BJP, Congress seek time for government formation in Jharkhand

May 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ranchi, May 31 (IANS) Jharkhand Governor M.O.H. Farook Monday summoned leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress to discuss the formation of an alternative government in the state, a day after Shibu Soren quit as chief minister.

‘The governor called us Monday to know our party’s stand on the formation of an alternative government in the state. We have sought time as the issue will be decided by the central leaders,’ state BJP president Raghubar Das told IANS.

A Congress delegation met Farook immediately after the BJP meeting with the governor.

‘We are not in a hurry to form a government. We will form an alterative government only after ensuring the stability factor,’ state Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu told reporters.

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) president Babulal Marandi also met the governor.

Soren, who heads the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), met the governor and submitted his resignation Sunday evening, a day before he was to prove his majority in the 81-member state assembly. Sources said that eight of the JMM’s 18 legislators refused to face the trust vote Monday.

The JMM-led five-month-old government was propped up by the BJP with 18 members, the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) with five legislators and the Janata Dal-United’s two members.

The Congress has 14 members, the JVM-P 11, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal five legislators. There also are five independents.

The JMM-led government was reduced to minority after the party’s ally, BJP, finally withdrew support May 24.

After its talks with the BJP collapsed on the issue of sharing power by rotation of 28 months each, the JMM had been in talks with both the Congress and the JVM-P to form an alternative government and avoid President’s Rule in the state.

But with the Congress and its ally JVM-P failing to commit support to the JMM, Soren found no option but to resign.

Jharkhand was plunged into political uncertainty after Soren voted against the BJP’s cut motions on the federal budgetary cuts in Lok Sabha last month.

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Jaya Bachchan declines SP offer for Rajya Sabha

May 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lucknow , May 28 — Caught between Samajwadi Party and expelled SP leader Amar Singh, the film actress-turned politician Jaya Bachchan, 62, on Friday declined the SP’s offer to re-nominate her for Rajya Sabha. The SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav said in Lucknow on Friday that the Jaya Bachchan had informed him that she wanted to stay away from the active politics for sometime. Yadav said that party spokesman Mohan Singh, who had lost 2009 Lok Sabha election from Deoria, had been nominated for the Upper House. Even though Amar Singh, a close friend of Bachchan family, had wished his “Bhabi” Jaya Bachchan well on her re-nomination, he certainly did not like the idea. Sources said that in order stop bickering in her family Jaya Bachchan declined the SP’s offer. Jaya’s present term in Upper House expires on July 4, 2010. Even though the SP’s Lok Sabha member from Rampur Jaya Prada had joined Amar Singh camp, Jaya Bachchan had been maintaining safe distance. Amar Singh had however expressed his displeasure over Jaya’s continuous association with SP. Amar Singh said that Jaya had been staying in a party, which had “humiliated” him. Jaya Bachchan had also not attended the Thakur rally organized by Amar Singh in Delhi in March last.

With depleted strength of the party in the state assembly the SP would be able to win just two seats. Apart from 87 MLAs, the party has support of few independent members. The SP thus would be able win two seats, as each candidate required 34 first preference votes.

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Marandi appeals in vain to Supreme Court

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to give urgent hearing to the petition filed by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) chief Babulal Marandi challenging Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren for holding the coveted post without being the member of the State assembly.

A vacation bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and Chandramouli Prasad said that there was no urgency in the matter and that it would be heard during the routine course.

In his petition, Marandi has accused Soren of misusing the special provision under Article 164 (4) of the Constitution.
Marandi alleged that it is the third time Soren has apparently misused the provisions.

“As per provision of the said Section, Soren should become the member of the House within a span of 180 days, out of which he has stayed the CM for 140 days now,” Marandi had earlier said.

“The process of holding election takes 40-45 days but as Soren does not intend to become a member of the House, he is still holding the post. This is against constitutional norms,” he added.

Article 164 (4) enables an unelected person to become chief minister subject to the condition that he/she would get elected to the Assembly within six months. (ANI)

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Nalini fears threat to life, probe ordered

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Chennai, May 13 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Government has appointed a committee to look into the allegations by Nalini Sriharan, who is serving life term in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, that her life was under threat in jail.

