Page 2 - Politics News

Palaniswami criticises CM Stalin for ignoring monsoon crisis, praises films

AIADMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday lashed out at Chief Minister M K Stalin over the government's handling of the ongoing monsoon-related issues and charged the CM with becoming a "full-time movie critic". Palaniswami has been raising the issue of crop damage in the state due to the heavy monsoon rains. In a social media post, the LoP said he could feel the indescribable pain of the farmers when he held the sprouted paddy crops in his hands recently. "But the hands of the CM that need to hold this paddy are holding those of the film crew," he said in an apparent reference to Stalin recently watching Tamil movie 'Bison' and congratulating its director and the team. Although, there was nothing wrong in watching movies or lauding the talented movie crew, he said. "But, forgetting why he became chief minister, the puppet CM has become a full-time movie critic and this is a matter of concern," Palaniswami said. Referring to Sta

Meeting between MHA, Ladakh leaders begins weeks after deadly protests

In the first sign of a thaw, leaders of Ladakh, where four people died in police firing during the recent pro-statehood protests, met with Home Ministry representatives here on Wednesday for sub-committee level talks. During the meeting, the Ladakh representatives demanded an immediate release of all arrested leaders, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuck, the widely recognised face of the agitation. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) said that the next of kin of those killed should be given adequate compensation. Talks between the Centre, LAB and KDA had broken down after four protesters were killed and several were injured during widespread violence in Leh on September 24. Both the Ladakh organisations stayed away from the dialogue with the high-powered committee of the MHA slated for October 6. The invitation for the talks had been made by the Centre on September 20. The last round of talks between the two sides was held in May. Lok Sabha MP f

Bihar polls: With a day left for nominations, INDIA bloc looks unsettled

Chinks in the INDIA bloc's armour became all too obvious on Sunday in poll-bound Bihar, where disgruntled aspirants in the RJD and the Congress, the two largest constituents, had a field day charging the leadership with having put tickets up for sale. With less than 24 hours left for the filing of nomination papers for the second and final phase to be over, the multi-party coalition was still unable to declare things like a chief ministerial candidate and the formula of seat-sharing among six alliance partners. RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, however, continued to disburse party symbols at will, which did not go down well with the party's media cell president Ritu Jaiswal, who announced that she would be filing her nomination papers as an Independent from Parihar seat, against the official candidate Smita Purve. In an emotional Facebook post, Jaiswal, who had contested the seat five years ago and was the RJD candidate from Sheohar in Lok Sabha polls last year, losing on both occasions with

After coup, Madagascar's Gen Z demand a voice in shaping what comes next

Madagascar's young population, averaging just 19, faces a litany of problems that are largely the result of mismanagement by a succession of older men

Caste census in Karnataka extended till Oct 31, says D K Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday said that the government has decided to extend the Social and Educational Survey --widely referred to as the 'caste census' -- till October 31. He said, teachers will not be used for enumeration work during the remaining period of the survey. The survey, being conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, began on September 22, and was originally scheduled to end on October 7. However, the state government had subsequently decided to extend the survey till October 18, and to also extend the Dasara holidays for government and aided schools till October 18 to enable completion of the survey with the help of teachers, who were deputed as enumerators. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday chaired a meeting with senior ministers and officials and Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Chairman Madhusudan R Naik regarding the progress of the survey. "In all other parts of the state except Bengaluru .

Statehood of J&K to be restored at appropriate time, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday promised restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir at "an appropriate time" and a "good resolution" of demands raised by people of the Union Territory of Ladakh. Speaking at a media conclave in Patna, he also claimed that after the abrogation of Article 370, terror-infested Jammu and Kashmir has "taken a U-turn" and "no local terrorist has been recruited in the last nine months". "This is a qualitative change that Jammu and Kashmir, where separatism had been festering since the 1990s, witnessed. Earlier, Pakistan felt no need to send terrorists from across the border. They used to place arms in the hands of our children. Now the situation has changed. The people of Jammu and Kashmir feel they belong to the entire country and the entire country belongs to them," Shah said at the conclave organised by ABP News and Hindustan. "Today, democracy has been restored in Jammu and Kashmir. Panchayat and municipal polls have taken place, and so ha

