
New Delhi : Amid a persistent din over the issue of statehood to Telangana, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Friday adjourned the house sine die after completing all legislative business on the agenda.
There was continuous uproar in the Lok Sabha over the Telangana issue after the house reassembled at noon for Zero Hour.
As slogans for and against the formation of Telangana continued, the speaker asked various ministers and members to continue with the business on agenda.
Banned wood found at former Manipur legislator’s house
By IANS,
Imphal : Three truckloads of banned red sanders wood worth Rs.3 crore have been seized from a former Manipur legislator's house, police said Tuesday.
It’s vivid expression of long-fed negative mentality: JIH
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi : Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) secretary-general Nusrat Ali said the absolute majority gained by Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat Assembly elections is neither startling nor quite unexpected. He termed it as "vivid expression of the negative mentality" which has been inculcated in the Gujarati psyche in the last few years and which has been telling badly upon the grand tradition of pluralism in the country.
Ranchi tense, schools shut
Ranchi: Tension prevailed in this Jharkhand capital on Tuesday after beef was found at a temple four days ago following which a communal clash...
African nationals stage protest against growing attacks
New Delhi : Several African students on Monday staged a protest at Jantar Mantar here against increasing attacks on them and demanded that the...
Political leaders without spines, says Mamata on Facebook
By IANS,
Kolkata: The number of "so-called political leaders having no spines" is growing, a post on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Facebook profile said Saturday.
Congress alleges starvation deaths in Bundelkhand
By IANS
Lucknow : State Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi Thursday said that mainly dalits are dying on account of starvation in Bundelkhand in southwestern Uttar Pradesh.
Lashing out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, Joshi said, "The chief minister was out to conceal these deaths only because most of the victims were poor dalits."
"At least 204 starvation deaths have taken place in Bundelkhand over the past eight months since Mayawati came to power in the state," she told reporters here.
Parliament adjourned over Babri Masjid
By IANS
New Delhi : Both houses of the Indian parliament were adjourned Thursday as Left and other MPs staged noisy protests seeking punishment to those who razed the Babri mosque on this day 15 years ago.
An exasperated Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee adjourned business until 12 p.m. after failing to persuade the MPs - including from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress who were raising their voice on other issues - to calm down.
Modi meets 14 foreign envoys
By IANS,
Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Narendra Modi met ambassadors and high commissioners of 14 countries here Monday and sought to promote Gujarat as an ideal investment destination.
All set for CPI-M state conference
By Sanu George, IANS
Kottayam (Kerala) : The heart of Kottayam has turned red for the much-awaited Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Kerala conference starting Monday in the backdrop of fierce factional fights.
The four-day conference could well turn out to be a decisive one for Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan as the so-callled 'official faction' led by party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan is breathing down his neck.
Sharad Joshi lone dissenter against women’s quota bill
By IANS,
New Delhi: Sharad Joshi, a prominent farmers' leader from Maharashtra, was the lone dissenter against the women's quota bill during voting in the Rajya Sabha Tuesday, saying he didn't oppose the measure but the manner in which it would be implemented.
"Women's reservations yes, yes, yes, yes. Rotation (of constitutions) and (their) selection by lottery no, no, no," Joshi maintained while participating in the more than three-hour debate on the bill.
Thus, when the bill was put to a voice vote, Joshi let the crescendo of "ayes" to subside before quietly saying "No".
Sensex breaches 25,000-mark as BJP leads in vote count
Mumbai : Indian stocks were virtually on fire leading a key index to breach 25,000 points mark, as Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party took...
Petroleum minister denies nepotism in Baalu’s case
By IANS,
New Delhi : Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T.R. Baalu had not committed a crime by facilitating gas allocation to companies owned by his sons, Baalu's ministerial colleague and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora told parliament Tuesday.
"There is no nepotism here. I do not know what nepotism you are talking about. Every day we get (such) requests from people," said the Congress minister in the Rajya Sabha.
Sonia Gandhi to visit Rae Bareli Wednesday
By IANS,
Lucknow : Congress president Sonia Gandhi will Wednesday visit her parliamentary constituency Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and review the ongoing centrally-sponsored developmental projects there, a party official said Tuesday.
"Sonia Gandhi will arrive at around 11 a.m. in Rae Bareli. She will preside over a meeting of the district vigilance and monitoring committee that reviews the development projects," Congress spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh told reporters here.
BJP withdraws Sangli nominee in favour of Congress rebel
By ians,
Mumbai : Deepak Shinde, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Sangli Lok Sabha seat, Wednesday withdrew his candidature in favour of Ajit Ghorpade, a rebel candidate who is Congress legislator from Kavathe-Mahankal.
