The Assembly Election to Tamil Nadu in May. end.

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Whether he stays in the coalition or leaves it, Vaiko is bound to lose. A split in the party is imminent if Vaiko decides to remain with the DMK. While one section wants him to stay on, another wants him to opt out. Whatever decision he takes would lead to a split. Seat sharing, as always, is a prickly problem for the alliance. It is reliably learnt that while the PMK has demanded 40 seats the Congress has asked for 40, the Left Parties 25 each, and the MDMK, 30. Informed sources in the DMK, how ever, said the party would concede 35 seats to the Congress, 24 each to the PMK and the DMK, and 7 each to the Left parties. That would leave the DMK with 135 seats to contest and hope to win 118 of them for a simple majority on its own. Clearly, not many parties are going to accept this arithmetic. We are determined not to settle for anything less than 10. It is time the Left parties asserted themselves, said a senior CPI leaders. The PMK is also determined to get more seats since it feels it has positioned itself strongly in the northern districts.

DMK’s Karunanidhi has plans to announce the seat allotment at his party’s state conference in Trichy on March 3rd.DMK said we are sure that the problem would be sorted out by then. We would impress upon the alliance partners the need to stay together even if it means making sacrifices. Karunanidhi would definitely hold the alliance together. Given his age and health, this could be Karunanidhi’s last election as a contestant, and this is sure to give him some mileage. The DMK is also confident that the Left parties and the PMK would have no choice but it hand on. The AIADMK doors are already closed. The third front has proved to be a failed experiment in Tamil Nadu. (-It would be in their own interest to be in the DMK-led front.)-

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has adopted a different strategy to attract the masses. And, film personalities, including actors Vijayakumar, Murali and Senthil and director-actor Manobala are making a beeline for the AIADMK office. (On Jayalaithaa’s 58th birthday the Actors pulled Temple Cart). Some actors are expected to get tickets, too, But I think the party use them only for propaganda. The chief minister has also announced a slew of Public welfare measures. She allotted 9 seats for The Dalit Party, Freedom leopard by Thol. Thumavalavan, she is also likely to align actor Vijayakanth’s party, but Vijayakanth announced to contest on his own all 248 assembly. The Actor Karthick who has joined in the Forward block is ready to alliance with the two main party, if they dint call him, he decided party contest in its own. Even so, she would have a tough time combating the seven-party alliance led by the DMK.

From January the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announcing new projects and schemes for people. She has giving back some concession to Government servants and teachers, which she toke form them 3 years back, and introducing concession for Farmers, this is all in the mark of coming elections. The chief Minister Jayalaithaa hope on its 5 year rule and announcing good schemes for people. The DMK is hope of its alliance and the DMK minister in central doing some useful things for Tamil Nadu, like digging Sethusamutharam shipping canal, which is going to give a good future for Thuthukodi Harbor, but I hate this project, because they are destroying the nature and some special sea life by digging canal. All media and papers are announcing flurry news about the election and the parties’ alliance. If the old politicians and old people give way for youth, and encourage them to participate in election, we can see a good future for Tamil Nadu.

Assembly Election to Tamil Nadu in May

After having discussion with all parties, the Election Commission announced May 8, as the election date for Tamil Nadu Assembly Election, and decided to conduct in one spell. Nomination commencing from April 13 and closed on April 20th. For the first time, the EC has decided to change the marking of indelible ink which would now run from top of the nail to the bottom of the first joint of the left forefinger of a voter. The EC has instructed the state authorities not to allow any civil or police official above the rank of sub-inspector to be in his home district during the poll period. Instructions have also been issued that such officials would not be allowed to continue in the same district if they have completed three years of posting there during the last four years. Instructions have also been issued to videograph all critical events during the poll process and polling at sensitive and hypersensitive booths. Digital cameras would be installed inside the booths depending upon their availability.

Now all political parties are trying to get alliance with the main parties, DMK and AIADMK.
The more the merrier, but not for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK which leads a seven-party alliance in Tamil Nadu. The allies the Congress, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Indian Union Muslim Leagur no doubt can help the DMK win more votes, but they can also poke it in the eye.

The MDMK, especially, has an uneasy relationship with the DMK, and some of its leaders contacted All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam AIADMK leader and Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, in a bid to cross over. DMK chief M.karunanidhi’s statement that MDMK leader Vaiko had not approached him to discuss seat sharing for the coming Assembly election showed trouble brewing within the alliance. After a few days of confusion and skirmishes, Vaiko said he was still in the alliance. According to an MDMK insider, Vaiko changed his mind at the last minute because Jayalalithaa had insisted on his speaking out against the Centre during the election campaign. CPI (M) leaders, too, played a part, reminding Vaiko that his credibility would suffer if he joined Jayalalithaa who had jailed him under POTA for over two years.

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Bush arrived India

Finally the US President arrived India today night at 8.10pm IST in Air Force One and landed on the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, after a surprise visit to Kabul. I thank NDTV to relayed the President’s arrive live. Our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh welcomed the US President Bush, Lara Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Our President Abdul Kalam is missed in the welcome.

About 5,000 personnel including snipers, commandos and US marines using helicopters, bomb detectors and electronic jammers will protect Bush during the tour.

The Left Parties View of Bush visit India

Just a day to go President George W Bush touches the ground in India. The police, fire service and bomb defeaters are in the final rehearsal throughout the places were Bush visit. In-between the Left parties held a discussion yesterday, in that, they have decided to conduct a mammoth against Bush visit on March 2 morning 11.30 form Ramila ground to Parliament. Like this in Hyderabad, were bush visit on March 3 the Left had decided to conduct a (tharna) struggle and they have called all CPI nation leaders to conduct struggle all over the Country.

Why the left Party struggle against Bush visiting India?

