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| Saturday, November 11, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Nityanand forms ministry 2-day Uttaranchal Govt in crisis UPPCC delegates’ list ‘manipulated’ JMM men told to reach Ranchi |
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MLA’s murder bares police inefficiency Bench to hear PIL
on President’s action Maran’s condition improves Scheme to recharge ground water 2 charred to death,
200 jhuggis gutted 
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Nityanand forms ministry DEHRA DUN, Nov 10 — Mr Nityanand Swami, Chief Minister, of Uttaranchal has inducted nine members of the interim legislative assembly into his council of ministers here today, while three members, including Mr Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, state president of the BJP, failed to turn up at the oath-taking ceremony. Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor, gave the oath of secrecy to the council of ministers. The members inducted in the Cabinet are Mr Kedar Singh Phonia from Badrinath-Kedarnath, Mr Mohan Singh Kandari from Tehri, Mr Ajay Bhatt from Ranikhet, Mr Mohan Singh Gamvasi from Pauri and Mr Bansi Dhar Bhagat from Nainital. Those inducted as state ministers are Mr Narayan Singh Rana, Mr Suresh Aryan, Mr Tirath Singh Rawat and Mrs Nirupama Gaur. The names of Mr Koshiyari and Mr Ramesh Pokhriyal, a former Cabinet minister in UP Government were also announced at the oath-taking ceremony but they were not present. The name of Mr Narain Ram Dass, a former state minister in UP Government was also announced for being inducted as a state minister but he was also absent. Reacting to the undeclared boycott of the oath taking ceremony or dissidence by three members, Mr Swami said stern action would be initiated against this ‘act of indiscipline’. Although he also gave a hint that there would be no further expansion of ministry in the near future. On the other hand Mr Koshiyari announced that he and Mr Pokhriyal would join the Cabinet in the next expansion. Mr Koshiyari told the reporters that three members, including him, were held up at the party office by party workers. Therefore they were not able to attend the ceremony. Most of the BJP leaders said the main reason for the raging discontent among them was due to the unequal representation. Only three of the nine ministers who took the oath were from Kumaon region. Five of them are from Garhwal region and they all belong to the Rajput class while the only woman is from Hardwar. The Chief Minister incidentally hails from Haryana. During the oath-taking ceremony mediapersons were a harassed lot. Most of the journalists were not given entry passes to cover the function and were held up for more than an hour at the entry gate by the security personnels. Just after the swearing-in ceremony the district magistrate did not allow even the electronic media to meet the Chief Minister for comments. Few journalists even had heated exchanges of words with the district magistrate. The supporters of Narain Singh Rana (father of Jaspal Rana, an internationally acclaimed shooter) blocked gate No. 3 (VVIP entry) raising slogans in favour of his being inducted as state minister. 2-day Uttaranchal Govt in crisis DEHRA DUN, Nov 10 — Although it’s only just over 24 hours since he was sworn in as CM, the Nityanand Swami-led government of Uttaranchal, the 27th state of the Indian Union is already in deep crisis, with nine of the BJP’s 23 legislators in the 30-member House declaring that they will not support the Swami government. In an exclusive interview to The Tribune, they said they would meet Governor Surjit Singh Barnala to inform him of their decision. The crisis, which began with the naming of Mr Swami, an outsider and Independent MLC until earlier this year, as CM three days ago by the BJP high command, deepened today when Mr Swami announced his 12-member Council of Ministers. Three legislators who were named as ministers, including the state president of the BJP, Mr Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, did not turn up for taking the oath of office. Mr Koshiyari later explained his absence by saying that he was held up by protesting party workers at the party office some distance away and would take the oath later. But legislators who had been left out were much more forthcoming in expressing their unhappiness with the list of ministers. Even as the oath-taking ceremony was on, a group of eight dissenting MLAs was closeted with Mr Koshiyari and the former Minister for Uttaranchal Affairs in the UP Government, Mr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. Outside the office and at Hotel Drona, the newly converted MLA hostel, supporters of Mr Tilak Raj Behr, the party MLA from Haldwani, staged a noisy demonstration to manifest their unhappiness at his being excluded. When the MLAs exited from the meeting two hours later, a group of