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Saturday,
June 14, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Naval chief puts off visit to Russia Centre: Rao govt’s ban on VHP
correct Muslims want seer’s proposal in writing
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BJP to strive to evolve poll strategy Delhi Akalis’ unity a far cry
Jaya sees party’s key role at Centre Tripathi summoned in Women’s quota Bill: Joshi Accept me or face CBI secures 2 Mumbai stock brokers’ custody DTC shelves move to replace Lahore
buses PM releases book on
Kalam CAS: Thackeray softens stand Cong conclave in
Shimla Sharad Yadav manhandled at airport
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Naval chief puts off visit to Russia New Delhi, June 13 With reports from Russia about recurring trouble in the test-flights of its main weapon system— the surface-to-air Shitil missiles — the Navy has asked the Russian manufacturers to first rectify all faults in the two of the three warships, which are ready to be delivered, before they are handed over. India has been waiting for more than a year and a half for the Krivak-class warships with stealth technology to be delivered, but the persisting trouble with the missile system has been leading to the delay. According to sources, Admiral Madhvendra Singh is to take the delivery of the two warships — INS-Talwar and INS-Trishul. But he has made it clear that the delivery would be taken only when the warships are without any faults. As a result his visit to Russia has been put off twice in the past one week and now he is expected to leave for that country sometime next week. But that would happen only after an all-clear signal from there. He was suppose to leave for Russia yesterday but the visit was postponed at the last minute following reports of the persisting faults in the missile system. This was the second time that his visit had to be rescheduled. Earlier he was suppose make a visit to Russia from June 5 onwards. Reports here suggested that the Indian Navy team which had been despatched earlier to carry out user trials on the weapons system and the warships on the whole had found the faults and informed the Naval Headquarters here. The Shitil missile system failed to give the desired results in front of the Indian Navy personnel. An Indian Navy team had earlier last year also visited Russia with the idea of taking the delivery of the Krivak-class warships, but had returned after months of wait after fault in the weapons system continued to persist despite all efforts to rectify them. Later Admiral Madhvendra Singh had expressed hope that the first of the warships would be delivered to India in the early part of this year with the second delivery slated for the middle of the year. The third — INS-Tabar — was expected to be with India by the end of the year. The sources said during the 12 test-flights of the missiles, only seven were successful. The Russians, reports said, were offering to rectify the fault in the missile system after the induction of the ships. But the Naval Headquarters here has been sticking to its earlier stand that the ships would not be accepted if there were any faults in them. India, incidentally, would be the second country after Russia to field these stealth-class four-tonne displacement warships, which are one of the most powerful and lethal in the world today. Besides Shitil surface-to-air missiles, the warships are equipped with powerful ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore missiles and anti-submarine devices. |
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Russian Foreign Minister arrives on Sunday New Delhi, June 13 A spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs said Mr Ivanov would call on President
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Russian Foreign Minister’s visit assumes
significance in the light of Mr Vajpayee’s impending trip to China from June 22. Russian leadership is keen to maintain high degree of interaction with the Indian leadership, particularly in the context of fast changing international situation in which the US role is being increasingly questioned in different world capitals. During his stay here, Mr Ivanov would also have a breakfast meeting with Defence Minister George Fernandes who was also in China last month. Moscow is of the view that an enhanced understanding between India, Russia and China would be a stabilising factor not only in the South Asian region but also at the global level. The spokesman described the Indo-Russian ties as bilateral cooperation was “multifaceted”. “Continuity, trust and mutual understanding have been the characteristic features of relations
between India and the Russian Federation”, the spokesman pointed out, adding that the ties have “been elevated to a strategic partnership”. Talks between Mr Ivanov and the Indian leaders “are expected to further cement
bilateral ties and shared positions on many issues of vital interest to both countries”, the spokesman said. |
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Centre: Rao govt’s ban on VHP correct New Delhi, June 13 “It was a correct measure of the Centre as it was based on provocative statements made by Mr Ashok Singhal, Sadhvi Rithambara and Acharya Dharmendra Dev,” Centre’s counsel Lala Ram Gupta told the Liberhan Commission probing the events leading to the demolition of the disputed structure on December 6, 1992. Ruling out any conspiracy in the demolition, he said at the most it may have been a “plan” devised by any person. “If at all there was any conspiracy, it would have been limited to the 605 shiv sainiks, who allegedly had plans to hold kar seva at the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum),” he said. However, Shiv Sena leader Moreshwar Save had ruled out any role of the party or its leaders in the demolition, he pointed out. Though there were intelligence reports that this group had a meeting on November 28, 1992 at Faizabad and decided to do kar seva, there was no evidence to corroborate this, Gupta added. Denying that security arrangements around the disputed structure were not “proper”, he, however, admitted that these proved to be insufficient as they failed to stop the mob frenzy.
