<p>All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Monday informed that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition is stable.</p>

<p>"Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition is stable and a team of doctors under the supervision of Dr Randeep Guleria, Director AIIMS are conducting tests," AIIMS.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS for a routine-check-up, according to doctors.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to meet former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is currently admitted there for a routine-check-up. <a href="https://t.co/fiIECqbxJy">pic.twitter.com/fiIECqbxJy</a></p>
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<p>The Director of AIIMS while confirming the same, said in a statement, "Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been admitted to All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for routine check-up and investigations. He will be under the supervision of Dr&nbsp;Randeep Guleria."</p>

<p>The 93-year-old stalwart was the first ever person from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to have become the nation's prime minister.</p>

<p>Vajpayee served for two terms twice - briefly in 1996 and between1998 to 2004. Currently, he is the oldest living Prime Minister of India.</p>

<p>Vajpayee is also a well-renowned poet. His birthday, which falls on December 25, is celebrated as 'Good Governance Day' by the BJP.</p>

<p>In 2015, Vajpayee was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.</p>


Earlier in the day, Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS for a routine-check-up, according to doctors

All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Monday informed that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition is stable. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition is stable and a team of doctors under the supervision of Dr Randeep Guleria, Director AIIMS are conducting tests," AIIMS. Earlier in the day, Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS for a routine-check-up, according to doctors. Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to meet former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is currently admitted there for a routine-check-up. pic.twitter.com/fiIECqbxJy — ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2018 × The Director of AIIMS while confirming the same, said in a statement, "Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been admitted to All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for routine check-up and investigations. He will be under the supervision of Dr Randeep Guleria." The 93-year-old stalwart was the first ever person from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to have become the nation's prime minister. Vajpayee served for two terms twice - briefly in 1996 and between1998 to 2004. Currently, he is the oldest living Prime Minister of India. Vajpayee is also a well-renowned poet. His birthday, which falls on December 25, is celebrated as 'Good Governance Day' by the BJP. In 2015, Vajpayee was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.

Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's health is stable: AIIMS

<p>The turn of events that compelled the BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa to resign as Karnataka chief minister was a flashback to 1996 when a similar fate had forced then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to resign his post.</p>

<p>Vajpayee had assumed office as the 10th prime minister of India in May 1996. He was invited by the president to form the government after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP had won 161 seats out of 545. Along with its allies, the party had gained authority over 194 seats. The majority mark required to form the government was 272.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Vajpayee held the position of prime minister for 13 days. However, he failed to&nbsp;garner enough support and was eventually forced to step down. After Vajpayee's resignation on May 27, 1996, his government was replaced by an alliance between the Congress and the HD Deve Gowda-led United Front. The Congress, which was the second largest party with 140 seats, gave the United Front outside support.</p>

<p>On Saturday, the Karnataka legislative assembly witnessed the resignation of the two-day-old BJP government led by BS Yeddyurappa. Despite scoring the highest number of seats (104)&nbsp;in the elections, the BJP failed to form a government in the state. The Congress, which emerged the second-largest party with 78 seats, extended its support to the JD(S), which is the third-largest party with&nbsp;37 seats.</p>

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<p>Gowda became&nbsp;the country's 11th prime minister, replacing Vajpayee's 13-day BJP government.</p>

<p>Similar to 1996, the BJP government in Karnataka led by BS Yeddyurappa will be replaced by a JD(S)-Congress alliance lead by HD Deve Gowda's son HD Kumaraswamy.</p>

<p>The only difference is that the Congress this time is part of the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ceremeony will be held on May 23 in Bengaluru.&nbsp;</p>


Vajpayee's 13-day government was replaced in 1996 by the HD Deve Gowda-led United Front. The Congress gave Gowda outside support

The turn of events that compelled the BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa to resign as Karnataka chief minister was a flashback to 1996 when a similar fate had forced then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to resign his post. Vajpayee had assumed office as the 10th prime minister of India in May 1996. He was invited by the president to form the government after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP had won 161 seats out of 545. Along with its allies, the party had gained authority over 194 seats. The majority mark required to form the government was 272. Vajpayee held the position of prime minister for 13 days. However, he failed to garner enough support and was eventually forced to step down. After Vajpayee's resignation on May 27, 1996, his government was replaced by an alliance between the Congress and the HD Deve Gowda-led United Front. The Congress, which was the second largest party with 140 seats, gave the United Front outside support. On Saturday, the Karnataka legislative assembly witnessed the resignation of the two-day-old BJP government led by BS Yeddyurappa. Despite scoring the highest number of seats (104) in the elections, the BJP failed to form a government in the state. The Congress, which emerged the second-largest party with 78 seats, extended its support to the JD(S), which is the third-largest party with 37 seats. × Gowda became the country's 11th prime minister, replacing Vajpayee's 13-day BJP government. Similar to 1996, the BJP government in Karnataka led by BS Yeddyurappa will be replaced by a JD(S)-Congress alliance lead by HD Deve Gowda's son HD Kumaraswamy. The only difference is that the Congress this time is part of the government. Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ceremeony will be held on May 23 in Bengaluru.

