It's 3-2 for Cong as BJP gets jolt in Delhi, Rajasthan

Zeenews Bureau New Delhi, Dec 08:

The Congress stormed back to power in Mizoram and took Rajasthan, while scoring a hat-trick in Delhi. The BJP retained power in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgrah. The BJP, which tried to capitalise on the terror card especially after the November 26 Mumbai attacks, suffered a shock in Rajasthan when Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje failed to deliver the state for the party. Rajasthan In Rajasthan, the Congress rushed to victory, gaining power after a gap of five years. The party has won 96 seats while BJP got 78 in the 200-member Assembly. Others, including the BSP and Independents, won 26 seats. Incumbent CM Vasundhra Raje accepted defeat at a press conference. “I am going to hand over my resignation to the Governor so that the process of Government change may begin.” She thanked her supporters and the media. AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot, who spearheaded the party's campaign in the state, won his Sardarpura constituency while Raje emerged victorious in her Jhalrapatan seat. Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Sumitra Singh has lost to the Congress candidate in Mandawa constituency. Delhi Performing a record hat-trick, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit steered her party to victory securing 42 of the 69 seats that were up for grab in the 70-member Assembly. With this, the Congress has secured simple majority in the national capital. The BJP was way behind with 23 seats, while others got just 4 seats. The opposition BJP conceded defeat and said that the electorate had given a "clear vote in favour of the Congress". "It is a clear victory for the Congress in Delhi," Arun Jaitley, BJP general secretary, who is in-charge of party affairs in the capital, told reporters. BJP’s CM candidate called the Congress victory ‘shocking’. Sheila Dikshit won from her New Delhi constituency, while Malhotra too claimed victory in Greater Kailash with a margin of 11,218 votes. The ruling party won Uttam Nagar, Adarsh Nagar, Model Town, Chattarpur, Jungpura, Dwarka, Kondli, Deoli, Seemapuri, Kalkaji, Gandhi Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, Mangolpuri, Malviya Nagar, Wazirpur and Lakshmi Nagar. The BJP victory came in Shalimar Bagh, Bijwasan, Palam, Trilokpuri, Rohini, Rithala and Delhi Cantt. Among the notable winners for the Congress in Delhi are Assembly Speaker Chaudhury Prem Singh, A K Walia, Arvinder Singh Lovely and Mukesh Sharma. Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan also won the Krishna Nagar seat. Madhya Pradesh BJP appeared on its way to retaining power in Madhya Pradesh having won 142 seats while Congress has won 70 seats in the declared result for 228 seats. Others have won 16 seats. Factors like anti-incumbency, intra-party rivalry and challenge posed by former party leader Uma Bharti seemed to have had no impact on the ruling BJP, according to party leaders. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan won from his Budhni seat. Uma Bharti's Bharatiya Janshakti Party was trailing in all the 216 seats it contested, with the former CM losing the Tikamgarh seat, her home turf. Yadvendra Singh Bundela of the Congress trounced her with a margin of more than 3,000 votes. Chhattisgarh The ruling BJP defied anti-incumbency to retain power in Chhattisgarh. Needing 46 seats to secure a simple majority in the 90-memberState Assembly, BJP won 50 seats while the Congress has cornered 38. BSP won 2 seats. The BJP forged ahead in the race after being initially locked in a neck and neck race with the Congress. Mizoram In Mizoram, Chief Minister Zoramthanga conceded defeat at the hands of the opposition Congress and said he would tender his resignation to Governor Lt General Madan Mohan Lakhera later today. Following the defeat of his Mizo National Front (MNF), Zoramthanga, who has ruled the state for two consecutive terms, has sought an appointment with Lakhera. The Congress has already secured majority of 30 seats in the 40-member State Assembly. MNF won 3 seats while others had to contend with only 5 seats out of the 39 declared results. Three-time Chief Minister and state PCC chief Lal Thanhawla triumphed in both South Tuipui and Serchhip seats defeating his opponents J Lalchhuana and C Lalramzauva, both of the UDA, respectively. The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) suffered a jolt when two-time Chief Minister and party president Zoramthanga was humbled by Congress opponent T T Zothansanga, a first timer, in the prestigious Champhai North seat. Another major player in the polls, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) also suffered defeat with its deputy chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma losing to his Congress opponent and a first timer R L Pianmawia. Most of the states where the counting is being held are those where Congress and the BJP are major contenders for power and the outcome may help gauge the voter mood ahead of the general elections due early next year although issues involved would be different.