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Babri case: Advani, others exempted Rai Bareilly, June 13
Lucknow, June 13 |
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Muslims want seer’s proposal in writing Lucknow, June 13 The Chairman of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board
(AIMPLB), Maulana Rabey Hasan Nadwi, who held over one-hour long parleys with Hindu pontiff Kanchi Jagatguru
Shankaracharya, a key interlocutor on this issue from the Hindu side, on June 7 said, “I have not received any formula so far in writing from the Hindu seer. I had told the Shankaracharya categorically that he will have to give in writing any formula to solve this vexed issue.” He told ‘The Tribune’ today, “I think the Shankaracharya has a formula (to solve this imbroglio). That should come to us in writing so that it could be presented at the board meeting of the
AIMPLB. Only the committee has the power to accept or reject it.” He said that probably the Hindu seer had a formula by which a mosque and a temple could be constructed at the disputed site. The Shankaracharya held a secret meeting with the AIMPLB Chairman in Lucknow on June 7 and after his return to Delhi, claimed that a settlement on the Ayodhya issue was possible and talks were on between the Hindu and Muslim representatives. The seer hinted that Hindus and Muslims may soon jointly submit an agreement to the Supreme Court towards resolving the issue. Union minister Swami
Chinmayanand, who is part of the committee of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, told reporters in Lucknow yesterday that the Shankaracharya had taken a positive step towards solving this issue by holding talks with Muslim leaders. “But the response from Muslims was not encouraging,” he said He said an early solution to this issue was possible if political parties decided their roles on this issue. Meanwhile, Maulana Kalbe
Sadiq, vice-chairman of the AIMPLB, rubbished media reports which said the Maulana had resigned from the membership of the 11-member Babri Masjid Committee
(BMC) over differences with other members on solutions mooted by the
Shankaracharya. “I had resigned three months back as I was busy and was not able to devote enough time to the
BMC. But, the way media reported the matter it looked as if I had differences with other Muslims leaders,” he said. The Maulana said he was in favour of a peaceful solution to this issue and if the proposals of the Shankaracharya were feasible and acceptable to Muslims he would accept them. |
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BJP to strive to evolve poll strategy New Delhi, June 13 Termed as a ‘Chintan baithak’ (brainstorming meeting), the four-day conclave, to be attended by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani apart from others, will witness deep interaction and exchange of views on ideological, electoral and strategic issues like the timing of the next Lok Sabha poll. While the BJP will be represented by some of the chosen leaders numbering about 25, none of the RSS leaders, barring Joint General Secretary Madandas Devi, will be present in the meeting. Mr Vajpayee would be present at the meeting for two days on June 18 and 19. Mr Advani would be there for three days. Talking to TNS from Nagpur, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav said the media reports about RSS chief K. Sudarshan attending the meeting were speculative. The meeting is being preceded by a three-day media workshop which began in Mumbai on June 12. The meeting became necessary as an internal assessment made both by the sangh and the party conveyed to the top BJP leadership that political wind in the country was not very favourable as the popular perception of the National Democratic Alliance was “negative”, sources pointed out. While a section has been stressing for a long time now that the BJP must revive its traditional aggressive hardline approach, another group has been opposing it with an argument that there was no alternative to the alliance politics. So, the Mumbai meeting would not only debate the need to have a separate manifesto unlike the common NDA manifesto of 1999 Lok Sabha elections but would also review the party’s ties with its partners trying to evaluate the political “usefulness” of some of the NDA allies like the Samata Party in Bihar. Another pressing issue before the meeting is to assess the usefulness of an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party, particularly in the background of an emerging electoral understanding between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, the ties with the Telugu Desam Party are going to be under review as the BJP does not want to share the burden of incumbency factor on its electoral fortunes in Andhra Pradesh. Apart from the poll isssues, Indo-Pak ties, Ayodhya and the economic performance will come under scrutiny. Though no decision will be taken at the meeting but a thorough debate would set the guidelines for the party in coming weeks and months. The BJP’s own manifesto, a practice till 1998 general election, will not only encourage and motivate party workers to go on offensive but would obviate the need to remain defensive on issues which have been the backbone of the party, a leader said, adding that the leadership issue was already settled with Mr Vajpayee certain to lead the party in the next Lok Sabha elections. The BJP president, Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu, who came under lot of flak over his statement that the party election campaign would focus around Mr Vajpayee and Mr Advani with the former being projected as “Vikaspurash” and the latter as “Lohpurash”, is under no threat at the moment but his exit from the top post cannot be ruled out close the general election, the sources said. |