Yeddyurappa's resignation is a replay of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's in 1996

<p>On December of this year, India was shocked at the audacity of the Pakistani Army; a team crossed over the LoC and carried on an ambush on an Indian Army&rsquo;s patrol, operating in the Keri sector of the 120 Infantry Brigade. They had used landmines and small arms, killing one Major along with four soldiers. These gallant troops came from India&rsquo;s finest regiment and were part of 2 Sikh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Within 48 hours of this horrific incident, soldiers of the Indian Army crossed the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Rawalkot sector, killing at least four Pakistani personnel on Monday. The cross-LoC raid was meant to avenge the death of four Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops earlier this week. Indian troops penetrated 500 meters across the Line of Control and the modus operandi used was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) ambush followed by gunfire. Literally replicating the earlier Pakistani action.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Line of Control has been witnessing such actions and counter-actions quiet regularly ever since General Kayani started to violate the cease-fire in 2010 that had come into force in 2003 during the regimes of General Musharraf and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It must be remembered that this cease-fire came into force only when Pakistan realised that it was untenable for her to continue retaliation to Indian Army&rsquo;s artillery duels. Indian army had fired 2.5 lakh shells during the 50-day Kargil conflict and later in the years in the run-up to the cease-fire, we had fired nearly one lakh artillery round against Pakistan. Each round costs around US $ 1000.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan was forced to retaliate in a good measure too. Though we had our share of losses, both material and human, but the losses suffered by Pakistan was colossal. India could inflict huge damage on Pakistan&rsquo;s military infrastructure along with unbearable economic drain. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the crucial time between 2003 to 2010, Pakistanis rebuild their infrastructure and beefed up the ammunition stocks. Now they were ready to meet the Indian army&rsquo;s challenge. While for the Indian Army, the victory was always measured in terms of attaining a moral ascendancy. However, for Pakistani army the victory lies in the ability to rise after each setback and challenge the Indian might.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is what Pakistan has been doing ever since they got created in the name of religion. They draw inspiration from the battles Mohammad fought with Meccans. Wherein he had challenged the bigger adversary with a far smaller force and, finally, led his troops to victory after suffering many defeats.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>For India, it is very much essential to understand the psychology of its adversary. And to counter that, we will have to keep the temperatures high on the border while retaining the initiative. Defensive mindset needs to be shed and more pragmatic approach is the need of an hour. While we may wade through easily being a stronger economy and military power but for Pakistan, it would be untenable as has been seen in the past.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the escalatory matrix, we are fighting with our adversary at the lowest level in No War No Peace spectrum of low intensity. We both have similar strengths at this level. In fact, Pakistan fares better as it always takes an initiative while we always react. India must tackle Pakistan at levels where we are more stronger. And our strength lies in long-range,&nbsp; high-tech weaponry and highly trained military. Or else we would continue to bleed under the status quo in this simmering conflict.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).</em></p>


India's strength lies in long-range, high-tech weaponry and highly trained military. This is where India must beat Pakistan

On December of this year, India was shocked at the audacity of the Pakistani Army; a team crossed over the LoC and carried on an ambush on an Indian Army’s patrol, operating in the Keri sector of the 120 Infantry Brigade. They had used landmines and small arms, killing one Major along with four soldiers. These gallant troops came from India’s finest regiment and were part of 2 Sikh. Within 48 hours of this horrific incident, soldiers of the Indian Army crossed the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Rawalkot sector, killing at least four Pakistani personnel on Monday. The cross-LoC raid was meant to avenge the death of four Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops earlier this week. Indian troops penetrated 500 meters across the Line of Control and the modus operandi used was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) ambush followed by gunfire. Literally replicating the earlier Pakistani action. The Line of Control has been witnessing such actions and counter-actions quiet regularly ever since General Kayani started to violate the cease-fire in 2010 that had come into force in 2003 during the regimes of General Musharraf and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It must be remembered that this cease-fire came into force only when Pakistan realised that it was untenable for her to continue retaliation to Indian Army’s artillery duels. Indian army had fired 2.5 lakh shells during the 50-day Kargil conflict and later in the years in the run-up to the cease-fire, we had fired nearly one lakh artillery round against Pakistan. Each round costs around US $ 1000. Pakistan was forced to retaliate in a good measure too. Though we had our share of losses, both material and human, but the losses suffered by Pakistan was colossal. India could inflict huge damage on Pakistan’s military infrastructure along with unbearable economic drain. In the crucial time between 2003 to 2010, Pakistanis rebuild their infrastructure and beefed up the ammunition stocks. Now they were ready to meet the Indian army’s challenge. While for the Indian Army, the victory was always measured in terms of attaining a moral ascendancy. However, for Pakistani army the victory lies in the ability to rise after each setback and challenge the Indian might. This is what Pakistan has been doing ever since they got created in the name of religion. They draw inspiration from the battles Mohammad fought with Meccans. Wherein he had challenged the bigger adversary with a far smaller force and, finally, led his troops to victory after suffering many defeats. For India, it is very much essential to understand the psychology of its adversary. And to counter that, we will have to keep the temperatures high on the border while retaining the initiative. Defensive mindset needs to be shed and more pragmatic approach is the need of an hour. While we may wade through easily being a stronger economy and military power but for Pakistan, it would be untenable as has been seen in the past. On the escalatory matrix, we are fighting with our adversary at the lowest level in No War No Peace spectrum of low intensity. We both have similar strengths at this level. In fact, Pakistan fares better as it always takes an initiative while we always react. India must tackle Pakistan at levels where we are more stronger. And our strength lies in long-range, high-tech weaponry and highly trained military. Or else we would continue to bleed under the status quo in this simmering conflict. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Why India and Pakistan violate the LoC repeatedly?