The committee headed by DIG of Prisons (Coimbatore) Govindarajan would also go into her other charges, including harassment by jail officials at the high-security Vellore Women”s Prison, where she is lodged.

In two letters addressed to the Additional Director General of Police (prisons), copies of which were released to the media by her lawyers on Wednesday, Nalini accused jail officials of torturing her.”

She also alleged her cell had not been cleaned for days and expressed fears that officials may be ‘planting’ something and ‘recover’.

On May 10, the government had informed the State Assembly that she had made calls to foreign countries, including Sri Lanka and Britain, from a mobile phone seized from her cell.

Tamil Nadu Government had rejected the plea of Nalini and three other convicts in the case for premature release, based on a report by the prison advisory board.

Nalini has been convicted on 16 counts of murder, and found guilty under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code on all counts.

She was also convicted under Section 3 of TADA and Section 120-B of the IPC, dealing with conspiracy.

Nalini”s original death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after Congress President Sonia Gandhi sought a reprieve for her after she had had a baby daughter. (ANI)

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BJP parliamentary unit to decide on Jharkhand CM today

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 10 (ANI): The parliamentary board of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will today decide the chief ministerial candidate for Jharkhand.

Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, Deputy Chief Minister Raghubar Das and former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha are front-runners for the post.

The BJP will head the new Government in the state with the support of 18 JMM MLAs five AJSU MLAs and two JD (U) MLA. The BJP has 18 lawmakers in the Jharkhand State Assembly.

The new coalition Government will have a clear majority of 43 members in the 81 member Jharkhand State Assembly.

The BJP central leadership is said to be keen on having a non-tribal chief minister in Jharkhand but may have to settle for a tribal face to keep its support base intact. (ANI)

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Malaysian politician questions effectiveness of religious raids

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Kuantan, Apr 27 (ANI): In the wake of the shocking suicide by a Malay teenager, who flung himself off the fifth floor in a bid to evade officers conducting religious raids, Malaysian politician Adnan Yaakob has questioned the effectiveness of such exercises.

He believes that were the people targeted by these raids alive, they would at least have a chance of reforming themselves and adopting a lifestyle that upholds Islamic values.

“I think it is better to give them guidance rather than raiding a place. Raids will cause the person to panic and do something irrational like jumping off a building,” Adnan told the State Assembly at Kuantan, The Star reports.

He also raised the issue of teenage suicides caused by depression and urged teachers to be more observant and counsel those susceptible. (ANI)

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Tamil Nadu says had no role to play in Prabhakaran’s mother deportation

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Chennai, Apr 19 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu Government on Monday said it had no role to play in the deportation slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) leader V Prabhakaran’s mother, Parvathi, on her arrival in India.

On Friday, Indian immigration officials deported Parvathi, immediately after she arrived from Malaysia.

Parvathi, who is suffering from paralysis, arrived here with an aide from the Malaysia to secure medical attention at a city hospital.

Responding to a Special Call Attention motion in the State Assembly, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said his government would write to the Centre on allowing her medical treatment in Chennai, if she requested.

Karunanidhi claimed that he himself was not informed about Parvathi’s visit and added that neither did the State Government have any information.

“There was no communication to the State Government from her or those who had arranged her Indian trip from Malaysia. All the communication was between her and the Centre,” Karunanidhi said.

“If she insists on coming to Tamil Nadu for treatment, we are ready to consider her case and write accordingly to the Centre,” he added.

Parvathi is currently undergoing treatment in Malaysia.

Karunanidhi informed the House, in 2003, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagam (AIADMK) Government led by Jayalalithaa had written to the Centre demanding blacklisting of Parvathi and her husband, Veraswami demanded banning their re-entry into the country.

Prabakaran’s parents came to India in 1983.

Both Parvathi and Veraswami had left Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchrappli for Sri Lanka in the wake of ceasefire in the island nation in 2003.

Members demanded that Parvathi be allowed medical treatment in the country on humanitarian ground.

