BJP stages demo before parliament over misuse of CBI by Centre

New Delhi, May 6 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday staged a protest before Parliament charging Union Government with misuse of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

It said the UPA Government was using the CBI in cases of disproportionate assets against several politicians.

The demonstration was staged in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue inside the Parliament complexes.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj alleged that the CBI is being used to target opposition parties.

“We were observing for many days that the CBI was working as an agent for the ruling party instead of being a just and independent body. It worked to defend the people of the ruling party and attack the people of the opposition parties,” Swaraj said.

“It was deliberately harassing some parties to please the ruling party. The biggest example of this was seen when cut motion was brought up in Parliament. So to protest against the conspiracy of the CBI against the opposition parties, we have staged the demonstration today, “ she added.

Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance and its members of both Houses of Parliament took part in the protest.

Earlier in the week, the BJP had accused the CBI of acting at the behest of the Central Government in the Gujarat’s Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

The party also accused that the UPA Government was using the CBI to give a bad name to the democratically elected Narendra Modi Government of Gujarat.

The BJP had earlier alleged that government had misused the CBI to speed up or slow down disproportionate assets cases against Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. The three parties voted with the government in the recent cut motions moved by the BJP and Left parties. (ANI)

Samajwadi Party supremo unapologetic over sexist” remarks

Lucknow, Mar 25 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday remained unapologetic over his alleged sexist” remarks on the Women”s Reservation Bill as he once again took on women head on.

“Take a look at the wives and sisters of those who are criticising me, and you will realise why they are criticising me. I have no intention of insulting women,” said Mulayam Singh Yadav, adding that he has nothing to regret.

“The Samajwadi Party has more respect for women than other parties. The party”s workers have fought against the ill treatment of women,” he claimed.

Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday said that Parliament would be full of the sort of women who attract catcalls and whistles if the Women”s Reservation Bill was passed, sparking censure from across the political spectrum.

“What can I say about the kind of women who will enter Parliament. The wives and daughters of officers and businessmen, who invite whistles from boys,” said Yadav.

The Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Communist Party of India-Marxist slammed the Samajwadi Party chief for his remarks.

“If you can”t respect women, don”t insult them,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

While senior CPM leader Brinda Karat demanded an apology, BJP said the comment was in bad taste.

“I am astonished that a leader of the stature of Mulayam Singh Yadav could speak about women of India in this day and age. A woman is a woman, whatever her background,” said BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman.

Uttar Pradesh”s ruling BSP also called the comments irresponsible.

“Mulayam Singh Yadav”s comment shows his decadent mindset,” said state president Swami Prasad Maurya. (ANI)

Mulayam”s remarks over Women”s Reservation Bill draw controversy

Lucknow, Mar 24 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav”s remarks over the Women”s Reservation Bill has angered different political outfits, as they now want an apology from him.

Yadav at a rally on Tuesday said that if the Women”s Reservation Bill would be passed in its present form, it would help women belonging to the families of industrialists and bureaucrats, who were of the kind youths would want to whistle at.

Women workers of the Samajwadi Party are not ready for this Bill, asserted Yadav, saying that they would get ready for a prolonged agitation soon.

Reacting to Yadav”s remarks, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said at least fun or insult should not be made of the female sections of our society.

“If this is indeed the comment, all I can say that your use of respectful words for all sections of society should increase with your political seniority and political experience,” said Singhvi.

“If you cannot do much for the female sections of our society, at least do not insult them, at least do not deride them, at least do not make fun of them,” he added.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesperson Subodh Srivastava said that making such derogatory and insulting comments against women and that too at a function organised on the birth centenary celebrations of Ram Manohar Lohia was an insult to the late socialist leader, who had been a great supporter of woman empowerment.

Srivastava too demanded an apology from Yadav.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), meanwhile, criticized Yadav”s comments, saying that it reflected his cheap and sick mentality.

“BSP strongly condemns irresponsible statement given by the SP chief that only women and girls of affluent class would get benefit of the women”s reservation and youths would pass comment on them,” said BSP state President Swami Prasad Maurya.

