Page 1075 - Politics

EC writes to President over Rajasthan governor's comments supporting return of Modi as PM

The Election Commission is learnt to have written to President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday pointing to the violation of model code of conduct by Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh by making political comments. The poll panel had on Monday concluded that Singh's remarks supporting the return of Narendra Modi as prime minister are violative of the model code and is learnt to have written to President Kovind flagging the issue. Sources in the know said, since Singh holds a constitutional post, the Election Commission wrote to President. Reasons why the Election Commission felt that his remarks were against the spirit of the poll code have been given, they said. Election Commission had examined the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister's remarks in the light of model code violation as holding a constitutional post makes him 'apolitical'. Addressing BJP workers at his Aligarh residence on March 23, Singh reportedly said, "All of us are BJP workers and we want the party to win. We want Modiji to .

Mehbooba, Omar welcome Cong's poll promise to amend AFSPA

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Muftis Tuesday hailed the Congress party's poll promise to amend the AFSPA if voted to power in the general elections. Omar Abdullah welcomed the Congress' promise saying it is "better later than never". "If the Congress has mentioned this in their manifesto, I welcome it. It is better late than never. If they had done this before 2014 (polls), we would have worked to lift the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act from certain parts of the state," said Omar Abdullah. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said some friends from the Congress conspired against him when he wanted to lift the AFSPA from some parts of the state. "It is a very good thing. I wish they had done this when I was the chief minister of the state," he said. "That time when I demanded the removal of AFSPA, some Congress friends had conspired against it. I do not want to name them because it won't look good. There were some senior leaders from ..

Delhiites betrayed on full statehood promise: AAP reacts to Cong manifesto

Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Tuesday said the Congress has betrayed the people of the national capital by backtracking from its earlier promise of giving full statehood to Delhi, while it assured the same to Puducherry. "Today, the Congress has crossed all limits. While it has promised full statehood to Puducherry, there is no such mention about Delhi. What enmity do these (the BJP and the Congress) parties have with the people of Delhi," Sisodia said at a poll rally. He said the Congress had assured in its 2009 and 2014 manifestos to grant full statehood to Delhi, but it has now backtracked on its promise. At press conference, AAP's Delhi convenor Gopal Rai said the Congress has met a "step-motherly" treatment to Delhi. "Congress has given step-motherly treatment to the people of Delhi in its manifesto by not supporting full statehood," Rai said. Referring to the Congress manifesto released ahead of the 2015 Delhi elections, Rai said, "When the party had earlier ...

Congress unveils manifesto, focus on jobs, farmers (3rd Lead)

The Congress on Tuesday unveiled its manifesto for the coming Lok Sabha elections seeking to bring the narrative to "real issues", compared to the BJP's "hyper-nationalism" with party chief Rahul Gandhi stressing on five big economic and social ideas including Nyay that will provide Rs 72,000 a year to 20 per cent poorest families.

Will persuade countries to compel Pak to end support to terror: Cong

The Congress on Tuesday vowed to take determined steps to persuade other countries to compel Pakistan to verifiably end its support to terrorist groups, if voted to power. In its 54-page manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls titled "Congress Will Deliver", the party said it would persuade the United Nations (UN) to constantly review the list of terrorists and expand the scope of sanctions. The promise comes amid hectic efforts by India, along with countries such as the US, France and the UK, to get Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar sactioned by the UN. The Congress hit out at the Narendra Modi government's foreign policy in its manifesto, alleging that it had been reduced to "the whim of one man". "Our national interest has been the casualty. We promise to reverse these damaging developments and repose faith in our diplomatic corps to advise on, formulate and conduct foreign policy," the party said. It added that it was implacably opposed to terrorism anywhere in the ...

Cong ally Jaydeep Kawade makes crude remarks against Irani

A video purportedly showing People's Republican Party (PRP) leader Jaideep Kawade making misogynistic remarks against Union minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani has surfaced on social media. In the video, Kawade is seen making objectionable remarks against Irani while addressing an election rally in the Bagadganj area of Nagpur Monday. Kawade made the remarks in the context of Irani wearing a big 'bindi' (a coloured dot) on her forehead. The PRP is an ally of the Congress in Maharashtra. The party is headed by Dalit leader and MLC Jogendra Kawade, the father of Jaideep Kawade. As Kawade's remarks went viral on social media, workers of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP's youth wing, Tuesday filed a complaint against him and a few Congress leaders with the returning officer of the Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency. According to the complaint, Kawade's statements were insulting to the entire women folk and violated the model code of conduct which is in force the ..

