Page 1082 - Politics
ECI approaches President Kovind after Rajasthan Governor violated MCC
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday wrote a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind accusing Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh of allegedly violating the model code of conduct.On March 25, Singh had said that as a party worker, he "genuinely" wanted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to win the ensuing Lok Sabha elections while observing that Narendra Modi should become the Prime Minister again. This, however, has been construed as a violation of the MCC by the ECI, sources said earlier today."As a worker of BJP, I genuinely want the party to win. We want that once again Narendra Modi should become the Prime Minister. It is important for the nation and society that Narendra Modi should become the Prime Minister again," Kalyan had told reporters in Aligarh.Singh, who served two terms as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1991-1992 and 1997-1999) was appointed the Governor of Rajasthan in 2014.A Governor is considered to be a neutral post and the person occupying the office is ..
Rahul Gandhi to file nomination from Wayanad on Apr 4, Priyanka to accompany
Congress President Rahul Gandhi will file his nomination from Wayanad on Thursday, accompanied by his sister and Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.On March 31, senior Congress leader AK Antony had announced that Rahul will contest from Wayanad parliamentary constituency in addition to Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.Earlier today, Rahul had said that there was a demand for him to contest from Kerala as Southern India feels Prime Minister Modi is "hostile" towards it.Moreover, AICC general secretary Oommen Chandy had said Rahul's candidature from Wayanad would bring national recognition to Kerala.Kerala, which has 20 Lok Sabha seats, goes to polls in a single phase on April 23. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
JDS leader R Madan quits party
Janata Dal (Secular) vice president for Thirthahalli Taluk, R Madan, resigned on Tuesday amid an alleged rift in the party.The decision comes just a day before JD(S) candidate Madhu Bangarappa is slated to file nomination papers to contest Lok Sabha polls from Shimoga.Talking to ANI, Madan said, "The decision to resign from the post was taken after discussions with the district president. The workers who built the party, have been removed from their respective posts. Now everyone has been removed including me saying that we are no longer useful workers of the party."Madan said he will remain neutral and not work for the party in the ensuing elections.Seven-phased elections in the country will begin on April 11 and go on till May 19. Counting of votes will be done on May 23.Karnataka will go to polls on April 18 and 23.
Opposition promise of unity not visible in LS polls
Congress President Rahul Gandhi's decision to also contest from Left-ruled Kerala apart from Amethi has created further fissures in the opposition ranks ahead of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 11.
Chinese Communist Party's best known Uygur Muslim official arrested for graft
China's ruling Communist Party's best known Uygur Muslim official who headed the government in the troubled Xinjiang province has been arrested for taking bribes, prosecutors announced Tuesday. The National Supervisory Commission has completed an investigation of Nur Bekri's case and handed it over to the procuratorial organ for review and prosecution, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted the Supreme People's Procurate (SPP) as saying. Bekri, 58, held many positions including the chairman of Muslim majority Xinjiang province between 2008-14 where the Chinese security forces are conducting major crackdown against the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, an al-Qaeda linked militant organisation. After his stint in Xinjiang, Bekri worked as deputy head of China's planning body - the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)- and head of the National Energy Administration. He was also the former Mayor of Urumqi, the provincial capital of Xinjiang. Bekri was expelled from the Communist .
AMMK warns of legal action against Madurai seer
The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam Tuesday warned of taking legal action against the Madurai Aadheenam pontiff Arunagirinatha Gnanasambanda Desikar for reportedly saying that the party would merge with the ruling AIADMK. AMMK would take legal action if the pontiff continued making remarks that the party would merge with AIADMK in due course, the party deputy general secretary T T V Dhinakaran said here. Dhinakaran, here for campaigning, hit out at the BJP and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had failed to visit the State when it was ravaged by cyclonic storms. He slammed DMK president M K Stalin for allegedly making scandalous remarks against an inquiry commission probing the circumstances leading to the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Dhinakaran said the DMK was confused and shedding crocodile tears over the matter and trying to fool the people. The AMMK leader claimed the AIADMK was trying to postpone the bypolls to 18 assembly seats, citing seizure of .
