Page 1025 - Politics
Video showing a fit Patnaik released by BJD
The ruling BJD in Odisha has released a short video showing its president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik exercising and jogging in his residence here in a bid to give a message to the people that he is fit and ready to face electioneering in the summer heat. The video also shows the 72-year-old Patnaik in a black sport gear cycling, lifting dumbbells, doing pushups and other regular exercises to keep himself in good health for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls to be conducted in four phases in the state. Patnaik, who is contesting to form the government for the fifth consecutive time, is seen watching television and keeping track of developments. At end of the 2.08 minute video, which was released Friday, the smiling chief minister says "Getting ready to fight for the people of Odisha." It is said by various quarters that the ruling party deliberately released the video keeping in view the rumours over the aging chief minister's health. In the past .
Rahul discusses with Delhi Congress leaders about alliance with AAP
Amid continued uncertainty over its alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday discussed the issue again with senior party leaders from the city. Delhi Congress president and former chief minister Sheila Dikshit, All India Congress Committee General Secretary and in-charge of the party's national capital unit P C Chacko and some other senior leaders were present at the meeting held in Gandhi's residence, a source said. The meeting comes days after the Congress decided to go it alone in Delhi and not have any alliances with the ruling AAP. Chacko has been in discussion with AAP leader Sanjay Singh and the two have held several rounds of talks over the issue. These discussions mark a fresh round of talks between the Congress and AAP leaders after renewed efforts by some opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar who urged both the parties forge an alliance in Delhi. According to sources, Delhi Congress leaders told Gandhi about the party's ...
Rahul discusses with Delhi Congress leaders about alliance with AAP
Amid continued uncertainty over its alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday discussed the issue again with senior party leaders from the city. Delhi Congress president and former chief minister Sheila Dikshit, All India Congress Committee General Secretary and in-charge of the party's national capital unit P C Chacko and some other senior leaders were present at the meeting held in Gandhi's residence, a source said. The meeting comes days after the Congress decided to go it alone in Delhi and not have any alliances with the ruling AAP. Chacko has been in discussion with AAP leader Sanjay Singh and the two have held several rounds of talks over the issue. These discussions mark a fresh round of talks between the Congress and AAP leaders after renewed efforts by some opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar who urged both the parties forge an alliance in Delhi. According to sources, Delhi Congress leaders told Gandhi about the party's ...
NDA govt's "injurious" economic policies inflicted "misery" on
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Saturday accused the NDA government at the Centre of "causing misery" to the people by adopting "short sighted and injurious" economic policies. Soliciting votes for the Congress nominee and former Speaker V Vaithilingam in neighbouring Kadirkamam constituency, he said, "The sudden announcement of demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currency notes hit the people." "Employment promised by Modi to the youth continued to be a distant dream. Prices of petrol and diesel have been skyrocketing and adoption of GST is yet another poor approach by the BJP," he said adding all the "ills and sufferings" of the people would come to an end if the 'Secular Progressive Front' came to power at the Centre. He asserted that the Congress nominee fielded in Puducherry possessed rich experience in public life and would procure developmental projects from the Centre. Led by the DMK, the coalition comprises Congress, CPI(M), CPI, Vaiko-led MDMK, IUML,
Kin of US tourist kidnapped in Uganda calls for her rescue
A relative of a California woman kidnapped while on a safari in Uganda said Friday he wants to see the US send in Navy SEALS to locate and rescue her if that's what it takes. Phoenix resident Rich Endicott said Friday he hasn't spoken with his cousin since a family reunion several years ago, but he is working every angle to try to see she is rescued. The woman from Costa Mesa, California, has a small skin care shop, is in her late 50s and has a daughter and granddaughter. US Rep Harley Rouda, who represents Costa Mesa, said in a statement Friday that he has communicated with "people close to Kimberly's family" and the State Department, which is working to get Endicott released. The State Department said in a Friday statement that the safety and security of US citizens abroad is its highest priority. "Whenever a US citizen is taken captive abroad, we work tirelessly - in partnership with local authorities - to secure their release and get them home safely," the statement said. Ugandan .
