16 May 2009, PTI
NEW DELHI: Congress on Saturday made it clear that Manmohan Singh will lead a government led by the party as promised during the campaign, scotching speculation on its prime ministerial candidate.
Addressing the press at 10, Janpath in New Delhi, party president Sonia Gandhi said that Manmohan Singh remains the party’s choice for heading the next government. She said the verdict reflects the wisdom of the Indian voter, who “always make the right choice.”
PM Manmohan Singh said he would try to persuade Rahul Gandhi, scion of the Gandhi family, to join the cabinet after the ruling Congress-led coalition's win in a general election.
"It is my wish that he should be in the cabinet. But I will have to persuade him," Singh told reporters.
Earlier, AICC media department incharge Janardhan Dwivedi told reporters here when asked who will lead a Congress-led government at the Centre: "Manmohan Singh is our PM candidate and he will become Prime Minister.
On projection of Rahul Gandhi as a candidate for the prime minister's post, Dwivedi said. "the PM's chair is Rahul's future and he is the future leader of the party.
"It depends on Rahul when he will desire and when such a situation will arise. But as of now, Rahul has other priorities," he said.
He also gave full credit to the 39-year-old scion of Nehru-Gandhi family for the party's unexpectedly good performance in Uttar Pradesh.
"It is just the beginning", he said and predicted the end of communal and castist parties in the future.
With the Left parties suffering a setback in their bastion West Bengal, the Congress hoped that they "will introspect whom they will remain with" and play a "different" role.
Rahul has all 'qualities and capabilities' to be PM: Scindia
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia today said Rahul Gandhi should be the Prime Minister as he has all the "qualities and capabilities".
"I am not undermining anyone but I am saying that Rahul Gandhiji should be Prime minister. He has all the qualities and capabilities...he has actually shown that in this election...," he said.
When asked whether Manmohan Singh should resign and Rahul become PM, he said: "I never said that. I said that it is not the aspirations of the Congress party alone, aspirations not only of the youth of the country but all people of the country that he should get to the helm."
He said his maturity, his farsightedness and his political astuteness that he has shown in the last five years was exemplary. "That is the kind of leadership that this country was searching for."
Making it clear that it was his personal opinion, Scindia said: "Manmohan Singhji is the prime ministerial candidate of the Congress party and absolutely once again will be the prime minster of the country. You asked for my personal opinion and I gave you my personal opinion."
Saturday, May 16, 2009
UPA leads in 250 seats, NDA in 157
16 May 2009, PTI
NEW DELHI: The Congress-led UPA is all set to retain power at the Centre putting up an impressive performance in states like Andhra Pradesh and Congress supporters celebrate in front of Sonia Gandhi's residence in New Delhi. (AFP Photo)
The UPA alliance was ahead in 250 constituencies with Congress alone leading in 198 seats. The ruling Front is just short of a little over 20 seats for the magic figure of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The NDA was leading in 157 seats with BJP ahead in 119 seats.
The Congress exulted over its victory saying it was a vindication of its policies.
Manmohan Singh will be the first Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to return to power after a full five-year term with the Congress having nominated him as its candidate for the top post, first time it had done in its history.
The Congress performance was spectacular in Kerala where it routed the Left Front and dealt a severe blow to the Marxists in West Bengal with help from ally Trinamool Congress.
It also swept Delhi, did exceedingly well in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and more than doubled its tally in UP leading in 20 of the 80 seats there.
The BJP has conceded defeat and said the party had performed below expectation and the mandate of the people was in favour of the Congress-led UPA alliance. "It has become clear that Congress and the alliance led by it has emerged as the largest coalition...though there was no clear majority," BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley told reporters here.
Putting up a brave face, Jaitley said the BJP honoured the mandate of the people with "due respect".
Commenting on performance of the party, he said "we performed well in some places but we performed below expectation in some other states.
"It is a collective failure," he said but made it clear that there would be no change in party's ideology.
Jaitley said the BJP had run a positive campaign during the electioneering.
The BJP has put up a good showing in Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The party was leading in 18 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 19 out of the 29 seats in MP and 15 out of 26 in Gujarat.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi (Rae Bareli), her son Rahul Gandhi (Amethi), External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee(Jangipur), Industry Minister Kamal Nath (Chhindwara), Veerappa Moily (Chikaballapur), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna) were among the prominent party candidates leading. Sachin Pilot (Ajmer) has won.
BJP leader L K Advani (Gandhinagar), party president Rajnath Singh (Ghaziabad), Yashwant Sinha (Hazaribagh), Jaswant Singh (Darjeeling), Sushma Swaraj (Vidisha) and Varun Gandhi (Pilibhit) were leading while his mother Maneka Gandhi has lost from Aonla.
Other prominent leaders who were ahead were Sharad Pawar (Madha), Mulayam Singh Yadav in Mainpuri, Lalu Yadav (Pataliputra and Saran), Kalyan Singh (Etah), Ajit Singh (Baghpat), Sharad Yadav (Madhepura) and Mamata Bannerjee (Kolkata South). LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan has lost from Hajipur.
Praja Rajyam Party chief Chiranjeevi has won from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
Surprisingly, the Congress ally DMK put up a good showing leading in 18 of the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu while AIADMK, which had no member in the outgoing House, was ahead in nine seats.
The Congress was leading in eight seats but its stalwart P Chidambaram lost from Sivaganga. Mani Shankar Aiyar was trailing in Mayiladuthurai.
DMK candidates M K Azhagiri, son of chief minister M Karunanidhi has won from Madurai and Dayanidhi Maran was leadinf Chennai South while Union Minister T R Baalu was trailing in Sriperumbudur. MDMK leader Vaiko was trailing in Sivakasi.
Congress reaffirmed Manmohan Singh will be the Prime Minister now and Rahul Gandhi its future prime minister.
This election Manmohan Singh is our prime ministerial candidate, AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters here.
The prime minister's chair is Rahul Gandhi's future as he is the future leader of the party, Dwivedi said.
He said there were three decisive factors for party's good performance - leadership of the government by the Prime Minister, leadership of UPA by Sonia Gandhi and leadership of campaign by Rahul.
Dwivedi's remarks come at a time when UPA appeared all set to return to power.
On the issue of alliances, Dwivedi said Left parties also have very little options and will also introspect in the post election scenario. "We had not broken the relationship, they had withdrawn support," he said.
The Left parties had withdrawn support to the Congress-led UPA government following differences over the Indo-US nuclear deal.
NEW DELHI: The Congress-led UPA is all set to retain power at the Centre putting up an impressive performance in states like Andhra Pradesh and Congress supporters celebrate in front of Sonia Gandhi's residence in New Delhi. (AFP Photo)
The UPA alliance was ahead in 250 constituencies with Congress alone leading in 198 seats. The ruling Front is just short of a little over 20 seats for the magic figure of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The NDA was leading in 157 seats with BJP ahead in 119 seats.
The Congress exulted over its victory saying it was a vindication of its policies.
Manmohan Singh will be the first Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to return to power after a full five-year term with the Congress having nominated him as its candidate for the top post, first time it had done in its history.
The Congress performance was spectacular in Kerala where it routed the Left Front and dealt a severe blow to the Marxists in West Bengal with help from ally Trinamool Congress.
It also swept Delhi, did exceedingly well in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and more than doubled its tally in UP leading in 20 of the 80 seats there.
The BJP has conceded defeat and said the party had performed below expectation and the mandate of the people was in favour of the Congress-led UPA alliance. "It has become clear that Congress and the alliance led by it has emerged as the largest coalition...though there was no clear majority," BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley told reporters here.
Putting up a brave face, Jaitley said the BJP honoured the mandate of the people with "due respect".
Commenting on performance of the party, he said "we performed well in some places but we performed below expectation in some other states.
"It is a collective failure," he said but made it clear that there would be no change in party's ideology.
Jaitley said the BJP had run a positive campaign during the electioneering.
The BJP has put up a good showing in Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The party was leading in 18 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 19 out of the 29 seats in MP and 15 out of 26 in Gujarat.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi (Rae Bareli), her son Rahul Gandhi (Amethi), External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee(Jangipur), Industry Minister Kamal Nath (Chhindwara), Veerappa Moily (Chikaballapur), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna) were among the prominent party candidates leading. Sachin Pilot (Ajmer) has won.
BJP leader L K Advani (Gandhinagar), party president Rajnath Singh (Ghaziabad), Yashwant Sinha (Hazaribagh), Jaswant Singh (Darjeeling), Sushma Swaraj (Vidisha) and Varun Gandhi (Pilibhit) were leading while his mother Maneka Gandhi has lost from Aonla.
Other prominent leaders who were ahead were Sharad Pawar (Madha), Mulayam Singh Yadav in Mainpuri, Lalu Yadav (Pataliputra and Saran), Kalyan Singh (Etah), Ajit Singh (Baghpat), Sharad Yadav (Madhepura) and Mamata Bannerjee (Kolkata South). LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan has lost from Hajipur.
Praja Rajyam Party chief Chiranjeevi has won from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
Surprisingly, the Congress ally DMK put up a good showing leading in 18 of the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu while AIADMK, which had no member in the outgoing House, was ahead in nine seats.
The Congress was leading in eight seats but its stalwart P Chidambaram lost from Sivaganga. Mani Shankar Aiyar was trailing in Mayiladuthurai.
DMK candidates M K Azhagiri, son of chief minister M Karunanidhi has won from Madurai and Dayanidhi Maran was leadinf Chennai South while Union Minister T R Baalu was trailing in Sriperumbudur. MDMK leader Vaiko was trailing in Sivakasi.
Congress reaffirmed Manmohan Singh will be the Prime Minister now and Rahul Gandhi its future prime minister.
This election Manmohan Singh is our prime ministerial candidate, AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters here.
The prime minister's chair is Rahul Gandhi's future as he is the future leader of the party, Dwivedi said.
He said there were three decisive factors for party's good performance - leadership of the government by the Prime Minister, leadership of UPA by Sonia Gandhi and leadership of campaign by Rahul.
Dwivedi's remarks come at a time when UPA appeared all set to return to power.
On the issue of alliances, Dwivedi said Left parties also have very little options and will also introspect in the post election scenario. "We had not broken the relationship, they had withdrawn support," he said.
The Left parties had withdrawn support to the Congress-led UPA government following differences over the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Mistake not going with Congress: Lalu
16 May 2009,
NEW DELHI: RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Friday admitted it was a mistake not going with the Congress party.
"It’s the mandate for the people,” Lalu said, adding that he has no grudges against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.
"It was the biggest mistake. And there is no doubt that breaking away from Congress has resulted in our heavy defeat," Lalu Prasad told reporters in Patna on his party’s loss in Bihar.
The RJD supremo has lost from Pataliputra parliamentary constituency against his nearest JD(U) rival Ranjan Prasad Yadav, while he won a cliffhanger at Saran against BJP rival Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
"People have rejected our alliance with Ram Vilas Paswan (of Lok Janshakti Party). We were not expecting this result. We will now assess why we lost in Bihar and what went wrong. The Congress party has won the mandate and we congratulate them."
"We are also happy that the (Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance) NDA could not win the elections," he said.
The RJD chief has not ruled out joining the Congress.
With the NDA registering major electoral gains in Bihar, Nitish Kumar said it was a positive vote for his government. ''The lantern (RJD's election symbol) has broken and the oil that was spilt set on fire the bungalow (LJP's symbol) as the arrow (symbol of JD-U) was right on target,'' he told reporters.
Stating that the Lok Sabha results should be seen as being in continuity of the mandate that the NDA got in the last assembly polls, Kumar said ''The people of Bihar have the rejected negative politics pursued by RJD president Lalu Prasad and LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan and have given a positive vote to my government which has been successful in bringing about peace, communal harmony and development.''
According to latest trends, the JD(U) was leading in 32 of 40 seats.
Paswan happy that secular parties have emerged victorious
Taking his defeat in polls in stride, Lok Janashakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan today said he is happy that secular parties have emerged victorious ending the prospects of communal forces to come into power.
"It is pleasant that secular parties under the banner of UPA have won all across the country and the prospects of NDA which has been trying to come into power have ended," Paswan told reporters here.
Reacting to his defeat in Hajipur to JD(U)'s Ram Sunder Das, the Union minister said that winning and losing are parts of the game and he would continue to serve the people of Hajipur.
"As far as Bihar is concerned, you have your wins and misses. I have served people. Nobody can say that Paswan has not worked for Hajipur. I had done for the development of the constituency whatever I could have done. Despite all these works you lose, it is just the wish of the people. I will continue to serve them," he said.
NEW DELHI: RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Friday admitted it was a mistake not going with the Congress party.
"It’s the mandate for the people,” Lalu said, adding that he has no grudges against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.
"It was the biggest mistake. And there is no doubt that breaking away from Congress has resulted in our heavy defeat," Lalu Prasad told reporters in Patna on his party’s loss in Bihar.
The RJD supremo has lost from Pataliputra parliamentary constituency against his nearest JD(U) rival Ranjan Prasad Yadav, while he won a cliffhanger at Saran against BJP rival Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
"People have rejected our alliance with Ram Vilas Paswan (of Lok Janshakti Party). We were not expecting this result. We will now assess why we lost in Bihar and what went wrong. The Congress party has won the mandate and we congratulate them."
"We are also happy that the (Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance) NDA could not win the elections," he said.
The RJD chief has not ruled out joining the Congress.
With the NDA registering major electoral gains in Bihar, Nitish Kumar said it was a positive vote for his government. ''The lantern (RJD's election symbol) has broken and the oil that was spilt set on fire the bungalow (LJP's symbol) as the arrow (symbol of JD-U) was right on target,'' he told reporters.
Stating that the Lok Sabha results should be seen as being in continuity of the mandate that the NDA got in the last assembly polls, Kumar said ''The people of Bihar have the rejected negative politics pursued by RJD president Lalu Prasad and LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan and have given a positive vote to my government which has been successful in bringing about peace, communal harmony and development.''
According to latest trends, the JD(U) was leading in 32 of 40 seats.
Paswan happy that secular parties have emerged victorious
Taking his defeat in polls in stride, Lok Janashakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan today said he is happy that secular parties have emerged victorious ending the prospects of communal forces to come into power.
"It is pleasant that secular parties under the banner of UPA have won all across the country and the prospects of NDA which has been trying to come into power have ended," Paswan told reporters here.
Reacting to his defeat in Hajipur to JD(U)'s Ram Sunder Das, the Union minister said that winning and losing are parts of the game and he would continue to serve the people of Hajipur.
"As far as Bihar is concerned, you have your wins and misses. I have served people. Nobody can say that Paswan has not worked for Hajipur. I had done for the development of the constituency whatever I could have done. Despite all these works you lose, it is just the wish of the people. I will continue to serve them," he said.
KEY WINNERS -2009 Election
BJP's Rajnath Singh wins from Ghaziabad | Maneka Gandhi (BJP) wins by 6400 votes in Aonla | BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi wins from Varanasi | RJD's Lalu Prasad wins from Saran | BJP's Varun Gandhi wins from Pilibhit | Navin Jindal (Congress) wins from Kurukshetra | Deepinder Singh Hooda (Congress) wins from Rohtak | Cong's Ajay Maken wins from New Delhi seat | Advani (BJP) wins from Gandhinagar | Mamata Banerjee (Trinamool Congress) wins seat | BJP concedes defeat | Jaswant Singh (BJP) wins in Darjeeling | Jaya Prada (SP) defeats Begum Noor Bano (Congress) in Rampur | Priya Dutt (Congress) wins in Mumbai North-Central | Akhilesh Yadav (SP) wins by 1.11 lakh votes in Kannauj | Sachin Pilot (Congress) wins in Ajmer | Navjot Singh Sidhu (BJP) wins in Amritsar | Kamal Nath (Congress) wins in Chhindwara | Sushma Swaraj (BJP) wins in Vidisha | Farooq Abdullah (NC) wins by over 30,000 votes in Srinagar | Shatrughan Sinha defeats Shekhar Suman in Patna Sahib | Chiranjeevi (Praja Rajyam) wins in Tirupati | Former Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda (Ind) wins from Singhbhum | Deve Gowda (JDS) retains Hassan Lok Sabha seat | Mehboob Beigh (NC) wins in Anantnag | Francisco Sardinha (Congress) wins in South Goa | Shashi Tharoor (Congress) wins by 95,000 votes in Thiruvanathapuram | Lalubhai Patel (BJP) wins in Daman | P M Hamdulla (Congress) wins in Lakshadweep, K Sudhakaran (Congress) wins in Kannur | JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav wins in Madhepura | Congress sweeps Delhi | KEY LOSERS: Renuka Chowdhury loses in Khammam | Manvendra Singh (BJP) loses in Barmer | Chidambaram (Cong) loses in Sivaganga, asks for re-tally | Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP) loses in Hajipur | RJD's Lalu Prasad loses from Pataliputra
Congress set to sweep Delhi
16 May 2009, PTI
NEW DELHI: Congress is all set to make a clean sweep in Delhi and win all seven seats. Congress Party candidate from New Delhi parliamentary seat Ajay Makan (C) poses at a counting station in New Delhi. (AFP Photo)
Congress candidates Kapil Sibal and Mahabal Mishra won in the Chandni Chowk and West Delhi constituencies respectively. Union minister Ajay Maken has also won from New Delhi seat.
