BJP sacrifices Kalyan for BSP's support
The Uttar Pradesh CM became incommunicado after news of his impending replacement reached him on Saturday morning. But the party was unable to decide till late evening whom to replace him with. The names of Union ministers M M Joshi and Santosh Kumar Gangwar were doing the rounds.
Government deploys Joshi to woo Jaya
This is the first time a senior member of the Union Cabinet has established direct contact with Jayalalitha after the AIADMK general council authorised her on April 3 to initiate steps to form an alternative coalition.
Secular parties should support Congress, says Gowda
Clarifying that he would not take the initiative to form an alternative government at the Centre, the ex-PM said he would stand by the commitment of extending support to the Congress if it forms the government.
'DMK should not bail out Vajpayee'
Puthiya Thamizhagam president K Krishnasamy has appealed to Tamil Nadu CM Karunanidhi not to support the government just because the AIADMK is ditching it.
Surjeet emerges king-maker again
'My plan now is for an enduring coalition. And you will see it by the end of next week,' promises the octogenarian CPI-M leader, as he tries to make yet another alliance of anti-BJP parties.
Tohra castigates Badal over tercentenary fete
"Badal attempted to ignore the very essence of Sikhism and its ideology by conducting the function in a so-called 'secular' manner, befitting the establishment of the day," the SGPC ex-chief said.
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai is dead
The famed Malayalam author and Jnanpith Award winner died at his Sankaramangalam residence in Thakazhi, Alleppey, on Saturday evening.
INSAT-2E placed in geo-stationary orbit
Placed at 74 degrees East after the liquid apogee motor was fired for a duration of 219 seconds from 0937 hours, the satellite is now slowly drifting to its final location of 83 degrees East where it will be co-located with INSAT-1D.
CBI seeks IAT order in urea scam
The investigating agency has requested the government to furnish a copy of the order of the International Arbitral Tribunal before which National Fertiliser Limited had filed a claim for recovery of Rs1.33 billion from the Turkish firm Karsan.
Srinagar magistrate attacked in court
The brother of a pro-government militant threw a glass at the chief judicial magistrate for not providing him protection from the separatists.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'Vajpayee is a brahmachari. He may not have had the experience of dealing with women'
"If we had asked her to quit earlier, voters would have asked us, 'We voted for a stable government, why did you send Jayalalitha out?' Now, they have only sympathy for Vajpayee," says TN BJP general secretary L Ganesan, the man blamed for the rupture with the AIADMK.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
If Vajpayee prepares to leave in a blaze of glory, he may yet stay
'Should the government get defeated, hopefully the BJP will not take it as the defeat of the Vajpayee doctrine of moderation. Hopefully, he will continue to take it towards a moderate stance on social issues. Only thus can the BJP emerge as a political superplayer with long-term viability,' says Monu Nalapat.
To oppose each and every move of the US only makes India irrelevant
'The world has changed. Media coverage of refugees and of the people's struggles against unwanted rulers is highlighted across the globe pricking human feelings, and these cannot be brushed aside on the old plea of national sovereignty', says Amberish K Diwanji.
Moopanar too favours Sonia
Ruling out support to the BJP, the TMC chief said his party would oppose any move to make either Jayalalitha or Jyoti Basu the prime minister.
Chautala cool to overtures, says Khurana
But the former parliamentary affairs minister hoped the Indian National Lok Dal leader would help bail out the government from its present crisis.
Karunanidhi, Maran discuss fluid political situation
The Tamil Nadu chief minister, however, maintained that his party the DMK had not taken any decision on what it should do in the event of a trial of strength in the Lok Sabha to decide the fate of the Vajpayee government or formation of an alternative government.
TDP refuses to desert BJP
"The question of the Left parties or others wooing the TDP back to the 'third force' does not arise. Let the Congress and others concretise their options first. Only then will the TDP spell out its thinking," party spokesman U Venkateswarlu said.
Shekhar appeals for end to uncertainty
Former prime minister Chandra Shekhar warned that while the present government has had to face some inherent contradictions, the issue on which its existence is threatened may do serious damage to the system of parliamentary democracy.
Hegde sees political realignment in the offing
The Union commerce minister said the combined strength of the members of Parliament of the realigned forces would be more than the required simple majority.