If the headlines are calling it a 3-2 victory for Congress, it can equally correctly be said to be a 293-275 victory for BJP, as BJP got the largest number of MLAs in this round of elections, with the rest of the parties getting 54 MLAs.

Centre mulling law to rein in communal elements: Digvijay

Allahabad, Dec 07: The Congress on Sunday said the UPA government is working on a legislation to rein in elements involved in spreading communal hatred so that the menace of terror can be nipped in the bud.

"The UPA government at the Centre is of the view that it is religious fundamentalism which further degenerates into terrorism.

"A proposed Act is under consideration before a Parliament standing committee wherein there are a number of proposals to tighten the noose around those involved in whipping up communal passions. This will help us nip terrorism in the bud," AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh told newspersons here.

Rejecting the demand for re-enactment of POTA, Singh, however, said the Prime Minister himself was considering "feasible amendments to the National Security Act which would give more teeth to the agencies fighting the menace of terrorism".

He, however, maintained that the need of the hour was preventing acts of terrorism "irrespective of the religious or ideological beliefs of the perpetrators".

"Our laws must be able to effectively deal with people like Raj Thackeray, who in the name of regional pride, cause much social tension just because there is no way they can be booked under a non-bailable section," Singh added.

Rebutting the BJP's charge that the UPA has been soft on terror, the AICC general secretary said, "While the Congress-led coalition has already done its political bit in the aftermath of Mumbai blasts, the NDA did nothing of that sort when it was in power.

"Shivraj Patil has resigned from the post of Union Home Minister so has Vilasrao Deshmukh from the Chief Ministership of Maharashtra. Why did the then Home Minister L K Advani made no such gesture when Parliament was attacked, which was undoubtedly a much bigger intelligence and security lapse," Singh asked.

The senior Congress leader also defended the minuscule cut in petrol and diesel prices and said, "We need to remember that the domestic prices had not risen in the same measure as the international crude prices. Hence, it is not fair to expect a drop in petrol prices in proportion to the fall in international prices."

The former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister expressed the hope that the Congress will "fare well" in the states, where polling was held recently and results were expected shortly.

He also asserted that the party's ties with the Samajwadi Party were heading in the right direction and hoped that the contentious issue of seat-sharing will be resolved before the

Your comment(s) on this article
For this chap, anything spoken against Islam is communalism and terrorism is only a fair response to communalism. It is best he circumcises, puts on a fez cap and declares his loyalty to Allah. -K.Venugopal - Mumbai

this law if come in force will be used against hindus only as no one has guts to take action on most communal and unpatriotic muslims.no state has taken any proper action against muslims creating law and order problems,police is either scared to take action for the scare of immediate suspension and transfer and are not given any latest arms and equipment to deal with situation during communal flareup instead police forces in states like up are not even provided bullets for their rifles by appeasers like mullayam and maya memsaheb. -desh bhakt - india

http://www.zeenews.com/nation/2008-12-07/489187news.html

Enough is enough, country now wants results: Arun Jaitely

Amid public anger and rage over the politicisation of Mumbai terror attack by various political parties and some insensitive remarks by equally irresponsible leaders, Arun Jaitley spoke to Zeenews over his feelings on recent developments. Speaking to Zeenews. com’s Swati Chaturvedi on the issue of terrorism the BJP general secretary justified public anger saying “enough is enough country now wants a change”. A few excerpts from the interview:

Swati: All across the nation there is public outrage; people are comparing politicians with terrorists. The public rallies being carried out are not led by anyone. They are coming out on their own. What do you have to say about it.

