Islamabad, May 12: The former Pakistan prime minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif, on Monday parted ways with the coalition government led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after the failure of the parties’ talks to reinstate the sacked judges of the superior courts. Mr Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) will, however, not sit on the Opposition benches for the time being and will extend support to the government on the basis of issues. “At this time, we are formally announcing quitting the Federal Cabinet. The ministers of my party will tender their resignations to the Prime Minister tomorrow (Tuesday),” Mr Sharif said at a press conference here.

Earlier, the PML-N’s central working committee held a meeting to discuss the “failed talks” on the judges’ issue between Mr Sharif and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari in London. “The PPP failed to keep its promise and that is why we have decided to part ways with the coalition government. You know very well by now that no breakthrough could be achieved on the issue of restoration of deposed judges after holding marathon negotiations with the Pakistan People’s Party,” Mr Nawaz Sharif  said. The PPP and the PML(N) had committed in the Murree Declaration to reinstate the deposed judges to the November 2, 2007 position by passing a resolution in Parliament within 30 days of coming to power.

The judges, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, were sacked by President Pervez Musharraf on November 3, 2007 when he imposed emergency rule in the country. “We left no stone unturned to keep our promise made in the Murree Declaration. I had to go to Dubai and then London to hold negotiations with the PPP on the issue, but to no avail. Our ministers will tender their resignations tomorrow (Tuesday),” said the PML(N) chief.

He said: “Our standpoint is that the steps taken on November 3 were unconstitutional and illegal. Over 60 judges were sacked in a single move by Gen. Pervez Musharraf, replacing them with his own men under a provisional constitutional order. We don’t accept these PCO (provisional constitutional order) judges.” The PML(N) chief was of the view that the country’s problems could not be solved without an independent judiciary. He vowed to continue the struggle for restoration of the judiciary along with the lawyers’ community, civil society and the people.

Hyderabad, May 12: The Election Commission of India has taken serious note of the Agriculture Minister, Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy’s “derogatory comments” and has termed it a gross interference in its affairs. The minister had criticised the EC the other day for its reported decision to suspend rythu chaitanya yatras meant for farmers. An agitated EC has also asked the Chief Secretary, Mr P. Ramakanth Reddy, to submit a fresh report before May 14 on the government’s alleged violation of election code by raising the income limit for white ration cards and sanction of new power connections to the poor.

It further asked the Chief Secretary to attend a meeting at New Delhi on May 16 to discuss the issue. The ruling Congress, however, seems to be in a mood to take on the EC and Mr Raghuveera Reddy has said that he was ready to face any punishment if the EC found his ‘pro-farmer’ comments to be derogatory. Congress sources told this correspondent that the government would take a firm stance and would also use the controversy to put the Opposition on the defensive by accusing it of stalling development initiatives.

The Agriculture Minister said he had the highest regard for the Constitutional authority but had been upset by media reports about EC stalling the “rythu chaitanya yatras” for farmers.  “I made certain observations in the interest of farmers,” he said. “I did not find fault with EC.” The EC, on the other hand, wrote to the minister asking him to explain “under what circumstances you made derogatory comments against EC” which was a statutory body entrusted with the responsibility of conducting elections.

“We (EC) are of the prima facie view that the statement attributed to you (minister) amounted to gross interference in the functioning of the EC,” said the notice. Official sources told this correspondent that the EC was not satisfied with a report submitted by the Chief Secretary on Sunday in which he said the government did not take any new decisions after the election code came into force.  He had said that the decision to enhance seed subsidy to vegetables was taken to increase vegetable production, while supply of oil and pulses was meant to provide food security to the poor.

The EC, however, sought to know why the government did not take its permission to increase the income limit for ration cards and supply oil and red gram at subsidised price. It was also incensed by the dropping of power pilferage cases against poor consumers and sanctioning new connections to them without prior permission.  The EC was of the view that such announcements amounted to luring voters though the benefits would be extended only after elections.

Hyderabad, May 12: The Election Commission is all set to end the practice of candidates and supporters to indulge in low-key vote-catching after the official campaign period ends. It has warned of action against those who undertake clandestine campaign once the allotted period ends 48 hours before poll day. “As per law, whoever found campaigning during the ban period will be imprisoned for up to two years,” said the Chief Electoral Officer, Mr I.V. Subba Rao.

He said action would be taken under section 126 of Representatives of Peoples Act 1951. Political parties usually end their high-decibel public campaign 48 hours before polling. Instead, candidates and their  supporters visit homes of voters for a personalised campaign. “It is also during this time that political parties bribe voters by distributing money or giving gifts,” said a senior official. This time, the EC succeeded in preventing clandestine campaigning in the first phase of elections in Karnataka by recording the movements of candidates and their prime supporters. The EC asked AP officials to replicate the procedure in the bypolls of the state.

“We have asked officials to engage videographers to record the campaign and they will continue to do it during the 48 hour period also,” said Mr Subba Rao. The CEO also appointed a committee to scrutinise the campaign material of different political parties.  The joint CEO, Mr Rajendra Narendra Nimje, is the chairman of the committee whose mandate is to ensure that no party makes derogatory remarks or comments against other parties.

