Page 1048 - Politics
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 ...
No one-size-fits-all policy: Singhvi on full statehood to Delhi
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi on Thursday said there was no "one-size-fits-all" policy on the issue of full statehood to Delhi. He said this at a programme to release the Congress manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls at the party's Delhi unit office. Delhi minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai had asked the Congress on Wednesday to support the demand for full statehood to Delhi so that the people of the national capital could lead their lives with dignity. In a letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Rai had said he should support the demand for full statehood to Delhi, instead of proposing to amend the GNCTD Act, 1991. Asked about the absence of the issue of full statehood to Delhi in the Congress manifesto, although the same was promised for Puducherry, Singhvi said, "There is no one-size-fits-all policy. We have taken a very cautious approach to draft the document. There has been a Supreme Court verdict as well." Delhi Congress president ...
Wayanad mission shows disarray in Congress: CPI-M
Congress President Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest the Lok Sabha election from Wayanad in Kerala exposes the "ideological and political disarray" in the party leadership, the CPI-M has said.
Advaniji perfectly sums up BJP's true essence: Modi
Reacting to BJP veteran L.K. Advani's blog, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the party's founder member has perfectly summed up the true essence of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Gathbandhan ahead in UP, NDA gains in Bihar: Survey
The SP-BSP-RLD gathbandhan (alliance) is likely to get a large chunk of Lok Sabha seats at the cost of the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha elections, but the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is far ahead of the RJD-led alliance in Bihar, a survey has shown.
Visit to Radha Soami Dera Beas: It was a 'courtesy' meeting, says Jakhar
A day after calling on the head of the Radha Soami Dera Beas ahead of elections, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar Thursday said it was a "courtesy" meeting. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, along with Jakhar and party's Punjab affairs in-charge Asha Kumari, had met Dera head Gurinder Singh Dhillon on Wednesday. They had lunch with the Dera chief and stayed there for some time. "It was a courtesy meeting, Jakhar told reporters when he was asked about the visit. The Dera, located about 40 km from Amritsar, has a large number of followers, cutting cross religion and caste. In December 2016, the then Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had also met the Radha Soami Dera chief and had stayed there overnight.
71 officers absent in poll training programme, show-caused
The election department Thursday issued show-cause notices to as many as 71 officers in Kamrup Metropolitan district, comprising the capital city, for being absent in poll training programme. "These officers were allotted duties in the parliamentary elections 2019 and have failed to attend their urgent election related training programme without providing any justifications or reasons of their absence," an official release said here. Biswajit Pegu, District Election Officer of Kamrup Metropolitan, has issued the show-cause notices to them and sought their replies in writing within two days. "Failing which, disciplinary action will be initiated," said the DEO. The Kamrup Metropolitan district, which comes under the Gauhati Lok Sabha constituency, will go to polls in the third phase on April 23. The three-phase voting for 14 seats in Assam will take place on April 11, 18 and 23.
Modi to campaign in Coimbatore on April 8
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive here on April 8 to campaign for the party candidate C P Radhakrishnan, the BJP said Thursday. Modi will address a public meeting in which Chief Minister K Palaniswami, Tamil Maanila Congress leader, G K Vasan and DMDK's Premalatha Vijayakanth will participate, BJP state general secretary Vanathi Srinivasan told reporters. Vanathi said arrangements have been made to accommodate five lakh people for Modi's meeting. Police said tight vigil would be maintained in and around Codissia grounds, venue of the meeting. The Bomb detection squad inspected the area this afternoon, they said. Over 2,000 police personnel would be deployed in and around the venue, which is four km from the city airport, they added.
Advani perfectly sums up BJP's true essence: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said that L K Advani has perfectly summed up the BJP's "true essence" in his blog, in which the veteran leader wrote the party has never regarded those who disagreed with it politically as "anti-national" or "enemies". "Advani Ji perfectly sums up the true essence of BJP, most notably the guiding Mantra of 'Nation First, Party Next, Self Last.' Proud to be a BJP Karyakarta and proud that greats like LK Advani Ji have strengthened it," Modi said in a tweet. He also shared the link of Advani's blog. The 91-year-old said the essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression. "Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our 'enemies', but only as our adversaries," he wrote ahead of the BJP's foundation day on April 6.
PM Modi 'ageing', hence 'lying': Rahul Gandhi in Nagpur
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of lying to the people, claiming that he is doing so as "he is ageing" and "wants to do everything in haste".About himself, Rahul said he "will not lie" to the public as he wants to have a "long-term relationship" with the people."In 2014, he (PM Modi) made a lot of promises. He promised jobs for 2 crore youth, 15 lakh rupees in bank accounts. But now his truth has come out in front of all. I speak the truth because I want a long term relation with you. I want to work with you people for 10, 15, 20 years. Hence I will not lie with you. Modi ji is ageing and is panicky and so he wants to do everything in haste. Hence he lies," Rahul said addressing a rally here.He said while Modi only makes "false promises", the Congress party does work.Speaking about the Congress' proposed minimum income guarantee programme of Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) , Rahul said his party decided on the scheme as "Modi had made a false
Nirav Modi, Choksi, Mallya fled after realising new, alert chowkidaar has come to power: Rajanath
Diamantaires Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, and liquor baron Vijay Mallya fled the country only after 2014 because they realised that a "new and alert chowkidaar" has come to power, Union Minister Rajnath Singh said Thursday, as he slammed the Congress for doling out loans to "such people" during its rule. At a poll meeting in Gautam Buddh Nagar, the senior BJP leader also claimed the opposition parties were wrongly accusing the Narendra Modi government of helping the trio flee India, while in fact it was the BJP-led NDA dispensation that brought a special law to deal with fugitive economic offenders. "The Congress alleges that Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya left the country after the BJP came to power, that is Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped them escape.... But listen to this carefully, Rs 18 lakh crore were given as loans to the public from 1947 to 2008. "But during Congress' rule, Rs 52 lakh crore were given in loans from 2008 till 2014 only on instructions from them ..