The Congress's official nominee is sitting MP, Pratik Patil, the grandson of late former Maharashtra chief minister Vasantrao Patil.
Delhi polls: Who said what
The following are a few quotes by politicians after the announcement of results of the Delhi assembly election:
Narendra Modi (prime minister): "Spoke to Arvind...
CBI nabs ex-minister’s wife Manoranjana, grills Tapas Paul
Kolkata: The CBI on Wednesday arrested Manoranjana Sinh, estranged wife of former union minister and Congress leader Matang Sinh, and grilled cinestar-turned Trinamool Congress...
Rashmi Shukla is Pune’s second woman police chief
Pune : Senior police officer and State Intelligence Department Commissioner Rashmi Shukla was appointed the new police commissioner of Pune on Thursday, official sources...
RJD plans campaign against Gadkari for Lalu remarks
By IANS,
Patna : Outraged at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari's offensive remarks against their chief Lalu Prasad, hundreds of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) workers in Bihar burnt effigies of Gadkari and threatened a campaign against him.
At a public rally in Chandigarh Wednesday night, Gadkari likened Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav to "dogs who lick the feet of the Congress" but retracted his words later, saying he didn't mean personal offence.
Manipur minister’s bullet hit advocate general: chief minister
By IANS,
Imphal : Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh Sunday admitted that a bullet that pierced the chest of state Advocate General N. Koteshor was fired accidentally from a licensed weapon of a minister.
Koteshor was critically injured Saturday night when a bullet hit his chest while returning to capital Imphal after attending a function in the adjoining Ukhrul district.
The accident took place near Lidan, 30 km east of Imphal.
Decision on Tharoor based on Kerala unit’s report: Congress
New Delhi : The Congress Monday said Shashi Tharoor's removal as a party spokesman has nothing to do with the controversial death of his...
Government decided to approach IAEA Tuesday: Sibal
By IANS,
New Delhi : Stung by attack from its estranged communist allies and the opposition, the government Thursday asserted it decided to approach the IAEA for circulation of the text of the safeguards pact Tuesday only after the Left parties formally decided to withdraw their support.
The government also stressed that asking the IAEA to circulate the text does not involve "any betrayal or deceit", as alleged by the opposition, and said it will seek a trust vote before the ratification by the IAEA Board of Governors.
CPI submits petition to parliament against inflation
By IANS,
New Delhi : Mounting pressure on the government over rising prices, the Communist Party of India (CPI) Monday submitted a 'petition' to parliament and warned the UPA government of "serious consequences" if it did not contain inflation.
"The government, which is good for nothing, should be changed," CPI parliamentarian Gurudas Dasgupta said after submitting the memorandum to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.
The memorandum, dubbed as a 'petition to parliament', has 10 points on the steps that the government should take to control the prices of essential commodities.
BJP names central parliamentary board
New Delhi : The BJP Tuesday named its central parliamentary board with party president Amit Shah as its chairperson, a statement from the party...
Modi fails on black money: Nitish
Patna : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to bring back black money stashed abroad by Indians within 100 days of taking power, former...
Amid din and UPA hopes, Rahul makes an impact
By IANS,
New Delhi : India's ruling coalition was Tuesday brimming with confidence ahead of a trust vote on the nuclear deal with the US as Congress MP Rahul Gandhi made an impassioned pitch for energy security while battling repeated interruptions from opposition benches.
Speaking mainly in English, Gandhi narrated tales of his meetings with poor women in villages to draw a link between their lives and the contentious India-US nuclear deal, which led to the Left's withdrawal of support to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government, causing a political crisis.
BJP rebel outfit in Himachal heads for split
Shimla : The Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP), a political outfit formed around two years ago by BJP rebels, seems heading for a split. Party...
Abdullah government neglecting people’s problems: Sayeed
By IANS,
Jammu: The People's Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday termed Jammu and Kashmir's National Conference-led coalition government "apathetic and incomptent", charging Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with indulging in "juvenile pranks" and neglecting the people and their problems.
"This has led to a mass upsurge. The continuing indifference of the government towards the peoples' basic problems can cause an ugly situation that may make them lose faith in the democratic system," PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said, according to a statement released here.
Supreme Court to hear petition against Modi for using the word “Iman” in his...
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi: Supreme Court of India will hear a writ petition against Narendra Modi for using the word “iman” in one...
Parents of policemen on Naxal areas poll duty complain to CM
Panaji: Parents of young policemen dispatched to Naxal-hit areas for election duty complained to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Wednesday saying their wards were...
BJP’s rise in Manipur worries Congress
By Iboyaima Laithangbam
Imphal : The local body polls in Manipur on January 11 are viewed here as a keen fight between the ruling Congress...
