India urged to condemn Israeli attack on flotilla

May 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday urged the government to condemn the Israeli attack on a flotilla of six ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

‘India must also work actively with other countries from the non-aligned nations in the UN and other bodies to force Israel to lift the illegal siege of Gaza,’ the CPI-M said in a statement.

The statement said Israeli armed forces ‘illegally attacked’ the flotilla in international waters Sunday night, killing at least 15 international activists and injuring many.

About 700 activists from a number of countries were on the six ships aiming to take 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza, ‘which has been under relentless siege for almost three years now’.

‘The attack … shows the complete contempt Israel has for international law or international opinion. Attacking ships in international waters and killing its passengers is a brazen act of piracy,’ it said.

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Mamata should quit as railway minister: CPI-M

May 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee should quit on account of her ‘good relationship’ with Maoists, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said Monday.

Accusing the minister of having a ‘good relationship’ with those who derailed a train in West Bengal killing at least 145 people, CPI-M leader Basudeb Acharia asked the Trinamool Congress chief to resign from the cabinet on moral grounds.

‘She (Mamata) has no moral right to continue as a member of the union cabinet. She enjoys good relations with the Maoists as well as the leaders of the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA), the frontal organisation of the Maoists,’ Acharia told IANS.

He accused Banerjee of protecting the Maoist leaders, who he said were to blame for the derailment of the Howrah-Kurla Gyaneshwari Express in Jhargram in West Bengal Friday.

‘It is the duty of the Railway Protection Force to oversee the safety of the tracks in Maoist areas. They failed to do it. The minister failed to act on time. I’ve not seen such a dismal performance by any other railway minister,’ said Acharia, who heads the CPI-M in the Lok Sabha.

‘Mamata is the worst railway minister the country has ever seen.’ he said.

‘Now the media has interviewed the real mastermind, a PCAPA leader, who has admitted his role in the accident.’

On Saturday, Banerjee demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the train disaster, calling it a political conspiracy ahead of Sunday’s civic polls.

The CPI-M leader, who was chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on railways in the first United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, said the railways failed to provide security to its passengers.

A day after municipal elections in West Bengal, the veteran MP claimed that the Left Front, which suffered a huge setback in West Bengal in the 2009 general elections, would improve its tally in the civic polls.

‘We are expecting an improvement over the Lok Sabha election,’ he said. The civic poll results will be declared Wednesday.

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CPI-M snubs Mamata Banerjee”s allegations over West Bengal train mishap

May 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi/Kolkata, May 29 (ANI): Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury on Saturday rubbished Railway Minister Mamata Banrejee”s charges against CPI-M with regard to Friday”s Gyaneshwari Express train mishap, asserting that she is covering up the lapses of her ministry into the incident.

Yechury said it is the duty of the Railway Minister to inform about the preliminary observations on the cause of the derailment.

“She has rather chosen to shield the actual culprits by suggesting that Maoists may not be behind the sabotage. It is clear that the Railway Minister is seeking to cover up the serious lapses of her leadership in the ministry and its failings in this tragic episode,” said Yechury.

“Banerjee is focusing on the civic elections in West Bengal, instead of the train mishap,” he added.

Earlier today, Banerjee demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the mishap, and said the mishap was part of a political conspiracy hatched against her.

The CPM should not indulge in politics, let the state government speed up the probe,” she had said.

Banerjee also informed that the Railways would also investigate the incident independently.

“Let the investigation be complete, whoever is found guilty will be punished severely,” Banerjee said.

Attacking the ruling CPI-M in West Bengal , she alleged that the state government did not co-operate during rescue operations.

Banerjee said many questions still remained unanswered over the incident, but maintained that an explosion caused the sabotage of the rail tracks.

“This is an heinous crime,” she said.

Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 120, as more bodies were pulled out from the wreckage of the mangled coaches.

Over 3000 security force personnel were reported to be involved in the rescue operations.

“It will take eight to ten hours more to clean up the track as the tracks are broken. The coaches of the train are lying beside the track but the tracks are damaged,” said Jaladhar Shastri, railway worker. (ANI)

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CPI-M seeks A. Raja”s resignation on 2G-spectrum scam

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 21 (ANI): Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury reiterated his party”s demand for the resignation of Communication Minister A Raja over the 2G telecom spectrum allocation controversies.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Thursday, Yechury said: ”It is clear from the auction which has taken place that the government would be getting double the revenue much more than the expectations.”