<p>Former prime minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayee-turns-93-vice-president-naidu-pm-modi-wish-him-27630">Atal Bihari Vajpayee</a> turned 93 on Monday.</p>

<p>Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished him on his birthday.</p>

<p>&quot;His phenomenal as well as visionary leadership made India more developed and further raised our prestige at the world stage. I pray for his good health,&quot; Modi tweeted.</p>

<p>Wishing him on his birthday, Naidu posted a poem by Vajpayee which urged people to remain united and not to give up hope in tough times.</p>

<p>The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has decided to free 93 prisoners on the occasion of Vajpayee&#39;s birthday.</p>

<p>&quot;These prisoners have completed their tenure in jail but could not be released due to non-payment of fine imposed on them,&quot; Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said in an order issued here.</p>

<p>Vajpayee was elected to Lok Sabha from Lucknow in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. He is the first and the only non-Congress leader who completed his full term as prime minister.</p>

<p>Born in 1924, he entered politics during the Quit India movement in 1942. He was also the first external affairs minister to deliver a speech in the UN Assembly in Hindi.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Vajpayee was elected to Lok Sabha from Lucknow in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. He is the first and the only non- Congress leader who completed his full term as prime minister.

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee turned 93 on Monday. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished him on his birthday. "His phenomenal as well as visionary leadership made India more developed and further raised our prestige at the world stage. I pray for his good health," Modi tweeted. Wishing him on his birthday, Naidu posted a poem by Vajpayee which urged people to remain united and not to give up hope in tough times. The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has decided to free 93 prisoners on the occasion of Vajpayee's birthday. "These prisoners have completed their tenure in jail but could not be released due to non-payment of fine imposed on them," Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said in an order issued here. Vajpayee was elected to Lok Sabha from Lucknow in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. He is the first and the only non-Congress leader who completed his full term as prime minister. Born in 1924, he entered politics during the Quit India movement in 1942. He was also the first external affairs minister to deliver a speech in the UN Assembly in Hindi.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee turns 93; Vice-President Naidu, PM Modi wish him

<p>Former prime minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayee-turns-93-vice-president-naidu-pm-modi-wish-him-27630">Atal Bihari Vajpayee</a> turned 93 on Monday. He is inarguably the BJP&#39;s tallest leader.</p>

<p>Born on December 25, 1924, Vajpayee was India&#39;s Prime Minister first for 13 days in 1996 and then from 1998 to 2004. He is the first and the only non-Congress leader who completed his full term as prime minister.</p>

<p>Vajpayee was elected to Lok Sabha from Lucknow in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004.</p>

<p>He entered politics during the Quit India movement in 1942. He was also the first external affairs minister to deliver a speech in the UN Assembly in Hindi.</p>

<p>Vajpayee is known for his political acumen and administrative skills; he is also a poet, journalist and litterateur. His political brain was put to test when the NDA - a coalition of 23 parties - came to power at the Centre. Vajpayee successfully led the coalition for five years which had a &#39;Jumbo Council of Ministers&#39; with 80 members.</p>

<p>It was under Vajpayee&#39;s tenure that India conducted its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indias-second-nuclear-test-pokhran-ii-on-11th-may-1998-15458">second nuclear test</a> at Pokharan in Rajasthan, despite the international sanctions.</p>

<p>Vajpayee&#39;s family belonged to Bateshwar village in Agra, but he was born in Madhya Pradesh&#39;s Gwalior where his father was a teacher. He made Uttar Pradesh his political battleground - Vajpayee was Member of Parliament from Lucknow.</p>

<p>Vajpayee was a part of the Jana Sangh, the political wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded by Shyama Prasad Mookerjee which later merged with the Janata Party in 1977. After the post-Emergency crisis, the Janata Party was unable to sustain its government at the Centre and collapsed. The years that followed saw many political twists and turns and ultimately the birth of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980 under the leadership of Vajpayee.</p>


Born on December 25, 1924, Vajpayee was India's Prime Minister first for 13 days in 1996 and then from 1998 to 2004. He is the first and the only non-Congress leader who completed his full term as prime minister.

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee turned 93 on Monday. He is inarguably the BJP's tallest leader. Born on December 25, 1924, Vajpayee was India's Prime Minister first for 13 days in 1996 and then from 1998 to 2004. He is the first and the only non-Congress leader who completed his full term as prime minister. Vajpayee was elected to Lok Sabha from Lucknow in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. He entered politics during the Quit India movement in 1942. He was also the first external affairs minister to deliver a speech in the UN Assembly in Hindi. Vajpayee is known for his political acumen and administrative skills; he is also a poet, journalist and litterateur. His political brain was put to test when the NDA - a coalition of 23 parties - came to power at the Centre. Vajpayee successfully led the coalition for five years which had a 'Jumbo Council of Ministers' with 80 members. It was under Vajpayee's tenure that India conducted its second nuclear test at Pokharan in Rajasthan, despite the international sanctions. Vajpayee's family belonged to Bateshwar village in Agra, but he was born in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior where his father was a teacher. He made Uttar Pradesh his political battleground - Vajpayee was Member of Parliament from Lucknow. Vajpayee was a part of the Jana Sangh, the political wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded by Shyama Prasad Mookerjee which later merged with the Janata Party in 1977. After the post-Emergency crisis, the Janata Party was unable to sustain its government at the Centre and collapsed. The years that followed saw many political twists and turns and ultimately the birth of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980 under the leadership of Vajpayee.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A statesman and BJP's tallest leader

