Page 1003 - Politics
Range of BrahMos missiles may be increased from 400 km to 500 km
The range of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, produced jointly by Russia and India, is planned to be increased to 500 kilometres (311 miles) from 400 kilometres."We will come to hypersound via an increase in range. We have already confirmed 400 kilometres, in order to increase the range to 500, it is needed to increase the speed. Now the missile flies at speeds of 2.8 mach. We will achieve the speed of hypersound through modernization, it is more than 4.5 mach," Maksichev said.Last month, Maksichev told Sputnik that the serial production of BrahMos cruise missiles had started in March.BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture of Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India's Defence Research and Development Organization. The company is producing the world's fastest cruise missile BrahMos, named after Brahmaputra and Moscow rivers.
PM Modi, Amit Shah release BJP Manifesto 'Sankalp Patra'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Amit Shah on Monday released party's manifesto for the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections.Manifesto described as "sankalp patra" or document of promises has been weaved on the theme of a "Sankalpit Bharat - Shashakt Bharat" or "determined India, empowered India".Speaking at the event, Shah said, "In five years, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken 50 major decisions for the betterment of the country. From 2014-19, our government has transformed the country.""We took suggestions from six crore people while making the sankalp patra. When we came to power in 2014, our country was ranked as 11th major economy. Today, it stands as 5th major economy," he added.He also underlined that, "We are going forward with 75 resolutions that we can fulfill by the year 2022 when India completes 75 years of independence.
BJP manifesto reiterates stand on abrogation of Article 370, Article 35A
Setting the narrative for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, BJP on Monday released its manifesto, reiterating its demand for abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution which are provisions specific to Jammu and Kashmir.It also said that the party will make efforts to ensure the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits to the state."In the last five years, we have made all necessary efforts to ensure peace in Jammu and Kashmir through decisive actions and a firm policy. We are committed to overcome all obstacles that come in the way of development and provide adequate financial resources to all the regions of the state, We reiterate our position since the time of the Jan Sangh to the abrogation of Article 370," the party manifesto said."We are committed to annulling Article 35A of the Constitution of India as the provision is discriminatory against non-permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir. We believe that Article 35A is an obstacle in the development of the ...
Bernie Sanders embraces a new role: Democratic front-runner
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is quieting critics who questioned whether he could recapture the energy of his upstart 2016 campaign, surpassing his rivals in early fundraising and establishing himself as an indisputable front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination. Less than two months into his second White House bid, no other declared candidate in the crowded Democratic field currently has amassed so many advantages: a USD 28 million war chest, a loyal and enthusiastic voter base and a set of clearly defined policy objectives. That puts Sanders on markedly different footing than during his first White House run, creating new challenges for a candidate whose supporters relish his role as an underdog and an outsider. He now carries the weight of high expectations and will face heightened scrutiny over everything from the cost and feasibility of his government-funded policy proposals to his tax returns, which he has not yet released. He initially blamed "mechanical issues" for .
BJP in its manifesto promises to explore all options for construction of Ram Temple
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday reiterated its promise of constructing Ram Temple in Ayodhya in its manifesto.The party asserted that it will explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution to facilitate the expeditious construction of the Ram Temple."We reiterate our stand on Ram Mandir. We will explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution and all necessary efforts to facilitate the expeditious construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya," the party manifesto read.The Supreme Court is hearing appeals against the September 30, 2010 verdict of the Allahabad High Court which ordered a three-way division of the disputed 2.77 acres of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya between the Nirmohi Akhara sect, the Sunni Central Wakf Board, Uttar Pradesh and Ramlalla Virajman.The construction of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya has been a long-standing promise by the BJP.The pledge was also included in the 2014 elections manifesto.