Ramesh Kumar of Congress has won from South Delhi defeating BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri by a margin of 93,219 votes. Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit won from East Delhi with a margin of over 2.4 lakh votes against his rival BJP's Chetan Chouhan.
Sitting MP Krishna Tirath defeated BJP's Meera Kanwaria by a margin of 1,84,433 votes.
In the last elections, Congress won six seats. An elated DPCC chief Aggarwal told PTI that the performance of Congress in Delhi and other metros clearly showed that "be it urban India or the rural, Congress is the peoples choice".
"The victory is a result of hardwork of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The BJP indulged in a negative campaigning. We were positive in our campaign from the word go," Agarwal said.
NEW DELHI: Congress is all set to make a clean sweep in Delhi and win all seven seats. Congress Party candidate from New Delhi parliamentary seat Ajay Makan (C) poses at a counting station in New Delhi. (AFP Photo)
Congress candidates Kapil Sibal and Mahabal Mishra won in the Chandni Chowk and West Delhi constituencies respectively. Union minister Ajay Maken has also won from New Delhi seat.
Ramesh Kumar of Congress has won from South Delhi defeating BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri by a margin of 93,219 votes. Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit won from East Delhi with a margin of over 2.4 lakh votes against his rival BJP's Chetan Chouhan.
Sitting MP Krishna Tirath defeated BJP's Meera Kanwaria by a margin of 1,84,433 votes.
In the last elections, Congress won six seats. An elated DPCC chief Aggarwal told PTI that the performance of Congress in Delhi and other metros clearly showed that "be it urban India or the rural, Congress is the peoples choice".
"The victory is a result of hardwork of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The BJP indulged in a negative campaigning. We were positive in our campaign from the word go," Agarwal said.
Indian people have made 'the right choice': Sonia Gandhi
16 May 2009, AFP
NEW DELHI: The leader of India's Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi, said on Saturday that the Indian people have made "the right choice" after her party
and its allies swept to a commanding election victory.
"First of all I would like to thank the people for reposing faith in the Congress party once again," Gandhi said in a joint news conference with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"The people of India know what is good for them and they always make the right choice," she said.
Results still coming in from the Election Commission show the Congress-led alliance has crushed its Hindu nationalist rivals, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
NEW DELHI: The leader of India's Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi, said on Saturday that the Indian people have made "the right choice" after her party
and its allies swept to a commanding election victory.
"First of all I would like to thank the people for reposing faith in the Congress party once again," Gandhi said in a joint news conference with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"The people of India know what is good for them and they always make the right choice," she said.
Results still coming in from the Election Commission show the Congress-led alliance has crushed its Hindu nationalist rivals, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Advani will be next prime minister: BJP
14 May 2009, PTI
NEW DELHI: Disregarding exit poll findings, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asserted Thursday that its leader L.K. Advani will be the country's next prime minister.
"After the 16th, Advani will become the prime minister of India," BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media, referring to Saturday when votes polled in the Lok Sabha election will be counted.
He insisted that the BJP would emerge as the single largest party in the 545-seat Lok Sabha and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) "will be the largest pre-poll alliance".
He discounted Wednesday's exit polls that put the Congress marginally ahead of the BJP in the five-phase
NEW DELHI: Disregarding exit poll findings, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asserted Thursday that its leader L.K. Advani will be the country's next prime minister.
"After the 16th, Advani will become the prime minister of India," BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media, referring to Saturday when votes polled in the Lok Sabha election will be counted.
He insisted that the BJP would emerge as the single largest party in the 545-seat Lok Sabha and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) "will be the largest pre-poll alliance".
He discounted Wednesday's exit polls that put the Congress marginally ahead of the BJP in the five-phase
SC orders charges dropped against Varun Gandhi
14 May 2009,
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday ordered charges dropped against Varun Gandhi, an estranged member of the Nehru-Gandhi political clan, for inciting religious hatred while election campaigning.
Gandhi, 29, had been on parole for a month following his arrest under the stringent National Security Act by the Uttar Pradesh state government in March.
He was taken into custody after being filmed telling supporters at an election rally that he would "cut the heads of Muslims".
"The state government shall forthwith withdraw the detention order against Varun Gandhi under the NSA (National Security Act)," ruled a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.
The court had initially ordered Gandhi's release on April 16 on the condition he refrain from making any speeches that could inflame communal tensions in Hindu-majority India.
A great-grandson of India's first premier Jawaharlal Nehru, Varun Gandhi has broken with the "first family" of Indian politics by joining the opposition Hindu nationalists, rather than the secular-minded Congress Party that the Nehru-Gandhi lineage has dominated since independence.
Gandhi was one of the candidates seeking election Wednesday on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket in the last phase of India's five-stage national polls.
Exit polls suggested the incumbent Congress coalition was narrowly ahead of the Hindu nationalist alliance but the final results of the general elections will only be announced Saturday.
The Supreme Court's decision came after the Uttar Pradesh state advisory board said the charges laid against Gandhi under the National Security Act -- normally used against dangerous criminals -- should be dropped.
The board said it did not find "convincing" grounds for the act to be invoked against Gandhi while the BJP called the charges "politically motivated."
Under the act, an accused can be detained up to one year without bail.
Gandhi had said the recording of his speech, widely aired on Indian TV, had been doctored but India's Election Commission said it found no evidence of tampering.
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday ordered charges dropped against Varun Gandhi, an estranged member of the Nehru-Gandhi political clan, for inciting religious hatred while election campaigning.
Gandhi, 29, had been on parole for a month following his arrest under the stringent National Security Act by the Uttar Pradesh state government in March.
He was taken into custody after being filmed telling supporters at an election rally that he would "cut the heads of Muslims".
"The state government shall forthwith withdraw the detention order against Varun Gandhi under the NSA (National Security Act)," ruled a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.
The court had initially ordered Gandhi's release on April 16 on the condition he refrain from making any speeches that could inflame communal tensions in Hindu-majority India.
A great-grandson of India's first premier Jawaharlal Nehru, Varun Gandhi has broken with the "first family" of Indian politics by joining the opposition Hindu nationalists, rather than the secular-minded Congress Party that the Nehru-Gandhi lineage has dominated since independence.
Gandhi was one of the candidates seeking election Wednesday on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket in the last phase of India's five-stage national polls.
Exit polls suggested the incumbent Congress coalition was narrowly ahead of the Hindu nationalist alliance but the final results of the general elections will only be announced Saturday.
The Supreme Court's decision came after the Uttar Pradesh state advisory board said the charges laid against Gandhi under the National Security Act -- normally used against dangerous criminals -- should be dropped.
The board said it did not find "convincing" grounds for the act to be invoked against Gandhi while the BJP called the charges "politically motivated."
Under the act, an accused can be detained up to one year without bail.
Gandhi had said the recording of his speech, widely aired on Indian TV, had been doctored but India's Election Commission said it found no evidence of tampering.
Polls over, parties hold strategy sessions to woo allies
14 May 2009,
NEW DELHI: A day after televisions projected a badly fractured Lok Sabha, leading contenders for power discussed ways on Thursday to woo new allies and estranged partners in a bid to cobble a majority in parliament.
Leaders of the ruling Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the so-called Third Front held informal discussions and prepared to hold strategy sessions in the run up to the eagerly awaited vote count Saturday.
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, touted as the BJP's poster boy, flew into New Delhi to add strength to the party's confidence levels.
The BJP's core group is to meet at the residence of its prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani and follow it up with talks with smaller groups that are expected to play a key role in government formation.
Modi explained to reporters why he was in New Delhi: "We are here for political reasons and to discuss the post-poll scenario. It is no secret."
The Congress will also meet later Thursday at party president Sonia Gandhi's residence.
Party sources said the meeting will be attended by Digvijay Singh, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Ahmed Patel and Janardhan Dwivedi.
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who was the star campaigner in the staggered April-May election that ended Wednesday, is also expected to join the discussions.
"We will take stock of where we have done well and also chart out a future course once the results are out Saturday," said a party leader.
Exit polls by television channels Wednesday predicted that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) would finish just marginally ahead of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Third Front, made up of Communists and regional parties, is tipped to win around 100 seats.
Leaders of smaller and regional parties are aware that they will end up playing a vital role in deciding who will get to rule India the next five years.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said: "We'll sit together, talk and discuss everything. Our future course of action will be decided only after May 16 (Saturday)."
Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Prakash Karat has repeatedly said that the Third Front would not back either the Congress or the BJP.
NEW DELHI: A day after televisions projected a badly fractured Lok Sabha, leading contenders for power discussed ways on Thursday to woo new allies and estranged partners in a bid to cobble a majority in parliament.
Leaders of the ruling Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the so-called Third Front held informal discussions and prepared to hold strategy sessions in the run up to the eagerly awaited vote count Saturday.
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, touted as the BJP's poster boy, flew into New Delhi to add strength to the party's confidence levels.
The BJP's core group is to meet at the residence of its prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani and follow it up with talks with smaller groups that are expected to play a key role in government formation.
Modi explained to reporters why he was in New Delhi: "We are here for political reasons and to discuss the post-poll scenario. It is no secret."
The Congress will also meet later Thursday at party president Sonia Gandhi's residence.
Party sources said the meeting will be attended by Digvijay Singh, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Ahmed Patel and Janardhan Dwivedi.
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who was the star campaigner in the staggered April-May election that ended Wednesday, is also expected to join the discussions.
"We will take stock of where we have done well and also chart out a future course once the results are out Saturday," said a party leader.
Exit polls by television channels Wednesday predicted that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) would finish just marginally ahead of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Third Front, made up of Communists and regional parties, is tipped to win around 100 seats.
Leaders of smaller and regional parties are aware that they will end up playing a vital role in deciding who will get to rule India the next five years.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said: "We'll sit together, talk and discuss everything. Our future course of action will be decided only after May 16 (Saturday)."
Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Prakash Karat has repeatedly said that the Third Front would not back either the Congress or the BJP.
We will not let BJP form government: CPI-M, CPI
14 May 2009,
NEW DELHI: Forty-eight hours before the much awaited elections results, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) got a shot in the arm with the Left parties on Thursday asserting that they would not let the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) form a government.
But, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) also pointed out that a decision on supporting a Congress-led dispensation or formation of a Third Front government would be taken only after the Monday meeting with their Third Front allies.
"No, the BJP will not come to power. We will not create a situation that helps the BJP," CPI-M politburo member M.K. Pandhe told media when asked if there would be a situation in which the Left parties stance ends up helping the BJP.
He, however, asserted that the Third Front would come to power and added that the Left would take the final call on the issue Monday.
The Left has been insisting on forming a government minus the Congress and the BJP but lately its leaders have been divided over backing a Congress-led government again.
While a section of the CPI-M is in favour of it, another opinion staunchly propagated by party general secretary Prakash Karat is to sit in the opposition instead of doing any business with the Congress.
The Left parties had provided outside support to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government till July 2008, when they withdrew support following differences over the India-US civilian nuclear deal and perception of a pro-US tilt in foreign policy.
But Pandhe indicated that the Left parties would consider supporting a Congress-led government if the Congress changed its "pro-imperialist" policies.
"Until now, they haven't shown any signal (of policy change)," Pandhe told IANS.
When contacted, CPI-M politburo member and Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the party politburo and central committee would take decision on these matters in their meetings Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
CPI central secretariat member C.K. Chandrappan also said: "It is very clear that we will try our best to prevent the BJP from forming the government."
However, the other Left parties, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and the Forward Bloc, said they could not agree with the idea of supporting a Congress-led government to keep the BJP out from power.
"I don't agree with the idea of supporting a government led by Manmohan Singh to keep the BJP away from power. This is the stated position of the RSP till this time," RSP general secretary T.J. Chandrachoodan told IANS.
Forward Bloc national secretary G. Devarajan said: "I don't think the Left parties would back a Congress-led government.
"We would ask the Congress to support the Third Front to form the government," he said.
NEW DELHI: Forty-eight hours before the much awaited elections results, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) got a shot in the arm with the Left parties on Thursday asserting that they would not let the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) form a government.
But, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) also pointed out that a decision on supporting a Congress-led dispensation or formation of a Third Front government would be taken only after the Monday meeting with their Third Front allies.
"No, the BJP will not come to power. We will not create a situation that helps the BJP," CPI-M politburo member M.K. Pandhe told media when asked if there would be a situation in which the Left parties stance ends up helping the BJP.
He, however, asserted that the Third Front would come to power and added that the Left would take the final call on the issue Monday.
The Left has been insisting on forming a government minus the Congress and the BJP but lately its leaders have been divided over backing a Congress-led government again.
While a section of the CPI-M is in favour of it, another opinion staunchly propagated by party general secretary Prakash Karat is to sit in the opposition instead of doing any business with the Congress.
The Left parties had provided outside support to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government till July 2008, when they withdrew support following differences over the India-US civilian nuclear deal and perception of a pro-US tilt in foreign policy.
But Pandhe indicated that the Left parties would consider supporting a Congress-led government if the Congress changed its "pro-imperialist" policies.
"Until now, they haven't shown any signal (of policy change)," Pandhe told IANS.
When contacted, CPI-M politburo member and Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the party politburo and central committee would take decision on these matters in their meetings Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
CPI central secretariat member C.K. Chandrappan also said: "It is very clear that we will try our best to prevent the BJP from forming the government."
However, the other Left parties, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and the Forward Bloc, said they could not agree with the idea of supporting a Congress-led government to keep the BJP out from power.
"I don't agree with the idea of supporting a government led by Manmohan Singh to keep the BJP away from power. This is the stated position of the RSP till this time," RSP general secretary T.J. Chandrachoodan told IANS.
Forward Bloc national secretary G. Devarajan said: "I don't think the Left parties would back a Congress-led government.
"We would ask the Congress to support the Third Front to form the government," he said.
Indian election ends, scramble for power begins
NEW DELHI (AP) — India's legion of political parties positioned themselves to form new alliances Thursday as preliminary exit polls from the national election indicated that no party won anything close to a majority in Parliament.
An unwieldy coalition of parties will almost certainly form the next government, which could usher in an era of compromise and tortured administration. The results of the monthlong election will be announced Saturday.
Politicians are expected to be busy during the next several days negotiating alliances, making new friends and betraying old ones in exchange for plum ministries and other totems of power.
"New friendships, new groupings and new polarizations will emerge after May 16," said Chandrababu Naidu, president of a south Indian party that hopes to come to power in the state of Andhra Pradesh. "Do not get carried away by surveys or rumors that are being spread by political parties," he told supporters, according to the Times of India.
Naidu said he would travel to New Delhi to negotiate alliances once results are announced.
Media reports said the ruling coalition led by the ruling Congress party held a slim lead over the opposition Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies. Congress has long been dominated by the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty.
But exit polls in India are notoriously unreliable — nearly every poll was completely wrong in the last election — and experts cautioned that any predictions would be premature.
