New Delhi, Nov. 12 : The Congress party on Wednesday accepted the resignation of its gneral secretary and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Margaret Alva.

The resignation was accepted on the basis of a report prepared by the party''s Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) chairman and Defence Minister A. K. Antony.

New Delhi, Nov 11 : Rejecting Margaret Alva’s criticism of the Congress Party, General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday denied her claims about selling of tickets during the Karnataka elections.

Rahul said he was happy with the distribution of the tickets in elections.

He Gandhi rejected her charges saying he was “not unhappy” about ticket distribution.

Meanwhile, Congress’ chief spokesman M Veerappa Moily said that Margaret Alva had committed serious breach of discipline.

New Delhi, Nov. 11 : In anticipation of the Government of India’s efforts towards encouraging Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN), the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2008 will seek to boost trade ties with them this year.

In tune with the government’s commitment to promote closer ties with its neighbouring countries, Pakistan has been accorded Partner Country status while ‘ASEAN’ countries have been selected as the Focus Region at IITF’ 08 to be held between November 14 to 27.

New Delhi, Nov 11: About 1500 delegates from across the world are expected to take part in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), 2009 to be held in Chennai from January 7-9.

The 7th Indian Diaspora convention is being organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The theme of PBD-2009 is ‘Engaging the Diaspora – The way forward’

New Delhi, Nov 11: Prime Minister Dr.

New Delhi, Nov. 11: Veteran Janata Dal-United leader George Fernandes on Tuesday said that he had resigned from the Lok Sabha to protest against the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) attacks on Biharis in Mumbai, but this did not mean that he did not like Maharashtrians.

Fernandes said that he had worked as trade union leader in Mumbai and represented both Maharashtra and Bihar in the Lok Sabha.