Congress candidate Priya Dutt files nomination for Mumbai North Central LS seat
Congress Lok Sabha candidate from the Mumbai North Central seat, Priya Dutt, has filed her nomination at the Bandra Collector's Office on Monday.Priya was accompanied by her brother and actor Sanjay Dutt at the Collector's office.She will be fighting against BJP's sitting MP, Poonam Mahajan, who had defeated her by a margin of over 1.86 lakh votes in 2014 general elections.Dutt had entered electoral politics in 2005 and has been contesting from Mumbai North Central parliamentary constituency seat since then.Her brother Sanjay Dutt too had jumped into the political fray when in 2009 he was set to contest the Lucknow parliamentary seat as a Samajwadi Party candidate.However, he had to withdraw his name after the Supreme Court refused to suspend his conviction under the Arms Act.Maharashtra will go to polls in four phases starting April 11 for its 48 parliamentary constituencies. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Royal Commission to probe Christchurch attacks
A Royal Commission of Inquiry will begin probing the March 15 Christchurch terror attacks that left 50 people dead in two mosques on May 13, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.
SC directs EC to increase random checking of VVPAT slips
The Supreme Court Monday directed the Election Commission to increase random checking of VVPAT slips from one booth per assembly segment to five in Lok Sabha polls for better voter confidence and credibility of electoral process. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi however did not agree to the request of 21 opposition parties leaders that 50 per cent VVPAT slips of EVMs be matched, on the ground that it will require huge manpower and not be feasible in view of infrastructural difficulties. The bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, disposed of the petition filed by opposition parties including TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu on the issue.
Will resign only if chief minister asks me to: Himachal minister Anil Sharma
Himachal Pradesh minister Anil Sharma said on Monday he will resign only if Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur asks him to, asserting that he will neither campaigning for his son Aashray Sharma, who is fighting the Lok Sabha polls as a Congress candidate, nor for the BJP candidate from Mandi. "Neither I will campaign for my son nor for BJP candidate Ramswaroop Sharma from Mandi," the power minister told PTI a day after Thakur asked him to clarify whether he would quit his post and campaign for his son or he would campaign for the BJP candidate. Sharma, son of former Union telecom minister Sukh Ram, is a BJP MLA from the Mandi Assembly segment which along with 16 other state legislature seats makes up the Mandi parliamentary constituency. His son Ashray is fighting the Lok Sabha polls on a Congress ticket from the seat. BJP has fielded its sitting MP Ramswaroop Sharma from the constituency. "If the chief minister feels an awkward position has been created for the BJP with my stand, he may ..
Major promises in BJP's 'Sankalpit Bhatar Sashakt Bharat'
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the party headquarters.
BJP launches manifesto, focusses on nationalism
Calling the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls a "vision document", head of the party's manifesto committee Rajnath Singh on Monday said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully committed on nationalism and zero tolerance towards terrorism. The BJP manifesto was released by Modi on Monday in the presence of the party's top brass. "Our 'Sankalp Patra' is a vision document that lists the expectations of 130 crore Indians," Singh said. "We are fully committed on nationalism and zero tolerance towards terrorism," the Union home minister added. He said the BJP was committed towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code in the country and all alternative options will be explored for the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh in the most conducive manner. The saffron party would ensure the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament with utmost respect to every state's cultural values, Singh said. For rural development, the BJP ...
Modi to address rally in Coimbatore on Tuesday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address an election rally in Coimbatore on Tuesday in support of BJP candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is contesting from the constituency, the party's Tamil Nadu unit said on Monday.
Army gets 'desi' Bofors in home-made Dhanush howitzer
The Army got 'desi' Bofors when home-made Dhanush howitzer was inducted on Monday.
Museveni vows 'Uganda is safe' after tourist kidnap
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday insisted his country was safe for travellers, after the kidnapping of a US tourist, but vowed to further strengthen security in national parks. An American woman and her experienced safari guide were recovered unharmed Sunday after a ransom was paid for their release six days after they were abducted by gunmen while on an evening game drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tourism is a key industry for Uganda, home to rare mountain gorillas and other wildlife, the massive Lake Victoria and snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. "Uganda is safe," Museveni wrote on Twitter, adding that authorities would "deal with these isolated pockets of criminals" and "continue to improve security in our parks". "Come and enjoy the Pearl of Africa," he said. Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the East African nation's most popular wildlife reserves, runs along the border with conflict-wracked regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It borders the ...