Meanwhile, the CEO received a complaint from a woman who was allegedly denied an opportunity to file her nomination from Khairatabad assembly constituency.  Ms S.K. Shaheeda Begum complained that the staff of the returning officer initially declined to accept her nomination papers stating that her name was not found in the electoral rolls. “Though the officials later admitted their lapse and issued a fresh printout of the electoral roll containing my name, the RO refused to accept the nomination form stating that the deadline was over by 3 pm,” she said. Mr Subba Rao, who subsequently verified the facts, told this correspondent that the candidate did not approach the RO at all.

Hyderabad, May 12: Fire engulfed Planet Cars, a car accessories showroom at SP Road, on Monday afternoon destroying property worth Rs 40 lakh. The shop owner, Mr Jaspal Singh, and four others ran out to escape the flames which spread quickly. Mr Singh alleged that fire fighters reached the spot only 35 minutes after he and his neighbours telephone, though the Secunderabad Fire Station was just 500 metres from the spot. A short circuit is suspected to be the cause of the fire. However, the District Fire Officer, Mr G.V.N. Rao, said that there was no delay.
“We immediately rushed the fire tenders and three of them fought the flames,” he said. The fire subsided after around two hours. Mr Singh said fire broke out when he was having with his cousin, Mr Manmohan Singh.  “We don’t know what caused the fire but we rushed out as it spread quickly,” he said. “The fire tenders came in late.” He added that the entire stock of car accessories was burned down in the fire. “I have no insurance,” said Mr Singh, who has been running the showroom in the ground floor of the rented building owned by one Mr Narayana Rao. Traffic cops removed the cars parked in front of the showroom to prevent them was catching fire.

Mr Sing’s family gathered in front of the building and was distraught at seeing the flames eat away the showroom. The showroom is surrounded by high-rise residential apartments at SP Road and residents rushed out for fear of the fire spreading. The Hyderabad Archbishop’s house and the St Ann’s School are also adjacent to the showroom. “Smoke entered our flat and it was my mother Nirmala who alerted me,” said Ms P. Sunitha a resident of Sita Mahal apartment.

“Fortunately the smoke decreased after an hour.” Andromeda Energy Technologies Pvt Ltd is  situated just behind the building in which Planet car is situated. “After we saw the smoke we removed all the computer instruments and all the men came out through the windows,” said Mr K. Narasimha Rao, manager of the company.  The Traffic Inspector of Police, Mr D. Upender Reddy, urged people to move away.

“There were LPG cylinders in the first floor, which is a prayer house cum office of a church group,” he said. “We were afraid they would explode if fire spread.” The fire mishap in the building situated at the foot of the Secunderabad flyover resulted in traffic congestion on SP Road and SD Road. Traffic cops led by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Sampath Kumar Reddy, diverted the traffic at Marredpally junction.  Sources said there were no fire extinguishers in the building and most of the fire services act rules were violated. Gopalapuram police booked a case of fire mishap and is investigating the cause of the fire.

Hyderabad, May 12: The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, has offered a free trip around the country to Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu and other Opposition leaders to compare the development of Andhra Pradesh with that of other states. If the Opposition was unable to make the trip, he was willing to appoint a reputed agency such as Crisil to undertake the comparative study.

“I swear that I have no personal agenda,” said the Chief Minister on the eve of the completion of fourth year in office. “I believe in people and they are my gods. I want to see a smile on the faces of eight crore Telugus.” Dr Reddy added that he wanted the support of all political leaders and parties in achieving the goal of development and urged them not to make baseless allegations.

“I am prepared for any discussion or study on the development undertaken during the last four years,” said Dr Reddy. “If there are any loopholes and shortcomings, they can point out and we will take corrective steps.” He further urged the opposition not to make any statement or indulge in any activity that would affect the irrigation projects. “We have promised to the people of the State that we will provide irrigation waters to every acre of land and ensure drinking water to every village,” he said. “We have taken up Jalayagnam and will complete irrigation projects in three to four years. I do not mind the Opposition taking credit. But they should not create hurdles.”

The Chief Minister also appealed to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, to change his attitude and stop the slanderous campaign against the Congress government. “If there is corruption, let them pinpoint it,” he said.

Hyderabad, May 12: The city-based Defence Electronics Research Laboratory is developing a hi-tech decoy system which will be able to ‘seduce’ missiles away from their legitimate targets. The decoy, meant for the Indian Navy, will be equipped with the most modern electronic warfare system. DLRL is planning to collaborate with international firms to develop the technology.

“It will emit strong signals to seduce an in-coming missile and detract it from the targeted path,” said the DLRL director, Mr R. Sreehari Rao. “The missile will hit the decoy and the target will be protected.” The decoy can also be towed to enable an aircraft to draw the missile’s attention to a false target. It is programmed to present a more attractive target to the missile.

“It will protect aircraft, ships and other installations against radar guided missiles,” said Mr Sreehari Rao. Being self-propelled, the decoys can fly freely too and can entice away a missile more easily than a towed decoy. Mr Sreehari Rao said the DLRL has plans to develop high altitude EWS that would have a larger range.

The Samyukta EWS would be ready by November this year, he said. “In a battle field, electromagnetic spectrum is extensively used for various purposes,” he said. “It is traditionally believed that winning the war means control over land, air and sea based assets. The fourth dimension is the EM spectrum and no war can be won without effectively controlling it.” Mr Sreehari Rao said the DLRL had developed integrated electronic warfare systems for the Indian Army for tactical battlefield operations as well as low conflict scenarios.