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October 21
set as deadline to show majority Excelsior Team SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Clearly adopting "I-am-not-in-a-hurry" policy, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Girish Chandra Saxena, on Wednesday created history of sorts by openly demonstrating his intention against extreme step in the shape of Governor’s rule at the end of the term of the 8th Legislative Assembly on Thursday, October 17. Mr Saxena, who,too, has had to work overtime in view of his meetings, one after another,with various leaders and legal and constitutional experts during past some days as the efforts by various parties and political managers to work out modalities for a possible coalition Government got intensified, brought to an end the suspense, at least until October 21. In plain language, as the deadlock continued for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday over Government formation, Mr Saxena asked Congress (I), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC) to come out by October 21 whether they were in a position to form a Government. Unmistakably, October 21 will be deadline for any party or formation of parties to stake claim to Government formation. Umambiguously, again, it was by far the most significant development when the Governor extended, till October 21, the life of the Assembly that was. The development required to be seen in the context of the inability of the Congress and the PDP to firm up a coalition because of differences over the contentious issue of Chief Ministership. Also, the Governor’s stand seemed to have been influenced by the absence of indications from the NC of mustering requisite support for forming next Government. Raj Bhavan communique asked the Congeress, PDP and NC to meet him along with duly elected leaders of the legislature party before 5 pm on October 21 "positively" to clarify whether their party had the requisite support to form a "stable" Government. It said that a party staking claim should furnish "clear evidence" of majority or otherwise state it would be able to win confidence vote in the House. The communique came after the Governor held separate meetings with leaders of the all three major parties. During these meetings they were not able to clarify the political situation adequately enough to enable him to reach firm conclusions for moving towards a resolution of issue in accordance with the provisions of the J&K Constitution. In fact, Mr Saxena left none in doubt about his requirements. The Governor made it abundantly clear that leader of a party staking claim to form Government would need to furnish necessary evidence including a resolution of his party as well as valid letters of support from other concerned parties or groups or individual members who had agreed to support the Government of that party or a coalition. The Governor, it was made plain, expected and would appreciate the earliest response from the three parties, as also any claim or suggestion in this regard from any other party or group of independent members of the Assembly. Obviously, Raj Bhavan pressed itself into action after hectic—indeed, desperate—moves by concerned political players to reach understanding on the issue of who should and who shouldn’t lead proposed coaltion Government. Did Mr Saxena consult his principals in New Delhi before extending the life of the Assembly until October 21? A clear answer to this question was not forthcoming even after frantic efforts by mediapersons till late evening on Wednesday. All that became too evident to be missed, prior to the issuance of Raj Bhavan communique, was the highly charged atmosphere amid meetings, one after another, by different leaders, including Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Mr Yusuf Targami. Mr Azad was left with no option but to seek more time from the Governor after the failure of talks with Mufti Sayeed. Mr Azad, in fact, apprised Mr Saxena of the efforts being made to cobble an alliance of Congress, PDP, independents and other smaller parties and sought time from him to put a possible coalition Government in place. Mr Azad, who had, prior to his meeting with the Governor, held 40-minute talks with Mufti Sayeed, told mediapersons: "We decided that we should work for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We have got the mandate to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people". When asked for his comments on the tussle between his party and PDP on the issue of Chief Ministership, Mr Azad said: "Neither of us should make it as a prestige issue while trying to take a decision... We are ready for even bigger sacrifices". Mr Azad clarified that he did not take any letter of support from independents to the Governor, as during his meeting with Mufti Sayeed it was decided that there was "no need for such a double game". Senior Congress leader and noted lawyer, Mr Ashok Bhan, was also present during Mr Azad’s parleys with the Mufti. These parleys, in fact, took place after Mr Yusuf Targami had failed to break the impasse. Mr Azad said: "We are trying our best to forge