Local media speculated feverishly on the coalition calculus and reported a flurry of meetings among various party leaders Thursday, a day after the final phase of the polls closed. The NDTV television news called its coverage "The Alliance Bazaar."
The long, grueling campaign season produced few central issues that resonated across this wildly diverse nation of 1.2 billion people and 714 million eligible voters. Total voter turnout was approximately 60 percent, the national election commission said, up slightly from 58 percent in the last national vote in 2004.
India has been ruled by coalition governments for most of the last two decades, including the current coalition, led by the Congress party, which served a full five-year term.
In the country's fractious political scene, it is difficult — if not impossible — for a single party to win the 272 seats needed to form a government on its own.
"We can only be certain about the uncertainty of it," said Amitabh Mattoo, a political analyst. "You will naturally have a coalition," he said. But the final form of that coalition was impossible to predict.
The wild cards in the election may prove to be the "Third Front," a rough alliance of communist, regional and caste-based parties that have banded together in opposition of the major parties.
"We are confident that we will be in a position to form an alternative government," Communist Party of India leader D. Raja told reporters. "We will not support a Congress-led government ... and we will also not allow BJP to take advantage of any situation."
Raja said the negotiations would take time, but added: "It is expected that new forces will join us. But it is not the time to identify them."
An unwieldy coalition of parties will almost certainly form the next government, which could usher in an era of compromise and tortured administration. The results of the monthlong election will be announced Saturday.
Politicians are expected to be busy during the next several days negotiating alliances, making new friends and betraying old ones in exchange for plum ministries and other totems of power.
"New friendships, new groupings and new polarizations will emerge after May 16," said Chandrababu Naidu, president of a south Indian party that hopes to come to power in the state of Andhra Pradesh. "Do not get carried away by surveys or rumors that are being spread by political parties," he told supporters, according to the Times of India.
Naidu said he would travel to New Delhi to negotiate alliances once results are announced.
Media reports said the ruling coalition led by the ruling Congress party held a slim lead over the opposition Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies. Congress has long been dominated by the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty.
But exit polls in India are notoriously unreliable — nearly every poll was completely wrong in the last election — and experts cautioned that any predictions would be premature.
Local media speculated feverishly on the coalition calculus and reported a flurry of meetings among various party leaders Thursday, a day after the final phase of the polls closed. The NDTV television news called its coverage "The Alliance Bazaar."
The long, grueling campaign season produced few central issues that resonated across this wildly diverse nation of 1.2 billion people and 714 million eligible voters. Total voter turnout was approximately 60 percent, the national election commission said, up slightly from 58 percent in the last national vote in 2004.
India has been ruled by coalition governments for most of the last two decades, including the current coalition, led by the Congress party, which served a full five-year term.
In the country's fractious political scene, it is difficult — if not impossible — for a single party to win the 272 seats needed to form a government on its own.
"We can only be certain about the uncertainty of it," said Amitabh Mattoo, a political analyst. "You will naturally have a coalition," he said. But the final form of that coalition was impossible to predict.
The wild cards in the election may prove to be the "Third Front," a rough alliance of communist, regional and caste-based parties that have banded together in opposition of the major parties.
"We are confident that we will be in a position to form an alternative government," Communist Party of India leader D. Raja told reporters. "We will not support a Congress-led government ... and we will also not allow BJP to take advantage of any situation."
Raja said the negotiations would take time, but added: "It is expected that new forces will join us. But it is not the time to identify them."
Lok Sabha battle ends, India heads for cliffhanger verdict
New Delhi: India was headed for a badly fractured Lok Sabha making government formation a tough task, television projections late Wednesday showed, as one of the country's most fiercely contested battles for power ended after voting by some 428 million people.
Three projections put the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) slightly ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with the Congress tipped to finish as the single largest party in the 545-member Lok Sabha.
As the curtains came down on the staggered elections that began April 16, an India TV exit poll said the UPA could end up with 195-201 seats and the NDA with 189-195 seats. The UPA tally could go up to 227-237 if the seats bagged by its estranged allies were included.
The Star News-Nielsen exit poll also put the UPA marginally ahead with 199 seats, just ahead of the NDA's 191 seats. The Congress itself was expected to win 155 seats and the BJP 153, both more than what they bagged in 2004.
TimesNow television channel gave 198 seats to the UPA and 183 to the NDA, with the Communist strength in the Lok Sabha falling steeply from over 60 to 38. Smaller and regional groups are expected to win 124 seats and thus determine who gets the throne in New Delhi.
The India TV exit poll gave the wobbly Third Front -- an alliance of the Communists and regional parties -- 113-121 seats. The Star-Nielsen gave it 104 seats.
The projections -- mirroring the pre-election mood across the country -- triggered a furious debate among pundits about who would get to rule India by cobbling a coalition of disparate groups.
The expected cliffhanger verdict has already forced the Congress and also the BJP -- the two main contenders for power -- to desperately scout for new allies. As the month-long voting that began April 16 progressed, some parties switched loyalties.
"It seems to be a very complex political situation. It is the complexity that makes it difficult to make any predictions," Kerala-based political analyst N.P. Chekutty told IANS, reflecting an opinion widely shared in the world's largest democracy.
Election officials estimated that some 60 percent of the 714 million electorate - more than the combined population of Russia and the US - had voted over five phases. The results will be known Saturday.
Wednesday's polling was largely peaceful but for the murder of a political worker in Tamil Nadu, where an alliance led by the AIADMK was poised to crush the ruling DMK and its partner Congress, and clashes in West Bengal, where the ruling Marxists are expected to suffer. They are tipped to get a beating in Kerala as well.
The exercise involved all 39 seats of Tamil Nadu, all four seats of Himachal Pradesh and all five seats of Uttarakhand besides two in Jammu and Kashmir, nine in Punjab, 11 in West Bengal and 14 in Uttar Pradesh besides one each in Chandigarh and Pondicherry.
The most notable of the 1,432 candidates included Home Minister P. Chidambaram of the Congress (Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu) and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee (South Kolkata).
Fearing uncertain times, Indian markets turned edgy Wednesday, with the key index Sensex losing 138 points from its last closing figure at end of trade.
"I'm fully confident that a BJP-led government will be formed at the centre. We will get new partners (after the polls)," BJP president Rajnath Singh said confidently. Within hours, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh asserted that his party would occupy the number one slot.
With neither the UPA nor NDA expected to cross the magic figure of 272 in the Lok Sabha, the Congress and BJP tried to outsmart one another in order to woo leaders of smaller and regional parties.
AIADMK chief and former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalitha, a key Third Front partner, said in Chennai: "There are feelers from many places. I am not responding to them now. Everything depends on the results. If the results are as expected, then I will go to Delhi."
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who in 2004 pulled off a coup by most unexpectedly worsting the BJP-led alliance in general elections, Wednesday telephoned estranged ally Ram Vilas Paswan after a fire in his house which adjoins her own in the heart of New Delhi.
Three projections put the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) slightly ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with the Congress tipped to finish as the single largest party in the 545-member Lok Sabha.
As the curtains came down on the staggered elections that began April 16, an India TV exit poll said the UPA could end up with 195-201 seats and the NDA with 189-195 seats. The UPA tally could go up to 227-237 if the seats bagged by its estranged allies were included.
The Star News-Nielsen exit poll also put the UPA marginally ahead with 199 seats, just ahead of the NDA's 191 seats. The Congress itself was expected to win 155 seats and the BJP 153, both more than what they bagged in 2004.
TimesNow television channel gave 198 seats to the UPA and 183 to the NDA, with the Communist strength in the Lok Sabha falling steeply from over 60 to 38. Smaller and regional groups are expected to win 124 seats and thus determine who gets the throne in New Delhi.
The India TV exit poll gave the wobbly Third Front -- an alliance of the Communists and regional parties -- 113-121 seats. The Star-Nielsen gave it 104 seats.
The projections -- mirroring the pre-election mood across the country -- triggered a furious debate among pundits about who would get to rule India by cobbling a coalition of disparate groups.
The expected cliffhanger verdict has already forced the Congress and also the BJP -- the two main contenders for power -- to desperately scout for new allies. As the month-long voting that began April 16 progressed, some parties switched loyalties.
"It seems to be a very complex political situation. It is the complexity that makes it difficult to make any predictions," Kerala-based political analyst N.P. Chekutty told IANS, reflecting an opinion widely shared in the world's largest democracy.
Election officials estimated that some 60 percent of the 714 million electorate - more than the combined population of Russia and the US - had voted over five phases. The results will be known Saturday.
Wednesday's polling was largely peaceful but for the murder of a political worker in Tamil Nadu, where an alliance led by the AIADMK was poised to crush the ruling DMK and its partner Congress, and clashes in West Bengal, where the ruling Marxists are expected to suffer. They are tipped to get a beating in Kerala as well.
The exercise involved all 39 seats of Tamil Nadu, all four seats of Himachal Pradesh and all five seats of Uttarakhand besides two in Jammu and Kashmir, nine in Punjab, 11 in West Bengal and 14 in Uttar Pradesh besides one each in Chandigarh and Pondicherry.
The most notable of the 1,432 candidates included Home Minister P. Chidambaram of the Congress (Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu) and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee (South Kolkata).
Fearing uncertain times, Indian markets turned edgy Wednesday, with the key index Sensex losing 138 points from its last closing figure at end of trade.
"I'm fully confident that a BJP-led government will be formed at the centre. We will get new partners (after the polls)," BJP president Rajnath Singh said confidently. Within hours, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh asserted that his party would occupy the number one slot.
With neither the UPA nor NDA expected to cross the magic figure of 272 in the Lok Sabha, the Congress and BJP tried to outsmart one another in order to woo leaders of smaller and regional parties.
AIADMK chief and former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalitha, a key Third Front partner, said in Chennai: "There are feelers from many places. I am not responding to them now. Everything depends on the results. If the results are as expected, then I will go to Delhi."
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who in 2004 pulled off a coup by most unexpectedly worsting the BJP-led alliance in general elections, Wednesday telephoned estranged ally Ram Vilas Paswan after a fire in his house which adjoins her own in the heart of New Delhi.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Jaya Prada's allegations political drama: Azam Khan
13 May 2009
Rampur (UP), May 13: SP leader Azam Khan Wednesday described party candidate Jaya Prada's allegations against him of sabotaging her poll prospects with 'morphed' CDs as a "political drama" and said film stars were capable of changing their colours quite often.
"This is a political drama being played out by film stars. Those in the celluloid world are known to change their colours according to the role they played out," Khan said, in reply to charges made against him by Jaya Prada.
"I have already clarified that if I have no role to play in the CD episode. I can not do such a thing on my mother or sister. How would I have indulged in such a low act against anybody," he said.
Asking Jaya Prada to come clean by revealing who gave her the CDs, he told CNN-IBN: "I have not viewed the CD, nor have the voters of Rampur, the District Magistrate or the police. Then who gave her the CD and who made it? Jaya Prada should hand over the CD to the police for investigation."
Noting that his fight within the party was on ideological issues, particularly against bringing in "Babri masjid demolition accused" Kalyan Singh closer to SP, Khan said there could be differences of opinion within the party, but there was "no fight" among its leaders as projected in the media.
Khan said the issues he was raising was ideological, adding that he would not tolerate a Muslim demolishing a mosque and that he would "cut off" that Muslim's hand.
"I will not tolerate mixing of religion with politics," he said.
Asked if SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was sidelining him, he said the issue would be discussed with his party leader to find a solution to it.
"The issue will be discussed by us. It is between the SP chief and me. We will sort it out," he said.
To a query on Amar Singh taking over the party, Khan said: "You are equating me with a person, who has no foothold in politics, who had no base of his own or public support." Attacking Amar Singh and Jaya Prada, the Muslim face of the SP said his own party leaders were abusing him, calling him names.
Asked about his future plans in politics and whether he would continue in SP or join the Congress, Khan said: "All I need is a little space to live."
The SP founder-member said police had informed him that there were people out to "kill" him and that some underworld men, particularly sharpshooters, were sent to "eliminate" him.
Rampur (UP), May 13: SP leader Azam Khan Wednesday described party candidate Jaya Prada's allegations against him of sabotaging her poll prospects with 'morphed' CDs as a "political drama" and said film stars were capable of changing their colours quite often.
"This is a political drama being played out by film stars. Those in the celluloid world are known to change their colours according to the role they played out," Khan said, in reply to charges made against him by Jaya Prada.
"I have already clarified that if I have no role to play in the CD episode. I can not do such a thing on my mother or sister. How would I have indulged in such a low act against anybody," he said.
Asking Jaya Prada to come clean by revealing who gave her the CDs, he told CNN-IBN: "I have not viewed the CD, nor have the voters of Rampur, the District Magistrate or the police. Then who gave her the CD and who made it? Jaya Prada should hand over the CD to the police for investigation."
Noting that his fight within the party was on ideological issues, particularly against bringing in "Babri masjid demolition accused" Kalyan Singh closer to SP, Khan said there could be differences of opinion within the party, but there was "no fight" among its leaders as projected in the media.
Khan said the issues he was raising was ideological, adding that he would not tolerate a Muslim demolishing a mosque and that he would "cut off" that Muslim's hand.
"I will not tolerate mixing of religion with politics," he said.
Asked if SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was sidelining him, he said the issue would be discussed with his party leader to find a solution to it.
"The issue will be discussed by us. It is between the SP chief and me. We will sort it out," he said.
To a query on Amar Singh taking over the party, Khan said: "You are equating me with a person, who has no foothold in politics, who had no base of his own or public support." Attacking Amar Singh and Jaya Prada, the Muslim face of the SP said his own party leaders were abusing him, calling him names.
Asked about his future plans in politics and whether he would continue in SP or join the Congress, Khan said: "All I need is a little space to live."
The SP founder-member said police had informed him that there were people out to "kill" him and that some underworld men, particularly sharpshooters, were sent to "eliminate" him.
Parties approaching me, decision only after May 16: Jaya
13 May 2009
CHENNAI: Though there were feelers from many places, AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa said on Wednesday she would wait till the election results were out before she chalked out her next move
"There are feelers from many places. I am not responding to them now. Everything depends on the election results. If the results are as expected then I will go to Delhi," the former Tamil Nadu chief minister told reporters here after casting her vote.
"Overtures are being made by many parties but I am not responding to overtures right now," she added, and reiterated that she "preferred" to wait for the results on May 16 when she would proceed to Delhi to decide further moves.
She also complained about the "manipulation" of electronic voting machines across Tamil Nadu and "bogus voting" in the Central Chennai constituency while appealing to officials and police to help build confidence in the public to enable them to vote.
"In many polling stations the voting machines are malfunctioning. If a voter presses the button against the 'two leaves' symbol (AIADMK) the light against DMK's symbol 'rising sun' comes on. In South Chennai constituency more than 150 voting machines are not working.
"In a polling booth in Triplicane (in Chennai), voters who came at 7 am found a group of DMK rowdies casting votes. On seeing the same group of men coming in and out of the booth at regular intervals, the public chased them away."
Jayalalithaa also complained about the absence of paramilitary forces in the polling booth.
According to her, if the AIADMK-led front does not win the elections in Tamil Nadu it will be due to "these kinds of activities".
CHENNAI: Though there were feelers from many places, AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa said on Wednesday she would wait till the election results were out before she chalked out her next move
"There are feelers from many places. I am not responding to them now. Everything depends on the election results. If the results are as expected then I will go to Delhi," the former Tamil Nadu chief minister told reporters here after casting her vote.
"Overtures are being made by many parties but I am not responding to overtures right now," she added, and reiterated that she "preferred" to wait for the results on May 16 when she would proceed to Delhi to decide further moves.
She also complained about the "manipulation" of electronic voting machines across Tamil Nadu and "bogus voting" in the Central Chennai constituency while appealing to officials and police to help build confidence in the public to enable them to vote.
"In many polling stations the voting machines are malfunctioning. If a voter presses the button against the 'two leaves' symbol (AIADMK) the light against DMK's symbol 'rising sun' comes on. In South Chennai constituency more than 150 voting machines are not working.
