Pakistanis welcome to see Kashmir but
without gun, says Mufti

Excelsior Special Correspondent

LONDON, Nov 15: Asserting that Pakistan has been indulging in ‘disinformation campaign’ on the conditions in Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has favoured visits of Pakistanis to J&K saying that it would nail Pakistan’s mischievous propaganda. ‘We are not captive of security forces, but a free people’, he added.

‘Let there be regular flow of people visiting Kashmir from Pakistan and PoK as we have nothing to hide. In fact, they would see with their own eyes the flowering democracy in Kashmir’, Mufti Sayeed strongly pleaded while answering questions of correspondent of Associated Press of Pakistan at an interaction after delivering lecture on ‘A New Future for Kashmir-Prospects, Renewal and Growth’.

The lecture was organised by the Royal Institute of International Affairs under Asia Programme at the prestigious Chatham House chaired by Dr. Mohan Koul, DG Commonwealth Business Council. It was conducted by Dr. Gareth Price, Convenor and Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute. Tourism Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir was among more than 50 intellectuals, journalists, scholars and Non-Resident Kashmiris of Kashmir and PoK and officers of Pak High Commission who participated in the interaction. The cross section of intellectuals representing different schools of thoughts and Kashmir watchers made the interaction more lively. Mufti Sayeed answered questions with perfect ease and was at his best.

Mufti Sayeed said that he had asked the Prime Minister to encourage Pakistanis to visit Kashmir that would help change their mindset. Our people would also see what is the state of affairs across the border, ‘pardey key peechhey kaya hey’.

When APP correspondent asked how he has been expecting tourism in Kashmir when lakhs of army is patrolling streets of Srinagar and indulging in human rights abuses, Mufti Sayeed replied that once people of Pakistan would see the flowering democracy and relaxed atmosphere without any visible presence of army, much propaganda would automatically die down. ‘I personally feel that Pakistanis should be allowed to see Kashmir. ‘If they (Pak) are real sympathizers of Kashmiris, let them visit us in legal route rather than push mercenaries through infiltration’. It is with this in mind, he had been advocating opening of Uri-Muzaffarabad road. Even Gen. Musharraf had to respond to it sooner than later. He said Pakistan could not reject the Prime Minister’s 12-point peace initiative. He said ‘had Mohammad Ali Jinnah been alive today, he would have seen true federalism in India, which was his once main agenda’. ‘Today, state government’s are not run by New Delhi nor dismissed’, he added.

Dwelling on common and shared heritage of people of India and Pakistan, Mufti Sayeed said ‘I personally believe that core of both the nations is secular and there exist some fringe elements who are communal and pursue extremist agenda’. He said his feed back received from the visits of Jammu and Kashmir’s 3 MPs to Pakistan, is that the Pakistan leadership would not be able to contain people’s yearning for better ties between both nations. In India, people were apprehensive when BJP-led NDA Government came to power but even it could not change India’s secular character. However, Gujarat episode was a blot on our face, he added.

On dialogue, the Chief Minister said that the dialogue has to be unconditional and extended to different separatist groups to explore possibilities of an amicable solution of the problem that had been evading solution in the past 56 years. He said nobody could spurn the offer of talk as the people want peaceful solution.

When asked about possible solution to Kashmir problem, Mufti Sayeed said that there cannot be any readymade solution. If so, it would have been solved long back. Solution, he said, had to come through evolutionary process of dialogue. ‘You can’t put cart before the horse’, when asked about autonomy as a main solution. He, however, added that Jammu and Kashmir still has a fair amount of autonomy with separate constitution, flag and residuary powers with Assembly. The India constitution guarantees our autonomic character. ‘What the people of Kashmir does not want is that it should not be an area of conflict’, he added.

The Chief Minister gave detailed account of last assembly elections that were acclaimed as the most transparent and fairest polls that made all the difference. People had voted for peace and dialogue, which the coalition Government is pursuing. Appointment of Mr. L K Advani for talks with separatists is success of our effort. Coupled with some serious confidence building measures taken by the Prime Minister, a new hope has been kindled. For the first time, the State Government has succeeded in creating national consensus on Kashmir, he added.

On development, the Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister for his support and said that the process of reconstruction is on. He said tourism is the main force that has multiplying effect. He said he has been assured by several MPs to convince Foreign Office to review its travel advisories. He said nobody could ignore some ground realities like 4 lakh tourists and pilgrims visiting Kashmir, holding of 150 conferences.