a Congress-PDP alliance and efforts to arrive at a consensus are still on...Let us see what happens". Mufti Sayeed, who was joined by his daughter, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, during the parleys with Mr Azad, placed himself on record by saying: "No consensus has been arrived at so far". Both Mr Azad and the Mufti stated that they were trying their level best to break the deadlock. The CPI (M) leader, Mr Yusuf Targami, after his 45-minute meeting with the Governor, told mediapersons that he had conveyed to Mr Saxena that imposition of President’s rule in the State would be "a murder of democracy". Mr Targami, who is heading People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) of five independents and two MLAs of his party, said: "I conveyed to the Governor to give some more time to political parties for forming a coalition Government." Mr Targami said that despite some obstacles, the talks between the Congress and the PDP had made some headway. He added: "We still hope that these parties understand the pulse of the people and are able to provide an effective and accountable administration... Power is not our priority... The stalemate must end. Sufferings of the people should be addressed and for that a coalition Government is required". |
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No change in
deployment along LoC NEW DELHI, Oct 16 : In a major step to de-escalate the Indo-Pak tensions, India today announced it was pulling back its troops from forward positions along the International Border between the two countries, but there would be no change in the deployment along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. An estimated 300,000 to 400,000 troops will thus be redeployed to peace-time locations after 10 months of eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation with the Pakistani troops in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Parliament House in New Delhi on December 13. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee presided over a 90-minute meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) which took the decision on the troop pull back tonight, shortly after the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), also chaired by him, had recommmended this significant step. The withdrawal of troops would entail India pulling back its two strike corps, massed tanks and heavy artillery from the International Border (IB) facing Jammu sector, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Announcing the decision, Defence Minister George Fernandes said the armed forces would take their time to implement the process of withdrawal. Ruling out any similar initiative on the diplomatic front, Fernandes said there was no question of resumption of dialogue with Pakistan till cross-border terrorism ends. While stating that redeployment would take place on the IB, he said this would be undertaken without impairing India’s capacity to respond decisively to any emergency. "There will be no lowering of vigil in Jammu and Kashmir. The chiefs of Army, Air Force and Navy will now be instructed by the Defence Minister accordingly," Fernandes said in a statement. Asked about the reasons for the withdrawal when Pakistan had not responded to India’s demand for an end to cross-border terrorism and handing over of 20 wanted fugitives, Fernandes said "for years we have been fighting cross-border terrorism on daily basis. It will continue." Fernandes rejected that the decision had been taken under US pressure and said the NSAB had suggested the pull back after indepth evaluation of the situation. To a question if New Delhi expected a reciprocal gesture from Islamabad, he said "we don’t interact with Pakistan." This is the third major step taken by India to de-escalate tensions with Pakitan. India had in May this year withdrawn its warships from forward locations in the Arabian Sea and later lifted the overflight ban on Pakistan planes, a move which has so far not been reciprocated by Islamabad. Fernandes declined to divulge the cost incurred so far on the forward deployment. Asked if the country could risk withdrawing troops from the IB in the Jammu sector in the wake of recurring infiltration bids there, the Minister said Army would take care of these. The CCS placed on record and acknowledged its whole-hearted appreciation of the conduct of the Armed forces. "The successful completion of elections in J and K caps their achievements," he said. "The CCS, after deliberation upon and examination of all aspects of the continued deployment of our forces along the border, has decided that the Armed forces have, with great distinction, achieved the objectives assigned to them, thus upholding all the traditions of the Indian Military and they now be asked to redeploy from positions on the International Border with Pakistan, without impairing their capacity to respond decisively to any emergency," the statement said. The CCS meeting was attended also by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, the three service chiefs and top officials. Earlier in the day, NSAB favoured a calibrated withdrawal of troops from the International Border saying their continued presence may not be the best option. The NSAB meeting presided by Vajpayee discussed several issues including the deployment of troops along the border, successful completion of J and K polls as also the elections in Pakistan. The Board was of the view that there should be phased withdrawal of troops from the International Border, informed sources said.(PTI) |