"In a polling booth in Triplicane (in Chennai), voters who came at 7 am found a group of DMK rowdies casting votes. On seeing the same group of men coming in and out of the booth at regular intervals, the public chased them away."
Jayalalithaa also complained about the absence of paramilitary forces in the polling booth.
According to her, if the AIADMK-led front does not win the elections in Tamil Nadu it will be due to "these kinds of activities".
TRS chief Chandrashekhar Rao, Nitish Kumar attend NDA rally
LUDHIANA: TRS, which fought the elections in alliance with the Left parties and TDP in Andhra Pradesh, on Sunday appeared on NDA platform in a major boost to the BJP-led front ahead of the final phase of the polls.
Besides TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao, those who attended a rally convened by Shiromani Akali Dal chief and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here, were BJP leaders L K Advani and Rajnath Singh, JD (U)'s Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and RLD chief Ajit Singh.
Presence of Nitish Kumar at the rally came amid overtures to him by the Congress and the Left for a post-poll tie up.
Kumar told reporters in Patna before his departure for here that he is not in touch with any non-NDA constituent, nor has any such party or leader contacted him.
"I have clarified on several occasions that neither I am in touch with anybody nor any party or leader (from outside NDA) has contacted me. How many times will I clarify. I am saying this clearly that there is no possibility of me being in touch with anybody at all," Kumar said.
TRS, a constituent of the Third Front, had yesterday made clear its intention of moving towards NDA, saying its will attend the Ludhiana rally.
Senior TRS leader Vinod Kumar had dropped enough hints about his party joining the NDA, saying TRS would ally with any party or formulation that supports the cause of separate Telangana state.
BJP has promised to carve out separate Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh if it comes to power.
Among other present at the rally were INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Gopinath Munde.
Besides TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao, those who attended a rally convened by Shiromani Akali Dal chief and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here, were BJP leaders L K Advani and Rajnath Singh, JD (U)'s Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and RLD chief Ajit Singh.
Presence of Nitish Kumar at the rally came amid overtures to him by the Congress and the Left for a post-poll tie up.
Kumar told reporters in Patna before his departure for here that he is not in touch with any non-NDA constituent, nor has any such party or leader contacted him.
"I have clarified on several occasions that neither I am in touch with anybody nor any party or leader (from outside NDA) has contacted me. How many times will I clarify. I am saying this clearly that there is no possibility of me being in touch with anybody at all," Kumar said.
TRS, a constituent of the Third Front, had yesterday made clear its intention of moving towards NDA, saying its will attend the Ludhiana rally.
Senior TRS leader Vinod Kumar had dropped enough hints about his party joining the NDA, saying TRS would ally with any party or formulation that supports the cause of separate Telangana state.
BJP has promised to carve out separate Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh if it comes to power.
Among other present at the rally were INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Gopinath Munde.
Lok Sabha polls: 62% turnout in phase V, counting on May 16
13 May 2009, PTI
NEW DELHI: An estimated 62% of the electorate on Wednesday exercised their franchise in the fifth and final phase of polling in Lok Sabha elections, bringing down the curtain on the month-long democratic exercise, the longest in the world.
Barring stray violence which left two persons dead, the final round saw voting in 86 constituencies where nearly 11 crore voters were eligible to vote, across nine states and two union territories, including all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, considered a key swing state, where the turnout was recorded at 60-62% in the 39 seats.
Skirmishes marred polling in some places in Tamil Nadu leaving ond local DMK functionary dead in Dindgul district.
Fifty two per cent of the voters turned out in the 14 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh spread across Rohilkhand region and western part of the state which put to test the Muslim-Yadav vote bank of Samajwadi Party.
About 70% turnout was recorded in the 11 constituencies in West Bengal which went to poll today and the exercise passed off by and large peacefully except the killing of a local CPM leader allegedly by Trinamool Congress activists.
Working on the post-poll arithmetic, the Congress-led UPA is looking for a new term in office while the NDA steered by the BJP is trying to end its term in the opposition, although it isn't clear if one of them would on their own be able to muster the 272 seats needed to stake claim for power.
Politicians were fierce verbally during campaigning, but the elections itself were bloody with naxalites attacking polling and security personnel in the first two rounds leaving over 20 dead.
Chief Election Commssioner Navin Chawla told reporters in the capital that the overall turnout of voters involving nearly 714 million voters in the five phases was 59-60%.
Counting will be held on May 16.
One person was killed and several hurt in clashes in Tamil Nadu today, while another was killed in a clash between Trinamool Congress and CPI-M activists outside Kolkata before polling began.
Prominent candidates in today's round included Home Minister P Chidambaram, DMK's T R Baalu, Dayanidhi Maran and M K Azhagiri, Congress' Md Azharuddin, BJP's Maneka and Varun Gandhi and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, MDMK's Vaiko and SP's Jayaprada.
Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar, Sajjad Gani Lone of People's Conference, BJP's Vinod Khanna and Navjot Singh Sidhu were also among the big names in this round that saw a total of 1,432 candidates jumping into the fray.
Besides all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, elections were held to four seats in Himachal Pradesh, two in Jammu and Kashmir, nine in Punjab, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, 11 in West Bengal, five in Uttarakhand and the lone one seat each in both Chandigarh and Puducherry.
Uttar Pradesh, which returns the highest number of MPs (80), and Jammu and Kashmir were the only two states to go to polls in all the five phases.
The Lok Sabha has 545 members, but elections are held to 543 seats as two members are nominated from the Anglo-Indian community.
NEW DELHI: An estimated 62% of the electorate on Wednesday exercised their franchise in the fifth and final phase of polling in Lok Sabha elections, bringing down the curtain on the month-long democratic exercise, the longest in the world.
Barring stray violence which left two persons dead, the final round saw voting in 86 constituencies where nearly 11 crore voters were eligible to vote, across nine states and two union territories, including all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, considered a key swing state, where the turnout was recorded at 60-62% in the 39 seats.
Skirmishes marred polling in some places in Tamil Nadu leaving ond local DMK functionary dead in Dindgul district.
Fifty two per cent of the voters turned out in the 14 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh spread across Rohilkhand region and western part of the state which put to test the Muslim-Yadav vote bank of Samajwadi Party.
About 70% turnout was recorded in the 11 constituencies in West Bengal which went to poll today and the exercise passed off by and large peacefully except the killing of a local CPM leader allegedly by Trinamool Congress activists.
Working on the post-poll arithmetic, the Congress-led UPA is looking for a new term in office while the NDA steered by the BJP is trying to end its term in the opposition, although it isn't clear if one of them would on their own be able to muster the 272 seats needed to stake claim for power.
Politicians were fierce verbally during campaigning, but the elections itself were bloody with naxalites attacking polling and security personnel in the first two rounds leaving over 20 dead.
Chief Election Commssioner Navin Chawla told reporters in the capital that the overall turnout of voters involving nearly 714 million voters in the five phases was 59-60%.
Counting will be held on May 16.
One person was killed and several hurt in clashes in Tamil Nadu today, while another was killed in a clash between Trinamool Congress and CPI-M activists outside Kolkata before polling began.
Prominent candidates in today's round included Home Minister P Chidambaram, DMK's T R Baalu, Dayanidhi Maran and M K Azhagiri, Congress' Md Azharuddin, BJP's Maneka and Varun Gandhi and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, MDMK's Vaiko and SP's Jayaprada.
Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar, Sajjad Gani Lone of People's Conference, BJP's Vinod Khanna and Navjot Singh Sidhu were also among the big names in this round that saw a total of 1,432 candidates jumping into the fray.
Besides all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, elections were held to four seats in Himachal Pradesh, two in Jammu and Kashmir, nine in Punjab, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, 11 in West Bengal, five in Uttarakhand and the lone one seat each in both Chandigarh and Puducherry.
Uttar Pradesh, which returns the highest number of MPs (80), and Jammu and Kashmir were the only two states to go to polls in all the five phases.
The Lok Sabha has 545 members, but elections are held to 543 seats as two members are nominated from the Anglo-Indian community.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Is the BJP coming back?
Tuesday May 05, 2009
Suddenly, there’s a buzz within the BJP. The flagging campaign has been re-energised, and there’s a spring in the step of workers. The party believes that it has put up a strong show in the first three phases of polling, and is now banking on Rajasthan, one of its traditional strongholds, to deliver Delhi to it.
True, the BJP lost the assembly elections in Rajasthan only last year, but it still has a committed vote base there and just needs to woo away a relatively small percentage of Congress and undecided voters. And so, all the big guns – from L K Advani and Narendra Modi down are being wheeled into the desert state in a bid to propel the BJP to the position of the single largest party all-India, come May 16.
Meanwhile, the Congress, which began the campaign on a strong footing, has managed to alienate most of its key allies, including Lalu Prasad, Ramvilas Paswan and Mulayam Singh Yadav. The one staunch ally it has left is the DMK, but patriarch Karunanidhi’s illness has left his party’s campaign in a critical state. Meanwhile, archrival Jayalalithaa is busy criss-crossing Tamil Nadu and drawing huge crowds. If these translate into votes, Jaya could end up with a hefty chunk of seats in the politically crucial state.
Jaya is, supposedly, a leading light of the Third Front. But the lady has done business with the BJP before. In any case, she has herself said that a good politician never rules out anything. If she, the BJP and Nitish Kumar’s JD (U) can collectively cross the 200-seat mark, then a lot of parties that are now shying away from the BJP may suddenly start becoming more receptive to its advances.
Why has this turnaround happened? Frankly, I have no clue about what is influencing rural voters. But when I speak to middle-class voters, it seems to me that the BJP campaign has struck a chord on at least three issues – which most political pundits seem to have missed.
To begin with, the BJP’s focus on unemployment and job losses seems to be resonating with middle India, which is in the midst of its first major encounter with lay-offs and downsizing. The Congress can argue – with some justification – that it cannot be blamed for a global recession and that India is, in fact, faring better than the rest of the world. Unfortunately for it, people who are scared and insecure are rarely in a mood to listen to logic. The BJP’s promise to exempt tax on income up to Rs 3 lakh has also gone down well with the educated middle-class – which, in any case, is convinced that it gets very little in return for the hard-earned money that it pays as tax.
Finally, the BJP’s promise to introduce one rank, one pay and give tax sops to the defence forces is likely to earn it goodwill and votes from both serving and retired personnel, who otherwise tend to be largely indifferent to the electoral process.
Sceptics may sneer and say that the middle-class doesn’t vote, so this is not going to make any difference to the results. I wouldn’t be so sure. I do concede that May 16 is still a long way off and a lot could change by then. So, this prognosis may well be completely off the mark. But as of now, an NDA government – which seemed a very remote possibility when campaigning began – doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched. Whether that’s good or bad is a matter of opinion.
Suddenly, there’s a buzz within the BJP. The flagging campaign has been re-energised, and there’s a spring in the step of workers. The party believes that it has put up a strong show in the first three phases of polling, and is now banking on Rajasthan, one of its traditional strongholds, to deliver Delhi to it.
True, the BJP lost the assembly elections in Rajasthan only last year, but it still has a committed vote base there and just needs to woo away a relatively small percentage of Congress and undecided voters. And so, all the big guns – from L K Advani and Narendra Modi down are being wheeled into the desert state in a bid to propel the BJP to the position of the single largest party all-India, come May 16.
Meanwhile, the Congress, which began the campaign on a strong footing, has managed to alienate most of its key allies, including Lalu Prasad, Ramvilas Paswan and Mulayam Singh Yadav. The one staunch ally it has left is the DMK, but patriarch Karunanidhi’s illness has left his party’s campaign in a critical state. Meanwhile, archrival Jayalalithaa is busy criss-crossing Tamil Nadu and drawing huge crowds. If these translate into votes, Jaya could end up with a hefty chunk of seats in the politically crucial state.
Jaya is, supposedly, a leading light of the Third Front. But the lady has done business with the BJP before. In any case, she has herself said that a good politician never rules out anything. If she, the BJP and Nitish Kumar’s JD (U) can collectively cross the 200-seat mark, then a lot of parties that are now shying away from the BJP may suddenly start becoming more receptive to its advances.
Why has this turnaround happened? Frankly, I have no clue about what is influencing rural voters. But when I speak to middle-class voters, it seems to me that the BJP campaign has struck a chord on at least three issues – which most political pundits seem to have missed.
To begin with, the BJP’s focus on unemployment and job losses seems to be resonating with middle India, which is in the midst of its first major encounter with lay-offs and downsizing. The Congress can argue – with some justification – that it cannot be blamed for a global recession and that India is, in fact, faring better than the rest of the world. Unfortunately for it, people who are scared and insecure are rarely in a mood to listen to logic. The BJP’s promise to exempt tax on income up to Rs 3 lakh has also gone down well with the educated middle-class – which, in any case, is convinced that it gets very little in return for the hard-earned money that it pays as tax.
Finally, the BJP’s promise to introduce one rank, one pay and give tax sops to the defence forces is likely to earn it goodwill and votes from both serving and retired personnel, who otherwise tend to be largely indifferent to the electoral process.
Sceptics may sneer and say that the middle-class doesn’t vote, so this is not going to make any difference to the results. I wouldn’t be so sure. I do concede that May 16 is still a long way off and a lot could change by then. So, this prognosis may well be completely off the mark. But as of now, an NDA government – which seemed a very remote possibility when campaigning began – doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched. Whether that’s good or bad is a matter of opinion.
Raj Thackeray supports Modi as PM
5 May 2009 PTI
PUNE: A remark by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray advocating Narendra Modi's candidature for prime ministership, has fuelled speculations on a possible understanding between his party and BJP in the coming assembly elections in Maharashtra.
Thackeray who gave a talk on "Maharashtra of my dream" at the industrial township of Nigdi near here on Sunday praised Modi's efforts that contributed to development of Gujarat and said the country needed a man like him for the top executive job to ensure rapid progress.
The MNS leader also had good words for BJP state unit president Nitin Gadkari, who he said was capable of taking Maharashtra forward on path of development.
Gadkari, however, sought to downplay Thackeray's remarks when he told a Marathi television channel today that BJP's alliance with Shiv Sena was "strong and intact".
While thanking Raj Thackeray for his comments on him, Gadkari said, "I am not in the race for chief ministership in the state," adding that in the event of the Sena-BJP alliance getting majority in the assembly poll, the issue would be decided by the Sena chief Bal Thackeray and BJP leader L K Advani.
Thackeray's warm posture towards BJP is being seen in the context of the hard struggle and bargaining that was witnessed between Shiv Sena and BJP-- the two-decade-old allies in the state-- before the two parties arrived at an electoral seat adjustment for the present Lok Sabha poll in Maharashtra.
A bitter exchange of words between Shiv Sena and BJP leaders prior to seat adjustment had even given rise to a speculation that Shiv Sena could part ways with BJP and join hands with NCP.
The Sena's open support to NCP president Sharad Pawar as 'Marathi' prime ministerial candidate too drove a further wedge between the Saffron allies with BJP accusing the Sena of going against the NDA of which it is a constituent.
The MNS which contested a limited number of Lok Sabha seats on its own, is expected to try hard to expand its base in the state in the assembly elections by the year end.
PUNE: A remark by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray advocating Narendra Modi's candidature for prime ministership, has fuelled speculations on a possible understanding between his party and BJP in the coming assembly elections in Maharashtra.
Thackeray who gave a talk on "Maharashtra of my dream" at the industrial township of Nigdi near here on Sunday praised Modi's efforts that contributed to development of Gujarat and said the country needed a man like him for the top executive job to ensure rapid progress.
The MNS leader also had good words for BJP state unit president Nitin Gadkari, who he said was capable of taking Maharashtra forward on path of development.
Gadkari, however, sought to downplay Thackeray's remarks when he told a Marathi television channel today that BJP's alliance with Shiv Sena was "strong and intact".
While thanking Raj Thackeray for his comments on him, Gadkari said, "I am not in the race for chief ministership in the state," adding that in the event of the Sena-BJP alliance getting majority in the assembly poll, the issue would be decided by the Sena chief Bal Thackeray and BJP leader L K Advani.
