Voting is underway in Venezuela to elect a a new president,around
19 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote for Sunday's presidential
election in the tightly contested race between President Hugo Chavez
and Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.
Oct 6, 2012
Jul 13, 2012
No statement issued at Asean Summit over South China Sea Disputes
As tension over South China Sea threatens to escalate, diplomats from Southeast Asian nations failed to issue their customary joint statement on Friday on how to deal with a territorial dispute involving China at a summit.
This is the first time in 10-member ASEAN bloc's history that foreign ministers failed to hammer out a final communique in Cambodia, which has held up progress on a draft code of conduct aimed at soothing tension in the flashpoint South China Sea.
This is because of the deep divisions within the 10-member bloc amid conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea involving four of its members plus China and Taiwan.
China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, even waters close to the coasts of neighbouring countries. The Philippines claim the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
A sharp disagreement over whether to mention the standoff over the shoal has held up a joint statement being prepared by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said the failure to issue a statement lies with all
ASEAN members, not just Cambodia.
"I requested that we issue the joint communique without mention of the South Shina Sea dispute ... but some member countries repeatedly insisted to put the issue of the Scarborough Shoal," he told reporters.
Manila wants the standoff mentioned while Cambodia, a staunch Chinese ally that currently holds the ASEAN chair, has rejected the proposal.
Philippines slams Chinese intimidation'
The Philippines' foreign minister denounced Chinese "duplicity" and "intimidation" in the South China Sea, souring the mood at a regional gathering designed to soothe tensions.
"If Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction can be denigrated by a powerful country through pressure, duplicity,intimidation and the threat of the use of force, the international community should be concerned about the behaviour," Albert del Rosario told the meeting, according to
an official statement.
He was referring to a recent standoff between Chinese and Philippine boats at a rocky outcrop called the Scarborough Shoal, which is claimed by both sides.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said that all the countries must respect principles of international law in resolving the issue while asserting that freedom of navigation and access to resources in the area must be ensured in accordance with laid down principles.
"The message was that all outstanding issues must be resolved peaceful through a process of dialogue and discussion. Those dialogue and discussion should be taking place without intimidation or without any pressure tactics and it should be acceptable to all the parties involved," Krishna told.
A number of ARF member countries said that China is responsible for the simmering tension in the South China Sea region while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Beijing to accept a code of conduct for resolving the dispute, which was also strongly favoured by India.
China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines all have competing claims on South China Sea (SCS) where India's ONGC has oil blocks.
Vietnam accuses China
Vietnam has accused China of aggressive behaviour and yesterday Japan lodged a formal complaint over Chinese boatsapproaching islands in the East China Sea which are controlled by Tokyo.
ASEAN has already agreed the key elements it will propose in any negotiations with China, including using international law such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the basis for any dispute.
This is the first time in 10-member ASEAN bloc's history that foreign ministers failed to hammer out a final communique in Cambodia, which has held up progress on a draft code of conduct aimed at soothing tension in the flashpoint South China Sea.
This is because of the deep divisions within the 10-member bloc amid conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea involving four of its members plus China and Taiwan.
China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, even waters close to the coasts of neighbouring countries. The Philippines claim the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
A sharp disagreement over whether to mention the standoff over the shoal has held up a joint statement being prepared by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said the failure to issue a statement lies with all
ASEAN members, not just Cambodia.
"I requested that we issue the joint communique without mention of the South Shina Sea dispute ... but some member countries repeatedly insisted to put the issue of the Scarborough Shoal," he told reporters.
Manila wants the standoff mentioned while Cambodia, a staunch Chinese ally that currently holds the ASEAN chair, has rejected the proposal.
Philippines slams Chinese intimidation'
The Philippines' foreign minister denounced Chinese "duplicity" and "intimidation" in the South China Sea, souring the mood at a regional gathering designed to soothe tensions.
