Sonia shifts to Rae Bareli, Rahul to make debut from Amethi
Cong names Kar from Baramulla, Lal Singh Udhampur, Madan Jammu

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: Coming under stepped up attack from BJP-led NDA on her foreign origin, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today fielded her son Rahul in Amethi, shifting herself to adjacent Rae Bareli in a repeat of 1980s when her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi and her two sons had contested and won from these two constituencies.

Ending a long suspense over entry of her children into electoral fray, the Congress party announced Rahul’s candidature but left open the question of Priyanaka contesting the elections.

The announcement of the entry of Rahul Gandhi for his maiden election comes in the midst of BJP and its allies making Sonia’s Italian origin a major plank in the coming elections and also hinting at a law to ban non-natural born citizens from occupying high constitutional posts like Prime Minister.

Chairperson of AICC’s media department Ambika Soni told reporters that a decision on Priyanka’s "programme" would be announced at an "appropriate" time but speculation grew that she might be fielded from Bellary in Karnataka from where her mother had won in 1999 Lok Sabha elections.

Soon after elections were announced, Rahul and Priyanka toured Amethi and Rae Bareli triggering speculation about their entry into electoral politics. Soni said Rahul had been very active in politics for quite some time, may be even from behind the scene.

The names of Rahul and Sonia are part of a figure in the list of 31 candidates announced by Congress today. Prominent among them are former Union Ministers Suresh Kalmadi, Balram Jhakhar and former Maharashtra Chief Ministert A R Antulay. Sonia later resigned the Bellary seat retaining Amethi from where also she had won.

Rae Bareily and Amethi had been the family’s pocketborough since the days of Indira Gandhi. Though Indira and Sanjay Gandhi had lost the elections in 1977 from Rae Bareli and Amethi respectively, the two won from these seats in 1980.

After Sanjay’s death in 1980, his brother Rajiv won from Amethi in a subsequent byelection. Later, Rajiv won the same seat in 1984 and 1989 elections.

Prominent among others who figured in the third list of candidates are AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik, secretary Ramesh Chennithala, former Union Minister Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, Milind Deora, son of senior party leader Murali Deora and BRCC chief Gurudas Kamat also figure in the list.

While Wasnik would contest from his old seat Buldhana (SC), Antulay, Kalmadi and Patil have been nominated from Kolaba, Pune and Kopargaon respectively in Maharashtra and Jhakhar, a Jat leader, from Churu in Rajasthan. Jhakhar had earlier represented Sikar Lok Sabha constituency in the State.

Milind would be contesting from Mumbai South and Kamath from Mumbai north-west, Soni said.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the party has nominated former PCC president Ghulam Rasool Kar, Chaudhary Lal Singh and Madan Lal Sharma from Baramulla, Udhampur and Jammu Lok Sabha seats respectively. Singh and Sharma are ministers in the PDP-led Government in the State.

Besides the two seats in Uttar Pradesh, the list contains Chhatisgarh (two), J and K (three), Kerala (five), Maharashtra (10) and Rajasthan (nine).

The party also announced the candidature of Rakesh Kumar Singh and Gita Devi Singh for the two Assembly by-elections at Akaltara and Dongargaon in Chhatisgarh.

Sonia Gandhi, who vacated Amethi for her son, had contested from Bellary in Karnataka and Amethi in 1999 polls but later gave up Bellary where she had defeated Union Minister Sushma Swaraj by over 50,000 votes. She had won Amethi by a massive margin.

It is still unclear whether Priyanka Gandhi would also be fielded by the party.

Sonia Gandhi had so far been maintaining that it was for Rahul and Priyanka to decide whether they want to take a plunge into politics.

The entry of Rahul into active politics has come at a time when BJP stepped up pressure on the issue of Sonia’s foreign origin.

Rahul’s candidature was announced a day after BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu said NDA, if returned to power, would enact a law barring people of foreign origin from holding high constitutional posts.

An indication of Rahul Gandhi contesting from Amethi was first given by his sister Priyanaka Vadra, when the two siblings had visited the constituency recently.

During their interaction with Amethi people, Priyanka had told them that henceforth Rahul would be looking after the constituency.

With the announcement of 31 candidates today, the party so far has declared the candidature of 181 names in 15 states.

Asked about the party chief’s decision to contest from Rai Bareilly, the seat represented by her mother-in law on a number of times, Soni said Gandhi had received invitations from all over the country to contest but she opted for Rae Bareily.

