Page 1047 - Politics
Ex-MP B P Tarai joins BJP, may contest from Jagatsinghpur
A day after rejecting candidature of the Congress, former MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai Thursday joined the BJP and likely to contest as its candidate from Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat. Tarai joined the saffron party in the presence of BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda, senior leader Biswabhushan Harichandan and other leaders. "I do not see any future in the Congress as the party has diverted from its ideology. Therefore, I joined the BJP which has pledged to fight against the BJD," Tarai said. Tarai had on Wednesday resigned from the primary membership of the Congress protesting the manner of ticket distribution in the party. He had alleged that the Congress fielded leaders with criminal background and entered into a secret understanding with the BJD. Tarai said while he wanted to contest from Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat, the party fielded him from Tirtol Assembly segment. Tarai had won the Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat on a CPI ticket backed by BJD in 2009. He was ...
Irani mostly angry, trying to copy Amitabh Bachchan but always ends up being villain: Surjewala
The Congress Thursday hit out at Union Minister Smriti Irani for her attack on Rahul Gandhi, saying she was mostly angry and trying to copy actor Amitabh Bachchan but ends up being a villain as she gears up to face another defeat in Amethi. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the people of Amethi will ensure her "decisive defeat" and will show her what "temperate behaviour is and what respect for the opponent is". "I can understand the scepticism and also the constant fear that prevails in the mind of Smriti Irani ji. She is mostly angry, trying to copy Amitabh Bachchan but she always ends up being the villain in the story. She is getting ready for her third successive defeat," he said. "We will defeat her with the blessings of the people of Amethi, but we will always respect her as an opponent," Surjewala said. The Congress leader also took a swipe at her saying despite her third defeat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give her a Rajya Sabha seat and she should not ..
Zardari asks supporters to 'march towards Islamabad'; topple Imran Khan's govt
Former president and opposition Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari Thursday asked his supporters to "march towards Islamabad" and topple Prime Minister Imran Khan's government. Addressing a rally at Garhi Khuda Baksh in Larkana on the 40th death anniversary of former prime minister and PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Zardari said it was time for the Khan's government to go. "We cannot give them more time. We have to march towards Islamabad to oust the government to save this country," Zardari said.
People of Amethi have already accepted Smriti as their MP: BJP
The people of Amethi have already accepted Union minister Smriti Irani as their MP, the BJP Thursday said as it claimed fear of losing the Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh compelled Congress president Rahul Gandhi to fight from a second constituency in Kerala. Speaking to reporters at the state BJP office here, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain claimed the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will win all the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. "Rahul Gandhi has decided to contest from Wayanad (in Kerala) for fear of getting defeated from the Amethi constituency because the people of Amethi have already accepted Smriti Irani as their MP," he said. Gandhi, the sitting MP from Amethi, will contest from the Congress bastion in Uttar Pradesh and also from Wayanad, where he filed his nomination Thursday. Irani is the BJP's candidate from Amethi. Hussain claimed adverse results for the BJP in November assembly polls in three states Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh will not have ...
Arunachal Pradesh: Cong says 'achche din' for Khandu, Modi
Days day after cash worth Rs 1.8 crore was seized from Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu's convoy, the Congress Thursday mocked the BJP saying "achche din" (good days) have come for him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress had alleged on Wednesday that a "cash for votes" scam had been busted in the state with the recovery of the cash "from Khandu's convoy" in Pasighat. It had asked the Election Commission to register a case against Modi as well as Khandu and his deputy. "This is the sign of 'achche din' for Modi and Pema Khandu," state Congress president Takam Sanjoy said at a press conference here. The money belonging to the son of a BJP candidate and a former MLA was seized from two vehicles parked in a government guest house at Pasighat, state Additional Chief Electoral Officer (ACEO) Kanki Darang had said on Wednesday night. While Rs 1 crore that was seized from the government vehicle was claimed by Christopher Perme, son of Mebo BJP candidate Dr Dangi Perme, .
Modi will address 2 rallies in UP Friday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two election rallies in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, the BJP has said. In a statement, the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit said Modi will address the rallies in Amroha and Saharanpur parliamentary constituencies in support of party candidates. Saharanpur will vote on April 11 and Amroha on April 18.
Congress ends US support for Yemen war, Trump veto likely
The US House voted Thursday to end military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, dealing a bipartisan rebuke to Donald Trump and taking the historic step of curtailing a president's war-making powers. The House of Representatives voted 247 to 175, with one congressman voting present, to approve a resolution that directs the president "to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen" within 30 days. The text, which passed the Senate last month, now heads to Trump, who is expected to veto the legislation. The White House called the measure "flawed" and warned it would harm bilateral relations in the region, including with Saudi Arabia.
