Political News – Newsletter for February 22, 2010

Monday, February 22, 2010

Promotion for Sushma, Munde in opposition ranks

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj Monday occupied the seat earmarked for leader of opposition in the front row in the Lok Sabha, reflecting the generational change in the country’s main opposition party.

Veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, who was earlier the leader of opposition, sat on the third seat in the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Promotion for Sushma, Munde in opposition ranks.

Government enforcing bullet for stones policy in Kashmir: Opposition

JAMMU – Jammu and Kashmir’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti Monday accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of enforcing a “bullet for stone” policy in dealing with the law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley.

The PDP leader said that it was for the first time that any state government had resorted …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Government enforcing bullet for stones policy in Kashmir: Opposition.

Generational change in party is law of nature: Joshi

NEW DELHI – Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Murli Manohar Joshi Monday said a generational change in the party is “law of nature”.

“It is the law of nature and a natural process,” Joshi told IANS when asked about the generational change that is taking place in the party’s top leadership.
Nitin Gadkari took over … Read more : Generational change in party is law of nature: Joshi.

Israeli soldiers clash with Palestinian protesters in volatile West Bank city

Israeli soldiers clash with Palestinian protesters

HEBRON, West Bank – Israeli soldiers are clashing with dozens of stone-throwing Palestinian youths in the biblical West Bank town of Hebron.
The violence comes a day after Israel’s prime minister enraged Palestinians by adding a disputed Hebron shrine to Israel’s list of national heritage sites.
Hebron merchants shuttered their stores to … Read : Israeli soldiers clash with Palestinian protesters in volatile West Bank city.

Controversial women’s rights bill returns to Kashmir assembly

JAMMU – The controversial bill that seeks to annul permanent resident rights of Kashmiri women who marry outside the state is set to return to the Jammu and Kashmir assembly.
Described as “communal and unconstitutional”, the Jammu and Kashmir Permanent Residents (Disqualification) Bill had threatened the existence of then ruling coalition of Congress-Peoples Democratic … Read : Controversial women’s rights bill returns to Kashmir assembly.

Iraqi police: 3 mortar rounds hit Green Zone in center of Baghdad, 6 Iraqis wounded

Police: 3 mortar rounds hit Baghdad’s Green Zone

BAGHDAD – Three mortar rounds hit central Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone on Monday, injuring at least six people and damaging homes and cars, in the latest attack on government targets ahead of March 7 elections.
A police officer in the nearby Kharkh police department said he did not … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Iraqi police: 3 mortar rounds hit Green Zone in center of Baghdad, 6 Iraqis wounded.

BJP, CPI-M slam Patil’s speech as routine

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil’s speech in parliament Monday was described as a “routine affair” by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) criticised it for not including “course correction” on issues like inflation.

The president’s speech was devoid of ground reality, said senior BJP leader and former finance minister … Original article on : BJP, CPI-M slam Patil’s speech as routine.

Ivory Coast opposition refuses to join new unity government, deepening political crisis

Ivory Coast opposition shuns new unity government

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – Two Ivory Coast opposition leaders say they will not join a new proposed governing coalition, deepening the crisis sparked by President Laurent Gbagbo’s dissolution of the government earlier this month.
Two top opposition leaders refused late Sunday to join the government which is expected to be …. Original article  : Ivory Coast opposition refuses to join new unity government, deepening political crisis.

Scepticism about Gadkari melted away at Indore: Advani

NEW DELHI – The “initial scepticism” about Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) new president Nitin Gadkari melted away at the national executive and national council meeting in Indore last week, veteran leader L.K. Advani said Monday.

When participants arrived at Indore last week, Advani said, they were worried about Gadkari’s abilities to inspire confidence …. Source  : Scepticism about Gadkari melted away at Indore: Advani.

