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Forming govt at Centre next target: Mayawati Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati waves to supporters at a function
in Lucknow on Tuesday. — PTI Anna justifies remark on Pawar slapping |
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Japanese PM to visit India this month; nuclear deal on agenda Babri demolition anniversary
passes off peacefully
Lokpal report likely on December 9
Another IM operative held from Bihar
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Anna justifies remark on Pawar slapping
New Delhi, December 6 In his blog, Hazare alleged that Pawar turned a blind eye to a number of corruption cases. "If an inquiry is ordered, it will become clear who has been responsible. This shows that Sharad Pawar has an old habit of protecting corrupt people," he said. Hazare said many politicians felt very bad and got angry about the slapping incident on November 24. A youth, who has since been arrested, had slapped Pawar as he was coming out of a function here. "But it is important to discuss as to why did the youth slapped him. Today, corruption is rising day by day. This corruption has made it difficult for the ordinary people to live. So much inflation is due to corruption only. "It is increasingly becoming difficult for people to run their families. When the limit to patience ends, then some people take the law in their own hands and commit such acts," he said. "He got slapped! Only one slap?" This was Hazare's first reaction to group of journalists on the slapping incident. In his blog, the Gandhian admitted that he "committed violence" when he reacted that way to the incident but went on to add that for the betterment of society, "I do not consider this violence as wrong." Accusing Pawar of "keeping the company of corrupt people", he said the NCP chief had supported his party leader and relative Padamsingh Patil who was facing corruption charges. "Many farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra. But this did not make any politician angry? This is unfortunate," Hazare said. Hazare also alleged that Pawar turned a blind eye to his complaints about corruption in many departments and said in the past 50 years, thousands of acres of forests have vanished for which the NCP chief was responsible. "I have been demanding an enquiry over this for the last three years but no enquiry has been ordered. If an enquiry is ordered, it will become clear who has been responsible," he said. "Sharad Pawar’s supporters hurled dirtiest abuses against me. I have kept a CD of the same for my record. At an appropriate time, I will play it before the public," Hazare said.
— PTI
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Japanese PM to visit India this month; nuclear deal on agenda
New Delhi, December 6 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a strong votary of nuclear energy to meet India's growing energy needs, is expected to touch on the issue of negotiations on the nuclear cooperation pact, suspended since the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant crippled by the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami, official sources said. India, which is planning to increase the number of nuclear plants in the country to ensure power supplies, is eager to sign the civil nuclear cooperation pact that would allow it to import nuclear technologies from Japan. A nuclear deal with India has been a sensitive issue in Japan, the only country, which suffered a nuclear holocaust 66 years ago. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who had visited Tokyo in October-end, had discussed the issue with the Japanese leadership and later expressed the hope that the nuclear accord between the two countries would materialise sooner rather than later. The two countries started negotiations on the nuclear accord in June 2010. Three rounds of talks had been conducted between them when the Fukushima disaster put a question mark on the pact. However, India feels emboldened by the recent decision of the ruling Australia Labour Party (ALP) to allow the export of uranium to India. "If Australia can change its decades-old policy for commercial considerations, we see no reason why Japan can't go in for a nuclear pact with India," an official said. The Chinese activities in the region will of course come up for talks between the two countries, both being not on the best of terms with Beijing.
Delhi eagerly awaiting
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Babri demolition anniversary
passes off peacefully
Lucknow, December 6 As it was a national holiday on the occasion of Muharram, government offices and educational institutions remained closed today. As today also happened to be the 55th death anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar the dalit icons of the city had been spruced up as thousands of visitors paid their homage to Dr Ambedkar. Besides Ayodhya, security had been stepped up across Uttar Pradesh, especially around ghats, temples and other vital installations. According to Additional Director-General Law and Order Subesh Kumar Singh, special arrangements had been made around jails where terror accused are lodged. ADG Railways A K Jain said that security had been enhanced at railway stations and random checking of luggage had been initiated. Besides the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya, security was beefed up at ghats and temples in Varanasi and vital installations in Uttar Pradesh. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere. "Directives were issued to increase vigil at public places like market areas, railways and bus stations across the state. Surprise checking of hotels, guest houses and lodges were carried out," a UP officer said in Lucknow. In Ayodhya, some members of the Muslim community hoisted black flags at their houses and business establishments. (With inputs from
PTI)
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Lokpal report likely on December 9
New Delhi, December 6 Sources said that to avoid mud-slinging, which would inevitably follow in the next round of confrontation threatened by Team Anna before the crucial Assembly elections, the party is trying to negotiate a middle path with activists. While it is yet to be seen how Team Anna reacts to these overtures as several sticking points, including the inclusion of the CBI under the Lokpal ambit, remain, as a beginning, there appears to be some change in Congress’ hard stand regarding the inclusion of lower bureaucracy and the Prime Minister under the Lokpal ambit. The report by the Parliament Standing Committee suggests that the Group C and D bureaucrats should be included under the ambit of the respective state Lokayuktas. While including the CBI under the Lokpal will remain a contentious issue, the sources said the government’s managers were trying to assure Team Anna that the office of the Prime Minister will be included, but with riders like the PM cannot be held responsible for decisions of his ministers. Meanwhile, considering the diverse opinions on it, the draft proposes that the key issue should be left to Parliament to decide. The final draft of the Parliament Standing Committee is expected to be tabled in Parliament on December 9 after a formal adoption meeting tomorrow. The time is running out for the Congress with Team Anna threatening to launch a hunger strike from December 27, which will be followed by campaigns against the party in five states headed for elections if the Lokpal Bill is not passed in the winter session of Parliament.
PM’s inclusion
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Another IM operative held from Bihar
New Delhi, December 6 The 26-year-old alleged IM operative is known by one of his alias, Farooq, according to the police, who are yet to ascertain his real name. A senior police official said that Farooq was arrested yesterday from Purnea district in Bihar. “A Delhi Police team nabbed him and will bring him to Delhi on a transit remand tomorrow. Farooq conspired with the absconding IM leader, Yasin Bhatkal alias Shahrukh in the Chinnaswamy Stadium blast”, said an official adding that he will be investigated for his involvement in the blasts at Pune German Bakery and Jama Masjid in Delhi also. The police are still searching for Yasin Bhatkal, also known as Yasin Ahmad Siddibappa. Shahrukh’s real name is Ahmed Mohammed
Zarar.
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Lucknow, December 6
After courting controversy for his comments on Sharad Pawar being slapped by a youth, Anna Hazare today fired a fresh salvo, saying the Agriculture Minister has an "old habit of protecting corrupt people".
In his blog, Hazare alleged that Pawar turned a blind eye to a number of corruption cases. "If an inquiry is ordered, it will become clear who has been responsible. This shows that Sharad Pawar has an old habit of protecting corrupt people," he said.