nine dissenting MLAs made it very clear that they would withdraw support to Mr Swami, come what may. The leader of this group, Mr Lakhi Ram Joshi, party MLA from Deoprayag said that they had informed the party of their decision and would meet Mr Barnala to brief him about the development. Should they go through with the threat, the BJP government will be reduced to a minority of 14 legislators in the 30-member House even before the portfolios are distributed. Nor are the legislators in any mood to give in. Explaining the revolt, Mr Joshi, who has emerged as the leader of the dissidents following Mr Pokhriyal and Mr Nishank’s decision not to come out openly against Mr Swami, said Mr Swami had betrayed the promise he had made to the legislators at the meeting in which he was elected CM on November 8. Mr Joshi said Mr Swami had at that time admitted that as an Independent MLC, he had developed an independent temperament, but now that he was part of the BJP organisation, he would work through consultation. Mr Swami had belied the faith reposed in him by party legislators and the high command alike in his very first decision, his ministry formation, in which he had failed to maintain either a regional, caste or political balance. Four-time party MLA and senior leader Harbans Lal Kapur had been excluded, Pauri region had been given four ministers, while the important Tehri region had been denied representation altogether as also Udham Singh Nagar, Mr Joshi said. Mr Kapur, whose name figures in the list of dissidents, was more circumspect in his reaction, saying that ministry making was the CM’s prerogative. Mr Tilak Raj Behr said he was deeply disappointed by the partisan decision but would accept it. Mr Joshi, however, was unrelenting. He said the CM had proved his political naiveté by inducting five MLCs over senior party MLAs and now that he had achieved his dream of being the first CM of Uttaranchal, he must immediately resign to make way for a more acceptable leader. Another dissident legislator, Mr Rajinder Shah, MLA from Mussoorie, said a series of meeting with central leaders of the Uttaranchal unit had thrown up a number of names of potential names for the post of CM. Denying reports of differences on the issue he and Mr Joshi said that 19 of the 23 legislators had given their support in writing on two names: Mr Khanduri, BJP MP in the Lok Sabha and now Minister for Surface Transport and Mr Kedar Singh Ponia, MLA from Badri-Kedar. They had later suggested the names of senior leaders Banis Dhar Bhagat and Khosiyari. Instead, the party had ignored their democratic aspirations and thrust a rank outsider, Mr Swami, on them. Mr Joshi saw no alternative to replacing Mr Swami immediately if the party unit was to survive in the state.
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UPPCC delegates’ list ‘manipulated’ NEW DELHI, Nov 10 — Supporters of Mr Jitendra Prasada said yesterday that the list of PCC delegates in UP was manipulated and demanded that the electoral process in the state should be reviewed. Mr Mohammad Aslam Khan, who has joined Mr Prasada after resigning as PCC delegate from UP, alleged that the entire list of 940 members was made in one night even when the returning officers from 26 districts had not sent even their lists. Mr Khan, said in clear violation of the Constitutional provisions, members of the Pradesh Election Authorities had also become PCC delegates. In his letter to Mr Ram Niwas Mirdha, Chairman, CEA, Mr Khan, charged the UP Pradesh Election Authority chairman Mr Birender Singh with high-handedness and misdeeds. Mr Khan said he had made efforts to contact Congress leaders, CWC members and others on the issue but to no avail. “It seems that without the knowledge of Congress President a coterie is working deliberately to harm her,” he said, adding that party election process had totally failed. Calling on the PCC delegates to vote according to their inner conscience, Mr Khan said dedicated workers of the party were being ignored. Reacting to the developments in Patna, Mr Prasada, said the incidents of violence outside the party office on Wednesday would damage the image of the party. He urged partymen to amicably resolve all their disputes. Maintaining that everyone had a right to contest elections in a democracy, he expressed confidence that democratic spirit would finally prevail in the party. Mr Vinod Sharma, spokesperson for Mr Prasada, said the latest issue of party mouthpiece ‘Sandesh’ had ignored Mr Prasada completely. |
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JMM men told to reach Ranchi PATNA, Nov 10 — Patna and
