Page 1039 - Politics
Sumitra Mahajan not to contest Lok Sabha elections
Lok Sabha Speaker and BJP veteran Sumitra Mahajan on Friday announced that she will not contest the general elections commencing next week.
Steering committee set up for Kashmiri Pandits' rights
The Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) on Friday announced the formation of a "Political Steering Committee" to create awareness among the public, media and decision makers on "Kashmiri Pandits' genocide" and their sustainable resettlement in the Valley".
Facing defeat, PM making wild allegations: Mayawati responds to Modi
BSP president Mayawati Friday took strong exception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing BSP and its ally SP of releasing terrorists and charged him with levelling "wild allegations". "BJP & PM Mr Modi are so fraught with their impending defeat in the polls that they do not know what false/wild allegations they are making. It is the BJP, not BSP, which is in the habit of freeing terrorist. Masood (Azhar) was also released by BJP govt, who is now proving a big headache," Mayawati said in a tweet, hours after Modi accused her party of being "kind" to alleged terrorists. "The governments of 'Bua' (Mayawati) and 'Babua' (Akhilesh Yadav) released terror accused and were kind to them," Modi alleged at a rally in Amroha ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election beginning April 11. "Some people" did not like the fact that terrorists were being given a reply in their own language," he said. "After the terrorist attack, should I have remained silent or attacked," he asked the gathering, ...
Guj LS poll: PM Modi to address two rallies on Apr 10
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two rallies in Gujarat on April 10 in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls in the state on April 23. State BJP president Jitu Vaghani said the rallies would be in Junagadh town in the Saurashtra region and in south Gujarat's Songadh. "On the morning of April 10, PM Modi will address a gathering in Junagadh town. People from both Junagadh and adjoining Porbandar Lok Sabha seats will converge there to be part of the gathering," Vaghani told reporters here. Later in the afternoon that day, the PM will address a rally in Songadh town, in Tapi district, which is part of Bardoli Lok Sabha seat, Vaghani added. "The PM will address people from Bardoli as well as adjoining Navsari Lok Sabha seats in the Songadh rally," he informed. The BJP had won all 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the 2014 polls.
Netanyahu plays a 'Trump card' as Israeli elections near
In a tight race for re-election, Israel's prime minister has gotten a welcome lift from his friend in the White House. Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign speeches, billboards and social media videos have all heavily featured President Donald Trump's image, statements and pro-Israel actions as endorsements of the long-seated prime minister. Drawing inspiration from Trump, Netanyahu has dismissed a corruption case against him as a "witch hunt" and his Likud party has launched a weekly webcast to counter what it claims is "fake news" broadcast by mainstream media. For Netanyahu, the close ties with Trump are a welcome change after eight frosty years with the Obama administration, which repeatedly clashed with the prime minister over his policies toward the Palestinians and his opposition to the nuclear agreement with Iran. Upon taking office two years ago, Trump quickly reversed course and established a tight relationship with Netanyahu. This has yielded benefits for Netanyahu on the campaign
Kumaraswamy lashes out at Cong, others for 'chakravyuha'
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday accused coalition partner Congress and others of hatching a 'chakravyuha', a deadly formation in epic Mahabharata, to defeat his son and JDS nominee Nikhil in Mandya Lok Sabha seat. Bringing to fore again deep fissures in the ruling front, the JDS leader lashed out at Congress and others for 'colluding' with independent candidate and multi-lingual film actress Sumalatha, wife of late Congress leader and actor Ambareesh, in Mandya, instead of working for Nikhil. "There are developments that have gone out of hand in Mandya. The independent candidate has got widespread support. She may appear as an independent but she has got the support of Congress, BJP and Raita Sangha (farmers' association). All of them have joined hands to trample JD(S)," he told reporters in Chikkamagalur. He was replying to the queries on JD(S) supremo and his father H D Deve Gowda's remarks Thursday that things have gone out of hand in Mandya, which ...
Nepal's media calls for withdrawal of govt's restrictions on issuing press identity cards
A leading Nepalese media body on Friday condemned the government's move to impose restrictions' on the issuance of identity cards to members of the press and urged it to immediately rescind the directives that are against the press freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. In a circular dated February 1 this year, the Nepal Government made it mandatory for journalists and other staff of media organisations to produce their bank details, including statement, to avail facilities, such as issuance of press identity cards. It also asked media houses to submit a copy of the payroll of all journalists and other staff authenticated by banks for availing services from the Information and Broadcasting department. The Nepal Media Society has urged the KP Oli -led Government to immediately revoke the anti-media directives. "This regulation is linked to the secrecy of journalists, which needs to be corrected," Shubha Shanker Kandel, president of the society, said . Let us remind you none of the ...
Generations of Congress avenged Ambedkar, says Modi
Accusing the Congress of insulting Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the author of the Indian Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Babasaheb had challenged "the family" and paid for it because its generations continued to avenge him.
Security of 919 persons withdrawn in J&K in 10 months
The Jammu and Kashmir government has withdrawn security cover of 919 "undeserving persons", including 22 separatist leaders involved in anti-national activities, in the last 10 months, the Union Home Ministry said on Friday.
