Sri Lanka Government decides to hold other Provincial Council elections according to the original schedule

Colombo: Government of Sri Lanka has decided to hold the elections of the rest of the Provincial Councils as scheduled once their terms end as per the schedule prepared by the Election Commissioner.

However, it is also reported that a Presidential Election will be held soon prior to the general elections which is scheduled for 2010 April to secure the Government’s position in the local political arena.

Next Presidential election is supposed to be held at the end of 2011. With the war against terrorism becoming a success with an anticipated conclusion by 2009 May, the Government plans to conduct Provincial Council Elections for the Northern Province in December 2009.

Source : Colombo Page

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Govt favouring BNP- Jamaat: AL claims

Awami League has blasted the Emergency Government for favouring corrupts belonging to the erstwhile BNP-Jamaat government. It questioned the neutrality of the incumbent government's anti-corruption drive terming it an eye-wash and an activity to pull BNP and their alliance(The Bangladesh Today)

out of the deep hole they had plunged into before one-eleven.

"The government amid its controversial activities further proved that they were not sincere and impartial against widespread corruption. Their anti-corruption drive was merely an eye-wash and ill-motivated. The main aim of the interim government is to bring BNP-Jamaat to the same level as us," stated acting Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam posing a question, "If a world champion corrupt individual like Tarique Zia can get released from jail, why should other prisoners belonging to different political parties be behind bars?"

He briefed the newsmen at Gulshan in the capital on Saturday after coming out from the party Presidium meeting with the acting AL President Zillur Rahman in the chair.

Referring to Tarique's bail on different graft cases, Syed Ashraful said, "If the release of Tarique is ensured, the government has no legal as well as moral right to keep other detainees, arrested earlier on charges of so-called corruption cases, in jail at all."

He strongly condemned the activities of the authorities concerned to allow detained BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to hold a meeting with BNP Secretary General Khandoker Delwar Hossain and Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammed Mojaheed inside the jail.

Terming the three-hour meeting in the makeshift jail in the Parliament Complex on Thursday the worst-ever unlawful incident, Ashraful said, "The erstwhile BNP-Jamaat government destroyed all the institutions one after another and later this incumbent government has driven the last nail in the coffin of rule of law in the country."

"The meeting would have been allowed after releasing BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia either finally or on parole. This has raised a question of the neutrality of the government in its activities," he added.

About the outcome of the Presidium meeting, acting AL General Secretary said, the polls to Upazila Parishad, lifting of the State of Emergency, Representation of People's Order (RPO) Ordinance -2008 and prevailing political situation dominated the discussion and the decision would be finalised in the AL Working Committee meeting today (Sunday).

"As per the letter of the Election Commission, AL would sit for discussion with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on September 4 and subsequently on September 9. On the first day we will highlight our logics, merits and demerits of the Upazila polls before those of Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament). On the second day, we want to discuss RPO provisions like 'No' vote system, scrapping of front organizations and foreign chapters of the political parties, and timeframe for party registration," he said hoping that all debate would be ended through an open conversation with EC and the government.

He further proposed the government and the EC to resolve the crises of the country through dialogues with all political parties across the country which would bring good for the country, elections and democracy.

Replying to a query, he said, "Before taking the oath, the AL-backed mayors-elect would resign from their party's portfolios abiding by the law of the Election Commission."

The AL General Secretary said, "We hope to sit with the representatives of the Caretaker Government to discuss the above mentioned issues at convenient time any day after September 9."

Amir Hossain Amu, Suranjit Sengupta, Motia Chowdhury and BM Mojjammel Haque were present in the two-hour meeting while Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed and Ataur Rahman Khan Kaiser failed to attend due to their illness.


Source : News from bangladesh

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BJP demands removal of Paswan from Union cabinet

JAIPUR : Alleging that Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan is supporting terrorism in the country by giving protection to SIMI activists, BJP has demanded an immediate removal of Lok Janshakti Party Chief from the Union Cabinet.

In a press release here, BJP state spokesman Mohan Lal Gupta said that the Union Minister is supporting SIMI that is allegedly involved in terrorist activities.

He ridiculed Paswan for comparing RSS and other Hindu outfits with SIMI and said they are working towards maintaining unity in the country as against the works of the banned organisation.

