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ASSEMBLY POLL '98
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August 1 A fragile peace rules in Ahmedabad Tension had been building up since the annual rathyatra on July 14. The 'Kargil effect' worsened it, with Hindu mobs shouting obscene anti-Muslim slogans during anti-Pakistan demonstrations. Benazir admits Zardari is a political liability She said they had discussed their relationship a number of times and come to the conclusion that he just needs some time out so that the world can see him for what he is. Decision on JD's joining NDA deferred again George Fernandes indicated that the reunited JD's fate would be decided on August 16 when the alliance partners meet again at the prime minister's residence. Deve Gowda banks on 'divine destiny' The JD leader rushes often to Kerala, hopping across temples to offer special poojas so that he would become the PM again. Sedapatti dropped, Sasikala's kin gets ticket There are no surprises in the list of 23 AIADMK candidates for the Lok Sabha polls. Jayalalitha is launching her election campaign from Kancheepuram on Sunday. A promise made to Ganga Picked up by Time magazine as one of the 'seven heroes of the planet', 59-year-old Veer Bhadra Misra, in his own small way, has managed to achieve what the Indian Government's Rs 400-crore Ganga Action Plan failed to accomplish. Fundamentalists set fire to dissenter's house Palathody Abdul Rasheed, who took to Kathakali during his school days inspired by the famous Kalamandalam Hyderali, and his family have been virtually thrown out on the street. No respite as rains continue to wreak havoc One person was killed in Bihar while two deaths were reported from Kerala, pushing up the monsoon death toll to 321. THE KARGIL CRISIS Russia to modernise India's MiG fleet The modernisation and overhauling would cost $ 340 million. Don't impose conditions for talks: Pakistan A senior Pak Foreign Ministry official said future talks between Islamabad and New Delhi will now mainly focus on the Kashmir dispute. 'Pak won't attempt another incursion' Jammu & Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah has asked Islamabad to stop cross-border terrorism. THE KARGIL CRISIS:The entire coverage OTHER REPORTS Bofors catapulted to centrestage again BJP leader Narinder Modi denied the allegation printed in a leading Hindi newspaper Punjab Kesari that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is trying to shield the Hindujas in the Bofors case and he has told the CBI to go slow in this matter. Amarnath yatra suspended for a day About 300 pilgrims from different parts of the country, who arrived at Udhampur to proceed to Amarnath, were sent back by the in-charge, traffic checking post, Udhampur, saying that the yatra has been suspended for the day due to heavy rush. THE REDIFF SPECIAL Kargil: a turning point in military aviation 'Gone are the days of fighters [aircraft] screaming in at deck level, acting as a piece of extended artillery. The air defence environment of today's battlefield just does not permit such employment of air power anymore, a significant fact that needs to be understood by soldiers and civilians alike,' explains IAF's senior officer Ved Shenag . THE REDIFF INTERVIEW 'Some people close to us think that just because we are in power, they can do anything and get away with it' "Relations [between Hindus and Muslims] are not as good as they should be, says Gujarat Home Minister Haren Pandya in an exclusive interview. THE REDIFF COLUMNS The soldiers have won the war; will the politicians lose the peace? 'Any reticence on New Delhi's part to respond vigorously to the Pakistan-sponsored insurgency will lead to an expansion. Only hitting at the roots can snuff out the disease,' argues Monu Nalapat. Poor people! "Selling Sonia," Congress strategists are sure to tell you if you ask nicely, "is tougher than selling Sharief to Indians." Capital Buzz. Gossip from the Delhi durbar. THE WEATHER South-west monsoon is vigorous in east Rajasthan Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gangetic West Bengal, Orissa, east Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, coastal Karnataka and Kerala during the next 48 hours. July 31 Samata Party ready to sever ties with BJP Samata Party general secretary Digvijay Singh today claimed that his party would fight to the finish if the reunited Janata Dal was not allowed to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. Lok Shakti hopes JD row will end The party will hold a joint rally at Bangalore on August 7 along with the Sharad Yadav faction of the Janata Dal and the Samata Party. 