Deshmukh Resigns, Owns Moral Responsibility

Amid heavy politicking in the aftermath of 26/11 -- the worst terror attack on Indian soil ever -- Vilasrao Deshmukh resigned as chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday, saying he respected the public anguish over the Mumbai terror attacks and owning moral responsibility.

His resignation came over a week after the attacks, as Mumbai continued to witness wide-spread citizen protests over what the local and international media dubbed as India’s own 9/11.

"I have accepted moral responsibility for Mumbai terror attacks. In a democracy one has to honour people's anguish and anger," said Deshmukh, who completed four years of his second term in office last month.

The 63-year-old Deshmukh drove to Raj Bhawan and submitted his resignation to Governor SC Jamir, soon after addressing a press conference.

"I have served for so long in the government... It is now my duty to serve the party", Deshmukh said when asked if he would contest the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for 2009.

"The party has to decide whether I should contest Lok Sabha or other election", Deshmukh said.

Deshmukh is the third senior leader after union minister for home Shivraj Patil and Maharshtra deputy chief minister RR Patil, to resign in what the main opposition BJP view as an attempt to resurrect its failing credibility.

Sticking to an oft-repeated party line of rhetoric Deshmukh refused to name a successor while adding: "The legislature party will decide and Sonia Gandhi will take the final decision", he said.

Asked about any regret during his tenure, Deshmukh pointed to the Mumbai terror attacks, adding "we could not save so many lives lost in the war against India".

Speculations over Congress’ choice for the post of Maharashtra chief minister were rife on Thursday as media reports said central ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Prithviraj Chavan, earlier the odds on favourites are now reportedly out of the reckoning.

The Congress’ search is now said to be zeroing in on former chief minister SB Chavan’s son Ashok Chavan.

Though the names of Maharashtra stalwarts Balasaheb Vikhe Patil and Narayan Rane are also doing the rounds but, those armed with inside information are laying their bets on Chavan.

Narayan Rane, a former Shiv Sena man with tremendous support in the Konkan region and links to an emergent political force in Maharashtra, may well turn out to be the dark horse in the contest, when party bosses Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister AK Antony, both responsible for India’s response to terror, take time-off to ‘consult’ with party MLAs in Maharastra

Total Security Impossible: US Attorney General

Exactly a week after terror attacks singed India’s commercial capital, Mumbai, US Attorney General Michael Mukasey said FBI agents are working with Indian police to provide assistance and gather evidence on the audacious attack, but refused to comment on similar operations in Pakistan.

Pleading ignorance of the nature of the demands from New Delhi, he said "the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) is looking into any evidence it can get," Mukasey was quoted as saying, by IANS, during a meeting with reporters at the Justice Department office.

Asked if the US agency was also working with the Pakistani government on the Mumbai attacks, he said: "I can't comment on that."

Mukasey further refused comment on whether Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terrorist group that is prime suspect, was planning attacks on Indian allies or outside of India.

Asked if the US had any intelligence or any further indications on the attack that killed over 180 and injured nearly 300, Mukasey said: "I can't comment on that."

Mukasey underlined the need to get the best intelligence possible about where attacks might occur and to heighten security appropriately. "It's obviously a horrible incident, a horrific incident, nothing we ever want to see happen here."

"And to the extent it's an object lesson, it's an object lesson in maintaining vigilance and in the need for surveillance, electronic surveillance and other kinds of surveillance and the need for protection," he admitted.

Declining to comment on the performance of Indian authorities, Mukasey said: "As far as the performance of the Indian authorities, I'm not in a position to comment on that."

"I'm confident that the people who respond to events like this in the United States are well trained, well disciplined and well able to respond fully," he said.

But "It's impossible to fully protect every target. Total security is an impossibility," he added.

Mukasey said he believes the US has jurisdiction in cases of violence against Americans in connection with acts of terrorism. Six Americans were killed in the attacks at two luxury hotels and other landmarks.

Mukasey said he did not yet have enough details to say whether any charges eventually would be brought in the US.

"I don't yet have that level of detail and I don't think I could share it if I had it. I know, I mean, I can confirm finally that the FBI is over there, that they're working with the Indian police on gathering evidence."

Terrorists Planning Air Attacks: Air Chief

Amid spiraling fear psychosis, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major on Thursday said, terrorists were planning a 9/11-type aerial attack on targets in India, attributing the input to warnings, he added, the country was fully equipped to tacle the eventuality.

"This is based on a warning, and we are prepared to tackle any such possibilities as usual," Major informed the media in New Delhi.

He said the issue was also discussed during the meeting of the three service chiefs with Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday.

Following the warning a high alert was sounded at all major airports in the country, including Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai. The alert comes in wake of intelligence inputs that terrorists of Pakistani or Afghanistan origin may strike installations over the weekend.