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Terrorists want to incite communal violence: Advani NEW DELHI, Oct 16: Government has "information" on Pakistan-sponsored terrorists being asked to target religious places in India to incite communal riots, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said today. Advani also asked the world community to realise that ISI is a "prime source" of worldwide terrorism like Taliban and Al Qaeda. Advani was speaking at the 18th raising day of the National Security Guards (NSG) popularly known as ‘Black Cat Commandos’ here. "The Government has information in general terms that terrorists have been asked to target such places in the country which could incite communal riots and the terrorists had decided to do that," he said Advani also said the "decent polls" held in Jammu and Kashmir, despite Pakistan’s attempts to disrupt them, had won respect worldwide. The free and fair elections have further improved India’s image internationally, he noted. Referring to the terrorist attack on Akshardham temple on September 24, he said he disagreed with a belief held by many that it was targeted because of being a soft target. "There are a lot of soft targets, like bus stops, where women and children can be killed," Advani said. He said it was attacked to incite communal violence and hailed the people and Government of Gujarat for foiling the enemy’s designs. He said he expected countries using terrorism to pursue their political agenda to be increasingly ostracised and isolated. "The world has realised that Taliban and Al Qaeda are the sources of terrorism. But there is a need to realise that ISI is also a prime source of terrorism and take action against the country supporting it," Advani said. He said India’s internal security situation has undergone a "significant change" over the past two decades because of Pakistani interference. "It has not been sudden," the Deputy Prime Minister said, adding "it had been an outcome of Pakistan’s anti-India sentiments and its desire to annex Jammu and Kashmir besides the disrespect for democracy, which is India’s strength". "When Pakistan lost four wars over Jammu and Kashmir and failed to internationalise the issue, they decided to use terrorism," he said. Asserting that use of terrorism will not help Pakistan annex Kashmir, he said "Islamabad understands that and believes it would at least cause trouble to India". "It does cause trouble as killing of innocent people in Akshardham temple," he said. Advani said the world might have seen terrorism now, after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US, but India has been fighting Pakistan-sponsored proxy-war for the last two decades. On the just-concluded Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, he said apprehensions were expressed whether these would be held and how much would be the turnout. Citing queries in this respect in London during his recent trip, he said he maintained that though the Government could not ensure 90 percent turnout like Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf did, it expected it would be a "decent poll", "which it was". (PTI) |
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NEW DELHI, Oct 16: Government-owned oil companies today announced a 33 to 53 paise hike per litre of petrol and 32 to 57 paise per litre increase in diesel price from midnight tonight. Petrol would cost Rs 30.24 a litre in Delhi as against the prevailing Rs 29.91 per litre, while diesel price will increase to Rs 19.23 per litre from Rs 18.91, a spokesperson of the Indian Oil Corporation told PTI here. This is the fourth consecutive fortnight that prices of transport fuel have been hiked to offset the effect of high international crude prices. In Kolkata, petrol prices have been hiked by 33 paise to Rs 31.68 per litre while in Mumbai the prices would go up from Rs 34.42 per litre to Rs 34.95 a litre, an increase of 53 paise. Chennai would see a hike of 35 paise in petrol selling price to Rs 32.77 a litre from Rs 32.42. Similarly, diesel prices in Kolkata have been increased by 32 paise per litre to Rs 20.62 a litre, by 57 paise in Mumbai to Rs 24.54 and by 35 paise in Chennai to Rs 21.16 per litre. The hike in Mumbai was the highest and was attributed to higher local taxes, including the recent hike in Octroi, industry sources said. "Prices were moderated and the entire impact of increase in international prices has not been passed on to the consumers. The differential is being absorbed by the oil companies", the IOC official said. In accordance with the mechanism evolved by oil companies to review prices of petroleum products every fortnight after dismantling of the Administered Pricing Mechanism (APM), officials of Indian Oil Corporation, IBP, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum met today to match retail price of Motor Spirit (MS) and High Speed Diesel (HSD) with import parity price. (PTI) |