Source : Times Of India

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Chiranjeevi faced several obstacles ahead of party launch

TIRUPATI: From legal wrangles to loss of a close friend, Telugu film star Chiranjeevi overcame several hurdles for the launch of his party from this temple town.

A row over his party's name "Praja Rajyam" was resolved on Friday after a claimant to the name withdrew his objection.

Advocate V Channakrishniah from Lakkireddy Palli in Kadapa District had agreed to withdraw his application with the Election Commission posted for the registration of the party's name three months ago.

A letter for withdrawal of the application signed by Chennakirshniah was submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner, Praja Rajyam Party sources said.

Chiranjeevi's plans for a grand political entry first ran into trouble when the Tirupati Urban Development Authority refused to grant permission for the public meeting to announce the launch of the party, citing a 2006 Supreme Court order.

However, the issue was resolved after the organisers approached the District Collector, who granted the permission.

Then came a PIL by a Tirupati-based NGO seeking a ban on the August 26 meeting here, where he eventually announced the launch of his party.

When the arrangements were in full swing at the meeting venue, the NGO, Intellectual Forum, sought the ban on the event on the grounds that the venue Avilata Tank area at the foothills of the historic temple town was a protected area.

However, the 53-year old Cheeranjeevi had the last laugh when the Supreme Court refused to stay the meeting.

He also faced a personal loss when his long-time friend and actor, Hari Prasad died on August 17, the day when Chiranjeevi made announced his much-awaited political entry.

Prasad, 55, died of heart attack when he was reportedly talking about his friend Chiranjeevi's political entry at a TV news channel office.

Source : Times Of India

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Zardari quest for prez post gets boost

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party chief Asif Ali Zardari's prospects for presidency brightened on Sunday with leaders of two prominent parties backing his bid, even as he claimed the 'establishment' is with him in his quest to succeed Pervez Musharraf.

Jamiat Ulema-e Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said his party's 48 members in Parliament -- National Assembly and Senate -- and provincial assembles of NWFP and Balochistan would vote for Zardari in the September six presidential poll.

Rehman said he took the decision after the government met the four demands of his party -- reopening of the 'Jamia Fareedia' madrassa, handing over of the Lal Masjid to 'ulema' or religious scholars, halting of the military operation in Bajaur tribal agency and promise to free radical cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz soon.

Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, a minister in the previous cabinet and the President of his own faction of PPP(S), announced his party's support to Zardari, as did a lawmaker of the pro-Musharraf PML-Q, Amir Muqam.

Zardari also sought to assert that the 'establishment' -- a euphemism for army in Pakistan -- has not opposed or expressed reservations over his candidature.

"The establishment has its own sensitivities which we keep in view while taking decisions," Zardari told The News .

Source : Times Of India

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SP, Congress leaders meet ahead of crucial seat sharing talks

NEW DELHI: A day ahead of the crucial seat sharing parleys between the Congress and Samajwadi Party, a six-member Coordination Committee of the outfits is meeting on Saturday to discuss key government policy issues.

Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and general secretary Amar Singh are expected to represent SP while Congress is expected to be represented by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party president Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherji and Defence Minister A K Antony.

The meeting, to be held in the evening at the Prime Minister's residence, comes in the wake of several media reports indicating SP's concern over issues related to spectrum allocation, windfall tax and matters pertaining to petroleum sector.

Source : Times Of India

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Congress leaders discuss revised NSG draft

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday held deliberations with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and some other senior colleagues over the nuclear issue ahead of the NSG meeting in Vienna.
The meeting, also attended by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to the Congress president, is understood to have assessed the revised draft prepared by the US for consideration of the Nuclear Suppliers Group at its meeting on September 4-5.

The meeting is understood to have deliberated upon the situation in view of the original NSG draft waiver being amended because of concerns expressed by various countries.

The Congress leadership is believed to have weighed options available if things do not work out as desired at the upcoming meeting of the NSG.

Singh earlier held similar consultations with Mukherjee, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar on the issue amid the hope that 45-nation grouping will give a "clean" and "unconditional" waiver.

Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, who is in the US and in touch with the American officials there, is also in constant contact with Mukherjee and Kakodkar over the issue.

Menon will be travelling to Vienna for the NSG meeting directly from the US.

