Before the euphoria created on ceremonial release of jailed United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) leaders die down, the victims of Ulfa violence has started questioning the government about their rights to justice.

Ahead of the Assembly polls in Assam, the BJP has urged the Election Commission to delete names of illegal migrants from Bangladesh from the voters’ list and prepare a corrected list.

The Congress on Monday refused to give instant reaction on the I-T tribunal findings that kickbacks of `41 crore were paid to late Win Chaddha and Ottavio Quattrocchi in the Bofors gun deal, but main Opposition BJP found this an opportunity to take a swipe at the ruling party.

A CBI court in Ghaziabad on Monday rejected the application of Dr Rajesh Talwar and his wife, Nupur Talwar, the parents of murdered teenager Aarushi Talwar, seeking permission to oppose the CBI’s move to file a closure report in the Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case, saying their plea was “not maintainable” at this stage. The court also questioned the CBI about the “hurry” it had shown in filing the closure report.

Concerned over the logjam between government and the Opposition on the issue of constituting a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into alleged 2-G spectrum allocation scam, the ruling Congress on Monday, while offering the New Year greeting to one and all, appealed to the Opposition to allow reason to prevail on them and give constructive cooperation.

The MCD House on Monday said that the contractor entrusted the toll tax collection task was charging rates which were nearly 20 per cent more than the actual rates. The issue was raised by the Leader of the Opposition in the MCD House, Jai Kishan Sharma, and was also supported by the councillors from the ruling BJP.

Mineral-rich Jharkhand, where several former ministers and a former chief minister are facing judicial trial for allegations of illegally amassing huge properties, the state Assembly on Monday agreed to a proposal that all the ministers and MLAs would declare details of their assets by March 31.

A city court convicted five men on charges of terrorism and waging war against the nation. The convicts include two brothers, who were found to be working with the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The quantum of punishment is likely to be announced on January 6.

Senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh has been entrusted with the task of building ties with other political parties. BJP chief Nitin Gadkari announced this on Monday.
With Assembly polls scheduled in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam in 2011 and the NDA’s impressive performance in the recently held Bihar Assembly polls, the BJP is keen to strengthen the NDA fold.

The city continued to reel under biting cold following which the power demand shot up beyond the 3,500 MW mark. Delhi urban development minister A.K. Walia inspected the night shelters in the city and said that all the shelter-dwellers would be put through medical check up to ensure that they are healthy. He also announced that `2 crores have been earmarked for upgradation of permanent night shelters.