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BJP meet to discuss ‘mid-term poll’ in Karnataka, UP
Fissures in Gujarat BJP widen
NDA set for historic win in Bihar: Uma
CEC to review Bihar situation
I could have been PM at 25, claims Rahul
More actors, cricketers in betting probe
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Disaster management policy by year-end
Gujarat Cong may move SC over MC poll
Cong for new law to replace IMDT Act
Mahanta announces new party
Mamata’s protest paralyses traffic
Govt, contract teachers head for a showdown
Tarapur plant goes commercial
Prof Santosh Sood dead
Tamil star launches political party
Fishermen recount bitter memories
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BJP meet to discuss ‘mid-term poll’ in Karnataka, UP
Chennai, September 14 The three-day BJP national executive scheduled to begin here on September 16 will other than passing three resolutions on political situation, economy and internal security also discuss state-specific issues and the “dent in the image of the party due to recent happenings”. Briefing the mediapersons this afternoon Mr Naidu said, “There will be some discussions about Karnataka, which is also likely to go to the polls next year because of the prevailing political uncertainty there. We will also discuss the situation in Uttar Pradesh as all is not well there and the fissures are out. Polls or no polls there, we should be prepared in case the state too goes to the polls.” He said the national executive would review the preparedness of the party for the Assembly elections scheduled in Bihar this year and in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Pondicherry next year. “We would discuss threadbare the strategies to be adopted for the Assembly elections in these states,” he added. As far as Bihar was concerned Mr Naidu expressed confidence of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under the leadership of Mr. Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) in winning the elections. He said, “The NDA is poised for a victory in Bihar and the BJP and the JD(U) is united with regard to the leadership issue. There is a strong anti-Lalu and anti-RJD wave and serious divisions within the UPA in Bihar. “Lalu ( Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav) was ousted by the people once but he tried to come back to power through back-door machinations and failed. By getting a Governor of his choice he is ruling the state by proxy. The people will again reject Lalu and its allies,” he said. The BJP national executive is meeting for the first time after the UPA government at the Centre completed its first year and will be attended by the five Chief Ministers of the BJP-ruled states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. While he skirted specific questions on Mr Madan Lal Khurana by saying “the issue is over”, he admitted that the BJP’s image had “suffered a dent because of some recent happenings”. |
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Fissures in Gujarat BJP widen
Gandhinagar, September 14 The hardening of stance came following the targeting of dissidents and their leaders at three public functions, where Mr Modi was present last week. On September 8, a retinue of religious leaders, who had been invited to attend a state government function at Siddhpur in north Gujarat, went hammer and tongs at the dissidents in the presence of the Chief Minister. Speaker after religious speaker seemed to be following a rehearsed script, praising Mr Modi and lashing out at the dissidents. Interestingly, the chief guest at the function,state VHP president and a highly respected Brahmin leader K.K. Shastry did not turn up nor did any of the VHP-Bajrang Dal leaders. Though officially it was stated that Shastry was indisposed, the fact was that he was seen at the VHP office later in the day. Highly placed sources said the Chief Minister intended to use the function to mark his resurrection of the mythical Saraswati river at Siddhpur to demonstrate to the VHP-Bajrang Dal combine that he possessed the capacity to pull in the saintly crowd even without their help. However, the key religious leaders chose to stay away. On September 10, at a government function at Morvi town near Rajkot, the Chief Minister had targeted Dr Vallabh Kathiria, former Union Minister and MP from Rajkot. Kathiria was incensed enough to shoot off a letter to party President L.K. Advani, stating that while the elected representatives were attending public functions of the Chief Minister to present a united face of the party, he was using the opportunity to defame his own party leaders. Again on September 11, at a function attended by the Chief Minister near Surat, former Union Textile Minister and MP from Surat, Kashiram Rana was the target of sloganeering by the pro-Modi group. Rana termed it as a planned conspiracy. Both Kathiria and Rana have warned of retaliation if this does not stop. Former chief ministers Keshubhai Patel and Suresh Mehta have also condemned it.