Mufti Sayeed also referred to his meaningful meeting with a group of Non-Resident Kashmiris here yesterday and said that IT, education and power generation projects have been identified for their private initiative. He also advised them to adopt orphanages back home and play their role.

When the Chief Minister said that national winter sports are taking off at Gulmarg from X-mass, he was asked by a participant as to why the State is not staking its claim for winter sports in 2010 Commonwealth sports being held in India. ‘Yes, we would do our best to make Kashmir a popular venue’.

On human rights, Mufti Sayeed said that his Government has been enforcing accountability and transparency among security forces and complaints of human rights abuses are declining.

BSF Inspector among 7 injured in blast
*4 soldiers, civilian killed in Valley

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 15: While as a child died in an IED blast and his mother sustained critical injuries in Lolab valley of Kupwara district tonight, seven persons including an Inspector of Border Security Force (BSF) sustained injuries in another IED blast caused by militants near Kashmir University campus in Hazratbal outskirts of the capital city. Three civilians and a soldier have got killed in other militancy-related incidents across Kashmir valley since last evening.

Informed sources told EXCELSIOR that a powerful IED blast took place yards away from the northern entrance of the University of Kashmir at Hazratbal at 1245 hours today. The IED had been planted by militants inside a three-wheeler. It was apparently activated with a remote control device when a Gypsy of BSF 145 Bn was negotiating the corner of a public park. The auto was blown into pieces, hitting the targeted vehicle though not accurately. An Inspector, driver of the vehicle and two soldiers sustained injuries. Two young children of the Commanding Officer, Kulwant Singh, had a very narrow escape as both of them went unconscious.

While as the injured soldiers were rushed to a hospital, the BSF officer’s children regained consciousness.

Three passers-by, including a woman, also sustained injuries. Reports said that the injured woman’s limb was amputated at a hospital.

According to CNS, a spokesman of Hizbul Mujahideen claimed responsibility of the explosion on behalf of his organisation. He has reportedly claimed that all the BSF personnel travelling in the targeted vehicle, died on spot.

Sources in Kupwara said that a powerful blast occurred at Kanthpora (B), in close vicinity of a military formation at Cherkot, in Lolab valley of Kupwara district at 1830 hours this evening. An unidentified boy died on spot and his mother sustained critical injuries. She was rushed to District Hospital of Kupwara wherefrom she was referred to SKIMS, Soura. Preliminary reports said that the IED went off accidentally at a house.

Sources said that unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants, have shot dead a civilian, namely Mohammad Maqbool Lone S/o Ali Mohammad Lone at Nopora, Jageer, in Sopore area during last night. He had been reportedly kidnapped during the night intervening November 11 and 12 from his home. Residents believe that he has been labelled as an informer of security forces and killed.

Militants also appeared at Wanigam Bala in Pattan area and fired upon a civilian, Abdur Rasheed Baba alias Shaheen S/o Ghulam Qadir of the same village at his home. Reports said that the 20-year-old youth, who has been admitted in a hospital, has also been labelled as an informer of security forces.

The 58-year-old civilian, who had been shot dead at Singhpora in Baramulla district last evening, has been identified as Abdur Rehman Dar S/o Lassi Dar. Today’s reports added that his daughter, namely Rumiya, had sustained critical injuries in the shootout. She was rushed to Sub District Hospital of Pattan but she succumbed to injuries on way. As already reported in this newspaper, militants had appeared at Singhpora, on Srinagar-Baramulla highway late last night and shot dead the ageing civilian at his home. He too has been reportedly killed for allegedly working for security forces. Members of the family told Police that a clean-shaven young man barged into Dar’s residence late last evening and opened indiscriminate gunfire, killing the house-owner and his daughter.

Enquiries revealed that Dar was a poor labourer, working with the construction of the railway track in Pattan area. His daughter, Rumiya, was married to a militant who died in an encounter with security forces in Tarzoo area of Sopore last year.

Reports from Kupwara said that a soldier got killed in an encounter with militants in Hempathri area.

Sources in south Kashmir said that an unidentified person lobbed a hand grenade into the premises of Good Shepherd Missionary Public School in New Colony of Pulwama town at 1215 hours today. It exploded, causing injuries to three civilians, namely Shameem Ahmed Bhat S/o Habibullah Bhat R/o Mandoora Bandzua, teacher Gulzar Ahmed Sheikh S/o Mohammed Akbar Sheikh R/o Lajora and peon Ali Mohammad Sheikh S/o Ghulam Rasool Sheikh R/o Nowbugh. A Police constable, Ghulam Nabi also sustained injuries.