‘Political uncertainty a bad omen for economy’
By Rajeev Ranjan Roy, IANS,
New Delhi : The current bout of political uncertainty in India could not have come at a worse time, with experts fearing that the fluid political situation will not help in checking inflation.
Experts feel the government has not been able to concentrate on the economic situation arising out of zooming inflation that hit a 13-year high of 11.63 percent for the week ended June 21.
Why is BJP staying away from budget session?
By Vishal Gulati, IANS,
Shimla : BJP legislators say they are boycotting the ongoing budget session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly to protest against a...
Start talks with Pakistan: Mehbooba Mufti to centre
Jammu : Mehbooba Mufti, president of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir, Friday appealed the central government to start defence...
Legislators protest over police firing in Andhra, suspended
By IANS,
Hyderabad : The police firing on villagers protesting a thermal power plant in Srikakulam district rocked the Andhra Pradesh assembly Thursday with the speaker suspending opposition legislators for stalling the house.
For the second consecutive day, Speaker Kiran Kumar Reddy suspended 55 legislators of main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the lone member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) when they stalled proceedings demanding the resignation of Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao.
EC shuns action against Mulayam over Holi ‘bribe’
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Election Commission Tuesday said it is not taking any action against Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, whose activists were filmed distributing money to potential voters.
"We have decided not to proceed into the matter," Deputy Election Commissioner R. Balakrishnan told reporters here.
On March 12, the poll panel slapped a notice on Mulayam Singh Yadav for violating the model code of conduct for the April-May Lok Sabha elections as his activists were found distributing cash during a function at his native place in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh.
‘Dismissed’ from DMK, Alagiri to seek legal remedy
Chennai: DMK president M. Karunanidhi Tuesday announced the dismissal of his son and former union minister M.K. Alagiri from the party. An unfazed...
Six-time Congress MP slams ‘self-styled’ party leaders
By IANS
New Delhi : R. Prabhu, six-time MP from Tamil Nadu, has gone where many Congressmen and women would fear to tread, charging "self-styled" Congress leaders with keeping party president Sonia Gandhi away from the rank and file and giving her "wrong advice".
In a candid interview to Hardnews magazine, Prabhu says: "I am sure that the Congress president is more than capable of taking correct decisions despite this."
Yeddyurappa asks police not to open fire at farmers
By IANS,
Bangalore : Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Wednesday ordered the state police not to open fire at agitating farmers, whatever be the provocation. The directive came a day after one person was killed in police firing on farmers protesting against fertilizer and seed shortage in north Karnataka's Haveri district.
"The police should not resort to firing on farmers whatever the situation and provocation. I have given this direction to them," Yeddyurappa told reporters before flying to Haveri to meet the family of Siddalingappa Churi, who died in the firing.
BJP against talks with Pakistan, blames PM for price rise
By Brajendra Nath Singh, IANS,
Indore : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari Thursday again urged the government not to talk to Pakistan now, and blamed the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for the spiralling prices of food items.
In his first presidential address at the party's national council meet here, Gadkari also took potshots at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, pointing out that he (Gadkari) was not a product of dynastic politics.
Rahul, Rajnath and Nitish hit Jharkhand campaign trail
By IANS,
Ranchi : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hit the campaign trail in Jharkhand Friday.
Rajnath Singh arrived here Thursday night. He is to campaign at four places that go to polls in the third phase of assembly elections Dec 8. A BJP leader said the party head will address public meetings at Jamua, Dhanwar, Bagodar and Bermo assembly constituencies.
CPI-M to oppose Coal Mines Amendment Bill in RS
Guwahati: CPI-M Politbureau member Sitaram Yechury said Saturday that the party will oppose the Coal Mines (Special Provision) Amendment Bill 2014 in the Rajya...
Congress sets up screening panel for Himachal, Gujarat, Tripura
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Congress Tuesday set up screening committees for poll-bound Himachal Pradesh, Tripura and Gujarat in an indication that it will declare its candidates early.
It was an election which BJP could not lose
By Amulya Ganguli,
Even if there is little doubt that a wave in favour of Narendra Modi has swept the country, except in parts of...
RSS controlling, dictating Modi government, says Yechury
Kolkata: Charging Prime Minister Narendra Modi with handing over his government's control to the RSS, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday said the...
Strike averted in Manipur following students’ release
Imphal : A potential 48-hour general strike in Manipur was averted following the unconditional release of five students on Monday, officials said. The students,...
No bail for activists arrested in Bhima Koregaon arrests even after a year; campaign...