Afghan official: Taliban target security forces, killing 8
An Afghan official says the Taliban have targeted a checkpoint in northern Balkh province, killing at least eight members of the security forces. Adil Shah Adil, spokesman for the provincial police chief, says that five other members of the security forces were wounded in Monday night's attack in the district of Sholgara. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Adil blamed the Taliban who are active in Balkh, especially in Sholgara, and have repeatedly struck checkpoints there. Adil says there were also casualties among the Taliban as a three-hour shootout ensued at the checkpoint but he couldn't provide an exact number. The Taliban have stepped up attacks against government officials as well as Afghan security forces across the country even though they are negotiating with a US envoy.
Thai army boss urges political solutions to country's divisions
The head of Thailand's army on Tuesday urged political divides to be solved in parliament, as anger and frustration mount in the aftermath of a disputed election. The military-linked Phalang Pracharat party clinched the popular vote in the March 24 ballot, the first since a 2014 coup. But inconsistent numbers in the first round of counting sowed suspicion over the result and calls have mounted for members of the Election Commission to be dismissed. Royal Thai Army commander in chief Apirat Kongsompong urged competing sides to "help solve problems in parliament, debate in parliament". "But I cannot accept if Thai people come out trying to solve problems on the streets again," he told reporters. He dismissed suggestion of a coup and said there were other steps to control outbreaks of violence such as declaring a state of emergency. "Making a coup is not easy. It depends on several situations," he said. Thailand has been battered by turbulent politics for decades, and has seen more than .
Congress promises dangerous, unimplementable, says BJP
The BJP on Tuesday hit out at Congress over its poll promises over Jammu and Kashmir and amending the sedition law and Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA), saying these were "dangerous" and will break the country.
Cong assures statehood to Puducherry, promises to amend law to restrict LG's power to 3 subjects
The Congress on Tuesday assured full statehood to Puducherry but stopped short of making the same commitment for Delhi if it comes to power. In its manifesto, it promised to amend the Government of NCT of Delhi Act, 1991 so the lieutenant governor acts on the aid and advice of the council of ministers, except in matters concerning the "three reserved subjects", a clear reference to land, police and public order. Delhi and Puducherry have legislative assemblies but do not enjoy the powers of a full states. The lieutenant governor plays a critical role in administering Delhi and Puducherry. "Congress promises to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 to make it clear that the Lieutenant Governor shall act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers except in matters concerning the 3 reserved subjects," the Congress manifesto stated under the 'Federalism and Centre-State relations' section. "Congress promises full statehood to Puducherry," it ...
Security reinstated at RSS office in Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday ordered reinstatement of security outside the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office here, after having it withdrawn on Monday night citing election deployment.
OPS hits out at Stalin
Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam Tuesday hit out at DMK president M K Stalin for his alleged remarks that the AIADMK would disappear after the Lok Sabha polls, saying the ruling party was in the safe hands of its workers. "AIADMK is in the safe hands of 1.5 crore workers, who stood behind former chief minister Jayalalithaa who was general secretary for 27 years, and Stalin cannot destabilise the party... Even his (Stalin) father and former chief minister M Karunanidhi had tried but miserably failed...," Panneerselvam said while campaigning for BJP candidate C P Radhakrishnan in the city. He alleged that the DMK had adopted the culture of violence during its rule and claimed that it continued in the same manner. Jayalalithaa had provided welfare schemes taking into account the need of the people in all sectors, whereas the DMK, in the company of the Congress for 10 years at the Centre, was not able to give any scheme for Tamil Nadu, he claimed.
Trinamool MP Arpita Ghosh's assets soar five-fold
Trinamool Congress MP and theatre activist Arpita Ghosh's movable assets have soared over five-fold to about Rs 28.24 lakh from over Rs 5.44 lakh declared in 2014.