“Such a childish statement is unbecoming of a person, who had been the Chief Minister of the state and had been a Union Minister,” he added.

The Samajwadi Party supremo addressing his party workers said the Bill would benefit only those women belonging to the families of industrialists and bureaucrats, adding that not a single male would be elected to the Lok Sabha 10 years after the Bill comes into force

Yadav also advocated quota for the fairer sex within political parties asserting that it should be made mandatory to reserve 15 percent tickets to women. (ANI)

Displaced Uttar Pradesh tribals demonstrate against Mayawati government

Sonbhadra (UP), Mar 19 (ANI): Displaced tribals Uttar Pradesh”s Sonbhadra district staged a demonstration on Thursday against the Bahujan Samaj Party-led state government, demanding adequate compensation.

The tribals say that they have not yet received the compensation promised by the state government, which took their land for setting up a thermal power plant.

“The government promised us jobs in lieu of our land along with the compensation. We were also promised that the basic civic amenities, such as roads, water supply, education etc. will be developed in our region, but nothing has been done so far. We are waiting for the jobs and the compensation,” said Jiya Ram, a tribal.

“We are looking for our self-esteem, land and jobs. We need our land back if the state government can”t give us compensation. At least we can till the land and survive.” said Munia, another tribal.

The tribals said that it is ironic that in spite of a thermal power plant being erected on their land, their district of Sonbhadra is still deprived of electricity.

The tribals are supported in their protest by the Congress party, which hopes to woo Dalit voters in time for state elections in 2012. (ANI)

Sikkim promotes traditional sports

Gangtok, Sep 17(ANI): In order to preserve the essence of its culture, Sikkim is trying to revive its age-old traditional sports like archery, and bamboo fight, which are an indispensable ingredient of the culture of the state.

In order to preserve the indigenous culture, which is being taken over by sports like Mountain Biking, Trekking, River Rafting and Yak Safari, people residing in Kyonsa village organized various cultural events organized by Kyonsa Samaj organizing committee.

“Our main aim is to popularize the old system of sports. We mainly focus on Footballs, Volleyball and Archery. Our endeavor is to keep the traditional old style of sports in our rural areas. And the most important thing is to entertain the public,” said Sonam Bhutia, member of Kyonsa Samaj organizing committee.

A large number of people turned out to witness and take part in the event.

“As a young Sikkimese what I feel is that such rural sports encourage and bring out the best in the villagers who come out from various remote areas. All Sikkim people, they come out and gather for the big occasion. The rural sports bring back the old charm feeling. It preserves the dying out traditional sports,” said Anand Lepcha, a local.

Such initiatives will go a long way in preserving the identity of the people of Sikkim and will ensure that the future generation remains connected to its traditions. By Tashi Pradhan (ANI)

Election Commission reviews Haryana assembly election arrangements

Chandigarh, Sep 5 (ANI): The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday visited Haryana and met leaders of various political parties to review arrangements being made prior to the Haryana Assembly elections scheduled to be held on October 13.

Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi and Assistant Election Commissioner Alok Shukla met leaders of Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India(M), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).

Congress Secretary Rajinder Singh Saini represented the party in the meeting and assured the EC that Congress was committed to follow its directions.

Meanwhile, INLD General Secretary Ajay Chautala and BSP’s state President Parkash Bharti said that the EC should conduct polls through ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines to have a fair election.

According to reports, the EC also held a meeting with the Divisional Commissioners, Inspector Generals of Police (Ambala, Hissar, Rohtak and Gurgaon), Commissioners of Police (Gurgaon and Faridabad) and District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of 21 districts. (ANI)

Natives of Kyonsa in Sikkim to promote pillow fighting, pole climbing

Kyonsa (Sikkim), Aug 27(ANI): The local residents of Kyonsa region in Sikkim gathered in huge numbers on Thursday to take part in an event to promote their age-old rural game of bamboo pole climbing and pillow fighting.

The locals shouted and cheered as the participants climbed bamboo poles and battered each other in pillow fights – reviving a practice that is slowly dying in the face of modern sports like soccer and volleyball.

