Monday, May 31, 1999
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SP, CPI likely allies: Pawar MUMBAI, May 30 — The Nationalist Congress Party President, Mr Sharad Pawar, said today that his party was likely to have an electoral adjustment with the Janata Dal, the Samajwadi Party, the CPI and the Republican Party of India. Cong more united now, says Sonia PANAJI, May 30 — Congress president Sonia Gandhi today derided the deserters and asserted that the Congress was now “united and one” with the clear aim of providing stability to the country. |
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Mamata evasive on joining
BJP-led front 3 die as fishermen clash with
police EC strictures against 3 senior
officials 10 killed in mishap Tusker causes panic 3 Punjabis deported |
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SP, CPI likely allies: Pawar MUMBAI, May 30 (PTI) — The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President, Mr Sharad Pawar, said today that his party was likely to have an electoral adjustment with the Janata Dal, the Samajwadi Party, the CPI and the Republican Party of India "in order to avoid a split in secular votes". He was speaking to reporters after reaching here today. "We will be holding preliminary discussions with these parties during the next week," Mr Pawar said, adding that "the NCP would keep equidistance from both the Congress and the BJP and its allies". Asked if he had held any talks on poll alliances with the TDP chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu and the Trinamool Congress leader Ms Mamata Banerjee, Mr Pawar replied in the negative. Referring to the June 10 national convention of the NCP, scheduled to be held at Mumbai, Mr Pawar said, "We are getting an overwhelming response and we expect supporters from Kashmir to Kerala to attend the convention in large numbers". Several former MPs and ex-ministers will attend the convention where the party programmes and policies will be finalised and office-bearers elected. "Several MLAs from Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh would switch over to our side soon", Mr Pawar said. He also ruled out that the split in the Congress would bolster the poll prospects of the Sena-BJP in Maharashtra. "We will convince the people that only we were in a position to provide a viable alternative in the state", he said. BANGALORE: The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr J.H. Patel, today said the Janata Dal was ready to join hands with Mr Sharad Pawar if he maintained the stance of opposing both the Congress and the BJP. Participating in a meet-the-Press programme organised by the Press Club and the reporters’ guild here on the eve of his completing three years in office, Mr Patel said he had already spoken to Mr Pawar and would again meet him in New Delhi. Replying to questions, he said the weakening of the Congress might help the Janata Dal. The issue raised by Mr Pawar regarding the opposition to Mrs Sonia Gandhi being projected as the prime ministerial candidate was relevant, he said. On whether dissident activities had "eclipsed" his government’s achievements, he replied it had affected only in Bangalore but had no effect in the rural areas. In the present political scenario only the people could give a clear mandate to any party, he added. He reiterated that the party would benefit by holding the Lok Sabha and the Assembly elections separately. He said he had already met the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr M.S. Gill, recently in this regard in New Delhi and was awaiting the CEC’s decision. On the Lok Shakti
President, Mr Ramakrishna Hegde’s repeated
invitations, Mr Patel said both he and Mr Hegde continue
to be good friends. But as long as Mr Hegde continued to
be in the BJP-led alliance, he (Mr Patel) would not join
hands with him, he clarified. |
Cong more united now, says Sonia PANAJI, May 30 (PTI) — Making her first public appearance after recent turmoil and revolt in her party, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today derided the deserters and asserted that the Congress was now “united and one” with the clear aim of providing stability to the country. The elements that left the party were prompted to do so for their “convenience” and not out of any “conviction,” Mrs Gandhi said in an oblique reference to the expelled Congress dissidents led by Sharad Pawar. Mrs Gandhi, who arrived here to put the Congress campaign for assembly polls in Goa in top gear, told a public meeting that her party was now more “purposeful and determined” to lead the country and a “miscellaneous coalition led by the BJP” was not in a position to give stability. Addressing a crowd that turned up at Campal Groung in north Goa after heavy overnight showers, Mrs Gandhi said that forging “a non-Congress coalition” would not lead to stability as has been witnessed whenever the country was saddled with a coalition government. “We (Congress) have never failed to complete the five year term”, the Congress president said. Hammering on the stability theme, she said external forces were encouraged to launch attacks from across the border when the country suffered from a state of instability. In an obvious reference to the current spate of hostilities in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Mrs Gandhi said “we have extended full support to the government to throw back infiltrators” and to the jawans defending our territory. “My heart goes out” to the families of those who have sacrificed their lives for the country, she said. Extending greetings and felicitations to Goans on the occasion of their statehood day today, Mrs Sonia urged the voters to give the Congress a “massive mandate” in the coming Assembly elections. The statehood for the former union territory was a dream of late Rajiv Gandhi which became reality 12 years ago, she said adding that the Congress had recognised and ensured a “distinct identity and plurality of Goa”, by giving Konkani an official language status. Recalling that the