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NDA set for historic win in Bihar: Uma
Bhopal, September 14 “The UPA government has committed suicide, hara-kiri and destroyed itself in Bihar by making Buta Singh the Governor and by enforcing the President’s rule under pressure from LJP President Ramvilas Paswam and RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav,” Ms Bharti told mediapersons here. “We don’t have a problem. It is the UPA, which has it, and it is compounding day-by-day. We will take advantage of it,” said the firebrand leader, in charge of poll campaign in the state. Claiming that the NDA will register a historic win, she said apart from its election campaign and Mr Nitish Kumar’s Nyay Yatra, deteriorating conditions during the Governor’s rule and internal rifts within the UPA would help NDA win. Alleging that the Congress is in a “bad shape in Bihar and that Lalu Yadav has destroyed it,” she said in a response to a query, “we will continue to benefit even if Buta Singh remains as the Governor or is removed.” To a question on her role in the poll campaign, she said the NDA was on such a strong wicket that they did not need to do much especially when it had projected as its leaders Mr Kumar and Mr Sushil Modi, both of whom have a stronghold and are veterans of the JP movement. Denying that the Khurana episode has dented the BJP’s image, she said if he claimed that he had not tendered an apology to stage a comeback, “it will only affect him, not the
party.” — PTI |
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CEC to review Bihar situation
New Delhi, September 14 Mr Tandon will visit Saran, Chapra, and Saharsa to review the poll arrangements of nine districts falling in Kosi, Dharbanga, and Saran divisions. The CEC will leave for the state tomorrow evening and visit these districts on Friday. Meanwhile, the commission has summoned the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary next week to explain the reasons for the delay in filling up the post of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in the state. They said the Chief Secretary had been directed to appear before the commission on September 20. |
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I could have been PM at 25, claims Rahul
New Delhi, September 14 In an interview to be published in the September 24 edition of the Tehelka newspaper, Rahul has also expressed dismay at the lack of courage and creativity in the party, and is willing to lose a couple of elections to mature as a politician. “I could have been prime minister at the age of 25 (the age to contest elections) if I wanted to. But I decided I wouldn’t do things in that fashion. I would not go around yelling at my seniors,” he said. In the interview taken in Amethi, his parliamentary constituency, the 35-year-old Rahul betrayed a sense of frustration with the way things were going in his Congress party. “There is a fear of failure around me. People keep saying what if this goes wrong, what if that doesn’t work.” But the first-time MP, who faced intense speculation about his political aptitude when he took a plunge into the world of politics, strikes a mature note as he says he is prepared for failure. “I am prepared for things going the other way. I understand I can’t always have things my way. If I am to be a complete politician I think I must lose a couple of elections,” he said. Rahul admitted he maintained a low profile but denied it was out of shyness or reluctance. “People keep saying I am shy. Oh, he’s so shy. I am not reluctant. I am an extrovert. I am like that all the time. I am the one who talks all the time,” he clarified. At the same time, Rahul insisted that he had his own mind and was clear about what he wanted to do in politics or how he wanted to do it. “I am a stubborn person. My mother can tell me 100 times to do something, and my sister (Priyanka) can join her in doing so, but if my mind is made up I won’t do it,” he said. Rahul sharply criticised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s government backed by his party, stating that he was not going to stand it and would “do something about it”. He said he did not like to do politics like others. “I am not like those blokes who believe they don’t have a job if they are not seen on television, or if they are not in the Congress Working Committee (CWC). I am not spinning the same old wheels,” Rahul asserted. According to him, it would be “awkward” if he were to take a stand as a member of the CWC. “As a CWC member, I can’t tell the prime minister not to do something. I can’t tell senior ministers and senior party leaders not to do something. That will be awkward.”