About the remaining seats in Uttar Pradesh, she said it would be announced shortly.

About possibility of a tie-up with Samajwadi Party, Soni said "it has been the endeavour of the party president to unite secular forces. We are for talks with the party but let their top leaders speak in one voice on the issue."

Soni was indirectly referring to the mixed signals sent by Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav and general secretary Amar Singh on the matter. However, she disclosed that some top leaders of the party have already met Gandhi on the issue.

Soni also dismissed suggestions of any infighting in the party units, including in Kerala following selection of candidates. However, she said AICC general secretary incharge of Kerala Ahmed Patel was in touch with the State leaders to sort out "minor" differences. (PTI)

Mangat warns against hasty move on bill

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: As his Congress party continued to lock horns with alliance partner PDP over Women’s Property Bill, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma today cautioned against any "hasty" move that could create a communal divide and affect the state’s relations with rest of the country.

Remaining firm on his party’s decision to oppose the bill that denies rights over immovable property in J&K to women marrying non-State Subjects, he, however, asserted that differences over the issue would not have any impact on the coalition Government.

Sharma said the matter did not fall under the purview of Common Minimum Programme (CMP) guiding the ruling coalition and every constituent had a right to hold individual views on the bill.

"We should not take any decision (on the bill) in a haste. We should not take any action that creates a communal divide in the State," he said here, adding any "hasty move (on the bill) can create misunderstanding at the national level that it is against the national integration."

The matter needed to be given more thought with a "cool mind" and a "middle path" had to be found, he said.

Maintaining that when "bigger" issues could be sorted out through talks, he said the matter relating to the Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill, 2004 would also be settled amicably between the coalition partners.

The bill, which has been passed by the Legislative Assembly and is now before the Legislative Council, has divided the coalition partners with PDP determined to convert it into a law while the Congress asserts it too was "firm" on its decision to oppose it in the present form.

"We cannot afford to indulge in a tussle among ourselves as the enemies of the country can take advantage of it," the senior Congress leader said, suggesting that the alliance partners should sit and deliberate over the issue thoroughly before taking any final decision.

Expressing himself against any "one-sided" decision favouring any of the three regions of the State, Sharma said unity of J&K has to be maintained at all costs.

"We have to strengthen secularism and cement further our ties with rest of the country," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Defending Congress decision to oppose the bill even after it was passed by the Legislative Assembly, he said it was discriminatory towards women and his party took corrective steps as soon as it realised its ramifications.

He said his party was committed to strengthening the status of women and was pressing for 33 per cent reservation to the fair sex in Lok Sabha and Assemblies. (PTI)

Four of a family injured in Banihal
Two children killed in blast

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 21: Two children were killed and four other members of a family including three children were injured in an explosion inside the house at village Tanka in Banihal tehsil in Ramban police district yesterday.

In another incident, the militants gunned down a Special Police Officer (SPO) in his house at Marmat in Doda district last night, official reports said.

An explosion occurred inside the house of Fateh Mohd Gujjar at village Tanka yesterday afternoon killing his four year old son Arif and five year old daughter Zahida and injuring his wife and three children, a delayed report received here today said.

The injured have been identified as Hazara Begum wife of Fateh Mohd, Fatina, 13 and Mariam, 10, daughters of Fateh Mohd and Sadiq, 8, son of Fateh Mohd.

Fateh Mohd was reportedly not present in the house when the blast took place, the reports said.

A police party reached the house and shifted the victims to Banihal hospital where the siblings—Arif and Zahida— were declared as dead. Other injured family members were responding to the treatment.

Police said a grenade was reportedly thrown on the house by the militants leading to an explosion. However, Banihal police have registered a case for the investigations.

Meanwhile, two militants entered into the house of Mohd Sadiq, SPO, son of Nazir Ahmed Rather at Muthi Goha in Marmat area of Doda district late last night.

They opened firing on the SPO with a rifle killing him on spot, the reports said, adding that the militants escaped after the killing.

Mohd Sadiq was posted at Goha police post. His dead body was handed over to his family by the police this afternoon after the post-mortem.

Both the militants, involved in the killing of SPO, were believed to be the local cadre of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, the reports said. Police was making efforts to arrest them.

In Rajouri, the Army today recovered a consignment of ammunition and explosives during a search operation in Lal forests in Dharamshal area of Kalakote tehsil.