'Madam attracts crowds wherever she goes' "It is the BJP that is spreading disinformation about thin crowds. How can reporters forget this," asked Congress general secretary Oscar Fernandes. Balram Jakhar acquitted in hawala scandal Special Judge V B Gupta said the mere fact that the accused S K Jain was known to the former Lok Sabha speaker meant nothing. House gets a warning against Dan Burton Gary Ackerman and James Greenwood, co-chairmen of the India Caucus, have said in a amendment that what the indefatigable India-basher is expected to propose this week will be 'short-sighted, unfair and counter-productive'. Plea against new telecom policy adjourned A division bench, comprising Chief Justice S N Variava and Justice S K Mahajan, directed the government not to create any third-party right or to take any irreversible step until August 3 when the petition comes up for hearing again. THE KARGIL CRISIS Pak Opposition rejects Sharief-Clinton deal Why was India not a party to it and why was it signed between the USA and Pakistan alone, an opposition spokesman asked. 'US has gained respect for Vajpayee' The Assistant Secretary of State said the course of events in Kargil show the wisdom and effectiveness of restraint and the pursuit of diplomatic solutions. Pak wants sincere talks on Kashmir Asked how India could give an assurance of its sincerity, government spokesman Tariq Altaf said it could come through a public statement. Sharief ready for talks with India The Pakistan PM has reiterated that it was in the interest of Islamabad and New Delhi to resolve the Kashmir issue at the earliest. THE REDIFF SPECIAL 'It is most important for the widow to feel that her husband's sacrifice has not been in vain' 'Regretfully, public memory is very short. We would not like people to forget the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers.' Dr Ranjana Malik, the army chief's wife, tells the Rediff Chat. THE KARGIL CRISIS:The entire coverage OTHER REPORTS Medha's life is too important, says Digvijay "My government is very touchy on matters relating to human life. Her life is too important for us and we would try to persuade her not to carry out her threat," he said. CPI-M bid to wrest seats riles allies The party's state committee has decided to wrest Kollam from the RSP, Kannur from the Congress-S and Muvattupuzha from the Janata Dal without consulting them. Anna TDP ties up with NCP, SP Attempts by the Left and other smaller parties to form a third front as an alternative to the ruling Telugu Desam Party and the Congress in Andhra Pradesh have run into rough weather. UP to move SC against EC order The CM said the directive was 'discriminatory'. Naidu extends ban on People's War Group It was extended beyond July 23, 1999 under the Andhra Pradesh Public Security Act by declaring the Naxalite group and six of its frontal organisations unlawful. Left continues trying to rope in seculars in AP Though such attempts have been set back in the last couple of days with the two breakaway TDP factions led by N Harikrishna and N Lakshmi Parvathi working out their own electoral alliances, the Communist leaders refuse to give up. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS Deccan is the key to Delhi 'There are 118 Lok Sabha seats spread over Maharashtra, Andhra and Karnataka. In 1998 the BJP and its allies won just 30. But as many as 64 of the 141 Congress MPs in 1998 came from the Deccan. Can the Congress do at least as well today, if not better?' asks T V R Shenoy. At war with the Khan on the street 'In my reality, I am suddenly a Hindu, without knowing or believing the tenets that go with it, and it gets harder to remember that Allah-o-Akbar is not merely the battle-cry of the enemy, for my own people are wont to rally themselves to this tune in defense of the motherland,' confesses Ashwin Mahesh. Service with a smile, apply here 'I know every country has inefficient bureaucracies, but there must be few to excel India's heady combination of corruption, indifference, obstruction and unhelpfulness,' says Dilip D'Souza. THE WEATHER Monsoon lashes Rajasthan, MP Heavy rains are likely at isolated places in west Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, coastal Karnataka and Kerala during the next 48 hours. July 30 The Bofors booms again -- now, at the BJP The Congressmen, expectedly, are singing paeans about the gun, which undoubtedly saved the day for the Indian armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. As for their political foes, they find themselves with no leg to stand on. Congress, MGP may merge in Goa MGP leader Ramakant Khalap may contest the