Page 1066 - Politics
Sadr-e-Riyasat, Wazir-e-Azam are very dangerous, give birth to the idea of separatism: Jaitley
Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the idea of Sadar-e-Riyasat and Wazir-e-Azam is dangerous as it initiates separatist thought.Responding to a question during a media briefing, Jaitley said: "The idea of Sadar-e-Riyasat and Wazir-e-Azam are dangerous as it gives birth to separatism. It was removed in 1935. It must have been a well-thought-out decision."His remark comes after former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that he would like to bring back the posts of "President" and "Prime Minister" for the state of Jammu and Kashmir.Abdullah said, "Rest of the princely states merged with the country without condition but we had said that we will have our own identity, our own constitution. We had our own 'Sadar-e-Riyasat' (President) and 'Wazir-e-Azam' (Prime Minister) too. By God's grace, we will bring that back."Reacting to the report that Lt General (Retd) DS Hooda had submitted to Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday which was "a ...
Police security restored at RSS office in Bhopal
A temporary police post came up outside Samidha, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office, here on Tuesday, hours after the Madhya Pradesh government restored security.
Candidates for all five RLSP seats announced; Kushwaha to
Former Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party chief Upendra Kushwaha on Wednesday announced that he will be contesting from two constituencies in Bihar his sitting seat of Karakat besides Ujiyarpur where he would be pitted against state BJP chief Nityanand Rai. Making the announcement at a press conference here, Kushwaha insisted that he was not contesting from more than one place out of fear of defeat from his sitting seat but to teach a lesson to both the JD(U) and the BJP which have been jointly conspiring to finish me off politically by destroying my party. I will be thrashing a JD(U) candidate in Karakat and trouncing the BJP candidate in Ujiyarpur. That way I would prove my political point, Kushwaha whose party is a part of the opposition Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) and contesting a total of five seats said. Speculations have been rife that Kushwaha had been skeptical of his victory from his sitting seat which has a sizeable population of the upper .
Turkey poll body for partial Istanbul vote recount
Turkey's Supreme Electoral Council (YSK) on Wednesday ruled for a recount of votes in eight of Istanbul's 39 districts following the ruling party's appeal over Sunday's local election results.
Modi pans "speedbreaker Didi" for WB's plight, Mamata warns of
Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee Wednesday went for each other's jugular in battleground West Bengal, with the prime minister castigating "speedbreaker Didi" for stalling the state's development and the TMC chief hitting back warning he will face a "voter strike". Modi, who kicked off his Lok Sabha campaign in West Bengal with back to back rallies in Siliguri and Kolkata, hit out at Banerjee over a host of issues including alleged lack of development, perpetuating family rule and for seeking proof of Indian Air Force's retributive strike on terror camps in Pakistan to avenge Pulwama killing of 40 CRPF troopers. Not the one who would take things lying down, the West Bengal chief minister mounted a blistering counteroffensive, mocking Modi's "56-inch chest" and claiming his government did nothing to save the lives of the CRPF jawans despite having "information" about the impending terror attack. "We are nationalists not fascists," she asserted. Modi launched his campaign,
Two Independents file nominations in Rajasthan
Two independent candidates in Rajasthan Wednesday filed their nomination papers for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The Independents -- Khartha Ram Chaudhary and Devaram -- filed their nomination papers from Barmer and Jalore parliamentary constituencies, respectively, on the second day of the filing of nominations. No candidate from major political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, filed nomination for the 13 parliamentary constituencies which will go to poll in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election on April 29, as per the state's Chief Election Office. The nomination process for the first phase of election will continue till April 9. Nominations can be withdrawn till April 12. The Congress has announced its candidates on all 25 Lok Sabha seats whereas the BJP is yet to announce its candidates on six seats, including two seats of Rajsamand and Barmer that go to poll in the first phase. Voting on 13 Lok Sabha seats, including Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, ...
Congress making efforts to resolve differences with JDS at
Worried about dissidence within hampering prospects of the ruling Congress-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka in the Lok Sabha polls, Congress is going all out to find a 'via media' solution to differences between local leaders of the parties in old Mysuru region,especially Mandya. The alliance is facing a backlash at several places, including Tumkur, Mandya and Hassan, where Congress workers are not actively participating in campaigning for JD(S) candidates, unhappy over the seat arrangements. With a cold response from local leaders and workers, Congress is now worried about a similar response from JD(S) in constituencies like Mysore, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Bangalore North and Bangalore Rural, where its candidates are in the fray. With transfer of votes between Congress and JD(S) crucial for them to outperform the BJP, there is now worry that this dissidence may affect their performance. Following the recent diktat from the party high command, including its national President .
