2100 HRS

14th April, 2013

THE HEADLINES

• Sharad Yadav re-elected as JD(U) President,  Party asks BJP to name its Prime Ministerial candidate by year end;  

• Thousands of acres of standing wheat crops gutted in fierce fire in Siddharth Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh.

• Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vows to maintain Bangladesh as a non-communal democratic country. 

• Nation pays homage to the architect of Indian constitution Dr. B.R.Ambedkar on his 122nd birth anniversary.

• Festival of Bihu and Vishuva Sankaranti celebrated in many parts of the country with traditional fervour.

• Kolkata Knight Riders beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 48 runs.

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Janata Dal (United) has asked the BJP to announce the name of its Prime Ministerial candidate much before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Adopting a resolution at the end of its two-day  National Executive meeting in New Delhi today, the party  said that the BJP, as the biggest party in the NDA, should declare its candidate before the end of this year. The JD(U) also said that a candidate for the Prime Ministerial position should have a secular image and carry along all sections of the people with a focus on the development of backward states. The resolution said it was the tradition of BJP-led NDA to follow its National Agenda of Governance. Later, talking to media, JD(U) General Secretary K C Tyagi said that the political resolution is only a suggestion to the NDA. He said the relationship between his party and BJP will be in tact. JD(U) has also demanded special class status to Bihar. The party also called for close coordination between the Centre and the states in the all round economic development of the country. Earlier, addressing the National Executive meeting, reelected JD(U) President Sharad Yadav said that his party will continue to be in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) despite differences with BJP on some issues. Senior JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ruled himself out of the Prime Ministerial race, saying he does not nurse any such illusion with such little strength of his party. He, however, made it clear that he would prefer for the top job a leader who carries all sections of society together.

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BJP President Rajnath Singh has expressed confidence that no ally of NDA including JD(U), which has been expressing reservations against Narendra Modi, will go out of the alliance. Speaking to a private TV channel, Singh maintained that the final authority to take the decision regarding the party's Prime Ministerial candidate remains with the BJP Parliamentary Board. BJP President said he was confident that whatever decision the Board takes, will not result into creation of any crisis.

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BSP supremo Mayawati has severely criticised the Samajwadi government in Uttar Pradesh allegedly for  removing her party's banners and posters related to Ambedkar Jayanti in Lucknow. She accused the state government of indulging in political vendetta against her party. Mayawati claimed that BSP had all the permissions to put up the hoardings, but despite that municipal authorities  removed all the banners and hoarding. 

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar sat on a day-long fast at Karad in Satara district to atone for his controversial remarks on drought situation in the state. The NCP leader told reporters that his fast was an attempt at repentance, and not a stunt. Ajit Pawar's uncle and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar had yesterday called his remarks as inappropriate. The Deputy Chief Minister has already apologised for his controversial remarks, but the Opposition Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS have stalled the proceedings of state legislature for the last three days, seeking his resignation.

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The Congress has released a list of 40 candidates for the next month's Assembly elections in Karnataka. Priyank M Kharge, son of Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Mallikarjun Kharge, will contest from Chitapur reserved constituency. Rajya Sabha sitting member Anil Lad will contest from Bellary City. The list was released by the AICC headquarters in New Delhi today.

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In Uttar Pradesh thousands of acres of standing wheat crop has been gutted due to fire in Siddharth Nagar district since yesterday. Villages falling under Bansi and Naugarh Tehshils of the district are worst hit where fire spread fast due to dry westerly winds. AIR Lucknow correspondent reports that reports of loss due to fire is continuously pouring in from different parts of the state in which more than six persons have lost their lives besides hundreds of houses have been gutted and crops completely damaged. Siddharth Nagar District Magistrate told our correspondent that forty two villages in Bansi and Naugarh Tehshils  are the worst affected. He said that wheat crop  standing on about two thousand five hundred acres in the two tehshils has been destroyed. Our Lucknow correspondent reports that most of the tehsils in Uttar Pradesh do not have fire tenders.
 
"Nowadays there is a sudden surge in the incidents of fire in the state. The small fire in the beginning suddenly engulfs the whole area and wrecks havoc due to dry westerly winds. When the fire broke out in several places at the same time yesterday in Siddharthanagar, district administration became helpless as there are only two fire tenders in the district. 122 out of 312 Tehsils of the state do not have any Fire Stations, which aggravates the problem of the remote areas when the help is most needed. Merajuddin AIR NEWS Lucknow''

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President Pranab Mukherjee today led the nation to pay homage to the Architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 122nd birth anniversary. Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, Senior BJP leader L K Advani, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and several ministers and MPs, also paid floral tributes at the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Parliament House premises. Thousands of people from across the country lined up around Parliament Street to pay tributes to Dr Ambedkar. The function has been organized by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry.

