Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had initiated a back-channel exercise for talks between an “unofficial” Indian envoy and Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani 10 months ago, a media report here said on Saturday.

CPI national secretary D. Raja has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that a proposal by government’s chief economic adviser to legalise bribery as “dangerous and unethical,” and sought a clarification by the government on the issue.

The CPI(M) on Saturday demanded immediate investigation of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s role in the 2002 post-Godhra riots and his prosecution following accusations by a senior state police officer.

Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Saturday defended Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in the face of fresh allegations about his letting the state’s Hindus vent their anger in the 2002 post-Godhra riots, suggesting that the charges bore no truth.

Uttar Pradesh is hotting up even before the outcome of Assembly elections in five states with three major players — BSP, Samajwadi Party and Congress — gearing up for the electoral battle next year. The Congress has decided to release its first list of candidates next month.

The government on Saturday made it clear that there would be no change in the composition of the joint Lokpal bill drafting committee in the wake of a demand for a “dalit” representation made by UP chief minister Mayawati, even as she got the backing of AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh.

After three people were killed in violence related to the ongoing panchayat polls in Bihar on Friday night, the state government has beefed up security arrangements for the second phase of the polls being held on Sunday.

BJP general secretary in-charge Madhya Pradesh affairs Ananth Kumar said here on Saturday that the ruling UPA coalition is disintegrating and the countdown for the fall of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre has begun.

The Prime Minister's office on Sunday termed as 'false' a media report that Manmohan Singh had contacted Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani before the Mohali meeting between Prime Ministers of the two countries.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday expressed happiness over the large participation of voters in the Jammu and Kashmir panchayat polls — held after 10 years — saying it showed people "want to decide their fate themselves".