Speaking on the motion, Congress leader D. Sudarsanam argued there was nothing wrong in the deportation since Parvathi was brought to Chennai with ulterior political motives.

“Vaiko and Nedumaran had known about her arrival while the Chief Minister of the State had no idea about. It was part of a cheap political campaign,” he said.

AIADMK members were not present during the discussion. (ANI)

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Tamil Nadu says had no role to play in Prabhakaran’s mother deportation

April 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Chennai, Apr 19 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu Government on Monday said it had no role to play in the deportation slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) leader V Prabhakaran’s mother, Parvathi, on her arrival in India.

On Friday, Indian immigration officials deported Parvathi, immediately after she arrived from Malaysia.

Parvathi, who is suffering from paralysis, arrived here with an aide from the Malaysia to secure medical attention at a city hospital.

Responding to a Special Call Attention motion in the State Assembly, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said his government would write to the Centre on allowing her medical treatment in Chennai, if she requested.

Karunanidhi claimed that he himself was not informed about Parvathi’s visit and added that neither did the State Government have any information.

“There was no communication to the State Government from her or those who had arranged her Indian trip from Malaysia. All the communication was between her and the Centre,” Karunanidhi said.

“If she insists on coming to Tamil Nadu for treatment, we are ready to consider her case and write accordingly to the Centre,” he added.

Parvathi is currently undergoing treatment in Malaysia.

Karunanidhi informed the House, in 2003, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagam (AIADMK) Government led by Jayalalithaa had written to the Centre demanding blacklisting of Parvathi and her husband, Veraswami demanded banning their re-entry into the country.

Prabakaran’s parents came to India in 1983.

Both Parvathi and Veraswami had left Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchrappli for Sri Lanka in the wake of ceasefire in the island nation in 2003.

Members demanded that Parvathi be allowed medical treatment in the country on humanitarian ground.

Speaking on the motion, Congress leader D. Sudarsanam argued there was nothing wrong in the deportation since Parvathi was brought to Chennai with ulterior political motives.

“Vaiko and Nedumaran had known about her arrival while the Chief Minister of the State had no idea about. It was part of a cheap political campaign,” he said.

AIADMK members were not present during the discussion. (ANI)

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Andhra Government deploys additional forces in trouble hit old Hyderabad

March 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hyderabad, Mar 29 (ANI): The Andhra Pradesh Government on Monday ordered deployment of additional security forces in old Hyderabad city where tension prevails, following overnight clashes between two communities.

Over 60 people have been injured in violence between both communities in Hyderabad on Sunday evening.

Police have arrested 70 people, for indulging in violent activities.

There were reports of attacks on places of worship in several areas.

Incidents of stabbing, arson, stone pelting, attacks on places of worship, shops and vehicles were reported from over a dozen areas well past midnight Sunday.

Police opened fire in the air, used teargas shells and batons to bring the situation under control.

Addressing the State Assembly, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said his government is constantly monitoring the situation.

“We are constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation and also talking to the Centre on this. The Centre has sent 10 companies of paramilitary forces on my request to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram,” he said.

Rosaiah assured the House that the government would take every step to ensure peace and appealed to all sections of the society to observe restraint.

Meanwhile, police have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of IPC, in 18 police stations of south zone and four police stations of Goshamahal division of west zone of the city. (ANI)

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Protests, walkout from Kashmir assembly over inter-district recruitment policy

March 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Mar 26 (ANI): Pandemonium reigned inside the Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly on Friday as some lawmakers staged a walkout over the inter-district recruitment policy of the State Government.

The protestors were demanding a discussion on the inter-district recruitment bill during the ongoing budget session of the assembly. (ANI)

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Ashok Chavan defends Civil Supplies Minister Sattar involved in brawl

March 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Mar 22 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Monday defended Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Abdul Sattar terming the brawl by him on a Congress party worker as a matter of no national importance.

“This is not a national issue. It”s not important,” said Chavan.

Chavan, however, said he would seek a report on the incident when the opposition raised the issue in the state assembly.

