NIC meet will see standoff

By Our Special Correspondent New Delhi Oct. 12: The NIC headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is holding its second meeting on Monday after a gap of 16 years. A major standoff is expected between the two major political alliances at the meeting, with the UPA turning the heat on the BJP for the ongoing violence against Christians in the NDA-ruled states of Orissa and Karnataka, and the NDA in turn trying to corner the government over its failure to check increasing terrorist incidents. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has earlier said the violence against Christians had caused major embarrassment for the country in front of the international community, with the issue being raised during the recent EU-India summit. With Assembly elections looming in six states and Lok Sabha polls next year, both the Congress and the BJP are... [read full story]