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No move to bring Kalyan back: BJP New Delhi, June 13 A few months ago, two BJP leaders, Mr Balbir Punj and Mr Dinanath Mishra, had reportedly made efforts to bring Mr Kalyan Singh back to the party. However, his remarks against the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister had dashed any hopes of his return. |
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Delhi Akalis’ unity a far cry New Delhi, June 13 The two prominent Akali factional leaders, Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, president of the DSGMC and leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi, the pro-Tohra faction and Mr Avtar Singh Hit, president of the SAD (Badal) Delhi unit chief are still not seeing eye to eye. “The SAD (Badal) faction leaders should approach us for forging unity. Our party has a separate identity and the merger of Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal would not automatically result in the merger of SAD Delhi with the Badal faction of the party,” Mr Sarna from Dubai told ‘The Tribune’. Mr Avtar Singh Hit, however, stated that Mr Sarna should first dissolve the party before talks could be held on forging unity. The SAD Delhi chief maintained that the party had a separate identify and it had won the DSGMC poll on its own and was obliged to fulfil the poll promises. While the two leaders welcomed the coming together of the Badal and Tohra factions under one flag, they ruled out the possibility of similar scenario in Delhi under the present conditions. A new equation in the 46-member DSGMC is possible. At present, the SAD Delhi has absolute majority. Mr Harinderpal Singh, SGPC member and confidant of Mr Tohra said the forging of unity would provide an opportunity for the Tohra loyalists in Delhi to rally under one banner, which could result in Mr Sarna being left with only a few supporters. Talking to ‘The Tribune’ from Amritsar, he said a meeting of DSGMC members loyal to Mr Tohra would be called next week, which would give a clear picture of the things to unfold in the coming months. A former SGPC general secretary and Tohra confidant, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, told ‘The Tribune’ from Patiala that the party would sink the differences if the services were called for. “Mr Sarna formed a separate party with the blessing of Mr Tohra. And the members of the SAD Delhi still consider the former SGPC chief as the patron of the party and the differences which exist between the DSGMC chief and Mr Avtar Singh Hit, could be resolved if the services of the party were requisitioned,” he said. Mr Manjit Singh, one of the four persons who acted as facilitator for the unity of Mr Badal and Mr Tohra, said, “Several issues like political adjustments need to be worked out.” Asked about Bhai Ranjit Singh being reinstated as the Jathedar of Akal Takht, which was one of the conditions for unity, he said, “After Bhai Ranjit Singh’s incident, several incidents denigrating the maryada of Akal Takht have taken place and a few other Jathedars have also been removed unceremoniously.” |
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Jaya sees party’s key role at Centre Chennai, June 13 “This is the role I foresee for my party,” she told a press conference here on her return from New Delhi. Ms Jayalalithaa said it was necessary for the AIADMK to wield influence at the Centre so that it could work better for the progress of the state. Ms Jayalalithaa answered in the affirmative when asked about the feasibility of a third front at the Centre. “There is a need for it. But presently all political parties are preparing for the elections to some state Assemblies. They will think of the third front only after these elections,” she said. Replying to a question, she reiterated that her party was neither moving close to the BJP nor the Congress. “Some of the policies of my government may be similar to those of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. But that doesn’t mean my party will have an alliance with it,” she said. “Ideologically, the AIADMK and the DMK are more or less similar, but on that ground can we come together?” she asked. Renewing her criticism of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin, Ms Jayalalithaa ruled out an alliance with that party if she (Sonia) was projected as the leader. “The AIADMK will not accept any foreigner as a leader,” she asserted. Ms Jayalalithaa spiked speculations that her meeting with Union Finance Minister Jaswant Singh in New Delhi hinted at the revival of alliance with the BJP. “I met him as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and sought adequate assistance for people-oriented measures like drought relief,” she clarified.
