Page 6 - Cpi(m)

ED summons harassment, will not appear: CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac

Senior CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac on Tuesday said he would not be appearing before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a FEMA case, terming the summons issued to him as "pure harassment". The Foreign Exchange Management Act case is linked to a probe into the alleged violations in the financial dealings of KIIFB during his tenure as the finance minister in the previous LDF government. Isaac told reporters that he had asked the ED to withdraw the summons issued to him last week. The ED had issued a summons for the 71-year-old politician to depose at the agency office in Kochi on January 22, but he did not appear before it. He was earlier asked to appear before it on January 12 but he had not turned up then also. Isaac today said that he was willing to appear before the agency and give an explanation if the ED can point out what law has been violated. "But, I am not going to appear before them so that they can question me and find out if any laws were violated. That amoun

SFI puts up unwelcoming banners against Kerala Guv ahead of his visit

The CPI(M)'s student wing, SFI, erected unwelcoming banners against Governor Arif Mohammed Khan at Ponnani in this north Kerala district where he is scheduled to a commemoration programme organised by the Congress party on Wednesday. The Students Federation of India (SFI) placed banners stating -- 'Mister Chancellor you are not welcome here' and 'Mister chancellor this is a place where there are a lot of people whom you called bloody criminals, be careful' -- at various places in Ponnani hours ahead of Khan's arrival to participate in a programme to commemorate late Congress leader P T Mohana Krishnan. Khan had on Tuesday faced a massive protest from various youth outfits affiliated to the ruling Left Democratic Front during his visit to Thodupuzha in Idukki district to participate in a function organised by the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti, a traders' body. The hartal in Idukki district was called by the LDF in protest against his non-assent to the Kerala Government Lan

ED summons former Kerala minister Thomas Isaac in KIIFB masala bonds case

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned senior Kerala CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac for questioning in a FEMA case linked to probe into the alleged violations in the financial dealings of KIIFB during his tenure as the finance minister in the previous LDF government, official sources said Sunday. The 71-year-old politician has been asked to depose at the agency office in Kochi on January 12, they said. The central agency in December had informed the Kerala High Court that it has withdrawn the summons issued to Isaac. The submissions were made during hearing of a plea by Isaac and a KIIFB official alleging that only personal information was sought through the summons by ED and seeking quashing of the same. In view of the agency withdrawing the summons, the HC disposed of the petitions but at the same time, the court also said the ED was free to continue with its investigation in the matter. ED sources said the fresh summons to Isaac has been issued in light of the HC allowing the agen

CPI(M) demands withdrawal of mandatory linkages to Aadhar-based payments

The first violation of the law by the central government is to divide job card holders into eligible and non-eligible for ABPS, the CPI(M) said

Two alliance leaders to take oath as ministers in Kerala's CPI(M)-led govt

Ramachandran Kadannappally of Congress (S) and K B Ganesh Kumar of Kerala Congress (B) are set to take the oath as ministers in Kerala's CPI(M)-led LDF government on Friday afternoon, officials said here. The swearing-in ceremony for the minister-designates will take place at 4 pm at Raj Bhavan, with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administering the oath of office to the new ministers, officials said. Earlier, the Governor approved the state government's proposal for the induction of two new ministers into the state cabinet. On Sunday, the LDF announced a cabinet reshuffle and said that the new ministers would be sworn in on December 29. Following the understanding among the partners in the LDF, Antony Raju of the Democratic Kerala Congress and Ahammad Devarkovil of the Indian National League resigned as Transport Minister and Ports Minister, respectively. When the second LDF government assumed power in the state in May 2021, partners in the CPI(M)-led alliance had agreed to allocate

Two alliance leaders to take oath as ministers in Kerala's CPI(M)-led govt

Ramachandran Kadannappally of Congress (S) and K B Ganesh Kumar of Kerala Congress (B) are set to take the oath as ministers in Kerala's CPI(M)-led LDF government on Friday afternoon, officials said here. The swearing-in ceremony for the minister-designates will take place at 4 pm at Raj Bhavan, with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administering the oath of office to the new ministers, officials said. Earlier, the Governor approved the state government's proposal for the induction of two new ministers into the state cabinet. On Sunday, the LDF announced a cabinet reshuffle and said that the new ministers would be sworn in on December 29. Following the understanding among the partners in the LDF, Antony Raju of the Democratic Kerala Congress and Ahammad Devarkovil of the Indian National League resigned as Transport Minister and Ports Minister, respectively. When the second LDF government assumed power in the state in May 2021, partners in the CPI(M)-led alliance had agreed to allocate

CPI(M) chief Sitaram Yechury turns down Ayodhya Ram Temple invite

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has invited former Prime Ministers and leaders of leading political parties to the January 22 event

LDF announces cabinet reshuffle, new ministers to take oath on Dec 29

Honouring the commitment made to all coalition partners, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Sunday announced a cabinet reshuffle and said new ministers will take oath on December 29. LDF convener E P Jayarajan told the media that Transport minister, Antony Raju of the Democratic Kerala Congress and Ports Minister Ahammad Devarkovil of the Indian National League have tendered their resignations. "Two ministers have tendered their resignations. New ministers will take oath on December 29. Their portfolios will be decided by the Chief Minister," Jayarajan told the media at a press meet here. Ramachandran Kadannappally of Congress (S) and K B Ganesh Kumar of Kerala Congress (B) will take oath as ministers for the rest of the term. When the second LDF government came to power in the state in May 2021, partners in the CPI(M)-led alliance had reached an understanding to allocate cabinet berths to four single-MLA parties on a "sharing the term" basis. The LDF then took the decision

