Advani makes case for pruning VIP security list
On a cue from L K Advani himself, Union Home Ministry officials are considering "replacing" the NSG security (Black Cats) being provided to the country's top politicians. The meeting was attended by special secretaries Nikhil Kumar and M B Kaushal, senior Ministry officials in charge of VIP security, including officials from the CBI and the IB and an additional commissioner of Delhi Police.
FB joins anti-Cong chorus within LF
Close on the heels of the CPI's criticism of big brother CPI(M) for its pro-Congress stand in `search of new friend to strengthen the United Front,' another LF constituent, Forward Block, has voiced its differences on the issue. The All-India Forward Bloc (AIFB) has dismissed the idea of forming a `post-poll alliance of convenience to pull a quick coup on the BJP Government at the Centre for the sake of it.
Moopanar set to give TMC a makeover
In what appears to be a major revamp exercise, Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) president G Karuppiah Moopanar is opting for an organisational face-lift that will reduce the number of state-level office-bearers while simultaneously increasing the quantum of district-level second-line leaders. In the immediate context, Moopanar has to nominate new office-bearers of the TMC in the place of those who resigned en masse on March 21.
BJP rules out blanket support to TDP in AP
The decision of the ruling Telugu Desam to bail out the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government during the trial of strength in Lok Sabha last month has altered political equations in Andhra Pradesh. While CPI and CPM have already announced to part ways with TDP for supporting the BJP, the BJP was going soft towards the Chandrababu Naidu Government apparently to express their gratitude.
Dhumal inducts five more in HP ministry
The BJP-led coalition ministry in Himachal Pradesh headed by Prem Kumar Dhumal was expanded with the induction five ministers -- three of them new in government -- raising its strength to 14. The exercise was tinged with dissent within BJP as supporters of senior party leader Roop Dass Kashyap demonstrated for two hours protesting his exclusion in the cabinet.
Consolidation, expansion to be buzz-words at BJP meet
The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) two-day national executive, which begins on Saturday, is likely to be a springboard for the party's strategy to capture power in states where elections are due this year and the next. With consolidation and expansion as its watchwords, the BJP is likely to target specific communities, castes and regions.