THE CONVERSIONS ROW
Government still targeting, victimising Christians in Gujarat: report
An independent fact-finding team, led by Justice Hosbet Suresh, was shown a video interview with RSS worker Vijay More. He admitted that the systematic violence against Christians in the state was not a sudden outburst but carefully planned over a long period of time.
Bhagwat seeks to put army in the dock, says Fernandes
Admitting that he had been 'soft' in taking action against the sacked admiral, the defence minister said, "I am still unable to come to terms with Bhagwat's allegations. Whether that design is related to some people wanting to expose our army, I don't know."
OTHER REPORTS
US, China review steps to deal with Indo-Pak nuclear rivalry
Clinton said the two countries had made significant progress in bringing Beijing into the World Trade Organisation on fair commercial terms. But he and Zhu clashed, predictably, on human rights.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'Some may say BJP minus J is BP. BP is not blood pressure. BP is Better Party, Better Performance!'
'Jayalalitha meeting Sonia Gandhi is an ordinary thing. Having a cup of tea is also an ordinary thing. It became extraordinary only after Jayalalitha described her meeting with Sonia Gandhi as a 'political earthquake'. It was she who started everything,' says Tamil Nadu BJP general secretary L Ganesan.
Avoiding the clash of civilisations
Samuel Huntington predicted that the ideological conflict of the Cold War years would be replaced by another battle for supremacy. Guru Gobind Singh tried to prove that men of different castes and creeds could live together. Perhaps both the guru and the professor were correct, says T V R Shenoy
Broken Dreams: The Story of Begusarai
'Failure in an honest effort can still be tolerated, but the Bihar government, under Laloo and Rabri, does not even talk about these things. The tragedy is that Laloo will continue to get elected -- a largely illiterate and unaware electorate will never know the raw deal they are being given,' says Shalabh Kumar.
Severe heat wave in Rajasthan
Heat wave conditions also prevailed in the plains of west Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, north Gujarat, north-central Maharashtra and the remaining parts of Rajasthan and some parts of Haryana, Vidarbha, Marathwada and Telangana.
Sonia opts out of alternative government
While Mulayam Singh Yadav with 20 MPs and Jayalalitha with 18 nurture the ambition of becoming PM, the front-runners for the top job are former prime ministers Chandra Shekhar and H D Deve Gowda.
Rejection of fresh demands forced Jaya's hand
The BJP agreed to initiate an inquiry against Karunanidhi, but asked Jayalalitha to make specific charges. That she was unable to do, so the BJP said it was not possible to seek an inquiry. "But Jayalalitha felt she was being slighted. We think that at this stage she made up her mind to quit," said a BJP source.
Jaya may relent if 'real issues' are tackled
"Her message is clear. They want to play politics, and we are proving, we too can... Raking up the Fernandes issue is only to highlight the different yardsticks used by the BJP leadership in handling different allies," says an AIADMK leader.
Karunanidhi denies he is meeting Mahajan
The Tamil Nadu CM also declined to attach any political significance to state Health and Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy's visit to New Delhi.
Advani asks Khurana to seek Chautala's support
The former Union minister confirmed that he had been given the responsibility. "It is my dharma to help the government in the present crisis," he said.
THE BHAGWAT DISMISSAL
Bhagwat ready for court martial
"Let them frame charges... let the truth come out," the sacked naval chief said, adding that even during Hitler's time admirals and generals were not dismissed like this. "I am not a peon or personal servant of the honourable defence minister."
THE CONVERSIONS ROW
Christian forum warns of fresh hate campaign
"The Sangh Parivar is poisoning the country. We thought after Dangs and Orissa they will learn a lesson. But a third wave of attack is already visible in Punjab, Orissa and Tamil Nadu," forum convenor John Dayal said.
Kashmir bandh turns violent
Life in the valley was crippled by the general strike called by the People's Forum for Justice to protest against the imposition of heavy taxes by the state government.
Calcutta-Dhaka bus service mired in disputes
The main difference of opinion is on the fare. Bangladesh wants to charge $20 for a return ticket; India has expressed its inability to run the service profitably at a high standard of comfort and efficiency for less than $40 one-way.
Bihar Congress whip seeks CBI probe into massacre
Mahachandra Prasad Singh has demanded a CBI inquiry into the massacre at Senari village in Jehanabad district to unravel the truth behind the gruesome incident.