Deployment at airports remains tough on Thursday after Defence Minister AK Antony warned the armed forces about the possibility of terror attacks from airborne platforms, said a report on the ET website.

Antony has called for greater coordination among security and intelligence agencies to make the intelligence inputs actionable, it added.

The Defense Minister has demanded a tight vigil along India's coastal, land and aerial frontiers to foil any terror attack.

(ET-Agency Inputs)

Zardari Promises “Strong Action”

In wake of growing international pressure and imminent diplomatic reaction from India, president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said, his government will take ``strong action'' against elements in his country found to be involved in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

President Asif Ali Zardari's office said he made the pledge during talks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Islamabad.

A presidential statement said Zardari also repeated a promise to help investigate the attacks and said Pakistan was determined to ensure its territory is not used for any act of terrorism.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed that the Pakistan government must mount a “robust response” to the terror attack in Mumbai.

The Indian government has blamed the attack on terrorists operating from neighboring Pakistan.

Pakistan has committed to help is whatever way possible, said Rice while addressing the media in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.

After expressing US condolences for the more than 170 deaths in New Delhi, Rice flew to Islamabad, seeking broader sharing of intelligence and a commitment by Pakistan to root out terror groups that continue to operate from regional havens in the country.

On the flight from New Delhi, Rice told reporters Pakistan has to determine how it is going to respond to last week's attacks in the Mumbai.

Zardari, who has vowed full cooperation with India, told Rice later in Islamabad that the attacks were a chance to strengthen efforts against terrorism.

Rice said Pakistan bore a ``special responsibility'' to help get to the bottom of the attacks.

While Zardari has made a series of peace overtures to India, he, however, indicated on Wednesday he would not hand over the 20 suspects India sought but, added that they would be tried in Pakistan if there was evidence against them.

The list includes Mumbai mafia boss Dawood Ibrahim, who reportedly fled to the UAE and then to Pakistan to evade arrest in the 1993 serial bombings India’s commercial capital Mumbai.

Court Awards Compensation to Kandahar Hostages

Nine years and scores of terror strikes later, a consumer court in the national capital delivered justice to 174 passengers on board the ill-fated Indian Airlines flight IC-814, which was hijacked to Kandahar on Dec 24 1993, by ordering the passenger airliner to award a 10 million compensation.

The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission headed by Justice JD Kapoor awarded a Rs 10 million compensation for the agony and trauma suffered by those who survived and Rs 500,000 to the legal heirs of the passenger who was killed by the terrorists.

The hijack-hostage drama culminated in the release of several prisoners demanded by the hijackers before the passengers were let-go on December 31.

One of the passengers, Rupin Katyal, was killed by the hijackers during the captivity.

Justice Kapoor said every passenger on board the ill-fated aircraft was entitled to compensation in terms of Section 14(1)(h)(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, as they all had suffered the same degree of injury and agony.

The court passed this order on an appeal filed by Ashok Gupta and his wife who were among the passengers.

The aircraft was hijacked while it was near Lucknow and was taken to Amritsar where it was allowed to refuel and then it landed at Kandahar where Gupta and his wife along with other passengers and crew remained captive for nearly eight days.

Delivering the judgment Justice Kapoor noted that, 'greater sufferings result from psychological causes than bodily harm and such sufferings endanger life, limb and health including mind, brain, heart and other organs.

Indian Airlines had earlier denied compensation citing rule 17 of the Carriage By Air Act, of 1972 which limits the carrier’s liability to damges in case of physical o bodily harm or death.

'To say that they did not suffer injury much less any bodily or personal injury is highly far fetched and preposterous, as mind, brain, heart and all other parts of human body get affected by shock, physical torture, mental suffering and psychological trauma.

"There cannot be a worst case of suffering including mental, physical, bodily and personal injuries than this, noted the Justice.

Justice Kapoor also directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to issue instructions to all airlines to undertake security check of all the passengers at the time of embarking the aircraft even after the multi-layer security check.

Battle Royale: 60 pc Voting in Rajasthan

A moderate 60 percent polling was recorded in Rajasthan on Thursday. Voters across the state queued up to elect a 200 member state assembly, political pundits predict a photo-finish between the ruling BJP and the main opposition Congress in the polls that were marked by several incidents of violence.

Long queues were reported from most of the 42,212 poll stations across the desert state where the Congress is hoping to vote out the five-year BJP government in the state headed by chief minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia.

"The polling more or less went off peacefully. We are compiling the final figures but initial estimates indicate that the turnout may be over 60 percent," a state election department official informed media men in Jaipur.

Rajasthan Governor S K Singh had to embarrassingly wait for over 25 minutes as a snag hit electronic voting machine at his polling centre in Jaipur had to be replaced.

The polls sealed the fate of 2,193 candidates, including 154 women.

Several bigwigs including former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, state Congress president CP Joshi, Gujjar community leader Prahlad Gunjal and Meena leader Kirori Lal Meena.

