New Delhi, May 5, 2009
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Left rejects Rahul Gandhi’s offer of post-poll alliance
New
Delhi: Rejecting AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s claims that the Congress
and the Left parties will form a post-poll alliance, CPI (M) politburo member
Sitaram Yechury has said that his party was working for a non-Congress, non-BJP
secular alternative combination. “We are working for a non-Congress, non-BJP secular
alternative combination to provide a government that will effect a shift in the
country's policy trajectory in favour of the people,” Yechury said. CPI General
Secretary A B Bardhan Congress on Tuesday said that the Congress had become "jittery"
as it may not get the required numbers to form the government. "They are nervous
about it. So, by attacking the Left, they take care sometimes that to speak about
having the Left with them. Congress is nervous about the fact that they will not
have numbers. I don''t think Left will oblige them this time,” he said. CPI leader
D Raja termed the attempts by Gandhi to woo the Left parties is "an admission
of their defeat" in the elections, which he said would throw up a non-Congress,
non-BJP alternative coalition. "This is an admission that Congress is losing.
It is an admission of their own defeat," Raja said.
Earlier
in the day, Rahul Gandhi said his party was always open to post-poll alliances
with the Left. "Ideological differences between Congress and Left persist, but
there is lot of meeting ground and reasonable amount of common space," he said.
Addressing a press conference at the Ashoka Hotel here, he said, "If Left gets
180-190 seats, we will consider supporting them. I hope they are able to achieve
that. If they are able to do that, I will be the first one to say you know what,
let’s support the Left."
Pak's
plutonium plants in Khushab ready Top
London: Despite the growing international
concerns about the safety of the nuclear arsenals in the country amid the expanding
writ of the Taliban, Pakistan is expanding its nuclear capability, the Guardian
reports. David Albright, former weapons inspector for the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) has claimed that two plutonium-producing reactors are nearing
completion at Khushab, about 160 miles south-west of the capital, Islamabad. Albright
said commercial satellite pictures of the region prove that Pakistan is expanding
its nuclear capability. Raising questions over the country’s nuclear arsenals
in the current precarious situation, Albright said: “In the current climate, with
Pakistan’s leadership under duress from daily acts of violence by insurgent Taliban
forces and organised political opposition, the security of any nuclear material
produced in these reactors is in question.” The Khushab reactors are situated
near the border of Punjab and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), where the
military and the Taliban are engaged in heavy confrontation. Beside, the Khusab
reactors terror threat also looms large over the Gadwal uranium enrichment plant
especially after an incident when a suicide bomber had blew himself up outside
the Kamra complex in 2007. John Bolton, a hawkish former senior official in the
Bush administration, had recently also expressed concerns over the safety of these
nuclear facilities. “There is a tangible risk that several weapons could slip
out of military control. Such weapons could then find their way to Al Qaeda or
other terrorists, with obvious global implications,” Bolton had said.
India, US should deal with Pak, Taliban
together: Blackwill Top
New
Delhi: Former US Ambassador to India, Robert Blackwill, on Tuesday asserted
that it was high time that both India and the US holds discussions on how to deal
with a turbulent and chaotic situation in Pakistan. Addressing a conclave on the
future of India-US ties in New Delhi, Blackwill also called for enlargement of
India's role in Afghanistan as he said the American forces should work out on
an exit policy from that country. Blackwill urged the US administration to stop
differentiating between good and bad Taliban to improve relations with India and
sought India's cooperation in dealing with Iran's nuclear weapon programme. He
said the combination of vital national interests and shared democratic values
augur well for bright future between India and the US. He, however, cautioned
that in the immediate future there could be certain bottlenecks in strengthening
the relationship between the two countries. To avoid any down turn in the relationships
in the near future, he said, both the governments should remodel their policies
through intensive diplomacy. US President Barack Obama and the new Prime Minister
of India will have a determining impact on the relationship, Blackwill added.
