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Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal's ouster from the Parkash Singh Badal ministry and suspension from the Akali Dal was neither unexpected nor was it an unusual happening. The conflict between him and Chief Minister's son Sukhbir Singh Badal who is also Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal President was destined to lead to parting of ways. In the succession wars, sons of Chief Ministers and not their nephews or other kin always emerge victorious. Punjab is not the only state to witness this trend. The phenomenon has also been witnessed in the families of Mahrashtra's Shiv Sena and Bihar's Lalu Yadav. The victors of the two families succession wars have been the families sons and not nephews.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Can the Left Democratic Front (LDF) repeat its spectacular show in the 2005 local body elections? This is the question agitating not only the LDF activists but also the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF).

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has recently been chosen for the best PM award. Even his worse critics will readily concede his academic attributes and personal integrity as a spotlessly clean politician. He is India's third longest survived PM only next to Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Therefore, it was with great hopes that the nation hailed his return as PM in May, 2009. A more decisive majority, it was hoped, would enable him realise his ideas of good governance.

Why does Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal want medicine to be taught in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)? How does it help the cause of the advancement of knowledge of either medicine and surgery or engineering and technology? There is little complementarity between the two areas of specialized knowledge except for the fact that the practice of medicine and surgery is becoming increasingly instrument based.

India will press for the inclusion of human pathogens in the global protocol for access and benefit sharing (ABS) of biological resources.

Karnataka is witnessing a high drama and low politics these past few days. Nobody- the ruling BJP, the opposition congress and the JD(S), the Speaker, the Governor or the centre- has come out looking good. Even the courts have added to the confusion by reserving the judgment on disqualification of legislators. Chief Minister Yediyurappa, who won a confidence vote for the second time in three days may even set a record by seeking a trust for the third time in a week if the court does not endorse the disqualification of the 11 BJP rebels.

New Delhi, Oct 15 : Sri Lanka is seriously considering a better power sharing mechanism at the national level to ensure equity to all its citizens, particularly the Tamilians and other minorities.

BHOPAL: As a part of the Congress's campaign to project Rahul Gandhi as its most dynamic leader and as the future Prime Minister, the young Gandhi was in Madhya Pradesh for three days. His visit kicked up a fierce controversy. In the course of his Press conference at Bhopal, he made the cryptic remark that there was no difference between the SIMI and the RSS. He said that both were fundamentalists and sought to divide the society on communal lines.

NEW DELHI: India is going all out to seek technology from the US companies in the area of shale gas exploration and development in the gas bearing zones of the country. Talks are on for the conclusion of a technical cooperation agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and if everything proceeds smoothly, the significant agreement might be signed between the two countries during the visit of US President Barack Obama to India from November 7 to 10 this year.

In the area of geo-politics, India stands to benefit from its relationship with Russia. The friendship between the two countries is old and time-tested. The former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi could liberate Bangladesh in 1971 only with the diplomatic support of the then Soviet Union.