Political News – Newsletter for December 26, 2010

Sunday, December 26, 2010

India’s winter of discontent (2010 in Retrospect)

For the first time in the Manmohan Singh government’s six years in power, there is a pervading sense of negativism in the atmosphere. Not even when the Left withdrew its support in 2008 on the India-US nuclear deal was there such a feeling of despondency about the government’s and the nation’s prospects.

It isn’t that [..] Read the original article: here.

30 percent voting in Karnataka district polls

BANGALORE – Around 30 percent of the over 10 million electorate in 12 Karnataka districts had voted by 1 p.m. Sunday in the first round of bitterly-fought elections to the local governing councils, an official said.

Voting for 375 zilla (district) and 1,340 taluka (sub-district) panchayat seats started on a dull note due to the …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Tony Blair earns a profit of ???710K from mysterious web of companies

LONDON – Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair earned a profit of at least 710,000 pounds last year, it can be revealed.

The profits came from a mysterious web of companies set up to further his business interests, reports the Telegraph.

His firms also declared net assets of 2.2 million pounds – four times what they …. Read the original article : here.

Congress counters BJP’s poor tactics with flawed strategy (Comment)

The ongoing battle over the issue of corruption, between the two main political parties of the country – the Congress, which leads the ruling coalition at the centre, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party – reminds one of this famous observation of Sun Tzu, the 6th century Chinese military strategist, who …. Read the original article : here.

Gehlot slams BJP for fuelling unrest over Gujjar reservation row

JAIPUR – Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for fuelling the simmering unrest in the region over providing reservation to Gujjars in the state.

Firing a salvo at key BJP leaders on Saturday, including party President Nitin Gadkari, Gehlot condemned the political tactics adopted by the BJP, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gehlot slams BJP for fuelling unrest over Gujjar reservation row.

Former Venezuelan president Perez dies

CARACAS – Carlos Andres Perz, former president of Venezuela, died Saturday in the US city of Miami, his family said.

The 88-year-old ruled the South American nation from 1974 to 1979 and again from 1989 to 1993.
…. Source : Gaea News Network.

Vajpayee turns 87, BJP demands Bharat Ratna for him (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW – Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee turned 87 Saturday and top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders greeted him on the occasion and demanded that the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour, be conferred upon the party patriarch.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Vajpayee’s Krishna Menon Marg residence in the national … Read more >>>.

Gadkari denies Radia links, attacks Congress

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari Saturday denied allegations that he had business interests with corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and blamed the Congress party for being behind the “baseless reports”.

Gadkari said the Congress was the inspiration behind these baseless reports to divert public attention from the 2G spectrum allocation … Read more >>.

‘I never contacted Radia’, says Gadkari

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari on Saturday refuting all allegations over his alleged links with corporate lobbyist Niira Radia said he did not even know her.

Terming all the allegations against him as baseless, Gadkari said: “I even do … Read : ‘I never contacted Radia’, says Gadkari.

PM did not ask for report on rise in onion prices: Pawar

NEW DELHI – Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Saturday refuted reports that the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has sought an explanation from his ministry on the extraordinary rise in onion prices.

Pawar said that the unseasonal rains were the main cause behind such an … Read this article on Gaea Times at : PM did not ask for report on rise in onion prices: Pawar.

Karunakaran cremated, PM pays homage (Second Lead)

THRISSUR – The body of veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran was consigned to the flames on a sandalwood pyre here Saturday evening as his son K. Muraleedharan lit the pyre.

The pyre, comprising 300 kg of sandalwood, was lighted at 5 p.m. at the resting place of his wife.
Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had … Original source on Gaea Times at : Karunakaran cremated, PM pays homage (Second Lead).

BJP leaders greet former PM Vajpayee on his 87th birthday

NEW DELHI – Scores of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists and well wishers gave their best wishes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 87th birthday here on Saturday.

The BJP leaders visited Vajpayee’s residence with bouquets and presents and gave their good …. Original source : BJP leaders greet former PM Vajpayee on his 87th birthday.

Bring back money stashed in Swiss banks, demands BJP

CHANDIGARH – The Bharatiya Janata Party Saturday condemned the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for delaying to bring back the illegal money hoarded in Swiss banks.

The BJP said the UPA’s corrupt practices have led to inflation and rise in poverty in the country.
“Rs.70,00,000 crore of Indian money is blocked in the banks … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Bring back money stashed in Swiss banks, demands BJP.

Weekly Address: The President and First Lady Extend Christmas Greeting and Urge Americans to Support the Troops and Their Families

Release Time:

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wished families across the country a “Merry Christmas” and encouraged … Original article on : Weekly Address: The President and First Lady Extend Christmas Greeting and Urge Americans to Support the Troops and Their Families.