Maharashtra leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse criticized the act and demanded an apology from Sattar.

Abdul Sattar had on Sunday bashed up Mohammed Mushtaq, a Congress party activist during a meeting of the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Pragati Aghadi for the Aurangabad municipal polls.

Mushtaq was not just assaulted by Sattar, but by his personal assistant as well when he confronted the minister on being denied a party ticket.

Sattar, however, did not tender an apology for his act.

“He threatened and abused me. Even if I am a minister, there is a limit to tolerating such behaviour. I am human after all. I do not know him at all. He suddenly attacked me demanding a ticket. I haven”t even decided yet,” said Sattar. (ANI)

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All-party meet in Andhra to discuss Hyderabad as ‘free zone’

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hyderabad, March 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court’s refusal to review its order declaring Hyderabad a ‘free zone’ for recruitments in government jobs triggered a fresh row, with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Wednesday calling an all-party meeting to decide future course of action.

Rosaiah told the state assembly that he had no objection to passing a resolution urging the central government to bring a constitutional amendment to set aside the Supreme Court order.

Amid strong protests by Telangana leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), the chief minister called the meeting to discuss the issue.

‘Hyderabad is part of sixth zone and not a free zone,’ Rosaiah told the agitating members. He, however, said the issue was sensitive and could not be discussed in an open house.

In October last year, the Supreme Court had declared that Hyderabad was not a part of Telangana but a free zone as far as recruitments and postings in government were concerned.

The state government’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the order was dismissed by the Supreme Court Tuesday at the admission stage.

This would mean that people from all parts of the state would have equal rights in jobs, postings and promotions in Hyderabad. People of Telangana had so far been enjoying local area status here with 70 percent quota in government jobs all these years.

Hyderabad had remained part of zone VI, along with Ranga Reddy, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Medak districts of Telangana.

Telangana, which comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad, was merged with then Andhra State in 1956 to form Andhra Pradesh. But the people of Telangana were given certain safeguards in appointments under the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1956 and a subsequent Presidential Order and six point formula.

Following the October order of the Supreme Court, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) revived the movement for separate statehood for the region. The state witnessed massive protests for and against the demand.

The latest judgment came at a time when a five-member committee headed by Justice Srikrishna is looking into the issue of statehood for Telangana.

TRS leader Harish Rao said the court order would cover appointments to 18 departments, including the police. ‘This will badly affect the interests of Telangana people,’ he said.

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Jharkhand asks banks to step up loans to jobless youth

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ranchi, March 16 (IANS) Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Raghubar Das Tuesday warned of action against banks not giving loans to unemployed youth under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).

‘It is well known that the banks do not disburse money to unemployed youth under the PMEGP. Suitable action will be taken if the banks do not improve the disbursing of loan system to unemployed youth,’ Das said while replying to a question in the state assembly.

Das said the state government officials have held meetings with State Bank of India (SBI) officials twice this year and asked them to improve the loan disbursing system.

Under the PMEGP, unemployed youth are given loans up to Rs.one lakh for self-employment schemes.

The issue was raised by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajanatantrik (JVM-P) member Pradeep Yadav, who said the targets set under various schemes to provide loans to unemployed youth are not met as banks are ‘indifferent’ to disbursing loans under the PMEGP.

Assembly Speaker C.P. Singh asked Das to take up the issue with the union finance minister to improve the loan disbursals.

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Punjab youth admitted to NDA will get Rs.1 lakh

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Chandigarh, March 16 (IANS) Alarmed by the depleting numbers of Punjab youth opting for the armed forces, the state government Tuesday announced an incentive of Rs.1 lakh to each of those who get admitted to the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA).

Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal announced the incentives in his budget speech in the state assembly.

‘To encourage the coming generation to join the armed forces, the state proposes to introduce an incentive scheme, of awarding Rs.1 lakh to youth from Punjab getting admission to the IMA and the NDA,’ Badal said.

‘We want our youth to join the armed forces and serve the nation,’ Badal told the house while voicing his concern at the decreasing number of youth from the state opting for a career in the defence side.

