Saturday, May 22, 1999
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CWC action fascist: PM NEW DELHI, May 21 — Leaders of several non-Congress parties today criticised the decision of the Congress to expel its three senior leaders, Mr Sharad Pawar, Mr P.A.Sangma and Mr Tariq Anwar, with the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee describing the move as "fascist". Rabri ‘insulted’ CBI sleuths PATNA, May 21 — The CBI today submitted before the monitoring Bench of the Patna High Court that Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi had misbehaved with the bureau officials during her interrogation in connection with the disproportionate assets, possessed by her husband at her official residence yesterday. |
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Sonia
may take her own time |
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Lok Shakti reposes faith
in NDA Mother’s testimony seals
culprit’s fate Closer IT scrutiny of poll
expenses Demand for Tohra as party chief High Court seeks status report DMK chief wants simple function |
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CWC action fascist : PM NEW DELHI, May 21 — Leaders of several non-Congress parties today criticised the decision of the Congress to expel its three senior leaders, Mr Sharad Pawar, Mr P.A.Sangma and Mr Tariq Anwar, with the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee describing the move as "fascist". The Prime Minister said in a statement from Calcutta that the Congress Working Committee’s decision last night to summarily expel its three senior members was highly deplorable adding that this showed that the Congress had nothing but contempt for internal democracy. "Recent history reminds us that whenever the Congress has sought to crush dissent and debate on matters that are inconvenient to the party leadership, the country has had to pay a heavy price" he said. "Yesterday’s decision of the CWC, therefore, is now no longer an internal party matter. It smacks of fascism and deserves denunciation from all those who hold democracy dear", the Prime Minister said. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr M.Karunanidhi, refused to comment on the expulsion of the three Congress leaders but added that the trio by questioning the foreign origin of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and her credibility in holding the Prime Minister’s post had only repeated what the AIADMK supremo, Ms Jayalalitha, had said last year. The Janata Party President, Dr Subramanian Swamy, considered close to the Congress, said in a statement from Madurai that the expulsions had damaged the reputation of the Congress. He expressed his anguish over the expulsion of the three Congress leaders by the CWC without even serving a show-cause notice on them. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telegu Desam President, Mr N.Chandrababu Naidu, in Hyderabad called for a national debate on whether a foreigner could be allowed to hold the high offices of President, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the country. According to a report, he said Ms Gandhi heading the Congress was an internal affair of that party but he was opposed to her becoming Prime Minister of the country because of her foreign origin. The Bharatiya Janata Party, meanwhile, said in a statement here that with the expulsion of the three senior leaders, including the leader of the Opposition in the 12th Lok Sabha and the Speaker of the 11th Lok Sabha, the Congress had virtually split. The expulsions clearly proved the intolerance of the present Congress leadership and the clique that wanted to promote "dynasty" over democracy. Those who worshipped "dynasty" and believed in "dynastic rule" would naturally suppress democratic aspirations—both inside and outside the Congress, the statement said. The party claimed that the Congress was a spent force and it had now been reduced to a "coterie of individuals whose fortunes are tied to the apron-strings of the ‘dynasty’. They are caught between the devil and the deep sea". "The circus which
the defenders of dynasty over democracy have been staging
for the last four days cannot rescue them from their
pitiable plight", the party added. |
Rabri ‘insulted’ CBI sleuths PATNA, May 21 (UNI) — The CBI today submitted before the monitoring Bench of the Patna High Court that Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi had misbehaved with the bureau officials during her interrogation in connection with the disproportionate assets, possessed by her husband at her official residence yesterday. The CBI urged the high court that it should issue direction to allow the investigative agency to videograph the interrogation. Reviewing the progress made in the investigation of the fodder scam, a two-member Bench of Mr Justice S.N. Jha and Mr Justice S.J. Mukhopaddhya directed the CBI to file a separate petition on the issue of videography. The court made it clear that the issue was a legal matter and it could give judgement only after a complete hearing. The judges, however, observed that there were provisions of legal action, if any witness or accused did not cooperate with the prosecution, saying the court should file a petition in the special court of the CBI in this regard. The court also wanted to know about the progress being made by the Income Tax Department and the enforcement Directorate in the case . The court has fixed the next date of hearing in this matter on July 23. CBI Joint Director (East) UN Biswas was also present in the court room. Income Tax official also