Raghunath Mohanty quits BJD, joins BJP

Senior BJD leader and former minister Raghunath Mohanty joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday.Mohanty was inducted into the party at a 'Mishrana Parba' here in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will end on May 19.Odisha will vote in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29. The state will be voting simultaneously for 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Priya Dutt hits out at Centre, says democracy, Constitution in 'danger'

Priya Dutt, daughter of late veteran actor Sunil Dutt, who is contesting from Mumbai North-Central Lok Sabha seat on a Congress ticket, claimed that both democracy and Constitution are presently in "danger"."In the last five years, those who raise their voice against the government are tagged as anti-nationals. They are asked to leave and go to Pakistan," Priya said while campaigning in Kherwadi area of Bandra on Tuesday."Such type of situation is there in the country these days, that people like us have to prove our nationalism and prove that we are also the citizens of this country. Both democracy and constitution are in danger under the present situation," she added.Dutt had entered electoral politics in 2005 and has been contesting from Mumbai North-Central Parliamentary constituency since then. She had fought three general assembly elections too, the last one in 2014. She lost the last LokSabha polls to BJP'sPoonamMahajan.Maharashtra will go to polls in four phases, starting ...

Islamabad urges US to mediate for resumption of talks with India

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday dialed US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo, urging him to mediate in resuming talks with India to find solutions to "all outstanding disputes.""Foreign Minister Qureshi informed Mr Pompeo about the de-escalatory measures taken by Pakistan including the handing over of the Indian pilot. He also urged US to play its role for the resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India to find solutions to all outstanding disputes," said the Pakistan Foreign Office in a statement.The two leaders also exchanged views on the current situation in the region and discussed bilateral issues."Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan-US ties were important for promoting regional peace and stability. He appreciated US role and efforts in diffusing tensions in the region. He also briefed Secretary Pompeo about efforts and progress in the implementation of Pakistan's National Action Plan," stated the statement.They also discussed and agreed ..

Four civilians injured in Pakistan shelling

Four civilians were injured on Tuesday in indiscriminate Pakistan shelling on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district.

UK to ask EU for more time to break Brexit logjam

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday said the UK would seek a further short extension from the European Union (EU) to try and break the parliamentary logjam over Brexit. After a marathon seven-hour-long Cabinet meeting at Downing Street, May issued a statement to indicate the government's next steps a day after the House of Commons once again failed to agree on any specific alternative to her controversial EU divorce bill. As things stand, the UK is set to leave the EU on April 12 without a deal unless a withdrawal agreement or an extension is agreed by the other 27 members of the economic bloc. "I have always been clear that we could make a success of No Deal in the long-term. But leaving with a deal is the best solution. So we will need a further extension of Article 50 one that is as short as possible," May said in her statement. In reference to the repeated failure of the Commons to come up with a Brexit strategy that is backed by a majority, May pointed out that MPs had

Rahul challenges PM to debate him on security, corruption and foreign policy

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to debate with him on national security, corruption and foreign policy. Gandhi, while addressing a gathering at its manifesto release event at the party headquarters here, claimed that the prime minister was "scared" and did not want to have a "real debate". Asked about BJP's pitch on issues pertaining to "Hindus" and nationalism, the Congress chief said: "We all are Hindus, but the country needs employment, there is a need to help the farmers in the country, the country needs NYAY, there is a need to take care of women, give reservation to women." "Narendra Modi is trying to hide, he is scared, he doesn't want to have a real debate. I challenge Narendra Modiji that he should debate with me on corruption, on national security, on foreign policy," Gandhi said. Gandhi has been repeatedly daring the Prime Minister to debate him on national security issues, especially the Rafale fighter jet deal, asserting ...

