TODAY: Kasyanov barred from presidential election leaving just four candidates. Violence for governors and journalists. Russia to ban Indian plant imports? The Kremlin has barred Mikhail Kasyanov, its “last liberal opposition candidate”, from the upcoming presidential election. One newspaper says Vladimir Putin “took his revenge on a former ally who had turned into a fierce critic,” and Kasyanov himself agrees that “undoubtedly the decision not to register my candidacy … was made personally by Vladimir Putin.” One journalist says that the barring clears a path for “the Kremlin’s favorite candidate [Dmitry Medvedev] to run all but unchallenged.” Kasyanov commented: “The country has stepped onto the slippery slope towards thievish totalitarianism. Violence and dictatorship are the main ideas of this regime.” Profiles four the four remaining candidates can be found here. Russia’s Election Commission has begun sending out invitations to international observers for the election, although those who recall the various international fiascos caused by the last set of observer invitations will have their suspicions…