"If Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction can be denigrated by a powerful country through pressure, duplicity,intimidation and the threat of the use of force, the international community should be concerned about the behaviour," Albert del Rosario told the meeting, according to
an official statement.
He was referring to a recent standoff between Chinese and Philippine boats at a rocky outcrop called the Scarborough Shoal, which is claimed by both sides.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said that all the countries must respect principles of international law in resolving the issue while asserting that freedom of navigation and access to resources in the area must be ensured in accordance with laid down principles.
"The message was that all outstanding issues must be resolved peaceful through a process of dialogue and discussion. Those dialogue and discussion should be taking place without intimidation or without any pressure tactics and it should be acceptable to all the parties involved," Krishna told.
A number of ARF member countries said that China is responsible for the simmering tension in the South China Sea region while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Beijing to accept a code of conduct for resolving the dispute, which was also strongly favoured by India.
China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines all have competing claims on South China Sea (SCS) where India's ONGC has oil blocks.
Vietnam accuses China
Vietnam has accused China of aggressive behaviour and yesterday Japan lodged a formal complaint over Chinese boatsapproaching islands in the East China Sea which are controlled by Tokyo.
ASEAN has already agreed the key elements it will propose in any negotiations with China, including using international law such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the basis for any dispute.
Jul 12, 2012
Clinton urges countries to settle South China sea disputes 'without coercion'
In an indirect reference to China ,U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has urged countries around the South China Sea to settle their territorial disputes
May 31, 2012
Syria --Is it heading towards civil war ?
Syrian government on Friday said their
investigation has shown that 800 rebel fighters were to blame for the
massacre of more than 100 people in the tow
May 7, 2012
US efforts at securing Afghanistan
US president Barack Obama specially
travelled to Afghanistan to celebrate the first anniversary of Osama
bin Laden But Al Qaeda was only one aspect of Afghanistan operations.
With Afghanistan into the process of withdrawal of US-led forces which
is to be completed by the end of 2014 ,the country is in the midst of
most crucial stage of transition and transformation.
This is a phase of integration
of Afghan Taliban insurgents who are willing to abide by the
constitution of the country.Though mostly subdued ,they are still
executing daring terrorist acts as recently being seen in the blasts
in diplomatic enclave in Kabul.These are seemly attempts to embolden the
residual insurgents elements to seize some place in the post-US order
of the country. Afghan talibans sheltered in the Pakistan’s semi--
autonomous tribal belt of Waziristan, have most recently even rejected
the offer of “ a safe passage by the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan’ to
hold talks for negotiation describing this offer “ as an attempt to
create schisms in their ranks.”
The current process may have to be attempted along multi--dimensional approach intended to break the nexus between Afghan and Pakistan talibans, deter Pakistan from following policy objectives of overshadowing Afghanistan, investing a strong political leadership with the Afghan President by conducting fair elections and boosting the country’s economy by providing government to government assistance and promoting private business –to – business by gradually unleashing market forces of globalization.
Even after two terms at presidency, Hamid Karzai does not possess the desired level of political authority to deal with the prevailing situation,what is even more scary, his term expires in the year 2014 that would require even a stronger political handling with the US virtually exiting the country at that time.Hamid Karzai is thus reportedly considering calling early presidential election next year (ie in 2013) to take advantage of the coalition military presence to enhance chances of country’s first peaceful transfer of power.Under the constitution, Mr Karzai is not eligible to run for a third term unless the provision is changed by the so- called constitutional Loya Jirga- an assembly made up of national lawmakers and heads of provincial and district councils.But numerous Afghan leaders including Mr Atmar, Ashraf Ghani and Ali Jalili are seriously exploring their prospects at Presidential election.A fair and transparent election can invest greater political authority at this juncture.