Accept it with honour and humility, says Modi on UAE conferring Zayed Medal on him
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said he accepts the prestigious 'Order of Zayed' conferred on him by the United Arab Emirates with utmost humility. "Thank you, Your Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I accept this honour with utmost humility. Under your visionary leadership, our strategic ties have reached new heights. This friendship is contributing to the peace and prosperity of our people and planet," he said in response to UAE Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's tweet. The Zayed Medal is the highest United Arab Emirates (UAE) decoration awarded to kings, presidents and heads of states. The UAE Crown Prince, who is also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said Modi played a key role in enhancing bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive strategic relations. "We have historical and comprehensive strategic ties with India, reinforced by the pivotal role of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave these relations a big ..
Tara Anuradha campaigns for Nalin Kumar Kateel in Mangaluru
Actress and BJP leader Tara Anuradha Thursday addressed election meetings here and sought votes for her party and Nalin Kumar Kateel, the party's candidate from the Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency. Anuradha, who visited the central fish market here seeking votes of fisherwomen, said the Karnataka government was not heeding their demand for the construction of a new fish market here. The lot of fishermen community would be improved once the fisheries department proposed by the Modi government in its budget is set up, she said. Anuradha said she will campaign in all the 28 Lok Sabha segments in the State seeking votes for Narendra Modi. She said Nalin Kumar Kateel had brought several development projects to the DK constituency during his two previous terms as MP. Vedavyas Kamath MLA and BJP spokesperson Sulochana Bhat were among those present.
Cong demands Kalyan Singh's sacking as guv after EC points to poll code violation
The Congress Thursday demanded that Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh be sacked after the Election Commission wrote to the President pointing to poll code violation by him. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala claimed this was the first time in the history of India that a governor openly campaigned for a prime minister. He alleged Singh "tarnished" the established traditions and accepted norms of the office of governor. "He has no right to stay on the post of governor even for a minute," Surjewala told reporters here, adding the Congress moved the President the day Singh made the comments in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked whether the party has sought time from President Ram Nath Kovind to press their demand, Surjewala said, "We have (already) requested his Secretariat to give us time so that we personally meet him and urge upon him to remove Kalyan Singh Ji as Governor." He said the President was on a trip abroad and returned just Thursday. Addressing BJP ...
Act on Kalyan Singh's praise of PM: President to MHA
President Ram Nath Kovind has forwarded an Election Commission (EC) letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh's violation of model code of conduct, asking it to take "necessary action", an official said.
'Rinzin Dwar' inaugurated in HP's Shimla district
Army's Western Command chief Thursday inaugurated the entrance to Pirthi Military station, named after a slain Army officer, in Shimla district, a defence spokesperson said. 'Rinzin Dwar' at Averipatti in Rampur is named after late Sub Rinzin Dorje of Dogra Scouts. He was an accomplished mountaineer who summited Mt Everest and several other prominent peaks, the spokesperson said. The officer had succumbed to injuries in an avalanche while attempting to scale Mt Nun Kun in 2018, the spokesperson said. On the occasion, Lt Gen Surinder Singh, the general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C) of the Western Command, honoured Dorje's wife, Kaljang Dolma, and assured her of all support from the Army fraternity. Lt Gen Singh also inaugurated Averipatti bridge on the Satluj river constructed by 759 BRTF under 'Project Deepak', the spokesperson said. Averipatti is a class 70 bridge spanning 150 metres and connects Prithi Military Station to NH-05, providing a shorter access to the location, ..
Mamata welcomes Advani's criticism of BJP
Welcoming BJP veteran L.K. Advani's veiled criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said the comment was "significant".
Western Balkans to abolish roaming charges by 2021
Western Balkans countries agreed on Thursday to lower and eventually abolish roaming charges, in a rare act of neighbourly goodwill in region riven with political feuds. Starting in July, the deal will cut roaming charges by 27 per cent across Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Kosovo. The plan is to then "completely" abolish the charges by 2021, according to announcement from the Serbian government. Home to some 17 million people, all of Western Balkans countries except for Albania were once part of former Yugoslavia, before it fractured in the 1990s through a series of wars that left 130,000 dead. The EU-backed accord was signed at a digital summit in Belgrade and welcomed by enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn, who tweeted "Great news...as of July you #RoamLikeAtHome". Unlike a similar 2014 agreement, this one includes Albania and Kosovo, a former Serbian province whose independence Belgrade refuses to recognise 20 years after they were split by ...
Stakes high for AIADMK, DMK in Tamil Nadu
The electoral battle in Tamil Nadu is crucial for the ruling AIADMK and the principal opposition DMK for reasons that go beyond a wish to wield influence with the next government at the Centre. Polling for 39 Lok Sabha seats and by-elections for 18 Assembly seats will be held simultaneously in the state on April 18. Looking to improve their strength in the state Assembly, neither the AIADMK nor the DMK have ceded any of the seats where bypolls will be held to their allies, which include the BJP and the Congress respectively. TTV Dhinakaran-led fledgling Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) is also in the fray and may split the anti-DMK and AIADMK votes. In the 234-member strong Assembly, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has 114 members (including the Speaker), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) 88, its allies Congress and Indian Union Muslim League 8 and 1 respectively and Dhinakaran is an Independent member. Twenty-two seats are vacant and bypolls will be held ..