The finance minister also announced incentives for ex-servicemen, war widows, disabled soldiers and others.

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Antony files nomination for Rajya Sabha polls

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thiruvananthapuram, March 15 (IANS) Defence Minister A.K. Antony Monday filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections.

Antony, a three-time chief minister of the state, is contesting the Rajya Sabha polls for the third time.

‘Like in the past, I will work for the interest of the state in Delhi,’ said Antony, who was accompanied by many leaders of the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

Antony filed his papers before Kerala legislative secretary P.D. Rajan in the assembly complex.

His victory is a foregone conclusion as the ruling Left Democratic Front can elect two and the opposition UDF one member to the Rajya Sabha. The state assembly has 140 members.

The three vacancies arose as the present term of Antony, V.S. Vijayaraghavan (Communist Party of India-Marxist) and P.V. Abdul Wahab (Indian Union Muslim League) is ending.

March 16 is the last date for filing of nominations. Polling will be held March 26.

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New York governor David Paterson withdraws election bid after scandal

March 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

NEW YORK: New York Governor David Paterson on Friday withdrew his election bid after coming under huge pressure not to run over an abuse-of-office scandal.

Paterson, a Democrat who took office in 2008 after then-governor Eliot Spitzer resigned in a sex scandal, said he would not stand in elections this November.

“Today I am announcing I am ending my campaign for governor of the state of New York,” Paterson, 55, told a news conference.

Paterson, the state’s first black governor, is embroiled in allegations that he and state police improperly sought to pressure a woman who had accused one of his top aides of domestic violence.

In his statement Friday, Paterson insisted: “I have never abused my office — not now, not ever. And I believe that when the facts are reviewed the truth will prevail.”

He also resisted growing calls for his resignation, saying he would serve out his term.

The announcement marked a dramatic reversal for Paterson, who rose from relative obscurity to the governorship when Spitzer, a hard-driving former prosecutor, was forced to step down after being caught frequenting prostitutes.

Paterson, who is legally blind, had launched his election campaign just a week ago, despite a mounting whispering campaign against him by fellow Democrats and low poll numbers.

Regardless of the scandal, Democrats are expected to retain the governor’s seat in November’s midterm nationwide elections, with state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo widely believed to be preparing a run.

Paterson has been derided as ineffective and has been unable to push a budget through the bitterly divided, often nearly dysfunctional state assembly.

His downfall may even be a boon to President Barack Obama’s White House and to other New York Democrats who did not want to be associated with Paterson while contesting seats in the midterms, when resurgent Republicans will look to exploit a strongly anti-incumbent mood.

The scandal began when The New York Times revealed that one of Paterson’s closest aides, David Johnson, had been accused of beating his girlfriend and that state police harassed the alleged victim until she dropped the case.

Even more damaging were revelations that Paterson had telephone contact with the woman, although the nature of that contact remains unclear.

On Wednesday, Paterson suspended Johnson and asked Cuomo — the state’s top prosecutor, as well as the undeclared frontrunner for the governor’s seat — to investigate the allegations.

Paterson became governor by accident in March 2008, when he stepped into Spitzer’s vacated office from his post as lieutenant governor.

No sooner did he take office than Wall Street collapsed, taking the US economy with it and bringing New York’s state finances to the brink of bankruptcy.

Paterson defiantly insisted Friday that he would not walk away from the job entirely.

“There are 308 days left in my term. I will serve every one of them fighting for the people of New York,” he said.

“I cannot run for office and manage the state’s business full time. At this time New York needs a leader.”

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Haryana Janhit Congress activists attack Chandigarh Police personnel

March 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Chandigarh, March 5 (ANI): Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) party workers led by the party chief, Kuldeep Bishnoi attacked police personnel here on Friday as they stopped them from marching on the State Assembly.

Over 1,000 supporters of the Haryana Janhit Congress had gathered at the Sector 25 ground to protest against the policies of the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led government in the state.

Chandigarh Police stopped them when they tried to jump a barricade to march towards the State Assembly.
The police had to use tear gas and canon shells to disperse the mob that had gone on a rampage.