submitted that they were taking all possible efforts to
unearth the hidden property and they were in regular
contacts with the CBI officials of the enforcement
directorate. |
Nation remembers Rajiv Gandhi NEW DELHI,, May 21 (PTI) — The nation today remembered former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his eighth death anniversary, recalling his valuable contributions in making India a modern and self-reliant nation. Vows to shun violence, meetings and seminars eulogising the late leader and organisation of blood donation camps marked the day, also observed as anti-terrorism day. President K. R. Narayanan, Vice-President Krishan Kant, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and a host of political leaders offered tributes to Rajiv Gandhi at his samadhi in the national capital. Sonia along with her children Priyanka and Rahul and son-in-law Robert Vadra spent an hour at Vir Bhumi, the memorial of the slain leader. Others who offered floral tributes included former President Shankar Dayal Sharma and senior Congress leaders Arjun Singh, Madhavrao Scindia, P. Shiv Shankar, Natwar Singh, and Rajesh Pilot. A large number of people queued up at Anand Bhavan, ancestral abode of the Nehrus, to pay their homage to the departed leader. CHENNAI: Leaders of the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), the TNCC and the Tamizhaga Rajiv Congress (TRC) paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion of his eighth death anniversary on Friday. Union Petroleum Minister and TRC President Azhapadi Ramamurthy paid tributes to the late leader at Salem. His partymen paid homage at the party headquarters in Chennai. TMC President G. K. Moopanar and TNCC President Tindivanam K. Ramamurthee visited Sriperumbudur, near Kancheepuram, to pay their tributes to the late leader at Rajiv Memorial, where he was killed by a human bomb on this day in 1991. On behalf of the TNCC, its President Tindivanam Ramamurthee paid floral tributes to the late leader and launched a free medical camp at Sriperumbudur. MADURAI: Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy on Friday demanded the constitution of a new commission, headed by a sitting Supreme Court Judge, to inquire into the conspiracy angle of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Talking to newsmen here, he said the commission should investigate as to why the successive governments since 1991, had been “reluctant” to take measures for the extradition of LTTE chief Prabhakaran, who was a proclaimed offender in the case. It should also probe how the LTTE could obtain in advance, the election campaign schedule of Rajiv Gandhi in May, 1991. Referring to senior
Congress leader Arjun Singh’s meeting with Union
Home Minister L. K. Advani, seeking protection to
Ranganath, an accused, who was acquitted by the Supreme
Court, Dr Swamy said Ranganath had some years ago filed
an affidavit before the Jain Commission, accusing godman
Chandraswamy and Congress leader Margaret Alva of
involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate Rajiv
Gandhi. Hence, the Congress should clarify Mrs
Alva’s status in the party as she was
“close” to Mr Arjun Singh. |
Sonia may take her own time NEW DELHI, May 21 — Today’s scene on the Moti Lal Nehru Place — the road roundabout which serves as the junction for Janpath, Akbar Road and Moti Lal Nehru Marg — reminded one of this day in 1991: milling crowds, haphazardly parked vehicles of all sorts, frenzied activity of securitymen and Congress supporters. That day, eight years ago, the commotion was caused by the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Today’s hysteria was the result of an attempt to character-assassinate Mrs Sonia Gandhi which ultimately resulted in the expulsion of three elected members of the Congress Working Committee and a grand show of solidarity by Congress workers with the present scion of the Nehru-Gandhi heritage. The question uppermost in the minds of those gathered at Moti Lal Nehru Place in 1991 was whether Mrs Sonia Gandhi would agree to don her slain husband’s mantle. Eight years later, once again, the Congress workers are asking: will she say yes? Mrs Sonia Gandhi took seven years to give her nod for accepting the chair of the Congress President which had been offered to her by an emergency meeting of the CWC soon after Rajiv Gandhi’s brutal assassination in the midst of the 1991 midterm election. She may not relent too soon this time round as well. Ironically, eight years ago the question was put in the midst of a poll campaign; this time it has cropped up on the eve of the most crucial elections in the history of India. Congressmen know that the image of the Nehru-Gandhi family and its participation in the party’s campaign can make or break fortunes. That is the reason for the current turmoil with the resultant stampede of resignations and intolerance