PM calls Cong manifesto 'dhakosla patra'(sham manifesto); Shah, Nirmala slam AFSPA review move
The Congress manifesto drew fresh criticism from the BJP on Wednesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging it is a 'dhakosla patra'(sham manifesto) full of lies and the party chief Amit Shah and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying the promise to review AFSPA would pose a threat to the country. The pledge to scrap the British-era sedition law that is reviled by activists was also slammed with Shah asking the Congress who was it trying to protect. Sitharaman alleged that various provisions in the opposition party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls are a threat to the country as it favours separatists and terrorists and will demoralise the armed forces. Another BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister S M Krishna termed the Congress' promise to amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act(AFSPA) as "very dangerous." The AFSPA gives the armed forces certain protection from legal action in carrying out their operations in disturbed areas. BSP supremo Mayawati also ...
Mamata Banerjee calls Narendra Modi 'expiry babu'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "expiry babu" after he called her a "speed breaker" in the path of the state's development.
Modi can't win over Kashmiris with guns: Azad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot win the hearts of Kashmiris by using guns, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Wednesday.
Juncker vows EU to work 'to last moment' for Brexit deal
EU leader Jean-Claude Juncker vowed Wednesday to work until the last moment to prevent a "no deal" Brexit, but admitted Britain crashing out now appears to be a likely result. Addressing the European Parliament after Prime Minister Theresa May asked for a short postponement, Juncker said London remains on course for Brexit next week. But he added: "The European Union will not kick any member state out. "I will personally do everything I can to prevent a disorderly Brexit and I expect political leaders across the EU27 and in the United Kingdom to do the same." On Tuesday, May asked opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn to help develop a Brexit plan that could be ratified by the House of Commons, and asked Brussels for more time. Juncker responded that EU leaders would be flexible, but time is limited and a disorderly no-deal Brexit would only be welcomed by populist and nationalist forces. "In light of Prime Minister May's statement last night, I believe we now have a few more days," he ...
India fully prepared to give befitting reply to any attack: Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserted Wednesday that India was fully ready to give a befitting reply to any attack and that the country was in safe hands. She was responding to a question about Indian Air Force scrambling two Sukhoi-30 fighter jets on Monday after a Pakistani drone was sighted. "I want to give this assurance that India and its forces are fully prepared and this is an example. We are ready to give a befitting reply to any attack like this. India is in safe hands," she told reporters. IAF had scrambled two Sukhoi-30 fighter jets after sighting a Pakistani drone along the Indo-Pak border in the Khemkaran sector in Punjab. The drone soon retreated to the Pakistani side.
BJP seeks action against Sisodia for sending letters to voters on Delhi govt's works
The BJP Wednesday sought action against Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for allegedly sending lakhs of letters to Delhi voters about the improved state of government schools without permission of the poll panel and violating the Model Code of Conduct. No immediate reaction was available from Sisodia's office. Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta filed the complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi accusing Sisodia of sending lakhs of letters to Delhi voters without the statutory permission as required under the Model Code of Conduct. Gupta alleged that a large number of voters are receiving these letters through speed post. Sisodia is misusing the government machinery, stationery and public funds for issuing these letters with intent to influence voters in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party, Gupta said. It is a gross violation of Model Code of Conduct, he added. Gupta said Sisodia is issuing letters containing "highly prejudiced political angle". "In ...
RLSP chief Kushwaha to contest from two LS seats
Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief and former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha will fight the Lok Sabha polls from two seats -- Karakat and Ujiarpur, the party announced on Wednesday.Kushwaha will file his nomination papers from Ujiarpur seat on April 9 and from Karakat on April 25. Ujiarpur seat is currently held by Nityanand Rai, BJP's Bihar unit chief.Kushwaha presently represents KarakatLokSabha seat.A key ally of "Mahagathbandhan," RLSP released its list of candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.The party has fielded Brajesh Singh from West Champaran, Akash Kumar Singh from East Champaran and Bhudev Choudhary from Jamui Lok Sabha seat, currently held by Chirag Paswan, son of Ram Vilas Paswan.The "Mahagathbandhan" parties had announced the list of candidates for the ensuing polls on March 29.However, RLSP at that point of time did not announce its candidates. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had said that RLSP would announce its list of candidates on a later date.The Congress ...