“The 60,000-70,000 crore rupees talks that have taken place during this auction, if you compare it with the 2G auction; they sold it for a mere 2,000-2500 crore rupees. Since then we are alleging that a huge money scandal is involved in this case. And the 3G auction proves that a scam has taken place,” he added

“Till the scam is investigated, we want the Minister to resign from his post. This was the demand we kept initially and we reiterate the same demands now after the 3G experience,” said Yechury.

The auction for the 3G spectrum telephones was successfully completed on Wednesday after a prolonged exercise lasting 34 days.

Reportedly, this has assured the government of rupees 67,710 crore in revenue with the Pan-India licence price touching rupees 16,750.58 crore .

Communication Minister raja had been gaining criticism and the government is believed to have lost around rupees 60,000 crore for not taking the auction route stipulated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Companies had to pay rupees 1,651 crore for pan-India 2G licence that came clubbed with start-up spectrum. (ANI)

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Maoists target security forces, economic development during shut down

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): At least six people died including one civilian during the 48 hour-long shutdown forced by the Maoists.

According to the Union Home Ministry, the Maoists were involved in 16 violent incidents during this period in five states—Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.

They also targeted infrastructure such as railway tracks, tractors and trucks,telephone towers and a village panchayat building.

On May 18, in West Bengal’s Lakshmanpur Salboni in West Midnapore District the Maoists triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion while the Midnapore Police was patrolling in the area. No casualty or damage was reported in the incident.

On the same day, in Badantpur Binpur in the District, the Maoists abducted and killed one Ajit Mandal an activist of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist).

In Bihar, on May 18, at Shivganj Barachatti in Gaya District the Maoists blasted a house of one Chandan Yadav, suspecting him as police informer.

In Nanho Bigha in the District, the Maoists set ablaze the generator room of Airtel tower unit, completely damaging it.

In Jharkhand, on May 18, the Maoists fired on a pick-up van causing injuries to the driver in Arani in Simdega District.

In Chhattisgarh, on May 18, the Maoists exploded two IEDs and fired at the District Reserve Guards (DRGs) team while they were on a search operation in Kongera in Narayanpur District. No casualties were reported in the incident.

On the same day, an encounter took place between special police officers (SPO) and the Maoists at Kadiagaon. Banners, electric wires were recovered from the spot. No casualties were reported in the incident.

On the night between May 18 and 19, in West Bengal’s Jhargram in West Midnapore District, extremists blew up railway track between Gidhni and Jhargram stations disrupting train services on Kharagpur-Tata Nagar section of South –Eastern Railway.

A goods train was derailed due to the blast and driver of the train and his assistant suffered injuries.

On the same night in Bihar’s Jogia Barun in Aurangabad District, the Maoists set ablaze five tractors near a brick kiln.

In Orissa, on the night between May 18 and19, the ultras blew up a village panchayat building at Bodigata Kailmela in Malkangiri District.

On May 19, the Maoists triggered a landmine explosion in Tentulata in West Bengal’s West Midnapore District killing five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel including a Deputy Commandant. One Constable was injured in the incident.

In Lodhasuli in the District supporters of the Maoists backed Police-e-Santrash Birodhi Janasadharaner Committee set ablaze a truck.

In Bihar’s Jamui District the Maoists manhandled two Indian Railway employees at Telwa Railwa Halt on May 19.

In Chhattisgarh, at Bhanapur in Bastar District, the Maoists looted the entire consignment of a truck that was carrying over 16.5 tonnes of ammonium nitrate. The truck was proceeding to Raipur from Vishakhapatnam on May 19.

On the same day, at Gadiras in Dantewada District in the state, an encounter took place between the Maoists and police, in which one ultra was killed and another was arrested.

On the morning of May 20 at Pipra in Bihar’s Champaran District extremists blew up railway tracks between Jivdhara and Pipra Railway Stations leading to the derailment of a diesel tanker train. Due to the derailment 14 compartments of the train caught fire. Railway authorities managed to separate remaining 37 compartments. (ANI)

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Prakash Karat on ways to tackle Maoist menace

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Guwahati (Assam), May 19 (ANI): Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat has said that socio-economic issues need to be tackled first, while dealing with the Maoist menace in the country.

