Sonia keeps all guessing
A sense of anxiety has gripped Congress leaders in the run-up to the crucial All India Congress Committee (AICC) session on April 6 which everybody feels will alter the immediate power equations in the party. All eyes are on party president Sonia Gandhi, who has promised change but hasn't revealed her intentions. None of the party office-bearers, including Congress Working Committee (CWC) members and even past presidents like Sitaram Kesri and PV Narasimha Rao, have any insight into Sonia's mind.
ID cards must for Assembly polls
Voter identity cards are to become mandatory in the Assembly elections in Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh which are due to be held by the end of the year. The Election Commission has already issued instructions to the respective states and Union Territories to complete work on issuing photo-identity cards for all voters as early as possible said Chief Election Commissioner MS Gill.
No evidence linking Karunanidhi to Rajiv conspiracy: Jain
After making scathing remarks against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Government in Tamil Nadu in his interim report --which led to the fall of the Gujral Government -- Justice MC Jain is believed to have said that there's no conclusive evidence to establish that State chief minister M Karunanidhi and his party were involved in the conspiracy behind the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Justice Jain's 1,800-page final report, in four volumes, was submitted to the Union Home Ministry in early March.
Now, it's Naidu's turn to bargain
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu yesterday ruled out his party's participation in the Central government but Prime Minister AB Vajpyee's trouble-shooters remained optimistic. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister appears to be driving a hard bargain before coming to any agreement with the government. In his discussions with Vajpayee and his Cabinet colleagues, he raised the controversial issue of the Almatti dam besides seeking clearance for pending irrigation and other developmental projects.
Cong told to takeup Vidarbha issue
Former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, Nashikrao Tirpude, on Thursday called upon Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to derive political mileage out of the Vajpayee Government's failure to address the issue of statehood for Vidarbha, by declaring support to the cause on behalf of the Congress.
Paswan takes a swipe at Laloo
"It is easy to fight corruption but not the corrupt," said senior Janata Dal (JD) leader Ram Vilas Paswan referring to former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Laloo Prasad Yadav. "I am ready to face any consequence in the battle both in New Delhi as well as in Bihar, but I will not leave any stone unturned to expose Laloo Yadav for his alleged involvement in various financial irregularities and running parallel administration with the help of underground outfits in the State." said Paswan.
