Page 1035 - Politics
Foreign interference in Canadian election 'very likely', says minister
Canada's foreign minister warned Friday that outside interference in the country's upcoming parliamentary election was "very likely". "We are very concerned. Our judgement is that interference is very likely and we think there have probably already been efforts by malign foreign actors to disrupt our democracy," Chrystia Freeland said. Speaking on the sidelines of a G7 meeting in northern France, she added: "What we are seeing in many liberal democracies, the effort is not so much to secure a particular outcome in an election. "The effort is to make our societies more polarised and make us, as citizens of democracies, more cynical about democracy and that it can work." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal party are seeking re-election in national polls due by October. Foreign interference and cyber defence are on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Dinard, which brings together ministers from the world's Western democracies. "We know that states like Russia have got a ...
BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of giving 'secular certificate' to
A day after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, BJP Friday hit out at the Congress Chief, accusing him of giving a "secular certificate" to "communal and divisive politics" of outfits like Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Jamaat-e-Islami. Apparently referring to the presence of workers of IUML with its green flags in Gandhi's roadshow in Kalpetta, senior BJP leader and union minister Muqtar Abbas Naqvi said "Muslim League Ka Jhanda" (flag of Muslim League), "Congress Ka Agenda" (agenda of Congress) has been exposed once again. After filing his nomination at the Collectorate, Gandhi, along with his sister and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and senior leaders of the Congress led UDF in Kerala had undertaken a roadshow to greet voters. IUML, a key ally of the UDF, is a major political force in Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, a Congress stronghold. Addressing an electionmeeting at Mukkam in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, Naqvi said Gandhi had .
PM took credit for air strike, can he even hold a rifle: Rahul
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of hogging credit for the Balakot air strike, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Friday dared him to hold a rifle "for just five minutes" or travel alone in a bus in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a poll rally here, Gandhi said the only thing "chowkidar" Modi did was to ensure "his boss" industrialist Anil Ambani got the Rafale fighter jet contract. The Congress believes in uniting people while the BJP divides people, he said. It was the Air Force personnel who displayed real valour by carrying out the air strike in Pakistan, he said. The Indian Air Force carried out strikes on terrorist camps in Balakot in Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF men were killed. "(But) the prime minister says he did it. You (Modi) did it? Could you please show (us) how to hold a rifle? Hold a rifle, the way our CRPF men do, for just five minutes. "Or travel in a bus alone in Jammu and Kashmir. Show us. You did the air strike? What did you ...
BJP, Cong ridicule Patnaik's statement on women empowerment
Opposition BJP and Congress Friday ridiculed Biju Janata Dal president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's statement on women empowerment alleging that the state has "completely failed" to protect the interests of women. The BJP called Patnaik "anti-women" while the Congress alleged that the ruling BJD has "betrayed" the entire women community in the state. The opposition parties were reacting on Friday after Patnaik's Thursday message on women empowerment. The chief minister had said that women empowerment is the real "double engine" for growth and development of India. Patnaik, whose regional party has fielded 33 per cent of women candidates in Lok Sabha elections from the state, had also criticised Congress and BJP for "not providing adequate" representation to women in decision making bodies. He cited success of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel as symbol of women empowerment. OPCC vice-president Arya Gyanedra at a ...
intra-Afghan dialogue vital for peace in Afghanistan: Qureshi
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Friday told the US envoy on Afghanistan that an intra-Afghan dialogue was a "vital" to bring peace in the neighbouring war-torn country. Qureshi held talks with US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad who arived in Pakistan after spending five days in Afghanistan to forge a peace deal with the Taliban and bring the more than 17-year-old Afghan war to an end. Khalilzad briefed Qureshi on the outcome of Doha talks and his recent engagements in the region, the Foreign Office said. The envoy also shared updates on his meetings in Afghanistan and the dynamics of the Intra-Afghan dialogue, it said. Qureshi while appreciating his efforts reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the peace process. "Intra-Afghan Dialogue was a vital component of the reconciliation process," he said. Qureshi said Pakistan wished well for the peace and stability in Afghanistan which would directly benefit Islamabad's own vision for economic and human ...
LS polls give chance to people to safeguard J&K's interests: Mehbooba Mufti
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti Friday said the Lok Sabha elections give a chance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to safeguard the state's Muslim-majority character and its core interests. Speaking at a workers convention in Uri in Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, she cautioned the people about the "sinister motives" of the BJP to fragment people on the basis sects, communities and regions. "They want to give an impression that only Kashmiri-speaking people of the valley are for special status of the state. The fact remains that every single citizen of the state irrespective of his religion, language and sect holds our special status dearer than life," Mufti said. "These nefarious designs are being implemented in the state so that they could deprive us of our special status and unique identity, besides altering state's Muslim-majority character," she claimed. She said Lok Sabha elections give a chance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to safeguard the state's .
