History will compliment us for n-deal: PM
Describing the nuclear deal as a passport to global nuclear trade and linking it up with national development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said it is "a giant step forward" towards India becoming a major global power without compromising the country's strategic programme or independent foreign policy.

N-deal is about energy security, needed to rid poverty: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday asserted that the India-US civil nuclear agreement is about energy security and necessary to get rid of chronic poverty.

Vindication for Manmohan Singh as government wins trust vote
After days of tense standoff over the India-US nuclear deal, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday won majority support in parliament by a bigger margin than expected, shortly after three opposition MPs dramatically displayed wads of currency in the Lok Sabha alleging they had been bribed to abstain during the trust vote.

Horse-trading charges disgusting: Rahul
Expressing his happiness at the government winning the trust vote, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Tuesday said he, however, was 'disgusted' with the charges of horse-trading.

Mamata demands fresh Lok Sabha polls
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee demanded immediate Lok Sabha polls, saying she bowed her head in shame after allegations of three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs that they were offered cash to abstain during the confidence vote Tuesday.

Seven opposition MPs voted for UPA: Congress ministers
Seven opposition MPs - three from the Bharatiya Janata Party, two from the Telugu Desam Party, one each from the Janata Dal-Secular and Biju Janata Dal - voted in favour of the United Progressive Alliance during the trust vote, while five other opposition members abstained.

It's BJP money, says Congress of currency flashed in parliament
India's ruling Congress charged that the wads of currency notes displayed in parliament Tuesday by three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs to allege they had been bribed ahead of a crucial trust vote belonged to their own party.

Speaker holds meeting in chamber to discuss bribery allegations
Speaker Somnath Chatterjee held an all-party meeting of MPs in his chamber immediately after the Lok Sabha was adjourned when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members flashed wads of notes alleging that three of their MPs were being bribed by the ruling coalition to abstain in the trust vote.

M.S. Gill equates trust vote with Olympics, reality shows
Minister of State for Sports and Youth M.S. Gill Tuesday called the confidence motion a 'reality show' and said India will win as many medals at the Beijing Olympics in August as the number of votes bagged by the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

Lalu Prasad says UPA has support of 'unlimited' MPs
Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Tuesday claimed the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had the support of 'unlimited' members of parliament.

BJP's bedridden MP being airlifted to Delhi for trust vote
The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) bed-ridden MP Harishchandra Chavan took off for New Delhi Monday evening in an air ambulance from Nashik town in Maharasthra to participate in the crucial trust vote of the Manmohan Singh government Tuesday.

CPI-M likely to take stern action against Chatterjee
The Communist of Party India-Marxist (CPI-M) is likely to take strict disciplinary action against Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee after he 'defied' the party direction to step down as the presiding officer of the lower house, party sources said Monday.

Lok Sabha adjourned till Tuesday
Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee Monday night adjourned the Lok Sabha till 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Somnath Chatterjee enlivens debate
Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee Monday betrayed none of the tension he has been under as he presided over a turbulent house with humorous one-liners to pin down wayward MPs.

Confident of winning trust vote: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated Monday night that he was 'very confident' of his government winning the vote of confidence in parliament.

Mayawati histrionics put BJP on back foot
The distinct buzz in the corridors of parliament, as it assembled Monday for a special two-day session to decide the fate of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government, was that the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would like it to continue in office.

Congress supporters burn Karat's effigy in Kolkata
Supporters of the Congress party led by former Kolkata mayor Subrata Mukherjee burnt effigy of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat here Sunday, protesting the withdrawal of support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

Rebel BJP MP plays his cards close to his chest
With both the ruling coalition and the opposition striving to secure every vote possible ahead of Tuesday's confidence motion, a rebel Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) MP from Gujarat Sunday refused to comment which side he would support.

BJP MP pities Manmohan Singh
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Avinash Rai Khanna Sunday said it was a pity Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be 'a hapless spectator' when his government's fate is decided in the Lok Sabha Tuesday because he cannot take part in the trust vote.

Mayawati bows before media power
The hot and humid weather can lead to frayed tempers. More so if they are mediapersons chasing one political development after another. The huge media circus outside Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader K. Yerran Naidu's house led to fracas not only among journalists themselves but also between them and some political heavyweights.