Jaitely: I agree with the emotions of the public, their anger is justified. Terrorism has been a problem for India for a long time. Instead of relating terror attacks with national security it has been used for vote bank politics. And people have realised that enough is enough. They want politicians to stop politicising it and fight terrorism.

The second reason is there is a section of people including me, Advaniji and others who have till date not compromised on the issue of terrorism and have always advocated tough steps against terrorism. While there was a section of media which always opposed our demand for taking tough steps against terrorism. Now, the same people are blaming not only the government but also the politicians for this.

After all a common man is wise and if he has a problem with the political system he wants a change in the set up. I find it absolutely right.

However, there are such political people in this country who have never compromised in the fight against terror.

Swati: The politicians have also been accused of being insensitive and callous. I would not like to name them but a Left leader who made insulting remark to a martyr’s family and a second leader who belonged to your party. How long will our politicians follow such uncivilised and callous approach?

Jaitely: It should not have happened in the first place. After Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi made that statement I immediately called a press conference and admitted that public anger is justified. People from all walks of life have every right to call for a change. And then Mr Naqvi regretted making that remark. There should be great respect for the martyrs who lost their lives and their respective families as well.

When Parliament was attacked in 2001 I was inside the House, 8 security personnel lost their lives to ensure all of us go unscathed. So we should be grateful to people like them. And if any of member from those martyr’s family comes ahead and says something against us we will have to listen to it.

Swati: This would be my last question about politicians. Like disaster tourism or terror tourism, Vilasrao Deshmukh took along with him Ram Gopal Varma and his two sons to the Taj Hotel. Even your party leader Narendra Modi reached Taj the very next day of the attack and LK Advani and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made statement when 200 lives were at stake.

Jaitely: These incidents are not related with people’s unhappiness. It was time for us to be united.

Swati: So you think you were with the government?

Jaitely: On the security issue we were with the government but when it came to raising it as a political issue to bring about a change in the security system then we criticized the government. People can only raise issues but eventually it is the job of the opposition to do that. Without demoralising security forces creating pressure on government about their policies is our job as well as right.

Swati: But people believe that you politicised the Mumbai incident in which 200 lives were lost.

Jaitely: We have nothing against security forces but if we do not oppose Centre for its policies then we are a failure as an opposition.

Swati: Do you believe that every party has indulged in vote bank politics including yours which has brought the nation to this juncture. Nothing has changed in last 60 years. Since this government has come into power 800 innocent lives have been lost in terror strikes in various states.

Jaitely: All parties will have differences but this government has compromised on the issue of national security. We were never against Indira and Rajiv Gandhi because when it came to dealing with terror they took stern action. But since the UPA government has taken over, it has been accused of being "soft on terror".

The reason being that they abolished POTA and called our NDA government not an anti-terrorist but an anti-minority government. They reversed al our policies and perverted the definition of secularism in which nationalism took a backseat.

Be it abolition of POTA, Afzal’s hanging or Batla house encounter the government proved to be weak on terror.

And the rage of people is against the government a little of whose ire is coming our way as well.

Swati: Everyone is calling it (Mumbai terror attack) a systemic failure including the Navy chief. It took NSG 9 and a half hours before they reached the spot. Prior to that in Sadhvi Pragya’s case your party made serious allegations against ATS chief Hemant Karkare, another martyr in the Mumbai attack. When we say that terrorists do not have any religion then why Sadhvi was an exception case for you?

Jaitely: Our stand is what Advaniji said based upon the affidavit filed by Sadhvi Pragya when she accused ATS of torturing her.

Swati: But your party president Rajnath Singh on the very same show said that he is not embarrassed to be clicked with Sadhvi Pragya and that a Sadhvi can never be a terrorist.