Thackeray's warm posture towards BJP is being seen in the context of the hard struggle and bargaining that was witnessed between Shiv Sena and BJP-- the two-decade-old allies in the state-- before the two parties arrived at an electoral seat adjustment for the present Lok Sabha poll in Maharashtra.
A bitter exchange of words between Shiv Sena and BJP leaders prior to seat adjustment had even given rise to a speculation that Shiv Sena could part ways with BJP and join hands with NCP.
The Sena's open support to NCP president Sharad Pawar as 'Marathi' prime ministerial candidate too drove a further wedge between the Saffron allies with BJP accusing the Sena of going against the NDA of which it is a constituent.
The MNS which contested a limited number of Lok Sabha seats on its own, is expected to try hard to expand its base in the state in the assembly elections by the year end.
India's Congress reaches out to Left
NEW DELHI (AFP) — Rahul Gandhi, heir to India's powerful Congress dynasty, reached out to the communists on Tuesday to help form a new government if his party wins marathon general elections.
The olive branch came two days before the penultimate round of voting in the elections, which are being staggered across the country of more than 1.1 billion people over a one month period.
Analysts say Congress is unlikely to be able to form a new coalition without the communists, who are a big force in the eastern state of West Bengal and the southern state of Kerala.
"The field is open to post-poll alliances," Gandhi, Congress's star campaigner, told a news conference in the national capital New Delhi, one of the battlegrounds in Thursday's voting.
"There is a lot of meeting ground with the Left" and Congress on "(income) distribution, health and education," Gandhi said.
But "there is absolutely no meeting ground with (the opposition Hindu nationalist) BJP," said Gandhi, touted as a future prime minister.
The 38-year-old politician is a descendant of the Nehru-Gandhi lineage which has given India three prime ministers and whose mother Sonia is Congress party president and viewed as the nation's most powerful politician.
Gandhi insisted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be the party's candidate for premier if Congress gets a mandate to seek to form the next government.
"Manmohan Singh is the best prime minister the country can have," said Gandhi. "Congress is going to deliver Manmohan to the country."
But Singh has become a hurdle to Congress's hopes of forming a government because of hostility from the Communists who withdrew their support from the ruling coalition last year to protest the signing of a nuclear pact with the United States.
Media reports have suggested Congress may be forced to ditch Singh, 76, a Gandhi family loyalist, if he proves too much of a liability in forming a coalition.
The olive branch came two days before the penultimate round of voting in the elections, which are being staggered across the country of more than 1.1 billion people over a one month period.
Analysts say Congress is unlikely to be able to form a new coalition without the communists, who are a big force in the eastern state of West Bengal and the southern state of Kerala.
"The field is open to post-poll alliances," Gandhi, Congress's star campaigner, told a news conference in the national capital New Delhi, one of the battlegrounds in Thursday's voting.
"There is a lot of meeting ground with the Left" and Congress on "(income) distribution, health and education," Gandhi said.
But "there is absolutely no meeting ground with (the opposition Hindu nationalist) BJP," said Gandhi, touted as a future prime minister.
The 38-year-old politician is a descendant of the Nehru-Gandhi lineage which has given India three prime ministers and whose mother Sonia is Congress party president and viewed as the nation's most powerful politician.
Gandhi insisted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be the party's candidate for premier if Congress gets a mandate to seek to form the next government.
"Manmohan Singh is the best prime minister the country can have," said Gandhi. "Congress is going to deliver Manmohan to the country."
But Singh has become a hurdle to Congress's hopes of forming a government because of hostility from the Communists who withdrew their support from the ruling coalition last year to protest the signing of a nuclear pact with the United States.
Media reports have suggested Congress may be forced to ditch Singh, 76, a Gandhi family loyalist, if he proves too much of a liability in forming a coalition.
I'm confident Left will support PM: Rahul
5 May 2009, PTI
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday gave clear signals of working with the Left parties in the post-poll scenario, expressing confidence that the AICC general secretary at a press conference here, he was, however, sure that the Congress would form a government. "But in a democracy, if it so happens, we have no choice," he said in reply to a question whether Congress would sit in the opposition.
Asked if Congress would support the Left parties, which had supported the UPA for over four years, in forming the government, Gandhi appeared to be sarcastic when he said "we will consider that if the Left gets 180-190 MPs. We will consider them. I hope they are able to achieve that. If they do, I will be first person to say let us support Left".
At the outset, he expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power and that the BJP-led NDA was finished on the ground.
Gandhi was asked whether the Congress would consider a post-poll tie up again with the Left for forming the government in case of a hung verdict.
"....on a lot of concepts we agree with the Left like education and health. There is a lot of meeting ground with the Left. There is absolutely no meeting ground with BJP for what they did in Gujarat and Karnataka and burnt Christians in Orissa. There is a lot of common ground to do with the Left. There is a reasonable amount of common space," he replied.
Gandhi said Congress was always open to post-poll alliances and at a later point in reference to the Left, he made it clear that "the field is open to post-poll alliances".
Asked whether the Congress would compromise on its prime ministerial candidate if the Left was not ready for Manmohan Singh, Gandhi said "Singh is the best prime ministerial candidate for the country. The Congress does not compromise on its thinking which it showed on the nuclear deal.
"I am confident that the Left will support Manmohan Singh government. I am confident that the Left would rather have a Congress prime minister," he said.
Saying his views on the Left were personal, he said he did say that the Left had old ideas -- 20 to 30 years old view on nuclear deal -- and integration with global economy but he was confident that the Left would be forced to accept that the world has changed.
He also had some good words for Telugu Desam chief N Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on the performance of their governments.
Earlier in the press conference, Gandhi referred to Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK and Nitish Kumar's JD(U) saying they were like-minded parties.
"After elections, all options are open. NDA partners are looking at where is NDA. It exists only in the mind of the BJP. NDA does not exist on the ground. It is gone," he said.
To a query on contradictions in UPA with Congress projecting Manmohan Singh as prime minister and another UPA ally NCP projecting Sharad Pawar for the top job, Gandhi said again in a sarcastic manner, "If NCP becomes the biggest party in India that option is open.
"If Congress becomes the biggest party, then we have already decided that Manmohan Singh will be automatic choice. He is an extremely dynamic leader and he has done terrific things for the country."
Gandhi also indicated that the question of prime ministership is not negotiable for the party by describing him "as the best prime minister the country could have."
He dismissed as "figment of media's imagination" suggestions that the allies of the Congress were not backing Manmohan Singh as PM. "They have full faith in our Prime Minister," he said hoping that the Congress would do etter in this election than it did the last time.
Asked whether he would take over as Congress president in view of his stance that he would like to build the organisation or become a minister in a UPA government, he made light of the question saying the media was always putting pressure on him to take up new responsibilities.
"It is for the Prime Minister and my boss (Congress president) to decide," he said adding his first preference was to build the organisation especially the youth wing.
On whether Congress was projecting two candidates for the top post -- him and Manmohan Singh, Gandhi said the party has decided in 2004 that Singh will be its leader and there was no change in the stance.
Replying to another query, he said Congress would do better this time and perform well even in states ruled by BJP. Gandhi, however, declined to make any prediction as to how many seats Congress or the UPA would get.
"There is a positive undercurrent in our favour," he said. Claiming that NDA has ceased to exist and was there only for "name sake", Gandhi said NDA allies were contesting separately.
Referring to Uttar Pradesh, the largest state with 80 Lok Sabha seats, he said people were "tired" of BJP, BSP and SP governments.
"The people are fed up. This time Congress' vote share in Uttar Pradesh will improve," Gandhi claimed.
On whether he would like to become a minister if UPA came to power, he said, "Unless I am forced... But my preference is to work for the youth of the country."
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday gave clear signals of working with the Left parties in the post-poll scenario, expressing confidence that the AICC general secretary at a press conference here, he was, however, sure that the Congress would form a government. "But in a democracy, if it so happens, we have no choice," he said in reply to a question whether Congress would sit in the opposition.
Asked if Congress would support the Left parties, which had supported the UPA for over four years, in forming the government, Gandhi appeared to be sarcastic when he said "we will consider that if the Left gets 180-190 MPs. We will consider them. I hope they are able to achieve that. If they do, I will be first person to say let us support Left".
At the outset, he expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power and that the BJP-led NDA was finished on the ground.
Gandhi was asked whether the Congress would consider a post-poll tie up again with the Left for forming the government in case of a hung verdict.
"....on a lot of concepts we agree with the Left like education and health. There is a lot of meeting ground with the Left. There is absolutely no meeting ground with BJP for what they did in Gujarat and Karnataka and burnt Christians in Orissa. There is a lot of common ground to do with the Left. There is a reasonable amount of common space," he replied.
Gandhi said Congress was always open to post-poll alliances and at a later point in reference to the Left, he made it clear that "the field is open to post-poll alliances".
Asked whether the Congress would compromise on its prime ministerial candidate if the Left was not ready for Manmohan Singh, Gandhi said "Singh is the best prime ministerial candidate for the country. The Congress does not compromise on its thinking which it showed on the nuclear deal.
"I am confident that the Left will support Manmohan Singh government. I am confident that the Left would rather have a Congress prime minister," he said.
Saying his views on the Left were personal, he said he did say that the Left had old ideas -- 20 to 30 years old view on nuclear deal -- and integration with global economy but he was confident that the Left would be forced to accept that the world has changed.
He also had some good words for Telugu Desam chief N Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on the performance of their governments.
Earlier in the press conference, Gandhi referred to Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK and Nitish Kumar's JD(U) saying they were like-minded parties.
"After elections, all options are open. NDA partners are looking at where is NDA. It exists only in the mind of the BJP. NDA does not exist on the ground. It is gone," he said.
To a query on contradictions in UPA with Congress projecting Manmohan Singh as prime minister and another UPA ally NCP projecting Sharad Pawar for the top job, Gandhi said again in a sarcastic manner, "If NCP becomes the biggest party in India that option is open.
"If Congress becomes the biggest party, then we have already decided that Manmohan Singh will be automatic choice. He is an extremely dynamic leader and he has done terrific things for the country."
Gandhi also indicated that the question of prime ministership is not negotiable for the party by describing him "as the best prime minister the country could have."
He dismissed as "figment of media's imagination" suggestions that the allies of the Congress were not backing Manmohan Singh as PM. "They have full faith in our Prime Minister," he said hoping that the Congress would do etter in this election than it did the last time.
Asked whether he would take over as Congress president in view of his stance that he would like to build the organisation or become a minister in a UPA government, he made light of the question saying the media was always putting pressure on him to take up new responsibilities.
"It is for the Prime Minister and my boss (Congress president) to decide," he said adding his first preference was to build the organisation especially the youth wing.
On whether Congress was projecting two candidates for the top post -- him and Manmohan Singh, Gandhi said the party has decided in 2004 that Singh will be its leader and there was no change in the stance.
Replying to another query, he said Congress would do better this time and perform well even in states ruled by BJP. Gandhi, however, declined to make any prediction as to how many seats Congress or the UPA would get.
"There is a positive undercurrent in our favour," he said. Claiming that NDA has ceased to exist and was there only for "name sake", Gandhi said NDA allies were contesting separately.
Referring to Uttar Pradesh, the largest state with 80 Lok Sabha seats, he said people were "tired" of BJP, BSP and SP governments.
"The people are fed up. This time Congress' vote share in Uttar Pradesh will improve," Gandhi claimed.
On whether he would like to become a minister if UPA came to power, he said, "Unless I am forced... But my preference is to work for the youth of the country."
Monday, May 4, 2009
4 May 2009, PTI
NEW DELHI: He has a mission but no ambition, says Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as speculation mounts about whether he will be the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) next prime ministerial candidate.
In an interview broadcast on a television channel, Modi indicated that he was not in the race for the prime minister's post.
"In my life, mission is everything, no ambition," he said, answering a query if he was looking to graduate to national politics from the platform of Gujarat.
Modi has been projected as a future prime minister by several BJP leaders with rivals citing these statements as lack of confidence in the prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani.
"Work is my principle. Even if I was a municipal chairman, I would have worked as hard as I am as chief minister."
Asserting that the BJP would get "full majority" in the Lok Sabha elections, he said: "In the BJP, we believe that even a one-person party in parliament should be considered for support in the current scenario that the country is facing."
Regional aspirants, he added, should be honoured.
"Not only in Gujarat, everywhere in India, people are fed up with vote bank politics. They want change. They want development. That is the only driving force to change this government this time," he said.
NEW DELHI: He has a mission but no ambition, says Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as speculation mounts about whether he will be the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) next prime ministerial candidate.
In an interview broadcast on a television channel, Modi indicated that he was not in the race for the prime minister's post.
"In my life, mission is everything, no ambition," he said, answering a query if he was looking to graduate to national politics from the platform of Gujarat.
Modi has been projected as a future prime minister by several BJP leaders with rivals citing these statements as lack of confidence in the prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani.
"Work is my principle. Even if I was a municipal chairman, I would have worked as hard as I am as chief minister."
Asserting that the BJP would get "full majority" in the Lok Sabha elections, he said: "In the BJP, we believe that even a one-person party in parliament should be considered for support in the current scenario that the country is facing."
Regional aspirants, he added, should be honoured.
"Not only in Gujarat, everywhere in India, people are fed up with vote bank politics. They want change. They want development. That is the only driving force to change this government this time," he said.
Support to UPA not ruled out: CPM's Sitaram Yechury
4 May 2009 PTI
KOLKATA: Despite CPM general secretary Prakash Karat having categorically ruled out support to a Congress-led government at the Centre, senior party politburo member Sitaram Yechury on Monday said the party's next step would be decided only after the elections.
"We will decide what will happen post-election, but right now our objective till the elections are over is the third alternative. However, we do not think the need to support a Congress-led government will arise," Yechury told a press conference here.
TOI Blogs : Are elections 2009 the semi-final for 2011? | Who will form the next govt?
Asked about Karat's statement in Kolkata recently that the Left would not extend support to a Congress-led coalition again, Yechury said, "I do not know in what context he had said this. We will meet and decide what will happen post-election."
Yechury said the Congress leaders were openly saying after the third phase of the elections that they would take support of the Left if the opportunity to form a government arose.
"But this is an admission of their realisation that they are not coming back to power. Our objective is to form a Third Front government and we are confident about that," he said.
Asked if the Left was approached to support a Congress-led coalition minus Manmohan Singh as the prime minister, he said they were not concerned about individuals, but issues.
KOLKATA: Despite CPM general secretary Prakash Karat having categorically ruled out support to a Congress-led government at the Centre, senior party politburo member Sitaram Yechury on Monday said the party's next step would be decided only after the elections.
"We will decide what will happen post-election, but right now our objective till the elections are over is the third alternative. However, we do not think the need to support a Congress-led government will arise," Yechury told a press conference here.
TOI Blogs : Are elections 2009 the semi-final for 2011? | Who will form the next govt?
Asked about Karat's statement in Kolkata recently that the Left would not extend support to a Congress-led coalition again, Yechury said, "I do not know in what context he had said this. We will meet and decide what will happen post-election."
Yechury said the Congress leaders were openly saying after the third phase of the elections that they would take support of the Left if the opportunity to form a government arose.
"But this is an admission of their realisation that they are not coming back to power. Our objective is to form a Third Front government and we are confident about that," he said.
Asked if the Left was approached to support a Congress-led coalition minus Manmohan Singh as the prime minister, he said they were not concerned about individuals, but issues.
Manmohan dependent on others for decisions: Advani
4 May 2009
JAIPUR: A dust storm welcomed L K Advani to the desert state on Sunday. In Rajasthan for his first election meeting, the BJP's prime ministerial BJP leader L K Advani during an election rally in Delhi. (PTI Photo)
candidates asked the voters to brave the summer and vote for a ``strong and decisive'' government.
``It is necessary to choose a government which is not only strong but also decisive. By selecting a strong candidate, we are also strengthening the entire democratic system, which is the need of the hour,'' said Advani in Bharatpur seeking support for party candidate Khemchand Koli.
Speaking at a public rally in Nagar, he made a personal appeal to the voters not to stay away from the polling booths due to heat. ``I know it is hot but you should not let the scorching heat keep you away. Make it a point to cast your votes early in the morning itself,'' said Advani, even as a dust storm made it almost impossible to give a speech.