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Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari has arrived in Tajikistan capital, Dushanbe, on a three day official visit. Soon after arrival he was given ceremonial reception at the airport. Mr. Ansari was received at the airport by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Davlatov Matluvbkhon Sultonovich.    Earlier, talking to reporters on board Air India, the Vice President said that both India and Tajikistan  are facing the threat of terrorism emanating from their neighbouring countries. He said the two countries have  a working group on terrorism for exchanging crucial  information. Mr. Ansari said, India and Tajikistan have deep  interest in stability in Afghanistan.   On expanding trade relations with Tajikistan, which is  abysmally low, Mr. Ansari said, access to the land locked country is the main problem. He said remittances fromRussia are the critical element of Tajikistan's economy and India has extended good deal of assistance to it.

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has in a statement vowed to maintain Bangladesh as a non communal, democratic country. Hasina said this in a message amid countrywide celebrations today to mark the Bengali New Year.

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In Assam, the first day of Rongali Bihu known as Goru Bihu, is being celebrated across the state with fervour and enthusiasm. People took livestocks to rivers and ponds for ceremonial bath and also offered vegetables. 

"People from all walks of life throng into Rongali bihu celebration.Bihu troupe visited house to house particularly in rural areas to perform Husori. In Guwahati, cultrural programmes and bihu dance competitions are being organised. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today graced the Pub Narengi Rongali Bihu Utsav and took part in egg breaking competition. Colourful cultural procession and tree plantations were also organised. In several places, unique beauty contest for cows along with open bihu dance were organised .Tomorrow Manuh bihu will be observed to mark the beginning of Assamese New Year. Manas Pratim Sarma AIR NEWS GUWAHATI."
West Bengal celebrates Bengali New Year’s Day today. Large number of people are visiting Dakshineswar and Kalighat Temples since early morning. The Bengali business community opens new books of accounts known as ‘Halkhata’ on this day. Keralites celebrated harvest festival 'Vishu' today with traditional fervour and gaiety, looking ahead to a season of peace and prosperity. People woke up in the wee hours to see "Vishukkani," the ceremonial sighting of auspicious articles like rice, fruits, gold and flowers tastefully arranged in brass vessels, symbolising hope and promise. In Tamil Nadu, people welcomed the New Year 'Vijaya' with the beginning of the Tamil month 'Chithirai.'

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In Tamil Nadu, the 45 day fishing ban comes into effect from midnight in the eastern sea to ensure fish breeding. District collectors of Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram had already issued orders to this effect imposing the ban.

"The Fisheries department had stopped issuing fishing permission token to fishing boats. This means no fishing boat can enter the sea as Indian Navy and coast guard will stop them from proceeding further. As per advise by scientific experts 45 days of fishing ban is imposed so that during the fish breeding season fish gets bred without any hindrance. Only fibre boats and catamarans which do not use turbine fishing nets are given token to venture out into the sea for fishing. During the ban period each fisherman family will be given an assistance of Rs 4000 by the state government. More than 2000 fishing boats are lying idle in the fishing harbours in Ramanathapuram district alone. K Devi Padmanabhan/ AIR News Tiruchirapalli."

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In the Indian Premier League, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 48 runs.  In Kolkata, Hyderabad  made 132 for 7 in reply to  Kolkata's 180 for 4 in their stipulated 20 overs. The match between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab is now  on in Jaipur.  Kings XI Punjab were 88 for 6 when reports last came in.  Earlier, Rajasthan Royals won the toss but opted to field.

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Paceman S Sreesanth has been warned by the BCCI for raking up the 2008 'slapgate' issue through a social networking website. The Rajasthan Royals paceman has been told that if he repeats it again, he will be issued a show cause notice, according to an IPL source. The BCCI has also warned Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir for their angry outburst at each other during an IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore early this week.

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Gunmen have mounted two attacks on targets in the Somali capital, Mogadishukilling at least 20  people. The Islamist group, Al Shabab says its forces carried out the raids.  A report says  the first attack was at the city's main Law courts on one of its busiest days. 

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UCPN (Maoist )  Chairman,  Pushpa Kamal Dahal today left from Kathmandu for a week long visit to China. Speaking to media just before his departure fromKathmandu’s, Tribhuvan International Airport Mr. Dahal said his visit would be focused on Chinese assistance for Nepal’s economic development.

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The News Services Division of All India Radio in its weekly “PUBLIC SPEAK” programme tomorrow will bring you a discussion on "Domestic violence against women."  This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies at 9.30 p.m. The chairperson of National Women's Commission will answer to the listeners' queries. Listeners can ask questions on telephone number: 011-2331-4444. This programme  is also available on Doordarshan DTH.

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In Himachal Pradesh, cold wave conditions gripped higher hills and tribal areas as mercury dipped after fresh snowfall in higher reaches today. Some mid and lower hills were lashed by sharp showers.