HEAD LINE:

• No link with BJP or NDA, says Mamata (IE)

LEAD:

Dragging its feet on a response to the Mumbai Terror attack dossier, Pakistan today said it needs more information from India to complete its investigation before giving a reply. The Defence Committee of the Cabinet, which was expected to finalise Pakistan's reply, failed to give a clear picture on the findings of its probe even as media reports spoke of the arrest of three men in Karachi for their alleged links to Ajmal Amir Kasab, the terrorist captured in Mumbai. The committee decided that a "case should be registered and further investigation be carried out so that the perpetrators, wherever they may be, of the heinous crime are brought to justice in accordance with the law of the land," said an official statement issued after the meeting presided over by PM Yousuf Raza Gilani. (IE)

• New Delhi: The stand-off with Pakistan looked set to intensify on Monday after Islamabad said that India's 26/11 dossier was not adequate, and that India needed to answer issues that have come up during Pakistan's own investigation. The stance was crafted by the defence committee of Pakistan's cabinet, which said it would revert to India with more "questions''. "In order to complete the investigation, the questions which are arising from the inquiry carried out by the FIA need to be answered by the Indian authorities,'' said a statement issued by the PM's House after the meeting. "These will be communicated to the Indian authorities shortly,'' it added. Officially, Pakistan is expected to share the report with India on Tuesday. (TOI)
• New Delhi: India and Bangladesh on Monday discussed terror and other security related issues, including setting up a joint anti-terror group to deal with cross-border terrorism. In what was the first visit to Bangladesh by a high-ranking govt representative since the Sheikh Hasinaled Awami League came to power, foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee held discussions with his Bangladesh counterpart Dipu Moni in Dhaka on Monday.(TOI)
• New Delhi: Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance on Monday witnessed fresh war of words after SP general secretary Amar Singh dragged the names of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi into the dispute over Mulayam Singh Yadav's assets, as he attacked the CBI by claiming that the agency's inquiry report was a copy of the petitioner's allegations. Singh said he challenged CBI, Congress party and Sonia to prove that the assets attributed to Mulayam actually belonged to him. He said let the SP chief be arrested if proved guilty, but Justice A R Lakshmanan be taken to task if proved otherwise. He also sought the arrest of former CBI director Vijay Shanker if the CBI inquiry was found motivated. Attacking the Centre, Singh asked if mere allegations led to probes, then would the govt order an inquiry if the ownership of a five-star hotel was attributed to PM and that of India Gate to Rahul Gandhi. SP's arguments did not go down well with Congress, as AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, while steering clear of CBI issue, said that names of the Congress brass were best avoided in this controversy. The fresh offensive from SP, by far the sharpest yet, is significant. While it comes just a day before the case comes up in SC for hearing, it is also for the first time that the party has dragged the names of Congress chief in a controversy since they came together. (TOI)
• New Delhi: Sensing the loss of a potential ally as the Congress and CPM cosy up again in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced that she and her party had severed all ties with the BJP. One of the conditions put forward by the Congress for the "grand alliance" with the Trinamool was that the latter cut off all its ties with the NDA. On Monday, Banerjee was at pains to explain she now indeed had nothing to do with the NDA or the BJP, which she dubbed as "communal". "My party has no connection with the BJP. Since 2008, we do not participate in NDA meetings," Banerjee said at a press conference. The Trinamool chief said her party would focus in increasing its organisational strength in north Bengal, considered to be a Congress stronghold. (IE)
• New Delhi: Bajrang Dal and the Sri Ram Sene will not be alone in opposing Valentine's Day this year. The Hindu groups have got company from the other end of the spectrum the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, an outfit which regards Islam as the authentic way of life for all human beings. Jamaat's student wing SIO will organise anti-Valentine's Day in college campuses and other places in several states on February 14. Given the backlash against vigilante groups, leaders of the Students Islamic Organisation say their activities would be peaceful and they have no intention of moral policing. (IE)

BJP

Making provisions to implement its populist schemes, the BJP Govt in Chhattisgarh on Monday presented its budget for fiscal 2008-09, increasing its social sector outlay to Rs 9,991 crore, proposing no fresh taxes, and justifying these measures with the argument that the current economic slowdown has hit the poor the hardest. Presenting the budget that showed gross fiscal deficit at an estimated Rs 2,564 crore, CM Raman Singh announced various pro-stimulus packages, proposed in the party's manifesto during the recent Assembly polls. To combat Naxalite violence, Singh said the budget for police department has been increased by 22 per cent to Rs 941 crore with special focus on security related infrastructure needs in the worst affected districts of Dantewada and Bijapur. Restructuring the CM's Food Assistance Programme, he said distribution of rice at Rs 1 per kg to seven lakh "antodaya families" (the poorest of the poor), rice at Rs 2 per kg to 30 lakh families, and free iodised salt to the BPL families will cost Rs 1,458 crore. (IE)

