Political News – Newsletter for November 15, 2010

Government says no to JPC probe into 2G spectrum allocation (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – The government Monday categorically ruled out any parliamentary probe into the controversial 2G spectrum allocation of 2008 despite the opposition’s demand that stalled parliament again.

In separate interactions with the media, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister P. Chidambaram rejected the demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) inquiry.
The … Original article on : Government says no to JPC probe into 2G spectrum allocation (Second Lead).

China, Russia back UN reforms; laud India’s global role

NEW DELHI – Backing reforms of the UN, China and Russia Monday lauded the role of India in international affairs and said they looked forward to deepening cooperation with New Delhi in the UN Security Council.

“The ministers reiterated the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN to make it more democratic, representative and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : China, Russia back UN reforms; laud India’s global role.

Uncertainty over 17th round of PM poll in Nepal

KATHMANDU – Amid growing speculation that the 17th round of the controversial election in Nepal to pick a new prime minister would be deferred Monday, the countrys top three parties began last-ditch talks to find a way out.

At a plush resort in Gokarna in Kathmandu, famed for its golf course, the ruling communists, their …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Uncertainty over 17th round of PM poll in Nepal.

BJP demands JPC probe, Chidambaram says no

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday rejected as meaningless the oppositions demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into corruption cases, including charges against DMK A. Raja who quit as communications and IT minister.

This demand for JPC is completely meaningless, Chidambaram told reporters outside parliament.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Digvijay Singh demands probe into Gadkari’s assets

LUCKNOW – Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh Monday ordered a probe into Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari’s assets and wondered how a man who drove a moped now had property worth thousands of crores of rupees.

He (Gadkari) today possesses property worth thousands of crores of rupees How does he own such property? … Original article on : Digvijay Singh demands probe into Gadkari’s assets.

Sonia, Rahul to campaign for last round of Bihar polls

PATNA – Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son, party general secretary Rahul Gandhi, will campaign in Bihar this week for the last round of the six phase assembly polls, party leaders said Monday.

Sonia Gandhi will campaign Wednesday ahead of the last phase Nov 20 for 26 seats. She will address rallies in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sonia, Rahul to campaign for last round of Bihar polls.

Relations with India strategically important: Chinese minister

BEIJING – China attaches great importance to the strategic cooperative partnership with India and the two countries were keen on promoting bilateral ties in the areas of politics, economics, trade, and culture, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has said.

Yang said this during a discussion Sunday with India’s External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna at the …. Original source  : Relations with India strategically important: Chinese minister.

After Suu Kyi, Dalai Lama hopes for Chinese dissident’s freedom

DHARAMSALA – Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Monday welcomed the release of Myanmarese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and hoped China too would free fellow Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and “other prisoners of conscience”.

Suu Kyi, 65, was released Saturday evening after completing over seven years of house arrest. She has spent 15 …. Source  : After Suu Kyi, Dalai Lama hopes for Chinese dissident’s freedom.

DMK wants a cabinet post – in lieu of Raja

CHENNAI – A day after its A. Raja quit the cabinet over corruption charges, Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK insisted one of its other MPs should be inducted into Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government.

A senior DMK leader told IANS that the DMK-Congress arrangement was that it would get seven ministerial positions in the government – … Read this article on Gaea Times at : DMK wants a cabinet post — in lieu of Raja.

“Sarah Palin’s Alaska” Premieres

ALASKA (GaeaTimes.com)- Last night “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” premiered on TLC and the audience saw a different homely Sarah Palin on the show. The show is produced by Mark Burnett Productions for Discovery Communications and the theme song of the show was ‘Follow Me There’ by Third Play. The audience saw a non-political Sarah Palin … Read : “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” Premieres.

Raja out, but parliament standoff on 2G continues

NEW DELHI – The standoff between opposition and treasury benches continued in parliament Monday amid demands for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into alleged corruption in the 2G spectrum scam that forced DMK leader A. Raja to quit as communications and IT minister.

Both houses of parliament were adjourned till Tuesday after MPs reassembled … Read more >>.

I am unlikely to be new IT minister: Kanimozhi

NEW DELHI – DMK chief M. Karunanidhi’s daughter and MP Kanimozhi Monday said she was “unlikely” to take over as communications and IT minister after her party colleague A. Raja resigned over his alleged connection to the 2G spectrum licensing scam.

Unlikely, Kanimozhi said when asked if she was the communications and IT minister in … Original article on : I am unlikely to be new IT minister: Kanimozhi.

Freed Suu Kyi goes back to work

YANGON – Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi went back to work Monday at her National League for Democracy (NLD) party after being freed over the weekend from seven years under house arrest.

On Sunday, thousands of supporters massed outside the NLD headquarters in Yangon to hear Suu Kyi’s first public speech since … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Freed Suu Kyi goes back to work.

Jayalalithaa demands detailed probe into 2G spectrum scam

CHENNAI – AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa Monday said A. Raja’s resignation as union telecom minister in connection with the 2G spectrum scam would be just “symbolic tokenism” if it was not followed up with a detailed probe.

She also termed as disturbing and a cause of concern that the official version of the resignation …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Jayalalithaa demands detailed probe into 2G spectrum scam.

Manmohan Singh to address Parliament on 2G spectrum issue

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is expected to make a statement in Parliament on Monday on the alleged 2G spectrum scam.

He is likely to refer to A Raja’s decision to resign from the post of telecom minister in the statement.

Raja, under sustained pressure from the Opposition, finally submitted his resignation to Dr. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Manmohan Singh to address Parliament on 2G spectrum issue.

‘Socialist win shows Greece backs austerity plans’

ATHENS – Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said the strong support that voters gave his party in local elections Sunday is a clear indication of public backing for a wave of austerity measures to pull Greece out of massive debt.

Nearly a year after Prime Minister George Papandreou’s Socialists won a landslide victory in national … Read more >>>.

US freeze proposal not yet final, says Netanyahu

JERUSALEM – Israel’s cabinet bowed Sunday to weeks of US pressure to debate a proposal to freeze construction on West Bank settlements, in order to force peace talks with the Palestinians out of limbo.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the ministers at the start of the meeting in Jerusalem that the plan was not … Original article on : US freeze proposal not yet final, says Netanyahu.

Raja’s stint as telecom minister mired in controversy (Profile)

CHENNAI – A. Raja, who quit the union cabinet late Sunday as the communications and IT minister over the 2G scam allocation row, entered the Lok Sabha in 2009 for the fourth time in succession since 1996.

A triple degree holder (B.Sc, BL and ML), this time around, shifted to the cool climes of the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Raja’s stint as telecom minister mired in controversy (Profile).

Iraq’s parliament speaker meets US, Iranian officials

BAGHDAD – Iraq parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi held separate meetings Sunday with the ambassadors of the US and Iran, warning the latter not to interfere in domestic affairs.

Al-Nujaifi, who is a member of the Iraqiya List, said he told Iranian Ambassador Hassan Danaii that improving ties should take place “on the basis of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Iraq’s parliament speaker meets US, Iranian officials.

My conscience is clear: Raja

NEW DELHI – Telecom Minister A. Raja, facing allegations of lapses in 2G spectrum allocation, Sunday resigned from the union cabinet but maintained “my conscience is very clear”.

“My leader (DMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi) advised me to tender my resignation to the prime minister,” he told reporters minutes after emerging [..] Read the original article: here.