Earlier govts reformed out of compulsion, we do it with conviction: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that while earlier governments carried out reforms as compulsion his dispensation does it with conviction and has turned every risk into reform. Addressing the NDTV World Summit here, Modi said that India now does not remain silent after terror attacks but hits back using surgical and air strikes. "Earlier governments carried out reforms as compulsion, we now do it with conviction. Age of unknown can be uncertain thing for world but it is opportunity for India as it has always turned risks into reforms "... We have turned every reform into resilience and every resilience into a revolution," he told the gathering. The prime minister underlined that India now does not remain silent after terror attacks but hits back at using surgical and air strikes. "India no more remains silent after terror attacks but gives befitting reply through air strikes, surgical strikes and Operation Sindoor," he said. "When wars became headlines globally,

Rahul Gandhi gets relief in 12-year-old case linked to Muzaffarnagar riots

A court here on Tuesday dismissed a revision petition filed against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in a 2013 case in which he was accused of making objectionable remarks against Muslims. It was alleged that during an election rally in October 2013, Gandhi referred to Muslim youths in connection with the Muzaffarnagar riots and claimed they had links with the ISI, the Pakistani intelligence agency. Originally, advocate Mohammad Anwar had filed a court complaint when Gandhi was the Congress Vice President. Mohammad Anwar, Raja Ram Upadhyay, and Vishal Barnwal were presented as witnesses in the case. On January 30, Special Magistrate Shubham Verma dismissed the complaint. Following this, Mohammad Anwar approached a District Judge's court with a revision petition against the magistrate's order. Gandhi's counsel, Kashi Prasad Shukla, presented his arguments in the Fast Track Court-2. After hearing both sides, Judge Rakesh quashed the petition, effectively giving the Leader of the Oppositio

In Karnataka, BJP-JDS alliance appears to be fraying at the edges

The BJP-JDS alliance in Karnataka appears to be fraying at the edges ahead to the crucial civic polls, even as Modi and Deve Gowda share a strong rapport

Education must not become privilege for a few, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that India needs an education system that reflects the rich diversity of the country and should not become a "privilege for a few", saying it is the very foundation of freedom. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, also said India needs to build an alternative manufacturing system and a partnership with the US or Peru could be the way forward. In an interaction with students at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and the University of Chile, the Congress leader held an "insightful dialogue" focused on education, democracy and geopolitics. "India needs to build an alternative manufacturing system that thrives in a democratic setup. Thus, a partnership with Peru or the US could be the way forward," the Congress quoted Gandhi on its official X handle, while sharing a video of his conversation with students in South America. "When it comes to education, it begins with curiosity and the freedom to think openly and ask questions witho

French PM Sebastien Lecornu races against the clock to form government

Just two days after being reappointed, Lecornu must present a draft budget bill to cabinet and parliament on Monday

France's re-appointed PM Lecornu calls for calm amid political chaos

France's newly re-appointed prime minister acknowledged Saturday that there weren't a lot of candidates for his job and that he might not last long in the post given the country's deep political divides. Sebastien Lecornu, renamed by President Emmanuel Macron late Friday after a week of political chaos, called for calm and for the support of political parties to produce a budget for the European Union's No. 2 economy before looming deadlines. His appointment is seen as Macron's last chance to reinvigorate his second term, which runs until 2027. His centrist camp lacks a majority in the National Assembly and he is facing increasing criticism even within its ranks. But rivals from far right to far left slammed Macron's decision to rename Lecornu, France's fourth prime minister in barely a year. France is struggling with mounting economic challenges and ballooning debt, and the political crisis is aggravating its troubles and raising alarm across the European Union. I don't think the

Wholesale attack on democracy in India: Rahul Gandhi at Colombia university

Claiming that there is a "wholesale attack on the democratic system" in India currently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said allowing different traditions to thrive is important for the country, as "we cannot do what China does, which is to suppress people and run an authoritarian system". Speaking at the EIA University in Medellin, Colombia, Gandhi said India has a much more complex system as compared with China and India's strengths are very different from that of the neighbouring country. India also has a very old spiritual tradition and a thought system with profound ideas that are useful in today's world, he said, adding that there is a lot that the country can offer in terms of tradition and the way of thinking. "I am very optimistic about India, but at the same time, there are fault lines within the Indian structure, there are risks that India has to overcome. The single-biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India," the leader of opposition in the