'What kind of freedom do I have in this country?' says Amte
The eminent social activist, who had joined a protest by the Narmada Bachao Andolan outside the office of the ministry of social justice in New Delhi, was allegedly picked up by police and left unattended at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital.
HC issues fresh notices in Tamaraikkani case
The notices, returnable by Apr 12, were served on the Tamil Nadu assembly speaker and secretary and relate to the bail granted to AIADMK legislator Tamaraikkani after his arrest for assaulting Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S Arumugam in the House.
US convinced China to halt nuke assistance to Pak: Clinton
Apparently referring to the alleged theft of sensitive nuclear weapons technology by the Chinese, the US president said, "We are determined to prevent the diversion of technology and sensitive information to China."
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Sleaze World
'Talk to the man on the street. The real estate that is the Government of India, he is firmly convinced, is by and large the property of contractors and contact men. Such specimens walk over all institutions which preside over the economic administration,' says Ashok Mitra.
Growing Differences
'The real target of Hindu fundamentalists is Vajpayee. He is trapped, but not tamed. Once in a while he shows his own self to convey that he does not like all that the RSS is doing. Still it is difficult to imagine that he will ever revolt against them,' says Kuldip Nayar.
Delay in acceptance of resignations sparks speculation
Vajpayee has not decided when the two AIADMK ministers' letters should be forwarded to the President, sources said, amid speculation that the acceptance would be delayed by two or three days to work out a deal with the AIADMK.
Congress gets more trouble than it had bargained for
The party is beginning to find out that having Jayalalitha on its side is an advantage to the opposition. The BJP is now in a win-win situation: if its government survives, great; if not, it can sit on the sidelines and watch the Congress make a fool of itself. And then pick up the votes at the next poll.
BJP hopeful of Jaya's return, says K L Sharma
Putting a brave face on the impending withdrawal of support by the AIADMK, the BJP maintained that Prime Minister Vajpayee would sail through the crisis and complete his term.
Venkaiah avoids AIADMK, targets Congress
The BJP general secretary, however, admitted that the relationship with the AIADMK has almost reached the point of no-return. There is no direct contact now, and the two "allies" are exchanging views only through the press.
Sonia is 'natural leader' of Congress government: Pawar
Asked how the Congress would meet the demands of probable coalition partners like the AIADMK, Pawar said his party would not compromise on basic issues. "In fact Jayalalitha has so far not made any demand."
'Bofors, Bhagwat are different issues'
The leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha denied that the Congress is using the navy chief's dismissal to take revenge on the BJP for the scars left by the howitzer deal scandal.
NC panel to finalise stand on BJP government
"My party is keenly watching the developments... The crisis has to be overcome as the country cannot afford any political turmoil," said Jammu & Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah.
TDP will continue with its anti-Congress stand
The Telugu Desam continues to maintain its anti-Congress stand irrespective of any possible political changes at the Centre, parliamentary party leader Yerran Naidu said.
THE JAYA CORRUPTION CASES
Jaya's counsel does about-turn on case transfers
The counsel withdrew his proposition made before the Supreme Court that the central notification on the corruption cases against the former Tamil Nadu CM and others was bad in law as no proper consultation was carried out with the Madras high court before it was issued.
OTHER REPORTS
Pakistan arrests prisoners released by India
Kot Lakhpat central jail authorities told their relatives that the prisoners would have to undergo fresh verification, which would take time.
Wadhwa panel begins hearing
On the first day four persons deposed before the commission inquiring into the killing of Australian missionary Graham Stewart Stains and his two sons.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
Alive to the past?
'With parents busy earning their daily bowl of rice, and grandparents fewer every passing year, the fear is that the forthcoming generation, while still aware of Tibet, may simply lose interest in the cause for freedom.' Amberish K Diwanji reports from Dharamsala.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'For a university, money is not the most important thing but good professors'
"I would compare even our IITs and IIMs only with second-grade institutions of the US. The difference comes due to two factors. We are much better with respect to students. With respect to the faculty, we are not that good." Former Madras University vice-chancellor P T Manoharan on the problems of Indian universities.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
A silly season
'Once Sonia backed Laloo, the die was cast. No one was shocked any more when she joined hands with an equally corrupt Jayalalitha. Given the fact that she has chosen to be in the company of India's two most disgraced politicians, all she needs on her side now is people like Dawood Ibrahim and Ottavio Quattrocchi,' says Pritish Nandy.