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Desperate attempts to turn deadlock into ‘wedlock’ By B L Kak JAMMU, Oct 16: The entire story, as it began to be told following the full and final poll results became a reality on October 10, has been interesting more for the characters it involved than for its content. And more interesting, if not distressing, have been comments passed by the ones whose groups did face the hostile electorate. Or the ones whose political platform—BJP, to be precise— drew a complete blank during the just-concluded battle of the ballot in Jammu and Kashmir. If the first phase of heightened suspense on the eventual post-poll scenario came to a peaceful end on October 10, the subsequent phase of suspense over who will form the new Government was more agonizing. It had to be so , considering the fact that there were differences in perspective between the two principal contenders for the office of Chief Minister, namely, the Congress (I) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP is new regional party in the Valley. Its founder-president, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, an erstwhile Congressman, calls it a "movement", after it managed to bag 16 Assembly seats, mostly in south Kashmir, a territory widely known for the presence of a large section of secessionists, particularly the ones belonging to the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami. The Mufti’s logic behind the theory propounded by him that his PDP alone can face the political situation in the troubled Valley, obviously, springs from his connection with all categories of Kashmir’s political class, which, incidentally, also includes elements inimical to the Indo-Kashmir link. The deadlock over the vital issue of who precisely will lead the much-talked-of coalition Government was, in fact, visible from day one of the negotiations, launched differently by different representatives at different places. Even as the PDP supremo, Mufti Sayeed, demonstrated political astuteness and decency by quickly responding to Ms Sonia Gandhi’s message to him for talks with her in New Delhi on the issue, he had not to labour much to make it clear that he couldn’t be flexible on the who will head the proposed coalition. At that point of time, it was generally assumed that as the Mufti himself was very keen on ensuring that the National Conference of Dr Farooq Abdullah was not affored an opportunity to stage a comeback, he (Mufti Sayeed) would, during subsequent talks in Srinagar, relent to enable Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad’s "national party" (Congress) to head the coalition Government. But with every passing day, not only the Mufti but also the Congress leadership stuck to their respective positions, each keen on leading the coalition Government. One striking non-political aspect of the movement on the scene during the past three days which attracted attention of observers, was: Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad had to do quite a bit of leg work, while the "slow-speed gentleman"—that is, Mufti Sayeed—avoided undergoing unnecessary physical strain. Maybe, the Mufti, while satisfied with his PDP being, to quote him, "a movement", thought that others needed him and, hence, the ones who needed him had to shuttle between his residence and their respective points in Srinagar. As the deadlock required to be converted into the political "wedlock", involving the two major players (Congress and PDP), pro-peace leaders, prominent among them being Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mr Yusuf Targami of the CPI(M) could not be faulted for having personally contacted the Mufti on more than one occasion during the day (Wednesday). Even as the Congress had, officially, let it be known that it had the numbers to form the Government on its own involving support of a host of independents and smaller parties, leaders of the party (Congress) did not adopt posture of confrontation towards those who did not want it to lead any ruling coalition. Whatever the attitude adopted by his detractors towards him, there was no doubt that Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad did make last-ditch effort to resolve the deadlock. Mr Azad was speaking the truth: "Congress party has national and international clout. Formation of the Government in Jammu and Kashmir by the Congress will be beneficial for the State people, simply because of the fact that the Congress is national party and has presence and influence all over the country". Was the Congress(I)’s strategy to have one more State (J&K) in its ‘bag’? Mr Azad’s answer: "We are not making it a point of prestige to add another State to Congress party’s already 14 States". Mufti Sayeed’s counter-point: "People’s Democratic Party can’t fulfil its agenda, if it donesn’t lead the coalition Government. Kashmir is the real problem. It needs to be addressed. PDP alone can face the