“Our main aim is to preserve this old system of sports. Nowadays, we mainly focus on sports like football, archery and volleyball but our aim is to keep this traditional style of sports alive in our rural areas and entertain the public on such an occasion,” said Sonam Bhutia, General Secretary of Kyonsa Samaj Organizing Committee.

Sonam further said this was also a way of preserving their identity and by promoting this form of sport in the rural areas, the youth will learn more about their own traditions and not be swayed by modern sports such as football.

“Such rural sports encourage us and bring out the best in the all the villages who come from different areas. Here people come and gather for an occasion like this one. In this way we can preserve our age old sports which our earlier generations have been playing from a very long time,” said Anand Lepcha, a local.

The event was also marked by some spectacular dance performances. (ANI)

BSP to Sonia Gandhi: Apologise to Mayawati in Parliament for Joshi slur

Lucknow, July 16 (ANI): The controversial arrest of Uttar Pradesh Congress unit chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi over her objectionable remarks on State Chief Minister Mayawati has taken the shape of a major political clash with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-led State government here.

BSP State chief Satish Mishra on Thursday demanded that Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi apologise in the Lok Sabha for Joshi’s remarks against Mayawati.

Bahuguna’s house was set ablaze and some property at the premises was targeted by some unidentified hooligans here on Thursday.

The Congress party blamed BSP workers for the arson act.

Reacting to the incident, Congress party spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: “It’s a state-sponsored vandalism, hooliganism. We are certainly going to take a serious note of it and all possible legal recourse available to us.”

BSP leaders, however, claimed that Congress workers had set fire to Joshi’s house.

“Our workers did not torch Rita’s house. It was rather Congress workers who set it ablaze,” said Mishra.

State police later claimed to have detained four persons in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, police prevented the burning of an effigy of Mayawati today. They also baton and cane-charged Congress workers and detained about a hundred of them while they staged a street demonstration against Congress leader Joshi’s arrest.

Police arrested Joshi on Thursday and a local court sent her to 14-day judicial remand for making remarks on Wednesday against the CM in an issue related to rape and murder of some Dalit girls in the UP.

The Samajwadi Party, the main opposition party in Uttar Pradesh State Assembly, blamed the police and offered the Congress party any proposal to carry out a joint protest against the state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh. They criticised the police for acting at the behest of State Government.

“Police are working on the directions of Mayawati Government,” said Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party’s U.P unit chief.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Maneka Gandhi demanded the dismissal of the Uttar Pradesh government.

“Time has come for dismissal of the UP Government. In my constituency, about 50 political workers are detained every week. I have never seen a situation like this in India ever,” said Maneka Gandhi.

Joshi was arrested in Ghaziabad en route to New Delhi. She was charged under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Mayawati.

Joshi, however, has denied having said anything to offend Mayawati or Dalits.

“It was at a meeting in Moradabad that I had simply sought to draw the people’s attention to the fact that Mayawati’s dole of Rs.25,000 to every Dalit rape victim was quite ironical as the state police chief was spending lakhs on the helicopter ride that he undertakes to hand over that paltry amount to the victim,” Joshi told media persons. (ANI)

Radio Pakistan now comes to the aid of Dalits in India

Abohar, July 6 (ANI): Radio Pakistan in its Punjabi Durbar programme has taken up the cause of Dalit community in India.

The Radio Pakistan has said that the Dalits in India do not have even basic rights.

The allegation has been rubbished by Babu Ram Chawla, General Secretary of All India Khatik Samaj and Mangat Ram Chayal, Vice Chairman of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (Schedule Caste department).

“The statements of Pakistan radio about schedule castes in India are illogical. For, people of schedule caste have gained all rights in India from Government and the society. They have been given reservation in jobs, educational institutions, and a number of them are Members of Parliament. So the statements by Pakistan Radio are malicious and we should not believe it,” said Babu Ram Chawla, General Secretary of All India Khatik Samaj.

“Pakistan wants to mislead us. There are special welfare programs in politics, administration for the people of schedule castes. The schedule castes have positioned themselves from Gram Panchayat to the designation of President, the highest position in India,” said Mangatram Chayal, Vice Chairman of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Supreme Court Department.

