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Air power will dominate future wars, says expert MUMBAI, Nov 21: The combination of modern warplanes, sensor technology and guided weapons will change the concept of...more Congress
manifesto RAIPUR, Nov 21: The ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh today promised to generate more employment opportunities, speed up infrastructure ...more AIDS
medicines may NEW DELHI, Nov 21: On a visit to pharmaceutical giant ranbaxy research laboratories here, former US President ....more Cong
for Parliamentary NEW DELHI, Nov 21: Senior Congress leaders today met President A P J Abdul ...more |
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Except Jogi’s order,
no SIVAKASI (TN), Nov 21: Gone are the days when elections were seen as a bonanza. Now they hold forth nothing . ....more ISP
union demands MUMBAI, Nov 21: Employees’ union of the Nashik-based Indian Security....more Contentious
issues RAIPUR, Nov 21: Even as Chhattisgarh gears up for its first-ever assembly polls since the state’s .....more Habitation on Mars, materials from moon: Kalam’s agenda for ISRO VELI, KERALA, Nov 21: Setting the agenda for the Indian space programme over ......more |
Air power will dominate future wars, says expert MUMBAI, Nov 21: The combination of modern warplanes, sensor technology and guided weapons will change the concept of air warfare in future and dependence on army and navy will gradually decline, according to a leading aerospace expert. "Technologically backward nations stand no chance against them (modern systems). Even guerilla warfare, aided by terrain, is difficult to succeed much against such a (high-tech) opponent. This in particular has made the United States of America a dominant power K V Gopalakrishnan, a retired professor of Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, told UNI here. Dr Gopalakrishnan, author of several popular science books, said the two other wings, the army and the navy (except for aircraft carriers) will continue to decline in importance in the foreseeable future. He said in the Iraq and Afghan wars precision bombing again achieved desired results. In the 2001 Afghan war, he said, the Americans used a variety of bombs guided to their targets by special forces spotters using laser guidance systems. About the war in former Yugoslavia, Dr Gopalakrishnan said in order to subdue the Serbians, NATO air forces resorted to "pin point bombing" of strategic targets. During the 1991 Gulf war, the expert said, the open desert terrain greatly facilitated the use of air power by the Americans against the Iraqi army. "Fixed targets like large buildings and air fields stood little chance of survival. Cruise missiles launched from ships or land or guided bombs from aircraft easily destroyed them." against moving targets or camouflaged targets spotters on the ground (like special forces) could pinpoint them for aerial attacks. With aids like global positioning system (gps) any spot on earth can be fixed with an error of few metres, he said. Dr Gopalakrishnan said the impact and importance of the guidance system has increased manifold over the years. Spectacular progress has been made in the field of electronics after the World War II. Hence ‘blind bombing’, that is dropping plain bombs over targets, is gradually being given up. Bombs and rockets can be fitted with optical, radar or infra-red equipment to guide them to the targets, the expert said. He pointed out long-range missiles (ICBM, IRBM etc) could be launched from land or sea to reach any target on earth. Long-range rockets, carrying nuclear weapons, made potential destruction so great and sure that it ruled out major wars between great powers (US and ex-USSR). Consequently, since the World War II, there have been only ‘limited wars’, he said. In the beginning of the World War I (August 1914-November 1918), aeroplanes were used mainly for reconnaissance, but subsequently, they were used for artillery fire. In the next stage, fighter planes fought duels in the sky. However, the potential of the aircraft to directly attack the enemy forces and population behind the front line was not realised. Gradually, machine guns were mounted on aircraft as armament. Various type of aircraft like fighters, bombers and sea planes were evolved during the course of the war. The aircraft carrier also appeared in elementary form. On the whole, air power did not make a decisive contribution in the war, since it was still an evolving arm. Dr Gopalakrishnan pointed out that due to the influence of the rapidly developing aviation sector during the inter war years (1918-1939), military aircraft also increased in size, speed, range and reliability. During this period, the air force came to be recognised as an independent third service in the major nations. Anti-aircraft defences, too, were developed in the form of effective anti-aircraft guns and radars. During the World War II (September 1939-August 1945), air power played a more important role and even air-borne landings took place as part of the warfare like normandy. Aircraft were also used to maintain supplies. Strong air support proved a great asset to the armies. The navies suffered with the introduction of air power than armies as several battleships were sunk because of