Page 1051 - Politics
NATO ministers meet to celebrate 70th anniversary amid rifts
NATO foreign ministers are meeting in Washington to celebrate the alliance's 70th anniversary amid rifts between members over security and trade issues. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo opened the meeting Thursday with an appeal for unity to confront "great power" challenges from Russia, China and Iran. He said the alliance was well positioned to move forward. But a deepening dispute with Turkey over its planned purchase of a Russian air defence system and US demands for allies, particularly Germany, to boost their defence spending threatened to overshadow the proceedings. Pompeo said every NATO member had an obligation to explain to its citizens the need to increase their defence budgets. He rejected what he called "tired" arguments about public opposition to such spending. "Each nation has the duty to make the case to our people ... about why these resources are important to keep not only our own countries, but our alliance, strong," Pompeo said. In an address to Congress on ...
Rahul files nomination, Congress vows to sweep Kerala (Roundup)
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday filed nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad amid an outpouring of support from thousands on the streets, leading the party to claim it will sweep all 20 seats in Kerala.
Syrian FM says Trump administration 'lies' about withdrawing
Syria's foreign minister said Thursday that the Trump administration "lies" all the time about withdrawing its troops from the country, and that its decision to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights increases America's isolation, "even among its closest allies." Walid al-Moallem pledged to recover "every inch" of Syria's territory, including the Golan, saying all options were on the table. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in 1981, a move that was never international recognised. US President Donald Trump recognised the annexation last month in a move that has been condemned by the Arab League and UN Security Council countries. "Trump's attempts to give Israel sovereignty over the Golan have only one effect ... which is to increase America's isolation even from its closest allies," al-Moallem said. He spoke at a joint press conference in Damascus with Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, who lauded what he
Chidambaram tries to corner Jaitley on AFSPA
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Thursday tried to corner Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on the AFSPA issue, asking why he was mum on the withdrawal of the controversial Act from Tripura, Meghalaya and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. He also alleged that there is a "flip flop gang" in the ruling BJP. Jaitley had criticised the Congress on Tuesday after the opposition party announced in its manifesto that if voted to power, it will review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act that gives a degree of immunity from prosecution to security forces deployed in "disturbed areas". He had alleged that the "tukde tukde gang" drafted the parts of the Congress manifesto dealing with issues of Kashmir and national security. In a series of tweets, Chidambaram also asked Jaitley whether he supports "enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture", the allegations which are common in areas where AFSPA is in force. "We say that in these three cases there should be no immunity under AFSPA. What does
Strict vigil against money power abuse in polls: EC
The Election Commission will maintain a strict vigil against abuse of money power in the April 18 polls for the Lok Sabha and by-elections for 18 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, top officials said on Thursday.
I won't desert you: Irani tells Amethi voters
Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Congress President Rahul Gandhi for betraying the people of Amethi and assured them that she would not leave them in the lurch.
BJP, Centre solely responsible for carrying out sealing drive in Delhi: AAP candidate
AAP's Lok Sabha candidate Brajesh Goyal Thursday said neither the BJP nor the central government can shrug off its responsibility for carrying out the sealing drive in Delhi in 2017 and asserted that the saffron party was solely responsible for the sufferings of traders in the city. Rebutting claims of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who on Wednesday said the Centre and the civic bodies had nothing to do with the sealing drive as it was done on the instructions of a Supreme Court appointed panel, he said if the government had the intention, they could have brought ordinance to stop the drive. Goyal, who is contesting from New Delhi constituency, said that the BJP -which is both at the Centre and in MCDs- was solely responsible for the sealing of over 20,000 properties in the capital because of which small businessmen are suffering. Goyal, who is also the convenor of AAP's trade and industry wing in Delhi, said that the statement of Puri has hurt the sentiments of traders and ...
LS polls: Raj Thackeray to address rallies in April
MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who had announced that his party will not contest the Lok Sabha election, but campaign against the BJP-Shiv Sena combine, is expected to address five to six rallies this month, sources said on Thursday. Thackeray is unlikely to formally join forces with the Congress and the NCP, but his campaigning will help the electoral cause of the grand alliance led by them, sources in these parties said. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is not a part of the grand alliance. According to an MNS leader, Thackeray is set to hold rallies in Solapur, Nanded, Maval, Baramati and Satara constituencies. Congress leaders Sushilkumar Shinde and Ashok Chavan are contesting from the Solapur and Nanded seats respectively. NCP's Supriya Sule, Udayanraje Bhosale and Parth Pawar are in the race from Baramati, Satara and Maval constituencies respectively. Thackeray may also canvass in Nashik, Mumbai North-East (Sanjay Patil), Mumbai North-Central (Priya Dutt) and ...
