Gaya/ Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 8 : Hectic campaigning by candidates and leaders of various political parties was witnessed in different parts of the country.

Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi while campaigning for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) criticised the State Government led by Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United) by saying it had done nothing for the poor and the under privileged.

She also noted, probably in the context of her husband Lalu Prasad being ridiculed by his opponents that the deeds of progressive persons are underplayed.

"Fun is made of vikas purush while those who are vinash purush are always highlighted by the media," said Rabri Devi.

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 3 : Senior Congress leader and Union Minister A. K. Antony on Friday ruled out the Central Government's role in the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) decision to close the probe against his party leader Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

"It is not the Central Government's decision. The report was given by the CBI," Antony told reporters at a meet-the-press programme here.

The collapse of the roof of an under construction building at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) campus in the Kerala capital, Thiruvananthapuram, killed one and injured 30 other workers on Tuesday.

The ISRO reported that the accident, resulting in one death and injuries of many, took place when a portion of the roof of the new five-storey building collapsed at the ISRO campus, which is also known as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. The Indian space agency told that 8 of the injured workers were in a serious condition.

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 13 : The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Friday announced that it was splitting from the Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPM) in Kerala.

The decision was taken by the CPI, after talks over who would contest the Ponnani seat failed. The party will now contest all 20 constituencies in the state during the general elections.

A CPI statement stated that the onus of the split in the state lies completely with the CPM.

Meanwhile, the CPM has called for an emergency meeting in New Delhi to discuss the situation.

CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat saw a post-poll realignment of forces opposed to both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

At a political rally held in Kerala, he hoped aloud about a fresh realignment of non-Congress and non-BJP forces take shape after the impending general elections.

Addressing the rally, Karat lambasted the Congress-led UPA Government and the BJP. He claimed that CPI (M) was the only party capable of creating an alternative to them.

To attract more Indians, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is all set to roll out a diesel variant of its premium compact car, the i-20, by the end of the existing year (2009).

The second largest car maker, which has already launched i-20 diesel variant in the European market, is now looking at launching the car in the Indian market.