0815 HRS
23rd January , 2013

THE HEADLINES

• BJP President Nitin Gadkari resigns from the post of Party President on the eve of election process beginning today; Rajnath Singh emerges as the consensus candidate.

• Atleast 10 persons involved in terror attacks in different parts of the country had links with RSS, says the Home Secretary.

• US government seeks 30 to 35 year jail term for Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley for his role in 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

• The fourth ODI match between India and England to be played in Mohali today; India lead 5 match series 2-1.

[]<><><>[]

BJP President Nitin Gadkari has resigned from the post of Party President. In a statement issued late last night, Mr. Gadkari opted out of the race for the Party President. He said, he didn't want the allegations against him to adversely affect the interest of party in any way.

Repeated efforts are being made to defame BJP by leveling allegations against me, as a part of a political conspiracy. I thought, let the probe be completed first. So, I have decided not to be on this post, unless my name is cleared. I have decided not to seek the second term. Party should think of an alternative and whosoever, the party decides upon, I will extend my full support.

Mr. Gadkari was all set for re-election before senior leader Yashwant Sinha decided to throw his hat in the election, the process for which is to begin today. The move forced the top BJP leadership and RSS leaders to take stock of the emerging situation. Our correspondent reports that Mr. Rajnath Singh appears to have emerged as a consensus candidate. Mr. Gadkari is likely to propose Mr. Rajnath Singh's name for the top Party post today. Rajnath Singh has been a former National President of the BJP. He has been a former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and also a Cabinet Minister in the NDA regime.

[]<><><>[]

Union Home Secretary R. K. Singh says that at least 10 people, who were allegedly involved in a spate of terror attacks in different parts of the country, had links with the RSS or its affiliated organisations. He said in New Delhi, during investigation of Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid and Ajmer Dargah Sharif blasts, the government has found at least 10 names who have been associated with the RSS at some point or the other.

The investigations into the Samjhauta Express blast, the Mecca Masjid blast, the Dargah Sharif blast, all these, we have at least 10 names, who have been associated with RSS at some point of time or the other. During the investigation, there have been statement of witnesses, and I don't think that this can be denied by anybody.

Taking exception to Mr. Singh's statement, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav said that the case is subjudice and no evidence has so far been found to prove the charge.

The statement of the Home Secretary Mr R K Singh that he has names of people involved in bomb blast cases, is highly condemnable. We condemn the statement. How can Home Secretary come out in haste and declare that they are involved in this cases when there is no evidence so far available against these people. Investigations are still going on and more importantly, the matter is subjudice.

[]<><><>[]

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has said that India will not take any decision in haste while dealing with Pakistan. The statement comes in the wake of beheading of an Indian soldier at the LOC early this month. The Minister said, issues between India and Pakistan have to be resolved bilaterally. He termed as unacceptable, Pakistan's appeal for using the services of United Nations military observers group in Kashmir to maintain peace and tranquility across the LoC.

[]<><><>[]

The government has said that it plans to make one person Information Technology, IT- literate in every household by 2020. Giving details of the agenda of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, for 2013, IT and Communications Minister Kapil Sibal said in New Delhi that one IT literate person in each of the 10 lakh households, is the target for the current year. Mr Sibal said, the government will also notify the Cyber Security policy to set up an ecosystem for cyber security in the country.

[]<><><>[]

Delhi Traffic Police has put diversions on certain routes in view of the full dress rehearsal of Republic Day Parade -2013 in the national capital. The parade will start at 09:50 AM today from Vijay Chowk and proceed to Red Fort ground. Delhi Police in its traffic advisory has said that traffic will not be allowed from Vijay Chowk to India Gate on Rajpath from 5 'O' clock in the morning to 12:30 in the afternoon. Commuters have been requested to plan their journey in advance and avoid the said routes during the parade. Metro Rail Services at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan Metro Stations will not be available till 12:30 P.M.

 []<><><>[]

The United States has sought a jail term of 30 to 35 years for American born Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai attack and other terror activities. The US attorney said that Headley not only worked at the direction of Lashkar-e-Taiba for years, but also with members of Al-Qaeda. He said, life imprisonment would be an appropriate punishment for his incredibly serious crimes but the information that Headley provided following his arrest was of substantial value to the Government and its allies, India in particular, so the government will move the Court to sentence Headley at a point below life imprisonment that the Guidelines recommend.

[]<><><>[]

In Israel, exit polls in general elections have reported a narrow win for Prime Minister Netanyahu led right wing coalition with a reduced margin in the parliamentary elections held yesterday. The Central Election Committee said that nearly 67 percent voters cast their votes which is the highest in a decade. OurWest Asia correspondent says that counting of votes is on.

According to Exit polls for the 120 seats in the Parliament, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s projected right wing-religious party combine is expected to bag 61 seats against 57 by centre left rivals. The Likud -Israel Beitenue combine has been projected to get 31 seats. Among the religious parties, Shas is likely to get 13 seats, while Jewish Home Party can expect 12 seats. The reduced margin means Prime Minister Netanyahu will have to be further more dependent on the religious and ultra orthodox parties and centrist parties to form the new Government at the Centre. Atul Tiwary, AIR News.