Pakistan can be persuaded to seriously look at the dangerous results of its adopting overbearing policies towards Afghanistan. A reverse-- gear reaction of promoting fundamentalist extremism in Afghanistan is amply visible in the Tehrik-e-Taliban terrorists executing terrorist attacks throughout the length and breath of Pakistan itself. The most undesirable nexus between the rogue elements in the ISI and the terrorist cadres grew such complicated that “Memogate “ emerged as a scandal assuming laughable proportions .
The interests of the region comprising India, Pakistan and Afghanistan would in fact be best served by following mutually advantageous policies of promoting development, education and economic betterment so that this region may be counted as the most harmonized region of the world instead of being demarcated as the most dangerous area contributing as fulcrum of power play between different powers.
Inspired by such an ideology, India has already entered into a strategic bilateral agreement with Afghanistan promising reconstruction assistance to the country at upgraded government --to-- government level and also ready to explore private to private economic cooperation by asking private business companies (house) in India to join hands with private investors in Afghanistan with an idea of unleashing huge economic forces in this war ravaged country by even involving Pakistan, Iran ,China and other countries of the Istanbul process. US has also explicitly announced its intentions of supporting Afghanistan after 2014 by keeping residual non- combat troops for training Afghan forces to meet the responsibility of maintaining internal and external security, providing financial assistance for boosting economic expansion otherwise so badly needed to root out joblessness to provide stability in the country.
Needless to say that in view of perilous situations existing in the adjacent mid -east region on the west and positive development taking place in Myanmar on the east, US “pivot” has to be most essential and meaningful. It is only in this context that a truly sovereign Afghanistan can exist and thrive.
The current process may have to be attempted along multi--dimensional approach intended to break the nexus between Afghan and Pakistan talibans, deter Pakistan from following policy objectives of overshadowing Afghanistan, investing a strong political leadership with the Afghan President by conducting fair elections and boosting the country’s economy by providing government to government assistance and promoting private business –to – business by gradually unleashing market forces of globalization.
Even after two terms at presidency, Hamid Karzai does not possess the desired level of political authority to deal with the prevailing situation,what is even more scary, his term expires in the year 2014 that would require even a stronger political handling with the US virtually exiting the country at that time.Hamid Karzai is thus reportedly considering calling early presidential election next year (ie in 2013) to take advantage of the coalition military presence to enhance chances of country’s first peaceful transfer of power.Under the constitution, Mr Karzai is not eligible to run for a third term unless the provision is changed by the so- called constitutional Loya Jirga- an assembly made up of national lawmakers and heads of provincial and district councils.But numerous Afghan leaders including Mr Atmar, Ashraf Ghani and Ali Jalili are seriously exploring their prospects at Presidential election.A fair and transparent election can invest greater political authority at this juncture.
Pakistan can be persuaded to seriously look at the dangerous results of its adopting overbearing policies towards Afghanistan. A reverse-- gear reaction of promoting fundamentalist extremism in Afghanistan is amply visible in the Tehrik-e-Taliban terrorists executing terrorist attacks throughout the length and breath of Pakistan itself. The most undesirable nexus between the rogue elements in the ISI and the terrorist cadres grew such complicated that “Memogate “ emerged as a scandal assuming laughable proportions .
The interests of the region comprising India, Pakistan and Afghanistan would in fact be best served by following mutually advantageous policies of promoting development, education and economic betterment so that this region may be counted as the most harmonized region of the world instead of being demarcated as the most dangerous area contributing as fulcrum of power play between different powers.
Inspired by such an ideology, India has already entered into a strategic bilateral agreement with Afghanistan promising reconstruction assistance to the country at upgraded government --to-- government level and also ready to explore private to private economic cooperation by asking private business companies (house) in India to join hands with private investors in Afghanistan with an idea of unleashing huge economic forces in this war ravaged country by even involving Pakistan, Iran ,China and other countries of the Istanbul process. US has also explicitly announced its intentions of supporting Afghanistan after 2014 by keeping residual non- combat troops for training Afghan forces to meet the responsibility of maintaining internal and external security, providing financial assistance for boosting economic expansion otherwise so badly needed to root out joblessness to provide stability in the country.