Yesterday only, militants had fired upon a bus of the same school at Wasoora. However, there were no casualties. Four months ago, militants had conducted their first grenade attack on the same school. It is, however, first time that employees of the school and a Police official got injured at the school.

Sources said that Police apprehended a militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba, namely Aijaz Ahmed Wani of Memendar, Shopian, when he was trying to lob a grenade on the local camp of SOG at Gagran in the town outskirts. His grenade was seized live.

Car bombs kill 20 in Turkey

ISTANBUL, Nov 15: Powerful blasts rocked two Jewish quarters of old Istanbul on Saturday, killing at least 20 people and partly destroying the city’s biggest synagogue as worshippers were at their Sabbath prayers.

Hospitals struggled to cope with the flood of injured, which the city’s Health Department put at at least 257.

Both blasts went off outside synagogues. Officials said they were probably caused by explosive-laden vehicles activated by remote control or timer.

Security officials told Anatolia news agency a security camera at one of the synagogues showed a person parking a car outside the building and leaving and then the vehicle blowing up.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said he believed "international terrorist organisations" were involved in the attacks.

From Pope John Paul II to Turkey’s own Kurdish rebels condemnations of "terrorism" poured in after the blasts, which shattered the tolerant cohabitation that exists between the historic Jewish community and Turkey’s overwhelmingly Muslim population.

The blasts struck at the heart of a community that put down its roots in Turkey 500 years ago when Jews were expelled by the Spanish inquisition. Many of the city’s estimated 27,000 Jews still speak Spanish as it was spoken by Cervantes.

Most of the casualties occurred at the Neve Shalom synagogue in the city’s Belogyu distance, close to the Golden Horn and the cultural heart of Istanbul on the European shore. "The blast went off in the middle of the prayer," said Yitzhak Haleva, the chief Rabbi. "It came from downstairs. All the windows were shattered and I suddenly found myself surrounded by thick smoke. We left the synagogue and started rescuing the injured. My son Yossi was wounded."

The blast ripped the front of the building, opened up a large crater and turned the narrow street leading to the building into what looked like a war zone.

Two bodies lay for a long time in front of the synagogue, covered by sheets of newspaper and people with mutilated legs and arms were carried away on stretchers. Body parts could be seen on a car, on a pavement, and outside a shop.

Debris and the twisted wreckage of a vehicle littered the streets. Window frames hung lop-sidedly from buildings for a considerable area around and the signs from shop fronts were ripped away.

"It was like an earthquake," said one shop-keeper, covered in dust. "This is inhuman."

At the Beth Israel synagogue in nearby Sisli a spokesman for the Rabbinate said: "The damage is extensive... The roof of one of the buildings collapsed."

Spokesman Silvio Ovadyo said about 300 people were in the synagogue when the blast occurred, at least four were killed and about 60 injured.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom reacted by urging the international community to fight against "the forces of evil".

"No country in the world is immune to terrorism. This is why all states should fight against the forces of evil," Israeli Army radio reported him as saying. (AFP)

7 top militants killed in Rajouri-Poonch,one in Doda
*Army jawan dies in gun-battle

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 15: Eight hardcore militants including five foreign mercenaries were gunned down by army and police in separate encounters in Jammu region overnight. An army jawan also lost his life in one of the operation.

DIG Rajouri-Poonch range S M Sahai said the troops of Rashtriya Rifles and police eliminated three militants in an encounter at Rajdhani in Thanna Mandi area of Rajouri district early this morning. Troops maintained a cordon in the area throughout the night after reports that three militants had taken shelter in a hideout to hold a meeting.

Troops started an operation for the militants in wee hours of this morning. A contact with the militants was established at 5 AM. Encounter lasted about two hours in which all three militants were killed. An army jawan Sepoy Brajesh Singh was killed in the exchange of firing.

Slain militants have been identified as Kamran of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI), Nadeem of Hizbul Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment (HMPPR) and Tahir of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). The trio were Pakistanis.

Recoveries made from the scene of encounter included three AK-56 rifles, six hand grenades, one wireless set, three diaries, 50 AK rounds and three pouches.

Slain militants were operating in Thanna Mandi for last more than one year and were involved in a series of subversive activities, the sources said.

Another encounter took place between the militants and a joint team of army and police at Tope Derian in Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district this morning. Two foreign mercenaries were killed in the operation.

Sources identified the slain militants as Nazshar Ali Khan alias Sher Khan alias Shera and Faisal Shah alias Hussain, both hailing from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). They were affiliated with HMPPR outfit.