the aerial attacks. The jet engines and helicopters also changed the scenario. Peak aircraft speeds suddenly went up from 600 KMPH to 900 KMPH and later upto mach 2 (twice the speed of sound). Post-war, all air forces switched over to jet engines. The entry of helicopters facilitated quick movement of troops and supplies into inhospitable terrain like forests. Dr Gopalakrishnan feels the future is likely to produce even more spectacular developments. A variety of sensors, backed by overhead satellites, could make it impossible for an opponent to assemble forces and launch an attack in land, air or at sea in secrecy. "Any nation which values its Independence, should keep abreast of progress in science and technology. It is worth remembering that Sweden, with less than 10 million population, designs and produces its own warplanes, tanks and artillery," he pointed out. (UNI) |
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Congress manifesto promises more jobs, new districts RAIPUR, Nov 21: The ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh today promised to generate more employment opportunities, speed up infrastructure development, carve out more districts and establish a Vidhan Parishad— a legislative council—if it retained power in the December 1 assembly elections in the state. Releasing the party manifesto at a press conference here, Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramanujlal Yadav and Chief Minister Ajit Jogi said this was a ‘historic document’ as it was the first policy document since the formation of the new state. Mr Jogi said emphasis will be given to globalisation of education and providing free education to children in the age group of five to 14 years. "A campaign will also be launched to create awareness against school drop outs. Girl students will be exempted from paying tuition fee till graduate level," he added. Promising to generate more jobs, Mr Jogi said people who had registered themselves with the employment exchange department till November 1, 2003 will be provided "opportunities" to earn their livelihood. Regarding more districts in Chhattisgarh, the Chief Minister said new districts will be carved out, if required. About establishing the state legislative council, Mr Jogi said all the assembly and Parliamentary seats in Bastar and Sarguja division were reserved. "This has deprived the people of the general category from these areas to contribute in the process of development," he added. Mr Jogi said people who did not come under the purview of any reserved category in these areas did not get an opportunity to get elected to the state assembly. Mr Jogi said initiatives will be taken to provide health care facilities to all the people and campaigns launched to create awareness regarding nutrition, particularly in the tribal areas. "Steps will be taken to ensure availability of foodgrain stock in remote villages," he added. The manifesto said all regions of the state will be given equal importance in infrastructure development. The Chief Minister said cultivation of cash crops, cottage and small industries and agro-based industries will be encouraged. Referring to the initiatives to be taken for the welfare and uplift of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the manifesto said efforts will be made to include more communities in the Scheduled List. "Besides, tribals would be given ownership rights on water, forests and land in their respective areas," it added. (UNI) |
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AIDS medicines may soon be cheaper in India NEW DELHI, Nov 21: On a visit to pharmaceutical giant ranbaxy research laboratories here, former US President Bill Clinton today indicated anti-AIDS medicines may become cheaper for the Indian patients. Here as a representative of his William Jefferson Clinton foundation, Clinton told reporters he has had discussions with Indian officials on the subject and he would also be taking it up with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Clinton foundation had signed an agreement with three generic drug manufacturers from India - Cipla, Ranbaxy and Matrix laboratories - and one from South Africa, Aspen Pharmacare, last month that would reduce the cost of commonly used triple drug regimen for AIDS by about one-third to about 36-38 cents per person per day for distribution in some African and Caribbean countries. There was high level of interest in India towards curtailing AIDS, he said. Indian Government has already formed a working group that also includes members of industry to chart out a similar strategy to reduce the drug prices in India. The former US President said that providing medicines should be seen as an important part of preventive strategy for HIV/AIDS. "Without treatment you can not get young people to come in and get tested," Clinton said adding the drugs to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV can save the lives of scores of children. Under the agreement these drugs would be provided in nine Caribbean and four African countries. About two million people would be under treatment through this agreement, he said. Clinton said that the agreement indicated a "giant leap" towards humanitarianism on part of these companies. They were shifting from higher profit, low volume business to less profit per treatment and higher volume business, he said. The former US President said that it was important to give these companies privileges as they convinced the world that treatment was an affordable and viable option. (PTI) |