Sonepur, a small town 50 km from the state capital, bore a striking resemblance yesterday. While the latter geared up for the world’s biggest animal trade fair starting today, the former too witnessed “animal trade” but of a different type, popularly known as “horse-trading” in accepted democratic parlance. As the countdown for a BJP-led NDA government in Jharkhand started, with the air of confusion over the name of Babu Lal Marandi clearing yesterday, all major parties started “horse-trading” to ensure future gains. Mr Marnadi was accorded a grand welcome by the party activists and the melee of top NDA leaders around him “sealed the fate” of the first Jharkhand Chief Minister. Mr Marandi was seen throwing a party for the Jharkhand MLAs of the NDA and kept close contact with them in the wake of the JMM’s bid to “buy” some of the eight Samata Party and Janata Dal (United)
MLAs. The JMM has deputed its president Dishum Guru to talk with the eight NDA legislators. It is said that they had been offered the Speaker’s post and “choice” ministries by the JMM if they chose to switch “loyalties”. The son of JMM supremo Shibu Soren, Mr Durga Soren however, has been entrusted with the task of keeping a close vigil on the 12 JMM legislators. The NDA brigade is aware of the JMM’s efforts and top NDA leaders are present here to keep their flock together. Mr Nitish Kumar is camping here. Mr Babu Lal and Mr Mukhtar Abbas
Naqvi, the BJP in charge of Jharkhand affairs arrived here early in the day to sort out problems within the BJP. The Karia Munda lobby is causing trouble but given the support base of Mr Munda and the welcome given to Mr Marandi in Jharkhand, “taming a paper tiger“ like Mr Munda will not be a difficult task. The NDA is posing a challenge to the unity of the JMM, the RJD and the Congress. It is believed that four of the JMM MLAs are in close touch with NDA leaders and are likely to switch over to the NDA. The four legislators are “sore” over the loss of Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s largesse owing to the “stubborn” attitude of Mr Soren who “insisted” on a BJP CM other than Mr Marandi. Mr Laloo Prasad
Yadav is also facing a split in the Jharkhand RJD. He has been making a ballyhoo over an alternative “secular” government under the JMM only to keep its flock together. He is frantically searching for two UGDP MLAs who extended support to RJD government after the fall of the Nitish Kumar government. It is believed that the two MLAs have decided to join the NDA government in Jharkhand. The NDA reportedly had talks with at least three Congress
MLAs. Though the majority of Congress MLAs were against participation in a JMM alliance, the three MLAs wanted a power share and therefore they could fall into NDA’s lap. The entire politics over Jharkhand revives around the NDA’s attempt to “buy” more MLAs so that its government could have better security and stability, the BJP’s bid to placate the Samata-JD (U) MLAs over the distribution of ministerial posts and other benefits, the JMM’s bid to trade the dissatisfied NDA MLAs and the RJD-Congress’s attempts to keep their party MLAs together. The political trade fair, a la
Sonepur, is well on in Patna. Who “sells and buys” whom and at what “price” remains to be
seen. RANCHI (UNI): The JMM has called upon its supporters to reach here on November 14 for the “Mukhyamantri Darshan” (to have a glimpse of the Chief Minister of the new Jharkhand state). According to JMM supremo Shibu Soren, those who wished to see a person from among themselves as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand had been called to decide whether the leader being assigned the task was of their choice or not. |
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MLA’s murder bares police inefficiency SAHARANPUR, Nov 10 — The assassination of Nirbhay Pal Sharma, MLA from
Sarsawa, has highlighted the inefficiency of the Uttar Pradesh Police as the police has failed to get a breakthrough in the case. There is resentment against the Saharanpur police in this industrial town. The failure of the police to arrest the culprits and the daring assassination of Sharma have raised several doubts about the performance of the Saharanpur police. For one, the MLA was assassinated in the Officers Colony which reportedly has a foolproof security arrangement. Secondly, his residence was located near the residence of the Commissioner of Saharanpur division. Moreover, the police failed to reach the spot in time despite the MLA being able to inform the
SHO, Sadar, and the SP’s residence on phone about the presence of heavily armed assassins at his residence. Residents of Saharanpur even allege that the Sadar SHO “feigned” that he did not recognise the MLA on telephone. The attackers remained at Sharma’s residence for about 30 minutes and escaped unscathed after that. The wife of Sharma, Ms Prakash Pal has held the police responsible for the assassination of her husband. Many in the town believe that the MLA’s murder was the result of a deep-rooted conspiracy by his opponents. They do not rule out the involvement of some police officials in it. Another surprising fact is that both the DIG, Saharanpur range, and the SP of the district were away from headquarters on that night.
