Sharat Pradhan

Stories by Sharat Pradhan

RSS chief denies role in Gadkari's elevation

RSS chief denies role in Gadkari's elevation

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2010

Addressing a large gathering of RSS at the organisation's local headquarters in Lucknow on Sunday, Bhagwat said, "RSS never indulges in political activity, so where was the question of my playing a role in the appointment of BJP chief."

Was Mulayam's son behind Amar's exit?

Was Mulayam's son behind Amar's exit?

Rediff.com   6 Jan 2010

Notwithstanding former Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh's claims that his "illness" had forced to step down, party sources said it was a deliberate sideline by SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Akhilesh Yadav that prompted Singh to withdraw in anger.

It is a conspiracy: Tiwari on sex scam allegations

It is a conspiracy: Tiwari on sex scam allegations

Rediff.com   29 Dec 2009

In spite of his inglorious exit from the Andhra Pradesh Raj Bhavan, in the wake of a sex scandal, veteran Congressman and former governor Narain Datt Tiwari appeared to be in a combative mood.Tiwari, 86, who was allegedly filmed in a 'compromising position' with three women, returned to Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.Hundreds of Tiwari's supporters gathered at the Lucknow airport to welcome him with flowers and garlands.

Reliance Power plant in Rosa starts generation

Reliance Power plant in Rosa starts generation

Rediff.com   28 Dec 2009

It was clearly the beginning of a new era for the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group to start generation at what was not only their first, but also North India's first private sector thermal power plant in Rosa village on the outskirts of Shahjahanpur town in Uttar Pradesh.

Dalai Lama's queries leave doctors baffled

Dalai Lama's queries leave doctors baffled

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2009

Hundreds of medical experts were at their wit's end when Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama asked them point blank, "Do you give your patients true happiness?"

Mayawati sacks top party leader for loose talk

Mayawati sacks top party leader for loose talk

Rediff.com   14 Dec 2009

Siddiqui's exit came within hours of the publication of his interview in the English daily Indian Express -- bearing the headline 'Mayawati comes, speaks, goes, there's no discussion' -- where he had sought to brand Mayawati as a despot.

Mayawati backs demand for Harit Pradesh

Mayawati backs demand for Harit Pradesh

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2009

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday jumped on the bandwagon demanding the creation of smaller states, declaring that carving Harit Pradesh and Bundelkhand from parts of UP was a 'feasible' idea.In the wake of the Centre's decision to create Telangana by dividing Andhra Pradesh, the UP CM said that her party will back the demand for the creation of smaller states."We back the demand for Harit Pradesh. Smaller states can be better administered," she said.

'Rahul Gandhi violated all security norms'

'Rahul Gandhi violated all security norms'

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2009

Contradicting Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's claim that he always believed in strictly adhering to all security norms and rules, the district magistrate of Sitapur has pointedly accused him of violating all security procedures.

'There are many more capable people for PM's post'

'There are many more capable people for PM's post'

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2009

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi sought to make it loud and clear in Lucknow on Tuesday that the country's prime ministership was not his cup of tea, and that he was totally focused on rejuvenation of the Youth Congress and the National Students Union of India across the country.

Mayawati relents; Rahul's press meet allowed

Mayawati relents; Rahul's press meet allowed

Rediff.com   7 Dec 2009

Relenting on account of mounting criticism, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati finally gave her nod to a press conference by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi in Lucknow on Tuesday.

Ayodhya calm on Babri demolition anniversary

Ayodhya calm on Babri demolition anniversary

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2009

The 17th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid largely remained a non-event in Ayodhya, in spite of the various programmes organised by political parties to mark the occasion. While the Vishwa Hindu Parishad observed it as 'Shaurya Diwas' (Valour Day) and the Babri Masjid Action Committee and the Samajwadi Party observed it as 'Black Day', the events held by them witnessed negligible participation by the locals.

NSG to guard Ayodhya shrine on December 6

NSG to guard Ayodhya shrine on December 6

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2009

While beefing up security in all communally sensitive towns, the Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday sounded a 'red alert' across the state in the wake of the 17th anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya.

Coming soon: A Hindutva party by Kalyan Singh

Coming soon: A Hindutva party by Kalyan Singh

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2009

Shown the door by Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and having been cold-shouldered by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a rudderless Kalyan Singh is now toying with the idea of launching a political party.

U'khand clamps heavy restrictions on Gomukh treks

U'khand clamps heavy restrictions on Gomukh treks

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2009

The popular treks to Gomukh -- the source of the Ganga, India's 'holiest of holy' rivers -- will not be as simple as it has been over the centuries.

Cong-BJP plot behind Liberhan leak: Mayawati

Cong-BJP plot behind Liberhan leak: Mayawati

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati sees a Congress-Bhartiya Janata Party conspiracy behind what she termed as a "systematic leakage" of the Liberhan Commission report.

Eyewitness: How the Babri Masjid was felled

Eyewitness: How the Babri Masjid was felled

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2009

In the wake of the Liberhan commision's report being tabled in Parliament, Sharat Pradhan recounts the day the Babri Masjid was felled.

I will expose Justice Liberhan, says Vinay Katiyar

I will expose Justice Liberhan, says Vinay Katiyar

Rediff.com   23 Nov 2009

Bhartiya Janata Party leader Vinay Katiyar has "threatened to expose Justice Liberhan's intent" behind party leaders Atal Behari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani for their alleged involvement in the Babri Masjid demolition. "Just wait for a while and see what I reveal about Justice Liberhan as soon as his report is tabled in the parliament", Katlyar told rediff.com on Monday.

Abu Azmi: The new Muslim face of the SP

Abu Azmi: The new Muslim face of the SP

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2009

The booing and beating Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Legislators in Mumbai has brought rich dividends for Samajwadi Party's Maharashtra chief Abu Azmi , who has been turned into the party's hero.

Abu Azmi hails Sachin for 'Indian first' remark

Abu Azmi hails Sachin for 'Indian first' remark

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2009

Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi, who shot into limelight for defying Maharastra Navnirman Sena supremo Raj Thakeray's diktat on taking oath in state assembly only in Marathi, was all praises for master blaster Sachin Tendulkar for declaring that he was an Indian first and then a Marathi.

Dumped by Mulayam, Kalyan sends feelers to BJP

Dumped by Mulayam, Kalyan sends feelers to BJP

Rediff.com   15 Nov 2009

Snubbed by Mulayam Singh Yadav, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh called the Samajwadi Party chief a "traitor" and indicated he was willing to return to the Bharatiya Janata Party, while his son Rajbir Singh resigned from the SP.