The storm, however, didn't stop him taking a dig at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. ``Do you want a PM who rushes to someone else everytime a decision is to be taken?'' he asked the audience.
Recalling his days as an RSS pracharak in the state, Advani said Rajasthan was his `karmabhoomi'. ``This is the place where I started my career, first as an RSS pracharak and then as a BJP member. Bharatpur was one of the district where I was active.''
JAIPUR: A dust storm welcomed L K Advani to the desert state on Sunday. In Rajasthan for his first election meeting, the BJP's prime ministerial BJP leader L K Advani during an election rally in Delhi. (PTI Photo)
candidates asked the voters to brave the summer and vote for a ``strong and decisive'' government.
``It is necessary to choose a government which is not only strong but also decisive. By selecting a strong candidate, we are also strengthening the entire democratic system, which is the need of the hour,'' said Advani in Bharatpur seeking support for party candidate Khemchand Koli.
Speaking at a public rally in Nagar, he made a personal appeal to the voters not to stay away from the polling booths due to heat. ``I know it is hot but you should not let the scorching heat keep you away. Make it a point to cast your votes early in the morning itself,'' said Advani, even as a dust storm made it almost impossible to give a speech.
The storm, however, didn't stop him taking a dig at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. ``Do you want a PM who rushes to someone else everytime a decision is to be taken?'' he asked the audience.
Recalling his days as an RSS pracharak in the state, Advani said Rajasthan was his `karmabhoomi'. ``This is the place where I started my career, first as an RSS pracharak and then as a BJP member. Bharatpur was one of the district where I was active.''
Sonia hits back at BJP; says NDA treated terrorists as guests
Farukkhabad,May 4 (PTI) Ridiculing BJP's "soft on terror" charges, Sonia Gandhi today attacked the saffron party, saying while Congress "effectively and firmly" countered terrorism, the erstwhile BJP-led government "treated terrorists like guests".
"During Congress rule terrorism was countered effectively and firmly, whereas during BJP regime terrorists were treated like guests and released in their own country," Sonia said here, while addressing an election rally in support of party nominee Salman Khursheed.
"The entire country knows that Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi laid down their lives for the nation's sake," she said, adding the party handled the terror issue "with an iron fist".
The Congress President asked BJP to stop "preaching on terrorism and instead introspect its own failures." Gandhi also took a dig at NDA's India Shining slogan during the previous general elections. "When farmers were facing a tough situation and future of youths was in dark, the BJP saw India as shining.
"BJP had made a lot of promises during earlier elections and the NDA regime, but failed to deliver," she charged, adding it was Congress which entered the election arena with the issue of turning India into a developed and strong nation. PTI
"During Congress rule terrorism was countered effectively and firmly, whereas during BJP regime terrorists were treated like guests and released in their own country," Sonia said here, while addressing an election rally in support of party nominee Salman Khursheed.
"The entire country knows that Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi laid down their lives for the nation's sake," she said, adding the party handled the terror issue "with an iron fist".
The Congress President asked BJP to stop "preaching on terrorism and instead introspect its own failures." Gandhi also took a dig at NDA's India Shining slogan during the previous general elections. "When farmers were facing a tough situation and future of youths was in dark, the BJP saw India as shining.
"BJP had made a lot of promises during earlier elections and the NDA regime, but failed to deliver," she charged, adding it was Congress which entered the election arena with the issue of turning India into a developed and strong nation. PTI
BJP's India-shining, a text of the rich: Rahul
Press Trust Of India
May 04, 2009
Calling BJP a party of the rich, Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that while his party believes in the welfare of common man, the saffron party talks about India-shining, which is influenced by the prosperity of a small section of society.
"Congress believes in common man, labourers and farmers whereas the BJP harps on India shining, based on the rich and prosperous who live in skyrocketing buildings," Gandhi said at an election rally in Bhilwara constituency, around 220 km from Jaipur.
He said there is huge difference between the ideologies of the two parties which is reflected in their performance.
Observing that water-scarcity has been the biggest problem in Bhilwara constituency for years but no concrete efforts were made to solve it, Gandhi, who was here to campaign for PCC President C P Joshi, said that besides water, education, healthcare, road connectivity and other facilities will also be improved if party is voted to power.
Gandhi was accompanied by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and other senior party leaders.
May 04, 2009
Calling BJP a party of the rich, Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that while his party believes in the welfare of common man, the saffron party talks about India-shining, which is influenced by the prosperity of a small section of society.
"Congress believes in common man, labourers and farmers whereas the BJP harps on India shining, based on the rich and prosperous who live in skyrocketing buildings," Gandhi said at an election rally in Bhilwara constituency, around 220 km from Jaipur.
He said there is huge difference between the ideologies of the two parties which is reflected in their performance.
Observing that water-scarcity has been the biggest problem in Bhilwara constituency for years but no concrete efforts were made to solve it, Gandhi, who was here to campaign for PCC President C P Joshi, said that besides water, education, healthcare, road connectivity and other facilities will also be improved if party is voted to power.
Gandhi was accompanied by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and other senior party leaders.
Ready to ally with Left, but N-deal stays: PM
3 May 2009,
New DELHI: Perhaps encouraged by CPM leader Prakash Karat's recent statement that the Left would not seek to scrap the India-US nuclear deal, Prime Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at an election rally in Howrah. (PTI Photo)
Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said he was ready to partner the comrades again.
Asked if he was prepared to put on hold operationalising the nuclear deal to woo the Left, he said, ``There is no question of giving up the deal.'' He said he was confident that such a choice would not have to be made. ``No patriotic Indian would suggest that about a deal that required so much hard work, that ended India's nuclear isolation at tremendous cost, when the chips are down,'' he said.
Staunch advocacy for the deal apart, he appeared keen to resume business ties with the Left, claiming that he had enjoyed working with the comrades. This was in glaring contrast to his earlier assertion that the Left had treated him as ``bonded labour''. He also described West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee as a ``friend'', which appears to be in line with the Congress's expectation that the latter would help soften up those
comrades still smarting because of a perceived ``betrayal'' on the nuclear deal.
The clear indication that he was warming up to the Left came in an interview with a TV channel in which the PM also said that he and former Pakistan president Gen Pervez Musharraf were close to an agreement which was a ``non-territorial'' solution to ``all problems'' between India and Pakistan. Singh said, ``...But then Gen Musharraf got into many difficulties with the chief justice and other fronts and therefore the whole process came to a halt.''
Ready to align with Left, but not at cost of n-deal: PM
Asked if he would like to hand over office mid-term to Rahul Gandhi if re-elected, Singh said, ``I have said Rahul Gandhi has all the qualities a good PM should have. I certainly at some stage would like the seat of power to be in the hands of younger people than myself.''
Indicating that he expected the Left to disregard differences over the nuclear deal, the PM also expressed confidence that the deal was safe and could not be undone. ``I don't think any serious-minded Indian party would ask that we should annul the deal.''
This defence of a deal which has been a sore point with the Left but which has been seen as an essential part of Singh's legacy is seen as the chief reason why many feel the Left may insist on a coalition change even if it should come around to supporting a Congress-led government.
Singh's remarks came after UPA partners like Sharad Pawar and Lalu Prasad began emphasizing the indispensability of the Left for the formation of the next government. Acknowledging that the Congress might need to mend fences with the communists, Singh said, ``We have worked with the Left before-for four years they were our partners-I have enjoyed working with the Left.''
Singh pointed out that the negotiations would hinge on numbers. He said, ``Who we reach out to and who do we not reach...this is a matter we can only talk about when the results are out.'' He said he had many ``friends'' in the Left and referred to the West Bengal CM, a move that may not go down too well with the communists.
During the tense negotiations with the Left over the nuclear deal, Singh had often sought to reach out to Bhattacharjee, but the overt manner in which this was done could well have been counter-productive. Faced with resistance from CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, Congress managers are banking on Bhattacharjee to bring his comrades around. Whether the Bengal CM--who may lose his clout somewhat if the estimate about the Left's losses proves correct--will be able to deliver or not is open to question. Those familiar with events say that during the stand-off over the nuclear deal, Bhattacharjee had found himself having to explain the nature of his discussions with the PM to the CPM brass.
But the man who will matter is clearly Karat, who has been smarting over being outmanoeuvred by Singh over the deal. Karat has been determined to prevent a Congress-led government and is keenly opposed to Singh getting another term as PM. But with the likelihood of the Congress having once again to seek the support of its former partners if it is in a position to form a government, the PM's remarks mark yet another effort to soften Karat.
The PM said he was ``pretty confident'' that when the end results of the polls were known, a Congress-led UPA would form the government. He admitted that ``politics is the art of the possible'' and said that talks with other parties would acquire momentum once the results were out.
He defended the nuclear deal saying its benefits were still to be seen. ``There are still many processes to go. The US, France, the IAEA, the NSG. It is only when they are completed that you will see some beneficial results. Already there are offers of thousands of watts of power and uranium.'' Though he did not mention it, domestic procedures and regulations also need to be altered to allow foreign participation in India's nuclear sector.
New DELHI: Perhaps encouraged by CPM leader Prakash Karat's recent statement that the Left would not seek to scrap the India-US nuclear deal, Prime Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at an election rally in Howrah. (PTI Photo)
Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said he was ready to partner the comrades again.
Asked if he was prepared to put on hold operationalising the nuclear deal to woo the Left, he said, ``There is no question of giving up the deal.'' He said he was confident that such a choice would not have to be made. ``No patriotic Indian would suggest that about a deal that required so much hard work, that ended India's nuclear isolation at tremendous cost, when the chips are down,'' he said.
Staunch advocacy for the deal apart, he appeared keen to resume business ties with the Left, claiming that he had enjoyed working with the comrades. This was in glaring contrast to his earlier assertion that the Left had treated him as ``bonded labour''. He also described West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee as a ``friend'', which appears to be in line with the Congress's expectation that the latter would help soften up those
comrades still smarting because of a perceived ``betrayal'' on the nuclear deal.
The clear indication that he was warming up to the Left came in an interview with a TV channel in which the PM also said that he and former Pakistan president Gen Pervez Musharraf were close to an agreement which was a ``non-territorial'' solution to ``all problems'' between India and Pakistan. Singh said, ``...But then Gen Musharraf got into many difficulties with the chief justice and other fronts and therefore the whole process came to a halt.''
Ready to align with Left, but not at cost of n-deal: PM
Asked if he would like to hand over office mid-term to Rahul Gandhi if re-elected, Singh said, ``I have said Rahul Gandhi has all the qualities a good PM should have. I certainly at some stage would like the seat of power to be in the hands of younger people than myself.''
Indicating that he expected the Left to disregard differences over the nuclear deal, the PM also expressed confidence that the deal was safe and could not be undone. ``I don't think any serious-minded Indian party would ask that we should annul the deal.''
This defence of a deal which has been a sore point with the Left but which has been seen as an essential part of Singh's legacy is seen as the chief reason why many feel the Left may insist on a coalition change even if it should come around to supporting a Congress-led government.
Singh's remarks came after UPA partners like Sharad Pawar and Lalu Prasad began emphasizing the indispensability of the Left for the formation of the next government. Acknowledging that the Congress might need to mend fences with the communists, Singh said, ``We have worked with the Left before-for four years they were our partners-I have enjoyed working with the Left.''
Singh pointed out that the negotiations would hinge on numbers. He said, ``Who we reach out to and who do we not reach...this is a matter we can only talk about when the results are out.'' He said he had many ``friends'' in the Left and referred to the West Bengal CM, a move that may not go down too well with the communists.
During the tense negotiations with the Left over the nuclear deal, Singh had often sought to reach out to Bhattacharjee, but the overt manner in which this was done could well have been counter-productive. Faced with resistance from CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, Congress managers are banking on Bhattacharjee to bring his comrades around. Whether the Bengal CM--who may lose his clout somewhat if the estimate about the Left's losses proves correct--will be able to deliver or not is open to question. Those familiar with events say that during the stand-off over the nuclear deal, Bhattacharjee had found himself having to explain the nature of his discussions with the PM to the CPM brass.
But the man who will matter is clearly Karat, who has been smarting over being outmanoeuvred by Singh over the deal. Karat has been determined to prevent a Congress-led government and is keenly opposed to Singh getting another term as PM. But with the likelihood of the Congress having once again to seek the support of its former partners if it is in a position to form a government, the PM's remarks mark yet another effort to soften Karat.
The PM said he was ``pretty confident'' that when the end results of the polls were known, a Congress-led UPA would form the government. He admitted that ``politics is the art of the possible'' and said that talks with other parties would acquire momentum once the results were out.
He defended the nuclear deal saying its benefits were still to be seen. ``There are still many processes to go. The US, France, the IAEA, the NSG. It is only when they are completed that you will see some beneficial results. Already there are offers of thousands of watts of power and uranium.'' Though he did not mention it, domestic procedures and regulations also need to be altered to allow foreign participation in India's nuclear sector.
Black money trail: Swiss ready to revise treaty
4 May 2009,
NEW DELHI: The government has approached Swiss authorities to renegotiate its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), a tax treaty between the two countries in force since 1995, to obtain details of bank accounts maintained by Indians in Switzerland.
The Swiss government has in the past refused to share bank information pertaining to Indians with New Delhi on the ground that such details were not necessary for application of the DTAA. Swiss authorities had expressed inability to provide details, citing their own laws, since India's requests were related to enforcement of its internal tax laws.
However, after the G-20 nations adopted a tough posture at their recently held London summit, seeking to bring tax havens and non-cooperating jurisdictions under close scrutiny, Swiss authorities expressed willingness to cooperate.
Just before the London summit, the Swiss confederation had told the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) -- a Paris-based group with 30 member countries including the US, UK and many European nations -- that it was ready to withdraw its earlier reservation on sharing information and renegotiate its tax treaty with other governments.
But how effective the revised tax treaty will be is quite clear from a rider provided by the Centre in the affidavit it submitted before the Supreme Court on the subject last week. The affidavit said, ``Even as per the OECD standards, unless specific information about the depositors becomes available, fishing or roving enquiry is not permissible.''
India is part of the task force constituted by the G-20 at its London summit to formulate a ``global plan for recovery and reform which promises to take action against non-cooperative jurisdictions, including tax havens and also to deploy sanctions to protect public finances and financial systems''.
On alleged role of Swiss banks in the 2004 stock market crash, the affidavit said that Securities and Exchange Board of India had in 2005 barred Swiss financial institution UBS Asia from issuing and renewing any participatory notes for a year. But this was following its refusal to disclose information relating to an investigation carried out by Sebi, not for its role in the market crash.
NEW DELHI: The government has approached Swiss authorities to renegotiate its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), a tax treaty between the two countries in force since 1995, to obtain details of bank accounts maintained by Indians in Switzerland.
The Swiss government has in the past refused to share bank information pertaining to Indians with New Delhi on the ground that such details were not necessary for application of the DTAA. Swiss authorities had expressed inability to provide details, citing their own laws, since India's requests were related to enforcement of its internal tax laws.
However, after the G-20 nations adopted a tough posture at their recently held London summit, seeking to bring tax havens and non-cooperating jurisdictions under close scrutiny, Swiss authorities expressed willingness to cooperate.
Just before the London summit, the Swiss confederation had told the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) -- a Paris-based group with 30 member countries including the US, UK and many European nations -- that it was ready to withdraw its earlier reservation on sharing information and renegotiate its tax treaty with other governments.
But how effective the revised tax treaty will be is quite clear from a rider provided by the Centre in the affidavit it submitted before the Supreme Court on the subject last week. The affidavit said, ``Even as per the OECD standards, unless specific information about the depositors becomes available, fishing or roving enquiry is not permissible.''
India is part of the task force constituted by the G-20 at its London summit to formulate a ``global plan for recovery and reform which promises to take action against non-cooperative jurisdictions, including tax havens and also to deploy sanctions to protect public finances and financial systems''.