According to sources, both the militants were front ranking activists of HMPPR which was evident from the recovery of five costlier coats from their hideout in addition to the recoveries of two AK-56 rifles, seven magazines, two wireless sets, 202 rounds and one diary.

Two more militants were gunned down by army at Hari Safeda, Surankote in Poonch district tonight. They have not been identified so far. Two AK rifles and ammunition were recovered from them.

A local militant Mohd Iqbal son of Zafar Sheikh R/o Kushal, Doda and an activist of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was killed in an encounter with security forces at village Majaar in Chatru area of Kishtwar tehsil in Doda district this afternoon.

One AK rifle, three magazines and one wireless set were recovered from him. Another militant reported escaped during the gun-battle and was being searched by the security personnel.

DB upholds order quashing appointment of Uri’s son

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 15: In a landmark judgment, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice (Acting) Justice V K Jhanji and Justice Sayed Bashir-ud-Din quashed appointment of Owais Ahmad son of Mohammed Shafi Uri, the then Cabinet Minister in the Government of Dr Farooq Abdullah.

Owais Ahmed was appointed as Assistant Tourist Officer in J&K Tourism Department by relexation of rules by the then Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah and thereby appointment order No: 1421-GAD of 1998 dated October 29, 1998 was issued by the General Administrative Department (GAD).

Rejecting submission made by advocate D C Raina, the Division Bench observed that there was no merit in the submission of the advocate appearing for the appellant. Bench observed that there was no dispute with the proposition of law that the Government has power to dispense with or to relax the requirement of any of the rules to the extent but the case in hand is not the one in which any rule was causing any hardship, muchless undue, or was operating inequitably against the appellant. "There was no post of Assistant Tourist Officer available in the Tourism Department. The post was not referred to the Recruitment Board", the Bench observed, adding, "the appellant has been living in the twin capital cities, as per the certificate, has been studying in leading missionary schools of the State".

The Bench further stated that the in any case, the ground urged was not available. The only SRO 43 of 1994 clearly specifies that a person can claim compassionate appointment on the ground of militancy related incidents or actions and the appellant is not covered by any terms and criteria laid down in the said SRO 43 of 1994.

"Therefore, "we are in full agreement with the advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed appearing for the respondents that the only qualification which the appellant possessed and probably, which weighed with the Government was that he was the son of a Cabinet Minister".

The Division Bench further observed that the constitution guarantees equality of opportunity to all the citizens. Every person fulfilling the qualification for the post has a right to be considered. A person must get a chance to compete. Whatever be the nature of appointment, the guarantee of equality of opportunity has to be ensured.

The Court observed that the fairest method, an employer, especially the State Government is expected to adopt is that the posts are advertised and every eligible candidate has a right to be given a reasonable chance to apply and compete for the post and is impartially and objectively considered by the competent authority by adopting a fair, just and reasonable criteria. This is the scope and mandate of Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.

Court further observed that in the present case, this mandate of constitutional provisions has been given a complete go bye to the detriment of the writ petitioners. With these observations, the Division Bench dismissed the two appeals filed by Owais Ahmed son of Mohammed Shafi.

Earlier the appointment of Owais Ahmed was quashed by Justice Parmodh Kohli on September 15, 2003. Against the judgment of Single Judge Owais Ahmed filed two appeals which were too dismissed by the Division Bench on the ground that the appointment was illegal and contradictory of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India and upheld the judgment of single judge.

Not treating border migrants at par with KPs
inhuman: Home Secy

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 15: Candidly admitting that not treating border migrants at par with displaced Kashmiri Pandits in giving relief is unfair and inhuman, Joint Secretary of Union Home Ministry H S Brahma today assured that Centre will take effective steps to provide justice to those inhabitants who were forced to leave their homes and hearths due to shelling from across the border.

Talking to reporters, Mr Brahma said that the Central Government would finalise an action plan for rehabilitation of border migrants of Jammu area in next four months.

The plan includes reconstruction and repair of damaged houses, tracterization of agriculture lands and alternative shelters in safer areas for the border migrants of Akhnoor, Kathua and Rajouri in Jammu division.

Brahma, who had visited some border areas and border migrant camps in Akhnoor area along with State officials yesterday, said that he took stock of the situation and also interacted with the migrants.

The migrants of these border areas were keen to return to their native villages but demanded that their damaged houses be repaired/reconstructed, facilities for tilling their lands be provided and alternative shelters be constructed at safer places for them at the time of firing and shelling from across the border, he said.