Jaitely: I attribute it to irresponsible journalism as well. Media produced Rajnath Singh and Sadhvi’s photograph from a posthumous function of a politician. I believe that the truth in that case will come out and till then we should not made any accusation about any security agency. Let them deal each case on its merit.

Now the security system has been called a failure. While the security agencies were busy in the Malegaon case, the terrorists came from the sea route making a mockery of the national security system. R&AW (Research & Analysis Wing) is accusing NSA (National Security Adviser) and IB (Intelligence Bureau) in turn IB is accusing local police. On the other hand Navy and Coast Guards are also playing the blame game.

The blame game which was a part of the politics has now started between security and intelligence agencies.

The repair work is too tough because political establishment’s political authority is in tatters and the country really needs to rise above it and correct it.

Swati: What doos the BJP has to say about Pakistan’s stand calling Mumbai incident an act of non-state actors?

Jaitely: Pakistan has become a state which has been living in denial. They are still not ready to accept that the terrorists were from Pakistan even after so many evidences about their telecommunication records and their family roots have been produced but Pak has denied it. The same denials have come from their security forces and unfortunately their media as well.

This attack violates the joint agreement of January 6, 2004 where Pakistan had promised not to allow its land to be used for terror activities.

I don’t think a non-state actor like Lashkar-e-Toiba, can do it on its own. It was a mistake on Prime Minister’s part to call Pakistan a victim of terrorism in Havana. And government will have to change its stand now.

Swati: What should be India’s stand against Pakistan now? Does Pak take us for granted?

Jaitely: India is a responsible nation. It is time to assess the situation and create pressure through diplomatic ways and mutual dialogues. How long do they keep that pressure on depends upon the government. Once govt finishes its assessment then we all must support them. Government’s inputs will be vital in it. I agree enough is enough the country now wants results.

Swati: What do you and your party has to say to the Pakistani media?

Jaitely: I don’t have to say anything to the Pakistani media I would just request Indian media to refrain from irresponsible journalism. As they showed a red thread on a terrorist’s hand and called him a Hindu which later helped Pak media to deny India’s claims that the terrorists were Pak nationals. The same reports were published in Chinese dailies as well and provided an argument to Pakistan in denying India’s claims.

Your comment(s) on this article

Pakistan is trying to whitewash its role in the terrorist attack on Mumbai. Being an Islamic state, it is only displaying the singular trait of Islam - whitewashing. Mohammad spread his religion by sword, but that history is sought to be whitewashed and Islam is portrayed as a religion of peace! -K.Venugopal - Mumbai

Jaitley is Right.Irresponsible Journalism of our country is a major factor for terrorism in India.Journalist and media takes sides with terrorist and become insenstive to innocent lives lost.Always they try to prove that its not Islamic terrorism .They are always seeking to connect terrorism with Hindu by linking with slightest and ridiculous things ..only to prove that its not Islamic terror but something else.Media tries to dilute the seriousness of issue.Media aleays comes in support of terrorist or tries to ignore the issues that could pressurise the Government to take stringent action against terroriosm.Media tries to portray that anti terrorism is anti minority.May be they are working beccause of their vested interests or some kind of gain ISN`T MEDIA IRRESPONSIBLE MEDIA HAS MORE THAN 70% SHARE FOR TERRORISM AND KILLING OF INNOCENT PEOPLE -ajay - USA http://www.zeenews.com/zeeexclusive/2008-12-06/488952news.html

Advani did little to help Ram Mandir movement: Govindacharya

New Delhi, Dec 06:

Former BJP ideologue K N Govindacharya on Saturday accused his one-time party colleague L K Advani of doing little when he was Home Minister to benefit the 'Ram Mandir movement'.

"While the Babri masjid premises were under the supervision of the Home Ministry, he (Advani) did not accede to even minor requests from devotees to put the barricade of the sanctum sanctorum at its place in keeping with Supreme Court orders," Govindacharya said on the 16th anniversary of the Babri mosque demolition today.

