Sunday, October 10, 1999
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CM’s post: Sharief
lobbies with Sonia Kalyan meets Vajpayee |
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 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh shows the victory sign outside the residence of Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee after his meeting with the Prime Minister in New Delhi on Saturday. — PTI
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NHRC tells govt to pay
relief DMK decision on Oct 12 Need to expand TA: Fernandes JD (U) not to press for Central
rule in Bihar SAD (Badal) gets
‘bucket’ symbol Chamling to take oath on Oct 11 Bihar Congress MLA resigns |
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CM’s post: Sharief lobbies with Sonia NEW DELHI, Oct 9 (PTI) — Mr C K Jaffer Sharief, said to be in the race for the Karnataka Chief Ministership, today had a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in what is seen as a bid to lobby with the leadership in his favour. Mr Sharief, who left for Bangalore where the Congress Legislature Party meets tomorrow to choose its leader, termed the meeting with AICC chief as a "courtesy call". Mr Sharief, elected from the Bangalore North Lok Sabha constituency, is said to have discussed the issue of leadership in Karnataka and is believed to have impressed on Ms Gandhi the need to have an "efficient and dynamic" government which will deliver goods. Meanwhile Mr Sharief has come under attack from the member of National Executive of AICC Minority Cell, Mr Syed Ashraf, for nursing chief ministerial ambitions. Mr Ashraf, a supporter of KPCC president S K Krishna who is also in the race for the chief ministership, further said that Mr Sharief was facing corruption charges and that the CBI had already filed a chargesheet against him. Meanwhile, in Bangalore Congress Working Committee member A K Antony tonight indicated that the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Karnataka would be elected by the Congress legislators themselves. Mr Antony, who arrived here tonight along with party general secretary Gulam Nabi Azad and Secretary V Narayanswamy, told newsmen that they had no pre-set agenda for tomorrow’s CLP meeting and the legislators themselves would decide on the leader. To a query, Mr Azad said a majority of MLAs had opined that the CLP leader should be elected among MLAs. However, he added, the party had not barred MPs from contesting for the CLP leadership. Besides KPCC president S
M Krishna, who seemed to be the front runner for the
leadership, another senior leader M Mallikarjuna Kharge
and former Railway Minister C K Jaffer Sharief have
dropped hints that they would be throwing their hats into
the ring. |
Kalyan meets Vajpayee NEW DELHI, Oct 9 (PTI) — Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh today met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and told him that he would abide by whatever decision the party leadership would take in the context of the BJP’s electoral debacle in the state. After a 45-minute meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence, Mr Kalyan Singh told reporters that "as the head of the BJP government in the state, I don’t blame anyone or hold anybody responsible. I take full moral responsibility." Mr Kalyan Singh made it clear to Mr Vajpayee that whatever decision the party high command took, "as a disciplined soldier, I will abide by it gladly." He said he would review the constituency-wise performance of the party with state and central leaders. Mr Kalyan Singh, who had met party President Kushabhau Thakre last night, said the state unit of the BJP, its president Rajnath Singh and ministers including Lalji Tandon, had done a good job. Asked whether any assurance was given to him by the Prime Minister, he said: "It is for the central leadership to take a decision." Later, he met Home Minister L.K. Advani and discussed the party’s performance in the state. Earlier, UP Minister Kalraj Mishra met Mr Advani and reviewed the political situation in the state. UNI adds: Senior BJP leader Ramvilas Vedanti today said he would stage a dharna tomorrow at the party headquarters here to press for the removal of Mr Kalyan Singh, whom he held responsible for the defeat of several party candidates in the state. The saffron-clad Vedanti, a two-time Lok Sabha member, burst into tears at a Press conference narrating instances of "terror unleashed by the police and the district administration of Pratapgarh against party workers at the behest of the Chief Minister." "The BJP did not lose the elections in UP, but was made to