He also called for greater cooperation between India and the United States in
the WTO negotiations, and climate change.
West
Bengal liquor tragedy claims 20 lives Top
Tamluk
(West Bengal): At least 20 people died and more than 134 fell seriously ill
after consuming illicit liquor in Tamluk region of West Bengal . The victims were
taken to Tamluk Government Hospital , and 14 of them were said to be critical.
Other victims might be shifted to Kolkata to get proper treatment. Angered by
the deaths of the villagers, an angry mob brandishing sticks, attacked the hooch
outlets in the village. The State Government has ordered an enquiry into the incident
and also ordered the closure of all illicit liquor shops in the region. In January,
27 people had lost their lives and several had fallen ill after consuming illicit
liquor in Kidderpore region of West Bengal . The state police had also arrested
six people in connection with the incident.
Kashmir
moves capital from Jammu to Srinagar Top
Srinagar:
Civil secretariat re-opened on Monday in the summer capital of Kashmir Srinagar
after its annual 'capital shift' or 'durbar move' from Jammu . Shifting of government
offices in the state during summer is an annual practice from Jammu to Srinagar
. The government offices closed in winter capital Jammu on April 25. Over 5,000
employees have shifted as authorities hired service state transport corporation
buses and trucks to move officials and government records. A contingent of smartly
dressed the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) presented the guard of honour
as Chief Minister of the state, Omar Abdullah reached the Civil Secretariat. Omar
Abdullah was received warmly by his cabinet, colleagues and senior officials.
While talking to the reporters, he said that due to model code of conduct, he
would not be able to say anything about government policies. "Due to the election
code of conduct, I am not allowed to answer to any question of yours," said Abdullah.
He promised to address a press conference after the completion of Lok Sabha polls.
"Once the model code of conduct is over, I would invite all you press people again
for an open conference. During that time, there would be no code of conduct. I
will answer all your queries," he added. The practice of shifting the seat of
government for six months to Jammu and for the remaining six months to Srinagar
is known as "Durbar Move". It has been inherited from the erstwhile Dogra rulers,
dating back to the 19th century. The Dogra rulers, who hailed from Jammu region,
used to shift the royal court to Srinagar about 300 kilometers away for six months
with the onset of summer. In winter, they would shift to Jammu , as the mercury
in Srinagar dips as low as minus 10 degrees centigrade in winter months while
Jammu , in the plains, remains relatively warm. As the capital shifts, roads have
to be re-done and government quarters and the residential area of several government
officials are also given a facelift.
New
government in Nepal by weekend? Top
Kathmandu: Nepal President Dr Ram Baran Yadav
today urged the political parties to form a new government within the next four
days. In a letter furnished to the parliament secretariat, Dr. Yadav asked the
parties to form the government with consensus among political parties represented
at the Constituent Assembly within Saturday. Political parties have begun their
discussion to form a new coalition government a day after Prime Minister Pushpa
Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' resigned. Meanwhile, Constituent Assembly members of the
Unified CPN (Maoist) have decided not to allow any business of the parliament
until Dr. Yadav apologises for his move to 'reinstate' the army chief before the
House. Maoist cadres have organised rallies and demonstrations in various parts
of the country in demanding the withdrawal of the President's move. Police have
arrested dozens of civil society activists from a sit-in programme in front of
the Presidential palace, Shital Niwas. However, the United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon has voiced sadness over the turn of events that led to the resignation
of Prachanda. In a statement attributable to his spokesperson, Ban said he is
saddened by developments leading to this resignation. However, he is also "encouraged
by the Maoist party's assurances of its commitment to the peace process, including
continued participation in the drafting of a new Constitution." He appealed for
the strict adherence to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2006, especially
the Agreement on Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies (AMMAA), which
stipulates clear and specific restrictions on the Nepal Army and the Maoist combatants.