September 4 Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket. Chautala ministry expanded Seven cabinet ministers and six ministers of state have been inducted, raising the strength of the ministry to 14. Monsoon toll crosses 300 mark The southwest monsoon lashed eastern India yesterday, killing 14 people. LTTE suicide bomber kills TULF leader Neelam Thiruchelvam, an expert in constitutional law, was largely seen as a moderate Tamil politician. AP CM to move HC against EC order Chandrababu Naidu said: ''It is not proper on the part of the Election Commission to create hurdles in the implementation of the cooking gas scheme on a meaningless pretext.'' THE KARGIL CRISIS Inderfurth sees 'useful' role for US in Kashmir The assistant secretary of state said his country had decided two years ago to devote more intensive and sustained attention to South Asia. The events surrounding Kargil reinforced that desire. Ackerman opposes call for 'special envoy' The co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, in a letter to President Clinton said any enhanced role by the US will be tantamount to 'meddling in India's domestic affairs.' THE REDIFF SPECIAL 'India-Pakistan cannot afford war 'Let us accept the LOC as the ultimate international boundary -- the hawks will scream on both sides. Let them. Every inch of our land is precious -- yes it is! What of the areas given by Pakistan to China in Aksai Chin?' Colonel John Taylor (retd) on five decades of Indo-Pak hostility. THE REDIFF COLUMNIST The S and S duo's shenanigans Natwar Singh and Kapil Sibal's harsh and invariably unsubstantiated charges are meant more to get them closer to the dumb deity of 10 Janpath than to convince the countrymen at large that the prime minister had bungled in Kargil, says Virendra Kapoor. THE KARGIL CRISIS:The entire coverage OTHER REPORTS Curfew relaxed in Ahmedabad for six hours According to city police control room sources, an incident of stone-throwing was reported last evening in the Juhapura area in which about half-a-dozen people were injured. Barring this, no other incident was reported from any other place. Inquiry initiated into charges against Pawar ''I sacrificed six months of my remaining tenure as the chief minister as the prevailing atmosphere would definitely benefit us,'' the Maharashtra chief minister, who kicked off his party's election campaign from Kolhapur on Tuesday, claimed. Karnataka BJP all set for electronic blitz As usual, the party will use the film stars in its fold liberally for campaigning. July 29 Bal Thackeray loses the right to vote The Shiv Sena leader was disfranchised as a result of his conviction by the Supreme Court for corrupt electoral practices. Ahmedabad quiet but tense Police Commissioner P C Pandey said the toll in the week-long communal violence rose to seven. Shoot-at-sight orders issued The Gujarat government has deployed more forces in the city to end the violence. Hit-and-run tactics flummox Gujarat police A senior official said mob violence is easier to control because it involves aroused passions. But dispassionate violence, aiming specifically at nothing, is dangerous. THE KARGIL CRISIS India's ties with US are not danger-free The mood definitely is upbeat in the ministry of external affairs. But certain other quarters caution against going overboard like India did a little while ago with Pakistan. Don't set terms for talks, Pak tells India Pakistan has put the ball in India's court by offering bilateral talks, the Pakistani premier said. No talks with militants: Thakre The BJP chief said the people of Kashmir had realised that militancy had brought only misery to the state and an armed struggle was no way to seek solution to a problem. THE REDIFF SPECIAL 'Through the travail and fire of Kargil our nation has been renewed' 'India recognises the permanence of Pakistan and that is final. While India remains ready for dialogue, the pace depends entirely on when and how Pakistan, and what it has now become, permits it to do so.' External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh looks back at the Kargil conflict. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS Egg on their faces 'The Congress president and her colleagues are a frustrated lot today -- each attempt of theirs to embarrass the Vajpayee government ever since the Kargil conflict erupted has failed,' says Kanchan Gupta. Time to change friends 'For too long has the strongest nation in the world played footsie with riffraff. It must realise that it has much more cultural compatibility with India than with Pakistan or China. We can share the future together because we believe in the same things,' argues Pritish Nandy. THE KARGIL CRISIS:The entire coverage OTHER REPORTS EC bars new proposals but allows VSNL divestment The commission noted that major national parties had voiced strong reservations about the promulgation of ordinances. EC seeks 'full report' on new telecom policy The Congress, CPI-M and some other political parties objecting to the recent changes in the telecom policy had sought the commission's intervention. Chautala wins trust vote The confidence motion was put to vote by the deputy speaker as the speaker had resigned before the house assembled. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed floats new party He said the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party would persuade the Union government to initiate an unconditional dialogue with the Kashmiris to resolve the Kashmir problem. Congress invites MGP to join Goa government This rather unconventional move of the Congress to seek another party's participation in government despite enjoying a majority will not only reduce the opposition to just 12 members, but also make it difficult for rebels within the party to topple the government. Foreign tour unites UP's politicians Be it the Sangh Parivar's much-touted "principled approach", the Samajwadi Party's "tough talk", or the self-proclaimed "idealism" of the Congress, everything takes a back seat when it's a question of a foreign jaunt. THE REDIFF DIARY 'I want a beer, NOW!' Savera R Someshwar discovers that even on an international flight, Indians will be, well, Indians. Sigh. 
Andhra Pradesh: Rajsekhara Reddy priming to replace Naidu July 28 Path cleared for JD's entry into NDA With J H Patel agreeing to forgo his candidature for the Karnataka chief minister's post after the general election, the dissenters in the BJP are likely to end their opposition to the entry of the Sharad Yadav faction of the Janata Dal into the National Democratic Alliance. Ananth Kumar opposes tie-up The Union civil aviation minister argued that the BJP had been built "brick by brick" in Karnataka with the sole aim of unseating the Janata Dal. THE KARGIL CRISIS Pallone against US mediation in Kashmir The Democratic congressman said lawmakers should urge the US administration to stick to its policy of non-intervention. End of Kargil crisis makes it easier for Amarnath pilgrims Following the withdrawal of the Pakistani intruders, the Jammu and Kashmir government has re-opened the Baltal route to the cave shrine. War widows to be given petrol pumps, LPG connections In a letter to the petroleum minister, Vajpayee said, "The entire initiative in doing this should rest with the ministry/public sector units concerned and there should be no question of the applicants having to approach anybody to get their work done". Rs 4.3 billion package for DD, AIR in Kashmir Doordarshan will set up two high-power transmitters each at Naushera, Tithwal, Kupwara, Gurez and Samba for DD1 and DD2, besides providing mobile low-power transmitters at 12 places and new very low-power transmitters at 60 locations. THE REDIFF INTERVIEW 'The Kargil campaign is good tonic for the country and army' "I am more confident now about the Indian armed forces juggernaut. It is moving and is effective. One feels sorry for the human losses we have suffered. We owe it to the jawans for reminding the nation to be prepared and conscious of its security needs." Army chief General Ved Prakash Malik in conversation. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS Let us not forget history 'Let us give up the belief, once and for all, that Pakistan's peace and prosperity is good for us; our good lies only in its obliteration from the world map,' says Arvind Lavakare. Twice born in Tamil Nadu 'The Jayalalitha phenomenon is less an aberration, born out of an individual's caprice or charisma, than the logical outcome of the suspension of disbelief that is endemic to the Tamil masses,' says Anil Nair. THE KARGIL CRISIS:The entire coverage OTHER REPORTS Six Assam cops killed in Naga ambush Official sources said the extremists also looted a large quantity of arms and ammunition. Toll in torrential rains reaches 293 The monsoon continues to wreak havoc in Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka. CPI-M sees 500 billion rupee scam in new telecom policy Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri said the National Telecom Policy 1999 was never placed in Parliament, nor was any attempt made to list it in the business of either of the two Houses, though there was time between the framing of the policy and the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Haryana