Prakash Karat said the problem posed by Maoists has to be looked from the socio-economic point of view besides counter operations by security forces.

“Steps must be taken in the Maoist affected regions to see that the tribal people”s socio economic problems are also solved. We can tackle the problem by this approach. There is no doubt that the whole country condemns the sort of Maoists violence, said Karat.

“We must also go forward to see how they can be isolated and they can be defeated,” he added at a meeting, which was attended by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

Apart from Maoist extremism, Karat also spoke about the issue of price rise.

The CPI-M leader also expressed his views on the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament, asserting that black money and politics is getting involved in it. (ANI)

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Members of tribal district council take oath in Tripura

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Khumlwung (Tripura), May 19 (ANI): The newly elected members of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council took oath at Khumlwung on Tuesday.

27 members including three women were administered the official oath by the State”s Law Secretary Swapan Chandra Das in the presence of the Chief Executive Officer Kumar Alok at the headquarters of Autonomous District Council (ADC).

Ranjit Debbarma, who was re-nominated as the Chief Executive Member for the third time, said that he has asked both the State government as well as the Centre for more power to the district council including direct funding by New Delhi.

“We demand more power including direct funding to the ADC (Autonomous District Council) and had asked both the state as well as the Centre for more power and funds through different schemes to the ADC,” said Ranjit Debbarma.

“This time our priority shall be to maintain the prevailing peaceful condition in the State and maintain the pace of development activities going on throughout the State,” noted Radhacharan Debbarma, a Cabinet member.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI -M)) led Left Front created electoral history by winning all the 27 seats that went to polls in Tripura on May 3. (ANI)

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CPI-M, Asian Centre for Human Rights condemn Dantewada massacre

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 18 (ANI): The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and Asian Centre for Human Rights on Tuesday condemned the Maoist attack that killed over 30 people in Chhattisgarh”s Dantewada District, saying it only highlights the ”bankrupt” policies of the left extremist organization, which violate international humanitarian law and constitute war crime.

“The attack on a private passenger bus by the Maoists only highlights their bankrupt policies of attacking ordinary citizens in various parts of the country, including tribals who refuse to accept their dictates,” the Party Polit Bureau said in a statement.

The CPI-M has appealed to the people to raise their voice against the ”murderous” attack on locals and their livelihood and resist their ”depredations” against peaceful citizens.

“”Any attack by the Maoists cannot be condoned. Such attacks on civilians violates international humanitarian law and constitute war crime under Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,” stated Suhas Chakma, Director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights.

“This is not the first dastardly attack on civilians by the Maoists which is a clear violation of the Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions,” he added.

The Asian Centre for Human Rights urged the Maoists not to attack civilians. It also recommended that security forces should not travel on civilian buses as this increases the risk to the lives of the civilians.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh went on top alert in the wake of the killing by Naxalites in Dantewada and a two-day shutdown called by the ultras from Tuesday to protest the anti-Maoist operations by the security forces.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday said the Naxal attack in Dantewada District showed their desperation.

He said the Maoists, who were losing support base, acted desperately.

“This incident shows the cruel face of the Naxals. We have been saying this… when the Naxals support base finishes they resort to such methods. Their (Naxals) belief in people”s representatives and local population has finished,” said Singh.

He said it is difficult for the State Government to deploy security personnel in every village.

“There cannot be police personnel in every village. There are 20 thousand villages,” Singh said.

He claimed that as the security forces are gaining grounds at many places, the security cover would be enhanced gradually.

The attack is the second in little over a month after 76 security personnel were killed on April 6 in Dantewada District.

The Naxals attacked a bus carrying passengers from Gadiras to Bhusaras in Dantewada district.

Naxals blew up the bus using Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at around 4.45 p.m.

The blast incident took place a day after the Maoists called for a 48-hour shutdown in the five states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. (ANI)

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CPI-M seeks apology from Trinamool over unparliamentarily language against its leader

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 5 (ANI): The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Wednesday sought an apology from the opposition Trinamool Congress over the alleged derogatory remarks made by its leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay against CPI-M leader Basudeb Acharia inside the Parliament.