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Tripathi summoned in murder case Lucknow, June 13 He has been asked to appear before the investigating officer of the CB-CID within two days, police sources said today. Officials said Mr Tripathi last afternoon refused to accept the summons. The CB-CID sought the help of the SSP, Lucknow, Mr Vijay Kumar, in serving the summons. Just four days are left for the CB-CID to complete the probe, which was handed over to the CB-CID on May 19 after Mr Tripathi’s alleged relationship with the slain poetess came to light. Madhumita was shot dead by two assailants at her Paper Mill Colony residence on May 9. Her sister, Nidhi, had alleged that Mr Tripathi’s wife was behind the murder. However, she later withdrew the charges, saying she was misquoted.
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Women’s quota Bill: Joshi calls meeting New Delhi, June 13 The leaders would consider afresh the passage of the Bill granting 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had organised a number of all-party meetings to find a solution to the impasse, may attend the meeting as the leader of the BJP Lok Sabha Parliamentary Party. Following the impasse on the issue in the Budget Session of Parliament, Mr Vajpayee had declined to make another effort at evolving a consensus and it was left to the Lok Sabha Speaker to act on the issue. Even though the BJP, Congress and Left parties, which account for more than 75 per cent of the strength of the Lok Sabha have extended support to the Bill, it could not be passed in the House in the Budget Session due to opposition by the RLD, SP, Shiv Sena, BSP and other parties. They have been demanding a quota for OBCs and minorities within the quota for women representatives. The Bill has been hanging fire for the past eight years. The political parties opposing the Bill in its present form say that it is intended to minimise the number of OBC members getting elected to the Lower House and state legislatures. They contend that the Congress, BJP and CPM leadership have ganged up against reservation for the OBCs to deny them their due share in the power corridors.
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Accept me or face
poll: Mayawati
New Delhi, June 13 Agreeing to the statement of BJP state president Vinay Katiyar that “either Ms Mayawati would rule the state or there would be elections”, she said: “His statement is correct in the sense that my government enjoys absolute majority. The only alternative to it is Assembly poll.’’ She was talking to reporters after meeting Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapyee at his official residence this evening,.