The recoveries included five kg explosives, one wireless set I Com, 219 AK rounds, 56 pistol rounds, five detonators, half meter electric wire, nine pencil cells, one identity card and two religious books.

The Army personnel handed over the recoveries to Taryat police post.

7 militants, 2 soldiers killed

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 21: Seven militants and two soldiers have died in three separate gunbattles in Bandipore, Budgam and Kulgam areas of Kashmir valley since last evening.

Informed sources told the EXCELSIOR that, on the basis of a specific information, Army carried out a search operation in the hilly terrain of Yawan Behak Dudbugh, about 40 Kms from Bandipore today. During the operation, a fierce gunbattle took place between a group of heavily armed militants and security forces. Defence sources said that five militants and a soldier got killed. Troops were still searching the area to look for other members of the militant group who were suspected to have escaped.

Sources said that one militant and one soldier of RR 35 Bn died in the overnight gunbattle between militants and security forces at Narkara village in Budgam. As already reported, troops of Sector-12 of Victor Force and SOG Budgam had raided the house of one Abdul Razzaq Dar at Narkara late last night after getting information regarding the presence of two Pakistani militants. Sources today said that one militant managed to escape but another one was killed in a fierce encounter. Weapons and documents recovered from the site of encounter identified the slain militant as Usama Sidiquee of Pakistan. Officials said that he was a member of Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Sources said that one soldier died and one more sustained critical injuries in the gunbattle. The injured soldier was admitted at Military Hospital. According to reports, the militants had appeared at the carpet instructor’s house and asked for his Maruti car. As only two women and some children were present at Dar’s house, they handed over the car keys to the militants. However, the militants said that they would also require Dar as a driver. While they were in conversation with the women, someone overheard the conversation and passed on the information to Police and security forces.

SOG Budgam and troops of RR 35 Bn raided Dar’s house and killed one militant while losing one soldier. One Maruti car and one scooter suffered damage in the encounter. The house was not destroyed but its interior was badly damaged with the firing and grenades thrown in by troops.

Reports from south Kashmir said that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 9th Bn and SOG Kulgam killed one unidentified militant in an encounter in Dhanau Kandimarg area in the Pirpanjal foothills.

Ram temple at Ayodhya soon: Advani

NARSIMPUR,(MP), Mar 21: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today expressed the hope that the Ram Temple will soon be built at Ayodhya as a congenial atmosphere prevailed in the country for its construction.

Mr Advani, who is on the 12th day of his Bharat Uday Yatra, said the groundwork for the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya has already been prepared.

"A congenial atmosphere for the Temple construction has been prevailing in the country for the past six months," he told reporters here.

Mr Advani also favoured holding of simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

He said the first four general elections and the assembly polls were held simultaneously but got de-linked later due to some complexities.

On India-Pakistan ties, Mr Advani said the relations have improved and new channels of communication were opening.

Lauding the work done by the Uma Bharti Government in Madhya Pradesh, the Deputy Prime Minister charged the previous Congress Government with pushing the State into backwardness.

The poor condition of roads speaks about the policy of the previous Government towards infrastructural facilities, he said.

"We will contest the coming Lok Sabha elections on the twin issues of leadership and development," Mr Advani said.

The Deputy Prime Minister had arrived here last night.

"The first three elections were held simultaneously but due to the misuse of Article 356 by Congress, this pattern was broken and separate elections were held," Advani said.

"This is a burden not only in terms of resources but also affects governance and decision-making. I will be happy if there is a consensus on holding simultaneous Parliamentary and assembly elections in the country," he said.

On the Uniform Civil Code, the DPM said it needed a Constitutional amendment "but we are bound by coalition dharma where we have to work according to a common agreed programme."

The issue is not on the NDA Government’s agenda, he said.

Even if BJP gets a clear majority in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, there would be a coalition Government at the Centre, Advani said.

On Vajpayee Government’s performance, he said its achievements in building world class highways and its road building programme in rural area had lend credibility to it.

"By contrast, the Congress stood exposed as the party of venality, incompetence and mismanagement. In Madhya Pradesh, its claim to be a modern state turned out to be nothing but a hoax. In Rajasthan, its bungling of drought relief proved its undoing while in Chhattisgarh the Congress regime climbed new heights in corruption and immoral governance," Advani said.