'Beti Bachao' scheme a failure, Kanyashree won UN award: Mamata
Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee Thursday said the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' scheme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a flop whereas the Kanyashree scheme for girls introduced by her in West Bengal has won a UN award. The West Bengal chief minister said the state government has won the United Nations Public Service Award for its Kanyashree programme, which was introduced in 2012 to aid the girl child in education and her wellbeing. "Modi's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' has not been able to provide any real help to the girl child and is a flop," she said at a rally here which falls in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. Countering Modi's claim that Banerjee is a 'speed breaker' in the path of West Bengal's development, she spoke of the number of welfare schemes and programmes started by her government. She claimed that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre has curtailed funds for many projects such as ICDS and Asha for the welfare of women. But these have been kept alive
ED chargesheet insinuations an election stunt: Congress
The Congress on Friday termed as "rehashed insinuations, lies, and cheap election stunt" the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) act of mentioning names of some party leaders in their supplementary chargesheet in the AgustaWestland case and said a "panic-stricken" Modi Government will not be able to change its "exit date and fate."
Muslim League a virus, will infect country: Yogi
Calling the Muslim League a "virus", Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said the Congress has been infected by it and if the party wins the elections, the virus would spread all over the country.
Former Thane Mayor Mohan Gupte dead
Former Thane Mayor Mohan Gupte died after a protracted illness at a hospital here Friday, his family said. Gupte, 88, is survived by a daughter and wife. As a Congress leader, he was Thane mayor in 1990-91. Later he joined the NCP. He was actively involved in social organisations such as the CKP Club and Arya Krida Mandal.
Election Commission gives notice on 100 things: VK Singh
Union Minister Retd. General VK Singh downplayed the notice served by the Election Commission to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his "Modi Ji Ki Sena" remark by saying, "Election Commission gives notice on 100 things".He also alleged that the media has twisted his and Yogi Adityanath's statement."I have said what I have to say, now please don't twist it. You have also twisted what Yogi Adityanath had said. My dear friend, Election Commission gives notice on 100 things," said VK Singh.While addressing a rally at Ghaziabad on Monday, Yogi Adityanath referred the Indian Army as "Modi ji ki sena" while drawing a comparison between the steps taken by the BJP-led central government against terrorism and the previous Congress government."Things which were impossible for the SP-BSP, are now possible; it is possible since Modi is here. Congress used to feed biryani to terrorists but Modi ji ki sena (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's army) gives them only golis and golas ...
Lenient attitude of Congress, SP, BSP strengthened terrorists: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lambasted opposition parties for being solicitous to Pakistan and terrorists, saying Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP's "lenient attitude" has strengthened the terrorist groups operating from Pakistan. In a veiled reference to opposition parties, PM Modi said "some people" support Pakistan when its activities get exposed.Addressing an election rally here, Prime Minister Modi said, "When India hits back at the enemy, some people here start crying. When Pakistan is being exposed in front of the world these people start speaking in support of Pakistan"" Congress, the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party's lenient attitude have further strengthened terrorists. These parties have not only helped terror, but they have also done the task of putting your life and existence in crisis," he added.Accusing opposition parties of playing divisive politics, PM Modi said, "There are some people who are trying to divide the country on the basis of ...
Former Pak Minister Aijaz Jakhrani appears in Accountability Court
Former Pakistani Federal Minister Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani appeared before the Accountability Court here on Friday in connection with the disproportionate assets case.A member of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is currently one of the parties in the opposition, Jakhrani had been previously granted a pre-arrest bail against a surety of one million rupees by the Sindh High Court, according to Dawn.He was, however, directed to cooperate with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the investigations by the bench.I will provide the required documents and information to NAB," the former Minister said during his appearance, according to Dunya News.The court directed NAB to complete the inquiry against the PPP member within four weeks.Meanwhile, the NAB also conducted a raid at the Lahore residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif today.Initial reports outlined that the NAB undertook the raid to arrest Sharif's son, Hamza ...
1 civilian injured as Pak violates ceasefire in J-K's Poonch
A civilian was injured after Pakistani troops resorted to fresh shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.Poonch district hospital medical superintendent, Shameem Bhati, told ANI, "A man named Kamaldeen, 55, sustained injuries on his abdomen. We are conducting X-ray tests on him. We will send him to Jammu if needed."Pakistan violated ceasefire in Gulpur sector of Poonch district. Indian Army retaliated effectively.Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan violated ceasefire in Degwar sector of Poonch district.
All F-16 in Pak accounted for, claims Foreign Policy magazine
In a latest twist to the claims made by India of shooting down US-made Pakistani F-16, the Foreign Policy magazine in a latest article said that America has not found any such planes supplied to Pakistan missing from the inventory.Foreign Policy's Lara Seligman claimed that United States officials have told her that all of Pakistan's F-16 jets are accounted for and none of them is missing, 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 Pakistani F-16 with his MiG-21 Bison before his plane was downed. Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani forces and later released as a peace gesture, according to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.Reacting to the Foreign Policy article, the Spokesperson of the Pakistan Army, Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted: "Allah be praised, truth always prevails. Time for India to speak the truth about false claims & ..
Advani remarks stinging indictment of Modi: Congress
The Congress on Friday said that veteran BJP leader L.K. Advanis remarks that the party never regarded political foes as "anti-nationals" was a "stinging indictment of demeaning politics" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah.
India mulls hosting second WTO mini-ministerial meet next month: Prabhu
India is planning to host the second informal meeting of trade ministers from about 20 member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) here next month amid growing challenges for global trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu has said. This meeting assumes significance as several countries are raising questions over the relevance of the global trade body. Many countries are also taking protectionist measures, impacting global trade. "We are planning this (meeting) in May. We will be inviting about 20 WTO member countries this time," he told PTI. The US had imposed high duties on imports of certain steel and aluminium products, which triggered a major trade tariff tussle. Recently, the WTO cautioned that the global trade will continue to face strong headwinds this year and in 2020 after growing slower-than-expected in 2018 due to rising trade tensions and increased economic uncertainty. India has time and again stressed the importance and relevance of the WTO for ...