CPI (M) raises Silkyara tunnel incident in Rajya Sabha, demands fair probe

CPI (M) Member of Parliament P V Sivadasan in Rajya Sabha on Monday raised the issue of collapse of Uttrakhand's Silkyara tunnel and demanded an inquiry into the incident alleging that safety measures were not implemented by the company concerned. A part of the Uttarkashi tunnel -- around 200 metres from the entrance -- had collapsed on November 12 trapping 41 workers. A rescue team pulled out all trapped workers on November 28 in a multi-agency operation that hovered between hope and despair for almost 17 days. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the House, Sivadasan termed the incident very painful and accused the tunnelling company of violating all security measures, rules and norms. "...transparent and fair inquiry is very necessary," said the MP from Communist Party of India - Marxist. Silkyara was the not the sole incident and such events have happened before in the area, he said. Ajay Pratap Singh of BJP said Sivadasan may have his own views on the incident, but the

NIA books 8 for supplying explosives, drones to CPI (Maoist) in Telangana

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday chargesheeted eight accused in Telangana for allegedly supplying explosives, drones and other equipment to the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) for attacking security forces in the Maoist-affected areas of the country, an official said. All the eight accused are in custody following their arrest under sections of the Indian Penal Code, Telangana Public Security Act, Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the official said. While three of them, working as couriers for the proscribed outfit, were nabbed on their way to supply the explosives, drones and a lathe machine, the others were apprehended subsequently, a spokesperson of the federal agency said. The official said investigations have revealed that the explosive material recovered from the possession of the three arrested -- Punem Nageswar Rao, Devanuri Mallikarjun Rao and Vollepogula Umashankar -- was originally supplied to them by accused Jann

Kerala HC allows ED to summon CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac in KIIFB case

The Kerala High Court has granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate to issue fresh summons to senior CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac, allowing the agency to continue its investigation into alleged violations in the financial dealings of KIIFB during his tenure as the state Finance Minister in the previous LDF government. In an interim order dated November 24, the high court clarified that this decision is subject to further orders from the court and scheduled the matter for further consideration on December 1. The court issued this order in response to a plea filed by Isaac, who sought the quashing of the two summons issued to him by the ED. These summons are part of the agency's probe into alleged violations in the financial dealings of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). "...the pendency of these writ petitions will not stand in the way of the ED issuing fresh summons to any person, including the petitioners, and to continue the investigation; however, ...

Rajasthan polls 2023 LIVE: Amit Shah addresses rallies in 3 constituencies

Rajasthan state Assembly elections LIVE: Catch all the latest updates of Rajasthan elections 2023 here

INDIA bloc parties want a review of coordination committee format

The constituents of INDIA are chafing at the Congress, which they allege is treating the half dozen INDIA committees as an opportunity to groom its second-rung leaders

INDIA bloc's coordination panel to meet today at Sharad Pawar's residence

According to reports, the INDIA alliance can hold discussions on seat sharing, and a joint campaign plan is also on the table

CPI(M) alleges large-scale rigging, demands fresh polls on 2 Tripura seats

The CPI(M) on Friday alleged "large-scale rigging" in the byelections to Tripura's Boxanagar and Dhanpur assembly constituencies and demanded fresh polls, questioning the BJP's victory from the two seats. In a statement, the CPI(M) polit bureau said the results of the byelections in Boxanagar and Dhanpur, as declared by the chief electoral officer, "vindicate the apprehensions raised by the Left Front and justifies the demand for countermanding them and holding fresh polls under strict supervision". "In (the) Boxanagar constituency, the BJP won securing 89 per cent of the votes polled and 71 per cent in (the) Dhanpur constituency. This is unprecedented in the state's history of elections," the CPI(M) said. It further alleged, "After having lost the Boxanagar seat to the CPI(M) in the February elections, it is impossible for the BJP to secure 89 per cent (of the) votes except through large-scale rigging." According to the Election Commission, the BJP's Tafajjal Hossain won the ...

BJP wins bypolls in Dhanpur, Boxanagar assembly seats in Tripura: EC

The BJP won the by-elections to the Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly seats in Tripura's Sepahijala district on Friday, according to the Election Commission. BJP's Tafajjal Hossain won the Boxanagar seat, which has around 66 per cent minority voters, by 30,237 votes. Hossain got 34,146 votes, while his nearest rival Mizan Hossain of the CPI(M) got 3,909 votes. BJP candidate Bindu Debnath bagged the Dhanpur seat, which has a significant tribal population, by 18,871 votes. Debnath got 30,017 votes, and his nearest rival Kaushik Chanda of the CPI(M) got 11,146 votes. Alleging large-scale rigging during the polling and inaction by the Election Commission, the opposition CPI(M) boycotted the counting of votes. The two seats witnessed a one-on-one fight between the ruling BJP and the CPI(M) with the other two opposition parties, Tipra Motha and Congress, not fielding any candidates. The polling for the by-elections was held on September 5. An average turnout of 86.50 per cent was recorded i

Assembly bypolls 2023 updates: Candidates, voter turnout, and more

Dumri in Jharkhand, Puthuppally in Kerala, Boxanagar and Dhanpur in Tripura, Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, Ghosi in Uttar Pradesh, and Dhupguri in West Bengal will be conducting by-polls today

Tripura by-polls in Dhanpur, Boxanagar: BJP, CPI(M) set for direct clash

43,087 eligible voters from Boxanagar and 50,147 from Dhanpur are set to exercise their franchise on the polling day

One nation, one election: All you need to know about simultaneous elections

Centre has constituted a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to explore the possibility of 'one nation, one election'

One Nation, One Election against idea of diversity: CPI MP Binoy Viswam

The government has decided to call a Special Session of Parliament from September 18-22 where it is speculated that the government could bring a bill for this proposal to take effect