The NDA Government had been able to effect a significant improvement in the quality of life of the people, he said.

"In just six years we have shown development is not an empty promise. With good governance and commitment the people of India can realise their potential. The coming polls are being fought on the basis of leadership and development. On both counts, the Congress is no match for BJP," Advani said.

To a question on Indo-Pak relations, he said "efforts to improve ties are one but there should no let up in security measures."

"Despite a joint statement by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf, there was an attack on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. So, there is no scope for complacency." (Agencies)

JKBL to tap market next year

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: State-owned Jammu and Kashmir Bank will go for a public offer next year to increase its capital base to Rs 100 crore for sustaining its growth in business, which is slated to cross Rs 27,000 crore by the end of this fiscal.

"To increase its capital base, the bank will enter the capital market with public offer by the end of the next fiscal," J&K Bank Chairman M Y Khan said here.

Currently, the bank has a paid up capital of Rs 48 crore. In this, the Jammu and Kashmir Government holds 56 per cent stake while the rest of the equity is held by 50,000 shareholders. "The bank management is also considering raising the capital to Rs 150 crore in future," he added.

Mr Khan said the bank was expecting a profit of Rs 400 crore during this financial year and the figure was likely to reach Rs 500 crore by the end of 2004-05.

The bank is aiming to increase business (deposits and advances) to Rs 30,000 crore by 2004-05, he added.

Jammu and Kashmir Bank has 469 branches across the country. Of this, 337 are fully computerised. It is providing ATM facilities and will begin internet and mobile banking facilities within two weeks, he added.

The bank functions as an agency of the Reserve Bank of India in Jammu and Kashmir. It also undertakes tax collection functions apart from providing general banking facilities in the State. (UNI)

Amarnath Yatra to be open for two months this year

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: In a move aimed at facilitating a larger number of people undertake Amarnath yatra, the annual month-long pilgrimage is likely to be extended to two months this year, after it opens on July 1.

Amarnath shrine board has also decided to do away with the practice of registration at various places in the country and for a change, pilgrims can reach Chandanwari in Pahalgam and Baltal in Sonamarg from where they would be sent to the holy cave in batches.

As per the practice so far, the month-long yatra normally starts one month prior to the Raksha Bandhan day but this year, devotees would be allowed to proceed for Amarnath a month ahead from July 1, at least on the Sonamarg route, Shrine Board sources said.

However, crowd control measures, on the pattern followed by Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, would be enforced, with a proposal to impose a ceiling of 2,000 pilgrims from the Baltal side and 3,000 from the Pahalgam side under consideration, they said.

Advance parties for road clearance and free kitchen would start moving from May one onwards to enable the establishment of all requisite facilities by June 30.

The measures, discussed during a meeting here in which Union Tourism and Culture Minister Jagmohan and Jammu and Kashmir Governor S K Sinha participated, included scrapping of practice of registration at various places in the country because of "numerous complaints" over bookings.

It was also suggested that at least 25 per cent of this ceiling be offered as ‘advance booking’ to those who would like to plan their visits better.

To discourage bogus bookings, a plan to charge an amount of Rs 500 per such booking, refundable if the pilgrim presented himself at the reserved date and time, and to restrict bookings per credit card number to ten only is being considered, the sources said.

On introduction of the proposed system of registration as also the possibility of new railhead for Jammu and Kashmir would shift to Udhampur by end of March this year, no special arrangements at Jammu might be required, the sources said, adding however to be on the safe side, the 2003 arrangements at a lower scale might be repeated for 2004.

It was also proposed to raise Rs 20 crore from various sources including private sources to improve infrastructure along the route which would include motorable road till Sheshnag and about 35 shelters with basic amenities. (PTI)

Pak HC again snubs Ansari led Hurriyat

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: The Pakistan High Commission has once again snubbed the Hurriyat Conference (Abbas) group by addressing hardline leader of the breakaway faction Syed Ali Shah Geelani as the "Hurriyat chairman" on the invite for the Pakistan day celebrations here on March 23.

The Hurriyat (Abbas) leaders, including chairman Maulana Abbas Ansari, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq and Bilal Ghani Lone, have been addressed as "Kashmiri leaders" in the invitation, sources said.

The sources said the Pakistan High Commission letter inviting Mr Geelani to attend the Pakistan day celebrations designated him as the chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

Mr Geelani, who arrived in the capital on Thursday for treatment of his heart problem at the escorts hospital, will also attend the celebrations.