lose by Mr Kalyan Singh," Dr Vendati, who lost to Mr Chandranath Singh (Samajwadi Party) at Machchalishahar, alleged. He claimed that when he contacted the Chief Minister to complain about the administration "excesses" against party workers, Mr Kalyan Singh himself threatened him with "dire consequences" for their opposition to Sakshi Maharaj, who was holding the Farukhabad seat in the dissolved House, that ultimately resulted in the denial of the party ticket to him (Sakshi). Dr Vedanti alleged that Mr Moti Singh, a party MLA from Patti in Pratapgarh district, was put under house arrest, workers were beatenup by the police on flimsy grounds at several places and his supporters "terrorised." He said he would be
meeting senior party leaders like Mr Vajpayee and Mr
Advani to lodge a formal complaint against Mr Kalyan
Singh. |
Diesel price NEW DELHI, Oct 9 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee today assailed the hike in the prices of diesel and steep rise in sales tax rate in the state and demanded that it be withdrawn. The PPCC President, Capt Amarinder Singh, said the hike of 35 per cent on diesel would affect life all around and for the people of Punjab it would be compounded by the raise of sales tax — from 4 to 8 per cent. "It seems Mr Parkash Singh Badal has levied sales tax with a vengeance on the people of Punjab" he said, adding that the Congress would press for withdrawal of price hike on diesel with the Centre. Capt Amarinder Singh also expressed concern over the slow procurement of paddy by the state agencies. "The farmers are going in for distress sale and unless the government intervenes, there farmers will be in problem" he said. The PPCC chief, who hosted a lunch for all the newly-elected Congress MPs from Punjab attributed the victory to the leadership of the party President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Apart from the MPs, those present included the CLP leader, Mr Jagjit Singh, the PPCC Vice President Mr Lal Singh, and the PPCC General Secretary, Mr Rana Gurmit Sodhi. "The Congress vote share rose by 7 per cent and wherever Mrs Gandhi campaigned, the party did well" he said. Capt Amarinder Singh said during the current Lok Sabha elections, the Congress won in 67 of the 117 Assembly segments, including 51 of the 75 where SAD had won in the 1997 Assembly elections. "Moreover of the 18 Assembly segments where the BJP had a dominant position, the Congress wrested it in 15 segments. Besides, five of the BJP Ministers in Punjab failed to ensure victory for the alliance candidates," he said. The PPCC chief reiterated his demand that Mr Badal should step down following the debacle. Meanwhile, Mr Balbir Singh, the newly-elected MP from Jalandhar has requested the PPCC chief to take cognisance of the anti-party activities by some Congress workers during the elections. Later, all the
newly-elected MPs called on the Congress President, Mrs
Sonia Gandhi, at 10, Janpath, expressing their gratitude
to her. |
Custodial death case NEW DELHI, Oct 9 — The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Gujarat Government to pay an interim relief of Rs 2 lakh to the dependants of a victim of custodial death. The commission has also ordered disciplinary action against police officers found guilty. A spokesperson of the NHRC said the commission’s attention to the custodial death of Hasmukhbhai Kanubhai in Mahuba police station of Gujarat was drawn through a letter sent by a Section Officer of the Home Department of Gujarat. He reportedly said that Hasmukhbhai, a witness in a case of murder had been taken to the police station where he died. The magisterial inquiry into the incident stated that Hasmukhbhai was detained in the police station overnight for interrogation and denied treatment for chest pain and diarrhoea. The report said according to the post-mortem report, the death was caused by a heart attack. The government contended that the death could not be treated as one in police custody because Hasmukhbhai was a witness, not an accused. It further argued that the witness did not die in police custody as he died on way to the hospital. The Home Department of the Gujarat Government said the state human rights cell had accepted the views of the magisterial inquiry that the death had not occurred due to atrocities in the policy custody. Disagreeing with the
report of the state government, the NHRC said police
officers had been negligent in providing adequate and
timely medical assistance to Hasmukhbhai. |
