Page 1021 - Politics
It's Anurag Thakur vs RL Thakur in HP's Hamirpur
The Congress on Saturday named former athlete and five-time legislator Ram Lal Thakur to take on BJP's three-time MP and former BCCI chief Anurag Thakur in Hamirpur of Himachal Pradesh.
Mysore LS seat: Cong seeks to downplay JDS protests
The Congress in Karnataka Saturday said the Mysore Lok Sabha seat was a prestigious one and there were "some challenges" but it would be sorted out, as it sought to downplay the opposition of some local JDS workers to extend support to the Congress candidate C H Vijayashankar. At a meeting of JD(S) leaders and workers in Mysuru on Friday, party workers openly opposed supporting the Congress candidate and demanded that Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hold discussions with them, seeking support. JD(S) workers pointed at Congress not supporting their candidate in Mandya and threatened to support the BJP in Mysore seat in front of minister for higher education G T Deve Gowda. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil is the JDS candidate contesting from Mandya. Reacting to the development, Siddaramaiah Saturday said the incident was blown out of proportion by the media. "Some lower rung workers yesterday said at a meeting of G
France urges Japan to respect Ghosn's legal rights
France's foreign minister on Saturday urged Tokyo to ensure consular protection and the presumption of innocence in talks with his Japanese counterpart over the case of Carlos Ghosn, after the re-arrest of the former Nissan and Renault boss in Japan. Jean-Yves Le Drian said he had talked about the Ghosn case with Taro Kono on the sidelines of the meeting of Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in the French resort of Dinard. Their talks came a day after a Japanese court ruled Ghosn must remain in custody until at least April 14 following his re-arrest in Tokyo. "I of course spoke about the the Ghosn case with my colleague," Le Drian told reporters after the end of the G7 meeting. "I told him two things: That France respects completely the sovereignty and independence of the Japanese judiciary. And I also reminded him of our attachment to the presumption of innocence and the full rights of consular protection." Ghosn spent 108 days in detention in northern Tokyo before being ...
Rahul Gandhi slams BJP for casting doubts on feasibility of Cong's 'Nyay' scheme
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday said the BJP should not question the feasibility of the minimum income scheme promised by his party when, he alleged, the Narendra Modi government had no qualms in "giving money" to businessmen like Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. Addressing rallies at Almora, Srinagar and Haridwar in Uttarakhand to drum up support for party candidates in the five Lok Sabha seats of the state going to polls on April 11, Gandhi said, "He (Modi) didn't think for a moment when he took your money to give it to the likes of Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Anil Ambani." "And now, when it has come to paying some money to the poorest as an income support, he is asking where will the money come from," the Congress president said. "I have consulted economic experts and they said it is feasible without derailing the economy," he said. Gandhi claimed that minimum income scheme for the poor promised in the Congress' poll manifesto will be a surgical strike on poverty without ...
NIA arrests key conspirator in 2017 J-K terror attack
The National Investigation Agency on Saturday arrested a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative over his involvement in the 2017 terror attack on a CRPF camp in Lethpora in South Kashmir, officials said.The accused identified as Syed Hilal Andrabi , an over ground worker of the JeM and is allegedly a key conspirator who provided logistic support in the form of sheltering the terrorists and conducting reconnaissance of the CRPF group centre before the attack was carried out.During the investigation, the trio which carried out the terror attack in 2017 was identified as Fardeen Ahmad Khandey, Manzoor Baba both residents of Pulwama district and a Pakistani terrorist Abdul Shakoor."All three terrorists were killed in the encounter. In this attack, 5 CRPF personnel were martyred and three were grievously injured," a statement from the NIA read."After his arrest from Jammu, accused Syed Hilal Andrabi was produced before the competent court and his five days' police custody has been obtained for ..
Congress announces 3 more candidates for Punjab
The Congress on Saturday announced three more candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab.
Tamil Nadu renames Chennai rail station after MGR
The Tamil Nadu government has renamed the iconic Chennai Central Railway Station as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR Central Railway Station.
US-led coalition says allies foil Islamic State prison break
The US-led coalition says its Syrian allies have successfully dealt with an "incident" at a detention center in northeastern Syria which activists described as an attempted prison break by Islamic State militants. Col Scott Rawlinson, coalition spokesman, said Saturday all detainees were accounted for after the Syrian Democratic Forces "peacefully" dealt with the incident that broke out a day earlier. He said coalition forces supported the SDF with aerial observation. Activists, including from Rojava Information Center, reported IS detainees in the town of Derik attempted the escape. The Kurdish-led SDF is holding hundreds of foreign IS militants in facilities around areas they control in northeast Syria. Many more local suspects are detained separately. It was not clear if the attempted break out was among foreign or local detainees.