politcal situation here (Valley)". After Mr Azad sought more time from Governor, Mr Girish Chandra Saxena, to work out modalities for a possible coalition Government, some associates of Mufti Sayeed had a round of parleys with him (the Mufti) and were reported to have cautioned him against the dangers inherent in the situation—dangers of public commotion if the people’s mandate was allowed to get frittered by the rigid posture adopted by the PDP leadership on who should lead the coalition Government. Emphasis of interlocutors—significantly,Mr Azad himself was one of them— was on the theme: PDP and Congress(I) should get their act together and arrive at an understanding that is realistic and sustainable. Restlessness among the interested quarters was too evident to be missed after the report went out that the new Government was required to come into being before sundown on October 17. Or, else the State would automatically come under Governor’s rule. Happily for the Congress circles, pleasant winds started blowing immediately after the announcement came from Raj Bhavan that the Governor had granted time to Mr Azad till October 21—time to work out modalities for a possible coalition. |
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Vigilance Judge of HC to
hold inquiry Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 16: In a rarest of the rare cases, wherein a power connection was fraudulently obtained for a non-existing industrial unit and later sold to another industrial unit for rupees 35 lakh, the Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Justice V K Jhanji and Justice S K Gupta, in a significant order, has directed District Judge Vigilance of the High Court to hold a detailed enquiry into this entire matter. The District Judge Vigilance shall be at liberty to seek the assistance, if required from Police and in that eventuality, Senior Superintendent of Police Crime and Railways Jammu shall render all possible help, the Division Bench (DB) in its 24 page judgment held. The DB directed District Judge Vigilance to complete the inquiry and submit the repot within a period of three months. The Bench held that the record produced by the Government Advocate showed that Minister for Health and Medical Education J&K, on coming to know that some hanky-panky was committed in the grant of Power Availability Certificate (PAC) to Messrs Quality Casting, wrote a confidential letter on August 18, 1998, to Chief Minister and brought to his notice that one Parveen Kumar Gupta had obtained orders from the High Court for two MW of power supply from Power Development Department (PDD), but he had infact no industry of his own. Gupta had teemed up with one Deewan, proprietor of Messrs Kashmir Rolling Mill and in order to show that he had some interest in M/s Quality Casting, had described himself as a partner having share of five percent in his favour and 95 percent share in favour of Mr Deewan. The Government Advocate also submitted that Parveen Gupta had obtained Rs 35 lakh from Mr Deewan for two MW Power connection which he got sanctioned from PDD. After receiving that amount, Gupta had withdrawn from the partnership. The Chief Minister was told that Power Availability Certificate was obtained for the purpose of financial gains and not for genuine utilization. The Health Minister had requested Chief Minister that the mater be examined by PDD, so as to bring the factual position into limelight. Also, on the same grounds, two complaints were filed— one by president Bari Brahamana Industrial Association Jammu in which it was stated that Parveen Kumar Gupta, who had obtained power connection in his favour, had transferred the same in favour of M/s Deewan Bansal, Subash Chander and Krishan Gopal. Another complaint filed by one Iqbal Thakur addressed to the Chief Minister on April 9, 1999, also brought to his notice the fraud committed by Parveen Gupta on the State Government and High Court, wherein sanction for grant of power connection has been obtained— not for genuine purpose, but simply for selling and for illegal financial gains. The Division Bench further observed that in the present petition, it was stated that vide Government order of August 16, 2000, a direction was issued for formal sanction of 1992 KVA power in favour of the petitioner. However, the sanction was subject to the condition that supply shall be made during night hours from 11 PM to 7 AM. Government Advocate Ms Shaista Hakim appearing for PDD submitted that no investigation was required as the fraud is apparent on the face of the record. She submitted that only the fraud was committed by Paveen Gupta, not only on PDD, but also on the High Court as Gupta had obtained the connection by concealing information and mis-representing the material facts. She also stated that Power Availability Certificate was obtained by Parveen Gupta on the basis of the interim direction given by the High Court and after PAC was sanctioned, the writ petition/LPA was got dismissed as withdrawn and the court never got an opportunity to decide the case on its own merit. Ms Hakim submitted that in such circumstances power connection granted to M/S