Broadcasters of Radio Pakistan will do their listeners a good service by first keeping themselves update about India through newspapers and other news sources.

As they must also remember that only recently all Member of Parliaments unanimously chose Meira Kumar as the head of Lok Sabha, who besides being a highly educated and experienced parliamentarian, comes from a schedule caste community. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is also one of the most popular personalities which inspires the Dalits across the country.

India has a history of individuals from schedule caste or Dalit community occupying highest positions in all walks of life without prejudice.

In jobs and education, all socially backward or schedule caste people today have reservations to encourage their participation in mainstream.

Moreover, the Right to Equality is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution of India. (ANI)

Rahul Gandhi’s birthday celebrated across Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow/Kanpur/Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), June 19 (ANI): Large number of supporters and activists of Congress party celebrated the 39th birthday of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in different parts of Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

The Congress party decided to celebrate Rahul Gandhi’s birthday as ‘Samrasta Divas’ (Harmony Day).

Born on June 19, 1970, Rahul Gandhi is a Member of Parliament from Amethi constituency in the state.

Though Rahul was in Lodon, his absence did not seem to deter his admirers in Uttar Pradesh, the state he represents in the 15th Lok Sabha.

In Lucknow, after holding a two-wheeler rally , the Congress party workers hosted a lunch for the ‘have-nots’ from a downtown locality of the city.

In Allahabad, the party activists danced with utmost excitement to the beats of drums to hail the birthday of their young leader of the state.

In Kanpur, the congress supporters did not lag behind as was evident in Jajmau locality of the city where cakes were cut and distributed to mark his birthday.

The Kanpur City Congress Committee chose Jajmau for the occasion as Rahul Gandhi visited the place in September last year.

The Congress Committee also distributed cash, gifts and sweets to the people whom Gandhi had met during his visit.

“I will do what ever I can for him (Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary of Congress party). I got money and clothes as gifts,” said Lali, a resident of Jajmau, Kanpur visited by Rahul Gandhi.

Political analysts have termed Rahul Gandhi being instrumental in the emergence of Congress as the single largest party in the recently concluded general polls.

His tactical moves were based on grassroots activism, building deep connections to rural India and trying to democratise the hierarchical Congress party itself.

Rahul turned down a cabinet post in the Manmohan Singh Government and is concentrating on strengthening the party at the grassroots.

Meanwhile Mayawati, chief of northern Uttar Pradesh, whose Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is reportedly observing Rahul Gandhi’s birthday as the day of shame, hit out at the opposition political parties.

She blamed all the opposition parties of uniting in recently concluded general polls and ensuring that a daughter of low-caste should not become the prime minister.

“All the parties united against the candidate of the Bahujan Samaj Party ensuring that a daughter of low-caste should not become Prime Minister of the country,” said Mayawati while addressing a public rally in Lucknow.

Congress party bagged 21 seats while Mayawati’s BSP could only manage 20 of the total 80 seats in the general polls in the state. (ANI)

Sikh diaspora condemns violence and appeals for peace

Amritsar, May 27 (ANI): Sikh leaders and diaspora across world have condemned the violence in Vienna and in Punjab.

Talking from San Francisco, Dr. Pritpal Singh, the convener of the American Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC), said:

“Violence has never been a solution of any problem. If there are any differences, they should be solved through dialogue.”

He said Sikhs were having strong relationship with the “Dalit Samaj” and this brotherhood should continue. He appealed to the Government of Punjab to take appropriate measures to restore peace in the state.

After 9/11 in US, Sikhs living in US and other parts of the world were mistakenly identified with Arabs due to similarity in appearance. Sikhs leaders opine that such acts of violence give a jolt to the peaceful Sikh community worldwide.

Ranjit Singh Masuta, a Sikh leader in Switzerland, said the Government of Punjab should strongly take action against those who have disrupted public life over the last few days.

