Politics / Assam

GUWAHATI, February 10: The State Government is likely to ask the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Majari Hanse, to face fresh trial of strength in view of the allegation of malpractice during the motion of confidence on February 6 last levelled by the Opposition group in the House led by former CEM Jotson Bey. The Jotson Bey group still claims to have support of 15 members in the present 29-member KAAC where one seat fell vacant after killing of sitting member JM Basumatary. Even after the defeat in February 6 no-confidence motion, the Jotson Bey group...

GUWAHATI, February 9: The Assam Assembly today witnessed noisy scenes followed by suspension of three Congress legislators and walk-out by other members of the Congress over the issue of the writ petition filed by MLA Atul Bora against the Speaker Ganesh Kutum. As soon as the House assembled for the day, the Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Ardhendu Kumar Dey referred to the newspaper reports regarding the writ petition and said that such incidents lowered the dignity of the House. Dilip Kumar Saikia (AGP) asked the Speaker to clarify whether an MLA is authorised to file a writ...

GUWAHATI, February 9: The Gauhati High Court today directed the Jain Satellite Television to produce the video cassette telecast by it in connection with its allegation that some Government agencies made certain irresponsible and baseless comments against Justice AH Saikia, a Judge of the Gauhati High Court before his appointment. The Gauhati High Court had drawn up suo motu contempt proceedings, following the telecast of the allegation, against JK Jain, president of the Jain Satellite Television. The division bench of Justice JN Sarma and Justice PG Agarwal after examining the affidavit of...

GUWAHATI, February 8: The President of Samajwadi Party and former Defence Minister of the country, Mulayam Singh Yadav today said his party was open to form alliance with the ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) if the latter maintained equal distance from the BJP and Congress. The heavy-weight of Uttar Pradesh politics, Yadav said Samajwadi Party which is trying to consolidate its base in Assam, was interested in forging alliance with anti-BJP and anti-Congress forces in the State. The former Defence Minister who is here to attend the two-day convention of the State unit of the party, criticised...

GUWAHATI, February 7: The Governor of Assam Lt Gen (Retd) SK Sinha today said that talks with the insurgents must be held within the framework of the Indian Constitution and the integrity of the country is not negotiable. Addressing the Budget Session of the State Assembly, the Governor said that the government desired a long lasting solution to the problem of insurgency and would welcome talks and negotiations at any time and any place. The Governor's address was marred by noisy scenes as the Congress members rushed to the well of the House, shouting slogans. The Governor only read out the...

GUWAHATI, February 6: The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Mojari Hanse survived the no confidence motion brought against him by rival ASDC faction, according to a press statement issued by KAAC and signed by the chairman Daniel Teron and deputy chairman Lok Narayan Subba. Moreover, the resolutions for removal of the chairman and the deputy chairman of the KAAC were also defeated in the council session held in Diphu today.

GUWAHATI, February 6: The Gauhati High Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by the Assam Chief Minister PK Mahanta alleging that two news items, published in two local dailies, indicating his possible arrest in connection with multi-crore veterinary LoC scam, amounted to contempt. Justice JK Sema held that no contempt was committed by publication of the two news items, appeared in 1997, which indicated that the arrest of the Chief Minister was 'imminent' in connection with the multi-crore veterinary LoC case on which the High Court was already hearing a public interest litigation (PIL)...

GUWAHATI, February 5: Union home minister L.K. Advani on Sunday said that the Centre is ready to hold talks with the separatist United Liberation Front of Asom but made it clear that the government will not compromise on the country's sovereignty. Advani, who arrived in the eastern Assam tea growing district town of Tinsukia on Sunday morning on a two-day visit to the state, was addressing a public rally attended by an estimated 5,000 people who defied a joint general strike called by the ULFA and another rebel group in protest against his visit. "We are ready for talks with any rebel group in...

GUWAHATI, February 5: Insurgency in Assam cannot be compared with that of Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistan's role in Kashmir was direct, said the Union Home Minister, L K Advani. Addressing a Press conference here today, Advani virtually ruled out the possibility of a unilateral ceasefire in Assam and said that all decisions in respect of Jammu and Kashmir are adopted taking into account the role of Pakistan. The Union Home Minister said that talks and violence cannot go together and the ULFA must abjure violence for talks. He said that the government of India is willing to hold unconditional...

GUWAHATI, February 5: The Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader, L K Advani today refused to categorically rule out the possibility of an electoral alliance between the AGP and the BJP for the ensuing Assembly elections in the state. Addressing a Press conference here today, Advani said that the decision on any alliance would be taken by the party high-command in consultation with the state unit of the party. Advani said that the BJP president Bangaru Laxman would soon convene a meeting with the state units of the five states where elections are due shortly to formulate the party's...