people of Goa had not given the Congress a clear majority
in the last Assembly elections,Mrs Sonia said the
fractured verdict caused many problems as the
independents and small parties were “not in a
position to give a stable government”. |
No alternative to airstrikes: experts NEW DELHI, May 30 (PTI) — India’s decision to resort to air- strikes to clear infiltrators from across Pak-occupied Kashmir is considered as "inescapable" and "absolutely necessary" by defence analysts who, however, do not foresee the situation as turning into another Indo-Pak war in the making. Notwithstanding the loss to the IAF and human casualties in the five days of "Operation Vijay", they view the Pakistani rhetoric and response as yet another attempt to internationalise the "Kashmir issue" and a security cover to the mercenaries they have trained for fomenting insurgency in the valley. "If we wouldn’t have done that (air raids), we would have lost control on the road to Leh, the lifeline of Ladakh," says Air Marshal N.L. Gupta (retd) noting that there should be no quarter for complaint because "the raids are well within our territory." "It’s not the beginning of a third war over Kashmir, it’s primarily an attempt to internationalise the issue," says former Vice-Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen A.M. Vohra (retd). According to Gen Vohra the situation is indicative of the fact that "Pakistan has still not given up the course of seeking a military solution to the Kashmir problem." Commenting on the Pakistani response, Maj-Gen Gera, Deputy Director USI, a think tank, says: "It’s along expected lines. They have after all inducted the men there... they cannot be left to the vagaries of nature or as cannon fodder." It’s unlikely for the conflict to spill along other places on the Indo-Pak border, they say. Commenting on Islamabad’s reaction so far, Maj-Gen Gera says: "There’s been no retaliation from them. It would have been so had they used their aircraft to fire at Indian planes." It’s still not "decisively established" if the first MiG was downed by the Pakistanis or intruders in the upper reaches of the conflict region straddling a good 120 km in the Drass-Kargil-Batalik sector, says Maj-Gen Gera. Explaining the reasons for resorting to air-attacks, Air Marshal Gupta says: "That’s the only way of softening the mercenaries holed in the higher positions of advantage. He is of the view that the air raids should continue till the forces are sure of capturing the heights physically with the least casualties to the ground troops. In similar vein, Major-Gen Gera explains that it would have been very difficult to evict the intruders — whom he calls trained mercenaries in civvies — with the help of ground forces only. Defending heights is very advantageous, he notes drawing parallels with Siachen, which the Pakistanis have not been able to capture over the years as Indians are in a commanding position at higher posts. While Gen Vohra sees no intelligence failure in the sparsely inhabited rugged terrain with the Line of Control (LoC) literally dividing the mountains, Maj Gen Gera and Air Marshal Gupta admit that some kind of failure has taken place. While the conflict has little chances of spilling, the experts are of the view that the air raids in the sector would continue for some time to come. Air Marshal Gupta says that the duration will depend on the type of weapons being used to pound the targets as also their strength. Each sorty undertaken reveals the extent of encroachment, the strength of the opponents and a pointer towards the next action to be taken, he explains, noting that if cluster bombs or napalm bombs, which suffocate the enemy — were used the job could be completed faster. Gen Gera forsees the operations stretching a couple of months by which time the winter would set in and the supply line to the intruders would be severely affected making it easy for the Indians to recapture the higher reaches. Air Marshal Gupta is of the view that the airstrikes should continue to pound the mercenaries, who have no option but to get "killed above or surrender to the Indian forces if they come down." Can India resort to such measures given the international glare that Kashmir has attracted in the past 50 years as a disputed territory and a flashpoint? That’s where
Maj-Gen Gera says India should supply information and use
its diplomatic skills to prevent the issue from being
taken up at international fora. Air Marshal Gupta,
however, says that "diplomacy only works from a
position of strength...we can do that (diplomatic
explaining) after capturing the positions."