Admitting that their demands were genuine, Brahma said that the Government was morally bound to agree to these demands and implement them so that the problems of the border migrants, who suffered due to Pakistani firing and shelling, are alleviated.

Referring to Rs 76 crores package submitted by the State Government to the Centre on border migrants’ rehabilitation, Brahma said it was under active consideration of the Centre and certain components of it have already been resolved and decided.

However, since the cost of the package was high, the decision would be taken at the higher level after consulting the State Government, he said adding both the State and Central Government will have to share the expenses involved in the package.

When his attention was drawn towards differentiating between border migrants and Kashmiri migrants in giving relief, Joint Secretary of the Union Home Ministry admitted that it was regrettable that two para-meters were adopted to treat displaced people of one State. He said that this issue has been taken up number of times and ‘our Ministry is aware of the injustice being meted out to displaced border people"

"It is not only unfair but also inhuman not to treat border migrants with displaced Kashmiri Pandits", he said, adding, "it is really unfair and these differences will be resolved at any cost".

Replying to another question, Mr Brahma assured that compensation will be given to the farmers of their entire land which has been laying uncultivated due to tension on border.

About Kashmiri migrants, the Home Ministry official said that the Government was making efforts to bring them back to the Valley and action plan for this would also be finalised in the next 30-45 days.

As many as 444 flats- 144 in Anantnag and 300 in Badgam and Srinagar- were being constructed for them, he said and added this would be temporary measure till their final rehabilitation in their native places in the Valley.

He, however, said that this required a lot of motivation among migrants and also public support.

Replying to a question about different yardsticks adopted by the Centre in providing cash relief to Kashmiri migrants and border migrants, Brahma said that the issue would be resolved as it was unfair to treat people differently in the same country.

We talk from position of strength: Sinha

DAMASCUS, Nov 15: India does not complain about its problems while meeting world leaders and always talks from a position of strength, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha asserted today.

Mr Sinha who was briefing the media after the restricted talks between the leaders of the two countries followed by delegation-level talks and the signing of agreements, was asked whether during the meetings India had raised the matter of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We never came here to ask for anything. When we meet world leaders, we never complain. We always talk from a position of strength."

He asserted that India had been fighting the Pak-sponsored terrorism on its own and would continue to do so.

"It is never a policy of India to complain," he retorted. (UNI)

Talks, terror can’t go together: PM

DAMASCUS, Nov 15: Holding that dialogue and terrorism cannot go hand in hand, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today categorically said cross border terrorism in Kashmir by Pakistan has to stop before any meaningful talks with Islamabad can take place.

"Dialogue and terrorism cannot go hand in hand," Vajpayee, who is here on a three-day visit, said in a wide-ranging interview to Damascus English daily `Syria Times.’

"We do consistently maintain that in order to sustain a meaningful dialogue, the cross border terrorism which is being unleashed in Jammu and Kashmir from across our border has to stop," he said.

Vajpayee said India was committed to resolving all its differences, including Jammu and Kashmir, with Pakistan through peaceful dialogue.

"This is a commitment which is enshrined in our bilateral documents - the Shimla agreement and Lahore declaration" he said.

He pointed out that India had initiated a number of initiatives recently to demonstrate its commitment to normalise ties with Pakistan.

"It is our firm conviction that such confidence building measures can create a climate of awareness and understanding which can effectively prepare the ground for resolution of the most difficult bilateral issues," he said. (PTI)

6 passengers killed, 22 wounded

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 15: At least six commuters died on spot and 22 others sustained injuries when their vehicle skidded off the road at a place between Furkian Top and Mandian on Kupwara-Keran road today.

Informed sources in Kupwara told EXCELSIOR that the civilian Jonga, recently purchased by its owner from Army, went out of control when it was on way to Keran at 1235 hours today. It skidded off the road and plunged into a 200-ft deep gorge.

Police, security forces and civilians of the sparsely populated area rushed to the spot and rescued the injured. Most of the injured were admitted at District Hospital of Kupwara while as the persons with critical injuries were rushed to a Srinagar Hospital.

Four of the civilians, killed in the accident, have been identified as Maulvi Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, Afzal Khan, Abdus Samad Joo and Mehboob Khan. They were residents of Mandian and other hamlets in Keran.

The tragedy has befallen Kupwara two days after six members of a family died due to inhalation of LPG during night at Bumhama village, in Kupwara outskirts.