Jodhpur braces for an interesting battle as CM's son rises (Constituency Profile)
The stage is all set for a high-voltage political battle here with the Congress officially fielding Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot for the forthcoming parliamentary elections against the BJP's Union Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the incumbent MP.
Six MLAs contesting Lok Sabha polls in Jharkhand
Six legislators, including one minister, are in the Lok Sabha poll fray in Jharkhand.
NGO hands over ambulance to BSF in Jammu
A Pune-based NGO has donated an ambulance to the BSF for deployment at outposts in Samba, Hiranagar and Ramgarh sectors, which have been the worst affected by Pakistani shelling, officials said Thursday. Borderless World Foundation (BWF), in association with HDFC Securities, handed over the ambulance to the Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday evening, the officials said. This critical care ambulance is to be placed at outposts in Samba, Hiranagar and Ramgarh sectors, which have been most affected by Pakistani shelling, they said. "The ambulance is equipped with latest equipment and medical gadgetry and would be of great help in saving valuable lives," said Adhik Kadam, Founder Director of BWF, who handed over the ambulance's key to N S Jamwal, IG (BSF, Jammu) during a function here. BWF had also provided a critical care ambulance to BSF last year, the officials said. The NGO has so far provided 11 fully-equipped trauma care and critical care ambulances to various institutions in .
Cong, BJP only interested in personal gains: CPI
The Communist Party of India (CPI) Thursday claimed that the Congress and the BJP cannot bring about "positive changes" in the state as the leaders of the two parties were only interested in "personal gains". People have elected representatives of the two national parties time and again, but the state has not witnessed any development, CPI general secretary L Sotinkumar told reporters. "The Congress and the BJP leaders are more or less members of one and the same family. They are only interested in personal gains. They cannot bring about development in the state," he said. Stressing that his party aims to preserve the territorial integrity of the state, Sotinkumar said it was necessary to "stand up" against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and mitigate problems along the international border. Manipur shares 398-km-long border with Myanmar. The CPI is fielding candidate from one of the two Lok Sabha seats in Manipur. M Nara of the party is pitted against R K Ranjan of the
Rahul, Priyanka reach out to injured media persons in Wayanad
Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Thursday extended a helping hand to some media persons who were injured after falling from a vehicle during their road show here. A Video posted by a youth congress leader on his Facebook page showed both Rahul and Priyanka reaching out to the media persons who fell off the tightly packed open vehicle. The journalists in the media vehicle were covering Gandhis road show after he filed his nomination papers from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat. The journalists allegedly fell off from the open vehicle after a barricade broke and collapsed, eyewitnesses said. Rahul Gandhi was seen holding a stretcher in which an injured journalist was shifted to a private hospital in an ambulance. Priyanka Gandhi was seen picking and carrying the slippers of a scribe injured in the incident. Some five journalists fell from the vehicle. Two media persons who were injured in the incident were admitted to the private hospital, ...
BJP out to foist Parrikar's dynasty on Goa: Congress
The BJP is preparing ground to foist late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's "dynasty" upon Goa, the Congress said on Thursday.
Rahul can neither be loyal to his friends nor foes: Smriti Irani
BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday took a jibe on the unity of the Opposition's grand alliance and accused Congress president Rahul Gandhi of not being loyal to anyone."I believe that Rahul has never continued his support to anyone ever. Mahagathbandhan left him; Mamata doesn't pay heed to him. Today he backstabbed the Left (by contesting from Kerala's Wayanad constituency) with whose support he has reaped the benefits of governance. Hence, Rahul could neither be of his friends nor of foes?" said Irani while speaking to ANI.She also downplayed Congress general secretary and incharge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi's entry into politics and said that her efforts will not yield any positive results in Amethi."Priyanka Gandhi came in Vidhan Sabha elections as well and got defeated; we are again ready to defeat her," she said.Lambasting the Congress party and its president for promising to amend AFSPA in its political manifesto, the Union Minister said, "Rahul
Keen contest expected in Shiroda assembly by-election in Goa
The April 23 Assembly by-poll for Shiroda in Goa has become a prestige battle for the three prominent political parties in the state -- the ruling BJP, its estranged ally MGP and opposition Congress. The seat fell vacant after MLA Subhash Shirodkar quit the Congress to join the BJP in October 2018. Shirodkar is now contesting the election on BJP ticket against Congress' Mahadev Naik and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party's (MGP) Deepak Dhavalikar. Dhavalikar filed nomination for the by-election despite his party being part of the BJP-led ruling coalition, straining the ties between the two allies. The constituency in North Goa district with around 30,000 voters was a Congress stronghold till 2007, after which it went to the BJP. Congress' Shirodkar won it back in 2017 against Naik, who was then with the BJP. "I am approaching people with assurance that I will usher in a second phase of development," Shirodkar told PTI while on campaign trail. Shirodkar, who has been ...