According to him it is significant that the Stinger
missile which downed the first helicopter on the third
day of operations was fired by the intruders. That is
proof enough of Pakistan’s role in the present
flare-up. |
Mamata evasive on joining BJP-led front CALCUTTA, May 30 (PTI) — Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee today admitted "minor differences" in her party over aligning with the newly-formed National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and said the issue would be resolved after finalising seat adjustment with its electoral ally, the BJP. Ms Banerjee, who briefed the press before leaving for Delhi on yesterday’s extended working committee meeting here, said some members expressed reservation about aligning with the NDA and wanted to remain outside the alliance while continuing support to the Vajpayee Government. "No decision, however, has been taken in this regard and the issue will be resolved in our party’s next working committee meeting on June 26," she added. Ms Banerjee said she would discuss and finalise her party’s seat adjustment with the BJP during her meeting with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and other BJP leaders. "The issue will have to be clinched by June," she said. The Trinamool Congress leader said her party was firm in supporting Mr Vajpayee’s candidature for prime-ministership and the party decided to remain solidly behind him. "After finalising our party’s seat adjustment with the BJP, other issues, like joint campaign will come up," she added. She reserved comment on Defence Minister George Fernandes’ statement absolving the Pakistan Government of the Kargil infiltration and said she would not like to "disturb" the Vajpayee government politically at this juncture. "I don’t want
to make it an issue," Ms Banerjee told newsmen at
her south Calcutta residence before leaving for Delhi. |
3 die as fishermen clash with police BHUBANESWAR, May 30 (PTI) — Three persons were killed and 37 others, including 20 policemen, were injured when irate fishermen clashed with the police today at Sorana on the edge of Chilka Lake in Orissa’s Khurda district, 70 km from here, the police said. Three persons, including a woman, were killed when the police fired five rounds after they were cornered by a mob which snatched away 20 arrested persons from their custody, the Director-General of Police, Orissa, Mr Dilip Kumar Mohapatra told PTI. Seventeen fishermen were injured in the incident after the mob resorted to heavy brickbatting, injuring at least 20 policemen, including an ASP, he said. Senior police officials are camping in the area and police reinforcements have been rushed. Official sources said the state Revenue Minister, Mr Jagannath Patnaik and senior officers have also rushed to the village to assess the situation and help restore normalcy there. The government has ordered an administrative inquiry by the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (central division) into the incident. Tension had been brewing in the area for the past several days following the decision of Chilka Matsyajibi Mahasangh, an apex body of traditional fishermen operating in the lake, to physically clean up the lagoon of prawn, bheries set up mostly by non-fishermen. Meanwhile, the state government proposes to hold a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of high court to probe into the police firing at Sorana. According to official sources, the Chief Minister, Mr Giridhar Gamang has already made a request to the acting Chief Justice of the high court in this regard and after receipt of the high court’s approval, necessary decision would be taken. The sources said the District Collector of Khurda Mr Sarbeswar Mohanty, who earlier received the transfer order, has been asked to hand over the charge to his successor Aparajita Sarangi. Mr Gamang also visited
the Capital Hospital here to inquire about the the
condition of the injured and announced an ex-gratia grant
of Rs 1 one lakh each to the families of those killed and
Rs 20,000 to each of the injured. |
EC strictures against 3
