JD(U) backs Bharat Ratna for Vajpayee
Patna: In a surprise move, Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal-United Sunday supported the demand of the Bharatiya Janata Party to award the country’s highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The two parties —erstwhile partners in governing Bihar — have been political rivals for the past few months since parting company but state JD-U president Bashisht Narain Singh said his party also demanded the Bharat Ratna for Vajpayee.
PDP’s Mufti Sayeed in touch with BJP: Omar
Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday claimed that PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was in touch with BJP leaders, which had exposed the opposition party’s “hunger for power” in the State. “Hidden meetings of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed with the close associates of lal Krishna Advani and his close contact with Narendra Modi has come to the fore, exposing the ideology of PDP,” Omar said while addressing a public meeting in Shopian district, 55 kms from here.
Details of 5 wanted in Bihar blasts released
Patna : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday released sketches and details of the five people wanted in connection with serial bomb blasts in Patna and Bodh Gaya in Bihar, and sought the help of the general public in nabbing them. A cash award was also announced for any information leading to the arrest of the men, wanted for involvement in planning and executing acts of terrorism, including the July 7, 2013 Bodh Gaya blasts and the Oct 27, 2013 Patna blasts.
‘Army use in Punjab was not necessary’
Tezpur: Army should not have been used in anti-insurgency operations in Punjab and Assam as it created mistrust between security forces and civil society, former Director General of Police KPS Gill on Sunday said. “Operation Blue Star in Punjab and Operation Bajrang in Assam were not necessary,” Gill said.
UP minister offers Sachin to join SP
Ballia: Uttar Pradesh sports minister on Sunday offered cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar to join Samajwadi Party. “I wish Sachin to join SP if he wants to play political innings,” Narad Rai told reporters here. “Both Congress and BJP believe in use-and-throw policy and he (Sachin) should remain aware of it,” the minister said.
Army coup story from fertile brain: VK Singh
Mumbai: Former Army chief General VK Singh has dismissed the story of an alleged coup attempt by Indian army in January 2012 as the product of a “very fertile brain” and said it was at “somebody’s behest”. “That (coup bid) story was at the behest of somebody,” he said. “A routine movement which is meant to test certain units for their efficiency for certain tasks, if that gets construed (as coup), then God help us,” he said.