R. Ilangovan

SALEM: Distressing internecine activities and haunting power cuts are the primary factors that inflicted a string of defeats on Congress in this highly industrialised region of western Tamil Nadu, barring the hill constituency of Nilgiris.

This compilation from the manifestos shows the positions of the seven national parties recognised by the Election Commission of India on major policy issues. Instead of a manifesto, the Bahujan Samaj Party issued an Appeal to voters. There are similarities, but enough variations in the policy positions to suggest that ideological differences play a significant role.

The state BJP government, during its five- year tenure, has not taken any initiative to increase power generation, alleged the state Congress party here on Wednesday. During these years the government did not conduct survey for power generation projects and nor have taken any approval for any new power project, it added.

Petrol price hiked again: Pakistan

Says Fuel Price Rise Unjustified, Wants PM To Resign Gauging that it could only add to the its ammunition against the government in a year leading up to the Lok Sabha polls, BJP on Wednesday reacted strongly to the government's decision to hike fuel prices, saying a "directionless' UPA has unleashed "economic terror' on the nation.

Improve the power situation or we won't vote for you. This is what people living in the semi-urban panchayat areas of Hooghly district have told the candidates of the CPI-M and other Left Front contestants during their door-to-door canvassing as a part of their poll campaign. Having been criticised for failing to improve the power situation, the CPI-M zonal committees have asked the West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) to ensure round the clock power supply to houses at least before the polls, scheduled for 14 May in the district, said a senior CPI-M district committee member.