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Contentious issues eclipse people’s problems in Chhattisgarh RAIPUR, Nov 21: Even as Chhattisgarh gears up for its first-ever assembly polls since the state’s formation, contentious issues dominate the election campaign, clouding real problems being faced by the masses. Though the ruling Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) maintain that development is their principal poll plank, issues such as the row over Chief Minister Ajit Jogi’s caste credentials besides cases pending against him, the graft scandal involving former Union Minister of State Dilip Singh Judev, conversions and corruption have overshadowed the campaign. In an apparent bid to tap regional sentiments, the mainstream organisations are also raising the emotive factor of ‘Chhattisgarhi Asmita’ (pride) and also the demand for according ‘language status’ to the Chhattisgarhi dialect. Despite naxals belonging to the Peoples’ War (PW) and Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) being active in almost half the 16 districts, political outfits appeared to be cautious about taking a stand. Parties contesting the hustings are explaining away extremism as a ‘socio-economic’ problem and promising that steps would be taken to solve it. The Congress, the BJP and the NCP fielded their candidates from all 90 constituencies while the Bahujan Samaj Party put up its nominees in 54. Aspirants of the Communist Party of India, CPI (Marxist), Samajwadi Party, Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha (CMM) are also among 817 candidates in the fray for the December 1 polls. "Our core issue is development. To retain power, we’re banking on development initiatives taken up during the past three years," says Mr Jogi. "Through these efforts, my Government has been successful in building confidence among people that the new state, rich in natural wealth, has all the potential to develop," he told UNI. "We’re seeking a positive vote," the Chief Minister said, adding that the pace of development would have been much better if the BJP-led national democratic alliance Government at New Delhi cooperated and extended timely assistance to the state. Chhattisgarh Congress committee spokesman Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said that the Centre’s continued neglect of this state was a poll issue. Even three years after Chhattisgarh’s formation, New Delhi is still silent over the demand for according special status to the state, he said adding that the BJP-led Government also sat over a Rs 1,430-crore action plan for socio-economic development of tribal areas to tackle the naxal menace. "The BJP is also not saying that development didn’t take place. They are trying to mislead the people, alleging that there was corruption," he added. While the BJP is raising development as the principal election issue, the main opposition party’s perception varies. "New Delhi extended all possible help but it did not percolate to the ground level," said Union Minister of State for Mines Ramesh Bais. "We’re trying to impress upon the people that single party rule at the Centre and within the state would help accelerate the process of development," he said, adding that the confrontationist attitude being adopted by the Jogi Government had affected Chhattisgarh’s interests. For the NCP, headed by veteran leader Vidya Charan Shukla, the main poll plank is to "bring an end to the politics of terror and corruption" besides ensuring planned development. The BJP is also raising the issue of conversion, alleging that Christian missionaries stepped up activities after Mr Jogi came to power. The organisation has promised to strictly enforce the anti-conversion law or amend it to incorporate more stringent provisions. Stung by the recent graft scandal involving Mr Judev, who is spearheading a campaign against conversion, the BJP started trumpeting the issue more vigorously after the former minister alleged that the ‘expose’ was an outcome of a conspiracy by Christian missionaries. After resigning from the union ministry following the scandal, Mr Judeo dashed off a missive to Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi asking her to take a firm stand against conversion of ‘Adivasis’. Demanding that the Congress should implement recommendations of the Niyogi Commission, regarding conversion and activities of missionaries, he said the land, belonging to tribals but purchased by Christian organisations in violation of the land revenue code, must be returned to the original owners. "All these parties are talking about non-issues, ignoring problems being faced by 80 per cent of the state’s populace who live in rural areas," says CPI state general secretary Chittaranjan Bakshi. He added that none of the primary contenders for power were speaking of illiteracy, high maternal and infant mortality rate, non-availability of safe potable water in several districts and unemployment. "Our major plank is development of Adivasi areas in a corruption-free environment," Mr Bakshi said, adding that development work in tribal areas had always been a source of corruption for the past many decades. "We firmly believe that Chhattisgarh’s development isn’t possible without developing tribal areas. The focus of our campaign is the need to generate more employment opportunities and ensure at least minimum wages to workers in the unorganised sector," he added. State BSP president Dauram Ratnakar said that his party’s agenda was empowerment of ‘Dalits’ so that the people behind the plough could get opportunities and participate in the development process. (UNI) |