BJP promises pension scheme for farmers over 60
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its election manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls with a promise to provide pension for small and marginal farmers to ensure social security after 60 years of age.
Seoul confirms controversial academic as N Korea point man
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday confirmed the appointment of a pro-engagement academic as his new point man on Pyongyang, despite controversy over his outspoken support for cooperation with the nuclear-armed North. The confirmation of Kim Yeon-chul as the new unification minister comes days before Moon flies to Washington for a summit with President Donald Trump as he seeks to rekindle dialogue between the US and North Korea after a failed summit in Hanoi in February. The dovish South Korean president brokered the talks process between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which led to their first landmark summit in Singapore last June. But at times security allies Seoul and Washington have appeared to diverge on their approach to Pyongyang, with Moon, a longstanding advocate of engagement with the North, regularly pushing inter-Korean cooperation projects. Moon faced a heavy backlash last month after tapping Kim Yeon-chul, chief of the state-run Korea Institute of ..
RJD releases manifesto, promises reservation to Dalits, backward classes
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday released the party's poll manifesto which promises reservation to Dalits and backward classes on the basis of their population, besides a job quota in the private sector.Yadav told reporters that steps would be taken towards stopping migration of people from Bihar, if his party is voted to power.He said RJD supported Congress' minimum income guarantee (NYAY) scheme."We will implement all the remaining suggestions of the Mandal Commission report. We will give reservation to Dalits and the backward classes on the basis of their population. We will also give reservation in promotion," Yadav said, reading from the manifesto.He said, "With the support of the central government, we will work towards improving the environment in Bihar so that people here do not have to migrate in big numbers. We will also bring back the 200-point roaster system. We will also ensure quota in the private sector."Congress in its manifesto has promised ..
Telangana govt misusing power to create environment of fear like PM Modi: Sachin Pilot
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Monday alleged that incumbent government in Telangana is misusing its power to create an environment of fear like Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing in the rest of India by using agencies to suppress voices of anybody who questions the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Addressing a public gathering here, Pilot said: "The incumbent government in Telangana is doing all it can to buy legislators and pressurise lawmakers to create an environment of fear like Mr Modi is doing in the rest of India by using agencies to quieten voices of anybody who questions the BJP."Pilot claimed that voting for TRS is akin to voting for BJP. "There is no place for BJP in Telangana. The country will surely elect a new government and a new prime minister on May 23," he said.Lambasting the TRS and BJP, Pilot alleged that TRS in the state and BJP in the country have done nothing for the development of people in the past five years. "For the first time in the ...
Wave of change across India; Cong, allies to do well in LS
The Congress would do extremely well in the coming Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where the party came to power after the Assembly elections last year, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said Monday. He claimed that people tend to back the party they voted during Assembly polls, at least in northern states. "I think there is a wave of change all across the country," Pilot told a press conference here, exuding confidence that the Congress and its allies would do extremely well across the country and UPA-III will form the government. The Rajasthan Congress chief said the party is going ahead with 'Mission-25' in to win all 25 Lok Sabha seats in his state. The BJP had won all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan in the 2014 elections. However, the Congress won bypolls in two constituencies last year, reducing the BJP's strength to 23. Going by the way the BJP went ahead with seat adjustments with its allies in Bihar and Maharashtra it
PM releases BJP manifesto, Shah says 'Sankalp Patra' makes 75 pledges
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday released the BJP's manifesto in the presence of senior party leaders, including president Amit Shah who said the 'Sankalp Patra' makes 75 pledges and promises to fulfil all expectations of the people. The 'Sankalp Patra' (document of resolution) comes three days before the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections begin on April 11. Addressing the gathering, Shah said the party promises the people of India a transparent, strong and decisive government and urged voters to bring the party back to power. "Our 'Sankalp Patra' promises to fulfil all expectations of the people," he said. The BJP chief said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had provided a decisive government in the last five years and dared to carry out surgical strikes and air strikes on the foundation of terror. With its strikes on terror, the Modi-led government sent out the strong message that India cannot be taken lightly, he added. India's development from 2014 to 2019 will be written in golden