Over 1.16 lakh new voters enrolled in HP in three months: CEO
Over 1.16 lakh people enrolled as fresh voters in Himachal Pradesh in about three months since January this year, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Devesh Kumar said on Saturday. Presiding over a state-level workshop on the Lok Sabha Election 2019 at Akashwani Shimla, the CEO said Himachal Pradesh emerged as the top performer in enrolment of new electors. The CEO said about 2.50 lakh youths have been identified eligible as voters in the state and their registration process will be completed by April 19, 10 days before the last date of filing of nomination papers. "Casting vote in democracy is not only our right but also a duty and responsibility of every voter," the CEO said, adding that every citizen should ensure his or her participation in democratic process by using franchise. He said two polling stations have been set up in each assembly constituency of the state, which will be operated by women only. Apart from this, special arrangements will be made to facilitate specially ...
Modi attacks CM Bhupesh Baghel over PM-KISAN scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government for stopping the aid under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) for the farmers while accusing the party of encouraging middleman in the scheme."Rs 75,000 crore would be provided to 35 lakh farmers' families under PM-KISAN scheme. They have a problem since the money is being directly transferred. They have not provided the full list of farmers which is why only a few people got the first instalment of money," the Prime Minister said while addressing an election rally here.Under PM-KISAN scheme, an amount of Rs 2,000 each in three instalments will be transferred directly to the bank account of beneficiaries through the Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) scheme. More than 12 crore farmers are expected to get the benefits of this scheme."They are afraid because through direct benefit transfer their agents will not able to make money. We are a supporter of DBT, they too support it. .
Former Vice Army Chief Sarath Chand joins BJP, terms party as first choice for 'Fauji'
Former Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) Lt. General (Retired) Sarath Chand, who had once criticised the BJP led Central government for cuts in defence budgets, joined BJP on Saturday.He joined the party in the presence of Union Minister of External Affairs and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj who lauded the former VCOAS for his service to the nation.Sarath Chand termed the BJP as first choice for the "Faujis"."I never thought I would join politics. In the current scenario, the country needs strong leadership. I am inspired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I thought to serve the country in whatever way I could," he said."No one has done for the military as much as the BJP," he added.Chand was commissioned into Garhwal Rifles, an infantry unit of the Indian Army in June 1979. He served in the Army for around 38 years in various operational postings.Chand had also led a company during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka. Besides that, he also commanded a company in Kargil sector. He had also ...
LS polls battle between BJP-RSS, Congress ideologies: Rahul Gandhi
The Lok Sabha elections are a battle between ideologies represented by the BJP-RSS and Congress wherein one seeks to "divide the nation" and the other wants "everyone to be treated with fairness", Congress President Rahul Gandhi said here on Saturday.Addressing a rally here, he also raked again the issue of treatment meted out by the BJP to its veteran leader L K Advani and targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over it."Narendra Modi talks about Hindu religion. In Hindu religion, the 'guru' (leader) is supreme. Advani ji is Narendra Modi's guru. Have you seen the condition of Advani ji? Advani ji was kicked out of the stage," Rahul said.He was apparently referring to denial of Lok Sabha ticket to Advani by the BJP from Gandhinagar constituency of Gujarat which he has represented continuously from 1991.Rahul's Advani jibe came even after senior BJP leader and Union Minister Sushma Swaraj took objection to his similar comment made yesterday."Rahulji - Advani ji is our father figure. ...