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Habitation on Mars, materials from moon: Kalam’s agenda for ISRO VELI, KERALA, Nov 21: Setting the agenda for the Indian space programme over the next 50 years, President A P J Abdul Kalam today exhorted the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists to aim at inhabiting Mars and procuring materials from moon. In a tele-conference address to a function at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) here to mark the 40th anniversary of India’s first rocket launch on November 21, 1963, Dr Kalam said from New Delhi that there were many challenges ahead for the country’s space programme. "While India can now launch any type of satellite from any type of vehicle, several other challenges are there. The three challenges that I set for you are to use your knowledge to remove poverty and efficiently map the country’s resources. Habitation on Mars and procuring materials from moon should also be attempted. This is the work that I am setting for you for the next 50 years," Dr Kalam added. Observing that 260 million people in India were still living below the poverty line, Dr Kalam emphasised that the country’s space programme had to be oriented to remove their want and needs. The President, who was part of the team which launched a two-stage nike-apache rocket, borrowed from the US space agency NASA, into space from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERIS) here on November 21, 1963, described it as a "beautiful experience." Recalling that the Indian scientists collaborated with those from the United States, the Soviet Union and France to make India’s pioneering launch effort possible, Dr Kalam said it was wonderful working with such an international team. "It was wonderful that Indian scientists could collaborate with scientists from other countries," he added in nearly ten-minute address, relayed live to a packed auditorium at the VSSC. Earlier, in his inaugural address, ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said social applications, including tele-education and tele-medicine, were among the thrust areas for the country’s space programme. Mr Nair pointed out that 40 per cent of the population was still illiterate. Similarly, while 75 per cent of the country’s population lived outside the metropolitan cities, 75 per cent of medical experts were available only in the major cities. Observing that social development was to be the main thrust of the space programme, the ISRO Chairman said already 11 resource nodes, including AIIMS in Delhi, the Amritha super speciality hospital in Kochi, the Ramakrishna mission hospital in Chennai and the Narayana Hrudalaya in Bangalore, had been set up with links to 36 terminals in remote areas to provide medical expertise in far-flung areas. Speaking about the country’s ambitious moon mission "Chandrayan" to be completed in the next four years, Mr Nair said it would map the entire lunar surface and look for materials which could be of benefit to the entire humankind. While throwing light on the origin of the universe, the mission would also help to rekindle a scientific temprament and curiosity among the youth, he added. In his welcome address at the function, which was attended by several veteran scientists who were part of the 1963 maiden rocket launch, VSSC Director B N Suresh said that memorable day marked the birth of India’s space programme. Starting from that first step 40 years ago towards the fruitition of the vision of Vikram Sarabhai, the architect of India’s space programme, the country was now poised to undertake a mission to the moon. It had also sent up 38 satellites and recently completed the 18th launch vehicle mission, he added. In his keynote address, peppered with several interesting anecdotes about the shaping up of India’s space programme, veteran scientist R Aravamudan recalled the initial days when work went on at TERLS round the clock. The only means of transportation available in the campus were bicycles and people like Dr Kalam, who did not know how to ride one, had to depend on others for a "hitch ride", he said. At another time, a technician inadvertantly triggered off a rocket launch instead of pressing the alert alarm, sounded three minutes before a launch. "Luckily, the rocket was pointing in the right direction and no one was hurt," he quipped. Others present at the inaugural function included Prof J Blamont of France, who was also associated with the 1963 rocket launch, and former scientific adviser to the Prime Minister A Gowarikar. The inaugural function was followed by the opening of an exhibition of archival photographs and press clippings and a seminar on "40 years of sounding rocket programme in ISRO". The