<p>On the occasion of the 93rd birthday of&nbsp;former prime minister&nbsp;Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Uttar Pradesh government has released 93 prisoners from various prisons of the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The prisoners released had completed their tenure in jail but were not released as they could not pay the fine imposed on them.</p>

<p>&quot;It was decided to set free 93 prisoners convicted in different cases on the 93rd birthday of the former prime minister. These prisoners have completed their tenure in jail but could not be released due to non-payment of fines&nbsp;imposed on them,&quot; PTI quoted Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The prisoners to be released were picked randomly from a slot of 135 such convicts.</p>

<p>The prison department was asked to check if the fines could be cleared by NGOs, trusts and others.&nbsp;</p>


The prisoners released had completed their tenure in jail but were not released as they could not pay the fine imposed on them

On the occasion of the 93rd birthday of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Uttar Pradesh government has released 93 prisoners from various prisons of the state. The prisoners released had completed their tenure in jail but were not released as they could not pay the fine imposed on them. "It was decided to set free 93 prisoners convicted in different cases on the 93rd birthday of the former prime minister. These prisoners have completed their tenure in jail but could not be released due to non-payment of fines imposed on them," PTI quoted Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar as saying. The prisoners to be released were picked randomly from a slot of 135 such convicts. The prison department was asked to check if the fines could be cleared by NGOs, trusts and others.

UP government releases 93 prisoners as Atal Bihari Vajpayee turns 93

<p>Two days after the government announced a new interlocutor for Kashmir, WION&#39;s <strong>Kartikeya Sharma</strong> conducts a free-wheeling interview with former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah. It is always better to talk than to beat up a people, Abdullah tells Sharma, but also reminds him that there have been interlocutors before too.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What has happened to those reports? asks Abdullah.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abdullah also says that he misses Vajpayee, reminding Sharma of Vajpayee&#39;s famous words -- that we can live in peace with our neighbour and (both of us) prosper, or we can live in animosity and suffer.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>What is National Conference&#39;s response to the appointment of Dineshwar Sharma as interlocutor for Kashmir?</strong><br />
As far as I&rsquo;m concerned as the president of the party, it is good that an interlocutor has been appointed but my question is also to the government of India. What about the earlier reports of the interlocutors which lie with the Centre. What has happened to those reports? Late Padgaonkar ji and three committees which were made and gave&nbsp;reports, what happened to them? Why don&rsquo;t they put them before Parliament?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Why weren&rsquo;t these reports implemented?&nbsp;</strong><strong>You were</strong><strong> part of the UPA...</strong><br />
We did say and always asked as to why these reports aren&rsquo;t being implemented. Now that government has gone. Governments may go but things are there. Here is a government which says that they are working for the people, and I would be delighted if they open those books and put them before Parliament.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Do you feel that successive talks without implementation of the recommendations added fuel to the fire?</strong><br />
Absolutely. They spent two years in the state, visiting Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and met every single person including Hurriyat and compiled the report. It is there in the home ministry. For God&#39;s sake bring it out.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Why did the government sit&nbsp;</strong><strong>on the report?</strong><br />
I think&nbsp;you should ask Manmohan Singh as to why wasn&rsquo;t anything done.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Even the present government hasn&rsquo;t done a thing on it?</strong><br />
I don&rsquo;t know. Please put this question to Home Minister Rajnath Singh. He will be able to answer.</p>

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<p><strong>Is it mandatory to speak with Pakistan? Hurriyat has made an issue out of it?</strong><br />
Frankly I don&rsquo;t think that interlocutor can discuss with Pakistan. Discussion with Pakistan will have to be with government of India and at levels they choose to do so. Whether it is home minister or prime minister, it is for them to decide. They have a part of Jammu and Kashmir with them and it cannot be ignored.</p>

<p><strong>Does the appointment show that a muscular approach does not work with people?</strong><br />
Absolutely. Doval&rsquo;s doctrine has failed. His doctrine was to beat them to the ground and do everything you can to suppress them. Every theory has failed. They thought that with demonetisation, militancy would disappear -- it is at the highest level today. &nbsp;What have they achieved? Nothing. Our tourism has died. It is at zero. Nobody is bothered.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>What would you like the interlocutor to do?</strong><br />
I don&rsquo;t know who he is going to engage with. The (union) home minister tried to engage with every national party except the Hurriyat. The home minister didn&rsquo;t talk to Hurriyat. I don&#39;t know what a retired civil servant would be able to achieve.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Wouldn&rsquo;t it provide a buffer to </strong><strong>mainstream</strong><strong> parties like yours? Workers of </strong><strong>mainstream</strong><strong> parties have been attacked by terrorists?</strong><br />
We have had this happen from 1989. Our workers and leaders have been targeted. No one cared. We will face the brunt but we will not disappear. We will be here.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>What has been the cause of the present unrest where civil institutions are failing to function normally?</strong><br />
One is the government of BJP and PDP. It has been the greatest misery that has been inflicted on the people of this state. it really put petrol on the fire and our neighbour utilised it to the best it could.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Are you saying that BJP-PDP is an unnatural alliance?</strong><br />
I&rsquo;m not the only person who has said this. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>BJP has said that this is not the first time unrest has taken place. Worse unrest has taken place in the past?</strong><br />
They failed in everything so where does the blame lie.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Present Army chief has spoken about the success of Army&rsquo;s approach in the valley?</strong><br />
I think Army chief should restrict himself to the matters of the Army. He should look after the borders of India rather than talking about other things. It doesn&rsquo;t augur well for him.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Has politics of nationalism vs anti-nationalism affected the political discourse in the Valley?</strong><br />
Who are anti-nationals? If people ask for their rights, do they become anti-nationals? If they want to speak truth, do they become anti-national? We gave the autonomy resolution to Vajpayee, was that anti-national? It is in the Constitution of India. I don&rsquo;t understand what is meant by anti-national. If they want to smash the pride of the people -- then they are not going to succeed.</p>