The police later had to baton charge the mob, which pelted stones at them. Several policemen were injured in the incident.

Around 1,000 vehicles were stopped and the police did not spare even women party workers, who were charging towards the state assembly along with their male counterparts.

As per latest reports, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has reached the spot and is taking all measures to bring the situation under control. (ANI)

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Karnataka Government orders CoD probe into church attack

September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Sep 11 (ANI): The Karnataka Government on Friday, announced that it will hand over the investigation of an attack on a church to the state’s Cops of Detective (CoD).

Addressing the State Assembly Chief Minister, B.S.Yeddyurappa said: “We will refer the probe to the Corps of Detectives (CoD),”

A detailed statement on the issue would be placed before the house as the earliest, he added.

Unidentified miscreants vandalised the St Francis De Sales Church in Hebbagodi. Two statues of Jesus and Mary placed in a grotto were desecrated, windowpanes were damaged on Thursday.

The opposition Congress Party has demanded a CoD probe into the attack.

Meanwhile, Bangalore Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari has issued for shoot at sight orders against those found to be trespassing in churches, mosques and temples or found to be committing theft or indulging in any mischief. (ANI)

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Supreme Court tells UP Govt. to remove manpower, machinery from construction sites

September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 11 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday firmly told the Mayawati – led Government to vacate all the manpower and machinery from seven construction sites within six hours of its fresh order.

A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Justice B.N. Agarwal and Justice Aftab Alam, ordered the Uttar Pradesh Government to stop all construction of all the memorials, parks and statues in the state.

” No further construction would be done at the site until the matter was decided by the court,” the State Government replied in its undertaking.

The court warned the state administration of taking severe action if it failed to follow its orders.

” You are playing a hide and seek game. Your are playing with fire,” the bench said in its order.

The court also said “Nobody except the security guard should nter the construction sites”

The court also issued a show cause notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary for failing to obey its order.

On Thursday, a section of the media had reported that the Mayawati Government continues to disobey the Supreme Court’s directive, vis-’-vis construction activity at Ambedkar Park, one of Mayawati”s dream projects in Lucknow.

The apex court has also asked media organizations, to furnish all material in support of their claims.

In its supplementary Budget presented before in the state assembly the Uttar Pradesh Government had allotted a sum of Rs 550 crore for statues and memorials of Kanshi Ram, B.R. Ambedkar, and Mayawati. (ANI)

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BJP brass discusses assembly poll preparations

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.1 (ANI): Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who met at the residence of party president Rajnath Singh here on Tuesday, discussed the forthcoming assembly elections in three states.

M. Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after the meeting that in the wake of the State Assembly elections being held in Haryana, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh on October 13, it was deemed necessary for the BJP to discuss preparations for it.

Counting of votes will take place on October 22, the Election Commission said. The notification will be issued on September 18.

The last date for filing nominations is September 25. The papers will be scrutinised on September 26 and the last date for withdrawal is September 29.

Vasundhara Raje issue was not raised, said Naidu.

“This is not a Rajnath versus Raje issue, but was a party decision.”

Earlier, Raje gave a miss to a scheduled meeting with Naidu to discuss the standoff in the party’s Rajasthan unit, citing ill health. Instead, Raje sent her son Dushyant Singh as her emissary to meet Naidu.

Dushyant, the BJP MP from Jhalawar, spent over an hour with Naidu and is said to have put forth Raje’s demands.

Raje is understood to have sent in a word through her son that she was unwell and would not be able to attend the crucial meeting.

However, sources close to Raje, who arrived here last night, said she is likely to stay put in Delhi for a couple of days.

She is likely to meet Naidu once some progress is made to end the stalemate, they said.

BJP sources said Raje wants the next leader of opposition in the state assembly to be from her camp. She has also demanded the general secretary’s post in the central leadership as well as revocation of the suspension of two of her loyal MLAs.

The party had asked her to resign from the post following the defeat in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state.

Apart from Naidu, the others who attended Tuesday’s meeting included Arun Jaitely and Sushma Swaraj. (ANI)

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