UP Election 2012 Results 02 05

The trends in the UP assembly election results indicate that Samajwadi Party is all set to form the next Government in Uttar Pradesh. Mayawati's BSP is second and there is a tight fight between Congress and BJP for the third position.

Congress releases manifesto for U.P polls

The Congress party released its election manifesto on Tuesday for Uttar Pradesh promising free electricity to education to ST/SC and backwards castes and also pledged to transform state in the next five years. Releasing the manifesto Union minister Kapil Sibal said that his party will ensure equitable solution to Babri Masjid dispute and added that there will be a minority reservation on the basis of population.

The Congress promises a school in every village, one intermediate college for every 2,500 families, residential schools for the very backward, and 500 model schools. The 20 lakh jobs that its vision statement released last week envisaged. It also promises doctors available at walking distance for all, upgraded district hospitals, a health lokpal (ombudsman) at the state level to ensure implementation of health schemes.

There will be focus on full and timely implementation of the UPA government's policies - that includes the 4.5 per cent sub-quota for backward minorities that the Centre has pushed through. The party also promises to explore the idea of having a sub quota for very backward Dalits. Clean UP is the mantra and the Congress promises action against the corrupt and says it will bring the Chief Minister under the Lokayukta.

Technology man Sam Pitroda was also present alongwith Mr Sibal at the manifesto launch. "We are a nation of a connected billion. We are now making connected universities and are connecting 250,000 panchayats. Technology will play an important part in UP too," said Sam Pitroda.

INA Media

Assembly polls: 65% voting in Punjab, 70% in Uttarakhand

As per the reports 65% of the votes were polled in Punjab and 70% in Uttarakhand in the elections to the assemblies of Punjab and Uttarakhand that were by and large peaceful.

The key elections in Punjab and Uttarakhand, which were being ruled by BJP and its allies will decide the fate of 1866 candidates. Polling began on a dull note due to the morning chill in both the states but picked as the day progressed. Long queues of voters, including large number of women, were seen at the polling stations.

Barring some minor skirmishes in Ludhiana, Bathinda and Amritsar in Punjab, polling in the two states was by and large peaceful, officials said.

While there are 1078 contestant vying for 117 seats in Punjab, the number of candidates for 70 seats in Uttarakhand is 866. Counting to votes will take place on March 6.

INA Media

Mercury mTab Neo launched in India

Once more tablet is going to hit India Market. Kobian, which makes tablets under its Mercury brand, has announced its first 3G tab - Mercury mTab Neo. The earlier Mercury mTab2 has WiFi and external 3G support only. Priced at Rs 15,999, the 7 inch tab comes with 1 GHz dual core processor and Android operating system.

The new Mercury mTab Neo is powered with a 1 GHz dual core processor and Android operating system. It has a 7 inch (16:9) capacitive multi-touch screen with HD resolution. The tablet comes with an in-built 3G module and SIM support that allows voice calling through mobile network as well.

INA Media

Madhavan Nair banned from Government jobs

Former ISRO Chief and one of India's best-known scientists, G Madhavan Nair has been blacklisted for government jobs. The government's decision is based on Mr Nair's alleged role in allotting valuable and scarce S-band spectrum to a private company named Devas. The contract with Devas was signed during Mr Nair's term as ISRO chief, a tenure highlighted by India's maiden moon mission, Chandrayaan-1.

A disturbed Madhavan Nair asked "Am I worse than terrorists?" He also said that the decision is unjustified and added that he will challenge the order in court once he is officially served a notice.

Mr Nair blames the current ISRO Chairman, K Radhakrishnan who replaced him after he retired in October 2009. "He (Radhakrishnan) has misled the Government on the whole issue (the controversial Devas deal). He is the key person who worked behind this; he misled and miscommunicated to the Government and he has taken action", alleged Mr Nair.