Needless to say that in view of perilous situations existing in the adjacent mid -east region on the west and positive development taking place in Myanmar on the east, US “pivot” has to be most essential and meaningful. It is only in this context that a truly sovereign Afghanistan can exist and thrive.
Mar 27, 2012
nuclear security summit 2012 world leaders pledge to secure Nuke weapons by 2014
Considering nuclear terrorism as one of the greatest threats facing the world,US President Barack Obama reminded the world leaders at the Nuclear Security Summit
Feb 25, 2012
Syria holds constitutional referendum amid violence
Syria is holding a referendum on a new constitution on Sunday amidst violence in which 89 people were killed on Saturday.
To placate the critics ,Assad presented the
To placate the critics ,Assad presented the
Feb 18, 2012
Iran warships enter Mediterranean
Two Iranian warships on Saturday entered the Mediterranean Sea after crossing the Suez Canal ,a move that will escalate tensions between Iran and Israel .
Navy commander Admiral Habibollah Sayari
Feb 8, 2012
Iran envoy Mehdi Nabizadeh explains ground reality of US- Iran nuclear standoff
On the 33rd anniversary of victory of Islamic Revolution, Iranian ambassador to India Mehdi Nabizadeh, used this opportunity to show the ground reality of the recent US and Israel threat posed to Iran.
Referring to the two wars
Feb 6, 2012
Iran threatens to target any country
Iran has threatened West by saying that it will target any country used as a launchpad for attacks against its soil.
Issuing warning to world powers over its nuclear ambitions,Iran's deputy Revolutionary Guards commander,Gen. Hossein Salami did not clearly eleborate to which countries he meant as possible hosts for military action against it.
"Any place where enemy offensive operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran originate will be the target of a reciprocal attack by the Guard's fighting units," Salami said.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also issued stern warning to West by saying that " Iran has its "own threats" to respond to any military attack or sanctions against its oil exports.'
The tensions between Iran and West has increased after U.S. defense secretary said Israel was likely to bomb Iran nuclear installations with or without US help within months to stop it assembling nuclear weapons.
"In response to threats of oil embargo and war, we haveour own threats which will be implemented at the right time,if necessary," he said.
The West has also ramped up sanctions aimed at severely curbing Iran's vital oil exports.
Israel's defence minister said there is growing international awareness that military action against Iran's nuclear programme will have to beconsidered.
Ehud Barak told that he senses a change in international thinking. He says world leaders are increasingly realising that if sanctions don't stop Iran's nuclear programme, "there will be a need to consider action."
President Barack Obama has said that Israel has not decided uptill now on attacking Iran's nuclear installations, as he still prefers to use diplomacy.
Acknowledging that the tough international sanctions are hurting the Iranian regime,Obama said ,
"We have mobilized the international community in anunprecedented way. They are feeling the pinch. They are feeling the pressure."
Until Iran commit itself to peaceful use of nuclear energy and leaves its nuclear weapon programme, both the USare Israel are going to be very concerned about it.
The U.S. and its Western allies accuse Iran of producing atomic weapons while Iran maintained its program is meant to produce fuel for future nuclear power reactors and medical radioisotopes needed for cancer patients.
Israel and the U.S. have have threatened that all 'options are on the table' including military action, if Iran continues with its uranium enrichment program.
On October 2011,Syrian President Bashar Assad warned West that he will set the Middle East on fire if NATO forces attack his country.
“If a crazy measure is taken against Damascus, I will need not more than six hours to transfer hundreds of rockets and missiles to the Golan Heights to fire them at Tel Aviv,” Assad said.
“All these events will happen in three hours, but in the second three hours, Iran will attack the US warships in the Persian Gulf and the U.S., and European interests will be targeted simultaneously,” Assad said
Earlier,Iran threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the event of being attacked and could cut off oil exports to “hostile” European nations with Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said that Tehran would block the strait of hormouz and create havoc in international oil markets if the West placed new economic sanctions on his country.