Amar Singh looks lost, Akhilesh Yadav cheerful
If Mayawati could not stop herself from beaming whenever she was accompanied by a political leader of another party, her archrival Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh had few things to say and looked totally off-colour.

Prayers in Punjab for Manmohan Singh, n-deal
Prayers are being organized at various places in Punjab to seek divine intervention to save the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

What exactly is a trust vote?
A trust vote is a motion through which the government of the day seeks to know whether it still enjoys the confidence of parliament.

Samajwadi Party engineers defection from BJP, blasts Left
Down but not out, the Samajwadi Party Sunday evening said it had got sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Braj Bhushan Sharan Singh in its fold and that he would vote in favour of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in Tuesday's confidence motion.

Mamata to stall any move to shift Coal India headquarters
Strongly opposing the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's (JMM) reported demand to shift the Coal India headquarters from here to Ranchi, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Sunday vowed to stall any such move even if the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government conceded to do so to ensure its own survival.

Somnath Chatterjee's continuance immoral, says Mamata Banerjee
The Trinamool Congress Sunday termed as immoral Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee's continuance in the post even after his Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) withdrew support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

Left playing destructive role in ousting secular government: Congress
Attacking the Left parties, the Congress Friday said they were playing a 'destructive role' by deciding to side with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the July 22 trust vote and helping form a 'communal' government at the centre.

JD-S to oppose confidence motion: Veerendra Kumar
Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) member of parliament from Kerala M.P. Veerendra Kumar said he and the two of hsi fellow party MPs would vote against the confidence motion of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government July 22.

Congress not a sinking ship: Karunanidhi
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Thursday said he 'did not agree' with Left leader Prakash Karat that the Congress was 'a sinking ship'.

NDA chief ministers resolve to defeat UPA government
The UPA government is 'slipping in numbers' and will not be able to survive the July 22 confidence vote in parliament, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Thursday as chief ministers of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-ruled states passed a resolution to ensure defeat of the government in the trust vote.

Akali Dal may issue whip to MPs on trust vote
The ruling Akali Dal in Punjab is likely to issue a whip to its members of parliament to vote against the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the crucial vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha on July 22.

Congress mobilising support of jailbirds: CPI-M
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Thursday attacked the Congress leadership for taking 'recourse to convicted criminals for sustaining their government' and questioned their 'political morality'.

Future generations will recognise value of n-deal: Sonia Gandhi
Stating that the India-US nuclear deal was in the nation's interest, a combative Congress chief Sonia Gandhi Thursday hit out at the Left and said the government would not compromise on national security, the nuclear programme and foreign policy.

Somnath Chatterjee in Hyderabad for eye check-up
Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee arrived here Wednesday night for an eye check-up at a city hospital.

It won't be right to vote against UPA: Subhas Chakraborty
West Bengal Left leader Subhas Chakraborty Wednesday once again indicated that it would not be correct to vote against the Congress-led government along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the July 22 confidence motion.

Maharashtra opposition demands Deshmukh's resignation
The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposition alliance in Maharashtra Wednesday demanded Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh's resignation for what it termed as 'inept handling' of the drought-like situation confronting the state.

Somnath Chatterjee says he is speaker, CPI-M awaits 'appropriate decision'
With just six days to go for the trust vote in parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee Wednesday said he was still the speaker while his parent Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said he would take 'an appropriate decision at the appropriate time'.

Rahul says young MPs back n-deal, BJP challenges him
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said all young MPs cutting across party lines support the India-US civil nuclear deal, but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said he was "day-dreaming" and challenged him to name the young MPs.

Shiv Sena MPs not being lured to UPA: Thackeray
Shiv Sena executive president Udhav Thackeray Wednesday rubbished speculation that Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane was planning to lure Sena MPs into the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) ahead of the next general elections.

BSP tries to win over jailed MPs
Uttar Pradesh's ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Wednesday continued its efforts to win over jailed MPs from the state to defeat the Congress-led government in the July 22 trust vote.

Amar Singh meets Somnath, urges him not to quit
Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh Tuesday evening met Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and urged him not to quit the post despite pressure from his Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

Mayawati blocking welfare measures: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, visiting his parliamentary constituency of Amethi, Tuesday said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati was not taking adequate measures to implement several welfare schemes announced by the central government.