<p><strong>Kashmir too at one end has not been accommodative. Pandits have</strong><strong> not been able to return?</strong><br />
Who is responsible for pandits not going back. All mainstream parties and Hurriyat welcomed them. We asked them to come back. There are pandits living in the Valley. They didn&rsquo;t migrate. It is for the others to make the move and come home. It is as much their home as it is my home. They must make the move.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Is Article 35A an issue in Kashmir?</strong><br />
If it wasn&rsquo;t a big issue, even PDP wouldn&rsquo;t have been shouting against it. It is a major issue in the Valley.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Have you spoken about it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi?</strong><br />
Many people have asked and I would say that I have spoken to him and if the situation arises I would speak to him again. I have no problem in speaking to Prime Minister Modi.</p>

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<p><strong>Where does the solution lie Farooq Abdullah?</strong><br />
Heal the wounds of the people and not by force and arrests, which is being done, and talk to Pakistan. Talk to them or else it will continue to happen. Only talking to Delhi will not make the&nbsp;slightest difference. I remember Vajpayee&rsquo;s words. Friends can be changed but not neighbours.&nbsp;We either live in harmony with our&nbsp;neighbour and both progress or live in animosity and both suffer. These are the golden words. There is always an opportunity for finding a peaceful solution and I think the PM has the courage to do so and if he takes that step, he can make a difference not only to India but to the sub-continent and world peace.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Does Kashmir miss Vajpayee? Do you miss Vajpayee?</strong><br />
We all miss Vajpayee. India misses him. He is still alive. He is a great leader.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>So where is the hope for peace?</strong><br />
I just hope that the government of India takes the steps to bring peace to the Valley. They say that hope is life and if one loses hope, one would lose life. I hope for peace and prosperity not only for Kashmir but for the whole country.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Arrests by NIA also show that Pakistan is funding separatism and the terror network?</strong><br />
Nobody will mind if those arrests prove that money came from Pakistan and they used it. But the longer you hold them in prison, and hold them longer and longer, then people wouldn&rsquo;t believe you and would feel that they are being pushed for saying things. They feel that there is nothing in it.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Are you saying that investigations must conclude quickly?</strong><br />
Yes, it must and quicker and better. It must be fast-paced. It should be revealed to the people of India.</p>


Two days after the government announces a new interlocutor for Kashmir, WION's Kartikeya Sharma speaks with former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah

Two days after the government announced a new interlocutor for Kashmir, WION's Kartikeya Sharma conducts a free-wheeling interview with former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah. It is always better to talk than to beat up a people, Abdullah tells Sharma, but also reminds him that there have been interlocutors before too. What has happened to those reports? asks Abdullah. Abdullah also says that he misses Vajpayee, reminding Sharma of Vajpayee's famous words -- that we can live in peace with our neighbour and (both of us) prosper, or we can live in animosity and suffer. What is National Conference's response to the appointment of Dineshwar Sharma as interlocutor for Kashmir? As far as I’m concerned as the president of the party, it is good that an interlocutor has been appointed but my question is also to the government of India. What about the earlier reports of the interlocutors which lie with the Centre. What has happened to those reports? Late Padgaonkar ji and three committees which were made and gave reports, what happened to them? Why don’t they put them before Parliament? Why weren’t these reports implemented? You were part of the UPA... We did say and always asked as to why these reports aren’t being implemented. Now that government has gone. Governments may go but things are there. Here is a government which says that they are working for the people, and I would be delighted if they open those books and put them before Parliament. Do you feel that successive talks without implementation of the recommendations added fuel to the fire? Absolutely. They spent two years in the state, visiting Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and met every single person including Hurriyat and compiled the report. It is there in the home ministry. For God's sake bring it out. Why did the government sit on the report? I think you should ask Manmohan Singh as to why wasn’t anything done. Even the present government hasn’t done a thing on it? I don’t know. Please put this question to Home Minister Rajnath Singh. He will be able to answer. I think Army chief should restrict himself to the matters of the Army. He should look after the borders of India rather than talking about other things × Is it mandatory to speak with Pakistan? Hurriyat has made an issue out of it? Frankly I don’t think that interlocutor can discuss with Pakistan. Discussion with Pakistan will have to be with government of India and at levels they choose to do so. Whether it is home minister or prime minister, it is for them to decide. They have a part of Jammu and Kashmir with them and it cannot be ignored. Does the appointment show that a muscular approach does not work with people? Absolutely. Doval’s doctrine has failed. His doctrine was to beat them to the ground and do everything you can to suppress them. Every theory has failed. They thought that with demonetisation, militancy would disappear -- it is at the highest level today. What have they achieved? Nothing. Our tourism has died. It is at zero. Nobody is bothered. What would you like the interlocutor to do? I don’t know who he is going to engage with. The (union) home minister tried to engage with every national party except the Hurriyat. The home minister didn’t talk to Hurriyat. I don't know what a retired civil servant would be able to achieve. Wouldn’t it provide a buffer to mainstream parties like yours? Workers of mainstream parties have been attacked by terrorists? We have had this happen from 1989. Our workers and leaders have been targeted. No one cared. We will face the brunt but we will not disappear. We will be here. What has been the cause of the present unrest where civil institutions are failing to function normally? One is the government of BJP and PDP. It has been the greatest misery that has been inflicted on the people of this state. it really put petrol on the fire and our neighbour utilised it to the best it could. Are you saying that BJP-PDP is an unnatural alliance? I’m not the only person who has said this. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you. BJP has said that this is not the first time unrest has taken place. Worse unrest has taken place in the past? They failed in everything so where does the blame lie. Present Army chief has spoken about the success of Army’s approach in the valley? I think Army chief should restrict himself to the matters of the Army. He should look after the borders of India rather than talking about other things. It doesn’t augur well for him. Has politics of nationalism vs anti-nationalism affected the political discourse in the Valley? Who are anti-nationals? If people ask for their rights, do they become anti-nationals? If they want to speak truth, do they become anti-national? We gave the autonomy resolution to Vajpayee, was that anti-national? It is in the Constitution of India. I don’t understand what is meant by anti-national. If they want to smash the pride of the people -- then they are not going to succeed. Kashmir too at one end has not been accommodative. Pandits have not been able to return? Who is responsible for pandits not going back. All mainstream parties and Hurriyat welcomed them. We asked them to come back. There are pandits living in the Valley. They didn’t migrate. It is for the others to make the move and come home. It is as much their home as it is my home. They must make the move. Is Article 35A an issue in Kashmir? If it wasn’t a big issue, even PDP wouldn’t have been shouting against it. It is a major issue in the Valley. Have you spoken about it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Many people have asked and I would say that I have spoken to him and if the situation arises I would speak to him again. I have no problem in speaking to Prime Minister Modi. If people ask for their rights, do they become anti-nationals? If they want to speak truth, do they become anti-national? × Where does the solution lie Farooq Abdullah? Heal the wounds of the people and not by force and arrests, which is being done, and talk to Pakistan. Talk to them or else it will continue to happen. Only talking to Delhi will not make the slightest difference. I remember Vajpayee’s words. Friends can be changed but not neighbours. We either live in harmony with our neighbour and both progress or live in animosity and both suffer. These are the golden words. There is always an opportunity for finding a peaceful solution and I think the PM has the courage to do so and if he takes that step, he can make a difference not only to India but to the sub-continent and world peace. Does Kashmir miss Vajpayee? Do you miss Vajpayee? We all miss Vajpayee. India misses him. He is still alive. He is a great leader. So where is the hope for peace? I just hope that the government of India takes the steps to bring peace to the Valley. They say that hope is life and if one loses hope, one would lose life. I hope for peace and prosperity not only for Kashmir but for the whole country. Arrests by NIA also show that Pakistan is funding separatism and the terror network? Nobody will mind if those arrests prove that money came from Pakistan and they used it. But the longer you hold them in prison, and hold them longer and longer, then people wouldn’t believe you and would feel that they are being pushed for saying things. They feel that there is nothing in it. Are you saying that investigations must conclude quickly? Yes, it must and quicker and better. It must be fast-paced. It should be revealed to the people of India.

The Ajit Doval doctrine has failed: Farooq Abdullah

<p>BJP is in the striking distance of getting a president elected who will hail completely from a non-Congress stock. For the first time in post-independent India, BJP will be electing a president without any help from parties who are ideologically opposed to it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So, it brings us to the question as what the presidential candidate would look like? The history proves that largely, presidential candidates bore the will of the prime minister or the one who controlled the lever of power, which in the case of the UPA government in both its phases was Congress President Sonia Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The early years of the republic saw the office of the president being occupied by those who led India&#39;s freedom struggle; they were held in high esteem by the Congress party.</p>

<p>The list of the &lsquo;firsts&rsquo; includes Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Dr. Zakir Hussain. Dr. Prasad was a volunteer with Gandhi during Champaran movement in 1916. Despite differences of opinion between Nehru and Rajendra Babu, representing the Left and Right ideas respectively, the two leaders co-existed. Their mutual respect was born out of their shared struggle. Each acknowledged the significance and contribution of the other.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Radhakrishnan who went on to become the president in 1962 was an educationist and a politician in shadows. He became vice president of the country in 1952 but wasn&rsquo;t overtly part of the freedom struggle or the Congress Party. He was an educationist whose birthday is celebrated as Teacher&rsquo;s day in India. Dr. Zakir Hussain too was an educationist and co-founder of the Jamia Millia Islamia University. He served as the second vice president of India. Their election, more than anything else, reflects a Congress party increasingly being dominated by Nehru in the post-1950s.</p>

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<p>Rajendra Prasad, Radhakrishnan, &nbsp;Zakir Hussain constituted the compatriots, achievers, authors and visionaries of the new Indian republic. They were first amongst the equals.</p>