launch of a Rohini 200 sounding rocket in the afternoon was another highlight of the 40th anniversary celebration. (UNI) Madhumita’s family meet one of her alleged killers LUCKNOW, Nov 21: One of the alleged killers of poetess Madhumita Shukla was brought face-to-face with her family members at the CBI camp office here, CBI sources said today. Santosh Rai, arrested in connection with the murder, narrated the sequence of events before and after the murder of the poetess to the family members, the sources told PTI. They said this excercise was aimed only to apprise the deceased poetess’ family members about the developments in the case and to satisfy them that the culprits had been arrested. CBI sources said Shanti Shukla and Nidhi Shukla, the mother and sister of deceased poetess, confronted Rai and reportedly asked about minute details like what was Madhumita wearing at the time she was shot dead and the room decoration on that day. Nidhi seems to be satisfied that Rai was actually present in the house when her sister was shot dead, the sources said. Shanti Shukla later told reporters that Santosh Rai had admitted that he was one of the killers and on his order Prakash Chand Pandey had pulled the trigger. She claimed that Rai had also confessed that Madhumita was killed on the directions of former minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani. "He was full of details, but I did not muster enough courage to ask questions," she said. Nidhi said Rai gave the full account of the incident. He admitted that he had a heated argument with Madhumita and then he gagged her and asked Pandey to open fire, she said. Later, Santosh and Pandey went to a hostel in Lucknow university, she said adding she was satisfied with the CBI investigation. Madhumita Shukla was shot dead on May 9 at her paper mill colony residence by two youths, later identified as Santosh Rai and Prakash Chand Pandey. CBI claimed that the investigating agency may arrange a similar meeting between family members of the deceased with the second killer Pandey. (PTI) After bifurcation, several features missing in MP polls BHOPAL, Nov 21: In the first assembly polls since its bifurcation in 2000, Madhya Pradesh is missing a host of political stalwarts, members of erstwhile royal families and several other features witnessed in earlier electoral battles. Poll scenario appears to have undergone a metamorphosis with the carving out of Chhattisgarh on November 1, 2000 as many heavyweights from major political parties, including Congress and BJP, are dominating the scene in the new state. Prominent among Congress leaders whose absence is being felt are Shyama Charan Shukla and his younger brother Vidya Charan Shukla who is now leading the poll Chariot of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Chhattisgarh. Congress treasurer and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Motilal Vohra was conspicuous by his absence as division of the state took him back to his native place durg. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi himself was once an eye-catcher here, while former Union Minister Arvind Netam, now in the new state, happened to be one of the prominent and popular tribal leaders in the undivided state. In the BJP camp, former Union Minister and a scion of princely state, Dilip Singh Judeo, who resigned from Vajpayee ministry in the wake of cash-on-camera scam, is also absent in Madhya Pradesh election war. So are his party colleagues including Union Minister Ramesh Bais, Lakhiram Agarwal and Nand Kumar Sai. Elections are now being held for 230 assembly seats as against 320 in 1998 as 90 constituencies have gone to Chhattisgarh. Naxalite menace in the run up to elections has been considerably lowered following inclusion of major Naxalite affected areas including Bastar, Dantewada and Sarguja in Chhattisgarh. Though it has lessened worries of police and election authorities, there are still some areas like Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori facing possible threat of naxalite violence during elections. The volume of security arrangements required during earlier elections seems to have come down but adequate precautionary measures are being taken to prevent possible infiltration of extremist elements from neighbouring areas. In order to prevent criminal and anti-social elements from entering the state to hamper peaceful and free and fair polling, strict vigil is being maintained along the state’s borders and at several stretches, borders have been sealed. Perhaps for the first time since its formation in 1956, Madhya Pradesh is going to polls with reduced number of voters following the bifurcation. During the 1998 assembly elections, the total number of voters in the undivided state was over 4.48 crore and today the size of the electorate has been reduced substantially and over 3.79 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. The total number of districts now stands at 45 with the transfer of 16 to Chhattisgarh. Elaborate arrangements required earlier for taking poll staff and material as also security personnel to far-flung and inaccessible areas of Bastar are not seen except in some places like Balaghat. (PTI) Former Delhi transport minister in straight fight with BJP NEW DELHI, Nov 21: Former transport minister