Page 20 - Indian Politics

Karnataka polls: Here's how mutts can act as game changer in state politics

It also suggests that in the state of Karnataka, an election can be won or lost with just a nod or a shake of the head from the chief of a mutt

Harmful power concentration

Personality- or family-based parties prevent strong alliances

Here's a look at Sharad Pawar's eventful journey in Indian politics

Sharad Pawar's dramatic announcement to quit as president of NCP, the party he founded 24 years ago, has put the focus on the over five decade-long career of the 82-year-old veteran in Indian politics. From student politics to becoming Maharasthra's chief minister four times, and a decade-long stint as Union minister, Pawar has been a master at political moves. Pawar began his political journey in 1958 when he joined Youth Congress four years later became Pune district Youth Congress president. He won the Assembly election in 1967 from his home turf Baramati constituency and since then has been a member of either the state legislature or Parliament. In 1978, Pawar, then 38, became the youngest Chief Minister of Maharashtra. His Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) government was in power for two years. In 1988, Pawar became the chief minister of Maharashtra for the second time. In 1990, he became chief minister of for the third time. In 1991, Pawar became the defence minister in th

Why has Anand Mohan become a headache for the Nitish Kumar administration

Several people and bodies, including the wife of slain IAS officer G Krishnaiah and the Central IAS Association, have expressed their dismay over the decision of Mohan's release

BJP 2019 report card: 50% arithmetic and 100% chemistry, shows data

Decoding party's winning formula from 2 seats in 1984 to 303 in 2019

Ajit Pawar's future bright with NCP, he will not join BJP, says Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bal Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said that the future of Ajit Pawar is bright with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and he might not join BJP.

Explained: Why is Sachin Pilot holding a day-long protest in Rajasthan

Congress has issued a stern warning to Pilot and said that the fast would amount to 'anti-party' activity

Have actively taken steps for decriminalisation of politics: EC to SC

Contending that it has been raising the issue of criminalisation of politics since 1998, the Election Commission has told the Supreme Court it has actively taken steps for its decriminalisation. In an affidavit filed in the top court, the poll panel said any further steps to effectively decriminalise politics would require legislative amendments which are beyond the scope of the Election Commission of India. The poll panel told the apex court that in its "Proposed Electoral Reforms, 2016", it had reiterated its 2004 recommendation that people charged with cognisable offences, which are punishable with imprisonment of at least five years, where charges have been framed and where the cases have been filed at least six months prior to the election, should be debarred from contesting elections. "It is submitted herein that the Election Commission of India has actively taken steps for decriminalisation of politics, and has also made recommendations in that regard. However, any further ..

Congress' candidates for about 60 seats in Karnataka unsuitable: CM Bommai

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday commented that the Congress didn't have suitable candidates in about 60 seats and the party would lose badly in the May 10 Assembly polls, performing worse than last time. He said the Congress lacked not only candidates, but a base in the State as well as clarity on its policies. "As per my understanding, Congress doesn't have suitable candidates in about 60 seats, so they are trying to get people from here and there," Bommai said in response to a question. "As I had said earlier, D K Shivakumar while preparing Congress' second list contacted almost all our MLAs saying, 'seats have been reserved for you, will you join?'" . Speaking to reporters here, he said that the Congress and Shivakumar speak with valour, but the reality inside was different. "They (Congress) will lose badly than last time, there is no doubt on that, because they neither have candidates, nor base nor clarity on policies -- whether it is on reservation or on ..

Suspended YSRCP MLA placed under house arrest in Nellore to foil protest

Suspended YSRCP legislator Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy was placed under house arrest in Nellore on Thursday to foil his protest demanding construction of a bridge in his constituency

Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay detained, development triggers protests

Telangana BJP President and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar was detained by the police, triggering protests in the state, police said on Wednesday. Sanjay Kumar, a Lok Sabha MP from Karimnagar constituency, was picked up by a team of police late on Tuesday night from his residence. The MP's supporters tried to prevent the police from arresting Kumar. Condemning the police action, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy termed as 'undemocratic' the detention of Kumar without citing any reason. The development comes days ahead of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state to inaugurate various projects. Sanjay Kumar has been shifted to Bommalaramaram police station under Rachakonda Police Commissionerate limits here. A large number of BJP workers gathered there to protest Kumar's detention and also raised slogans against Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. They demanded Sanjay Kumar be immediately released. Meanwhile, BJP leader and party's I-T department head Amit Malviya in a

People still aware of 'dark days' of Siddaramaiah's govt: BJP leader

BJP National General Secretary BL Santosh on Wednesday hit out at former CM Siddaramaiah, terming his tenure as the "most corrupt, indecisive and Hindu-hating government"

Rahul Gandhi disqualification: Kharge accuses Centre of double standards

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday accused the Centre of double standards, saying while it disqualified Rahul Gandhi with lightning speed, a Gujarat MP who was convicted in a criminal case did not face the same action. Kharge was referring to the BJP's Amreli MP Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadia, who was awarded a three-year jail term by a court. Kachhadia's conviction was later quashed by the Supreme Court. Gandhi was convicted by a lower court in Gujarat's Surat and sentenced to prison for two years on March 23 for a speech in which he linked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's last name with two fugitive businessmen, remarking how the "thieves" shared the same last name. A day later, he was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha. Kharge said the Gujarat MP was allowed to attend the Parliament but a person who speaks the truth has been kept out of Parliament. "The height of the Modi government's hypocrisy and double standards -- a BJP MP from Gujarat is awarded a ...

United Opposition front? Why it is important to fix the cracks first

Though calls for a united opposition against the BJP in 2024 polls are getting louder, there are several ifs and buts around the Congress' role

BJP's three-variable challenge: What will it drop to ensure victory?

A six per cent increase in the Congress share will probably not get it anywhere, but a similar decline in the BJP's vote share could end its majority

Why disqualifying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi doesn't help PM Modi

In other words, no council of BJP elders appears to have met in New Delhi last week and decided Gandhi had become so great of a threat that he needed to be driven out of Parliament

14 parties move SC over action of probe agencies against Oppn leaders

"We are asking for pre- and post-arrest guidelines. Today the CBI and ED are used against us," Singhvi told the court

The President vs the Prime Minister

India's Presidents were never intended to be rubber stamps, but could they manoeuvre things to strike fear into the heart of a Prime Minister?

Sambit Patra calls Rahul Gandhi present-day Mir Jafar of Indian politics

Addressing a press conference, Patra said, "Rahul will have to apologise, we will keep raising voice for it"

What explains the Congress-BJP fracas over Rahul Gandhi?

One has to understand that shutting up and sitting at home is no longer an option for the Congress. It is engaged in a battle for survival