Page 1043 - Politics
The big fat political families of Maharashtra (Dynasty Politics)
All politicians in Maharashtra love to call its 12-crore people a 'family'.
General Rawat inducted into his alma mater's International Hall of Fame in US
Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat was inducted into the International Hall of Fame at his alma mater, the Command and General Staff College, here on Thursday.The General, who is on a four-day official visit to the US, was accorded a military ceremony upon his return to the college in Fort Leavenworth, from where he graduated in 1997."General Bipin Rawat #COAS in an impressive military ceremony, has been inducted into the prestigious International Hall of Fame at the Command & General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth. #COAS is an alumnus of the College having graduated in 1997," the Additional Directorate General of Public Information tweeted..
Joint military training root of tension in Korean Peninsula: N Korea
North Korea's main newspaper on Friday slammed the joint drills by USA and South Korea again, labelling it as a move which is the "root of tensions" in the Korean Peninsula."These joint training exercises that the South Korean military held with the U.S. go against people's aims and the international community's demands," stated a commentary published in the Rodong Sinmun.This comes as the United States and South Korea held joint drills last month to combat the evasion of sanctions by the elusive state through maritime channels, like the illegal ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and goods, reports Yonhap News Agency."Joint military training with foreign forces, which is the root of the tension on the Korean Peninsula, should not be allowed, and the deployment of military equipment from outside, including strategic assets, should also be completely suspended," the newspaper stated.South Korea, under President Moon Jae-in, is pursuing its Sunshine Policy in full force, with Moon ...
Case registered against former SP MLC for violating Model Code of Conduct
A case was registered against former Samajwadi Party (SP) MLC Umar Ali Khan and his brother Ali Khan on Thursday for violating the Model Code of Conduct.Umar and his supporters had reportedly gathered to attend a public meeting of coalition candidate Haji Fazlur Rehman of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). But they took to bursting crackers and raising slogans on the road.When stopped by SDM Behat, the former MLC and his supporters misbehaved with the officer and also resorted to physical confrontation.Talking about the incident, SP rural, VS Mishra said, "The BSP candidate Haji Fazlur Rehman had taken permission for a public meeting but they carried out a procession on the road and also misbehaved with the SDM of Behat when he intervened."Uttar Pradesh goes to polls in all seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The counting of votes will be held on May 23.
Arunachal NPP to back BJP in 1 LS seat, 27 Assembly segments
The National People's Party (NPP), which is contesting elections in Arunachal Pradesh for the first time, has decided to back the BJP in one of two parliamentary constituencies in the state and the assembly seats that come under it. Arunachal will hold simultaneous polling to the Lok Sabha and the Assembly on April 11. The NPP has fielded 30 nominees for the state polls and one candidate from the Arunachal West parliamentary seat. Gicho Kabak, the state unit president of the NPP, said the party has decided to support BJP candidate Tapir Gao from Arunachal East parliamentary constituency, in accordance with the instructions of the high command. The district committees have also expressed their willingness to back the BJP candidates in the 27 assembly segments that come under the Arunachal East parliamentary constituency, he said. "The NPP will support nominees of the BJP in the eastern seats, where the party has not put up candidates," the party state president ...
Farooq is front-runner in Srinagar Lok Sabha seat
Four-time Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah is the front-runner in the prestigious Srinagar Lok Sabha seat although he is locked in a triangular contest as he seeks re-election from here.
BJP, AIADMK destroying agriculture in delta districts, alleges
MDMK general secretary Vaiko launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and the ruling AIADMK in the State, alleging they were destroying the agriculture sector in delta districts. "The AIADMK government has become synonymous with corruption with the BJP's blessings," he said while campaigning for M Selvarasu, the CPI's candidate for the Nagapattinam Lok Sabha constituency here Thursday. He alleged that instead of declaring the delta districts as protected agricultural zone, the State government was seizing 57,500 acres in Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts to carry out harmful petrochemical activities at the behest of the BJP government at the centre. "If these parties are voted to power again, the delta districts will turn into a desert besides facing severe environmental degradation," he said. Vaiko also alleged the BJP was taking all measures to protect the Tamil Nadu government.
Mayawati slams Cong, BJP; ridicules Modi's 'Mai Bhi Chowkidar' campaign
BSP supremo Mayawati attacked the BJP and the opposition Congress, alleging that both the parties failed to address the problems of the weaker sections. Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP's 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign, she said the 'Chaiwallah' who enacted a "new drama" of 'Chowkidar' would undoubtedly be rejected by the people in the coming elections. Addressing an election meeting here Thursday, Mayawati lashed out at the Congress, saying the party, which ruled the country for 70 years, had miserably failed to ensure social justice and empowerment of the weaker sections of the society. As a result, its rule had been rejected in many states and at the Centre as well, she said. The BSP chief, who spoke in Hindi, claimed that the BJP was also following in the Congress' footsteps by ignoring the welfare of the weaker sections. She alleged that aggressive approaches of the BJP and the RSS have created more problems for the weaker sections and minorities in the ...
600 theatre personalities urge people to vote against 'bigotry, hatred, and apathy'
More than 600 theatre personalities, including Amol Palekar, Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad and Usha Ganguli, have signed a letter asking people to "vote BJP and its allies" out of power, arguing that the idea of India and its constitution are under threat. The letter, which was issued Thursday evening in 12 languages on the Artist Unite India website, said the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are the "most critical in the history" of the country. Among those who have signed the letter are Shanta Gokhale, Mahesh Elkunchwar, Mahesh Dattani, Arundhati Nag, Kirti Jain, Abhishek Majumdar, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Lillete Dubey, Mita Vashisth, M K Raina, Makarand Deshpande and Anurag Kashyap. "Today, the very idea of India is under threat. Today, song, dance, laughter is under threat. Today, our beloved Constitution is under threat," they said. The government has "suffocated" the institutions where argument, debate and dissent were nurtured, the letter stated. "A democracy must .
