Political News – Newsletter for November 20, 2010

New book reveals how Ministers out for revenge turned against Gordon Brown

LONDON – Britain’s Shadow Deputy Prime Minister Harriet Harman had played a pivotal role in an attempted coup against former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a new book has revealed.

According to the Daily Mail, the revelations in the book ‘Brown At 10′ by political historians Anthony Seldon and Guy Lodge raise major questions about the loyalty …. Source  : New book reveals how Ministers out for revenge turned against Gordon Brown.

Yeddyurappa explains stand on land scam to BJP leaders

NEW DELHI – The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders concluded the consultations over the alleged involvement of Karnataka Chief Minister, B. S. Yeddyurappa, in a land scam, on Saturday.

Yeddyurappa arrived in the national capital to clarify his stand over his alleged involvement in the scam. The meeting was presided by the party president Nitin …. Read the original article  : Yeddyurappa explains stand on land scam to BJP leaders.

Manmohan Singh says dialogue with Pak only after ‘terror machine’ is under control

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday that India has been making efforts to normalise relations with Pakistan but dialogue cannot take place until the “terror machine” there is brought under control.

Interacting with the mediapersons at the HT Leadership Summit here, Dr. Singh said: “We are willing to discuss all … Read more »».

Bangladesh’s opposition lawmakers may resign from parliament

DHAKA – The lawmakers of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) may resign en masse from parliament to force mid-term polls, media reports said Saturday.

Leader of the opposition and former prime minister Khaleda Zia has vowed to resume agitation against the government of her arch rival Sheikh Hasina. She said the …. Original article  : Bangladesh’s opposition lawmakers may resign from parliament.

Yeddyurappa rules out quitting over land scam charges

HUBLI/NEW DELHI – Within hours of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deferring a decision on his future, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, hit by allegations of favouring kin with prime land, asserted Saturday he will not quit.

He also told chief ministerial aspirants of his party and those belonging to other parties to wait for … Original source on Gaea Times at : Yeddyurappa rules out quitting over land scam charges.

Berlusconi angers art restorers by replacing body parts on statues

NEW YORK – After Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi angered art restorers by replacing missing body parts of ancient marble statues in his office, Italy’s culture ministry has come forward to say there is no cause for alarm.

The ministry, which is led by a close ally of Berlusconi, 74, said in a statement that the …. Read the original article  : here.

Manmohan Singh promises action against anybody found guilty in 2G scam

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday promised action against anybody found guilty in the 2G spectrum allocation.

He also said the government was not afraid of discussion on any issue in Parliament and appealed to all political parties to allow it to function.

“There should be no doubt in anybody’s mind that if … Read : Manmohan Singh promises action against anybody found guilty in 2G scam.

Humanity has to fight challenges of terrorism, hunger: PM

NEW DELHI – Urging the people to act as responsible global citizens, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said that humanity as a whole will have to fight together against the challenges of hunger, poverty, terrorism and disease.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here, the prime minister said there was a need … Read more >>.

Nearly 25 percent voting in Bihar polls (Third Lead)

PATNA – Nearly 25 percent of the electorate had cast their votes by noon Saturday as polling proceeded peacefully in the sixth and final phase of the Bihar assembly elections in 26 constituencies, 18 of them in Maoist-prone areas.

Ignoring a boycott call by the Maoists, voters queued up outside polling booths and excercised their …. Original source  : Nearly 25 percent voting in Bihar polls (Third Lead).

Don’t ask on cabinet reshuffle but we need young people: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said the people will come to know as and when he decides to reshuffle his cabinet, adding that a resurgent and growing India required younger people in power.

“I think, I am not able to tell you what I am going to do in way of cabinet … Read more >>.

Cannot comment on cabinet reshuffle: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said the average age of people in power should be reduced even as he did not comment on a possible cabinet reshuffle.

“I think I am not able to say what I am going to do in way of a cabinet reshuffle. When that happens all of …. Original article  : Cannot comment on cabinet reshuffle: PM.

Will Kashmir’s National Conference-Congress panel collapse?

JAMMU – The National Conference-Congress coordination committee in Jammu and Kashmir may be on the verge of collapse if its failure to meet since July and the fissures between their leaders, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Saifuddin Soz, are any indication.

The coordination committee, with Soz as its head, was constituted soon after the two … Read more >>.

PM to decide giving minimum wages to NREGA workers: Joshi

NEW DELHI – Rural Development Minister C P Joshi said on Saturday that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to consider payment of minimum wages to National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) workers as recommended by the National Advisory Council headed by Sonia Gandhi.

“It is a recommendation of the NAC. Her (Sonia Gandhi) recommendation …. Read the original article  : PM to decide giving minimum wages to NREGA workers: Joshi.

Pakistan should control terror machine, says PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said his government was committed to normalisation of India’s relationship with Pakistan but the neighbouring country must control the terror machine.

We are willing to discuss all issues, provided the terror machine is controlled, the prime minister said in response to a question at the Hindustan Times … Read more : Pakistan should control terror machine, says PM.

Turning a blind eye to corruption: A lesson Congress forgot (Comment)

The Congress must have realised by now that it gave too much leeway to Andimuthu Raja, the former telecom minister, who has been christened “spectrum” Raja by the media because of his suspected involvement in a gargantuan Rs.1.7 lakh crore (nearly $40 billion) corruption scandal relating to second-generation (2G) spectrum allocations by his department.

… Original article on : Turning a blind eye to corruption: A lesson Congress forgot (Comment).

Nepal Maoists unleash midnight mayhem over budget

KATHMANDU – Nepals opposition Maoist party has backtracked on its pact with the ruling parties to allow a new budget, unleashing chaos in parliament, attacking the finance minister and derailing the budget as well as the prime ministerial election.

A grim caretaker government called an emergency meeting of the council of ministers early Saturday and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa among Time’s 25 most influential women

WASHINGTON – Former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi and Albanian nun Mother Teresa, who made India her home, are among Time magazine’s “25 Most Powerful Women of the Past Century.”

The US news magazine’s survey of “the women who have most influenced our world” is topped by Jane Addams, an outspoken advocate for women’s suffrage, … Read more »»».

Bihar votes in final phase amid fears of Maoist violence (Second Lead)

PATNA – Ignoring a boycott call by Maoists, voters queued up outside polling booths for the sixth and final phase of the Bihar assembly elections in 26 constituencies Saturday, 18 of them in areas where the rebels hold sway.

Amid tight security and fears of Maoist violence, women and youths in particular turned up … Read more »»».

Voting under way for final phase of Bihar polls

PATNA – The sixth and final phase of the Bihar assembly elections was under way Saturday in 26 constituencies, including 18 Maoist-affected areas, spread across five districts.

People queued up outside polling booths as voting began at 7 a.m. A total of 426 candidates are in the fray for the last phase being held in … Read more : Voting under way for final phase of Bihar polls.

Final phase of Bihar assembly polls begins

PATNA – The sixth and final phase of the Bihar assembly elections began Saturday in 26 constituencies, including 18 Maoist-affected areas, spread across five districts.

A total of 426 candidates are in fray for the last phase which is being held in the drought-hit districts of Gaya, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Kaimur and Buxar. About six million …. Source  : Gaea News Network.