TV star joins BJP

NEW DELHI, Nov 15: After the stars from Bollywood, it was the turn of television starlet Smriti Z Iraani of ‘kyonki saas bhi kabhi bahu thi’ fame to join the BJP bandwagon ahead of the coming Assembly elections.

Smriti, who joins the league of Deepika Chikhalia and Arvind Trivedi of ‘Ramayana’ fame, joined the party today saying "it maintained certain political tradition and took the view of all its members on key issues.

The TV star, who has acted in about a dozen serials, joined the party in the presence of party vice president and former Maharasthra Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, party general secretary and spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and party spokesman Prakaash Javadekar.

Smriti said she would campaign actively in the coming Assembly polls as it would give her an opportunity to work for the party.

She said she was keen on working for the welfare of women and children and for enforcement of laws to ensure the safety and respect for women.(PTI)

Dr Vinod Gupta is MS GMC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 15: Dr Vinod Gupta today took over as Medical Superintendent, Govt Medical College hospital replacing Dr Romesh Gupta, who had about a three years stint in the hospital.

Dr Romesh Gupta has been transferred to Chest Diseases (CD) hospital as Medical Superintendent vice Dr Vinod Gupta.

Dr Vinod Gupta had earlier served as Medical Superintendent CD and Dental hospitals while simultaneously holding the charge of Principal AMT school. He had also served in Medical College as Deputy Superintendent.

Bakula’s mortal remains to be consigned to flames today

Excelsior Special Correspondent

LEH, Nov 15: Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in a meeting held here today, passed a condolence resolution in the honour of late K G Bakula who died on Nov 4.

The mortal remains of the departed leader and spiritual personality are being consigned to flames on Nov 16 at Leh with State honour. The general council of Ladakh in its resolution said," His Holiness K G Bakula’s death, Ladakh has lost its architect and guiding spirit ; the State of Jammu and Kashmir has lost one of its most eminent political and temporal leader who combined his spiritual and political role with great maturity, wisdom and statesmanship; the country has lost an elderly statesman and a strong advocate of the non-violence; and Budhist world has lost one of its most distinguished leader."

Reiterating that late Bakula Rinpochey strode the political landscape of Ladakh like a colossus for more than 4 decades, the general council through the resolution pledged itself to carry forward the political legacy of Kushok Bakula in achieving his socio-economic vision of an enlightened , confident, self-reliant and a secular Ladakh.

Soon the Chief Executive Councillor Thupstan Chhewang read out the resolution which was seconded by Science and Technology Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora, the Executive Councillor passed the resolution raising their hands. Two minute silence was also observed paying a tribute to the departed leader.

Sonia doesn’t rule out snap poll

NEW DELHI, Nov 15: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today did not rule out demanding snap polls to Lok Sabha if her party emerged victorious in the coming Assembly elections in five states.

"We will tell you in the first week of December (when the results of the Assembly polls will be out)", a beaming Gandhi, who freely mingled with the media, said at an `Iftar’ hosted by her at the party headquarters.

Gandhi made the cryptic comment when a reporter asked her whether Congress would demand a snap poll in the event of her party making a sweep in the December one Assembly polls.

To a question about her party’s prospects in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Delhi, Gandhi first said "all four" and added even the polls surveys had shown that it was winning in Delhi and Rajasthan. As regards Madhya Pradesh, she said the Chief Minister "says we are winning and I will go by that (assessment)."

Gandhi dismissed a suggestion that the Election Commission’s indications against an early poll in Andhra Pradesh would in any way affect the Congress prospects in the State where it continued to be "well placed".

The ‘Iftar’ was attended by a host of opposition leaders including former Prime Ministers V P Singh and I K Gujral, Ram Vilas Paswan, Ajit Singh, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah. The National Conference leaders, whose party was with the NDA till recently, were for the first time invited for the Iftar by Gandhi.

But Left leaders were absent with CPI-M having its polit bureau meeting in Kolkata and CPI leaders being out of station. Congress leaders insisted that no political meaning should be attached to the absence.

While SP general secretary Amar Singh turned up, his party chief and UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav as also NCP president Sharad Pawar were among the absentees.

BSP president Mayawati, whose party was warming up with Congress, was also among the absentees but Gandhi said that she was busy with some election in Uttar Pradesh.

"All our friends who were invited but could not come was because they are busy campaigning", Gandhi reasoned.

"Nothing is final in politics", she retorted when asked whether the Congress understanding with BSP was through.

Pakistan High Commissioner Aziz Ahmed Khan was among the members of the diplomatic corps who attended the Iftar. (PTI)
 
 
 
 

 

 

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