Country safe because of its brave soldiers: Rajnath Singh
Union Home minister Rajnath Singh Thursday said the country was safe because of its brave soldiers. Addressing a traders meeting here at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Convention Centre, Rajnath Singh said, "It is because of the brave jawans of the country that we are safe. If there is any danger to them, each and every citizen of the country will unite and be ready to protect the brave jawans." "As many as 126 districts of the country were affected by the menace of Naxalism. But in the five years of the BJP government, the menace has been confined to only 5-6 districts. Soon this will also be eliminated," he added. Asserting that the government wanted better ties with Pakistan, the Union home minister said anyone who tries to harm India would get a befitting reply. "Pakistan is our neighbour. We want that our ties with it are better. But, if someone casts an evil eye on India, then there will be a befitting reply," he said. "When the terrorists were attacked in Pakistan, adequate caution ..
Naqvi too calls Army 'Modi ki sena', V K Singh says it is nation's sena
Union Minister V K Singh Thursday said the armed forces do not belong to an individual but to the nation, even as his colleague Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was caught on camera referring to the Army as 'Modiji ki sena'. Naqvi's purported remark comes amid a controversy over a similar comment made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently. However, Naqvi later maintained that he had not said it in as many words. When contacted for comments over the controversy triggered by Adityanath's remark, V K Singh, a retired Army chief, said the Army belongs to the nation. "'Sena kisi ki nahi hoti hai. Sena sirf desh ki hoti hai. Ismey Modi sena kahan se aa gayi' (Army does not belong to an individual. Army only belongs to the nation. Where did Modi army come from?" he said. At an election rally in Rampur on Wednesday, the footage of which has gone viral on social and electronic media, Naqvi said, "Our missiles, our defence personnel annihilated the terrorists after storming their ...
20 file nomination papers from J-K's Anantnag
A total of 20 nominations have been filed from the Anantnag parliamentary constituency of Jammu and Kashmir from where former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti is also contesting. On the last date for filing nominations, four candidates filed their papers on Thursday taking the total number of contestants to 20, an official spokesman said. The nominations were filed by Nisar Ahmad Wani of the Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party, Safeer Ahmad Malik of the Rashtriya Jan Kranti and Ali Mohammad Wani, Bashir Ahmad Malik as Independents, he said. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, NC's Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi and Congress' G A Mir had filed their papers on Wednesday. The scrutiny of papers will be held on Friday and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is April 8. The state will go to polls in five phases on April 11, 18, 23, 29 and May 6.
Pak army resorts to fresh shelling in JK's Poonch; one injured
Pakistani troops Thursday resorted to fresh mortar shelling and firing along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district in which one person was injured. "At about 1800 hours, Pakistani army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along LoC in Degwar and Gulpur sectors in Poonch district," PRO defence said. The Indian Army is retaliating befittingly, he said. According to reports, one person suffered injuries in the incident. On Tuesday, the Indian Army destroyed seven Pakistani military posts across the Line of Control in retaliation to the continued ceasefire violations by them. Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations admitted three casualties among their troops at Rakhchakri in Rawalakot of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. As a precautionary measure, all schools along the Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri districts have been closed in view of the Pakistani shelling. With Pakistan using heavy weaponry and 120 mm .
BJP likely to release election manifesto on Sunday
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to release its election manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls on April 7, the same date when it had released its manifesto in 2014, sources said on Thursday.
Kamal Nath's son to contest from Chhindwara
The Congress on Thursday released its second list of candidates for 12 seats in Madhya Pradesh, fielding Chief Minister Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath from Chhindwara.
Engaged with US on import of Iranian oil: India
As the US waiver on import of Iranian crude oil expires next month, India Thursday said it was engaged with the Trump administration on the issue. In November, the US granted a six-month waiver to India, China, Greece, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Turkey and South Korea to continue importing oil from Iran. The temporary waiver ends on May 2. "We are engaged with the US....The important thing is that we will continue our engagement with the US on the issue," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said during a media briefing. India had won the exemption from the US sanctions after it agreed to cut oil imports from Iran. In May last year, the US brought back sanctions on Iran after withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal which was struck in 2015. The US has told India and other countries to cut oil imports from the Gulf nation to "zero" by November 4 or face sanctions. However, the US granted a six-month waiver to India and seven other countries to buy oil from Iran. India, which is the second biggest .