Alleging that Advani did little to benefit the movement that catapulted the party to power, Govindacharya charged him with preventing the transition from 'Ram Mandir' to 'Ram Rajya'.

"Ashok Singhal's arrest was also condemnable," he said, adding that, "I do not feel joy nor gloom over the day. It is a joyful day for those who made the most of it and a gloomy day for others who felt deprived of a pro-poor Ram Rajya there after as the BJP moved away from the cause."

However, this anniversary of Babri masjid demolition was different with the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which celebrate the day as "Shaurya Divas" (gallantry day) every year, using the occasion to take a pledge to root out terrorism.

"We are replacing our celebrations with pledges against terrorism and organising training camps to brief cadres about how to prevent and deal with terror attacks," said Bajrang Dal's National Convenor Prakash Sharma.

The RSS also kept a low profile on the occasion and held no local or national functions.

Bureau Report
Your comment(s) on this article
Dear Govindacharya, What Advani has done or not done for the Ram Mandir movement is for the progenitor of the Ram Mandir movement - the RSS - to evaluate. Your comments are not credible because it is very clear you are only seeking political mileage by your attacks on Advani. -K.Venugopal - Mumbai

If Muslims can remember for 16 years! the demolition of the dysdunctional Babri ruin, then Hindus too should every year remember the demolition of their main temples like Somnath, Ayodhya, Kashi etc. Is a ruin like mosque more worth than the ages old Hindu temples? -raghuveer -

http://www.zeenews.com/nation/2008-12-06/488994news.html

Mumbai terror attacks: Lawyers decline to take up case of Iman

Mumbai, Dec 06:

Sticking to the resolution passed by the Bombay Metropolitan Magistrate Court's Bar Association, several criminal lawyers are shying away from taking up the case of the sole arrested person in connection with last week's terrorist carnage citing ethical constraints.

The Association, which has more than 1,000 members, has for the first time passed such a unanimous resolution which says none of its members will defend any of the accused of the terror attacks.

Mohammad Ajmal Amin Iman was arrested on November 26, the day the terrorists struck at different locations in Mumbai.

Senior criminal lawyer Majeed Memon said "there are certain ethical restrains which may make a conscientious lawyer from defending certain accused persons. When a lawyer is aware that the accused was in fact caught red handed committing an extremely serious offence, there is no question of us appearing in this case."

Advocate Mubin Solkar, appearing for accused in the 7/11 Mumbai serial train blasts case and the recent Indian Mujahideen case, agreed with Memon and said "although it is unconstitutional to refuse legal aid to any accused, we have seen with our own eyes the arrested terrorist shooting at innocent people. Aiding him means burning our own fingers."

Criminal lawyer Shahid Azmi, however, pointed out that no bar association can pass such a resolution asking lawyers not to take up a particular case and that it is up to the sole discretion of the lawyer whether or not to defend an accused.

Bureau Report

Your comment(s) on this article

Whether to take up the case or not should be left to the discretion of lawyers. No one else should make up their minds for them. This being a case of international proportions, Pakistani lawyers should be allowed to plead. Now that this particular terrorism act is over, the surviving terrorist is harmless. Let at least our institutions and procedures function as per constitutional propriety. -K.Venugopal - Mumbai

http://www.zeenews.com/nation/2008-12-06/488954news.html

MEA denies ruling out military action against Pak

Zeenews Bureau New Delhi, Dec 02:

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday denied ruling out military action against Pakistan in the wake of terror strikes in Mumbai. The clarification from the ministry sources, aired on a TV news channel, came after External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said earlier in the day that the Indian government was not considering any military action against Pakistan in the wake of the November 26 terror attack. The remarks came amid increasing suspicion that Pak-based elements were behind the November 26 terror attack. However, MEA sources said that Pranab had actually not discounted the use of military action. An official statement from the ministry is expected soon. The minister had said, in a bid to allay fears about an armed conflict with Pakistan, that military action was not being considered and that it will wait for Islamabad to respond to its demand for action against terror groups and individuals operating out of the neighbouring country. "What will be done, time will show and you will come to know," Pranab told reporters here when referred to US President-elect Barack Obama's suggestion that India has a "right to protect" itself. Asked whether it could mean military action, Pranab responded by saying that "nobody is talking about military action". He said India "will await" Pakistan's response to a demarche issued to it demanding action against terrorist groups and individuals operating out of that country and handing over of 20 fugitive terrorists. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, Shahid Malik was summoned to the MEA last evening and served a demarche which sought “strong action” from Islamabad against those behind last week’s terror strikes in Mumbai. Similar lists have been handed over to Islamabad in the past also, but the latter has never acted on them so far. Malik was told that Pak-based elements were responsible for the Mumbai attacks. He was also told that Islamabad’s actions “needed to match the sentiments expressed by its leadership that it wishes to have a qualitatively new relationship with India,” MEA spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said. Pakistan was also asked to hand over with immediate effect India’s two most wanted criminals, underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar. Pranab also appreciated the US response to terror strikes in Mumbai and the solidarity expressed by its leaders, including President George W Bush and President-elect Barack Obama. In fact, Bush is sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Delhi tomorrow. She even asked Pakistan yesterday to fully co-operate with India in the Mumbai terror investigations. Rice is also expected to visit Pakistan after her India tour and deliver a strong message to Islamabad. Obama, who has already spoken to PM Manmohan Singh and expressed his deepest condolences over the tragic loss of innocent lives in Mumbai terror attack, yesterday said that he is "steadfast" in support of India's effort to catch those behind attacks on the financial capital. "The United States must stand with India and all nations and people who are committed to destroying terrorist networks, and defeating their hate-filled ideology," he said.
Your comment(s) on this article
For the UPA to have to say we have not ruled out military action against Pakistan proves that it is only playing to the gallery in India It has absolutely no sense of responsibility Why should the government make public its military plans? It is best UPA resigned and called for general elections -K.Venugopal - Mumbai
Indian media is trying to create a wireless link between terrorist and Pakistan The whole drama was surely done by home grown terrorists who must have identified mega holes in Indian Security arrangements The drama helped India divert attention of the world media from ongoing attrocities and fake elections in Kashmir I feel sorry for indian citizens who were so easily mislead -LoudNClear - Pakistan
The US should see thru the duplicity of the Pak govt Beware that Manhattan, like Bombay can be attacked by water just as easily So please your your Axis of Evil list and send in your marines Daud Ibrahim and LET chief are just as sinister as Osama -Jai Hind -Jai Hind - india
India should take very strict actions against Pakistan, This is the right time that India has to screw up terrorist camps located anywhere in pakistan Now its enough & we should show our stregnth They always test our patience but its all over now One advice to all those leaders who leads our country India that dont play with the emotions of those people who were dead, just do some practicle thing against terrorism -Kanwar Singh - Ludhiana
The US should see thru the duplicity of the Pak govt Beware that Manhattan, lie Bomay can be attacked by water just as easily So please your Axis of Evil list and send in your marines Daud and LET chief are just as sisnister as Osama -Jai Hind - India
it looks all we are mad do you anybody think that this arrested terrorist will be punished immediately no , he will be another Hon guest (like Afzal Guru) in Mumbai jail with security and he will enjoy his complete life in Mumbai Jail -Satya Dev - New Delhi
We should invite a Pak Official to carry out the final punishment of Azam Amir Qasab This would be a step out of the normal way but will do good to humanity If Pakistan agrees to send an official to do this then it will demonstrate their solidarity with India in our fight against terror Also, it will be a spirit dampener for all the terrorists who are being groomed on Pakistan soil I hope my voice finds an ear -Rajiv - Bangalore
Please i request all the members not to waste time by sending comments on this old man statement and he will also make same statemtn if any of the terrorist kill or fuck his family member before his eyes -Shankar - New Delhi
It may be right that Pak government is not involved in this event but it is totally incorrect to say that ISI hands are clean in the matter ISI has done a good move which we also know It is very well expected that after Mumbai episode India will again try to do Operation Parakaram which will provide there military the chance to move troops out of the Afgan borders and put them around LOC They aslo know that the chances of war are very less as India as a responsible state will not engage in war with Pak which may use their rouge behaviour to use nuclear arsenals And nuclear war will dampen all the efforts India has made since 1994 to develop herself So we must answer them with a political move Inplace of sending our troops to LOC, I would suggest that we offer military help to pakistan & NATO forces to first curb talibanese elements and later along the LOC and other areas In this way way, we are not attacking Pak govt / people but sure going for checkmate for ISI and pakistan`s rogue military and extremists I would expect if Zeenews can put forward the idea to our think tankers -Rhythm Diwan - Delhi
Why are we proving again & again our impotency to the world The whole world must be making Fun of India -Indian - Mumbai

