Kursk region governor Alexander Rutskoi, former Soviet general who, as vice president, led a mutiny against the Kremlin in 1993, speaks from tribune of Soviet of Federation, Lower Chamber of Russian Parliament. Rutskoi accused his campaign rivals of political intrigue and said the Kremlin may have had a hand in the regional court's decision late Saturday evening. Just hours before voting booths opened in the Kursk region this weekend, a local court struck Governor Alexander Rutskoi from the ballot and prevented him from running for re-election.

Samara regional Governor Konstantin Titov at Soviet of Federation, Upper Chamber of Russian Parliament session.

Bashkortostan President Murtaza Rakhimov (last from left) and Ingushetia President Ruslan Aushev (last from right) at Soviet of Federation, Upper Chamber of Russian Parliament session.

Bashkortostan President Murtaza Rakhimov (last from left) and Ingushetia President Ruslan Aushev (right) at Soviet of Federation, Upper Chamber of Russian Parliament session.

Bashkortostan President Murtaza Rakhimov (left) and Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov at Soviet of Federation, Upper Chamber of Russian Parliament session.

The president of Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaymiyev (second on right) and Nikolai Merkushkin, president of the republic of Mordovia at Soviet of Federation, Upper Chamber of Russian Parliament session.

Konstantin Tolkachev speaker of Bashkortostan Parliament, Bashkortostan President Murtaza Rakhimov, Ingushetia President Ruslan Aushev (sit left to right) and Chuvashia President Nikolai Fyodorov (stay) at Soviet of Federation, Upper Chamber of Russian Parliament session.

Television camera-men and photographers stand on a balcony of the hall where was held the State Duma meting.