Quality Casting must be canceled. However, Senior Advocate A V Gupta appearing on behalf of M/S Quality Casting submitted that the writ petition be dismissed as withdrawn. "Having regard to the facts and on perusal of the record and submission of the Government Advocate, we don’t accept the submission of Mr A V Gupta, appearing for the petitioner that the writ petition be dismissed as withdrawn. If the submission of the Government Advocate is correct that fraud was committed upon the Court, then it is a matter of great concern", the Division Bench observed. It stated that " we are of the view that before the prayer made by the counsel for PDD for cancellation of the connection, the matter needs to be investigated in detail with regard to the allegations of the fraud committed by Parveen Kumar Gupta", the DB held, while directing District Judge Vigilance to hold a detailed enquiry. |
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MUMBAI, Oct 16: A sessions court today rejected the bail plea of film actor Salman Khan, charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the A-1 bakery hit-and-run case. Salman’s bail petition was rejected by Sessions Judge P V Bavkar who felt that the actor should not be enlarged at this stage because investigations were still incomplete and prosecution had opposed his liberty on the grounds that he may tamper with witnesses. The actor was arrested on October 7 after he allegedly rammed his vehicle into a shop, killing one person and injuring four others on September 28. This was for the third time that Salman had sought for liberty. The judge upheld the contention of the prosecution that this case fell within the scope and ambit of section 304 part 2 IPC, punishable upto 10 years in jail and a fine or both. Prosecutor R V Kini, opposing Salman’s bail, argued that the film star had the knowledge, envisaged under section 304 IPC, that his alleged act of driving under the influence of alcohol may cause bodily harm or fatal injuries to pedestrians. He said that police bodyguard, accompanying the actor, had warned him on the ill-fated day not to drive the vehicle speedily but the actor did not heed to his advice, resulting in the mishap. The prosecutor further argued that Salman Khan had run away after the accident and surrendered before police many hours later. Although his residence is very close to the Bandra police station, he chose not to come before police soon after the mishap. He submitted that if Salman was released on bail, he may tamper with evidence because the injured persons were still in hospital although they were out of danger. The prosecutor also said that the chargesheet had not yet been filed and until it was done, the actor should not be released on bail. Before rejecting the bail, the judge perused the case papers and went through the investigation reports. Salman’s brother actor Arbaaz Khan, his sister and other family members were also present in the court. (PTI) |
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Pak shelling again in
Poonch Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 16: Terrorists gunned down two civilians including a woman and injured another in two separate incidents overnight while Pakistan army again resorted to heavy shelling in Poonch and Nowshera sectors today. Police said two terrorists forced their entry into the house of a widow Naseema Begum at village Rajpura in Gandoh area of Doda district last night. They opened firing inside the house killing Naseema Begum and injuring her son Imtiyaz Ahmed. Later, same group of the terrorists opened firing on a picket of SPOs in Rajpura. SPOs retaliated leading to an exchange of firing that lasted about 15 minutes after which the terrorists fled away. No casualties were reported on SPOs side. Injured Imtiyaz Ahmed was shifted to hospital by police. Security forces have started a search operation in the area to trace the terrorists. No reasons could be ascertained behind killing of the widow. Another civilian was kidnapped and killed by the terrorists at village Parihote in Darhal area of Rajouri district last night. He has been identified as Mohd Aslam son of Dalmeer, a resident of village Kurhad in Parihote area of Darhal. Body of Mohd Aslam was recovered from near a forest area today. A letter of Al-Badar terrorist outfit was recovered from a pocket of the deceased. Police was investigating the case. Meanwhile, Pakistan army today resorted to heavy shelling in Poonch town, Jhalas, Krishna Ghati, Khari and Karmara areas in Poonch district. Two shells fell in Betar nullah near the town. However, no casualties or damage was reported in the shelling. Shelling also took place in Nowshera sector. On the International Border, Pakistan army continued heavy firing in Kanachak, Beli Azmat, Chinore Farm, SH Way, Budhwar and Suchetgarh in Jammu, Mangu Chak, Sadhey Chak and Chalarian in Kathua. No loss of life was reported in the firing. |