VP Singh: The Renaissance Man (25 June 1931- 27 Nov 2008)

Sushmita Dutta

“The visual always fascinated me. As I grew up, I slowly realized that we not only see through our eyes, but also from the heart. Feeling is living. Beauty is understanding. I was overwhelmed by the harmony of creation. My youth was one rapturous communion with nature. The ecstasy is gone but fragments of its memory, still, at times, shimmer, to give a sudden insight. My paintings are such fragments. Yes, they are fragments because my life is so.”

- VP Singh


The Renaissance Man of Indian politics, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, the Ex-Prime Minister, poet, painter and a politician, is no more.

Vishwanath Pratap Singh, the son of Raja Bahadur Ram Gopal Singh, was born on June 25, 1931 in Allahabad. He acquired his education at Allahabad and Poona Universities. On June 25, 1955 he married Sita Kumari who bore him two sons.

Brought up as a single child guarded by two gunmen, with guardians and tutors to educate him, it was evident that VP Singh was to develop an affinity to the written word and the visual forms of things around him. This helped VP Singh to develop both his poetic and artistic sense.

Right from his education days, VP Singh has been actively involved in politics. He was the President of Students Union at Udai Pratap College in Varanasi in the year 1947-48. Later, he was also the Vice-President of Allahabad University Students Union. He was an active member of the Bhoodan movement in 1957.

After that there was no looking back. He soon made a name for himself in the state Congress Party for his unfailing rectitude, a reputation that he would carry with him throughout his career.

VP as Chief Minister of UP

In 1980, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appointed him as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. As Chief Minister, he cracked down heavily on the dacoits, who were terrorizing the south west Uttar Pradesh. He was applauded for his offer of resignation when he failed to subdue the problem.

After the demise of Indira Gandhi, his son Rajiv Gandhi swept the general elections with thumping mandate in 1984. Rajiv Gandhi deputed VP Singh with the pivotal post of Finance Minister in his cabinet. He came down heavily upon the gold smugglers and gave the Enforcement Directorate extra-ordinary powers to charge upon tax evaders. But Rajiv Gandhi was forced to take his ministry back when he went over board and raided houses of some famous personalities like Dhirubhai Ambani and Amitabh Bachchan. He was then shifted to Defence Ministry, but his over indulgence in the Bofors deal was enough for him to be shown the exit door. This time, VP not only quit the cabinet but also the Congress party and Lok Sabha.

VP’s stint as PM

VP Singh then with the support of Arun Nehru and Arif Mohammed Khan floated his own party called the Jan Morcha. On October 11, 1988 Janata Dal came into existence with the merging of Jan Morcha, Janata Party, Lok Dal and Congress (S). The Jan Morcha then colluded with all small parties to form the first coalition party called National Front. It fought the general elections in 1989 with the support of BJP and managed to defeat the Congress with a small majority. The National Front came to power and V P Singh became the Prime Minister.