“If they impose sanctions on Iran’s oil exports,” Rahimi declared, “then even one drop of oil cannot flow from the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have come up with a contingency plan in case of a crisis"Exporting oil or importing goods and cargo through Hormuz remains a main concern for the GCC
Issuing warning to world powers over its nuclear ambitions,Iran's deputy Revolutionary Guards commander,Gen. Hossein Salami did not clearly eleborate to which countries he meant as possible hosts for military action against it.
"Any place where enemy offensive operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran originate will be the target of a reciprocal attack by the Guard's fighting units," Salami said.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also issued stern warning to West by saying that " Iran has its "own threats" to respond to any military attack or sanctions against its oil exports.'
The tensions between Iran and West has increased after U.S. defense secretary said Israel was likely to bomb Iran nuclear installations with or without US help within months to stop it assembling nuclear weapons.
"In response to threats of oil embargo and war, we haveour own threats which will be implemented at the right time,if necessary," he said.
The West has also ramped up sanctions aimed at severely curbing Iran's vital oil exports.
Israel's defence minister said there is growing international awareness that military action against Iran's nuclear programme will have to beconsidered.
Ehud Barak told that he senses a change in international thinking. He says world leaders are increasingly realising that if sanctions don't stop Iran's nuclear programme, "there will be a need to consider action."
President Barack Obama has said that Israel has not decided uptill now on attacking Iran's nuclear installations, as he still prefers to use diplomacy.
Acknowledging that the tough international sanctions are hurting the Iranian regime,Obama said ,
"We have mobilized the international community in anunprecedented way. They are feeling the pinch. They are feeling the pressure."
Until Iran commit itself to peaceful use of nuclear energy and leaves its nuclear weapon programme, both the USare Israel are going to be very concerned about it.
The U.S. and its Western allies accuse Iran of producing atomic weapons while Iran maintained its program is meant to produce fuel for future nuclear power reactors and medical radioisotopes needed for cancer patients.
Israel and the U.S. have have threatened that all 'options are on the table' including military action, if Iran continues with its uranium enrichment program.
On October 2011,Syrian President Bashar Assad warned West that he will set the Middle East on fire if NATO forces attack his country.
“If a crazy measure is taken against Damascus, I will need not more than six hours to transfer hundreds of rockets and missiles to the Golan Heights to fire them at Tel Aviv,” Assad said.
“All these events will happen in three hours, but in the second three hours, Iran will attack the US warships in the Persian Gulf and the U.S., and European interests will be targeted simultaneously,” Assad said
Earlier,Iran threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the event of being attacked and could cut off oil exports to “hostile” European nations with Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said that Tehran would block the strait of hormouz and create havoc in international oil markets if the West placed new economic sanctions on his country.
“If they impose sanctions on Iran’s oil exports,” Rahimi declared, “then even one drop of oil cannot flow from the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have come up with a contingency plan in case of a crisis"Exporting oil or importing goods and cargo through Hormuz remains a main concern for the GCC
Jan 29, 2012
Assembly elections: Punjab, Uttarakhand to decide future of Congress
January 30,2012 is a crucial day for Congress as voting is underway in Punjab and Uttarakhand to elect new assemblies .The elections will decide the future of Congress and the Rahul Gandhi
After an aggressive campaign by Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Congress is hoping to oust SAD-BJP combine government from Punjab .
Taking a different approach from its tradition , Congress announced Capt Amarinder singh as its Chief ministerial candidate in Punjab before the elections . This announcement was made to check the factional vioces as state CLP leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was also aspiring for the top post.
Although there is a close fight between Akali Dal and the Congress as both are claiming to form the next government in Punjab but the key to electoral victory in the state lies in the hands of smaller parties like PPP,Bahujan Samaj Party and the most important factor Dera Sacha sauda .
