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Political Notes |
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President Kalam not averse to a second term
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has indirectly hinted that he was not averse to a second term, should the opportunity arise. Speaking to media-persons aboard the special plane carrying him to Germany, he said, “Do not ask me now about this. Ask me later; my focus is on my visit.” He said, “I will continue to serve the nation in whatever capacity possible.”
President Kalam’s term expires on July 24. His remarks come at a time when a survey by a TV news channel indicated that a majority of MPs and MLAs in different states want him to remain in the Rashtrapati Bhavan for a second term. The survey conducted jointly by NDTV and GFK-Mode revealed that 59 per cent of the 500 MPs and MLAs interviewed were in favour of a second term for Kalam. About 35 per cent wanted a new President.
Commission set up on Centre-State ties
The Union Government has set up a new commission to redefine Centre-State ties. Its terms of reference include examination of the possibility of giving sweeping powers to the Union Government including suo motu deployment of central forces in states and investigation of crimes affecting national security.
The Commission to be chaired by former Chief Justice of India, M.M. Punchhi, will also examine what could be the Centre’s role, responsibility and jurisdiction vis-a-vis states during major and prolonged outbreaks of communal violence, caste violence or any other social conflict.
The panel has been set up two decades after the Sarkaria Commission went into Centre-State relations. Dhirendra Singh and V.K. Duggal, both former Union Home Secretaries and N.R. Madhav Menon, former Director of the National Judicial Academy are members. The Commission has been asked to submit its recommendations in two years.
The CPI(M) has criticised the Government decision and asked for a review. It said the states were not consulted in the process and the terms and reference of the commission do not conform to what was promised in the National Common Minimum programme. The CPI(M) politburo in a statement said that some of the terms of reference intrude on the jurisdiction of the states.
Goa Assembly elections : Congress-NCP agree on tie up
The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have decided to contest the Goa Assembly elections together. Polling for the 40-member Goa Assembly will be held on June 2. Reports say that the NCP has scaled down its original demand of 16 seats and agreed to contest six to seven seats. The agreement between the two parties was finalised at a meeting in New Delhi between AICC general secretary Margaret Alva and NCP leader Praful Patel on April 25.
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