Atal Bihari Vajpayee a leader par excellence: Arun Jaitley

Vajpayee is being conferred country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna on Friday by President Pranab Mukherjee.

"This a proud moment for the country and all of us. He a stalwart leader of the country. He is a leader of par excellence who has worked tirelessly in the interest of the nation," Jaitley said here.

"In this country, I think there would be very few people like him who are good orator, political leader, thinker and poet. We pray for his good health and long life," he added.   

Setting aside protocol, the President will visit Vajpayee's Krishna Menon Marg residence here and will confer him the Bharat Ratna later on Friday.

Find Latest News from Latest India News

President applauds successful test-firing of Agni IV

"I extend my heartiest congratulations to all those associated with the successful test-firing of Agni-IV strategic missile," the President said.

"I hope this achievement will inspire our scientists and all armed forces and defence personnel to make even greater efforts to boost India's indigenous defence capabilities in technologically challenging areas," he said in his message to Avinash Chander, scientific advisor to the defence minister and secretary at the department of defence research and development.

The 4,000 km-range Agni IV, an intermediate ballistic missile capable of carrying a one tonne nuclear warhead, was successfully test-fired Tuesday from a launch pad in Wheeler Island, a defence base in Odisha. The DRDO works under the department of defence research and development of the defence ministry.

Source: Latest News and India News

President condoles loss of lives in Telangana accident

In his message to state Governor E S L Narasimhan, the President said he was "extremely saddened to learn about the accident" that led to loss of lives.

"I understand relief operations are underway. I am sure that the State Government and other agencies are taking necessary steps to provide urgent medical assistance to the injured and all possible aid to the bereaved families," President said.

As many as 13 people, including 12 school children, were killed and 15 other students seriously injured when a train rammed into their bus at an unmanned railway crossing in Masayipet village of Telangana's Medak district this morning.

Read more Latest News from India News

Two-phase polls in undivided Andhra Pradesh

As the separate Telangana and residual state of Andhra Pradesh are to come into existence from June 2nd, the Election Commission has also decided to conduct the Assembly elections in the undivided state.

Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath said that the commission will conduct the elections as per the description of the state as of Wednesday.

Elections to 42 Lok Sabha seats and the 294-member assembly will be held in two phases - April 30th and May 7th.

In the first phase, Telangana will go to polls while voting in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra (Seemandhra) will be held on May 7th.

Telangana has 17 Lok Sabha and 119 Assembly constituencies, while Seemandhra has 25 Lok Sabha constituencies spread over 175 Assembly segments.

"Whoever is elected MLA as per the law will automatically become member of the concerned state," Sampath said.

According to the state chief electoral officer, 6.24 crore voters are expected to exercise their right to franchise in the elections compared to 5.78 crore voters in 2009 - an increase of about 46 lakh.

The bill for formation of Telangana as India's 29th state was passed by Parliament on February 20th.

President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the bill on March 1st and on the same day the government issued a notification but did not mention the formation day of the two states.

The union home ministry on Tuesday set on June 2nd as the formation day for the two states.

The centre last week brought Andhra Pradesh under President's rule and kept the assembly under suspended animation following the resignation of Kiran Kumar Reddy as the Chief Minister protesting against the bifurcation.

The term of the state assembly ends on June 2nd.

(Agencies)

Source: Latest News