Tamil Nadu government launches Arasu Cable Corporation
The Tamil Nadu government Tuesday launched its own cable television network through the Arasu Cable Corporation in four districts.

Government set to fall, asserts BJP
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government is set to lose the trust vote in parliament July 22, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra said Tuesday.

Advani backed n-deal? No way, says BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Tuesday that its prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani had never given his quiet backing to the India-US nuclear deal.

PM confident of winning trust vote over n-deal
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said he was confident of winning the trust vote in parliament a week away and underlined that the India-US nuclear deal will end 'the era of nuclear apartheid' against the country without compromising its strategic programme or foreign policy.

Haryana lawmakers to get land in Gurgaon, Panchkula
Lawmakers in Haryana need not be bothered about rising land prices in two of the state's most attractive towns - Gurgaon and Panchkula.

BJP will ensure UPA government's defeat: Rajnath
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday said it would do its best to ensure the UPA government's defeat during the trust vote in parliament July 22.

Now Raj Thackeray targets English medium schools
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has trained his guns on English medium schools in Mumbai that offer Marathi as an optional subject or do not have it on their curriculum at all.

Judeo dares Ajit Jogi to challenge him
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) firebrand Dilip Singh Judeo Monday dared Congress leader and Chhattisgarh former chief minister Ajit Jogi to take him on rather than challenging Chief Minister Raman Singh.

IAEA pact undermines India's strategic autonomy: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday said that the Congress-led government's move to go ahead with the India-US nuclear deal will undermine the country's strategic autonomy.

Lalu's task - to bring jailbirds to vote
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad has an additional responsibility - to round up jailed MPs -- in order to ensure the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) wins the crucial floor test on July 22.

Somnath Chatterjee meets Basu, keeps all guessing
Even as the Left parties were mounting pressure on Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to quit the post after they withdrew support to the government, the veteran Marxist leader Sunday met party veteran Jyoti Basu but kept everyone guessing about his decision.10:30 PM on July 13

UPA Government will fall on June 22: Ravi Shankar Prasad
India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has no reservations on voting with the Left parties against the confidence motion to be moved by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government July 22, party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said here Sunday.9:30 PM on July 13

BJP will take care of Muslim welfare: Advani
The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial hopeful L.K. Advani Sunday assured his party would take care of the welfare of the Muslims if voted to power.8:31 PM on July 13

Left approaches BSP, Rahul to meet Amar Singh
The realignment of political forces over the India-US nuclear deal continued Sunday with Marxist leader Prakash Karat calling for 'cooperation' with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) after meeting its chief Mayawati as Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi prepared to meet his Samajwadi Party counterpart Amar Singh to cement ties between the two parties.5:00 PM on July 13

Somnath Chatterjee meet Basu
Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee had an hour-long meeting with Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) veteran Jyoti Basu here Sunday.4:31 PM on July 13

Rahul Gandhi to meet Amar Singh Tuesday
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi will meet Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh Tuesday in what would be their first meeting after the party pledged support to the ruling combine in the current political crisis, informed sources said.3:02 PM on July 13

Karat meets Mayawati on n-deal
CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat Sunday met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and called for 'cooperation' between the Left and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on the India-US nuclear deal.

Mayawati likely to come up with new schemes for Muslims
After hosting at her home several leading Muslim clerics who last week expressed their protest against the India-US nuclear deal, Chief Minister Mayawati is likely to come up shortly with welfare measures for the community.

Raj Thackeray gives officials 30-day 'ultimatum' on north Indians
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray issued a 30-day 'ultimatum' Friday to all Marathi-speaking government officials to check influx of north Indians in the state or 'prepare themselves to face the consequences'.

Mamata threatens no-trust move against Somnath Chatterjee
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Friday threatened to bring a no-confidence motion against CPI-M MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee if he did not step down from his post immediately in the wake of the Left parties withdrawing support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

Haryana reshuffles three dozen bureaucrats
In a major administrative reshuffle, the Haryana government has transferred 34 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 2 Haryana Civil Service (HCS) officials.

Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir assembly was dissolved and the state was placed under the governor's rule late Thursday.