— IANS |
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More actors, cricketers in betting probe
Mumbai, September 14 A city police team has also being prepared for dispatch to Sri Lanka to probe the involvement of cricketers in that country with bookies, sources say. Already the names of controversial Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Murlitharan and actor Aditya Panscholi are being linked with bookies. Panscholi is under probe for introducing the cricketer to a bar dancer, Tarranum, who worked in a plush Mumbai bar. Tarranum was busted by the Income Tax Department for holding undeclared assets worth crores of rupees. Also found on her cellphone were numbers of bookies and prominent personalities. The bar dancer is now being probed by the police for fixing matches featuring India and other international teams. The police today impounded her passport to prevent Tarranum from fleeing the country. Though she was questioned, the bar girl was not arrested till the time of going to press. Two officials from the ICC, Martin Hawkins and Alan Peacock, are scheduled to meet senior Mumbai police officials. The police here says it would also further question Panscholi since he has already admitted to taking Murlitharan to the Deepa Bar where Tarranum worked. The actor, however, denied having introduced Murlitharan to the dancer. Meanwhile, the names of two more Sri Lankan cricketers are doing the rounds. One is said to be a star batsman of the Sri Lankan team. Several bit actors from the Mumbai film and television industry are also believed to be part of this net. The cricketers reportedly showered huge amounts of money on the dancers at this bar. |
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Disaster management policy by year-end
New Delhi, September 14 Announcing this at a seminar on Disaster Management: For a Safer India organised by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) here today, Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee said the Home Secretary and Chairman, Disaster Management Authority, had briefed him about the latest development in this regard. The minister announced the “UPA government wanted to pass the Disaster Management Bill in the monsoon session itself, but it was later decided that the government should await the recommendations of the standing committee to which it was referred to for improvement and modifications”. Now that the committee’s recommendations had been submitted to the government and the final draft ready for smooth sailing in Parliament it would be passed in winter session. Giving comprehensive details of the proposed policy, Mr Mukherjee said it would have altogether a new orientation for turning disasters for development rather than on relief and rehabilitation. The policy would ensure that structures were developed top to bottom and greater stress would be laid on the involvement of the district administration, Panchayati Raj, municipalities and nagar palikas.
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Gujarat Cong may move SC over MC poll
Gandhinagar, September 14 The commission had submitted before the Supreme Court on Tuesday that elections to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation would be held on October 13 and the new general board be in place by October 15. The submission was a sequel to the statement by the Bench that it would be better that the State Election Commission does not invite an order because it has not respected the Constitution of India. The Ahmedabad poll order came on a petition filed by the Congress -ruled Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation standing committee chairman Kishan Singh Tomar. Mr Arjun Modvadia, leader of the Congress Legislature Party, said a representation has been submitted to the Gujarat State Election Commission citing the Supreme Court order and urging it to hold elections to the Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar municipal corporations as well since these are also due around the same time. The Supreme Court has already cleared the constitutional position and there is no provision for appointment of administrators once the term of the local self government bodies expires. Therefore the poll to the other corporations should also be held alongside”, the Congress representation said. However, the State Election Commission made it clear that it would be announcing elections to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation only.
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Cong for new law to replace IMDT Act
Guwahati, September 14 Sources said this move was aimed at wooing the disgruntled strong minority voters in the state who were angry with the Congress for failing to keep its promise to retain the IMDT. This move also targets the forthcoming convention of 12 minority organisations led by Jamiat-ulema-e-Hind, to be held on October 3, to explore the options to float a new political outfit. It was learnt that the suggestions worked out by Mr Chowdhury would be forwarded to the group of ministers (GOM) constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to examine the fall out of the repeal of the IMDT and suggest alternative means. The congress is apprehensive of losing the strong minority muslims votes in Assam in the wake of the development related to IMDT. The Congress President Sonia Gandhi has already asked the senior Congress leaders like Mr Digvijay Singh to open dialogues with the minority organisations to address their grievances. The minority Muslims in Assam constitute about 80 lakh of the total 2.2 crore population and can influence the outcome in at least 35 Assembly seats.