Maoists threaten
street protests in Nepal Top
Kathmandu:
Agitated maoists on Tuesday vowed to protest in streets and the parliament after
Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) stepped down as prime minister on
Monday and created a major political crisis in the Himalayan country. Hundreds
of Maoist supporters took to Kathmandu streets on Tuesday, as President Ram Baran
Yadav set a Saturday deadline for forming a new consensus government, a directive
strongly rejected by the former rebels. Protesters alleged that President Yadav,
who belongs to main opposition Nepali Congress party, was exceeding his power.
“There is a question of controversy over the role of the President exceeding the
limit of his control on the issue of sacking the army chief,” said Harihar Lamichanne,
a resident of Kathmandu . Prachanda had occupied the position of Prime Minister
of Nepal after winning election last year. But he resigned on Monday after his
decision to sack Army Chief Rookmangud Katawal was not backed by his allies and
the President vetoed it, triggering a political deadlock. Relations between the
army and the government were strained earlier this year when the military resisted
integrating the former guerrillas, saying they are politically indoctrinated.
Prachanda argued that the integration of the rebels was stipulated by a peace
agreement. “Reiterating my commitment once again towards safeguarding the federal
democracy and nation I hereby appeal to civil society and politicians to commit
more forcefully to nation building and to maintaining the supremacy of civil society,”
said Prachanda, former prime minister of Nepal . Prachanda’s Communist Party of
Nepal-Maoist won elections last year after ending a 10-year insurgency under a
2006 accord. The first act of the newly elected parliament last year was to abolish
the 240-year-old monarchy Prachanda’s resignation leaves the country without a
functioning government and will delay the process of drafting a Constitution for
the nascent republic.
India
dismisses charge of interference in Nepal's affairs Top
New
Delhi/Kathmandu: The Indian Government on Tuesday rejected the Maoist Government
in Nepal 's allegation that it was responsible for the political chaos in that
nation. New Delhi rubbished Maoist claims that it had aided the Nepal Army and
backed Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav's decision to rescind the sacking order
of General Rukmangad Katawal. External Affairs Ministry sources were quoted by
a television channel as saying that India had never backed any unconstitutional
move in Nepal . New Delhi's rejoinder came as an all-party meeting is being held
in Kathmandu today at the UML parliamentary office to discuss ways to resolve
the political crisis in Nepal following Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka
Prachanda''s resignation on Monday. On Monday evening, leaders of the Nepali Congress
(NC) and the CPN (UML) met at the UML central office to attempt to form a new
coalition. After the meeting UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal said his party is
ready to take over the leadership of the next government. "It was unfortunate
for the nation that the army row led to change in the government," he added. He
stressed on the need for a new agreement among the principal political forces
to ensure that the nation gets a new Constitution on time. UML leader Madhav Kumar
Nepal said that Prachanda''s resignation has "paved the way to move forward" and
added that the parties would now intensify their deliberations to reach a consensus
on the next ruling alliance. Nepali Congress Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel
said his party is in favour of a national consensus on how to move ahead. He hinted
that NC might support the UML to lead the new government. Meanwhile, the Unified
CPN (Maoist) following Prachanda''s resignation has decided to launch an agitation
in favour of democracy and civil supremacy. Prachanda had announced his resignation
through an address to the nation on Monday afternoon. However, the European Union
(EU) and the United States have expressed serious concern over the current political
developments and its possible consequences in the ongoing peace process. Issuing
a press statement, European Union Heads of Mission ( Denmark , Finland , France,
Germany , United Kingdom and European Commission) and the representative of The
Netherlands in Kathmandu called on all political parties to act responsibly and
in accordance with democratic principles. (ANI) On Monday, External Affairs Minister
Pranab Mukherjee said in a statement: “What is happening in Nepal is internal
to Nepal . We wish Nepal well in its transition to a fully democratic polity and
would hope that the present crisis is resolved in a manner which contributes to
the early conclusion of the peace process." “We would hope that the broadest possible
political consensus would make it possible for Nepal to concentrate on the agreed
tasks of Constitution making and of democratic transition,” he added.
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