[]<><><>[]

West Bengal celebrates the 116th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose today. Several programmes have been organized through out the state to mark the day. A report from our correspondent:

With the rest of the country people of West Bengal are remembering the great hero of freedom movement. Large number of people are visiting the ancestral house of Netaji in South Kolkata since early morning to pay their respectful homage to the great hero of the freedom movement. Netaji Birthday celebrations committee has also organized a programme at the feet of Netaji’s Statue in Kolkata to observe the day. Arijit Chakraborty, AIR News, Kolkata.

[]<><><>[]

Cold wave continues to hamper normal life in most parts of North India. In theKashmir Valley, most of the water bodies across the Valley, including the famousDal Lake, were partially frozen due to the drop in temperature. The biting cold wave conditions remained unabated in Himachal Pradesh as temperature in some parts of the state dipped below minus 20 degree Celsius. A report from our correspondent:

The work to restore road connectivity, water and electricity supply in the snowbound areas of the State is going on in full swing. According to official sources, the national highway 22 in Kinnaur district has been restored up to Karcham and the first bus is scheduled to leave from here for Shimla this morning. The district administration has said that the main roads in the district have been restored for the vehicular traffic.Neeraj Rana, AIR News, Shimla

Our correspondent reports that cold wave continued to affect normal life in Uttar Pradesh as two persons lost their lives in Barabanki district.

The chilly wind has intensified the cold wave condition across the state as the temperature has gone 5 to 9 degrees below normal in several eastern and western districts. The sunshine during the day has failed to give any respite due to bone chilling winds in several eastern districts. The met office has predicted similar conditions to prevail in Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Allahabad andAgra divisions during next 48 hours. Salman Haider, AIR News, Gorakhpur.

Residents of the national capital had a taste of harsh winter with the minimum temperature plummeting below normal yesterday.

[]<><><>[]

The fourth One-Day International Cricket match between India and England will be played at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, today. A report from our sports desk:

A confident Team India will take on England at PCA Stadium in Mohali where English Seamers might enjoy the cooler conditions with the ball likely to nip around. The cold weather has affected the growth of grass in the outfield and on the pitch square. Due to the adverse conditions the ground is looking brownish, which is starkly different from the traditional lush green outfield at the Punjab Cricket Association. The Track will also help the spinners in the later stage. This is Lalima Aneja Dang from the Sports Desk.

All India Radio will broadcast live commentary of the match alternately in Hindi and English. The commentary can be heard on AIR Delhi and FM Gold channels from11.30 A.M. onwards. At present, India lead the five-match series 2-1.

[]<><><>[]

The Railways has decided to undertake a cleanliness drive at about 100 important stations across the country and equip maximum number of coaches with bio-toilets. Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has written to the General Managers of all zonal railways to ensure cleanliness at such stations with more than 10 lakh population and with religious and tourists importance. Speaking at the Consultative Committee meeting of his Ministry in New Delhi, Mr Bansal said, the stations have been identified for taking up cleanliness drive in the first phase.

[]<><><>[]

Jordan votes to elect its 17th Parliament today. Out of the total population of 6.5 million, nearly 3 million eligible voters have registered for the elections. A total of 1,484 candidates are in the fray for 150 seats.

[]<><><>[]

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

• Most newspapers this morning have reported the story of BJP President Nitin Gadkari paving the way for Rajnath Singh. 'Gadkari crashed out in the last lap, Rajnath next BJP chief', reads a Hindustan Times headline, while The Asian Age says, 'Gadkari opts out of race; RSS blue-eyed boy Rajnath to be BJP chief'.
• Newspapers have also noticed the story of former Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala's sentencing for illegal recruitment of teachers. The Times of Indiaunder the headline '5-time ex-Haryana CM Chautala, son sentenced to 10 years in jail' says that two IAS officers are among 8 others to get 10-year terms.
• The Hindu reports that telecom companies have threatened to stop offering roaming services if the government forces through a policy to make national roaming free of charge.
• The Times of India says that in a statement that is likely to calm individuals and comfort global investors, Finance Minister Chidambaram has promised not to raise taxes but increase revenues by simplifying processing and widening the base.
• The Asian Age reports that a circular has been issued by the Directorate of Education that the proceedings of draw of lots for general and economically weaker sections for nursery admissions will be videographed and the CD/DVDs shall be submitted to Deputy Director of Education along with lists of successful candidates.
• Hindustan Times reports that if a proposal by the Urban Development Ministry is accepted by the state governments, vehicle owners may need to shell out congestion charges to drive in peak hours in busy city areas.
• The Hindu says that Prema Jayakumar, daughter of an autorickshaw driver from Tamil Nadu, has topped the nationwide Chartered Accountancy examination in her first attempt.
• And finally, The Times of India writes that Search giant Google is experimenting with USB keys, or wireless chips built into mobile phones and even jewellery that can act as a physical key to give users access to their account.