Congress govt 'failed' to maintain cordial relations with
The AINRC Saturday charged the Narayanasamy-led Congress government here with having "failed" to maintain cordial relations with the Centre and consequently causing "disruption" to the development of the Union Territory. Urging the electorate in neighbouring Muthialpet to exercise their franchise in the April 18 Lok Sabha poll in favour of the party nominee K Narayanasamy, AINRC founder N Rangasamy alleged that no schemes were evolved by the territorial government to tackle unemployment problem faced by the educated youth. Rangasamy, who is also Leader of the Opposition said the Chief Minister had been blaming the Lt Governor and the NDA government at the Centre for lack of development of Puducherry. Rejecting this as totally "unacceptable," he said during his tenure as Chief Minister he had brought in various developmental schemes by maintaining cordial relations with the Centre. He said that he had fielded a young candidate in the Lok Sabha poll inorder to "encourage
Saharanpur residents feel Muslim votes crucial but won't say who they will elect
Rameez rises early. By 7 am, he is near the popular Clock Tower in central Saharanpur, waiting for people to hire his rickshaw. The Tower area is a busy place with a diverse group of visitors, who have just enough time to amuse themselves with a discussion on politics. Kulsoom is a final-year student at a college in the western Uttar Pradesh city. She says the discussion at her home these days is only about politics. And Pankaj owns a grocery store on Abdul Salam Road, the epicentre of the famed handmade wooden craft of Saharanpur. He, too, interacts with people from diverse backgrounds with varied interests at his shop. All three said they are yet unsure who to vote for this election. Or, they want to keep their decision to themselves. An interesting three-way contest is underway in Saharanpur, a city of 17.22 lakh voters, of which 6 lakh are Muslims. Two strong Muslim candidates - Imran Masood (Congress) and Faizul Rehman (BSP) - are into the fray against the sitting BJP lawmaker, ..
J&K: Former independent MLA from Kathua joins BJP
Days ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, former independent MLA Charanjit Singh Saturday joined the BJP in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. The 68-year-old Singh, who had won the Kathua assembly seat in 2008, joined the saffron party in the presence of BJP National vice-president and in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir, Avinash Rai Khanna and former minister Rajiv Jasrotia. In the 2014 assembly polls, Singh had secured third position, bagging 13,242 votes while Jasrotia and BSP candidate Som Raj Majotra bagged first and second positions by securing 35,670 and 28,864 votes, respectively. "I am joining the BJP along with my supporters to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is taking every one along in the development of the country under the slogan of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," the former bureaucrat turned politician told reporters. Singh said he would continue his work for the betterment of humanity, irrespective of religion, caste and creed. He is the second former ...
Terrorists undergoing compulsory deradicalisation course triples in UK
The number of terrorists, including returning fighters from the ISIS-held territories in Syria and Iraq, who are being made to undertake a compulsory deradicalisation course set up by the UK government has nearly tripled in the last year. The Desistance and Disengagement Programme (DDP) has been running since October 2016 as part of UK's wider counter-terrorism strategy named Contest and is aimed at all terrorism and terrorism-related offenders released from prison or those returning from war-zones. According to the latest UK Home Office figures, from 30 individuals who undertook the programme during its first year of operation in 2016-17, the number rose to 86 in 2017-18. "The threat posed by ISIS returnees is forcing the government to take drastic action to keep up desistance and disengagement is both the most restrictive and expensive branch of the government's deradicalisation programme," Alan Mendoza, executive director of counter-terrorism think tank Henry Jackson Society, told .
Why do you lie? Farooq Abdullah attacks PM over shooting down F 16
National Conference chairman Farooq Abdullah on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of lying to the nation. At a public meeting in Srinagar, Abdullah said that the American government has refuted claims of Indian Army bringing down a Pakistani F-16 jet."He first promised 15 lakh rupees in every Indians bank account, that never happened. For a few seconds, he sent some jets in Pakistan's Balakot to drop some bombs and then said 300 people died. Some said 500 had died, some 700. Even if one man dies everybody hears about it, so how is it possible that 300 men died without any news," Abdullah said.He then went on to add, "They then claimed that they had brought down one Pakistani F-16, just today the American government has refuted that claim stating that all Pakistani F-16 jets are intact. Not one has been shot down. There is some basis to even a lie. Why do you lie Modi ji? Did you defeat Pakistan? Did Pak stop existing? Why do you lie Modiji? Whichever ...
USA to relocate its de facto embassy in Taiwan
In what is largely being touted as a policy shift, the United States will be moving its de facto embassy with its 500-strong staff to a new USD 255 million worth site next month in Taipei, Taiwan.This move comes amidst growing pressure from China, which regards Taiwan as a wayward province. China has made repeated calls for reunification, especially after pro-democracy candidate Tsai Ing-wen took over as Taiwan's President in 2016."The US representative office in Taiwan has become a lot more high-profile since Trump became President in 2016, compared to the previous period when it did all it could to stay as low-key as possible," South China Morning Post quoted Wang Kung-yi, a political science professor at Taipei's Chinese Culture University as saying.The US Embassy was previously located on the former site of the US Military Assistance Advisory Group in Taiwan, which was established to defend the island nation from any military action from China before 1979.In a first, the ...
Tamil Nadu voters 'fed up' of Centre and state government: MK Stalin
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin on Saturday said people are "fed up" of both the Modi government at the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government.Stalin, who began campaigning on March 20 and has covered nearly 30 parliamentary constituencies since then said he had seen the mood of the public. "They are fed up of Modi in the Centre and Edappadi Palaniswami government in State and they want to put a full stop to these governments," Stalin told reporters here.Stalin also defended an earlier speech Dravidar Kazhagam chief Veeramani made on Lord Krishna."It's an election campaign speech and it has already been spoken in Dravidar Kazhagan headquarters. It was not his intention to speak harshly (on Lord Krishna). Stalin said that Veeramani had used it as "an example" but some organizations like RSS are trying to use it against us in election campaigns."In March, Veeramani had kicked up a controversy when at an event on Pollachi rape case, Veeramani had reportedly said that ...