“From the very beginning we have seen whenever we try to say anything inside the House, immediately all the Trinamool members shout, and interrupt, disturb so they are doing this thing from very beginning,” said CPI-M leader Basudeb Acharia.

“Strategy, we will ask, request the Speaker to ask him to apologise,” he added.

Meanwhile, CPI-M State Secretary Biman Bose said the Parliament should deal with the matter.

“Actually this issue has to be dealt with by the parliament and the custodian, they are to look after the issue seriously,” said Bose.

Controversial remarks disrupted Parliament on Wednesday leading to adjournments of each of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, with an angry opposition seeking an apology.

Bandyopadhyay is in the eye of a storm for his remarks against Acharia inside the Parliament on Tuesday in the backdrop of the motormen”s strike in Mumbai . (ANI)

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Anganwadi workers stage a protest in New Delhi

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): Hundreds of village-level Anganwadi (rural community-level crèche) workers from various parts of India staged a protest march and later a demonstration in New Delhi on Tuesday.

This rally demanding higher wages, job security and status of government servants with privileges of pension and allied retirement benefits for the Anganwadi workers, was held under the banner of All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, which is affiliated to CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions), the labour wing of Communist Party of India-Marxist).

They said that their wages were far below the minimum wages fixed by the government for unskilled labourers and not sufficient even for subsistence.

“Our first demand is that the Anganwadi women should be treated as employees. The government addresses them as social workers and gives them only 1500 rupees as salary. At least they should be given a proper salary with which they can at least survive. The government has said there is price rise, so they should get the salary according to that,” said M K Pandhe, CPM Politburo member.

“The standard of living is very low, when they retire they don”t get any provident fund, they don”t get any social security, they security for home, which is very wrong. When we go to the government, they say that something will be done but they don”t do anything,” he added.

“Our main demand is that the Anganwadi women whom the government doesn”t even consider as employees and gives them very less money. A worker only gets 1500 rupees and helper gets only 750 rupees a month. So our demand is that the Anganwadi women or the helper should get at least the basic salary,” said Hemlata, General Secretary of All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers.

“This recommendation has been made by the Parliament”s Rajya Sabha petition Committee, which says that the Anganwadi workers should get the basic salary,” she added.

She also mentioned that they would put forth their demands to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Anganwadi workers play a crucial role in providing childcare in rural India. They are trained in various aspects of childcare, health and nutrition.

Apart from routine tasks, the Anganwadi workers are also engaged in various other government schemes such as pre-school and health education, maintenance of records of births and deaths, administration of pulse-polio drops, and provision of supplementary nutrition to pregnant and lactating mothers and children up to the age of six.

There are around 1.5 million women workers engaged in the Anganwadi projects across the country. (ANI)

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Supreme Court quashes bail granted to Pappu Yadav

May 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 3 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday quashed the bail granted to former MP and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav in connection with the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) MLA Ajit Sarkar murder case

A bench of Justices Markandey Katju and A K Patnaik pronounced the verdict and said the High Court”s decision amounted to contempt of the apex court, which had clearly restrained any court in the country from granting bail to Yadav.

“It is a matter of regret that despite clear order passed by this court in 2007 that no bail should be granted by any court, the High Court has gone ahead and granted bail,” the bench observed while allowing an appeal filed by the CBI seeking cancellation of the bail.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had on March 26 approached the apex court challenging the order of the Patna High Court that had granted bail to Yadav.

The Patna High Court had earlier on February 18, 2009 granted bail to the 43-year-old RJD leader undergoing life imprisonment in the murder case.

The Supreme Court said that it is general rule that when the apex court rejects the bail, the High Courts or the subordinate courts cannot in any manner grant bail to the accused or the convicts.

Similarly, when the High Court rejects a bail, the Sessions courts or the magistrates do not have any power to grant bail, it said.

But in the present case, the bench regretted that the High Court granted bail to Yadav despite an injunction by the apex court.

Additional Solicitor General Haren Raval complained that the High Court granted bail to the RJD leader without passing any reasoned order after initially rejecting his two bail applications.

A special CBI court in Patna had earlier on February 14, 2008, awarded life imprisonment to Pappu Yadav.

The court also awarded life imprisonment to Rajan Tiwari and Anil Yadav in connection with the case.