PM confident of numbers, says will face trust vote
The political crisis over the controversial nuclear deal continued to buffet the Indian government even after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on return earlier in the day from the G8 summit in Japan, Thursday informed President Pratibha Patil he would seek a vote of confidence in parliament.

Rajshtriya Janata Dal demands president's rule in Jharkhand
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a key ally of Jharkhand's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), has demanded the dismissal of the Madhu Koda government following the killing of a legislator and former minister.

Government decided to approach IAEA Tuesday: Sibal
Stung by attack from its estranged communist allies and the opposition, the government Thursday asserted it decided to approach the IAEA for circulation of the text of the safeguards pact Tuesday only after the Left parties formally decided to withdraw their support.

Bhattal asks Akalis to support n-deal in national interest
Accusing the Akali Dal of siding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to survive in power in Punjab, state Congress chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal asked it to support the India-US nuclear deal in 'national interest'.

Left has no right to point fingers at n-deal: Mamata
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Thursday alleged that the Left parties knew every detail of the nuclear safeguards agreement draft right from the beginning and told them not to 'create a scene' on the issue.

PM meets president, says will face trust vote
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met President Pratibha Patil Thursday evening and informed her that he will face a vote of confidence in parliament.

Left urges Somnath to quit, Congress readies successor
The Left parties have urged Somnath Chatterjee to quit the post of the Lok Sabha Speaker though Communist leader Prakash karat said he would decide his future himself. The Congress, meanwhile, has zeroed in on a candidate to fill in the vacancy.

PM to meet president Thursday
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will call on President Pratibha Patil Thursday evening on his return from G8 summit in Japan, sources said.

NDA asks PM to prove majority in five days
Asking the government to prove its majority in 'five days', the main opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Wednesday said it would approach the president if the prime minister failed to call a parliament session Thursday.

MP wants separate Telangana in return for support to UPA
A. Narendra, who was expelled from Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) last year, Wednesday said he would vote for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in parliament if the coalition gives firm assurance on carving out a separate Telangana state.

Congress in numbers game but confident
Hours after the Left exited with 59 MPs and claimed the government was in a minority, the Congress asserted Wednesday that it would win any trust vote in the Lok Sabha.

Congress demands judicial probe into Indore riots
The main opposition Congress here demanded a judicial inquiry into Indore riots and decided to show black flags to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his cabinet colleagues wherever they go in the state.

When Karat flashed a smile at journalists
Communist leader Prakash Karat, addressing the media Wednesday, was going hammer and tongs at the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government but there was a light moment when he smiled at journalists.

New governors for four states
Prabha Rau was Tuesday named governor of Himachal Pradesh while Shivinder Singh Sidhu, S.C. Jamir and Gurbachan Jagat were appointed governors of Goa, Maharashtra and Manipur respectively.

Andhra chief minister celebrates birthday in Maldives
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy celebrated his 59th birthday in Maldives with family and close friends.

BJP asks PM to face vote of confidence
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday asked the Congress-led government to seek a vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha after the Left's withdrawal of support over the India-US nuclear deal.

Naveen Patnaik opposes n-deal, ready for polls
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday said his Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which has 11 Lok Sabha MPs, is opposed to the India-US nuclear deal.10:02 PM on July 08

Left withdrawal a face-saving formula: Mamata
Terming the Left's withdrawal of support to the Congress-led government a 'face-saving formula' for the two parties, the Trinamool Congress Tuesday said the two would come together again after the next election.

Amar Singh meets Sonia, will give fresh letter of support
Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh Tuesday met United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and assured her of his party's support for the government on the India-US civil nuclear deal.

Kathiria's pronouncement of regret moves Gujarat BJP
Former central minister Vallabhbhai Kathiriya, who was suspended from Gujarat's ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) after he sided with rebels, Monday formally apologised and resolved to fight the next Lok Sabha elections under 'the BJP flag'.

Congress is thankful to Samajwadi Party: minister
Closeness between the Congress party and the Samajwadi Party came to the fore as Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Sri Prakash Jaiswal said his party was thankful to the latter for its stand on the India-US nuclear deal.

Congress creates uproar in Chhattisgarh assembly
Opposition Congress legislators created an uproar in the Chhattisgarh state assembly Monday, seeking immediate release of Satnami community's spiritual leader Baldas arrested in April on charges of inciting a mob to grab a piece of land.