Though his stint at the PM office was a short one, he made big news. His visit to the Golden Temple to ask forgiveness for Operation Bluestar, his releasing of militants in exchange of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s daughter and his famous tussle with Reliance giant Dhirubhai Ambani were much in news.

But the VP era will be remembered for his support for backward classes and the Mandal Commission. The Mandal Commission was brought to provide quota for jobs to OBC’s (Other backward classes). VP tried to implement the Mandal recommendations in August 1990 which was to reserve 27% seats in government jobs to backward classes. But he faced severe protests from across the country. A student called, Rajeev Goswami’s self-immolation made the situation worsen, and he was forced to resign from the post of Prime Minister.

VP’s later life

VP Singh retired from active politics, but in the late 1990’s when HD Deve Gowda and IK Gujral came together to form the Third Front, he acted as an elder statesman and adviser. In 1992, he opposed the demolition of the Babri Masjid. In the year 1998 he was diagnosed with cancer and thereafter he reduced his public appearances.

After battling blood cancer and renal failure for almost a decade VP Singh, fondly called as the ‘Raja of Manda’ finally breathed his last on November 27, 2008 at the Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.

VP Biography

Name: Vishwanath Pratap Singh Father’s Name: Raja Bahadur Ram Gopal Singh Date of Birth: June 25, 1931 Place of Birth: Allahabad (UP) Date of Marriage: June 25, 1955 Wife’s Name: Sita Kumari Children: Two sons, Ajeya Singh & Abhai Singh Education: B.A., LLB, B.Sc., Allahabad & Pune University Field of Work: Social Work

Posts held by VP Singh

1969-71: MLA, UP 1971: MP of 5th Lok Sabha 10th Oct. 1974 to Dec. 1976: Commerce Deputy-Minister of Central Govt. Dec. 1976 to March 1977: State Minister of Commerce Jan. 1980 to June 1980: MP of 7th Lok Sabha Nov. 1980 to June 1981: MLC, UP June 1980 to June 1982: Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh June 1981 to July 1983: Member of UP Assembly July 1983 to April 1988: MP, Rajya Sabha 29th Jan. 1983 to Sept. 1984: Minister of Commerce & addl. charge of Supply Sept. 1984: Member, A.I.C.C. (I), President P.C.C. (I), UP Dec. 1984 to Jan. 1987: Finance Minister, Govt. of India Jan. 1985 to March 1985: Minister of Finance, Commerce & Supply March 1985 to Sept. 1985: Minister of Finance, Commerce & Supply 23rd Jan. 1987 to April 1987: Defence Minister, Govt. of India 2nd Oct. 1987: Founder, Jan Morcha June 1988: MP, Lok Sabha August 1988: Convener, Rashtriya Morcha Oct. 1988: President, Janta Dal Nov. 1989: Elected MP of 9th Lok Sabha (Third term) 5th Dec. 1989 to 10th Nov. 1990: Prime Minister (Defence and other so many ministries, which were not distributed) 5th Dec. 1989 to 21st April 1990: Minister of Environment June 1991: Elected MP of 10th Lok Sabha

Social & Cultural

Workshop: Founder, Gopal Vidhyalaya Intermediate College, Koraon, Allahabad. Participation in 1957 Bhoodan-Aandolan and Donated a Farm House of Pasana Village, Allahabad.

Special interest: Painting, Photography & Poetry
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When VPSingh sought to divide the Hindus in the name of Mandal, LKAdvani saved the Hindus from schism by undertaking the Rath Yatra and uniting the Hindus in the name of Ram Mandir -K.Venugopal - Mumbai

He was responsible for dividing the country`s education quality in two different lobes -Vineet - Delhi

Was he renaissance man or a nuisance man ? -SK Singh - Trinidad