• Nagpur: The BJP seems to have suddenly discovered the virtues of Mahatma Gandhi at the just-concluded national executive and council meet at Nagpur, a city known more for its ideological mentor, the RSS, and its founder Dr K B Hedgewar. While Gujarat CM Narendra Modi gave credit to former PM P V Narasimha Rao for breaking away from the socialist pattern of growth, and the "Gandhian model of economic growth" unlikely to get a thumbs up from the party, the BJP's attempts to appropriate the Mahatma were nevertheless interesting. BJP president Rajnath Singh dwelt at length on Gandhi's seminal work Hind Swaraj for two days. He also mentioned one of the party's founders, Deendayal Upadhyay, known for propounding the thesis of "Integral Humanism", in the same breath, and argued that "India's future must be centred around their vision of development".(IE)

CONGRESS

Renewing its attack on the Pakistan govt, the Congress on Monday once again warned the neighbouring country over its delayed response to the probe in Mumbai terrorist attack. "India has not closed any of its options in the war against terrorism. Nothing will be spared to ensure the security and safety of the country from covert and overt support to terrorism. If Pakistan does not come out with concrete results, it will definitely have to face the consequences," said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Stating that Congress president as well as the Govt of India has said that if Pakistan does not come clean on the issue, the others would inevitably have to clear it up for them Mr Singhvi said India has clearly said that none of the options are closed in its war against terrorism. He was referring to the speeches of Sonia Gandhi and Pranab Mukherjee. Referring an article in an international magazine Granta, the party spokesperson further said it gives "telling, revealing and scary" details of terrorist networks in Pakistan. "The investigative write-up says that Pakistan Software Export Board recruited a large number of terrorists not only from Pakistan but also American and British citizens, who fought wars in Peshawar and North Western Frontiers," said Mr Singhvi. According to the Congress spokesperson, the report reveals the nasty face of terrorism with official support. "Pakistan is the fountain head of terror. Whether it is Spain, Liverpool or Mumbai, the sources of terrorist attacks go to Pakistan," said Mr Singhvi. Pakistan must come clean on the degeneration of its institutions and its symbols of governance, many of which have shown beyond doubt to be involved in terrorist activities, he added. (AA)

STATES

ANDHRA PRADESH

Senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that his party would abide by 'coalition dharma' and not force its policies on the allies if the NDA returned to power in the Centre. At a press conference here on Monday, he forecast emergence of BJP as the single largest party after the Lok Sabha elections. The NDA govt would accord top priority to agriculture and revival of the rural economy. The focus would be on providing good governance, development and ensuring security to people. The party would launch an intensive campaign in every nook and corner of the country for the next 60 days, highlighting the "failures and misdeeds" of the UPA govt. Referring to the Congress' slogan of 'Congress ka haath, aam admi ke saath', he wondered what had happened to the helping hand when people faced price rise, agricultural crisis, unemployment, terrorist attacks and lowered PF interest rate. He accused the Congress of pursuing divisive policies and trying "to dilute, devalue and demoralise various constitutional and statutory bodies." Mr. Naidu said the party would suggest an alternative agenda, including implementation of the M. S. Swaminathan report and providing insurance cover to farm income. On the construction of the Ram temple, he stated that it was a matter of faith and not an electoral issue. (HINDU)

ASSAM

The CPI has announced names of its candidates for two of Assam's 14 Lok Sabha constituencies, even as its leaders are still engaged in forging a non-Congress, non-BJP alliance in the state. While the party named former Rajya Sabha member and MLA Drupad Borgohain and Bhogeswar Dutta for the Jorhat and Lakhimpur seats, the CPI is currently engaged in discussions with the Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF), the CPI(M) and the NCP to float a third front in the state. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which has entered into an alliance with the BJP on the other hand, has named sitting MPs Sarbananda Sonowal and Arun Kumar Sharma as its candidates for Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur, respectively. The regional party, however, is yet to settle its seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP. (IE)

GUJARAT

Valsad Deputy Superintendent of Police K G Erda, who was arrested by the Special Investigation Team for dereliction of duty, abetment to murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the Gulbarg Society massacre in which 39 people were killed, was sent to police remand for five days by the Metropolitan Magistrate's court here on Monday. The investigators had sought police custody of Erda for 12 days. Incidentally, the punishment for abetment of an offence is same as for the offence itself. According to Erda's advocate Mitesh Amin, he has been accused of improper investigation in the case and of shielding some of the accused in the case. The charges against Erda include not getting blood samples of the dead and not calling the officials of the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Fire Brigade after the massacre. He is also accused of holding two panchnamas of the same jewellery box found from the Gulbarg Society. The DSP is also accused of not issuing arms to policemen present at the site of the massacre. (IE)

KARNATAKA

Defence Minister A K Antony and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F H Major have expressed anguish over the slow pace of development of indigenous technologies and modernisation in the aerospace sector. They were speaking at an international seminar on Monday organised by the DRDO, which is a traditional prelude to the biannual Bangalore air show Aero India. The Defence Minister said it was not right for a rapidly developing country, which is among the only four nations to send a scientific mission to the moon, to still be dependent on imports for 70 per cent of its defence requirements. India is "far, far away" from being self-reliant in the defence sector , he said and added that he felt guilty over the slow pace of progress in defence production. (IE)