Rajnath condemns attack on Indian embassy in Kabul
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh Monday condemned the suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul and described it as an act of cowardice and crime against humanity.

Congress too in poll mode, Sonia sets up committees
Almost a week after the main opposition released its first list of candidates for the 2009 general elections, Congress president Sonia Gandhi Monday constituted two high-level committees for the party campaign and manifesto preparation.

Left says PM forcing them to end support to government
Indian Communist leaders Monday said they had no option but to withdraw their support to the government after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vowed to go ahead with the India-US nuclear deal.

Congress leaders arrested in Indore, sent to Dewas
Several senior Congress leaders, including former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh, were Sunday arrested at Indore airport when they arrived to meet people affected by communal violence in the city. Later, they were moved to Dewas, police said.

Pratibha Patil arrives in Tirupati
President Pratibha Patil arrived here Sunday on a two-day visit to inaugurate the platinum jubilee celebrations of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).

Panthers Party chief alleges pressure, Narayanan refutes charge
Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party chairman Bhim Singh Sunday alleged that National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan had threatened him of dire consequences if his party did not support the Congress government in the trust vote Monday. The official, however, refuted the charge.

CPI-M, Trinamool workers clash again in Nandigram
Clashes broke out between activists of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Trinamool Congress at trouble-torn Nandigram in West Bengal's East Midnapore district Sunday, with both sides firing and hurling bombs indiscriminately.

Senior Congress leaders arrested in Bhopal, Indore
Leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Jamuna Devi and a few other Congress leaders were arrested here Sunday afternoon while they were staging a sit-in outside the chief minister's house to protest the arrests of senior party leaders in violence-hit Indore earlier in the day.

President rounds off Pune visit by meeting kin
After attending public functions for two days and receiving a stream of visitors, President Pratibha Patil took a day off and relaxed at her daughter's Baner Road residence here Sunday.

Lalu Prasad's party meets to discuss poll strategy
The national executive meeting of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), headed by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, began Friday afternoon at Bihar's Bodh Gaya to discuss the party's strategy in case parliamentary elections are held early.

Mayawati dubs Congress-Samajwadi ties 'opportunistic'
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Friday called the new found friendship between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress over the India-US nuclear deal 'an opportunistic alliance'.

Karat snaps at media as government totters
Journalists filled every inch of space that was available in the auditorium on the first floor of the CPI-M headquarters Friday to hear from Prakash Karat his final verdict on the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

PM presented 'new facts' on n-deal: Mulayam Singh Yadav
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday presented 'new facts' on the India-US civil nuclear deal to Samajwadi Party leaders when they met him at his residence here, said party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Mulayam to discuss n-deal with PM, Sonia
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi here Friday to discuss the India-US nuclear deal and the modalities of supporting the Congress-led government if the Left withdraws its support.

Kerala Congress-J to go Left way on n-deal
The Kerala Congress-J, part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in New Delhi and of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, has decided to go with the Left if it withdraws support to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government.

Mulayam to discuss n-deal with PM, Sonia
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi here Friday to discuss the India-US nuclear deal and the modalities of supporting the Congress-led government if the Left withdraws its support.

Kashmir separatist leaders under house arrest
Kashmiri separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq were placed under house arrest here Friday to prevent them from organising a rally to celebration the cancellation of land allotment to the Amarnath shrine board.

Kerala Congress-J to go Left way on n-deal
The Kerala Congress-J, part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in New Delhi and of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, has decided to go with the Left if it withdraws support to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government.

Police arrest 44 VHP activists in north Gujarat
The police arrested 44 activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in north Gujarat Thursday during a nationwide shutdown announced by the Hindu group protesting revocation of land allotment to the Amarnath shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.

Congress may delay IAEA approach, monsoon session
The ruling Congress was Thursday mulling whether the government's chances of survival would brighten if the IAEA approach was delayed and parliament's monsoon session pushed to mid-August, as was already being considered in some official quarters.

Samajwadi Party to declare support at noon Friday
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is scheduled to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi around Friday noon and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later in the day and is expected to offer his party's support to the embattled government, Congress soures said Thursday.