towards anyone who could come in the way of Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s return to the centrestage of Congress politics. Messrs Pawar, Anwar and Sangma no doubt have raised dust over a matter of primary concern. However, the question is whether they had done so out of concern for the party or due to prompting from outside. Had the revolt been homegrown, it could have cut ice with some Congressmen across the country. But the moment alien patronage to the move became evident, Congressmen joined ranks and isolated the trio. So far, at no stage has Mrs Sonia Gandhi given an inkling of her inclination to be the Prime Minister of India. She has understood the power of the Congress president more than any of her 57 predecessors. If Mr Sitaram Kesri, whom she succeeded on the job 15 months ago, was an “old man in a hurry”, Mrs Sonia Gandhi is patience personified. She has wielded the power of the Congress President effectively even after having put in her papers. She does not want to be a Prime Minister of a coalition who would be subjected to diverse pulls and pressures. And single party rule is a distant thought in present circumstances. She wants to be the party chief, calling the shots. She may do so even without resuming her title. Mrs Sonia Gandhi is certainly not alien to the fact that her origins could become a subject for debate. This perhaps was one of the reasons which weighed with her before she finally walked into public life. Essentially a private person, though married into not only India’s, but perhaps one of the world’s best known political families, she, over the last three decades, has learnt how to be in the limelight yet far from the madding crowd. Initially a lot of glitter will be attached to the campaign of “foreigner”. As dust settles down, Mrs Sonia Gandhi is likely to pose a question — where can a widow, whose husband and mother-in-law were slain brutally, go, leaving behind the hearth of her adopted home? For the urban middle class, the anti-campaign of “Rome” may be attractive. However, in the pluralistic society that lives in India’s villages, secularism and tolerance are homegrown crops. In that milleu, “home” will prevail, “Rome”, at best will be a temporary distraction. Elections are due in end-September. Public memory and axiomatically, sympathy, have a short shelf-life. Having perfected the art of political marketing, Mrs Sonia Gandhi knows that too well. Hence, relent she may, but not too soon. Significantly, the person on whom she has been relying for advice and action in the present crisis is a man of Indira Gandhi vintage. When the Congress split in 1978 and Mrs Indira Gandhi appointed a Treasurer of the new AICC, the choice fell on Mr Pranab Mukherjee (Sitaram Kesri succeeded him on the job in 1980 and held it till he became the Congress President in 1996). Mr Mukherjee was the nominated Number Two in a cabinet which had luminaries like R. Venkataraman, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Kamlapati Tripathi, N.D. Tiwari — just to name a few. He is heir to and upholder of the traditions of Mrs Indira Gandhi. Those opposing Mrs Sonia Gandhi have to take into account this very significant acquisition in her arsenal. The drift is likely to
continue, thus giving a chance to the doubting Thomases
and fence-sitters to chose the side they belong to. Mrs
Sonia Gandhi is not going to be missing from the Congress
election campaign of 1999, though her exact nomenclature
may be difficult to determine. |
Lok Shakti reposes faith in NDA NEW DELHI, May 21 (PTI) — The Lok Shakti today said it was committed to fight the coming Lok Sabha elections under the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) but did not rule out talks with expelled Congress leader Sharad Pawar if he desired. "The Lok Shakti’s alliance with other partners of the NDA will continue to face the coming polls unitedly. We will jointly work to strengthen the concept of the NDA," party General Secretary M. Raghupathy told reporters here. Hailing Mr Sharad Pawar, Mr P.A. Sangma and Mr Tariq Anwar for raising the issue of Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin, he said the three leaders have "upheld the country’s honour by raising a national issue which is being debated all over." Asked whether the Lok Shakti would consider holding talks with Mr Pawar in the wake of his reported plan to float an alternative front, Mr Raghupathy said, "That stage has not yet come. We are not aware of Mr Pawar’s plans at the moment." To a specific question
whether he ruled out the possibility of negotiation with
Mr Pawar, he said, "We want to continue with the NDA
but in politics nothing is permanent. At present we
don’t know whether Mr Pawar wants to join our front
or he has some other plans." |
Mother’s testimony seals culprit’s fate NEW DELHI, May 21 (PTI) — A mother’s testimony about the manner in which her son murdered his sister-in-law and niece sealed the fate of the accused in the trial court and finally the Supreme Court categorised the crime as “a rarest of the rare cases” and confirmed the death sentence awarded to him. According to the prosecution, the incident happened in Rakri Tola village in Rewa District of Madhya Pradesh on January 7, 1997. The accused Jai Kumar locked his mother in a room and then entered the room of his sister-in-law (brother’s wife) who was sleeping with her eight-year-old daughter. The mother in her evidence before the trial court said that through the creeks of the window in her room she saw her son attempting to rape her daughter-in-law, who was in an advanced stage of pregnancy. When his attempts were
resisted, he first killed her by severing her head from
the body by a sharp edged weapon and then took away the
child to a nearby jungle to kill her. |
Closer IT scrutiny of poll expenses NEW DELHI, May 21 (UNI) — The election expenses of candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections will be subject to closer income tax scrutiny and expenses incurred by aides will also be considered part of the overall election expenditure of the candidate. According to Election Commission member G.V.G. Krishnamurthy “law relating to income tax and others intended to check the records of candidates will be tough this time.... But it is also a fact that there is no political will among all political parties to control election expense.” He said in an interview to the Zee News programme “Fact File” to be telecast tomorrow that the earlier expenses limit was “unrealistic”. The Election Commission required more legal powers to keep a check on election expenditure, he said, regretting that nothing had happened so far in this connection although the commission has approached Parliament for amendments to the effect. The earlier limit of Rs 1.5 lakh for an Assembly constituency and Rs 4.5 lakh for a parliamentary constituency was not proper, he said. Chief Election Commissioner M.S. Gill today appealed to all political parties to ensure that women had more and better representation in Parliament and other elected bodies. Speaking to mediapersons after a delegation of the National Commission for Women headed by its Chairperson Bhibha Parthasarathi met the commission, Dr Gill said he agreed with the NCW that women should have better representation in Parliament, state legislature and other elected bodies. Dr Gill said political parties should endeavour to give women more representation in their organisational structure and nominations. Meanwhile, Mr Krishnamurthy will arrive in Patna on May 23 to review the progress in poll arrangements. State Chief Electoral
Officer A.K. Basu said Mr Krishnamurthy, during his
three-day visit, would discuss the poll preparedness with
the state Chief Secretary, the Director-General of Police
and the Home Commissioner, among others. |
Demand for Tohra as party chief NEW DELHI, May 21 — Two members of the Shiromani Akali Dal, today said they wanted Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra as party leader. Mr Harinder Pal Singh,
SGPC member and Mr Avtar Singh 'Autopin' said only Mr
Tohra had the ability to lead the party since he was
"associated with the rural people, peasants and
Dalits." |
High Court seeks status
report NEW DELHI, May 21 — The Delhi High Court today sought a status report from the police on the investigations into the Jessica Lal murder case and asked it to specify the names of policemen and other officials present at Bina Ramani’s “Tamarind Court” restaurant where the model was shot dead. Asking the police to
file the status report by May 28, a Division Bench
comprising Mr Justice Anil Dev Singh and Mr Justice Mukul
Mudgal directed the police to file an affidavit giving
details as to how and under what conditions the
restaurant was being run. |
DMK chief wants simple function CHENNAI, May 21 (UNI) — Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi today warned his partymen that he would not take part in his platinum jubilee celebrations slated for June 3, if they made any ostentatious arrangements. In a statement here, Mr Karunanidhi said he was always of the view that the programmes of the DMK, being a ruling party, should be held in a simple manner. He said the police had been instructed to erase graffiti found on any private as well as public property on account of the celebrations. However, he was pained
to see a photograph of the dais for the celebrations
modelled after a chariot with a jasmine creeper entwining
it (a comparison of the chief minister with the legendary
King Pari who had ordered his chariot to be stationed
next to a jasmine creeper to help it), in some
newspapers. |
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| Air Vice-Marshal dead MUMBAI: Air Vice-Marshal S. Swaminathan (54) died following a heart attack at Mumbai airport shortly before he was to check in for a Delhi-bound Indian Airlines flight on Thursday. AVM Swaminathan, who was commissioned in 1968 and was based at Coimbatore, complained of chest pain at the terminal building. He was attended to by the medical assistant of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). But efforts to save him failed and he collapsed, an Indian Airlines official said. — PTI Free education for girls Kashmiri poet
dead Guwahati HC
punishes 2 cops Award for Ananda
Shankar Ray Kelkar elected
to WMO council Boy mauled to
death by pig AICC member
joins Trinamool |
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