TCN News
Last year on 6th June, the Pune police had arrested 5 activists on false charges of inciting violence on Dalits that took place on...
No deficit of humour!
By IANS,
New Delhi : Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president M. Venkaiah Naidu, known for his witty one-liners, is not the kind to be intimidated by a pushy media. On the contrary, he loves to charm journalsits with his sense of humour.
Talking to reporters at the Parliament House Monday, Naidu reprimanded a journalist who intervened when he was making a point abourt the budget. When the reporter cornered him on an economic issue, Naidu said: "This is not the house. Let me complete what I am saying."
Anti-trafficking Bill to be introduced in Parliament soon: Maneka Gandhi
Chandigarh : Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Monday said the government will soon bring an anti-trafficking legislation in Parliament to...
Achuthanandan rejects call for his resignation
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Wednesday rejected opposition calls that he should step down following the rout of his Left Democratic Front (LDF) in assembly by-elections.
"The demand for my resignation is a routine one," Achuthanandan told reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting.
The Congress Tuesday called for the Marxist chief minister's exit after winning all three assembly by-elections in Kannur, Ernakulam and Alappuzha.
Performance report of MPs from Muslim constituencies
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net
Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth. - Mahatma Gandhi
Muslims have a valid complaint...
Modi cites Sikkim example, says need to develop north-east India
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said the whole of north-east India should be developed as an "organic state" to help the...
Modi calls for urgent reform of UN security council, IMF
Fortaleza (Brazil)/New Delhi : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday called for "urgent reform" of institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and...
Modi government is threat to people’s privacy: Congress
New Delhi: Accusing the NDA government of trying to encroach upon the right to privacy of communication of the common people, the Congress on...
Virbhadra withdraws legislators’ pay hike bill
By IANS,
Shimla : In a surprise move, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Tuesday withdrew four bills that proposed to increase the salaries of legislators and ministers.
Congress promises to build bullfighting ring in Goa
By IANS,
Panaji : After passing a controversial legislation in the Goa assembly that legalises bullfights, the Congress has now promised a government funded bull-fighting arena as part of its poll agenda.
Francisco Sardinha, Congress candidate for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat, Monday told reporters here that he would fund the bull-fighting arena from his Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund if he was elected.
Maharashtra MLA wants restoration of Gandhi Jayanti holiday
Mumbai : Congress legislator Kapil Patil Monday demanded that a holiday on Gandhi Jayanti should be restored for schools to mark the birth anniversary...
Election Commission to deploy micro-observers in Bihar
By IANS,
Patna : The Election Commission will deploy micro-observers at all polling booths in Bihar to maintain constant vigil during voting for the general elections next month, an official said here Monday.
"The election commission has decided to deploy micro-observers on static duty at all booths in Bihar for the first time," home secretary Afzal Amanullah told IANS.
Rajnath skirts Jaswant issue in Shimla
By IANS,
Shimla : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh, who arrived here Tuesday evening for the party's brainstorming session, refused to speak further on senior leader Jaswant Singh's praise for Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah in his latest book.
Rajnath Singh reached here for his party's three-day chintan baithak (brainstorming session) beginning Wednesday, and only said "no comments" when reporters sought his reaction to the controversy sparked off by Jaswant Singh's views in his book.
Andhra Congress chief for last-ditch effort to stall division
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Andhra Pradesh state Congress chief Botsa Satyanarayana Monday appealed to the chief minister and chiefs of the TDP and YSR Congress...
Kalyan hits back at Mulayam, sends feelers to BJP on return
By IANS,
Lucknow : A day after being openly snubbed by Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, rebel Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kalyan Singh said he never had any intention to join the outfit and signalled his desire to return to his parent party by offering his services for strengthening "Hindutva".
Claiming he had been "politically exploited" by the SP leader, Kalyan Singh expressed regret for associating with Mulayam Singh's intention to weaken the BJP and said he was ready to make amends for it.
Kalmadi sent to eight days police custody
By IANS,
New Delhi : Former chief of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi was Tuesday sent to eight days police custody by a city court here.
Zakir Naik seeks support through Twitter against ‘media trials’
New Delhi : Facing investigation over his speeches that are believed to have "inspired" two of the Bangladeshi cafe attackers, controversial Islamic preacher Zakir...
Arjun Singh bats for Rahul as PM; Vayalar Ravi says why not
By IANS,
New Delhi : Hours after Congress leader Arjun Singh Monday said there was nothing wrong in projecting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as the party's next prime ministerial candidate, another senior party leader Vayalar Ravi seconded the suggestion, saying it was a "good" idea.
"He (Rahul) has all the qualities of his father (former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi)," Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Arjun Singh told reporters earlier in the day.