Sarkar, who had a feud with Yadav over issues related to farm labourers, was shot dead in Bihar”s Purnea District on June 14, 1998. (ANI)

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12-hour shutdown paralyses normal life in Tripura

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Tripura (Agartala), Apr 27 (ANI): A 12-hour shutdown called by the Left-led 13 party front demanding immediate control on spiralling prices; roll back in customs duty on crude oil and excise tax on petroleum products paralysed normal life across Tripura on Tuesday.

Several parties, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Forward Bloc, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) imposed the strike to protest against the rise in prices of essential commodities and petroleum.

None of the offices in the state registered any attendance. Shops and markets were closed and vehicles did not ply on the roads.

Schools and colleges were closed and Tripura University cancelled the examinations scheduled today.

No untoward incident was, however, registered in any of the police stations.

The strike invited strong criticism from the Opposition.

“This strike is a protest against the price hike of essential commodities but frankly speaking strikes are of no use and they worsen the suffering of poor people,” said Sanjay Ram, a school teacher.

“There have been hundred and dozens of strike but what is the result, had it given any fruitful result then India would be in the first count of developed nations,” he added.

Train services were adversely affected as hundreds of protesters squatted on roads. Long distance trains remained stranded at several stations and bus services were also impacted.

“Today”s nation wide strike is in protest against the price hike of essential commodities including petrol product and fertilizer,” said Chanchal Mazumder, a Left Trade Union supporter.

“We also protest against the secessionist forces and demand work guarantee for all unemployed,” he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not a part of this shutdown. (ANI)

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Opposition protests outside Parliament over price rise

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 27 (ANI): The leaders of the Communist Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) staged a demonstration outside Parliament on Tuesday in protest against the price rise.

Wielding placards and shouting slogans, they criticised the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government for its failure to keep a check on the rising prices of essential commodities.

“I don”t understand why the government wants to destroy the country. They are forcing people to eat imported crops. Slowly, the situation will force people to take to violence to get their share of food. The situation will force encourage people to plunder,” said Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

“Farmers are badly hit. Prices of fertilizers, diesel have increased, Inflation has reached 8 percent. Are they challenging this protest?” he added.

“Entire Bihar state is closed and we have decided to protest in front the statue of Mahatma Gandhi (father of the nation and country”s freedom icon),” said RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Tuesday slammed the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government for pursuing policies leading to price rise, adding that price rise is a big worry.

“Our principle concern has been the spurt in prices,” said Mayawati.

“The government must control fuel prices. The government”s economic policy is a reason for price rise,” she added.

“Congress led UPA Government needs to re-asses its policies,” Mayawati claimed.

A 12-hour all India shutdown has been called by the Left-led 13 party front demanding immediate control on spiralling prices, roll back in customs duty on crude oil and excise tax on petroleum products.

The parties leading the shutdown are Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India -Marxist (CPI-M), Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Samajwadi Party (SP), Biju Janata Dal, Rashtriya Samajwadi Party (RSP) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

The shutdown is affecting the normal life in the states of Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Orissa.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not a part of this shutdown. (ANI)

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Left-led 13 party countrywide shutdown begins

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

West Bengal/Kerala/Uttar Pradesh/Orissa/Bihar, Apr 27 (ANI): A 12-hour all India shutdown has been called by the Left-led 13 party front demanding immediate control on spiralling prices, roll back in customs duty on crude oil and excise tax on petroleum products.

The parties leading the shutdown are Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India -Marxist (CPI-M), Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Samajwadi Party (SP), Biju Janata Dal, Rashtriya Samajwadi Party (RSP) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

The shutdown is affecting the normal life in the states of Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Orissa.

Kolkata appears to be the most affected with road, rail and air services coming to a halt. Kingfisher Airlines has stopped its services. No taxis are available at the airport and railway stations as all prepaid booths are closed.

A number of Kolkata-bound trains have been stopped at various places by the protestors.

There are also reports that around eight people have been injured in a clash in Pandua in Hoogly district, when a train coming to Howrah was stopped by CPM supporters at Pandua.

In Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party workers stopped the Ganga Gomti Express in Allahabad. Trains have also been stopped in Ghaziabad.

Meanwhile, there are reports that the police have baton-charged the Samajwadi Party workers at Bijnor during the shutdown.

Earlier, two buses were set on fire by the protestors in an area on the outskirts of Lucknow at around 5.30 am.