speaker quits Chhattar Singh Chauhan's resignation came in the wake of a notice given by the ruling group for his removal from the office, expressing "lack of faith" in him. Chautala to seek trust vote today The Haryana chief minister said he would expand his ministry after the trust vote. Andhra CM, family get high court notices The notices were issued on a petition filed by film star Mohan Babu, saying their Heritage Foods (India) Limited should be wound up. Arunachalam may rejoin Congress The former Union minister is reportedly hurt that the TMC leadership did not take his personal and political predicament into account while deciding to tie-up with the dalit-dominated Puthiya Thamizhagam. Simultaneous polls in Arunachal too Arunachal Pradesh thus becomes the fifth state to go in for simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The others are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Sikkim. Vajpayee lauds American space achievements In a congratulatory message to Clinton on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the first moon landing, the PM said that in the new millennium, the exploration of new frontiers of space will test human endeavour. Pakistan may revive anti-media law The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has warned that the government is planning to revive the repressive Press and Publications Ordinance to tighten control over the press. July 27 THE KARGIL CRISIS ASEAN forum backs India on Kashmir dispute The ARF chairman's statement has also expressed concern about the spread of small arms, which has led to an increase in terrorism. Britain seizes Pak-bound nuke material The cargo was tracked from the United States to the Thamesport container terminal on the Isle of Grain in Kent, south-eastern England. 'There's more to Kargil than meets the eye' "The whole India knows the truth about what transpired in Kargil. But the government is still not coming clean despite the fact that the war is now over. If we come to power we will naturally set up another committee to go into this issue," said CPI-M general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS Sharpening the saw 'Nehruvian secularism, the protected status given to minorities, the defanging of anti-terrorism laws, the shielding of illegal immigrants, the acceding to hurt sentiments -- has proved to be a blunt blade. Rabid nationalism is the only cure,' argues Varsha Bhosle. 20 questions on Kargil 'The immediate agenda after Kargil is to place the military and diplomatic victory in perspective and focus on the achievements of the jawan. It is time to reassure him he is neither expendable nor disposable. Why can't a nation salute its soldiers when he is alive, not just when he is dead?' says Major General (retd) Ashok K Mehta. THE KARGIL CRISIS:The entire coverage OTHER REPORTS Top BJP leaders riled by Patel's inclusion The crucial NDA meeting scheduled for July 31 is expected to be stormy with BJP leaders buttonholing Fernandes to explain how and why the Karnataka chief minister had found a place in the reunited Janata Dal. 'Dalit stir' may divide TN voters The TMC has joined hands with the Puthiya Thamizhagam, lending political respectability to the stir. Congress digs up old dirt on Pawar The party has released a booklet titled Pawarnama, which details the Maharashtrian politician's alleged misdeeds over the years. Congress wins Rajya Sabha seat from Goa Former Union minister Eduardo Faleiro's win, helped along by the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party which abstained from voting, proves that the Congress government in the state is more or less stable. THE REDIFF DIARY Jaisimha's Last Stand "Today's players deserve everything they get. Maybe a small part of their earnings should go to the cricketers of the past. Some of them really need it. Like Durrani, for instance. It's so sad he's so badly off." THE REDIFF SPECIALS 'I am John Kennedy Jr. Pleased to meet you, Mr Gupta' 'JFK Junior was putting up at a nondescript hotel in Paharganj in New Delhi which did not have basic facilities like a direct phone, a hot water shower, or even good ventilation. In a matter of days we became good friends.' Vishwa Bandhu Gupta recalls John-John's passion for India. Delhi's ancient pillar faces modern predicament As each day hundreds of curious tourists try to encircle the iron pillar with their hands, white patches have begun appearing on the lower portion of this metallurgical marvel.
Andhra Pradesh: Shape up or ship out, warns Naidu Karnataka: BJP-JD tie-up to be decided on July 31 Archives |
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