“We already have been victimizing for mistaken identity of the Sikhs. Such incidents could further damaged the image of the Sikhs living outside India,” a worried Masuta said. r. Rajwant Singh, the Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), in Washington DC, said: “We condemn the violence which took place in Vienna, Austria. He said it need to be categorically condemned by all Sikhs without going into the merits of the issue. No issue requires taking law into your own hand no matter what the provocation is. We are saddened by this terrible tragedy. We appeal everyone to maintain peace and calm at all cost.”armjit Singh Sarna, the President of the Delhi Sikh Management Committee (DSGMC), said there are many other ways to tackle the problems besides violence.

He said that those who follow Sikhism should also know the Sikh code of conduct as evolved by the Akal Takht Sahib, the high temporal seat of the Sikhs. He appeals to the people of Punjab to maintain the peace that has comes after long time.

Alleging that the Government of Punjab has failed to restore peace in Punjab, he said a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry should be conducted against the Punjab Government..xpressing concern over the present Sikh issue, Ragubir Singh, a Sikh leader from France said that such incidents undoubtedly cause a major setback to Sikh interests at the international level.

He said that we already have been working hard day and night to convey the European Government about the peace loving Sikh community. He said that we must keep larger interest of the community when we confront with various differences within the community.t is pertinent to mention that in France and in other European countries Sikhs have been facing problem like wearing Turban and their other religious symbols.

Meanwhile, the Jathedar Akal Takht, Gyani Gurbachan Singh, has expressed sympathy and solidarity with the victims of Vienna incident and urged their followers in Punjab to maintain peace and tranquility. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)

Akhilesh Yadav to retain Kannauj: SP leader

Firozabad, May 24 (IANS) Newly-elected Lok Sabha member from Firozabad and Kannauj, Akhilesh Yadav, the son of Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, has decided to vacate the Firozabad seat, a party leader said Sunday.

However, the measure will have to wait till the Lok Sabha elects a new speaker.

According to Udaiveer Singh, chief of the party’s youth body, the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha, Akhilesh chose to represent Kannauj and not Firozabad as his margin of victory was greater in Kannauj.

In a recent interview, Akhilesh had said he would continue to serve the people, and focus more on the next assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, where he felt confident of defeating Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), rather then engage in power play or look for a cabinet berth in the central government.

Meanwhile, SP sources here said the former central minister and party’s national general secretary of SP Ramji Lal Suman may be fielded as a candidate in the by-election from Firozabad, which he had earlier represented thrice.

After the delimitation process, Suman moved to Agra city which was declared a reserved seat while Firozabad became general.

Earlier, there was some talk of the party fielding Rajveer Singh, son of Kalyan Singh from Firozabad but now party managers are not keen as they feel the association of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rebel Kalyan Singh with the party had led to Muslims voting for the Congress.

President invites Manmohan Singh to form government

New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil invited the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to form the new Government at the centre after he claimed that he had the support of 322 members of Parliament.

On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi called on President Pratibha Patil to stake the claim to form the government.

The President handed over to Manmohan Singh the letter to form the Government. He and the new Council of Ministers will take oath of office and secrecy on May 22.

After meeting the President, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that apart from its 274 seats, the UPA has the support of Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party.

The outside support of RJD, SP and BSP takes the UPA’s tally to 322 seats.

Earlier, the crucial UPA meet to decide Cabinet berths concluded at 10 Janpath, the residence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. All the key pre-poll partners of the Congress attended the meeting.

National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee, DMK chief M Karunanidhi, NCP president Sharad Pawar and leader Praful Patel were present. Senior Congress leaders who attended the meeting included, Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee, P. Chindambaram, A.K. Antony and Rahul Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi was re-elected UPA chairperson during the meeting. Her name was proposed by Karunanidhi and seconded by Mamata Bannerjee .

All eyes are now on the likely candidates who would head some of the most important ministries in the next Congress-led UPA government.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, headed by Congress leader Arjun Singh could throw up a surprise. Pranab Mukherjee has indicated that he would like to remain as the Finance Minister. Kapil Sibal’s name is doing the rounds as the new Foreign Minister. Rahul Gandhi has stated that he would like to remain outside the Government but speculation is rife that he may agree to join the Cabinet. (ANI)

Samajwadi Party to support UPA

New Delhi, May 19 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) General Secretary Amar Singh on Tuesday submitted a letter pledging support for the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

“I have been authorised and directed by the SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav to offer our support for the formation of new UPA Government under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh,” Amar Singh told reporters here.

