Daily Feedback from , Dt.-October27, 2009

International News

INDIA – PAKISTAN - Pakistan accuses of funding Taliban -

In a claim that would evoke ridicule not just in India but also in the western capitals Paksitan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik said he was “convinced” that India was among the “hostile agencies” that were backing the Taliban to create instability in Pakistan. India however, rejected the allegation, as Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor categorically stated that, ‘India is not in the business of destabilizing its neighbors ( Economic Times / Times Now TV )

Nothing off table with China :India India’s external affairs minister SM Krishna served up an ace a day before he plays host at the ninth trilateral Russia India – China summit in this technology capital by restating India’s position on the status of Tibet as an integral part of China, effectively taking the sting out of the Chinese,while also saying that” nothing is off the table” when he meets his Chines counter part Yang Jiechi for a one-on –one.( Asian Age)

PM / PMO

BJP objects to PM’s stand on Raja. The party says the PM should not have intervened by making a public comment when the CBI under him is probing the case. PM may have political compulsions for not axing Raja, but the largest scam in independent India can not be ignored (Free Press Journal, Mumbai / DNA, Mumbai)

PM for greater coordination with neighbors to save Himalayas – Concerned over steady degradation of the Himalayan ecosystem, PM Manmohan Singh today pitched for "much greater engagement and coordination" among nations, including China and Pakistan, that share the sensitive mountain range. "Any comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan for the entire Himalayan zone will, of course, require coordinated action among all stakeholder countries," he said chairing a meeting of PM's Council on Climate Change on the National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem (DNA, Mumbai)

Finance RBI warns of inflation amid growth – The Reserve Bank of India said in a quarterly report on the Indian Economy that the smart rebound in industrial production is driving a modest recovery in output even as it warned that inflationary pressures have started to emerge .(Mint, FPJ)

Micro lending in India continues macro growth – Despite last years global financial meltdown, the micro finance industry has continued to boom in India because of an influx of private equity and bank funding, Micro lenders recorded a 60% increase in clients in India , to 22.6 million in the year ended March31,09 from 14.1 million the previous year, according to a report from Access Development Service, New Delhi Report( Mint)

MAHARASHTRA – POLITICAL

Behave, CM tells Raj Thackerey. talks tough, warns MNS against violence on the streets of Mumbai. Admonishes to show the aggressiveness on the floor of the assembly

Chacha –Bhateeja drama in Maharashtra. to be made Deputy CM, as ’s nephew loses the race for NCP leadership in the state. Party’s internal meeting witnesses strong exchanges of words (Loksatta, / Lokmat, Marathi/TOI )

Pawer Sr snubs Je; Bhujbal is Dy. CM Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Party (NCP) gave the thumbs down to the elevation of his nephew Ajit Pawar as deputy Chief Minister , overruling a majority of voices in the 62 – member NCP legislature party that met on Monday( DNA)

NCP demands equal treatment in the coalition on the basis of 1999 formula. Reacting to Ashok Chavan’s statement that Congress will have a greater weight in the new government, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has warned that if the Congress tries to alter the power equation, his party may consider of extending only outside support ( Loksatta, Marathi)

NCP claims support of 14 Independents. Their letters of support have given a new ammunition for Sharad Pawar’s ‘power game’ in the state ( Navbharat, Hindi )

Shivsena refuses to accept defeat. Uddhav Thackerey backs Saamna editorial which criticized Marathi manoos for letting the party down. Says it is in fact, not the defeat of Shivsena but the defeat of the people of Maharashtra (Loksatta, / Lokmat, Marathi)

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