EC seeks specific details from DD on telecast of PM's 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' event
The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday said it had sought specific details from State-run Doordarshan (DD) News as it was looking into a complaint which alleged that the channel was used as a tool to promote and advertise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Main Bhi Chowkidar" event held recently. Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena told reporters here that DD's response was sought and the poll panel had asked it for two things. "We have asked them (DD) as to how are you allocating time for various political parties' coverage and also, there is a standard time allocated to a particular party and how is this being done. We have asked for their comments," he said. Saxena added that as the case was being dealt in the EC by a different officer, he would not be able to elaborate more on the issue. The Congress had asked the EC earlier this month to issue urgent and necessary directions to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Prasar Bharti (DD News), and for further passing .
Ambedkar's statement violation of instructions, he will be booked: EC
The Election Commission said Thursday it has found a "clear-cut" violation of its instructions by Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar, who allegedly threatened to put the poll panel in jail for two days, and made it clear that he will be booked for his statement. Ambedkar, a three-time Member of Parliament, earlier on Thursday criticised the EC for not allowing political parties speak on the February 14 Pulwama terrorist attack. "We have lost 40 soldiers but still sitting quietly. We have been asked to not speak on the Pulwama attack. How can the EC gag us? "Our Constitution has given us the right to speak. I am not BJP. If voted to power, we will jail the Election Commission for two days," Ambedkar said during a rally in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra. Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan Kumar told reporters here the panel has received a report from the district election officer and he "confirmed this statement in his report". "This is a clear-cut violation of our instructions,"
BJP never regarded those disagreeing with it as 'anti-national', 'enemies': Advani
Veteran BJP leader L K Advani said Thursday that his party has never regarded those who disagreed with it politically as "anti-national" or "enemies" but only as adversaries, remarks which come at a time when top BJP leaders have used anti-national barbs against political rivals on the issue of national security. Advani, who has been replaced by party president Amit Shah in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, wrote a blog 'Nation First, Party Next, Self Last' ahead of the party's foundation day on April 6, in which he said, "The essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression." In the blog, written almost five years after he posted the last piece on its web page, the 91-year-old leader said, "Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our 'enemies', but only as our adversaries." "Similarly, in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as 'anti-national'.
India's relation with JK will turn into that of 'occupation' if special status scrapped: Mehbooba
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti Thursday said that the country's constitutional relation with Jammu and Kashmir would turn into that of "occupation and colonisation" if the state's special status is scrapped. The former chief minister has been raising the pitch on the issue in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, warning the ruling BJP of any attempt to tamper with Article 35-A and Article 370. Addressing party worker's in Sangrama and Sheeri areas of Baramulla district of north Kashmir, she said that by "targeting Article 35-A and Article 370, the BJP is hell bent on converting the legal and constitutional relationship between J-K and the Union into a formal occupation". "The relationship between our state and the country is based on our special constitutional position that legitimises it. If we remove, what legalises this relationship, it will turn into an occupation and colonisation," she said. After filing her nomination papers from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday,Mehbooba had said ...
Looking into Arunachal cash seizure case: EC
The Election Commission (EC) Thursday said it was "looking into" the recent seizure of Rs 1.80 crore cash in Arunanchal Pradesh. Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan Kumar said the matter is being looked into and the exact details of the case are yet to be ascertained. The chief electoral officer (CEO) of the state has submitted a detailed report to the EC after the cash was recovered from two vehicles parked at a guest house in Arunachal's East Siang district on Wednesday, Kumar said. While Rs 1 crore was seized from a government vehicle and was claimed by Christopher Perme, son of Mebo BJP candidate Dangi Perme, Rs 80 lakh was found inside a private vehicle of former MLA Ralomg Borang, the Arunachal Pradesh CEO had said. Asked about the development in the model code of conduct (MCC) violation involving Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, Kumar said the Commission had "no update" on the matter since a letter was sent to the Rashtrapati Bhawan. On Tuesday, the EC had written to ..
Rahul promises Rafale probe, says 'chowkidar' will be in jail
Claiming that the then defence minister Manohar Parrikar knew there was corruption in Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday said the deal would be probed if his party comes to power at the Centre. Addressing a campaign rally here, Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed the fighter jet purchase deal, resulting in price increase. "I am telling you, inquiry will be initiated after elections...and the other chowkidar will be in jail," he said, referring to the prime minister's exhortation to everybody to become a 'chowkidar'. "The defence ministry document states Narendra Modi changed it (the original contract) and purchased (each) jet for Rs 1,600 crore," Gandhi said. "The chowkidar committed theft. The then defence minister (late Parrikar), when asked by the media, said I don't know about the new deal, you directly ask Narendra Modi, I don't know about it. "Because Parrikar knew corruption had taken place and (thought) someone will get ...