Karur stampede: Vijay's rally tragedy puts star power under the spotlight

Vijay's political gatherings have been drawing huge crowds in recent months. But immediately after the tragedy, the actor took a special flight back to Chennai

Stampede at TVK chief Vijay's rally: Several feared dead in Karur

Several people fainted during the rush at the venue and were immediately taken to nearby hospitals in ambulances.Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed concern over the incident

President Paudel appoints five new ministers in Nepal, oath on Sep 22

Nepal Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Sunday extended her cabinet strength to nine by inducting five new ministers in the interim government. Following Karki's recommendation, President Ramchandra Paudel appointed Anil Kumar Sinha, Mahavir Pun, Sangita Kaushal Mishra, Jagadish Kharel and Madan Pariyar as the new ministers, according to sources at the President's Office. The swearing-in ceremony of these ministers will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday. Sinha will be given the portfolio of Industry and Commerce; Pun will be given Education, Science and Technology; Mishra will be getting Health & Population; Kharel will be the minister for Information and Communication, while Pariyar the minister for Agriculture, sources said. With this, the cabinet now has nine ministers, including the Prime Minister who has kept several important portfolios with her. Karki, 73, became prime minister on September 12, ending days of political uncertainty after the ouster of Prime Minister

The fleeting fantasy of a monarch who would return to save Nepal

That turned out to be a brief royalist dream. It is a former chief justice, Sushil Karki who now leads Nepal after last week's protests and arson attacks

Amit Khare appointed Secretary to Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan

The government on Sunday appointed former bureaucrat Amit Khare as Secretary to the new Vice President C P Radhakrishnan. Khare has been serving as Advisor to the Prime Minister since October 12, 2021, handling matters related to the social sector in the Prime Minister's Office. He was also part of the core team that formulated and implemented the National Education Policy, 2020. His appointment will be for a period of three years from the date he assumes charge. "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Amit Khare, IAS (Retd.), 1985 batch, Jharkhand Cadre, as Secretary to the Vice-President of India," an official order said. According to the order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, Khare's appointment will be on a contract basis, in the rank and pay of Secretary, for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge of the post. Khare has also held several key positions in the central and state governments during his .

TN Governor, Stalin, Palaniswami congratulate C P Radhakrishnan

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister M K Stalin, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday extended their greetings to C P Radhakrishnan, who was elected as the 15th Vice President of India. Radhakrishnan won the vice presidential election by bagging 452 votes, while Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy polled 300 votes. Heartiest Congratulations to Radhakrishnan from the people of Tamil Nadu on his election as Vice President of India, Ravi said. "His leadership would further advance the Prime Minister's ongoing initiatives to preserve, promote and glorify Tamil langtuage, culture and heritage," the Governor said in an official release. Chief Minister Stalin said, "I warmly congratulate C P Radhakrishnan on his election as the Vice President of India and hope that he will discharge his duties with steadfast resolve to the constitutional framework and the democratic ideals of our nation." "I also commend Opposition Candidate B Sudershan Reddy for his ...

Congress top brass strategises with Bihar leaders for Assembly polls

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi deliberated with party leaders from Bihar here on Tuesday amid ongoing seat-sharing talks among "mahagathbandhan" allies ahead of the Assembly polls in the state. Besides Kharge and Gandhi, Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram, AICC in-charge of the state Krishna Allavaru, party treasurer Ajay Maken, MPs Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Ranjeet Ranjan, Tariq Anwar and Mohammed Javed, as well as Independent MP from Purnea Pappu Yadav, participated in the meeting at the Congress president's residence here. The feedback from the Voter Adhikar Yatra, seat sharing among allies and the party's strategy for the Bihar polls were deliberated upon, sources said. The deliberations came days after INDIA bloc leaders in the state attended a meeting hosted by Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav, who heads the coordination committee for the opposition coalition. Talk