VA’s Shinseki promises to fix broken disability system, while opening doors for more claims

Shinseki: US will fix broken VA disability system

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said he’s making it a top priority this year to tackle the backlog of disability claims that has veterans waiting months – even years – to get financial compensation for their injuries.
Among those waiting for relief are sick Vietnam and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Manmohan Singh appeals for peaceful Budget Session

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today appealed Opposition to allow smooth functioning of the Parliament during the Budget session.
“I appeal to the Opposition not to have any disruption of Parliamentary proceedings as he Government is ready to discuss all issues in Parliament and,” Dr Singh said as he arrived in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Manmohan Singh appeals for peaceful Budget Session.

Gordon Brown compared to Adolf Hitler by artist

LONDON – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been compared to Adolf Hitler by an artist.
Louis Sidoli, who is described as “the UK’s foremost contemporary Glass Artist”, morphed an image of Hitler, which is under the heading “Reign of Terror”, into Brown with the title “Reign of Error”.
“The similarities between the two personalities … Read more »».

Worst democracy is better than best dictatorship: Gilani

LAHORE – In an apparent attempt to gather public support for his troubled government, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that even the worst form of democracy was far better than the best form of dictatorship.
Addressing a ceremony here, Gilani said Pakistan can ill-afford to hold mid-term elections at the … Read more : Worst democracy is better than best dictatorship: Gilani.

Malik welcomes India’s ‘positive attitude’ towards Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Welcoming Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s recent statement that the India is ready to discuss all issues with Islamabad, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that India’s ‘positive’ attitude towards his country is a good sign for the region.
Malik said Pakistan wants stability in South Asia, and the resumption …. Read the original article  : Malik welcomes India’s ‘positive attitude’ towards Pakistan.

India will continue Afghan assistance: Patil

NEW DELHI – India would continue its efforts to rebuild war-torn Afghanistan, President Pratibha Patil said here Monday.

Highlighting the government’s foreign policy achievements while addressing the joint session of parliament, , Patil said that India’s assistance in the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan had “witnessed important milestones”.
“We will continue to partner Afghanistan in its development …. Source article  : India will continue Afghan assistance: Patil.

India ready for ‘meaningful’ relations with Pakistan: Patil

NEW DELHI – The government was ready to explore a “meaningful relationship” with Islamabad provided Pakistan effectively curbed anti-India terrorist activities emanating from its soil, President Pratibha Patil said here Monday.

“India is ready to explore a meaningful relationship with Pakistan if Pakistan seriously addresses the threat of terrorism and takes effective steps to prevent … Read : India ready for ‘meaningful’ relations with Pakistan: Patil.

India’s ties with major powers firmed up: Patil

NEW DELHI – India’s relations with major powers of the world had strengthened, pointing to the country’s growing global stature, President Pratibha Patil said here Monday.

Our relations with major powers have been further consolidated. The prime minister’s visit to the USA laid the framework for the further expansion of the India-US partnership at the … Original source on Gaea Times at : India’s ties with major powers firmed up: Patil.

Protests during budget session in Jammu and Kashmir

JAMMU – The budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir legislature began on a stormy note Monday with the opposition members raising slogans against the government for its failure to deliver.

As soon as Governor N.N. Vohra began to address the joint session of the state legislature, the main opposition members were on their feet, charging …. Source  : Protests during budget session in Jammu and Kashmir.

BJP criticizes Centre for its callous attitude on beheading of Sikhs

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has severely condemned the beheading of two Sikh youths in Peshawar and criticized the Centre for its coldhearted attitude for not putting diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to get the abducted Sikhs released.

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “BJP strongly condemns this dastardly massacre of minority Sikh community … Original source on Gaea Times at : BJP criticizes Centre for its callous attitude on beheading of Sikhs.

Attacked Gujarat BJP legislator may face party ire

GANDHINAGAR – Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Kanu Kalsariya, who was attacked Sunday night, may face disciplinary action from his own party soon. The legislator is heading a farmers’ stir against corporate giant Nirma.

The new state party president R.C. Faldu is of the opinion that the legislator-led farmer’s stir against Nirma is fast becoming … Original article on : Attacked Gujarat BJP legislator may face party ire.