Farmers have understood 'injustice' done to them by 'naamdar' govt; Smriti Irani
BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday asserted that farmers have understood the "injustice" done to them over the years by the "naamdar" Congress government.Addressing a public meeting in Salon block here, she said: "Over the years, people of this block here have understood the injustice done to them by the 'naamdar' [dynast] government and now they are giving chance to our 'kaamdar' Bharatiya Janata Party.""For the first time, you have a roof over your head and toilets in your homes. This would not have been possible if it were not for the son of a poor mother itself," she said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Urging people to vote for the BJP, Irani said: "People must vote for the son a poor mother, who has deposited Rs 6,000 in your bank accounts under the PM-Kisan scheme and supplied LPG cylinders to your houses under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana."Smriti Irani is on a two-day visit to Amethi from where she is slated to contest elections.Rahul Gandhi
LS polls 2019: BJP releases list of 24 candidates
Reposing confidence on its sitting MPs, BJP on Saturday released a list of 24 candidates in Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh for the ensuing Lok Sabha election.The party has announced eight candidates for Haryana, four of Uttar Pradesh, three each of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand and one each for West Bengal and Odisha.In Haryana, six tickets out of eight have gone to sitting MPs while only on two seats, BJP has announced new candidates-Sanjay Bhatia and Nayab Singh Seni. Bhatia has replaced current MP Ashwani Kumar.Besides this, in Madhya Pradesh, BJP has put forward Nathan Shah against Chief Minister Kamal Nath's son in Chhindwara.Meanwhile, in Rajasthan, BJP has announced four candidates for Bharatpur, Karoli, Badmer and Rajsamand Lok Sabha seats. Interestingly, Diya Kumari who was not given any ticket in the last assembly election of Rajasthan will this time contest from Rajsamand constituency on the BJP seat.Replacing the current ..
Army Ex Vice Chief Sarath Chand joins BJP
Former Indian Army Vice Chief, Lt. General Sarath Chand (retired), on Saturday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party headquarters here in the presence of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Rajasthan: Union minister among 18 who filed nominations on Saturday
Eighteen candidates filed their nominations on Saturday for the first phase of the Lok Sabha election in Rajasthan. Among the prominent leaders who submitted their papers include Union minister and BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat from Jodhpur, Congress' Raghuveer Singh Meena from Udaipur and Devkinandan Gurjar from Rajsamand seats. As per the Chief Electoral Office, 18 candidates nominations on Saturday. A total of 33 candidates have filed nominations for 13 parliamentary constituencies. Last date for filing nomination is Tuesday and withdrawals can be done till Friday. Rajasthan will go to polls in two phases on April 29 and May 6.
J&K Guv briefed on security situation in Valley
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik was Saturday briefed on the security situation in Kashmir, in the wake of Pulwama terror attack on a CRPF convoy in February, at a high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan here. "After reviewing the prevailing security situation and arising challenges, the Governor stressed on the crucial importance of maintaining a sustained, close watch on the ground situation," an official spokesperson said. Malik emphasised on the need to maintain and improve synergy between the security forces and the civil administration and uncompromising adherence to procedures which ensure against collateral damages while delivering effective counter-militancy responses, the official added. He said the Governor also stressed on heightening vigil along the international border and the Line of Control and providing adequate security to all protected persons as well as all important establishments and installations. "The Governor observed that the common people should not be ...
If patriotic, BJP will respect Rajiv, Indira: Priyanka
Attacking the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said if its leaders are truly patriotic, they would respect country's martyrs -- including former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi -- irrespective of their caste, religion or political background.
BJP leaders 'selective' in respecting martyrs, not patriots: Priyanka
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the BJP on Saturday for turning patriotism into an election issue and ignoring the poor and farmers, saying had the ruling party leaders been patriots they would not have been "selective" in respecting martyrs. Addressing a 'nukkad sabha' in favour of Congress nominee Rakesh Sachan here, the Congress general secretary incharge of eastern Uttar Pradesh said, "The issue of patriotism is raised whenever elections come, but the real questions on farmers, unemployed, women safety are left behind." On a day-long visit to the constituency, during which she held a roadshow clad in a red cotton saree, Priyanka cited the examples of demonetisation and BJP's promise to bring back blackmoney to say that "big announcements (by this government) are often linked to patriotism." The government has said high-value banknotes were demonetised suddenly in Nov 2016 in "national interest" and to curb blackmoney circulation. "During demonetisation, people were ..
Mainstream parties should not raise issues that endanger peace in J&K: Malik
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Saturday said mainstream political parties should not raise issues that can endanger peace in the state and blur the line that separates them from terrorists and secessionists. He was commenting on statements made by the National Conference and PDP leaders that the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the country will end if the special status of the state is abrogated. "I appeal to them (mainstream parties) to talk political issues and election issues but not to talk about those things which can endanger peace and promote terrorism. Don't remove the line that differentiates you from terrorists and separatists," Malik told reporters here after visiting the Tulip Garden. Asked about the fallout of repealing Article 35A, he said "There is no if and but. First, it is not my issue to discuss but this is like creating artificial fear and inciting people to garner votes. I am not in its favour." Article 35A provides special privileges to ...