"He is making sincere efforts to acquire all the information and knowledge that is required (for the top job)," Singh said.
Stray incidents mar NE shutdown in Assam
Guwahati, Jan 8 (IANS) Assam witnessed a total shutdown on Tuesday in response to a shutdown called by the North East Students Organisation (NESO) in...
TRS chief warns of ‘war’ for Telangana state
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Breaking his silence, Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao Tuesday warned of a "war" for a separate state of Telangana.
A combative PM says n-deal on; don’t need advice from Advani
By Tarun Basu, IANS,
On Board Air India One : It was a combative and self-assured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - uncharacteristic of the 'weak' prime minister image that he had so far projected - who declared Monday that his government was committed to go ahead with the nuclear deal in "national interest" but if the issue forced him to go to parliament he was "not afraid" to do so.
Auto, taxi drivers begin hunger strike
New Delhi : Auto-rickshaw and yellow top taxi drivers of around 20 unions on Wednesday began an "indefinite hunger strike" against app-based taxi aggregators...
Congress worker shot at, critical
BY IANS,
New Delhi : A Congress worker was in a critical condition after he was shot at in Jama Masjid area in central Delhi over a financial dispute with a man, who has now run away, police said Wednesday.
Police officials said the victim, identified as Abbas, was shot in the stomach by Shahid near the Kasturba Gandhi Hospital after a heated argument over a financial dispute.
The incident took place around 11 p.m. Tuesday.
According to a police official, Shahid had borrowed Rs.20,000 from Abbas and their friend Leela was witness to the fact.
Lok Sabha candidate attacked by Trinamool-backed men: Congress
Kolkata : The Congress Thursday night alleged that Samrat Tapadar, the party candidate for the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, was attacked...
Peace in parliament as deadlock over salary over
By IANS,
New Delhi : The deadlock over MPs' salary hike ended Saturday after the government's known trouble-shooter Pranab Mukherjee met Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav, who are unhappy with the three-fold increase and are demanding a 500 percent raise.
Finance Minister Mukherjee met Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh.
RSS leader booked for rape attempt
By IANS,
Buldhana (Maharashtra) : A local Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader in Maharashtra is on the run after being charged with attempted rape of a 35-year-old woman, police said Monday.
BJP renews demand for Home Minister Patil’s ouster
By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Contending that law and order has deteriorated in the national capital, BJP on Saturday renewed its demand for resignation of Home Minister Shivraj Patil, holding him squarely responsible for the current situation.
"If the Home Minister cannot stop terrorist incidents in Delhi... If he cannot stop crimes against women... He has no right to hold on to his post and should resign," demanded BJP's chief ministerial candidate for Delhi, Vijay Kumar Malhotra.
Politics has been part of my bloodstream: Manjrekar
By Subhash K. Jha,
Mumbai : Filmmaker-actor Mahesh Manjrekar's decision to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North-West as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) candidate...
Soren gives deputy chief minister posts to BJP, AJSU
By IANS,
Ranchi : Shibu Soren, who took over as chief minister Wednesday named Raghubar Das of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Sudesh Mahto of the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) as his deputy chief ministers.
"The cabinet in its meeting decided to send recommendation to the governor requesting to accord deputy chief minister's status to Raghubar Das and Sudesh Mahto," Aditya Swaroop, Jharkhand cabinet secretary, told reporters.
Opposition attacks Modi government over demonetisation
New Delhi : The NDA government on Wednesday came under severe attack for its demonetisation move with opposition parties accusing it of enforcing the...
Seven pastors killed, 20% rise in attacks on Christians in 2015, says minority group
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Mumbai: There was a 20 percent rise in attacks on Christians in India, Mumbai-based minority and human rights group...
Sonia Gandhi ‘improving steadily’ in hospital
By IANS
New Delhi : Sonia Gandhi, head of India's ruling alliance, was responding to medicines and "showing signs of steady improvement" Wednesday, a day after she was hospitalised due to chest infection and breathing problems.
B.K. Rao, chairman of the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said in a bulletin that Gandhi's condition was stable and that "she had taken normal meals and rest".
BJP insists on CBI’s independence under Lokpal bill
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may not accept an amended Lokpal bill which does not ensure independence of the CBI from the government, party sources said Thursday.
UPA members woo Left, Karat says ‘no’ to Congress
By IANS,
New Delhi : United Progressive Alliance (UPA) leaders Thursday wooed the Left to form a government after the Lok Sabha elections but Marxist leader Prakash Karat declared that his party would not prop up the Congress again.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan said they were open to taking support from the Left, which gave crucial backing to the outgoing Congress-led UPA government until July last year.