Pawar delivers a stern warning: Don't mess with me
In a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar Thursday said he does not mess with anyone on his own, but "shows the place" to someone who does so. Pawar also accused Modi of seeking political mileage out of the valour shown by security forces post the Pulwama terror attack as the recrimination between the two leaders continued in the amidst of Lok Sabha election campaign marked by bitterness and acrimony. Speaking at a poll rally in Gondia Wednesday, Modi had alleged Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders "were unable to sleep" as their "sleep was jailed in Delhi's Tihar". He, however, did not elaborate. At another public meeting at Wardha Monday, the prime minister had attacked Pawar, saying the veteran leader has lost grip over his party and that a "family feud" had struck it. Speaking at an election rally here in central Maharashtra, an angry Pawar sought to return fire, making uncharacteristically strong remarks apparently targeted at .
Samajwadi Party's Gorakhpur MP, ex-Cong parliamentarian from Telangana join BJP
Former Congress MP from Telangana, Ananda Bhaskar Rapolu, and Samajwadi Party MP from Gorakhpur, Praveen Kumar Nishad, joined the BJP on Thursday. Senior BJP leader and Union minister J P Nadda said both the leaders wield considerable influence in their regions, and that they had joined the party due to their faith in the policies of the Narendra Modi government. Rapolu was associated with the Telangana movement and had quit the Congress last month. The victory of Praveen Kumar Nishad, whose father Sanjay Nishad is the head of Nishad Party, in the Gorakhpur bypoll last year had alarmed the BJP as the seat was considered its bastion, more so of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who had been winning it since 1998. Leaders of the BJP and the Nishad Party also announced a tie-up for the general elections and it remains to be seen if the latter would be given any seat as Praveen Kumar Nishad will contest on the saffron party's symbol. Sources said he may be fielded from Bhadohi seat. In ...
Shiv Sena threatens to file sedition case against Mehbooba
The Shiv Sena on Thursday threatened to file a sedition case against former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti over her comments on Article 370.On March 30, Mufti warned that if the Centre scraps Article 370, then its relationship with Jammu and Kashmir will come to an end."If you break that bridge (Article 370)... Then you will have to renegotiate the relationship between India and Jammu and Kashmir. There will be new conditions... A Muslim majority state, would it even want to stay with you? If you scrap Article 370, your relation with Jammu and Kashmir will be over," she had said.Shiv Sena further spokesperson Sanjay Raut "rubbished" her comments and said, "What Mehbooba Mufti spoke is rubbish. A sedition case should be filed against her. Congress in its manifesto had said that they will remove the sedition law if they are voted to power. Will he agree with Mehbooba Mufti's statement?".Demands have surfaced time and again to revoke Article 370 along with Article 35 ...
Chidambaram asks Jaitley to clear stand on existing format of AFSPA law
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday hit back at Union Minister Arun Jaitley for criticising Congress' promise to amend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and questioned whether the BJP leader supported "enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture".The former Union Home Minister also took on Jaitley for his barb that "some of the important points" in the Congress election manifesto had been drafted by Congress President Rahul Gandhi's "friend in 'Tukde, Tukde gang' when it deals with Jammu and Kashmir."In a series of tweets, Chidambaram said, "There is no tukhde tukhde gang in the Congress. There is only a flip flop gang in the BJP."In its manifesto, the Congress has promised to amend the AFSPA, if it comes to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.Slamming this, Jaitley had said the Congress party has made the document to "save terrorists and Maoists."Responding to this, Chidambaram tweeted, "Is Mr @arunjaitley supporting 'enforced disappearance, sexual ...