Will give 50 paisa/ltr discount to people with inked fingers on poll day: Fuel dealers' body
In a bid to promote voting in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, All India Petroleum Dealers Association (AIPDA) on Friday announced a discount of 50 paisa per litre on petrol and diesel on elections days.The association said that for availing the discount one needs to show the voting mark on their finger.Speaking to ANI, President of All India petroleum dealers association, Ajay Bansal, "All India petroleum dealers association has decided to give discount of 50 paisa per litre on petrol and diesel across India on the day of election.. any voter can avail this discount after showing the voting mark on his/her finger on the day of election."The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held in seven phases beginning April 11 and concluding on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
FIR against Stalin for accusing TN minister of corruption
A case has been registered against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin for accusing All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) minister S P Velumani of corruption.Talking to ANI, a lawyer for AIADMK, Ramachandran, said, "MK Stalin in his speech makes highly condemnable remarks against state's Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani during his campaign in the district.""The case has been registered against Stalin under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups), 504 (intentional insult) and Section 125 of the Representation of People Act, 1951," he added.Thirty-nine Lok Sabha seats are at stake in Tamil Nadu, which goes to polls on April 18. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Congress-AIUDF engaged in ILU ILU: Shah in Assam
Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Friday alleged that Congress leader Tarun Gogoi and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal were engaged in what he called "ILU, ILU", an acronym for "I Love You"."Gogoi sa'ab and Badruddin Ajmal are engaged in ILU, ILU," Shah said at an election rally here.He said, "They (Gogoi and Ajmal) use abusive language for each other during the day and hug each other at night. Gogoi sa'ab this technique has become old. The youth of Assam knows the truth."There is, however, no formal alliance between the Congress and the AIUDF for the Lok Sabha elections.Shah said that Gogoi, a three-time former Chief Minister of the state, should make his stand clear whether he was with the AIUDF chief or with the country.The BJP chief asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi to clarify his party's stand on ally National Conference president Omar Abdullah's remark seeking two premiers in the country, saying that Gandhi lacks the courage to ...
BJP likely to release its manifesto on April 8
The BJP's manifesto is likely to be released on April 8 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said on Friday. The BJP is releasing its manifesto for Lok Sabha polls, just three days before the first phase of polling on April 11 and a week after the Congress released its. The party's Sankalp Patra (manifesto) is scheduled to be released on April 8 at an event here and the party's entire top brass, including BJP chief Amit Shah, will be present at the event, the sources in the party said. Prime Minister Modi is also expected to be present there. The party has formed a 20-member manifesto committee headed by senior party leader and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The panel includes Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley among others. All sub-committees set up by the BJP to provide inputs for the manifesto have already submitted their reports to Singh. The party had also gathered suggestions from citizens through boxes on the 300-plus video raths that crisscrossed ...
Guj LS polls: BTP fields candidates in 7 seats
The Bharatiya Tribal Party, formed by MLA Chhotu Vasava ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections in Gujarat, has fielded candidates in seven Lok Sabha seats in the state. The party had won two Assembly seats in the 2017 state polls when it had an alliance with the Congress. However, alliance talks failed this time and the BTP decided to fight the April-May Lok Sabha polls alone. The BTP will contest from Dahod, Chhota Udepur, Bardoli and Valsad Lok Sabha seats, all reserved for Scheduled Tribes, Ahmedabad West (Scheduled Caste) seat as well as Sabarkantha and Bharuch, both of which have sizable tribal presence. Vasava, who is MLA from Jhagadiya, is contesting from Bharuch seat. He had contested on a Janata Dal (United) ticket from Bharuch in the 2004 and 2009 general polls, coming third in both contests. For the BTP, Ashwin Vaghela will contest from Ahmedabad (West) seat, Dharmendra Kharadi from Sabarkantha, Ramesh Garasiya from Dahod, Rajesh Vasava from Chhota Udepur, ...
Opp should declare their PM candidate : Sushil Modi
Senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi Friday dared the opposition parties to name their prime ministerial candidate before the Lok Sabha election and not after the results are declared. The electoral battle will be interesting if there is a face from the opposition for the PMs post as it would put to rest the confusion among the people over it, said Sushil Modi, who is also the Bihar deputy chief minister. People (opposition leaders) who are opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP should first decide their prime ministerial candidate and declare the name. I request the UPA leaders to decide the name of PM candidate so that confusion among the people ends, he said. "Opposition parties are saying that the issue (PM face) will be decided after the polls results ... It is difficult for them (opposition) to decide on any particular individual given the large number of contenders for PMs post among opposition parties both within and outside the UPA," he ...
Laughable allegations, 'jumlas' raining this election season: Ahmed Patel
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel Friday hit out at the Modi government over the Enforcement Directorate charge sheet in the controversial Agusta Westland chopper case and said "baseless and laughable" allegations and "jumlas" are raining this election season. Taking to Twitter, Patel, without directly referring to any charges against him, said he has full faith in the judiciary and the truth shall prevail. "A thief sees a thief in everyone," he said in an apparent swipe at the prime minister. The Rajya Sabha MP said it seems the probe agency has become an "important part" of the NDA alliance. The ED, in the supplementary charge sheet filed before a court on Thursday, said Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in the case, has identified the initials "AP", mentioned in a "budget sheet", as Ahmed Patel. The budget sheet contains the details of payments made to various people, including politicians, in connection with the deal. The identity of the said Ahmed Patel is not ...