senior officials NEW DELHI, May 30 — Three officers, including an IPS officer from Punjab and an SDM from Haryana have been reprimanded by the Election Commission for their role in 1996 General election and a byelection last year. The EC reprimanded a superintendent of police for his conduct during the 1998 Adampur byelection to the Punjab Legislative Assembly and directed the state chief secretary to place the Commission’s displeasure in the Annual Confidential Report dossier of the officer concerned. The EC also directed the Chief Secretary to move the officer from his present field posting, if any, sufficiently before the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, EC sources said. In another order, the EC divested one returning officer of election related duties and also directed that he be debarred from any election duties in future. The officer, who was an SDM, was found wanting “worthy in conduct” as returning officer during the Haryana Legislative Assembly elections in 1996 and misbehaved with the assistant returning officer and other subordinate staff. It also directed the chief secretary, Haryana to keep a copy of the order in the Annual Confidential Report the Officer. In a third case, the EC
expressed displeasure at the “unacceptable
conduct’’ of an IAS officer of Andhra cadre and
decided to debar him from any election-related work in
future and recover expenses from him. |
Tusker causes panic SAMBALPUR (Orissa), May 30 (UNI) — A wild tusker which had strayed into the Sambalpur sadar division has caused panic among the people after killing four persons during the past fortnight. The last victim was a fiftyfive-year-old man from Deogaon, 50 km from here, who was trampled to death by the tusker on Friday. Earlier, the tusker had
killed one person each at Kelighati, Sindirpanka and
Halipali between May 18 and 23. Wildlife official sources
said the tusker had moved out from the Badarama wildlife
sanctuary and entered the Deogaon reserve forest area.
Sources said the Sambalpur district forest department had
sought permission from the chief wildlife warden to kill
the wild tusker. But the warden had advised the capture
of the tusker by tranquillising it. |
Advani greets Nachiketa NEW DELHI, May 30 — Flt Lt K. Nachiketa, the Indian Air Force pilot of the MiG-21 that crashed in the Kargil sector, today turned 26 while still in captivity in Pakistan. Union Home Minister, Mr
L. K. Advani, sent greetings to Flt Lt Nachiketa at his
home town in Adampur, along with wishes for a speedy
return, saying the whole country wishes the brave soldier
a very happy birthday and prays for his long life. |
10 killed in mishap GUNA, May 30 (PTI) — Ten persons, including a groom, were killed and four injured when a jeep collided with a truck today, 8 km from here, on Agra-Mumbai national highway. The police said the jeep, overcrowded with members of a marriage party, was proceeding from Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan. While seven persons died
on the spot, three succumbed to injuries at the district
hospital, the police added. |
3 Punjabis deported NEW DELHI, May 30 — Three Punjab residents, including a 12-year-old boy, have been deported back to India soon after they landed at the Frankfurt airport by the German authorities. The three were allegedly en route to Canada using fake passports, the police said. The three identified as
Amarjeet Singh, Manjit Singh and his 12-year-old, son
Gursewak Singh, have been arrested for impersonation by
the IGI Airport police, the ACP (Palam), Mr B.M. Chopra,
said, adding that while Amarjeet Singh was a resident of
Jalandhar, the father and son lived at Kapurthala. |
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| Andrews named UNEP
Regional Director NEW DELHI: Former Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Nirmal Andrews has been appointed the new Regional Director of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Regional office for Asia and the Pacific. The first Indian to hold the prestigious position. Andrews , who takes over early next month in Bangkok, will oversee environment and development related issues of 53 countries, according to a UNEP release here. Andrews told PTI that he would try to look at the diversity in the sub-comprising south Asia, south east Asia, northeast Asia and the pacific according to their own distinct problems, challenges and environment issues. — PTI Company told to
compensate consumer WHO message for
smokers Poet voices
Kashmir’s agony Frustrated
employee commits suicide Woman poisons
kids, herself |
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