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CBI secures 2 Mumbai stock brokers’ custody New Delhi, June 13 The two stock brokers — Shirish Manyar of SBM Investment and Mukesh Babu of Mukesh Securities — were arrested by the CBI in Mumbai on Wednesday, the CBI said here. The CBI alleged that Mukesh Babu through his five accounts with the MMCB in connivance with bank’s Chairman Ramesh Chandra Parekh and Ketan Parekh, had illegally borrowed and diverted deposits worth Rs 205 crore from the bank. Manyar had also divered Rs 25 crore amount of the bank illegally, it said. The case was registered on the initiative of the Reserve Bank of India after the fraud was detected in the bank. |
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DTC shelves move to replace Lahore
buses New Delhi, June 13 Transport Minister Ajay Maken told mediapersons today that the same buses would ply on this route when the service resumes from July 1. The buses would ply twice a week. “If we get more time, we are ready to buy new buses but as the situation stands today, we have decided to use the two vehicles which were plying on the route earlier,” the minister said. Mr Maken said the DTC was overhauling the two golden-coloured luxurious buses that were plying on this route till 17 months ago. Apprehensions had been expressed over the condition of the two buses after they were used on the domestic circuit following the snapping of the New Delhi-Lahore service on December 31, 2001. The buses were referred to the manufacturers who recommended the replacement of certain parts to upgrade these to international standards. The minister said a technical team from Pakistan was expected to arrive here on June 18 to discuss the modalities of resuming the New Delhi-Lahore bus service. On the agenda of talks with the Pakistan Transport Development Corporation (PTDC), the minister said issues like fares, logistics and facilities would be discussed. Asked whether the matter related to dues of over Rs 24 lakh outstanding with the PTDC would be discussed, he said there might be a reference to it, “but it is not a pre-condition to run the service.” |
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PM releases book on
Kalam New Delhi, June 13 The book released in six languages — English, Hindi, Marathi, Urdu, Tamil and Malayalam — is a publishing record. The book highlights little known facts of President Kalam’s personality. Mr Vajpayee termed the book as a “personality” of someone who, besides being a famous missile scientist and a public figure, was a compassionate and caring human being, whose goodness showed in his actions. |
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CAS: Thackeray softens stand
Mumbai, June 13 “Keep consumer interests uppermost in your mind and at the same time address the concerns of the cable operators”, Mr Thackeray told Mr Prasad at the meeting held at the residence of the Sena chief in suburban
Bandra. Mr Prasad, along with PMO official Sudhindra Kulkarni, held the meeting with Mr Thackeray whose party, a key NDA ally, had attacked the CAS. Mr Prasad later told reporters that “Mr Thackeray’s suggestions will be uppermost in my mind so that the rollover to the CAS is smooth”. Asked about the Sena chief’s opposition to the
CAS, Mr Prasad said: “Mr Thackeray is a senior NDA leader...he has raised some genuine concerns... and his concerns are ours as well”. To a query whether CAS would be implemented as per schedule, the minister said “I hope so”. Mr Prasad declined to comment on Mr Thackeray’s criticism that the government would have to “pay a heavy price” for its decision to force the people to buy set-top boxes priced at Rs 6000. The Sena supremo had also alleged that a London-based business magnate had struck a deal with the government and they want to dump their set top boxes in India. “I don’t want to comment anything on it”, Mr Prasad said when asked to react to that. Advocate Anil Parab of Mumbai would be accommodated in the task force for effective implementation of CAS to take care of interests of cable operators, Mr Prasad said. The minister said the government was aware of the cable operators’ contribution to the growth of industry and their interests would be safeguarded. Mr Prasad said he would be in constant touch with Mr Thackeray and his son, party’s executive president Uddhav Thackeray on the issue. At “Matoshree”, Mr Uddhav said the party along with the Centre would review the system periodically. Union Minister Anant Geete and Sena Rajya Sabha member Pritish Nandy were among those who attended the meeting.
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Cong conclave in
Shimla New Delhi, June 13 During the Srinagar conclave of party Chief Ministers, Congress President Sonia Gandhi had indicated that the Congress would soon hold a Panchmarhi-type session. The Congress had held a brainstorming session at Panchmarhi in August 1998 before Lok Sabha elections. The session had spelt out Congress policies on critical political and economic issues. Party General Secretary Ambika Soni said the session would be attended by over 200 top leaders of the party, including CWC members, AICC general secretaries, party Chief Ministers, PCC chiefs, CLP leaders and special invitees. |
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Sharad Yadav manhandled at airport Bhubaneswar, June 13 As Mr Yadav arrived from Delhi on a two-day visit to the state, over 30 persons, under the banner of ‘Chasi Surakhya Parishad’, raised slogans against him for “discriminating’ against Orissa in the procurement of paddy.” The demonstrators demanded relaxation of FAQ norms for Orissa during paddy procurement as was being done in the case of Bihar and other states. They attacked Mr Yadav’s vehicle as he was about to leave the airport. A glasspane was smashed by the demonstrators. The mob manhandled the Union Minister but the police present at the site chased it away.
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