The Left telling that India should not toe the US line on the issue of Iran complying with the NPT. But since last September, India has been going along with EU-3 and the US. The Left stance is that the issue of Iran should not be referred to the UN Security Council; instead it should be resolved by way of consensus within IAEA itself. But the US does not want a peaceful solution. They have set a goal of destroying Iran like they did with Iraq. Only here, they want a quicker destruction. It is not just a technical issue relating to Iran’s nuclear capability. The issue is that the US, as part of its avowed mission of militarily attacking nations which stand against it, is targeting Iran. India should not support such an agenda. It is a matter of upholding our own independence in foreign policy that India should not vote for referring Iran to the UN Security Council over its nuclear capability issue. The Left have asked for a discussion in Parliament, where the concerns of many parties and MPs regarding India’s stance will be conveyed to the government. CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat said, But if India still goes along with the US, will see what action is to be taken.

Prakash Karat, general secretary (CPI-M) with CPI leaders, addressing a press conference.

Bush massacred more than one lakh Iraqis just to satisfy his whims. He imposed a blockade against Cuba, and is also moving against many Latin American countries which he considers a threat to the US. Bush openly proclaims that he attacks countries because God directs him to do so. Such a person is an unwelcome visitor in India. The Left has given 19 dissenting notes to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left coordination committee on policy decisions. But the response has not been satisfactory. The Left is holding discussions with all those who are in disagreement with the government on issues like allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail sector, handing over airport modernization to private sector and so on. This includes parties within the UPA government and outside. A broad platform of parties opposing the UPA government’s policies is emerging. The Left said there party is not bound to consolidate a government led by the Congress forever, anywhere. Our goal is to form a Third Front government and we are working towards that agenda. I think after the Bush visit India, the UPA government has a big head pain form the Left.

Bush in India this Week

File Photo U.S. President Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

The U.S. President George W Bush is arriving India on March 1st. the Indian government is doing history security for Bush visit. Indian is expected to sign more than a dozen agreements during the March 1-4 with US, when the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush meet. We don’t know what agreements are we going sign. We can see some agreements which India expect from US.

Is a breakthrough deal between India and the US in the aviation sector on the cards during George Bush’s visit? Circles close to chambers of commerce involved in Indo-American economic ties are abuzz with a deal that may pave the way for the domination of Boeing in Indian skies. There is an advantage that we see developing with new airlines coming in and existing airlines on an expansion spree. We would like Boeing to have the competitive advantage. The framework of the deal is expected to give Boeing that extra push. Having bagged a $11 billion deal for 68 aircraft from Air-India, Boeing already has the edge but would not mind some patronage from President Bush. About 80 of India’s 180 commercial aircraft are Boeing.

As the American delegation comes visiting, India Inc. has high expectations. However, unlike the Clinton visit in 2000, Bush’s agenda has been kept a zealously guarded secret. The embassy has not even responded to our requests for time with the president. However, what is certain is the US-India CEOs Forum on March 2.

Coinciding with the Bush visit, the US India Business Council, representing over 130 US companies with trade and investment interests in India, will also launch a mission with CEOs and senior industry leaders. There is a lot at stake with Indian exports to the US expected to rise by 18 to 20 per cent this year to reach $14 billion. The US exports to India are also slated to increase by 20 per cent to over $6 billion. Both countries are hoping to enhance their bilateral trade to $40 billion in three years," said a FICCI source.

Economic advisers said, India should push for a free trade agreement with the US, which would include FDI and services, as it would greatly benefit our domestic economy. India should urgently liberalize FDI across sectors and undertake steps to lower import tariffs, particularly on agricultural goods. Bush is expected to visit the Knowledge Park in Hyderabad on March 3 and address the Agriculture University. In fact, officials, experts and private entrepreneurs in India and the US are giving shape to the proposed joint Knowledge Initiative on Agriculture before Bush’s visit. It will facilitate collaboration in promoting agriculture research, education and commercial links.

The Indian retail industry is expected to grow to $300 billion in the next five years from the current $200 billion, and if India has to grow at 10 per cent per annum, it needs FDI. But there is general fear over FDI in retail. Wal-Mart International CEO and President John B. Menzer have already paid quiet visits to Westside and Metro outlets in Bangalore to get a feel of Indian retail. Wal-Mart, despite having grown bigger in terms of revenue to $288 billion, regrets having missed the bus when India was open to foreign investment in retail in the mid-1990s. Union Commerce Minister, who has been spearheading the FDI drive, is at pains to allay fears over employment loss with FDI in retail. We will examine all possibilitiesokto modernise retail but no new set-up should displace the existing one.
Health care would be the next big initiative that would further strengthen US-India relations. We are in a new age of US-India co-operation in health care. India can help the US in supplying low-cost high-quality health care, which would help the US save more than $300 billion in the next 10 years. Last December saw a number of global business leaders like Bill Gates announcing $1.7 billion investment in India over the next four years. However, it is the formation of the High Technology Cooperation Group dialogue on nanotechnology and biotechnology, and defence technology that has really taken the Indo-American ties to new heights.

Foreign Secretary said India and the US were currently exploring areas of cooperation in technology transfer, co-production, joint development and collaborative research. Indian skills and comparative costs can make themselves felt in defence applications of high technology as well, and become active participants in the global supply chains of major defence vendors. Bush’s visit is also expected to facilitate cooperation for setting up legal and regulatory structures for biological material transfer and formulation of guidelines for conducting clinical trials. India is poised to be the hub of global vaccine and clinical trials. The potential areas of cooperation in nanotechnology are development of metrology and appropriate nomenclature to enable further international development. India, has created an enabling structure for high-technology commerce to expand. With the Bush visit, the focus should now be on promotion and outreach.

What the Left Party says about Bush visit India… (Continue)