Mulayam quotes Kalam to say n-deal in national interest
Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav quoted former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to say that the nuclear deal was in India's interest as the party veered around to supporting the Manmohan Singh government in its political standoff with its Communist allies that has put a question mark on the government's future.

CPI-M blames Congress for current crisis
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has squarely blamed the ruling Congress party for the current crisis over the nuclear deal that threatens to topple the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

Amar Singh denies seeking ministers' removal
The Samajwadi Party denied Thursday that it had sought the removal of two senior cabinet ministers in exchange for its support to the Congress-led government.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister rules out early polls
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Wednesday ruled out early elections to the state assembly and parliament.

PM readies for G8 amid high drama over n-deal
Ignoring the Left's threat to withdraw support to his government, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday prepared to go ahead with his trip to Japan to attend the G8 summit where he is likely to discuss the contentious India-US nuclear deal with President George Bush.

Jaswant Singh meets Amar Singh
Amid hectic political parleys over the India-US nuclear deal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh Wednesday met Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh, BJP sources said.

Samajwadi MP revolts against tie up with Congress
Accusing his party leaders of double standards, a Samajwadi Party MP Wednesday came out against a tie-up with the Congress party over the India-US nuclear deal. And a party legislator and another legislator from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) came out in his support.10:23 PM on July 02

Sonia Gandhi becomes 'Soniaji' for Samajwadi Party
If politics is the art of nuance, then Samajwadi Party's much debated future strategy can perhaps be gleaned by simply listening to its general secretary Amar Singh.

BJP, VHP gear up for nationwide strike
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Wednesday geared up for the success of the nationwide strike they have called Thursday to protest the cancellation of land allotment to the Amarnath shrine management.

Mayawati's distance from BJP a pretence: Samajwadi Party
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati was pretending to distance herself from the Bharatiya Janata Party to solicit support from the Muslim voters, the Samajwadi Party's state unit acting president Shivpal Singh Yadav alleged here Wednesday.

Congress, Left prepare to divorce; envoy says deal is on
A belligerent Left fired fresh salvos Tuesday indicating it was set to ditch the government over the US-India nuclear deal, perhaps as early as over the weekend, forcing the Congress-led ruling coalition to step up its efforts to woo the Samajwadi Party amid hectic political developments.

BJP calls for nationwide strike over Amarnath land order
Accusing the ruling Congress party of 'being one with fundamentalists', the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday called for a nationwide strike Thursday over the Jammu and Kashmir government's order cancelling land allotment to Amarnath shrine authorities.

No truck with any political party, says Mayawati
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Tuesday said her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will not have any truck with any political outfit, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party, during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and criticised the Samajwadi Party for its turnaround on the nuclear deal.

PM meets president, discusses n-deal
Amid the political crisis over the India-US civil nuclear deal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday met President Pratibha Patil.

BJP playing politics over Amarnath land: Congress
Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to reap political benefits from the controversy over land allotment to the Amarnath shrine, the Congress Tuesday also questioned the BJP's commitment to the Ram temple campaign.

Congress-Samajwadi Party talks on, Left attacks PM again
Setting the stage for political realignments, the Samajwadi Party Tuesday voiced its readiness to back India's beleaguered ruling coalition as the Communists accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of disregarding parliament while taking forward the India-US nuclear deal.

Congress will pay price for Amarnath land move: Advani
The Congress party will have to pay the price for 'opposing' land allotment to Amarnath shrine authorities in Jammu and Kashmir, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani said here Monday.

Akali-BJP combine claims victory in violence marred civic polls
The ruling Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in Punjab Monday claimed a 'landslide' victory in elections to 87 municipal councils and seven nagar panchayats even as violence marred the polling in several parts across the state.

Congress, IUML patch up differences in Kerala
The discord between Congress and its United Democratic Front (UDF) ally Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) was reportedly settled at a meeting between the top state leaders of the two parties here Monday evening.

Delhi's commercial sex workers demand voting rights
Thousands of commercial sex workers in Delhi have demanded voting rights and have urged the city government to facilitate their voter identity cards by extending the last date for submitting required documents.

Governor asks Azad to prove his numbers by July 7
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra Monday asked Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to prove his majority in the legislative assembly by July 7 as the ruling coalition partner People's Democratic Party (PDP) has withdrawn from the government.