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Mahanta announces new party
Guwahati, September 14 Barring any last minute change in decision, the new party would be known as Asom Gana Parishad (Progressive) and seek to retain the same symbol, “elephant” of the parent party and the same constitution. A formal declaration of the name of the new party is expected to be made by tomorrow after the conlusion of a two-day political convention involving Mahanta loyalists, which began here today. Mr Mahanta`s decision would certainly put the official AGP faction led by his bete noire and and president Brindaban Goswami on the backfoot in view of the huge turnout of AGP workers and supporters who assembled at “Pragjyotika” here today to witness the beginning of a new chapter of regional politics in the state. Addressing the gathering, Mr Mahanta accused the official AGP leadership for conspiring against him to expel him from the party on the pretext of anti-party activities. |
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Mamata’s protest paralyses traffic
Kolkata, September 14 The procession was organised in protest against the Chief Minister’s decision of handing over 5,100 acres of lands including a large part of agricultural land in South 24-Parganas to Indonesia’s Salem group for setting up an industrial complex there. The TMC workers and supporters also protested against the recent price hike of petrol and diesel. Addressing the rally near Esplanade East, Ms Banerjee said that their agitations against the CPM would be further strengthened during the next few days. She announced that as part of their programme, on September 27 they would gherao of all major police stations in the city and the districts and if necessary, a bandh would also be called against the state government’s failure in several fields. She reiterated that not even an inch of agricultural land would be handed over to the Salem group or any other industrialists. Ms Banerjee warned the CPM leaders that unless they stopped misuing official power and the police, they would be soon dragged to the street from power. Earlier several processions from various parts of the city and the districts assembled at Subodh Mallick Square and they marched towards Esplanade. Ms Banerjee and other TMC leaders took part in the procession.
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Govt, contract teachers head for a showdown
Bhopal, September 14 The shikshakarmis, on strike since August 25, appear to be in a mood to fight to the finish. Shikshakarmi Sangathan president Mr Murlidhar Patidar said on Wednesday that the govt threat had given a new impetus to the struggle of the shikshakarmis and a new strategy for a fight to the finish would be chalked out soon. The shikshakarmis will make a bonfire of the government’s order all over the state on Thursday.
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Tarapur plant goes commercial
Mumbai, September 14 The 540-mw unit, the country’s largest nuclear reactor, achieved criticality on March 6 and was connected to the grid in June 2005. With TAPP-3 beginning to produce power sometime next year, the output of the two units would be around 1,080 mw. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman and Diu would be the main beneficiaries of power from the Tarapur plant.
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Prof Santosh Sood dead
New Delhi, September 14 An activist of the teachers movement, Dr Sood died of cardiac arrest. She is survived by a son and a daughter. In 1977 Dr Sood was afflicted with breast cancer which she successfully fought and became an active member of the Indian Cancer Society. She was the chairperson of Cancer Sahyog, an NGO helping cancer patients. The great granddaughter of the founder of Gurukul Kangri Acharya Ramdev, Professor Sood was a social activist. Her last rites will take place at the Lodhi Road electric crematorium tomorrow at 11 a.m.
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Tamil star launches political party
Madurai, September 14 After hoisting the party flag, a red-black flag with a prominent yellow patch in the middle showing a hand holding a flaming torch, this morning, he declared the name of his party – ‘Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) which means, National Progressive Dravida Party, and the day-long conference began. |
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Fishermen recount bitter memories
Ahmedabad, September 14 The fishermen, who were freed on September 12, in one of the biggest prisoner exchanges between India and Pakistan,arrived here Wednesday morning from the Wagah border. Shital Dari, from Veraval, one of the freed fishermen, said that the inhuman conditions in which they were kept in the Pakistani jails, had made their lives “miserable”. |
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