Buddha in Delhi, Didi’s men seek turn with Dy PM

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya landed here today to talk over the Eastern Railways bifurcation with the Centre. Bhattacha...

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya landed here today to talk over the Eastern Railways bifurcation with the Centre.

Bhattacharya, who wrote to the PM protesting against Railway Minister Nitish Kumar’s move, is scheduled to meet Deputy PM L.K. Advani tomorrow. He refused to comment on the issue before meeting Advani, but CPI(M) MP Nilotpal Basu said: ‘‘This fight between NDA members (Mamata Banerjee and Kumar) is unnecessarily creating a strife between the people and governments of Bihar and Bengal.’’

Jogi, BJD want zones

RAIPUR/BHUBANESWAR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi has shot off a letter to Vajpayee, reminding him of his own announcement in 1998 declaring Bilaspur as new railway zone. ‘He had laid the foundation stone for new railway zone at Bilaspur in September 1998. Now we want this commitment to be fulfilled,’’ Jogi said in his letter.

Story continues below this ad

Yesterday, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Orissa jumped into the row, demanding an immediate notification on making the East Coast Railway Zone operational. (ENS)

The Left Front government is trying to project a reasonable note in the high-pitched Mamata-Samata conflict. It is reportedly willing to accept a solution that doesn’t cripple the state’s economy or force it to face Mamata’s music at home.

With Bhattacharya in town, Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandopadhyay expressed his party’s keenness to talk with Advani. Party MP Nitish Sengupta said: ‘‘We have asked for a meeting with Advaniji. I’m sure it would be granted.’’

The Trinamool however stuck to its demand. Before leaving for Kolkata, Bandopadhyay said an inter-ministerial group’s review would be acceptable. This was the first positive signal from Trinamool that has been demanding immediate withdrawal of the bifurcation notification.

Investigators, including a bomb squad, combed the site. (Representational)

‘Targeted attack’: Man rams car into FBI’s Pittsburgh building gate

World1 hr ago

In a targeted attack, a man rammed his car into the FBI's Pittsburgh field office on Wednesday and then threw an American flag over the damaged gate before fleeing the scene. No FBI personnel were injured, and the suspect had previously visited the office with a nonsensical complaint. The FBI is asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect.

View all shorts

Live Blog