In Kerala, the streets have worn a deserted look and public and private transport is off the road.

Shops, business establishment, schools and other educational institutions are completely closed in the state.

There are reports of train services being disrupted, but till now there are no reports of air traffic disruption from Kerala.

There is no train or air traffic disruption in Orissa so far. But protesters are planning to stop few major trains and disrupt road traffic at some points.

The protestors are reportedly stopping the work only at Central Government offices; state offices in Orissa are not affected due to the shutdown.

In Bihar, the RJD protestors are reported to have blocked the Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge that connects Patna to Hajipur.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not a part of this shutdown, but is expected to organize a march to Parliament on the issue. (ANI)

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CPM asks Government to own up on phone tapping responsibility

April 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday asked the Union Government to own up responsibility for tapping phones of top leaders, including that of its General Secretary Prakash Karat.

CPM alleged that the government is indulging in such acts to “serve its political purpose.”

It also demanded enforcing strict guidelines to prohibit such surveillance.

Referring to reports in a daily on tapping of phone calls of four political leaders including Karat, the party said it was a serious matter and alleged that government was using intelligence agencies to serve its political purpose.

“The report shows that the government is using the intelligence and security agencies to serve its political purpose to spy upon opposition leaders and to keep track of even its own allies and party leaders,” party said.

The CPM demanded action against those who ordered the surveillance.

“Such acts subvert the democratic system and breeds an atmosphere of illegality in the higher echelons of the government. They cannot be tolerated,” CPM said.

“Protecting the covert activities of the intelligence and security agencies cannot be made the pretext for a cover-up,” party added.

Further, the instructions on tapping of phones and surveillance on grounds of national security or investigation of criminal activity must be codified, the party said, demanding that intelligence and security agencies must be subject to parliament’s oversight.

Earlier, Karat described tapping as illegal and intolerable.

“The UPA Government is resorting to the tapping of phones of political leaders which is illegal and intolerable. The government has to own up responsibility and take action against those responsible,” Karat said.

On the other hand the Communist Party of India (CPI) said on Saturday that tapping of phones of top political leaders was a “serious assault” on democratic and civil rights.

The party sought an explanation from the Union Government on the issue.

Interacting with media party National Secretary D Raja said the act of telephone tapping deserves to be condemned in strongest terms.

“We are not living in a military regime… We are adopting a democratic system. Under the circumstances, tapping of phones of leaders of political parties is a serious assault on democracy and deserves to be condemned in strongest terms,” Raja said.

Raja alleged that the tapping could be used for political purposes. (ANI)

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BJP condemns government phone tapping reports

April 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday criticised the UPA Government on the issue of phone tapping of senior politicians.

It alleged that the government was resorting to such “despotic actions” after having failed on all fronts.

Interacting with media, party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: “In the garb of tracking terror, the Government is tracking politicians and even their own cabinet ministers from alliance partners. Apparently the Government has failed on all fronts, making them seemingly insecure and prompting such despotic actions.”

He demanded a “clear statement” on the issue from the Prime Minister and none else in Parliament.

“BJP would like to question that in perception of the Government, if the cabinet ministers are not safe, if the chief ministers are not safe, then who is safe in this country,” Rudy said.

He termed the alleged phone tapping as an “outright violation of laws and bizarre infringement of our fundamental rights.”

Earlier in the day, a prominent daily has claimed that the phones of some prominent political leaders including Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Digvijay Singh, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Prakash Karat have been tapped. (ANI)

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Government hints at examining telephone tapping allegations

April 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): The UPA Government has indirectly said that it could examine allegations of telephone tapping of political leaders said to be involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cash row controversy.

The Prime Minster’s Office is reportedly examining the issue carefully.

On Saturday, a prominent daily had claimed that phones of some political leaders, including Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Digvijay Singh, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Prakash Karat have been tapped.

The opposition criticized the government for resorting to snooping on leaders.

Karat described tapping as illegal and intolerable.

“The UPA Government is resorting to the tapping of phones of political leaders which is illegal and intolerable. The government has to own up responsibility and take action against those responsible,” Karat said.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader S S Ahluwalia said his party would raise the issue in Parliament on Monday.