DMK decision on Oct 12 NEW DELHI, Oct 9 (PTI) — The 12-MP strong DMK, an important constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), will take a decision on joining the new government at the Centre on October 12, party supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said today. He said the party’s Working Committee would meet in Chennai on October 12 to discuss the issue of joining the government. Party district secretaries, headquarters secretaries of various wings, special invitees and MPs would participate in the Working Committee meeting. The DMK, which led an anti-AIADMK alliance in the state winning on the whole 26 seats for the front, is expected to get important portfolios should it decide to join the Vajpayee government. Meanwhile, Mr Karunanidhi called on President K.R. Narayanan at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. The 30-minute meeting was described as a courtesy call by a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman. Mr Karunanidhi was
accompanied by his party colleague and former Union
Minister Murasoli Maran. |
Need to expand TA: Fernandes NEW DELHI, Oct 9 — The Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, said there was an urgent need to expand Territorial Army (TA), which has been playing a commendable role in defence and social spheres in the country. "We want rapid progress of the Territorial Army. Despite its wide ranging activities from environment protection to national security and counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and earlier in Punjab, the ‘citizen’s force’ has not expanded to the desired levels," Mr Fernandes said. A committee was set up to look into the needs of the TA and it has suggested various measures to strengthen and increase the size of TA, Mr Fernandes said, adding that "concrete steps to implement the recommendations of the committee would be taken." The "Terriers", as members of TA fraternity are called, have to play a leadership role in character building and inculcating a sense of discipline among the people, Mr Fernandes said while reviewing the golden jubilee TA Day parade here today. The Kargil conflict has created increased awareness about national security issues, and the golden jubilee year of the Territorial Army is the ideal time for its expansion, the Defence Minister added. He lauded the role of the TA in environment protection, saying it was heartening to note that ecological units of the citizen’s force had planted over 14 lakh trees. Earlier, he reviewed the parade of 10 TA units and awarded medals to 12 TA personnel for meritorious services. The awardees were Lt Col N.K. Ghai of TA GP Hq WC, Sub Lakshmi Chand of 801 Engr Regt R&P (TA), Nb/Sub Vishwapal Singh of 116 Inf Bn (TA) Para, Hav Sambhaji Wagara of 109 Inf Bn (TA) Marathali, Hav C Rajeevan Pillai of 110 Inf Bn (TA) Madras, Hav Hoshiyar Singh of 118 Inf Bn (TA) GDR, Hav Bhairao Prasad of 970 Rly Engr Regt (TA), RHM Jokhu Ram of 971 Rly Engr Regt (TA), Nk Pratap Kumar Patnaik of 120 Inf Bn (TA) Bihar, Nk Ashok Dey 121 Inf Bn (TA) Garh Rif and Hav Dilip Jadhav 101 Inf Bn (TA) Marathali. The Defence Minister
also released a first day cover on the force in the
presence of Army Chief Gen V.P. Malik. |
JD (U) not to press for
Central rule in Bihar NEW DELHI, Oct 9 — The Janata Dal (United) today said it would not insist on the dismissal of the Rabri Devi government and imposition of President’s rule in Bihar after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) takes over at the Centre. Addressing newsmen here, JD(U) leader Ram Vilas Paswan said although the people of Bihar were in favour of holding elections in a fair manner only under President’s rule, but made it clear that his party would not make efforts for dismissal of the Rabri Devi government. Mr Paswan said: "People of Bihar feel that elections can be held in a fair manner only under President’s rule. They are of the view that if polls are held under the Rabri Devi government, they will be rigged, which was also his personal opinion". He however made it clear that his party would not make any efforts for the early dismissal of the Rabri Devi government. He said the Rabri Devi government would die its own death and there was no need to make any efforts for dismissal of the Bihar government. The first signs of fall of the Rabri Devi government were already showing, specially after the Congress indicated yesterday withdrawal of support to the government in Bihar. He said elections were due in March in Bihar and the date might be advanced if the Congress withdrew support to the RJD government leading to its fall. He described the virtual rout of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar as the "semi-finals" and said the final would be "when the Assembly elections are held and the RJD is totally obliterated from the state". He said the seven Lok Sabha seats won by the RJD this time were the result of the massive rigging that the ruling party carried out with the help of official machinery. However, he added that there was enough opposition now against the RJD chief and the party candidates who had won were taking personal credit for it rather than putting it on Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav. He said the party workers were of the opinion now that the man who could not ensure his victory, how could he ensure a win for us. Asked as to how many