The Congress is contesting on all 200 seats, the BJP in 193 while a confident Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded candidates in all but one constituency.

The BJP is expecting another five-year term in office on the strength of what it says are development projects it carried out.

In its present constitution the assembly has 121 legislators fro the ruling BJP while the Congress is represented by 53 lawmakers.

With dissentions and factionalism plaguing both the major parties, the elections are said to be heading for a nail-biting finish.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's BSP is desperately trying to make a dent.

The party won only two seats in 2003. But it increased its vote percentage from 2.17 percent in 1998, when it fought for the first time in the state, to 3.98 percent in 2003.

Violence erupted in Mahua, Nathdwara. Deeg-Kumher and Toda Bhim. "There were incidents of stone pelting and clashes between supporters of parties in some other areas," a police officer said.

At some places the electronic voting machines had to be replaced after they broke down while snatching of EVMs was also reported from a couple of constituencies.

Under Pressure: PM Promises Intervention in Lanka

As guns continue to rattle in neighbouring Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister reportedly gave-in to demands from political parties in Tamil Nadu on Thursday and decided to assign Minister for External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee to Colombo to press for a ceasefire between government troops forces and LTTE.

"I requested the Prime Minister to send Mukherjee to issue a strong warning to the Sri Lankan Government to announce a ceasefire immediately and to hold peaceful negotiations with them," Karunanidhi told reporters here after meeting Singh along with a multi-party delegation from the state.

"The Prime Minister agreed to send the Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka and told me that he will travel to the island nation as soon as possible," he said. Mukherjee was also present at the meeting.

Asked whether he thought Mukherjee's visit would solve the issue, he said, “I believe that there will be some solution to the issue. We all live in belief.”

Karunanidhi said a decision on who will accompany Mukherjee during his visit to Sri Lanka would be worked out in consultation with him.

Hyundai Unveils Santro Bargains

Attempting to boost sales in the midst of an economically slack season, auto major Hyundai Motor India on Thursday slashed prices and offered benefits like free insurance and exchange bonus. The celebrated Santro-a high-tech low cost vehicle- will now be cheaper by Rs. 33000 at 299,000.

The price of Accent were also slashed by Rs 7,200 to Rs 499,903, while Verna was devalued by Rs.24,000, the company said.

Hyundai is also offering free insurance, exchange bonuses and free car accessories worth up to Rs.15,000 to attract reluctant customers.

Coming days before the Central government is expected to slash fuel prices in the country, the price cut may well turn out to be a money-spinner for the company.

"The schemes announced should provide an impetus for our sales and offset part of the ownership cost, which has gone up considerably in the past few months," Hyundai India senior vice-president (marketing and sales) Arvind Saxena said.

Car Sales figures have been plummeting since January 2008, leaving the auto industry reeling under burgeoning worries and losses.

Congress Brainstorms in UP

Attempting a turn-around of dwindling electoral fortunes in Uttar Pradesh, top Congress leaders under AICC general secretary and former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Digvijay Singh, commenced a three-day brainstorming session in Lucknow on Thursday.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls scheduled for 2009, the brainstorming session attempts to hike vote-shares and arrest an imminent Bahujan Samaj Party onslaught, launched by third front prime ministerial hopeful Mayawati.

Digvijay Singh and the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Rita Bahuguna Joshi are reportedly scrutinising reports submitted by party observers appointed in all 80 parliamentary constituencies in the state.

The Congress is expected to use the reports as inputs, when it chalks out strategy for the forthcoming parliamentary battle.

Both the Congress and its ally Samajwadi Party face a tough challenge from the BSP under Mayawati and traditional rivals BJP, in the once-Congress ruled state, which is beyond-doubt the most important electoral battleground in the country.

After the huge success in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, estranged Congress ally Mayawati, with support from the Left parties, is counting on UP to catapult her to power in New Delhi next year.

Pundits suggest Mayawati will aim at securing at least 50 parliamentary seats in the state. A ploy, which may spell trouble for both the Congress and allies SP.

With the main opposition BJP upping the ante on terrorism, minority appeasement and inflation and Mayawati riding a crest with principled social engineering and the promise of clean governance, the worries for the Congress are beginning to burgeon.

15 Hurt as AP Train Derails

At least 15 passengers were injured when 14 bogies of the Ernakulam-Patna Express derailed, in the early hours of Thursday, near Lakkavarm between Sompeta and Baruva stations of Khurda Road Division of East Coast Railway in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, an official said.

Railway officials said the injured, majority of whom belong to Bihar and Orissa, were shifted to a hospital in Sompeta.

A special train was later arranged for the stranded passengers that left for Patna on Thursday.

The accident disarrayed rail traffic on the Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar route and several trains were either cancelled or diverted.

Railway officials said an enquiry has been ordered into the cause of the mishap, as railway personnel launched work to restore the damaged track.