Shah seeks Rahul's response on Abdullah's remark over separate premier for J-K
Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Wednesday asked Congress party chief Rahul Gandhi to clarify his stand on his ally Omar Abdullah's demand of a separate Prime Minister for Jammu and Kashmir."Rahul Baba, do you also want two PMs in the country? People of the country want to know the Congress president's response to Omar Abdullah's statements. You should tell the nation whether you support him or not," Shah said at an election rally in Sunderbani town of the district.He also said that a leader of National Conference (NC) raised pro-Pakistan slogans but Mauni Baba, as Shah dubbed him, remained mum. "Rahul Gandhi, you are in alliance with the NC, you cannot escape from the responsibility to clear your stand. Citizens of the country want to know if you agree with raising 'Pakistan Jindabad' slogans," the BJP president asked.He also questioned the Congress' promise in its manifesto to remove the sedition law. "Are all anti-nationals your (Rahul Gandhi) cousins," he asked.The ...
Pak Army promotes 40 Brigadiers to Major General
Pakistan Army Wednesday promoted 40 Brigadiers to the rank of Major General. The approval for the promotions was given by Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at an army promotion board meeting held in Rawalpindi. In a statement, the army said that the board "approved promotion of 40 Brigadiers to Major General". It said that 11 of them were from Army Medical Corps. These promotions are considered as a routine affair but they came amid tensions between Pakistan and India after the deadly Pulwama terror attack and subsequent Indian air strikes on terror camps in Balakot.
I-T sleuths raid Cong leader's house in Mandya
Intensifying its searches in Mandya ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Income Tax department Wednesday raided the house of a Congress leader M S Atmananda. The raids were carried out during noon with the help of CRPF jawans, I-T sources said. Details would be provided once the searches concluded, they said. A week ago, income tax sleuths had raided multiple locations in Bengaluru, Mandya, Ramanagar, Mysuru, Hassan and Shivamogga, triggering angry reaction from the ruling Congress and the JD(S). A day prior to the searches, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had said early morning raids on Congress and theJD(S) leaders were in the offing with the help of CRPF Jawans. The next morning saw I-T sleuths raiding many places. The Congress and the JD(S) leaders laterstaged a demonstration outside the I-T office on March 28. The ruling alliance alleged that the raids were carried out on JD(S) leaders overseeing the elections of Kumaraswamy's son, Nikhil, in Mandya and nephew Prajwal ..
Modi "a flop", says Telangana CM Rao
Attacking both the BJP and the Congress, TRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Wednesday claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also turned out to be an "utter flop" despite having a complete majority in the Lok Sabha. People had seen the governments of Congress and BJP, but development had not taken place as it should have been, he charged, addressing an election meeting near Andole under Zaheerabad Lok Sabha constituency. "Definitely, a good government needs to come if good is to happen in this country. We have seen both parties. We have seen Congress party and also BJP party. People had lot of hopes from Narendra Modi. But, he has also been an utter flop," Rao said. "Modi ji has been Prime Minister for the last five years with complete majority and complete opportunity. But what (good) happened I am asking," he said, He also said while Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged TRS was with Modi, the prime minister alleges it was with ...
Rahul promises to resolve Naga political problem
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Wednesday gave his commitment to help resolve the decades-long Naga political problem if the party forms government at the Centre after the election. It is a complex issue involving multiple stakeholders and talks would be held with all of them to find out a solution, Gandhi said addressing a poll meeting here. "I will not give empty promises but will try to resolve the Naga political issue by working with all the stakeholders," he said. The Centre signed a framework agreement with the NSCN(IM) in 2015 and six Naga nationalist political groups have joined the peace talks separately. But there has not been a breakthrough on the Naga problem. Gandhi said the Congress believes that every single state in India has its own culture, history and belief but the BJP-led NDA government is trying to impose a single idea on the people of the country. He asked, "Who do they think they are to dictate terms on how to live to the people of the North ...
POLLS-JK-FAROOQ
India is not doing justice to the people of Kashmir but it cannot suppress them with its military might, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said Wednesday, asserting that the Centre will have to return the people's right guaranteed by the Constitution. India is not doing justice with us. Had it done justice, we would not have seen the situation we are in. I want to tell (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi, do justice with our people. We do not seek anything else than our rights. We do not seek what is yours, but what is our right, said Abdullah here, referring to the state's special status. He was addressing workers' convention in Beerwah assembly segment. The former Union minister said there was no other option for New Delhi than to return the rights of the people of Kashmir one day. "We seek the rights of the people of the state which you have taken away. If you think you can suppress us with your Army, you have a misconception. We cannot be suppressed. "You will have to ...