Politics over 'Hindu terror' had its genesis a decade ago
The row between the BJP and the Congress over the 'Hindu terror' tag during the ongoing Lok Sabha poll campaign had its genesis nearly a decade ago when the then Home Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram coined 'saffron terrorism' against the backdrop of blasts in Samjhauta Express and some prominent Muslim religious places. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticised the Congress for coining the term 'Hindu terror', prompting a sharp reaction from the main opposition party. "Congress used the term 'Hindu terror'...it labelled the peace-loving Hindus as terrorists...is there a single incident of Hindu terrorism?" Modi said at a rally in Wardha in Maharashtra. The Congress accused Modi of speaking a lie, claiming that the term 'Hindu terrorism' was defined by his ministerial colleague and senior BJP leader R K Singh when he was the Union Home Secretary. Modi had also claimed that it was Sushil Kumar Shinde, who as Union Home Minister used the term. Chidambaram brought up ...
Postpone Nizamabad polls by 10 days: farmers urge EC
: A section of farmers contesting the Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat, from where Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha is seeking re-election, Tuesday urged the Election Commission to postpone the polls by 10 days, saying they needed sufficient time for campaigning. "As political parties have been propagating their symbol to voters even before the election process begins and most of them are known to voters, we, the Independent candidates who are farmers and have been allotted symbol at an advanced stage, are deprived of equal opportunity to contest the election and take our symbol to the masses in our constituency. Thereby we request your kind authority to postpone the election by 10 days or at least keep election along with the second phase for the Nizamabad constituency," the farmers urged in a memorandum to the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana. Over 170 farmers have filed their nominations for the April 11 Lok Sabha ...
Israeli PM to meet Putin in Moscow
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, his office said in a statement on Tuesday.
Modi to address six rallies in Karnataka from April 8
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address six election rallies in Karnataka, including two on April 18, the day 14 Lok Sabha seats in southern districts will go to polls in the first phase, the BJP's state unit said Tuesday. On April 8, Modi will address rallies at Chitradurga and Mysuru, and on April 13 at Mangaluru and Bengaluru, state BJP general secretary Arvind Limbavali said. The Prime Minister will address public rallies at Chikkodi and Gangavati on April 18, he said in a release. Karnataka will go to polls in two phases, 14 constituencies each, on April 18 and 23. Chikkodi and Gangavati will go to polls in the second phase. BJP president Amit Shah will campaign inthe state on April 10, 12, 17 and 20 at Davangere, Hassan, Tumkur, Kolar, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura and Dharwad, respectively, he said. Several senior leaders of the party including Home Minister Rajnath Singh will be campaigning in the state, he said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will ...
Amit Shah to hit campaign trail in J-K Wednesday
BJP president Amit Shah will address two mega rallies in Udhampur and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. Shah will be campaigning for BJP candidates -- sitting MP Jugal Kishore Sharma and Union minister Jitendra Singh -- seeking re-election from Jammu-Poonch and Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituencies. "Shah will be campaigning for BJP candidates on Wednesday. He will be addressing rallies in Udhampur and Sunderbani area in Rajouri district Wednesday," a BJP spokesman said Tuesday. The BJP in Jammu and Kashmir is banking on its star campaigners to leave a mark in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. The voting for the Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. The state has six Lok Sabha seats. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will also hit the campaign trail to support the BJP candidates in the .
Cong promises law to prevent, punish mob-engineered hate crimes like lynching
The Congress on Tuesday said it will pass a new law in the first session of the next Lok Sabha to prevent and punish hate crimes such as "mob-engineered" lynching, stripping and burning if voted to power. The proposed law will contain provisions to compensate victims and to hold the police and district administration accountable for proven negligence, the party said in its election manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "We will pass a new law in the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha and in the Rajya Sabha to prevent and punish hate crimes such as mob-engineered stripping, burning and lynching," the party said. The Congress has been alleging that cases of lynching and mob violence have increased significantly under the BJP rule and no strong action is taken against the perpetrators of such crimes. The government has categorically rejected all such allegations and said strong action has been taken whenever such cases have occurred. Also, under the section of review of laws, rules ..
Shah vows poor-friendly government like that of MGR
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Tuesday said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will form at the Centre a poor-friendly government like the ones formed by former AIADMK Chief Ministers M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and J. Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu.