 |
|
|
UP for grabs
2007 Phase III litmus test for Mulayam
Maneka leaves no stone unturned
Infighting may cost SP dear
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Choppers land Rahul, NDA in row
EC to discuss poll arrangements with Goa CS
Nitish vs Naxals figures in ministerial meeting
Politics or football function
No teacher in 9,503 primary schools
Missing youths abroad: SC’s no to CBI probe
Haryana charged with releasing less water
‘61 pc Indians sexually satisfied’
Indian prof’s killing
US navy chief visit to ‘deepen’ defence ties
AG’s term extended by 2 years
ABVP men attack 5 professors
Dacoit killed in encounter
|
|
it is reaching feverish pitch
Phase III litmus test for Mulayam Shahira Naim Tribune News Service
In the last Assembly elections in 2002, Muslims had by and large supported the SP that saw the party bag 25 of the 57 seats in Bijnore, Jyotiba Phule Nagar (Amroha), Moradabad, Rampur, Badaun, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Kannauj and Farukhabad districts. Certain districts like Rampur having four Assembly segments are completely under the SP belt. However, this time the party may face an uphill task as it cannot take for granted its sway over this region, largely because of the party’s inner contradictions and partly due to the clear rumblings of discontent among Muslim voters. The anti-incumbency factor has made several heavy-weight leaders of the region, including urban development minister Mohammad Azam Khan, quite unpopular. After the CM’s ancestral village Sefai in Etawah, Rampur is the only other place that received so much of the state government funds for beautification and development. However, the people in the city are somewhat disenchanted with the manner in which Khan virtually converted the controversial Mohammad Ali Jauhar University into a family fiefdom by becoming its life-long chancellor and having his mother, wife and two sons as life trustees. Another weird situation for the SP is visible at Swar Tanda in Rampur. Senior minister Mohammad Azam Khan’s hatred for the Rampur royal family is causing embarrassment for the party as the scion of the Rampur royal family Kazim Ali Khan is this time the SP candidate from Swar Tanda seat. In this case personal animosity has overtaken party loyalty to such an extent that Azam has refused to campaign for SP nominee. He was not even present at the CM’s election rally at Swar Tanda. Kazim Ali Khan is the son of Azam’s bete noire and senior Congress leader Begum Noor Bano. The other factor that has made the SP nervous with regard to its Muslim vote is the visibly successful road shows and rallies of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi and their ostensible attempt to woo the Muslim voter. Gunnaur in Baduan from where the Chief Minister is re-contesting is also going to polls tomorrow. Even here it is not smooth sailing for the CM. Mayawati’s trump card is the fielding of 23 Muslim candidates this time. The BJP is also a major beneficiary in the region as it traditionally gains by the split of the Muslim vote. It has 11 sitting MLAs in the outgoing Assembly.
|
|
Maneka leaves no stone unturned
Powayan, April 17 While the SP's sitting candidate Mithilesh Kumar is trying his best to retain the seat, the contest has become tough as both Maneka and Jatin have showed active interest in getting their candidates won the election. In this triangular contest, former Congress MLA Chetram and BJP supported Apna Dal's Netram have made the SP's prospects of retaining this seat difficult. While Powayan is part of the Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency, it is administratively part of Shahjehanpur district which traditonally has been the area of influence of Jatin's ancestors. The Powayan seat has been continuously held by the Congress barring in 1991 when Netram had wrested the seat from the Congress at the height of the Ayodhya movement. In the 2002 Assembly elections, independent candidate supported by BJP Mithilesh Kumar had won the seat defeating his Congress rival Chetram. Mithilesh later joined the SP and was given the status of a Minister of State by the Mulayam Singh. Maneka and her son Varun have addressed numerous meetings and have travelled in the constituency extensively and Jatin Prasad has also camped in this area. Over three lakh strong constituency has 60,000 Brahmins 30,000 Kurmis, 25,000 Sikhs, 28,000 Vaishs and 90,000 Dalits. While Dalits are likely to be divided between the Apna Dal, the Congress, the SP and the BSP, the other caste denominations like the Brahmins, Sikhs, Kurmis and Vaishs will ultimately determine the fate of the contesting candidates.
|
|
|
Infighting may cost SP dear
Bareilly, April 17 While victory of Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav appears to be certain in the Yadav-dominated constituency of Gunnaur, the fate of the deputy speaker Rajesh Agarwal, contesting from Bareilly on BJP ticket, noted mafia don D.P. Yadav from Sunha on Rashtriya Parivartan Party ticket, UP Congress president Salman Khurshid's wife Louis Khurshid from Kayamganj and many others hangs in balance. Even the Chief Minister's son Akhilesh Yadav, who is a Lok Sabha MP from Kannuaj, has to fight against his father's close associate and SP general secretary Amar Singh's political sins. Not only the candidates are apprehensive about the voters’ response, even leaders of different parties like BJP chief ministerial candidate Kalyan Singh and the saffron party's Pilibhit MP Maneka Gandhi and her son Varun Gandhi, local Congress MP Jatin Prasad, Salman Khurshid, BSP supremo Mayawati will be equally worried about their prestige. With no single issue dominating the election, the BJP has been focusing on Muslim appeasement, the BSP on deteriorating law and order, the Congress on lack of development and the SP on its positive record. The BJP, BSP and Congress may gain at the cost of the SP which had 25 seats in the 2002 Assembly elections. One of the biggest factor that is likely to damage the SP's prospects is inner party conflict represented by Mulayam’s old socialist loyalists and followers of Amar Singh.
|
|
Choppers land Rahul, NDA in row
New Delhi, April 17 An NDA delegation consisting of the JD (U)’s Shambhu Shrivastwa and Prakash Javadekar of the BJP met the full Election Commission here, alleging Yadav was treated with discrimination by the district administration at Badaun. “This kind of discriminatory attitude is beyond comprehension,” it said in its memorandum. Yadav was originally given permission to land at the Police Lines grounds at Badaun on April 14, but his helicopter had to land at a different location where there were no security arrangements, it alleged. “Instead Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter was allowed to land at the Police Lines ground with all security.” The NDA sought adequate security for the JD(U) chief during the election campaign in Uttar Pradesh. “The Commission has assured us that it would inquire into the matter,” Shrivastwa said.
— PTI
|
|
EC to discuss poll arrangements with Goa CS New Delhi, April 17 The meeting with Goa chief secretary J.P. Singh, home secretary Chandra Mowli and DGP G.L. Sarma with EC officials is a welcome starting point for the electorate in Goa. Sources in the election commission told TNS here that chief election commissioner N. Gopalaswamy and the two election commissioners planned to visit Goa on April 26 to oversee arrangements for the assembly elections, expected to be held before June 11. The visit is aimed at overseeing arrangements for elections in Goa, which has 40 assembly segments. Sources in the EC said, “We would like to review revision of electoral rolls, examine the position of elector photo identity cards (EPICs), satisfy ourselves about security arrangements and appointment of election staff, including returning officers and assistant returning officers.”
|
|
|
Nitish vs Naxals figures in ministerial meeting
Patna, April 17 Against 203 incidents of Maoist violence in 2005 in Bihar leading to the death of 114 persons,the number remarkably dropped to 114 incidents in 2006 with a death toll of 49 only. The Centre reportedly took note of a good number of development measures initiated by the Nitish government unlike other affected states, including Jharkhand. These included programmes like “government at doorstep” and “coupon scheme” to distribute subsidised items to below poverty
line(BPL) families through PDS. The meeting held yesterday was attended by secretaries of Panchayati Raj, Rural Development and other ministries of Centre, besides senior police officials and bureaucrats of Bihar Government. The meeting also stressed the need to strengthen intelligence network keeping in view the Maoists’ foreign links. Talking to the Tribune, the
IG(Operation) S.C.Bharadwaj,in-charge of anti-Naxal drive in Bihar, said on its part the state government had submitted a detailed plan outlining the roadmap to combat Maoists. The Nitish government had sought a special package of Rs 1,906 crore from the Centre to speed up its anti-Maoist operation. Sources discosed that the those at the meeting were impressed with the idea of special auxiliary force formed by the state government comprising retired Army jawans to combat the Maoists. Besides, the decision by the Nitish government to reserve 50 per cent seats for women for the three-tier statewide panchayat poll held last year was also appreciated. The issue of pro-active measures adopted by Chief Minister also figured during the meeting.
|
|
|
Politics or football function
New Delhi, April 17 NCP leader and civil aviation minister Praful Patel, who had been invited to deliver the vote of thanks at a special programme at Vigyan Bhavan, used this opportunity to set the ball rolling for the forthcoming presidential election. In the course of his speech, he turned to vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who attended the programme, and assured him of a promotion in the coming days. Virtually announcing the NCP’s support for Shekhawat, Patel remarked, “If things go well, Shekhawat will be promoted to a higher post soon.” While Patel’s politically-loaded statement will be received well by the BJP, which is keen on pushing Shekhawat’s candidature for the top post, it will certainly not be appreciated by his UPA partners, especially the Left parties. Congress insiders believe the NCP will just use this opportunity to extract a better deal for its party in the government. NCP spokesperson D.P.Tripathi, however, said that their party had not “given any thought to the issue of backing a candidate for the Presidential election.” Left parties have said they have yet to take a formal view on their Presidential candidate but they have also made it amply clear that they will not back a BJP nominee. Similarly, the Congress has also not held any internal discussion on this issue but it is unlikely to support a BJP candidate as it would like to see their own man occupying the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Although the BJP appears to be backing Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the saffron outfit is actually pitching for a second term for Kalam. Its calculation is that in the absence of a consensus on Shekhawat, it will able push through Kalam’s candidature as the DMK will find it difficult to say no to a fellow Tamilian who has acquired a huge fan following. While most political parties are playing the waiting game, individual leaders have thrown their hat in the race. Besides Shehkawat, others who see themselves as worthy successors to Kalam include Congress leaders N.D.Tiwari, Karan Singh and Sushil Kumar Shinde besides Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. Infosys chief Naryanamurthy is also being mentioned as a probable among the non-politicians.
|
|
No teacher in 9,503 primary schools
New Delhi, April 17 Data, put together by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), also revealed that on an average a primary school in India had 4.19 teachers. The report card did not indicate how the schools manage without any teacher or with just one teacher to look after five classes. Although the report card has been published year after year for the past four years, no steps appear to have been taken to rationalise the situation. Releasing the district report card 2005-06 on Monday, NUEPA VC Ved Prakash said it was based on primary-level data collected by district information system of education. He said the education and planning department, in collaboration with the Human Resource Development Ministry, was compiling data for secondary schools. The publications update more than 400 variables for 604 districts across 35 states and union territories on all aspects of universalisation of education. They are the product of a joint effort by the ministry, NUEPA and the United Nations Children's Fund to strengthen India's education database. The system annually covers 1.12 million schools imparting elementary education with September 30 as the date of reference. According to some more findings, the number of schools covered grew from 8,53,601 in 2002-03 to 11,24,033 in 2005-06, nearly 87.23 per cent schools were in the rural areas, Uttar Pradesh with 70 districts has the highest number of schools-- 1,61,869. West Bengal reported one upper primary school for every five primary schools and about 83.14 per cent of schools were government-run. Prof Prakash said it had been made mandatory for states to check the data for authenticity, adding that an education development index had been developed for primary and upper primary levels and states ranked as per their standing.
|
|
Missing youths abroad: SC’s no to CBI probe
New Delhi, April 17 The Court also was not inclined to issue a direction to the Ministry of External Affairs to find out their status through
diplomatic channel on the petition of Jarnail Singh in its present form. A Bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran said that it was not possible for the CBI to go in a foreign country and investigate the matter and, therefore, no purpose would be served in issuing such a direction to the agency. When advocate Sibo Sankar Mishra, appearing for Jarnail Singh, in the alternative sought a direction to the MEA to find out as to what had happened to the youths, the court said the petition moved by him was mainly for the CBI investigation, how could a direction to the MEA be issued on it. Mishra told the Court that the last contact by some of the 37 youths with their families was from Spain in December 2004 but what happened to them thereafter was not known. The case was heard by the Court yesterday. “Around the same time there were reports about the death of 88 migrants off Canadian coast and the families of the 37 missing youths fear that they might be among the dead. They want to know at least the fate of these people,” Mishra said, pointing out that in such circumstances MEA should be asked to find out the truth. The counsel said according to the information supplied by the youths in their last contacts, they had entered Spain with valid travel documents and had
applied for visa for the other European countries there. Several representations had been given to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the MEA
but the Government has failed to take any effective steps, he said. The Court said CBI investigation in a case beyond the jurisdiction of the Indian territory would be futile exercise as the matter involved different countries, which have their own immigrant laws. The Bench, however, gave liberty to Jarnail Singh to move another petition with a specific prayer for a direction to the MEA, if he so desired. So far as the investigation in the country was concerned, the Court said the police had
already launched the prosecution against the travel agents and nothing further could be done in the case. The 37 youths from different villages in Punjab, mainly from Kapurthala district were charged Rs 6 lakh each by travel
agents, who first had flown them to Maldives on November 24, 2004 and from there
they were sent to Spain via Morocco.
|
|
|
Haryana charged with releasing less water
New Delhi, April 17 Commodore Sureshwar Sinha on whose petition the apex court had issued a direction in February 1996 to maintain the minimum supply of 352 cusecs to Delhi, in reply to the Haryana’s application said the national capital was only being supplied far less than that. He said the total allocation to Delhi was 650 cusecs, which included 372 cusecs from the Bhakra system. Haryana in its application moved earlier on February 20, had sought transfer of the case to the tribunal, claiming that the adjudication of the water dispute was beyond the jurisdiction of courts as per the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956. Sinha in his application said even the minimum flow of 352 cusecs from Yamuna as ordered by the court on February 29, 1996 during lean season, was not being maintained by the Haryana government.
|
|
|
‘61 pc Indians sexually satisfied’
New Delhi, April 17 This despite the fact that more than seven in 10 (72 per cent) Indians say that sex is important to them. More than two-thirds (67 per cent) of Indians say their sex lives are exciting, 55 per cent recognise the importance of introducing a little experimentation, with telephone sex and massage included as new trial activities. On the other end of the scale are Nigerians who clock almost double the time. According to the survey, Nigerians spend the longest time having sex, ”splurging 24 passionate minutes on every encounter.'' More than six in 10 Indians (61 per cent) have claimed that they are fully satisfied with their sex lives. At the same time, only 46 per cent of Indians report a regular This claim places India on the third position in the worldwide satisfaction stakes overtaken by Nigeria (67 per cent) and Mexico (64 per cent). The workaholic Japanese were found to be the least satisfied with their sex lives. Only 15 per cent say that they are fully satisfied with their sex lives. Indians have sex, on an average, 130 times a year compared to the global average of 103. The Greeks have sex 164 times a year followed by Brazilians (145 times a year), the Polish and the Russians (143 times a year) while the Japanese have the least sex-- 48 times a year. “Sexual
satisfaction” is the first in a series of reports generated by a global survey on sexual well-being. The global survey has been commissioned by Durex to gain the insight into sexual well-being of people in 26 countries.
|
|
|
Indian prof’s killing
Kanpur, April 17 Institute's director Sanjay Dhande said Loganathan (51) was a distinguished personality in the field of civil and environmental engineering and IIT Kanpur had been shocked and sorrowed by his demise. “It is very sad and unfortunate that Prof Loganathan, who was doing his duty-he was leaving after delivering a lecture-was hit by bullets and succumbed to the injuries,” he added. Loganathan had completed his B.Tech in civil engineering from the institute in 1978 and was awarded for excellence in teaching at the Virginia University last year. “The death of the former student has left us in shock and agony,” Kripa Shankar, the institute's deputy director, said. The alumni association of IIT Kanpur held a condolence meeting today evening and a two-minute silence was observed to pay homage to Loganathan.
— PTI
|
|
US navy chief visit to ‘deepen’ defence ties
Mumbai, April 17 The US has in recent years emerged as a major naval supplier with the sale of the troop carrier USS Trenton to the Indian Navy. The ship, renamed INS Jalashva, will be part of the Indian fleet by the year-end. Admiral Mullen’s visit follows heightened cooperation, including joint exercises in international waters in recent months, with the US. Earlier this month, five Indian naval ships participated in joint exercises off Japan with ships of the US Pacific Command. On Monday, the Indian Navy ships staged their first trilateral exercise in the same area with vessels of the US Seventh Fleet and the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force. Expectedly, Admiral Mullen will be the guest of honour at the naval establishments in the city when he arrives in Mumbai on Thursday.
|
|
12-yr-old boy falls in manhole
Ghaziabad, April 17 Army jawans were rushed to the spot to rescue Aas Mohammad, alias Kalua, son of Rais and a resident of Amar Colony, from the 12 feet deep manhole. Search was still on after more than six hours of ‘rescue operation’ involving Army jawans, Municipal Corporation and fire brigade, sources said. However, no signs of the boy were seen despite putting in several hours of efforts. Meanwhile, the MC is trying to drain out the water to find Mohammad.
— UNI
|
|
AG’s term extended by 2 years
New Delhi, April 17 A notification regarding his “re-appointment” as Attorney-General is being brought out, the sources said. The term of country’s top law officer, Banerjee, was due to end on June 4, 2007. The UPA government had appointed Banerjee as Attorney General on June 5, 2004 for a three years term after it came to power. He had succeeded the then Attorney-General Soli Sorabjee. Banerjee was appointed Additional Solicitor-General in 1979 and then he remained Solicitor General of India from 1986 to 1989. After that he had occupied the post of Attorney General between November 1992 and July 1996. Besides appearing in important matters before the Supreme Court and courts across the country, Banerjee has also appeared before several international arbitration tribunals. Among matters of national interest, Banerjee has been making personal appearance in the cases related to Kargil arms purchase scam, reservation for dalit Christians and induction of tainted ministers in the government.
— PTI
|
|
ABVP men attack 5 professors
Warangal, April 17 The
injured, including three professors of the Physics Department, who received head
injuries ,were admitted to Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital in Warangal
Town, the police said. The activists also ransacked the examination
branch, damaged the furniture and destroyed documents. The activists blamed the professors for the failure of the students 'who wrote examinations well.' In protest against the ABVP attack, the teaching and non-teaching staff of the university called for the bandh and abstained from duty for the day. Meanwhile, the police has taken five ABVP activists in custody and is interrogating them to nab others involved in the violent act.
— UNI
|
|
Dacoit killed in encounter
Bhopal, April 17 Gadaria, who carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his
head, was killed in an encounter when the police cornered his gang and retaliated to the fires in the jungle under Bhonti police station
area, Inspector-General of Police (Law and Order) A.K Soni said. Some of the gang members managed to escape into the jungles and the police was trying to trace them, he said. Gadaria, who had terrorised residents of the Chambal area in Madhya Pradesh for nearly a
decade, was wanted in several cases of murder, abduction and extortion. His gang had weakened after his elder brother, Dayaram Gadaria, was shot dead by the police last year.
— PTI
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
In video (
Lucknow, April 17