of the capital and AICC secretary Parvez Hashmi is facing a direct fight with the BJP in the Okhla constituency of the Delhi assembly. Mr Hashmi, the sitting MLA, had won with a heavy margin of 18000 votes against BJP candidate K K Mehta in the last elections. In the 1993 assembly elections too, Mr Hashmi had won from this constituency, though as a Janata Dal candidate. The BJP has this time brought in a new face in Mr Raj Pal Singh. Mr Singh, a former vice president of the Delhi BJP and at present a district president of the party belongs to the Gujjar community which has a strong presence in the constituency. There are ten candidates in the fray, but the contest looks to be straight between the Congress and the BJP. Though, the Samajwadi Party candidate Wasim Ghazi might eat into Mr Hashmi’s minority votes to some extent, his presence seems unlikely to seriously affect the prospects of his rival majority of the minority community dominated areas of his constituency concede has improved civic amenities in these areas. However, there is another factor this time which residents of the constituency feel that goes against Mr Hashmi. The Congress candidate had a strong base in the slums in the Nehru place, Jamia, Okhla Sriniwaspuri etc which were there in the last elections. But this time these settlements have been removed and with them have gone at least 10,000 voters. But Mr Hashmi dismisses these calculations, saying that he added many more voters in areas like Garhi, Sriniwaspuri and east of Kailash by the developmental he has taken up in his constituency. "I have solved the problem of water and electricity to a great extent and these amenities would soon be there in the unauthorised colonies once they are regularised. "My area of influence cuts across caste and community barriers and I am in a pretty comfortable position in my constituency, which, however, only the results will show," said Mr Hashmi. Dismissing Mr Hashmi’s claim, Mr Singh, who belongs to the rural area of Garhi, said he had completely neglected the develpoment of rural areas of his constituency and people were this time very enthusiastic that a person belonging to their areas was contesting. Loot of customers by private contractors following privatisation of power distribution has completely disenchanted the people with the Congress Government, he said The BJP had polled 14,613 votes as against the congress’s 32,774 votes in the 1998 assembly elections. The Samajwadi Party had come third with only 5693 people voting for it. In 1993, Mr Hashmi, contesting as Janata Dal candidate had polled 13,282 votes while the Congress had come second with 11,975 votes. The BJP coming third had polled 10079 votes. (UNI) Cong to maintain equi-distance from DMK, AIADMK in TN CHENNAI, Nov 21: Newly appointed Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president G K Vasan today declared that the party would maintain equi-distance from both the DMK and AIADMK in the State. Addressing a huge gathering of party workers at the Congress ground here after he was given a rousing reception, Mr Vasan said the party would keep itself away from the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and the constitutents (DMK) of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre. Stating that it was not the time to talk about alliances, he said party president Sonia Gandhi would be the final authority to take any decision in this regard and the TNCC would accept it. As of now, his top priority was to strengthen the party in the State and for this purpose, he would undertake a massive tour and travel the length and breadth of the State to interact with party workers. After he completed the tour programme, there would be no village in the State without the Congress flag, he declared amid loud cheers by the crowd. In the last 37 years, Congressmen in Tamil Nadu had undergone various trials and tribulations and his duty was to put an end to their ordeal and fulfil their aspirations. Mr Vasan demanded the resignation of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, owning moral responsibility in the wake of the Supreme Court transferring to Karnataka the dispropotionate wealth case pending against her. Renewing his pledge to bring back Congress rule in the State, Mr Vasan exhorted partymen to sink their differences and lend him a helping hand in his effort to strengthen the party. "All of us should work towards achieving the objective of establishing a strong India and prosperous Tamil Nadu," he said. Mr Vasan said the AIADMK came to power with the support of alliance parties in the May 2001 Assembly elections. The erstwhile Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) had sought votes for AIADMK, stating that the Government would be people friendly, "but our hopes were belied." Speaking on the occasion, AICC secretary Satyajit Gaekwad urged partymen to work towards re-establishing Congress rule in the State. In the last 37 years, the dravidian parties had come to power with the help of the Congress and it was high time that the party fought it alone to come back to power. He asked partymen to work unitedly under Mr Vasan, whom he described as the Chief Ministerial candidate, amid lusty cheers from the crowd. (UNI) |
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