Tej Pratap Yadav to begin poll campaign for RJD from Pataliputra
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad's elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, will begin campaigning for the party from Bihar's Maner in Pataliputra constituency from April 8.Tej Pratap, who had on Monday floated a new outfit called Lalu Rabri Morcha stating he would contest as an independent candidate, clarified in a tweet that he will remain in RJD now and in future. He also said that he has not joined any other political party.Lalu's daughter Misa Bharti is fighting polls from Pataliputra. In 2014, Bharti lost this seat to Ram Kripal Yadav of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).The Lok Sabha polls in Bihar are scheduled to take place in all seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.
Cong releases new list, Shatrughan Sinha to contest from Patna Sahib
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha on Saturday joined the Congress on Saturday and has been fielded by the party from Patna Sahib parliamentary constituency in Bihar. He is pitted against Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.Besides Sinha, the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress party, in its new candidate release, also gave a ticket to Ram Lal Thakur from Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh.In three Lok Sabha constituencies of Punjab, the party has fielded Jasbir Singh Gill, Dr Amar Singh and Mohd Sadique from Khadoor Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib and Faridkot respectively.Earlier in the day, in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, Sinha alleged that BJP is a "one-man show and two men Army"."The BJP is a one-man show and two men Army. The condition is such, that ministers there are afraid of appointing their personal secretaries without asking PMO," said Sinha.
Four-cornered battle awaits Congress legacy-laden Raiganj in Bengal (Constituency Profile)
North Dinajpur district's Raiganj, once a Congress bastion, is set to witness a gritty four-way fight with the CPI-M's sitting MP, Mohammed Salim, facing a tough challenge from the BJP, Congress leader Deepa Dasmunsi and West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress in the coming Lok Sabha polls.
BJP's attempt to win elections through war hysteria backfired, says Pak PM
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said that the BJP's "attempt to win elections through whipping up war hysteria" has backfired. He was referring to the US-magazine Foreign Policy's article which claimed that all F-16s sold to Pakistan were accounted for indicating that India's claim of shooting down F-16 may not be true."The truth always prevails and is always the best policy. BJP's attempt to win elections through whipping up war hysteria and false claims of downing a Pak F-16 has backfired with US Defence officials also confirming that no F16 was missing from Pakistan's fleet," Khan tweeted.Foreign Policy's Lara Seligman claimed in an article on April 4 that US officials told her that all of Pakistan's F-16 jets were accounted for, following a recent check by US personnel after the February incident with India.This is in direct contradiction to India's claim that IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a US-supplied Pakistani F-16 with his MiG-21 Bison before
Dimple files papers for Kannauj LS seat (2nd Lead)
Outgoing MP Dimple Yadav, wife of Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, on Saturday filed her nomination for the Kannauj parliamentary seat.
UK finance minister says govt open to Brexit compromise with opposition
British finance minister Philip Hammond said on Saturday the government had "no red lines" in talks with the main opposition party to break the deadlock in parliament over Brexit. "Our approach to these discussions with Labour is that we have no red lines," he told reporters at a meeting of European finance ministers in Bucharest. "We are expecting to exchange more texts with the Labour Party today, so this is an ongoing process and I expect we will reach some form of agreement," Hammond added. Senior ministers are negotiating with Labour leaders in a bid to find a compromise to end months of political crisis and allow Britain to leave the European Union smoothly after 46 years of membership. But after three days of discussions, Labour said Friday it was "disappointed" by the failure to offer "real change or compromise" to Prime Minister Theresa May's unpopular Brexit divorce deal. MPs have rejected her agreement finalised with European leaders last November three times, delaying ...
Shah holds roadshow in Ahmedabad, says 'entire Kashmir is ours'
BJP chief and the party's Gandhinagar contestant Amit Shah Saturday held a roadshow here, where he made people chant a slogan that "entire Kashmir belongs to us". His slogan-chanting comes in the wake of PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti's criticism that Shah was "daydreaming" about abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution that provides special status to the state. Shah held the roadshow in the city as part of his election campaign, which comes on the day of his party's 39th foundation day. Before embarking on the roadshow from Sarkhej area in Ahmedabad around 9 am, Shah garlanded the photographs of Jan Sangh founders Deendayal Upadhyaya and Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Shah made the people present there chant, "Jaha hue balidan Mookerjee, woh Kashmir hamara hai... Sara ka sara hamara hai. (Where Mookerjee sacrificed his life, that Kashmir is ours, that entire Kashmir is ours)." Reacting to the reported remarks made by Shah underscoring the BJP's ...
BJP releases another list of 24 candidates
The BJP on Saturday released another list of 24 candidates, which included eight from Haryana. With this, the party has so far announced 407 candidates. The BJP has renominated Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi and fielded Amit Shah from Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls will begin on April 11 and continue till May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.