Cong, BJP spar over opposition party's manifesto pledge to review AFSPA in J&K

The Congress and the BJP engaged in a war of words on Tuesday over the opposition party's manifesto pledge to review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir. While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it would compromise national security, the Congress hit back saying if amending AFSPA was anti-national, why did the government withdraw it from Tripura, Meghalaya and some districts of Arunachal Pradesh. In significant proposals, the Congress, in its 54-page manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, promised to review the deployment of armed forces, move more troops to the border to stop infiltration completely, reduce the presence of the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in the Valley and entrust more responsibility with the Jammu and Kashmir police for maintaining law and order. "The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Disturbed Areas Act in Jammu and Kashmir will be reviewed," the party said, adding that suitable changes would

Electoral bond scheme lacks transparency: Former CEC

Pointing out several serious flaws in the electoral bond scheme, V.S. Sampath, former Chief Election Commissioner, on Tuesday said the scheme lacks transparency.

BJP announces two women LS candidates in Gujarat

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday announced two more candidates, both women, for the Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat.

Rahul to address three rallies in northeast on Wednesday

Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address three back to back election rallies in Nagaland and Assam on Wednesday.

Parties should implement promises made in manifestos: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said political parties should concentrate on proper implementation of the promises made in their respective manifestos. Claiming that most of the promises made by her party in the earlier polls were fulfilled, the Trinamool Congress supremo said the manifesto of a party is its vision document. "Manifesto reflects a party's ideology and parties will have to use their preferences. You go through all the manifestos. We have implemented more than 200," the chief minister told reporters at the state secretariat. Banerjee declined to comment on the Congress' manifesto released earlier in the day, which has similarity to that of the TMC. "I have no comments on the manifesto of others. It's their prerogative. Proper implementation is very much needed. Commitment is commitment," she said. Banerjee lost her cool when asked whether she advanced her campaign meetings at Dinhata from April 4 by a day keeping in mind the meeting of ...

Cong manifesto promises separate budget for farm sector

Seeking to address the issue of distress in the farm sector, the Congress for the first time promised on Tuesday to have a separate budget for farmers and help them move from "karz maafi to karz mukti" (from loan waiver to freedom from indebtedness). With a special focus on agriculture in its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the opposition party alleged that the sector had been driven into a "deep crisis" under the BJP-led government and that farmers were denied an adequate minimum support price (MSP) for their produce for four years. It further alleged that the farmers of the country were left to fend for themselves with little or no support from the government. The Congress also promised to enhance the work days under MGNREGA from the present 100 to 150 and make failure to repay farm loans a civil offence instead of criminal at present. The party also said the NYAY (minimum income guarantee) scheme would ensure that the poor people and farmers would get Rs 72,000 per ...

Britain to seek further 'short' delay to Brexit

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Tuesday she will seek another "short" extension of Brexit in order to pass the deal she agreed with the European Union. May came out of seven hours of crunch talks with her ministers and also offered to meet opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn for negotiation on a joint approach that could break the current impasse in parliament. "Leaving with a deal is the best solution," May said from her Downing Street office in nationally-televised remarks. "We will need a further extension to Article 50, one that is as short as possible, and which ends when we pass a deal," she said. Article 50 is the withdrawal notice May sent to Brussels in March 2017. EU leaders have agreed to extend the original March 29 Brexit deadline until April 12 to avoid a chaotic "no-deal" ending to the 46-year EU-UK partnership. May stressed that the 27 EU leaders would need to know why Brexit should be pushed back again before approving her request, which needs ...

Congress manifesto a pack of lies: Amit Shah

BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday dubbed the Congress's election manifesto a "pack of lies" and said it was an insult to the country's people and its brave soldiers. In a statement, he hit out at the opposition party over its promise to repeal Section 124A (sedition law) and review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, saying it is bringing a smile to terrorists and separatists while lowering the morale of the armed forces. Repealing the sedition law will lead to chanting of slogans like "Bharat tere tukde honge" (India will break into pieces) by anti-national gangs instead of "Bharat mata ki jai" (Hail Mother India), he claimed. "Removing AFSPA will snath armed forces' weapon to attack terrorists," Shah added. Shah said the party was misleading people in the name of its NYAY scheme or the Minimum Income Support Programme (MISP). The Congress, in its manifesto released Tuesday, said it aims to bring NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana) or MISP to provide Rs 72,000 a year to the poorest 20 per ...