The SP had extended outside support to the UPA Government after the Left parties pulled out over nuclear deal with the US last year.

Amar Singh further said that extension of outside support to the UPA by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was an act of ‘political opportunism’.

“On this I have to say this that when we are fully supporting, Mayawati’s support is political opportunism,” Singh added.

Earlier in the day, BSP chief Mayawati said that her party would give outside support to UPA. (ANI)

Mayawati to give outside support to new UPA Government

Lucknow, May 19 (ANI): Further strengthening the stability to the new United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday said that her party would give outside support to the Congress-led alliance without any condition.

Mayawati further said that her party has agreed to provide outside support of all 21 MPs to the UPA Government without any condition.

“To weaken the communal forces of the country and keeping the Bharatiya Janata Party- led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) away from power,” Mayawati added.

Mayawati also said that she had authorised senior BSP leader Satish C. Mishra to go to the President Pratibha Patil to hand over a letter extending her party’s support to the UPA government. (ANI)

New government begins taking shape

New Delhi, May 19 (ANI): Political activity in the national capital has picked up with various parties jostling and lobbying for their representatives’ inclusion in the new cabinet.

With the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) convening a meeting of its victorious parliamentarians in Parliament House, the major contenders bidding for inclusion are Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and former Railway Minister Lalu Yadav, who has been a steady supporter of the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and former Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which defied political odds and emerged victorious in the general elections.

The Congress, which has achieved a decisive popular mandate, is debating over whether it needs to include Samajwadi Party supreme Mulayam Singh Yadav in the cabinet, as his party, which is ready to offer outside support, played a crucial role in extending support to the UPA during the debate over the US-India nuclear cooperation deal.

There is speculation by certain elements within the Congress, who feel that the Samajwadi Party wavered during the elections, and that it would be a better option to rely on leaders of smaller parties like Ajit Singh of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, H D Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal (Secular) and Omar Abdullah of the National Conference.

The Bahujan Samaj Party, which is led by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, has said today that it is ready to extend outside support to the UPA Government.

The Congress will also have to be mindful of the fact that it does not enjoy majority status in the Rajya Sabha and that the inclusion of some of these groups in the government would help the Congress to push its program through the Upper House.

Within the Congress, there is a possibility that younger elements like Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora and Sachin Pilot may be accommodated in the Cabinet.

Insofar as the profile of the cabinet is concerned, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, will have to take crucial decisions like who he would like as his Railway and HRD Ministers and whether to include or not to include Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in the cabinet. There is also speculation that former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission and Dr. Singh’s close confidant, Dr. Montek Singh Alhuwalia, will be made the Finance Minister.

As far as the profile of the Prime Minister’s Office is concerned, the expectation is that National Security Adviser M.K.Narayanan will continue in the same assignment as he has been able to maintain an even keel during the management of several crises, and has a background as Director of the Intelligence Bureau and head of the Joint Intelligence Group.

Former PIO and now media adviser to the PM, Deepak Sandhu, is also expected to be retained. The new government will also be on the lookout for a new Home Secretary, as the present incumbent, Madhukar Gupta is to superannuate after receiving an extension. A new Foreign Secretary is expected to be in place by July with the superannuation of present incumbent Shiv Shankar Menon.

Among other expected to get fresh assignments are former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, who played a notable role in finalizing the US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal. (ANI)

Obama congratulates India for successful conduct of elections

Washington, May 17 (ANI): US President Barack Obama has congratulated India on successful conduct of its “historic” national elections and looks forward to continue working with the India Government to strengthen partnership between two countries.

President Obama said, “He looks forward to continue working with the Indian government to enhance the “warm partnership” between the two countries.

“By successfully completing the largest exercise of popular voting in the world, the elections have strengthened India’s vibrant democracy and upheld the values of freedom and pluralism that make India an example for us all,” he said.

“While the world awaits the formation of a new government in India based on the elections result, the United States recognizes the significance of the election for the people of India, who remain the strength and foundation for India’s prosperity and democracy,” he added

The Congress led- UPA has won 261 seats. The NDA on the other hand has won 157.