Dera has a strong influence in Malwa region that is spread across nine districts with 65 Assembly seats which holds the key to power while the other regions of the state have fewer seats ie Doaba has 25 and Majha has 27 seats in the 117 seat Assembly.
According to sources ,Dera is going to support congress in 100 seats and SAD in eight seats.The rebels from both the major parties Congress and SAD will play spoilsport at some constituencies in the elections as rebels are fighting in about 45 seats .
Dera Sacha Sauda, which had openly backed the state Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh in the 2007 Assembly polls. In the last polls, the Congress, despite sweeping the Malwa region with Dera's support, had lost the elections as Punjab voted for change .
It seems Congress is on the upper hand in Punjab due to the alleged corruption in governance and the non-performance of the Akali Dal-BJP alliance and the anti-incumbency factor added to it ..
Well, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party will cut the traditional Congress vote base .The other smaller parties PPP and left parties under the Sanjha Morcha alliance is also expected to affect both the Akali and the Congress vote banks.
The Akalis are fighting against anti-incumbency factor and the support of Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim-led Dera Sacha Sauda also play a crucial role in formation of the new government .During campaigning, Akali's made development and progress its main poll plank and shunned its old agendas like religious or water agreements .
The ruling SAD-BJP alliance, the Congress and BSP are contesting all the 117 Assembly seats. Newly-formed Punjab People's Party floated by the outgoing Manpreet Badal, is contesting 92 while SAD (Amritsar) headed by former IPS officer Simranjit Singh Mann is contesting 57 seats.
In Uttarakhand
Over 63 lakh will decide the fate of 788 candidates in these elections where the ruling BJP is locked in a close fight against Congress.Both the main parties BJP and Congress are contesting all the 70 seats.
The elections will also decide the fate of top state leaders including Chief Minister B C Khanduri from Kotdwar, former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank from Doiwala,the leader of opposition Harak Singh Rawat from Rudraprayag and PCC chief Yashpal Arya from Baajpur seats.
Congress attacked BJP over alleged scams that had taken place during the tenure of former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. and during the campaigning raked up iisues like Godhra carnage , scams like Kargil coffins,Dilip Judeo, Shaila Masood murder case, Bangaru Laxman bribery and other such scams through local media in the hill state.
On the other hand, the ruling BJP continued its campaign "Khanduri hai Zaroori" asking the people to retain the ruling party.To counter the Congress campaign, BJP highlighted scams under Congress like Commonwealth Games and Adarsha society scam and the alleged Bofors scam where it said the Swedish government paid a kickback of Rs 64 crore to clinch the gun deal during the then Rajiv Gandhi government.
After an aggressive campaign by Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Congress is hoping to oust SAD-BJP combine government from Punjab .
Taking a different approach from its tradition , Congress announced Capt Amarinder singh as its Chief ministerial candidate in Punjab before the elections . This announcement was made to check the factional vioces as state CLP leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was also aspiring for the top post.
Although there is a close fight between Akali Dal and the Congress as both are claiming to form the next government in Punjab but the key to electoral victory in the state lies in the hands of smaller parties like PPP,Bahujan Samaj Party and the most important factor Dera Sacha sauda .
Dera has a strong influence in Malwa region that is spread across nine districts with 65 Assembly seats which holds the key to power while the other regions of the state have fewer seats ie Doaba has 25 and Majha has 27 seats in the 117 seat Assembly.
According to sources ,Dera is going to support congress in 100 seats and SAD in eight seats.The rebels from both the major parties Congress and SAD will play spoilsport at some constituencies in the elections as rebels are fighting in about 45 seats .
Dera Sacha Sauda, which had openly backed the state Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh in the 2007 Assembly polls. In the last polls, the Congress, despite sweeping the Malwa region with Dera's support, had lost the elections as Punjab voted for change .
It seems Congress is on the upper hand in Punjab due to the alleged corruption in governance and the non-performance of the Akali Dal-BJP alliance and the anti-incumbency factor added to it ..
