Political News – Newsletter for December 31, 2010

Around 30 percent votes cast in Karnataka district polls

BANGALORE – Around 30 percent of over 15 million voters cast their ballots by noon Friday in the second of the three-phase elections to the local governing councils in Karnataka.

Voting is peaceful though there are some complaints about names missing in a few places, a state Election Commission official told IANS.
Polling is taking … Original source on Gaea Times at : Around 30 percent votes cast in Karnataka district polls.

Nepal’s 2010 marred by political duels

KATHMANDU – Nepals politics, marked by ugly feuds for power and vertical splits, retained its grim characteristics till the very end of 2010, ignoring a looming crisis only a fortnight away.

The politics of duels continued till the last day of the dying year, with an ethnic party that was the fifth largest two years …. Source article  : Nepal’s 2010 marred by political duels.

Malay-Indian NGOs send memorandum to PM highlighting problems

KUALA LUMPUR – A number of Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have reportedly sent two memoranda to Malaysian Special Implementation Task Force for Indians to highlight their problems to the Prime Minister.

The Star quoted Malaysian Indian Business Association President P. Sivakumar as saying that the NGOs were worried about the low number of Indians in the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Malay-Indian NGOs send memorandum to PM highlighting problems.

More talks to solve Gujjar issue expected Friday

JAIPUR – A cordial solution to the Gujjar agitation could be in the pipeline as further talks between representatives of the community, demanding five percent quota in government jobs, and the Rajasthan government are likely Friday evening.

“We have decided to send a 21-member delegation to Jaipur to hold further talks with the state government … Original article on : More talks to solve Gujjar issue expected Friday.

Nitish Kumar: runaway winner as person of the year (Comment)

In the season of scams when political reputations are at their lowest ebb, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stands out as a remarkable exception. His emergence as a front-runner in a field crowded with seemingly redoubtable figures like Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Narendra Modi, Naveen Patnaik, Rahul Gandhi, et al, is all the more noteworthy …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Gujjar protests: More talks with Rajasthan government Friday

JAIPUR – An amicable solution to the Gujjar agitation could be in sight with further talks between representatives of the community, demanding five percent quota in government jobs, and the Rajasthan government expected Friday afternoon.

“We have decided to send a 21-member delegation to Jaipur to hold further talks with the state government officials,” Roop … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gujjar protests: More talks with Rajasthan government Friday.

Russian tycoon gets additional six years in jail

MOSCOW – Jailed Russian oil tycoon Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky has been sentenced to an additional six years in prison for what appears to be his continued opposition to Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin.

He has been accused of tax fraud and stealing 27 billion dollars in oil from his own conglomerate through accounting schemes that prosecutors … Read more : Russian tycoon gets additional six years in jail.

Statement by the President on the One Year Anniversary of the Attack on CIA Personnel

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

One year ago today, at a remote outpost at Khost, Afghanistan, seven American patriots showed us the true meaning of honor, integrity, and selfless … Read more >>>.

Yeddyurappa funded Gadkari’s son’s wedding: Congress

NEW DELHI – Congress general secretary B.K. Hariprasad Thursday alleged that Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had provided resources for BJP chief Nitin Gadkari’s son’s wedding party in Nagpur.

Responding to Gadkari’s interview to a newspaper in which he has virtually given a clean chit to Yeddyurappa, who is charged with nepotism in land … Read more : Yeddyurappa funded Gadkari’s son’s wedding: Congress.

Hope government will take all parties on board on Telangana: Congress

NEW DELHI – The Congress Thursday stated that it is not against creation of Telangana, and hoped the government would take political parties on board while deciding on the issue in the wake of the Srikrishna panel submitting its report.

“Congress is not against smaller states including Telangana. The Srikrishna committee has submitted its … Read more : Hope government will take all parties on board on Telangana: Congress.

‘Trinamool showing mercy by not seeking President’s Rule’

KOLKATA – Holding Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) squarely responsible for the ills plaguing West Bengal, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Thursday said her party was showing mercy to the ruling party by not pressing hard on its demand for president’s rule.

“The state is a fit case for president’s rule. But the communists are …. Original article  : ‘Trinamool showing mercy by not seeking President’s Rule’.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is France’s most ‘irritating’ celebrity

LONDON – French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has been named as the country’s most irritating celebrity in a poll released Thursday, a media report said.

The Italian-born singer-model came top of a list of “personalities you want to smack” published by the French magazine VSD, with a slap-rating of 52 percent, The Telegraph reported …. Source article  : Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is France’s most ‘irritating’ celebrity.

No politics behind demand for Purvanchal, claims Amar Singh

GORAKHPUR – Concluding his Purvanchal Swabhiman Vikas Yatra across eastern Uttar Pradesh, ousted Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh Thursday said there was no politics behind his demand for creation of an independent Purvanchal state out of this region.

“My sole aim is to fight for the cause of Purvanchal and I have no intention of …. Source article  : No politics behind demand for Purvanchal, claims Amar Singh.

Jairam’s letter on lobbying MPs sent to parliament’s ethics panel

NEW DELHI – Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairperson Mohammed Hamid Ansari Thursday referred Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh’s complaint on parliamentarians pushing for certain projects to the upper house’s ethics panel.

Ramesh in his letter to Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar earlier this week had written that MPs approach him with matters of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Jairam’s letter on lobbying MPs sent to parliament’s ethics panel.

Opposition parties vow to carry on struggle for Andhra farmers

GUNTUR – Leaders of various national and regional parties Thursday vowed to continue their struggle at the national level to get justice for the farmers of Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing a massive public meeting organised by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in this Andhra town, the leaders hit hard at Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Opposition parties vow to carry on struggle for Andhra farmers.

Andhra unhappy, Karnataka welcomes Krishna river water sharing award

HYDERABAD/BANGALORE – Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh Thursday reacted sharply to the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal’s award on sharing of surplus water with neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra while Karnataka has welcomed it.

While the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh has not yet come out with its reaction, the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said …. Read the original article  : here.

At Meira Kumar’s luncheon meeting, BJP sticks to JPC demand

NEW DELHI – A luncheon meeting called by Speaker Meira Kumar with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday to break the impasse over the 2G spectrum scam ended predictably – with the opposition party sticking to its demand for a JPC.

“We want a JPC (joint parliamentary committee),” BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said after the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : At Meira Kumar’s luncheon meeting, BJP sticks to JPC demand.

Poll panel to consider single phase voting in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI – The Election Commission Thursday said it will consider the demand of single phase polling in the coming assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, given that four other states would also be going to the polls around the same time.

“Most political parties have asked for single phase elections in Tamil Nadu. Around the same …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Poll panel to consider single phase voting in Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka welcomes Krishna river water sharing award

BANGALORE – Karnataka Thursday welcomed the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal verdict on sharing of surplus water with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

“It is a historic day for Karnataka,” Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said noting the tribunal had awarded Karnataka 911 tmc of water and allowed it raise the height of a dam to store … Read : Karnataka welcomes Krishna river water sharing award.

Function as per constitution, BJP tells Karnataka governor

BANGALORE – The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party Thursday said it expects Karnataka Governor H. R. Bhardwaj, who has been criticizing its government in the state, to function as per constitutional norms.

“The BJP expects the governor to function within the purview of the constitution,” senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley told reporters when asked about Bhardwaj’s …. Original source  : Function as per constitution, BJP tells Karnataka governor.