On alleged role of Swiss banks in the 2004 stock market crash, the affidavit said that Securities and Exchange Board of India had in 2005 barred Swiss financial institution UBS Asia from issuing and renewing any participatory notes for a year. But this was following its refusal to disclose information relating to an investigation carried out by Sebi, not for its role in the market crash.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
India has got black money details from Germany: Government ?
2 May 2009
NEW DELHI: Assuring the Supreme Court that it was trying to retrieve black money stashed in tax havens abroad, the government Saturday said it has already secured significant information from Germany and income-tax sleuths were following it up.
The finance ministry disclosed this in a 27-page affidavit to the apex court in response to a lawsuit accusing the government of doing precious little to retrieve Indian black money to the tune of Rs.70 trillion stashed abroad.
In its affidavit, the government also told the court that its persistent efforts in collaboration with international community have also resulted in Switzerland agreeing to make its secretive banking laws and norms more transparent in tune with the global standards.
Reiterating its assertion that it is not sitting idle in this matter, Director Priya V.K. Singh of the Department of Revenue under the finance ministry told the court that following repeated efforts since Feb 27 last year, the government got the information on Indians with secret accounts in LGT Bank of Liechtenstein March 18 this year.
The government, however, added in its affidavit that the information procured from Germany cannot be made public owing to the condition of strict confidentiality under which it was procured.
"On account of persistent follow-up by the union government, the German government provided the information (about Indians' secret bank accounts) on March 18, 2009," said the affidavit.
"The said information, however, was made available on the condition of strict confidentiality of contents under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement," it added.
"The information received from the German authorities has been forwarded to various taxation authorities concerned for action as appropriate under the provisions of the Income Tax, 1961 and the Wealth Tax Act, 1957," it said.
It added "the tax authorities have initiated the process of reopening the assessments (of those tax evaders) under the Income Tax Act, 1961 and Wealth Tax Act, 1957".
NEW DELHI: Assuring the Supreme Court that it was trying to retrieve black money stashed in tax havens abroad, the government Saturday said it has already secured significant information from Germany and income-tax sleuths were following it up.
The finance ministry disclosed this in a 27-page affidavit to the apex court in response to a lawsuit accusing the government of doing precious little to retrieve Indian black money to the tune of Rs.70 trillion stashed abroad.
In its affidavit, the government also told the court that its persistent efforts in collaboration with international community have also resulted in Switzerland agreeing to make its secretive banking laws and norms more transparent in tune with the global standards.
Reiterating its assertion that it is not sitting idle in this matter, Director Priya V.K. Singh of the Department of Revenue under the finance ministry told the court that following repeated efforts since Feb 27 last year, the government got the information on Indians with secret accounts in LGT Bank of Liechtenstein March 18 this year.
The government, however, added in its affidavit that the information procured from Germany cannot be made public owing to the condition of strict confidentiality under which it was procured.
"On account of persistent follow-up by the union government, the German government provided the information (about Indians' secret bank accounts) on March 18, 2009," said the affidavit.
"The said information, however, was made available on the condition of strict confidentiality of contents under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement," it added.
"The information received from the German authorities has been forwarded to various taxation authorities concerned for action as appropriate under the provisions of the Income Tax, 1961 and the Wealth Tax Act, 1957," it said.
It added "the tax authorities have initiated the process of reopening the assessments (of those tax evaders) under the Income Tax Act, 1961 and Wealth Tax Act, 1957".
BJP's commitment to building Ram temple intact: Rajnath
29 Apr 2009
LUCKNOW: Raking up the Ram temple issue, BJP chief Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said his party's commitment to building the temple in Ayodhya "remains intact" and it will be subsequently proven.
Rubbishing the charges of rivals that the saffron party has dropped the issue of Ram temple for power, he said, "This is simply a false propaganda by those who never wanted the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya and had even questioned the very existence of Lord Rama.
"And as far as the building of Ram temple is concerned, our commitment for it remains intact and we will subsequently prove it," he said.
On the Kandahar hijacking issue, he said, "The Congress frequently raises the issue of Kandahar hijacking only to save its skin and to mislead the people of this country. In fact, let me tell you that we were at the crossroads of allowing innocent passengers to get killed or saving them.
"The decision to release the terrorists was taken at an all party meeting and Congress was a party to the decision," he claimed.
Describing terrorism and spiralling price rise as the most important election issues, he said the people of this country will give a befitting reply to those who think that the ongoing Lok Sabha elections are "issueless".
"Those who are of the view that the general elections are devoid of any issues, let me tell you that the biggest issues in front of the voters today are rising terrorism and spiralling prices," the BJP chief said.
He said if these issues were not visible to other political parties, then it is because of their short sightedness. "Once the election results are out, this myth will be shattered."
"Unemployment is also an important issue today before the voters. If you look at a survey of the Labour Bureau of the Ministry of Labour, then nearly six lakh people in the organised sector lost their jobs from October to December 2008. And if the unorganised sector is also taken into account, then the figure reads almost 1.25 crore," he said, apparently referring to the job losses due to recession.
Asked about the difference between the 2004 Lok Sabha polls and the elections now, Singh said, "In the last general polls when we were speaking about 'India Shining', the Congress president went on asking the voters about the price of pulses and cereals.
"But this time round when prices have sky-rocketed breaking all barriers, she instead of asking the housewives and sisters about their kitchen is busy proving that Manmohan Singh is a strong Prime Minister," Singh said.
When pointed out that the issue of a weak prime minister was raked up by the BJP, Singh said, "At a time when the entire country is describing him (Manmohan Singh) as a weak PM, why should anybody mind our saying the same thing."
On Biju Janta Dal leaving the NDA, the BJP chief said, "If the BJD has left us in Orissa, then the Rashtriya Lok Dal in UP, Indian National Lok Dal in Haryana and Asom Gana Parishad in Assam have entered into electoral understandings with us."
Calling the Congress-led UPA as a sinking ship, the BJP leader said, its "constituents like the NCP, the LJP and the RJD have already formed third and fourth fronts.
"And it is not we who are saying this, it is proved by the anti-Congress stance taken by some of the UPA constituents themselves."
Asked whether the anti-BJP parties will regroup with the Congress after the polls, he said, "God willing this situation will never arise."
LUCKNOW: Raking up the Ram temple issue, BJP chief Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said his party's commitment to building the temple in Ayodhya "remains intact" and it will be subsequently proven.
Rubbishing the charges of rivals that the saffron party has dropped the issue of Ram temple for power, he said, "This is simply a false propaganda by those who never wanted the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya and had even questioned the very existence of Lord Rama.
"And as far as the building of Ram temple is concerned, our commitment for it remains intact and we will subsequently prove it," he said.
On the Kandahar hijacking issue, he said, "The Congress frequently raises the issue of Kandahar hijacking only to save its skin and to mislead the people of this country. In fact, let me tell you that we were at the crossroads of allowing innocent passengers to get killed or saving them.
"The decision to release the terrorists was taken at an all party meeting and Congress was a party to the decision," he claimed.
Describing terrorism and spiralling price rise as the most important election issues, he said the people of this country will give a befitting reply to those who think that the ongoing Lok Sabha elections are "issueless".
"Those who are of the view that the general elections are devoid of any issues, let me tell you that the biggest issues in front of the voters today are rising terrorism and spiralling prices," the BJP chief said.
He said if these issues were not visible to other political parties, then it is because of their short sightedness. "Once the election results are out, this myth will be shattered."
"Unemployment is also an important issue today before the voters. If you look at a survey of the Labour Bureau of the Ministry of Labour, then nearly six lakh people in the organised sector lost their jobs from October to December 2008. And if the unorganised sector is also taken into account, then the figure reads almost 1.25 crore," he said, apparently referring to the job losses due to recession.
Asked about the difference between the 2004 Lok Sabha polls and the elections now, Singh said, "In the last general polls when we were speaking about 'India Shining', the Congress president went on asking the voters about the price of pulses and cereals.
"But this time round when prices have sky-rocketed breaking all barriers, she instead of asking the housewives and sisters about their kitchen is busy proving that Manmohan Singh is a strong Prime Minister," Singh said.
When pointed out that the issue of a weak prime minister was raked up by the BJP, Singh said, "At a time when the entire country is describing him (Manmohan Singh) as a weak PM, why should anybody mind our saying the same thing."
On Biju Janta Dal leaving the NDA, the BJP chief said, "If the BJD has left us in Orissa, then the Rashtriya Lok Dal in UP, Indian National Lok Dal in Haryana and Asom Gana Parishad in Assam have entered into electoral understandings with us."
Calling the Congress-led UPA as a sinking ship, the BJP leader said, its "constituents like the NCP, the LJP and the RJD have already formed third and fourth fronts.
"And it is not we who are saying this, it is proved by the anti-Congress stance taken by some of the UPA constituents themselves."
Asked whether the anti-BJP parties will regroup with the Congress after the polls, he said, "God willing this situation will never arise."
Varun more popular than Rahul, says VHP
30 Apr 2009,
JAIPUR: BJP's Pilibhit candidate Varun Gandhi is an "icon for the youth'' associated with Hindu groups across the nation, Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Ashok Singhal said on Wednesday, claiming Varun was more popular than Rahul Gandhi.
"Varun Gandhi is more charismatic than any other person in politics being hyped as the youth face and the 25 lakh youth associated with Bajrang Dal today looks ahead to him for inspiration,'' Singhal said at Rajasthan's state VHP headquarters, Bharat Mata Mandir.
Varun's popularity has grown each day, even more than that of Rahul Gandhi, whom Congress is "trying to impose as a youth leader'', Singhal added.
The VHP leader, who was in the city to seek support for NDA in the Lok Sabha elections, criticised the election commission and central government in the Varun Gandhi `hate speech' issue. "A nationalist youth is thrown behindbars and charges as harsh as National Security Act are imposed on him. However when a minority leader makes similar statements or Lalu Prasad gives inflammatory statements there is no reaction,'' he said.
JAIPUR: BJP's Pilibhit candidate Varun Gandhi is an "icon for the youth'' associated with Hindu groups across the nation, Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Ashok Singhal said on Wednesday, claiming Varun was more popular than Rahul Gandhi.
"Varun Gandhi is more charismatic than any other person in politics being hyped as the youth face and the 25 lakh youth associated with Bajrang Dal today looks ahead to him for inspiration,'' Singhal said at Rajasthan's state VHP headquarters, Bharat Mata Mandir.
Varun's popularity has grown each day, even more than that of Rahul Gandhi, whom Congress is "trying to impose as a youth leader'', Singhal added.
The VHP leader, who was in the city to seek support for NDA in the Lok Sabha elections, criticised the election commission and central government in the Varun Gandhi `hate speech' issue. "A nationalist youth is thrown behindbars and charges as harsh as National Security Act are imposed on him. However when a minority leader makes similar statements or Lalu Prasad gives inflammatory statements there is no reaction,'' he said.
21st century will be that of India: Advani
HASSAN: BJP Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani has alleged that the UPA government dealt with the foreign affairs in such a manner that India has to tackle a large number of problems everyday. He was speaking at the BJP open meet held on the premises of District Stadium here on Saturday.
Beginning his speech in Kannada saying “Bandhu, Bhaginiyarige nanna namaskaragal, Advani said, “People from neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Burma and Bangladesh are rushing towards India owing to the UPA government’s ineffective foreign policy.” Addressing the gathering, he said that he learnt Kannada language at the time of Emergency when he was imprisoned in Bangalore in 1975. “I can read the headlines of Kannada dailies,” he said.
Stating that he witnessed the potential of Indians during the NDA’s rule, he said, “No power on the earth can stop the 21 century from being India’s century if people use their potentials properly and elect the right people in the coming Lok Sabha polls.” He said, appealing to the gathering to throw out the UPA government and bring the BJP back to power.
He said that the BJP has the potential to convert the crisis into an opportunity.
BJP’S HISTORY & BSY RULE
Going back to history, Advani said, “We started this political movement under the tag of the Bharatiya Jana Sangha’ and later merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party as per Jayaprakash Narayan’s advice. Surprisingly, we were thrown out the party which made us to grow in the political arena. Hence, the BJP ruled the country for six years under the leadership of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The same is applicable even to Yeddyurappa’s government in the state,” he added.
BLACK MONEY & TRANSPARENCY
Regarding the use of black money, Advani said that he was not raising the issue of black money just because elections are around the corner.
“In fact, I have brought the issue to the notice of Man Mohan Singh last year.
But, they made fun of me and said that I was making false statements. It seems the Congress party has come to realise the significance of the issue. That is why the Prime Minister said that if the UPA comes to power at the Centre, it would bring back the black money, allegedly deposited in foreign banks before 100 days and use it for the development of the country,” he said.
Advani said people deposited black money in foreign banks only to avoid tax, adding that banking transparency was the need of the hour.'
BJP’s prospects and UPA’s failures
Pointing out that there were two differences between the 14th and 15th Lok Sabha Polls, Advani said one difference is the disappointment that Atal Bihari Vajpayee is not part of the election campaign owing to ill health and the other is the pleasure that the BJP is no longer a north Indian’s party as it is ruling the state now, he added.
Advani said that though the NDA Government implemented several pro-people projects such as Kisan Crop Insurance, Kisan Credit Card, Prime Minister Rural Road Scheme and River Connectivity Project, the party had failed to perform well in the 2004 polls owing to the overconfidence. But, now, the party is confident of coming to power at the Centre and not overconfident, he added.
The Congress party had stated that its symbol (hand) is with the common man when the party came to power at the Centre in 2004. But, the UPA government completely failed to protect the interests of farmers and common men.
A large number of farmers committed suicide in the states governed by the Congress such as Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh, he alleged.
“People are struggling to have their daily food as the price of domestic commodities has gone sky high,” he said.
No confusion in BJP over PM candidate
The BJP has dismissed charges of rival parties that there was a confusion over its prime ministerial candidate.
Senior party leader Venkaiah Naidu said that Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha LK Advani was the only PM candidate projected by the party.
Refuting charges of the Opposition parties that the BJP was projecting Gujarat CM Narendra Modi as the next PM candidate, Naidu said that there was still time for the 2013 elections to project a new candidate.
“As of today, our PM candidate is Advani,’’ he said.
On AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad’s challenge to Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa to quit the seat in favour of a dalit leader, Naidu alleged that the “Congress had always been an anti-Dalit party”.
“The Congress had even denied ticket to Ambedkar and forced him to embrace Buddhism,” Naidu alleged.
On the low voter turn out, the former BJP national president said that he did not believe in blaming anyone. ``Probably extreme weather conditions could be a reason,’’ he said, a nd denied suggestions that low turn out could prove to be detrimental to the party’s prospects.
Beginning his speech in Kannada saying “Bandhu, Bhaginiyarige nanna namaskaragal, Advani said, “People from neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Burma and Bangladesh are rushing towards India owing to the UPA government’s ineffective foreign policy.” Addressing the gathering, he said that he learnt Kannada language at the time of Emergency when he was imprisoned in Bangalore in 1975. “I can read the headlines of Kannada dailies,” he said.
Stating that he witnessed the potential of Indians during the NDA’s rule, he said, “No power on the earth can stop the 21 century from being India’s century if people use their potentials properly and elect the right people in the coming Lok Sabha polls.” He said, appealing to the gathering to throw out the UPA government and bring the BJP back to power.
He said that the BJP has the potential to convert the crisis into an opportunity.
BJP’S HISTORY & BSY RULE
Going back to history, Advani said, “We started this political movement under the tag of the Bharatiya Jana Sangha’ and later merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party as per Jayaprakash Narayan’s advice. Surprisingly, we were thrown out the party which made us to grow in the political arena. Hence, the BJP ruled the country for six years under the leadership of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The same is applicable even to Yeddyurappa’s government in the state,” he added.
BLACK MONEY & TRANSPARENCY
Regarding the use of black money, Advani said that he was not raising the issue of black money just because elections are around the corner.
“In fact, I have brought the issue to the notice of Man Mohan Singh last year.
But, they made fun of me and said that I was making false statements. It seems the Congress party has come to realise the significance of the issue. That is why the Prime Minister said that if the UPA comes to power at the Centre, it would bring back the black money, allegedly deposited in foreign banks before 100 days and use it for the development of the country,” he said.