Well, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party will cut the traditional Congress vote base .The other smaller parties PPP and left parties under the Sanjha Morcha alliance is also expected to affect both the Akali and the Congress vote banks.
The Akalis are fighting against anti-incumbency factor and the support of Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim-led Dera Sacha Sauda also play a crucial role in formation of the new government .During campaigning, Akali's made development and progress its main poll plank and shunned its old agendas like religious or water agreements .
The ruling SAD-BJP alliance, the Congress and BSP are contesting all the 117 Assembly seats. Newly-formed Punjab People's Party floated by the outgoing Manpreet Badal, is contesting 92 while SAD (Amritsar) headed by former IPS officer Simranjit Singh Mann is contesting 57 seats.
In Uttarakhand
Over 63 lakh will decide the fate of 788 candidates in these elections where the ruling BJP is locked in a close fight against Congress.Both the main parties BJP and Congress are contesting all the 70 seats.
The elections will also decide the fate of top state leaders including Chief Minister B C Khanduri from Kotdwar, former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank from Doiwala,the leader of opposition Harak Singh Rawat from Rudraprayag and PCC chief Yashpal Arya from Baajpur seats.
Congress attacked BJP over alleged scams that had taken place during the tenure of former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. and during the campaigning raked up iisues like Godhra carnage , scams like Kargil coffins,Dilip Judeo, Shaila Masood murder case, Bangaru Laxman bribery and other such scams through local media in the hill state.
On the other hand, the ruling BJP continued its campaign "Khanduri hai Zaroori" asking the people to retain the ruling party.To counter the Congress campaign, BJP highlighted scams under Congress like Commonwealth Games and Adarsha society scam and the alleged Bofors scam where it said the Swedish government paid a kickback of Rs 64 crore to clinch the gun deal during the then Rajiv Gandhi government.
Dec 30, 2011
Yearender 2011 :A year of revolutions,upheavals and slow downs
Middle East and North African region witnessed unprecedented unheaveals that led to to the toppling of decades old dictatorial regimes of Ben Ali , Hosni Mubarak and Muammer Gaddafi and Tunisia, Libya and Egypt are still struggling to get the democratic process established.The social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter played a crucial role in mobilizing the protests.
The Eurozone countries are still struggling to survive from the prevailing debt crisis.The US economy
Dec 21, 2011
North Korea after Kim Jong II
After the succession process of Kim Jong un in North Korea following the death of his father Kim Jong-Il gets completed , the world leaders will be watching the direction in which the young leader takes his country. The matters relating to domestic reforms ,
Dec 20, 2011
Russia becomes WTO member
Published on 16 December 2011 and republished again
Russia finally joins the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Friday at a ceremony in Switzerland after 18 years of intense negotiations for its membership.
Russia finally joins the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Friday at a ceremony in Switzerland after 18 years of intense negotiations for its membership.
Dec 4, 2011
Russians Begin Voting in Parliamentary Elections
Russians are voting to elect the State Duma -- lower house of the Parliament on Sunday that is expected to hand victory to Vladimir Putin's party United Russia.
Nov 16, 2011
Why US should diplomatically handle Iran?
:While policy makers and experts are finding it hard to predict the future of the ongoing upheavals in the Gulf region and the recent report of IAEA accusing Iran of developing nuclear weapon has added another dimension to the Mid east problem.
Israel appears intent to avail this opportunity for bombing nuclear facilities of Iran with the support of US but fails to recognize that it has already isolated itself from the world community by repeatedly pursuing disproportionate aggressive actions against the Palestine and gaza .
The US also may not be able to Agree to such a move because of its economic recession, severe financial constraint and its utterly complicated position in Iraq ,Afghanistan and tribal belt of Pakistan .
If both US, Isarel attack Iran
--Then A Block will be created consisting of Iran, Syria , Lebanon, Palestine and other countries in the muslim world .
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