Sonia must apologise for her ‘internal threat’ remarks: Advani

Advani said Sonia was unaware of the tradition of her own party. During the wars of 1962 and 1965,the then Congress Prime Ministers Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shashtri had acknowledged the role of the Jan Sangh and the RSS. Nehur had even asked the RSS to take part in the Republic Day parade of 1963. Congress has such a tradition,which was not known to Sonia.

Advani said Sonia should either apologise for her statement or join a debate on terrorism. Her unwarranted remarks run against the spirit of consensus among political parties after the Mumbai terror strikes.

The BJP leader did not spare Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,who,according to him,was the weakest prime minister the country ever had. ”Singh had devalued the highest office of the prime minister by depending on others to take decision on critical matters.’’

He said the NDA was confident about the poll outcome and new political alliances would emerge only after the elections. The BJP would give thrust on nation’s security and economic development. ”The third front has no significance. That forum of opportunists has not even a leader. The CPI (M) is playing as the second team to the Congress. That party (the CPM) would soon vanish from the Indian politics. The fight would be between the NDA and the UPA,which is facing internal problems.”

He said the painful change of this election was the absence of A B Vajpayee in the election scenario,while the positive factor was that the party could register its presence in south India by winning Karnataka Assembly elections. ”We could disprove the impression that BJP is a north Indian party,’’ he said.

On Varun Gandhi issue,Advani said he should be given an opportunity to bring out the truth.

Will not to make provocative speeches,Varun assures EC

New Delhi

BJP leader Varun Gandhi,who is in detention under the National Security Act for his alleged hate speeches,on Monday assured the Supreme Court that he would not make any “provocative” speeches during his Lok Sabha elections campaign if released on bail.

29-year-old Varun agreed to give an undertaking before the apex Court in this regard after a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan indicated that his plea for bail would be considered after he gives such an assurance.

“If he gives an undertaking that he will not make any such provocative speeches then (his plea could be considered),” the Bench said.

The Court was hearing the petition of the BJP nominee from Pilibhit constituency from Uttar Pradesh,challenging invocation of the NSA against him for making alleged communal speeches and the chaos created by him while surrendering before a court in Pilibhit on March 28 in connection with the cases registered against him.

The Uttar Pradesh government also said that it had no objection if the politician was granted bail after giving an undertaking that he would not create a “volatile” situation.

The Court after hearing the arguments adjourned the matter till April 16.

Varun Gandhi has agreed to give an undertaking before SC on not making any ‘provocative’ speeches during his poll campaign

Maoist threat triggers fear of possible poll violence

Rourkela (Orissa)

With general elections days away,Maoist threat in Orissa-Jharkhand-Chhatisgarh border areas adjoining Orissa’s Sundargarh district has triggered fear about possible violence among the voters.

The recent incidents of attack on Bhalulata and Chandiposh railway stations and the killing of two persons – one at Rengada and another at Langalkata villages of Koida block in Sundergarh district last month– has forced voters to do a rethink on their voting plans unless the administration comes out with a concrete plan in regard to their safety.

Besides,the ultras have been moving in groups in the villages bordering these three states and have been threatening the voters,mostly tribals,against voting.

Though the district administration claims that elaborate security measures have been taken up,the voters have “lost faith” due to frequent Maoists attacks.

The candidates of all the political parties,including Independents are yet to launch their campaign in border hamlets.

Out of seven blocks bordering Jharkhand,six have been marked as Maoist-prone areas. The ultras have been virtually ruling the areas where even cops are reluctant to venture during day time.

The areas of Raibaga,Biramitrapur,Hatibari,Nuagaon and Bisra under Biramitrapur (ST) assembly segments are known as red corridor of Jharkhand-based ultras groups “Jharkhand Badsha” and “Jharkhand Liberation Tiger”.

The ultras have also given threats to the voters of Lathikata block and Maoist-prone areas of Sundargarh sadar,Bonai,Talsara and Rajgangpur assembly seats of the district.

Over 566 of the 1454 polling booths,located in Maoist-infested areas,have been declared as hyper-sensitive and necessary measures are underway to ensure smooth and peaceful elections on April 16,officials sources said.

However,they have admitted that large number of rural voters,specially in border villages,are still unsure about their voting as none of the candidates has visited them.

A visit to some of the areas under Bisra police station by a correspondent failed to notice any political activity in the Maoist-prone villages of Jharbeda- Jareikela and Kaliaposh.

“Who will risk killing by ultras”?,said an elderly resident of Jharbeda village when asked about the absence of poll activities. Not even a single poster or banner representing a political party can be seen in the village.

“I have asked my workers to take utmost care while campaigning in the Maoist-threatened areas. Let us wait and see”,a candidate of a national party,who did not wish to be named,said.