Advani said people deposited black money in foreign banks only to avoid tax, adding that banking transparency was the need of the hour.'
BJP’s prospects and UPA’s failures
Pointing out that there were two differences between the 14th and 15th Lok Sabha Polls, Advani said one difference is the disappointment that Atal Bihari Vajpayee is not part of the election campaign owing to ill health and the other is the pleasure that the BJP is no longer a north Indian’s party as it is ruling the state now, he added.
Advani said that though the NDA Government implemented several pro-people projects such as Kisan Crop Insurance, Kisan Credit Card, Prime Minister Rural Road Scheme and River Connectivity Project, the party had failed to perform well in the 2004 polls owing to the overconfidence. But, now, the party is confident of coming to power at the Centre and not overconfident, he added.
The Congress party had stated that its symbol (hand) is with the common man when the party came to power at the Centre in 2004. But, the UPA government completely failed to protect the interests of farmers and common men.
A large number of farmers committed suicide in the states governed by the Congress such as Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh, he alleged.
“People are struggling to have their daily food as the price of domestic commodities has gone sky high,” he said.
No confusion in BJP over PM candidate
The BJP has dismissed charges of rival parties that there was a confusion over its prime ministerial candidate.
Senior party leader Venkaiah Naidu said that Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha LK Advani was the only PM candidate projected by the party.
Refuting charges of the Opposition parties that the BJP was projecting Gujarat CM Narendra Modi as the next PM candidate, Naidu said that there was still time for the 2013 elections to project a new candidate.
“As of today, our PM candidate is Advani,’’ he said.
On AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad’s challenge to Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa to quit the seat in favour of a dalit leader, Naidu alleged that the “Congress had always been an anti-Dalit party”.
“The Congress had even denied ticket to Ambedkar and forced him to embrace Buddhism,” Naidu alleged.
On the low voter turn out, the former BJP national president said that he did not believe in blaming anyone. ``Probably extreme weather conditions could be a reason,’’ he said, a nd denied suggestions that low turn out could prove to be detrimental to the party’s prospects.
Jaitley tears into Cong at Mukhi rally
27 Apr 2009
NEW DELHI: The occasion was to seek votes for West Delhi candidate Jagdish Mukhi, but BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley used it to tear into the UPA, specially the Congress, tackling a wide range of national issues like the "crumbling'' alliance and the dynastic politics of its main party.
Referring to the "collapsing'' United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by the Congress party in the past two months, Jaitley said the "alliance-quotient'' of the Congress was at an all time low. "Left parties, Lalu Yadav and Paswan in Bihar, the Samajwadi Party in UP and small outfits in Tamil Nadu have deserted the Congress and all this happened because of the party's attitude. The political situation is changing fast as the poll dates draw closer,'' the senior BJP leader said.
The BJP key poll strategist, Jaitley, also took on the Third Front leaders alleging that they were pushing the country to uncertainty and taking advantage of the political situation. He said, "Instead of taking a clear stand, they are maintaining a flexible stand to exploit the post-poll situation so they can get accommodated in any political alliance that comes to power.''
As Jaitley delivered the fiery speech, Mukhi stood by him with a smile to catch the attention of the audience mostly senior citizens.
In an obvious reference to the UPA centre of power lying with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the BJP general secretary alleged the political outfit has one leader to show to people and a `real' one who controls everything. Lashing out at the dynastic politics of Congress party, Jaitley said the party always put members of "one particular family'' forward. "In our party any young man with ability and leadership quality can become our PM candidate after 10-20 years. But in that party until and unless you belong to a family you have no chance,'' he alleged.
In his appeal to voters to elect a strong government, Jaitley said Taliban's moving closer to India's border and terrorist activities in 67 cities in the past five years are serious security threats. "IPL matches were shifted to South Africa, players are feeling insecure to participate in the Davis Cup and we don't know what would happen in the case of Commonwealth Games. The sense of insecurity would dip the influx of tourist and investment causing further collapse of our economy,'' he said.
Jaitley paid glowing compliments to Mukhi the former leader of opposition in the Assembly by talking about how the party now wanted him to shift to national politics to do "full justice to his calibre''.
"We all know how he has been a man with a clean image. His ability fits him to be one of the top leaders in national politics and there's need to elect him from this seat one of the most influential constituencies of BJP,'' Jaitley said.
Meanwhile, Mukhi preferred to raise local issues, including the prevailing water crisis in rural areas of his constituency. "I promise to solve the issue within one year of my election,'' he said.
NEW DELHI: The occasion was to seek votes for West Delhi candidate Jagdish Mukhi, but BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley used it to tear into the UPA, specially the Congress, tackling a wide range of national issues like the "crumbling'' alliance and the dynastic politics of its main party.
Referring to the "collapsing'' United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by the Congress party in the past two months, Jaitley said the "alliance-quotient'' of the Congress was at an all time low. "Left parties, Lalu Yadav and Paswan in Bihar, the Samajwadi Party in UP and small outfits in Tamil Nadu have deserted the Congress and all this happened because of the party's attitude. The political situation is changing fast as the poll dates draw closer,'' the senior BJP leader said.
The BJP key poll strategist, Jaitley, also took on the Third Front leaders alleging that they were pushing the country to uncertainty and taking advantage of the political situation. He said, "Instead of taking a clear stand, they are maintaining a flexible stand to exploit the post-poll situation so they can get accommodated in any political alliance that comes to power.''
As Jaitley delivered the fiery speech, Mukhi stood by him with a smile to catch the attention of the audience mostly senior citizens.
In an obvious reference to the UPA centre of power lying with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the BJP general secretary alleged the political outfit has one leader to show to people and a `real' one who controls everything. Lashing out at the dynastic politics of Congress party, Jaitley said the party always put members of "one particular family'' forward. "In our party any young man with ability and leadership quality can become our PM candidate after 10-20 years. But in that party until and unless you belong to a family you have no chance,'' he alleged.
In his appeal to voters to elect a strong government, Jaitley said Taliban's moving closer to India's border and terrorist activities in 67 cities in the past five years are serious security threats. "IPL matches were shifted to South Africa, players are feeling insecure to participate in the Davis Cup and we don't know what would happen in the case of Commonwealth Games. The sense of insecurity would dip the influx of tourist and investment causing further collapse of our economy,'' he said.
Jaitley paid glowing compliments to Mukhi the former leader of opposition in the Assembly by talking about how the party now wanted him to shift to national politics to do "full justice to his calibre''.
"We all know how he has been a man with a clean image. His ability fits him to be one of the top leaders in national politics and there's need to elect him from this seat one of the most influential constituencies of BJP,'' Jaitley said.
Meanwhile, Mukhi preferred to raise local issues, including the prevailing water crisis in rural areas of his constituency. "I promise to solve the issue within one year of my election,'' he said.
Taliban ‘taxing’ Sikhs: worried India dials Pak
A concerned New Delhi has communicated its concerns to Islamabad over reports of Sikhs being forced by the Taliban to leave their homes in Pakistan’s northwest region and being asked to pay special taxes.
The Ministry of External Affairs is learnt to have summoned a diplomat of the Pak High Commission to register its “unhappiness.” The Indian mission in Islamabad conveyed similar views to the Pak Foreign Office.
Said MEA spokesperson Vishnu Prakash: “On seeing reports about Sikh families in Pakistan being driven out of their homes and being subjected to Jaziya (“protection tax” on non-Muslims under Shariah), the Government of India has taken up the question of treatment of minorities with the government of Pakistan.”
Geo TV said Taliban militants took over shops and homes of 35 Sikh families and arrested community leaders in the Ferozkhel in FATA’s Lower Orakzai Agency. They ruled that the community should pay Rs 15 million as annual protection money. And when residents said they couldn’t pay, the Taliban auctioned their houses, forcing many to migrate
----------------
Targeted by Taliban, Sikhs flee Pak region; India concerned
Targeted by the Taliban, 35 Sikh families that have been living for decades in Pakistan's Orakzai Agency have begun migrating from the area after being levied a jaziya or protection tax, an issue New Delhi has now taken up with Islamabad.
India said it had taken up with Pakistan the treatment of minorities in the country.
"The Government of India has taken up the question of treatment of minorities in Pakistan with the government of Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said in New Delhi.
Quoting sources, Pakistani channel Geo TV said Taliban militants had taken over the shops and homes of the 35 Sikh families and arrested community leaders Klank Singh and Sewa Singh in the Ferozkhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency.
Following this, a local jirga ruled that the Sikh community should annually pay Rs.15 million ($187,000) as protection money. Earlier reports had said the Taliban had demanded Rs.50 million but that this had been reduced.
When the Sikh community expressed their inability to pay, the Taliban then auctioned their houses and other belongings, forcing them to migrate from the area.
There are reports the militants had demolished the houses 11 houses of the Sikh community after they failed to pay the jaziya tax.
The Orakzai Agency is situated in the virtually ungovernable Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border where the writ of the Taliban and Al Qaeda largely runs.
The militants in the area are led by Hakeemullah Mehsud, the deputy of Tehrik-e-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, one of the principal suspects in the Dec 27, 2007 assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto in a gun and bomb attack in the garrison town of Rawalpindi.
The Ministry of External Affairs is learnt to have summoned a diplomat of the Pak High Commission to register its “unhappiness.” The Indian mission in Islamabad conveyed similar views to the Pak Foreign Office.
Said MEA spokesperson Vishnu Prakash: “On seeing reports about Sikh families in Pakistan being driven out of their homes and being subjected to Jaziya (“protection tax” on non-Muslims under Shariah), the Government of India has taken up the question of treatment of minorities with the government of Pakistan.”
Geo TV said Taliban militants took over shops and homes of 35 Sikh families and arrested community leaders in the Ferozkhel in FATA’s Lower Orakzai Agency. They ruled that the community should pay Rs 15 million as annual protection money. And when residents said they couldn’t pay, the Taliban auctioned their houses, forcing many to migrate
----------------
Targeted by Taliban, Sikhs flee Pak region; India concerned
Targeted by the Taliban, 35 Sikh families that have been living for decades in Pakistan's Orakzai Agency have begun migrating from the area after being levied a jaziya or protection tax, an issue New Delhi has now taken up with Islamabad.
India said it had taken up with Pakistan the treatment of minorities in the country.
"The Government of India has taken up the question of treatment of minorities in Pakistan with the government of Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said in New Delhi.
Quoting sources, Pakistani channel Geo TV said Taliban militants had taken over the shops and homes of the 35 Sikh families and arrested community leaders Klank Singh and Sewa Singh in the Ferozkhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency.
Following this, a local jirga ruled that the Sikh community should annually pay Rs.15 million ($187,000) as protection money. Earlier reports had said the Taliban had demanded Rs.50 million but that this had been reduced.
When the Sikh community expressed their inability to pay, the Taliban then auctioned their houses and other belongings, forcing them to migrate from the area.
There are reports the militants had demolished the houses 11 houses of the Sikh community after they failed to pay the jaziya tax.
The Orakzai Agency is situated in the virtually ungovernable Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border where the writ of the Taliban and Al Qaeda largely runs.
The militants in the area are led by Hakeemullah Mehsud, the deputy of Tehrik-e-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, one of the principal suspects in the Dec 27, 2007 assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto in a gun and bomb attack in the garrison town of Rawalpindi.
Rajasthan: Raje opens a new front against CM
2 May 2009,
In Rajasthan, this is turning out to be more of an extended Assembly poll than a Lok Sabha election. There are two main players: chief minister Ashok Gehlot and former CM Vasundhara Raje. Gehlot has used virtually every occasion to slam Raje and call her corrupt. Raje has dared Gehlot to prove the charges, but in an exclusive interview with TOI on board a chartered flight to Jodhpur, she upped the ante and without mincing words wondered how honest the previous Gehlot government (1998-2003) had been.
The root cause is Raje’s liberal excise policy that Gehlot overturned within days of taking office. And Raje feels that this is just making room for the liquor mafia to come back again in the state.
“Before I took over (as CM), the liquor trade in Rajasthan was controlled by only three people. Revenue collection was around Rs 900 crore. With my policy, revenue generation doubled to Rs 1,800 crore.
So, the money was there, but it was slipping out of the system. Where was it going? Obviously to some people in the government.”
So, after taking over, she sent one of her officers to the southern states, and even Gujarat (“where people apparently don’t drink”) to understand their policies. While Gujarat helped throw light on the thriving bootlegging business, the Karnataka model was what she opted for. Along the lines of the Karnataka Beverages Corporation, came up the Rajasthan Beverages Corporation. “Revenues shot up, but the liquor mafia turned against me because I had smashed them. And this same liquor mafia is now making a comeback. And Gehlot calls me corrupt!”
At rallies, too, she makes it a point of refuting Gehlot’s charges. “Ye chunri aapne mujhe pahnayi hai, is chunri ki kasam... hamne kabhi liya nahin, hamne sirf diya hai”
Her point is simple: when she took over, she claims the coffers were empty, but when she left there was Rs 3,000 crore in the state’s exchequer. “Five years back, Rajasthan was a BIMARU state, today it’s out of that bracket. We had lined up so many projects and they were all nearing completion. The moment he (Gehlot) took over, he went on an inauguration spree. The ‘108’ ambulance service, the Bisalpur water project.... They were all our projects.”
The fight clearly is with Gehlot, and it hardly feels like it’s a national election. Only the characters are different. She urges voters to choose Srichand Kripalni of Chittor, who has not only done good work but is also close to L K Advani, who could be PM.
But when you ask her what she thinks of the idea of Narendra Modi as PM, she doesn’t deny the possibility. “Why not?” is all she says. While she may perhaps be okay with the idea of Modi as PM, she doesn’t seem very comfortable with the Varun Gandhi saga
In Rajasthan, this is turning out to be more of an extended Assembly poll than a Lok Sabha election. There are two main players: chief minister Ashok Gehlot and former CM Vasundhara Raje. Gehlot has used virtually every occasion to slam Raje and call her corrupt. Raje has dared Gehlot to prove the charges, but in an exclusive interview with TOI on board a chartered flight to Jodhpur, she upped the ante and without mincing words wondered how honest the previous Gehlot government (1998-2003) had been.
The root cause is Raje’s liberal excise policy that Gehlot overturned within days of taking office. And Raje feels that this is just making room for the liquor mafia to come back again in the state.
“Before I took over (as CM), the liquor trade in Rajasthan was controlled by only three people. Revenue collection was around Rs 900 crore. With my policy, revenue generation doubled to Rs 1,800 crore.
So, the money was there, but it was slipping out of the system. Where was it going? Obviously to some people in the government.”
So, after taking over, she sent one of her officers to the southern states, and even Gujarat (“where people apparently don’t drink”) to understand their policies. While Gujarat helped throw light on the thriving bootlegging business, the Karnataka model was what she opted for. Along the lines of the Karnataka Beverages Corporation, came up the Rajasthan Beverages Corporation. “Revenues shot up, but the liquor mafia turned against me because I had smashed them. And this same liquor mafia is now making a comeback. And Gehlot calls me corrupt!”
At rallies, too, she makes it a point of refuting Gehlot’s charges. “Ye chunri aapne mujhe pahnayi hai, is chunri ki kasam... hamne kabhi liya nahin, hamne sirf diya hai”
Her point is simple: when she took over, she claims the coffers were empty, but when she left there was Rs 3,000 crore in the state’s exchequer. “Five years back, Rajasthan was a BIMARU state, today it’s out of that bracket. We had lined up so many projects and they were all nearing completion. The moment he (Gehlot) took over, he went on an inauguration spree. The ‘108’ ambulance service, the Bisalpur water project.... They were all our projects.”
The fight clearly is with Gehlot, and it hardly feels like it’s a national election. Only the characters are different. She urges voters to choose Srichand Kripalni of Chittor, who has not only done good work but is also close to L K Advani, who could be PM.
But when you ask her what she thinks of the idea of Narendra Modi as PM, she doesn’t deny the possibility. “Why not?” is all she says. While she may perhaps be okay with the idea of Modi as PM, she doesn’t seem very comfortable with the Varun Gandhi saga
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