Indonesia president has big poll lead as election nears
Opinion surveys two weeks ahead of presidential and legislative elections in the world's third-largest democracy show Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his ruling coalition maintaining a large lead over the rival camp. Four nationwide surveys conducted in the second half of March show Widodo between 13 and 20 percentage points ahead of former special forces general Prabowo Subianto, though undecided voters are as high as 20%. The race has tightened modestly since late last year, but pollsters say Widodo, who has had a commanding lead for months, especially in populous East and Central Java, is headed for victory in the April 17 election. Widodo, the first Indonesian president from outside the Jakarta elite, has campaigned on progress in upgrading inadequate infrastructure and reducing poverty. He narrowly defeated Subianto in the 2014 president election. Far behind in the polls, Subianto and his team have recently resorted to questioning the integrity of the upcoming vote, ...
JNU sedition case: Police filed charge sheet secretly, in hasty manner, Delhi govt tells court
The Delhi government on Friday told a court here that the police filed the charge sheet in the 2016 JNU sedition case in a "hasty" and "secretive manner" and that it will take over a month to decide whether to grant sanction to prosecute former JNU student's union president Kanhaiya Kumar in the case. The AAP government made the submission to Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Deepak Sherawat It accused the police of filing the charge sheet secretly and in a hasty manner without obtaining the required sanction from the competent authority. The court had earlier directed the state government to file a "proper reply", citing a definite time-frame. DCP of Special Cell of Delhi Police, Pramod Kushwaha, had told the court that the agency has already sent a request to the Delhi government seeking sanction and added sanction was an administrative action and the charge sheet can be filed without that. On January 14, police had filed a charge sheet in the court against Kumar and others, saying he ..
Rafale deal will be probed after polls, 'chowkidar' will go to jail: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi has said that if his party comes to power after the Lok Sabha polls, there will be a probe into the Rafale jet deal and the "chowkidar will go to jail", in a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.He alleged that the Prime Minister changed the Rafale purchase deal, which led to price increase.Each fighter aircraft was worth Rs 536 crore but was bought at Rs 1600 crore a piece, Gandhi said."There will be an inquiry and the 'chowkidar' will go to jail," he said addressing a rally here on Thursday."Have you ever seen a chowkidar outside a labourer's house? No, the chowkidars are found outside Anil Ambani's house, thousands of chowkidars are in front of his house for guarding the money that is stolen. Earlier, it was the slogan 'aache din ayenge, but in 4 years it got converted into 'chowkidar chor hai' in front of all," the Congress leader said."And he has not stolen any small amount, I tell you there will be an inquiry after the ...
EU suggests 12-month flexible Brexit delay
European Council President Donald Tusk is proposing to offer the UK a 12-month "flexible" extension to its Brexit date, according to a senior European Union (EU) source.
Once formidable forces, Cong-TDP facing existential crisis in Telangana
As Telangana heads for Lok Sabha elections on April 11, one stark feature that emerges is how much the political stock of the Congress and the TDP has taken a beating. Once dominant parties in the state, the Congress and the TDP have seen their political fortunes on the downswing in Telangana with the latter not even fielding candidates this time. The Congress is facing a crisis of sorts in Telangana with as many as 10 of its MLAs among the total 19 announcing their decision to leave the party and join the ruling TRS during the past one month. Several other key leaders, including former MLAs, have also joined the TRS. The Congress and the TDP had formed an alliance for the assembly elections held in December but ended up with 19 and two seats respectively in the 119-member house. The TRS bagged 88 seats. While the TDP chose not to field candidates in the Lok Sabha polls in Telangana, the Congress is going it alone. Senior Congress leader and former MLA Marri Shashidhar Reddy said he ..
Trump backtracks on closing Mexican border, healthcare reform
While pressure mounted over the inquiry report on Russian interference in the 2016 elections, US President Donald Trump backtracked on two key issues he had raked up - the imminent threat to close the Mexican border and healthcare reform.
Democrat Tim Ryan announces presidential bid
Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan has announced that he was running for president in 2020, emphasising on education, healthcare and the economy as he joined a diverse group of party leaders looking to take on incumbent Donald Trump.
Kerala UDF convenor Behanan suffers heart attack
Kerala's United Democratic Front Convenor and Congress' Lok Sabha candidate from Chalakkudy, Benny Behanan, suffered a heart attack on Friday and is admitted to a hospital near here, party leaders said.
Senior Cong leader suffers heart attack
Senior Congress leader and UDF candidate for Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency, Benny Behanan, was admitted to a private hospital here Friday after he suffered a heart attack, party sources said. The 67-year old Behannan was rushed to the hospital after he complained of severe chest pain in the early hours of Friday, they said. "He underwent angioplasty. He has been kept under 48-hour observation," his aide said. Behanan, who is also convener of the Congress-led UDF in Kerala, had filed his nomination papers as party candidate from Chalakkudy constituency on Monday. LDF's sitting MP, Malayalam film actor Innocent, and BJP's A N Radhakrishnan are his main rivals in the April 23 Parliamentary polls. Ernakulam district Congress Committee president T J Vinod said the UDF leadership would make necessary arrangements to conduct the poll campaign in his absence.
Interesting facts about Lok Sabha elections
With the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections all set kick off on April 11, IANS has compiled some interesting facts about India's general elections.
House to file case against Trump's national emergency
The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives will join a growing list of organisations mounting legal challenges to US President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration on the border with Mexico, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said.