Karunanidhi's Son Azhagiri Acquitted In Murder Case

CHITTOOR: M K Azhagiri, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, was acquitted along with 12 others on Thursday, by a sessions court here in a case relating to the murder of a former DMK minister for want of reliable evidence.

Sessions Judge P Durga Prasad in a brief verdict observed that there was no reliable evidence to connect the accused with the murder of former minister T Kiruttinan. The judge said the detailed judgment would be pronounced on Friday.

Azhagiri, along with the other accused, was present in the court when the judgment was delivered amidst tight security.

A large contingent of DMK workers, who were present in the court, raised slogans in support of Azhagiri and Karunanidhi.

Gavaskar resigns as chairman of ICC Cricket Committee

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has resigned as the chairman of ICC Cricket Committee on Thursday.

Gavaskar, who is also well-known cricket commentator and columnist, said, "With more and more cricket being played it has become clear that it is not possible for me to do justice to two jobs, the chairmanship of the ICC Cricket Committee and my media commitments.

"As an example of that, I had to leave my professional commitments as a commentator on the Indian Premier League matches in order to come and chair this year's meeting in Dubai.

Source: NDTV

SC Reinstates Venugopal As AIIMS Chief; Ramdoss Shocked

New Delhi: The Central Government on Thursday received a major setback with the Supreme Court striking down the law that enabled premature retirement of noted cardiologist P Venugopal as Director of the prestigious AIIMS after a raging row with Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.

Ramadoss said he is shocked by the verdict, he had never expected it.

A bench of Justices Tarun Chatterjee and H S Bedi upheld the appeal filed by Venugopal challenging the impugned law as being discriminatory and malafidely brought to superannuate him.

Venugopal had contended that the amendment was brought with the sole purpose of removing him from his office due to his differences with Ramadoss.

The amendment relating to the AIIMS Act fixed the upper age of retirement of Director at 65 years leading to Venugopal's retirement.

Senior counsel and former Law Minister Arun Jaitely had contended on behalf of Venugopal that the Act was illegal as the High Court had in March last year upheld his continuation in the post and the matter was pending in the apex court.

Source: NDTV

3,500-km range Agni-III missile test-fired

BALASORE: India on Wednesday test-fired the 3,500-km range surface-to-surface nuclear capable Agni-III missile from the Wheelers' Island off Orissa coast.(Watch)

The intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) was test-fired from a mobile launcher from the launch complex (LC-4) of the integrated test range (ITR) around 9:56 am, defence sources said.

The 16 metre-long and 1.8-metre wide missile roared into the sky in a vertically slanted position leaving behind a thick column of orange and white smoke and, within seconds, became invisible to the naked eye, an eyewitness said.

Source: TOI

Uproar In Parliament As Govt Tables Women's Quota Bill, Rajya Sabha Adjourned

View Source: newindpress


NEW DELHI: Amid high drama and scuffles between members, a resolute government introduced a Bill providing for reservation of one-third of seats for women in Parliament and state legislatures in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

With Congress MPs providing protective cover, Law Minister H R Bhardwaj introduced the controversial Bill in the midst of Samajwadi Party members trying to snatch its copies from the hands of the Minister.

SP members stormed the Well soon after the House resumed at noon in an apparent attempt to stall introduction of the Bill which they have been opposing along with JD(U).

A Perfect Family Outing, Presidentji?

Today I was appalled to read a news item (read here) saying that our honorable president's son, who accompanied his mother on her recent trip to Latin Amarica, has secretly conducted personal business in the US.

I am not against taking your own people along with you on an official visit, as in India, it's an acceptable norm. My worry is that if the President, who is also the first citizen of India, did not bother to refrain her kin to misuse the official machinery for personal use, what example she is going to set for others? The corruption starts from the higher level. Here the head itself is a corrupt.

During her appointment as president of india, she was under scanner for shielding her brother from murder charges. I think , she herself was in a controversy on a bank fraud. All the so called secular parties bent upon selecting Pratibha Patil rejecting the very able and internationally respected Abdul Kalam for a second term.