From out of the gloom they come
'Those affected by the Sardar Sarovar Dam are the flesh and blood that prove how hollow has been India's treatment of people pushed from their land and homes by dams. The justice they are fighting for today is the justice that, if they fail, will be denied to you tomorrow,' warns Dilip D'Souza.
As government totters, Sonia beats a 'strategic retreat'
But as pressure builds on her to act, the Congress president is increasingly finding herself in a fix. For one, she is reluctant to head an interim government. What's more, she is unsure whether the Congress should lead a coalition or support a third front government from outside.
Vajpayee shuts the door on Jaya
The prime minister said he saw no possibility of the AIADMK continuing to ally with the BJP-led government at the Centre.
BJP plans to go on the offensive, target Sonia's foreign origins
The party believes many small anti-Congress parties will abstain from voting on any no-confidence motion against the government. Political sources said the Forward Bloc and the Revolutionary Socialist Party, with seven MPs in all, are likely to abstain.
Toppling government is priority, says RLM
"The continuance of the Vajpayee government even for a day more would be detrimental to national interest," said Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Fernandes denies calling Bhagwat a security risk
Defence ministry sources revealed that Fernandes might divulge his information on some sensitive issues to Parliament when the Budget session resumes on April 15.
DMK steels itself for the worst
But the Dravidian party might back the BJP if the latter suggests the recent crisis emerged because it refused to oust the Tamil Nadu government.
BJP leaders meet Karunanidhi
Analysts say the Tamil Nadu CM will do anything to prevent Jayalalitha from gaining an upper hand at the Centre.
DMK stand to be finalised at party meet
The present political situation has not reached a climax, making us convene the party general council meeting, said Karunanidhi.
Jaya, Swamy hold talks
The AIADMK chief will make a statement in Delhi on April 12 on the possible no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the Vajpayee government.
Chautala rules out support for Vajpayee
"We have already withdrawn our support and there is no question of revoking this decision," said the leader of the Indian National Lok Dal, which has four members in the Lok Sabha.
AIADMK ministers quit
The two AIADMK ministers in the Union ministry -- M Thambi Durai and K M R Janarthanam -- today submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Vajpayee.
Marxists to back Congress in Parliament
"We do not have the numbers [to form an alternative government] and elections will take place under the governance of the BJP, which we don't want," West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu said.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'Jayalalitha is the only person who can bring down this government'
"And without Sonia it is impossible to form an alternative government. We need her co-operation. So when these two come together I think we have tied both ends." Dr Subramanian Swamy, in frank conversation.
THE JAYA CORRUPTION CASES
State, Centre acted wrongly in corruption cases: Jaya's counsel
In a surprise move, the AIADMK chief has challenged the central notification transferring 46 corruption cases against her and others to three special courts for trial -- of course by implication.
Jaya wants vacation for special judge, but he doesn't
Judge Radhakrishnan pointed out that the special courts had functioned during the summer vacation last year and as such could not be expected to avail of the annual summer vacation.
OTHER REPORTS
Sonia extols Sikhism
"Sikh history is a saga of sacrifice and service to uphold humanity and brotherhood. Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed his life for the nation and society while Guru Gobind Singh is an epitome of bravery and brotherhood," she said at a function jointly organised by the tercentenary celebrations committee and the Delhi government.
To Hell, and Back
Dr Satwant Pasricha explores the twilight zone between the living and the dead. And comes up with some interesting results...
Mild tremor rocks Imphal valley
Official sources said the exact rating on the Richter scale could not be ascertained in the absence of a proper monitoring system. No casualties were reported.
Torrential rain dampens Lankan election fervour
No major incident was reported from any of the 12 districts forming the five provinces where elections were held. But the main opposition United National Party complained about more than 60 incidents of violence and malpractice.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
The spirit of freedom burns on...
'Tibetan refugees believe they will return to Tibet as citizens of a free country some day. Or at least as citizens of a province allowed to live their own way, without fear or interference.' Amberish K Diwanji reports from Dharamsala.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
The Great Wall of Chennai
'Forget the eyewash on Bhagwat, Georgekaka and the JPC; all the parties know that the sacked navy chief will not be reinstated. The bottom line is that JJ needs to control the corruption cases against her,' says Varsha Bhosle.