The Hurriyat (Abbas) leaders , who are arriving here tomorrow for the crucial second round of talks with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on March 27, have accepted the Pakistan High Commission invitation to attend the function.

This is the second time that the Pakistan High Commission addressed Mr Geelani as the Hurriyat chairman after the split of the 23-party separatist conglomerate.

The mission had sent an invite to Mr Geelani addressing him as the Hurriyat chairman for its Iftar Party in November last year.

Maulana Ansari and other Hurriyat leaders had expressed strong displeasure over the High Commission move and refused to attend the party.

Meanwhile, Mr Geelani had a two-hour long meeting with Pakistan High Commissioner Aziz Ahmed Khan here on Friday. (UNI)

Govinda joins Congress

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: Popular Bollywood star Govinda today joined Congress indicating that he may contest the Lok Sabha polls if asked by the party leadership.

" I can contest," Govinda told reporters after meeting Gandhi at her residence here where he filled up his membership form of the party. Senior party leaders Kamal Nath and Subirami Reddy were also present during the brief meeting Govinda had with Gandhi. Asked if he would campaign for the party, the Bollywood hero said he would do as directed by the leadership.

On allegations that filmstars were receiving money for joining parties, Govinda said these were mere accusations being floated by interested groups. " I don’t think it is true," he said, adding he would not severe his ties with Bollywood.

Govinda’s earlier meeting with Gandhi on March 15 had fuelled speculation that he might contest against Petroleum Minister Ram Naik in Mumbai north Lok Sabha constituency.

However, the party was yet to announce Govinda’s candidature but kept the seat vacant while declaring candidature for the remaining 25 seats to be contested by the Congress as per an agreement reached with Nationalist Congress Party headed by Sharad Pawar. (PTI)

People celebrate Indian victory

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 21: Enthusiastic cricket fans burst crackers, exchanged sweets and danced to the tunes of drum beating here as India beat Pakistan in fourth one dayer at Lahore tonight levelling the five match series 2-2.

Youths came out on the roads soon after Mohd Kaif hit the winning shot dancing and bursting crackers.

Police had a tough time in controlling the mob. At several places, the people fired shots in air to celebrate the Indian victory.

The Cellone lines went busy within minutes after the victory as people sent SMS greetings to their friends and relatives on the mobile telephones.

The celebrations continued till late tonight.

Brief scores: Pakistan: 293 for nine in 50 overs

India: 294 for 5 in 45 overs.

* See details on Sports page

Scores killed after Afghan minister dies

KABUL, Mar 21: More than 100 people were killed in fighting in the western Afghan city of Herat today after the death of the Civil Aviation Minister, a Government commander blamed for the minister’s killing said.

Zahir Nayebzada, the Government commander in Herat, accused forces of the provincial Governor Ismail Khan of provoking the fighting by trying to take command of his division.

He said Khan’s son, Civil Aviation Minister Mirwais Sadiq, was killed after breaking into his residence.

"(He) broke into my house and started the fighting there," Nayebzada said. "I did not kill Sadiq in an ambush. He was killed in a clash afterwards. More than 100 people have been killed on both sides." (AGENCIES)

Pak delegation to assess Chenab projects

ISLAMABAD, Mar 21: A three-member team led by the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Jamaat Ali Shah will leave for India tomorrow to inspect two hydropower projects and two canals on river Chenab.

The Pakistani delegation, during its visit, would inspect the Dulhasti and Slal hydropower projects and Ranbir and Partab canals on the Chenab, to check if the projects violated the Indus Water Treaty, reports said today.

Shah said the construction of the Dulhasti hydropower station on the Chenab River might violate the Indus Water Treaty signed by the two countries in 1960.

"Pakistan thinks that India might be constructing the structure to store water for power generation, which is in violation of the treaty," The Daily Times quoted Shah as saying. When contacted, Shah said the delegation would also visit the Slal hydropower station, operational since 1987.

The station is built on Chenab River’s run, but Pakistan will still check it to see whether it was violating the treaty, he said.

The Pakistani delegation will also visit the Ranbir and Partab canals that use water from Chenab river. Both canals can withdraw a limited quantity of water from Chenab river.

"We will assess whether the water being withdrawn from both canals is violating the treaty or not," he said.

The Pakistani delegation will be in India between March 22 and March 29. (PTI)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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