<p>Post-1969 all the presidents, including KR Narayanan came from active Congress stable. Most of them had the opportunity to interact with MK Gandhi, and subsequently, make a smooth transition to various spheres of government at the centre and states after 1952.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All of them were minted in the Congress tradition and were aware of the rise of Indira Gandhi in the political ecosystem. Also, they were insiders who served as the Members of Parliament, ministers and chief ministers under Nehru, Shastri and Indira Gandhi when they were the prime minister. But for the selection to high office, loyalty became an important parameter.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
VV Giri became the president, defeating the official candidate of the Congress, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy when Indira Gandhi called for a conscience vote opposed to the &quot;syndicate&quot; in the party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All the former presidents, including Shankar Dayal Sharma were dyed-in-the-wool Congressmen. Even KR Narayanan, a Foreign Service officer got his break from India&rsquo;s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on Harold Laski&rsquo;s letter. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad shamed the country by signing the proclamation of the emergency, demonstrating his commitment towards an individual rather than the Indian republic. Zail Singh openly sang peons for Indira Gandhi, though Singh eventually fell out with her son Rajiv Gandhi. Both of them, however, professed loyalty towards Indira Gandhi.</p>

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<h5>Vipakash kee Sarkar mein bhi Congress ka hee raj hota hai.</h5>
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<p>Congressmen became the Union president even when the power in the center happened to be in the hands of non-Congress parties.<br />
For instance, when Janata Party came to power in 1977, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy was elected unopposed as the president. Morarji Desai was the prime minister and, ironically, both were ex-Congressmen. &nbsp;It led to the famous saying: &quot;Vipakash kee Sarkar mein bhi Congress ka hee raj hota hai.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It didn&rsquo;t matter much in 1977 but did become an issue in 2002 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was interested in getting a prominent Congress man Krishan Kant elected as the president but couldn&rsquo;t owing to the opposition from hardliners in his party.</p>

<p>It is in this backdrop Prime Minister Narendra Modi will nominate BJP&rsquo;s candidate who will truly belong to his ecosystem. An emaciated Congress in 1991 was able to elect Shankar Dayal Sharma as the president who Sonia Gandhi wanted to become the prime minister after Rajiv Gandhi&rsquo;s assassination. He declined, and PV Narasimha Rao got the opportunity to become one. A year later Sharma went on to become the president.</p>

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<h5>Pratibha Patil was a result of a larger alliance built by Congress to push a non-controversial Congress candidate on the basis of loyalty and gender.</h5>
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<p>Lastly, APJ Kalam went on to become the president though BJP did not have the number in the electoral college but succeeded because of the Congress support. The Congress High Command supported Kalam because it didn&rsquo;t want to go with the Left-supported candidature of Captain Lakshmi Sehgal. On the other hand, Pratibha Patil was a result of a larger alliance built by Congress to push a non-controversial Congress candidate on the basis of loyalty and gender. It would be noteworthy that even Left had its say in the election of the vice president when Hamid Ansari occupied the office.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The last of them is current president Dr Pranab Mukherji who became the president out of his will and his ability to influence players across the political spectrum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This brings us back again to the question on the type of person Narendra Modi would like to ascend to Raisina Hill? To put it simply, he will be a person of complete non-Congress stock. He or she would have either worked with or through the ranks of the RSS. The person&rsquo;s ideological loyalty to the RSS-BJP will be unquestioned. Such a president would showcase the autonomy of the government in electing their own man.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite short of numbers, the Congress lately was able to elect presidents of its choosing because it dominated the ideological ecosystem of the country. The only compromise that the Congress party made was that for the position of the vice president because it required the support of the Left to survive in 2007.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The issue is whether BJP would fall into the trap of sectional representation like South, tribal, gender or Dalit categories? Though the Congress never overtly acknowledged but partook the claim to have nominated the first Dalit as the President in KR Narayanan. Sonia Gandhi got lackluster Pratibha Patel as the president for the reason she is a woman. Vajpayee had to make do with Kalam because Congress couldn&rsquo;t say no to a candidate of minority dispensation. His name was suggested by Mulayam Singh Yadav and brokered by V. Naidu.</p>

<p>In 2017, none of the above-mentioned constraints exist for BJP. Once the party is done deliberating with other political parties, it is expected to announce one of their own as the presidential candidate. The BJP-nominated candidate would share the party&#39;s cultural and ideological ecosystem in complete opposition to the Left-Congress imagination of the Indian landscape. Whether it comes in the shape of Sushma Swaraj, Sumitra Mahajan, Draupadi Murmu, the person will owe his nomination to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will bear Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s signature who in Vajpayee&rsquo;s absence has become the &lsquo;pratham purush&rsquo; or the first man of the government, party and ideology.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So, let&rsquo;s wait for the name.</p>


BJP's presidential candidate will bear Prime Minister Modi's ideological signature.