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NEW DELHI, Oct 16: The Congress today made it clear that it will not give up its demand to form a Government led by the party in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was natural as it was the second-largest party in the State. Speaking to mediapersons, Chief Spokesperson of the AICC S. Jaipal Reddy said formation of a Government led by the Congress was in the national interest. Mr Reddy expressed hope that the deadlock over Government formation could be resolved through dialogue. Mr Reddy said Pradesh Congress Committee president Ghulam Nabi Azad, who has been elected CLP leader in the State and authorised in initiating move in the formation of an alternative Government, was engaged in discussion on the issue with all concerned. Mr Azad called on Governor G C Saxena earlier during the day and asked for more time needed for forming a new Government. His request had not been rejected, Mr Reddy said. Asked how the Government could extend the deadline scheduled to end at 1700 hrs tomorow, Mr Reddy said he was not aware of legal implications in this regard. Stressing the need for the People’s Democratic Party headed by former Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed joining the proposed coalition Government led by the Congress, Mr Reddy said the people in the State had rejected the National Conference and the BJP at the hustings. The Congress had been given the people’s mandate and responsibility for forming an alternative Goverment, he said. (UNI) |
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Trinamool severs ties with NDA KOLKATA, Oct 16 : The Trinamool Congress, which had kept its ties with the NDA on hold over the bifurcation of Eastern Railway, today virtually severed all links with the ruling coalition at the Centre. Though the Party’s Working Committee would meet formally before the winter session of Parliament, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee told newsmen here that the TC had already taken a stand on quitting the NDA. "There is no need for further discussion on this. However, talks can be held in the Working Committee meeting if required," she said. Banerjee said no date has yet been finalised for the Working Committee meeting, but it would be held before the Winter Session of Parliament. To a question whether TC would formally take a decision on snapping ties with the NDA at the meet she replied, "the Party has already taken a stand." She had earlier said that TC would not be a part of NDA unless the Government took ‘corrective steps’ on the bifurcation of Eastern Railway. The Party had strongly opposed the division of ER and spearheaded the movement against it which included a statewide bandh in West Bengal and a dharna in Delhi. Banerjee also had differences with her one-time close associate Sudip Bandopadhyay on the issue of quitting NDA. Bandopadhyay was relieved from the post of party chief whip in the Lok Sabha. (PTI) |
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PP not to support PDP-led Govt SRINAGAR Oct 16: Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party today said it will not support a People’s Democratic Party-led Government in the State as its Chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was opposed to the Chief Minister being from Jammu Region. "We will not extend any type of support to Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led PDP Government as he opposed the move for a Chief Minister from Jammu", JKNPP chief Bhim Singh told reporters here today. Mufti, while insisting on PDP heading a coalition with Congress for forming a Goverment, has opposed CLP leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s candidature on the ground that he was from Jammu while the post should be held by a person from the Valley. He said people of Jammu have never opposed a Chief Minister from the Kashmir valley. "I am unable to understand why Mufti and his other leaders are opposed to a Chief Minister from Jammu". However, he said his Party will extend support to a Congress-led Government even if PDP was its coalition partner. (PTI) |
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SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Six people, including four Pakistani infiltrators were killed while a major tragedy was averted in Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours. An official spokesman said four Pakistani infiltrators were killed immediately after they sneaked into this side from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in Keran sector last evening. Three AK rifles, eleven magazines, 300 rounds and 12 hand grenades were recovered from the slain militants. Security forces also gunned down a militant at Barwan Watsar forest in the frontier district of Kupwara early this morning. One AK rifle, three magazines, 40 rounds and one wireless set were recovered near the site of encounter. Security forces gunned down one militant each at Domipora and Damhal Hanjipora in the south Kashmir district of Anantnag last night. A large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants. Security forces averted a major tragedy when they detected and defused a powerful improvised explosive device planted by militants at Vijhar in Baramulla district last evening. (UNI) |
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