Karunanidhi hits back at Jayalalitha

Karunanidhi hits back at Jayalalitha

CHENNAI, Feb 23: Hitting back at AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa for slamming the DMK on its decision to boycott the Supreme Court appointed committee on Mullaperiyar dam issue, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday said opposition parties were only “countering” whatever the ruling party did.

In a write-up in party mouthpiece Murasoli, Mr. Karunanidhi, without naming her, said “they had prepared a statement slamming the DMK in anticipation that it will ask the government to appoint its representative in the committee.”

“But they later changed everything and prepared a statement afresh after DMK resolved against nominating Tamil Nadu’s representative to the committee,” he said, adding opposition parties were doing such things “only to counter” whatever the ruling DMK did.

Reacting to the DMK General Council’s decision, Ms. Jayalalithaa had criticised Mr. Karunanidhi, saying the state’s absence in the committee may favour Kerala and demanded nominating a member to the Supreme Court constituted committee.

On the Parliament budget session, Mr. Karunanidhi welcomed appeals by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Speaker Meira Kumar for smooth conduct of the House. He said the opposition parties’ decision to stall proceedings will do no good to democracy, and those watching (the acrimonious scenes) on TV “may lose confidence in democracy”. (PTI)

Man attempts self-immolation near Parliament

Man attempts self-immolation near Parliament

New Delhi, Feb 23: An unemployed man tried to set himself on fire on Tuesday near Parliament House here, police said. He was demanding the renaming of Mumbai’s Dadar railway station after B.R. Ambedkar.

Vijay Rustum from Maharashtra attempted self-immolation around 1 p.m. at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, a police officer said.

“He poured kerosene over his left hand and lit his hand. He was saved by security personnel and bystanders,” the officer added.

He was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital and was discharged after being administered first aid.

Rustum told police that he attempted suicide to get attention for his demand. (IANS)

Budget session: Speaker hopes for smooth functioning

STAFF WRITER 11:44 HRS IST
New Delhi, Feb 22 (PTI) Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar today expressed hope that the House proceedings will run smoothly during the Budget Session which began today.

"The Opposition has assured me that the proceedings will not be disrupted. I hope that the proceedings will go on smoothly," she told reporters outside Parliament.

To a question on oppositions plans to rake up several burning issues, she said the House is meant for debates as per the procedures.

Sensex up 227 pts in early trade on Asian cues

STAFF WRITER 9:45 HRS IST
Mumbai, Feb 22 (PTI) The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex flared up by a whopping 230 points or 1.42 per cent in early trade today, driven by rallies on the Asian bourses.The 30-share index, which had lost over 237 points in the past two sessions, recovered by 229.75 points or 1.42 per cent to 16,421.38 points with metals, IT and stocks leading the rally.The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty regained the 4,900-points level by rising 66.60 points, or 1.37 per cent at 4,911.50 points.Stock brokers said trading sentiments were mainly helped by a strong rally on other Asian bourses after the world markets shrugged off the US discount rate hike.The BSE metal sector index rose the most with a gain of 2.15 per cent at Rs 16,145.45 with stocks of Hindalco rising 2.70 per cent to Rs 153.80, Hindustan Zinc rose by 3.