He contended this was a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which assures protection of life and liberty to every citizen. (ANI)

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Mukherjee assures probe on all aspects of IPL

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 19 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday assured Parliament that all financial aspects of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be probed, and none who are found guilty, will be spared by the law.

“Some honourable members in the morning raised issues of the IPL and wanted to have a thorough probe in all its aspects. In fact, the concerned the department has already started the investigation process,” Mukherjee informed.

“I can assure the honourable members that all aspects of IPL – including its source of funding, from where the funds were routed how it has been invested-all these aspects are being looked into and the appropriate action as per law will be taken,” he added.

Mukherjee assured the House that no guilty will be spared.

“No guilty or wrong doers will be spared,” Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee’s assurance came as the Opposition members, demanding a probe into the alleged black money trail in the IPL, rocked proceedings of the Lok Sabha.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad and Janata Dal (United) (JD-U) chief Sharad Yadav and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Gurudas Dasgupta demanded a probe into the IPL.

In the morning, interacting with media outside the Parliament, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat demanded formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the matter.

Former Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor”s resignation has led to a new demand to clean up the IPL and bring its commissioner Lalit Modi to book.

The Income Tax Department has reportedly sent a notice to all IPL team owners to submit their team ownership and holding documents by this week.

A high-powered meeting called by the Finance Ministry is slated to discuss steps to be taken in the probe.

The Finance and Revenue Secretaries, top I-T and Enforcement Directorate officials are expected to attend the meeting. (ANI)

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Centre should probe role of big money in IPL: Vayalar Ravi

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 19 (ANI): Minister of Indian Overseas Affairs Vayalar Ravi on Monday said the Central Government should look into the role of big cash coming into the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket championship.

Addressing reporters outside Parliament here, Ravi alleged the IPL was ”glorified gambling” run with black money.

“It is for the government to look into the whole system, what is this IPL, who are these people, where the money comes? It is a matter of concern,” he said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said the government should take over after scrapping cricket bodies, including the IPL and the national cricket board.

“IPL should be scrapped, government should take it over and nationalise it. The game of IPL should continue. All the cricket bodies like the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) should be scrapped,” said Yadav.

Communist Party of India -Marxist (CPI-M) demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe on the issue.

“There is no full stop after the resignation of Tharoor, question is whether he is guilty or not, whether the post has been misused or not? Everyday new revelations regarding IPL are coming into light,” said CPI-M politburo member Brinda Karat.

“It is said that the Income Tax Department knew for the last six months, even then the government did not intervene. Who are the patrons of the IPL in the government, this also should be investigated and that is why a Joint Parliamentary Committee is required,” she added.

Monday”s development came a day after Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and tendered his resignation over the Kochi IPL fiasco.

Dr Singh accepted the resignation and formally sent it to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil. A late night release from the President”s House confirmed the acceptance of the resignation.

Tharoor was reportedly in trouble after IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi tweeted to reveal that Sunanda Pushkar, a close associate of Tharoor, had been gifted sweat equity worth Rs 70 crores in the new Kochi team, which was sold for Rs 1530 crores last month.

Modi in his email to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Shashank Manohar had stated it was Tharoor who called him and instructed him not to reveal the identities of the stakeholders of the Kochi IPL franchisee.

Tharoor, however, had denied this.

Tharoor said he had ”enough” of the controversy and denied securing any monetary interest in the Kochi IPL team. (ANI)

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Left demands JPC probe on Tharoor-IPL issue

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 19 (ANI): Left parties on Monday called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the controversy surrounding the involvement of former Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, with the Kochi IPL franchise.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo member Brinda Karat said her party was not satisfied with Tharoor’s resignation from the cabinet

She said a Joint Parliamentary Committee needs to look into the issue.

“We want a Join Parliamentary Committee to go into the entire matter, and Tharoor”s resignation does not put a full stop to the entire matter. What was the wrongdoing, was there a misuse of position, the entire accounting, where”s the money (for IPL) coming from – every day there are further revelations that we read in the newspapers,” Karat said.

“Unless the Government wants to take the postion that they have nothing to do with this, which I think would be very wrong indeed,” she added.

Her comments came just hours after the Union Finance Ministry said it is carrying out a detailed investigation into the teams” auction records and accounts.

This is a parallel exercise to the Income Tax Department”s raids and findings to get to the bottom of the Tharoor-Kochi IPL mystery. (ANI)

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