The Third Front has won 58 seats. The fourth front comprising Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has won 27.

The Bahujan Samaj party (BSP) has won 21. While other parties has won 18 seats. (ANI)

Amar Singh congratulates Manmohan, indicates chances of supporting UPA

New Delhi, May 16 (ANI): The Samajwadi Party may after all join the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance.

SP leader Amar Singh congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi for the ruling alliance’s grand victory in the elections.

“I congratulate Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for this wonderful win,” he said.

Singh said that any future action by his party would be taken after their parliamentary party’s meeting.

“The central parliamentary board of our party will meet and then decide on future action of the party,” he told reporters here.

On the revival of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said: “I welcome that. Revival of any secular force is good.”

The Samajwadi Party leader said the Bahujan Samaj Party has only weakened in Uttar Pradesh, “but not dead,” and if the Samajwadi Party had fought alongside the Congress, they would have routed the BSP. (ANI)

‘Lotus will not be allowed to bloom,’ says Paswan

New Delhi, May 15 (ANI): The “lotus will not be allowed to bloom” at the Centre at any cost, said Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan.

“We will not support BJP at any cost to form a government and will make all efforts to ensure that a secular government is formed,” he told reporters on Friday.

Paswan also confirmed that he had had meetings with Janata Dal (United) (JD-U) chief Sharad Yadav and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Ajit Singh.

LJP secretary general Abdul Khaliq dismissed any possibility of his party switching over to the NDA and downplayed the issue of NDA leaders calling up Paswan.

When asked whether he was still with the UPA, Paswan said: “I am in UPA and also a Minister in the government.” Asked if he would remain in UPA, he said there were two possibilities that could emerge.

“If UPA can get majority, there will be no problem. The other scenario is the UPA does not get majority. In that situation, we three parties in the Fourth Front would jointly take a decision on the methodology of forming a secular government.”

Asked whether the results would have been better if the UPA allies had fought the polls jointly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Paswan said: “We wished all fought unitedly. But Congress preferred to contest the elections alone in the two states. But even then, our results will be good.”

“At this stage we want to clarify that LJP, RJD and SP will take decision as a bloc and not as individual parties. SP is not a part of UPA till now. But it will play and important role in forming the next government,” he said.

Regarding the relationship with the Left parties, Paswan said it was not bad, but cordial.

Meanwhile, in Lucknow, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has rubbished reports of talking to or joining the BJP-led NDA or the UPA-led by the Congress.

The BSP said no secret meeting had taken place between party chief Mayawati and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate LK Advani.

The BSP’s support is being considered crucial to both the BJP and the Congress.

Party insiders say that Mayawati would prefer “not to support a BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led government that would antagonise Muslim voters.”

The BSP is tipped to get around 30 seats.

In Andhra Pradesh, Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) on Friday said it is keeping its doors open for post-poll alliances.

“Any political party has to act in such a way that it should never close any doors post-elections. PRP is also doing the same thing,” PRP general secretary Allu Aravind told reporters here when asked whether it will align with Congress.

Arvind also took a dig at the Third Front and said it was a “fractured front at present as one of its members has packed and taken his baggage out of it” in a apparent reference to the TRS, which switched sides to NDA recently.

There is intense speculation that Congress is trying to reach out to Chiranjeevi to get his support both at the state and the Centre. (ANI)

Karat invites Jayalalithaa for Third Front meeting

New Delhi, May 15 (ANI): Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Prakash Karat called All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Chief Jayalalithaa on Friday.

Karat has invited Jayalalithaa for the Third Front meeting on May 18. Jayalalithaa has given her assurance to Third Front leaders that she will be in New Delhi on May 18.

Karat is also trying to woo Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief Chandrababu Naidu who is also in constant touch with Jayalalithaa.

Earlier, Karat said that leaders of the Left and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) would meet on May 18 to discuss the possibility of forming an alternative secular government.

Karat said the Left parties will meet in New Delhi on May 17 which will be followed by the CPI (M)’s Politburo meeting on May 18 and Central Committee the following day. (ANI)