The NSG failed to arrive at a final decision on the proposed India waiver at the August 21-22 meet after several countries raised non-proliferation issues and proposed around 50 amendments to the draft before it could be considered.

In the revised draft of the waiver, New Delhi is expecting "minimal changes" and hopes that it will have a language and "semantics which can be sold" to the people of the country without any problems, sources said.

Source : Times Of India

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Jaffna mc polls to be held soon

In the wake of the Eastern, North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council elections, the government is now planning to hold elections to the Jaffna Municipal Council to gauge public opinion in the northern capital, a Minister said yesterday.

EPDP leader and Social Services Minister Douglas Devananda told Daily Mirror the election would be conducted soon and the government was holding a series of discussions to work out the preliminaries. “We will be able to conduct it before the end of this year.

This is to test the waters in the peninsula,” Mr. Devananda who represents the Jaffna district as an MP said and added that this would be followed by elections to the Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas in the district.

He said in lighter vein that this election would be a battle between him and TULF leader V. Anandasangaree.

The elections to the Jaffna Municipal Council were last held in 1998 after the peninsula was liberated from the LTTE. The TULF won the elections at the time and took over the administration of the council.

TULF member Sarojani Yogeswaran was elected Mayor but she was gunned down allegedly by the LTTE soon after her election to office.

Her successor K. Sivapalan also died in a bomb blast in September 1998 that targeted a Jaffna meeting between the councilors and security officials. He was succeeded by parliamentarian N. Raviraj.

Meanwhile, EPRLF leader P. Sritharan said that he too had heard about government plans to hold elections.

“We will definitely contest if there is an election,” he said.

Source : Daily Mirror

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BNP will not make any deal with govt in releasing Begum Zia: Hannan Shah

BNP Chairperson's Adviser Brigadier ASM Hannan Shah on Friday said the party would not accept any government conditions in releasing Begum Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman. "If the government tries to set any condition for the release Begum Zia, BNP will not accept(The Bangladesh Today)

it and the party will go for tougher movement in order to free its Chairperson. Like Awami League, BNP will not make any secret deal with government in releasing its Chairperson. We want to free our Chairperson through legal process, not making any deal with the government," Hannan Shah told reporters at his residence in the city.

Replying to a query about the existing division in the BNP, he said everything will be settled after the release of Begum Khaleda Zia. "If any division exists in the party, it will be removed soon after the release of our party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia," Hannan Shah said.

Hannan Shah said if the government does not withdraw state of emergency to create congenial atmosphere for holding free, fair and credible election, BNP will compel the government to withdraw it through launching massive movement under the directive of Khaleda Zia.

Talking to reporters BNP standing committee member M K Anwar said the party will not take part in any election under the state of emergency. "The government has no alternative to lifting the state of emergency for holding free and fair election in the country," he added.

Echoing the same argument, he said BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will be released through legal process. "BNP does not believe in holding any secret deal with the government, we will free our leader Begum Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman under legal process or democratic movement," M K Anwar said.

Meanwhile, BNP leaders and activists observed countrywide Milad Mahfil yesterday after Jumaa prayers for seeking recovery of ailing Tarique Rahman and quickening release of Begum Khaleda Zia.

Source : The Bangladesh Today

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Cong to seek waiver of road tax

JALANDHAR: As lakhs of devotees from Punjab would flock to Hazoor Sahib, Nanded, for Guruta Gadi Divas celebrations , Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has decided to urge the Prime Minister that road tax of vehicles carrying devotees to Nanded be waived.

Stating this here on Friday, PPCC president Mohinder Singh Kaypee and former Adampur MLA Kanwaljit Singh Lalli said as buses and trucks carrying devotees would have to pass through nearly half-a-dozen states and the cumulative road tax would be very high per vehicle, it would burden the devotees.

Kaypee said he would meet the PM in the next few days and would raise the issue. '' We will urge Manmohan Singh to ensure that a decision was taken urgently in this regard,'' he said.

Lalli argued that as the state had exempted VAT on the commodities being supplied for langar in Golden Temple, Amritsar, on similar lines the Union government could take the decision for the next three months.

'' A mechanism can be worked out to ensure genuineness of such vehicles,'' Lalli said adding that public transport vehicles would be used by many not-so-well-off devotees and the government could facilitate their pilgrimage through this gesture.

Source : Times Of India

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