Yogi calls IUML 'virus', IUML to answer legally
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday called the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a Congress ally in Kerala, a "virus", forcing the IUML to say it will take legal steps against the BJP leader.
BJP created atmosphere of hatred: Sudarshan
The BJP-led NDA government at the Centre had created an atmosphere of hatred and anxiety across the nation during its five-year rule, which failed to fulfill any of its promises made in 2014, a senior congress leader in Karnataka alleged Friday. Speaking to reporters here, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee vice president V R Sudarshan exuded confidence that the Congress and its allies will be able to defeat the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha elections. The Congress manifesto, prepared after interacting with various sections of people across the nation, is aimed at dealing with issues on the ground, he said. The Congress had delivered on its promises whenever it ruled the Centre and the state. The NDA government did nothing to help farmers in distress and did not have the will to waive agricultural loans, he alleged. The demonetisation exercise was a big failure which did not meet any of its declared objectives, he claimed. The country faced more attacks from terrorists ..
What Advani stated has been BJP's clear policy: Jaitley
The BJP on Friday said that the views expressed by its veteran leader L K Advani in his blog have always been its policy, even as it asserted that its stand on the issue of not giving election tickets to leaders above 75 years is "very clear". "What Advani ji has said has been the BJP's clear policy. We never considered (rivals) anti-nationals. When Venkaiya ji, Rajnath ji and Advani ji were (party) president, this statement was given time and again," senior party leader Arun Jaitley told reporters. He was referring to Advani's statement that the BJP never considered those who disagreed with it politically as "anti-national" or "enemies" but only as adversaries. The party has been committed to freedom of choice of every citizen at personal as well as political level, he had added. His remarks posted in a blog were construed by many political watchers as a veiled criticism of the party leadership which has often likened its rivals to enemy like Pakistan and accused them of abetting ...
BJP will win 22 of Karnataka's 28 seats, Cong-JD(S) govt may fall after results: Yeddyurappa
Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa Friday exuded confidence that his party will win 22 of the state's 28 Lok Sabha seats, and claimed the "differences" between ruling Congress and JD(S) would reach its peak after the results and may lead to the fall of the government. The 76-year-old leader also said he was not worried about the party "neglecting" him, after stalwarts such as LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Sumitra Mahajan were denied tickets, and vowed to work for the growth of the BJP regardless of being given any position or not. "I'm a responsible karyakarta of a national party. Whatever party leadership decides, I will abide by it. I have worked for the party as a common karyakarta for the last 40 years, without any position for the most part of it....in the days to come whether any position is given or not, I will continue to work for party," he said. On state senior BJP leader K S Eshwarappa's comments that the BJP would not give tickets to Muslims as the minority community
RSS-BJP don't want the poor to progress, claims Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati Friday said the RSS and the BJP did not want the poor of the country to progress. She was speaking at a poll rally in Nagpur, the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, for BSP-Samajwadi Party alliance candidates Mohammad Jamal (from Nagpur Lok Sabha seat) and Subhash Gajbhiye (from Ramtek). She also said her alliance with the SP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh will lead to "stunning" results in the 80 Lok Sabha seats there. She said Muslims and other religious minorities in the country were somewhat safe because of the rights given to them by the Constitution framed by Dr BR Ambedkar. "The BJP government makes it policies on instructions from the RSS which controls it from Nagpur. These people do not want the poor to progress. They want to implement old systems and continue to keep the poor in a helpless condition," she claimed. "Hence, I want you to remember the struggles of Dr Ambedkar and take the keys of power .
With merchandise, EC calls for voters' Caesar moment
The Election Commission (EC) has released merchandise with the catchline 'Veni, Vidi, Vote' -- an improvisation on Julius Caesar's "Veni, Vidi, Vici" -- urging people to be a proud voter in the world's biggest democratic exercise.
UK PM May seeks further Brexit extension from EU until June 30
Embattled Prime Minister Theresa May Friday sought a further extension to the Brexit deadline until June 30 to find a solution to the "frustrating" impasse in Parliament over the terms of Britain's "orderly" divorce from the 28-member economic bloc. Under the current terms agreed with the European Union, the UK is due to leave the bloc by May 22 if the British Prime Minister's repeatedly-rejected divorce bill clears the House of Commons or crash out without any deal in place by April 12. In her letter to European Council President Donald Tusk ahead of an EU summit next Wednesday, May told him that while it is "frustrating" that there has been no "orderly" conclusion after her withdrawal agreement was rejected three times by the House of Commons over the controversial Irish backstop clause, the UK remains "strongly committed" to finding a Brexit resolution as soon as possible. "This impasse cannot be allowed to continue Therefore having reluctantly sought an extension to the Article 50