Of a grotesque hunk & Bhagwat's fantasies
'Sonia Gandhi as well as the Tamil Empress now seem to be banking on yet another affidavit lately sworn by the same man who's apparently so fond of fantasising that the Maharashtrian name he bears was itself an escape from his original one: Vishnu Kumar Sharma, son of Yagnadatta Sharma of Kanpur,' says Arvind Lavakare.
Yeh dil mange no more
'Before playing India, the Pakis were in a disarray. I can just imagine, the doc must have taken one look at the team, and considered the looming World Cup, and said, Allah be praised, what this team needs is a morale injection, of the kind available only when playing Hindustan,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
Maharashtra: 13 Ganesh Naik followers return to Sena Tamil Nadu: Jaya's Coimbatore public meet put off
Sonia gets the jitters over government-formation
'If the AIADMK joins a Congress-led coalition with the same set of demands, such a government would be just like the Vajpayee coalition,' one party leader said.
PM ready for trust vote
'It is a challenging situation and we will convert it into an excellent opportunity to prove our majority,' said Home Minister L K Advani.
BJP trying to win RPI support
A meeting of Congressmen at Arjun Singh's Canning Lane home added a new dimension to the day's fast-paced developments. Spokesman Ajit Jogi claimed to be unaware of any such meeting. Singh's household also denied it. But home ministry officials insisted the meeting took place.
Left will stay out, but will support next government
'We just want this government to go, and are willing to support any
alternative. In reality it is unlikely that any
government can last its full term given the numbers in the current
Lok Sabha,' said CPI leader A B Bardhan.
Year of living dangerously
The withdrawal of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ministers from the Union council of ministers on Monday marked the culmination of a tenuous year-long relationship, AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha had with the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership.
OTHER REPORTS
Detractors gun for Kalyan again
Quitting the BJP-led state ministry, a minister has raised a banner of revolt against the UP CM. Accusing him of 'double standards', the minister has further dented Kalyan's aura of impartiality.
No threat to me or my government, says Kalyan Singh
Asked specifically about a report that more than 30 legislators were in Delhi to meet the party high command for his removal, Kalyan Singh replied: ''Everyday several persons go to Delhi. There is nothing significant about it even if it is true.''
RSS's 'close bar' stir turns violent, 14 hurt
The police said an explosion occurred when a procession of RSS
activists approached the bar located near a temple at Olari near Thrissur in Kerala. The activists also allegedly entered the bar and attacked the bartenders with lethal weapons.
Chamoli dreads rains
A tragedy waits to unfold in the region as the recent quake has shaken the foundation of many houses which, the villagers feel, will collapse in the event of rains. The entire affected area has also become prone to landslides, which could be triggered by rains.
Vikrant rots in harbour, forgotten
"Nobody in the Maharashtra government knows anything about this subject. After Chief Minister Manohar Joshi quit, we have not been informed by the state government what the ship's fate will be," said fishermen's leader Vijay Bandarkar.
Villagers protest SC order on Narmada dam
"For four years, construction of the dam was suspended. We thought its height would not be increased and we would be saved. But now our lives are once again in danger."
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
Life of the lamas
'It is the interest in the Dalai Lama, Buddhism, and Tibet that keeps alive the Tibetan dream of seeing their country acquire freedom the Chinese yoke and of their triumphant return.' Amberish K Diwanji reports from Dharamsala.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'How long can we go on supporting this government?'
"We have got nothing in return for supporting the government. Kashmir has not been granted anything, no special packages have been announced for it, even though it is well known that we are the worst sufferers of cross-border terrorism. What do we tell the people back home?" asks Omar Farooq, National Conference MP.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Hand that rocks the nation
'Sonia Gandhi has chosen a middle path. She will not topple the government now. But she will give it a rough time. The Congress will oppose it on every possible issue so as to discredit it in the eyes of the people,' says Vir Sanghvi.
Wake Up And Smell The Coffee
'In Lutyen's Delhi, there is obsessive, indeed sickening, interest in politics and politicking. Politicians and political analysts stay up nights working on various permutations and combinations that could run India if the present arrangement were to collapse,' says Kanchan Gupta.
Bihar: Laloo appears in court for fodder scam case
THE WEATHER
Kashmir gets hot!
Heat wave conditions also prevailed in Bihar and south Gujarat.