ministerial berths the JD(U) would demand in the NDA
government, Mr Paswan said his only priority was to
ensure a stable government at the Centre and an end to
the "jungle raj" in Bihar. He also parried
questions regarding his choice of portfolio in the union
council of ministers. |
SAD (Badal) gets
‘bucket’ symbol NEW DELHI, Oct 9 — The Delhi unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has been allotted the bucket symbol for the forthcoming general elections of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. The Secretary General of the Delhi unit of SAD (Badal), Mr Kuldip Singh Bhogal, said that the ‘bucket’ symbol was allotted to us "although we were keen for the ‘weighing scale’ symbol". "Since there was objection to the ‘weighing scale’ symbol, we were given the options of ‘rising sun’, ‘bus’ or ‘bucket’. We were finally allotted the ‘bucket’ symbol," Mr Bhogal said. He said while the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) had been allotted the ‘car’ symbol, the National Akali Dal had been given the ‘jeep’ symbol for the general elections and the symbol of ‘rising sun’ had been allotted to the Vishwa Akali Dal. Mr Bhogal pointed out that the ‘bucket’ symbol would prove to be useful "as it is an extremely popular utility item and also Master Tara Singh had fought and won elections on the same symbol in the past". DSGMC President and the
member of the SAD (Delhi), Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, said
that they have been allotted the ‘car’ symbol. |
Chamling to take oath on Oct 11 GANGTOK, Oct 9 (PTI) — The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) today formally staked claim to form the second successive government after the newly-elected party legislators "unanimously’’ elected Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as the party leader. The 24 members of the Legislature SDF Party, who met at the Chief Minister’s official residence here, "unanimously" elected Mr Chamling to head the second successive SDF government, party spokesman BB Gooroong said. The swearing-in ceremony of Mr Chamling and his Council of Ministers would take place at Raj Bhavan on Monday, he said. Mr Chamling later met Governor Chaudhury Randhir Singh at Raj Bhavan to formally stake claim to form the government. He also recommended to the Governor the dissolution of the present fifth assembly, whose term is scheduled to expire on December 12, to facilitate the formation of the new one, Mr Gooroong said. He said today’s
meeting also inducted Mr Palden Lama, who won the Sangha
seat as an independent supported by the SDF, into the
party’s fold as its "full-fledged" member.
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Bihar Congress MLA resigns PATNA, Oct 9 (UNI) — Congress MLA from Sarath Assembly constituency in Bihar, Mr Uday Shankar Singh, alias Chunna Singh, has resigned from the party in protest against its decision to forge an alliance with the RJD in the Lok Sabha elections. The MLA, who is also the
General Secretary of the Chotanagpur-Santhal Pargana
Congress Committee, criticised the central and state
party leadership for its "wrong’’ policy
and sent his resignation letter to the state party
President, Mr Sadanand Singh, yesterday. |
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| ‘The Mummy’
breaks record MUMBAI: Hollywood’s latest film "The Mummy" has broken the opening week records of all foreign films in this country by setting a new 10-day highest grossing of Rs 7.3 crore. "The Mummy", released on September 24 all over India by Universal Pictures directed by Stephen Sommers and produced by James Jack Sean Daniel has surpassed the opening gross collections of major foreign films like "Jurassic Park", "The Lost World", "Tomorrow Never Dies", "Anaconda" and "Godzilla". — UNI Two shot dead by tribal
guerrillas Cop seizes huge
cache of arms Another quake
rocks Guwahati 4 members of
family found dead |
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