KERALA

The marauding moral police of Sri Rama Sene was put on notice by the Centre on Monday with home minister P Chidambaram saying the outfit was a "threat'' to the country and the govt was watching its activities. Chidambaram, who was in Neendakara in Kollam district of Kerala to inaugurate a hi-tech coastal police station, said he was going by the Karnataka govt's assurance that it would take action against Sene, which hogged headlines after the Mangalore pub attack in January. It has followed up the attack with threats of V-Day disruptions. The outfit is a suspect in the assault of Kerala CPM legislator C H Kunhambu's daughter and a male friend, for talking to each other. "No organization can become a self-styled police force. The Sene has already crossed limits. They cannot say what one should wear, what one should eat or where one should go,'' he said. (TOI)

MADHYA PRADESH

Will the election for the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat this year in Madhya Pradesh witness a fight between three prominent women including two actresses? This question has assumed significance following reports that film star Jaya Bachchan may contest from Bhopal on the Samajwadi Party ticket and the Congress may field film actress Naghma, while the BJP is planning to give the ticket to its senior leader Sushma Swaraj. Ms Sushma's candidature from Bhopal is considered almost certain following the announcement on Sunday at Nagpur by the BJP's prime ministerial candidate L K Advani that she would contest the parliamentary polls from Madhya Pradesh.Mr. Advani had also announced that Ms. Sushma would be the party in-charge during the Lok Sabha elections for both Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Of the three women, Jaya and Naghma have got strong links with Bhopal while Ms. Sushma is a rank outsider who hails from Haryana. BJP sources pointed out that the exercise to give Ms. Sushma the party ticket from Bhopal is gaining momentum, although current Lok Sabha member from the city, Kailash Joshi, is not ready to give up his claim for the seat. (HINDU)

PUDUCHERRY

The territorial administration has sought more financial power from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to sanction funds. Shortly after holding a meeting with a three-member team deputed by the Union Home Ministry to ascertain the requirements of the Union Territory, Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam told reporters that they had sought power to sanction funds to the tune of Rs. 50 to Rs 100 crore. Presently the Lieutenant Governor and CM were vested with limited financial powers. While the Lieutenant Governor can sanction up to Rs 10 crore, the CM has power to sanction only up to Rs 2 crore, Mr. Vaithilingam said. Administrative decision to sanction funds beyond Rs 10 crore is vested with the Union Home Ministry, he said adding it was causing enormous delay in implementing schemes and development projects. (HINDU)

RAJASTHAN

BAL Thackeray now has Pramod Mutalik eating into his image, base and party. In what could be seen as a new chapter in the history of Right-wing Hindu politics in India, the entire Rajasthan unit of the Shiv Sena on Monday shifted loyalties and launched the state chapter of the now infamous Sri Rama Sene Mutalik's outfit involved in the January 24 assault on women at a pub in Mangalore. And keeping with its moral policing image, the newly formed unit gave its first warning: no Valentine's Day this time. Couples found celebrating on February 14 would be severely dealt with, it said. Kishore Singh, the former Jaipur district head of the Shiv Sena, said Thackeray's party stands dissolved in the state, and has been replaced by Sri Rama Sene. "The Shiv Sena seems to have forgotten how to protect Hindu culture and concentrate only on Maharashtrians, so we have shifted loyalties to the Sri Rama Sene," Singh said. (IE)

• JAIPUR: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has taken a serious note of the alleged rape of an 18-month-old girl by her neighbour at Chhoti Dungari village near Kishangarh-Renwal in Ajmer district and sanctioned Rs.5 lakh from his Relief Fund for her, besides suspending a woman doctor for showing insensitivity to the victim. When the minor rape victim was taken to the Community Health Centre in the village this past week, the in-charge physician, Jaya Sharma, reportedly turned her away and told her parents with sarcasm: "Kya rape ki bhi koi dawa hoti hai?" (Is there any medicine for treatment of rape?). The child got medical attention only after her parents lodged a complaint at the Renwal police station. The accused, Gopal Meena, has since been arrested.(HINDU)

EDITORIAL

Number crunching: Predicting a typical day in Parliament is not easy. The easy, and often lazy, option is to expect raucous shouting, well storming, and walk outs a text-book performance of which was enacted during the debate over the nuclear deal. But parliamentarians have proved their ability to surprise, by holding everyone's attention with well-articulated and structured debate, most recently in the post-26/11 debate on Terror legislation. There's a third way, when under the cloak of efficiency, Parliament passes a rash of legislation in a sprint like the 17-minute passage of eight bills in the closing hours of the last session. As Parliament prepares to meet on February 12, in all probability for its last, short session before Lok Sabha elections are announced, how will it go? Certainly, the "vote on account" will be passed. And political parties will strive to articulate their forthcoming campaign issues. But the legislative stakes are also very high. A total of 81 bills are pending at various stages of passage. (IE)