Futthermore, the police, instead of launching a manhunt for the culprits, sprayed 50 rounds of tear gas shells on the people who had gathered at the residence of Sharma to pay homage to him. The state government has, however, suspended the SP of Saharanpur and a new incumbent has taken over. |
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Bench to hear PIL
on President’s action NEW DELHI, Nov 10 (PTI) — A larger Bench of the Delhi High Court will decide whether to admit a petition challenging President K.R. Narayanan’s action asking Congress President Sonia Gandhi to explore the possibility of forming the government after the fall of the BJP-led government last year. The petition was today referred to a larger Bench by a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice Anil Dev Singh and Mr Justice B.A. Khan after they differed on the question of issuing notices to the Centre and the Election Commission on the issue. While Mr Justice Anil Dev Singh was inclined to issue notice on a PIL, challenging the President’s action, Mr Justice Khan opined that prima facie there was no merit in the
petition. |
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Maran’s condition
improves
CHENNAI, Nov 10 (UNI) — Union Industry and Commerce Minister Murasoli
Maran, who is undergoing treatment for left ventricular dysfunction secondary to obstructive
cardio-myopathy at Apollo Hospital here, is on the road to recovery, according to a visiting German doctor. Dr Horst Kuhn, a specialist in invasive cardiology from Stadtelschen Clinic in Germany who flew in here this morning, indicated this while addressing a joint press conference with the hospital’s Executive Chairman Dr Pratap C. Reddy. Dr Kuhn said he had examined and reviewed Mr Maran’s treatment modalities and administered him the “non-surgical interventional procedure of treatment”. Mr Maran’s condition has “improved a lot,’’ Dr Kuhn said and added that he would be reviewing the Union Minister’s condition again this evening and tomorrow. He said the positive results of the septal ablation treatment administered to Mr Maran would show slowly. “After a week or fortnight, we can see how long it will take for him to get to normal.
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Scheme to recharge ground water NEW DELHI, Nov 10 — The Haryana Government will implement a new scheme for the artificial recharge of ground water in Panipat, Kurukshetra and Mahendragarh districts, costing over Rs 1.66 crore. The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, said here today that the schemes had been approved by the Central Ground Water Board and sanctioned by its technical coordination committee. While the two of these schemes would be implemented in Mahendragarh district, one each would be for Panipat and Kurukshetra districts. Under these schemes,
desaturated aquifers would be replenished the declining trend of water levels, checked and suitable recharge structures constructed for augmenting ground water. Mr Chautala said the major benefit would be saving of energy for lifting water and sustainability of existing ground water structures for irrigation purposes. This would result in higher agricultural production, reduce health hazards by decreasing the spread of malaria and cholera. |
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2 charred to death,
200 jhuggis gutted NEW DELHI, Nov 10 — Two persons, including a child, were charred to death and at least 200 jhuggis gutted in a fire at the Madrasi camp slum cluster in the Lajpat Nagar area of South Delhi. The fire broke out at 3.38 p.m. and could be controlled only by 6.15 p.m. The cause of the fire could not be known, a spokesperson for the Delhi Fire Service said. |
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