BJP is in the striking distance of getting a president elected who will hail completely from a non-Congress stock. For the first time in post-independent India, BJP will be electing a president without any help from parties who are ideologically opposed to it. So, it brings us to the question as what the presidential candidate would look like? The history proves that largely, presidential candidates bore the will of the prime minister or the one who controlled the lever of power, which in the case of the UPA government in both its phases was Congress President Sonia Gandhi. The early years of the republic saw the office of the president being occupied by those who led India's freedom struggle; they were held in high esteem by the Congress party. The list of the ‘firsts’ includes Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Dr. Zakir Hussain. Dr. Prasad was a volunteer with Gandhi during Champaran movement in 1916. Despite differences of opinion between Nehru and Rajendra Babu, representing the Left and Right ideas respectively, the two leaders co-existed. Their mutual respect was born out of their shared struggle. Each acknowledged the significance and contribution of the other. Radhakrishnan who went on to become the president in 1962 was an educationist and a politician in shadows. He became vice president of the country in 1952 but wasn’t overtly part of the freedom struggle or the Congress Party. He was an educationist whose birthday is celebrated as Teacher’s day in India. Dr. Zakir Hussain too was an educationist and co-founder of the Jamia Millia Islamia University. He served as the second vice president of India. Their election, more than anything else, reflects a Congress party increasingly being dominated by Nehru in the post-1950s. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad shamed the country by signing the proclamation of the emergency, demonstrating his commitment towards an individual rather than the Indian republic. × Rajendra Prasad, Radhakrishnan, Zakir Hussain constituted the compatriots, achievers, authors and visionaries of the new Indian republic. They were first amongst the equals. Post-1969 all the presidents, including KR Narayanan came from active Congress stable. Most of them had the opportunity to interact with MK Gandhi, and subsequently, make a smooth transition to various spheres of government at the centre and states after 1952. All of them were minted in the Congress tradition and were aware of the rise of Indira Gandhi in the political ecosystem. Also, they were insiders who served as the Members of Parliament, ministers and chief ministers under Nehru, Shastri and Indira Gandhi when they were the prime minister. But for the selection to high office, loyalty became an important parameter. VV Giri became the president, defeating the official candidate of the Congress, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy when Indira Gandhi called for a conscience vote opposed to the "syndicate" in the party. All the former presidents, including Shankar Dayal Sharma were dyed-in-the-wool Congressmen. Even KR Narayanan, a Foreign Service officer got his break from India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on Harold Laski’s letter. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad shamed the country by signing the proclamation of the emergency, demonstrating his commitment towards an individual rather than the Indian republic. Zail Singh openly sang peons for Indira Gandhi, though Singh eventually fell out with her son Rajiv Gandhi. Both of them, however, professed loyalty towards Indira Gandhi. Vipakash kee Sarkar mein bhi Congress ka hee raj hota hai. × Congressmen became the Union president even when the power in the center happened to be in the hands of non-Congress parties. For instance, when Janata Party came to power in 1977, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy was elected unopposed as the president. Morarji Desai was the prime minister and, ironically, both were ex-Congressmen. It led to the famous saying: "Vipakash kee Sarkar mein bhi Congress ka hee raj hota hai.” It didn’t matter much in 1977 but did become an issue in 2002 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was interested in getting a prominent Congress man Krishan Kant elected as the president but couldn’t owing to the opposition from hardliners in his party. It is in this backdrop Prime Minister Narendra Modi will nominate BJP’s candidate who will truly belong to his ecosystem. An emaciated Congress in 1991 was able to elect Shankar Dayal Sharma as the president who Sonia Gandhi wanted to become the prime minister after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. He declined, and PV Narasimha Rao got the opportunity to become one. A year later Sharma went on to become the president. Pratibha Patil was a result of a larger alliance built by Congress to push a non-controversial Congress candidate on the basis of loyalty and gender. × Lastly, APJ Kalam went on to become the president though BJP did not have the number in the electoral college but succeeded because of the Congress support. The Congress High Command supported Kalam because it didn’t want to go with the Left-supported candidature of Captain Lakshmi Sehgal. On the other hand, Pratibha Patil was a result of a larger alliance built by Congress to push a non-controversial Congress candidate on the basis of loyalty and gender. It would be noteworthy that even Left had its say in the election of the vice president when Hamid Ansari occupied the office. The last of them is current president Dr Pranab Mukherji who became the president out of his will and his ability to influence players across the political spectrum. This brings us back again to the question on the type of person Narendra Modi would like to ascend to Raisina Hill? To put it simply, he will be a person of complete non-Congress stock. He or she would have either worked with or through the ranks of the RSS. The person’s ideological loyalty to the RSS-BJP will be unquestioned. Such a president would showcase the autonomy of the government in electing their own man. Despite short of numbers, the Congress lately was able to elect presidents of its choosing because it dominated the ideological ecosystem of the country. The only compromise that the Congress party made was that for the position of the vice president because it required the support of the Left to survive in 2007. The issue is whether BJP would fall into the trap of sectional representation like South, tribal, gender or Dalit categories? Though the Congress never overtly acknowledged but partook the claim to have nominated the first Dalit as the President in KR Narayanan. Sonia Gandhi got lackluster Pratibha Patel as the president for the reason she is a woman. Vajpayee had to make do with Kalam because Congress couldn’t say no to a candidate of minority dispensation. His name was suggested by Mulayam Singh Yadav and brokered by V. Naidu. In 2017, none of the above-mentioned constraints exist for BJP. Once the party is done deliberating with other political parties, it is expected to announce one of their own as the presidential candidate. The BJP-nominated candidate would share the party's cultural and ideological ecosystem in complete opposition to the Left-Congress imagination of the Indian landscape. Whether it comes in the shape of Sushma Swaraj, Sumitra Mahajan, Draupadi Murmu, the person will owe his nomination to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will bear Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s signature who in Vajpayee’s absence has become the ‘pratham purush’ or the first man of the government, party and ideology. So, let’s wait for the name.

Who will be India's new president?

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