What a shame for India. The honorable President has to address empty chairs in one of her meetings there. The news had found prominent pages in several dailies in India.

Being the supreme commander of the country, she has the responsibility to lead by example? Instead of being a perfect leader, she is doing a perfect puppet to Sonia Gandhi. Congress too wanted a doll on the seat and they found a perfect match in Patil.

All political parties crooned on secularism to reject Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, a NDA nominee. The president ‘s post is above all religion. By voting her to power, what these parties had gained, god only knows. But surely India has lost its face in the international arena.

She has no stature or charisma as Kalam which was visible when she met the international leaders. Kalam is a saint. Being a Muslim by birth, he gained love from all walks of life. He knows Bhagwat Geeta, Ramayan and has read Bible too. Beside, he is internationally known scientist.

In what way he is not secular Mrs. Sonia Gandhi? By selecting her to the citadel of power, we, the people now know who are all going to get benefited, definitely for sure the first family and her kin.

The news items ends with 'besides her son, the president was accompanied by her husband Devisingh Ram Singh Shekhawat. A perfect family outing, Mrs President?

Read full story here:

http://newshopper.sulekha.com/newsitem/iansnews/2008/04/president-s-son-conducts-personal-business-on-official.htm

Who will win the 'power battle' in Karnataka?

The battle lines are drawn in Karnataka. Who is going to rule (read loot) the people of Karnataka will be known in a few days from now. The first phase of election is scheduled on May 10.

The irony is that not much discussion is happening on this forum on this very important election of the year which may probably change the course of many national parties before the Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year.

While there are squabbles among the three main contenders viz BJP, JDS and Congress owing to poll ticket allotment issue, the recent tantrums of former union minister and very senior Congress leader in Karnataka Jaffer Sharif who was finally tamed by Sonia Gandhi after assuring him and his offspring a place in the Polls, have further widened and exposed the bitter political rivalry within the Congress to the electorate.

The grand old man of divisive politics in India Deve Gowda is now busy burning midnight oil to fix their men in all the constituencies to take on both Congress and BJP. His intention is very clear: Either win decisively or create hung assembly like before so that he can extract maximum from his Foe -turned-Friends.

No doubt he is singing secular tunes now. But once the elections are over and god forbid if party was in a position to form coalition with either of Congress and BJP, he would sing a different tune altogether notwithstanding the promises made to the people about his party going to polls alone.

For BJP, too desperate to prove its mettle, would do anything to grab the power. If they win, they would firmly fix their feet on southern soil. Their next stop would be Kerala where the party has got a sizable base in southern pockets.

And for Congress, it's a do-or-die battle. Having lost in many of the poll battles in north including the recent Punjab and Himachal assembly polls, the party is in no mood to lose Karnataka, the party's once strong fort. The party’s head for Karnataka SM Krishna is striving hard to keep the flock together to win the confidence of Soniaji as well as the electorate.

The new face in the 'battle for Karnataka' is none other than Behanji of Uttar Pradesh - Mayawati. She also wants her share and hence announced her party's decision to contest in 224 assembly segments. Her intention is very clear. Get as many votes of backward class people and create a dent in the vote bank of BJP, JDS and Congress.

Even if she gets 10 to 15 MLAs they will have their say in state assembly. Also, Karnataka polls will create a platform for Behanji to expand her base to emerge as National Leader; All for cheap politics. Will the people know the intention of these political heads? Unlikely.

Like in the past they are going to fall pray to the goodies thrown by these parties. For example, the BJP has promised to provide Rs 2 per kg rice. Everyone knows that the party is not going to provide Basmati rice for poor. It's going to be the worst quality rice without much of health vitamins. That is enough for poor, otherwise, they will grow intellectually and question the politicians.

Congress, to counter BJP has announced FREE colour television sets and Rs 2 per kg rice for poor. With JDS analysing its strategy to come out with plans for poor electorates (pun intended) a lot (read Crores) in stake for the major big wigs in Karnataka Polls. God bless India.