Political News – Newsletter for December 20, 2010

Congress-DMK ties strong, says Karunanidhi

CHENNAI – Calling the summoning of former communications minister A. Raja by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as a “routine” affair, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said Monday that the CBI probe into Raja’s affairs won’t hit Congress-DMK ties.

“It is strong. You cannot cut it,” the DMK chief said, when reporters asked … Read more : Congress-DMK ties strong, says Karunanidhi.

‘Crew cut boat engines hours before Christmas Island crash’

CANBERRA – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has said that the death toll of last week’s Christmas Island boat tragedy has risen to at least 48 so far.

According to news.com.au, 90 people were on board SIEV 221 when it crashed last week, and 42 of them have been rescued.

The news comes as a … Read : ‘Crew cut boat engines hours before Christmas Island crash’.

Fight against Naxalism cannot be won only through security measures: PM

BURARI – Calling for a rapid development of the Naxal-infested regions, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday said, “fight against Naxalism cannot be won only through security measures.

Addressing the Congress plenary session at Burari in northwest Delhi, Dr. Singh said: “Fight against Naxalism cannot be won only through security measures. One aspect of … Read more »».

Indian army chief arrives in Nepal to receive honour

KATHMANDU – The chief of Indian Army, Gen Vijay Kumar Singh, arrived in Kathmandu Monday on an official three-day visit to cement ties with the Nepal Army and receive the honorary rank of general of Nepal Army from Nepal’s President, Ram Baran Yadav.

The general, accompanied by his wife Bharti Singh, was officially invited by …. Read the original article  : Indian army chief arrives in Nepal to receive honour.

BJP envious of Congress: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram, reacting to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) attack on the government over corruption, Monday said the party was envious because the Congress knows how to rule and get re-elected.

I feel the BJP is envious of the Congress because the Congress knows how to govern and how to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : BJP envious of Congress: Chidambaram.

Legislator throws pen stand at Orissa speaker

BHUBANESWAR – A Congress legislator Monday threw a pen stand at Orissa Assembly Speaker Pradip Amat for refusing to expunge an alleged derogatory remark by a minister.

Santosh Singh Saluja, who represents Kantabaji constituency, picked up a pen stand from the speaker’s table and threw it at him. Although it did not hit him, the … Read more >>>.

Fight against Naxalism requires security, development: PM

NEW DELHI – The fight against Maoist insurgency is not limited to security agencies and development is also necessary, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday.

Speaking at the 83rd Congress plenary here, he admitted that Naxalism is a big challenge for us.
The fight against problems like Naxalism cannot be won only by security … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Fight against Naxalism requires security, development: PM.

‘Caesar’s wife’ PM has something to hide: BJP

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of being “defensive” and “hiding something”, after he offered to appear before parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley criticised the ruling party that is holding its 83rd plenary here saying: … Read more »»».

Raja ‘will comply’ with CBI summons (Second Lead)

CHENNAI – Disgraced former communications minister A. Raja Monday said he was not in hiding and would “comply”, soon after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) summoned him in connection with irregularities in 2G spectrum allocation.

Raja, who resigned last month over his suspected involvement in the scam that caused huge losses to the exchequer, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Raja ‘will comply’ with CBI summons (Second Lead).

No one guilty of corruption will be spared: PM (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday said his government was conducting a “thorough probe” into the Commonwealth Games (CWG) organisation and 2G spectrum allocation scandals and stressed that no person found guilty would be spared.

“These inquiries will be pursued vigorously. And it is my promise that no guilty person will be spared, …. Source article  : No one guilty of corruption will be spared: PM (Second Lead).

PM ‘happy’ to appear before PAC, opposition unimpressed (Afternoon Lead)

NEW DELHI – Taking the opposition head-on, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday that he had nothing to hide and was “happy” to break precedence by appearing before parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation scandal.

Speaking in detail for the first time on the raging controversy that paralysed parliament’s …. Source  : PM ‘happy’ to appear before PAC, opposition unimpressed (Afternoon Lead).

Hasina asks ministers, partymen to show results

DHAKA – A fortnight away from completing two years in office, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has warned her ministers and party colleagues that their “honeymoon is over” and they must work to show results over the next three years.

The people will want to see output, concrete results, and will evaluate the government critically …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hasina asks ministers, partymen to show results.

Our good fortune to work under Sonia Gandhi: Manmohan Singh

Burari (NEW DELHI – Praising Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s clean politics and her agenda for eradicating corruption, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday termed it his good fortune to work under her.

Addressing the Congress plenary session at Burari …. Read the original article  : Our good fortune to work under Sonia Gandhi: Manmohan Singh.

Nobody guilty of corruption will be spared: Manmohan Singh

BURARI – Stressing his government’s commitment to integrity, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday warned that “nobody guilty will be spared, irrespective of which party he belongs to, and how powerful he may be.”

Addressing … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Nobody guilty of corruption will be spared: Manmohan Singh.

CBI issues summons, Raja says ‘will comply’

CHENNAI – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned A. Raja in connection with the 2G spectrum scam and the disgraced former communications minister said he will meet the agency.

Raja, who resigned last month over his suspected involvement in the scam that caused huge losses to the exchequer, is likely to appear before …. Read the original article  : here.

I am happy to appear before PAC, says PM (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday said he had nothing to hide and he would be happy to appear before parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) if it called him in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

I wish to state categorically that I have nothing to hide from the public at large, …. Source  : I am happy to appear before PAC, says PM (Second Lead).

Few takers for tents at Congress plenary

NEW DELHI – The 500 tents erected at Burari to accommodate party workers attending the 83rd Congress plenary have found few takers. The December chill has forced many to opt for hotel rooms even as some complain of lack of facilities in the tents.

While only a few Seva Dal workers occupied have the tents, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Few takers for tents at Congress plenary.

Delegates protest during PM’s speech

NEW DELHI – Several delegates from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh raised placards protesting over the situation in their states while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was delivering his address at the 83rd plenary of the Congress here Monday.

Party leaders and Seva Dal volunteers tried to pacify the protesters as disorder prevailed in the enclosure for …. Original source  : Delegates protest during PM’s speech.

Opposition unimpressed by PM’s offer, sticks to JPC demand

NEW DELHI – The opposition Monday reiterated its demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scandal despite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressing his willingness to appear before parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

When he is ready to come and answer any question before PAC… Why not JPC? JPC is … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Opposition unimpressed by PM’s offer, sticks to JPC demand.

Gandhi family, Rahul photos fly off shelves at plenary

NEW DELHI – Photographs of the Gandhi family, as also of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, are flying off the shelves at the party’s 83rd plenary here.

A huge hit with party activists at the tented township of Burari are family photographs of Congress president Sonia Gandhi posing with son Rahul and daughter Priyanka.
…. Read the original article  : Gandhi family, Rahul photos fly off shelves at plenary.